- He spent a year without the internet, then came back online. Why? Could you spend a day / week without the web? http://t.co/92TSJwDiqK ^eo
Posts Tagged ‘smartphones’
Weekend reading: Tablets take the lead over computers and some sweet smartphones
April 19th, 2013 a 12:53pm
Our obsession with all things mobile continued this week as we considered swapping our computers for the mobile ease of tablets and drooled over the latest new smartphones. The Samsung Galaxy S4’s motion control and the HTC One’s awesome audio are enough to consider a device upgrade – but how’s a girl to choose? We’ve also got some cool news about Twitter#music, Smart TVs and Rogers Anyplace TV, all in this week’s edition of weekend reading.
Trading for tablets
You see people scribbling notes on them in meetings and watching videos on them on airplanes. Toting a tablet has become a normal part of day to day life. But they’re now starting to replace our traditional desktop and notebook computers, we learned this week from MediaPost. Mojiva polled 1,000 U.S. adult tablet owners and found the majority, 84 per cent, now use their tablets for tasks they previously would have completed on their desktop or laptop. Nearly a quarter, 23 per cent, of those tablet owners spend two or more hours a day on their tablets, while 53 per cent are on their portable devices for at least one hour a day.
Tablets are also trumping smartphones for some functions. The survey found that 68 per cent of people would watch videos on their tablet but not their smartphone. And nearly half – 45 per cent – would shop online with their tablet, but not their smartphone.
Have you swapped your laptop for a tablet? Why? Why not?
Mobile music
You can now use social media to help predict which band will be the next big thing while you’re on the go. Twitter unveiled its new music discovery service on Thursday, with an iOS app and plans to expand to Android in the future. Called Twitter#music, it mines the social network for the most popular songs and artists and also suggests tracks, helping you populate new playlists wherever you are. The new interface, which also has a desktop option, allows users to play songs from Spotify, iTunes and Rdio – which means you’ll need a subscription – and, of course, share what they’re listening to. It’s now available in Canada, the U.S., the U.K., Ireland, Australia and New Zealand.
Have you tried Twitter#music? What did you think?
Sweet smartphones
Rogers shared news about two hotly anticipated devices this week: the Samsung Galaxy S4 and the HTC One.
The Samsung Galaxy S4, now available for pre-order (new customers) and reservation (existing customers) offers a ton of upgrades on the popular Galaxy III, including a new “Smart Pause” function that senses when you look away from the screen, stopping your video until you return. It also has a five-inch screen with a crystal clear 1080p display, a “Dual Camera” that allows you to simultaneously use both the 2 MP front camera and the 13 MP rear camera for photos and video calls and the “Air Gesture” function, which lets you accept a call with a wave of your hand.
Meanwhile the HTC One, available now for $149.99 with select three years plans, makes sure your music plays loud and clear thanks to “HTC BoomSound” and dual front stereo speakers powered by Beats Audio amplifiers. It also has an ultrapixel camera and a feature called “HTC Zoe” that automatically creates 30-second videos from your photos. And with the “HTC Blink-Feed” function, the home screen streams real-time social media updates from all of your friends. MobileSyrup says it is “currently the best smartphone on the market.”
Both phones are also built to run on the blazing fast Rogers 2600 MHz LTE spectrum, Canada’s fastest wireless internet.
What features are you looking for in your next smartphone?
Rogers Anyplace TV launches on LG Smart TVs
You could already catch your favourite shows with Rogers Anyplace TV on your tablet, smartphone, Xbox and computer. And as of this week, more than 1,000 hours of content is available through Rogers Anyplace TV on 2012 and 2013 LG Smart TVs, including OLED and Ultra HD models. This is the first on demand video app of its kind in Canada, which authenticates to Rogers customer accounts via Smart TVs. Rogers customers need to create a profile on RogersAnyplaceTV.com to catch up on shows from City, Global and CBC. Cable customers have access to premium programming from their existing TV package subscriptions.
What’s your preferred screen for streaming your favourite shows?
Jennifer is a regular RedBoard contributor.
: 
Tags: Make the HTC One part of your summer music festival survival kit
April 19th, 2013 a 9:00am
The Lumineers, the Red Hot Chili Peppers and the Yeah Yeah Yeahs entertained the sunglass-wearing crowds at Coachella last weekend, kicking off the summer music festival season. And music lovers can look forward to a solid four months of events, including NXNE in Toronto in June and Osheaga in Montreal in August, not to mention the Manitoba Electronic Music Exhibition (MEME), B.C.’s Live at Squamish, Nova Scotia’s Evolve, Prince Edward Island’s Cavendish Beach Music Festival, Saskatchewan’s Craven County Jamboree, the Ottawa Bluesfest 2013 and the Calgary and Edmonton folk festivals.
Here are our tips for packing your summer music festival survival kit:
A great phone
A great smartphone with the right data plan is essential. How else will you find your friends, map your route, snap some photos and share them on Instagram, post updates on Facebook and Twitter and listen to tunes on the go?
The HTC One, available today for $149.99 with select three year plans, boasts some impressive audio quality. “HTC BoomSound” and dual front stereo speakers powered by Beats Audio amplifiers play your favourite albums loud and clear. You can even use the HTC One as a mini boombox to share your summer soundtrack.
The HTC One also has an ultrapixel camera and a feature called “HTC Zoe,” which automatically creates 30-second videos from your photos, so you can share the backstage photos instantly with all of your networks.
And, to keep track of your friends’ festival experiences, the HTC One offers real-time social media streaming updates on your home screen with “HTC Blink-Feed,” all powered by the blazing fast speeds of the Rogers LTE network.
The HTC One has already received rave reviews, with MobileSyrup calling it “currently the best smartphone on the market” and the CellularGuru describing it as “Superb. Gorgeous. Stunning.”
Sunscreen
This should be a no-brainer, but it’s so easy to forget. Stash some sunscreen in your bag, slather it on 20 minutes before heading outside and don’t forget to reapply.
Water bottle
Baking in the hot sun while dancing to your favourite band can lead to some serious dehydration. Stay at the top of your game with a refillable bottle of H20.
Heavy duty footwear
Yes, summer is sandal season. But by about the fifth time your newly pedicured toes get tromped on, you’re going to be wishing you brought some solid sneakers or boots.
Raingear
Canadian weather can change on a dime. While umbrellas are generally no-nos in crowds, a poncho or waterproof jacket and hat, along with a change of clothes packed in a waterproof bag, can transform your weekend from soggy to stellar.
Something toasty
You can’t rely on your fellow concert-goers to keep you warm. Whether you’d rather pull on a hoodie or sport your blanket like a cape, make sure you pack a few layers to help generate heat.
Something tasty
Long lineups can make it impossible to grab a meal between sets, so be sure to stash a few granola bars and pieces of fruit in your backpack to keep you fueled until the act has taken its final bow.
How does your smartphone power your summer plans?
Jennifer is a regular RedBoard contributor.
Tags: Weekend reading: Sweet thoughts of passwords, holidays and BlackBerry Q10 news
April 12th, 2013 a 9:00am
Could daydreaming about your vacation double as your password? Researchers have found a way to use brainwaves to authenticate your identity, and all you need to make it work is a $100 headset. Meanwhile, three-quarters of high income travellers are taking their smartphones on vacation, teens are coveting the iPhone and the new BlackBerry Q10 smartphone (yes, the one with the keyboard) will be rolling out from Rogers in the coming weeks.
Secure thoughts
One uppercase letter. One symbol. Don’t forget the number! Typing passwords could be on the way out, we learned this week from TechCrunch. Researchers at UC Berkeley School of Information have developed a way to think your password, using a $100 headset and brainwaves to authenticate users. Researchers say the so-called “pass-thoughts” could work by simply concentrating on breathing.
Other pass-thoughts included imagining moving a finger up and down, focusing on a dot on a piece of paper in response to a sound, imagining a repetitive motion from a sport, imagining singing a song, counting (silently) objects or focussing on a single thought for 10 seconds.
All these pass-thoughts worked to identify users, and researchers say the brainwave-based passwords could end up being an accessible, cheap and secure alternative to the pricier biometrics, such as fingerprint and retina scans, that are also being tested.
Would you try protecting your email with a “pass-thought?”
Staying connected on holiday
When I’m travelling, my suitcase is always a tangle of cords. I rely on smartphones, cameras and tablets to keep me on track (and from getting lost!) on holiday, while ensuring that all the fun is documented in photos, tweets and more. Not to mention how handy it is to check my flight status, look up restaurant reviews and make sure I’m not missing too much at home. Turns out, I share my travel habits with some high rollers. According to a recent study from Mediapost, 77 per cent of “affluents” – people with annual household incomes above $100,000 – vacationed with their smartphone last year, while 47 per cent toted tablets and laptops.
These high-income earners are logging on to read (40 per cent), make plans, check the weather (72 per cent) and get directions (66 per cent). Three-quarters use their devices to send personal emails, while nearly 40 per cent are posting updates to social media. And more than a third, 38 per cent, stay connected to their office by checking their work email.
Do you rely on your devices while on vacation?
American teens love their iPhones
Apple continues to win the hearts of American teenagers in the iOS vs. Android battle, according to Piper Jaffray’s 25th bi-annual teen survey. The report – which used classroom visits and electronic surveys to poll 1,600 teens from high-income families and 3,600 teens from average income families — found that nearly half (48 per cent) of teens own an iPhone, up from 40 per cent in the fall. And 62 per cent of teens plan to buy an iPhone for their next mobile device. Less than a quarter, 23 per cent, planned to buy an Android phone. That was a one per cent increase from the fall.
Teens are also choosing Apple when it comes to tablets, with 68 per cent planning to buy an iPad. The survey also found that more than half, 51 per cent, of teens owned a tablet and 17 per cent planned to buy one in the next six months.
What will your next device be? Apple, Android, BlackBerry or Windows?
Coming soon: The BlackBerry Q10 smartphone
Keyboard fans, rejoice! The BlackBerry Q10 smartphone, with its physical QWERTY keyboard and touch screen, will be arriving at Rogers retail locations across Canada in the coming weeks. It’s now available on the Rogers Reservation System and for new customers on rogers.com. Rogers is the first Canadian carrier to bring its customers the device with support for the blazing fast 2600 MHz LTE spectrum band. Rogers customers will also be the first to get the BlackBerry Q10 smartphone in white. The device is also available in black.
Touch screen or physical keyboard: which do you prefer for typing? Why?
Jennifer is a regular RedBoard contributor.
: Tags: Revisit your favourite Saturday morning cartoons on Rogers Anyplace TV
March 28th, 2013 a 9:03am
Remember when Saturday morning wasn’t about sleeping in? Instead, it was about getting up early and parking yourself in front of the tube to watch your favourite cartoons back to back.
I’m talking, of course, about Saturday morning cartoons, such as SpongeBob Squarepants. Who doesn’t remember watching Bobby’s World before class? Who was your favourite Care Bear? And of course, Bugs Bunny and his Friends could always be counted on for some laughs.
With channels such as Nickelodeon, Teletoon Retro, Family Channel, Disney Junior and Disney XD, your kids can get their cartoon fix like never before. These channels are all also available on Rogers Anyplace TV, meaning you can watch many of them from your device of choice (computer, tablet or smartphone) wherever you are.
Thanks to Teletoon Retro and Nickelodeon, which all Rogers cable customers can receive on Rogers Anyplace TV for free until April 5, you can share some of your favourite childhood shows with your children. We recently chatted with Toronto blogger Emma Waverman about doing just that.
Were you a fan of Saturday morning cartoons? What was your favourite cartoon growing up?
I was a fan of Saturday morning cartoons. I remember sitting on the couch with my sister and a cereal box hoping that my mother wouldn’t wake up so we could keep watching.
We loved Josie and the Pussycats and Scooby-Doo and the Justice League – especially with the Wonder Twins. But the best thing that could happen on a Saturday morning was when Schoolhouse Rock! put on “Conjunction Junction”. We loved that one – partially because we never knew when to expect it!
Why were those cartoons your favourite?
I always liked the shows that had girls as the main characters — they were few and far between though!
You have kids now, what are some of their favourite shows?
My boys, especially my 9-year-old, love anything to do with superheroes; so Justice League, the Avengers, Iron Man. And my 7-year old daughter sometimes gets a chance to watch the girlie shows like My Little Pony and Strawberry Shortcake. But she also likes superheroes and dressed up as Wonder Woman for Halloween two years in a row.
Are you excited to introduce them to the shows you loved as a kid with Teletoon Retro on Rogers Anyplace TV?
Any time you can sit and bond with your kids and introduce them to a little bit of your own history, it’s a good thing. Sometimes the retro cartoons give us a chance to talk about how some things have changed about the world, and some things haven’t.
As a mom, what do you like most about Rogers Anyplace TV?
My daughter often steals my iPad and watches cartoons while her older brothers are watching shows that are just too scary for her. She knows how to work the iPad better than I do.
Where is the oddest place you, or your kids, have used Rogers Anyplace TV?
I found my daughter hiding under the dining room table watching retro cartoons the other day. It took me a while to find her!
What was your favourite Saturday morning cartoon?
Sarah is a regular contributor to RedBoard
Treehouse, YTV, Disney XD, Disney Junior, Family Channel, Nickelodeon, CBC Kids, Teletoon and Teletoon Retro available on Rogers Anyplace TV on desktop.
Treehouse, YTV, Disney XD, Disney Junior, Family Channel, Nickelodeon, CBC Kids and Teletoon available on Rogers Anyplace TV tablet app.
Treehouse, YTV, Nickelodeon, Teletoon and CBC Kids available on Rogers Anyplace TV smartphone app.
: Tags: Rogers LTE Network: Expanding to a market near you this spring
March 26th, 2013 a 9:01am
Weekends and sunny weather can move at a crawl, but when it comes to streaming my favourite song on the way to work or downloading a report before a meeting, I’m thankful for the fast LTE speeds on my smartphone. So I’m excited to share that our Rogers LTE network, Canada’s fastest wireless internet, will be bringing its speed to 44 new markets in Atlantic Canada, Alberta, Ontario and Quebec this spring.
Today, we’re announcing that over the next couple months, we’ll be launching LTE in Saint John, New Brunswick; Medicine Hat, Alberta; Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario; Guelph, Ontario; Muskokas, Ontario; Collingwood, Ontario; and multiple cities in Quebec. We’ll announce the other 38 markets in updates to this post over the next couple months.
We’re also excited to confirm that Rogers will be making its 2600 MHz LTE spectrum band available in all 44 markets, and 34 of the 44 new markets will offer theoretical network speeds of 150 Mbps. Rogers has more LTE network deployed in the 2600 MHz spectrum band than any other carrier in Canada.
What does 2600 MHz LTE mean to Rogers customers?
The 2600 MHz LTE spectrum band delivers higher speeds over the same distance, allowing Rogers customers to experience even faster service. It’s like how a train track allows you to commute even more quickly, but in the case of LTE, it means even faster internet for you.
How do I access it?
To take advantage of the 2600 MHz spectrum, you need to be in one of the 2600 service areas and use a 2600-enabled device such as the LG Optimus G 2600 or the LTE Rocket™ hotspot. More 2600-enabled devices will be coming to the network this spring.
In the coming months we’ll be expanding our network to these 44 new markets and growing our lineup of LTE and 2600-enabled devices. Bookmark this page for updates as we expand our LTE and 2600 offerings, or visit www.rogers.com/LTE.
Update, April 22, 9 a.m.: We’re happy to announce we are rolling out our LTE network in seven new markets today, including Airdrie, Alberta; Langley, B.C.; and the following regions of Ontario: Keswick; Hamilton, including Grimsby; Orillia; Stratford; and Ottawa, including Kanata, Nepean, Gloucester, Stittsville and Cumberland.
Update, May 1, 9 a.m.: We’re excited to announce we have rolled out our LTE Max network to a number of new markets in Ontario, including Chatham; Milton; Sarnia; Woodstock; Orangeville; Brantford; Collingwood; St. Catharines Greater Area markets including Fort Erie, Port Colborne, Welland and Pelham; and Greater Toronto Area markets including King City, Bradford, Whitchurch-Stouffville, East Gwillimbury, Georgetown and Halton Hills. Our LTE network has also expanded to cover Kentville, N.S., and Lloydminster, Alta.
: Tags: Weekend Reading: Internet consumption, smartphone or car, and the HTC One
March 8th, 2013 a 3:27pm
If there’s one thing I love writing about, it’s the endless stats that pop up online surrounding how important technology has become in our daily lives. This week we found some great articles that opened our eyes to how much we rely on the internet on a daily basis and what age group is more likely to give up their car before their smartphone. As well, we tell you about a new HTC Cash Back Offer for customers. Catch up with us in this week’s edition of Weekend Reading.
How much internet do we consume daily?
Ever wonder just how much data you really consume in a single day? If like me, you’re in for a surprise.
Internet Service Providers posted an infographic this week that’s pretty mind blowing, considering there are only 24 hours, 1440 minutes or 86400 seconds in one day.
So what did they find? For starters, there are 2.4 billion internet users worldwide. Of them, there are 2.8 million emails sent every second, 320 new Twitter accounts made every minute, and 780,000 apps downloaded every hour! This translates to about 133,333 years online, can you believe it?!
More crazy stats in the full infographic here.
What do you value more – your car, or smartphone?
This answer could likely vary depending on your age group, as showcased by a recent survey from The Huffington Post. According to the survey, “Millennials” (ages 18-34) were the only group to put their mobile device needs before that of transportation.
That being said, they were also the more conscious of the groups to make an effort to utilize things such as public transit, carpooling, and walking or biking. With so many alternatives, it’s easier to see why 30% were more willing to give up their car before their smartphone.
How do you feel about the results? Are you a “millennial” who passionately stands by your device? Or in another age bracket who defies the stats and would sacrifice your vehicle for your smartphone? I think no matter what demographic you fall into, it’s a tough decision. As one of our previous Rogers Innovation Reports indicated, 4% of Canadians would be willing to sacrifice bathing to keep their internet – maybe it’s not such a difficult choice after all! What do you think?
HTC One awards and promo offers
Those of you looking to upgrade to the new HTC One couldn’t have picked a better time! After winning “Best New Mobile Handset, Device or Tablet” at the Mobile World Congress, HTC decided to supply a $100 (CDN) credit to HTC customers who trade in their older HTC model to purchase the HTC One.
For a limited time, customers can register for the HTC Cash Back Offer, purchase and activate a new HTC One before March 31, 2013 then send in their old phone with proof of purchase of their new phone. HTC will then send a Prepaid VISA card worth minimum $100 (CDN) in value! Full details on the phone and HTC Cash Back Offer available here. A fantastic offer for a fantastic device!
Kelly is a regular Redboard contributor.
Tags: Weekend Reading: Mobile dependency, kids and tech, and Rogers Hand-Me-Down program
February 15th, 2013 a 2:49pm
How long can you go without checking your mobile device? Are you on top of all the latest trends and safety measures when it comes to tech and your kids? We explore these topics, plus point you to the Rogers Hand-Me-Down program for mobile devices – all in this week’s edition of Weekend Reading.
How often are you checking your phone?
By now we’re no strangers to the term “nomophobia” and have seen numerous studies done indicating how dependent we’ve become on our mobile devices. Collins Dictionary defines nomophobia as “a state of stress caused by having no access to or being unable to use one’s mobile phone,” something Canadians are no stranger to. In one of our Rogers Innovation Reports, 65% say you’d feel naked without your smartphone and internet access, and 51% sleep with their smartphone in bed or on the nightstand.
It should come as no surprise then that The Daily Telegraph recently found that people are checking their mobile phones every six and a half minutes, which means we’re checking our smartphones 150 times a day on average! How do we find the time to do anything else? The report also narrows down how many phone calls and text messages people are receiving, and even how often we’re checking the clocks on them.
My own mother says my smartphone is “practically growing out of my arm;” I guess this would make me nomophobic! You’re only half way through this post, how many times have you checked your device?
Keeping up with kids and tech
If you don’t have nomophobia, with today’s mobile tech advancements, chances are your kids will! So how do you keep up with it all?
As Monica Vila (co-founder of TheOnlineMom and guest blogger for Mashable) recently discovered, keeping up with tech trends no longer means just being aware of parental controls and allotting a certain amount of time to gaming. These days it’s staying on top of the latest social networks and apps for their mobile devices too. To get parents on the right track, Monica compiled a list of best practices to enforce in the household, including tips such as monitoring your child’s behavior and installing filters and protection on the devices. More great advice in the full post here.
Tired of the device you have?
With technology changing so quickly, perfectly good devices sometimes get tossed to the wayside to make room for a newer one. Or perhaps your phone is great, it’s just not suited to your personal needs.
That’s where Rogers Hand-Me-Down program comes in. Instead of letting your old device sit and collect dust in a drawer, you can pass it on to a friend or family member. Connected Rogers breaks the process down into 3 easy steps for you this month – just in time for Family Day on Monday for those of us celebrating it! You can also get more details at rogers.com/newstart.
Kelly is a regular Redboard contributor.
Weekend Reading: Go-to devices, Blackberry 10, apps for kids, and apps created by teens
February 9th, 2013 a 1:21pm
I’m always inspired to read about all the different ways technology is changing our lives for the better. It gives us so many more options as to how we access news and information, for example. Not to mention that it opens new and exciting opportunities for education. That it motivates some students to develop talents that lead to fulfilling careers is so great. This week we look at people’s viewing habits, why more developers should be focused on kids apps, and introduce you to the latest teenage whiz-kid developer.
What’s your go-to device?
When it comes to sourcing out your entertainment, programming and news, television still reigns supreme. But those habits are shifting, and according to a new study by eMarketer, your age plays a part in which device you prefer.
For instance, 28% of people 18 to 24 claim that their laptop is their main source of news and entertainment. TV remains the number one source for 30% of people from that same age group, but for how much longer? On the gender front, women are more likely than men turn to their smartphones or tablets to watch their favourite shows. Personally I’m torn – I still love watching TV and live tweeting and checking in to the shows I’m watching, but on the other hand, there’s something to be said for the convenience of accessing Anyplace TV on your tablet at the cottage too!
How about you? What’s your go-to source for news and entertainment? Read the full eMarketer report online to see how you compare.
The Blackberry Z10 is here!
Last week we brought you some of our favourite blog coverage from the Toronto and NYC events that introduced the Blackberry 10 platform to the world. This week we were proud to launch our first ever LIVE blog here on Redboard, capturing some of the first Blackberry Z10 sales in the world!
Catch the excitement filmed earlier this week in Toronto – were you one of our featured customers lucky enough to score a Blackberry Z10 on launch day?
Kids need more apps
When cellphones first came on to the scene, most parents were reluctant to hand one over to their kids. Those who did usually had restrictions in place to ensure the device was used for emergency purposes only. Though these devices are still handy for emergencies, parents are increasingly seeing the benefits of their kids utilizing them for fun and education too.
What’s also changed is how kids use their phone. While it’s true that gaming apps rank highest among kids 12 and under, educational apps were right up there with more than half using their devices for learning purposes too. Schools have even begun to take notice with 1.5 million tablets already being used by students in the US.
Upstart Business Journal referenced an eye opening infographic that app developers may want to capitalize upon – check out their post for more kid tech trends and share some of your favourite educational apps with us in the comments below!
High school student creates “Clipped”
We also stumbled across a fascinating interview with a 15 year old student who created an app in between homework and hanging out with friends. When I was 15 I was making mix tapes and experimenting with makeup!
Fast Company caught up with Tanay Tandon for a quick chat on how his app “Clipped” came together what this Flipboard competitor can do for you, and what’s next on his agenda.
It’s amazing what opportunities technology provides for teens today that can lead to such promising careers tomorrow. How is tech affecting you and/or your kids upbringing in 2013?
Kelly is a regular Redboard contributor.
Tags: Live blog: Rogers customers get their hands on the new BlackBerry 10 Z10
February 5th, 2013 a 8:00am
Update: This morning, 20 Rogers customers who were among the first in the world to reserve their BlackBerry 10 Z10 on the Rogers Reservation System, were among the first in Canada to purchase the Z10. Both Nadir Mohamed, Rogers president and CEO, and Thorsten Heins, BlackBerry president and CEO, were in attendance to mark the occasion. You can take a look at the morning’s happenings by pressing the replay button below!
It’s a really exciting morning here for us on RedBoard. Not only are we running our very first live blog, but we’re doing it to follow some of the first customers picking up a BlackBerry Z10! The fun starts shortly after 8 am.
Tags: Weekend Reading: Couch commerce, tablet publications, and 2013 predictions
January 25th, 2013 a 5:14pm
Happy weekend everyone! It’s been an icy cold week with no signs of warming up unfortunately – so there’s no better time to grab some cocoa and bunker down with this week’s headlines in our latest edition of Weekend Reading!
Couch Commerce
When I think of tablets, I think of the convenience it provides while on the go with a larger screen than a smartphone. However, Mobile Commerce Daily posed a different perspective this week -
“Tablet devices are now known as “couch devices” because consumers are reaching for them while they are sitting at home.” Read the article for yourself and you’ll see its true!
Many of us use them in place of our laptops as a companion device to our televisions – and televisions host commercials. Commercials with fancy fashions, new products, and limited time offers. All of these factors come into play as reasons why online shopping from a tablet has increased by more than 300 percent in the last year alone! You can read more on their convenience and popularity in the entire article here.
I’m pretty sure I’ll have my tablet alongside my cocoa this weekend when I’m curled up inside because it’s minus 30 outside! How many of you are reading this edition of Weekend Reading on your tablet right now?
Are you reading tablet publications?
Keeping with the tablet theme, according to Tech Vibes, tablet publications are faring better in Canada than other parts of the world. In fact, publication apps account for 15% of all apps in iPad’s top 200 grossing apps! In the same category, they are also the second highest grossing apps next to games.
So who are the top publishers Canadians are reading? Do we prefer magazines to newspapers to newsstands? Find out in Tech Vibes infographic with more telling stats here.
2013 – The year of mobile?
That’s what The Mobilists are predicting in their post this week on 2013 Mobile Trends and Predictions, with a wish list that includes converting big data to actionable data, the rise of mobile payments, an increase in mobile shopping, and BYOD (bring your own device) to name a few.
But what do they think about mobile advertising, QR codes, or augmented reality? Check out their thorough article and share your thoughts on their lists in the comments below.
Personally I’m most excited to see developments in mobile use in everyday scenarios – from remote control access to household functions, to deeper control within our cars and even watches (as seen in Tech Zone 360 from this year’s CES.) I’m also eager for mobile payments to advance and become a regular form of payment now with our CIBC agreement for mobile wallets and suretap technology. 2013 is shaping up to be an innovative year already!
Kelly is a regular contributor for RedBoard.
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