Author: Mobile Syrup

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Google is working on AR smart glasses: report

Google is developing a pair of augmented reality-powered smart glasses, according to a report from The New York Times.

In a broader piece about tech companies’ ongoing AR efforts, the outlet states that “Google is working on a new iteration of smart glasses.”

Details on specs weren’t provided, but The Times indicates this project came about following Google’s acquisition of Waterloo, Ontario-based North last year. Prior to the buyout, North had been working on its own smart glasses, Focals, although those have since been scrapped.

Since then, many former North employees have migrated to Google’s general Devices & Services division, which works on hardware like Pixel and Nest. These rumoured AR-powered smart glasses would, in theory, also be considered part of this division.

Google is far from the only company that’s interested in the AR wearable market. In September, Facebook partnered with Ray-Ban to release ‘Ray-Ban Stories,’ a pair of Snap Spectacles-like smart glasses that can take photos and videos. Meanwhile, Apple has been rumoured for some time to be working on its own AR headset.

Source: The New York Times

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Mobile Syrup

Public Mobile to revamp its online customer forum

Public Mobile is making changes to its online forum.

Called “Community,” it’s a place where Public Mobile customers can ask questions to fellow users online.

Details on what the changes entail are sparse but there are a couple of timelines to keep in mind.

The changes will happen between January 4th and 7th. The company warns users may experience “odd updates” during this time, but the changes are all in anticipation of the big reveal.

Customers won’t be able to sign into their Community accounts or submit a ticket for assistance between 12am and 9:30am ET on January 4th.

All emails and real-time notifications coming from the forum will be disabled between January 4th and 7th. Customers who reached out to a customer support agent will receive an SMS over the usual email.

Customers who need to submit a ticket but are unable to receive an SMS can provide the company with a temporary number or check their private messages periodically.

The organization will make an announcement when the new forum is ready to be used.

Image credit: Public Mobile

Source: Public Mobile

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Mobile Syrup

Where to stream the Harry Potter reunion special in Canada

Cast reunions are all the rage nowadays, be it last year for The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, this year for Friends or anytime in between virtually for COVID.

Now, Warner Bros. is back with perhaps its biggest reunion special yet — a 20th-anniversary celebration of the Harry Potter film franchise.

To commemorate the milestone, the company has brought together the cast and crew of the beloved fantasy series for Harry Potter 20th Anniversary: Return to Hogwarts, including, most notably, Daniel Radcliffe (Harry), Rupert Grint (Ron) and Emma Watson (Hermione).

For Warner Bros., it’s a significant piece of original content to bolster its HBO Max catalogue in the U.S. Thankfully, though, the company’s ongoing partnership with Bell Media means Return to Hogwarts is coming to the latter’s Crave service in Canada on January 1st, 2022. This is the same date as the American HBO Max premiere.

Filmed at Warner Bros. Studios Tour in London, Return to Hogwarts offers a reflection on 20 years since The Philosopher’s Stone with Radcliffe, Grint, Watson, Robbie Coltrane (Hagrid), Tom Felton (Malfoy), Gary Oldman (Sirius), James and Oliver Phelps (Fred and George), Helena Bonham Carter (Bellatrix) and more. The series’ four directors — Chris Columbus (the first two films), Alfonso Cuarón (Prisoner of Azkaban), Mike Newell (The Goblet of Fire) and David Yates (the final four movies) — will also appear.

However, Harry Potter creator J.K. Rowling will only be seen in archival footage. Presumably, Warner Bros. is attempting to distance itself from Rowling amid the ongoing controversy surrounding her transphobic views, which much of the Potter cast has condemned.

Crave costs $9.99 for a mobile-only tier or $19.99 for a ‘Total’ plan that includes all HBO content, including Return to Hogwarts. 

It’s worth noting that all eight Harry Potter films hit Crave late last month. Harry Potter: Hogwarts Tournament of Houses, a Helen Mirren-hosted game show, is also now streaming on Crave.

Image credit: Warner Bros.

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Mobile Syrup

Telegram’s latest update adds features that are already staples on other platforms

Telegram is finally adding some key features to its app that users of other messaging applications have enjoyed for quite a while.

The end-to-end encrypted instant messaging service’s 12th — and, most likely, last — update of 2021 brings reactions, message translation, themed QR codes and hidden messages to the platform.

You can now long-click a message (iOS) or tap on it once (Android) to add a reaction, allowing you to convey what you feel without having to send a new message. ‘Thumbs up,’ ‘thumbs down,’ ‘heart,’ ‘fire,’ ‘party,’ and ‘star-eyes’ are the six emojis currently supported by the reaction feature. You can tweak this list on iOS to include a variety of other emojis. However, Android users are presently limited to reacting with the aforementioned emojis.

A new “Spoiler Formatting” feature will now allow users to blur/hide certain parts of a text message, which won’t be revealed until the reader clicks on the message and chooses to read it. This can be useful in instances when explicit, sensitive, or NSFW information needs to be shared, or, in the case of this example by Telegram, movie spoilers.

 

 

In-app message translations and interactive emojis are also now available on the instant-messaging platform. “Enabling Translation in Settings > Language adds a dedicated Translate button to the context menu when selecting a message. You can also exclude any languages you speak fluently – which will hide the translate button for those messages,” reads Telegram’s blog post about the update. According to Telegram, the in-app translation feature is available on all Android devices that can run Telegram, whereas it is limited to iOS15 and later released operating systems for Apple devices.

 

Update your Telegram app to the latest version 8.4 on iOS and Android to use the new features.

Image credit: Telegram

Source: Telegram

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Mobile Syrup

Save big on Razer accessories at Best Buy

Best Buy’s full catalogue of Razer products is currently on sale, with peripherals, headphones, mics, gaming chairs and more discounted by up to 50 percent.

Check out Razer product deals at Best Buy below:

Razer Viper Ultimate 20000 DPI Wireless Optical Gaming Mouse with Dock – Black: $99.99 (regularly $165.99)

Razer Level Up Gaming Bundle with Keyboard, Mouse & Mousepad: $59.99 (regularly $99.99)

Razer Kraken X for Console Gaming Headset for PC/PS4/PS5/Xbox/Switch – Black: $39.99 (regularly $59.99)

Razer DeathAdder V2 20000 DPI Optical Gaming Mouse – Black: $49.99 (regularly $70.99)

Razer Huntsman Tournament Edition TKL Backlit Mechanical Linear Optical Switch Gaming Keyboard – English: $99.99 (regularly $147.99)

Razer Ornata Chroma V2 Backlit Mecha-Membrane Gaming Keyboard – English: $79.99 (regularly $104.99)

Razer BlackShark V2 X Gaming Headset with Microphone – Black/Green: $49.99 (regularly $59.99)

Razer Basilisk V2 20000 DPI Optical Gaming Mouse – Black: $44.99 (regularly $69.99)

Razer Cynosa Chroma V2 Backlit Membrane Gaming Keyboard – English: $49.99 (regularly $59.99)

Razer BlackWidow V3 Backlit Mechanical Green Switch Gaming Keyboard – English: $99.99 (regularly $132.99)

Razer Power Up Gaming Bundle with Keyboard, Mouse & Headset: $99.99 (regularly $149.99)

Razer Kraken Kitty Edition Wireless Gaming Headset – Pink: $99.99 (regularly $139.99)

Razer Kishi Gaming Controller for iOS: $74.99 (regularly $129.99)

Razer Kiyo Ring Light 1080p HD Webcam: $79 (regularly $110)

Razer Huntsman Mini Mechanical Clicky Optical Gaming Keyboard – English: $119.99 (regularly $159.99)

Razer BlackShark V2 Pro Wireless Gaming Headset – Black: $199.99 (regularly $249.99)

Razer Iskur X Ergonomic Faux Leather Gaming Chair – Black/Green: $399.99 (regularly $649.99)

Razer Seiren Mini Ultra-Compact USB Condenser Microphone – Black: $49.99 (regularly $69.99)

Razer Naga Trinity 16000 DPI Optical Gaming Mouse – Black: $84.98 (regularly $108.98)

Razer Hammerhead In-Ear Noise Cancelling Truly Wireless Headphones – Black/Green: $159.99 (regularly $239.99)

Razer Anzu Smart Bluetooth Audio Sunglasses – Square – Large to XL – Black: $149.99 (regularly $239.99)

Razer Tomahawk Mid Tower ATX Computer Case: $229.99 (regularly $279.99)

It’s worth noting that other retailers, including The Source and Amazon, also have Razer products on sale. Additionally, products mentioned in the list above have varying ‘sale end dates,’ with some ending as soon as today. Make sure you check when the sale price is ending if you’re going to sit on the idea of purchasing a device.

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

Source: Best Buy

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Mobile Syrup

Google pauses Pixel 6 and 6 Pro December update due to dropped calls

Google has officially paused its December system update for the Pixel 6 and 6 Pro, citing reports that calls were getting dropped or disconnected.

In a Google Support blog post, the company confirms that it’s identified a fix for the issue, although it’s set to be rolled out “by late January.”

This update will also include the 80-plus fixes and improvements that were originally slated for December, such as improved fingerprint sensor stability and performance, fast 23W wireless charging with the Pixel Stand 2 and ‘Quick Tap to Snap’ for Snapchat users.

Google says those who have already received the December update and are experiencing issues can use the Android Flash Tool to revert to the previous OS and factory reset their device. However, no action is necessary if you haven’t had any problems with the update.

Source: Google

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Mobile Syrup

Samsung to unveil its latest Exynos 2200 processor on January 11

Samsung is ready to announce its latest flagship mobile processor.

The company announced via its ‘Semiconductor’ Twitter account that the new Exynos chip tuned for performance with AMD’s RDNA 2 GPU will be unveiled on January 11th, 2022.

CES 2022 is scheduled for January 5th, and while AMD has cancelled its in-person plans for the event, there has been no similar news from Samsung. However, Samsung won’t be unveiling its new chip at CES, and instead will showcase it on January 11th, a week after the Consumer Technology Association’s annual event.

Samsung is teasing the new processor with the hashtag #PlaytimeIsOver, which references the new processor’s performance, and alludes to its prowess in terms of gaming. The new processor with AMD’s RDNA 2 GPU will allow Samsung’s next-gen flagships (S22, S22+, S22 Ultra) to gain ray-tracing support (a first for a mobile device), resulting in more realistic graphics for mobile gamers. The GPU will also reportedly support HDR and variable rate shading.

Previous leaks have suggested that the new chip will feature one Cortex-X2 CPU core along with three Cortex-A710 CPU cores and four Cortex-A510 CPU cores.

That’s all we know about the new processor so far, though we do have some reported leaks about Samsung’s upcoming flagships. Samsung’s Galaxy S22 series will reportedly be similar to last year’s handsets. Rumours indicate the S22 will sport a 6.1-inch display, with the S22+ model featuring a 6.6-inch AMOLED screen.

The top-end S22 Ultra model is rumoured to feature an S Pen compartment alongside a 6.8-inch rounded display with a 120Hz refresh rate and a brighter screen.

Source: @SamsungDSGlobal

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Mobile Syrup

Leaked Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra looks a lot like a Galaxy Note

It’s looking like the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra is taking more than a few cues from the Galaxy Note line.

Based on a recently released render from credible phone leaker Evan Blass, the upcoming Samsung flagship can be seen with a flat form factor, wider screen, S Pen silo and rear camera array — all of which look rather Note-like.

This is the second S22 Ultra leak we’ve gotten this week, with the previous one offering a more restricted look at the handset. At the same time, it was reported that the Ultra will have 1TB of storage. And at the start of December, we got what appeared to be a look at the base Galaxy S22 model.

As it stands, it’s unclear exactly when Samsung will formally unveil the S22 series. However, a reveal will likely come in January or February, given Samsung’s track record.

Source: Evan Blass

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Mobile Syrup

Epic Games Store offering Tomb Raider trilogy for free

Square Enix is offering its acclaimed modern Tomb Raider trilogy for free on the Epic Games Store (EGS).

This means that until January 6th, EGS users can claim Tomb Raider Game of the Year Edition, (regularly $23.99 CAD), Rise of the Tomb Raider: 20 Year Celebration (regularly $34.99) and Shadow of the Tomb Raider: Definitive Edition (regularly $53.99) for free. Altogether, that’s $112.97 worth of games and their add-on content.

If you haven’t played it, the trilogy chronicles Lara Croft’s rise from an inexperienced explorer to the iconic Tomb Raider. 2013’s Tomb Raider and 2015’s Rise of the Tomb Raider were developed by San Francisco-based Crystal Dynamics, although 2018’s Shadow of the Tomb Raider was primarily made by Canada’s own Eidos Montreal.

Notably, that’s also the most recent game in the series, with Crystal Dynamics moving onto Marvel’s Avengers and Eidos Montreal both assisting development on that game and releasing one of its own, the well-received Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy.

It’s unclear when another Tomb Raider may come out, even as this year celebrates the series’ 25th anniversary. For now, though, you can get the most recent games for free on EGS.

Image credit: Square Enix

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Mobile Syrup

Stream these seven games on Nvidia GeForce Now this week

Nvidia has announced seven new games available to stream on its cloud gaming service GeForce Now this week.

You can find the new titles available to stream this week below:

Nvidia’s cloud gaming service offers two membership options. The first is a free route that will give you standard access to the platform with a one-hour gaming limit per session. Once the hour passes, you can queue again to get another hour of free gaming in, although you may have to wait a while.

Nvidia also offers a paid membership option that gives you priority access to gaming servers without any session length limit. This subscription will cost you $12.99/month or $129.99/year.

Further, new subscribers to Nvidia’s GeForce Now RTX 3080 tier or the six-month priority tier can get a free copy of Crysis Remastered.

Learn more about Nvidia GeForce and its subscription options here.

Check out all the titles added to Nvidia’s cloud gaming service in December here.

Image credit: Nvidia

Source: Nvidia