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Rogers has once again released their quarterly “Rogers Innovation Report” and this time they’ve focussed on television. While most of the stats are traditional TV viewing, there’s also a growing trend that Canadians are watching their favourite programs on their smartphone or tablet.

Their survey was conducted between April 3rd and 8th of less than 1,275 Canadians. The results, from a mobile perspective, revealed that 42% watch TV shows on their smartphones, while 33% watch TV on their tablets – I personally would have thought tablet usage would be higher. Another interesting stat is that “multiscreen taskers” – people who use another device while watching TV – is at a whopping 61%. Coupled this with Twitter activity shows that 20% of Canadians read or Tweet while they are watching a show. 

Samsung has added another smartphone to their arsenal. The Galaxy Ace 3 is a follow-up to the Ace and Ace 2 and is targeted for the entry-level crowd. The specs of the Ace 3 have it running Android OS 4.2 Jelly Bean, LTE connectivity with a 1.2 GHz dual-core processor, 1GB RAM, 4-inch LCD display (480 x 800 resolution), 5MP camera. Overall is a respectable device and most notable inclusion is that is comes with some of the latest features found in the GS4, such as S Translator, S Voice, and Smart Stay.

No word on pricing or a Canadian release of the Ace 3, but this might find a home on any of our carriers lineup.

Source: Samsung

The Wall Street Journal has piped up and stated that, as expected, Apple will show off a new version of iOS at their Worldwide Developer Conference in San Francisco tomorrow. Similar to previous reports, the WSJ claims their sources believe Apple will unveil “an overhauled mobile operating system for iPhones and iPads.”

However, instead of “black, white, and flat all over” from past rumours, “The new design abandons Apple’s longtime approach of designing icons and apps to resemble real-life objects, like address books and fabric, in favor of plain solid backgrounds and more white space, these people said.” It’s expected that we’ll see some calendar and email enhancements, plus some mysterious new way to share photos and videos within iOS 7, plus the rumoured iRadio streaming-music service.

Apparently Apple employees have been worried for years that the look of the iPhone and iOS have been outdated and “has a growing number of inconsistencies,” namely maps and voice recognition features. Apple will first release the new version of iOS to their developer community, then to consumers “in the coming months.”

We’ll bring you updates as the event unfolds at 1PM EST.

Source: WSJ

It’s almost expected now that a Wi-Fi only tablet that also has a version with LTE connectivity will come to a Canadian carriers lineup. This is the fate of the Samsung Galaxy Note 8.0 LTE. We’ve been informed that the 8-inch Jelly Bean tablet will be heading to Canadian land and into carrier shelves – for now we know that TELUS will be bringing the Note 8.0 LTE to their customers sometime this Summer. No word yet on other carriers, but it’s likely that Rogers and Bell will also launch the tablet.

If you need a refresher of specs for the Wi-Fi version, the Galaxy Note 8.0 runs Android OS 4.1.2 Jelly Bean, 8-inch display (1280×800 resolution), S Pen capabilities, 1.6 GHz Exynos quad-core processor, 2GB RAM, 5MP camera with a 1.3MP front-facing camera, 4,600mAh battery, 16 GB Internal Storage (can hold up to 64GB with a microSD card).

We’ll have a review of the LTE version once it arrives, but here’s a link to our hands-on review of the Wi-Fi model.

(Thanks tipster!)

Absolutely incredible week for mobile in Canada. The CRTC unleashed their “wireless code,” a few devices were launched and even a couple app updates. In addition, the Industry Minister declined TELUS’ bid for Mobilicity, but rival carrier Public Mobile announced a new owner. Below are the top stories from the past seven days, plus notable news from around the web.

- Public Mobile has a new owner [Read here]
- CRTC announces Wireless Code [Read here]
- Vine for Android now available for download [Read here]
- Awesome Twitter banter between HTC, Samsung and LG [Read here]
- BlackBerry Q10 now available at WIND Mobile [Read here]
- Rogers increases Early Upgrade Fee for Smartphone and Premium Smartphones [Read here]
- Banner showing “7″ hints that iOS 7 is only a few days away [Read here]
- WIND Mobile releases the Huawei Ascend W1 [Read here]
- BlackBerry A10 rumoured to launch in November [Read here]
- BBM for Android and iOS will NOT be available for download on June 27th [Read here]
- Rogers launching the LG A341 flip phone, priced at $100 outright [Read here]
- Images: HTC One ‘mini’ leaks online [Read here]
- BlackBerry has “interest from other handset makers” to preload BBM on their devices [Read here]
- Government pushes 700Mhz auction to January 2014 [Read here]
- Samsung taps past Android versions to fix Galaxy S4 storage issues [Read here]
- BlackBerry 10.2 caught on video before release later this year [Read here]
- Industry Canada denies TELUS’ acquisition of Mobilicity [Read here]
- Rogers expands 2600Mhz LTE Max network in BC, Quebec and the Maritimes [Read here]
- Android version numbers for June: Jelly Bean rises to 33% [Read here]
- Samsung officially announces the Galaxy S4 Active [Read here]
- Don’t scoff at Google Glass, it may one day replace your smartphone [Read here]
- There’s a “renewed opportunity for discussion” to purchase Mobilicity [Read here]
- mySaskTel app for iOS and Android now available [Read here]
- Bell releasing Bravo GO for Android and iOS on July 18th [Read here]
- TD Canada Trust app now available for BlackBerry 10 users [Read here]
- Bell launching Sonim Bolt 2 and Sonim Bolt SL in July [Read here]
- Bell to offer a $25 Google Play gift card to anyone who buys the HTC One [Read here]

Around the web:
- US Justice Department clears Softbank acquisition of Sprint [Engadget]
- Leaked Windows Phone screenshots reveal notification center, UI changes [The Verge]
- SoundHound Officially Launches on BlackBerry 10 [BerryReview]
- Purported full specs of the Xperia Z Ultra (Togari) leak [AndroidAuthority]

Here’s the backstory. Our street had a massive garage sale and one of guys was an ex-RIM employee. There was the usual cassettes, CD’s, pillows, toys… but as a one-time board game designer this gem caught my attention. An item up from grabs was this precious “25th Anniversary Edition” RIM-branded Monopoly board game. I quickly snatched it up for a few bucks and thought somebody who really loves the long history of Research In Motion would want this collectible.

This was given to RIM employees – now named BlackBerry – to celebrate 25 years of innovation back in 2009. Gone is the usual car, thumbnail, shoe and in its place are “8 collectible tokens” that include the RIM and BlackBerry logos, Pearl Flip, BlackBerry 7200, BlackBerry Storm, RIM 850 and the BlackBerry Curve. Also, the Monopoly board has been designed with the different locations the company operates all over the world, plus highlights BBM, BES and also replaces the familiar ‘Chance’ and ‘Community Chest’ with ‘Innovation’ and ‘Wireless Networks.”

ChargeCard is the brainchild of California-based Noah Dentzel and Adam Miller, a product that attempts to fine a balance between the versatility of a regular USB charger and the portability of something that fits in your wallet.

Funded on Kickstarter, the ChargeCard project raised more than three times its $50,000 goal, catching the dual wave of Kickstarter and simple smartphone accessories. At its core, ChargeCard is a simple Micro USB charger in the shape of a business or credit card. One side has a non-removable micro plug and in the middle, held relatively tightly with clips, is a tractable USB 2.0 plug.

TELUS’ LTE network currently reaches 24 million Canadians, which is approximately 70% of the population. Georgetown, Ontario has always been missing, actually TELUS’ current coverage map circles right around this area. According to a few tips we received it seems that some lucky Canadians have managed to grab hold of their LTE network. Nothing is showing online, but the speeds are impressive (pic above).

Smartphones have become so personal. We carry these devices around with us all day and the brand we hold in our hand has become an extension of us. It’s common to hear people say which smartphone is the best and which isn’t, sometimes with a passionate amount of enthusiasm.

Last night was a prime example of this behaviour, not from consumers but the manufacturer side. HTC UK won a prestigious “Hottest Phone of 2013″ award for the HTC One. The company took to Twitter to announce the news and also rubbed it in Samsung’s face with an “ouch.” The Twitter battle started and ended with LG putting everything into perspective.

Samsung is expanding their Galaxy family of devices past the flagship Galaxy S4, Galaxy S4 Active and Galaxy S4 mini. We’ll see the Active and mini during their “Premier” event on June 20th, but the rumoured Galaxy S4 Zoom has surfaced in a press shot, plus live images.

Reputable site SamMobile and Techtastic have leaked images of the Galaxy S4 Zoom. They state that Zoom is a cross between the the older Galaxy S Camera and the Galaxy S4 mini. The specs have this Android running 4.2.2 Jelly Bean and TouchWiz, a 4.3-inch qHD sAMOLED display (540 x 960 resolution), 1.6GHz dual-core processor, 16 megapixel camera with 10X optical zoom, 8GB internal memory, Bluetooth 4.0, Wi-Fi and a dedicated camera button. There’s no word on the weight, but this looks like a beast to carry around.

Surely more info will be revealed before the big event on the 20th. You like?