Author: Mobile Syrup

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Mobile Syrup

New BMW suspension patent aims to convert speed bumps into electricity

German motor company Bayerische Motoren Werke AG, better known as BMW, is looking to make road bumps less annoying, and no, it doesn’t include making bumps feel less ‘bumpy.’

The automaker is building a new suspension system, as filed at the German Patent Office, that would allow its electric vehicles to harness energy when they drive over speed bumps, and convert the energy to electricity that recharges the car’s battery.

The patent was first spotted by CarBuzz.

Normally, when a vehicle drives over speed bumps, the energy is absorbed by the springs in the car’s suspension system, and is subsequently dissipated as heat. BMW is of of the first automakers that is looking into harvesting the untapped source of energy, instead of wasting it.

The procedure includes attaching a small generator, flywheel and a one-way clutch to the vehicle’s suspension that captures the energy generated when the vehicle drives over a bumpy patch. According to Carbuzz, “This energy can then be stored in either the car’s normal 12V electrical battery or in an EV’s high-voltage traction batteries.”

The energy harvesting suspension system is still in the patent stage. It’s currently unclear if and when electric BMW vehicles would be able to take advantage of the feature.

Read more about it here.

Image credit: Carbuzz

Source: Carbuzz

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Mobile Syrup

Password manager Bitwarden adds passwordless login option

Password manager Bitwarden is the latest to join the passwordless craze. Bitwarden users can start using the mobile app to authenticate themselves when accessing their web vault.

Bitwarden detailed the new feature in a blog post (via Android Police), which appears as a button on Bitwarden’s log-in page. Clicking the ‘Log in with device’ button sends a prompt through the Bitwarden app on your smartphone where you can authenticate the request and unlock your vault. Of course, before this will work, users need to download the Bitwarden mobile app (available free on iOS and Android), log into the app, and turn on ‘Approve login requests’ in the security section of the app’s settings.

Moreover, Bitwarden recommends extending the passwordless experience to your smartphone by enabling things like ‘Unlock with Biometrics,’ which lets people open their vaults using their smartphone’s biometric security, such as scanning a fingerprint or using Face ID.

For those wondering how Bitwarden keeps everything secure without needing a password, the company details several security practices at work in passwordless authentication. That includes end-to-end encryption (E2EE), a unique fingerprint phrase that identifies the login request, and support for two-factor authentication (2Fa). Plus, Bitwarden says the feature will only work with recognized devices, such as a browser you’ve logged into before.

Bitwarden is the latest password manage to offer a passwordless method of logging in. Toronto-based 1Password has added passwordless login option recently. Microsoft has been pushing passwordless for a while, and earlier this year Apple and Google committed to supporting passwordless login as well.

In other Bitwarden news, the password manager recently announced it would be available in the DuckDuckGo browser for Mac. You can learn more about that here.

Source: Bitwarden Via: Android Police

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Mobile Syrup

Ukraine war, Rogers outage, and Wordle dominated Google searches in Canada

Canadians had a busy year on Google.

According to Google’s Year in Search report, Canadians used Google Search more than three times a day, equaling Google answering more than 3,000,000 questions every hour.

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine dominated the report, coming in second for searches, first for news, and third in “how to.”

Another top trending news search was the Rogers outage. A system malfunction impacted Rogers Internet Gateway, Core Gateway and Distribution Routers in July. 13 million wireless and wireline customers were left without service.

The outage also ranked second in Google searches asking “why.”

Other top trending searches in Canada include Wordle, World Cup, and Betty White.

Hollywood headlines and pop culture searches were also trending, with Canadians dialling into the news “more than ever,” Hibaq Ali, search trends expert at Google Canada, wrote in a blog post. This includes searches for Will Smith and Chris Rock, movies like Turning Red, and TV shows like Stranger Things.

Image credit: Shutterstock 

Source: Google

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Mobile Syrup

Apple now offers end-to-end encryption for iCloud backups

Apple will now allow users to end-to-end encrypt photos, notes and, more importantly, full backups stored in its iCloud platform, according to a recent press release from the tech giant.

As part of what the tech giant calls ‘Advanced Data Protection,’ the following can now be encrypted: device backups, Messages backups, iCloud Drive, Notes, Photos, Reminders, Safari bookmarks, Siri Shortcuts, Wallet Passes and Voice memos. According to the company’s press release, only iCloud Mail, Contacts and Calendar aren’t covered because of the platform’s “need to interoperate with the global email, contacts, and calendar systems.”

With Advanced Data Protection turned on, Apple says that law enforcement and hackers can’t access your data in the tech giant’s databases. With the feature off, Apple can help users recover their information if need be, but it’s also far less secure.

The feature is available now to iOS beta users in the U.S. and will release globally in 2023. Alongside this announcement, Apple confirmed it no longer plans to scan users’ iCloud libraries for images of child sexual abuse. The company also revealed that it will launch iMessage Contact Key Verification, a feature designed for journalists, human rights activists and members of government, that aims to verify users are only messaging who they intend to.

Image credit: Apple

Source: Apple

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Mobile Syrup

Xbox sale has several games under $20

Microsoft is offering several Xbox titles up to 85 percent off, with a majority of the titles available under $20.

Check out some of the titles from the sale below:

Tom Clancy’s The Division: $9.99 (regularly $39.99)

The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Special Edition: $13.49 (regularly $53.99)

Dishonored: Death of the Outsider: $11.99 (regularly $39.99)

Batman: Arkham Knight: $5.99 (regularly $29.99)

Strange Brigade Deluxe Edition: $15.99 (regularly $79.99)

Aliens vs Predator: $4.99 (regularly $19.99)

Assassin’s Creed Chronicles – Trilogy: $8.99 (regularly $29.99)

Avatar: TLA: TBE: $4.99 (regularly $19.99)

BioShock 2 Remastered: $10.79 (regularly $26.99)

Borderlands: The Handsome Collection: $13.37 (regularly $53.49)

Death Road to Canada: $5.99 (regularly $14.99)

LEGO Batman: $4.99 (regularly $19.99)

Check out the complete Xbox ‘Games Under $20’ sale here.

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.

Image credit: Xbox

Source: Xbox

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Mobile Syrup

Here are the changes to Canadian mobile rate plans this week [December 8 – 14]

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

  • 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

Ongoing deals:

  • Save $50 when you buy online. Get a new phone on an eligible 2-year plan, or bring your own.
  • Get bonus Crave Mobile for 24 months with Unlimited Share Plans Ultimate 40, and 40 (Canada & U.S.) in QC and with Ultimate 45, 50 & 100 in main regions.
  • Get a credit of up to $150 towards a new Apple Watch when you trade in an eligible smartwatch.
  • Business Fibe 50: Get a $200 credit (ON)
  • Switch to Bell and save $300 per line
  • Student Offer: Get 15GB data for 45/mo with proof of enrollment in QC and 20GB data for $55/mo in main regions
  • 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
  • Pair Bell mobility with your Bell service and get 20GB of data for just $50/mo. in QC and for $65/mo. in ON.
  • 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. 

Noticeable price changes:

New deals:

  • Save even more when you bundle home internet and mobile plans together. Packages start from $72/mo!
  • Add a line and get 8 GB for $50/mo for 24 months!

Ongoing deals:

  • Samsung Galaxy S21 FE: now 70 percent off!
  • Save 50 percent 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 percent 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

New deals:

  • Enter the MEGA HOLIDAY GIVEAWAY. Up for grabs this week: 1 Samsung Galaxy Z Fold4.

Ongoing deals:

  • 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.
  • Get 100 GB bonus per year with all-Inclusive 20GB, 40GB and 50GB plans, along with $15 monthly savings if you combine it 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
  • Save big when you buy a new phone! It’s easy—bring in your old device and save up to $500
  • Take advantage of monthly discount with multiline $5 to $15 per line each month (depends on number of lines)

Noticeable price changes:

New deals:

  • 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
  • New $30 prepaid plan

Ongoing deals:

  • 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:

  • Get 40GB to share for just $50/mo per line in QC, 50GB to share for just $60/mo per line in MB & SK, and 50GB to share for just $70/mo per line AB, BC & ON.
  • Get the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip4 for $20/month in-store or get it online for $35/month, for 24 months on select plans. Certain conditions apply.
  • Add wireless to your home services and save. Save $25/mo for 24 months on a mobile Rogers Infinite plan (ON).
  • Get the Samsung Galaxy S22 128GB for $15/month in-store or get it online starting from $30/month, for 24 months on select plans. Certain conditions apply.

Ongoing deals:

  • 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.
  • Student mobile plans starting at just $55/mo!
  • 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
  • Stay connected anywhere with the new plan for data-only mobile internet. Get 50GB/mo for $120/mo, then pay only $10 for every 10 GB above this plan limit for the first 3 months.
  • Sign up for Disney+ through Rogers and get 6 months on select Rogers Infinite plans 

Browse Rogers cell phone plans

New deals:

  • Get a bonus 100 MB of data when you sign-up for Auto Top-up on $25 prepaid talk & text plan plus receive a $5 credit each month for 12 months.
  • Save 30 percent on LivingWell Companion Go.
  • Get up to $640 off the Samsung Galaxy S22 with Bring-It-Back.
  • Save up to $1,175 on Galaxy S21 FE 5G with Bring-It-Back.

Ongoing deals:

  • Save the $50 connection fee when you shop Mobility online.
  • Save up to $1,240 on iPhone 14 family with Trade-In and Bring-It-Back.
  • Save up to $878 on the iPhone 13 family with Bring-It-Back.
  • Get up to 50 percent off on the latest accessories.
  • 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.
  • Get Stream+ for as low as $20 per month on select Unlimited plans
  • 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 the best look for your device with a Samsung Leather Cover when you buy the Galaxy Z Fold3 5G.
  • 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).
  • Get a $50 bill credit when you refer a friend to TELUS.
  • Bundle a new Apple Watch with TELUS Health Companion from $54/month.
  • It’s only $10 extra per month to double your data.
  • 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:

New Deals:

  • For a limited time, get an additional 12GB of data every month for free for 12 months on plans $40/mo or more

Ongoing deals:

  • For every dollar you spend, you’ll make 15 percent 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 is included with each purchase of a Certified Pre-Owned phone.

Browse Public Mobile cell phone plans

New 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 percent off.
  • Get 2GB bonus data with Autopay on all talk, text & data plans and 500MB bonus data with Autopay on $25/mo plan

Ongoing deals:

  • Chatr Refer a Friend Program – Get up to $150 in credits over 10 months to use towards your top-up.
  • 250MB bonus with Autopay on Talk & Text $15 Plan

Browse Chatr cell phone plans

New deals:

  • Get the Samsung A53 for $0 down, 0 percent APR with Sweet Pay.
  • Get iPhone 13 for $0 down, 0 percent APR with Sweet Pay.

Ongoing deals:

  • Value-packed mobile plans and home internet. Now $75/mo when you bring your own phone + a $50 Visa prepaid card (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).
  • Get 8 GB for $55/mo. when you bring your own phone (excluding QC).
  • 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 50 percent off on eligible Unlimited Internet plans, based on a monthly credit for 12 months (ON).
  • 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 off the connection service fee.
  • Hot phones starting from $0 down, 0 percent 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, 21GB for $40/mo, 30GB for $50/mo and 40GB for $60/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
  • Get 1.5GB of data for $19/mo. for 12 months
  • 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 

Ongoing deals:

  • Get Talk + Text + Data for as low as $20 per month.
  • Sign up for new wireless service or upgrade your device and save $10/month for 24 months when you select a new totalSHARE or VIP 35 unlimited plan.
  • 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!
  • Purchase a Wireless Device Protection Plan and get 3 months free.
  • Sign up for maxTV & Internet to get big savings. Plus, get Optimum In-home Wi-Fi free for the first 12 months
  • Save $200 on Apple Watch Series 6 GPS and GPS + Cellular.
  • Get big savings on wireless plans, crazy fast internet speeds, and binge-worthy TV.
  • Big deals on maxTV Stream media boxes for a limited time.
  • 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 percent 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. 

New deals:

  • Get a $100 welcome credit and free shipping when you sign up for a new Mobile data plan online
  • Get 8GB of Rollover Data for $45/month when you BYOP

Ongoing deals:

  • Family Share Unlimited Data plans and save up to $1,800
  • Get your new phone now with Price Guarantee. If the price of your new phone drops before December 13, you can get the best price – guaranteed!
  • Get a $100 welcome credit when you order Internet online
  • Save up to $25/month per line versus the competition with Eastlink’s Unlimited Data plans.
  • Add Mobile to other popular Eastlink services and save up to $10/month!
  • Buy a new Mobile plan online and get a $100 welcome credit
  • 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 

Noticeable price changes:

New deals:

  • Until January 10, inclusively, the referral bonus is now $50 instead of the usual $25.

Ongoing deals:

  • 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 

Noticeable price changes:

Ongoing deals:

  • Bill credits with : $100 bill credit with Fibre + Internet and TV, Fibre + Internet & Mobile and $50 bill credit with Internet & Streaming
  • Sign up for Disney+ and get up to 24 months free
  • You can save an additional $25/mo when you add our best TV to your Fibre+ Internet and Mobile bundle.
  • 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

Ongoing deals:

  • $50 off & $25 account bonus with the purchase of a phone and a $100 top up
  • $50 off Sky Elite Phone with a $100 Top Up plus $25 Account Bonus. 

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

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

Get the Crave $100 gift card for $75

Last year, on December 7th, Crave was running a promotion on its website that allowed Canadians to purchase a $100 Crave gift card for $75, marking a 25 percent discount. Today, one year later, on December 7th, Crave is offering the same promotion.

Crave’s website has $25, $50 and $100 gift cards available on its website. However, just like last year’s promotion, only the $100 gift card is discounted.

The card has no expiry date, though it can’t be redeemed, exchanged or refunded for cash. The promotion is available for a limited time — until Wednesday, January 4th, 2023.

Check out what’s arriving on Crave in December here. Purchase a Crave gift card here.

Image credit: Crave

Source: Crave

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Mobile Syrup

Amazon down for hundreds of Canadians

Amazon appears to be down for hundreds of customers in Canada, according to Downdetector.

The website shows complaints of an outage rise between 8am and 11:30am. As of writing, it appears the complaints are decreasing. However, that doesn’t indicate if the issues have been resolved.

85 percent of the complaints have to do with problems at check-out. Issues exist both on the app and the website. The outage is impacting Canadians from coast to coast, according to Downdetector’s map showing where complainants are located.

A map illustrating complaints of the outage in Canada. Image credit: Downdetector

This isn’t a problem specific to Canada. Reuters reports Amazon customers in the U.S. have also experienced problems.

Source: Downdetector

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Mobile Syrup

Users no longer need a SIM card to signup for Telegram

Privacy-conscious folks will be happy to know Telegram no longer requires a SIM card to sign up.

While the app only made phone numbers visible if users chose to do so, the privacy option might not have been enough for people to share their phone numbers to access an account.

But a new update allows for no-SIM signup, auto-delete chats, and many other changes.

The SIM-free option uses anonymous numbers on the Fragment platform. Unfortunately, users need to pay for an anonymous number, which can be used to register for the service.

Telegram is also letting users auto-delete future messages. While the company first introduced self-destructing messages in 2013, it only applied to messages already sent or received. The update allows users to set a “global auto-delete timer,” which will automatically apply to new chats. While it won’t impact existing chats, users can change this in their settings.

“Telegram’s unique combination of removing messages for all participants without a trace and controlling existing and future chats with auto-delete timers gives you full ownership of your entire message history. Together with using your account without a SIM card, it delivers ultimate privacy,” Telegram states in a blog post.

The update also allows account holders who hide their phone numbers to generate temporary QR codes. Doing so allows users to quickly connect with others without sharing their phone numbers.

Source: Telegram

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Mobile Syrup

New Starlink service Starshield turns SpaceX into defence contractor

SpaceX has launched a new service on its website aimed at governments.

Starshield uses Starlink technology to support national security and is a “secured satellite network for government entities,” according to SpaceX’s website.

Starshield focuses on earth observation, communications, and hosted payloads. “Starshield uses additional high-assurance cryptographic capability to host classified payloads and process data securely, meeting the most demanding government requirements,” the website states.

Starlink’s system can also be integrated with other satellites to work on the Starshield network.

Despite the available information, what exactly this all means is unclear. As pointed out by various other media outlets, Starshield’s introduction was quite, appearing on Starlink’s website along with its other subbrands. Its launch didn’t appear to receive any promotion. It’s also unclear what its tagline “supporting national security” means and if it would include military intelligence.

Its clear Starlink isn’t without its issues. One notable example is Starlink’s deployment in Ukraine during Russia’s invasion. While the network might have been helpful to some, reports indicate Starlink power outages have impacted Ukrainian forces. With Starlink powering Starshield, it’s possible similar impacts could be seen with the new technology.

Image credit: SpaceX

Source: SpaceX Via: The Verge