Twitter has heard complaints about video uploads being slow for Android. Now, the official Twitter Engineering account has acknowledged the issue and has confirmed a fix.
Now it should be faster to share your favorite clips up to 720p and bitrates of 3.5mbps and lower.
While this improvement represents our latest evolution for Android video uploads, we’re continuing to improve the upload experience for your high quality videos.
According to the tweet, it should be faster to upload clips up to 720p and bitrates of 3.5mbps and lower. This feature should be available for Android 9 devices and up. Twitter has not said anything about posting anything of higher quality or increased codec support, but Twitter says that it’s continuing to improve the upload experience for high-quality videos.
iOS users can already upload at this higher quality.
Now, for users who upload with an Android 9 Pie device and newer, you’ll notice some improvements when uploading at 720p video processing.
Eastlink launched its first 5G network sites in Halifax, Nova Scotia.
The network is powered through Ericsson’s radio access network, delivering faster speeds, ultra-low latency, and better bandwidth.
The 5G network is available in 18 sites across the city. The company notes it will announce further coverage outside the city in the coming months.
“We are thrilled to launch the most transformative technological advancement in mobile after several years of network investment and prep work,” Jeff Gillham, Eastlink’s CEO, said in a statement. “Our world is more connected than ever, and our customers count on us to be ready for whatever the future brings. Access to 5G will help our customers manage the increasing busyness and connectivity of their everyday lives and introduce new innovations and business opportunities required to compete on the global stage.”
The company is the first to entirely remove 3G services in Canada to make more room for 5G network capabilities.
According to a recent analysis by Ookla, Starlink’s median download speed for the fourth quarter of 2021 pulled in front of fixed broadband download speeds.
The data, collected from Speedtest, showed the SpaceX company’s download speeds hit a median of 106.64Mbps. Comparatively, fixed broadband had speeds of 96.39Mbps.
Ookla’s Q3 analysis showed Starlink was trailing behind with download speeds of 84.55Mbps compared to 90.67Mbps for fixed broadband.
Image credit: Ookla
Starlink’s download speeds pulled ahead of fixed broadband in seven of the country’s ten provinces during the recent quarter. Download speeds from both sources were comparable in New Brunswick, and fixed broadband was faster in Alberta and B.C. The analysis notes that the two Western provinces have better access to fiber-to-the-home, connecting fiber directly to residences and businesses.
The company’s median upload speed is still trailing at 12.82Mbps compared to 21.66Mbps for fixed broadband. Starlink’s latency is also much higher at 55ms compared to 11 ms.
But the report notes Canada shouldn’t ignore the satellite operator.
“Starlink should be considered a viable option compared to fixed broadband in Canada, especially for rural consumers or those without access to fast fixed broadband options like fiber,” the report states.
Google Docs will soon let users draft emails and move them into Gmail with a click.
Docs users can type ‘@’ and select ‘Email draft’ from the context menu to start putting together an email. Once the draft is done, users can click the Gmail logo next to the draft to open their email and send the message.
It looks like a neat feature overall, although I wasn’t able to try it out myself. Google’s Workspace blog notes that the feature will roll out over 15 days starting March 15th for those on ‘Rapid Release’ domains, while people using ‘Scheduled Release’ domains will see the feature roll out over 15 days (or more) starting March 22nd.
It will be available to all Google Workspace customers, along with those on legacy G Suite Basic and Business plans.
The ability to draft emails in Docs and then send them with Gmail is part of Google’s “smart canvas” initiative, an effort to seamlessly weave its productivity services together. The search giant teased the email draft feature last month.
There’s not a lot to say about the iPad Air that hasn’t already been said. This year, the refreshed model features 5G, new colours and the same M1 chip we saw in last year’s iPad Pro.
The addition of the M1 chip to the iPad Air is the most exciting twist in 2022 and makes me wonder what device Apple might put its powerful M1 chip in next. That said, the addition of Apple’s new favourite processor makes the Air even closer in features and specs to the pricey iPad Pro.
But at least the iPad Air is a little more affordable, making it one of the best iPads on the market right now — but one that also contradicts itself just as much as it blows away the competition.
Why it’s the best
Note: This iPad Air (2022) unboxing was edited on the iPad Air.
Nonetheless, there’s no denying that the iPad Air with M1 bridges the gap between the base model iPad and the iPad Pro so effectively that it almost negates the need to buy an iPad Pro unless you really want the bigger 12.9-inch screen.
If you have the iPad Air (2020) you don’t need to upgrade to this new model just for 5G or the M1 chip because it looks identical to its predecessor (even the case and accessories still work). That said, anyone with an older iPad Air or who really wants an Apple Pencil 2 will get a really meaningful upgrade with the new iPad Air (2022).
This iPad Air features the same smart connector as the iPad Pro (top left) and the same camera as the iPhone 11’s main lens. It also offers Touch ID in its side power button (pictured right).
The iPad Air has always been a better tablet than the base iPad model, but it doesn’t offer more value for what most people use an iPad for, and that remains the case in 2022. However, if you do want to use your iPad as a more computer-like device for work, the Air is remarkably capable.
The screen on the iPad Air is still the brilliant 10.9-inch Liquid Retina display from last year’s model, and it looks as crisp and vibrant as ever. I often complain about wanting every display to be top-level HDR compliant, but realistically, even at 500 nits of brightness, the iPad Air’s screen is totally fine.
The very thin form factor makes this iPad easy to take on the go. It’s no iPad mini, but the larger screen is more productive than the smaller 8.3-inch display on the small iPad.
The fact that it works with the Apple Magic keyboard is also a great feature. It’s a little cramped, but the clickiness of the keys, the astounding trackpad and the extra charging port it adds to the Air can even turn this machine into a competitor to the M1 MacBook Air in some ways.
Would you still love me if I called these keys deep?
For its $399 price tag, the Magic Keyboard needs to be this good, but it’s still an amazingly productive accessory that I didn’t foresee myself liking as much as I have.
The USB-C port is another feature that makes the iPad Air the best iPad around. While this isn’t an iPad Air exclusive feature, it makes it tempting over the base 10.2-inch iPad that still features a Lightning connector. Being able to plug my camera directly into my iPad and transfer photos is something I enjoy as an avid photographer. On the other hand, I have a dongle that lets you plug an SD card into a Lightning port that could work well with the base model iPad.
Where it can stand to improve
The Magic Keyboard features a second USB-C port on the other side that can only be used for recharging.
I’ve really enjoyed my time with the iPad Air (2022) so far, but I think a few minor features should be upgraded in the next model.
First off, the rear camera is, in short, boring. I understand that most people don’t use the back cameras on the iPad, but it wouldn’t be that difficult for Apple to include a flash like the iPad mini or a more modern sensor from a newer iPhone.
What you do get with the new iPad Air’s camera array is ‘Center Stage,’ which keeps you in the frame when you’re using the front-facing camera during FaceTime calls.
The iPad Air (2022)’s speakers are passable, but not particularly impressive. This is a bit of a nitpick, but speakers in Apple devices often surprise people with their loudness and clarity. The new iPad Air, on the other hand, offers decent sound, but the quality is closer to the iPad mini than the iPad Pro – I expected more from a device in this price range.
Why is it the worst?
The thin size of the iPad Air is a joy to hold without a case.
The things that frustrate me about the new iPad Air are less about the experience of using it and are more focused on its cost and the pricey accessories Apple sells alongside it.
The iPad Air starts at $749 for the base model with 64GB of storage, which is a decent price for a powerful tablet in 2022, but 64GB isn’t as much as it used to be. I understand that Apple likely has data that indicates most people underutilize their iPads and don’t need tons of storage. When I first used an iPad as a teenager in high school, I mostly relied on the cloud for saving documents and other light tasks so this can be the case for a lot of users.
Also if you’re a student (or anyone, it seems), you can get the iPad Air discounted to $689 from the Apple Education store.
“…there’s no doubt iPadOS is getting more and more capable every year and can do a lot of things just fine.”
However, that was over ten years ago, and files, music, apps and games are now considerably larger. I’ve had the iPad Air (2022) for a week, and after editing two videos with it, downloading my favourite apps and the 17GB game Divinity 2: Original Sin, I’ve used up 74GB of my review unit’s storage.
I’ll mention that the model that I’m reviewing is the larger 256GB Purple option with cellular connectivity ($1,149), white Magic Keyboard ($399) and an Apple Pencil 2 ($169). This entire setup costs a total of $1,417 in Canada.
A MacBook Air with a Wacom tablet costs $1,269, illustrating that once you spend over $1,000, both Air devices offer 256GB of storage and an M1 Chip. They excel at different things, of course, but with Apple pricing the MacBook Air and the iPad Air so competitively, this really becomes a question of whether you would rather work on an iPad or a MacBook.
I think most people my age and above would choose a laptop due to the slower speed of life on an iPad, but there’s no doubt iPadOS is getting more and more capable every year and can do a lot of things just fine.
This new subtle Purple colour is a great look on the iPad Air.
A well-known console modder has produced a functional portable GameCube.
The creation comes from YouTuber GingerOfOz, who has also made a portable PS2 and Wii. To make the portable GameCube, Ginger got feedback from “Demond,” the person who created the mock-up of the rumoured ‘GameCube Advance’ handheld that ended up being fake.
From there, Ginger had to painstakingly attempt to design the console using that single 2005-era render. In a nearly 20-minute video, he breaks down his efforts, which include using a Wii motherboard and adding unique GameCube software.
Drone Delivery Canada (DDC) is partnering with DSV Canada to establish a route to transport ‘dangerous goods’ within the DSV Air & Sea intra-site space in Milton, Ontario.
Dangerous goods are products that pose a safety risk and are considered potentially hazardous while transporting, including items that contain flammable liquids, lithium-ion batteries, infectious substances and more.
“This is another milestone for DDC in terms of it being the first DG transport by drone in Canada; as part of our efforts to continue moving the drone industry forward, DDC has been working with Canadian regulatory staff to permit the transportation of dangerous goods by remotely piloted aircraft (drone),” says Steve Magirias, CEO of DDC in its news release. “We are excited to continue to be leaders in the industry and provide innovative solutions for our customers to transport any types of goods, including DG now.”
DDC recently also partnered with LifeLabs to test deliveries of medicine and essential supplies to remote regions. This project marks the first of its kind with trials only having just begun amongst Stellat’en First Nations and Fraser Lake in British Columbia.
Google officially announced the Steam for Chrome OS alpha, but it seems like it isn’t quite available yet.
As reported by Android Police, a presenter at Google’s Games Developer Summit offhandedly announced the program, saying it “just launched.” However, it doesn’t appear to be available on the web yet, with Ars Technica’s Ron Amadeo tweeting that Google said people can learn more on the Chromebook community forum, but that there doesn’t appear to be anything on the forum about Steam yet.
“You can check that out on the Chromebook community forum to learn more”
That information should arrive eventually (hopefully). You can check for that here.
Until more official info becomes available, all we have to go on is what we’ve learned before. That includes an initial list of Chromebooks that will support Steam (you can check that out here), and general requirements of an 11th Gen Intel Core i5 or i7 and at least 8GB of RAM.
Although the requirements will likely rule out many lower-end Chromebooks, they could change going forward. Aside from the requirements, Steam for Chrome OS will likely be available for Chrome OS Dev or Canary builds to start before it moves into a beta and eventually stable release down the road.
Uber launched in Canada exactly years ago today on March 15th, 2012 (Uber Eats came later in 2015). Since then, the service has become a staple in the transit and food delivery, along with providing Canadians an additional way to earn income.
To mark the occasion, the company, which was co-founded by Calgarian entrepreneur Garrett Camp, released statistics to show the impact it has had on Canadians nationwide. Its services are available in over 140 municipalities in the nation, spanning nine provinces.
Uber is easy to use and because of this, over the past ten years, over 17 million people have used the service to go somewhere or to have food delivered. About 500 million uber trips have been recorded and over 300 million food orders have been delivered since the service launched, recording over 5.5 billion kilometres in the total area covered.
Over 600,000 Canadians have worked hard behind the wheel and have earned a total of $7.8 billion since 2012.
“There are over 100,000 active drivers and delivery people on the road across the country” this year alone, says Uber in its blog post. “In a normal year, we estimate that Uber saves riders over 13 million hours a year. That’s the equivalent of driving from Halifax to Vancouver over 230,000 times.”
That is not to say that the past ten years have been easy for Uber. The industry it once had a monopoly over is now full of competition, leaving the company unprofitable — so much so that Uber lost more than $27 billion in the last five years alone, according to a Toronto Starreport.
Rapidly increasing gas costs are proving to be heavy for drivers, and riders alike, who are now having to pay a higher cost for the same distance covered. Also, every price increase that Uber has attempted has been met with harsh pushback and criticisms from the app users.
Uber’s high scale also contributes to higher traffic levels in busy cities, resulting in more traffic congestions along with leaving a higher carbon footprint.
The company says that its focus for the next decade is on sustainability. The company has partnered with non-profit organization Plug’n Drive to support its drivers in making the switch to electric vehicles. This comes soon after the company committed to operating a zero-emission platform globally by 2040. In Canadian cities like Montreal and Vancouver, the company aims to achieve the same goal by 2030, alleviating some of the issues that have tainted the ride service’s image in recent years.
Amazon has confirmed that a Quebec-focused take on its LOL: Last One Laughing Canada series called LOL: Qui Rira Le Dernier will hit Prime Video later this year.
The original series, itself an offshoot of the international LOL: Last One Laughing comedy format, pits Canadian comedians like Colin Mochrie, Dave Foley and Andrew Phung against one another to see who can keep a straight face the longest.
That format will be retained for LOL: Qui Rira Le Dernier, which will be filmed in Montreal and feature an all-French cast. Stand-up comedian and actor Patrick Huard (Bon Cop, Bad Cop) is confirmed to host, although a cast has not yet been revealed.
In addition to the two LOL shows, Amazon is also developing a revival of Kids in the Hall, the Canadian sketch comedy series featuring Foley, Bruce McCulloch, Kevin McDonald, Mark McKinney and Scott Thompson. The show is set to hit Prime Video sometime this year.
