Category: Mobile Syrup

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Mobile Syrup

Instagram finally lets users add five links to their profiles

Instagram is (finally) removing a feature that restricted users to one link on their profile page.

The company has increased that figure to five, according to Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg. “[It’s] probably one of the most requested features we’ve had,” he said through his broadcast channel.

The company has been relatively slow in implementing the feature, allowing for the surprise of external services like Linktree, which allows users to link to multiple websites on one page.

Here’s how to access the feature:

  • Tap ‘Edit profile’
  • Click ‘Links’
  • Select ‘Add external link’
  • Drag and drop links in the order you want them to appear

All users, including creators and business accounts, can access the feature.

Source: Instagram Via: Engadget

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Mobile Syrup

CTV viewers confused after Avatar-like blue tint takes over the channel

All eyes are turning to James Cameron after an unexplained issue hit CTV News Vancouver, making everyone on-screen into Avatar lookalikes.

In a bizarre incident, everyone from weather anchor Ann Luu to Dateline NBC host Lester Holt ended up dawning the blue shade.

The incident occurred on April 14th on CTV News’ Vancouver station.

What’s even more confusing is that there has been no word from CTV Vancouver about the incident, leaving many looking for an explanation.

After initial complaints on Twitter, the hype has died down, with some viewers wondering if they were the only ones who noticed.

The error is likely due to a technical issue and has since been resolved.

Image credit: @jacqpatton

Source: @jacqpatton Via: BlogTO

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Mobile Syrup

New Sonos Pro subscription see’s the company venture into commercial spaces

Audio company Sonos has announced Sonos Pro, a new software service that makes using Sonos products easier for businesses.

The new software as a service (SaaS) is a subscription-based offering that includes a dashboard allowing for remote system management across multiple locations.

The service is designed to work with businesses that already operate with existing Sonos hardware, to simplify the process of playing music in public spaces.

The effort to provide a streamlined approach to audio management for businesses marks Sonos’s venture into commercial spaces. Previously, the company was mainly focused on wireless speakers for home audio systems.

Sonos Pro is designed to allow users to manage and monitor their music from anywhere through the virtual dashboard, while also allowing for a sizeable and scalable setup, with subscribers able to add additional Sonos speakers across multiple locations.

Further, users will gain access to Sonos Backgrounds, a commercially licensed music service with music ranging from independent artists to third-party streaming services for those who don’t want to use their own playlists.

Sonos Pro is available now in the United States with additional markets to follow. Subscriptions cost $35 USD per month (approximately $46.84 CAD.)

For a closer look at Sonos’s products, see our review of the new Era 300 and Era 100 speakers.

Source: Sonos

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Mobile Syrup

Pixel 7a may see $50 price increase over Pixel 6a in the U.S.

We’re deep into Pixel leak season now, and with Google I/O just around the corner, there are several rumours roaming the internet. One of the latest Pixel 7a rumours relates to price, claiming the phone will cost $50 more in the United States.

Until now, rumours have largely pointed to the Pixel 7a having the same launch price as Google’s Pixel 6a, which costs $599 CAD in Canada and $449 USD in the U.S.

According to 9to5Google, the Pixel 7a will cost $499 USD.

The publication also notes that the Pixel 7a will be available to purchase starting May 10th, as Jon Prosser of Front Page Tech previously leaked. However, 9to5 says the 7a won’t be available in-store until May 11th.

As for why the price is going up, there are a few obvious culprits. Rumours and leaks indicate the Pixel 7a will get a handful of improvements this year, including a 90Hz screen (finally), an improved camera sensor (possibly 64-megapixels) and more. It’s also going to run on the Tensor G2 chip, same as Google’s Pixel 7 and 7 Pro.

While these are all welcome additions, they also likely increase the cost of making the phone and, in turn, mean Google might charge more. Coupled with rumours that Google will keep the Pixel 6a in the lineup rather than discontinuing the phone like with previous models, it’d make sense for Google to incorporate a significant price delta.

As for what the Pixel 7a will cost in Canada, well, the best we can offer is an estimation. The Pixel 6a costs $449 USD and $599 CAD — assuming Google maintains that price difference for the U.S. and Canadian Pixel 7a, we could see a $649 CAD price tag. Google could push it higher too, though I think a $699 Pixel 7a would be coming in too close to the Pixel 7 (especially since Google keeps putting the 7 on sale for $599).

Source: 9to5Google

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Mobile Syrup

Sonos and Google set to meet in court this May amid patent dispute

A three-year-long feud between Sonos and Google could be winding down, with both companies set to meet in court on May 8th over a still-active patent dispute.

The upcoming trial stems from accusations from Sonos that Google devices such as Nest and Chromecast infringed on Sonos-owned patents. According to Thurrot, a federal judge ruled after a mixed verdict that both Sonos and Google must meet in court this May, with the trial looking to bring up two patents the judge deemed meaningful for the case.

Two patents in Sonos’s claim have already been deemed invalid, according to Reuters, leaving two other patent claims from the audio company and Google’s counterclaims left to be settled on May 8th.

The judge’s ruling for a set trial date looks to end the ongoing feud between the companies, which started when Sonos filed a lawsuit against Google in 2020. The Sonos patent infringement ruling by the U.S. International Trade Commission in January of 2022 went against Google, which resulted in the tech giant being required to stop selling imported products that infringe on the Sonos patents.

Not taking kindly to Sonos’s actions, Google responded with its own lawsuit directed at the audio company in August of 2022 over its then-new ‘Voice Control.’ Google stated that the counter-claim was a result of “an aggressive and misleading campaign against our products, at the expense of our shared customers.”

An attempt to end the ongoing finger-pointing will take place on May 8th, with both companies ordered to appear in court once again.

Source: Thurrot Via: Android Central

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Mobile Syrup

What’s new on Xbox Game Pass on console, PC and mobile in late April 2023

Every month, Xbox brings new games to its Xbox Game Pass subscription service.

Typically, these come in waves, and now, Xbox has revealed what’s coming in the second half of April. Highlights include Minecraft Legends from Mojang and Vancouver’s Blackbird Interactive and BlazBlue: Cross Tag Battle Special Edition.

See below for the full list:

  • Minecraft Legends (Cloud, Console, and PC) — April 18th
  • Coffee Talk Episode 2: Hibiscus & Butterfly (Cloud, Console, and PC) — April 20th
  • Medieval Dynasty (Xbox One) — April 20th
  • Homestead Arcana (Cloud, PC, and Xbox Series X/S) — April 21st
  • Cassette Beasts (PC) — April 26th
  • BlazBlue: Cross Tag Battle Special Edition (Cloud, Console, and PC) — April 27th
  • The Last Case of Benedict Fox (Console and PC) — April 27th
  • Redfall (Cloud, PC, and Xbox Series X/S) — May 2nd

Additionally, here’s what’s leaving Game Pass on April 30th:

  • Bugsnax (Cloud, Console, and PC)
  • Destroy All Humans! (Cloud, Console, and PC)
  • Dragon Quest Builders 2 (Cloud, Console, and PC)
  • Tetris Effect Connected (Console and PC)
  • Unsouled (Cloud, Console, and PC)

As always, Game Pass members get an exclusive 20 percent discount on any game in the catalogue, giving you the option to buy them to continue playing.

An Xbox Game Pass subscription costs $11.99 CAD/month for either Console or PC, while a $16.99/month Game Pass Ultimate membership includes Game Pass for both Console and PC, Xbox Live Gold, EA Play and Xbox Cloud Gaming.

Find out what came to Xbox Game Pass earlier in April here.

Image credit: Xbox

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Mobile Syrup

Nintendo hacker Gary Bowser has been released from prison

An enemy of Nintendo by the name of Bowser has just been freed from prison and no, it’s not who you think.

Console hacker Gary Bowser has been released from federal prison after spending close to two years incarcerated for fraud.

In an interview with YouTuber Nick Moses (@NickMoses05), Bowser himself confirmed that he has been released to a Washington detention centre in March. He’s now awaiting an expedition to Canada.

Bowser was originally arrested and charged with fraud in 2020 for taking part in Team Xecuter, a hacking group that would make and sell mod chips for consoles such as the Nintendo Switch, Sony’s PlayStation Classic, Nintendo’s 3DS and more. This would allow customers of Team Xecuter to play pirated games on the console.

Due to the now-infamous hacker living in the Dominican Republic at the time of his arrest, he was extradited to the United States in order to serve his 40-month sentence. Bowser says that he was released early due to good behaviour.

That said, good behaviour doesn’t erase his charges. He owes a whopping $10 million in restitution to Nintendo as part of a piracy lawsuit filed by the company. On top of this, the Nintendo modder will be forced to pay an additional $4.5 million to the video game giant as ruled by a separate federal court order.

According to Bowser, he’s managed to pay off $175 worth in $25 dollar increments thus far.

Source: @NickMoses05 Via: The Verge

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Mobile Syrup

Switch titles on sale at Walmart across Canada

Walmart stores across Canada have several Nintendo Switch titles available up to 50 percent off.

As shared by ‘Alkab’ in the r/VideoGameDealsCanada subreddit, here are some of the titles currently discounted at Walmart locations:

Xenoblade Chronicles 3 – $39.99 (regularly $79.96)

Metroid Dread  – $39.99 (regularly $79.96)

Miitopia – $29.99 (regularly $64.96

Mario Tennis Aces – $39.99 (regularly $79.96)

Bravely Default 2 – $39.99: (regularly $79.96)

Live A Live – $29.99: (regularly $64.96)

Triangle Strategy – $39 (regularly $79.96)

Splatoon 2 – $39 (regularly $79.96)

Warioware – $29: (regularly $64.96)

Fire Emblem Warriors Three Hopes – $39: (regularly $79.96)

Clubhouse Games – $24: (regularly $49.96)

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder’s Revenge – $19.99: (regularly $44.96)

Sonic Mania – $24.96: (regularly $29.96)

Pokemon Scarlet – $59: (regularly $79.96)

To check whether one of the above-mentioned Switch titles is on sale/in stock at a Walmart near you, check out this stock tracker website.

Source: Reddit (Alkab)

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Mobile Syrup

Pixel Fold, Pixel Tablet and Pixel 7a to launch on May 10: report

Google’s May 10th I/O event is now rumoured to have some pretty exciting hardware announcements.

Leaker Jon Prosser, who has been pretty accurate with Google leaks in the past, has revealed information about the upcoming launch and release dates for the Pixel Fold, Pixel 7a and the Pixel Tablet.

Pressor says that the Pixel Fold will get announced on May 10th and pre-orders open from Google the same day, but carriers won’t open pre-orders until May 30th, and the phone will launch on June 27th. Further, he indicates the handset will cost $1,799 USD (about $2,411.72 CAD).

The Pixel 7a will come in ‘Charcoal,’ ‘Snow,’ ‘Sea’ (light blue), and the Google Store will have an exclusive ‘Coral’ variant. The handset will be available to purchase on May 10th, and weirdly, the Pixel 6a reportedly won’t be discontinued. That last bit is pretty confusing, as typically, one would replace the other. We’ll have to wait to learn more.

Finally, Prosser says that the Pixel Tablet will also get the May 10th announcement, but that’s all he says about that device. However, 9to5Google has a bit more information about the Pixel Tablet.

According to sources familiar with the matter, the Pixel Tablet will come in four colour sets, though we only know two of them for now. The first has a green rear and black bezels, and the second has a white bezel and beige/white rear. The tablet will offer an aluminum body with a nano-ceramic finish similar to porcelain. Google says that the device has a “soft matte look and textured feel.”

The Pixel Tablet will launch with Tensor G2, Android 13, with 8GB of RAM. It will also have two storage options, but the storage configurations aren’t mentioned.

The Charger Speaker Dock connects via pogo pins and receives power from a barrel jack, similar to the Nest Hub Max.

Google will announce this alongside the Pixel 7a and Pixel Fold on May 10th with a rumoured release window of June.

Source: Jon Prosser, 9to5Google

Image Credit: Jon Prosser 

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Mobile Syrup

Google Canada discounts Pixels by up to $200

Google Canada currently has a sale on its Pixel phones, offering $100 or $200 off.

The Pixel 7 Pro, Pixel 7, and Pixel 6a are all discounted right now. It’s worth noting Pixels are also on sale at Amazon.

The discounts make for some pretty solid savings, though with Google I/O and the rumoured Pixel 7a just around the corner, it’s tough to say whether the deals are worth it.

The Pixel 7a is rumoured to be around the price (or slightly more than) the Pixel 6a, so before you grab one of these phones, it’s probably worth considering whether you’d like to save $200 and get the 6a now, get the 7a at launch, or get the Pixel 7 now for roughly the same cost as the 7a at launch.

You can check out the deals here.