All articles tagged with #syncing
Google Health users are seeing an outage that’s affecting syncing and device pairing. Reports began around 7:00 AM ET, Downdetector logged hundreds of incidents, and Google’s Health status page confirms the issue. A workaround isn’t provided yet; the service is expected to be restored and authorities will update the article once it’s back online.
DuckDuckGo's browser introduces a private, end-to-end encrypted syncing service that allows users to sync bookmarks, passwords, favorites, and settings across devices and browsers without the need for an account or sign-in. The company emphasizes its commitment to privacy by ensuring that it never sees the synced data and storing the encryption key only locally on users' devices. This feature, along with built-in tracker ad blocking, enforced encryption, and email protection, aligns with DuckDuckGo's privacy-focused approach and sets it apart from other browsers.
Apple has launched a redesigned iCloud app for Windows 10 and 11, offering a better onboarding and content syncing experience for iPhone or iPad users. The new app includes a new setup experience, syncing status indicator, support for physical security keys, reduced sign-in prompts, improved photo-syncing performance with Microsoft Photos, and easy shortcuts to access other Apple services. This follows Apple's previous redesign of iCloud.com and the introduction of separate apps for iCloud, Apple TV, and Apple Music for the Windows platform.
1Password is investigating reports of users unable to log in to the app, with issues impacting sign-ins to the web interface in Europe, the US, Canada, and elsewhere. Problems with sign-in, syncing items across devices, and saving passwords are affecting users in all regions, but the outage may be receding as reports on Downdetector show a decline.
Samsung has launched Samsung Internet for Windows, bringing its popular browser app to desktop operating systems. While the app allows syncing of browsing data between phones and PCs, full-fledged sync support is not yet available. Users can import browsing history, bookmarks, and search engines from other browsers. The browser supports ad blocker, secret mode, extension support, and light and dark mode themes. However, its performance on Windows needs improvement, with laggy scrolling being a notable issue. The app is available for installation on any Windows 10 or Windows 11 PC or laptop via the Microsoft Store.
Apple is shutting down its free "My Photo Stream" feature, which allowed users to sync photos between their Apple devices. The feature required paid storage and did not sync high-quality photos in their full resolution. Apple recommends using iCloud Photos instead, which offers full-resolution syncing but requires a subscription plan for iCloud storage. My Photo Stream will go offline on July 26, and Apple will stop uploading photos to it on June 26.
Microsoft's Phone Link app, which allows syncing calls, contacts, and messages between an iPhone and PC, is now available for all Windows 11 users. The feature supports limited iMessage syncing but has several limitations, including no support for group chats, sending images and videos, voice messages, or iMessage apps. To use the feature, users need to search for "Phone Link" in the Windows taskbar, select iPhone as the device type, and scan the QR code in the app using the phone's camera. The devices will pair over Bluetooth, and users will need to confirm several permissions on both iPhone and PC.
A recent rumor suggests that Apple is working on letting users sync their Apple Watch with more than one device at the same time, including other iPhones, iPads, and even Macs. Currently, users can only pair multiple Apple Watches with the same iPhone, but not use the same watch with multiple iPhones. If this rumor is true, it would be good news for those who switch between multiple iPhones regularly and could potentially expand the market for Apple Watch to those who own an iPad or Mac but not an iPhone.
Google Authenticator's recent update allows users to sync 2FA codes across multiple devices using their Google Account, but this raises security concerns as it is not end-to-end encrypted. To use Google Authenticator offline and turn off syncing, users can tap their profile photo in the app, select "Use without an account," and continue. This limits 2FA codes to the device and provides extra peace of mind.
Microsoft has started rolling out iPhone support within its Phone Link app to the wider Windows 11 user base, allowing users to sync their calls, messages, and contacts to their PC. The feature is expected to be available to all Windows 11 users by mid-May. However, there are some limitations, such as the inability to send images and videos from a Windows machine and group messaging not being supported.