Author: Mobile Syrup

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Netflix Games on iOS will be offered individually on the App Store: report

Netflix Games will be made available individually on Apple’s App Store when they eventually come to iOS, according to Bloomberg‘s often reliable Mark Gurman.

The streamer made its first official foray into gaming last week with five Android titles, including a pair of Stranger Things experiences. However, the company simply said at the time that an iOS rollout is “on the way.”

Per Bloomberg, the hold-up appears to be related to Apple’s strict App Store policies, which prevent third-party apps from offering as an all-in-one hub for a collection of games. Microsoft infamously ran into this issue last year with its Xbox Game Pass’ Cloud Gaming service, which it’s since offered via browsers on iOS.

It should be noted that Netflix Games currently operate similarly on Android; you still need to download each title individually from the Play Store. However, Gurman predicts that Netflix will eventually offer its games in an all-in-one app through the cloud, which would be possible on Android but not iOS based on the current App Store rules.

“To be a true all-in-one service on iOS, Netflix will have to make its move to the cloud — and Apple will need to change its rules or grant Netflix an exemption,” Gurman concluded. “That leaves the ultimate success of Netflix’s service in the hands of Apple, a longtime partner but also a growing rival.”

Netflix Games are offered at no additional cost to Netflix subscribers and can be found on Android under the ‘Netflix Games’ banner on the Netflix app homepage or the new ‘games’ tab. Netflix has also previously said its gaming efforts will be “primarily focused on games for mobile devices,” although this seems to leave the possibility open for AAA console and/or PC titles.

Image credit: Netflix

Source: Bloomberg

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Mobile Syrup

WhatsApp reportedly working on ‘Communities,’ an expansion of Groups

Facebook Meta-owned WhatsApp is reportedly working on a new ‘Communities feature, as spotted by WABetaInfo.

The feature will reportedly build on top of the current WhatsApp ‘Groups’ to give group administrators more power, including the option to create groups inside groups, similar to how Discord functions. For example, you can have a master chat about upcoming sporting events with sub-chats covering specific sports like basketball or soccer.

According to WABetaInfo, community icons will be square, whereas regular groups will retain their circular icons, allowing users to distinguish between the two types of group chats. Further, all of the chats would operate like they do now, with end-to-end encryption.

Not a lot is known about the reported feature. However, we do know that admins would be able to manually invite users to join the community or share an invitation link, similar to how it works now.

We’re not sure if and when WhatsApp will roll out ‘Communities.’

Image credit: WABetaInfo

Source: WABetaInfo

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Mobile Syrup

You can now use web WhatsApp without your primary phone

FacebookMeta-owned WhatsApp is now rolling out a new multi-device feature that will allow users to link their accounts to up to four additional devices, including WhatsApp for web, and continue to send and receive messages even when the primary smartphone is not connected to the internet, according to MacRumors.

The new feature, which is still in beta, is accessible to everyone using the latest version of WhatsApp. To access the multi-device feature, open WhatsApp, navigate to Settings, tap on Linked Devices and you’ll see a new ‘Multi-Device Beta’ option.

It’s worth noting that once you join WhatsApp Beta, you will be unlinked from all devices and have to re-link. Once linked, the feature will work similarly to how it always has, with the exception that you will be able to send/receive messages regardless of whether your primary smartphone is online. Messages cannot be deleted from a linked device. For now, that functionality remains exclusive to the primary phone connected to WhatsApp.

Also worth noting is that you can’t message or call users who have an older version of WhatsApp on their phone from the connected devices, and you can only have one primary phone connected to your WhatsApp account at a time.

Your primary device also needs to be accessed actively. If you don’t use the primary device connected to WhatsApp for 14 days, all the linked devices will automatically get unlinked.

Via: MacRumors

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Mobile Syrup

You can now use web WhatsApp without your primary phone

FacebookMeta-owned WhatsApp is now rolling out a new multi-device feature that will allow users to link their accounts to up to four additional devices, including WhatsApp for web, and continue to send and receive messages even when the primary smartphone is not connected to the internet, according to MacRumors.

The new feature, which is still in beta, is accessible to everyone using the latest version of WhatsApp. To access the multi-device feature, open WhatsApp, navigate to Settings, tap on Linked Devices and you’ll see a new ‘Multi-Device Beta’ option.

It’s worth noting that once you join WhatsApp Beta, you will be unlinked from all devices and have to re-link. Once linked, the feature will work similarly to how it always has, with the exception that you will be able to send/receive messages regardless of whether your primary smartphone is online. Messages cannot be deleted from a linked device. For now, that functionality remains exclusive to the primary phone connected to WhatsApp.

Also worth noting is that you can’t message or call users who have an older version of WhatsApp on their phone from the connected devices, and you can only have one primary phone connected to your WhatsApp account at a time.

Your primary device also needs to be accessed actively. If you don’t use the primary device connected to WhatsApp for 14 days, all the linked devices will automatically get unlinked.

Via: MacRumors

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Mobile Syrup

The Source’s Black Friday deals are now available

The Source is launching its ‘Black Friday Price Now’ sale, with deals on all sorts of tech, including Fitbits, portable speakers, soundbars, and more.

The deals are available until December 1st. Check out the deals in Canadian pricing below.

There are 47 items on sale and you can find them all here.

Source: The Source

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Mobile Syrup

Edward Rogers maintains control of company, Rogers not fighting B.C. supreme court ruling

Rogers Communications Inc. has said it’s not appealing the B.C. Supreme Court’s ruling to allow Edward Rogers to instate a new board of directors, of which he sits at the head.

If you haven’t been following along, Canada got its own dose of billionaire drama as the top execs and family members who control Rogers Communications began fighting after the son of Ted Rogers, Edward Rogers, attempted a coup at the company. Initially, that attempt was foiled by a butt dial to the very CEO he was trying to replace. Still, Edward Rogers has since been able to take control of the board through more legal means and will likely try to replace the company’s execs again.

Since Edward is the primary leader of the Rogers Family Trust, he holds 97 percent of the voting power when it comes to the company’s board of directors. Therefore, he was able to use that power to fire the board members who disagreed with him and took control via force. This move was recently validated by a B.C. Supreme Court, and Rogers (the company) has no plans to dispute it now.

Where this will lead will be more interesting to watch, as we’ll likely see some new faces join the top ranks at the company. However, if that actually changes anything for the regular people who still pay too much for internet and phone plans still remains to be seen. This is also in the middle of Rogers’ takeover of Shaw and Freedom Mobile, which makes it all the more strange that anyone associated with the company would think now would be a good time for an old-fashioned power struggle.

Source: CBC, iPhoneinCanada

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Mobile Syrup

Google explains why its fingerprint scanner is a bit slower than other phones

Google’s Pixel 6 and 6 Pro sport an in-display fingerprint scanner, which is a first for Google’s Pixel lineup. However, some users have noted that this sensor is slow in comparison to other phones. Google has finally responded on Twitter to these complaints.

Google says it uses “enhanced security algorithms,” which can “take longer to verify or require more direct contact with the sensor.” Beyond that, Google didn’t really offer much help regarding making the sensor any quicker.

Other users are blaming the phone’s hardware. Instead of an ultrasonic fingerprint scanner like Samsung phones, the Pixel 6 uses an optical scanner, which might be why the sensor is slower. But OnePlus also uses an optical scanner, so other users are blaming Google’s software.

Personally, I don’t find the Pixel 6’s fingerprint scanner any slower or more finicky than any other smartphone, at least not by a noticeable margin. Sometimes it doesn’t work, but that’s not unusual and happens more with other handsets.

Source: Engadget

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Mobile Syrup

Amazon plans to build servers to host cloud computing in Calgary

Amazon is on track to open a second cloud computing server hub in Canada with a new location planned for Calgary in Alberta.

The hub is being placed in Calgary to provide better coverage for Western Canada since the only other Canadian server hub for Amazon web services (AWS) is in Montreal.

The tech/retail giant plans to open the data centre at some point in late 2023 or early 2024. Amazon also estimates that the construction and operation of the new server hub, combined with the existing jobs in Montreal, will amount to 5,000 jobs and an investment of $17 billion into the local economies around Calgary and Montreal by 2037.

Obviously, these are some giant numbers with minimal context so it’s hard to grasp how profitable or successful the Amazon hubs will actually be in Calgary. But for developers, websites and tools that take advantage of AWS and are based in Western Canada, this should bring a fairly substantial speed improvement.

Amazon has also invested in other areas of the province. In April, the company even announced that it was planning to build a giant solar farm to generate 195,000 megawatt-hours of power per year.

Source: Amazon 

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Mobile Syrup

Samsung reportedly launching another Galaxy S22 set with a new model number

Samsung seems to be making three variants S22 series variants, like legitimately nine phones: three S22 Ultras, three S22+’ and three S22 phones, according to SamMobile.

Two sets of S series handsets isn’t uncommon. Typically, Samsung releases Exynos and Qualcomm models — Exynos for Korean Galaxy S22 devices and Qualcomm for Canada and the U.S. These phones are separated by model numbers that end in “U,” “B,” and “N.” However, the folks at SamMobile have now spotted an S22 trio that ends with the letter “E” in the model number.

Samsung has never had a model number that ends with “E” for a product it has released, but it has used it for the unreleased Galaxy S21 FE, according to the FCC.

The writers at Galaxy Club suspect that this model number could be used for handset variants for regions such as Africa, Asia and India, but it’s unclear. It’s also unclear what chipset these S22 variants will sport. It’s possible that some African and Asian markets will now get Qualcomm-chipped phones.

At this point, there’s no telling why Samsung is releasing this third set of handsets, but the South Korean company will likely launch the handset sometime in January or February next year.

Source: SamMobile

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Mobile Syrup

Here’s a breakdown of how and when to watch Disney+ Day streams in Canada

Disney has revealed more details about its itinerary for Disney+ Day, its inaugural celebration of Disney+.

Taking place on November 12th, Disney+ Day will offer a variety of new content releases and special teases at upcoming Disney+ titles. Now, Disney has confirmed that the event will formally kick off on Friday at 6am PT/9am ET.

Throughout the day, the company is promising “first looks, new trailers, exclusive clips, and appearances from Disney+ creators and stars” for upcoming content from its assortment of brands: Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, National Geographic and Star. The majority of these will be uploaded directly to the service’s official Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram channels, so you may want to follow those.

However, Disney will also offer “exclusive on-platform specials” that will only be streamed on Disney+ to subscribers. These include special presentations for upcoming Disney+ content from Pixar and Marvel Studios at 11am ET and 11:45am ET, respectively. It’s unclear what, exactly, to expect from these, but it’s possible we’ll get first looks at upcoming Marvel shows like Ms. Marvel (starring Markham, Ontario’s own Iman Vellani), She-Hulk (starring Regina’s own Tatiana Maslany) and/or Moon Knight (starring Oscar Isaac).

The company also teases “other surprise [Disney+ exclusive] sneak peeks,” although it’s unclear whether this will include Star Wars and/or other brands. For example, Lucasfilm is rumoured to offer glimpses at its Ewan McGregor-led Obi-Wan series (co-starring Vancouver’s own Hayden Christensen) and the Diego Luna-fronted Rogue One prequel Andor, among other Star Wars titles.

In any case, a full list of new movies and shows that are hitting Disney+ on November 12th can be found here. As well, Disney is offering one month of Disney+ for $1.99 CAD (regularly $11.99) this week for Disney+ Day. New and returning subscribers can claim the offer.

It’s worth noting that Disney is also holding a bunch of physical celebratory events, including special partnerships with AMC and Target, although those are, naturally, only in the U.S.

Stay tuned to MobileSyrup for full Disney+ Day coverage.