Canada

53 'Canada' stories June 2011 - July 2013

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Google brings voice back to Gmail w/ new group chat features, free calls to US & Canada from other countries

Jordan Kahn Jul 9 2013 - 2:28 pm PT

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When Google rolled out its new unified Hangouts messaging service, some users were disappointed that the new experience within Gmail removed the ability to place free calls within the US and Canada. Google previously confirmed that the feature would be returning and today it announced on its Gmail blog that it is rolling out the free calling feature to Gmail Hangouts and also adding some new features.

In addition to improvements to desktop calling, such as the ability to “add multiple phone numbers and video participants to the same call” and play sound effects, it is also making calls to the US and Canada free from any country with access to Hangouts.
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Google Maps rolls out new Street View imagery for 1,000 locations around the globe

Jordan Kahn Jun 13 2013 - 11:04 am PT

Google announced today on its Google Maps blog that its rolling out a ton of new Street View imagery for over 1,000 locations across Asia, Europe, Latin America, the U.S. and Canada:

Today we’re adding more than 1,000 locations around the world to Google Maps, making it more comprehensive and useful for you. From historical landmarks to sports stadiums, these panoramic photos available via Street View can help you ease into vacation mode with just a few simple clicks… you can use to preview a vacation spot, to plot your next hiking route or just to become an armchair explorer from wherever you may be.

Google highlighted a number of the new addition including new imagery for historical landmarks and more in Brazil, Singapore, Denmark, Mexico City, Chile,

You can get some of the highlights here and check out the imagery for yourself in the latest Google Maps apps for iPhone and Android.

Google announces ‘Partner’ pilot program to help businesses succeed online using Google products

Jordan Kahn May 27 2013 - 10:55 am PT

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Google today announced a new pilot program rolling out in Canada dubbed “Google Partners” that will allow businesses to easier connect with experts and advertising agencies on the web. What that really means is Google will hand out a “Google Partner” badge to selected marketing companies that will assist businesses get setup with Google Ads and other Google products to help maximize their success online. Google says the program makes “it easier for agencies to access Google resources, training, and support all in one place.”

The program is for now open via a new website to Canadian businesses and agencies, but Google says it is interested in rolling it out more broadly in the coming months.

Here’s what Partners will get:

Become a Partner: Earn the Google Partner badge to indicate to your current and future clients that you are a trusted Google Partner.
Hangout with Google: Join an exclusive Google+ community to receive support from Google specialists and to talk with industry experts.
Connect with Customers: When you earn the badge, we’ll introduce you to potential clients through Google Partner Search.
Access Exclusive Content: Explore a library of the latest Google-created trainings, case studies, and pitch materials to help deepen your expertise.

Canada’s national broadcaster CBC switches 12,000 employees to Google Apps

Jordan Kahn May 14 2013 - 12:54 pm PT

Google Apps Logo Ring hires Just a few days after we learned that the city of Boston had dropped Microsoft and switched 20,000 employees to Google Apps, Canada’s national broadcaster CBC announced today on Google’s Canada Blog that it has transitioned 12,000 employees to Google Apps in just 90 days.

CBC’s Senior Enterprise Architect made a point of noting that the company looked at both Microsoft Office 365 and Google Apps before making the decision to go Google:

With a company-wide goal to reduce infrastructure and a need for better messaging and collaboration, we decided to look at public cloud solutions such as Google Apps and Microsoft Office 365. It was clear that Google Apps was the right solution for us based on cost, proven service level and availability guarantee and the breath of tools the platform offered for collaboration. We also had great support from the media groups in our company (about 70% of our employees), as many of them had been using personal Google accounts to communicate already with external users. Once we decided to “go Google” we were able to complete a smooth 90-day deployment with the help of Google Apps reseller, Onix , by March 1, 2013.

Google rolls out Public Alerts for Now, Search, and Maps in Canada

Jordan Kahn Apr 23 2013 - 12:03 pm PT

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Users in other countries have had access to Google’s public alerts for weather warnings and other critical public information through its Google Public Alerts platform since as early as January of last year. Now, Google has teamed up with Public Safety Canada and Environment Canada to roll out the feature in Canada, bringing severe weather alerts in both English and French to users through Google Search, Google Maps, and the Google Public alerts website. Users on Android will also be able to receive the alerts through Cards that automatically appear in Google Now:

We couldn’t have launched Public Alerts in Canada without Public Safety Canada and Environment Canada. Their meteorological data will ensure our users are notified of severe weather when relevant. We also appreciate their commitment to open data standards such as the Common Alerting Protocol (CAP).

For more information, or to see all active public alerts, visit our homepage at www.google.org/publicalerts. If you are a data provider, we also provide instructions here that will help you get your emergency data ready for Google Public Alerts.

Watch how Google captures the Canadian Arctic with its Street View Trekker backpack (Video)

Jordan Kahn Mar 22 2013 - 9:01 am PT

Google has been constantly updating its Maps and Google Earth apps with new Street View imagery in recent months. Earlier this month it began rolling out new imagery for famous mountains including Kilimanjaro and Everest, and now Google’s Street View team is hitting Northern Canada for the first time with its Street View Trekker backpacks:

This is the first Trekker expedition in Canada for Google Maps. I’m wearing the backpack to collect Street View imagery as I walk to the shore of Frobisher Bay, where the wind is the strongest and you can see the tide piling up mountains of sea ice. On the way I’ll pass sled dogs tied up outside houses, yapping in anticipation of their next trip. And I may stop to check out an igloo, built by Inuit craftsmen using methods passed down over a millennia.

Google extending free calling for US and Canadian Gmail users through 2013

Jordan Kahn Dec 26 2012 - 10:02 am PT

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As it did around the holiday season last year, Google is once again extending its free calling service for United States and Canadian Gmail users for another year. Google announced on the official Gmail blog today that Gmail users will continue to be able to place free domestic calls in the U.S. and Canada through 2013.

Many of you call phones from Gmail to easily connect with friends and family. If you’re in the US and Canada, you’ll continue to be able to make free domestic calls through 2013. Plus, in most countries, you can still call the rest of the world from Gmail at insanely low rates.

Some Nexus 4 users get LTE working on AT&T in select markets

Jordan Kahn Dec 11 2012 - 8:43 am PT

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We told you last month that Nexus 4 owners in Canada were able to enable LTE on their Nexus 4 using a few relatively easy steps. Now, users posting in XDA developer forums claim to have LTE service up and running on AT&T’s network in select areas. However, that doesn’t exactly mean any Nexus 4 user on AT&T can get LTE working… As explained by AndroidPolice, those utilizing LTE on AT&T are likely on band 17 operating at the 700 MHz frequency, but AT&T also has band 4 AWS spectrum only in select cities and possibly not even deployed:

in some, very select areas, AT&t utilizes band 4. Also referred to as AWS, the carrier has holdings on this spectrum in select markets including Phoenix, Raleigh, San Juan, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Oklahoma City, Dallas, Chicago, Charlotte. Also Athens, GA and College Station, TX. That being said, the fact that AT&T owns spectrum here doesn’t mean it’s deployed.
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LTE enabled on Nexus 4 in Canada, here’s how to do it

Jordan Kahn Nov 23 2012 - 7:09 am PT

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=GXOY9EVZ4vA]

While lack of LTE connectivity in the Nexus 4 seemed to be one of the biggest controversies surrounding the device’s launch, Canadians will at least get to access local LTE networks on the device for now. As discovered by Canadian blog Tekgadg, which posted the video above (via TechCrunch), enabling support for LTE by simply switching the network type in settings seemed to do the trick. Unfortunately, the trick, which only supports Canadian networks running LTE Band 4 put o 20MHz, could possibly be shutdown by Google in the near future. Until then, those who want to enable LTE on their Nexus 4 will have to type in *#*#4636#*#* to access the necessary preference pane. TechCrunch has step-by-step instructions, if you’re interested.

Google dominates ‘most inDemand employer’ list globally, considered desirable by students, software engineers, and more

Élyse Betters Oct 11 2012 - 11:36 am PT

Google just landed the No. 1 spot on LinkedIn’s fresh list of most “inDemand” employers from around the world.

The occupation-aimed social network pinpointed the most attractive companies for job seekers, and it subsequently broadcasted the list, along with its new Most InDemand Employers website, at the Talent Connect event in Las Vegas this afternoon. LinkedIn further detailed a few insights regarding the results, including: tech/software as the most represented on the list, consumer brands ranked highly, and 50-percent of the top 100 companies had under 7,000 employees.

Google also earned first-place in the United States, Canada, and Australia. Meanwhile, students, recent graduates, marketing professionals, and software engineers perceive it as the best possible employer overall. A few other repeated names on the list include Apple, Walt Disney, and Microsoft.

Check out more details in the infographic below, or read LinkedIn’s blog post to learn more about list’s ranking metrics.

This article is cross-posted on 9to5Mac.

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Google Play Books for Android update adds dictionary, translations, Google Maps integration, notes & highlights

Jordan Kahn Sep 25 2012 - 6:57 am PT

Google has updated its Books app experience on Android, which already features over 4 million books in the United States, Canada, Germany, Australia, Italy, France, Korea, Spain, and Japan. The latest version of the app introduces a number of new features including: highlighting, dictionary, notes, and new “Places” info cards.

In addition to including dictionary definitions when tapping on words, Google highlighted some of the new features in a post on its official Android blog:

Starting today, when you come across an unfamiliar geographic location—a faraway city or distant mountain range—you can tap on the location to learn more about it. You’ll see an info card with a Google Map and the option to get more information by searching on Google or Wikipedia.

Also in the update is the ability to translate words and phrases to a number of currently supported languages. Other features include:

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Watch live streams of the 2012 London Paralympics on YouTube

Élyse Betters Aug 31 2012 - 2:00 pm PT

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C9VWge-Q_08&feature=player_profilepage]

YouTube just announced to the world that it is live streaming the 2012 London Summer Paralympics.

The news comes roughly 48 hours after the games actually began, however. Better late than never I guess. Over 500 hours of live content and 1,000 hours of on-demand and behind-the-scenes footage will run until the Paralympics end Sept. 9, according to the YouTube Global Blog:

Whether your favorite sport is powerlifting, sitting volleyball or wheelchair basketball, you can catch all the action on the International Paralympic Committee’s YouTube channel at youtube.com/paralympicsporttv. The channel will feature 500 hours of live competitions accompanied by a real-time commenting feature for viewers in the United States and Canada. Additionally, others around the world have access to over 1000 hours of on-demand catch-up footage of current and previous games, interviews with Paralympic athletes and other behind-the-scenes footage.

The Paralympic Games is the second-largest international multi-sport event for physically disabled athletes. Folks can also watch original game content on YouTube by the United States Olympic Committee at youtube.com/teamusa.

YouTube also partnered with NBC earlier this summer to broadcast the 2012 London Summer Olympics online.

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Google Maps treks to Canada’s isolated Arctic to plot hamlet’s 4,000-year history

Élyse Betters Aug 23 2012 - 7:17 am PT

Every hear of Cambridge Bay? It is not in the United Kingdom, as one might think, but rather the Kitikmeot Region of Nunavut in Canada’s Arctic and Google is trying to put it on the map.

According to the official Google blog:

There are 4,000 years’ worth of stories waiting to be told on this map. Today, we’re setting out on an ambitious mission to tell some of those stories and to build the most comprehensive map of the region to date. It is the furthest north the Google Maps Street View team has traveled in Canada, and our first visit to Nunavut. Using the tools of 21st century cartography, we’re empowering a community and putting Cambridge Bay on the proverbial map of tomorrow.

Google further revealed a local nonprofit group, Nunavut Tunngavik, is helping to map the hamlet in both English and Inuktitut, which is one of Nunavut’s official languages, while the Internet giant pedals around with a tripod and the Street View trike to collect imagery.

“This is a place with a vast amount of local knowledge and a rich history. By putting these tools in the hands of our people, we will tell Nunavut’s story to the world,” said Nunavut Tunngavik’s Chris Kalluk, who’s organization helped plot the remnants of an ancient Dorset stone longhouse that pre-dates Inuit culture.

Get more mapping details and images at the Google blog.

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Google launches Official Google Canada Blog

Jordan Kahn Aug 22 2012 - 9:08 am PT

Google has a ton of different blogs covering various aspects of its business, and the company has now launched an Official Google Canada Blog today to make announcements and share news specific to Canada and Canadians:

Ten years ago, Google Canada opened its doors in Toronto, becoming one of the first international Google offices. Since then, we’ve added Google offices in Kitchener-Waterloo and Montreal, bringing together an incredible team of people who you just might find scrambling up an indoor climbing wall or sliding into their office on any given day of the week.

What a lot of people may not realize is how, over this time, Canada has had a hand in many of the products Canadians love—from the Chrome browser to Gmail for Mobile—or how Canadians themselves are gaining global recognition for the amazing things they’re doing on the web, whether they’re launching a music career, making us laugh, or discovering new ways to reach out and inspire others online.

Analyst: Google to sell 2.9M Nexus 7s in Q3, 8M by the end of 2012

Jordan Kahn Aug 21 2012 - 5:58 am PT

Shortly after becoming available in the United States and Canada at various retailers and Google Play in mid-July, we reported Google suspended orders of the 16GB version while reports claimed the company had simply sold out of initial supplies. It would take Google weeks to restock the device, according to reports, but the 16GB model was again available on the store just a week later. Today, we get a look at just how many Nexus 7 tabs Google might have sold with analyst Sameer Singh estimating 6- to- 8 million units sold by the end of 2012 (via ComputerWorld):

Google could sell between six million and eight million of its $199 Nexus 7 tablets by year’s end, according to a new estimate… That’s more than double the three million Google expected to sell by the end of 2012, after putting the device on sale in July and seeing the 16GB version sell-out briefly… The estimate, based on projections using expected shipments of four million touch panels for the Nexus 7 in the third quarter 2012,

Google has not released any sales data related to the device and declined to comment on the estimates. Singh’s estimates definitely blow by the “1.5 million units in five weeks” estimated by Gartner. The estimate of 8 million units by year’s end is also significantly higher than Gartner’s estimates. According to Singh, “Google and Asus may have roughly doubled their [sales] estimates and cranked up the production volume.” Singh explained how he used panel orders to come up with his estimates:
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Google Nexus 7 currently out of stock or backordered at most retailers

Jordan Kahn Jul 16 2012 - 6:23 am PT

With Google and several retailers accepting preorders for the new Nexus 7 tablet leading up to last week’s launch, it appears Google is selling the device as quickly as it can ship it to retailers. As noted by CNET, several of Google’s key retail partners, including GameStop, Staples, Sam’s Club, and Office Depot, now list the device as backordered, sold out, or out of stock.

It looks like Google’s initial wave of units has run out. However, some customers report there is limited stock at select brick-and-mortar locations for some of these retailers, despite lack of online availability. Canadian retailers, such as BestBuy.ca and Staples.ca, are also listing the device as out of stock, while Google Play still lists shipping to both the U.S. and Canada as “1-2 weeks“.

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Nexus 7 shipping this week from a growing number of retailers?

Élyse Betters Jul 9 2012 - 11:42 am PT

It has been a couple of weeks since Google dropped its Asus-built Nexus 7, but the Jelly Bean-powered tablet is just now becoming available at a slew of third-party online retailers.

The 7-inch Android slate first debuted on the Google Play store, where the 16 GB version retails for $249, with a $25 credit. Folks can only pre-order at the moment, because shipping is still another two to three weeks out, but they can now place their orders for the Nexus 7 just about anywhere. GameStop, Staples, B&H, Adorama, Abt, and Canada’s FutureShop are just a few of the latest places to offer the world’s first Android 4.1 Jelly Bean tablet. Canada’s Best Buy reportedly started selling the Nexus 7 as well, but United States listings are currently not live on the retailer’s website.

Interestingly, Staples offers the Nexus 7 with free shipping. It also promises delivery between July 12 and July 17, if pre-ordered by July 10. B&H, Best Buy and Future Shop peg expected availability around mid-August, while Adorama does not even have the tablet in stock. Abt is vague about shipping with estimated delivery between “3-5 Business Days,” but the website also noted, “Estimated Arrival dates are based on in-stock items only.” GameStop features similar wording, too.

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Unlocked 16GB Samsung Galaxy S III hits eBay for $649.99, free shipping

Élyse Betters Jun 19 2012 - 9:57 am PT

The unlocked Samsung Galaxy S III has not officially released in the United States, nor have pricing details, but at least one seller on eBay is offering the 16GB version for just $649.99.

The listing offers free standard shipping to the United States and Canada with a 30-day money back guarantee, and the top-rated seller has near-perfect feedback based on thousands of reviews. Hurry and purchase this off-contract device now, because the eBay page indicates “limited quantity available.” PayPal is the only form of payment accepted.

Check it out: New Samsung Galaxy S 3 I9300 16GB Unlocked GSM Phone Android 4.0 OS 8MP Camera

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Canada’s Rogers Wireless begins pre-orders for Samsung Galaxy S III

Élyse Betters May 30 2012 - 11:11 am PT

Canadians can now rejoice: Rogers Wireless is accepting pre-orders for the Samsung Galaxy S III.

MobileSyrup discovered prices for many of the Canadian carriers at BestBuy. However, it seems as though the prices are no longer live on the page. BestBuy previously indicated Rogers plans to charge $149.99, with Telus and Virgin Mobile aiming to grab $159.99 each. The page also displayed SaskTel as asking customers to fork over $169.99 for the latest Galaxy-branded smartphone. Of course, all these price tags would have come with a three-year contract.

Pricing details for Bell were not listed and are unknown, but the cost for a reserved unit is $50. The presumed no-contract price is $649.99.

It is worth mentioning that Rogers’ pre-order page does not list a quad-core Exynos processor under the Galaxy S III’s LTE capabilities. Therefore, the LTE version might début with a dual-core Snapdragon S4. The Rogers website also lacks a release date, but AndroidCommunity cited June 20 for the main launch across Canada based on earlier reports.

Existing customers can reserve their flagship device online (here), while those looking to switch carriers can sign up for more information.

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Google Business Photos goes to Canada, Ireland and Netherlands

Élyse Betters May 1 2012 - 10:13 am PT

Google’s Business Photos program, which was previously only available in the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, and France, is now being expanded to Canada, Ireland, and the Netherlands due to the service’s positive feedback.

According to the Official Google Lat Long Blog:

Since April 2010, we’ve been testing and developing the Business Photos program, which gives users a virtual peek inside businesses through interactive 360-degree imagery. After hearing your positive feedback about how showing off panoramic views of your business interiors helps you attract potential customers, we’re excited to announce further expansion of this program. Starting today, in addition to the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand and France, this service is now available in Canada, Ireland and the Netherlands.

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Edmonton becomes first major Canadian city to adopt Google Apps

Jordan Kahn Apr 11 2012 - 8:12 am PT

Google already announced some big new enterprise partners adopting Google Apps this year, despite Microsoft launching its “Googlighting” smear campaign to promote its Office 365 alternative. In January, it signed its biggest deal with a single company by transitioning roughly 110,000 employees across 26 countries from Spanish bank BBVA to Google Apps. For governments, Colorado recently adopted the Google Apps for Government platform, and today Google announced on the Official Enterprise Blog that Edmonton has become the first major Canadian city to make the switch:

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YouTube and Google Play sign Paramount Pictures licensing agreement to add 500 new movie titles

Élyse Betters Apr 4 2012 - 7:14 am PT

YouTube announced a new licensing agreement with Paramount Pictures today that will bring 500 new rentable movie titles to its video-sharing platform and Google Play.

“With the addition of Paramount, we now have five of the six major studios and over ten independent movie studios offering nearly 9,000 movies for rent to millions of people around the world,” announced Director of Content Partnerships at YouTube Malik Ducard on the official YouTube blog.

The United States and Canada will have access to the new catalog over the next few weeks. A sampling of Paramount Pictures’ featured movies through Google include “Hugo” for $3.99, “Transformers” for $2.99, “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” for $2.99, and “The Godfather” for $2.99.

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First-ever Harry Potter eBook series now available for Kindle and Android users

Élyse Betters Mar 27 2012 - 9:17 am PT

J.K. Rowling’s widely popular Harry Potter series is at-last available electronically.

The author’s own online Pottermore Shop displays all seven titles in ePub format, and prices vary between $8 each and $10 each, per copy. Fans can also purchase the entire series for $57.54.

The ePub files are unprotected and compatible with most Android devices, iOS devices, and any other eReader, tablet, or smartphone that accepts ePub format. In addition, the Harry Potter eBooks are available in Amazon Kindle formats. A full list of compatible devices and reading services is also available on the Pottermore Shop website.

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Google+ hangouts extra brings free phone calls to the US and Canada

Jordan Kahn Dec 1 2011 - 3:05 pm PT

A nice addition to Hangouts with extras has been made available today over at plus.google.com/hangouts/extras, bringing with it the ability to place phone calls directly from within a hangout. Much like phone calls in Gmail, which recently got an international rollout, the feature will be available for free, initially to users in the US and Canada. Also, outgoing calls will come from your Google Voice number, if applicable. If you’re interested in trying it out, here’s how to do it:

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