Sunday, May 26, 2019

Apple : Champions League and Europa League finals to get free live stream from BT Sport

Apple : Champions League and Europa League finals to get free live stream from BT Sport

Champions League and Europa League finals to get free live stream from BT Sport

Posted: 26 May 2019 09:36 AM PDT

Horrible, wasn't it. Seeing those live scores come in during the Champions League semi-finals, knowing that you were missing two of the most exciting football matches in living memory as you cursed BT Sport and its exclusive rights to show them. Yep, we feel you.

Well the good news is that it doesn't have to be like that for the Champions League and Europa League finals. BT has once again made the matches absolutely free to watch (hallelujah!).

First comes Chelsea vs Arsenal beaming all the way from Baku, Azerbaijan in the Europa League final this Wednesday night at 8pm. Then, at the same time on Saturday, it's all eyes on Spurs vs Liverpool in the Champions League final from Madrid.

All you need to do is head over to either of BT Sport website or BT Sport YouTube channel (or Virgin Media channel 100/532, if you have it) at around 7pm on Wednesday and/or Saturday and then drink in the build-up. The games are absolutely free so everybody can enjoy them - except for Manchester United fans, of course...

Read more:

Live stream the finals from anywhere in the world

The only thing stopping you catching the games is if you happen to be abroad for this week's big finals, as the BT coverage will be geo-blocked and so not readily watchable overseas - what an awful bit of timing for your holiday or business trip!

But all is not lost as you can try using a VPN to change your IP address to a UK server and watch as if you were back at home.

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Indy 500 live stream 2019: how to watch today's IndyCar race online from anywhere

Posted: 26 May 2019 09:30 AM PDT

Start your engines and settle in for the next few hours - the 2019 edition of the Indianapolis 500 is here. If your idea of the perfect Sunday is watching 33 cars rounding the 2.5 mile lap 200 times, then we'll explain how you can watch every minute of the race - no matter where in the world you are - thanks this guide to getting an Indy 500 live stream.

In a surprising turn of events during the qualifiers last Sunday, two-time Formula 1 world champion Fernando Alonso failed to qualify for this year’s Indy 500. He had planned to complete the motorsport Triple Crown this year by adding an Indy 500 win to his Monaco Grand Prix and Le Mans victories. However, during Alonso’s final chance to qualify in the Last Row Shootout he was knocked out of the race by 23-year-old Kyle Kaiser.

Alonso may be out but the race must go on and Simon Pagenaud, Ed Carpenter and Spencer Pigot will start first in row 1 followed by ED Jones, Colton Herta and Will Power in row 2 - the latter, of course, won last year's Indianapolis 500.

Whether you’re a die-hard fan of IndyCar racing, need a break from all the Memorial Day sales shopping or just want to tune into the 103rd Indianapolis 500 this weekend, we’ll show you how to live stream the Indy 500 event online from anywhere in the world.

How to watch the 2019 Indy 500: live stream in the US

Racing fans in the US with a cable subscription can watch this year’s Indy 500 on NBC. This will be the first time since 1965 that the race will not be broadcast on ABC after the network lost the rights so you can bet that NBC will be going all out with its coverage of the Indy 500. 

The network will begin broadcasting the event at 11am ET (8am PT, 4pm BST) though the race will start an hour and a half later at 12.30pm ET. You can also stream the Indy 500 via the NBC Sports live streaming website on desktop and mobile but you will have to enter your cable provider’s credentials to get access to this stream.

If you’d prefer to watch the Indy 500 without commercials along with every practice leading up to Sunday’s big event, you can do so by purchasing the NBC Sports Gold IndyCar Pass. Usually the annual pass costs $64.99 but NBC is offering a deal ahead of the Indy 500 where you can get it for just $39.99. In addition to additional coverage of the Indy 500, you also be able to watch every Indy Lights race this year with the ability to stream full races on-demand or watch a shortened 30-minute Fast Forward recap.

Get an Indy 500 live stream from outside your country

With plenty of US viewing options (As well as details on how to watch the Indianapolis 500 in Canada and the UK below, too), you shouldn't have any trouble watching at home.

The problems begin if you're away travelling outside the US this weekend. Try and tune into the NBC or any other domestic stream and you'll soon discover a big fat geo-block in your way.

Annoying, but you can easily swerve around it with VPN. A Virtual Private Network allows you to change the IP address of your laptop, phone, tablet or - if you have one with you - TV streaming device. Set it to one back in your country (it's surprisingly easy to do), and suddenly you'll be able to watch an Indy 500 live stream as if you were sat back on your sofa.

How to live stream Indy 500 in the US without cable - and for FREE

If you don’t have a cable subscription, don’t worry as there are still plenty of other ways to watch the 2019 Indy 500 on NBC without subscribing or purchasing a digital antenna for your TV. To simplify things for you, we’ve listed all of the streaming services that will give you access to NBC below.

  • Hulu with Live TV $44.99 per month - Hulu with Live TV doesn’t give you access to NBC in most markets though there are some where it is available. Unfortunately, you’ll have to check before signing up to see if NBC is offered in your area. The service also supports a wide variety of streaming devices and even includes its own Hulu Originals in case you want a break from watching sports.
  • YouTube TV $49.99 per month - YouTube TV does give you access to NBC as well as ESPN, TNT and ABC in most markets. The service also includes free unlimited DVR storage space so you can record sporting events for later and you can stream the service on three devices simultaneously. A free 14-day trial is also available so you can test it out for yourself.
  • Playstation Vue starting at $44.99 per month - Playstation Vue has four plans: Access, Core, Elite and Ultra but you'll need to opt for the Core plan at $49.99 per month to watch sports. The service gives you access to NBC, ESPn, TNT and ABC in most markets. There is also a 5-day free trial available.
  • DirecTV Now $50 per month - DirecTV Now doesn’t offer NBC in every market, so you’ll have to check before signing up but you do get access to ESPN, TNT and ABC in most markets. You can stream on up to three screens simultaneously and with the DirecTV Now app you can watch live TV on the go. New customers can take advantage of a 7-day trial but you'll have to purchase on of DirecTV Now's packages first.
  • Sling TV starting at $15 per month - Sling TV’s Sling Blue plan includes NBC in select markets, so once again you’ll have to check based on where you live. You can also combine the company’s Sling Blue and Sling Orange packages for $25 per month.
  • fuboTV $44.99 for the first month - fuboTV offers NBC in select markets which means you’ll have to check before signing up. The service includes Cloud DVR so you can record games to watch them later and if you forget to record a game, the company's 3-day replay allows you to replay nearly any game, show or movie that aired in the last three days. FuboTV even offers a free 7-day trial so you can test out the service.

- Discover our pick of all the US's best sports streaming sites 

How to watch the 2019 Indy 500: Canada live stream 

If you live in Canada and want to watch this year’s Indy 500 on TV, Sportsnet has you covered and the network will begin broadcasting the race at 12.45pm ET (9.45am PT). 

If you’d rather stream the event on desktop, mobile or on your favorite streaming device, you can do so by signing up for Sportsnet’s own streaming service, Sportsnet Now. Sportsnet expanded the service last year by adding a new tier called SN Now+ which costs $27.99 per month. 

 How to watch the 2019 Indy 500: UK live stream 

If you plan on watching the Indy 500 in the UK this weekend, Sky Sports F1 is your destination where it follows on from the Monaco Grand Prix in a big motor racing double header this Sunday.

Alternatively, grabbing an £8.99 day pass to Now TV will let you live stream the Indy 500 and events from Monte Carlo (as well as all other Sky Sports coverage over 24 hours).

Outside the UK this weekend? Remember that you can use a VPN to change your IP address to one in the UK where you’ll be able to watch the Indy 500 from any of the streaming services we’ve listed above.

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Samsung Galaxy S11: what we want to see

Posted: 26 May 2019 09:00 AM PDT

We're not expecting to see the Samsung Galaxy S11 release for a long time since, if Samsung continues its yearly cycles for phone releases, it will be out in or around February 2020 – but we've already been seeing some hints and clues as to what we can expect from it.

On top of that there are some features we didn't see in the Samsung Galaxy S10 that we were expecting, and there were aspects of the Samsung Galaxy A80 and Galaxy Fold that would work well in a new Galaxy S flagship.

Inspired by all these phones, we've drawn up a list of the things we'd like to see in the Samsung Galaxy S11, or whatever the next Samsung Galaxy S phone ends up being (it could be the Galaxy S20, given that phone companies seem to jump straight from 10 to 20 when numbering phones).

Cut to the chase

  • What is it? The next Galaxy S smartphone from Samsung
  • When is it out? Likely February / March 2020
  • What will it cost? Likely more than $899 / £799 / AU$1,349 

Samsung Galaxy S11 release date and price

We saw the Samsung Galaxy S10 release alongside the Samsung Galaxy S10e and Galaxy S10 Plus, in late February 2019. Since Samsung tends to release its phones in yearly cycles, we expect to see the Samsung Galaxy S11 release in February or March 2020.

The Galaxy S10 cost $899 / £799 / AU$1,349 for its cheapest storage size, and went all the way up to $1,149 / £999 / AU$1,699, when it released.

We would expect the Samsung Galaxy S11 price to be a small increase on this, as the Galaxy S10 was pricier than the Galaxy S9. Taking into consideration the usual price increases on Galaxy S handsets between generations, we'd expect to see it cost around $1,000 / £900 / AU$1,500 for the cheapest version, and even more for more memory.

1. Better camera specs 

The Samsung Galaxy S10 has three rear cameras: the 12MP main sensor with a regular lens, the 12MP second sensor with a telephoto lens for distance shots, and the 16MP third sensor with an ultra-wide lens.

The three lenses are generally what we'd expect in a smartphone camera, but the resolution of each is a lot lower than in many other phones.

Handsets like the Honor 20 Pro have a 48MP main snapper, which is a big step up from 12MP, and even affordable handsets sometimes now come with four lenses (the extra is usually a time-of-flight or macro sensor for close-up shots), so to stay competitive in the smartphone camera game Samsung needs to up its game.

The Honor 20 Pro's four cameras. Image credit: TechRadar

We've heard that Samsung is working on a 64MP smartphone camera that could be put in the Samsung Galaxy S11 – if this is true, the new phone would blow its competitors out of the water.

2. A 3.5mm headphone jack

If you're scratching your head thinking "the Samsung Galaxy S10 does have a 3.5mm headphone jack", then you're right – but it may be the last of its kind.

Newer Galaxy smartphones like the Samsung Galaxy A80 have ditched the headphone jack, so it seems Samsung is following suit behind many other smartphone companies in getting rid of the physical headphone port.

But since many, many people still use non-Bluetooth earphones, it's a feature that we'd love to see return in future Samsung smartphones, especially given it's one of the only high-end smartphone manufacturers to still be using them.

3. Different front-facing camera arrangement

The Samsung Galaxy S10 was one of the first phones to have a 'punch-hole' front-facing camera, which means the front snapper was in a cut-out section inside the screen, in the corner.

The Galaxy S10 Plus' punch-hole camera. Image credit: TechRadar

In theory this is a useful feature that replaces the top notch, so you get more screen real estate – but in practice the punch-hole takes just as much space, as there's a sliver of screen between the camera and the edge that just isn't used.

Going forward, we'd like to see Samsung take a different tack – Samsung itself has said it's planning to drop the punch-hole in favor of a camera under the screen, but that could still be a few Galaxy S phones down the line.

4. Greater battery capacity

The Samsung Galaxy S10 had a 3,400mAh battery – that's fine, but you've got no hope of that lasting more than a second day of use, especially if you use your phone a lot.

We'd hope the Samsung Galaxy S11 battery life would surpass that – it will definitely have to have a bigger capacity to cater for all the new tech the phone uses, but we'd like to see a serious improvement on the capacity, perhaps 4,000mAh or above.

5. More launch colors

The Samsung Galaxy S10 comes in a few colors, most commonly prism white and black – but we always love a vibrant design in a phone, and so far Samsung handsets have often seemed a little dull.

The vibrant Samsung Galaxy S10e. Image credit: TechRadar

We're not asking for the crazy back patterns of a Huawei or Honor phone, but it would be nice for the Samsung Galaxy S11 to launch in a few different colors.

The Samsung Galaxy S10 has a few colors that are only available in certain regions, like yellow, green or red, but if Samsung made these designs available from the get-go in all regions, we'd appreciate the design a lot more.

6. Affordable 5G

We're expecting there to be a Samsung Galaxy S11 5G – there was a Samsung Galaxy S10 5G, after all, and by the time the S11 launches 5G will be available in many countries.

However, the Galaxy S10 5G is even bigger than the Samsung Galaxy S10 Plus, and so is massive and expensive. Currently there are no affordable 5G smartphones on the horizon, but Samsung could really get ahead of the curve if the Galaxy S11, or Galaxy S11e, had a low price and ran on 5G networks.

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Walmart Memorial Day sale: save up to $400 on top brand 4K TVs

Posted: 26 May 2019 06:59 AM PDT

Memorial Day weekend is officially here, and that means discounts and deals from your favorite retailers. Walmart's Memorial Day sale includes discounts sitewide and massive price cuts on its best-selling 4K TVs. You can find Black Friday-like prices on top brands such as Vizio, LG, Samsung, and more. You'll also find a variety of sizes and features to meet all your viewing needs.

If you're looking for a mid-size TV with premium features, Walmart has the Vizio 65-inch 4K TV on sale for just $499.99. That's a $198 discount and the best price we've seen for the smart TV. The UHD TV is part of Vizio's D-Series lineup which means you'll get to watch movies and TV shows in stunning resolution with bright colors and sharp contrasts. The smart TV also has Google Chromecast built-in so you can download thousands of apps on your smartphone to stream on the TV. The Vizio TV is also compatible with Amazon Alexa so you can use your voice to search movies, turn down the volume, change the channel and more.

Shop more of Walmart's best Memorial Day TV deals below.

Walmart Memorial Day TV deals:

Shop more of best cheap TV deals and sale prices that are currently going on.

Shop more deals with our roundup of the best Memorial Day sales of 2019.

Learn more about Prime Day with our guide on Amazon Prime Day 2019: everything you need to know for the July deals event.

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Security researcher spots a macOS malware vulnerability that's not yet patched

Posted: 26 May 2019 06:41 AM PDT

Watch out for this potential vulnerability if you're opening up apps on a Mac: a security researcher has worked out a way that malware makers can bypass the macOS Gatekeeper protections to run malicious code.

Filippo Cavallarin details the security hole on his website and explains how it gets around Gatekeeper – the feature that prompts users to confirm they want to install applications from outside the Mac App Store.

The key is in the way macOS handles network shares and treats them as safe: the system could be tricked into opening a zip file archive that contains malicious code. In theory, would-be hackers gets to run whatever code they like.

While the vulnerability would still require someone to open a zip file and trust the files it contains in order to work, it does seem to be a valid way of getting around the protections that Gatekeeper puts in place.

90-day deadline

Cavallarin says he told Apple about the issue 90 days ago and was assured it had been dealt with. However, the latest macOS 10.14.5 remains vulnerable, apparently.

"This issue was supposed to be addressed, according to the vendor, on May 15th 2019 but Apple started dropping my emails," says Cavallarin. "Since Apple is aware of my 90 days disclosure deadline, I make this information public."

As yet Apple hasn't responded to Cavallarin's report, and so we don't know when the vulnerability is going to get patched up (or if it works in exactly the way Cavallarin has claimed in his report).

It's a reminder to treat all incoming files with suspicion, whatever operating system you're running – especially if they have the ability to run code on your computer.

Via AppleInsider

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F1 live stream: how to watch today's 2019 Monaco Grand Prix online from anywhere

Posted: 26 May 2019 05:21 AM PDT

It's time to see whether Mercedes will continue their Monte Carlo dominance and extend their lead at the top of the standings. Even for casual Formula 1 fans, the Monaco Grand Prix is an unmissable race on the motor racing calendar. The good news is that you can watch the super challenging Monaco Grand Prix in all its glory and this guide will show you exactly how to watch the race with an F1 live stream from anywhere in the world.

The 2019 F1 season has reached that inevitable point where the streets of Monaco are shut to Sunday drivers and, well, all drivers except the very best of Formula 1. Last year Daniel Ricciardo was the winner of this race with Sebastian Vettel taking the top spot the year before, Hamilton the year before that and Rosberg before that. So this is clearly an exciting race where the winner could be anybody. That said, Hamilton and teammate Valtteri Bottas are absolutely crushing the competition and have yet another one-two at the front of the grid today.

If Hamilton can win the 2019 Monaco Grand Prix, that will be his third time taking the title which puts him alongside only two other legendary British drivers and knights of the realm: Sir Stirling Moss and Sir Jackie Stewart. 

You can catch all the Monaco Grand Prix racing action live from anywhere you are, using this guide. Read on to find out how to live stream this F1 race.

How to watch the Monaco Grand Prix from outside your country

To see how you can stream F1 live from the Monaco Grand Prix in the UK, Australia, the US, Canada and New Zealand, then scroll a little further down this page to see the broadcast options. But if you try and tune in to your native stream from outside your country, you'll quickly discover that it's geo-blocked.

How to stream F1 live from Monaco in the UK:

How live stream the Monaco Grand Prix in Australia

How to watch the Monaco Grand Prix in the US:

How to watch a Monaco F1 live stream in the Canada:

How to get an F1 live stream in New Zealand

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The cheapest Nintendo Switch bundles and deal prices in the May sales 2019

Posted: 26 May 2019 05:12 AM PDT

So you're well into 2019 now and still haven't found any cheap Nintendo Switch bundles to suit you? Well, let's see what we can do about that as we scour the net for the hottest Nintendo Switch deal prices.

We're listing all of the best Nintendo Switch sales right here and we're always on the the lookout for the best bundles with extra games, controllers and other accessories so we can share them with you while they're hot. Scroll past the bundles on this page and we'll show you prices on extra Joy-Con and Pro controllers and Nintendo Switch memory cards too. If you want to play online multiplayer and get other benefits like free games you'll want to pick up a Nintendo Switch Online subscription deal too.

US Nintendo Switch bundles are small in number this week, but we've rounded up the best ones, including packs with extra games or accessories. In the UK you can find plenty with the best Nintendo Switch games like Super Smash Bros Ultimate, Pokemon: Let's Go Pikachu, Mario Kart 8: Deluxe and more all with a decent discount too. You'll find all the cheapest Nintendo Switch bundles from reliable retailers below.

If you're looking for another dose of Nintendo's handheld happiness then maybe you want to consider a cheap 3DS deal too. We have a dedicated page of Nintendo Switch prices for our Australian readers too.

The latest cheap Nintendo Switch deals

Want to know where to buy a Nintendo Switch? Check out our comparison charts and the latest bundle highlights with extra games and accessories below for the best deals. Don't forget, on its own, the MSRP/RRP Nintendo Switch price is $299/£279, so you don't want to pay more than that unless you're getting some extras.

We've highlighted our picks of the best and cheapest Nintendo Switch bundles below. Just be aware that many game bundles at quieter times of the year don't really offer much of a discount over buying the items separately. We'll steer you clear of console bundles that actively charge you more than the regular combined MSRP (not cool, guys!).

The UK scene for discounted Nintendo Switch deals is quite competitive thanks to the large number of retailers trying to get your business. We usually find a strong selection of bundles every week nowadays, even in those quieter times of year not particularly known for sales. So take a look below for discounts on packages with games, hardware and accessories.

As with any new console we imagine you're wanting to know a bit more about the console before you put any money down. So in addition to finding the best Nintendo Switch bundle deals, we're going to help bring in answers to the burning questions.

Nintendo Switch Joy-con controller deals

What are the Joy-Con controllers?

The Joy-Con controller is actually a pair of controllers that attach to the sides the the Nintendo Switch when not in use or when playing in tablet form away from the TV. When playing the Nintendo Switch on the TV, you can remove them and play with one in each hand. The left hand gets a controller with an analogue stick and d-pad, the right hand handles the one with a second analogue and the usual A, B, X and Y face buttons. Or you and a friend can use one each in multiplayer games with the d-pad doubling up as impromptu face buttons. 

You get a pair with the console, but you might want to buy more to allow extra players to get involved in games like Mario Kart 8, FIFA 18 and many more. Or maybe you just fancy some different colors for your own use.

Nintendo Switch Joy-Con Grip controller

What's the Joy-Con Grip controller?

The Joy-Con Grip is an additional accessory that joins the two Joy-Con controllers together, forming something something a bit more solid for you to hold thanks to the extended handles and plastic block between the two sides. The square dimension form-factor may remind older gamers of the Dreamcast controller, while everyone else will mainly be thinking how it resembles an odd-looking dog face. Nintendo is providing one in the box with the Nintendo Switch, so you won't have to buy one separately. This won't charge your controller though and doesn't have a battery pack.

Yes and it doesn't come with the console. But you won't actually need one to play any games, so don't feel pressured in to buying one. The Nintendo Switch Pro controller is a more traditional-style pad and launched alongside the Nintendo Switch. Prices aren't cheap though, starting around $69.99/£64.99. There's currently no sign of a Nintendo Switch Premium Edition console with one included.

Do I need to buy extra controllers for multiplayer on Nintendo Switch?

Possibly not! Remember how the Joy-Con controller splits in two? Turn them sideways and you get two basic controllers, each with their own analogue stick and face buttons - the d-pad acts as face functions on the left controller. So far we've seen 2K's NBA series, Snipper Clips and Mario Kart being used this way for local multiplayer in both docked and tablet modes. So you get multiplayer functionality straight out of the box with no additional purchase required.

However, if you want to play four-player games, then you're going to need to invest in an extra pair of Joy-Con controllers or some Pro controllers. We'd buy the Joy-Cons as a pair (see our comparison chart above) as you'll save a bit of cash over buying them separately. Better yet, if your friends own a Switch, ask them to bring their controllers to the party!

Super Mario Odyssey deals

This has been one of the best games on the Nintendo Switch so far and an absolute must for Mario and platforming fans. Like Zelda below though, this being a first-party Nintendo title, it's taking forever to go down in price. It's slowly happening though, so we've rounded up the cheapest Super Mario Odyssey prices for you below. If you're not getting this game in a bundle, we'd strongly advise picking it up separately as soon as possible.

The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild deals

The reviews have heaped huge praise upon this eagerly awaited launch title, making it an essential purchase for any Nintendo Switch buyer. As with any new console, the prices of the big games can be more expensive than usual. We've shopped around for you though and have found the best prices for The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild on the Nintendo Switch. Take a look below.

With only 32GB of internal storage, you'll be wanting to pick up a cheap memory card or two for your new Nintendo Switch for any digital purchases or the inevitable game-fixing patches. Don't fret though, they're actually surprisingly cheap, with even 64GB ones coming in at under £20/$25.

What memory cards does the Nintendo Switch need? Those will be Micro SD cards also known as, depending on their size, as MicroSDHC (up to 32GB) or MicroSDXC (up to a huge 2TB soon). Nintendo also has their own branded cards, but you'll be paying more just for a label. So for now, we'd take a look at this range of cheap MicroSDXC Nintendo Switch-friendly cards.

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The best free PDF editor 2019: edit documents without paying a penny

Posted: 26 May 2019 04:51 AM PDT

Truly great free PDF editors are hard to come by, but there are some excellent tools around if you know where to look.

PDF documents are designed to look and behave exactly the same way on any device. That makes it a brilliant format for sharing, but editing them is another matter. Most office software and photo editors let you export documents in PDF format, but editing requires a dedicated tool. That's because PDF was initially a proprietary format owned by Adobe, and it still owns some of the technologies associated with it. Other companies can license those technologies, but only for a fee that's usually passed on to you – the user.

There aren’t many free PDF editors, and even fewer that won’t leave your documents with unsightly watermarks. That's why we've rounded up the very best free PDF editing software that's free to use and won't add any unwanted extras to your work.

  • Want your company or services to be added to this buyer’s guide? Please email your request to desire.athow@futurenet.com with the URL of the buying guide in the subject line.

Apower PDF

Image credit: Apowersoft

There are two options on the ApowerPDF homepage: ‘Launch Online’ and ‘Download Desktop’. Despite appearances, these aren’t the same tools. The desktop software is only a trial of a premium product, and will watermark your edited PDFs. The tool we’re using here is the online editor, which has no such limitations.

Editor's choice: ApowerPDF

Click ‘Launch Online’ and you’ll be prompted to download and run a small launcher app, after which the online editor will launch. You can edit text (including formatting), add text and images, encrypt documents with a password, convert your PDF to an image file and add comments.

You can even create your own PDFs from scratch – a feature you’ll usually only find in premium PDF editing software. 

Unlike the desktop application, there’s no tool for removing watermarks from PDFs, but that’s a minor quibble. ApowerPDF is a remarkable PDF editor; just make sure you’re using the online edition.

If you would prefer the desktop version, Apower PDF costs from $29.95 (£25) after the free trial period.

PDF-XChange Editor

Image credit: Tracker Software

If you need to edit the text in a PDF, PDF-XChange Editor is ideal. It lets you retype, delete, and reformat text, and adapts well if the document uses a font that isn’t installed on your PC. You can also attach comments, split PDFs, and extract pages.

One of PDF-Xchange Editor’s best features is the ability to use OCR to recognize text in scanned documents – ideal if you only have a printout rather than the original file (a handout from a lecture, for example).

Some of the features visible in the menus and toolbars are only available in the premium version of the software, PDF-XChange Editor Plus, but you can easily hover your mouse pointer over an icon to find out if it’s included.

If you go ahead and use a premium tool anyway (adding polygonal shapes or new text boxes, for example), your document will be watermarked. Look out for a warning message underneath the main toolbar before saving your work, just in case.

The paid-for downloads, PDF-XChange Editor costs $43.50 (£35) for the normal version, but for additional features such as form creation and use you will need to buy PDF-XChange Editor Plus, which costs $54.50 ($48).

Sedja

Image credit: Sedja BV

Free online PDF editor Sedja offers an excellent range of tools, with just one caveat: if you're still working after three hours and haven't saved your document, it will be deleted automatically. It's quite a generous time limit, but worth bearing in mind if your PDF needs a lot of work.

You can add text, images and links, sign documents, add annotations, and insert ellipses and rectangles. There’s also a ‘whiteout’ option, though this simply draws a white rectangle – it doesn’t remove any data. There’s no OCR either, so you won’t be able to edit text in scanned PDFs.

When you’ve finished editing, click ‘Apply changes’ and you’ll be able to download the document, send it to Dropbox or Google Drive, delete it, or access a shareable link. The link will expire after seven days.

There is a free version, available to download or use in the cloud, which has limited features. To open these up you will need to pay for a paid plan. The Web Week Pass is aimed at short-term use, and costs $5 (£4) to access the web-based version for 7 days. If you'd prefer to pay on a monthly recurring basis, then the cloud version is $7.50 (£6) per month. 

A desktop version is available to download and use, which also allows web access, and that costs $63 annually, which works out as the equivalent of $5.25 per month.

PDFescape

Image credit: Red Software

There are two versions of PDFescape: a free web app and a premium desktop program. Here we're using the online editor; if you download the desktop software, you'll only receive a trial of the premium edition.

PDFescape's online editor lets you create new text boxes on the page, but unfortunately there's no way to edit existing text. You can create simple geometric shapes and– as with Sedja, above – add white rectangles to obscure parts of the document when it's printed.

PDFescape lets you select a picture from your PC, then drag a rectangle to insert it. You can insert text fields too, enabling you to create simple forms – a rare and welcome feature for a free PDF editor.

While the online editor is free for editing, creating forms, and sharing, there are also two paid-for versions available. The Premium version is for desktop and includes print to scan, and is available for $2.99 (£2.50) per month. The Ultimate version costs $5.99 per month and comes with more advanced features, such as publishing PDF forms.

PDFsam

Image credit: Sober Lemur

The latter half of PDFsam’s name is short for ‘split and merge’, which tells you pretty much everything you need to know about the Basic edition.

You’ll be offered a free trial of the premium version (including full editing, object insertion, secure signing, and OCR), but once that expires you’ll be left with a simple but well designed tool for chopping large documents into manageable chunks, performing a PDF cut-and-shut, or extracting selected pages. You can also use PDFsam Basic to rotate pages, which is very handy if you’ve accidentally scanned a document upside down.

There are no tools for tweaking the actual content of the document, but all of PDFsam Basic’s page-management options are very clearly laid out, and it’s very clear which of the options shown in the main menu are only available in the premium edition.

However, if you'd prefer the advanced features of PDFsam Enhanced, there are 3 different plans available, costing $39 ($34), $49 (£44), or $69 (£60) a year, depending on the range of extra features required.

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The best Xbox One X prices, bundles and deals in May 2019: where to buy the 4K Xbox

Posted: 26 May 2019 04:50 AM PDT

After a quiet start to the year we've found some excellent Xbox One X prices. We're talking brand new bundles with the hottest games like The Division 2, Metro: Exodus, Forza Horizon 4, Battlefield V and more. 

Gamers looking for the most powerful console ever made have have been keen to pick up Xbox One X deals since release but there was a high cost to pay in the early days. Until recently, prices have been high at most stores if you weren't sure where to look. That's where we come in as our dedicated team of Deal Hunters cut through the chaff to bring you only the very best Xbox One X deals every day, and we've got some excellent ones for you today.

In this article you'll find a comparison chart with the lowest prices on where to buy the 4K HDR Xbox One X console from a wide range of the best retailers. After the comparison chart we've put together a collection of the latest bundles in the States and UK. These Xbox One X bundles will save you money over buying the items separately.

If you're after information on the latest Australian deals, head over to our Australian page.

The best Xbox One X prices

US Xbox One X bundles are really stepping things up now after a quiet few months. There's never been a better time to buy actually as you're getting genuine discounts and free content for the first time in ages.

What is the Xbox One X price?

The Xbox One X MSRP is $499 in the US and the UK RRP currently sits at £449. So sure, it looks like UK gamers are paying considerable more as the direct currency conversion would have it at £390. On the plus side, retailers are starting to cut prices and we're seeing games bundled in too. So you should never pay those costs for the console alone today.

Why should I buy an Xbox One X?

Just to be clear, this is not what you'd call a 'next-gen' console. Instead it's a powerful upgrade over the current Xbox One lineup. To simplify things, it's akin to Sony's PS4 Pro. Both consoles are aimed at gamers with a 4K HDR TV who want the best graphical performance possible on their favored console. There will be modest performance boosts on non-4K TVs too, but you're kind of missing the point without a 4K HDR TV.

As things stand the Xbox One X will play all Xbox One games and we're not expecting to see any games released exclusively for the Xbox One X (or so we've been told), so there's certainly no reason to throw away your Xbox One S yet.

The Xbox One X is the most powerful console ever made though, even outshining some of the specs of the PS4 Pro. But given the huge asking price, you'd hope as much. The Xbox One X is making bold claims about true native 4K gaming though with its upcoming titles and if you have a 4K TV with High Dynamic Range (HDR) technology, the Xbox One X is ready to seriously impress with the likes of Forza Motorsport 7, Metro: Exodus and Anthem set to be true jaw-droppers in the graphics department.

Where can I buy an Xbox One X?

Most of the usual big name retailers are stocking the Xbox One X. Prices this close to launch are all very similar for now, but as we move forwards, we'll start to see stores chipping away at the price to try to get an edge over the competition. 

Keep an eye on the highlighted Xbox One X bundles above and our comparison chart, which we'll keep up to date on the latest prices for the Xbox One X on its own. So feel free to bookmark us and check in again soon to see if we've found the deal that's right for you. Fingers crossed the bundles get better soon, especially in the US where we're not seeing massive software discounts so far.

What is the Xbox One X release date?

It's here now! The Xbox One X came out on November 7 2017. That was a worldwide release date too.

What if I don't care about 4K or want to save money?

The standard Xbox One S is a fantastic games console and you'll easily be able to get one with a few games for around $250/£250 or less. There are cheap deals all year round on our Xbox One deals and PS4 prices, deals and bundles pages.

Only kidding. I want 4K HDR in my face right now.

4K TVs with HDR are nowhere near as expensive as you'd think. The prices have come down much faster than the original HD TVs, so you can get a decent model for a low price. Hell we've seen some nice ones for less than the price of the Xbox One X itself (what a ridiculous world we live in). For the best of the best, take a look at our best TV article. We've also rounded up the best cheap 4K TV deals too in the UK, and also a collection of US TV deals.

How big is the hard drive in the Xbox One X?

For now, the only option available is the 1TB option, that's 1000GB of storage. There are no official plans for larger versions, but we wouldn't be surprised to see these come along in 2018. 

With some 4K-friendly update patches to games coming in at over 100GB, we certainly wouldn't hold out for a cheaper 500GB Xbox One X, as it'd be a bit pointless to be honest. 

We think gamers are going to fill up the 1TB Xbox One pretty soon. Thankfully the Xbox One X is compatible with external hard drives using USB 3.0. So if you need some extra storage, check out our list of the best external hard drives.

This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

The best NZB and Usenet clients of 2019

Posted: 26 May 2019 04:40 AM PDT

Usenet groups were the social media of the early internet, where users could come together in groups specialized by topic, and discuss news, events, and general issues (and arguments!) relating to that topic. However, it was not so easy to navigate between them or to keep up with the latest posts.

Usenet clients simplified the process of navigation and updates, making it easier to find the information you wanted.

While social media has since evolved through forums into dedicated chat sites like Facebook and Twitter, Usenet groups are still very much alive and running, and have adapted to the modern internet - as have Usenet readers.

Even better, the spam problems that had begun to plague Usenet groups have been very much reduced, and NZB managers often provide easy and effective ways to locate content.

Here we'll look at the best in Usenet clients and NZB downloaders, to keep the process of surfing for content in Usenet groups as accessible as possible.

  • Want your company or services to be added to this buyer’s guide? Please email your request to desire.athow@futurenet.com with the URL of the buying guide in the subject line.

Image credit: NEwsbin 

Newsbin Pro is a full-featured commercial Usenet client for Windows.

After more than 20 years of development, it's probably no surprise that the program is absolutely crammed with high-end functionality. But despite that, it manages to be straightforward and user-friendly. The installer prompts you to enter your Usenet server details, then you can search for the files you need and download them right away.

Newsbin Pro uses multiple techniques to boost its performance. XFeatures header compression support can download headers up to 10 times faster. You're able to set up multiple servers for simultaneous use, and the program can block RARs which are password-protected or contain executable files, hopefully reducing the time you'll waste downloading spam and malware.

Heavy-duty Usenet users might still find their downloads take a while, but Newsbin Pro can help there, too. You're able to limit the program's bandwidth use, allowing it to run in the background without hogging your connection, or you can use the scheduler to download files while you sleep.

All this runs smoothly, with full support for all the standards you would expect. Newsbin Pro can handle SSL encryption, and supports per-server SOCKS 4, SOCKS 5, and HTTPS proxies. Smart NZB handling can automatically download the files you need, and the AutoPAR feature repairs or replaces missing or corrupted RARs, then expands the contents.

Newsbin Pro is available with a standard search subscription for one year at $30 (£25), but you can buy Newsbin Pro without the search function for $20 (£18). A free trial is available.

Image credit: Newsleecher

Newsleecher is a popular Windows Usenet reader with many timesaving technologies and extras.

The program's SuperSearch is a speedy Usenet search tool with handy wildcard support. The SuperLeech service can be set up to regularly check Usenet for the files you need, downloading copies almost as soon as they've been uploaded. And if you're tired of wasting time on spam files, there’s more good news: NewsLeecher can detect and avoid password protected files, RAR-in-RAR files, and anything containing an executable (EXE or SCR).

NewsLeecher was the first Usenet client to support NZB files, and its latest version provides many ways to work with the file type. You can create NZBs directly from articles or search results, import them manually or set the program to monitor folders, import anything new and automatically download the specified files.

All this is presented in a handy tabbed interface. You can manage servers in one tab, browse articles in another, and there are tabs to run searches, check the transfer queue, even access downloaded files via an embedded Explorer window. It's a great way to keep track of all your ongoing tasks with minimal on-screen clutter or hassle.

Newsleecher providers unlimited Usenet access for $9.49 (£8.50) per month, and there's a free 14-day trial available.

Image credit: NZBget

NZBGet is a lightweight open source NZB downloader which runs almost anywhere: desktops (Windows, Linux, Mac), routers, NAS devices, media players and more.

The package works this magic by running as a background process which is largely accessed from a browser-based interface. This allows NZBGet to be used from mobiles and tablets, as well as its host hardware, and ensures you get a consistent interface everywhere.

Operations are mostly very easy. Add one or more NZB files from the interface, copy them to NZBGet's incoming folder or just point the program at a URL and it'll download the files you need. NZBGet is highly optimized for speed, even on low-end devices (the developer says you can run it with less than 32MB of RAM).

The focus on performance continues elsewhere with intelligent PAR file verification, smarter retries and a multi-core repair process ensuring damaged files are recovered as fast as possible.

Neat bonus touches include speedy and accurate deobfuscation of file names, effortlessly restoring cryptic nonsense – like, for example: cf8ae6185547f6ca0ad263439f2279fa.01 – to its original version.

While NZBGet could be used by newsgroup novices without too much difficulty, the real value here is for more expert users. Automation features include support for powerful RSS filters, plus there are a huge number of low-level options and settings, and every aspect of the program can be controlled via an RPC API and your own scripts.

Image credit: Nzb360

Nzb360 is a comprehensive NZB manager for Android. The app works with a host of popular services: SABnzbd, NZBGet, Deluge, Transmission, µTorrent, qBittorrent, Sick Beard, Sonarr, Radarr, CouchPotato, Headphones and unlimited Newznab Indexers.

Set up a service on your PC, for instance, tell Nzb360 about it, and you're able to monitor and control what's going on. The app queues up content for your services, ensuring it works even if the remote computer is turned off (although built-in Wake-On-LAN support means you may also be able to start your system remotely).

There's support for managing a wide range of connection types, including local/remote addresses, SSL/TLS, HTTP authentication, URL rewrites, reverse proxies, and more.

Nzb360 isn't an app for beginners, and there's something of a learning curve as you figure out how to get the software working as you would like.

Still, an attractive and well-designed interface points you in the right direction, and experienced users should have few problems (the exceptional 4.8 average review score on Google Play suggests the developer is doing something right). But if you do have any issues, the built-in feedback mechanism and a web support forum are on hand to help you out.

If you're interested, a free build gives you a basic idea of Nzb360's abilities, and the full-featured Pro version is available at the bargain price of $7.49 (£6.50) for a lifetime licence.

Image credit: Usenet Wire

Usenet Wire is a polished, professional and easy-to-use Usenet client for Windows, Linux and Mac.

The package is more about simplicity than high-end NZB-handling power, but there's still plenty to enjoy here. The well-designed interface looks great, and works just as you would expect. A quality search system helps you find the files you need. Previews for images and videos confirm that the files really do contain what the uploader has promised, and whatever you download is automatically validated, repaired if necessary, and decompressed, ready for use.

Usenet Wire can't match the expert-level automation options of a utility like NZBGet, but there are some handy tools here. Searches can be automated to look out for specific results and automatically download them, for instance.

While this sounds great, there's a problem: you can't buy Usenet Wire as a standalone product. Instead it comes bundled as a free Usenet client with some Usenet providers.

At the time of writing, downloads from the Usenet Wire website will prompt you to set up an account with TweakNews. When we reviewed TweakNews, we found it had a limited 2,500 days binary retention and slow tech support, but if you can live with that, downloads are fast and the prices are very low.

Newshosting also bundled a version of Usenet Wire when we last reviewed the service, and that could be a smarter choice. Retention is above 3,300 days, downloads are fast, a generous 750GB trial allows in-depth testing and there are some big sign-up discounts.

This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

The best screen recorders for Windows, Mac, Android and iOS

Posted: 26 May 2019 04:34 AM PDT

There are now so many reasons why you might want to record a video screen capture of your desktop or even your smartphone or tablet display. There are clear business reasons for doing so, not least for adding to presentations due to the increased support for video file files in Power Point. Alternatively, you may want to put together a video for training or education purposes, which may require adding images, video, or website content from multiple sources and is easier to capture and record to video.

Alternatively, you might be a consumer looking to put together a video for a YouTube channel, especially if considering a career as a YouTuber. Alternatively you may simply be an online gamer looking to share your adventures directly with friends or family.

There are many different reasons why you might need a capture your display, so here we'll look at the best screen recorders on the market. Some of these are paid-for, others are free, and others a hybrid where you are allowed so much recording time before you need to upgrade.

  • Want your company or services to be added to this buyer’s guide? Please email your request to desire.athow@futurenet.com with the URL of the buying guide in the subject line.

Image credit: Camtasia

Camtasia (Windows, macOS) has been in the screen recording game longer than most, and offers more features than most too – as well as capturing what's on screen with aplomb, this fully fledged video editing solution can also add plenty of extras and edits on top too.

Whatever you want to record, from games to PowerPoints, Camtasia can take it all in its stride – with or without audio, with or without a webcam feed, and so on. Annotations, extra media files, transitions, titles and more can then all be dropped in with your footage.

Despite all its features, the software never feels too complex, thanks to an intuitive timeline interface. On the downside, it is expensive at $249 (about £180), but you can test it out for 30 days for free. For something cheaper and simpler, try SnagIt from the same developer studio.

Image credit: OBS

People who don't want to pay for their screen recorder tools tend to flock to OBS Studio (Windows, macOS), and with good reason: it lets you effortlessly blend different sources and audio tracks together, packing in features you'd usually have to spend heavily to get.

Built with gamers in mind, live streaming options feature prominently, but you can just as easily save your recordings to disk. On top of that you get advanced features like noise reduction (for your voiceovers) and the ability to set transitions between your scenes.

All of this is overkill if you just want to record a quick clip – and to the complete beginner, OBS Studio perhaps isn't the best of the options listed here – but you get a pile of fine screen recording and live streaming features for free, and that's difficult to argue with.

Image credit: Icecream

Not everyone wants the hefty feature sets of the likes of Camtasia or OBS Studio, and Icecream Screen Recorder (Windows, macOS) is a more compact and friendly alternative. Fire it up, click the record button, select the part of the screen to record, and you're off.

Choosing your recording area and saving your footage couldn't really be any easier, though it's not the most precise tool we've ever come across. The program lets you draw on your footage, add a webcam feed, zoom while recording, and choose your final video quality.

Upgrade to the Pro version of the software (£19.95/$27), and you can break through the five-minute time limit, as well as select from more output formats, convert between formats, add watermarks, and schedule screen recordings – features which can all come in handy.

Image credit: TinyTake

Continuing the theme of smaller, simpler screen recorders, we present TinyTake (Windows, macOS). It has all the features you're likely to need, none of the fluff you don't, and is particularly good when it comes to sharing captured videos and photos with other people.

As for the main capturing process itself, once you've created an account (which isn't optional), you can be recording your computer screen in a couple of clicks. Drag out the area you want to record, click the start button, and TinyTake effortlessly handles the rest.

And that really is all there is to it – if you want to add annotations, or record anything longer than five minutes, you'll need to upgrade to the paid-for version of TinyTake ($29.95 or about £22 a year). For simple screen recording and easy sharing to places like YouTube, though, it's ideal.

Image credit: ScreenFlow

Apple macOS actually comes with some screen recording tools built in – more on that in a moment – but ScreenFlow (macOS) is a serious upgrade on what Apple's desktop software can do on its own, plus it adds a pile of handy features and extra video editing tools.

For example, you can crop, pan, and zoom around different parts of your video recording, as well as add annotations and callouts on top of the footage you've captured. It's a fully featured and intuitive video editor as well as a comprehensive tool for screen recording.

As for the actual capturing bit, it couldn't be any easier to use: pick your video source(s), pick your audio source(s), and away you go. Footage from your webcam can be easily added into your main video, and the whole process is slick and streamlined throughout. It'll set you back $129 (about £94) but a free trial is available.

  • Want to put ScreenFlow through its paces? Click here

Image credit: Screencastify

If you don't want to install extra software on your computer (well, apart from a browser extension), Screencastify (Chrome) is one of the best options. To use the extension without a watermark and for more than 10 minutes at a time, a premium upgrade ($24 or about £17 a year) is required.

Just because the program is an add-on for your browser doesn't mean you're restricted to recording browser windows, although you can do that if you want. Screencastify is able to record in full-screen mode as well, and supports audio from your system or a microphone.

The extension is even smart enough to embed a feed from your webcam as well, so you've got lots of flexibility, even if you don't get quite as many bells and whistles as you do with other programs. On-screen drawings and annotations are supported in Screencastify too.

Image credit: AZ

AZ Screen Recorder (Android) is one of the top choices for Google's mobile operating system, bringing with it easy-to-use controls, plenty of recording options, and even a lightweight video editor if you want to trim down your recordings before sharing them.

Everything is handled with a little pop-up window that disappears when you start recording. You have the option to illustrate screen touches, and include microphone audio capture too, depending on what you need from your Android screen recording.

Delve into the settings and you can adjust the video recording resolution, frame rate and orientation, and even add a timelapse effect if necessary. It's got just about everything you could want from a screen recorder tool on an Android device.

Image credit: SpeedUp Dev Group

Based on the stats in the Google Play Store, DU Recorder (Android) is even more popular than AZ Screen Recorder when it comes to Android devices. Like its competitor, you get smooth and stable screen recording, and no phone rooting or reconfiguration is needed.

A small pop-up dialog lets you start and stop recording, and then you can capture everything from games to web browsing. Multiple video quality and frame rate settings are available, and you can even embed a "face cam" via your phone's front-facing camera.

Simple video editing tools and easy share options are included with DU Recorder as well, so it really is an all-round package for recording screen activity on Android. What's more, you get all of it for free, with no in-app purchases and no restrictions on what you can do.

This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

The cheapest Xbox One bundle deals and sale prices in May 2019

Posted: 26 May 2019 04:29 AM PDT

Freshly discounted cheap Xbox One bundle deals have appeared this week and we've found some fantastic discounts. So if you've decided it's finally time to opt for a sweet Xbox One deal, then you're in luck. Microsoft is really pushing discounts on the 1TB consoles now too, which are much more accommodating for your library of games and their large install sizes than the regular 500GB models. The Division 2, Crackdown 3, Anthem, Battlefield V, Forza Horizon 4 and more are all aboard the Xbox One deals train today.

We've also just added a section below dedicated to rounding up the best prices for the newly-announced Xbox One S All-Digital Edition, although you might want to hold off on that version of the Xbox console for a while. We'll tell you way further down.

Retailers are stocking some cheap Xbox One deals as standalone purchases, but the best value is to be found with the bundles with extra games. Xbox One bundles nowadays often cost less than the standalone consoles prices too, so be sure to check out our hand-picked list of the best Xbox One offers below the comparison charts. Or maybe you're looking for a 4K upgrade? Then you'll want to take a look at the latest Xbox One X bundles.

Looking to buy in the US or Australia? You'll want to head on over to our US page or AU page.

xbox one s all-digital edition prices deals

Microsoft finally announced the long-rumoured Xbox One S All-Digital Edition in April 2019 and it's available to order right now. As the name suggests, this version of the Xbox One does not come with a disc drive. So you will not be able to play physical games or blu-rays on this version.

The Xbox One S All-Digital Edition costs £199 in the UK and comes with codes for Forza Horizon 3, Minecraft and Sea of Thieves. To be honest, we're not entirely convinced at that price point as you can get the regular version for a similar price and with newer games. Actually, we regularly see standard Xbox One S bundles on this page go for even less, so be sure to check out the offers further down the page before jumping on this. The new console offers no technical improvements over the original S model, so this should only be considered when the price reaches a more appropriate level. Naturally, we'll keep this page updated when it does.

cheap xbox one s deals

The slimmed-down design of the Xbox One S looks much better than the original chunky box and the power brick is now a thing of the past. The main draw though is 4K visual support meaning you'll be able to watch specialised Blu-Ray and Netflix content in 4K on your new 4K TV. 

The Xbox One S is now the standard console and has replaced the older model that's been phased out at retailers. The Xbox One S is cheaper too, so in all honesty we've generally stopped covering deals on the older model as you're getting better value with the newer version and we've not spotted any decent stock for months now.

More Xbox One deals

Still not found your ideal Xbox One deal in our highlights of the best offers out there? Why not check out more Xbox One bundles directly from the retailers from our list below?

The new Xbox One X is capable of displaying games in glorious HDR 4K and is the most powerful console ever made. Sadly, it has the price-tag to match too as it's way more expensive than the Xbox One S. The comparison chart below is mainly full of prices for the new console on its own. However, we're starting to see better offers appear online where you can get discounted (or sometimes free) games included too. For more details, head on over to our extensive Xbox One X bundles page for the best value deals.

If you're looking to play your Xbox games online or take advantage of the free Games with Gold initiative, you'll want to check out our cheap Xbox Live Gold deals page where's we've found prices considerably cheaper than the default RRP.

This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

Best productivity apps of 2019

Posted: 26 May 2019 04:28 AM PDT

Working online can mean distractions and loss of productivity, not least when multiple applications and software platforms need to be used and switched between. Luckily, a number of companies have come up with solutions to ensure that individuals and teams can work more productively and efficiently, by keeping communications on a single development platform, so that users don't have to keep changing logins to use other ones.

The main features of productivity apps will focus on communications and project management, so that no matter where any individual is, they can remain in contact with the rest of their team and provide the latest updates and information that everyone needs. This can be done on a per project or by department basis, so that managers can ensure that the right people are in the right place to get the job done.

Management tools are also important, to prioritize schedules and work to deadlines, and the interface needs to be simple and easy to use so that managers do not become bogged down in administrating it all. Additionally, everything needs to be presented in a clear way so that information is easy to find and action.

There are also other tools that can help improve productivity and efficiency, simply by making complex tasks simpler and easier to do. This could be anything from managing backups to social media monitoring.

Here then are the best productivity apps on the market, showing our featured preferences with additional ones to also consider.

  • Want your company or services to be added to this buyer’s guide? Please email your request to desire.athow@futurenet.com with the URL of the buying guide in the subject line.

Image Credit: Wunderlist

There are endless to-do list apps around, and many of them are very capable, but if you really want to get your life organized then few deliver quite as well as Wunderlist.

Getting started with the app is supremely easy, yet the more you explore, the more features you find. You can create actions directly from the web or by forwarding emails, arrange related items in folders to keep them organized, add due dates and attachments, and get notifications via emails, in-app messages and more.

Any or all of your lists can easily be shared with others for streamlined collaboration on complex projects. You can assign tasks to others as required, and a comments system allows your team to discuss the latest issues.

With apps for Windows, Android, iOS, Mac, Kindle Fire and more, as well as a web interface, you can run Wunderlist just about anywhere. 

Since April 2018, all of Wunderlists previously paid-for features became free to use for users. However, Microsoft, who bought the company in 2015, look likely to replace Wunderlist with the new Microsoft To-Do app which will have full Office 365 integration. 

Image Credit: TeamViewer

No matter how well organized you are, sometimes you'll be in one place and the files or people you need will be somewhere else. And that's where TeamViewer comes in handy. Once set up, this amazingly powerful free-for-private-use tool allows you to access and use remote devices as though you were sitting in front of them.

You can hold web meetings with audio, video and text chat, a whiteboard, file sharing and more. It's possible to collaborate with up to 300 people at once, and meetings can even be recorded for reference later.

This isn't just about desktops. The latest TeamViewer enables screen sharing on iOS devices, something you won't get anywhere else, and TeamViewer's upgraded Android app now features a one-click login, and has cut data usage by up to 80%.

Whatever device you're using, the new single-window interface makes for simpler and more intuitive operations, and you can control your device, transfer files and generally do whatever you like with the minimum of hassle.

Image Credit: Evernote

Productivity isn't just about getting more done at your desk. Ideas and inspiration can strike anywhere, which is why you need Evernote to tie them all together. Whether it's a quick to-do list or a lengthy essay, you can add it to your Evernote workspace. Grab photos, screenshots, links, the interesting bits of a web article – anything that can help with your current projects.

Any note can have a 'reminder' attached, optionally sending an email alert for important tasks. Smart search tools scour everything you've collected to find the details you need. And Notebooks can be synced across all your devices as required, enabling you to view and work on them anywhere.

You can go a long way with the free product, but Evernote also has some premium options. The Evernote Business plan includes Spaces, for instance, a way to organize your notes into separate collections, each of which can be used by individual teams, while the searchable Space Directory enables tracking what's happening right across your company. A free version is available, with more advanced paid versions available for $7.99 a month, or $14.99 per user per month.

Image Credit: Trello

Trello is a smartly designed and popular service for managing, organizing and sharing everything from simple to-dos to major project management tasks.

Getting started is as easy as dragging cards onto a Trello board. Cards can represent single tasks, with priorities and deadlines attached. But they can also be more substantial checklists, with attached files and pictures, containing hyperlinks to point somewhere else.

And there's a whole library of Power-Ups, custom cards which allow you to integrate a host of third-party services into your workflow: Box, Evernote, GIPHY, GitHub, Hangouts, Join.me, Mailchimp, OneDrive, Salesforce, Slack, SmartDraw, SurveyMonkey, Twitter, ZenDesk and more.

Trello has plenty of collaboration tools to help you manage your projects, and a stack of ingenious features to ensure it's user-friendly. Just one example: the Cloud Aging power-up visibly ages cards if they've not been accessed for a while, fading them out, maybe turning them yellow and even cracking. This isn't just a visual gimmick – it allows users to instantly see underused cards on even the busiest of boards, a real timesaver.

The basic version is free, with a business class version with more features available for $9.99 per user per month.

Image Credit: Pocket

It's the first law of the web: no matter how much time you've got online, it's never enough to explore all the interesting things you'll find. And so you open more and more browser tabs, add bookmarks you'll never find again, or maybe email yourself links for later reference.

Pocket acts as a central storage space to hold articles, videos and other content for easy viewing later. These don't have to be just links – Pocket can download content for offline consumption – and if your picks were as good as you hoped, you're able to send them to another user's Pocket, or share them directly via social media.

Saving is simpler than you might expect. Pocket isn't just a browser-based service – you can save directly from Twitter, Flipboard, Pulse and 1,500 other apps.

Pocket's free version works well, but the Premium version goes further by dropping the ads, making your content a permanent resource and delivering a stack of advanced search tools. It's yours for $44.99 (£31.14) a year.

Image Credit: LastPass

Let's be frank: passwords are a security nightmare. Whether it's generating them, sharing them between devices, having to enter 16 cryptic characters on a tiny mobile screen, or just remembering them, the password model is now just too complicated for manual use.

That's why a good password manager is essential, and LastPass is one of the best. It can quickly generate strong and secure passwords, then save them in an encrypted vault. Your latest passwords are immediately available across all your devices, so whatever you're using, LastPass will automatically log you in with a tap.

That's just the start. LastPass can remember and use other details, too – for example automatically filling in your payment and shipping details at an online store. And neat password management functions include easy and safe sharing of passwords with others (no more need to send your credentials in an insecure text).

Apps for Android, iOS, Windows and Mac combine with a host of browser add-ons to ensure you can use LastPass on almost any device. All the basics are available for free, but the Premium plan adds multi-factor options, more versatile password sharing, 1GB of encrypted cloud storage and more for $3.99 a month, billed annually. 

There's also a new family option to manage all family passwords in a single space. This not only allows nominated members to recover them in the event of unforeseen circumstances, it can also ensure never being locked out of services. The new LastPass Family option is available from $4 (£2.50) a month.

Image Credit: Google

G Suite is a great free online productivity suite which enables the simple and speedy creation of documents (Google Docs), spreadsheets (Google Sheets), presentations (Google Slides) and more. That may sound like more functionality than you need, but don't be put off – even using just one or two Google Docs features could help to simplify your life.

Looking to work on a big idea with someone else, for instance? Instead of exchanging endless emails or signing up for some online meeting service, just create a Google Docs document, share it with your friend and edit it together in real-time, adding comments as you go.

Maybe you're looking to convert a document from one format to another? Instead of looking for yet another app, try opening it in Google Docs. The service can open PDFs, Office documents, and even extract text from images to export the results in many common formats.

Bear in mind that the files you create in Google Docs, Sheets and Slides don't use up any of your 15GB of free Google Drive storage (check the Google Drive details on your storage settings page). If you're looking to create and share lots of documents with others, G Suite could be the most cost-effective way to make that happen.

Image Credit: Buffer

Buffer is a one-stop social media manager which enables professional users to create, schedule and track the performance of all their social media posts from one place.

Scheduling is ultra-flexible, with the ability to set up different date and posting times for each of your Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, Pinterest and other accounts.

Buffer doesn't force you to manage or schedule posts individually. You can create posts in your spare time, then they're added to the program's queue and Buffer automatically publishes them according to each account's schedule.

Productivity boosting extras include RSS support which enables sharing content from your chosen sites with a click.

Buffer's comprehensive analytics allow for tracking metrics including clicks, likes, shares, comments, retweets and more, helping you better understand which posts work for you, and maybe indicating how to improve your social media reach in the future.

Buffer is free to use for a single user with 3 social media accounts, but this goes up to $12 a month for 8 accounts and up to 100 scheduled posts, with more expensive tiers for larger management volumes.

Image Credit: Join Me

There are many ways to set up a virtual meeting, but the process can sometimes be more awkward than you would like. Participants might have to use the same software, for instance, or all be signed up to the same service, and even then you won't always get the functionality you need.

Join.me's focus on ease of use makes it simple to get started. Anyone can host a meeting in a click or two, or join one by entering a code in their web browser, with nothing to download or install.

There's still plenty of power here. Meetings can be scheduled and recorded, audio support enables participants to call in or use their device's microphone and speakers, and it's easy to broadcast and share your screen to present ideas and collaborate with others.

Smart extras include personalized meeting links (join.me/your_company_name), plugins that enable scheduling and starting meetings direct from Office or Chrome, and iOS and Android apps which ensure you'll be able to take part from wherever you might be.

It's free to create a personalized join.me URL, with pricing starting at $10 per month for meetings of up to 5 people, and $20 a month for a Pro account which comes with more participants, webcam streaming, recording, and cloud storage. The Business plan at $30 a month allows for larger volumes and extra security features.

Image Credit: MetaCtrl

MetaCtrl's sync software enables intelligent background syncing between Android devices and some of the most popular cloud storage services around, including OneDrive, Dropbox, Google Drive and Box.

Once set up, new files on your device can be automatically uploaded to the cloud, while cloud storage files are automatically downloaded to the device. Delete a file in one place and it's deleted in the other. This works across multiple devices, too, ensuring they're always up-to-date.

This will sound familiar if you use cloud storage on the desktop, as it's how the desktop clients normally work, but the Android apps leave you to manage the process yourself. That's why installing a MetaCtrl app could make a lot of sense.

Basic syncing is available for free, but paying to upgrade enables syncing of files larger than 10MB, works with multiple pairs of folders, uses smarter change detection for faster operation and drops the ads. There are multiple plans but they're not subscription-based, and even the do-everything Ultimate option is just a one-time payment of $14.

Also consider these productivity apps

We've listed just some of the key productivity apps we think you'll be interested in, but there are plenty more out there. Here's we'll list a few others which stand out for different reasons.

Slack is a major communications platform for team collaboration, and a number of existing productivity or project management tools can easily integrate with it directly. This doesn't mean to say it should be overlooked as a useful tool in its own right, and is very much a trailblazer in terms of looks, design, and functionality that it's style has been frequently copied.

Discord may seem more like a chat app for gamers, but it's a surprisingly powerful tool that allows messaging, voice calls, and video conferencing. And it's free. There are both mobile and desktop versions available, and while it may not look the most professional tool, it does allow for easy, simple, and cost effective video-conferencing with people globally, without having to invest in expensive hardware of subscription services.  

Zoho seems to have a package for anything to do with business, and Zoho Cliq is no different. Built as a team communications platform for collaboration and business productivity, and even includes video conferencing as a feature in its free version. As expected, Zoho Cliq integrates with other Zoho products, but also with Mailchimp, Zendesk, Trello, and Dropbox. The paid-for unlimited version comes with a few extra features, and is available for around $3 per month.

Xenforo is a forum software platform, and might not be the first choice as a productivity suite. However, it can be superb as a communications tool in its own right, and comes with a wide range of customization options. It's not an app as much as mobile-friendly software you have to install on your own server, probably as a private space within your own business website. That means it takes a little tech know-how to set up, but once you do, you have full control of your data instead of another company owning it all.

Monday.com is a recent player into the productivity suite space, offering team communications and collaboration for project work. The interface is clean and simply, yet there are a lot of features under the hood which make it sleek and easy to work with. Integrations include Slack, Dropbox, Google Drive, and Excel. Pricing starts at $25 per month for 5 users, rising according to either the number of features or the number of users required. 

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Best money transfer apps of 2019

Posted: 26 May 2019 04:26 AM PDT

Transferring money electronically has become increasingly normalized, as banks have found the tools to ensure that money transfers can be safely handled with least risk to the customer. There are already a number of websites online that cater for transferring money online, but as smartphone and tablet use has increased, so has the number of businesses offering money transfer via nothing more than an app.

Apps for transferring money have benefits from strides in development of online money transfers, so not only are fees now quite reasonable, there are also options to send money across multiple currencies around the world. This has been especially helped by banks streamlining the processing of international payments, which has further enhanced the technology.

Transferring money through an app is safe and secure, with strong encryption protocols used to ensure that the connection between your device and your bank account are fully secured. However, it remains important to ensure that you send the money to the correct account, an issue that shouldn't be a problem with most banking apps these days, though of course you do need to keep your mobile device safe and protected against use by other people.

Money transfer apps have come of age, and while there are a large range of providers, here we'll highlight the best on the market today.

  • Want your company or services to be added to this buyer’s guide? Please email your request to desire.athow@futurenet.com with the URL of the buying guide in the subject line.

Image credit: Venmo

Venmo believes it has both individual users and businesses winning via its money transferring app. While the everyday user can make quick and simple payments via their phone, businesses are able to give an increasingly mobile-first audience a smooth, handheld checkout on purchases. A big ecommerce box ticked.   

At present, Venmo’s reputation is a little stronger in the former category, while parent company PayPal continues its dominance in the business world. The ‘digital wallet’ nature of the service makes it appealing for mobile-savvy individuals wanting to make quick peer-to-peer transfers to friends, with the experience enhanced by the ability to share purchases on their Venmo feed and add comments and emojis to their contacts’ shared purchases.   

How does it work? Users make payments by linking their bank accounts or debit cards directly via the app, or by transferring the money stored within their Venmo account. These transfers can be stored as a Venmo balance to be used later or cashed out immediately to a bank account.

With its slick UI and all-round convenience winning favor among millennials, businesses seeking to tap this younger market will increasingly consider wrapping Venmo into their payment systems, and they can do so in the knowledge that it safeguards payment data with encryption for maximum safety and security.   

For debit card transactions, the Venmo app is free to use. Merchants looking to adopt the service can find out more here. 

Image credit: Western Union

It’s likely Western Union is one of the first names that springs to mind when you think of money transfers, so it should be of little surprise that the company has mocked up a very handy app to take its global service to your mobile. 

WU appears mindful that the attention span of the average mobile user has shrunk to that of a gnat, so time-consuming entry fields to insert your details have been scrapped where possible. If your phone has Touch ID, you can get your transfer rolling with a press of your thumb, while a card scanning feature spares you the 16-digit input haul on setup.   

The option of paying direct from your bank account, via card or in cash adds to the convenience factor, as does integration with Apple Pay. Keeping track of your transfer is also possible through the app – simply enter your tracking number (MTCN) to see when it’s been processed, collected and completed.  

Western Union allows you to send up to $500 (£376) for a $5 (£4) fee, but downloading the app is free.   

Image credit: WorldRemit

WorldRemit is also in tune with the fact that speed is the name of the game when it comes to mobile money transfers, and claims you can ‘send money from your mobile as quickly as a text message’ thanks to its iOS and Android app.  

With WorldRemit you can send money to contacts in over 140 different countries and transfers can be received as a bank deposit, cash pickup, mobile credit or an airtime top-up. Best of all, processing time is just a matter of minutes, making for near instant availability at the other end.  

When the transfer is completed, both sender and recipient receive an SMS or email notification, giving peace of mind that the money has arrived safely. The service also promises money protection of the ‘highest possible standards’ thanks to ‘industry-leading’ tech and licences with governments across the world.

Charges on your transfer depend on the sum of money and also the destination. There’s no fixed rate here, so it may be worth checking the tariff on sending to the country you have in mind before signing up. That said, your first transfer with WorldRemit is free of charge, so why not give it a go?

Image credit: Azimo

Less of a household name, but well worthy of its place in our list, is Azimo, which has apps available in Google Play and Apple’s App Store for its international money transfer service. 

From the moment you hit send on your transfer to the point of collection, Azimo keeps you fully up-to-date on the status of your transaction via the app. But while the technology in money transfer services usually takes care of itself, the bureaucracy around collecting bank and cash payments in other countries can be far from simple, so Azimo’s location-specific instructions for collection are a nice touch.

Though dependant on destination, the fees are very reasonable, and the service can count on over 200,000 pick-up points worldwide. The customer service is strong too, even if it is restricted to email rather than phone. An added incentive? Inviting a friend to join the service gives them £10 ($13) on a transfer, and when they transfer £100 ($133) or more, you get to pocket £10 ($13) yourself.   

Image credit: PayPal

We weren’t exactly going to leave PayPal out of a conversation about money transfers, were we? The service has become ubiquitous in ecommerce but the company’s acquisition of the aforementioned Venmo suggested it had work to do to establish itself as a popular app for peer-to-peer transfers.

With Vemno clearly pitching itself at the younger market, PayPal’s app maintains the more corporate look and feel. Its tight security measures – making you enter your password every time you open the app, for example – further emphasizes the business heritage. While this may feel like a slight inconvenience, it’s surely a wise security measure.  

PayPal’s mobile transfers match the rest of the field in terms of speed, but you do get charged on debit card transactions, a rarity when it comes to domestic transfers. This drawback is countered by more lax spending limits, with individual transactions able to go as high as $10,000 (£7,500).  

The simplicity of entering just an email address or phone number to direct your payment will always carry appeal on PayPal’s platform, but if quick peer-to-peer transfers are more important to you than international transactions, those debit card fees may push you towards its cool little sibling, Vemno.   

Best of the rest 

Google has been ramping up its presence in the peer-to-peer payments market for some time, and Google Play Send is the latest iteration of its money transfer app. Though only available in the US at present, its super-quick functionality and convenient bill-splitting feature suggest it’s an app that’s here to stay.  

Facebook wants to get in on the act too, and so it has lumped peer-to-peer payments into its Messenger app. Once you’ve entered your bank details, up to $2,500 (the limit is £2,500 in UK) can be flicked off to a Facebook contact at the tap of a button. Will it catch on? 

Not about to miss out on a tussle with its fellow tech titans, Apple has Apple Pay. The platform allows you to make secure purchases in stores, in apps, and on the web, and you can now send and receive money in Messages too – a potential game-changer.

Though not hailing from the same tech super league as the previous three, Square’s Cash App is a major player in this field. First came its instant peer-to-peer payments, then came a business-friendly extension to the service, and now it even supports Bitcoin trading.   

Getting back to the international specialists, we finish our roundup with OFX. In addition to speedy international transfers from your mobile, the app offers live insight and commentary on market rates and can count on very solid customer service thanks to its support teams in Australia, US, UK, Canada, New Zealand, Hong Kong and Singapore.   

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The best cheap PS4 bundles, deals and prices in the May sales

Posted: 26 May 2019 04:23 AM PDT

Ok, let's do this. 2019 is here and you're finally after a cheap PS4 bundle deal. The release schedule has just come to the end of the busy season, so you've got plenty of games to choose from as we round up the best PS4 prices. Naturally, lots of the below PS4 bundles come with the hottest new games.

We're on the hunt for the lowest PS4 prices all year round, so we aren't easily fooled by the fake deals that don't actually save you any money over buying the games individually. We're here to help save you as much money as possible. We also want you to play the games everyone's shouting about which is why we're going the extra mile to track down PS4 and PS4 Pro bundles with the likes of Days Gone, Red Dead Redemption 2, PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds, FIFA 19, Spider-Man and more. Sometimes though, you can get a load of older games with a cheap PS4 for even less money, so we'll keep our eyes out for those offers too.

This page lists the best cheap PS4 prices in the UK, but we also have dedicated guides for US readers and our Australian ones too. Below you'll find a comparison chart that automatically pulls in the freshest and cheapest PS4 deals from UK retailers, followed by our hand-picked selection of the best PS4 bundles that offer the best value discounts on the additional software or accessories. After those deals you'll find we've also covered the same options for the PS4 Pro prices.

cheap ps4 slim deals

The PS4 Slim is... slimmer, quieter and smaller

The PS4 Slim launched (with no games included) in September 2016 for around £259 (500GB) or £310 (1TB) and has now replaced the original fatter PS4. The new console is smaller, lighter, more power efficient and cheaper than the remaining stock of the older PlayStation 4 deals nowadays, so you're not paying more for the refined tech. We'd advise you check out the cheap PS4 bundles further down this page as many of them are cheaper than buying the console on its own or you can get a lot more for a spending a bit extra on top.

You'll often find that the most attractive way to get a cheap PS4 is with a bundle with extra hardware or extra games. These are the best PS4 bundle prices currently available in the UK – we update these deals on a regular basis.

Extra PS4 retailer links:

Want to look through some more cheap PS4 deals? It's ok, you're only hurting our feelings a little. The links below will take you straight to the PS4 console deals section of the following websites, just in-case you fancy digging out a bargain of your own.

ps4 pro deals

The PS4 that offers 4K gaming and Netflix

Essentially, the PS4 Pro is a 4K upgrade of the current PS4, rather than a 'next-gen' console. The keywords to take in from the PS4 Pro are 4K and HDR. The new machine allows game developers to include 4K resolution and High Dynamic Range options in their games, so expect the like of Red Dead Redemption 2, Shadow of the Tomb Raider, God of War, Uncharted 4, Horizon: Zero Dawn and more to look even better on a HDR-enabled 4K TV. You'll also be able to stream 4K content from Netflix and YouTube. Want to get the right TV? Then check out our cheap 4K TV sales and deals page. We've seen big discounts as Sony fights off the latest Xbox One X deals too.

If you're buying a PS4, you'll probably need a cheap PlayStation Plus deal too. PlayStation Plus (aka PS Plus or PS+) allows you to play PS4 games online, along with access to the Instant Game Collection, a bunch of free games for PS4, PS3 and Vita each month. The default price for a year is £50. We can do better than that though, so check out our selection of the best PlayStation Plus deals.

Need an extra cheap PS4 controller? Don't forget to check our Best DualShock 4 deals. Or maybe a cheap PlayStation VR deal?  If you're still torn, maybe you'd prefer one of our Xbox One deals? 

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Best nonprofit software of 2019

Posted: 26 May 2019 04:14 AM PDT

Non-profit software aims to make it easier for non-profit groups to manage a wider range of issues in one place, that most other website CMS software cannot provide for. This is not least ensuring a central dashboard for reporting and abalytics, to track donations and targets, and look for actionable insights to help support existing marketing campaigns.

Then there is a CRM aspect for providing details of teams, volunteers, supporters, and donors, to ensure that the non-profit can properly communicate with them, as and when they need to. Accounting and social media management can also sometimes be included in software for non-profits, as part of the wider online management process.

However, while non-profits may have complex needs, the software needs to be simple and easy to use, especially as there may be limited training facilities available, and especially because it may sometimes be volunteers expected to use it despite limited IT knowledge.

Therefore we'll look at the best in non-profit software, that aims to make the wide range of needs for managing a non-profit as simple and effective as possible, without having to split your software needs between multiple packages.

  • Want your company or services to be added to this buyer’s guide? Please email your request to desire.athow@futurenet.com with the URL of the buying guide in the subject line.

Image credit: Neon

NeonCRM puts all your data and tools in one place, helping nonprofits to improve efficiency and organization so they can “focus on the work that really matters”, to quote the NeonCRM team itself.

Many of the platform’s creators come from a non-profit background which means they understand the administrative and operational pain points of running such an organization, and should help them design a service catered to these specific needs. Users are able to create online forms, engage donors, plan events, manage members, track volunteers, and get insights from built-in metrics dashboards. 

The platform is comprehensive and pretty straightforward to use, but if problems do pop up, a host of tutorial guides are on hand to walk you through any issues. These are particularly useful in the early stages of getting acquainted with the NeonCRM platform.

The price point – starting at $50 (£37) a month – may perturb smaller nonprofits, but this is not the most expensive offering of its kind, and comes highly recommended if budget allows.

Image credit: Little Green Light

Little Green Light is a sophisticated fundraising and donor management system that does a lot of the digital legwork for nonprofits. In the words of its creators, “timely insights that the data provides mean fundraisers work smarter – not harder – to connect supporters to their mission.”

A wealth of features are on offer here, including a fully customizable dashboard, customizable reporting, constituent and contact management, the creation of acknowledgment messages and receipts, integrations with other software platforms you may be using, and customized, trackable mailings.

The automatic categorization of donors (top donors, most active, and so forth) is a particularly handy feature, enabling users to home in on certain targets without sifting through reams of data to identify them in the first place.

With so many tools on offer, it may be worth utilizing the extendable free trial to fully get to grips with the platform and make sure it’s right for the needs and skillset of your staff. A further boon is a user-friendly design, plus a heap of video tutorials to help the unacquainted acclimatize to the system, and make good use of its numerous features.

Image credit: CharityTracker

CharityTracker enables different charitable organizations in the same community to collaborate with one another to improve the efficiency of their services.

The creators came up with the idea for the platform off the back of the Hurricane Katrina relief effort in 2005. They noticed the scarcity of communication between different agencies trying to help displaced families in their home town of Florence, Alabama, which led to duplicated operations and poor management of resources.

CharityTracker address these issues by enabling users to communicate in real-time – with each other, and with their communities. Features include a shared client case database, tracking and reporting, post bulletins and referrals.

An extremely easy-to-use interface is one of the key plusses here. Navigation across different features is simple, which should save time training users. With many of these users potentially being volunteers with little knowledge of IT and data entry, this is an invaluable aspect of the platform. Its round-the-clock tech support is excellent too, so any problems that do arise should be nipped in the bud swiftly.

For the data-heads who like to really get under the bonnet with their analyses, the reports may seem a little limited and cumbersome, but there is little else to fault with this well-priced service.

Image credit: Bloomerang

Bloomerang helps nonprofits reach, engage and retain donors with its feature-packed platform. The company claims to have worked with “high-level thought leaders in philanthropy” to create a service that makes it easier than ever to build strong relationships with donors.

The software’s core features include a dashboard that displays the organization’s donor retention rate along with suggestions on how to improve that, as well as future incoming donations.

Users can also manage reports and accounts, while a social media hub monitors what constituents may be tweeting about your organization. It’s a shame Facebook and Instagram aren’t enabled, but lots of platforms don’t have this tool built-in at all, so we’re not complaining.

Design is a strong point, with campaign progress showed as soon as you log in, while a clean, user-friendly design is employed throughout. You don’t have to be a software expert to make use of the platform, and it’s also been optimized for mobile for those who wish to log in on the move.

Bloomerang boasts an impressive array of features but it is slightly less customizable than other services, which can be frustrating when trying to tailor the platform to the specific needs of each user within the organization. Given the higher price point demanded here, this is something of a drawback.

Image credit: DonorPerfect

DonorPerfect is a one-stop-shop for fundraising and donor management. It promises to “supercharge your nonprofit’s fundraising initiatives and cultivate your most valuable relationships” via its software platform.

The roster of features include the ability to manage constituent contacts and donor development, send personalized communications, report and analyze results, integrate with other products and services, as well as being able to collect donations and information online.

A standout feature of DonorPerfect is its extremely attentive support team. Unlike many other services, there is always somebody ready to help at the end of the phone. Sometimes scanning tutorials just doesn’t answer your question, and long waits for assistance can be frustrating, so the ability to speak directly to someone about an issue is a strong selling point.

DonorPerfect doesn’t have all the bells and whistles of other services we’ve covered here, but it remains very comprehensive, and only really hard-core users will exhaust the options at their disposal.

Best of the rest

Operating on a slightly smaller scale? Then perhaps Continue To Give is the platform you need. With pricing starting at $30 (£22) per month, this service helps small to medium-size nonprofits collect donations across multiple avenues via the web, email, mobile, and social media crowdfunding.

Wild Apricot is an all-in-one membership management solution which already serves over 16,000 associations, nonprofits, and clubs. Key features include full membership database management, a drag-and-drop website builder (including easy integration with your existing website), online event registrations, automated emails and much more. 

By bringing together supporter engagement and constituent relationship management software in one integrated platform, Salsa CRM supplies nonprofits with all the online and offline tools they need to engage communities, raise funds, rally supporters, and thus, in the words of the company, “change the world.”

Focusing on events and volunteer organization, InitLive enables users to efficiently manage their teams. The cloud-based web platform boasts tools for event planners to recruit, assign staff, copy shifts, and reuse or export data. 

DonorSnap allows fundraisers to capture, organize and store donor contacts effectively. Using a customizable database with user-defined fields, you can track relationships and affiliations, manage memberships and accept event registrations.

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Best business networking apps of 2019

Posted: 26 May 2019 04:11 AM PDT

There is an ancient adage that it isn’t what you know, but who. And the advent of the digital era has served to only bolster the importance of business networking, especially in certain sectors.

There are numerous challenges to business networking, starting with finding the most relevant people. Once you’ve located contacts, then channels of communication need to be established, and relationships built.

Doing all this takes money, time and effort, and all of this can be made easier with some handy software, not to mention your phone.

Here are some of the best tools to help you network more effectively, and develop those contacts that can open up all manner of commercial opportunities.

  • Want your company or services to be added to this buyer’s guide? Please email your request to desire.athow@futurenet.com with the URL of the buying guide in the subject line.

Image credit: LinkedIn

Ask anyone about networking, and they’ll most likely mention LinkedIn, as the classic example of a widely used online solution.

However, it has taken 15 years and the acquisition of 17 other networking and contact management companies to make it the top dog. And, in 2016 it was itself bought by Microsoft.

The model behind LinkedIn is straightforward enough, allowing users to create a profile that then enables others to find and connect with them for business purposes.

Protection against unwarranted invites is inbuilt, and users can restrict what information is available about them. But what most people like is that they can share their trusted business associates with others, creating a community of connected and approved people.

Image credit: GroupMe

Regular messaging applications like Hangouts weren’t specifically built for business users, but GroupMe was, and you can also use it for personal connections.

Available for Android, iOS, Windows 10 and the now defunct Windows Phone, GroupMe even works on phones that don’t have the app via SMS.

It operates much like a private chat room, where any message can be seen by all those in the group, allowing them to react to information sent to each other. Private messages are possible, but it isn’t the default mode of this tool.

In addition to text-based communication, GroupMe also supports pictures, videos, documents and web hyperlinks in its exchanges.

It was bought by Skype in 2011, which in turn was bought by Microsoft earlier that same year.

Image credit: Namerick

The more senior you become in business, the greater number of people you will inevitably meet in that context. And either forgetting someone’s name or mixing them up with someone else doesn’t impress people or get them onside.

Namerick is an Apple app that sells for just $4.99 (£3.78)  and aims to avoid those awkward exchanges. It achieves this by allowing you to save the name alongside useful details that will help you retrieve the name, and it can even generate a mnemonic version of their name to help set those pesky neurons up for easy recall.

The only downside we can find of this useful tool is that it is only available on Apple devices, with no Android release on the horizon.

Image credit: Shapr

Making friends in business can be difficult when the emphasis is on the value of time and the application of effort.

Shapr is a business networking tool that sets out to connect people who work in the same industry and therefore might share interests and objectives.

The application bears an uncanny likeness to those dating apps where you swipe people, and in many respects, it works the same way.

Once you’ve found a suitable person, Shapr can send them a personal message and establish contact with them. The system doesn’t allow any unsolicited requests, so you won’t be getting any that you don’t expect or want.

The app is available for both iPhone and Android devices, and for those that find it very useful there is a paid Shapr Plus monthly subscription that allows you to swipe 50 profiles a day and promises to boost your profile with other users.

Image credit: Bizzabo

There are two components to Bizzabo, one for those that attend conferences and another for the businesses that organise them.

Where the mobile app for attendees is free, the management tools to connect all those people costs money. How much depends on the integration needed with other software, and how much information you want to extract about the attendees.

For anyone attending a conference run using Bizzabo, the mobile app is a no-brainer, as it allows you to connect with exactly the people you’d like to meet in what might be a confused and crowded environment.

Existing LinkedIn users won’t even need to register their information, as the app can access your profile, and also the LinkedIn profiles of other attendees.

Image credit: Contxts

While many people still use business cards, they can be frustrating if they contain out of date details, or if you don’t carry enough to hand out to everyone.

What’s clever about Contxts is that it allows you to package all the information that a typical business card includes into an SMS text message. And, you can transfer that either conventionally, or by bumping phones. Or, you tell them to SMS your account name to 50500, and they’ll get your details back as a reply.

At this time Contxts is in beta, free to use (other than SMS message costs) and it works on any mobile phone; even something ancient.

If you want multiple account names and card requests that will cost $9.99 (£7.57) per month or $49.99 (£37.84) for the whole year. If the whole company wants this facility, corporate deals are also available.

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Best survey tools of 2019

Posted: 26 May 2019 04:06 AM PDT

Finding out what customers or potential customers might want is at the heart of any business that tailors its products. Eliminating surprises from new product launches is always preferable to an unexpected commercial reality check.

One of the best ways to manage these relationships is with a survey tool that can target those who are the intended recipients of a product or service.

Using the generated feedback, changes can be made before any issues have an irreparable impact on customers, and equally enhance a positive situation to even greater success.

Those wanting to survey customers, people in general or even their own employees should find something to their liking in our selection of survey platforms.

  • Want your company or services to be added to this buyer’s guide? Please email your request to desire.athow@futurenet.com with the URL of the buying guide in the subject line.

Image credit: SurveyMonkey

One of the most successful survey solutions around with over 40 million registered customers, SurveyMonkey offers a comprehensive questionnaire building solution and metric analysis tools.

It allows those without any coding skills to create complex question sets and then process the responses easily and efficiently.

You can sign up for free and create a survey within minutes. However, you can’t access the data collected in CSV or Excel XLS until you’ve signed up for a paid option. And the price goes up more if you expect more than 1000 responses per month or want to use any of the sophisticated branching and pipeline features.

A number of pricing tiers are available, with Team Advantage being the cheapest at £25 (£28) per month. This allows control over survey sharing, team analysis, shared asset library, custom graphics, as well as easy data exporting. 

The next tier, Team Premier, is available at $75 (£89) per month and adds features such as benchmarks, industry tools, and multilingual surveys. The Enterprise plan offers extra security and compliance features, as well as admin management and migration as required.

Image credit: Typeform

Where other survey tools focus on how complicated a questionnaire can be, or how much data you can extract, Typeform takes a wholly different approach.

Its focus is user interaction, believing that the way to get the best responses is to engage the end user and through that get better responses. The Typeform methodology appears to work well, getting on average four times the completion rate over what the industry considers standard.

The other strong point is the pricing low pricing that starts with a Basic (free) solution for those that only need 100 responses and ten fields. Both those limitations are missing from the PRO version at £24 ($32) per month, and you also get 2GB of online space to store responses.

Each of these is restricted to a single user, though Enterprise deals are available.

Image credit: JotForm

JotForm is an online web and email survey building solution that aims to undercut Typeform while being even easier to use.

A coding-free solution that most marketing people should be able to master quickly and generate the leads or feedback that they need.

In the past 12 years, JotForm has built a customer base of 2 million regular customers, creating forms in 177 countries and 12 languages.

A Start plan is free to use, and offers up to 100 submissions, 100MB of online storage, as well as 5 forms and 1,000 form views. Paid plans start with the Bronze at $15.83 per month and increases monthly submissions to 1,000, and as well as storage space to 10GB, as well as 25 forms and 10,000 views. 

The Silver plan at $32.50 per month introduces HPIAA compliance as well as increasing views to 10,000, storage to 100GB, up to 100 forms, and unlimited views. The Gold plan for $82.50 a month increases submissions to 100,000, 1TB of storage, and unlimited forms and views. 

Image credit: AskNicely

AskNicely’s unique selling point is that it can collect live information based on the Net Promoter Score (NPS). NPS is an excellent way to gauge the strength of customer relationships for a business, and this tool was designed to track that dynamic.

It also integrates with many customer workflow options that include Salesforce, Hubspot, Slack, Zendesk, MailChimp and Zapier amongst many others.

With these connections, surveys can target specific customer groups, and their reaction to new products and services can be collected to present real-time to live dashboards.

AskNicely used to advertise plans which were expensive but packed with features - however, the website no longer displays pricing information and instead asks for potential customers to contact them directly for a quote.

Image credit: Formstack

Formstack is a good example of a survey product with a very wide remit. The online form tool allows the creation of sophisticated surveys and their responses to be data harvested. But it can also be used for straightforward customer feedback panels on websites and social media.

Many companies use it to process leads and analyse their rate of conversion by integrating it into other sales management solutions. It works with MailChimp to enable targeted information gathering and feedback from existing customer databases.

As a survey tool, it works well enough, though it doesn’t have the templates that some competitor products offer.

Costing has four levels; Bronze, Silver, Gold and Platinum. Starting at $19 (£14) per month for Bronze where you get a single user solution with basic forms and no application integration. At the other end of this scale, $249 (£188) buys you Platinum that is a ten user license with the scope for 1,000 forms and 100,000 submissions per month. 

Image credit: Surveygizmo

Not everyone owns and uses a PC to respond to a survey, and Surveygizmo is one of the few products that truly embrace all manner of platforms and access points.

Surveys can be sent as emails, placed on Facebook and Twitter, are accessible through a QR code; or even downloaded to physically print and then return.

The design tool reflects that flexibility with the ability to create surveys that look different on the phone than a PC, and it can track responses so that contacts can be encouraged to complete surveys they never finished.

Customers like the product and the support service provided, although recent price hikes and new tier limitations have irked some.

Pricing starts from $25 (£22) per month which encompasses most basic features. The Professional plan for $85 per month adds split testing, advanced reporting, API access and website redirects. 

The Full Access plan for $150 per month offers conjoint analysis, crosstab and TURF reports, as well as R scripts and SPSS export. There are Enterprise packages available which offers volume discounts.

Image credit: Google

Many business people don’t need anything exotic or complicated. Maybe a simple form to ask their customers if they enjoyed the last seminar and how to make it better is sufficient.

For them, the free to use Google Forms is a perfectly adequate tool that requires little skill or experience to use.

Responses are stored automatically into Google Sheets, allowing them to be easily transferred to an Excel spreadsheet or a database later.

The key weakness of Google Forms is that unless recipients have a Google Account and are willing to log in with it, they can fill out a survey multiple times.

As it is free before you spend big, it might be worth seeing if it will do enough, or at least hint what bought product features you might want.

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