Archive for September 13, 2017

Ten Diverse Technology Companies From Across Canada Selected For Lazaridis Scale-Up Program

Posted in Commentary with tags on September 13, 2017 by itnerd
The Lazaridis Institute at Wilfrid Laurier University has selected Canada’s 10 most promising technology companies to participate in the next cohort of the Lazaridis Scale-Up Program. This innovative program, now in its second year, provides high-potential firms personalized mentorship and working sessions with experts who have scaled globally competitive enterprises.

Scaling a technology company in Canada presents several challenges. Founders cite difficulty in recruiting experienced senior talent, accessing capital, and moving into global markets as among the major barriers to growth (source). The Lazaridis Scale-Up Program provides the connections, networks, knowledge and support tech companies need to create maximum value here, in Canada, while growing their companies globally.

The 10 selected companies for 2017/2018 are at pivotal stages, facing inflection points in their growth trajectories. Their technologies range from bionic knee braces and biopesticides, to digital marketing, groceries, tickets and transportation to name a few. The companies hail from cities from coast to coast across Canada. Four of the companies have one or more female founders and/or C-level executives.

The 10 companies in the second cohort of the Lazaridis Scale-Up Program are:
  1. Agendize Solutions (Montreal, Que.)
  2. Bus.com (Montreal, Que.)
  3. Dream Payments (Toronto, Ont.)
  4. Flytographer (Victoria, B.C.)
  5. 7shifts (Saskatoon, Sask.)
  6. Showpass (Calgary, Alta.)
  7. Spring Loaded Technology (Dartmouth, N.S.)
  8. Terramera (Vancouver, B.C.)
  9. Unata (Toronto, Ont.)
  10. Vendasta (Saskatoon, Sask.)
For the second year in a row, the Lazaridis Institute, which is run by the Lazaridis School of Business and Economics at Wilfrid Laurier University, will cover the costs of the Scale-Up Program.

Interested companies from across Canada went through a competitive selection process. A panel consisting of Canadian and American venture capitalists and ecosystem leaders reviewed detailed applications submitted via the national scale-up data platform powered by Hockeystick. Third-party analysis provided by Bytown Consulting helped the panel to assess each firm’s potential for growth. Short-listed applicants were invited to take part in video interviews, from which the top 10 companies were chosen.

Over the past year, companies in the first cohort of the program saw significant growth in revenue, improved the efficiency of their processes, and advanced their capabilities in areas ranging from sales and marketing, to operations, product and talent management, to finance, leadership, and delivering a pitch. Companies indicated that the most valuable elements of the program were practical knowledge that they could apply immediately to their organizations, and crucial relationships with tech leaders from across North America.
The next cohort of the Lazaridis Scale-Up Program begins October 19 in Toronto, with program weekends to follow in Ottawa, Vancouver, New York, and Palo Alto, Calif. Find out more at www.scaleupprogram.ca.

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OpenTable Research Reveals What Canadian Diners Want From Technology

Posted in Commentary with tags on September 13, 2017 by itnerd

OpenTable today released the results of its latest Technology and Dining Out research survey*, which explores Canadian diner sentiment toward the use of technology before, during and after the dining experience.

Insights from the Technology and Dining Out survey of diners across Canada include:

Before the meal:

  • Best seat in the house: Fifty-six per cent of diners want restaurants to know their preferred table or seating area. Seventy-six per cent of diners believe choosing a table or seating area would improve their experience.
  • It’s about the little things: Diners also want restaurants to know special dates, such as birthdays or anniversaries (44 per cent), number of times visited (33 per cent) and dietary preferences (29 per cent).
  • Skip the line: Seventy-two per cent of diners would like the option to add themselves to the waitlist before they arrive.
  • Cool or Creepy: Fifty-three per cent of diners think it’s a good idea or are not bothered by the idea of restaurants Google searching them prior to their arrival.

 During the meal:

  • Focus on the food: Forty-six per cent of diners say they hate it when people they’re dining with use tech during a meal because it disrupts their experience.
  • Oh snap! Eight per cent of diners take photos during their meals to remember the experience.
  • A human touch: Sixty-five per cent of diners agree that automation, including robots taking orders and preparing food, takes away from the experience of dining out.
  • Technically solo: When eating alone, diners want their tech to keep them company. Twenty-two per cent use their phones several or multiple times while eating solo at a fine-dining restaurant (33 per cent for those under 34) compared to 47 per cent of diners (and 71 per cent for those 34 and under) dining solo at a counter service restaurant.
  • Tech to try: Diners want to experiment with technology they’ve never used before, with 50 per cent open to mobile payments so they don’t have to wait around for the cheque, or even a button on the dining table to alert staff to an issue (37 per cent).

After the meal:

  • Keep them coming back: Twenty per cent of diners always or frequently interact with a restaurant’s loyalty program (a further 27 per cent use them sometimes).
  • Restaurant apps: Only four per cent of diners are very likely to download the apps of individual restaurants they’ve visited.

*These findings are based on an online survey of 275 OpenTable diners conducted between February 25, 2017 and March 15, 2017.

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New McAfee Consumer Security Suite Delivers More Efficient & Effective Protection

Posted in Commentary with tags on September 13, 2017 by itnerd
McAfee today launched its newest consumer security lineup with additional features designed to better address the threats today’s connected users face. Building on the recently announced next-generation anti-malware engine, McAfee’s core security suite – which includes McAfee AntiVirus Plus, McAfee Internet Security, McAfee Total Protection and McAfee LiveSafe – now delivers even more efficient and effective protection from digital threats as the engine’s cloud-based behavioral analytics and machine learning capabilities expand.

Additionally, McAfee is advancing its capabilities to deliver on the vision of protecting what matters most to its customers in three key areas: connected devices in the home, online safety for kids, and online privacy. In the wake of recent consumer breaches, these new innovations now available within McAfee Secure Home Platform, McAfee Safe Family and McAfee Safe Connect are needed more than ever to help protect consumers.

Savvy cybercriminals continue to seek new ways to intercept consumers’ sensitive data for their personal gain. Per the McAfee Labs Threat Report: June 2017, total ransomware has grown 59% in the past four quarters to 9.6 million samples, and total mobile malware has grown 79% in the same time to 16.7 million samples. This rise underscores the needs for consumers to use security solutions that keep pace with the latest threats including protection from zero-day malware and ransomware.

Key features and enhancements include:
  • Better Anti-Malware Protection: McAfee continues to invest in its next generation anti-malware engine, delivering improved protection while maximizing on device performance, based on recent AV-Test and AV Comparatives evaluations, both on the PC and mobile*. The engine’s detection abilities, including protection against zero-day malware, continues to improve as the engine connects more endpoints and the cloud based machine learning defends against attacks.
  • Redesigned User Interface: This year’s lineup features a fully redesigned interface that is consistent on both Windows and Mac-based computers and provides users with security reports aimed at educating and informing about the latest threats and personalized recommendations on how to optimize their protection. Additionally, the download time is shorter due to a reduction in software size.
  • Android Enhancements:
    • Enhanced Wi-Fi Security: Allows users to connect with confidence on Wi-Fi networks by indicating those which are safe and those that should be avoided
    • Ransomware Removal: McAfee Mobile Security will kill the process of a ransom app in the background as soon as it is detected, then it alerts the user to remove the app
Through the years, McAfee has continued to innovate in the consumer security space. In the past, security was primarily limited to anti-virus software on the PC, which was the main attack surface. Today, in addition to cross-device security products, McAfee’s expanded offering helps consumers protect what is most important to them. For some people, this means protecting connected devices in their homes, for others, its ensuring children are protected from unsuitable online content and still others prioritize solutions that deliver privacy when on the go.
  • McAfee Secure Home Platform: Helps protect connected devices, including Internet of Things devices and appliances, on a user’s home network from a variety of threats that can occur at the point of connection into the home. Delivers flexible security features such as device blocking and parental controls that can be managed from an easy-to-use mobile app with real time notifications. More information here.
  • McAfee Safe Family: Helps parents protect their kids from exposure to inappropriate digital content by providing app and web usage monitoring capabilities, time controls on devices and apps, location monitoring and more. More information here.
  • McAfee Safe Connect: Allows users to securely connect to the internet through bank-grade encryption, helping protect them against attempts to capture sensitive information. More information here.

With a robust offering and customer-centric approach, McAfee continues to deliver on its commitment to helping consumers connect with confidence. For pricing, availability and more information on the consumer product lineup, visit www.mcafee.com/consumer.

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Belkin Announces Boost↑Up Wireless Charging Pad

Posted in Commentary with tags on September 13, 2017 by itnerd

Belkin today unveiled its new wireless charging pad for iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus and iPhone X. The Boost↑Up Wireless Charging Pad provides an effortless wireless charging experience for iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus and iPhone X. It is fine-tuned with Qi technology under the hood, and is also able to charge at levels up to 7.5W for compatible devices.

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Belkin conducted a wireless global consumer insights study earlier this year to understand charging behavior and purchasing preferences and kept consumer feedback in mind when designing the product.

Boost↑Up Wireless Charging Pad Features

  • Cable-free convenience
  • Charges iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus and iPhone X on contact while maintaining full functionality of device including ability to receive calls
  • Charging levels optimized up to 7.5W for compatible devices
  • Ability to charge through cases up to 3mm thick
  • The latest Qi wireless charging standard
  • Connected equipment warranty up to $2500 + bonus warranty

Availability

Belkin’s Boost↑Up Wireless Charging Pad is available for purchase Sept. 15 for an MSRP of $59.99 USD at Belkin.com and apple.com. Coming soon to Apple stores worldwide. Canadian pricing is not yet available. For more information please visit Belkin.com/BoostUpWireless.

 

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Telus Expands Easy Roam Coverage

Posted in Commentary with tags on September 13, 2017 by itnerd

Telus has now expanded its Easy Roam coverage to include Cuba (as well as 13 other new countries), making Telus the only Canadian carrier to currently offer affordable roaming rates and roaming experience to customers travelling to Cuba.

 

With Easy Roam Telus customers can enjoy the sun and the sand or hop scotch the globe while staying connected on their mobile devices using their Canadian rate plan. For only $10 per day ($7 in the US), Telus customers can roam worry-free while travelling in more than 100 international destinations, using the data, minutes and text messages already included in their existing plans.

Here’s how Telus Easy Roam works:

  • To activate Easy Roam, Telus customers can simply text ROAM to 7626
  • Daily fee only applies if a call is made or answered, a text is sent or data is used
  • Only calls to numbers in Canada or the current destination are included
  • Outgoing texts to any phone number in the world are included
  • All incoming texts are free while in an Easy Roam destination
  • Customers will only be charged for days that they access their Canadian plan in their destination
  • There’s no need to remove Easy Roam from the account upon return

In addition to Cuba, TELUS is also launching Easy Roam in the Philippines, Pakistan, Lesotho, Gibraltar, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Fiji, Bangladesh, Ghana, Faroe Islands, Georgia, United Arab Emirates and Suriname.

For more information visit telus.com/travel.

 

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BREAKING: Equifax Pwned Again Due To Their Own Stupidly 

Posted in Commentary with tags on September 13, 2017 by itnerd

Noted security expert Brian Krebs has discovered that credit monitoring firm Equifax who were pwned by hackers which in turn led to  the largest data breach in history and significant fallout had an employee tool based in Argentina that could be accessed by using the user name “admin” and the password “admin”. By using those credentials, he got access to records that included the Argentine equivalent of a social security number.

#fail

This is straight up horrible IT security. No wonder these clowns were pwned. The entire planet needs to sue them out of existence. Not only that, governments in the countries that Equifax operates in need slap them silly from a legislation perspective. Because frankly, this is unacceptable.

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D-Link 850L Routers Filled With Flaws Which Could Lead To Epic Pwnage

Posted in Commentary with tags on September 13, 2017 by itnerd

A security researcher has named and shamed D-Link via Twitter:

In short, this researcher has discovered 10 flaws that could allow a hacker to pwn everything “from the Lan to the Wan” to quote his writeup.

Here’s where I have a bit of a problem with this. Apparently he went public without disclosing the issue to D‑Link beforehand. That’s a bit of a #fail in my mind because you should give the company a chance to fix the issue and only go public if they haven’t done so in 90 days. Apparently he went this route because of a previous negative experience with the firm. Also of note, he disclosed nine other vulnerabilities to D‑Link related to the DWR-932B back in February, but only one of them resulted in a patch from D-Link.

Having said that, it doesn’t change the fact that from my reading of his research that this router is extremely pwnable. His advice is to disconnect the router from the Internet and I can’t disagree with him. Hopefully being named and shamed will encourage D-Link to remedy this and quickly.

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BREAKING: US Government Bans Kaspersky Software

Posted in Commentary with tags on September 13, 2017 by itnerd

The ongoing battle between the US Government and Kaspersky software took a new turn today. The Washington Post is reporting that the latter has been banned from the US government over fears of espionage:

Acting Homeland Security Secretary Elaine Duke ordered that Kaspersky Lab software be barred from federal government networks while giving agencies a timeline to get rid of it, according to several officials familiar with the plan who were not authorized to speak publicly about it. Duke ordered the scrub on the grounds that the company has connections to the Russian government and its software poses a security risk.

“The Department is concerned about the ties between certain Kaspersky officials and Russian intelligence and other government agencies, and requirements under Russian law that allow Russian intelligence agencies to request or compel assistance from Kaspersky and to intercept communications transiting Russian networks,” the department said in a statement. “The risk that the Russian government, whether acting on its own or in collaboration with Kaspersky, could capitalize on access provided by Kaspersky products to compromise federal information and information systems directly implicates U.S. national security.”

Now this has been going on for months as evidenced by these posts on the subject. But this is a major escalation. And one that is sure to get a response from not just the software company, but the Russian government too. In terms of the former, this is what they had to say:

In a statement to The Washington Post on Wednesday, the company said: “Kaspersky Lab doesn’t have inappropriate ties with any government, which is why no credible evidence has been presented publicly by anyone or any organization to back up the false allegations made against the company. The only conclusion seems to be that Kaspersky Lab, a private company, is caught in the middle of a geopolitical fight, and it’s being treated unfairly even though the company has never helped, nor will help, any government in the world with its cyberespionage or offensive cyber efforts.

“Kaspersky Lab has always acknowledged that it provides appropriate products and services to governments around the world to protect those organizations from cyberthreats, but it does not have unethical ties or affiliations with any government, including Russia,” the firm said.

I would recommend watching this story as it’s going to get interesting. Very interesting.

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Why Is Rogers Not Going To Sell The Series 3 Apple Watch?

Posted in Commentary with tags on September 13, 2017 by itnerd

One of the things that I found curious when the Series 3 Apple Watch with LTE connectivity was announced at the Apple Event yesterday was the fact that one of the big three carriers was missing from the list of Canadian carriers that would have the new Apple Watch on launch day. That carrier being Rogers. That of course got the attention of a lot of people. Take for example this Twitter exchange:

https://twitter.com/tcampbell0/status/907682730179211265

Rogers responded with this:

In fact, that seems to be the official party line from Rogers when asked about the Series 3 Apple Watch as other media outlets have reported that Rogers is giving that answer when they were asked about it. The problem with this party line is that it doesn’t actually answer the question as to whether they are going to sell the newest Apple Watch. It’s doubly strange seeing as Rogers will be carrying all the new iPhones when they start shipping. You have to wonder why Rogers seems to be taking this stance seeing as the two other members of the “big three” telcos in Canada have jumped on board to carry the Series 3 Apple Watch. After all, Apple fans tend to be loyal and from what I am seeing in various places on line, many are going to defect from Rogers to Telus and Bell to get the latest Apple Watch. If that actually pans out, which I think it will, then it sucks to be Rogers right about now.

UPDATE: I posted a bit of a plot twist to this story here.

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Review: Belkin TrueClear Pro Advanced Screen Care

Posted in Products with tags on September 13, 2017 by itnerd

My iPhone 7 Plus has been protected by a Belkin ScreenCare+ Screen Protector. I used it because it cut down on glare. But over the last month, I noticed that it was starting to peel away from the screen. Likely because of all the athletic activities that I do. Thus I needed to get a new one. I decided that my best course of action was to go to the Apple Store and get the Belkin TrueClear Pro Advanced Screen Care screen protector. This is a screen protector made of Corning’s InvisiGlass Ultra. It offers improved scratch resistance, reduced scratch visibility and better drop performance than screen protectors made from tempered glass and plastic. It’s extremely thin and looks like you have nothing on the phone. For those reasons, I decided that this was the screen protector for me.

The key thing about this screen protector is that it is professionally installed at your local Apple Store and it’s cool to watch. I handed my phone over to an Apple Specialist who cleaned my phone of dust, smudges and fingerprints and then watched them put the screen protector. It took minutes and the results were exceptionally good. It looked like I didn’t have a screen protector on as colors looked vibrant and the screen images were sharp. Ditto for the feel of the screen. The screen protector did attracted fingerprints much like the stock screen would. But those were easily cleaned with a tissue. The only issue was that there was glare in bright sunlight, but I will learn to adapt to that.

Total cost was $44.95 CDN and less than ten minutes of my time. Seeing as every smartphone user needs a screen protector, the offerings from Belkin which come with the bonus of professional installation is a great way to go.

 

 

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