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.
Read More5 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.
Read MoreReview: Epson WorkForce ET-4550 EcoTank AiO Printer→
/For those who print a lot of documents, Epson thinks it has the right answer with its WorkForce ET-4550 EcoTank all-in-one printer. Not a true inkjet, nor a laser printer, it uses ink tanks with enough inside to output documents for up to two years.
Read MoreFord Sync 3 Hands-on: Smarter cars, from the inside→
/If there is an infotainment system that has some form of recognizance with general consumers, it may be Ford’s Sync. Launched back in 2007, this year marks the deployment of its third iteration, Sync 3.
Read MoreReview: 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.
Read MoreReview: 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.
Read MoreReview and video: TomTom Bandit Action Camera→
/TomTom is better known for its mapping, GPS units and sports watches, and the Bandit represents the company’s first entry into the POV action camera market. Does it have the goods to take on the best in its category?
Read MoreHigh-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.
Read MoreWhy you may or may not be watching Netflix in HD→
/Streaming Netflix in HD may seem like standard practice, but there are caveats to how it works that may not always translate into the best picture quality on your TV or mobile device.
Read MoreReview: Smartphones and the NissanConnect infotainment system→
/It’s not a stretch to suggest that Nissan doesn’t have a reputation for cutting-edge infotainment. Japanese car manufacturers have made leaps and bounds in safety, fuel economy and proximity awareness, but the dashboard continues to be a difficult road.
Read MoreReview: 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.
Read MoreThe legalities of flying drones in Canada→
/With the summer in full swing, flying a drone in the air for fun is an appealing activity, and the rules regulating it for recreation are starting to become clearer.
Netgear Arlo connected camera review→
/Home security seems to have reached something of a nexus point, where security cameras are not only more affordable, but increasingly capable. Mobile devices and the Internet are the biggest reasons why, as the Internet of Things (IoT) continues to take shape.
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.
Read MoreMobile devices and apps spurring spontaneous hotel bookings→
/It’s naturally stating the obvious, but summer travel is a big deal for Canadians, and mobile devices and apps have dramatically changed how people research and plan where they plan to visit and stay. It’s also changed how quickly they can pick up and go.
Read MoreFinanceit wants to be the money lender for the smartphone age→
/Describing anything in the financial industry as “fair, transparent and open” may come off as a misnomer for most people, but Toronto-based Financeit firmly believes that’s exactly what it offers.
Read MoreAcemile 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?
Read MoreReview: Alcaltel OneTouch Idol 3 is a solid mid-range player→
/Smartphone competition strikes a slightly different chord when it comes to what mid-range devices are capable of, and the Alcatel OneTouch Idol 3 is a handset that aims to deliver a quality experience at a price many can afford. How much bang for the buck does it offer?
Read MoreReview: Asus Zenfone 2 is a great bargain→
/The prospect of paying upwards of $700 or more for a smartphone might seem like a hill too steep to climb but it doesn’t have to be that way when there are compelling options for much less. The Asus Zenfone 2only sells outright and unlocked, and packs in a number of features that are on par with handsets available for double the price.
Read MoreReview 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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