Flexible Displays - The Future is almost now

CES 2011 a year ago showed us a glimpse of the future.  Its now 12 months later and at CES 2012, there were many mobile devices that had the Samsung Flexible Amoled displays built in.  Pretty cool stuff.  But not as mind blowing as this commercial spot that's been circulating on Youtube.  This is truly amazing if it comes into being. Good by Minority Report fascination and anticipation of must have display of the future.  Hello plastic see through paper thing that interacts with EVERYTHING!

Apple HDTV Rumours - its not TV but really a giant Ipad?

Some interesting possibilities for your household with regards to the rumblings of Apple TVs.  Rumours of Apple making their own TV - essentially a giant ipad for your living room.  It won't be just a TV, but a full IOS installed  display unit.  Remote control can be ipod ipad iphone etc. etc.    to control it  if its got the same software as the AppleTV box you'll probably be able to stream from your device to the TV like you can now.   Complete Syncronicity.

Favorite Shows of 2011

Modern Family - characters developed so well over the last few seasons.  Every scene is comic gold. But pay attention - some of the laughs are fast and furious.

Once Upon A Time - From the makers of Lost.  Don't worry - you won't get Lost on this one.  All your favourite Fairy Tale stories and characters come to life in the modern day. The back stories to the characters take place in fairy tale past - and they are far beyond fractured.  This gem of a show really takes liberties with the stories you know making you want to watch each episode to see 'their' take on it.  Hooked.

Pan-Am - a guilty pleasure.  I love the era in which this takes place.  Still in the first season, the back stories of the characters are still being told and the storyline is now slowly starting to unfold.  Its my fix until Mad Men comes back.

Castle - Cheezy? Sometimes. But Nathan Fillion is awesome.  Formulaic? Think of it as CSI with more comic relief and less death and gore.  The next incarnation of Moonlighting.




That's it.  When i'm not watching my Leafs, those are my 'must see tv'.  New Girl i enjoy as well, but i don't knock myself out to see it.  But its got better and may make it to my must see list.

Apps for Newbies with IPads

Here's a quick list of Ipad apps i think should be installed on a brand new Ipad to help a new owner make the most of their shiny new toy.  If the Ipad is to be the replacement for many things in your house i suggest the following so that information can be retrieved almost instantly and also to show off the 'cool' factor for friends and family who haven't seen a tablet yet or just got one.  Make it more than just a Facebook on your computer in the basement replacement.  Make it a minor life altering device.  Everything you need at the touch of button:

• Weather eye  - what's it like out? I don't know give me a second and i'll find out. (no more turning tv on and heading to weather network only to have to see commercials). Just the weather 'maam!
• Global TV - missed your favorite show last night? Want to see what everyone was talking about? This app lets you watch full episodes of tv
• Google earth - so useful.  Want to find that secret beach? Want to re-visit that trip to see where you were? See the house/building up front as well as pics other people have taken? This is a must.
• Kindle books - Yes you can get Itunes books - but Kindle has more access to more books. If reading novels is your thing - get Kindle
• Encylopedia app - yes you can go to Wikipedia via safari - but again - that's too many steps.  And Wikipedia isn't always accurate.
• IMDB app - If you are a movie buff - this is absolutely the app for your.  Can't remember that actor but remember the movie? Want to settle a bet? This is the easiest and most comprehensive movie database out there. Watch trailers, see upcoming movies and movies that are in the works
• Dictionary - still need to be formal or came across a word you don't know? Yes again you can use safari and Google it - but why take all the steps?
• Life - just because you want to show people they can get magazines electronically
• National Geography Photos - just stunning photographs updated daily.

These are just a few recommendations - would love to hear what you think would stun people when they ask 'what can this ipad thing do?"

Stuff That's Going on In Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada

I spent a long weekend in one of Canada's finest cities with some very great friends. The big question that was asked a few times was "so why are you back in Thunder Bay?". I did my best to convey the cultural development movement that is occurring in the city i call home.

Without going over board and trying to limit my answer to two minutes or less, i breifly touched on the 2 cores and their new respective roles, i touched on the music scene that is thriving, and the overall evolution from mill town to information based technology community.

Here is a quick set of links to stories over the past year that have really shone a light on the evolution and growth of Thunder Bay.

• Prince Arthur's Landing Phase 1 Completion: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QT15KsfYhRo 
• Marina Park Grand Opening: http://www.tbnewswatch.com/video/23433/Waterfront-Opens-
• Film and Commercial Production: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mVmFaOFMkZI&feature=related
• Skate Park: http://www.tbnewswatch.com/entertainment/151568/Local-skaters-take-to-Marina-Park-for-global-skateboard-event
• Marina Park Concerts: http://www.tbnewswatch.com/entertainment/153642/Blues-to-rock-Marina
• Northwestern Ontario Centre of Innovation: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yZ8XqH8Lg_s
• Tornado Research: http://www.tbnewswatch.com/news/132391/Tornado,-Regional-Research-Institute-to-stage-recruitment-drive
• LU Law School: http://www.tbnewswatch.com/news/153242/It's-official----Lakehead-University-getting-its-law-school
• Lakehead University: http://www.tbnewswatch.com/news/120059/LU-scores-well-in-Maclean's-annual-university-rankings-
• Cinovate: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yt-yir5-IqQ
• TEDx Thunder Bay: http://www.tedxthunderbay.com/ 
• Thunder Bay Urban Design and Guidlines: http://www.thunderbay.ca/City_Government/Have_Your_Say/Urban_Design_Study.htm 
• Courthouse Construction: http://www.tbnewswatch.com/video/23293/Courthouse-update-

These are just some of the great things happening in this city I call home.  I think the biggest impact on this city is the embracing of the two cores as opposed the last few decades of division.  The North end will be the entertainment district and the South the Government district.

Euro 2012 Groups

Group A
Poland
Greece
Russia
Czech Republic

Group B
Netherlands
Denmark
Germany
Portugal

Group C
Spain
Italy
Republic of Ireland
Croatia

Group D
Ukraine
Sweden
France
England


Italy will advance without breaking a sweat.

Burnz n Hell