file-transfer

The complete guide to using Android with a Mac

For some reason it's a common belief that Android devices and Macs just don't get along. This misconception may have been true back in Android's infancy, but nowadays there's a long list of methods, apps, and services that let you use your Android device with your Mac. It's impossible to cover every app and service available, but I'm going to share the best of the bunch.

Most of the services listed below rely on the cloud to make the process of moving data between devices painless, while other methods require the tried and true … Read more

Apple eyes way to automatically copy files between devices

You may eventually be able to transfer files between a computer and mobile device just by placing the two near each other.

Published today by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, an Apple patent application known as "Apparatus and method for interacting with handheld carrier hosting media content," describes a file transfer technology that automatically kicks in when two devices are positioned next to each other. One device would sense when the other is nearby and then send or receive a certain document, picture, song, or other item.

As one example, you may be creating an e-mail … Read more

Use Bump to share files between your phone and computer

Bump is a popular app for sharing photos and contact info between smartphones. Several months ago, they added the ability to share photos with a computer as well, but you could only share photos in one direction (phone to computer). Bump's announcement yesterday revealed that you can now use the app to share any file type between devices in both directions. Here's how to use Bump to share files between your smartphone and computer:

Phone to computer

Step 1: Install the latest version of Bump (iOS | Android) on your smartphone and enable location services.

Step 2: On your … Read more

Transfer files between devices with Wifi File Transfer for Phone

If you ever needed to transfer a file from one Android device to another, you have probably wished that this app existed. Wifi File Transfer for Phone sets up your own private cloud between the two devices in the same Wi-Fi network and lets you transfer your files without much hassle.

Wifi File Transfer for Phone has a slick layout with bright colors and easy-to-read, intuitive icons. Once the app is set up, the devices can openly browse files between each other. Once the user finds a file they want, they simply select it for download and wait. If you … Read more

Windows 8 sales off to brisk start

Wednesday's CNET Update is watching Windows:

A Microsoft executive revealed that 40 million licenses of Windows 8 have been sold since it came out last month. These numbers include both consumers and manufacturers, so Windows 8 isn't in 40 million homes. But to compare, Windows 7 hit sales of 60 million the first two months. Some say Windows 8 is off to an awkward start, and there is a learning curve with the new system.

Also in today's tech news roundup:

- Gmail works with Google Drive to let users send 10GB files.

- Vimeo makes it … Read more

Transfer files and more with Cyberduck, but at a price

With a name like Cyberduck you might be wondering what type of app this is. Most people will not guess that Cyberduck is an open-source FTP browser designed for file transfers. At $23.99, Cyberduck has to provide a lot of capabilities to compete with free FTP systems.

As an FTP download and upload client, Cyberduck works well. The interface is clean and easy to work with. You can browse through folders and preview files in a Quick Look window, and you can also launch editors from within the Cyberduck tool to make changes to files. Unlike most FTP tools, … Read more

How to use S Beam on your Samsung Galaxy S3

One of the most exciting features announced with the launch of the Samsung Galaxy S3 is S Beam, which uses near-field communication (NFC) and Wi-Fi Direct to send files between two phones.

Android 4.0 already has a feature called Android Beam, which works over NFC to transmit information such as contact details and browser pages from one mobile to another. But it doesn't use Wi-Fi Direct, so it's impractical for large files.

By combining NFC and Wi-Fi Direct, S Beam is capable of sending large files between phones, such as images, videos and music tracks. The transfer … Read more

Photo Transfer App doesn't disappoint

Photo Transfer App is one of the simplest solutions I've encountered for transferring photos and videos between mobile and desktop devices -- so long as your devices are all on the same Wi-Fi network.

When you open the app on your device, it immediately asks if you want to send or receive files (only photos and videos are supported). Once you make your choice, it asks if you'll be transferring with an Apple computer, Windows computer, or mobile device (Android or iOS only). Whichever option you choose, your devices will have to be on the same Wi-Fi network … Read more

Transmit even faster

Transmit was already one of the very best FTP clients for the Mac, and it's only gotten better with its long-awaited leap to version 4.

The two most noticeable things about the new Transmit are faster speeds (especially when dealing with lots of smaller files) and a completely revamped, more Finder-like interface. Transmit's snappy, animated new interface makes workflows more natural and streamlined than ever. The file browsing has also gotten easier, with new features like "Places" (for storing shortcuts to frequently used folders) and useful Finder-style functionality (which has been showing up in other FTP … Read more

Free desktop viewing and sharing

TeamViewer is an app that lets you connect to other Macs and PCs via the Internet to share desktops, transfer files, walk through presentations, and control other computers remotely. It's even free for noncommercial use, making it a great choice for your pro bono troubleshooting for friends and family, or for just accessing your own Mac from the road.

The interface is simple: you just open TeamViewer and you're prompted to either create a session or wait for one. A unique ID and password is created for each session, and you need TeamViewer on both computers (if you'… Read more