Author: Mobile Syrup

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Mobile Syrup

Tile unveils updated lineup featuring Mate, Sticker and Pro trackers

Tile unveiled its updated line of Bluetooth trackers with sleeker, revised designs and enhancements to tracking range, volume, and water resistance, along with a new way for lost items to be found and returned. The tracker company also detailed an upcoming ultra-wideband model, which will introduce highly accurate Point and Locate findings as well as a new Scan and Secure feature coming next year.

The $24.99 Tile Mate ($31.17 CAD) now has a more rounded form and appearance and a new black colour choice in addition to the standard white.

The Tile Mate’s water resistance has been improved to an IP67 rating, with the range extended from 200 feet to 250 feet. Further, the Tile Mate will now ring louder when you’re trying to find it and will also last longer thanks to an updated battery that gives it a three-year lifespan.

Similar to the Tile Mate, the $29.99 ($37.39 CAD) Tile Sticker has an upgraded range, going from 150 feet to 250 feet on the updated model along with IP67 water resistance, three-year battery life and a louder ring.

The company’s most powerful tracker — the Tile Pro, with a range of 400 feet — now comes in a rectangular shape which the company says fits better on a keyring. Just like the other models, Tile Pro is also now IP67 water-resistant. However, it maintains its replaceable, one-year lifespan battery.

Those were all the hardware updates. On the software side of things, Tile has introduced a new Lost and Found feature on the Mate, Pro and Slim Tile trackers.

These models now have a QR code on the back which can be scanned by the finder in case the Tile tracker is lost. Scanning it will display your contact information, allowing the person who found the tracker to get in touch with you to return your belonging.

Tile also unveiled a new security feature called “Scan and Secure,” which will allow anybody to download the Tile app and use it to scan and identify nearby trackers, as well as warn you if there are any unfamiliar Tiles nearby. The Scan and Secure feature is expected to roll out in early 2022.

The updated trackers are now available to order here.

Image credit: Tile

Source: Tile

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Mobile Syrup

LG to pay for GM’s Chevy Bolt recall

GM may be struggling to recall and replace almost all of its Chevy Bolt batteries, but a new report claims that the automaker won’t be footing the bill.

A report from Engadget says that LG will offset $1.9 billion USD (roughly, $2.3 billion CAD). GM estimates that the recall will cost $2 billion USD (about $2.5 billion CAD), so while the automaker has to pay a bit, LG covers the bulk of the cost.

This deal is likely GM trying to push the blame from its failing cars onto LG, who built the defective batteries. Hopefully, this will work, and consumers won’t turn on GM’s EV offerings.

If you’re unfamiliar, GM has calling back the Chevy Bolt EUV and car since some models were suffering from battery fires. The recall started with only some models but quickly extended to include many more Bolt models than originally anticipated.

GM says that it will have the recall refunded later, so it will be reflected in its Q3 2021 earnings report.

Source: Engadget

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Mobile Syrup

New video shows how Samsung tests its Z Fold 3 and Z Flip 3

Samsung has posted a video showing off the tests the company puts its latest duo of foldable handsets, the Galaxy Z Fold 3 and the Galaxy Z Flip 3, through to ensure that they’re durable.

Samsung’s durability tests include an environmental chamber, water resistance, S Pen usability and a folding test. The folding test aims to make sure that the devices can survive 200,000 folds, and the environmental chamber test ensures that the foldable devices’ video playback, cameras, components and more work in a variety of climates.

The video’s release follows reports from some users that their Z Flip 3’s displays are cracking down the middle. 9to5Google outlines an issue where the smartphone’s foldable screen cracked at the fold after days of no use.

A Reddit user also claims the same thing happened to them after three days of owning the Z Flip 3. In a Reddit post, they mention how they were able to get the phone replaced under warranty.

I used both the Z Fold 3 and the Z Flip 3 for a few weeks and I didn’t have any issues with durability. In fact, I found that the two devices felt a lot more durable than their predecessors.

Source: Samsung

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Mobile Syrup

Xbox Series X is available at Newegg right now

If you’re looking to buy an Xbox Series X, you can get your hands on one from Newegg right now.

The online store has the Xbox Series X listed for $641.99. Newegg also has the Series S in stock, listed for $549.55.

It’s worth noting that Newegg charges a $19.55 shipping fee and offers a one-year warranty on the consoles.

Follow the links to purchase the Xbox Series X or Xbox Series S console.

This story will be updated when the Series X is out of stock.

Source: Newegg

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Mobile Syrup

How to change the default browser in Windows 11

If you’re among the lucky ones who successfully updated their PC to Windows 11, great! We hope you’re enjoying it. However, some things have changed from Windows 10, like how to set a default browser. That’s why we put together this handy guide.

Also, if some of this sounds familiar, that’s because when we wrote about default browser settings in Windows 11 back during the preview period. Not much has changed, which is good news if you already learned how to change the default browser in Windows 11 and bad news if you’d prefer a simple process for setting defaults. Anyway, let’s get into it.

To set a default browser in Windows 11, you need to open Settings > Apps > Default apps. Unfortunately, this is where things get… weird.

Microsoft now requires Windows 11 users pick the app that they want to make default (in the case of a browser, you’d pick Chrome, Firefox, Brave or another browser of your choice from the list of apps). In the next screen, users should see a list of related file types (for example, ‘.html’ files).

You’ll need to go through this list and click on each file type, then select the app from the pop-up. For example, click ‘.htm’ and then click Chrome, Firefox, etc. from the pop-up list. In some cases, you may see a ‘Before you switch’ pop-up that will try and encourage you to stick with Edge — you can click ‘Switch anyway’ to bypass it.

Once that’s done, you should be good to go. It is worth noting, however, that some apps have built-in default switchers that can help users avoid doing this. Firefox Nightly, for example, let me click a button in Firefox’s settings menu to change my default browser — I didn’t have to open the Windows 11 settings menu. While more apps might do this in time, for now, it’s hit-and-miss which apps will support it.

Edge has considerable staying power

Additionally, some apps might not switch over every file type, which could mean opening certain things will throw you back into Edge (or another default) instead. Moreover, some parts of Windows 11 completely ignore the default browser setting.

In particular, the fancy new widget pane (accessible by clicking the blue square icon on the taskbar, not to be confused with the Start icon with four blue squares). Some items in the widgets pane will still open in Edge. The Verge points out that an app called ‘EdgeDeflector‘ can help redirect links that will always open in Edge to open in the default browser instead.

You’ll need to grab the latest version (1.2.3.0), which supports Windows 11. Still, the app isn’t perfect and some items might still open in Microsoft Edge. Maybe that will change in time with future updates.

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Mobile Syrup

F*ck off, road rage! Waze adds new Headspace meditation theme to traffic app

To celebrate World Mental Health Day, Waze is partnering with Headspace to introduce a few soothing new features to the Google-owned traffic navigation app.

The limited-time theme is available starting today, October 12th, in English, French, Spanish and Portuguese.

By activating the “Drive with Headspace” theme, drivers will receive voice directions and tips from mindfulness coach Eve Prieto, who works as Headspace’s Director of Mediation.

Drivers can also cruise along while listening to a Headspace-curated Spotify playlist and change how they appear on the map to others by selecting from five special-edition ‘Moods’: Aware, Bright, Hopeful, Joyful, and Open.

Finally, and most importantly, the new Headspace theme lets you swap your in-app car icon for a cute little hot air balloon.

Waze loves adding niche limited-time custom themes to its app.

Past special editions have covered an eclectic range of themes, including cats and dogs, Pride Month, Santa and Rudolph, Batman, and Halo’s Master Chief.

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Mobile Syrup

Twitter web users can now ‘soft block’ unwanted followers

Last month, Twitter announced that it is testing out a feature that will allow you to quietly remove users from your follow list without having to block them.

The feature, known as ‘Soft Block,’ is now live for all Twitter Web users.

To soft block a follower, go to your profile and head to the ‘followers’ section. Find the person you want to cull and click the three-dot menu next to the follower’s name. Click on ‘Remove this follower,’ and you’re good to go. It’s worth noting that the followers you unfollow will not be notified of the change.

Previously, a blocked Twitter user would notice that they had been banned from interacting with someone’s tweets, which might lead to angry retaliation on other platforms or on the same platform via burner or secondary accounts. The new feature aims to offer users greater control over their experience on the micro-blogging platform and will help in reducing abuse and harassment.

In addition, Twitter recently began beta testing its in-development ‘Safety Mode’ auto-block setting, which, when activated, automatically slaps users engaging in harassing behaviours with a seven-day temporary ban.

Image credit: @TwitterSafety

Source: @TwitterSafety

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Mobile Syrup

Personalized profiles for Google TV coming next month

After expanding the Google TV app for Android to Canada last month, the Mountain View, California-based company, is now adding personalized profiles and a new and improved ambient mode to Google TV.

Currently, several people can log in to Google TV using their Google Account. However, Google TV will only filter suggestions for the primary account holder. That is about to change. Each user’s recommendations, watchlist, and Google Assistant replies will be tailored to their interests and activities with personalized profiles.

To create a new profile, simply head to your account icon (top right) and add another account, similar to how you make a ‘kid profile.’

Support for personalized accounts will begin rolling out next month to Chromecast with Google TV, as well as compatible TVs from TCL and Sony.

In addition, Google is also updating the ambient mode screen to include “glanceable cards,” with information like the weather, news and more, all personalized according to your taste. This screen will also have shortcuts for podcasts, music, and photos and will be exclusive for users in the United States. However, the glanceable cards feature doesn’t have an expected rollout date yet.

Image credit: Google

Source: Google

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Mobile Syrup

Facebook to introduce features to ‘nudge’ teens away from damaging content

Following a testimony from whistleblower Frances Haugen claiming that Facebook and its subsidiary Instagram prioritize profits over the safety of its young user base, Facebook has decided to introduce numerous new features, including pop-ups urging teens to take a break from using its photo-sharing app Instagram and “nudging” them if they’re frequently looking at content that’s not conducive to their well-being.

Facebook vice president of global affairs Nick Clegg commented on the upcoming safety features during CNN’s State of the Union show.

“We’re going to introduce something which I think will make a considerable difference, which is where our systems see that the teenager is looking at the same content over and over again and it’s content which may not be conducive to their well-being, we will nudge them to look at other content,” says Clegg.

In addition, adults will be able to monitor what their kids are doing online if they choose to, and the platform will prompt them to “take a break” from Instagram. However, on the flip side, Clegg says that plans for Instagram Kids have been currently put on hold.

While no timeframe for when the new features will be released was provided, a Facebook spokesperson (via The Verge) said the features are “not testing yet but will soon.”

Source: CNN

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Mobile Syrup

Amazon Prime subscribers can get Ghostrunner and Star Wars: Squadrons for free

You can get Ghostrunner and Star Wars: Squadrons for free if you’re an Amazon Prime subscriber.

Get a code to redeem the games on Origin and GOG for free for a limited time only. This offer is only available for PC players, and you’ll have only until November 1st to claim the code and until November 4th to redeem it towards Star Wars: Squadrons, or until November 7th to redeem Ghstorunner.

Star Wars: Squadrons

You’ll need to redeem your product code on Origin. If you do not already have it installed, download it.

For PC:
1. Log in with the EA account where you want to add the game.
2. Click the Origin menu.
3. Select Redeem Product Code.

Redeem your Product Code on Origin by following these steps:

1. Log in to the Origin store website using the EA account where you want to add the game.
2. Select Game Library.
3. Click add a game in the top-right corner. This will drop down an option to click Redeem Product Code. Once you’re at the page to enter your code, type in your game’s Product Code. Click next, and the game will show up in your Game Library.

Ghostrunner

You’ll need to redeem your product code on GOG.com if you don’t have a GOG account, register for one.

Once registered, simply paste the redemption code into the entry box and click “Continue.” Ghostrunner will be automatically added to your account.

If you’re not an Amazon Prime subscriber but still want to play the two titles, CDKeys’ currently has the games listed for $1.09 each. Learn more here.

Image credit: Amazon 

Source: Amazon