As though push of innovative features are endless to Google Chrome, the company has also announced automatic offline syncing ability for Google Drive on Chrome browser. Google debuted its cloud service, Google Drive, in April 2012 to augment the cloud computing adoption by enterprise.

With the new feature, users of its cloud storage service, Google Drive can now sync files while in offline mode on Chrome browser without the fear of internet connection disruption. 

The automatic offline synchronization for Google Drive can be enabled by setting up offline access with Chrome Web App already installed.

Google, however, warned on the risk on enabling automatic offline sync on shared or public computers. Also note that the new feature will be rolling out in a couple of days, so may not have been made available for everyone yet. To check if it has been enabled for your account, simply click on the tab "More" and select offline.

Automatic Offline Sync for Google Drive on Chrome

Google has pushed Chrome Office Viewer extension into the beta version of its browser, making it possible for users to access Microsoft Office documents direct on browser. The feature is perhaps a great leap in the enterprise productivity suite being implemented on Google Chrome.

Microsoft Office users can now heave a sigh of relieve as the hassles of endless upgrades in order to be able to receive Office documents are over.

The Chrome Office Viewer extension affords users direct access to Office documents, Spreadsheets, and PowerPoint Slides direct on the browser. It is compatible to Windows and Mac version of the browser and requires the latest beta version of the browser.

However, there is the limitation to view only, as editing of documents are not possible on the browser. There remains the options of uploading files to Google Drive or open in Microsoft Word to edit.

Google also iterated the security enhancement in the browser viewer, stating that it incorporates Chrome sandbox technology in isolating the documents, according to the Chrome blog. In that way, malwares are isolated from infecting the computer if compromised files are accessed on the browser.

Indeed, the browser-side technology are currently on the spotlight with Chrome championing the web app revolution. Albeit, native applications are still exacting great influence in overall productivity landscape, the future is truly web-based application.

Chrome Browser Support for MS Office docs

The internet has become ubiquitous, as more and more businesses now depends on it to carry-out their various services in ways not before thought possible. So too, internet threats are growing day by day. As the number of internet users continue to increase in megabits, even moreso, the scrupulous minded ones have come to find ways to circumvent the online channels to their own whims and caprices.

Internet security can no longer be taken for granted, hence the need for extra layer to beef-up the traditional internet security systems.

Two-factor Authentication System is one of the extra layers that have been employed to beef-up internet security lately. Also dubbed Multi-factor authentication, it follows on the approach to authenticate users by two or more of the three authentication factors: Knowledge factor, Possession factor and inherence factor.

The process helps to eliminate the probability that a requesting entity to a given domain is presenting false evidence of its identity.

Knowledge factor, which denotes "what the user knows" is the common form of authentication, of which the password or PIN is the typical mechanism required. The password remain one of the most susceptible components of even the most advanced security systems. And have continued to be the bane for break-ins to such systems.

But, the good news is that the major web service providers are beginning to pay attention to the extra security factors, given the proliferation of breaches on their networks by hackers. Google launched its two-factor authentication system dubbed 2-step verification early 2011 and the service have afforded users peace of mind.

Facebook followed closely on Google's heel to announce its own two-factor authentication system. While, Microsoft  has recently rolled out the service to its users as well. Even Amazon web services and a host of other web companies have implemented the extra security feature.

Its now behooving on users to avail themselves of this extra layer of security to ensure that their online transactions are safe and rewarding.

Review: Two-Factor Authentication System

Google's effort to slice a share on the enterprise world dominated by Microsoft and Apple continues to receive attention as the company announces new admin control features for Chrome.  The feature allow I.T administrators the ability to apply workplace control configuration across employee's system.

The administrative controls now means that workers can be subjected to same workplace security standards even outside the office.

Last month, Google brought new Administrative Controls to Chrome OS, signaling the positioning of the new Operating System for enterprise customers, a gap which the company have been struggling to fill in the past couple of years.

Employee's working outside the office can now have access to their workplace Web Apps, and general customized experiences by logging into Chrome on Google Apps for Business and Google Apps for Education according to the company blog.

Also included in the new features is what Google terms 'Legacy Browser" support. It allows I.T administrators to configure the system so as to automatically select a given version of the browser depending on whether a give site or app performs better on older or "legacy" version of the browser.

The Admin control panel affords administrators to customize over 100 Chrome policies and preferences for their employees on its cloud-based management infrastructure.

Enterprise-Level Controls for Chrome browser

If you have ever thought of what will become of your online accounts after you're gone, you are not alone. Google too is thinking on that same line, as it announced Inactive Account Manager. The tool enables you take control of your entire Google Account related services in case you are dead. However repulsive that idea may appear, its a call we all must answer and therefore necessary users have control over their accounts before hand.

Google Inactive Account manager is available on Google Account Settings page, allowing users to predefine how and what will become of their account after they are gone.

It invariably not exclusively about death, as it can also serve towards a long absence from the internet owing to maybe sickness or travel to remote areas. The features afford you the options to either delete your entire account after certain stipulated inactive period or have Google email your account details to a "trusted contact".

For instance, you can choose to have your account data deleted after three, six, twelve months inactive periods, respectively. Or have trusted contact receive data on selectable Google services.

Google hopes the new feature will enable users plan their digital afterlife, in order to safeguard their privacy and security, to make life easier for loved ones after they're gone.

Review: Google Inactive Account Manager

There is a big “geeky” event about to start on SoftFinder.com called the Grand Software Hunt Giveaway. It's a virtual live hunt, with over 2000 software licenses up for grab. SoftFinder.com is a new catalog with free software for Windows and Mac systems. The service shares only accountable and safe files and offers access to reliable descriptions and reviews of programs, including video reviews.

SoftFinder.com invites you to take part in the Grand Software Hunt Giveaway – an action inspired by the game “hunting for treasures”. Each registered user will have a chance to win one of over 2000 applications, including the newest version of Adobe Photoshop and Kaspersky Antivirus.

Starting April, 2013 Several dozen world class developers are engaged in the event, including, among others, Orpalis, Aurora 3D Software, S2 Solutions, UAB 'Prewise', Ashampoo and Mariner Software, offering their most popular applications from many categories.

The multiplicity of the prizes enables the users to choose exactly the programs which interest them. Łukasz Kwiatkowski, the Product Manager, says how to achieve this and what is so unique about the event: “The Grand Software Hunt Giveaway is not just a regular lottery with prizes, but an emotional virtual contest which engages users from the whole world.

The brand’s service mascot, SoftFinder robot, will also play an important role in the event. Its clues will help the users find and hunt the lucky voucher hidden in the service and exchange it for a chosen prize available in the giveaway. ”In order to heat up the atmosphere, the exact date of the beginning of the event has not yet been announced. It will be in the first half of April, but more information will be given only to registered “hunters”.

 The organizers of the event have announced that such actions will be cyclic. ”In our project, SoftFinder.com, we do not only want to share large resources of files, but also meet our users’ needs and offer them something unique and interesting. Members of the SoftFinder.com community will be able to benefit from numerous giveaways and promotions which will enable them to get to know the commercial versions of programs. At the same time this will be an attractive form of promotion for producers of the programs” – Kwiatkowski added.

The giveaway will last until all of the prizes are given away. So if any of you are dreaming of the newest version of Adobe Photoshop, Eylean Board or Avast Pro Antivirus, you should try to become a member of the service now! Get an invitation for the event by registering on the website: http://softfinder.com/software-hunt-giveaway-a

Enter for The Grand Software Hunt Giveaway

WhatsApp Messenger is a cross-platform instant messaging application with a unique appeal due to easy accessibility on feature phones, as well as smartphones. The application was launched in 2009 by Yahoo veterans, J. Koum and Brian Acton, based in Santa Clara, California. It simply trails the pattern of BlackBerry Messenger, but with all your mobile contacts as IM buddy, irrespective of device.

The IM craze in Nigeria was sparked up by the erstwhile Yahoo Messenger, but deepened penetration was as a result of Facebook Chat.

Instant Messaging is perhaps one of the most engaged activities in modern internet usage in Nigeria, especially by the young internet users, who are always seeking for new ways to connect with friends and business associates.

What features have particularly endeared WhatsApp Messenger to Nigerians? 

1. The availability and support of the application on feature phones is perhaps the number one reason for the success of WhatsApp Messenger in Nigeria, given that over half of the mobile users use feature phones. 


2. And secondly, the application is truly innovative in the area of cutting SMS cost, as it automatically adds up your contacts with the application installed on their mobile device, giving your a cheaper option to contact them through instant messaging.

3. Lately, Nigerian telecommunication providers have introduced cheap subscription package for WhatsApp Messenger application, owing to the growing interest by users.

4. And lastly, the application does not consume much space and battery usage is minimal compared to other competing applications.

You can download WhatsApp Messenger direct to your mobile phone now by visiting the website through your device own browser.

Review: WhatsApp Messenger Application Success in Nigeria