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Microsoft’s Surface Pro 8 features a processor bump, 120Hz display and Thunderbolt 4

Like clockwork, Microsoft has refreshed its Surface Pro line with the Surface Pro 8.

The popular 2-in-1 sports a slightly refreshed design that’s more in line with the Surface Pro X, but nearly all of the most significant changes are under the hood. For example, Microsoft says that the Surface Pro 8 is two times faster than the Pro 7 and that it delivers 40 percent higher sustained CPU performance and 74 percent faster graphics performance thanks to its 11th Gen Intel Core i7-1185G7/i5-1135G7 chip.

Surface Pro 8

The tablet’s PixelSense display has also been updated to feature a 120Hz refresh rate, 10.8 percent higher resolution (2880 x 1920 pixels), is 11 percent larger thanks to its reduced bezels, and is 12.5 percent brighter.

Other changes include updating its camera to feature a 5-megapixel 1080p front-facing shooter and a 10-megapixel rear-facing camera capable of shooting 1080p and 4K video. Microsoft says that the Surface Pro 8’s camera should perform better under low-light and feature more consistent brightness. There are also new mics and speakers included in this year’s refresh.

Another notable hardware change is two USB-C Thunderbolt 4 ports, allowing the tablet to connect to 4K monitors or an external GPU.

Surface Pro 8

The 2-in-1 also works with Microsoft’s new Surface Slim Pen 2, a new version of the stylus that includes a built-in haptic motor that aims to replicate the feelings of using an actual pen on paper. Microsoft says that the Pen 2 also offers better precision and lower latency.

The Surface Pro 8 also works with a similar detachable keyboard to the Pro X, complete with a storage slot for the Surface Slim Pen.

Speaking of the Pro X, Microsoft’s ARM-powered Surface got a small update with a lower-cost Wi-Fi-only model.

Microsoft’s Surface Pro 8 starts at $1,399. The 2-in-1 is available to pre-order now and releases on October 5th.

Click here to learn more about the full line of products revealed at the 2021 Microsoft Surface event.

Image credit: Microsoft

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Mobile Syrup

Microsoft’s Surface Laptop Studio looks like a MacBook with a Surface kickstand

Microsoft unveiled several new devices at its September Surface event, including the all-new Surface Laptop Studio.

What stands out most about Microsoft’s newest laptop is its unique hinge. The Laptop Studio seems to be one part Surface Pro and one part Surface Laptop for one wholly weird device. Users will be able to open and use the Laptop Studio like a typical laptop or adjust the screen to make it comfortable for drawing and even lie it (almost) flat like a tablet.

The Laptop Studio boasts a 14.4-inch ‘PixelSense Flow’ touchscreen with up to a 120Hz refresh rate and a resolution of 2400 x 1600 pixels (201ppi). The Studio retains the Surface line’s classic 3:2 aspect ratio as well.

It runs Windows 11 and sports Intel’s 11th Gen Core H35 i5-11300H or i7-11370H CPUs with 16 or 32GB of RAM. For graphics, customers can configure the Studio with either Intel’s Iris Xe graphics on the i5 or Nvidia’s GeForce RTX 3050 Ti on the i7. There are some other options for commercial versions of the Studio.

Additionally, the Laptop Studio sports Microsoft’s new Surface Slim Pen 2 and ‘Quad Omnisonic’ speakers with Dolby Atmos. For ports, the Laptop Studio offers a Surface Connect port, two USB 4.0 ports with Thunderbolt 4 support and a 3.5mm headphone jack.

Microsoft highlights the Surface Laptop Studio as a great option for creators, with powerful performance and tools designed for creators to draw, sketch, design, and more.

The Surface Laptop Studio will cost $2,049.99 in Canada and will be available for pre-order starting today on Microsoft’s website. It will go on sale starting October 5th.

Those interested can learn more about the Surface Laptop Studio on Microsoft’s website.

Click here to learn more about the full line of products revealed at the 2021 Microsoft Surface event.

Images credit: Microsoft

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Mobile Syrup

Microsoft aiming for sustainability, accessibility and productivity with its new accessories

Microsoft’s Surface event’s showstopper was definitely the all-new Surface Laptop Studio, however, the company did release a few Surface accessories alongside too, including the pebble-looking Ocean Plastic Mouse, the handy Surface Adaptive Kit and the latest Surface Slim Pen 2.

Ocean Plastic Mouse

Kicking off the new accessory list is Microsoft’s Ocean Plastic Mouse, which, as the name suggests is made out of recycled ocean plastic. However, not entirely.  The outer shell is 20 percent recycled ocean plastic while the product’s box is made out of 100 percent recyclable materials.

According to Microsoft, plastic trash collected from the seas and waterways is cleaned and processed into reusable plastic resin pellets. These recycled pellets are then ground up and used in the mouse’s shell.

The wireless mouse features Bluetooth connectivity and solid 12-month battery life from a single AA battery. Weighing in at 84g, the mouse features three customizable buttons (with the Mouse and Keyboard center software) along with Microsoft’s Swift Pair for quick and easy Bluetooth pairing.

Microsoft’s Ocean Plastic Mouse is compatible with any device running Windows 11 Home/Pro or Windows 10/8.1 and will be available to pre-order today for $34.99.

Surface Adaptive Kit

The Surface Adaptive Kit is Microsoft’s new solution to making its products easier to use and navigate. Essentially, the kit is just a bunch of differently coloured and sized stickers that can be attached to critical keys, ports and cables for easy identification. The stickers have three-dimensional bumps, allowing visually impaired individuals to identify the key, port or cable that they are looking for.

Further, the kit also includes a ring opener and a pull tab opener that provides increased leverage while opening the lid of a Surface product. According to Microsoft, the Surface Adaptive Kit is compatible with Surface Laptop 4, Surface Laptop 3, Surface Laptop Studio, Surface Pro 7, Surface Pro 7+, Surface Pro 8, Surface Book 3, Surface Dock 2, Microsoft Designer Compact Keyboard, Microsoft Number Pad and Microsoft Bluetooth Keyboard, however, considering that the kit comprises of stickers, I don’t they are limited to Microsoft’s products and can be used universally.

The Surface Adaptive Kit is available to pre-order starting today for $14.99.

Surface Slim Pen 2

Microsoft’s latest Surface Slim Pen 2 has a built-in haptic motor that the company claims will provide a highly tactile experience, similar to using a real ink pen. However, the feature is limited to use with only the Surface Pro 8 and the Surface Laptop Studio.

The stylus has a sharper tip, which Microsoft says will allow it to be exceptionally accurate and deliver high-precision shading for artists. Further, the stylus can charge wirelessly when stored in the Surface Type Cover, when attached to the Surface Laptop Studio or with the Surface Duo 2 Pen Charging Case.

The matte black Slim Pen 2 boasts Bluetooth Wireless 5.0 technology and has two buttons, one on the side and one on the top with eraser functionality with up to 15 hours of battery life on a single charge.

The accessory is compatible with several devices, including the Surface Laptop Studio. Surface Pro 3 – Pro 8, Surface Pro X, Surface Duo, Surface Duo 2, Surface Go, Surface Go 2, Surface Go 3, Surface Hub 2S, Surface Laptop 1-4 , Surface Studio 1 and 2, Surface Book 1-3 and any non-Surface device that support Microsoft Pen Protocol (MPP). You can check if your device supports MPP here.

The Surface Slim Pen 2 is available to pre-order starting today for $169.99.

Click here to learn more about the full line of products revealed at the 2021 Microsoft Surface event.

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Mobile Syrup

The Surface Go 3 is a subtle update to Microsoft’s entry-level 2-in-1 series

The Surface Go 3 is one of several new products released at Microsoft’s September Surface event — but you might not have noticed just from looking at it.

That’s because, from the outside, there’s not much difference between Microsoft’s new Surface Go 3 and last year’s addition to its 2-in-1 laptop-tablet hybrid series, i.e. the Surface Go 2.

In fact, the two devices are nearly identical in terms of physical specs: the Surface Go 3, like the Surface Go 2, features a 10.5-inch, 1920 x 1280 pixel resolution, 3:2 aspect ratio display housed in a platinum-coloured magnesium body with a kickstand — there’s no rainbow palette of options to choose from here, unfortunately.

Despite being marketed as its “most portable Surface PC yet,” the device also seems to have the same dimensions and weight as last year’s Surface Go 2, measuring in at 9.65 inches x 6.9 inches x 0.33 inches and 1.2 lbs.

The differences lie within the device, though the improvements here are still incremental.

For instance, the Surface Go 3 gets a CPU boost, via a dual-core Intel Pentium Gold 6500Y processor or quad-core 10th Gen Intel Core i3-10100Y processor with 4 or 8GB of RAM.

During the Surface event, Microsoft claimed these upgrades make the device run 60 percent faster than before.

It also boasts an extra hour of battery life over last year’s model — 11 hours, bumped up from 10 hours — and features built-in eSIM technology.

And, of course, this new model runs on Windows 11, rather than Windows 10.

Port-wise, the Surface Go 3 sports a Surface Connect port, USB-C, a 3.5 mm headphone jack, a microSDXC Card Reader and a Nano SIM tray.

It’s also fully compatible with the Surface Pen, though the pen — and protective Type Cover — are sold separately.

The Surface Go 3 starts at $ 519.99 CAD. You can pre-order the device now, or purchase it outright in-store or online as of October 5th, 2021.

Click here to learn more about the full line of products revealed at the 2021 Microsoft Surface event.

Image credit: Microsoft

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Mobile Syrup

What’s coming to Netflix Canada in October 2021

In October 2021, Netflix Canada is set to get several new TV shows and films, including Army of Thieves, You Season 3, Dynasty Season 4, and Bright: Samurai Soul starring Canada’s Simu Liu. 

Below is all the new content coming to the streaming service in October:

Coming soon

  • A World Without — Netflix Film (Indonesia) 
  • An Astrological Guide for Broken Hearts — Netflix Series (Italy) 
  • Call My Agent: Bollywood — Netflix Series (India)
  • Encounters: Season 1
  • Inspector Koo — Netflix Series (South Korea) 
  • The Raincoat Killer: Chasing a Predator in Korea — Netflix Documentary 

October 1st

  • A Sinsister Sect: Colonia Dignidad — Netflix Documetary (Chile) 
  • Diana: The Musical — Netflix Special 
  • Forever Rich — Netflix Film (Netherlands) 
  • The Guilty — Netflix Film 
  • MAID — Netflix Series
  • Palk’s Spirit — Netflix Series (South Korea) 
  • Scaredy Cats — Netflix Family 
  • The Seven Deadly Sins: Cursed By Light — Netflix Anime (Japan) 
  • Swallow — Netflix Film (Nigeria) 
  • 30 Days of Night
  • A Dog’s Journey
  • Abominable
  • Addams Family Values
  • The Adventures of Sharkboy and Lavagirl
  • Anatomy
  • Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy
  • Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues
  • Blades of Glory
  • Bruce Almighty
  • The Cain in the Woods
  • Catch Me If You Can
  • Charlotte’s Web
  • Corpse Bride
  • Dark Shadows
  • The Devil’s Rejects
  • Escape Plan
  • Failure to Launch
  • Flight
  • Freedom Writers
  • Good Boys
  • Heat
  • Jackass: The Movie
  • Knock Knock
  • Mamma Mia!
  • Men in Black 3
  • The Missing
  • The People vs. Larry Flint
  • Prodigal Son: Seasons 1-2
  • Ride Along 2
  • The Ring
  • Safe House
  • Saving Private Ryan
  • Seinfeld: Seasons 1-9
  • Talladega Knights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby
  • Wyatt Earp

October 3rd

  • After
  • Scissor Seven: Season 3 — Netflix Anime (China) 
  • Upcoming Summer — Netflix Film (China)

October 4th

  • Blue’s Clues & You!: season 1
  • On My Block: Season 4 — Netflix Series

October 5th

  • Escape the Undertake — Netflix Film 
  • The Great Canadian Baking Show: season 4

October 6th

  • Bad Sport — Netflix Documentary 
  • Baking Impossible — Netflix Series
  • The Five Juanas — Netflix Series (Mexico) 
  • Love is Blind: Brazil — Netflix Series (Brazil) 
  • There’s Someone Inside Your House — Netflix Film 
  • A Million Ways to Die in the West
  • About a Boy
  • Despicable Me
  • Despicable Me 2
  • Drag Me to Hell
  • Dragonheart
  • Fear
  • Land of the Lost
  • Minions
  • The Thing
  • Werewolves Within

October 7th

  • The Billion Dollar Code — Netflix Series (Germany) 
  • Knocked Up
  • Sexy Beasts: Season 2 — Netflix Series (UK) 
  • The Way of the Househusband: Season 1, Part 2 (Netflix Anime) 

October 8th

  • A Tale Dark & Grimm — Netflix Family 
  • Family Business: Season 3 — Netflix Series (France) 
  • Grudge/Kin — Netflix Film (China) 
  • Honey Boy
  • House of Secrets: The Burari Deaths — Netflix Documentary (India) 
  • LOL Surprise: The Movie
  • My Brother, My Sister — Netflix Film (Italy) 
  • Pokémon the Movie: Secrets of the Jungle — Netflix Family (Japan) 
  • Pretty Smart — Netflix Series

October 9th

  • Blue Period — Netflix Anime (Japan)

October 11th

  • The Baby-Sitters Club: Season 2 — Netflix Family 
  • The King’s Affection — Netflix Series (South Korea)

October 12th

  • Bright: Samural Soul — Netflix Anime (Japan) 
  • Convergence: Courage in a Crisis — Netflix Documentary 
  • Making Malinche: A Documentary by Nacho Cano — Netflix Documentary (Spain) 
  • Mighty Express: Season 5 — Netflix Family 
  • The Movies That Made Us: Season 3 — Netflix Documentary 

October 13th

  • The Blacklist: Season 8
  • Fever Dream / Distancia de Rescate — Netflix Film (Peru) 
  • Hiacynt — Netflix Film (Poland) 
  • Love is Blind: Brazil — Netflix Series (Brazil) 
  • Reflection of You — Netflix Series
  • Violet Evergarden the Movie

October 14th

  • Another Life: Season 2 — Netflix Series
  • Kim’s Convenience: Season 5
  • One Night in Paris — Netflix Film (France) 

October 15th

  • CoComelon: Season 4
  • Deep Impact
  • The Forgotten Battle — Netflix Film (Netherlands) 
  • The Four of Us — Netflix Film (Germany) 
  • Karma’s World — Netflix Family 
  • Little Things: Season 4 — Netflix Series (India)
  • Michael Jackson’s This is It
  • My Best Friend’s Wedding
  • My Name — Netflix Series (South Korea) 
  • PAW Patrol: Season 8
  • Sharkdog’s Fintastic Halloween — Netflix Family 
  • The Trip — Netflix Film (Norway) 
  • You: Season 3 — Netflix Series

October 16th

  • The General’s Daughter
  • Misfit: The Series — Netflix Family (Netherlands) 
  • Super 8

October 17th

  • Hellboy

October 19th

  • In for a Murder / W jack morderstwo – Netflix Film (Poland) 

October 20th

  • Found — Netflix Documentary 
  • Gabby’s Dollhouse: Season 3 — Netflix Family 
  • Night Teeth — Netflix Film 
  • Sinister
  • Stuck Together — Netflix Film (France) 

October 21st

  • Flip a Coin – One OK Rock Documentary — Netflix Documentary (Japan) 
  • Go! Go! Cory Carson: Season 6 — Netflix Family 
  • Isjiders — Netflix Series (Spain) 
  • Komi Can’t Communicate — Netflix Anime (Japan) 
  • Life’s a Glitch with Julien Bam — Netflix Series (Germany) 
  • Sex, Love & goop — Netflix Series

October 22nd

  • Adventure Beast — Netflix Series 
  • Dynasty: Season 4 — Netflix Series
  • Inside Job — Netflix Series
  • Little Big Mouth — Netflix Film (South Africa) 
  • Locke & Key: Season 2- — Netflix Series
  • Maya and the Three — Netflix Family 
  • More than Blue: The Series — Netflix Series (Taiwan) 
  • Roaring Twenties — Netflix Documentary 

October 26th

  • Sex: Unzipped — Netflix Series 

October 27th

  • Hypnotic — Netflix Film
  • Nobody Sleeps in he Woods Tonight: Part 2 — Netflix Film (Poland) 
  • Sintonia: Season 2 — Netflix Series (Brazil) 
  • This Is Us: Season 5

October 28th

  • Luis Miguel – The Series: Season 3 — Netflix Mexico 
  • The Motive — Netflix Documentary — Netflix Documentary (Isreal) 

October 29th

  • Army of Thieves — Netflix Film 
  • Colin in Black & White — Netflix Series
  • Dear Mother — Netflix Film (France) 
  • Mythomaniac: Season 2 — Netflix Series (France) 
  • Roaring Twenties — Netflix Documentary (new episodes) 
  • The Time It Takes — Netflix Series (Spain) 

Leaving Netflix

  • Scandal: seasons 1-7 (October 4th)
  • Scary Movie 2 (October 19th)
  • Scary Movie 3 (October 19th)
  • Scary Movie 4 (October 19th)
  • Scary Movie 5  (October 19th)
  • Argo (October 31st)

Image credit: Netflix

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Mobile Syrup

Microsoft’s updated PC Health Check app now available to all

Ahead of Microsoft’s Surface event on September 22nd, the company finally rolled out its upgraded PC Health Check app.

If you’ve been following the ongoing Windows 11 upgrade debacle, you’re likely familiar with the PC Health Check app. For those who aren’t, Microsoft released the app alongside the initial Windows 11 announcement for people to scan their PC and check if it’s compatible with the new OS.

Unfortunately, the app didn’t offer an explanation when a PC failed the check. Since Microsoft’s seemingly arbitrary security and CPU requirements caused many capable, custom-built PCs to fail, Windows users were left scrambling, trying to figure out why and what they could do about it. At the time, the most logical explanation was that the new TPM requirement caused PCs to fail the check, which resulted in prices for TPMs spiking as people rushed to buy them. Additionally, tons of coverage detailed how some CPUs had built-in TPM capabilities and explained how users could enable that functionality.

Ultimately, Microsoft pulled the PC Health Check app and promised to bring it back with more clarity and detail. The new version rolled out to Windows Insiders in August and is now generally available. You can download it from the bottom of Microsoft’s Windows 11 website.

PC Health Check now says why your computer isn’t compatible with Windows 11

However, a lot has changed since the initial PC Health Check app. For one, Microsoft has made an effort to better explain the strict hardware requirements for Windows 11. While some would argue that the company hasn’t been successful, I’d say at least we have a better understanding of which CPUs Windows 11 doesn’t support, if not why Microsoft chose not to support them.

This is made worse by the fact that many people have been able to run Windows 11 just fine on hardware that supposedly wouldn’t be supported by the new OS. A great example of this is The Verge’s Tom Warren, who wrote that he ran the new PC Health Check app on his desktop PC and received a message that the PC isn’t compatible, despite that the PC was running Windows 11 when he performed the test.

Moreover, that seems to back up information Microsoft provided in August — the company said it wouldn’t block PCs with older CPUs from installing Windows 11. However, Microsoft also followed up that announcement by saying it might withhold future updates, including security updates, from PCs with unsupported hardware.

New installer message warns of compatibility issues on unsupported hardware

Windows 11 installer message (Credit: The Verge)

Additionally, Warren reports that the Windows 11 installer now pops up with a new message that basically warns your PC isn’t supported, that there may be compatibility issues because of it, and that running Windows 11 may void your warranty. The warning doesn’t exactly inspire confidence, although it may also simply be a way for Microsoft to cover its ass should something go really wrong.

All this is to say that the Windows 11 upgrade remains confusing and frustrating, especially for people with custom-built PCs or older, but still capable, hardware. Even my Windows 10 desktop with a 10th Gen Intel CPU was listed as incompatible with Windows 11 until I dug into the BIOS and changed several settings. The refreshed PC Health Check app should help identify cases where Windows users can get away with just that — changing some settings to get their PC in order. But for those who don’t have a CPU on Microsoft’s special list, you’re still out of luck.

Source: The Verge

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Next Nintendo Direct to be held on Thursday, September 23

Nintendo has confirmed that its next ‘Direct’ presentation will be streamed on Thursday, September 23rd at 3pm PT/6pm ET.

Altogether, the event will run for about 40 minutes and be “focused mainly on Nintendo Switch games launching this winter,” according to Nintendo.

Given that wording, we have some idea of what to expect. Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl, Mario Party Superstars, Metroid Dread, Advance Wars 1+2 Re-Boot Camp and Shin Megami Tensei V are all coming out by the end of the year, so some (or even all) of them are logical assumptions. The final DLC character for Super Smash Bros. Ultimate is also planned for the rest of the year, so that may also make an appearance.

Meanwhile, rumours have suggested that Nintendo is working on a new Switch controller and, potentially, an expansion to Switch Online that adds Game Boy games. Official confirmation could come at the Direct.

However, “focused mainly” on holiday 2021 games leaves the door open for games coming out later down the line. In addition to games Nintendo has confirmed, like the Breath of the Wild sequel, Splatoon 3 and Bayonetta 3, we may hear about the long-rumoured Xenoblade Chronicles 3.

In any event, we’ll have to watch to learn for sure. Nintendo will stream the Direct on its Twitch and YouTube channels. This is Nintendo’s first Direct since June.

Image credit: Nintendo

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Mobile Syrup

How to watch Microsoft’s September Surface event

Microsoft’s secretive September Surface event will take place Wednesday morning. If you’re interested in tuning in, here’s how to do it.

First, the live stream event kicks off at 11am ET/8am PT. You’ll be able to watch it on Microsoft’s event page here. However, last time Microsoft held an event, the stream had some issues — you may be able to catch it on YouTube via Microsoft’s channel as well, or on other YouTube channels if the stream has issues again.

We expect the event to take about an hour, but if that’s too long for you, you can also follow along for coverage on MobileSyrup via our website or social handles, including Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

As for what we expect from the event, the short answer: Surface devices. Microsoft hasn’t really given much detail beyond. However, we do have a full break down of updates we expect for popular Surface hardware including the Surface Pro, Go and more. You can find that here.

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Mobile Syrup

Pokémon Unite is now available on Android and iOS

Pokémon Unite is now available on iOS and Android, and it’s coming with a new update.

The new update includes:

  • Full cross-platform play and account linking across mobile devices and Nintendo Switch. Link an account, and play with the same account across both platforms.
  • New in-game events in which you can get super item enhancers that can upgrade a held item to grade 30. We’ve also made it easier for all Trainers to get item enhancers.
  • New held items to introduce fresh strategies.
  • The introduction of Unite squads, allowing Trainers to team up with squadmates.
  • A second battle pass, which will feature all-new cosmetic items, including new Holowear with special visual effects.
  • The rollout of some limited Spectator Mode features.
  • Support for multiple new languages.

The new battle pass has a space theme  with the top reward being a new ‘Galatic Ghost 094’ skin for Gengar and a lot more.

It also appears Sylveon and Mamoswine will also be coming with the update.

You can learn more about the update, here.

Source: Pokemon Unite 

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SiriusXM launches premium Marvel channel on Apple Podcasts

SiriusXM has partnered with Marvel to launch an exclusive premium channel on Apple Podcasts.

Dubbed Marvel Podcasts Unlimited, the channel will offer subscribers early and exclusive access to a variety of original scripted and unscripted podcasts.

Some of these podcasts include:

  • Marvel’s Wolverine: The Long Night (scripted)
  • Marvel’s Wolverine: The Lost Trail (scripted)
  • Marvel/Method (unscripted, hosted by Method Man
  • This Week in Marvel (unscripted)
  • Marvel’s Wastelanders: Hawkeye (scripted, premiering October 3rd)
  • Marvel’s Wastelanders: Black Widow (scripted, release TBA)
  • Marvel’s Wastelanders: Wolverine (scripted, release TBA)
  • Marvel’s Wastelanders: Doom (scripted, release TBA)

Marvel Podcasts Unlimited costs $4.99 CAD/month. A free seven-day trial is available.

This launch expands on Marvel and SiriusXM’s multi-year agreement that was signed in 2019 to create new original podcast series.

Image credit: Marvel Entertainment (art by Halifax’s own Steve McNiven)

Source: SiriusXM