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Here are the changes to Canadian mobile rate plans this week [January 05 – 11]

With over 13 wireless providers in Canada, it can be difficult to keep track of the latest promotions and cell phone rate plan changes.

MobileSyrup will compile the latest weekly rate plan deals every week. You can also check out our guide on plans across Canada to find the right plan for you.  You can compare from 47,842 options and 13 providers in Canada to find the best option.

It’s worth noting that rate plans are always subject to change and that we’ll do our best to keep this list updated as accurately as possible.

Canadian carrier rate plan changes this week

Noticeable price changes:

New Deals:

  • ONLINE ONLY: Save an additional $50 when you get a new phone on an eligible 2-year plan, or bring your own
  • Student Offer: Get 15GB data for 45/mo with proof of enrollment in QC and 20GB data for $55/mo in ON

Ongoing deals:

  • Limited-time offer: get the third month free with all prepaid voice plans. Activate by January 5
  • Get bonus Crave Mobile for 24 months with Unlimited Share Plans Ultimate 50, and 100 (Canada & U.S.) in QC and with Ultimate 100 & 100 (Canada & U.S.) in main regions.
  • Save up to 50% on Galaxy Watch5 and Watch5 Pro when you purchase select Samsung phones.
  • Save $25/mo for every team member you add on your account
  • Get an unlimited plan including 50GB of shareable data for $85/mo in main regions, for $75/mo in MB & SK and 20GB for $55/mo in QC
  • Get 500MB bonus data/mo. with automatic monthly top-up options with the $30, $40, $45 & $55 prepaid plans and 100MB bonus with $25 prepaid plan
  • Switch to Bell and save $300 per line
  • Online only: bring your own phone and save $10/month for 12 months.
  • Keep your business and all of its devices connected with plans starting at $10/mo.
  • Get 3 months of Apple TV+ when you buy an iPhone or iPad.
  • limited time offer – Get 3 months of Apple Fitness+ free when you buy an Apple Watch
  • Trade in your old device and save. Get a credit up to $700 when you trade in your old phone.
  • Get Crave Mobile for 24 months
  • Various phone accessories on sale
  • Get up to 500 MB bonus data/mo. when you sign up for Automatic Monthly or Automatic Monthly/Low Balance Top-Up option on eligible plans. 

Browse Bell cell phone plans

Noticeable price changes:

Ongoing deals:

  • Get 20GB for $45/mo for 15 months in QC and 40GB for $50/mo for 15 months in main regions
  • Save even more when you bundle home internet and mobile plans together. Packages start from $72/mo!
  • Save 50% per month for 12 months on unlimited Fido Home Internet when you pair with a mobile plan. That’s up to $540 in savings! ON
  • Get 5 extra hours of unlimited data every month at no extra cost. Available with Data, Talk & Text plans.
  • TABLETS AT $0 DOWN AND 0% INTEREST with financing on select plans for $10/month when you add a line to your account.
  • One Month Free Service when you invite your friends and they join Fido.

Browse Fido cell phone plans

Noticeable price changes:

Get an iPhone 14 128 GB at $0 thanks to the Take-back Credit, and trade-in credit.

New deals:

    • Save $5 for 24 months on any All-Inclusive Mobile plan.
    • Get a Google Pixel device starting at $5 per month.
    • Save the $45 set-up service fees when you subscribe to a Mobile plan online.

Ongoing deals:

  • Get 100 GB bonus per year with all-Inclusive 20GB, 40GB and 50GB plans, along with $20 monthly savings if you combine it with an Internet service.
  • TV 5 choices + Unlimited 60 Internet for $100/month.
  • High-performance Unlimited 400 Internet with the most secure Wi-Fi for $73/month.
  • 100 GB of bonus data per year, Club illico mobile, on the phone of your choice.
  • Get up to $500 in credit for a new device when you sign a new service agreement.
  • Combine your Internet service with several Mobile plans on the same invoice and save up to $100 per month.
  • Club illico mobile is included with all the All-Inclusive Mobile plans.
  • Get 10 GB bonus per year in Canada with the 6 GB and 15 GB Canada plans, along with $10 monthly savings if you combine the 15 GB plan with an Internet service.
  • Sale on phone cables, chargers and audio accessories.
  • Get up to $500 in credit when you trade in your old phone.
  • Monthly savings on various smart phones
  • Take advantage of monthly discount with multiline $5 to $15 per line each month (depends of number of lines) 

Browse Videotron cell phone plans

Noticeable price changes:

Ongoing deals:

  • For a limited time get a 10 GB bonus data every month for 12 months when you activate on plans $30/mo+. Plus, get your third month free
  • Get 20 GB for only $45/month in QC and get 40 GB for only $50/month in ON. After a $10 bill credit for 15 months
  • Get bonus 500MB data per month with Automatic Top-Up on $25/mo plan and 250MB bonus with the $15 plan.
  • Get bonus 2GB data per month with Automatic Top-Up on $30/mo plans and up
  • For a limited time when you refer your friend to Koodo, you can both take $25 off your bill.
  • Prepaid SIM cards are now $10 for a limited time

Browse Koodo cell phone plans

Noticeable price changes:

New deals:

  • Rogers Infinite Mobile plans start at $60/mo for 24 months when you add it to your home services (ON).
  • Student mobile plans starting at just $50/mo (ON, BC, AB) or $55/mo (QC, SK, MB).
  • Get 40GB to share for just $45/mo per line in QC.
  • Get the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip4 for $0/mo in-store or for $15/mo online, for 24 months on select plans with financing. Conditions apply.

Ongoing deals:

  • Get double the data this Boxing Week! Get 50GB for just $75/mo in ON, BC and AB or for just $65/mo in MB and SK.
  • Get the Samsung Galaxy S22 128GB for $0/mo for 24 months on select plans with financing and Upfront Edge. Certain conditions apply.
  • Get even more value when you add family to your Rogers Infinite plan and share data. Additional Line Rogers Infinite Plans start at $35/mo. for 20GB (QC), $45/mo. for 25GB (SK, MB) or $55/mo. for 25GB (ON, AB, BC).
  • Trade in an eligible iPhone and enjoy a one-time trade-in credit of up to $1,000 towards the device of your choice with financing and select plans.
  • Save $50 with the Setup Service Fee waived when you buy online.
  • Get 5 Roam Like Home days at no cost every year (up to $75 value) when you link your Rogers Connections Mastercard account to your Rogers postpaid account and eligible wireless plan.
  • This holiday season, get 6GB of non-shared data at speeds up to 150Mbps for only $45/mo in QC and get 15GB of non-shared data at speeds up to 150Mbps for only $60/mo in other regions.
  • Refer your friends and save up to $300 per year
  • Sign up for Disney+ through Rogers and get 6 months on select Rogers Infinite plans

Browse Rogers cell phone plans

Noticeable price changes:

  • Save up to $420 on iPhone 13 Pro Max with Bring-It-Back.
  • Get the Google Pixel 6a for $0 per month with Bring-It-Back.
  • Save up to $685 on iPhone 14 Pro Max with Bring-It-Back.
  • Save up to $1,120 on Samsung Galaxy S22 with Bring-It-Back.
  • Get up to $915 off the Galaxy Z Flip4 with Bring-It-Back and Trade-In
  • Save up to $1,045 on the Galaxy S22 Ultra with Bring-It-Back
  • Save up to $1,160 on motorola edge with Bring-It-Back
  • Get the Google Pixel 7 Pro and save up to $776 with Bring-It-Back

New deals:

  • Get a bonus 100 MB of data when you sign-up for Auto Top-up on a $25 prepaid talk & text plan.
  • Get up to 30% off on the latest accessories.
  • Our biggest deal on data: get 50GB for only $55 per month (Exclusive Partner Program offer in QC).
  • Save $120 on Stream+ with an Unlimited 5G+ plan.
  • Refer a friend to TELUS Mobility and you both get a $50 bill credit.

Ongoing deals:

  • Enjoy unlimited talk, text and get 50GB of high-speed data for $60 per month. Offer includes a $10 bill credit for 24 months on any in-market Unlimited 5G plan when you bring your own device. (QC)
  • Refer a friend for TELUS residential and security services and each get a $100 bill credit when they sign up. Offer ends January 16, 2023
  • Holiday offer: get 100GB for $80/month (ON, BC, AB) or for $70/month (SK, MB). Offer includes a $10 bill credit for 24 months on any in-market Unlimited 5G plan.
  • Get a $10 monthly bill credit for two years on any in-market Unlimited 5G plan when you bring your own device in QC and when you shop smartphones online or bring your own device in other regions.
  • Save the $50 connection fee when you shop Mobility online.
  • Shop for iPhone 14 family and get the Apple Watch Series 8 for only $28.75 per month. Plus, share your phone’s unlimited data with your watch for only $10 extra per month.
  • Save more with the TELUS Family Discount: save from $7.50 to $15 per line per month for every family member on your account who subscribes to an Unlimited Data plan.
  • Get a bonus 500 MB of data when you sign-up for Auto Top-up on $30, $40, $45 & $55 prepaid talk, text & data plans.
  • Get 3 months of Apple TV+ free on eligible Apple device activations.
  • Enjoy your ICI TOU.TV EXTRA subscription included with your TELUS plan (QC).
  • Bundle a new Apple Watch with TELUS Health Companion from $54/month.
  • Bundle your services and get up to $40 off each month (QC)
  • Save big on the flashiest phones with Bring‑It‑Back

Browse Telus cell phone plan

Noticeable price changes:

Ongoing deals:

  • For a limited time, get 20GB of 4G speed data for only $45/mo
  • For every dollar you spend, you’ll make 15% of it back in points.
  • Reward – Welcome Present Get 5 points.
  • Earn up to 20 points per month by helping the Public Mobile community online.
  • Earn 10 points for every 12 months you stay
  • Earn 1 point for every month a friend you refer stays
  • Free Public Mobile SIM Card included with each purchase of a Certified Pre-Owned phone.

Browse Public Mobile cell phone plans

New deals:

  • 250MB bonus with Autopay on Talk & Text $15 Plan along with and one month’s fee in credit
  • Get 1 month’s fee in credit with all the nation-wide prepaid plans
  • Get 10GB bonus data per month for 12 months with all the talk, text & data plans

Ongoing deals:

  • Exclusive offer for Quebec : Get 8GB of bonus data on plans $40+ as of your second anniversary date.
  • Get your chatr SIM card for 70% off.
  • Get 2GB bonus data with Autopay on all talk, text & data plans and 500MB bonus data with Autopay on $25/mo plan
  • Chatr Refer a Friend Program – Get up to $150 in credits over 10 months to use towards your top up.

Browse Chatr cell phone plans

Noticeable price changes:

New deals:

  • Boxing Week deal: Save up to 55% on select Samsung phones plus get Galaxy Buds2 with purchase.
  • Get one month free with any prepaid plan. Offer ends on January 5th.
  • Get 50% off on eligible Unlimited Internet plans for 12 months (ON).
  • Get 20GB for $45/mo or 40GB for $50/mo after a credit of $10/mo for 15 months in QC or after a credit of $15/mo for 15 months in other regions.

Ongoing deals:

  • Value-packed mobile plans and home internet. Now $61/mo when you bring your own phone + a $50 Visa prepaid card (QC).
  • Get 8 GB for $55/mo. when you bring your own phone (excluding QC).
  • Get 3 GB for $35/mo when you bring your own phone. (QC)
  • Get a $50 Visa Prepaid card with $39/mo, $40/mo, $50/mo, $53/mo & $70/mo internet plans in QC.
  • Get a new phone. Plans starting from $32/mo.
  • Buy the Google Pixel 6a and get 3 months of Youtube Premium and Google One.
  • Combine a mobile plan with home internet, now starting from $72/mo. based on a monthly credit for 12 months (ON).
  • Crave is available as an add-on for TV for only $20/mo. Hook up today and get 2 months free.
  • Get 250MB Bonus Data with Unlimited Canada-wide $25 prepaid plan (ON, QC, SK) and with Unlimited Province-wide $22 and $29 prepaid plans (QC), on Auto Payment Options.
  • Get 500MB Bonus data with Unlimited Province-wide $31, $35, $40, $50 and $55 prepaid plans, on Auto Payment Options (QC).
  • Add TV to your Unlimited Internet starting from $25/mo in QC and $35/mo in ON.
  • Get 500MB Bonus data with Unlimited Canada-wide $32, $34, $38, $43, $53 & $58 prepaid plans, on Auto Payment Options (QC).
  • Get 500MB Bonus data with Unlimited Canada-wide $30, $40, $45, $55 & $75 prepaid plans, on Auto Payment Options (ON, SK).
  • Purchase the Motorola Edge 2022 on Sweet Pay™ and receive a pair of Motorola Verve Buds 120 True Wireless Headset.
  • 100MB Bonus Data on the $15 prepaid plan with PPU with AutoPay option.
  • GET AN ANNUAL PLAN. Activate an annual prepaid plan with 400 local minutes and 400 global texts for $100/year when you bring your own phone.
  • Shop online and get $50 waived of connection service fee.
  • Hot phones starting from $0 down, 0% APR
  • Refer a Friend to get $50 in bill credits each when they join the Virgin Plus party.
  • Get a Google Chromecast when you hook up with TV on a 6-month term
  • Get up to $700 off a hot new device when you trade in your old one.

Browse Virgin Plus cell phone plans

Noticeable price changes:

New deals:

  • Holiday Offer : Bring your own phone plans : 10GB for $30/mo, 40GB for $40/mo, 55GB for $50/mo and 65GB for $60/mo
  • Get 6.5GB of data for $19/mo

Ongoing deals:

  • Get unlimited talk, text and 50GB per year of Fast LTE Data for only $99 per year. New Prepaid lines only.
  • Get 10GB of bonus data per month for 12 months on select plans
  • Enjoy one free month of Visual Voicemail when you sign up in-store or online for a Freedom Phone Line
  • Refer a friend and get a $25 service credit for each referral. Save up to $250 a year

Browse Freedom Mobile cell phone plans 

Ongoing deals:

  • Sign up for new wireless service or upgrade your device and save $15/month for 24 months when you select a new totalSHARE or VIP 35 unlimited plan.
  • Get Talk + Text + Data for as low as $20 per month.
  • Save $20/mo. off a totalSHARE Nationwide, totalSHARE Canada & U.S., or VIP 35 plan when you bring your own phone or buy a phone at a full price!
  • Save $200 on Apple Watch Series 6 GPS and GPS + Cellular.
  • Get up to $600 in-store credit toward a new wireless device and accessories when you trade in your old device.
  • Sign up for SaskTel Internet on a monthly plan and save 50% for 3 months + get Optimum In-home Wi-Fi for only $5/mo. for first 3 months
  • Sign up for SaskTel Internet on a 2-year contract and get Optimum In-home Wi-Fi free for 12 months
  • Switch to a 2-year Internet contract plan and save $10/mo. off the regular price
  • Upgrade to the next fastest plan at no additional cost for 1 month
  • Get unlimited calling with our Anytime North America Long Distance plan—all for one low monthly price
  • Get our 10 most popular calling features, including Call Display & Name Display, for just $10/mo. Add on Voice Mail for only $2/mo. more
  • Get 3 months of Apple Fitness+ free when you buy an Apple Watch.
  • Sign up for noSTRINGS Prepaid Auto Top-ups and get a $20 bonus
  • Bring your Google Pixel to SaskTel and activate it on a voice & data plan and get a $25/mo. bill credit for 2 years—that’s $600 in savings.

Browse SaskTel cell phone plan percent 

New deals:

  • Buy a Mobile online and get a $50 welcome credit & free shipping
  • Save $15/mo on Unlimited Data plans for 15 months
  • Save up to $14.38/month per line versus the competition with Eastlink’s Unlimited Data plans.

Ongoing deals:

  • Family Share Unlimited Data plans and save up to $915
  • Get Rollover Data for $45/mo. You’ll save $15/mo for 15 months!
  • Get a $100 welcome credit when you order Internet online
  • Add Mobile to other popular Eastlink services and save up to $10/month!
  • Refer a friend to Eastlink Mobile and you both get a $25 credit.
  • Get 3 months of Apple TV+ free when you buy an Apple device.
  • Get the Smartphone you Want for $0 Down with easyTab
  • Save $69.95 when you DIY and save the installation fee
  • Get up to $200 When you Switch to Eastlink
  • Change your mobile data plan anytime for free
  • Free Whole Home WiFi Perfected with all Bundles and Internet plans
  • Bring Your Own Device and Enjoy Data Plans

Browse Eastlink cell phone plans 

Ongoing deals:

  • For a limited time, activate your first plan with the referral code of a friend, and you’ll each receive a $100 referral bonus
  • A supercharged voicemail for IOS and Android phones, at only $2 per month
  • Enjoy a 12-month warranty on new phones and a 6-month warranty on Preloved phones
  • The higher the level you’re at, the more rewards you get to choose from to add value to your monthly plan.
  • Any unused mobile data will be rolled over to the next month.

Browse Fizz cell phone plans 

New deals:

  • Bill credits : $100 bill credit with Fibre + Internet and TV and $50 bill credit with Internet & Streaming

Ongoing deals:

  • Get 3 months free when you sign up for Apple TV+ and choose a TV bundle or add Shaw Stream to a Fibre+ Internet plan.
  • Sign up for Disney+ and get up to 24 months free
  • Order your plan online and save an extra $50
  • Upgrade to Fibre+ Gig 1.5 Internet for exclusive savings on Mobile.
  • If you’re looking for a lower-level TV plan than Total TV, check out the Limited TV plan for $25/mo.
  • Rollover Data any time for just $10/GB and carry over unused data for up to 90 days

Browse Shaw cell phone plans

Noticeable price changes:

  • $25 Off The Sky Elite C55 with purchase of a $50 or greater Top Up.

Ongoing deals:

  • Get 5GB for $40, 7GB for $45, 9GB data for $55. Includes Unlimited Canada Wide Calls and Unlimited Global Messaging
  • 1GB data for $25 with pay per use talk & text
  • $25 off any phone with purchase of a $50 top up

Browse cell phone plans

Ongoing deals:

  • Get an additional 5 percent of the value of every Top-Up in points when you sign up for Auto-Allowance or Allowance with your PC Financial Mastercard or PC Money
  • 20,000 PC Optimum points after two months of service
  • Get 1GB of bonus data every month when you sign up for an Automatic Top-Up option, eligible on plans that have data.

Browse cell phone plans

New Deals:

  • Sign up for a cheap phone plan and get 10GB/mo. per month of bonus data for 12 months with a minimum $30/mo. per month plan. Plus, get your third month free.

Ongoing deals:

  • Unlimited Québec-Wide Calling Plan (New 4G Plans)
  • Sign up with Lucky Mobile and Refer-A-Friend to earn a $50 credit!
  • Unlimited Canada-wide calling plan (New 4G Plans) – (ON, SK)
  • Get talk, text and up to 8GB of data for $35/mo (includes 5GB bonus data) QC for 12 months
  • A one-time $10 SIM Card charge applies for new activations.
  • Get bonus data with Lucky Rewards.
  • Get 250MB/mo. of bonus data after making 6 monthly payments.
  • Get a cheap phone plan from $15/mo.

Browse cell phone plans

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Mobile Syrup

LG’s 97-inch M3 TV fulfills the totally wireless TV dream

Television wires undeniably suck.

Some companies, like Samsung, have come up with inventive solutions like The Frame’s TV One Connect Box that allows you to plug devices directly into it instead of the television (the box still needs to be plugged in), but the dream has always been an entirely wireless setup.

While it still hasn’t been proven in the real world, LG’s 97-inch M3 TV seems like a near-true fulfillment of the wireless TV dream. LG says it’s the first company to support ‘Zero Connect’ wireless video and audio transmission, allowing you to plug your devices into a large external box to wirelessly send a 4K 120Hz picture from up to 9.1m (30ft) away.

To be clear, there’s still a box with unsightly wires coming out of it, but in theory, the actual M3 TV is entirely wire-free apart from its power cable, which is cleverly hidden in its stand. Along with clearing away cord clutter, this makes it possible to place the TV nearly anywhere in your home, freeing it from the shackles of cables (at least for the most part).

No other details about the M3 were revealed, including pricing and availability. However, expect the TV and its experimental technology to cost a significant amount of cash.

Not to be outdone by the television giant, a company called Displace TV showed off the world’s first totally wireless, battery-powered TV at CES 2023. Will it ever get a commercial release, though? Probably not.

For a look at all of LG’s new TVs for 2023, follow this link.

You can find all of our coverage from CES 2023 here.

Image credit: LG

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Mobile Syrup

Google Pixel 7 and 6 series get spatial audio support

Alongside the January Google Pixel update and security patch, Google has released spatial audio for the Pixel 6, 6 Pro, 7 and 7 Pro.

Spatial audio is a technology that makes users feel like sounds are coming from different directions, similar to surround sound. Apple bought the feature to Apple Music and the AirPods Pro a few years back. Google introduced code for Spatial Audio alongside the Android 13 beta back in 2022.

However, the feature has been disabled until now.

While headphones or earbuds are needed to experience Spatial Audio, Google’s Pixel Buds Pro, unfortunately, don’t support technology yet.

Back in December, Google said, “you can use Spatial Audio on your Pixel phone with movies from Netflix, YouTube, Google TV, and HBOMax that have 5.1 or higher audio tracks. You must wear headphones or earbuds,” according to a report from 9to5Google. The same report says that the Pixel Buds Pro can enable “head-tracked spatial audio,” however, new firmware is needed.

Source: Google, Via: Engadget

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Mobile Syrup

Up to 25 percent off Google Pixel 7, Pixel Buds and accessories

Google has taken some time to continue the discounts of some of its latest tech. If you’re interested in buying Android, or moving from iOS to Android, then check out the deals 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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Mobile Syrup

FIFA 23 players discover Ryan Reynolds cameos months after launch

FIFA 23 players are delighted after discovering that Ryan Reynolds actually has a role in the game.

It’s all thanks to the Vancouver funnyman’s co-ownership of Wales’ Wrexham AFC, the world’s third-oldest football club, alongside It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia‘s Rob McElhenney. As a result of that increased exposure, EA Vancouver’s last two FIFA games have featured Wrexham as a playable team, although we’re only now finding out, three months after FIFA 23 released, that Reynolds and McElhenney actually recorded lines for EA’s latest soccer sim.

Via Polygon, a match between Wrexham and Liverpool will actually have regular commentators Derek Rae and Stewart Robson briefly pass the mics over to Reynolds and McElhenney for some banter. In this case, the pair joke that the “very small” club of Liverpool is up against the “massive” Wrexham. The Wrexham owners can also be heard if you have the club play against rival team Stockport County.

As it stands, it’s unclear whether any other Wrexham match-ups feature Reynolds and McElhenney voiceover. That said, now that people know about this, we may very well come across the pair elsewhere in FIFA 23. It’s likely that people never even knew about any of this because Wrexham is a one-star club, so players presumably weren’t actually using the team — at least, not against bigger clubs like Liverpool.

The story of Wrexham AFC is a fascinating one, as the low-ranking Welsh team was going through a particularly rough patch amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Enter Reynolds and McElhenney, who purchased the club in November 2020 and worked to improve its standings. That entire journey is covered extensively in Welcome to Wrexham, an 18-episode FX docuseries streaming on Disney+ in Canada.

In related news, Reynolds recently renewed hope for his low-cost Mint Mobile carrier coming to Canada.

Image credit: FX

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Mobile Syrup

Samsung Galaxy S23 series to sport same displays as predecessors

Samsung’s Galaxy S23 series is expected to launch in early February, so it’s not surprising that the rumour mill keeps churning.

A new leak indicates that the S23 and S23+ will lack QHD+ displays and offer technology similar to their predecessor, the S22 series. This isn’t much of a shock, and the S21 series was similar, which, at the time, was pretty depressing considering the S20 did offer that better display resolution. So, to be specific, we’re looking at FHD display quality for the S23 and S23+.

Additionally, another rumour indicates that all three S23 smartphones will sport that variable refresh rate. The S23 Ultra will have a 120Hz variable refresh rate that dips as low as 1Hz. The S23 and S23+, on the other hand, will sport a 120Hz variable refresh rate that dips as low as 48Hz.

According to other leaks, the S23 Ultra will sport aQHD+ 3088 x 1440-pixel resolution, 8GB/12GB of RAM, 256GB/512GB/1TB of storage, four rear cameras with 200-megapixel primary, 12-megapixel ultrawide, 10-megapixel 3x telephoto and a 10-megapixel telephoto with 10x optical zoom.

Recently, the S23+ and S23 Ultra were both spotted in alleged promotion material.

Source: Android Headlines

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Mobile Syrup

Users report seeing ‘Fall Detection’ feature on their Pixel Watch

Apple introduced ‘Fall Detection’ to its line of wearables with the Apple Watch Series 4 back in 2018, and it has since been a staple feature. Some companies are playing catch-up in that regard.

Google introduced its first Pixel wearable, the Pixel Watch in October last year. At the time, Google said that ‘Fall Detection’ is coming to the wearable “this winter.” Now, some users are reporting seeing prompts to set up the feature.

As shared by 9to5Google, one Pixel Watch owner was prompted to set up Fall Detection to “get help quickly after a hard fall by allowing your watch to call your primary contact.” The prompt came after they reset their wearable while running the ‘December 2022 Pixel Watch Update and the RWD9.220429.070 build.

To find the feature on your Pixel Watch, head to Settings > Safety & Emergency > Fall Detection. Similarly, there is a new tab for the feature in the companion Pixel Watch app, and it reads:

Fall detection and international emergency calling are not available in all areas. International emergency calling feature requires Google Pixel Watch with 4G LTE. Fall detection, Emergency SOS, and international emergency calling are dependent upon network connectivity and other factors and may not be reliable for emergency communications or available in all areas or languages. Fall detection may not detect all falls. Auto-dialing to emergency services is not available in all countries. See g.co/pixelwatch/personalsafety for more details.

Google hasn’t yet announced a wide roll out of the feature for the Pixel Watch, so it is likely that it is in the testing phase. However, since it is reportedly appearing in watches running the latest build, it is likely that it is a server side update, and that Google might be readying up to deploy the feature widely.

Image credit: 9to5Google

Source: 9to5Google

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Mobile Syrup

The Last of Us multiplayer game will be revealed in 2023

More information about The Last of Us’ standalone multiplayer game is still coming in 2023.

In a recent blog post, The Last of Us co-creator Neil Druckmann revealed the news, teasing a new piece of concept art for the upcoming multiplayer title. Druckmann also looks back at the past 10 years of the franchise, the recent release of The Last of Us Part I for the PlayStation 5 and HBO’s TV adaptation of the series that launches on January 15th.

The new concept art shows two characters in what seems to be a ruined coastal city looking at a giant cruise ship. Previously released concept art showed two characters, one with a molotov cocktail and another with a sniper rifle, standing on what appears to be a balcony.

In the blog post, Druckmann says that later in 2023, Naughty Dog “will begin to offer” additional “details” about The Last of Us’ multiplayer game. Beyond this, nothing else is revealed about the upcoming title.

A multiplayer mode called ‘Factions’ was featured in the original release of The Last of Us on PS3 and the remaster for the PS4, but it skipped the more recent PS5 remake of the title.

Image credit: Naughty Dog

Source: Naughty Dog

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Mobile Syrup

Black Panther: Wakanda Forever hits Disney+ Canada in February

Disney has confirmed that Black Panther: Wakanda Forever will begin streaming worldwide on Disney+ on February 1st.

The Disney+ premiere comes just under two months after the Marvel film opened in theatres on November 11th. Since then, it has gone on to gross more than $800 million USD (around $1.07 billion CAD) and garner praise for action sequences, performances and tribute to late Black Panther star Chadwick Boseman.

A sequel to 2018’s Black PantherWakanda Forever follows the people of Wakanda as they grapple with King T’Challa’s death and protect their nation from an ancient civilization. Wakanda Forever was co-written and directed by Ryan Coogler and stars Letitia Wright, Lupita N’yongo, Danai Gurira, Winston Duke, Tenoch Huerta, Dominique Thorne, Martin Freeman and Angela Bassett.

As with many other Marvel Cinematic Universe, Wakanda Forever will have an IMAX Enhanced version on Disney+ to offer an expanded aspect ratio.

A Disney+ subscription costs $11.99/month or $119.99/year in Canada.

Image credit: Marvel Studios

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Toronto-based Nanoleaf reveals new 4D TV lights, Skylight and Nala Learning Bridge

There was an era several years ago when smart lights were pretty rare, and Toronto-based Nanoleaf and Philips Hue were two of the only players in the space.

However, there are countless smart light manufacturers now, making it difficult to stand out in the crowded market. Still, Nanoleaf always finds a way to grab attention when it comes to its designs, and its latest announcements at CES 2023 are no exception.

4D TV light

Nanoleaf’s 4D lighting system features a Screen Mirror Camera that mounts above or below your TV screen and extends the colour of your display. Nanoleaf says this system is powered by its new Sync+ technology and Matter-compatible LED light strip that features 50 lighting zones.

Nanoleaf says its 4D TV Smarter Kit will launch in Q2 2023 and features two options for 55-inch to 65-inch and 70-inch to 80-inch televisions. The company hasn’t revealed pricing yet.

Skylight

Though other smart light makers have sold ceiling-mounted lights for years, the Skylight is Nanoleaf’s first entry in the space. These modular light tiles mount flush against the ceiling and feature a square design.

The Skylight will release in early 2023.

Sense+ Controls and Nala Learning Bridge

Joining nearly every other smart lighting company out there, Nanoleaf now offers hardwired and wireless switch controls for its lights. These switches can turn lights on and off, change the brightness level and switch between preset scenes. The light switches also feature an ambient light that makes them easier to find in the dark, comes in a wireless version, and, more importantly, it’s Matter compliant. The Sense+ launches in Q3 2023.

The Nala Learning Bridge is capable of learning your lightning routines, including when you turn your lights on/off and the brightness/colour you prefer, says Nanoleaf. This is a lofty claim, but if accurate, the Nala Learning Bridge could remove the need to set schedules for your smart lights manually. The bridge also acts as a Thread Border Router, allowing you to use it as the hub for your smart home.

The Nala Learning Bridge launches in Q3 2023.

Essentials Bulbs and Lightstrips

All of NanoLeafs Essentials smart lights, including the A19, BR30, GU10, its Lightstrips and more, are getting updated releases with Matter support. On the other hand, Elements, Canvas Shapes and Lines lights will receive an update later this year that includes matter support.  Nanoleaf’s Essentials Smart Bulbs and Lightstrips will release in early 2023.

One thing worth noting about Nanoleaf’s products is that they have a reputation for sometimes featuring shoddy hardware. For example, the control module for my Nanoleaf Shapes Hexagon has fried twice, and they often lose connection to my Wi-Fi. While it’s unclear if the company has ironed out its hardware problems with its new devices, hopefully, the addition of Matter at least solves their connectivity problems.

For those who are unaware, Thread is a mesh network protocol supported by tech giants like Apple, Amazon, Google and more, that makes it easier for smart home devices to communicate with each other, while also offering better reliability and security. Not every device features Matter yet, but support is improving.

Image credit: Nanoleaf

Source: Nanoleaf