SourceCode: Reasons why Google discontinued the Nexus line of devices

By Gadjo Cardenas Sevilla

Google is expected to launch an entire new brand of smartphones under its Pixel line of devices which will effectively retire the company's longstanding Nexus brand. Nexus devices have been Google-approved reference designs built by partner OEM's and were created to showcase the latest and greatest features of the Android OS on hardware that often pushed the envelope in design and, more importantly, the Pure Google experience. 

Nexus devices have been popular with enthusiasts, phone geeks and tinkerers who wanted to extend the functionality of their phone way beyond what OEM devices had to offer. Nexus also meant no bloatware from phone manufacturers or carriers which took up a lot of the limited and non-expandable storage Nexus devices come with.

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Nintendo NES Classic Edition comes on Nov. 11

The Nintendo Entertainment System: NES Classic Edition console, anticipated to be one of the hottest gifts this holiday season, launches on Nov. 11 at a suggested retail price of only $59.99. The system includes 30 classic NES games like Super Mario Bros. 3, Metroid and The Legend of Zelda, plus a replica of the original NES controller that can also be used with NES Virtual Console games on the Wii or Wii U systems. And the games look sharper than ever using the included HDMI cable.

Maybe you’ve heard some of that before, but did you also know the system can be played in three different display modes? Or that games can be saved at any time using Suspend Points? Or how about the fact that all of the games’ original manuals can be viewed by scanning an on-screen QR Code with a smart device? 

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BlackBerry to end smartphone production, will move to services-only model

The last true BlackBerry: The BlackBerry Classic was the last handset to feature RIM's core smartphone features

By Gadjo Cardenas Sevilla

The writing has been on the wall for some time on this one, BlackBerry (formerly Research In Motion) has announced that it is exiting the hardware business and will no longer make any more handsets. Instead, it will rely on partners for hardware as well as focus on a services-only model moving forward.

"The company plans to end all internal hardware development and will outsource that function to partners," said CEO John Chen in a statement about the tactical shift for the company. "Our financial foundation is strong, and our pivot to software is taking hold."

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Rogers shuts down Netflix streaming service rival shomi

Rogers has shut down the Shomi streaming service which it hoped would compete with streaming behemoth Netflix. shomi ceases to sho anything at the end of November.

"We tried something new, and customers who used shomi loved it. It's like a great cult favourite with a fantastic core audience that unfortunately just isn't big enough to be renewed for another season," said Melani Griffith, Senior Vice President, Content, Rogers. "We will be reaching out to eligible customers in the coming days as we have a wide range of premium experiences available for people to enjoy."

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