Technology & Business
Chinese media demand sanctions against US tech companies
[caption id="" align=“alignnone” width=“2500”] Photo by Rene Mensen under Creative Commons License [/caption] 3 things we know governments will always do are: Tax Spend Spy The last point, fueled by the Ed Snowden leaks, seems to be keeping the media busy. Now the China-run state-owned media is calling on the Chinese government to sanction the major US technology companies who are "pawns of the US Government". China Daily and People's Daily have called upon their leaders to "severely punish" the companies mentioned in the Edward Snowden leaks.
$100 off Motorola MotoX for 48 hours (unlocked)
48-HOUR FLASH SUMMER #SALE. 32GB #MotoX or #devedition for $100 off (US Only): http://t.co/Fb9YbRoXsx pic.twitter.com/Tl1ijwu8Ra — Motorola Mobility (@Motorola) June 4, 2014 You can pickup my favourite Android phone (US only deal) for $100 off for 48 hours. This deal allows you to pickup a Kitkat powered android phone (unlocked) for about $300-400.
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)
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.
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"
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.
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.