The Heist set to push Angry Birds off top spot

iPhone app Angry Birds looks likely to loose it's number one spot to The Heist.

The game which comprises of a series of puzzles and lateral thinking.  Sound simple enough - break into the well defended vault by completing up to 60 puzzles.  Prizes are whatever is in the vault and are worth more than the 99 cents that the game costs.  The Heist is challenging, rewarding and fun.

UK Rule 2 year max for Cell Phone plans

After much deliberation the UK's regulators of communications (Ofcom) have banned three year cell phone contracts.  The maximum contact length has been set at 24 months.  Cell phone providers are also offering 1 year or 18 month contracts.  Network providers must now also offer a 12 month term to their customers.

Monthly sim card only contracts, based on customers supplying their own cell phone, are still popular with users who do not want long term contracts.

The reduced term makes it easier for users to upgrade phones and switch to cell phone plans.

Top 3 iPhone Games

Playing games on your iPhone is something most owner do at some time

The top three games, in no particular order, worldwide are:

• Angry Birds
• Little Wings
• The Heist

Download them from the App Store (Canada)

Bell Business Apps Store

 Bell Business Apps store has software for:

• Office Management
• Document Management
• Project Management
• Customer Relationship Management
  
• Sales
• Marketing
• Accounting
• Human Resources

The software is suitable for single or multi users.  Making it easier for your business to connect, collaborate, track, report and co-ordinate with customers, staff and business partners. Apps are charged for on a monthly basis so you pay only for what you use.

The main advantage of using Bell Business Apps:

1. The reduction of software conflicts.
2. The real time processing and visibility of information.
   
3. The elimitation of multiple copies of the same documentation because of version compatability issue.
4. Access via the internet, to information even when away from your office

Bell Business Apps Store

Canadians to switch to Digital Television, 31 August 2011

A decisions was made by The Government of Canada.  TV signals will be switched to digital only on the 31st August 2011.  If you already have Bell satellite tv or receive your signal via cable you will not need to do anything.  Bell tv is already 100% digital so you will still be able to watch tv. 


If your tv signal is currently analog (ie  via rabbit ears or an  antenna)  to continue watching tv you can : 

• Buy a Bell Receiver and subscribe to Bell TV
• Buy a Tv with a built in digital tune
• Buy a digital TV Converter box

Photo Credit :  
Image: Salvatore Vuono / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

SmartSnap Connection Kit for Smart Cover

When iPad2 was introduced one of the new innovations was the Smart Cover, which was designed for iPad2.  The magnetic Smart Cover can function as a cover and keyboard or movie stand.

Many first generation iPad users wanted to buy the protective cover, which retails for $45.00 but there was no suitable attachment method.

Smartfix Co have created the Smartsnap Connection Kit which can be fitted to older iPads allowing them to make use of the Smart Cover.

Bell TV Tip : Save money, build a bundle

Bell TV Tip:

How you can save with Bell Bundles :
With Bell TV HD or HD PVR Plus model receiver programing subscriptions adding other  Bell Services

• Internet
• Home Phone 
• Mobility 

can save your money.  When two or more services are bundled discounted rates will be applied.


Get $5 off your monthly bill for each  eligible service. With 5 services to choose from you can combine new eligible plans with those you already have and could be saving up to $25.00 a month for services you wanted anyway.

(ICT North) - Bell Bundles Promotion details

Mickey Mouse 83 years old

15th May 1928 saw the debut of Mickey Mouse in his first cartoon Plane Crazy.

The animated cartoon showing Mickey trying to fly an airplane that he has just finished building. The cartoon wasn't very successful, which is why Steamboat Willie which aired in November of 1928 is often cited as being the Mickey Mouse's premier.

It was 48 years later that the first Mickey Mouse novelty phone was launched. The phone had a roatary dial and was later replaced with a push button model when touch tone dialing was introduced.

The Paper Phone on display at the CHI Conference 2011

At the Computer Human Interaction Conference this year ran from the 7th to the 12th May 2011 in Vancouver, BC. The Paper Phone creators: - Dr Roel Vertegaal, the Human Media Lab at Queen's University, Canada and Arizona State University's Motivational Environments Research group demonstrated their new product.

On the 10th May 2011 the prototype of the Paper Phone was placed on display.  The flexible mobile device uses e-ink techonology which will greatly extend battery life.   At present the Paper Phone recognizes 10  actions which are used when reading paper products - ie Thumbing corner forward or back to get to the page you want, bending gestures and by writing on it.

Credit: You Tube Video 

Human Media Lab

3 Million Pre order for Samsung Galaxy S2

Pre orders are pouring in  for the new Android based smart phone  the Samsung Galaxy S2 which is scheduled for release in Canada in July 2011.

The Samsung Galaxy S2 smart phone features a 4.3 inch super AMOLED Plus-touchscreen technology which gives the user a superior viewing experience. The 1.2 GHz dual core processor and Android 2.3 Gingerbread operating system is housed in a 125 mm x 66 mm wide 8 mm thick case that weighs 116 g.  


It's slim design, front and rear camera**, FM radio and multimedia player coupled with the scratch resistant touch screen give it functionality and stylish looks. 

Comparision Sumsung Galaxy S to the Samsung Galaxy S2:

***8 megapixel with Full HD Functionality

Samsung Galaxy S2 Proposed Release Dates
28th April 2011 Korea
1st May 2011 - UK		4th May 2011 - United Arab Emirates
10th May 2011 - Denmark		12th May 2011 - Finland, Norwary, Sweden
14th May 2011 - Germany		15th May 2011 - Spain
18th May 2011 - Russia		MAY 2011 - India, Romania, Switzerland
JUNE 2011 - France, South Africa		JULY 2011 - Australia, Brazil, Canada, Singapore, USA

Apps to help find your Stolen or Lost smart phone

That moment when you realize that your mobile phone is either lost or stolen is not a pleasant one, these tacking apps are worth installing :

1.  BlackBerry:
     Available at the BlackBerry App World - The Phone Locator
     Does what it say will show you the location of your phone.


2.  iPhone:
    Available via iTunes - Find My Phone  
    Locate your phone, phone locking and the
    capability to remotely wipe data from your
    iphone or iPad.

3.  Android Models:
     Available from iTag - iTag
     Locate and lock your phone.
     Back up and wipe your personal data.

4.  Windows Phone7:
     Available as part of
     a Windows Phone 7 Account
     Log in to locate your mobile phone.


TIP -  When purchasing a mobile phone take out a Care Plan,  for Bell Smart Phones, too


Photo Credit : Image: Idea go / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Bell LIghtbox - May 2011 Interactive Featured Exhibition

Becoming What We Behold: A CFC Media Lab Project
This interactive exhibition opens today 7th May 2011 at the Bell Lightbox. The exhibit will run for 23 days only. The display explores the relationship between social media tools and how people interact with them.   Computer consoles will be available so visitors can upload images and add comments to the display which will change along with the evolving dynamics.

Sun News Network yanks channel from Bell TV

On the 3rd May 2011, Sun News Network (formerly Sun TV channel) - Channel 213,  disappeared from Bell TV's satellite channel line up after being yanked by Quebecor Inc.


Sun News Network owners Quebecor Inc, shut the channel down,  they are in dispute with Bell,  over what subscription fee for the channel should be paid to them by Bell.


Sun News Network launched on the 18th April 2011. 


The problem :
When negotiations to carry the Sun News Network channel began the channel was trying for a mandatory access Category 1*  Rating -  (Sun TV channel already had this rating in Toronto and some other Southern and Eastern Ontario areas. This was the fee Bell were paying). The new channel was not granted a Category1 licence.


Bell had no objection to paying a reasonable rate for the channel, but when the channel went on air, (18th April 2011), Quebecor requested that Bell pay them an expensive Category 2** subscription fee, instead of the current fee, OR the channel would be shut down on the 3rd May 2011.  This ** requested commercial subscription fee would then have to be passed on to Bell TV subscribers. 


The current position :
Bell and Quebecor still need to negotiate a mutually acceptable fee. The matter has also been referred to the CRTC (Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission) . It appears Bell are being asked to pay extra for a channel that is being provided at the lower subscription rate in other Canadian cities AND as a free over-the-air channel it is still being carried on Bell Fibe TV.




Also worth reading - Wikipedia page- Sun News Network


 * Channel must be carried by service providers for a nominal subscription fee. 
    (ie Mandatory access - the channel would probably be included in Digital Basic Package)
    Free over-the-air, local ie CBCNews, CTV News, Canadian content ie Book TV,  etc.


**Channel is optional - the channel owner and the service provider negotiate a fair
    subscription rate, which is then passed on to the service providers customers.
    (Channels may be paid for individually or bundled together into theme packages)
    Specialized content ie Dusk, Animal Planet, sports ie Leafs TV, news ie BBC Canada.

Sun News Network, no longer being shown on Bell satellite TV

Sun News Network channel was yanked off Bell TV today.

<<<  Note Sun News Network Channel was formerly known as Sun TV Channel and already carried by Bell satellite TV >>>

The channel which aired on the 18th April 2011 on channel 213 is at the centre of a dispute, over the channels new subscription fee, between owners Quebecor Inc and Bell TV.

The channel is still available to Bell Fibe TV viewers.

FREE PREVIEW Bell TV Channel Line up May 2011

During May 2011, as per Channel 271 of the Bell TV online guide,
these Channels are on Free preview :

527 Travel and Escape
604 Twist
605 Fashion TV
606 One
607 DIY
609 Out TV
613 Sundance Channel