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Mobile Syrup

Canadian streamer ‘xQc’ accidentally opens Overwatch 2 on stream

Canadian streamer xQc from Quebec has broken a very important NDA after allegedly launching Overwatch 2 on his Twitch stream.

While I can’t confirm the authenticity of this video, it looks likely that this is Overwatch 2, especially given the closed alpha is currently available for Overwatch League players and Blizzard employees — and apparently well-known streamers. It’s worth noting that the login page doesn’t say Overwatch 2 and only reads “Overwatch.” However, this doesn’t mean that it’s not the correct game.

The video is brief and amusing to watch, but the streamer could find themselves in a lot of trouble. Overwatch League player, Félix “xQc” Lengyel, was previously fined suspended and asked to part ways with their team due to racist comments.

Overwatch 2 was initially announced back in 2019, but the game has yet to release. While we’ve received news about new characters, maps and game modes, no actual release date has been confirmed. However, the game’s director, Aaron Keller, recently released more information about the title and revealed that a new closed beta will launch in late April.

Additionally, a developer livestream scheduled for March 18th will likely reveal more information about Overwatch 2

Source: Reddit

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Mobile Syrup

Access Communications launches ultra-fast internet in several Saskatchewan communities

Access Communications Co-operative has launched its ‘AccessHyperSpeed 1 Gig’ in eight Saskatchewan communities.

The service offers download speeds up to 940Mbps and upload speeds up to 30Mbps, with unlimited access to data. The subscription also allows multiple users to be online at the same line, play online video games, and stream in 4K.

“These new HyperSpeed 1 Gig communities are just the start,” Jim Deane, CEO of Access Communications, said. “Access has even more launches scheduled for 2022 as part of our commitment to deliver the leading-edge communication and entertainment services the people of Saskatchewan deserve.”

The eight communities include Balgonie, Coppersands, Emerald Park, Melville, Milestone, Pilot Butte, Yorkton and White City. Access Communications initially launched the service on December 15th.

“Gigabit internet meets the demand of today’s technology, and we can’t wait for even more Access customers to experience the service,” Deane said.

Image credit: Access Communications

Source: Access Communications

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Mobile Syrup

Rogers to serve as Microsoft’s Canadian partner on new Teams feature

Rogers and Microsoft have entered a five-year partnership to help businesses enhance their digital experience.

Rogers is using Microsoft’s cloud platform Azure, in combination with its 5G network  to fuel innovation, new customer experiences, and encourage employee collaboration. It’s also the first to offer Operator Connect Mobile in Canada.

The new feature allows a single SIM number to function across Microsoft Teams, which Azure powers. The number can be used to make calls on mobile or desktop. Users can seamlessly move calls between the two without any disruptions.

Rogers says the solution will allow companies to reduce the cost of voice services and enhance customer and employee experience.

“Landlines and legacy voice services are rapidly being replaced by mobile — the workplace is shifting, and our customers have embraced new ways of working,” Ron McKenzie, President of Rogers Business, said in a statement. “Together, we are bringing Operator Connect Mobile to Canada, which will help businesses save up to 50 percent in costs by upgrading outdated, expensive legacy voice infrastructure.”

Rogers is the only Canadian company where Operator Connect Mobile is available. BT, Swisscom, Telia, and Verizon are the other companies Microsoft is working with.

Source: Rogers

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Mobile Syrup

Lyft to add $0.55 fuel surcharge to rides in Canada

Rideshare service Lyft will join Uber in adding a fuel surcharge to customers’ fares.

Lyft confirmed to MobileSyrup that it would apply a $0.55 CAD fuel surcharge in its Canadian markets following reports from The Verge that the company would add a surcharge in the U.S.

In a blog post, Lyft says 100 percent of the surcharge will go directly to drivers to help offset fuel costs. Moreover, the company says drivers can expect to receive these additional earnings for at least the next 60 days.

Drivers can find the additional earnings in each trip receipt as well as in their earnings summary.

Those interested can learn more here.

Source: Lyft

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Mobile Syrup

Apple says it will fix Studio Display camera issues with software update

Apple’s Studio Display has received a mixed reception from tech YouTubers, bloggers and journalists, with many citing its built-in webcam as lacklustre.

Despite featuring the same 12-megapixel ultra-wide camera as the latest iPad Air, early reviews state that the shooter is grainy and bad at handling adverse lighting conditions. Some go so far as to say that ‘Centre Stage,’ Apple’s technology that tracks the subject in the camera’s frame, doesn’t work at all. In my experience, I found the Studio Display’s built-in camera to be pretty good as long as I wasn’t using FaceTime, which is strange given it’s an Apple video chat platform.

In fact, I found the quality to be close to on par with the 14-inch MacBook Pro’s excellent built-in webcam. Overall, I found the 5K Studio Display to be a decent monitor, though I’m disappointed it doesn’t support a 120Hz refresh rate at lower resolutions.

Following these reports, an Apple spokesperson told several publications that it’s working on a fix and has “identified some issues where the Studio Display is not delivering the image quality they expected, and they will be making improvements in future software updates.”

For more on Apple’s Studio Display and Mac Studio, check out my in-depth story about both devices.

Via: The Wall Street Journal 

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Mobile Syrup

March security update and Feature Drop might hit Pixel 6 series on March 21

The Pixel 6 and 6 Pro’s March update was delayed until later March, but now it looks like it’s finally on the way.

According to Fido’s update schedule, the update will hit Google’s Pixel 6 series on March 21st. However, it’s worth mentioning that none of the other Canadian carriers cite the Pixel 6 in their update schedules.

The March security update also includes the ‘Pixel Feature Drop.’ 

Here are all the new features included in the latest drop:

  • Live Caption during phone calls no longer requires you to talk. Instead, you can read what the other person says and type back a response. Google Assistant will read out your typed responses to the other person(s) on the call.
  • You can host YouTube watch parties all on your phone.
  • You can share apps with live sharing for Google Duo using only your phone.
  • English speakers using Messages can now convert typed words into colorful stickers.
  • The At A Glance widget will now tell you battery levels for Bluetooth-connected devices, reminders to turn off alarms the day before a holiday, and earthquake alerts.
  • There is also a new standalone battery widget that gives you battery information for your phone and connected devices.
  • Three new wallpapers are available in the Curated Culture collection, this time celebrating International Women’s Day.
  • Night Sight now works right within the Snapchat app.
  • Interpreter Mode within Live Translate can translate face-to-face conversations in Spanish, Italian, and French right on your phone. All translations stay on-device. Try it by saying, “Hey Google, be my [Spanish/French/Italian] interpreter.”
  • Your phone can now identify Spanish in videos and translate it automatically into English, French, Italian, German, and Japanese (but it’s still in beta).
  • The Recorder app can now transcribe Italian and Spanish.
  • Assistant Quick Phrases are available in Spanish, Italian, and French

Alongside the Pixel Feature Drop, you can also expect the latest beta for Android 12L, which focuses on foldables and other large-screen devices.

Carrier update schedules aren’t always correct, but it’s possible likely see the update on that day. However, nothing is confirmed until Google releases its own blog post about the update.

Source: Fido Via: Droid-Life

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Mobile Syrup

You can now pre-register Apex Legends Mobile in Canada

Apex Legends Mobile is now available for pre-registration on Google Play, and you can sign up for updates on iOS.

Apex Legends Mobile offers the battle royale experience on the go.

According to EA, new legends, maps, gameplay modes, and live events and “mobile-first adaptations and innovations” will be part of this new smartphone and tablet take on Apex. The game will not feature cross-play with Apex Legends on other platforms, unlike the popular battle royale title Fortnite.

Apex Legends Mobile previously launched in a free closed beta in Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Malaysia, the Philippines, Indonesia, Mexico, Peru, Argentina and Colombia.

In the regional launch, the only characters available were Wraith, Bangalore, Octane, Mirage, Pathfinder Bloodhound, Gibraltar, Lifeline and Caustic. However, it’s unclear if more of the game’s characters will be available in the mobile title.

Source: EA

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Mobile Syrup

Here are the new games coming to Nvidia GeForce Now this week

Nvidia has announced seven new games that are coming to its GeForce Now cloud-streaming platform this week.

Below is a full list of all of the titles arriving shortly:

Check out all other titles coming to Nvidia GeForce Now later in February here.

Nvidia’s cloud gaming service offers three membership options. The first is the free route that will give you standard access to the platform with a one-hour gaming limit per session. Once the hour passes, you can queue again to get another hour of free gaming in, although you may have to wait a while.

Nvidia also offers a paid membership option that gives you priority access to gaming servers without any session length limit. This subscription will cost you $12.99/month or $64.99 for six months.

Lastly, the company’s recently-released RTX 3080 tier provides a low ‘click-to-pixel’ latency of 56 milliseconds, and a boost in framerates and overall performance. The subscription is available for $24.99/month or $129.99 for six months.

Learn more about Nvidia GeForce and its subscription options here.

Image credit: Nvidia

Source: Nvidia

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Mobile Syrup

Hogwarts Legacy gets holiday 2022 release window, 14 minutes of gameplay

Warner Bros. has confirmed that its highly anticipated Hogwarts Legacy game will launch in holiday 2022.

The release window was given during a new PlayStation State of Play presentation, in which 14 minutes of new gameplay footage were revealed.

Developed by Avalanche Software, Hogwarts Legacy is an open-world, action-RPG that lets players create their own wizard or witch, a fifth-year newcomer to Hogwarts in the 1800s. From there, you’ll get sorted into Gryffindor, Slytherin, Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff and attend various classes, including Defence Against the Dark Arts, Potions and Herbology.

The larger story focuses on the player character, who holds mysterious magical abilities, as they work with Professor Fig to investigate a mounting goblin rebellion. Since the game is set in the 1800s, characters like Harry Potter won’t appear, although Avalanche promises some “familiar faces,” such as Nearly Headless Nick pre-head injury, will pop up.

Outside of all that, you’ll be able to explore Hogwarts’ grounds, including the castle and courtyards, as well as surrounding areas, like Hogsmeade and the Forbidden Forest. Brooms and Hippogriffs will be available to traverse the outdoor areas. As you explore, you’ll meet new students who can become Companions, who will teach you new spells and unlock their own story threads in a system that is reminiscent of Persona.

Gameplay-wise, Avalanche is promising “dozens” of spells, including Accio, Incendio, Confringo and Reparo. You can also use magical beasts in combat, such as a Mandrake to scream at enemies and stun them.

Outside of the gameplay footage, members of the Avalanche development team offered some commentary on their approach to the Wizarding World. You can see that towards the end of the State of Play.

Hogwarts Legacy is coming to PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox consoles and PC.

More to come…

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Mobile Syrup

CAD renders show what the iPhone 14 Pro might look like

New computer-aided design (CAD) renders might help you visualize what Apple’s upcoming iPhone 14 series could look like.

Shared by 91Mobiles, these renders are based on iPhone 14 leaks and rumours, and are only meant to be used as a reference to what the upcoming device might look like.

The renders show the iPhone 14 rocking a notch-less design and a hole-punch front camera layout, which other phone manufacturers have been using for years now. Whereas the rear camera housing appears to be identical to the iPhone 13 Pro, with three cameras, a flash, a LiDAR sensor and a mic.

Everything else seems to be identical to the current iPhone 13 Pro, including side buttons and speakers being in the same spot.

This isn’t the first time we’ve heard of a notch-less iPhone 14. Back in September of last year, YouTuber Jon Prosser shared the same information, stating that the next iPhone won’t feature a notch, although his leak also stated that the rear camera module would sit flush with the body of the smartphone, something that contradicts 91Mobile‘s CAD renders.

Rumours in the past have also suggested that the iPhone 14 will ditch the lightning port in favour of a completely wireless phone, although that also might be untrue, according to 91Mobile‘s report. Additionally, according to often-reliable Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo only Apple’s higher-end Pro model iPhone 14 devices will feature its new A16 chip.

Image credit: 91Mobiles

Source: 91Mobiles