Contest! Win a Motorola Moto E

We're giving away an amazing Motorola Moto E which is Motorola's entry-level model but which features a lot of awesome features found on larger, more expensive smartphones.

The Motorola  Moto E has a 4.3-inch screen, which is covered in Gorilla Glass III for protection. A nano-coating ensures some basic splash-resistance and a large battery life ensures uninterrupted use for at least a day and a half. The Moto E is a replacement for feature phones and the gateway for these users to discover Android as well as a more connected and interactive smartphone experience. This means apps, HD video, music playback, photos, as well as instant messaging and social media all in one device.

How to Enter:

1. Follow us on Twitter and retweet this contest, "I'd love to win the Moto E from @Creviewer and @Motorola_CA!"

2. Like Us on Facebook

3. Let us know which feature of the Moto E interests you the most in the comments section below.

We will be picking one lucky winner by August 6, 2014. Contest open to residents of Canada. Best of luck to everyone who joins!

iBeacon gaining ground with Hudson's Bay, Lord & Taylor, Monk, and Hilton rollouts

Apple's iBeacon proximity sensor and communication technology is picking up steam as various retails stores are starting to deploy the technology to reach out to users of iOS devices and push opt-in updates on sales, rebates and other store and product-related information. Lord & Taylor (sister company of Hudson's Bay) and German restaurant group Monk as well as the Hilton group of hotels are going to rollout the technology soon. 

The Hudson's Bay is working with iBeacon provider Swirl on a system that will deliver location-aware content to its outlets. The initial rollout will target a number of Lord & Taylor and Hudson's Bay locations throughout the U.S. and Canada, including the flagship Hudson's Bay store in Toronto.  

Click to read more ...

Mac OS X Yosemite Public Beta reviewer tips

Beta software is a work in progress which means various features are still being tweaked and refined before the golden master or final build. That said, there's a great opportunity to get a chance to experience the latest and greatest versuon of Apple's desktop and notebook OS. Now that OS X Yosemite is available to those who signed up for the public beta, here are some reminders worth considering before you install the new OS from Cupertino.

Public beta tips:

• This is beta software that is still in development, which means some applications and services may not work as expected.

• We recommend installing OS X Yosemite Beta on a secondary Mac (i.e. not your primary work or school machine).

• Make a back up of your Mac before installing

• Some features require iOS 8, which is not being offered as part of the OS X Beta Program. 

• There will be periodic updates to the OS X Yosemite Beta, and you will be able to upgrade to the final version of OS X Yosemite when it ships this fall.

• Use your Mac as you normally would and if you encounter any issues, use the built-in Feedback Assistant app to report them

• Visit the OS X Beta Program guide for the latest information about the Yosemite beta and how to submit feedback

Preview: Mac OS X Yosemite Public Beta

By Gadjo Cardenas Sevilla 

One year after what looked to be a massive revamp in look, feel, user experience and naming convention, Mac OS X has undergone and even more dramatic and comprehensive makeover with Mac OS X Yosemite. 

While expected to ship in the fall, there’s currently a Public Beta version of Yosemite available to interested beta testers who are welcome to join Apple engineers and developers in experiencing, testing and fine tuning this most innovative of operating systems. Hit jump to read my first impressions of this new OS.

Click to read more ...