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This week, eero comes to Canada with its second generation mesh networking solution and new Tiles help you find what you lost. But first, the launch of Destiny 2 has made an impact.

Destiny 2 is the biggest game release so far this year

Destiny 2 is certainly having a big impact.

Since the game was released on September 6, on numerous occasions more than a million gamers have been playing at the same time. On the Twitch gaming video network, it’s the number one game being watched.

Destiny 2 may also be the best first-person shooter game ever made.

That’s a hyperbolic claim, to be sure, but hear me out.

I’ve already admitted to being a fan of this franchise, having already spent a total of weeks playing Destiny, and a couple of dozen hours playing Destiny 2. I’ll admit that the game is not for everyone, but even if you aren’t into science-fiction space operas, there’s no mistaking what Bungie has accomplished here.

Mechanically, it’s even more satisfying than the first game. Whether navigating through the environments or engaging in combat, taking on the guise of a Guardian is a joy. The controls are responsive, the feedback crisp.

The stunning new locations, including a new bucolic setting on Earth, Saturn’s moon Titan, and Jupiter’s moon Io, are entirely distinct, the geographies unique, and the crumbling cities — once populated by humanity — shimmering with history.

These environments are much more spacious than in the first game, too. That gives us more to explore and also changes how we engage in combat.

The enemies are the same, although some movements and behaviours have been tweaked and it seems to me that the loot drops are more generous.

The role-playing elements, from character-upgrade paths to weapon and equipment improvements, have been simplified, as have the currency and token systems.

Things like fast travel and public-event timers are now built into the game so it’s easier to move from place to place to group up with other players.

There’s also a more coherent narrative in Destiny 2, and Bungie has seized the opportunity to better develop the three iconic characters that were role models to the hunters, titans, and warlocks in the first game but who weren’t much more than window dressing there.

So we get more excellent acting from Gina Torres (Ikora Rey), Lance Reddick (Zavala), and Nathan Fillion (Cayde-6), as well as fine performances from the talent who voice a host of new characters that round out the story.

There’s also more game here. In addition to the story missions, the public events, the strikes and raids — the first one was just released last week — there are dozens of side missions that give you more reason to adventure. It’s a lot like the first game, but with more context and substance.

With the combination of solo play, team play, cooperative group play, and competitive modes, Destiny 2 offers something for everyone. With first-rate gameplay and art direction, it’s the best first-person shooter yet.

Destiny 2 is now available on PS4 and Xbox One. The Windows version of the game releases on October 24.

New Tile Pro gadgets help you keep track of your stuff

If you’ve got a problem misplacing your keys, or you never remember in which drawer you stashed your passport, Tiles are your friend.

These are Bluetooth enabled gadgets with a small speaker that you can activate with your smartphone. If your keys are in the couch cushions, you’ll hear a tone to help you locate them.

The new Tile Pro gadgets work within a range of 200 feet and have better water and dust resistance. They complement the Tile Mate and Tile Slim, which is thin enough to be place in a wallet or passport.

The Tile Pro series are $45 each or two for $80, and the Tile Slim is $40 each. They are available at Amazon and Best Buy.

Second generation eero mesh networking arrives in Canada

I’ve written before about how difficult it can be to get Wi-fi working in larger homes, or houses with concrete construction (even lath and plaster plays havoc with Wi-fi signals).

But new mesh systems are great solutions because they use devices to extend the range of your wireless signal, and software to make it easy for you to move around while still getting the best signal possible.

eero recently released its second generation mesh system, and it’s the first time the networking setup has been available in Canada.

The system consists of a main router and one or more “Beacons,” which is eero’s term for its range extenders.

What’s great about eero is that the Beacons plug directly into a power outlet, so you don’t have to worry about where to place them or what to do with the power cable. But at the same time, the Beacons do not have an ethernet port, like the range extenders provided by other mesh networking systems, so you can’t get a better connection for your remote computer or set-top box.

You configure eero through a smartphone app, and it’s a simple, easy process. You also use the app to check the network and see what devices are connected to it. You can create profiles to curb your children’s use after bedtime, but the app does not give you the opportunity to prioritize traffic to certain devices, such as a game system.

eero, available at electronics retailers and online, is also more expensive than other mesh networking systems:

  • 1 eero + 1 eero Beacon: $399
  • 1 eero + 2 eero Beacons: $549
  • 3 eeros: $699

While it’s a welcome addition to the networking options available to Canadians, eero’s price point puts it out of range for many consumers. And though being able to plug Beacons into any power outlet is convenient, the lack of an ethernet port is a drawback.

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This week, everything you wanted to know about the 10th-anniversary edition iPhone, the iPhone X. Plus, a new Apple Watch is coming, and there’s a better Apple TV, too.

Apple’s announces three new iPhones, including iPhone X

The main features of iPhone X are the new screen (edge-to-edge, OLED), Face ID (facial recognition security and features), and wireless charging. It will cost $1,319 or $1,529 when it releases on November 3.

The iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus are updated versions of the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus, adding wireless charging.

Read more about the new phones in my article at the Straight.

Apple Watch Series 3 goes cellular

I’m very excited about the new Apple Watch, because Series 3 is swimproof and also gets cellular functionality. You still need an iPhone to make the Apple Watch work, the watch uses the same number as your iPhone, but now you can use the Apple Watch more independently. Read more about the Series 3 in my article at the Straight.

The way this is expected to work is that you’ll pay a surcharge on your wireless plan to be able to use your data on your watch.

It’s $519 in Canada when it comes out next Friday (September 22), but the catch is that only Bell is supporting the Series 3 cellular, and not in Manitoba and Saskatchewan, where Bell doesn’t sell mobile devices. Telus support is “coming later this year,” and Rogers isn’t on Apple’s list of carriers at all.

I’m a Rogers customer, but if they can’t get on board to support the Apple Watch Series 3, I’m switching.

Apple TV ups the stakes on resolution and range

The new model is Apple TV 4K, and it not only delivers the higher-definition resolution, but also supports high-dynamic range (HDR) imagery. So if you’ve got a TV that can display the better picture, Apple TV 4K, with the same chip that is in the iPad Pro, will give you that picture.

The price of buying TV episodes and movies will not change despite the bump in visual quality. And if you bought an HD version of a film, you get the 4K version at no charge.

Canada is also getting the TV app, which means you can use your Apple TV as a tuner to access your local channels.

Live sports and live news are coming to the Apple TV app, too.

Apple TV 4K is available to preorder today, and will ship next Friday (September 22). It will cost $229 for a 32 GB hard drive, and $249 for a 64 GB hard drive.

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