This week, a Burnaby non-profit benefits from a big grant from Google, local grocery store minichain Fresh St. Market has a new way for you to pick up groceries, and why you need to stop whining about Netflix cracking down on your IP blocking.

Burnaby organization gets a Google grant to develop a mouth-controlled input device for mobiles

Smartphones and touchscreens have changed how we communicate and how we use computers. But not everyone is able to take advantage of that tactile interface.

The Neil Squire Society, which empowers Canadians with disabilities through research, technology, and employment programs, has been awarded US$800,000 by Google.org, the division of the company that supports nonprofits in addressing humanitarian issues.

The grant was given to support the development of the LipSync, a joystick that enables a person to control a mobile device with their mouth.

The joystick moves a cursor on the smartphone, and clicks are performed by puffing into the joystick.

The LipSync allows people who may not be able to use their hands to operate a touchscreen device.

With the grant from Google.org, the Burnaby-based society will release the LipSync designs as open source so they can be used by anyone.

Fresh St. Market has a new way for you to get groceries

Fresh St. Market has only two locations, West Vancouver and Surrey, but the company is looking to expand its clientele by offering new ways to shop.

Residents of the North Shore and most of Surrey can place an online order and have groceries delivered to their home. But what if you can’t – or don’t want to – hang around for the two hour window when your delivery is expected?

To accommodate those customers, Fresh St. Market will put your order into a locker for you to pick up at your convenience.

The company says that locker systems are already being used in Australia and Europe.

After placing an online order, you can select Click & Collect when checking out. A shopper at the store gets your order together, puts it in the refrigerated locker, and texts you a code that will open the locker.

To start, lockers are only available at the two Fresh St. locations in West Van and Surrey. But a spokesperson said that more locker locations will be added as demand for the service picks up.

The cost to have someone do your shopping at stash it for you to pick up? Only $3.99.

Stop whining about Netflix blocking your cheating ways

So Netflix has cracked down on all of those crafty ways you’ve used to hide your location. Boo hoo. So you can’t watch all the same shows as your American cousins. Sorry for you.

If you choose to cancel your Netflix subscription, you are free to do so. But don’t whine about it being because the price is going up and there just isn’t enough choice. Because that’s crap.

For $8 a month I’m getting original series including Daredevil, House of Cards, The Code, Sense8, and Jessica Jones. There are even more but I can’t keep up with them all.

And if I’ve even got time to watch older shows, there’s Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Firefly, Futurama, Black Books, The 100. Movies. TV shows. Stuff for kids and grandparents.

For $8. I’ll pay more to get those programs served directly to me wherever and whenever I want.

Sure, American Netflix may have a bigger catalogue. The fact that Netflix can’t offer the same programs in Canada isn’t because they want to piss you off. It’s simply the residual effect of an old, territorial business model. But those borders are starting to fade fast, and it won’t be long before they’re gone.

If you’re really feeling like you’re missing out on something, then you can have Netflix and Shomi and Crave. Between the three of them you’re still paying less than $50 a month, and you’ve got nearly all your bases covered.

Be happy that you were able to work the system for as long as you did. But don’t cry now that the party is over. You’ve got choices. Make them.

And stop complaining about it.