Geekbench Results Visualize Possible Link Between iPhone Slowdowns and Degraded Batteries

Primate Labs founder John Poole has plotted the kernel density of Geekbench 4 scores for iPhone 6s models running iOS 10.2, iOS 10.2.1, and iOS 11.2, visualizing an apparent link between lower performance and degraded battery health.

The charts show that on iOS 10.2, the vast majority of iPhone 6s devices benchmarked similarly in performance. However, Poole explains that the distribution of iPhone 6s scores for iOS 10.2.1 appears multimodal, with one large peak around the average and several smaller peaks around lower scores.

In other words, after iOS 10.2.1 was released last January, the performance of a percentage of iPhone 6s devices began to suffer.

In a statement, Apple said it made improvements in iOS 10.2.1 to reduce occurrences of unexpected iPhone shutdowns that a small number of users were experiencing. The shutdowns were reportedly caused by uneven power delivery from older batteries, which could cause an emergency shutdown of the devices.

While at least one report suggested that Apple tweaked its power management system in iPhone 6s devices, the company never disclosed what specific improvements it made to reduce the unexpected shutdowns.

A recent Reddit discussion, however, has reignited speculation that Apple is intentionally slowing down older iPhones to maximize power efficiency and stability when battery capacity has degraded, and reduce voltage-related shutdowns, and the Geekbench charts and Poole himself lend credit to that theory being true.

“The difference between iOS 10.2 and 10.2.1 is too abrupt to be just a function of battery condition,” he said. “I believe … that Apple introduced a change to limit performance when battery condition decreases past a certain point.”

The charts show that the number of iPhone 6s devices with lower Geekbench scores was even more pronounced on iOS 11.2, which is likely because the software update is around one year newer, which means that the battery capacity of many iPhone 6s devices has likely continued to deplete as expected.

Interestingly, even the iPhone 7 may be starting to be affected. While the distribution of Geekbench scores for the device on iOS 10.2, iOS 10.2.1, and iOS 11.1.2 appear identical, the results change with iOS 11.2 and start to resemble the iPhone 6s’ degraded performance starting on iOS 10.2.1.

What this all means is that Apple may be intentionally slowing down older iPhones to maximize power efficiency and stability when battery capacity has degraded, as speculated, seemingly without publicly acknowledging so.

It’s important to remember that all lithium-ion batteries naturally lose some of their ability to hold a charge over the course of a few years. Given the iPhone 6s was released in September 2015, the device has been available long enough that some users should consider replacing their battery regardless.

Apple charges an out-of-warranty fee of $79 to replace the battery of all eligible iPhone models in the United States. iPhone 6s users can contact AppleCare or schedule a Genius Bar appointment at a local Apple Store using the Apple Support app.

Apple did not immediately respond to our request for comment about the Geekbench findings. We’ll update this article if we hear back.

Tag: GeekbenchBuyer’s Guide: iPhone 8 (Buy Now)
Discuss this article in our forums

The 18 most stylish iPhone docks and charging stands for your device

It’s certainly handy to be able to prop up your iPhone and charge it while you sleep, but finding the right iPhone dock can be tough. You want something that seamlessly blends in with your bedroom nightstand or office desk, while providing simple functionality at an affordable price. We’ve been scouring the web’s current offering of iPhone charging docks and below are the best available, from Henge and Elevation Lab to Mophie. If you have an iPhone 8, 8 Plus, or iPhone X, then you should also check out the best wireless phone chargers.

Elevation Dock 4 ($60)

Taking everything it learned from the last few iterations, Elevation Lab has proclaimed its fourth-generation iPhone dock as its best ever, and we’re inclined to agree. It’s $30 cheaper than its predecessor with a streamlined, thoughtful, adjustable design. Your iPhone is cradled by medical-grade silicone, zinc inserts provide some weight, and steel knobs enable you to set the perfect angle and the right height to accommodate your iPhone case. A nano-suction pad on the bottom stops the dock from sliding, and it comes with a good quality braided cable with a Velcro tie to keep things neat. It comes in matte black or white.

Buy one now from:

Amazon  Elevation Lab

Belkin PowerHouse Charge Dock ($100)

This one is for people with an iPhone and an Apple Watch. The magnetic charging module for your Apple Watch and the Lightning connector for your iPhone are built into the dock, so you can charge them both via a single wall outlet. The dial on the back enables you to make fine adjustments to the Lightning connector, so you can position it perfectly to fit your iPhone model and whatever case it’s wearing. The base is weighted, so it’s sturdy and isn’t going to fall over or slide around on the night stand. It also features a simple design that will fit easily with most décor.

Buy one now from:

Amazon Belkin

Twelve South HiRise 2 Stand ($40)

Here’s a smart metal pedestal that’s finished in black, silver, or white. The stand just docks your device at the bottom, so it will take any iPhone or iPad (except the iPad Pro 12.9-inch), with or without a case on. It works with an Apple Lightning Cable, but you’ll have to use your own, because there isn’t one provided. There’s a machined dial behind the two metal supports that hold your device, which allows for fine adjustments. It leaves all the rest of your ports, controls, and speakers open, so it’s easy to use your iPhone while it’s sitting in the stand. An extra $20 gets you the Deluxe version which ships with both Lightning and Micro USB cables.

Buy one now from:

Amazon

Pad & Quill Timber Catchall ($100)

This practical bedside stand and tray is designed primarily for an Apple Watch, but there’s also a slot for any size of iPhone, and it’s easy to run a Lightning cable up through the same hole as the Apple Watch’s charging magnet. It’s crafted from a single piece of hardwood, available in your choice of Sapele, Cherry, or Walnut. The finish is really nice and smooth, with rounded corners to boot. There’s even a thoughtful indent at each end of the tray which makes it easy to pick your iPhone up, and there’s an extra tray for keys or loose change.

Buy one now from:

Pad & Quill Amazon

Carved Skate Dock ($94)

These unique, colorful, striped docks are hand crafted in Indiana using recycled skateboards. You can slot any iPhone into this dock — so long as its an iPhone 3 or newer — and it’s even roomy enough to cater an iPhone outfitted with a slim case. There are slots in the bottom and a groove out the back so you can easily plug in a charging cable or headphones. There’s also a slot for the speaker and the open mouth of the dock acts as a natural amplifier, directing the sound into the room and boosting it between 5 and 10 decibels. A metal plate on the base also adds some weight to help keep it steady.

Buy one now from:

Carved

Anker Multi-Angle Stand ($10)

Here’s a clever, adjustable stand that will work with any phone or tablet the measures between 4 and 10 inches, which includes every iPhone. It’s made of aluminum and there are rubber pads to protect the iPhone while it’s sitting in the cradle and to prevent slipping. Press the button on the side and you can adjust the angle to suit your needs — there are nine different angles in total to choose from. It’s also very portable, meaning you can easily take it with you, and it still feels quite sturdy when housing your device. The stand comes in either silver or black.

Buy one now from:

Amazon

Native Union Dock ($50)

This dock features an elegant, simple design with a weighted silicone base that’s available in black slate, dark blue, or a beige stone color. An angled piece of aluminum in gray slate, gold, or rose gold slots into the base to prop up your iPhone at an angle. You do have to insert your own charging cable, which is a bit disappointing when you consider the dock’s steep price tag. There are adapters in the base, so the dock can accommodate your iPhone naked or with a slim case on. It works with the iPhone 5 and later, along with the the iPad 4 and up.

Buy one now from:

Amazon

Henge Gravitas Dock ($70)

The beauty of a really solid dock, like this one by Henge Docks, is that it won’t shift around when you slide your iPhone in and out of it. Henge uses a dense zinc alloy to produce the Gravitas Dock, which, in turn, has a diameter of just 3.5 inches and weighs in at 2.5 pounds. It comes with a black insert, so it can accommodate an iPhone, iPhone Plus, or an iPad Mini, and it is MFi certified. The beauty of this system is that, when a new iPhone comes out, you can just get the new insert. There’s also a USB port for charging and syncing (cable provided), and an audio line out so you can plug in speakers if you want to.

Buy one now from:

Henge Amazon

Grovemade iPhone Dock ($100)

Donning a oiled, hand-sanded finish with a steel base and wooden top, this dock is a really stylish option. It’s heavy at 3 pounds, too, so you can easily dock your iPhone and remove it one-handed. The groove is big enough to accommodate some slimmer cases, but unfortunately, you’ll need to insert your own Lightning cable and it’s a bit fiddly. There’s no danger of it coming loose once it’s secure, though. This one’s really all about the look, with maple on silver steel or walnut on black. There’s also a very subtle Grovemade logo on the front.

Buy one now from:

Grovemade

Analyst suggests customers prefer cheaper iPhones to the iPhone X

An industry analyst has told clients that sales of the iPhone X have fallen below expectations, and the high cost of the device may be the reason why.

As reported by Bloomberg, analyst Karl Ackerman of Cowen and Co. communicated to clients that sales of Apple’s latest iPhone were not as high as expected, and used the company’s wait time for new iPhone Xs as an indicator that demand has significantly lessened. Since its launch in November, waiting times for ordering the iPhone X have dropped from five to six weeks, to a few days. That change, according to the note sent by Ackerman, is due to the lessened demand for the model, rather than an increase in iPhone X production.

So what’s caused the dip in demand? According to Ackerman, more users “appear to have gravitated toward the previous iPhone models”, and concludes that Apple has failed to make the $999 price tag tempting enough to the average consumer. While the iPhone X contains Apple’s first OLED iPhone display, and its first edge-to-edge bezel-less design, it seems that hasn’t been enough to pull consumers toward the significantly more expensive iPhone X when compared with the cheaper, older models.

That said, it’s not all doom and gloom for the Cupertino, California-based company. The note goes on to highlight that Apple will still probably sell 79 million units of the iPhone 8, 8 Plus, and X over the three months through December — an increase of 1 million over the same period last year. Ackerman also expects Apple to sell 56 million iPhones in the next three months. Good, but below the peak of 61 million in 2015.

Still, it’s a worrying trend for Apple. We reported that the iPhone 8 was allegedly struggling in September, most likely due to the iPhone X on the horizon. It’s also likely that factors other than the iPhone X’s high price are putting people off. The highly divisive “notch” at the top of the screen, and the hefty repair cost should you break the phone’s rear glass panel are all good reasons why you might hesitate to put a thousand dollars down for the phone, and it seems that more than a few users have chosen to stick with a more familiar look and feel.

Editors’ Recommendations

• Apple iPhone 8 review
• Apple iPhone X review
• How to buy the new iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus, and iPhone X in the U.K.
• iPhone 8 Plus review
• The iPhone X may be expensive, but you’ll regret cheaping out with an iPhone 8

Google Home Max review

Google’s $400 speaker is pretty big, and it’s pretty good. And Google itself may have made it irrelevant.

The quick take

This is an oversized version of Google Home. It does all the same stuff — it just sounds way better while doing it. Music, information, communication, all that same stuff. And it does so with a much heftier price tag and physical footprint.

The Good

• Good sound for music
• AI-enhanced “smart sound” adjusts to the environment
• Superb far-field microphones
• Fills a hole in the top end of the lineup

The Bad

• Volume swipe is clunky, at best
• Doesn’t fix the flaws in Google Home’s ecosystem
• The color and design are a bit drab for a speaker
• Doesn’t stand out amid other ways to do music at home

See at Best Buy   See at Verizon   See at Google

Watch this

Google Home Max Video Review

OK, Google — Go big

Google Home Max Full review

The general rule is that the heavier something is, the better it is. That’s especially true for loudspeakers, because speakers need magnets, and magnets are heavy. And that’s what’s running through my mind as I attempt to lift the new Google Home Max out of its shipping box.

I say attempt because the retail box is top-heavy, and some damned fool put the side handles on the bottom. So this is going to take some finagling. That’s an interesting first contact with Google’s $400 (OK, $399), massive version of Google Home — the smart speaker it introduced back in 2016. But it’s fitting considering this thing’s name. And the name is fitting.

Google Home Max.

Building out the full range …

This is a big speaker. And somebody has big expectations for the living room. And in a vacuum, Google Home Max is a pretty good speaker. It’s maybe a bit on the expensive side, but not horribly so.

• Price: $399
• Speakers: Two 4.5-inch woofers, two 0.7-inch tweeters
• Colors: Chalk, black
• Size: 13.2 x 7.4 x 6.0 inches
• Weight: 12 pounds
• Connections: Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, Ethernet via USB-C
• Other: Far-field microphones, 3.5mm audio-in

But let’s go back to the beginning. Google Home — the product — was Google’s first real leap into the smart home category. It’s roughly the size of a large travel mug, smartly flashes lights at you while it’s listening and speaking, and connects a bunch of the major parts of Google in one place. The “knowledge graph” — all the answers and information Google can throw back at you. Services — music, for one, and the ability to control other connected devices, for another. Now it’s thrown communications into the mix, with the ability to make legitimate phone calls to anyone, anywhere. And at first, it was pricey, closing in on $200. That’s since fallen to under $100, though. (At least at sales prices.)

Yes, Google Home was the answer to the Amazon Echo.

Then there’s the newish Google Home Mini. A mere $50 (even less on sale). Smaller, cheaper. But does exactly the same things as its big brother.

Yes, Google Home Mini was the answer to the prolific Amazon Echo Dot.

But what to do about the high end? With Amazon squarely in its sights, it was time to turn to another competitor, one that’s secured its place in the pantheon of wireless music. Sonos.

That’s where Google Home Max comes in. It absolutely surpasses any of the Amazon Echo speakers in terms of sound quality. They’re just in different classes. Now Sonos? That’s a worthy competitor.

Using Google Home Max

Once you get the Max out of the box (again, what’s up with the handles on the lower edge of the box?), you’re back to what Google’s become really good at — the first-run experience. There’s very little in the box to get in your way. A couple quick-start sheets, and the power cord (I love that there’s no wart and that it doesn’t take up any outlet space), and that’s it.

Do take care to note the little rubber base that’s attached to the bottom of the Max, though. It helps dampen vibrations and keep the speaker in place, and you’ll need to remove it — it peels right off, held in place by a slight magnetic bond — and move it to the left face of the speaker if you’re going to use the Max vertically. (Hint: you’ll always want it on the edge closest to the power port.) I actually missed seeing the base as I unboxed the Max, and it took me a couple minutes to find it. It’s pretty thin and discreet.

You’ll set up the Max like you do any of the other Google Home devices — in the Google Home app. In fact, your phone should recognize that there’s a new speaker waiting to be paired with your Google Account. (Again, Google’s gotten really good at the onboarding process.) That takes just a minute or so, and you’re done.

And that’s it. You now have a Google Home speaker that sounds really good. And, in fact, it’ll get better over time. I found it to be a bit light on the low end at first. But the Max has a cool feature called “Smart Sound,” which uses the built-in microphones and a bit of “artificial intelligence” (because what doesn’t these days, right?) to listen to your environment and how the sound is bouncing around, and it’ll adjust accordingly. And automatically. Sonos has this sort of thing, too, called “Trueplay tuning.” But you set it by waving your iPhone (and only your iPhone) around in the air for a minute while it listens in. Score one for built-in mics.

Point is, the more I listened, the better things started to sound. Some of that, of course, has to do with the source material. Google Home Max doesn’t magically add bass to Metallica’s “… And Justice For All,” which famously gave the shaft to the low end. It does, however, make the Ed Sheeran/Beyonce duet of “Perfect” sound gorgeous. And Kendrick Lamar’s “DAMN.” hits with all the urgency and punctuation that it’s supposed to. Older, more compressed music still sounds like older, more compressed music. But newer, louder stuff? It fills the room as it should.

Ever wish your Google Home had a really good speaker? This is it.

A single speaker is fine. Google Home Max can get pretty damn loud. (Like Sonos, Google doesn’t give the exact wattage.) And it fills a room pretty well. Two speakers, though, would be even better. You can make a stereo pair out of a couple Maxes. And while $800 is hardly chump change, it’s really not out of line for good stereo equipment. Am I sorry I didn’t buy two? A little.

On the other hand, that’d just give me two institutional gray speakers to deal with. OK, Google calls it “chalk.” I call it bland. That sort of color scheme works fine for the smaller Google Home, especially since you can just tuck it into a corner somewhere. But the Max is going to be less inconspicuous. And there are no threads on this thing for mounting to the wall (that’s something Sonos includes) or to a speaker stand. But you do, at least, get the option of using it horizontally or vertically. And Google smartly made it so the lights behind the fabric grille adjust accordingly.

The Max doesn’t take long to get comfortable with. It’s a pretty good speaker that does everything I’ve been doing on Google Home and Google Home Mini. Set it up, crank it up, and enjoy. The far-field mics are pretty damn impressive when the music is going, too.

These mics, though. That’s damned impressive. pic.twitter.com/5a8frA9lZM

— Phil Nickinson (@mdrndad) December 13, 2017

But Google Home Max doesn’t live in a vacuum

I like Google Home Max a lot. I also like Sonos a lot. And I think Chromecast is one of the best things Google’s come up with in a long, long time. Those three things are all living in my living room simultaneously, so it’s time for a little introspection.

A full Sonos system or a Chromecast hooked up to your home entertainment system makes Google Home Max a tough sell.

Sonos sounds a little better. MyPlay:5 just has a slightly fuller sound for $100 more. It’s closer, I think, to the Play:3, which runs $50 cheaper. But Sonos ultimately is a different product than Google Home. It’s lacking all the “smart” stuff — and while that’s something it’s starting to add in products like the Sonos One (which will get Google Assistant at some point in 2018) I’ve been less than blown away in its implementation of Amazon Alexa. But Sonos is a full system. Multiple music services under one roof, using a single app. (And the ability to change groups of speakers on the fly is a big win over Google Home.)

Then there’s Chromecast — Google’s protocol for easily — and inexpensively — piping music into all kinds of things. Many TVs already have Chromecast baked in. A number of speakers do, too. I’ve got a relatively inexpensive soundbar — (Vizio’s 2016’s SB3851-D0, which goes for about $250 these days) and also is a Chromecast target and sports a couple rear speakers and a subwoofer. And the more I think about it, the more that $250 setup hits my living room just fine, compared to the $400 I just spent on the Google Home Max — or double that if I did a stereo pair like I really want to.

And if you’ve got an NVIDIA Shield TV, it’s already good Google Assistant blasting through whatever audio setup you’re rocking.

So as is always the case when it comes to audio equipment, a lot of this is going to come down to personal choice. How do you want to do music where you live? And how much do you want to spend on it?

The bottom line

Should you buy it? Sure

The bottom line on Google Home Max is that it’s a compelling product. It sounds good as a speaker. It works great as an oversized Google Home. It’s a darn good product for Google.

Google Home Max is really good. But there are better alternatives.

But there’s nothing revolutionary here. There’s nothing in Google Home Max that I can’t do as well — if not better — than with, say, a Sonos setup. Or with a decent home theater system. And then you make up for the missing Google Assistant experience with an inexpensive Google Home Mini.

To be fair, that’s the same argument I’ve made with Amazon Echo. It’s just exacerbated by the fact that Chromecast is so good and has made it possible to easily (and inexpensively) bring streaming audio to all kinds of devices. It’s the result of Google doing a good thing maybe too well for its own good.

Google Home Max is a pretty good speaker and a good addition to the Google Home lineup, which was lacking anything at the high end. But you’re going to have to really want it. And Google’s going to have to work to persuade folks to buy it.

See at Best Buy   See at Verizon   See at Google

Google Home

• Google Home review
• These services work with Google Home
• Google Home vs. Amazon Echo
• Join our Google Home forums!

Google Store Best Buy Target

Do you charge your phone while sleeping?

The great debate of charging overnight.

Thanks to improved battery life and faster charge times, charging our phones is no longer something that we need to plan out ahead of time to ensure we don’t find ourselves without any juice throughout the day. Even so, there’s still a debate to be had about when the best time to charge your phone is – more specifically, a debate about whether or not it’s a good idea to charge overnight while you sleep.

Some forum users recently got into a discussion about this over on our forums, and these are a few of the top answers.

tanson1011
12-16-2017 11:53 AM

“

I charge every night….why not. I’m sleeping.

Reply

cbreze
12-16-2017 12:23 PM

“

Used to but now with an all day phone battery I don’t see the logic in leaving it plugged in when it only takes about 90 min to fully charge. I do the charge before bedtime. Wake to 93% and that’s plenty for my day and nite till next full charge.

Reply

PowrDroid
12-16-2017 01:47 PM

“

I think batteries degrade with each charge cycle, and the deeper the charge cycle, eg. from 10% to 100%, the more damaging. If you charge every single night you are wearing out your battery faster than if you keep your battery between, say 40% and 90%.

I guess the bottom line is if you replace your phone every two years or sooner go ahead and charge every night, the battery will degrade but…

Reply

Retinella
12-16-2017 02:36 PM

“

I never leave a phone plugged in for 8 hours. I charge it up when I’m awake. Ever since the Note 7 fiasco, I don’t need a potential explosive device next to my head at night when I’m trying to sleep.

Reply

cgonzalez82
12-16-2017 03:46 PM

“

Always charged overnight and never had poor battery life due to it either. Phone’s these days don’t keep charging when at 100% and trickle charge when getting towards full or when topping itself up overnight.

Although longest I’ll keep a phone is two years.

Reply

What about you – What time of day do you typically charge your phone?

Join the conversation in the fourms!

Best Sprint Deals of December 2017

If you’re a Sprint customer, these are the hottest deals that you need to jump on right now!

Although it’s the least popular of the four main carriers in the United States, Sprint has a large selection of deals for its loyal and potential customers to keep its yellow flag flying high. Whether you’re already with Sprint or have been eyeing the carrier and thinking about dropping your current service provider, these are some of the best deals to keep an eye on.

50% off Galaxy S8/S8+, S8 Active, and Note 8

Samsung released some of the best Android phones of the year in 2017, and as we get closer and closer to the company’s next flagship devices, you can find some pretty hefty discounts on its current lineup of tech.

Right now on Sprint, you can get 50% off the Galaxy S8, S8+, S8 Active, and Note 8 when purchased through Sprint Flex on an 18-month lease. This means you can get the Galaxy S8 for as little as $15.62/month with $0 down, and upgrading to the Note 8 will only set you back $20/month. All of these devices also come with the Galaxy Forever program, meaning you can easily upgrade to Samsung’s next latest handset after you’ve made at least 12 lease payments.

See at Sprint

Buy one LG V30+, get one for free

LG’s V30 didn’t get quite as much hype as the Note 8 this year, but just like the G6 that came out before it, it’s one of the best phones LG has kicked out in quite some time. The V30 has a seriously great design, awesome performance, and excellent dual cameras on the back, and Sprint’s currently letting you get two of them for the price of one.

When leasing a V30+ on Sprint for $38/month, you’ll be able to get another one for free after a monthly credit is applied to your bill. You’ll need to either add two lines of service or add one and upgrade the other, but even with that caveat, this is still a great deal.

Advertisement

Moto Z2 Force for $11/month and free Insta-Share Projector Moto Mod

The Moto Z2 Force isn’t the best phone that we saw in 2017, and while its retail price of $720 is a bit tough to swallow, Sprint makes the phone much more appealing for just $11/month with Sprint Flex. For that $11/month you’re getting a phone with dual 12MP cameras, 5.5-inch 1440p Super AMOLED display that’s shatter-proof, slim 7000 series aluminum unibody, and quite a lot more.

One of the biggest draws to the Moto Z devices is their compatibility with Moto Mods, and to help get you invested in this ecosystem, buying a Moto Z2 Force on Sprint will also let you get an Insta-Share Projector Moto Mod for free. The Insta-Share Projector is also a tough sell at its regular $299 price, but being bale to project your phone’s display up to 70-inches for no extra cost is pretty darn awesome.

See at Sprint

Get the Essential Phone for $108

The Essential Phone has received considerable price cuts since its initial debut, and if you’re looking to buy the device unlocked, you can now get it for just $499 or lower depending on the many sales that are often available for it. However, if you’re on Sprint or looking to switch, you can pick up an Essential Phone for as low as $108.

You’ll technically pay $6/month for the Essential Phone through Sprint Flex after a monthly bill credit, and once those 18 months are up, you can choose to pay the difference between its full price and what you paid or upgrade to something new. So, while you don’t technically get to keep the device, being able to own it for well over a year for $108 is still a really great deal.

See at Sprint

Carriers

• Which unlimited plan should you buy?
• Verizon’s Unlimited plans: Everything you need to know
• Everything you need to know about the T-Mobile ONE unlimited plan
• Everything you need to know about the AT&T Unlimited plan
• Everything you need to know about Sprint’s Unlimited Freedom plan
• Join the Discussion

The APC 1500VA battery backup and surge protector is down to $119 today only

Time to think about protecting your electronics.

The APC Back-UPS Pro 1500VA compact UPS battery backup and surge protector is down to $118.99 on Amazon. This UPS normally sells for $170, and it has never gone lower than $145 before.

This deal is part of Amazon’s Gold Box deals of the day, so the price is temporary. The deal covers every version of the Back-UPS Pro. The 1350VA version is down to $104.99 from $150. The 1000VA version is down to $89.99 from $130. And the 850VA version is $84.99 instead of $125.

Features for the 1500VA version include:

• 10 total outlets: 5 outlets provide ups power backup and surge protection; 5 outlets offer surge protection only
• Automatic voltage Regulation (AVR) maintains safe voltage conditions without using backup battery power
• Compatible with powerful PC and gaming PCs that have active PFC power supply
• 1Gb network dataline surge protection prevents dangerous surges traveling along datalines from damaging your equipment

Each version is an uninterruptible power supply that has a varying numbers of outlets but dooes mostly the same things.

See on Amazon

Amazon to have thousands of deals during its second annual Digital Day on December 29

Mark it on your calendars!

Amazon has announced that December 29 will be the company’s second annual Digital Day, a day that has thousands of deals on digital content across its site. From TV shows to mobile games, apps, and eBooks, there will be content here to interest just about everyone. Some deals will start as early as December 26 according to Amazon, with the best deals and biggest savings launching at 12:00 am ET on December 29.

Some of the deals you can expect to see include:

• Save 60% off Wonder Woman on Amazon Video
• $10 Amazon.com credit when you subscribe to HBO NOW on Amazon
• Save 25% off $49.99 Lapis bundle for Final Fantasy Brave Exvius
• Save 50% off all in-game items for Marvel Puzzle Quest
• Save up to 80% off in-game items for Playrix games
• Save up to 75% off ROBLOX New Year’s Eve themed wearables
• Save up to 33% off video games like Sonic Forces, Civilization VI, NBA 2K 18, and WWE 2K18
• Save up to 75% off on Kindle best-selling books, including titles such as The Girl Who Takes an Eye for an Eye, The Silent Corner, and Modern Romance
• Save up to 80% off best-selling Marvel graphic novels like Civil War II, House of M, World War Hulk, and Star Wars
• Three free audiobooks when you sign up for an Audible trial
• 25% or more off PC software like Rosetta Stone and Adobe Creative Cloud Photography
• First 3 months free in Daily Burn streaming workouts

As you’d imagine, Team Thrifter will be covering the event and surfacing the best deals so you can take advantage of them. Be sure to sign up for their newsletter and follow them on Twitter so you don’t miss out.

Best Christmas Countdown apps

Keep track of the days with these Christmas Countdown apps!

Christmas is almost here bring colder weather (in some parts of the world), holiday parties with friends, and presents to purchase for your loved ones. With so much going on this month, it’s easy to become a Grinch, or lose track of the days. If you want to really get into the spirit, or you just like a regular reminder of how much time is left until Christmas day dawns, then check out these Christmas countdown apps!

We’ve picked the best Christmas Countdown apps for Android, so come take a look!

Christmas Countdown 2017

When you open up this app, you’re faced with an adorable snowman in a snowy Christmas wonderland. Christmas Countdown 2017 gives you a few options to customize the way things look, a countdown that is accurate down to the second, and an advent calendar to keep you coming back for more.

From within the settings, you can adjust the date of Christmas between the 24th, and 25th of December, turn the animated snowflakes on and off, get notifications, and swap between the 7 different options for the background. You can also turn on background music that will cue up when you open the app. If you really want to go all out, you can also pick up the premium mode which includes more Christmas tracks, and a full countdown widget for your home screen. You also get access to an advent calendar filled with quotes, photos and links to videos to get you in the Christmas spirit!

Download: Christmas Countdown 2017 (Free)

Christmas Countdown

When it comes to sweet and simple, you may be thinking of this Christmas Countdown app. It delivers a pared down experience with a full countdown to the second, and several different live wallpapers that you can choose from.

The counter lives at the bottom of the screen in clear, easy-to-read boxes. On the left side of the screen, there is a music icon and you can tap it to turn on background music. On the right of the screen is a TV icon, and by tapping that you can cycle through the three different wallpapers available to you. If you want something cute for the season that requires basically no effort on your part, this is the app to check out.

Download: Christmas Countdown(Free)

KM Christmas Countdown Widgets

Not everybody wants a full background or live wallpaper taking up the screen, but they still want to have a nifty little counter on the screen. If that’s the case then KM Christmas Countdown Widgets should get the job done for you.

You get access to three small but adorable widgets that can be displayed right on your home screen as a reminder of how much time is left until Christmas. You can choose the day you want to countdown to, swap between a snowman, wreath, or Christmas tree. This app is also compatible with Android Wear, which means that you can also add a counter to your smartwatch!

Download: KM Christmas Countdown Widgets(Free)

Christmas Countdown

If what you really need isn’t just a countdown to Christmas, but an app to help you keep track of all the presents you have bought — or still need to buy — then this is the Christmas Countdown app for you! You get a full countdown when you open up the app, as well as the ability to create lists of everything that needs to be purchased.

With lists, you can separate gifts by person, or between friends and family. You’re able to see exactly how much you’ve spent, and enter gifts that you both have and haven’t yet bought. If you plan out your lists this is a great way to keep on track, and keep an eye as the hours and days until December 25th tick down!

Download: Christmas Countdown(Free)

Are you counting the days?

Keeping track of everything going on in December can be hectic, especially if you’re still looking for that perfect gift to give to someone special. These apps can help you keep track of time so it doesn’t get away from you, and put you in the holiday spirit along the way. Do you use a Christmas Countdown app? Is there a great Christmas Countdown app that should have made this list? Let us know about it in the comments below!

Holiday apps for Google Daydream

We’ve found awesome apps and experiences to feel the Holiday spirit!.intro

The Holidays are just about here heralding cold snowy weather, and warm nights sipping eggnog with family and friends. Of course this also means it’s the perfect time for some awesome holiday experiences meant to be enjoyed with your Google Daydream

Read more at VRHeads