Add Bluetooth functionality to any car with Anker’s $17 SoundSync Drive

Our friends at Thrifter are back again, this time with a deal on a Bluetooth Car Receiver!

Wouldn’t it be nice to get into your car and have your phone pair instantly with its sound system? Some people are lucky enough to have the functionality built-into their new car, but for those of us out there who aren’t as fortunate, Anker’s SoundSync Drive Bluetooth Car Receiver is now down to just $16.99 on Amazon, a savings of $10 off its average price.

Simply plug this device into your AUX port and cigarette lighter socket and you’re all set to connect to the SoundSync Drive via the Bluetooth menu on your phone. Not only is connecting and listening easier from then on, but it’s also safer for you as well as now your calls can be hands-free, leaving your eyes on the road.

The SoundSync Drive has a small circular remote-like device which you adhere to your dashboard. With the few buttons it has, you can pair your device, pause or start music or call, or switch songs. It also supports lossless audio playback and active noise suppression to provide superb sound quality on both ends of a call. You can even activate Siri or other personal virtual assistants through this device.

To complete your new setup, you might also want to pick up Anker’s Magnetic Car Mount that clips into your air vent. It’s now down to $7.99 with the coupon code YTXCPYKJ and would be the perfect companion to fully go hands-free. That saves you $2 off its current sale price. You can also currently save on USB-C and standard USB car chargers with some under $7.

See at Amazon

More from Thrifter:

• How to get the most out of your Amazon Prime membership
• How to save money using Target’s Cartwheel service

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

All T-Mobile ONE family plans now include a Netflix subscription

Keep your binge going with one less subscription.

T-Mobile’s “Un-carrier next” announcement this morning boiled down to one thing: giving Netflix subscriptions to customers for free. Yup, there isn’t much else to it — but that’s still awesome for the millions of people who are paying Netflix $10 (or more) per month on top of their T-Mobile bill.

There are two (minor) catches here. One, you have to be on a new T-Mobile ONE plan. Two, individual lines of service aren’t eligible. So you’ll need to have a T-Mobile One “family” plan with at least two lines — presumably the economics of such a deal only start to work out for the companies when you spread out that cost among multiple people.

Free Netflix seems like a whole lot easier deal to manage than buying a TV provider.

On the face of it this is a win-win for both T-Mobile and Netflix, which can both better retain customers since the two services are ostensibly tied together. T-Mobile sees this is as an easy counter-strike against Verizon and AT&T, which have each bought up content producers in order to make a bunch of in-house video deals that it then pushes as add-ons to raise their plan prices. It sure seems like simply inking a deal with Netflix is a lot easier than buying DirecTV, doesn’t it?

So how do you get Netflix for free on T-Mobile? Starting September 12, if you have a qualifying T-Mobile ONE family plan you can activate your Netflix subscription online, in a T-Mobile store or by calling T-Mobile customer support. If you already have Netflix, as surely most of you do at this point, T-Mobile will cover the cost of the subscription you’re already paying — up to $120 per year. If you want a higher-end Netflix plan, you’ll have to pay the difference.

Get this sweet action camera with mounts for only $69.99

Action cameras are simply amazing. We’re able to capture the most intense and amazing things with great ease and in brilliant 4K thanks to portable and rugged action cameras from popular brands like GoPro. But so frequently those cameras are quite expensive. Maybe you’re interested in investing in one, but don’t want to break your monthly budget.

Whether you want to record some epic stunts, action sports, or just shoot some cool footage, the XtremePro 4K Ultra HD Action Cam is all you need. This rugged camera shoots in 4K and includes a bevy of mounting accessories so you can always get the shot you’re after.

Sporting a 12MP Sony sensor for still photography you’ll always get crystal clear images using the built-in WiFi connectivity and the companion app for your smartphone. Included is a waterproof casing that is rated for up to 98 feet deep, along with a wireless wrist remote that lets you take epic pictures from up to 33 feet away — drone photography, anyone?

With a 2-inch LCD screen and a 170-degree wide angle lens, you’re also able to view, shoot, and store your footage and photos on the camera itself with a MicroSD card (not included).

Typically this camera is sold by itself for $149.99, for a limited time only, you can get the camera and all these great mounting accessories for only $69.99. That’s 53% off the regular price! You simply won’t find deals like this on great action cams very often, and this is sure to sell out fast. Make sure you get your order in today!

See at Android Central Digital Offers

Fall into Autumn with a new leafy wallpaper

Fall is coming, and it cannot fall soon enough.

Summer is hot, and we’re so over it. The scorching heat that makes you sweat all day; the summer flocks of tourists congesting the cities and highways; it can all go away. I’m ready for the kids to be back in school and the temperature outside to not melt things.

Fall is coming, PUMPKINS ARE BACK and the leaves are about to explode from a boring green into a riot of warm colors. Let’s fall into Autumn and grab some great new wallpapers while we’re at it!

One beautiful component of fall’s lower temperatures is that with each cold front we usually see some mist or fog lingering, the sky unable to hold its moisture quite as well. The mist and the falling leaves create magic in forests and glens across the land, and you’d almost swear there’s something otherworldly afoot as you stare into the deep mist and feel something staring back.

Fallen Leaves by artsaus

This bright, canted wallpaper is tipping us over into the new season and pushing us forward down the path to a new, more colorful day. It’s too hot to even think of walking around during the day, and with fall comes the opportunity to ditch the air-conditioned treadmill rooms at the gym and go for a more festive walk down the fall trails, with leaves crunching underfoot and a new color everywhere you turn. Just be careful not to slip on those leaves!

Bronte the path downhill by Qels

Driving through the countryside in the fall is a special treat, allowing you to see foliage you’d never find in your own backyard, and to see crops in various colors as they wait for harvest. This shot juxtaposes the color of fall and the decay of an old barn with the modernity of a wind turbine, a reminder that just as so much plant life comes to an end in the fall that there is something new that will grow from it in the future.

Barn In The Fall by Cute-And-Bright

Some people like to go for long, scenic drives in the spring when everything is blooming. Some people like to go for winding, exploring drives in the summer, with longer days to while away on their drive. These drives are all well and good, but nothing beats a nice long drive in the fall, when the colors of the season don’t just paint the trees and bushes, but paint everything in fallen leaves and warm shades! This motorcyclist has the right idea, catching an afternoon ride and enveloping itself in color and crisp autumn air.

Autumn – Countryside by Grivetart

The summer dry spells are ending for many, and while that makes raking up the leaves all but impossible, it does create a beautiful wallpaper. The ripples of the rain, the bright oranges and reds of the leaves slowly being eaten by the mud and darkness of the puddle; it makes me want to go jump in a puddle right now, once I break out the boots it’s been too hot to wear the last six months. Bring on the fall and bring on the rain!

Leaves and Rain by TwiggyTeeluck

These are the Best Travel Cases for PlayStation VR

A travel case can protect your PSVR when you decide to take it with you!

PlayStation VR delivers plenty of great games and videos to dive into, but over time you may find yourself tempted to travel with your system in order to show it off to friends. There is keeping it safe during those times when you’re moving as well, and in both cases, having a sturdy travel case built especially for PlayStation VR is a good call.

We’ve got the details on the best travel cases to protect your system when it’s on the go!

Read more at VRHeads

Best Android Phone With Removable Battery

• Best overall
• Best for less

Best overall

LG V20

See at AT&T
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See at T-Mobile
See at B&H Photo

The V20 is now a year old, and is no longer LG’s top-of-the-line smartphone, but it’s still quite good. With plenty of power, including a Snapdragon 820 processor and 4GB of RAM, along with awesome camera and audio features, the V20 delivers in spades. What’s more: it’s the only remaining high-end phone with a removeable battery.

The back metal cover is easily removed, and the battery replaced in a snap. And because LG sells verified replacements, you can rest safe knowing that it is safe, and charged quickly, either inside the phone itself or through an optional external charger.

Bottom line: The V20 is still a great smartphone, and it’s definitely the best choice for someone looking at buying a high-end device with a replaceable battery.

One more thing: The V20 can shoot 4K video with SteadyShot 2.0, which keeps tracking and panning ultra-smooth. Of course, 4K video uses a lot of battery, which is where a second cell, and a tripod, could come in handy.

Why the LG V20 is best

A big phone that can last two or more days.intro

If you’re buying a phone with a removable battery, you likely know exactly why — because you don’t like the new trend towards sealed devices and the potential issues they cause.

The LG V20 has a 3,200mAh battery on its own, but the fact that the battery cell can easily be replaced with another fully-charged equivalent negates the need for fast charging. That the V20 still supports fast charging through its USB-C port is an added bonus, because it means you don’t necessarily need an external charger for the second battery. Just plug it in for an hour to top it up to 80% or so, and put back the primary cell, and you’re good to go.

Aside from battery life, the V20 is an amazing phone, with a unique Second Screen experience, Android 7.0 Nougat out of the box, and all the specs you could want from a top-tier phone.

Best for less

Moto G5

See at Amazon

The Moto G5 is one of the best budget devices you can buy, with a sparking 1080p display, a front-facing fingerprint sensor, and plenty of excellent software features. But it’s also one of the few devices at any price you can buy with a removable battery. The 2800mAh cell comes right out after you pop off the metal and plastic back, and a replacement can be purchased from eBay (it uses the same GK40 cell as the Moto G4 Play).

Bottom line: The Moto G5 is an excellent phone on its own, but if you want to carry around a replacement battery, it’s tops.

One more thing: If you’d rather not bother with a second battery, the Moto E4 Plus is just as good and has a 5000mAh internal battery.

Conclusion

The V20 is the best phone with a removable battery you can buy right now. LG has moved away from the design with the V30, but it’s still possible to get the still-excellent V20, and likely for less than you could a few months ago.

Best overall

LG V20

See at AT&T
See at Verizon
See at Sprint
See at T-Mobile
See at B&H Photo

The V20 is now a year old, and is no longer LG’s top-of-the-line smartphone, but it’s still quite good. With plenty of power, including a Snapdragon 820 processor and 4GB of RAM, along with awesome camera and audio features, the V20 delivers in spades. What’s more: it’s the only remaining high-end phone with a removeable battery.

The back metal cover is easily removed, and the battery replaced in a snap. And because LG sells verified replacements, you can rest safe knowing that it is safe, and charged quickly, either inside the phone itself or through an optional external charger.

Bottom line: The V20 is still a great smartphone, and it’s definitely the best choice for someone looking at buying a high-end device with a replaceable battery.

One more thing: The V20 can shoot 4K video with SteadyShot 2.0, which keeps tracking and panning ultra-smooth. Of course, 4K video uses a lot of battery, which is where a second cell, and a tripod, could come in handy.

Have a safer drive with the $8 Anker Magnetic Car Mount

The team at Thrifter is back with a must-have car mount to help keep your eyes on the road instead of your phone!

There’s an easy, inexpensive way to keep an eye on your GPS app while driving without making it dangerous for yourself and those around you. Anker’s Magnetic Car Mount is now on sale for just $7.99 when you enter promo code YTXCPYKJ at checkout to save $2 off its current sale price.

This magnetic car mount comes with a metal plate to adhere to the back of your phone or its case, while the mount’s head has four powerful magnets built-in to make sure your phone stays in place during your drive.

Super-flexible ball-joint rotation allows you to angle the mount’s head in a myriad of ways, making sure your device is viewable at the most suitable angle for you. With a clip into your air vent, the mount is stationary and ready to be used instantly.

This product has over 1,000 reviews, earning it a 4.0 out of 5-star rating on Amazon.

To complete your Hands-free setup, consider picking up Anker’s SoundSync Drive Bluetooth Receiver for $17 if your car doesn’t already have Bluetooth built-in.

See at Amazon

More from Thrifter:

• How to get the most out of your Amazon Prime membership
• How to save money using Target’s Cartwheel service

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

Best Accessories for Samsung Gear VR

Make the most of your Samsung Gear VR experience with these accessories.

The Samsung Gear VR is currently the most interesting option for people interested in exploring virtual reality. This platform has grown considerably over the last year, which means there is plenty for you to do!

As your usage increases, you’ll want to invest in some essential accessories to get the most out of your Samsung Gear VR. Here are a few recommendations to get you on your way.

• Gamepad
• Headphones
  • Over-the-ear headphones
  • In-ear headphones
• Microfiber cloths
• microSD cards
• What do you use?

Gamepad

Not every game for the Gear VR requires a gamepad, but most of the best games are made even better by not having to touch the pad on the side of your headset. Enhance your gaming experience on the Gear VR with what we call the best gamepad for this headset.

SteelSeries Stratus XL

As mentioned above, SteelSeries makes a quality controller. So while the SteelSeries Free has been priced out of consideration, the Stratus XL is arguably your best bet — as long as its bigger size isn’t an issue.

The Stratus XL similar in size and feel to an Xbox One controller with analog sticks laid out similar to Sony’s DualShock controllers. It’s a great compromise between the two leading console gaming standards and will instantly feel familiar the moment you pick it up. This Bluetooth controller is compatible with Android devices and Windows 10, plus it’ll only set you back $50.

See at Amazon

Headphones

A fully-immersive VR experience is only possible with the right pair of headphones. Whether you prefer the over-the-ear variety or in-ear buds, we’ve picked out some prime options that pair well with the Gear VR headset so you can block out reality as you delve into your favorite VR games and apps.

Over-the-ear headphones

Sennheiser HD 598 C

If you are looking for the best audio experience with your Gear VR, this is where you start. This is among the best set of headphones you can get for under $150, and the included cable is short enough you can have them connected to your Gear VR without worrying about getting tangled up.

This isn’t designed to keep the rest of the world out, so there’s no active noise cancellation to be found here, but you’ll get quality audio from headphones comfortable enough to be worn for extended periods of time.

See at Amazon

One more thing: If you’re looking to go wireless or you need noise cancellation in your life, check out MrMobile’s review of the Bose QC 35 headphones!

In-ear headphones

Panasonic ErgoFit In-Ear Earbuds

If you’re looking for simple, straightforward in-ear headphones, Panasonic has what you need. They’re pretty basic in-ear headphones, which include a mic and a pause/play button built into the main cord, but they’ll deliver great sound comfortably at a great price. With three different pad sizes available, you should be able to find the right fit for your ears, and they should stay in as you move about wearing your Gear VR

ErgoFit buds are available in a variety of colors, but they’ve also been lumped in with a few other Panasonic in-ear options — drops360 and drops360 Luxe. If you’re switching around the colors and suddenly see the price jump up, it’s because Amazon is showing you one of those higher-end models instead. And you might be inclined to spend a bit more for the better drivers, which provide better bass and build quality, if that’s important to you.

Otherwise, the ErgoFit earbuds come with a 90-day warranty and should be more than serviceable — especially for $10.

See at Amazon

Want something nicer? Check out our Samsung Level In headphone review!.

Microfiber cloths

Another thing that might distract from your VR experience with your Samsung Gear VR is dust or smudges on your device or the VR headset lenses. To prevent that problem, it’s a good idea to have some microfiber cloths around to give things a good (but gentle) cleaning.

AmazonBasics offers a 24-pack of microfiber cleaning cloths for under $10 — that’s less than $.50 a cloth. Better yet, they’re machine washer safe, so you’ll be able to keep your gear clean for months and months with this small, one-time investment. And of course, you’ll also have microfiber cloths on hand for cleaning all your other devices. Also available in packs of 36, 48, and 144 — which may essentially constitute a lifetime supply.

See on Amazon

microSD cards

This is a must-have accessory, especially if you’re using a Samsung Galaxy S7 or the newer S8 — the only current Gear VR-compatible mobile devices with microSD slots. Loading up your favorite movies, tv shows, apps and other media onto the microSD card allows you to use your Gear VR to its full potential without clogging up your phone’s internal storage, or continually cycling through content.

We’ve broken down a list of the best microSD cards to use with your Galaxy S8, but to save you a bit of time, we’ll recommend the $53 Samsung EVO Plus 128GB, which is sure to provide you with more than enough storage for hours upon hours of VR entertainment.

See at Amazon

Want something less permanent? Patriot makes a USB-C flash drive you can connect directly to the Gear VR!

What do you use?

If you own a Samsung Gear VR, we’re curious to know what your must-have accessories are. Anything we’ve omitted on our list? Let us know in the comments!

Update, September 6: We’ve added some great new accessories for your new Gear VR!

Samsung Gear VR

• Gear VR review
• The Best games for Samsung Gear VR
• Inside Samsung’s Gear VR web browser
• Gear VR vs. Google Cardboard

Amazon

Your solar panels could power the neighborhood during a blackout

A new set of algorithms could make it possible for renewable energy-generating homes to not only access their power reserves during outages, but share their resources with their neighbours — a move which could play a significant role in disaster relief efforts.

Self-sufficiency is an attractive factor when it comes to domestic renewable energy, but even though it’s the sun generating electricity, owners of solar panels are still beholden to the grid. During an outage, their equipment powers down for safety reasons, and it’s impossible to draw on the renewably-generated electricity that’s waiting to be used. We’ve seen companies produce kit to overcome this before — Tesla’s Powerwall home battery system can untether a home from the grid for a few hours, for example — but researchers from the University of California San Diego want to scale up the technology to have a wider and more meaningful impact.

The team has created a number of algorithms that allow homes to disconnect from the grid, and use and share power from their renewable energy resources during an outage, all the while improving system reliability by up to 35 percent. The algorithms prioritize the distribution of power, taking into account weather forecasts, the amount of energy storage available and how much power a home is projected to use. The equations can also be programed to include a priority function, so customers could choose to pay more in order to remain connected during an outage, or priority could be given to those who depend on power for life support equipment. The algorithms work with existing technology, but require circuit breakers that can be controlled remotely, as well as infrastructure that would allow homes to “talk” to each other.

In the course of its research, the team also found that while an individual energy storage system in each home results in optimal power performance, customers would rather share a community-scale storage system, due largely to the benefits it could yield in a crisis, which is what prompted the research in the first place. “We were inspired to start investigating a way to use renewable power during outages after Hurricane Sandy affected eight million people on the East Coast and left some without power for up to two weeks,” said Abdulelah H. Habib, a PhD candidate on the team. However, as the researchers note, regulations would have to change nationwide for the system to come into effect, as in many states homeowners aren’t allowed to sell power to other residents — something which may well soon be on politician’s radars following the crises recently seen in Houston and Florida.

Via: phys.org