Archive for February 4, 2014

Industry Minister To Make Announcement Tomorrow Related To The Wireless Industry

Posted in Commentary with tags , on February 4, 2014 by itnerd

This could be interesting.

A media advisory is up on the Industry Canada website with this cryptic message:

The Honourable James Moore, Minister of Industry, will make an announcement regarding Canada’s wireless industry.

Minister Moore will be available to answer questions from journalists following the announcement.

That can mean almost anything from new legislation to announcing the winners of the 700 Mhz auction tomorrow. Your guess is as good as mine. Whatever the announcement is, it should prove interesting for both the wireless industry and those who use their services.

 

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Adobe Says Install Flash Update NOW

Posted in Security with tags on February 4, 2014 by itnerd

I don’t see this everyday.

Adobe today released a “priority 1” update to Flash that the company recommends that you install within the next 72 hours to protect your computer. From what you may ask? Apparently, an attacker could take control of your system remotely. Here’s what the company said:

Adobe has released security updates for Adobe Flash Player 12.0.0.43 and earlier versions for Windows and Macintosh and Adobe Flash Player 11.2.202.335 and earlier versions for Linux. These updates address a critical vulnerability that could potentially allow an attacker to remotely take control of the affected system.

Adobe is aware of reports that an exploit for this vulnerability exists in the wild, and recommends users update their product installations to the latest versions

You can get the latest Flash Player here. I’d update now if I were you.

 

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Rogers Mobile Shopper Announced

Posted in Commentary with tags on February 4, 2014 by itnerd

At today’s Wavefront Wireless Summits in Vancouver, Rogers announced Mobile Shopper, a machine-to-machine (M2M) solution that will enable customers to engage with brands in-store through mobile offers, applications and mobile payments technology all with their smartphone. RioCan, Canada’s largest owner of shopping centres is the first to trial the Rogers Mobile Shopper solution in select Ontario-based shopping centres.

The Mobile Shopper platform works by combining a wireless network connection with mobile applications to deliver relevant content – such as daily offers and promotions – to customers that choose to opt in to the service on their mobile device. Retailers gain insights with this data to help them drive in-store traffic and provide added value to customers. Today, RioCan is trialing Smart Wi-Fi, part of the Mobile Shopper solution that is helping improve the customer experience and their business.

Mobile Shopper can help the retail experience by:

  • Enabling customers to engage with their favourite retailers across multiple channels from social media to the web and the store;
  • Ensuring customers get targeted and personalized offers, messages and information that are relevant to them;
  • Offering an efficient transaction process with mobile point-of-sale solutions and tap-and-go technology.

This appears to be tied into Rogers Alerts which was launched last year. It’s a very interesting play and I’ll be looking into this further.

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CIBC and TELUS Launch Mobile Payment System

Posted in Commentary with tags , on February 4, 2014 by itnerd

CIBC and TELUS today announced the launch of the CIBC Mobile Payment App to TELUS mobile devices with Near-Field Communications (NFC) capability, allowing more Canadians to have access to mobile payments. Using this system, you’ll be able to pay for anything from a coffee to groceries using your phone as long as you have a CICB credit card account and a supported phone. CIBC credit card clients using the following devices on the TELUS network will be able to download the CIBC Mobile Payment App from Google Play beginning today:

  • Samsung Galaxy S4
  • Samsung Galaxy SIII
  • Samsung Galaxy Note II
  • HTC One

Users of the following BlackBerry devices on the TELUS network will have access to the CIBC Mobile Payment App later this month:

  • BlackBerry Z10
  • BlackBerry Q10
  • BlackBerry Bold 9900

So if you’re already a CIBC and Telus customer with a supported phone and a CIBC credit card, download the app and give it a try. I think you’ll find it to be very handy.

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BBM Users Can Score Movie Tickets For A Year

Posted in Commentary with tags on February 4, 2014 by itnerd

BlackBerry has a contest for BBM users. Simply share your pin with other BBM users and you’re entered into the contest which allows you to score free movie tickets for a year. Just make sure you enter before Feb. 27th as that’s the day the lucky winner is chosen.

For more details, check out this link.

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BREAKING: Microsoft Names New CEO

Posted in Commentary with tags on February 4, 2014 by itnerd

It seems that this rumor turned out to be largely fact. Microsoft has just announced their new CEO:

Microsoft Corp. today announced that its Board of Directors has appointed Satya Nadella as Chief Executive Officer and member of the Board of Directors effective immediately. Nadella previously held the position of Executive Vice President of Microsoft’s Cloud and Enterprise group. 

“During this time of transformation, there is no better person to lead Microsoft than Satya Nadella,” said Bill Gates, Microsoft’s Founder and Member of the Board of Directors. “Satya is a proven leader with hard-core engineering skills, business vision and the ability to bring people together. His vision for how technology will be used and experienced around the world is exactly what Microsoft needs as the company enters its next chapter of expanded product innovation and growth.” 

And there’s more:

Microsoft also announced that Bill Gates, previously Chairman of the Board of Directors, will assume a new role on the Board as Founder and Technology Advisor, and will devote more time to the company, supporting Nadella in shaping technology and product direction. John Thompson, lead independent director for the Board of Directors, will assume the role of Chairman of the Board of Directors and remain an independent director on the Board. 

Interesting. Gates isn’t gone, but the choice of CEO was on the money. So is this a good thing or a bad thing for Microsoft. Weigh in with your thoughts.

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