The end of April and beginning of May has been surprisingly busy. There has been a recent resurgence in interest in cloud storage following the unveiling of Google Drive, but if you are looking for a way to secure data you have backed up to the cloud, Cloudfogger 1.1.1291 may be just what you have been looking for. Unimpressed with Google Drive et al? Check out Amazon Cloud Drive 0.3.28 which can be used not only store files but also backup your MP3 purchases. Last week’s stable release of Dropbox has been followed up with Dropbox 1.4.2 to address problems. Proving that you don’t have to have an internet connection around the clock the benefit from the internet, GMapCatcher 0.7.7.2 enables you to cache online maps for offline viewing.

Hybrid

There are numerous tools that can be used to convert video between formats, and Hybrid 2012.5.3.1 is a free utility that gives you a great deal of control over the process. If you prefer to watch online video, Miro 5.0 FINAL is a powerful streaming suite that enables you to pull in clips and shows from all manner of sources. Sticking with the more traditional browser-based method of viewing online, Turn Off the Lights for Firefox 2.0.0.81 and Turn Off the Lights for Chrome 2.0.0.81 are browser extensions that make it easier to focus on your videos without distraction.

Skype for iPad

If music is more your thing, Freemake Music Box 0.9.3 is a free service that enables you to stream music to your computer freely and legally. Spotify 0.5.0 for iPad enables those with a Spotify Premium account to stream music to their Apple tablet, while the newly released Skype for iPad 4.0 can be used to keep in touch with friends and colleagues while taking advantage of new video options. Sticking with the mobile device theme, Bitdefender Power Tune-up 1.3.209 Android enables you to squeeze every last drop of battery life from your Android-based phone or tablet.

DisplayFusion

Anyone working with two or more monitor at their PC can take advantage of DisplayFusion 4.0 which provides you with a great deal of control over your multi-monitor setup and there have been a selection of interesting release o the productivity front. If you have ditched Adobe Reader, Foxit Reader 5.3.0 may be the PDF tool you have been looking for, and LibreOffice Productivity Suite 3.5.3 has been updated to bring even more value to this free office suite. Should you be more interested in performance tweaking that productivity, you should check out Ashampoo WinOptimizer Free 1.0.0 which enables you to fix problems with your computer and speed it up with just a few clicks of the mouse.

No roundup would be complete without a few browser updates and this week is no different. Pale Moon 12.0 is a speed optimized version of Firefox that includes all of the latest stability and security fixes of Mozilla’s browser and is also available in other varieties. Pale Moon Portable is available for copying to a USB drive, while anyone with a 64-bit system should take a look at Pale Moon x64 and Pale Moon x64 Portable. You may also be interested in checking out Waterfox 12.0 which is also designed for 64-bit systems. When you’re online it is important to stay safe, and this week has seen the release of a number of handy security tools.

BitDefender USB Immunizer

ZoneAlarm Free Antivirus + Firewall 10.2 is dual-head security suite that protect your computer on two fronts, while BitDefender USB Immunizer 3.0 is a handy addition to any system that prevents malware from auto-running from USB drives. We may not yet be halfway through 2012, but the 2013 products are already with us. Norton Internet Security 2013 beta, Norton AntiVirus 2013 beta and Norton 360 2013 beta all boast new interfaces, but little in the way of new features, and Norton Bootable Recovery Tool 4.5 has been released to enable you to disinfect your computer even if Windows won’t boot.

That’s it for this week’s roundup. Join us again in a week’s time for another catch up on all of the best releases from the preceding seven days.