andPOP » Jeff Justiz

Review: Chargepod Cuts Down On Chargers

Jeff Justiz — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 04:36:37 +0000

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Anytime a person like me packs for a trip, you need to pack all your gadgets. And with your gadgets, comes all the individual chargers to keep it running. Anytime I have brought my cell phone, iPod, PDA, satellite radio, digital camera, and PSP anywhere, I’ve had to stuff my bag with tonnes of cords. Companies are now starting to work on solutions to cut down the number of chargers you need, preferably to 1.

One such company is Callpod, with their Chargepod. The Chargepod is a cool device that lets you plug in up to 6 mobile devices at once. Looking at their website, they have tips for just about every portable device I own, except the digital camera which no one seems to have anyway.

One knock is that it doesn’t include any tips for any devices. They offer a bundle for $40 more that includes a car adapter, and six tips. The device itself, with 6 items in it, can be a little flimsy, if you need to move it around. The tips seem to be longer than necessary adding to this.

Many of my comparisons using it are to the iGo system I’ve used for a few years now. Chargepod doesn’t include laptop charging, though a newer model does. Where Chargepod beats iGo is that iGo only lets you charge 2 portable devices at once, to Chargepod’s 6. iGo’s system is also very difficult about charging iPods with another item. Chargepod passes this test with flying colours, when it charged my iPhone and my iPod Nano at the same time… and a Blackberry.

The Chargepod comes with a convenient travel case. And the car adapter is available separately. Great for those times you find yourself in the middle of nowhere on a family car ride, and everyone’s cell phone is dead. You can choose one phone to charge, or 6.

Despite the clunkiness of the design, it gets the job done effectively. You don’t need to throw a bunch of chargers with their messy cords into your suitcase or carry-on anymore. This one device is enough, which bodes well for any nervous airport baggage screeners… and in turn, you.

Price: $39.95 USD
http://www.callpod.com

Review: Myvu Glasses Ready To Take Off

Jeff Justiz — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 17:40:40 +0000

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Years ago, I was flipping through the pages of a catalogue on an airplane and saw what at the time was the greatest invention I had ever seen: A pair of sunglasses with a built-in TV. It advertised that you could sit on the beach and watch your kids while simultaneously watching television. I had dreamt of getting them, and even started saving in hopes of buying that $800 contraption I had only seen a picture of in a catalogue.

I never bought them. In fact, I put the catalogue back in the seat pocket, and left it just as a dream. But with the advent of portable media players such as the iPod and the Zune, it was only a matter of time that a contraption like that would make the leap from niche gadget to mainstream product. So when the Myvu Crystal came my way, I jumped at the chance to play with it.

The glasses themselves are a very sleek design. As I put them on, I noticed they didn’t obstruct my entire view beyond the glasses. I wasn’t sure if this was good or bad, since I could easily be distracted by what was around me, though it also meant I would see something important around me, like if I were on a plane, I’d see a food tray coming and know to move my legs in. The headphones are in-ear style, which would normally be great except this was a loaner from the company that had already been used at least once. At least they put 3 different pairs of covers in the package, though the ones that would have fit me best were the used ones.

The setup itself was easy enough. Plug the glasses into the controller. Choose the gadget you’re watching on, and plug in the corresponding connector to the other side of the controller. If the glasses are low on power, plug in a mini-USB into the controller to charge the battery. Turn it on and go. Seems simple enough.

The first item I tested this with was an iPhone 3G. Imagine my surprise when the first thing that happens is my iPhone giving me the warning that this device was not compatible with it. It suggested I switch to “Airplane Mode.” I declined. I assume the $25 cable sold on the Myvu website eliminates that message. I went to play the movie, but noticed it didn’t start up. As I sat there playing with different settings on the iPhone, I eventually discovered the culprit. In the time it took me to read the warning message and decide what to do – which was 10-15 seconds approximately – the glasses shut themselves off. I turned them back on and away I went.

It took some getting used to, but I had started to get the hang of watching. There are separate screens for each eye, but they are aligned just about perfectly to be seen as one screen. I did notice that the centre of the movie screen would seem slightly fuzzy, like I was watching cross-eyed. This issue eventually faded away as I adjusted to the movie, but eventually, I also noticed that if I tried to look at the sides of the screen, my vision would be a little blurry. Shutting each eye and looking at the edges, it seemed looking at the edges would always be too far out of view for one eye.

I was watching the movie lying down, but I decided to try walking around with them on, while watching the movie. Remember: You can see very easily above and below the screen. The glasses did not have the best fit, so lots of movement caused them to move around a lot. I don’t have this problem with sunglasses. Anytime the glasses moved anywhere other than the proper spot right in front of my eyes, the video would go fuzzy, and I’d have to hold them in place with one hand. I suppose you won’t need to worry if you keep your head against the headrest in a car or airplane.

Having enjoyed the movie, and not having a major complaint about viewing – I’d call these previous comments minor complaints – I decided to try another test. The Myvu Crystal came with connections for an iPod – also with a mini-USB jack in the iPod connector to charge the iPod or iPhone as you watch – as well as standard A/V cables. I hooked it up to my Playstation 2, and tried playing some NHL with it.

NHL was a great game to test these with because it showed me how I needed to take a few tries to get the contrast just right on a mostly white screen. It was also a game with fast action, so I could see if there were any response time issues. There didn’t seem to be. Where issues came up were reading text on the screen, and the glasses’ tendency to slide. Moving my hands really quickly while sitting up caused the glasses to start sliding down my nose, which caused the video to get blurry and small. If anyone had walked by me, they’d see me sitting and playing a game, with my head turned all the way up to keep the glasses in place. It did not do any favours to my back or neck.

The Myvu has to potential to be an incredibly great product. It’s sleek design and convenience for watching movies makes it a great product for people who have over $300 to burn on a gadget of it’s type. For those of us without that luxury, it might be best to wait for some improvements to be made. A better fit for the glasses would be a great start, and interchangeable headphones too. As great of reviews in-ear headphones get, I don’t personally like them. And there could stand to be just a little more room for viewing quality. Finally, 4 hours of battery life means it will last for an entire flight from east to west coast, or east coast to western Europe, minus the take-off and landing. For longer flights, you may have to rely on the airplane video at some point.

Myvu Crystal All-in-One

Retail: $344.85 USD

http://www.myvu.com

‘Iron Man’ Makes $100 million

Jeff Justiz — Sun, 04 May 2008 22:24:07 +0000

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Already a summer blockbuster, “Iron Man” grossed $100.8 million, per studio estimates compiled by Exhibitor Relations Co., making the film second only to “Spider-Man” for comic-book movie debuts. The estimate, however, does not include the movie’s Thursday night sneak preview which could include about another $4 million.

The Marvel comic adaptation had an opening bigger than those of “Batman Begins” ($48.7 million), “Superman Returns” ($52.5 million), the first two “X-Men” movies and “Spider-Man”.

This is quite the success for lead actor Robert Downing Jr., who has never fronted a movie that grossed $100 million during its entire run.
Among any kind of movie, “Iron Man” posted the 10th biggest and best three-day opening ever. It is the No. 2 debut of all time for a non-sequel, behind only Spiderman’s $114.8 million.

Search For Canada’s Most Talented Performers Begins Tonight

Jeff Justiz — Sun, 07 Oct 2007 15:21:03 +0000

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A nation-wide search is now in effect, causing competition between frenzied young actor-singer-dancers desperate to attain the title of Triple Sensation.

These chosen ones will compete for a shot at a dream-come-true Indigo & Chapters $150,000 scholarship prize to study at one of the best theatrical training institutions in the world.

This major three-episode television event will follow the hopeful contestants through the national open-call auditions through to the nail-biting tension of the Marquee Panel sessions. Here, the semi-finalists will be challenged to prove their talents to seats full of internationally acclaimed award-winning theatre legends.

Just a handful of these contestants will have what it takes to make it to Master Class, a grueling month-long intensive study program (or boot camp) with a faculty of instructors from prestigious theatre training institutes spanning all across the world.

Then will come the stressfully stunning elimination rounds, where the talent will be picked off one by one until only one remains — Canada’s TRIPLE SENSATION.

Don’t miss this entertaining premiere tonight, Sunday, Oct. 7 at 8:00 p.m. on CBC-TV.

TV’s Crocodile Hunter Killed By Stingray

Jeff Justiz — Mon, 04 Sep 2006 02:00:50 +0000

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Steve Irwin, more popularly known to television and movie audiences as “The Crocodile Hunter,” was killed Monday morning by a stingray barb that went through his chest. He was 44.

Irwin was filming an underwater documentary at Batt Reef, east of the coastal city of Port Douglas in Australia’s Queensland territory. Irwin had a puncture wound on his left chest, and was pronounced dead at the scene when an emergency services helicopter arrived at 11 a.m. local time, 9 p.m. Eastern time, Sunday night.

His wife, American-born Terri, was filming her own documentary in Tasmania at the time, and was notified, but not until after Australia’s Daily Telegraph reported the news.

In addition to Terri, he leaves behind two children, 8-year-old daughter Bindi, and 3-year-old son Robert.

Telus Adds XM Radio To Mobile Offerings

Jeff Justiz — Wed, 12 Jul 2006 21:48:11 +0000

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Telus has become the first cell phone company in Canada to offer satellite radio on cell phones, choosing XM as its partner. The service will be provided over Telus’ high-speed data lines, as opposed to using the XM satellites, and therefore can be used anywhere a cell phone can without needing line-of-sight to the southern sky.

The service is available to customers for $15/month, or is included if customers subscribe to the SPARK 25 bundle for $25. It is only available on the Samsung A950 and the LG8100 phones.

While XM Canada currently offers 100 channels, Telus will only stream 20 of them: 18 music channels, as well as XM Comedy and High Voltage, which features XM?s signature shock jocks, and thorn in Howard Stern?s side, Opie & Anthony. XM?s 18 music channels are all commercial-free. Though XM has exclusive deals with the NHL and Major League Baseball, these will not be offered.

One oddity of the deal is that only one channel ? The Verge ? is one of CRTC?s mandated Canadian-produced channels. Satellite radios in Canada require 10 per cent Canadian content, while Telus only offers 5 per cent.

Choosing to use a satellite radio provider to provide customers with commercial-free music from their favourite genre is becoming popular. Rather than having to create their own music content, businesses can outsource to a company that specializes in this service. In the United States, Sprint partnered with Sirius to offer satellite radio on cell phones, while airlines JetBlue and ATA offer passengers XM on their flights, as opposed to traditional airlines that offer their own inflight music. Also, DirecTV customers can get XM on their televisions while Dish Network customers receive Sirius. This deal, however, is the first of its kind in Canada.

Microsoft Planning iPod-Killer

Jeff Justiz — Mon, 10 Jul 2006 19:19:16 +0000

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Microsoft has decided to enter the MP3 hardware market. While companies have partnered with Microsoft to develop their own iPod-killers using Microsoft?s Windows Media format, none have succeeded in putting a blemish on Apple?s stronghold. So Microsoft will take a page out of Apple?s books and create a player that will run only their format.

Microsoft is rumoured to have been showing the new player to record companies the last few weeks, toting a bigger screen with a higher screen resolution as well as WiFi capabilities to download music without being attached to a computer, and to allow users to connect to networks with other users and compare tastes and interests.

The player is expected to be released around Christmas, and Microsoft is said to be putting extensive marketing dollars behind it. One of their biggest draws is rumoured to be a free download promotion. Their media software will actually scan a users iTunes folder and look for purchased music, and then offer the user the opportunity to download it free. As if Microsoft hasn?t done enough copying from Apple already, now they?re going to copy your Apple playlist. Microsoft will still pay the required amount to the record labels.

Microsoft responded by saying they have nothing to announce, and that the information of this product is based on rumours and speculation.

Neutral Milk Hotel’s Jeff Mangum Returns

Jeff Justiz — Wed, 28 Jun 2006 16:12:49 +0000

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Jeff Mangum, the notoriously elusive front-man of Neutral Milk Hotel and all-around Elephant 6 icon, has emerged from his hiding place in the caverns of indie rock history.

Over the weekend, a message from Mangum was posted on E6 Townhall, the Elephant 6 message board, under the screenname “Nigh.”

“For the past few months I’ve been putting together the pieces of everything I’ve written in the past three years and it’s been a revelation,” read the posting. “I still don’t know how we’re going to put it all together, the songs will have more noises and collages in them.”

Mangum went on to say that he’s not sure under what name the songs will be relased, or even when fans might get a taste. He did say, however, that a number of live performances would probably be announced sometime soon.

Mangum concluded the message by writing, “So that’s all. Everything is happening soon, this is the year. Thanks for listening. Jeff.”

The last proper release from Mangum was Neutral Milk Hotel’s classic 1998 album, “In the Aeroplane Over the Sea.”

Black Eyed Peas to Perform at Grey Cup

Jeff Justiz — Wed, 07 Sep 2005 21:26:12 +0000

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The CFL announced today that the Black Eyed Peas will be performing 3 songs at halftime of the Grey Cup on November 27 at BC Place in Vancouver.

Jully Black, who has opened for the Peas on their current tour, will sing the national anthem before the game.

The performance will air on the live television broadcast of the game, but no mention of who that broadcaster will be was announced.

CBC is the usual broadcaster for the game, but in light of its current labour situation, the CFL been moving some games over to TSN, including this past Monday’s Toronto vs. Hamilton Labour Day Classic game, which drew a network record for a regular season game with 791,000 viewers, compared to 584,000 for CBC’s Edmonton vs. Calgary game, without broadcasters.

In conjunction with this announcement, Best Buy announced a contest to send 10 fans to Vancouver for the game with field level tickets, and backstage passes to meet the Black Eyed Peas.

The CFL made the announcement as “Don’t Phunk With My Heart” spent much of the summer on top of the charts, and “Don’t Lie” is currently near the top. No word on whether they’ve told Fergie “Don’t have a wardrobe malfunction on stage.”

Apple Announces Music Phone, New iPod

Jeff Justiz — Wed, 07 Sep 2005 20:26:06 +0000

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Apple today held a large press event in San Francisco to update their music offerings for consumers.

The biggest announcement was that of a cell phone by Motorola featuring the iTunes software. The deal between Apple and Motorola was announced last summer, but there were delays in the announcement from earlier this summer that pushed it back to today.

The new phone, called the Motorola ROKR(pronounced “Rocker”), comes with a card that holds 512 MB of music, or about 100 songs.

“The way we think of this phone is, it’s really an iPod shuffle on your phone,” Apple CEO Steve Jobs said at the announcement.

It is a regular cell phone, but at the push of a single button, the iTunes software comes up. The phone is bundled with stereo headphones, and can be used as a regular MP3 player.

When a call comes in, the music stops where it is, and you are able to take the call. The music resumes in the same place when the call ends. Music can be loaded on the phone using iTunes and the included USB cable.

ROKR features many of the same features that typical cell phones carry today including a camera with zoom and flash as well as video record, Bluetooth (though not for loading music), and talk time of up to 6.5 hours and standby time of 260 hours.

At the announcement, Apple revealed that Cingular will be the exclusive provider of the phone in the U.S., selling it for $249.99 with 2 year contract.

Motorola announced that Rogers Wireless is tabbed to sell the phone in Canada later this month. Pricing and terms were not available at press time.

Apple also announced the iPod Nano will be a replacement to the number one selling MP3 player in the world, the iPod Mini.

The Nano is much smaller than the Mini, though big enough that it still has room for a screen. The Nano improves on the Mini in that its screen is in colour. Whereas the Mini used a regular hard drive, the Nano uses a flash drive like the iPod Shuffle, meaning there are no moving parts in the player’s interior. This means there is no worry of skipping when a person is jogging, and the battery lasts much longer.

Even more remarkable is that the length is about the same as an iPod Shuffle, and it’s even flatter than the Shuffle. However it still uses Apple’s regular dock connector, and has room for Apple’s signature click wheel.

The Nano itself comes in and two colours, Apple’s signature white colour, and a new black colour. It is available immediately in Canada for $249 for the 2 GB model, and $299 for the 4 GB model.

Madonna’s 15 albums are now part of the iTunes Music Store, the same day Apple showed her in a new commercial for the Motorola ROKR.

Apple also added all 6 Harry Potter audiobooks to iTunes, and released a special 20GB iPod with the Hogwarts school crest engraved on the back. They teamed up with car manufacturers Audi, Honda, Volkswagen and Acura to include iPod connectivity options to new cars. And they released iTunes 5, which includes customization for the Shuffle feature, a cleaner interface, parental controls on the Music Store as well as album reviews, and a more powerful search feature. For Windows users, it now allows the ability to synchronize contacts and calendars from Outlook onto their iPods. iTunes 5 is now available for download at www.itunes.com.

iTunes Music Store Finally Arrives in Canada

Jeff Justiz — Thu, 02 Dec 2004 14:21:33 +0000

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It was 2 days after Apple?s self-imposed deadline, but music lovers in Canada can finally download from the world?s #1 music download service, the iTunes Music Store. The store went online quietly around midnight Thursday, and then Apple confirmed it hours later in a press release.

The demand across Canada for the iTunes Music Store has been overwhelming,” said Eddy Cue, Apple’s vice president of Applications. “We are excited to be able to offer music fans in Canada their own customized iTunes Music Store featuring many top Canadian artist exclusives.”

Alanis Morissette, Sarah McLachlan and The Tragically Hip all have exclusive tracks for the Canadian version, while McLachlan and K-Os put up exclusive videos.

Songs are being sold for 99 cents each, and albums for $9.99, making them the lowest prices for iTunes songs in the world. Converted to other currencies, it?s 83 cents U.S. (whereas Americans pay 99 cents), 43 pence in Britain (79 pence for the British), and 0.63 in Euros (0.99 for Europeans). Multiply numbers by 10 for album rates.

In October, Apple announced a European-wide iTMS, and at the same time announced the Canadian store would open in November. In late November, Apple announced they were still on track for a November launch, but when November 30 came and went, Canadian Apple fans were left disappointed.

?We said that we would launch the iTunes Music Store in Canada by the end of November, but we’re going to miss this deadline by a bit,” the company said. “You’ll hear from us very soon.? About 12 hours later, the service launched.

French Canadians don?t have to feel left out either. If you select France as your store, and then click ?Choisir le Store? and click the Canadian flag, the iTMS comes up in French, including some of the clickable links.

andPOP is an affiliate of Apple?s, and by clicking the iTunes link on our site, you can download songs to your computer, and help our website at the same time.

Rolling Stones Enlisted To Help Toronto

Jeff Justiz — Thu, 15 May 2003 15:55:02 +0000

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With the World Health Organization lifting all travel advisories on Toronto, the city, province and country are all chipping in to help. The Rolling Stones are being called in to help bring back Toronto’s tourism industry.

The Stones, who have rehearsed for their last 3 tours in Toronto, have agreed in principle to headline a free show that would interrupt their European tour, the band’s promoter Michael Cohl told the Globe and Mail.

It is estimated that $11 million would be needed to host such an event, which is being planned for July 29 or 30 on the grounds of the Downsview Air Base.

Last year, the Pope visited Toronto, and held a large mass at the same site. The Idomo furniture store was closed down afterwards when a rain coat dumped in a portable toilet caused the sewers to back up into the store.

Apple Releases New iPod, iTunes; Introduces Music Service

Jeff Justiz — Mon, 28 Apr 2003 17:23:37 +0000

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In front of a crowd at San Francisco?s Moscone Center that was mostly invited media guests, Steve Jobs has once again raised the bar with Apple. Though most people knew it was coming, especially with the media invites suggesting the announcements would be ?Music to (our) ears,? today?s announcements ended months of speculation with Apple redesigning the iPod, updating iTunes, and introducing a new music downloading service.

Jobs started with the new iPod. The iPod now comes in configurations of 10GB, 15GB and 30GB. Apple cut down the thickness of the iPod once again, and rounded out the curves. They also redesigned the front, putting backlighting on the buttons, and moving the 4 buttons between the wheel and the screen. There are now no moving parts on the iPod, except for the lock switch on top. The firewire port has been removed, being replaced with a new proprietary port on the bottom instead of the top, while the remote control port that fit around the headphone jack has been redesigned, a casualty of the slimmer design. Softwarewise, the new iPod has 2 new games, Solitaire and Parachute. To complement the contacts and the calendar, it can now save text notes from your computer. Also, it has a sleep timer, and now it has an alarm clock that lets you wake up to your iPod.

The iPod also has some new accessories. Whereas you used to just lie the iPod somewhere on your desk and connect it to your Mac, the new iPod comes with a dock (10GB model it?s sold seperately) that you can connect to either Firewire or USB2. Belkin is the first partner to come out with products specifically for the new iPod, with a car adapter, FM tuner, and external battery that runs on 4 AAs, so you get 20 extra hours of battery life.

Apple also upgraded iTunes to version 4, and version 4 includes capabilities such as AAC playing, as well as 2 brand new cool features. One of them is Rendezvous support, which Jobs showed off when introducing Jaguar last summer. With iTunes and Rendezvous, a person can search their network, either wired or wireless through Airport or Bluetooth, to find other people?s playlists. While it doesn?t copy or download the songs from the other person?s computer, you can still listen to them and enjoy them without having to download them.

The coolest and newest feature of today?s announcements is the brand new downloadable music service called iTunes Music Store. The Store allows you to search for music on iTunes 4, and download them automatically for 99 cents each, or entire albums for $9.99, all prices in U.S. dollars (and the service is only for Americans for the first little while). They signed pacts with all 5 of the major music companies, and even received exclusive tracks not available anywhere else, from major artists including Eminem, U2 and Sheryl Crow. Apple hopes people will choose the 99 cent price tag because of the reliability of the downloads, and you also know who you?re getting the download from; Apple. Plus, the music industry won?t try to send you viruses or expletive-filled artists tirades because this service is very legal.

To help prevent pirating, Apple has put some shields in place. While you can download to an unlimited number of iPods, you can only share a song on 3 Macs. And you can burn to an unlimited number of CDs, but after every 10th CD, you have to rebuild the playlist to be able to burn the song again.

There were no hints as to whether Apple has bought out or partnered with Universal Music. And no other announcements either, at least until Apple?s Worldwide Developer Conference in May.

Elvis Alive, Announces Press Conference, Shames Canada

Jeff Justiz — Tue, 01 Apr 2003 10:57:22 +0000

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In late December, WWJW, Fox?s affiliate in Cleveland, reported that Elvis Presley was still alive. Citing evidence, they say that among the clues were a photo taken with Muhammad Ali almost 10 years after the King?s passing, a photo of the King peeking out of his door taken in the late 70?s, the movie 3000 Miles to Graceland, which was consulted on by Elvis’ widow Priscilla and which included in the credits a man named ?Jesse Garon,? and a photo was shown of him playing with his dog just last year. The significance behind the name Jesse Garon comes from the fact that Elvis was born with a twin brother named Jesse Garon Presley, born 35 minutes before Elvis, but died at birth. WWJW suggested it really was Elvis in the movie, using the pseudonym of his late brother.

The evidence was brought forth by the man claiming to be Elvis’ doctor. He suggested Elvis was dying, and before he went, wanted the world to know that he was alive, that he faked his death, and wanted to give his fans closure. Elvis is believed to have faked his death because of threats on his life. In 1970, a very famous meeting took place between Elvis and former U.S. President Richard Nixon. In that meeting, Presley told the President he wanted to be a ‘Federal Agent-at-Large’ in the Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs. Elvis was insistent on this title with numerous complaints about hippies, narcotics, Black Panthers and other issues which affected America at the beginning of the 70?s. All this came to him while on an American Airlines flight.

By the end of 1970, Nixon granted Elvis? request, and Elvis became a man on a mission. Unfortunately, his mission stepped on numerous toes, and by 1977, the Mafia was believed to be after him because he was set to testify against them in a federal case. Since that time, numerous suspicions have come out, including a 1999 examination that found a piece of liver taken from the corpse in Elvis? grave does not match the DNA taken from a 1975 surgery. Other discrepancies include Elvis? name being spelled wrong on his tombstone, him being obviously overweight, yet his death certificate reading 170 lbs., and most notably, that no one had claimed on his life insurance policy.

BMG today announced that Elvis Presley was scheduled to make a news conference. Among the items on his agenda were apologies for the last 25 years, an explanation on how he did it, a surprise for former son-in-law Michael Jackson, but most notably, The King of Rock and Roll, who served in the U.S. Army from 1958 until 1960, will be speaking against Canada?s lack of involvement in the war in Iraq. BMG was selected for the site after they re-released his song A Little Less Conversation, remixed by JXL. The press conference will be done via satellite with reporters seated in a nearby warehouse, while Elvis, still wary of the media attention he’ll attract, will be broadcast live from the aptly named Elvis Room of BMG Canada’s headquarters, a room decorated with numerous Elvis memorabilia and artifacts.

Elvis himself is no stranger to controversy, beginning with his earliest TV appearances where his gyrating pelvic movements were deemed sexually explicit and was therefore not allowed to be filmed below the waist. However, in the wake of the American anthem booing in Montreal, and numerous political debates ending with Canada?s refraining from the war, Elvis appears to have decided to find a cause worth speaking out against, and ending his 25 year silence/fake death.

Andpop.com will be following this story over the coming hours and days to keep everyone abreast of the latest developments.

APRIL FOOLS

Breaking News: Stones Secret Concert In T.O.

Jeff Justiz — Fri, 16 Aug 2002 06:11:13 +0000

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Palais Royale on Lakeshore Blvd. W. has announced that they are the sight of the Stones surprise pre-concert warmup show, and that it is happening tonight, the 16th, at 10 pm. Only 1000 tickets will go on sale for $10 each, but there is no word as to how to get your hands on these tickets.

At 6 am this morning, radio stations were given permission to start promoting this concert, which is a prelude to the Stones? LICKS Tour, beginning September 3rd in Boston. They hit Toronto for shows October 16th at the ACC and the Skydome October 18th.

Stones management would not confirm.

The Stones, who enjoy rehearsing for tours in Toronto, have made it a tradition to warmup for a tour with a secret gig somewhere in Toronto. In 1977, they played El Mocambo, while in 1994 they hit RPM. In 1997, they played a bunch of their classic songs at the Horseshoe Tavern.

Rumours have started going around that tomorrow there will be another gig at the Revival on College St. tomorrow night for industry insiders only. The club is denying this and saying that their usual program will go tomorrow night. However, since Palais Royale wouldn?t comment till the day of the concert about the gig, it can be speculated that Revival may go that same route too.

Shania Returns In September

Jeff Justiz — Thu, 08 Aug 2002 00:33:58 +0000

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Canadian country music sensation Shania Twain will be making her return to the music world, with a new single set to hit September 23. Mercury Records is expected to release the first single, title unknown, off her new album, title unknown, which will be released sometime soon after the 23rd.

Shania has been taking a break from music, after moving with her husband, music producer Mutt Lange, to Switzerland, and having a son, Eja, who will celebrate his first birthday next week.

Shania stormed onto the country music scene in 1993 with her self-titled debut album. In a genre dominated by somber tunes sang with twangy voices, Shania started a revolution to put country music on the map with more upbeat and rockin? songs, as well as videos that caught alot of eyes. It can almost be considered true that no one has ever seen her perform in an outfit that covers her belly. She released The Woman in Me in 1995, and her last album was Come On Over in 1997, which has sold 20 million copies in 5 years. Even though the album came out in ?97, the lack of competition in the country music field meant Shania could crank out new videos at a steady pace while keeping them on the charts for an extended period of time. Shania?s 1999 single That Don?t Impress Me Much was remixed into a pop version for some mainstream play, while the song When made it?s way onto a few top 40 stations in 2000.

Shania was born in Windsor, Ont. in 1965, but raised throughout her childhood in Timmins.

Lance Getting Grounded?

Jeff Justiz — Thu, 08 Aug 2002 00:33:33 +0000

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Reports out of Russia have surfaced that Lance Bass? mission to the International Space Station is in jeopardy. The problem surfaces from the fact that the consortium putting up the $20 million to pay his way to space has been late on their payments. The money was expected to be paid in installments. With the money that?s been paid so far, Bass is still out $20 million.

“There are a number of deadlines for the installments to be paid, but the first part has already been delayed,? Rosaviakosmos spokesman Sergei Gorbunov said. ?Theoretically, we can already dissolve the contract.?

The group of investors is being led by Destiny Productions, which also wants to turn the training and space mission into a documentary entitled ?Celebrity Mission: Lance Bass.? Gorbunov said that they asked that the new deadline for the first payment be August 9th, and that if that deadline isn?t met, it is very probable that Bass? mission could be nixed.

Two weeks ago, Bass, who is in Star City, Russia for training, signed a preliminary contract to go up into space in October with Russian Sergei Zalyotin and Belgian Frank De Winne.

Alot of the training Bass needs is for all the different landing possibilities including what to do if you land in the ocean, and what to do if you land in a forest overrun with wolves. (I don?t think what to do if you land in an outdoor concert venue full of screaming teenaged females will be covered, unfortunately!) However, if the money isn?t paid, Bass could be ruled ineligible for space flight because his training will be shortened even more.

Bass is seeking to become the youngest person ever in space, beating Soviet German Titov (not the hockey player) by 2 years. Bass is 23, while Titov was 25 in 1961.

Springsteen?s 9/11 Album Debuts at #1

Jeff Justiz — Thu, 08 Aug 2002 00:32:40 +0000

Posted on andPOP:

Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band?s album, which was their first recording together since 1984, debuted at #1 this week on the Billboard 200. The Rising, an album that is entirely a tribute to the September 11 terrorist attacks, sold 525,000 copies in the U.S. this week, and was also number 1 in Canada, the U.K., Germany, Italy, Spain, Sweden, Belgium, Finland, Denmark, and Norway. Last night they hit the stage at the Meadowlands Arena in New Jersey to kick off their world tour.

In other news, Michael Jackson was reportedly seen kicking himself after hearing this news.

Rock Legend Little Richard Retiring

Jeff Justiz — Sat, 03 Aug 2002 09:00:17 +0000

Posted on andPOP:

Sure you haven?t heard much of anything from him in the last few years, but it?s worth noting that Little Richard, the man some credit as being the inventor of rock and roll, has announced that at the end of his current tour, he is retiring.

The 69 year old told the New York Post not even a phone call from the President will change his mind. ?I’ve been making music since I was eight years old, and I’m tired now. I’ve never taken a vacation. I work every day, year in, year out.?

He is credited with being the inspiration for the Beatles, especially Paul McCartney (?Paul would watch me every night when I was up on stage. Paul idolised me and admired my energy?), as well as Tina Turner and Mick Jagger.

Litte Richard hasn?t decided what he will do now, except that he will go back to his home in Georgia and rest. Though he has made one last promise: ?Since this is the end, I’m gonna give everything I’ve got in every show I have left.?

Bad Weather Causes Trouble For Shakira Too

Jeff Justiz — Sat, 03 Aug 2002 08:59:55 +0000

Posted on andPOP:

After lightning struck the stage in Mexico shortly after Britney Spears cancelled her concert there, Shakira was having trouble of her own with the weather, though this time more serious. The woman famous for such song lyrics as ?Lucky that my breasts are small and humble? and ?Lucky I have strong legs like my mother? was lucky herself that there was a baseball field nearby when her helicopter had to make an emergency landing during high winds and heavy rains.

Shakira and family are vacationing at her Dominican home in La Romana, 68 miles east of Santo Domingo, and she was on her way back there from Punta Cana on the island?s north end. It is not known whether her family or anyone else was on the troubled helicopter.