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During a Lumia 925 briefing in the UK – which we’ve been told the new flagship has no imminent plans on coming to Canada – Nokia revealed that they’ve tightened its ever-growing bond with Redmond-based Microsoft, makers of the Windows 8 (mobile and desktop) platform. Nokia UK’s Ray Haddow stated that the Finnish company has been “working even closer” with Microsoft and we can expect to see new collaborative efforts in the near future.

Nokia and Microsoft first entered into a “broad strategic partnership” that made Windows Phone OS its “primary smartphone strategy,” but there have been rumours of Nokia coming to market with a tablet for years now. Could this mean that Nokia might be ready to enter the Windows-powered tablet space?

Source: Engadget

A few weeks ago we let you know that PC Mobile was going to revamp their wireless plans and offering. Their postpaid wireless launch date was supposed to go live on June 5th, but we’ve been informed that they’ll now go live on June 12th (tomorrow).

PC will offer several devices under their brand in both no-term and contract (1-year, 1.5-year or 2-year contract lengths), specifically the Samsung Galaxy S4 in Black ($625 outright ); BlackBerry Q10 in Black ($625); LG Nexus 4 ($400); Samsung Galaxy SII X in Black ($300); Samsung Galaxy Ace IIx in Black ($180) and the Nokia Lumia 520 ($180). As for the monthly rate plans, here’s what you can expect:

Yesterday the internet was abuzz about all things Apple; the new Mac Pro, Mac OS X Maverick and of course, the long-awaited update to their mobile platform, iOS 7. One aspect of the keynote that went a bit overlooked was the intro video called “Intention” about perfection, and how hard it is to attain it. The vid describes Apple’s lead designer, Sir Jony Ive’s pursuit of “purity and simplicity in design” and that “true simplicity is derived from so much more than just the absences of clutter or ornamentation… It’s about bringing order to complexity.” Apple, according to the video, first seeks how a product make people “feel.”

For iOS 7 Ive cleaned up the look and brought some needed changes, but it’s interesting how Apple uses a rhetorical question – “how can anyone perfect anything?” – to stifle the doubters who claim they lack innovation and that they now copy and enhance various features that have existed within Android, Windows Phone and BlackBerry for years.

Check it out below, let us know what you think!

Rumours have been circulating for a few weeks now that popular community-based navigation app Waze would be snatched up by either Apple, Facebook or Google for over $1 billion. Facebook and Apple outwardly declared their lack on interest, but Google officially announced today that they’ve purchased Waze.

On their company blog, Google’s Brian McClendon said they are “excited to announce we’ve closed the acquisition of Waze.” The final price was not disclosed, probably around $1.3 billion. Google noted that the millions of Waze users – who are part of a “fast-growing community of traffic-obsessed drivers” work together “to find the best routes from home to work, every day.” Waze is a free app that’s available on Android, BlackBerry and iOS.

Google said the Waze product development team will stay in Israel and “operate separately for now,” but they’ll eventually bring some of the traffic update features to Google Maps and also enhance Waze with Google’s search capabilities.

Source: Google

MapQuest for Windows Phone 8 has debuted in an effort to knock over the current throne holder, Nokia Maps and Drive+.

The AOL-owned property offers many of the same features as Nokia’s maps fare, including turn-by-turn navigation and voice directions, in addition to live traffic updates.

The app also offers Windows Phone 8 owners the option of setting favourite landmarks, or searching in the local area for food, hotels, gas and more. Walking directions are also included, but the app omits transit data, something that Nokia’s NAVTEQ maps excels at.

Now that Nokia Maps and Drive+ is available for all Windows Phone 8-based devices, there isn’t much reason to download MapQuest, but it’s a reliable alternative.

Download MapQuest for Windows Phone 8.

Source: Windows Phone Store
Via: Engadget

TELUS announced today that they’ll be injecting $245 million in Ontario this year. This is about 65% of the total price they once offered for the all of Mobilicity, inclusive of spectrum, employees and subscribers.

According to the press release TELUS will be extending LTE (Long Term Evolution) coverage, which is now sitting at 82% of province. There was no specific locations listed, but TELUS’ coverage map shows growth in several places including London, Bracebridge and St. Catharines. TELUS declared they’ll “Light up hundreds of new wireless sites enhancing coverage in urban areas to increase wireless data capacity and extend coverage to rural communities and highway corridors.” During our various review of TELUS devices we seen average LTE speeds between 10-35 Mbps.

Joe Natale, TELUS Chief Commercial Officer, said “The TELUS story in Ontario is one of strategic and sustainable investment and high-value job creation. We’ve put down deep, deep roots, and we are building on this record with our 2013 investment of $245 million. It makes me very proud to say that establishing a foundation here in Ontario is what’s made TELUS a truly national company.”

TELUS will also be digging deeper into their healthcare initiatives. Part of the $245 million will go towards “being part of the solution in healthcare by extending healthcare technology to more people in a way that saves taxpayer money while improving care. ”

Source: TELUS (1) (2)

Sony’s newest tablet is finally available in Canada, but only the 16GB version in black. The Xperia Tablet Z is Sony’s thinnest tablet at 6.9mm thin and weighs only 495 grams. The Android 4.1 Jelly Bean slate is priced at $499.99 outright and is the “most premium, high performance 10.1 Android tablet available.”

Other notable specs have the Xperia Tablet Z powered by a 1.5Ghz quad-core processor, 2GB of RAM, 8.1MP camera, 2MP front-facing camera, one-touch connectivity with NFC. In addition, the Tablet Z is dust and water resistant (IP55 & IP57), sports a 6000mAh battery. As far as the 32GB version, this is “Backorderable” and estimated to ship June 15th for the black version, June 22nd for the white version at $599.99.

More here via Sony

When we last spoke about Vouchr in December, the Toronto-based startup had just launched a hometown trial of its interesting app.

The idea is simple: put your real money where your virtual mouth is. Got a favourite burger you want your friends to try? A pair of cheapo headphones that sound better than ones ten times the cost? Create a voucher that can be claimed and spent on that item, and get some good karma, and hopefully some excellent publicity, in return.

Today, Vouchr relaunches — or for most people, launches — in 18 countries around the world, including Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom, United States.

The app has been redesigned for native iPhone 5 usage (no Android app yet) and many requested features have been added, including limiting vouchers to a specific Facebook friend as well as the ability to “revouch” a memorable experience. The redesign adheres more closely to the iPhone’s more specialized user interface needs — the previous version was built in HTML5 — and should respond much faster as a result.

Update: This contest is now closed. We’re thrilled to announce the winner of this limited edition contest goes to Twitter follower realfatapollo. No worries if this isn’t you… our Rogers Samsung Galaxy S4 giveaway is happening now (enter here).

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This could be one of the coolest contests we’ve ever held. This is not the ordinary device giveaway, but a special edition of Nokia’s flagship smartphone. To coincide with the upcoming release of Superman ‘Man of Steel’ we’ve received a Superman-themed Nokia Lumia 920 prize pack. Here’s what this gem of a giveaway includes:

- Red Nokia Lumia 920 (Rogers)
- Nokia Lumia 920 Man of Steel-branded cover (one in red and one in black)
- Superman-branded Fatboy Wireless Charging Pillow

Yes, it’s awesome. The winner of the prize pack will also be able to download the exclusive Man of Steel application in the Windows Store, which has Superman content, wallpapers and character info.

To enter this contest all you have to do is either follow us and re-tweet this contest on Twitter (@mobilesyrup), “Like Us” on Facebook (Facebook.com/MobileSyrup), or join us on Google+. All current Facebook, Twitter and Google+ followers are automatically entered. This contest closes on June 14th and we’ll announce a winner shortly after!

Similar to Bell, TELUS is also jumping in on the Google Play Gift Card spree. On Facebook today they announced that they’ll give anyone who purchases the HTC One a free $25 Gift Card to Google Play. The promo starts today and goes until June 16th and is a pretty good incentive for one of the best looking devices on the market today.  ”From June 10-16, get a FREE $25 Google Play card when you activate a new HTC One. Father’s Day just got more Android-y.” The HTC is now $99 on a 3-year and $650 outright.

Source: Facebook
(Thanks Todd!)