Microsoft and TELUS do TV - Optik TV
Aug 31, 2010
Follow me on Twitter @AJ_Vickery
I had a chance to review a new broadcast TV service being offered by TELUS called OPTIK TV.
I have been watching IPTV down in the U.S. for quite some time and wondered when or if it was ever going to make its way into Canada and now it has with TELUS. Not available everywhere, OPTIK TV is delivered over a high speed fiber optic infrastructure and is capable of pushing some significant bandwidth traffic. Similar to Shaw, Bell, and Rogers Optik TV is a PVR system and will allow you to record your favourite TV Shows and Movies.
OPTIK TV uses the Microsoft Media Room operating system to operate the PVR and has some impressive functionality. First, the look and feel itself is very slick. The menu system and guide are intuitive, and setting up recordings and reminders is straight forward.
One feature that I thought was really impressive was the ability to record to one PVR from any TV in the house. The set top boxes are essentially networked so if you record one show downstairs you can watch half of it and then go into another room upstairs to watch the rest.
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Mike Returns, Tech News, TELUS Services in Saskatchewan, and Open Line
Aug 30, 2010
This week on the GetConnected Radio Show:
- Mike Returns - GetConnected Host Mike Agerbo returns from his European vacation!
- Tech News - Diaspora launch date, Apple's announcement on Wednesday, Gmail's new "Call Phone" feature, and Toshiba's new 3D TV, no glasses necessary
- TELUS Services Available in Saskatchewan - Chris Gerritsen from TELUS talks about how they now offer services in Saskatchewan on the biggest 3G+ network
- Open Line - Mike takes your calls and answers your questions on the air
Enter this week's contest to win a Microsoft Back-to-School Prize Pack!
The best point and shoot on the market today: Lumix FX700 from Panasonic
Aug 24, 2010

At any point in time there is always one manufacturer that has the best camera on the market at the time. If you were out shopping today and asked for my recommendation on a ‘point&shoot’ camera, I would have to point you in the direction of Panasonic’s Lumix FX700. I have never seen a ‘point&shoot’ camera loaded with so many features. Right out of the gate Panasonic has outfitted this camera with a High Quality LEICA lens. They have also included a powerful processor engine which makes for high performance, and what really surprised me was that they used a MOS sensor instead of a CCD. Put all these things together and you have a pretty powerful camera that can still fit in your pocket or purse.
Highlights for me are its ability to take great photos in low light situations, such as parties or indoor scenes. I also love the HD Movie mode. The FX700 takes full 1920x1080 HD video. And if you like bells&whistles the Face Recognition feature will really impress you. The camera can recognize up to six people you have identified as ‘important’. Once identified it will go out of its way to make sure the 1st person on your list always gets the best picture. If you have an EGO – you will love this feature!
Tech and Kids, Justin Bieber Tops Twitter, TV Networks in Canada Duke It Out, eBooks VS Actual Books, and HP's eReader
Aug 24, 2010
Mike joins Jessica Samuels on Jacked In to talk about what's new in tech news:
- Tech and your Kids
- Justin Bieber's the most listed person on Twitter
- TELUS, Shaw, and Canwest Global fight for Canadian TV Dominance
- eBook VS Actual Books
- HP's New Tablet Announcement
WiFi-itis, ChickRx, Facebook Places, and Vancouver-Based Group Coupon Site: Grooster
Aug 23, 2010
AJ is joined by Leila this week on the GetConnected Radio Show to talk about what's new in tech news:
- WiFi-itis: Fact or Fiction? - Carly Week, health reporter for the Globe & Mail, joins AJ and Leila to talk about how an Ontario school district has gotten many parents concerned about the health of their kids due to the school's WiFi network
- ChickRx - Stacey Borden and Meghan Muntean, co-founders of Web MD site, ChickRx, talk about their site
- Facebook Places - Richard Smith, SFU Communication Professor, talks about Facebook's new geo-location feature and the point of "checking in" at specific locations
- Grooster - Lesel Radage, founder of Grooster, talks about her discount group coupon site, Grooster
Your Favorite Browsers, Google Eyes Canadian Market, and More RIM News
Aug 17, 2010
AJ joins Jessica Samuels on Jacked In to talk about what's new in tech news:
- Internet Explorer's 15th Anniversary
- Most popular browsers
- Google might expand into Canada
- RIM goes head to head with India
Photography Apps for iPhone and iPad from iSlap on Tech Tuesday
Aug 17, 2010
On this week's Tech Tuesday segment, AJ talks about how to improve your digital photography skills to give your photos a more professional look using iPhone and iPad apps from iSlap.
Net Neutrality, Social Media Proposals, A New Social Bicycle System: SoBi, and More RIM News
Aug 16, 2010
This week on GetConnected Radio:
- Net Neutrality - Carmi Levy, Independent Telecom Analyst, talks with AJ and Leila about Google and Verizon's join venture on net neutrality
- Social Media Proposals - Matt Van Horn, Business Development Manager for Digg talks about the social media marriage proposal fad
- SoBi: The Social Bicycle System - Ryan Rzepecki, founder of SoBi, tells us about his wirelessly powered bike share system
- RIM News: India, The BlackPad, and the Torch 9800 - Omar El Akkad, Technology Reporter for the Globe and Mail, joins AJ and Leila to talk about the news surrounding RIM
Enter this week's contest to win a Logitech MX Air Rechargeable Cordless Air Mouse!
BlackBerry Torch 9800 and OS 6.0 on Tech Tuesday
Aug 10, 2010
On this week's Tech Tuesday segment, AJ talks about the new BlackBerry Torch 9800, the new BlackBerry OS 6.0, RIM's fight to stay in the smart phone race, and the upcoming iPad competitor, the BlackPad.
Net Neutrality, Paying for Skype, and RIM News: Issues in the Middle East and the Blackpad
Aug 10, 2010
AJ joins Jessica on Jacked In to talk about what's new in tech news:
- Google and Verizon propose "Net Neutrality in the US
- Skype may no longer be free
- RIM vs the Middle East
- The New Blackberry Tablet: The Blackpad
Point and Shoot vs SLR Cameras, European Cellphone Plans and Open Line
Aug 9, 2010
This week on GetConnected Radio:
- European Cellphone Plans - AJ and Leila get to chat with GetConnected's very own Mike Agerbo phones in from Ireland and gives us an overview of how cheap cell phone plans are in Europe
- Digital Cameras: Point and Shoot vs SLR - Mike Rafter, Photo Electronics Manager from London Drugs, explains the difference between point and shoot digital cameras and the more professional SLR cameras depending on the user's needs
- Open Line - Mike and Leila take calls, answering questions from listeners.
Enter this week's contest to win a Helium Digital Wristband Communicator!
The New Blackberry Torch and heat between the UAE and RIM [AUDIO]
Aug 4, 2010
AJ Vickery spoke with Jessica Samuels for the radio talk show, Jacked In, on the new Blackberry Torch 9800. Plus, the heat brewing between the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Blackberry maker, RIM, over government control on the device.
Cisco ValetPlus Wireless Hotspot - Home Wireless Made Easy
Aug 4, 2010

If you have ever complained about your home internet connection only to be told by your high speed provider that nothing is wrong with your internet, then you might want to listen up. That little box with the antenna sticking out of it is called your wireless router. To us techies your router is an important piece of equipment that provides security and the ability to connect several computers to the internet at the same time. To the rest of the population it is an annoying and ugly thing that you always forget your wireless access password to.
In fact, the word router has such a complicated connotation that Cisco has dropped it all together. They have replaced it with ‘Wireless Hotspot’ and that is what they are calling their new Valet Plus router. Unlike the ugly version you probably have sitting in your house right now, Cisco has built a stylish unit that most people would be proud to show off in any room of the house. They have also made it dead simple for your friends that visit who want access to your internet. Rather than giving them full access to your home network and shared files, the guest setting on Cisco’s Valet Plus Wireless Hotspot sets them up with full internet but no access to your own computer.
Twitter Gets Moody, "Digital Drugs", and Apps Galore
Aug 3, 2010
This week on the GetConnected Radio Show:
- A "digital drug" urban legend - Carmi Levy, Independant Tech Analyst joins AJ and Leila to talk about the sound fad sweeping the internet
- Twitter's new mood map - Sune Lehmann, Researcher at Northeastern University in Boston shares his study using Twitter to track the moods/emotions of its users
- Scott Michaels, Vice-President of Atimi Software, talks about the new Canucks app for the new season
- GreenMoney App creator Ryan Nadel talks about the app to help reduce your carbon footprint
Enter this week's contest to win a Cysco ValetPlus M20 Home Hotspot Router!
iPhone 4 Coming Soon to Canada
Jul 27, 2010
AJ gives the lowdown on the iPhone 4, launching this Friday across Canada in stores or unlocked for $659 (16GB model) or $779 (32GB model).
Episodes
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Aug 31, 2010
Microsoft and TELUS do TV - Optik TV
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Aug 30, 2010
Mike Returns, Tech News, TELUS Services in Saskatchewan, and Open Line
-
Aug 24, 2010
The best point and shoot on the market today: Lumix FX700 from Panasonic
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Aug 24, 2010
Tech and Kids, Justin Bieber Tops Twitter, TV Networks in Canada Duke It Out, eBooks VS Actual Books, and HP's eReader
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Aug 23, 2010
WiFi-itis, ChickRx, Facebook Places, and Vancouver-Based Group Coupon Site: Grooster
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Aug 17, 2010
Your Favorite Browsers, Google Eyes Canadian Market, and More RIM News
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Aug 17, 2010
Photography Apps for iPhone and iPad from iSlap on Tech Tuesday
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Aug 16, 2010
Net Neutrality, Social Media Proposals, A New Social Bicycle System: SoBi, and More RIM News
Most Recent
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Sep 2, 2010
It's Official...Samsung has a tablet, Galaxy Tab.
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Sep 2, 2010
Blackberry Torch...First Look [Video]
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Sep 1, 2010
Pt 2 - Leila Meets Brian Wong, Youngest Person To Receive Venture Capital $$ [VIDEO]
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Sep 1, 2010
Week 3 – Space Management: Ergonomics – Using Your Computer Safely
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Sep 1, 2010
New Apple TV, new iPod Touch, new touchscreen Nanos
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Sep 1, 2010
Apple Will Party Like A Rock Star
Radio Stations
| CKNW 980 AM | Sat. 10:00 (PT) | Vancouver |
| CFPL 980 AM | Sat. 18:00 (ET) | London (ON) |
| CHQR 770 AM | Sat. 18:00 (MT) | Calgary |
| CHQT 880 AM | Sat. 18:00 (MT) | Edmonton |
| CKOM 650 AM | Sat. 16:00 (CT) | Saskatoon |
| CJOB 680 AM | Sun. 10:00 (CT) | Winnipeg |
| CJME 980 AM | Sat. 16:00 (CT) | Regina |
| CKFR 1150 AM | Sat. 14:00 (PT) | Kelowna |
| CHNL 610 AM | Sun. 20:00 (PT) | Kamloops |
