This huge 200GB SanDisk microSD card can be yours for just $64

Should you be on the hunt for some more storage for your smartphone or tablet, you’ll want to check out this whopping 200GB SanDisk microSD card, which can be yours for just $64. We’ve covered similar deals on these SanDisk cards in the past, and now there’s yet another opportunity to pick one up for less.

This class 10 removable storage can be used in a portable device or with an adapter for a laptop. The choice is yours. It’s definitely worth checking the manual for your smartphone or tablet to see if this capacity is supported before you hit purchase.

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Chromecast buyer’s guide

Chromecasts are cheap enough to get them all, but we can guide you to make sure you get the one you need.

Streaming media isn’t a new idea. Internet radio and video sharing sites have been around for over a decade, and smartphones might not have become as popular (some say necessary) as they are today had Apple and Google not worked together in 2007 to bring H.264 YouTube streaming to the first iPhone. We want to watch and listen to the things we like on our own schedule, and we all want it to be easy to do while still looking and sounding great.

While there are dozens of different ways to stream media from the internet to your TV or stereo, Chromecast remains one of the most popular options because of the way you initiate things. Clunky and slow user interfaces are replaced by your phone or your web browser with the ability to handoff control between devices and to allow multiple people to get in on the fun. You are comfortable with the way your phone works, and you know how to use the tools it has. Adding in one button to send media streams to the television is just better than most anything else. Add in a low cost of entry and you have a recipe for success.

If you’re thinking of buying a Chromecast, the first thing you’ll want to do is make sure you pick the right one. That’s where the Chromecast buyer’s guide comes in. In five minutes you’ll be able to make the right choice and get the device that suits your needs the best.

Chromecast Audio

If you are looking for a way to get music from the internet — whether it be a subscription service like Spotify or Google Play Music or audio from YouTube or even music stored on your phone — the Chromecast Audio is a great way to do it.

It’s an audio-only device, so if you want to send video or images you’ll need to look at other options in our guide. But it’s a dedicated audio streamer done right. With a 24-bit audio decoder and both 3.5 mm and optical audio output jacks, you’ll be able to send high-quality audio to just about any speaker setup available. Setup is easy — provide power and plug an audio cable from the Chromecast output to the input jack on your receiver or powered speakers and you’re done. You can even run the output through a small bookshelf amplifier to create a complete stand-alone audio system that sounds a lot better than the price tag would suggest.

Best cheap Chromecast Audio speakers

The Chromecast Audio is small and lightweight, uses very little power and delivers premium sound to almost any speaker or stereo system. If you’re looking for a way to play music from the internet on the system you have now or just plugging into the back of a small stand-alone speaker the Chromecast Audio is the best way to do it.

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Chromecast

The Chromecast is the device that started Google down the path of streaming media. We’re currently at version two of the hardware, and there isn’t another way to get online video onto your TV screen that’s this easy or this inexpensive.

Setup is simple. Plug the Chromecast into an available HDMI port on your TV or receiver, provide USB input for power (either directly from the TV or through the included power adapter) and use the Google Home app to get your Chromecast onto your Wi-Fi and able to be seen from your phone or laptop. Speedy and robust 5GHz ac Wi-Fi means you’ll be able to stream HD content (up to 1080p) smoothly and easily. Fallback to 2.4GHz Wi-Fi is available if you have a lot of interference on your network so you won’t miss a thing. And as mentioned, watching a movie or show on the best screen in your house is as easy as tapping a button on your phone screen.

More: Chromecast vs. Chromecast Ultra. Which should you buy?

Unless you have a 4K TV and a fast connection to the internet to stream UHD HDR content, the Chromecast is the right tool to get the job done cheaply and easily.

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Chromecast Ultra

The premium offering in Google’s Chromecast lineup, the Chromecast Ultra can deliver full UHD (4K) content in HDR to your high-end television, and it’s as easy to set up and use as the rest of the Chromecast family.

The Ultra costs a little more, but everything about it is an improvement over the regular Chromecast. You’ll need a better processor and more power to deliver demanding UHD HDR content. The standard 5GHz/2.4GHz Wi-Fi option is available, but the Ultra also has a Gigabit Ethernet port built into the power supply (which you’ll need to use because your TV can’t deliver enough power for the Ultra) if you want the backhaul and speed a wire can offer. You’ll also need to have a fast connection — 20Mbs sustained not peak — and have a service like Netflix that can deliver UHD content. Using the Ultra is the same as the regular Chromecast — as easy as tapping a button.

Everything you need to know about 4K streaming on Chromecast Ultra

The Chromecast Ultra is for people who have high-end equipment and the internet speed to bring 4K streams to their television. But it’s also a great way to be “future-proof” because your next TV will be 4K.

See at Google
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No matter what your needs are, there’s a Chromecast that can fill them and is in your budget!

Chromecast

• Chromecast and Chromecast Audio review
• Chromecast Ultra vs Roku
• Chromecast vs Chromecast Ultra: Which should you buy?
• Join the discussion in our forums

Chromecast:

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Chromecast Audio:

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Chromecast Ultra:

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Nearly 8,000 U.S. Starbucks are now PokéStops or Pokémon Gyms

Latte, extra hot, with a Pikachu.

First it was Sprint, and now Starbucks and The Pokémon Company are teaming up to make over 7,800 of the company’s popular coffee stores and meeting places into either PokéStops or Gyms.

The news comes as Niantic and The Pokémon Company try to prevent the inevitable winter participation drop in a game that relies on people having to trek outside. For much of the U.S., where both the Sprint and Starbucks promotions are located, having a place to go to lure and catch Pokémon outside of the snowy and cold weather is going to be a boon for usage.

Starbucks is also launching a Pokémon-inspired Frappucino for the occasion:

Today at 11 a.m. PST, more than 7,800 company-operated Starbucks locations in the U.S. will begin to transform within the game into PokéStops or Gyms, enabling Trainers to play the game while meeting friends, recharge in the Starbucks environment, and enjoy the new Pokémon GO Frappuccino® blended beverage. The Pokémon GO Frappuccino® blended beverage starts with a Vanilla Bean Frappuccino® and blends in raspberry syrup with freeze dried whole blackberries, topped with whipped cream – the perfect treat for any Pokémon Trainer on the go.

As stated, the transformation from store to PokéStop happens on December 8 at 11am PT / 2pm ET, which gives you plenty of time to plan a route to your local store.

Pokémon Go

• Join our Pokémon Go forums!
• How to deal with GPS errors in-game
• Which team should you choose?
• How to play without killing your battery
• The Ultimate Pokémon Go Game Guide!
• Listen to the Pokémon Go podcast!

Best delivery apps for Android

What’s the best way to track a package on Android? Check out these package tracking apps!

The holidays are upon us and I don’t know about you, but to hell with the mall. Give me a mouse and an Amazon account and I’ll get the job done in 20 minutes with free shipping.

If you’re shopping online from a bunch of different sites, it can be difficult to keep track of every purchase. Download a killer parcel tracking app and get your ducks in a row before a fat guy comes down your chimney.

• Deliveries
• ParcelTrack
• AfterShip
• 17TRACK
• TrackChecker Mobile
• Package Tracker Pro

Deliveries

Deliveries is likely one of the first names you’ll hear when you want to find a great package tracking app. It supports over 40 shippers and couriers, as well as postal services in 21 countries.

You can sync your packages across your devices, and in most cases track packages using Google Maps, so you can see exactly where your stuff is at all times. You can even get notifications when shipping statuses are updated.

Download: Deliveries (Free, IAPs)

ParcelTrack

ParcelTrack is another wonderful tracking services that brings all of your incumbent deliveries into one place where you can monitor each one’s status on the go.

You’ll be provided with push notifications for shipping updates, and the very handy ParcelTrack Inbox simply extracts tracking numbers from the shipping emails you send its way, so you never need to tediously enter long tracking numbers.

Download: ParcelTrack (Free, IAPs)

AfterShip

AfterShip is a completely free service that helps you track your shipments with over 360 couriers and does it all ad-free.

The developer recently added a data sync feature so you can keep track of your parcels across your devices, and when you copy and paste in tracking numbers, AfterShip automatically detects the courier to save you the hassle.

Download: AfterShip (Free)

17TRACK

17TRACK is a great app to use if you like to often order from China or countries where shipping to North America is sometimes dicey at best. It supports over 170 postal carriers, as well as many, many of the world’s largest couriers, like DHL, UPS, FedEx, and a ton more.

You get a custom widget for your home screen, alerts for status changes, syncing across devices, and you can add multiple tracking numbers at once, while the app auto-detects carriers and tracks your packages accordingly.

Download: 17TRACK (Free)

TrackChecker Mobile

TrackChecker Mobile might just be the most versatile package tracking app around and is great if you like to order parcels from those hard-to-reach places. It tracks packages being carried by over 550 couriers and postal services in 200 countries.

Customization is a big part of TrackChecker Mobiule’s charm; you can choose how frequently you want to receive notifications, and you can even export and imports tracking information to and from your PC.

Download: TrackChecker Mobile (Free, IAPs)

Package Tracker Pro

Package Tracker Pro has been around for a long time, so it’s no wonder that it’s everyone’s favorite paid tracking app. It offers you features by the boatload, in the form of customization options, sorting options, the ability to archive tracking numbers, route maps, and a whole lot more.

The other great benefit of buying Package Tracker Pro is the support you get from the developer. You can email or contact Minstech Software via its website with any questions or suggestions you might have.

Download: Package Tracker Pro ($1.99)

How do you keep track?

Do you use an awesome package tracking app not mentioned here? Let us know in the comments below!

From the ashes of Rdio, Pandora Premium hopes to take your $10 in 2017

The best is yet to come for Pandora.

A year after it acquired Rdio, Pandora plans to enter the on-demand music market in early 2017 with Pandora Premium.

Using a number of features directly taken from, or inspired by, the sleek UI Rdio made famous, Pandora Premium lives alongside the company’s existing streaming radio options, a free ad-supported service, and a $4.99 per month ad-free experience called Pandora Plus.

But unlike those cheaper options, Pandora Premium will compete directly with the likes of Spotify and Google Play Music, allowing for all-you-can-eat album and playlist consumption for $9.99 per month. It’s not a new proposition, but Pandora hopes to convert a small portion of its existing free and paid base to Premium, largely on the back of its troves of user data; if you’ve been listening to Pandora for years, it knows what you like, and will cater customized playlists accordingly.

The question for most Americans, though, is whether Pandora’s new offering is worth switching to in a market saturated by Spotify, Google Play Music, Apple Music, Napster and others.

While I still miss Rdio and its album-first user experience, it appears that Pandora Premium embodies more DNA of the latter than the former. Pandora Premium will launch in early 2017.

Do you plan to switch to Pandora Premium? Let us know!

The best streaming music services

Save big on select Anker charging accessories today only

Amazon’s Deal of the Day can score you some pretty big savings on select Anker charging accessories. Whether you need a new wall charger for your phone or a portable battery pack to carry around, you won’t want to pass this one up. Anker is a reputable company that has been making mobile accessories for quite some time now, and most of the products have great ratings on Amazon.

Some of the deals include:

• Anker PowerCore 10000 – $18
• Anker 40W USB Charger – $19

Remember, these prices are only good for today, December 8, so be sure to act quickly if you are interested. For a full list of the items on sale today, hit the link below.

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There’s a lot more awesome for Daydream users to check out today

Daydream has crossed the 50 app mark!

As promised when Google unveiled the Daydream View headset for you to slide a Pixel or Pixel XL into, there will be more than 50 games available for the new VR platform before the end of the year. As Google crosses the 50 app mark today, with a healthy selection of games, educational apps, 360-degree video, and virtual theater apps it’s clear the goal is to offer a little something for everyone. The latest wave of games made available to Daydream users marks the single largest expansion of the platform since its launch date, both in number of apps added and their individual quality.

We’ve been taking a look at these new titles for a couple of days now, and have some thoughts to share on the latest additions to Daydream!

• Gunjack 2: End of Shift — The sequel to one of the most played VR games on the planet is exclusive to Daydream, and it’s more challenging and just as exciting as its predecessor. Check out our full review for more!

• Wands — You’re a sorcerer prowling 1880’s London in search of other battlecasting mages, and your next opponent is another Daydream user. This multiplayer online combat game lets you build your wand to your spec and cast your way to dominance against your fellow VR users. Here’s our full review!

• HBO VR — Whether you’re an HBO Go or an HBO Now subscriber, you can now sit in a private VR theater and watch every movie and show currently available to you. If that’s not cool enough, get ready for exclusive 360-degree HBO VR content early next year. Our full review breaks down the experience.

• LEGO Brickheadz — This free app lets you interact with unique LEGO characters in VR, as well as build and manipulate complex LEGO structures all around you. It’s a great game for all ages, but surely one you’re going to want to share with the kids. Check out our full review!

• Layers of Fear: Solitude — One of the best psychological horror games you can play on PC is coming to Daydream with a twisted new story. Everything is more terrifying in VR, and this game is no exception. Our review has all the terrifying details!

• Need for Speed: No Limits VR — Racing games in VR help you feel like you’re really in the driver’s seat, and Need for Speed is one of the most iconic racing brands in existence. How does racing feel with a Daydream controller, though? Read our review and find out!

• Underworld Overlord — Why be the hero when you can be the villain? This game is all about defending your dungeon from would-be adventurers by placing traps and casting spells to stop them cold. Playing this game in VR creates a unique perspective for you to enjoy, so be sure and head to our review for more info!

It’s clear Google saved some of the best games in their initial Daydream arsenal for last, and that’s great news for anyone looking to get a little more out of their VR headset after enjoying the initial offerings. As Google positions Daydream as a the best mobile VR headset for anyone looking to buy a new phone next year, this healthy selection of titles is going to make a big difference.

Airbnb outlines where it’s willing to compromise with regulators

Airbnb is changing policy in a bid to improve its lobbying powers and help establish itself within city and regional regulations. Having failed in its recent New York lawsuit, it’s now attempting to get to some kind of middle ground. It’s drawn up a list of “policy recommendations”, alongside issues that Airbnb reckons are in the self-interest of government and not the public. The company may have limited power to affect policy, but it’s now at least illustrating concessions that it’s willing to make.. in order get more hosting properties, more guests and more sweet profit.

Perhaps the most notable part is how the property / homestay hub says it’s willing to help municipalities collect tax revenue through voluntary collection agreements — money governments can then spend how they want. It’s also interested in equitable revenue sharing, helping building owners (say, the entity or person that owns a block of apartments) collect some of revenue from tenants that host on Airbnb.

It’s also promising to better deal with the company’s own issues and shortcomings: sketchy hostels and part houses, combating discrimination and helping enforce local laws where host violate local home-sharing laws. Airbnb would also be willing to release annual transparency reports along with some anonymized data to governments.

Airbnb says it wants to stand ground on zoning, where users are discriminated against based on the zoning laws in certain neighborhoods. (As TechCrunch notes, there were issues in New Orleans when the French Quarter was excluded. It’s also unwilling to build security passthroughs for governments to access user data.

Beyond large-scale restrictions of homes a homeowner can list on Airbnb, the company won’t limit its service to a one-host one-home rule — Airbnb has been forced to make exceptions in NYC and San Francisco. And, naturally, it wants “fairness”, so that local laws won’t benefit one home-sharing platform over another. Read the full breakdown of its policy “tool chest” over at Airbnb.

Via: TechCrunch

Source: Airbnb