Lenovo’s fingerprint scanner software is broken, update it today

There is a lot of bad news lately when it comes to the security of our PCs and other devices. All kinds of nefarious parties want to break into our machines and access our most vital personal and professional information. That is what makes recent advances in biometric security, such as fingerprint scanners and facial recognition, so welcome. It’s also what makes it so disturbing when there is a flaw in those systems, as was recently the case with Lenovo’s Fingerprint Manager Pro software.

Fingerprint Manager Pro is a Windows 7, 8, and 8.1 utility that enables the fingerprint scanner on certain Lenovo systems to match a user’s fingerprint and use it to log into the machine as well as to authenticate to websites without needing to type in a password. As Lenovo indicates in a recent support bulletin, versions of the utility older than 8.01.87 are vulnerable to attack thanks to a weak algorithm and a hard-coded password — leaving sensitive data accessible to any user with local non-administrative access to a machine.

It is important to note that Windows 10 machines are unaffected, thanks to Microsoft’s built-in fingerprint reader support. If you’re using Windows 10 Hello on a Lenovo system, therefore, you have nothing to worry about.

This isn’t the first time that Lenovo’s fingerprint software has suffered from a lapse in security. In early 2016, the Lenovo Fingerprint Manager and Touch Fingerprint Software utilities were vulnerable to a local privilege escalation that allows users to gain administrator rights when running applications.

Here is a list of the affected systems:

• ThinkPad L560
• ThinkPad P40 Yoga, P50s
• ThinkPad T440, T440p, T440s, T450, T450s, T460, T540p, T550, T560
• ThinkPad W540, W541, W550s
• ThinkPad X1 Carbon (Type 20A7, 20A8), X1 Carbon (Type 20BS, 20BT)
• ThinkPad X240, X240s, X250, X260
• ThinkPad Yoga 14 (20FY), Yoga 460
• ThinkCentre M73, M73z, M78, M79, M83, M93, M93p, M93z
• ThinkStation E32, P300, P500, P700, P900

Go update the Lenovo Fingerprint Manager Pro utility today. You can download it here, and then install it as soon as you can to make sure your sensitive data remains protected. While you’re at it, you can check out all of Lenovo’s security advisories here to make sure you’re not exposed.

Editors’ Recommendations

• Synaptics’ Clear ID puts the fingerprint sensor under your smartphone’s display
• Older Windows 10 devices susceptible to Windows Hello face spoofing
• Lenovo revs up the ThinkPad X1 line with Intel 8th-gen, HDR displays, and Alexa
• How to speed up Windows in a few easy steps
• How to factory reset Windows and make your PC new again

Positron Voyager virtual reality chair snags $1.4 million in seed funding

Sundance is one of the most well-known film festivals around, and increasingly we’ve seen an influx of virtual reality content shown at recent installments. This year, Los Angeles-based startup Positron used the event to announce the next generation of its VR motion chair, Voyager.

Voyager is intended to offer an unparalleled experience that adds to the immersive quality of VR content. While seated, users can rotate 360 degrees without ever standing up, and can recline through a 35-degree range of motion, according to a report from Road to VR.

The Voyager chair houses a PC capable of running VR content, that features a GTX 1070 GPU. Several different units can be synchronized, so that a group of viewers can enjoy the same content at the same time.

Many VR experiences allow the user to turn their head to look around their environment. The Voyager is designed such that they can do so, while remaining in a comfortable seated position, allowing for longer viewing sessions.

The first generation was present at Sundance 2017, and later used to facilitate the VR experience that accompanied last year’s reboot of The Mummy. This year, Positron brought an upgraded version that was made a VR experience called Space Explorers: A New Dawn all the more immersive.

At Sundance 2018, Positron announced that it had secured $1.4 million in seed funding for the next generation of the Voyager chair, inking deals with Other World Computing and Lazar Ventures. Jennifer Rundell, the company’s chief operating officer and founder, stated that this money will be used to add advanced functionality like six degrees of freedom tracking, scent, wind, and motion tracking.

While hardcore VR enthusiasts might like a Voyager for their living room, Positron’s focus is on public venues like cinemas, hotels, museums, and airports. It can be expensive to build a comprehensive VR setup from scratch, so it’s long been predicted that offering up access to the tech in this manner could be  one way to grow the medium as a whole.

Of course, content is still key — without VR experiences that people want to pay for, it’ll be difficult to encourage businesses to make that initial investment in the hardware.

Editors’ Recommendations

• ‘The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim VR’ review
• Lenovo Mirage Camera hands-on review
• Apple embraces VR video with 360-degree and 8K support for Final Cut Pro X
• The 12 best PSVR games available today
• Leap into more immersive VR feet first with ‘Mythbusters’ host’s Vortrex shoes

Facebook bans advertisements for cryptocurrency exchanges

Facebook brought the hammer down on “misleading financial products” on Tuesday, January 30, by effectively banning any and all advertisements for cryptocurrency exchanges, initial coin offerings, and binary options trading from any Facebook platform. That includes Facebook proper, Instagram, Audience Network, and Messenger.

“Two of our core advertising principles outline our belief that ads should be safe, and that we build for people first. Misleading or deceptive ads have no place on Facebook,” Facebook said.

It might sound like a sweeping policy, and that’s because it is. Facebook claims the policy was designed to be broad, so it might be refined in the future. According to Facebook, the goal here is to protect consumers from potential scams, first and foremost. Accommodating potentially hazardous financial service companies isn’t a part of the equation.

“We’ve created a new policy that prohibits ads that promote financial products and services that are frequently associated with misleading or deceptive promotional practices, such as binary options, initial coin offerings, and cryptocurrency,” Facebook’s release states. “This policy is intentionally broad while we work to better detect deceptive and misleading advertising practices, and enforcement will begin to ramp up across our platforms including Facebook, Audience Network, and Instagram.”

As interest in cryptocurrency skyrockets, it makes sense that Facebook would slam the door on ads that could prey on its users. Cryptocurrency is notoriously hard to regulate and its volatility makes it fertile ground for scammers and predators. Earlier in January, one of Japan’s largest cryptocurrency exchanges lost $400 million in NEM tokens to theft. It wasn’t part of a scam, granted, but it does illustrate the larger problem here: There’s a lot of money flying around in cryptocurrency exchanges and even the legitimate ones have a hard time securing their investors’ money.

“We also understand that we may not catch every ad that should be removed under this new policy, and encourage our community to report content that violates our Advertising Policies. People can report any ad on Facebook by clicking on the upper right-hand corner of the ad,” Facebook said.

Cryptocurrency advocates might see this move as unnecessarily draconian, but given the recent scrutiny Facebook has been under, a crackdown on cryptocurrency advertisements makes sense — addressing a problem before it gets out of hand.

Editors’ Recommendations

• Hackers steal as much as 10 percent of new cryptocurrency funds
• You’ll soon be able to bet on Bitcoin’s future value on NASDAQ
• SEC warns all of us that publicly endorsing Bitcoin may be illegal
• The best bitcoin alternatives
• Bitcoin is still soaring. What’s the limit?

The best laptop cooling pad to save your overheated computer

Does your laptop have an overheating problem? Nothing is worse than seeing your laptop grind to a halt in the middle of an important project or gaming session — especially when those high temperatures can cause permanent hardware damage if you aren’t careful.

You can mod a desktop with all sorts of cooling mechanisms, but cooling down a laptop is a trickier prospect: That’s why companies have come up with cooling pads, which are essentially laptop stands that include fans that cool down the laptop’s base and back, helping to reduce temperatures even when you’re on the go. It’s not a perfect fix, but it really can make a difference — and a lot of them also have LED lights, because of course they do. Let’s take a look at the best laptop cooling pad and how it can fix your problem!

The best

Vanble Portable Chill Mat ($18)

Vanble’s cooling pad is simple, highly portable, and comes with multiple fan options, include two fan, three fan, and four fan configurations. Power comes from a USB attachment (and the mat includes an extra USB port), and there are little adjustable legs for finding the right height. Basically, it’s everything you could want in cooling pad, plus one of the lightest pads on the list, make it ideal for stuffing down in your laptop bag.

The one issue you may have is that this Vanble model is designed for 15.6 to 17-inch laptops, which covers a nice, broad range.

Download now from:

Amazon

The rest

Meco Laptop Cooler ($27)

If you want to skip straight to one of the most powerful cooling pads around, check out this Meco model with five total fans (plus some LED light decoration, or course. This metal mesh pad includes two built-in USB ports, and a rotating switch to turn the fan and lights on or off, then control the speed of the fans. It comes with six adjustable height options, too!

Keep in mind that those five fans can provide a lot of airflow, but that also means there are more components that need care, so you may not want to run this model at the highest speed all the time. The design fits 14 to 17-inch laptops.

Download now from:

Amazon

Tree New Bee Cooling Pad ($22)

This stylish Tree New Bee pad definitely has an interesting shape, but it’s the low weight and quad fans that impress us. There are also handy features such as a built-in dual USB hub, a switch to control fan speed, and adjustable “anti skid” flip-up arms to get the angle right.

That being said, a number of users have pointed out that the lightweight nature of the pad makes it difficult to support a full 17-inch laptop with the legs up, which means heavier laptops may be condemned to the flat position on this pad. The shape, while interesting, may also make it a little more difficult to store in your laptop case.

Download now from:

Amazon

Havit HV-F2056 ($20)

This Havit pad is a bit simpler than some of our other top picks. It only has three fans, for example — but that underlines the minimalistic, slimmed down design that makes this model especially portable. It’s particularly easy to slide into a bag or store next to your laptop, even in a tight case.

The stand options are a little limited but you do have two heights to choose between, along with an extra USB port. If you don’t mind settling for a few less fans, this more affordable model may be just what you had in mind. The stand fits laptops between 15.6 and 17-inches, but again be wary of using especially heavy laptops.

Download now from:

Amazon

Cooler Master NotePal X3 ($33)

This version of the Cooler Master pad is designed specifically for gaming. It has a little more weight for extra support of larger gaming laptops, and one large 200mm fan to push out a steady stream of air fast — plus, of course, those blue LED lights for showing off a little.

Notably, there’s a front vent so your hands get a breath of fresh air too, all the better for staying cool and dry under pressure. It also comes with two height settings for propping up laptops and a fan speed controller, but no extra USB port. The pad is made to fit laptops up to 17 inches.

Download now from:

Amazon

Opolar LC05 Laptop Cooler ($26)

Maybe you don’t care about laptop height or angle at all, and you’d just as soon play at your normal tabletop level (or you already have a stand and don’t want to mess with it). In this case, take a look at the Opolar LC05, which is a fan attachment that you plug into the side of your laptop. It still dissipates heat, and has a handy little temperature indicator as an optional add-on to keep an eye on just how hot things are.

It’s specifically designed for laptops with air vents on the sides or back, especially larger gaming laptops. It is not recommended for the super compact laptops like MacBooks.

Download now from:

Amazon

Editors’ Recommendations

• The best laptops under $500
• The best VR-ready laptops you can buy right now
• The best laptops you can buy
• The best laptops for high school students you can buy
• Dell Inspiron 15 7577 Gaming Review

Here are some common Moto G5S Plus problems and how to fix them

The Moto G series has ruled the Android budget roost for a few years now, in the face of increasingly stiff competition. We are impressed with the performance, battery life, and value for money that the Moto G5S Plus offers, but no phone is perfect and this one definitely has its issues. We’ve been digging around forums to unearth the most common Moto G5S Plus problems and see if we can offer workarounds or fixes to help you deal with them.

Problem: Shutter lag and other camera problems

We were quite impressed with the Moto G5S Plus camera in our review, though we did note that Lenovo might have done better sticking with a good single-lens camera, rather than trying to deliver a dual-lens option on a tight budget. As it turns out, many owners have been complaining about serious camera issues in the Lenovo forums, particularly shutter lag.

Potential solutions:

• There have been some software updates, so it’s worth making sure that you have the latest. Make sure you’re connected via cellular or Wi-Fi and go to Settings > About Phone > System Updates to download any update that is available.
• You should also make sure that you have the latest version of the Moto Camera 2 app and you may want to try Motorola’s Camera tuner for Moto G5S Plus.
• Occasionally cases can cause problems, so if you’re using one, try testing the camera without it on.
• Make sure there’s no cover or dirt on the lens — clean it gently with a dry cloth. If there’s damage, like a scratch that doesn’t rub off, then it could be the cause of your issue and you may need to contact Lenovo about a repair.
• If you’re getting a lot of error messages and the camera app refuses to start up, then you should try going to Settings > Apps > Camera > Storage and tap Clear Cache and Clear Data.

Workarounds:

• Some people report better results by using one of the best alternative camera apps or selfie apps.

Issue: Rapid battery drain

There have been complaints about battery drain in the Lenovo forums and also a post about Bluetooth causing rapid battery drain. This is a common issue with smartphones and there are various possible causes and several things you can try to sort it out. The first thing to do is try and identify what is draining your battery, so take a look in Settings > Battery.

Potential solutions:

• It’s unlikely to be a permanent fix, but try a restart before you do anything else. Simply hold down the power button for 10 to 20 seconds until your Moto G5S Plus turns off and then starts up again.
• Rogue apps can certainly cause battery problems. If you see a likely culprit on the Settings > Battery screen, then consider uninstalling it. You can also test to see the impact of third-party apps by booting into safe mode. Press the power button, then touch and hold on Power off on the screen, and then tap OK when Reboot to safe mode appears. You should see safe mode in the bottom left corner when it restarts and you can test battery life without any third-party apps running. If it’s much improved then you know an app is causing your issue, and you just need to track it down. A restart will take you back out of safe mode.
• If Bluetooth specifically seems to be your issue, then try going to Settings >Battery and tap the three vertical dots at the top right, then Battery optimization, make sure that you’re on All apps and tap on Bluetooth share and select Don’t optimize.

Workarounds:

• There is a Battery saver option in Settings > Battery.
• Go to Settings > Display > Sleep and set Screen timeout as low as you can without it being annoying.
• You can use Airplane mode to cut your cellular, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth connections, which will definitely save battery, but it will also prevent incoming messages.

Glitch: Random restarts

A few Moto G5S Plus owners have been suffering with random restarts and crashing, as discussed in the Lenovo forums. If this is happening to you, there are a few things you can try.

Potential solutions:

• Restart your device by holding down the power button for 10 to 20 seconds and see if that helps.
• Go to Settings > Storage and tap Cached data, then OK to delete. If your storage is running low, you may also want to consider offloading some files or getting rid of apps you don’t need.
• This is another issue that could be caused by third-party apps you’ve installed. The trick is to identify the app responsible. Test your phone in safe mode by pressing the power button, then touching and holding on Power off on the screen, and then tap OK when Reboot to safe mode appears. You should see safe mode in the bottom left corner when it restarts, and you can test without any third-party apps running. Simply restart the Moto G5S Plus to get out of safe mode. If the restarts are gone in safe mode, then you know a third-party app is the cause and you can either uninstall and test one by one or do a factory reset.
• A factory reset is a last resort and will wipe your phone, so back up everything that matters to you first. To wipe your Moto G5S Plus go to Settings > Backup & reset > Factory data reset and tap Reset phone. Make sure Automatic restore is turned off, or your device will automatically reinstall the same apps, which will probably bring the problem back.

Problem: Battery percentage wrong

A few people have been having trouble with the battery percentage on their Moto G5S Plus, as discussed in the Lenovo forums. For some, it seems to be decreasing when plugged in and charging, and for others it’s sticking randomly at certain numbers.

Potential fixes:

• Generally, you want to keep your battery percentage between 20 and 80 percent to maintain battery health, but to try and reset the battery percentage, let it run down to zero and wait for the Moto G5S Plus to turn itself off. Once the battery has run down plug it in to charge and leave it alone until it hits 100 percent.
• Make sure that you are using the cable and charger that came with your Moto G5S Plus. It might be worth testing different cables, chargers, and outlets just to confirm that none of them are faulty.
• Back up everything that matters to you and try a factory reset. To wipe your Moto G5S Plus go to Settings > Backup & reset > Factory data reset, and tap Reset phone. Set your phone up as new and test to see if the issue is gone before you restore a backup.
• If nothing so far has worked, then you may have a faulty battery. Contact Lenovo and ask about a repair or replacement.

Glitch: Wi-Fi won’t connect

Problems with Wi-Fi connections are common, and we’ve seen a few threads in the Lenovo forums on this topic. The first two are specifically about people being unable to connect to their saved home Wi-Fi network after a software update. Luckily, this one is easy to fix. If that’s not your issue we have some other things you can try.

Solution:

• Switch your router from WEP to WPA/WPA2 security. If you’re unsure how to do this, then check with your internet service provider.

Other potential solutions:

• Turn your router and your Moto G5S Plus off, then turn them both back on again and try to connect.
• Go to Settings > Backup & Reset > Network Settings reset > Reset settings and then connect to your Wi-Fi network afresh.
• Take a look in Settings > Wi-Fi and tap the three vertical dots at the top right, then Advanced > Keep Wi-Fi on during sleep and select Always.

Issue: Speaker not working or buzzing

We’ve seen a few reports in the Lenovo forums about speakers not working at all, crackling, or making buzzing sounds. If you encounter an issue, there are some things worth trying.

Potential fixes:

• Plug in some headphones or earphones and see if the audio works properly to determine if the problem is specifically with your speaker.
• Try turning off Bluetooth and testing the speaker again.
• Test in safe mode to rule out third-party apps as a cause. Press the power button, then touch and hold on Power off on the screen, and then tap OK when Reboot to safe mode appears. You should see safe mode in the bottom left corner when it restarts, and you can test without any third-party apps running. Simply restart the Moto G5S Plus to get out of safe mode.
• The last thing to try before contacting Lenovo is a factory reset. Back up everything first, then go to Settings > Backup & reset > Factory data reset, and tap Reset phone. Set your phone up as new and test to see if the issue is gone before you restore a backup.
• If the speaker issue persists, then it is probably a hardware fault and you should contact Lenovo or your retailer and ask about a replacement.

Editors’ Recommendations

• 10 common Google Pixel problems and how to deal with them
• 10 of the worst Android Wear problems, and how to fix them
• Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL problems, and what to do about them
• Annoying Samsung Galaxy Note 8 problems and what to do about them
• 20 major Kindle Fire problems, and how to extinguish them

Best Google Pixel 2 Alternatives

• Best overall
• Best high-end
• Best for less

Best overall

Google Pixel or Pixel XL

See at Verizon
See at Best Buy
See at Amazon
See at Google Store
See at B&H

This is pretty simple. If you don’t want to spend on the latest generation, pick up the previous generation Google Pixel or Pixel XL. Even though they’re over a year old, you can easily find listings for new, refurbished and used Pixels.

You get the same solid metal build, a still-fantastic camera, wonderful performance and a good bit of runway in terms of software updates still. Sure you get bigger bezels and last-generation specs, but those things really aren’t the reason you buy a Pixel phone in the first place — it’s all about the Google experience, and 2016’s models still deliver that. They even have a headphone jack, which is significant for many people.

Bottom line: The same core Pixel experience can be found in the last-gen Pixels for 20-50% less.

One more thing: Be diligent when buying an older phone, making sure to note the condition (new, used or refurbished) and sale type before you buy.

Best high-end

OnePlus 5T

See at OnePlus

OnePlus is known for clean, simple and great-performing software — many of the same descriptions we give to Pixels. You won’t find an issue with the smoothness or performance on the OnePlus 5T, and OnePlus is at pains to keep things simple with the smallest number of pre-installed apps possible in order to rely on Google’s apps and services.

The 6-inch 18:9 display with a metal frame is very similar to the Pixel 2 XL in terms of size and feel, and the speedy software and top-notch specs line up as well — it even has a headphone jack. The only real shortcoming here is the dual rear cameras, which are a considerable notch below the Pixel 2 XL. In addition, you just don’t get the guarantee of software updates that Google gives its own phones.

But on the other hand, you’ll only pay $499 for a OnePlus 5T that gets you a lot of the things the Pixel 2 XL is known for.

Bottom line: At $499, you get a Pixel-like experience for a few hundred dollars less than a Pixel 2 XL.

One more thing: To go even cheaper, you can pick up the slightly smaller last-gen OnePlus 5 second-hand online.

Best for less

Android One Moto X4

See at Project Fi

Android One phones run an extremely similar build of Android as you’d find on a Pixel — and even include a similar guarantee of future software updates. The Moto X4 is the nicest Android One phone available right now, and it tops out at just $399, considerably less than even the smaller Pixel 2.

But even with that lower price, the Android One Moto X4 offers solid metal-and-glass construction, a good screen, slick performance considering its somewhat middling internal specs and of course great clean software without bloat. The dual cameras on the back are better than average, and the phone has a headphone jack as well.

The only real downside to the Android One Moto X4 is that it’s exclusive to Google’s Project Fi. Other versions of the Moto X4 aren’t running Android One software.

Bottom line: For a Pixel-like software experience for 60% the cost, the Android One Moto X4 is great.

One more thing: At the time of writing the Android One Moto X4 is only available from Project Fi, significantly reducing its potential market.

Conclusion

If you’re after a Pixel experience on a budget, the 2016 Pixel and Pixel XL are the best choices. For something more modern, a OnePlus 5T follows a lot of the same features as a Pixel 2 XL. At a cheaper price point with very similar software, you have the Android One Moto X4.

Best overall

Google Pixel or Pixel XL

See at Verizon
See at Best Buy
See at Amazon
See at Google Store
See at B&H

This is pretty simple. If you don’t want to spend on the latest generation, pick up the previous generation Google Pixel or Pixel XL. Even though they’re over a year old, you can easily find listings for new, refurbished and used Pixels.

You get the same solid metal build, a still-fantastic camera, wonderful performance and a good bit of runway in terms of software updates still. Sure you get bigger bezels and last-generation specs, but those things really aren’t the reason you buy a Pixel phone in the first place — it’s all about the Google experience, and 2016’s models still deliver that. They even have a headphone jack, which is significant for many people.

Bottom line: The same core Pixel experience can be found in the last-gen Pixels for 20-50% less.

One more thing: Be diligent when buying an older phone, making sure to note the condition (new, used or refurbished) and sale type before you buy.

Best Storage Options for Gear VR

When it comes to storage, you have a few options.

Your phone only comes with a finite amount of space to hold all of your information from photos to contacts. So, you might find that you quickly start to fill it up as you download all of those awesome new VR games for your Gear VR. When that starts to happen, or if it’s already happened, you might be trying to figure out how to get more storage out of your phone. Well, we’ve got all the details for you below.

Onboard storage

Different phones have different amounts of space that is initially available for games and apps. Luckily, the latest phones from Samsung have quite a bit of storage. Both the Galaxy S8 and the Galaxy S8+ have at least 64GB of storage on board. There are some variants of the Galaxy S8+ that have 128GB of storage. But even with this much storage, you can still fill it up with apps and games.

This is the easiest storage option for most people.

On board storage is the easiest type of storage to manage and doesn’t require you to put anything into your phone or to plug anything in, but when it’s up, it’s up and you’ll have to look at some other options if you’ve managed to fill your phone to the brim.

MicroSD Card

Picking up a nice hefty MicroSD card can make a serious difference in how much space you have to work with. The Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8+ both support MicroSD cards up to 256GB.

To be able to use this option, you’ll need a tool to open up your SIM tray.

In order to access the MicroSD card you’ll need a tool for opening up your SIM tray. Once you pop the tray out you can place a MicroSD card into the open section that doesn’t hold your SIM.

See at Amazon

USB Type C flash drive

If you’re playing on the latest version of the Gear VR, there is a third storage option that is open to you. You can use a USB Type C flash drive. Unlike the older Gear VR, the newer version allows you to use the USB for data, and not just for charging.

Unlike the permanently attached storage or the internally stored microSD storage, flash drive storage is only good for playing media files in your headset. When the drive is attached you can search it for files from within your preferred VR media player, and watch in your own private theater. This storage format supports 360-degree videos as well as your own mix of standard flat videos.

Everything you can do with the USB port on your Samsung Gear VR

See at Amazon

Have you had to use external storage for your Gear VR or has the on board storage been enough for you? Let us know in the comments below.

Get the training required to pass the CompTIA Security+ exam for just $59!

When it comes to data security, CompTIA is the golden standard of certification. If you’re interested in a career in data security, you’ll need to pass the Security+ (SY0-501) exam

The problem here is that the training covers a broad range of topics and the courses required are usually not cheap. Right now, however, Android Central Digital Offers has a deal on the 2018 CompTIA Security Certification Training Bundle, you’ll pay just $59. That’s 98 percent off the regular price!

This training bundle contains 14 courses with over 140 hours of content included, which covers everything from everything you need to know to pass the various IT certification exams.

If you’re interested in becoming a certified data security specialist, this is the course you need. Don’t wait too long — this price is only here for a limited time.

See at Android Central Digital Offers

Best ways to stream the Winter Olympics in Canada

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How can I watch Team Canada compete for gold at the Olympics?

The 2018 Olympic Winter Games are set to kick off in PyeongChang, South Korea as the world comes together to celebrate the spirit of fair play and athletic competition. Running from February 9-25 the games are comprised of 102 medal events spanning 15 sports including Canadian specialties such as ice hockey and curling.

CBC owns the official Canadian broadcaster and streaming rights for the Winter Olympic Games PyeongChang 2018, and there are a couple of ways for Canadians eager to follow Team Canada athletes rack up the medals. We’ll see how exciting Olympic hockey can be without the NHL players.

CBC Sports

Given the 12-plus-hour time difference between South Korea and North America, watching your favorite events live might not jive so well with your sleep schedule. But you still want to see every moment of victory and podium glory throughout the games.

That’s where the CBC Sports app will be your best pal. It’s primed for to support both live video and highlight packages that you can watch at a much more reasonable time. The CBC Sports app is currently filled with Road to the Olympic Games coverage that should continue to pick up in the lead up to the opening ceremonies on February 9. There’s also support for Chromecast so you aren’t always stuck staring at your small screens.

Download: CBC Sports (Free w/ads)

CBC TV

Canada’s national broadcaster has begun to embrace streaming in a big way, which has culminated in the recent revamp of the CBC TV app for Android and iOS. Available exclusively in Canada, all you need to do is create a free account and sign in to get access to 14 regional CBC TV live streams straight to your phone.

If previous years are any indication, we can expect nearly wall-to-wall Olympic coverage on the national broadcaster, so with the CBC TV app installed on your phone or tablet you’re set to stream live coverage straight from South Korea, including the opening and closing ceremonies.

You also get access to all of CBC’s great shows and documentaries on demand which is pretty fantastic. Everything is free with ads, and while the iOS app currently has an option for a paid subscription to remove ads the feature is not yet available on Android.

But you know what feature is available? Chromecast.

Download: CBC TV (Free w/ads)

Digital Antenna

If you’ve cut out cable but still want that traditional experience of watching things live on your TV, now might be a good time to look into buying an indoor Digital Antenna.

It’s a great addition to any cord-cutter setup that compliments other streaming methods you might be using for your entertainment and news. Best of all, any digital antenna worth buying should be able to easily pull in the local CBC feed if you live in or near a major metropolitan area. You can check which channels are available for free in your area. And we’re not talking about fuzzy bunny-ear reception here — digital antennas these days are capable of drawing in HD quality over-the-air channels.

In terms of hardware, check out the Mohu Leaf Paper, an ultra-thin antenna that’s well reviewed by other technology websites and Amazon customers alike. With a nearly 50-kilometre range and a 10-foot cable included in the box, you’ll want to install this antenna near a window. It’s also reversible and paintable so you can get it to match your existing decor.

If you own an NVIDIA Shield TV box, might we also recommend getting a Tablo Tuner so you can connect the antenna to your Shield for a seamless integration into your current streaming setup.

See at Amazon

How will you cheer on Team Canada?

Do you plan to watch the Winter Olympics this year? Got any Olympic traditions with family or friends? Tell us in the comments below!

Best apps to stream the Winter Olympics in the U.S.

Huawei P20 to be unveiled on March 27 in Paris

It’s almost time to see what Huawei’s been working on.

Huawei’s 2018 has been off to a rough start. The Mate 10 Pro is a truly excellent device, but despite its greatness, won’t be heading to U.S. carriers as originally planned due to pressure from the United States government. This came as a pretty big blow to the company, but it’s aiming to redeem itself in just a couple months with its next phone – the P20.

The Huawei P10

Press invitations have been sent out from Huawei for an event that’ll take place in Paris on March 27, and although the P20 isn’t specifically mentioned in these, the “new flagship devices” are clearly going to be the P20 family.

So, what do we know about the phone? We’ve been able to confirm that it’ll be called the P20 rather than the P11 and previous rumors have suggested that it’ll ship with a total of three cameras on the back. Huawei’s P-series has become somewhat iconic for trying new and exciting things in the camera department, so an upgrade like this wouldn’t be a total shock.

We’re also expecting the P20 to ship with the same Kirin 970 processor that’s found on the Mate 10 Pro, and it feature either Android 8.0 or 8.1 Oreo. There will also be three different phones to check out, including the P20, P20 Lite, and P20 Plus.

We’ll be in Paris to take a look at what Huawei has in store for us, but in the meantime, what about the P20 are you most excited for?

Huawei P20: Rumors, specs, availability and more!