2014
Telegram messenger isn't secure
I first wrote about Telegram Messenger February 25 (link). As soon as I published my article, readers started asking me "how secure Telegram Messenger really is". The answer is not that secure. But then again, Whatsapp isn't a super secret messenger either. Most users aren't transmitting state secrets so ultra protection really isn't really a requirements. But for those that are interested, Telegram Messenger's security is not verifiably secure. Personally, I would not rely on it if I wanted to share something confidential.
Rapportive adds social intelligence to GMAIL for free
Rapportive (link) is a free Firefox, Safari and Chrome add-on that brings social intelligence to GMAIL. For every email sender, it displays a picture, a brief bio, location and links to that their social networks. Yes it does work with Google Apps accounts. It replaces the (less useful) GMAIL advertisements with its own information. Another company called Xobni has a similar tool for Outlook. Installation took only a couple of minutes and then it automatically performs its magic anytime you use the GMAIL web interface.
Screenshot of Whatsapp's new voice calling feature
February 25, I wrote an article about an announced upcoming feature called Whatsapp voice. It will basically allow you to make a Voice Over IP (VoIP) call to any other Whatsapp subscriber. Sure VoIP is a crowded space but many of your friends are likely already on Whatsapp (with its 400M subscribers) which means this may get immediate traction. iPhoneItalia (link) published the first leaked screenshots of this upcoming feature . <img src="https://ekiledjian2.micro.blog/uploads/2025/f40d3da381.jpg" alt=""> When starting the updated version, you will be prompted to permission to use your microphone.
iPhone coming to Videotron March 28
Videotron has had a "interest registration" page for a while promising to notify you when the iPhone eventually made its way to its Quebec only network. Now we see these tweets iPhone 5s is coming to Videotron on March 28 http://t.co/2KmYBPMDfW — Videotron (@Videotron) March 14, 2014 iPhone 5c is coming to Videotron on March 28 http://t.co/VGXWKEIgME — Videotron (@Videotron) March 14, 2014 We know Videotron bought 700MHZ spectrum outside of Quebec with the hopes of expanding its services accross Canada.
PhotoDirector 4 MAC/PC Free until March 16
Nothing feel better than getting something of value for free. Now CyberLink is running a special promo for CNET's Download.com by offering their well respected ($99) photo management app for free. Head over to this special promo page (link) and enter promo code PHD4CNET in the "redeem code" box. You get an immediate discount which brings the price to $0, nada, zilch.
Selfies leading to lice
[caption id="" align=“alignnone” width=“2200”]Image by mollybob under Creative Commons License [/caption] Selfies are so popular, Apple built an entire app collection in the AppStore for it. Selfies are a way to preserve memories when your having a good time with friends but selfies can be dangerous for your health. A California lice expert, Marcy McQuillan, told the SFist (link) "I've seen a huge increase of lice in teens this year," . "Typically it's younger children I treat, because they're at higher risk for head-to-head contact.
Track your luggage via bluetooth thanks to CalypsoTag
If you travel more than a couple of times a year, you should be a onebag traveller with no check in luggage. There are times when you need to check a bag in and this where the CalypsoTag comes in handy (link). The distinctive tag comes in 4 highly visible colors. <img src="https://ekiledjian2.micro.blog/uploads/2025/273aa0f294.jpg" alt=""> Add one to your luggage to quickly see it come down the conveyor belt. The Calypsotag has another trick up its sleeve: it comes bearing bluetooth 4.
Turn your loved ones into diamonds
How do you want to be remembered when you hit the bucket (aka pass away)? Do you want to be buried? Cremated? How about being turned into a real genuine diamond? A Swiss startup called Algordanza (link) does just that. For a fee, they will convert your (or your loved ones) cremated ashes into a timeless diamond that can be turned into jewellery and passed down from generation to generation. Remember that a "real" diamond is nothing more than carbon exposed to incredible heat and pressure.
Nomad ChargeKey extremely portable lightning cable review
<img src="https://ekiledjian2.micro.blog/uploads/2025/8c1738e25f.jpg" alt=""> My smartphone has become so indispensable to me, I typically travel with a portable charger and an Apple lightning cable on me all the time. My smartphone is used for entertainment, news consumption, communication and navigation. Needless to say, the battery and cable take valuable pocket space. My poor lightning cables typically don't last too long... The designers over at Nomad recently released a product that really caught my attention, the ChargeKey. It is a short, flexible, key-chain attachable lightning cable.
Articles on Self Improvement
[caption id="" align=“alignnone” width=“1000”]Image by stevendepolo under Creative Commons License [/caption] Here is a collection of articles I have written about self-improvement you may find useful. 3 Questions Successful People Ask And You Don't Mind Like Water Is The Ultimate Mind Goal 6 Simple Tips That Will Change Your Mood Immediately Before Dying, Sam Shared His 3 Secrets To A Happy Life (Video) Gratitude Is The Key To Happiness Daydreaming - The Untold Secret To Success
3 Questions Successful People Ask and you don't
[caption id="" align=“alignnone” width=“2048”]Image by dullhunk Under Creative Commons License [/caption] We learn as much from our children as they do from us. It's fascinating to see the world through their eyes. They are pure and untainted from social standards and norms. My daughter started asking the never ending WHY question. She questions everything and keeps asking the question until she is satisfied with the level of information received. Studies show that this natural inquisitive nature peeks at around 4 years old and steadily declines over our lifetime.
Mind Like Water is the ultimate mind goal
[caption id="" align=“alignnone” width=“2052”]Image by Andreas Under creative commons license [/caption] If you practice mediation, any religion or organizational strategy, your goal is to be Mind Like Water. “Empty your mind, be formless. Shapeless, like water. If you put water into a cup, it becomes the cup. You put water into a bottle and it becomes the bottle. You put it in a teapot it becomes the teapot. Now, water can flow or it can crash. Be water my friend.
Roam Mobility now sold at 265 Futureshop and BestBuy locations
[caption id="" align=“alignnone” width=“1800”]Image by cogdogblog Under Creative Commons License [/caption] As a casual traveller to the US, I am always looking for ways to stay connected affordably and Roam Mobility has been my consistent go to provider. They offer a mix of plans to suit everyone and the pricing is extremely competitive. The only complaint I would hear was around buying one of their special roaming sim cards. Now you can pickup their products at any one of the 265 Futureshop or Bestbuy locations across Canada ( Alberta, British Columbia, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland).
Demo of Cortana, Microsoft's answer to Siri
We have known that Microsoft's answer to Siri was in the works and code-named Cortana but for the first time, we get a video demo leak. Cortana will be included in Windows Phone 8.1 Since Cortana requires a Microsoft account, it is almost certain that the heavy lifting is being done in the cloud and that it will use its cloud storage infrastructure to move your profile (searches, customizations, etc) between devices. There will be a customization process to ensure Cortana give you the best possible response (as an example what type of restaurants you prefer).
Blackberry 10 receives Microsoft OneDrive client
I wrote a couple of weeks ago about Microsoft rebranding its SkyDrive cloud storage service to Microsoft OneDrive (link). BkBlackberry has done a great job integrating cloud storage providers into its base os on BB10 devices. Out of the gate, BB10 supports Dropbox and Box. Now you can add Microsoft OneDrive support to that list with the availability of the Connect to Microsoft OneDrive app (link). The functionality of this new add on is exactly the same as that of Dropbox and Box.
6 simple tips that will change your mood immediately
Before reading this article, you should take 5 minutes and read these entries: Before Dying, Sam Shared His 3 Secrets To A Happy Life (Video) The Secret To Turning On The Happiness Switch ven the most optimistic and disciplined professional sometimes feels depressed or overwhelmed. It could be caused because of life pressure, surprise bills, work issues, etc. If you are generally happy but find yourself in one of these small negative lulls, what can you do?
The secret to turning on the happiness switch
The prevailing wisdom is that you should be happy when things are "going your way". Which means your happiness is dependent on the world deciding to cooperate and we all know how that turns out. Let's say it is early morning and you just got into your car so you can drive to work. How many green lights do you need to have on (simultaneously) until you decide it is the right time to pull out of your driveway? Stupid question right?
Buy a Samsung Galaxy S5 and get $500 of gifts
Maybe the shiny new Samsung Galaxy S5 and its boatload of features wasn't enough to entice you to fork over your hard earned money. Samsung has sweetened the pot with $500 (link) of extra premium services and apps. Of the apps listed, the ones I think are the most interesting: 1 year of premium RunKeeper 6 months of premium MapMyFitness 6 months of Wall Street Journal 1 year of the Bloomberg BusinessWeek 3 months of premium LinkedIn 3 months of premium Bitcasa cloud storage 3 months of premium Evernote and more I would have loved 1 year or Evernote and Bitcasa but this still isn't too shabby
Before dying, Sam shared his 3 secrets to a happy life (video)
If the above Video doesn't work, check it out directly in the TEDx site (link) We all learn about the importance of positive thinking and perseverance yet until I watched the above video, the power of those concepts didn't really sink in. Sam Berns is a man with incredible life challenges yet he shows the power of the human spirit. Sam makes every difficulty in your life seem infinitesimally small and insignificant. Here is a man with a debilitating incurable disease who is really, truly and genuinely happy.