Forget everything you know about Spider-Man video games. This experience is on a whole new level.Spider-Man is one of the most iconic fictional characters ever created. The web-head has starred in countless comics, movies, TV shows, and video games but not all of them have bee super high quality. While games like Spider-Man 2 are widely regarded as one of the best superhero games of all time, Spider-Man has also been subjected to some extremely bad video games that many of us try to block out of our memory.With that said, Ratchet and Clank, Sunset Overdrive, and Resistance developer Insomniac Games is spearheading an exciting new vision for the wall-crawler. While we haven't played the game yet, the studio has proven themselves time and time again and all the trailers we've seen look incredibly promising for PlayStation 4 fans this year.See at AmazonWhat's new with Marvel's Spider-Man?Keep up with Peter Parker if you can. The geeky webslinger is back in his most ambitious g...

We're a virtual company made up of tech experts from across the globe. We also happen to be avid PlayStation lovers and want to enjoy our favorite childhood games the best way possible.PlayStation OneThe pioneer$48 at AmazonProsThe console itself is cheap.Supports any original PlayStation game.Adapters allow HDMI support.Physical memory card supportConsWill need to purchase used.Older hardware can be less reliable.Native graphics are inferior.Additional cost for HDMI adapterAll things considered, the original PlayStation One is still well worth your money despite being over two decades old. You just have to deal with the risks of buying used.PlayStation ClassicNostalgia machine$100 at Best BuyProsConvenience of one purchaseSuperior graphicsSmaller form factorHDMI support without adaptersConsMore expensiveOnly comes with 20 gamesCannot use original memory cardsThe PlayStation Classic is a great gift for a person looking for something convenie...

OnePlus is going to end 2018 with a bang.Ever since it was released this past May, the OnePlus 6 has been one of the absolute best values in smartphones we've seen in 2018. The phone's only gotten better thanks to striking new colors and fast software updates, and right around the corner is its incremental successor — the OnePlus 6T.The 6T likely won't shake up the OnePlus 6's formula too much, but even so, it's already shaping up to be one of the year's most interesting smartphones.Without further ado, here's everything we know about the OnePlus 6T!The latest OnePlus 6T newsOctober 19, 2018 — OnePlus moves its 6T announcement to October 29 due to Apple's press eventEarlier this month, OnePlus confirmed that it'd be holding an event in New York City on October 30 to unveil its next smartphone — the OnePlus 6T. However, with Apple announcing yesterday that it's also holding an event in New York City that same day, OnePlus has decided to shift its event ...

Whether you're looking for new tech gear or household items, we've got you covered.There's never a shortage of deals available, but sorting through all of them can be difficult at times. We've handpicked all the best tech, and everyday essentials discounts that you can take advantage of right now and brought them to one central location. From video games to everyday carries, these are today's best deals.Tech DealsView the rest of the dealsEveryday EssentialsIf you want to know about the deals as soon as they are happening, you'll want to follow Thrifter on Twitter, and sign up for the newsletter, because missing out on a great deal stinks!...

If you just picked up an LG V40, you're probably chomping at the bit to start messing around with your new phone. We don't blame you, but before you get too far ahead of yourself, you should probably pick up a case to protect the handset before anything bad happens, especially since its glass back makes it more prone to cracks and scratches. If you do, here are the ones you should consider getting.Slim, stylish, protectiveDretal Shock Resistant CaseDretal makes great cases for just about every phone, and with the V40, that's no different. Dretal's case comes in five striking colors, features a durable TPU material, and has a stylish design that's both slim and shockproof.$7 at AmazonLeather wallet caseFree-Case Leather Wallet CaseWhat's better than a wallet case? A wallet case made out of genuine leather! This case has an incredibly sleek design, can hold both cards and cash, and can be used to prop up the V40 for impromptu video streaming.$9 at AmazonRugged opt...

We're a virtual company made up of tech experts from across the globe. We live and breathe consumer technology, and use nearly every one to find the best smart home picks for you.Ring AlarmSecurity on a budget$199 at AmazonProsInexpensive compared to the Nest system.Includes all the pieces you need to get going.No long-term commitments or cancellation fees.ConsFewer sensors included than the Nest system.More complicated to set up.If you have a smaller home — or just don't want to spend too much on your first security system — the Ring Alarm system is for you. It includes all the pieces you need to get started and works wonderfully with Amazon's Echo speakers.Nest SecureBetter integration$399 at NestProsIntegrates with other Nest products.Includes more sensors out of the box.ConsTwice as expensive.If you already have a Nest thermostat, adding this security system will make everything easier to use than using a security system from anothe...

If you're a runner, you know that any old pair of headphones won't always work, whether you're completing miles on the track or around town. If you want to listen to your music or a podcast while on the move, you need headphones that are sweatproof, lightweight, and offer great sound. No matter if you're a pro or just get started with the running lifestyle, these are our favorite headphones for runners.Flagship earbudsJaybird X4Want running headphones that do it all? Jaybird X4 are for you. Sound quality is fantastic, battery life is rated for eight hours of use per charge, they're extremely comfy to wear, and have a waterproof design. Learn even more in our full review!$129 at AmazonSuper compactJaybird TarahIf you want about 90 percent of what the Jaybird X4 bring to the table but for $30 less, the Jaybird Tarah earbuds are a perfect fit. Battery life is shorter at six hours and the sound isn't quite as powerful, but the even more compact design is fantastic. Chec...

This is Halloween! This is Halloween!Smartphones scream in the dead of night!This is Halloween, everybody pick a theme!Trick or treat till the app is gonna crash in fright!You've probably got a costume for Halloween, right? Well, do you have one for your phone? You don't want to leave your most important device out of the fun, do you? Especially when you can make your Android phone look like anything from an old iPhone to Deadpool and everything in between. Android themes are amazing, and there's no better time to try one of our many Android themes than Halloween! So dress up your phone! Who knows? Maybe you'll like it so much you keep these decorations up 'til Christmas.Trick or TreatWant to make your phone festive without dedicating to a specific costume or character? We've got a Halloween theme for you, complete with an adorable black and white cat, candy, and ghoulishly dark theme icons and widgets!Get cute this Halloween with an adorable jack-o-lantern themeDark...

One day only.Today only, Amazon has the Mpowerd Luci Pro Lux on sale for $26.21 right now. Today marks its first and steepest price drop ever on Amazon. Normally it costs $35, but we'd like to argue that this thing is worth its weight in gold.This versatile, durable gadget can charge via the sun's rays or through the two-way USB port. It lasts up to 50 hours on a single charge, too. It features 10 warm white LEDs and four light modes, including low, medium, high, and flashing. The USB port will also work to charge your phone, making this thing even more handy. Additionally, it has an IP67 waterproof rating, meaning the Luci Pro Lux can be used for emergency situations as well as for camping, hiking, fishing, and whatever else you like to do outside.The real benefit here, in my opinion, is the option to use solar power. If you aren't near a power source or you forget to plug it in, just leave the thing outside all day and you'll have it ready to go at night. No hand cranking is ...

Understanding Microsoft Office and how it all works is very important when looking for a job. Don't get left behind at the interview table because you don't know how to use formulas in Excel or analyze data with ease. With Microsoft offering so many apps under the Office umbrella, it can be hard to learn them all, especially if you don't know where to begin. Luckily, getting started doesn't have to be hard.This great bundle is just $39 Learn MoreFor just $29 you can get access to a year of amazing Microsoft Office information to help you master the suite of apps. From the basic features and functions to data analyzing, you'll have access to it all.The courses in this bundle include:Microsoft Excel: Beginner to IntermediateAdvanced Microsoft Excel CourseMicrosoft Word: Beginner to IntermediateEffective Outlook CoursePivotTable CourseMicrosoft SharePoint: Beginner to IntermediateMicrosoft PowerPoint CourseEach course is broken down into sections and units so that it...

The SIM lock is short-lived, but the bad taste isn't.Verizon being the "exclusive" carrier for the Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL is a bit of an annoyance because it reduces the options for getting the phones in a store and with incentives from other carriers. But now it looks like that exclusivity is more restrictive than in the past — Pixel 3s sold by Best Buy are actually SIM locked to Verizon, so T-Mobile and AT&T SIM cards aren't working, at least at first.Best Buy technically only sells a "Verizon" Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL. But if we were to follow the past experience of the original Pixel and Pixel 2, these "Verizon" phones were actually identical to the unlocked models and could be used on any carrier of your choice — the only hurdle was getting Best Buy or Verizon to sell you one without a Verizon account.But yes, Pixel 3s sold by Best Buy are SIM locked — its product pages even say so. Compare that to Best Buy's listing for the "Verizon" Pixel 2 that cle...

Ludicrous speed and power.The Asus ROG smartphone is now available to pre-order for $899.99 on Amazon. We went hands-on with this phone back in June, but we didn't know when or where it would be available until now. It's finally here, and if you're into mobile gaming and Asus' unique design then this is the phone for you. It will be released October 29.The phone has a super-fast Snapdragon 845 processor, a six-inch Full HD 2160 x 1080 display with a 90Hz refresh rate, 8GB RAM, and 128GB storage. The battery has a 4000mAh capacity and is compatible with Quick Charge 4.0 tech, so you can get back to the action as fast as possible. On the front it has an 8MP camera, and on the back it has a 12MP and 8MP camera for wide angles.This phone's processor can actually beat out other high-end Android phones like the Samsung Galaxy S9, boosting up to 2.96Ghz. The ultrasonic sensors on the back of the phone can be used for games, and the AirTriggers are programmable by you based on the ga...

The Galaxy Note 9 comes with a hefty amount of storage with the base model at 128GB, but if you want to get more with the 512GB variant, you need to cough up another $250. Granted that version also comes with an extra 2GB of RAM, but that's still a lot more money on top of an already expensive phone. Thankfully, you don't have to splurge for the 512GB Note 9 just to get more storage space. Instead, you can pick up a microSD card for a lot less money and still give yourself some more wiggle room.Cheapest on the listSilicon Power 32GB High SpeedJust need a little extra space? This card meets UHS-1 Class 10 standards to ensure fast performance, read speeds reach up to 85MB/s, and the included adapter allows you to also use this in a full-size SD card slot.$7 at AmazonBest for most peopleSanDisk Ultra 64GB microSDXCFor a few more dollars, you can step up to the SanDisk Ultra 64GB card. Along with the added space, read speeds are also a bit faster at 100MB/s. SanDisk als...

The Find X and F7 are the latest Android phones to juke the stats.The Oppo Find X and F7, two of Oppo's latest Android phones, have recently been outed for cheating on processor benchmarks with the popular 3DMark benchmark app.UL Benchmarks revealed this info on October 18, saying that the two Oppo phones were designed to know when 3DMark was running and then crank themselves into high-gear to get the best possible results. When a private version of 3DMark was used on the phones, results came in at 41% lower.The Oppo Find X was previously listed as the #4 fastest phone in one of UL Benchmarks' tests, but following this new evidence, both it and the F7 have been delisted from the site.Oppo responded to UL Benchmarks, saying: When we detect that the user is running applications like games or 3D Benchmarks that require high performance, we allow the SoC to run at full speed for the smoothest experience. For unknown applications, the system will adopt the default power optimi...

Whether you're looking for new tech gear or household items, we've got you covered.We found plenty of great deals today on Fitbit trackers, Amazon Echo and Fire hardware, Cadbury's chocolates, Xbox Live Gold membership, Philips Wake-up Lights, and much more!View the rest of the dealsEach day, the Thrifter UK team scouts out and shares amazing deals on products you know and love, helping you find the best prices on the 'net.For more UK deals coverage, be sure to keep an eye on Thrifter UK and follow the team on Twitter for the most up-to-the-minute coverage....

These need a bit more time in the oven.As truly wireless earbuds have become cheaper and better, I've been more and more tempted to pick up a set. What's kept me away from most brands has been a bit shallow: I am trying to get all my devices to charge over USB-C instead of Micro-USB. Brands have stuck with the older connection, so I've stuck with waiting. I went strolling through Best Buy a few weeks ago, and finally found a pair that had a giant battery, USB-C charging, and a few more tricks up its sleeve.Wireless wonderRowkin Ascent Charge+ $140 from AmazonGreat sound and a giant battery.If you want wireless earbuds that can last weeks on a charge, these are for you. That is — if you can deal with the connection issues.The GoodUSB-C and Qi chargingDecent soundComfortable fitThe BadTakes way too much effort to con...

The pricing for apps varies by pixel density on phone displays.Back in July of this year, the European Commission fined Google $5 billion for heavily pushing its software and services on Android phones. Google appealed to the fine on October 16, and one of the biggest changes to come out of said appeal is that Google will now start charging OEMs in Europe that want to use its apps without pre-installing Chrome and Search.Up until now, it's been unclear exactly how much Google would charge. Thanks to a new report from The Verge, however, we now know that Google will require OEMs to pay up to $40 per phone.That $40 per phone fee apparently applies to devices that have a pixel density on the display of 501ppi (pixels per inch) or greater. The pricing then works out as follows for lower resolutions:$20 fee for devices with 400 to 500ppi$10 fee for devices with 399ppi and lower$2.50 fee for "lower-end phones in some countries"In addition to the new fees, companies that choose t...

The days of a cheap 'Nexus' phone are dead; it's time to move on.Complaints about the Pixel 3's price have been loud. Even louder than complaints about the Pixel 3 XL's notch. It's reasonable to argue whether the Pixel 3 and 3 XL are worth the full freight of $799-899 given their spec sheets. And I think even a $50 lower price on each would've done a lot of good to help change the conversation around just how expensive they are.But some have asked why Google doesn't just go back to making "cheap" phones again — as it did in the heyday of the Nexus 4 and Nexus 5. A lower price, they say, would appease the Android fans who just want an inexpensive phone from Google with "stock" Android, but also give Google's Pixel brand a fighting chance of growing its market share from the current doldrums. Building yet another cheap Android phone doesn't make Google money, nor does it advance its branding.To think Google would decide to make an inexpensive Pixel — either by ch...

You've got a lot of great options to choose from this year.Google opted for an all-glass back this year with its Pixel 3 series, and while this does allow for wireless charging, it also makes the phones much more prone to scratches and cracks.There are a ton of excellent cases out there to choose from, but ones are truly worth your money?According to the AC forum community, these are the cases you should be keeping on your radar. bhatech 10-12-2018 10:18 AM “ I got the speck presidio and Google fabric case. Presidio case already delivered and fabric case will be delivered next week. Reply Mr Segundus 10-12-2018 01:29 PM “ I ordered the Otterbox Defender a couple of days ago from Verizon and it was just delivered via FedEx. I purchased the 128GB Pixel 3 XL and I don't want my $1,000 phone to get damaged if I drop it....

The Google Pixel 3 XL is easily the best phone Google has ever made, and that also makes it the best unlocked Android phone available. Simplicity is the name of the game here: the hardware is efficiently designed, the software gets out of your way, and all of the features have a distinct purpose. It also offers the best overall camera experience of any Android.Our pickGoogle Pixel 3 XL$899 from Google Store$899 from Best BuyThe best unlocked Android phone.The Pixel 3 XL focuses on having the fastest, simplest and most helpful software experience, running on simple and powerful hardware. It accents everything with an amazing camera and a handful of features that make it stand out from the competition.Who should buy this phoneThe Pixel 3 XL is not for those who measure a phone's quality by the level of its specs or the raw number of features it offers. But if you just look at the spec sheet and the features, you're missing out on the bigger picture: the Pixel 3 XL is a...

We're a virtual company made up of tech experts from across the globe. We're an expert team of techies who also go nuts over video games. These recommendations come directly from the personal experiences of the men and women who write them.The Anker Dual USB Wall Charger provides not one, but two capable USB ports for powering the PlayStation Classic. That means you can have your game going and maybe even charge your smartphone at the same time.Our pickAnker Dual USB Wall Charger$11 at AmazonIt'll serve you well in more ways than one.It has two capable USB ports to power your PlayStation Classic and another device of yours at the same time powered by Anker's PowerPort 2 technology.Who should buy this AC adapter?The PlayStation Classic doesn't use a traditional AC adapter, and can instead be powered by any USB wall charger outputting 5 volts and 1 amp. That means most USB chargers available will work just fine. You might even already own one, but if not, this is what ...

The Mi Mix 3 is Xiaomi's most ambitious device yet.The Mi Mix 3 is turning out to be one of the most interesting devices of the year. Xiaomi has teased earlier in the year that it was adopting a sliding design to hide the cameras when not in use, and the phone will be the first in the world to sport 10GB of RAM.Here's everything we know so far about the Mi Mix.October 19, 2018 — Xiaomi shows off the sliding design on the Mi Mix 3Quite a few Mi Fans have been asking how the sliding form factor works for #MiMIX3. 😎Here's a quick video showing how easy it is to slide down and reveal the TWO front cameras. Only 6 days left.#Xiaomi pic.twitter.com/gfRlPKbO6M— Donovan Sung (@donovansung) October 19, 2018Ahead of the Mix 3 launch, Xiaomi is showing off how the sliding mechanism works on the device. The screen slides down to reveal the dual front cameras, with XIaomi highlighting a few potential use cases in the teaser video.October 17, 2018 — Mi Mix 3...

Alexa's always ready to play your favorite stations.SiriusXM is teaming up with Amazon to offer three months of streaming radio for free to Echo Dot owners. New customers who sign up for a SiriusXM All Access or SiriusXM Premier subscription will receive one of the smart speakers featuring Amazon Alexa for free, which is a $50 savings. Plus it's the latest (third-gen) version of the device. Furthermore, SiriusXM is offering 60% off six-month All Access subscriptions right now.If you're already a SiriusXM Select listener, upgrading to one of the tiers above will also score you a free Echo Dot. Once it's arrived at your home, not only will you be able to listen to your favorite SiriusXM channels, but you'll also gain access to tons of Alexa Skills, check the weather, and use it to control connected smart home devices like Philips Hue lights.The Echo Dot was just recently upgraded for its third generation, too. You can find out more about its latest enhancements by reading through...

You can step all the way up to $14,146 for a gold-plated model.There's a lot of discussion right now about more and more smartphones creeping towards the $1000 price point, but one company that's been soaring well beyond that is Vertu. Vertu's released a number of multi-thousand dollar Android phones in the past, and now the company's returning with the $5,000 Aster P.While luxury phones from Vertu aren't anything new, this is the first new phone from the company since it reportedly closed up shop in July 2017 and cut around 200 employees.So, what kind of phone are we getting with the Vertu Aster P? More or less what we've come to expect from past Vertu phones. The phone is handmade in England and features a titanium frame and display that's covered by a measly 133-carat sapphire crystal glass panel. You can outfit the back with a variety of materials, including the likes of crocodile and lizard leather. Also similar to other Vertu phones is the red ruby button that c...

LG basically made its own version of a Galaxy S9+, and that may just be enough.From the start, LG's V series has been about content creation and offering more ways to capture the world around you. But over the years, the G and V series have to converged to the point where they're nearly identical. Not unlike Samsung's Galaxy S and Note lines (go figure), the G and V series are basically the same aside from slightly different sizes and some key feature advancements that a staggered release cycle affords.In a world where the LG G7 hasn't garnered the mind share of Samsung's Galaxy S9+, that leaves the V40 in a tough spot considering how much it shares with LG's attempt from earlier in the year. The "hook," if you will, is a five-camera setup that's backed up by neat camera software. But the V40 has more to offer, as the rest of the phone is filled with appealing specs and features lifted directly from Samsung's playbook.Here's how it all comes together in the LG V40.Five camera...

Whether you're looking for new tech gear or household items, we've got you covered.We found plenty of great deals today that include big discounts on TCL 4K HDR Roku TVs, Jabra Elite Active 65t true-wireless earphones, Nest Hello bundles, AMD Ryzen processors, USB-C cables, and much more!View the rest of the dealsEach day, the Thrifter Canada team scouts out and shares amazing deals on products you know and love, helping you find the best prices on the 'net.For more Canadian deals coverage, be sure to keep an eye on Thrifter CA, sign up for the Canadian newsletter and follow the team on Twitter....

This is not a great sign.Verizon being the "exclusive" carrier for the Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL is a bit of an annoyance because it reduces the options for getting the phones in a store and with incentives from other carriers. But now it looks like that exclusivity is more restrictive than in the past — Pixel 3s sold by Best Buy are seemingly SIM locked to Verizon. Early units being sold today (the first actual day of retail availability) from Best Buy aren't working with non-Verizon SIM cards.To be clear here, Best Buy technically only sells a "Verizon" Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL. But if we were to follow the past experience of the original Pixel and Pixel 2, these "Verizon" phones were actually identical to the unlocked models and could be used on any carrier of your choice — the only hurdle was getting Best Buy or Verizon to sell you one without a Verizon account.But yes, it seems that Pixel 3s sold by Best Buy are SIM locked — its product pages even say so. Co...

The Sony WH1000XM3 headphones come with a range of excellent features, and Sony is updating them with new features all the time. Version 2.0 brings support for Google Assistant, with more feature set to be added later. This guide will show you how to update the firmware on your new headphones.What you'll needAmazon: Sony WH1000XM3 headphones ($348)Google Play Store: Sony | Headphones Connect app (Free) The GuideFirst, make sure your headphones are paired with your phoneLaunch the Sony | Headphones Connect application.Connect your WH1000XM3 to the Sony | Headphones Connect app (this should happen automatically if you're paired).If there's an update available, you'll see the banner at the bottom of the screen. Press More Info.Press OK to start the update.The transfer will start. It will automatically move to the next screen after the transfer has been completed. This will take about one minute.When the software update is completed, press "OK".Once you've updated t...

How much you can expect to pay for LG's latest.LG's going for the extreme high end of the market with the V40, and unlike the G7 earlier this year it has the support of all major U.S. carriers to do it. The V40 starts at $900, which puts it at the absolute top of the range for most people, so carrier financing plans are going to be key to get this phone out the door.Here's what you can expect to pay from each carrier and retailer out there, along with all of the current deals and incentives on offer to try and lighten the blow of that price tag.UnlockedLG didn't actually announce specific availability of its unlocked V40, but even so, both Best Buy and B&H is selling a carrier-free version of the phone that'll set you back $949.99.See at Best BuySee at B&HAT&TAT&T is promoting its "Next" plan, which gets the monthly cost for the V40 down to $31.67 per month ... though that's spread over 30 months rather than the typical 24-month payment plan. The total ...

Given how reliable mobile pay options are in 2018, it's actually not that big of a deal if you forget your wallet at home. Our phones can now store most credit and/or loyalty cards, with your photo ID being the only phyisical card you actually need to have on you. This makes a wallet case a fantastic option for the new Pixel 3 XL, and we've rounded up some of the best case options from cheaper options made from synthetic leather to the premium Bellroy Leather Wallet Case.Budget folio caseAbacus24-7 Flip Cover Wallet CaseMade of synthetic leather with a clear ID pocket and a hidden money pocket, this folio-style wallet case may just check all your boxes. It can store up to three cards along with some cash and the front cover doubles up as a kickstand.$10 at AmazonSleek designTorubia Wallet CasePlan to use Google Pay for most of your purchases and only need a slot for your ID card? Check out this slim case that doesn't add much bulk to your pocket carry.$7 at Retail...

Whether you're looking for new tech gear or household items, we've got you covered.There's never a shortage of deals available, but sorting through all of them can be difficult at times. We've handpicked all the best tech, and everyday essentials discounts that you can take advantage of right now and brought them to one central location. From smart lights to playtime patios, these are today's best deals.Tech DealsView the rest of the dealsEveryday EssentialsIf you want to know about the deals as soon as they are happening, you'll want to follow Thrifter on Twitter, and sign up for the newsletter, because missing out on a great deal stinks!...

Here's where you can get Google's latest phones, in either size.The Google Pixel 3 is now available for purchase across the United States, and if you want the best Android phone money can buy in 2018, it needs to be at the very top of your shopping list.Both the Pixel 3 and 3 XL are outfitted with vastly improved displays compared to last year's models, refined designs, and damn impressive cameras. If you want to buy one, here's everything you need to know.VerizonOnce again Verizon is the "exclusive" carrier for the Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL in the U.S. That's, of course, a bit of a misnomer because that exclusivity only reaches as far as buying from a carrier goes. Still, that means Verizon is the only one of the big four U.S. carriers to offer the phone directly.Pricing is set at $799 for the Pixel 3 ($33.33/month for 24 months) and $929 for the Pixel 3 XL ($38.74/month for 24 months). Add $100 to each to jump to 128GB of storage. Available colors include Just Black, Clearly...

Best answer: The Arlo Pro 2 system has a range of 300 feet, which should be more than sufficient to cover every home area you want to place cameras at.Amazon: Arlo Pro 2 ($480)Just how far away can my Netgear Arlo Pro 2 cameras be placed?The Netgear Arlo Pro 2 security system is built upon two components: the Netgear Arlo base station, and the individual Netgear Arlo cameras that connect to the internet through the base station. The maximum range from a base station to a Netgear Arlo Pro 2 camera is of 300 feet, but that range can be shortened by the number and thickness of the walls the signal is having to penetrate.If your house has thicker walls — or walls made of denser materials like brick, stone, or concrete — it's possible for the signal range of your Arlo Pro 2 cameras to shrink a little. The 300-foot range is about the size of a football field, and even with some passive signal blocking from brick walls, that range should more than cover most homes, yards...

The Google Hardware Store is open for business.Now that Google's new hardware for the year is here, it's time for the company to start promoting it and getting the tech into people's hands. One way Google's going about doing this is with two pop-up stores that are open now in New York and Chicago.While we've seen New York pop-up stores for the past two years, Chicago's replacing Los Angeles this time around.Google's promoting these as the "Google Hardware Store", and at the Hardware Stores, you'll be able to play with the Pixel 3, Pixel Slate, and Home Hub. Google has a funky treehouse inside the store where you can "hang out with Google Home Hub", and to test the Pixel 3's Top Shot feature, you can hop on the indoor swing to see how the phone handles taking a photo of a moving subject.Both stores are open Monday - Saturday from 11:00 AM to 8:00 PM with Sunday hours going from 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM. You'll also find a variety of special events taking place, including scavenger ...

You wouldn't have the Amazon Echo (or Echo Dot, or Echo Show, or whatever) without Amazon Alexa. Here's what you need to know about the two.Latest NewsOctober 18, 2018 — Alexa's new Whisper Mode is rolling out to users in the U.S.During Amazon's big Alexa event last month, the company announced a slew of new features for the voice assistant — one of which was a new feature called "Whisper Mode." A little less than a month since it was revealed, Whisper Mode is now rolling out to everyone in the United States.You can turn Whisper Mode on/off in the Alexa app, and when enabled, Alexa will respond to you in a whisper when it detects you're whispering/talking quietly to it.Do you have access to Whisper Mode yet?September 20, 2018 — The Lenovo Smart Tab blends the best of Alexa and Android in one devicePer a press release that was shared on its website, Lenovo announced that it's working on a new device called the Lenovo Smart Tab. We don't have any specs o...

We're a virtual company made up of tech enthusiasts from around the globe. Android Central's team of gamers draws on its extensive personal gaming experiences to deliver the best recommendations and information you're looking for.The Anker 4-Port USB 3.0 HUB is affordable, sleek, and has all the necessary USB ports to support your various PS4 needs.Our pickAnker 4-Port USB 3.0 HUB$18 at AmazonIt provides extra USB ports and looks good doing it.Anker's USB Hub has 4 USB 3.0 ports to expand your PlayStation 4's capabilities.Who should buy this USB hubWith hard drives, charging cables, flash drives, PlayStation Move controllers, PSVR headsets, and more fighting for life on your PS4, you'll find that there just aren't enough USB ports to go around. Instead of endless amounts of cable swapping, you can remedy that problem with Anker's USB Hub.Is it a good time to buy this USB hub?There's no time like the present. USB hubs are pretty standard and there are no next-gen...

Soon it won't be at all apparent whether an app is truly 'installed' or not.Google's developer-focused "Playtime" event series kicked off today, and with it comes a whole bunch of changes for developers publishing apps in the Play Store. The biggest push Google's focusing on is changing the years-old paradigm of installing big (and increasingly so) apps on your phone in a one-size-fits-all manner.The changes emanate from a new publishing format called an "Android App Bundle." Bundles allow developers to compartmentalize their apps into different components to reduce the initial app install size for users. That means when we go to download an app, the file size is likely to be smaller — something we can all agree is a good change — and additional components can download and add on to the app later as needed. This also enables larger overall apps, in the use case of things like games, without using dedicated expansion files. Google's making it even easier for develo...

Amazon's premium model Echo just got even more premium, and we love it!Amazon has had a long and strange trip from its humble beginnings as a bookseller to where the company is today. Products like the new 2018 Echo Plus give us an idea where the company is headed: the one-stop shop for everything, including "casual" smart home products. It's a place where you can stretch your dollar and get good products that are easy to install and setup without being a tech genius or needing a 100-page manual. Think Sharper Image without the air of pretentiousness or outrageous prices.2018's Echo Plus shows us that not only is this particular segment of the market wide open — Amazon is only competing with itself here when it comes to value — but that it's possible to build really nice products that look great, are easy to use, and actually outperform expectations. The new Echo Plus is the pinnacle of that triad and it's a product that offers something for everyone. This is one of t...

The Philips Hue BR30 dimmable LED smart flood light is down to $39.97 on Amazon. This light normally sells for around $50, and the deal is a match for the best we have ever seen.BR30 bulbs are made for recessed, horizontal, or vertical light fixtures. Other than that, they operate just like any other Philips Hue smart light. Each bulb has more than 16 million color options that can be controlled by the app or even via Amazon's Alexa, Google's Assistant, or Siri.In order for the lights to work, you will need the Philips Hue Smart Bridge, which is down to $48 from $60 today. If you already have a bridge as part of a starter kit like this or something similar, you can just add this bulb to that system.The A19 Philips Hue smart bulb, designed for regular lamps and such, is also on sale for $39.99 right now.See on Amazon...

Sony is gearing up for the PlayStation 4's eventual successor.While development on the PlayStation 4's successor has likely been going on for years, Sony has official confirmed that it's in the works. Here's everything we know about it so far.What form will it take?Despite Microsoft's rumored plans to create two separate next-gen Xbox consoles, one specifically designed for streaming through the power of the Cloud, Sony appears to be going the traditional route compared to its competition. According to a report from the Financial Times, sources familiar with Sony's plans have stated that the future console "might not represent a major departure from the PS4, and that the fundamental architecture would be similar."This indicates that Sony may not be working on a streaming platform, though the future does look to be more streaming-friendly as internet speeds and connections improve around the world.SpecsDo we know any exact specs yet? No. But we can infer that it will be ...

Whether you're looking for new tech gear or household items, we've got you covered.We found plenty of great deals today on Fitbit trackers and other fitness accessories, Amazon Echo and Fire hardware, Xbox Live Gold membership, Amazon Music Unlimited, and much more!View the rest of the dealsEach day, the Thrifter UK team scouts out and shares amazing deals on products you know and love, helping you find the best prices on the 'net.For more UK deals coverage, be sure to keep an eye on Thrifter UK and follow the team on Twitter for the most up-to-the-minute coverage....

The Galaxy Note 9 is a premium flagship that you'd be a fool not to keep protected with a case. I love the Spigen Rugged Armor for its low-profile protection and the Speck Presidio Grip for its awesome quality, but there are so many great cases to choose from!Best from SamsungSamsung LED View CoverSamsung offers five different case styles for the Note 9, but I'll highlight the LED View case because it's uniquely Samsung and offers the best protection with extra functionality for the Note 9 when it's closed.$42 at AmazonMost ruggedSupcase Unicorn Beetle ProThe Unicorn Beetle Pro is a case you can trust no matter which phone it's protecting. This rugged-style case is designed to keep your phone well protected with a built-in screen protector for the display. An optional belt clip holster is also included if you're interested in that look.$20 at AmazonClearly greatSpigen Liquid Crystal Clear CaseFor those who are after a minimalist clear case to show off the ...

A new version of Android means it's once again time to peer into my crystal ball.Latest UpdatesOctober 17, 2018 — Xperia XZ Premium, XZ1, and XZ1 Compact getting Android 9 Pie on Oct 26Earlier in the month, Sony began rolling out Android 9 Pie to the XZ2 and XZ2 Compact. Now, we have official dates for when Pie will make its way to the company's other handsets.Starting first with the Xperia XZ Premium, XZ1, and XZ1 Compact, these phones will receive their update on October 26. The XZ2 Premium will follow them on November 7, and if you have an Xperia XA2, XA2 Ultra, or XA2 Plus, you can expect Pie to land on March 4, 2019.October 12, 2018 — Android 9 Pie rolling out to Sony Xperia XZ2 and XZ2 CompactOn October 12, reports started coming in to show that Pie is making its way to Xperia XZ2 and XZ2 Compact handsets. The update changes the build number from 51.1.A.11.51 to 52.0.A.3.27 on both phones and weighs in at around 1.059 GB. In addition to the usual Pie goo...

The Search page is also more powerful.Way back in August of this year, Spotify rolled out a new UI for its Android app that's much simpler and easy to use. This was a very welcome change considering how cluttered the app used to be, but up until now, this new UI has only been available for free users. Now, Spotify's expanding this to its Premium subscribers.The bottom navigation bar that used to have tabs for Home, Browse, Search, Radio, and Your Library has been cut back to just Home, Search, and Your Library. The Search page has been completely revamped and is now your one-stop shop for finding all sorts of new music. At the top of the page is a "Your top genres" section that'll change over time based on your current listening habits.Also new are revamped Artist Radios. Spotify says that these now "offer an endless listening stream personalized to the listener's own musical tastes." Artists Radios are "updated regularly to keep things fresh", and if you want to take them with...

The wild west has never looked this good.Yes, it's finally happening my fellow outlaws. Red Dead Redemption II is real and it's coming to PlayStation 4 this year. After Rockstar Games' massively successful open-world cowboy game set during the death of the Wild West, fans began clamoring for a follow-up that continued the story of the Marston family or embraced a new gunslinger.After years of rumors and silence on Rockstar's end, they finally surprised the world on one random morning in 2016 by announcing a sequel to their critically acclaimed western. It took over a year to get any actual concrete details regarding the game and frankly, it's still a bit of a mystery but it sounds like it could be a mix of a story of a new outlaw and also fill in a massive gap in John Marston's story.See at AmazonWhat's new with Red Dead Redemption 2?Rockstar Games has been quiet lately regarding the highly anticipated sequel, but with Red Dead Redemption 2's imminent launch approaching in ...

Best answer: The Pixel Stand is a great wireless charging stand that works great with your new Pixel 3, but it's expensive. Unless you need the Ambient Mode and Google Assistant features, you may be better off buying a reliable fast wireless charger from Samsung or a similar brand.Google: Google Pixel Stand ($79)Amazon: Samsung Fast Charge Wireless Charging Stand 2018 ($42) Why the Pixel Stand is better than a typical Qi chargerThe Google Pixel Stand is an outstanding piece of equipment. At its core, it's a standard Qi charger, supporting speeds of 10 watts, which is faster than the typical wireless charging stand or puck. You can place any compatible phone on it, from the Galaxy S9 to the iPhone X, and it'll work at whatever charging speeds that phone supports.However, what's most interesting about the Pixel Stand is what it can do while charging a Pixel 3. Once paired with Google's new phone, it begins an "Ambient Display on steroids" of sorts, providing quick access to G...

Keep's long-awaited redesign has arrived.Google Keep is undoubtedly one of the best note-taking apps on Android, but its UI has had the same general look and feel for quite a few years now. Thankfully, Google's finally given Keep the design overhaul we've been waiting for with its latest update.The new Google KeepRolling out now as version 5.0.411.09, this update refreshes Keep with the same Material Theme UI that we now have in the Google Home, Messages, and Contacts apps. The background is now a stark white versus a light gray and some of the colors for notes have been updated, too.The old Google KeepThe core functionality remains mostly the same, with controls at the bottom for creating a new note and a hamburger menu to the left that allows you to see your reminders, custom labels, and more. If you want to switch to a different Google account, you'll now need to tap your profile icon at the top right of the screen from the home page.These Material Theme updates ha...

I know, I know, no one wants to hide their sexy new phone under a case, but it's okay! Clear cases can keep your Google Pixel 3 XL safe while showing off that two-tone glass back for all the world to gaze upon and weep at its loveliness.Crystal-clear drop-protectionTech21 Evo Check$40 at Google StoreDo you drop your phones a lot, but still want to show yours off? Grab an Evo Check case, rated to keep your phone safe from repeated 12-foot drops. Its clear construction still shows off your Pixel's perfection, and it comes in purple and clear.Like nothing's thereCimo Slim Grip$8 at AmazonCimo's Slim Grip's translucence lets the Pixel branding and two-tone glass shine through one of three cool colors — blue, purple, and traditional crystal clear — while the TPU offers extra grip so you can keep your Pixel 3 XL safely in hand.Affordable crystalMoKo Clear Case$8 at AmazonMoKo's clear case displays the Google Pixel 3 XL's beauty with a hard polycarb...

From specs, pricing, features, and more, here's the latest on the Pixel 3 and 3 XL.Following months of leak after leak, Google's officially taken the wraps off its Pixel 3 and 3 XL smartphones. The two handsets look exactly like what we saw in all the early photos and renders, and while the element of surprise may be gone, we've still got two impressive Android handsets to talk about.Without further ado, this is everything you need to know about the Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL!The latest Pixel 3 newsOctober 18, 2018 — The regular Pixel 3 uses an LG OLED displayEarlier this week, a teardown of the Pixel 3 XL revealed that it's using an OLED display made by Samsung. The folks at iFixIt recently put the smaller Pixel 3 through that same treatment, and while doing so, discovered that its OLED panel is sourced from not Samsung, but LG.If you remember the Pixel 2 series, this is a total flip-flop of what was going on last year in which the Pixel 2 had a Samsung panel and the P...

Not much has changed in this 2018 refresh of Google's old classic.Chromecast may well be one of Google's most important products in recent memory. Yeah, there's Android. Yeah, there's Chrome OS. But Chromecast — both the hardware, and the protocol that powers it — ushered in a new era of easy streaming. If you see it on your phone, there's a good chance you can shoot it over to your TV with just a single tap. And unlike Apple's AirPlay, it's cross-platform compatible.And the hardware buy-in has been minimal — you get all this for about $35. That's really tough to beat.It's been a while since Google updated the original Chromecast. (Chromecast Ultra, which you'll want if you do 4K video, is still clearly on the high end of things.) We've seen a small refresh in 2018. Slightly new visual cues. Slightly different features. But, mostly, the same solid Chromecast we've come to know and love.Streaming TVChromecast (2018 refresh) ...