Author: Mobile Syrup

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Mobile Syrup

Rogers Q4 results reveal board room drama played a role in decreased profits

Rogers’ Q4 financial results for 2021 reveal the carrier increased its overall revenue this year, but costs related to restructuring and the acquisition of Shaw decreased how much the company took home.

The company’s fourth-quarter revenue increased by six percent, at $3.92 billion compared to $3.6 billion in 2020.

The increase of wireless subscribers partially drove this. The quarter saw the addition of 141,000 new mobile users. Revenue also came from roaming costs associated with lighter travel restrictions.

The company’s media portfolio helped with this number, specifically with the delayed starts to the 2020-2021 NHL and NBA seasons. Revenue from this sector increased by 26 percent for the quarter.

The same growth was not seen for cable, which remained stable. Rogers says this is because of an increase in the company’s internet and streaming services and a decline in legacy television and home phone subscribers.

However, overall profits were down. Once adjusted for restructuring, acquisition, and tax impact, the company recorded $486 million in profit, decreasing from the $500 million in profit seen in Q4 2020.

Expenditures

The increase in wireless subscribers translated to the company spending more on wireless services. $501 million was spent in Q4 2021, a 49 percent increase from $337 million spent in 2020. The company says this is a result of upgrading its wireless services and implementing 5G.

$101 million was also spent on restructuring and acquisition expenses, a 38 percent increase from Q4 2020. Included was paying Shaw $62 million for costs related to Rogers merging with the company. The remaining went towards severance that came with the restructuring.

The 38 percent increase is not surprising as the company went through a period of turmoil and staff turnover while replacing its former CEO Joe Natale with Tony Staffieri.

Shaw merger

Documents state that Rogers’ merger with Shaw will close in the first half of 2022, likely in the second quarter. If not completed by March 15th (subject to extension), either company can terminate the agreement.

While an Alberta court approved the transaction last year,  government bodies still need to provide approval, including the Competition Bureau, Innovation, Science and Economic Development (ISED), and the Canadian Radio-Television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC).

If approval isn’t granted by March 15th, Rogers is obligated to pay Shaw $1.2 billion to reverse the termination fee. This cost will likely rise given Rogers is also responsible for paying other expenses related to the acquisition process.

Rogers says the review with ISED to approve the transfer of Shaw’s spectrum licenses is currently underway.

The review with the CRTC took place in late November 2020, and it’s not clear when a decision will be delivered. The CRTC’s hearing was the only public hearing on the matter.

2022 priorities

Besides Rogers successfully acquiring Shaw and growing its business in Western Canada, it wants to improve its performance and execution. The telecom giant also intends to increase its investments in 5G and expand the network across Canada. Rogers hopes these moves contribute to revenue growing between four and six percent.

Source: Rogers

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Mobile Syrup

iPhones could accept credit card payments with future update: report

iPhones could soon accept payments without the need for external hardware, according to a report from Bloomberg.

Currently, people who want to accept payments with an iPhone need external hardware, such as Block-owned payment company Square, which makes external tap and magstripe readers for credit cards. However, Bloomberg reports that the new feature will turn the iPhone itself into a payment terminal, likely using the built-in Near Field Communications (NFC) chip to read card taps.

This could enable various small businesses, like food trucks or hairstylists, to accept payments easily with an iPhone through tap, either from a credit card or another iPhone.

It’s been expected that Apple would try to push into this space ever since the company’s 2020 purchase of Mobeewave, a Montreal-based company that developed tech to allow phones to accept credit card payments. Before the Apple acquisition, Samsung had worked with Mobeewave to bring the tech to its Galaxy smartphones with an app called “Samsung POS.” In this case, POS means point of sale, although I find it incredibly funny that a company would slap that acronym on a product without considering other potential meanings.

The Mobeewave team has worked in Apple’s payments division since the purchase, but Bloomberg notes that it’s unclear if Apple will use Mobeewave branding for the new feature or add it to its Apple Pay suite (if I had to guess, it’d be the latter). It’s also unclear if Apple plans to partner with an existing payment network or launch the feature independently.

It remains to be seen what the impact would be on competitors like Block’s Square (which currently dominates the market, according to Bloomberg). The publication notes two possibilities. The first is that Apple allows any app to leverage the new payments tech. That would mean Square could leverage the new payments feature instead of providing its own hardware. The second path is that Apple requires merchants to use Apple Pay or its own payment processing system, directly competing with Square.

Given Apple’s propensity to add features to iPhones that directly compete with existing third-party capabilities, my money’s on the second path. It likely won’t be long until we find out anyway — Bloomberg says Apple will roll out the feature in a software update “in the coming months.” That would put the debut near a few expected Apple announcements, such as the rumoured iPhone SE and iPad Air launches possibly coming in March or April.

Source: Bloomberg

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Mobile Syrup

Here are the changes to Canadian mobile rate plans this week [January 27 – February 2]

With over 13 wireless providers in Canada, it can be difficult to keep track of the latest promotions and cell phone rate plan changes. 

MobileSyrup will compile the latest weekly rate plan deals every week. You can also check out our guide on plans across Canada to find the right plan for you.  You can compare from 47,842 options and 13 providers in Canada to find the best option.

It’s worth noting that rate plans are always subject to change and that we’ll do our best to keep this list updated as accurately as possible.

Canadian carrier rate plan changes this week

New deals:

  • Pay even less per month with the Device Return Option.
  • Promo 50, 55 & 65 plan for new activations and upgrades only. (QC)
  • Unlimited Share plans 40 & 100 are $15/mo. cheaper and Unlimited 50 Canada/US plan is $10/mo cheaper in MB, QC & SK compared to main regions.
  • Save big with Bell advantages at The Source.
  • Get 500MB bonus data/mo. with automatic monthly top-up options with the $30, $40, $45 & $55 prepaid plans along with a limited-time lunar new year offer on the $40, $45 & $55 plan.
  • Get 10GB of data for only $50/month on Quebec’s best network.

Ongoing deals:

  • Get an additional $150 credit when you trade-in your current phone for the new Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G
  • Buy a new phone online and save $50, shop now.
  • Various phone accessories on sale
  • Enjoy 25 GB at max. speeds for $65/mo. on Québec’s best network.
  • Trade in your device and get a minimum of $100 towards a new one.
  • Connect your other devices and enjoy unlimited data from $10/mo.
  • Pair Bell mobility with your Bell service and get 20GB of data for just $50/mo. in QC and for $65/mo. in ON.
  • Save $25/month for every team member you add to your account.
  • Get three lines with unlimited data and no overages for an average of $55/month.
  • Get three months of Apple Fitness+
  • Switch your business to Canada’s best 5G network and get a credit of $200 per line.
  • Get bonus 100MB data/mo with unlimited Canada-wide minutes for $25/mo with automatic monthly top-up options.
  • Trade-in your old device and save
  • Get six months of Crave Total on us with new smartphones on Bell SmartPay
  • Get our unlimited talk and text plan for just $30/mo.
  • Save $15/mo. for every family member you add to your account.
  • Get up to 500 MB bonus data/mo. when you sign up for Automatic Monthly or Automatic Monthly/Low Balance Top-Up option on eligible plans.
  • Save $40 on the intelliARMOR UV Shield+ portable sanitize

Browse Bell cell phone plans

New deals:

  • Get iPhone 12 mini 128GB + AirPods (2nd generation) for $0 down on approved credit
  • Save 30-50% off select accessories!

Ongoing deals:

  • This week’s Fido XTRA: A contest!
  • Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G for $150 down and $33.34/mo with Fido Payment Program.
  • Apple iPad 7 is on clearance.
  • Apple iPad (8th Generation) certified pre-owned available for $0 down
  • Get Extra $5 Credit Per Month on ZTE Grand X View 4 and $6.50 Credit Per Month on the certified pre-owned ZTE Grand X View 4
  • Save up to $35 per month for 12 months on unlimited Home internet 75u or 150u when you pair with a Mobile plan. (ON)
  • Trade-in select devices and get a minimum credit of $100
  • Don’t wait. iPhone 12 mini for $0 down!
  • Each month, all year long, 10 Fido customers will win 1 YEAR of FREE Fido service.
  • Various smartphones on deals
  • Get a Samsung Galaxy device and get up to 4 months of YouTube Premium
  • One Month Free Service when you invite your friends and they join Fido.

Browse Fido cell phone plans

New deals:

  • For a limited time, Vrai is offered for three months when you add it to your mobile plan
  • Vrai and Club Illico are offered for three months with any subscription to a Helix Internet and TV or Helix TV App Plan.
  • Save $20/mo on the TV App basic service and 30 internet plan
  • Save $35/mo on the TV 10 choices (sports option) and 30 internet plan.
  • Save $15/mo on Unlimited 30 internet
  • Combine a 24-month Mobile plan with a Helix plan of your choice and get a $10 monthly discount

Ongoing deals:

  • Get 100 GB bonus per year with all-Inclusive 20GB, 40GB plan as well as 15 GB Canada – US without border plan
  • Take advantage of monthly discount with multiline $5 to $15 per line each month (depends on number of lines)
  • Trade-in your old device for the new Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G, save $480 with selected 24-month plans and the Take-Back Credit.
  • Sale on phone cables, chargers and audio accessories
  • Deals and monthly savings on various smartphones
  • Save up to $720/year with multiline plans
  • HUAWEI FreeBuds 3 and the HUAWEI WATCH GT 2 on sale now
  • Take advantage of all the benefits of Helix internet, starting from $50/mo.
  • Get a discount and save up to $15 per plan every month if you team up by four.
  • Get an extra 100GB per year, always at full speed
  • Helix unlimited 400 internet at $70/mo
  • Get 10 GB bonus data per year in Canada with Basic 4GB, 10GB Canada plan & $10 GB Canada-Us plan
  • Subscribe to the QUB musique Family plan at the exclusive rate of $9.99/month for 24 months
  • Up to $500 trade-in credit on any smartphone purchase
  • Club illico mobile included on All-Inclusive Mobile plans 

Browse Videotron cell phone plan

New deals:

  • Get six months of Apple TV+ and Apple Arcade when you get an iPhone 11, 12 Pro, 13, 13 mini, 13 Pro, 13 Pro Max
  • Get three months of Apple TV+ and Apple Arcade with pre-owned certified iPhone X & 11 Pro

Ongoing deals:

  • For a limited time when you refer your friend to Koodo, you can both take $50 off your bill.
  • Get 10GB of data for only $50/month
  • Get the new Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G for $158 upfront with a Tab Plus and $33/mo.
  • Get the Moto G Power for $6/ month with the Tab. That’s $171 in savings.
  • Prepaid SIM cards are now $10 for a limited time
  • Bonus 500 MB data per month with Automatic Top-Up on the $30, $40, $45 and $55 both Canada-wide and Province-wide calling plans (all regions)
  • Shop online and save the $50 connection fee

Browse Koodo cell phone plans 

New deals:

  • Promo on the 40GB $75 plan and 60GB $90 plan with six months of free Apple Music and of Disney+ , Purchase a tablet or Apple Watch on financing and get it free for 24 months (MB/SK/QC)
  • Get iPhone 13 Pro 128 GB for $0 down on approved credit, 0% interest and pay only $15.58/mo for 24 months when you trade in an iPhone 11
  • Save on your Rogers bill with Cash Back Rewards
  • Get the iPhone mini 12 128GB for only $7/mo or 24 months with financing and Upfront Edge when you return your device within two years
  • Save 30% to 70% on select accessories!
  • Promo on Infinite Plan 20GB + 6 months of Apple Music for $65/mo. MB/SK/QC)

Ongoing deals:

  • Stay connected with family – add a line and save $15/mo
  • Get the iPhone 13 128GB for only $27.50/mo for 24 months with financing and Upfront Edge when you return your device within two years
  • Get iPhone 13 128 GB for $0 down on approved credit, 0% interest and pay only $8.78/mo for 24 months when you trade in an iPhone 11.
  • Activate or upgrade on a $75/mo or higher Rogers Infinite plan and get our most premium perks (QC) and $90 for main regions.
  • Promo on Unlimited data 40GB for $90/mo & 60GB for $100/mo with six months of free Apple Music and of Disney+ , Purchase a tablet or Apple Watch on financing and get it free for 24 months (main regions)
  • Score the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G for $0 down on approved credit, 0% interest for only $25/mo for 24 months with financing and Upfront Edge when you return your device within two years on Rogers Infinite plans.
  • Score the Apple Watch Series 5, Series 6, or Series SE for up to 40% off with financing. Plus, get an Apple Watch plan free for 24 months on an eligible Rogers Infinite plan
  • Promo on Unlimited data of 20GB + 6 months of free Apple Music for $80/mo (main regions)
  • For a limited time only, get data plans starting from $40/mo for 3GB of non-shareable data with any phone on financing or when you bring your own phone.
  • Get iPhone 12 mini 128GB for $15/mo for 24 months with financing and select plans with Upfront Edge
  • Stay connected anywhere with the new mobile internet plan
  • Get two lines for $72.50/mo per line and enjoy 40 GB of data (main regions)
  • Get the Pixel 6 Series for $0 down on approved credit
  • Get up to 3 months of Google One on us when you sign up through Rogers.
  • Sign up for Apple Music and get your first six months free on a Rogers Infinite plan
  • Save up to $650 on iPhone 12 when you trade in your iPhone XR, iPhone XS or iPhone 8
  • Promo on Talk text Unlimited Canada Wide minutes for $30 (was $35)
  • Get two lines for $60/mo per line for 30 GB of data max speed (QC)
  • Sign up for Disney+ through Rogers and get six months on select Rogers Infinite plans
  • $50 referral credit for both after they activate

Browse Rogers cell phone plans

New deals:

  • Save up to $439 on iPhone 13 with Bring-It-Back
  • Get up to $806 off Samsung Galaxy S21 5G with Bring-It-Back
  • Get 20GB of high-speed data for $65/mo in MB, SK, QC, and 80/mo in main regions.
  • Unlimited 50 Can-US Includes exclusive access to Can-US roaming, unlimited international messaging and visual voicemail 25
  • The Galaxy S21 FE 5G is here. Save up to $575 on the latest Samsung smartphone with Bring-It-Back
  • Get PureFibre Gigabit Internet, Optik TV and SmartHome Security from $119/mo. (BC &AB)
  • Get $10 off any Mobile Klinik repair if you’re a TELUS customer (ON)

Ongoing deals:

  • Save up to $809 on Galaxy Z Flip3 5G with Bring-It-Back.
  • Order TELUS Internet & get Apple AirPods Pro worth $329 (BC & AB)
  • Save $840 when you bundle Optik TV and Internet on a 2-year term (BC & AB)
  • Roam in the U.S. for up to 30 days for $60.
  • Refer a friend to Telus and get a $75 bill credit
  • Save $5 to $10 per month on selected plans
  • Comprehensive protection from $55 per month and up to a bonus $250 bill credit
  • Add Pik TV for only $10/mo with TELUS Internet. (BC &AB)
  • Get one month on us, plus a FREE $400 TELUS prepaid Visa (BC &AB)
  • Get a FREE 55″ Samsung 4K HDR Smart TV (BC &AB)
  • Telus PureFibre Gig Internet now with Wi‑Fi 6 – from $89/mo. (BC &AB)
  • Bundle your services and get up to $40 off each month (QC)
  • Save up to $207 on Google Pixel 6 with Bring-It-Back
  • Protect your home with SmartHome Security and get up to $250 in bill credits (QC) and $300 in (ON)
  • Shop plans and save up to $720 per year with Telus Family Discount
  • Get three months of Apple TV+ and Apple Arcade with pre-owned certified iPhones.
  • Bundle a new Apple Watch with TELUS Health Companion from $54/month.
  • Save the $50 connection fee when you shop online
  • Get 5GB of data for as low as $45 with a family of four in MB, SK, QC and for $55 in main regions
  • Join the TELUS Exclusive Partner Program and save more
  • Enjoy your ICI TOU.TV EXTRA subscription included with your TELUS plan
  • Get your TELUS 2022 calendar as a gift.
  • Get 25% off select Xiaomi devices.
  • Get up to 6 months of Apple TV+ and Apple Arcade when you buy any iPhone
  • Save big on the flashiest phones with Bring‑It‑Back
  • Get a bonus 500MB of data when you sign-up for Auto Top-up on $30, $40, $45 & $55 prepaid talk, text & data plans
  • Get bonus 100MB data when you sign-up for Auto Top-up on a $25 prepaid talk & text plan

Browse Telus cell phone plan

Noticeable price changes:

Chat more with free international calling

New deals:

  • Get a 2GB data bonus every month for eight months on any plan $25/mo or more online.
  • Earn up to 20 points per month by helping the Public Mobile community online.
  • Earn 10 points for every 12 months you stay
  • Earn 1 point for every month a friend you refer stays
  • For every dollar you spend, you’ll make 5% of it back in points.

Ongoing deals:

  • Great deals on certified pre-owned Samsung Galaxy A12, Google Pixel 4A and Apple iPhone XR
  • Free Public Mobile SIM Card included with each purchase of a Certified Pre-Owned phone.
  • 2.5 GB Data at 3G speed +BONUS 500MB with AutoPay for $35/mo
  • Share more with a $30 Refer-a-Friend reward
  • Connect more with 2GB of free data
  • 500MB bonus with Autopay on all Talk, Text & Data plans except $15 plan which comes with 250MB bonus (all regions)

Browse Public Mobile cell phone plans

New deals:

  • Get 2GB bonus data/month for eight months with all the Talk, Text & Data plans except for the $25 Unlimited Canada-Wide Talk
  • Lunar new year deals on all the Talk, Text & Data Plans except for the $25 Unlimited Canada-Wide Talk.

Ongoing deals:

  • 500MB bonus with Autopay on all Talk, Text & Data plans
  • 250MB bonus with Autopay on Talk & Text $15 Plan

Browse Chatr cell phone plans

New deals:

  • 500MB Bonus Data on the $32, $35, $41, $46, $51 and $56 Prepaid plans
  • Bonus 500MB data with $31, $34, $37, $43, $48 & $53 prepaid plans
  • Get the Samsung Galaxy S20 FE 5G for only $25/mo. for 24 months with Sweet Pay on eligible 2-year plans
  • Celebrate the year of the tiger with 2GB of bonus data for six months.

Ongoing deals:

  • 250 MB Bonus Data on the $22, & $24 Prepaid plan
  • 6GB for $45/mo. Plus member benefits
  • Get iPhone 12 with value-packed plans plus Member Benefits.
  • Get the new Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G and bonus credit of $150 on top of your device’s trade-in value.
  • Shop online and save $50
  • Unlimited Internet starting from $39/mo. Plus, get a $50 Visa Prepaid Card.
  • Hot phones starting from $0 down, 0% APR
  • Refer a Friend to get $50 in bill credits each when they join the Virgin Plus party.
  • Internet + TV from $70/mo. Plus get a $50 Visa Prepaid Card
  • Get a value-packed plan and Member Benefits when you bring your own phone.
  • Get the HeadRush IPX6 wireless, 40W, water-resistant speaker with a customizable light show
  • Crave is available as an add-on for TV for only $20/mo. hook up today and get two months free
  • Get TV starting from $25/mo.
  • Get a Google Chromecast when you hook up with TV on a 6-month term
  • 500MB Bonus Data on the $28 Prepaid plan with PPU OR 100MB Bonus Data on the $15 prepaid plan with PPU with AutoPay option
  • Get up to $700 off a hot new device when you trade in your old one.

Browse Virgin Mobile cell phone plans

New deals:

  • 888 long-distance minutes to China and Hong Kong. Offer ends February 7th.

Ongoing deals:

  • Get 10GB of extra data on Prepaid plans starting at $19/mo. for 12 months. Ends Jan. 24th.
  • Samsung Galaxy A12 is available for $40/mo. and Samsung Galaxy A52 5G for $55/mo.
  • Bring your own phone plan: Get 5GB bonus with $35, 8GB bonus with $40, 15GB bonus with $70 and 20GB bonus with $80 plan & Canada US plan.
  • 15GB Fast LTE for $50/mo with digital discount
  • iPhone 13 15GB Fast LTE Data for $20/mo.
  • Get Google Pixel 6 for $22/mo. with 10GB fast LTE data.
  • Get an extra $150 in MyTab Bonus Savings when you trade-in any phone and activate a Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G on a 2-year term
  • $5/mo. digital discount on the $40 & $45 and $10 digital discount on the $55, $80, $90 and $90 Canada/US Bring your own phone plans.
  • Get up to 20GB of Bonus Data when you sign up on select plans.
  • BYOD Big Gig Unlimited plans: get 15GB bonus data on $60 and $75/mo plan, 24GB bonus on the $80/mo plan and 20GB bonus on the $85 and $115/mo Canada/US plan.
  • Get unlimited freedom home internet for $55/mo. Available in AB and BC
  • Moto One 5G Ace and iPhone SE are available for $40/mo.
  • Add a line with 3 GB data for $20/mo.
  • Unlimited talk & text starting at $99/year annual payment
  • Refer a friend and get a $25 service credit for each referral. Save up to $250 a year
  • Enjoy one free month of Visual Voicemail when you sign up in-store or online.

Ongoing deals:

  • Trade-in your current device and buy the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G on a 2-year Voice & Data term and get a bonus of $310.
  • Get 15% off when you buy two or more regular-priced cases, screen protectors, and/or chargers.
  • Three great ways to save – Save $10 per month off your plan for 24 months or Save $200 on a new device or Get an extra 5 GB of data per month for 24 months.
  • Get big savings on wireless plans, crazy fast internet speeds, and binge-worthy TV.
  • Save $20/mo. off any voice & data plan when you bring your own phone or buy a phone at a full price!
  • Big deals on maxTV Stream media boxes for a limited time.
  • Get up to $600 in-store credit toward a new wireless device and accessories when you trade in your old device.
  • Sign up for SaskTel Internet on a monthly plan and save 50% for three months + get Optimum In-home Wi-Fi for only $5/mo. for first three months
  • Sign up for maxTV stream & Internet to get big savings. Plus, get Optimum In-home Wi-Fi free for the first 12 months
  • Sign up for SaskTel Internet on a 2-year contract and get Optimum In-home Wi-Fi free for 12 months
  • Sign up for Crave with STARZ and get your first month free!
  • Switch to a 2-year Internet contract plan and save $10/mo. off the regular price
  • Sign up for SaskTel Internet on the infiNET 300 plan and get this special deal + get Optimum In-home Wi-Fi free for the first 12 months
  • Upgrade to the next fastest plan at no additional cost for one month
  • For every five maxTV Stream theme packs you add, you get $8 in savings
  • Sign up for Super Channel and get your first month free!
  • Sign up for maxTV and get 50% off the Filipino 5-pack for three months.
  • Get unlimited calling with our Anytime North America Long Distance plan—all for one low monthly price
  • Get our ten most popular calling features, including Call Display & Name Display, for just $10/mo. Add on Voice Mail for only $2/mo. more
  • Sign up for SaskTel homePHONE and get three months of Home Phone Service, Feature Package, and Anytime North America long distance for free
  • Sign up for Crave and get your first month free!
  • Get three months of Apple Fitness+ free when you buy an Apple Watch.
  • Sign up for noSTRINGS Prepaid Auto Top-ups and get a $20 bonus
  • Bring your Google Pixel and save $600
  • Sign up for a noSTRINGS Prepaid Talk, Text & Data or Unlimited plan and save $10/mo. for eight months. 

New deals:

  • Refer a friend to Eastlink Mobile and you both get a $50 credit.
  • Get 8GB of rollover data for $50/mo.

Ongoing deals:

  • Save $10/month when you add a line to your mobile service with Family Share
  • Get 30GB of Big Data for $60/mo.
  • Get the new Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G for $0 down + $150 trade-in bonus
  • Find a deal with Trade-Up program and trade in your device from any carrier for an immediate store credit towards a new phone.
  • Bring Your Own Device and get a great Worry-Free Data plan.
  • Upgrade Earlier With easyUp
  • Get up to $200 when you Switch
  • Get the Smartphone you Want for $0 Down with easyTab
  • Get your first three months FREE on any Smart Home & Security plan
  • Save $59.95 when you DIY and save the installation fee
  • Add Mobile to your Bundle and save $15/month forever

Browse Eastlink cell phone plans 

New deals:

  • Samsung Galaxy S21FE 5G 128GB available for 39.54/month for 24 months
  • You will each receive a $25 referral bonus on their two-month anniversary with Fizz

Ongoing deals:

  • Any unused mobile data will be rolled over to the next month.
  • Various phone discounts on select smartphones with Full Retail Price

Browse Fizz cell phone plans 

New deals:

  • Celebrate with 888 minutes to call China and Hong Kong for only $5/mo, plus your first eight months free when you sign up for an Unlimited plan with 25GB Fast LTE by February 7th.

Ongoing deals:

  • Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G – Level up your every day with $150 off  your MyTab when you trade in any phone.
  • Fibre+ Gig & Total TV
  • Fibre+ 300 & Total TV
  • Fibre+ Gig & Mobile Unlimited
  • Fibre+ 25 & Limited TV
  • Fibre+ 300 & Mobile By The Gig
  • Fibre+ 300, Total TV & Mobile By The Gig
  • Rollover Data any time for just $10/GB and carry over unused data for up to 90 days
  • Get Unlimited Mobile with 25GB Fast LTE for only $25/mo when paired with a Fibre+ Gig 1.5 Internet plan
  • Fibre+ Gig, Total TV & Mobile Unlimited
  • Fibre+ 25, Limited TV & Mobile by the Gig
  • Fibre+ 25 & Mobile by the Gig 

Browse Shaw cell phone plans

Ongoing deals:

  • Get an additional 5 percent of the value of every Top-Up in points when you sign up for Auto-Allowance or Allowance with your PC Financial Mastercard or PC Money
  • 20,000 PC Optimum points after two months of service
  • Get 1GB of bonus data every month when you sign up for an Automatic Top-Up option, eligible on plans that have data.

Browse cell phone plans

Ongoing deals:

  • Save $25 on all phones + free sim with $50 top-up
  • MaxWest Nitro 5C phone with $74.99 and $50 top-up voucher + FREE SIM
  • Bonus 1 GB data for three months on new activations only.
  • Data plans start at $35 for 2GB

Browse cell phone plans

New deals:

  • Get 3GB/mo of bonus data for five months and 200 long-distance minutes on select plans. Offer ends soon.

Ongoing deals:

  • 250MB bonus with Automatic Top-Up on $15, 1GB bonus with Automatic Top-Up on $25, 3GB bonus with Automatic Top-Up on $35, 5GB bonus with Automatic Top-Up on $40, 10.5GB bonus with Automatic Top-Up on $50, 15.5GB bonus with Automatic Top-Up on $60 ( main regions)
  • Bring your own phone or buy one starting at $75
  • Get a cheap phone plan from $15/mo.
  • 500MB bonus with Automatic Top-Up on $24, 3.5GB bonus with Automatic Top-Up on $33, 11.5GB bonus with Automatic Top-Up on $43 plans for QC

Browse cell phone plans

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Mobile Syrup

Apple’s bug bounty program rewards exploiter $100,000 for reporting bug

Ryan Pickren — the cyber security student and former Amazon Web Services security engineer that was able to hack his way into the iPhone camera in 2019 — is back with a Mac Safari exploit that allowed him to access the victims’ online accounts and their webcam.

Thanks to Apple’s nearly $2 million CAD bug bounty program, Pickren walked away with a $100,000 bounty for reporting the bug (largest payout to date) and is now sharing information about the exploit.

According to Pickren, the vulnerability lies in an iCloud sharing app called ShareBear. To get into someone’s Mac, the exploiter would need to share a file with the potential victim, and since the victim’s Mac would remember that it accepted the file, it would automatically be granted permission.

This file is stored remotely, and the exploiter has full access to edit the file’s content and turn it into malware. Since the potential victim’s Mac already recognizes the file and has granted permission to it, the exploiter can execute the file without the unsuspecting potential victim having to allow the action.

“In essence, the victim has given the attacker permission to plant a polymorphic file onto their machine and the permission to remotely launch it at any moment. Yikes. ​ Agreed to view my PNG file yesterday? Well today it’s an executable binary that will be automatically launched whenever I want,” reads Pickren’s blog post.

Once Pickren has complete access to execute the malware whenever he wants, he can access the infected Mac’s saved online accounts and even turn on/off its camera and microphones, albeit after tricking macOS’ Gatekeeper. Pickren explains it in great detail here.

Pickren reported the exploit to Apple in July 2021, and the issue has was patched earlier this month.

Image credit: Ryan Pickren

Source: Ryan Pickren

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Fan-made The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time PC port is 90 percent done

A group of dedicated fans is nearing completion on a PC port of the iconic Nintendo 64 game, The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time.

Speaking to VideoGamesChronicle, the group, dubbed ‘Harbour Masters,’ said the port is about 90 percent finished and could release in mid-February. The port will be fully moddable, and Harbour Masters has a roadmap for features like 60fps support.

While Nintendo is known for being one of the more litigious companies, having taken down many fan projects, Harbour Masters’ Ocarina of Time should be safe. That’s because the reverse-engineering work that the team is doing is legal; it doesn’t use any leaked content or original copyrighted assets.

Currently, the only way to play Ocarina of Time on a modern system is through the Nintendo Switch’s Expansion Pack premium service, which starts at $63.99 CAD/year. This emulated version suffered from some technical issues at launch, although eagle-eyed fans noticed over the past week that Nintendo has quietly updated it to improve performance. Otherwise, you’d have to find an old Nintendo 3DS to play a remastered version of Ocarina of Time.

You can read more on Harbour Masters’ work on bringing Ocarina of Time to PC here.

Source: VideoGamesChronicle (VGC)

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Beats Studio Buds can now instantly pair to your Apple devices via iCloud

A new firmware update (version 10M359) for Beats Studio Buds brings with it several new features, including near-instant pairing with Apple devices over iCloud.

Released on Tuesday, the update brings instant pairing to the buds, a feature that has long been available on AirPods and Beats audio products with Apple’s chip, like the Beats Flex. This means that you no longer need to pair the buds with your Apple device manually, and just opening the case in near proximity of your iPhone, iPad, or Mac should result in successful pairing. Once paired with one device, all iCloud-connected Apple devices would also recognize the earbuds.

Further, similarly to how AirPods battery indicators work, opening your Beats Studio Buds case near your iPhone will automatically show you a battery indicator with the case and the buds’ juice reserves.

The firmware update also brings the option to adjust volume via the ‘b’ button on the Buds, and the feature works with iOS, iPadOS, macOS and Android devices.

To trigger the latest update, make sure you’re running the latest iOS. Connect the buds with your iPhone via Bluetooth, and the update should start automatically. Android users would need to manually update with the Beats app available on the Play Store.

Learn more about the Beats Studio Buds here.

Via: 9to5Mac

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Samson Cree Nation creates custom app to share information directly with band members

Samson Cree Nation is changing the way it shares information by creating a custom mobile app for band members.

The free app shares news, events, and notices through push notifications advising members of important information. Members are also able to provide feedback.

Located in Central Alberta, Samson Cree Nation includes three reserves.

The app is developed on the Commumikit platform developed by Edmonton, Alberta-based Aivia Design and Technology Inc.

“When we were first approached about creating a communications app for our Nation, it was exciting — we are a progressive and technologically inclined band, so we were immediately interested in the service,” Chief Vernon Saddleback,” said in a statement. “Working with Aivia was quick and easy, and we had an app up and running in a matter of weeks from our initial discussions, not months.”

The app also collected data on how many people are interacting with the app, such as viewing posts and registering accounts, to examine the impact of the app.

The app is available on iOS and Android.

Image credit: Samson Cree Nation 

Source: Samson Cree Nation

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Mobile Syrup

Here are the Netflix Originals launching in February 2022

Each month, Netflix adds new original content to its platform.

This February, Netflix Original shows and movies like The Cuphead Show!, Disenchantment part 4, Sweet Magnolias season 2, season 2 of Texas Chainsaw Massacre. 

This list is curated for Canadians who primarily subscribe to Netflix for its original content. If you’re looking for all of the shows and movies coming to Netflix in February, click here.

Below are all the Netflix Originals coming this month:

Coming Soon

  • Business Proposal — Netflix Series (South Korea) 
  • Juvenile Justice — Netflix Series (South Korea) 
  • Love, Life & Everything in Between — Netflix Series

February 1st

  • My Best Friend Anne Frank — Netflix Film (Netherlands) 
  • Gabby’s Dollhouse: Season 4 — Netflix Family 
  • Raising Dion: Season 2 — Netflix Series

February 2nd

  • Dark Desire: Season 2 — Netflix Series (Mexico)
  • MeatEater: Season 10, Part 2 — Netflix Documentary 
  • The Tinder Swindler — Netflix Documentary 

February 3rd

  • Finding Ola — Netflix Series (Egypt) 
  • Kid Cosmic: Season 3 — Netflix Family 
  • Murderville — Netflic Series

February 4th

  • Looop Lapeta — Netflix Film (India) 
  • Sweet Magnolias: Season 2 — Netflix Series 
  • Through My Window — Netflix Film (Spain) 

February 8th

  • Child of Kamiari Month — Netflix Anime (Japan) 
  • Love is Blind: Japan — Netflix Series (new episodes weekly) (Japan) 
  • Ms. Pat: Y’all Wanna Hear Something Crazy — Netflix Comedy 

February 9th

  • Catching Killers: Season 2 — Netflix Documentary 
  • Disenchantment: Part 4 — Netflix Series 
  • Ideias à Venda — Netflix Series (Brazil) 
  • Only Jokes Allowed — Netflix Comedy (South Africa) 
  • The Privilege — Netflix Film (Germany)

February 10th

  • Into the Wind — Netflix Film (Poland) 
  • Until Life Do Us Part — Netflix Series (Portugal) 

February 11th

  • Anne+ The Film — Netflix Film (Netherland) 
  • Love Tactics — Netflix Film (China) 
  • BigBug — Netflix Film (France) 
  • Inventing Anna — Netflix Series
  • Love is Blind: Season 2 — Netflix Series
  • Tall Girl 2 — Netflix Film 
  • Toy Boy: Season 2 — Netflix Series (Spain) 

February 12th

  • Forecasting Love and Weather — Netflix Series
  • Twenty Five Twenty One — Netflix Series (South Korea) 

February 14th

  • Devotion, a Story of Love and Desire — Netflix (France) 
  • Fishbowl Wives — Netflix Series (Japan) 

February 15th

  • Ridley Jones: Season 3 — Netflix Family 

February 16th

  • jeen-yuhs: A Kanye Trilogy — Netflix Documentary (new episodes weekly) 
  • Secrets of Summer — Netflix Family (Argentina) 
  • Swap Shop: Season 2 — Netflix Series

February 17th

  • Erax — Netflix Film 
  • Fistful of Vengeance — Netflix Film
  • Forgive Us Our Trespasses — Netflix Film 
  • Heart Shot — Netflix Film 
  • Mo Gilligan: There’s Mo to Life — Netflix Comedy (U.K) 
  • Young Wallander: Killer’s Shadow — Netflix (Sweden) 

February 18th

  • The Cuphead Show! — Netflix Family 
  • Downfall: The Case Against Boeing — Netflix Documentary 
  • Rabbids Invasion Special: Mission to Mars — Netflix Film 
  • Space Force: Season 2 — Netflix Series
  • Texas Chainsaw Massacre — Netflix Film 

February 20th

  • Don’t Kill Me — Netflix Film (Italy) 

February 22nd

  • Cat Burglar — Netflix Series
  • RACE: Bubba Wallace — Netflix Documentary

February 23rd

  • Worst Roommate Ever — Netflix Documentary 
  • UFO — Netflix Film 

February 24th

  • Karma’s World Music Videos – Netflix Family

February 25th

  • Back to 15 — Netflix Series (Brazil) 
  • Merlí, Sapers Aude — Netflix Series (Spain) 
  • Restless — Netflix Film (France) 
  • Tyler Perry’s A Madea Homecoming — Netflix Film 
  • Vikings Valhalla — Netflix Series

February 28th

    • My Wonderful Life — Netflix Film (Poland) 
  • Image credit: Netflix
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Mobile Syrup

Netflix rolls out HD and HDR support to 2021 Pixel phones

Netflix doesn’t typically add HD or HDR support to new phones right away, for some annoying reason.

Now, the latest slate of Android devices that are certified to work with Netflix HD and HDR10 videos include the Pixel 6, Pixel 6 Pro and the not-so-available in Canada Pixel 5a.

Google launched Pixel 5a in August, and the other two devices in October, so Pixel owners haven’t had to wait too long.

Netflix has also increased the cost of its services across Canada for viewers who want HD and 4K content.

The standard plan now costs $16.50 per month, $1.50 more than its previous cost of $15 per month. This option includes HD content and allows users to watch content on two screens at once.

The Premium plan tier, which includes 4K streaming and allows four screens to be used concurrently has jumped from $19 to $21.

Source: Netflix

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Clone of acclaimed indie game Unpacking tops App Store, then gets removed

One of last year’s most acclaimed indie games was Unpacking, a relaxing puzzler about piecing together the protagonist’s life by emptying their boxes and figuring out where to put their boxes.

Naturally, then, some jerks had to shamelessly copy it. As Unpacking developer Witch Beam shared on Twitter, a title that looked virtually identical to its own was making the rounds on the App Store and Google Play.

The clone, titled Unpacking Master, was published by a company called Cypress-based SayGames. It was free to download with ads, although these could be removed for a one-time $4.99 USD (about $6.32 CAD).

Per the Brisbane, Australia-based Witch Beam, promotion on TikTok and Instagram led many people to discover the knock-off. “While we’ve seen many imitators already, usually they don’t get much traction,” the developer explained.

The clone got so much attention, in fact, that it briefly topped the App Store charts. Shortly after, the game was removed from the App Store, with the Google Play version following suit. Witch Beam then thanked fans on Twitter for their support.

SayGames, meanwhile, apologized to Witch Beam via a January 25th statement to Kotaku. “I’d like to apologize for our lack of research prior to launching the game from one of the developers we work with,” the publisher said. “The game clearly resembles Unpacking and this resemblance goes way beyond the game title. We messed up and we apologize.”

The publisher went on to say it’s been “in touch with Witch Beam to discuss how we can resolve this.” Given how blatantly similar Unpacking Master is to Unpacking (down to the nearly identical titles), it’s hard to believe SayGames that this was accidental.

In any event, it’s no doubt little consolation to Witch Beam.

“It’s demoralising for a small team like ours to see content we spent literally years planning, refining and handcrafting be hastily reproduced in an opportunistic ad-riddled app a mere 3 months after our launch,” Witch Beam tweeted on January 24th.

“We’re a tiny indie team and even with the success we have achieved, we still don’t have the resources to pursue companies trying to use our game’s distinct look and feel to make a quick buck. We have to rely on storefronts like the App Store to better curate their content.”

The Unpacking debacle comes mere weeks after the App Store played host to a variety of since-removed clones of Josh Wardle’s popular word puzzle game, Wordle. One of these even came from a New York-based developer who publicly boasted on Twitter about how he blatantly ripped off Wardle’s game. 

In both cases, Apple quietly removed the clones without making any public statement. Hopefully, the company updates its App Store policies to better protect creators.

For now, you can purchase the real Unpacking (which is a lovely little game!) on Steam, GOG, Nintendo Switch and Xbox consoles (including Game Pass) for $22.79 to $25.99 CAD, depending on the platform.

Image credit: Witch Beam