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Mobile Syrup

Netflix to lock password sharing behind paywall as part of new test

Netflix has announced plans to test a paywall on password sharing with anyone outside of a user’s household.

In a blog post, the company said it will, over the next few weeks, begin testing the payment requirement in Chile, Costa Rica and Peru. For a fee of 2,380 CLP (about $3.79 CAD) in Chile, 2.99 USD (about $3.82 CAD) in Costa Rica, and 7.9 PEN (about $2.70 CAD) in Peru, members of Netflix’s Standard and Premium plans will be able to share their account with two other ‘Extra Member’ accounts. Users will also be able to transfer their profiles’ viewing history, My List, and personalized recommendations to new or Extra Member accounts.

Netflix says it’s making these changes due to “confusion about when and how Netflix can be shared.” For context, Netflix’s terms of service state that an account “may not be shared with individuals beyond your household,” although the streamer hasn’t actually prohibited people from doing so.

“As a result, accounts are being shared between households — impacting our ability to invest in great new TV and films for our members.”

At the moment, Netflix says the paywall test is only planned for the aforementioned three countries.

“We recognize that people have many entertainment choices, so we want to ensure any new features are flexible and useful for members, whose subscriptions fund all our great TV and films,” the company wrote. “We’ll be working to understand the utility of these two features for members in these three countries before making changes anywhere else in the world.”

Of course, it’s easy to see how Netflix could expand the test to other countries, especially as it’s explicitly acknowledging the loss of revenue related to password sharing. The company previously said it was looking into cracking down on password sharing in a “consumer-friendly way,” which it’s so far done by reminding some users of its terms of service via in-app messaging.

That said, many would likely argue that a paywall isn’t exactly “consumer-friendly.” The company has also increased its Canadian pricing twice within the last two years, which would undoubtedly make an additional fee go over even worse. It’s unclear whether Netflix might explore some sort of compromise, wherein a limited number of households can share a single account before it begins charging.

In any event, MobileSyrup has reached out to Netflix regarding potential plans to bring this initial test to Canada and will update this story once a response has been received.

Source: Netflix

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Mobile Syrup

Zuckerberg says NFTs to arrive on Instagram ‘in the near term’

At the South by Southwest (SXSW) conference yesterday, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg confirmed that users would, “in the near term,” be able to display Non-Fungible-Tokens (NFTs) and even mint them directly on Instagram.

While Zuckerberg mentioned NFTs and their introduction to Instagram, he spent most of his time talking about his metaverse vision. He did, however, add that “I’m not ready to kind of announce exactly what that’s going to be today. But over the next several months, the ability to bring some of your NFTs in, hopefully, over time, [and] be able to mint things within that environment.”

The move shouldn’t come as a huge surprise. Earlier this year, a Financial Times report stated that Meta is developing new tools that will allow its users to display their NFTs as their profile pictures, whereas Instagram CEO Adam Mosseri, back in December 2021, stated that the company was “actively exploring NFTs.”

Former Meta executive David Marcus also mentioned in August of 2021 that the company is exploring building NFT features alongside Meta’s Novi wallet.

Zuckerberg did not comment on how the upcoming feature would work.

Presumably, you’d have to transfer your already-owned NFTs to the company’s Novi wallet, which would be directly integrated with Instagram. From there, you would most likely be able to set NFTs in your wallet as your profile picture, or mint new ones directly from the platform. The details are hazy but Instagram might also launch a marketplace for the tokens, where users would be able to exchange or sell their digital collectibles. Who knows — users’ feeds might also get a new ‘bid’ button or a new ‘auction’ tab where users can send offers for digital collectibles. The sky is the limit in such a case.

The issue, however, is that NFTs on Instagram are likely to be met with severe criticism. It is also a double-edged sword that can backfire on Meta as they’ll have to introduce strict security measures to prevent NFT scams, which, outside of the platform, are pretty abundant.

Twitter, which has a larger Cryptocurrency/Web3/NFT community, along with Reddit, which hosts an abundance of self-proclaimed NFT connoisseurs, have launched similar features in the recent past. Twitter has already introdued support for NFT profile pictures for Twitter Blue users, whereas Reddit has already launched its CryptoSnoos NFT collection which Redditors can use to stand out and ‘glow’ among the crowd.

A tentative timeline for when Meta would introduce NFT integration for Instagram is unclear, except the fact that its coming “in the near term.”

Image credit: Shutterstock

Source: Bloomberg

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Mobile Syrup

Google releases I/O 2022 puzzle to reveal event date

Kitchener, Ontario, Canada – September 30, 2019: Google sign in the Google Canada Kitchener-Waterloo office.

Google loves to tease its I/O developer conference, and this year is no different except it’s a bit earlier than we expect. The company has released a Google I/O 2022 puzzle that should reveal the date of the conference.

It’s currently unclear if I/O 2022 will take place online or in person. Last year, the conference was virtual except for a small audience who were present at the keynote.

The event typically takes place at the Shoreline Amphitheatre close to its Mountain View, California headquarters. The conference typically lasts three days and happens in early- or mid-May.

There are four strings with Google’s colours that you can check out, here. 

It seems pretty confusing — in previous years the puzzles were easier. Google says it will offer more clues over time.

However, it’s likely someone will post the answer in the coming days, if not hours.

Source: Google

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Mobile Syrup

Elden Ring sells 12 million units worldwide since release

FromSoftware’s Elden Ring is a fantastic game, so it’s not surprising that it’s already sold more than 12 million units. This is pretty impressive for a title that only came out on February 25th.

“It’s astonishing to see just how many people have been playing Elden Ring,” Elden Ring game director Hidetaka Miyazaki said in a statement. “I’d like to extend our heartfelt thanks on behalf of the entire development team. Elden Ring is based on a mythological story written by George R. R. Martin. We hope players enjoy a high level of freedom when adventuring through its vast world, exploring its many secrets and facing up to its many threats. Thank you for your continued support.”

Other FromSoftware games have sold well, but never this well. Bloodborne reached one million sales in its first week, Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice sold 10 million units, and Dark Souls 3 sold three million sales worldwide.

If you want to learn more about Elden Ring, check out our full review.

Source: FromSoftware

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Mobile Syrup

Canadian-made Tunic shadow drops on Xbox Game Pass today

Anticipated action-adventure game Tunic is releasing on Xbox Game Pass on day one, March 16th.

The surprise announcement came from publisher Finji during Xbox and Twitch’s indie-focused ID@Xbox Showcase. Tunic was previously only confirmed for Xbox consoles, PC and Mac without any Game Pass offering.

Notably, Tunic has been developed primarily by Halifax’s Andrew Shouldice over the past several years. Drawing inspiration from The Legend of Zelda, Tunic follows a sword-wielding fox as he explores a mysterious land. An emphasis has been placed on exploration and puzzle-solving, with the in-game text largely being displayed via a made-up language.

Xbox Game Pass for Console costs $11.99 CAD/month and is also included in a $16.99/month Game Pass Ultimate subscription. The game is also available for purchase for $34.99.

Image credit: Andrew Shouldice/Finji

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Mobile Syrup

Wind founder’s company Globalive offers to buy Freedom for $3.75 billion

Globalive has offered to buy Freedom Mobile for $3.75 billion.

Anthony Lacavera is the founder and chairman of Globalive, and he also founded Wind in 2008. Lacavera sold Wind to Shaw Communications in 2016 for $1.6 billion. Shaw rebranded the company to Freedom.

According to the Globe and Mail, the all-cash offer includes acquiring the company’s wireless licenses, customer accounts, cell towers, and stores.

The news comes as Rogers tries to gain regulatory approval to merge with Shaw. But to do that, the company may have to sell Freedom to create competition in Canada’s telecom market.

Rogers is currently meeting with prospective buyers, but it isn’t clear if Globalive was ever on that list. The Globe and Mail reports representatives presented Globalive’s offer to Rogers last week.

Lacavera has been vocal about his interest in buying back Freedom. In December, he made his interests clear, stating it would be good for the Canadian market if Freedom became independent.

The Globe and Mail reports Twin Point Capital and Baupost Group, two U.S.-based investment groups, will finance the transaction.

MobileSyrup has reached out to both Lacavera and Globalive for comment and will provide a response once available.

Source: Globe and Mail

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Mobile Syrup

Lenovo brings ‘MyLenovo Rewards’ program to Canada

Lenovo announced that its ‘MyLenovo Rewards’ program is now available in Canada.

The program allows Canadians to earn between three and nine percent back in MyLenovo Rewards points for every purchase made on Lenovo’s website, with no minimum spend required. Lenovo says every 1,000 points earned equals $1 that can be put towards future purchases. Rewards will automatically appear on customers’ accounts so they can redeem points easily.

Additionally, MyLenovo Rewards participants can take advantage of other perks, including:

  • Bonus rewards earned by completing polls, surveys, and updating profile information
  • Frequent sweepstakes, multiplier bonus events, and birthday rewards
  • Early access to new products
  • Exclusive, member-only savings

Moreover, Lenovo is celebrating the program’s launch by offering double points on purchases made between now and March 31st. Plus, members who enroll in the next two months will receive $10 in rewards with a $50+ purchase.

Finally, Lenovo says it will hold monthly sweepstakes for the first three months of the program — winners will receive between $20 and $100 in rewards points just for signing up for MyLenovo Rewards.

Those interested can learn more about MyLenovo Rewards or sign up for the program on the company’s website.

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Mobile Syrup

Apple supplier, Foxconn, allowed to continue production in closed loop setting

Shanghai.China-Feb.8th 2022: sign of Foxconn headquarter office building at night. Hon Hai Technology Group (Foxconn) is the largest electronics manufacturer

China is allowing Foxconn to continue operations under strict conditions.

Reuters reports the Apple supplier can continue operations in a “closed loop” or bubbled environment, which means employees live and work within one area.

“Some operations have been able to restart, and some production is being carried out,” the company said in a statement. “This process, which can only be done on campuses that include both employee housing and production facilities, adheres to strict industry guidelines and close-loop management policies issued by the Shenzhen government.”

The company previously announced it was suspending its operations in Shenzhen due to an uptake of COVID cases.

China has a strict zero-tolerance COVID policy, and other cities have implemented similar shutdowns as the country experienced the largest outbreak in two years.

Shenzhen serves as the country’s technological hub and concerns were raised its shutdown could mean impacts to global markets.

China previously utilized the closed-loop environment during the Beijing Winter Olympics, where athletes and personnel were separated from the public through designated transportation methods, ensuring they had to contact.

Image credit: Shutterstock

Source: Reuters

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Mobile Syrup

Lobbying group backed by Apple, Google pushes for weaker U.S. privacy laws

A lobbying group backed by tech companies including Apple, Google, Meta (Facebook), and Amazon has reportedly backed weaker privacy legislation in the U.S.

According to Axios (via 9to5Mac), tech lobbying group State Privacy and Security Coalition (SPSC) promoted an upcoming state privacy law in Utah as the model that other U.S. states should adopt. However, critics have called Utah’s legislation too weak.

Specifically, Axios reported that consumer groups said the Utah bill wasn’t clear about how much control consumers would have over whether their information was used for targeted advertising. Moreover, the groups said the bill’s enforcement mechanism is weak.

Utah lawmakers considered and passed a state privacy bill in under two weeks. The bill is currently awaiting the governor’s signature. Utah is set to become the fourth state with a privacy law, joining Colorado, Virginia, and California. 9to5 notes that California’s law is more along the lines of Europe’s GDPR.

States have begun stepping up to introduce privacy laws and regulations while the federal government’s attempts to do the same languish in Congress. However, there’s an incentive for a single, federal law over multiple state laws since it’s easier for tech companies to comply with one law instead of 50 individual laws. Moreover, one effective law is easier for people to understand.

Axios says that Iowa is considering a similar bill to Utah, and other states are also weighing their own privacy bills. Although the SPSC told Axios it’s trying to help align state privacy laws in the absence of federal law, it’s concerning that the lobbying group has chosen to promote alignment around weaker regulations.

Also concerning is Apple’s involvement, given the company’s strong messaging about its privacy commitments — commitments that may not actually help consumers that much.

Although U.S. state and federal regulation won’t apply to Canadians, it’s important to follow how the U.S. approaches privacy legislation as it could become a blueprint for other countries. On that note, Canada is in the process of updating some of its own tech legislation, including Bill C-10 and C-11. However, critics say C-11 doesn’t go far enough in curtailing tech companies’ ability to gather data on Canadians.

Source: Axios Via: 9to5Mac

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Mobile Syrup

Ryan Reynolds’ The Adam Project was Netflix’s third-biggest original movie launch

Netflix says The Adam Project, starring Vancouver’s own Ryan Reynolds, landed the service’s third-largest original film launch to date.

Per the streamer, the sci-fi movie racked up 92.4 million hours viewed for the week between Friday, March 11th and Sunday, March 13th. For context, the only Netflix movies to boast a larger opening weekend were Red Notice (co-starring Reynolds) with 149 million hours and Adam McKay’s Don’t Look Up (111 million hours).

It’s important to note that it’s always difficult to gauge just how well a Netflix original is performing, given that Netflix uses unorthodox metrics like “hours viewed.” That’s because the company isn’t required to disclose ratings in the same way that TV networks or film studios with theatrical releases are. While third-party sites like Nielsen attempt to track such data, the majority of what they collect comes from the U.S., which, of course, doesn’t account for the 100-plus other countries in which Netflix is available.

In any event, it’s not hard to see why a Ryan Reynolds-led film, especially one that’s family-friendly like The Adam Project, would be a hit with audiences. Filmed in Vancouver, The Adam Project follows a time-traveling pilot (Reynolds) who teams up with his younger self (Walker Scobell) to save the future. Jennifer Garner, Mark Ruffalo, Zoe Saldaña and Catherine Keener co-star.

Notably, The Adam Project marks Reynolds’ second film with Montreal-born director Shawn Levy, following their collaboration on last year’s hit Fox comedy Free Guy. On top of that, it was reported last week that Reynolds and Levy will re-team for the currently untitled third Deadpool film, which is being produced by Marvel Studios.

Levy also serves as producer on Netflix’s massively popular Stranger Things, the fourth season of which premieres on May 27th.

Image credit: Netflix

Via: The Hollywood Reporter