Philo live TV streaming service gets you 37 channels for $16/month

As long as you don’t care about sports, Philo just might be the live TV service you’ve been looking for.

Ever since Sling TV was first announced in January of 2015, Internet-based television streaming services have been steadily increasing in popularity. While Sling’s been expanding its features and content library, we’ve also seen competitors in the form of YouTube TV, Hulu Live TV, PlayStation Vue, and DirecTV Now.

To go along with all of the current options out there, we now have a new contender in the form of Philo. Philo was founded by Facebook co-founder Andrew McCollum, and based on your TV-watching habits, it might be the best deal in this industry that we’ve seen yet.

Sports fans need not apply.

If you’re someone that’s a big sports fan, Philo isn’t going to be for you. Unlike all of the other streaming options out there, you won’t find channels for watching any of the games – big or small. Instead, Philo’s main focus is on just about everything else.

Philo has two main plans that you can choose from, with the $16/month option granting you access to 37 channels and the $20/month one bumping the count up to 46. You can check out the full lineup below, but some of the highlights here include AMC, Animal Planet, BBC America, Comedy Central, Discovery, Food Network, HGTV, Nick, Sundance TV, History, TCL, and plenty more. If you upgrade to the 46 channel package, you’ll get access to the likes of Cooking Channel, Discovery Family, Logo, and a few others.

No matter which plan you choose, you can stream in HD quality on up to three different devices at once and have access to a cloud DVR and on-demand titles. There’s currently support for Roku, iOS, Android via the Chrome browser, and streaming on your desktop. A proper Android app will be coming soon, as will additional channels.

I’ve been using Philo for a few hours now, and I’m already impressed. For someone that doesn’t care about sports, only paying $16/month for this variety of channels with support for DVR and on-demand shows is fantastic. Sling TV was previously the cheapest option out there, but trying to match Philo’s offerings with it would cost you around $30 to $35/month.

Philo’s still in its early days and is going up against a lot of stiff competition, but at least in my eyes, the service is already positioned to do exceedingly well.

See at Philo

The Jaybird X2 Bluetooth headphones are down to $45 refurbished

These headphones are great for working out because they’re designed to be sweat-proof and fit securely.

The Jaybird X2 Bluetooth headphones are down to $44.99 with code THRFTR5 at Daily Steals. These headphones are refurbished, but the next best prices on refurbished sets are $55 at TechRabbit and $77 at Amazon.

New versions sell up to $179 in most places.

If you want new you should go with the newer model Jaybird X3, which are down to $100 from a street price of $130.

Features of the X2 include:

• Secure Fit offers hours of no-slip comfort
• Super-Capacity Battery HD Technology for 8 hours of music
• SignalPlus technology keeps your music skip-free
• Full in-line remote control for call management
• Compatible with all Bluetooth enabled devices
• Compact and sweat-proof design

These headphones are covered by a one-year warranty from Jaybird, and Daily Steals has a 30-day return policy.

See at Daily Steals

Design sublime subway lines in Mini Metro [Retro review]

Mini Metro is a sublime subway simulator that you’ll fall in love with!

I’ve only ever ridden the metro a handful of times in my life, and each time in a new city I’m visiting for the first time. This means I’ve spent a considerable time staring at colorful subway maps with subway intersecting at stations across the city. My hometown doesn’t have a public metro so I’ve always appreciated the simplicity and order of a well-designed subway and all the careful planning that must have occurred to design such crucial infrastructure in a sprawling metropolis.

Play Mini Metro for FreeGAMESTASH

Overly sentimental? Perhaps. But those warm fuzzies have only grown stronger after spending time with Mini Metro, a brilliant mobile game that’s part subway simulator and part puzzle game that tasks you with designing and operating your own metro system by draw lines between stations and managing trains.

Just like the maps the game is based on, the design of Mini Metro is clean and simple. You have the option of playing an endless game with a randomly generated map or play with a map based on a real-world city. Whichever you choose, you start out with three stations represented by shapes and three available subway lines. You connect two stations by drawing a line between them. Once the connections are made passengers start queuing up at each station, represented by smaller shapes showing which station they’re trying to get to.

As time progresses in the game, new stations will pop up or change their symbol, forcing you to draw them into an existing subway line or start a new line. Just when you think you’ve got everything running smoothly, a new station may pop up that requires you to completely overhaul a section of your system.

Each phase of the game is played over the course of a week, which is tracked in the top-right corner. At the end of each week, you’re given a new train along with your choice of upgrades which can include more tunnels for crossing waterways, an additional carriage for a train, a new metro line, or expanding the capacity and transfer speed of a station. Which upgrade you choose will depend on your strategy for expansion and your immediate needs for servicing your lines.

The trick is to make sure that your system is efficient enough to get everyone where they need to go. There’s no limit to the number of lines that can intersect at a single station, however, if a station becomes overcrowded for too long it’s game over.

This is one of those games that you can easily fall into a trance while playing, partially due to the subtle soundtrack which is created in-game as your trains travel and new passengers pop up. It’s a really nice touch that rounds out the experience.

There’s a surprising amount of depth to the game, and once you start playing it can be quite hard to stop. It’s a real shame that Mini Metro was largely overlooked by the Android masses. Originally released for iOS, it was nominated for a number of awards, yet one year on from its release for Android and Mini Metro has yet to crack one million downloads. Part of that could be its pricy entry point, but if there was ever a mobile game worth spending $5 on it’s Mini Metro.

It’s a game perfectly designed to play on your daily commute or anytime you need to take a relaxing break from work.

Play: Mini Metro (free) with GameStash

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Sprint Unlimited Freedom subscribers will now get Hulu included for free

The promotion officially begins on November 17.

There are a lot of trends that take place with wireless carriers, and one that we’ve been seeing this year is the move to include a streaming service for free with unlimited plans. AT&T jump-started this theme in April by including HBO with its plans, T-Mobile followed suit with its Netflix deal in September, and now Sprint has announced that its Unlimited Freedom subscribers will be able to get Hulu at no extra cost.

Unlimited Freedom through Sprint will set you back $60/month for one line, $40/month more for the second line, and then your third, fourth, and fifth lines are all free. You’ll get access to 1080p HD video streaming and 10GB of hotspot data per line, and starting November 17, you’ll be able to bundle Hulu with it.

Similar to how T-Mobile includes the Standard plan with its Netflix promo, Sprint customers will get access to the base Hulu plan with limited commercials that typically costs $7.99/month.

Once November 17 rolls around, you’ll be able to head to Sprint’s website and enroll yourself in the promotion.

With that out of the way, we’re just waiting on you, Verizon.

Unpacking the doomed T-Mobile / Sprint merger

Join us for the OnePlus 5T launch event: Live Nov. 16 at 11:00 a.m. ET!

Come see the latest from OnePlus.

OnePlus has fallen into a groove with its phone releases, and for the second time in a row it’s releasing a mid-cycle refresh of its flagship phone. It’s the OnePlus 5T this time, but unlike the OnePlus 3T this refresh is shaping up to bring external changes rather than just an internal component jump.

In a change of pace for OnePlus, it’s actually holding a full-on launch event as well, rather than rolling things out with an online-only announcement followed by a handful of pop-up shops. That means that the Android Central team will be there on the ground to see everything that OnePlus has to show.

To see it all happen in real time, be sure to join us right here for the event — it all kicks off on Thursday November 16 at 11:00 a.m. ET!

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Polaroid Insta-Share Printer Moto Mod available November 17 for $199

Meshing new and old tech into one package.

Back in October, an image of Polaroid’s Insta-Share Printer Moto Mod leaked as one of the newest additions to the Moto Z series’ continuously growing collection of accessories. Motorola has now officially taken the wraps off of the Mod and announced pricing and availability details.

Like the name suggests, the Polaroid Insta-Share Printer will attach to the back of your Moto Z device and allow you to print off any photos you take with your phone’s camera wherever you are. Once the Moto Mod is attached, press the circular button to launch the camera app, snap a photo, and print it off within a matter of seconds.

In addition to printing off pictures as soon as you take them, you can also use the Insta-Share Printer to print physical copies of photos from Google Photos, Twitter, and Facebook.

You can add filters, borders, and text to your photos before printing them off, and the Mod is compatible with Polaroid’s Premium ZINK Zero-Ink Paper that measures in at a size of 2 x 3-inches.

You’ll be able to purchase the Polaroid Insta-Share Printer Moto Mod in the U.S. starting on November 17 from Verizon and Motorola’s website, with sales expanding to Best Buy, B&H, Fry’s, and NewEgg on December 13. No matter where you buy the Mod, you’ll pay $199.99.

See at Motorola

Best Accessories for the BlackBerry KEYone

What are the best accessories for the BlackBerry KEYone?

The physical keyboard is back, baby! The BlackBerry KEYone was a surprising return to form for BlackBerry Mobile in 2017. It’s a unique phone that you’ll want to enhance and keep protected with the right accessories.

Here are the best accessories for the BlackBerry KEYone.

• BlackBerry KEYone Pocket Sleeve
• BlackBerry KEYone Flip Case
• Incipio DualPro KEYone Case
• Amzer BlackBerry KEYone Soft Gel Back Cover [2-pack]
• Lexar Professional 1000x microSDXC
• Feitenn KEYone Tempered Glass Screen Protector
• Spigen Style Ring

BlackBerry KEYone Pocket Sleeve

For those who don’t like the idea of covering the KEYone’s design in a case, BlackBerry offers the elegant pocket sleeve for your phone to keep your phone protected and accessible while you’re on the go.

Always a popular option with the BlackBerry crowds, this pocket case features a matte leather finish for a premium look and feel with a window cut out near the top of the screen so you can see the time, date, and your phone notifications at a glance and keep talking the phone is protected. It also features a built-in card slot for storing your ID, credit card or some emergency cash. Get yours for just $32.56.

See at Amazon

BlackBerry KEYone Flip Case

Made by TCL Communication, the BlackBerry Flip Case is a precise accessory for your KEYone. The soft TPU cover secures itself via magnets to the back of the rigid shell when open and features a window so you can see the time and date and your notifications.

The power button on the left edge of the phone is covered but still functional through the soft cover material, and the Convenience key and volume controls are left open on the right. It’s an elegant and professional case solution that matches the design of the KEYone perfectly and is yours for $39 on Amazon.

See at Amazon

Incipio DualPro KEYone Case

Incipio offers its rugged line of DualPro cases for all the top phones including the KEYone. This case offers two layers of defense against nasty drops and other wear and tear, with a soft TPU inner core and an outer shell made of rigid polycarbonate.

Available in three color options, this opaque case will cover up the unique metal accents around the body of the phone, but it does preserve the overall design of the phone. The lip around the front offers protection for the screen and keyboard while the camera cutout offers ample protection as well. With a soft touch finish, this case will feel nice in your hand while keeping your KEYone protected. Get it for $29.99 from Amazon.

See at Amazon

Amzer BlackBerry KEYone Soft Gel Back Cover [2-pack]

Do you struggle with picking between a clear case and a classic black case? Why choose?

Amzer’s cases have emerged as a fan favorite amongst KEYone users. It’s a slim one-piece case that’s made of soft TPU which is great for absorbing the shock of a drop or impact. But it’s the attention to detail that folks love the most — the precise design that includes cutouts around the edge of the keyboard. There’s also a raised bezel around the screen so you can put your phone face down on a table without worrying about scratches.

You can get the black and clear cases separately for just $10, or get ’em both with this two-pack for just $19.99, because it’s always nice to swap between case styles, right?

See at Amazon

Lexar Professional 1000x microSDXC

This card was specifically recommended by VictorRight in the CrackBerry KEYone forums and receives top marks for being one of the fastest cards you’ll find. It uses UHS-II speeds for reads and writes which means you’ll see no slowdown using the card with your KEYone.

There are four sizes available — the 64GB is your best value at around $50. You can go BIG with a 256GB card, but you’ll also pay $260, basically a dollar per GB.

See at Amazon

Feitenn KEYone Tempered Glass Screen Protector

A screen protector is an essential accessory for some because — let’s face it — accidents happen and screens break. A tempered glass screen protector is your best bet to take the full brunt of a nasty drop so your KEYone doesn’t.

Looking through the CrackBerry KEYone forums, there’s been some debate over which screen protector is best, but we’ll recommend this curved tempered glass screen protector by Feitenn. It features a black border around the edge of the screen as well as the home navigation buttons which can be used for lining things up during installation.

Reviews have been somewhat mixed, and your experience will likely depend on getting a perfect installation the first time. Get some peace of mind for just $10 from Amazon.

See at Amazon

Spigen Style Ring

The Spigen Style ring is popular accessory around these parts. I gave it high marks in my review and of course CrackBerry Kevin is a huge fan. It easily attaches to the back of the phone or your case and will ensure that you never drop your phone — simply slip your finger in the ring and your phone isn’t going anywhere.

But it’s an especially handy accessory for the KEYone. Since you won’t need to maintain a vice-like grip with a Style ring installed, you hands relaxed with your phone in hand and that makes typing so much easier. On a phone like the KEYone, that’s a huge advantage.

It also works as a kickstand for hands-free videos and also includes a minimalist mounting hook for your car. You can see what all the hype is about for yourself for just $14.

See at Amazon

What are your go-to accessories for the KEYone?

Got any opinions on must-have accessories for the KEYone? Thoughts on the one we’ve listed here? Let us know in the comments!

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Bloomberg’s Twitter-based news network launches December 18th

Bloomberg is launching its 24-hour rolling news network, based on Twitter, on December 18th. The project — originally announced in May — has got substantial weight behind it, with Goldman Sachs, Infiniti, TD Ameritrade, CA Technologies, AT&T and CME Group each contributing up to $3 million to the partnership. Around 50 reporters will work on the site.

According to Bloomberg Media CEO Justin Smith, “In this age of the Google/Facebook duopoly, a relentless focus on invention and innovation is the only way to succeed. The fruits of disruption don’t and shouldn’t only belong to the dominant tech (aka ‘media’) platforms.” Indeed, Twitter’s attempts to level the playing field between itself and other “dominant tech platforms” is well-documented, but despite its struggles, it remains a go-to news source for many. Bloomberg will be the first to capitalize on that in a way that stands to benefit everyone. (And of course, they now have 280 characters to play with).

Via: Gizmodo

Source: Axios

‘Assassin’s Creed’ producer is creating a new action game franchise

BioWare’s Anthem isn’t the only awe-inspiring action title on Electronic Arts’ slate. According to EA CFO Blake Jorgensen, the company’s Montreal-based studio Motive is building an original franchise with Assassin’s Creed producer Jade Raymond, which features “a lot of new interesting gameplay that I don’t think anyone’s ever seen before.” Details are currently scarce, but the game is expected to arrive in “fiscal [year] 2021,” reports GI.biz.

Speaking at the UBS Global Technology Conference, Jorgensen basically admitted that EA is limited to sports and first-person-shooters. The move into a new genre comes as EA plans a shift away from its annual FIFA and Madden releases. Instead, it’s keen to monetize gamers with live and subscription-based services. Action games (like Bungie’s Destiny franchise and Take Two’s GTA V) have fit snugly into that mold, and EA will be looking to emulate their triumphs with Anthem and its new IP. Speaking of BioWare’s upcoming title, Jorgensen said “it’s looking very exciting.”

But, the publisher will have to be cautious when it comes to monetizing its roster. Hopefully, it’s learned from the Star Wars Battlefront II debacle, that saw a backlash from gamers peeved by pay to win loot crates and locked characters, which EA swiftly moved to fix.

Jorgensen also dropped a couple of tidbits about an on-demand streaming service EA is working on with an unnamed partner. With more data centers cropping up, the CFO said he’s confident that people will be able to handle the load required by game streaming. Jorgensen said the service could land in the next two to three years — intriguingly, 2020 is also when Microsoft’s console-free streaming service is due. The two firms previously worked together on EA Access, and Jorgensen has stated in the past that his company’s on-demand platform could theoretically work on smart TVs.

Denver will test its own Hyperloop-inspired transport system

Colorado’s Department of Transportation has teamed up with Arrivo to use Hyperloop-ish technology to connect the city of Denver. The partnership is looking at ways to use vacuum tubes to reduce congestion and create a local transport area that bridges distances far faster than at present.

Arrivo’s system is essentially a mix between a Hyperloop and Elon Musk’s notions for how to reduce traffic in LA. A series of vacuum tubes would be installed in the median strip of highways, and cars would enter at designated locations.

Sitting on a levitating sled, the vehicles would then be propelled across distances at a speed of 200 miles an hour. It’s believed that, for instance, the hour-plus journey time between the Airport and Downtown, or Boulder and Downtown, would be cut to under 10 minutes.

Of course, Arrivo’s pitch doesn’t just include car-based sleds, but can also be used to ship cargo containers and passenger shuttles. Which should, at the very least, help alleviate the region’s overstuffed infrastructure that is struggling to cope with the volume of vehicles on its roads.

As for the deviations from the Hyperloop plan, while the tracks are in tunnels to reduce wind shear, they’re not depressurized environments. The top speed will, therefore, max out at 200 miles per hour, but that’s still more than twice as fast as the top speed limit for cars.

Because the system is computer controlled, it’s hoped that — much like self-driving cars — having the Arrivo pods algorithmically co-ordinate will help reduce congestion.

The backstory here is that after Elon Musk revealed Hyperloop, SpaceX engineer Brogan BamBrogan and investor Shervin Pishevar went into business. Their partnership, Hyperloop Technologies (Now Hyperloop One) quickly established itself as the leader in this new fast-transportation space race.

But a personal and professional dispute between Brogan and Pishevar’s brother, Afshin, which allegedly led to a death threat, soured the relationship. After competing lawsuits were filed (and subsequently settled), BamBrogan was left free to launch his own Hyperloop-esque business, which morphed into Arrivo.

Arrivo has been staffed by several former (Virgin) Hyperloop One team members, including David Pendergast (Partnerships), William Mulholland (Finance) and Knut Sauer (Business development). The team was rounded-out with former SpaceX engineer Jadon Smith, Hyperloop One’s Nima Bahrami and AECOM’s former transport head Andrew Liu.

The project will test its concept by building a route running alongside the E-470 toll road which connects the city to its nearest airport. In addition, Arrivo will set up shop in Denver, with a pledge to hire 200 employees by 2020 and will spend up to $15 million investing in the project.

Via: USA Today

Source: Colorado DOT