Author: LF Review Squad

Posted on

Celebrating our INDEPENDENCE from subscription-based cloud storage providers

Click above image for up to 75% off 4th of July sale

THE DEAL OF ALL CLOUD STORAGE DEALS HAS ARRIVED.

pCloud is a relative newcomer in the cloud storage market that has apps for every major platform, including Linux. It offers up to 10GB of free storage, and is also the only provider on this list that offers a lifetime subscription for a one-time purchase!

Check out our pCloud Review: https://labfreq.com/tech/pcloud-review/

Features List

Crypto Folder

Security is at the forefront of pClouds feature set, with TLS/SSL encryption which is applied the moment you transfer a file from your device to pClouds servers. But the built-in security can be hardened with the Cloud Crypto add-on.

pCloud Crypto, is client-side encryption which no-one – not even pCloud – will have the keys for file-decryption. Set a password for your Crypto folder and you are the Supreme gatekeeper to what your place in it.

Integrated Media Previewing

All of your media – from music, videos, documents and photos are within reach as if they were on your devices internal storage, with advanced previewing and playback.

Mobile Apps

Mobile Apps for Android and iPhone ensure that your content is available to your from anywhere, anytime!

Branded Links

There are a few features that are kept back for the Premium and Premium Plus users. The most notable being the ability to share BRANDED LINKS. Thats’s right, links to file that you share with the public can be branded with a unique look and feel – down to the logo, and custom message to greet the recipient. It’s truly a standout feature that we even use here at Labfreq to share content with our readers.

Backups from other popular services

One-click backups from third-party services like Google Photos, Google Drive, OneDrive, Dropbox and Facebook!

pCloud’s new 10TB Custom Plan is

Click Image above for access to pCloud 10TB Lifetime plan

There are a lot of power players in the Cloud Storage game, many that can afford to throw hundreds of millions – if not billions – into ad budgets to popularize their services over a start-up that might be in business solely to provide cloud storage as a service – like Dropbox or iCloud. But you would be mistaken for assuming those services are better simply because they are better marketed and are more readily assessable due to them being integrated into your devices. I’m happy to reveal that is not the case in this instance, as deep pockets, a large product lineup, and a large workforce work against Big Tech in this case. pCloud is one hell of a standout option in a sea of myriad, redundant choices.

Posted on

Top 5 Cloud Storage Providers of 2022

Cloud Storage has evolved from a niche perk to an essential contingency, particularly with companies making the move to more hybrid/remote workflows. Some cloud storage providers are more popular than others, due to the fact they are integrated into popular ecosystems (think Android, ChromeOS, iOS/MacOS, Windows.) But does the market share of these services reflect the fact that they are truly the best on the market, or is it bulit-in convenience? Here we explore the most popular (and powerful) Cloud Storage service providers and their feature set – to see which offers the best bang per buck. in Alphabetical Order):

Google Drive

One of the more popular products on this list, Drive is possibly the most used – being integrated in Google’s ecosystem. It comes with 15GB of free storage, linked to your Gmail account. This space is shared between your emails in Gmail,pics and vids in Google Photos, along with whatever you saved in Drive. Though its widespread use is mostly due to it being an extension of the Internal storage on Android and Chromebook devices, many companies and individuals have raised concerns around privacy. The storage capacity can be upgraded through paid subscription tiers, ranging from 100GB for $1.99/month to $49.99 for 10TB/month.

Features:

  • File storage, sharing, and access from any device
  • File streaming directly from the cloud to Mac or PC
  • Offline access to files
  • Shared team drives
  • Google search technology for files
  • Cloud-native collaboration apps (Google Docs, Google Sheets, Google Slides)
  • Collaborate on Microsoft Office files without converting file formats
  • Supports over 100 file types
  • Integrates with dozens of tools and apps like Adobe, DocuSign, Salesforce, Slack, and more
  • Desktop app and mobile app
  • Access from Windows, Mac, Linux, iOS, and Android devices
  • 128-bit SSL encryption

Get Google Drive

Dropbox

Dropbox is the oldest product on this list, and the one that inspired companies like Apple, Google and Microsoft to get into the Cloud Storage game. It’s collaborative and file sharing features make it a popular, near-standard in the workplace and it edges out cloud services lied to big Tech ecosystems with top-tier encryption.

Dropbox uses stronger encryption to keep stored files safe with Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) 256-bit encryption — the same encryption standard used to protect top-secret data. (Google Drive only uses 128-bit encryption for example)

Dropbox has three subscription tiers: Standard, Advanced, and Professional – which prices range from $12.50/month to $20/month for the Advanced.

Features:

  • Cloud file storage and backup
  • File sharing and large file transfer
  • File recovery and version history
  • Document collaboration and editing through Dropbox Paper
  • Syncing across devices
  • Password sync and storage
  • Desktop app and mobile app
  • HelloSign eSignatures
  • Integrates with tools like Zoom, Canva, Slack, and more
  • Access from Windows, Mac, Linux, iOS, and Android devices
  • 256-bit AES and SSL/TLS encryption
  • Priority email support

Get Dropbox

iCloud

Apple’s cloud service isn’t as available on third-party platforms as much as the others – pretty much Apple devices and the Web. It allows users to store data such as documents, photos and music on remote servers for download to iOS, macOS or Windows devices. It also enables to share and send data to other users. It is also helpful to manage Apple devices if it is lost or stolen. It was launched in 2011. While it offers some of the lowest fees in this list, the price to value ratio is lower than the others – due to being more or less unavailable outside of Apple’s walled garden of products

Features:

  • -Seamless Integration with Apple devices
  • 5 GB free storage space
  • Low cost fees for additional storage
  • Up to 600GB monthly bandwidth/traffic limit

Get iCloud

OneDrive

OneDrive is Microsoft’s cloud storage service, and its tight integration with Windows assures it has a massive user base. It gives the convenience to users for storing files, personal data and for sharing files. It offers 5 GB free storage space. It was launched by Microsoft in 2007. It is mostly used by professional workers to store the data related to work which might need more security.

Features:

  • -Seamless Integration with Windows devices
  • 5 GB free storage space
  • Remote Uploading
  • File Versioning
  • Upload files up to 100GB in size

Get OneDrive

pCloud

The most secure cloud storage provider on the list, pCloud is a relative newcomer that has apps for every major platform, including Linux. It offers up to 10GB of free storage, and is also the only provider on this list that offers a lifetime subscription for a one-time purchase.

Features:

  • Up to 10 GB of free storage
  • Ability to sync from popular online services
  • Unlimited transfer speeds -Custom Branding Links
  • Embedded Music player (Sorting by artist, album; Shuffle; playback);
  • -Share link customization (expiration, password protection, upload/ download privileges);
  • Rewind to older file versions;
  • Easy to use
  • Unlimited file sizes
  • Client-side, zero-knowledge encryption
  • Innovative lifetime plans
  • US & EU Servers
  • Desktop folder backup included

Get pCloud

Conclusion

While all of the products on this list are reliable and robust, Dropbox and pCloud offers the more agile and cross-platform services – while Apple, Google, and Microsoft’s cloud storage are mainly extensions of the Internal storage on their own branded devices. Google Drive and Onedrive is a bit more open and available on other platforms than iCloud, but those are still edged out by Dropbox. pCloud takes the crown, edging out Dropbox by a slight margin with features like Branded Link Sharing, 30day file revisions, Client-side zero encryption, and the ability to buy a lifetime membership, which makes it the only Cloud service provider to allow you to buy Cloud storage outright.

Posted on

Top 5 Apps for Online Banking in 2022 (USA)

Similar to the transportation, communication and media industries that have been usurped by catalytic innovations in tech – Banking firms seem to be on the cusp of some huge transformations.

That being said, the world of financial transactions and digital banking is already changing. There are newer platforms dominating the current landscape, leaving older banking institutions who couldn’t make the digital pivot quick enough to complete with more agile, modern banking apps – in the dust.

We’ve tested, reviewed, and compiled a collection of the best banking apps available today. Read below and find out which banks we think land in our top 6.

Best of Old Guard

5. Capital One – One of the OGs that’s been around for decades, Capital One has made the transition to online banking the rather smoothly. Online Banking is one of the stronger sides of the Cap app, and it also lets you to keep track of your credit score with its Creditwise platform.

4. Chase Bank – There’s a Chase in every neighborhood, with over 4,700 branches and 16,000 free ATMS around the world. If you are deeply vested in Chase’s platform – you are in good company. Although using one of the higher ranked digital platforms as a transaction buffer would be a smart practice.

Honorable Mention

Bank of America – One of the better retail banks with high-ranked customer support, Bank of America has done a decent job making all of their financial tools accessible from within their mobile app. A decent business banking option as well.

All Digital, No-Fee Banking Apps

3. Cash App

Many people use Cash App to send money to friends and family, and it’s probably the most popular app on this list for that purpose. It’s also the the most used by meta-panhandlers and scammers as well, so tread lightly. A lot of people get got for they’re hard-earned money on this platform – generally older, less tech-savvy people who link an account from one of the brick and mortar traditional banks; only to find out they do not consider such transactions unauthorized.

Outside of that, Cash App is probably to the most used digital platform today for regular consumers. What many don’t know is Cash App also let’s you invest in stocks and cryptocurrency. Pioneer of account handles (like twitter or instagram user names for accounts), and no-fee transfers, Cash App is a decent gateway buffer for transferring money digitally.

2. SoFi – You be earning more money in for time with SoFi Checking and Savings. You’ll earn up to 1.00% APY and pay no account fees. Another interesting thing about SoFi, is you have the ability to invest in public companies, cryptocurrency, and link account a from other banks to manage your entire financial portfolio in one app. Another interesting feature is SoFi powers Samsung Pay, so setting up a Samsung Money checking account automatically sets you up.

Get a $25 bonus when you sign up for SoFi, and an additional $100 bonus when you set up direct deposit.

https://videos.files.wordpress.com/z3rZRkWU/img.mp4

1. Chime – Chime is a full-service banking platform with Checking and Savings accounts – along with their Credit Builder platform integrated in one account. Deposit funds with your Chime card fee-free at any CVS or Walgreens, and qualify for up to $200 in overdraft funds with the SpotMe feature when you get direct deposit.

While Chime has no physical branches, 24/7 customer support is available- and they have one of the most flexible transaction reversal programs I’ve ever experienced.

Free cash deposits, robust account linking through Plaid, and a highly effective Credit Building secured card with every account – gets Chime the #1 spot on our best banking apps for 2022 list. Sign up for an account and receive $15 using the link below!

Earn $15 when you sign up for Chime, and $100 when you receive a qualifying direct deposit!

Posted on

The LG V40 ThinQ and it’s Five Camera Lenses

The V40 is the latest and most powerful smartphone LG has released to date. But is that enough to warrant a serious consideration from the shoppers looking to upgrade their devices? 

I have been testing the V40 for three months now, and I’m surprised to find that LG managed to make improvements to it’s V series- even if the upgrades are incremental.

DISPLAY

6.4 ” QHD+ OLED Display
(3120 x 1440, including notch); 538 ppi

MEMORY

64GB internal memory microSD™: supports card up to 2 TB

CAMERA

Rear:12MP Telephoto Zoom 16MP Super Wide-Angle

12MP Standard

Front:5MP Wide 8MP Standard

PROCESSOR:

Qualcomm Snapdragon™ 845

up to 2.8 GHz x 4 + 1.7 GHz x 4 Octa-Core

BATTERY

3,300 mAh Non-Removable

The display is an 6.4 inch OLED with resolutions up to 3120×1440,and it’s HDR10 certified . The display’s ratio comes in at 19:5:9. It’s an awesome display, with deep blacks, pure whites and beautiful,vivid colors. 

What say ye, of the triad of camera lenses on thee backside of thy V40 ThinQ? They’re pretty neat: they have the ability to work in conjunction with one another and separately, and neither of them are useless gimmicks. The 1st main camera is a 12MP 78 degree lens with an f/1.5 aperture OIS (Optimized Image Stabilization) and PDAF (Phase Detection Auto Focus),the 2nd Camera lens is a 16MP, wide angle 107-degree lens with 1-micron and f/1.9 aperture,and the 3rd Camera lens is a 12MP,1-micron, f/2.4, 45-degree lens with 2x optical zoom. But enough geekspeak, let’s look at some sample photos and video below.

 

                                 

We will take a deeper look at the camera and it’s three lens setup later on in the review to see if LG stacks up with another innovative first or useless lenses…

Build Quality

Conclusion

LG’s V -series has always been a multimedia powerhouse, and LG has made all of the necessary adjustments and upgrades to keep the V-40 in the premium smartphone best-of club. The Only real concern is if the 3300 battery is enough to last you a day.

Exit mobile version