Tag: Microsoft

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Surface Pro 7 bundle with TypeCover, Surface Pen available for $999 at Costco

Costco Canada has a decent offer on a Microsoft Surface Pro 7 bundle if you’re looking to pick up one of Microsoft’s popular 2-in-1 devices.

As spotted by RedFlagDeals, Costco’s bundle includes the Microsoft Surface Pro 7 with a 10th Gen Intel i5-1035G4 CPU, 8GB of RAM and a 128GB SSD. Plus, the bundle includes a black TypeCover keyboard and platinum Surface Pen. All in, the bundle costs $999.99 for Costco members until December 30th.

While that might seem like a lot, especially for an older Surface model, it’s worth keeping in mind that Microsoft’s Surface line is typically expensive. The same Pro 7 i5 model would normally run you $1,199 in Canada without the $170 TypeCover or $130 Surface Pen.

Moreover, when I checked Microsoft’s website for the Surface Pro 7 price, I found that the same model was discounted to $929, but without the accessories. In other words, even with a significant discount from Microsoft, the Costco deal is still better. That said, Microsoft is out of stock of that Pro 7 model, so you can’t get it anyway (unless you buy the Costco one, which you should since it’s a better deal).

All of that said, this particular Surface Pro 7 bundle is really only worth it if you want the form factor. Microsoft’s Surface line is, in my opinion, one of the better options when it comes to 2-in-1, detachable Windows machines. However, if you don’t care about that form factor, you can get better value by buying a more traditional clamshell laptop (either something more powerful for the same price or something equally as powerful for less). That’s doubly so with the older Pro 7.

If you’re interested in learning more about the Surface Pro 7, you can check out my review here (I will note that I had some technical difficulties with mine, but after those were worked out, the Pro 7 was fine). Alternatively, you can check out my Surface Pro 8 review here if you’re considering getting the latest and greatest Surface Pro.

You can check out the Costco deal here.

Source: Costco Via: RedFlagDeals

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Mobile Syrup

Surface Pro 7 bundle with TypeCover, Surface Pen available for $999 at Costco

Costco Canada has a decent offer on a Microsoft Surface Pro 7 bundle if you’re looking to pick up one of Microsoft’s popular 2-in-1 devices.

As spotted by RedFlagDeals, Costco’s bundle includes the Microsoft Surface Pro 7 with a 10th Gen Intel i5-1035G4 CPU, 8GB of RAM and a 128GB SSD. Plus, the bundle includes a black TypeCover keyboard and platinum Surface Pen. All in, the bundle costs $999.99 for Costco members until December 30th.

While that might seem like a lot, especially for an older Surface model, it’s worth keeping in mind that Microsoft’s Surface line is typically expensive. The same Pro 7 i5 model would normally run you $1,199 in Canada without the $170 TypeCover or $130 Surface Pen.

Moreover, when I checked Microsoft’s website for the Surface Pro 7 price, I found that the same model was discounted to $929, but without the accessories. In other words, even with a significant discount from Microsoft, the Costco deal is still better. That said, Microsoft is out of stock of that Pro 7 model, so you can’t get it anyway (unless you buy the Costco one, which you should since it’s a better deal).

All of that said, this particular Surface Pro 7 bundle is really only worth it if you want the form factor. Microsoft’s Surface line is, in my opinion, one of the better options when it comes to 2-in-1, detachable Windows machines. However, if you don’t care about that form factor, you can get better value by buying a more traditional clamshell laptop (either something more powerful for the same price or something equally as powerful for less). That’s doubly so with the older Pro 7.

If you’re interested in learning more about the Surface Pro 7, you can check out my review here (I will note that I had some technical difficulties with mine, but after those were worked out, the Pro 7 was fine). Alternatively, you can check out my Surface Pro 8 review here if you’re considering getting the latest and greatest Surface Pro.

You can check out the Costco deal here.

Source: Costco Via: RedFlagDeals

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Mobile Syrup

Microsoft tests moving more options from Control Panel to the Settings app

A long-running problem with modern versions of Windows — like Windows 11 and Windows 10 — is that there are two versions of several important apps. Perhaps the best example is the Settings app and Control Panel. Settings fits aesthetically with Windows’ modern design while Control Panel is the go-to destination for power users thanks to its functionality.

However, new tests in beta builds of Windows 11 include expanded Settings options that will hopefully help replace Control Panel functionality by moving it into the Settings app.

As spotted by The Verge, Microsoft moved some advanced network settings into a new Settings page. Those include folder sharing options, printers and network discovery options. Moreover, some entry points to the network and device settings in Windows 11 now send users to the Settings app instead of Control Panel.

Another change applies to links that previously send users to the Control Panel to uninstall apps. Those now lead to the Settings app. Plus, the options for uninstalling Windows Updates now reside in the Settings app instead of Control Panel.

However, it remains to be seen whether these changes will prove detrimental to certain use cases. Part of why the Control Panel has stuck around for so long is because of legacy and business needs. Microsoft needs to strike a balance between moving and updating these settings to modern Windows standards without reducing functionality.

Source: Microsoft Via: The Verge

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Mobile Syrup

Microsoft’s Xbox Fridge is now available to pre-order in Canada

Following the fridge’s release in the United States last month, Microsoft’s Xbox Series X ‘Mini Fridge’ is now available for pre-order in the Canadian Microsoft Store starting at 9am ET/6am PT on December 15th.

If U.S. pre-orders for the amusing joke that Microsoft has thankfully taken far too are any indication, the Series X Mini Fridge will likely sell out in a matter of minutes. With this in mind, if you’re interested in buying the Mini Fridge, make sure you act fast.

The Xbox Series X Mini Fridge costs $149 and is available for pre-order now in the Xbox Gear Store.

Image credit: Xbox 

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Mobile Syrup

Canadians can pre-order Microsoft’s Xbox mini-fridge starting December 15

Canadian Xbox fans will be able to pre-order their very own Xbox Series X ‘Mini Fridge’ via the Microsoft Store starting December 15th.

Microsoft confirmed to MobileSyrup that pre-orders would open Wednesday, December 15th at 9am ET/6am PT. The Xbox mini-fridges will start shipping by January 31st, 2022. Further, the mini-fridge will cost $129.99 CAD.

Microsoft first confirmed that it will sell the Xbox Series X Mini Fridge on October 15th. Initially, the company said that it would sell the mini-fridge via Target.com in Canada, however, the company later revealed that Target can’t offer shipping to Canada. Instead, Xbox general manager Aaron Greenberg tweeted that the mini-fridge would be available directly from the Xbox Gear Shop in December.

For those who haven’t followed the mini-fridge sage, Microsoft’s Xbox Series X Mini Fridge is a 1:1 scale replica of its newest Xbox console. It’s also a fridge. The Xbox mini-fridge began as a joke and, while silly, it’s neat to see Microsoft play along and actually make an Xbox-like fridge.

Those interested can pre-order the Xbox Series X Mini Fridge on the Xbox Gear Shop.

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Mobile Syrup

Microsoft releases ‘Power On’ docuseries looking back on 20 years of Xbox

Microsoft has released a brand-new, free documentary series unpacking 20 years of Xbox.

Titled Power On: The Story of Xbox, the six-part docuseries covers everything from Microsoft’s development of the original Xbox to the time the company attempted to purchase Nintendo and, of course, the infamous ‘Red Rings of Death’ Xbox 360 fiasco.

Notably, Don Mattrick, the Canadian businessman who served as head of Xbox during the launch of the Xbox One, makes an appearance in Power On — the first since he left the company. Mattrick is infamous in the gaming industry for positioning the Xbox One as an “always connected,” general entertainment device before current Xbox head Phil Spencer took over and made overall well-received changes.

All episodes are available in 30 languages on a variety of digital platforms, including Xbox’s YouTube channel and Microsoft’s Movies & TV app.

Xbox has released Power On to celebrate its 20th anniversary, which fell on November 15th. Other 20th anniversary celebrations include the staggered release of Halo Infinite and a slew of new backwards compatible games.

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Mobile Syrup

Microsoft releases ‘Power On’ docuseries looking back on 20 years of Xbox

Microsoft has released a brand-new, free documentary series unpacking 20 years of Xbox.

Titled Power On: The Story of Xbox, the six-part docuseries covers everything from Microsoft’s development of the original Xbox to the time the company attempted to purchase Nintendo and, of course, the infamous ‘Red Rings of Death’ Xbox 360 fiasco.

Notably, Don Mattrick, the Canadian businessman who served as head of Xbox during the launch of the Xbox One, makes an appearance in Power On — the first since he left the company. Mattrick is infamous in the gaming industry for positioning the Xbox One as an “always connected,” general entertainment device before current Xbox head Phil Spencer took over and made overall well-received changes.

All episodes are available in 30 languages on a variety of digital platforms, including Xbox’s YouTube channel and Microsoft’s Movies & TV app.

Xbox has released Power On to celebrate its 20th anniversary, which fell on November 15th. Other 20th anniversary celebrations include the staggered release of Halo Infinite and a slew of new backwards compatible games.

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Mobile Syrup

Teams update partially fixes Android emergency calling bug, OS patch to come

Earlier this week, Google confirmed it was aware of a nasty Android bug that, when mixed with Microsoft’s Teams app, could break emergency calls.

Since then, a partial fix has been rolled out via an update to Microsoft Teams. However, a larger Android update is still expected in January to resolve OS-side of this particular puzzle.

In case you missed it, the explanation shared by Google said that an “unintended interaction” between Teams and Android was behind the bug. Specifically, trying to place an emergency call would freeze the smartphone if the Microsoft Teams app was installed but the user hadn’t logged in.

Google didn’t provide much more information about the cause, beyond noting that it believed the issue was “only present on a small number of devices” with Teams installed. However, Mishaal Rahman, former editor-in-chief at XDA Developers, wrote a detailed blog post analyzing the bug and what caused it.

Rahman’s post is well worth the read if you care about these types of things, although it’s pretty technical. Still, it’s fascinating to learn more about how complex something as seemingly basic as a phone call is.

Two small bugs, one big problem

In short, Rahman’s analysis identified two main issues, one with Teams and the other with Android. The Teams app creates a ‘PhoneAccount’ instance whenever it’s cold-launched when the user isn’t signed in. Apps with calling capabilities create PhoneAccount instances so that Android has a list of apps that can handle phone calls. An important part of these instances is that they list other details about what the app can handle — for example, whether it’s capable of emergency calls.

The second part of the issue revolves around what Android does when it checks the PhoneAccounts ahead of placing an emergency call. A very simplified explanation of this is that the check can create an error if there are too many PhoneAccount instances (such as all the instances Team creates with its bug).

Microsoft’s new Teams update resolves the PhoneAccount creation part of the problem. According to Rahman, Teams will now clear PhoneAccounts it created at first launch, which should prevent it from amassing multiple PhoneAccount instances over time. However, that still leaves the Android bug open — it requires very specific circumstances to trigger, so most users probably won’t need to worry about it. Regardless, it’s a problem that needs to be addressed, and Rahman spotted at least two potential fixes submitted to the Android Open Source Project (AOSP). A patch sporting one of the fixes should ship in January as part of the monthly Android security update.

For now, if you have Teams installed on your Android phone, you should make sure to update it to the latest version (1416/1.0.0.2021194504) right away — you can download the update for free from the Play Store.

Source: 9to5Google, Mishaal Rahman

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Mobile Syrup

Microsoft changes Xbox Game Pass for PC to PC Game Pass

Microsoft revealed a very important announcement: ‘Xbox Game Pass for PC’ is now ‘PC Game Pass.’

If you found the name of Microsoft’s game subscription service for Windows computers confusing, well, the new name should clear that up. Xbox Game Pass remains available for Microsoft’s line of consoles. Nothing else has really changed.

Although, you still access PC Game Pass through the Xbox app on Windows. So, maybe it’s still confusing.

As an example of how little has changed overall, the Xbox Game Pass for PC PC Game Pass Twitter account tweeted a list of patch notes for the service that basically just says the name changed in various ways.

Beyond that, the prices for available Game Pass plans remain the same. PC Game Pass costs $11.99 in Canada, although right now you can get the first three months for just $1. Xbox Game Pass also costs $11.99. Game Pass Ultimate, which gives you Game Pass on PC and Xbox, as well as access to xCloud, Xbox Live Gold and EA Play, still costs $16.99 per month (and just $1 for the first month).

If you’re an avid PC gamer, I’d argue it’s worth checking out PC Game Pass. It’s generally pretty good value with access to a ton of games, including new additions each month and day-one access to Xbox Game Studios titles.

You can learn more about Game Pass here.

Source: @XboxGamePassPC Via: Polygon

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Mobile Syrup

Here’s the first full trailer for Paramount’s Halo series

At The Game Awards, Paramount unveiled the first full trailer for its long-awaited Halo TV series.

Check it out below:

 

Notably, Ymir, B.C.-born Pablo Schreiber (The Wire) is portraying iconic Spartan hero Master Chief, while Natasha McElhone (Californication) plays Spartan-II creator Dr. Catherine Halsey and Jen Taylor reprises her long-running role as the voice of the AI Cortana.

We get a glimpse at all of them here.

Halo is set to premiere sometime in 2022 on Paramount+ in the U.S. While that service is also available in Canada, its content lineup differs significantly from its U.S. counterpart due to the licensing agreements. It remains to be seen whether the series will also be on Paramount+ in Canada or on another service.

While there have been smaller live-action Halo adaptations in the past, Paramount’s series marks the culmination of a years-long effort from legendary director Steven Spielberg to bring the series to the big screen. At one point, it was set to be a movie, although it’s since shifted to a big-budget series. Spielberg remains attached as an executive producer.

It’s been a big few weeks for Halo. The iconic series celebrated its 20th anniversary in November, so Xbox has marked the occasion with the early release of Halo Infinite‘s multiplayer that month, and the full game, including the campaign, on December 8th. You can read more on the game in our review and interview with developer 343 Industries.