Panasonic’s Premium LUMIX G X VARIO 12-35mm coming in July

Panasonic Canada Inc. announced a new digital interchangeable standard zoom lens, the LUMIX G X VARIO 12-35mm/F2.8 ASPH/POWER O.I.S. (H-HS12035).

The latest addition to the company’s premium lens brand “X,” which is compatible with the Panasonic LUMIX G Series and complies with the Micro Four Thirds system standard, this lens offers a versatile zoom range of 12-35mm (35mm camera equivalent: 24-70mm) and features constant F2.8 aperture brightness at entire zoom range. No pricing  has yet been released.

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Microsoft's Smoked by Windows Phone challenge comes to Canada

The Smoked By Windows Phone campaign has arrived in Canada. It started out as small scale attention grabber at this year’s Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, and has since gone viral, spreading to over 36 countries around the globe. Now Canadians will get a chance duel it out as the Smoked challenge takes to the streets of Toronto.

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Poynt and Missing Children's Society of Canada partner to help find missing children

There are over 50,000 open missing children cases in Canada alone, each one leaving a family destroyed and friends devastated.

To aid in the seemingly endless fight against missing children, Poynt Corp., a hyper location-based mobile app that helps customers find nearby deals, movies, gas prices, events, people, restaurants, and more, has partnered with MCSC to create a system where the Poynt app releases Amber Alerts directly to the cell phone of consumers who are in the area where the missing child is believed to be.

The notifications include important information about the missing child’s active case such as last known location, physical description, photos and other pertinent details to help Poynt users in the area identify the missing child.   

In addition, Poynt and MCSC are encouraging consumers to donate their Facebook and Twitter profiles, allowing for a message to be released through the consumer’s newsfeed alerting their social networks of the missing child as well.

Poynt and MCSC refer to this system as The World’s Most Valuable Social Network, using the mobile connectivity that has become such a staple part of daily life to help bring missing children back to their loved ones.

Samsung launches new line of WiFi-enabled ILC cameras

Text and photos by Gadjo Cardenas Sevilla

Samsung Canada celebrated its new line of WiFi enabled interchangeable lens cameras today with some hot air. Setting up in Toronto's Historic Fort York with a hot air balloon to allow the press to test the new NX20, NX210 and NX1000 models which are expected to come to market soon.

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New Apple Siri ads feature John Malkovich

After helping Samuel Jackson get dinner ready for a date and Zooey Deschanel slack off on a rainy day, Apple's Siri personal assistant is shown in a series of ads keeping John Malkovich company. The two adverts, Life and Joke are a bit odd, strange like a Far Side comic strip. Notice that iPhone is only mentioned once and that the ads focus on Siri's capabilities and her eloquence. These ads are not likely to be shown in Canada as some of the location-based features and commands (i.e. where can I get poutine in Toronto?) aren't yet enabled outside of the USA. Personally, I am waiting for the Betty White meets Siri commercial.

Bitplay's SNAP case turns iPhone into a point and shoot camera

The iPhone 4 and iPhone 4S have arguably the best smartphone cameras in the market. The wide availability of various photography and image editing apps on iOS also makes these smartphones ideal everyday cameras. Bitplay recently introduced their SNAP line of iPhone cases which really put the iPhone's camera front and centre.

Bitplay's SNAP cases are available in black, white and silver (which is two-toned and more like vintage cameras) but the effect isn't purely cosmetic. These cases come with a working shutter button. Bitplay SNAP sells for $49 and is availabe from Dynamism.com