Disney to Pull Movies From Netflix, Launch New Streaming Services
Disney plans to pull all of its movies from Netflix as it prepares to launch its own streaming services, the company said in its latest earnings report (via CNBC.)
Starting in early 2018, Disney will launch an ESPN video streaming service that will feature approximately 10,000 MLB, NHL, MLS, collegiate, and tennis sporting events every year.
Then, in 2019, Disney will launch a Disney-branded direct-to-consumer streaming service that offers Disney content.
It’s not clear when Disney plans to remove its content from Netflix, but in 2012, the two companies inked a deal that saw Netflix getting exclusive access to Disney, Marvel, Lucasfilm, and Pixar films. Currently, there are dozens of Disney movies available on Netflix, like The Chronicles of Narnia, Moana, Zootopia, Finding Dory, The Jungle Book, Pirates of the Caribbean, and more.
The deal, though initiated in 2012, didn’t fully go into effect until 2016, so Netflix has only had access to a wide range of Disney content for under a year.
With its huge range of content, Disney stands to become a major competitor to existing streaming services like Netflix and Hulu, and for Apple, this essentially means that if the company ever does manage to launch a streaming service, it may not be able to include any Disney content.
Tags: Disney, Netflix
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CTTM Ep. 51: We talk back-to-school PCs at 10 a.m. Pacific/1 p.m. Eastern
It’s August, and that means its time for students to start thinking about the computer they carry to class. It’s an incredibly important piece of hardware — the centerpiece of student life, really. If you’re going to college, especially, you’ll use it to cram out papers, read source materials, watch movies, play games, and waste hours and Twitter.
What you buy is important. You’ll want a system that is quick enough and portable enough, but also affordable on your budget which, since you’re a student, likely isn’t that large. It’s a tough choice to make, and recent advances in tech have actually made it harder. Now, students have to pick between not only desktops and laptops, but also Chromebooks and tablets, which can be argued to have their own place in a student’s backpack.
There’s no simple answer to the question of what you should buy, but if you know what you want to do with your back to school PC, you should be able to pick the right one. We’ll help you out on this week’s Close to the Metal.
Close to the Metal is a podcast from Digital Trends that takes a deep dive into computing and PC gaming topics. Each show, we’ll focus in on one topic, and leave no stone unturned as we show off the latest in hardware and software. Whether it’s the latest GPU, supercomputers, or which 2-in-1 you should buy, we break down the complicated jargon and talk about how user experience is affected in the real world. Please subscribe, share, and send your questions to podcast@digitaltrends.com. We broadcast the show live on YouTube and Facebook at 10 a.m. Pacific / 1 p.m. Eastern, every Tuesday.
Keep your Macbook Air protected with the best cases, covers, and sleeves
Leading up to the 2016 Apple keynote event, there were rumblings that Apple may finally discontinue the MacBook Air series altogether, however, the laptop — or at least the 13-inch model — lived to see another day. One of the main selling points of the MacBook Air is its svelte figure, but thin laptops can be easy to damage. If you’re going to be out and about, or you want to be able to quickly sling your laptop into a larger bag without worrying, then a case or sleeve is probably a wise investment. Without further ado, here are 10 of the best MacBook Air cases you can buy right now. Whatever you need in terms of protection, style, function, or price tag, there’s something here for you. It is important to note that frequent travelers may prefer a dedicated laptop bag or (better yet) a TSA approved laptop bag for their MacBook Air.
If you’re in the market for a MacBook Air or you’re considering making the switch to the MacBook Pro, feel free to peruse our latest side-by-side spec comparison. If you’re in the market for a refurbished MacBook, here’s everything you need to know before buying your first refurbished model.
Inateck MacBook Sleeve ($10)
This smart, padded sleeve comes in an unassuming black that won’t draw wanted attention to your expensive MacBook. The inside is also lined with a super-soft, fleece material that ensures the outside of your laptop doesn’t pick up any scratches. There are two zippers for easy access to the main compartment, and there’s an additional pocket on the outside with its own zipper that’s handy for stowing accessories and cables. The smooth, woven design — reminiscent of modern backpack chic — and the modest price tag make this a tough choice to overlook.
Buy it now from:
Amazon
Incipio Feather Case ($44)
For a minimalist veneer of protection the Feather case from Incipio cannot be beat. These snug cases are extremely light and thin. They add a protective layer to your MacBook Air that will prevent dings and scratches from showing up on that pristine aluminium. There are openings for the ports and vents, so the case doesn’t impact on normal usage of your laptop. Most of the Feather range is translucent, so the Apple logo shows through. You can pick white, black, blue, or pink. There are also a couple of matte options in pink or grey. Rubber feet provide a little extra protection and grip for surfaces. You won’t find anything thinner than this unless you go for adhesive skins.
Buy it now from:
Amazon Jet
Burkley MacBook Air Cover ($110)
You’ll love the luxurious look, feel, and smell of this genuine leather MacBook Air cover. This cover is really well-made. Flip it open and there are two elasticated straps at the top, and a pocket with a touchpad cut-out to hold your MacBook firmly in place. The interior is lined with a soft microsuede to prevent scratches, and there are vent holes cut into the cover at the spine to all the device to properly ventilate. You’re going to want a separate bag because this is essentially a leather folder, but it is stylish and protective.
Buy it now from:
Amazon Burkley
Twelve South BookBook Rutledge Case ($98)
Disguise your MacBook Air as an old hardbound leather book with this clever case. It’s tough, with reinforced corners, but is nonetheless lightweight and has a soft, padded, microfiber interior with elastic straps at the top to hold your MacBook in place. The distressed leather finish is designed to look like a weathered tome, complete with a ridged spine that says Book Book near the top and Vol XII at the bottom. There are two zippers with weathered leather tags hanging off them, making them easy to find and pull. You can get a slimmer version with a rounded spine for a bit less, but we think this one looks better.
Buy it now from:
Amazon
GMYLE Hard Case for MacBook Air ($13)
Not every case is built for ultimate padding and protection, and slim cases like the GMYLE Hard Case make up for compromised protection with a slick design that preserves the thin feel of your device. That’s not to say it won’t protect your MacBook Air from the occasional scratch and ding, but it’s not going to be as helpful when it comes to drop protection. The hard-shell case easily attaches, and while we think the galaxy and nebula prints are particularly attractive, there are also paisley, flower, and marble options available for those not keep on out-of-this-world protection.
Buy it now from:
Amazon
Origin EON15-S gaming laptop review
Research Center:
Origin EON15-S
For as long as there have been gaming laptops, there have been budget-friendly gaming laptops. Equipped with low power cards, plastic chassis, and 1080p panels, these systems target the sub-$1,000 market by cutting corners wherever possible. As our Origin EON15-S review demonstrates, more energy efficient GPU options have helped raise performance at this price point, while leaving some unfinished edges.
Not that anything is fatally wrong on paper. The EON15-S boasts an Intel Core i7-7700HQ, 8GB of RAM, a GTX 1050 Ti, and a Samsung 960 Evo solid state drive with a 1TB data drive. This setup will cost you about $1,360. That makes our review unit affordable, but far from the least expensive around. Does it meet the definition of budget-friendly, or are there better laptops waiting in the wings?
Just like every other laptop
Origin’s desktops come in a variety of custom and off-the-shelf enclosures, but its laptops are often built in a mass-produced Clevo chassis, and the EON15-S is no exception. It’s called the N850HK1, and it doesn’t feel particularly premium. It flexes dramatically, even on the keyboard and lower chassis, where it should hold firm. The screen has a lot of bend to it, which can be concerning, as the hinge for the screen doesn’t seem like it would hold up to any amount of abuse. It even makes a scratching noise at its most extended.
The Acer Predator 15, on the other hand, offers a sturdy construction without bends or panel gaps to speak of. Off-the-shelf laptop makers aren’t necessarily interested in longevity, and it’s an area where big brands like Lenovo and Dell can afford to spend time and money researching improvements. That’s not always the case, as the Dell Inspiron 7567 has similar issues with bending, but they aren’t nearly as dramatic.
Origin’s branding is minimal, with a logo on the back shell, and the brand name under the screen. Normally that would’ve been a positive note, but with so many machines available in the same chassis with the same parts, it had the opposite effect. The system doesn’t feel unique. We like Origin’s design and customization, when it has chance to wield its talents. Unfortunately, this chassis didn’t provide the company opportunity to spice up the EON15-S.
Squeezing in ports
Despite its compact footprint, the Origin EON15-S features plenty of wired connections. The left side carries a USB 3.1 Type-C port, a USB 3.0 Type-A, HDMI, two Mini DisplayPort outputs, and an Ethernet connection. On the right side, Origin has added dedicated 3.5mm audio in and out, plus another USB 3.0, and a USB 2.0 port, for a mouse.
That’s above average for a gaming laptop as thin as this, and part of that is thanks to the odd angle on the machine’s sides. Instead of flat, or rounded, sides on the laptop, the left and right panels cut in at a sharp angle towards the bottom of the laptop. The ports sit outward at a 90-degree angle, so each one has a plastic housing that juts out from the angled sidepieces. It’s not an attractive way to make sure you get all the ports you want, but it’s certainly efficient.
An odd keyboard
The Origin EON15-S had a full keyboard layout with a numpad, an increasingly common feature on gaming laptops. The keys had deep travel and solid tactile feedback, without much noise at all. That’s a good balance for a system that’s meant for gaming, but may end up in the library as well. There are four RGB lighting zones, and the light comes through the symbols on the keys as much as it splays out from the edges. It’s bright, but isn’t the neatest arrangement.
The keys seem to be just slightly less wide than they are tall, and we found ourselves mis-typing quite a bit.
That said, there’s something off about the EON15-S keyboard. The keys seem to be just slightly less wide than they are tall, and we found ourselves mis-typing quite a bit while using the system. That’s the cost of fitting a numpad on a 15-inch system, and it’s something users will just have to get used to.
On the other hand, the Acer Predator 15 has a great keyboard and good touchpad, without sacrificing elsewhere. Dell claims an equal honor with the Inspiron 7567, which sport input devices that compete with the best laptops out there. It’s certainly not a necessity, but it’s hard to argue there isn’t value lost when the competitors are on top of their game.
The touchpad is spacious and welcoming, a feature that benefits Windows 10 touch gestures. There are two distinct clicking buttons at the bottom, with a fingerprint sensor sitting in between. It doesn’t work very well, but that’s not Origin’s fault. We’ve only come across one Windows fingerprint scanner that’s sharp enough to work consistently, on the Huawei Matebook X. Every other option has proven as finicky as the Origin’s.
Easy on the eyes
The EON15-S is only available with a 1080p screen, the right resolution choice for a budget-friendly gaming laptop. We used a Datacolor Spyder 5 to measure the screen’s potential in a totally objective sense, and liked what we found.
While the screen’s stats aren’t exactly groundbreaking, it’s more than capable enough for our tastes. Contrast was a strong point, coming within spitting distance of the Dell XPS 15 and Lenovo Yoga 720’s measurements. Those are some of the highest-contrast screens we’ve tested, so that’s high praise.
The Origin’s screen checked off a number of boxes when it came to display quality
In fact, the Origin’s screen checked off a number of boxes when it came to display quality. Its 312-nit maximum brightness was high enough to work in any environment, and its 72 percent AdobeRGB coverage fell right in line with most screens that aren’t meant for photographers and editors. Its gamma was slightly off at 2 instead of an ideal 2.2, which means the image is a little washed out, but that’s a common problem for laptop displays, and is easily correctable with calibration.
In practice, the screen is decent for gaming, although the low gamma rating gets in the way during gameplay more so than elsewhere. It gives the screen a dulled look, like viewing through a thin layer of paper, unless you drop the gamma setting in the game itself. Once that’s taken care of, details are sharp and colors pop.
Tough on the ears
The speakers are loud, but like most laptop audio solutions, don’t sound great at high volume. Anything past a low volume setting is likely to cause distortion and loss of detail, particularly when watching an action movie, or playing a game. They also don’t provide enough bass to support true immersion in modern games, a big knock to the viewing and gaming experience. Headphones will improve the experience greatly.
To be fair, that’s an issue that’s going to plague almost any laptop you purchase. Even the Dell XPS 15, one of our favorite at the screen size, suffers from poor quality speakers that don’t accurately reproduce sound or video, let alone gaming. We even described the speakers on the Acer Predator 15 as “muddy and abrasive,” so you’re unlikely to find a gaming laptop, or laptop at all, that sports solid built-in audio.
All too familiar CPU
At this point we’re very familiar with Intel’s Core i7-7700HQ, a four-core CPU with Hyper-Threading, a 2.8GHz base clock, and a 3.8GHz boost clock. In our review unit, it was paired up with 8GB of memory, the most basic option Origin offers.
No real surprises here. The system kept up the pace with other similarly-equipped systems. While the graphs may look a little dramatic, all of these laptops fall within a fairly small range of each other, particularly in day-to-day use.
In fact, in a few situations, it took a lead over similarly-equipped laptops. It stole a high score from its competitors in the Geekbench multi-core test, while taking second in the single-core lineup to the Dell XPS 15. It fell right in the middle of the pack in our Handbrake test, which on identical CPUs becomes more a test of keeping under the thermal threshold so performance doesn’t suffer. Both the XPS 15 and Inspiron 7567 pulled out faster scores.
Ultimately, it’s hard to tell the difference between this laptop and any other with a Core i7-7700HQ in it except at full gallop.
Store it away
The Origin EON15-S is available with a variety of storage options, and our review unit came equipped with a 256GB Samsung 960 Evo, with a 1TB FireCuda flash-accelerated HDD for extra storage.
We’ve seen these drives before, and for good reason. They both provided solid performance without breaking the bank, with plenty of overall storage for a fairly budget-friendly laptop.
Granted, higher-end laptops are beginning to offer much faster PCIe SSDs, and it’s always nice to see that sort of premium offering in a gaming laptop. The Origin’s 960 EVO absolutely smokes the competition too, pushing 2,000MBps read speeds and 1500MBps write speeds.
That said, the upgrade from SATA to PCIe isn’t one you’re going to experience frequently in daily use. Copying large files from the SSD to the data drive in a laptop is a common enough occurrence, however, to make it a point of consideration, unless the system is destined for a life of constant gaming and not much else. Even then, keeping an older title while installing a new one can be a nice way to save data on a metered connection.
Will any GPU do?
Of course, the Origin EON15-S is a gaming laptop, and as such, it arrived packing a GTX 1050 Ti. That’s not exactly a high-power option, but from our experience, enough to perform decently at 1080p. Before digging into real-world gaming scores, we ran it through the 3DMark synthetic benchmark tests.
While the EON-15S held its own in the 3DMark Fire Strike benchmark, the difference between its GTX 1050 Ti and the GTX 1060, found in some similarly priced laptops, starts to show. The slightly more expensive Acer Predator 15 boasts many improvements over the Origin outside of gaming, and its GTX 1060 puts some space between it and the more consumer and budget-oriented systems.
A laptop that plays games
Now that our synthetic benchmarks are out of the way, let’s see how it fares in our test suite of actual games. Since our review unit included a 1080p screen, we only ran our tests at that resolution.
Despite its underwhelming performance promise, the EON15-S delivered solid frame rates at its chosen resolution. Even in Deus Ex: Mankind Divided, the most demanding game in the suite, the system managed to keep above 30 frames per second with the settings on high.
It’s important to note the gaps between the three mobile GPUs tested for these results. The GTX 1050 and GTX 1050 Ti-powered systems fall fairly close to each other, while laptops like the Razer Blade with a GTX 1060 take a much stronger lead.
We typically consider a laptop with a GTX 1060 a “gaming laptop,” as systems with that GPU tend to produce consistent, playable frame rates at 1080p in a lot of modern games. On the other hand, a system with a GTX 1050 Ti is more of a “laptop that can play games,” and the reason is clear to see in our results. It falls behind in a meaningful way, dropping 10 or 15 frames per second compared to the GTX 1060-equipped laptop. When the goal is 60 FPS, that difference can mean the world.
Fits in your bag, won’t last through the day
In an age of increasingly slim laptops, the Origin EON15-S still keeps up with a much thinner footprint than most powerful gaming laptops. Unfortunately, the GTX 1050 Ti isn’t necessarily a powerful gaming GPU, and it has shown up in consumer laptops not intended for gaming that are much slimmer. The odd angles and jaunty design may have trouble squeezing into slim laptop sleeves, instead of weight and size.
Portability isn’t just about whether it fits in your backpack, of course. Battery life is a major consideration, and an area where gaming laptops tend to fall way behind. The EON15-S has a decently sized 62 watt-hour battery, but optimization and component power plays a large role.
These graphs are almost the same as the graphical performance results, and for good reason. More power for gaming means shorter battery life, although the Acer Predator 15 only lasted an hour or so less in the 1080p video loop than our EON15-S. Whether that’s a tradeoff you’re willing to make or not, there’s a big stamina benefit to opting for a laptop like the Dell XPS 15, with a GTX 1050.
Squeaky clean
There wasn’t much to report in terms of bundled software. Like Origin’s desktops, the brands laptops come out of the box without anything extra installed, which is just the way we like it. This may be the only area where there’s actually a difference between Origin’s take on the N850HK1 and other manufacturers, which may include antivirus and software trials to help bring down the cost.
Warranty
Origin’s warranty covers the internal components for one year after purchase, and covers shipping for the first 45 days if there’s an issue with the system. It also includes lifetime phone-based technical support.
Origin EON15-S Compared To
Asus ROG Zephyrus
Alienware 15 R3 (2017)
Razer Blade (2017)
MSI GS63VR 6RF Stealth Pro
Alienware 13 R3
Acer Predator 15
MSI GS60 Ghost Pro
Acer Predator 17 G9-791-79Y3
Alienware 15 (2015)
Asus ROG G501
Digital Storm Triton
Acer Aspire V15 Nitro Edition
AVADirect Clevo P157SM-A
MSI Global GT60 Dominator Pro
Lenovo IdeaPad Y500
Our Take
Origin typically builds its gaming desktops with a deft hand and an eye to current trends. The company’s laptops, on the other hand, fail to excite us more often than not. For right around $1,300, the Origin EON15-S provides typical performance for its Core i7-7700HQ and GTX 1050 Ti, but that’s not saying much, particularly when other companies are shipping the exact same system.
Is there a better alternative?
Yes, including purchasing the same laptop elsewhere. Identical systems are available from brands you’ve probably never heard of, for less, and that’s just the start. There are any number of GTX 1050 Ti powered systems like the Dell Inspiron 7567 that offer up unique features and better build quality with the same internals.
There are even non-gaming laptops with the GTX 1050, like the Dell XPS 15, that scored high marks for design, panel quality, and battery life, and have no trouble firing up some Overwatch at 1080p as well.
How long will it last?
The parts under the hood are likely to continue powering a 1080p panel for some medium-high setting gaming for quite some time, but that’s not where our concerns with system longevity arise. Instead, it’s the flexible panel and chassis that have us questioning whether the EON15-S can stand the test of time.
Should you buy it?
No. Origin PC produces some of our favorite gaming desktops, but there’s nothing special or even unique about this laptop. When the price is weighed against its performance, it just doesn’t make sense.
You can buy Google Glass again — but only the Enterprise edition
Why it matters to you
If you missed out on the consumer version of Google Glass, there is now a way to purchase the wearable from an enterprise-centric supplier.
Augmented reality looks to be gaining some traction thanks to the efforts of companies including Apple and Microsoft, but a few years ago, it was Google leading the charge with its Glass wearable. Of course, that device never really took off with users — but it is making a resurgence in a slightly different form.
Glass Enterprise is now available from wearable specialist Streye. As that name might suggest, it is a slightly reconfigured version of Google Glass that is aimed at businesses who want to employ the technology among its employees.
Pokemon Go provided many people with their first exposure to AR and the general public might associate the technology with gaming, much like virtual reality. However, AR is poised to offer a lot of utility in the workplace, especially when it comes to head-mounted implementations like Glass.
Glass can offer the same kind of information that might previously have been relegated to a computer monitor, smartphone screen, or a tablet. The key differentiator is that the device’s form factor means that the wearer is free to use their hands while keeping whatever content they have on-screen within their line of sight.
The medical profession offers up the most obvious uses for this functionality, like the opportunity for a surgeon to keep an eye on their patient’s vital signs without taking their eye off the task at hand. There are all kinds of uses cases though, as evidenced by Microsoft’s demo of AR being implemented on a construction site at Build 2017.
Glass was a big undertaking for Google that did not really go anywhere, so it is not too surprising to see the hardware being recycled in this manner. The company long since discontinued the consumer version of the wearable, so as it stands this is the only way to grab the hardware if you are so inclined.
While Streye is marketing the product to enterprise users, there’s nothing to stop an individual from making an order — it is just a question of how much utility they’re going to get from their purchase. Glass Enterprise is priced at 1,550 pounds (about $1,820) and comes with access to the Streye Platform and the Streye Light app.
You can buy Google Glass again — but only the Enterprise edition
Why it matters to you
If you missed out on the consumer version of Google Glass, there is now a way to purchase the wearable from an enterprise-centric supplier.
Augmented reality looks to be gaining some traction thanks to the efforts of companies including Apple and Microsoft, but a few years ago, it was Google leading the charge with its Glass wearable. Of course, that device never really took off with users — but it is making a resurgence in a slightly different form.
Glass Enterprise is now available from wearable specialist Streye. As that name might suggest, it is a slightly reconfigured version of Google Glass that is aimed at businesses who want to employ the technology among its employees.
Pokemon Go provided many people with their first exposure to AR and the general public might associate the technology with gaming, much like virtual reality. However, AR is poised to offer a lot of utility in the workplace, especially when it comes to head-mounted implementations like Glass.
Glass can offer the same kind of information that might previously have been relegated to a computer monitor, smartphone screen, or a tablet. The key differentiator is that the device’s form factor means that the wearer is free to use their hands while keeping whatever content they have on-screen within their line of sight.
The medical profession offers up the most obvious uses for this functionality, like the opportunity for a surgeon to keep an eye on their patient’s vital signs without taking their eye off the task at hand. There are all kinds of uses cases though, as evidenced by Microsoft’s demo of AR being implemented on a construction site at Build 2017.
Glass was a big undertaking for Google that did not really go anywhere, so it is not too surprising to see the hardware being recycled in this manner. The company long since discontinued the consumer version of the wearable, so as it stands this is the only way to grab the hardware if you are so inclined.
While Streye is marketing the product to enterprise users, there’s nothing to stop an individual from making an order — it is just a question of how much utility they’re going to get from their purchase. Glass Enterprise is priced at 1,550 pounds (about $1,820) and comes with access to the Streye Platform and the Streye Light app.
Sharp’s Aquos S2 brings full-screen design down to an affordable price
Why it matters to you
Sharp has been a pioneer of full-screen phones and the Aquos S2 proves that you don’t have to pay top dollar for cutting-edge design.
This has been the year of the full-screen phone. It started with the LG G6 and Samsung Galaxy S8 — two devices that featured massive 18:9 displays, with only minimal bezels on the top and bottom. Then Essential announced its PH-1, which pushed the display all the way to the top, around the front-facing camera. We discovered Apple appears to be taking a similar approach with the upcoming iPhone 8, though Sharp could very well beat them both to the market with the Aquos S2.
Announced Tuesday in Beijing, Sharp bills the Aquos S2 as its 29th full-screen phone. While the definition of “full-screen” may have changed over the years, Sharp has been a pioneer of bezel-less handsets. The Aquos Crystal, released three years ago, was one of the first to popularize the trend worldwide.
The S2, however, can best be described as a cross between Essential’s PH-1 and the latest iPhone 8 renders. At the front, we see a camera notched into the screen, just like the Essential. However, Sharp has put its own stamp on the design with angular, diagonally cut corners toward the top of the panel. It is an awkward look that makes the whole thing feel a bit busy and we are not entirely sure why Sharp has gone for it. Perhaps it was an attempt to show off the firm’s free-form display technology.
As for the display itself, Sharp advertises a resolution of 2,048 x 1,080 as well as a screen-to-body ratio of 87.5 percent. The earpiece lives just above it, along the top edge of the phone. Moving to the bottom, there is a traditional fingerprint sensor that may double as a home button. Other devices in this segment have gone with rear-mounted sensors to maximize display real estate, so it is somewhat surprising Sharp has not done the same with the S2.
Around the back, the full-screen flagship is a dead-ringer for the iPhone 8, thanks to that vertically stacked, dual-lens arrangement for the camera. The way the 3D glass rises to meet the housing is also very evocative of the iPhone 7. Sharp’s use of glass looks not all that different from HTC’s implementation in the recently released U11.
We did not expect the Aquos S2 to set any new benchmarks for smartphone performance and it seems those expectations were justified. There is a choice of two mid-range Qualcomm chipsets to power the S2: The Snapdragon 630 and Snapdragon 660. They are respectable processors that will do a decent enough job of driving that big display but they simply cannot compete with the 835 system-on-chip found in the latest high-end Android handsets. Still, they should achieve solid longevity on a charge thanks to the 3,020mAh battery.
In other respects, the S2 is decidedly more high-end. The standard, Snapdragon 630-powered version comes with 4GB of RAM, while the premium model can be had with 6GB. Sharp also has not been shy about praising the cameras in these phones. The main shooter has an f/1.75 aperture with large 1.4µm pixels for better performance in low-light scenarios. It combines 12-megapixel and 8-megapixel sensors for special depth-of-field tricks. The selfie camera is another 8-megapixel unit but with an impressive f/2.0 aperture.
Sharp so far has only announced the S2 for sale in China. The 630-powered version with 4GB of RAM and 64GB of storage can be pre-ordered now for the equivalent of $370. The more powerful option containing the 660 chipset, 6GB of RAM, and double the internal memory sells for about $520. Those are fair asking prices for full-screen phones that are high-end in just about every capacity, except for the processors. Sadly, if you live in the west and want to take the plunge, it seems you will have to find a way to import one.
Best Cases for Moto Z2 Force
Keep your Moto Z2 Force protected with these stylish cases!
Motorola’s latest flagship, the Moto Z2 Force is a fairly rugged phone in its own right. It features Motorola’s ShatterShield screen to help prevent the dreaded spiderweb screen — but what about the rest of the phone?
You’ll want to keep it protected from any scratches, scuffs, and other damage from accidental drops. We’ve got a list of some of the best cases you should consider for your new phone. Lets take a look!
- OtterBox Defender Series Case
- Case-Mate Folio Wallet Case
- Incipio Dual Pro Case
- LK Ultra Thin case
OtterBox Defender Series Case
It’s no surprise to see OtterBox on this list, as it’s known for making some of the best cases you can get for a phone. Its Defender Series case for the Moto Z2 Force features the triple-layer protection you’d expect from a rugged case — a soft inner shell, a tough outer cover, and an included screen cover around front.
The volume and power buttons on the side are covered with raised rubber buttons for tactile responsiveness, and the charging port at the bottom is covered to keep out dust and debris. The dual lens camera around the back is well-protected, too, which is great. Priced around $32, you’ll get your money’s worth with a case that will take all the abuse that you throw at it while keeping your phone safe
See at Amazon
Case-Mate Folio Wallet Case
Love the look and utility of a wallet case? Get the Case-Mate Folio Wallet Case for your Moto Z2 Force! Made from handcrafted genuine leather, this case blends functionality and style at a premium price.
For $60, you get a quality-made case that will keep your phone protected while also providing slots for three cards, along with another slot with a clear window that’s perfect for your ID. There’s also a pocket for storing a bit of cash, too. Ditch your wallet and get this wallet case for your Moto Z2 Force!
See at Case-Mate
Incipio Dual Pro Case
The Incipio Dual Pro Case is another reliable case option for any phone, and it’s offered for the Moto Z2 Force, too. It combines a silicone inner shell with a tough polycarbonate cover with a soft-touch finish.
It’s a rugged and stylish case that you can trust, and it can be yours for only $30. It’s available in seven stylish color options, so choose the one that fits your personal style best!
See at Incipio
LK Ultra Thin case
Looking for a slim and cheap case to add a basic level of protection for your new phone? Look no further than the LK Ultra Thin Case, available from Amazon for just $8.
Available as a clear case or opaque black, this thin case will barely add any bulk to the sleek design of the phone. Made from tough and flexible TPU that’s shock-absorbent and scratch-resistant, the buttons remain covered with cutouts around the camera and charging port. It’s got an anti-slip finish, too, so you can be confident your phone won’t slide off the table when you put it down.
See at Amazon
What do you use to protect your Moto Z2 Force?
Which case do you trust to keep your phone protected? Let us know in the comments below!
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CBS All Access coming to Canada, other markets in 2018
CBS All Access is proving popular and will be expanding next year.
As more and more households cut the cord and turn to streaming services, networks want to make its content available in more markets. CBS has announced that its All Access service will be expanding to Canada in 2018. As the name implies, the All Access service allows users to access Live TV and streaming episodes produced by CBS on Android smartphones and tablets, Android TV, Chromecast PlayStation 4 and Amazon’s Fire TV line.
Image credit: CBS
CBS launched its All Access service to U.S. users in 2014 and expects to have eight million subscribers to the service by 2020. CBS maintains its own standalone service, while competitors NBC Universal, Fox and Disney-ABC all have a controlling stake in streaming juggernaut Hulu. The expansion to the rest of the world will certainly help CBS attain its goal, but unfortunately, not all of its content will be along for the ride due to licensing agreements.
The latest Star Trek series, Star Trek: Discovery, will likely not be available to Canadian viewers on CBS All Access because the Canadian broadcasting rights for that show are owned by streaming service CraveTV. Canadian viewers will still have access to CBS’ other content including Big Bang Theory, NCIS, 2 Broke Girls, and best of all, Candy Crush.
Image credit: CBS
CBS has not announced pricing details for Canadian subscribers, but the service costs US users $5.99 per month with commercials, or $9.99 without. For comparison, Hulu costs $7.99 with commercials, or $11.99 without. Depending on the shows one watches, a user could have a viable cable replacement service for less than $15 per month.
Besides Canada, CBS will also be expanding the All Access service to other markets later in 2018.
Learn more at CBS All Access
How to contact MetroPCS
You can contact MetroPCS easily by a few different methods. Here’s how!
If for some reason you need to contact MetroPCS directly, you can do so via a few different methods — but oddly not by email. Taking care of things like AutoPay, Express Pay, or viewing account info can all be done easily online, but should you need to go beyond that, contacting MetroPCS by phone is your best bet.
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By Phone
Obviously, the easiest way to get in touch with a rep is by phone. The direct line to MetroPCS customer service is 888-863-8768 (888-8metro8 ) or you can simply dial 611 from your MetroPCS phone. Yes, there will, unfortunately, be a bit of button pushing to get to a real person, but wait times typically range under the 3-minute mark.
You can also contact MetroPCS via its support account on Twitter, @MetroSupport. This account deals with quick issues that you may not be able to resolve on your own but typically won’t go as deep as a good old-fashioned phone call. Still, for ease of use, you can’t beat a quick Twitter message.
@MetroSupport on Twitter
If you’re not a Twitter user and Facebook is more your speed, you can contact MetroPCS on Facebook as well. Its customer service team seems fairly active and quick to reply to comments on their Facebook page, so you shouldn’t have too many issues using this method if you need a quick answer about something.
MetroPCS on Facebook
By Snail Mail
If you’re super old school and want to contact MetroPCS by standard mail, you can do that as well. Keep in mind that MetroPCS has two different mailing addresses — one for correspondence and one for payments.
For MetroPCS payments:
MetroPCS Wireless, Inc.PO Box 5119Carol Stream, IL 60197-5119
For MetroPCS non-payments:
MetroPCS Wireless, Inc.PO Box 601119Dallas, TX 75360
NOT By Email
If you were looking to contact MetroPCS by email, you’re unfortunately out of luck. While most carriers have some sort of customer service email address — or even a live chat option — MetroPCS does not. That means if you can’t resolve your issue through their site on your own, you’ll have to call the customer service number and talk to a live human instead.
Contact MetroPCS
So there you have it! To contact MetroPCS by phone is always your best bet, but there are still other options there as well through Twitter or Facebook for less emergent needs.
MetroPCS
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