The Honda Civic was the best-selling car in Canada in 2015, marking the 18th straight year it earned that distinction. The Civics that hit the road this year have the latest infotainment system that includes full support for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
Read MoreHave a grandfathered wireless plan? Here’s what you lose if you sign a contract→
/Look at any new wireless plan offered by the carriers, particularly the Big 3, and compare it to whatever plan you have that is no longer offered. Chances are, you’re getting a better deal by sticking to it, but the carriers won’t let you keep it if you want to sign a contract or gain access to certain perks.
Read MoreLegal battle over Android boxes sheds light on what the real problems are→
/Canada’s biggest cable providers have run a full court press to stamp out Android-based set top boxes from the market, but are destined to lose in the end if radical changes aren’t made to how content distribution works.
Read MoreBeyond Ink pen review→
/Gadgetry has always been part of James Bond’s calm under pressure. The Beyond Ink Pen has nothing to do with 007, but it’s not hard to imagine him producing it from his breast pocket.
Read More3Glasses D2 Vanguard Edition review→
/VR, or virtual reality headsets that take things beyond the entry-level experiences of the Google Cardboard or Samsung Gear VR are usually pretty expensive. At a more affordable $400, the 3Glasses D2 Vanguard Edition VR headset sits somewhere in the middle. So how middle-of-the-road does it turn out to be?
Read MoreReview: Linksys AC5400 Max-Stream Gigabit Router →
/If a router could be designated as a tank, the Linksys AC5400 might be it. While already large in physical stature, it’s the power under the hood that makes this unit as robust as it is, even if a good deal of what’s in there can’t be utilized by most devices yet. In many ways, this is a router that is built more for the next year or two than it is for the here and now, and if that appeals to you, the AC5400 worth a look.
Read MoreReview: LG 360 Cam sees the world in 180- or 360-degrees→
/Shooting photos or video in 360-degrees is a unique proposition that has only become readily available to consumers in the last few years. Prior to that, it was either expensive or out of reach, and few options to display the content anyway. The LG 360 Cam is a pocket-sized camera that can shoot in 180- or 360-degrees, and works with any Android phone, not just LG’s models.
Read MoreReview: Sony SRS-XB3 is a solid Bluetooth speaker inside and out→
/It’s easy to find a Bluetooth speaker these days, but not always effortless to find one that delivers consistently good sound. That becomes more of an acute consideration when size is a factor. The Sony SRS-XB3 is small enough to wield almost anywhere as a travel companion, yet boisterous enough to keep a small party entertained. With water-resistance and the ability to sync two speakers together, there is a lot to like here.
Read MoreHow to use the camera in the HTC 10 to take awesome photos→
/For HTC, its latest flagship smartphone is an emphatic return to respectability. The jury is still out on how well the HTC 10 will sell in the end, but one of the primary reasons for the phone’s improved standing is its excellent camera. After a lackluster camera in last year’s One M9, HTC stepped up its game and managed to put together one of the best all-around shooters of 2016 with the HTC 10. New components and improved software make the phone a superb shooter.
Read MoreHuawei GR5 review: Pretty, but not so nice on the inside→
/In many ways, Huawei is a brand without an identity in Canada, though the company has invested fairly heavily in the country, particularly in selling network equipment to the carriers. Its best phones under the Mate and P lines never see the light of day, so a mid-ranger in the GR5 is essentially the only option.
Read MoreReview: Under Armour HealthBox thinks big, needs helping hands→
/These days, it’s not that it’s hard to find a fitness band or other connected health product, it’s that it’s hard to know which one is the best fit for what you want to achieve. Under that premise, the Under Armour HealthBox — with a band, chest strap and scale — would seem to be the ideal bundle to get started. But how well does it deliver as the sum of its parts?
Read MoreHands on: Hearshot Domio→
/Whether you’re riding down ramps on a BMX bike or snowboarding down a powdered mountain, action cameras are able to capture all the insanity along the way. They’ve made it easy to capture all these exploits by attaching them to helmets, handlebars, or clothing to do the job — but what about listening to music throughout all that madness?
Read MorePlantronics BackBeat Go 3 review→
/Affordably priced and simply designed, the BackBeat Go 3 seem like they have the right mix, especially considering the company’s historically solid offerings. Unfortunately, we found they fell short in a couple of key areas.
Read MoreweBoost Drive 4G-X review: Signal on the road→
/Losing reception in the car doesn’t seem to be the sort of thing people gripe about anymore, but that could also depend on where you live and the route you’re driving. A signal boost could make a big difference in weak or dead zones.
Read MoreReview: Parrot Bebop 2 drone doesn’t stray too far→
/It’s hard not to like flying a drone, or even watching one being flown. The novelty of drones, in general, is still fresh, and as awareness grows, so do their capabilities. The Parrot Bebop 2 is one of the easiest to get acclimated with, maintaining the simple look and feel of its predecessor without changing a great deal about its performance.
Read MoreReview: Merge VR is virtual reality for beginners→
/The Merge VR is virtual reality with an openness that is easy to appreciate, yet with limitations that keep it well within the entry-level realm. Compatible with a number of different iOS and Android smartphones, this is a headset that doesn’t require much to get involved, nor any real past experience to enjoy some of what it has to offer.
Read MoreReview: Microsoft Band 2 walks a fine line→
/The Microsoft Band is neither a full-on smartwatch, nor a dedicated fitness band, but rather something in the middle seeking to stand out from a crowded pack. Having learned from prior mistakes with the first Band, this model was meant to be a refined iteration that improved in both design and functionality. How well it stacks up depends on what you prioritize most in a wearable tracker.
Read MoreReview: WeBoost Eqo Boost should amp up your cell reception→
/Pronounced as “echo”, the Eqo Boost is designed to do just that with a signal from outside—capture it at its most optimal point near a window and amplify it up to 32 times. Even at a fraction of that theoretical number, it can mean the difference between one bar and four bars of signal. That’s a considerable upgrade in performance and call quality.
Read MoreReview: Roku Streaming Stick almost does it all→
/It’s not the 4K-enabled Roku 4 that has already launched in the United States, but the company’s new Streaming Stick s an example of a value product that punches above its weight and delivers more than might be expected of it.
Read MoreHands on: Trainerbot→
/Ever felt like you could use a highly skilled opponent to improve your ping pong game? Trainerbot is “the world’s first smart ping pong robot” that claims to simulate specific shots and games to help players at any level practice and get better.
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