Technology & Business
Novatel MiFi 2 hotspot coming to Bell Canada in March
Wifi hotspots are excellent tools for road wariors. We have learned that Bell Canada will be offering the [fairly] new Novatel Mifi 2 (touch based WIFI hotspot). This hotspot offers all day functionality (11 hour battery) and is easy to configure via its touch interface. We know that Novatel will be improving the touch interface (compared to the AT&T version) but we don't know what those changes will be. Price and available hasn't been announced yet but our American friends can pick this model up for $50 with a 2 year agreement so Bell's offer should be materially similar.
Review of AliExpress.com
What is AliExpress AliExpress.com is an ecommerce website owned by Alibaba which promises to link buyers directly with sellers from Chine. AliExpress.com sells everything from clothing to electronics to pet products. You can find sellers selling single items and others selling items in packs (10-10000). One of the interesting features of AliExpress is the fact that all payments are held by the site until the buyer confirms that he has received the item. This was a major issue with Alibaba.
What's the best smartphone? What smartphone do I use?
A question I regularly receive from readers is "What smartphone do you use?" In December, I wrote an article entitled "Time To Switch From IOS To Android?" I recommend you read it as it explains some of issues with IOS and the incredible leaps made by Android. Right now I am using an iPhone 4S as my primary everyday smartphone and I am relatively happy with it. My existing contract expires October 2013 and I will use this opportunity to re-evaluate all of my options (both mobile service provider and device).
Google Maps for IOS offline mode
Over the last week, I received a couple of emails from readers asking if there is a way to cache maps for offline use on Google Maps for IOS (iphone, iPad and iPad mini). There is no doubt that this (and countless other features) will eventually find its way into the IOS version but as of today, it is not a supported feature. If you plan a short route while connected, that route will most likely remain cached during that trip but that is it.
Netflix competitor for French movies and content
US Netflix users are blessed with fresh and interested content ready for their instant consumption. As a Canadian however, I am presented with old content not worth the $8 a month. It seems Videotron (a Quebec based triple-play provider) has decided and fill the gap. Videotron will be launching a video on demand service, with French content, [this week] for $9.99 a month. Many of the important details (like platform support) are still missing but we do know that they have agreements with the main content owners.
Nexus 4 in stock and available at FIDO
Fido is my cell phone provider and I am happy to see that the Nexus 4 is now back in stock and available to all FIDO customers (current and new). When I wrote this article: I did not see the Nexus 4 on the main Rogers webpage yet. I did not see the Nexus 4 on the main Bell webpage yet. I did not see the Nexus 4 on the main Telus webpage yet. I did see it on the main Videotron webpage.
What I want from Apple's rumoured smart-watch
The internet has been buzzing about a possible smart-watch being developed by Apple. Sure it may have all kinds of cool neat features but there are 2 features I haven’t heard discussed that could make it a must have. Since Nike won’t be making a Nike+ Fuelband Android app, could this new watch build self-monitoring functionality (like the fuelband, Shine, Fitbit, etc)? If Apple combines its expertise with that of Nike, I think they can build a truly amazing health monitoring device.
Honest and updated bitcasa review
Related Articles The Promise Of Unlimited Cloud Storage - A Review Of Bitcasa BitCasa Review Update And New Chrome Plugin Bitcasa released There is no shortage of “cloud storage providers”, each trying to outshine the other with a “must have” feature. Bitcasa has now officially jumped into the ring with a novel proposal, unlimited cloud storage for $10 a month (or 10GB for free). As a launch special, you can buy the full annual unlimited storage plan for $69 ($30 launch discount).
Office 2013 can only be installed on one machine
One of the major questions tech pundits were asking themselves when Office 2013 came out is “can the license be transferred to another PC?” Why would you want to transfer the license of a $150 software suite? A PC dies, you upgrade, it get’s stolen, etc. Microsoft has now confirmed to Computerworld that Office 2013 software licenses will not be transferable and that it is only licensed to work on the first PC it is installed on. This is a bad policy for consumers buying the licensed legal copy and Microsoft hopes to entice you to move to their subscription based Office 365 offering instead of the traditional buy-once-use-for-3-year-software package.
October 2012 iMacs now in Apple's refurb store
Many were relieved when Apple finally released the October 2012 iteration of the iMac line. It was powerful and incredibly sexy. Like all Apple products though, you can to pay a premium for it. Well now you can get one of those shiny updated wonder-machines in the Apple refurbished online store with a nice discount. These are Apple refurbished so you know they’ll look great and come with the standard 1 year warranty, so no worries about getting a lemon.