This is one thing that I hate about Canada. We’re a G8 nation (technically a G9 because of stupid Spain having a higher GDP in recent years) but we don’t get anything new, or up to date! It takes us, at least, a year in order to get the newest tech into our stores. And hopefully most people understand that one year old technology is very outdated. I like new tech, I want new gadgets! But Canada is great at scaring them away.

The Kindle has been out for a while, and it’s available in over 100 countries worldwide. I find it embarrassing to be a “G8″ nation and not be included on that list. The Kindle looks awesome! I would’ve liked to have the Kindle, heck I’d still even settle for the Kindle now that the Nook has come out.

The Nook is just like the Kindle, except it looks nicer, is faster, and has a second screen that’s colour and is a usable touch screen. I want the Nook! But we Canadian’s can’t, here’s why.

Wireless Service Providers. In the US the Kindle uses the Sprint Network but has a contract with a company called Jasper (more info). Jasper specializes in Machine to Machine Communications over cellular networks. This may be an issue with the current providers, seeing as they’re kilometers behind their American cousins.

The Kindle, and the Nook use the same antennas that our in our cell phones and use that existing technology to transfer the books to the device and charge the user. It’s quite a brilliant idea, and obviously revolutionary in the book sales industry. Amazon is in talks with setting this up with our providers, but no one seems to know how far along they are… or if it’s possible. Although, I suspect it’s possible seeing as Bermuda, and Mongolia seem to be able to do it.

Canadian Publishing Rights are another issue. As the National Post put it:

[Amazon] still has a number of issues to solve before the device can be sold, including Canadian digital publishing rights and electronic distribution negotiations. (read more)

Which makes me think that this is the biggest problem. I mean yes, we lag behind in tech. But I think our laws for electronic distribution are too sketchy for book publishers right now, and that’s what’s keeping this tech at bay.

So where does that leave us?

Keep an eye on Chapters/Indigo. Being the biggest Canadian Book retailer, they’re surely not turning a blind eye to the Kindles and the Nooks. They’ve recently launched ShortCovers, a e-book distrubtion system for the iPhone, BlackBerry, Palm Pre, and Android Devices as well as standard PC’s/Macs.

I’m fully expecting Indigo to release a Kindle/Nook clone soon. If they miss this opportunity it’ll be their own fault. They are the only retailer here that can compete with the global scale of Amazon and it’s Kindle and neglecting to get a head start on market share would be stupid (I mean let’s face it, the Kindles will come). Expect a ShortCovers device soon. Seeing as they have an Android App already, and Android is powering the Nook it’s not far off to imagine an announcement to come within the year (also B&N says they’ll be allowing apps on the Nook in the future, so theoretically you could have ShortCovers on a Nook device). EDIT: I hope I didn’t imply that Chapters will use the Nook. I mean that Chapter will create a similar device to the Nook.

That’s all just my honest, slightly educated guess though. Nothing confirmed or mentioned or alluded to by Chapters/Indigo.

What are you’re thoughts?

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To fill you in on some background details: I was walking down by my waterfront a couple days ago, when a man walks up with his family. I catch him in the corner of my eye, and I turn to look at him noting that he was obviously walking towards me to ask a question. I try and look inviting so it’s not awkward when he opens his mouth. At this point I didn’t know how awkward it was going to get…

You see, this was July 5th, and here in Canada July 5th would be the day after the end of Canada Day celebrations (Canada Day being July 1st for people who aren’t in the know), and not the day after Independence Day. Canada Day is probably the biggest event of the year. It’s not an event like Christmas where people anticipate it for months, but when it arrives YOU KNOW! Canadians love their country and it’s our day/night/weekend to show it.

So when this gentleman walked up to me and asked, “Hey, was it some sort of Canada Flag Day here or somethin?” My inviting face dropped and I looked shocked and appalled. Who is this Canadian looking fellow who doesn’t know what we just celebrated our (thick wool) socks off?!

I think i responded with “uhhmm…. (with an *are you stupid look on my face*) ” but it wasn’t in the famous friendly Canadian manner I’d normally put it in. He informed me he was from around here and noticed all the “Canada Flags” (siq) around here and was wondering. First of all he’s probably not the best ambassador to America. So I wont attack them, but this character is fair game.

Canadian Flags are what we put up when Canadians want to show they love their country. And we do love this place:

No related posts.

… moving on to somthing cool… I’ve been added to the company section of Big In Japan’s website (www.biggu.com/company) check out a screenshot:

Who is that charming Canadian Country Manager?

One step closer to worl domination… I’ll have a real blog update soon. Tour guiding is over now, soI should have more time.

Related posts:

1. Big In Japan/Update
2. Canadian, Please
3. Small Update…

I’m sitting on a train right now, I don’t mind it really. It’s nice, it’s fairly roomy, I’m comfy and I can sit here and type. I live in Canada, and because I was lucky enough for both of my parents to be born here and for them to meet and have me here, I’ll never know about most of the serious problems of the world. The more I travel and the more I learn – sometimes independent of each other, sometimes not – the more I realize just how lucky I am to be in such an amazing country. However, if you don’t complain about your vacuum you’ll never get a dyson. So let’s rant.

We live in a North American society where very few people take public transit. But recently with the imminent attack of climate change around the corner, us North Americans are deciding to be more eco-conscious. We’re seeing recycling bins popping up on almost every street corner and our giant corporations pretending to do the best they can to help too. The average Joe is helping the cause, We’re flicking out the lights, or running our dryers in the middle of the night, but we still encouraged to do more. Like take public transit.

But here is the really big problem with our public transit: It doesn’t work very well. We’re too rich as persons and too big as a society to create a functional public transit system. That is, until we want one.

I got a drive to Richmond Hill (a place just north of Toronto) and it took me 1h and 30mins. It was out of my way yes, but it was manageable. On the way back, I figured I’d take public transportation! To be honest it was more to save my father trouble than to save the environment… but either way, it was available. I lucked out too; I managed to never have to wait once for a train or anything! It seemed all the lights were green as I approached. And the same voyage that took me 1.5 hours took me 3.5 hours!

Wait, What?! That’s insane! Why would I want to waste 2 extra hours travelling when I could just drive? Depending on the gas prices, it MAY be cheaper… but not by enough to waste two hours.

So it seems: More important than getting the mass of commuters to take public transit is to get the public transit to be efficient and effective enough to take the mass majority.

In my mind there are two things that need to be in place for people to even consider taking the train to work – as opposed to the car.

1. If not less, it must be at least the same time commuting.
2. It should run you about the same price as driving there (factor in insurance and maintenance if you will).

The third thing, which we also need to work on, is a system in place that can adapt to the increased demand of the first two. These factors should out way the inconvenience of not having a car with you in the city to get you to off the grid areas.

Can Ontario do this? Yes.

Will Ontario do this? Not for a long time! As responsible and responsive as our government is it still lags behind in any sort of innovation. A private company could do it, but it may be too much for even them to handle. Without creating new tracks here’s what we can do!

Related posts:

1. Public Speaking