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Reality Bites

  • Michael J. Fox among Order of Canada inductees

    Rock legend Robbie Robertson and actor Michael J. Fox were among 43 people invested with the Order of Canada at a ceremony at the Governor General’s residence, Rideau Hall, in Ottawa.

  • Hurt Locker lawsuit targets a record-breaking 24,583 IP addresses

    It’s been almost a year since the producers of The Hurt Locker filed a lawsuit against 5,000 alleged pirates suspected of distributing the film via BitTorrent. Now Voltage Pictures has updated its complaint, adding almost 20,000 IP addresses to the list of defendants. That makes it the largest file-sharing lawsuit of all time — a crown previously held by the company behind The Expendables, according to Wired. The plaintiff has already reached agreements with Charter and Verizon to identify individual users, but no such deal with Comcast, who owns nearly half the supposedly infringing addresses. Linking those addresses with user accounts would let Voltage manage individual settlements — probably somewhere between $1,000-$2,000 — rather than continue legal action. All of this eerily echoes the Oscar-winning film’s plot, about an adrenaline junkie who couldn’t resist downloading just one more movie. Or defusing one more bomb. We’re a little fuzzy on the details, but venture into TorrentFreak to scan for familiar IP addresses.

    Hurt Locker lawsuit targets a record-breaking 24,583 IP addresses originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 27 May 2011 15:11:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

    Permalink   |  sourceTorrentFreak, Wired  | Email this | Comments

  • Six Great Experimental Features to Enable in Google Chrome’s Labs [Google Chrome Labs]

    Google Chrome is a favorite among power users in no small part due to its innovative experimental features (many of which are eventually integrated into the stable browser). For our final installment of the best of Google Labs, we’re taking a look at the best experimental, advanced features you can add to Google Chrome. More »







  • This is What 43,000 Galaxies Look Like On a Map [Science]

    The image above is the most complete map of our local universe to date. It took more that ten years to create, has 43,000 galaxies and extends out 380 million light years from the earth. The 3D coordinates of each galaxy was recorded so the raw data could potentially be used to build a realistic 3D model of the universe. Throw in some holographic technology and you have something straight from Star Trek. More »







  • Transportation Department to propose mandatory black boxes in passenger vehicles?

    A few years back, the Department of Transportation recommended that auto makers give car owners a heads up when they slip event data recorders — also known as “black boxes” — into new models. Now, it looks like the department is considering taking its policy a step (or several) further: a memo reveals that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration plans to propose later this year that all new passenger vehicles have EDRs. So far, heavy-duty vehicles appear to be excluded, and either way, it’s unclear how many years auto makers might have to work black boxes into their future models. Interestingly, when we asked a DoT staffer for clarification, he reminded us that the agency hasn’t issued a press release and said he wasn’t sure where Wired and other outlets were getting their information. Indeed, the Transportation Department hasn’t proposed such a law yet, though it’s pretty safe to say it’s at least pondering it. Hit the source link to pore over the 197-page doc for yourselves (tip: we suggesting paying particular attention to page 54). [Warning: PDF source link]

    Transportation Department to propose mandatory black boxes in passenger vehicles? originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 27 May 2011 14:38:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

    Permalink The Detroit News, Wired  |  sourceDepartment of Transportation  | Email this | Comments

  • Microsoft collects $5 from every Android device HTC sells


    Microsoft has been hitting the streets hard over the past year with their new Windows Phone platform. Growth has been less than impressive, mainly due to the adoption of iOS and Android. No worries from Microsoft though as they are raking in the dough from the success of Google’s Android OS. According to Citi analyst Walter Pritchard the reason is because HTC settled a patent infringement case and agreed to pay Microsoft $5 per Android handset they sell. It’s estimated that HTC has sold 30 million Android devices (and growing) which totals a whopping $150 million.

    Pritchard also notes that Microsoft has sold 2 million Windows Phone licenses with an estimated license fee of $15 each comes out to a revenue of $30 million… which means that Microsoft has made five times more income from Android than from their own Windows Phone.

    Source: Asymco
    Via: Gizmodo

    Related posts:

    1. Gartner: Android captured 36% market share in Q1 2011
    2. Microsoft: 2 million Windows Phone 7 devices shipped
    3. Microsoft paying Nokia $1 billion over 5 years to “promote and develop Windows-based handsets”

  • Lenovo IdeaPad K1 tablet hits some online retailers, still not buy-able

    Lenovo still hasn’t officially confirmed it, but all signs are pointing to an imminent US launch of its Android-based IdeaPad K1 tablet. It just hit the FCC under the “K1” moniker earlier this month, and it’s now gotten a full blown listing on Buy.com, complete with specs and some pictures that show off Lenovo’s “custom-built Android interface.” Those specs include a 10.1-inch display, a Tegra 2 processor (not a Snapdragon as we had seen on the LePad), 32GB of storage, dual cameras (5 megapixel rear and 2 megapixel front-facing), a microSD card slot, a micro HDMI out, and even a SIM card slot — somewhat notably it’s also listed as coming with Netflix pre-installed. While most of those specs seem like a safe bet, others apparently aren’t quite set in stone, the listing alternatively mentions both Android 3.0 and Android 3.1, for instance, and both a 1280 x 720 and 1280 x 800 resolution (though the latter seems likely). What’s more, while Buy.com isn’t providing a price just yet, the tablet has also hit Krex Computers of all places, where it’s listed at $510. Hit up the gallery below for a closer look.

    Lenovo IdeaPad K1 tablet hits some online retailers, still not buy-able originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 27 May 2011 11:43:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

    Permalink Netbook News  |  sourceBuy.com, Krex.com  | Email this | Comments

  • 3-year contracts banned in the UK… hopefully Canada follows


    Ofcom, the UK independent communications regulator, has stated that “contracts will be limited to a maximum of 24 months”… basically banning 3-year mobile phone contracts. In addition, “consumers and businesses must also be offered a choice of contract lasting no longer than 12 months”. The reason for the change is because “Shorter contracts are likely to promote competition and enable consumers to switch providers more easily to benefit from better prices and services”.

    New entrants like WIND, Mobilicity and Public Mobile have all come into market offering customers no-contracts with the hopes of ridding “Canadians from the incumbent providers’ ‘death grip’”. Carriers such as Rogers, Bell and TELUS all have 3-year contracts that offer customers who sign up a significant handset price reduction. Currently there are no plans to have the long 3-year contract option removed.

    The United States has a max 2-year contract term and now our friends/family in the United Kingdom followed… it’s now Canada’s turn.

    Source: Ofcom
    Via: IntoMobile

    Related posts:

    1. Bell eliminates 2-year/1-year contracts for Palm Pre
    2. For those who like 3-year contracts: X10 and Milestone now $99.99
    3. Virgin Mobile – “you to call the shots” on contracts

  • NASA asteroid mission could explain how life began (and how ours might end)

    There’s a slight chance that the Earth could get hit by an asteroid in about 170 years, but don’t you worry — NASA‘s all over it. This week, the agency announced a new mouthful of a mission known as Origins-Spectral Interpretation-Resource Identification-Security-Regolith Explorer, or OSIRIS-REx, for short. The $800 million initiative, part of NASA’s New Frontiers Program, will send a spacecraft to link up with 1999 RQ36 — a nearby asteroid that’s likely rich in carbon and other organic molecules that could explain how life forms originated. After about four years of space travel, the craft should get close enough to map the asteroid’s surface, before using its robotic arm to extract at least two ounces of material and return it to Earth by 2023. Scientists will also pay close attention to something known as the Yarkovsky effect, which determines how an asteroid’s path changes as it absorbs and emits energy from the sun. OSIRIS-REx will attempt to measure this affect for the first time, perhaps allowing NASA to predict the trajectories of potentially hazardous asteroids — including the RQ36. The 1,900-foot wide rock is expected to approach Earth by the year 2182 and, according to recent estimates, there’s a one in a thousand chance that it could actually strike our planet. Now if you excuse us, we have to go prepare a bunker for our great-great-grandchildren. Head past the break for a video and full press release.

    Continue reading NASA asteroid mission could explain how life began (and how ours might end)

    NASA asteroid mission could explain how life began (and how ours might end) originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 27 May 2011 10:27:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

    Permalink Space.com  |   | Email this | Comments

  • Make a Big Splash: Clear Glass Tub Boston Home Magazine

    052611sternmccaffertySEtub.jpg

    Flipping through the latest issue of Boston Home, I was struck by the beauty of this “invisible” tub. Made from a thick sheet of glass inserted between the two tile walls, it’s so simple, yet I’ve never seen anything quite like it.

    Read Full Post

  • SwiftKey X Beta Keyboard Has Improved Word Prediction, Autocorrect, and Interface [Updates]

    Previously mentioned SwiftKey got a big update today, in the form of a completely new app named SwiftKey X. The app’s goal of faster, more accurate typing through AI-driven autocorrect and text-prediction hasn’t changed, but its methods, interface, installation, and speed definitely have. Primarily, SwiftKey X users have the option to allow the keyboard to learn from their interaction on social accounts by sending typing data back to be crunched in the cloud, and returned as text-prediction patterns. More »







  • Dad who killed daughter’s boyfriend found guilty

    A jury has found 54-year-old Kim Walker of Yorkton, Sask., guilty of manslaughter in the shooting death of his daughter’s boyfriend eight years ago.

  • Comic for May 27, 2011

  • PayPal swiftly slaps Google with mobile payment suit

    Just this morning we reported on the rather jovial atmosphere at Google’s big mobile payment announcement — well, it looks like PayPal’s prepared to bring an end to the celebration. According to Bloomberg, PayPal filed a suit against Google today in a California Superior Court, alleging that former PayPal executive, and one of this morning’s MCs, Osama Bedier misappropriated the company’s trade secrets. The suit further fingered Stephanie Tilenius, also formerly with PayPal, of violating the terms of her contract in recruiting Bedier. Though we’ve yet to get our hands on any clear details about which trade secrets PayPal’s pointing to, we’d say the timing speaks volumes.

    PayPal swiftly slaps Google with mobile payment suit originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 27 May 2011 00:58:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

    Permalink   |  sourceBloomberg  | Email this | Comments

  • Slave Lake residents can go home Friday

    Residents of Slave Lake, Alta. who didn’t lose their houses in the May 15 wildfire can go home Friday.

  • Windows tablet OS preview coming next week?

    We’ve heard an awful lot about a Windows tablet OS this past year, with stirrings of a 2012 launch — heck, even Steve Ballmer’s fanned the flames of speculation — and now the rumor mill’s been set in motion with word of an impending preview expected next week. According to Bloomberg, three sources have confirmed Microsoft’s plan to flaunt the much-anticipated UI, possibly at upcoming appearances at AllThingsD and Computex. The showcase is supposedly set to run the touchscreen-enabled software on a Tegra-equipped machine. We’d previously reported on stirrings of a June demo. Considering all the evidence that’s stacked up over the past few months, we’d say 2012 is looking like a rather practical target.

    Windows tablet OS preview coming next week? originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 26 May 2011 20:17:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

    Permalink Business Insider  |  sourceBloomberg  | Email this | Comments

  • NASA commits to Orion-based Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle for space exploration

    There’s been a lot of talk of things coming to an end at NASA lately, but there are also some new beginnings, and the space agency has now officially filled in one big gap. It’s announced that the so-called Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle (or MPCV) will be its go-to space exploration vehicle for missions beyond Low Earth Orbit — presumably, the individual spacecraft will get names more up to the level of boldly-named vehicles like Endeavor and Atlantis. If it looks a little familiar, that’s because the MPCV will be based on the Orion spacecraft that was developed under the now-canceled Constellation program and, like it, it will be built by Lockheed Martin. Once its put into service, the spacecraft will be capable of carrying four astronauts on missions up to 21 days, and it could even be used as a backup for cargo and crew delivery to the ISS — to actually get into space, it would blast off atop a heavy lift rocket, and then splash down Apollo-style in the Pacific Ocean. Head on past the break for NASA’s official announcement.

    Continue reading NASA commits to Orion-based Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle for space exploration

    NASA commits to Orion-based Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle for space exploration originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 26 May 2011 19:53:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

    Permalink CNET  |  sourceNASA  | Email this | Comments

  • Target Announces First Zellers Canada Stores That Will Be Converted!

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    Target announced today what stores will be the first of the Target launch in Canada!  There will be 105 stores spanning across most provinces.

    Manitoba
    • Shoppers Mall, Brandon
    • Grant Park, Winnipeg
    • Kildonan Place Shopping Centre, Winnipeg
    • Polo Park Shopping Centre, Winnipeg
    • Southdale Centre, Winnipeg

    New Brunswick
    • McAllister Place, Saint John

    Newfoundland and Labrador
    • Corner Brook, Corner Brook
    • Cabot Square, St. John,s

    Saskatchewan
    • Northgate Mall, Regina
    • The Centre, Saskatoon

    Alberta
    • Chinook Centre, Calgary
    • Forest Lawn Shopping Centre, Calgary
    • Market Mall, Calgary
    • Shoppes at Shawnessy, Calgary
    • Signal Hill Centre, Calgary
    • Sunridge Mall, Calgary
    • Bonnie Doon, Edmonton
    • Kingsway Garden Mall, Edmonton
    • Mill Woods Town Centre, Edmonton
    • Prairie Mall, Grande Prairie
    • Bower Place, Red Deer
    • St. Albert Centre, St. Albert
    • Sherwood Park Mall, Sherwood Park

    Nova Scotia
    • Bedford Place, Bedford
    • Mic Mac Mall, Dartmouth

    Ontario
    • Durham Centre, Ajax
    • Aurora Shopping Centre, Aurora
    • Bramalea City Centre, Brampton
    • Shoppers World Brampton, Brampton
    • Trinity Common, Brampton
    • Burlington Mall, Burlington
    • Millcroft Centre, Burlington
    • Cambridge Centre, Cambridge
    • Woodbine Centre, Etobicoke
    • Gates of Fergus, Fergus
    • 175 Stone Road W., Guelph
    • Centre Mall, Hamilton
    • South Hamilton Square, Hamilton
    • Hazeldean Mall, Kanata
    • Cataraqui Town Centre, Kingston
    • Lindsay Square Mall, Lindsay
    • Masonville Place, London
    • Westmount Shopping Centre, London
    • Milton Mall Shopping Centre, Milton
    • Erin Mills Town Centre, Mississauga
    • Square One, Mississauga
    • Meadowlands Shopping Centre, Nepean
    • Upper Canada Mall, Newmarket
    • 1899 Algonquin Ave., North Bay
    • Centerpoint Mall, North York
    • Orillia Square Mall, Orillia
    • Place D,Orleans, Orleans
    • Five Points Mall, Oshawa
    • Bayshore Shopping Centre, Ottawa
    • Billings Bridge Plaza, Ottawa
    • RioCan St. Laurent, Ottawa
    • Hillcrest Mall, Richmond Hill
    • Bridlewood Mall, Scarborough
    • County Fair Mall, Smiths Falls
    • Niagara Pen Centre, St. Catharines
    • Stratford Mall, Stratford
    • Sudbury Supermall, Sudbury
    • Intercity Shopping Centre, Thunder Bay
    • Cloverdale Mall, Toronto
    • Shoppers World Danforth, Toronto
    • East York Town Centre, Toronto
    • Flamborough Power Centre, Waterdown
    • Conestoga Mall, Waterloo
    • Taunton Gardens Power Centre, Whitby
    • Devonshire Mall, Windsor

    Prince Edward Island
    • Charlottetown Mall, Charlottetown

    Quebec
    • Galeries d,Anjou, Anjou
    • Faubourg Boisbriand, Boisbriand
    • Carrefour Angrignon, Lasalle
    • Mega Centre Notre-Dame, Laval
    • Galeries Chagnon , Levis
    • Place Longueuil, Longueuil
    • Place Alexis Nihon, Montreal
    • Place Vertu, Montreal
    • Terrarium Shopping Centre, Pointe Claire
    • Les Galeries De La Capitale, Quebec City
    • Place Fleur De Lys, Quebec City
    • Place Laurier, Quebec
    • Le Carrefour Rimouski, Rimouski
    • Promenades Saint-Bruno, Saint-Bruno-de-Montarville
    • Carrefour Saint-Georges, Saint-Georges
    • Carrefour Richelieu, Saint- Jean sur-Richelieu
    • Carrefour du Nord, Saint Jerome
    • Carrefour de L,Estrie, Sherbrooke
    • Les Rivieres Shopping Centre, Trois Rivieres

    British Columbia
    • Abbotsford Power Centre, Abbotsford
    • Metropolis at Metrotown, Burnaby
    • Discovery Harbour Shopping Centre, Campbell River
    • Cottonwood Mall, Chilliwack
    • Coquitlam Centre, Coquitlam
    • Driftwood Mall, Courtenay
    • Tamarack Mall, Cranbrook
    • Scottsdale Mall, Delta
    • Willowbrook Shopping Centre, Langley
    • Haney Place Mall, Maple Ridge
    • Nanaimo North Town Centre, Nanaimo
    • Pine Centre, Prince George
    • Oakridge Shopping Centre, Vancouver
    • Village Green Mall, Vernon
    • Tillicum Mall, Victoria

    Are you looking forward to the change?

  • Sony Confirms PlayStation 4


    With Wii 2 due to be shown at E3 and hints of new Microsoft hardware abound, it was only a matter of time before Sony dropped hints about its plans for the next gen. Sony’s executive vice president and chief financial officer Masaru Kato has confirmed that the company is putting together a “future platform” – the almost assured PlayStation 4. He referred to Sony’s next console during a conference call to investors when asked to clarify an increase in research and development costs, according to Eurogamer.
    Kato said:

    “For the home equipment the PS3 still has a product life but this is platform business, so for the future platform – when we’ll be introducing that product, I cannot discuss that – but our development is already under way, so the costs are incurred there.”

    The news contrasts claims made by Sony Computer Entertainment chief Kaz Hirai earlier this year, who said that the firm was “not deliberating” a PS4.

  • Introducing the people widget

    Posted by Zohair Hyder, Software Engineer

    (Cross-posted on the Google Enterprise Blog)

    Email is just as much about the people you communicate with as it is what you communicate about. We think it can be helpful to view relevant information in context, which is why over the next two weeks we’re rolling out a new people widget located on the right hand side of your messages. The people widget surfaces content from friends, family and colleagues that is already available to you but may be hard to find and makes it easier to connect with them.





    Next to every email message you can now see contextual information about the people in that conversation including recent emails you received from them, relevant Buzz posts, shared documents and calendar events. You also have quick access to a variety of ways to communicate with individuals, start a group chat or schedule a meeting with groups of people.


    We hope the people widget will improve your Gmail experience and we’re eager for you to try it out.