Marcus Troiano

Japanese watch manufacturer, Seiko Instruments Inc., recently unveiled a prototype watch which sports bluetooth connectivity for use with cell phones. The Seiko CPC TR-006, which is expected to make its way to the (Japanese) market in either late 2006 or early 2007, will extend a bluetooth enabled cell phone by acting as an interface between it and the user. The watch will display important phone information such as battery life and network strength as well as provide users with Caller ID and alerts when messages are left or text messages/e-mails received. It may also be used as a remote to control the volume and ring tones on the phone, or can even be set to ring or vibrate itself, when a call is or message is received.

Seiko will provide the necessary software for cell phones, which will capture and relay the required information to the watch. When paired with a bluetooth headset, a user could simply leave their phone in their bag or pocket, and rely on the watch to see who’s calling and read messages. This watch looks to be a very handy device, which can simplify the way wireless communication takes place, and we can only hope it makes its way over to North America, in a slightly more compact form factor.

written by Marcus

The long drawn-out legal battle between BlackBerry maker, RIM, and patent holding firm NTP has finally come to an end. RIM, maker of the poplar wireless e-mail device, agreed to pay NTP $612.5 million to settle the patent dispute, which had cast a shadow of uncertainty over use of the device in the US.

NTP had claimed RIM was infringing on their patents, and was seeking a ban on the sale and use of the device in the US. RIM had promised its users that a workaround was ready to be deployed, enabling the continuation of BlackBerry use, but many were doubtful. This settlement is definitely great for RIM and BlackBerry users (and of course, NTP) as the suit has now been dismissed, and service will continue as normal.

RIM and NTP were on the brink of a similar settlement early last year, which was to be a $450 million deal, but that fell through at the last second, making way for the lengthy legal battle which followed. The announcement was made late Friday afternoon, just before stock market close, and RIM’s stock (NASDAQ: RIMM) closed just $0.53 higher, at $71.92. However, in after-hour trading of the stock, an increase of over 19% took place, catapulting its price to $85.70.

Now that RIM has overcome this major obstacle and customers are finally at ease, they must now prepare for the real battle which is unfolding; against the Microsoft led consortium of mobile phone makers, and their respective “BlackBerry Killer” devices.

written by Marcus

A few days ago I was lucky enough to come across a few songs by the female solo artist S-key-A. After listening to them, I’ve come to the conclusion that this 20 year old Osaka, Japan, singer is very talented. S-key-A has great vocals in both her native language of Japanese and also English, in which she sings fluently. Using both languages really adds something to the music, and is very popular these days in Japan. S-key-A also writes almost all of her own music, which is really cool. More and more artists are relying on writers to write for them, but when an artist writes their own they can really sing to it, because it’s theirs, it has more meaning.

Her music is in the r&b genre, often with guest appearances by other hip-hop singers which are all very well arranged. S-key-A has been involved in many different performance competitions and events, even going to the United States to study. Her musical influences include Alicia Keys, Mariah Carey and Britney Spears. She is currently studying at University in Osaka, Japan.

I think S-key-A is a great singer with lots of potential. I can really see her performing with artists like m-flo in the future. I wish her the best of luck. Always follow your dreams!

Here are three of S-key-A’s songs. Please give them a listen and let your friends know about her too, I’m sure you will enjoy!

“Dance with me” written by tazz + S-key-A, produced and additional vocal by tazz (for S.D.P)

“playgirl” (remix) written by S-key-A, produced and additional rap by STY (for SMLOmusic)

“JUST A LITTLE (ジントニREMIX) “ written by S-key-A + STY, produced and additional Rap by STY (for SMLOmusic)

written by Marcus

Well it’s been a long while since I posted on my site, and I would like to apologize for that. The reason is that I’ve been really busy over the past few weeks. First I had server issues which wiped out a good 15 articles I had written, then I was off to NYC for a weeks holiday, and for the past two and a half weeks I’ve been busy with University.

Yes, I started University at Ryerson University, which is located in the heart of Toronto. I’m really enjoying it so far, its so great! I’m taking Information Technology Management, which is basically a mix of Business and IT (Information Technology). Five years down the road I’ll graduate (I’m taking co-op which adds a year, but also adds a lot of great experience) with a Bachelor of Commerce in IT. It’s a great program, in fact the best in Canada at the moment, so I’m very privileged to take part in it. You can read more about it here.

University is awesome. My classes which are as follow for this semester: Organizational Behaviour & Interpersonal Skills (Human Resources), Introduction to Financial Accounting, Written Communications (targeted towards business and technology), Business & Information Systems (my IT course this semester) and finally History Of Science and Technology I (a very interesting history course, we study science and technology from BC to 1700 AD). All of these courses are taught by great professors, and are shaping up to be enjoyable.

The location of the University is also great, being right in the middle of the busiest part of Toronto. You can walk, shop, talk and eat to your hearts content and find plenty of things to do. It takes me around one hour to get to Ryerson from my house in Richmond Hill, which really isn’t bad at all. I take the new bus system in my area, VIVA York. It’s an awesome bus system, a huge improvement. It’s rapid transit, so fewer stops equate to a shorter trip. And its very comfortable and advanced. It’s been in the news a lot lately, so I won’t go into too much detail, but how does TV, Wi-fi and much more sound? All for the same price as regular buses? Great! You can read more about it here. Viva la VIVA :). VIVA takes me from the stop nearest my house (Weldrick Rd.) to Finch station, where I take the TTC, Toronto’s subway system to either Dundas Station or College Station (Ryerson is located between both stops).

Well as you have read above University is really going quite well, great in fact. I’m sure it will just continue to get better. Of course there’s a lot of reading and homework to be done, but isn’t that expected? Another thing is that University is definitely really fast paced, but thats cool with me. My schedule is awesome too, no classes start before 10am and I have Wednesday off, and on Friday just one hour of school :). Another thing thats really nice is that there are tons of really nice people, I can easily name a dozen or so who I’ve gotten to know in just a week or so…

Anyways…that’s just to update you all on what’s been happening…and yes, I will start updating the site again :). Man I’m far behind in that…

written by Marcus

Domenic Troiano gave his last interview in February of this year, while at his home in Richmond Hill. He was interviewed by 92 CITI FM, a radio station located in Winnipeg, Manitoba. CITI FM was in the process of interviewing all past inductees into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame, as a buildup to the 2005 Juno Music Awards, which were going to be held in April in Winnipeg. The station tracked him down at his home in Richmond Hill and at first had no idea of how seriously ill he was. Together they created a great interview/program.

Please listen to Domenic’s final interview–it is both sad and inspiring.

Part One
Part Two
Part Three

Play: Domenic Troiano - CITI FM Interview
flash player required

written by Marcus