Category: Mobile Syrup

Categories
Mobile Syrup

Android 13 is running on more than 12 percent of Android phones

The latest numbers show impressive growth from the latest version of Google’s mobile operating system, with Android 13 running on over 12 percent of Android phones — more than double the amount last quarter.

We may be used to companies like Apple boasting about the number of users running the latest version of iOS, but it’s not often Google can share similar successes (although on a smaller scale). In fact, the company just made it harder to access its market share graphs. Quarterly reports can still be accessed through Android Studio, however.

Despite having a history of falling short of first place, Google’s latest report shows considerable growth with its latest operating system after a start that saw only 5 percent of smartphones running Android 13 in its first month. Without question, users are switching over from Android 12 to Android 13, with the previous OS being down 2.4 percent since January.

This information comes from Android’s most recent distribution chart.

Samsung deserves a cut of the praise for Android 13’s recent growth, with the tech giant updating its older smartphones to Android 13 and the new Galaxy S23 coming with the operating system installed. Android 13 is expected makes its way to its mid-range models, so the growth could ramp up even more over the coming months.

Android will hopefully celebrate the small wins, but not for too long. Android 14 beta 1 was revealed by Google recently, which marks the company’s desire to capitalize on its recent growth immediately.

Via: Android Police

Categories
Mobile Syrup

Best Buy Top Deals: Sony WF-1000XM4, SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7, Microsoft Surface Pro 9, Nikon Z30 Mirrorless Camera and more

Best Buy Canada’s refreshed list of Top Deals for the week is live now with discounts on several Dyson products, item trackers, tablets, TVs, headphones and more.

Check out some of the deals below:

Toshiba 32-inch 720p HD LED Smart TV (32V35C) – Fire TV Edition – 2021: $249.99 (save $100)

Acer Predator Orion Gaming PC (Intel Ci5-12400F/1TB SSD/16GB RAM/NVIDIA RTX 3060/Win 11): $1,199.99 (save $500)

ASUS TUF 31.5-inch QHD 170Hz 1ms VA LED FreeSync Gaming Monitor (VG32AQA1A): $379.99 (save $70)

JBL Live 460NC On-Ear Noise Cancelling Bluetooth Headphones – Black: $129.99 (save $40)

SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7 Wireless Gaming Headset – Black: $199.99 (save $30)

Sony WF-1000XM4 In-Ear Noise Cancelling Truly Wireless Headphones – Black: $249.99 (save $50)

HP 15-inch Laptop – Jet Black (Intel Core i5-1135G7/512GB SSD/8GB RAM/Windows 11): $699.99 (save $100)

Blink Outdoor Wire-Free 1080p IP Security Camera System – 5-Pack – Black: $289.99 (save $10)

Garmin vivoactive 4 45mm GPS Watch with Heart Rate Monitor – Slate/Black: $269.99 (save $130)

Google WiFi Router with 2 Points – Snow – 3 Pack: $219.99 (save $60)

Microsoft Surface Pro 9 13-inch 256GB Windows 11 Tablet with Intel Evo Core i5-1235U/8GB RAM – Graphite: $1,299.99 (save $100)

Samsung HW-Q600B/ZC 360-Watt 3.1.2 Channel Dolby Atmos Sound Bar with Wireless Subwoofer: $399.99 (save $30)

Samsung Galaxy SmartTag Bluetooth Item Tracker – Black: $27.99 (save $12)

Nikon Z30 Mirrorless Camera with NIKKOR Z DX 16-50mm VR Lens Kit: $899.99 (save $150)

WD easystore 18TB USB 3.0 Desktop External Hard Drive (WDBAMA0180HBK-NESE) – Black: $419.99 (save $110)

Xiaomi Mi Electric Scooter 4 Pro (350-700W Motor/ 50km Range/ 30km/h Top Speed) – Black: $849.99 (save $250)

Dyson offers

Dyson Supersonic Hair Dryer – Iron/Fuchsia: $439.99 (save $110)

Dyson Supersonic Hair Dryer – Nickel/Copper: $439.99 (save $110)

Dyson Supersonic Special Edition – Vinca Blue/Rosé: $439.99 (save $110)

Dyson Supersonic Hair Dryer – Fuchsia: $439.99 (save $110)

Dyson Corrale Straightener – Vinca Blue/Rosé: $519.99 (save $130)

Dyson Corrale Cordless Straightener – Dark Nickel/Fuchsia: $519.99 (save $130)

Marketplace offers

Refurbished (Excellent) – Dyson Official Outlet – Airwrap Styler Complete – Vinca blue and Rosé – (1 Year Dyson Warranty): $499.99 (save $100)

NIU KQi3 Max Electric Kick Scooter Space Grey: $1,1689.99 (save $130)

Top deals for the week are live now and end on Thursday, April 20th. Check out all the Top Deals 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.

Image credit: Best Buy

Categories
Mobile Syrup

Bell helping Newfoundland’s government modernize public radio system

Emergency services on the Avalon Peninsula have started using a new province-wide radio system that will allow first responders to communicate easily during a crisis.

The Royal Newfoundland Constabulary (RNC) and Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) are the two organizations currently using the system to communicate with each other during emergencies.

The radio system is part of the Atlantic Network, a communications system emergency providers in the four Atlantic provinces use for interprovincial support “without having to reconfigure radios or dispatch.”

Bell, which installs the system, says paramedics and ambulance dispatchers will also begin using the system in the coming months.

“This advanced radio network will also allow all four Atlantic provinces to communicate with one another immediately during an emergency, the first of its kind in North America,” Gary Semplonius, senior vice president of sales at Bell Business Markets, said.

Source: Bell

Categories
Mobile Syrup

Best Buy’s Weekend 50 sale: Razer peripherals, drones, electric scooters and more

Best Buy Canada is holding a ‘Weekend 50’ sale with 50 products up to 50 percent off.

The sale goes live on Saturday, April 15th, and ends on Sunday, April 16th.

Check out some products from the sale below:

ASUS ROG Strix Flare Backlit Mechanical Cherry MX Red Gaming Keyboard: $79.99 (save $90)

Tineco A10 Hero Cordless Stick Vacuum – Blue: $179.99 (save $120)

Segway Kids Ninebot eKickScooter Zing A6 Electric Scooter (5km Range / 12km/h Top Speed) – Dark Grey: $99.99 (save $150)

Razer 12-inch USB LED Ring Light for PC and Mobile Streaming – Black: $29.99 (save $60)

Insignia 15-inch Laptop Sleeve – Black: $19.99 (save $25)

Google Nest Cam Wire-Free Indoor/Outdoor Security Camera – 3 Pack – White: $499.99 (save $100)

Razer Iskur X Ergonomic Faux Leather Gaming Chair – Black/Green: $399.99 (save $250)

Razer DeathAdder V2 HALO Infinite Edition 20000 DPI Optical Gaming Mouse: $49.99 (save $30)

Razer BlackWidow V3 Backlit Mechanical Doubleshot ABS Gaming Keyboard: $99.99 (save $80)

Nanoleaf Lines 60 Degrees – Smarter Kit – 9 Light Bars: $229.99 (save $50)

Elgato Stream Deck: $139.99 (save $60)

Contixo F19 Drone with 1080p HD Camera & Controller: $99.99 (save $30)

Find all ‘Weekend 50’ deals 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.

Image credit: Best Buy

Categories
Mobile Syrup

It’s not just flanker brands — Rogers, Bell, Telus hiked talk and text plan prices too

Over the last week, MobileSyrup detailed how the Big Three flanker brands, Koodo, Fido and Virgin Plus, raised the cost of unlimited talk and text plans.

Well, they aren’t alone — the Big Three did too.

A tipster told MobileSyrup that Rogers would increase the cost of its talk and text plan from $33/mo to $35/mo on Friday — sure enough, the company’s website lists the plan at that price as of 11:13am ET on April 14th.

MobileSyrup also confirmed that Bell and Telus charge $35/mo for their unlimited talk and text plans, though it’s not clear when they made the change.

This is only the latest chapter in the saga of steadily increasing talk and text costs. Koodo, Fido and Virgin used to charge about $30/mo for unlimited talk and text. In August 2022, they briefly charged $27/mo as part of a promotion — since then, costs have steadily increased.

$30/mo was already arguably steep for a basic talk and text plan with no data, but $35/mo is just downright frustrating.

If you’re looking for a talk and text plan, avoid the Big Three and their flanker brands — you can get a plan with unlimited talk and text and usually about 1GB of data for about $25/mo from other providers, including Freedom Mobile, Public Mobile, Lucky Mobile and Chatr Mobile.

Categories
Mobile Syrup

Link is Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom’s star, but sexy Ganondorf is winning over fans’ hearts

While Nintendo gave us one last look at The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom before it releases on May 12th, fans have forgotten all about the trailer in favour of the newly released artwork, which gives us our first look at the game’s main antagonist, Ganondorf.

The first sighting of the Demon King didn’t have fans of the series talking about his role in the upcoming game. No, instead, the talk is primarily focused on Ganondorf’s undeniably good looks and… uh, sex appeal?

I mean, you do see it, right?

The gym-bro muscles, those luscious locks, and that menacing tough guy stare. This character design really has it all. Thankfully, it’s not just me noticing, with the internet in shambles currently over the first official artwork. Zelda fans on Twitter and Reddit are proclaiming their newly found lustful desire for the villain.

For example, Twitter user @JoshuaQuig took to the site to say, “Hoo damn, we all knew he’d be hydrated, but not Luscious.”

One Reddit user, @GrimgrinCorpseBorn could only muster “Daddydorf” in a R/NintendoSwitch discussion about the character. User @MitchOfGilead replied with (you guessed it,) “Ganondilf.”

Considering that this is the first we’re seeing of Ganondorf in his human form after skipping it in Breath of the Wild, it’s a little bit shocking to see such passionate takes on the character’s figure. The initial trailer for Tears of the Kingdom left questions on whether or not Ganon would star in the upcoming game, prompting some to draw examples of what a “rehydrated Ganondorf” would look like. This spun into an internet meme that seems to be the cause of all of the attention Ganondorf is currently getting.

Despite the news of the character’s return being overtaken by heaps of explicitly lude comments (and some fan art that we’re not going to mention) the announcement of Ganondorfs returns to the Zelda series just adds to the hype surrounding one of the most anticipated Switch games in the history of the console.

Those looking to play The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom (or just ogle at Ganon the whole time) can do so on May 12th when the title officially launches.

In other Zelda-related news, MobileSyrup has partnered with Nintendo of Canada to send you and a friend to New York for the launch of Tears of the Kingdom. Learn more about the contest here.

Image credit: Nintendo of America

Source: @NintendoOfAmerica Via: Kotaku

Categories
Mobile Syrup

Twitter Blue members can now send massive 10,000 character tweets

Members of Twitter’s paid subscription, Twitter Blue, now have the ability to use up to 10,000 characters in their tweets, as well as additional text formatting features such as bold and italics.

A tweet from one of the company’s accounts, @TwitterWrite, confirmed the change, revealing that it would occur on April 13th.

Twitter Blue members previously had their character limit for tweets bumped from 280 all the way up to 4,000 in February. The additional formatting changes look like an attempt to stand out from other newsletter platforms such as Substack, which recently introduced a ‘notes’ feature, much to Twitter’s shock.

Before Elon Musk’s takeover of the company in October of 2022, the platform had been toying with ways to up introduce long-form writing, such as its own ‘notes‘ feature. This feature was subsequently axed by Musk after his arrival at the company.

Twitter has also chosen to re-brand its ‘Super Follows’ feature to ‘Subscribers‘ and promote it alongside the new character limit and formatting options for creators looking to earn income directly through Twitter.

Musk tweeted that the company would not be taking any money made by creators through subscriptions for the next twelve months. The ability to monetize through Subscriptions is currently a U.S.-only feature.

If persuasion through new features wasn’t enough, Twitter is beginning to take matters into its own hands to sabotage rival platforms. The company began to block Substack users from embedding tweets into stories before flagging posts with Substack links as “potentially spammy or unsafe.” It wasn’t until Substack introduced its new ‘Notes’ feature that Twitter started to ease off.

It will be interesting to see going forward if a new character limit and text formatting abilities will be enough for everyday users to make the switch to Twitter Blue. Reports from The Information indicate that only around 0.1 percent of daily active users are subscribed to Blue, so Twitter likely hopes these new features can make a difference, and fast.

Source: @TwitterWrite Via: The Verge

Categories
Mobile Syrup

Public Mobile’s limited-time offer: Score 15GB of data for just $40/mo

Telus flanker brand Public Mobile is currently offering its 15GB plan for $20 off.

Regularly available for $60, the plan is currently listed for $40 on Public Mobile’s website.

The plan offers 15GB of data at 4G speeds (up to 100Mbps), unlimited Canada-wide minutes and unlimited international text and picture messaging.Apart from the promotion, Public Mobile has another 4G plan that costs $35 per month and offers 3GB data, making the promotion plan a no-brainer if you’re looking to migrate to Public Mobile.

You can check out the offer 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.

Image credit: Public Mobile

Categories
Mobile Syrup

Twitter rebrands its monetized content program

Elon Musk has rebranded ‘Super Follows’ to ‘Subscriptions.’

Twitter’s previous leadership introduced Super Follows in 2021, allowing users to monetize their tweets and give subscribers access to special Spaces. According to Musk, users can share content through long-form videos or text.

The Verge also points out newsletters could be a potential additional feature available through Subscriptions. The move comes after Twitter restricted link sharing on Substack after the company announced Notes, a Twitter-like feature that allows users to publish short posts.

Musk claims Twitter won’t keep any of the money it makes from the program for the first year, but will when iOS and Android fees drop.

“You will receive whatever money we receive, so that’s 70 percent for subscriptions on iOS & Android (they charge 30 percent) and ~92 percent on web (could be better, depending on payment processor),” Musk tweeted.

According to Engadget, the rebrand hasn’t changed many of the program’s details. However, it’s important to note Canadians can’t currently monitize their content.

Subscriptions is only available to those in the U.S., according to Musk, who said he’s “working on” expanding availability.

Via: The Verge, Engadget

Categories
Mobile Syrup

New drone video reveals Cybertruck’s giant windshield wiper in action

Late last month, Tesla was spotted testing out the Cybertruck and its rear-wheel steering capabilities.

Now, as reported by Electrek, a new drone video has recently surfaced showcasing the highly-anticipated Cybertruck’s massive windshield wiper in action.

The footage was shot by Brad Sloan above Tesla’s Texas Gigafactory and uploaded to YouTube. The video shows the electric pickup supposedly entering a wind tunnel for testing.

At the 13:42 mark of the video, the truck’s single XL wiper blade can be seen in motion, reaching across the majority of the windshield. The Cybertruck’s enormous windshield was one of the electric pickup’s most distinctive features of the electric pickup when it was first unveiled back in 2019.

Since then, Tesla has reportedly gone through several prototypes of the wiper, and CEO Elon Musk has expressed that “The wiper is what troubles me most. No easy solution. Deployable wiper that stows in front trunk would be ideal, but complex.”

It’s still unclear what the final Cybertruck design will look like, though with production quickly approaching, it’s likely that the final build will look very similar to the current one. During Tesla’s Q4 2022 earnings call, Musk said that mass production of the truck won’t begin until 2024. He did say that production of the vehicle will begin in some capacity this summer, though Tesla would only be able to initiate mass production in 2024.

The Cybertruck has recently been spotted in other locations as well, so it might be that the automaker is done with the delays and will stand good on its ‘mass production in 2024’ promise.

As Tesla continues to fine-tune the design and features of the Cybertruck, fans eagerly await its official launch and the opportunity to get behind the wheel of this groundbreaking electric pickup.

Image credit: Brad Sloan (YouTube screenshot)

Source: Brad Sloan Via: Electrek