Alcatel Idol 5s Review

Last year’s Alcatel Idol 4S was a huge shift for the company in several ways, fashioning together a more premium designed smartphone without the premium cost. For its successor, however, some folks will be both surprised and irked at the same time by its new strategy. On one hand, the phone features specs that might be considered below its predecessor, and on the other, there’s a significant discount with the phone for those willing to tolerate ads and offers in their face. While $280 for the phone is already tempting on its own, how does $200 sound instead?

Design

Even though recycled designs aren’t a foreign thing in the world of smartphones, Alcatel doesn’t change up the recipe a whole lot with the Idol 5S’ design – one that’s rich with premium qualities. That’s a good thing, as it’s beautifully crafted from 2.5D glass, sandwiched together by an aluminum frame. In all honesty, it looks exactly like its predecessor, which isn’t a bad thing at all, given the premium look and feel. Although, you’ll want to be especially careful with handling it, just because glass meeting surface doesn’t mesh well. And trust us, the glass construction paired with its oleophobic construction makes it extremely slippery. 

Display  

One of the stranger aspects of the phone is related to the display, a 5.2-inch 1080p IPS display. Not only has the screen size shrunken by a mere 0.3-inches, but the resolution too has been scaled back when compared to its QHD predecessor. Don’t get us wrong though, it’s plenty detailed at a pixel density of 424 ppi and produces pleasant colors, which can be adjusted in the settings to make it colder or warmer in tone.

Initially, you probably think it’s not going to be VR-ready like its predecessor because of that reduction in resolution, but it actually is! Yes, it’s not quite as detailed because those pixels aren’t as tightly packed together when your eyes are staring at the screen through a VR headset, but it at least offers a VR experience to begin with – one that has its own content store as well. It’s nothing ornate, as most of the experiences there are elementary as they get in terms of virtual reality. 

Performance  

Opting to go with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 625 chip accompanied with 3 GB of RAM and the Adreno 506 GPU, the only area where we experience any sort of performance issues is with heavy gaming. Obviously, this chipset isn’t meant for that kind of thing, evident by all of the laggy performances we see in some graphics benchmark tests. And even though it’s VR-capable, don’t have high expectations here because the duress placed by the intensity of VR causes much of the performance to stutter – something that really distracts from the overall VR experience. 

Hardware  

Call it the standard, the Idol 5s comes with a generous 32 GB of internal storage, which can be supplemented via microSD card expansion. 

Even with the budget-conscious nature of the phone, it features a fingerprint sensor in its rear, USB Type-C, dual 3.6-watt front-firing speakers, and yes, a 3.5 mm headphone jack as well. That’s a relief and something we’re grateful to see here – given the already svelte chassis of the phone, it’s great to see they opted to stick with having one. 

Going back to those dual front-firing speakers, they complement the video watching experience as audio is projected towards you. And there’s some serious substance to their quality too, producing rumbling low tones and sharp mids with exceptional fidelity. 

Battery  

Due to its slightly diminutive size over its predecessor, the Idol 5S is accompanied with a lower capacity 2,620 mAh battery. In our experience it’s able to last us for most of the day, but the battery is generally in the red by the time it’s lights out. Those who intend to be gaming a lot (or attempting it), or just power users in general, will find themselves having to recharge the phone routinely. It’s not abysmal per se, but just keep a spare charger on you at all times – more so when it doesn’t have some of the rapid charging technologies in other phones. 

Camera 

The phone’s 12 MP rear camera, which is flush with the surrounding surface, seems suspect enough given the nature of its predecessor’s 16 MP snapper, but that’s nothing to be alarmed about. And why’s that? Well, it snaps pleasant looking photos for the most part when the situation is ideal. There’s a fair amount of sharpness and vibrant colors in the shots, and it’s especially adept at handling macros. 

When it comes to taking selfies, the front-facing 8 MP camera offers a decent balance, conjuring up selfies with suitable details – albeit the muted tone of its color reproduction. Moving onto its low light performance, there are naturally hurdles in the way that prevent it from being THE go-to camera. Take for instance the noisier composition, which doesn’t help either when there’s heavier levels of artifacting. 

Capable of shooting videos up to 1080p resolution, the rear camera struggles with dynamic range, evident in how brighter areas tend to be overblown. Strangely, too, there’s noticeable evidence of artifacting when the lighting conditions are decent, which tends to soften the overall quality. Overall, while the Idol 5s’ camera performance will suffice for most people, just know that lighting is crucial in achieving the utmost best results. 

Software  

Purists will enjoy the fact that the Alcatel Idol 5s is running a mostly untapped version of Android 7.1 Nougat. There’s not too much in the way of customizations or bloatware with the unit we’re checking out. However, if you opt to pick up the Amazon Prime Exclusive version of the phone, just know that you’re going to have to deal with ads and offers in the lockscreen from Amazon – it’s just what you’ll have to endure to get the discount price. 

Call Quality  

Can you hear me now? You betcha with this one, seeing that its earpiece delivers authoritative power that makes it easily recognizable to listen to callers in noisy conditions. Switching over to the speakerphone, the result it yet again the same, as we didn’t have too many problems trying to decipher callers. 

Conclusion  

Before we get to our final word, just know that the Alcatel Idol 5s is priced differently depending on which model you select. If you decide to go with the unlocked, standard version that’s compatible with AT&T & T-Mobile (Sprint and Verizon compatibility is coming later this summer), you’ll have to fork over $279.99 to pick it up. Now, even though we’re bummed by some of the reduction in specs over its predecessor, the $280 tag is still a lower starting price. It’s an option worth thinking about if you’re just looking for something basic, especially when the design looks like it could command a much higher price. 

For the biggest savings, however, the Amazon Prime Exclusive version of the phone cuts down the cost to a mere $199.99. That’s not too shabby, made even more attractive given everything we’ve talked about already. Quite honestly, we wouldn’t be too distracted by those ads, so if you’re trying to cut down your investment into a phone, this option is going to be the best route for you. 

At the end of the day, the Alcatel Idol 5s is a gorgeous looking phone with a price point that makes it feel like you’re getting something far more premium. Still, it would’ve been even better if they managed to keep the specs on par to its predecessor – while still coming in at a moderate price level. 

Buy now from Amazon

How to remove books from a Kindle

Is your Kindle Oasis or Kindle Paperwhite getting filled up with stuff you’ll only read once? Do you just need to clear up some room? Kindles are great reading devices, but they don’t have all the storage space in the world, so maybe it’s time to get rid of a few of the titles on your reading list. Let’s go through how to remove books from a Kindle device, and how to delete these items permanently if necessary! Once done, be sure to take a gander at our roundup of the best free Kindle books and the best websites for downloading free audiobooks. After all, you need to do something with your newfound space.

How to archive a book temporarily

This option allows you to remove a book from your Kindle or the Kindle app. Technically, you have still bought and own the rights to read this book, meaning it will remain affixed to your Amazon account and you will be able to re-download it later, if desired. However, it will not be taking up any more room on your device. This can be especially useful if your Kindle is running out of storage space, and you’d like to speed it up while making room for new purchases.

Step 1: Navigate to the book in question — you can’t actually be reading the book for this to work. If you want to delete a recent book, go to your home screen, otherwise head to your Library/search box to find the title(s) you want to get rid of.

Step 2: Once you’re looking at the title in question, press and hold the name for a couple seconds until a box appears with a list of options. Note: This only works on Kindles outfitted with a touchscreen. If you have a Kindle with directional controls — i.e., most models before the Kindle Paperwhite — press the left directional button while the title is highlighted to bring up the aforementioned list of options.

Step 3: Within the resulting list of options, you should see an option to Remove from Device, or something along those lines. The exact phrasing will depend on your Kindle model, as well as the content at hand. Once found, select that option and confirm your decision. You’ll be able to download the title again wirelessly if you made a mistake, but you’ll need an internet connection and your Amazon login credentials in order to do so.

Note: The aforementioned steps should also work with your Kindle app! The biggest difference is that the Kindle app will likely use a different or more advanced format; just make sure you’re holding down on the title or book cover in question. There might also be an option to add to collection for an alternative type of storage. However, keep in mind that any content in the Kindle app that is not purchased from the Kindle Store won’t be saved in the cloud — you’ll be deleting it permanently.

How to delete a book permanently

As you might have already guessed, Amazon also allows you to permanently delete a book from your account. This can be useful if you have documents and textbooks on your Kindle that you really don’t need anymore. However, be warned: If you delete a book using this method, it will be wiped from your account. If you want it back, you will have to buy it again.

Step 1: Log into your Amazon account as you would normally. Afterward, go to the section that says Manage Your Content and Devices — this link can take you directly there. Here, you can see all the titles that were purchased from your Amazon account and are available on your Kindle, along with information pertaining to what kind of downloads they are and when they were downloaded.

Step 2: Next, find the content you want to delete. You can change what sort of titles are shown and the order they’re shown in via the Show menu, or you can search for something specific. Select the titles you’d like to delete by clicking the checkbox under Select, which is located on the left-hand side of the window.

Step 3: At the top of the list, you’ll see a button that says Delete, which will become selectable once you’ve checked a title. Click this option to confirm that you want to permanently delete this content. Again, keep in mind that the process is irreversible. If you do happen to make a big mistake, however, give Amazon customer support a call and see if they can recover your deleted item.

Best iOS app deals of the day! 6 paid iPhone apps for free for a limited time

Everyone likes apps, but sometimes the best ones are a bit expensive. Now and then, developers put paid apps on sale for free for a limited time, but you have to snatch them up while you have the chance. Here are the latest and greatest iOS app deals available from the iOS App Store.

These apps normally cost money and this sale lasts for a limited time only. If you go to the App Store and it says the app costs money, that means the deal has expired and you will be charged. 

AdBuster

Save data and speed up your Safari app by using AdBuster to block ads, trackers, unnecessary resources, and to bypass anti-adblock detectors.

Available on:

iOS

Weight Tracker

Weight Tracker provides a quick and easy way to enter and track your weight. It uses HealthKit to save and store your weight information.

Available on:

iOS

TickleMeThink

TickleMeThink is a brainstorming app that helps you get new ideas and solve problems. It offers a simple structured thinking process that makes thinking easy and fun.

Available on:

iOS

MyBrushes Pro

MyBrushes Pro is a unique painting application designed to create images and present the entire painting process on an unlimited size canvas with unlimited layers.

Available on:

iOS

Baby+

New baby? Track your baby’s development, and save those special moments forever. Get the supportive Baby App for moms and dads alike.

Available on:

iOS

Todotrix

Todotrix helps you to effectively organize your tasks according to Eisenhower’s decision matrix. The matrix is a great technique for prioritizing your tasks.

Available on:

iOS

These are the 14 best internet radio stations for your listening pleasure

Despite the ever-growing number of music fans turning to streaming services such as Apple Music, Spotify, and Pandora for radio-style programming, the broadcast format is by no means dying. Offering listeners hand-selected singles at the cutting edge of music, radio DJs continue to be among the most important proprietors of new sonic trends, trusted curators with the all-important human touch. Instead of pumping your favorite band into an algorithm, try tuning in to one of the best internet radio stations from around the planet — you’re sure to find something you’ll enjoy.

Here’s our list of 14 of the best internet radio stations; for access to live streams, simply click the name of the station and stream via its website. Looking for something a bit more on-demand? We’ve got you covered there, too. We can help you pick the best music streaming service, help you find the best new songs to stream each week, and offer a list of our favorite Spotify playlists for your listening pleasure. We’ve even got a list of our favorite songs to work to in multiple genres to get you through that day job with ease.

KEXP 90.3 FM — Seattle, WA

Seattle’s best public radio station is run in a partnership between the University of Washington and Paul Allen’s Experience Music Project, highlighting the best new alternative music from around the globe. Particularly known for its live studio sessions, KEXP is often among the first major media outlets to showcase up-and-coming bands the world over, making it a great place to hear new music before all of your Spotify-loving friends.

Download it now for:

Android iOS

KCRW 89.9 FM — Santa Monica, CA

An NPR-member station based out of the Santa Monica College campus, KCRW was founded in 1945 to train ex-serviceman in the then-emerging technology of radio. Now it’s just a great place to find emerging music. Creators of the famed Morning Becomes Eclectic radio program, a show which highlights new music and live performances from talented indie artists, KCRW is an excellent place to hear well-curated musical selections, as well as to catch up on national news.

Download it now for:

iOS Android

XRAY.fm KXRY 107.1 FM — Portland, OR

Portland’s most-acclaimed independent radio station serves up the sounds of the city’s popular underground music scene to a global audience. A crowd-funded station which formed in 2012, XRAY offers a varied selection of music and progressive talk radio programming, and has been broadcasting around the clock for nearly two years now thanks to the help of nearly 70 part-time DJs.

Download it now for:

iOS Android

Dublab — Los Angeles, CA

Dublab is an internet-only broadcast that showcases the cutting edge of the DJ universe five days a week. The station also offers each live show for download via its website during the two days a week it isn’t live. With a rotating cast of all-star DJs that includes world-renowned heavyweights like Daedelus, Teebs, Flying Lotus, and more, dublab is among the best streams on earth for fans of emerging beat music.

Download it now for:

iOS

KUTX 98.9 FM — Austin, TX

Owned and operated by the University of Texas in Austin, KUTX showcases a range of genre-specific programming ranging from indie and pop to disco, latin, and other genres. It’s an eclectic mix of shows, but they are each extremely vibrant and well-curated, making it an excellent place to find something new and unexpected.

Download it now for:

Android iOS

WFMU 91.1 FM — Jersey City, NJ

WFMU is the grandaddy of them all. The longest-running independent radio station in the U.S. is also one of the best internet radio stations on the web. This listener-funded station offers a freeform variety of eclectic shows that are sure to provide something for everyone. That said, such freeform formatting is a blessing and a curse, as some hours will prod listeners to tune in elsewhere.

Download it now for:

iOS Android

BBC Radio 6 — United Kingdom

When it was first launched in 2002, BBC Radio 6 became the first new station created by the BBC in more than three decades. A digital-only channel that focuses on alternative music from all over the globe, Radio 6 plays everything from guitar music to dance, jazz, and soul cuts.

Download it now for:

iOS Android

WWOZ 90.7 FM — New Orleans, LA

For those who aren’t lucky enough to live inside the Big Easy, WWOZ offers up the sounds of its fair city to the world, showcasing New Orleans’ famed jazz, soul, bounce, and R&B each day. The station’s selections center largely around the jazz tradition — which is still alive and well in the city — providing an amazing look inside one of the world’s most interesting and storied sonic universes.

Download it now for:

iOS Android Blackberry

WQXR 105.9 FM — New York, NY

Among the finest — and most listened-to — classical radio stations in the world, New York’s WQXR is also one of the oldest FM stations in the world. It’s also among the best internet radio stations. Showcasing the best of composers new and old, it’s an excellent place to tune into when looking for some serious music for work or study. It’s also the perfect pairing for that nice bottle of red wine you have stashed away.

Download it now for:

iOS Android

KUSF 90.3 FM — San Francisco, CA

The extremely varied sounds of the Bay Area are best explored via KUSF, the University of San Francisco’s radio station. A glimpse of the region which delves deep into the complex communities that have thrived there for decades, KUSF’s programming is overtly Californian, providing listeners with warm-weather jams which they’ll be hard-pressed to find elsewhere.

Download it now for:

iOS Android

Radio Free Brooklyn — Brooklyn, NY

A community radio station ran out of the basement of a bike shop in (you guessed it) Brooklyn, NY, Radio Free Brooklyn offers interesting independent programming throughout the day, with a variety of interesting talk and music shows to take you through your day the Brooklyn way.

Berlin Community Radio — Berlin, Germany

The cutting edge of Europe’s hippest city can be explored via Berlin Community Radio, which showcases the latest in underground music from Europe and beyond. Those who are tired of searching blogs for new sounds will almost certainly find their latest muse on these internet airwaves.

NTS Radio — London, United Kingdom

Founded in 2011 by Boiler Room co-creator Femi Adeyemi, NTS Radio offers a massively diverse selection of live and pre-recorded music in a variety of genres, often curated by some of the most influential artists in the world. Over 200 hosts regularly appear on the station , whose slogan is “Don’t Assume.” Famed artists who have curated content for NTS Radio include Thurston Moore, Gilles Peterson, Peanut Butter Wolf, Floating Points, and more.

Radio Musical De Cuba — Havana, Cuba

There’s nothing more fun and energizing than the sounds of Cuban music, and there is no better place to hear it than Radio Musical De Cuba, a Havana-based station with a wide assortment of constantly streaming Cuban sounds. Grab a cigar and a glass of rum, and prepare to enjoy the sounds of one of the world’s most interesting musical cultures.

Online abuse and my children: A cautionary tale

As a father of three active children, I’m no stranger to calls from school in the middle of the day.

They happen a lot, and for all different reasons. Lunchboxes left at home, bruises earned on the recess playground, and the occasional conference reminder hit my phone a few times a month. At the end of the last school year, I got a call from the school with a voice I didn’t recognize. It didn’t take me long to figure out this call wasn’t like the others.

The administrator on the other end of the line was struggling to find the appropriate words to describe to me what had happened. By the time he had gotten around to the point, it became clear I had missed a few options in my mental “worst case scenario” list.

Joking in real life, shaming online

A photo of my oldest daughter changing in the locker room at school had appeared on Instagram. Two puke emoji sat on either side of her, with some text mocking her for not having an ideal body. The account, which at the time only had the one photo on it, was specifically created for shaming girls at this middle school. The profile description made this clear, just in case including “exposing_bitches” in the account name wasn’t enough to get the point across.

By the end of the call, I was a whirlwind of emotions and could barely stand up. My daughter doesn’t have an Instagram account, and had not yet seen the photo. The only reason the school knew was a friend of hers had seen the photo and, knowing it was wrong, brought it to the guidance counselor. The school claimed to be conducting an investigation to figure out exactly what had happened, and in the meantime a request had already been sent from the school to have Instagram remove the account.

How do I explain this to her? What do I do next?

It would be another three hours before she got out of school and my mind was still reeling. How do I explain this to her? What do I do next? How is this kind of thing still allowed to happen with such ease? Do I call the police now or after I’ve talked to my daughter? What happens to the kid who probably thought this was a mostly harmless prank? Am I really willing to potentially ruin the life of another child by ensuring she’s expelled from this school and the police are involved?

When she got in the car, I tried to prompt her for some additional information without dropping this horrible situation in her lap right away. She appeared to be looking at the phone when the photo was taken, so it was possible she was aware something had happened. For obvious reasons, phones aren’t allowed in the locker room, but she explained that occasionally it did happen. This time in particular, a pair of girls claimed to be pretending to take photos as a joke, including the occasional follow-up about posting these photos all over social media.

Two days passed before we finally sat my daughter down and explained to her everything that had happened, in hopes that cooperating with the school investigation would lead to useful information to provide her with. We let her decide how to proceed, explaining the potential consequences of involving the police and the Board of Education. She made those decisions with as much information as possible, and has moved on with a new awareness of the way some people around her could possibly behave in the future. She never saw the actual photo or the hurtful words associated with it, but this is going to be something that sticks with her — and really the whole family — for a long time.

How is this still a thing?

This was not some kind of wake up call for me. I didn’t just discover online abuse and harassment; it’s something I and countless others encounter every day. Women, particularly those with opinions on the internet, are regular targets for this kind of behavior and worse. I wasn’t even particularly surprised by the location; school bullying is a never-ending conversation right now and teachers are frequently overwhelmed by or underprepared for these events.

What I did walk away from this incident with was a renewed set of questions regarding abuse and harassment online. We regularly see lip service paid to protecting users by the companies making money from these services, yet it still takes zero effort to find obvious examples of what seems like avoidable abuse on Reddit, Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook every day.

The account my daughter’s photo was posted to was a public account with text explicitly stating it was for shaming girls who attended this middle school. And it’s far from the only one you can find just by searching for “exposing bitches” on Instagram. These accounts are easy to find and clearly violate the terms of use for this service, but in my personal experience, Instagram waited for 15 individual reports of abuse to act.

Twitter Has Proudly Gone: ** 0 DAYS ** Without Harassment

— Abuse Report (@BanAbusers) July 25, 2017

Instagram is far from the only problem. Twitter regularly seems to ignore obvious threats when reported, despite clear violations of terms of service screenshotted and sent in every day. Facebook will automatically pull a photo if it’s reported for nudity, but videos of beheadings have traveled through my feed for days before being pulled down. That’s not to say any of this is easy, especially from a technical or automated perspective, but in many cases, it feels like these massive companies are not doing enough.

It’s not just the technology or the companies building it. Parenting is often described as a combination of doing the stuff your parents did that worked and tips from other parents around you, but the age of the smartphone has a totally different set of rules. Smartphones are ubiquitous. By middle school peer pressure to own one is already set and none of these kids use the internet the way you or I do.

On some level, schools also have some responsibility to accept.

Regardless of age, many don’t really understand how permanent the internet is and how severe the consequences of doing something for any kind of attention can be. Parents often aren’t great at teaching these fundamentals, and schools aren’t really covering the basics of online abuse and harassment as they introduce children to educational and social apps. There simply isn’t enough education aimed at how to behave online or how to empathize with someone when all you have is a screen name.

On some level, schools also have some responsibility to accept. It’s common now for after-school groups or multi-year programs in schools to use Instagram and Twitter as a positive outlet for kids. Photos of group activities are shared from these “team” accounts, so they can be shared by the students and appreciated by parents, with little to no time spent on discussing behavior on those services to match the positive experiences that brought them there in the first place. Just like the playground, if you encourage kids to “play” on the internet without a set of basic guidelines, boundaries are learned elsewhere and they aren’t likely to line up with the values you had in mind.

What are we going to do now?

My daughter is going to pick up and keep going. She knows a lot more about how to handle this situation in the future, and we’re constantly talking about how the internet works and what can be done to protect yourself and help educate others. She’s sharing this information with friends, too. Things that seem simple, like not sharing your password with anyone and turning off location data when sharing photos online. I’m going to do as much as I can to collect those conversations and amazing content from experts everywhere so there’s an easy-to-understand way for any kind of parent to start these same conversations at home.

I’m not going to solve abuse online, and neither are you. Some people really are terrible online because they enjoy it, and there’s no such thing as an abuse-free environment when those people exist in the same space as you. It’s a big, complex thing for all of us to constantly discuss, but that conversation isn’t happening with a lot of kids until they’re already on these services, assuming that conversation happens at all.

There are ways for parents who aren’t tech-savvy or big social media users to be involved with their children’s activities online, without being constant monitors of every little thing. There are tools to help your children protect themselves from many forms of abuse and help them understand the consequences for what may seem like a harmless prank or a quick post for attention. There are even ways for teachers to promote positive behavior while continuing to engage those students through these social networks, as well as enforce common-sense privacy and anti-bullying procedures created by the school.

Best Practices for staying safe on social media

Standalone HTC Vive VR headset powered by the Snapdragon 835 is heading to China

HTC launches a standalone version of the Vive VR headset exclusively for the Chinese market.

Back at I/O 2017, Google announced that it is working with Qualcomm, HTC, and Lenovo to bring standalone VR headsets to the market. We now have a better idea of what these devices will look like, thanks to a standalone variant of the HTC Vive that’s destined for China. Dubbed Vive Standalone, the VR headset is powered by Qualcomm’s 10nm Snapdragon 835 platform, with HTC offering content via Viveport store.

HTC’s reasoning for launching the Vive Standalone in China is simple — as Daydream content isn’t available in China, the Taiwanese manufacturer is offering local customers an alternative by providing content through its Viveport. The global version of HTC’s upcoming standalone VR headset will be compatible with Daydream.

HTC hasn’t detailed the technical specifications of the Vive Standalone, but considering it is powered by the Snapdragon 835, there should be plenty of power on tap. The dimensions suggest we’re looking at a device with a screen size of 5.0 inches or more, but we don’t know if it’s Full HD or QHD. What we do know is that HTC will leverage Qualcomm’s VR platform for content creation.

There’s no launch date or pricing information, but HTC is marketing the Vive Standalone as an “affordable, yet high-quality VR” device.

The future of augmented reality may actually be in shopping apps

How the technology is implemented matters more than the device it arrives on.

We’ve already established that it’s the pervasiveness of online shopping apps killing the shopping mall. But what about augmented reality? Could that change the way we purchase things in the future?

I spent an hour this week at a pop-up showcase for the ASUS ZenFone AR. It’s been nearly eight months since the smartphone was announced, and though we still don’t have a launch date, it’s bound to be on sale soon for anyone interested in a device that can do double duty. The 5.7-inch smartphone is compatible with both Tango and Daydream View.

The showcase itself featured varying demonstrations of the device’s native augmented reality abilities, including apps like Google’s Expeditions for the Classroom and Slingshot Island. What stood out most glaringly, however, were the two stations at the beginning dedicated to helping you buy things.

The Wayfair app lets you preview furniture as it would appear in your room.

First up was Wayfair, an online marketplace for furniture and home goods. It already offers a bit of a faux reality element in its current Play Store implementation, but anyone with a Tango-enabled device will have access to its augmented reality features. The app lets you preview a fully four-dimensional furniture sample scaled relative to your environment. You’ll even see the size of the box it’ll arrive in, so you know how much cardboard chaos to expect in your tiny apartment.

The second app in the demonstration corral was one from BMW. It helps potential adopters primarily visualize their reality with BMW i3 or i5 car. The app even allows you to interact with the dials on the virtual dashboard, and you can change the colors of the exterior and interior at will.

Thinking of buying a BMW? First try virtually stepping inside.

These particular apps aren’t groundbreaking in any manner — not if you compare the way AR is used in classrooms, for instance — but they are an ample reminder of how fundamental augmented reality will be for online commerce. This technology will let consumers try on a product before buying it — and they don’t even have to leave the house! Retailers certainly see a future for it, too, as Wayfair and BMW aren’t the only companies investing in this sort of thing. Amazon and The Gap allow you to preview clothing in real time, while Lowe’s will show you what your kitchen is like with a new coat of paint.

“We see a lot of use of this technology in retail, for measuring your garage or buying big-ticket items like kitchens for example,” Google’s Eric Johnsen had said of augmented reality, in an interview with Bloomberg earlier this year.

Of course, none of the apps mentioned are perfect in their current implementation. Wayfair doesn’t have a complete inventory catalog for its augmented reality feature, and The Gap’s virtual dressing room app doesn’t even let you preview the khakis on your own body. And anyway, not too many people have access to AR-enabled devices. There’s no telling how well the ZenFone AR will sell, either, considering its launch time will likely coalesce around the Galaxy Note 8’s.

📯 Speak up please 📯 We can’t hear you over the new ARKIT LENS/PORTALS 🤗 https://t.co/YaRMFdVW4y by @chipsineni @TRIXIstudios 🤟 pic.twitter.com/hm03AV5LeK

— Made With ARKit (@madewithARKit) July 26, 2017

There’s a possibility that the new ARKit on iOS could help move this future forward, however, since it makes it easier for developers to hop on board. IKEA’s already on board to build an app, and considering Apple’s status in Silicon Valley, other high profile retailers are bound to be announced as the technology picks up more steam.

That’s not to say that the entire future of AR rests on how well it performs on the iPhone. But rather, with more people accepting the idea that a 4D visualization is just how you preview things in this day and age, the more it’s bound to become more standard practice over time.

Save $150 on the unlocked Galaxy S8, S8+ at Amazon and Samsung

Our friends at Thrifter are back again, this time with an easy way to save $150 on the unlocked Galaxy S8.

If you like having unlocked smartphones, but don’t always like the price tag associated with them, this deal is for you. Right now you can pick up the Samsung Galaxy S8 for just $574.99, or go with the bigger Galaxy S8+ for $674.99 at both Amazon and Samsung. We’ve seen some BOGO offers on the Galaxy S8 recently, but if you’re only in the market for one phone, this $150 savings is likely more enticing.

In addition to the instant savings of $150, Samsung will also give an additional trade-in credit of up to $150 more with a qualifying smartphone. You’ll have to trade in an LG G4, G5, G6, Galaxy Note 5, S5, S6, S7, iPhone SE, iPhone 6, iPhone 7, or Google Pixel to earn the extra trade-in credit. Don’t wait too long to take advantage of this offer, as we don’t know exactly how long this price drop will stick around.

See at Amazon

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

Best PlayStation VR shooters

What are the best shooting games for PlayStation VR?

Shooters are a mainstay and favorite among many gamers, and the style of play is only heightened in PlayStation VR thanks to motion tracking and intense immersion. The list of shooters for PSVR is ever-increasing, but here are the ones we think you should try first.

Read more at VR Heads

The Best and Most Unique Skins For Samsung Galaxy S8

Looking for a sharp-looking (and practical!) skin for your Samsung Galaxy S8? Then here are some options to keep in mind!

You love your Galaxy S8, but you don’t love how bulky and boring cases can be. Using a skin with your Galaxy S8 is a low-maintenance option that can also allow you to express yourself with different designs, patterns, colors, and styles.

If you’re looking for some of the more unique skins for your Samsung Galaxy S8 — that still do a good job at protecting your phone and are high-quality — then here are a few that you might want to consider!

• Skinit Leopard Galaxy S8 skin
• DBrand Galaxy S8 Zebra Wood skin
• DecalGirl Retro Horizontal skin
• Samsung Galaxy S8 Signature Gold Mirror skin
• Skinit Diamond Red Glitter Galaxy skin
• Slickwraps Hero Series for Galaxy S8

Skinit Leopard Galaxy S8 skin

If you’re someone who loves the alluring look of a classic leopard print, but still wants a slim, trim, super-sleek skin for their Samsung Galaxy S8, then we recommend taking a peek at the Skinit Leopard Galaxy S8 skin.

The Skinit Leopard Galaxy S8 skin is made from a premium 3M vinyl that sticks securely to your Galaxy S8 with little to no hassle. It’s vibrant, eye-catching design is detailed and striking, showing off you and your Galaxy S8’s true colors — er, I mean spots — to the world.

This particular skin covers only the back of the device, and you can pick it up for around $15. (It even comes in hot-pink leopard spots too if you’re feeling daring enough!)

See at Skinit

dbrand Galaxy S8 Zebra Wood skin

High-quality materials? Check. Unique wood design? Check. Easy to install? Check. Worth checking (sorry) out? Check!

The dbrand Galaxy S8 Zebra Wood skin is an accessory for your Galaxy S8 that promises not to leave behind any sticky, disgusting residue that might ruin the look and feel of your phone. Before dbrand launched its wraps, it went through over 1,000 prototyping interactions, making sure that it fit the Samsung Galaxy S8 flawlessly.

We’re the only company in the world to use authentic 3M materials on every single skin you see – from Concrete to Carbon Fiber. (dbrand)

You can pick up the dbrand Galaxy S8 Zebra Wood skin in a variety of different finishes, but their most striking ones are their wood series that ranges in everything from Mahogany, to Zebra Wood, to Bamboo finishes.

You can pick up your dbrand Galaxy S8 Zebra Wood skin for around $10.

See at dbrand

DecalGirl Retro Horizontal skin

The DecalGirl Retro Horizontal skin is the perfect Samsung Galaxy S8 skin if you want to turn your phone into a vintage gaming controller.

This skin goes for around $8 and promises to be super simple to install with little to no bubbles, folds, or ripples in the skin itself, and when you’re tired of the design, a gunk-free removal is key: and the DecalGirl Retro Horizontal skin promises to not mess up your Galaxy S8!

This particular design is part of a retro collection that’s being featured on DecalGirl, so if you want you can add other cool, vibrant, retro designs like Tetris, tie-dye, and so much more!

See at DecalGirl

Samsung Galaxy S8 Signature Gold Mirror skin

Easy to install with an incredibly unique and eye-catching design, the Samsung Galaxy S8 Signature Gold Mirror skin is a $16 skin option that’ll add a little optical illusion fun to your Galaxy S8.

The Samsung Galaxy S8 Signature Gold Mirror skin promises a bubble-free, simple installation, which is key for accessories like this (you want as little hassle as possible!). The skin is designed not only with a back design, but front protection as well around the screen of your Samsung Galaxy S8 in a pattern that flawlessly matches the back.

This particular skin promises superior scratch protection, and if you want, you can even add a screen protector to your order for a little bit of extra security for your phone.

See at EasySkinz

Skinit Diamond Red Glitter Galaxy skin

When in doubt, just add glitter.

No, seriously: just add a little bit of glitter to your life with the Skinit Diamond Red Glitter Galaxy skin and you’ll be sparklin’ all day long!

This skin will provide a thin, reliable and durable layer of protection to your Samsung Galaxy S8 while still making your phone glimmer through any tough situation. Plus the Skinit Diamond Red Glitter Galaxy skin is cheaper than sticking actual diamonds to your phone — you can pick it up for around $15.

The Skinit Diamond Red Glitter Galaxy skin is made from 3M vinyl that promises to be easy to install and cut and crafted for full access to your phone’s camera, buttons, and ports. It also comes in a couple of other colors, too!

See at Skinit

Slickwraps Hero Series for Galaxy S8

If you’re a big fan of Wonder Woman, Thor, Iron Man, or even villains like the Joker, Skeletor, and Darth Vader, then we recommend checking out Slickwrap’s sick skin designs for your Galaxy S8!

My personal favorite designs come from the hero series, as the orange and blue colors from the Iron Man skin are totally unique, bright, and super vibrant, but you can also check out their Helmetica Series that feature heros like Starlord, Baymax, and Wolverine, the Galactic Series that features characters like Yoda and Boba Fett, or their Anamalactic Series that feature more incredible designs from artist Justin Maller of panthers, owels, bears, and more.

These particular skins are available in both a gloss or a matte finish and are made in the USA. Slickwraps promises 360 degrees of ultra-thin, super durable protection, so you won’t have to worry about your Samsung Galaxy S8 getting dinged up and scratched.

You can pick up the Slickwraps Hero Series for Galaxy S8 for around $25.

See at Slickwraps

What’s your favorite skin for your Samsung Galaxy S8?

Is there a particular brand or style of skin that you (or your Samsung Galaxy S8) couldn’t possibly live without?

Let us know what your top picks are in the comments below and we’ll be sure to check them out!

Samsung Galaxy S8 and S8+

• Galaxy S8 and S8+ review!
• Galaxy S8 and S8+ specs
• Everything you need to know about the Galaxy S8’s cameras
• Get to know Samsung Bixby
• Join our Galaxy S8 forums

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