Author: Mobile Syrup

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Mobile Syrup

Apple’s dongle life continues with the $10 USB-C-to-Lightning adapter

It’s important to mention Apple not making its new entry-level iPad compatible with the 2nd-gen Apple Pencil is a perplexing decision.

Nevertheless, here we are.

The new 10th-gen iPad features a USB-C port instead of a Lightning port, which means that an adapter is required to charge the 1st-gen Apple Pencil with the device because it doesn’t offer a built-in magnetic wireless charger like the iPad Pro.

While new 1st-gen Apple Pencils feature the USB-C-to-Apple Pencil Adapter in the box, current owners of the stylus will need to purchase an adapter to charge it with the new 10.9-inch iPad.

Apple even mentions this rather complicated setup in the fine print of its base-level iPad announcement:

“A new USB-C to Apple Pencil Adapter is required for pairing and charging and is included in the box with a new version of Apple Pencil (1st generation). For existing owners of Apple Pencil (1st generation), the USB-C to Apple Pencil Adapter is sold separately.”

In Canada, this new adapter costs $10 when sold separately.

To be fair, Apple has always offered a separate Lightning adapter for charging with the 1st-gen Apple Pencil. This new USB-C-to-Apple Pencil Adapter (which is really just a USB-C-to-Lightning adapter) is just an updated version of that accessory.

Still, it’s unclear why Apple seems intent on keeping the 1st-gen Apple Pencil around, especially when it was released nearly seven years ago, back in 2017.

With the iPhone’s switch to USB-C looming, we’ll likely see a lot more of this adapter in the coming years.

The dongle life continues.

Image credit: Apple

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Mobile Syrup

Ontario’s Peel Region warns citizens of COVID-19 vaccination phishing texts

Ontario’s Peel Region is warning residents that a new COVID-related phishing message is circulating.

The Region of Peel has turned to Twitter to notify residents of a phishing/spam text circulating that claims recipients can get paid for COVID-19 vaccinations. The region warns recipients not to open links or send personal information to these texts.

The texts are fake, and you will not get paid for COVID-19 vaccinations.

This isn’t the first COVID-19 scam we’ve experienced. Back in 2021, the Canadian Centre of Cyber Security noted that many cybercriminals used the ongoing pandemic as a way to lure victims to visit fake websites, apps and open email attachments.

Source: @regionofpeel

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Mobile Syrup

Apple jacks up iPad prices heading into the holidays

Apple announced several new iPad models on October 18th. But while those stole the headlines, the company also quietly updated iPad pricing, raising costs across the board in Canada.

The keen eyes at iPhone in Canada spotted the price increases, which range from $20 to as much as $200. First, Apple appears to have raised the price for its newest iPad Pro compared to previous models (which are no longer available unless you can find a refurbished one):

  • 11-inch M2 iPad Pro (2022)

    • 128GB: $1,099, up from $999
    • 256GB: $1,229, up from $1,129
    • 512GB: $1,499, up from $1,379
    • 1TB: $2,039, up from $1,879
    • 2TB: $2,579, up from $2,379

  • 12.9-inch M2 iPad Pro (2022)

    • 128GB: $1,499, up from $1,399
    • 256GB: $1,629, up from $1,529
    • 512GB: $1,899, up from $1,779
    • 1TB: $2,439, up from $2,279
    • 2TB: $2,979, up from $2,779
  • It’s another $200 on top of the above for the cellular models.

That’s not all. Apple announced a new version of its entry-level iPad, which has long been the budget iPad option. The new 10th-gen iPad starts at $599, which is about $170 more than the 9th-gen iPad. Worse, the 9th-gen iPad is still available from Apple but now starts at $449 instead of the previous $429 price.

Along with the entry-level iPad, Apple upped the price of several other iPad models, including:

The price updates are certainly a bummer, although it remains unclear why exactly the prices went up. Likely, it relates to inflation, supply chain issues, and other economic stresses. Either way, it sucks for Canadians who might plan on picking up an iPad during the holiday season.

Via: iPhone in Canada

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Mobile Syrup

Cadillac’s Celestiq EV means luxury

Cadillac’s Celestiq EV is the epitome of luxury.

The company says the vehicle is the “most technologically-advanced Cadillac ever to exist.” It features hands-free technology and the Gentherm ClimateSense four-zone microclimate system, which features a personalized climate for each person in the vehicle.

Other features include all-wheel drive, active rear steering, and a panoramic sunroof. Cadillac notes each vehicle can be customized for the buyer’s needs.

Further, the vehicle will feature a dual-motor 600HP powertrain and a 111kWh Ultium battery pack, helping it secure a 0-60MPH sprint in 3.8 seconds.

Production will begin in December 2023 and start at $300,000 USD (about $413,482 CAD)

Image credit: Cadillac

Source: Cadillac Via: Engadget

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Mobile Syrup

PS5 DualSense Edge controller will cost $199 USD, but no word yet on Canadian release

PlayStation has revealed pricing and release timing for the DualSense Edge, its response to Xbox’s high-end ‘Elite’ gaming controller.

In a blog post, the company confirmed that the high-end PS5 controller will cost $199.99 USD (approximately $275 CAD). For context, the current Xbox Elite Controller Series 2 is $229.99 in Canada. DualSense Edge replacement stick modules will cost an additional $19.99 USD (about $27.50 CAD).

However, there’s no word yet on whether the controller will actually come to Canada. While PlayStation says it will launch “globally” on January 26th, only the U.S., UK, France, Germany, Netherlands, Belgium and Luxembourg were specifically mentioned. Pre-orders in those countries will be available through direct.playstation.com, an official online PlayStation store that doesn’t service Canada.

PlayStation says the DualSense Edge will be sold “at other participating retailers” starting February 23rd, 2023, although it’s unclear whether any of these will be in Canada. MobileSyrup has reached out to PlayStation regarding Canadian availability and pricing and will update this story once a response has been received.

In any case, the DualSense Edge is a notable device from PlayStation, as it’s the company’s first official “Elite-style” controller. Previously, the gaming giant has let third parties like Scuf make their own pro PlayStation gamepads.

The DualSense Edge sports a variety of features to let players customize their gaming experience, including button remapping, the ability to fine-tune stick sensitivity and triggers, swappable control profiles and more. As a PS5 controller, the DualSense Edge also sports haptic feedback and adaptive triggers.

For context, here’s everything that’s included with the DualSense Edge wireless controller:

  • USB braided cable
  • two standard caps
  • two high dome caps
  • two low dome caps
  • two half dome back buttons
  • two lever back buttons
  • Connector housing
  • Carrying case

It remains to be seen what the build quality of the controllers will be. Although Xbox’s Elite Wireless Controller Series 2 is indeed cheaper than the DualSense Edge, it’s also suffered from a number of issues. For instance, MobileSyrup‘s Patrick O’Rourke has had to replace the gamepad numerous times due to malfunctioning buttons or intermittent disconnection.

Hopefully, the DualSense Edge is more durable.

Source: PlayStation

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Mobile Syrup

Nothing to increase price of Ear (1) earbuds later this month

London-based tech company Nothing will increase the price of its Ear (1) true wireless earbuds on October 26 by about 50 percent.

The news comes from Nothing CEO Carl Pei, who tweeted that the Ear (1) price would climb to $149 USD on the 26th. That’s a 50 percent increase over the current $99 price for the Ear (1) buds in the U.S. Although Pei didn’t say what the Canadian price would be, assuming a similar 50 percent increase, the Ear (1) buds would jump from $129 to about $193 in Canada.

In follow-up tweets, Pei justified the price increase by pointing to Nothing’s growth. The company expanded from its initial three engineers to 185. Moreover, Pei tweeted that the “Ear (1) has received 15 firmware and tuning updates, and is a completely different product” compared to when it launched.

Pei also noted that Nothing has sold almost 600,000 units of the Ear (1) and that the product enabled it to launch the Phone (1).

The Verge points out that global inflation may also play a role in this change. The publication points to the pound’s slump in value as a potential motive for Nothing to increase the price of the Ear (1) buds.

Given that many reviews pointed to the Ear (1) buds’ value as a major selling point, the price increase may deter future sales. At $129, the Ear (1) buds were competitive, but if you need to shell out almost $200, other options become more appealing (like the third-gen AirPods for about $30 more). With that said, if you were thinking about picking up a pair of Ear (1) buds, you should probably do so before October 26th.

Source: @getpeid Via: The Verge

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Mobile Syrup

Warner Bros. reveals Mortal Kombat ‘collection RPG,’ coming to mobile in 2023

Warner Bros. has revealed Mortal Kombat: Onslaught, a “collection RPG” that it’s calling the first “mobile-exclusive cinematic story experience” in the series.

Developed and co-published by Mortal Kombat studio NetherRealm, Onslaught tasks players with building a team of fighters from a “vast” roster of Mortal Kombat characters and face off in real-time group battles to stop a deadly threat.

Specific characters weren’t mentioned, but the official poster for the game does show a handful, including mainstays Sub-Zero, Scorpion and Raiden. However, no screenshots or footage from the game was shown, so it’s unclear exactly how you’ll “collect” fighters or how battles will actually play out.

Notably, this is the first mobile game in the long-running fighting game series since 2015’s Mortal Kombat Mobile. The latest entry, meanwhile, is 2019’s Mortal Kombat 11, which most recently got an enhanced port on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S in 2020.

It’s unclear what NetherRealm’s next console/PC game will be. Earlier this month, Mortal Kombat creator Ed Boon said the studio is currently focusing on celebrating the series’ 30th anniversary, and a separate announcement regarding its next game will come after that.

For now, though, those interested in Onslaught can register for updates here.

Image credit: Warner Bros.

Source: Warner Bros.

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Mobile Syrup

What’s new on Xbox Game Pass on console, PC and mobile in late October 2022

Every month, Xbox brings new titles to its Xbox Game Pass subscription service.

Normally, these come in two waves and now, the company has revealed what’s coming to Game Pass in the second half of October. Note: ‘Cloud’ refers to a game that can be streamed via Xbox Cloud Gaming to a variety of devices, including Android and iOS.

First, as previously announced, the highly anticipated A Plague Tale: Requiem launched on Game Pass (Xbox Series X/S, PC and Cloud) on October 18th. On top of that, here’s everything else hitting Game Pass later this month:

  • Amnesia: Collection (Cloud, Console and PC) — October 20th
  • Amnesia: Rebirth (Cloud, Console and PC) — October 20th
  • Phantom Abyss (Game Preview) (Cloud, PC and Xbox Series X/S) — October 20th
  • Soma (Cloud, Console and PC) — October 20th
  • Persona 5 Royal (Cloud, Console and PC) — October 21st
  • Frog Detective: The Entire Mystery (PC) — October 27th
  • Gunfire Reborn (Cloud, Console and PC) — October 27th
  • Signalis (Cloud, Console and PC) — October 27th

It’s also worth noting that Age of Empires IV: Anniversary Edition, which adds new civilizations, maps, and more, will release as a free update to all players (including those on Xbox Game Pass) on October 25th.

Further, mobile-optimized touch controls have been added to Slime Rancher 2, while Persona 5 Royal is confirmed to have them when it launches on October 21st.

Finally, here’s everything that’s leaving Game Pass on October 31st:

  • Alan Wake: American Nightmare (Console and PC)
  • Backbone (Cloud, Console and PC)
  • Bassmaster Fishing 2022 (Cloud, Console and PC)
  • Nongunz: Doppelganger Edition (Cloud, Console and PC)
  • Project Wingman (Cloud, Console and PC)
  • Second Extinction (Cloud, Console and PC)
  • Sniper Elite 4 (Console and Cloud)
  • The Forgotten City (Cloud, Console and PC)

As always, Game Pass subscribers can take advantage of an exclusive 20 percent discount to purchase any game on the service and keep playing even after it leaves the catalogue.

Find out what came to Xbox Game Pass earlier this month here.

Image credit: Atlus

Source: Xbox

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Mobile Syrup

Samsung Galaxy S23 leak suggests device will feature Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chip

Another day, another Samsung Galaxy S23 leak.

The latest comes from Yogesh Brar, a regular tipster.

In a tweet, Brar lays out the spec list, stating the device will feature the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 SoC chip and the Android 13-based One UI 5. The battery will also see a slight upgrade to 3,900mAh.

Previous leaks stated the width of the device’s middle frame will increase, and the Ultra variant will support an ‘HP2’ 200-megapixel camera sensor.

However, only time will tell if any of this turns out to be true.

Source: Yogesh Brar

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Mobile Syrup

Apple reveals redesigned entry-level iPad with USB-C and new colours

Alongside its M2-powered iPad Pro and refreshed Apple TV 4K (2022), Apple has also revealed an entirely redesigned 10.9-inch entry-level iPad with more squared-off edges.

Apple’s new base-level iPad (2022) features a 10.9-inch display that seems identical to the iPad Air’s, USB-C, a side Touch ID button and new colours, including ‘Blue,’ ‘Pink,’ ‘Silver’ and ‘Yellow.’ Since the new tablet offers Touch ID built into its power button, it no longer features a front-facing physical Touch ID button like its predecessor.

On the camera side, the new iPad features a 12-megapixel ultra-wide front-facing camera and an updated 12-megapixel rear shooter. The tablet still only supports the 1st-gen Apple Pencil and not the newer 2nd-gen Apple Pencil. Apple has also refreshed its Magic Keyboard Folio case.

Apple’s new iPad is available to order now and launches on October 26th and starts at $449 for the Wi-Fi-only version and $599 for the Wi-Fi + Celluar.

More to come…

Image credit: Apple

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