technology
Free app to organize and find your iPhone photos
Even the newer smartphones from Samsung and HTC don't produce [in my opinion] photos as beautiful as the ones taken with an iPhone (4s or 5). But like many, I end up with hundreds of photos on my iPhone and finding the one I am looking for is a daunting task. Viewfinder is a new free app that aims to improve your photo organization experience [on the device] by leveraging the hidden data in each photo called metadata. Metadata says when the picture was taken, where it was taken, how it was taken, etc.
VLC for iPhone & iPad now available
VLC is the most capable, flexible and loved media player available on any platform and now any platform also includes IOS (iPhone and iPad). It was previously available but pulled because of a license incompatibility between the VLC license and the app store requirements. The team has now fixed that issue and made the app available again. MacStories has said VLC has been completely rewritten to use modern audio and video output modules, multi-core decoding, and support for any file type supported by VLC on the desktop.
Google's Chrome app launcher for Windows released
It seems Google has unceremoniously released the Google Chrome Launcher. The launcher ads itself to the Chrome start page, Windows Taskbar and the Windows Desktop. Think of it as a quick launch menu system to the myriad of Google online apps and services. Download it here.
Evernote 5 for Windows is released as a beta
Months after making version 5 available to Apple Mac users, Evernote finally brings the new version [in beta form] to Windows. Remember that beta means its still a work in progress and may not be ready for prime time just yet but you can play with it if you are feeling adventurous. So what's changed? A cleaner more modern interface will greet you now. Evernote hopes this new interface will highlight your notes and make the app interface fade into the background.
Whatsapp for IOS will cost $0.99 /yr for new users
If your one of the million+ Whatsapp users, you probably downloaded an update for it yesterday. One of the major changes being introduced for IOS users is the pricing model already in place for Android, Blackberry and Windows Phone users : The first year is free and it costs $0.99 per year thereafter. Other changes the latest update brings are: Multi-send User Interface - send multiple photos at the same time URL Schema - allows third party apps (even on IOS) to hook into WhatsApp iCloud backup of messages
Google Maps update now rolling out for IOS users
Google released a revamped Google Maps apps for Android last week and now IOS users will start to see that update slowly trickle out to them. This new version brings a much more refined discovery and exploration function. Google Maps for IOS now has an optimized version for iPad. It also brings indoor navigation (for select locations), live traffic updates and a little but more. Although some users have reported receiving the update, most haven't received it yet (I'm still waiting).
Rumored Sony’s Xperia i1 Honami photos leaked
Nokia's Lumia 1020 Windows Phone based "smartphone" is impressive with its 41 megapixel sensor. The reality is most consumers won't buy a windows phone device because of the very very small number of apps. What is a smartphone photography lover to do? Why not wait for the next Android based Sony Honami. This new rumored Sony flagship smartphone is expected to look like the existing flagship phone but is expected to come equipped with some heart warming specs. The most important rumored spec is the 20 megapixel camera.
Easily switch between Sense and the Google Experience on an HTC One
Customers looking for a new Android smartphone will have to decide between the original (subsidized) manufacturer skinned version or the new Google Play Experience phones with vanilla Android. One of the most popular phones right now is the HTC One and customers have to make this same decision. Paul O'Brien, a popular Android dev, has released a cool switching app that allows customers to have both (Sense 5 and the Google Experience) with easy switching. Watch the below video for a quick demo of the app: "
Bell Mobility will switch to 2 year plans June 17
The CRTC limited the early cancellation fee to 24 months so as expected, we are starting to see the big Canadian carriers respond. We have now learned that Bell will be updating its pricing (June 17) to align with the new CRTC mandate changing plans to 30 day and 2 year terms. What does this mean? Monthly plan costs should remain stable but device pricing will likely go up since the subsidy periods are going from 36 months down to 24 months.
Microsoft surface RT tablet now $349 (Save $150)
Microsoft's Surface RT tablet hasn't taken the world by storm but it is a well built tablet that will meet the demands of most casual users. In order to drum up demand, Microsoft has slashed the price by $150, making the 32GB a very affordable $349. Bestbuy Canada has it for $349 too: I would buy this from a store like BestBuy that has a good return policy and I would get a 64GB model but the 32GB is definitely worth considering.
Moto X to have fast camera
Motorola pupblished an interesting tweet Either this kid is really fast, or today’s phones are really slow. #AlmostGotIt pic.twitter.com/mdMEOGqfhr — Motorola Mobility (@Motorola) July 13, 2013 We'll have to wait and see how "fast" the new Moto X camera really. If Google Motorola really want to make this a winner, it has to be a truly revolutionary device and not the same old same old with useless add on functions (like many features from the Sansung Galaxy S4).
Skyview Travel Seatback Mount is the ultimate airplane gadget
Last week was a long travel week where I flew : Montreal to London London to Belfast Belfast to London London to Berlin Berlin to Frankfurt Frankfurt to Montreal Some of these flights didn't offer any in-flight entertainment and the others offered horribly bad movie options. So what is a traveller to do? enjoy your own hand picked entertainment using the new Griffin Skyview Travel Seatback Mount. This is a special mount that uses a special connector that latches to the seat back tray table or as a stand on your lowered tray tablet.
The Kii is the always with you iPhone charger
There a hundreds of tools you can hang on your keychain (USB drive, multi-tool) and now I would like to recommend that you add the Kii to your keychain. The Kii is a creative way to make sure you always have a charger with you all the time. It looks like a small USB drive with a USB connector on one end and dock connector or lightning connector on the other end. The product is made of a durable soft plastic
New Google Maps coming to IOS soon
Google is the sultan of search and the master of maps. To ensure it keeps its number one position in maps, it released a completely refreshed maps interface for Android devices a couple of days ago. If you are on an IOS device, you'll have to wait just a little bit longer. What's new? A clean new location browsing interface which makes it easier and more visually appealing to find restaurants, retail stores and more. The new version will also bring a WAZE-like traffic condition identification and rerouting system.
Dropbox competing with iCloud
Dropbox held its first developer conference and surprised attendees by announcing that they have 175,000,000 users. The real big news is something called the DropboxDatastore API for developers. The introduction paragraph in the announcement blog post says: "Today, we're excited for you try out the beta release of the Datastore API — simple databases for your apps with Dropbox sync built-in! Use datastores to save your app's data — settings, contacts, or any other content that users create — and Dropbox will take care of all the syncing for you.
Apple App store giving away lots of premium apps for free
To mark its 5th aniversary, the Apple iTunes AppStore is giving away a bunch of (normally) premium IOS apps. Get these while the getting is good. Traktor DJ Ipad Traktor DJ for iPhone Infinity Blade II Tiny Wings for iPhone Tiny Wings for iPad Badlands Where's my water Day One Journal Barefoot World Atlas Over
Nokia to stream its 41 million reasons event July 11
Nokia has announced that it will livestream its big new york 41 million reasons event. I expect this event to be the worldwide lauch of the much rumored EOS Windows Phone with its massive 41 megapixel PureView sensor. I love smartphone photography so this is very exciting news. I just wish (unrealistic I know) that Nokia would release this with Android. Nokia's blog post is here.
Dell Promoting Windows 7 PCs (instead of Win 8)
It's funny how Dell is promoting Windows 7 PCs instead of Windows 8. I guess they know what is likely to sell more
84% of Kickstarter projects ship late
Kickstarter is the most popular crowd-sourcing site and since its inception of 2009 has funded $376 million dollars for 34,000 projects. For product inventors, Kickstarter is the promised land where you they can fund their dreams quickly. CNN Money conducted a review of the 50 most popular Kickstarter projects and found that things get ugly, very very ugly. 8 of those 50 projects meet their delivery commitment deadlines 15 of those 50 projects had not shipped yet (very very late) 27 of those 50 projects were delivered late (usually 2 months but some were as late as a year) Unfortunately it seems Kickstarter is more interested in taking its 5% cut and moving on rather than helping project supporters get fair treatment.
Carbon Monoxide detection iPhone case
We all know its a good idea to protect your iPhone with a good smartphone case. We all know Carbon Monoxide is bad and can kill you (its colorless, odorless and very deadly. Someone has had the idea of combining both into one product. The case detects carbon monoxide and can alert you via sound and vibrations. I love everything new and shiny but this is where I draw the line. Source: here