Village Gamer

MaRS Discovery District has announced today that construction of MaRS Centre Phase 2 will proceed. This 20-storey state-of-the-art convergence centre, a substantial expansion of the facility, will enable MaRS to accelerate its role as a catalyst of innovation in the launching and growth of new science and technology businesses. To complete the development of MaRS Centre Phase 2, MaRS is partnering with the Province of Ontario and continuing its strategic relationship with Alexandria, the world’s leading life science developer and owner.

The current MaRS Centre is at full occupancy, and cannot meet the increasing demand for space from both institutional and business tenants. MaRS Centre Phase 2, directly adjacent to the existing facility, will offer tenants co-located technologically advanced laboratory and office space; award-winning communications and information technology capabilities; access to a large multi-function conference centre; and collaboration opportunities with other MaRS tenants and partners across Canada and around the globe.

“The MaRS Centre has been at capacity since it opened six years ago, when we first started working with entrepreneurs building new growth companies. Today the MaRS community has tremendous momentum, and our facility is bursting at the seams! This expansion of the MaRS platform offers a huge opportunity to accelerate that momentum and further strengthen our innovation economy for future generations.”— Ilse Treurnicht, CEO, MaRS Discovery District.

In the heart of downtown Toronto, the MaRS Centre is an architecturally inspiring space that has become the undisputed hub of Toronto’s renowned Discovery District. The MaRS Centre is at the heart of a vibrant and creative urban environment known for its highly skilled and diverse talent pool. Among globally recognized universities, academic teaching hospitals and research institutes and in close proximity to Toronto’s Financial District, business community, and government offices, its location provides a strong, sustainable innovation pipeline.

“Every day, the innovators and entrepreneurs at MaRS work on ideas that will save lives, invent whole new industries and create jobs we can’t even imagine today,” said Glen Murray, Minister of Research and Innovation and MPP for Toronto Centre.  “Our government is proud to help meet the demand for state-of-the-art space that will help bring these projects to life.”

Founded in 2000 and opened in 2005, the MaRS Centre brings companies of all sizes, researchers and innovators from different disciplines, investors, professional service firms, community organizations, and policymakers together in a thriving urban facility. This collaborative, interdisciplinary and cross-industry approach is the cornerstone of the MaRS model.

Phase 2 of the MaRS Centre will double the size of the facility to over 1.5 million sq. ft., making it one of the largest innovation hubs in the world. Today more than 2,300 researchers, innovators, entrepreneurs and professionals representing 80+ tenants come to work at MaRS every day. Every year thousands more come to attend seminars, workshops and conferences.  MaRS Centre Phase 2, by more than doubling this vibrant and creative core, will dramatically enhance the capacity of the MaRS community as an innovation engine, creating the jobs of the future economy.

Two prominent tenants have already committed to leasing space in the new building. The Ontario Institute for Cancer Research, with its exceptional translational cancer research and commercialization programs, presently in the south tower, will expand into MaRS Centre Phase 2. Public Health Ontario, a central player in public health research and policy and in infectious diseases management, will anchor its provincial network in MaRS Centre Phase 2.

To finance the project, Infrastructure Ontario is providing a fully repayable loan to MaRS, which, with investments by MaRS and the existing investment of Alexandria, will enable MaRS to complete the project. MaRS Centre Phase 2 will be developed and operated by MaRS and has an anticipated completion date of September 2013.

Following recent App Store policy changes imposed by Apple, Kobo has announced that development is underway on an HTML5 eReading web app. With the development of the HTML5 app, Kobo will continue to provide the most optimized experience for iOS users and users on other Kobo platforms.

Kobo is dedicated to an open-platform experience and believes that consumers should have the freedom to read on any device, at anytime, anyplace in the world. With the new HTML5 web app, Kobo remains committed to open solutions and extends eReading capabilities to a platform that can be quickly enhanced and updated with the latest eReading features and functionality. Kobo’s HTML5 app will not replace the company’s existing apps, but extend its read-across-any-device strategy to reach a broader set of users and add additional value for their current customer base.

Over the past weeks, Kobo has worked with Apple to create a solution that would benefit the iOS eReading community within Apple’s new App Store guidelines. Unfortunately, Apple has mandated that Kobo, along with all eBook retailers, substantially change the eReading experience for consumers by removing in-app access to the Kobo store.

Even after modification, Kobo’s hugely popular and heavily downloaded eReading iOS apps continue to offer powerful features in the new 4.5.1 version, from the Reading Life social platform to the app’s industry leading reading experience. Kobo users can continue to use the Kobo app to read existing books in their library, purchase new books from Kobo using any popular web browser and shop from Kobo’s selection of over 2.4 million eBooks – latest New York Times bestsellers, new releases and more. Any books purchased on Kobo.com are automatically updated in the iPhone or iPad Kobo app.

This change does not affect Kobo’s other free eReading apps, all of which retain the integrated eReading and in-app Kobo Store access. Kobo’s move to provide an HTML5 web app will offer additional convenience to consumers and deliver a rich and seamless experience to Kobo app users across platforms, including Android, RIM and HP WebOS.

“Kobo believes in providing an open platform for users, and our HTML5 development will support the company’s current app strategy to reach a broader base of users worldwide,” said Michael Serbinis, CEO, Kobo. “HTML5 allows us to add more features and update our popular Reading Life social experience far more quickly, providing an agile method to deliver advanced enhancements to consumers without limitation.”

Kobo continues to innovate, and the HTML5 app development will let Kobo users enjoy the best eReading experience worldwide, allowing consumers to read, browse, shop and share on dedicated eReaders, smartphones, tablets, netbooks, laptops and desktop computers. Kobo’s HTML5 web-based app will continue to offer the company’s popular, industry-leading features to readers around the world, as well as quick and easy access to Kobo’s massive eBook store of over 2.4 million titles. Kobo expects to launch the new HTML5 web app later this year.

Big Blue Bubble Inc. has announced that Burn the Rope will be setting Nintendo’s WiiWare service ablaze this month. Players can not only enjoy burning rope on their mobile devices, now they can do it from the comfort of their living room. Just sit back on the couch and play Burn the Rope on the big screen with high resolution graphics, unique motion controls, and all the fiery fun of the original game.

For the uninitiated, Burn the Rope is a challenging game where you try to burn as much rope as you can in each level. However, as always, there is a catch to solving these puzzles. The fire only burns upwards, leaving you to rotate the level to keep your flame alive – or at least try to. As you progress through the levels, you’ll encounter different bugs crawling along the rope, each with their own unique reactions to the flame. For example, the ant changes the color of the flame so you can burn the corresponding colored ropes, and the spider shoots out a web bridge so you can access parts of the level that you could not before. Burn the Rope is incredibly fun – and highly addictive – for players of any age.

Features:

• Over 100 different levels
• Incredibly fun and addictive
• Beautiful high resolution graphics and fire effects
• Easy to learn, hard to master
• Fun for the whole family

Burn The Rope will be available for 1000 Wii Points in the North American store on July 28^th and the European release will follow shortly after. Burn the Rope is rated E for Everyone by the ESRB, with Mild Cartoon Violence.

EA Sports has released a first look video for the upcoming NBA Jam On Fire Edition, currently in development at EA Canada. NBA JAM: On Fire Edition will change the way players play this iconic franchise. All your favorite moves, spins and dunks are still available but now the game includes a host of gameplay improvements.

NBA JAM: On Fire Edition brings you even more to this basketball arcade classic.  Enhanced gameplay, ground breaking artificial intelligence and exciting online features continue to bring countless hours of enjoyment to this over-the-top experience.  The game will be available via digital download from Xbox LIVE Arcade and PlayStation Network this October.

[youtube:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eTwJ6mb3_Sk]

• Enhanced Gameplay — In addition to vast improvements to the core experience and more variety across the board, NBA JAM: On Fire Edition will include a Tag Mode where gamers can swamp players on the fly, Team Fire – the ability to ignite your entire team and Razzle Dazzle – special style moves that allow players to creatively express themselves in the midst of gameplay.
• Using the groundbreaking AI system from the Fight Night series, NBA JAM: On Fire Edition will feature more organic play giving gamers a less robotic and more real gameplay experience.  AI behavior will be based on Archetypes – Big Man, Forward, All-Rounder, Shooting Guard and Point Guard.  In addition, at any given time gamers have the option of playing against their own AI for the ultimate challenge.
• He’s Back!  – Boomshakalaka!  Legendary Tim Kitzrow is back and bringing more unforgettable calls for NBA JAM: On Fire Edition!

Microsoft has announced the availability of OneNote Mobile 1.2 for iPhone – and it’s free to download for a limited time. This latest version of OneNote Mobile introduces the new search, sharing, and customization capabilities that users have been asking for. Microsoft has also made the OneNote iPhone app available in five additional markets worldwide today: Canada, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, and New Zealand.

Here are some of the new features and improvements in OneNote Mobile 1.2 for iPhone:

• Search — retrieve important information quickly within text in your notebooks, sections, and pages.
• Pin recent notes — keep your favorite notes at the top of the Recently Viewed list.
• Sync shared notebooks — sync notebooks that others have shared with you on Windows Live SkyDrive.
• Choose which notebooks sync to your phone — save bandwidth by excluding less important notebooks.
• Set the image size for photos — choose between faster syncing or higher quality images.

Those of you who are using a previous version of OneNote Mobile on your iPhone willl notice a new color scheme in this version, giving the app a lighter look than before. Microsoft has also updated the OneNote Mobile 1.2 Help page with the newest information about the app. To visit this Help page directly from inside of the OneNote Mobile app on your iPhone, tap Settings, tap Help and Support, and then tap the first link that appears on the screen.

Ubisoft® has introduced Assassin’s Creed Embers, a new computer-generated animated short movie that will ship when Assassin’s Creed® Revelations hits store shelves on November 15th. Assassin’s Creed Embers expands on the final chapter of the life of master assassin Ezio Auditore and a journey that has spanned more than four decades.

The animated short, developed by UbiWorkshop, will be available with the Assassin’s Creed Revelations Signature Edition at GameStop for pre-order, and for download on Xbox LIVE® Marketplace for the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft and on PlayStation®Network.

[youtube:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PRaI7ros2nI]

iSkin has redesigned its solo series of cases to look, work and fit even better while adding a new special edition to its iPhone 4 product line-up. To start, the classic solo for iPhone 4 is the case that merges slim-fit design, bold colors and precision fit to provide top of the class protection. This harmony produces an attractive yet, subtle appearance that provides the necessary shock absorption, comfortable grip and moisture resistance you’d expect from an iSkin soft case.

However, if you’re the technoista looking to express your inner love of fashion, the solo FX Special Edition (SE) for iPhone 4 arrives with all the goodness of the classic solo but with prêt-a-porter attitude. Its overall matte appearance is dressed only with a fun, spirited pattern that shimmers with designer flare and is sure to make an impression.

If you prefer the finer things in life and advanced design, the solo vu for iPhone 4 will satisfy your hi-tech desires, yet provide sophistication that’s anything but standard. Featuring a hybrid hard/soft material composition, integrated dock port cover and a surprisingly slim profile, the solo vu is the expression of elegance refined with art-deco accents and tuxedo lines as its defining clear shield reveals the iPhone 4 it so gracefully protects.

Each solo model clearly has their own diverse personality, but they all share many of the same advanced features such as: an iSkin-exclusive flash guard design that eliminates “glare” while taking photos in dark environments, protected home and volume buttons, tactile grip, precision cuts for speakers and earphone ports, exclusive Microban^® antimicrobial protection and the use of materials that are free of phthalates, making the solo series the ideal companion for the your beloved iPhone 4.

The classic solo retails at 29.99 (USD) and comes in Carbon (translucent black), Cosmo (translucent pink), Vive (translucent purple), and Bondi (translucent marine blue). The solo FX SE retails for 34.99 (USD) and comes in Carbon (translucent black), Cosmo (translucent pink), Vive (translucent purple), and Bondi (translucent marine blue). The solo vu retails for 39.99 (USD) and comes in Onyx (black), Merlot (red), and Velvet (purple).

Wi-LAN Inc. has announced that Everex Electronics has signed a six-year running royalty license agreement related to LTE, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and CDMA technologies for use in Computers, Notebooks, Tablets and other consumer electronic devices.

“Everex is the 115^th company to license patents in our growing wireless portfolio,” said Jim Skippen, Chairman & CEO. “With over 1000 issued and pending patents related to current and next generation wireless technologies, licensees are gaining great value from our technology portfolio.”

WiLAN’s wireless technology patent portfolio includes over 500 issued and pending patents related to 4G. The Company’s portfolio also includes patents related to 3G, CDMA, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, MIMO and antenna technologies.

In acknowledgment of exceptional service and sales performance, Alberta’s Serenic Corporation, a publisher of financial management and business operations software for nonprofits, international non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and the public sector, has been named to both the 2011 Microsoft Dynamics Inner Circle and the 2011 Microsoft Dynamics President’s Club, reflecting Serenic’s success in extending the Microsoft Dynamics platform to drive business advantages in companies worldwide. Both achievements are a direct result of Serenic’s outstanding dedication to customer satisfaction through the delivery of innovative business solutions.

The prestigious 2011 Inner Circle for Microsoft Dynamics is an elite group made up of approximately the top 1 percent of Microsoft Dynamics partners from across the globe with sales achievements that rank them in the highest echelon of the Microsoft Dynamics global network of partners. Members of the Inner Circle for Microsoft Dynamics have performed to a high standard of excellence by delivering valuable solutions that help organizations achieve increased success. 2011 Inner Circle members are invited to the Inner Circle retreat, at the breathtaking Fairmont St. Andrews in St. Andrews, Scotland, Aug. 7–10, 2011, where they will have a unique opportunity to share strategy and network with Microsoft Dynamics senior leaders and other successful Microsoft Dynamics partners from around the globe.

The Microsoft Dynamics President’s Club honors high-performing Microsoft Dynamics partners whose commitment to customers is reflected in their business success and growth. This prestigious group represents the top 5 percent of Microsoft Dynamics partners worldwide. Membership is granted based on their continual, committed efforts aimed at offering solutions that meet the needs of their customers.

This recognition came during the Microsoft Worldwide Partner Conference (WPC), the company’s annual premier partner event, which took place this year in Los Angeles. WPC provides Microsoft Corp.’s partner community with the opportunity to learn about the company’s road map for the upcoming year, establish connections, share best practices, experience the latest product innovations and learn new skills.

“We’re excited to recognize Serenic as a leader in the Microsoft Dynamics global partner community for promoting and delivering solutions that drive customer success,” said Doug Kennedy, vice president, Microsoft Dynamics Partners. “By providing the highest level of sales and innovation, customers can have absolute assurance they are dealing with the ‘best of the best’ when working with Serenic.”

Serenic is dedicated to helping customers find the best solutions and services to accommodate their business needs and further their success, while excelling in customer satisfaction. By collaborating with the teams at Microsoft, Serenic maintains a comprehensive understanding of the Microsoft Dynamics platform to provide innovative solutions, services and unparalleled value to Microsoft Dynamics customers. Previous honors include Serenic being named the 2007 and 2009 Microsoft Dynamics Outstanding ISV of the Year and earning membership in the 2007, 2009 and 2010 Microsoft Dynamics Inner Circle and the 2007, 2009 and 2010 Microsoft Dynamics President’s Club.

“Serenic is honored to receive Microsoft’s highest recognition acknowledging the company’s continued performance,” said Randy Keith, Serenic’s president and CEO. “The entire Serenic team, our customers, and our dedicated partners are responsible for our continuing success and for this accomplishment.”

Seven Arts Pictures PLC has announced an agreement with Prodigy Pictures, Inc. to jointly produce and distribute the highly-anticipated motion picture “Neuromancer,” based on the best-selling science fiction novel by William Gibson.

Prodigy hopes to arrange substantial financing for the film, which is expected to have a production budget of approximately $60 million. Prodigy’s Founder and CEO, Jay Firestone, will be the lead producer on “Neuromancer,” and will supervise all elements of production for the film.

“Jay Firestone has a long and well regarded reputation in the industry,” said Peter Hoffman, CEO of Seven Arts. “I firmly believe that Jay’s savvy and expansive relationships will lead to strong investment, and a sharp production.”

Published in 1984, “Neuromancer” was the first winner of the science fiction “triple crown,” receiving the prestigious Nebula Award, Philip K. Dick Award and the Hugo Award. “Neuromancer” was also listed on Time magazine’s list of 100 best English-language novels written since 1923. By 2007, William Gibson’s archetypal cyberpunk novel had sold more than 6.5 million copies worldwide.

The film adaptation of Gibson’s novel will be written and directed by Vincenzo Natali, whose directorial credits include the 2009 science fiction horror film, “Splice” and the 1997 psychological thriller, “Cube.”

“Having Vincenzo on board has been exhilarating for us,” said Jay Firestone, founder of Prodigy Pictures. “His distinctive vision has added a striking new dimension to William Gibson’s already thought-provoking story.”

Principal photography on the film is expected to begin in the first quarter of 2012.