2013
What we know about the new Google Nexus 7 Android tablet
I wanted to summarize all of the various Google Nexus 7 rumors we have been seeing over the last couple of weeks. We expect the new Nexus 7 to launch next week for $US229 for the 16GB version. We expect it to have 2 cameras (5MP on the back and 1.2MP on the front) A 7" 1920x1080 HD LCD screen There will be a WIFI only and WIFI with HSPA+ model The device will ship with Android 4.
Could the next Canon dSLR have 75 megapixels
The crowd consciousness has been concentrating on smartphone camera development but this latest rumor may be a huge game-changer for the dSLR world. Photography Bay, a photo blog, is reporting that Canon is testing a new pro level camera that will pack a 75 megapixel sensor. To do this type of a gigantic sensor justice, the tipster also says the camera will come with a "shockingly high resolution" screen. The cherry on the Sunday is that this monster camera may be announced this year and released next year.
Nokia says "Something BIG landing here tomorrow"
Nokia posted a blog entry teasing readers that "Something BIG landing here tomorrow". Whatever the announcement is, it will happen tomorrow morning at 9am UK time. Is the above image a teaser? Is it relevant or misdirection? Many have speculated that this will be the much rumored Nokia phablet or tablet.
Nexus 7 (v 2) tablet leaks in Best Buy ad
The interwebs have been teasing me with leaks of the new upcoming Nexus 7. Everyone's favorite leaker (@evleaks) has been steadily leaking images and specifications of this much anticipated tablet. A tipster even sent PhoneArena a purported BestBuy ad that shows availability Tuesday July 30th. This leak doesn't provide any new information but does provide a snapshot of its new camera.
Whoosh is my favorite gadget screen cleaner
If you have read any of my blog posts before, you know that I love gadgets. I love all gadgets big and small, shiny or mate. I do everything to keep my devices as clean as possible. In October 2012, I wrote a blog entry entitled "Stop What You're Doing And Clean Your Smartphone" where I explain that Mobile phones are excellent peatry dishes for bacterial growth. There has been a handful of well documented studies that prove that many smartphones are dirtier than a public toilet seat.
Google Motorola MotoX launch is August 1
We knew the MotoX was coming and now we know the launch event is August 1st in New York City. If the rumors are true, the specs aren't anything to write home about: 4.7" 1280x720 screen dual-core 1.7GHz processor 2 GB RAM 16/32 GB Storage The software has to be damn good to make up for what looks like very crappy hardware. Please Google, say it ain't slow. Tell me these leaks are all wrong.
Your counterfeit charger may kill you
I had written an article entitled "Counterfeit USB chargers on eBay may be dangerous" in November 2012 and I strongly recommend you read that article. Now we learn that a 23 year old chinese woman may have been electrocuted as she answered an iPhone that was charging. The South China Morning Post and Sina new now report that the woman may have been using a "3rd party" charger (aka counterfeit). CCTV claims to have a photo showing the damaged iPhone and the charger that cause the users unexpected death.
Free app to organize and find your iPhone photos
Even the newer smartphones from Samsung and HTC don't produce [in my opinion] photos as beautiful as the ones taken with an iPhone (4s or 5). But like many, I end up with hundreds of photos on my iPhone and finding the one I am looking for is a daunting task. Viewfinder is a new free app that aims to improve your photo organization experience [on the device] by leveraging the hidden data in each photo called metadata. Metadata says when the picture was taken, where it was taken, how it was taken, etc.
VLC for iPhone & iPad now available
VLC is the most capable, flexible and loved media player available on any platform and now any platform also includes IOS (iPhone and iPad). It was previously available but pulled because of a license incompatibility between the VLC license and the app store requirements. The team has now fixed that issue and made the app available again. MacStories has said VLC has been completely rewritten to use modern audio and video output modules, multi-core decoding, and support for any file type supported by VLC on the desktop.
Google's Chrome app launcher for Windows released
It seems Google has unceremoniously released the Google Chrome Launcher. The launcher ads itself to the Chrome start page, Windows Taskbar and the Windows Desktop. Think of it as a quick launch menu system to the myriad of Google online apps and services. Download it here.
Evernote 5 for Windows is released as a beta
Months after making version 5 available to Apple Mac users, Evernote finally brings the new version [in beta form] to Windows. Remember that beta means its still a work in progress and may not be ready for prime time just yet but you can play with it if you are feeling adventurous. So what's changed? A cleaner more modern interface will greet you now. Evernote hopes this new interface will highlight your notes and make the app interface fade into the background.
TrueCaller database stollen (millions of telephone numbers)
Another day brings news of another popular web service getting hacked and having its data stollen. The victim this time is a popular mobile app called TrueCaller. The Syrian Electronic Army claims to have breached TrueCaller's security by exploiting a WordPress flaw and stealing 7 databases. Sorry @Truecaller, we needed your database, thank you for it :) http://t.co/fC6ZyYAGTG #SEA #SyrianElectronicArmy — SyrianElectronicArmy (@Official_SEA12) July 17, 2013 The Syrian Electronic Army claims to have gained access to 1 million social networking accounts (Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter and Google) through this exploit.
Whatsapp for IOS will cost $0.99 /yr for new users
If your one of the million+ Whatsapp users, you probably downloaded an update for it yesterday. One of the major changes being introduced for IOS users is the pricing model already in place for Android, Blackberry and Windows Phone users : The first year is free and it costs $0.99 per year thereafter. Other changes the latest update brings are: Multi-send User Interface - send multiple photos at the same time URL Schema - allows third party apps (even on IOS) to hook into WhatsApp iCloud backup of messages
Google Maps update now rolling out for IOS users
Google released a revamped Google Maps apps for Android last week and now IOS users will start to see that update slowly trickle out to them. This new version brings a much more refined discovery and exploration function. Google Maps for IOS now has an optimized version for iPad. It also brings indoor navigation (for select locations), live traffic updates and a little but more. Although some users have reported receiving the update, most haven't received it yet (I'm still waiting).
Rumored Sony’s Xperia i1 Honami photos leaked
Nokia's Lumia 1020 Windows Phone based "smartphone" is impressive with its 41 megapixel sensor. The reality is most consumers won't buy a windows phone device because of the very very small number of apps. What is a smartphone photography lover to do? Why not wait for the next Android based Sony Honami. This new rumored Sony flagship smartphone is expected to look like the existing flagship phone but is expected to come equipped with some heart warming specs. The most important rumored spec is the 20 megapixel camera.
Cola flavored Wine is here
A French winemaker (Haussmann Famille) is about to make your wildest dreams come true by introducing Cola flavored wine. This "magical" concoction is called Rouge Sucette and is 75% wine and 25% sugar,water and cola flavoring. It contains about 9% alcohol. Citizens of the winemaking kingdom (aka France) will be able to enjoy [or be repulsed by] this new product as soon as next month. Could this be a new club favorite, something between regular code and rum and coke?
Easily switch between Sense and the Google Experience on an HTC One
Customers looking for a new Android smartphone will have to decide between the original (subsidized) manufacturer skinned version or the new Google Play Experience phones with vanilla Android. One of the most popular phones right now is the HTC One and customers have to make this same decision. Paul O'Brien, a popular Android dev, has released a cool switching app that allows customers to have both (Sense 5 and the Google Experience) with easy switching. Watch the below video for a quick demo of the app: "
Refresh app is a basic people intelligence tool
Business people are constantly meeting new people. The more you know about the people you are meeting the less awkward it will be and the more successful your meeting will likely be. Best practice recommends you conduct a Google (LinkedIn, Facebook, etc) search on everyone you will be meeting but what if you don't have the time? This is where a tool like Refresh shines. It will do all of the heavy lifting and give you a personalized person briefing within minutes.
Bell Mobility will switch to 2 year plans June 17
The CRTC limited the early cancellation fee to 24 months so as expected, we are starting to see the big Canadian carriers respond. We have now learned that Bell will be updating its pricing (June 17) to align with the new CRTC mandate changing plans to 30 day and 2 year terms. What does this mean? Monthly plan costs should remain stable but device pricing will likely go up since the subsidy periods are going from 36 months down to 24 months.
Microsoft surface RT tablet now $349 (Save $150)
Microsoft's Surface RT tablet hasn't taken the world by storm but it is a well built tablet that will meet the demands of most casual users. In order to drum up demand, Microsoft has slashed the price by $150, making the 32GB a very affordable $349. Bestbuy Canada has it for $349 too: I would buy this from a store like BestBuy that has a good return policy and I would get a 64GB model but the 32GB is definitely worth considering.