Canadian Reviewer Weekly Roundup 12/17-12/23

Apple says iPhones with older batteries will experience slower performance

Google updates Project Jacquard app to have the jacket’s tag light up as well as find your phone

Of course, there’s a Porg-related game on Facebook

‘Hey Google’ hotword is rolling out to more smartphones

Why Affiliate Marketing Isn’t Fizzling Out

Android OS 8.1 update slows down the Pixel 2 XL's fingerprint reader

Microsoft removes Google Chrome installer from Windows Store for violating Microsoft Store policies

Case renders show Samsung Galaxy S9+ comes with dual camera setup

Ford returning to roots and bringing self-driving and electric vehicle teams to Detroit

Netflix orders second season of sci-fi thriller ‘Dark’

Dyson opens first demo store in Canada focusing on experiences

Wikipedia updates iOS app to bring ‘Black’ mode to the iPhone X

Niantic’s ‘Pokémon GO’ gets exclusive experience on iPhone and iPad with new AR+ Mode

Google snaps up key Apple chip designer

Apple hires three Amazon Studios execs

Amazon purchases Blink to expand its connected home lineup

Upcoming OnePlus phone rumoured to have under-screen fingerprint sensor, to come early 2018

OnePlus 5T

Looks like OnePlus is prepping for the next big trend in smartphone tech. Rumour has it that OnePlus, which will likely be called OnePlus 6, will reportedly feature an under-screen fingerprint scanner. The report claims the phone might launch as early as March 2018. According to GizmoChina and their source who they claim has accurately shared information about OnePlus flagships in the past, the OnePlus 6 will be powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 845. At this point, these are all speculation, but OnePlus has been known to put the latest tech in their devices.

Amazon purchases Blink to expand its connected home lineup

Amazon’s latest acquisition shows us how the company is taking the expansion of its connected home line very seriously. They just bought Blink, the company behind the wire-free home monitoring system. Blink offers both an indoor and outdoor home security camera models as well as a video doorbell. According to Blink, nothing will change for the company and its customers now and they will continue to operate as usual and support clients as needed.

Source: Engadget

Apple hires three Amazon Studios execs

Planet of the Apps is Apple's first venture into making an original TV show

While Apple lost one of its chip designers to Google, they’ve gained three new executives from Amazon Studios. One of them is Tara Sorensen, who has led Amazon’s children programming. She will be taking on a similar role at Apple. She will be reporting to Apple’s chief content officers Jamie Erlicht and Zack Van Amburg. She’s joined by Amazon’s international development executive Carina Walker and business affairs chief Tara Pietri. Walker will also serve as an international creative executive for Apple where she will report to fellow Amazon alum Morgan Wandell, while Pietri will leads Apple’s legal affairs division. The move shows us how heavily Apple is pushing its original programming agenda.

Source: Variety