Category: Mobile Syrup

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Mobile Syrup

Twitter to start labelling hateful tweets when they’re restricted

Twitter is expected to roll out new labels for tweets that break the company’s rules and are restricted.

The platform says it restricts tweets that violate its policies by making them harder to find, and this new change will make it more clear to users when that happens.

The original process of making tweets harder to find is known as visibility filtering, a system the company has admitted that “like other social platforms, we have not historically been transparent when we’ve taken this action.”

According to a blog post from Twitter Saftey, the new labels are set to appear on tweets that violate Twitter’s Hateful Conduct policy. The labels are set to only be implemented at the tweet level, and will not affect the user’s account.

The social media giant says it’s open to feedback both on the new changes, as well as giving power to users by allowing them to appeal decisions made to label inappropriate content. Twitter will also not run ads beside labelled tweets.

Twitter also plans to expand the labels to other “applicable policy areas” later this year. It will be interesting to see how the platform labels tweets that have been struck for reasons other than guideline violations, much like Substack‘s were recently.

Source: Twitter Via: The Verge

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Mobile Syrup

Google Pixel 7 drops to $599 in Canada

The Pixel 7 is on sale and it seems to be its lowest price to-date.

A deal is happening on Amazon Canada, courtesy of Google, that drops the Pixel 7 128GB model in both Snow and Lemongrass to up to 23 percent and 17 percent off, respectively.

The Snow model is now $599 (23% off) and the Lemongrass is also $599 (17% off).

The Pixel 7 comes with 6.3-inch FHD+ (1080 x 2400) OLED display, Tensor G2 processor, 8GB of RAM, 50-megapixel (primary) + 12-megapixel (ultrawide) rear-facing camera, 10.8-megapixel camera, with a 4,355mAh battery.

Check out our of the Pixel 7 review here.

MobileSyrup utilizes affiliate partnerships. These partnerships do not influence our editorial content, though we may earn a commission on purchases made via these links that helps fund the journalism provided free on our website.

Source: Amazon Canada

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Mobile Syrup

Elon Musk changes the CBC’s Twitter account label to “69 percent government-funded media”

After labelling the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation’s (CBC) Twitter account as “government-funded media,” Elon Musk has changed the media organization’s designation to state that it’s “69 percent government-funded media.”

According to Musk, the CBC sent a formal letter to the platform clarifying that it’s “less than 70% government-funded.” As has been the case since he acquired the platform, following the suggestion from a Twitter user, Musk jumped at the opportunity to make an off-colour, internet culture-influenced joke at the expense of a Twitter labelling system that promotes legitimate media transparency.

Twitter launched its new media organization labelling system last week. The CBC was initially labelled as “state-affiliated media,” alongside other publically funded U.S.-based media like NPR and PBS. The U.K.’s BBC also received a label. However, the organization’s label is “publicly-funded media,” which accurately describes the CBC and the service it provides Canadians.

It’s unclear why Twitter labelled the BBC as publicly-funded media but the CBC as “state-affiliated media” and then subsequently, “government-funded media,” designations that incorrectly insinuate a level of government control over the content the broadcaster produces. Affiliated and related accounts, including Radio-Canada, CBC/Radio-Canada CBC News Alerts and more, have not received the “government-funded media” label.

Twitter’s recently published rules and policies regarding government media labels state that for a media organization to receive its “government-funded media” designation, it “may have varying degrees of government involvement over editorial content,” which is not the case with CBC due to its strict editorial independence protected via the Broadcasting Act.

In a letter the CBC published last week, the media organization stated that it is not a secret that it’s publicly funded. The letter came in response to Federal Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre’s request to label the CBC’s Twitter account with a “government-funded media” tag.

“CBC/Radio-Canada is publicly funded through a parliamentary appropriation that is voted upon by all Members of Parliament,” the CBC recently tweeted. “Its editorial independence is protected in law in the Broadcasting Act.”

The CBC recently stated on Twitter that it’s “pausing” all activity on the social media platform, noting that its “journalism is impartial and independent.”

In 2021 and 2022, the CBC received more than $1.2 billion in government funding. The media organization is also funded through advertising.

Image credit: @CBC (screenshot)

Source: @elonmusk

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Mobile Syrup

Microsoft continuing its ad attack on Windows 11

Despite the last Windows update adding unwelcome advertisements under the Windows icon in OneDrive’s cloud backups for some users, the company will be adding more ads to its free services when users go to sign out.

In a blog post from the company, it was revealed that its in-OS advertising plan known as “badging” was introduced to help users recognize the benefits of signing up for a Microsoft account, OneDrive and other security systems. The notices appear for local user accounts as messages above the sign-out button within the Start menu.

The new beta mode, going out to Insider users for now, also includes a new gallery mode for File Explorer, so it’s not all bad news.

One of the ads mentions the slim 5GB of cloud storage offered for free on OneDrive when signing up. The previous version of the OneDrive ad saw an alarming “backup your files” text, which has since been replaced with an “access your files from everywhere” message instead.

As you can imagine, users we’re not thrilled at the prospect of being greeted with more advertisements within their operating systems. Microsoft tried to soften the blow by claiming that the company was taking feedback for the ads. Microsoft has been trying out different advertising schemes in its start menu since late last year.

Although users can currently disable these ads by going through Window’s settings, Microsoft has not yet made it clear if the new “sign out” ads will have this option.

The full list of upcoming changes can be found on Microsoft’s official preview.

Image credit: Microsoft

Source: Microsoft Via: Gizmodo

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Mobile Syrup

Toronto-based Formify makes a mouse that fits your hand like a glove

Formify is bringing the power of 3D printing to PC by creating custom mice designed to specifically fit each user’s unique hand shape.

Imagine a mouse that perfectly matches the shape and contour of a user’s hand down to each curve and bend, right out of the box. Formify is looking to make this a real possibility without the need to scan or measure your hands in real-time.

They use a similar process to that of Dr. Scholl’s, a company that creates custom 3D-printed shoe inserts by using photos provided by the user. The company claims that the only thing they need to build a custom mouse is a “palm side up and fingers outstretched” image of the user’s hand.

From there, machine learning algorithms will “analyze the picture of your hand, taking into account factors such as finger length, width, and hand size to identify the optimal design for your performance mouse.”

Formify relies on HP’s Multi-Jet Fusion technology to 3D print the mice, a process in which a thin layer of resin powder is fused together using heat to create multiple layers on top of one another. The final design has a slightly rough texture, with users able to choose one of five grips added during the printing process.

In terms of hardware, the custom mice feature Kailh GM 8.0 micro switches under the buttons, a rechargeable battery good for over two weeks of use and a 26,000 DPI optical sensor capable of tracking speeds of 650 inches per second.

The Toronto-based startup has launched a Kickstarter campaign to help bring its products to the market, with around $11,500 CAD raised so far out of the $40,000 goal. Pricing for the mouse is expected to be around $179 (around $240 CAD) after it ships out to backers in December.

Updates on the product will be provided through Kickstarter. As for now, despite being a work-in-progress, Formify’s gamble at combining custom mice and 3D printing looks to be an exciting upcoming project.

Image credit: Formify

Source: Formify Via: Gizmodo

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Mobile Syrup

British Columbians can now order cannabis for delivery through Uber Eats

Starting on April 18th, Uber Eats Canada will offer cannabis for delivery in British Columbia, just six months after allowing deliveries in Ontario.

A new partnership between Uber Eats Canada and Leafly will allow BC residents of legal age (19+) to place orders for local and licensed cannabis retailers through the Uber Eats app.

The move signals the company’s expansion for cannabis deliveries after allowing Ontario to do the same in October of 2022.

The process of ordering cannabis through Uber Eats is made simple and features just a few steps. Users will have to confirm their age to find a supported shop and place an order from a shop within a distance. The order will be delivered by a licensed cannabis retailer’s provincially certified staff, and once it arrives, the customer’s age and sobriety will be verified as required.

A list of the current participating cannabis retailers for Uber Eats in Vancouver can be found below:

  • Sea to Sky
  • Original Farm Cannabis
  • AR Cannabis
  • North Shore Cannabis
  • 4Twenty Cannabis
  • Queensborough Cannabis
  • Leisure For Cannabis

Ideally, Uber Eats will continue to spread cannabis delivery options across the country not that it’s available in Ontario and British Columbia. Maybe the company will also pick up on the potential combination of delivering munchies alongside cannabis via special offers?

Uber Eats is available on iOS and Android.

Via: iPhone in Canada

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Mobile Syrup

Warner Bros. announces Harry Potter competitive Quidditch game

Warner Bros. Games has announced a new Harry Potter Quidditch title for PC. The title, Harry Potter: Quidditch Champions, will let players create and customize their own Quidditch players.

According to the FAQ, the game has been in development for several years by Unbroken Studios. Unbroken Studios designed this as a completely standalone experience, and players can play in a competitive, multiplayer setting.

The FAQ also states that this will be an online-only game, and it’s not confirmed which consoles it’ll be on.

The studio is launching a playtest for the game from April 21st to 22nd, and you can register here to take part. 

Hogwarts Legacy was a pretty fun game, but many were shocked that Quidditch wasn’t included. It makes sense that Hogwarts Legacy didn’t offer Quidditch if Warner Bros. had a standalone game in mind.

Source: VideoGamesChronicle

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Mobile Syrup

iPhone 15 and 15 Plus will reportedly feature frosted glass back

The iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus will reportedly feature frosted back glass similar to the Pro models, according to a Weibo user that also leaked the iPhone 14 ‘Yellow’ model.

The frosted glass would make the iPhone 15 and 15 Plus look more similar to the Pro models. However, the Pro models are rumoured to get a new titanium frame and even thinner bezel, which would differentiate the two sets.

Alongside the frosted rear, rumours indicate the ‘Dynamic Island‘ will also make its way to each of the iPhone 15 devices this year.

It’s not unusual for the non-Pro models to eventually get features and design elements from the high-end iPhones. For instance, OLED displays were originally available on the Pro models, but they made their way to the lower-end units with the launch of the iPhone 12 series.

MacRumors points out that the rumour comes from a source that accurately leaked the yellow iPhone 14. That said, it’s worth taking this leak with a grain of salt as the source doesn’t have the same solid track record as other leakers.

Apple’s iPhone 15 lineup is expected to launch in September.

Via: MacRumors

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Mobile Syrup

iPhone 15 Pro to continue with Action button, according to leak

According to a new leak, the iPhone 15 Pro will reportedly have a programmable ‘Action’ button.

The leaker, @analyst941, has claimed that the iPhone 15 Pro’s Action button is going as planned and you’ll be able to control the Camera app. 9to5Mac calls this a sketchy claim, but they point out that the leaker was right about the iPhone 14 Pro’s Dynamic Island, a year ago.

Alongside all these details, the leaker claims that the Action button will be Force-sensitive (no, not like a Jedi), similar to 3D touch, so it can understand if you’re tapping it, pressing it lightly or hard.

This leak counters what analyst Jeff Pu has heard from sources familiar with Apple’s supply chain. Pu believes that Apple has moved away from capacitive buttons due to complications with a complex design. And the even more well-known Ming-Chi Kuo has corroborated Pu.

If the leak indicates that the Action button will be capacitive, it’s possible that our leaker is incorrect. Apple will stick with mechanical buttons and not actually have the button.

We’re months away from a potential iPhone 15 series, so we’ll learn more sooner than later.

Source: 9to5mac, @analyst941

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Mobile Syrup

Rumoured Galaxy S23 Ultra update fixes halo HDR image issue

The Galaxy S23 Ultra is one of the best Android devices on the market, but it features a few issues that make it less than perfect. One of which is a annoying photo halo created by HDR processing (check out the example below), but rumours indicate Samsung is implementing a fix.

Tech leaker Ice Universe indicates Samsung is working on an update to fix this issue. According to SamMobile, this patch could be a part of the May 2023 security update, so you’ll have to wait a few weeks before it arrives.

The April security patch came with several updates for the Galaxy S23 Ultra’s camera, including improved autofocus, faster Gallery operations while deleting images that were just clicked, improved sharpness in video capture and improvements to the ultrawide camera in low-light conditions.

For more on the Galaxy S23, check out our review of the smartphone.

Source: @UniverseIce Via: SamMobile