The 2013 Ford C-MAX Hybrid SE

Ford C-MAX Hybrid SE (base model) – $25,132

I had it only for one weekend, the booking just worked out that way.

Plenty of pickup from the 2.0L Hybrid Electric eCVT engine, that provides 141 hp with 129 lb.-ft of torque.

Then the handling surprised me… it responds really quickly upon initial steering input, and it’s tight and stable cornering. This car was quite fun to drive.

The interior is a bit busy for my taste. Too bad I didn’t notice the pole until blogging the photo.

Ample rear leg room, would tranposrt 2 adults comfortably.

Few manufacturers add secret compartments in.  Ford introduced one to their new 2013 Escape.

It’s behind the passenger seat.

The leaves on the right: I have a vague memory from a Ford event last year, something about the more leaves the better your eco driving is; you want to grow the most leaves.

The car’s stated fuel economy is 4.1L/100km, I got 7.0L.

2013 Ford C-MAX

I wouldn’t listen to me about anything fuel economy-ish. Everything gets left in Sport mode.

Features: Power lift gate, back-up camera, heated seats and panoramic roof are options; leather wrapped steering wheel with audio controls come standard.

A great-handling hybrid.

 

 

A BlackBerry Q10 Review

While physically it’s a beautiful phone, and the OS is greatly improved since my old Bold…

BlackBerry’s security is why you buy.

Of the 3 big ones (Android / BB / iPhone) BlackBerry does end-user security best.

3 small examples:

1 – find most of the features I’m talking about in there
2 – the security section of the help file has 32! items, huge
3 – more feedback and control over

I didn’t realize I missed having more control over my phone, until I did (currently on iPhone).

Security aside, the Q10 made me miss having a BlackBerry. Remember the BBM days? (I’ve had a cel phone for 15 years, see my history here).

Saturday night Skyping.

It was nice to type on a physical keyboard again.

BB Q10

(aside: best part of getting a new phone is this)

Modified my GoPro for filming.

It worked well as my car stereo.

Before I hooked it into my home WiFi, I took the opportunity to change my router password.

(here’s how to do that)

Lastly, the OS.  I had an epiphany about the OS when writing about cars a couple weeks ago… click here to read about BlackBerry’s QNX OS, which is poised to become the go-to-OS for all auto infotainment systems… this is HUGE, this is what could bring BlackBerry back to its former glory.

I feel excited for you BlackBerry; I think this Q10 is terrific,
and good luck with your comeback! #GoCanadaGo

PS – fellow car-nerds: it’s a 2013 Infiniti M37xS, here’s the blog post about it

PPS – Thanks to TELUS for this opportunity

 

I Finally Switched to TELUS

2 Saturday’s ago, I switched cel service providers. I spent the early afternoon backing up, then went to the store to the make it official.

I ported my number over, and the changeover was faster than I thought it’d be… insert new SIM,  jokes with the guys and sign a form, maybe an hour. And the phone was live and receiving text messages before I left the store.

The guys!

The TELUS Guys

L – R – Ian, me, and Tyler

Go see them too, they’re fun and knowledgeable; downtown Toronto at 500 Yonge Street.

Upgraded to an iPhone 5.

This was my old phone name.

Friendly reminder – don’t name your phone your actual name, here’s why .

Lastly, ever notice this?

That in all the years I’ve shared my life online, I’ve never talked about my cel service provider? And like, internet and my phone are a huge part of my life, after rent it’s my largest monthly expense, and I can’t work without it. But I never said a word, because I abhor them.

Each month I hemorrhaged money, and no matter how many phone calls and bill reviews I did, more haemorrhaging. And really, if I opened my mouth to talk about it, doubtful I could stop the stream of garbage that would come out, and although they earned it, that’s not classy, and I don’t want to be in Google for that. You know who I’m talking about. Ask me IRL though, there’s a couple good stories there.

But that’s all done!

I now have an amazing and affordable 6 GBs / month on my phone, and that’s how…

… a 5-year-old daydream became real:

I can tether my laptop, and work from the driver’s seat.

Really, anywhere; that’s a life changer. For the last 2 weeks I’ve spent way less time at my desk.  Can’t tell you how great that is.