Village Gamer

The Financial Consumer Agency of Canada (FCAC) today issued Commissioner’s Guidance to clarify three issues related to the Code of Conduct for the Credit and Debit Card Industry in Canada (the Code). The Commissioner’s Guidance, which stems from the Code, applies to payment card network operators (PCNOs) that operate in Canada and their participants, including independent sales organizations (ISOs) and other service providers (e.g. processing, terminal leasing). Read the rest of this entry »

The latest development in the Shaw Go suite of apps has arrived with the NBA League Pass app on Shaw Go launching first in Canada for Shaw and Shaw Direct customers. Unlocking access to hundreds of out-of-market NBA games from across the continent; the NBA League Pass app on Shaw Go delivers an exceptional NBA experience. Complimentary with an NBA League Pass subscription on Shaw or Shaw Direct, the app lets customers watch both live and playback games on the go with their mobile device up to 48 hours after the game. The league’s schedule of games is also available to browse. Read the rest of this entry »

 Unity Technologies, provider of the Unity multi-platform engine and development tools, today announced that Call for Speakers for Unite 2013, taking place in Vancouver on August 28-30, has now begun and submissions will be accepted through April 3, 2013. Tickets are already on sale, and Early bird registration discounts are available through April 22. Read the rest of this entry »

Chicago-based Reliance Games (formerly known as Jump Games), part of Reliance Entertainment Digital, and Montreal’s Behaviour Interactive, have announced a strategic alliance to develop and to co-publish mobile games based on upcoming, high-profile feature films. Behaviour specializes in adapting both emerging and well-known film and television properties to games; the studio’s main pillars are design, quality, and, in today’s world of constant connectivity, socialization. Reliance and Behaviour plan to announce the two film-based mobile games in development by Spring 2013. Read the rest of this entry »

KnexxLocal, a Toronto-based technology startup, has launched Instamonial, a free iOS application designed to help local businesses market themselves online. Instamonial allows local businesses to snap photos of their work using the app’s camera feature. The user then sends an email to the customer directly from the app with the attached photos, requesting feedback on the work. Once reviewed, the photo is posted to the business’ website and distributed via social media channels along with the real-time customer review. Read the rest of this entry »

Shaw Media has announced that the popular competitive culinary format, Chopped, will be developed into a Canadian series exclusively for Food Network Canada. Having inked a deal with Knoxville-based Scripps Networks Interactive, the network is partnering with Vancouver’s award-winning Paperny Entertainment on production of the series currently slated to premiere in winter 2014 on Food Network. The national casting call for Chopped Canada begins today, with information available online. (At press time, I checked this link to see where the series is shooting, no info was available for Chopped Canada – hopefully that will change very soon.) Read the rest of this entry »

Xerox has officially introduced ConnectKey™, a software system embedded in Xerox multifunction printers (MFPs) and a set of solutions that respond to an increasingly mobile workforce and the need for more advanced IT security across connected devices. Sixteen ConnectKey MFPs – including the new WorkCentre^® 5800 and 7800 Series – will use the industry’s first embedded security protection from McAfee, giving IT managers more control and peace of mind in “bring your own device” (BYOD) workplaces. ConnectKey MFPs also have an extra layer of security with Cisco’s TrustSec, which protects data paths to and from the devices. Read the rest of this entry »

MaRS Discovery District is pleased to announce the appointment of Elaine Campbell, President of AstraZeneca Canada Inc. and Elyse Allan, President and CEO, GE Canada to its Board of Directors. The MaRS Board of Directors is chaired by Gordon M. Nixon, President and CEO of RBC. MaRS founder Dr. John Evans serves as the board’s Chair Emeritus. Read the rest of this entry »

Canada’s mid-sized companies, a key motor of the economy, saw their numbers decline by 17% – 9,370 to 7,814 – from 2006 to 2010, according to a new study (PDF link) by the Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC). Hardest hit was the manufacturing sector, which saw over half its mid-sized firms vanish between 2001 and 2010 from 2,807 to 1,381. BDC undertook the study to fill an important research gap on mid-sized firms. The study is based on Statistics Canada data and supported by survey results from market research firm Harris/Decima. The study is one of three that the BDC plans to release this year on economic issues of importance to Canadians. Read the rest of this entry »

Espial^® Group Inc., an on-demand TV software and solutions, has announced that Wi-LAN Inc. and Espial, both of which are headquartered in Ottawa, have entered into an agreement that will see WiLAN assist Espial in licensing certain of Espial’s patents related to video-over-IP technology. Read the rest of this entry »