Review: Motorola Moto X Play

Review: Motorola Moto X Play

Motorola is back and so is the Moto X, this time with the ‘Play’ moniker as a play on the phone’s longevity. The mid-range smartphone is Motorola’s newest flagship in Canada, packing in a huge battery into a frame that sports a larger display than last year’s model. A new camera has also been added to address the limitations of the prior Moto X handsets, pitting this device in a unique place that aims to capture the attention of consumers looking for a dependable smartphone that does everything.

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5 ways to take better photos using your smartphone

5 ways to take better photos using your smartphone

Chances are, your smartphone is your go-to point-and-shoot camera. Whether it’s a slice of life or a slice of food, the compunction to capture those moments means that more people are taking more photos than ever before. The level of sharing on social media only drives things further. Not all smartphone cameras are created equal, yet there are some basics to snapping better images that will not only improve image quality, but also make you a better mobile photographer.

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Review: ZTE Grand X 2 is as ‘budget’ as it gets

Review: ZTE Grand X 2 is as ‘budget’ as it gets

When a smartphone costs $150 outright, it can raise an eyebrow or two for any number of reasons. The ZTE Grand X 2 is an entry-level budget handset that offers some decent specs for the price, and aims to attract users who don’t need or care to have the best. Competition in the race to zero is getting tighter, putting the Grand X 2 in a battle for relevance to those looking for something affordable.

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Review: Samsung Galaxy Note 5

Review: Samsung Galaxy Note 5

Samsung helped start the current trend of bigger phones with bigger screens when it first unveiled the original Galaxy Note back in 2012. The screen has since grown, while the phone’s body has trimmed down, turning what was once one of the largest handsets into one that fits in with much of the pack. The Samsung Galaxy Note 5 isn’t a big leap from its predecessor, but it does have some new features that make better use of its constituent parts.

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High-tech solutions to combat growing problem of drowsy driving

High-tech solutions to combat growing problem of drowsy driving

Clearly, the consequences of fatigued driving can be deadly. The most recent statistics from Transport Canada’s national collision database indicate that 3.67 per cent – that’s 67 deaths – of the 1,823 fatal collisions in 2012 involved driver fatigue, once factors like alcohol, mobile device usage or speeding were eliminated. The Canadian Council of Motor Transport Administrators (CCMTA) says that as many as 20 per cent of fatal collisions are because of fatigue or drowsiness.

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Review: Hudway projects your phone’s screen to your car windshield

Review: Hudway projects your phone’s screen to your car windshield

If there’s one way to avoid texting while driving, it may be by laying your smartphone face up on the dashboard and getting navigation instructions from the screen’s reflection. This is the premise behind Hudway, an app designed to help drivers stay on course in conditions like rain, fog, heavy snow or total darkness.

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Review: FiftyThree Paper Pencil stylus for the iPad

 Review: FiftyThree Paper Pencil stylus for the iPad

Not every stylus is the same, and nor does each one serve the same purpose on the iPad. FiftyThree’s Pencil stylus is like a carpenter’s pencil—thicker, with a rectangular form factor that precludes it from rolling away at any given time. With rubberized tips at both ends, Bluetooth connectivity and a fully-featured app, the Pencil is more an artistic tool than a stylus for basic navigation.

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Acemile Theatre Box review

Acemile Theatre Box review

Startup Acemile has crafted what it considers the world’s first commercially-available 360-degree surround sound wireless speaker with its Theatre Box, a unit small enough to carry around almost anywhere, yet with fidelity that can fill a room with ease. With speakers firing in four different directions, music and movie tracks are supposed to surround you. Can it replace a full-on home theater system? Of course not. But we’ve heard two-channel sound bars twice the size that didn’t sound as good, yet cost as much — that says a lot for this little speaker. But what about its merits as a portable speaker?

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Review and Video: DJI Phantom 3 is an elite drone

Review and Video: DJI Phantom 3 is an elite drone

One of the things about flying a drone is that each flight seems to elicit something new. As drones become more sophisticated, they offer more each time in the air, adding to the payoff of learning and improving as a pilot. The DJI Phantom 3 is built to last, outfitted with some of the latest features any consumer drone can offer. I took it for a test drive for over a week, and shot a short video to go with it.

 

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