Happy Halloween

Happy Halloween

 Halloween iPhone App

BuzzOff App for BlackBerry (Call Blocker)

Tired of getting unwanted calls.  BuzzOff call blocker (a BlackBerry App created by Toysoft Inc) effectively blocks unwanted phone calls** on BlackBerry devices running 4.2.0 or higher software.  The Pickup and Hangup feature prevents the caller from leaving you a voice mail. Individual or marketing phone numbers can be blocked all the time or within a specified period of time.

More Information:  (BlackBerry App) BuzzOff phone call blocker ($1.99 US*)

*Introductory Price as at 29 Oct 2011 
  (current regular retail price $4.95 US)
**NOTE   BuzzOff App does not block text messages 

Facebook Timeline: 10 Simple Tips and Tricks

With so many changes to Facebook, we came across ten facebook timeline tips on Mashable and thought we'd share them with you

Facebook Timeline: 10 Simple Tips and Tricks

John MacCarthy creator of LISP and father of AI dies at age 84

John McCarthy the father of AI (Artificial Intelligence) died today at the age of 84.  John McCarthy introduced the phrase Artificial Intelligence in 1955 and worked in this field throughout his life.  He developed the computer programming language LISP (which uses List processing) in 1958, which is still in use today.  He established the first artificial intelligence laboratory at MIT and also founded the AI laboratory at Stanford University.

Since then Artificial Intelligence has been incorporated into machines that learn. Products like the computer and more recently Nest  a learning thermostat for the home





Update 28th May 2012:  Nest Learning Thermostat to be sold in US Apple Store

GPS Home Address Tip

When setting up your GPS Unit a good tip to deter thieves from driving to your home and taking your possessions, if they have already stolen your vehicle from a parking lot, is to NOT enter your home address.

Most GPS Units have a home button,  if you enter your home address the GPS will direct you back there. Instead enter a location near home,  local store, police station, school  as you will no doubt know your way home from there.

Bell TV MPEG2 to MPEG4 Receiver Swap

Today sees the start of the Bell TV High Definition MPEG2* receivers being replaced by MPEG4 models*. This change will decrease the amount of bandwidth required to output better quality images.  This more efficient broadcasting capability will also allow Bell TV (satellite) to launch up to 43 new single definition channels.  

Benefits for subscribers:

1. Lower bandwidth
2. Quicker downloads
3. Better picture quality
4. Space on the satellite for more TV channels

As it is impossible to swap all the receivers at once, replacement receivers are going to be shipped directly to the subscribers home.  In most instances subscribers will be able to do the swap themselves.  Full instructions and a box for subscriber's  to return their old receiver(s) will be provided by Bell TV.

*MPEG stands for Motion Picture Experts Group and the numbers indicate the type of compression.  

   MPEG2 uses a lossy compression standard resulting in a smaller file size and very little difference 
  visually from the original image.

  MPEG4 compression results in a much smaller file size but High Definition quality image output.

*Phase I runs to 11th Decemnber 2011. 

   Phase II runs form 11th December 2011 to 31July 2012.

   No receivers will be sent for exchange during the winter holidays.

Crazy Pumpkin App for iPhone

The 21st was National Pumpkin Pie Day, which reminded us about the Crazy Pumpkin App for iPhone, iPad and iTouch.  It's Free its decorative and can be downloaded from the App Store

About the Free BlackBerry Apps

RIM (Reasearch in Motion) Free BlackBerry Apps,  following the service outage, are available until the end of 2011

Claim your Thank You Gift from BlackBerry

Oink App coming soon

Milk Inc are hoping to launch oink mid November 2011.

The Oink Application will enable users to rate their shopping, dining and daily interactions.  User's experiences of things will be ranked on a scale;  

• Love it 
• Great
• So so
• Don't like it  

User's will be able to help their friends to find the best  ________  (fill in the blank) whilst helping business owners to identify what they are doing right or wrong and more importantly how their products are rated by their customers.  

Free Apps from BlackBerry

To make amends for the outage, RIM has offered its 70 million users a selection of free apps totalling $100 and its business customers free tech support for a month. 

Oh and they also unveiled the new BlackBerry operating system, BBX, which is based on the operating system already in the BlackBerry Playbook.  


BBX will allow Android software to run on the BlackBerry smartphone.

Sykpe now part of Microsoft

Microsoft completed their acquisition of Skype, the popular voice, text and video communications program, on the 14th October. Skype CEO Tony Bates has been named president, immediately, of the new business division - Skype Division of Microsoft.  He will be reporting to Microsoft CEO, Steve Balmer.


"Skype is a phenomenal product and brand that is loved by hundreds of millions of people around the world," said Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer. "We look forward to working with the Skype team to create new ways for people to stay connected to family, friends, clients and colleagues -- anytime, anywhere."


“By bringing together the best of Microsoft and the best of Skype, we are committed to empowering consumers and businesses around the globe to connect in new ways," Bates said. "Together, we will be able to accelerate Skype's goal to reach 1 billion users daily," Bates said.


The focus will be on further developing Skype products on Microsoft Platforms.  Alternative (non Microsoft) Skype clients (Android, iPhone, iPad, TV) will continue to be supported.  There was no mention in the Press Release whether there are plans to introduce charges for their currently free services.


Microsoft Skype Site

Mike Lazaridis (co CEO RIM) apologizes for service outages

Mike Lazaridis, RIM (Research In Motion) co-CEO, apologizes for recent issues with BlackBerry cell phone service outages.  The outages have effected Blackberry users in Canada, America, India, Uk, Europe and Middle East and Asia.  The late delivery of data to users during the last few days has effected millions globally.

Angry Birds — Halloween 3 for 2

Now you can be a Crazy Bird for halloween

Angry Birds — Halloween 3 for 2

More Free Preview Channels Bell TV October 2011

Here are two more Bell TV (satellite) channels with free previews during October 2011

Channel 1703 - HGTV H until 20th Nov 2011

Channel 1706 - FOOD H until 21st Dec 2011

Also on Free Preview with Bell TV this month

History, Home And Garden TV HD now on Bell TV

Two more new Bell TV High Definition Channels:

 Home and Garden TV 
 HD HGTV channel 1703 



 History Channel HD
 HISHD Channel 1605

Tip - Blackberry Curve, Texting shortcut

When using your Blackberry Curve (smart pohne), using the QWERTY Keyboard can take up your time.

A little used texting shortcut is to crate your own abbreviations.

• Click on Options,
• Click on Typing and Input, may also be called Auto Text or Typing and Substitutions
• Enter your abbreviation eg sus and what it is the substitution for ie See you soon 

Next time you want to text see you soon just enter sus  on the keyboard.  

Bell TV (satellite) Food HD Channel

Food HD now on Bell TV (Satellite) to watch this new high definition programming tune in to channel 1706

Steve Jobs, Apple co-founder, dies

Steve Jobs, Apple Chairman of  the Board, died 5th October 2011 at age 56.
Steve was a co-founder of Apple* and Pixar Animation Studios**

Steve had struggled with pancreatic cancer for several years and his passing was not unexpected.  Steve Jobs resigned as CEO of Apple on the 24th August 2011.  It was only this week, on the 4th October, that new Apple CEO, Tim Cook gave his first presentation*.

Steve's lifetime achievements were many.  
If you have visited an Apple Store*, use an Apple product in your daily life, iPod, iPhone, iPad, Mac, iTunes, iWork or have enjoyed watching Pixar Studios award winning animated movies*.  

Then you, like us, have had your world reshaped by Steve's creative flair,  attention to detail and vision to ensure whatever project he was involved with was intuitive, pleasing to the eye and just worked.

We are greatly saddened by Steve Job's death and offer condolences to everyone. Despite Steve's corporate success his personal touch reached into our lives and we accepted him into our homes and hearts.  He energized and enriched our lives and we will miss him very much.

Steve Jobs didn't just make products he created desirable objects wrapped in a positive experience.

R.I.P.  Steven Paul Jobs

February 24, 1955 – October 5, 2011

STEVE JOBS - APPLE BIO
STEVE JOBS - REMEMBRANCE
Timeline of Apple Products
All About Steve Jobs.com
Steve Jobs Memorials
Pixar (History)
Apple's caring nature


*1976   ** 1986
*First two Apple Stores opened on 19th May 2001:
Tysons Corner Center, Tysons Corner, Virginia (AM) and Glendale Galleria, Glendale, Califormia (PM)
*Our top three;  Toy Story (1995),  Monsters Inc. (2001),  Cars.(2006)
*Tim introduced us to iPhone 4S, another innovative Apple product that will be available to Canadian and US consumers on the 14th October 2011.


Image Credit:   Jonathan Mak, a student at Hong Kong’s Polytechnic University School of Design.

Bravo HD on Bell TV

Bravo HD was launched today on  Bell TV (Satellite)

The new channel BRAVOH,  channel 1734, joins Bell TV's already extensive line up of High definition channels.  Bravo HD is a simulcast of BRAVO programming taht is shown on channel 620.  Programming on Bravo HD (High Definition) features films, general entertainment and made for tv dramas.

Tip Delete multiple messages on your BlackBerry Curve

Deleting each email on a BlackBerry® Curve 8300, 8310, 8320, or 8330 smart phone can be time consuming. 

Tip if you have a lot of emails to delete 


Either  Delete messages prior to a specific date: 

• Highlight a date field in the message list
• Press the Menu key
• Select Delete Prior
• Press Delete

OR  Delete multiple adjacent email messages: 

• Press the Cap key 
• Keep the Cap key down till it holds
• Using the trackball Drag to highlight the messages you want to remove
• Press delete

The screen should now show "Deleting"

iPhone 4S Presentation features

The iPhone 4S was presented today by Apple CEO Tim Cook.

New Features:

• A5 Chip - Dual Core chip, as used in the iPad
• iOS 5 with Twitter integration, notifications, messages, reminders
• Parental Controls
• New Antenna 
• HD Video Recording in 1080p
• Air Play and Air Print
• Improved Face Time
• New Optics - 8 megapixel sensor, 5 lens elements
• Siri - Personal assistant incorporating speech recognition software
• iCloud Service included

iOS 

iOS is the world’s most advanced operating system. Its easy-to-use interface, amazing features, and rock-solid stability are built into every iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch. And it continues to get better with every iOS update.
Visit the iOS website

iPhone 4S Specs
Colours :  Black or White

Photo Credit::  Apple 

iPhone 4S US Prices :     16GB for $199   +++   32GB for $299   +++   64GB for $399
Canada - Unlocked iPhone 4S from $649

iPhone 4S Pre Order Date - 7th October 2011

iPhone 4S On Sale Date -  14th October 2011

Watch the iPhone 4S Video

Best routes for Autumn or Fall colours around Barrie

Fall is all around.  Here are links to some of ICT North's favourite fall colour routes. Our satellite tv installers travel these road in all seasons but for fall foliage lovers these are some of the best around Barrie and Orillia. 

Georgian Bay Fall Colour Routes

Barrie to Orangeville Fall colours (colors) Route

Lake Simcoe-Round the Lake, Barrie, Orillia Fall Colours (Colours)

We also recommend the nearby roads in and around Minden, Horseshoe Valley, Collingwood, Blue Mountain, Meaford, Eugenia, Flesherton and the Beaver Valley.

  More northern Ontario autumn colour routes.


Even if you are too busy to drive out it is possible to bring
the vibrant fall colors to you with the Fall Foliage App for iPhone, iPod Touch or iPad

Google Earth 3D Route View

If you like the zoom to feature in Google Maps, being able to see you route in advance via 3D view in Google Earth mode is tailor made for you.

• Click Get Directions
• Choose your mode of transport
• Enter your destination
• Choose Route
• Click the 3D Arrow

TIP:
Using the  lower left corner button in the map.
Pause to explore the route in more detail,
THEN click play to resume your 3D experience

Photo Credit:
Image: luigi diamanti / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

FREE PREVIEW Bell TV Channels October 2011

October 2011, as per Channel 271 of the Bell TV online guide,
Free Preview Channels are :

330 - IFC
332 - DUSK
333 - W MOVIES
335 - DIVA
344 -ACTION
6398 Mystery TV


336 - documentary
Ends November 30th 2011

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

Also on Free Preview with Bell TV this month

Photo Credit: Image: Salvatore Vuono / FreeDigitalPhotos.net