Author: Mobile Syrup

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Mobile Syrup

Snapchat to allow users to share real-time locations with friends

Snapchat is enabling a new feature, allowing users to share their real-time location with friends. The feature is used to monitor the location of friends when taking an Uber or out on a date, etc.

The introduction of the new feature was first reported by The Verge. From the sounds of it, the real-time location feature works very similar to Apple’s Find My app. Users can turn on the setting and share their real-time location with selected friends for 15 minutes. This feature can also be used for up to a few hours at a time.

The main focus of this feature sounds like it weighs on safety. You can imagine the benefits of securely sharing your real-time location with a friend or family member when on a date with someone new. Alternatively, it could be utilized to ensure that a friend successfully gets home from their Uber ride.

The Snapchat Snapchat real-time location feature is only available between mutual friends on the app. Users can pause sharing without sending the friend a notification.

Real-time location-sharing is off by default. In order to turn it on, a user must first select a friend and view their profile. The option to then select the duration of location sharing is found. The friend is then able to see the live location within the chat thread between you and them.

The addition of this feature is the latest major addition to the photo and messaging app. Although Snapchat does enable users to share the location of where the app was last used via the Snap Map, this is far more advanced.

It’s certainly a more useful tool to consider when looking at options outside of the iOS ecosystem. Privacy and safety appear to be in good standing when looking at the feature. Plus, there appears to be very little fuss involved.

Source: The Verge

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Mobile Syrup

Snapchat to allow users to share real-time locations with friends

Snapchat is enabling a new feature, allowing users to share their real-time location with friends. The feature is used to monitor the location of friends when taking an Uber or out on a date, etc.

The introduction of the new feature was first reported by The Verge. From the sounds of it, the real-time location feature works very similar to Apple’s Find My app. Users can turn on the setting and share their real-time location with selected friends for 15 minutes. This feature can also be used for up to a few hours at a time.

The main focus of this feature sounds like it weighs on safety. You can imagine the benefits of securely sharing your real-time location with a friend or family member when on a date with someone new. Alternatively, it could be utilized to ensure that a friend successfully gets home from their Uber ride.

The Snapchat Snapchat real-time location feature is only available between mutual friends on the app. Users can pause sharing without sending the friend a notification.

Real-time location-sharing is off by default. In order to turn it on, a user must first select a friend and view their profile. The option to then select the duration of location sharing is found. The friend is then able to see the live location within the chat thread between you and them.

The addition of this feature is the latest major addition to the photo and messaging app. Although Snapchat does enable users to share the location of where the app was last used via the Snap Map, this is far more advanced.

It’s certainly a more useful tool to consider when looking at options outside of the iOS ecosystem. Privacy and safety appear to be in good standing when looking at the feature. Plus, there appears to be very little fuss involved.

Source: The Verge

Categories
Mobile Syrup

Snapchat to allow users to share real-time locations with friends

Snapchat is enabling a new feature, allowing users to share their real-time location with friends. The feature is used to monitor the location of friends when taking an Uber or out on a date, etc.

The introduction of the new feature was first reported by The Verge. From the sounds of it, the real-time location feature works very similar to Apple’s Find My app. Users can turn on the setting and share their real-time location with selected friends for 15 minutes. This feature can also be used for up to a few hours at a time.

The main focus of this feature sounds like it weighs on safety. You can imagine the benefits of securely sharing your real-time location with a friend or family member when on a date with someone new. Alternatively, it could be utilized to ensure that a friend successfully gets home from their Uber ride.

The Snapchat Snapchat real-time location feature is only available between mutual friends on the app. Users can pause sharing without sending the friend a notification.

Real-time location-sharing is off by default. In order to turn it on, a user must first select a friend and view their profile. The option to then select the duration of location sharing is found. The friend is then able to see the live location within the chat thread between you and them.

The addition of this feature is the latest major addition to the photo and messaging app. Although Snapchat does enable users to share the location of where the app was last used via the Snap Map, this is far more advanced.

It’s certainly a more useful tool to consider when looking at options outside of the iOS ecosystem. Privacy and safety appear to be in good standing when looking at the feature. Plus, there appears to be very little fuss involved.

Source: The Verge

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Mobile Syrup

Government of Canada invests $6.6 million for high-speed internet in rural Saskatchewan

Saskatchewan and Canada flags against blue sky. Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada.

Thousands of households in rural Saskatchewan will soon receive access to high-speed internet.

The Government of Canada is investing nearly $6.6 million towards 10 projects that will impact 2,500 households.

FlexNetworks is allocated $2.4 million and will bring the project to the communities of Neuhorst, Bradwell, Shields, Thode, Neuanlage and rural communities near the village of Clavet.

$1.29 million is going towards Prairie Crocus Rural Internet, benefiting the communities of Water Park Estates, Eagle Ridge Country Estates, Aberdeen and Shields.

Access Communications Cooperative Limited will receive $528,909 towards a project that will help the residents of Macklin and Shaunavon. Muscowpetung Saulteaux Nation receives $458,271, and Beardy’s & Okemasis’ Cree Nation receives $1.9 million.

“This $6.6 million in federal funding to improve high-speed internet will mean faster, more reliable, and efficient internet service for Saskatchewan residents,” Dan Vandal, Minister of Northern Affairs, said in a statement. “Whether it’s students in online classes, virtual meetings from the kitchen table, or streaming our favourite movies, this pandemic has shown us just how essential reliable internet access has become.

The investments are part of a string of similar announcements, building toward the government’s commitment to give 98 percent of Canadians high-speed internet access by 2026. The funding is coming through the Universal Broadband Fund (UBF). You can check out a map of all UBF projects here.

Image credit: Shutterstock

Source: Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada

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Mobile Syrup

Google releases new surprise update for Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro

Google released a surprise update for the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro today, just days after the devices received their last security update.

According to Android Police, the developer dropped the new builds with “slightly different version numbers” compared to the last release.

The version uploaded earlier this month is listed as ‘SQ1D.220205.003.’ This latest update is listed as SQ1D.220205.004 for both the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro, as reported by 9to5Google.

Android Police speculates the update could be a bug fix, given an onslaught of complaints on Wi-Fi performance days before the February update went live.

Source: Android Police, 9to5Google

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Mobile Syrup

Get two Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 for the price of one [Today only]

After offering the Galaxy Buds 2 for free when you purchase a Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 series device, Samsung Canada is back with another Buds 2 promotion, as first shared by RedFlagDeals user ‘intellix.’ 

For today only, when you purchase the Galaxy Buds 2, you can get an additional pair of the buds in the ‘Graphite’ colourway for free.

The Buds 2 are available for their regular retail price of $189.99, so you’re essentially buying each pair for 50 percent off.

It’s worth noting that you only need to add one pair to your cart, and the free pair would automatically be added when you’re checking out.

Check out the Samsung listing here.

For specs and information on the Galaxy Buds 2, check out MobileSyrup staff writer Bradley Bennett’s review of the wireless earbuds.

Source: Samsung Via: RedFlagDeals

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Mobile Syrup

Apple and Beats release special edition NBA-themed Powerbeats Pro

Apple-owned Beats is celebrating the 75th anniversary of the NBA by releasing a special edition version of the Powerbeats Pro.

Designed in collaboration with Canadian brand ‘Better,’ the Powerbeats Pro feature red/blue ear tips and the NBA’s iconic logo on their side.

The wireless Powerbeats Pro were first released back in 2019 and feature a fitness-forward design with wingtips that lock the earbuds in your ears. However, since then, Beats has also launched the Fit Pro and Studio Buds in Canada.

Despite being several years old, the Powerbeats Pro still offer relatively modern specs, including nine hours of battery life (24 with the charging case), Apple’s H1 chip and IPX4 water resistance.

The special edition NBA Powerbeats Pro will release on Saturday, February 19th for $329 (the same price as regular Powerbeats Pro) through the NBA store and the Better Gift Shop in Toronto.

Image credit: Beats 

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Mobile Syrup

Koodo adds 100Mbps data speed cap to its 4G plans

After Telus implemented speed caps for its mobile data plans, a spokesperson confirmed to MobileSyrup that Koodo is also applying speed caps to new plans.

According to a statement from a Telus spokesperson, flanker brand Koodo will cap 4G LTE data plans at up to 100Mbps starting February 16th:

“Starting February 16, new customers and existing customers taking a new Koodo plan will enjoy TELUS’ world-class 4G LTE network with speeds up to 100 Mbps. Customers can continue to fully enjoy all features on social media with no buffering, capture life’s best moments and share HD videos with loved ones seamlessly.”

It sounds like existing Koodo customers will not be impacted unless they change to a new Koodo plan.

Following MobileSyrup reporting about the Telus change, several readers pointed out that a Koodo help page listed speeds for 3G and 4G plans as up to 3Mbps and up to 100Mbps respectively. Additionally, I noticed a change on Koodo’s website that switched the provider’s plans from being listed as “4G LTE” to just “4G.”

It’s also worth noting that Telus applies a 100Mbps speed cap to its 4G-capable prepaid plans.

Telus and Koodo did not specify why they implemented the data speed caps. MobileSyrup will update this post with any additional details it learns.

You can view Koodo’s plans here.

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Mobile Syrup

Local news will suffer if Rogers, Shaw merger approved, Canadian Heritage committee told

Executives from Rogers have said their merger with Shaw will be good for local news as they’ll create localized teams to serve specific communities.

Critics have argued the validity of this statement from the beginning. In their latest outcry, several witnesses told the Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage local news will face the consequences if various government bodies approve the Rogers and Shaw merger.

Catherine Edwards, executive director of the Canadian Association of Community Television Users and Stations (CACTUS), said community news has long suffered from similar mergers. Over the past 20 years, 75 percent of the 300 cable TV stations that served local communities have shut down. Cable giants have scaled back on production infrastructure to cities and instead focused on selling tv subscriptions, specialty channels and mobile services.

“We believe community-owned media is the best way to serve communities with local news and to ensure a diversity of voices continue to fill our airwaves,” she said.

Edwards said local news stations are also important to all politicians.

“These stations ensure that you as parliamentarians can reach your constituents to talk about the issues that are important, not sound bites muted out from mega-corporations who are interested in blockbuster U.S series, but community-owned entities committed to supporting local democracies.”

Matthew Hatfield, the campaigns director of Open Media, said the merger would also cut funding towards Global News, previously funded by Shaw.

Rogers will instead be redirecting the funds to City News, forcing Corus to seek financial support from the independent local news fund (ILNF).

The fund supports smaller local news productions, and Hatfield said Corus could absorb between 60 and 80 percent of the funds, taking away from smaller outlets.

“To afford the purchase, Rogers is taking on immense levels of debt — debt that needs to be paid off by cutting costs or raising prices,” Hatfield said. “Given that local news is already barely economically viable, that’s not going to come in increasing news prices. It will come from slashing programming and jobs.”

Witnesses from the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) will appear on another day. Rogers was also invited to speak before the committee but declined.

The CRTC held the only public hearing to discuss broadcast aspects of the deal in November. Private hearings are also taking place with the Competition Bureau and Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada. No decisions have been shared at this time.

Source: Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage

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Mobile Syrup

It’s unclear what Samsung will reveal at its MWC 2022 keynote

Samsung has revealed it will hold a press event on February 27th, the day before Mobile World Congress (MWC) is set to start (Feb. 28th – March 3rd).

While we usually have a good idea of what the South Korean tech giant plans to reveal at its keynotes, things are more up in the air this time and it’s unclear what the company will unveil during the event taking place in Barcelona, Spain.

Samsung already released its Galaxy S22 series and Tab S8 tablets earlier this month, so it’s unlikely we’ll see any new devices at the event. That said, there’s a chance the successor to the Galaxy Watch 4 and a new version of the Galaxy Book Pro could appear. There’s also a chance Samsung may use the event to show off some of the more out-there foldable prototypes the company has teased in the past.

Though MWC 2022 and Samsung’s event are happening in-person in Barcelona, you can also watch a livestream of the presentation on Samsung’s YouTube channel and website at 1pm ET/10am PT.

MobileSyrup will have more on Samsung’s MWC 2022 keynote in the coming days.