Author: Mobile Syrup

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Mobile Syrup

Fujifilm’s new Instax Mini Evo is a hybrid camera that can print your phone’s photos

Fujifilm’s recently announced Instax Mini Evo allows you to send your snapshots directly from the hybrid camera to your smartphone and vice versa.

Announced today by the Tokyo-based photography pioneer, the new camera is a flagship model in the ‘Instax’ series and combines the features of a digital camera with an instant one.

The instant camera has an LCD screen, allowing you to evaluate your shot before printing it.

According to FujiFilm’s press release, the new model is the first Instax camera to include a print lever along with lens and film filter controls. This allows you to snap a photo, select a filter from several different effects and finally print the image with the artificially added effects by pressing the print lever.

Further, it can also be used as a photo printer for images from your smartphone using the ‘Direct Print’ feature from the instax mini Evo 2 app.

On the other hand, you can also send photos clicked from the instant camera directly to your phone, along with the trademark Instax frames that can be shared on social media.

The Instax Mini Evo will first be available in Japan on December 3rd, 2021, before launching in other markets in February 2022. The camera will be priced at $199.95 (about $252 CAD).

Image credit: Fujifilm

Source: Fujifilm

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Mobile Syrup

Hamilton teen charged in $46 million crypto theft

An arrest has been made in a $46 million crypto theft that occurred back in March of 2020. The accused? A teenager from Hamilton, Ontario.

The investigation, which involved the FBI, the United States Secret Service and Hamilton Police, found that the victim was targeted by a SIM swap attack, where the accused manipulated cellular network providers to intercept two-factor authorization requests.

According to Hamilton Police, “This is currently the biggest cryptocurrency theft reported from one person.” Further, investigators stated that the accused was apprehended after part of the digital currency was used to acquire a rare username in a gaming community. ‘Gamer42069?’ We don’t know. The feds didn’t release the username information.

The accused is charged with theft over $5,000 and possession of property (the rare username) obtained fraudulently.

Via: CTV News

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Mobile Syrup

Ontario’s Proof of vaccination app pushes Digital ID app to 2022

Ontario’s official Digital ID program, which was expected to be introduced sometime in Q4 of this year, has been delayed to 2022.

Reports state the government’s proof of vaccination app took up all the resources, causing the delay in the Digital ID program.

“We want to get DI right and ensure that privacy and security continue to be a top priority. More details on the launch of the DI initiative, including timing and specifics, will be announced in 2022,” said director of communications to associate minister of digital government at Ontario Ministry of Finance Amanda Brodhagen, via Global News.

The government claims that Digital IDs will provide Canadians with a greater degree of privacy than physical IDs. The Digital ID program aims to allow people to prove their identity in person without the need for physical documents, such as your license or health card, along with giving the public the ability to quickly access services online that require identification.

Image credit: Ontario.ca

Via: Global News

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Mobile Syrup

Google rolling out patch to improve Pixel 6’s fingerprint sensor

Google is rolling out a new patch that should improve the Pixel 6 and 6 Pro‘s fingerprint sensor, but it might not be coming to Canada yet.

Google’s support page notes that the update includes “minor bug fixes and some fingerprint sensor performance improvements for [the] Pixel 6 and 6 Pro.” However, the notes don’t specifically state how the sensor is improved, and they mention that the update is U.S. and Japan only.

Google previously stated that its fingerprint scanner takes a bit longer to authenticate than other devices’ because it uses “enhanced security algorithms” that can “take longer to verify or require more direct contact with the sensor.”

Some The Verge writers seem to have noticed a bit of improvement in fingerprint performance following the update, but according to Dieter Bohn, the publication’s executive editor, it’s still slower than the Galaxy S20’s. For what it’s worth, the update hasn’t arrived on my Pixel 6 Pro yet, which makes sense given I’m in Canada.

I haven’t personally experienced issues with the fingerprint scanner, but the problem does seem to be relatively widespread. We’ve reached out to Google for more information regarding if the update is coming to Canada.

Source: Google Support page Via: The Verge

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Mobile Syrup

Public Mobile shares its Black Friday deals

Public Mobile is offering free data as part of its Black Friday deals.

Customers who switch to Public Mobile will get 2GB of data free every month if they activate any monthly plans worth $35 or more and use the promo code 2GBBONUS.

All plans include call display, voicemail, and conference calling.

The cheapest plan to activate the offer is $35/mo. It offers 2.5GB of data at 3G speed and a bonus 500MB if the customer signs up for autopay. Unlimited Canada-wide minutes and international messaging (with text and pictures) are also included.

The most expensive plan is $60/mo. It offers 15GB of data at 3G speed and the bonus 500MB. Unlimited minutes are available for use across Canada and the United States along with unlimited international messaging (with text and pictures).

You can check out all of Public Mobile’s Black Friday deals here. Follow this link for a round-up of all of our carrier Black Friday deals.

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Mobile Syrup

Microsoft testing Media Player for Windows to replace Windows Media Player

Windows Media Player is on the way out after over a decade. In its place, Microsoft has the daring new ‘Media Player for Windows.’

Yes, that is the actual name.

However, it seems the silly name is really the only similarity between the Windows Media Player and the Media Player for Windows.

You know, aside from the fact that they both play media. Media Player for Windows will replace both Windows Media Player and the Groove Music Player, which has basically been on its way out since Microsoft killed the Groove Music Service years ago. Fun fact, Groove was based in Montreal before Microsoft acquired it in 2016.

For what it’s worth, I never used Groove Music on purpose. While some out there may have relied on Groove since it was the default music player for local files in Windows 10, I doubt Groove ever became popular.

Anyway, back to Media Player for Windows. Microsoft has the new media player out for testing in the Windows 11 Insiders Dev Channel build and will eventually make its way to stable Windows 11. It sports a new, modern interface that borrows a few elements from Groove. The app will handle both music and video files and can automatically scan the Music and Video folders on your PC and pull content out of them.

There’s also a fancy new mini-player and Microsoft says it optimized the Media Player for Windows for accessibility with improved keyboard shortcuts and more.

And if, after all this time, you still can’t give up on Windows Media Player, it will remain a part of Windows. Microsoft will relegate Windows Media Player to ‘Windows Tools,’ a semi-hidden section of Windows 11 for legacy apps. You can find it fairly easily by pressing the Windows key and searching ‘Windows Tools.’

Source: Microsoft Via: Gizmodo

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Mobile Syrup

Samsung Galaxy S21 FE hands-on image gives a full look at the phone

Samsung’s Galaxy S21 FE has appeared yet again.

This latest leak showcases hands-on images of the still unannounced and unreleased phone. Overall, the handset looks about how I expected, including its ‘Infinity-O’ display cutout on the front and a camera housing on the back that matches Samsung’s other Galaxy S21 devices.

It’s worth noting that the Galaxy S21 FE also sports a flat screen.

In the images, you can see the SIM card tray, USB-C port and the lack of a 3.55mm headphone jack.

The model we’re looking at sports a dark grey finish, but the phone is also rumoured to launch in gray, light green, light violet and white.

Other rumours indicate the phone will sport a Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 processor, a 6.4-inch FHD+ 120Hz OLED display, an in-display fingerprint scanner, a 64-megapixel primary shooter and an ultrawide lens and a depth sensor.

It’s unclear if or when Samsung will launch its often-rumoured Galaxy S21 FE smartphone.

Image credit: SamMobile

Source: SamMobile

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Mobile Syrup

Qualcomm aims to take on Apple’s M-series chips with next-gen chips in 2023

At its investor day event this week, Qualcomm shared plans to release new ARM-based systems-on-a-chip (SoCs) that would power Windows PCs and go head-to-head with Apple’s M-series chips.

It’s a fairly bold claim, especially given the current state of Windows on ARM and the PC industry, which still largely relies on x86 chips from Intel and AMD for intensive workloads. ARM chips for Windows can work well for light applications or situations where battery life is important (like laptops). Apple’s M-series chips, however, can handle intensive workloads and are frankly impressive, especially when using software properly optimized for the chips.

All this is to say that if Qualcomm wants Apple-level chips by 2023, as it indicated at the investor day event, it’s got a lot of work ahead of it. However, a recent acquisition will help

Qualcomm revealed during the event that Nuvia would design its new chip. Nuvia, as a reminder, was a company founded in 2019 by a trio of former Apple employees who had previously worked on the company’s A-series chips for iPhones and iPads. Qualcomm acquired Nuvia in early 2021 and Qualcomm’s CEO previously said the company could beat Apple’s chips with Nuvia.

Aside from offering competition to Apple’s M-series chips, Qualcomm also said that it aimed to have its new chips lead the field in “sustained performance and battery life.” Alongside this, Qualcomm plans to scale up its Adreno GPUs to offer desktop-class gaming performance.

These are bold ambitions, but if Qualcomm can make it happen, these chips might help shift the PC industry in a big way. Even if Qualcomm’s 2023 chips don’t match up to Apple’s 2023 M-series offering, if Nuvia helps Qualcomm’s PC SoCs leap ahead in performance, it could shake up Intel’s and AMD’s grip on the CPU market, particularly in mobile computing like laptops, tablets and 2-in-1s.

Source: The Verge

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Mobile Syrup

Qualcomm aims to take on Apple’s M-series chips with next-gen chips in 2023

At its investor day event this week, Qualcomm shared plans to release new ARM-based systems-on-a-chip (SoCs) that would power Windows PCs and go head-to-head with Apple’s M-series chips.

It’s a fairly bold claim, especially given the current state of Windows on ARM and the PC industry, which still largely relies on x86 chips from Intel and AMD for intensive workloads. ARM chips for Windows can work well for light applications or situations where battery life is important (like laptops). Apple’s M-series chips, however, can handle intensive workloads and are frankly impressive, especially when using software properly optimized for the chips.

All this is to say that if Qualcomm wants Apple-level chips by 2023, as it indicated at the investor day event, it’s got a lot of work ahead of it. However, a recent acquisition will help

Qualcomm revealed during the event that Nuvia would design its new chip. Nuvia, as a reminder, was a company founded in 2019 by a trio of former Apple employees who had previously worked on the company’s A-series chips for iPhones and iPads. Qualcomm acquired Nuvia in early 2021 and Qualcomm’s CEO previously said the company could beat Apple’s chips with Nuvia.

Aside from offering competition to Apple’s M-series chips, Qualcomm also said that it aimed to have its new chips lead the field in “sustained performance and battery life.” Alongside this, Qualcomm plans to scale up its Adreno GPUs to offer desktop-class gaming performance.

These are bold ambitions, but if Qualcomm can make it happen, these chips might help shift the PC industry in a big way. Even if Qualcomm’s 2023 chips don’t match up to Apple’s 2023 M-series offering, if Nuvia helps Qualcomm’s PC SoCs leap ahead in performance, it could shake up Intel’s and AMD’s grip on the CPU market, particularly in mobile computing like laptops, tablets and 2-in-1s.

Source: The Verge

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Mobile Syrup

Walmart’s Black Friday sale starts today at 9pm ET

Walmart recently released an early sneak peek of its Black Friday sale starting in stores on November 18th at 7am ET/4pm PT and online on November 17th at 9pm ET/6pm PT.

Thanks to a new flyer shared by RedFlagDeals, we know about several deals that would soon be available.

Check out some notable electronics going on sale tonight below:

Apple AirPods with charging case: $128 (regularly $179)
RCA 55-inch 4K UHD Smart TV: $398 (regularly $548)
Samsung Crystal Display 4K UltraHD Smart TV – TU7000: $748 (regularly $1,048)
RCA 82-inch 4K Ultra HD Smart TV powered by webos: $998 (regularly $1,498)
Hisense 40-inch VIDAA LED Smart FHD TV: $298 (regularly $328)
onn. 8-inch LCD Touchscreen Android Tablet Pro: $89.98 (regularly $129.98)
Samsung Galaxy 8″ Tab A (2019) 32GB: $139.98 (regularly $179.99)
Canon PIXMA TS3420 All-in-One Printer (White): $69.98 (regularly $89.98)
Acer Chromebook 311 11.6″ Laptop Intel Celeron N4000 CB311-9H-C6QW: $189.98 (regularly $299.98)
Acer 27″ FHD Curved 165Hz ED Series Monitor ED270R: $229.98 (regularly $279.98)
Acer Aspire 3 15.6″ Laptop AMD Athlon Silver 3050U A315-23-R25F: $449.98 (regularly $529.98)
JBL GO 3 Portable Waterproof Speaker: $39.98 (regularly $69.98)
Google Nest Mini (2nd Generation) Smart Speaker: $29 (regularly $69)
Fitbit Charge 5 Advance Fitness Tracker with GPS: $169.98 (regularly $229.98)
Video games for PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5 and Xbox One that usually cost between $69.95 and $74.96, including Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales (PS4) and MLB The Show 21 (PS5) will be discounted down to $39.96.
Select PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Nintendo and Xbox games, including Riders Republic (PS5) and Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games: Tokyo 2020 (Switch) would be discounted to $49.96
Nintendo Switch Faceoff Wired controller: $29.96 (regularly $34.96)
PDP Nintendo Switch Wired Stereo Gaming Headset: $29.96 (regularly $39.96)
Ring Fit Adventure for Nintendo Switch: $69.96 (regularly $99.96)
WD_Black P10 4TB Game Drive: $108 (regularly $134.98)
Vivitar Full-Spectrum 18″ Ring Light Set: $49.98 (regularly $69.98)
LG 4K UltraHD HDR LED Smart TV – UP7100: $679 (regularly $698)
TCL Class 4-Series 4K UltraHD HDR Smart Roku – S431: $988 (regularly $1,098)
Roku Streaming Stick+ 3810CA: $44.98 (regularly $68.98)
Philips 2.0 Soundbar Speaker with HDMI ARC, TAB5105: $58 (regularly $98)
HP 14.0” HD Laptop, AMD 3020e, 14-fq0009ca: $279.98 (regularly $379.98)
ASUS Chromebook CX1400, 14” HD NanoEdge Display, Intel Celeron N3350 Processor, Chrome OS, Aluminum, Transparent Silver: $229.98 (regularly $349.98)
Razer Canada Esports Bundle – Cynosa Lite, Gigantus V2, Viper Mini, BullGuard Internet Security 90 Day Trial (PC): $59.96 (regularly $99.96)
SanDisk Portable SSD, 1TB – SDSSDE30-1T00-G25: $128 (regularly $169.98)
Seagate Game Drive for PS4 Systems 2TB USB 3.0 External Hard Drive Portable HDD (STGD2000102): $89.98 (regularly $119.98)
Bose SoundLink Around-Ear Wireless Bluetooth Headphones II: $189 (regularly $269)
Kalorik Ionic Air Purifying Robot Vacuum RVC 46588: $79.93 (regularly $149.98)

It’s worth noting that the sale pricing isn’t live yet. You can find the discounted deals online on November 17th at 9pm ET and in stores on November 18th at 7am ET.

Source: RedFlagDeals