Remote Media Center Allows Access to Your Media From Android
Last Updated on Friday, 9 December 2011 08:04 Written by Alan Sunday, 11 December 2011 07:00
Remote Potato is a server for Windows Media Center and just recently they got a brand new Android app, well a new version anyway. Remote Media Center is currently the only Android app that works with Remote Potato and it’s capable of streaming all of the files on your Media Center PC to any Android device. Pictures, Music, Videos, Movies, even recorded TV are all available at your fingertips. Remote Media Center also allows Android users to change server options and browse the recording schedule.
Before you get started you will need to first install and set up Remote Potato on your Windows 7 Media center computer. Remote Potato is also compatible with Windows Vista and Windows XP, but if you want to use Remote Media Center for Android then you will need to be running Windows 7 on your home theater PC. Once you have Remote Potato installed and configured then you can access it from any web browser, but it’s not very practical for mobile devices since it requires Silverlight and most mobile operating systems aren’t Silverlight compatible.
Remote Media Center eliminates that restriction and also provides a simple user interface to all of your Media Center files. Just install the app, provide the your log-in details (IP address, port number and logon details) and you’re all set. All you need to access your media collection, plus configure your TV recordings, is included in the app, optimized for your device’s touch-screen interface.
Remote Potato and Remote Media Center for Android are both free to download and use. There is also an official iOS app, but it will set you back $6.99. To get started visit Remote Potato, to download and install it. Then, once that is set up, head over to the Remote Media Center download, or look for it it in the Android Market.
Turn Your PC into a WiFi Hot Spot
Last Updated on Wednesday, 26 October 2011 09:53 Written by Alan Thursday, 27 October 2011 07:00
No matter if you’re at home or on the road, having a WiFi connection is handy because almost everyone has multiple devices hungry for that connection. If you are stuck with a wired connection to your computer, but want to use the connection for another device then you have a few options. One is to invest in a router – a basic router will work just fine in the home, or a special travel-size router can be handy on the road.
Now there is a cheaper alternative, because Windows users can turn their PC’s in virtual WiFi routers with a free app called, no irony, Virtual WiFi Router. You can install it on a desktop for home use or put it on your notebook and take it on the road.
To get started you will need to do a little preparation work on your computer. Click Start => Control Panel => Programs.
On the left side of the screen click on Turn Windows features on or off.
Scroll down to Microsoft .NET Framework and enable both HTTP Activation and Non-HTTP Activation by checking the boxes next to each option. Click OK. This change does NOT require a restart of Windows.
Now click Start => Control Panel => Network and Internet => Network and Sharing Center.
On the left side of the window click on Change adapter settings. Right-click on your network connection and choose Properties. Click to enable Allow other network users to connect through this computer’s internet connection.
Finally, you are done with the preparation of your computer. Now download and install Virtual WiFi Router (currently version 2.0.1.1). Make sure you right-click the .EXE file and choose Run as administrator. Almost instantly a small “R” should appear in your system tray.
Right-click the icon and choose Start WiFi Router. Choose the connection you want to share from the drop-down list, then click Configure to enter a name and password for your network and the click Start.
Once “Start” is clicked a new WiFi network instantly become available, and your new network will even be password-protected thanks to the previous step. To view devices connected to this network, click on the Clients Connected tab.
In my tests I had no problem connecting to the new network with Android and Windows Phone 7 devices, so it seems that everything works well with no set-up hassle. As long as you follow the preparation steps outlined you should be up and running in five minutes. Even better, the app is free. You can download a copy by visiting VirtualWiFiRouter.
New Cloud Storage Service Backify Gives 512 GB for Free
Last Updated on Tuesday, 18 October 2011 10:47 Written by Alan Wednesday, 19 October 2011 07:00
A new cloud storage service has jumped in the game and they are either in it to win it or in it to go broke in a hurry. Backify is offering a mind-boggling 512 GB of free storage, along with two paid plans – unlimited for $3 per month or unlimited plus briefcase for $5 per month. That’s a whole lot storage for nothing, or next-to-nothing. It’s also a reason to be skeptical.
Once you sign up you will be able to download a software program that takes care of backup for you. That’s a plus because the website interface has ads, and the app doesn’t. Of course, that’s costing Backify some revenue, so that makes one doubt the validity of the service.
For now, we are taking a wait-and-see approach to this because of all of the red flags – price, storage space, etc.. However, it does SEEM to be legitimate. We will do some testing on a computer not connected to any network and research their security a little further. It’s not far-fetched that a start-up would do this to get in the game, so let’s not assume anything is amiss here.
In the coming weeks we will have a full report on using it, how it works, and how secure it is. For now, if you want to try it out then take some precautions like using a throw-away email address and a password that isn’t being used for other sign-ons you have. If that’s not a problem for you then by all means give this service try. We plan to do the same.
