Kindle Fire

The lastest tablet from Amazon Kindle Fire is to be release in the US 15th November 2011.

Pros
$199 US Price
8GB internal storage
Dual Core Processor
Durable Display Screen
7"Multi touch, full colour display
Wi Fi Connectivity
Amazon Silk Browser
Free Amazon Cloud Storage


Cons
Not yet available in Canada
Weighs 14.6 ozs
4 Hour battery charge time
Battery life is around 8 hours (reading)

Google becomes a teenager Happy 13th Birtthday

Today Google becomes a teenager, happy birthday 13 today.

Google filed for incorporation in Califormia on September 4th 1998.  The name Google was chosen by company founders Larry Page and Sergey Brin and is a play the words googol (The number 1 followed by 100 zeros).  By December of the same year Google were cited as being "a great search engine" by PC Magazine Online .  Eric Schmidt became CEO of  Google in 2001,  Larry became president of Products and Sergey president of Technology.

Commemorative Doodles around the Google Logo were introduced in 1998 and over the last 13 years there have been over 1000 doodles (700 international and 300 US designs)  The first Google doodle was a stick figure representing the Burning Man festival in Nevada.  See All Google Logo Doodles.   One of the most nostalgic doodles was an animated Pac-Man Google Logo  on the 22 May 2010.

Each year Google accept submissions to their Doodle 4 Google competition.

April 1st 2000 saw the first of Google's April Fools Day Pranks.  What elevates Google from just being a search engine is the sense of humour and personality displayed by the pranks, Easter Eggs that can be found within their services, the dressing up of the Pegman in Google Maps Street View and specialized Search Engine Options like Swedish Chef,  Images, Chuck Norris,  Klingon, and Gravity.

Since their humble beginning Google services have expanded to include Docs, Labs, AdWords, Directory, Blogs, AdSense, Translate, Analytics,  Nexus Android Phone, Gmail and much much more.

Bell 4G LTE for laptops and smartphones

Bell 4G LTE is expanding across Canada in is currently available to subscribers in Toronto,  Mississauga and Vaughan.

Time is money  - Benjamin Franklin 

The Bell 4G LTE mobile technology is designed to deliver increased wireless data transfer speeds for laptops and 4G LTE equipped smart phones. Peak speeds up to 75 Mbps. 
(average 12-25 Mbps).



The system uses :

The Sierra Wireless U313 Turbo Stick   OR   
The 4G LTE Novatel Wireless U679
PLUS
The LTE SIM Card   AND  The LTE Mobile Internet Flex Plan



About Bell 4G LTE Devices

Microsoft Modular Phone

Engadget reported that Microsoft have submitted a patent for a modular phone.  The phone will incorporate interchangeable modules - keyboard, gamepad, media remote or additional battery that can be placed into a sliding compartment.

It is not clear where components, not in use, will be stored.  When built this phone with it's many gadgets and futuristic design might just be the smartphone of smart phones.


Engadget, Microsoft Modular Phone Patent  article

Spotify and Facebook getting together

Now is a good time to join Spotify, they are currently giving unlimited streaming for six months to new members.  One condition of membership is users must have a current Facebook Account.

The union of Facebook and Spotify will make it easier for users to share music, news and videos with family and friends.                                                                            
                                                                                                                                +

Bell TV Receiver Care Tip

To ensure your Bell TV Satellite Receiver does not overheat  it is advisable to leave between 3 - 5 inches space around air vents and grills.  



If the satellite receiver gets too hot it may malfunction, or soften the SmartCard if it has one.








Click for more Bell TV Tips

Windows 8 developer preview

Developers can test drive Windows 8  a downloadable pre-beta version of operating system Windows 8 later this month.

Blue Screen of Death NOT in Windows 8

The dreaded Blue Screen of Death has been replaced in Windows 8 with a much more user friendly sad emoticon face and an error message that reads


" Your PC ran into a problem it couldn't handle, and now it needs to restart "


The message, as shown below,  is however still displayed on a blue background.

Photo Credit Chip Hazard 

NOTE :  Apple computers in the 1980's featured a happy emoticon face on a mini computer screen graphic (designed by Ms Kare) to welcome users when they booted their Apple computers up.

CardFlick App - exchange and keep your contacts up to date

An old saying goes  - "all work and no play makes jack a dull boy"

Try CardFlick App alongside your Bell Business Apps   

CardFlick iPad App makes it easy to exchange contact details and keep them up to date.
Andriod version to be launched soon.

Bell Tv Tip View and change channel quickly

Bell TV Tip - Changing channels quickly

When watching Bell TV (satellite) to return to the most previously watched channel just

                               

          Press the Recall button on the remote 

  Or 

          If you have a  Dual tuner remote Select the Swap button 

and there is virtually no time delay whilst the channels switch over.   

Books or Not

The invention of the printing press by Johannes Gutenberg around 1440 was a major milestone for the book.  The ability to reduce the months required to carefully copy by hand the content of each book to produce a new one was revolutionary.  For individuals the mass production of  typewriters  in 1868 and the computer in 1981 made it possible for them to write and print their own compositions.

Since the advent of the computer there has been a move toward digitally storing existing books, documents and artworks.

Schools and colleges are moving away from the printed word.  Issuing students with iPads which have already been preloaded with all the required course material.  Study, homework assignments and test papers are being distributed and completed online.

Offices rely on the electronic transfer of information to increase productivity and to create digital records. Company books are for many now stored in computer accounting programs.   Newspapers and magazines have online versions accessible to 'on the go' readers.  Even restaurants using iPads are testing computerized menus and order systems.

Book readers are designed specifically to be easy to read in all light conditions and feature conveniently placed navigation buttons. Some of Amazon's Kindle e-book readers incorporate E Ink technology which saves power and provides a non reflective screen making it a positive user experience.

Although books are still being published and printed, they are now also being made available to download either for reading on specific devices or for printing out.  Printed books, magazines and newspapers will probably become treasured items in the same way that vinyl records did.



Photo Credit:  Image: zole4 / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

tiff fest App (Blackberry)

The tiff.fest App for Blackberry® Smart phones and the Blackberry® Playbook will keep users updated about the films, show times as well as providing screening location maps. Also included in the Free App are special features and the exclusive Mavericks Programme.


Download the tiff.fest App

Treasure HD now HIFI Channel

Treasure HD (TRESR) Channel 1623 on Bell TV (Satellite) has changed it's name to HIFI
The channel's focus is Music and Art and showcase both classic (The Longest Day) and premier movies (Escape from The Plant of The Apes), documentaries and music concerts from rock to opera.   Behind the scenes with musicians, artists and museums brings creative talent and facts together in an informative and entertaining manner.  Collectors and collecting hidden treasures programs are heart warming and inspiring.


Tune in to HIFI channel, you'll be pleasantly surprised.

HIFI Channel Official Website

Tips - Insure your Tech Toys

Tip for new students - 

Although it is an obvious thing to do, lots of people leave it too late to insure their tech toys before something happens

As the new study year begins is a good time to make sure that your new tech toys : 

computer tablet, smart phone, satellite receiver and tv are insured.   Either through your home contents insurance policy or with a specialized insurance product such as the Bell Smart Phone Care Plan

Protecting your investment now can prevent hours of anger and frustration in the event of loss or damage.

TIFF 2011 - From The Sky Down (U2) World Premier

From the Sky Down directed by David Guggenheim -  a musical, biographical documentary featuring Irish rock band U2 is to be this years TIFF (Toronto International Film Festival) World Premier Gala Presentation.  


This 2011 festival opening event will take place at the Visa Screening Room (Elgin Theater).  The documentary chronicles the making of the U2 album Achtung Baby (1991).


There will of course be subsequent showings (and but nothing is like the thrill of the first.  TIFF runs from the 8th to the 18th September and will be showing many diverse, entertaining and thought provoking films.

From the Sky Down
Screening Times and Venues :

• 8th Sept 2011 6.30pm Visa Screening Room (Elgin Theater)
• 8th Sept 2011 8pm Roy Thomson Hall
• 9th Sept 2011 9pm Bell Lightbox 1
• 17th Sept 2011 6pm Ryerson Theater

To see all film festival events  Download the TIFF 2011 Schedule (pdf)

Back to School

Hard to believe that the summer holidays are almost over and it's time to get ready to go back to school.
Being stylish and staying on budget is currently at the top of everyone's list.  Laptops and tablet models vary according to the users requirements, these are our pick for best value manufactures.  Multi function and affordable for students was out prime consideration when choosing smart phones.

Top 3 Laptops :    
  Dell
  HP Pavillion
  Acer

Top 3 Tablets :
  iPad2 
  Blackberry Playbook
  Asus Eeee

Top 3 Smart Phones :
  Samsung Galaxy S II 
  Motorola Atrix 4G

  HTC Sensation

Back to School Bell Mobility Promotion

FREE PREVIEW Bell TV Channel Line up September 2011

During September 2011, as per Channel 271 of the Bell TV online guide, 

these Channels are still on Free preview :

Fight Network channel 388
Ends 30 Sept 2011

ARTV ch 143

ARTVH HD - channrl 1844 

Ends 30 Sept 2011

1648 - DXDHD  (DISNEY XD HD)
Free Preview Ends May 2012

1414 Setanta Sports Channel HD 

420 Setanta Sports Channel Standard definition

Free Preview August 12, 2011 to September 13, 2011