Where to buy the Moto G6 series in the U.S. and Canada

The Moto G6 Plus isn’t coming to North America, but the Moto G6 and G6 Play are still fantastic options for budget shoppers.

There are few phones more prolific in the budget market than Motorola’s Moto G lineup. We’ve often crowned the latest Moto G as the best bang-for-your-buck smartphone around, so if you’re eyeing one of the new Moto G6 models … well, we can’t blame you.

The way that Motorola is distributing each Moto G variant across different regions this year is a bit strange — for one, you won’t be able to get the alluring Moto G6 Plus anywhere in North America. While this is a little frustrating, the standard Moto G6 and the cheaper Moto G6 Play are still compelling options, with sleek new designs and improved internals.

United States

Verizon

If you’re on Big Red, you’ll be able to choose either model being made available in the States — Verizon is carrying both the Moto G6 and the Moto G6 Play.

It’s unclear at the moment whether the Moto G6 will be positioned for postpaid customers, but the Moto G6 Play will be available on Verizon’s prepaid network.

See at Verizon

AT&T

Interestingly, AT&T will only be carrying the less expensive (but longer-lasting) of the two phones. The Moto G6 Play will be available on AT&T’s postpaid network.

See at AT&T

Boost Mobile

Sprint won’t be carrying either of the new Motorola phones, but its prepaid MVNO will. If you’re on Boost Mobile, you’ll be able to pick up the Moto G6 Play once it launches.

See at Boost Mobile

Cricket Wireless

Likewise, the AT&T subsidiary Cricket Wireless will be carrying the Moto G6 Play, though it’s inexplicably launching with a different name — the Moto G6 Forge. We’re not exactly sure why that is, but don’t worry. You’ll still be getting the same phone as everyone else.

See at Cricket Wireless

Virgin Mobile

Virgin is yet another prepaid carrier operated by Sprint, so it only makes sense that, like Boost Mobile, Virgin will be carrying the Moto G6 Play.

See at Virgin Mobile

TracFone

All work and no Play makes Trac a dull boy, or … something like that. TracFone won’t be carrying the Moto G6 Play, but it is getting the Moto G6 proper.

See at TracFone

Ting

Ting Wireless may not have any physical locations, but you can still order a compatible phone directly from its site. The popular prepaid carrier will be selling both the Moto G6 and the Moto G6 Play.

See at Ting

Republic Wireless

Much like Google’s Project Fi (which is not carrying the new Moto phones), Republic Wireless runs off of both Sprint and T-Mobile towers. If you’re shopping for a new phone, they’ll be happy to sell you either of the new Moto G6 models.

See at Republic Wireless

Unlocked

There are plenty of reasons to buy your phone directly from your carrier — financing options, the guarantee that it’ll work with your SIM card, and so on — but if you can afford to buy the phone outright, the best option is almost always buying it unlocked.

You’ll soon be able to pick up an unlocked Moto G6 or G6 Play at various local retailers, including Best Buy, Target, Fry’s, and B&H, though Walmart will only carry the Moto G6 Play.

Canada

If you live in Canada, your options for buying a standard fare Moto G6 are limited — the only carrier who will sell you one postpaid is Vidéotron.

See at Vidéotron

If, on the other hand, you’re after the Moto G6 Play, your options widen significantly. Vidéotron will still sell you a postpaid unit, and you’ll be able to choose between postpaid and prepaid with Bell Canada, SaskTel, Virgin Mobile, and Freedom Mobile.

Moto G6, G6 Play, and G6 Plus: Everything you need to know!

Best battery backups for Lenovo Mirage Solo

Never lose any battery.

With the Lenovo Mirage Solo coming out, you might be wondering how you can take it around with you wherever you go. Since it is USB-C, you can’t go to any store to grab any charger that they sell.

These are the best ways to keep your Lenovo Mirage Solo going while on the go.

See the Lenovo Mirage Solo at Amazon

Anker PowerCore+ Charger

This Anker portable charger is a great option for someone who doesn’t mind spending a bit of extra cash on a charger. For $66, you get a 20100mAh charger with a USB to USB-C, a USB-C to USB-C, and a USB to microUSB port.

Although it is expensive, it’s a great charger if you’re willing to spend that kind of money.

See at Amazon

Anker PowerCore Compact Charger

Another great charger by Anker that will cost you less money than their larger charger. This charger has 13000mAh and two ports for USB to USB-C and it comes with a microUSB to USB so you can charge it. If you don’t have a USC to USB-C cable, you can get one on Amazon.

You can get your hands on this charger for just $32.

See at Amazon

RAVPower Multiple Port Portable Charger

RAVPower is another company that makes great chargers, and this is one of their highly rated ones. With 22000mAh and two USB ports for USB-C connection, it’s a great option for just $42.

It’s a great middle of the road charger for anyone who’s looking for something that’s quality but not over the top.

See at Amazon

Poweradd Pilot Power Bank

Poweradd has a great charger at a cheaper price than the other brands listed. If you’re on a budget, you can get a 10000mAh charger with a USB and USB-C port for $17.

It’s a great deal if you’re looking to save some since you just got the Lenovo Mirage Solo.

See at Amazon

RAVPower Single Port Portable Charger

This RAVPower charger is a better option by RAVPower that’s a single outlet charger. Since it’s a single outlet, it has less mAh, with only 10000mAh as compared to 22000, and one USB-C output/input along with a USB port.

Although it’s a single port, it still comes in at $54 which is a bit pricey.

See at Amazon

Let us know down in the comments what you think and what you can’t wait to see with the headset!

Google needs to regulate how its computers talk to people, or the government will

Much of what Google does with AI scares people, and they will want something done.

With an AI here and AI there, here an AI there an AI everywhere an AI, Old McGoogle has a new farm. One it has been working on for a long time and still isn’t finished with. Making computers in secret server rooms teach themselves how to act like people. Notice I said act and not think; AI and Machine Learning aren’t really intelligent or learn the way we think of when we see those words. But those computers are able to take the information given to them and find other ways it can be used, and that makes them seem sentient. Scary stuff.

AI isn’t ready to kill all humans, but can it ever get there? People will have questions.

Now I’m not saying this is where the machines start to out think humanity and take over. That’s fiction best left for movie directors and writers to have some fun with. But smarter computers can do things like make it easier for someone to drain your bank account or trick your smart front door lock into opening. Those are things that can be done now and better smarter computers will make it easier, which means more people can do it. Reality here is a bit concerning. Go a step further and to the average person who isn’t really hyped on AI and Machine Learning will be afraid that those computers can do more.

More: What’s new in AI at Google I/O 2018

Maybe they are right. That doesn’t really matter because perception is reality when it comes to things society fears. You might have seen the concern on the internet about Duplex. Duplex is what Google has done to make a computer talk and act like a real, live human over a phone call. A demo showing it make a hair appointment absolutely stunned the audience and many of us watching on YouTube. And rightfully so because a computer that knows to say “uh, wait” or “umm yeah” is a thing we have never seen before. The Google Home that initiates that call isn’t doing anything “wrong,” other than not saying, “Hey I am a computer. Is that OK?” to the person on the line and Google has addressed those specific concerns. But it’s still … strange.

Seeing a computer trick a person into thinking they are talking to another human is not a good look and will only lead to more fears of what all this AI stuff can do. Maybe not to you, but to someone. It was creepy, for lack of a better word. Creepy is not how you want to unveil something amazing to the world. Nobody wants to get a creepy phone call or feel uncomfortable about whether they’re talking to a person or a computer.

Seeing Google Duplex was awesome. And creepy.

That’s just the tip of the iceberg. We also saw AI take a YouTube video clip and isolate one voice from another, even when the two speakers were arguing and talking over each other. That was cool and not scary at all, but how it was accomplished might be. This happened because researchers at WavNet noticed a computer “learned” how to better single out one voice when it was given many voices at the same time. That wasn’t expected or programmed — the computer did it by itself using the information it had stored. We have to wonder what else can happen by accident, and if anything already has that we’re not hearing about.

Google has to be very up front with all of this information. We need to know what is being done, how it’s being done and the outcome of it all. Not just the exciting bits and pieces that aren’t concerning. And if there’s nothing happening that shouldn’t be, tell us that, too. There are already valid privacy concerns over this new technology and this is the first we’ve seen of it. We’ll have more concerns the more we see.

People tend to worry, even when they don’t have to. If Google doesn’t do this the right way, someone will step in and force them to do it differently. If we want the future to be exciting and computers to do more, we want computer scientists and skilled developers doing it, not elderly white dudes in Congress.

Best Chromebox in 2018

• Best Overall
• Best all-in-one
• Best for Power Users

The Acer CXI3, ASUS Chromebox 3, and HP Chromebox G2 are filled with current-generation components and have price tags to match. When these models are tested and tried they will likely earn a spot on our list.

If you’re not waiting for the newest of the new or just don’t want to put out that much cash for a Chromebox, here is the best of what is available right now and any of them would serve you well.

Best overall

ASUS Chromebox M004U

See at Amazon

Don’t let the name fool you. The ASUS Chromebox M004U (generally known as the ASUS Chromebox though there are others from ASUS being sold) is dead simple to set up and use. Attach a monitor or television, a keyboard, and a mouse then turn it on. You’ll be on the internet in just a few minutes.

The Haswell Intel Celeron 2955U CPU offers remarkable performance for the price, is energy efficient, and an industry staple in countless computers. Paired with a fast 16GB storage drive and 4GB of memory, you’ll be able to enjoy everything Chrome has to offer, whether that means Facebook or a spreadsheet.

You also have the option to upgrade the ASUS Chromebox. Adding a larger storage drive or more memory is simple and well-documented. The ASUS Chromebox also makes an excellent HTPC as-is and can be an all-in-one media server with software like Plex.

Bottom line: The ASUS Chromebox M004U is powerful and capable. Chrome and everything you do present no challenges. If you want to explore other software options, upgrades are easy and inexpensive.

Why the ASUS Chromebox is the best

The ASUS Chromebox is the total package.

Chrome is a very lightweight and efficient, yet powerful, computing platform. On a computer like the ASUS Chromebox, you’ll be able to experience everything there is to offer with nary a stutter once paired with good broadband internet service. Put the ASUS Chromebox under your TV for watching YouTube or Netflix, or use it at your desk to communicate or work from home. You can have confidence that this Chromebox can do it all.

If you’re looking for more, you can upgrade the storage drive and RAM on the ASUS Chromebox using affordable and widely available off-the-shelf components without any complicated disassembly. If you are looking to install software like Kodi to build your own network streaming server, the ASUS Chromebox is widely recognized as the best value and is fully supported.

Best all-in-one

Acer Chromebox CX12-4GKM

See at Amazon

If you’re looking for a complete setup and aren’t interested in upgrading anything or installing any alternative software, the Acer Chromebox is a solid choice.

It offers a Broadwell 1.5GHz Intel Celeron CPU, 4GB of RAM, and a 16GB solid state drive in a vertical standing enclosure that’s not going to need a lot of real estate. The Acer Chromebox also comes with its own mouse and keyboard.

The Acer is a powerful package that won’t crowd your desk or TV stand and is an excellent choice if you’re OK with spending a little more and not tearing apart the case.

Bottom line: The Broadwell CPU is future proofed and plenty powerful for everything you want your Chromebox to do, and many will find the included mouse and keyboard a useful addition

Best for Power Users

ASUS CHROMEBOX2-G013U

See at Amazon

The ASUS Chromebok2-G013U has an awkward name, but it’s a total powerhouse for a Chromebox.

powered by a fifth-generation Intel core i3 processor, complete with 4GB of DDR3L RAM and a 16GB SATA M.2 SSD the ASUS Chromebox2 will fly through anything work or play. If you need just a little more hardware inside your Chromebox, this is the one to get.

Bottom line: The memory and SSD are an industry standard and can be user upgraded to have 16GB of RAM and a 1TB SSD!

Conclusion

Any of your choices for the best Chromebox are good ones. We had to consider what was the differentiator between and think long and hard about saying one was better than the others. In the end, the tried-and-true ASUS Chromebox won us over with its excellent support for advanced users and easy upgradeability. While all these Chromeboxes are worth considering, the ASUS is the best all around from features versus price point of view.

Best overall

ASUS Chromebox M004U

See at Amazon

Don’t let the name fool you. The ASUS Chromebox M004U (generally known as the ASUS Chromebox though there are others from ASUS being sold) is dead simple to set up and use. Attach a monitor or television, a keyboard, and a mouse then turn it on. You’ll be on the internet in just a few minutes.

The Haswell Intel Celeron 2955U CPU offers remarkable performance for the price, is energy efficient, and an industry staple in countless computers. Paired with a fast 16GB storage drive and 4GB of memory, you’ll be able to enjoy everything Chrome has to offer, whether that means Facebook or a spreadsheet.

You also have the option to upgrade the ASUS Chromebox. Adding a larger storage drive or more memory is simple and well-documented. The ASUS Chromebox also makes an excellent HTPC as-is and can be an all-in-one media server with software like Plex.

Bottom line: The ASUS Chromebox M004U is powerful and capable. Chrome and everything you do present no challenges. If you want to explore other software options, upgrades are easy and inexpensive.

Update, May 2018: These are the best Chromeboxes for now, but new players are on the way soon so keep an eye out for new announcements and we’ll update this list when they become available.

Want a VPN for life? Get Ivacy for only $40!

We all value our privacy, and when have so much of our lives online, that privacy and security is paramount. It’s far too often that people are the victims of identity theft, doxing, and worse, so having a quality VPN to protect the anonymity of your online browsing habits is a great idea.

Ivacy VPN is a highly reviewed service that offers person-to-person file sharing at blazing fast speeds, while completely protecting your identity, and right now you can get a lifetime subscription for only $39.99. With a regular retail price of $1,194, you save 96% through Android Central Digital Offers. The other wonderful benefit of a VPN is the ability to stream tens of thousands of movies, TV shows, sports events, and more from around the world. Having a quality VPN can help you completely bypass geo-restrictions, so you can get to the content you want now. You’ll even get a dedicated VPN add-on for Kodi.

Ivacy VPN lets you connect to more than 450 servers in over 100 locations around the world, and its an official partner of the National Cyber Security Alliance, helping to promote privacy education and awareness. If you’re worried about the state of net neutrality and your internet speeds going forward, Ivacy VPN can help you overcome throttling and port blocking.

No more region-blocking the content you want to see; no more hacking, spyware, or government surveillance; no more worry that your privacy is at stake. Check out Ivacy VPN at Android Central Digital Offers and get a lifetime subscription for only $39.99!

See at Android Central Digital Offers

It’s time for a clean and tidy weekend comments thread!

Untangling cables will make you go crazy. Let’s help each other stay sane.

I ordered a treat for myself: a big, soft, fancy-pants leather office chair. I really didn’t want to spend the money, but the last chair I bought sucked and sitting in the wheelchair at my desk sucks even worse, so I had to. It will be here Monday and I want to move my desk out of the sun for summer, so that means it’s time to root through all of this junk again. I like collecting junk, but hate rooting through it.

“Junk” is the wrong word, because it’s all stuff I need to keep handy. Or think I do, anyway. Little adapters and headphones and assorted parts and cables. Lots of cables. It should be a law that all things with a removable cable use the same connector and the same power requirements. Vote for me in November and we can make it happen. Until then I have to untangle them and try to not make a birds nest the next time I use one and toss it under a desk or table. If you haven’t noticed, I hate tidying up my junk.

I am also ready to Hulk-rage the next time I see “Almost at the office!” but that’s a whole ‘nother story.

Y’all keep me from losing it and tell me all the cool things you’re doing this weekend. And if you’re tidying up a home-office, remember that it’s only temporary and will get bird nesty as soon as you use anything.

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 TCL’s 55-inch 4K Roku TV, a Spigen Bluetooth speaker, AmazonBasics laptop bag, and more! Don’t pass these up.

View the rest of the deals

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