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Netflix launches in Canada today: streaming only service for C$7.99 per month
As expected, Netflix has kicked off its first offering outside the United States by opening up a Watch Instantly portal for Canadians this morning at Netflix.ca. With no discs available at all, the only option is a $7.99 Canadian ($7.80 US) plan for streaming that works on PCs, PS3, Wii, iOS family and many other devices -- interestingly the Xbox 360, Samsung TVs, and Blu-ray players from VIZIO or Insignia are off the compatible list until later this fall. Content availability also seems to be different for our neighbors to the north (English only for now, French is on the way Quebec), with the Netflix blog specifically calling out Superbad and Mad Men as up for streaming, which aren't currently available on Watch Instantly in the US. Unlike our recent Caribana experience we weren't able to cross the border and check it out for ourselves, but owners of Maple Leaf-certified IPs are invited to check out the selection (one month free trials are available) and let us know exactly what we're missing -- more details including Canadian distributors and device availability are in the press release after the break.
Nokia's OPK is out, Microsoft exec in as President and CEO (updated)
The rumors were true. Nokia just announced a change in leadership: Olli-Pekka Kallasvuo is out, Stephen Elop, the current head of Microsoft's Business Division, is in. That's right, the very Finnish Nokia will now be led by a Canadian. Before Microsoft, Elop, a computer engineer by education, held senior executive positions at Juniper Networks, Adobe Systems, and Macromedia. The embattled OPK will vacate his position as President and CEO on September 20th and will continue to chair the Board at Nokia Siemens Networks. Money quote: "His (Elop's) strong software background and proven record in change management will be valuable assets as we press harder to complete the transformation of the company." Naturally, OPK leaves with a severance package honoring his 30 years of service. That translates to 18 months gross base salary and target incentive totalling about €4.6 million plus 100,000 restricted Nokia shares that will vest on October 1, 2010. Once again, proof that it's good to be king. Update: Click through if you'd like to gaze into the hopeful eyes of Nokia's new CEO. Update 2: Nokia just introduced Stephen Elop to the world in a live press conference (available now for replay) from Espoo. Jorma Ollila, Nokia's Chairman and former CEO, confirmed that the CEO search had been ongoing since late May and OPK, for his part, has been very professional and "very gallant" throughout the process. Jorma then praised Stephen for his "very strong cultural sensitivity," a question that's very near and dear to Finns concerned about a North American taking control of their beloved Nokia. Elop will be moving to Helsinki in the very near future and his first order of business will be to "listen." Elop said that Nokia is well aware of the challenges it faces as well as the solutions to those challenges. It's his job, then, to surface those solutions and to execute on them going forward. Understandably, Stephen refused to talk about specific next steps. Stephen did say that the North American smartphone market is absolutely critical to Nokia and will be an emphasis under his leadership (as it had under OPK, unfortunately, with poor results). Hopefully, Elop's contacts in the US can help. One final tidbit of interest. When Stephen sat down with Ballmer to express his intention to leave Microsoft for Nokia, Ballmer was said to be disappointed but supportive due to his respect for Nokia as a company. He even helped with the transition. Don't you hate it when your stereotypes are debunked?
Canadian iPhone 4 launch details emerge: Rogers offers 6GB for $30, iPad sharing for $20 (update: Bell's iPad deal cheaper)
The iPhone 4 may be launching on all the major Canadian carriers tomorrow, but we're only just now starting to get the actual details on what they'll be offering. Rogers is the first out of the gate and, for a change, it looks like folks in the US may just be a tad jealous of their northern neighbors. It's not only offering the iPhone 4 for a further discounted price -- $159 for the 16GB and $269 for the 32GB on a three-year contract (for both new and existing customers eligible for a hardware upgrade) -- but it's bringing back its 6GB data plan for $30 a month as well. On top of that, Rogers is also offering a new iPad sharing plan that will let you share those 6GB between the two devices for an extra $20 a month. Still no official word from the other carriers, but MobileSyrup has turned up a leak that suggests Bell will be offering 6GB for $30 as well, and iPad sharing for just $10 a month -- although that's yet to be confirmed. We'll keep you posted as more plans are announced. Update: Bell just flipped the switch, and their numbers are largely the same with one notable exception -- iPad data sharing is an additional $10 a month instead of $20, just as had been rumored. Thanks, everyone!
Roots and Douglas Coupland team up for 'Roots x Douglas Coupland' collection
Douglas Coupland may be best known as the author that popularized the term "Generation X," but he's also an artist, a designer, and a Canadian, so it makes a bit of sense that he would team up with that most iconically Canadian clothing retailer, Roots, for a new clothing line. The result of that collaboration is "Roots x Douglas Coupland," which is apparently inspired in part by Canada's history in telecommunications, and by Coupland's idea that "what really links Canadians together is that we're all far apart." Of course, that hardly means the collection is just for Canadians. After all, who can't appreciate a wireframe beaver t-shirt or a motherboard tube skirt?
New iPhone in June, claims SaskTel CEO (updated)
Saskatchewan-based SaskTel isn't the biggest Canadian carrier out there -- it's very regional, along the lines of Cincinnati Bell for the US, in terms of subscribers -- but it's definitely a legit company, and its CEO Robert Watson has casually divulged some potentially major news to the Leader-Post. In a discussion on its 3G network set to launch July 1st, he had this to say: "The good news is that (Apple) is coming out with a new version of the iPhone in the June time-frame and they're going to put us on that. So we're quite excited about that." A new version, you say? We wouldn't be that surprised, frankly, since new iPhones have launched every summer for the past three years, but there's still been nary a peep yet from the folks in Cupertino. Is Watson mistaken or speaking way out of turn? The man would be in a position to conceivably have the inside scoop. Guess we'll find out soon enough. Update: Just to be clear, while SaskTel is currently CDMA, the 3G network it's rolling out is an iPhone-friendly HSPA. Update 2: Seems SaskTel is now claiming that those comments were actually not confirmation of a forthcoming iPhone. See the full clarification after the break. [Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
Achieved shares your achievements on Facebook
While we were all wildin' out at BlizzCon last week, reader Peter G. sent us a little note about a Facebook app he's been working on called Achieved that will take your achievements and insert them into your various Facebook feeds however you like. If you want to go the whole nine yards and have your wall plastered with a story whenever you ding an achievement, you can do that, or if you just want to leave it as a small box on your profile page, you can do that as well. The app allows you to leave your actual character name out of the post (if for some reason you're not comfortable with sharing it with all your friends), and there's even a paid option: if you can throw in at least $.99 Canadian, the app will update straight from the Armory without any help from you to refresh (normally, I guess, you've got to log in to Facebook to get updates).I like the app's minimalism more than anything else -- it doesn't show character information or any flashy graphics, just updates people on what you're doing with achievements. The app has a really active changelog, too (Peter is working hard on updating it pretty often, it seems), so if you have a request, you can always throw it in the pot and you might even get it granted. It's not quite as comprehensive as some of the other WoW Facebook apps out there, but if you want a quick way of showing Facebook friends what you're up to in game without excessively spamming them on every little ding or gear upgrade, give it a look for sure.
Mind reading gets closer to real thanks to Canadian scientists
Hate to break it to you, but that clairvoyant you've been paying daily to read you fortune cookies while blindfolded actually isn't some sort of medium. Tough to swallow, we know. That said, researchers at Canada's largest children's rehabilitation hospital are getting closer to equipping entrepreneurial individuals with the tools they need to read minds. By measuring the intensity of near-infrared light absorbed in brain tissue, scientists were able to decode a person's preference for one of two drinks with 80 percent accuracy, all without a single minute of training on the human's behalf. This research gives promise to finding out true feelings of those who can't speak or move due to physical limitations, though there's no word on how close it is to becoming viable outside of a lab. As an aside, we hear Professor X is pretty perturbed.
RIM reaches settlement with Ontario Securities Commission over backdating shenanigans
Gearing up to close another chapter in its tale of cooked books, RIM announced this week that the company and "certain of its officers and directors" have reached a settlement with the Ontario Securities Commission over backdating stock options. Those certain officers are more than likely co-CEOs Jim Balsillie, who also serves as a director, and Mike Lazaridis. Both men were fingered in a report last month that suggested the commission would seek a record-breaking $100 million fine. The deal is still subject to approval by a panel of OSC officials, who are scheduled to meet on Thursday. No word on what penalties they'll incur, but we'd be surprised if RIM didn't manage to skirt at least some of that record-breaking amercement.
Canadians survey finds most HDTV owners don't receive HD content
We're chalking this one up to coincidental timing, but just hours after hearing about the HDTV / HD programming gap in the US comes a similar report from the Great North. According to research compiled by the Canadian chapter of the Cable Telecommunications Association for Marketing (CTAM), just 13% of Canadians have a set-top-box capable of receiving HD signals, yet some three in ten citizens confess to owning an HDTV. In other words, quite a few HDTV-owning Canucks are doing without high-def programming for one reason or another. CTAM asserts that confusion about the niceties of HD is high in Canada, and that most individuals "are generally unaware of the features and benefits associated with high-definition TV." Hmm, maybe if the CRTC would stop rejecting HD expansion, more locals would be able to see and hear the difference.[Image courtesy of Lodging4Vacations]
Canadian Zune undercuts American price, hip checks into boards
There was a time, not so many years ago, when smug Americans could scoff at the currency of our neighbors to the north, saying "That's what, fifty cents?" at any Canadian price whilst laughing heartily. Naturally we American's aren't quite so giddy these days, and while the US dollar is regaining some traction versus its northern neighbor that doesn't explain this Canuck second-gen 8GB Zune's price discrepancy. It's selling at Future Shop (which is like Best Buy, eh?) for just $99 CAD -- that's $82 US, and over $50 less than we can find it at any other reputable 'Merican retailer. It is a limited time offer, however, going back up to $149.99 CAD in just six days. So, you'd better hurry up and take off to the great white north -- Future Shop doesn't ship international, don'cha know.[Thanks, evil-m0nkey]
4GB iPod nano 4Gs show up on Best Buy's Canadian site
Look, we know there's some kind of good explanation for these things existing, but Apple, don't you think it's a little weird how they keep cropping up in stores even though you never, ever mentioned them? That's right, those 4GB iPod nano 4Gs we saw at Dutch retailers last week have now made their way onto Best Buy's Canadian website. Over in North America, the players will apparently sell for $139, and will be available tomorrow... or so they say.[Thanks, Robert]
EB Games Canada: GameDays sale deets
Canadian gamers have read over the details for GameStop's USA Game Days sale and wondered, "when's it gonna be my time?!" The answer is, right now and until June 22.EB Games and GameStop stores in the Great White North are offering a slew of Xbox 360 games and bundles on the cheap--well, what they consider cheap at least. Gamers looking to pad their Xbox 360 library, or Gamerscore, should take a look at the sale as some offers are only available for a limited time throughout the month of June.Oh, and if anyone asks you if you'd like to pre-order something, exclaim "Yes, I would!" excitedly and promptly leave the store. Totally messes with their heads.Full listing of specials after the jump. $5 not required.
Zune shows up at Canadian retailer on schedule for June release
Just like we said, the Zune has made its first retail appearance in Canada. Come June 13th, our friends to the north will be able to get their hands on Microsoft's media players, starting at $139.99 (for the 4GB flash variety), up to $249.99 for the big-daddy 80GB version. Pre-orders are being taken now, but something tells us you'll be able to get one on launch day regardless.[Thanks, Andrew]
The origin of Justiciar
It's time for a new superhero spotlight in the Champions Online universe. This time we get to learn about Justiciar, the Canadian cybernetic crime-fighter who leads the Toronto-based super team, StarForce. We always love a good technology-based super hero (and with the box office success of Iron Man there are probably some recent converts) so it's really nice to see the artwork for Justiciar look turn out so well.Don't miss out on the one-page origin comic, either. It may be short but there's a certain amount of coolness to the presentation. We really would love to see our own characters in Champions Online presented in such a way after creating them, but something like that would probably take quite a bit of development time. Oh well, we're sure there's going to be plenty of super-heroics in our futures to come!
CRTC gives approval for Family Channel HD in Canada
Not even a month after the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) shut the door on a couple of potential HD channels, the same entity has blessed the Family Channel HD with its seal of good will. Reportedly, the CRTC has "approved an application by Astral to amend the broadcasting license for the Family Channel to allow the service to be made available for distribution in high-definition format," but at least 95-percent of the content on the HD version must be the same as that found on the SD version (read: a near-simulcast). Mum's the word on an actual go-live date, but at least you folks up there have something to look forward to, yeah?
Canadian survey sez half of HDTV buyers are clueless about high-def
Confusion amongst the general populace in regard to high-definition technology has been a problem for quite some time, and while we're not putting too much stock in the most recent survey about our neighbors up north, the results are fairly comical if nothing else. New poll findings from Nanos Research has discovered that 48-percent of the Canadians surveyed "confessed they were not at all knowledgeable about such features as 1080p resolution and pixel response times, compared to only 5-percent who considered themselves very knowledgeable." That being the case, HDTV sales in Canada still managed to surge some 72-percent last year, and around half of the participants did note that "concerns such as power consumption and toxins used in manufacturing" were very important when making their choice of HDTV. Granted, the survey was commissioned by Sharp in order to gloat about its "eco-friendly" AQUOS, but the bigger picture here is that the public at large is still a long ways away from really wrapping their heads around high-def.[Image courtesy of HomeTheaterMag]
Nokia's N810 internet tablet hits Canada
Oh Canada, it's your lucky day, because a kind, cool wind is blowing down on you from your friends in Finland -- Nokia. That brisk breeze is carrying a new partner for the long and lonely Canuck winter nights: the N810 internet tablet, the all-singing, all-dancing sliver wonder. The handheld -- which your friends (namely, us) have been flaunting for months -- is finally making its way into the hands of Canadian consumers for the thrifty price of $485 (a downright bargain). The WiFi-and-GPS-equipped gadget should be just the thing to accompany you on a trip to Tim Hortons, a Maple Leafs game, or some other stereotypical regional activity.[Via MobileInCanada]
iPhone invading Canada tomorrow?
According to a report from the market-mindful Bloomberg, old Jobsy could be dropping the iPhone on Canada come tomorrow's keynote. If you believe what RBC Capital Markets analyst Mike Abramsky says (and that's a big if), Apple will unleash the phone via Rogers Communications -- the country's largest mobile service provider. "There's a very good chance that Apple will announce or discuss some kind of other carrier roll-outs, beyond the ones it has done in Europe and the U.S." He said, adding that, "There is definitely very strong demand and interest here." To which we say, "Duh," and, "Hey, we've heard this before." Though we're not sure Steve will have time for the Canadian launch in his keynote, what with all the algae-based hard drives, unicorn laptops, and rays of pure energy he'll be introducing.[Thanks, Paolo]
Canadian cable providers locking out Vista Media Centers?
Nearly a month after Warner Bros. axed advanced screenings in Canada while tagging priacy as the scapegoat, now Canucks are facing another bout with DRM right inside their homes. According to a lengthy list of complaints over at TheGreenButton, it appears that some Canadian cable providers (Rogers and Shaw, namely) are seemingly throwing the broadcast flag onto a questionable amount of content. Essentially, users who are trying to record said programming via their own Windows Vista Media Center setup are receiving all sorts of errors and messages informing them that the material (even on basic cable) they are trying to record is laced with "restrictions set by the broadcaster and / or originator of the content." Interestingly, it seems that the blame here lies more with the cable companies and not some glitch within Vista, as more than a few customers have received responses from their providers suggesting that they ditch the whole PVR idea and instead rely on the company-provided DVR (at a cost, of course). So, dear Canadians, are any of you fighting this same battle?
neuroArm gives surgeons extra dexterity, sense of touch
Considering that a BSOD within the robotic surgeon that's halfway through a critical operation on your innards is far from ideal, we're certainly in agreement with companies looking to make actual human doctors even better at their work. A team of Canadian scientists and engineers have concocted the neuroArm robot to allow doctors to perform microscopic operations on the brain in a more precise manner. Essentially, the uber-steady bot "will let doctors use surgical techniques on afflictions such as brain tumors that human surgeons are simply not dexterous enough to do," and when combined with a touchscreen stereoscopic viewer, it enables MDs to better visualize the area they're working with through advanced depth perception and "3D-like" imagery. The neuroArm system should hit clinical testing sometime within the next month or so, and if all goes smoothly (ahem), the long-term goal involves "manufacturing different versions" and selling them to a variety of hospitals.
