technology
Samsung Galaxy Note 3 first to support LTE Advanced
With all the glitzy showmanship at the Samsung event at IFA (In Berlin), you would be forgiven for missing one of the coolest new smartphone features launching on the Samsung Galaxy Note 3. It is support for the new and upcoming LTE-Advanced standard. Even though no carriers currently offer LTE advanced support, this means your phone investment dollars will go much further. The LTE Advanced support comes from the Qualcomm MDM9x25 baseband which also supports 6 LTE bands. This means your phone will support more carriers.
The best tablet you can buy today
Review of the New 2013 Nexus 7 The 2013 Nexus 7 is the best mini tablet you can buy today. Why is it the best? It is the best combination of price, screen, speed, and battery life. The original Nexus 7 was the first Android device that made me want an Android device. Its newer brother is a little easier to hold. Ports The 2013 Nexus 7 has the same number of ports as the older version: a micro USB an earphone port Screen The new screen is a [better than than iPad mini] 1920x1200 IPS LCD panel which is a huge improvement from the original 12080x800.
CloudConvert will convert between 140 file formats
There are a couple of situations every week where I have to convert files from one format to another. So far my go to site has been ZamZar but I recently learned about another player called CloudConvert. Like Zamzar, CloudConvert is web based which means no installation, constant updating and worries about configuration. CloudConvert supports the conversion of 140 different filetypes. and using it is wonderfully simple. You visit the site (which is responsive so it works on your smartphone too), select the file, choose the format to convert to and allow it to send your converted file to Dropbox / GoogleDrive.
New Apple TV secretly shipped to US
Everyone is exciting about the new iPhone 5s that will be announced September 10th. I'm here to remind you that Apple will likely release an updated Apple TV. Unfortunately we haven't heard too many rumors about what will be updated, it is safe to assume it will get a faster processor and better graphics processing unit. <img src="https://ekiledjian2.micro.blog/uploads/2025/9e0c991d20.jpg" alt=""> Panjiva is reporting that a large shipment of set-top boxes (for Apple) has landed in the US.
Android 4.4 is code-named Kit Kat
Contrary to long running rumors, the next version of Android won't be called Key Lime Pie but rather Android Kitkat. The goal of KitKat will be "It's our goal with Android KitKat to make an amazing Android experience available for everybody." It's fun to see all the desert names Google has used in the past: Cupcake Donut Eclair Froyo Gingerbread, Honeycomb Ice Cream Sandwich Jelly Bean No word yet on how Android 4.4 will improve the user experience but I'm sure rumors will start swirling as we get closer to the (maybe) launch of the next Nexus phone.
Amazon launches Kindle Matchbook
Years ago, Amazon launched their AutoRip program which gives customers free digital versions of CDs they had already bought. Now Amazon has extended this idea to book through its new Kindle Matchbook program (launching October). If you have bought an eligible book, you will be able to download a digital Kindle version for $2.99 or less. <img src="https://ekiledjian2.micro.blog/uploads/2025/44a98e7075.jpg" alt=""> Check out Amazon's Kindle Matchbook here
Get $110 if you bought a Nexus 4
I was one of the first Canadian blogs to write about Google's hugely discounted Nexus 4 promo on the Google Play store. The 8GB Nexus 4 was $309 and all of a sudden was reduced to the very affordable price of $199 (16GB went from $349 to $249). Some of you may have been frustrated to see such a price drop, if you had recently bought a Nexus 4 but rest easy, Google has you covered with its price protection policy.
Free Android Apps of the day
Cut the Rope- Free today - Normally $0.99- Click here SwiftKey- Free today - Normally $3.99-Click here Angry Birds- Free today - Normally $0.99- Click here Shazam Encore- Free today - Normally $4.99- Click here World of Goo- Free today - Normally $2.99- Click here Jamie Oliver’s 20-Minute Meals- Free today - Normally $7.69- Click here Paper Camera- Free today - Normally $1.99- Click here Drawing Pad- Free today - Normally $1.
What is the dark web
Everyone knows what the world wide web (web for short) is and we all know it is incredibly massive containing most of our human knowledge. There is a part of the internet that we call the Dark web which is not indexed by search engines. This is a part of the web you can only get to if you know exactly where it is. Search engines (like Google) collect their information using a tool called spiders and crawlers. These crawlers read web pages and follow links in the pages to index the known web.
Samsung's Gear Smartwatch app leaks
I'm naturally pessismistic when I hear the term smartwatch because of my horrible experience with the Pebble smartwatch. The Pebble was a cool concept but I found the execution bad and the product not very useful in my everyday life. Rumors have been swhirling about a Samsung branded smartwatch nicknamed "Gear". The company's Lee Young-hee confirmed a September reveal for the smartwatch (at IFA in Berlin). Now everyone's favorite leaker, EVLeaks, shared the enclosed screenshot of the devices companion app. It's coming.
BitTorrent Sync is my favorite sync tool
If I told you I am using BitTorrent, you would probably assume I am downloading pirated illegal content but your would be wrong. I have been testing BitTorrent Sync as an alternative to Dropbox and am really liking it. BitTorrent sync leverages all the power of its world renown bittorrent protocol to quickly sync files of any size between your devices without first uploading them to a central cloud service making this very attractive to security conscious IT users. <img src="https://ekiledjian2.
What is 802.11ad
It's like only yesterday we saw 802.11ac and now here I am writing about something called 802.11ad. 802.11ac is the next of kin in the long line of wireless WiFi standards and offers some clear advantages over is older brother (802.11n). Where ac is the natural evolution of improved WiFi technologies, 801.11ad may be revolutionary technology that truly disrupt what we can do wirelessly. 802.11ac uses the same 5GHz frequency popularized by high end 802.11n routers, 802.11ad kicks it up a notch on the 60GHz frequency which will lead to multi-gigabit wireless connections.
THEQ Social Media Camera
TheQ Camera is a brand new creation with built in 3G so it can automatically upload your masterpieces directly to your chosen social media sites for safe storage and easy sharing. <img src="https://ekiledjian2.micro.blog/uploads/2025/ab0b415abb.jpg" alt=""> <img src="https://ekiledjian2.micro.blog/uploads/2025/f0d3d3f26a.jpg" alt=""> In addition to built in 3G, it also has a ring flash (for softer portraits), an f2.4 aperture wide angle lens and is waterproof. TheQ Tech Specifications TheQ tech specs aren't revolutionary but the purpose of this camera isn't super sharp poster quality images but rather easy to shoot/easy to share pics.
iPhone 5s will hit the market September 20
Although Apple hasn't publicly announced the iPhone 5s announcement event, we all expect it to take place at the Apple campus on September 10th. The next question is when will Apple make is available in the market and now we think it is September 20th. We now learn that T-Mobile has implemented a vacation blackout for its retail employees September 20th to September 22nd. Typically these blackouts are implemented when the company expects a flood customer demand for the launch of hot new product.
Nokia's Lumia 1520 Phablet says hi
The 1520 is on the right. WP Central is reporting that Nokia will be entering the phablet (phone + tablet) market with a new model called the 1520 (to the right). This leaked device supposedly has a 6 inch display at full HD, we expect it to be powered by Qualcomm. No release date is being speculated but I doubt many consumers would line up for a Windows Phone phablet. WP Central
Rogers reducing MotoX Price by $20
Rogers had the MotoX on pre-order for $189 (with a 2 year contract) while BestBuy was pricing it at $169.99. Now rogers has decided to compete head on and is dropping the price by $20. The No Contract price is not being reduced ($549). Unfortunatly Rogers has an undetermined exclusive on the MotoX in Canada and there is still no sign of MotoMaker (customization of the MotoX) for Canadians. <img src="https://ekiledjian2.micro.blog/uploads/2025/37db4af864.jpg" alt=""> Rogers MotoX webpage is here.
FIDO offers $50 unlimited plan
Fido has now launched (for Quebec residents only) a special $50 per month plan which includes unlimited Canada wide calling and 1GB of data. This is being done as a direct response to Videotron offering similar types of plans winning customers away from Fido/Rogers. This is a fantastic deals for most users and you should sign up quickly before this plan disappears. Plan page here.
Google Play Music coming to Canada
Google launch a new service at the 2013 Google IO conference called Google Play Music All Access. This is a streaming radio service (competing with Spotify and RDIO) which typically costs $US 9.99/month for all you can eat music. My industry contacts tell me that Google is putting the finishing touches (aka finalizing the music library agreements) on the service and expect it to launch early September. We expected it to cost the same $9.99 a month (same as the US price).
Google Nexus 4 now cheaper
The Nexus 4 is now $100 cheaper (globally). In Canada (and the US) you can pickup an 8GB Nexus 4 for $199 a 16GB version is now $249. <img src="https://ekiledjian2.micro.blog/uploads/2025/c7a4960126.jpg" alt=""> We've lowered the price of #Nexus4. Get it for 25% off or more in Australia, Canada, Germany, Spain, Korea, US, UK: http://t.co/g8vIKtBC9N — Google Play (@GooglePlay) August 28, 2013 With this type of a discount, its clear Google is attempting to clear inventory before the release of a successor (which we expect sometime in October or November).
Sony's Android Z1 Honami Smartphone leak
After all the rumors and speculation, Sony's new superphone will be announced September 4th. The above teaser video shows the unique Sony design. We expect it to sport a 21 megapixel camera, 4K capable video shooting mode, speedy Snapdragon 800 processor and a 5 inch full HD display.