Apple Maps fiasco claims iPhone vice president

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Scott Forstall

The head of Apple’s iPhone and IPad Software Department has been fired for the embarrassing failure of the Apple Map Project. Scott Forstall, who has been with Apple since 1997, was let go this week after the September debacle related to Apple’s feud with Google over Android. The company kicked Google off its devices and tried to replace the mapping function with its own. It didn’t work. In the end, Apple was forced into a humiliating retreat and apology in which it advised iPhone and iPad users to go to Google where it they could to access maps.  Forstall’s responsibilities will be divided among other Apple veterans such as Jony Ives, Eddy Cue, and Craig Federighi.

Hydro says about 30,000 now without power

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The force of the winds smacking Toronto last night is seen in this fallen Red Oak, a tree with huge roots said to be 100 years. The couple living in the badly damaged house were asleep at 1 am on Neville Park Blvd. when the tree toppled onto their home. They escaped unhurt. Picture from embed CBC video   Toronto Hydro has issued its No 7 Update of Storm Sandy indicating that work goes on by daylight to restore power fully. Here is part of the Hydro update: “With the help of daylight, crews are working to remove safety hazards associated with downed wires and trees, conducting full damage assessments, coordinating extensive repairs, and are restoring power where possible. We have over 300 outages affecting approximately 32,000 customers to respond to and crews are being assigned. All planned work has been stopped and all available crews are dedicated to power restoration efforts. The damage was most severe at 4 a.m. this morning. We have reduced the number of customers affected from more than 60,000 down to 32,000 currently.”

Gripping scenes of storm’s effect on New York

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5 am. bulletin says about 55,000 without power

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Toronto Hydro’s Update  No. 6 since the onslaught of Sandy was issued at 5 a.m. and reported that approximately 55,000 customers were without power. “Crews are preparing for a busy day of restoration. The outage count will fluctuate over the next few hours as customers wake to discover they are without power. Toronto Hydro will have a better damage assessment once our morning crews are in the field”” the report said. From what can be read, there were no reports of major disruptions. Sporadic power outages occurred in Moore Park and parts of Davisville and  neighborhoods north of Eglinton Ave. E. It appears as if power has been restored.  Some homeowners found window screens and other small parts blown off. It is time for a check of the shingles.  

Shocking aberration of Toronto after dark

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We are given a glimpse of what can go wrong during a weekend night out by young people in downtown Toronto. This fracas occurred  around 3 am. Saturday at the Pho Xe Lua Restaurant on Spadina Rd. (It’s also known as Train). Someone shot video and loaded it to YouTube where it has accumulated more than 300,000 plays so far. It appears as if it might have begun with a couple of young women fighting over seating and it isn’t pretty. But before it is over two or three very belligerent men keep the fight going. A server trying to separate the women takes a plate on her head. She seemed to be okay. All very unfortunate as dozens of patrons treat the fight as entertainment, cheering and hooting as it progresses. Happily not a typical night out at a restaurant in Toronto

Hydro providing bulletins on power outages

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At 7 pm. Toronto Hydro Storm Update Centre reported a total of 48 outage events effecting some 2,596 customers. It appears that Hydro is providing regular bulletins on this page. Also check the Toronto Hydro Power Outage Map 

Holt Renfrew to open discount chain “hr2”

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Holt Renfrew has announced it is going to open a new stand-alone line of “discount” stores that will carry “high fashion” to new consumers.  It is said the stores will be between 25,000 and 30,000 square feet, smaller than traditional Holt Renfrew locations and designed in a more open concept style (i.e. one big room like Winners). Most current Holt Renfrew stores are between 60,000 and 80,000 square feet.  Sounds like something we might see popping up “east of Laird.” Some little friends for Winners, Marhsalls and the rest of gang. Then there’s the Nordstrom’s factor. The big super service departrent store is going into Sherway Plaza and other Canadian locations. 

New flu vaccine statements today

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Here is a Canadian Press story quoting Health Canada and the vaccine maker Novartis essentially trying to allay concern that two of the firm’s vaccines have been suspended from use. The discovery of clumps of viral proteins is not unusual, they say. The company says those who have received the vaccine are not at risk and that Novartis is confident the vaccines are safe. All of this is no doubt true. But it does beg the question of why it is necessary to suspend their use.  CP story

Enviro-Can says wind will be the main issue

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Environment Canada has issued a wind warning for Toronto and most of southern Ontario, as residents prepare for the remnants of Hurricane Sandy to arrive Monday evening. Winds of 60 km/h — gusting up to 100 km/h — are expected. inds of 60 km/h — gusting up to

Woman hurt in hit and run on Yonge at Eglinton

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A woman has been injured as she tried to cross Yonge St. north of Eglinton Ave Sunday night. She was hit by a car whose driver sped off.  Yonge is now closed in both directions at Roehampton Ave as police investigate.  The woman is said to have head injuries but her condition is not known. 

“No sale” for plush home at Bridle Path auction

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Bridle Path auction results.   Scroll to bottom for list of what sold and what was paid.

Health Canada fails to explain “viral proteins”

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Health Canada should dig down and find some decent answers for those who have already taken flu shots this season. Its decision to ban the use of  flu vaccines from the Italian plants of the firm Novartis offers no information as to what is going on. It’s said that the vaccines, FluAd and Agriflu, contained clumps of viral proteins in some of the vaccine batches. Yes.  And what?  So far it seems Health Canada doesn’t think there is an “And what?”  We understand that the government doesn’t want to undermine the flu vaccine program. But as public information goes, this is about as unsatisfactory as it gets. “We’re cancelling a bunch of flu vaccine because some of it has this funny stuff in it. See ya later.” Ontario’s Chief Medical Officer of Health Arlene King says the provincial flu program is safe, but she doesn’t have anything specific to say either. There are other vaccines, she says. Well, that’s great. What about the people who got the potentially funny stuff? To recall a vaccine without telling those who got it exactly what they should, or should not, expect is like trying to defy gravity. Now the drug firm itself has said in a statement that  more than one million doses of its flu vaccines have been administered in Europe this season and no unexpected adverse events have been reported. That’s nice to hear. But it’s still  doesn’t address the reasonable questions the public might have about “clumps of viral proteins.”