Google Chrome Coming to Apple iPhone and iPad

Even among Apple fans, there are many Google Chrome lovers.

Fortunately for them, Safari may be on the verge of losing its relative monopoly on Apple's iOS platform: Google is expected to release a Chrome app for the iPhone and iPad this year.

Macquarie Equities Research anticipates Apple will approve Chrome for iOS "later this quarter."

However, don't get too excited—numerous limitations will prevent Chrome from being a true alternative to Safari on your smartphone or tablet.

For example, Safari will remain the only browser set to "default," which means that emails, text message,s third party app links, etc., will still open in Apple's browser.

London Drugs Deploys iPads Across 74 Stores in Canada

Canadian retailer London Drugs has deployed iPads to staff across all 74 of their locations in BC, Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba. The iPads will assist customers with real-time research and price comparisons, the company says. The rollout will occur over the next two weeks, according to the retailer.

“At London Drugs, we know we have the right prices and highly educated staff in our stores and so this new ability for the customer to see first-hand information at the purchase decision further affirms this superior service commitment to our customers,” says Wynne Powell, London Drugs president and CEO. “Providing access to open information allows the customer and our staff to engage in a fully knowledgeable discussion about a product with the aid of online research at their fingertips.”

read more

Kobo welcomes Pinterest to the Rakuten family

Rakuten Inc. announced today that it is leading a $100 million investment in Pinterest, with participation from existing investors Andreessen Horowitz, Bessemer Venture Partners, and FirstMark Capital, as well as a number of angel investors.

Last November Rakuten bought Canadian-made Kobofor a total of $315 million in cash. At the time Mikitani called the company "entrepreneurial, fast, and strong" and said the two companies have a "shared vision.

read more

Mobile Wallets in Canada: The Next Step Forward or Just Another Money Grab for Banks and Telcos?

Banks and telecoms generally don't get much love, in Canada or around the world. They're often seen as corrupt and money-hungry, prioritizing profit over people. It seems that the Canadian Federation of Independent Business has taken this stance on the recently surfaced technology of mobile wallets in Canada.

Following CIBC and Rogers announcing a partnership that would see Rogers-powered, BlackBerry-wielding CIBC customers pay for goods with their smartphones instead of their plastic cards, the CFIB game forth to warn Canadian small business owners: brace for the possibility of yet another fee grab. No benefit of the doubt for banks or telcos here.

read more

Web Traffic From Tablets Growing 10X Faster Than Smartphones: Adobe

The tablet has nearly surprassed the smartphone in web traffic. According to Adobe's latest findings, revealed in its Digital Index report, the tablet is growing web traffic much faster than smartphones, and will generate more visits than smartphones within a year.

Web traffic from tablets more than tripled in 2011 according to Adobe. And tablet web browsing is growing at a staggering 10 times faster than on smartphones, the report found. 

read more

Toronto's Ganz Expands Webkinz World to Facebook

Woodbridge-based toy and gaming company Ganz, best known for Webkinz World, has introduced a "game-changing innovation in family-friendly virtual fun." Ganz has launched Webkinz Friends on Facebook, a teen-targeted version of the interactive online game. Similar to the original game, Webkinz Friends has integrated more social features, taking advantage of the Facebook platform. 

read more