Grammy winning singer Celine Dion is not pregnant after all. It was reported in August that Dion, who is married to Rene Angelil, was pregnant with the couple’s second child. Dion and Angelil have an eight year old son, Rene-Charles. This Wednesday however it was revealed that Dion was not pregnant after all.
Dion, 41, and Angelil, 67, were married on December 17, 1994. On January 25, 2001 the couple’s first son, Rene-Charles, was born. The couple’s son was conceived through in vitro fertilization in 2000 and in August Dion underwent the in vitro fertilization procedure in a New York clinic. At the time Dion’s representatives confirmed the news that Dion had undergone the procedure and was pregnant. Within a few days however the couple learned that the in vitro process was unsuccessful and did not report Dion’s condition as they desired to keep it private.
The news of the failed implantation was announced Wednesday in the French language newspaper Le Journal de Montreal. Angelil was interviewed by the paper, and confirmed that the in vitro process had failed. Angelil said the couple did not announce the results immediately because they were hopeful another attempt would work. While the couple is disappointed at the results, Angelil told the paper that the couple is grateful for the child they already have and remain determined to have more children.
Canadian cell phone consumers now have a hot new acrynim to learn, HSPA.
Following in Rogers footsteps, this week both Bell and Telus will launch thier own HSPA network.
HSPA which stands for High Speed Packet Access, allows mobile phones to download data at speeds up to 21 megabytes per second — speeds which are faster than many home connections.
Canada’s three large wireless ISPs are all now on board this new technology which promises to make smart phones more exciting and powerful.
“The future of wireless begins [Thursday],” said Joe Natale, senior vice-president at Telus. “If you look at the capabilities being offered to Canadians, it’s quite significant.”
Under ideal conditions, an mp3 file and can be downloaded almost instantly, a video can be played continuously without interruption and a heavy file, like a movie, is downloaded quickly.
The HSPA is not new, as Rogers (TSX: RCI.B), like other companies in the world, has had its network in service for some time.
Bell (TSX: BCE) and Telus (TSX: T) have however decided to launch their own HSPA network, enabling them to sell the popular iPhone device from Apple and other similar phones.
The new Bell network was put into operation Wednesday and that Telus will be Thursday.
Each of these companies now trying to convince the public that its HSPA service is the best.
Rogers says they offer the largest selection of phones compatible with HSPA on a network that has been proven.
“Rogers customers can select from an even greater [italics added] lineup of the latest wireless devices — the widest selection by far in Canada — with the introduction of new smart phones designed to keep Canadians connected on Canada’s most reliable network,” the company said in a released statement Wednesday.
Bell is promoting an option for video calls, which takes advantage of the high-speed connection, including an exclusive Facebook application that enables video calls between a user and a user cell phone.
Telus claims about it that its broad offer HSPA network for the first time Internet access to many residents of rural communities not served previously.
Personal computers and laptops can also connect to an HSPA network to enjoy high speed, but it is a more expensive option, especially for users who download lots of data and use lots of bandwidth.
Bell and Telus this week will launch new HSPA wireless networks. Both companies are proud to announce they will be launching four months earlier than expected.
Bell and Telus, increasingly inseparable, pass international standard HSPA +, fully compatible with GSM networks in over 200 countries. This is a first for them since they had until now favored the established systems from the CDMA standard, popular in North America, but virtually unknown elsewhere. This puts Bell and Telus in direct competition with Rogers and new players such as Videotron, which will launch its new network next spring. This migration also allows Bell and Telus to sell the hugely popular iPhone to their customers because this device is only available in HSPA.
Bell and Telus probably wanted to take advantage of the holiday season to offer the iPhone to their customers and retain them for the duration of the three-year contracts that accompany the purchase of this device. Bell and Telus also hope to take over all new consumers who are preparing to compete with established companies in the coming months. Bell will also benefit from the visibility it has as a sponsor of the Olympics in February to promote his new offer and take advantage of all the calls that will be between Vancouver and other countries.
All this is fine, but one thing eludes me entirely. Bell and Telus have chosen to offer tomorrow access to the network almost anywhere in Canada except Quebec and the Ottawa area to be served until the first quarter of 2010 by a slower HSPA network. The remote parts of northern Alberta or the coast of Newfoundland have access to the new ultra-fast network, but not us. I believe that it is precisely in Quebec, where competition is most intense with the arrival of Videotron in this market.
Since the appointment of George Cope at the helm, Bell seems like a player less lethargic and less defensive than with Michael Sabia. Bell became the owner of The Source stores and 750 stores will cease from January to sell subscriptions for Rogers and Videotron terminals in 150 branches in Quebec. They bought the half that did not belong to Virgin Mobile in Canada. Bell TV – formerly ExpressVu – I think also more dynamic in this market. In short, the old lion roars yet.
The old lion still must deal with a poor image. It’s clients made 1239 complaints last year to the Complaints Commissioner, substantially more than Rogers and Telus. Videotron, which makes life hard in Quebec has in turn generated only 72 complaints. Besides quality and network performance, it is here that early 2010 will be the tough battle to win the heart of Quebec.
Putting Quebec and Ottawa in the bottom of its priorities for the establishment of the new network does not appear to me a sign in the right direction.
The date is now set, it is Thursday, November 5 that Telus subscribers can opt for a 3G package and get an iPhone from Apple.
Connected to a three-year contract, the smartphone will be priced the same as Telus Rogers: $99 for the 8GB iPhone, $199 for the 3GS 16 GB and $ 299 for the 32GB of 3GS Prices packages have meanwhile not yet been disclosed.
On October 6, Telus and Bell, who share their infrastructure since 2001, had announced the arrival in November of smart phones from Apple in their windows. At the same time, the two operators had announced the deployment of HSPA (High Speed Packet Access) specific to the GSM network, joining the mobile network from Rogers.
Although adopting the 3G network across the Canadian Mobile progresses, it still has long lagged behind many countries where the fourth-generation LTE (Long Term Evolution), is already set.
Canadian-born actress and animal rights activist Pamela Anderson was in Ontario recently to help launch a new advertising campaign to pressure the Canadian government to end the annual Harp seal hunt, which takes place on the country’s eastern coast every spring.
The former “Baywatch” star is supporting the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals in their campaign to end the hunt, which involves the slaughter of over 300,000 baby Harp seals. She is one of many celebrities that are using their stardom to bring attention to the yearly event. PETA’s goal is to focus attention on the hunt year-round, instead of only from November to May, when many supporters take to the ice in protest.
Animal rights organizations such as PETA have labeled the hunt as not only cruel, but useless, and claim it does not have any real economic benefit for seal hunters and their families. The hunters and Canadian authorities contend that it is done humanely, and provides income for those living in the indigenous Inuit communities surrounding the Gulf of St. Lawrence.
Anderson, who was in Toronto for Fashion Week, made an appearance at the Ontario provincial legislature for a photo op to introduce the ads. The campaign will include Anderson and other celebrities such as fellow Canadian Sarah McLachlan, and Jennie Garth of “Beverly Hills, 90210″ wearing PETA’s “Save the Seals” T-shirts. The ads will appear in entertainment magazines and blogs beginning this fall.
Albertan Tara Jean Popowich is the winner of the second season of the show “So You Think You Can Dance Canada.” This contemporary dancer, aged 20, won a majority of the three million votes cast across Canada and a cheque for $100,000.
The three other finalists were Jayme Rae Dailey, of Montreal, Vincent Desjardins de Trois-Rivieres and Everett Smith of Glen Morris, Ontario.
You can’t blame her for being a little tongue-tied when Tim met her moments after winning the show.
“It’s been crazy. I can’t speak properly now ’cause I’m shaking.”
She did, however, show Tim her victory dance. According to Tara-Jean, her passion was what helped her to win.
“I always dance with my heart and I always leave my soul on the stage and I really hope Canada saw that and obviously they did, so, I appreciate it so much.”
At times, the 20 year old dancer couldn’t believe some of the judges’ praise.
“Just to hear them say I’m a star. I’m like, what? I’m a dancer, not a star. So just to hear them say that, it felt so good.”
The judges however, had complete confidence in Tara-Jean.
Blake McGrath said, “Seeing Tara-Jean win was completely incredible, the excitement, the energy that we get, ’cause we have no idea who wins.”
Added Jean-Marc Généreux, “She got me every week.”
Tre Armstrong also said she was happy that the winner wasn’t a guy this time around.
“I’m just gonna say, lord have mercy I’m so glad a girl won. No disrespect but I was rooting for a girl and I love our top four. Didn’t matter who won, but I’m so glad Tara-Jean go it, she deserved it.”
The judges also took some time to reflect on who had the steamiest kiss.
Blake thought it was him and Jean-Marc! “We did, stop it! Stop it!”
They also reminisced about the sexiest costumes on the show.
Jean-Marc felt it was Kim.
“Kim, Kim, who whoa, you can’t go further than that, that was the minimum.”
And everyone agreed about who was the most emotional judge.
Blake McGrath: “Jean Marc, obviously, he’s a crybaby, I always have to throw him boxes of tissues and stuff.”
Jean-Marc: “What are you talking about! I’m sensitive alright? And I’m not afraid to show it and I wear it on my sleeve.”
American rental and video streaming compan, Netflix, will offer its service in November for users of the PlayStation 3 in the United States. The service Netflix playback video via the Internet allows subscribers to access an unlimited number of films and television series. The subscription is charged from $ 8.99 per month.
The agreement signed between the firm’s Los Gatos, Calif., and Sony, developer of the PS3 game console, allows Netflix to rejuvenate its North American customers. As for the Japanese electronics group, it does not not want to be left behind by Microsoftm designer of the Xbox 360, the number one software is already a partner with Netflix.
“While gaming is clearly our core DNA I think we felt very confident three years ago when we debuted PlayStation 3 that this was going to be a device that was going to mean much more than gaming,” said Jack Tretton, chief executive of Sony Computer Entertainment America.
The service will not be available in Canada due to licensing agreements and other legal issues.
In the U.S., Netflix claims 11 million subscribers. 9 million Sony PS3’s have been sold.
Since Wednesday is the frenzy in Quebec. Everywhere on the web, Facebook and Twitter, people wonder if they recognize their home, their apartment on Google street wiew is now available. Is this an infringement on individual freedom?
In Canada, the online application is available in the cities of Montreal, Toronto, Ottawa, Hamilton, Halifax, Calgary.
When this feature of Google map, which allows you to see a place like if you were there and to recognize, was released, it was controversial. For people thought at first that the images were real-time. What was worrying, let’s face it. Then people were caught in uncomfortable situations: post a video store for adults, urinating (why do it in the street?), Tanning, picking his nose, etc.. The law protects privacy in Canada is very useful.
The images are taken by car with Pascal Forget Google took a photo and several others when strolling the streets of Montreal last spring.
The functionality of Street View is really impressive. With the mouse or keyboard, you can forward, backward (arrows lower back), swing left or right (left-right arrows), up or down to zoom (+ or – keys).
Faces and license plates of vehicles are scrambled by the computer system — house numbers are not hidden.
Street View is a Google service has experienced the highest growth of use in 2008, said the head research and development of Google, Luc Vincent.
Launched in 2005 as an experiment, Street View only covered five U.S. cities in early 2007. Since the service was implemented in 14 countries.
No income
The service is not yet generating revenue for the Web giant, he said. “The Google model is to first create a unique and useful tool to many people. Once we have this product and we see if it has a good attendance, we will start to think about monetization. This is not our main concern at present. “
Google wants to better blur faces and plate numbers in its Street View service, but refuses to reduce the height of the camera that takes pictures. The company is responding to certain recommendations of the Federal Data Protection.
To improve the process of anonymous faces and vehicles, Google will use a new version of its software, the company said. Currently, Google Street View automatically blurs faces and license plates, but the system does not always work.
The American company refuses cons of reducing the height of the camera that takes pictures of streets of Swiss cities. The camera is currently set on a pole placed on a car.
Google hopes to continue photographing buildings and signs so that we can recognize them. “Reducing the height of the mast would also bring the camera in the faces of passersby,” the firm wrote.
The Federal Data Protection had requested that the camera is set so that it can not photograph the gardens or private lessons.
Google Street View was recently launched for 11 cities in Canada. The Canadian government has been very public about their apprehensions with this new technology. They have expressed their concern for the privacy of citizens and their homes.
Google has blurred all faces and license plates in order to ensure the privacy of any individual who may have been included in a photo. Google has explained the views are all taken from public streets, and do not violate anyone’s privacy. Google has included links for reporting any concerns a person may have. Any concerns that are reported will be reviewed. If they are found to violate a persons privacy, they will be removed.
The Street View technology is available on iPhones. Simply enter in an address, and you will get a clear view of the building or landmark you are looking for. Street View uses images that are patched together from several different angles. The Street View, gives a user a 360 degree view of a particular street address. This application was first launched in the United States in 2007. It is currently available in 10 countries.
A few local residents are a little embarrassed about the pictures that were taken during the garbage workers strike. Several of the local parks were filled with garbage and those are the pictures that appear in the Street View. Mayors of these particular cities are hoping to increase tourism with this latest technology.
The Canadian cities that are included in the Street View thus far are as follows; Halifax, Toronto, Quebec City, Calgary, Montreal, Squamish, Whistler, Waterloo, and Ottawa Kitchener.