17th June 2011

New App From Fit Brains Gets You Walking

Fit BrainsFit Brains has released a new iPhone app that encourages you to get walking.  Available as a free download, Arookoo: Walk+Game is a breakthrough app that makes it fun to walk because every step counts.

This new app and its companion web site turns walking into a game by sending you on fun challenges that motivate you to move around your city. Arookoo arookoorewards you for increasing the amount of steps you walk each day by completing a wide variety of fun activities, including:

  • Fun Walking Challenges and GPS Map-based Scavenger Hunts – Arookoo’s strong game layer makes walking fun through imaginative walking challenges, collectable GPS-map rewards, and a loads of special awards to earn
  • Daily Team Challenges with Friends – Invite friends to join your team or compete against you, and help each other stay motivated
  • Healthy Calorie & Distance Tracking – Want to go deeper? Improve your health by setting personal walking goals, tracking distance, burning calories, and more
  • Is always with you – Arookoo automatically tracks your walking, making it easy to walk and take more steps to a healthier you
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17th June 2011

Payfirma Launches iPhone Mobile Payment App

PayfirmaIn response to the growing consumer and merchant demand for mobile payment technologies in Canada, Vancouver’s Payfirma Corporation has launched its proprietary iPhone Mobile Payment app, also compatible with iPod Touch and iPad.

Developed in Vancouver by the Company’s Fintech Innovation Team, the app is available as a free download from Apple’s iTunes App Store. It can be activated Payfirma Swiperemotely by any merchant account customer of Payfirma’s, and the optional card swiper can be purchased directly from the Company.

“Canadian consumers and businesses are extremely technology literate and savvy,” says Michael Gokturk, Founder & CEO of Payfirma, Canada’s leading innovator of payment processing technologies & services. “They are always seeking efficient and secure means of transacting financially with one another, and our mobile payment app enables them to do just that.”

Payfirma’s proprietary app lets any business or consumer accept all major credit cards securely on an iPhone, iPod Touch or iPad. Users can swipe or manually input a credit card, capture a digital signature on the screen, and authorize the transaction within 10 seconds. A customizable receipt can then be emailed directly to the customer from within the app.

“We developed the this product with Canadians in mind,” continues Gokturk. “While there are other apps similar to Payfirma’s out there, none are designed with the needs and culture of Canadian merchants or consumers in mind.”

The app is offered for free, but users must have a valid Canadian merchant account to process live transactions. Opening a merchant account with Payfirma is easy, and can be opened directly within the app itself, or on the Company’s website.

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17th June 2011

Burn The Rope Heating Up Fingers Of Android Users

Big Blue BubbleBig Blue Bubble, Inc. has burned its way onto Android with their smash hit Burn the Rope, which is finally available on Android Market. A critically-acclaimed best seller, Burn the Rope is a puzzle adventure where the goal is as simple as it is addictive: burn as much rope as possible. I can attest to this – the game is incredibly addictive and has a very high replayability factor. Release your inner arsonist and ignite your way through over 100 delightful levels, with new user generated puzzles every day. Get involved and submit your very own puzzle to be featured in Puzzle of the Day.

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Game Description:

In Burn the Rope users have the freedom to set fire without any fire hazard or need for a fire extinguisher. The game involves a mix of strategic planning, thinking ahead, coordination and the ability to stay in deep focus. Users have to feed the fire and burn as much rope as they can in each level to progress. The challenge is that fire only burns upwards, leaving players to tilt and turn their iPhones to keep the flame alive.

The game features 116 devilishly tricky levels with polished graphics and mesmerizing fire effects. Bugs that crawl along the rope spice things up demonstrating different reactions to the flame from level to level. Ants change the color of the flame so that users could burn different colored ropes, and the spider shoots out a web bridge providing access to the parts of the level that were beyond players’ reach before.

Burn The Rope is also available on Ovi for Nokia phones, the iTunes App for mobile iOS devices and in the Mac Store.

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17th June 2011

Office Jerk Takes Up Residence On Android

fluikFluik Entertainment & Big Fat Simulations, the original creators of Office Jerk, are proud to bring the iPhone hit to the Android market for 99 cents. Settle for nothing less. Office Jerk has already experienced over 7 million downloads on iTunes, and has been the number one iphone app in 50 countries.

Working in an office sure can be boring, and it doesn’t help when some do-good know-it-all sits across from you all day. You know the type: he runs to the boss when you do something wrong, complains when you get the last bag of chips in the snack room or always has a better idea than you.

No longer will you sit back and take it. Instead, grab whatever you have nearby — a crumpled piece of paper, a mug, a shiny red stapler or crack open the ACME pack for even more loads of endless fun — and wipe that smirk off his face in the feel-good app of the year. Upgrade your arsenal with in-app purchases of office weaponry.

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17th June 2011

New Field Mission From Rocketfuel Games

rocketfuel gamesCalling all secret agents – Rocketfuel Games has announced your latest assignment. Step One is to download the free app from the iTunes App Store and unlock the clues at a museum, science centre, zoo or aquarium in a city near you – see below for the currently available locations.

Upon completion of your mission sync your award to Discovery Kids: Seek Your Own Proof to earn tokens and special rewards. You can continue your career as a secret agent by customizing your avatar, playing online missions and puzzles, and defeating the villains of I.C.E.Discovery Kids Field Missions

While currently-available sites are limited, Rocketfuel invites their secret agent corps to submit locations for further investigation.  The free to download Discovery Kids Field Missions is rated 4+ and is compatible with  iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad devices running iOS 4.0 or later.

*Current Investigation Locations*

Canada

Lethbridge, AB – Galt Museum & Archives

United States

New York, NY – Discovery Times Square
Seattle, WA – The Burke Museum
West Palm Beach, FL – Johnson History Museum

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17th June 2011

Lair of The Evildoer Now Open To The Public

going loud studiosGoing Loud Studios is proud to announce that “Lair of the Evildoer” is now available on the Xbox Live Indie Games marketplace. Gamers can download it from the Xbox LIVE Marketplace for 80 Microsoft Points.

“We strove to make a game that is fun to play from moment to moment but also has a driving force that makes it compelling to explore levels, collect weapons and improve your character.” said Ben Kane, founder of Going Loud Studios. “Twin-stick shooting can often be a shallow experience. The variety of enemies and levels as well as the vast arsenal of weapons available gives Lair of the Evildoer the depth to make it worth playing, worth finishing and worth playing again.”

The evil Dr. Odious has you trapped in his lair. He’s also not very fond of you. Make your escape by battling through hundreds of monsters, collecting over 25 weapons and leveling up as you go. Procedurally generated levels will keep you on your toes in this action RPG shooter, ensuring a different experience with every playthrough.

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Game Features:

Procedurally generated lair:
Dr. Odious’ lair consists of 20 levels procedurally generated by pure evil, ensuring unique experiences with every playthrough. Take the fight through the laboratory, the dungeon and even the wood-panelled decor of Dr. Odious’ 70s-era office. The wood panelling may be the most evil thing in the lair.

Over 30 types of enemies:
Standing between you and the exit will be hundreds of monsters of varying levels of evil. Classic creations like Lair of the Evildoerskeletons and the undead are flanked by Dr. Odious’ mechanical Killbots, automated turrets and even his zombie accountants. Not one to rest on his laurels, Dr. Odious has given the walking dead a set of wheels, creating what he likes to call “Zoombies”.

Weapon affix system, featuring 25 weapon types with dozens of variations:
Your only allies in your attempt to escape the lair have names like “Boomstick”, “Tommy Gun” and “Sledgehammer”. Fortunately, each of the 25 different types of melee and ranged weapons can come equipped with a variety of properties and special attributes. Keep hunting for the best loot! The “Trusty Axe of Slaying” could give you the edge you need.

Level up your character to survive:
Everything in Lair of the Evildoer is governed by a stats system that you can customize as you progress through the game. Improve your accuracy and ability to carry ammo if you prefer ranged combat. Beef up your melee striking power and reduce the effects of knock-back if you prefer to get up close and personal.

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17th June 2011

2011 Telecom Laureate Awards To Be Held In Ottawa

telecom hall of fameFrom the telephone to the BlackBerry, from satellites to walkie-talkies – it’s all telecom, and it’s all Canadian. Today, Canada’s Telecommunications Hall of Fame proudly announced that the 2011 Telecom Laureate Awards will be held Wednesday evening, November 2nd, 2011 at the new Ottawa Convention Centre in Ottawa. Mark your calendar now and plan to join over 400 telecom business and government luminaries to celebrate excellence in Canadian telecommunications and to honour the Class of 2011 Telecom Laureates who have made significant contributions to the industry throughout their careers.

The Telecom Laureate Awards gala is the annual flagship event staged by Canada’s Telecommunications Hall of Fame, the not-for-profit organization with a mission to safeguard, promote and celebrate the past, present and future excellence of Canadian telecommunications. The Telecom Laureate Awards Gala is an important celebratory night for the telecommunications industry featuring extensive networking reception opportunities, speeches and awards presentations by key industry and government leaders, as well as exciting audio-visual staging and lighting. It is one of the few annual events where the industry can unite together to celebrate its success and promote its future.

“We are expecting an excellent turn-out for our 7th annual gala dinner and induction ceremonies,” says Lorne Abugov, Founder and Director of Canada’s Telecommunications Hall of Fame. “Over the years, our guests have included senior executives from Canada’s largest telecommunications companies, suppliers to the telecommunications industry, Government of Canada and Provincial officials, members of the CRTC, Industry Canada and the Competition Bureau and the family and guests of the Telecom Laureates and award winners. This is a premiere networking event.”

The Class of 2011Telecom Laureates and a Special Recognition Award recipient will be officially inducted into Canada’s Telecommunications Hall of Fame joining a prestigious list of 42 other remarkable Laureate and Special Recognition Award inductees who have received the industry’s highest distinction since 2005. Profiles of previous inductees can be found in the virtual Hall of Fame, along with photo and video galleries that display images of the past six Awards gala events.

“The Telecom Laureate Awards gala is always the culmination of a year’s work for Canada’s Telecommunications Hall of Fame, and we are very pleased this year to have secured one of Canada’s most spectacular event venues in the new Ottawa Convention Centre”, adds Lorne Abugov. “On behalf of all of our volunteers and the members of our Board of Governors, I cordially invite all of those who serve within or support this great Canadian industry to gather on November 2nd in Ottawa for what has quickly become Telecom’s Golden Evening.”

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17th June 2011

New DC Arc Flash Analytic Software For DC Power Safety

arcadOntario’s ARCAD, Inc. has introduced the new DC Arc Flash Analytic (DCAFA V1.0) software program for arc flash and shock hazard analysis in DC power systems including but not limited to photovoltaics, battery banks, rectifiers and telecommunications equipment.

The program takes system voltage, available short circuit current, gap between electrodes, circuit time constant, electrode material, protective device type and rating or a preset arc duration value, and determines incident energy released by arc flash, hazard risk category at working distance and flash protection boundary.

For systems with variable gap between electrodes, for example when gap is not fixed and distance between electrodes is anticipated to increase by separation of contacts, the program will examine power and energy released by an arc as a function of arcing voltage and current, arc duration, electrode materials and calculate maximum incident energy that could be released by the arc within two seconds time interval. A person exposed to an arc flash will move away quickly if it is physically possible and two seconds is generally accepted as a reasonable maximum time for arc flash calculations.

Among various key capabilities, the DCAFA V1.0 performs analysis using metric or imperial units, saves input configurations and calculation results for future reference or printing, and generates customized arc flash warning labels in electronic formats.

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17th June 2011

Quebecor Fund Announces Funding Recipients

quebecor fundThe Quebecor Fund Board of Directors is pleased to announce the names of the four production companies and three distributors whose projects will receive second-round funding under the Event and Film Production Assistance Program (EFPAP), following June 3, 2011 submissions. The distributors whose projects were selected will share a total of $675,000 in funding. The following companies are involved in those productions: feature film producers Go Films L.P.R.S. Inc., Christal Films Productions Inc., Les Films Camera Oscura Inc. and micro_scope inc.; and distributors Alliance Vivafilm Inc., Christal Films Inc. and Filmoption International Inc.

Quebecor Fund’s EFPAP program seeks to capture synergies with all industry stakeholders in order to:

  • support the production of Canadian French-language feature films;
  • support multiplatform exploitation of feature films and, in particular, foster integrated marketing strategies with an interactive component, starting from the development stage;
  • enable the creative and production teams to produce a work as close as possible to their original creative vision;
  • support television coverage of French-language events with Canadian content;
  • support television coverage of events with integrated promotion and distribution on multiple platforms, including TV on demand;
  • help recipients realize a return on investment in order to increase the Fund’s impact.

Quebecor Fund, a major source of financing for the production of Canadian television content, is an independent fund with a mission to support the production of Canadian content intended for television broadcast. Quebecor Fund backs television and film production, as well as the production of related interactive multimedia components that use new information and communication technologies, particularly platforms such as high-speed Internet, interactive television (ITV), video on demand (VoD), and/or various fixed and mobile devices.

Quebecor Fund was established through Videotron Ltd., which provides over $7.2 million annually in broadcasting distribution undertaking (BDU) contributions to the Canadian industry. Under its new Event and Film Production Assistance Program (EFPAP), launched in September 2010, Quebecor Fund has granted financial assistance totalling more than $1.5 million in its first two rounds of funding.

RECIPIENTS

FILM PRODUCTIONS

L’Affaire Dumont

  • Producer: Go Films L.P.R.S. Inc. – Distributor: Alliance Vivafilm Inc.

Michel Dumont is charged, tried and convicted of sexual assault, all the while protesting his innocence. A 10-year-long David and Goliath saga set in modern times that raises basic questions about guilt and innocence.

Pee-Wee

  • Producer: Christal Films Productions Inc. – Distributor: Christal Films Inc.

A 12-year-old hockey player must overcome multiple obstacles to lead his team in the world pee-wee hockey tournament in Québec City.

Roche-papier-ciseaux

  • Producer: Les Films Camera Oscura Inc. – Distributor: Filmoption International Inc.

A young Aboriginal man and a depressed crime kingpin become friends; a ruined Italian man risks everything to save his wife; a banned doctor flees the Chinese triads. Because of a mad Mafia boss, their paths intersect.

Inch’Allah

  • Producer: micro_scope inc. – Distributor: Christal Films Inc.

Chloé, a young Québec obstetrician, works in a Palestinian refugee camp. She experiences the checkpoints and the separation wall; she sees war and those who wage it.

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17th June 2011

CRTC Seeks Input On CBC License Renewals

CRTCThe Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) launched an online consultation to seek input on the renewals of the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation’s (CBC) radio and television licences. The CRTC will be looking at the CBC’s overall mandate in terms of programming and conditions of licence. The comments and discussions resulting from this consultation will be considered for the upcoming hearing beginning on September 12, 2011, in Gatineau, Quebec, as well as form part of the public record.

The CRTC is seeking Canadians’ views on the following questions:

  • How can the CBC be relevant and meaningful in the future?
  • How can the CBC best deliver content to all Canadians?
  • Should the CBC only provide different programs and services than private broadcasters?
  • Does the CBC’s programming meet all of its objectives?
  • What more (or less) should it be doing?
  • What should it do differently?
  • Do you feel the CBC reflects your specific Canadian interests and needs?
  • Does the CBC fill your need for reliable and authoritative news and information?

The online consultation will conclude at midnight (EST) on July 18, 2011.

The CRTC Reference document: Broadcasting Notice of Consultation CRTC 2011-379

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