Pandora acquires RDIO music streaming service for US $75M

RDIO, one of the pioneering streaming music services has been purchased by Pandora for US $75 million. Pandora, it appears, plans to cannibalize RDIO and use it for parts to improve its service. Pandora said in an announcement that the acquisition includes “technology and intellectual property from Rdio.”

Pandora, which isn't available in Canada, has been facing stiff competition from streaming music leader Spotify and new entrant Apple Music  which are gaining popularity and being Internationally available. The streaming music industry has surpassed CD sales and even online music sales for the first time this year. 

Source: Variety

Unlocked Lumia 950 and 950 XL smartphones available for preorder from Microsoft Store

Microsoft's new Lumia 950 and Lumia 950 XL Windows 10 smartphones are now available for preorder from Microsoft's online store. The devices are expected to ship on November 25 and will be featuring the latest build of Windows 10 running on smartphones. The 5.2" Lumia 950 costs $749.00 while the larger 5.7" Lumia 950 XL costs $849.99 and should work with all Canadian carriers.

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Apple Pay reportedly coming to Canada on Nov 17 through American Express

Apple Pay, which is Apple's secure and convenient mobile payments platform is finally expected to be coming to Canada tomorrow November 17 through American Express. Apple launched Apple Pay last year in the US and the service currently has Visa, MasterCard and American Express plus hundreds of banks, credit unions and retailers as partners. 

Using secure Touch ID feature on iPhones (5S, 6 and 6S models) or Apple Watch and pre-authorized access to specific services like debit or credit cards, Apple Pay enables quick and safe transactions in store or even when shopping online. While neither Apple nor Amex have confirmed that Apple Pay is being launched, representatives of American Express have hinted at a date. For iPhone users in Canada, this could hopefully usher in the first of many Apple Pay revelations heading into the busy holiday shopping period.

Source: iPhone in Canada via AppleInsider

Hyundai's 2016 Sonata Plug-In Hybrid to deliver 43 kilometres of EV range

Hyundai's Sonata Plug-In hybrid will apparently manage 43 kilometres of EV range and 40 mpg in hybrid operation mode. This brings a total range of 600 miles or 965 kilometres to this mid-size sedan. The Sonata will have a fuel-injected 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine.

What's more, the 9.8-kWh lithium-polymer battery pack needs three hours to top up when connected to a 240V charger and under nine hours when plugged into a 120V outlet. This is the 7th generation of one of Hyundai's most recognized product lines which first rolled out of the factory in 1985. Plug-in hybrids can be charged via mains sockets or special charging stations yet can also use the gas engine either independently or in hybrid mode for the best performance.