Big Fish Games Awakening Kingdoms is Now Available for iPad and iPhone

August 7, 2014 by Paresh Pandya Leave a Comment

Some time ago I had the chance to play Big Fish Games’ iPad release of Midnight Castle and I came away quite impressed by this immersive hidden object adventure. Today, the company is back at it again with the much-anticipated release of Awakening Kingdoms for iPad and iPhone, the next title in the Awakening series. This hidden object adventure sees you, the royal steward, in charge of the kingdom after a devastating war has left the castle and its land in ruins. You are tasked with not so envious job of returning it to its former glory.

The game is made up of mini-quests assigned by the kingdom’s inhabitants with the core of the gameplay being hidden object adventures. You’ll need to find an assortment of items hidden in plain sight against a lushly drawn backdrop. The faster you find the objects, the bigger the reward of shiny gold Bolgins and vital Crystals! [Read more…]

Keep Things Clean with the Bissell Multi-Surface Expert Canister Vacuum

June 19, 2014 by Paresh Pandya 39 Comments

Vacuuming is a never-ending chore; no matter how well you do it, it’s always there waiting for you to do it again a week or two later. And this modern day Sisyphean myth isn’t helped when we also have to drag around a heavy, clunky machine. An awkward appliance is one thing if it does the job, but a lot of cheaper vacuums on the market simply don’t have enough suction power to properly clean your home.

Bissell recognizes this issue and have come out with a new product for Canadians. The Bissell Multi-Surface Expert canister vacuum promises strong suction throughout your cleaning activity. As the name implies, it’s also designed to work on a variety of surfaces with ease. I was recently given the opportunity to test out this vacuum, and as it just so happened my car needed a thorough cleaning after the rough winter we Ontario folks had.

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Get The Oscar-Nominated Film The Wolf of Wall Street Now on Blu-ray and DVD

May 7, 2014 by Paresh Pandya 52 Comments

I’ve become greatly interested in the stock market as I start to take control of my finances. Part of this interest has also spilled over into learning about the history of the market for the last 20-30 years. So it was quite timely when the movie The Wolf of Wall Street was released on Blu-Ray and DVD earlier this month.

Based on the book of the same name, the movie portrays the career of Jordan Belfort (Leonardo DiCaprio) as he rises from low-level obscurity to the eponymous ‘Wolf’ during the heyday of the 1990s and its heady exuberance. Directed by the Oscar-award winning Martin Scorsese, the cast features such notable actors such as Jonah Hill, Matthew McConaughey, Rob Reiner, Jon Favreau, and Joanna Lumley. (It also has a neat cameo by the real Jordan Belfort as well.) [Read more…]

The Snugg iPad Air Case Cover and Flip Stand Provides Affordable Protection

April 28, 2014 by Paresh Pandya 38 Comments

I’m very picky when it comes to buying expensive new gadgets and tech toys. For me, they’re rare purchases meant to be taken care of to ensure their longevity. The iPad Air is one of the most coveted gadgets around, so when I was given one, for a while I didn’t dare open the box for fear an errant scratch might blemish its fine finish. Happily I was given the chance to review the Snugg iPad Air Case Cover with built-in flip stand. Available in 14 different colours, including a unique denim finish, there is sure to be a shade to match your tastes.

I chose the black which comes with a stylish white contrast stitch. The case is made of PU leather which gives it the look of grained leather, but is much more durable ensuring the case will stand up to the rigors of a modern lifestyle. It is tear resistant, will not scuff easily and surface stains can be wiped off with a damp cloth. Fold back the nubuck-lined cover and you’ll find an integrated elastic hand strap which allows you to hold your device while on the go, making it perfect for those standing-room only subway rides where you find yourself with only one-hand free. [Read more…]

Fairway Solitaire Blast Available Today for iOS and Android Devices #FSBlast

April 3, 2014 by Paresh Pandya 5 Comments

If you love solitaire, you’ll love the latest release from Big Fish Games available today for iOS and Android devices! Fairway Solitaire Blast, the sister game to the hugely popular Fairway Solitaire, takes the ever-popular game of solitaire to a new level with fun animation, cool power-ups, bright colours and a gameplay style that’s appropriate for all ages!

The goal is to clear the cards off the board. The twist is that you get to use an array of power-ups to help you beat challenges that are designed around hand-crafted card layouts. All played on golf courses that include hazards like crab grass and sand traps. Altogether, you’ve got a unique solitaire puzzle game that earned the franchise IGN’s Fan Favorite Mobile App and Mobile Game of the Year nominations in 2013. Devise your strategy then attack the course!

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Top Four Vehicle Picks for Canadians from the CIAS Canadian International Auto Show

March 23, 2014 by Paresh Pandya 49 Comments

I recently had the opportunity to visit the Canadian International Auto Show held at the Metro Toronto Convention Center. The Auto Show has been a tradition of mine for years as I never miss the chance to spend a day (or two!) eyeing all the hot new cars manufacturers have lined up for us to ogle. With nameplates like Ferrari, Maserati, McLaren, and Porsche all on display, it’s easy to start thinking about buying a few more lottery tickets or selling a body part to make a down payment.

But as much fun and excitement the exotics offer, a good portion of the show’s 600,000 square-foot floor is dedicated to everyday cars and trucks purchased by Canadians daily. With over 1,000 vehicles on display, it’s the best place for visitors to comparison shop without any pressure or hassles. Having checked out various makes and models, here are a few of my favourite picks for Canadians:

Mazda3

At the show Mazda won 2014 Canadian Car of the Year for their mid-sized Mazda6 sedan. While the floor was buzzing with excitement over the win, I found myself just as excited by its smaller brother the Mazda3. With gorgeous flowing lines, the bold grill and swept-back headlight assembly completes a package that says, “Hey! Let’s go someplace fun today!”

Inside I found controls to be within easy reach, while its BMW-esque dashboard (particularly the center display unit) gives a sense of premium styling and features. Fuel economy is also a key feature with Mazda’s Skyactiv suite of technologies delivering impressive results while maintaining Mazda’s peppy drive characteristic. With a choice of sedan or hatchback, there’s plenty of options and trim levels to appeal to a wide array of buyers (personally I love the GT hatchback with the larger 2.5L engine). I wasn’t too thrilled with the overly sized center tachometer, but that’s a minor detail I’m willing to overlook given how terrific the rest of the car is. [Read more…]

Big Fish Games is Celebrating Midnight Castle on iOS with an iPad Mini Giveaway

March 20, 2014 by Paresh Pandya 2 Comments

Relaxing with a good computer game is one of those things that just instantly distracts and relaxes me, so I always enjoy testing out new games. Midnight Castle by Big Fish Games was released a few months ago as a free game for the PC and it was so popular that the company just today released it for iOS on the iPad as well. This hidden object adventure game begins as you find out you’ve just inherited a magnificent estate from your uncle, who met his demise under mysterious circumstances. Your goal is to enter the castle and solve the mystery behind your uncle’s fate. Along the way, you meet and interact with a variety of colourful (and some supernatural) characters. Each person sends you on mini quests before they’ll help you on your journey.

The game is beautifully rendered with incredible detail and lush colours. Each scene really sets the mood, but the plot can be a little overwhelming too. As the game progresses, new features unlock and more quests are added for you to monitor and keep track of. Quests become cross-linked, so in order to progress you need to complete all the parallel tasks handed to you by your would-be allies. [Read more…]

Get Exclusive Deals on Hot Concerts and Festivals with TD Music Access

February 28, 2014 by Paresh Pandya 9 Comments

For eight years, TD Canada Trust has earned the J.D. Power Award in customer satisfaction, topping the Top Five banks in Canada. As a TD credit card holder, I can easily see how they were able to achieve this feat. Going beyond simply offering great service, TD often provides additional perks and incentives to make the whole banking experience more enjoyable.

TD’s commitment to service is enhanced by its community involvement and dedication to improving the arts. For more than a decade the company has been involved in the music scene by supporting Canadian artists, and since 2003 TD Canada Trust has been sponsoring 60 of the best festivals across Canada. Dubbing itself “the Bank of Music”, TD clearly believes in the power of music. [Read more…]