Category: Mobile Syrup

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Mobile Syrup

Samsung Galaxy S23 owners tell of blurry and smudged spots in photos

Despite a camera-focused update being released in April of 2023, several Galaxy S23 and S23+ users continue to face a hardware defect with the phone’s camera, with reported blurriness and smudging appearing in photos.

The problem seems to be affecting non-Ultra Galaxy S23 users, with some reporting seeing a blurry and smudged spot on the left side of all photos taken from the S23/S23+’s 50-megapixel primary camera in landscape orientation.

What may sound like a minuscule problem is made bigger by the fact that the affected area renders text unreadable, making documents and messages practically useless.

The Reddit user ‘Switch01‘ took to the social media site to complain about the hardware bug, as well as Samsung’s refusal to acknowledge the issue thus far.

Although big camera sensors in modern smartphones have been known to cause blurring across the edges of photos, more information has revealed that this is the problem plaguing certain S23s. The smudging has only been reported on the left side of the screen, with not all S23 users reporting a problem.

Additionally, the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra, which features a larger 200-megapixel primary camera does not display a blurriness problem.

With over a month passing since the initial complaints, the South Korean tech giant has not acknowledged the issue yet. Users who have sent their phones to the company for repair had the device returned in the same condition, with reports of Samsung claiming the problem was a characteristic of the big camera sensor rather than a hardware issue.

While an update that focused on the phone’s camera was released in April, it looks like users facing the dreaded photo blurring will have to wait for Samsung to take action toward rectifying the issue.

Source: Reddit ‘Switch01’ Via: Android Police

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Mobile Syrup

YouTube is granting its Premium subscribers higher-quality videos

YouTube is introducing an enhanced 1080p HD video quality option for its Premium subscribers, alongside other features.

The feature is currently only available on iOS but is being rolled out on the web soon. The new 1080p premium option is described as “an enhanced bitrate version of 1080p” with the ability to make videos with lots of detail and motion appear crisper, according to YouTube.

The video-sharing platform had been testing this feature as of February of 2023 which initially stirred up panic among nonsubscribers who thought YouTube would remove the existing 1080p option. Thankfully, YouTube has confirmed the standard 1080p choice will remain active for all users.

Despite the news, not all videos will have the 1080p premium option, with YouTube saying videos uploaded at higher or lower resolutions than 1080p, live streams and Shorts won’t be compatible.

If a bump in video quality wasn’t enough, YouTube announced additional features coming to Premium members. One of which is the ability for iOS users to watch videos with friends and family members using FaceTime via SharePlay.

YouTube Premium members will also be able to pick up where they left off on videos across mobile devices and the desktop site, a useful feature for those who don’t want to waste time fast-forwarding after a device switch.

Further, members gain access to an updated queuing system allowing users on phones or tablets to create lists of videos for them to watch next.

With all of these perks and more, it’s not surprising that around 30 million users made the jump to YouTube Premium in 2022 alone. Now, with an option for even better video quality being introduced, the company is making a serious case for those who haven’t made the switch yet to pull the trigger.

Source: YouTube Via: The Verge

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Mobile Syrup

SkipTheDishes launches Inflation Cookbook, an AI tool to provide users affordable food options

Assam, india – May 18, 2021 : SkipTheDishes logo on phone screen stock image.

SkipTheDishes and its grocery delivery service Skip Express Lane have launched Canada’s first Inflation Cookbook, an interactive resource to help Canadians source healthy and affordable food while maximizing their grocery budgets.

The cookbook uses data and technology to track the top ten food items and their upwards and downward trends in price each week. To better assist people across all provinces to find the best price on groceries, the insights are regionally dictated and show no preference toward brands.

So far, over 400 items are capable of being tracked including grains, produce, dairy and select proteins.

Inflation Cookbook is also capable of curating healthy recipes featuring the best-priced ingredients from the week with the help of AI guided by top a nutritionist and chef.

The cookbook is accessible through a mobile-friendly web browser where users can customize their experience based on their grocery budget, household size and dietary restrictions.

In addition to the release of the cookbook, SkipTheDishes says it’s continuing to develop its relationship with Food Banks Canada to provide support to those facing challenges amid rising food prices. The company will be donating all excess food from its 23 Skip Express Lane fulfilment centres to food banks across the country.

Further, SkipTheDishes is donating $100,000 to the aforementioned charitable organization to ensure all Canadians have access to nutritious food. The company’s donation alone will supply 200,000 meals to Canadians in need.

“In the face of rising food costs in Canada, Skip is committed to continuing to fight food insecurity by expanding our partnership with Food Banks Canada to help provide hunger relief from coast-to-coast,” Steve Puchala, SkipTheDishes Interim CEO said, in a recent statement.

Created in partnership with Dentsu Creative Canada, the Inflation Cookbook is now operating online at www.inflationcookbook.com.

Via: Newswire

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Mobile Syrup

Avoid free charging stations in the U.S., FBI warns

Canadians planning on travelling to the U.S. should think about the way they’re going to charge their devices.

A recent notice from the FBI’s Denver option warns against the use of free public charging stations, found in hotels, airports, and elsewhere, because of the risk of a malware attack.

“Bad actors have figured out ways to use public USB ports to introduce malware and monitoring software onto devices,” the bureau tweeted last week.

As MacRumors notes, hackers can access sensitive data if malware is transferred to USB ports, exposing usernames and passwords, among other information, which can be used to access emails, bank accounts, and other avenues.

The FBI’s post says people can avoid attacks if they use their own charger and USB cord plugged through an electrical outlet.

Image credit: Shutterstock 

Source: @FBIDenver Via: MacRumors

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Mobile Syrup

Android will soon auto-archive unused apps to make rooms for new apps

Google will bring a new ‘auto-archive’ feature to Android that will let users “automatically free up to nearly 60 percent of an app’s storage space” to make room for new apps.

In a post on the Android Developers Blog (via Android Authority), Google explained that one of the main reasons people uninstall apps is to free up space. The company hopes that auto-archive can help reduce unnecessary app uninstalls by removing parts of infrequently used apps instead.

The feature works by partly removing an app to free up space. Auto-archive doesn’t get rid of the icon or users’ data, however. That way, when someone wants to resume using an archived app, all they need is to redownload some of the files from the Play Store (assuming the app is still available) and they can pick up right where they left off.

People will need to opt-in to use auto-archive. Google describes the process in the blog post, which goes something like this: when users attempt to install a new app, but there isn’t enough space, Android will show a pop-up prompting them to turn on auto-archive. Once turned on, Android will start auto-archiving unused apps to free up space for the new app.

Android’s app auto-archive feature | Image credit: Google

Based on images shared by Google in the blog post, it seems like there will be an option to turn off auto-archive in the Settings menu, but it’s not clear if there will be a way to manually enable the feature without the pop-up. My Pixel 7 doesn’t appear to have any auto-archive settings or options, and with only about half my storage used, I don’t think I’ll be seeing auto-archive any time soon. That said, it’s also not clear if auto-archive is available now or coming with a future update.

It’s also worth noting that apps need to use App Bundles to be eligible for auto-archive. App Bundles is a feature that lets the Play Store generate optimized APKs for each device, which means only the code and resources needed for a specific device get downloaded. However, that shouldn’t be a huge problem for most developers, given Google has required that new apps use App Bundles since August 2021.

Source: Android Developers Blog Via: Android Authority

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Mobile Syrup

Rogers to acquire BAI, bring cell service to TTC subway users

Rogers will soon own BAI Communications’ Canadian faction, a telecom company with the rights to build the TTC’s wireless network.

The telecom giant says the move will allow it to gradually bring 5G services to subway riders, including access to 911 services. Rogers says the project will take two years to complete, citing “limited overnight construction windows.”

BAI has owned the infrastructure since 2012, according to Rogers, and has presented companies with the opportunity to sign on to provide full-service coverage to all TTC riders, including those using the subway. Freedom Mobile was the only company to complete the measure in 2017. Bell, Telus, and Rogers never signed on.

TTC riders have faced a rise in violence in the past months, and while the transit company has introduced some measures to attempt to address the issue, the lack of connectivity underground is a glaring problem.

While it’s clear the move will benefit Rogers’ customers, it’s unclear what it means for customers using other networks and if problems will continue to persist.

Image credit: Shutterstock 

Source: Rogers

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Mobile Syrup

Meta Spark looking to support Indigenous storytelling through augmented reality

On April 4th, Meta launched the Spark Indigenous Augmented Reality Creator Accelerator in partnership with Slow Studies Creative in an effort to incorporate immersive augmented reality experiences with Indigenous storytelling.

A five-week incubator program will supply 10 Indigenous creators in Canada with customized and hands-on training to showcase their culture in a new way through AR. This allows creators to connect with audiences beyond the limits of physical spaces.

Meta Spark currently grants more than 750 million people to experience AR to connect and communicate across Meta’s technologies every month.

Founder of Slow Studies Creative and multi-disciplinary Indigenous artist Josh Conrad developed Spark Indigenous as a way to empower Indigenous creators. The program aims to ensure that Indigenous culture and voices are properly represented for the world to both hear and see.

Meta Spark Studio will be used as a free AR design toolkit to give participating creators training to bring their creative ideas to life in virtual spaces.

Additionally, creators will participate in weekly sessions that offer opportunities to share ideas collaboratively and consider how AR can continue to amplify meaningful causes. Tutorials on building AR experiences will become available once the program is complete.

Meta says it’s committed to ensuring its technologies are places for First Nation, Inuit and Métis people “to connect to their communities, share their stories, enable cultural preservation and share history,” both now and in the future.

Source: Meta

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Mobile Syrup

Amazon Fire TV Sticks are up to 34 percent off today

Another week brings some great discounts on Amazon’s most popular device to-date, the Fire TV Sticks. Last week saw a savings of 20 percent but this weeks brings select Fire TV Sticks to up to 34 percent off.

The Amazon Fire TV Stick with Alexa Voice Remote and the Fire TV Stick 4K are both streaming devices from Amazon that allow you to access various streaming services and watch TV shows and movies.

The Amazon Fire TV Stick with Alexa Voice Remote is a compact streaming device that plugs into your TV’s HDMI port and connects to the internet, giving you access to TV shows, movies, and other content from popular streaming services like Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, and more. The device comes with a remote that features Amazon’s voice assistant, Alexa, which allows you to control your TV with your voice and search for content across multiple services.

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

Skipperi is bringing its tech-backed boat sharing service to Toronto this summer

Toronto boaters rejoice — Skipperi is officially launching its first full season in the province’s capital on May 1st this year.

What started as a Finland-based startup, Skipperi is setting out to “democratize” boating by providing a convenient subscription service for boaters, allowing them to cruise throughout Lake Ontario “without the hefty cost or maintenance hassles of boat ownership.”

Skipperi also offers a training program, meaning even those with little to no boating experience can get out on the water this summer.

A monthly membership starting at $475 grants members access to all Skipperi fleets globally, with all costs covered, excluding gas (which is billed according to usage.)

Skipperi uses app technology that allows users to access more than 40 fully equipped motor boats on Lake Ontario, including Starcraft boats that range from 17 to 23 feet and feature Yamaha outboard engines. All of the boats offer perks that range from Bluetooth sound systems to swimming decks.

The app also handles booking a boat, including check-in/out times and reservations. Skipperi’s boats utilize a digital dashboard with maps and geofencing, which can inform users of speed limits and no-wake zones.

To ensure accurate billing, Skipperi analyzes fuel consumption via data-enabled engines and AI.

Members can access the smart fleet from several harbours in the GTA.

Here’s the full list of harbours:

  • Frenchman’s Bay Marina
  • Bluffers Park Marina
  • Queens Quay/Yonge
  • Queens Quay/Bathurst
  • Toronto Island Marina
  • Hamilton Harbour West Marina
  • Port Dalhousie Pier Marina

Skipperi is available in the iOS App Store and Google Play Store.

Image credit: Skipperi

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Mobile Syrup

New Lord of the Rings mobile game reveals first official gameplay trailer

A new mobile game based on the epic fantasy franchise Lord of the Rings has released its first official gameplay trailer and May 10th, 2023 launch date.

The Lord of the Rings: Heroes of Middle-earth is an upcoming turn-based strategy combat, free-to-play RPG modelled after J.R.R. Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings and Hobbit works.

The reveal showcases the first gameplay footage since the titles reveal last year. It gives viewers a closer look into the combat, gameplay modes and character development set to feature in the game. It also offers a sneak peek into the new races, factions and stories being introduced.

Users can expect battles and adventures featuring the series classic characters. Glimpses of the player menus detail hero preparation, team building, and exciting campaign selections.

Players looking to be the first to know about the upcoming launch and receive behind-the-scenes content and exclusive offers can pre-register via the game’s EA Mobile site.

The game is set to release on May 10th, 2023 on Apple devices via iOS and Android-based mobile devices.