The New iPad.

I took the plunge. It’s a combo of cottage device, photography tool and income tax rebate all rolled into one.

Why I love it:

• amazing battery power
• you can’t go wrong with the size
• the apps are fantastic
• i could actually be productive with this, if so desired
• the 3G is key

Wishlist:

• i do wish it had a webcam built in. This would be the perfect skype tool.
• Multitasking - coming soon
• better speakers —- they aren’t bad, in a pinch, but better would be better…
• a dock extending cable… all my stereos have a iTouch dock…. i need a cable to allow me to use the iPad in these stereos, and no, I don’t want to use an Aux cable.

I envision my self-control over app purchases being eroded away over time.

:-D

Bringing Internet to Remote Canada

One of the more vocal discussions at the Canadian Telecom Summit yesterday revolved around the Canadian government’s support for increasing rural broadband access to remote areas of Canada. The government, in its misguided attempt to be a Dudley Doright, just can’t seem to get it right with remote broadband support.

Already there are many smaller providers who are attempting to service the under served, with no governmental subsidization. These poor blokes are going by the wayside if the government continues to meddle with little thought of the current landscape.

Ian Marlow from the Globe and Mail has some great commentary from folks who are trying to run ISPs in Northern Ontario and BC, but there are also players like Barrett Xplore, who are having great success with providing broadband internet to areas who don’t have cable or DSL options.

The consensus from the CTS —- subsidize the consumer, not the ISP and let the market drive the expansion of services. Not a bad idea, these guys should get into politics :-)

Rural Internet providers angered by federal support of bigger rivals - The Globe and Mail

Tags: Canadian Telecom Summit

Canadian Telecom Summit - June 7-8-9

I can’t believe it’s been a year already.

The CTS is the only conference that I attend religiously. It’s sort of a telco geek fest, but with a business slant, which is why it commands such an audience.

I’ve lucked into a free ticket this year, and am going on Tuesday. MTS, Videotron and the Regulatory Blockbuster. Yes, hearing smart folks talk about CRTC Regulations as they pertain to the telecommunications industry really is neat, if you’re into that sort of thing [I am].

I can’t wait!!

:-)

TELUS and Health

The TELUS Health division just makes me giddy. I don’t get to have much interaction with this team, not yet anyways. Whenever there is an article, an announcement or a release, I dive into the details to see what’s going on with such a compelling and timely solution group.

A few years ago, I sketched out a plan that would see cancer patients receive a tablet type device with their diagnosis. In lieu of a really lame binder (which most get now), a tablet would keep track of their questions, answers, prescriptions, appointments, status, test results etc. You name it, it would be tracked, captured and available for review. The best feature of this tablet? A voice recorder. When you’re with your doctor, and asking hundreds of questions, imagine how comforting it would be to have the conversation recorded. I would expect that cancer patients have a lot on their mind. Trying to remember ever question and answer would be an impossible task. A tablet would become the most important tool a cancer patient can have.

Maybe we have the tool now.

With billions of apps, no longer do you have to rely on customized software programs that cost billions of dollars. You would have an app that does the prescription checking, and app that updates your *chart*. You name it, there’s going to be an app for it.

:-)

Gurb Says I'm Slacking..

…… and he’s right. When a faithful reader comments on the lack of activity, I’ve got to admit that there has been NO ACTIVITY, and I’ve realized that in the past year I’ve moved the majority of my commentary to Facebook. I know. I’m sorry.

That being said, there’s no excuse.

I bet I write a ha;f-dozen articles a week. In my head.

Some I even re-write. In my head.

Now it’s a matter of setting them free.

:-)