Another site gives Rogers the One-fingered Salute.
UPDATE…Looks like the site is down. Here is the Google cashe instead.
American networks are starting to report on the fury.
It’s why I bought the iPod touch last year, and chose the BlackBerry as my phone.
We’re falling behind the rest of the world in terms of cellphone data and internet speeds. Michael Geist has coverage of Canada’s wireless crisis here.
I’m shocked and saddened at today’s passing of NBC’s Tim Russert. I’ve been watching Meet The Press regularly for years. He was just 58. He apparently died at work in the Washington Bureau of NBC news while recording voice overs for this Sunday’s show.
The statement from Jeff Zucker, president and CEO of NBC Universal:
“We are heartbroken at the sudden passing of Tim Russert. We have lost a beloved member of our NBC Universal family and the news world has lost one of its finest. The enormity of this loss cannot be overstated. More than a journalist, Tim was a remarkable family man. Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife, Maureen, their son, Luke, and Tim’s entire extended family.”
He is outlived by his father, “Big Russ”, who is in his 80’s. His son, Luke, had just graduated from Boston College.
I was looking forward to spending time watching his show during this history making election cycle. He loved the Buffalo Bills and the NHL’s Sabres. I remember his interview with Colin Powell, when, after a pointed question, Powell’s camera was suddenly panned off to some trees and Mr. Powell could be heard telling his assistant put the camera back on him so he could finish the interview.
I will miss the glint in his eye while discussing all things politics. This election was Tim’s Super Bowl. It won’t be the same without him.
Television news has lost another giant voice. Like Peter Jennings, Tim Russert will be sorely missed.
We now have a date for the official release of the iPhone in Canada, July 11, 2008. It will be the 3G version, not the original iPhone released on June 29th, 2007 in the U.S. That’s a good thing. At least we don’t have to put up with the recessed headphone jack that caused so much grumbling. Where I live, in Saskatchewan, Rogers (our GSM provider) doesn’t even have a 3G network yet. And coverage is spotty. Our CDMA provider, SaskTel has much better coverage, but will never get the iPhone unless Apple releases a CDMA version which is HIGHLY unlikely, given that the world uses GSM. CDMA is only used in North America.
I have a BlackBerry 8830 World Edition, and I love it. But at the minimum data plan, I’m only allowed 5MB of data per month. That’s right, 5MB. Not GB but MB. Canada has the highest data rates in the world. Let’s hope the iPhone in Canada changes that.
As a .mac user, I’m also very excited about MobileMe. It’s Apple’s foray into “cloud” computing. I use .mac for backup and online storage, so I’m looking forward to improved functionality and more storage (minimum 20GB, up from 10GB to a max of 40GB).
On a related note, my iPod touch is going back to Apple for repairs or replacement. The headphone jack is loose and the audio cuts out. I’ve tried it with several sets of headphones, but no luck. It’s most certainly the jack. I missed the six month cut-off for free shipping, so I have to pay $40 for shipping, but at least it’s still under warrantee. I’ll let you know how it goes.
A movie I worked on last year, Surveillance, had debuted at Cannes. Coverage is here, and here. It was a pleasure to be 2nd team to Bill Pullman and Michael Ironside, among others. Meeting director Jennifer Lynch was amazing. She is kind, generous and infectiously funny. We battled some big wind storms on the highways of Saskatchewan, but it was worth the effort. Thanks for the great memories, all the best with the film.
Awhile ago I posted about Passive vs Active content consumption.
This talk by Clay Shirky on Cognitive Surplus at the Web 2.0 Expo is a much more in depth look at what I was noticing and trying to articulate in my post last year.
I watch much less television, almost never listen to the radio, and see far fewer movies because I am choosing to spend my time with interactive media the allows me to participate. Things like gaming, podcasting, blogging or producing YouTube videos.
Ted Rogers made the announcement today, Rogers has made a deal with Apple to bring the iPhone to Canada. No word on pricing or launch date.
But given how expensive data plans are in Canada, I can see the details of the promotional offer now…
$60/month to get you about 2MB worth of data. For a whopping 5MB a month, just $85! And for a limited time, unlimited data plans (if you don’t go over 100MB, but other than that it’s unlimited) are just $295/month.
I’m kidding of course. Partially. I have no idea how much the data plans are, but I’m so used to getting ripped off by Canadian cell phone providers, I expect nothing less.
Funny story from this morning. I went out at 8am to beat the crowds the pick up a new controller for the PS3 (it now has RUMBLE). While I was there, people were at the cash desk panicking about this new shipment of Wii’s that had just arrived. I overheard the conversation and I guess people were supposed to get a coupon at the front door, before proceeding to the electronics department to get their Wii. There were three left, but the guy had missed getting his coupon. I looked over at him and just said, “I’m just getting the new PS3 controller.”
“Oh yeah,” he goes. “Stayed with the PS3?”, he added with some resignation.
Yes I did, and I’m quite happy. With all the hardware failures of the Xbox 360, the supply problems of the Wii, and the HD wars settling on Blu-ray, going with Sony may have been a good decision.
When production on the sixth season of CTV’s Corner Gas begins in a few weeks, it will be the last. The show will officially end it’s run in Spring 2009. Show star and creator Brent Butt made the announcement today. Coverage here.
I was on the set (in the background) on the very first day of filming back in 2003. No one knew what sort of success the show would have, but I remember talking with Josh (the cook) and telling him I think we’re a part of something big. Turns out I was right.
Brent wants to leave with the show on top. That’s graceful and classy. Thanks for all the laughs. And to all the friends in the cast and crew that I’ve met over the years, thank you. May this final year of production be full of fun and great memories.
Today’s Toronto Star has a story about the upcoming CRTC hearings into Canadian Broadcast regulations.
Some key points…
- The possible elimination of “genre protection”. That means no American signal is allowed to broadcast in Canada if it competes with a Canadian channel. It’s why there is no HBO, USA Network or ESPN here.
- Discussion about Signal Substitution. The Cable/Satellite providers are required to substitute the Canadian signal overtop of the U.S. channel so we are forced to watch all those Canadian ads. Signal substitution is particularly bad for HD broadcasts because very often CTV or Global screws up the signal. The 5.1 surround sound is reduced to stereo, or the picture is reduced to a compressed 720p from 1080i. The Digital Home forums are full of stories of Canadian broadcasters butchering a pristine HD signal.
- An increase in “Carriage Fees”. In other words a tax you will have to pay on your cable bill just for the “privilege” of getting your local CTV or Global T.V. station.
My biggest problem with the CRTC and all these protectionist rules, is that they were designed to help develop a domestic Canadian television industry. But for the most part, the CRTC simply protects Ted Rogers and CTVglobemedia. They are supposed to use the money they make from showing American shows to help develop Canadian programs. However, spending on domestic production is very low.
It’s time the CRTC tell the Canadian broadcasters to start spending some big money on domestic shows, or the no-competiton rules that have protected them and lined their pockets for years, get torn up.
The big release from LucasArts, Star Wars: The Force Unleashed will be out this September 16th, Check it out. The official site is here.
Sign me up.
Video games long ago passed the movie business in total revenue. I’m starting to see why. I’ve been playing Rock Band the past week, and love my PS3. With games like Force Unleashed on the horizon, movie and television is going to have to get a lot better if they want me to keep paying attention. It’s to the point now that I’d much rather spend my time gaming (or reading for that matter) than watch a lot of the dreck that Hollywood has been putting out.
As a .mac user, I’m also very excited about 
