Best Password Manager For Android

• Best overall
• Best for less
• Best for simplicity
• Best for free

Best overall

1Password

See at Google Play

1Password hits all of the features we expect from this sort of app: AES 256-bit encryption, password generation, fingerprint security, storage for all kinds of information and cross-device syncing; all with a well-implemented Android keyboard that lets you quickly paste login and password details from your secure storage.

1Password gets really powerful when you pay to upgrade from the free version. For $2.99 per month (billed annually) 1Password keeps all of your secure information synced across devices and you don’t have to configure a thing. You can also upgrade to a Family or Team plan ($4.99 per month, billed annually) to share important information between multiple 1Password users.

Bottom line: 1Password isn’t cheap, but it is definitely the easiest to use and most full-featured password manager available.

One more thing: For teams or families that need to simply and securely share passwords, 1Password is definitely the best choice.

Why 1Password is the best

You get everything you need with a single service in 1Password.

1Password has become the gold standard for cross-platform password managers, and that starts for most of us with the Android app. The app is well designed and implements all of the features we want. That means you get easy ways to store logins and passwords, but also other personal information and notes securely. Everything is secured with top-end encryption and synced across all of your devices — phones, tablets, and computers — with no additional setup.

The app offers one-touch fingerprint login for compatible devices, and also offers a keyboard that lets you quickly paste login information right into apps without toggling over to the full 1Password app. It’s simple, and it just works the way you expect.

For many, 1Password is the best choice simply because it offers the best multi-user experience available today. For $4.99 per month, everyone in your family can have shared passwords and access to specific information from other family members, which is invaluable for some. 1Password Teams does the same, but for businesses that need to store and share large numbers of passwords.

For just individuals, 1Password is hoping you’ll choose its $2.99 personal plan that offers automatic cross-device syncing, web access and of course regular updates. There’s still an option to pay upfront for an individual app license for 1Password, but you lose automatic syncing and web support, which are of course two key features of what makes 1Password so great.

With a simple, powerful app and great sharing options between families or large teams, 1Password really does it all — and that’s worth the price for many.

Best for less

LastPass

See at Google Play

LastPass offers the same general set of features as 1Password, including secure encrypted storage of your information, fingerprint unlocking, auto-filling of logins for browsers and apps, as well as free cross-device syncing (which used to be a premium feature).

For a subscription of $2 per month you can get a “family sharing” setup with access for five distinct users, extra two-factor authentication options, emergency access and 1GB of encrypted file storage.

Bottom line: For a full-featured password manager at a lower subscription price, LastPass should be considered.

One more thing: Most people will be happy enough with the basic free features of LastPass, but give the Premium subscription a look just in case.

Best for your own cloud

Enpass

See at Google Play

Enpass is a simple app that integrates every password manager feature you could ask for. There’s app auto-filling, a built-in browser, fingerprint sensor lock, password generation and the highest level of encryption. And of course apps for all of the big platforms.

The desktop apps are free, but you’ll pay $9.99 for the mobile app to unlock all of its features. That’s just a one-time purchase, though, because you can store your Enpass data for cross-device syncing on your own cloud service of choice. Data is still encrypted, so you control it, and you also don’t have to pay a monthly fee to keep the service going.

Bottom line: Enpass is a great option for those who want to store passwords on their own cloud, without an additional monthly subscription.

One more thing: Enpass actually has a relatively functional free version if you want to cheap out for a bit before paying for the full feature set.

Best for free

Dashlane

See at Google Play

Dashlane offers industry-standard AES-256 bit encryption of your passwords, as well as secure cross-device syncing and on-device password generation. It’s also able to store other sensitive non-password data such as IDs, credit card info, addresses, and secure notes.

Dashlane comes with its own browser that will auto-fill all of your accounts and passwords as you visit websites, but you can also elect to use its keyboard to easily insert passwords into other apps as well. The app blocks screenshots and offers several security measures to keep the app safe from unwanted users.

Bottom line: Dashlane is the best choice for someone who wants to use a full-featured password manager on one device for free, but isn’t as good as 1Password for the paid version.

One more thing: When you download Dashlane you get 30 days of the premium features for free to give you a taste of everything it has to offer.

Conclusion

For those who want the absolute best password manager for their phone, tablet, and computers, 1Password is the way to go. It has every feature you (and your family or company) want, and you pay a bit extra for that complete package.

Best overall

1Password

See at Google Play

1Password hits all of the features we expect from this sort of app: AES 256-bit encryption, password generation, fingerprint security, storage for all kinds of information and cross-device syncing; all with a well-implemented Android keyboard that lets you quickly paste login and password details from your secure storage.

1Password gets really powerful when you pay to upgrade from the free version. For $2.99 per month (billed annually) 1Password keeps all of your secure information synced across devices and you don’t have to configure a thing. You can also upgrade to a Family or Team plan ($4.99 per month, billed annually) to share important information between multiple 1Password users.

Bottom line: 1Password isn’t cheap, but it is definitely the easiest to use and most full-featured password manager available.

One more thing: For teams or families that need to simply and securely share passwords, 1Password is definitely the best choice.

Update Septmeber 2017: The list stands unchanged from before, but we’ve updated small details on pricing and plans.

Open your door with just a touch using the $210 Kwikset Kevo

This smart lock offers multiple ways to get into your home without a key while keeping it secure when you’re away!

Update: The last deal we shared on this smart lock saw the Venetian Bronze color drop to $200. This deal applies to the Satin Nickel version and sees it drop to $210, which is a great price.

The Kwikset Kevo 2nd generation touch-to-open Bluetooth smart lock is down to $210 on Amazon right now. Its normal street price is $230, which is what it’s going for at other retailers like Best Buy. This deal is only available in the Satin Nickel color.

The Kwikset Kevo is a simple deadbolt lock you can use to replace a current lock on your door. It has Bluetooth built-in so you can pair the lock with your phone. When you approach the door, the lock detects your phone and allows you to unlock your door with just a touch. Strangers will need a key, but if those strangers happen to be your friends you can send them an unlimited number of eKeys with your smartphone.

This is the second version of the Kevo, and even though it looks very similar to the first generation the new one improves on it in some very important and very specific ways. For one thing, the original Kwikset Kevo had a security weakness with brute force attacks. The 2nd generation specifically addresses that vulnerability with an all-metal interior and it is no longer an issue. The 2nd gen. Kevo has also streamlined the installation process and made it easier to do, which was one of the big negatives of the first one.

You can also add this Kwikset Kevo Fob to your key chain to unlock the door without your key. It could come in handy if you forget your phone or your phone runs out of power.

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!

Microsoft and Facebook’s massive undersea data cable is complete

Last year, we reported that Microsoft and Facebook were teaming up to build a massive undersea cable that would cross the Atlantic, connecting Virginia Beach to the northern city of Bilbao in Spain. Last week, Microsoft announced that the cable, called Marea, is complete.

Marea, which means “tide” in Spanish, lies over 17,000 feet below the Atlantic Ocean’s surface and is around 4,000 miles long. It weighs 10.25 million pounds. The data rates (which let’s face it, that’s what we’re all really interested in) are equally staggering: Marea can transmit at a rate of 160 TB/second. And it was finished in less than two years.

What’s really interesting about Marea, though, is that it has an open design. This means that Microsoft and Facebook are trying to make the cable as future proof as possible. It can evolve as technology changes and demands increase for more data and higher speeds. Its flexibility means that upgrading the cable and its equipment to be compatible with newer technology will be easier.

If you’re interested in learning more about Marea, you can watch the recorded livestream of a celebration of the cable that happened last Friday. It’s nice to see tech companies working together, and on big projects that will help them meet future demands for Internet usage.

Source: Microsoft

Levi’s Google-powered smart jacket goes on sale next week

Earlier this year, we discussed how Levi’s was working on a smart jacket in connection with the Google Advanced Technology and Products group’s Project Jacquard. Now, after much anticipation, the jacket is ready and will be available on Levi.com (and in some Levi’s stores) on October 2nd. If you’re really eager to take a look, you’ll find it in some boutiques on Wednesday. It will set you back $350.

The question is whether this jacket is really worth the cost — after all, that’s a lot for denim. The key for the Levi’s Commuter jacket lies in a snap tag on the left sleeve cuff that allows you to interact with your phone right on the jacket using gestures, LEDs and haptic feedback. It’s not fully unobtrusive — from the pictures, it appears to protrude from the sleeve quite a bit — but it’s pretty small. But if you want a low key and simple way to interact with your phone (and you love denim jackets), you may want to check it out. You can see our early review here.

The jacket is primarily aimed at bike commuters, and it would work well for this group. You can use the Jacquard app, available for iOS and Android, to customize what exactly your jacket can do. You can receive messages, send calls to voicemail, hear your next direction while biking, control your music and more. The tag charges via USB and the battery lasts for about two weeks. It’s removable, so the jacket is, presumably, washable.

You can visit jacquard.com/levi/specs on your mobile device to see if it’s compatible; generally, phones running Android 6.01 or newer will work. iOS users must have an iPhone 6 or later running iOS 10 or iOS 11. It’s likely this jacket will appeal to a very narrow set of people, especially considering its hefty price tag. But if it’s as thoughtfully made as it appears to be, it will probably attract some fans.

Via: The Verge

Source: Google

Major accounting firm Deloitte reports extensive cybersecurity breach

Deloitte, a major US and global accounting firm, revealed that it was hit with a cybersecurity breach that may have extended from October of last year through this past March, the Guardian reports. The company — one of the world’s Big Four accounting firms — which works with large banks, global firms and government agencies, among others, provides tax and auditing services, operations consulting, merger and acquisition assistance and, wait for it, cybersecurity advice.

It’s currently unclear who was behind the attack, but for the past six months, Deloitte has been investigating the breach of its email server, which exposed some five million emails. Along with emails and their sometimes sensitive attachments, the hackers may have gotten their hands on usernames, passwords, IP addresses, business information and workers’ health records. The breach apparently stemmed from an administrator’s account that was protected by a password and not two-step verification.

The Guardian reports that six of Deloitte’s clients have been notified that their information was affected. A Deloitte spokesperson told the newspaper, “In response to a cyber incident, Deloitte implemented its comprehensive security protocol and began an intensive and thorough review including mobilising a team of cybersecurity and confidentiality experts inside and outside of Deloitte.” The review of the breach is ongoing and the company is working to retrace the hacker’s steps to see exactly what information was accessed. “The review has enabled us to understand what information was at risk and what the hacker actually did, and demonstrated that no disruption has occurred to client businesses, to Deloitte’s ability to continue to serve clients, or to consumers,” said the spokesperson.

Deloitte hasn’t stated which of its clients, which include US government agencies, have been impacted, but said, “As part of the review, Deloitte has been in contact with the very few clients impacted and notified governmental authorities and regulators. We remain deeply committed to ensuring that our cybersecurity defences are best in class, to investing heavily in protecting confidential information and to continually reviewing and enhancing cybersecurity. We will continue to evaluate this matter and take additional steps as required.”

Source: The Guardian

Apple’s 2018 iPhone Lineup Said to Gain LCD Model With Screen Larger Than 6 Inches

Apple’s lineup of iPhones next year will introduce a larger-screened LCD model, measuring more than 6 inches, according to a report today by The Bell (via The Korea Herald). It’s unclear whether this size will be an additional offering to the current LCD iPhone lineup (including 4.7-inch and 5.5-inch models), or if it’s replacing these sizes completely.

In May we heard the first rumor about Apple’s 2018 iPhones, which at the time focused solely on the OLED versions and did not mention the LCD models. This rumor stated that the devices would come in 5.28-inch and 6.46-inch OLED screen sizes. A subsequent report by ETNews suggested that Apple had ditched the small 5.28-inch size and moved to focus on 5.85-inch and 6.46-inch models, and today’s report corroborates those claims.

This means that next year Apple could potentially launch the following iPhones: a 5.8-inch OLED model, a 6.46-inch “Plus” OLED model, and at least one LCD model that measures 6 inches (or larger).

Apple has decided to ditch the smallest 5.28-inch OLED iPhone next year, while adding a larger — possibly more than 6 inches — LCD model into the full lineup, according to The Bell on Sept. 25.

Citing local parts makers, the report said Apple had originally given panel orders to Samsung Display, its sole OLED supplier, under a plan to launch three OLED iPhones next year — 5.28-, 5.85-, and 6.46-inch models. But the report said the development work for the 5.28-inch model has recently been suspended possibly due to the low marketability of the smaller version.

The Bell cites local parts makers who claimed that Apple decided to scrap the 5.28-inch model of next year’s iPhone “due to the low marketability” of such a small-screened device. Apple is said to have given OLED orders to Samsung Display for the other two sizes.

Apple will continue sourcing 2018’s LCD iPhone screens from supplier Japan Display, which already includes panel orders for the new larger screen size. According to industry watchers, Apple’s decision to ditch the 5.28-inch iPhone 9 is due to the “popularity of larger-screen phones for video viewing.” A 6.46-inch iPhone would be larger than Samsung’s 6.3-inch Galaxy Note 8.

In regards to when Apple might switch to OLED-only iPhones, 2019 has been eyed as the year that Apple might finally make that transition.

Tag: iPhone 9
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iPhone X Production Supposedly Going Much Slower Than Apple Originally Planned

Apple has instructed some of its suppliers to slow down delivery of iPhone X components, according to Taiwanese website DigiTimes.

The report, citing unnamed sources from within Apple’s supply chain, claims the suppliers are now shipping only about 40 percent of the components originally planned for the initial production of the iPhone X.

Apple is allegedly waiting to see how many iPhone X pre-orders it receives, and monitoring how well the already-released iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus sell, before fully ramping up production overseas.

However, the report mentions some suppliers still need to step up production to meet the 40 percent requirement due to low yield rates at their production lines, which is the more likely reason for the slowdown.

Essentially, since some suppliers are manufacturing iPhone X parts more slowly than others, Apple could be capping shipments from all suppliers so it has an equal number of all components when the device launches in just under six weeks.

Whatever the case may be, this report provides yet another indication that the iPhone X is proving especially challenging to make.

Just one day before the device was unveiled, KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said iPhone X production totaled fewer than 10,000 units per day. In a follow-up research note, Kuo said the device is unlikely to achieve complete supply-demand equilibrium until at least the first half of next year.

All signs point towards overwhelming demand for the iPhone X. Earlier today, Kuo said pre-orders may exceed 40-50 million units. Lower adoption of the iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus, and shorter lines at Apple retail stores, also suggest that many customers may be waiting for the iPhone X, but it remains to be seen.

iPhone X pre-orders begin Friday, October 27, followed by in-store availability in limited quantities starting Friday, November 3.

Related Roundup: iPhone X
Tag: digitimes.com
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TrueDepth Camera System is Primary Reason for Slow iPhone X Production

Following a report claiming Apple’s suppliers are shipping only about 40 percent of the components originally planned for initial production of the iPhone X, a new report suggests the TrueDepth camera is the primary bottleneck.

The word comes from KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, who said the facial recognition system is “far more complex” than those on competing devices, which is making it challenging for Apple to achieve mass production.

An excerpt from Kuo’s research note obtained by MacRumors:

TrueDepth camera may be main production bottleneck of iPhone X ramp. The 3D sensing (TrueDepth camera) on iPhone X is composed of a structured-light system, time-of-flight system and a front-facing camera, which represents a far more complex structure than those of rivals. It will therefore be harder to achieve mass production. While we project iPhone X will see output ramp up meaningfully in mid/ late October, tight supply may only start to ease in 1H18F due to strong demand.

Kuo said shipments of iPhone X components will likely ramp up in mid to late October. Given pre-orders begin October 27, with in-store availability starting November 3, all signs point towards the iPhone X being in extremely short supply.

Kuo believes iPhone X pre-orders have the potential to exceed 40-50 million units, so it’s clear the device won’t achieve supply-chain balance for quite awhile.

Related Roundup: iPhone X
Tags: KGI Securities, Ming-Chi Kuo, TrueDepth
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Fitbit Announces October 1 Launch Date for New Ionic Smartwatch and Flyer Headphones

It’s been almost one month since Fitbit unveiled the new “Ionic” smartwatch and “Flyer” Bluetooth headphones, which at the time were given an unspecific October launch window. Today, the wearables company announced that both devices will be available in retail stores across North America, Asia Pacific, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and Latin America on October 1.

The Fitbit Ionic is the company’s first smartwatch and includes improved GPS, heart rate tracking, water resistance up to 50 meters, contactless payments with “Fitbit Pay,” on-board music storage, and more. The smartwatch syncs with the new Fitbit Coach personal training app coming later in October and featuring 90 video and audio workouts, priced at $7.99/month or $39.99/year.

Starting on Sunday, October 1, users will be able to purchase the Fitbit Ionic at Best Buy, Dick’s Sporting Goods, Kohl’s, Macy’s, REI, Target, Verizon, and Amazon for $299.95. Fitbit said that retailers will also have a variety of accessory bands in Classic and Sport ($29.95) and a perforated Horween leather band ($59.95).

“We defined the fitness tracker market 10 years ago and look forward to doing the same with the smartwatch category, delivering what consumers want most and have not yet seen in a smartwatch. Ionic offers up to 5 days battery life for 24/7 health tracking and insights, advanced health and fitness features, enhanced heart rate and dynamic sleep tools paired with the smart functionality consumers need on the go to stay in touch and simplify their life,” said James Park, co-founder and CEO of Fitbit. “These features, coupled with Ionic’s broad compatibility across Android, iOS and Windows platforms, means consumers around the globe never need to choose between their watch and their phone.”

The company’s first wireless headphones are also going on sale this Sunday. Called the Fitbit Flyer headphones, the device features a sweatproof design, customizable ear tips, six hours of battery life, and is meant to sync with the new Ionic smartwatch to enable truly wireless workout sessions. The company said that users will be able to buy the headphones at “major global retailers” including Best Buy, Brookstone, Nordstrom, Target, and Amazon for $129.95.

A specific launch date for the new Fitbit Aria 2 Wi-Fi Smart Scale wasn’t confirmed, but users can pre-order now on Fitbit.com for $129.95, with retailer availability “beginning Fall 2017.”

To prepare developers for the launch of the Fitbit Ionic, the company is debuting the new Fitbit SDK tomorrow, September 26, as a developer preview. The SDK will include resources that developers need to “quickly and easily” design and share apps and clock faces to Fitbit users.

Tag: Fitbit
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Companies will use AI to stamp out electricity theft

Switching to efficient artificial intelligence systems has already saved Google a ton of money on its energy bills. And, it seems machine learning may also pose monetary benefits (of a different kind) for electricity providers. With power theft costing the industry roughly $96 billion in losses per year, companies could start looking to AI to help identify pilferers.

A team from the University of Luxembourg has developed an algorithm that sifts through electricity meter data to detect abnormal usage. They put the system to work on info compiled from 3.6 million Brazilian households over the course of five years. Specifically, they honed in on around 200 million monthly readings made by professional meter readers. The algorithm managed to reveal problem cases more than 65 percent of the time, which the team believes is far better than other tools. Smart energy firm Choice Technologies now intends to incorporate the AI into commercial software to be used in Latin America, reports New Scientist.

Brazil is suffering from high rates of non-technical losses (which accounts for energy theft, fraud, billing errors, and other instances of lost revenue). To wrest control of the issue, the country’s leading power utility company Electrobras recently launched an anti-theft program, with backing from the World Bank. The firm claims that 22 percent of all Brazilian energy generated is siphoned off by thieves. But, Brazil isn’t alone — countries like the UK estimate that similar activity results in losses of £440 million ($596 million) each year. Meanwhile, India’s most populous state of Uttar Pradesh lost around 31 percent of its total power generated in 2016.

Source: Cornell University Library