Spigen announces new line of cases for Samsung Galaxy S8 and S8 Plus

Need a case for your Samsung Galaxy S8 or S8 Plus? Here’s a look at Spigen’s lineup!

We know so many of you are dying to get your hands on Samsung’s latest flagship devices, so it’s never too early to start thinking about which case you’re going to use to protect your purchase.

Spigen is a trusted brand when it comes to phone accessories and we have a sneak peek at its case lineup for the S8 and S8 Plus. Here’s an overview of the types of cases Spigen will be offering!

Protective Cases

Tough Armor

Spigen’s Tough Armor case for the Samsung Galaxy S8 and S8 Plus consists of two parts for extra protection. The TPU body will help protective your from drops and falls by providing some shock absorption, while the hard polycarbonate shell will protect your phone from scratches and scuffs.

Once again, Spigen’s Tough Armor comes with a kickstand built into the back and they have reinforced the kickstand so it doesn’t fall out of the case as easily.

These cases aren’t in stock until April 7, but you can add them to your Amazon cart today.

Samsung Galaxy S8

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Samsung Galaxy S8 Plus

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Neo Hybrid

Still providing dual-layer protection, but with a slimmer profile comes Spigen’s Neo Hybrid case for the Samsung Galaxy S8 and S8 Plus. The comprised mostly of a TPU body with just a subtle polycarbonate bumper frame to reinforce the corners.

The TPU body is textured, which feels nice in your hand, and I’m a fan of the new design, as the PC bumper sits nice and flush with the rest of the case.

Samsung Galaxy S8

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Samsung Galaxy S8 Plus

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TPU Cases

Rugged Armor

A simple but effective TPU shell makes up Spigen’s Samsung Galaxy S8 and S8 Plus Rugged Armor case.

There are precision-cut cutouts for all the ports along the bottom of the phone so you still have easy access to everything you need and all the buttons around the side are also protected, so you don’t have to worry about dust and dirt getting into the hardware.

Samsung Galaxy S8

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Samsung Galaxy S8 Plus

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Liquid Air

If you’re looking for something that has a more uniformed look, Spigen’s Liquid Air case for the Samsung Galaxy S8 and S8 Plus may be more your style.

Made up of just a singular TPU shell, the Liquid Air case does have textured pattern on the rear of the case to improve your grip. Plus, all the ports are free and open so you don’t lose any functionality of your phone and the buttons along the sides are all covered to protect you from dust.

Samsung Galaxy S8

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Samsung Galaxy S8 Plus

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Wallet Cases

Slim Armor CS

Spigen’s Slim Armor CS case laughs at the notion wallet cases can’t also provide quality protection.

Comprised of a TPU cover and a polycarbonate back plate, the Slim Armor CS offers the same great protection you’ll find in Spigen’s protective lineup. Plus, it has a sliding-door compartment in the back where you can fit a few cards, or bills, or a combination of both, meaning you won’t have to always carry your wallet around.

Samsung Galaxy S8

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Samsung Galaxy S8 Plus

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Clear Cases

Ultra Hybrid

Perfect for showing off the natural beauty of the Samsung Galaxy S8 and S8 Plus, Spigen’s Ultra Hybrid case is made from completely clear hard TPU. All ports are open and the buttons are covered to increase protection against dust and dirt.

Samsung Galaxy S8

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Samsung Galaxy S8 Plus

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Liquid Crystal

Made from a soft TPU, Spigen’s Liquid Crystal case for the Samsung Galaxy S8 and S8 Plus is a little prone to fingerprints. Don’t worry, you get an installation guide and cleaning cloth in the box so you won’t have nasty oil smudges on the the inside of the case.

Samsung Galaxy S8

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Samsung Galaxy S8 Plus

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Minimalist Cases

Thin Fit

This form-fitted polycarbonate shell will easily snap onto your Samsung Galaxy S8 or S8 Plus, and it’s perfect for all you minimalists out there.

An added bonus of Spigen’s Thin Fit case, is it’s compatible with magnetic car mounts, as the case has space for a QNMP plate on the inside.

Samsung Galaxy S8

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Samsung Galaxy S8 Plus

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Which case do you like?

Let us know in the comments what looks good to you!

How to use Google Maps offline

Download maps so you can access them even when you’re offline.

Google Maps has an offline mode that lets you download maps and get directions even when you’re not connected to the internet. If you’re traveling abroad or heading to a location with limited internet connectivity, a good option is to save that particular area offline so you can get driving directions and view points of interest and routes.

How to use Google Maps offline

Search for the area you’d like to save offline from the Search here textbox. In this instance, I’m searching for New York City.
Pull up from the bottom of the screen to access additional options.

Tap Download.

Select the area you’d like to download by zooming in or out. Larger the area, the more space it’ll take up.
Hit the Download button to start saving the area offline.

Once the area is saved, you’ll be able to use navigation options and look up locations even when you’re offline as long as they’re in that particular area.

Saved areas expire in 30 days, after which you’ll have to update them to continue navigating them offline.

The feature is great for driving directions, but you won’t have access to public transit information or walking directions, as both of those services rely on an internet connection to work. That said, taking areas offline is a good way to save data if you’re on a metered plan or are navigation to a location with little to no internet connectivity.

This $13 portable battery from Aukey can charge most phones nearly three times

Our friends at Thrifter are back again, this time with an even more affordable way to carry lots of extra power with you!

Whether you have a hard time making it through the day on a single charge or you like the security of having some extra power with you at all times, a portable battery is the way to go. Aukey’s aluminum 10400mAh is a great option and right now you can pick one up for just $12.99 with coupon code AUKEYPOW, which drops it down to around its lowest price. One of the best features of this battery pack is its size, which is around the same as just a pack of cards.

It also has Quick Charge 2.0 built-in for faster charging of compatible phones, and the LED indicators will show you how much power is left at just a glance. Don’t get caught in a situation where you don’t have enough battery to make it through your next meeting, and instead be sure to carry one of these around with you! If you need some extra charging ports at your desk, be sure to check out RAVPower’s discounted desktop hub right now!

See at Amazon

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

VorpX is amazing for playing non-VR games in VR

How do I use VorpX to play games in VR?

VorpX — it sounds like the name of an alien entity that wants to wrap itself around your head and not let go. Well, it’s close. It works with the thing that wraps around your head, and you won’t want to let it go.

The volume of questions surrounding VR and its link to the gaming community continues to expand at an incredible rate, and many questions involve VorpX. It’s exciting, it’s enabling, it’s a work in progress. Intrigued? We’re here to answer your questions about VorpX and its link to the emerging world of VR gaming.

Read more at VR Heads!

Best accessories for the Samsung Galaxy S8 (so far)

A brand new Samsung phone requires some fresh accessories!

With the Samsung Galaxy S8 now official, next comes the seemingly never-ending wave of accessories. From cases to screen protectors to chargers, there’s no shortage of ‘things’ to wrap around and attach to your new phone to get the most out of the experience.

As always, we’ll be providing full coverage of all the accessories you need to know about as we get closer the S8’s ship date, but for now here are the best accessories we’ve found so far. Like the phone itself, most of these are still in the pre-order stage or are currently unavailable, but there’s nothing wrong with a little window shopping, right?

• Samsung covers and battery packs
• Gear VR w/ new Gear VR Controller
• Spigen cases
• Moshi accessories
• CM4 Q Card Case
• Lifeproof cases

Samsung covers and battery packs

Samsung always offers a decent variety of proprietary accessories for its flagship devices, and the Galaxy S8 is no exception to that rule.

So far, they’ve got a bunch of cool (and admittedly bizarre) cases highlighted on their site, along with a brand new convertible wireless charger and a new battery pack. They’re all currently available for pre-order, so let’s take a look!

Covers

Samsung is offering a number of interesting case options, but the one that caught our eye is the new Clear View Standing Cover.

Available for both the S8 and S8 Plus in six colors, this case features a translucent matte cover for protecting your screen, which also doubles as an adjustable stand for watching videos in landscape, with the S8’s 18.5:9 aspect ratio.

You’re still able to interact with your screen with the cover in place, allowing you to swipe to control calls, music and more without having to unlock your phone.

On the other end of the spectrum, Samsung is also offering vibrant two-piece covers, which Samsung says will “liven up your phone with colorful shapes and geometric vibe that enhance the Galaxy S8 and S8 Plus”. Frankly, they look pretty bizarre to us and seem to leave a majority of the phone’s body open to scuffs and scratches.

On the other hand, it’s nearly Easter and the pleasant pastel color schemes might be enticing for those looking for a bright cover that will still show off the design of your phone. Though, we imagine these covers might end up stealing all the attention.

Samsung is also offering some more traditional case options, including an update for the the popular LED View Cover, which you can find at the link below.

See at Samsung

Wireless charger

Samsung has completely revamped their wireless charger for the Galaxy S8 and it looks AMAZING.

You used to have to decide whether you wanted your wireless charger to sit flat on your desk or cradle your phone at a nice viewing angle, but no more! The new wireless charger is convertible, so you’re able to use it as a charging pad or stand depending on your needs. The build quality appears to be greatly improved with a premium design featuring a textured surface.

See at Samsung

Battery pack

If you always find yourself having to charge your phone midway through the day, you might be interested in Samsung’s new battery pack. Featuring both a USB-A and USB-C port, you’ll be able to charge all your devices with the battery packs’s 5,100mAh of power.

The pack features a sleek design so it’s easy to slip into a pocket, along with a loop so it’s easy to retrieve and carry. Smart!

You can see all these Samsung accessories and pre-order them (along with your phone, perhaps) from Samsung’s website.

See at Samsung

Gear VR w/ new Gear VR Controller

Samsung and its partners are including a Samsung Gear VR and new controller for anyone who pre-orders a Galaxy S8 or S8 Plus, so it might seem redundant to include it on this list…

However, if you’ve never tried Samsung Gear VR before, you’re in for a real treat. Samsung partnered up with Oculus to provide one of the best mobile VR experiences you’ll find, with compelling games to play alone or with friends, tons of streaming video apps and VR exclusive experiences, along with its own functional social media platform.

Making things all the sweeter is the inclusion of the new touch controller, meaning you won’t need to hold your hand up to the headset like you’re Cyclops from the X-Men.

Everything you need to know about Samsung Gear VR

Spigen cases

Spigen is always on point with their line up of cases for the latest smartphone releases, and they’ve rolled out their full line for the Samsung Galaxy S8 and S8 Plus.

If you’ve tried and loved one of their cases before (my personal favorite is typically the one-piece Rugged Armor case), you’ll be able to find the style that’s right for you.

Check out our exclusive hands-on look at Spigen’s new cases for the Galaxy S8

Moshi accessories

Moshi’s line of cases for the Galaxy S8 won’t be available until April sometime, but you can already start browsing their line of cases on their website. They offer a premium wallet case, several styles of snap-on cases (including a vegan-friendly leather option) as well as the IonGlass screen protector, which is curved to fit the contours of the Galaxy S8’s screen — for those who demand complete edge-to-edge protection.

Moshi is also featuring a variety of USB-C accessories, originally for the new MacBook Pro, that they say will work with your Samsung Galaxy S8 to keep it charged or connect it to displays via HDMI and VGA adapters. We’ve reached out to Moshi to try out these charging cables and will report back with our findings

As for the cases and screen protectors, they’re not yet available for pre-order, but you can check them out and sign up to be the first to know when they’re available at the Moshi website.

See at Moshi

CM4 Q Card Case

This case caught my eye when it passed through my inbox because I’m a sucker for wallet cases. Made by CM4, the Q Card Case features a multi-material design that features soft-touch rubber around the phone itself and a premium fabric pocket on the back that can hold up to three cards along with some cash. There’s a lip around the front to protect the screen when it’s laying flat, high grip texture the top and bottom edges, while preserving the ‘natural’ feel of the volume and power buttons on the side.

If you dig the style here, you can preorder yours from the site, with orders shipping before April 17.

See at CM4

Lifeproof cases

If you’re the outdoorsy type, or simply a klutz when it comes to your phone, you want the best protection you can get.

Lifeproofs’s FRE cases are typically the toughest cases you can get. Water-proof, dirt-proof, snow-proof and drop-proof, a Lifeproof case on your Samsung Galaxy S8 means your phone is doubly-save from moisture and dirt. Available in a wide range of colors from the standard black to vivid pink and teal options, find the one that fits your style!

Sure, they’re pricier than most cases, but they also provide some of the best protection you’ll find for your brand new device. While they’re not currently available, you can sign up to be notified as soon as they are.

See at Lifeproof

Which accessories have caught your eye so far?

What are your go-to accessories for a new phone? Anything you’ll be picking up for your new Samsung Galaxy S8? Let us know in the comments!

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‘Quake Champions’ beta begins April 6th

If you’re waiting with baited breath for the Quake Champions beta, then you’ll soon be able to begin exhaling. The news is out that the game’s closed beta will begin on Thursday, April 6th, with additional players being added to it over time. If you haven’t yet signed up, you can do so right now at the Quake website, along with pretty much every other gamer in the world.

There’s a lot riding on Quake Champions, which its creators are hoping will make it as big a blockbuster as other competitive shooters like Overwatch. For one thing, id Software is promising that the game will play at 120Hz as a pean to pro gamers. After all, faster frame rates equal faster reaction times, the sort of thing that professionals obsess about.

Quake Champions’ creators also have designs on cornering the lucrative, and massive, amateur esports market with the game. By making it free to play-ish, combined with the strength of the Quake brand, it should swamp those gaming cafes in eastern Europe and South Korea. Just so long as it can unseat titles like League of Legends and do for Quake what Doom did for the FPS late last year.

Source: Quake

NASA probe Juno captures Jupiter’s poles in glorious detail

In August 2011 NASA sent a probe the size of a basketball court into space on a mission to observe Jupiter. Now, five years later, the $1 billion dollar probe has something to show for it’s 415 million mile journey. Named Juno, the probe has managed to photograph Jupiter’s poles for the first time, capturing the planet’s mysterious auroras and unique cloud formations after a few technical errors.

Getting these photos hasn’t exactly been easy for Juno. With Jupiter’s radiation belts proving hazardous to its electronics, the drone has had to carefully swing in wide arcs in order to avoid spending too much time exposed to the damaging particles. With these maneuvers only taking place once every two months, Juno recently completed its fifth maneuver, returning with stunning photographs of Jupiter that it streamed back to Earth.

While the original images were sent back in black and white, amateur astronomers have taken the time to retouch the shots in full color. You can see a selection of the edited photos in their full vibrant glory below:

Here’s a close-up of Jupiter’s swirling cloud tops.

Source: Business Insider

Facebook opens up donations for personal needs

Last year, Facebook announced a tool to help you create fundraisers for 501c3 nonprofits verified by the company. The social network even extended those donations to live videos. Today, Facebook is giving you the chance to raise money for causes that hit a little closer to home. With what it’s calling personal fundraisers, the company will allow you to accept donations to cover expenses for education, medical, pet medical, crisis relief, personal emergency and a funeral or loss.

Sure, it’s a bit like GoFundMe, but right now your fundraiser has to fit one of those six specific categories. Facebook says it hopes to expand them in the future. There’s also a 24-hour review process in place at the start, but more of that could be automated as the initiative grows. Personal fundraisers are open to people in the US who are 18 and older during a beta phase as Facebook gathers info on how it can make the tool more useful.

Facebook is also expanding who can seek donations in live videos. Starting today, any verified page can add a donation button to a Facebook Live broadcast. This means public figures, brands, businesses and more can help raise funds for the nonprofit organizations they support on a regular basis. Viewers will have the option of contributing during the broadcast or after it has ended and the video is posted on the appropriate page.

In Facebook’s announcement, there’s no mention of whether the social network is taking a percentage of the funds raised of if 100 percent of the donations reach the individual. When the nonprofit donations were first announced, the company said it would take a 5 percent cut to cover payment processing costs. We reached out to Facebook to confirm if this applies to the new personal fundraisers and we’ll update this post when we hear back.

Source: Facebook

Volkswagen can sell (some) diesel cars in the US again

Volkswagen is about to sell diesel vehicles for the first time in the US since its emission scandal broke in 2015. The automaker has received the EPA’s blessing to sell 2015 diesel models that have been updated with new hardware and anti-pollution software, VW spokesperson Jeannine Ginivan told Bloomberg.

The EPA’s nod is mainly symbolic, as it only applies to 67,000 diesels from 2015, of which just 12,000 remain on dealer lots. As such, it’ll have approximately zero impact on the $24 billion VW has put aside to pay for the scandal. Around 475,000 VW cars were affected by “Dieselgate,” though it could have been a lot worse if diesels were more popular in the US — around 97 percent of US cars are gas-powered.

Volkswagen will not sell new diesel vehicles in the US until at least 2018, and possibly not even after that. It made a pivot to electric cars instead, promising to build multiple EV models in the US starting in 2021. While that will be better for the planet, the change will cost up to 30,000 jobs, mostly through robotic automation in its plants.

Volkswagen’s agreement with the EPA will eventually include 2015 models that it repurchased from owners in a settlement last year, Bloomberg notes. Of the 475,000 owners affected, 340,000 elected to take a buyback of between $12,500 and $44,000, depending on the model. The remaining buyers elected to keep their cars and have them fixed by VW in exchange for a payment as high as $10,000.

Cars eligible for the fix and resale include 67,000 2015 TDI Jetta, Golf, Audi A3, Beetle and others with the third-gen 2.0 liter TDI diesel engine. VW will soon reveal whether earlier 2.0 TDI models with first- and second-gen motors can be fixed. As for the 3.0 liter TDI engines on the VW Touareg, Porsche Cayenne and other larger models, Volkswagen is buying back all pre-2012 versions because they can’t be fixed, and will announce terms of a settlement with owners of 2013 and newer models later this year.

Source: Bloomberg

Uber Now Lets You Edit Your Pickup Location After Requesting a Ride

Uber today is beginning to roll out a new “pickup corrections” feature in its iOS app, which will allow riders to change their pickup location after it’s been entered and a ride has been requested. With the new addition, riders who accidentally enter a wrong pickup location can tap “edit” next to it, enter the new address, confirm it, and send it to the driver, who is updated on-the-fly about the new location.

The rider changes the pickup (left) and the driver gets an update (right)
Uber said that the small but helpful update is designed to save the time and frustration of both riders and drivers, the former of which would previously have to call the latter to either manually give out a new location or cancel the ride altogether.

The pickup is a core part of the Uber experience and we’re always looking for ways to make it as painless as possible for both riders and drivers. This simple fix gives riders more control over their pickup experience and saves everyone time and avoidable headaches.

The new update also comes with a collection of driver-side support tweaks, which “give drivers more of a say on concerns and complaints that affect their bottom line.” This includes ways for Uber to validate a driver corresponds correctly to their in-app profile to satisfy riders, an adjustment to the scale of the rider complaint system, changes to how disputes are handled on fare adjustments, and more.

The new pickup corrections update will begin rolling out today to users in the United States, United Kingdom, and Canada, and should take a few weeks to get to everyone. Uber this week also published a humorous post that looks at the most common items lost on trips, the most forgetful cities, and the most common days of the week during which riders forget items.

Tag: Uber
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