BlackBerry launches new Android device, the super-secure DTEK50

BlackBerry has just launched its new Android smartphone, the DTEK50, a 5.2-inch device with a 13 megapixel camera, running on a Qualcomm 8952 with 64 bit Quad-core 1.5 GHz Cortex-A53 and Quad-core 1.2 GHz Cortex-A53 (Snapdragon 617 Octa-Core, 64 bit) processors plus 3GB of RAM. Unlike the high-end PRIV launched last year, the DTEK50 has an on-screen keyboard and runs Android 6.0 Marshmallow. It also has a quick-charge enabled 2610 mAh 4.4V non-removable Lithium Ion battery that's capable of  50% charge in 51 minutes.

DTEK50 encrypts all users’ information, including business critical data and personal data such as pictures, videos and contacts. Malware protection is also built-in along with back-up, wipe and restore capabilities. Additional software provides users with visibility and control over which apps get access to personal info or device features such as the microphone or camera. BlackBerry also delivers security patches on the same day that Google publicly releases information about them, which isn't the case with most other Android OEMs.

Starting today, DTEK50 is available to pre-order from ShopBlackBerry.com in the US, Canada, UK, France, Germany, Spain, Italy and The Netherlands for $299 USD. DTEK50 will be available in a number of channels around the world, including more than 40 partners from electronics stores, carriers, VARs and distributors. This includes Rogers, Bell, TELUS, WIND, Videotron and SaskTel among others in Canada. In the U.S., DTEK50 will initially be available in Best Buy, B&H and Amazon. Availability of DTEK50 in additional global channels and countries will be announced in the coming weeks.

LCBO offers online liquor sale and delivery service

By Gadjo Cardenas Sevilla

The Liquor Control Board of Ontario (LCBO) announced that it is launching an online e-commerce website where people can purchase nearly 5,000 products and have them shipped to their home or a local LCBO store as part of their commitment to evolve the business and modernize its operations.

In the age of the Uber ride sharing service and Foodora which delivers food from various restaurants to homes and offices, the LCBO is making it easier for Ontarians to order their favourite wines, beers and spirits and have these delivered to their doorstep or at a nearby LCBO location. This move follows in the footsteps of what companies like Amazon have pioneered, giving consumers a wider range of choice and convenience than having to go to crowded LCBO retail outlets.

Moreover, 800 of the products will only be available online from lcbo.com. Delivery through Canada Post will cost $12 per order plus tax, while a $50 minimum applies to online orders shipped to specific LCBO stores. LCBO says they, together with Canada Post,  will ensure that online orders are only handled by and delivered to adults of legal drinking age. 

Source: LCBO via CBC

Bob Mansfield returns to Apple, again

Apple has brought back one of its higher echelon executives for the second time. Bob Mansfield, who joined Apple in 1999 and was part of the Steve Jobs led second act which produced the iPod, iPhone, MacBook Air and numerous other key products, is again the go-to guy for getting a new product out the door.

Mansfield retired from leading the hardware engineering team and was brought back for special projects, but then went back into retirement. Mansfield is reportedly back again to lend a steady and experienced presence behind Cupertino's 'Project Titan' largely believed to be its EV or autonomous vehicle project. 

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Transit feature now available for Vancouver and Victoria on Apple Maps

The Transit feature in Apple Maps is now available to Victoria and Vancouver as well as other areas in British Columbia. Transit shows public transit information including subways, buses, trains and ferries, with lines and stations right on the map.

Transit is now available to iPhone users in Victoria, Vancouver and other rails in British Columbia, marking SkyTrain trains and bus routes. If you were to click on the Entrances and Exits by train stations, you’d see more detail as to whether it’s an entrance or exit with stairs, escalator, elevator or other accessibility options. 

The Transit feature is customized for each city where and can be accessed on Apple Maps in iOS and macOS versions.

Transit information in Maps is now available in Atlanta, Austin, Baltimore, Berlin, Boston, Chicago, Honolulu, Kansas City, London, Los Angeles, Mexico City, Miami, Montreal, New York City, Philadelphia, Portland, Rio de Janeiro, Sacramento, San Francisco, Seattle, Sydney, Toronto and Washington D.C., as well as over 300 cities in China, including Beijing, Chengdu and Shanghai. Nearby information is available in the US and China.