Tech companies pledge to not help governments pull off cyberattacks

Any government or state agency — domestic or foreign — wishing to carry out a cyberattack will not be getting any help from Facebook, Microsoft, and a slew of 32 other technology companies that have signed the Cybersecurity Tech Accord. Instead, these firms pledge to design products to protect users against cyberattacks.

Although considered a watershed agreement because of the number of signatories, there are still a few notable tech companies absent from the list, including Apple, Google, and Amazon.

Microsoft President Brad Smith views the agreement as a digital Geneva Convention, according to The New York Times.

“We will strive to protect all our users and customers from cyberattacks — whether an individual, organization or government — irrespective of their technical acumen, culture or location, or the motives of the attacker, whether criminal or geopolitical,” the companies said. Additionally, they also strive to oppose cyberattacks, empower users to strengthen cybersecurity protection, and collaborate to enhance cybersecurity.

Also absent from the Cybersecurity Tech Accord are companies from nations that have been responsible for some of the most “devastating attacks of the past year,” Smith said in his interview with the Times, including Russia, North Korea, Iran, and China.

Because American companies are often the first responders to cyberattack issues — Microsoft was seen as an instrumental force in taking down WannaCry, an attack that targeted the British health system — Smith argued that the U.S. has to take leadership. “We need to approach this in a principled way, and if we expect to get governments to do that, we have to start with some principles ourselves.”

“Over the last two years, the accelerating cost of cybercrime means that it is now 23 percent more than last year and is costing organizations, on average, $11.7 million,” Accenture reported. In fact, the number of ransomware — like WannaCry and NotPetya — has also doubled from the year prior.

The accord pledges to “protect against tampering with and exploitation of technology products and services during their development, design, distribution and use.” This is seen as a pushback by the technology industry after former National Security Agency contractor Edward Snowden revealed that the United States government may be intercepting computer hardware and injecting software to collect data.

With elections, power grids, and institutions like universities and hospitals vulnerable, state-sponsored cyberattacks remain a national security concern. The U.S. and U.K. governments released a joint warning earlier this week that Russian hackers are planning an attack on routers around the world for a future cyberattack.

Smith said that the Trump administration has been briefed on the accord.

Editors’ Recommendations

• Alphabet’s new cybersecurity unit focuses on faster threat responses
• Intel teams with Microsoft to bring advanced memory scanning to Windows Defender
• Intel warned Chinese tech firms of security flaws before telling U.S. government
• ZTE and Huawei respond to intelligence agency warnings over security risks
• American companies are banned from selling to Chinese smartphone maker ZTE

Google makes it even easier to get into A.I. with Raspberry Pi bundles

If you’ve been wanting to dig into artificial intelligence on a personal level, then you have probably been considering one of Google’s AIY kits. These allow STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) audiences to engage in simple projects with a relatively low investment. Now, Google has made things even easier by creating bundles that include the requisite Raspberry Pi single-board computers.

The AIY products have two versions aimed at two A.I. applications. There is the AIY Vision Kit that allows experimenting with image recognition and neural networks and the AIY Voice Kit that combines voice recognition and the Google Assistant. Both kits have always included the necessary software and the required hardware, including a camera for the Vision Kit and a microphone and speaker for the Voice Kit.

The newest kits are a bit more expensive than before, with the Vision Kit at $90 and the Voice Kit at $50. This time, though, each kit includes a Raspberry Pi Zero WH, a minimal version of the single board computer that includes wireless networking and pre-soldered headers that make it easier to connect external components like the AIY kit hardware. The minimalist computer runs $14 by itself, meaning that total investment is roughly equivalent to the previous versions.

Google has also introduced an AIY companion app Android, which you can download from Google Play. The app lets users set up and configure the kits wirelessly, although both of the kits can also be used with a traditional monitor, keyboard, and mouse. The company will be making iOS and Chrome OS apps available in the near future.

If you are interested in learning more about how to use the AIY kits to learn about and experiment with A.I., then you can check out the AIY website for updated information. There, you will be learning about the kits themselves, along with accessing a showcase of neural networks that have been tailor-made for the kits. Once you have decided on either or both, you can pick up the AIY Voice Kit for $50 and AIY Vision Kit for $90 at Target. The kits will be available globally at other retailers.

Editors’ Recommendations

• These Raspberry Pi 3 bundles will cover everyone, from coders to gamers
• Forget weather stations; this gadget lets you monitor the entire planet
• Take a bite of the new Raspberry Pi 3 Model B+ on Pi Day
• Raspad is a portable Raspberry Pi tablet for bringing creative projects to life
• Meet the Qualcomm Snapdragon 845, the power behind next-gen phones

Huawei to refocus its efforts on other markets in the face of U.S. roadblocks

Huawei hasn’t exactly had it easy in the United States. The U.S. government has long considered it and other Chinese companies security threat — so much so that the government reportedly convinced the likes of AT&T and Verizon to end potential deals with the company, and last month news broke that Best Buy would stop selling Huawei phones. Now, the company may stop pursuing the U.S. market, and instead refocus its efforts on markets in which it already exists.

Huawei asserted its focus on existing markets at an annual event in Shenzhen, according to a report from The New York Times. It marks a pretty big change for the company, which has been aggressively going after new markets over the past few years. The Times’ report notes that Huawei recently laid off five of its high-level U.S. employees, including William B. Plummer, who was leading the attempts to smooth over its ties with the U.S. government.

What little business Huawei has in the States could also be on the ropes. The Federal Communications Commission is set to vote on a new law that would block federally subsidized telecommunications companies from working with companies that have been deemed to be a threat to national security.

Huawei isn’t the only company that has been targeted by the federal government. American companies were recently banned from selling components to ZTE, another major Chinese smartphone manufacturer. And, last month, it was announced that the White House would impose tariffs on as much as $60 billion worth of Chinese goods. The tariffs were largely targeted at Chinese tech.

The company’s U.S. woes first started in 2012, when a congressional report noted that its equipment could be used to spy on American citizens or even on the government. As The New York Times notes, Huawei spent $1.2 million on lobbying that year — though in 2017, it only spent $60,000. Since then, things have only gotten worse for the company — and when it began looking for partnerships with U.S. carriers, the government’s stance on Huawei seems to have played a large role in those deals falling through.

Smaller U.S. companies could be affected by Huawei’s refocus towards other markets too. Huawei is a major supplier of telecommunications equipment, and many smaller carriers may use its equipment, meaning they may soon need to find a new supplier.

Editors’ Recommendations

• White House reportedly seeks tariffs of $60 billion on Chinese technology goods
• U.K. cybersecurity agency warns against using ZTE telecom equipment
• New tariffs pushed on foreign washing machines and solar panels
• ZTE and Huawei respond to intelligence agency warnings over security risks
• Report: Best Buy has broken ties with Huawei and will no longer sell its phones

Ad-free Facebook access could cost as much as $168 a year

We’re willing to pay $8 per month for Hulu, $10 a month for Spotify Premium, and $11 per month for Netflix to consume media, but how much would you be willing to pay to stay in touch with friends in an ad-free Facebook world? If you shun ads and want to view Facebook distraction-free, it may cost as much as $11 to $14 per month for that privilege, according to an analysis by TechCrunch.

During his testimony on the Cambridge Analytica scandal amid data privacy concerns, Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg revealed that the company doesn’t “offer an option today for people to pay to not show ads,” leading some to speculate that a subscription tier may be in the works. “Even though some people don’t like ads, people really don’t like ads that aren’t relevant,” he added.

In order for a subscription model to work, its price must offset Facebook’s ad revenues, and TechCrunch hypothesizes that number to be at least $7 per month given that Facebook earned $19.9 billion last year from 239 million users.

However, Facebook remains committed to giving everyone access to its services, so the company may offer a premium tier for those who want a safer way to access their social network and a free tier for those who can’t afford to pay.

“Overall, I think that the ads experience is going to be the best one. I think in general, people like not having to pay for a service,” Zuckerberg clarified. “A lot of people can’t afford to pay for a service around the world, and this aligns with our mission the best.”

While Facebook’s floor for an ad-free business model may be $7, a subscription model could come in as high as $11 to $14 per month or $168 per year. According to TechCrunch’s analysis, Facebook earns more for serving ads to U.S. and Canadian users than those in other parts of the world because they have more wealth and disposable income.

“But those willing and able to pay are probably richer than the average user, so luxury businesses pay more to advertise to them, and [they] probably spend more time browsing Facebook than the average user, so they see more of those ads,” the publication said.

However, unless Facebook adds more features to a subscription tier, even those who could afford the price may not be willing to pay. With Spotify, opting for a paid subscription allows you to play the songs in your playlist however you like, and Hulu offers a higher price tier for interruption-free streaming without ads. It’s unlikely that Facebook would create a paywall to keep free users out of new features.

By creating a subscription model with rates as low as $7 and as high as $14, Facebook may best achieve its intended goal — that the company does deliver a valuable and meaningful service, and ads help to make this service available to everyone to use without a fee. Essentially, the sticker shock may drive more people to appreciate Facebook’s free model.

Editors’ Recommendations

• How much is Spotify Premium, and how can you get it at a discount (or for free)?
• Could Facebook be broken up over privacy concerns?
• Facebook faces Senate, potential government regulation — and big changes
• Watch Mark Zuckerberg’s second day of congressional grilling here
• Rumored revamp of Spotify’s free mobile service could be a big step up

Dell Inspiron 5680 review

Research Center:

Dell Inspiron Desktop 5680 (2018)

Amidst the rollercoaster of skyrocketing GPU prices, there have always been cheap alternatives to building your own gaming PC. For the past couple of years, our favorite has been the Dell Inspiron 5675 Gaming Desktop, powered by AMD hardware. It performed well at a good value, starting at just $600.

Dell has refreshed the system with updated Intel and Nvidia components, including 8th-gen Core processors, and up to a GTX 1060 graphics card. Our review unit was the top-of-the-line configuration, which will cost you $1,100 for a Core i7-8700, 8GB of RAM, a 128GB SSD, and a 1TB hard drive.

While the price of desktop video cards remains inflated, Dell’s Inspiron 5680 is just affordable enough to make it a great alternative to building a PC from scratch.

Design

The Inspiron 5680 looks nearly identical to the 5675 — and that’s a good thing. It’s not overly flashy like many dedicated gaming systems, but the blue LED lighting is just enough to spice up the aesthetic. Shining through the open vents on the left side, it’s a classy reminder that the system is ready to game

We appreciate that Dell stuck with this more modest appearance rather than going the direction of the Asus G11DF, which looks distinctly like a cheap gaming desktop. The Inspiron 5680 is more confident in what it wants to be. If you want a little more edge, Dell offers an optional clear side panel to highlight the internals. That’ll set you back $50 bucks.

The custom-built chassis also feels sturdy, and the plastic panels have little flex in them. The gaps in between those panels are large, though, which makes it hard to keep the internals clean.

Two port options

The Inspiron 5680 comes in two primary port setups for each configuration – with optical drive, and without optical drive. Having an optical isn’t going to be a selling point for most, but for the few who are dedicated to DVDs and CDs, it’s a nice option to have. However, the optical drive version of the tower also has another perk. A front-facing USB-C port. It costs an extra $50, but it could be worth it to make your system both backward compatible and futureproof. That fifty bucks will also award you the clear side panel as part of a package deal.

It would have been nice to see one more HDMI port in case you want to hook up a monitor and VR headset simultaneously, but you can always use DisplayPort for that.

As for rear ports, you’ll find the standard array of offerings on all models — four USB-A 3.1, two USB-A 2.0, an Ethernet jack, three full-sized DisplayPorts, and an HDMI port. It would have been nice to see one more HDMI port in case you want to hook up a monitor and VR headset simultaneously, but you can always use DisplayPort for that as well. Otherwise, the system comes with a standard 802.11ac Wireless card, and support for Bluetooth 4.1.

Easy to upgrade, within limits

Like the exterior design, not much has changed on the inside of the Inspiron 5680. Removing a couple of screws opens access to the interior. Because of its relatively small size, the components are a bit cramped, though not as squished as something like the XPS 8930. You have a clear view of your RAM and expansion slots, so most upgrades or additions don’t require taking out other components.

Bill Roberson/Digital Trends

The graphics card is the biggest obstacle. It’s bracketed down to hold it in place, which prevents damage to the PCIe slot in shipping. That means you’ll have to remove the bracket to swap the GPU and, in certain situations, the added bulk might conflict with another upgrade. It’s certainly not the most convenient for customization, but it’s not surprising to see in a mass-market system.

The primary stumbling block toward upgrading your GPU is the power supply. This tower comes with a 460-watt supply, nicely tucked into the bottom corner of the chassis out of the way. It can handle a GTX 1060 without issue, but a GTX 1070 or 1080 – or AMD Radeon RX Vega 64 – will likely be too much for it. In comparison, even the Acer Aspire GX Gaming Desktop offers a 500-watt supply, which provides a better base to power some better graphics cards.

Processor Performance

Intel’s 8th-gen CPUs are substantial jumps over the previous generation, and you can especially feel it with the Core i7-8700. We ran it through Geekbench and saw some impressive results, especially in multi-core performance. Taking advantage of the six cores and twelve threads, it landed a multi-core score of 19,642. In our testing, it’s only bested by Origin’s beastly gaming desktops using K-series chips. It’s no slouch in single-core performance, either.

We we ran the CPU through a more difficult task in the form of Handbrake, where we see how quickly a system can encode a 4K video. The Inspiron 5680 nailed a score of 3 minutes and 15 seconds, which is impressive, though it was surprisingly bested by the Core i7-8809G found in Intel’s Hades Canyon NUC.

In day-to-day performance, we found the Inspiron 5680 can handle productivity well, never hesitating or slowing down. Need to have 10 YouTube videos playing while streaming Spotify, multitasking with 25 Chrome tabs, and Photoshop open? This desktop will handle a ridiculous scenario like that just fine.

Storage Performance

While processor options are great across the different configurations, storage options are not quite as fleshed out. This is where Dell is cutting some costs — with a system this cheap, it must somewhere.

It would have been nice to see a 256GB SSD configuration as an option from Dell.

The $600 and $800 configurations come with 1TB of storage, but only in the form of a slow, hard disk drive. It delivered sad read and write scores of under 200 MB/s. The $950 and $1,100 models provide a secondary SDD, but it’s a SATA-connected drive with only 128GB of space. It achieves less than a fourth of the speeds of faster standards like PCIe, which is often used on modern laptops and higher-end desktops.

On the other hand, that would have added some cost to the overall price of the product — and some of the Inspiron 5680’s competitors, like the Acer Aspire GX desktop, doesn’t even include a solid state drive.

We’d like to see at least a 256GB SSD configuration at least listed as an option from Dell. You might not consider storage to be as important, but let’s paint a completely hypothetical situation for you. You’re trying to download a very large game like Battlefield 1 to test it out with a new game system you’re reviewing. Problem? It’s too big to fit on the provided 128GB SSD, so you must rely on that old hard disk drive. You find this out halfway through the install, of course, and must start all over again.

Game-ready for 3D and VR

The Inspiron 5680 is labeled as a “gaming desktop,” so it better be able to play. Don’t worry — it can! The system comes with either a GTX 1050 (with 2GB) at the $600 price point, or the GTX 1060 (with 3GB) starting at $800. Both are capable GPUs, though the 1060 will provide you with a significant increase in framerate. You also have the option of the AMD-powered system, which comes with either the AMD Radeon RX 560 or 570.

Bill Roberson/Digital Trends

In 3DMark, you can see how well the GTX 1060 handles 3D rendering of all sorts. It blows 1050-based systems out of the water — and again, picking one up in a system for only $800 is a solid deal. That doesn’t just make it good for games — it can also handle high-resolution photo and video editing, as well as intensive 3D modeling software.

It even had some impressive results in VRMark, which tests how well a system can render in virtual reality. In the Orange Room test, the GTX 1060 exceeded requirements for powering Oculus Rift and HTC Vive VR headsets. Dell calls the system is “VR-ready,” and according to our benchmarks, it should be able to handle most VR experiences at solid framerates, though you may need to turn down a setting here or there.

As for games, you won’t be disappointed with performance. The GTX 1060 has nowhere near the power as something like a GTX 1080, but even at 1440p, most games are can be played at smooth framerates with the settings cranked.

We averaged 50 FPS in 1440p with settings on Epic in Fortnite, whereas bringing it down to High settings will pop it up to over 100 FPS. The same goes for other lighter fare like Rocket League, where it earned 132 FPS at highest graphics settings at 1440p. We couldn’t test it out in 4K, but for lighter games like Rocket League or Fortnite, a GTX 1060 should be more than capable of achieving playable framerates at that resolution — even at medium graphics settings.

But what about some more difficult games? Well — in Battlefield 1, the system effortlessly pushed out 87 FPS on Medium settings and a very solid 59 FPS to match on Ultra. The looked and felt fantastic. A similarly graphic-intensive game like Civilization VI produced a solid 62 FPS on Ultra in 1440p, and a better 107 FPS when bumped down to Medium.

We did manage to stump the Inspiron 5680 though. It was in Deus Ex: Mankind Divided at 1440p with the graphics on Ultra. At 26 FPS it wasn’t quite playable, though turning it down to 1080p solves that problem. The final word? Outside of the most graphic-intensive games, you should be able to play most modern games at respectable framerates, even at higher resolutions and graphics settings.

Our Take

The Inspiron 5680 is not a top-of-the-line gaming desktop, but if you need some respite from the high GPU prices on the market — or are just looking for an affordable gaming desktop you can buy — the Inspiron 5680 is the best you can buy.

Are there any alternatives?

If you want to save a little cash and are willing to compromise some gaming performance, the AMD-based Inspiron 5675 isn’t a bad alternative. On the other hand, Dell’s XPS 8930 is similarly-priced with a stealthier, office-friendly design.

You can find solutions by other desktop manufacturers, like the Asus G11DF or Acer Aspire GX Gaming Desktop, but they often don’t give you as much bang for your buck. The upcoming HP Pavilion Gaming lineup offers a strong set of configurations, but it doesn’t offer a GTX 1060 for as little as $850.

How long will it last?

The Inspiron 5680 sets you up for future component swaps and upgrades well. The lack of USB-C on some configurations may come to bite you in the future.

Should you buy it?

Yes. It won’t satisfy people looking for a high-end system, but if you want to do some PC gaming on a budget, the Inspiron 5680 is for you.

Dell Inspiron Desktop 5680 (2018) Compared To

Intel Hades Canyon NUC8i7HVK

Alienware Alpha R2

Origin Chronos (2016)

iBuyPower Revolt 2 Pro

Maingear X-Cube Z170

Velocity Micro Raptor Z40

Origin Chronos (2015)

Digital Storm Eclipse

Falcon Northwest Tiki-Z

Syber Vapor I

iBuyPower SBX

Maingear Torq

Falcon Northwest FragBox

HP Firebird 802

Maingear Dash

Microsoft wants to stuff Linux, not Windows 10, into Internet of Things devices

Microsoft introduced Azure Sphere during the RSA security conference in San Francisco. It’s essentially a platform connecting microcontroller units (MCU) within Internet of Thing devices to the cloud. What’s notable about this announcement is that the operating system installed on the MCUs aren’t based on Windows 10 as you would expect, but rather a custom build of the open-source Linux operating system. That’s a first for Microsoft. 

At the foundation of Microsoft’s new Azure Sphere platform is a new microcontroller unit from Microsoft that promises five times the performance of standard MCUs. The chip includes the company’s Pluton security subsystem, built-in network connectivity, a real-time processor, an application processor, memory, flash, and more. It’s a “crossover” chip that combines the benefits of ARM-based Cortex-A and Cortex-M processor cores. 

Controlling this chip is Microsoft’s new Linux-based Azure Sphere operating system. It’s a four-layer platform with a security monitor on the deepest level followed by the custom Linux kernel, on-chip connectivity services, and secured application containers. This software is backed by Microsoft’s Azure Sphere Security Service in the cloud, guaranteeing certificate-based authentication, genuine software, automated updates, and so on. 

But there’s a key reason why Microsoft likely went with Linux instead of its in-house baked Windows 10: Open source. According to Microsoft, Azure Sphere is “open to additional software innovation” by the open source community. It’s also open to work with any cloud, not just Microsoft’s Azure-branded platform. Even more, the chip design can be used by any manufacturer absolutely free. 

“In short, it represents a critical new step for Microsoft by integrating innovation across every aspect of technology and by working with every part of the technology ecosystem, including our competitors,” says Brad Smith, Microsoft president and chief legal officer. “We believe this holistic solution will bring to IoT devices better security, resilience and developer agility than anything on the market today.” 

Azure Sphere arrives after the Mirai botnet attack at the end of 2016. Hackers exploited the weak security defenses of Internet of Things devices, such as usernames and passwords that were never changed from the factory default, to install the Mirai malware. The hackers then used around 100,000 compromised internet-connected devices to flood DNS provider Dyn with overwhelming fake traffic, bringing the internet to a standstill for an entire day on the east coast. 

“Routers, DVRs, CCTV cameras, and any other ‘smart’, internet-connected appliances are at risk of attack,” Symantec said at the time. “Webcams were the primary devices exploited in the Dyn attack. Additionally, many IoT devices take advantage of a feature known as Universal Plug and Play (UPnP) which opens a port on the router to allow them to be accessible from the internet.” 

Thus, enter Azure Sphere: a secure, end-to-end “holistic” solution for Internet of Things devices. Dimplex plans to integrate Azure Sphere into its portfolio of products later this year, which includes electric fireplaces, electric heating, renewable energy solutions, residential heaters, thermostats, and more. Other device manufacturers are “enthused” over Azure Sphere as well, including Sub-Zero.  

Editors’ Recommendations

• Intel digs deep into its security-first promise with new safeguards for its CPUs
• Qualcomm’s new chips aim to give security cameras A.I. smarts
• Qualcomm may cram premium Snapdragon 845 processor into high-end Chromebooks
• New ‘Prime’ Meltdown, Spectre exploits outlined by Nvidia, Princeton University
• Microsoft’s HoloLens could be gearing up to kick Intel to the curb

7 Best OBD2 Car Readers for Android

What’s the best OBD II reader for Android? Here’s a few to get you started!

Car repair can be costly (duh!) and that Check Engine light could mean myriad issues with your car. Or, it could be a simple fix that you could do yourself — so why take it to your dealer or mechanic without knowing the problem first? Some places will charge you $100 or more just for the scan.

Don’t get swindled again. Get yourself your very own Bluetooth OBD II reader/scanner and figure out what’s wrong with your car, right on your phone or tablet!

• BAFX Products 34t5
• Panlong Car Diagnostic scanner
• ScanTool OBDLink LX
• iSaddle Super Mini
• BlueDriver professional OBD2 scanner
• Automatic PRO AUT-350
• Carista OBD2 scanner

BAFX Products 34t5

The BAFX Products 34t5 claims to work on all vehicles in the U.S. from 1996 or later, so chances are that if you’re driving, this will work with your vehicle. All you need is a third-party app (which range from free to rather expensive paid apps), and you can connect the 34t5 to your Android phone or tablet to read out diagnostic information.

While reading out diagnostic codes, you can even clear them out at will, thus turning off your check engine light – even for manufacturer-specific codes!

Depending on the third-party app your choose, you can get real-time sensor information right on your phone, life speed, balance rates, RPM, O2 readings, and lots more.

If you feel the need for speed, this reader will even send you ⅛, ¼, ½, and 1 mile times.

Don’t spend $100 just for someone to scan your car; spend about $22, read it yourself, and maybe you’ll even be able to fix it on your own!

See at Amazon

Panlong Car Diagnostic scanner

Panlong’s small OBD II scanner is perfect for the do-it-yourselfer on a budget – you can find it on Amazon for around $11.

This reader will work on any car sold in the U.S. from 1996 or later – it just might not work with some hybrids. All you need is a third-party app, like Torque or DashCommand and you’ll be able to read and clear trouble codes, while receiving real-time data readings – and you’ll be able to turn off that damn Check Engine light!

If inexpensively is the way you like to maintain your vehicle (who doesn’t?), then opt for the Panlong scanner.

See at Amazon

ScanTool OBDLink LX

The ScanTool OBDLink LX is a professional-grade OBD II reader that features its own app, which allows you to scan, read, and clear trouble codes in all cars sold in the U.S. since 1996 (except hybrid or electric vehicles).

All you have to do is plug it in, pair it with your phone, open the app, and you’ll see real-time diagnostic data, as well as information about performance.

You can even use your Windows PC to access and compile your information without ever having to see a mechanic. Fix the stuff you can fix yourself and only take it in when absolutely necessary.

Being a professional tool, the OBDLink LX claims to service a wider range of vehicles, given more complex algorithms, and the Amazon reviews seem to agree.

It may be about $55, but if you love your car and worry that the cheaper readers might not actually do the trick, then check out the OBDLink LX. $55 is better than the $100 the dealers will charge you!

See at Amazon

iSaddle Super Mini

The iSaddle Super Mini supports all OBD II protocols and works on just about every car sold in the U.S. since 1996 (except hybrid and electric), allowing you to diagnose what ails your vehicle to help determine whether or not it really needs a trip to the shop.

For Android users, iSaddle works exclusively with the Torque app feeding you diagnostics and performance data via Bluetooth.

If you’re unsure about the DYI approach to car repair, the iSaddle’s only about $14, so you really have nothing to lose if you want to try it out yourself. If you can fix the problem yourself, go for it, but you still have the option of taking it to your dealer or mechanic if you’re out of your element.

See at Amazon

BlueDriver professional OBD2 scanner

For $100, you’d hope this scanner would be professional-grade, and it certainly makes the cut, as one that’s even used by mechanics. This one does a lot more than the average scanner, showing you recall information, dynamic data, and it even offers repair suggestions in its companion Android app. As Tom’s Guide puts it, “BlueDriver is as close to a repair-shop diagnostic scanner as you can get for under $100.”

See at Amazon

Automatic PRO AUT-350

If you’re looking for an OBD2 scanner that goes well beyond the others, then the Automatic PRO might be up your alley, since it also tracks your car in real time, is Alexa-, Nest-, and IFTTT-compatible, and uses a 3G connection. You get an unlimited, 5-year 3G subscription from Automatic, and this thing will even detect serious crashes and automatically alert emergency services. It’s basically a total car monitor (yeah, it also diagnoses your check engine light problems), and at $130, that ain’t a bad deal at all.

See at Amazon

Carista OBD2 scanner

Carista wins the award for prettiest scanner on this list (not that it matters at all), and it’s app is elegantly laid out and simple to use. The scanner does what you’d expect, but the OBD2 Pro app ($39.99 extra) is what really makes it shine, showing you airbag information, ABS data, and even showing you specialty codes for eight car makers.

The upgraded app also integrates with your key fob, allowing you to remotely control your power windows and other instruments. At roughly $40, the buy-in is about $80 for the full experience, but if you’re looking for more than a basic scanner, it’s worth it.

See at Amazon

What do you use?

Do you read your car or truck’s trouble codes with another scanner that we didn’t mention? Do you read your own codes or just take your car to the shop whenever the Check Engine light comes on?

Let us know in the comments below!

Updated April 2018: Updated pricing and added the BlueDriver, Automatic, and Carista scanners to the list.

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 iOttie’s super-popular car mounts, Arlo security cameras, TP-Link smart plugs, 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!

Marvel’s Spider-Man for PlayStation 4: Everything you need to know!

Forget everything you know about Spider-Man video games. This experience is on a whole new level.

Spider-Man is one of the most iconic fictional characters ever created. The web-head has starred in countless comics, movies, TV shows, and video games but not all of them have bee super high quality. While games like Spider-Man 2 are widely regarded as one of the best superhero games of all time, Spider-Man has also been subjected to some extremely bad video games that many of us try to block out of our memory.

With that said, Ratchet and Clank, Sunset Overdrive, and Resistance developer Insomniac Games is spearheading an exciting new vision for the wall-crawler. While we haven’t played the game yet, the studio has proven themselves time and time again and all the trailers we’ve seen look incredibly promising for PlayStation 4 fans this year.

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The Spidey classics, with a new twist

Insomniac has taken great care with Marvel’s golden boy by working closely with comic-book legends like Dan Slott and Christos Gage to craft an original story for Spider-Man. We all know how Peter Parker got his powers, how he struggles to find his footing as a superhero at first, and all that jazz so Insomniac is going to spare us the classic origin story and thrust into the prime of Spidey’s life. Peter Parker is 23, he has been Spider-Man for eight years and has pretty much gotten this whole superhero thing down to a tee.

In the game’s opening, Spider-Man will take down the infamous criminal mastermind, Wilson Fisk AKA Kingpin. Insomniac Games has noted Kingpin as Spider-Man’s greatest villain at this point in his career and it’s a massive achievement for him when he finally takes him down. Peter Parker’s apartment is also littered with various details regarding his past encounters with criminals like Shocker and Rhino meaning he has tackled some of his famous villains but the biggest baddies like Venom and Green Goblin may not have surfaced in New York yet.

On the opposite side of Peter’s life where he’s not wearing the mask, things are a bit more troublesome. His relationship with the red headed bombshell, Mary Jane Watson, is on the rocks, he’s on the verge of being evicted from his messy apartment, and Aunt May is put into danger when she becomes close with the charitable Martin Li. Li looks like a pretty swell guy on the surface but he holds a dark secret inside of him in the form of his super villain alter ego, Mister Negative. In fear that Li could hurt those closest to him, Peter begins his hunt for Li while tackling plenty of other criminals along the way such as Taskmaster.

More than an open outdoor world

As much as those in Peter’s life are important to a good Spider-Man story, one of the most vital characters is the city of New York City itself. As expected, there will be tons of side activities to tackle such as stopping robberies and other crimes. According to Game Informer, when they went hands-on with the game, there will actually be a good amount of interiors to go inside during these crimes so it’s not like other Spider-Man games where you have to chase after a speeding car or beat up some guys on the street.

To make the city feel more alive, Insomniac has built a Marvel universe within it. Players will be able to find the Avengers Tower, the Wakandan Embassy, and likely other major landmarks within the world to help take the worldbuilding to another level. There’s no word on if any other Marvel heroes will show up in the game but it’ll likely be kept to a minimum as they’re trying to make a Spider-Man game, not build an expansive Marvel games universe.

With a heavy focus on story and developing Peter Parker’s life and world, a lesser team could forget to develop a really solid set of gameplay systems, but Insomniac isn’t taking their eye off the ball.

Dynamic movements, killer combat

Many look to Spider-Man 2 as the best gameplay experience in a Spidey game due to the incredible attention to detail and physics based gameplay. The webs attached to walls, Spidey swung like a pendulum, and there was an incredible sense of momentum and speed building as you zipped through the city. With all of the advancements and innovations in games in the last decade and a half, Insomniac is on track to deliver the best Spider-Man game, perhaps superhero game, to date.

The most important aspect of the character is the way he moves through the world. Spider-Man will be as agile and fast as ever in this new game where he acts like a speeding train that has had the brakes ripped out. In Insomniac’s game, Spider-Man is equipped to adapt to his environment on the fly. He’ll never stop moving if you don’t want him to, the game is constantly making adjustments so you’re speeding through the world as the real experienced “masked menace” would.

It’s some of the more traditional Spider-Man combat with elements of the Batman Arkham series mixed in.

If you’re swinging but you’re about to smash right into a wall, Spider-Man will instead prepare to run along the wall in the direction you’re holding the stick. If you’re running along a rooftop with lots of vents and other objects, Spider-Man will parkour over them. If you’re running up a wall with a fire escape, he won’t awkwardly get stuck on it, he’ll bounce off each individual layer of the fire escape like stairs or propel himself through them if he’s coming at them from the side.

There’s an almost dynamic nature to the locomotion of Spidey in this game. His animations are diverse so it keeps this fun and fluid sense of rhythm, he’ll twirl, move his body in cool ways, and all sorts of other things you’d expect him to do when going from place to place. It’s safe to say that it will probably one of the most beautifully animated games to date when it drops.

As for combat, it’s some of the more traditional Spider-Man combat with elements of the Batman Arkham series mixed in. You’ll have your punching and kicking but you can also use some gadgets to help keep things fresh and make things easier on yourself. One gadget Spider-Man has is a web grenade, it detonates and then strings up any nearby enemies so you can swing in and deliver some cheap shots or pick them up and swing them around with a makeshift silk lasso.

If you’re feeling a bit playful, you can use the tripwire which is similar to the web grenade. It sits on a surface and when someone walks past it, it shoots a web out at them and slams them toward the wall. If you manage to latch the tripwire on to a person instead of a wall, it will smash two enemies together like Newton balls. If you also happen to knock an enemy off of a building, a tripwire will automatically be deployed and activated to prevent a foe from becoming a splatter on the sidewalk down below. The city is messy enough and Spider-Man doesn’t kill so the game will help you out there.

If you’re in the heat of the moment and you’re keen on doing that, players will be able to slow down time briefly and analyze the area for their next move. Is it singling out a guy? Choosing where to throw a gadget? Using an environmental object to defeat some evildoers? It’s up to you how strategic you want to be with it.

Missions, Trophies, and so many different suits

Of course, New York City is known as the city that never sleeps so there’s always something brewing on the streets whether it be petty crimes or full-blown robberies. Outside of story missions, our friendly neighborhood Spider-Man will get side activities to go clean up the streets. Crimes will play out differently each time so you’re not doing the same repetitive task over and over again so you can grind for that trophy or special in-game perk. According to Game Informer, robberies can evolve into car chases and so forth so it’s always shifting and keeping you on your toes.

If you’re a bit tired of beating people up (you’re a superhero, it’s your job, get over it), you can go and do some of the collectible missions like finding Peter Parker’s lost backpacks. As we saw in Spider-Man: Homecoming last year, Peter tends to just leave his school bag webbed up in alley ways when he has to spring into action. Of course, this can result in some bags being misplaced so you need to go and retrieve some key mementos of Peter’s. The items in the bags will serve as backstory for Peter Parker and fill in some of the blanks in the story as well as give you little trinkets such as the first pair of web-shooters he ever created.

There are other little side activities sprinkled in the world but Insomniac isn’t going to divulge all of them before launch so that there can be some surprises when you play it. Similarly, they were tight lipped on the suit customization.

While it is now officially confirmed there will be dozens of costumes for Spider-Man inspired by comics, other games, and the movies, they’re not revealing many of the suits yet. So far we know that there will be a more traditional suit that you start the game in, an upgraded one with the white spider which supposedly ties into the narrative, the Noir suit, and the Spider-Punk suit.

Each suit has a unique special ability tied to it, the Spider-Punk suit features the ability to pull out a guitar and strum it really hard to create an AOE attack. The other suits have their own benefits but Insomniac isn’t willing to talk too much about them yet.

Alright, when can I buy this?

If you’re as excited as we are for this game, you can pre-order the game for $59.99 at most retailers. If you want to go the extra mile, you can drop $149.99 on the Collector’s Edition which includes a nice looking statue, some digital items such as post-launch DLC missions, and a steelbook case.

Spider-Man will swing onto store shelves on September 7th, 2018 exclusively on PlayStation 4, this is NOT a timed exclusive. It will never be on anything else other than PlayStation.

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PlayStation 4

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Chromebook Buyer’s Guide

You’ve decided on Chromebook. Now you just have to choose which one fits your needs best.

Plenty of people are buying Chromebooks for a variety of reasons, not the least of which being price and simplicity. Chrome enables you to have a simple yet powerful computer that can be handed to anyone and used right away, without all of the headaches of maintenance or management. The toughest part of using one is picking the right one to use!

Like everything else electronic, what you should buy depends on what you need to do with it. We can help.

Chrome OS

Chrome isn’t like Android on a phone — it’s the exact same on every Chromebook (or Chromebox). That makes things a lot easier when buying a new Chromebook because you won’t have to make any decisions about the software. The most inexpensive model can do everything its hardware supports in the very same way the most expensive model can. Hardware support can make a difference, though, because things like a 180-degree flippable screen or a specialized pen bring options along with them and if your Chromebook can’t flip over to be a tablet or doesn’t include a pen (bundled or as an optional purchase) you won’t see any special software to use one.

One other place that this software “sameness” matters is when you are buying a Chromebook. Chrome automatically updates and the new software comes directly through Google regardless of who made your Chromebook. With support lasting five years, you won’t have to buy the newest model to have the latest software. That can mean big savings, and we all love big savings.

Thankfully, Chromebooks come in a wide range of hardware configurations that support every budget. What you need to do before you buy is decide why you need a Chromebook and how you’re going to use it.

For the youngsters

There’s a good chance a young student will be issued a Chromebook from their school. Most companies make specially ruggedized Chromebooks for the education market, and that’s exactly what you want for a youngster’s first computer. Luckily, you can buy a similar model through normal retail channels and it won’t break the bank.

The Lenovo 100e is a great choice for a young child. It’s built like a tank and designed to survive bumps and bruises as well as being dropped for the height a child can reach. It even has a “waterproof” keyboard tray so a spilled drink won’t automatically equal a disaster.

It’s not pretty, but neither is a thin and light Chromebook that’s been destroyed by a fall off the desk or a glass of water. You can buy the 100e directly from Lenovo for around $200.

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For older students

Many teens and older students use their phone to do everything. That’s awesome, but if you’re shopping for a student that’s out of that “will break everything” stage, you want a Chromebook that foregoes the rough and rugged build and focuses on being portable and speedy. ASUS has you covered.

Their Chromebook Flip line brings the all the portability a student needs along with a great display and speedy internals. And it’s called a Flip for a reason — it’s a great tablet replacement, too.

Android apps have changed the way we use Chromebooks and with the display flipped back a Chromebook really shines. Models in the Flip line come with a great touch screen for games or casual use, can stand as an easel for watching a video, and at the end of the day folds back into the ultra-portable laptop that a student can carry anywhere.

The Chromebook Flip 101 comes in under $300

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The Chromebook Flip 302 brings a bigger 12.5-inch display and uber-fast Intel core processor to the table, and costs around $450

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For all-around use at home or on the go

If you want a Chromebook to use for a little bit of everything, it’s hard not to recommend the Samsung Chromebook Plus.

It’s our recommendation as the best Chromebook you can buy based on the price and feature list, and it deserves its place at the top of that list. Built around an absolutely amazing 12.3-inch 2400×1600 pixel Samsung HD display, the Chromebook Plus does everything you want or need from a Chromebook and does it well. Android app support and a bundled stylus bring a lot to the table, and you’ll be able to surf the web or watch a movie or even balance your monthly budget while enjoying the simplicity and security Chromebooks have to offer.

The Chromebook Plus retails between $450 and $500 and is built with the same components as all Samsung’s high-end laptops use. This is the Chromebook for everyone!

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The perfect tablet

Many find a tablet to be the best way to do they things they want to do when relaxing at home or out on the go. 2018 brings the debut of Chrome tablets, and right out of the gate Acer’s Chromebook Tab 10 looks to be a winner.

It has the internal specs you would see on any Chromebook and a 9.7-inch QXGA touch display. There’s also a Wacom EMR stylus in its own on board slot if you want to draw or write on the screen instead of touch it. On the software front, it has the same Chrome operating system we see on every other Chrome device, including support for Android apps through Google Play. This really is a Chromebook without the keyboard, which is what a lot of people have been waiting for.

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For the professional

Google’s Pixelbook is perfect for the professional who lives and breathes through their laptop. It comes with a high price tag (starting at $999) but the hardware, fit and finish, and slim portable design are worth it for anyone who spends a good part of every day at the keyboard keeping the wheels greased and gears turning.

The Pixelbook was the first Chromebook to come with Google Assistant and even includes a dedicated keyboard key and functionality through the Pixelbook Pen. Assistant can be a godsend for anyone with a full and busy calendar and is a great tool for asking the web just about anything. The Pen and Google Assistant work while the Pixelbook is in the traditional laptop mode or when it’s folded over to become an ultra-slim 12-inch tablet.

As mentioned, the Pixelbook isn’t cheap. But if you’re going to spend all day every day behind the keyboard, there is no such thing as excessive when it comes to the right product for the job. The Pixelbook is that right product for the working pro.

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For the road warrior

If your job has you on the go and you don’t know what plane you’ll be on or which hotel you’ll be sleeping in next week, you want a great laptop with a mid-sized display. Bbut you won’t want to spend a thousand dollars on something that will be banging around in an overhead compartment while you catch a few hours sleep. The Acer Chromebook R13 is perfect.

This 13-inch convertible has a roomy 1080p display, a full 1080p HDR webcam, a million + apps at Google Play, and a price tag around $350. If you want or need to be able to do it all and need a light and inexpensive tool that helps you, the Acer Chromebook R13 is our top pick and a crowd favorite.

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A Chromebox makes a great desktop computer

Chrome isn’t just for laptops, and if you’re in the market for a secure and inexpensive desktop computer you should have a look at a Chromebox.

These small computers do everything a Chromebook can do — connect you to friends and family, entertain you with videos or games, and of course surf the web like a rock star. Their also the most secure desktop computer you can buy thanks to the way Chrome sandboxes every app, every web page, and every process then verifies the operating system files for integrity every time you turn it on. Chrome is more than just a web browser, and as an operating system, it was built from the ground up with security as one of its main features.

Chromeboxes use the same peripherals as any other desktop computer. That means you can use any monitor or keyboard to tailor the experience just as you would with a more expensive computer that runs Windows. The best part about a Chromebox might be the price, as they come in a wide range of hardware to meet almost any budget.

For a family PC or a Home Theater PC, Chromeboxes are inexpensive, filled with features and priced right for just about anyone.

Read now: The best Chromebox

Updated April 2018: Switched the best Chromebook for kids to the Lenovo 100e and added the Chromebook Tab 10.

Chromebooks

• The best Chromebooks
• Should you buy a Chromebook?
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