zip

Once upon a time, Windows lacked a built-in zip tool, and developers responded with some classic file-compression utilities that are still around, still free, and still a better choice than the built-in zip utility Windows has offered for some time now. We've tried them all at some point, including Securenet's QuickZIP, which boasts a higher compression ratio than some other tools, as much as 10 percent. It also offers 256-bit AES encryption and widespread compatibility with other zip utilities like 7Zip as well as most compressed file types.

QuickZIP integrates with shell context menus in Windows and lets … Read more

When will Facebook get an app that connects it to one of the oldest archiving utilities around is one of the questions that "The Social Network" movie left disappointingly unanswered, but the new WinZip makes up for it. WinZip 16 (download), released today, not only lets you pack up your files into a tidy compressed box, it also provides a one-click method for sharing them either by e-mail or onto your Facebook "wall."

The features, called ZipSend and ZipShare, aim to bring WinZip into the 21st century and get it to compete with similar small-scale file-distributing … Read more

When some of the files in a zipped archive become corrupted, it often makes the entire archive inaccessible. ZIP2Ffix is a free tool that can recover many of the uncorrupted files in a corrupted ZIP or SFX archive. The program attempts to extract good files from a corrupted archive and save them to the same destination with the same file name, only with _ZFX.zip added. It's totally portable and small in size, so you can save it to a USB thumbdrive and run it on any Windows machine from Windows 2000 to Windows 7.

ZIP2Fix has a simple … Read more

Don't you just hate it when your earphones get tangled up? Apparel brand Marc Ecko has a interesting take on the problem with its new "Zip" earphones, which replace the traditional wired cord with a zipper.

Apart from hopefully getting rid of tangle issues, the earbuds also feature a built-in microphone and volume control for use with iOS and Android devices.

These zippy earphones will be available in red, gold, blue, white, pink, and purple. People looking to purchase them will have to fork out a mere $29.99, so we're not expecting much in terms of sound quality from them.

Alternately, you could get Marc Ecko's other new earbuds: Zone ($13), Chaos II ($15), Stomp ($20), Lace ($25), or Chain ($40). Each model features its own unique design. For example, the lace comes with a shoelace-inspired cord. All styles will be available worldwide through authorized retailers.

(Source: Crave Asia via Engadget) … Read more

WinZip for Mac brings one of the oldest names in Windows compression utilities to the Mac, and we think they did it right. Featuring a clean Mac-like interface, WinZip for Mac lets you compress and secure your files for both sharing with others while keeping them away from prying eyes. Using a simple drag-and-drop interface, you can quickly add files to an archive, then compress them in the standard .ZIP format or create .ZIPX files--a format WinZip says is its smallest compression format to date. Both worked great on our test machines and the ability to password protect even just … Read more

Google Docs users can now upload and work with files and documents as large as 10 gigabytes.

In a Google+ post from yesterday, Google product manager Scott Johnston announced the latest enhancement that boosts the maximum Google Docs file size from 1 GB previously.

However, the increased file size will mainly benefit users with paid accounts.

People who use Google Docs for free are still limited to 1 GB of storage space in total for uploaded files, though documents created directly online don't count toward that quota. But users with paid accounts that range anywhere from $5 a year … Read more

We've been big fans of WinZip utilities for years, and that didn't change when Microsoft bundled a zip tool in Windows. They generally share some characteristics: they're free, for instance, and they integrate with context menus in Windows. They not only zip and unzip files but also handle other archive types, and they often have extra features such as the ability to split and merge files. We've tried them all, or thought we had until we encountered Hamster Free ZIP Archiver. It has an attractive, up-to-date look, and it can pack and unpack ZIP, 7Zip, GZIP, … Read more

For years, 7-Zip has been one of our favorite Windows utilities. We recently looked at 7-Zip Portable, a fully portable version of the freeware file zipper. Like the installed version, it can compress and decompress files and folders in a variety of ways as well as open other file types such as TAR and RAR files. The portable version is small enough to take along with you on a USB drive, iPod, or other portable device. The chief difference with the installed version is the portable version can't be integrated into context menus in Windows.

We installed 7-Zip Portable … Read more

Bay Area's car-sharing service Getaround won the TechCrunch Disrupt award this week, beating out 32 other startups for the top prize. In addition to bragging rights, free press, and taking home the Disrupt Cup, Getaround pocketed a $50,000 check.

Now touted as the AirBnB of car sharing, Getaround lets anyone list their car for rent by the hour. Members use the Web site or newly released iPhone app to request use of a vehicle, and owners approve requests individually. Getaround generated a lot of publicity earlier this year when word spread that an owner posted her Tesla Roadster … Read more