The Nebula Capsule projector is now available on Amazon for $349

It’s a projector that runs Android and is the size of a soda can.

CES 2018 is all about weird and funky gadgets, and that’s exactly what the Nebula Capsule is. Anker launched the Capsule through its Nebula sub-brand on IndieGoGo last September, and just in time for this year’s Consumer Electronics Show, the Capsule is making its official debut on Amazon.

The Nebula Capsule is the size of a 12-ounce soda can, and while you might not expect much from something so small, don’t let the miniature body fool you. Not only does the Capsule project an image up to 100-inches, it also runs Android 7.1 Nougat, can be used as a 360-degree Bluetooth speaker, and offers up to four hours of video playback or 30 hours of music listening on just one charge.

You will find some shortcomings, such as a max resolution of 854 x 480 and just 100 lumens for the brightness, but for a projector that’s this portable, these specs are mostly understandable.

The Nebula Capsule’s price of $349 isn’t cheap, but if you’re in the market for a unique gadget that’ll be the perfect party companion, it’s definitely worth checking out.

See at Amazon

Best music widgets for Android

A good widget can make or break a home screen.

Widgets at their best should feel like they’ve always been a part of your home screen. They mesh with your wallpaper, they pop amongst your app icons, and the controls are easy to see and use. The problem with this idea is that, well, most music widgets suck. They’re either a harsh white that cover up wallpapers, or they’re too tiny to see your music information easily, or they’re just ugly. Thankfully, third-party apps are here to pick up the slack and turn it into a beautiful banner of musical magic.

Here are the best ones.

Ubiquity Music Widget

Before we get into our real winners, all of whom use KWGT Pro for added customization as well as a standard and stable base, I do have something for users who don’t want to hassle with a WYSIWYG widget editor: Ubiquity Music Widget. It has two fairly standard widgets, and the 4×1 model even offers light customization, including letting the album art determine the color scheme. I traditionally go with Clear, but with some themes you need the added contrast of Transparent. Ubiquity can pull in playback information and controls from more than just your primary music player, meaning one playback widget can control music, YouTube, or Netflix (while casting) depending on what’s active.

Ubiquity Music Widget (Free, $1.99)

Melodi for Kustom

This widget pack is brand-spanking new, having been initially released just before the new year, and if the initial offering is anything to go by, I’m going to be using Melodi in many, many, many themes for years to come. It offers 17 widgets made from 17 completed and ready to customize Komponents, meaning that these widgets can be used in both KWGT, Kustom’s widget engine, or in KLWP, Kustom Live Wallpaper.

Melodi has quickly won my theming heart over. The komponents are diverse, inventive, and most importantly they have at most two settings to futz with. Unlike most widget packs, Melodi’s components aren’t a giant folder of confusing shapes and text boxes, it’s a complete widget. You can customize the widget’s colors, maybe change the widget from dark mode to light, and that’s it, just add the widget, size it to fit, and you’re done.

There’s a lot here to love, but my favorites are: Melodi_12, a square widget that pulls its accent color from the album art, Melodi_14, which can feel like a completely different widget when used with either a solid Background Color or completely clear, and Melodi_9, which uses a soft glow from the album art and progress bar ring to give the widget a little pop.

Melodi for Kustom (Free, $0.99)

Material Music Komponent

If you’ve followed our theme packs for about the last year and a half, you’ve no doubt seen a Preset for our themes using Material Music Komponent to get a perfectly themed music widget that can be easily applied to your phones. Material Music still has a special place in my heart. This pack features 3 finished Komponents for its widgets, and they come in three sizes: Large, Regular, and Compact, and the Regular komponent is the one we’ve most often employed.

The controls are large and easy to hit, and you can color each part of the komponent separately and easily. In short, it’s Material, it’s easy to theme, and it’s free. Yes, it hasn’t been updated since 2015, but most Kustom widget packs aren’t really updated once the finished Komponents are added.

Material Music Komponent (free)

KMusic and KMusic 2

KMusic is a series of widget packs for KWGT that employ a wide variety of styles. Some of the widgets are based on popular music apps, such as Spotify, Play Music, and Apple Music, while others are completely original. KMusic’s widget pack is NOT made of Komponents, but rather of individual layers, which means that they are more customizable if you really want to tinker with them, but that also means that when you want to just re-color things, be prepared to dig down to each item, which aren’t properly labeled for easy identification and alteration.

KMusic has two packs, the original and the newer KMusic 2, and both has worth widgets, but KMusic 2 is a younger, smaller pack. There are free and paid versions of KMusic, and KMusic 2, being the newer, smaller and still improving pack, only has a free version available right now. If you’re the kind of music listener who really, really wants to tinker with your widgets, KMusic is for you.

KMusic 2 (Free)

Your turn

What’s your favorite? Do you go simple with Ubiquity? Are you willing to get down and dirty in KMusic? Have you given Melodi a shot? Tell us! And if you haven’t taken a chance on a third-party music widget, there’s no time like the present! Remember, life is too short for ugly widgets.

Every Samsung Galaxy Note 8 Case We Could Find

A roundup of all the best Note 8 cases we could find!

As is the case with every major phone released like the Samsung Galaxy Note 8, there are a crazy abundance of cases available. Whether you’re looking for something slim and stylish, thick and rugged, or crystal clear, we’ve got you covered.

We’ve rounded up the best cases across all of these categories and more and combined them into a sort of master list for finding the right case for your Note 8.

• Samsung LED Wallet Cover case
• OtterBox Commuter Case
• Spigen Rugged Armor case
• RhinoShield CrashGuard Bumper case
• Caseology Skyfall Series Slim Case
• Ringke Slim Case w/ slot card holder
• DAVIS CASE Genuine Leather Case
• Spigen Wallet S
• Supcase Unicorn Beetle Shield Series Case
• UAG Plasma Rugged Case
• Spigen Liquid Crystal
• Ringke Fusion

Samsung LED Wallet Cover case

Samsung is always good for creating cases that feature some awesomely unique features for its phones, and few are as cool as the LED Wallet Cover.

This brilliantly-designed case blends screen protection with functionality, allowing you to see the current time and view notifications via LEDs without exposing the screen — all you do is press the power button and presto! This case also features an interior pocket for storing your cash or cards, which can help you cut down on your pocket carry.

You can get yours for $60, or check out Samsung’s website to learn about the other cases they offer, too.

See at Samsung

OtterBox Commuter case

The Note 8 might be the most expensive flagship phones released in 2017, so you’re going to want to keep it protected. When it comes to the best cases, many people instantly think of OtterBox. It has built a solid reputation of making great cases backed by outstanding customer service.

We’ll recommend the Commuter Series case since it’s a great combination of the rugged protection that OtterBox is known for and a slimmer design so it’s easier to slip into a pocket or purse.

However, you really get what you pay for from OtterBox, which includes the aforementioned customer service that’s there to help if any issues pop up.

See at OtterBox

Spigen Rugged Armor case

For those who don’t want to sacrifice pocket space for protection, Spigen’s Rugged Armor case is a great option.

This sleek, one-piece case is rugged and sleek with carbon fiber accents that looks really nice on taller devices like the Note 8. It’s made of rugged TPU material so it’s easy to install and features a matte finish for a great look and feel. It’s a really slim case, too, so you won’t be adding a ton of bulk in exchange for a case that will provide rugged protection. Best of all is the price — you can get this reliable case for just $11 on Amazon.

See at Amazon

RhinoShield CrashGuard Bumper case

Alright, I know what a lot of you are thinking: I need a case that’s going to provide maximum protection for my Note 8; a bumper case just won’t cut it!

But as I learned from reviewing the RhinoShield CrashGuard for the Galaxy S8, this isn’t your average bumper. RhinoShield has developed a bumper case that offers truly rugged protection where your phone needs it most — in the corners, around the edges, and lips that come up around the front and back panels of glass.

It might be one of those instances where you need to actually try it before you’re fully convinced, but if you love being able to show off your brilliant new phone but also want to keep it protected from drop damage, you really can’t beat the RhinoShield CrashGuard. You can get yours for just $25.

See at Rhinoshield

More: The Best Cases for the Galaxy Note 8

Caseology Skyfall Series Slim Case

Caseology’s Skyfall Series of cases are always stylish and popular, mixing a clear acrylic back plate with colorful accents provided by the polycarbonate bumper.

The slim build of this case compliments the Note 8 well, while the two-layered design is capable of absorbing any drops that may occur. There’s a raised lip around the front of the phone as well around the camera and fingerprint sensor, so all the features of your phone will be protected and functional.

There are four color options to choose from designed to match the different colors of the Note 8 itself, starting at just $12.99.

See at Amazon

Ringke Slim Case w/ slot card holder

Ringke’s slim case for the Note 8 is pretty basic as you’d expect, but it has included a pretty nice accessory for cutting down your daily carry.

Along with this ultra-thin case that only adds about 2mm of bulk to your phone, Ringke includes an adhesive card slot holder that’s capable of holding two cards — say your photo ID and a credit card. It’s the perfect accessory for traveling or going out to the bar if you want to keep your carry light.

This one-piece case is made of rugged polycarbonate will keep your phone safe from bumps and scuffs while keeping the sleek design intact. You can get it in classic black for just $8, or opt for a powder blue or salmon pink option for $10.

See at Amazon

More Ultra-Thin Cases for the Galaxy Note 8

DAVIS CASE Genuine Leather Case

We’ll start out with some cases made from genuine leather. This option from DAVIS CASE has some great aesthetics especially if you love the look of old leather-bound books.

These cases are handmade with genuine leather that’s got a nice weathered finish to it. On the inside, there’s a pocket that will accommodate some folded bills, along with five card slots including a clear one for IDs. It also supports wireless charging and like most folio-style cases it can be folded into a kickstand for hands-free viewing.

At $34.99 it’s certainly on the pricier side, but you should get your money’s worth with the genuine leather and hand-crafted quality.

See at Amazon

Spigen Wallet S

Back to folio-style cases, Spigen has offered its Wallet S case for the Note 8.

The Wallet S was one of my favorite cases for the short-lived Note 7 last year, so it should be a reliable option for the Note 8 as well. While it shares many of the same features as the other folio wallet cases on this list, one feature you might appreciate is the cutout around the ear speaker on the front flap, which allows you to talk on the phone with the cover closed.

It’s only available in classic black and features a magnetic strap to keep it closed. Get this premium-looking wallet case for just $17.99.

See at Amazon

More Leather Cases for the Galaxy Note 8

Supcase Unicorn Beetle Shield Series Case

Are you the type that can’t be trusted with nice things? Needs to keep your phone fully encased in plastic to protect it from yourself? No judgments here — the first step is admitting you have a problem.

The next step is finding the right solution, which just might be the mighty rugged Supcase Unicorn Beetle Shield Series case. Combining a polycarbonate outer shell with a flexible and shock-absorbing TPU sleeve, this case goes an extra step further by including a built-in screen protector around front to prevent scratches from ruining your Note 8’s display.

It’s otherwise a pretty standard design for a rugged case — beefy in the corners where it needs to be yet slim and sporty enough as to not turn your phone into a thick brick of plastic. You can get yours from Amazon for just $20.

See at Amazon

UAG Plasma Rugged Case

The go-to rugged case for many smartphone users, the UAG Plasma is a rugged and lightweight case that’s arguably the coolest looking case on this list — although that’s always a matter of personal opinion.

It’s a remarkably slim case with a great amount of texture and ridges along the side edges and back to assist with in-hand grip. With reinforced corners to take the brunt of any falls that also provides relief from your screen when you put your phone face down, this is a case style that’s been perfected over the years to offer maximum protection for premium devices such as the Note 8. It’s also thin enough to remain compatible for NFC and Qi wireless charging functionality.

But you will pay a somewhat steep price for all that premium design and build quality — $30 for some color options and up to $55 for the all-black model. Completely justifiable for smartphone peace of mind.

See at Amazon

More: Best Heavy Duty Cases for the Galaxy Note 8

Spigen Liquid Crystal

A great clear case is going to offer protection for your phone without drawing attention to the fact that you’ve got a case on your phone. In that regard, the Spigen Liquid Crystal is an outstanding choice.

Made of lightweight and flexible TPU material, this single-layer case is easy to pop onto your phone while adding next to no bulk to the phone. Precise cutouts and buttons means that your phone’s functionality is never affected, and it’s thin enough to allow for wireless charging, too.

Spigen has a couple other clear case options you might be interested in — the Rugged Crystal ($12) features reinforced corners to help with drops, and the Ultra Hybrid S ($15) features a built-in magnetic kickstand for hands-free media viewing. But if you’re just looking for a reliable and slim clear case, the Liquid Crystal is your best value at just $11.

See at Amazon

Ringke Fusion

The Ringke Fusion case is one of those case styles that’s offered for nearly every major phone release, and it’s a reliable option if you want to keep your phone protected without impeding the look and design of your new phone.

This is a two-layer case with a soft, shock-absorbing TPU bumper paired with a hard plastic back plate that offers serious protection against drops and scratches. There’s tapered lips around the corners to ensure the screen isn’t in direct contact with surfaces if you put your phone screen down on a table, and it’s been precisely designed so that all the ports and buttons are functional.

You can get the standard all-clear version for just $7.99, or opt to add some character to the bumper — Rose Gold or Smoke Black — for just $9.99.

See at Amazon

More: Best Clear Cases for the Galaxy Note 8

Samsung Galaxy Note 8

• Galaxy Note 8 review
• Complete Galaxy Note 8 specs
• Galaxy Note 8 vs. Galaxy Note 5
• Which Note 8 color is best?
• Join our Galaxy Note 8 forums

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UVify’s Oori is a 60MPH micro drone that leaves others in the dust

At last year’s CES, drone newcomer UVify made a splash with its speedy Draco racing quad. So much so, we awarded it the “Best Drone” in the official Best of CES awards. This year, the team is back with a new quadcopter called Oori, and it promises to be just as much fun.

Like Draco before it, the focus here is speed, with the needle topping reaching an impressive 50-plus miles an hour. As a micro-quad, Oori is much smaller than Draco — it’ll fit in the palm of your hand. So, it isn’t meant for the full-blood racing crowd, rather those that want to practice their skills, or even fly indoors.

Oori comes with everything you need to get started: the drone, battery (USB chargeable) and a controller (with a full-color display). There’s a camera on the front which will stream video to the controller or compatible video goggles, so you can fly it from the cockpit’s point of view (much easier, and much much more fun). There are also altitude and downward sensors that make Oori easy to fly for beginners, or just much more stable in the air, even for experienced pilots.

Most drones this size have little in the way of design flourishes, but Oori is peppered with lights that provide feedback (battery life or flying mode for example), and you can change their color to match your mood (or your teammates). You’ll get about six minutes of flight time per charge, which is about average for drones this size.

While drone racing is slowly gaining mainstream attention, it’s still a niche sport. The technical skills required to modify and maintain these drones make it fairly high bar to entry. As such, micro-drones that are ready to fly are growing in popularity. Budding pilots can pick up something easier to fly, for less money and almost no setup required.

When we say less money, Oori is still pretty expensive. Early birds can pre-order today for $289, but it’ll retail for $389. That’s quite a slice for something this size. Fat Shark’s 101 is a more sedate craft but cost over $100 less (and include video goggles). Parrot’s kid-friendly Mambo is $180, and even DJI’s gesture-controlled Spark weighs in at just $10 more (although that’s a different beast altogether). There are also many other budget micro drones that can be picked up for less than $100 all in. Those, of course, don’t have the speed, design, and attention to detail as Oori, but it’s also a lot less green.

All that said, UVify is trying to carve out a new category here. Most microdrones are good for flying around your backyard, but are mostly just for a quick flying fix. Oori is designed to grow with your ambitions. Learners will appreciate the guided flying modes, while once you have the basics you can remove those limitations, and ratchet up the intensity. Will this be enough to lure in beginners and pros alike? We’ll have to wait and see, but for now, it’s good to see UVify isn’t resting on its laurels.

While pre-orders are open already, Oori won’t ship until Spring (around April I’m told).

Click here to catch up on the latest news from CES 2018.

Source: UVify

GoPro cuts nearly 300 jobs as it quits making drones

GoPro still isn’t in the best of health, and that’s leading it to make some tough decisions about its future. The action camera maker has confirmed that it’s cutting nearly 300 jobs (from 1,254 to “fewer than 1,000”), and is exiting the drone market entirely. The Karma drone was the second most popular drone in its price class, GoPro said, but it faced profit margin problems in an “extremely competitive aerial market. Combine that with a “hostile regulatory environment” in Europe and the US, and the market is expected to shrink to the point where it’s “untenable” to compete.

The company will sell what’s left of its Karma inventory, and plans to continue supporting drones.

There are more steps underway to help right the ship. GoPro has cut the price of the Hero6 Black camera from $499 to $399 to spur sales, and chief executive Nick Woodman has cut his cash compensation to $1 for 2018. The company expects to take a $80 million hit for price protection for the just-ended fourth quarter, but the new moves should save GoPro $80 million in expenses for the new year.

It’s a sad moment for both outgoing staff and for GoPro’s hopes of expanding beyond its main business. However, there’s no question that the firm faced an uphill battle in the drone space. DJI effectively neutralized the Karma with the more advanced Mavic Pro, and competing drones like AirDog’s ADII didn’t make life any easier. If GoPro wanted to stay in the market, it was going to have to keep pace with dedicated drone makers. That likely meant devoting more time and money than GoPro could afford to spend.

Source: GoPro

The Engadget CES stage kicks off at 1PM ET tomorrow

Team Engadget has descended upon Las Vegas to cover CES — and we’ve just put the finishing touches on our booth in the middle of the Las Vegas Convention Center. This is the sixth consecutive year that we’ve got a stage at the show and as ever we have a packed program, with all-day coverage live-streamed straight to our homepage for the first three days of the event. Tune in starting tomorrow at 10AM Pacific for our daily morning show and stick with us until 5PM each day, where we’ll finish off the day by tackling some racier topics in our “After Hours” segment. In between, expect lots of interviews with execs from some of the tech industry’s biggest players about everything from self-driving cars to the smart home to wearables and personal computing.

Along the way, we’ll also have some fun in the form of some live gameplay and a good old-fashioned gameshow. (Yes, we brought prizes.) Finishing it all off, we’ll be presenting the official Best of CES Awards on Thursday at 5PM Pacific. Stay tuned on our CES homepage right here, and don’t worry: If you miss a beat, almost all of these segments will be available to watch later. Buckle in — it’s going to be a busy three days!

Tuesday, 1/9

• 10:00 – 10:30 AM: A recap of CES, day zero
• 10:30 – 11:00 AM: The future of the living room, according to Samsung
• 11:00 – 11:30 AM: What does VR and AR mean for the entertainment landscape?
• 11:30 AM – 12:00 PM: Samsung’s role in the connected home
• 1:00 – 1:30 PM: In conversation with OnePlus
• 1:30 – 2:00 PM: Dell’s plans for laptops and software in 2018
• 2:00 – 2:30 PM: Where are wearables headed in 2018?
• 2:30 – 3:00 PM: How will HP continue to surprise us in 2018?
• 3:00 – 3:30 PM: ZTE explains its experimental form factors
• 3:30 – 4:00 PM: In conversation with Nick Woodman, CEO of GoPro
• 4:00 – 5:00 PM: After Hours: RealDoll’s first sex robot makes its public debut live on the Engadget stage

Wednesday, 1/10

• 10:00 – 10:30 AM: Interview with WWE’s Stephanie McMahon
• 10:35 – 11:00 AM: A recap of CES, day one
• 11:00 – 11:30 AM: Sony’s announcements at CES and its mobile strategy for 2018
• 11:30 AM – 12:00 PM: Sonos on female representation and diversity at CES
• 1:00 – 1:30 PM: How self-driving cars will be regionalized
• 1:30 – 2:00 PM: The future of autonomous driving
• 2:30 – 3:00 PM: The smart bathroom cometh
• 3:00 – 3:30 PM: Perfect Strangedroids: How humans will learn to love the robots of tomorrow
• 3:30 – 4:00 PM: Will Lenovo keep trying to conquer your home in 2018?
• 4:00 – 5:00 PM: After Hours: Teledildonics and the future of long distance love

Thursday, 1/11

• 10:00 – 10:30 AM: A recap of CES, day two
• 11:00 – 11:30 AM: Master and Dynamic explains the MA770 concrete speaker
• 11:30 AM – 12:00 PM: A look at accessible technology at CES
• 1:00 – 1:30 PM: Dolby breaks down the science behind its immersive audio technology
• 1:30 – 2:00 PM: Bragi’s founder and CEO on the wireless earbud craze
• 2:00 – 2:30 PM: Video game challenge
• 2:30 – 3:00 PM: Engadget roundtable: Breaking down the biggest themes of CES 2018
• 3:00 – 3:30 PM: Engadget’s CES Gameshow
• 5:00 – 6:00 PM: Best of CES Award ceremony

Click here to catch up on the latest news from CES 2018.

Westinghouse’s 43-inch 4K Android TV set costs $350

Perhaps one of the best developments for tech consumers over the last few years has been the arrival of very cheap, surprisingly feature-rich 4K TVs from companies like Vizio. That trend continues this year at CES 2018, as Westinghouse has just unveiled a series of 4K models with Android TV starting at just $350. Don’t expect miracles in terms of picture quality, but it’s definitely a cheap way to get Netflix streaming, smart home control, Google Cast and other features.

Westinghouse doesn’t appear to offer HDR, which is unfortunate considering that TCL and other companies build relatively cheap HDR 4K TVs. Nevertheless, they do come with a 120Hz maximum refresh rate and built-in WiFi.

Android TV, meanwhile, will let you play games, stream from Netflix, Amazon Prime and other apps, and cast from your phone or laptop. You also get Google Assistant, Google Cast and Google Play Games, along with Google’s built-in Home hub. As mentioned, the 43-inch model is $350; Westinghouse has yet to release prices for the 50-, 55- and 60-inch models, but expect those to be very competitive, too.

Bragi’s Project Ears is fusing wireless audio with hearing aids

Bragi’s appearance at this year’s CES isn’t about an updated pair of earbuds. At least, not yet. It’s taking its audio tech in a new, health-based direction, working with Mimi Hearing Technologies to create personalised hearing enhancement.

Both companies are working on a Personal Sound Amplification Product (PSAP) — backed with FDA approval. The rest of the details are still TBC, although according to Bragi, it will combine hearing enhancement with a design that’s similar to its Dash series of buds — in short, it’s not going to look like a hearing aid. The project was apparently inspired by one of Bragi’s early Kickstarter backers, who made a basic modification to the Dash to offer relief from tinnitus. The company now plans to combine its audio know-how with Mimi’s customized hearing test maps, resulting user-specific sound profiles and creating a refined solution for hearing issues like tinnitus.

Project Ears has already established a hearing test (in science terms, a “pure tone threshold test”) to create unique “Earprint”. Combined with with Mimi’s personalization tech, the hearing device will automatically configure and program itself to the individual without any need for manual programming or even a smartphone. According to Bragi, Project Ears will also test out personalized hearing enhancement in homes, offices, and outside work environments like construction sites. (That’s why there’s a picture of a builder up there at the top of this article — if you were wondering.)

Project Ears is posited as a way to help with hearing issues in an unobtrusive, subtle way that doesn’t involve often pricey medical tech. It’s certainly not the only company branching out in this direction. Many others are likely approaching assistive audio, after a bill to deregulate hearing aids was passed, opening up access (and hopefully reducing the price of entry) to hearing aid devices of all kinds. Bragi believes it’s nimble and small enough to beat bigger competition to the punch.

Click here to catch up on the latest news from CES 2018.

Source: Project Ears

Live from LG’s CES 2018 press conference!

Day Zero of CES 2018 is here and it’s LG who is kicking off the tech hoopla. We’ll likely see the company introduce some new OLED TVs and possibly even a smartphone, the “raspberry red” V30. Aside from that, you can expect LG to show off products like its tiny 4K projector and the 65-inch rollable TV, which was revealed a couple days ago. Whatever happens at the event, we’re here to bring it to you live, so make sure to tune into this page at 8AM PT/11AM ET.

Click here to catch up on the latest news from CES 2018.

CES starts this week: TVs, cars and voice-controlled everything

The two things you can count on are death and taxes, so the saying goes. We’d suggest an addition to that list: a slew of new technology pouring out of CES each January. The world’s largest electronics show is about to commence in earnest, and the pre-game events are already underway. Gadgets, because we can’t think of any other way we’d rather see in the new year.

Click here to catch up on the latest news from CES 2018.