The Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) announced $850,000 over five years for a new research chair looking at expanded uses of mobile devices, Industry Canada said. William McIver will become the NSERC industrial research chair in mobile first technology at New Brunswick Community College. He will research expanding “the range of activities mobile users can perform with their handheld devices, including shopping, playing games, paying bills and searching maps,” the release said. Private sector partners include gaming company Spielo International, venture capital firm Technology Venture Corp., consulting firm Stellar Learning Strategies, and management firm Accreon Inc., the release said....