technology
Apple to fix messaging issue for users migrating to Android
When an iPhone users sends a message to another iPhone user it is done via Apple's proprietary iMessage platform and users are identified by their telephone numbers. If you are a user that switches from an iPhone to Android without first disabling all iMessage logins on all your devices then you may end up in a situation where iPhone users can no longer message you. Anytime they try sending you a message, Apple will think you still have an iPhone and hold them until your iPhone comes back online (which may be never if you have migrated).
Could Google brings ads to your car, fridge or thermostat?
In a December letter to the SEC (recently made public), Google makes some interesting predictions about the future of advertising. “For example, a few years from now, we and other companies could be serving ads and other content on refrigerators, car dashboards, thermostats, glasses, and watches, to name just a few possibilities.” — Google letter to SEC Another interesting statement reads: “It is increasingly challenging to define what exactly a “mobile” platform is from period to period — and what it will be going forward.
Google may start offering WIFI in restaurants, gyms and doctors offices
We are hearing rumours from different sources that Google is working on a special project to bring Google subsidized WIFI to locations across North America. The reports are claiming that the Sultan of Search will offer heavily subsidized kits (hardware/software) to small and medium business to encourage WIFI deployment. Now [paid] news-site TheInformation (link) is making the same claim. They are claiming Google will offer "steep discounts". I also want to remind you that we had heard Google would be launching an IOS and android app to help users join public WIFI hotspots easier.
Nest recalling thousands of smoke detectors due to safety concerns
[caption id="" align=“alignnone” width=“1156”]Image by Steve Jurvetson under Creative Commons License [/caption] Everyone knows a smoke detector is a critical installation of every house. It can mean the difference between life and death. So when a company recalls nearly half a million smoke detectors (aka NEST) because of an issue, you have to stand up and take notice. In this case the Nest Protect Smoke + CO system has an alarm muting feature that is activated by waving your arms within view of the sensor.
Google updates its Search engine algorithm
[caption id="" align=“alignnone” width=“2500”]Image by John Trainor under creative commons license [/caption] Google seems to have tweaked its search engine algorithm a bit to further fight low quality content and online spam. Panda algorithm v4 seems to make sites with poor quality content even more difficult to find (thus improving your search experience as a user). [info found in SearchEngineLand] SearchEngineLand also reports that Paydat Loan Algorithm v2 was also released attacking "very spammy queries". It is believed the Panda update impacted 7.
Don't take meeting minutes ever again
Taking minutes in a meeting is often necessary so you have a written trace of what was discussed but it is a tedious task that pulls your attention away from the live discussion. Why not just take a snapshot of the whiteboard and use that as the written notes? This is a typical snapshot of a well lit whiteboard using an iPhone 5s. <img src="https://ekiledjian2.micro.blog/uploads/2025/7d70934a1c.jpg" alt=""> It is still better than taking notes but now there is a free service that will clean up your whiteboard image and email it back to you as a PDF
AT&T brings free solar charging to NY City
[caption id="" align=“alignnone” width=“2500”]Image by Jimmy_Joe under Creative Commons License [/caption] AT&T is bringing back their solar street charging stations to NY city which will make thousands of tourists and locals happy. Your happiness should last until September when AT&T scoops up these stations and prepares them for winter hibernation. 45 of these will be distributed accross New York City (double the 2013 number). These are completely free and available to everyone (not just AT&T customers). The stations so have an internal battery which means they will charge your power hungry phone or tablet even at night.
Roam Mobility Breeze unlocked GSM phone review
As a Canadian that travel to the US once in a while, I fell in love with Roam Mobility's US roaming services. They offer very competitive easy to understand plan to save you real money anytime you are in the USA. I have actually written about them very often (some examples): Rogers' US Roaming Versus Roam Mobility Roam Mobility Offers Best US Roaming Deal For Canadians Roam Mobility Offers Competitive US Roaming For Canadians Roam Mobility Now Sold At 265 Futureshop And BestBuy Locations
Google buys Divide and moves Android into the enterprise
Up until now, Android really didn't play nice in the enterprise space because it was difficult to manage through an MDM. Manufacturers (like Knox from Samsung) had to build their own enterprise security and management features. Google is set to change that with its acquisition of Divide. Divide was an Mobile Device Management service provided from the cloud (MDM as a service) and allowed organizations of all sizes to manage the mobile devices of their employees to ensure corporate security rules are followed.
Google performs 100 billion searches a month
[caption id="" align=“alignnone” width=“2500”]Image by the US Army under creative commons license [/caption] Google is the 800 pound gorilla in the internet space and its always fascinating to read about their challenges and successes. After all if the number 1 player has a cold everyone else get's sick. The annual Founders Letter (link) is a fantastic read because you get a rare insight into the hopes and wishes of Larry Page. One such "revelation" in the current version is “[.
LG G3 Images leak and its gorgeous
LG will be announcing its updated Android smartphone lineup shortly (the G3) and leaks have started to appear in their secrecy ship. A tipster send PhoneArena images (link) which look like actual product shorts of this upcoming LG G3 smartphone. The rumors thus far have indicated the device will have a 5.5" IPS 2560x1440 screen and that the device will come in 3 colors (shown in the PhoneArena leaks). Click on the image in the below gallery to cycle through the leaked pictures
Run iPhone apps on Android
The iPhone 5s is my main primary use cell phone (even though I test dozens of other phones every year). One of the main reasons I have stayed (stuck) to the iPhone is the collection of high quality apps available on IOS and not on Android. Sure I wish my main apps existed on both platforms but there are still some very useful productivity apps that are iPhone only. Now six Columbia university students have done the unthinkable. they have forsaken everything that is holly and have devised a platform (called CIDER) which "
The smartphone case for the selfie generation
The current generation of smartphone totting youngsters seems to be obsessed with taking selfies but don't you hate the fact you have to hold the smartphone out at arms length? Doesn't that limit your creativity? Now iLuv has the solution for iPhone, iPad and Samsung Galaxy users via a special smartphone case called the Selfie. You slip on the case, pair the bluetooth trigger and you're ready to use this case with any app you already have. All of this fun can be yours for only $50.
It's scorpion pizza time in Calgary
The Calgary Stampede blog (link) lists scorpion pizza as one of the dishes that will be available for adventurous eaters. They say “This pizza is for the most daring of foodies. Add a little crunch to your pizza topping with a few seasoned scorpions – if you dare!” Are you adventurous enough to try this?
OnePlus is a $299 (no contract) Android superphone
The Nexus line of Google handsets are popular because they provide a stock (vanilla) Google Android experience but more importantly they provide a beautiful kit at an unbeatable price. People want great handsets at affordable prices and the market is hot for these types of devices (as opposed to the $800 iPhone 5s or Samsung Galaxy S5). A new Chinese company called OnePlus has finally revealed the specs on their upcoming (Q2) flagship phone the OnePlus One (link). The OnePlus One will offer :
Best Travel USB and Lightning cable - Chargekey
I have tested lots of USB and lightning cables but most of them die a quick and horrible death from the extreme pressures of travel. Most end up broken, cracked or otherwise unusable. That's until I discovered the wonderful Chargekey from Nomad. <img src="https://ekiledjian2.micro.blog/uploads/2025/6ac4e856c9.jpg" alt=""> I wrote a review about it (link) that I encourage everyone to go read. In summary it is a durable, flexible, keychain attacheable USB or lightning cable that goes everywhere with you. I have tested other ChargeKey clones from Amazon, DHGate, DealExtreme and AliExpress but none of them are build as solid as the original ChargeKey.
Best portable travel power strip
Whether you travel for pleasure or business, one of the most useful gadgeteer's toys is a power strip (power bar). I have never seen a hotel room with enough power-plugs to charge my power-hungry electronics. Having used and tested over 20 different power strips, the one that really won my heart is the Belkin SurgePlus (10 watt) (link) power strip. This thing is tinny and very easy to travel with. Not only does it give you 3 full power-plugs but it also provides 2.
Are you being used to attack sites online?
We hear about online attacks almost on a daily basis and the targets are usually (in the media at least) large sites like CNN, Yahoo, Amazon, etc. Did you know that your machine could be an attacker without you even knowing it? How could this happen? Because you most likely have lax security hygiene: easy to guess passwords visit on shady websites load "weird" attachment or more This means your home machine could already be part of a botnet used by bad actors to target companies or organizations with whose view they don't agree with.
Quebec court orders Telus to pay $2.6M for texting fees
The Quebec Superior court has ordered Telus to reimburse customers to the tune of $2.6M in text messaging fees. This is a result of Telus unilaterally changing terms and conditions for 172425 customers in Quebec (charging 15 cents per incoming text message). If you are one of the affected customers, you could receive a whopping $15 but know that Telus is reviewing the decision. They could of course appeal the decision so we'll have to wait and see. Martin c.
Authy vs Google Authenticator for 2 factor authentication
[caption id="" align=“alignnone” width=“2136”] Picture by Harald Groven under creative commons license [/caption] It seems password theft is in the news every week and even average computer users are starting to learn about the benefits of 2 factor authentication. 2 factor authentication increasing your account security because it add to your password (something you know) with a second factor (something you have). The something you have is usually either an SMS message with a one-time authentication code to your primary phone on file or a special software that generates the same kind of code.