technology
Scanner Pro, CamScanner+, Genius Scan+ and Prizmo document scanner app tests
I love my iPhone and use it for everything. One function I wanted to use it for early on was scanning documents and whiteboards while on the road. Unfortunately I didn’t find a good straight to the point test comparing the more popular apps so I decided to conduct one myself. I compared the following apps: Scanner Pro CamScanner+ GeniusScan+ Prizmo The pictures where taken about 10 feet from the board and cleaned up using each app's features.
Counterfeit USB chargers on eBay may be dangerous
In the age of electronic everything, most of us need a couple of chargers to get through the day (one in the car, one at home and one at work). Do you really need to spend $20 for an Apple charger or will a $5 look-a-like device from eBay perform just as well? Ken Sheriff has written an interesting review about USB chargers and provides a clear scientific explanation as to why those cheaper ones may not be such a good deal afterall.
How many text messages do Canadians send?
We see lots of US stats so I wanted to share an interesting one for Canadians. TheCandian Wireless Telecommunications Association has reported that Canadians have sent 23.8 billion text messages in Q2 2012 (19.5 billion in Q2 2011). For the month of june alone, 267.8 million text messages were sent per day. click for a larger image
Skitch for Windows 8
I wrote about the Evernote app for Windows 8, well now its time to talk about their Skitch for windows 8. Skitch has always been a great tool to capture screenshots and add lines, shapes, text, highlights. Evernote has now brought this free screen capture and annotation tools to Windows 8. It works in desktop or start menu mode and is well designed and easy to use. If you are an Evernote customer then it will integrate easily with your account.
TuneIn Radio for Windows 8
In february 2012, I wrote an article entitled "Why I Cancelled My Sirius XM Satellite Radio Subscription"and in it, I talked about using a great streaming radio application on my iPhone called TuneIn Radio. We'll one of my favorite streaming radio apps has made its way to Windows 8 and I liked what they have done. The Windows 8 version give you access to the huge collection of stations you have come to expect. The live tile shows what is currently playing.
MetroTwit is a fantastic Windows 8 Twitter client
MetroTwit is a fairly new Twitter client and they have done a fantastic job of bringing a visually pleasing yet easy to use and powerful interface to Windows 8. It allows you to watch multiple streams simultaneously, check user profiles, update your own stream, create and manage lists, URL shortening, infinite scrolling and much more. It has a desktop and Start menu versions. The ad supported free version supports one account (which should be good enough for most people). If you are feeling generous or want to manage multiple accounts then fork over $15US to help the developer, remove ads and enable multi-account management.
Get Google search and Chrome back on Windows 8
After installing Windows 8, you will find that Internet Explorer 10 and Bing are the default browser/search engine. If you like them, then congratulations you’re done. If you are one of the millions of Windows users that prefers the warm embrace from the sultan of search then keep reading. In a direct yet playful way, as soon as Windows 8 launched, Google opened its “Get Your google Back” webpage. The fine folks at Google provide step by step instructions on how to bring them back into your computing life.
Evernote for Windows 8 (Metro Style)
My readers should know how much I love Evernote and I was happy to see their Windows 8 version. This updated version allows you to use all of the Evernote goodness from the new Start screen (the interface formerly known as Metro). Some people have said it is not as feature packed as their Windows 7 client (and they are right) but at least you don’t have to launch the desktop everytime just to add or check a note. Evernote for Win8 in the MS app store : here
Memonica - Learn windows 8 tips and tricks easily
You’re adventurous and want to jump head first into the raging water that is Windows 8. I’m with you but be aware Windows 8 has a bunch of new tips, tricks and shortcuts. Enter Memonica from Microsoft. It’s a simple learning app that teaches these new tips, tricks and shortcuts through repetition. It covers: Tips & Tricks Mouse gestures Keyboard shortucts Repetition scheduling The app Splash Screen A sample question
Windows 8 tips and tricks coming
Over the next couple of days, I will post tips and tricks about windows 8. If you are a Linux or Mac user, sorry and I promise I’ll get back to my typical posts by the end of the week ;-) Have a great day
Stop what you're doing and clean your smartphone
There are hundreds of blogs, articles and podcasts about living an uncluttered life but very few of them actually talk about your digital world. It’s time for an intervention. Sit down, grab your smartphone and read the following. How many apps do you currently have on your smartphone? How many of those apps have you used today, in the last week or even in the last month? Research shows that most new apps get used for less than 30 days and then fall into the abyss of uselessness.
Livestream of Oct 29 Windows Phone 8 launch event
Microsoft will livestream its official Windows Phone 8 launch event on October 29th 2012. From the Microsoft blog: As many of you know, we are landing in San Francisco on Monday October 29th to showcase some new things from Windows Phone. For those that can’t join us in person, no need to worry! You can tune into a live webcast here, all from the comfort of your couch, cubicle or coffee table. We hope you can join us, see you on the 29th!
Buy cheaper Apple Lightning cables from China
Love Apple’s new products but hate the fact that the new Lighning cable costs $19? Fret not my friend for the Chinese have already reverse engineered the cable (authentication chip and all). iPhone5Mod will be shipping knockoff lightning cables for a mere $9.99 (plus $4 shipping). It is interesting to note that most “reputable” accessory makers haven’t even been briefed by Apple yet about these new cables. I’m not sure how safe these cables are but if you are interested, check out the video and their site.
I won't be buying the iPad 4th Generation
Even without the venerable Steeve Jobs, Tim Cook and company put on an excellent show for reporters during their iPad mini unveiling. They announced a slew of new and updated products. One refresh that seems to have caused a lot of controversy is the iPad 4th Generation. Typically Apple had a 12 month update cycle for the iPad and customers were happy in the knowledge that their investment would keep its "best device" value for at least the next year. Many customers were upset by the mid-cycle update.
Microsoft surface review round-up
Various high profile reviewers were given early access to the Surface tablet but because of strong NDAs, weren’t able to write about it until yesterday. Now that the floodgates are open, I wanted to provide (in a short write up) the review summary of the various reviewers. Wired - Article - Thinks its a great device but will likely confused long time Microsoft customers. Laptop - Article - Great hardware but needs a stronger ecosystem to make the device truly worthwhile.
Square allows any Canadian to accept credit cards
Square is a little iPhone and Android dongle that allows anyone to process credit card transactions for a small flat fee of 2.75% (without a merchant account or monthly fees). Unfortunately Canadians were left out in the cold but Square just changed all of that with their new Canadian presence. In Canada, they will accept Mastercard and Visa cards (US users also get American Express and Discover). To get started, you visit their site, complete a 5 minute online questionnaire and they mail you a free credit card reader dongle.
Lark Life may be a fitbit and Nike FuelBand alternative
Walk into any Apple store and you will likely see Lark’s wristband alarm clock which tracks your sleep and gently wakes you up with its vibrating wristband. The company has decided to enter the growing lifestyle tracking world and compete head on with the likes of Nike’s Fuelband and Fitbit’s One and Zip activity trackers. Similar to its main competitor, the Fitbit, it will track activities and calorie intake through a custom smartphone application but they claim they will provide more value by providing immediate and customized user feedback.
Your Lifeproof iphone case float with its own Lifejacket
Read my review of the LifeProof protection case for iPhone 4/4s here. My original position still stands and I would rather waterproof my phone (using Liquipel) so I can use a battery case. If you own a LifeProof iPhone protective case, you should take a look at their LifeProof Lifejacket. The Lifejacket is a foam based case enhancer that increases the buoyancy of your phone so it doesn’t sink. The bright orange color means it will be very visible even from a fair distance.
Take a look inside a Google datacenter
Google has been notoriously secretive about the inner workings of its powerful datacenters. Interestingly they have now added their Lenoir (North Carolina) DC to streetview, It is important to note that this is one of their older datacenters and rest assured they aren’t giving away any corporate secrets but its still pretty cool to see.