Facebook lays out stricter rules to protect your social data

It’s been a few years coming, but today Facebook unveiled its strategy for protecting user data on its platform. The basic gist? The company is going to be more cautious about how data is shared, and be much more transparent with its users. Today’s announcement came alongside Mark Zuckerberg’s delayed response to reports of Cambridge Analytica’s data harvesting strategy, which managed to gather information from 50 million people.

Facebook was quick to point out that it already implemented fixes that would prevent another company from repeating Cambridge Analytica’s technique. For example, the company started reviewing apps that asked for user data before they launched in 2014, and it’s given users more ways to control how developers access their data. But those tools weren’t exactly easy to use, even for tech-savvy users.

Moving forward, Facebook says it’s going to fully audit apps that had access to large amounts of data before its 2014 platform revamp, as well as ban any offenders. Given that Facebook knew about Cambridge Analytica’s data mining strategy in 2015, responded with a mere wrist slap (the company asked for collected data to be deleted, but never double-checked to see if that were true), and didn’t ban them until last week, the company has to be extra vigilant to prove it’s taking privacy issues seriously.

Additionally, Facebook says it’ll alert anyone affected by malicious apps, something the company should have been doing from the start. One of the more damning aspects of the Cambridge Analytica story was that Facebook didn’t warn the 50 million users that their data was potentially being misused. Perhaps more than just saying it’ll keep people informed, Facebook has to prove to its 2.2 billion monthly users that it can actually be trusted.

The company will also turn off data access to apps you haven’t used in three months. While that might lead to headaches for some, especially for people who don’t often log into Facebook, it squashes one of the platform’s big vulnerabilities. Just go look at your Facebook privacy settings — there’s a good chance you’ve given random apps access to your data and have completely forgotten about it. In a similar vein, the company says it’s also going to make it easier for people to control how apps user their information.

In a future update to its Login tool, Facebook will also restrict the data that unapproved apps can see to your name, photo and email address. Beyond that, developers will have to be approved by Facebook. The company is also expanding its bug bounty program to reward people who discover apps that maliciously gather data.

While all of these updates should vastly improve data privacy on Facebook, it’s inexcusable that it took a major PR disaster for the company to implement them. As social media scholar Zeynep Tufekci wrote in the New York Times, “If Facebook failed to understand that this data could be used in dangerous ways, that it shouldn’t have let anyone harvest data in this manner and that a third-party ticking a box on a form wouldn’t free the company from responsibility, it had no business collecting anyone’s data in the first place.”

Source: Facebook

Coinbase bug could have let anyone give themselves free ether

Cryptocurrency exchanges have had a fair share of justified criticism. They can be high-value targets for criminals, easy to hide from the IRS and easily affected by tech issues. Luckily, thanks to a bug report by financial security outfit VI Company, a nasty bug in Coinbase’s cryptocurrency system has been found and fixed. The researchers found that users could add unlimited ether to their Coinbase account with some simple, easily replicated steps.

According to a report on the HackerOne website, the Dutch financial security team found the flaw when planning to give its employees some ether as a Christmas present last December. A set of digital wallets using a smart contract could be tricked into thinking that a transfer of the ether cryptocurrency had occurred when it had not. This would have allowed any Coinbase customer to fictitiously move as much ether as it wanted into their account. Whether they could have cashed it out in some way is another matter, but the bug has been fixed by Coinbase, who also gave VI Company a $10,000 bug bounty.

Via: Gizmodo

Source: VI Company/HackerOne

Senate passes sex-trafficking bill that may lead to online censorship

Today, the Senate passed the controversial Stop Enabling Sex Traffickers Act (SESTA) and the bill now heads to the White House where Donald Trump is expected to sign it. While some groups like the Internet Association have backed the bill, many others have come out against it saying the bill will lead to online censorship and make it more difficult to find and prosecute sex traffickers. Those who’ve spoken out against SESTA include the National Organization for Women, the ACLU, the EFF, the Department of Justice as well as a variety of sex work rights organizations and sex trafficking victims’ groups.

Combating the horrifying practice of sex trafficking is an issue that knows no partisan lines. As a cosponsor of #SESTA, the Stop Enabling Sex Traffickers Act, I was pleased the Senate passed it today. Now it’s onto @POTUS. I hope he signs it soon.

— Senator Pat Toomey (@SenToomey) March 21, 2018

You can read a more in-depth discussion of the bill here, but what it will do is amend section 230 of the Communications Decency Act — a piece of legislation that protects internet companies from liability for user-generated speech. SESTA will prevent these companies from being protected by the law if they knowingly aid sex trafficking. But groups like the EFF and Wikimedia have argued that such a law might only protect large companies while smaller ones could stand to be irreparably harmed.

Ivanka Trump has backed the measure, tweeting her support of a vote to pass the bill yesterday. The EFF, on the other hand, tweeted that today was “a dark day for the internet.”

BREAKING: Today is a dark day for the Internet. Congress just passed the Internet censorship bill SESTA/FOSTA. pic.twitter.com/uvVM95hvDX

— EFF (@EFF) March 21, 2018

Source: Senator Toomey

Over a million people have already played ‘Sea of Thieves’

Have you been struggling to play Sea of Thieves since it launched on March 20th? There’s a good explanation for it. In a launch update, Rare’s Craig Duncan and Joe Neate have revealed that over 1 million unique gamers have played the online pirate adventure in just its first 48 hours. The team had anticipated large demand, but wasn’t ready for as many as 5,000 logins per minute — the servers went down for nearly five hours on launch day as a result.

The studio has had to make strategic decisions to keep things humming. It has prioritized people already playing the game, and has been delaying achievements. Some issues need fixes on Rare’s side, such as missing items. And if you’re one of those itching to play, it’s advising that you don’t keep trying to sign in. That just kicks you back to the start of the sign-in process and adds to the server load, Rare said.

To some extent, you could have seen this coming. On top of the relentless hype for the game (including multiple beta tests), Microsoft has been giving out free copies to Xbox One X buyers and including it in Game Pass subscriptions. It would have been surprising if there wasn’t a glut of players. Still, it’s good to see a developer being candid and taking responsibility quickly.

Source: Sea of Thieves (YouTube)

Apple’s Greg Joswiak Talks Mobile Gaming

In a piece covering growing consumer interest in mobile gaming, TechCrunch’s Matthew Panzarino spoke to Apple’s vice president of product marketing, Greg Joswiak, and several prominent game developers to get opinions on the state gaming on iOS.

According to Joswiak, with developers now able to bring full multiplayer console-style experiences to iOS devices, like the recently released Fortnite and PUBG mobile games, mobile gaming is at a tipping point. Platforms like iOS are able to offer unique combinations of hardware and software that see regular updates and improvements, which has led to impressive new gaming technology over the course of the last few years.

“Every year we are able to amp up the tech that we bring to developers,” he says, comparing it to the 4-5 year cycle in console gaming hardware. “Before the industry knew it, we were blowing people away [with the tech]. The full gameplay of these titles has woken a lot of people up.”

Joswiak says Apple is able to bring a “very homogenous customer base to developers” with 90 percent of devices running the current version of iOS, which allows developers to introduce new features and target the capabilities of new devices more quickly than on other platforms like Android, giving Apple’s App Store a competitive edge.

Ryan Cash, one of the developers behind the newly released Alto’s Odyssey game, told TechCrunch that there’s a “real and continually growing sense that mobile is a platform to launch compelling, artful experiences.”

“This has always been the sentiment among the really amazing community of developers we’ve been lucky enough to meet. What’s most exciting to me, now, though, is hearing this acknowledged by representatives of major console platforms. Having conversations with people about their favorite games from the past year, and seeing that many of them are titles tailor-made for mobile platforms, is really gratifying.

According to Joswiak, gaming has always been one of the App Store’s most popular categories, and the iOS 11 redesign of the App Store that splits gaming into its own category has grown interest in mobile gaming even more. “Traffic to the App Store is up significantly, and with higher traffic, of course, comes higher sales.”

One aspect of the new App Store design that developers are appreciative of is the new “Today” tab that provides customers with a look at some of the work that goes into creating a mobile game.

Dan Gray, one of the developers behind Monument Valley 2, said that it lets people know that indie games really are a “labour of love for a small group of people” and not created by a corporation of 200 people. “Hopefully this leads to players seeing the value in paying up front for games in the future once they can see the craft that goes into something,” he said.

SpellTower creator Zach Gage told TechCrunch that games have “never had the cultural reach that they do now” because of the App Store and “these magical devices that are in everyones pockets.” He went on to say that people are beginning to recognize that “iOS devices are everywhere” and are “the primary computers of many people,” which is leading to more iOS development.

The full interview with comments from Joswiak and several other game developers is over at TechCrunch and is well worth reading for those interested mobile gaming.

Tags: App Store, Greg Joswiak
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Facebook Launching News Feed Tool to Let Users Quickly Revoke Permissions From Apps

Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg this afternoon addressed the ongoing Cambridge Analytica situation, in which Cambridge Analytica used personal data acquired from Facebook in an illicit manner by a third-party app to create targeted political advertisements during the 2016 election.

Zuckerberg outlined a multi-step response that Facebook plans to take to prevent this situation from recurring, and one feature Facebook will add is a new tool at the top of the News Feed which will let people see which apps they’ve used.

Any app used on the Facebook platform has access to a user’s personal data, so the Facebook tool will let people see which apps have their info and it will offer up an easy way to revoke permissions.

This tool is already available through Facebook’s privacy settings, but the company plans to make it more accessible to all users.

Back in 2014, Facebook implemented changes to reduce the amount of data apps had access to (the CA data was pre-2014), and Facebook says it will now investigate all apps that had access to large amounts of information before the platform change.

We will conduct a full audit of any app with suspicious activity. We will ban any developer from our platform that does not agree to a thorough audit. And if we find developers that misused personally identifiable information, we will ban them and tell everyone affected by those apps.

Zuckerberg also says Facebook plans to remove developers’ access to data if an app hasn’t been used in three months, and the amount of data provided to an app when a user signs in will be further restricted to name, profile photo, and email address. Access to posts or other private data will require users to explicitly approve the action.

The Cambridge Analytica scandal has resulted in a massive “Delete Facebook” movement from users concerned over the data Facebook collects and how it’s used, and Facebook stock has sharply declined this week.

Facebook users who are not satisfied with Zuckerberg’s response can permanently delete a Facebook account by clicking this link. Before doing so, it’s recommended Facebook users download an archive of their content so no photos are lost.

Note: Due to the political nature of the discussion regarding this topic, the discussion thread is located in our Politics, Religion, Social Issues forum. All forum members and site visitors are welcome to read and follow the thread, but posting is limited to forum members with at least 100 posts.

Tag: Facebook
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Quick Takes: Apple Music Debuts K-Pop Ad, iPhone SE 2 Concept, and More

In addition to our standalone articles covering the latest Apple news and rumors at MacRumors, this Quick Takes column provides a bite-sized recap of other headlines about Apple and its competitors on weekdays.

Wednesday, March 21

1. Apple Music ad released with Korean girl group TWICE: The 15-second video features their 2017 single Heart Shakers and is accompanied by a link to an Apple Music playlist with their other k-pop songs.

2. Apple is an exception to nearly every rule: Dutch entrepreneur Haje Jan Kamps explains how using Apple as a template for how to build a startup is not a great idea due to its unparalleled hardware design, logistics, and even packaging.

Commentary: As the world’s most valuable company, Apple has tremendous leverage over its supply chain and logistical partners like Foxconn and UPS respectively. Given how valuable a contract with Apple can be, these companies will bend over backwards to accommodate the iPhone maker in any way.

3. 3D designer Martin Hajek shares iPhone SE 2 renders: The concept imagines the iPhone SE with a glass back for wireless charging, in the same color as the gold iPhone 8. Overall, the device looks like a refined version of the current iPhone SE, which is likely what we can expect if it does receive a refresh.

For more Apple news and rumors coverage, visit our Front Page, Mac Blog, and iOS Blog. Also visit our forums to join in the discussion.

Tags: Apple ads, Quick Takes
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Sony’s new line of wireless earphones are athletic and affordable

Playing off the success of its WF-1000x wireless earphones, Sony is expanding its lineup of Bluetooth buds in its new WF (wireless freedom) line, which is aimed at athletes and anyone else with an active lifestyle.

The WF-SP700N, which come in at $180, feature Sony’s proprietary noise-canceling tech, which we have found to be very effective. This totally wireless earbud with IPX4 splash-proofing can get a little wet with no ill effect. The truly wireless earbuds also support Google Assistant, among a litany of other features designed to make them your new best friend during workouts and other outdoor adventures.

Getting a secure fit was a key design point, Sony told us — you don’t want headphones falling out or flailing about while you get your sweat on. To achieve this, Sony redesigned the earbuds’ silicone arch, or “wings,” if you will, by retooling them to feel more natural and provide a killer fit while attaining the excellent seal necessary for great sound quality.

The new Sony WF-SP700N are meant to have a slight down-angle when worn — these aren’t meant to be perfectly horizontal. Extra bass is also a feature here, so there’s going to be some added punch. This will come as welcome news for those who have found their active headphones lacking in bass.

While the Sony WF-SP700N are noise-canceling, they also have an ambient sound mode. Letting some sound in is critical for safety during workouts outdoors where oncoming traffic is a chief concern. The ambient sound mode is designed to let in either noises or voices, allowing the user to carry on a conversation without removing their buds. App control enhances onboard buttons for noise-canceling control while also providing custom EQ adjustments and other features.

The in-ear headphones’ case acts as the charging unit. The WF-SP700N offer three hours of battery life, and before you poo-poo that low number, consider they are providing noise canceling, which is a power-intensive technology. The charging case will give users three more hours of listening time with 1.5- hours of charging, and they can do that twice for a total of 9 hours of use in the field, with breaks for charging.  This makes the earphones suitable for moderate workouts, runs, and bike rides, but don’t plan on using these for a triathlon.

The WF-SP600N, at $150, is virtually the same headphone but with a wire connecting each earbud and an inline control microphone. Since it can store a bigger battery, this set offers six hours of listening per charge.

The WF-SP500N, at $80, does not offer noise canceling and fits more like an EarPod, so there isn’t much noise isolation either, but you get eight hours per full charge, and they are extremely affordable, especially considering their premium sound quality.

The 1000X Series is also getting updated to support Google Assistant, and will be carried over into 2018 as Sony’s premier true wireless earbud.

The new line is expected to be available in late April or early May.

EyeQue Insight lets you test your vision at home with your smartphone

Originally starting out as a Kickstarter campaign, the EyeQue Insight visual acuity screener is now available for purchase. With the device, you can test your vision whether you’re at home, in school, or on the go.

In 2016, the company released the EyeQue Personal Vision Tracker, which also allows users to test their eyesight with an app and a tool. Rather than goggles, the Personal Vision Tracker consists of a small microscope that you attach to your smartphone.

Due to the global rise in myopia, the company felt it was important to make a device like the EyeQue Insight available to the public. By having access to it at home, parents are able to check their child’s eyesight on a more frequent basis.

“What’s happening is that people, especially kids, are spending a lot of time with their smartphones and it’s close-up. They’re also indoors, so when you have all those things together it’s actually making people more nearsighted,” EyeQue co-founder and Chief Technical Officer John Serri told Digital Trends.

By consulting with different eye doctors, Serri was motivated to find a convenient way for parents to test the visual acuity of their children. With the EyeQue Insight, parents can potentially detect the onset of Myopia from the comfort of their homes.

The device doesn’t tell you exactly what your prescription is, but gives you an estimate of how clearly you can see at 20 feet. Depending on your results, you can then decide whether or not you need to visit an optometrist for further testing. It’s especially useful for those who wear glasses or contacts and want to see if it’s time to update their lenses.

The 20/20 test only takes about a few minutes and requires little setup. You have to download the myEyeQueVA app — which is available for both iOS and Android — and create an account. You can choose between an adult test or kid’s test, and then specify whether or not you’re taking it while wearing glasses and contacts.

You then have to set your pupil distance measurement on the EyeQue Insight. The app will provide you with a way to accurately measure the distance, which you will then adjust on the dial on the bottom of the device. The last step is to attach your smartphone to the device, which stays on with micro-suction tape built into the base of the device. EyeQue provides an elastic band to securely fasten your phone as well.

Once the test begins, all you have to do is swipe whichever way the “E” is going on the bottom of the app. For example, if it’s facing the correct way, you swipe to the right and if it’s facing upside down, then you swipe down. It tests the right eye first, then the left, and both your eyes last — you can then save or discard the results. Your results are saved under your account in order to keep track over time or to share with a doctor.

For children, the test is a bit more fun and interactive. As they swipe through the letters, they see an animated character pop up to coach them through and keep them motivated. Once it’s complete, they also receive a sticker they can add to their collection within the app. To be honest, we thought it was even more fun than the adult version.

We tested out the device while wearing glasses and found we were seeing 20/20, which made sense since we had no trouble with them otherwise. We also felt the entire process was extremely easy and painless, requiring barely any time. While it’s important to go to the eye doctor once a year, we sometimes have trouble finding the time — a device like the EyeQue Insight can help us decide whether or not our lenses are extremely off.

But the device is extremely useful for adults who undergo Lasik eye surgery as well. While they have 20/20 vision after the surgery, some people can experience degradation if it doesn’t heal properly.

“If you can have the patient at home, working with the doctor and seeing if their vision is changing, it’s very effective and will save them from having to go to the eye doctor every week … this could eliminate the burden of having to schedule and taking exams,” Serri said.

The EyeQue will cost you $130 and can be purchased through the company’s website along with Amazon or Indiegogo. It comes with a one-year subscription to the myEyeQueVA app and any additional user is $5 annually.

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The best portable chargers for quickly juicing your device

We’ve all suffered the sudden, all-encompassing horror of a dead phone. The accusing looks and hushed criticism of family and friends. That blank screen on the commute home that leaves you at the mercy of your chatty fellow traveler. The sudden loss of Google Maps as you turn into an unfamiliar neighborhood. The sinking feeling as you realize your phone alarm didn’t go off because you forgot to plug it in last night. Why, oh why must our smartphones die?

We feel your pain, and that’s why we’ve been checking out some of the best portable chargers on the market. Until there’s a real breakthrough in battery technology, a portable charger might be the best solution. We’ve got something here for you, whatever your needs may be, from a bucketload of power for a camping trip to a pocket-friendly solution for your daily commute. These are 21 of the best portable chargers that money can buy. If you’re looking for charging cables, be sure to check out our picks for the best lightning cables and USB Type-C cables.

Anker PowerCore II 20,000

• Capacity: 20,000mAh
• Outputs: 2 ports (18W and 12W)
• Weight: 369g (13oz)
• Price: $50
• Time to fully charge: Around 5 hours

We’re big fans of Anker’s understated and practical designs. The PowerCore II packs in a huge 20,000mAh capacity without being ridiculously big, though it is something you’ll want to sling in a bag rather than your pocket. It features two USB outputs. PowerIQ 2.0 can put out up to 18W, which breaks down to 3A at 5V, 2A at 9V, and 1.5A at 12V. PowerIQ 1.0 can put out 12W up to 2.4A at 5V. Regardless of your device, you should be able to get decent charging speeds from this portable battery. The only thing it lacks is a USB-C port.

Compared to previous Anker offerings, there are a couple of new features here. The power button is now round and it houses a ring of white LEDs, which are designed show you how much power remains. There’s also a textured surface on the outside, so it’s less likely to slip out of your hand or slide away from the back of your phone while you’re charging your device.

This battery’s robust capacity should also provide you with more than enough power to fully charge a Galaxy S9 four times, and it will charge an iPhone 8 more than six times. It’s also quick to charge, at just five hours, provided you have a decent wall charger (not included). All in all, this portable battery charger represents great value for the money.

Buy one now from:

Amazon

Flux Portable Charger

Simon Hill/Digital Trends

• Capacity: 4,000mAh
• Output: 2 built-in cables (1A and 2.1A)
• Weight: 92g (3.2oz)
• Price: $26
• Time to fully charge: 3 to 4 hours

This is one of the slimmest portable chargers we’ve ever come across. If you’re really looking for something pocket-sized, the Flux Charger is worth more than just a glance. It’s a mere 7.8-millimeters thick and measures 108 x 62.8 millimeters. It’s also incredibly light, but holds enough power to fully recharge your phone at least once, possibly twice. It’s finished with a durable black or white aluminum, and features two built-in cables, a Micro USB cable, and a MFi-certified Lightning cable. There’s also a Micro-USB port for charging, which comes with a short Micro USB to USB cable.

Tap the small button on the side, and the four tiny LEDs light up to show remaining power. It doesn’t support fast charging, though, and we found that it took a couple of hours to charge the large battery in the Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge. Fortunately, it should fully charge an iPhone in around an hour. The input for charging it is 1.5A, so it takes a while to fully charge, but it does support pass-through charging, so you can plug it into the wall and your phone at the same time. If you like the design, but you need more power then check out the 10,000mAh Flux Charger Plus for $52.

Buy one now from:

Amazon Flux

EasyAcc MegaCharge D20

Simon Hill/Digital Trends

• Capacity: 20,000mAh
• Outputs: 4 ports (3A each)
• Weight: 370g (13oz)
• Price: $50
• Time to fully charge: Around 4 hours

This chunky battery pack in black plastic has a distinctive orange stripe around it. We’re not in love with the look, but it contains a whopping 20,000mAh of power and an unusual array of input and output ports. The green USB port supports Qualcomm’s Quick Charge 2.0 or 3.0, and also Huawei’s fast charging standard, FCP. There are two black USB ports capable of up to 3A and there’s also a USB-C port that can deliver the same. Move round to the side and you’ll find a Micro USB port and another USB-C port for charging the battery up. Interestingly these inputs can be plugged in simultaneously to enable you to charge the battery up faster — bringing charging time down to around four hours, which is pretty impressive for this capacity.

You’ll find the standard four LED array on the top to show you remaining power in 25 percent chunks. There’s a power button on the side and you can double press it to fire up the LED flashlight, which is a handy extra that makes this a good choice for camping. EasyAcc includes a short, 24-inch USB to USB-C cable and a USB-to-Micro USB cable that’s the same length in the box. It does support pass-through charging, so you can plug it in to charge and plug your phone into it to charge at the same time.

We think you can expect at least four full charges for the majority of smartphones out there and probably more than that for phones with smaller batteries, like the iPhone 8. Weighing up the complete package we think this is good value for money and worth considering if you need a lot of power and want to be able recharge it in a hurry.

Buy one now from:

Amazon

Tronsmart Presto Power Bank

• Capacity: 10,000mAh
• Outputs: 2 ports (3A/18W and 2.4A/15W)
• Weight: 210g (7.4oz)
• Price: $23
• Time to fully charge: Around 4 hours

This compact portable charger is slim and light, but packs a big capacity of 10,000mAh. It has two USB ports for charging up your devices. The green one can put out 18W and supports Qualcomm’s Quick Charge 3.0 standard, as well as Huawei’s FCP, so it can juice up certain phones very quickly. You can expect two or three charges from this battery for most smartphones.

The design is an unobtrusive black and the outer shell is finished in soft-touch plastic, so it’s comfortable to handle. There’s a button on the side to turn it on, and you’ll find a typical four LED battery level indicator on the top. It can be charged up via the MicroUSB port and should juice up quickly, provided you use a decent cable and wall charger with it.

It comes with a USB-A to MicroUSB cable in the box and a travel pouch. Tronsmart also offers an 18-month warranty.

Buy one now from:

Amazon

Belkin Pocket Power Charger

• Capacity: 5,000mAh
• Outputs: 1 port (2.4A)
• Weight: 131g (4.6oz)
• Price: $25-plus
• Time to fully charge: Around 5 hours

Here’s a fairly small, lightweight option from Belkin that will charge up an iPhone around one-and-a-half times, and should provide at least one full charge for most other smartphones. There’s a single USB port that puts out up to 2.4A, and a MicroUSB port for charging it up that’s rated at 2A.

It’s durable, with a plastic casing that comes in your choice of pink, black, or silver. It’s small enough to slip into a pocket or handbag. There’s a power button on the side with four LEDs that light up green to show remaining power in 25 percent chunks. You get a 6-inch MicroUSB to USB cable in the box with it.

If you need more capacity, then Belkin does offer 10,000mAh ($40) and 15,000mAh ($50) models that sport two USB ports for charging. Belkin offers a special $2,500 Connected Equipment Warranty that guarantees a repair or replacement if your device is damaged by an electrical charge while properly connected to the charger.

Buy one now from:

Amazon Belkin

iQunix MiniPower Portable Charger

Simon Hill/Digital Trends

• Capacity: 3,350mAh
• Outputs: 1 port (1.5A)
• Weight: 79g (2.8oz)
• Price: $13
• Time to fully charge: 3 to 4 hours

Possibly the most portable pick of the bunch, the MiniPower from iQuinix is ideal for slipping into your handbag and forgetting about until you need it. Finished in brushed aluminum that comes in your choice of black, gray, red, pink, or white, this diminutive charger packs a decent 3,350mAh capacity. There’s only one port, which can put out up to 1.5A, so there’s no fast charging here.

It comes with a felt pouch and a short, nylon-braided, USB-to-Micro USB cable. It is quite slow to charge phones and to charge up itself with that 1.5A limit, but it is also reasonably priced, durable, and very small. When you plug it in to charge a single LED will show red if it needs to be charged further or go green when fully charged, but that’s your only indication of remaining power. It will fully charge an iPhone, but for a lot of phones with bigger batteries, you’re just looking at a top-off.

Buy one now from:

Amazon

BlitzWolf Qualcomm Quick Charge 3.0 Power Bank

• Capacity: 5,200mAh
• Outputs: 1 port (18W QC 3.0)
• Weight: 156.3g (5.51oz)
• Price: $15
• Time to fully charge: 3 to 4 hours

This power bank offers quality and a range of features at an attractive price point. It’s a chunky device that measures just under an inch thick, 4 inches long, and just under 2 inches across, so it will fit neatly in your pocket or bag.

It’s extremely simple to use, too. There’s a power button that brings the four LEDs to life, giving you a rough indication of the remaining power. There’s a single USB output and a Micro USB input for charging. The output supports Qualcomm Quick Charge 3.0 technology, which is fast and rare in a charger of this size.

The output is also smart enough to determine what you’ve plugged in, so it can cover everything in a 3.6V to 12V range. You also get a Micro USB charging cable in the box. You can expect around three charges for something like the iPhone 8 or a charge and a half for the Galaxy S9. There are also 9,000mAh ($30) and 15,600mAh ($40) versions of this charger.

Buy one now from:

Amazon Bang Good