24th August 2011

ExactFlat Certified For Autodesk Inventor

exactflatConversion software ExactFlat converts 3D models into accurate, production-ready 2D cut patterns. Fully integrated with Autodesk Inventor software, ExactFlat extends the power of Inventor by making it optimally suited for manufacturers using industrial fabrics.

“ExactFlat’s 3D to 2D flattening algorithms have been used in some of the largest, most demanding, and most advanced global manufacturers for years and we are excited to bring this functionality to Autodesk Inventor. Now that ExactFlat is seamlessly integrated into the Inventor menu ribbon, it is easier than ever before for customers to save time, money and effort when they need to flatten complex 3D models into accurate 2D flat patterns,” said Carl White, director of Inventor digital design product management at Autodesk.

“ExactFlat leverages the engineering and CAD data within Autodesk Inventor to automate and simplify the manual, time consuming, and costly processes for flattening 3D models into 2D flat patterns. With well-designed models, 3D to 2D flattening is only 5 simple steps and can be completed in about 5 minutes. Manufacturers in marine, automotive, aerospace, architecture, performance garments, furniture and other industries using industrial fabrics will find ExactFlat indispensable to improving their prototyping and production efficiencies,” added Mark Jewel, founder of Tri-D Technologies.

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ExactFlat removes the design and manufacturing constraints imposed by traditional manual flattening processes. If you’re using 3D CAD and you need to create 2D flat patterns for the cutting table, ExactFlat is the fastest, most accurate and simple way to do it.

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24th August 2011

WorldLine Announces New Low-Priced Bundles

worldlineEmerging Canadian telecommunications provider Worldline has announced a new low-priced and feature-rich home phone and high speed internet bundle for the Ontario market that is designed to bring down costs for consumers while offering outstanding service.

Today, the average Canadian household is paying around $100 dollars a month for basic wireline and broadband service, and must further shell out for long distance charges and for add-on services such as visual call display. Worldline comes out of the gate with an all-in bundled package at half of the cost.

For the low monthly cost of $49.95 plus a $5.00 regulatory and essential services fee, Worldline’s bundle is incredibly affordable. It is also simple to understand and customers can be up and running very quickly. There are no hidden fees, extra costs or contracts. As an extra bonus, this package includes free long distance to most destinations across Canada. And best of all – it comes with free installation.

“Worldline is taking a stand on behalf of the average Ontario family. In these challenging economic times, people everywhere are looking to reduce household costs. But at the same time, they need a dependable provider for quality home phone service, high speed internet, as well as attractive long distance calling. We want to be that provider,” says CEO Jody Schnarr.

Schnarr continues on to explain that Worldline’s efficient business operations and lean and mean approach to marketing enables the company to offer such low pricing to their customers. “Elaborate marketing campaigns and television commercials may help to build brand recognition, but they don’t serve the average consumer. We believe in passing savings along to our customers,” he notes. Read the rest of this entry »

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24th August 2011

Canadian Wireless Trade Show Coming To Toronto Next Month

Canadian Wireless TradeshowThe Canadian Wireless Trade Show is happening this September 15th-16th in Toronto, and this year the conference is doing a lot more than changing the wireless communications industry in Canada – it’s gone global. Over the years, the Canadian Wireless Trade Show has attracted retailers, wholesalers and startups from around the world. Nokia, Samsung, Otterbox, and RIM among many others have all registered to gather under one roof at the Toronto Congress Centre for this year’s event.

With free attendee registration available to everyone, the 3000+ expected attendees will experience a sold out exhibition floor, seminars on the latest trends and directions for the wireless, mobile and telecom industry, a live mobile app competition and more.

The festivities will be hosted by two of Canada’s most-prized tech tongues: WEBNATION’s Maurice Cacho on September 15th and Tech Guru Marc Saltzman on September 16th. Only those in attendance will get a chance to network with the world’s top mobile, telecom, and wireless leaders of today; discover hands-on experience of the world’s most-advanced technologies and newest gadgets; receive free prizes; and be a part of wireless communications history!

 

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23rd August 2011

Poynt for Blackberry Playbook Localized In Europe

poyntMobile local search and advertising service Poynt Corporation has released a new version of their award-winning local search application Poynt on the BlackBerry® Playbook™ tablet for use in Germany, France, Spain and Italy in their respective languages.

North American and United Kingdom Playbook tablet users now have access to the Events search vertical allowing them to search for concerts, sporting events, festivals, and other local events and venues. Users can search by location, date, category or performer and have access to detailed event information, including turn-by-turn directions, performance details, venue details, event websites and images, without leaving the app. The up-to-the-minute content is provided by a Poynt content partner, Eventful, the leading digital media company connecting 20 million consumers to local events. Users can add events to their device calendar or send details to friends via email, Facebook or Twitter.

‘Search from here’—one of the more popular functionalities of the existing version of the App—has also been added. The feature allows users to fully plan their days or their evenings by making a search listing their location in order to find additional business, movie, restaurant and event listings nearby. For example, this allows users to plan a complete evening out by choosing a restaurant and making dinner reservations and then finding a movie theatre in the area, booking movie tickets and getting directions all without exiting the app. This functionality makes Poynt a truly valuable personal assistant tool when planning your day.

Playbook tablet users in Europe and North America can integrate Poynt across their devices by pairing their BlackBerry PlayBook tablet with their BlackBerry smartphone. Pairing allows users to take advantage of the larger user interface offered by the BlackBerry PlayBook while still taking full advantage of the features available through their BlackBerry smartphone.

“The BlackBerry PlayBook tablet offers a very user-friendly interface and allows us to showcase the wealth of events data and multimedia available. Providing users in Europe with the ability to use Poynt for the PlayBook tablet in their native languages is important to us as we recognize the value of local content,” stated Andrew Osis, president and CEO of Poynt Corp. “We anticipate that continued growth in feature sets and geographies will translate into continued revenue growth for Poynt Corp.”

“With richer data sets and verticals comes increased usage of the App – both in frequency and length of time. We continue to see an increased number of searches per user as we expand the features and functionality within Poynt. This, in turn, translates into increased advertising revenue.”

Poynt is a convenient and timesaving GPS-enabled mobile application that connects consumers to local businesses, events, restaurants, movie theatres, gas prices and weather information at the moment they are looking to buy or acquire products or services. Poynt provides consumers with the ability to move beyond discovery of their local area to view movie trailers and reviews, buy movie tickets, click-to-call businesses, get directions, browse listing websites, read reviews and book dining reservations, all without leaving the App.

Poynt revenue is driven by providing contextual and relevant advertising to users through searches, local queries, page views, and transactions within the App. Each user query generates several page views, which are monetized through display advertising and sponsored listings paid for by advertisers on a cost per thousand impressions (CPM) basis or on a cost per click (CPC) basis. Transactions, such as ticket sales and restaurant reservations, also contribute to revenues on a fee for service basis.

Poynt is available as a free download for users in Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Italy, Spain and Australia on BlackBerry® smartphones, BlackBerry Playbook™ tablet, iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch, Android, Windows Phone 7 and Nokia devices from the respective App Stores. Poynt is also available via Over the Air download at m.poynt.com.

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23rd August 2011

James Stewart Pangea Exhibit Opens Next Month

All artists are observers of life, though it’s not every day you encounter an artist who has the official title of “creature supervisor.” But that is indeed the hat most often worn by Vancouver artist James Stewart, who created the lead character in The Chronicles of Narnia, and was responsible for creating the giant, prawn-like aliens in District 9.

Stewart’s successful career in the film industry has taken him to over 45 countries spanning four continents. Also an accomplished photographer, he has rigorously documented his travels and the thousands of lives that have touched his. These experiences find their way into his artwork. Most recently, he has returned home to create ‘Pangea,’ a series of beautiful and life-like bronze sculptures.

Pangea is the term for Earth’s landmass before it shifted to the continents we know today. It refers to a time when everything was together and connected. Stewart’s imagination is fuelled by his interest in other cultures, and his over-arching vision with this series, which is that our common roots speak about how we all remain connected. He maintains that connection can be seen clearly, even in our diverse cultures, if our observation is close and careful enough.

Stewart’s work, which is highly realistic and traditional, is also strikingly contemporary in how it is created. He imbues his figures with the subtlety of gesture, which brings them alive. While very familiar with working from a live model, Stewart created these works by referring to the exhaustive photographic records he takes while travelling. Working in front a large video screen and using multiple images, he re-creates his experiences in oil-based clay. He has been compared to a photojournalist who is reporting in 3-D.

Using the “cire perdue,” or lost wax method, Stewart works with the finest foundry, Artworks, to fabricate the bronze. This technique dates back to ancient Greece and was used by such renowned artists as Bernini and Rodin. The completed piece is then used to make a mould, which is used in the casting of the bronze artwork. Upon completion of the edition the artist will supervise the destruction of the mould.

Stewart’s incredible eye for detail (the kind most artists dream about) allows the viewer to enter his original experience. Looking at his sculptures induces an almost voyeuristic feeling. The eye can freely linger over intimate details — knock-kneed legs, poor teeth, wrinkled clothes, etc. — in a way that in real life would constitute staring. Here, it’s just close observation, a practice the artist would like to wholeheartedly encourage.

These sculptures, which represent the best techniques of the old and the new worlds, will be on display Wednesday to Sunday, 12pm to 6pm, from September 10th to October 2nd at 5 West Pender Street in Vancouver.

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23rd August 2011

Wendy Gross and Joel Ramsey Join Technology Business Group At Osler

osler hoskins harcourtWendy Gross and Joel Ramsey have joined law firm Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP as partners. Wendy will co-chair the Technology Business Group for the company, which has offices in Toronto, Montreal, Ottawa, Calgary and New York.

“Wendy Gross and Joel Ramsey are strategic additions to our Firm and we are delighted to have them join us,” said Osler Managing Partner Dale Ponder.  “In a world where technology is so significant, we believe our clients will benefit from Wendy and Joel’s market leading expertise in complex transactions for technology and business process products and services.  These are increasingly strategic areas for clients who must rely heavily on technology and on technology and business process service providers, to grow revenue, control costs, run operations efficiently, increase productivity and maintain a competitive advantage. They will also enhance our depth in advising clients on the growing demand for online and mobile payments systems.”

“Osler understands how critically important it is to help clients achieve their business objectives and manage risks,” Ms. Gross said. “Its strong client base in key industry verticals, such as financial services, energy, retail and health care, make this a tremendous fit for Joel and me.  Osler already has an exceptional group of practitioners in this highly specialized area of law.  We are looking forward to working with our new colleagues.”

Ms. Gross is recognized as a leading technology advisor in peer and customer research studies in Canada and internationally. She is actively engaged in speaking and writing on current issues in technology law and participates in key trade associations. Ms. Gross was admitted to the Ontario Bar in 1993 and is a graduate of the University of Toronto.

Mr. Ramsey advises clients throughout North America on a variety of strategic sourcing, technology, software development and licensing matters. While based in New York earlier in his career, he built a practice focused on global outsourcing transactions. He is admitted to the Bar in Ontario and in New York.

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23rd August 2011

CRTC Continues Crackdown On Telemarketing Violations

CRTCThe Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) announced today that GoodLife Fitness Centres has paid a penalty of $300,000 to the Receiver General for Canada as part of a settlement over its telemarketing practices. The CRTC issued a notice of violation after its investigation found that GoodLife had used automated calling devices (robocalls) to solicit its members without obtaining their prior express consent.

“We appreciate GoodLife’s cooperation during our investigation,” said Andrea Rosen, the CRTC’s Chief Compliance and Enforcement Officer. “Telemarketers that inundate Canadians with unwanted phone calls are not engaging in a legitimate marketing practice. We expect the business community to follow the rules at all times, and we will vigorously investigate breaches.”

GoodLife was making robocalls to inform its members of new club openings and invite them to grand opening events. In addition to paying an administrative monetary penalty, GoodLife has agreed to:

  • immediately cease using automated calling devices for telemarketing purposes without obtaining its members’ prior express consent
  • organize a business education event with the CRTC at the Can-Fit-Pro Consumer and Wellness Show to foster compliance with the telemarketing rules
  • publish corrective notices in newspapers and on its website, and
  • review its compliance policies to ensure ongoing adherence with the CRTC’s telemarketing rules.

The CRTC applies the Unsolicited Telecommunications Rules in order to reduce unwanted calls to Canadians. According to its enforcement process, the CRTC can discuss corrective actions with telemarketers, which may lead to a settlement that includes a monetary penalty or monetary payment.

To date, the CRTC’s enforcement actions have resulted in over $2.1 million in penalties collected on behalf of the Receiver General for Canada and $740,000 in payments made to post-secondary institutions.

Reference documents:

Key facts for consumers

Key facts for telemarketers

How does the CRTC enforce the Unsolicited Telecommunications Rules?

Consumers may register on the National Do Not Call List or file a complaint about a telemarketer by calling 1-866-580-DNCL (3625).

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23rd August 2011

Canadian Advertising Industry Releases Self-Regulation Framework For Online Behavioural Advertising

IAB CanadaA coalition of eight of the leading advertising industry trade associations in Canada today announced a framework for industry self-regulation regarding Online Behavioural Advertising (OBA) in Canada. The initiative, which is similar to those adopted by groups in the US, Europe and Australia, is the culmination of over 2 years of work; including regular submissions, dialogue, research and status updates to The Office Of The Privacy Commissioner Of Canada (OPC). Although the programme will be coordinated by IAB Canada (Interactive Advertising Bureau), it is also fully-supported by the Members of the following industry associations:

The framework includes the following four elements:

Transparency – Providing Consumers with immediate notice when the Websites that they are visiting are supplying them with Online Behavioural Advertising. This would be done via an “icon” placed on the Online Behavioural Ads themselves/or in other prominent areas on the Websites being visited.

Education – Providing Consumers with one-click access to clear and concise Web-based educational information about Online Behavioural Advertising, so that Consumers can understand the nature of these practices; how and when their privacy is protected within various targeted advertising processes; and to learn how to protect themselves in areas on the Internet which represent security risks to their privacy.

Choice – Consumers can already control cookies via altering their Web browser’s preferences — essentially determining whether or not an individual Publisher’s Website, Ad Network or other 3rd-party service can collect and record information about their Websurfing habits/or interactions with Online ads.

The industry’s self-regulatory initiative goes a step further, by providing Consumers who may not be familiar with how to change their browser’s security settings, with one-click access for a full opt-out of Online Behavioural Advertising, should they desire to do so. While many Online Publishers and Ad Networks already provide such an opt-out option, the coordinated initiative will extend this practice across the Canadian Online advertising industry.

Accountability – An accountability program that ensures that Consumers’ opt-out of preferences are retained over the long-term is being developed utilizing a variety of providers, as well as an independent consumer complaint mechanism in consultation with Advertising Standards Canada.

“With Canada’s framework now finalized, the scope of the self-regulatory initiative regarding Online Behavioural Advertising is now truly global in nature,” says Paula Gignac, President, IAB Canada. “Canadian Online Publishers and Ad Networks are moving forward within the framework even as we speak, and in fact, because so many of IAB Canada’s Members also have operations in the US and across the globe, many are already well on their way to completing all four steps within the process.”

Bob Reaume, Vice President, Policy & Research, Association of Canadian Advertisers (ACA) confirms the readiness of Advertisers to implement their part of the plan: “We’re pleased to see the work of the all-industry group ready to go forward, as this initiative enhances Advertisers’ commitment to advertise responsibly in all media.”

“Agencies are also working to ready clients for the self-regulatory program,” notes Arthur Fleischmann, CEO of John St. and Chair of the ICA’s Interactive Committee. “The ICA and its Member Agencies endorse and strongly support the initiative, and are committed to ensuring that the OBA self-regulatory framework is rigorously delivered in Canada.”

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23rd August 2011

Introducing MTL DGTL

MTL-DGTLAlliance numérique has announced the launch of Montreal Digital (MTL DGTL), a new festival dedicated to the interactive digital content industry, and presented by the Canada Media Fund. This first edition, which will take place on October 31st,  November 1st and 2nd, will include four different events with programs focusing on mobility, the Web, video games, as well as research and development in partnership with media technology.

“Montreal is a key platform at the heart of major innovations within the digital industry,” says Pierre Proulx, CEO of Alliance numérique. “Montreal Digital will help in the outreach of all market spheres, both locally and abroad, through its role as the centre of world excellence with respect to creation, production and distribution of interactive digital content. We are proud to be leading this initiative which aims to bring together various players of the industry.”

MTL DGTL strives to unify professionals of the digital industry at the provincial, national and international levels by using conferences that encourage meetings, networking and sharing.

In order to meet the needs of the industry, programming has been divided into four portions:

Mobiz – a whole new event that is entirely dedicated to mobility and will allow attendees to network, as they learn more about the latest leading edge developments, as well as industry best practices.

Web-In aims to help industry professionals in breaking new ground and reinventing the Web of the future by encouraging them to be a step ahead of common observation, leave their comfort zone and question their certainties through micro-conferences.

Consortium en innovation numérique du Québec (CINQ) – Innovation Symposium is a networking space for entrepreneurs and research specialists to foster the development of technical, scientific, financial and commercial partnerships.

The Montreal International Game Summit (MIGS) – is an international event that offers continuous training and networking opportunities for professionals, and contributes to the outreach of the video game industry. It values sharing and the development of new business partnerships.

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23rd August 2011

Flatter World Announces Launch of Flat Stanley Mobile App

flat stanleyFlatter World, the new educational venture behind the Flat Stanley franchise’s move to the Web, has released Flat Stanley for iPhone. Flat Stanley is free to download and enables children to share content in a safe way with their friends, teachers and families.

The Flat Stanley App is the mobile version of the beloved Flat Stanley Project, a pen pal program that Dale Hubert, a third grade teacher in London ON invented in 1994 to promote international literacy and community building for children ages 13 and under. The character itself dates back to a beloved children’s book published by Harper Collins in 1964.

Children can quickly sign up and bring Stanley or Stella (the new, female Flat character) with them wherever they go. In minutes, they can customize their creation (by choosing skin and hair color, facial expressions and clothing), take photographs and insert Stanley/ Stella into them with either front or rear-facing camera, write their character’s biography and “like,” comment on and share photos with their friends across the Flatter World network, Gmail, Facebook and Twitter.

The app also plots popular Stanleys on a Wall of Fame as well as those near a particular user on a world map, helping users track where their friends and families’ Stanleys travel. It’s a quick and easy way for kids to see the world and make new friends outside of their hometown with a familiar and friendly character leading the way.

To encourage exploring Stanleys outside of one’s network, the app unlocks special pictures from exciting locations.

The app works in both online and offline modes so that users can take and save Flat Stanley photos irrespective of Internet connectivity.

“This app marks the launch of Flat Stanley moving online in a way that’s mobile and social, catering to future generations of pen pals around the world,” said Flat Stanley Project founder, Dale Hubert. “It’s just the tip of the iceberg and will help introduce users to what’s coming next: a robust Flat Stanley social network built on the principles of sharing content in safe and fun ways.”

The Flat Stanley app presents wide range of educational possibilities for teachers, and beta app users have already been actively sharing pictures of their personalized Stanleys in scenes from history, alongside political leaders and celebrities, on their vacations, and more.

Over the past 16 years, schools and teachers across the world have incorporated the Flat Stanley Project into their curriculums to promote exploration and community building and to strengthen writing skills:

  •     4,500 schools across 88 countries are registered with the Flat Stanley Project
  •     It’s part of the official curriculum for counties in most of the Unites States
  •     It has been incorporated into Harper Collins books to MTI musicals
  •     Hundreds of thousands of Flat Stanley’s have been exchanged around the world
  •     1M+ people are exposed to Flat Stanley each year
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