The Apple Beat: Apple's year in Review

By Gadjo Cardenas Sevilla

Looking back at Apple’s 2016, it was hard to expect the company to match the frenetic pace of product releases from 2015. After all, the previous year saw the introduction of the Apple Watch, iPad Pro, the remixed Apple TV, new and improved iPhone 6s as well as major moves in the areas of car infotainment (Car Play), home automation (Home Kit), Health (Health Kit) and the inception of Apple Music. So, let's look back at what 2016 was all about.

Click to read more ...

Volkswagen to pay out $2.1 billion to Canadian customers due to emissions scandal

Volkswagen Canada is about to make reparation to the 105,000 Canadians who bought Volkswagen or Audi vehicles equipped with 2.0-litre diesel engines between 2009 and 2015.

These customers will reportedly receive $5,100 to $8,000 in compensation. Those who decide to sell their vehicles back to Volkswagen Canada Inc. will receive such a payment on top of the value of their car or crossover on Sept. 18, 2015. The payouts will come after March, 2017, when the Ontario Superior Court and the Superior Court of Quebec issue final approval of the settlement.

Source: Globe and Mail

Video: Apple AirPods unboxing and first impressions

By Gadjo Cardenas Sevilla

For those who were quick enough to order Apple's anticipated AirPods, they began arriving today and were available in limited quantities at Apple Retail Stores. We received our order today and have just set up the AirPods to work with our main smartphone, the iPhone SE.

Out of the box, the AirPods are encased in their tiny charging case. This small, white case does look like a fancy case for dental floss, contact lenses or some other medical apparatus. There are hints of metal in the design of this case as well as a small recessed button. Apple does provide a lightning charger in the box.

Click to read more ...

Amazon Prime Video streaming now showing in Canada

It took a while but the Amazon Prime Video streaming service is available in Canada to Amazon Prime subscribers. This means they are able to watch such acclaimed shows as The Grand Tour (only the most pirated TV show in recent history), Mozart in the Jungle and Transparent as well as a wide variety of other programs. The range of movies and TV shows is limited right now, certainly looks very sparse compared to Netflix, here's hoping for more parity to the US version of Prime Video.

Exisiting Amazon Prime Canada subscribers get the video streaming with their $79 yearly subscription. And, just like with Netflix, subscribers can download episodes for offline viewing.

Source: The Toronto Star