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PlayStation denies report that PS VR2 production halved due to weak pre-orders

Sony has refuted a new Bloomberg report claiming that the tech giant has halved its forecast for PlayStation VR2 launch quarter shipments.

In a statement to GamesIndustry.biz, PlayStation said it has “not cut PlayStation VR2 production numbers” and it’s “seeing enthusiasm from PlayStation fans for the upcoming launch, which includes more than 30 titles such as Gran Turismo 7, Horizon Call of the Mountain, and Resident Evil Village.”

This comes after a January 30th Bloomberg report in which the publication said that disappointing pre-orders had led Sony to adjust its original forecast of two million to one million headsets shipped.

On top of VR already being a more niche market, Bloomberg noted that the PS VR2’s steep price tag — $750 in Canada, more than a PS5 — was seen as a key reason behind the supposed underperformance. For context, the PS5, for which the PS VR2 is an accessory, starts at $519 in Canada. The lack of backwards compatibility with the original PS VR may also deter some from buying the new headset.

Of course, Sony wouldn’t admit one way or the other whether pre-orders have been soft, so it remains to be seen how the PS VR2 will fare. For what it’s worth, we recently got to go hands-on with the PS VR2 and came away very impressed. Check out our full preview here.

The PS VR2 will launch in Canada on February 22nd.

Source: Bloomberg, GamesIndustry.biz

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Mobile Syrup

Pixel Buds A-Series’ multi-pair broken after latest update

Google’s latest firmware update for the Pixel Buds A-Series seems to be doing more harm than good.

The latest update, ‘version 3.519.0,’ is meant to fix some underlying bugs, but seems to have broken the earbuds’ multi-device pairing ability.

It’s worth noting that the Pixel Buds A-Series’ multi-pair functionality was severely limited already. Unlike the Buds Pro, the Buds A-Series could only be paired to two devices, while being limited to being ‘connected’ to one device at once. Now, after the V3.519.0 update, even the two-device pairing seems to be broken.

The report comes via a Reddit thread about the new firmware update. According to users commenting on the thread, “After the update, it’s (the Buds A-Series) only able to be used by the last device which was paired. In other words, if I pair my notebook then my phone loses the ability to connect. If I then follow up by re-pairing my phone, then the notebook can no longer.”

User ‘TenderFlipper’ wrote that they even performed a factory reset of the buds, but that seemingly made no difference.

Essentially, whenever you need to connect your buds to a different device, you’ll have to re-pair them. Further, according to users, the only way to get the buds into pairing mode is fully resetting them by pressing the button on the back of the case for upwards of 20 seconds. Having to reset your earbuds every time you want to switch between devices is pretty infuriating.

If you own a pair of Pixel Buds A-Series buds and haven’t updated them to the latest firmware yet, don’t. If you’ve already updated, all you can do now is wait for a fix from Google. That said, onsidering that Google knows about the bug, the fix shouldn’t be that far out.

Source: Reddit ‘CentreInYou’ Via: Android Police

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Mobile Syrup

Spotify hits over 200 million subscribers, becoming first music streaming service to do so

Spotify reveals that it continues to see an increase in paid subscribers, becoming the first to hit over 200 million. As of December 31st, 2022, Spotify’s premium subscriptions rose to 205 million, according to its earnings report.

The end result of the last quarter outpaced Spotify’s projections. Initially, the company believed it would reach 202 million paid subscribers and increase its monthly active users (MAUs) to 479. However, with its 205 million subs, Spotify also reports it’s achieving 489 million MAUs. This total represents a 20 percent rise from the past quarter.

By comparison, Apple Music is said to have 60 million paying subscribers as of 2019. Amazon Music is reported to have had 55 million as of 2020. Of course, these figures have likely fluctuated. However, given Spotify’s milestone, it paints a fairly obvious picture of which company holds the market share.

Despite breaking records and surpassing its own estimates, Spotify is reporting an imminent layoff of six percent of its workforce. Much like other tech companies, the music streaming service hasn’t deflected economic challenges. Therefore, roughly 600 staff members will be laid off from the company.

It’s reported that Spotify’s operating loss totals around $250 million USD (roughly $334 million CAD). This past quarter’s losses landed under Spotify’s estimates of $325 million (around $434 million CAD.) A premium subscription to Spotify costs $9.99 per month in Canada. Revenue for the premium subscription branch at the company sits at an estimated $4.93 USD (roughly $6.58 CAD). This marks a year-over-year increase of three percent. However, the figure remains slightly lower than the previous quarter’s $5.01 USD (est. $6.68 CAD).

This past month, we’ve seen some of the biggest tech companies report massive layoffs. For instance, Google recently laid off 12,000 employees. Microsoft also had 10,000 staff members on the chopping block. Plus, late last year, Meta also made the decision to lay off 11,000 employees. While Spotify’s ~600 affected staff members pale in comparison, it’s still a blow to the livelihoods of those working for the company.

Source: The Verge

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Mobile Syrup

This tool shows you how much Alberta resembles The Last of Us’ post-apocalyptic world

Travel Alberta has created an interactive map to showcase where HBO’s hit The Last of Us series was shot in the province.

Powered by Google Maps, the tool features per-episode breakdowns of the post-apocalyptic drama show’s filming locations. A brief description of what the location stood in for in the series will be listed, while the map will be updated weekly after each new episode.

For example, pre-pandemic scenes in the pilot with Sarah (Nico Parker) at school were filmed at Calgary’s Western Canada High School. Meanwhile, the Home Depot that Bill (Nick Offerman) visits in the highly acclaimed third episode was actually a Lowe’s in Calgary.

Speaking to CBC News, Travel Alberta noted that it’s been a challenge to get some of this data, given that some scenes were shot on private land. But the goal is to eventually have an itinerary throughout all nine episodes that you can use to track the trajectory of the entire series.

With a reported Game of Thrones-esque budget, The Last of Us is believed to be biggest TV production in Canadian history, making it particularly notable for the province. This meant that the series shot over the course of an entire year in cities like Calgary, Edmonton, High River, Lethbridge and Canmore.

 

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A post shared by Canada’s Alberta (@travelalberta)

Speaking to MobileSyrup last month, series co-creator Craig Mazin praised Alberta’s scenery for perfectly capturing the seasonal passage of time that our lead characters, Joel (Pedro Pascal) and Ellie (Bella Ramsey), go through. Pascal and Ramsey also raved to us about filming in Alberta and specifically shouted out Canmore. The series’ production designer also recently said that he was “shocked” that the province was so “clean,” especially compared to the U.S.

The Last of Us is now streaming on Crave.

Via: CBC News

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Mobile Syrup

DoorDash Wendy’s and get $5 off your next three orders

Canadians can now order Wendy’s from DoorDash.

The two companies are partnering to “bring consumers more of the fresh-made, high-quality food they’ve been craving,” including menu favourite like the “iconic Baconator or classic Frosty,” said DoorDash’s press release about the partnership. 

To celebrate the inclusion of Wendy’s on the app, DoorDash is offering Canadians $5 off on orders from the restaurant worth $20 or more until Thursday, February 12th. “Add your Wendy’s favourites to the DoorDash cart, and the discount will automatically apply at checkout,” wries DoorDash in the press release.

Canadians can get $5 off their next three Wendy’s orders worth $20 or more. Visit doordash.com or download DoorDash for Android or iOS to order.

Source: DoorDash

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Mobile Syrup

Amazon discounts select TVs ahead of Super Bowl LVII

The 2023 Super Bowl LVII is approaching on February 12th and Amazon has taken the time to slash prices of select TVs. Perfect timing for the big game. Here are some of the deals:

MobileSyrup utilizes affiliate partnerships. These partnerships do not influence our editorial content, though we may earn a commission on purchases made via these links that helps fund the journalism provided free on our website.

Source: Amazon Canada

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Mobile Syrup

1Password 8 update bringing new updates including more customization options

Popular password management software 1Password is offering even more improvements and optimizations to iOS and Android. The new 1Password 8 update, rolling out soon, will add even more customization options as well as home screen improvements.

In a blog post, Toronto-based AgileBits announces the new 1Password 8 update marks the return of the ability to search within any list. This feature was on previous versions of the app, but 1Password removed it. Thankfully, the ability to type a query within the search bar to find exactly what you’re looking for is coming back.

Additionally, 1Password 8 is introducing the ability to reorder fields and sections. This highly requested feature is still being tweaked. At launch, there may be some limitations as far as the ability to drag and drop fields. However, the company says the team is working to get more flexibility “into your hands as quickly as possible.”

Some other great highlights include home screen pins, where users can more widely customize different fields. Improvements to FaceID unlocks are also a priority for the company. According to 1Password, “a lot of improvements” have been made in order for this function to be “more consistent.”

1Password is also listening to user feedback, integrating the use of device PIN codes or patterns to unlock 1Password. This will undoubtedly help streamline privacy on a device. The company also states that biometrics and account passwords can continue to be used if preferred.

The VoiceOver feature from Apple is also being improved. The company claims it no longer gets stuck in text fields. 1Password 8 also introduces the option to enforce 2FA using security keys only. Plus, the ability to edit and delete vaults on iOS and Android is on the way.

As of the time of writing, there’s no telling when this update will be available to all users. However, the blog post makes it clear that they may be readily available soon.

Image credit: 1Password

Source: 1Password via 9to5Mac

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Mobile Syrup

Minister Champagne wants Rogers, Québecor to commit to wireless affordability: Globe and Mail

Canada’s Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry is reportedly looking for a series of “firm commitments” from Rogers and Québecor about wireless affordability.

According to The Globe and Mail, François-Philippe Champagne wants the two companies to put into writing that they’ll “maintain affordable and accessible wireless service,” and failures to do so will lead to consequences.

Rogers is acquiring Shaw under a $26 billion transaction. Québecor subsidiary Vidéotron is purchasing Shaw’s wireless licences under Freedom Mobile as part of the deal.

The mergers have passed through other approval obstacles, and Minister Champagne is the last to sign off. His conditions for approval include Vidéotron keeping the acquired licenses for 10 years and the company dropping wireless bills by 20 percent in Ontario and Western Canada.

However, Minister Champagne previously stated that he’s in no hurry to provide approval. 

The three companies expanded their deadline to conclude the transactions from January 31st to February 17th as they wait for approval.

Image credit: @fp_champagne

Source: Globe and Mail 

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Mobile Syrup

iPhone 14 Crash Detection helped response team locate Tasmania car accident

Apple’s ‘Crash Detection’ feature built into the iPhone 14 is reported to have helped Tasmanian authorities locate a severe car accident. In response to an accident involving a pickup truck towing a horse box, authorities were able to locate five people involved and have them taken to a hospital for treatment.

Off the coast of Australia, on the island state of Tasmania, a pickup truck occupied by five people was involved in a car crash. At around 1:45 am, the vehicle in question hit a tree stump on the Batman Highway at Rowella. Of the five occupants, one or more were left unconscious while each of them was injured in various ways. The horse box that was being towed had been housing four horses. Unfortunately, due to the box rolling over during the crash, none survived.

Tasmanian authorities were able to respond to the crash quickly and effectively thanks in part to Apple’s Crash Detection feature. According to an ABC News report, police were “automatically notified via a crash detection feature on one of the passengers’ iPhones.” Police arrived on the scene within eight minutes.

Tasmania Police Inspector Ruth Orr later followed up, stating that police were already “in the area on an unrelated matter.” However, the built-in iPhone 14 feature can undoubtedly help save lives. “In a case where people had lost consciousness in a crash like this, it is certainly something that alerts police quickly.”

Upon the launch of the iPhone 14, Apple introduced two potentially life-saving features. On top of Crash Detection, which alerts authorities when triggered, Emergency SOS via Satellite was also presented. In the event that a user is outside of cellular coverage, users can make emergency calls to get help. 

However, while both features have helped users around the world in life-threatening situations, they aren’t foolproof. It’s been shown that Crash Detection has been accidentally triggered simply by riding rollercoasters or even while skiing and snowboarding. A false alert also led to an extended helicopter search in B.C. 

These false alerts have become a nuisance for Apple and local emergency services. The Cupertino company has had to issue “Crash Detection optimizations” via iOS 16.1.2. Crash Detection is turned on by default on iPhone 14 and is also supported across the Apple Watch Ultra, Apple Watch Series 8 and Apple Watch SE (2022). Alerts can be turned off via the Settings menu and Emergency SOS tab. Users can then opt to turn off Call After Severe Crash.

Source: ABC News via 9to5Mac

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Mobile Syrup

Minister Rodriguez selects Bram Abramson as CRTC’s Ontario commissioner

The Minister of Canadian Heritage has appointed Bram Abramson as Ontario’s Regional Commissioner at the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC).

Abramson is a lawyer with 20 years of experience in the communications and technology sectors. According to his Linkedin profile, this position is not Abramson’s first at the CRTC. He was a senior financial analyst at the organization between 2002 and 2004. He also served as chief legal counsel for TekSavvy between 2014 and 2017.

“Bram Abramson’s extensive experience in law and telecommunications will be a great asset in his role,” Minister Pablo Rodriguez said.

Abramson will start his five-year term on February 15th and work alongside the newly elected commission chair Vicky Eatrides.

Image credit: Dwayne Brown/ Canadian Heritage 

Source: Canadian Heritage