AirPods Shipping Estimates Improve to 2 to 3 Weeks

Shipping estimates for Apple’s AirPods have improved to two to three weeks in many countries around the world, suggesting Apple is one step closer to achieving supply/demand balance for the much-desired earphones.

Since the AirPods launched in December, stock has been in short supply. For many weeks, AirPods shipping estimates were at six weeks, but stock improved enough in early August that shipping estimates dropped to four weeks.

At the new 2 to 3 week estimate, customers can expect to receive AirPods ordered today in early September.

During Apple’s third quarter earnings call, Apple CEO Tim Cook said AirPods capacity had been bumped up and that the company was “working very hard” to get AirPods to customers as quickly as possible.

While Apple’s own stock has been in flux online, Apple retail stores have occasionally received stock and third-party retailers like Best Buy have been able to offer AirPods with quicker shipping on a regular basis.

Priced at $159, the wire-free AirPods have become a popular accessory largely due to Apple’s W1 chip, which significantly improves the Bluetooth connection and facilitates simple and quick transfers between different devices. The AirPods are also equipped with infrared sensors to detect when they’re in the ear, and they support touch-based gestures to activate Siri and perform other tasks.

Tag: AirPods
Discuss this article in our forums

Gear Up: Anker helps keep your devices charged no matter where you are!

In today’s world, we almost always have to compromise with one aspect of our smartphones – battery life. This means that you’ll need to keep a charger near you almost all the time, or you’ll be left in the dark until you’re able to make it back home.

Luckily, there are plenty of options available on the market that will help you get your smartphone battery through the day. Anker is one company that is increasing in popularity to the point that its products can be found in the likes of your local Walmart, MicroCenter or Best Buy.

Today, we’re going to take a look at an array of charging products designed to keep you going, regardless of where you are.

Anker Quick Charge Combo

Starting off with the portable option, as it’s likely the most important, the Anker Quick Charge Combo Bundle comes with everything you need to keep your smartphone charged on the go. Found inside the bundle are the following products:

• Anker PowerCore+ 10050 Portable Charger
• Anker USB Turbo Charger
• Anker PowerDrive+
• Anker PowerLine MicroUSB Cable
• Anker-branded Travel Case

Naturally, it’s unlikely that you’ll make use of the PowerLine MicroUSB charging cable, but chances are that you already have a spare USB Type-C cable lying around that you can throw in the case. This bundle makes sure that you can leave everything in the car, save for the PowerCore+, and won’t have to worry about being left without a charge.

Anker PowerCore+ 10050

Starting with the PowerCore+, we’re looking at a 10,050mAh portable charger with Qualcomm Quick Charge 3.0 capabilities. This means that you won’t have to worry about slow-charging your device, and will likely get your battery back to normal within minutes.

Additionally, the PowerCore+ features Anker’s PowerIQ technology which makes sure that your device won’t be overcharged. PowerIQ automatically identifies which device is being plugged in, so that the optimal charging speed is provided.

Finally, when it’s time to recharge the PowerCore+, you’ll be able to use the provided microUSB cable to get your portable charger back to normal in just a couple of hours. In my testing, I was able to recharge the PowerCore+ in as little as 3 hours when it was completely depleted.

The PowerCore+ is an excellent option for anyone looking to keep their devices charged on the go, without carrying something too unwieldy in their pocket or purse.

Anker PowerDrive+ 1

Moving onto the Anker PowerDrive+ 1, this one of the best car chargers that you can find on the market today. The PowerDrive+ comes with Quick Charge 2.0 capabilities in tow, making it possible for you to juice up your phone rather quickly while navigating to your next adventure.

As is the case with the PowerCore+, the PowerDrive+ also features Anker’s PowerIQ technology, ensuring that you’ll never overcharge your device. This is really a great feature, especially considering how finicky other car chargers can be.

Now, we know there are other options on the market which offer USB Type-C to Type-C charging, but that’s not the case here. Instead, Anker opted to stick with the traditional USB Type-A port, allowing you to charge a plethora of devices, without worrying about making sure you snagged the right cable.

Anker USB Turbo Charger

The final product included in the Anker Quick Charge bundle is the USB Turbo Wall Charger. Unlike the other products included in the bundle, this wall charger is not rated for Qualcomm’s Quick Charge 3.0 capabilities. However, you won’t have to worry too much about this still not

However, you won’t have to worry too much about this not being able to charge your phones quickly, as it is compatible with Qualcomm Quick Charge 2.0. On the brick itself, you’ll find Anker’s branding, along with the Quick Charge 2.0 branding.

On the rear of the brick, you’ll find your USB Type-A port, and on the side with the Anker branding is an LED indicator to let you know when everything is kosher. Finally, on the bottom of the charger, you’ll find some more information, including the model number, and Input/Output charging speeds.

This is another great inclusion in this bundle, as it will still make sure that your PowerCore+ portable charger gets recharged to keep you going

Conclusion

The Anker Quick Charge Combo Bundle has been a welcome addition to my travel bag, as the accompanying carrying case ensures everything is secure and not rattling around. Plus, the carrying case includes elastic loops so that there’s a home for each of the aforementioned products.

This bundle is a must have for anyone who travels frequently, as it’s compact enough for you to throw in your computer bag or suitcase. Plus, it won’t break the bank and you can pick it up via the button below!

Buy the Anker Quick Charge Combo Bundle!

Snoopy Pop is the perfect puzzle game for you and your child (Review)

Overview:

If you were a fan of the comic strip Peanuts and enjoyed reading it during your early childhood days, then you must be familiar with Snoopy, the cute little pet beagle of Charlie Brown. Snoopy Pop is an Android puzzle game where the players play as Snoopy to help the birds of Woodstock trapped amidst a cloud of bubbles by popping them with matching bubbles from his bag.

The game is developed by popular developer Jam City, which has previously created similar games like Panda Pop and Paint Masters for children. Snoopy pop throws in a little physics to some levels and it would be ideal for children above 8 years. But this doesn’t mean adults cannot have fun bursting the bubbles.

Developer: Jam City, Inc.

Cost: Free (With in app purchases for coins and power ups)

Setup:

The setup involved before you can have fun playing Snoopy Pop is very simple. You have to just download the game from the Google Play Store and sign in using your Google Play Games account. This is to record your scores and achievements on different levels in the game.

Additionally, you can also connect your Facebook account to receive benefits like free coins and hearts. It also allows you to save your game progress and compete with your friends by comparing the scores.

The game play as mentioned above is fairly simple. You just have to throw matching bubbles towards the obstacles to save the birds from Woodstock. You can just click on the obstacle to throw the bubble or use the walls on the sides to aim.

Impressions:

Snoopy Pop is a classic puzzle game based on Physics where you have to overcome the obstacles and save your friends. The first few levels are designed to give you the idea of the game, like how to clear the obstacles, what happens if you save the birds and so on. As you advance through the game, the difficulty levels increase and new forms of obstacles are introduced like bubbles are replaced by rocks, ropes are tied to bubbles kinds of stuff.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The game also provides you with special powers to help you cope with the obstacles. Like, around the 3rd level, Charlie Brown will help you with his kite, which will be powered up every time you hit yellow colored bubbles. Once the kite is fully charged, you can use it to select and destroy a particular section of bubbles instead of just one color. The Kite could also be instantly powered up by hitting Jars placed among the bubbles.

1 of 4

Things get heated up as you proceed further. New kinds of birds called the Beagle Scouts are introduced which could be saved by matching the color of the bubbles around them. The game also introduces the Red Baron, the flight which drops a new layer of bubbles every time you destroy the old ones. The only way to get past the Red Baron is to destroy its 3 shields using your bubbles. But be careful, because the Red Baron keeps moving and you might end up losing all your bubbles trying to hit it.

Anything more revealed about the levels or obstacles might rob you of your fun. So, let’s talk about the graphics and the other aspects of Snoopy Pop. The graphics of the game is really attractive and cute and it is clearly designed to attract the target audience. Every time you complete a level, the remaining bubbles in your bag, pop out in the air along with balloons and celebratory wrappers. It looks so beautiful and makes you want to complete the level as quick as possible just to have a look at it.

The sound effects of Snoopy Pop are also delightful and famous Peanut songs are played at the end of each level. The best thing about this game is that it does not feature any text or video ads so you could play without any interruption. However, the developers have chosen the in-app purchases to make money from the game. You can buy extra coins to instantly boost power-ups or extra lives using real money.

Conclusion:

To sum it up, Snoopy Pop is a really interactive Puzzle game to kill your time and have some fun doing it. The game play is also neat and the animations and sound effects make the player feel really happy as if he has made a huge achievement every time he completes a new level.

If you have a kid at your home who loves puzzle games, you can surely ask him/her to play Snoopy pop, it has no ads, so you don’t have to worry about inappropriate content coming along your kid’s way and your kid could also learn basic laws of Physics (you could too) and have fun at the same time by playing Snoopy pop.

Download Snoopy Pop from the Google Play Store.

Peanut, an app aimed to help connect like-minded moms, launches on Android

Why it matters to you

Being a mom doesn’t mean you have to put your social life on pause. Peanut helps connect moms based on similar interests.

If you’re looking for a significant other, there are tons of dating apps at your disposal like Tinder and Hinge. Bumble even gives women the option to find friends through its BFF mode. Peanut goes even further by connecting like-minded moms to an entire network of other women who are also moms. The app is now available on Android.

We have all heard it before — parenting does not come with a how-to guide. But that does not prevent questions and anxieties to arise, which is where Peanut steps in to make it a little easier. Available in the U.S., U.K., and Canada, the app uses machine learning and a smart algorithm to match moms and moms-to-be based on common values, interests, and the age of their children, to other moms nearby.

After downloading the app, you are asked a series of questions such as how far along you are in your pregnancy and/or the age of your already existing children. When building a profile, you can pick three ways to describe yourself — known as “packs” — with a range of categories like “City Gal,” and “Single Mama.” You can also build out your profile to include more detailed information whenever you want.

Depending on location and commonalities, the app then shows you other moms in your area to connect with. For those who travel often or want to extend potential matches past their homes, there is a toggle feature that allows users to meet up with moms wherever they go. The more the app is used, the more customized the matches become based on the algorithm.

As for interaction, you can chat with other moms in discovery or swipe up to give a wave — which is a fast way to say hi to another mom. If another mom waves back at you, then it is a match. Since being the first one to send a message can be intimidating, you will receive a pop-up of all your shared interests to make it easier along with stickers to make it more fun.

Users can message with another mom one-on-one or with up to 20 other moms in a group chat. Additionally, they can create meetups or send polls within the chats to easily decide on a time that works for everyone. The poll then turns into an event invite that can be integrated into your calendar to conveniently remind you of the date.

Aside from launching on Android, Peanut is introducing another way to create an account for the app. For now, users can only create accounts with a Facebook login but will soon have the option to log in through Google as well — on both Android and iOS. In order to provide top safety and privacy, users can only create a profile through either one of those existing accounts to permit verification checks.

Best Screen Protectors for Samsung Gear S3

What are the best screen protectors for the Samsung Gear S3?

The Samsung Gear S3 is a beefy smartwatch packed with practically everything you’d need no matter your lifestyle. Whether you plan to take it on outdoor hikes or just wear it around the office, there’s always a risk of it banging against a rock or a door frame and getting the touchscreen scuffed up or worse.

We’ve rounded up the best products for keeping your Gear S3 protected, with several options offering a 3-packs of these tempered glass discs so you have a couple of chances at a perfectly clean install, or a few backups if you’re expecting heavy wear.

• Supershieldz Tempered Glass Screen Protector
• OMOTON Full Coverage Tempered Glass Screen Protector
• Skinomi TechSkin Full Coverage Skin and Screen Protector
• Spigen Tempered Glass Screen Protector

Supershieldz Tempered Glass Screen Protector (Frontier / Classic)

Supershieldz is a trusted name in screen protectors, so naturally, you can expect a great product at a great price for your Gear S3. You get three rugged screen protectors that are easy to install and willing to take the wear and abuse that could scratch your watch’s touchscreen. With hydrophobic and oleophobic coatings, your Gear S3 will be functional, clear, and protected.

These screen protectors also come with Supershieldz no-hassle lifetime replacement warranty and are only $8 for a 3-pack.

See at Amazon

OMOTON Full Coverage Tempered Glass Screen Protector (Frontier / Classic)

If you’re looking for full edge-to-edge protection for your Gear S3, OMOTON has a 3-pack of screen protectors with your name on it. They boast 3D laser-cut technology that offers protection for the whole screen where other protectors might leave a small gap where lint and dust could collect. Hydrophobic and Oleophobic screen coatings mean you can use your watch throughout a workout without worrying about gunking things up.

Made of scratch resistant tempered glass, you can get a 3-pack for $8 and keep your watch’s screen well protected for years to come.

See at Amazon

Skinomi TechSkin Full Coverage Skin and Screen Protector (Frontier)

Skinomi only offers one screen protector in its kit, but it also includes a clear protective skin to provide protection for other exposed parts of the Gear S3. Everything is made of military-grade thermoplastic urethane which is flexible and tough, with self-healing properties to make it last. It’s a wet install here, which can feel a bit daunting, but Skinomi gives you everything you need to get the job done — backed by a 100% Risk-Free Lifetime Warranty.

This kit is $16 on Amazon and only comes with one screen protector, but if you’re worried about banging up other parts of your Gear S3 as you live your life maybe the Skinomi skin is what you’re looking for.

See at Amazon

Spigen Tempered Glass Screen Protector (Frontier / Classic)

Spigen is one of our favorite phone accessory makers because they offer great case and protection options for so many different devices and always deliver a premium product. They offer a 2-pack of tempered glass screen protectors for the Gear S3 that fit both the Frontier and Classic models, with rounded edges that feel nice to touch and help avoid chipping.

The kit includes everything needed to install both protectors and is available for just $8 on Amazon.

See at Amazon

Do you use a screen protector for your smartwatch?

What might be an essential accessory for some might feel silly to others. Where do you fall on the debate? Let us know what you use to keep your Gear S3 looking pretty in the comments!

Enjoy wireless music with the 1Voice Sonic Bluetooth headphones for just $23!

Wireless headphones are here to stay. One by one, phone manufacturers are removing the trusted 3.5mm headphone jack from their latest flagship devices as wires are replaced by a Bluetooth connection. Many people are resistant to this because, for the longest while, Bluetooth headphones were very expensive. But there are deals to be had!

That’s why you need to take advantage of this great offer by from Android Central Digital Offers. You can get these sleek looking wireless over-ear headphones from 1Voice for just $22.99. These are perfect for your daily commute or for wearing around the office, delivering 5 hours of your favorite music on a single charge. They include awesome features including a built-in mic and full track and volume controls on the side so you can control your music and answer calls without touching your phone.

It takes two hours to charge them fully, but if you don’t mind a wired connection there’s a 3.5mm cable included for listening music the old fashioned way.

The 1Voice Sonic Bluetooth Headphones typically sold for around $100, but you’ll save 76% thanks to this deal from Android Central! But don’t delay — this deal won’t last long!

See at Android Central Digital Offers

The $150 Samsung 850 EVO 500GB is a great SSD going for one of its lowest prices ever

Our friends at Thrifter are back again, and it’s time to upgrade your PC’s SSD!

The Samsung 850 EVO 500GB SSD is down to $149.99 on Amazon. This SSD normally sits above $170, and for the last few months has fluctuated between $170 and $180. The 850 EVO has been around since 2014, so it has seen a few drops in the past but $150 is one of its lowest prices and a good deal. This is the perfect upgrade for a PC still running its operating system on a slower hard drive (are there any of you left?), or anyone using an older SSD that could do with a speed boost.

The 850 EVO is well-reviewed with a lot of positive results. Windows Central called it the Best Overall SSD for Windows PCs. CNET gave it 4.5 stars. The Wirecutter still considers it to be the best SSD for its balance of performance and price. AnandTech has one of the most thorough reviews of this SSD on the Internet and called it “yet another showcase of Samsung’s engineering talent.”

At this price, the 850 EVO is cheaper than even the more modern competition, like Crucial’s MX300 SSD. It’s not just cheap, it’s also fast with read/write performance up to 540 MB/s and 520 MB/s, respectivelly.

Because Samsung designs SSDs with home-grown engineering, it’s also built for the long-term with twice the endurance of the competition. It’s capable of handling much heavier workloads, and Samsung backs all that up with a five-year warranty.

If you need help installing a new SSD, Windows Central has some tips for that.

Need the small screws necessary to dig into your PC? Get this screwdriver set for just $7.

See at Amazon

More from Thrifter:

• How to get the most out of your Amazon Prime membership
• How to save money when driving

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

What’s new on Amazon Prime Video in September 2017

There’s a lot to watch on Amazon Video. Here’s what’s coming up in September 2017.

Amazon Prime Video has quickly become one of the go-to destinations for on-demand content, thanks in no small part to devices like the $50 Amazon Fire Stick, the $90 Amazon Fire TV, and now the $229 Amazon Echo Show.

That’s the easy part. What’s not quite so easy is keeping up with everything that’s new on Amazon Prime Video — because new shows are always coming and going.

On deck in the coming weeks is one of my favorite movies of all time — with the best chariot race you will ever see. That is, of course, Ben Hur. Set aside a half-day to soak it all in if you haven’t before.

I’m also looking forward (though perhaps not as much as my “Sons of Anarchy”-loving wife) to checking out “The Lost City of Z.” Here’s how Amazon puts it: “The Amazon Original Movie starring Charlie Hunnam and Robert Pattinson, is a biographical drama, based on British explorer Col. Percival Fawcett, who disappeared while searching for a mysterious city in the Amazon in the 1920s.” … So there’s that.

Here’s what you can look forward to in September 2017.

Don’t have Amazon Prime Video yet? Get a free 30-day trial!

What’s on Amazon Prime Video in September

If you’re a member of Amazon Prime (and there’s a pretty good chance you are) there’s a whole world of content available, for free. Here’s what you have to look forward to being added in the month ahead:

Coming Sept. 1

• American Loser (2007)
• American Ruling Class (2007)
• And You Thought Your Parents Were Weird (1991)
• Autopsy (2008)
• Best Seller (1987)
• Bio-Dome (1996)
• Blood Car (2007)
• Boy (2010)
• Breathing (2011)
• Butterfly Effect 3: Revelations (2009)
• Calloused Hands (2013)
• Carrie (1976)
• Charlotte Rampling: The Look (2011)
• Clip (2012)
• Computer Chess (2013)
• Dark Ride (2006)
• Dead Weight (2012)
• Dirty Dancing (1987)
• Disturbing Behavior (1998)
• Double Headed Eagle (1973)
• Double Take (2009)
• Down to Earth (2001)
• Duane Michaels: The Man Who Invented Himself (2012)
• Dying Breed (2009)
• Free Radicals (2003)
• Ganja & Hess (1973)
• Gogol Bordello: Non Stop (2008)
• Hippie Masala (2006)
• Holes in My Shoes (2006)
• Huff (2013)
• In the Land of the Deaf (1994)
• Indecent Proposal (1993)
• Kama Sutra: A Tale of Love (1997)
• Khodorkovsky (2011)
• Kingdom of Shadows (1986)
• Korkoro (2008)
• La Maison de la Radio (2013)
• Lars and the Real Girl (2007)
• Lipstick & Dynamite: The First Ladies of Wrestling (2004)
• Look Both Ways (2005)
• Man About Town (2007)
• Manuscripts Don’t Burn (2013)
• Meditate and Destroy (2007)
• Mistress (1992)
• Mr. X (2014)
• Music from the Big House (2010)
• Nollywood Babylon (2008)
• Offspring (2009)
• Primitive London (1965)
• Princess Kaiulani (2009)
• Pumpkinhead (2009)
• Red Garters (1954)
• River’s Edge (1987)
• Sacred Flesh (2000)
• Sacrifice (2011)
• Schoolgirl Hitchhikers (1973)
• Sleepover (2004)
• Successive Slidings of Pleasure (1974)
• Switchback (1997)
• The Black Stallion (1979)
• The Bloodsucker Leads the Dance (1975)
• The Cove (2009)
• The Cup (2012)
• The Dark Half (1993)
• The Fairy (2011)
• The Giants (2011)
• The Golden Child (1986)
• The Hills Have Eyes 2 (1985)
• The Last Godfather (2011)
• The New Public (2013)
• The Object of Beauty (1991)
• The Rage – Carrie 2 (1999)
• The Revisionaries (2012)
• The Search for One Eyed Jimmy (1993)
• The Sinful Nuns of Saint Valentine (1974)
• The Workshop (2007)
• This Ain’t No Mouse Music (2013)
• Truth in Numbers? Everything According to Wikipedia (2010)
• Unsolved Mysteries: Original Robert Stack Episodes (Season 8)
• Vanishing Waves (2012)
• Videocracy (2009)
• Virgin Among the Living Dead (1978)
• Virgin Witch (1972)
• Web Junkie (2014)
• Wedding Crashers (2005)
• When I Saw You (2013)
• Wide Awake (2006)
• With One Voice (2009)

Coming Sept. 2

• Ben-Hur (2016)

Coming Sept. 7

• The Hunter’s Prayer (2017)
• Tubelight (2017)

Sept. 8

• One Mississippi (Amazon Original, Season 2)

Coming Sept. 9

• The Magnificent Seven (2016)

Coming Sept. 10

• Meri Pyaari Bindu (2017)

Coming Sept. 11

• Frantz (2016)

Coming Sept. 12

• The Ray Bradbury Theater (Season 6)
• ReGenesis (Seasons 2-4)

Coming Sept. 15

• An American Werewolf in London (1981)
• Beauty and the Baker (Season 1)
• Endless Love (1981)
• The Thaw (2009)
• The Women of Brewster Place (1989)

Coming Sept. 16

• Tyler Perry’s Madea Goes to Jail (2009)

Coming Sept. 19

• Straight/Curve: Challenging the Beauty (2017)

Coming Sept. 21

• Kill Switch (2017)

Coming Sept. 22

• Transparent (Amazon Original, Season 4)

Coming Sept. 23

• Elian (2017)

Coming Sept. 25

• Bronte Sisters (Season 1)
• Falling Water (Season 1)

Coming Sept. 26

• Unsolved Mysteries: Original Robert Stack Episodes (Season 9)
• Wishenpoof! (Amazon Original, Season 2a)

Coming Sept. 28

• Dance Flick (2009)
• Thursday Night Football (Chicago Bears at Green Bay Packers)

Coming in September on Amazon Video

Amazon Prime Video brings free content to Prime members. But sometimes Amazon holds back the best of the best for everyone to pay for. Here’s what’s available for purchase in September on Amazon Video:

• Rough Night (Purchase Aug. 25, rent on Sept. 5)
• Captain Underpants (Purchase Aug. 29, rent on Sept. 19)
• It Comes at Night (Purchase Aug. 29, rent on Sept. 12)
• Wonder Woman (Purchase Aug. 29, rent on Sept. 19)
• Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales (Purchase on Sept. 19)
• The Little Hours (Purchase or rent on Sept. 22)

Previously, on Amazon video …

Here’s what was (or still is, depending on when you’re reading this) new on Amazon Video in August.

Coming August 1

• All Dogs Go to Heaven (1989)
• Among Friends (2012)
• Bad Boys (1983)
• Bad Company (1972)
• Benny & Joon (1993)
• Bill & Ted’s Bogus Journey (1991)
• Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure (1989)
• Box of Moonlight (1996)
• Breakdown (1997)
• Charley-One-Eye (1973)
• Criminal Law (1988)
• The Dead Zone (1983)
• Eve’s Bayou (1997)
• Far From Home (1989)
• Friends & Lovers (1999)
• The General’s Daughter (1999)
• Ghost (1990)
• Hannie Caulder (1971)
• Harsh Times (2005)
• High Noon (1952)
• The Mod Squad (1999)
• New in Town (2009)
• Once Bitten (1985)
• The Pursuit of D.B. Cooper (1981)
• Save the Last Dance (2001)
• Teen Wolf (1985)
• Teen Wolf Too (1987)
• Terry Fator: Live in Concert (2014)
• Ulee’s Gold (1997)
• Wayne’s World 2 (1993)

Coming August 2

• Valkyrie (2008)

Coming August 5

• The Ticket (2016)

Coming August 15

• Tumble Leaf, Season 3 (2017)

Coming August 17

• Nick Offerman & Megan Mullally: Summer of 69: No Apostrophe (2017)
• Undercover (2016)

Coming August 19

• My Bloody Valentine (2009)

Coming August 20

• In Secret (2013)

Coming August 25

• The Tick, Season 1 (2017)

Coming August 27

• Florence Foster Jenkins (2016)

Coming August 29

• Gimme Shelter (2013)
• Victoria (2016)

Amazon Prime Video

• What’s new on Amazon Prime Video
• Benefits of Amazon Prime
• Get a free 30-day Amazon Prime trial
• Share Prime with friends and family
• Best movies to stream on Prime Video
• Shop smart with Amazon coupons

Here’s why sideloading apps is safer with Android O

Sideloading apps is safer than ever with Android O.

Android has always had a default restriction on installing apps that didn’t come from a first party app store. Apps from Google Play or a manufacturer’s store like Samsung Apps are deemed to be more trustworthy and safe, so they are considered first party app stores, but apps you downloaded from the internet or from another marketplace are not. While the setting was easily disabled, this was the first line of defense to make sure you weren’t installing apps that had malware embedded in them.

By default. only Google Play or other first party app stores have permission to install an app.

Android O brings a much smarter system with a new runtime permission (that means a thing that you will need to approve when you install an app) called Install Unknown apps. With Android 8.0, the first time you attempt to install an app from any third-party method, like a web browser or a messaging app, you have to give permission. This sounds a lot like the previous method, but there is one big change: this is now a per-app setting.

Let’s say you downloaded the latest update for an app instead of waiting for it to roll out to you. You might have used Chrome to visit APKmirror, and when the download is finished Chrome knows to start the package installer (a system tool that only installs apps). If this is the first time you have tried this with Chrome, you’ll be asked if you’re sure you want it to be installed. On the screen that explains this to you, there’s an option to always allow apps downloaded through Chrome to be installed. You can choose to allow that and never be asked again or decline and be asked every time.

The one size fits all approach has been replaced with fine-grained permissions.

You could have also installed an app you downloaded through a Reddit app, and you’ll go through the same exact procedure. Chrome and Reddit, as well as every other app that knows what to do with an APK file, each has their own setting.

This is a huge improvement over the previous “all or nothing” setting for both users and developers alike. It makes our phone more secure because we can pick and choose what apps have our permission, which means more people can safely enable the setting. Having the Amazon App Store program to be able to install other apps but not allow Chrome to install them without asking is just better for everyone.

When you grant permission for an app to do this every time, it goes on a separate list in the settings where you can remove the permission any time you like. You’ll find it here:

• Open your Settings.
• Navigate to Apps & notifications.
• Tap the Advanced section.
• At the bottom, tap Special app access.

You’ll see Install unknown apps at the bottom of the page, and tapping on it brings up a list of apps and their setting as far as the Install Unknown apps permission is concerned.

This is a big change in how your privacy and security is managed and makes it easy for trustworthy developers to make installing other apps as seamless as possible.

Android O

• Everything new in Android O
• Should you put Android O on your phone?
• How to get the Android O Beta on your Pixel or Nexus
• Join the Discussion

How to watch the Solar eclipse in VR

Watch the eclipse from the comfort of your VR headset.

On August 21, 2017, the United States — or parts of it at least — will experience a total solar eclipse. This awesome meteorological event will be visible for millions of people, but if you aren’t lucky enough to live in the area where it will occur, or don’t have the means to travel for viewing it in person, you can still check it out. That’s because CNN is going to be delivering a livestream of the event available to users of the Gear VR and Oculus Rift.

Keeping reading to get the details so you don’t miss a moment!

Read more at VRHeads