Category: Mobile Syrup

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Mobile Syrup

Monopoly gets new mobile game called Monopoly Go!

Mobile gaming company Scopely and Hasbro have launched their latest offering, a reimagined take on of the most iconic board games of all time, Monopoly GO!

The new free-to-play mobile game sets out to preserve the charm of the original board game while featuring new and engaging mechanics, making the title a compelling choice for new and experienced players alike.

The game features animated versions of classic Monopoly characters, such as Scottie and Mr. Monopoly as they guide users through new boards themed after cities and fantastical lands.

Monopoly Go! features a mix of classic and new features, characters and more, including beloved tokens such as the Racecar and Top Hat. Users can unlock and play over 100 unique boards, with all landmarks available to be upgraded allowing users to showcase their financial status and earn bigger rewards.

The app’s new features include Daily Events that range from limited edition chance cards to day-long milestone events. The game also allows for head-to-head competitive play, because where’s the fun in buying properties by yourself?

Those looking for a classic Monopoly with a modern mobile twist can download the app free from both the App Store and Play Store.

Image credit: Hasbro

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Mobile Syrup

Bell MTS pledges expansion in six rural Manitoba communities

Bell MTS says it will continue to expand its services across Manitoba through increased investments.

Its latest move will bring 100 percent fibre connections, internet download speeds up to 1.5 Gbps, and access to other Bell MTS services to six rural communities, including Gimli and Teulon. The company will connect more than 7,500 locations beginning this summer. 

It’s unclear how much the expansion will cost. However, Bell MTS says it has invested $1.3 billion in the province since 2017.

“As we continue to make major investments in improving and expanding our broadband infrastructure in Manitoba and across the country, we look forward to working collaboratively with public policymakers to ensure fewer Canadians are left behind as we build more inclusive, connected communities for all of us,” Mirko Bibic, CEO of BCE Inc. and Bell Canada, said.

Source: Bell MTS

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Mobile Syrup

Musk is working on his own generative AI project for Twitter

After co-signing an open letter addressed to AI labs globally to pause the development of large-scale AI systems, Elon Musk seems to be working on an AI project within Twitter.

According to sources familiar with the matter (via Business Insider) Twitter has recently purchased roughly 10,000 GPUs (graphics processing units), which are likely to be used on a large AI model for the platform.

Musk is committed to the project, which is evident by the purchase of 10,000 GPUs, however, according to sources familiar with the matter, the project is at an early stage. It’s currently unclear what Musk’s AI project would focus on. Likely use cases could be to better target users with ads or to improve the search functionality on the platform.

Further, according to Business Insider, Musk hired Igor Babuschkin and Manuel Kroiss from Alphabet-owned AI research firm DeepMind in March to help him on his AI endeavour that would rival OpenAI’s ChatGPT.

It’s worth noting that Musk co-founded OpenAI alongside Sam Altman and others, though he walked away from the company in 2018.

Could it be that Musk’s open letter to pause development of large-scale AI models was so that he could secretly play catch up? It wouldn’t be surprising if that was the case.

Source: Business Insider

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Mobile Syrup

Xbox Design Lab adds new colour options for Elite Series 2 Controller

Xbox has introduced new colour options for the Xbox Elite Series 2 Controller in its Xbox Design Lab custom controller program.

Now, the service offers:

  • 16 main colours for the top and back case
  • 12 colours for the A/B/X/Y buttons
  • 17 accent colours for the paddles and D-pad
  • 25 accent colours for the rest of the controller

Xbox Design Lab Elite Series 2 optionsXbox Design Lab allows gamers to customize regular Xbox Wireless Controllers and, as of October 2022, the high-end, modular Elite Series 2 gamepads, which offer adjustable-tension thumbsticks, wrap-around rubberized grips, shorter hair trigger locks and more.

Pricing for the Design Lab Elite Series 2 Controllers starts at $149.

Image credit: Xbox

Source: Xbox

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Mobile Syrup

PlayStation making big cloud gaming push amid streaming handheld rumours

PlayStation is seemingly making some big plays in the cloud gaming market.

As spotted by The Verge, the gaming giant is currently hiring for 22 roles related to cloud gaming technology. Interestingly, one particular job — director of product management for cloud gaming — will specifically be to “develop and deliver the strategic vision for cloud game streaming at PlayStation,” notes The Verge.

However, clicking on that link leads to a message that says “the job you are looking for is no longer open.” It’s unclear whether Sony took it down to try to maintain a lower profile on its cloud gaming efforts or if it’s actually somehow filled the role in the short time since The Verge originally published its story.

What is still live, though, is a variety of positions related to Sony’s Future Technology Group (FTG), at which the company says employees will have “the opportunity to lead the charge in the cloud gaming revolution.” Sony adds that FTG is at the “forefront of putting console-quality video games on any device,” which is, of course, one of the main use cases for streaming.  As The Verge notes, FTG isn’t exclusively focused on cloud — it contributes to VR, controllers and other tech — it’s nonetheless citing cloud gaming as a major goal.

What should also be considered is that this news comes shortly after reports that Sony is working on a new cloud-based gaming handheld. This portable is reportedly based on Remote Play — PlayStation’s console-to-mobile streaming feature — but sport its own HD screen on a DualSense-esque gamepad.

All of this comes over a decade after Sony acquired cloud tech company Gaikai for $380 million USD (roughly $511.6 million CAD) with the intent of creating its own game streaming service. The company would eventually launch PlayStation Now, which allows select games from older PlayStation generations stream on their modern counterparts. Last year, Sony merged PS Now with PlayStation Plus under a new service that kept the Plus branding.

During all of this, a variety of other companies have been investing in the cloud gaming space. For a few years, Google had its Stadia service, although that shuttered in January. Amazon also has its Luna service, which recently expanded into Canada and other markets after being U.S.-only. Meanwhile, Nvidia offers its GeForce Now service for PC games. Even Netflix is working on its own cloud gaming platform.

But Sony’s most direct competitor across the board is, undoubtedly, Microsoft. The Redmond, Washington-based tech giant has been slowly expanding its own streaming efforts through Xbox Cloud Gaming, which lets Xbox games be streamed to console, PC, mobile and even smart TVs. Ultimately, it’s unclear what, exactly, are PlayStation’s own ambitions are for cloud gaming.

Via: The Verge

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Mobile Syrup

PlayStation to hold State of Play focused entirely on Final Fantasy XVI

PlayStation has announced a new State of Play dedicated entirely to Final Fantasy XVI.

The presentation will take place on Thursday, April 13th at 2pm PT/5pm ET and feature “more than 20 minutes” of new gameplay from the highly-anticipated Square Enix RPG. Those interested in tuning in can do so via PlayStation’s YouTube and Twitch channels.

It makes sense that PlayStation and Square Enix have partnered on this special State of Play. For one, it marks the first single-player Final Fantasy effort from Square Enix’s Creative Business Unit III, the celebrated studio behind the beloved Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn and its expansions. It’s also one of the only games that have been developed exclusively for PS5, whereas many others, like God of War Ragnarök and Horizon Forbidden West, have also come to PS4.

Set in the divided world of Valisthea, Final Fantasy XVI follows a young man named Clive who sets out of a revenge quest after his kingdom is destroyed. Notably, the story hails from Kazutoyo Maehiro, the writer of FFXIV‘s acclaimed Heavensward campaign. On top of that, Devil May Cry designer Ryota Suzuki serves as battle designer, giving the game an added level of action credibility.

Final Fantasy XVI will release exclusively on PS5 on June 22nd.

The last State of Play was held in February and featured a variety of games, including Resident Evil 4, Street Fighter VI and Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League. 

Image credit: Square Enix

Source: PlayStation

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Mobile Syrup

This official Fanta Orange mobile game lets you ride a roller coaster for drink coupons

Fanta is going through a rebrand, and as part of the changes, the Coca-Cola-owned beverage has launched a mobile game.

Dubbed “Fanta Ride n Sip,” the game is only playable from mobile browsers and has you controlling trying to prevent a cup of Fanta Orange from spilling on a rollercoaster.

Fanta mobile game

Yes, you read that right. In practice, this means you’ll have to tilt your phone left and right to keep a pointer within a constantly moving green metre.

All in all, it’s a pretty basic game, but it does net you a coupon at the end depending on your score. In my case, I got a voucher for $0.75 off a 500mL bottle through the Checkout 51 app. If you, too, want to ride the Fanta Coaster, visit fantaridensip.ca.

Image credit: Coca-Cola

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Mobile Syrup

Samsung Galaxy S23 series wirelessly charges a bit longer than predecessor

Sometimes newer isn’t always better.

In a recent comparison conducted by Phone Arena, we learned that the Galaxy S22 might feature faster charging than the Galaxy S23.

According to the report, the S23 Ultra takes about 40 minutes longer than the S22 Ultra to charge from 1 to 100 percent when wirelessly charging.

Phone Arena used Samsung’s EP-P2400 15W wireless charging to avoid any inconsistencies in the testing process.

Phone Arena also tested the Galaxy S23 Plus, which charges 15 minutes longer and the normal S23, which takes 16 minutes longer to recharge fully. It’s worth noting that the S23 Plus and S23 have slightly larger batteries than their predecessors.

Phone Arena tested the iPhone 14 Pro series as well, which took pretty long to charge, but it’s worth noting the 14 Pro Max has a comparable charge time to the S23 Ultra.

The S23 series likely takes longer to charge due to overheating protection. However, Samsung’s own documentation says the S23 offers an enhanced level of heat dissipation for the S23. It’s also unclear why the S22 Ultra, which offers the same battery as the S23 Ultra, takes longer to charge.

Phone Arena is using a 15W wireless charger, which isn’t the best charging source, as OnePlus offers a 45W wireless charger; however, the S23 Ultra and S22 Ultra only offer 15W wireless charging, so it makes sense to use this medium.

Image Credit: Phone Arena

Source: Phone Arena

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Mobile Syrup

Rogers CEO overtakes Telus Chief as the highest paid telecom executive

Tony Staffieri, the CEO of Rogers raked in a staggering $31.52 million in compensation last year, which was enough for him to overtake Telus CEO, Darren Entwistle as Canada’s highest-paid telecommunications chief, according to The Globe and Mail.

Entwistle’s total compensation on the year was still nothing to scoff at, with the Telus chief pulling in $17.49 million on the year. Despite serving the longest, his compensation total puts him in second among Canada’s big three telecom giants, with Bell’s Mirko Bibic following behind at $13.59 million.

A major cause of Staffieri’s rise in compensation in 2022 was due to perks following his appointment as CEO in January and Rogers’s acquisition of Shaw Communications.

Staffieri’s promotion from CFO to CEO, along with the company’s increase in annual pay led to Rogers estimating nearly $10 million in additional lifetime future pension cost. Companies are required to report changes in executives’ future pension income to security regulators each year, and the $9.9 million contributed to the CEO’s $31.52 million annual compensation.

Apart from this, the remainder of Staffieri’s was comprised of stock awards, bonuses and his salary. To sweeten things for the chief, he was awarded a $1.83 million dollar annual bonus as a result of Rogers achieving its revenue goals and profit targets in 2022.

If that wasn’t enough, Staffieri received an additional stock-option award that was valued at $8 million. He has the opportunity to collect the award if Rogers meets its undisclosed on the first and second anniversaries of the Shaw takeover.

The CEO’s paycheque may be overinflated this year, but according to the company, it may be a one-time deal. Rogers has set his normal annual compensation at around $10.5 million, giving the Telus chief a chance to get back in front by the end of this year.

Source: The Globe and Mail Via: iPhone in Canada

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Mobile Syrup

Mini’s cars introduce Spike the English Bulldog as its new personal assistant

British car brand Mini has revealed a new “intelligent personal assistant” for one of its vehicles, none other than Spike the English Bulldog.

That’s right, the animated canine companion will be taking to the cockpit of the company’s first all-electric MINI Crossover SAV, the Mini Concept Aceman, to act as the driver’s personal assistant.

The cute bulldog has been a symbol of the Mini brand as far back as 2001, appearing in a handful of past advertisements. Although Mini looks to be refreshing people’s minds about the spokesdog, his first major appearance since the announcement will be at the Shanghai auto show, which runs from April 18th-27th, 2023.

Mini plans on integrating Spike into future production models as well, such as the 2023 Mini Countryman, the 2024 Mini Cooper and the 2025 Aceman Crossover SUV, according to Carscoops.

Delightfully appealing? Absolutely. Nostalgic? It’s debatable. But what exactly does Spike do for the user?

Spike will apparently be providing “various forms of support” to users of Aceman from the car’s OLED dashboard display. More details are expected to follow at the Shanghai event and throughout the year.

“We are now taking Spike into the future as a digital character,” said Oliver Heilmer, the design head for the brand. “He is not just a design experiment – he is becoming a characterful companion for the user experience.”

For a car company that already pushes a uniquely fun and quirky experience, Spike is looking like the perfect addition to assist drivers all while looking adorable while doing it.

Source: BMW Via: The Verge