Password manager face off – LastPass vs 1Password, who you got?
Using a password manager can be one of the most important steps you take in securing yourself online (and being “internet awesome”), but picking the right one for you isn’t always easy. To that end, we’ve pitted two of the most popular managers against one another in a battle to see which is better: LastPass vs. 1Password.
On the surface, there might not be too many differences between the two applications. They both offer solid password protection in the form of encrypted data entries and can help you generate long, secure, unique passwords for your various sites and services. However, when you get into the nitty-gritty of their usability and feature sets, there are a few noteworthy differences.
For more tips on how to stay safe and private online, check out our guide to online privacy.
Password protection
The most fundamental feature that every password manager needs to get right is, of course, protecting your passwords. Both LastPass and 1Password utilize a master password system to lock up all of your other login credentials in a strong, digital vault.
LastPass passwords are stored on its remote servers, but they are obfuscated using 256-bit AES encryption. Passwords are only encrypted and decrypted on the local machine, so there should be no way a man in the middle attack could compromise your login credentials. Although LastPass has been compromised at some points in the past, it’s been excellent at rebounding with improved features and tighter security.
To make sure that your master password (and others) are secure, LastPass employs a “Security Challenge” that looks at the complexity of your passwords, then lets you know whether they’re strong enough. If they’re not, you can use its built-in password generator to create replacements that are far harder for humans and machines to guess.
LastPass also offers multi-factor authentication using a number of potential options, including its own two-factor solution, and those provided by third parties like Google.
LastPass
In comparison, 1Password stores its password data locally and only copies it to the cloud for syncing across multiple devices. Just like LastPass, it encrypts all data before it leaves your PC with 256-bit AES encryption, so even if someone were to gain access to it, they wouldn’t be able to read it.
Along with a master password, 1Password utilizes a “secret key” which never leaves your login devices, and is required for logins. That holds some advantages over multi-factor authentication, though it does mean that 1Password does not have the option of hardware or software based, third-party authentication systems. It does offer fingerprint logins, for those who like to use biometrics to authenticate themselves.
1Password
1Password also helps you generate new passwords based on your own preferences, using combinations of words, digits and symbols with a customizable length.
In case you ever lose your login credentials, 1Password offers an “emergency kit” PDF file which you can store digitally or print off. It contains every credential you need to gain access to your account, so it’s best to store it somewhere very safe, but it provides a real-world backup should you forget your master password or other related login information.
Overall, both services do a fantastic job of keeping your passwords safe and making sure they’re complicated and secure. They differ in the way they do it, but we’d be hard-pressed to say one does a much better job than the other.
Winner: Draw
Features
Protecting your passwords is well and good, but in a battle of LastPass vs 1Password, what are their expanded feature sets like?
Both services support a variety of platforms, including Windows, Mac, iOS and Android, though LastPass has a slight edge with the addition of watchOS and Linux support. LastPass also takes the lead in browser plugin support, with Microsoft Edge added to their shared support list of Chrome, Internet Explorer, Firefox and Safari.
LastPass and 1Password also both support the storage of secure documents up to a certain file size limit. Both services can store bank details, credit card credentials, and addresses.
When it comes to sharing passwords with friends and family, both services make it easy to accomplish. 1Password offers a unique, family URL for you to give different people access to your vault, while LastPass offers a specifically crafted sharing folder just for those family-friendly logins.
1Password
1Password’s Watchtower feature is one that often sets it apart from the competition. It keeps an eye on websites that have been hacked, and if you have an account on them, it will let you know you need to change your password. LastPass offers something similar, but it’s not quite as accessible as it’s only available within the “Security Challenge” tool.
LastPass’s solution, however, does warn you of reused passwords, as well as any you have stored which it considers weak, prompting you to use the best personal security practices.
In terms of applications, LastPass doesn’t have a Windows one, though its extension vault system acts much like one. It also has mobile applications for iOS and Android platforms. 1Password has the same mobile application availability, but also offers a downloadable password vault.
Winner: Draw
Ease of use
An intuitive, clean user interface is paramount for any application, password managers included. Although it is somewhat more subjective than the other categories in this comparison, it’s still an important consideration to make.
We found 1Password’s interface almost too clean, with large, white spaces in both its online and offline tools, which leave you clicking through successive menus to find what you’re looking for while you’re still learning how it works. Everything is laid out neatly, but it’s not immediately obvious where everything is.
LastPass
Although its login system is detailed, requiring an account URL, email, master password and secret key to access your account, that system isn’t as easy to get to grips with as more standard logins. While security is understandably paramount with such software, we found the login a little confusing to start with.
LastPass, on the other hand, was a breeze. Its extension-focused platform, clear, color-coded menu system, and use of more common multi-factor authentication devices meant we felt immediately more at home using it than 1Password.
Winner: LastPass
Pricing
1Password offers a 30-day free trial for its services, but no permanent free solution. If you want long-term password storage and security with 1Password, you need to pay $3 a month for a personal account, paid annually. That gets you a single login for unlimited devices, with access to the apps and web-app, a gigabyte of secure document storage, and 365-day item recovery.
For a more expanded account, the 1Password family option is priced at $5 a month and gives you similar capabilities, but up to five different logins — additional ones can be had for $1 a month each. You get everything in the personal account, as well as password sharing, permission control, and an account recovery system.
1Password
LastPass, on the other hand, does have a permanent free account system which gives you password storage for one user, access to its online extension, multi-factor authentication, and its secure notes storage.
If you don’t mind paying, there is the $2 a month premium version, which adds password sharing, emergency access, priority with tech support and a gigabyte of encrypted file storage. Teams of five or more are $2.42 per user per month with personal vaults for each, while an “Enterprise” solution offers dedicated customer support, and advanced reporting for $4 per user per month. Each paid solution is billed annually.
LastPass
Although 1Password is the more affordable version for families, most password manager users are going to benefit from the expansive free version of LastPass, and its more affordable starting price point.
Winner: LastPass
Conclusion
Although they offer similar packages overall, the way LastPass and 1Password do things is different enough that we can pick one overall winner. For its comparable feature set, ease of use, and pricing, we have to give the nod to LastPass. We found it more intuitive to navigate and preferred its interface.
We’re also big fans of its support for multi-factor authentication. Although we can appreciate 1Password trying to do things differently with its secret key, we feel that multi-factor logins are a more secure way of protecting your digital data.
If you just want to pick one and get started, LastPass is our firm recommendation.
Overall winner: LastPass
If neither of these solutions quite tick all of your boxes, don’t fret. They aren’t the only games in town. For a look at some of the other, best password managers available, check out our guide.
Password manager face off – LastPass vs 1Password, who you got?
Using a password manager can be one of the most important steps you take in securing yourself online (and being “internet awesome”), but picking the right one for you isn’t always easy. To that end, we’ve pitted two of the most popular managers against one another in a battle to see which is better: LastPass vs. 1Password.
On the surface, there might not be too many differences between the two applications. They both offer solid password protection in the form of encrypted data entries and can help you generate long, secure, unique passwords for your various sites and services. However, when you get into the nitty-gritty of their usability and feature sets, there are a few noteworthy differences.
For more tips on how to stay safe and private online, check out our guide to online privacy.
Password protection
The most fundamental feature that every password manager needs to get right is, of course, protecting your passwords. Both LastPass and 1Password utilize a master password system to lock up all of your other login credentials in a strong, digital vault.
LastPass passwords are stored on its remote servers, but they are obfuscated using 256-bit AES encryption. Passwords are only encrypted and decrypted on the local machine, so there should be no way a man in the middle attack could compromise your login credentials. Although LastPass has been compromised at some points in the past, it’s been excellent at rebounding with improved features and tighter security.
To make sure that your master password (and others) are secure, LastPass employs a “Security Challenge” that looks at the complexity of your passwords, then lets you know whether they’re strong enough. If they’re not, you can use its built-in password generator to create replacements that are far harder for humans and machines to guess.
LastPass also offers multi-factor authentication using a number of potential options, including its own two-factor solution, and those provided by third parties like Google.
LastPass
In comparison, 1Password stores its password data locally and only copies it to the cloud for syncing across multiple devices. Just like LastPass, it encrypts all data before it leaves your PC with 256-bit AES encryption, so even if someone were to gain access to it, they wouldn’t be able to read it.
Along with a master password, 1Password utilizes a “secret key” which never leaves your login devices, and is required for logins. That holds some advantages over multi-factor authentication, though it does mean that 1Password does not have the option of hardware or software based, third-party authentication systems. It does offer fingerprint logins, for those who like to use biometrics to authenticate themselves.
1Password
1Password also helps you generate new passwords based on your own preferences, using combinations of words, digits and symbols with a customizable length.
In case you ever lose your login credentials, 1Password offers an “emergency kit” PDF file which you can store digitally or print off. It contains every credential you need to gain access to your account, so it’s best to store it somewhere very safe, but it provides a real-world backup should you forget your master password or other related login information.
Overall, both services do a fantastic job of keeping your passwords safe and making sure they’re complicated and secure. They differ in the way they do it, but we’d be hard-pressed to say one does a much better job than the other.
Winner: Draw
Features
Protecting your passwords is well and good, but in a battle of LastPass vs 1Password, what are their expanded feature sets like?
Both services support a variety of platforms, including Windows, Mac, iOS and Android, though LastPass has a slight edge with the addition of watchOS and Linux support. LastPass also takes the lead in browser plugin support, with Microsoft Edge added to their shared support list of Chrome, Internet Explorer, Firefox and Safari.
LastPass and 1Password also both support the storage of secure documents up to a certain file size limit. Both services can store bank details, credit card credentials, and addresses.
When it comes to sharing passwords with friends and family, both services make it easy to accomplish. 1Password offers a unique, family URL for you to give different people access to your vault, while LastPass offers a specifically crafted sharing folder just for those family-friendly logins.
1Password
1Password’s Watchtower feature is one that often sets it apart from the competition. It keeps an eye on websites that have been hacked, and if you have an account on them, it will let you know you need to change your password. LastPass offers something similar, but it’s not quite as accessible as it’s only available within the “Security Challenge” tool.
LastPass’s solution, however, does warn you of reused passwords, as well as any you have stored which it considers weak, prompting you to use the best personal security practices.
In terms of applications, LastPass doesn’t have a Windows one, though its extension vault system acts much like one. It also has mobile applications for iOS and Android platforms. 1Password has the same mobile application availability, but also offers a downloadable password vault.
Winner: Draw
Ease of use
An intuitive, clean user interface is paramount for any application, password managers included. Although it is somewhat more subjective than the other categories in this comparison, it’s still an important consideration to make.
We found 1Password’s interface almost too clean, with large, white spaces in both its online and offline tools, which leave you clicking through successive menus to find what you’re looking for while you’re still learning how it works. Everything is laid out neatly, but it’s not immediately obvious where everything is.
LastPass
Although its login system is detailed, requiring an account URL, email, master password and secret key to access your account, that system isn’t as easy to get to grips with as more standard logins. While security is understandably paramount with such software, we found the login a little confusing to start with.
LastPass, on the other hand, was a breeze. Its extension-focused platform, clear, color-coded menu system, and use of more common multi-factor authentication devices meant we felt immediately more at home using it than 1Password.
Winner: LastPass
Pricing
1Password offers a 30-day free trial for its services, but no permanent free solution. If you want long-term password storage and security with 1Password, you need to pay $3 a month for a personal account, paid annually. That gets you a single login for unlimited devices, with access to the apps and web-app, a gigabyte of secure document storage, and 365-day item recovery.
For a more expanded account, the 1Password family option is priced at $5 a month and gives you similar capabilities, but up to five different logins — additional ones can be had for $1 a month each. You get everything in the personal account, as well as password sharing, permission control, and an account recovery system.
1Password
LastPass, on the other hand, does have a permanent free account system which gives you password storage for one user, access to its online extension, multi-factor authentication, and its secure notes storage.
If you don’t mind paying, there is the $2 a month premium version, which adds password sharing, emergency access, priority with tech support and a gigabyte of encrypted file storage. Teams of five or more are $2.42 per user per month with personal vaults for each, while an “Enterprise” solution offers dedicated customer support, and advanced reporting for $4 per user per month. Each paid solution is billed annually.
LastPass
Although 1Password is the more affordable version for families, most password manager users are going to benefit from the expansive free version of LastPass, and its more affordable starting price point.
Winner: LastPass
Conclusion
Although they offer similar packages overall, the way LastPass and 1Password do things is different enough that we can pick one overall winner. For its comparable feature set, ease of use, and pricing, we have to give the nod to LastPass. We found it more intuitive to navigate and preferred its interface.
We’re also big fans of its support for multi-factor authentication. Although we can appreciate 1Password trying to do things differently with its secret key, we feel that multi-factor logins are a more secure way of protecting your digital data.
If you just want to pick one and get started, LastPass is our firm recommendation.
Overall winner: LastPass
If neither of these solutions quite tick all of your boxes, don’t fret. They aren’t the only games in town. For a look at some of the other, best password managers available, check out our guide.
Microsoft gives hourlong look inside Surface development at Ignite conference
Why it matters to you
This presentation from the Ignite conference demonstrates the ethos that has allowed the Surface line to prosper, while previous Microsoft hardware hasn’t take off.
Microsoft’s Surface line has been one of the company’s biggest successes in recent years, carving out a niche in the PC hardware market with far greater success than any of its previous efforts. At this week’s Ignite conference, attendees were given a glimpse into the building where all the magic happens.
Delivering a keynote at the conference, Director of Program Management Tim Golik offered up some fascinating insight into how the Surface team works in Building 87 on Microsoft’s Redmond, Washington campus. The talk covered its focus on innovation, as well as its preferred techniques for design and prototyping.
Golik played up the “unique” aspects of the Surface line, from its bespoke 3:2 displays to its system-wide compatibility with the Surface Pen peripheral. “We’re pushing these things,” he explained, referring to the way that the Pen has been implemented across Windows 10, after being something of a passion project for the Surface group in the very beginning.
As well as an exploration of the ethos behind the design of Surface products, the talk honed in on the culture that was established among the team. Golik characterizes the group as being comprised of small teams of designers, engineers, and user researchers, who combine their skills to try and come up with something genuinely new and useful.
“Everything we do, it starts with something physical,” Golik said. “We have a lab on campus, it’s called Building 87. It’s an amazing space, to be an engineer. This is where a lot of it starts.” These comments introduced a video about the facility, which made it look like a hub of activity and collaborative work.
The presentation concluded with a look at the latest addition to the Surface line, the Surface Pro LTE. This device was announced in May, per a report from MS Power User, but since then Microsoft has remained fairly quiet on the system. Now, the Ignite conference has offered up confirmation that the LTE model will be available beginning December 1.
As for what is next for the Surface line, Panos Panay is scheduled to make an address at the Future Decoded event in London next month.
Google and Snapchat team up on geofilter coding contest for teens
Snapchat is teaming up with Google’s Made With Code initiative to try and encourage teenagers to get into computer science. Teens aged 13 – 18 can build a Snapchat geofilter with Google’s Blockly coding system for kids, then submit it to win a trip to the TEDWomen conference in New Orleans and mentoring sessions from Google and Snapchat engineers to create a Lens, an augmented reality filter for your photos. The five finalists’ Lenses will be judged at the conference for a chance to go live in the Snapchat app, along with a trip to Los Angeles for a private tour of the Snap, Inc. and Google offices.
“With this contest, Made with Code and Snap will help teens nationwide see that the things they love, like Snapchat, are made with code,” writes Google’s Elizabeth Reid in a blog post. “Teens are already Snapping. Let’s get them coding, too.” The idea here is to get teens creating, not just consuming, the apps and services they use every day. The contest, dubbed #MyFutureMe, will be judged by a host of tech heavy-hitters, including Google’s CFO Ruth Porat, Snap CEO Evan Spiegel, activist Malala Yousafzai and NASA astronaut Dr. Yvonne Cagle.
Entries must be submitted by October 8th; Snap Inc. will notify finalists during the week of October 16th.
Source: Google
Watch us play ‘Guild Wars 2: Path of Fire’ at 3 p.m Pacific
Guild Wars 2, the MMO from Arena.net, launched its second major expansion, Path of Fire, on September 22. It includes a major expansion to the game’s zones, and new campaign story, new mastery points for end-game character progression and, for the first time in the game’s history, mounts.
Mounts might seem like old news, given that almost every MMO has them, but Arena.net had very specific goals when it implemented them in Guild Wars 2: Path of Fire. There are several different types of mounts, and each of them have a different, unique set of abilities.
Don’t just take our word for it, though. Come check out our livestream of the game at 3 p.m. Pacific, 6 p.m. Eastern. We’ll be looking into the new expansion, as well as talking about how it stacks up to other major, recent MMO expansions, such as Blizzard’s World of Warcraft: Legion, and Final Fantasy 14.
Low light? No problem — Smart new drone camera can see in the dark
Why it matters to you
Bright light? Low light? This new camera helps drones fly autonomously no matter what the lighting.
For a drone to navigate autonomously requires it to have an extremely good sense of its own location. That’s especially tricky indoors, where GPS — the technology used by all commercial drones — doesn’t work. One way around this is to use onboard sensors, such as lasers or cameras. However, lasers are expensive and consume a lot of power, while cameras also have limitations in low-light situations. In such low-light scenarios, drone motion has to be slowed or else the image will blur.
So what’s the answer? According to researchers at the University of Zurich, the solution lies in their specially developed high tech “event camera,” which works very differently to regular cameras.
“Instead of capturing the light of the scene, an event camera only records changes in brightness for each pixel, ensuring perfectly sharp vision even during fast motion or in low-light environments,” Professor Davide Scaramuzza, director of the University of Zurich’s Robotics and Perception Group, told Digital Trends. “This means that if you point an event camera at a scene that is not moving, it won’t show you anything at all. But as soon as the camera detects motion — for example, if you move the camera — it will show you just that motion on a per-pixel basis and at a very high refresh rate.”
Because the camera looks for pixel changes, it is very sensitive in low-light settings, and also avoids getting confused in extreme bright light. In short, it means that a drone equipped with this camera sensor can navigate in extreme light conditions where others would fail. “Our tests so far have been very successful,” Scaramuzza continued. “We have demonstrated that we can continue to fly even after the light has been completely switched off in a room. In the same situation, a drone using a conventional camera would crash.”
At present, Scaramuzza said the research lab is speaking with drone companies about the possibility of commercializing the technology. To reach this point will mean additional testing — particularly outdoors in places where the drone will have to deal with rapid transitions between bright sunlight and shadow, which are also challenging for regular camera-equipped drones to negotiate.
A paper describing the work has been submitted to the journal IEEE Robotics and Automation Letters.
Amazon announces second-gen Echo with better audio, new design, and lower price
Amazon just revealed its second-generation Amazon Echo with newer, better sound and a whole new design.
At a surprise press event on Wednesday Amazon revealed a new and improved Amazon Echo smart speaker. The device features an upgraded audio system and an updated design.
See at Amazon
The second-generation Echo touts immersive sound thanks to an all-new speaker architecture that packs in Dolby processing, a dedicated tweeter, and a 2.5-inch down-firing woofer. It also has Amazon’s second-generation far-field technology, which means it’s going to get a lot better at understanding you. Here’s what Amazon says about the new voice technology:
The new Echo uses Amazon’s second generation far-field technology, which features better wake word processing, improved beamforming technology, and enhanced noise cancellation. The Echo far-field technology works to detect the wake word from across the room even in the noisiest parts of your home.
Interestingly, the shorter, wider device also features interchangeable “shells” in six different finishes — charcoal fabric, heather gray fabric, oak, sandstone fabric, silver, and walnut — so you can choose a design that best fits with your decor. This is similar to the Google Home, which also features removable bottom covers that change the look of the speaker.
Alexa, Amazon’s intelligent voice assistant, is also getting a couple updates that’ll make having an Echo all the more irresistible:
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Alexa Routines: Routines combine a series of actions into a single voice command. You can, for example, say, “Alexa, good morning!” and your Echo will turn on your bedroom lights, raise the blinds, turn on the TV, and raise the thermostat temperature. Essentially, routines are a way to combine Alexa’s smart home integrations into one simple action so you’re not forced to bark out a bunch of individual commands for the lights, blinds, TV, and thermostat. Amazon says you can also schedule routines:
You can also create Routines based on the time of day – for example, you can create a Routine that has Alexa turn on the kitchen lights, start the coffee maker, and read the weather forecast at 6 a.m. every weekday and at 9 a.m. every Saturday and Sunday.
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Improved smart home groups: Trying to tell your Echo to turn on the overhead light in the kitchen when the device is in the kitchen can be a little annoying. You’d think you could just ask it to turn on the lights. With improved smart home groups, you can!
Now you can place your Echo and smart devices into smart home groups, which enables Alexa to act intelligently on your request, making your interactions with your smart home more natural and effortless. For example, when you walk into the kitchen, you can now say to your Echo “Alexa, turn on the lights” rather than “Alexa, turn on the kitchen overhead lamp.”
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Call anyone with Alexa: Amazon’s Alexa calling and messaging service, which lets you call or message others with Alexa-enabled devices, is getting an update. Now you can call phone numbers in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico for free. Calls to 911 are not supported.
Just say “Alexa, call Mary’s mobile,” and Alexa will call Mary’s mobile phone from your smartphone’s contact list. Alexa can also dial phone numbers that you speak to her so that you can reach people or businesses that aren’t in your contacts.
The new Echo goes on sale today starting at $99.99 and will start shipping out to customers next month. Amazon says it’ll also be selling a three pack of second-generation Echos with a $50 discount.
See at Amazon
Amazon Echo
- Tap, Echo or Dot: The ultimate Alexa question
- All about Alexa Skills
- Amazon Echo review
- Echo Dot review
- Top Echo Tips & Tricks
- Amazon Echo vs. Google Home
- Get the latest Alexa news
See at Amazon
Best Bands for the Samsung Gear Fit 2
Update the look of your Gear Fit 2 with these stylish band options!
The Samsung Gear Fit 2 is a pretty good fitness band that includes a feature typically found on smartwatches: the ability to swap out the 22mm bands for other colors or styles.
If you prefer to wear yours 24/7, having a couple extra bands can help you accessorize your Gear Fit 2, whether you’re attending a formal affair or just like to spice things up with a fresh splash of color. There’s a number of great, affordable options out there, so let’s dive in!
- MoKo Soft Silicone Replacement Sport Bands
- Moretek Fit 2 Wrist Straps
- V-Moro Metal Replacement bands
- Maxjoy Metal Replacement Straps
- MDW Security Clasps
MoKo Soft Silicone Replacement Sports Bands
MoKo offers a wide range of color options of their silicone straps for the Gear Fit 2. Each strap is adjustable to fit small or large wrists (4.96″ – 8.38″) via the same style of metal plug used on the strap that came with the Gear Fit 2. Bands can be swapped in and out quickly with the one-button quick release for locking the watch band, making it convenient to have a fresh strap to swap out after a sweaty workout. With a price of only $10 compared to Samsung’s stock replacement for the black, you can economically afford to get a couple of these in your favorite colors, then keep them in a bit of a rotation so your wrist always feeling fresh and looking fine.
See styles at Amazon
Moretek Fit 2 Wrist Straps
Moretek offers two different style of wristbands for the Gear Fit 2: a more traditional strap available in 12 different color and pattern options and a rugged strap (pictured) that offers impact protection for your tracker’s watch face. Everything is made of a skin-friendly silicone material and held on your wrist with a traditional watch strap buckle. The rugged bands are definitely going to add some bulk to your wrist, but whether you’re playing a high-impact sport or simply prone to banging it against doorways, that extra protection might save you from incidental damage.
See styles at Amazon
V-Moro Metal Replacement bands
If you’re after a metal strap option for a more stylish look, V-Moro has you covered with two distinct styles — a classic metal link band and a Milanese loop band featuring a magnetic clasp. Both styles are available in silver or black, with the Milanese band (pictured) sold in small and large sizes, so choose accordingly.
The metal band includes a tool for adding and removing links for adjusting sizes. Both are great for incorporating your Gear Fit 2 as an accessory in a professional wardrobe. V-Moro also offers a medium-sized silicone strap on the same Amazon listing. In stark contrast to the stylish metal offerings, these are extremely utilitarian and offer that “classic” fitness tracker look, with five colorful options to choose for.
See styles at Amazon
Maxjoy Metal Replacement Straps
Not everyone digs the rubber strap look. While it might be ideal for getting sweaty in the gym, if you’re planning to wear your Gear Fit 2 out on the town you might be after a bit more of a classy look.
Maxjoy has a line of stylish metal replacement straps for your Gear Fit 2 that included Milanese loop bands as well as metal link bands made of high-quality stainless steel. The Milanese bands are available in black, silver, and rose gold for just $17, or choose between a black or silver metal link band for just $20. All bands are backed by a 100% satisfaction guarantee and a 12-month warranty which means you can buy with confidence.
See at Amazon
MDW Security Clasps
Not digging the band recommendations above? We get it. Frankly, it’s quite alright to love the band that came with your Gear Fit 2. However, there have been reports of bands coming unclasped or otherwise falling off people’s wrists. Maybe this has happened to you.
Allow us to share this recommendation from the comments. You can get a 7-pack of these colorful security clasps that fit over the band and ensures your band never pops off. They should offer the extra protection from your Fit 2 falling off your wrist while also letting you add a splash of color.
See at Amazon
How do you accessorize your Gear Fit 2?
Are you a band swapper? What’s your favorite style for your Gear Fit 2? Let us know in the comments!
Update September 2017: Added some handy clasps for those who are happy with the stock bands but want a bit of added wrist security.
Amazon’s new Echo Connect brings landline phone calls to your Echo
A device that plugs into your standard phone jack (given that you still have one of those) and turns your Echo into a landline speakerphone.
At Amazon’s surprise press event on Wednesday, the company revealed a new addition to the Echo family: a call-centric device dubbed the Echo Connect.
On one side, the Connect plugs directly into your landline phone jack. On the other, it connects to your Echo device. This will allow you to call numbers, including 911, through your home phone number with a simple voice command to Alexa. It will be compatible with all current Echo devices, so if you already have one you won’t need to scramble to buy the new model — unless you want to, of course.
This approach of using separate hardware to manage phone calls looks surprisingly less elegant than Google’s software implementation on the Google Home, but also has a draw for those who still rely on a landline and want the security of knowing this is using that same system.
The Echo Connect is available for preorder now and will ship on December 13. Considering that it’s effectively an accessory for an Echo, the Connect will set you back just $35.
See at Amazon
Amazon Echo
- Tap, Echo or Dot: The ultimate Alexa question
- All about Alexa Skills
- Amazon Echo review
- Echo Dot review
- Top Echo Tips & Tricks
- Amazon Echo vs. Google Home
- Get the latest Alexa news
See at Amazon
Amazon announces $20 Echo Buttons for gaming with Echo
Amazon just revealed a new Echo accessory: a pair of buttons that can be used for gaming with the Amazon Echo.
At a surprise press event on Wednesday Amazon revealed the Echo Button, a light-up, bluetooth-connected accessory that pairs with the company’s Amazon Echo smart speaker.
Image credit: JP Mangalindan
You can think of them as buzzers used in a game show — whether you’re playing a trivia game, Jeopardy!, or another game that requires you buzzing in to beat out your opponents, these buttons will add an extra element of fun to the Echo’s gaming skills. Amazon says Echo Buttons will come in a two-pack that’ll run you $20.
BuzzFeed products and personal technology reporter Nicole Nguyen captured a video of a trivia game using some Echo Buttons.
Echo Button trivia pic.twitter.com/utGVJhrzeg
— Nicole Nguyen (@itsnicolenguyen) September 27, 2017
Amazon says Echo Buttons will be available later this year. Keep your eye on Amazon’s Echo page so you can be the first to grab these fun new buttons when they’re available!
See at Amazon
Amazon Echo
- Tap, Echo or Dot: The ultimate Alexa question
- All about Alexa Skills
- Amazon Echo review
- Echo Dot review
- Top Echo Tips & Tricks
- Amazon Echo vs. Google Home
- Get the latest Alexa news
See at Amazon
AIVAnet 