It’s hard to believe that a mere century ago, Canada was still in the process of installing phonelines. In fact, in February of 1916, Montreal and Vancouver were connected by telephone for the first time ever, a feat that took over 6700km of circuit. The first flip phone appeared 80 years later, followed closely by the first “smart… Read More
Category: AgNerds
Want to spot an uber-Apple lover? Check wrists. The Apple watch began shipping about two weeks ago, and for those willing to part with a starting price of $500 (CDN), the status symbol offers wearers the ability to send everything from a simple text message to their heart beat, from their wrist (apparently provided there are… Read More
We’re in the midst of a smartphone app era, some as trivial as games of pursuit, others as significant as financial management. In agriculture, we’ve seen the use of apps truly grow, from a few simple calculators to tablet displays. But, some apps seem to make the mainstream market before spreading their roots into agriculture. That’s… Read More
You’ve heard of 3D printing, how could you not? It’s been all over the news, from its potential in modern medicine (think printing prosthetics), to its use in cooking up dinners in space. But, between medicine and the international space station, there’s agriculture. And agriculture has a great deal to benefit from this technology too…. Read More
To justify purchasing a new piece of technology for a farm, its value can’t be based on the “wow factor.” It must solve a problem and improve the overall efficiency of the operation. With that in mind, are farmers being sold more technology than they need? Should a producer have to pay for the cost… Read More
No longer just a concept, Google Glass is moving ever closer to a face near you. This very hands-free but completely web-connected device has moved from theory to real-life-testing in an incredibly short period of time. But what can Google Glass do, and, more importantly, will you look ridiculous wearing them? See more: Click here… Read More
It’s time for another edition of AgNerds, where Shaun Haney and someone else equally tech-savvy talk about gizmos, gadgets and other techie things! And, yes, for this edition we do indeed have the one and only Peter Gredig back in the saddle/tradeshow chair to talk about, of all things, the cloud. The what, you say?… Read More
What does NHL hockey, the weather, German apps and fanny packs have to do with mobile technology? Come, let me show you. In this edition of the always informative but rarely serious AgNerds, Shaun Haney is joined by someone other that the elusive Peter Gredig. Yes, it’s true, Rick Taillieu, Winnipeg Jets fan number 1… Read More
What’s your technology mix? Phone and a laptop, phone, tablet and a laptop, or desktop, phone and a tablet? Or something else entirely? It’s an expensive trial, this getting the right mix of useful gadgets, so certified AgNerds Shaun Haney and Peter Gredig decided to tackle the question. Inspired by Shaun’s adoption of the lamely-named… Read More
The release of the iPhone 5 came, as usual, with a lot of fanfare and then a wake of criticism following behind it. The biggest criticism legitimately targeted Apple’s new mapping system which has been buggy from the word go. The backlash even coaxed a very rare apology out of Apple CEO Tim Cook. The… Read More
This past week Apple won a patent case against Samsung and was awarded one billion dollars for its troubles. This battle is not over and there will be months and maybe years of appeals, countersuits and more intellectual property lawyers getting filthy rich. In this episode of the AgNerds, Shaun Haney and Peter Gredig discuss… Read More
It’s always a good thing when you see social media being used in a helpful and constructive way. It’s not that a picture of a bacon sundae isn’t important to share with the world, it’s just that there may be a slightly more beneficial way to utilize the camera on your mobile phone. Take for… Read More
Processors are becoming smaller and faster all the time. Its those attributes that have given rise to the flurry of powerful mobile devices we see today. Todays phone or tablet is faster than most desktops or laptops that existed even 5 years ago and just as powerful or as useful as a great deal that… Read More
Winter is almost over, and with that, so goes the season full of trade-shows, meetings and seminars. As busy as it is for all those involved, it serves it’s purpose well. Farmers and ag-industry folks alike gather together to talk and share ideas and issues that are important to them. The feedback that comes from… Read More
Through the January farm show season I continued to run into people that said to me that they were getting a Blackberry Playbook or had just bought one. Whether its the $200 price point or the the increased interest in tablets, it seems to me that the Blackberry Playbook finally has some appeal. It would… Read More