Best iOS app deals of the day! 6 paid iPhone apps for free for a limited time

Everyone likes Apple apps, but sometimes the best ones are a bit expensive. Now and then, developers put paid apps on sale for free for a limited time, but you have to snatch them up while you have the chance. Here are the latest and greatest iOS app deals available from the iOS App Store.

These apps normally cost money and this sale lasts for a limited time only. If you go to the App Store and it says the app costs money, that means the deal has expired and you will be charged. 

Lola Travel

Lola is the new app from Kayak co-founder Paul English focused on business travel. Lola makes personalized recommendations and offers 24/7 travel agent support.

Available on:

iOS

Alti

Alti is a beautiful, feature-rich, minimalist altimeter and compass application for your iPhone. It sports a clean design, and includes an altitude indicator, a magnetic and true north compass, and coordinates for DMS and degrees.

Available on:

iOS

Runtopia

This app offers all-round GPS tracking and data analysis for your running performance. It also features a real-time audio coach that gives real-time running feedback and guides your running form to help you prevent running injury.

Available on:

iOS

ACT Companion

Acceptance and commitment therapy is a scientifically supported mindfulness-based behaviour therapy with over 100 published peer-reviewed studies demonstrating its effectiveness for a wide range of clinical issues (such as anxiety and depression).

Available on:

iOS

Grocery List

Abandon the paper list and all other complicated applications that end up hindering rather than helping. Remember To Buy was designed to be a more practical grocery list and make your life easier.

Available on:

iOS

Learn Spanish

Learn Spanish in no time! MosaLingua’s effective and addictive teaching method will help you memorize loads of vocabulary, key phrases, and conjugations in record time.

Available on:

iOS

Editors’ Recommendations

• Best iOS app deals of the day! 6 paid iPhone apps for free for a limited time
• Best iOS app deals of the day! 6 paid iPhone apps for free for a limited time
• Best iOS app deals of the day! 6 paid iPhone apps for free for a limited time
• Best iOS app deals of the day! 6 paid iPhone apps for free for a limited time
• Best iOS app deals of the day! 6 paid iPhone apps for free for a limited time

How the Pixel 2 XL, Note 8, and iPhone 8 Plus stack up to each other

A comparison of three of 2017’s best.

Each and every year there are certain handsets that stick out above the rest. There were quite a few devices this year that managed to do just that, and three of them are the Pixel 2 XL, Galaxy Note 8, and iPhone 8 Plus. All three of these offer some of the best experiences you can find on a smartphone in 2017, and one of our forum users decided to see how each one compared to one another.

As you’d expect, this got quite a lot of people talking and chiming in with their own thoughts on the comparison. Here’s what some of you had to say.

alodar101
11-14-2017 12:40 PM

“

I currently have in my lineup, iPhone 8+, Note8, and the pixel 2xl. Each of them had their time to be top dog. This weekend I tried the iPhone 8+ again. It failed to dislodge the pixel as top dog… Not even close. I just turned the Note8 back on…. We’ll see what happens….

Reply

Orion78
11-14-2017 12:46 PM

“

I absolutely love my Pixel 2 XL. That phone will be a keeper for me. With that being said, I’m looking to get the Note 8 as well. Waiting for Black Friday.

Reply

Ken in CA
11-14-2017 01:02 PM

“

I have both the N8 and 2XL. I really like my 2XL except for a minor blue tooth issue with my podcasts / music as it won’t display artwork or artist on my 2017 Prius Prime. Also in my workspace, I get reception with my N8 (1 bar) and zero reception with my 2XL.

I’m interested to see how your evaluation pans out.

Reply

AustinTech
11-15-2017 01:12 PM

“

I tried the 2 XL, s8+, and iPhone 8 plus. I couldn’t stand the blue shift and crap colors on the 2 XL so it went back. iOS 11 isn’t working very well on the iPhone 8 plus, lots of odd bugs and the battery life isn’t so great. My s8+ has some occasional stutters and dropped frames, but everything works well and the battery life is great. So I’m sticking with the s8+ for now. I really wish the u11…

Reply

There’s still plenty more that can be said here, so we’d like to know – How do you think these three phones stack up to one another?

Join the conversation in the forums!

Google Assistant now supports apps for Canadian users

Apps for the Assistant are available in both English and French.

There are many different levels and layers to the Google Assistant, and while it’s great for checking the weather, adding events to your calendar, and staying up to date on the latest world news, applications made using Actions on Google Assistant help to drastically expand the functionality of the AI. Recently, Google announced that these apps are finally coming to users in Canada.

With these apps now available, you can begin to use Assistant on your phone or Google Home for a variety of new things. You can find apps by accessing Assistant on your phone, and if you find one that you’d like to use, simply say the voice command to connect to it. Unlike apps on your phone or tablet, there’s no need to download ones for Assistant.

By using apps for the Assistant, you’ll be able to use your voice to shop for holiday gifts on Best Buy Canada, break an early morning sweat with Fitbit Coach, learn how to make a prime cocktail with Tender, etc.

Canadians can start using apps for Google Assistant in French and English now.

Google Assistant gains a load of new features and supports more languages

The EcoFlow Tech River: Portable power wherever you need it

The EcoFlow Tech River will change the way you look at portable power.

Keeping all your tech charged can be a neverending struggle, which is why portable charging accessories come in all shapes and sizes. A battery pack that’s compact enough to throw in your backpack is a great personal accessory, but sometimes you need something a little more substantial.

The EcoFlow Tech River is a stylish looking mobile power station that houses an impressive 412Wh battery (equivalent to 114,000mAh) with 11 output sources that should basically let you charge any electronic device you own. What’s more, it’s got a DC/AC inverter that gives you two outlets for plugging in other electronics or smaller appliances like lamps or fans. There’s even an optional solar panel to keep the River charged while camping.

I’ve spent a good amount of time using the EcoFlow Tech River as a mobile source of power around the home as well as testing it out in the “real world”. I’m impressed by its versatility, build quality, and ease of use, but it’ll also set you back about as much as that smartphone you’ll likely be using the River to charge.

What sets the EcoFlow Tech River apart from the rest?

Beefy power stations like this are nothing new. In fact, EcoFlow Tech kind of has an uphill battle to win over consumers as an upstart company in a competitive space, with the Anker Powerhouse and Goal Zero Yeti offering similar off-the-grid power solutions at a lower price.

But the EcoFlow Tech River does a lot of things better than the competition and it starts with the design. Whereas most portable power stations look utilitarian — like a car battery with some outlets on the front — the EcoFlow Tech River stands out with a design that flows from front to back. The majority of ports are located on the front, below the LCD display that’s bright enough to read in direct sunlight. The AC outlets and 12V port are located on the back along with the recharging port. It weighs in at just over 11 lbs. but doesn’t feel cumbersome to lug around thanks to the curved, built-in carrying handle.

No matter which phone or cables you have on you, you should be able to find an orientation that’ll charge your phone.

Beyond the look and feel of the EcoFlow Tech River, you’re simply not going to find a more adaptable power station when it comes to charging smartphones. Among the six USB ports on the front, you get two standard 5V/2A ports, two Quick Charge compatible ports, and two USB-C ports. No matter which phone or cables you have on you, you should be able to find an orientation that’ll charge your phone. Got five friends who all want to charge their phones at the same time? The River can handle that with ease — I was able to fully charge five devices simultaneously. There are also two 12V DC outputs up front which I didn’t test but presumably would be used for connecting other devices, and EcoFlow Tech included a handful of adapters for powering different devices.

With its output maxed out at 500W, you won’t be able to use the River to power anything that uses a heating coil, like an electric kettle, hairdryer, or heat dish. Nor can it be used to jumpstart a car or anything like that. However, it’s still significantly more powerful than it’s top competitors and in turn will allow you to power more of your devices simultaneously if you please. It also has a “smart” system that automatically adjusts power output to each specific device’s wattage, regulates temperature so devices don’t shut down, and connects individually to each output port to avoid a surge affecting your connected devices.

When it comes time to charge the EcoFlow Tech River itself you’ve got options. You can use the included wall charger get a full charge in about six hours, use the included car charger and top up in roughly nine hours if you’re on a road trip, or opt to buy the solar panel add-on and charge wherever you are in 10 to 15 hours — weather permitting, of course.

Real-world testing

With a portable power station as versatile as this at my disposal, I knew there was no better way to test it than to take it out into the wilderness on a short camping trip and do my best to drain the River — especially after watching some of the promotional media for the River.

So that’s what I did. I booked an unserviced campsite and invited some friends out with the goal of using the EcoFlow Tech River to power all the fun. Beyond using the EcoFlow Tech River to ensure that everyone kept their phones charged, we used it wherever possible — the 12V port was used with an electric air mattress pump for its designed purpose, but also later in the night when rain was threatening to douse our campfire, it came through as a surprisingly effective makeshift bellows for keeping the fire stoked. We also used one of the AC outlets to power a string of LED Christmas lights that provided much needed ambient lighting throughout the night that put barely a dent in the River’s battery except for the power drawn for the AC inverter.

For all the fun you can have with this power station, it may also serve as a crucial piece of tech for your and your family in an emergency situation.

Easily my favorite test for the EcoFlow Tech River was plugging in and rocking out on an electric guitar in the middle of a forest. I think I fell in love with the EcoFlow Tech River the moment I struck that first chord and heard the echo carrying over the treetops. It was cool to watch the power usage spike on the display the louder and faster I played. Eventually, out of respect for our camping neighbors, we retired the electric in favor of an acoustic guitar, but EcoFlow Tech claims we could have jammed out for up to 20 hours and that’s music to my ears.

Now it was all fun and games for my time testing the EcoFlow Tech River, but the whole while I was having fun I also tried to keep in mind how practical this device would be as part of an emergency preparation kit. EcoFlow Tech says that the River will keep a positive charge stored for up to a full year, which means it will be ready in cases where the power goes out, or it’s something you could throw into the trunk of your car long road trip. For all the fun you can have with this power station, it may also serve as a crucial piece of tech for your and your family in an emergency situation. That can be a huge selling featured if you live in a part of the world that occasionally gets slammed by tropical storms or other natural disasters.

Is it worth buying?

The EcoFlow Tech River looks slick and is incredibly useful for both practical and impractical purposes, but how much is this thing going to cost? If you were fortunate enough to back EcoFlow Tech during their Kickstarter campaign, you could have snagged a unit for under $500. At that price, it would be an easy recommendation to make

The crowdfunding window has passed, however, leaving the rest of us to pay the full retail price of $650 for the EcoFlow Tech River — and that’s before considering the optional 50W or 21W solar chargers, or the IP63 certified carrying case that’s water resistant, dustproof, and shockproof. It’s a steep price to pay, but in return, you get a very intelligently designed power station with more ports than you’ll know what to do with.

Whether you’re looking to boost your next camping trip with portable power or want it for your emergency preparation kit, the EcoFlow Tech River will serve you well.

See at Amazon

PSA: Google Pixel 2 and 2 XL are back in stock on the Google Store

Most models of Google’s flagships are back in stock with fast shipping dates.

Last year, trying to buy a Pixel or Pixel XL was something of a nightmare. Even months after the phones’ release, it wasn’t uncommon to see an “out of stock” message on the Google Store when trying to place an order for Android’s latest and greatest. Certain models of the Pixel 2/2XL have still proven to be difficult to get this year as well, but Google recently refreshed stock so you can finally get your hands on the coveted Panda version of the 2 XL.

We aren’t sure how long stock will last this time around before you’re prompted to join a waitlist, but at least at the time of publication, this is what the current stock for the Pixel 2 and 2 XL looks like:

Pixel 2 (Unlocked)

• Just Black, 64GB – Ships immediately
• Just Black, 128GB – Ships immediately
• Clearly White, 64GB – Ships by November 27
• Clearly White, 128GB – Ships by November 20

Pixel 2 (Verizon)

• Just Black, 64GB – Ships immediately
• Just Black, 128GB – Ships immediately
• Clearly White, 128GB – Ships immediately

Pixel 2 XL (Unlocked)

• Just Black, 64GB – Ships immediately
• Just Black, 128GB – Ships immediately
• Black & White, 64GB – Ships in 3 – 4 weeks
• Black & White, 128GB – Ships in 3 – 4 weeks

Pixel 2 XL (Verizon)

• Just Black, 128GB – Ships by November 27
• Black & White, 64GB – Ships in 2 – 3 weeks

Your best chance of getting a Panda Pixel 2 XL ASAP is with a Verizon unit, but remember that the only thing that differentiates this model is the fact that there’s a Verizon SIM included. In other words, you’ll be able to use it on any other carrier of your choosing.

Also, the striking Kinda Blue option is still nowhere to be seen. It might not be as bright or vibrant as last year’s Really Blue, but it sure is proving to be just as difficult to get.

See at Google Store

There’s never been a better day to buy rechargeable batteries

It’s never been more affordable to switch to rechargeable batteries!

Today appears to be the day to buy rechargeable batteries at Amazon. What started as a single discount on a 12-pack of Eneloop AA batteries (which are now sold out) has resulted in a variety of other discounts surfacing.

These deals have been selling out quickly, but the ones that we have found to still be available include:

AA Batteries

• Eneloop Pro AA 4-pack – $12.99 (Normally $24.99)
• Eneloop Pro AA 4-pack with charger – $15.99 (Normally $26.99)
• Eneloop Pro AA 8-pack – $24.99 (Normally $32.99)
• AmazonBasics AA 16-pack – $22.99 (Normally $24.99)

AAA Batteries

• AmazonBasics AAA 4-pack – $4.99 (Normally $7.99)
• Eneloop AAA 4-pack – $4.99 (Normally $14.99)
• Eneloop AAA 8-pack – $13.99 (Normally $17.99)
• Eneloop AAA 12-pack – $13.99 (Normally $26.99)

AA & AAA Packs

• Eneloop Kit with 8 AA, 4 AAA, and Battery Charger – $19.99 (Normally $39.99)
• Eneloop Kit with 8 AA, 2 AAA, 2 C, 2 D and charger – $19.99 (Normally $39.99)

Pair the batteries with this awesome charger and say goodbye to the days of constantly buying and throwing away AA and AAA batteries.

T-Mobile offering BOGO deals on Galaxy S8, LG V30, Note 8, and more

New and existing customers can get buy one phone and get another free – as long as you add a new line of service.

If there’s one thing that’s certain, it’s that there are some seriously great tech deals to be found this time of year. With Black Friday quickly creeping up on us, it seems like more and more deals are being announced every day in preparation for the holiday shopping event.

T-Mobile recently unveiled its own slew of deals, and if you’re looking to score two phones for the price of one, the Un-Carrier has something for you. Starting on Friday, November 17, you’ll be able to buy a variety of flagship phones and get another one of equal or lesser value for free.

You’ll get that free phone via a rebate that’s paid through a Mastercard prepaid gift card, and the promotion is available for the following phones:

• Samsung Galaxy S8/S8+
• Samsung Galaxy S8 Active
• Samsung Galaxy Note 8
• LG V30/V30+
• LG V20
• LG G6
• iPhone 7/7 Plus
• iPhone 8/8 Plus

Both new and existing customers will be able to take advantage of this deal, but like a lot of T-Mobile’s BOGO offerings, you’ll need to add a new line of service and buy the phones on an Equipment Installment Plan in order to participate.

To go along with your shiny new phones, T-Mobile is also discounting a few of its Magenta accessories, including:

• Twilight Magenta Ultimate Ears MEGABOOM for $179.99 ($70 off)
• Twilight Magenta Ultimate Ears BOOM 2 for $99.99 ($80 off)
• Speckled Magenta Mophie Powerstation Mini for $18 ($11.99 off)

See at T-Mobile

Vudu for NVIDIA Shield Android TV picks up HDR and Google Assistant

Google Assistant available for all, but HDR is exclusive to the Shield TV.

The NVIDIA Shield TV remains as the best way to experience Android TV and all of the 4K and HDR content it has to offer, and Vudu recently announced an update to its app that reinforces this point even more.

With the latest update to the Vudu app on Android TV, you can now stream HDR content to watch your movies and TV shows with brighter colors and higher contrast for an overall better picture. HDR content is currently limited to the Shield TV, and you’ll need to ensure that you also have a television that supports HDR10.

No matter what streaming box or smart TV you have, Vudu has also added support for the Google Assistant. You’ll be able to say “Play [movie/TV show title] on Vudu” from your home screen to start watching right away, and once you’re in the app and streaming your favorite show, you can use your voice to pause/play what you’re watching, rewind, skip to the next episode, etc.

New NVIDIA Shield Android TV: Everything you need to know

Bose Black Friday drops prices on its gear, including the SoundTrue Ultra in-ear headphones for $79

Some of these prices are all new lows. Great time for Bose gear.

These are all the deals you can expect to see from Bose this Black Friday. Some of these prices are all new lows. Most of them are available at multiple retailers and in multiple colors. Pick and choose your favorites or buy one of each just because you’re saving so much.

Headphones:

• SoundTrue Ultra in-ear headphones for $79 (from $130)
• SoundSport wireless headphones for $129 (from $149) – in Aqua and Citron. Also at B&H.
• SoundSport Pulse wireless headphones for $179 (from $199) – Also at B&H.
• SoundLink around-ear wireless headphones for $199 (from $230) – in White. Also at B&H.

Speakers:

• SoundTouch 10 wireless speaker for $179 (from $199) – in White. Also at B&H.
• SoundTouch 20 wireless speaker for $314 (from $349) – in White. Also at B&H.
• SoundTouch 30 Series III wireless speaker for $449 (from $500) – in White. Also at B&H.
• Wave SoundTouch music system IV for $539 (from $600) – in Platinum Silver. Also at B&H.

Everything Else:

• Solo 5 TV sound system for $224 (from $249) – Also at B&H.
• Solo 15 TV Sound System for $299 (from $330) – Also at B&H.
• Wireless Audio System Adapter for $134 (from $149) – Also at B&H.

Be sure to check out the Thrifter Black Friday hub for tons of other great Black Friday sales.

Revitalize Any Outdoor Area With Colorful Solar Lights Controlled By Your Phone

Brighten up your backyard garden with brilliant lights you can control with your phone!

Smart lights are one of the easiest ways to start upgrading your home to be a “smart home,” and there are so many options for inside the home — but what about something a bit more portable that you can use to light your balcony, patio, or garden?

LuminAID has a rather elegant solution with its new line of Smart Solar Garden Lanterns. Available in two unique styles — Gem and Star — these origami-inspired solar lanterns simply look magical while offering ambient lighting in your backyard, letting you set the mood for any occasion using a Bluetooth connection and the LuminAID app (iOS or Android).

Check out the campaign trailer to see these lanterns in action:

For every Kickstarter pledge, LuminAID will donate one if its original inflatable solar lanterns to a family still living without power in the aftermath of Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria.

Just like other smart lights you may have seen, these lanterns are packed with smart features, with eight high-powered RGBW LEDs that let you choose from pure white or hundreds of colors. Since they’re solar powered, you never have to worry about running wires or replacing batteries, and you can even use the app to check in to see how well your lanterns are charging in the sun, or schedule the lights to come on at a specific time each day. They’re built tough to be both waterproof and weatherproof so you don’t have to worry if a storm rolls in. Want to take them along on a camping trip or to the cabin? Both the Gem and Star lanterns fold down to be flat and compact. Each style is best suited for different use cases — the Gem is best suited as a path marker along a walkway or as a table lantern on a patio, while the Star is perfect for hanging up around your backyard or as an accent piece for a social evening under the stars.

LuminAID has already surpassed its initial Kickstarter goal, but there’s still plenty of time to back this project and get your own smart lanterns at a discounted price. The Gem will retail for $70 and the Star for $80, but you can save some money by backing with a pledge today. With a pledge of $59, you’ll get one Gem lantern, or pledge $69 to get a Star Lantern. But that’s just the start — you’re probably going to want more than one of these beautiful and LuminAID’s pledge rewards to scale up nicely. The best reward is probably around the $179 mark, which gets you four lanterns of your choice — maybe get three Gems to line your front path and a Star to hang by the door. The choice is yours! LuminAID plans to start shipping these lanterns by June 2018 — just in time for summer!

But this campaign is about more than just launching a new product. Since it was founded in 2010, part of LuminAID’s company mission is to also assist in humanitarian relief efforts. For every Kickstarter pledge, LuminAID will donate one if its original inflatable solar lantern to a family still living without power in the aftermath of Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria. In fact, if LuminAID reaches their next stretch goal of $100,000, they’ll donate an extra 1,000 inflatable lanterns to families in need.

This is LuminAID’s second Kickstarter campaign, and they’re building off of the success of the LuminAID Solar Inflatable Lantern, which is the lantern style they will be donating for each pledge received. You can back with confidence knowing that the team at LuminAID has been through this process before and are also a socially conscious company that aims to give back.

See LuminAID Solar Garden Lanterns on Kickstarter