What password manager do you use?

It’s time to stop using “password” as your password.

Late last year, I finally came to my senses and started using a password manager. Doing so has made managing all of my online accounts considerably easier, and I often find myself wondering how I survived prior to this.

I thought I was previously in the minority of people that didn’t use password managers, so I was somewhat surprised to find out that just 12% of Google accounts actually take advantage of something like 1Password or LastPass.

Some of our forum users got together to talk about which password manager they use following this news, and these are a few of the top answers.

Almeuit
01-22-2018 01:18 AM

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I use LastPass. I pay for the premium ($24 a year). Love it so far. I have used it on my PC via chrome extension, iPhone (when using one), and also on Android via my Pixel 2 XL.

Reply

djdougd
01-22-2018 02:17 PM

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Recommend both Last Pass and Dashlane… Both solid password managers!

Reply

scgf
01-22-2018 03:48 PM

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I use 1Password. I used it a long while ago then tried LastPass, EnPass and Bitwarden. I recently tried 1Password and remembered how slick and professional it is. Highly recommended.

Reply

muzzy996
01-22-2018 07:16 PM

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+1 on LastPass. I use 2FA as much as I can for websites in general and I really like LastPass’s 2FA. Anytime I try to access my vault from any of my devices I’m prompted with a login request on my primary cell phone that I have to authenticate via fingerprint/pin first before the login is allowed. My phone is always with me so I feel somewhat secure with this method of verification. This to…

Reply

How about you? If you’re using a password manager, which one is it and why?

Less than 10% of Google accounts use two-factor authentication

Google’s Files Go app uses AI to declutter your phone

Google’s Files Go app has a special filter to delete those annoying ‘Good Morning’ messages.

Millions of Indians are making their way online for the first time, discovering new ways to connect and share with friends and family. And because WhatsApp usage is ubiquitous in the country, they land on the Facebook-owned messaging platform sooner or later. And one way of expressing themselves is through “Good Morning” messages sent over WhatsApp. These messages are usually delivered in the form of images and have a pithy quote attached.

Even accounting for WhatsApp’s compression — which reduces the file sizes to under 500KB — thousands of such forwards tend to clutter up a phone in a matter of months. If you’re a regular WhatsApp user and are in a lot of groups, the deluge can get pretty infuriating. It doesn’t bother me as much as I mute most groups as a general rule and don’t set media to automatically download onto my device, but I cannot count the number of times I’ve had to clear the internal storage of a family member’s phone.

Thankfully, Google is coming to the rescue with its Files Go app. For the uninitiated, Files Go is a storage manager that automatically looks through your device’s apps and internal storage to serve up recommendations on files you can delete.

Google found that one out of every three smartphone users in India run out of space on their devices daily, so it turned to machine learning to find a solution. The result is a special filter within Files Go that deletes these “Good Morning” messages en masse.

In an interview with The Wall Street Journal, Google group product manager Josh Woodward explained how his team relied on AI to weed out the specific messages:

We were trying to deconstruct what is the DNA of a good morning message for months. It’s been a lot of hard work to get it right.

In addition to decluttering your phone, Files Go also lets you easily send and receive files. If you’re interested in seeing what the app is capable of, hit up the Play Store from the link below to download Files Go.

Download Files Go from the Play Store

Most anticipated game releases for PlayStation VR in 2018

Best games coming to your PlayStation VR sooner than you know it

Playstation has released a list of games for the PSVR that are set to release in 2018, and we are so excited. I’ve combed through the list, scoured the internet for information, and compiled a list of what I think to be the best of the best. If you love VR games as much as I do, check out the list below and join the club of anticipation.

• Moss
• Bravo Team
• Golem
• The American Dream
• Ariel
• Quar Infernal Machines

Moss: February

I’m sure everyone has been waiting for Moss since it was announced. Well, now the developers over at Polyarc announced it will release in February of 2018 and it’s available for pre-order now at the price of $29.99!

This adorable experience will take you through a gorgeous forest where you will help a furry friend reach his goals by completing different puzzles as you go along. So Honey, it’s time to shrink ourselves again — we’ve got an adventure awaiting!

See at PlayStation Store

Bravo Team: March 6

“Ready… Aim… and Fire!” yourself into this militaristic game in virtual reality. Grab your PlayStation Aim Controller to shoot down your enemies and protect your comrades. Bravo Team was developed by Supermassive Games, who has set the release date for March 6, 2018. From hearing the radio chatter to actually having to look over your shoulder to check for enemies, this game is pretty immersive. If you’ve ever wanted to get a small taste of war from the front line, this game is just what you need.

Golem

Independent developer Highwire is releasing a game called Golem to PlayStation VR sometime in 2018. If the trailer of a mystical land were magic meets the excavation of ruins in the desert isn’t enough to captivate you, maybe this next part will.
Marty O’Donnell, the composer of the music for games like Halo and Destiny, was in charge of the music soundtrack. On top of this, they also had Jaime Griesemer who was a game designer for the same titles as well as other popular titles like Infamous. By their powers combined, I’m sure they will bring us an experience that will be absolutely fascinating.

The American Dream

Obviously, there is no way to eat a donut then by the American standard, and that’s off the barrel of a gun. Furthermore, the only way to learn math is to shoot the numbers from your flashcards. Gun safety is not something that is taught in this game, nor do I think it exists.

Regardless, this silly sequence of what appears to be mini-games is sure to captivating. Whether you’re wishing to live the life the world thinks America is, or just wanna play a fun shooting game, The American Dream is right for you.

Ariel

Survival and everything it takes to do so is key to existence. That might be a little hard to do when you are stranded on a Space Station with limited resources. This game will require strategy to complete, and it will definitely test your skill.
Ariel will offer obstacles for you to deal with including health, water, food, air and even the weather. Did I mention there were also alien monsters hunting you? Whether your niche is in roleplay, survival, shooting, or sci-fi, it will definitely be worth the download.

Quar Infernal Machines: Early 2018

While the graphics of Quar aren’t as super fancy as the other anticipated titles, the aspect of what the game is will draw you in. It’s like strategy mode on Dragon Age Inquisition meets Call of Duty in an interesting collaboration.
Developers at Steel Wool Studios are releasing Quar to the PlayStation VR sometime in early 2018 and I honestly can’t wait. I mean, who doesn’t get excited about having control over an army of monsters? Crazy people, that’s who.

What are you most excited for?

Alright so you’ve seen my most anticipated list, what’s yours? What do you think of the upcoming games or what games are you most excited to play? Let us know in the comments below!

PlayStation 4

• PS4 vs. PS4 Slim vs. PS4 Pro: Which should you buy?
• PlayStation VR Review
• Playing PS4 games through your phone is awesome

Amazon

Nokia 8 gets Android 8.1 Oreo beta

Just a couple months after the Nokia 8 got a public build of Android 8.0, HMD Global is already releasing a beta for 8.1.

In the world of Android OEMs and releasing fast software updates, HMD Global has been one of the top performers with its Nokia handsets. Just two months after releasing a public build of Android 8.0 Oreo for the Nokia 8, the company is already pushing out a beta for the newer Android 8.1.

HMD Global’s Chief Product Officer, Juho Sarvikas, made the announcement on Twitter early this morning, and you can download the new software to your Nokia 8 through Nokia beta labs.

Android 8.1 is a fairly minor upgrade over 8.0, but as Sarvikas points out in his tweet, updating your phone will reward you with a new hamburger emoji with the cheese placed on the top.

There’s no official word when 8.1 for the Nokia 8 will be ready for a public release, but we should see it within the next few weeks or so.

Android Oreo

• Android Oreo review!
• Everything new in Android Oreo
• How to get Android Oreo on your Pixel or Nexus
• Oreo will make you love notifications again
• Will my phone get Android Oreo?
• Join the Discussion

Best puzzle games for Android as of January 2018

What are the best brain-busting puzzle games for Android?

The touchscreen controls of a smartphone offer a unique opportunity for puzzle games, and arguably they’re best suited for our pocket devices because they can be easy to pick up and play when you have a few free moments. we’ve collected

Last updated January 20, 2017: Revamped list with additional titles.

• Bridge Constructor Portal
• The Room series
• Threes!
• Two Dots
• Monument Valley
• Brain It On!
• GO puzzle games

Bridge Constructor Portal

Bridge Constructor is a great physics-based puzzle game in its own right, but the new spin-off in the Portal universe takes the concept and adds in all the wacky elements from Aperture Laboratories.

Through 60 test chambers, your goal is to get the test vehicles to the end of the course any way you can using portals, propulsion and repulsion gels while avoiding deadly lasers, pits of acid, and sentient turrets. It’s an outstanding cross-over title that provides a challenge that will delight fans of Bridge Constructor and Portal alike.

Download: Bridge Constructor Portal ($4.99)

The Room series

The Room is a widely celebrated puzzle franchise for Android, with three entries offering hours upon hours of challenging puzzle fun. These games are very reminiscent of point-and-click classic adventure series such as Myst and Siberia, and each offer hours and hours of entertainment with some of the best visuals you’ll find in an Android game.

Controls are as simple as swiping around the screen and double tapping to focus in on an object or puzzle. As you progress through the game, you’ll find objects that will help you find your way out. As you go, more and more of the story is revealed through notes left for you by the Craftsman.

Each game is pretty long and involved, so expect to spend many hours glued to your device as you solve puzzle after puzzle. These are paid games, but if you love a good puzzle challenge they’re each well worth the price of admission!

Download: The Room ($0.99)

Download: The Room 2 ($1.99)

Download: The Room 3 ($3.99)

Threes!

Threes! is a fun and surprisingly cute number-based puzzle game where your goal is to swipe around the grid and match like numbers. But you’ve got to be strategic because if you fill up the board and run out of moves it’s game over!

For a truly unfettered experience, you’ll want to buy the full game for no ads or distractions while you play. If you’d prefer to save your money, the free version is also a great option, but once you burn through the set amount of plays you’re given to start with, you’ll need to watch ads to get more plays.

And believe us, once you get hooked on this game, you won’t want to have to wait for ads all the time.

Download: Threes! ($2.99)

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Two Dots

Like all the best puzzle games, Two Dots is simple to learn, difficult to master and highly addictive.

This is the sequel to the wildly popular Dots game, where the main object remains the same: connect as many dots of the same color as you can. The sequel brings new skills to the table, along with 900+ levels to work through.

Once you’ve gone through the first 10 levels, which act as a tutorial, Two Dots offers a linear adventure of sorts in Treasure Hunt, and a different mode called Expedition once you’ve reached level 35.

The game has absolutely no ads, and a really unique and clean visual style that you’ll love. There are in-app purchases available for shuffles which might help you get through a particularly tricky level but you’re better than that, right?

Download: Two Dots (Free w/ IAPs)

Monument Valley 1 & 2

Monument Valley is an award-winning puzzle game that features outstanding art and sound design. You play as Ida, a princess who must find her way through fantastical structures which you must manipulate and change to complete the path and help her reach her goal.

The controls are simple as you tap to move the princess while discovering the different ways you can move the structures around. It’s an intuitive experience that forces you to look at things from a different perspective. If you’ve never experienced the majestic wonder and mind-bending puzzles of Monument Valley, you should definitely check it out. You get the original game as well as a new chapter called Ida’s Dream with the purchase, while Forgotten Shores features eight new chapters of gameplay which are available via an in-app purchase.

The sequel, Monument Valley 2, is also out and a worthwhile game to check out as well!

Download: Monument Valley ($3.99 w/IAPs)

Download: Monument Valley 2 ($4.99)

Brain It On

Brain It On is an absolutely addicting physics-based puzzle game that requires you to think outside the box to solve each level.

Using your finger or stylus, you must draw lines, shapes, weighted objects, or whatever else you think will solve each screen. Things get progressively creative and difficult as you progress through the over 200 levels, but you’ll eventually need to go back and revisit old levels to get three stars to unlock new ones (stars are earned by finishing the level under time within the limit of shapes number of shapes).

It’s a really fun game with multiple solutions available for each level, and is fun to play collaboratively as a group.

Download: Brain It On (Free w/ IAPs)

GO puzzle games

Developed by SQUARE ENIX, this is an amazing series of puzzle games that takes the characters and theme from an established gaming franchise, and throws them into a brand new puzzle-based adventure. So far, three franchises have been given the GO treatment — Hitman, Lara Croft and Deus Ex — with each garnering positive reviews from players and critics alike. You don’t necessarily have to be fans of these franchises to enjoy their GO entries, though fans will likely enjoy the reimagined way of playing their favorite games.

These are highly stylized turn-based puzzlers that will provide hours of challenging fun — and best of all they’re all currently on sale, so you can get all three for the price of an extra large coffee. Let’s take a look at the individual games:

Hitman Go

This was the first franchise to be converted into the GO puzzle format, and it still holds up. You play as Agent 47 and must work your way through heavily-guarded compounds using all the same techniques found in the full Hitman games you’ve played on PC or console: disguises, distractions, sniper rifles and of course 47’s iconic Silverballer pistols. There are multiple ways to beat each level, whether you want to be silent and sneaky, or forceful and deadly. You pick what kind of Hitman to be, as you work towards assassinating your main targets.

Download: Hitman GO ($0.99)

Lara Croft GO

The Tomb Raider is back in this challenging entry that adds new wrinkles to the turn-based puzzles introduced with Hitman Go. Lara Croft is athletic and adventurous, and her GO game reflects that with puzzles that have her dodging boobytraps and deadly enemies as you work your way through 100 levels split into six chapters. It’s an award-winning game that lures you in with its outstanding visuals and keeps you playing with its increasingly challenging puzzles.

Download: Lara Croft GO ($0.99)

Deus Ex GO

Deus Ex is the latest franchise to get the GO treatment, and this might be the best one yet. With visuals that reflect the cyberpunk stylings of Deus Ex, and new hacking gameplay elements, you play as Adam Jensen who’s working to unravel a complicated mystery as you sneak your way through a well-guarded fortress. This one probably features the most fleshed-out storyline of the three, and also features time-limited puzzles along with a level editor, so you can design, share and play levels from the game’s community.

Download: Deus Ex GO ($0.99)

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What are your favorite puzzle games?

These are our picks for the best, but which do you play? Let us know in the comments below!

Updated January 2018: Added Bridge Constructor Portal to our list along with Monument Valley 2.

T-Mobile is one step closer to launching its live TV service

T-Mobile has officially completed its acquisition of Layer3 TV and has a new television team to work on and launch the Un-Carrier’s latest service.

In mid-December, T-Mobile took the mobile industry by storm when it announced that it’d be acquiring television provider Layer3 TV as part of a new effort to launch its own Internet-based live TV streaming service. Now, in late January, that acquisition has been completed.

The over 200 employees from Layer 3 TV are officially working within T-Mobile’s new television team that’s being led by Layer3 TV’s CEO Jeff Binder. Furthermore, an executive leadership team with individuals formally working at Comcast and Time Warner Cable will also be joining Binder and the other Layer3 TV workers.

There’s still quite a bit that we don’t know about T-Mobile’s live TV service, but the completion of the Layer3 TV acquisition means that it’s now time for the Un-Carrier to focus on building its content offering, user interface, pricing, etc.

T-Mobile is entering a market of stiff competition.

I’ve been hooked on the idea of Internet-powered live TV services ever since Sling TV came out in early 2015, and I’ve been subscribed to just about every platform out there at one point or another. Sling TV’s great for getting a decent mix of channels for just $20/month, PlayStation Vue is one of the few that offers local channels in my area, DirecTV Now is alright and a really good deal for AT&T subscribers, YouTube TV is very polished but a tad too pricey, and Philo is almost perfect for those that don’t care about sports.

What can T-Mobile do differently that we haven’t seen already? That’s what remains to be seen. We’ll likely get competitive pricing for T-Mobile wireless subscribers, and it’s also been confirmed that AT&T and Verizon customers will be able to sign up for the service with exclusive offers of their own. Affordable pricing is only going to help T-Mobile, and with it being so easy to switch back and forth between these services, undercutting the competition might be T-Mobile’s key to victory.

When T-Mobile’s TV service launches, what monthly pricing and channel packages would you like to see?

YouTube TV already has 300,000 users less than a year after launch

Should you upgrade to Daydream Standalone?

Google Daydream will be made even more portable by not needing your phone

The Daydream Standalone was brought up at Google I/O 2017 by Clay Bavor, the VP for Virtual and Augmented Reality at Google. Normally your Daydream headsets are powered by your phone, but now Google is pairing up with Lenovo to come up with a portable headset that only requires itself to perform. You’re probably wondering if the upgrade is going to be worth it, and I’m here to help you figure it out.

Let’s start with company expectations

Now that we know HTC has decided to step down so it can focus on its own standalone headset on the Chinese Market, that leaves the design of the Mirage Solo between Google and Lenovo. We already know and love the Google Daydream. For a headset that’s portable and powered by your phone, it’s a pretty great device, with plenty of apps to keep you entertained. As for the Lenovo Explorer, it’s alright, but not a choice product over its competitors, like Oculus or HTC Vive.

“Congrats to @lenovo for winning Best of CES award for AR/VR Headsets with their Mirage Solo! Read more about the headset here: pic.twitter.com/lwb6PCG4tD

— PCMag (@pcmag) January 16, 2018

Despite our feelings on previous products, good or bad, the Mirage Solo did win the Best of CES award for VR/AR Headsets, and it did so for a reason.

Specs that we know so far

For starters, we know the headset will be called the Lenovo Mirage Solo with Daydream. We know it will support Bluetooth 5.0 and have a 4000mAh battery, which is pretty okay for a standalone headset. The product will also feature WorldSense, which is an “inside-out” tracking system that allows your visual on the headset to change as you move your head in the real world.

4000mAh batteries are definitely bigger than you’d get on a phone, but there’s one thing I keep thinking of in regards to this. While the Bluetooth 5.0 will help conserve some of the battery life, I’m concerned the battery itself won’t be able to support a standalone VR Headset for a long amount of time. We might get something reasonable like an hour or so, but probably not beyond that.

As for other specs, the device will have a Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 processor to bring you the best visuals. Other than that it looks like we’ll be keeping the same design for the controllers. As pictured above, you can see the teaser image, which shows the same familiar sight of the Google Daydream controller. While I absolutely love the design of that controller, I would hope to get somewhat of an update with this new headset. But even if we don’t, it’s still a pretty good piece of equipment.

Prices

In Google’s official statement, it said that cost for Daydream Standalone will be comparable to that of a computer-powered VR headset. To make us feel better about that, Google adds “without the cost of the computer,” as if that’s something we wouldn’t expect from a standalone headset anyway. Since that means the pricing will be in the $300-$500 dollar range, I really hope it’s going to be worth it.

For the same price as one that runs on PC hardware, I have feelings about not having two controllers for better immersion. Not to mention the better quality of hardware if it ran from my PC in general. But there is always a price for convenience, and hopefully it’ll be closer to the $300 range.

Verdict

To all of what you’ve just read I’ll say this; If you have the money to spend and want to be able to play your VR games in the middle of your local park, go for it. By the powers of Google and Lenovo combined, I have the utmost certainty they will create a device you’re going to have a blast with, even if you can only play for an hour or so at a time. (Remember, portable chargers that fit in your back pocket are your friend.)

There’s also the point that since it doesn’t require any sort of outside source to run, sharing the device with your friends and traveling with it are that much easier. There aren’t any cords that need to plug in anywhere, no list of compatible cell phones, and no hardware that needs to be installed on any of the said cellphones. Besides, can we take a moment to reflect on the possibilities of the augmented reality games for a headset that literally has no boundaries? Just the thought of all the possible Zombie chasing games has me ready to throw my money at Google like I’m Fry from Futurama.

Your thoughts?

After reading this how do you feel about the standalone headset coming out? Are there specs you love or hate? What do you think could change or improve? Do you plan to buy one or not, and why? Let us know in the comments below!

Tech giants spent record $50 million lobbying the US in 2017

The dramatic shift in American politics during 2017 created many headaches for the tech industry — and you’d better believe they spent plenty of money trying to cure those headaches. Recode has combed through House and Senate records to learn that Amazon, Apple, Facebook, Google and Microsoft spent a combined $50 million (a record amount) lobbying the US government in 2017. Outside of Microsoft, the corporate giants spent millions more fighting for and against policies — some of which werent’t even on the radar in previous years.

There were common issues. The companies not only opposed anti-immigration policies that could hurt their ability to recruit talent from abroad, but also the Honest Ads Act, an anti-sex trafficking bill and other attempts to regulate internet content in light of Russian manipulation campaigns. And to no one’s surprise, the companies fought hard to preserve net neutrality while simultaneously supporting lower corporate taxes.

Some issues were more company-specific. Amazon (which spent $12.8 million) lobbied extensively to prevent online sales taxes, protect its Whole Foods acquisition and create a favorable regulatory environment for courier drones. Apple (which spent $7 million) was concerned about attempts to undermine encryption. Google was the top spender, shelling out $18 million as it advocated for self-driving cars on top of the content, immigration, net neutrality and tax issues on its plate.

Not that smaller tech firms were stingy. Uber spent slightly more in 2017 as it faced an onslaught of investigations. It also promoted its flying taxi ideas and lobbied around the privacy and security of medical info.

It’s entirely possible that lobbying from these companies will intensify in 2018. Major issues like content regulation and net neutrality still aren’t entirely settled, for a start. Also, legislators are likely to scramble to pass bills before the 2018 mid-term elections potentially alter the political landscape — the tech industry will likely want to keep pace.

Source: Recode

Renewable energy may be cheaper than fossil fuels by 2020

Electricity from renewable sources will soon be cheaper than power from most fossil fuels, according to the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA). In its new report, Renewable Power Generation Costs in 2017, the agency revealed that technology improvements, government take-up and proactive project development has pushed the costs associated with renewable energy to a new low, and that by 2020 renewable power will largely undercut fossil fuel.

While the report attributes this to widespread global trends, China is playing an important role in driving down costs — average selling prices here dropped from around $0.43 per watt in 2016 to as low as $0.3 in 2017. The country installed a total of 52.83 gigawatts (GW) of new solar capacity in 2017, bringing its total to 130.25 GW, around 7.3 percent of its total power generation. China also added 12.8 GW of hydro and 45.78 GW of thermal power. It’s reducing its reliance on fossil fuels in other ways, as well, growing the number of electric vehicle (EV) charging stations by 51% during 2017. According to IRENA, lower renewable energy costs will help facilitate greater EV take-up as it “makes the economics of electricity storage more favorable” and “potentially turns a drawback of EVs into an asset.”

As the report notes, China is something of an influencer when it comes to renewable energy. Obviously its size means the impact of its activity in the sector will have a big impact on global averages, but its economy means countries around the world will be paying close attention to its renewable movements, which are on track to set a cheaper, greener precedent for everyone. In the US though, President Trump just slapped a 30 percent “America First” tariff on imported solar panels, which will likely slow adoption of the renewable energy source.

Source: IRENA [pdf]

SpaceX plans to fire the Falcon Heavy rocket’s engines on Wednesday

SpaceX has announced a new (tentative) static fire date for its Falcon Heavy rocket. The test is currently scheduled for no earlier than no earlier than Wednesday, according to Spaceflight Now.

The Falcon Heavy’s first test-firing at launch pad 39A in Florida is now set for no earlier than Wednesday. https://t.co/1Xj8TMDHP7 pic.twitter.com/JqQ8bOzsS3

— Spaceflight Now (@SpaceflightNow) January 23, 2018

This doesn’t mean the static fire test will actually happen Wednesday — the priority here is a Wet Dress Rehearsal (WDR), in which the team goes through the launch countdown, up to 10 seconds before actual launch. It’s only if this goes well that SpaceX will move on to the static fire. Once that test is conducted successfully, a launch date will be set.

This process has been delayed by numerous issues, from conflicting launches to the government shutdown. What’s more, the size and complexity of the rocket necessarily means there will be unexpected delays. The wait might be frustrating, but it’s a good thing that SpaceX is going slow. Keep an eye on this article, as I’ll continue to update as we wait for the static fire test to occur.

Source: Spaceflight Now