Tap to Pay on IPhone
Apple today launched Tap to Pay on iPhone in Canada, empowering millions of merchants, from small businesses to large retailers, to use their iPhone to seamlessly and securely accept Apple Pay, contactless credit and debit cards, and other digital wallets using only their iPhone and a partner-enabled iOS app.
Meng Wanzhou
Huawei Chief Financial Officer Meng Wanzhou returned to China Saturday shortly after two Canadians released from prison in China arrived in Calgary, ending a diplomatic row that has dragged on for three years.
BlackBerry NYSE
Shareholder advisory company Glass Lewis has urged BlackBerry investors to vote against Prem Watsa as lead director, arguing that he should be held accountable for an executive compensation plan that isn’t in shareholders’ interests. Glass Lewis recommended investors withhold support for Prem Watsa who chairs BlackBerry’s compensation committee.
Page Blocked
One of Canada’s leading internet advocates has submitted comments into the government’s consultation on the role of online intermediaries in combatting copyright infringement. In its submission, the Canadian Internet Registration Authority (CIRA) outlined a set of principles that would help policy-makers design a framework to ensure that internet service provider-level (ISP) website blocking would only be used as a measure of absolute last resort.
Page Blocked
The Federal Court of Appeal has ruled to uphold Canada’s first-ever website blocking framework in the case of TekSavvy Solutions v. Bell Media Inc. et al. In 2019, a lower court granted a request by three television distributors affiliated with major telcos to order internet service providers (ISPs) to block access to online streaming services doing business as “GoldTV,” including sites associated with GoldTV.ca. In late March, the Federal Court of Appeal heard oral arguments in the case, including CIRA’s, and today affirmed the lower court’s decision.
University of Waterloo
BlackBerry and the University of Waterloo are to launch a new, five-year, “multi-million dollar” innovation program designed to drive research-powered innovation in Canada. The two organizations will work together in a unique program designed to fast-track the development of research and technology into market-ready products.
SaskTel
Samsung has been appointed as the sole vendor to supply SaskTel with its 4G/5G Radio Access Network (RAN) and Core. Samsung will supply all hardware, software and associated expertise to ensure the successful deployment of an end-to-end 5G solution.
BlackBerry L-Spark
BlackBerry and L-SPARK held a Virtual Demo Day to showcase the success of the five companies to take part in the second phase of the company’s joint start-up incubator program. The Blackberry/L-Spark Accelerator Virtual Demo Day was created to support building an ecosystem around the Blackberry QNX platform, particularly the automotive markets where this software is deployed.
BlackBerry AtHoc
BlackBerry and TELUS are to provide secure emergency management and crisis communications to organisations across Canada. The expansion of a long-standing relationship, TELUS will resell BlackBerry AtHoc, BlackBerry's critical event management and communications solution, with TELUS' world-class connectivity.
BlackBerry NYSE
BlackBerry has completed the redemption of all of its 3.75% unsecured convertible debentures (TSX: BB.DB.V) (the "3.75% Debentures") on September 1, 2020. None of the 3.75% Debentures were converted into common shares of BlackBerry prior to redemption.
COVID Alert
Canada has launched a nation-wide exposure notification app to help inform Canadians when they may have been exposed to COVID-19, part of a broader effort to contain the virus as businesses and public spaces reopen across the country.
Contact Tracing Apps
While several countries in Europe have already released contact tracing apps using Apple-Google technology, Canada has announced that it has developed a new national contract tracing app that will also use the Apple-Google Exposure Notification API.
BlackBerry LSpark
Canada's largest accelerator for Software as a Service (SaaS) companies L-SPARK, and BlackBerry have announced the six companies selected for the second cohort of their joint accelerator program, which aims to advance Canadian technology startups that are focused on vehicle-connected services and cloud connectivity to the vehicle.
Girl Guides of Canada (GGC) is teaming up with BlackBerry, with the launch of a cybersecurity skills-based programming, Digital Defenders, for GGC's 70,000 members. The program will include all levels: Sparks, Brownies, Guides, Pathfinders, and Rangers.
HMD Global has announced collaborations with three leading wireless providers in North America – Cricket Wireless and Verizon in the United States and Rogers in Canada. HMD Global is also expanding its selection of Nokia smartphones on Android with the launch of two wireless provider-specific devices coming to the United States this month and another coming to Rogers subsidiary brand, chatr, in Canada very soon.
The new LG G6 smartphone will be arriving in Canada on April 7, 2017. The newest smartphone features a bold new display format with a cinematic viewing experience, exceptional screen to body ratio, wide angle camera and more.
The LG G5 will be available in Canada April 8, 2016. Since its global unveiling at Mobile World Congress in February it has been widely praised and awarded for its Slide out Battery and Modular Type design.