vancouver
Latest
EA's financial woes scuttle plans for new Vancouver studio
Two days after the publisher admitted that it will produce fewer games next year, The Globe and Mail reports that Electronic Arts has scrapped plans to open a third development studio in Vancouver, B.C.EA already operates two studios in the Vancouver area, EA Black Box (Need for Speed) and EA Vancouver (Skate 2). The new studio had not yet been staffed, so no jobs were lost as a result of the about-face in plans. As for the publisher's future in the area, EA spokesperson Colin Mcrae said, "We continue to be firmly rooted in Vancouver." Hey, at least there's today's Brütal Legend news to be happy about, EA watchers.
For us 80s kids: Get a cassette case for your iPod nano
Cult of Mac turned me on to an awesome iPod nano case manufactured by Contexture Design in Vancouver, BC: it's made from a recycled cassette tape. Radical. But move fast -- there are only about a dozen left of these one-of-a-kind cases, which fit first- and second-generation iPod nano models. Each case is C$45 (≈US$38) with C$4 shipping. What better accessory for your feathered hair, fringed leather jacket and roller skates when you go all Xanadu for Halloween? [Via Cult of Mac.]
GestureTek and Xpletive showcase 3D interactive exhibit
It's hard to say how soon GestureTek and Xpletive's latest concoction will have a real impact on the at-home 3D market, but guests at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing were able to experience flight over Vancouver (the host of the 2010 Winter Olympics) via the B.C. Explorer. The so-called immersive display was used to promote the upcoming Games and stimulate interest in British Columbia, and it enabled onlookers to step into a curved panoramic projection dome and virtually fly over one of Canada's most popular locales. Along the way, users could use gestures to pull back and watch full-screen HD movies of certain points of interest. The two firms are hoping to deploy five kiosks over the next year, though they're being awful quiet about specific applications right now.
Vancouver (BC) Apple Store opening May 24
There's good news for our friends in British Columbia: Vancouver's Pacific Centre Mall is getting a brand-new Apple Store on the upper level. The store will hold a grand opening celebration this Saturday, May 24, starting at 10 a.m. The first thousand customers will get a free Apple t-shirt. Thanks to everyone who sent this in!
Vancouver Apple Store closer than ever
Ah, the much-rumored Vancouver Apple Store. We've heard many stories of its existence, but so far, we've got nothing but hopeful speculation to back them up. And that hasn't actually changed, but here's some more speculation: reader Seamus sent us this Craigslist posting from Vancouver's page, supposedly looking for Apple Geniuses in Vancouver. Yes, Vancouver, you too are even closer to having a place to hack iPhones of your own.Sure, it could be a fake (and it doesn't help that the posting links to the US job site-- how does that work?), but the post specifically mentions the Pacific Centre Shopping Mall, which would be a great location for a Mac retail store. If you're in Vancouver and hankerin' to buy some Apple stuff at a store built just for you, your chance could be coming soon.
Canadian gym sets up Wii Sports in style
Vancouver's Studeo 55 is the latest to see the benefits of Wii Sports in action and they've decided to dedicate some space to the game -- and when we say space here, we mean it. They've set up a console in a 400 square foot theater-style room with a huge projection screen. The upscale gym, which caters to wealthier patrons willing to pay sizable membership fees each month, has been encouraging members to use Wii Sports as a warm-up or cooldown exercise, or as part of a circuit training regimen. Former Olympic swimmer Kim Bey gave the title a try despite some early reservations. "I'm not a video game person ... So at first, it was like, 'I don't get it,'" she said. But after playing with her personal trainer, she started to understand the benefits of a game as part of an exercise regimen. Not everyone was such an easy sell, however. Video games aren't very popular among most workout aficionados; in fact, owner Nathan Mellalieu reportedly faced a lot of criticism over the decision to include Wii Sports at first. Once patrons can be convinced to give it a try, however, reactions seem to change. Mellalieu cautions those who need to lose a lot of weight against depending solely on their Wiis, however -- a few games of Wii Sports is not enough for an overall lifestyle change, but the title can certainly be a part of that. We can't help but wonder if the addition of Wii Fit will spread the console's reputation as an exercise-helper even further. Maybe we'll start to see Wiis in gyms everywhere![Thanks, Alex!]
Apple Store Vancouver (all but) confirmed
Attention, west-coast Canadians! You no longer have to envy your brothers and sisters in Toronto, who have been flaunting their trio of Apple Stores. According to ifoAppleStore, Apple's Sr. V.P. of Retail in Canada, Ron Johnson, kind of spilled the beans when asked about Apple's retail plans at a recent stockholders meeting, saying,"Patience is a virtue, and your patience will be rewarded soon."Of course, "soon" could mean just about anything. Keep your eyes peeled, residents of Vancouver. If you see anything, let us know.
Pepsi posters let you plug in your headphones
While the idea of plugging our headphones into the same jack as every Tom, Dick, and Harry on the subway is slightly off-putting, we can't fault Pepsi for their innovative new advertising campaign that encourages passers-by to listen to short song snippets from publicly-situated multimedia displays. Close to 100 of the interactive posters have been deployed by Canadian advertising firm BBDO around the Toronto and Vancouver areas, allowing you to quickly unplug from your iPod and jack into 30 seconds of tunes that are meant to whet your appetite for owning the entire track. Once you're hooked, you're presumably supposed to go out and buy yourself a bottle of Pepsi, which will contain an exclusive PIN number redeemable on the company's site for that song you liked along with other music-related swag. The most interesting part about this whole campaign, advertising tricks aside, is the fact that Canadians actually seem willing to expose their digital audio players in public, while we Americans are doing everything we possibly can to keep those precious 'Pods under heavy lockdown.[Via Sagags]
