Read the fine print: Terms of service, privacy policies and the power of knowledge

It’s the only way to know what you’re giving away.

When you buy a new phone or install a new app, reading the boring (and often difficult to comprehend) privacy policies and terms of use are the last thing you want to do. But it’s also the most important part of the process.

We were having a discussion about visual voicemail in the Android Central Slack channel recently. With Marshmallow, Google introduced a visual voicemail framework for the dialer that anyone can use once a way for the mobile operator to tap into it is coded. The question was, “Why aren’t carriers using it through the dialer instead of bundling their own voicemail client?” While we don’t know the full answer, there was one really good reason put forth — because they want to be able to use their own terms when it comes to how your personal data is handled. Using Google solution and Google software would put much of the data collected under Google’s privacy policy, not the carriers.

Several companies have access to your data and each handles it differently.

A lot of different companies have access to your personal information, and they each have their own terms of service and privacy policies. Google has its blanket privacy policy that covers all of its applications, whether they came with your phone or you downloaded them from Google Play. Let’s be clear — it’s invasive. Google keeps track of where you are, what you’re looking at, what you’re searching for and anything else they can every time you use your phone. But it makes things clear that it does not sell or share any of your information and it guarantees to keep the data secure and anonymous.

The company that built your phone also has its own privacy policy or policies. These cover the software that came on your phone as well as other code that might be pushed or downloaded from a brand-specific app store (like Samsung’s Galaxy Apps store). These policies vary, but most clearly state that you agree it can collect as much data as possible for things like product research and customer profiling. There are also very specific mentions of how and why your data may be sold or shared.

If your phone comes from a carrier, which is how most of us in North America buy our phones, it too has a separate privacy policy for applications and the data collected. This is separate from government regulations about usage data while you are using the network, which now often says any service provider can collect and sell any data it likes while you are using its network services. Again, the way your data is protected, shared or sold will be covered in these policy agreements. This is especially important when dealing with pre-installed apps that may have full system-level permissions to collect and read all of your information.

Pre-installed software can have access to everything you do on your phone.

Finally, any application you install will have access to some of your data and should have a written privacy agreement. If you install an app that doesn’t have one, you should assume the publisher is able to give your personal information away to whomever it likes. There is a section at the bottom of every application page in Google Play where a privacy policy can be linked.

One thing all these different documents have in common is that most people don’t bother to read them. Part of the reason is how they are written, and when you need a lawyer to decipher how a company will treat your data before you can use your new phone the urge to just click “yes” is strong. Writing policies and agreements and terms of use are difficult because they are a binding legal agreement. If a company breaks the terms it can be held responsible by the courts and pay hefty fines and/or damages. It takes a lawyer to read some of them because it took a lawyer to write them.

Another thing to keep in mind is that every policy you agreed to is in effect at the same time. Google might not sell information about the times you visited Jamba Juice and paid with your phone, but that doesn’t mean the company that made your phone or the company that you bought it from won’t. All parties involved with access to your information get to do what you agreed they could do with it. Thankfully, this is less of an issue with apps you installed because they only have access to their own data. Although, sometimes the data these apps collect can be ridiculous.

You need a lawyer to understand a privacy policy because it needed a lawyer to create it.

So, what can you do if you’re concerned about who can see what and the things they can do with it once collected? Unfortunately, the only answer is to read and understand the things you’re agreeing to before you click Yes. Most policies from phone makers and carriers aren’t horrible once you understand them.

The company that made your phone collects a lot of data about how you use it so they know how to make the next one even better. They may share information with other companies in the world of mobile hardware or software development, but they’re not selling your phone number to IRS scammers. Network providers have lengthy agreements about services and documents about software, but again these are designed to see how you use them so they can be improved. It’s are not out to get you, it just wants to make more money by offering things people just like you want.

We suggest you read before you agree to anything and if you don’t understand something you should ask. A quick question via email or a call to a customer service number should be all that’s required to answer any questions you have. Once you’ve agreed to it, there’s not much you can do.

HTC’s U11 will support Bluetooth 5.0 when Android O arrives

HTC’s U11 surprised us when we reviewed it — most of the company’s phones have been hit-or-miss for a few years now. But the U11 is a solid Android option, and HTC just announced it’ll be a little more future-proof now, as the device just received certification for Bluetooth 5.0. It’s one of only a few phones on the market with the feature (including the Galaxy S8), so it’s worth noting that the U11 will be able to take advantage of the much faster speeds the standard offers.

U11 owners should be aware that even though the device has been certified for Bluetooth 5.0, it won’t actually be able to take advantage of these enhanced features until Android O launches a little later this year. But when it does, the U11 will be one of the better devices out there to work with smart appliances as well as smart watches — with the bottleneck of slow Bluetooth speeds removed, those devices should work a lot better.

Unfortunately, according to Android Central, the U11 won’t support transmitting over greater distances, one of the most notable features of Bluetooth 5.0. The site notes that not all of Bluetooth 5.0’s features have to be supported to receive certification — it’s a bit confusing, but at the very least U11 owners can look forward to faster data transmission speeds when Android O arrives.

Source: HTC

Facebook secretly launched a mobile app in China

Facebook has largely been shut out of China since 2009, but that isn’t stopping it from getting involved in the country… albeit in very roundabout ways. The New York Times has learned that Facebook released a photo sharing app in China, Colorful Balloons, that behaves almost exactly like the company’s own Moments without any of the official branding that would lead to a guaranteed rejection. The app seems built to avoid rapid distribution (any shared photos include a broken link to Facebook’s Chinese app), but it’s otherwise a clear attempt to gauge how Chinese users share content.

In a statement to the Times, Facebook doesn’t explicitly confirm or deny its involvement in Colorful Balloons. “We have long said that we are interested in China, and are spending time understanding and learning more about the country in different ways,” a spokesperson says. However, the executive director of the purported developer, Zhang Jingmei, has attended at least one crucial meeting between Facebook and Chinese officials — there’s a real chance that she’s a Facebook adviser or employee.

It’s not certain that China’s regulators were aware of the app, let alone who was behind it, and that could be a problem. While Facebook has bent over backwards to publicly court China, including multiple visits by Mark Zuckerberg (who even learned to speak Mandarin), this is decidedly more secretive. The government might balk at the idea of Facebook going behind its back, even if the app in question abides by local censorship laws. It’s a calculated roll of the dice that might help Facebook understand the Chinese market, but could also jeopardize what little chance it had of regaining its rapidly dwindling influence in the area.

Source: New York Times

Could the Android O be released August 21?

Why it matters to you

The Android O might be days away from being released, according to Evan Blass. You may finally have it in your hands before the month is out.

Many of you have probably been waiting for an official launch date for the Google Android O, otherwise dubbed as the Android 8.0, ever since Google released the public betas back in March. Having now gone through four developer previews, it seems as if the device could finally have a set release date, and it’s actually very soon.

The new Android O might be days away from being released, according to Evan Blass, with the rumored release date being August 21. On Twitter, Blass revealed that it could be released the week of August 21 or the phone could be released on that day itself. AndroidPolice editor David Ruddock was also on the social media platform with the same guess. With that being said, there is no official word or confirmation from Google yet.

But August 21 just so happens to be the same day as the solar eclipse, where the moon fully passes in between the Earth and the sun, in the U.S. If August 21 really is the official launch date, then the timing could not be more perfect. This is also partly because we still don’t know what the latest version of the Android OS will be called yet. A popular assumption for the name is Android Oreo, since the company loves using snacks and food to name every version of its mobile operating system. If that is the case, it could go well with the solar eclipse, which will be round and dark just like an Oreo cookie. But we’ll have to wait for August 21 to find out.

Ruddock also says that Google will provide an Android O update for its Pixel and Pixel smartphones on the same day. For those with older Nexus phones, there is no word yet on whether they’ll have to wait a little while longer for the official update.

The Google Android O is going to have a number of great features. Everything from its improved battery life to telling you how much battery power you have left on your Bluetooth devices. It will also come with a picture-in-picture mode, which will allow you to watch videos while performing other tasks on the phone.

Play any video on any device with the best free video converters

What good is having a super-compressed MPEG4 video if you can’t watch it on whatever device you choose? Sure, that movie may look phenomenal in high-definition on your desktop — especially if you’ve opted for one of the best 4K monitors available — but it can be a pain to watch on your home console, tablet, or smartphone. Luckily, quality video converters have been around for several years, allowing users to convert their precious video footage into a number of desirable formats. Best of all, most of them are completely free.

Most video converters require the user to upload their files and select an appropriate output setting before choosing a save location within their computer’s directory. The best pieces of software, however, also pave the way with intuitive features, consistent updates, and a large toolbox of options.

Below are our picks for the best free video converters, so you can free yourself from the ball-and-chain formats of yesteryear and convert video so that it’s playable on practically any device you choose. When you’re done, be sure to check out our picks for the best media players and the best free video-editing software.

Any Video Converter (Windows/MacOS)

Any Video Converter (AVC) is a fantastic piece of freeware that can handle conversions to everything from DivX and MPEG4, to VOB, and more than 60 other input formats (including 4K) all within an attractive and minimalist interface. The software also features user-defined video outputs, as well as batch processing for converting multiple files simultaneously, and saves all converted video to a pre-designated folder for quick access and organization.

AVC can directly extract and convert audio from any given video into a limited number of formats, including MP3, AAC, WAVE, and others. Plus, the program allows you to download and convert YouTube and Google videos by simply pasting the specified video link into the download box and clicking a few buttons.

Although conversion speeds leave something to be desired, and the built-in DVD burner is a bit finicky, the resulting video quality is excellent, especially when paired with the barebones editor that allows you to trim, crop, and layer video effects for a more hands-on approach.

Freemake Video Converter (Windows)

Freemake is one of the best free video converters available today. Not only does it support more than 500 different video formats, it also allows you to download videos directly from most social media platforms and various video-sharing sites. It supports plenty of devices, too, allowing for quick and intuitive transfers, not to mention options for 4K resolution.

There are also plenty of tools for cutting and rotating videos, embedding and converting them with subtitles, and carrying out a host of other useful actions. Plus, the software features one of the friendliest interfaces we’ve seen.

While Freemake does a lot right, there are a couple things you should know. First, you’ll need the .NET Framework 4.0 Client Profile to successfully download the software — Freemake isn’t the only one with such Client Profile requirements, so it’s always smart to double-check this. You’ll want to check for updates with this one, as Freemake is regularly updated to patch problems and add new format options.

DivX Video Converter (Windows/MacOS)

The DivX video converter has a lot of useful, built-in options for inputs and outputs, along with editing tools for tweaking the videos you’re looking to convert. Although the software is a little pushy in trying to drive you toward upgrading to the premium version, the free one works rather well. The interface is clean, too, and gives you deep options for outputs.

When adding files, you can do so from a local drive, or import them directly from Blu-ray discs. The software also supports Google Drive and DropBox, for those looking to edit files that are stored remotely. An assortment of output profiles provide a number of predefined options, and you can further customize the resulting file if you prefer — there are options for selecting the resolution, altering the aspect ratio, and changing the bit rate, among others.

With support for both Windows and Mac operating systems, DivX is one of the more well-rounded converters on our list.

Handbrake (Windows/MacOS)

Handbrake seemed on its last legs back in ’06 when the software’s initial creator, Eric Petit, seemingly dropped off the face of the Earth. However, software development carried on with the help of a few ambitious folk who were driven to update and revise the existing software for a changing world.

The open-source video converter now boasts one of the most expansive software packages for ripping and converting video files for playback on a number of popular devices, including iPhones, the AppleTV, and Android tablets. The interface is sleek and well-designed, with plenty of menu tabs for advanced features, all housed within traditional UI that anyone familiar with Windows or MacOS will be able to understand.

Handbrake also doesn’t feature any ads or bundled adware, though, the Mac iteration of the software was under attack earlier this year. Conversion speeds can also drag, and the software certainly isn’t light on system resources. Other noteworthy features include an abundance of video-editing tools for splicing, adjusting frame rate, and adding subtitles and assorted video effects. You can even view the results in a live preview window before they officially take effect.

Handbrake can’t be topped when it comes to converting files to MP4 or MKV format, but, unfortunately, it also isn’t for those unwilling to learn the software.

MediaCoder (Windows/MacOS/Linux)

MediaCoder is a capable program loaded with terrific conversion features, if you’re willing to delve headfirst into the software. Whether you want to batch process a number of AVI files to MPEG, or compress files for a reduced memory footprint, MediaCoder can handle it (albeit with a throwback design). The software supports QuickSync, NVENC, and CUDA encoding for high-speed work, and can rip multiple types of video from cameras.

You can find additional settings for modifying the output — including those for converting video to grayscale and quarter-pixel —  as well as bitrate adjustments for both the audio and video components of your file. Speed and quality are top-notch, allowing for quick conversions with an emphasis on maintaining the original quality across formats.

MediaCoder is an exceptional piece of software, but it’s geared more toward the tech aficionado as opposed to the first-time user trying to make a zippy conversion.

A word of warning, however: The download page for the software is covered with phoney “download” buttons, so take care to click the correct one.

Convertilla (Windows)

Convertilla is a simple app that’s designed for more casual users. While many of our other picks favor more professional interfaces and options, if you only want a simple converter for a few basic tasks, this one will probably give you the least trouble. It doesn’t cover many formats, but you can still use MP4, FLV, MKV, MPG, AVI, AAC, WEBM, WMV, WAV, and several other of the more popular formats, which renders the software ideal for casual users. Simply specify video size and quality, and you’re good to go.

The software’s interface also includes a number of “gadget” icons, allowing you to quickly find the appropriate file format for devices like the PSP, iPhone, and various Android offerings. Convertilla also supports integration with the Internet Download Accelerator, giving you a means for automating the conversion of common downloads (ideal for mobile or cross-platform work, among other things). We also like that development has kept up with the latest versions of Windows — most free competitors tend to lag behind when it comes to OS compatibility.

Cloud Convert (web-based)

Not everyone wants to download a standalone application to fulfil their converting needs. Thankfully, Cloud Convert is one of the best online tools for simple downloads and conversion. The web-based software currently handles 214 different formats that go far beyond video (including docs, images, ebooks, and more). Batch converting and folder monitoring are included, and the API allows you to plug these abilities into a number of applications if you already have a preferred video/audio software hub.

The entire conversion process takes place in the cloud and output settings — like aspect ratio, codec, bit rate, and resolution — can also be tweaked from the app’s web interface prior to conversion. Cloud Convert will even automatically email you or drop the resulting file in your Google Drive or Dropbox account in lieu of saving it to your computer.

The software lacks the speed of standalone programs, but it’s more than proficient in converting a range of files without ever deviating from the smooth interface and easily-navigable design that have made the software one of the best available.

Online-Convert (web-based)

Online-Convert is one of the most robust converters currently available. The software’s streamlined homepage makes the available conversion options immediately apparent, providing you with a slew of tools for converting video, audio, images, documents, ebooks, and other files. The video component of the site also houses options for converting files to FLV, MP4, MOV, and more than 20 other popular formats (including multiple game consoles). There are even additional options for changing the resulting screen size, audio quality, bit rate, and other minor components.

If you aren’t sure about a conversion, you can also use the search function in the upper-right corner of the page to quickly check if Online-Convert is capable of making your desired conversion. If it’s not, the developers invite you to write in with conversion suggestions they may be able to implement in the future.

While most users will experience little trouble uploading and converting video files, the site does require you to opt for a premium membership if you need to upload a file larger than 100MB or simultaneously convert four files at once. Nonetheless, the site is stable, relatively devoid of ads, and provides a wide variety of format options without requiring you to download additional software or unwanted browser extensions.

The best launcher for Android, and nine alternatives

One of Android’s main strengths has always been customization. You can tinker and tweak until you realize the home screen of your dreams. The easiest and most straightforward way to completely change up the aesthetic of your interface is to employ an Android launcher. With a launcher you can change the color scheme, icons, backgrounds, and lots of other details to define your ideal home screen, app drawer, and widget combo. But just what is the best launcher for Android? Read on to find our top pick and nine alternatives worth trying out.

If you’re into Android customization you should also check out the best free live wallpapers for Android, the best Android widgets, and maybe even look into rooting your Android phone.

The best launcher for Android

Nova Launcher

The Nova Launcher offers an excellent array of different features, allowing you to quickly achieve an elegant look without compromising on performance. You can change animations, colors, layouts, icons, and more. Spring $5 for the Prime version and you can customize gestures, unlock extra scroll effects, and more, but the free version should be enough for most people to create the precise look and feel they’re craving. There’s even a way to get the Google feed to show up on the left of the home screen, just like on the Google Now Launcher.

Google Play Store

And the rest

Hola Launcher

Rather than bring new features to your mobile device, the Hola Launcher optimizes from the inside-out to ensure the best possible user experience. It will help you to identify bloatware and uninstall useless apps to improve battery life. Best of all, its rotary-style UI elegantly switches between your favorite Android apps and quick access shortcuts, making it possible to handle phablets with just one hand.

Google Play Store

Z Launcher Beta

Why waste time scrolling through an endless list of apps or tap out the name of the app you’re looking for, when there is an even more intuitive way to search through your mobile device? Simply draw the first letter of your desired app with your finger, and Z Launcher will figure out a list of apps that matches your on-screen scribble. Besides simplifying search, this Nokia-developed launcher also learns your most often used apps and brings them to your home screen.

Google Play Store

Action Launcher: Pixel Edition ($5)

If you’re still waiting for your upgrade to Android Nougat, then you might consider dropping $5 to get the Action Launcher: Pixel Edition. It offers some of the some of the best features of the Google Pixel Launcher, like the Google Pill and round icons. You’ll also be able to enjoy gesture controls and app shortcuts.

Google Play Store

Go Launcher

Go Launcher is another extremely popular, highly customizable launcher that lets you revamp almost every aspect of the home screen. Go Launcher offers not only a bare-bones Android-style launcher, but also an extremely popular theme system that users can download new themes from. There are hundreds of these themes available on the Play Store, and they come in all sorts of styles.

Google Play Store

Launcher 8 WP Style

Laucher 8 WP Style is good if you’re a fan of the vertical style and block-based nature of Windows 10. It gives the look of the tile-based Windows Modern UI, but without losing all the functionality of Android. You can customize using the standard Windows Modern UI color pallet, or you can add your own custom colors into the mix.

Google Play Store

Yahoo Aviate Launcher

More a caring assistant than a traditional mobile launcher, Yahoo Aviate is all about anticipating your needs over the course of a day. The launcher automatically reorganizes your home screen to put your most used apps at different times and in different locations, right at your fingertips when you need them.

Google Play Store

Apex Launcher

Apex Launcher is for control freaks who love tweaks and customization. Mess with the size of just about everything and the gesture commands to get your ideal experience. A power user’s dream, Apex isn’t just easy to modify, it runs extremely smoothly as well.

Google Play Store

Arrow Launcher

Arrow Launcher from Microsoft offers a simple and beautiful way to customize your Android experience. The launcher has three home pages: a People page with contacts, an Apps page with frequent and new apps, and a Notes page with all your reminders.  Arrow will also change your wallpaper automatically if you want.

Google Play Store

C Launcher

C Launcher is all about speed and optimization. It does everything it can to reduce battery drain on your device, monitoring performance and keeping everything streamlined. A built-in clean up feature eliminates clutter and unnecessary files that build up over time and start to lag the device, and an app installer makes it easy to get rid of apps you long stopped using.

Google Play Store

Facebook has a new plan to enter China — a secret app called Colorful Balloons

Why it matters to you

Facebook has been attempting to enter the Chinese market to no avail for years, but now, it may finally have a solution.

You don’t become the biggest social network in the world by taking “No” for an answer, and Facebook clearly has no intention of doing so when it comes to China. As per a New York Times report, the tech giant is making a new attempt at entering the all-important market by authorizing the release of a new photo-sharing app called Colorful Balloons. It doesn’t have “Facebook” anywhere in its name, but that doesn’t mean that founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg hasn’t left a fingerprint on the new app.

While Facebook and most of its apps have long been forbidden within the Great Firewall of China, Zuckerberg looks to be trying a new strategy. According to an anonymous Times source, Facebook approved the debut of Colorful Balloons back in May. So what makes it a relative of Facebook? Apparently, it “share the look, function, and feel of Facebook’s Moments app.” However, an independent local company was behind its release, and this is the first time that it’s even been suggested that Facebook has anything to do with it.

That Facebook is willing to go to such extreme lengths to gain even the semblance of a foothold in China underscores the importance of China to most tech players. But time and time again, international firms have been frustrated in their attempts. Just ask Uber, which was ultimately forced out of the country earlier this year by homegrown competitor Didi Chuxing. But with 700 million internet users who spend $750 billion online a year, China continues to be an elusive prize.

So how does Colorful Balloons help? For starters, it could give Facebook insight into how Chinese users share information and interact with apps.

But the company, naturally, has remained tightlipped on its association with the app. The company only noted, “We have long said that we are interested in China, and are spending time understanding and learning more about the country in different ways.”

Still, it’s unclear whether this surreptitious move will ultimately be deemed kosher by the Chinese government.

“The government’s control and surveillance of media is strict, and it is almost impossible for them to open that door,” Teng Bingsheng, a professor of strategic management at Cheung Kong Graduate School of Business, told the Times. “Although Mark Zuckerberg has visited China many times and practiced his Chinese very hard, I don’t foresee any major breakthroughs for Facebook.”

Studio Ghibli reopens for Hayao Miyazaki’s new film

Just a few years ago, Studio Ghibli’s future was in the air after co-founder and legendary animator Hayao Miyazaki (supposedly) retired. The place is about to be jumping again, however, as the studio announced that it has re-opened to start production on a recently-announced new film by the not-so-retired Miyazaki. He was on hand for a small ceremony on July 3rd, where he “brought together his main collaborators already engaged on his new feature film to talk to them about the project,” the company said in a news release (translated).

A re-opening normally wouldn’t be newsworthy, but at one point, it seemed like Studio Ghibli — behind masterpieces like Spirited Away, Princess Mononoke and Howl’s Moving Castle — would not produce any more films. Recently, however, Amazon announced that it would stream Ronja, the Robber’s Daughter, a children’s TV series directed by Miyazaki’s son Goro. Shortly after that came the news that the studio would produce a new film directed by Hayao Miyazaki.

Studio Ghibli hasn’t released any details about the film itself, but many fans think it will be an adaptation of Miyazaki’s first CGI short film Boro the Caterpillar. That short was delayed, but producer Toshio Suzuki has said it will likely be released in 2019 ahead of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic games.

Miyazaki has threatened retirement before, and when he stepped down in 2013, the company announced it would restructure for the next generation of animators. The films, while beloved by animation aficionados and cineastes, have never made tons of money — Studio Ghibli’s best-grossing film was Spirited Away, which made $275 million back in 2001.

Over the years, however, the films have gained a much larger following thanks to streaming and DVD, so the new one will likely be met with unprecedented anticipation. Adding to that, Miyazaki will be 80 when it’s completed, so this could definitely be his last film.

Via: Indie Wire

Source: Buta Connection (Facebook)

10 ‘smart’ gadgets that are just plain dumb

Almost anything you buy these days can be loaded with sensors, LEDs, and Wi-Fi, and then labelled “smart.” Light bulbs? Check. Door locks? Yep. Sprinklers? Of course.

But as manufacturers rush to “smartify” everything, we wonder if all these new inventions are really necessary. We get bombarded with pitches for dubious smart gadgets all day long, but some of them truly make us question the trajectory of technology. These 10 smart home products are just plain dumb.

The Smalt Salt Dispenser

Ever reach for the salt at the dinner table and think to yourself, “Hmmm, how will I know the right amount of salt to put on my steak? What if I pour too much? Too little? If only I had something to guide me through this process.”

Yeah, us neither.

But if you do need help with your salt intake, or have ever wished you had an app on your phone to automatically dispense salt, you might want to check out the Smalt salt dispenser, which is available for $99 via pre-order through Indiegogo. The Amazon Alexa-connected shaker can be set to pour, shake, or pinch. It can also help people with high blood pressure monitor their salt intake via an app for Android or iOS.

Not yet convinced this product is for you? Maybe this will seal the deal: it’s not just a salt shaker – it’s also a Bluetooth speaker and features mood lighting, eliminating the need to light those annoyingly messy and antiquated candles at the dinner table.

Porkfolio the piggybank

This smart piggy bank makes our list based on the name alone. Genius! The Porkfolio is, fittingly, a smart piggybank that allows you to keep track of the money you put into it. With the app, you can help your kiddos set financial goals and get notifications alerting them when the piggybank is on the move (hint: it’s probably under someone’s bed). It comes in three colors and retails on Amazon for $20.

The Quirky Egg Minder

You’re at the store and you can’t remember how many eggs are in your fridge. Or, you’re staring at your eggs in the fridge, wondering if they’re still OK to eat – you don’t want to get salmonella, after all. Don’t panic! The Quirky Egg Minder is an egg tray that connects to your phone to tell you how many eggs you have in the tray, and how long the eggs have been sitting on it.

While Quirky filed for bankruptcy in 2015, the Egg Minder lives on and is currently available on Amazon for $12 – a bargain compared to other products on this list.

The ratings on Amazon are dismal at 2.5 out of 5 stars, but the Egg Minder also has gained a bit of cult status, where it’s celebrated for being, well, quirky. Reviewer W. Giant notes in his five-star Amazon review that: “we can check on our eggs from the John, or the back of a police car, or even from in the emergency room, because those warning signs to turn off all cell phones are just stupid. The Egg minder will set all of our hearts and minds at ease. Our dreams of a more peaceful world are at hand. Thank you Egg minder. Thank you.”

Belty the Smart Belt

So your belt only holds up your pants? Sucker! You could be using Belty, a belt that also charges your cell phone via a USB port on the bottom of the belt buckle. It works with Android and iPhone and is made of leather. Grooves apparently hold your belt in place so no belt holes are needed.

We’ll admit, it is an attractive belt that could come in handy when our cell battery is at 12 percent at the airport. But at $149 a pop we could also just throw on a regular $25 belt, put a phone charger in our pocket or bag, and call it a day.

The Smart Water Bottle

Do we really need a water bottle to remind us to drink from it? Doesn’t our body provide us that information directly though let’s say, thirst? Or a dry mouth? Or lack of urine?

Well, the manufacturers of smart water bottles apparently think our bodies aren’t doing a good enough job of alerting us of our hydration needs. Several have hit the market over the past few years, including Trago, BluFit, and Hidrate Spark.

These bottles connect to an app and tell us how much water we’re drinking and how much we should be drinking, depending on age, outside temperature, and other factors. Some even glow to indicate when we need to drink more water.

While the smart water bottle industry is expected to increase by 15 percent over the next 7 years, we aren’t convinced these products fall under “necessary” in the smart category. Is it really that hard to gauge your body’s hydration level or count how many glasses of water you drank without the help of technology? We think not.

Smartduvet

Smartduvet Breeze

We’re pretty sure this product was featured on an episode of The Jetsons. The Smartduvet is a self-making bed that also has built-in dual climate-control technology, making it weird and awesome at the same time. Weird because, well, what if the duvet malfunctions and starts self-making while you’re still in your bed? Almost like the bed is putting a move on you. Or worse, trying to suffocate you.

The awesome aspect of the Smartduvet is of course is the climate-control technology, because it’s a rule in life that the person you share a bed with automatically has the exact opposite preferences for hot and cool sleep settings as you do.

But again, do you really need a self-making duvet cover? Is it really that difficult to simply pull your duvet over your bed? Come. On.

The Smartduvet is on pre-order for October and is on sale for $199 for a single.

The Smart Garbage Can

Jenny McGrath / Digital Trends

Why have a dumb old garbage can when you can have a smart one? Products like the GeniCan and Bruno are taking the act of throwing away garbage to a whole new level.

The GeniCan is a device that you hang on the side of your garbage can. As you throw away empty containers of, say, juice, you can scan the barcode on the item, which then automatically adds juice to your shopping list on a corresponding app. The $149 device also notifies you when the garbage is full and can send an “empty garbage” reminder to you, your spouse, child, neighbor, worst enemy, or whoever you want. Nifty.

You can have a garbage can and a vacuum with Bruno, which promises to do both. Don’t be fooled though — this isn’t a roving garbage can. Instead, this vacuum/garbage sucks up the debris you sweep under it. You can also connect to an app to get reminders when it’s low on bags or full of trash. Pre-order now for $199. Or don’t. Either way, you’ll survive.

Flatev tortilla maker

Flatev

There are machines that distribute coffee, juice, and even wine with the touch of a button. Apparently now there’s a machine to do the same with tortillas.

Using various-flavored dough pods, Flatev is a device that can make you a tortilla in just a couple of minutes. Put the pod in the machine, push a button, and boom — insta-tortilla! This could be a major party trick to go along with your margaritas.

No word on when it will be available, but you can reserve yours on Kickstarter if you’re so inclined. We’re going to stick with those same old packages of tortillas that cost us $3 at the grocery store.

Bluetooth Smart Fork

Hapilabs Hapifork

The Hapifork smart fork isn’t going to steer you away from that cake in the break room. But it will tell you to chew the cake more slowly, or maybe avoid a second slice. The Bluetooth-enabled utensil tracks how often you eat, how long it takes you to eat, and how much time has passed in between eating.

Gorging on that cake like Cookie Monster? The Hapifork will vibrate and blink. The idea is that you can track your eating and then use the data to change habits. There are some flaws to the product, though. For example, the fork doesn’t know if you’ve just gorged on a plate of cookies. Or if you used a fork from the drawer rather than your smart fork.

The device has been around for a few years and sells for $50 to $60 on Amazon depending on the color and retailer.

Smart Umbrella

Yes, you read that right. A smart umbrella —  not the dumb kind that you leave in the back seat of an Uber.

Umbrella Here has a light on top. As you would with a taxi, turn on the light to indicate that you’re willing to take a “passenger” under your umbrella. Others caught in a downpour see the light and know that you’re willing to share your umbrella. You’ll be an instant friend or instant weirdo, depending on who joins you.

Umbrella Here comes with — you guessed it — an app that, among other things, lets you keep in touch with those you’ve shared your umbrella with. You can log in, add the date and time of the share, and then add that person as a friend. The two of you can continue your conversation about the day you frolicked in the rain together.

How to get the best deal when selling your VR headset

Whether you’re ready to upgrade to a bigger and better VR headset, want to downsize for awhile until new technology comes out, or think VR just isn’t quite right for you, here is how to sell your VR headset!

Read more at VRHeads!