Sunday
Mar192017

Canadian Reviewer Weekly Roundup 3/12-3/18

Sunday
Mar192017

‘Super Mario Run’ gets March 23rd release date on Android

The end of the iOS exclusivity for Super Mario Run has come. Android users will finally get to try out Nintendo’s latest mobile Mario game for themselves. The releases comes in time for the version 2.0 of the game and brings with it more character options and give free players a chance to tackle World 1-4 if they complete a certain challenge. There are still other new things for version 2.0 but Nintendo isn’t saying much. So time to mark those calendars off, Android users. Your time has come.

Source: Engadget

Sunday
Mar192017

Swatch plans to develop its own smartwatch operating system

Face of the Tissot Smart-Touch, the brand’s first take on smartwatches (Image from ablogtowatch.com)

Some traditional watchmakers have taken it upon themselves to team up with the likes of Google to release smartwatches. Swatch Group is taking a different approach and plans to develop its own operating system to rival existing smartwatch OSes. The first product to introduce the new OS will be through its Tissot brand and is set to come out at the end of 2018. According to Swatch’s CEO Nick Hayek, this operating system will be able to connect to small objects and wearables. He also promises better battery life and data protection. The improved battery is something Swatch wants to emphasize, especially when compared against what’s out there now.

While it’s not known how the public will react to an entirely new OS, it might be an uphill battle for Swatch as it could take some convincing for developers to create apps for another system. One thing Swatch is open to is supply third-party companies with the OS it co-developed with the Swiss Center for Electronics and Microtechnology. Hayek says they’ve received around 100 requests for more information with half of these coming from smaller Silicon Valley companies who don’t want to rely on iOS or Android.

Source: Bloomberg

Saturday
Mar182017

Toronto's BadBadNotGood featured today on Beats 1's "The Echo Chamber with Mike D."

While their name sounds like a Trump Tweet, Toronto's BadBadNotGood (BBNG) brings an eclectic mix of music and technology to the forefront and is set to showcase their talents with the Beastie Boys' Mike D in his Beats 1 show "The Echo Chamber with Mike D.

With a performance, interview, plus a cover with Mike D (Beastie Boys) on drums! The live content is rare and will be in Apple Music through Beats 1’s "The Echo Chamber with Mike D.” It airs today, Saturday, March 18 at 3:00 p.m. EST, with an encore on Sunday at 3:00 a.m. EST.