Author: Mobile Syrup

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Mobile Syrup

Tesla to disable self-driving feature that rolls through stop signs

Rolling through a stop sign is likely to result in a failed road test in Canada (I can attest to that), as it’s a potentially dangerous maneuver. The act is also likely to get you a ticket if a police officer spots you. So why do some of Tesla’s self-driving vehicles include this feature embedded in their software?

To be fair, the rolling through a stop sign isn’t as risky as it sounds. To roll through a stop sign, a Tesla must be travelling below the speed of 5.6 mp/h (about 9 km/h) while approaching an intersection, and the vehicle needs to identify that there are no moving cars, pedestrians or bicyclists nearby

According to the U.S. Department of Transportation and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), Tesla’s Full-Self Driving (FSD) Beta allows vehicles to pass through a four-way stop sign without first coming to a complete stop, which can increase the risk of a crash

About 53,000 affected Tesla Model 3, Model S, Model X and Model Y vehicles will receive an OTA (over-the-air) software update that disables the vehicles from autonomously performing a rolling stop through a stop sign.

According to The Verge, “Tesla says it is not aware of any collisions, injuries, or fatalities related to the use of the feature.” The carmaker says it will notify Tesla owners with vehicles that require the OTA update via a letter mailed before March 28th, 2022.

This comes soon after Tesla announced that it has been testing an improved version of its FSD software. The beta version of FSD will reportedly finally release in Canada sometime in February.

Source: U.S. Department of Transportation Via: The Verge

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Mobile Syrup

Google to start rolling out new Gmail design for Workspace users in February

Starting in February, Google will finally start moving people over to a new Gmail layout featuring a subtle redesign and easier access to several of the company’s business-focused services like Chat, Spaces, and Meet.

The Gmail redesign has been a long time coming. Some of it was shown off alongside Google’s switch from G Suite to Workspace, although the final iteration appears to have leveraged some of the new Material You styling seen in the mobile Gmail app on Android. To be clear, it doesn’t appear that Gmail for desktop will change colours like Gmail on Android — just some of the design elements are present.

The biggest change is a new sidebar to the left of Gmail with several buttons for Compose, Mail, Chat, Spaces, and Meet. There also appears to be some profile pictures in the bottom-left corner, perhaps easy access to contacts you frequently message in Chat.

The new sidebar layout replaces the current Gmail sidebar, which is a messy combination of mail folders, Chat, and Spaces. I hate the current Gmail sidebar since I have an ever-growing list of folders I sort my mail into and opening Chat or Spaces just gets in the way. Although I’m looking forward to the new layout, many people may prefer the current layout since it lets you view all these services in one spot instead of having to cycle through different tabs in the new style.

Beyond new sidebar, there doesn’t seem to be much else that’s different aside from the light-grey backdrop around the inbox.

In a Workplace Updates post, Google said that users can opt-in to try the new layout on February 8th. Come April, Google will start enabling the new layout for users who haven’t opted-in, but an option to use the classic Gmail will be settings. However, Google will remove that option by the end of Q2 2022 and the new layout will become standard.

Finally, Google notes that the new layout will be available “to Google Workspace Business Starter, Business Standard, Business Plus, Enterprise Essentials, Enterprise Standard, Enterprise Plus, Education Fundamentals, Education Plus, Frontline, and Nonprofits, as well as G Suite Basic and Business customers.”

The Verge reported that the change won’t be available to Workspace Essentials customers “at the moment” and that a Google spokesperson said the change would only be available to the listed account types, indicating non-paying Gmail users won’t get the new update.

Source: Google Via: The Verge

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Mobile Syrup

Apple’s iPad sales fell in Q4 but still saw growth in yearly sales

Barcelona, Spain – June 7, 2018: Logo of Apple Inc. on a Apple store. Apple is the multinational technology company headquartered in Cupertino, California and sells consumer electronics products.

Shipments of Apple’s iPad fell in Q4 of 2021, according to a new report from the International Data Corporation (IDC), falling in line with the company’s recently released quality results.

The IDC report shows Apple shipped 17.5 million units in Q4 2021, an 8.6 percent decrease compared to Q4 2020.

Apple’s Q1 2022 earnings show sales grew by 11 percent to hit $123.9 billion USD (roughly $157 billion CAD), but the iPad was not a helping factor.

The report shows iPad sales resulted in $7.25 billion (roughly $9.2 billion CAD) worth of revenue, a 14 percent downturn year-over-year.

The iPhone 13 contributed to a revenue increase of 9.2 percent, its accessories division contributed to a rise of 13 percent, and its Mac division contributed to a 24 percent increase in sales.

Apple wasn’t alone in experiencing the decline. According to the IDC, 46 million tablets shipped in Q4 2021, representing the second decline since the onset of the pandemic in 2020.

Despite the decline, the tech giant still led the pack in sales. Apple was far ahead with its 17.5 million unit shipment, compared to Samsung, which trailed behind at second. The company shipped 7.3 million units, a 21.6 year-over-year decline.

Tablet shipments of the top five companies. Credit: IDC

Lenovo saw a 25.4 percent decrease, and Chromebooks declined by nearly 64 percent.

Tablets from Amazon saw an increase with 1.3 percent growth. But with only 3.6 million units shipped, it was far behind Apple, Samsung and Lenovo.

Disappointing quarter aside, the yearly growth numbers were much more substantial, with an overall increase of 3.2 percent among the top five companies, the highest level seen since 2016.

Apple saw an 8.4 percent growth in shipments in 2021 compared to 2020, with 57.8 million units shipped compared to 53.3.

Senior research analyst Anuroopa Natarah says the Q4 decline is because many areas have moved past their peak demand. However, shipments will stay above pre-pandemic levels because of the need to work remotely, virtual learning, and media consumption.

Image credit: ShutterStock

Source: IDC

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Mobile Syrup

iMessages reactions will soon appear as emojis on Google Messages

Google is starting to roll out iMessage reaction support in beta for Android users that makes cross-platform messages more interactable.

The iMessage reactions — officially known as ‘tapbacks’ — normally appear as a text description of the reaction on Google Messages, but the new beta update displays the tapbacks similar to how they appear on iMessage; in the bottom-right corner of the message bubble.

What’s changed, however, is how these reactions translate from an iPhone to an Android device. Reacting to a message with a ‘Heart’ shows up as the smiley face with heart eyes emoji (😍), whereas the ‘Haha’ react would show up as the face with tears of joy emoji (😂).

Similarly, the ‘Exclamation Mark’ reaction shows up as the face with open mouth emoji (😮), and the ‘Question Mark’ reaction translates as the thinking face emoji (🤔).

The reaction feature is enabled by default on Android devices with Google Messages though it can be toggled off by going to Advanced Messages’ Settings and switching off the ‘Show iPhone reactions as emoji’ toggle bar.

The new feature is starting to show up for Google Messages beta users, though we are not sure when Google intends to roll it out widely.

Image credit: 9to5Google

Source: 9to5Google

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Mobile Syrup

Staples’ Home Office Upgrade promotion nets you $100 if you spend $400

Staples Canada has come out with its new ‘Home Office Upgrade’ promotion where you can get a $100 Staples gift when you spend over $400 from February 1st to February 28th on eligible furniture and tech accessories.

The promotion comes as a result of increasing demand for home office furniture amid a transition to more individuals having to work from home either by choice or by mandate.

According to Statistics Canada, nearly one-third (32 percent) of Canadians were working from home in early 2021. Pair that with a recent survey commissioned by Staples that revealed about “45 percent of Canadians report not having a home office or workspace currently – and of the 55 per cent that do have one, half (50 percent) report the need for an upgrade.”

So if you’re in the market to pick up home office furniture or tech accessories, Staples’ promotion might be something you want to peep at.

Here are ten products from Staples Canada that you might want to consider to upgrade your home office setup:

FlexFit Hyken Mesh Task Chair with Adjustable Arms – Black: $329.99

ASUS 27-inch IPS Frameless Monitor with AMD FreeSync Technology: $209.99 (regularly $239.99)

Gry Mattr Live Edge Desk – White Oak: $299.99

Logitech StreamCam Plus, Graphite: $169.99 (regularly $199.99)

Union & Scale Essentials LED Table Lamp – Espresso/White: $63.99 (regularly $79.99)

Logitech MX Master 3 Advanced Wireless Mouse – Black: $129.99

Logitech MX Keys Advanced Wireless Illuminated Keyboard – Black: $149.99

Gry Mattr Three Drawer Cabinet – Black: $159

Simply 3 Tier Rolling Cart – Teal: $49.99

Gry Mattr Dry-Erase Board – 18″ x 24″ (Q032418M01-CA-R): $69.99

Learn more about Staples’ ‘Home Office Upgrade’ promotion here.

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: Staples

Source: Staples

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Mobile Syrup

BCE launches new complaint against Vidéotron’s Vrai service

New York, USA – 18 March 2021: BCE company logo icon on website, Illustrative Editorial

BCE wants Quebec-based Vidéotron to remove its Vrai service, recently released documents from the Canadian Radio and television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) reveal.

Launched in August 2021, Vrai features original French productions that can be watched on-demand.

BCE claims Vrai isn’t operating in accordance with the CRTC’s hybrid video-on-demand (HVOD) order by offering a internet direct to consumer (DTC) option, according to a part 1 application the organization filed with the CRTC.

An internet DTC allows customers to directly purchase the service online.

According to the order, BCE says the service must also be available over the internet for all Canadians to access. While that can be done, the application states the current DTC option has a number of problems and isn’t compliant with the HVOD order.

The problems, according to BCE

When it was launched in August, Vrai was only available to Vidéotron customers. While that has since changed, and Vrai can be purchased by Canadians, BCE’s application states the offer is “designed not to sell.”

BCE says Vrai’s internet option is “significantly more expensive.” It’ll cost $15 a month to purchase online. If people were to access Vrai by subscribing to Vidéotron’s service, it would cost $7 a month.

Customers who access Vrai online can only get one stream at a time. In comparison, BDU subscribers can get up to five.

Online customers can only access the service through an app or website, and not on a larger screen. In comparison, Vidéotron subscribers can access the platform through multiple forms, including Apple TV or Android TV.

Customers who want to subscribe to the DTC are also automatically redirected to Vidéotron’s websites and TV subscription offers. Customers who refuse these offers, and don’t register with Vidéotron, won’t be able to access Vrai online.

“By providing such an inferior DTC offer for Vrai, Vidéotron is offering Vrai on an exclusive or otherwise preferential basis that is dependent on subscription to its own BDU service,” and is “contrary” to the policy set out by the CRTC, the application states.

The ask to CRTC

BCE says Vrai can’t operate as an HVOD service until it provides a “viable DTC option.” Until then, the CRTC must work quickly to “immediately order” Vidéotron to remove Vrai from its TV subscription offer.

A procedural letter from the CRTC confirms the request has been received. It states Vany interventions and Vidéotron’s answers must be submitted by February 10th. A reply from BCE is due February 15th.

Image credit: Shutterstock

Source: CRTC

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Mobile Syrup

What’s new on Xbox Game Pass on console, PC and mobile in early February 2022

Every month, Xbox adds new games to its Xbox Game Pass subscription service.

Typically, new games join the catalogue in two waves every month, and now, Xbox has revealed the first half of February’s lineup.

Notably, Infernax from Quebec City-based indie Berzerk Studio (which we just featured this week), and Contrast from Montreal-owned Xbox studio Compulsion, are among the new Game Pass titles.

  • Contrast (Cloud and Console) — February 3rd
  • Dreamscaper (Cloud, Console and PC) — February 3rd
  • Telling Lies (Cloud, Console and PC) — February 3rd
  • Besiege (Cloud, Console and PC) — February 10th [Game Preview]
  • CrossfireX (Console) — February 10th [only includes the first single-player campaign, “Operation: Catalyst”)
  • Edge of Eternity (Cloud, Console and PC) — February 10th
  • Skul: The Hero Slayer (Cloud, Console and PC) — February 10th
  • The Last Kids on Earth and the Staff of Doom (Cloud, Console and PC) — February 10th
  • Ark: Ultimate Survivor Edition (Cloud, Console and PC) — February 14th
  • Infernax (Cloud, Console and PC) — February 14th

Meanwhile, here’s what’s leaving Game Pass on February 15th:

  • Control (Cloud, Console and PC)
  • Code Vein (Cloud, Console and PC)
  • Final Fantasy XII The Zodiac Age (Console and PC)
  • The Medium (Cloud, Console and PC)
  • Project Winter (Cloud, Console and PC)
  • The Falconeer (Cloud, Console and PC)

Xbox Game Pass is available on Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PC and Android and iOS in beta. Game Pass for Console and PC Game Pass each cost $11.99 CAD/month.

Meanwhile, Xbox Game Pass Ultimate costs $16.99/month and is required for streaming (which Xbox refers to as ‘Cloud’) to mobile devices and browsers. On top of that, this tier includes Game Pass for both Console and PC, as well as subscriptions to Xbox Live Gold and EA Play.

Find out what came to Game Pass in the second half of January here.

Image credit: Focus Home Interactive

Source: Xbox

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Mobile Syrup

Bell adds new $55/5GB ‘Lite’ add-a-line plan, bundles Crave Mobile with $90+ plans

Bell rolled out a fresh new look for the mobile plan page on its website and a few minor changes to its plan offerings.

First, Bell’s plans have the same prices and data but new bonuses and features. The carrier appears to have dropped its $175/mo 100GB plan or removed it from the main plan page. Additionally, plans still include ‘unlimited’ data that gives customers a set amount at typical network speed. Once users surpass that allotment, they can continue to use data at a throttled speed of up to 512Kbps.

Check out the price and data amounts below:

  • $80/mo 20GB ‘Essential’ plan
  • $90/mo 40GB ‘Ultimate 40’ plan
  • $100/mo 50GB ‘Ultimate 50’ plan
  • $55/mo 5GB ‘Lite’ plan with 4G data – only available to new activations that add a line
bell plans

Bell plans as of February 01, 2022

The new ‘Lite’ plan is particularly interesting. It appears to be an add-a-line plan and one that’s targeted at kids since it includes “parental-controlled data access with the Data Manager tool.” However, unlike the other plans, the ‘Lite’ option does not have access to Bell’s 5G network. Interestingly, it also doesn’t appear to benefit from Bell’s multi-line discount, which reduces your total bill by $15/mo per line added.

Bell’s $90/mo and $100/mo plans now include ‘Crave Mobile’ for 24 months. Crave Mobile is Bell’s mobile-only plan for its streaming service that includes all the content offered in Crave’s base tier and HBO + Movies tier for $9.99/mo. You can learn more about it here.

Crave Mobile service is some nice added value likely intended to compete with Rogers, which bundles free Disney+ for 6 months with its $90 and $100 plans.

Other changes include minor tweaks to included features. All of Bell’s plans include shareable data, unlimited Canada-wide calling and texting and call display, call waiting, and conference calling. However, Bell’s $90 plan now includes unlimited international texting as well, while the $100 plan has unlimited international texting and U.S. calling, texting, and data.

Bell plans as of January 21, 2022

Bell’s old plans (January 21, 2022)

Bell also appears to have applied quality limits for video streaming to its plans. The $80 ‘Essential’ plan and the new ‘Lite’ plan both support “SD video streaming’ — Bell’s website notes that’s up to 480p video. The carrier has a new $5/mo add-on for the Essential plan that bumps that quality cap up to ‘HD video streaming,’ which is up to 1080p. The $90 and $100 plans both include ‘HD video streaming.’

Overall, I’m not sure these changes are necessarily good. While I like the addition of a ‘Lite’ plan for kids, it seems pricey at $55/mo (Fido, Koodo, and Virgin Plus all offer $58/15GB plans and $52/8GB plans at the moment). Additionally, I’m not a huge fan of adding several feature differences like the video streaming quality limits, which will likely make Bell’s plans far more confusing for customers.

You can check out all of Bell’s plan changes here. Note prices may differ depending on the region.

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Mobile Syrup

Chatr offering bonus 2GB/mo and one-month free credit for Lunar New year

Rogers flanker brand Chatr is back with some limited-time deals for the Lunar New Year. Until February 2nd, customers can get 2GB of bonus data per month for eight months plus one month’s “fee in credit.”

The offers apply to almost every plan, with the provider’s $25/mo plan being the only one excluded from the 2GB bonus. That plan does still qualify for the one-month free offer, however.

The 2GB bonus expires if an account becomes inactive or customers change their plan before the end of the eight-month period. The one-month free offer will apply a credit “equivalent to one month’s plan fee” to customers’ bills on the third-anniversary date. Again, Chatr says it won’t apply the credit if accounts become inactive or if users change plans.

It’s worth noting that Chatr has offered variations of the 2GB bonus for a while now (in December, it was 2GB/mo for six months). It appears the one-month free credit was added more recently on January 31st. You can view a full list of Chatr plans below:

  • $70/mo 20GB with unlimited Canada/U.S. talk
  • $60/mo 15GB with unlimited Canada/U.S. talk
  • $50/mo 10GB with unlimited Canada/U.S. talk
  • $40/mo 4.5GB with unlimited Canada-wide talk
  • $35/mo 2GB with unlimited Canada-wide talk
  • $25/mo 500MB with unlimited Canada-wide talk

Chatr’s plans all include call display, call forwarding, group calling and unlimited texting to Canada, the U.S. and internationally. Additionally, all data amounts are capped at 3G speed and customers can add an additional 500MB of data per month by enabling auto-pay.

Learn more here.

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Mobile Syrup

Meta-backed stablecoin endeavour Diem to wind down

METAVERSE META FACEBOOK. Silhouette of smartphone with Facebook, Messenger, whatsApp, Instagram, Oculus apps and blurred META logo on background. Rebrand of Facebook. Stafford, UK, October 28, 2021

Meta-owned Facebook’s stroll in the digital currency market has come to an end with Diem – a stablecoin project funded by Facebook winding down and selling its assets to Silvergate.

Stablecoins refer to cryptocurrencies tied to a stable asset like the U.S. dollar, to help reduce volatility.

“With today’s sale, Silvergate will be well-placed to take this vision forward,” reads Diem CEO Stuart Levey’s comment on the sale. “Over the coming weeks, the Diem Association and its subsidiaries expect to begin the process of winding down, but we look forward to seeing the design choices – and the ideals – of Diem thrive.”

Diem says that the decision to wind down business comes after it was made clear by federal regulators that the project wouldn’t be allowed to move forward, quoting concerns about money laundering and other illegal activities.

While Diem wasn’t a project directly owned by Facebook, it did secure much of its funding from the social media giant, whose vision was to create apps like its Novi Wallet that would use utilize the Diem token. Nevertheless, it looks like Meta isn’t out of the game completely.

Stephane Kasriel, head at Novi said in a tweet, “At Meta, we’re continuing to execute on our existing fintech plans to create economic opportunities and champion greater financial inclusion today, and as we look ahead to the #metaverse.”

And despite the fact that Meta’s links to Diem have ended, there’s always the possibility that Silvergate will revamp and relaunch the project.

Header image credit: Shutterstock

Source: Diem