Author: Mobile Syrup

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Mobile Syrup

Google Pixel 6a cameras rumoured to be downgrade over Pixel 6

Google only released the Pixel 6 last month, but we’re already talking about the company’s upcoming Pixel 6a.

While the upcoming smartphone will reportedly sport the company’s proprietary Tensor chip, this latest rumour, unfortunately, points to the device lacking the Pixel 6’s top-of-the-line cameras.

Google’s mid-range handset will sport a rear visor like the Pixel 6 series, but according to 9to5Google, the phone will offer the 12.2-megapixel Sony IMX363 primary sensor that’s been featured in Pixel 3 through 5a devices.

However, the Pixel 6a is rumoured to sport the Pixel 6’s ultra-wide-angle 12-megapixel shooter and the 8-megapixel selfie camera on the from the smaller Pixel 6.

While the upcoming Pixel 6a featuring worse cameras when compared to the Pixel 6 series isn’t a shock, previous A-series Pixel smartphones have offered the same cameras as their flagship counterparts. A-series enthusiasts are likely expecting more affordable devices, but with great camera specs. While the Pixel 6a might still snap excellent photos, the images likely won’t be up to par with the Pixel 6 series.

It’s exciting that the Pixel 6a will offer Google’s Tensor as it should bring the Pixel 6 serires’ machine learning, camera features and Google Assistant functionality to the cheaper version of the smartphone.

Source: 9to5Google

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Mobile Syrup

Fortnite developer Epic buys Harmonix, the studio behind Rock Band

Fortnite developer Epic Games has purchased Harmonix, the studio behind well-known late 2000s music titles like Rock Band.

In a recent blog post, Harmonix says that it will continue to support existing titles like Rock Band and Fuser but that it also has plans to expand into, you guessed it, the “metaverse.”

2021’s most overused buzzword continues to appear everywhere.

“Now, we’ll be working with Epic to once again challenge expectations as we bring our unique brand of musical gaming experiences to the metaverse, and we couldn’t be more excited,” reads the blog post. Of course, Epic says that it will also “develop music journeys and gameplay for Fortnite.”

It’s unclear what the developer means specifically by “music journeys,” but it will likely be tasked with creating virtual experiences similar to the Travis Scott and Ariana Grande concerts it has released in the past.

Epic also recently acquired Rocket League developer Psyonix and Mediatonic, the developer behind Fall Guys.

Source: Harmonix 

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Mobile Syrup

Nikon camera gear is currently discounted on Amazon

Looking to get a new camera? Expanding your lens collection? Amazon has some decent Black Friday offers running on Nikon gear, with discounts on cameras and lenses.

Check the deals out below:

Cameras

Lenses

Find the Nikon daily deal page on Amazon here.

MobileSyrup utilizes affiliate partnerships. These partnerships do not influence our editorial content, though MobileSyrup may earn a commission on purchases made via these links.

Image credit: Amazon

Source: Amazon

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Mobile Syrup

Epic Games Black Friday sale offers hit titles for up to 75 percent off

For ‘Black Friday’ 2021, Epic Games is offering titles up to 75 percent off until November 30th, including games like Far Cry 6, Kena: Bridge of Spirits, Back 4 Blood, Hitman 3 and more.

We’ve highlighted some of the notable titles below:

You can check out the full sale here.

Source: Epic Games 

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Mobile Syrup

Reddit adds new video tools as its subsidiary Dubsmash announces retirement

One of the early players in the short-video market, Dubsmash, will soon cease to exist. The Reddit-owned app will not be available on app stores and will stop working on February 22nd, 2022.

Since being acquired by Reddit last December, the Dubsmash team has been working to incorporate its creative video production tools into Reddit, with the aim of allowing Reddit’s creators to express themselves in unique and authentic ways. Now that most of Dubsmash’s tool integration to Reddit is complete, several TikTok-like features are coming to the forum-discussion website.

“Our primary focus, in terms of the acquisition, was around bringing in the expertise from the team, as well as bringing in the technology that we had built over the past five years at Dubsmash,” said Suchit Dash, vice president of video at Reddit and a co-founder of Dubsmash, in an interview with The Verge.

Some of the new TikTok-like video features coming to Reddit are as follows:

  • Change recording speed
  • Set a timer
  • Upload videos in landscape, portrait mode and fill
  • Adjust and trim multiple clips
  • Use new Reddit-first lenses to meme yourself as Bread Cat or make yourself a Snoo

Further, instead of relying on a third-party editing tool, Reddit is adding a new video editing screen, which will allow you to:

  • Add text Stickers
  • Use the drawing tool
  • Apply filters
  • Add voice-overs
  • Adjust volume
  • Trim and rearrange clips

Learn more about Reddit’s new video tools and Dubsmash’s imminent retirement here.

Image credit: Reddit

Source: Reddit

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Mobile Syrup

Take a stroll down memory lane with Xbox’s 20th anniversary metaverse

Welcome to the Xbox metaverse.

In celebration of the Xbox brand’s 20th anniversary, Microsoft has created a virtual Xbox metaverse museum that allows you to walk around and explore the history of the brand. This includes notable events in Xbox history like the dreaded red ring of death, its attempt to acquire Nintendo and big game releases like Gears of War and Call of Duty: Modern Warfare.

In this virtual Xbox museum, you’ll run into the people checking out digital exhibits and their legacy stats across the Xbox, Xbox 360, Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S. This is the most interesting part of the clever Xbox metaverse since it allows you to look back at all of the games you’ve played on Microsoft’s gaming platform over the years.

For example, one of the first games I played on the original Xbox was Forza Motorsport and Forza Motorsport 5 was the first title I booted up on the Xbox One. Also, interestingly, from 2019 to 2021, my most played game was Apex Legends, and my top 5 most played games of all time are as follows, Apex Legends, Halo 2, Halo 3, Halo: Reach and NHL 10 (I’m shocked Halo 2 isn’t on the top).

To check out the metaverse museum, follow this link.

Image credit: Microsoft

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Mobile Syrup

Some Bell Business Internet customers receiving $70/60GB mobile plan offer

If you’re a Bell Business Internet customer, keep an eye out for a hot Black Friday offer that’ll nab you a $70/mo mobile plan with 60GB of data.

According to a post on RedFlagDeals, Bell is sending out the $70/60GB offer to Bell Business Internet customers. The offer is available with a new activation on an eligible two-year plan, either with a phone or as a bring-your-own-device (BYOD).

Further, the activation must be under the same name as the primary account holder and must be done over the phone or in-store using a special promo code provided with the offer. Finally, Bell offers a $200 bill credit for switching team members over to Bell Business lines.

Finally, the offer isn’t compatible with Bell’s ‘Roam Better’ add-on and is only available until November 29th.

Overall, it seems like a pretty solid offer for any business customers out there. As with any offer like this, however, your mileage may vary. And, of course, it’s disappointing to see plans like this when they aren’t available for regular customers, especially when Bell’s other plans start at $80/mo for 20GB.

Image credit: RedFlagDeals

Source: RedFlagDeals

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Mobile Syrup

Sony’s PlayStation 5 is in stock at Best Buy

Best Buy says that the PlayStation 5 Disc Drive version is currently in stock online only for $629.99.

As usual, this will sell out quickly, so move fast if you plan to buy one. As of 1:52pm ET, the console is still in stock. Once you have the PS5 in your cart, be sure to wait for the site to load and move you to the waiting screen that matches the image below:

PlayStation 5

This story will be updated when the PS5 is no longer in stock.

MobileSyrup utilizes affiliate partnerships. These partnerships do not influence our editorial content, though MobileSyrup may earn a commission on purchases made via these links.

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Mobile Syrup

Family-tracking app Life360 acquired Tile for $205 million

California-based Life360 is in the process of acquiring Tile in a deal valued at around $205 million USD (roughly $260 million CAD).

The acquisition — which likely comes as a result of growing competition in the Bluetooth tracker market from Apple and its AirTag — will see Tile CEO CJ Prober retain his position and join Life360’s board of directors.

Life360 is a family safety and tracking app that also recently acquired Jiobit, an item locating hardware startup that creates cellular-connected trackers for children and pets.

“This acquisition marks a key step forward towards Life360 achieving its vision of being the world’s leading platform for safety and location services,” said Chris Hulls, co-founder and CEO of Life360, in a statement.

Life360 says it views the acquisition as an opportunity to expand business in not the just ‘family-tracking’ market, but also for locating “people, pets and things they love all from one mobile platform.”

“We’ll be bundling Tile devices as part of our Membership plans, and Tile will offer Life360 Membership benefits to its customers. We’ll also start work on integrating our technologies so Tile devices, Jiobit wearables, and Life360 app customers will show up on a unified map – people, pets, and things all in one place,” said Hulls in a blog post.

Further, Life360’s already established 33 million smartphone users are expected to expand Tile’s network by 10x.

This comes soon after Prober announced that revenue from its line of Bluetooth tracking devices is up. Last month, Tile revealed its refreshed lineup. The new series of products include Mate, Sticker and Pro trackers.

Image credit: Life360

Source: Life360

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Mobile Syrup

Here are the free games hitting Xbox Games with Gold in December 2021

Microsoft’s Xbox has announced the four games that will be offered to Xbox Live Gold subscribers for free in December.

Xbox 360 titles that are available with Games with Gold can be played on Xbox One and Series S/X. Additionally, the Series X/S can also play Xbox One titles.

In Canada, an Xbox Live Gold subscription costs $11.99 for one month, $29.99/three months and $44.99/six months.

Source: Xbox