technology
Watch the Google IO Keynote Live
How to Watch the Google IO keynote live stream today Google IO (I/O) starts today at 9:00am PDT and you can watch the keynote live. We expect the introduction of the next major Android Release (release L) which should be a major visual overhaul. Google understands that it must innovate to stay ahead of the curve, now that Apple's IOS8 brings many of Android's customization to the IOS world (third party keyboard, rich notifications and inter-app communication). Many sites will try to capture you and force you to watch the live stream to an imbed in their own site, not me.
Darklight is a great free iphone photo editor
There are hundreds upon hundreds of photo editing apps on the Apple AppStore. Each one with its own twist on photo editing. Any given month, I test several dozen new apps and most get installed, tested then quickly deleted but I recently stumbled on the DarkLight (link) iphone photo editor and its found a permanent home in my iPhone. Not only has DarkLight earned the status of permanent app on my phone but it has also become my (usually) go-to photo editing app on my iPhone.
Halfbrick Studios games are temporarily free
Halfbrick is a popular IOS game development house whose most popular creation is Fruit Ninja. Halfbrick has made this game completely free [for now] for the first time ever : saving you $1 on iphone and $3 on the ipad. Not stopping there, other Halfbrick games have also been priced at FREE temporarily. Get them while the getting is good. Monster Dash (link) Fish Out Of Water! (link) Colossatron: Massive World Threat (link) Fruit Ninja: Puss in Boots (link) Fruit Ninja: Puss in Boots HD (link) Jetpack Joyride (link)
25% coupon code for all Nomad products
There is a saying in photography “The Best Camera Is The One That’s With You” — Chase Jarvis A $5,000 super sophisticated camera doesn't help you capture that special moment if it isn't with you. This is why smartphone photography has really taken the world by storm (since our smartphones are always with us). I have the same issue with charging cables. Over the years I have bought hundreds of cables ranging from cheap chinese knockoffs to expensive high quality manufacturer sold ones.
Apple European USB chargers may be dangerous
Apple has announced a USB Adapter replacement program for Europe. This recall affects both in box and sold-separately USB adapters. Apple says they may "overheat" and "pose a safety risk". These adapters were sold or delivered with iPhones from 2009 until 2012. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="350"]<img src="https://ekiledjian2.micro.blog/uploads/2025/5af4e16b81.jpg" alt=" Model A1300 - affected model "> Model A1300 - affected model [/caption] [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="350"]<img src="https://ekiledjian2.micro.blog/uploads/2025/7740bbe382.jpg" alt=" Model A1400 - New unaffected model "> Model A1400 - New unaffected model [/caption] You can access Apple's information page here (link)
Starbucks and Duracell to offer wireless charging
Starbucks and Duracell are partnering up for a nationwide rollout of wireless charging tables at select Starbucks locations (US only). Startbucks is providing the table and power while Duracell is providing their Powermat technology. The dynamic duo is expected to install over 100,000 Duracell Powermats when everything is said and done. You will be able to buy Powermat accessories at the participating Starbucks. You can find participating locations on the Starbucks webpage (link).
Google in talks to buy Songza
Apple bough Beats and now NT Post (link) is reporting that Google may be in talks to buy popular streaming service Songza. Apple paid approximately $500M for Beats' streaming service which is believed to have less than 250,000 subscribers. Google is reportedly offering 15M$ for Songza which has 5.5M active users. Songza has a unique approach to music recommendations. You choose what you are doing and they recommend a custom tailors human curated playlist for that activity. This approach works really well and this is one of my main music go to services.
Windows 8 is dead so don't waste your money
[caption id="" align=“alignnone” width=“455”]Image by IsaacMao under Creative Commons License [/caption] There is no denying Windows Vista was a total flop. So much so that Microsoft did everything to quickly move away and erase it from our memory. One of the best connected Microsoft watchers, Paul Thurrot says "Can we call Windows 8 the new Vista? Not so fast, analyst says." Call it what you want. That's what they call it inside of Microsoft. — Paul Thurrott (@thurrott) January 17, 2014 Paul then follows up with
Get 8 Free country songs from itunes (USA only)
People magazine has an interesting (USA only) offer of 8 free popular country songs from iTunes. These are popular on the chart songs (not old has been ones). Head over to their special promo page (link) and enter the unique promo code they generate for you in the Redeem box of your itunes client (mobile or desktop).
IOS from the eyes of a security person
[caption id="" align=“alignnone” width=“2500”]Image by Donald Lee Pardue under Creative Commons License [/caption] When I read Apple's 33 page IOS Security Paper I was blown away (link). Not because its perfect security but it is as close to perfect as it can get in a generally usable commercial product. This unprecedented look inside the Apple security hive mind answered many of my questions and reaffirmed my belief that Apple makes the most secure general use electronics around. At WWDC, I had high hopes and Apple exceeded even my wildest expectations.
Google wants easy end-to-end email encryption in Chrome
Sending an email is akin to mailing a postcard. Everything written in it can easily be read, copied or analyzed by any one of the email transfer points. It is this simple fact that motivates security advocates to push for email encryption. The main obstacle to mass adoption of email encryption is the complexity. It requires installation and configuration of special software. It requires the purchase or generation of you private/public keys. Google wants to change all of that and has released an alpha Chrome plug-in called End-to-End (link).
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"
Hackers bypass Apple's iCloud and Activation lock for iPhone
Apple touts the advanced security features built into its devices and its linked cloud services. One such security feature is Activation Lock that should prevent a thief from using a stolen iPhone that is locked. A Dutch and Moroccan hacker group called "Team DoulCl" are reporting that they have been able to bypass Apple's Activation Lock control. De Telegraaf (link), a Dutch news organization, claims the group was able to buy locked iPhones and unlock them. Thieves can use this hack to resell stolen iPhones for huge profits.
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.
User claims he can sell 145,312,663 user records stollen from eBay
A user claims that he will sell interested parties 145 312 663 unique records from the eBay hack for only $745US ( 1.453 bitcoins) <img src="https://ekiledjian2.micro.blog/uploads/2025/c9c441612d.jpg" alt="">