Author: Mobile Syrup

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Vancouver proposes policy to charge gas stations $10,000 for not providing EV charging stations

Vancouver city hall is reportedly looking into a new policy fixated on gas stations that fail to support electric vehicle (EV) charging. If passed, gas stations will incur an annual fee of $10,000 for failing to provide EV charging stations.

The introduction of this proposal is another step in the city’s transition to better support EVs. Vancouver’s continued investment sees a gradual rollout of EV charging stations and incentives to encourage residents to purchase EVs.

The proposal would see gas stations have to make charging stations available by 2025 to avoid increased licensing fees. “There would be an incentive to invest in EV charging to avoid the higher annual license fee,” a staff member wrote in the report. The current rundown of licensing fees is $263 for a gas station and an additional $163 for the parking lots.

Qualifications must adhere to the following: gas stations must provide 50 kilowatts of charging power. This would be enough for a single DC fast charger. Additionally, parking lots must provide a minimum of 26.6 kilowatts, enough for four Level 2 chargers. These can typically provide between 20 to 50 kilowatts per hour. Note that parking lots with less than 60 stalls are exempt.

It’s estimated that the cost of installing charging stations would be roughly $136,000 for gas stations and $100,000 for parking lots. The proposal states that it would take businesses roughly seven to eight years to recoup those costs.

The adoption rate of EVs within Vancouver (and Canada as a whole) is impacted by charging options and incentives. These barriers remain consistent, according to 12,000 Vancouver residents who took part in a 2021 survey.

Investing in additional EV charging stations appears to be a big focal point for the country. Last year, Electrify Canada announced its plans to triple the number of charging stations across the country. This will bring more than 500 additional stations across 100 locations throughout Canada.

Source: The Province

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Mobile Syrup

Samsung Galaxy S20 FE gets April security update later this month

Samsung’s Galaxy S20 FE will soon get its April security update, alongside One UI 4.1.

While the smartphone will get the update today in other countries, Canadians will have to wait until later this April to receive the update themselves. According to Fido’s update schedule, the update won’t hit Canadian users until April 26th. However, Koodo’s update scheduler says that the update will hit on April 19th instead.

This means S20 FE users will have to wait until later this month for the update, and it might depend on which carrier you’re using.

Weirdly, Telus’ and Rogers’ update schedules don’t mention the S20 FE recieving any updates in the upcoming weeks. Hopefully, their sub-brands update schedules are correct, but we’ll have to wait until later this month to find out.

Source: Fido, Koodo

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Mobile Syrup

Apple Watch blood pressure tracking features reportedly delayed to 2024

Rumours regarding the Apple Watch featuring a blood-pressure monitoring feature have been swirling since before the wearable was even released, and it appears those eagerly anticipating the functionality will be forced to wait a little longer.

Several reports from last year indicated that blood-pressure monitoring could arrive alongside the Apple Watch Series 7 last fall, but those rumours didn’t turn out to be accurate. Now, a new report from Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman suggests blood-pressure monitoring might not make its way to Apple’s wearable until 2024.

Bloomberg says that Apple is experiencing difficulties with the monitor’s accuracy. The report goes on to say that the Apple Watch won’t be capable of recording specific blood-pressure readings and that instead, will alert users about hypertension and suggest contacting their doctor.

Like blood-pressure tracking functionality, rumours surrounding blood sugar monitoring and the Apple Watch have been circulating for years. Gurman says that this feature is likely still several years away and that there’s currently no rumour regarding its target release date.

Apple’s upcoming watchOS 9 update is expected to feature refreshed older Watch Faces, expanded women’s health functionality, and a better low-power mode.

Source: Bloomberg

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Mobile Syrup

watchOS 9 will bring new Watch Faces, low-power mode to Apple Watch

watchOS 9, the next version of Apple’s wearable operating system, could bring several new features to the Apple Watch.

According to Bloomberg’s often-reliable Mark Gurman, Apple plans to add a low -ower state to the Apple Watch that will allow it to use more features when its battery is almost depleted, including running specific apps. Power Reserve mode currently only lets Apple Watch wearers view a small digital clock.

Gurman goes on to say the Apple Watch will get new workout types, tracking metrics during workouts and expanded sleep tracking with watchOS 9. Other additional features include expanded women’s health functionality, more information about atrial fibrillation, and a medication reminder app that Bloomberg says has been in the works since 2019.

Finally, the report says that Apple plans to refresh several of its older Watch Faces with new ‘Complications’ and, of course, introduce new Faces, just like it does with every watchOS update. Several of the tech giant’s older and more popular Watch Faces haven’t been updated with the Apple Watch’s more recent Complications system, so this move makes sense on Apple’s part.

It’s likely watchOS 9 will be revealed at WWDC 2022 in June during the conference’s keynote on June 6th. Apple will also likely reveal iOS 16, macOS 13, tvOS 16 and more at its all-digital developers conference.

In the same report, Gurman mentions that blood-pressure tracking and blood sugar monitoring are likely still several years away from release.

Source: Bloomberg

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Mobile Syrup

Nokia to exit Russia, promises to maintain current networks

NEW YORK, USA, 25. MAY 2020: Nokia a Finnish telecommunications, technology, and electronics company Young boy chat on mobile phone. Company logo on screen in background

Nokia is exiting the Russian market.

“We just simply do not see any possibilities to continue in the country under the current circumstances,” Pekka Lundmark, Nokia CEO, told Reuters.

The exit doesn’t mean the company will abandon existing networks in the country. In a press release, the company says they are applying for licenses that will allow it to maintain networks under current sanctions.

“This is the most responsible course of action for Nokia to take as we exit the Russian market,” the company says.

It’s the next step in a series of actions. Over the past weeks, the telecom equipment maker stopped deliveries and new businesses.

Nokia notes the decision will likely not impact their 2022 outlook. The company says Russia made up less than two percent of 2021 net sales, and strong demand in other regions will make up for the exit.

The company did not say when they would complete the exit.

Nokia is taking a more significant step than its competitor Ericsson. The company said it’s indefinitely suspending business in Russia and putting its 600 employees on paid leave. Ericsson is not exiting the Russian market entirely like Nokia at this time.

Image credit: Shutterstock

Source: Nokia, Reuters

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Mobile Syrup

The MSI Modern 14 is the laptop I wish I’d had when I was in school

I’ve had the chance to work with a lot of laptops over the past few years. Because of this, I’ve come to appreciate a laptop that knows exactly what it’s meant to be.

More than any other laptop brand I’ve used, MSI designs its laptops with the end user in mind. Sure, the hardware is first-rate, but the true magic behind the brand’s devices is the way that it tailors everything from the chassis to the software to benefit the user.

The Modern 14 is a perfect example. It’s an attractive device that does away with the frivolous features of other laptops in its price range to deliver excellent build quality and performance. If you’re in the market for a laptop that can keep up with your everyday life, the Modern 14 is an excellent option. It’s the laptop I wish I’d had when I was going through school—and the one I’d recommend to users who need a commuting machine.

Designed for students and professionals

The Modern 14 isn’t meant to be your all-in-one workstation like the Creator Z series. This is a laptop that’s designed to increase your productivity, assist with your tasks, and enhance your media experience.

In recent years, MSI has delivered modern aesthetics across its lineup of business laptops that go toe-to-toe with the best-looking products on the market. The Modern 14 comes in a range of colours, from a steel blue to a soft beige and your classic carbon grey. The understated colours are appreciated. It easily blends into a professional environment. Despite being an entry-level product, the Modern 14 feels sturdy, has clean lines, and offers several unexpected features.

Looking at the sides of the chassis, you’ll notice that it has two USB-A ports, a USB-C port, an HDMI port, and a micro-SD card slot. Not only did I not expect an HDMI-out port on an ultralight laptop of this size, but an SD card slot is an excellent addition.

For students and content creators, these two features alone make it stand out. There’s nothing worse than trying to set up a presentation when you’re already nervous. Being able to upload content through the micro-SD card slot and easily present it via the built-in HDMI port will eliminate the need for an adapter or having to cast your screen.

And that’s not even mentioning the true hero of the piece: the quick charging. As someone who loses track of time when I work, I appreciate a fast-charging device. I can’t count the number of times I’ve had the battery warning flash on my screen just as I’m about to head into a meeting. Being able to quickly top up the battery is a life saver. You can charge the battery of the laptop up to 60% in under an hour, and you can charge your other devices quickly using the included USB-C port as well.

Which brings us to two features that your classmates and coworkers will love as much as you do.

It just clicks

The keyboard on the Modern 14 feels very similar to keyboards on MSI’s other business-oriented notebooks. I’ve spoken at length about its keyboards before, so just know that I’m a fan. They won’t replace your custom mechanical keyboard, but as far as laptop keyboards go, they’re best-in-class. They have a pleasant spring to them, don’t require too much weight, and the travel distance is just right. And best of all, they’re quiet. The people around you won’t need noise-cancelling headphones every time you put your fingers on the keys.

However, if you’re the one with a noisy neighbour, the Modern 14 has you covered. Taking a call with others around is a challenge at the best of times, so MSI has included AI noise cancellation that adapts to your situation. Not only does the AI eliminate background noise when it’s quiet, it lowers the noise while you’re speaking. This is the same tech that’s used in the brand’s high-end laptops. And it’s a feature that’s definitely welcome here. Whether you’re taking a personal call in a noisy dorm or delivering an important pitch to a client online, noise cancellation can make all the difference.

And that same smart application of artificial intelligence is applied to the Modern 14’s hardware as well. MSI has been steadily building out its onboard hardware management software. MSI Center Pro is the latest iteration and it delivers on the promise of intelligent software enhancing the performance of hardware to match your needs.

For example, the Modern 14 can detect the audible noise in your surroundings and adjust its fan speed and performance output to be quieter than your environment. So if you’re working in a common area, you can have the AI automatically increase your performance without disturbing anybody. And if you prefer to determine your performance needs yourself, you can choose one of several performance profiles in MSI Center Pro.

For those who are back in the office or on campus, this laptop is built with teams in mind. Sharing a screen can be awkward when several people have to squeeze around it. Instead, the Modern 14 allows you to tilt the screen a full 180 degrees so that it’s level. You can then flip the screen with the press of a button—F12 for those wondering—so that your team members on the other side of the table can view the display in the proper orientation. It might not seem like a major addition, but these features add up to make this a laptop that delivers well beyond its specs.

Performance where it counts

That’s not to say the Modern 14 doesn’t deliver though. On the contrary, the Modern 14 is a leader in the entry-level laptop space when it comes to performance.

The Modern 14 has the latest 12th Gen Intel Core and Intel XE graphics. With the adaptive hybrid architecture, this build is able to assign tasks to the different cores depending on your needs. The P-core handles your heavy tasks, while the E-core manages your multitasking, everyday tasks, and background services. And just like PE class, this P&E combination is ready to keep you running all day.

Despite being an ultralight device, the Modern 14 has handled my daily tasks with ease. I’m currently running YouTube, Discord, Google Suite, and WordPress without any hiccups. And not to encourage watching Netflix during the workday, but it’s a perfect size for those nights when you just want to climb in bed and put on a Kdrama.

Designed for you

MSI hasn’t built the Modern 14 for everyone. It isn’t a gaming device, nor is it the flashiest performer in the company’s portfolio. What it delivers is an attractive, intelligently designed laptop that performs where you need it most. It’s a perfect option for people who need a laptop for their everyday lives. Students and professionals alike should give the Modern 14 some serious consideration as the best entry-level laptop on the market.

You can buy the MSI Modern 14 at Best Buy Canada.

MobileSyrup publishes sponsored posts. These partnerships do not influence our editorial content.

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Bugsnax and The Isle of Bigsnax update coming to Xbox Game Pass on April 28

Indie cult darling Bugsnax is making the leap from being a PlayStation exclusive to multiple platforms, including Xbox Game Pass.

On April 28th, the bizarre adventure game is coming to Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Steam and Nintendo Switch.

Bugsnax first launched on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, PC and macOS in the fall of 2020. The game quickly built a fanbase not only for its catchy soundtrack but also surrounding its world of kinda-bug and kinda-snack creatures.

Players take on the role of a journalist arriving on Snaktooth Island, looking for lost explorer Elizabert. Along the way, you’ll discover the strange Bugsnax and a group of settlers on the island. In many ways, the game functions similarly to Pokemon Snap, where players interact and research the Bugsnax in different ways. It blends humour and mystery throughout a bite-sized 10-hour narrative.

Although it was a PlayStation console exclusive, Bugsnax is finally being ported to Xbox and Switch. More than a year later, the game is accessible to a brand new audience. As confirmed by the Xbox Wire, the game will be playable via Xbox Game Pass, PC Game Pass and Xbox Cloud Gaming.

Young Horses has also been developing a new free content update for the game. Launching day and date on April 28th, The Isle of Bigsnax update brings roughly three hours of new content to the table. Players will discover new mysteries. “Find even more to do on the main island of the original game,” says the developer.

Yuri Lowenthal, Casey Mongillo, Debra Wilson, and Haviland Stillwell are all confirmed to be reprising their roles for the new story content.

On top of its arrival on Xbox platforms and Xbox Game Pass, Bugsnax will be available on Nintendo Switch and Steam for $24.99 USD (roughly $31.51 CAD).

Image credit: Young Horses

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Mobile Syrup

TekSavvy launches fibre-to-the-home network in Wallaceburg, Ontario

Source: https://www.newswire.ca/news-releases/teksavvy-launches-super-fast-fibre-internet-service-in-tupperville-851678510.html

TekSavvy is continuing its rollout of affordable connectivity to the Chatham-Kent, Ontario community by launching fibre-to-the-home in Wallaceburg.

Fibre service is now available to 270 homes and businesses in the municipality. The network delivers internet speeds up to 1Gbps and comes with unlimited bandwidth.

The internet service provider will continue rolling out the service in Wallaceburg through the coming months. TekSavvy will complete the project by “early summer 2022.”

“Wallaceburg’s importance as the second-largest community in Chatham-Kent means its industry and business sectors and its residents require a reliable high-speed fibre-optic network to help the community continue to grow,” Darrin Canniff, Mayor of Chatham-Kent, said.

The announcement follows news of the ISP completing its fibre-to-the-home network in neighbouring Thamesville. The expansion provides hundreds of homes and businesses with access and is also part of the company’s plans to offer Chatham-Kent residents affordable internet access.

Image credit: TekSavvy

Source: TekSavvy

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Mobile Syrup

Shaw pledges to plant real trees for every virtually planted one this month

Calgary-based telecom Shaw is once again running an initiative that calls on gamers to plant virtual trees for Earth Month.

As was the case last year, throughout the month of April, gamers are encouraged to plant a tree in any game and share a screenshot of their work on social media using the hashtag #ShawTreeSweep.

Shaw pledges to then match each virtual tree with a real one, with an ultimate goal of 20,000 planted trees. The company says more than 9,000 real trees were planted during last year’s campaign.

To help promote the cause, Shaw has also partnered with streamers MDee14, TY_digital and Kate, who will be planting trees in Animal Crossing, Minecraft and Stardew Valley.

Earth Day falls on April 22nd — more information on related environmental efforts in Canada can be found here.

Image credit: Nintendo

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Mobile Syrup

Third-party app store discovers low Android OS rollout

It looks like Android OS updates are still pretty slow.

Uptodown, a third-party Android app store with more than 130 million active users, took a look at Android OS adoption numbers across its user base. 

According to the data, Android 11 still holds the top spot, with Android 12 in the bottom position. The most recent Android update was Android 12, so we should expect to see it at the forefront. Following Android 11 is Android 10, then Android 9.0 and Android 8.1 Oreo.

This isn’t unusual, as we’ve seen low adoption numbers. However, we’d hope this improved over the years. iOS adoption numbers are typically far better.

Uptodown also indicates the market share of Android brands amongst its 130 million users. Reportedly, Samsung has the largest market share with 31 percent of its user base. Following Samsung, it’s Xiaomi, Huawei, Oppo and Vivo. Additionally, Uptodown looked at browser data finding that Chrome is the most used browser amongst its users at 83 percent, followed by Samsung Internet, Opera, Firefox and UC Browser.

Source: Uptodown, Droid-Life