Technology & Business
Google Calendar app finally available on iPhone
[caption id="" align=“alignnone” width=“2500”] Image by Dafne Cholet used under Creative Commons License [/caption] Google finally released a calendar app for iPhone today. Even Google's own blog post title says "[...] It's about time". I couldn't agree more. My early tests show it is based on the (released in November) updated Android app which simplified calendar management (transforming GMAIL events into calendar entries automatically). Like Fantastical, it also has an Assist feature which helps you fill our the various pieces of a calendar entry.
When unlimited Microsoft OneDrive storage isn't really unlimited
[caption id="" align=“alignnone” width=“2144”] Image by Thomas8047 under creative commons license [/caption] The sky cleared and trumpets sounded when Microsoft bamboozled the entire cloud storage market by offering unlimited OneDrive storage with certain Office 365 subscriptions. In addition to bumping up your storage quote to unlimited, they switched the maximum single-file size limit to 10GB (from 2GB). Just when you think you hit the jackpot, you hit an undocumented artificial limit that prevents you from using the all you can eat buffet in the sky.
Google release preview of upgraded Contacts web app
About 70% of my readers are also Google users so most of you will be ecstatic that Google is trying to fix the broken Contacts web app. “[...] that makes it easier to keep track of the people you know and get the info you need, fast” — Google Blog Post Who can argue with a more usable experience? The new UI gives you a faster way of merging duplicates, automatically updating contacts and seeing recent emails right in the Contacts app.
10 cent apps in the Google Play Store
Google Play's birthday is fast approaching which may be why we started seeing a handful of apps already priced at $0.10. Right now there is only a handful but more should be added shortly. RunTastic Running Pro (link) Runtastic Sit-Ups PRO Trainer (link) Facetune (link) If you were thinking about these apps, now is a good time to jump on them. If you see other apps, please post a commend below
The Bose QC25 are the best noise cancelling headphones money can buy
I want to start of this review by clearly stating that I am not a Bose fanboy. I don't automatically recommend all of their products just because they carry the Bose name. I tested 19 headphones for this review. Noise cancelling headphones are the only options for frequent travellers looking for small oasis in an otherwise jungle of airports, taxis and urban sprawl. When I recommend a pair of noise cancelling headphones, it is a job I take very seriously.
Attacked by the Internet of Things
[caption id="" align=“alignnone” width=“2500”] Image by JD Hancock used under Creative Commons License [/caption] In the last 30 days, I participated to 2 CIO conferences (Montreal and San Francisco) and interestingly heard similar questions from executives about the security risks and dangers of Internet of things devices. Are they really that dangerous? When I talk about Software as a Service, most readers think of the Google computer cloud, Amazon Web Services or Microsoft's Azure cloud platform. What never gets mentioned is the new breed of Attack as a Service providers.
China bans Apple, McAfee, Cisco, Citrix and more for state purchase
[caption id="" align=“alignnone” width=“2500”] Image by Gidzy used under Creative Commons License [/caption] Reuters is reporting (link) that the Chinese government has removed several prominent US tech companies from its authorized vendor list meaning government (state) departments or entities are no longer authorized to purchase them. This change isn't surprising considering all of the Snowden leaks about NSA spying. Reuters does mention that some of its unnamed sources said this change is being done to encourage organizations to buy locally rather than for security concerns.
Satechi magical bluetooth buttons
Consumers demand ease of use, power and immediate gratification. Sure the smartphone has simplified our lives but we demand that it become even easier. Satechi believes it has the answer with its Bluetooth Button Series. The Bluetooth Button Series is a set of 3 small circular aluminium bodied buttons that pair to your smart device via bluetooth and trigger a particular built in function (SIRI, Camera shutter, etc). They work with IOS (iphone, Ipad mini, iPad Air) and Android devices.
Kindle Unlimited finally comes to Canada
Canadians are use to being treated like second class citizens. We often watch our american neighbours get all the cool services while we live in the stone age. Maybe it's not that bad but it is pretty bad. Now Amazon has finally opened up it's Kindle Unlimited service to all Canadians. This means for $9.99, you can read any book from its 750,000 book digital library. What kind of books so they offer? Think of title like Harry Potter, Flash Boys, etc.
Amazon offers $140 worth of Android Apps for free
Everyone Android users should know that Amazon generously offers one Android app for free everyday. Some days the offering is a wonderful deal, other times it is a waste of bandwidth. Amazon currently has a promo where it is offering $140 worth of software for free, gratuitement, gratis, kostenlos, pou gratis, grátis, бесплатно Some of the apps carry regular prices up to $19 so get them while they are free. Some of the more attractive ones are: Officesuite Pro 8 Cut The Rope: Experiments Relax Melodies Premium Runtastic Pro GPS doodle Jump Longman Dictionary Pocket Yoga How can you access this wonderful trove of freebies?