Alberta government releases app to survey Fort McMurray damage

Using technology in the service of the community, the Alberta government has released an app to help evacuees survey the damage of the wildfire at Fort McMurray that forced over 90,000 from their homes early May.

"Having been through a devastating fire and evacuation myself, I know firsthand how stressful it is to wait for updates on which homes have been lost. We are committed to providing information to you as soon as we can, and these images will help us begin to answer the questions you have about the state of your homes and community," said Municipal Affairs Minister Danielle Larivee.

Technical specialists have been working for several days to improve the quality and resolution of these images in order to provide you with the most accurate information possible. These maps are intended to provide a high-level satellite overview of the status of the city following the wildfires. Structures that appear to be standing should not be considered undamaged. These images should not be used for official damage assessments, determining the status of individual structures, or planning re-entry to the city. The app can be found  here.

Source: CBC.ca

Google aiming to release Android VR specs at Google I/O

Google's going to throw its hat into the VR game and what many are calling Android VR is expected to be part of the Google I/O keynotes. Google, who previously toyed with Virtual Reality by creating the affordable Google Cardboard which can use a smartphone's display and processor to enable various immersive VR experiences, seems to be going one step further.

Android VR will be a standalone VR headset that will be similar but less powerful than the HTC Vive and Oculus Rift. Google has also developed various VR apps and experiences, one of the best I've tried is Tilt Brush which allows VR users to paint in interactive 3D environments. It is said that the Android VR won't require a smartphone and 

GM recalling 473,000 SUV's in US and Canada for brake pedal issues

GM is recalling 473,000 SUV's in the US and Canada. The recall covers certain 2015 and 2016 Chevrolet Silverado HD, GMC Sierra HD and Chevrolet Tahoe police vehicles whose brake pedals can come loose and fail to work properly. More than 46,800 of the recalled vehicles are in Canada.

GM reports that a nut on the brake pedal pivot mechanism can come loose, causing the pedal to loosen and possibly become inoperative. Dealers will inspect the pivot bolts. If they weren't fixed at the factory, dealers will put adhesive on the nut and retighten it. Canadian safety regulators say the problem can cause the brake lights to stay on longer than expected.

Source: CTV News

3,500 Subaru vehicles in Canada recalled for possible loss of steering

3,500 Subaru vehicles have been recalled in Canada for loss of steering problems. The recall affects 2016 Subaru Legacy and Outback models whose steering columns may not engage correctly.

"On certain vehicles, steering column components may not have been manufactured to specification and therefore may not engage correctly, which could result in a loss of steering control and increasing the risk of a crash causing injury and/or damage to property," Transport Canada said in a recall notice on its website.

Transport Canada said dealers will inspect, and if necessary, replace the steering column.

Source: CBC.ca