Gadgets

iPhone DLNA Players

By Jay Lagare on Tuesday, April 5, 2011

I’m a fan of Digital Living Network Alliance (DLNA) because of its promise of using standards-based technology to make it easier for consumers to use, share and enjoy their digital photos, music and videos. When I got my Buffalo Linkstation, I started streaming movies and music from it to the Playstation 3. But I had to stay in front of the TV.

When I got my iPhone 4, I got a media player that I can use anywhere in the house. I was lucky enough to be able to get VLC from the App Store while it was available. However, it meant copying files using iTunes to the iPhone. Somewhat, archaic to say the least and definitely a far cry from what’s possible with DLNA. So I went around searching for a DLNA player. Here is the result of my research.

Gadgets

Slide to Unlock

By Jay Lagare on Tuesday, April 5, 2011

Jeanne likes playing with my iPhone. She likes to start some favorite apps including Angry Birds, where she shoots the birds backwards with the right hand and forward with the left hand (when you tell her to). She also browses the photos (backward) and videos (she even plays them). Last night, I was watching her play when, for the first time, I saw her successfully use the unlock slider and access the home screen. Maybe it’s time we get her an iPod touch.

Gadgets

iPhone Weekend

By Jay Lagare on Sunday, March 20, 2011

Michelle and Jeanne went to visit the grandparents and attend Tin and Jansen’s wedding. I was left at home suddenly with plenty of time. I still did some usual chores: laundry, cooking, washing the plates, washing the car, etc. But somehow I still had extra time. Okay, I know why :P

Anyway, what better to spend spare time on than continue learning iPhone software development! The two days, I played around with Objective-C, the Interface Builder, and of course XCode. Learned quite a lot!

And when I wasn’t studying, I was using the iPhone to watch How I Met Your Mother and to play Infinity Blade with its The Deathless Kings content pack (damn Zero Mech!).

Gadgets

Sena UltraSlim Leather Pouch

By Jay Lagare on Monday, March 14, 2011

I’ve said that putting the gorgeous iPhone 4 inside a case generally fuglifies it. But such is not the case with the Sena UltraSlim Leather Pouch. It is a slip-in pouch made of luxurious textured soft leather. The inside is lined with soft velvety material to protect your phone from scratches. The bottom has unobtrusive holes for the speakers so that you can still hear your phone. Definitely well-thought-out. And the best thing about it is that it fits like a good high-quality leather glove. The fit is so perfect that it add negligible bulk to the phone. It is is a perfect match to the understated elegance of the iPhone.

Rating: 5/5

Gadgets

Printer Blues

By Jay Lagare on Sunday, March 6, 2011

I don’t usually use paper but the same doesn’t go for the rest of the world so now I need to print and photocopy some documents. Unfortunately, my Samsung SCX-4300 multifunction printer ran out of toner (like a year ago). So I have to go get a new toner cartridge. I scoured all the shops in the mall but there wasn’t any available! That’s what sucks about these new printers. The cartridges cost close to the complete printer itself and most of the time they’re not even available. You end up having to buy another printer or go to a ink refilling station. It would be great if someone manufactures a standard cartridge and have everyone else build around that cartridge. Someone with clout like Apple. iCartridge, anyone?