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 — and save an additional 15% by using coupon code MEMDAY15 this Memorial Day Weekend. That lowers your final price to just $34.

See at Android Central Digital Offers

If you don’t have a stand for your phone yet, it’s time to buy Anker’s adjustable model for $8

Find the right angle!

We’ve had a few great deals recently on phone and tablet stands, and honestly, if you don’t already have one, it’s time to buy one. Right now you can pick up Anker’s silver portable multi-angle stand for just $7.99 at Amazon when you use coupon code ANKERSTS during checkout. If you want the black version, you’ll need to use coupon code ANKERSTB.

The stand comes with built-in non-slip rubber pads so it will not only stay in place on your desk, but it also won’t scratch up your device. You can rotate and adjust it to find just the right angle for yourself, and then lock it in place by releasing the push button on the side. It folds up nice and small so you can pack it in a bag, allowing you to use it just about anywhere. It is designed to hold devices ranging in size from 4 to 10 inches, meaning it can hold your phone, iPad, and even Nintendo Switch without any issues.

Seriously, these things are incredibly useful, and if you don’t have one, or need another, it’s time to make the purchase.

See at Amazon

How to play PlayStation 4 games on your Android phone

With a little work, it’s possible to play PlayStation 4 games on your Android device

With the Release of the Steam Link beta app from Valve a whole new world of possibilities has opened up in terms of mobile gaming. The Link app allows you to play all of your steam games on any Android device with Lollipop or above and seems to do it really well from the testing I have done.

The Link app does have another trick up its sleeve though. It is really just a sophisticated and smooth running screen mirroring service with wireless input control, which means you can cast anything from your PC to your mobile device including your PlayStation 4! The PS4 allows you to stream your games to your PC and with the Link, it’s easy to stream those to your mobile device.

Download Steam Link (free)

Step-by-step instructions

First, follow the instructions to set up your Stream Link app.
Follow the Instructions by Sony to set up remote play on your computer.
Start the Remote Play app so you see your PS4 screen on your computer.
Start the Stream Link app.
Tap Start Playing. The computer screen will load into Steams big picture mode.
Use Alt-Tab to select your Remote Play screen.
Enjoy PS4 on your mobile device!

More details

Because of the screen mirroring this will work on any system, not just the PlayStation 4, the Xbox will work too, you just need to Alt-tab over to the correct screen. I’ve even used it to do some 3d design work with my wireless mouse outside in the sun!

One small caveat with this particular mobile PS4 setup is the controller. Because the Remote Play app requires you to connect your PS4 Sixaxis directly into your PC, your range may be limited. There is a wireless adapter you can buy for your PS4 remote and it does reportedly work with Remote Play but at the time of writing, I couldn’t confirm that.

One way to get around this is using two controllers, one to plug into the computer so it recognizes it and one connected to the PlayStation that you can use wirelessly, this seems to work perfectly.

See the adapter at Amazon

So is it worth doing?

The necessary hoops to get this to work is excessive — Sony is an Android manufacturer and technically could make the Remote Play app work on any Android device — but if you are willing to take the time, playing your PS4 anywhere in your house is really good fun.

Let us know what you think of this workaround in the comments section.

PlayStation 4

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

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RED Hydrogen One: Everything you need to know!

Cinema giant RED is making its first smartphone, and it’s anything but conventional.

There are few names in cinematography more recognizable than RED. The California-based company makes high-end cinema cameras that reach upwards of $50,000 and beyond in price, and you’ve almost undoubtedly seen RED footage before in Hollywood productions and even videos from some popular YouTubers.

So you can imagine our excitement when RED announced the Hydrogen One last year, its first-ever smartphone. Initially giving very little information on the phone, details have slowly been trickling out as we get closer to its official launch later this year.

What is the Hydrogen One?

The Hydrogen One is anything but conventional. Its industrial design is unlike any other phone we’ve seen, with the back split up into three sections; kevlar on the top and bottom portions, and a metal panel in the middle that almost looks like a heat sink. There are pins along the bottom section for modular upgrades, and the rubberized sides of the phone are scalloped to presumably make for a comfier grip. Like the rest of RED’s product lineup, the Hydrogen One is by no means cheap — a baseline model will run you $1295, or you can step it up to titanium for $1595.

So what kind of specs do you get for that kind of money? The Hydrogen One was announced nearly a full year ago, so don’t expect the latest Qualcomm chipset — instead, it will ship with the still plenty-capable Snapdragon 835, though we’re not yet sure how much RAM or storage it will offer. We do know that it features a 5.7-inch QHD display in the traditional 16:9 aspect ratio, for which RED has been teasing a new “holographic” technology. Positioned as a media-focused device, the Hydrogen One retains a 3.5mm headphone jack and support for microSD expansion, and contains a large 4500mAh battery to keep things running.

Camera maker RED just announced a $1200 phone — the Hydrogen One

RED Hydrogen One will have a 4500mAh battery and carrier support

About that holographic display

One of the phone’s most teased features for the last year has been its holographic display, which can play back what the company calls “4V” (or 4-view) content. But what does that mean, exactly? RED says that in regular 2D mode, the Hydrogen One will look just like any other phone, but when switching to 4V mode, the display gets a bit dimmer and begins to display a “better than 3D” image without requiring 3D glasses. The few people RED has shown this feature to haven’t been allowed to film it or discuss it in length, but glasses-free 3D, in general, hasn’t been touched on by a phone manufacturer in years, so it’ll be interesting to see where this goes.

This doesn’t mean that 4V mode will magically make everything you do on the Hydrogen One appear in 3D. You’ll need content specifically shot in 4V — RED is already showing the Hydrogen One to content creators and partners to preemptively build the HYDROGEN Network, a central hub for 4V content. You’ll be able to shoot 4V video of your own with the Hydrogen One, and upload footage to your own channel on the HYDROGEN Network for others to watch and even buy.

RED announces exclusive partnership with holographic display maker for Hydrogen One

Most importantly: the cameras

RED has big plans for the cameras on the Hydrogen One. By default, there’s a dual camera assortment on the back (though it’s unspecified whether those cameras will be wide-angle, telephoto, or something else), but RED will make use of the phone’s pogo pin connectors to allow users to attach modules that expand the capabilities of the Hydrogen One’s cameras. You’ll even be able to attach a lens mount for interchangeable lenses and even expand the phone into a full-blown video rig. According to Marques Brownlee, who was the first to go hands-on with a Hydrogen One prototype, RED believes that only its own cinema cameras will be able to outperform this phone.

The dual cameras allow you to shoot 4V content directly on the Hydrogen One without needing any additional camera modules — there are even two cameras on the front to ensure that you can film in either direction. While filming in 4V, the Hydrogen One will also save a 2D version of your video for sharing outside of the HYDROGEN Network, though this does mean that you’ll be eating up a considerable amount of space with each video. You’ll likely want to invest in a high-capacity microSD card or two.

Where can I buy one?

RED is no longer accepting pre-orders, nor has it finalized an official release date, but we know that the Hydrogen One will be available through AT&T and Verizon in the U.S. AT&T is demoing the Hydrogen One at Warner Bros. Studios in Los Angeles on June 2 and 3 as part of AT&T Shape, though you might be better off putting the $100 attendance fee toward your order instead.

In addition to carrier deals, RED will be selling the Hydrogen One unlocked, and founder Jim Jannard has stated that unlocked orders will ship earlier than AT&T or Verizon models.

RED Hydrogen One delayed until August to add even more impressive cameras

AT&T and Verizon will carry the RED Hydrogen One

What are your thoughts?

Would you buy the RED Hydrogen One? Or is it simply too much to ask for from a brand that’s never made a phone before? And what do you think about RED’s 4V content? Let us know in the comments below!

Google Pixel 3: News, Rumors, Release Date, Specs, and more!

Everything we know about what’ll likely be one of the year’s best phones.

Google first introduced its Pixel series in 2016, and since then, has been hard at work to establish itself as a serious player in the smartphone market. Google may be one of the most powerful and iconic companies in the world, but when it comes to hardware, is still very much a newcomer.

We saw vast improvements with the Pixel 2 compared to the original Pixel line, and we’re expecting to get that again with the Pixel 3. Google’s quickly learning what it takes to compete with the likes of Samsung and Apple, and seeing as how the Pixel 2 was one of 2017’s best phones, there’s a lot riding on this year’s entry.

Ladies and gentlemen, here’s everything we know so far about the Google Pixel 3.

May 28, 2018 — The Pixel 3 goes 2:1 and the Pixel 3 XL gets a notch

Here’s an interesting leak that, while not necessarily all-telling, gives us an indication of where Google is taking the series in 2018. Specifically, the larger Pixel 3 XL looks to have a notch while the smaller Pixel 3, though moving to a 2:1 aspect ratio, will lack one. At the same time, we see some sensors that may indicate Google is adding either a second front camera to the phones or, more likely, some sort of dedicated biometric sensor for faster/more reliable face unlock.

The leak comes from Weibo (by way of Slashleaks) and reportedly shows two front glass panels for the new phones. Given that we’re almost in June, this would be the time for accessory makers to begin testing products for the final phone design. It’s also good to see Google maintaining dual front-facing speakers for the lineup.

What do you think of this latest leak?

May 10, 2018 — The Pixel 3 could be joined by second-gen Pixel Buds and a Pixel Watch

Google’s hardware events surround the Pixel phones with a heap of other product announcements, and this year, it’s reported that we’ll see a second-gen version of Pixel Buds and Google’s first Pixel-branded smartwatch.

Specifics on these gadgets are still up in the air, and as excited as I am to see how Google improves its wireless earbud game, I’m beyond ecstatic to see how the company’s first smartwatch turns out.

Wear OS is in an awkward stage right now, but a proper Pixel Watch and new silicon from Qualcomm could bring it back into the limelight. Assuming Google handles this right, the Apple Watch may soon be faced with some of its stiffest competition yet.

When will the Pixel 3 be released?

In 2016 and 2017, Google held its hardware event on October 4. We don’t have a concrete date for this year’s event quite yet, but there’s no reason to believe Google will deter from this pattern.

Another October 4 event isn’t out of the question seeing as how that falls on a Thursday this year, but at the very least, we should be looking at some point in early October.

Pre-orders for the Pixel 3 will likely open shortly after it’s announced that same day with shipments going out at least a couple of weeks later.

How much will the Pixel 3 cost?

Over the past couple years, pricing for Google’s Pixel phones has remained mostly the same. The MSRP for the Pixel and Pixel 2 series is as follows:

• Pixel w/ 32GB — $649
• Pixel w/ 128GB — $749
• Pixel 2 w/ 64GB — $649
• Pixel 2 w/ 128GB — $749
• Pixel XL w/ 32GB — $769
• Pixel XL w/ 128GB — $869
• Pixel 2 XL w/ 64GB —$849
• Pixel 2 XL w/ 128GB — $949

I imagine we’ll see similar numbers with the Pixel 3, but don’t be too surprised if we get a Pixel 3 XL variant that crosses the $1000 threshold.

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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Project Fi

Canadian banks BMO and Simplii Financial warn of large data breaches

Make sure to add two-factor authentication.

Two Canadian banks, including the country’s fourth-largest, are reporting Monday that they have been hacked and customer data accessed.

BMO and CIBC-owned Simplii Financial separately went public with breaches to their systems on May 28, noting that customer information, including bank account specifics and potentially addresses and phone numbers, were stolen.

Here’s what’s known so far:

• The breaches appear to be separate, though it’s possible they were from the same person or group.
• Simplii Financial, which is owned by CIBC, said 40,000 people had their information accessed.
• BMO is not giving a number of affected customers right now. It has over 7 million customers.
• BMO said the breach originated outside Canada, and that the fraudsters themselves tipped off the bank.
• It’s not clear whether money was stolen from customers’ accounts, but both banks are saying any stolen money will be reimbursed.

At this point, it’s not clear how the breach happened — bad password hygiene is always the most obvious culprit — but both companies are encouraging customers to enhance their passwords and, if possible, apply two-factor authentication.

Here’s the full BMO statement:

On Sunday, May 27, fraudsters contacted BMO claiming that they were in possession of certain personal and financial information for a limited number of customers. We believe they originated the attack from outside the country. We took steps immediately when the incident occurred and we are confident that exposures identified related to customer data have been closed off. We have notified and are working with relevant authorities as we continue to assess the situation. We are proactively contacting those customers that may have been impacted and we will support and stand by them. BMO has strong and robust processes in place to protect customer data and we take customer privacy very seriously. Customers are recommended to monitor their accounts and notify BMO with any suspicious activity.

And here’s Simplii:

Two-factor authentication: What you need to know

Pressure washers, smart sprinkler controllers, and more are all on sale today

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

Celebrate Memorial Day with some big discounts on Sun Joe’s electric pressure washers, Rachio’s smart sprinkler controller, and much more! Time’s running out to take advantage of these prices, so hurry!

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!

Triple-Lens Camera on 2019 iPhones Said to Enable 3D Sensing and Enhanced Zoom

Apple will launch at least one new iPhone model with a triple-lens rear camera in 2019, according to Taiwanese website Economic Daily News, citing a research note from Deutsche Securities analyst Jialin Lu.

A triple-lens iPhone X mockup by Martin Hajek via iDrop News
Lu believes the triple-lens camera system will enable advanced 3D sensing via stereoscopic vision, with two of the sensors able to capture images of a single object from different angles. A triangulation method would then be used to obtain the distance between the iPhone and the object.

Like the TrueDepth system on the front of the iPhone X, the report suggests that the rear 3D sensing will be used for augmented reality purposes. The prediction lines up with a report from Bloomberg’s Alex Webb, who last year said future iPhones will be equipped with rear-facing 3D sensing capabilities.

At the time, Webb reported that Apple was evaluating a time-of-flight approach that calculates the time it takes for a laser to bounce off surrounding objects to create a 3D image of the environment, but Lu believes that Apple will instead use the triple-lens approach for the rear camera system.

Apple CEO Tim Cook has repeatedly expressed his profound interest in augmented reality. Last year, Apple released its ARKit platform, enabling developers to create augmented reality apps for iPhones and iPads on iOS 11.

Meanwhile, the third lens would likely have a longer focal length for enhanced zoom capabilities, according to Lu.

The long-focus lens would likely enable 3x optical zoom on an iPhone for the first time, enabling users to magnify the image in the viewfinder by up to three times without a blurry reduction in quality like digital zoom. iPhone 7 Plus, iPhone 8 Plus, and iPhone X models feature 2x optical zoom for comparison.

Huawei’s new P20 Pro smartphone became the first with a triple-lens rear camera system, including a 40-megapixel lens, a 20-megapixel monochrome lens, and an eight-megapixel telephoto lens with up to 3x optical zoom.

Yuanta Securities analyst Jeff Pu also expects Apple to release at least one iPhone with a triple-lens rear camera next year.

Tags: udn.com, 2019 iPhones
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