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OnePlus tablet could be in private testing ahead of official reveal

OnePlus is believed to be developing its own tablet, making its first real push into the market. New reports claim that the tablet, codenamed “Aries,” is being privately tested in India.

Rumours state that this supposed OnePlus tablet could be entering a testing phase ahead of an official reveal from the Shenzhen-based company. Early reports revealed trademarks of the name “OnePlus Pad” in Europe and India back in 2021. These were the first major indications of the company’s development efforts. However, OnePlus has continued to remain quiet regarding the tablet.

There aren’t many concrete details regarding what the tablet could look like from a spec or design perspective. However, leaks suggest it could run Android 12L and might feature Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 865 chip with 6GB of RAM. There’s also word that the tablet may support a 12.4-inch OLED display and a battery size of roughly 10,000mAh.

Early leaks suggest that OnePlus intends to launch the tablet sometime in 2023. However, the new report states that testing is localized, so there’s a possibility that OnePlus may intend to soft launch the product exclusively in India.

It’s possible OnePlus could launch its tablet around the same time as the rumoured OnePlus 11R smartphone, which is expected to be an India-exclusive device as well. That doesn’t mean that the company can’t bring the tablet to more markets in the future.

OnePlus is hosting its Cloud 11 event in New Delhi, India on February 7th, where we’ll likely see the OnePlus 11 and OnePlus Buds Pro 2 revealed. Whether this rumoured tablet makes an appearance is yet to be determined.

Source: Android Police

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Round steering wheel option now available for Tesla Model X/S

Tesla’s yoke-shaped steering wheel has long been a topic of criticism.

Using the steering wheel isn’t very intuitive for a regular driver, and the time it takes to get used to the oblong shape could lead to a higher risk of accidents.

The yoke steering wheel has proven to be impractical at lower speeds and potentially dangerous in certain driving scenarios, like when trying to regain control on an icy road. While some are worried about the shape of the wheel causing problems, others were concerned about the lack of stalks to choose the drive mode and perform functions like turn signals.

Now, as reported by Electrek, the Model S/X configuration on Tesla’s website was updated on Thursday, January 5th, and it now includes an option for a round steering wheel, alongside the yoke. It’s worth noting that selecting the round steering wheel doesn’t impact the price order the delivery date of the selected vehicle.

Musk has long been a proponent of the yoke, and said that the round steering wheel looks boring and blocks the screen. “FSD in panoramic mode look way better with a yoke,” he said.

Despite Tesla now offering a round steering wheel option for its Model S and Model X, it seems that the control stalks will not be returning with it. Instead, the wheel will feature buttons similar to those on the yoke steering wheel.

Image credit: Tesla

Source: Electrek

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Mobile Syrup

Toronto Raptors fans at Scotiabank Arena can shoot virtual hoops in real-time

Toronto Raptors fans attending a Welcome Toronto game at Scotiabank Arena can access a limited-time Raptors AR Lens on Snapchat.

The Bell and Snacp Inc. partnership will allow users with a 5G device to join virtual teams and shoot hoops in real time.

The Bell 5G Shot Clock Challenge on Snapchat uses the speed, latency and bandwidth power of 5G to allow thousands of people to connect at once while leveraging Snapchat’s AR technology.

“There is a highly engaged community watching and talking about sports on Snapchat — and with our more than six billion AR Lens plays per day, we see a demand for more immersive experiences to complement and enhance the real world,” Matt McGowan, the general manager of Snap Canada, said.

The experience is available at four Welcome Toronto games and launches at 7:30pm ET/4:30pm PT on January 6th. It will also be available at the January 21st, February 10th, and March 18th games.

Those without a 5G capable device will still be able to enjoy the experience, but on a smaller scale. A single-player version is available on 4G and LTE-connected devices.

Image credit: NBA

Source: Bell

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Over 200 million email addresses leaked in Twitter breach

Hackers have posted usernames and email addresses belonging to over 200 million Twitter users in a database. The data was compiled from several Twitter breaches dating back to 2021, and while the online database does not include passwords, the collection of data will likely pose a security threat to those exposed.

Several reports from security researchers and media outlets, including The Verge and Bleeping Computer, have detailed the breach, with researcher Alon Gal warning the breach “will unfortunately lead to a lot of hacking, targeted phishing, and doxxing.”

Bleeping Computer shared screenshots of the database, revealing it contains several text files listing email addresses and linked Twitter usernames along with email addresses and real names (if users shared their real names with Twitter). The database also includes information like users’ follower counts and account creation dates. Bleeping Computer also said it was able to confirm the validity of many email addresses including in the leak. The database is being sold on one hacking forum for as low as $2 USD.

Troy Hunt, who created the cybersecurity alert site ‘Have I Been Pwned‘ to help people check if their phone number or email was included in a data breach, posted on Twitter that he found 211,524,284 unique email addresses in the Twitter breach. “[The breach] looks to be pretty much what it’s been described as,” Hunt wrote.

The breach has since been added to Have I Been Pwned so Twitter users can head to the site and check if their information was included in the breach.

As mentioned above, the Twitter breach can trace its origins back to 2021 when hackers found a vulnerability in Twitter’s security systems. That vulnerability allowed malicious actors to look up accounts with an automated system that entered email addresses and phone numbers to see if they were associated with Twitter accounts.

Twitter disclosed the vulnerability in August 2022 and claimed it fixed the issue in January after it was reported as a bug bounty. Moreover, Twitter said at the time it had “no evidence to suggest someone had taken advantage of the vulnerability,” but cybersecurity researchers had already found databases of Twitter credentials for sale in July 2022. This latest database of Twitter info appears to have origins in the old vulnerability.

Source: The Verge, Bleeping Computer

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Mobile Syrup

Samsung’s Q4 profits will be company’s lowest in 8 years

Electronics company Samsung will report its lowest quarterly profits in the last eight years.

The company has yet to release its Q4 2022 financial results but has shared guidance on its website.

The company likely made 4.3 trillion Korean won (approx $4.6 billion CAD) in the last quarter of the year. According to Reuters, this means profits between October and December likely fell by 69 percent compared to a year ago, when it reported 13.87 trillion won in operating profit. Sales are approximately 70 trillion won (approx $75 billion CAD), an 8.6 percent decrease year over year.

“Amid continued external uncertainties, including a potential global economic downturn, overall earnings decreased sharply quarter on quarter as we saw a significant drop in the memory business results due to lackluster demand and weaker sales of smartphones,” Samsung said in a statement.

The news comes as the company is preparing to release its Galaxy S23 series, reportedly set to launch in early February.

Source: Samsung Via: Reuters

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Mobile Syrup

Google’s new Android Auto redesign is finally rolling out

Google is finally launching its long-awaited Android Auto redesign and overhaul.

Android Auto’s update is primarily centred on making navigation, media playback and overall usability more intuitive. For example, the Maps function is now located on-screen in a better position for the driver. Additionally, the infotainment system offers an improved split-screen experience. Regardless of orientation, Android Auto can adapt to widescreen, portrait, or other sized screens. Users can access text message functionality as well as music and other options. Additionally, the new media card includes Material You features to display your favourite album art.

While the Android Auto update refines the user experience, Google is also adding new features. Broadening the usability, the tech giant says it’s enabling Pixel and Samsung phones to make WhatsApp calls. However, this feature isn’t yet available. Instead, Google notes that it’s coming “soon.” The overhaul includes a progress bar, enabling speedier call functionality and message replies. This applies to music and podcasts, too. Users can now skip songs or an episode of their favourite podcast.

Digital key sharing is also a focus for Android Auto. Google already supports the ability to share digital car keys across Pixel and iPhones. However, this year will see the expansion to Samsung and Xiaomi devices. It also seems like integration with Samsung smartphones is on the near horizon. BMW digital keys are already available, though Google says more car brands will get support soon.

Google has also announced that its Waze app is now available on select Renault vehicles. Google’s HD map is available on new cars with Google integration, including Volvo EX90 and Polestar 3. Honda is joining the roster of brands offering Google built-in. The list currently includes Chevrolet, GMC, Cadillac, Volvo, Polestar and Renault.

Image credit: Google

Source: Google Via: Engadget

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Mobile Syrup

Anker discounts portable chargers, cables and accessories by up to 30 percent

Anker is coming out swinging with a number of discounts on cables, portable chargers and accessories. The deals are upwards of 30 percent savings that can be put right back into your pocket.

Check them out below:

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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Leaked S23 Ultra renders reveal fewer colourways than predecessor

As we approach February, the month when Samsung announces its new S series flagship devices, leaks regarding Samsung’s upcoming S23 lineup are starting to ramp up.

A new Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra render leak reveals that the upcoming flagship device will be available in just four colours, in contrast to its predecessor, which is available in seven colours on Samsung’s website.

Similarly, the S23 will also reportedly be available in four colours, compared to the S22’s nine colourways as mentioned on Samsung’s website.

Courtesy of leaker @_snoopytech_ on Twitter, the upcoming flagship will reportedly be available in only ‘Cotton Flower,’ ‘Misty Lilac,’ ‘Botanic Green,’ and ‘Phantom Black’ colourways, as seen in the Tweet below:

Apart from the colourways, the renders double down on a leak we’ve heard of in the past. The upcoming flagships will get rid of the camera bump in favour of protruding camera lenses with no actual camera island.

Further, from what we know so far, the flagship S23 Ultra is expected to sport a 6.8-inch display, similar to its predecessor. It will also be slightly wider and offer the thinnest bezels ever on a Galaxy S device.

The S23, on the other hand, is rumoured to feature a 6.1-inch display. The handset will also feature Qualcomm’s 2023 flagship processor, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2.

The Samsung Galaxy S23 series is expected to be announced in late January or February of 2023.

Source: @_snoopytech_

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NetEase Games buys-out Canadian game development studio SkyBox Labs

NetEase Games is acquiring B.C.-based SkyBox Labs.

The video game developer has worked alongside Xbox Game Studios and Electronic Arts and is currently co-developing Halo Infinite, among other projects.

Shyang Kong, Derek MacNeil and Steven Silvester founded SkyBox Labs in 2011. Based in Burnaby and Victoria, B.C., it will operate independently under the Chinese tech company’s gaming division.

“We remain committed to growing our presence in Canada, supporting our current and future partners, and co-developing more AAA games for some of the biggest game studios around the world,” Kong said.

NetEase will provide resources and services to help SkyBox Labs develop PC and console titles and grow the company’s presence in Canada.

Image credit: Shutterstock 

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Mobile Syrup

Wear OS watches can now do Google Maps navigation without a phone

Months after promising the feature was coming, Google finally rolled out phoneless navigation to Google Maps on Wear OS.

Google confirmed the feature in an update posted on the Wear OS help forum, writing:

“We’re excited to share that you can now get Google Maps turn by turn navigation right on your LTE watch, no phone required. If you have an LTE-enabled watch, or your watch is connected to the internet via WiFi, you can now enjoy having Maps available on your wrist. This is especially helpful when you’re out for a run or ride and have left your phone behind but want to take a detour or need help finding your way home.”

Of course, it’s worth keeping in mind you’d need to have an LTE connection set up for your smartwatch, which in Canada likely means paying an extra $10/mo or so. And you’ll also need an LTE-capable Wear OS watch, such as Google’s own Pixel Watch or the Samsung Galaxy Watch 5.

Google and Samsung said the Google Maps update was coming back in August, with Samsung specifically saying it was “coming soon,” (via 9to5Google). Apparently, “soon” means about five months.

If you have a cellular Wear OS watch with Google Maps support, you can access on-wrist turn-by-turn navigation by opening the Maps app and entering the destination you want to go to. If you don’t have your smartphone nearby, the watch should automatically handle navigation by itself. If you start navigation with your phone nearby but move away from it, the watch will take over and continue navigation (although Google notes this only works if your watch is paired to an Android phone).

You can learn more about Google Maps navigation on Wear OS here.

Source: Google Via: The Verge