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GHD Flight review
1:00 pm | August 31, 2021

Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Hair Care Home Small Appliances | Comments: Off

• Original review date: September 2021
• Replaced by the slightly upgraded GHD Flight+
• Launch price: $99 / £59 / AU$99
• Official price now: $119 / £99 / AU$160

Updated: February 2024. The GHD Flight has now been replaced with the GHD Flight+, which as of writing we've yet to get our hands on. It's more expensive than its predecessor; significantly so in the UK and Australia, but does now exclusively come as part of a gift set which includes a pretty chic protective travel case, so that's a benefit if you like keeping your kit in a good state. Its specs are slightly better compared to those listed in our original review; the Flight+ is now 49% lighter (vs. 50% previously) and 25% smaller than the GHD Air, but offers 78% of the power (vs. 70% previously). The rest of the review remains unchanged.

One-minute review

GHD is most well known for its hair straighteners. The company has spent the past two decades offering ceramic-plated flat irons, taking over from steam-powered straighteners as the must-have tool for hair styling. 

However, more than nine years ago, GHD also dipped its toe in the world of hair dryers, and now offers three different models, the smallest and most compact of which is the GHD Flight. Designed to be packed in your suitcase, the GHD Flight is 50% lighter than the GHD Air, but offers 70% of the power, at 1400W, allowing you to dry your hair in a relatively short frame of time. 

The GHD Flight comes with a folding handle, which ensures the hair dryer takes up as little space in your suitcase as possible. It operates on both 120V and 240V electrical supplies, so it really can be used anywhere in the world.

It has two temperature settings, along with a slower, cool-shot option for setting styles, and the hair dryer will automatically switch off if held too close to the hair when blow-drying to prevent overheating, too. In the box you’ll find a concentrator nozzle and a carry pouch.

At $99 / £59 / AU$99, the GHD Flight is the most affordable hair dryer GHD offers, and is ideal for those on a budget. It also makes a great additional hair dryer for those who travel, easily slipping into a bag or suitcase, safe in the knowledge that it won’t send luggage over a weight limit. However, those looking for a hair dryer with a plethora of attachments to create a wide array of hair styles might be better looking elsewhere.

The GHD Flight being held in a hand

(Image credit: TechRadar)

GHD Flight price and availability

  •  List price: $99 / £59 / AU$99

The GHD Flight is the brand’s entry-level hair dryer and is priced at $99 / £59 / AU$99. It’s available from GHD or Amazon worldwide. 

GHD also offers a mid-range hair dryer, the GHD Air, which will set you back $199 / £99 / AU$220, while it’s top-of-the-range model, the GHD Helios, costs $249 / £159 / AU$295.

The GHD Flight folded up ready for travel

(Image credit: TechRadar)

Design

  • Foldable design
  • Two temperature settings
  • Comes with one attachment

The GHD Flight is the most compact hair dryer we’ve tested to date, measuring 9.6 x 5.2 x 2.7 inches / 24.4 x 13.3 x 6.8cm (h x w x d). It’s folding handle means its dimensions come down further still to 7.9 x 4.1 x 2.7 inches / 20 x 10.5 x 6.8cm. It’s lightweight, too, coming in at just 0.9lb / 422g.

The hair dryer features a stylish matt black design, with a gold slider that lets you select one of the two temperature settings, or the cool-shot function for setting your hair after styling – a look that apes the GHD Air, although the gold band around the barrel of the Air hair dryer has been dropped in favor of a glossy black accent. 

As already mentioned, the 1400W hair dryer is dual voltage, so it can be used anywhere in the world. Simply use a coin to turn to the dial to select the correct voltage (either 120V or 240V) for the country in which you’re using it. The hair dryer has a 6ft / 1.8m cable and comes with a concentrator nozzle and a soft carry pouch in the box.

The hanging loop is also a nice touch, and is usually a feature on hair dryers used in salons. 

The GHD Flight hair dryer being held in a hand

(Image credit: TechRadar)

Performance

  • Fast drying times
  • Balanced in use
  • Automatically switches off when too close to hair

Even though the GHD Flight offers less power than some of the brand's other hair dryers, it certainly isn’t sluggish when it comes to drying times. On the lowest temperature setting, it took 5 minutes and 52 seconds to take below-shoulder-length fine hair from damp to completely dry. Using the hottest settings shaved 1 minute and 51 seconds off this time. On both settings, locks were left smooth – although they lacked the shine we’ve achieved with other hair dryers, plus there were more fly-away strands than usual.

We put this down to the lack of technology that uses negative ions to speed up evaporation and reduce flyaway strands. 

The GHD Flight felt balanced in the hand when blow-drying hair, and was comfortable to hold, both in the left and right hands (we switched hands, depending upon the side of the head being styled). The hair dryer was easy to fold into its more compact form, while the hinge felt durable and offered a reassuring click as the handle was moved. 

Also notable is the fact that the GHD Flight will automatically switch off if held too close to the hair, to stop the hair dryer from overheating. However, we were disappointed to find that the filter isn’t removable, which can make cleaning the hair dryer more difficult. 

For noise, the GHD Flight registered 77.8db on our decibel meter on its fastest setting. This puts it middle-of-the-range when it comes to noisy hair-care appliances, and is equivalent to the level of noise made by a vacuum cleaner. However, since it is likely to be on for only a few minutes at a time, it’s unlikely to bother too much.

The GHD Flight resting on the glass top of a dressing table

(Image credit: TechRadar)

Should I buy the GHD Flight?

Buy it if...

Don't buy it if...

First reviewed: August 2021

• Original review date: October 2022
• Still Laifen's flagship, but the new Swift SE provides a more affordable alternative
• Launch price: $199.99 / £175.11 / AU$297.83
• Official price now: The same

Updated: February 2024. The Laifen Swift remains to be a great Dyson Supersonic alternative, though it's far from the only one at this point. Still, it's a fraction of the price, and nearly as affordable as some of the most high-performing standard hair dryers in this list. Since our original review, Laifen has released a more affordable sister product, the Laifen Swift SE ($149.99 / £128.01 / AU$228.02), which is marginally less powerful and more cheaply made, but comes in some adorable pastel hues.

• Original review date: October 2022
• Still Laifen's flagship, but the new Swift SE provides a more affordable alternative
• Launch price: $199.99 / £175.11 / AU$297.83
• Official price now: The same

Updated: February 2024. The Laifen Swift remains to be a great Dyson Supersonic alternative, though it's far from the only one at this point. Still, it's a fraction of the price, and nearly as affordable as some of the most high-performing standard hair dryers in this list. Since our original review, Laifen has released a more affordable sister product, the Laifen Swift SE ($149.99 / £128.01 / AU$228.02), which is marginally less powerful and more cheaply made, but comes in some adorable pastel hues.

Vivaldi browser review
3:14 am | August 29, 2021

Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets | Comments: Off

Need a browser to handle sensitive information? A secure and encrypted browser like Vivaldi might just be what you’re looking for.

Vivaldi might not be one of the most popular browsers, but if you’re after a feature-loaded option, it's a must-try. It's a leading Chromium-based browser, meaning privacy and user security are its top priorities. 

It's also fast, responsive, and incredibly light on your system. Read till the end to find out more about Vivaldi and see if it's the best browser for you.

Vivaldi browser: Features

The best thing about Vivaldi is its tag management features. For starters, you can put inactive tabs on hibernation mode to save battery and free up more space. For managing multiple tabs, Vivaldi offers a separate set of features. You can open them in a split-screen view to see multiple pages at once. Or, you can also group similar tabs together in a two-way stack, keeping your workspace clean and clutter-free.

Say you want to access all the tabs you opened in one particular session — Vivaldi allows that by giving you the option to name each session. Once done, all you have to do later is type in a particular session’s name, and the tabs will be in front of you. It's the perfect feature for both students and working professionals who work on the same topic on a long-term basis.

Vivaldi comes with a built-in ad blocker, so it offers a calm and peaceful “Reader View.” This basically means that you can cut through all the unnecessary notifications, ads, and floating windows to concentrate on your work and enjoy nothing but the content you’re looking for online.

If you want to watch a video as you work or browse the internet, Vivaldi will put that on a floating window. Of course, you’ll be able to adjust the position of this small window so that you can look at it and still see what’s playing on the screen behind it. This facilitates multi-tasking too.

Vivaldi’s installation sharing is another benefit of using this browser. No need for multiple installations for different users — after you create a user profile, you can share the installation with other users simply by sharing your profile.

If you want to check social media feeds or chat with someone as you work, you can add additional panels on the side of the screen. If not, this space will be occupied by the default menu that lets you manage your browser theme, keyboard shortcuts, mouse settings, bookmarks, downloads, and more.

Vivaldi browser: Privacy

Vivaldi does pretty well in terms of privacy and security. Unlike Chrome, it doesn't track your browsing history, and according to its privacy policy, it doesn't collect user data in any form either. 

Instead of keeping your web history on the cloud, Vivaldi stores that plus your downloads locally on your device in an encrypted folder such that even its own team can't access it. 

As already mentioned, there’s also a built-in tracker and ad blocker, plus the ability to disable all cookies from third-party sites. 

Together, these features protect you from trackers and potential hackers who might want to break into your system.

Vivaldi browser privacy in action

(Image credit: Vivaldi)

Vivaldi browser: Ease of use

Vivaldi is quite easy to use. It’s Chromium-based and made using the latest algorithms, so the user interface won't take too long for you to master. The same goes for the Vivaldi mobile app, which is quite similar to the web version in terms of aesthetics and appeal and is just as easy to use.

The best thing about the browser is its fully functional sidebar. The menu on it covers tab management, panels, quick commands, downloads, updates, etc. You can also manage your keyboard and mouse settings from here.

We particularly like how the browser’s design is customizable, and you can experiment with multiple themes of your choice.

Vivaldi browser: Competitors

Vivaldi faces tough competition from Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, Safari, and Opera, to name a few. 

The biggest drawback of Vivaldi is that it's relatively new to the market. The browser was founded in 2016 — it hasn't even been a decade yet. On the other hand, browsers like Opera and Chrome have been around for a long, long time. They have a strong hold over the market, making it difficult for new browsers like Vivaldi to break in. 

Another disadvantage of Vivaldi is its design and approach are not for everyone. Its main search page has way too many options. A huge menu runs on the left sidebar, and the tabs run horizontally on the top. 

If you compare it with Chrome’s interface, you’ll notice that the latter is more simple and minimal — only featuring the most important options in the front. It can be a turn-off for users who aren't geeky about features and are just looking for a simple and easy-to-use browser.

However, on the flip side, Vivaldi is one of the few browsers that provides a commendable environment to foster work and efficiency — it offers a separate set of task management tools that helps you manage your tabs and keep your workspace clutter-free.

Also, Opera provides a free VPN, whereas Vivaldi and most other browsers do not.

Vivaldi browser: Final verdict

People who enjoy feature-rich browsers will certainly enjoy Vivalidi. After all, there’s just so much to do. 

For example, it makes browsing multiple tabs more efficient through the Tab Stacking feature — group two or more tabs of the same subject together. You can also send the inactive ones into hibernation mode to save battery and CPU power.

On top of all this, Vivaldi also comes with a built-in tracker and ad blocker, which, to be fair, are available on most browsers. That said, their presence is certainly appreciated. One protects you from malicious websites that collect user data, while the latter blocks annoying pop-ups and ads that might otherwise disrupt your experience.

Also check out our roundup of the best anonymous browsers.

DocuWare review
7:39 pm | August 25, 2021

Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets | Comments: Off

DocuWare is one of the best document management platforms, ideal for both large companies, as well as SMBs. The system can integrate with more than 500 commonly used software applications, including Microsoft, Oracle, and Salesforce.   

Syncing DocuWare with your existing programs offers an efficient solution to eliminate inconsistencies and save time within your company. With user-friendly features like drag-and-drop functionality and automation, DocuWare caters to the needs of SMBs with varying workflows, and promises a transition to paperless offices in less than 90 days. 

The smart search function enables quick document retrieval, while OCR automates document indexing. Version history ensures comprehensive change tracking. Windows users can utilize the dedicated application, while Mac and Linux users can access the program through their browser. Additionally, mobile applications are available for iOS and Android, enabling convenient file access for employees.

DocuWare: Plans and pricing

DocuWare offers four cloud-based plans for its document management software, each providing a full-featured program with varying storage space and user support. Upgrading plans is flexible and can be done anytime. The plans are as follows:

1. DocuWare Cloud 4: Includes 20GB of storage and licenses for four users.

2. DocuWare Cloud 15: Provides storage space for up to 50GB and supports 15 users.

3. DocuWare Cloud 40: Offers 100GB of storage and allows up to 40 users.

4. DocuWare Cloud 100: Provides up to 250GB of storage space and supports 100 users.

While specific pricing is not publicly available, contacting the company will provide a quote tailored to your business needs. The typical price range for the fully-featured cloud system is $25 to $100 per user per month.

DocuWare: Setup

Install DocuWare Desktop Apps effortlessly through the DocuWare Client:

1. Open the DocuWare Client and navigate to the main menu. Choose "Install Desktop Apps."

2. The setup for DocuWare Desktop Apps will be downloaded. Run it as an administrator.

3. Select the desired desktop components during the installation process.

4. Once the installation completes successfully, click "Close" when prompted.

5. Switch back to the DocuWare Client and establish a connection to the Desktop Apps by selecting "Connect to Desktop Apps" in the pop-up menu.

6. Grant access to your local DocuWare services by answering "Yes" to the prompt.

DocuWare: Features

DocuWare offers an array of features designed to streamline tasks and maximize productivity through automation and eliminate repetitive steps. Its intelligent search function, equipped with full-text indexing, provides users with multiple options for quickly locating documents. Utilizing AI, DocuWare classifies each document based on key terms found within, and users can further enhance precision by adding advanced metadata through file naming fields.

To help your workflow automation, DocuWare enables the creation of customized tasks, triggers, and conditional statements. Users are notified when documents require attention, and the system seamlessly progresses to the next step until the workflow is successfully completed.

With the version history feature, DocuWare acts as a control tool, saving edits as new document versions, granting users convenient access to the complete document history. Its user-friendly interface features drag-and-drop functionality and provides multiple methods for adding documents. Upon adding a document, the software automatically classifies and indexes it, ensuring efficient organization.

To simplify the process of metadata addition, DocuWare has incorporated OCR software into its imaging process. This automatically generates metadata for scanned documents, complete with a confidence rating to indicate the success of the indexing process. If required, users have the flexibility to manually supplement the metadata. 

DocuWare integrates with popular customer relationship management and enterprise resource planning tools, facilitating effortless document sharing across the entire organization. Furthermore, it supports integration with a wide range of scanners and all-in-one printers, ensuring compatibility with existing hardware setups.

For those seeking guidance on integrating DocuWare with other systems, the official DocuWare website provides comprehensive instructions, enabling smooth integration with existing infrastructure. Moreover, DocuWare's implementation timeframe for transitioning to a "paperless" office environment is estimated to be approximately 90 days, and even shorter for companies already familiar with digital file management practices.

These features make Docuware a versatile and efficient solution for optimizing document management processes across diverse organizations.

DocuWare: Interface and in use

DocuWare has a user-friendly design, ensuring a smooth learning curve and immediate productivity. Its clean and intuitive interface enables users to effortlessly familiarize themselves with its features and start working right away. The system provides extensive customization options, allowing its users to tailor it to their specific requirements and preferences. The standout feature of DocuWare is its seamless document upload, indexing, and search capabilities, which require minimal effort from users. This exceptional ease of use sets DocuWare apart as a highly efficient and effective solution for managing documents, supporting you in various tasks and workflows.

DocuWare: Security and privacy

DocuWare, as a document management system software, prioritizes privacy and security with features such as access control, encryption, audit trails, and secure cloud infrastructure. It offers data backup and disaster recovery options, along with compliance support for regulations like GDPR and HIPAA. 

DocuWare: Support

DocuWare provides excellent user support, comprehensive documentation, and extensive training resources. They offer various channels for users to seek assistance. Users can rely on informative community forums and the Support Portal, available 24/7 from Monday to Friday, where they can easily submit a form to receive timely support. 

DocuWare: Competitors

Microsoft SharePoint is gaining popularity as an alternative to DocuWare, thanks to its comprehensive document control features and seamless integration with other Microsoft apps. However, SharePoint may pose a learning curve for non-technical users and lacks certain functionalities like archiving, retention, asset lifecycle management, audit trails, and CRM.

Laserfiche provides enterprise content management services that streamline processes, offer secure document storage, and seamlessly integrate with other applications. However, it has limitations such as the absence of an API, tracking options, commenting and notes, compliance management, a content library, and content publishing options.

Revver's eFileCabinet enables users to create, transfer, store, and search digital files securely. However, it lacks support for data capture and transfer, content publishing options, and customizable forms.

DocuWare: Final verdict

With its user-friendly interface, intuitive features, and extensive automation capabilities, such as OCR and AI-based document scanning, DocuWare sets itself apart as a leading solution in the market. Although the desktop app is only available on Windows, the convenience of its drag-and-drop functionality further enhances the user experience, allowing for effortless document management. 

These attributes make DocuWare a preferred choice for large companies, but also for small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs), cementing its reputation as one of the top options available. 

Whether users are looking to streamline their workflows, improve productivity, or enhance document organization, DocuWare delivers the necessary tools and functionality to meet their needs efficiently and effectively.

We've listed the best scanning software.

M-Files review
7:38 pm |

Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets | Comments: Off

M-Files is one of the best document management platforms and is known for its user-friendly features. It allows easy drag-and-drop upload and quick dashboard functions. Users can effortlessly search and categorize files using metatags and document text. It offers essential tools like OCR, e-signing,offline access, along with workflow automation to enhance efficiency and reduce errors. 

The standout feature is its document organization system using metadata for keywords, tags, categories, making document management effortless. Apps available for iOS and Android enable on-the-go document management. M-Files prioritizes security with privacy and data protection tools, ensuring the safety of information and compliance with regulations. 

M-Files: Plans and pricing

Unfortunately, M-Files doesn’t provide any information about its plans, prices, or purchase options. Although this isn’t unusual in the world of document management software, it would still be nice if an indication of the cost were provided. 

However, we can only assume that M-Files does this because it specializes in custom document management solutions tailored to an individual business’s needs. Because of this, the price you pay will likely depend on the level of service and features you require, as well as the scale of your requirements. 

Fortunately, there is both a free trial and an in-depth demo available to help you decide whether this program brings what you need to the table. To download the 30-day trial, simply fill in the online form. For a demo, however, you will have to reach out to the M-Files team and arrange an appointment.

M-Files: Features

With its user-friendly features and intuitive interface, M-Files stands out as one of the best document management software for companies seeking ease of use and seamless functionality.

Gone are the days of complex uploading processes. With M-Files, you can simply drag and drop your documents into the system, saving you time and effort. Most of the software's functions can be accomplished with just a few clicks on the dashboard, streamlining your workflow and eliminating unnecessary steps.

M-Files' document organization system uses metadata to categorize your content by keywords, tags, categories, and more, ensuring easy access and efficient management of documents of all types. This means you can effortlessly locate the documents you need, even in a vast repository. No more digging through folders or wasting time on manual searches. 

For the busy professional on the go, M-Files offers a mobile app compatible with both iOS and Android devices. Whether you're attending a meeting or traveling, you can manage your documents anytime, anywhere, and stay productive even when you're away from your desk.

M-Files offers a range of essential tools designed to enhance your productivity. Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software makes your documents fully searchable by scanning and extracting text, taking searchability to a whole new level. Additionally, M-Files' workflow automation features streamline processes, increasing efficiency and improving collaboration within your team. 

M-Files also allows you to designate files for offline use on your laptop or mobile device. Any changes you make offline will be automatically synced with the system once you regain internet connectivity.

M-Files: Interface and in use

To get started with M-Files, you will need to download the program and log in to your account. Follow the instructions provided by the onboarding team at the time of purchase and configure your account as required. 

M-Files is available via both desktop and mobile devices. The desktop application is very tidy, with a clear document hierarchy, useful search panels, and various tools to help you manage your content. There is also a great filter system to help you find and manage specific groups of documents. 

The mobile app is available across both iOS and Android devices. Simply log in to your vault with your server address, username, and password and manage your documents on the go. Although the apps aren’t quite as powerful as the desktop version, they are still very useful.

M-Files: Security and privacy

M-Files provides robust measures to safeguard information. The software incorporates comprehensive privacy and data protection tools to ensure confidentiality. It also works towards compliance with regulatory and legal requirements specific to your industry. 

M-Files: Support

Depending on your plan, you can reach out to their team via phone, email, or web chat. While phone assistance may not be available for M-Files Base clients, you can still submit tickets through their portal. M-Files also offers 24/7 phone support for M-Business users, a perk that sets them apart from the competition. 

Additionally, M-Files provides a range of online resources, including webinars, video guides, news, and forums.

M-Files: Competitors

Microsoft SharePoint offers several advantages, including robust access management, easy customization options, and versatile functionalities for various purposes. Its user interface is user-friendly, and it seamlessly integrates with non-Microsoft tools. However, while SharePoint is highly customizable, the customization process can be complex and challenging for some users.

Another attractive option is DocuWare, which provides SMBs with a user-friendly document management solution. Its features, such as drag-and-drop functionality, automation, and smart search, streamline workflows and enhance efficiency. It offers dedicated applications for Windows users and browser access for Mac and Linux users, with mobile apps for iOS and Android for convenient file access.

M-Files: Final verdict

All things considered, M-Files is one of the best document management platforms we’ve used. It’s backed by a wide range of advanced features and powerful security integrations.

It's an excellent tool with user-friendly features, including easy uploading, powerful search capabilities, innovative document organization, mobile app support, robust security measures, OCR technology, workflow automation, and flexible access control, which make it an attractive choice for businesses of all sizes.

And although the lack of transparency surrounding the company’s price structures is a little frustrating, there’s little else to fault. Ultimately, we’d recommend having a chat with the M-Files team if you’re looking for an advanced document management solution you can rely on.

We've listed the best cloud document storage.

Safari browser review
7:30 pm |

Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets | Comments: Off

Safari is a popular web browser launched by Apple in 2003. In the past few years and through multiple upgrades, Safari has transformed into a power-packed, privacy-centric browser that aims to give you the best web experience in every session.

It's faster compared to many popular browsers such as Firefox and Chrome, is highly reliable, and comes with a million customization options that make you feel a little at home every time you log in. It might not be the top leader of the browser industry, but it surely has a massive user base of more than 1 billion people.

So if you’re planning to set Safari as your next default browser, read our guide till the end and find out what you can expect.

Safari browser: Features

Safari’s best-known feature is “Intelligent Tracking Prevention,” which protects you from online trackers. Such malicious software have countless ways to keep following you across the web. Thankfully, Safari’s dynamic system is not only capable of tackling their current tricks, but it can also adapt and counter any hack they might develop to steal your data.

If you’re working on multiple projects at the same time, grouping the tabs together might be an efficient way to work faster and reduce the clutter. You can also label these tab groups, with each category leading you to a certain set of sites. To take it a step further, you can also add Focus Modes to these Tab Groups. This way, when a user opens the Safari browser with a certain Focus active, only those tab groups that are attached to it will show up.

Safari’s intuitive auto-fill feature will save you tons of time. For starters, it connects to your passwords saved on iCloud or other third-party password managers and auto-fills while logging. It also extracts information from your Contacts, Calendars, Credit Card, and other saved documents to auto-fill empty fields of forms and registration pages on your behalf. For sensitive information such as credit card details and passwords, Safari uses a special 256-bit AES encryption.

Safari also helps you create stronger passwords the first time you’re signing up for an account. You can either opt for traditional passcodes with a combination of numbers, letters, and symbols or go for advanced face ID or touch ID for better security. 

To minimize spamming from websites, Safari provides a unique feature called “Hide My Email” in collaboration with iCloud. Under this, instead of suggesting your actual email, it’ll suggest an alias to the website you’re signing into. This will help you recognize the spammers, and you can cut them off by simply deleting the alias email address.

Safari claims that it takes minimal battery power. Compared to Firefox and Chrome, Safari offers up to 3 hours of additional browsing and 4 hours of additional video streaming.

Safari browser: Privacy

Safari offers a decent level of privacy. It may not completely stop data collection from third parties, but it minimizes the transfer of user data to a great extent. On top of that, users get access to all its privacy settings by default, ensuring they’re protected from the get-go.

You can also modify the privacy settings if you want. For example, you can adjust how often you want your web history deleted or tell websites not to track your information, such as location or contact details.

We recommend adding a VPN to your arsenal, which, along with Safari, will prove to be the security you’ve always wanted on your device. 

Safari browser customizations.

(Image credit: Apple)

Safari browser: Ease of use

Safari is pretty easy to use. The address bar is at the top of the screen, and you’ll find the open tabs stacked right below it — much like Google Chrome.

What sets apart Safari’s user interface is options such as Bookmarks, History, and Edits are placed above the address bar. 

Our favorite thing about its user settings is that it lets you get the complete overview of your tabs on a much higher level. If you have multiple tabs open at once, this feature lets you zoom out and check them all at once.

The only thing we didn't like about Safari was some of the features, such as Tab Grouping, were slightly hidden on its Mac Version. You’ll have to click on the Page Icon for a panel to appear before you can use the grouping feature. 

Safari browser: Competitors

Safari’s biggest competitors are Chrome, Edge, and Firefox. But thanks to its features and outstanding performance, it’s not too far behind them in the race. 

For starters, a speedometer test by Safari revealed that it's almost 1.4 times more responsive than Chrome and Firefox. 

Another series of tests found that when the macOS is used for animation rendering and Javascript, Safari is 2 times and 1.4 times faster than Chrome and Firefox, respectively. 

With such outstanding performance, it's no wonder that millions of users are flocking to Safari every year.

Another benefit of Safari is that it's lightweight and doesn't take up too much battery power. In fact, compared to other browsers, Safari gives you at least 3 to 4 hours of additional battery life.

Also, unlike Edge, Safari lets you pick and put any picture you want as the browser's background. While Edge and Chrome let you experiment with multiple themes, Safari goes a step ahead and lets you personalize it.

Managing tabs with Safari is easier than most browsers. You can group them together, label them for quick searches and attach them to a particular Focus Mode to reduce the crowd of tab groups. No other renowned browser offers this feature.

Safari browser: Final verdict

After our careful evaluation, we found Safari to be one of the best products Apple has ever launched. It's fast, responsive, and comes with tons of tab management features that make it easy for users to maintain an online workspace.

Compared to Chrome and Edge, Safari is much more serious about user privacy and data leaks. After all, it has developed a whole new technology (Intelligent Tracking Prevention) just to combat that. 

It also comes pre-installed on every Apple device, be it an iPhone or Mac. If you’re a proud Apple device owner, there’s no reason you shouldn’t try Safari since there’s no trouble downloading and setting it up.

Also check out our roundup of the best anonymous browsers.

SOTI MobiControl MDM review
5:30 pm | August 19, 2021

Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets | Comments: Off

Mobile Device Management (MDM) systems are at their best when they cover the complete range of mobile hardware. While compatible with a wide range of devices, MDM software must also be easy to configure and enroll devices on.

SOTI MobiControl is one of several mobility and IoT solutions from SOTI. It aims to provide a simple user interface for managing multiple form factor device types from various vendors running most operating systems.

It simplifies the security and management of multi-vendor, multi-form-factor, and multi-operating devices in your multi-purpose business mobility deployment – all through a single, easy-to-use interface.

In this review, we'll look at what SOTI MobiControl offers to manage multiple mobile devices.


Features

SOTI MobiControl aims to make it easier for organizations to manage their mobile workforces (Image credit: SOTI)

Features

SOTI MobiControl offers an extensive range of features that can effectively manage a fleet of devices across different users, operating systems, and locations. The software supports several operating systems, including Google Android, Apple iOS and macOS, Microsoft Windows, and Linux, and is compatible with Zebra mobile computer enterprise devices.

This software simplifies securing and managing mobile hardware throughout its lifecycle with multiple enrollment methods such as SOTI Stage, Apple DEP, Android Zero-Touch, and Samsung KME. SOTI MobiControl's advanced IoT management feature is particularly noteworthy as it supports Linux, making it the first solution for managing Linux-based mobile devices and endpoints. With the increasing use of IoT devices in various industries, this feature is a valuable addition to the software.

Features 2

SOTI integrates with other products from the company as well as many third-party solutions (Image credit: SOTI)

SOTI MobiControl offers seamless integration with SOTI Hub and SOTI Surf, giving you access to essential documents and files from anywhere on your mobile device. With mobile app management, you can quickly deploy applications across a multi-OS environment, whether using your device, a company-owned device, or a device of your choice.

Android 11's COPE implementation is fully supported, and with SOTI MobiControl, Premium Plus, and Enterprise Plus Service, customers can keep track of system health with the System Health Dashboard. This dashboard provides a real-time view of the past 48 hours of activity, including critical operational stats on queue lengths, processing time, mobile CPU and database health, and server health.

Installation and setup

SOTI MobiControl offers on-premises and remote cloud hosting options, depending on your needs. If you have the required expertise and resources, on-premises installation may be a viable choice. However, it can bring about complications when adding new services. 

Depending on your setup, scale, and budget, you'll need to consider whether a dedicated or virtual server is required. In such cases, cloud hosting may be a more practical solution for using SOTI MobiControl. Furthermore, enrollment is quick and supported across various device types, generations, and platforms.

Resources

SOTI has numerous guides available on its site to help you get MobiControl working on a variety of operating systems (Image credit: SOTI)

Compatibility

SOTI MobiControl is a highly versatile and powerful device management solution that can be used with a wide range of hardware. One of the critical benefits of SOTI MobiControl is that it is compatible with various devices, including the latest smartphones, tablets, laptops, and even older devices like PDAs. This makes it an excellent choice for businesses that want a comprehensive device management solution capable of managing all their different devices.

Unlike other MDM solutions, such as Jamf, which primarily cater to Apple devices, SOTI MobiControl is compatible with a wide range of different devices and operating systems, including Android, iOS, and Windows tablets, Android devices used by couriers, and even legacy Windows PDAs. This means businesses that use SOTI MobiControl can manage all of their devices from a single platform, saving them time and money.

Overall, SOTI MobiControl is an excellent choice for businesses that want a comprehensive device management solution compatible with various devices and operating systems. Whether you are managing a fleet of smartphones and tablets or older devices like PDAs, SOTI MobiControl can help you keep your devices secure and up-to-date while providing you with a wide range of powerful management tools and features.

Usability

Regarding SOTI MobiControl, its presence is mainly inconspicuous from the endpoint's point of view. However, this can vary depending on the provisioning type in use.

On the administrative end, SOTI MobiControl offers a simple browser-based user interface. This makes selecting the relevant devices, gathering information, and creating groups easy. It also allows for specific permissions, applications, patches, and updates to be rolled out based on device role, user location, and other considerations.

Endpoints can be located according to various criteria, such as device name, manufacturer, model, operating system, remaining battery life, memory, and standard identifiers like phone number, owner's username, and MAC address.

Free Trial

SOTI offers a free trial of MobiControl for evaluation purposes (Image credit: SOTI)

Plans and pricing

If you're interested in SOTI MobiControl, a free trial is available for evaluation purposes. This lasts 28 days but freezes after seven days of inactivity and is closed after a further seven. Strict pricing is on a business-by-business case, with scalable options, but based around a $4.00 per device per month license for the cloud system and $3.25 per device per month for on-premises hosting.

A $90 per device per month option is also available, with $18 per year for maintenance. 

With such flexible pricing available to suit any business dynamic, SOTI MobiControl is a smart choice. However, beware of the hard sell. I was contacted several times during the evaluation despite informing the sales team early on that I would email them when I had questions. If you're not keen on being rushed into deciding on software procurement, this may understandably put you off.

Final verdict

SOTI MobiControl is a device management solution that offers extensive support for various devices without overwhelming you with unnecessary features. It caters to multiple device management scenarios, including BYOD, CYOD, COBO, and COPE, ensuring your devices remain up-to-date, error-free, and secure from misuse.

The evaluation period for SOTI MobiControl is very generous. Still, it's important to note that the sales team may contact you frequently to schedule a demo, as they're eager to close the deal quickly.

Whether you prefer on-premises or cloud hosting, setting up and implementing SOTI MobiControl should be a breeze. Additionally, Premium and Enterprise Plus subscriptions offer a System Health Dashboard that provides a useful 48-hour overview of various operational stats, highlighting the full potential of SOTI MobiControl.

Miradore MDM review
5:30 pm | August 18, 2021

Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets | Comments: Off

If you've been searching for information about Mobile Device Management (MDM) software, you've almost certainly run into Miradore. Occupying sponsored positions at the top of Google search results by positioning itself as an alternative to various big-name MDMs, Miradore is used by over 10,000 companies across 180 countries worldwide.

Miradore is a comprehensive Mobile Device Management (MDM) solution that supports the three main operating systems used on mobile and portable hardware. It is widely promoted as a free MDM but also offers a Premium option that includes Unified Endpoint Management (UEM) features. 

In this article, we will take a closer look at the cloud-based MDM offered by Miradore to help you make an informed decision about which MDM solution to choose.


Mobile Device Management

Miradore allows you to remotely manage devices from the cloud (Image credit: Miradore)

Features

Miradore's MDM service is a fantastic solution for any business that wants to ensure the security and control of their mobile devices. With four main functions - security, control, app management, and automation - Miradore provides a comprehensive set of tools to help you manage your mobile devices effectively. 

One of the most significant benefits of using Miradore is the ability to implement secure passcode policies and wipe lost or stolen phones. This feature is critical for protecting sensitive data and ensuring that your company's information remains secure. 

Additionally, if your company has a BYOD policy, Miradore can selectively delete any corporate data from a phone, providing an extra layer of protection for your company's information. 

Overall, Miradore is an excellent choice for anyone looking to improve their mobile device management capabilities.

Configurations

Miradore's configuration profiles make it easy to set up multiple devices (Image credit: Miradore)

With Miradore, you can control your devices using configuration profiles that limit certain apps and settings, like turning off the camera. You can also track your device's location through Miradore's web-based user interface, which presents location data on a map and various analytics easily accessible through pre-configured reports and device inventories. 

Furthermore, Miradore's app management feature allows you to quickly roll out software across any enrolled device while also placing limits on installed apps. The app store can also be locked in favor of an admin-specified curated alternative, and software licenses can be managed easily through a single portal. 

Miradore's automation feature covers device enrollment, automatically configuring connectivity, adding email accounts, and preinstalling necessary software. It also includes integration with third-party systems, such as Microsoft Active Directory. 

In addition, Miradore provides kiosk functionality, which allows for a single device to be limited to one or two apps, patch management, and an MSP portal for overseeing devices across multiple locations.

Installation and setup

Miradore is a comprehensive mobile device management (MDM) system that offers a cloud-based administration console accessible through a web browser. You can easily enroll in Miradore, either through the administration interface or the mobile client, depending on the operating system of your device. However, ensuring that the hardware you intend to use with Miradore is compatible and supported is crucial. Before enrolling, ensure your organization has the necessary licensing for Android Enterprise, Samsung KNOX, and the Apple Device Enrollment Program.

What sets Miradore apart is its integration with these management systems, which guarantees reliable and secure device administration, regardless of the location of the enrolled device. With Miradore, you can manage your devices remotely, configure security policies, and ensure compliance with regulations. The best part is that you can do it without worrying about device compatibility or security breaches. So, if you are looking for a trustworthy and efficient MDM system, Miradore is the answer!

Usability

The Miradore user interface is undoubtedly one of the most well-designed interfaces out there. It is organized into three primary categories - "Mobile Management," "My Company," and "System" - which are intuitive and easy to navigate. You'll find it easy to understand and use even if you have never worked with mobile device management (MDM).

One of the most valuable features of the Miradore console is its "Enrollment" feature, which is located under the "Mobile Management" category. This feature leads you to the platform selection screen, where you can quickly launch the appropriate enrollment wizard. Additionally, the Miradore console has a dashboard that displays device statistics, and you can modify device permissions and settings quickly by using dropdown menus and checkboxes.

The user interface is intuitive and user-friendly, making it an excellent option for businesses and individuals seeking an efficient and effective mobile device management solution. The Miradore console is designed to make managing mobile devices as easy as possible so you can focus on your work without getting bogged down by complicated software. Whether you're a small business owner or an IT professional, you'll appreciate the simplicity and effectiveness of Miradore's user interface.

Compatibility

Miradore allows you to manage Android, iOS, macOS and Windows devices with its free plan (Image credit: Miradore)

Compatibility

Miradore is a reliable and comprehensive mobile device management (MDM) solution that offers services for the four most commonly used operating systems: Windows, Android, iOS, and macOS. As a free MDM option, Miradore provides general device management for laptops, phones, and tablets, making it an ideal solution for organizations that require a simple and effective way to manage their devices.

One of the most significant advantages of Miradore is its compatibility with Windows 10 tablets and laptops, as well as Windows Phone 8.1 devices and Windows 10 Mobile. This feature makes it a helpful MDM solution for organizations that cannot upgrade to Android or iOS due to limitations in their app usage.

For popular mobile devices, Miradore supports Android Enterprise, Samsung KNOX, and the Apple Device Enrollment Program, offering comprehensive MDM coverage. This means that no matter what type of device your organization uses, Miradore has you covered.

Additionally, Miradore offers a range of features that allow you to manage your devices remotely. With Miradore, you can remotely wipe lost or stolen devices and control device settings, apps, and updates. You can also monitor and track device usage, including data usage, battery life, and location.

Overall, Miradore is a reliable, flexible, and easy-to-use MDM solution that can help your organization manage its devices effectively and securely. Whether you need to manage a few devices or thousands, Miradore has the tools and features to do the job.

Pricing

It costs $3 per device per month for Miradore's premium offering (Image credit: Miradore)

Plans and pricing

At Miradore, there are two plans available: Free and Premium. The free option is suitable if you want to manage Android, iOS, macOS, and Windows devices, but it has some limitations. You won't have access to support options, workstation encryption, location tracking, device usage and application restrictions, in-depth analytics, or full administration capabilities.

If you opt for the Premium plan, you'll have complete control and access to all features for just $3.30 per device per month (if paid monthly) or $2.75 per device per month (with annual billing). The total cost will depend on the number of devices you require, which you can select using the slider on the Mirador pricing tool. You can request a volume pricing quote if you need more than 1,000 devices.

Choosing the Premium plan also gives you access to Miradore's UEM features, allowing for remote monitoring and printer administration.

To get started with Miradore, you can sign up for a free trial of the Premium plan for 14 days. No credit card is required to start the trial.

Final verdict

Miradore is quickly becoming one of the most talked about MDM providers today. What sets them apart is that they offer a free package, which is unique in the industry. While the free option doesn't include some important management features, you can easily upgrade to their reasonably priced Premium package to get access to these features.

One of the things that makes Miradore so appealing is how simple it is to set up and enroll devices. They work well with various platforms, including Android, iOS, and Windows 10. This makes it an excellent choice for companies with multiple devices to manage.

Compared to other MDM products that seem to provide the same level of functionality, Miradore is a must-see. Its user-friendly interface and affordable pricing make it an excellent choice for businesses of all sizes. So, if you're in the market for a new MDM solution, be sure to add Miradore to the top of your list.

Brave browser review
8:47 am |

Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets | Comments: Off

Brave is a unique browser that also comes with its own search engine (also called Brave), but you can choose from six others if you prefer. While it touts its privacy features as being better than Firefox’s and its speed as better than Chrome’s, the differences there seem to be negligible.  

Founded in 2016, the Brave browser is one of the most promising entrants in the industry. Faster than Mozilla Firefox and Chrome, the powerful combo of unlimited features and a simple design has helped it win over 36 million users already.

A unique thing about Brave is it doesn't limit you to itself — you can use other default browsers within the Brave browser. You can also create keyboard shortcuts for these browsers so that you can get going faster. 

If you want to know more about how Brave can transform the internet for you, read on.

Brave browser: Features

Getting started with Brave is super easy. If you don't want to take on the struggle of setting up a new browser, use the “Import” feature on Brave to import all your settings from the old browser in a click. This feature can also be used to import user profiles, passwords, and bookmarks.

When put on a speed test against Chrome and Firefox, it was found that Brave loads at least 3 to 6 times faster. This is a blessing for those working on time-sensitive projects who cannot afford to lose even a minute.

The privacy offered by Brave is simply unparalleled. It clearly states on its website that it isn’t in the business of selling user data. In fact, it actively fights trackers, malware, hackers, and anyone who might try to break into your system through the browser. 

Brave will let you know exactly how many ads and trackers it's blocking every day. Along with that, you’ll also get to customize your browser shield settings. For example, if you want to keep the ads coming in from a website you’re familiar with and block the ones from the rest, you can adjust those settings accordingly.

For additional security, Brave offers a built-in VPN and firewall. While most other browsers with VPNs limit their functionality to masking IPs alone, Brave goes a step ahead and encrypts everything you do online. In short, there’ll be no way to trace back any activity to your account.

If you don't like the default design of the browser, you’ll have plenty of options to experiment with the colors and the background. You can add images from your system, edit, crop, or resize them and turn on the dark/night mode to protect your eyes during long working hours.

Reading a report or blog is highly convenient and quick with Brave’s Speedreader feature. All unnecessary visual elements are removed upon activating this feature, and only pure content is filtered out and displayed in a simpler format. Reducing design elements also helps the page load faster, which further reduces the reading time.

Brave browser: Privacy

After reading through Brave’s privacy policy and observing its performance over the years, it's safe to claim that it's a privacy-friendly browser. As per its policy, it doesn’t store your data, track your activities or sell details about you to any third party. 

If you want more robust privacy, you can use Brave’s built-in VPN to keep all your online activities anonymous. 

Speaking of built-in tools, Brave also offers integrated ad blockers and tracker blockers so that it becomes impossible for any third party to monitor your web history or disrupt your experience with annoying pop-ups.

Also, since it's a Chromium-based browser, you can look up Brave’s code any time you want and come up with your own ways to make it more secure. 

Brave browser in use

(Image credit: Brave)

Brave browser: Ease of use

The interface of the Brave browser is quite similar to Chrome, so if you’re familiar with the latter, getting started with Brave will be a piece of cake for you. 

The main page is quite simple and clutter-free. At the top, you'll find a horizontal display of all your tabs. Right below that, you’ll find the search bar. 

If you want to enroll in the Brave Rewards program to earn some extra tokens, simply click on the red triangular icon on the right side of the search bar to get started. 

To manage your profile, click on the small icon representing your profile picture to the right of the Brave Rewards icon. The options are minimal, so you won't have to spend too much time learning them.

Brave browser: Competitors

Brave is rather new to the market, just like Vivaldi. Its lack of experience puts it at a disadvantage, especially against big tech companies like Google and Microsoft, which are dominating the industry. 

However, there are more than a few reasons why Brave could be your next default browser. Firstly, unlike Chrome, Brave is renowned for the tight security of user data. It not only comes with a built-in tracker blocker and ad blocker but also disables bad cookies by default. 

On top of that, its privacy policy page confirms that it neither collects your data nor sells it to any third party. 

Brave is also the only well-known browser that lets you earn rewards and tokens for watching privacy-respecting ads. The money you earn from these ads can then be forwarded anonymously to creators you want to support through its own payment portal called Brave Payments.

Brave browser: Final verdict

Although Brave is relatively new to the market, its new-age features and adaptive design have given a glimpse into its potential. 

Brave offers some unique features like no other browser. For example, it lets you earn rewards by watching privacy-respecting ads, which you can then donate to support your favorite creators.

Also, it deletes all bad cookies and prevents any unauthorized third-party software from tracking by default. This means that even before you configure its settings, Brave will ensure that all your online activities are safe from day one.

Also check out our roundup of the best anonymous browsers

Microsoft Intune MDM review
5:30 pm | August 17, 2021

Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets | Comments: Off

Managing mobile devices in a corporate setting is crucial for IT teams, regardless of whether the organization is based in one or multiple locations. Microsoft offers its Mobile Device Management (MDM) tool, Microsoft Intune, with Microsoft Endpoint Manager as part of Microsoft 365. 

With a range of features, Intune enables you to effectively manage a fleet of mobile devices and the installed software, making it a popular choice for many corporations that rely on Microsoft.

Is it the MDM solution you're looking for? Here, we look at the features and other aspects of Microsoft Intune to help you decide.


Documentation

Microsoft provides plenty of documentation to help get you started with Intune (Image credit: Microsoft)

Features

Microsoft Intune is an incredibly powerful device management tool that seamlessly integrates with the services your organization already uses. It offers a wide range of features that can manage every aspect of device usage, from users to apps and security settings. One of the standout features of Intune is its configuration profiles, which can be applied to individual devices or groups and can restrict user access to Bluetooth, limit printer options, manage updates, and even run a device as a dedicated kiosk. 

In addition to these powerful configuration options, Intune also offers a variety of administrative templates, cloud-based settings overview, authentication certificates for Wi-Fi, VPN, and email profiles, and custom settings for managing devices beyond the limits of Intune. The device restrictions offered by Intune also control security and hardware, limit or prevent data sharing, and maintain the integrity of the hardware and data. This means that you can be confident that your devices are secure and that your data is protected. 

Identity protection, Wi-Fi and VPN profiles, multiuser device management, preference files for macOS, and a settings catalog for Windows and macOS are also available. With all these features and more, it's clear that Microsoft Intune is one of the best choices for managing devices in an organization. 

Compatibility Diagram

Microsoft's Configuration Manager and Intune work together to allow you to manage both on-premises clients and servers as well as mobile devices (Image credit: Microsoft)

Compatibility

Many devices are typically connected to networks, from printers and PCs to phones and tablets. MDM and Unified Endpoint Management (UEM) solutions, therefore, must be able to handle devices from multiple manufacturers, running a mix of operating systems.

Can Microsoft Intune handle this? 

The MDM software is designed to manage various devices, including those operating on Windows, macOS, iOS, iPadOS, and Android. It uses the existing MDM frameworks in third-party operating systems, such as the Apple Company Portal app and Android Enterprise.

This allows for implementing and managing various device ownership and usage dynamics. For instance, Android devices can be managed under the BYOD (Bring Your Own Device), CYOD (Choose Your Own Device), COBO (Corporately Owned, Business Only), and COPE (Corporately Owned, Personally Enabled) systems.

However, for cross-compatibility between management environments to be successful, some knowledge of the individual host systems is required. Therefore, understanding the iOS/iPadOS deployment framework methodology is critical for managing iPhones and iPads.

To utilize devices with Microsoft Intune, they must run Windows 10/11, Android 8.0 or later (including Samsung KNOX 3.0 or above), Apple iOS 14.0, Apple iPadOS 14.0 or above, or Mac OS X 11 or later.

Free Trial

You can sign up for a free trial to Intune on Microsoft's site (Image credit: Microsoft)

Installation and setup

Managing devices has become much easier with the Microsoft Intune platform. Its cloud-based management console allows users to oversee all enrolled devices conveniently and efficiently. With this platform, users can easily register and manage devices of different operating systems, including iOS, Android, and Windows. 

The enrollment process can vary depending on the device and operating system. For instance, iOS devices assigned for Automated Device Enrollment (ADE) require resetting before enrollment. However, devices registered for BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) purposes will not be wiped. The enrollment process is much more straightforward for Android and Windows devices and can be completed in just a few steps.

Microsoft devices are highly compatible with the Intune platform, with only the Autopilot enrollment type requiring a machine reset or wipe. This makes the platform ideal for businesses that use Microsoft devices and want to streamline their device management process. Additionally, the platform offers a range of management features, including device inventory, monitoring, and policy enforcement, making it easier to manage devices across the organization.

Considering all these factors, it's apparent that the Microsoft Intune platform is an excellent choice for quick and efficient device management. With its easy-to-use interface, cloud-based management console, and compatibility with various devices and operating systems, it's no wonder the platform has become a popular choice among businesses looking to streamline their device management processes.

Interface

Intune can be used to retire, wipe, rename and scan mobile devices (Image credit: Microsoft)

Overall, installation and enrollment for Microsoft Intune require considerable planning and prior awareness of the organization's mobile inventory. Working methods across all departments should also be understood before Intune is licensed and devices can begin to be enrolled.

Plans and pricing

Microsoft offers a variety of pricing options for Intune, depending on the type of business and device usage. It's important to note that the use of Intune may depend on existing licenses for Microsoft Endpoint Manager and Microsoft 365. 

If these licenses are already in place, the cost for Intune is $2.00 per device per month ($1.50 for non-profits). However, if the other licenses are not accounted for, the total cost is approximately $32.00 per user per month.

For those who are looking for a standalone Intune license, the cost is higher at around $8.00 per user per month. This makes Intune one of the pricier MDM solutions available.

Final verdict

When it comes to Mobile Device Management (MDM), there are numerous options available to businesses. From well-established companies to newer entrants, the market is full of choices. If you see the Microsoft name, it may either pique your interest or give you pause. 

If you're interested in exploring Microsoft Intune, there's much to consider. For example, it boasts broad compatibility with mobile platforms, a cloud-based management console, and device enrollment that can be simple or detailed based on your organization's needs. However, it's essential to remember that the per-device licensing costs of Microsoft Intune may lead you to consider alternative MDM solutions. 

Overall, weighing the pros and cons of various MDM options before deciding is essential. Each business has unique needs, so what may work for one may not be the best fit for another. By researching and considering all factors, you can make an informed decision that will benefit your organization in the long run.

Hexnode MDM review
8:30 pm | August 15, 2021

Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets | Comments: Off

As companies aim to exert more control over the hardware that connects to their networks, users must make certain sacrifices in terms of their privacy, autonomy, and intentions. Despite the increased use of Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) policies due to limited IT budgets, employees may be subject to strict guidelines regarding their device usage while at work. 

Additionally, the organization's own devices are subject to scrutiny.

Mobile Device Management (MDM) software allows for easy control over various devices. It is installed on individual devices and managed from a central server, which can be cloud-based. This umbrella term includes several linked technologies that simplify device security, location tracking, and updates. Hexnode is a popular MDM product used by well-known companies worldwide. 

In this review, we will explore the benefits of this mobile device and application management solution.


Monitoring

Parental supervision is even included with Hexnode's MDM software (Image credit: Hexnode)

Features

Hexnode MDM offers a wide range of features to help you manage various usage concerns. With this powerful tool, you can easily manage devices, applications, security, content, expenses, BYOD, and kiosks. You can enroll and configure wireless devices, blacklist or whitelist websites for mobile browsers, and establish separate work profiles for BYOD. Additionally, you can securely provision Windows hybrids and tablets and track devices with ease. 

The possibilities are endless with Hexnode MDM, making it an invaluable tool for businesses of all sizes.

Security

Comprehensive security options protect corporate devices and the data they contain (Image credit: Hexnode)

To ensure the utmost security, Hexnode offers a range of options, including strict password rules, system and application-level encryption, web filtering, and data loss prevention (DLP) strategies. These measures include limiting data transfer through USB, Bluetooth, and wireless tethering and directing data through corporate VPNs. Additionally, work profiles can be containerized and copy-paste disabled.

In the event of device theft, the Hexnode software includes theft prevention, location technologies, and the ability to remotely and selectively wipe corporate data. Dynamic grouping allows for efficient implementation of policies, settings, app updates, and other MDM staples, with the added convenience of remotely installing apps on supported mobiles.

Furthermore, it offers the option to configure kiosk mode for devices, which limits access to just one or two apps. For user support, it also provides remote control software.

Integrations

Hexnode also offers integrations for many popular software and device platforms (Image credit: Hexnode)

Beyond MDM, Hexnode also offers three Unified Endpoint Management (UEM) packages with advanced features for managing non-mobile hardware. This also stretches to integrations with crucial business and productivity suites such as Google Workspace, Active Directory, Office 365, Zendesk, etc.

Installation and setup

Hexnode offers a comprehensive mobile device management (MDM) solution that can be implemented on-premises or on the cloud, depending on your organization's specific requirements. With Hexnode's MDM server, users can easily manage and secure their data and hardware on their premises, ensuring it remains protected from unauthorized third-party access.

The cloud-based MDM solution may be the more appropriate option for organizations with limited IT support. This solution allows users to access Hexnode's MDM features over the internet without worrying about managing server issues.

One of the key advantages of using Hexnode's MDM solution is the ease of enrolling individual devices. Thanks to the zero-touch enrollment feature supported by Apple DEP, Android Enterprise ZTE, Samsung Knox, and even custom Android ROMs preconfigured with Hexnode, device enrollment is now hassle-free. This feature can help alleviate the stress associated with device enrollment for the end user, making it a seamless and straightforward experience.

Overall, Hexnode's MDM solution provides a simple and efficient way to manage and secure your mobile devices. Whether you opt for the on-premises or cloud-based solution, you can rest assured that your data and hardware will be protected from unauthorized access and that device enrollment will be a breeze.

Platforms

Hexnode can be used to manage Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, tvOS and even Fire OS devices (Image credit: Hexnode)

Compatibility

Hexnode offers broad compatibility with mobile devices. Android phones, tablets, and iPhones can be used with Hexnode's MDM, along with Windows 10 laptops, tablets, and hybrids. As such, most (if not all) mobiles and portables in your organization can be managed using Hexnode.  

Beyond MDM and into Hexnode's UEM offerings (see below), macOS laptops and desktops are compatible, as well as tvOS and Fire OS media streaming systems. 

There is also support for rugged devices, IoT hardware, and digital signage software.

Pricing

Hexnode's Pay as you Grow pricing gives you business flexibility as you add employees and new devices (Image credit: Hexnode)

Plans and pricing

Hexnode provides flexible pay-as-you-grow licensing and pricing options, allowing you to add additional features and devices as needed.

The Express option, available for $1.08 per device per month, offers basic MDM and kiosk functionality. For more advanced features, the Pro option is available for just $1.80 per device per month, providing complete kiosk functionality and advanced MDM. This option includes DEP, ZTE, Knox enrollment, VPN, blacklist, whitelist, and many more features.

For further functionality, the Enterprise option is available for $2.70 per device per month and moves Hexnode towards UEM. This option includes features such as macOS, tvOS, Windows support, and Office 365-based enrollment. The Ultimate package for $3.60 per device per month includes app management for desktop operating systems, iOS home screen layout control, and pre-approved registration.

Lastly, the Ultra option is available for $5.40 per device per month, which includes all the features of the other packages, focusing on security and desktop system management. Each package also includes a provision for one or more technician licenses.

Hexnode offers a 30-day free trial for all packages, so you can fully evaluate the solution before committing to a package.

Final verdict

If you are looking for a mobile device management solution for your organization, you might want to consider Hexnode. Unlike other big-name competitors offering hardware and software packages, Hexnode specializes solely in mobile device management software. 

To use Hexnode, you will require a functioning network and server, although cloud hosting is also available for your convenience. Hexnode offers several MDM and UEM packages, each requiring a license per device. If you want to manage iPhones and Androids used by your colleagues, Hexnode's MDM option is efficient and cost-effective. However, if you need more comprehensive device management that includes desktops, IoT devices, rugged devices, media streamers, and other endpoints, it is recommended that you explore Hexnode's UEM packages. 

With Hexnode's mobile device management solution, you can have complete control over the devices used in your organization, ensuring that all of your colleagues are working with secure and updated devices.

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