SpaceX Dragon spacecraft - the return

As per Spacex.com Dragon has left the ISS and has had the GO for reentry. The spacecraft is scheduled to return 31st May 2012: "     Early Thursday, at approximately 1:00 AM Pacific/4:00 AM Eastern, they will use the space station's robotic arm to pull the spacecraft from the station. Two hours later, the robotic arm will release Dragon and the spacecraft will begin its journey home. Dragon is targeted to land in the Pacific Ocean, a few hundred miles west of Southern California, at approximately 8:44 AM Pacific/11:44 AM Eastern on Thursday, May 31st. The spacecraft returns to Earth like a burning comet, protected from extreme reentry temperatures by its powerful PICA-X heat shield. The landing location is controlled by firing the Draco thrusters during reentry.     " Watch live coverage on NASA TV

Nest Learning Thermostat to be sold by Apple

Back in October the the AI, Nest Learning Thermostat caught our eye as an innovative product to watch.  A recent iLounge article states :

iLounge has learned that Apple will soon offer the Nest Learning Thermostat
for sale through the Apple Store

The product which was designed by Tony Fadell (creator of the iPod hardware) is already availavle at select Lowes stores in the US.  The unit learns your temperature preferences as you make adjustments.  The Auto-Away function, once activated, remembers, when you typically go to bed or leave your home, and turns cooling or heating settings down so you are not wasting energy.  Since your Energy History is a recording of all the actions you take Nest will adjust the temperature to a comfortable level ready for your arrival back home.

An energy report will show you how you are using energy and give you pointers on more efficient use.  The settings can also be accessed via a mobile phone app.

Each hour of saving you make is represented a a green leaf, over time users learn to make energy saving adjustments that earn them more leafs are represent real savings on their heating and cooling bills.

We are looking forward to the day when Nest gets Canadian approval.

Suggested US retail price : $249

Update: July 2012
Nest Thermostat available at Lowes Canada

Are you ready to watch the London 2012 Olympic Games

The Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games is on Friday, July 27, 2012.
In Ontario the time difference is five hours.  An event taking place at noon in the UK will air at 5pm EST (4pm EDT in Toronto).  In order to watch events without staying up till all hours we recommend a Bell HD PVR  as this can be programmed to record by event name, time or sport  type.  This model of high definition receiver features pause, rewind, replay and stunning picture quality.  Couple all this with the ability to watch recordings when you're ready to watch the London 2012 Olympics and your sure to have a superior viewing experience on your HD TV.

Olympic Events will be broadcast, in Canada,
on these Bell TV Channels :

CTV:

Channel 201   CTV-H  

Channel 205   CGTV-M

Channel 212   CTV-T      

Channel 221   CTV-NO   

Channel 225   CTV-W

Channel 229   CTV-O      

Channel 235   CTV-R

Channel 237   CTV-L 

Channel 239   CTV-E

Channel 243   CTV-C      

Channel 249   CTV-S

Channel 250   CTV-V

Channel 1011 CTVHH      

Channel 1031 CTVMH      

Channel 1011 CTVHH     

Channel 1051 CTVHT   

Channel 1091 CTVHWH      

Channel 1108 CTVRH

Channel 1132 CTVHC

Channel 1151 CTVHV

Asian Television Network:

Fibe TV Channel 814 ATN Bangla - Bangali
Fibe TV Channel 821 ATN MH-1 - Punjabi
Channel 702 ATN Channel - HIndi (FIbe TV 811)
Channel 704 ATN Alpha ETC - Pumjabi (Fibe TV 818)
Channel 705 ATN Java TV - Tamil (Fibe TV 824)
Channel 728 ATN ARY Digital - Urdu (Fibe TV 826)

TSN:

Channel 400  TSN
Channel 401  TSN2
Channel 401  TSN-M 

RDS:

Channel 123 RDS (1880 HD, 1123 Fibe TV)
Channel 192 RDS2 (1881 HD, 144 & 1144 Fibe TV)
Channel 124 RDS Info (1124 Fibe TV)

Sportsnet:

Channel 1414 Sportsnet World (1420 Fibe TV) 
Bell TV and Fibe TV Channel 1405 Sportsnet Ontario
Bell TV and Fibe TV Channel 1406 Sportsnet East
Bell TV and Fibe TV Channel 1407 Sportsnet Pacific
Bell TV and Fibe TV Channel 1408 Sportsnet West
Bell TV and Fibe TV Channel 1409 Sportsnet One
Bell TV and Fibe TV Channel 1436 Sportsnet Vancouver
Bell TV and Fibe TV Channel 1437 Sportsnet Edmonton
Bell TV and Fibe TV Channel 1438 Sportsnet Calagary
Bell TV and Fibe TV Channel 1439 Sportsnet Ottawa

Omni:

Channel 215  OMNI 1 
Channel 216  OMNI 2
Channel 254 OMNBC

OLN:

Channel 411 OLN


Vtele channels



This channel list may be subject to change, please check the online guide
27 July - 12 August  2012 for event coverage details.
London Olympics on You Tube

Photo Credit: London 2012

Canadarm 2 and ISS ready to capture Dragon

The Dragon capsule is to be captured by ISS astronauts, Donald Pettit and Andre Kuipers, using Canadarm 2 at approximately 8.06 am 25th May 2012, however, NASA today stated that berthing will not occur until 10 or 11 am EST.  

ISS and Dragon Currently over Australia

Live coverage of the Dragon capsule capture on Nasa TV
Mission control, space station and capsule views  

Live Tracking of the ISS and Dragon Capsule 
See where they are in relation to the earth and each other. 

When they are wihnin 30 meters apart in a hold position berthing will commence.


SpaceX Dragon Launched 22nd May 2012 and is the first commercial supply capsule to service the International Space Station.

UPDATE:

At 9.56 am EST 251 miles above northwest Australia history was made when the capture procedure was successful.  SpaceX, NASA, Canadarm 2 and the ISS made the six year project a reality.

Donald Pettit :  "We got us a Dragon by the tail."

Houston:  "Well done Don."

Elon Musk: "My goal is to open up space and make it something that the average person, if they save up a lot, can travel to."

Bump your photos to your computer

One question we encounter, here at ICT North, is how do I download my photos from my mobile phone. If you already have the Bump App we have great news for you.  The app has been updated to allow the transfer of photos from your smartphone to your computer.  The original Bump application that enabled transfer between smart phones (iPhone or Android) of contacts, apps, music and photos now can share to your desktop or laptop via the Bump web interface. 

The transfer process is easy, install the app, bump to another smart phone by bumping the phones or to your computer by bumping the spacebar, just confirm to complete the process.  Photos are transferred to Bump's website and can be dragged, dropped to your harddrive,  shared to social media sites or via a url, that you create, to friends and family.


Bump App for iPhone
Bump App for Android
The current Bump App allows sharing : "Your own contact information, including your social network pages; photos; and other people’s contacts." - source Bump FAQs

Bell Aliant, FibreOP TV, Tweet from your TV function added

Atlantic Canda's Bell Aliant FibreOp TV new function allows customers to use Twitter and Tweet directly via their TV.   Now when viewers who are watching shows, via the free Twitter App,  can opt to:

1. Tweet what I'm watching: Share instantly on Twitter what show is being watched;
2. Post a Tweet: Post any tweet using the remote to enter text;
3. Following: Read a Twitter feed while watching a favourite show;
4. TV Tweets: View tweets about a show being watched; and
5. TV Trends: Discover trending topics from across Canada.

Source: BCE Press Release
More: Twitter on FibreOp TV

Lost In The Woods Facing South. The solution.

If you have you seen The Discovery Channel snippet about being lost in the woods :

If you find yourself lost in the woods, stand a stick in the ground.

Mark the end of its shadow with a stone. 
Wait 10 minutes – the shadow will have grown longer.
Mark the new end with another stone.

Stand with the first stone on your right and the second on the left.
Congratulations now you are lost in the woods facing south.

The solution to finding your way home or being found is solved by the free Spot Connect App for iPhone, iPad (iOS 3 or later) and iPod touch owners.  The App "turns your smartphone into a satellite  communicator and one way text messenger."  Once the smartphone is paired with Spot Connect users can send GPS location based emergency communications or messages to predetermined recipients.  Custom texts can be typed and sent directly or the user can select from a pre defined list of 14 messages, popular choices include:

• Check-in/OK 
• SPOT Assist
• Help
• SOS
• Track Progress (automated function)

Messages, via the satellite link, can be relayed to a maximum of 10 groups (each group may contain up to 50 contacts).  Spot Connect service is designed to work in remote   locations: wooded areas, mountain regions, off shore and out on the lake.  Sent texts are delivered to email, Mobile phone SMS (simple message service) or GEOS Rescue Coordination Center (Emergency Response Center).  

Price Point: $180 plus taxes 


The Discovery Channel: 
Bell TV satellite channel 520 (standard definition), 1602 HD 
Fibe TV in high definition on Channel 1523


Photo Credits: 
Spot Connect
Image(s): FreeDigitalPhotos.net "Forest" by dan

SpaceX Dragon Launch

SpaceX (Space Exploration Technologies Corporation) was founded in 2002 by Elon Musk, the founder of PayPal.  They are the first commercial company to launch a spacecraft that will deliver supplies the ISS (International Space Station).  The launch of Dragon aboard the Falcon 9 Rocket went ahead 22nd May 2012 at  3.44am EST at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida.

NASA SpaceX Mission:  

The original May 19th SpaceX Dragon launch schedule had to be aborted when high pressure in combustion chamber 5 was detected.  


SpaceX have been working with NASA on the project for the last six years. On Friday 25th May 2012, if the Thursday "fly-under" the ISS is successful, the Dragon capsule will be captured by ISS astronauts, Donald Pettit and Andre Kuipers, using Canadarm 2.  


Once docked to the Harmony Node the capsules 460 kilograms cargo of food and supplies will be unloaded.  This operation will take around 2 weeks.  Before Dragon is detached from the Harmony Node it will then be loaded with 620 
kilograms of return cargo. If all goes to plan this will be how future supplies will be delivered to and from the space station since the retirement of the Space Shuttles last 
year and why this is an historic event. 

Splashdown in the Pacific Ocean is expected to occur roughly 4 - 4.5 hours after the capsule detaches from the space station. 

SpaceX Website
SpaceX Press Release : Successful launch kicks off SpaceX's historic mission
Nasa Press Release : SpaceX Launches NASA Demonstration Mission to Space Station




Update 31st May 2012: Mission will not be two weeks long, the capsule is now scheduled to return to earth May 31st.


Photo Credit:  NASA 

New HD Channels on Bell TV

Two new channels joined the Bell TV HD (High Definition) line up:

Peachtree TV HD  
Satellite Channel 1231


W Network HD
Satellite Channel 1705








Image Credit: Image: Salvatore Vuono / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

GMA Pinoy TV, Free Preview on Bell until June 8th 2012

Filipino programming on Free preview on Bell TV

GMA Pinoy TV  

Channel 723  - satellite 
Channel 857 - Fibe TV 
until June 8th 2012

Nimiq 6 launch 17 May 2012 19:12 GMT

Nimiq 6 the 18th Telesat  Spacecraft to be launched.  The launch is scheduled for 
17th May 2012 at 19:12 GMT at the Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan, (Launch Pad 24) aboard a Proton Breeze M Rocket.  The Satellite will be separated 9 Hours and 14 Minutes after liftoff.

Image: International Launch Services

Photos and Video: Spacevids.info - Proton-M, Nimiq 6

The Nimiq 6 communication satellite was built by Space Systems/Loral and will be operated by Telesat.
The satellite has 32 High  Powered Ku-Band Transponders and has been designed specifically for the expansion of (HD) High Definition Television services.  Nimiq 6 will exclusively deliver satellite signals direct to home for Bell TV subscribers across Canada.

Once the satellite has reached Geostationary Transfer Orbit it will use it's own propulsion system to maintain it's Geostationary Orbital Position (91.1 Degrees West longitude). 

Webcast of the Nimiq 6 Launch will be available on the 17th May 2012 approximately 30 minutes before liftoff.

Ashton Kutcher looking like Steve Jobs in the early years

Actor Ashton Kutcher was shown in photos on TMZ wearing classic, former CEO of Apple, Steve Jobs attire; black turtleneck, tennis shoes and blue jeans.

Jobs: Get Inspired, the movie has just begun filming and is expected to be released in the 4th quater of 2012. Producer, Mark Hulme focus will be on the time period 1971 - 2000 of Steve Jobs life and Apple's history.  As outlined in this recent interview with Mark Hulme.


Update 13 June 2013: jOBS movie release date announced

ICT North's Pick,Top 5 Mother's Day Movies on Bell TV, 2012

Mother's Day this year falls on the 13th May 2012.  In appreciation of moms everywhere, here is our  list of ICT North's top 5 Mother's Day movies on Bell TV  being shown on the day:

P.S. I Love You
A deceased husband helps his grieving wife to come to terms with his death

and helps her to move forward with her life via a series of letters and events 
he had already set in motion.
4:00 PM - 7:00 PM (180 min)

W satellite Channel,  602

Fried Green Tomatoes

Classic tale about how growing up in the depression inspires a modern housewife to take control of her own destiny.
5:45 PM - 8:00 PM (135 min)

MRPIX  satellite Channel , 305

MRPIX  Fibe TV Channel , 305

Mars Needs Moms

Having your mom taken away by the Martians is
no fun as Milo is about to find out.
6:25 PM - 8:00 PM (95 min)

M  satellite Channel, 300

M  Fibe TV Channel, 300

Junebug
Returning home to a small town with a sophisticated girlfriend leads to unpredictable behaviour by family members that stayed in suburbia.

6:30 PM - 9:00 PM (150 min)

IFC satellite  Channel , 330

IFC Fibe TV  Channel , 330

HD - The Vow - Premier Release

Newly wed Paige looses her memory, following an accident, Leo, her husband
tries to re kindle her feelings, rebuild their mismatched relationship and smooth things over with her estranged family.
7:15 PM - 9:00 PM (105 min)

PPVH6  satellite Channel, 323

Google+ for iPhone updated

Google+ (G+) iPhone users can now install the upgraded App (version 2.0.0.5888).
In their own words.

Google app:
“a feast for the eyes”
“a stream you can swim in.” 

The improvements should make Google+ Hangouts
look stunning and stream more fluidly.


Google+ for iPhone App
Source: Google Blog -google+ with Sense and Soul 

iOS 5.1.1 for iPhone, IPad, iPod Touch released

Apples newest iOS operating system for the iPhone, IPod Touch and iPad have just released the latest version 5.1.1.  

The update should correct the problems that users were experiencing when switching from a 2G to a 3G network and the annoying 'Unable to purchase' alert displaying even after a purchase had been made successfully.  


Improvements in reliability have also been made in respect of the HDR photo option, Air Play plus bookmarking and reading lists.


Apple iOS 5.1.1 update

Google + Hangouts on Air Broadcasts now live

Google+ Hangouts On Air can now be broadcast live and uploaded to You Tube.  Hangouts are a video presentation that participants are invited to.  Invitees can interact with the presenter so the presentation becomes an interactive social experience that can be broadcast in real time around the world if "Broadcast Publicly" is enabled. The recording of the event can be shared via You Tube or Google+



Join Google+

How to tackle 3 Common Bell TV Error Codes

The 3 most common Bell TV (satellite) error codes that our ICT North technicians hear about are:

Error  Code 001  

Means: There is a problem with a multi-dish switch

Solution:  Run a Check Switch

How:  Press Menu, 6,1,1 Select Check Switch.

If this does not clear the problem ensure there are no loose cables, run it again.

Error Code 002

Means:   Bell TV satellite signal lost
Solution: Wait for the bad weather to end.  Remove snow or ice build up off the satellite dish.
If the weather is clear, check for loose cables then Run a Check Switch.

Error Code 005

Means: Loose cable, satellite dish has moved or is obscured,

satellite receiver not connected, satellite receiver not yet authorized,

Solutions: 

1. Check cable connections are not loose or dry and that there are no breaks in the cable.

Tighten connections and or replace the cabling. Via the remote press Menu 6,1,1 the bottom bar 

on this screen shows signal strength, the longer the green bar the better the signal strength.

The word Locked should also appear under the bar to indicated that the satellite has been successfully located.    Run a Check Switch. 

2. Make sure dish is secure and has a clear line of sight to the Bell TV satellite.

Via the remote press Menu 6,1,1 if the bottom bar on the Point Dish screen is red

Call a Bell representative to request a service call so the dish can be re aimed and secured.

Remove the obstruction (tree growth etc)

3. Ensure the satellite receiver is connected correctly and has been authorized.

Sometimes is can be as simple as making sure that connections to the receiver are not loose, that the correct output has been selected on your tv model  and that the power cord is plugged in.  

If you have requested authorization is can take a while, authorization is complete when the on screen message is removed.

If these errors do not resolve  Call 1-888-759-3473  (1-888-SKY-DISH) 

to speak to a call centre representative.

image credit bell.ca

Game of Thrones Beer Logos

The idea for the Game of Thrones Beer logos came from UK artist Rob Stephens. 
There are nine designs, which can be printed on  T shirts or stickers which are available via Rob Stephens redbubble account.

Full article Source and Images: Game of Thrones inspired beer logos


NOTE : Sixteen ounce ceramic beer steins and shot glasses showing a house motto and house sigil have been available via the HBO shop for sometime.

Samsung Galaxy S III superphone

Samsung presents the Samsung Galaxy S III
mobile superphone

7pm BST,  Earls Court, London, England
Inspired by nature designed for humans :



European Launch Date - 30th May 2012
North American Launch - summer 2012*

Samsung Galaxy S3 Specifications:

• OS - Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich 
• Quad core processor
• Hyper glaze Color - "Pebble Blue" ort "Marble White"
• Slim  8.6 mm,.ergonomic styling 
• 4.8 inch display HD super Amoled display 1280 x 720p resolution and 306 pixels per inch. 
  Rear 8 megapixel camera features with 1080p Full HD video recording capabilities.
  Front 1.9 megapixels 720p HD video capable.
• 2100mAh Battery
• Sensors
• 16, 32, 64 GB Storage option
• 1 GB RAM
• 8 languages

Features of the Samsung Galaxy S III:

Smart Stay - Detects eye movement and keeps the screen awake so the brightness doesn't dim.
SVoice - Activation, dictation, direct call and command recognition.
Smart Alert - Advises you about missed calls or texts.
Social Tag - Face recognition that links to the identified person's social media.
All Share Play and Group Cast - Share documents, music, video with individuals or a group of people.
All Share Cast - Share content to another screen.
All Share Cast Dongle - Share content with an HDMI device.
Call Equalizer - Makes calls louder and clearer.


Accessories:  Flip cover  |  Desktop Dock  |  Wireless Charging Pad  |  HDMI Adapter

Bell Canada - Samsung Galaxy S III  sign up Page
 Samsung: Canadian Registration Page for the Galaxy S3

*Update 26 May 2012:  It is rumoured that the Samsung Galaxy S3  will be available in Canada 20th June 2012.
   Update 15th June 2012:  Canadian launch delayed until 27th June 2012.