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Mobile Syrup

Samsung patents handset with L-shaped display

Well, this is a weird one.

Samsung’s latest patent showcases a phone with an L-shape when unfolded. When it’s folded the screen wraps around the rear, almost touching the camera sensors.

This patent was originally posted by LetsGoDigital partnered with Concept Creator to create cool concepts using the patent’s design.

The patent indicates the phone uses an ultra-thin glass that Samsung uses on its Z Fold 3 series.

When folded this phone kind of makes sense. When the display is wrapped around the rear you can use it as a viewfinder for some selfies, or place your phone on your desk and if it’s face down or face up you’ll always be able to see your notifications.

However, when unfolded, an L-shaped display doesn’t seem all that useful. The patent mentions placing a picture-in-picture video in the top left corner in the extra screen part. That way you can watch videos in that section of the screen and then use the main part of the display to continue doing whatever you’d like.

The phone also seems to offer an in-display camera similar to the Z Fold 3 and also sports a triple camera setup.

It’s unclear when Samsung will unveil this phone or if it ever will as this is only a patent.

Samsung published this patent on January 20th with the World Intellectual Property Office (WIPO). 

Image Credit: LetsGoDigital

Source: LetsGoDigital

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Mobile Syrup

Google launches Android 12L, coming to Samsung, Microsoft smartphones later this year

Alongside the March Pixel drop and security patch, Google has launched Android 12L on Pixel handsets (Pixel 3a-Pixel 5a).

Additionally, the company released a blog post outlining the update’s features. If you don’t own a Pixel device, don’t worry, as starting this year, Android 12L will also launch on tablets and foldables from Samsung, Lenovo and Microsoft.

Android 12L is designed with larger screens in mind, like foldables and tablets. 12L optimizes the display for the home screen, lock screen, notification shade, device set-up screens, settings and more.

One of the changes, on Android 12L notifications and quick tiles, have been moved and now have their own dedicated columns and more space to view and swipe away notifications.

There’s also a taskbar to help multitaskers launch and switch between apps. You can drag-and-drop from the taskbar to enter split-screen mode, so you can look at two things at once. Additionally, when you’re in Settings you don’t have to go in and out of each menu option and you’ll be able to see the options in the settings on the right side. Both of these features pull from Samsung’s Galaxy Z series’ One UI 4.0, which also offers this functionality.

If you have one of the above-mentioned Pixel devices, head over to Settings to download the latest update. Android 12L will hit the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro later this month.

Source: Google

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Mobile Syrup

Halo Infinite’s co-op campaign won’t launch alongside Season 2

Halo Infinite is a stellar game in desperate need of new content.

Though the game suffers from issues like desync, ranked not feeling rewarding (the reset didn’t help) and other technical problems, Halo Infinite’s most significant problem is a lack of new content. For a free-to-play multiplayer designed to be a “live service,” there just isn’t much life to the game.

Thankfully, that’s set to change to an extent. When Season of Halo Infinite’s multiplayer mode launches on May 3rd, eager fans will get a new arena and Big Team Battle maps’ Catalyst’ and ‘Breaker,’ as well as the return of ‘King of the Hill’ mode. Two other new game modes are also coming, ‘Land Grab’ and ‘Last Spartan,’ with the latter being described as a “free-for-all elimination.”

All this sounds like good news, right? Unfortunately, the release of four-player campaign co-op has been pushed back once again.

Joseph Staten, the head of Halo Infinite says 343 aims to “deliver Campaign network co-op later in Season 2.”

“It’s going to take more time to land a high-quality, full-featured 4-player network co-op experience in the massive, wide-open world of Halo Infinite.”

Staten goes on to mention that 343 Industries plans to bring a 2-player split-screen co-op experience to Xbox and that the title’s anticipated ‘Forge mode’ is still set for a season 3 release.

As someone who at one point was really into Halo Infinite’s multiplayer mode but has fallen off playing it recently, I’m excited for new maps and game modes to hit the game, but the wait between now and the beginning of Season 2 Lone Wolves feels positively barren. All we know that’s coming to the game is ‘Tactical Ops,’ a new limited-time event focused on the ‘Team Tactical’ playlist.

Halo Infinite launched back in December without co-op and Forge mode, two features the series has become known for. While Infinite’s initial reception was resoundingly positive, 343 has been heavily criticized for the lack of new content hitting the title over the last few months following season 1’s extension to May.

Source: 343 Industries 

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Mobile Syrup

Amazon eyeing God of War TV show with PlayStation: report

Amazon is in negotiations with PlayStation to adapt the company’s God of War action game franchise into a live-action TV series for Prime Video, according to Deadline.

The outlet notes that the series is being developed by The Expanse creators/executive producers Mark Fergus and Hawk Ostby and The Wheel of Time executive producer/showrunner Rafe Judkins. Both shows are exclusive to Prime Video.

Deadline did not mention any potential plot details for the proposed God of War series. For context, the God of War games follow Kratos, a rage-filled Spartan warrior who opposes the gods of Greek mythology. It’s unclear whether Amazon’s series would draw inspiration from Kratos’ Greek adventures, the more mature 2018 Nordic outing with his son, Atreus or even tell a new story entirely.

In any case, an adaptation of God of War makes sense for PlayStation, given that it’s one of the company’s flagship franchises. Since 2005, seven God of War games have been released, with the series’ most recent title, 2018’s God of War, garnering numerous accolades, including “Game of the Year” at The Game Awards. The highly anticipated sequel, God of War: Ragnarok, is set to come to PS4 and PS5 later this year.

It’s important to note that because the series is still being negotiated, there’s no guarantee as of yet that it will actually get made. Should a deal close, though, God of War would be the latest in a growing lineup of gaming adaptations for Amazon, including a Fallout show based on the eponymous Bethesda gaming franchise from Westworld creators Jonathan Nolan and Lisa Joy and a rumoured Mass Effect series.

This would also be another title in the ever-growing catalogue of PlayStation Productions, a division Sony founded in 2019 to adapt its gaming properties into shows and movies. The first PlayStation Productions title, Uncharted, opened in theatres last month with strong box office success, and Sony has all but confirmed a sequel. Other PlayStation Productions include HBO’s The Last of Us show from Chernobyl‘s Craig Mazin and developer Naughty Dog’s Neil Druckmann, a Ghost of Tsushima movie from John Wick director Chad Stahelski and a Twisted Metal NBC Show starring Anthony Mackie.

Image credit: PlayStation

Source: Deadline

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Mobile Syrup

Save up to 26 percent on Corsair PC components at Amazon

Amazon Canada has discounted several PC and smart home accessories along with several audio and video offerings as part of its ‘Daily Deals’ promotion.

Check out all the deals below:

Save up to 20 percent on Anker Charging Accessories

Fire TV Stick 4K streaming device with Alexa Voice Remote (includes TV controls), Dolby Vision: $54.99 (regularly $69.99)

Save up to $240 on Amazon Fire TV Omni Series

All-new Echo Dot (4th Gen) | Smart speaker with clock and Alexa: $54.99 (regularly $79.99)

Save up to $220 on Amazon Fire TV 4-Series

Fire TV Stick Lite with Alexa Voice Remote Lite (no TV controls), HD streaming device: $39.99 (regularly $49.99)

Save up to 39 percent on Stereo Headphones

Logitech M510 Wireless Computer Mouse for PC with USB Unifying Receiver: $29.99 (regularly $44.99)

Save up to $300 on Select ASUS Devices

Echo (4th Gen) | With premium sound, smart home hub, and Alexa: $99.99 (regularly $129.99)

TP-Link Tapo Smart Cam Pan Tilt Home WiFi Camera: $44.99 (regularly $49.99)

Save up to 26 percent on select Corsair PC components

Jabra Elite 85t True Wireless Bluetooth Earbuds: $199.99 (regularly $299.99)

Save up to 22 percent on TP-Link Routers

Fire TV Cube, Hands-free streaming device with Alexa: $109.99 (regularly $149.99)

Save up to 20 percent on Bose Personal Portable Speakers

Logitech Combo Touch iPad Pro 12.9-inch (5th gen – 2021) Keyboard Case – Detachable Backlit Keyboard with Kickstand: $259.99 (regularly $299.99)

Save up to 29 percent on JBL Tune Headphones.



Go to Amazon deal store

MobileSyrup utilizes affiliate partnerships. These partnerships do not influence our editorial content, though we may earn a commission on purchases made via these links that helps fund the journalism provided free on our website.

Image credit: Amazon

Source: Amazon

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Mobile Syrup

Google releases Pixel Feature drop and Android 12L

Google has just released its 10th Pixel Feature Drop, the newest security update and Android 12L.

This feature drop is available on the Pixel 3a, Pixel 4, Pixel 4 XL, Pixel 4a, Pixel 4a 5G, Pixel 5 and Pixel 5a. Unfortunately, Pixel 6 and 6 Pro users are out of luck. Google says that the drop will hit Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Po users later this month.

Here are the new features:

  • 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.

Pixel 6 and 6 Pro users will get some exclusive features, including:

  • 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

The March Google Pixel update is also rolling out today for those above-mentioned devices. Again, the Pixel 6 and 6 Pro updates aren’t getting the update until later this month.

Google says this is Android version 12.1 and is apparently a stable version of Android 12L. Android 12L mainly focuses on foldables and other large-screen devices but is currently only available on Pixel handsets.

The latest security patch fixes a variety of issues for Bluetooth, battery, sensors and more.

Source: Google (2), (3)

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Mobile Syrup

These seven Switch Mario titles are on sale at multiple Canadian retailers

Nintendo Canada, along with several Canadian retailers is discounting seven Mario-themed Nintendo Switch titles, namely Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, Super Mario 3D World + Bowser’s Fury, New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe, Luigi’s Mansion 3 + Multiplayer Pack Set, Luigi’s Mansion 3, Yoshi’s Crafted World and Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 as part of Mario Day sale.

The discounts are valid until 13th March on the Nintendo Store, while the sale dates vary for Canadian retailers.

Check out the deals below:

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe

Super Mario 3D World + Bowser’s Fury

New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe

Luigi’s Mansion 3 + Multiplayer Pack Set

Luigi’s Mansion 3

Yoshi’s Crafted World

Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020

MobileSyrup utilizes affiliate partnerships. These partnerships do not influence our editorial content, though we may earn a commission on purchases made via these links that helps fund the journalism provided free on our website.

Image credit: Nintendo

Source: Nintendo 

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Mobile Syrup

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4 concept features S Pen and new camera setup

Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 3 was my favourite smartphone of 2021, so it’s cool to see how the Galaxy Z Fold 4 could build on its already established, well-recieved design.

The concept, designed by Waqar Khan, looks similar to the Z Fold 3 in several ways. The most significant changes are three protruding cameras on the rear instead of a more prominent camera bump, and storage for the S Pen.

Both changes make the handset look similar to the Galaxy S22 Ultra in some ways. Alongside these changes, there’s a side-mounted fingerprint scanner and an in-display camera, just like the Z Fold 3.

Last year, Samsung announced the Z Fold 3 on August 11th, so we still have several months before we’ll know for sure what the Z Fold 4 might look like.

Source: Waqar Khan 

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Mobile Syrup

February round-up: network expansions around Canada

Moscow, Russia – December, 2020: IBM logo on a storage rack in Datacenter

IBM, Bell, and Xplornet were some of the companies that made infrastructure announcements in the month of February.

To keep up with the growing list, MobileSyrup publishes monthly roundups to keep track of announcements that continue to pour in. Here’s a map to help you visualize all of the updates:

Telus

February 2nd: Telus expands its PureFibre X internet to Edmonton, offering upload and download speeds of 2.5Gbps.

February 8th: Telus expands its Internet for Good Program to select seniors living in Quebec.

IBM

February 3rd: The company enters a partnership with the Government of Quebec to install the first quantum computer in Canada. The launch date is sometime in 2023.

Government of Canada

February 3rd: The government invests nearly a million dollars through the UBF project to bring high-speed internet to 528 homes in West River and the Sheshatshiu Innu First Nation in Newfoundland and Labrador.

February 8th: The federal government invests $556,000 to bring high-speed internet to 136 households near North Bay, Ontario.

February 17th: The government invests $6.6 million through the UBF fund to bring high-speed internet to thousands of homes in rural Saskatchewan.

February 22nd: The government continues its investment in high-speed internet by allocating $136 million towards a number of communities in Newfoundland and Labrador.

Xplornet

February 9th: Xplornet works to connect 1,300 homes and businesses in Sundre, Alberta with fibre broadband over the year. The project is partially funded by the Government of Canada.

Bell

February 11th: The company announces its working to expand internet services in Georgina, Ontario. The expansion is expected to be completed in 2024.

Eastlink

February 24th: The company completes a $20 million network facility to help with future growth and network resiliency.

Image credit: Shutterstock

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Mobile Syrup

Leaked renders show off Apple’s ‘Mac Studio’ and cheaper Pro Display XDR

Just ahead of Apple’s March 8th event more information has started to appear regarding the tech giant’s high-end version of the Mac mini, the ‘Mac Studio,’ and possibly, even a cheaper version of the Pro Display XDR.

According to YouTuber Luke Miani, who also reports that Apple plans to reveal a green version of the iPhone 13 during its upcoming event, the Mac Studio will look similar to two Mac minis stacked on each other.

The Mac Studio reportedly features a brushed metal design, rounded edges and vents running around its base. It’s likely that the device will feature Apple’s powerful M1 Pro/Max, though some rumours point to it coming equipped with a new M2 chip or a more powerful version of the M1 Max.

Along with the new Mac Studio, Miani also reports that Apple is working on a cheaper version of the Pro Display XDR that measures in at 27-inches diagonally. According to Miani, the device doesn’t feature the Pro Display XDR’s lattice pattern or its pricey Pro stand.

Though this display is expected to be cheaper than the Pro Display XDR ($6,299) it’s unclear how much it will cost). Given Apple working on a standalone display aimed at consumers has been rumoured for several years now, there’s likely at least some level of truth to this report. Apple’s Thunderbolt Display was sold from 2011 – 2016 and was nearly universally positively received by users.

Though Miani has a bit of a spotty history when it comes to Apple leaks, 9to5Mac also reported on both the Mac Studio and the cheaper version of the Pro Display XDR last week.

Image credit: Luke Miani (YouTuber)

Source: Luke Miani (YouTube) Via: 9to5Mac