Canadian Reviewer Weekly Roundup – 2/21 – 2/27

Samsung promises 4 years of Android security updates on devices

A Samsung Android-based smartwatch in the works? 

Leaked concept videos show Samsung's AR plans 

Spotify to offer a lossless streaming tier later this year 

Control your Traeger Grill better with new Apple Watch app 

Sony teases PS5 VR headset 

Anchor and WordPress can turn your blog post into podcasts 

Fitbit wants to improve your wellbeing with Deepak Chopra's Mindful Method wellness collection 

Netflix rolls out feature on Android that automatically downloads recommended content 

Android Messages app to allow you to schedule texts 

Find out if your passwords were exposed with Android's Password Checkup 

Uber Eats will now serve the Saanich Peninsula 

How to enable dark mode on Google Maps 

Amazon Echo Show 10 retails for $330 in Canada 

Android's TalkBack screen reader gets new voice commands, gesture options 

Facebook's new TikTok-like app is for rappers 

'Pokémon Diamond' and 'Pearl' remakes are coming to the Switch later this year 

'Pokémon Diamond' and 'Pearl' remakes are coming to the Switch later this year

Nintendo DS classic game remakes Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Pokémon Shining Pearl are coming to the Switch later this year. The games get improved graphics to make the most of the console, and they will have similar art styles to the games Pokémon Sword and Shield.

According to The Pokémon Company, the games have "easy-to-understand, player-friendly conveniences" brought to recent games in the main series. There are also close-quarters battles.

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Facebook's new TikTok-like app is for rappers

Facebook's R&D team, the NPE team, has a new app that brings TikTok features to an app targeted to aspiring rappers. Called BARS, it gives you a way to record rhymes while adding studio-quality vocal effects and beats. There are beats available in-app. If you want to write in the app, it can auto-suggest words that rhyme with what you're typing.

The app also has a Challenge mode, where you can wrap freestyle while using auto-suggested word cues.

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Android's TalkBack screen reader gets new voice commands, gesture options

Google improves on Android's accessibility features with a new update for its TalkBack screen reader. TalkBack helps users who are blind or have low vision to navigate their way through their Android devices. Now, the screen reader gets an update with "highly requested" features, such as expanded gesture and navigation options, new voice commands, more language options, and simplified menus.

According to Google, there are now a dozen "easy-to-learn and easy-to-use multi-finger gestures" for actions like selecting and editing text, controlling media, and interacting with apps. The company is also getting rid of multiple menus to get rid of any confusion users might have. Instead, TalkBack will have a single menu that adapts to the current context and provide regular access to essential functions.

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