Author: Mobile Syrup

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Mobile Syrup

Canadian gaming industry leader on the Canadian Game Awards and the possibility of E3 in Canada

If you didn’t know it, the Canadian gaming industry is the third-largest of its kind in the world, behind only the U.S. and Japan. According to the Entertainment Software Association of Canada (ESAC), the lobbying group that represents Canadian gaming companies, $5.5 billion of the country’s GDP comes from this sector every year.

With all of that in mind, Canadian esports organizer Northern Arena is once again putting on the Canadian Game Awards, an annual ceremony to honour Canadian games, studios, content creators and esports players. The show, which kicked off last year virtually amid the COVID-19 pandemic, is being held digitally once again this year via Twitch.

However, things are a little different this year: now, there are actually two ceremonies. The first, the Canadian Indie Game Awards show, will take place on Thursday, April 7th at 7:30pm ET/4:30pm PT, featuring nominees like Inscryption (Vancouver’s Daniel Mullins), Echo Generation (Toronto’s Cococucumber) and Moonglow Bay (Bunnyhug, an international team led by Canadian ex-pat Zach Soares).

Following that, the Canadian Game Awards itself will be held on Friday, April 8th, with a pre-show beginning at 7:30pm ET before the main event kicks off at 8pm ET. Some of the nominees include Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy (Quebec’s Eidos Montreal), Far Cry 6 (Ontario’s Ubisoft Toronto) and Age of Empires IV (Vancouver’s Relic Entertainment).

To help put all of this together, Northern Arena has tapped the ESAC to be one of its sponsors, with president and CEO Jayson Hilchie also set to present Game of the Year during the April 8th show.

Ahead of the two ceremonies, MobileSyrup caught up with Hilchie to talk about ESAC’s involvement in the Canadian Game Awards, the evolution of the show, and the possibility for other events in Canada to promote Canadian-made games.

Question: How did your involvement in the Canadian Game Awards come about?

Jayson Hilchie: The older iteration of the Canadian Video Game Awards, we endorsed, and [Canadian Game Awards creator] Carl [Edwin-Michel] and I are longtime friends. And when he came up with the idea, there was a two- to three-year absence and lull with no award ceremony. And Carl just called me and said, ‘Look, I want to put on this award ceremony, what do you think we had some initial kind of strategic discussions about what went wrong with the old ones? What would need to happen for the new ones to kind of go forward.’ He was really interested in doing everything that was possible to do to appease all of those things. And he seems to be pulling it off.

We decided as a board that an award ceremony in Canada was an important thing to drive the industry forward — also to promote the industry. I mean, you’re writing about it, so that’s proof that that works. So it really came down to a discussion. I recommended to the board that we were going to endorse this. But when you get our endorsement, you’re getting endorsed by Nintendo, PlayStation, Xbox — all the big companies. And so it’s not just a simple endorsement; there is a discussion that has to happen. And there’s always a reputational risk if the thing fails. And so that’s what happened before, and so we want to be involved in something that’s sustainable. And so far, Carl’s done a really good job with the production side of things and pulling it together. It’s looked really, really good the last two years, and just looking forward to seeing what it looks like this year. And even though it’s virtual, I went down there and shot the presentation. So it’s a bit of a mix, right? So I’m excited to see what it looks like. And Carl’s proven time and time again that he’s got the chops to be able to produce stuff like this.

Q: You mentioned looking at what was done before with the Canadian Video Game Awards. What are some of the things that have come up in your discussions with Carl and observing what was done in the past that are being done differently now with the new show?

Hilchie: There were some really good iterations of the old show. For a time, it was moving forward in a direction that was fantastic. I guess the brass tax on the differences right now is that Carl’s yet to host an in-person event, and there’s a massive difference between the virtual side of things and then putting on an event with 500 people buying tickets and coming and buying tables. The former awards did that — that was always in person. They never did a virtual one. So right now, I think it’d be difficult for me to opine about the differences between what this one’s doing different or better.

I can say that this one has a production value to it that is where we would like to see it. And I know because Carl did produce at least one — I think a couple — of the former iterations of the Awards, that he’s got the chops to be able to do this in person when it comes time. And I think the challenge with any of these types of things is trying to convey value to sponsors, trying to convey value to the industry, and trying to convey value to people to come and buy tickets. Like, if it’s in Vancouver, it’s challenging for people from Montreal and Toronto to get there. That’s an expensive trip, and it’s kind of a luxury item. It’s not E3, it’s not GDC — it’s just an award ceremony. And so, how do you convey that necessity to companies to set aside a budget to send a group of 10 people at minimum and buy a table to the award ceremony in Vancouver or, if it’s in Montreal, the same for people out west. So I think that’s a challenge with the old one, and Carl has yet to deal with that challenge.

And so time will tell how that goes down. I’m hoping that people want to get out of the house and want to go to things that will be a kickstart for [Carl] next when we start to do things in person, hopefully. But that’s the challenge with award shows, right? I mean, you can see what Geoff Keighley has been able to do in the U.S. [with The Game Awards]. He’s been able to do things very successfully because he’s well connected. He’s got a lot of sponsors and he’s connected to the agents to be able to bring in the celebrities that bring people into the room. I don’t know how well he does, but he’s been going for a number of years now, and I think that it’s a great model that Carl might want to look at when it comes time to do things in person.

Q: That covers the business side of the show, but let’s move on to the actual nominees. What were some of your big takeaways when looking at the games? Do you have any personal favourites?

Hilchie: Well, you know, I never say I have a favourite because there’s like three or four of my members represented in those games. [laughs] But I think the difference here is they’re all big games. And the Indie Awards are separate, so you’re not having a small game versus a large game. Even though in the old iterations of the awards when [Toronto-based] Capybara’s Superbrothers: Sword & Sworcery EP won Game of the Year — it won everything, and it beat all of the big games. I think it actually made some of the bigger companies a little bit irritated because “this small little game just beat out my big game that we spent a $100 million on — how does that happen?” So it’s possible for that to happen, but I think it’s a good idea to separate them, at least for now. But it would be great to bring them all together in a one-night show at some point.

But for me, I have no real favourites. For me, it’s like, every single game that is in Game of the Year was built during the pandemic. That’s something that, whoever wins, all of those [developers] whose games are nominated have a lot of pride to be able to say ‘we did this during the pandemic and we’re up for Game of the Year.’ I think that’s the big takeaway from this: every game that’s nominated had at least a large portion of it built during the pandemic. I mean, that’s something, right?

Q: What does it mean for you and the ESAC to be involved in something like this? Why would you say it’s important to spotlight Canadian-made games?

Hilchie: That’s the heart of what we do: we promote the Canadian video game industry, and we protect it and we make sure that it continues to grow […] The Awards, for us, is an opportunity to support another organization doing an awards show that is going to add to the visibility and promotion of Canadian video games across the country. It’s another touchpoint. We’re always trying to pitch stories about games doing this, and the industry doing this. So for us, the ability to highlight games and promote them and get media attention, but also get recognition for the people who are working really hard.

I just did a Q&A with my counterpart in Spain at AVEI [Spanish Association of Video Games], which is their industry association. And they’re highlighting the Canadian industry as an example of what Spain’s can be. I was answering some of his questions, and Canada, at one point, was not where we are today. We were where Spain is. So it’s amazing to get recognition for the people who are busting their butts making these games, especially the ones who have been doing it from home, building these massive budget games and trying to meet ship deadlines for the holidays or whatever the date is. For them to get some recognition, that’s great for them and that’s really important.

But ultimately, for ESAC, it’s about getting more visibility for the industry in a positive way. And getting articles like what you’re going to write about, how important this is, and getting some spotlight on the fact that we even have something like this. So that’s why support it, and that’s why we endorse it. And that’s why I present an award at it. Because it’s an important addition to the strategy around visibility.

Q: On a similar note, but moving somewhat away from the Awards… The ESA, your American counterpart, just confirmed that E3 2022 has been fully cancelled — no digital or physical show. When we talked at E3 2019, you noted that a major reason why a show like that hasn’t happened in Canada is that there are all these other events, like E3, Gamescom and PAX, so getting buy-in from companies for another event is difficult. Fast forward three years, though, and the landscape is a little different with COVID, E3’s cancellation and more digital shows. Do you think there’s a possibility now for some sort of similar gaming event in Canada, especially with what’s happening with E3, that could, in particular, spotlight Canadian-made games?

Hilchie: We’ve had that conversation as a board so many times, and since we spoke about it last time, I don’t really think anything’s changed. I think the virtual stuff is a great filler for events that already have brand recognition and loyalty around them. But I don’t think that starting a new event virtually is really kind of going to drive that value, especially because Carl has kind of done that with this event. And it’s fantastic. And he did that. And he got stuck in the pandemic. He stuck to it — he did the 2020 Awards, and it was all virtual, because if you recall, it was supposed to be an in-person event. And so he pivoted pretty hard. And he stuck to it, right? He could have quit, but he stuck to it.

I think for an expo of some sort, like an E3-style style of things, I think you really only need to look at ESA’s decision to not hold a virtual E3 get an idea of how great they think that was, right? I mean, I’m not going to speak for them. But if it was a great experience for everybody, you’d think that they’d be doubling down on it and doing it again. They’re just not doing it.

[In] our industry, you have to get people physically touching the controllers, physically playing the games — it’s hard to do something that’s just trailers, that’s just gameplay virtually you can watch. That already exists on YouTube and Twitch and other places. You get to watch people play the games before they launch. So to do another event like that, I think, would be forcing it.

Now, when this is all cleared up, and the risk profile of hosting an in-person event considerably decreases? We’re always open to looking at something. But in the short-term, I certainly wouldn’t recommend to my members to do a virtual event create something new. If some of the other events that used to exist kind of fall off the calendar or they don’t survive or things change or the schedule changes? Yeah, I would definitely take a look at what the opportunities are for something in Canada. I get it — I get your point.

It’s just that it’s just so challenging for our members to just, you know, ‘be at this, and then this, and then this, and then this.’ And it’s very costly for them. So they need to be able to identify some sort of value proposition and [return on investment] on every event that they go to. And we’ve got some members who want it, some members who don’t — we just haven’t been able to get to a point where we have a critical mass that’s going to make it worth it. That’s a long-winded answer, but it’s a complicated discussion. It’s not as simple as we talk about it and this person says, ‘Let’s do it.’ It has the potential to be politically rapturous.

For sure. For now, at least, we have the Canadian Game Awards, and raising exposure for that.

Hilchie: Yeah, it’s always one of the challenges, right? I think Carl does a good job.  I think the world just needs to get back in person again for a lot of these brands — he’s trying to build a brand, like I said I wouldn’t do from a virtual standpoint. It’s hard. People fall in love with brands, because they have touchpoint with them, right? They either buy them or wear them or they use them or they attend them. And anything that came out of nowhere during a pandemic is really difficult to get people to build that emotional attachment to. But we’re excited.

This interview has been edited for language and clarity. 

Disclaimer: I participated in the judging committee for this year’s show, but was not paid for this opportunity and had no involvement in the actual creation of the show itself. I also do not know any of the winners.

Image credit: Northern Arena

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Mobile Syrup

March roundup: network expansions in Canada

OTTAWA, CANADA – NOVEMBER 10, 2018: Canada Wordmark, the official logo of the Canadian government, on an administrative building next to a Canadian flag waiving

Government bodies and telecom companies invest millions in projects across Canada every month.

The map below categorizes these updates by carrier and funding body.

Telus

March 2nd: Telus launches Wi-Fi 6 and Wi-Fi Plus to its customers in Western Canada.

March 3rd: The Vancouver-based telecom company rolls out the first phase of next-generation 911 services in Alberta and B.C.

March 23rd: The company uses its Smart Hub technology and 5G network to bring internet speeds up to 100 Mbps in 60 communities in Alberta and B.C.

March 30th: Telus invests $110 million to bring its PureFibre X network to Coquitlam and kʷikʷəƛ̓əm (Kwikwetlem) First Nation in B.C.

Rogers

March 7th: Eastern Ontario Regional Network (EORN) and Rogers extend 5G access to 10 Eastern Ontario communities, including Pembroke and Mississippi Mills.

March 28th: Rogers launches a standalone commercial 5G network.

SaskTel

March 10th: The Saskatchewan-based company expanded its 5G network in Saskatoon.

March 29th: SaskTel launched infiNET 600 and infiNET 1 Gig in communities with its infiNET service, allowing for faster download speeds.

Eastlink

March 16th: Powered through Ericsson’s radio access network, Eastlink launched its first 5G network in Halifax.

Access Communications

March 17th: The company launched its ultra-fast internet in eight Saskatchewan communities.

E.H.!tel Networks

March 24th: The company is working on a project to bring high-speed internet to the Region of Waterloo.

Government bodies

March 24th: The governments of Canada and Newfoundland invest $22 million to bring high-speed internet to 1,000 households in rural Labrador.

March 28th: The Government of B.C. is investing $3.1 million to improve cellular coverage along Highway 3. Rogers will serve as the provider.

March 29th: The CRTC allocated $19.5 million t0 broadband projects in 10 communities in Alberta and B.C.

Bell

March 29th: Bell announced plans to expand its fibre internet to 21,000 homes and businesses in Pickering, Ontario.

Image credit: Shutterstock

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Mobile Syrup

You can now experience what it feels like to be smacked by Will Smith in VR

March 27th’s 94th Academy Awards will go down in history as the event where an award winner lost his cool over a not very funny joke. If you haven’t been living under a rock, you’ve likely heard about Will Smith and Chris Rock’s confrontation that saw the latter getting smacked in the face.

Since then, the globally-aired skirmish has become a mainstream meme, with someone even creating a ‘Will Smith Slap’ NFT collection on OpenSea.

Now, YouTuber MVR, which specializes in 360-degree VR content, has recreated the altercation, so you too can experience what it’s like to either be smacked in the face by Will Smith, or slap Chris Rock in the face. Yes, MVR recreated both POVs.

Both videos feature real audio from the night, along with a few people in attendance, including Smith’s wife Jada Pinkett Smith. There isn’t much else to it — it’s just a recreation of both POVs from the infamous night that you can experience as if you were a part of it.

Image credit: MVR

Source: MVR

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Mobile Syrup

BlackBerry agrees to settle BlackBerry 10 lawsuit with $165 million payout

Berlin, Germany – September 10, 2019: BlackBerry Smartphone displayed in an electronics store

BlackBerry now focuses on cybersecurity, but its mobile past continues to make headlines.

Reuters reports the company has recently agreed to settle an eight-year-old lawsuit for $165 million. The case stemmed from allegations the company defrauded shareholders by embellishing the success of the BlackBerry 1o.

Payment will go towards those who purchased shares between March 28th, 2013, and September 20th, 2013.

Shareholder Marvin Pearlstein, who filed a lawsuit in 2013, said BlackBerry told stakeholders it was “progressing on its financial and operational commitments” for BlackBerry 10. In reality, that wasn’t the case.

As Reuters reports, critics approved BlackBerry 10 through positive reviews, but it never won over the public. The move means the company can avoid a planned trial in the U.S.

BlackBerry halted phone production in 2016.

Image credit: Shutterstock

Source: Reuters

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Mobile Syrup

Mario Golf is coming to Nintendo’s Switch Online ‘Expansion Pack’

Mario Golf is the next N64 game set to hit Nintendo’s Switch Online Expansion service.

The game is set to land on the subscription tier on April 15th. Released back in 1999, Mario Golf for the N64 is one of the more critically acclaimed titles in the long-running golf series.

Mario Golf follows the release of F-Zero X last month. Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards and Pokémon Snap are expected to make their way to the Expansion Pack tier in the coming months.

I’ve played most of the entries in the Mario Golf series — including most recently, Mario Golf: Super Rush — but for whatever reason, I never checked out the Mushroom Kingdom’s N64 golf outing. I’m excited to finally have the chance to take it for a spin.

Though the Switch’s Expansion Pack started off with a meagre offering of N64 games, the subscription tier’s catalogue of games has been steadily growing over the past few months. Nintendo also recently made an effort to improve some titles’ shoddy emulation.

Nintendo’s ‘Expansion Pack’ online tier costs $63.99 for a 12-month individual membership (one account) or $99.99 for a 12-month Family Membership (up to eight accounts).

Image credit: Nintendo

Source: @NintendoAmerica

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Mobile Syrup

Here are the changes to Canadian mobile rate plans this week [April 7 – April 13]

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

New deals:

  • Buy a new phone online and save $50, shop now.
  • Get three months of Apple TV+ when you buy an iPhone or iPad
  • Bonus crave mobile for 24 months with Ultimate 45 and 50. (QC)
  • Get three lines with 60 GB of shareable data for an average of $53.33/mo in QC and 75GB of shareable data for $58.33/mo. in MB & SK.
  • Get three lines with 75 GB of shareable data for an average of $68.33/mo. (Main regions)
  • Get 5GB of data for only $45/mo in QC, MB and SK and for $55/mo in main regions.
  • Switch your business to Canada’s best 5G network and get a credit of $180 per line in QC and $150 in other regions.

Ongoing deals:

  • Fibe Internet + Fibe TV app – Bonus Get a Bell Streamer, included with the Fibe TV app on a 6-month term (QC only)
  • Fibe TV app – Bonus Get a Bell Streamer, included with the Fibe TV app on a 6-month term (QC only)
  • Fibe Internet + Fibe TV app – Bonus Get Crave for 12 months with subscription + Get a Bell Streamer, included with the Fibe TV app on a 6-month term. (ON only)
  • Fibe 50 Internet + Fibe TV – BONUS Get Crave for 12 months with subscription (ON Only)
  • Online Exclusive – Get a $150 Visa* prepaid card with select TV and Internet bundles on a 2-year TV contract term. (ON only)
  • limited time offer – Get three months of Apple Fitness+ free when you buy an Apple Watch
  • Trade-in your old device and save. Get a credit of $700 when you trade-in your old phone.
  • Promo on 45, 50, 55 & 65 plan for new activations and upgrades only. (QC)
  • Get bonus Crave Mobile for 24 months with Unlimited Share Plans Ultimate 45 and Ultimate 50. (main regions)
  • Get three lines with unlimited data and no overages for an average of $43/mo in QC, $48/mo in MB & SK and $63/mo in main regions.
  • Get 25% off any Samsung Galaxy Watch4 series smartwatch
  • Get Crave Mobile for 24 months
  • Get 500MB bonus data/mo. with automatic monthly top-up options with the $30, $40, $45 & $55 prepaid plans
  • Pay even less per month with the Device Return Option.
  • Various phone accessories on sale
  • Trade in your device and get a minimum of $100 towards a new one.
  • Connect your other devices and enjoy unlimited data from $10/mo.
  • Pair Bell mobility with your Bell service and get 20GB of data for just $50/mo. in QC and for $65/mo. in ON.
  • Save $25/month for every team member you add to your account.
  • Get a bonus of 100MB data/mo with unlimited Canada-wide minutes for $25/mo with automatic monthly top-up options.
  • Save $15/mo. for every family member you add to your account.
  • 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

New deals:

  • Limited Time Offer – Add a line and get 10 GB for $45/mo for 17 months!
  • Give a phone a new life! Lower prices on ALL Certified Pre-owned phones. Get yours today starting at $0 down with Fido Payment Program on select plans.
  • Motorola Edge is part of spring event, get it now. Get the Motorola Edge for $0 down on approved credit, 0% interest and pay only $10/mo after bill credit (plus taxes) for 24 months with Fido Payment Program on select plans.
  • Spring cleaning clearance on the phones you want! Dropped prices on ENTIRE selection of Clearance phones. Stock is limited, so better act fast!
  • Trade-in. Trade up. Get a trade-in credit of $360! For a limited time only, trade-in an eligible iPhone 11 to get a new phone with Fido Payment Program and select plans.
  • Fido XTRA: Contest of the year – Each month, all year long, 10 Fido customers will win 1 YEAR of FREE Fido service. Enter daily on the Fido app.
  • Fido XTRA this week: Win a $500 eGift Card from Walmart! Only on the Fido app.

Ongoing deals:

  • Get iPhone 11, 11 Pro, 12, 12 Pro, 12 Pro Max, XR, SE (2020), iPhone 12 mini and TCL 20 Pro 5G on Clearance
  • Save up to $25 per month for 12 months on unlimited Home Internet 75u or 150u when you pair with a Mobile plan. (ON)
  • Apple iPad 7 is on clearance
  • Trade-in select devices and get a minimum credit of $100
  • Various smartphones on deals
  • One Month Free Service when you invite your friends and they join Fido.

Browse Fido cell phone plans

Ongoing deals:

  • The new generation of iPhone SE and iPhone 13 Pro in Alpine Green now available
  • Get 10 GB bonus per year in Canada with Basic 4GB, 6GB, 10GB , 15GB Canada plan & $10 GB Canada-Us plan
  • Access a host of movies, series and youth content with Club illico mobile included in our All-Inclusive Mobile plans
  • Various deals on smart phones
  • Don’t wait another second! Get 6GB for $45.
  • Monthly savings on various smart phones
  • Combine a Mobile plan to an Internet plan and get a $10 monthly discount.
  • Save big when you buy a new phone! It’s easy—bring in your old device and save up to $500
  • The new Vrai platform is offered for 3 months when you add it to your Mobile plan via the QUB app.
  • Vrai and Club Illico are offered for three months
  • Get 100 GB bonus per year with all-Inclusive 20GB, 40GB plan as well as 15 GB Canada – US without border plan
  • Take advantage of monthly discount with multiline $5 to $15 per line each month (depends of number of lines)
  • Sale on phone cables, chargers and audio accessories
  • HUAWEI FreeBuds 3 and the HUAWEI WATCH GT 2 on sale now
  • Take advantage of all the benefits of Helix internet starting from $50/mo.
  • Get a discount and save up to $15 per plan every month if you team up by four
  • Get extra 100GB per year, always at full speed
  • Helix unlimited 400 internet at $70/mo
  • Subscribe to the QUB musique Family plan at the exclusive rate of $9.99/month for 24 months

Browse Videotron cell phone plan

New deals:

  • Get the TCL 20 Pro for $10 /month on a Talk and Text plan. $550 savings!
  • Get 10GB of data for just $55 /month

Ongoing deals:

  • Get bonus 500MB data per month with Automatic Top-Up on all prepaid Base plans
  • 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 

New deals:

  • Get the Galaxy A53 for $0 down on approved credit, 0% interest for only $24.58/mo for 24 months with financing on Rogers Infinite plans. Plus, get an additional $100 credit when you activate or upgrade today.
  • Get the iPhone 13 128GB for only $36.17/mo for 24 months with financing and Upfront Edge when you return your device within two years
  • Get iPhone 12 mini 128GB for only $16/mo for 24 months, $0 down and 0% interest with Upfront Edge and financing with Rogers Infinite plans when you return your device in 2 years.
  • Get iPhone 13 128 GB for $0 down on approved credit, 0% interest and pay only $21.17/mo for 24 months when you trade in an iPhone 11.
  • Score the Samsung Galaxy S22 128GB for $0 down on approved credit, 0% interest for only $30/mo for 24 months with financing and Upfront Edge when you return your device within two years on Rogers Infinite plans.

Ongoing deals:

  • Get iPhone SE 64GB for $0 down on approved credit, 0% interest for only $24.80/mo for 24 months with financing on Rogers Infinite plans
  • Promotional data plan for individual plans on $45/mo 6GB plan, $50/mo 10GB plan and $55/mo 15GB plan.(QC)
  • Get the iPhone mini 12 256GB for only $7/mo or 24 months with financing and Upfront Edge when you return your device within two years
  • Save on your Rogers bill with Cash Back Rewards
  • Stay connected with family – add a line and save $15/mo in (MB,SK,QC) and $20/mo in main regions.
  • Activate or upgrade on a $75/mo or higher Rogers Infinite plan and get our most premium perks (QC) and $90 for main regions.
  • For a limited time only, get data plans starting from $40/mo for 3GB of non-shareable data with any phone on financing or when you bring your own phone. (QC)
  • Stay connected anywhere with the new mobile internet plan
  • Get the Pixel 6 Series for $0 down on approved credit
  • Get up to 3 months of Google One when you sign up through Rogers.
  • Promo on Talk text Unlimited Canada Wide minutes for $30 (was $35)
  • Sign up for Disney+ through Rogers and get six months on select Rogers Infinite plans
  • $50 referral credit for both after they activate

Browse Rogers cell phone plans

New deals:

  • Add Pik TV for only $10/mo with TELUS Internet. (AB & BC Only)
  • Get LivingWell Companion Go for $45/mo (main regions only)
  • Save $10 per month with the ultimate online protection. (main regions only)
  • Get $10 off any Mobile Klinik repair if you’re a TELUS customer. (main regions only)
  • Order TELUS Internet & get Apple AirPods Pro worth $329.(AB & BC Only)
  • Get TCL 20 Pro 5G for as low as $10 per month.
  • Act fast and get an extra 20GB (QC, SK and MB) and 15GB of data for $5 per month in main regions.
  • Save up to $470 on iPhone 13 family with Bring-It-Back.
  • Save the $50 connection fee when you shop Mobility online.
  • Up to $1,128 off the Samsung Galaxy S22 series with Bring-It-Back

Ongoing deals:

  • Get up to $200 in bill credits and Amazon Echo Show. (QC only)
  • Enter to win a $1,000 SAIL gift card and get everything you need for your next adventure thanks to TELUS Privilege.
  • Get one month on us, plus a FREE $400 TELUS prepaid Visa. (BC&AB)
  • Refer a friend to Telus and get a $50 bill credit
  • Get PureFibre Gigabit Internet, Optik TV and SmartHome Security from $122/mo. (BC &AB)
  • Save $840 when you bundle Optik TV and Internet on a two year term (BC & AB)
  • Get a FREE 55″ Samsung 4K HDR Smart TV (BC &AB)
  • Telus PureFibre Gig Internet now with Wi‑Fi 6 – from $89/mo. (BC &AB)
  • Bundle your services and get up to $40 off each month (QC)
  • Get a $300 bill credit when you sign up for any pro-monitored plan online (ON)
  • Shop plans and save up to $720 per year with Telus Family Discount
  • Bundle a new Apple Watch with TELUS Health Companion from $54/month.
  • Save big on the flashiest phones with Bring‑It‑Back
  • Get a bonus 500MB of data when you sign-up for Auto Top-up on $30, $40, $45 & $55 prepaid talk, text & data plans
  • Get a bonus 100MB of data when you sign-up for Auto Top-up on a $25 prepaid talk & text plan

Browse Telus cell phone plan

New deals:

  • Great deals on certified pre-owned iPhone 8 and Samsung Galaxy S9.

Ongoing deals:

  • 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
  • For every dollar you spend, you’ll make 5% of it back in points.
  • Free Public Mobile SIM Card included with each purchase of a Certified Pre-Owned phone.
  • 2.5 GB Data at 3G speed +BONUS 500MB with AutoPay for $35/mo
  • Chat more with free international calling
  • Connect more with 2GB of free data
  • 500MB bonus with Autopay on all Talk, Text & Data plans except the $15 plan which comes with 250MB bonus (all regions)

Browse Public Mobile cell phone plans

New deals:

  • Chatr Refer a Friend Program – Get up to $150 in credits over ten months to use towards your top-up.

Ongoing deals:

  • Exclusive Quebec offer – Affordable nationwide plans with no term contracts, no credit checks and no commitment.
  • Exclusive Quebec offer – Get 5GB of bonus data on plans $35+ on your second-anniversary date.
  • 500MB bonus with Autopay on all Talk, Text & Data plans
  • 250MB bonus with Autopay on Talk & Text $15 Plan

Browse Chatr cell phone plans

New deals:

  • Shop online and get $50 waived connection service fee.
  • Get a $100 bill credit when you purchase the Samsung Galaxy A53 5G online.
  • Get 250MB Bonus Data with unlimited province wide $22 and $29 plan, & unlimited Canada wide $24 Prepaid plan.
  • Get 500MB Bonus Data with unlimited province wide $31, $35, $40, $44, $51 and $56 Prepaid plans.
  • 500MB Bonus Data on the $28 Prepaid plan with PPU OR 100MB Bonus Data on the $15 prepaid plan with PPU with AutoPay option.
  • iPHONE PLUS MEMBER BENEFITS. Get iPhone SE for only $24.80/mo. with Sweet Pay.
  • Internet + TV from $55/mo. Plus get a $50 Visa Prepaid Card.
  • Get Bonus 500MB data with unlimited Canada wide $31, $33, $37, $42, $46, $53 & $58 prepaid plans.

Ongoing deals:

  • Value-packed mobile plans and home internet. NOW $61/Mo when you bring your own phone + GET A $50 VISA PREPAID CARD
  • 6GB for $39/mo. when you bring your own phone.
  • Get 1GB of bonus data for five months
  • Unlimited Internet starting from $39/mo. Plus, get a $50 Visa Prepaid Card.
  • 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 the HeadRush IPX6 wireless, 40W, water-resistant speaker with a customizable light show
  • Crave is available as an add-on for TV for only $20/mo. hook up today and get two months free
  • Get TV starting from $25/mo.
  • 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

New deals:

  • Add a line and get 6GB of data for only $30/mo. Price includes a $5/mo. discount for 24 months and Digital Discount. New Postpaid activations only.
  • Get 1.5GB of data for only $19/mo. Price includes a $5/mo. discount for 12 months and Digital Discount. New Prepaid activations only.
  • Get the new Galaxy A53 5G with Big Gig Unlimited data plans starting at $50/month.
  • Samsung Galaxy A13 included for $50/mo. 9GB FAST LTE DATA. Price includes Digital Discount. 2-year term required.
  • Samsung Galaxy A03s included for $40/mo. 6GB FAST LTE DATA. Price includes Digital Discount. 2-year term required.
  • Samsung Galaxy S20 FE included for $60/mo. 9GB FAST LTE DATA. Price includes TradeUp credit1 and Digital Discount. 2-year term required.
  • Brining your own phone offers (Limited Time) 15GB for $40/mo, 18GB for $45/mo, 25GB for $50/mo, 30GB for $65/mo and 50GB (Canada/U.S.) for $80/mo.
  • Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G for $20/mo. With TradeUp on a $50/mo. plan with 15GB of data. After Digital Discount. 2-year term required.
  • $5/mo. digital discount on the $35 & $40 on Bring your own phone plans.

Ongoing deals:

  • Get iPhone 13 pro in Alpine green and iPhone SE with Big Gig Unlimited data plans starting at $50/mo
  • iPhone 11 is available for $50/mo. 6GB FAST LTE DATA
  • iPhone 13 is available for $20/mo. with TradeUp on a $50/mo. plan with 15GB of data.
  • Bring Your Own Phone and get $5 off for 24 months on select plans.
  • BYOD Big Gig Unlimited plans Limited time offer : Get 15GB data for $50/mo. and 18GB for $55/mo.
  • Activate an eligible Samsung phone on a $40+/mo. plan and get a Galaxy Tab A7 Lite with 4GB Fast LTE Data for $0/mo. for six months.
  • Unlimited 15GB Fast LTE for $50/mo with digital discount
  • Moto One 5G Ace and Moto G Power are both available for $35/mo.
  • Add Freedom Internet 150 to your existing mobile plan for only $55/mo. Available in Alberta and BC.
  • Unlimited talk & text starting at $99/year annual payment
  • Refer a friend and get a $25 service credit for each referral. Save up to $250 a year
  • Enjoy one free month of Visual Voicemail when you sign up in-store or online. 

New deals:

  • Save $20/mo. for six months when you sign up for noSTRINGS Complete 95 or Complete 125 plans.
  • Save up to $15/mo. Sign up for new wireless service and save on your wireless plan for 24 months.
  • Galaxy Watch4 Series. Purchase an eligible Samsung device and receive 20% off a Samsung Watch
  • VIPs deserve our best plan. Get the VIP 20 plan for $80/mo. for up to 24 months.

Ongoing deals:

  • Save money while traveling
  • Save $20/mo. off an eligible voice & data plan when you bring your own phone or buy a phone at a full price!
  • Get 15% off when you buy two or more regular priced cases, screen protectors, and/or chargers.
  • 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% for three months + get Optimum In-home Wi-Fi for only $5/mo. for first three months
  • Sign up for maxTV stream & Internet to get big savings. Plus, get Optimum In-home Wi-Fi free for the first 12 months
  • Sign up for SaskTel Internet on a 2-year contract and get Optimum In-home Wi-Fi free for 12 months
  • Sign up for Crave with STARZ and get your first month free!
  • Switch to a 2-year Internet contract plan and save $10/mo. off the regular price
  • Sign up for SaskTel Internet on the infiNET 300 plan and get this special deal + get Optimum In-home Wi-Fi free for the first 12 months
  • Upgrade to the next fastest plan at no additional cost for one month
  • For every five maxTV Stream theme packs you add, you get $8 in savings
  • Sign up for Super Channel and get your first month free!
  • Sign up for maxTV and get 50% off the Filipino 5-pack for three months.
  • Get unlimited calling with our Anytime North America Long Distance plan—all for one low monthly price
  • Get our ten most popular calling features, including Call Display & Name Display, for just $10/mo. Add on Voice Mail for only $2/mo. more
  • Sign up for SaskTel homePHONE and get three months of Home Phone Service, Feature Package, and Anytime North America long distance for free
  • Sign up for Crave with STARZ get your first month free!
  • Get three 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 and save $600

New deals:

  • Switch to Eastlink in-store and get up to $600 in welcome credits. Deal available in-store only from April 8th – 10th.

Ongoing deals:

  • Get the Smartphone you Want for $0 Down with easyTab
  • Order the iPhone SE and iPhone 13 in Green today.
  • Add a Smart Home or Security plan and get up to a $150 bill credit
  • Get 12GB of rollover data for $50 month
  • Refer a friend to Eastlink Mobile and you both get a $25 credit.
  • Change your mobile data plan anytime for free
  • Get a $50 welcome credit when you sign up for a new mobile data plan online.
  • Free Whole Home WiFi Perfected with all Bundles and Internet plans
  • Bring Your Own Device and Enjoy our Data Plans
  • Upgrade to a new Phone Earlier With easyUp
  • Save $59.95 when you DIY and save the installation fee
  • Add Mobile to your Bundle and save $15/month forever

Browse Eastlink cell phone plans 

New deals:

  • Google Pixel 6 128GB starting from $29.08/month for 24 months.
  • Activate your first Fizz plan using the referral code of a friend and you’ll each get a $25 referral bonus.

Ongoing deals:

  • The brand-new Galaxy S22 Series is now available.
  • Combine two services and take your rewards to a whole new level
  • Samsung Galaxy S21FE 5G 128GB available for 39.54/month for 24 months
  • Any unused mobile data will be rolled over to the next month.

Browse Fizz cell phone plans 

New deals:

  • Get the new Samsung A53 5G on an Unlimited plan with 25GB Fast LTE from $25/mo.

Ongoing deals:

  • Special Offer – Bundle Fibre+ 500 Internet & Total TV for $129/mo
  • Experience next-gen WiFi 6 technology with Fibre+ Internet 500, only $79/mo on a new 2-year ValuePlan.
  • Bill Credit on Fibre+ Internet, Fibre+ Internet & Mobile and Fibre+ Internet & TV plans.
  • Get the newest iPhone SE and iPhone 13 in green on a $25/mo Unlimited Plan with 25GB Fast LTE
  • 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:

  • Get an additional 5% 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:

  • Free $25 account bonus with the purchase of a $100 top-up plus get a free sim.
  • Free SIM o­ffer valid with the purchase of a $100 SpeakOut top-up
  • MaxWest Nitro 5C phone with $74.99 and $50 top-up voucher + FREE SIM
  • Data plans start at $35 for 2GB

Browse cell phone plans

New deals:

  • Sign up for a cheap phone plan today and get one month of free service + Get 3 GB/mo of bonus data for 6 months with select plans. Offer ends April 4, 2022 (Main Province Only)
  • Sign up for a cheap phone plan today and get one month of free service + Get 3 GB/mo of bonus data for 6 months with select plans. Plus, get 5GB of bonus data with select plans. Offer ends April 4, 2022. (QC Only)
  • Get 5GB of bonus data on select plans (QC Only)

Ongoing deals:

  • You can now buy Lucky Mobile SIM Cards at Dollarama!
  • Bring your own phone or buy one starting at $75
  • Get a cheap phone plan from $15/mo.
  • 500MB bonus with Automatic Top-Up on $24, 3.5GB bonus with Automatic Top-Up on $33, 11.5GB bonus with Automatic Top-Up on $43 plans for QC

Browse cell phone plans

Categories
Mobile Syrup

Rogers ends several wireless promos, some plans increase by $5/mo

Toronto-based national telecom Rogers has ended several of its ongoing promotional offers, increasing the cost of some plans by $5/mo and offering less data with others.

First, Rogers’ base $85/mo plan lost its 15GB data bonus, going from 40GB to 25GB. It appears Rogers started offering the extra data in early March, but it’s not clear exactly when. This plan wasn’t marked as a limited-time offer like Rogers’ other plans.

Next up, Rogers’ increased the cost of its 45GB and 50GB plans by $5/mo. Rogers rolled out discounts for these plans on March 8th and both plans have sported limited-time labels since then. The plans now cost:

  • $95/mo for 45GB
  • $100/mo for 50GB, unlimited Canada-U.S. calling, texting, and data

Finally, Rogers still offers its $175/mo 100GB plan, although it appears unchanged.

Prior to the discounts rolled out in March, Rogers changed its $110/65GB plan to $100/50GB. In February, the company raised the prices of its plans across the board.

At the time of publication, Bell and Telus hadn’t changed their plan offerings. Both carriers offered $85/25GB and $100/50GB plans. Telus also has a $90/40GB plan, while Bell has a $95/45GB plan. You can check out Telus’ plans here and Bell’s plans here.

Rogers’ plans are available here.

Categories
Mobile Syrup

GM’s Hummer EV is a comeback story in the making

The Hummer is poised to make a comeback as an all-electric vehicle (EV), and now that it’s starting to hit the road, GM wants to give it a new lease on life.

Despite its bulky and imposing frame, Hummer was always synonymous with both luxury and “roughing it” in more challenging terrain. GM acquired the branding rights in 1999 and kept rolling out Hummers from its assembly lines until it effectively killed it as part of its bankruptcy during the financial crisis in 2009.

After more than a decade in the doldrums of automotive lore, the squarish monster is back. And this time, it’s here to help save the planet, as GM asserts, courtesy of its EV chops. I got hands-on time with it during a test drive in Arizona to see what all the fuss is about.

Putting the Hummer EV together

GM is so bullish on the Hummer EV that it even produced a documentary about it. Some of the supporting data may also feed into that, like how it only took 10 minutes for customers to reserve 1,200 of the Edition 1 trucks when they became available in December 2020.

The tri-motor drivetrain has a combined 1,000 horsepower, plus 1,200 lb-ft. of motor torque. Hence, it can accelerate to 96 km/h in a mere three seconds. For a vehicle built to do off-roading, that kind of power would dust most vehicles on any drag.

Its battery construction is equally interesting, as GM’s proprietary Ultium system gets a double layer of cells. Ultium is part of the chassis, so the battery cells line up along the bottom, below the cabin. The efficiency means the batteries can operate at 400 volts or 800 volts to regulate supercharging. To do that, GM says it switches from “parallel” to “series” through a mechanization within the pack, which means the Hummer EV can still use existing chargers, while also working with much faster 350kW DC chargers that are better with 800-volt capability.

GM estimates range to be 529km per full charge — not bad for something this big. It’s just hard to quantify that figure, as it often is with EVs because of the variables. Highway versus city driving, or off-roading versus all-terrain driving, not to mention air conditioning. All of those affect range, though it would be fine on road trips with chargers along the way.

Seeing it from the outside, sitting inside

Edition 1 units are only available in the Summit White Exterior you see here, though GM says other colours will come to the next trims: EV2, EV2X and EV3X. Some in the test drive came with racks for spare tires in the cargo bed, whereas others didn’t. There’s a trunk in the front, along with 18-inch wheels, underbody skid plates and rock sliders, 18 cameras arrayed around the body and the undercarriage to really see everything around and below the vehicle.

The four roof panels (they’re tinted and transparent) come off and the power rear window comes down for a real open-air experience while driving. There’s a configurable tailgate in case you were curious, too.

The cabin isn’t quite as spacious as you might think when looking at the Hummer EV from outside. Not that it’s cramped, just that it won’t be the same as, say, a GMC Yukon Denali, for instance. A tall guy like me had no problem getting comfortable in all seats inside, and it doesn’t hurt that there’s a 14-speaker Bose sound system inside that was impressively resonant.

Infotainment setup

Two huge screens make up the infotainment system inside. Drivers face a 12.3-inch display for the digital cluster, along with the main 13.4-inch display running everything else. It runs Android Automotive, as GM continues to transition to Google’s built-in system with more of its vehicles going forward. Not to worry, though, as wireless Android Auto and CarPlay will still work just fine.

I’m not sure I was overly taken with the layout because GM chose what it calls a “lunar” wallpaper with thinly textured black icons. I reversed it by setting it to dark mode while playing with the system and found better contrast that way, but I’m thinking some variance in background might be a good idea. On a bright sunny day, especially with the roof panels removed, the screen’s contents aren’t as easy to see.

The Hummer’s driving modes and other features also run through the infotainment system, so I would switch by tapping on the screen’s menus. Short video animations help illustrate these modes, and I soon realized the connection because the system was developed with the Unreal Engine. Might be the first time I’ve seen a gaming engine find its way into vehicle infotainment, and I suspect it will become a common crossover for other vehicles in the years to come.

Going off-road

I went into this with practically no off-road driving experience, yet impressed my two seasoned passengers with what I was able to do. Granted, I have little as a basis for comparison, but I wasn’t expecting this truck to feel so smooth on rougher terrain. We drove on an off-road track about an hour outside of Phoenix, spending the better part of a day there. Some of the uphill and downhill paths presented more challenging forward progress, so I tried to angle the tires to go over the rocks sticking out along the way.

The Adaptive Air Suspension offers nearly 16-inches of ground clearance, which helps protect the underbody in certain cases. Air Down Mode is interesting in that it uses sensors measuring tire pressure that I was able to manipulate through something called Tire Deflation Assist. Basically, I could select a desired tire pressure on the infotainment screen, where I heard a tone to confirm the tire deflated to that level, and then ran over a thicker rock formation. Why deflate the tires? Because the lower pressure enables greater traction and grip in conditions like that, which also explains why it felt smoother in spite of a pretty bumpy section.

Four-wheel steering helps in certain cases, where the rear wheels can turn in or out to help maneuver the Hummer in tight spots. I didn’t get the chance to “crabwalk,” a slick feature that allows all four wheels to turn in the same direction (up to 10-degrees) and roll in a diagonal direction the way a crab does. As cool as it looks, it’s not some mode you can turn on and start doing crazy things at high speeds. It only kicks in at slow speeds, made clear when looking at it on the infotainment screen.

On regular roads and highways, this thing drove as smooth as can be. It supports Super Cruise, GM’s Level 2 autonomous driving mode, so hands-free cruising is a thing here, too. That includes automatic lane changing on 322,000 km of roads in Canada and the United States. I fully expect that Ultra Cruise, a more advanced version, will likely be part of this when that goes live in the next couple of years.

A new era beckons?

Of the 65,000 reservations GM took for the Hummer EV, it claims 95 percent of them converted to actual orders. Many won’t see them roll off the assembly and into their hands until 2024, but Canadians can start getting theirs in the spring of 2023. It won’t come cheap based on price tags right now, which amount to $110,259 USD (roughly $138,277 CAD) for the Edition 1, and starting at $79,995 USD (about $100,286 CAD) for future models. I’m using U.S. pricing because GM hasn’t confirmed what the vehicle will cost in Canada, even though you can reserve one at a participating dealership.

GM’s pivot to EVs isn’t a secret, especially since the company talks about it all the time, but it is interesting that a bigger one like the Hummer EV will probably play a bigger role in pushing that focus forward. The branding will also get its own push, and I imagine we’ll be seeing it emerge again as a luxury statement in pop culture.

Categories
Mobile Syrup

Ubisoft ends support for Ghost Recon and Digits, says new NFTs to come with other games

I loved Ubisoft incorporating NFTs to Ghost Recon Breakpoint — said literally no one ever.

It’s no surprise that Ubisoft’s experiment with NFTs went stale, but that’s not stopping the company from diving into digital non-fungible tokens again.

After announcing yesterday that Ghost Recon Breakpoint would no longer receive content updates, Ubisoft updated the title’s NFT collection page on its Quartz website to reveal that there would be no new ‘Digits’ (NFTs) for the game either.

“Thank you to all Ghost Recon Breakpoint players who claimed their first Digits!” reads the Quartz page. “You own a piece of the game and have left your mark in its history. As the last Digit for Ghost Recon Breakpoint was released on 3/17/2022, stay tuned for more updates with features to the platform and future drops coming with other games!”

Digits were collectible and usable in-game items in the form of NFTs, and included items like weapon skins, wearable clothes, helmets, and more. Ubisoft never really received any appreciation for Digits, and their short-lived life on Ghost Recon Breakpoint was full of criticism and confusion, with even Ubisoft developers being critical of the company’s push into digital collectibles.

Subsequently, Nicolas Pouard, vice president at Ubisoft’s Strategic Innovations Lab came said in an interview that gamers just “don’t get” NFTs, which again caused in stir in the community.

In a recent Game Developers Conference (GDC) survey polling 2,700 developers, 70 percent of respondents said their studios are “not interested” in NFTs. Meanwhile, 21 percent said “somewhat interested” and seven percent said “very interested,” while only one percent noted they’re already developing NFTs in their games.

The trend is clearly defined. Gamers and developers are not interested in NFTs, though it seems like Ubisoft is adamant about retaining digital collectibles in its games, as is evident by its comment on Quartz’s Ghost Recon Breakpoint collection page.

I’m all for NFTs in different avenues like music, digital art, and even gaming, but when the majority of consumers are adamant about their omission, companies like Ubisoft should pay heed.

Image credit: Ubisoft Quartz

Source: @GhostRecon

Categories
Mobile Syrup

Google delays signup date for G Suite users wanting to keep their account

Detroit, MI – December 2019: Sign on the Google building in downtown Detroit. Google office in Michigan

Google has pushed the payment deadline for G Suite users who want to continue using the service.

According to 9T05Google, Google previously said users have until May 1st to select a new plan. Billing would begin July 1st. A post under its Workspace help section has moved these dates slightly.

Users now have until June 1st to upgrade their plans. Billing will start on August 1st for those who choose to use the flexible payment plan. The company rebranded G Suite to Google Workspace in October 2020.

Google’s original announcement also detailed a no-cost option for those who still wanted a Gmail address. Users have to join a waitlist which the company will soon introduce.

“Those on the waiting list will remain on the G Suite legacy free edition until the no-cost option is available,” the post says. The company will share more details when the option becomes available.

Google will automatically upgrade those who don’t pick an option.

Image credit: Shutterstock

Source: Google