Articles by Wayne Schulz

Google to Again Feature Twitter Live Feed in Some Searches

Don’t look now but frenemies Google and Twitter just said that starting today “U.S. users searching in English will see relevant Tweets in their search results within the Google app (iOS and Android) and mobile web“.  First announced back in February 2015, this deal appears to finally be getting underway. Look for results on mobile right away then desktop.


Lolli-Flop 5.02 Bricked My Over-Priced Nexus 9

Friday I received notification that Android 5.02 was available for my Nexus 9.  I accepted the update and left it on the charger in my office before leaving for the weekend. Upon my return Monday morning, I found that update 5.02 has apparently bricked my Nexus 9, leaving it in perpetual reboot sequence, and it doesn’t look like I’m alone.


Facebook Introduces Video Calling for Messenger

Facebook today introduces one-tap video calls within Messenger.  This comes hot on the heels of Messenger money transfer, Messenger for Business, and Messenger platform announcements. It’s rather easy to see that Facebook views instant messaging as an important social networking tool. They’ve circled the wagons to be sure that competitors won’t be able to pick off appreciable numbers of users.  


Google’s Nexus 7 Discontinued

If you’re in the market for a 7″ Android tablet which spontaneously powers down – I’ve got bad news. Google’s Nexus 7 Android tablet is now listed as ‘not available’ on their store. The Nexus 7 was first released July 2012 and subsequently updated July 2013 to a 2013 model.  The device’s primary feature was the pure Android underpinnings. The Nexus 9 is the last Google Nexus pure Android tablet offering .


Todoist for iOS Gets an Update

Todoist for iOS today received an update which, among other things, enhances the task management application so it now understand dates within your typed tasks, adds  themes (no more default red color!),  allows for  drag and dropping of tasks and more.


Gmail (Finally) Gets One Inbox

Will miracles never cease? Google just announced  their Gmail client now offers a universal inbox experience. Finally! Now instead of flipping between multiple accounts in the native Gmail app, you can click “All Inboxes” and view email from all your Gmail and non-Gmail accounts.


Google Photos (Finally) Arrives in Google Drive

Google today announced the ability to view and manage photos and videos in both Google+ and Google Drive. Previously you were limited to managing photos and videos within Google+. While this new feature is not yet live everywhere Google’s help page details that if you delete a photo/video in Google Drive it will also be removed from Google+ (and vice versa).


Slice Ceramic Box Cutters = Fewer Sliced Fingers

The folks at Slice sent us an assortment of their ceramic bladed cutting tools. Their main products come as Box Cutters or Pen Cutters  in either auto-retractable or 3-position styles. The difference between the styles is you either lock the blade to one of three lengths or use finger pressure to hold the blade out to whatever length you desire.


Slack Got Hacked

Current multi-billion dollar valuation  media darling of the month – Slack – just announced  “unauthorized access to a Slack database storing user profile information”. In other words, Slack was hacked. According to a post, a small number of accounts showed suspicious activity and those users were notified. In response to the hack, Slack has created a two factor authentication option.




Das Keyboard 4 Professional for MAC up for Pre-Order: $ 175

If you’re in love with the clicky keyboard AND you are a Mac user – take note. Das Keyboard is  taking pre-orders for their Mac specific clicky sturdy keyboard. Until now DAS only made keyboards with Windows layouts. Pricing is $175 and delivery  starts the beginning of April 2015.


Can a Fart Pill Make Your Farts Smell Like Chocolate?

If there were a pill that, when digested, would instantly turn  obnoxious body emissions into sweet-smelling chocolate – you’d probably want to take it wouldn’t you? Or at least feed it to the family dog or maybe slip it into a relative’s mashed potatoes during Thanksgiving dinner.



Verizon Account Sign-In #Fail

Dear Verizon: Why exactly have I chosen a password for your site, when upon login from a new computer you’re still going to ask me about some obtuse reference I probably have not jotted down and which may have multiple answers? In many cases, answers to these dumb challenge questions are easily found by looking at social media sites.


WhatsApp Web Arrives – Sans Group Message Capabilities

WhatsApp have just introduced the ability to connect your phone to a web browser and both receive and send WhatsApp messages via your browser. The first step is to update your WhatsApp messaging application on your phone. Then on the web use a Chrome Browser to navigate to https://web.whatsapp.com.


BlackBerry Passport Now Available in Limited Edition Black Gold

If you’ve been tempted but haven’t yet pulled the trigger on the BlackBerry Passport (good move, BTW) – BlackBerry is now offering a limited edition black and gold trimmed version. Apparently only 50 will be offered at the price of $999 Canadian or $899 US. A quick review of BlackBerry’s site shows “out of stock”.


Google Glass Explorer Program Is Dead

Today Google announced the winding down of its Glass Explorer program.  As you may know, this is the program where early adopters paid $1,500 for the privilege of looking like a cyborg while wearing experimental Google Glass. Though Google claims Glass is still on track for a consumer version (at some unknown time in the future), project prospects appear dim.



Nexus 6 Shortage Appears to Be Over

  Last week I sold my Moto X 2014 on Swappa in anticipation of receiving a Nexus 6 I  from the Google Play store. The Nexus 6 has been in short supply and often is available only for a few hours at a time on Google’s site. Devices are often available each Wednesday but only recently have they stayed in stock more than a day.


AT&T Follows T-Mobile – Allows Mobile Data Rollovers

Beginning January 25th, 2015 AT&T follows T-Mobile and allows you to rollover data. There’s only two small gotchas. Rollover Data is used only after the full data allowance for your Mobile Share Value plan in the current bill cycle is used. And only one month carries over before expiring and the next month’s unused portion rolls over. If you go over your data allotment and purchase additional data – that purchased data won’t roll over.