technology
ReadySim offers private pre-paid cell service in the USA
There are many reasons why you may need temporary cell phone service and would prefer to get it without any paperwork (aka a burner phone service). So who provides this type of service, a company called ReadySim which is owned by a Canadian company called Roam Mobility. I have written about Roam Mobility before and love their service so I was intrigued when I heard about this particular service with a more privacy oriented slant. Without delay, here is my review of the ReadySim cell phone service.
iPhone 5s ship times get pushed to October
I have spoken to contacts in various countries and all have confirmed that ship times for Apple's iPhone 5s have been pushed to October. <img src="https://ekiledjian2.micro.blog/uploads/2025/d4ee985ee0.jpg" alt=""> It seems Gold was the most limited color and Korean parts suppliers confirm that Apple has ordered a production increase for it. It is too early to determine why shipping times are being pushed: It could be that demand was extremely high It could be that the initial inventory of the 5s was very small due to production challenges related to the fingerprint sensor It looks like the iPhone 5c is still available in all colors immediately.
This is what the Nexus 5 will look like
Based on all the leaks and the golden nugget Google provided in its Android KitKAt statue launch ceremony, enterprising fans are building models of what they expect the device to look like. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="645"]<a href="http://www.reddit.com/r/Android/comments/1mapyu/speculation_is_the_mysterious_lg_device_a/" target="_blank"><img src="https://ekiledjian2.micro.blog/uploads/2025/c1c3fc6262.jpg" alt=" Reddit user Vovicon built an incredible digital mock-up of the Nexus 5 with careful placement of key components such as the headphone jack and the camera "></a> Reddit user Vovicon built an incredible digital mock-up of the Nexus 5 with careful placement of key components such as the headphone jack and the camera [/caption] This model is a very close match to the device we saw in the kitkat launch video.
When will Google release the Nexus 5?
Like many tech enthusiasts, I was excited when Apple announced it’s iPhone 5 but want to wait and see what Google will offer with its Nexus 5 (2013 Nexus phone) before I decide which one will become my daily driver. When is the Nexus 5 coming out? I believe the announcement will happen sometime around October 14th, here’s why. The Samsung Galaxy Nexus was announced on October 19th 2011 and then made available to the market a couple of weeks later.
More bad news from Blackberry
[caption id="" align=“alignnone” width=“305”] Blackberry shares have been falling since 2007 [/caption] The story of Blackberry is sounding more and more like that of Nortel. Once a shining star in the tech world, now a has been company that can’t seem to do anything right. Last week we learned that Blackberry (formely Research In Motion) will be laying off 40% of its workforce or 4,500 employees (worldwide). This terrible announcement was done at the same time as it notified the market it would have a GAAP net loss of $950 million - $1 billion in Q2.
Blackberry has stopped BBM for IOS and Android
Last week, I reported that BBM would finally be coming to Android and IOS this weekend. We then saw the IOS app appear ahead of schedule on some international iTunes stores (US was confirmed to me). Yesterday we heard that Blackberry was halting the roll out due to a leaked Android version. This version had been illegally used by 1.1 million users causing the Blackberry systems to strain. Those who managed to snag the official IOS version will still be able to use it.
BBM for IOS on itunes now available
IF you go to this link. You will see the BBM for IOS app with a release date of September 22 (tomorrow). I still haven't found it on the Google Play store but it should be forthcoming in the next few hours. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="928"]<a href="https://itunes.apple.com/id/app/bbm/id690046600?mt=8" target="_blank"><img src="https://ekiledjian2.micro.blog/uploads/2025/f68822a2b5.jpg" alt=" BBM for IOS page on Apple's iTunes Store "></a> BBM for IOS page on Apple's iTunes Store [/caption] “Some may be wondering why they can’t find it in iTunes.
Cycloramic Studio 360 Panorama free
Cycloramic Studio 360 Panorama is temporarily free (normally costs $1.99). What makes this app so unique? It automatically rotates your iPhone 5 (or 5s) to make the panorama shot. It is the only app that takes "automatic" panoramas. You position is upright on a flat and fairly smooth surface and it uses the vibration motor to turn the entire phone and snap pictures. “Unexpected, fanciful, and useful all at the same time!” – Steve Wozniak “Pogie Award for Brightest Ideas of 2012″ - The New York Times Download the app from the iTunes app store here.
Get 10GB of extra free Google Drive storage now
Google bought QuickOffice over a year ago (which use to costs $14.99) and is now releasing it for free on iPhone and Android. Many believe this is being done as a direct response to Apple offering their iWork suit free on new IOS devices. The app is now universal on IOS which means it supports the iPhone, iPad mini and iPad. Since buying the app, they have completely reworked the interface and have added deep Google Drive integration. They have done such a good job that many will prefer editing Google Doc documents in it instead of the clumsy web interface.
BBM coming to Android and iPhone
Blackberries one saving grace is BBM. It is the one technology that has endured and kept BBM afloat. Some former Blackberry users have longed for the day they could use the familiar BBM on their iPhone and Android and now that day is almost upon us. BBM for Android will be released in the Google Play store on September 21st (early morning) and on the iPhone on September 22nd (just passed midnight) The Android version is expected to be compatible with compatible with Ice cream sandwich and above .
New 2013 Nexus 7 with LTE available in Canada
[caption id="" align=“alignnone” width=“1059”] New 2013 Google Nexus 7 with LTE tablet on Google Play for $349 CAD [/caption] As much as I love the experience of IOS devices, I believe the best deal on a 7" tablet right now is the 2013 Nexus 7 (link). It is light, powerful and has an incredibly beautiful retina-like screen. Really puts the iPad mini to shame. Many have been eagerly waiting for the LTE variant of the new device and it is finally available in Canada.
No room in Canadian market for 4th wireless carrier says AT&T
BNN is reporting that AT&T considered entering the Canadian market (similar to Verizon) but believes the market is too small to support a 4th national carrier. Interestingly AT&T had a sizable ownership stake in Rogers in the early 2000's (selling their shares back to Rogers in 2004). Shifting Canadian foreign ownership rules are allowing these foreign entities to re-enter the Canadian market but they are all finding the market too small. The real marker of interest will be who actually bids on the new 700mhz wireless spectrum auction.
iPhone 5c and 5s compatible with Videotron, Wind Mobile & Mobilicity
We are just days away from the shipping of the iPhone 5c and the sale of the iPhone 5s. When buying a smartphone [Apple or Android], the biggest cost during your contract are the data costs. Canadians looking to use one of our alternative carriers (Wind Mobile, Mobilicity or Videotron) should rejoice with the knowledge that all new iPhones will be compatible with the AWS bands used by these carriers (T-Mobile in the US). This also means that the phone will work perfectly when roaming in the US with a Roam Mobility SIM card.
iCloud get's a IOS 7 makeover
In preparation of the release of IOS 7 today, Apple has updated the look and feel of its iCloud web portal. The new look matches that of IOS 7: new background and icons. Looks like the iWork icons are still the old ones (and the old user interfaces). They are still free online (hoping they stay free) .
Compression comes to Google Chrome for IOS
Most mobile users have some kind of capped data plan and being frugal with every megabyte is important to keeping costs low. Google is now enabling compression for their Chrome browser on IOS. I have been testing this compression feature on the Google Chrome beta on Android for some time and am very happy they are making it available on IOS. It basically passes all traffic through a Google proxy that removes non-essential content from web streams (i.e. whitespace, comments, metadata, etc).
Microsoft will host a Surface Launch event on Sept 23
With steep price cuts and the upcoming release of Windows 8.1, it was widely expected that Microsoft would host some type of launch even in September for its next generation surface devices. On September 23rd (in the big apple) we find out what updated devices Microsoft hopes to steal the 2013 holiday season with.
Real world review of the Leap Motion Controller
Leap Motion Controller Review I love new tech and am an early adopter. I saw the Leap Motion Controller demo about a year ago and got swept up in Minority Report type computing dreams. Oh the things it would be able to do. I could think of a dozen ways it would make my computing life so much better and I waiting anxiously for the product to hit the market. The cool factor There is no denying this is cool technology.
Bose SoundLink Mini is the best mid-size Bluetooth speaker
Bose SoundLink Mini review I love audio devices. I own several dozen headphones, amps, speakers and audio players. I have a music collection in tones of formats from MP3 128-bit all the way to lossless ALAC and FLAC. I love testing speakers and particularly Bluetooth speakers I can take on business trips. I recently had a chance to test he Bose soundLink mini and was pleasantly surprised. It fast became my favorite mid-level Bluetooth speaker (more than the UE Boom or Jawbone Jambox).
FCC leaks Nexus 5 information
Google published a video this week that showed the unveiling of the Android Kit Kat statue in front of the Googleplex. The above snapshot shows a new unannounced Nexus phone, which may be why Google quickly pulled the video. Site S4Guru discovered an FCC filling for a new LG device whose shape seems to match that of the mystery phone shown above. Could this be the next Nexus (Nexus 5)? The FCC filling shows that the device will support these bands:
Review of the Fitbit Flex fitness tracker
Fitbit is one of the early pioneers in mass market self measurement devices. to stay current and hip, they released the Fitbit Flex bracelet style tracker and I went hands on. In the bracelet style health monitors, the 3 main players are Jawbone UP, Nike Fuelband and the Fitbit Flex. The Fitbit Flex is cheaper than its competitors but seems to offer more value for the money. <img src="https://ekiledjian2.micro.blog/uploads/2025/a8446c809a.jpg" alt=""> The design The design a a clean bracelet style tracker that is easy to wear but that loses the instant feedback the other Fitbit devices offer with their screens.