Syrupcast

This week, special guest Ben Klass talks about his complaint filed to the CRTC back in 2013, and the regulatory body's decision to force Bell and Videotron to change the way they bill customers for mobile TV access. We also talk about the role of regulation within Canada's telecom system as a whole, and how the changing viewing habits of Canadians will be impacted by monthly bandwidth limitations. Finally, we touch on TELUS's rebranding of Public Mobile, and whether it's possible to get by with a data-only LTE plan. It's a bit regulatory-heavy again (sorry for those wanting phone talk, it will be back next week!) but it's a really interesting conversation with a really smart guy. Hosts: Daniel Bader, Douglas SoltysGuest: Ben Klass Runtime: 1 hr 3 min  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

This week, we chat about Net Neutrality, and how Bell and Videotron (and others) can no longer exempt the traffic from their mobile TV apps. Did the CRTC make the right decision? We get into it. We chat about WIND Mobile's commitment to bid in the AWS-3 and 2500Mhz spectrum auctions in March and April respectively; Rogers and its quest for value, not volume; Apple's massive Q1 earnings; and whether Samsung's Galaxy Note Edge is just a little too weird for most people. This week's SyrupCast is brought to you by Shop MobileSyrup. Pick up whatever you need, from cases to spare batteries.  Hosts: Daniel Bader, Douglas Soltys, Jane McEntegart Duration: 1 hr 12 minutes Like our little podcast? Please leave a review on iTunes or wherever you download it. We really appreciate it!  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

This week, we talk about Microsoft's new moonshot, its augmented reality wearable, HoloLens, and lots of Windows 10 stuff. Can it fix the company's epic fragmentation issues? We talk about John Chen's letter about net neutrality and how Apple should be forced to make iMessage for Android (or something). Is he crazy, or does he have a point? Then we delve into the new HTC One device, and what it needs to be successful. I think it needs a better camera, but everyone else has opinions. What's yours? Also: Motorola's epic Lollipop rollout mess up; the Samsung Galaxy S6; and Kyle Lowry, who was selected to start at point guard for the Eastern Conference All-Star team on February 5th. We're almost 30, but until then -- Holograms, Holograms, Holograms! Duration: 84 minutes Hosts: Daniel Bader, Douglas Soltys, and Jane McEntegart  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

This week, Jane and Daniel recount all the CES 2015 trials, tribulations, winners and losers. Specifically, a great deal of time is spent figuring out whether the LG G Flex 2 is just another gimmick or if it has the legs (and the curve) to go mainstream. Also, YotaPhone 2, all the terrible smartwatches, and Attack of the Drones. Duration: 81 minutes Hosts: Jane McEntegart, Daniel Bader  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

On this, the last podcast of the year, we talk about the stories that made the year so interesting... and controversial. From the rise of wearables to the death of security, 2014 was a year to remember. Happy new year! Hosts: Daniel Bader, Douglas Soltys, Jane McEntegart Duration: 90 short minutes    See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

On SyrupCast 26, we enjoy the company of our first guest, freelance writer, security analyst, .Digest curator and all-round awesome guy, Matthew Braga. Topics discussed in this security-focused episode: How important is by-default smartphone encryption? [external link] Is BlackBerry still more secure than the competition? What's changed? OpenGarden raises $10.8 million to grow its peer-to-peer chat service, FireChat. Is it the next big thing? [external link] Federal Court orders Apple to hand over documents to Competition Bureau in iPhone investigation WIND Mobile on 2015 spectrum auction: It would be really hard to mess this up It's an awesome episode, and we highly recommend listening to it the whole way through. Participants: Daniel Bader, Douglas Soltys, Jane McEntegart, Matthew Braga Duration: 85 minutes  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

This week, the BlackBerry Classic is on its way, and we're curious about why everyone is so interested in it. Is it mainly the nostalgia factor -- and the Classic name itself -- or is something else afoot here? Will the Classic manage to find success where the Q10 didn't? We talk Android Wear 5.0 and the official Watch Face API: is this the update the smartwatch platform needs to go mainstream? Ustwo, the creator of best-mobile-game Monument Valley, is also creating watch faces for Android Wear. Sony's SmartWatch 3 is also discussed, as it is now available in Canada for $280. Is it too expensive? Android 5.0.1 running on the HTC One M8 Google Play Edition is the best Android experience out right now, but others are likely not far behind. We talk about the world's biggest sunglass manufacturer, Luxottica, partnering with Intel on a wearables platform, and how that will impact the next-generation Google Glass, which is reportedly going to run an Intel chip. Then, discussion of the Supreme Court's decision to al

News is thin this week, but it doesn't stop us from chatting up a winter storm.   Timestamps: [Start - 13:05] YotaPhone 2 is one of the most interesting phones of the year, and a good representative of hardware innovation at a time when smartphones are becoming increasingly commoditized. [13:05 - 24:00 ] The Galaxy Note Edge, Sonim XP7 and other devices are also really fascinating in their own ways, and prove that there is a market for more niche products, however expensive they may be. [24:00 - 29:00] Xiaomi may be releasing its first North American-bound phone at CES this year, but is North America ready for China's rising star? [29:00 - 37:00] Lenovo's new Yoga Tablet 2 Pro is a beast of a machine, but shows how far the manufacturer has come in such a short time. We're reviewing the AshTab right now -- does it hold up in testing? [37:00 - 42:00] Android 5.0.1 is slowly rolling out to select Nexus devices. Why can't we have nice things, NOW?! [42:00 - 55:00] CES is quickly approaching. We're gearing up to t

This week, how the mobile gaming market has been undone by piracy, freemium and consumer entitlement to digital content. Is there a road back from this mess? There's talk of our recently-launched Smartphone Gift Guide and the best Black Friday deals around. And, of course, the new Star Wars trailer... because we're geeks, too. Finally, user feedback: what do you want to hear on the podcast? Leave your questions in the comments and we'll try to get to them next week. And, if you like the show, please leave us a comment and a rating wherever you downloaded it. Hosts: Daniel Bader, Douglas Soltys, Jane McEntegart Duration: 71 minutes  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

This week, TELUS's new Your Choice plans are discussed and dissected: why the change, and are there any consumer advantages? Plus, Samsung's Gear S smartwatch, and whether Canadians -- consumers and carriers -- are ready for cellular-connected wearables. Apple Watch and its new WatchKit developer tools mean great things for iPhone users, but did Cupertino stay too conservative with its 1.0 release? Finally, the Nexus 6 went up for pre-order this week, but did anyone actually manage to by one? And what do you guys think of Lollipop? We held a poll, and the response were quite enlightening. Hosts: Daniel Bader, Douglas Soltys, Jane McEntegart Running time: 72 minutes  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

On SyrupCast 21, we talk about the Nexus 6, referencing our review and our first impressions of Android 5.0 Lollipop -- is it all it's cracked up to be? We also discuss the Sony Xperia Z3 and its Compact counterpart, and whether a resurgent demand for "small" phones is inevitable. (The answer, I believe, is yes. The review's coming next week, so be patient.) Then we delve into BlackBerry -- dry, I know, but bear with us -- and its enterprise aspirations. BES 12, BBM Meetings and more all sound boring on paper, but it's the best position the company's been in years. We also discuss the Canadian company's partnership with Samsung, which just held its own developer conference this week and announced a bevy of interesting -- and less interesting -- products and services. We reference Microsoft's first official Lumia device branded under its own name; WIND's continued talks with Videotron; and, of course, Taylor Swift's rift with Spotify. This is SyrupCast. Thanks for listening.  See acast.com/privacy fo

We chat about Rogers' new Roam Like Home deal and how it compares to KnowRoaming and Roam Mobility. There's a big discussion about the Nexus 9 and the iPad mini 3, and how they compare as productivity devices -- which one do you think wins the argument? We talk a lot about security and the NSA, a little about the state of mid-range Android devices, and there's a long discussion on whether Microsoft still has its head in the game when it comes to Windows Phone. It's a long one, but this SyrupCast is worth listening to until the end. Running time: 108 minutes Hosts: Daniel Bader, Jane McEntegart, Douglas Soltys  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

It was the rainy day of Hallowe'en When Daniel slipped and broke his screen Jane called him a jerk Doug started to twerk And the podcat went PG-13.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

This week, Jane, Daniel and Douglas chat about the growing market for wearables, and whether companies like Pebble, Fitbit and Jawbone have a place in the hardware space. There's also talk about Bell's complaint to the CRTC  about Rogers' NHL GamePlus exclusivity, and a discussion on whether smartphone reviews are doing anyone any good. Hosts: Daniel Bader, Jane McEntegart, Douglas Soltys Running Time: 74 Minutes  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

This week, Jane and Daniel take a bite out of Lollipop, and chat about the Nexus 6, Nexus 9 and Apple's new iPads. Featured Stories Nexus 6 announced Nexus 9 announced iPad Air 2 and iPad mini 3 announced Rogers Next is being discontinued Apps of the week Daniel: Rdio (iOS, Android) Jane: Android Lollipop Flappy Bird easter egg --- Hosts: Jane McEntegart, Daniel Bader Running Time: 69 minutes  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

This week, Jane and Daniel chat about the CRTC, Mobilicity (for real this time!), HTC's new RE Camera, the Desire Eye, Nokia's Lumia 830, Spotify, Nexus and iPad. It's Thanksgiving, and we're already tired. Featured Stories CRTC hearings on wholesale wireless regulation HTC RE Camera hands-on HTC Desire Eye hands-on Spotify wants to Canadify your music iPad event announced for October 16th Apps of the Week Daniel: Snowball for Android Jane: Clue Period Track (iOS, Android) Hosts: Jane McEntegart, Daniel Bader Running Time: 51 minutes    See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

This week, we talk about a big Nexus, a small Mobilicity, a CRTC controversy, and a bunch of new devices coming down the pipe this month. Plus, Spotify expands to all Canadians and our apps on the week. This is SyrupCast. Featured News Nexus 6 rides the bus iPhone 6 Review iPhone 6 Plus Hands-on Apple to release new 9.7-inch iPad next month, available in gold Sony bringing the Xperia Z3 to Rogers, Bell, TELUS, WIND Mobile, MTS and SaskTel on October 31st Moto X now available in Canada in black, bamboo coming October 31st Nokia Lumia 830 coming October 8th Moto 360 users reporting improved battery life since last update Samsung Galaxy Note 4 coming to Canada October 17th Spotify now available to all Canadians Apps of the week Daniel: Circa 3.0 (Android / iOS)Jane: Beer?! (Android / iOS)Douglas: Pokemon TCG Online for iPad Hosts: Daniel Bader, Jane McEntegart, Douglas Soltys

This week, BlackBerry's on the mind (as is Irish whiskey), so we chat about both. How does the Passport hold up to scrutiny, and what does BlackBerry have planned for the fall? Spoiler: it's another handset. We also talk about Apple and the iPhone scandal de jour, and whether Samsung's acceleration of the Note 4's release is going to have an impact on sales. Finally, we speculate on a 6-inch Nexus, the rising costs of smartphone plans and the fastest mobile networks in Canada. Featured Stories BlackBerry Passport & Co. ShopBlackBerry sells out of the Passport after first day of sales BlackBerry Passport review BlackBerry Blend available today for iOS and Android tablets, Windows and OS X Tête-à-Tête: Is it hip to be square? BlackBerry Passport now available for $200 on contract, $699 unlocked BlackBerry Classic Q20 leaked on video, shows ‘belt’ row of function keys iPhone et al Apple says only 9 customers have complained about bent iPhones Here’s how to roll back to iOS 8 from iOS 8.0.1 iPhone 6 tops 1

Here we are, bringing you our thirteenth and best podcast to date. The days are getting shorter, but the number of smartphones being released is quickly ramping up. This week, we chat about the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus, iOS 8 and what's next from Apple. We also delve into the rumoured demise of Android Silver, and what that means for the Nexus line. Then we move into WIND Mobile's fate now that the company's ownership has been sorted, and why that may put Videotron in a difficult position. And finally, we reminisce about old HTC tablets as we look forward to the company's rumoured Nexus 9, slated to be released in mid-October alongside Android L. Featured News Samsung Galaxy Note Edge will come to Canada in 2015 Google’s rumoured Android Silver program might be dead in the water iPhone 6 + iPhone 6 Plus launch iOS 8 review Apple Pay potential in Canada Globalive Capital acquires WIND Mobile, carrier moves ‘into an exciting new phase’ Videotron might have to buy Mobilicity now Rumour points to October 16th launch

This week, we talk about the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus, Apple's new payment system, and Watch, the first wearable from the world's biggest tech company. Running Time: 64 minutes Hosts: Daniel Bader, Douglas Soltys, Jane McEntegart Notes: We had some issues with the source recording from this episode, so you'll notice some parts of the recording are slightly sped up and contain crackling. Please power through these short sections, as they don't last long, and we'll make sure such a thing doesn't happen again.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.