blogTO | Posts by Tim

blogTO | Posts by Tim http://www.blogto.com/ Toronto blog Copyright 2013 Thu, 23 May 2013 00:54:49 EDT http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Toronto bars, pubs, late night eats (now an iPhone app) Today we're excited to announce the release of our newest iPhone app. Following in the footsteps of our main blogTO app and our summer patio guide app we now have a third app to add to our roster: the Toronto bars, pubs and late night eats app.

As the name suggests, this new app, sponsored by Questrade, is intended to serve as your go-to guide for a night out in Toronto. The app not only includes photos and need-to-know details about hundred of locals bars and pubs but it's the first app that we know of that helps you satisfy those 3am hunger cravings after last call.

]]> http://www.blogto.com/eat_drink/2013/02/toronto_bars_pubs_late_night_eats_now_an_iphone_app http://www.blogto.com/eat_drink/2013/02/toronto_bars_pubs_late_night_eats_now_an_iphone_app Eat & Drink Wed, 13 Feb 2013 12:18:11 EST Eat & Drink Tim 2013-02-13T12:18:11 Demand for chalk artistry in Toronto keeps growing It was only this past June that I wrote about Rajiv Surendra's work as a chalk artist in Toronto. Since that time, business has boomed and he's been busy doing larger, indoor chalk boards for restaurants like John & Son's Oyster House and entire walls in offices spaces including one in the headquarters of Kraft Foods Canada (seen above). I caught up with Surenda over the holidays to find out what's up with all the demand for his work.

]]> http://www.blogto.com/arts/2012/12/demand_for_chalk_artistry_in_toronto_keeps_growing http://www.blogto.com/arts/2012/12/demand_for_chalk_artistry_in_toronto_keeps_growing Arts Fri, 21 Dec 2012 15:07:45 EST Arts Tim 2012-12-21T15:07:45 TasteAway enters the Toronto restaurant delivery space Over the past couple of years there's been heated competition in the online restaurant delivery space in Toronto. Two main competitors - Just Eat and OrderIt - have been blanketing the city, signing up restaurants to help them reach hungry diners everywhere. Now, there's a new player in town. TasteAway launched earlier this fall and is starting to create some inroads with restaurants such as Amaya Express, Thai Room and Ginger among its current crop of customers.

Earlier this week I connected with founder Constantine Daicos who told me he's been in the industry for three years after stating a site called MenuBaby in Oakville. What he hopes to create with TasteAway is (in his words) a better, more visual marketplace for customers to..."eat with their eyes" and he wants to offer restaurant customers better tools than the competition.

]]> http://www.blogto.com/tech/2012/12/tasteaway_enters_the_toronto_restaurant_delivery_space http://www.blogto.com/tech/2012/12/tasteaway_enters_the_toronto_restaurant_delivery_space Tech Fri, 21 Dec 2012 14:48:52 EST Tech Tim 2012-12-21T14:48:52 Does new doc redeem Ben Johnson? As I've noted, one of my favourite films at this year's TIFF was a documentary about the men's 100 meter dash at the 1988 Seoul Olympics. In the ESPN produced doc, director Daniel Gordon snagged access to all 8 athletes in the race and gets their perspectives on who was and wasn't cheating and reveals that the US track and field team may have arranged for a friend of Carl Lewis' to spike Ben Johnson's beer with steroids just before his career defining drug test.

I was drawn to this film because I've always had a soft spot for Johnson. I used to watch him race back when the track meets at Copps Coliseum were a big deal. Like many Canadians I was shocked and disappointed with what transpired in Seoul but I always felt this one time national icon was too much the fall guy for what was wrong with amateur sport. Now, it seems like many others might agree. At the world premiere screening at TIFF, both the film and Johnson received an enthusiastic standing ovation.

]]> http://www.blogto.com/film/2012/09/does_new_doc_redeem_ben_johnson http://www.blogto.com/film/2012/09/does_new_doc_redeem_ben_johnson Film Tue, 18 Sep 2012 13:56:21 EDT Film Tim 2012-09-18T13:56:21 TIFF 2012 award winners The TIFF 2012 award winning films were announced earlier this afternoon at a brunch reception (see menu here) at the Intercontinental Toronto Centre. Leading up to the announcement there was some intrigue whether the much raved about Paul Thomas Anderson film The Master would win any hardware or whether TIFF would follow the lead of Venice and pull some surprises.

Last year, some might recall, most of the honored films didn't make much news post-festival. Few (if any) had any box office or critical success when it came to year-end award season. Anyone who's seen a single screening at TIFF this year will notice that TIFF now likes to trump how its award winners go on to have future critical and commercial success. The fact that American Beauty, Slumdog Millionaire and The King's Speech all previously won awards at TIFF was endlessly plugged in cinemas during the last 11 days.

]]> http://www.blogto.com/film/2012/09/tiff_2012_award_winners http://www.blogto.com/film/2012/09/tiff_2012_award_winners Film Sun, 16 Sep 2012 12:28:58 EDT Film Tim 2012-09-16T12:28:58 Is Garth Drabinsky poised for a comeback? One of the more intriguing Canadian films that screened at this year's TIFF chronicled one time theatre impresario Garth Drabinsky. Few would argue that the quality and reputation of theatre in Toronto was never as great then during Drabinsky's reign - an all too brief period of time in the early 90s that saw the staging of mega-productions like Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Kiss of the Spider Woman, Ragtime and Show Boat.

Many will remember how the story ended - with theatre production company Livent in ruins and Drabinsky and partner Myron Gottlieb behind bars. But this new film, Show Stopper: The Theatrical Life of Garth Drabinsky, takes us on an entertaining journey of Drabinsky's early years through to the present, and can't help make us wonder if the subject is poised for a second act.

]]> http://www.blogto.com/film/2012/09/is_garth_drabinsky_poised_for_a_comeback http://www.blogto.com/film/2012/09/is_garth_drabinsky_poised_for_a_comeback Film Sat, 15 Sep 2012 18:00:02 EDT Film Tim 2012-09-15T18:00:02 Filmmakers set up shark to help sell film at TIFF Anyone who's been in the vicinity of The Hyatt on King during the last 24 hours will likely have noticed the head of a shark in the parking lot across the street. The marketing stunt is courtesy of a trio of Massachusetts-based filmmakers who are seeking distribution for their new film The Golden Scallop and figure setting up shop across from TIFF headquarters is as good a tactic as any to get attention.

]]> http://www.blogto.com/film/2012/09/filmmakers_set_up_shark_to_help_sell_film_at_tiff http://www.blogto.com/film/2012/09/filmmakers_set_up_shark_to_help_sell_film_at_tiff Film Fri, 07 Sep 2012 13:15:54 EDT Film Tim 2012-09-07T13:15:54 Target takes over Toronto hotel for TIFF Target might not have any Canadian-based stores yet but that hasn't stopped them from making a splash at TIFF. For the duration of the festival, the mammoth US-based retailer has done a takeover of the 7 story Templar Hotel near Adelaide and Peter Streets. The hotel has been transformed with splashes of the familiar Target red and bullseye and is intended to function as both a festival event space and hangout spot for filmmakers, industry and media.

]]> http://www.blogto.com/film/2012/09/target_takes_over_toronto_hotel_for_tiff http://www.blogto.com/film/2012/09/target_takes_over_toronto_hotel_for_tiff Film Thu, 06 Sep 2012 23:34:02 EDT Film Tim 2012-09-06T23:34:02 Uber launches taxi service in Toronto Just a day after we mentioned that Hailo has expanded to Toronto and plans to launch in the next few weeks, Uber has seemingly beat them to the punch and this afternoon will begin offering taxi service in Toronto. Yes, Uber customers will now have the ability to select taxis in addition to the black towncar and SUV options currently available.

This is the second city (following Chicago's lead) where Uber has expanded their offerings to include taxis. Like Hailo, Uber is working directly with taxi drivers (not local cab companies) and providing iPhones, training and other incentives to get them involved in the program.

]]> http://www.blogto.com/tech/2012/08/uber_launches_taxi_service_in_toronto http://www.blogto.com/tech/2012/08/uber_launches_taxi_service_in_toronto Tech Fri, 31 Aug 2012 09:34:15 EDT Tech Tim 2012-08-31T09:34:15 Urban Hamper brings dry cleaning to your smartphone Next up taxis, then dry cleaning? Mobile solutions and apps for everyday things seem to be everywhere they days (yup, we're guilty too) and I suppose getting your laundry done (or at least, your shirts and pants cleaned and pressed) is no exception. Enter Urban Hamper which plans to launch its service in Toronto on September 4th.

While not technically an app, Urban Hamper is an online and smartphone solution that makes it easy (or easier) to get your dry cleaning done. To date, the company has partnered with 5 local dry cleaners (Access Cleaners, Olive Cleaners, 99 Cleaner, Queens Quay Cleaners and Classy Dry Cleaners) as well as condos, offices and retailers that will function as designated drop off locations.

Basically, Urban Hamper will allow its customers to place dry cleaning orders online (or via their mobile and tablet optimized site), drop off the clothes at a drop-off location and then have the clean clothes delivered next day to their home or office.

]]> http://www.blogto.com/tech/2012/08/urban_hamper_brings_dry_cleaning_to_your_smartphone http://www.blogto.com/tech/2012/08/urban_hamper_brings_dry_cleaning_to_your_smartphone Tech Thu, 30 Aug 2012 00:29:52 EDT Tech Tim 2012-08-30T00:29:52 Hailocab to launch mobile taxi service in Toronto Hailocab is coming in Toronto. Er, make that, they're already in Toronto. Anyone who has taken the 501 Queen streetcar east of Yonge in recent months will likely have noticed a yellow Hailocab sign at 219 Queen Street East, just across from Moss Park near Sherbourne. The UK-based company established a Toronto office in July and plans to start service in Toronto, New York, Chicago and Boston in the coming weeks.

In the past month the company has been busy signing up local cab drivers with the promise of getting them more passengers and earning more money. They estimate Hailocab drivers can earn 20-30% more money per shift. They've been wooing drivers by offering free gas as a sign-up bonus.

]]> http://www.blogto.com/tech/2012/08/hailocab_to_launch_mobile_taxi_service_in_toronto http://www.blogto.com/tech/2012/08/hailocab_to_launch_mobile_taxi_service_in_toronto Tech Wed, 29 Aug 2012 22:42:13 EDT Tech Tim 2012-08-29T22:42:13 OCAD U to use mobile app to improve campus security In the wake of recent on campus security issues at some of Toronto's university and college campuses it's nice to see OCAD U taking a proactive approach with the adoption of new, student-friendly technology. What's even better is that the technology is being provided by Guardly (see our previous post on them here), a start-up based in Toronto with 5 full time employees.

I connected with Guardly CEO Josh Sookman earlier this week who told me their implementation of Guardly on OCAD U's campus comes after a rigorous beta testing period that lasted almost two years and resulted in Guardly making a number of improvements to their offering based on student feedback. The company happens to be a graduate of OCAD U's Mobile Experience Innovation Centre incubator program, where a six-month residency led to the development of the technology's core infrastructure and Guardly's first iPhone app.

]]> http://www.blogto.com/tech/2012/08/ocad_u_to_use_mobile_app_to_improve_campus_security http://www.blogto.com/tech/2012/08/ocad_u_to_use_mobile_app_to_improve_campus_security Tech Wed, 29 Aug 2012 10:28:06 EDT Tech Tim 2012-08-29T10:28:06 Have you downloaded our Patio Guide iPhone app? A few weeks ago we launched what we believe is the world's first ever patio guide iPhone app. It's a guide to more than 300 of Toronto's best patios and lets you look up patios nearby, by neighbourhood and by a host of other criteria (more on that below). The app is free and can be downloaded from the iTunes store here.

Along with the app we launched this companion Patio Guide web site that includes all the same useful information and is synched with the app should you want to share patio info with your friends or create a list of favourite patios.

]]> http://www.blogto.com/tech/2012/08/have_you_downloaded_our_patio_guide_iphone_app http://www.blogto.com/tech/2012/08/have_you_downloaded_our_patio_guide_iphone_app Tech Wed, 22 Aug 2012 16:01:07 EDT Tech Tim 2012-08-22T16:01:07 Get the new 2012/13 Toronto neighbourhood maps The latest edition of our Toronto neighbourhood maps is now available. As many of you know, each year blogTO braches out into the non digital world and prints a series of guides to some of the most popular areas in Toronto. Each map features photos and write-ups of local restaurants, bars, coffee houses, fashion, design shops and other local businesses as well as big map indicating where they're located.

This year, we have created three separate maps that feature the following neighbourhoods:

Maps are mainly distributed via many of the local businesses featured within. You can find them in the above neighbourhoods, often in a little red stand that has a big blogTO logo on it. They're free. For a small shipping and handling fee, however, the complete set can be ordered online via this page.

]]> http://www.blogto.com/city/2012/08/get_the_new_201213_toronto_neighbourhood_maps http://www.blogto.com/city/2012/08/get_the_new_201213_toronto_neighbourhood_maps City Fri, 03 Aug 2012 07:27:08 EDT City Tim 2012-08-03T07:27:08 Quench wants you to re-fill your water bottle They're everywhere - those blue window decals that suddenly popped up at stores, restaurants and cafes earlier this summer. But what is Quench and who is behind it? I recently connected with Tyler Miffin, the director and co-host of an award-winning TVO documentary series called The Water Brothers who filled me in on these very questions.

As it turns out, Miffin and his brother are the masterminds behind Quench - an app that has been downloaded thousands of times and is now available for iPhone, Android and Blackberry smartphones. The basic idea of the app is to help people find the closest place around them where they can get a free drink of water, or a place that will refill their reusable water bottles for free.

To date, there are more than 1200 refill stations around Toronto that will fill peoples water bottles for free, and there are plans to expand the program (and app) to other cities.

]]> http://www.blogto.com/environment/2012/07/quench_wants_you_to_re-fill_your_water_bottle http://www.blogto.com/environment/2012/07/quench_wants_you_to_re-fill_your_water_bottle Environment Fri, 13 Jul 2012 17:55:57 EDT Environment Tim 2012-07-13T17:55:57