Justice Department takes aim at Hurricane Harvey scammers

This week a number of federal and state law enforcement agencies teamed up to prosecute any scammers taking advantage of the Hurricane Harvey aftermath. Texas-based agencies along with the SEC, FBI, FTC and others have created a working group that will investigate any fraud, theft and price gouging related to the hurricane. “Under the lessons learned from Hurricane Katrina, we bring a comprehensive law enforcement focus to combat any criminal activity arising from the tragedy of Hurricane Harvey and the rebuilding efforts underway,” said acting US Attorney Abe Martinez in a statement.

Among the activities under the group’s jurisdiction are online and phishing scams. The Department of Justice released tips earlier this week on how to avoid fraudulent charitable schemes including those hosted on fake websites and those pursuing donations via email. It warned people not to click on email attachments or links from unsolicited emails, to vet groups rather than just following a website link and to be wary of charities’ sites that end in .com rather than .org. The FTC also encouraged those looking to donate to check charities out on websites like the Better Business Bureau’s Wise Giving Alliance and Charity Watch to make sure they’re legitimate.

“We intend to use all of the resources at our disposal to both help our registrants and to hold those accountable who try to use this disaster to take advantage of other people,” said SEC Chairman Jay Clayton. “There is no place for fraud or shady practices in the rebuilding and recovery of the communities in Texas and Louisiana that have been affected by Hurricane Harvey.”

The Department of Justice lists a number of resources here for reporting fraudulent activity and scam protection.

Via: CNET

Source: Department of Justice

Engadget Podcast Ep 40: This Is Your Night

Hello there! After a summer-long hiatus, The Engadget Podcast is back, starting with a five-episode run through the month of September. Because our usual host Terrence O’Brien is out on paternity leave (‘grats, Terry!), you’re stuck with yours truly and senior editor Chris Velazco as co-hosts. In this week’s episode, we chat about Google’s newly announced ARCore developer kit as well as highlights from IFA, which is going on this week in Berlin. (Hint: Google Assistant is everywhere at the show.) Enjoy, and if you’re wondering about the song in this week’s title, well, let’s just say there was an earworm going around the studio as we hit record. Many thanks to our audio engineer, who edited out any singing.

Relevant links:

• Google unveils ARCore, its answer to Apple’s ARKit
• Alexa and Cortana will soon work together
• Google Assistant is coming to more speakers and appliances
• Sony’s smart speaker gives Google Assistant a more capable home
• We’re live from IFA 2017 in Berlin!

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Apple’s fitness lab has collected 66,000 hours of exercise data

Men’s Health writer Ben Court got to take a look around Apple’s not-so-secret-anymore exercise lab and the company’s director of fitness for health technologies had some bold claims about the work the lab has done. Apple’s Jay Blahnik told Court, “Our lab has collected more data on activity and exercise than any other human performance study in history. Over the past five years, we’ve logged 33,000 sessions with over 66,000 hours of data, involving more than 10,000 unique participants.”

We’ll just have to take his word on those stats, but with dozens of researchers and medical professionals studying even larger numbers of exercising employees every day for years, it becomes easy to see how Apple can log those sorts of numbers. And those efforts should be visible in the upcoming WatchOS 4, which will reportedly include high-intensity interval training and the ability to pair with cardio machines.

Apple’s smartwatch has done well for the company, which is a major leader in the wearables industry, sporting around 50 percent year over year growth of its wearables sector during this year’s second quarter. The next version of the Apple Watch will reportedly have built-in cellular network support, meaning you won’t have to tote around your iPhone to use it. The launch date for WatchOS 4 is expected to be announced at Apple’s September 12th event.

Source: Men’s Health

Play as Mega Man and Ghost Trick in ‘Dead Rising 4’ on PS4

Patience is paying off for Dead Rising fans on PlayStation 4. Last year’s (formerly) Xbox One exclusive Dead Rising 4 is making its way to the PS4 with a few extras in Dead Rising 4: Frank’s Big Package. Yup, Capcom’s marketing department thought that name was a good idea. Anywho, the “complete” edition has a couple of noteworthy additions.

Specifically? Capcom Heroes, which lets you play dress-up as over a dozen different characters from the developer’s history and even wield special attacks themed to those costumes. The Mega Man getup grants an arm-mounted laser cannon. So no, this won’t just be superficial stuff like S.T.A.R.S. uniforms from Resident Evil or Chun-Li’s trademark garb from Street Fighter. There’s even a Ghost Trick outfit.

In addition to that, you’ll get all of the add-on packs that’ve been released since last December (including Super Ultra Dead Rising 4 Mini Golf). The game will set you back $49.99 come December 5th and folks who own the game on Xbox or Steam will get Capcom Hero mode as part of a free update.

Source: Capcom Unity

Facebook mapped everyone on Earth to get them online

In its research into the best way to provide internet to the entire world, Facebook has mapped where all 7.5 billion people on the planet live. By combining government census data and satellite images along with some help from Facebook’s image recognition neural network, the company can now locate every single man-made structure to within just five meters. The mapping technology is being used to figure how to deliver internet to populations that currently don’t have it or have poor connections to it. Along with ground networks, Facebook has determined that using drones and satellites will be most effective in pushing connectivity further. “We’re trying to connect people from the stratosphere and from space,” Facebook’s head of strategic innovation partnerships and sourcing, Janna Lewis, said at the Space Technology and Investment Forum this week.

Around half of the over 500 US satellites orbiting around Earth were launched for commercial reasons and because of groups like SpaceX, Blue Origin, Virgin Galactic and Virgin Orbit, launching satellites has never been cheaper. That makes the idea of a space-based internet delivery system a much more attainable reality than ever before. “Satellites are exciting for us. Our data showed the best way to connect cities is an internet in the sky,” said Lewis.

While it has worked on generating its maps, Facebook’s Connectivity Lab has released findings from the work. Last year, it released a dataset that included information on 23 countries. The team found that 99 percent of the population in those countries lived within 63 km of the nearest city. “Hence, if we are able to develop communication technologies that can bridge 63 km with sufficiently high data rates, we should be able to connect 99 percent of the population in these 23 countries,” the Connectivity Lab’s Tobias Tiecke wrote.

Source: CNBC

Tech CEOs sign letter urging Trump to keep immigrant protections

Hundreds of CEOs have signed an open letter urging President Trump not to dissolve the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. Started in 2012 under the Obama administration, DACA allows undocumented immigrants who arrived to the US before they were 16 years old to obtain work permits and protection from deportation. Those with DACA permits have to renew them every two years and nearly 800,000 immigrants have benefited from the program.

“All DACA recipients grew up in America, registered with our government, submitted to extensive background checks, and are diligently giving back to our communities and paying income taxes,” said the letter. “More than 97 percent are in school or in the workforce, 5 percent started their own business, 65 percent have purchased a vehicle, and 16 percent have purchased their first home. At least 72 percent of the top 25 Fortune 500 companies count DACA recipients among their employees.”

Among those who have signed include tech bigwigs like Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos, Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg, Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey, Apple CEO Tim Cook, Google CEO Sundar Pichai and Warren Buffett. CEOs, founders and representatives from Airbnb, Dropbox, eBay, Fitbit, Foursquare, GoFundMe, LinkedIn, Lyft, Netflix, Netgear, Pandora, Tesla, Tumblr and Uber have also signed.

Highlighting just how much DACA recipients contribute to the US economy, the letter stated, “Our economy would lose $460.3 billion from the national GDP and $24.6 billion in Social Security and Medicare tax contributions.”

Trump was vocally against DACA during his campaign and is largely expected to cancel the program by September 5th — a deadline Republican lawmakers set for the president to make a decision. White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said the president hasn’t yet made a final decision, but will announce one on the 5th.

Via: Variety

Source: FWD.us

MacRumors Giveaway: Win a Sport Strap for the Apple Watch From Nomad

For this week’s giveaway, we’ve teamed up with Nomad to offer MacRumors readers a chance to win a Sport Strap for the Apple Watch.

Nomad’s Sport Strap is designed for 42mm Apple Watch models. It’s constructed from a soft, pliable silicone for a comfortable, molded fit on any wrist. The silicone it’s made from is antimicrobial and hypoallergenic, but it’s also durable and water resistant, making the band ideal for a range of activities on land and sea.

The Sport Strap has a stylish two-tone design in either Black/Volt or Black/Gray, and each color matches both the stainless steel and aluminum Apple Watch models in Silver and Space Gray.

Subtle crosshatching and a tapered design add visual appeal, and the buckle, made from polyamide, is designed to hold up in all environmental conditions. While it’s designed to be a sport watch, it looks nice enough that it can be worn for any occasion.

Nomad sells the Sport Strap at $49.95, but we have five to give away to MacRumors readers. To enter to win, use the Rafflecopter widget below and enter an email address. Email addresses will be used solely for contact purposes to reach the winner and send the prize. You can earn additional entries by subscribing to our weekly newsletter, subscribing to our YouTube channel, following us on Twitter, or visiting the MacRumors Facebook page.

Due to the complexities of international laws regarding giveaways, only U.S. residents who are 18 years of age or older are eligible to enter. To offer feedback or get more information on the giveaway restrictions, please refer to our Site Feedback section, as that is where discussion of the rules will be redirected.

a Rafflecopter giveawayThe contest will run from today (September 1) at 11:00 a.m. Pacific Time through 11:00 a.m. Pacific Time on September 8. The winners will be chosen randomly on September 8 and will be contacted by email. The winners will have 48 hours to respond and provide a shipping address before new winners are chosen.

Tags: giveaway, Nomad
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Review: Sonicare’s DiamondClean Smart is a Premium Toothbrush That Connects to Your iPhone

Philips recently released the DiamondClean Smart, a new iteration of its top-of-the-line toothbrush with all the bells and whistles.

Not only does it connect to your iPhone using a Bluetooth connection to help you brush better than ever before, but it’s also been redesigned to decouple brushing mode from intensity. There are new smart brushes for more tailored brushing, additional modes to meet different needs, and other small refinements that bring overall improvements.

I’ve been using Sonicare toothbrushes for more than 10 years, and for the last five, I’ve had a DiamondClean. This new DiamondClean toothbrush is going to make your teeth whiter, healthier, and squeaky clean, but with prices that start at $230, it’s not cheap, and the app is sometimes more gimmicky than helpful. All in all, though, you’re not going to find a better brushing experience.

Design

The DiamondClean Smart adopts design elements from the original DiamondClean, but it also introduces both new and refined features. The brush is sleek with clean lines and the traditional look of the DiamondClean, but instead of a single button to turn it off and on, there are now two buttons.

The top button continues to function as an on/off button, but there’s now a second button that controls the intensity. Below the two buttons, there are a series of LEDs denoting the different brushing modes, and at the bottom, there’s a light-up base that fits into the charger.

Philips sells the new DiamondClean Smart in a range of colors, but the one I tested is white with silver accents and gold lettering at the top. The mix of gold and silver is a somewhat odd choice, but it looks elegant on the bathroom counter.

A small metal prong at the top of the toothbrush base holds the brush in place, and the brush head can be popped off the top so you can switch brush heads. If you’re familiar with Sonicare toothbrushes, you know the brush heads need to be changed out on a regular basis – approximately every three months.

Brush heads for the DiamondClean Smart come in a range of different styles to meet different needs and are priced at about $10 each, but you can often find them cheaper in bulk on sites like Amazon. The brush heads aren’t cheap, but each one lasts for several months. And with this Smart model, the app will let you know when it’s time to replace a brush.

All in all, the DiamondClean Smart’s body is a lot like the DiamondClean and I have no complaints. Philips has used this design for years, and it works well. It’s ergonomic, easy to hold, and it looks great on the countertop. Unlike some of the other Sonicare brushes, there are no grooves — it’s all one solid piece — which means there’s no mold and little toothpaste buildup. It stays clean, as a toothbrush should.

Features

There are five brushing modes, each with a different duration and intensity to achieve specific brushing goals. The modes are as follows: clean, white+, gum health, deep clean+, and tongue care.

Switching between modes can be done without turning the brush on by pressing the second button. After selecting a mode, the brush is turned on by pressing the power button, and the intensity can be changed by pressing again on the power button.

Each mode offers a different brushing time and intensity. Clean, for example, lasts for two minutes, while gum health adds additional time to allow you to focus specifically on your gums. I tend to use the gum health mode and the clean modes more than anything else as part of my general cleaning routine, but the other modes come in handy when I want a longer brushing experience or more focus on my front teeth.

It’s nice to have different modes that can meet a wide range of brushing needs, and if your dentist is like mine, they can suggest the best brushing modes based on the state of your teeth and where you might need improvement.

The DiamondClean Smart also has a new set of features dedicated to tongue care. There’s a tongue care mode that specifically works with the tongue care brush to make sure you’re also brushing your tongue for the freshest breath. This tongue care setup is new to the Smart and wasn’t available in the previous DiamondClean models.

Brushing Experience

The toothbrush itself offers quiet operation. It’s not silent by any means, but it’s lower pitched than the original DiamondClean and nearly inaudible outside of the bathroom when you’re brushing your teeth.

With the DiamondClean Smart, regardless of which brush mode you choose, brushing is divided into sections so you can make sure you’re getting all of your teeth clean. Brushing is broken up as follows: bottom right, bottom middle, bottom left, top right, top middle, and top left. The brush will buzz when it’s time to move on to a new section so no teeth go without a full brushing.

To keep you from applying too much pressure, the base of the brush will flash when you’re brushing too hard. Brushing too hard can damage your gums, so this is a nice feature if you’re someone who doesn’t pay attention to how much pressure you’re putting on your teeth when brushing.

As for the overall brushing experience, the DiamondClean Smart is unparalleled. Two minutes with this toothbrush and my teeth are as clean and as shiny as if I’ve just been at the dentist. If you haven’t used a Sonicare before, there is a world of difference between how clean your teeth feel compared to brushing with a manual brush.

Accessories

Brush Heads

Philips ships the DiamondClean Smart with a selection of smart brushes. Smart brushes have a small chip that communicates with the DiamondClean Smart to let it know what kind of brush is attached. Through this connection, the DiamondClean automatically selects the optimal brushing mode and intensity to go along with the brush head, but you can change it if you want.

The DiamondClean Smart will also work with “dumb” brush heads that do not have the smart chip capabilities — you’ll just need to select mode and intensity on your own.

Each smart brush has unique properties to address a specific issue in the mouth. There are brushes for plaque control, gum care, and whitening, all with different designs and brush hardness. The gum care brush, meant for your gums, is the softest of the bunch, while the plaque control and whitening brushes have firmer bristles.

Charging Cup

The DiamondClean Smart, like the DiamondClean, uses inductive charging. It charges in a glass cup that’s connected to a charging base, so when it needs to be charged, you just stick it in the cup. Philips suggests this cup can also be used for rinsing, but I’ve never really used it for that purpose. It does get toothpaste goop in it, so plan to wash it out on a regular basis.

Design wise, the cup is a high-quality thick glass vessel that’s similar to any drinking cup, and its design has been tweaked to be slightly more round than the cup that shipped with previous DiamondClean models.

When charging, the DiamondClean Smart toothbrush has a few new features – it makes an audible sound when it’s placed on the charger so you know it’s in the proper position and the base glows more brightly when it’s first stuck in the cup. These are welcome changes because it is difficult to tell when the standard DiamondClean brush is charging. There’s no confusion with the DiamondClean Smart.

The charging cup method is simple and convenient because you just have to drop your brush in the cup when you’re done with a brushing session, but it can be a hassle if you prefer to keep your toothbrush tucked away in a medicine cabinet or a drawer because it’s a little bit bulky.

Travel Charger

The travel charger is meant to store and charge your toothbrush when on a trip. It’s made from a quality soft-coated plastic, and inside, there are cutouts for the toothbrush and two additional brush heads. At the bottom of the travel charger, there’s a built-in cable that can be plugged into any USB-A port for charging purposes. When not in use, the cable tucks in underneath a piece of plastic that hides it from view.

This travel charger is an upgraded version of the travel charger that comes with the standard DiamondClean. That version does not include a built in cable.

App

You can use the DiamondClean Smart entirely without the app, but this is a “smart” brush, so it is designed to be used with the Philips Sonicare app. The toothbrush connects to your iPhone using Bluetooth, and with the app, you can see your progress brushing your teeth in real time.

Simply open up the app, remove the DiamondClean from the charger, and press the power button to start a brushing session. The app displays a model of a set of teeth on the display, and as you brush, it keeps track of how much time you spend in each area, lets you know if you’re moving the brush too much, and makes sure you aren’t applying pressure.

Essentially, it walks you through brushing your teeth step by step, making sure each tooth is adequately cleaned. To track where the brush is in your mouth, there’s a built-in accelerometer in the base of the DiamondClean Smart. The tracking works well for the most part, but it can only track a single quadrant at a time, and depending on how you hold the brush, it might not register. I seem to hold the brush in a way the DiamondClean doesn’t like when brushing my top teeth, so it sometimes doesn’t pick up the correct amount of time I’ve spent brushing in a specific area.

When each brushing session is done, the app lets you know which areas you missed and adds extra time to the timer so you can go back and get those areas. It also asks if you’ve brushed, rinsed, and brushed your tongue, and records that data.

In addition to monitoring each brushing, the app also stores data over time on your brushing habits so you can see how you’ve improved. If there’s an area that hasn’t received enough cleaning time or has been subjected to too much pressure or scrubbing, it’ll show up in your progress chart so you can rectify the problem.

The app’s tracking features are useful, but I’d like to see more expansive charts and graphs that let me see data like how many times a day I brushed, how long I brushed, areas I missed, and more. At the current time, figuring out this data just from a picture of a set of teeth is a little difficult.

Along with tracking your brushing habits, you can also set specific goals in the app and get reminders to brush. Goals include fresh breath, gum care, whitening, plaque removal, and more. There are also options in the app to designate problem areas like plaque buildup, bleeding, gum recession, and cavities, and the app will then guide you through giving those areas extra attention. Finally, the app can be used to share your brushing progress with your dentist and order additional brush heads.

As far as the app goes, I don’t necessarily think it’s something people are going to want to use day in and day out. It’s useful for getting into a brushing routine and learning how to brush, but it can be a hassle to open up an app and monitor your brushing when you’re in a hurry to get out the door.

Unfortunately, if you’re not using the app, the brush is not fully tracking your brushing sessions and collecting complete data, so the app is a requirement if you want to monitor your dental health over time. There’s also some kind of points system, but this doesn’t feel fleshed out at all, and I’m not sure what the points contribute to.

All in all, I’d really like to see some improvements to the app’s design, the data tracking, and the way that data is displayed, but it’s useful for establishing and maintaining good brushing habits.

Models

There are three distinct DiamondClean Smart models. The unit I tested is the DiamondClean Smart 9500, but there are also 9300 and 9700 models, all of which have different accessories and different prices. All of the models share the same general design and features, however.

The Sonicare 9300 is $230 and comes in four colors: white, black, pink, and a blue gray shade. While the higher end models have five brushing modes, the 9300 has four, doing away with the tongue brushing mode that pairs with a tongue brush. This model ships with three brush heads (plaque control, whitening, and gum care), and it does not include a travel charger with a built-in cord (it requires a separate charging cord like older DiamondClean models).

The Sonicare 9500 is $270 and comes in black, white, silver, and pink. It has five brushing modes and ships with four brush heads: plaque control, whitening, gum care, and a tongue brush. It also comes with a higher-end travel charger with a built-in cord.

The Sonicare 9700, priced at $330, is identical to the Sonicare 9500 but it comes in an exclusive “lunar blue” color and instead of four brush heads, it includes seven: three plaque control, two gum care, two whitening, and a tongue brush. It also includes the high-end travel charger with built-in cord.

Aside from the number of brushes, the travel charger, and the lack of a tongue brush mode on the Sonicare 9300, all of the DiamondClean Smart models are identical in function, so you can save some cash if you don’t need the tongue brush or a more convenient travel charger.

Bottom Line

The DiamondClean Smart 9500 that I tested is priced at $270, with additional brush models available for $230 and $330. That’s a lot to ask someone to pay for a toothbrush when you can pick one up at the drugstore for $2, but this kind of upfront investment has the potential to save you money at the dentist in the long run. Even adding in the cost of replacement brushes over time (and you will need to replace them every 3 months), it’s more affordable than dental work.

As a longtime Sonicare user, I freely recommend them to anyone and everyone. These brushes offer a much better clean than you can get with a standard brush, they’re gentler on the gums, and they’re great at encouraging you to brush for an ideal amount of time. With better mouth maintenance, you have a much better chance at keeping your mouth healthy and free from cavities, plaque, gingivitis, and other problems.

The DiamondClean Smart in particular is an excellent choice if you have troublesome areas in your mouth, need reminders to brush, or simply want to track your brushing habits. With the new design, brush heads, and separate intensity modes, this is one of the most advanced brushing experiences you can get, but at the same time, it’s foolproof. Stick the brush in your mouth, move it where the app tells you to, and you’re guaranteed a complete clean. It comes with extra brush heads, a travel charger, and all the features you could possibly need.

I think in the long run, most people aren’t going to want to hassle with the app two or three times a day, but it’s nice to have it there if you need it. I tend to use it at night rather than in the mornings and afternoons, and while I’m not getting a complete tracking experience, I have enough data to know if there are any ongoing problems I need to address. I do wish the app offered up better tracking over time and was able to collect data without being open.

If you don’t need an app to motivate you to brush properly, Philips has a much wider range of more affordable Sonicare brushes that are worth checking out, but if you want a top-of-the-line brushing experience, the DiamondClean Smart is the brush to get.

How to Buy

The Philips DiamondClean Smart models can be purchased from the Philips website. The 9300 Series is priced at $229.99, the 9500 Series (the model in the review) is priced at $269.99, and the 9700 Series is priced at $329.99.

All of the models can also be purchased on Amazon, often for lower prices than Philips offers.

Note: Philips provided MacRumors with the Sonicare DiamondClean Smart free of charge for the purpose of this review. No other compensation was received. MacRumors is an affiliate partner of Amazon and may earn commissions on purchases made through links in this article.

Tags: Philips, Sonicare
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Labor Day Apple Deals: Save on iPhone 7, iPad Pro, Beats, Belkin Accessories, and Philips Hue

With Labor Day coming up in the United States on Monday, September 4, a collection of retailers have launched notable discounts on a variety of Apple and Apple-related products and accessories. Companies like Best Buy, Staples, and Belkin have debuted savings on select MacBooks, iPhones, iPads, Beats products, Apple accessories, and more, so we’ll list some of the best deals below.

Many of the Labor Day deals come from Best Buy, which is running a four day sale beginning today, September 1, through Monday, September 4. As with past Best Buy sales, customers can take advantage of price matching, in-store pickup, and free shipping on sale items.

Apple Products

The discounts start with as much as $300 off of the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus for Sprint customers who also sign up for the carrier’s 24-month installment plan.

There are three colorways of the 128 GB Wi-Fi only iPad mini 4 on sale for $299.99, down from $399.99. Not directly part of the Labor Day sale, Best Buy this week is also offering $100 off of the latest models of the Wi-Fi only 10.5-inch and 12.9-inch iPad Pro.

Best Buy is offering up to $500 off of select MacBooks during the sale. Customers can buy the late 2016 13-inch MacBook Pro with Touch Bar and 256 GB of storage for $1,499.99, down from $1,799.99. The 512 GB version is also marked down to $1,599.99 from $1,999.99. The early 2016 12-inch MacBook with an Intel Core M3 processor and 256 GB of storage is priced at $899.99, down from $1,299.99. A higher-end version of the same device has been discounted as well, including an Intel Core M5 processor and 512 GB of storage at $1,099.99, down from $1,599.99.

Those with an authorized student email address can get an additional $125 discounted off of Best Buy’s MacBook deals. For a full list of Macs under the student discount banner — including MacBook Air and some iMac models — visit Best Buy’s website here.

If anyone is looking for a deal on an older MacBook model, DailySteals has a refurbished version of the mid 2011 11-inch MacBook Air for $379.99, down from $1,199.99.

Customers can also purchase the now-discontinued 16 GB iPod touch from Best Buy for $179.99, down from $199.99.

Accessories

In terms of accessories, the Beats Solo3 Wireless Headphones in eight colors are just $179.99 during Best Buy’s Labor Day sale, reducing in price from $299.99. Staples has the newest version of the Beats Pill+ Portable Speaker, in Black and White, marked down by nearly 50 percent right now, running for $119.00 instead of the traditional $229.95.

For anyone looking to beef up their smart home setup, Best Buy is also offering a combo pack discount on a Google Home and Philips Hue Color Starter Kit Package, which is available for $188.99 instead of $308.99. Verizon has the Google Home and Hue White Starter Kit Bundle on sale for $159.99, down from $199.98.

At Belkin, customers based in the U.S. and Canada can take advantage of a store-wide Labor Day promo that is taking $10 off orders $50 or more; $25 off $100 or more; and $50 off $200 or more.

These discounts will be applied automatically at checkout and don’t require a specific promo code, and will last today through September 4. The only items excluded from the promo are Belkin’s Thunderbolt 3 Express Dock, and any Wemo and NetCam products.

Apps

There are a few notable applications on sale in the iOS App Store this week; here are a few worth checking out:

• Bumpy Road – $0.99, down from $2.99

• SPL-T – $0.99, down from $2.99

• Beat Sneak Bandit – $0.99, down from $2.99

• Year Walk – $0.99, down from $3.99

• Device 6 – $0.99, down from $3.99

• Beholder – $1.99, down from $4.99

• Lighten Brainstorming – $0.99, down from $2.99

• Typic – Free, down from $3.99

• 8mm Camera for iPad – Free, down from $1.99

• 8mm Camera for iPhone – Free, down from $1.99

• Clean Text – $0.99, down from $2.99

For more information on the best deals, be sure to check out the MacRumors Deals Roundup.

Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with some of these vendors.

Related Roundup: Apple Deals
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Review: Griffin Survivor Glass tempered glass screen protector for the Samsung Galaxy S8 Plus

One of the best, and the most noticeable, features of the Samsung Galaxy S8 Plus is the massive, 6.2-inch curved display. To my eyes, it’s the best display on the market and there’s no real competition for the crown. How Samsung managed to cram a screen that big into the phone is beyond amazing. But, when you’re shelling out over $900 at launch for such a device, you want to make sure it’s protected. Normally, that comes down to finding a nice case and screen protector, but the Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8 Plus are unique.

See, that curved edge display is incredibly hard to protect. Since the display curves, there’s a lot more surface area to protect and it’s very hard for companies to make curved tempered glass screen protectors. There are a ton of screen protectors on Amazon right now, but it’s hard to find any with good reviews, especially without spending an arm and a leg.

Griffin is a name that you might know. They’ve been around forever and make some excellent cases. Now, it’s trying its hand at curved screen protectors for the Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8 Plus. I was initially skeptical because this has been so hard for other companies to pull off, but I have to say that I’m pretty pleased with the Survivor Glass that Griffin sent over for us to review.

A friend picked up a tempered glass screen protector made by another company from a Verizon Wireless brick and mortar store at launch. He experienced what many others complained about, missed touches. This is a terrible issue with tempered glass screen protectors on curved displays because if you don’t get the screen protector dead on, it can leave gaps between the protector and the glass it’s protecting. Those gaps cause missed taps. There’s no adhesive in the middle of these screen protectors, they only hold onto the sides of the device so positioning is important. I’m happy to report that I’ve never had a missed touch due to the screen protector on my Galaxy S8 Plus.

The fit, for the most part, is pretty good. The Survivor Glass does NOT reach across the entire display, but it does get damn close. You will see clear-ish lines on your display while looking at it due to the end of the screen protector not reaching, but you get used to it quickly. I don’t even notice them anymore. If you’re the type of person who will not accept anything on your screen, then you’re probably not going to find a tempered glass screen protector for your Galaxy S8 or Galaxy S8 Plus.

The Griffin Survivor Glass stops before the top of the device

Since the Survivor Glass doesn’t reach all the way, you will be able to feel the edges of it. It doesn’t feel super sharp or thick, but you can definitely tell it’s there. Much like the lines, I didn’t mind it at all and found myself from running my thumb over the edge from time to time. A nasty side effect of the screen protector ending before the edge of the phone is that sometimes you’ll get hair or dust sticking to the side or slightly underneath the screen protector. It’s annoying but I’ve been able to get everything out from under it easily. It does feel messy though.

The display will also feel messy because this thing is a fingerprint magnet. I don’t know exactly what Griffin coats the Survivor Glass with, but it doesn’t do a great job of resisting finger grease and my phone looks noticeably worse with it on. It’s a quick wipe away from looking great again, but I hate that I have to do it so often.

I’ve tried several cases with the screen protector and since case manufacturers are generally hesitant to go much past the buttons on the side of the device, there have been no issues. If you’re going to grab a full coverage case like a Lifeproof case, there could be some conflicts but everything I’ve used from Caseology, Spigen, and Samsung has worked wonderfully.

The glass stops short of covering the entire display but works well with cases like this ultra thin case.

All in all, I love the Griffin Survivor Glass. I paid a lot of money for my Galaxy S8 Plus and I’d like to keep it for years and years. We all know that glass scratches even when we’re trying to baby phones so I’d much rather put a decently thin, clear glass screen protector on to protect it. While the screen protector isn’t perfect, it does the job as well as any other screen protector I’ve seen on the market today. I definitely recommend it.

You can pick up the Griffin Survivor Glass tempered glass screen protector for the Samsung Galaxy S8 on its website and Amazon and for the Samsung Galaxy S8 Plus on its website and Amazon.