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Mobile Syrup

Alberta to get a new area code in April 2022

On April 23rd, 2022, a new area code will be introduced in Alberta, in addition to the province’s current 403, 587, 780, and 825 area codes.

According to the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC), the new code ‘368’ is meant to fulfil the growing demand for new numbers in Alberta.

“The introduction of a new area code creates millions of additional telephone numbers without affecting the existing numbers,” said Kelly T. Walsh, program manager at the Canadian Numbering Administrator. “The new area code 368 will be added to the current area codes already in use in Alberta.”

After April 23rd, 2022, customers and businesses that request a new phone number may be assigned one with the new area code. Numbers with the new 368 area code will be allocated to customers only when numbers with the old area codes are extinguished.

Further, the addition of the new area code will have no effect on the geographic limits for local calling areas or the way long-distance calls are dialled. Special numbers like 211, 311, 411, 611, and 911 will not be impacted and will continue to be dialled with three digits.

The number of years it takes for the need to add a new area code has been decreasing sharply. The first area code in Alberta, 403, was introduced in 1947, with the next code, 780 being introduced 52 years later in 1999. Following that, area code 587 was added nine years later, in 2008 and area code 825 in 2016, just eight years later. The latest area code marks the fastest time in Alberta’s history where the need to add a new code has arisen — in just five years.

Source: CRTC 

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Mobile Syrup

Disgruntled customer eggs a Vancouver Island cellphone store

On Saturday, employees at Quinsam Communications in Campbell River, Vancouver Island were left stunned when a man entered the store and began hurling eggs at displays, devices, and the workers.

The accused — dressed in a red sweatshirt with a grey bandana around his face walked in and began venting his frustration about Telus and its 5G technology. “This has got nothing to do with you, boys,” the accused said to the staff before pelting the business and the ‘boys’ with eggs.

According to the Campbell River Mirror, the accused believed that others were using Telus’ 5G network to gain access to his cellular devices, and based on his body language and tone, he appeared to be extremely unhappy about it.

Just when we thought that people are starting to understand that 5G is harmless, instances like this happen and decelerate the technology’s adoption. “We do run into people who are a little disgruntled by it and try and inform them the best we can,” said Cody Spetifore, a sales representative for Quinsam in a statement given to Vancouver Island News. “It’s not harmful and uses less power than 4G.”

Quinsam Communications was closed on Monday to clean up the mess.

Check out the recorded incident here.

Image credit: Vancouver Island News

Source: Vancouver Island News

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Mobile Syrup

Google launches new case style for Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro

Google is introducing a new type of case designed for its recently revealed Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro smartphones.

The Pixel 6 series’ cases are dual-layered and feature raised edges to guard the device. They’re also made of shock-absorbing materials that wrap around each corner of the Pixel 6 series.

Google says it made the cases transparent so that you can still see the Pixel 6/6 Pro, while creating a new colour with the contrasting hue.

With my ‘Stormy Black’ Pixel 6 Pro and ‘Soft Sage’ case, this combination makes an odd grey colour I’m not the biggest fan of. However, the right combination of colour and case could probably still look great.

Both the Pixel 6 and 6 Pro cases cost $39.

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Mobile Syrup

Aorus foresees portable 5G PC’s taking over the on-the-go gaming space

Aorus is working on a new concept PC that will combine a laptop’s portability with a gaming desktop’s high-powered specs and 5G connectivity. Dubbed Project Cielo, which means sky in Spanish, the concept portrays the future of PC gaming on the go with almost limitless possibilities.

The concept PC comes with built-in 5G connectivity for greater bandwidth, ultra-low latency gaming on the go. This is made possible with a falcon-wing antenna integrated into the top of the PC’s chassis.

With this concept design, Aorus is preparing itself for the inevitable future, where 5G will be globally adopted and accepted, and gaming on the go will be equally responsive and immersive as gaming at home. With its innovative battery pack and integrated 5G antenna, gamers will be able to ditch the wires and enjoy gaming wirelessly.

The PC consists of three parts stacked on top of each other (as seen in the image above). The primary PC system is at the top, the battery module is in the middle, and the Bluetooth speaker module is at the bottom. Interestingly, users would be able to mix and match which modules they want to use. For example, using the Bluetooth speakers with the battery will give you a portable speaker system, whereas the main PC system combined with the battery module gives you a portable gaming PC.

While ambitious, the concept is a neat one and, if implemented correctly, can revolutionize portable gaming gadgets.

Image credit: Aorus

Source: Aorus

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Mobile Syrup

Xbox testing automatic muting of speakers when headphones are plugged in

Xbox is testing a new feature that allows your console to automatically mute your speakers when you plug in headphones.

This feature is rolling out now to Xbox Insiders on the Alpha Skip-Ahead ring to start.

Previously, users would have to mute their speakers separately from the headphones. This new automatic feature can be enabled in your console’s audio settings.

While timing for a wide release has yet to be confirmed, the current Xbox Insider testing suggests that will arrive in the coming months.

Source: Xbox

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Mobile Syrup

Telus 5G now available in Grand Forks, Pemberton, Vernon and Whistler

Telus has expanded its 5G internet network to four new regions in the province of British Columbia.

Folks living in the B.C. communities of Grand Forks, Pemberton, Vernon, and Whistler now have access to Telus’ 5G internet services, according to three press releases from the Vancouver-based carrier.

This new development is part of a $13 billion B.C.-specific investment from Telus.

Announced in May 2021, the investment will fund the expansion of Telus’ 5G network to more than 187 communities in the province, as well as the hiring of 12,000 British Columbians to set up the necessary infrastructure, from now until 2024.

Prior to today’s announcement, Vancouver Island was the most recent B.C. region to gain access to Telus 5G internet — specifically, the communities of Campbell River, Comox, Courtenay, Cumberland, and Saanich.

According to data gathered from Ookla’s internet speed-tracking tool, Telus was the fastest mobile operator in Canada during Q3 2021. However, national telecom competitor Rogers took first place in terms of 5G availability.

Source: Telus, (2), (3)

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Mobile Syrup

The Witcher 3 and Cyberpunk 2077’s PS5 and Xbox Series X/S updates have been delayed

The new-gen updates of The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt and Cyberpunk 2077 have been delayed, publisher CD Projekt has confirmed.

On social media, the company noted that the releases have been pushed back “based on recommendations supplied by teams supervising the development of both games.” The publisher apologized for the prolonged wait but said “we want to make it right.”

The PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S versions of both titles will now drop in 2022 — Cyberpunk 2077‘s in the first quarter, and The Witcher 3‘s in the second. They had previously been set to arrive sometime in late 2021.

Specific features and gameplay from either title have not yet been revealed, although CD Projekt has confirmed that those who have purchased the games on last-gen consoles will receive the new-gen updates at no additional cost.

It’s likely that CD Projekt is being especially cautious with how well these versions perform, given the extra level of scrutiny that it’s fallen under over the past year. Since the disastrous, bug-ridden December 2020 launch of Cyberpunk 2077, the previously well-regarded company’s image has been tarnished.

In the near future, CD Projekt also has free downloadable add-ons for Cyberpunk 2077 to release, as well as paid expansions and some sort of multiplayer suite.

Image credit: CD Projekt

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Mobile Syrup

Google only promises three years of Android updates for Pixel 6/6 Pro

Thanks to a Google support page, we now know that the company’s fancy new Pixel 6 and 6 Pro will only get three years of Android OS upgrades (i.e. Android 12) just like previous Pixel phones.

It’s a real bummer to hear given that Google’s been talking up how the Pixel 6 and 6 Pro will get five years of security updates, a more impressive promise that comes much closer to Apple’s frankly ludicrous level of support (2015’s iPhone 6S got iOS 15 this year, marking six years of software support).

Android Police spotted the Google support page, which says that the Pixel 6 and 6 Pro will get “Guaranteed” Android version updates “until at least” October 2024. Google also guarantees security updates until October 2026 on the same page.

There is a glimmer of hope here — Google says “at least.” That could mean the Pixel 6 and 6 Pro will get updates beyond that timeframe, but I wouldn’t hold my breath.

What makes this particularly frustrating is that thanks to the new Tensor chip in the Pixel 6 line, Google has much more control over the Pixel hardware stack. PCMag’s lead analyst Sascha Segan tweeted that Google has previously had issues with the lack of drivers and support from chipmakers like Qualcomm and MediaTek for newer Android versions on older phones — something that Google implied it wanted to fix with Tensor.

While I don’t want to detract from the positive of five years of security updates, I also want to make it clear that three years of OS upgrades is simply not enough. Google has put itself in a position to do better — now, it actually should.

Source: Google Via: Android Police

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Mobile Syrup

Artists can now sell merch on Spotify thanks to a partnership with Shopify

Spotify and Shopify are teaming up to make it easier for musicians to sell their merch on Spotify instead of relying on tour merch tables and websites.

This is a significant update for artists since it earns them more revenue through the music streaming service. A few years ago, Spotify started selling concerts tickets through its app. This update helps the platform become an even more robust one-stop-shop for all things music.

Spotify says that artists can start learning about the new sales feature in the Spotify for Artists app. If you want to see the new feature in action, pop artist Remi Wolf has a few items on her page.

Source: Shopify

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Mobile Syrup

How to watch Samsung’s Galaxy Unpacked 2 event

Samsung’s surprise Galaxy Unpacked event is set to take place today at 7am PT/10am ET. The event comes just two months after Samsung held an Unpacked stream to unveil its latest Z Flip 3 and Z Fold 3 devices.

Tech publications worldwide have been left in the dark as not much is known about the big event or what Samsung intends to release at it.

Samsung has indicated that the event would feature “self-expression through technology.” A peek at the Unpacked 2 poster shows Samsung’s Health and SmartThings icons as well as various coloured boxes. Whereas its Tweet, “Ready to explore all the sides that make you, you? A new dimension of possibilities opens this #SamsungUnpacked,” might suggest different colour variants for its latest flagships.

Samsung might also announce special collaborations for its latest or upcoming flagships.

However, the most plausible expectation is that the South Korean tech giant might whip out the long-rumoured Galaxy S21 Fan Edition (FE). The Fan Edition variant of the year’s flagship is usually due around now. That said, there are rumours that Samsung has cancelled the S21 FE entirely due to chip shortages.

There’s also a chance that the live stream will just cover software, including One UI 4.0/Android 12 and the South Korean tech giant’s larger app ecosystem.

Whatever might be the case, you can follow along with MobileSyrup’s coverage on our homepage as well as on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram or check the event out for yourself on Samsung’s YouTube page, Samsung’s website or from the stream embedded below at 7am PT/10am ET.