James Dyson Award now open for entries

If you’re a university or college student studying product design, industrial design, and engineering and have a great idea you want to implement, the James Dyson Award is now looking for entries for this year’s competition. The competition looks for solutions to real-life problems from young scientists or engineers. But participants are encouraged to use less and design with the environment in mind. This year, the competition is open to 20 countries. Now, students in Taiwan and Hong Kong can also join. The international winner can stand a chance to win $54,000 for himself/herself and $9,000 for his/her university department.

The competition will be open for entries until July 2. The entrants will need to submit evidence of prototypes as well as stories detailing their design process and inspiration. The international winner will be announced by James Dyson on November 10. You can find out more information here.

Samsung takes a $12 billion value hit after Apple patent lawsuit verdict

By Gadjo Cardenas Sevilla

Losing  the initial patent infringement case against Apple is going to cost Samsung. More than the $1 billion it has to pay Apple for damages, it is also taking a hit where it hurts, in its value. The Korean consumer electronics and components giant saw 7.5 of its shares slump early Monday resulting in the loss of $12 billion of its value. Still reeling from last week's jury verdict at the San Jose federal court, that found that Samsung willfully copied Apple's patents and ordered the latter to pay over $1 billion in damages, Samsung now faces some financial consequences for that ruling which it said it will appeal.

Click to read more ...

Samsung announces first Canadian retail store in Burnaby, B.C.

Samsung's trying its hand at the retail experience starting in Burnaby, BC

Samsung is taking the competition against Apple and Sony one step further by launching its own retail store experience. Samsung Electronics Canada today announced that construction has commenced on the first Samsung branded store in Burnaby, B.C. Located in the Metropolis at Metrotown.

The Samsung store will feature the latest mobile, personal computing, and consumer electronics products, in a standalone retail location.

“Samsung is excited to bring a new level of retail experience to Canadians,” said James Politeski, President of Samsung Electronics Canada. “Our vision is to provide an immersive space where consumers can interact with our products in totally new ways and enjoy unprecedented service levels.”

With unique design elements and a broad product offering, the Samsung store will provide Canadian consumers with a premium retail experience. The store will showcase Samsung’s technology leadership and enable consumers to experience firsthand the power of sharing content across multiple products.

“The launch of our Burnaby location is part of a larger retail strategy designed to offer Canadians an extraordinary environment to interact with the Samsung products they’re most passionate about,” added Politeski.

The Samsung store is slated to open Summer 2012.  

Mobilicity raises $215 million of new financing

Showing that it is here to stay and that it intends to continue competing against the incumbents, Mobilicity enhanced its leadership position as Canada’s rising new wireless carrier, announcing that it has raised $215 million through a debt offering.

Click to read more ...