Thursday, August 31, 2017

T-Mobile will announce its next major Uncarrier move on Sep. 6

T-Mobile will be making an announcement 'you don't want to miss.'

T-Mobile will be revealing its next Uncarrier move on September 6. The teaser video for the upcoming event is deceptively vague — with CEO John Legere carrying a script titled "Un-carrier Next" — but the video description says that T-Mobile is "going to flip the wireless industry" on its head.

T-Mobile switched on its 600Mhz network last month, with the LG V30 the first device to sport Band 71. The company also rolled out its latest self-branded device, the REVVL.

There's no indication as to what T-Mobile will be targeting with its next Uncarrier move, but Legere dropped a few hints during last quarter's earnings call, saying that the carrier will fix a "gigantic shortcoming:"

If I announce the topical area that we think is gigantically poised for fixing, it may give away too much as to what the topic is. But there's one that we're working on that we'll do this quarter that is so intuitively obvious of a gigantic shortcoming of the wireless industry that we're going to attack it, and we're going to attack it soon.

The Un-carrier Next will kick off on September 6 at 8 a.m. PT/11 a.m. ET, and you'll be able to watch the livestream here.

//

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Xiaomi's upcoming phone in India will be the first in an all-new series

Xiaomi could unveil its first Android One phone in India next week.

Xiaomi is all set to introduce a new phone in India on September 5, and teasers from earlier this week hinted at the Mi 5X, which sports the same dual camera setup as the flagship Mi 6. However, it looks like that won't be the case, as Xiaomi has confirmed in a new tweet that the upcoming phone will the first device in an entirely new series.

A rumor from last month suggested Xiaomi was working with Google over an Android One device, and given that the company's upcoming event in India is being dubbed a "Xiaomi global launch," we could see the first Xiaomi phone powered by stock Android.

The Android One theory gets stronger when you consider that the device — allegedly called the Xiaomi Mi A1 — is based on the Mi 5X, sporting dual cameras at the back. With the launch set for next Tuesday, we don't have to wait long to find out what Xiaomi has in store.

What do you guys think the upcoming phone will be?



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The Star Wars Jedi Challenge is AR-awesome and all I want is more

I got to be Rey and it was so great.

They say that greed and desire are the path to the dark side. I don't care.

I want to get my hands on the Star Wars Jedi Challenge that Lenovo and Disney have cooked up. Now. I got a brief demo with the Jedi Challenge after its unveiling at IFA 2017 and I think that it and AR games like it are definitely part of the future of gaming.

The Jedi Challenge is a multi-part system built around your phone (iPhone or Android, Lenovo's not picky). Your phone serves as the processing unit and display, oriented facing down over your eyes and reflected into your eyes off an angled transparent pane. The headset in which your phone is slotted is more than just a holder for the phone — it has a pair of fisheye cameras on either temple which pick up the light on the end of the lightsaber hilt (styled after the Skywalker family blade, naturally) and light on the floor slightly larger than a golf ball. The lightsaber also has motion tracking built in and communicates to the headset via Bluetooth, and the headset relays all of this positional data to your phone via a wired connection (cables are included to connect to Micro-USB, USB-C, and Lightning-equipped phones).

It all comes together surprisingly well. The projected AR lightsaber blade lines up quite closely with the IRL lightsaber in your hands, you swing and it tracks very closely, and when you move around the space everything tracks with you. It's an impressive set-up, especially for the $199 price tag.

I only got to try a brief demo of a lightsaber training battle against a holographic Kylo Ren, who was doing quite the number on me before I got a handle of how the training was supposed to work (in this scenario, you light up your lightsaber blade with yellow bands projected across the display to block his swings, and then attack when he's highlighted). This was just the first glimpse of what Jedi Challenge has to offer, with Disney and Lenovo building multiple worlds for ongoing training and battles, and even non-training materials like the classic holographic chess from the Millennium Falcon.

Pre-orders for the Jedi Challenge will go live in September, with units shipping to eager padawans in early November — just in time for the holiday shopping season, but more importantly in time for the next Star Wars movie (you heard about that, right?)

Often times it seems like VR, and especially AR, is missing that "killer" app that'll be something to bring it into the mainstream. With the multi-generational appeal of Star Wars, the low barrier of entry of "you have a phone", a thoroughly entertaining experience, and (perhaps most importantly) the marketing dollars of Disney behind it, Jedi Challenge might be that killer app.



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Sparc: Everything you need to know!

Playing video games has never been such a workout!

Sparc is a brand new, competitive sports game that seems to have jumped out of Tron and into your PlayStation 4 system. The aim of the game is to chuck a ball at your opponent and hit them, but with angles coming into play, the ability to block, shields, and even curveballs, there is a lot here to parse. We've got the details on all of it for you right here!

Read more at VRHeads!



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Google breathes new life into old Android Wear watches with new Play Store policies

Changes will promote standalone apps for your watch.

Google has announced two major changes for Android Wear apps: Multi-APK apps are now supported for Android Wear 1.0 watches and requirements for the "Enhanced for Android Wear" Play Store badge have changed.

Multi-APK apps are apps hosted in Google Play that have separate files for your phone and your watch. Previously, only Android Wear 2.0 watches supported multi-APK apps, but now users with older watches like the Samsung Gear Live will be supported. Multi-APK apps are designed to save space on your phone because the files are smaller, and watches with their own data connection can run them without being tethered to the handset.

The second announcement covers the Play Store policy for apps to receive the "Enhanced for Android Wear" badge and placement in the store listings. Starting today, apps that fall into the following categories will no longer be eligible for the Android Wear badge consideration:

  • Mobile apps that support Wear notification enhancements but do not have a separate Wear app
  • Wear apps that are bundled with mobile apps instead of using multi-APK

The announcement also points developers towards the assets they need to convert their apps into multi-APK listings.

While we don't see daily news about Android Wear, it's great to know that the platform is active and Google is taking steps to make it even better. Wearables have proven to be a tough market for every company making them, but great hardware like the LG Watch Sport will allow for even more innovation and the future will have computers on our wrists.



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This $39 30000mAh portable charger will keep your smartphone powered up for days

The Thrifter team has another deal -- this time on a gigantic battery charger down to a great low price!

The Aukey USB-C 30000mAh portable charger is down to $38.99 with code AUPOWER8. This charger has predominantly sold for around $50 since its release earlier this year. Aukey releases a lot of coupon codes, which can be hard to track, but there have not been a lot of direct price drops on this charger ever before.

Aukey's charger comes with two USB ports, including a Quick Charge 3.0 port, in addition to a USB-C port. The 30000mAh charge means it could ideally charge an iPhone 7 nine times before needing to refuel. That's a lot of juice in one device. It can charge a Nintendo Switch while playing, slowly charge a 12-inch MacBook, and it works with Android devices too.

The charger comes with a two-year warranty.

See at Amazon

More from Thrifter:

For more great deals be sure to check out our friends at Thrifter now!



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The best tech deals that you don't want to miss out on

Our friends at Thrifter post some great deals every day, and here are the best ones available right now!

From mobile phones to general tech, home goods and much more, the team at Thrifter is scouring the web every single day to find the best deals. Whether something hits a new all-time low, gets discounted for just a limited time, or has a new coupon code available for it, you won't want to miss out any of them. If 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!

So, what are the best deals that you should be looking at right now? Well, let's take a look at them so you can see which ones are best for you!

OTA HD Antennas - Starting at $5.50

Cutting the cord is becoming more popular, but not everyone is ready to give up local channels as part of the process. This is where OTA HDTV antennas play a critical role, but picking the right one can be a cumbersome task. Stop stressing over which one to order, and give one of these Paper Thin HDTV antennas a shot.

Monoprice is currently offering up a selection of slim antennas for as little as $5.50. To get the discounted pricing on these antennas (options listed below), you will need to use coupon code PAPERTHIN. Often times, deals are negated by expensive shipping costs at Monoprice, but that isn't the case here. Right now you can save not only on the antenna itself, but you also get free standard shipping.

See at Monoprice

Kobra OBD2 Reader - $14.39 (Normally $19.99)

No one likes seeing their check engine light pop on, and it's even worse when you don't know what the cause of it is. Sure, there are some places that will scan your car for free to tell you what's up, but most of them charge for the service. Stop throwing money away having your car scanned, and start doing it for yourself.

Right now you can pick up Kobra's Wireless OBD2 reader for just $14.39 with the coupon code 83ZIWPVF. This is a savings of nearly $6 from its regular price, and one of the best features of it is that you can connect it right to your smartphone to decipher the cards.

See at Amazon

Nerf Lawbringer Blaster - $17 (Normally $39.99)

Get the Nerf Doomlands Lawbringer Blaster for $17 at Walmart. Normally, this Nerf gun sells between $30 and $40 on Amazon.

You'll need to order with in-store pickup because you'll be charged $6 in shipping for an order under $35. If you're going to order $35 worth of stuff, you can get the blaster for even cheaper at Jet.com where it's $14.89 with the code PEOPLEKIDS. Both retailers have a $35 free shipping threshold, but only Walmart has the in-store pickup option.

See at Walmart

More great deals!

For even more great deals, and to see these discounts as they become available, be sure to check out our friends at Thrifter now!



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Moto X4 is official: 5.2-inch display, dual cameras and glass back for €399

It's time welcome back the Moto X line.

Motorola just filled a gap in its smartphone lineup, reviving a brand that hasn't been used in a couple of years to add the much-anticipated Moto X4 to the ranks. Slotting in between the Moto G and Moto Z series, the Moto X4 is launching in Europe at €399, and will be available in September.

More: Moto X4 hands-on preview

For that modest price tag, you get what initially looks like most other Motorola phones, with the added bonus of a nice glass back covering on the opposite side of a 5.2-inch 1080p display. The frame conceals a 3000mAh battery, full IP68 water resistance and a headphone jack to boot. Not bad, Motorola.

It isn't a flagship, but we shouldn't have expected it to be one.

Internally things round out mostly as you'd expect: Snapdragon 660 processor, 3 or 4GB of RAM, and 32 or 64GB of storage (depending on market, as usual). That's all driving a near-identical build of Motorola's latest clean and fast software, which remains a crowd favorite no matter what hardware it's running on. Now, how about the camera? Well, there are actually two rear cameras: a 12MP primary, and 8MP wide-angle. You won't find OIS on either, but the primary camera seems promising with an f/2.0 aperture and rather large 1.4-micron pixels. The wide-angle, as we've seen on LG phones, should be fun.

More: Moto X4 specs

Motorola is only announcing pricing and availability for the Moto X4 in Europe at this point (it is, after all, launching at IFA 2017 in Berlin), but has confirmed that the phone will come to the U.S. We don't know exactly when or for how much, but we know it'll be a model with 3GB of RAM and 32GB of storage, for what it's worth. Given how pricing usually breaks down between regions, it's reasonable to expect the Moto X4 to come in at $399 in the U.S. — we sure hope it stays under the $400 level.



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Moto X4 specs: Snapdragon 630, 3000mAh battery and dual cameras

Here's what's inside the Moto X4.

Considering that the Moto X4 is more of a mid-range device, it doesn't have all of the highest-end specs inside. That's understandable, and when you look the spec sheet you'll still find plenty of good line items. One thing to keep an eye on is the regional differences in terms of RAM and storage — Motorola is still a bit confusing in what it offers in different markets around the world.

Category Spec
Operating system Android 7.1 Nougat
Display 5.2-inch IPS LCD, 1920x1080 (424 ppi)
Corning Gorilla Glass 3
Processor Snapdragon 630 octa-core, 2.2 GHz
Adreno 508 GPU, 650 MHz
RAM 4GB (APAC)
3/4GB (EMEA)
3GB (NA, LATAM)
Storage 32GB (NA, LATAM)
32/64GB (EMEA, APAC)
Expandable microSD up to 2TB
Rear camera 1 12MP, 1.4-micron pixels, f/2.0, Dual Autofocus Pixel
2160p30, 1080p60 video
Rear camera 2 8MP, 1.12-micron pixels, f/2.2, 120-degree wide-angle lens
Front camera 16MP, 1-micron pixels, f/2.0, selfie flash
Battery 3000mAh
Non-removable
Charging USB-C
Turbo Charging
Connectivity 802.11ac dual-band Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.0 BR/EDR/BLE, NFC
GPS, GLONASS,
Headphone jack Yes
Water resistance IP68 rating
Security One-touch fingerprint sensor
Dimensions 148.35 x 73.4 x 7.99 mm
163 g
Colors Super Black, Sterling Blue


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Avoid motion sickness in VR with comfort ratings!

Here's how to avoid motion sickness in VR before buying!

Although many developers are trying their hardest to avoid motion sickness, it's still a huge problem for virtual reality. Even with accurate head-tracking, fully body experiences and specially designed games, some experiences just don't work out for those prone to motion sickness.

If you're one of the many who suffers from motion sickness, finding games that work for you is half of the problem. Here's how to find suitable games on your virtual reality platform!

Read more at VR Heads!



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Moto X4 hands-on: Familiar name, entirely different phone

How much benefit of the doubt can a beloved name buy you?

Fans of Motorola, or just Android in general, typically look back on the Moto X series of phones fondly. Despite their issues, the few iterations of Moto X (the first two, in particular) still feel like the perfect example of what Motorola could bring to the Android world. "Moto X" was synonymous with being greater than the sum of its parts, and offering an experience that was wonderful despite not having the absolute latest specs and piles of features.

When rumors started to swirl of a return of the Moto X line, the hype was instantly ignited. For all of the success of the Moto G line and the ambition of the Moto Z line, Motorola fans just wanted a new Moto X — and hopefully, one that was a true continuation of what made its predecessors so intriguing.

So now, closing in quickly on the end of 2017, we have it: the Moto X4.

Moto X4 Hands-on video

For a quick live look at the Moto X4, be sure to watch our hands-on video above. We have the phone in-hand and in both colors, so it's worth a look! After that, read on for the rest of our impressions in the complete hands-on preview.

Moto X4 Hardware and features

Think of a Moto Z2 Play. Now add a curved glass back and a huge camera apparatus at the top — you now have a Moto X4. Sure that's a little reductionist, but not far off. Whether it's the increasingly iterative releases of Moto G devices, the lower-end Moto E line or even the top-end Moto Z2 Force, all of Motorola's phones look very similar visually. Particularly on the front, where you would be hard-pressed to differentiate at a glance between any Moto phone released in the last two years.

More: Complete Moto X4 specs

Even with a new curved glass back, the Moto X4 looks like any other modern Motorola phone.

With that front-on similarity across the lineup, the back is where the Moto X4 actually manages to stand out, if only a little bit. The pane of Gorilla Glass 3 coats the entirety of the back, curving off of the long edges just like most other glass-backed phones today. That curve isn't super dramatic in how much it cuts into the metal frame of the phone, but still provides much-improved ergonomics over your typical flat-backed Moto Z. The quality of the combination of glass and metal is far beyond what you'd expect considering this phone's €399 price — it felt indistinguishable from what Motorola is charging $720 for in the Moto Z2 Force.

The proper way to separate a Moto X4 from the crowd is to find one in this super-cool "Sterling Blue" color. The light textured pattern underneath the glass (present on both colors) really pops in blue, and it's matched up with a blue-tinted frame and blue surrounding the front of the phone. It's a fingerprint magnet and is honestly a little distracting on the front, but the way the colors shift and change from dark blue to a lighter shade and even to a light grey in some cases is very interesting.

With just a 5.2-inch display up front — a 1080p LCD, by the way — the Moto X4 certainly harkens back to its predecessors in terms of keeping compact and easy to manage in one hand. Coming in even smaller than the Moto G5 series, it's refreshing to have a phone you can easily swipe around and reach all corners without contorting your hand in some crazy way. At 165 grams it's heavy for the size, too, so you really get a feeling of a well-balanced and properly crafted phone.

Perhaps surprisingly, this lower-end phone also has two features the just-announced high-end Moto Z2 Force doesn't: a headphone jack, and compete IP68 water resistance. It also has a larger battery at 3000mAh — though it of course comes at the cost of being nearly two millimeters thicker than its high-end counterpart. That's a trade-off many people will be willing to take, particularly those who enjoyed a previous Moto X.

Moto X4 Software, specs and cameras

The software is what truly differentiated the first Moto X from the rest of the industry, bringing new features and a fresh take with a "less is more" strategy that we just didn't see back in 2013 and 2014. But now, Motorola has turned those core tenets into something you get from every phone it makes — and that means it just isn't all that special anymore.

But just because we're so used to Motorola's software experience doesn't mean it isn't still fantastic and a critical selling point of the Moto X4. It's clean, simple and includes just a few tweaks and additions that are useful without ever getting in your way. Motorola has fantastic ambient lock screen, a handful of gestures you will use every single day and a distinct lack of unnecessary or duplicate apps. It's just great, and it just works.

In my brief time (roughly an hour) using the Moto X4 in a demo environment, it seems like the Snapdragon 630 and 3GB of RAM will be more than capable of running Motorola's software on a 1080p display. And considering how well the Moto Z2 Play performs with very similar specs, I don't have any worries about the Moto X4 offering a great daily software experience — by mid-range or even flagship standards.

The Moto X4 also supports the exact same Amazon Alexa experience that debuted on the HTC U11 earlier this year. That is to say it's a software-only virtualized Echo on your phone — it can do just about everything the hardware can, including always listening for your voice commands. Amazon fans, rejoice. Everyone else, keep using Google Assistant.

Forgive me for choosing to be bearish on a Motorola camera.

For as good as Motorola's software is, its cameras have consistently been mediocre. The Moto X4 is doing something new, taking a page out of LG's playbook to go with a pair of cameras: one standard, one wide-angle. The secondary camera even has the same field of view as LG's last few wide-angle cameras: 120 degrees. It's in front of an 8MP sensor (1-micron pixels, f/2.2 aperture), while the main camera has much better specs: 12MP, 1.4-micron pixels, f/2.0 aperture and dual pixel auto focus. No optical image stabilization (OIS), though.

Testing a camera takes far more time than I was offered with the Moto X4, but it seems to have the components necessary to be a capable shooter. And seeing how little the secondary camera (and its associated blur effects) added to the Moto Z2 Force's cause, I'm happy to see the secondary wide-angle shooter here to give us a fun new way to shoot. But you'll have to forgive me for choosing to be bearish on a Motorola camera — it's lost the benefit of the doubt at this point.

Moto X4 Hands-on preview

If Motorola rolled out this exact phone with a different name, like "Moto G5 Premium" or something, nobody would blink. From front to back, inside and out, the Moto X4 just feels like Yet Another Modern Motorola Phone™. That doesn't mean it's a bad device, or not worth the money Motorola is charging here. To the contrary, actually — it looks like the Moto X4 is a really solid mid-range package with great hardware, most of the specs and features people want in this price range and a pair of cameras that may even be above-average. And it still offers that tried-and-true Motorola software that we all hold in such high regard.

The Moto X4 is arguably the best Moto X yet — but it sure isn't exciting.

But what the Moto X4 doesn't have is anything unique, intriguing or differentiating in the same way the Moto X lineage so often offered. In many ways that's the story of Motorola over the past couple years, but it just hits home a little heavier when we're talking about a Moto X. The Moto X4 is clearly a better phone, and better value proposition compared to the competition of the time, than any previous Moto X ever was. But that doesn't mean it'll go down in history as game-changing or industry-defining in any way.

I think we'll get over that desire for nostalgia, and just enjoy the Moto X4 for what it is: a really good phone at a compelling price, €399, with no clear shortcomings or issues. We can applaud that.



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Best Shower Speakers

Sing along with your favorite tunes in the shower with these great speakers.

If you're sick of belting out your favorite tunes in the shower a cappella you may want to consider getting a speaker to use in the shower.

We've compiled a list of the best shower speakers you can find to help you sing like nobody's listening.

UE Wonderboom

UE's latest water-resistant Bluetooth speaker is cute as a button! The Wonderboom is a compact Bluetooth speaker with big sound, a lovely design, and an IPX7 rating, meaning it can be submerged in up to 1 meter of water for 30 minutes — it's perfect for the shower. I've been testing this speaker and have been very impressed with its low end. The bass is surprisingly warm for such a small unit, and its size, again, is perfect for the shower.

Given its size, the Wonderboom does have a bit of trouble at higher volumes, with clarity capping out around the halfway mark on my phone's volume. That being said, half my phone's volume is plenty loud outside the shower and almost too much in it, so you don't need to crank it at all.

It comes in six fun colors, and we'll just hope the price comes down below its current $100 to make it a bit more competitive.

See at Amazon

Polk Audio BOOM Swimmer

This tadpole-looking device was conceived by the folks at Polk Audio to be as versatile as possible. The tail-end of the speaker is bendable, making it easy to wrap around shower curtain rods or even your shower head pipe, meaning there is always a convenient place to put it.

The Swimmer's waterproof rating is even greater than it needs to be for use in the shower. It can be submerged in up to 3 feet of water for half an hour without suffering any damage, meaning it can even fall into the tub when you're taking a bath.

The sound quality is not bad; although, there is very little bass, which isn't a surprise when you're talking about something this small. The Polk Audio BOOM Swimmer will only cost you around $19.

See at Amazon

Photive Hydra

The Photive Hydra is perfect for people that want a shower speaker and are more concerned about sound quality than convenience. Sporting a passive subwoofer and two 40mm drivers, the Hydra delivers a fuller sounding low-end, while still providing pleasing, clear treble.

Its IP66 rating won't allow the speaker to be submerged, but it can handle water jets and splashing just fine, making it more than durable enough to withstand your daily shower.

At roughly $35, the Hydra is a little bulkier and bigger than most of the other speakers on the list, but it's still compact enough to fit on the edge of your tub or on your shower caddy.

See at Amazon

SoundBot SB510

The SoundBot SB510 is perfect for people who want an easier way to control their music while they are listening in the shower.

The simple interface on the front of SoundBot will let you control playback or adjust volume with just a tap of its buttons, meaning you don't need to get out of the shower and touch your phone to change songs. Plus, there is even a speaker and microphone for taking calls, so you won't miss anything important just because you're bathing.

Its water-resistant rating only protects the SoundBot from splashing; however, It installs super easily with a suction cup that is attached to the back of the speaker, so you should have no problem finding a place for it that's out of harm's way. Plus, for $15, it's the cheapest speaker on our list.

See at Amazon

UE Roll 2

The Ultimate Ears Roll 2 has an IPX7 rating, meaning submerging it in up to 3 feet of water for about half an hour won't cause any damage, so your daily showers won't affect it at all. Plus, on the back, it comes with a bungee cord loop, making it easy to wrap or tie the speaker around your curtain rod or shower head, so it stays out of your way while you're headbanging in the shower.

The UE Roll 2 does come with a couple of improvements over its predecessor model. It has better sound, regarding both volume and quality, than its predecessor, and it also has an increased Bluetooth range of 100 feet, meaning your phone or tablet doesn't even have to be in the hot, steamy bathroom while you're getting clean.

The UE Roll 2 will cost you about $99 at full price; however, it's a very popular product and often goes on sale, so make sure you look out for those deals!

See at Amazon

Braven Mira

The first thing you will notice about the Braven Mira is the impressive sound quality for such a small device. It manages to stuff two drivers and a passive radiator into its small protective housing, giving the Mira the ability to sound full and provide some decent bass for about $63.

The hook on the back of the speaker allows it to hang easily from your shower head or it can even be used as a kickstand, allowing it to sit nicely in the corner of your tub. Plus, the battery lasts for up to 12 hours of playback, so even the longest shower takers should get more than enough time between charges.

Its waterproof rating is IPX5, meaning it can handle being hit by the stream from your shower head, which is more than enough protection for the average user.

See at Amazon


Fugoo Sport

Although it's another speaker you will need to rest on a shelf or the side of your tub, the Fugoo Sport is an awesome device that carries a starting price of about $99.

The thing that stands out the most is its 40-hour battery life. If you are truly using this in just the shower, you could probably go for weeks without needing a charge. With a waterproof rating of IP67, not only can you submerge the speaker in 3 feet of water for 30 minutes, but it's also dust-proof, meaning dirt and other particulates won't cause you any problems.

On top of it all, the sound quality is very good. The Fugoo Sport has six drivers that are spread out across all four sides, giving you clear, well-balanced 360-degree sound.

See at Amazon

UE Boom 2

Taking the UE Boom 2 into your shower is absolutely no problem as it has a very high water-resistant rating, allowing it to be submerged in 3 feet of water for 30 minutes. It's also protected against dirt and mud, but you can hand-wash the speaker with warm, soapy water just in case it gets messy.

UE Boom 2's battery will last you approximately 15 hours of playing time, which should amount to a lot of time in the tub, and has a Bluetooth range of 100 feet, making sure your phone, tablet, or PC doesn't have to be anywhere near the water. Plus, if you truly want the Boom 2 to live up to its onomatopoeic name, you have the option to set up another one to make a stereo pair and really raise the roof.

The UE Boom 2 doesn't come cheap, as its full retail price is $199; however, much like other UE products you can often find the UE Boom 2 on sale for as low as $149.

See at Amazon

What's your favorite?

Are you a shower singer? Let us know your favorite speaker to take into the shower with you by leaving us a comment below!

Updated August 2017: Added pricing information to each description.



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An official free-to-play Game of Thrones MMO is coming to Android

The latest Game of Thrones mobile game is now available for pre-registration.

Ever wanted to rule Westeros with an iron fist, but without risking your own blood. Good news! The latest Game of Thrones game is now available for pre-registration, and it will let you do just that! After an earlier release on iOS, Game of Thrones: Conquest is now available for pre-registration in the Google Play Store.

Game of Thrones: Conquest is similar to other MMO strategy games in that the player will be able to make alliances with other factions, and defeat rivals in order to maintain territory. While the game won't arrive any faster, those who pre-register will gain access to the Prepare for War bundle, allowing them to get a jump start with upgraded weapons and other resources. The Prepare for War bundle is a $50 value, and will only be available during the first week after the game's launch.

Warner Brothers has not announced an availability timeframe for the game, nor a price. The title is free-to-play on iOS, so we can presume the same will be true when it arrives on Android.

Are you interested in Game of Thrones: Conquest? Let us know down below!



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Wednesday, August 30, 2017

Bell Mobility takes the first step in replacing SMS in Canada

Bell has launched its version of the RCS standard for Galaxy S8 users.

Slowly but surely, more carriers are starting to move to RCS to hopefully begin replacing SMS over the long run. All the pieces are in place in Android phones for RCS, since Google has built the standard into the Android Messages app. But users won't be able to actually use the new standard until their carriers update their piece of the puzzle.

Bell Canada has annouced that it will begin offering the RCS experience to customers, starting with Galaxy S8 and Note 8 owners. Users will not need to install another application to get the new advanced features.

RCS is intended to replace SMS and MMS in the long run, and bring features found in instant messages such as Allo or Facebook Messenger to "regular" text messages. This includes better read receipts, better media sharing, and video calling all through a user's phone number, without the user needing a second account.

Are you excited about Advanced Messaging? Let us know down below!



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How to deal with controller issues on Daydream with Galaxy S8

Solve those controller issues with these tips!

Nobody ever wants to run into issues that make it difficult, or impossible, to enjoy some time in VR. This is especially true for Samsung Galaxy S8 users who are just getting used to everything that Daydream can deliver on. While controller issues with the Samsung Galaxy S8 can be frustrating, they can be dealt with.

We've got the details on what to do when your controller starts to act up right here!

Read more at VRHeads



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Mint SIM Buyer's Guide: How to get the lowest data prices in the U.S.

Everything you need to know about Mint SIM in one easy place.

Buying phone service or changing carriers is never fun. But it should be! Saving money or having a better data connection is great.

Mint SIM takes the process of buying and setting up your new account and makes it simple. Even so, there are always a few things you should know before you get started.

We're here to help with that. Read on for a few tips and answers to help you get the most from Mint SIM!

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Best Phones

One of the best things about using an MVNO for your phone service is that there are plenty of unlocked phones that just work. Mint SIM is no exception, and most any modern phone built to use on T-Mobile works with everything Mint SIM has to offer — including Wi-Fi calling.

We've built a short list of the best phones to use with Mint SIM if you're looking for something new, and our top pick is the Google Pixel. With the Pixel you get everything Google has to offer on the services side, combined with a great camera and first crack at anything new Google brings to Android.

If a Pixel is more than you were planning on spending, the OnePlus 5 and Moto G5 Plus are ready to jump in and each offers a great value to use with your Mint SIM plan.

More: The best phones to use with Mint SIM

Best Deals on Mint SIM

Mint SIM offers several different ways to pay for your plan, and that brings a few compelling deals. You buy in advance, and plans with 2GB per month of high-speed data as well as 5GB per month and a whopping 10GB per month are available.

You can pay for 3 months, 6 months or 12 months in advance and get service as low as $15 per month for 2GB of high-speed data. If you want the convenience of paying for the whole year in one shot, a 2GB per month plan still comes out at just $15 a month. The value scales well, too: 10GB per month plans are just $25 per month.

Compare that to others and you see why buying "in bulk" makes sense.

We track extra deals and savings codes for Mint SIM all in one spot, so be sure to take a look before you click any buttons!

More: Mint SIM Deals & Promo Codes


Mint SIM FAQ

It's normal to have a few questions when you switch carriers. Things like international rates and extra data add-ons can be confusing for even the seasoned mobile enthusiast.

Mint SIM knows this and has a broad set of support options. You'll find the answers to most questions right in Mint's FAQ pages.

Another option is your fellow users! Cheap data pricing means plenty of people are using Mint, and there's a good chance you'll get an answer to any question quickly through online forums.

A few common questions and their answers:

  • Q: Will my existing phone work on a Mint SIM plan?

    • A: You'll need a phone that's GSM compatible (with U.S. radio bands (1700/2100 MHz (AWS), 1900 MHz, 850 MHz), is SIM unlocked and in working order.
    • For full compatibility, including 4G LTE data connectivity, you'll need a phone that supports the AWS bands (1700/2100 MHz) as well as Band 12 (700 MHz). Phones that only support 1900 MHZ and 850 MHz will be able to use the service, but you won't have access to high-speed data in as many places.
    • If you're not sure the phone you have will work, give Mint a call at 844-646-8746 (6-6 PT Mon-Fri, 8-5 PT on Saturday) or you can chat with a specialist at the Mint SIM website.
  • Q: What's the return policy?

    • A: You can get a refund for a service plan anytime within 7 days by filling in a form at the Mint SIM website. You can get a refund for any unused SIM cards within 10 days of purchase. The returned cards must be in their original, unopened packaging. To start the return process for phones purchased through Mint SIM, email returns@mintsim.com.
  • Q: How do I set up my Android?

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To see more Questions and their answers, visit Mint SIM's FAQ pages.

Mint SIM FAQ: Let's get you sorted out!

If you're still searching for the right answer, you can reach support by email or phone. Send a message to support@mintsim.com anytime, or call 844-MINT-SIM (844-646-8746) for live support Monday-Friday between 6AM and 6PM (PT) or Saturday between 8AM and 5PM (PT).

How to cancel Mint SIM service

Like all MVNO prepaid plans, you're paying in advance and once paid for, the service is yours to use for the duration. You won't be getting your money back. Mint SIM does have a 7-day guarantee so if things don't work out for you you can get a refund, but consider the money spent once that passes.

Actually canceling your service is easy. Once the months you've paid for are over, you'll get a text notice letting you know. You can reactivate by adding funds to your account to continue the service for 30 days. After 30 days, your number is released and you'll lose it and after 60 days you can consider your Mint SIM account closed.

The important thing to remember here is that you'll lose your number if you don't act. Porting phone numbers is fairly easy no matter where you end up, but you'll need to be sure to go through that process before your number is returned to the pool for someone else to get.

You'll find information about porting your number from Mint SIM to a new carrier at that carrier's web site.

How to port your number to Mint SIM

When you get your Mint SIM SIM card, you will need to activate it. That's a simple process you can do online and all you need is the 11 digit number printed on the card. If you would rather talk to a live person during the activation process, you can call (844) 646-8746 from any other phone to get started.

Activate your Mint SIM account

During the activation process, you'll have the option to use your existing number. You'll need to provide the number to Mint SIM as well as the account number from the carrier you're using now. If the account has a PIN or other access code, you'll need to supply that, too. You'll be able to get all this information from your current carrier if you need any help/

Once you supply the information needed, Mint takes it from there. Mint SIM contacts your existing carrier and gets the number freed so they can assign it to your SIM card.

This can take up to 24 hours for the process to complete, but usually, it doesn't and you'll be up and running quickly. During the actual number porting, you will not be able to use your number. Prepare for this just in case it takes a full day. You can set up an emergency Google Voice number and use it on a phone or even a computer with a Wi-Fi connection, and this makes a great backup if you need one.


We think Mint SIM is a great deal, and use the service ourselves. We're here to help get you started and answer any questions that might come up so your transition to great phone service on the cheap is pain free. If you need any help and are unsure where to look, drop a comment below and the awesome user community can help!

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