technology
New (2013) Nexus 7 now available in Canada
New (2013) Google Nexus 7 now available in Canada via the Google Play Store. The device is also available at Best Buy/Futureshop, Staples, Bureau En Gros and many other online retailers. The availability announcement was made on Twitter For those in Canada, the next generation @Nexus 7 can now be yours: http://t.co/JBfO2nnVoF — Google Play (@GooglePlay) August 13, 2013 This sleek new Nexus can be yours for: 16GB is $229CDN 32GB is $269CDN
All GMAIL users to get redesigned compose window
Google let it be known (on its Google+ page of course) that henceforth it shall roll out its redesigned compose window to all Gmail users. This new design makes it posible to compose multiple messages at once and multi-task more easily. Although this was rolled out in March, users were allowed to opt-out and go back to the old full screen compose window. This will no longer be an option.
New iPhones may be announced September 10
Apple fans are waiting to see what "magical" new iphone Apple will announce to take the lead in the smartphone market again. AllThingsD was reporting that their reliable source confirms that the announcement event will take place September 10th. Now The Loop's Jim Dalrymple has also confirmed that day. iMore's Rene Ritchie has also confirmed the date so it may be safe to take the day off, prep the popcorn maker and bask in the wonderful glow of an Apple product announcement.
Windows 8.1 coming in October
Although Microsoft will finalize the Windows 8.1 update in the next couple of weeks, the official update won't be released to the general public [or pushed to existing users] until October. OEM partners will receive the update in August and are being given time to test and ensure drivers are updated to support the update. I'm really disappointed that Microsoft is implementing an artificial delay to the much anticipated update. Most analysts expect the 8.
Real World testing and Review of the Roam Mobility Service
I took an 8 day florida family vacation in August and used this as a testing opportunity for some cool products and services. The first service I wanted to write about was the cell phone service provided by Roam Mobility. What is Roam Mobility? Roam Mobility is a Canadian telecom provider that sells mobile phone service (aka cell service) for travellers to the US. They offer various plans to suit the needs of various travellers Voice and SMS service Voice, SMS and Data service Data only service They sell their services by the day (for everything except the data only service) and by quantity of Data (for the data only service).
Watch the Nexus 7, Chromecast and Android 4.3 event
If you mised yesterday's "Breakfast with Sundar" event which launched the Chromecast, the new Nexus 7 and Android 4.3, you can watch it below now. Enjoy
Updated Google Nexus 10 coming soon
Expect to see new 10-inch Nexus 10 Android tablet (made by @Samsung) in the near future, Google's @sundarpichai tells me — Amir Efrati (@amir) July 24, 2013 If you were worried Google was neglecting its 10" Android tablet, a WSJ reporter now claims Sundar Pichai (Google's chrome+android leader) confirms a new version is coming and will be built buy Samsung. There are rumors that Samsung is working on an Octa-core Nexus 10 (which will be similar to a refreshed Samsung Tab (later this year).
When will the new Google Nexus 7 come to Canada?
Google hasn't committed to a firm date but we expect it to be available in the great white north in the next month or so. Typically it is made available in major European and Asian markets slightly after the US launch so England, France, Germany, Japan, South Korea, Autralia, we'll all have to wait just a bit longer.
New Nexus 7 with LTE coming
You may be wondering when an LTE enabled Google Nexus 7 (version 2) will be released and the answer is within the coming weeks (at least for US customers). The device will work with all 3 of the major US carriers (AT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile) with a single SKU which means they have managed to cram the technology to support all of the different bands into one device. This is great for buyers of the tablet but it also means the next Google Nexus smartphone may come with LTE support (something many have criticized about the existing Nexus 4).
Google's Chromecast is a $35 HDMI streaming solution
We know Google wants to be linked to your TV but previous efforts have failed miserably (The Google Q or Google TV). Google is now trying a different approach by offering a $35 HDMI dongle that will stream content from a compatible smartphone, tablet, laptop or chromebook. You can order this (if you are in the US) right now from the Google Play store and have it delivered in a pretty little box in a couple of days.
The New Nexus 7 is here - $229 for 16GB
Like other tech lovers, I was excited when I heard rumors that Google would be refreshing its best selling Nexus 7 tablet. What We Know About The New Google Nexus 7 Android Tablet Nexus 7 (V 2) Tablet Leaks In Best Buy Ad Google will likely announce the new Nexus 7 later today but it seems Best Buy wanted to be first and has the product up forpre-order already. The new Nexus 7 comes in the 16 & 32 GB varieties (WIFI only).
CRTC Wireless Code : Carriers must unlock your smarpthone
The CRTC Wireless Code is a bill of consumer rights that aims to make smartphone contracts more fair and understandable to the average Canadian users. One of the obligations brought forth by this new code is the obligation to unlock a smartphone at the user's request per these conditions: A service provider that provides a locked device to the customer as part of a contract must for subsidized devices: unlock the device, or give the customer the means to unlock the device, upon request, at the rate specified by the service provider, no later than 90 calendar days after the contract start date.
CRTC Wireless Code : $100 Cap on data roaming charges
We hear horror stories of Canadians travelling abroad and coming back with $5000 mobile phone bills. We can certainly sit here and laugh at those people (who should know better), but this is a bigger problem than most people realize. This is why I am so excited that the CRTC Wireless Code to protect consumers. For this specific issue, here are the new controls your carrier will have to implement: A service provider must suspend national and international data roaming charges once they reach $100 within a single monthly billing cycle, unless the customer expressly consents to pay additional charges.
What we know about the new Google Nexus 7 Android tablet
I wanted to summarize all of the various Google Nexus 7 rumors we have been seeing over the last couple of weeks. We expect the new Nexus 7 to launch next week for $US229 for the 16GB version. We expect it to have 2 cameras (5MP on the back and 1.2MP on the front) A 7" 1920x1080 HD LCD screen There will be a WIFI only and WIFI with HSPA+ model The device will ship with Android 4.
Could the next Canon dSLR have 75 megapixels
The crowd consciousness has been concentrating on smartphone camera development but this latest rumor may be a huge game-changer for the dSLR world. Photography Bay, a photo blog, is reporting that Canon is testing a new pro level camera that will pack a 75 megapixel sensor. To do this type of a gigantic sensor justice, the tipster also says the camera will come with a "shockingly high resolution" screen. The cherry on the Sunday is that this monster camera may be announced this year and released next year.
Nokia says "Something BIG landing here tomorrow"
Nokia posted a blog entry teasing readers that "Something BIG landing here tomorrow". Whatever the announcement is, it will happen tomorrow morning at 9am UK time. Is the above image a teaser? Is it relevant or misdirection? Many have speculated that this will be the much rumored Nokia phablet or tablet.
Nexus 7 (v 2) tablet leaks in Best Buy ad
The interwebs have been teasing me with leaks of the new upcoming Nexus 7. Everyone's favorite leaker (@evleaks) has been steadily leaking images and specifications of this much anticipated tablet. A tipster even sent PhoneArena a purported BestBuy ad that shows availability Tuesday July 30th. This leak doesn't provide any new information but does provide a snapshot of its new camera.
Whoosh is my favorite gadget screen cleaner
If you have read any of my blog posts before, you know that I love gadgets. I love all gadgets big and small, shiny or mate. I do everything to keep my devices as clean as possible. In October 2012, I wrote a blog entry entitled "Stop What You're Doing And Clean Your Smartphone" where I explain that Mobile phones are excellent peatry dishes for bacterial growth. There has been a handful of well documented studies that prove that many smartphones are dirtier than a public toilet seat.
Google Motorola MotoX launch is August 1
We knew the MotoX was coming and now we know the launch event is August 1st in New York City. If the rumors are true, the specs aren't anything to write home about: 4.7" 1280x720 screen dual-core 1.7GHz processor 2 GB RAM 16/32 GB Storage The software has to be damn good to make up for what looks like very crappy hardware. Please Google, say it ain't slow. Tell me these leaks are all wrong.
Your counterfeit charger may kill you
I had written an article entitled "Counterfeit USB chargers on eBay may be dangerous" in November 2012 and I strongly recommend you read that article. Now we learn that a 23 year old chinese woman may have been electrocuted as she answered an iPhone that was charging. The South China Morning Post and Sina new now report that the woman may have been using a "3rd party" charger (aka counterfeit). CCTV claims to have a photo showing the damaged iPhone and the charger that cause the users unexpected death.