Author: Mobile Syrup

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Mobile Syrup

Facebook renames itself ‘Meta’

The Facebook company, not the social network, will now be known as Meta.

After about a week of speculation, the company that owns Facebook, Instagram, Oculus and WhatsApp is now Meta.

The plan is to move the company’s branding furth away from the Facebook social network as it moves more into building the VR metaverse and other new tech projects. If you go Meta.com it redirects you to a Facebook site that explains the new VR space and what Zuckerberg is trying to create. This involves both VR and AR and so much more to really build out a digital world that is still intertwined with the real world in subtle ways.

While this all sounds crazy and futuristic, that’s because it is and a lot of it is a long way off according to Zuckerberg.

This also follows recent allegations that Facebook and Instagram are bad for people, especially younger girls and a push from U.S. government regulators to break the company up.

Source: Meta

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Mobile Syrup

Hisense’s 4K ULED Android Smart TV discounted at several retailers

Several Canadian retailers have discounted Hisense’s 65-inch 4K ULED Android Smart TV, as shared by RedFlagDeals user ‘blyndfyre.’

The model, 65U68G, is currently available for $899, marking a $200 discount from the original $1,099 price tag.

The TV features 3480 x 2160 native resolution, Dolby Atmos Vision with two built-in Dolby Atmos enhanced speakers and HDR10+ to essentially give you a theatre-like experience at home.

The 60Hz TV is powered by Android TV with Chromecast built-in for easy access to your favourite content and casual gaming. Further, the TV features motion control and Google Assitant for ease of accessibility and to control smart devices in your home.

The 65U68G features four HDMI 2.0 inputs, one A/V input, one optical digital audio output, one headphone jack, and two USB 2.0 ports and comes with Netflix, YouTube, Amazon, Hulu, HBO and Disney+ pre-loaded.

Learn more about the TV here or purchase it at a discounted price from Amazon, Best Buy, Visions Electronics or The Brick.

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: Hisense

Source: RedFlagDeals

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Mobile Syrup

Pokémon Café ReMix is now available on Nintendo Switch and mobile

Pokémon Café ReMix is now available on Nintendo Switch, the iOS App Store and Google Play for mobile devices. The Café ReMix is free-to-start, which means there are optional in-game purchases.

Players will own a café where all the staff and customers are Pokémon, additionally, they’ll need to complete puzzles and prepare drinks and dishes for Pokémon customers.

The puzzles seem to be an icon matching game that seems far more intense than Bejeweled.

Additionally, there are some new game modes, compared to the original version Pokémon Café Mix, which launched in June 2020. The puzzle game will also sport new in-game events, dress-up options and more.

Source: Pokémon Company 

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Mobile Syrup

Twitter Spaces tests letting some hosts record and share their broadcasts

Image source: Twitter Spaces PR

Twitter is testing out a new setting that lets users record their Spaces.

For context, ‘Spaces’ is the name for the platform’s broadcasting feature, which lets users host live audio conversations with their followers.

According to an announcement from Twitter, a “limited number” of hosts on iOS can now save and share their Spaces after the live event ends.

Moreover, all users — whether they’re on iOS or Android devices — will be able to listen to the recordings.

Twitter began rolling out Spaces on mobile and desktop in May 2021.

In June, the platform added a new tab to help users find relevant live Spaces when they open the Twitter mobile app.

Most recently, in August, Twitter Spaces expanded its metaphorical stage to let two users co-host a broadcast, and up to 10 users participate in the conversation as speakers.

Image source: Twitter

Source: Twitter

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Mobile Syrup

Twitter Spaces tests letting some hosts record and share their broadcasts

Image source: Twitter Spaces PR

Twitter is testing out a new setting that lets users record their Spaces.

For context, ‘Spaces’ is the name for the platform’s broadcasting feature, which lets users host live audio conversations with their followers.

According to an announcement from Twitter, a “limited number” of hosts on iOS can now save and share their Spaces after the live event ends.

Moreover, all users — whether they’re on iOS or Android devices — will be able to listen to the recordings.

Twitter began rolling out Spaces on mobile and desktop in May 2021.

In June, the platform added a new tab to help users find relevant live Spaces when they open the Twitter mobile app.

Most recently, in August, Twitter Spaces expanded its metaphorical stage to let two users co-host a broadcast, and up to 10 users participate in the conversation as speakers.

Image source: Twitter

Source: Twitter

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Mobile Syrup

Costco discount AirPods Pros by $42, other retails follow suit

While Apple’s AirPods Pro generally cost $329, Costco has discounted the high-end earbuds with the MagSafe compatible case for $289.

It’s important to note that you’ll need to be a Costco member to take advantage of the deal. While this is a bit annoying, it does mean that you get Costco’s excellent return policy. The retailer is one of the few in Canada that actually accepts used earbuds.

On another note, Best Buy has the AirPod Pros with the standard Wireless charging case down to $249, but these appear to be sold out in most places — at least near my in Toronto.

Shoppers Drug Mart has the same model of AirPods on sale for $299, which is only a $30 discount. Still, you could redeem Optimum Points on this deal.

If you don’t think you want AirPods with silicone ear tips and active noise-cancelling, you can check out our review of the new 3rd-gen AirPods to see if they’re more your speed.

Source: Costco, Shoppers Via: iPhone in Canada

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Mobile Syrup

Costco discount AirPods Pros by $42, other retails follow suit

While Apple’s AirPods Pro generally cost $329, Costco has discounted the high-end earbuds with the MagSafe compatible case for $289.

It’s important to note that you’ll need to be a Costco member to take advantage of the deal. While this is a bit annoying, it does mean that you get Costco’s excellent return policy. The retailer is one of the few in Canada that actually accepts used earbuds.

On another note, Best Buy has the AirPod Pros with the standard Wireless charging case down to $249, but these appear to be sold out in most places — at least near my in Toronto.

Shoppers Drug Mart has the same model of AirPods on sale for $299, which is only a $30 discount. Still, you could redeem Optimum Points on this deal.

If you don’t think you want AirPods with silicone ear tips and active noise-cancelling, you can check out our review of the new 3rd-gen AirPods to see if they’re more your speed.

Source: Costco, Shoppers Via: iPhone in Canada

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Mobile Syrup

PlayStation 5 sales have topped 13 million units

Sony has sold 13.4 million units of its PlayStation 5 console, the company revealed in its latest earnings report.

3.3 million units were sold during this quarter, compared to the 2.2 million in the previous. While the PS5 is one of many devices that is suffering from supply constraints due to the global chip shortage, that quarter-to-quarter growth at least shows some improvement.

Game sales saw an even larger increase; Sony reported 76.4 million units sold in this quarter, compared to 63.6 million in the previous quarter. The company noted this was driven in large part due to third-party titles.

However, sales of first-party titles dropped from 10.5 million to 7.6 million last quarter. This led to operating income coming in at 82.7 billion yen (about $900 million CAD), a drop from last quarter of 3.4 billion yen (about $37 million CAD).

It’s worth noting that Sony said in August that it secured enough components to sell 22.6 million units by March 2022. This means that the company would need to sell 9.2 million consoles between now and March. While the demand is certainly there for that, it remains to be seen whether PlayStation will be able to manufacture enough systems to hit that goal.

Source: Sony

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Mobile Syrup

PlayStation 5 sales have topped 13 million units

Sony has sold 13.4 million units of its PlayStation 5 console, the company revealed in its latest earnings report.

3.3 million units were sold during this quarter, compared to the 2.2 million in the previous. While the PS5 is one of many devices that is suffering from supply constraints due to the global chip shortage, that quarter-to-quarter growth at least shows some improvement.

Game sales saw an even larger increase; Sony reported 76.4 million units sold in this quarter, compared to 63.6 million in the previous quarter. The company noted this was driven in large part due to third-party titles.

However, sales of first-party titles dropped from 10.5 million to 7.6 million last quarter. This led to operating income coming in at 82.7 billion yen (about $900 million CAD), a drop from last quarter of 3.4 billion yen (about $37 million CAD).

It’s worth noting that Sony said in August that it secured enough components to sell 22.6 million units by March 2022. This means that the company would need to sell 9.2 million consoles between now and March. While the demand is certainly there for that, it remains to be seen whether PlayStation will be able to manufacture enough systems to hit that goal.

Source: Sony

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Mobile Syrup

iPhone SE Plus to reportedly release in 2022

A display analyst is adding weight to previous rumours about the next iPhone SE.

The range of leaks and rumours paints a different picture for the next SE installment. Some state that the next iteration of the iPhone SE will be based on the iPhone XR, which means it won’t sport bezels and a physical home button and might include a notch for Face ID.

On the other hand, credible Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo and Japanese blog Macotakara have stated that the new version of the iPhone SE won’t be very different from the 2020 SE model, with the only exceptions being a better processor and 5G support.

Now, credible display analyst Ross Young says that the next iteration of the special edition iPhone will be called the “‌iPhone SE‌ Plus.” However, it won’t sport a bigger screen or body. According to Young, the upcoming iPhone SE will feature the same 4.7-inch LCD display as the current iteration, in line with Ming-Chi Kuo and Macotakara’s statements.

Young also states that Apple is developing a bigger iPhone SE that will be released sometime in 2024. The smartphone is believed to have a 5.7-inch to 6.1-inch LCD display and a hole-punch camera.

While no exact date for the next SE instalment release was leaked, Young and Kuo say the new iPhone SE will launch in the first half of 2022, hinting that it could appear at Apple’s spring event.

Source: DSCCRoss