Shopify says shift toward e-commerce is permanent as Q1 net income soars to US$1.26B

Posted by & filed under COVID-19.

Shopify Inc. executives believe the shift toward online sales triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic is here to stay. Chief executive Tobi Lutke and president Harley Finkelstein said Wednesday that early patterns emerging in lockdown-free countries like New Zealand and Australia show consumers have embraced e-commerce even after COVID-19 restrictions are lifted — and they expect… Read more »

Provinces aren’t using COVID Alert app properly or widely enough, says report

Posted by & filed under App Economy, COVID-19, IT and Politics.

The federal government is urging the provinces to use its COVID Alert app properly and more widely after a new report said that only five per cent of those who have tested positive for the virus have been given the information required to register their results. An interim report from a federal advisory council said that while the app has… Read more »

How 3 brothers solved a tech glitch that was crashing Alberta’s COVID-19 vaccine booking tool

Posted by & filed under Consumer Technology, COVID-19, Systems Development.

Within minutes of its 8 a.m. opening on Wednesday morning, the Alberta system allowing seniors to book for the COVID-19 vaccine had crashed. By noon, a trio of Edmonton brothers had figured out the problem on the website and posted a solution on Twitter to help others sidestep the glitch. The issue, according to Kory Mathewson,… Read more »

‘Smart’ face masks promise high-tech protection

Posted by & filed under Consumer Technology, COVID-19.

Face masks have become an everyday item due to the spread of coronavirus. But now some brands are exploring ways to add hi-tech features focused on safety and utility. Source: BBC News Date: February 19th, 2021 Link to 3 minute 51 second video: https://www.bbc.com/news/av/technology-56114512 Discussion Useful tech gadget, or gimmick? What makes the difference? How… Read more »

The Future of Work

Posted by & filed under COVID-19, Digital Transformation.

“If AI (Artificial Intelligence is the engine, data is the fuel”. This video from technology consulting firm Cognizant does a very nice job of overviewing the digital transformation that companies need to get on board with. Source: Cognizant Date: January 14th, 2021 Link to 5 minute video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KaV15TrfC_o&feature=youtu.be Discussion The move to digital, digital transformation,… Read more »

The Complete Beginner’s Guide To FinTech Everyone Can Understand

Posted by & filed under COVID-19, FinTech.

You may have heard the relatively new term “FinTech” bandied about, but what actually is it? And why is it important for all entrepreneurs to know about and understand? FinTech stands for Financial Technologies, and in its broadest definition, that’s exactly what it is: technologies used and applied in the financial services sector, chiefly used by financial… Read more »

Few provinces still resisting COVID Alert app as new features under consideration

Posted by & filed under App Economy, COVID-19.

Quebec has joined the COVID Alert app, leaving B.C. and Alberta as the only remaining provinces with no immediate plans to activate the digital tool. Both Nova Scotia and P.E.I. have committed to joining in the coming days. The federal government-administered smartphone app allows users to report a positive coronavirus test and alert others of… Read more »