Tag: sony

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Mobile Syrup

Spider-Man: No Way Home is coming to digital in February

Spider-Man: No Way Home will swing onto digital platforms on February 28th.

The date appeared on U.S. premium video on demand (PVOD) service Vudu. The big Sony/Marvel blockbuster first opened in theatres on December 17th.

Some fans had been wondering when No Way Home would become available for streaming, especially amid concerns surrounding the Omicron COVID variant. In Canada, theatres in Ontario and Quebec have already been closed for this reason.

Vudu lists the purchase price of No Way Home as $19.99 USD (about $25.34 CAD), so it will likely be $24.99 in Canada on regular PVOD platforms like iTunes, Google Play, the Cineplex Store and Amazon Prime Video.

Picking up immediately where 2019’s Spider-Man: Far From Home left off, Spider-Man: No Way Home finds Peter Parker grappling with the world finding out he’s Spider-Man. In an effort to make everyone forget, Peter seeks the help of Doctor Strange, only for a botched spell to bring in Spider-Man villains from across the multiverse.

Spider-Man: No Way Home stars Tom Holland, Zendaya, Jacob Batalon, Marisa Tomei, Willem Dafoe, Alfred Molina and Jamie Foxx.

Image credit: Sony Pictures/Marvel Studios

Via: ComicBook.com

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Mobile Syrup

Sony’s new TV camera will tell you if your children are sitting too close to the TV

Sony’s latest innovation unveiled at CES 2022 is a webcam designed for TVs, and while that in itself isn’t that interesting, some of its features are.

The Bravia Cam is what Sony is calling its new TV webcam that will come bundled with the company’s 2022 lineup, though it’s also available to purchase separately. The smart webcam can detect where and when you’re sitting and adjusts the television’s settings accordingly, including TV brightness, volume and sound balance, which can tune the audio for your relative position in front of the TV.

The Bravia Cam can also help you save electricity, as it will automatically dim the TV after it detects that you’ve moved away from it. You can set the dimming to take place within as little as a minute of you leaving the room, or you can set it to go off after an hour.

However, one of the main features the camera offers is especially useful if you have children. You can set up a proximity alert that will automatically pop up on the screen if the camera detects that someone is sitting too close to the TV.

Not repositioning to a farther distance causes the TV screen to blackout until the individual moves back to a safe viewing distance. By default, this setting will be on and can likely be configured to your needs. The camera can also be used to control and navigate the TV with gestures, though that isn’t that novel of a feature.

Sony hasn’t revealed the pricing or the release date for its new Bravia Cam.

You can check out more news from CES 2022 here.

Image credit: Sony

Source: Sony Via: The Verge

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Mobile Syrup

MobileSyrup’s Holiday Gift Guide for smartphone accessories [2021 Edition]

The holiday season is the time of giving, and while big-ticket items like smartphones are undoubtedly being purchased by many, mobile accessories are just as essential. These accessories include wireless chargers, PopSockets, speakers, and more.

All of these items can go a long way in elevating someone’s experience with a new phone. We’ll take a look at some of the best mobile accessories on the market this holiday season.

JOBY GorillaPod 1K Tripod

Taking stable photos or videos can be made easier with a mobile tripod. Users can mount a DLSR camera or use the included smartphone mount for a mobile device. The Joby GorillaPod offers 360-degree panning when capturing a video and can be adjusted with a 90-degree tilt.

Thanks to the adjustable legs, users can fix the tripod on many surfaces or even turn it into a selfie stick. Even for casual photographers or those using a smartphone, photos and videos can easily be elevated thanks to the versatile use of a tripod.

Buy from Best Buy Canada for $59

Apple MagSafe Duo Wireless Charger

Since Apple has begun supporting MagSafe wireless charging for the iPhone, having a Duo Wireless Charger is a no-brainer for those in the Apple ecosystem. Users can fast charge a compatible iPhone and Apple Watch at the same time.

Alternatively, the Duo can be used to charge a Qi-enabled device such as AirPods or other devices outside the Apple ecosystem. The MagSafe Duo Wireless Charger is compact and can fit in most setups or be taken on the go without any hassle.

Buy from Best Buy Canada for $169

Apple MagSafe Battery Pack

Sticking with the theme of always having juice for your phone. The Apple MagSafe Battery Pack ensures the user is within reach of more battery life. This batter pack can be securely attached to a MagSafe-compatible iPhone and provide battery power on the go.

The battery is powered by 2,920mAh and can provide fast wireless charging. It can fully charge an iPhone in roughly 2.5 hours. For an iPhone 12 Pro Max or iPhone 13 Pro Max, Apple estimates that the total battery life of the device is increased by 40 percent with a fully charged MagSafe Battery Pack.

Buy from Best Buy Canada for $119

PopSockets Universal Cell Phone Expanding Grip & Stand

PopSockets have become one of the ubiquitous mobile accessories. With a PopSocket, it’s much easier on the user’s hands and wrists to hold a larger smartphone comfortably while endlessly scrolling through TikTok.

They are easy to install on a case or directly onto the rear side of a phone. Once popped, the PopSocket can also be used as a stand when placed on a surface. It can be perfect for watching Netflix or taking a photo from a distance.

Buy from Best Buy Canada for $14

Apple AirTag

Apple makes its way onto the list once again with its in-house tracker. The AirTag can be attached to everyday devices like keys, luggage, purses, and wallets. Using an iPhone or iPad, the user can keep track of the objects.

In the event they are misplaced or lost, Apple’s iOS ‘Find My’ app can be used to track them down. They are small enough to fit on several items and can be attached to an AirTag Loop to keep them secure. Plus, AirTags have an IP67 waterproof rating in case they, unfortunately, drop in water.

Buy from Best Buy Canada for $39

Sony Waterproof Bluetooth Wireless Speaker

While sticking with waterproof devices, a Bluetooth speaker can be a great mobile accessory, especially for the more outdoorsy folks. Even in the winter, Sony’s SRS-XB13 waterproof Bluetooth speaker can be a great companion when hiking, ice fishing, or setting up decorations with its included strap.

The SRS-XB13 supports stereo audio. It features enhanced perks like extra bass and a Sound Diffusion Processor to get the most of your music. Users also can gain 16 hours of battery life off a single charge.

Buy from Best Buy Canada for $69

Razer Kishi Mobile Game Controller

For the mobile gamer or cloud gaming enthusiast, the Razer Kishi controller is a must-buy. Razer supports both Android and iOS models with a design that can snuggly fit many contemporary phones.

The gamepad features an Xbox-inspired button layout with offset thumbsticks. Users will also find a traditional D-pad, shoulder buttons and trigger on the rear. It’s become a synonymous companion for Xbox Cloud Gaming as players can take many Xbox games on the go.

Buy from Best Buy Canada for $74

Mist Screen Cleaner

We’ve all become more cautious of how dirty our phones can be, especially when travelling out of the house. With this in mind, a compact and efficient screen cleaner could make for a great stocking stuffer this year.

What’s nice about the Mist Screen Cleaner is its all-in-one design. Users will find an atomizer spray for cleaning the screen of a smartphone, laptop, etc. Built around its body is a microfibre cloth-like material, so cleaning off the screen once sprayed is streamlined.

Buy from Best Buy Canada for $13

MobileSyrup utilizes affiliate partnerships. These partnerships do not influence our editorial content, though MobileSyrup may earn a commission on purchases made via these links that helps fund the journalism provided free on our website.

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Mobile Syrup

Sony scrapped plans to bring PlayStation Now to mobile: report

PlayStation had once planned to bring its PlayStation Now game streaming service to mobile devices, according to a confidential Apple document.

The Verge, which obtained the file as part of the Epic v. Apple trial, explains that Apple had insider knowledge in 2017 of PlayStation’s plans to bring the service to mobile. PS Now originally streamed to the PS3 and PS Vita, as well as smart TVs and Blu-ray players, before shifting to PS4 (and, later, PS5) and PC. Otherwise, it’s never come to phones or tablets.

At the time, Apple was referring to PlayStation’s potential PS Now plans because it was preparing its own gaming subscription service, Apple Arcade. The Apple service was eventually launched in 2019, exclusively on Apple devices.

Given that this was an account from Apple, no reason was provided as to why Sony ultimately never brought PlayStation Now to mobile. It’s a particularly notable decision since rival console maker Xbox has been going big with its own game streaming service, Xbox Cloud Gaming, on Android and iOS. Further, services like Google Stadia and Nvidia GeForce Now have launched over the past few years to offer their own approaches to game streaming on mobile.

Sony also purchased cloud startup Gaikai in 2012 for $380 million USD (about $487 million CAD in 2021), as well as its competitor, OnLive, which makes its comparative quieter moves in the game streaming space all the more prominent.

That said, there is always the possibility that Sony could expand PlayStation Now to mobile in the future. Earlier this month, Bloomberg reported that Sony is planning to combine PlayStation Now and PlayStation Plus into a new tiered service that offers a catalogue of PS4, PS5 and retro games as well as streaming. While Bloomberg didn’t cite any plans to bring PS Now to mobile, it’s easy to see how the service — codenamed ‘Spartacus’ — could go down that route.

Beyond general speculation, what adds credence to the possibility of PS Now on mobile are recent comments made by PlayStation boss Jim Ryan himself. Back in October, Ryan lamented the fact that even PlayStation’s most successful games will typically only reach ten or 20 million people, given how many people own consoles.

“I would also like to see a world where the games that we make at PlayStation can be enjoyed by many tens of millions of people. Perhaps hundreds of millions of people,” said Ryan.

So far, PlayStation has begun to bring several once-console exclusives to PC, including Horizon Zero Dawn and God of War. But the biggest way to find an even larger audience, of course, would be through mobile. The company has also been hiring for key mobile-related positions over the past several months, although it’s unclear what, exactly, it has planned for them.

Source: The Verge

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Mobile Syrup

PlayStation offering 50 percent off 12-month PS Plus membership

For a limited time, you can snag 50 percent off a 12-month PlayStation Plus membership.

This means s subscription costs $34.99 instead of the usual $69.99.

The only limitation is that you can’t be an existing subscriber; it’s only available to new or previous subscribers.

The deal is valid from December 9th to 19th on PlayStation’s website.

It’s worth noting that there’s currently no deal on sister service PlayStation Now.

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Mobile Syrup

Here’s your chance to win a PS5 essentials prize pack with MobileSyrup and PlayStation

If you’re unsure what to get your loved ones for the holidays, we might have the perfect gift for the gamer in your life.

Thanks to PlayStation, MobileSyrup has several excellent gifts to give away to a lucky PlayStation 5 owner. While this prize pack, unfortunately, doesn’t include an actual PlayStation 5 console, it’s definitely the next best thing.

This contest ends December 22nd and a winner will be selected on December 23rd. Check your inbox that morning because the winner will be announced bright and early.

The prize pack includes the following items:

  • DualSense wireless controller, ‘Cosmic Red’
  • Pulse 3D Wireless Headset, ‘Midnight Black’
  • Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart
  • PS Plus Voucher — 3-month subscription

Subscribe to our newsletter using the form below for your chance to win this prize pack.

This prize pack features a total value of $340.

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Mobile Syrup

Uncharted: Legacy of Thieves Collection coming to PS5 on January 28

PlayStation has confirmed that Uncharted: Legacy of Thieves Collection will launch on PlayStation 5 on January 28th.

The bundle includes remastered versions of Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End and Uncharted: The Lost Legacy, which were originally released on PS4 in 2016 and 2017, respectively.

While the collection is also confirmed for PC, PlayStation says to “stay tuned” for a release date and specs.

In the meantime, the company is detailing some of the games’ PS5-specific enhancements. To start, players will have three different graphics modes:

  • Fidelity Mode — native 4K/30fps
  • Performance Mode — lower than 4K resolution at 60fps
  • Performance+ Mode — 1080p/120fps

Other improvements on PS5 include SSD-enabled near-instant load times, Spatial 3D audio and haptic feedback and adaptive triggers on the DualSense controller. However, the Uncharted 4 multiplayer suite (which was also a part of The Lost Legacy) is not included in Legacy of Thieves Collection.

Uncharted: Legacy of Thieves Collection will be priced at $64.99 CAD, although a $10 upgrade to the digital version of the game is available to those who own either Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End, Uncharted: The Lost Legacy, or Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End & Uncharted: The Lost Legacy Digital Bundle. 

As a bonus, PlayStation says those who purchase (or upgrade to) the collection between now and February 3rd, 2022 will receive a standard admission ticket to next year’s Tom Holland-starring Uncharted movie. As it stands, the promotion is only confirmed for participating theatres in Australia, New Zealand, UK, and U.S., although PlayStation says to stay tuned for details on additional countries.

While PC gamers have to wait a bit longer for news on the PC port, it’s worth noting that 2018’s God of War is officially coming to the platform on January 14th.

Source: PlayStation

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Mobile Syrup

The PS5 has a new system update, but it doesn’t do much

If you noticed that your PS5 has a new system update, you should know that it doesn’t include much in the way of changes.

Per the official PlayStation site, update version: 21.02-04.03.00 simply “improves system performance.” It’s unclear exactly what improvements were made in the patch.

However, it’s not exactly surprising that this is a light update; the console received a substantial one in September. That update added long-awaited M.2 SSD support, expanded 3D audio functionality for TV speakers and more.

With only one month left in the year, it’s unlikely that we’ll get any major new PS5 system updates. That said, we will undoubtedly soon learn about new games coming to the PS5. This year’s Game Awards, where dozens of upcoming games are expected to be featured, will be held on Thursday, December 9th.

You can read more about the nominees here.

Source: PlayStation

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Mobile Syrup

Sony patents PlayStation 5 faceplates, opens possibility of official replacements

Sony has been granted a patent for PlayStation 5 faceplates. The design patent for the removable plates fixed to both sides of the console was recently spotted online and has since sparked debate on what Sony could be planning.

OP Attack first discovered the patent for Sony’s PlayStation 5 faceplates was granted on November 16th, 2021. However, Sony initially filed for the patent on November 5th, 2020, a week before the launch of the PlayStation 5 in North America.

The patent covers both faceplates of the PlayStation 5 and is described as an “ornamental design for a cover for electronic device.” Product developer Yujin Morisawa is credited as the inventor of the faceplates within the patent filed with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

Earlier this year, Toronto-based DBrand found itself threatened with legal action from Sony after the company started selling its own matte black PlayStation 5 ‘Darkplates.’ The company was so bold that it encourages Sony to sue it, and unsurprisingly, the tech giant eventually followed through. DBrand was then forced to pull the original faceplates from its store and replace them with a new design.

PlayStation 5 owners have been clamouring for alternative faceplate options. Sony has not currently confirmed whether a black option will officially be available. However, it has started branching out. The company is currently selling a ‘Midnight Black’ version of its DualSense controller and Pulse 3D Audio Headset.

It isn’t surprising to see Sony filed the patent ahead of the PlayStation 5 launch. The company likely had enough foresight to know third-party companies would try to offer custom designs. The real major question remaining is whether or not the Sony will begin selling its own standalone faceplates, allowing PS5 owners to customize the aesthetic of their console with an official option.

Source: U.S. Patent Office Via: OP Attack

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Mobile Syrup

Venom: Let There Be Carnage coming to PVOD in Canada on November 23

Sony Pictures has confirmed that Venom: Let There Be Carnage will hit premium video on demand (PVOD) platforms in North America on November 23rd.

Following a number of COVID-related delays, the film finally hit theatres on October 1st, meaning its digital release is coming just under two months later.

Directed by The Lord of the Rings‘ Andy Serkis, Let There Be Carnage is a sequel to 2018’s smash hit Venom that once again stars Tom Hardy as Eddie Brock and his symbiotic partner. This time around, Eddie finds himself facing off against Cletus Kassidy (Woody Harrelson), a serial killer who bonds with Venom’s symbiote spawn to become the deadly Carnage.

The digital version includes bonus scenes, including this one with Eddie and Venom on a beach:

On a related note, here’s where you can stream every Spider-Man film, including the first Venom.

Image credit: Sony Pictures