Yellowknife Online

Don’t think this is a Joke, there is indeed a new iPhone out. The best smart-phone, according to Consumer Report, which also suggested you not buy it, was released one week ago in Canada. This maybe a confusing to some as it was only last November that Yellowknife first got the iPhone, but it has actually been about a year since the old iPhone was released (one a year, since 2007). You probably remember when Bell made the switch to its new “beefier” network, which of course supports the iPhone. This post is my, very basic, review of the iPhone 4. To you Blackberry Addicts and “open” Android Lover out there, I’m sorry. Although if anyone wants to send in their review of the new Blackberry, by all means.

To start off, when I bought the phone I got a nice surprise from Bell. I thought I was going to have to buy the phone out right, which was a whopping $650.00, but thanks to some hardware and data upgrades I was able to walk out of there only paying $150.00. Needless to say I was happy. I was also happy right away about how well the new Retinal Display looked on the new phone. When compared side-by-side to my old 3GS you could see how much clearer the screen was. I still notice its clarity a week later and it is a feature that makes the phone feel high quality.

The next thing I have to address is, of course, the antenna issues that were widely spread throughout the USA. That being said, it was reported that all those antenna issues only amounted to 2% of the iPhones that were sold. I, myself, have not experienced any of these issues. I have even tried to get the phone to drop bars but nothing happens. I did notice, though, that since Apple pushed out the iOS 4.0.1 (iPhone Operating System) update the bars on my phone now go up and down more often. I work in a concrete basement, so now I see a drop of one bar, while down there. I do not and have not dropped any calls, anywhere, nor have I heard a loss of quality in the call. It was recently brought up in conversation that, there had not been many, if any, reports of antenna issues outside of the USA. This has led many question AT&T as to their service. If by chance you are noticing antenna issue, though, the best solution is to just put a case on the phone. I recommend this anyway, I certainly use one.

Another noticeable highlight about the most recent of iPhones is the battery life. Having had the iPhone for one week now, I have only charged it ONCE since walking out of the store with it. It has spent minimal time connected to the computer and is only charged when completely dead. That being said, I am not a big talker, but do use the phone on a fairly regular basis for Twitter, Facebook, Video and many other applications. I’m sure if you use a feature like FaceTime it would get used up more. FaceTime is another feature I think I underestimated, but have yet to actually try it. I liked the idea of a front facing camera, but didn’t think many people would actually use it during calls. I think I was wrong, so far I have heard nothing but good reviews about this feature. I have, although, heard grumbling as well, especially about the fact it has to be used over wifi and you can only call others who actually have an iPhone.

Now were going from the front camera to the back camera. This is where I got excited. I am someone who creates a lot of online video, vlogs if you will, and having a camera with 720p HD capabilities built into my phone makes creating a lot easier. Before I use to carry around another pocket camera, but since that one broke, I have started to use the iPhone, which does just as good, if not better when recording. The camera now takes 5 megapixel still images and produces pretty awesome photos. With the built-in Flash/Light it can now be used anywhere.

I, personally, love the iPhones because of the ease of use, thousands of apps, and overall performance of the device. I do recommend it, yes, but realize it may not be for everyone. Adroid lovers, I know you like your open platform, and Blackberry Addicts, I get your obsession with that tiny keyboard that can get you through a bunch of emails while your on the can. I get it because it is how I am with the iPhone

You if have any question, please let me know in the Comments below.

This review was originally posted on WithMedia.ca. WithMedia.ca the business behind YkOnline.ca and is also a New Media/Online Content Creating website and blog. It offers a content about everything from New Media, to the WordPress Blogging Platform, to how to properly leverage Social Media. If you are interested in talking to Kyle about any of that give him a call at 444-0901

When I came across this, through twitter, I got really excited. Then I came to grips with it. Google has gone one step further with their Street View and now have Street View Snowmobile. Although I am going to call it Google Snowmobile Trail View. This was done for the Vancouver 2010 Olympics which will be taking off in a couple days.

Although I don’t think we, here in Yellowknife, will have the pleasure of this feature anytime soon, I still think it would be a neat feature to have. It was asked the other day where to get a map of all the snowmobile trails around Yellowknife, but the question goes unanswered. The last place I knew about was Wolverine Sports, but since they closed I don’t think you can get them commercially anymore.

Yellowknife has such an elaborate snowmobile trail system that it would be highly beneficial to have. It would be great for planning a trip ahead or for those who don’t know the area as well. What are your thoughts on having our snowmobile trail system mapped by Google? I think it would be awesome, I don’t think there is anywhere else in Canada with our type of trail system.

A couple weeks ago I started hearing rumors that Google Street View was slowly being released or something or rather. People were telling me it was on the iPhone already through Google Earth’s app, others were saying you needed a special app. Whatever the method they told me it doesn’t matter now because Google Street View has been launched completely for Yellowknife.

You are now able to explorer Yellowknife without ever leaving your house. Is that the way the world is going? But seriously now having this available for Yellowknife it gives those interested in visiting or moving to the north the opportunity to explore our streets with out having to spend huge amounts of money.

Unfortunately I had just left town when the Google Car arrived in Yellowknife, so I wasn’t able to get into any of the photos. What a marketing ploy that would have been. Did you try and get into any of the photos, if you did send me where and maybe you’ll get featured here on YkOnline.

I can’t really think of any bad reasons why Yellowknife shouldn’t be mapped online for the world to see, but I’m all for promoting our city and the north online. What do you think the pros and cons are?

That’s right I am calling all bloggers, all NWT Bloggers. It is time again for the NWT Blog Awards. Blog awards are put on at the end of every year and just like Canadian Blog Awards (Vote for YkOnline) are judged by readers. The NWT Blog Awards is spearheaded by one of are very one bloggers, who is probably a blog celebrity.

Voting has not started yet, I will let you know when it does. Right now it is in nomination round. Bloggers must nominate themselves. This way if you don’t get nominated it is your own fault. So all NWT bloggers bet get on and nominate. Nominations are own open until Tuesday, December 15, 2009. To nominate yourself go to the nominate page and leave a comment with all the categories you wish to be in. Please make sure to link to the appropriate posts and such.

• Best Blog: This is an award for the best blog overall. It includes Flickr streams, podcasting and vodcasting.
• Best New Blog: Best blog that started in 2009. The blogger does not have to be new to the NWT, and it does not have to be the writer’s first blog.
• Best Post: The single best post of 2009.
• Best Series: This can be a number of posts over a long period of time or a time-limited series.
• Best Blog From A New NWT Resident: Best blog from someone who moved here in 2009. The blog must be mainly about moving to the NWT or about what it is like to be a new resident of the NWT. The blog itself can be more than a year old if the author moved here during 2009 and started to publish material that is mainly about life as a new resident.
• Best Youth Blog: Best blog written by an NWT resident who is younger than 20.
• Best Audio/Video Blog Post: Best individual podcast or video.
• Best Northern Story: Best story about the NWT. It can be a single post or a series of posts that tell a single story.
• Best Professional Photography: This category includes all professional photographers. In this category, the only content to be considered is the blog’s original photography. It can be a Flickr stream.
• Best Personal Photography: See above, but for amateur photographers.
• Best Theme Blog: Best blog in which all or almost all posts are about a single topic or use a set format. This includes corporate blogs and blogs about specific places. The theme does not have to have anything to do with the NWT.

Go now and nominate yourself.

Yellowknifers and businesses alike have no doubt heard of Twitter, but now some are actually dipping their feet in. Over the last week or so I have seen more and more businesses take the plunge and at least try it out. There can be many benefits if a business properly uses twitter. Marketing is only part of it, a small part at that, remember that it is about the conversation and that is what will draw in customers. Be forward and helpful, don’t hide behind the wall.

Here is a list I compiled of businesses on Twitter. If you are on twitter you can follow the entire list by going here. If you don’t see your business on the list, make sure to let me know.

• Buffalo Air Wear
• Yk Movies
• Dave Brosha Photography
• Ice Pilots NWT
• CBC North
• SSi Micro
• Coldwell Banker
• NorthwesTel
• NNSL
• Adam Dental Clinic
• Mackenzie Valley Review Board
• Kellett Comunication
• UpHere Magazine
• Gourmet Cup
• Roy’s Audiotronic
• Yk Centre Mall
• Aurora Decorating
• Wesclean
• Janet Pacey Design
• Northern Images

As the I find more I will be sure to add them. If you are not already following YkOnline on Twitter be sure to @YkOnline.

Stay tuned for a post with all the local businesses I follow-on Facebook.

If you have a new cell phone on the new Bell HSPA (3G) network, an iPhone you may be dealing with lose of signal. Bell is currently aware of the issue and it is once again a nation wide issue, not just Yellowknife. They were aware of the problem as of 1pm today.

They suggest to be patient and try connecting your iPhone to iTunes and make sure everything is up to date.

This is not the first issue with the iPhones on this new network for Bell. Only hours after the new network and iPhones launched many users experienced problems with the network GPS. The GPS was not able to accurately figure out where the phone was located and would generally redirect it to our of territory. This was also a problem as the phone would think it needed to call long distance when phoning a local number. Needless to say some customers where not happy about that one.

Not all users are experiencing the signal issue today but many are. Now although the best thing to do is just be patient, Bell actually encourages it users to call in a report the problem as it help elevate the issue up the list. Data Support number is 1-877-328-2123.

The first day of the iPhone sales is over so I thought I would give you all a little feedback on my thoughts of the new phone.

For those who went out and got a new iPhone, you’ll know that the phone didn’t start working right away. The iPhone and new network launched at the same time and nation wide therefore the network became clogged and it took phones several hours to fully activate. But all seems well now. From what I have heard the phones would connect themselves to the network when the network recognized them, but there was at least one report of a phone being able to phone but not use any data. If you are experiencing any problems with the phone or data the best thing to do is restart the device and sync it with iTunes before calling Bell.

Moving on to the sales of the iPhone. Both the NWTel Retail store and Roy’s Audiotronic had the iPhone for sale Wednesday, but only Roy’s had the 32gb iPhone. I dealt mainly with Roy’s as they are in the same mall as I work. I have to tip my hat to the staff working that day. The thing with the iPhone is it is not like any other phone and the plans are all new, so the staff had to learn on the go. The phone did not arrive until the night before therefore there was no way for them to learn before hand. So thanks everyone, I hope you know your work is appreciated.

If you haven’t gone and gotten an iPhone yet but want to, here is some information you should know. Even though it was busy I don’t think either place sold out,  so that is good news. There are 3 sizes: 8gb, 16gb and 32gb. The 8gb is only the iPhone 3G, which does not have video capabilities and is slower among other things. Both the 16gb and 32gb are the iPhone 3GS, which is the latest iPhone with all the features. Roy’s is the only place that offers the 32gb at the moment, but both stores tell me that they have more of all 3 on order. Roy’s sounding more confident about getting more devices in soon. As for plans, they offer 4 different options, a $55, $65, $75 and $95. They all include all the feature you would find on any other plan. The phones retails with no plans for: $599, $699 and $799. If you are going to sign up for a new plan (no existing phone plan) you will have to dive in for 3 year and the prices are: $99, $199 and $299.

So why was I so excited for the iPhone? Simply to better YkOnline. With this faster network I will be able to publish photos, videos and posts at events and on the go. So this benefit you all.

As I find out more about the new network I will let you all know. If you have any question about the iPhone let me know below. Also, tell me Yellowknife what do you think of the iPhone, did you get one? Why? Not?

This is the interview I did with CBC North Radio Wednesday evening about the iPhone and new Cell Network launch in Yellowknife.

UPDATE: Bell has announced the launch date of its new network and the release of the iPhone. Find out when HERE.

Earlier in the day Bell and Telus released a statement proclaiming they will be bringing on Apple’s iPhone. Currently Rogers is the only service provider in Canada that has the iPhone and is not available in Yellowknife. The iPhone is also the phone that most people want. It beats out Blackberry, Plam and all Windows Mobile phone on the market.

What else does this mean for Yellowknife. Well after feeling like we have been left in the dust, Yellowknife will finally have 3G or HSPA (which is just as fast or faster) service.

Northwestel has put in it first order for 1000 iPhone but is not sure of when they will arrive or the pricing yet. Bell has yet to announce the pricing of the phone.

I will also be updating this post with more information as it becomes available. To read more about Bell and the iPhone read this Globe and Mail article.

Update: Here is the press release from Bell announcing that they signed a deal with Apple

About a month ago I came across this great site. It is called Gigpark, which is made up of two words. Gig, which comes from how you might explain a job you have (The band is playing a gig Friday night) and Park, which is a common place for people to chat about where they received great service.

So by this point you may have a decent idea of what the site is about. Like the title states it is basically, word of mouth online. Gigpark as described on their site is a way to discover the great local handyman, accountant, mechanic (and anyone else) your friends use. The site is essentially made up of two parts. The first would be someone recommending the great service they received and the second would be someone looking for great service.

The point of this post is to try and encourage more people from Yellowknife to start using this service, which is free and Canadian made, because once we all start using this service it will be easier to find great service in this town of our. It is easy to do, so if you have something good to say about a local business, and I know you do, head over to Gigpark and let everyone know. Make sure to add me as a friend as well and check out all the recommendations for Yellowknife