Year: 2011

OpenPGP for iPhone

Searching for OpenPGP in the App Store returns two apps only: SecuMail and OpenGP. Both interoperates with GnuPG. SecuMail is more robust in terms of functionality but costs a whopping $49.99. OpenGP (the Full version) is priced at $7.99 only, but it currently operates in a copy-and-paste message only — no support for attachments.

There are a lot of message encryption apps in the App Store in various encryption algorithms from 64 to 254 bits and in various prices. Some are universal apps for both iPhone and iPad. But most if not all are offering symmetric encryption, meaning you have to provide the other party you send your message to the passphrase in order for him/her to decrypt the message.

So, if you are already using OpenPGP like GnuPG to sign and encrypt emails in your desktop computers, you would love the two apps I mentioned above to access the same signed/encrypted email messages from your iPhone.

Update (June 3, 2011): There’s a new app that’s much cheaper to both apps featured above. It’s called iPGMail. The app costs US$ 1.99, and it appears to be functioning very well based on users’ reviews in the App Store. Wish I could try that to test, though.

iMovie for iPad Classic

The iMovie app for iOS devices is supposed to be a universal app. By that, though, according to the iTunes app page, you pay only once to install the same at both the iPhone and iPad 2 (i.e., only).

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I already paid for the app for my iPhone 4. And obviously, I can’t install it on my iPad 1. The apparent reason as it appears to be is just because it got no front-facing camera (nor even a camera at all). My question is, is it the only hardware spec the app requires? Continue reading iMovie for iPad Classic

The Quest for Audio Perfection

Sometimes I wonder how else can audio be more perfect?

For beginners like me, watching movies on a surround sound audio channel is definitely a whole lot better experience than a stereo system. It’s much like comparing a color TV vs. black-and-white. That’s why I often prefer watching movies at theatres than from a DVD.

But what about listening to music? As an amateur, the louder the sound, the deeper the bass, the more you stomp your feet at the beats of the sound — the better. But what do I know?

Maybe if I have one of these best marantz A/V receivers, I can tell better.

Marantz NR1501 AV Receiver

Maybe this can bring out the audiophile in me.

The iPad 2 Review That Will Probably Make You Buy One

Or at least will move you to the edge of buying an iPad 2.

What would the first iPad have been like if its engineers had been given another year to work on it

— Chicago Sun-Times, Review: iPad 2 is not revolutionary, but it is great

The author did some tests to compare the processing or loading speeds for some heavy-computing Apps between the original iPad and iPad 2. And he found out the increase in loading these certain apps was remarkable –around 2.5x faster. Now, while I’m waiting for some apps to load in my iPad classic, I’ll be wondering how wonder it would have been if I had the iPad 2 instead.

Personally, the thinner and lighter thing don’t really appeal to me, especially when the reviewer was actually worried attaching that a thick cable may actually snap something inside that thin device: Continue Reading »

Firefox 4.0 – Ready for Download

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Even with the advent of Google Chrome, which provides sleeker and faster internet browsing experience, I was still using Mozilla Firefox as my main browser.

There are just important and useful addons in Firefox that I can’t find in Chrome. If there are counterpart functions or extensions, the same leave a lot of things to be desired. Worse, they even bring problems than solutions.

Now that Firefox 4.0 is here, Mozilla claims it is 6 times faster. I hope it really is, before I’ll start longing for Chrome’s marvelous speed.

[vimeo 21351127 w=500 h=281]

Firefox 4 Introduction Video from JESS3 on Vimeo.

This 60-second video produced by JESS3 showcases Mozilla’s latest browser launch, Firefox 4. The video highlights the new browser and its features, including a fresh user-interface, more customization and personalization features, and a faster browsing experience than ever before.

Using advanced digital-animation techniques, the video simulates a papercraft production. Vibrant visuals, coupled with the lively original soundtrack and personable voice over, educate viewers about the non-profit’s latest launch.

Other features I’m really looking forward to are Pin as App Tab and Group Tabs Panorama. Hope they really do deliver on their promised improvements. Continue reading Firefox 4.0 – Ready for Download

Fight Night Champion for iPhone/iPod Touch

The Game Info says:

Go toe-to-toe with a premium roster of real title-holders past and present, and create your own championship legacy in the ring. Featuring innovative gameplay and best-in-class graphic quality, experience the true brutality of boxing in the tradition of the highest rated simulation fighting franchise of all time. Continue reading »