Weblog
04/10: iphone 4S
iPhone 4S:
A5 chip inside, same as the one in the iPad 2
up to 7x faster graphics than previous iPhone
up to 2x faster
Dynamic light rays ("god rays") that are rendering in real time on the iPhone 4S
now 8 hours of talk time on 3G
iPhone has stainless steel band with two antennas already
now can intelligently switch between two antennas to transmit and receive
2x as fast data download
Now with iPhone 4S, it's a world phone with both GSM and CDMA
8MP sensor (3264x2448)
33% faster capture too.
iPhone 4S claims 0.5 seconds between shots
http://live.arstechnica.com/Event/iPhone_5
03/10: Massive HTC Android Vulnerability Leaves Security Expert "Speechless"
"I am quite speechless right now," begins Artem Russakovskii over at Android Police as he posts about a "massive" security flaw in HTC Android devices that allows malicious hackers to access phone numbers, GPS, SMS, email addresses and more.
The affected devices include EVO, 3D, 4G and Thunderbolt and apparently the flaw goes so deep that the guys at Android Police are discovering new issues with each new test or examination:
What Trevor found is only the tip of the iceberg - we are all still digging deeper - but currently any app on affected devices that requests a single android.permission.INTERNET (which is normal for any app that connects to the web or shows ads) can get its hands on:
- the list of user accounts, including email addresses and sync status for each last known network and GPS locations and a limited previous history of locations
- phone numbers from the phone log
- SMS data, including phone numbers and encoded text (not sure yet if it's possible to decode it, but very likely)
- system logs (both kernel/dmesg and app/logcat), which includes everything your running apps do and is likely to include email addresses, phone numbers, and other private info...
Even worse, for apps that only need one type of information, like the Internet permission, this vulnerability still grants access to other areas of the device (like location, logs, even battery stats, just to name a few).
Basically, it sounds as if you're using one of these HTC Android devices, you've been walking around with your fly undone and a big "eff me over" sign on your back.
The security research is ongoing and we'll update with any fixes or security patches that get issued. The only way this gets fixed is an update from HTC itself, says the guys at A.P. [Android Police]
Source: http://gizmodo.com/5845867/massive-htc-android-vulnerability-leaves-security-expert-speechless
02/06: TotalFinder - making your transition to a Mac more convenient
For years, I've been mainly working on Windows and was very comfortable with the Windows Explorer functionality. When I made a switch to my new Macbook Pro, the Finder (Mac alternative to Windows Explorer) took some time to get used to. However, I noticed a few fundamental features missing on the default Mac OS X Finder which made it very frustrating at times. This was the case until I checked out TotalFinder.
The following are some features of TotalFinder that will make your transition from Windows to Mac much easier. As such, it is an essential replacement for the existing Finder. The 14 day trial gives you plenty of time to try out these new features as well.
Introducing Tabs on TotalFinder
Similar to your browser, the new Tab feature allows you to have multiple tabs open. Features of these tabs are similar to your browser as well. You can rearrange them, switch between them quickly, and detach them by using dragging the tab outside the dialog box. Here's a screen-shot of the tabbed feature in TotalFinder.
Unlike Windows Explorer, the annoying feature of the default Finder is that it mixes folders and files. This feature allows you to keep your folders on top, followed by your files. It makes it behave similar to Windows Explorer.
Cut and Paste Files
The last feature I want to discuss is very important for me. When I needed to organize my files and folders, I've always wondered why we can't cut and paste files on Mac OSX. On Windows, we had the option to cut your files, navigate to the desired folder and paste them. It simply moved the desired files without the need to use the terminal or to have another window open. TotalFinder solves this problem on a Mac by allowing users to cut and paste files in a similar way. This will also make your transition to a Mac much better.
Overall, I think TotlaFinder is a great tool to help with a smoother transition from Windows to Mac. To find out more about TotalFinder and to try it out, please goto http://totalfinder.binaryage.com/
18/01: How to add hotmail to iPhone 4.
Great new to all Hotmail users who own an iPhone!
Microsoft has finally enabled Exchange ActiveSync for Hotmail, which will allow you to add Hotmail on your iPhone mail application. It will be be similar to GMail, Yahoo, etc. On iPhone 4, it will show up in the 'All Inbox' section.
You will also be able to sync your Hotmail contacts and calendars. Be careful when importing contacts. If you multiple accounts, you may end up with a lot of duplicates.
Follow these simple steps to Add your Hotmail account to your iPhone.
Step 1: On your iPhone, go to Settings > Mail, Contacts, Calendars > and create a new Micorsoft Exchange account.
Step 2: Fill out the information as follow:
- Email: your email address
- Domain: leave empty
- Username: your email address
- Password: your password
Tap Next when you’re done entering this info.
Step 3: Hotmail will verify your account. Once it’s done verifying, enter m.hotmail.com for the server info and hit Next.
Step 4: Select what you want to sync from your Hotmail account (Mail, Contacts, Calendar, and tap Save.
You are done. If you have a live.com email address, it may not work.
22/12: Most pirated movies of 2010
According to TorrentFreak, the Oscar-winning mega-blockbuster was downloaded from torrent websites an amazing 16,580,000 times. That represents a 33% increase in download activity from last year's top-pirated film, Star Trek, which was downloaded just under 11 million times.
Here's the full list of the 10 most pirated films and number of downloads as recorded by TorrentFreak:
- Avatar / 16,580,000
- Kick-Ass / 11,400,000
- Inception / 9,720,000
- Shutter Island / 9,490,000
- Iron Man 2 / 8,810,000
- Clash of the Titans / 8,040,000
- Green Zone / 7,730,000
- Sherlock Holmes / 7,160,000
- The Hurt Locker / 6,850,000
- Salt / 6,700,000
26/07: US government legalizes iPhone 'jailbreaking,' unlocking
The U.S. government on Monday announced new rules that make it officially legal for iPhone owners to "jailbreak" their device and run unauthorized third-party applications. In addition, it is now acceptable to unlock any cell phone for use on multiple carriers.
According to The Associated Press, the government approved a handful of new exemptions to a federal law that prevents the circumvention of technical measure that prevent users from accessing and modifying copyrighted works. The report noted that every three years, the Library of Congress' Copyright Office authorizes exemptions to ensure existing law does not prevent non-infringing use of copyrighted material.
In addition, another exemption was approved that would allow all cell phone users to unlock their device for use on an unapproved carrier. Currently, Apple's iPhone is available exclusively through AT&T, but unlocking it can allow for voice calls and EDGE data speeds on rival carrier T-Mobile.
Other exemptions announced Monday allow people to break protections on video games to investigate or correct security flaws; allow college professors, film students and documentary filmmakers to break copy protection measures on DVDs to embed clips for educational purposes, criticism, commentary and noncommercial videos; and allow computer owners to bypass the need for external security devices (dongles) if the hardware no longer works and cannot be replaced.
The warranty-voiding jailbreak process allows users to run software not approved by Apple, which has no plans to allow users to install third-party applications downloaded from outside its sanctioned App Store. Hackers have created their own custom applications -- many free, and some for purchase from an alternative storefront known as Cydia.
Apple has been criticized for its strict control over the iPhone App Store, requiring that all applications be approved before they are made available for download. The company has defended this practice, stating that it keeps faulty and potentially dangerous software from being made available, as well as banning unsavory content such as pornography.
In April, Jobs cited an unsanctioned pornography store available for the Google Android platform as a reason to not support unsigned applications. "That's a place we don't want to go," Jobs said, "so we're not going to."
In addition to allowing access to legitimate third-party software, both free and paid, through services like Cydia, jailbreaking can also be used to pirate App Store software, one major reason why Apple has fought the practice.
Hackers have been hard at work on jailbreaking iOS 4 since it was released in June. Though the iPhone 3GS and iPhone 3G have been exploited, the iPhone Dev Team has continued their efforts toward both jailbreaking and unlocking the iPhone 4. With Monday's decision by the U.S. government, their efforts are now considered legal.
Source: http://www.appleinsider.com/articles/10/07/26/
us_government_legalizes_iphone_jailbreaking_for_unauthorized_apps.html
16/04: Next Generation Iphone out in June
A bit of an update on the new Iphone 4G (iPhone HD) rumors.
On April 14th, 2010
It seems that SaskTel, a Canadian wireless provider, will be offering the next-generation iPhone 4G from July 1st, apparently after the new device is launched in June. The iPhone HD (iPhone 4G) was rumored to be announced on June 22nd, and this seems to be in line with that rumor.
Robert Watson, president and CEO of SaskTel was quoted saying "The good news is that (Apple) is coming out with a new version of the iPhone in the June time-frame and they're going to put us on that,"
On April 16th, 2010
In a press release that SaskTel has sent today to iPhoneWorld.ca
, the company states that its CEO was simply misunderstood in his quote.
The full SaskTel press release states:
REGINA, April 16, 2010 – In 2009, SaskTel announced the construction of a new $172 million Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS)/High Speed Packet Access (HSPA) wireless network. The first phase of the new network build, which will provide coverage in the major Saskatchewan centers, is expected to be available mid- 2010. Full coverage, similar to today’s digital cellular coverage, is anticipated to be available by the end of 2010.
At this time, SaskTel is currently working with cellular device vendors and partners, both current and new, to offer our customers a wide variety of devices to meet our customers’ individual needs, including the iPhone.
The comments made by the SaskTel President and CEO in a news
About SaskTel
Saskatchewan Telecommunications Holding Corporation (SaskTel) is the leading full service communications provider in Saskatchewan, with $1.15 billion in annual revenue and more than 1.4 million customer connections including more than 550,000 wireless accesses, 543,000 wireline network accesses, 225,000 Internet accesses and 77,000 Max™ (TV) subscribers. SaskTel offers a wide range of communications products and services including competitive voice, data, Internet, entertainment, national security, messaging, cellular, wireless data and directory services. In addition, SaskTel International offers software solutions and project consulting in countries around the world. In 2009, SaskTel contributed more than $651 million to the Saskatchewan economy through dollars spent with Saskatchewan-based suppliers and sponsorships to non-profit organizations. SaskTel and its wholly-owned subsidiaries have a workforce of approximately 4,800 employees. Visit SaskTel at www.sasktel.com.
10/02: Buckyballs is cool!
A friend got these Buckyballs and they're fun. Each box contains 216 Buckyballs, arranged in a 6 x 6 x 6 cube. They stick together because they're magnets. The magnets are strong enough that you can make a chain with all 216 balls that won't break when you dangle it. Here's the tagline used for this product:
"Imagine a Rubik's Cube that actually makes you smarter; an Erector Set that never stops erecting; a Hula Hoop you don't look ridiculous playing with; Silly Putty that isn't silly; cram it all in a jar, turn the fun up to 11, and you've got BuckyBalls!..."
www.getbuckyballs.com
30/01: Photos of Joana Krupa are available now
More amazing photos of Kate Bekinsale were added to the photo gallery.
Click here to see them all >>
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