You can now pay for in-app purchases using Android Pay
If you’re a regular Android Pay user, you’ll be happy to hear that you can now make purchases in supported Android applications using the service; meaning you no longer have to enter your card details each time you want to buy something. Using the feature couldn’t be easier. All you have to do is tap the Android Pay button when you’re making an in-app purchase, and your preferred payment method will be automatically charged.
At present, only a bunch of apps have compatibility for Android Pay, a few of which are offering promotions to encourage you to use the service. Lyft is giving $10 off your next ride, and $20 will be deducted off your next meal if you book using OpenTable. The full list of supported third-party apps together with their respective deals can be seen in the list below:
- Lyft ($10 off your next ride)
- Instacart
- Spring
- JackThreads
- Jet
- OpenTable ($20 off your next meal)
- Wish
- Fancy
- Zumper
- Hotel Tonight
- Houzz
- DoorDash ($10 off your next delivery)
- Turo
- Vinted (30% off your next purchase)
- SpotHero
- ParkWhiz
- Handy
- Printicular
- Dealflicks
- Luxe
- ParkMe
- Rukkus
If you’ve had an opportunity to complete an in-app purchase using Android Pay, be sure to let us know if your transaction was smooth in the comments section below.
Source: Google
Come comment on this article: You can now pay for in-app purchases using Android Pay
Verizon’s now pushing out a vital security update for the Galaxy S6 Edge+ and Note 5
Hot on the heels of T-Mobile, Verizon has just started distributing a vital security update for the Galaxy S6 Edge+ and Note 5. The upgrade bundles the latest Android vulnerability patch, along with a multitude of bug fixes and stability improvements aimed at improving the overall performance of the handsets.
As is the norm, this update is being rolled out in stages. To see if it’s ready for your device head into Settings, tap on “About Device”, select “System Updates”, then trap “Check for updates”. Alternatively, if you don’t feel like sifting through the menus, you can always wait until you receive a push notification prompting you to install the update.
Source: Verizon
Come comment on this article: Verizon’s now pushing out a vital security update for the Galaxy S6 Edge+ and Note 5
Verizon’s now pushing out a vital security update for the Galaxy S6 Edge+ and Note 5
Hot on the heels of T-Mobile, Verizon has just started distributing a vital security update for the Galaxy S6 Edge+ and Note 5. The upgrade bundles the latest Android vulnerability patch, along with a multitude of bug fixes and stability improvements aimed at improving the overall performance of the handsets.
As is the norm, this update is being rolled out in stages. To see if it’s ready for your device head into Settings, tap on “About Device”, select “System Updates”, then trap “Check for updates”. Alternatively, if you don’t feel like sifting through the menus, you can always wait until you receive a push notification prompting you to install the update.
Source: Verizon
Come comment on this article: Verizon’s now pushing out a vital security update for the Galaxy S6 Edge+ and Note 5
The best snow blower
By Doug Mahoney
This post was done in partnership with The Sweethome, a buyer’s guide to the best things for your home. Read the full article here.
After 75 hours of research, including interviews with two snow blower manufacturers and a consultation with an expert who has personally reviewed more than 350 snow blowers, we’re convinced that the best snow blower for most people is the Craftsman 88694 Quiet 208cc Dual-Stage Snowblower. It’s easy to maneuver, simple to start, and quiet, and it has power steering and a four-way chute control. No other snow blower offers the same combination of features at such an excellent price.
Who this is for
A snow blower is a big investment that not everyone needs to make. If you have a small driveway, see only infrequent snowfalls of less than 6 inches, and enjoy a physical workout, you would be happier with a snow shovel, a pusher, or a sleigh. We’ve researched those tools thoroughly, and we offer several recommendations in our snow shovel guide.
That said, a lot of people do need a snow blower. These machines are faster and better for handling deep snows, and they’re also easy on the body, causing minimal muscle and back strain. And as expensive as snow blowers are, over time they’re cheaper than a hired plow. The drawbacks? Maintenance and storage. Maintenance mostly consists of oil changes and belt tightening, but not everyone wants to deal with that. As for storage, a two-stage snow blower takes up as much space as a bulky lawnmower, so you should plan for it to occupy a corner of the garage in the offseason.
Our pick
The controls of the 88694: The chute-control joystick is on the left, and the deflector cap is in the up position. If you shift the joystick forward, toward the front of the machine, the cap will tilt downward.
If you regularly get 6 inches to a foot of snowfall, and you have to clear a two-car driveway up to about 80 feet long, we recommend the Craftsman 88694 Quiet 208cc Dual-Stage Snowblower. We know it isn’t cheap, but it comes with premium features that you usually find only on competing products that cost hundreds more. It has power steering, four-way chute control, and an engine so quiet that both Consumer Reports and MovingSnow’s Paul Sikkema say it requires no hearing protection, which is convenient for you and courteous to your neighbors. It’s also self-propelled, so you don’t have to push it, and like all quality blowers, it has an electric start and no-mar skid shoes, which make it easy to get running and safe to use on a deck or patio without leaving scratches.
The 88694 doesn’t have a headlight, but a good headlamp is much better for snow blowing anyway because it allows you to direct light anywhere you want, not just in front of the blower. Sometimes it’s more important to see where you’re blowing the snow, and a headlight can’t help with that.
Popular snow blowers sell out each season, so if the Craftsman isn’t available, we have a runner-up in our full guide.
For smaller properties and less snow
The Toro Power Clear 721 E.
If you regularly get only 6 inches of snow or less, and you need to clear a small, flat paved driveway at an urban home or townhouse, we recommend the Toro Power Clear 721 E. Our main pick is a two-stage blower, but some people can get by with a less-powerful single-stage blower like this one. It can toss snow about 15 feet, and it has a convenient electric start—not a standard feature on blowers this size. But the big drawback of any single-stage model is that it will also throw gravel, so it’s really suited only for smooth surfaces.
For the biggest jobs
The Troy-Bilt Storm 3090 XP.
If your driveway is more than 100 feet long, or if you’re constantly getting hit with 15- to 20-inch snowfalls, we recommend you either move somewhere else or get the Troy-Bilt Storm 3090 XP 357cc. It offers the same durability and reliability as our main pick, plus many of the best features, but it can finish big jobs in half the time. It has a massive engine, trigger-operated power steering, and a cool electronic chute control that uses a small thumb-operated joystick. It also has heated handles.
Wrapping it up
After 75 hours of research, we can say that the Craftsman Quiet 208cc Dual-Stage Snowblower is our pick for the best snow blower. It’s easy to maneuver with power steering and on-the-fly chute control, it’s simple to start, it operates quietly, and it has the best combination of premium features for its price.
This guide may have been updated by The Sweethome. To see the current recommendation, please go here.
You can start using Apple Music with your Sonos speakers
Just as Sonos promised last month, Apple Music is now available on its platform. Subscribers of Apple’s streaming service can, finally, pair their account with Sonos’ speaker lineup — including the brand new, top-of-the-line Play:5. Sonos says the feature will be labeled as a beta for the time being, but it aims to have it fully fledged and bug-free by “early” next year.
“Because it’s a preview, we know there are areas we’ll need to improve, and we’ll continue to do so throughout the beta.” the audio company said in a blog post announcing the Apple Music integration. Regardless, don’t let that keep you from using the Sonos app like any other day, though keep in mind you might run into some issues from time to time.
Sonos, as you may recall, already offers integration with Spotify, Google Play Music, Rhapsody and Tidal, so this only makes its audio products much more enticing.
Source: Sonos
MacRumors Gift Guide by Husain: ‘Star Wars: The Digital Movie Collection’, HBO Now and More
For the past week MacRumors editors and writers have been sharing gift guides featuring hand-picked items for the holidays. Thus far, we’ve seen gift guides from Juli, Joe, Mitchel, Marianne, Eric, Matt and one featuring your holiday suggestions. Today, I end our series of gift guides with my own.
This gift guide was written by me, Husain Sumra, and it’s filled with items that I either really love and use frequently or items that I’m lusting for in the hope that they make my day easier.
Anker PowerCore+ mini – $9.99
While there are a lot of small external batteries, there are none that I enjoy using more than the Anker PowerCore+ mini. Not only does it come in a small, lipstick-sized package, but it has enough power to give my iPhone 6 two full charges.
It’s small enough to slip into your pocket or purse, but it also has a premium metal finish that’s oddly fun to hold. It feels sturdy and solid rather than a cheap toy, which makes it a nice companion to the iPhone if you care about the feel of your products.
The best feature of the PowerCore+ mini though is its price, which gives it a huge advantage over similar external batteries on the market.
Star Wars: The Digital Movie Collection – $89.99
With Star Wars: The Force Awakens opening on December 18, there’s no better time to revisit the complete Star Wars collection. Yes, even the prequels.
While The Digital Movie Collection doesn’t include the unedited original trilogy, it is the most convenient way to watch these movies. Not only can you watch them on your Apple TV or Mac, but you can watch them on your iPad Pro or iPhone, too. Furthermore, you can use Disney Movies Anywhere to watch five of the six movies on non-Apple devices. The only exception to this is A New Hope due to rights issues with 20th Century Fox. They also come with brand new behind-the-scenes bonus features giving even the biggest Star Wars fan new insight into the creation of some of the most loved movies of all time.
If you, or someone you know, likes to watch their media on multiple devices there’s no better way to watch the incredible highs and lows of the complete Star Wars saga.
Shure MOTIV MV88 Digital Stereo Microphone – $149.00
I use my iPhone for recording interviews and quick podcasts a lot, but my iPhone 6’s microphone is fairly basic and tends to produce a more hollow sound. So I’ve been lusting for a small, easy-to-use mic that I can use on the go and the one I’ve centered on is the Shure MOTIV MV88.
It’s the one mic I’ve found that seems to fall into the perfect mixture of size, audio quality and price. It also comes with a simple app that allows you to adjust your mic’s settings, letting you see exactly how it’ll affect the sound. Those settings transfer over to any recordings you do with GarageBand or other third-party audio and video-recording apps.
HBO Now – $14.99/Month
There is no content provider I turn to more often than HBO. Whether it be hit shows like Game of Thrones, smaller dramas like The Leftovers, documentary series like The Jinx or weekly shows like Last Week Tonight, there is no one I trust more to provide me with great content.
With HBO Now, you don’t have to subscribe to an expensive cable or satellite subscription either. You can get all of their content on your own terms for $14.99, making cutting the cord easier than ever if you don’t care about live sports.
iPad Air Smart Cover – $39.00
Whenever I purchase a new device, whether it be an iPhone, iPad or Macbook, I usually opt to not purchase any kind of case or protection. I find the vast majority of cases aesthetically unpleasant compared to the device’s natural look, and most cases hamper the feel of the product in my hand.
However, I make an exception for the Smart Cover line by Apple. Not only does it allow my iPad Air’s aesthetic and feel to shine, but it’s actually got some versatility outside of protecting the display when it’s not in use. It can fold itself up, allowing the iPad to stand. Additionally, the soft material on the inside of the cover is a good way to quickly wipe off any dust or fingerprints on the display.
AirPort Extreme – $199.00
The AirPort Extreme isn’t the most fully featured or complex router available on the market, but it is the one I’d recommend to the vast majority of people.
I’ve owned Apple’s previous AirPort Extreme in addition to the newest one, and I’ve never had a problem with either. In fact, the last time I even looked at my AirPort Extreme is when I went through the very simple setup process. The AirPort Extreme has provided a reliable and strong Wi-Fi signal in my home with absolutely no problems, and there’s no better option for people who want a no-hassle solution for their networking needs.
The new version of the AirPort Extreme provides 3 times the speed of the previous model and transmits at both 2.4GHz and 5GHz frequencies at the same time, allowing your device to connect to the fastest connection it can at most times. It can also transmit further than the previous model, as I found I’ve been able to still hold a viable connection from around 30 yards away from my home.
MoviePass – From $30/Month
As a huge movie buff, I tend to visit movie theaters a lot to check out the latest new releases. However, watching at least one movie in theaters a week quickly becomes a very expensive hobby, so I was very pleased to subscribe to MoviePass, a subscription service for watching movies in theaters.
The subscription starts at $30 a month, though it can rise to $49 a month depending on your area (you can check how much a subscription costs in your area at MoviePass’ website). You’re allowed to see a new release, non-3D movie in theaters every 24 hours. Since I see at least a film a week, and sometimes two or three a week during the summer and fall, I’ve found that MoviePass actually saves me money and has been a good value overall.
To use the service, you must download the MoviePass app and check-in to a movie at the theater of your choice. Once you’ve checked in, you take your MoviePass card to the box office and request the movie you’ve checked into. The cashier then slides the card and you receive your movie ticket.
Discuss this article in our forums
Pebble smartwatches get a built-in fitness tracking app
If you’ve wanted to use your Pebble smartwatch as an activity tracker so far, you’ve had to grab a third-party app — unlike Apple or Google, you didn’t have anything built-in. Well, that won’t be an issue after today. Pebble is rolling out a firmware update to the Time, Time Steel and Time Round that introduces Pebble Health, a native fitness tracking app. It continuously tracks your step counts and sleep, like the earlier apps, but you now have coaching (built with help from Stanford University) to see where you need improvement. Your results won’t exist in a vacuum, either, since they plug into Apple’s HealthKit, Google Fit and (soon) third-party watch apps.
So, what if you’re still hanging on to one of Pebble’s monochrome watches? You won’t get Pebble Health, unfortunately, but there’s still a treat in store. As promised, there’s a firmware update arriving today that brings the newer watches’ Timeline interface to both the original watch and the Steel. You get unlimited apps, too. While this won’t make you forget that you have older wristwear, it should at least keep you in sync with some of the latest features.
Source: App Store, Google Play
Use Android Pay to handle your in-app purchases
Android Pay has been handling mobile payments for the Google faithful since September, and now it’s ready to lend a hand inside apps. Starting today, you can use Mountain View’s payments system to complete in-app purchases. Instead of having to pull out your wallet and manually enter card info, you can now easily tap the Android Pay button and confirm your details for quick transactions. The new addition gives Google’s payments system a feature iOS users already had with Apple Pay.
Google says we can expect to see the new feature in a growing list of apps in the coming months. In fact, the likes of DoorDash, OpenTable, Lyft and others are offering some discounts to usher in Android Pay’s arrival inside of those apps. What’s more, Google says its payments platform is heading to Australia in early 2016 with more countries to follow throughout the year.
Source: Google
LeTV Max Pro gets benchmarked on AnTuTu and first renders leak
The LeTV Pro underwent a benchmark test on AuTuTu yesterday and has gotten spec heads excited.
Based on the benchmark listing, the LeTV Max Pro contains a 5.5-inch QHD display, a Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 chipset, 4GB of RAM, a 21MP rear camera, a 4MP front camera, and 64GB of internal storage space. You’ll also be happy to know that the handset runs Google’s latest Android 6.0, excluding the minor 6.0.1 enhancement released this past week. The handset is also expected to include a fingerprint scanner that could be placed beneath the glass, which would be the first of its kind.
Not long after, a Weibo member posted renders of the device and it’s all except for ugly. The phone features an aluminum backing with a super slim profile and curved glass at the top. You can check out the shots along with the AnTuTu listings down below thanks to GizmoChina.
Source: Weibo
Via: GizmoChina
Come comment on this article: LeTV Max Pro gets benchmarked on AnTuTu and first renders leak
Holiday Buying Guide 2015: The best accessories
While you might be looking to buy new smartphones or tablets for a friend or loved one this holiday season, you’ll also want to consider looking at accessories to go with them. Why? Accessories are what separates your device from every other handset or tablet out there. Accessories are what makes a device yours.
There is an insurmountable amount of accessories out there for all types of devices, which makes the buying process just a tad more difficult. What should you get? What is the right item to buy? Cases? Speakers? Headphones? Battery packs? And what in the world are Bluetooth accessories? We’re here to make that all clear for you.
Whether you need a case for your smartphone, speakers for playing music, headphones, or battery packs, there’s something here for you on this list. We’ve dug through the mire of bad accessories in order to bring you all of the best ones for your favorite devices. Be sure to check it out after the break!
Cases
Speck CandyShell Grip Case
The Speck CandyShell Grip case is the perfect cross between protection and style, available for all of your favorite smartphones. It’s Speck’s military grade case and has raised rubber edges, allowing the enclosure to take a beating without harming your smartphone. The case comes in eight different colors (varies by device), with White/Black and Black/Slate Grey being some of the most popular options.
It’s available for most popular Galaxy devices as late as the Galaxy S3. There are also CandyShell Grip versions for many HTC phones, Apple devices, LG handsets, Google smartphones, and much more. And if you end up liking the CandyShell Grip, there are even heftier versions available for an assortment of tablets.
Speck CandyShell Inked
The Speck CandyShell Inked is a military-grade case designed to take a beating all while look super stylish. Much like the CandyShell Grip, it has those raised edges so that the smartphone itself never actually hits the ground. What’s particularly interesting about this case is that it has a floral pattern on the back that comes in a couple of different colors. And don’t worry, with Speck’s special high-res coating, the pattern won’t fade away quickly either.
Speck’s CandyShell Inked case isn’t as widely available as the CandyShell Grip, but it’s still available for a lot of popular smartphones, including the Galaxy S6 Edge+ and Galaxy Note 5.
Otterbox Defender
If you’re looking for a case that can take one heck of a beating, the Otterbox Defender might just be right up your alley. The Defender offers up to three layers of protection, adding resistance to things like dust getting in your phone, dropping the smartphone on cement, and even scratches on your screen. As a result, the Otterbox Defender can get a little pricey, but for a limited time only, Otterbox is offering 25% off certain cases and will package free express shipping with your order.
The Otterbox Defender series of cases is available for all of the most popular smartphones and brands, including Samsung, Apple, HTC, LG, OnePlus, Motorola, and more.
Spigen Neo Hybrid
Spigen’s Neo Hybrid enclosure is a dual-layer case for shock absorption and reinforced protection. That’s about all you get as far as protection goes, though. At the heart of this case is style, and as you can see from the image above, Spigen made no shortcuts. It’s a beautiful case that’ll bring a refreshing new look to many popular handsets, including the Galaxy S6, Galaxy S6 Edge+, Galaxy Note 5, One M9, iPhone 6, and more.
The case comes in all sorts of variations, letting you choose from metal, carbon, crystal, and other types.
Battery Packs
Ingress Power Cube
Cheero developed the 12,000mAh Ingress Power Cube (our review) portable battery in partnership with Niantic Labs. It has a quick charge 2.1A port and much slow 1.4A port, allowing you to charge two devices simultaneously. One of the highlights of the Ingress Power Cube is obviously it’s design. Users are able to switch from 6 different lighting patterns with just the press of a button. Not only that, but Cheero’s packaging for the Ingress Power Cube is out of this world as well. It’s truly something special, and most importantly, will keep all of your devices and gadgets charged on long trips or particularly heavy usage days.
[Amazon]
Tylt ENERGI 5K+
The Tylt ENERGI 5K+ battery pack might be the best portable charger you’ll ever lay hands on. It has a capacity of 5,200mAh (larger sizes available), and it actually comes with built-in cables, allowing you to leave your mess of wires at home. Not only are the built-in cables convienient, but the Tylt Energi has a slim enough profile to fit right into your pocket for easy travel. In fact, it’s so slim that you can even make a phone call while charging up your smartphone.
It has rapid charging, it’s slim, it’s portable, and it’s convenient. What’s not to love about the Tylt ENERGI 5K+?
Audio
Beats Solo2
The Beats Solo2 on-ear headphones are an improved version of the original model, bringing crisper sound to the table. The acoustics have been updated in a major way, which enhances the clarity of the sound delivered. If you listen to music on your smartphone or tablet often, you’ll notice that many built-in speakers can sound like a hollow tube. Having the Beats Solo2 eliminates that problem, immersing you in an “emotional sound experience,” as Amazon puts it.
UE Boom2
While we’re on the topic of audio, one diamond in the rough is the UE Boom2 wireless speakers. Once again, smartphones and tablets just don’t have good speakers, meaning they’re especially horrible at producing any sort of quality music at parties or other events. That’s where the UE Boom2 comes in. Just hook up your smartphone or tablet to it by way of Bluetooth, and you’ll get some insanely great quality with its 360-degree speakers.
Sound on the UE Boom2 is excellent, but this speaker was also designed to sustain any sort of travel. With waterproof (up to 30 minutes in 1 meter of water) and shockproof technology, the UE Boom2 is able to sustain drops and falls without being harmed.
[Ultimate Ears] [Amazon] [T-Mobile]
Bluetooth
Tile
Have you ever walked into a store, set your keys or tablet down, forgot about them, and left the store? You certainly don’t want that disaster to happen again! That’s where Tile comes in. Tile is a Bluetooth tracker that will notify you through sound when you get too far away from it or your smartphone gets too far away from you. Tile isn’t exclusive to gadgetry. On the contrary, it’s helpful for so much more, whether that be keys, luggage, purses, and more. Tile will also let you view its last known location on a map through its companion app.
It’s an all-around great accessory to have, as you’ll never lose something important close to you again!
Motorola Whisper
It goes without saying, smartphones are convenient for a lot of things, whether that be jotting down notes, shooting off a quick text, replying to an email, and so on. However, they’re not always the most convenient devices for taking a call while driving. That’s where Motorola’s Bluetooth Whisper headset comes in. It has some awesome technology built-in, such as wind cancellation and also bring some cutting-edge clarity in speaking and hearing. It has a 300ft range with almost any Bluetooth device, and has up to six hours of straight talk time, making the Motorola Whisper the perfect earpiece for on-the-go calling.
If you have any comments, concerns, suggestions for accessories, or want to notify us of any ongoing deals for any of these products, be sure to leave a comment below!
Come comment on this article: Holiday Buying Guide 2015: The best accessories
AIVAnet 