The two most popular automotive infotainment platforms are also the ones that have either barely entered the market or have yet to appear. Apple’s CarPlay and Google’s Android Auto have become de facto industry standards for smartphone integration and infotainment, despite being all but completely unproven on the road. In taking a hands-on look at both platforms, there is reason for optimism.

Sony’s mobile strategy is expected to be more focused and specific in 2015, and though the SmartWatch 3 is a product from last year, it is meant to right some past wrongs and be part of the company’s plans for mobile relevance in a crowded field.

There’s a dichotomy in today’s modern vehicles that continues to be a vexing issue for the world’s top automakers. Despite technology under the hood that is improving actual driving performance, the state of infotainment in the cabin is still in varying states of disarray. It’s not for lack of trying, it’s just the challenge of keeping up with the rapid pace of mobile.

Auto makers have embraced in-car infotainment as a way to offer a connected experience for drivers, but without any standardization, these systems have struggled to resonate.

In-car infotainment has largely been focused on the dashboard and instrument cluster, funnelling visual and audible information that often requires drivers to avert their gaze. Heads-up displays (HUDs) projecting outward to the windshield are a way to keep eyes and ears informed and focused on the road ahead.

Buying a TV can be equally exciting and frustrating, mainly because you like that you’re getting something new, but unsure which one you should actually go with. It’s a familiar pattern, especially with the confusing array of choices and features hurled at you as a consumer. We wade through the noise and offer some helpful advice on how to buy the TV you’re actually looking for.

Wallpaper may seem an old-school option for home decor, but it has never been quite as personalized as it is today, as in the case of HP WallArt, where you can create what you want online.

You may not know it, but your tablet can be the entry point to a lot of streaming video. No doubt, you already know about, or have streamed video from a number of sources, and there may be more you’re not aware of. Canada is always unique when it comes to that because of geo-restrictions that either shut out the Great White North, or offer a different catalog altogether. Here’s a look at the options available to you.

HTC may have made its name in the smartphone arena, but its RE pocket-sized action camera is an attempt to help consumers capture the video and photos they want without relying on their phone.

The idea of a standalone music player might seem a little backward when even Apple spends little time and effort to promote its iconic iPod, but Sony reckons it has a leg up with a reimagined Walkman that plays high-quality audio.

It was only 10 years ago that the concept of downloading single songs became the method of choice in enjoying music on portable devices. Now, an entire catalog of millions of tracks can be streamed for a monthly fee. Music streaming services have gone mainstream, and the various providers bear many similarities to each other, making it a little challenging to choose between them. Here’s a look at who’s currently playing in Canada, including what sets them apart from each other.

Is $20 per month too much to stream millions of songs, even if they are CD quality? Tidal is a new streaming service launched in Canada hoping the price of admission will be music to your ears.

It’s always easier to try a smartphone or tablet app that’s free to download, but for the most part, those that do cost something don’t go for more than a few dollars. They may not be free, but these paid apps are worth the price of admission.

The increasing complexity of today’s modern vehicles is such that there are all kinds of sensors and modules feeding information to an onboard computer. When that Check Engine light comes on, it’s hard to understand why without being able to tap into it and read the code. This is exactly the scenario Lemur is trying to simplify with its BlueDriver scanner that syncs over diagnostics to a compatible smartphone.

Virtual reality (VR) has long been the “just around the bend” technology that has promised more than it has delivered. The Oculus Rift has arguably done more to dissolve that reputation than anything else in recent memory, but a startup in Toronto thinks it has a better idea: Use smartphones instead of standalone headsets.

As recently as four years ago, Nokia was the world’s top cell-phone manufacturer. Yet, the Lumia 830 marks the end of an era: It’s the last Nokia phone ever. All subsequent Lumia devices will be branded by Microsoft, which has now absorbed the Finnish company’s phone division into its smartphone business.

Samsung isn’t shy about trying to offer something for everyone, and that mantra is exemplified in the Galaxy S5 Active, a ruggedized version of the more popular regular iteration of the phone. While it is tough and durable, its niche qualities might seem unnecessary when considering the few differences between them otherwise.

It looks like Rabbit TV is growing up and hopping over into new territory. The TV-equivalent of the MagicJack with “Free access to 5,000 TV stations” is cutting that bright red USB stick loose. You know, the one that you would’ve seen on late night infomercials, and then again in line at your local Walgreens or Walmart for $10. Instead, Rabbit TV is now going to live solely in a web browser, maintaining its own implication as a mecca for live TV — no hardware required — and only for content that is readily available online. It’s got a new home, but it’s still doing the same thing: prowling the web for online video and serving it up in a TV Guide-style buffet that lets people pick and choose what they want to watch.

Roaming in the United States with your smartphone can be very expensive without some form of protection to keep costs down before crossing the border, and the options to do so are growing.

Starting January 23, 2015, Canadian consumers will no longer have to provide a 30-day notice to cancel wireless, cable or Internet service with their provider. This is certainly good news, but does it also provide an impetus for those providers to raise prices?