2013
What's the best Android smartphone August 2013?
Users wanting to buy an Android smartphone are lucky enough to have a lot of choice. They are also unlucky because they have a lot of choice. Choice is good and may be confusing. Considering the iPhone 5s will likely be announced September 10th 2013, I would hold off on a buying a new smartphone right now just to see what all your options are (unless you are 100% sure you want an Android device). If you want to buy an Android today, my 2 recommendations are the MotoX and the HTC One.
LG's new G2 Android Smartphone coming to Canada in a big way
We're often the forgotten little brother when it comes to smartphone launches but looks like the new LG G2 Android based smartphone will hot the great white north in a big way: supporting 6 wireless telcos including Bell, Rogers, Telus and Videotron. Pricing isn't available yet but we are getting the americanized version with a 3000mAh battery and 32GB of internal storage. Competition is good and I'm glad this is coming to all carriers. The LG Press Release for your reading enjoyment: LG's latest premium device introduces new direction in Smartphone design TORONTO, Aug.
12 course meal from a can
We live in an always hungry and instant gratification society so why not create a way for us to consume a quick to |make" and quick to eat 12 course meal? Christopher Godfrey, a design student,has created this "wonderful" meal you eat straight from a can. What "delicious" flavors will tickle your taste buds? A selection of local cheeses with sourdough Pickled Kobe beef with charred strawberry Ricotta ravioli with a soft egg yolk Shiitake mushroom topped with filled peppers Halibut poached in truffle butter in a coconut crepe Risotto-foraged ramps, prosciutto, and fresh parmesan French onion soup with fresh thyme and gruyere cheese Roast pork belly and celeriac root puree Palate cleanser, pear ginger juice Rib eye steak with grilled mustard greens Crack pie with milk ice cream on a vanilla tule French canelle with a malt barley and hazelnut latte
Google Search will now search your gmail, calendar and Google+
Google wants to make its search page sticky so you keep coming back and it can show you revenue generating ads. Today Google has added a new feature to its engine which can now pull data from your GMAIL, Calendar and Google+. This new search add-on will be rolled out to Engligh US users (other international markets will follow at a future undisclosed time) over the next couple of days. Here are some examples of questions you will be able to ask:
Microsoft Confirms October 18 release of Windows 8.1
Mark your calendar, @Windows 8.1 will be available beginning October 18th! http://t.co/FnoKrIgz3l — Microsoft (@Microsoft) August 14, 2013 We knew it would be released in October but now have an exact date. Expect new hardware to usher in the holiday shopping season.
iDoorCam is a WIFI enabled doorbell
When you think about doorbells, does WIFI come to mind? iDoorBell hopes so because they released a WIFI enabled one that allows you to see who is knocking (or ringing) even if your're not at home. The device includes a camera (of course), a microphone and speaker. When someone rings the bell, you receive a notification on your smartphone where you can see and discuss with the visitor. It doesn't unlock your door yet and costs $165. You can pre-order now for October delivery on IndieGoGo.
New (2013) Nexus 7 now available in Canada
New (2013) Google Nexus 7 now available in Canada via the Google Play Store. The device is also available at Best Buy/Futureshop, Staples, Bureau En Gros and many other online retailers. The availability announcement was made on Twitter For those in Canada, the next generation @Nexus 7 can now be yours: http://t.co/JBfO2nnVoF — Google Play (@GooglePlay) August 13, 2013 This sleek new Nexus can be yours for: 16GB is $229CDN 32GB is $269CDN
All GMAIL users to get redesigned compose window
Google let it be known (on its Google+ page of course) that henceforth it shall roll out its redesigned compose window to all Gmail users. This new design makes it posible to compose multiple messages at once and multi-task more easily. Although this was rolled out in March, users were allowed to opt-out and go back to the old full screen compose window. This will no longer be an option.
New iPhones may be announced September 10
Apple fans are waiting to see what "magical" new iphone Apple will announce to take the lead in the smartphone market again. AllThingsD was reporting that their reliable source confirms that the announcement event will take place September 10th. Now The Loop's Jim Dalrymple has also confirmed that day. iMore's Rene Ritchie has also confirmed the date so it may be safe to take the day off, prep the popcorn maker and bask in the wonderful glow of an Apple product announcement.
Windows 8.1 coming in October
Although Microsoft will finalize the Windows 8.1 update in the next couple of weeks, the official update won't be released to the general public [or pushed to existing users] until October. OEM partners will receive the update in August and are being given time to test and ensure drivers are updated to support the update. I'm really disappointed that Microsoft is implementing an artificial delay to the much anticipated update. Most analysts expect the 8.
Real World testing and Review of the Roam Mobility Service
I took an 8 day florida family vacation in August and used this as a testing opportunity for some cool products and services. The first service I wanted to write about was the cell phone service provided by Roam Mobility. What is Roam Mobility? Roam Mobility is a Canadian telecom provider that sells mobile phone service (aka cell service) for travellers to the US. They offer various plans to suit the needs of various travellers Voice and SMS service Voice, SMS and Data service Data only service They sell their services by the day (for everything except the data only service) and by quantity of Data (for the data only service).
Watch the Nexus 7, Chromecast and Android 4.3 event
If you mised yesterday's "Breakfast with Sundar" event which launched the Chromecast, the new Nexus 7 and Android 4.3, you can watch it below now. Enjoy
Updated Google Nexus 10 coming soon
Expect to see new 10-inch Nexus 10 Android tablet (made by @Samsung) in the near future, Google's @sundarpichai tells me — Amir Efrati (@amir) July 24, 2013 If you were worried Google was neglecting its 10" Android tablet, a WSJ reporter now claims Sundar Pichai (Google's chrome+android leader) confirms a new version is coming and will be built buy Samsung. There are rumors that Samsung is working on an Octa-core Nexus 10 (which will be similar to a refreshed Samsung Tab (later this year).
When will the new Google Nexus 7 come to Canada?
Google hasn't committed to a firm date but we expect it to be available in the great white north in the next month or so. Typically it is made available in major European and Asian markets slightly after the US launch so England, France, Germany, Japan, South Korea, Autralia, we'll all have to wait just a bit longer.
New Nexus 7 with LTE coming
You may be wondering when an LTE enabled Google Nexus 7 (version 2) will be released and the answer is within the coming weeks (at least for US customers). The device will work with all 3 of the major US carriers (AT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile) with a single SKU which means they have managed to cram the technology to support all of the different bands into one device. This is great for buyers of the tablet but it also means the next Google Nexus smartphone may come with LTE support (something many have criticized about the existing Nexus 4).
Google's Chromecast is a $35 HDMI streaming solution
We know Google wants to be linked to your TV but previous efforts have failed miserably (The Google Q or Google TV). Google is now trying a different approach by offering a $35 HDMI dongle that will stream content from a compatible smartphone, tablet, laptop or chromebook. You can order this (if you are in the US) right now from the Google Play store and have it delivered in a pretty little box in a couple of days.
The New Nexus 7 is here - $229 for 16GB
Like other tech lovers, I was excited when I heard rumors that Google would be refreshing its best selling Nexus 7 tablet. What We Know About The New Google Nexus 7 Android Tablet Nexus 7 (V 2) Tablet Leaks In Best Buy Ad Google will likely announce the new Nexus 7 later today but it seems Best Buy wanted to be first and has the product up forpre-order already. The new Nexus 7 comes in the 16 & 32 GB varieties (WIFI only).
CRTC Wireless Code : Carriers must unlock your smarpthone
The CRTC Wireless Code is a bill of consumer rights that aims to make smartphone contracts more fair and understandable to the average Canadian users. One of the obligations brought forth by this new code is the obligation to unlock a smartphone at the user's request per these conditions: A service provider that provides a locked device to the customer as part of a contract must for subsidized devices: unlock the device, or give the customer the means to unlock the device, upon request, at the rate specified by the service provider, no later than 90 calendar days after the contract start date.
CRTC Wireless Code : $100 Cap on data roaming charges
We hear horror stories of Canadians travelling abroad and coming back with $5000 mobile phone bills. We can certainly sit here and laugh at those people (who should know better), but this is a bigger problem than most people realize. This is why I am so excited that the CRTC Wireless Code to protect consumers. For this specific issue, here are the new controls your carrier will have to implement: A service provider must suspend national and international data roaming charges once they reach $100 within a single monthly billing cycle, unless the customer expressly consents to pay additional charges.
Pilot Frixion Erasable Pen
Nothing says hi-tech like a pen but I wanted to let you know about a cool new pen I have been playing with called the Pilot Frixion erasable pen. Unlike other erasable pens, this one actually works very well because of its thermo-sensitive ink that erases clean. The Frixion series comes in ballpoint and fine point. You can see a sample above where I erased a section of my solid line.