BlackBerry Priv stock apps show up on Google Play before launch

BlackBerry’s getting ready for the launch of its new Priv smartphone. Some of the stock apps for the new phone have showed up on Google Play Store ahead of the full launch of the phone. The six apps already up include: BlackBerry Launcher, BlackBerry Keyboard, BlackBerry Services, BlackBerry Password Keeper, BlackBerry Camera, and DTEK by BlackBerry.

None of the apps are downloadable at the moment but having the apps broken out of the system means BlackBerry is free to issue updates when they need to instead of having to wait for device updates. And this could also mean that they can make these apps available to other Android devices as well in the future.

Source: CrackBerry

Cristiano Ronaldo and Monster out new audio gear

Football superstar Cristiano Ronaldo partnered with Monster to introduce a new line of headphones and in-ears called Roc Live Life Loud. The new line brings three new products to the market: the Roc Sport SuperSlim wireless in-ear (US$170), Roc Sport Freedom on-ear wireless Bluetooth ($250), and Roc Sport Black Platinum over-ear ($300). You can grab one of these at eBay at the moment. Monster plans to bring the new audio gear to their own online store in two weeks.

Source: Engadget

Yorkdale Shopping Centre brings pop-up shops and messaging concierge service

For the first time, Yorkdale Shopping Centre is becoming host to some Canadian retailers and first-to-Canada brands with pop-up shops. These are coming just in time for the holiday shopping period. Some of the local brands making its way to the shopping destination include artisan retail concept store BRIKA, gourmet foods brand Nutra-Fruit Cranberry, curiosities and clothing store Drake General Store, and apparel brand Kit and Ace. Jewelry brand ALEX AND ANI will be making its way to Canada for the first time on December 5th at Yorkdale. Same goes for the first North American location of Jamie Oliver’s Jamie’s Italian restaurant.

Aside from offering these brands, Yorkdale is also introducing a new guest services messaging concierge. There will be guest services teams starting November 1^st that you can contact via text or online messaging during regular shopping hours. One of the first of its kind, the Kipsu Messaging service is designed to make both shopping and parking easier for guests.

Xbox beta app for Windows 10 gets social

Microsoft released the latest update for its Xbox beta app on Windows 10. Now it comes with better social sharing tools including a new Facebook friend finder. This feature looks through your Facebook friends list to identify if anyone has Xbox Live accounts that you can add. You just need to link your Facebook account with your Xbox Live account. The game DVR feature gets a boost as well as it now allows you to record yourself narrating as you play, instead of having to do that in a video editing app.

The Xbox store also gets overhauled. It has improved search functionality and code redemption, among its new features.

Source: PCWorld | Download: Microsoft Store (Free)