2014
The 5 o'clock clock
We all know that the most important time of the day is when you punch out to go home so the only time you really care about it 5PM. Now a company has turned your punch put obsession into a clock that has just one time marking on it. This wondrous clock can be had for only $100 on Amazon (link). Unfortunately it seems this clock sold out quickly and is no longer available on Amazon. I decided to post this anyway to show the wonderful world of modern design.
Strange napkin table invention
Since we've cured all sickness and disease, the human race can now turn its attention to the incredible important issue of dining while at a picnic. All right... We haven't cured everything yet which is why I am so dumbfounded when I see people waste energy on absolutely useless inventions like this. I can't wait to see the ads for it on TV. Are you tire of eating on the floor at picnics? Want to keep ants away from your food?
Watch Apple's WWDC live today (link enlcosed)
[caption id="" align=“alignnone” width=“2500”]Image by Flazingo Photos under Creative Commons License [/caption] Today at 10am PT, Apple will finally unveil its new wares to the world at its World Wide Developer Conference (WWDC). This years keynote will be 2 hours long and rumors are swirling that we we'll see new hardware, the new Mac OS 10.10 beta, and maybe entry into a new line of business (home automation, etc). Apple will livestream the entire keynote on its special events website you can access here (link)
Now every room can smell like Mac and Cheese
Everyone loves Mac and Cheese. It is that wonderful comfort food that reminds me of my childhood. Just the smell evokes so many positive memories. That smell takes you back to wonderfully serene mental state. If you want to easily go into that automatic Mac and cheese trance, you can with the Mac and cheese air freshener for only $5 on Amazon (link).
iPhone users can now use OK Siri to verbally control their phones
[caption id="" align=“alignnone” width=“340”]Image by Bernard Goldbach under Creative Commons License [/caption] Most iPhone users watched in awe when Motorola's Moto X gained always on voice Control. You could say OK Google and then simply issue your command. Without ever touching your device. Then Google created a new launcher that allowed you to voice control, your device anytime you where in the launcher. It seems iPhone users were left out in the cold until now. Before you get too excited, it is important to remember that OK Siri is a hack for jailbroken iPhone's only.
eCool environmentally friendly outdoor beer cooler
Nothing is worse than a lukewarm beer on a hot summers day. You could install an outdoor fridge but this requires electricity which will cost you money and anger some environmentalists. Some creative designers have solved your beer cooling dilemma with the eCool. The eCool uses the constant cooler temperature of the earth to keep your beer desirably cool. You basically dig a hole, drop in the eCool and have 24 cans of drinkable beer. the creators also claim that those living in cooler countries (aka Canada), can enjoy this year round because the eCool will prevent the beers from freezing.
Amazon to release a new music streaming service
[caption id="" align=“alignnone” width=“2376”]Image by Nomadic Lass under Creative Commons License [/caption] It seems everyone is either starting or buying into a streaming music service. Not one to be left out, Buzzfeed (link) is reporting that Amazon may release its own music service with a twist. It is believed Amazon has already signed agreements with Sony and Warner but is still in talks with Universal Music. The rumours say that the service will be offered for free to US Amazon Prime members.
Don't buy a Bitcasa subscription
A question I receive regularly from readers is regarding the value of the Bitcasa service. I was an early Bitcasa beta tester and have been working with their service for a long time now. I actually bought into their service when they still offered unlimited cloud storage for $99 a year. At the time, I could not believe the incredible value they were offering but like everything else in life "if something is too good to be true, it probably is"
Hackers bypass Apple's iCloud and Activation lock for iPhone
Apple touts the advanced security features built into its devices and its linked cloud services. One such security feature is Activation Lock that should prevent a thief from using a stolen iPhone that is locked. A Dutch and Moroccan hacker group called "Team DoulCl" are reporting that they have been able to bypass Apple's Activation Lock control. De Telegraaf (link), a Dutch news organization, claims the group was able to buy locked iPhones and unlock them. Thieves can use this hack to resell stolen iPhones for huge profits.
Top 10 countries visiting my blog for May
Readers and manufacturers often want to know where my traffic originates from... For the month of May (2014), the top 10 countries generating traffic for my site are [in order of traffic]: United States (USA) Canada UK India France Australia Germany Italy singapore Hong Kong The top 2-3 are always on the list but the rest fluctuate per month depending on the content.
The best USB 3.0 USB Thumb Drive
Even with the abundance of cloud storage options, I think everyone should carry a USB thumb drive (flash drive) in their Every Day Carry (EDC) kit. It is still the fastest, most efficient and most secure way to move information from point A to point B. For every online cloud service there are 100 different types, brands and models of USB thumb drives. To save you time and money, I did all the homework and the USB thumb drive you should buy is the SanDisk Extreme USB 3.
User claims he can sell 145,312,663 user records stollen from eBay
A user claims that he will sell interested parties 145 312 663 unique records from the eBay hack for only $745US ( 1.453 bitcoins) <img src="https://ekiledjian2.micro.blog/uploads/2025/c9c441612d.jpg" alt="">
Apple to fix messaging issue for users migrating to Android
When an iPhone users sends a message to another iPhone user it is done via Apple's proprietary iMessage platform and users are identified by their telephone numbers. If you are a user that switches from an iPhone to Android without first disabling all iMessage logins on all your devices then you may end up in a situation where iPhone users can no longer message you. Anytime they try sending you a message, Apple will think you still have an iPhone and hold them until your iPhone comes back online (which may be never if you have migrated).
Could Google brings ads to your car, fridge or thermostat?
In a December letter to the SEC (recently made public), Google makes some interesting predictions about the future of advertising. “For example, a few years from now, we and other companies could be serving ads and other content on refrigerators, car dashboards, thermostats, glasses, and watches, to name just a few possibilities.” — Google letter to SEC Another interesting statement reads: “It is increasingly challenging to define what exactly a “mobile” platform is from period to period — and what it will be going forward.
Google may start offering WIFI in restaurants, gyms and doctors offices
We are hearing rumours from different sources that Google is working on a special project to bring Google subsidized WIFI to locations across North America. The reports are claiming that the Sultan of Search will offer heavily subsidized kits (hardware/software) to small and medium business to encourage WIFI deployment. Now [paid] news-site TheInformation (link) is making the same claim. They are claiming Google will offer "steep discounts". I also want to remind you that we had heard Google would be launching an IOS and android app to help users join public WIFI hotspots easier.
Nest recalling thousands of smoke detectors due to safety concerns
[caption id="" align=“alignnone” width=“1156”]Image by Steve Jurvetson under Creative Commons License [/caption] Everyone knows a smoke detector is a critical installation of every house. It can mean the difference between life and death. So when a company recalls nearly half a million smoke detectors (aka NEST) because of an issue, you have to stand up and take notice. In this case the Nest Protect Smoke + CO system has an alarm muting feature that is activated by waving your arms within view of the sensor.
Google updates its Search engine algorithm
[caption id="" align=“alignnone” width=“2500”]Image by John Trainor under creative commons license [/caption] Google seems to have tweaked its search engine algorithm a bit to further fight low quality content and online spam. Panda algorithm v4 seems to make sites with poor quality content even more difficult to find (thus improving your search experience as a user). [info found in SearchEngineLand] SearchEngineLand also reports that Paydat Loan Algorithm v2 was also released attacking "very spammy queries". It is believed the Panda update impacted 7.
Don't take meeting minutes ever again
Taking minutes in a meeting is often necessary so you have a written trace of what was discussed but it is a tedious task that pulls your attention away from the live discussion. Why not just take a snapshot of the whiteboard and use that as the written notes? This is a typical snapshot of a well lit whiteboard using an iPhone 5s. <img src="https://ekiledjian2.micro.blog/uploads/2025/7d70934a1c.jpg" alt=""> It is still better than taking notes but now there is a free service that will clean up your whiteboard image and email it back to you as a PDF
AT&T brings free solar charging to NY City
[caption id="" align=“alignnone” width=“2500”]Image by Jimmy_Joe under Creative Commons License [/caption] AT&T is bringing back their solar street charging stations to NY city which will make thousands of tourists and locals happy. Your happiness should last until September when AT&T scoops up these stations and prepares them for winter hibernation. 45 of these will be distributed accross New York City (double the 2013 number). These are completely free and available to everyone (not just AT&T customers). The stations so have an internal battery which means they will charge your power hungry phone or tablet even at night.