Google introduces Local Guides on Maps

Exploring a new city or new spots in your town? Google is asking the help of the locals to give you a hand. This Local Guides feature is new for Maps and is meant to give its users access to people who are familiar with the area. This title is given to top reviewers on the app who know their city enough and want to talk about the best spots in town. You get to become a Local Guide if you have at least 50+ reviews under your belt. If this is something that interests you too, you can check it out here and find out how to join.

 Source: Google | Via: Lifehacker

Don’t expect a MacBook/iPad hybrid, says Apple CEO Tim Cook

Photo courtesy of independent.ie

With the launch of the iPad Pro, Apple CEO Tim Cook calls it the replacement device for a notebook or desktop. But he clarifies this as meaning Windows-based notebooks and desktops and not the Mac. “We don’t regard Macs and PCs to be the same,” says Cook. “What we’ve tried to do is recognize that people use both iOS and Mac devices.” He didn’t elaborate this in his independent.ie interview. What Apple has done with the iPad Pro and its newer iOS 9 devices is focusing on the handoff feature instead of bringing iOS and OS X into a single operating system. Cook says he doesn’t think that combining the MacBook and iPad is what the consumers really want.

“Because what that would wind up doing, or what we’re worried would happen, is that neither experience would be as good as the customer wants. So we want to make the best tablet in the world and the best Mac in the world. And putting those two together would not achieve either. You’d begin to compromise in different ways,” says Cook.

Source: independent.ie | Via: The Verge

260,000 Kia Souls recalled for possible steering failure

Kia announced that it is recalling 256,459 examples of the 2014-2016 Soul and Soul EV produced between Jan. 18, 2014, and Sept. 30, 2015 for possible steering failure issues. Upon recall, the adhesive that secures the steering pinion gear and the steering gear assembly can potentially separate, and if this happens drivers lose control. Dealers will inspect the affected vehicles and replace the pinion plug if necessary. They'll also install a set bolt to further reinforce things. The campaign will begin Dec. 22. 

No incidents or accidents connected to this steering failure have been reported. 

Source: Autoblog

Canadian Reviewer Weekly Roundup 11/08-11/14

Lamborghini adds new Spyder convertible to Huracán line for 2016

Chronos brings smart functionality to traditional chronographs

Microsoft kicks off Cloud Roadshow in Toronto

iPad Pro available for preorder Wednesday, in stores on Friday

Luxury watchmaker Tag Heuer launches its first smartwatch

The new Range Rover Evoque Convertible is the top-down SUV you've been waiting for

Toronto and 14 other cities get Google’s VR for students

Microsoft announces first 104 games to support Xbox One Backward Compatibility

Review: Sennheiser RS 175 Wireless Headphones

Canadian team wins James Dyson Award

Tumblr introduces instant messaging

Apple Music comes to Android

Philips and Canada’s Mackenzie Health announce $300 million, 18-year strategic partnership

HP serves up thinner and lighter mobile workstations

Hyundai to introduce augmented reality manuals for its cars

Keep your laptop out of sight with Under-The-Jack Pack

Review: Apple watchOS 2

Cortana personal assistant now available to Canadian Windows 10 users

Logitech's CREATE may be the ultimate iPad Pro accessory

Apple, Google pull InstaAgent app for reportedly storing passwords on unknown servers

Fossil buys wearable maker Misfit for $260 million

The Apple Beat: Current products and services range ushers in age of expansion

Huawei works on new lithium-ion batteries capable of charging 10 times faster than normal batteries

VW shares plummet after Dieselgate scandal spreads to gas engines

Google, Skype offers free international calls to France via Hangouts