How to set up two-factor authentication on your PlayStation 4

Add a little extra security with two-factor authentication.

As we move about the digital world, one of the most important things we can do as consumers is protect our data. In a world where nefarious characters have started to target huge companies with massive user bases, it never hurts to add an extra layer of protection to our accounts wherever we are able.

Two-factor authentication has been around for a long time. In simple terms, it is a method of ensuring your identity through two methods. To withdraw money from the bank you need your bank card and you need to know your pin number. Now that nearly all of us have cell phones, we all carry an excellent method of this type of authentication and it is advisable to take advantage of this sort of security when we can.

If you would like to set up two-factor authentication on your PlayStation 4, it’s pretty simple. Read on and you will be able to set it up for yourself.

From the dashboard of your PS4, select Settings.

Scroll down and select Account Management.

From the Account Management page, select Account Information.

Now select Security.

Scroll down and select 2-Step Verification.

Now choose Set Up Now

On the first Set Up page you will be asked to enter your cell phone number in order to receive texts. Do so now.

Once you have entered your cell number, you will receive a text with a verification code. Enter your code into the provided field on this screen.

Now click ok and you’re ready to go.

From now on, whenever you need to log in to your PlayStation account, you will receive a text with a different verification code each time. Simply enter the code you are texted and you’re good to go!

Two-factor authentication is a simple and effective way to ensure that you are the one logging in to your account. It adds an extra layer of security that a password alone cannot provide. It’s incredible easy to do and gives you just that much more protection.

Questions?

If you have any other questions about security on your PS4, please feel free to ask below.

Why are we talking about PlayStation 4 on Android Central? Let us explain.

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

Best Google Pixel 2 Cases as of April 2018

Enhance the funky look of your Google Pixel 2 with the right case!

The Google Pixel 2 Whether you love the design and want to enhance it, or simply looking for drop protection for your new phone, there’s a case that’s perfect for you.

Google has partnered with a number of accessory makers for its ‘Made for Google” certification program featured in the Google Store, but you can also find a ton of quality third-party cases to fit your needs. We’ll run through the best options available straight from Google, then look at some cheaper options from Amazon.

• Google Live Cases
• Google Fabric Cases
• Power Support Air Jacket
• OtterBox Defender Series
• Bellroy Leather Case
• Ringke Fusion
• Spigen Rugged Armor
• LK Slim Thin Pixel 2 Case
• Incipio Carnaby Series Case
• Maxboost Folio Style Wallet Case
• Carved wooden cases

Google Live Cases

First up is the customizable Google Live Cases, which give you the option of customizing the back of your Pixel 2 with a personal photo or a wide range of styles curated by Google.

For instance, you can choose a gorgeous satellite photo from Google Earth, and the case will pair with a matching live wallpaper for a cohesive look around your device that’s absolutely gorgeous. Looking to add a bit more of an artistic flair to your case? Check out the Artworks Live Case and find something that matches your style.

Google has curated a great selection of cases that feature artwork, photos from space, and naturally beautiful images that are really quite stunning. Prices range from $40 to $50 depending on the styling and your choice of a minimalist shell or a more rugged dual-layer case. Create and customize your own case via the Google Store.

See at Google Store

Google Fabric Cases

If you like a little texture on your phone case, you’ll love the Google Fabric Case which brings the look and most importantly the feel of the fabric finish found on other Google products, like the Home Mini and even the Daydream View.

Designed in-house by Google, you can be sure of the build quality and fit. These cases offering a premium microfiber liner to ensure your device stays scuff-free and your choice of four color combinations for $40.

See at Google Store

Power Support Air Jacket

If you’re looking for a certified “Made for Google” clear case, look no further than Power Support Air Jacket. it’s about as minimalist as you can get — a single piece of crystal clear polycarbonate that’ll clip onto your new phone and virtually disappear while keeping your Pixel 2 save from harm. It also features a self-healing coating that’ll ensure your case looks fresh even if you put it through hell.

You can order yours from the Power Support website or buy it straight from Google with free shipping. However, at $35 it’s also four times the price as other clear case options on this list.

See at Google Store

OtterBox Defender Series case

OtterBox is a brand that’s become synonymous with rugged phone cases, so it comes as no surprise that Google would get OtterBox onboard with its “Made for Google” certification program.

The Defender Series is the classic OtterBox case that offers ultimate triple-layer protection for your phone — a shock-absorbing inner shell, rugged outer shell, and a screen protector up front. A cover prevents lint and dust from getting into the charging port, and despite its ruggedness, the case is designed to work with the Pixel 2’s Active Edge technology.

You can get yours from OtterBox directly or from the Google Store for $50.

See at Google Store

Bellroy Leather Case

Looking to add a touch of class to your Pixel 2? How about an elegant leather case from Bellroy?

These cases are as slim as possible with a design that really compliments the Pixel 2 while keeping it protected from harm. Made using premium leather and featuring a soft microfiber lining this is a lightweight case that will keep your phone well protected and age beautifully over time. It’s also backed by a 3-year warranty from Bellroy.

You can learn more about the case and materials used at Bellroy.com, then get yours from the Google Store for $45 with free shipping!

See at Google Store

Ringke Fusion

If you’re debating whether to cover the design of your Pixel 2 in plastic or gamble by using it without a case, might we suggest a quality clear case?

Ringke has their rugged clear case available for the Pixel 2. Made with a rugged panel of polycarbonate on the back panel and an easy-grip TPU bumper, this case will keep your new device protected while also letting the Pixel 2’s design shine through. You’ll also get lifted bezels around the camera and screen to protect those important pieces of glass, along with precise cutouts for the charging port and fingerprint scanner.

Looking to save some money on your case? Yeah, us too. You can get this reliable case from Amazon for just $10.

See at Amazon

Spigen Rugged Armor

Spigen has its full line of cases available for the Pixel 2 at affordable prices, but we’ll recommend the Rugged Armor because it’s slim and rugged with a signature look and feel.

This is a lightweight case that adds little very little bulk, with carbon fiber detailing along the top and bottom. There’s raised edges around the screen and around the camera on the back to protect against scratches and scuffs.

I’ve been using the Rugged Armor case on my Pixel XL and it’s held up against all of my klutziness. If you want great protection for your new phone without the bulk (or high price) of other case options, get Spigen’s Rugged Armor case for just $13 on Amazon.

See at Amazon

LK Slim Thin Pixel 2 Case

For those who want a cheap clear case to keep your phone protected without obscuring the Pixel 2’s cool design, LK has a minimalist case for just $7.

If you go with the clear case, you’ll barely notice it at all and it won’t add much bulk to the phone. There’s also more colorful options like purple and mint green as well as a classic black look. Because it’s made of flexible TPU and is thin, it should not impede the use of the Active Edge functionality.

This case offers decent protection from anyone prone to dropping a new phone. Like me.

See at Amazon

Incipio Carnaby Series

If you like the look of that Google Fabric case, but can’t wrap your head around paying that much for a phone case, you’ll want to consider the Carnaby Series case from Incipio.

This is, I must say, one of the classier case styles I’ve seen emerge this year and the fact that it’s also from a trusted brand like Incipio means that your phone will look great while also being well-protected from bumps and drops.

The bulk of the case is made from TPU for good protection, while the exterior features a soft cotton finish that will feel great in your hand — you’ll never want to put your phone down! It also includes ample cutouts around the fingerprint sensor and camera, along with a lip around the front to protect that screen. Get yours in elegant blue-grey for just $35!

See at Amazon

Maxboost Folio Style Wallet Case

Cases typically offer a single function in that they keep our phones safe. Wallet cases are a different beast and let you keep the two most important things in your life — your phone and your money — all in one place.

Maxboost offers a well-reviewed wallet case for the Google Pixel 2 that’s got a stylish look and all the functionality that you’d expect. We’re talking three card slots on the inside flap, a hidden side pocket for some cash, and a magnetic flap that comes around to keep everything secure. You can also fold over the case to use as a kickstand when you’re watching your YouTube videos. It does all that with clean cutouts around the camera, fingerprint sensor, and charging port, and even includes cutouts around the earpiece so you can talk while keeping your screen covered.

Available for just $13, it’s a great option for your Pixel 2!

See at Amazon

Carved wooden cases

Carved has a bunch of great case options available for phones like the Pixel 2, including 52 stylish pre-made option featuring a mix of cool prints and fancy cut wood designs with prices ranging from $29 to $55, along with a selection of classic wood grain cases for just $24.

Carved also allows you to create your own custom case using an online case designer. They also offer the option to get a section of a map engraved or printed onto the case. With the right eye for design, you could design a case that uses the fingerprint scanner as part of your case’s decoration.

See at Carved

Is the Pixel 2 too good looking for a case?

What do you think of the Google Pixel 2’s design? Too cool to cover with a case? Which cases are you interested in? Let us know in the comments!

Update April 2018: Updated pricing information. These are still the best case options for the Pixel 2!

Google Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL

• Pixel 2 FAQ: Everything you need to know!
• Google Pixel 2 and 2 XL review: The new standard
• Google Pixel 2 specs
• Google Pixel 2 vs. Pixel 2 XL: What’s the difference?
• Join our Pixel 2 forums

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Verizon
Google Store
Project Fi

Save hundreds on a two-year NordVPN subscription!

The internet is a wonderful place, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t people out there who want to take advantage of weak security and exploitable loopholes. On the same note, our privacy is dwindling, with data containing our information being sold to the highest bidder. A VPN can help keep you safe and keep your information your own.

Get a two-year NordVPN subscription for just $69! Learn more

There are countless VPN services on the market, but you don’t want to just jump on the first one you see. Paid services are generally best (you know how they’re making money), and NordVPN is among the top contenders in the market. Right now, Android Central Digital Offers can save you hundreds of dollars on a two-year NordVPN subscription. Instead of paying $286, you’ll instead pay just $69. That’s 75 percent off!

Whether you’re at home or abroad, on your PC, tablet, or phone, NordVPN’s suite of intuitive apps will keep you protected while you browse the internet. Connect up to six different devices at once, and enjoy unlimited data and uncapped speeds.

Up your security with a two-year subscription to NordVPN! Learn more

Sick of feeling like you’re being spied on while you browse the internet? Worried about your data being intercepted while you sit in a cafe or hotel? Grab this two-year subscription to NordVPN and browse safely!

Your weekend comments are back and ready for anything

Every weekend is the best weekend as long as the company is good.

Howdy, everyone!

I hope all the Weekend Regulars (I like the sound of that and may have t-shirts printed) are doing well and everything’s fine and dandy in your corner of the planet. I am back and raring to go after a proper vacation where fruity mixed drinks outnumbered beeping phones by about 40:1, and that means this is like one of the best weekends ever. I might even be all caught up come Monday if I spend all weekend wor… I won’t be all caught up. Too much Far Cry 5 and I still have to unpack.

I did have a blast on vacation. Visited my daughter and her family (which includes a beautiful little granddaughter and a shiny new Verizon Pixel 2 to take pictures of her) where I got to pretend I was the wise family patriarch and answered the important questions like red or white and whether or not it looks like rain. The family is doing great and I had a wonderful time so I’m riding that high you only get after days of good times.

I’ll need the rest and high spirits because I get to pack it all back up and head out to Google I/O in three more weeks and experience the thrills of Shoreline Amphitheater in a wheelchair. Sure hope Daniel and Andrew are well rested because those hills will have me beaten around 10 AM the first morning 🙂.

Anyways, I’m sitting back and catching up on everything for the weekend and by now my eyes probably need a break from all the words about phones and assorted mobile stuff. Let me know what you’re up to this weekend so I can stay at least mostly sane!

Today’s best deals you won’t want to miss

Whether you’re looking for new tech gear or household items, we’ve got you covered.

Today you can get big discounts on Eneloop’s rechargeable batteries, world travel chargers, Fire TV Sticks, and more! Don’t pass these up.

View the rest of the deals

If you want to know about the deals as soon as they are happening, you’ll want to follow Thrifter on Twitter, and sign up for the newsletter, because missing out on a great deal stinks!

Add Bluetooth to nearly any car with this $8 AmazonBasics kit

Go hands-free with this discounted Bluetooth kit.

The AmazonBasics Bluetooth Hands-Free Car Kit is on sale for only $7.69 right now which is an insane deal. It sometimes sells for as much as $30. This item is an add-on at Amazon meaning it will only ship in orders totaling $25 or more.

You don’t need to replace your head unit or trade in your current car, all you need is this hands-free Bluetooth kit and a few minutes of time to install it. All you do is plug the power cable into the cigarette lighter socket and then the 3.5mm audio cable into the Aux input of your vehicle. Then simply pair your phone with the setup, and voila, you have Bluetooth to receive calls, listen to music and more.

See at Amazon

Best Android Phone With a Headphone Jack in 2018

• Best overall
• Best alternate
• Best for less

Best overall

Samsung Galaxy S9 / S9+

See at Amazon

The Galaxy S9 and S9+ aren’t much different from their predecessors, but seeing as those were Samsung’s best-ever-selling phones that’s not a bad thing. These phones are all about giving you the most features in the most beautiful package. You get top-end specs across the board, plus all of the hardware features you expect: waterproofing, wireless charging, an SD card slot, a headphone jack and more.

The camera is all-new this year, with a sensor that does fantastic processing to remove noise and sharpen fine detail. It’s aided by a dual-aperture lens to get the best combination of light and detail in different shots, and in the case of the Galaxy S9+ is paired with a secondary telephoto lens for zoom and portrait mode shooting.

You don’t get the clean and simple software experience of the Pixel 2, which may take some extra customization and tweaking on your part, but the Galaxy S9 is far less polarizing overall — just about anyone looking for a high-end phone will love using the Galaxy S9 or S9+.

Bottom line: The Galaxy S9 and S9+ don’t require much thought — they can do everything, and look great doing it, with few real downsides.

One more thing: Consider paying the extra $120 for the Galaxy S9+, where you get more RAM, a bigger screen and longer battery life. It’s worth it for most people.

Best alternative

LG V30

See at Amazon

LG’s V series has traditionally been a big and brawny phone, but the V30 is just a great overall device that has handily taken over from the G6 launched early on in 2017. It stuck with a metal-and-glass build, but slimmed down the sides and integrated subtle curves to make it rather easy to hold despite a 6-inch 18:9 display on the front.

On the bottom you get a headphone jack that plugs into a high-quality DAC, so not only can you use all of your existing headphones but you can get the most out of them.

Internally you get top-notch specs you’d expect from any flagship, and around back LG continues to impress with a fantastic pair of cameras. The standard shooter does well despite its smaller pixels, and the secondary wide-angle camera is the best implementation LG has ever made. It offers an extremely unique perspective you just don’t see anywhere else.

LG’s software is capable and smooth, if still a bit clunky and uncoordinated in a few areas — but that can still be said about most phones nowadays.

Bottom line: LG does all of the basics amazingly well, and accents it with a nice body and super-capable pair of cameras.

One more thing: Keep an eye out for a “V30+” model with increased specs depending on your market and carrier.

Best for less

Moto X4

See at Amazon

The Moto X4 is all about providing a high-end feel without the coinciding price. It originally retailed at $399, but can often be had for well under $300 now just a handful of months after launch. At that price, it’s a fantastic phone — it has a beautiful metal-and-glass build, dual rear cameras, solid battery life and really good specs for the money. The software experience is typical clean Motorola, and runs buttery smooth thanks to some wonderful optimizations.

Unlike many of Motorola’s more expensive phones, the Moto X4 has also retained a headphone jack. And even with that, it’s still IP68 water and dust resistant.

Bottom line: The Moto X4 is a fantastic deal at under $300, providing a flagship-like experience in many respects for far less than half the price.

One more thing: You can get the Moto X4 from Amazon or Motorola directly, but also on Project Fi as an “Android One” version with a longer update runway.

Conclusion

When it comes to keeping the headphone jack around, Samsung still takes the cake with the Galaxy S9 and S9+ — they’re great phones overall that happen to also still hold onto this important port. The LG V30 is also a good phone that keeps the jack, but overall isn’t as great as the Galaxy S9+. On the cheaper side, the Moto X4 has a ton going for it and retains the headphone jack and IP68 water resistance at a sub-$300 price.

Best overall

Samsung Galaxy S9 / S9+

See at Amazon

The Galaxy S9 and S9+ aren’t much different from their predecessors, but seeing as those were Samsung’s best-ever-selling phones that’s not a bad thing. These phones are all about giving you the most features in the most beautiful package. You get top-end specs across the board, plus all of the hardware features you expect: waterproofing, wireless charging, an SD card slot, a headphone jack and more.

The camera is all-new this year, with a sensor that does fantastic processing to remove noise and sharpen fine detail. It’s aided by a dual-aperture lens to get the best combination of light and detail in different shots, and in the case of the Galaxy S9+ is paired with a secondary telephoto lens for zoom and portrait mode shooting.

You don’t get the clean and simple software experience of the Pixel 2, which may take some extra customization and tweaking on your part, but the Galaxy S9 is far less polarizing overall — just about anyone looking for a high-end phone will love using the Galaxy S9 or S9+.

Bottom line: The Galaxy S9 and S9+ don’t require much thought — they can do everything, and look great doing it, with few real downsides.

One more thing: Consider paying the extra $120 for the Galaxy S9+, where you get more RAM, a bigger screen and longer battery life. It’s worth it for most people.

Update April 2018: The new Galaxy S9 and S9+ take over for the Galaxy S8 and Note 8 on the list previously, while the LG V30 stays put as a solid alternate choice. With the OnePlus 5T no longer on sale it has dropped off the list, replaced by the Moto X4 as a good inexpensive option with a headphone jack.

Amazon cancels ‘Mozart in the Jungle’ after four seasons

One of Prime Video’s earliest successes is about to fade away: Amazon has canceled Mozart in the Jungle after four seasons. It’s not certain what prompted the decision to axe the show, but it wasn’t due to a lack of talent when the “sex, drugs and classical music” series won Golden Globes and Emmys during its stint. Amazon doesn’t disclose viewership, so it’s not clear that demand was an issue. However, it may be a reflection of the internet giant’s evolving video strategy.

The company has lately focused on creating international blockbusters that can appeal to a wide audience, such as its upcoming Lord of the Rings series. Mozart in the Jungle doesn’t really fit into that strategy. It was a critical and commercial hit (at least early on), but it was also a relatively niche production. Amazon recently dropped Jean-Claude Van Johnson, I Love Dick and One Mississippi, so this wasn’t a complete shock — it appears to take a lot (such as Marvelous Mrs. Maisel’s two Golden Globes) to keep a comedy going for longer than a couple of seasons on Prime Video.

The exit reflects a changing of the guard at Amazon, with very few pre-2015 shows left. One of Amazon’s best-known shows from Mozart’s era, Transparent, has both lost its original prominence and is shifting focus after the departure of its lead actor over sexual harassment allegations. Many of Amazon’s active shows are relatively recent productions that reflect lessons learned from its early work, and Mozart happens to be one of the more prominent examples.

Via: Deadline

Source: Hollywood Reporter