Lenovo might be preparing to unleash a beast of a laptop.
Reputable leaker Evan Blass uploaded a photo on Twitter showing Lenovo’s rumoured upcoming 17-inch ThinkBook Plus, a laptop with a second screen built into the right side of the keyboard. Blass didn’t provide any further information, but looking at the leaked render, it’s clear that the 17-inch ThinkBook Plus has enough room for a complete keyboard, a huge touchpad and a secondary screen that’s compatible with what appears to be the Lenovo Digital Pen to design, draw and colour.
It’s still unclear when the new ThinkBook Plus will be available. It’s possible Lenovo will unveil the laptop at its January CES since it traditionally saves some of its most significant laptop announcements for the big event, although, considering the holiday season is coming up, a launch in Q4 of 2021 is still on the table.
Apart from the ThinkBook Plus, Blass also leaked several other upcoming products, including JBL’s Live Free 2 wireless earbuds. We have no clue if these are just in-development renders or if they’re devices that are ready to be released.
Recently, we reported (via iFixit) that the new 14 and 16-inch MacBook Pros have a repair-friendly internal design with small pull tabs on the batteries to make them easier to remove. Now, iFixit has released complete results of the MacBook teardown, including a repairability score.
Since Apple no longer glues the batteries in place and instead uses sticky pull tabs, it’s simpler to get into the machine and begin the repair process. However, to get to the battery, you’ll first have to disassemble the trackpad.
The teardown reveals how the fans inside the new 16-inch MacBook Pro are bigger than Apple’s previous 16-inch MacBook Pro and that the speakers are glued inside a thick chassis.
The logic board removal is also said to be easier than on prior versions. On the flip side, iFixit’s teardown also reveals several repairability issues, including pentalobe screws causing trouble just opening the casing. Further, there is no way to replace the display without losing True Tone and no way to replace Touch ID without losing its functionality.
The three USB-C ports, the MagSafe port, and the headphone jack are all modular for easy repairs; however, the HDMI port and SD card slot are soldered into the logic board. Memory and storage are also built-in and cannot be replaced by the user.
Because of the use of pentalobe screws, the difficulty of removing the top cover, and replaceability challenges with parts like the fingerprint sensor and the display, iFixit gives the MacBook Pro a repair score of 4/10. It notes that no service manual or replacement parts are available from Apple. On the bright side, the report says, “this design represents a major move in the right direction,” and that future MacBooks might be easier to repair.
If you missed your alarm this weekend or noticed that your smartphone mysteriously fell back an hour, don’t worry, you aren’t alone.
Some Bell mobile customers found that their smartphones’ internal clock jumped back a full hour.
“Some of our mobility clients may have experienced an incorrect time change on their phone this morning,” said Bell in a press statement. “Our teams are investigating the situation in order to resolve the issue as quickly as possible. We apologize for the inconvenience.”
The issue is now resolved. If the correct time does not appear, you may need to reboot your phone, go on airplane mode. Thank you for your patience!
The issue seems to have impacted users on Bell’s flanker brand Virgin as well.
Thank you @Bell_MTS@Bell_Support@Bell_MTSHelps@bell for making me think I was losing it this morning forgetting about a time change half asleep. Contributed to me being late to work today. I have a 10 pager hurt feelings report where do I send it? Bell? More like gong
@bell Please fix the time issue on your mobile phones. I missed my morning run today because I woke up an hour late. For others it will mean being late to work by an hour. #bell#bellmobility#timechange
It’s currently unclear what caused the issue. Clocks in various regions across Canada will fall back by one hour as of November 7th due to Daylight Saving Time, so there’s a possibility that Bell pushed this change forward a little earlier than planned.
Every month, we report on press releases from Canadian carrier companies announcing new investments in wireless and broadband services in regions across the country.
To help you keep on top of things, here’s a list of every announcement from October 2021, plus a helpful map so you can visualize where each company focused its efforts this month.
If you type “podcast microphone” into your preferred search engine, you’ll be inundated with options. Even for seasoned podcasters, it’s intimidating.
That’s where the Shure MV7X comes in.
The search for the right microphone doesn’t have to involve hours of research or intimate audio knowledge. The MV7X cuts through the noise to deliver exactly what podcasters, streamers, and at-home professionals need.
Shure is known for being the brand behind one of the most iconic microphones of our time: the SM7B.
Though the SM7B is the gold standard for broadcasting and podcasting, not everyone is ready — or able — to purchase a $500 mic for their podcast or Twitch stream.
Shure recognized that there was a gap in the market for affordable microphones that offer top-quality sound. And that’s what the MV7X is here to deliver.
The MV7X offers rich vocals, even in untreated rooms thanks to its voice isolation technology. It’s been designed from its inception to allow podcasters and other vocal professionals to create content wherever they are with great results.
Hooking the mic up to my audio interface, I was amazed at not only how low the sound floor was, but how little external noise it picked up when I was recording. This was thanks to the dynamic cartridge design and the excellent rear rejection, which focuses the pickup pattern directly in front of the microphone.
For those who are more familiar with condenser microphones, dynamic mics offer a much richer sound by isolating the sound directly in front of the mic. If you’ve ever wondered how certain podcasters or streamers achieve such a warm sound that doesn’t pick up their dishwasher running two floors away, a high-quality dynamic microphone is the answer.
I’m already using a dynamic microphone at home, but the difference in quality between my current mic and the MV7X is noticeable. My voice sounds warmer, the mids are clearer, and the background noise is reduced significantly.
This shouldn’t be surprising. The MV7X is modelled after last year’s popular MV7 microphone — and the MV7 is the descendant of the legendary SM7B.
The MV7 is a similarly designed dynamic mic from Shure, albeit one with both XLR and USB outputs. It’s a favourite among the podcasting and streaming communities already, topping many lists for the best mic on the market.
The MV7 and MV7X share a near-identical sound, making them entirely interchangeable and compatible for recording. Where they differ is in their outputs.
You can learn more about the differences between the MV7X and the MV7 inthis informativearticlefrom Shure, but the difference largely comes down to whether you need a USB output, and the price.
The MV7X is a cheaper option, focusing on a single XLR output for recording. This makes it an ideal choice for podcasters who need to purchase more than one microphone, or musicians who are already using an XLR audio interface.
As someone who uses a microphone every day for their job, the purchase of an MV7X in my future is inevitable. After getting to test the microphone for a week, the trip to return it is going to be a sad one.
The MV7X offers the best sound in its price range, giving content creators across every medium a professional-quality microphone that delivers performance well beyond its price range.
If you’re looking for the right microphone for you, the MV7X is a Shure bet.
MobileSyrup utilizes affiliate partnerships and publishes sponsored posts. These partnerships do not influence our editorial content, though MobileSyrup may earn a commission on purchases made via these links.
Last week, I asked if you pre-ordered the Pixel 6 and 6 Pro, and based on the response, it seems like a lot of people are interested in buying Google’s latest flagships.
However, now we’re interested in knowing your thoughts on the Pixel 6 and the Pixel 6 Pro. If you are one of the people that were able to get your hands on a Pixel 6 series device, how do you feel about it after using the smartphone for a few days?
After about two weeks with the phone, I’m still really enjoying it, especially its fantastic camera, display, speed and overall user experience. For more on the Pixel 6 Pro, check out my review. MobileSyrup’s Jon Lamont also reviewed the Pixel 6.
Let us know in the comments below how you feel about the Pixel 6 series so far if you purchased the smartphone.
Every week, MobileSyrup outlines some of the most notable movies and TV shows that recently hit Canadian streaming platforms.
Our ‘Streaming in Canada’ column typically focuses on new content from Amazon Prime Video Canada, Crave and Netflix Canada, but other services like Apple TV+ and Disney+ will be mentioned when relevant.
We’ll also highlight shows or movies that are made in Canada, involve notable Canadian cast or crew and/or are filmed in Canada.
Finally, with the COVID-19 pandemic causing many movies to hit digital platforms much sooner than planned, we’ll make note of any major films — as well as other notable streaming service news — that fall into this category when applicable.
Amazon Prime Video
Fairfax [Amazon Original]
Four teenagers try to be cooler than they are in Los Angeles on a never-ending quest for clout.
Fairfax was created by Matt Hausfater and Teddy Riley (El Tigre) and Aaron Buchsbaum (Undateable) and features the voices of Skyler Gisondo (Santa Clarita Diet), Kiersey Clemmons (Dope), Peter S. Kim (Curb Your Enthusiasm) and Jaboukie Young-White (The Daily Show with Trevor Noah).
Amazon Prime Video Canada premiere date: October 29th, 2021 Genre: Animated comedy Runtime: Eight episodes (23 to 29 minutes each)
An Amazon Prime Video subscription is included at no additional cost with an Amazon Prime membership, which costs $79 CAD/year.
The full list of movies and shows hitting Amazon Prime Video Canada in October can be found here.
Apple TV+
Swagger [Apple Original]
Inspired by the life of NBA star Kevin Durant, this drama series explores the world of youth basketball from the perspective of the players, families and coaches within it.
Swagger was created by Reggie Rock Bythewood (Gun Hill) and stars O’Shea Jackson, Jr. (Straight Outta Compton), Quvenzhané Wallis (Beasts of the Southern Wild), Isaiah Hill (acting debut) and Shinelle Azoroh (Don’t Let Go).
Apple TV+ Canada premiere date: October 29th, 2021 (first three episodes, new episodes every Friday) Genre: Sports drama Runtime: Ten episodes (about one hour each)
Based on true events, paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren look into a young boy who was the first U.S. murder suspect to claim demonic possession as a defense.
Directed by Michael Chaves (The Curse of La Llorona), The Devil Made Me Do It sees Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga returning as the Warrens, while Ruairi O’Connor (The Spanish Princess), Sarah Catherine Hook (NOS4A2) and Julian Hillard (WandaVision) join the cast.
Original release date: June 4th, 2021 (theatres and on-demand)
Crave premiere date: October 29th, 2021 Genre: Supernatural horror Runtime: 1 hour, 52 minutes
Stream The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It here.
Love Life (Season 2)
Freshly divorced Marcus Watkins must rediscover his identity as a Black man in New York City.
Love Life was created by Sam Boyd (In a Relationship) and stars William Jackson Harper (The Good Place), Jessica Williams (2 Dope Queens), Chris “Comedian CP” Powell (Detroiters) and Janet Hubert (The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air).
Crave premiere date: October 28th, 2021 (first three episodes, new episodes every Thursday) Genre: Romantic comedy, anthology Runtime: 10 episodes (around 25 minutes each)
A group of aliens must work together to pilot an abandoned starfleet ship and make their way towards the Alpha Quadrant.
Star Trek: Prodigy was created by the The Hageman Brothers (Trollhunters) and features the voices of Brett Gray (On My Block), Ella Purnell (Army of the Dead), Jason Mantzoukas (Parks & Recreation) and Angus Imrie (The Archers).
Crave premiere date: October 28th, 2021 (first episode, new episodes every Thursday) Genre: Animated, sci-fi Runtime: 10 episodes (around 45 minutes each)
The full list of movies and shows hitting Disney+ Canada this month can be found here.
Netflix
Army of Thieves [Netflix Original]
Six years before the events of Zack Snyder’s Army of the Dead, safecracker Ludwig Dieter is hired by a mysterious woman to join a group of thieves for a daring heist.
Army of Thieves was directed by Matthias Schweighöfer, who also plays Dieter (reprising his role from Army of the Dead), while the supporting cast includes Nathalie Emmanuel (Game of Thrones), Guz Khan (Man Like Mobeen) and Stuart Martin (Babylon).
A woman who turns to a mysterious hypnotherapist for help becomes caught in a deadly mind game.
Hypnotic was directed by Matt Angel and Suzanne Coote (The Open House) and stars Kate Siegel (Midnight Mass), Jason O’Mara (Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.) and Dulé Hill (The West Wing).
Nintendo confirmed it will close offices in Toronto, Ontario and Redwood City, California.
In a statement to The Verge, Nintendo of America confirmed the change, which was first reported by Kotakuon Friday:
“Nintendo of America headquarters are in Redmond, WA, and Vancouver, BC. We are moving more of our employees and operations into those headquarters and will be closing small satellite offices in Toronto, ON, and Redwood City, CA, over time.
“Devon Pritchard, Executive Vice President, Business Affairs and Publisher Relations for Nintendo of America (NOA), will assume interim leadership of Sales, Marketing and Communications following the departure of Nick Chavez. Ms. Pritchard will oversee strategy and execution of sales, marketing and communications across the U.S. and Canada.”
Kotaku also reported that the decision will displace about 100 employees from the Redwood City offices — it’s not clear what impact the closure will have on Toronto employees. That said, it also sounds like some employees will be able to relocate to other headquarters (such as the one in Vancouver, B.C.).
Unfortunately, Nintendo didn’t elaborate on why it was closing the offices.
Both the Redwood City and Toronto offices remain on the Nintendo of America Careers website. Nintendo describes the Redwood City site as a place for sales and marketing departments, while the Toronto location is the “sales office for NOCL.”
Considering both locations are listed as sales and/or marketing offices, the closures likely won’t impact any of the games Nintendo is currently working on. It’s also worth noting the closures come after the launch of Nintendo’s OLED Switch and Metroid Dread, one of the company’s biggest games of the year.
The change was spotted by Ben Si in the Tesla Model 3 Canadian Group on Facebook (via Tesla North), which saw the entry Model 3 Standard Range Plus in Pearl White Multi-Coat with 18-inch Aero Wheels jump from $54,990 to $56,380 in Canada (an increase of $1,390). Further, delivery dates for the cheapest Model 3 now show September 2022.
Tesla North notes the price hike comes roughly two weeks after Tesla increased the Model 3 price from $52,990 to $54,990. All told, Tesla has increased the cost of the Model by $3,390 in roughly 14 days.
Further, when you take out the $1,280 delivery fee, $100 air conditioning fee and $10 OMVIC fee, the new Tesla Model 3 price sits just $10 below the federal EV rebate limit of $55,000.
Unfortunately, the Model 3 isn’t the only Tesla vehicle to see significant price increases in Canada over the last few months. Tesla also recently increased the cost of the Model Y by $4,000.
Quebecor’s Vidéotron sued Rogers Communications for $850 million over an alleged breach of contract for the companies’ shared network in Quebec and Ottawa.
As reported by the National Post, Vidéotron filed the lawsuit to the Quebec Superior Court on October 29th accusing Rogers of breaking an agreement signed by the two companies in 2013. The agreement was to jointly build and maintain LTE network infrastructure in Quebec and Ottawa until 2033.
Vidéotron claims Rogers effectively began building its own parallel network for its own exclusive use in recent years while also creating an “artificial impasse” and conducting negotiations to significantly update the shared infrastructure in “bad faith.” Further, Vidéotron alleges that Rogers’ conduct led to the loss of “hundreds of thousands” of clients for the carrier, as well as hurting the company’s reputation.
The lawsuit seeks $850.3 million from Rogers in compensatory damages as well as an order that Rogers respect the terms of the agreement.
However, Rogers alleged that Vidéotron didn’t want to “jointly” invest in network improvements in a statement to the National Post. Further, Rogers said it looks forward “to responding more fulsomely in the court of law.”
Lawsuit says companies couldn’t agree on cost splitting for network upgrades
Rogers and Vidéotron agreed to work together to build LTE infrastructure throughout Quebec and Ottawa in 2013. Additionally, the two carriers agreed to share cellphone spectrum as part of the deal. However, the lawsuit alleges that problems began in 2017 when Rogers indicated it wanted to make significant, costly upgrades to the shared network.
The carriers weren’t able to come to an agreement on splitting the cost of the upgrades. Vidéotron claims it had “essentially accepted” the proposal in November 2017, but everything fell apart in early 2018 with the arrival of Rogers’ new Chief Technology Officer (CTO), Jorge Fernandes.
Vidéotron claims Fernandes said in a meeting that he’d never seen a partnership “as bad” as the one between Vidéotron and Rogers, claiming that whoever negotiated the agreement “should be fired” because it allowed Vidéotron to benefit at Rogers’ expense. Additionally, Rogers submitted a new proposal in 2018 that required Vidéotron to pay increased rent for using the company’s spectrum on the shared network.
Ultimately, Vidéotron alleges the partnership became increasingly contentious as Rogers worked to prematurely dismantle the joint network.
