Facebook is busy enhancing two-factor authentication, group tools, and more

Facebook

Well, Facebook has been busy  — in a list of several updates for the social giant, Facebook is now allowing users to use two-factor authentication without a phone number. The update comes alongside new tools for Groups administrators and updates to Facebook Marketplace announced on Wednesday, May 23.

The security-focused update allows Facebook users to head to the security settings and set up two-factor authentication without a phone number by using Google Authenticator and Duo Security instead. Previously, the tool required a phone number. The update also streamlines the process of setting up the added security, Facebook says.

Earlier in 2018, Facebook faced criticism for using the two-factor authentication to send users spam-like text message notifications. Before the update, there wasn’t an option to set up the two-factor without the phone number. Facebook says the update continues to encourage the use of the practice, a standard feature that offers more account security than a single password login.

Facebook

The list of updates continues with several new features catered to Group administrators. Facebook announced a new support platform that (generally) responds to administrators questions within one business day, though the feature is first rolling out to only a select group of administrators in two languages, English and Spanish. A new resource at facebook.com/community also aims to support Groups administrators with tutorials demos and other content.

Another new Groups tool allows administrators to give a reason why they removed a user’s post. When Groups add a list of rules for the online community, administrators can select one of those rules when removing the post so the user can see what rule they broke. The feature is optional and comes along with notes that allow other administrators, but not the group member, to see notes on the comment. 

The final Group-centered update allows administrators to pre-approve members. In groups that require approval on posts before going live, these members are allowed to post without waiting for approval.

Facebook also expanded Marketplace to cover home services, allowing users to find recommendations for things like a plumber using Handy, HomeAdvisor, and Porch integrations rather than taking to the news feed to ask friends.

HTC U12 Plus vs. Galaxy S9 Plus: Clash of the plus-sized phones

Julian Chokkattu/Digital Trends

We love the early months of the year, since it always means a deluge of new devices vying to take the market by storm. The latest to make its mighty presence known is the HTC U12 Plus, and it comes with all the power you’d expect from a 2018 flagship, along with a few of HTC’s special features.

But the Taiwanese company has competition, specifically the Samsung Galaxy S9 Plus. How do these two mighty behemoths fare head-to-head? We take a look in this specs comparison. And be sure to check out our HTC U12 Plus hands-on review for our impressions of the phone.

Specs

HTC U12 Plus
Samsung Galaxy S9 Plus

Size
156.6 x 73.9 x 8.7-9.7 mm (6.16 x 2.9 x 0.34 – 0.38 inches)
158.1 x 73.8 x 8.5 mm (6.22 x 2.91 x 0.33 inches)

Weight
188 grams (6.63 ounces)
189 grams (6.67 ounces)

Screen size
6-inch Super LCD
6.2-inch AMOLED display

Screen resolution
2,880 x 1,440 pixels (537 pixels per inch)
2,960 x 1,440 pixels (529 pixels per inch)

Operating system
Android 8.0 Oreo
Android 8.0 Oreo

Storage space
64GB, 128GB

64GB, 128GB, 256GB

MicroSD card slot
Yes
Yes

Tap-to-pay services
Google Pay
Google Pay, Samsung Pay

Processor
Qualcomm Snapdragon 845
Qualcomm Snapdragon 845

RAM
6GB
6GB

Camera
Dual 12MP and 16MP telephoto rear (both with OIS), dual 8MP lenses front
Dual 12MP and 12MP (both with OIS) rear, variable aperture, 8MP front

Video
Up to 4K at 30 frames per second, 1080p at 240 fps
Up to 4K at 60 frames per second, 1080p at 240 fps, 720p at 960 fps

Bluetooth version
Bluetooth 5.0
Bluetooth 5.0

Ports
USB-C
3.5mm headphone jack, USB-C

Fingerprint sensor
Yes (back)
Yes (back)

Water resistance
IP68
IP68

Battery
3,500mAh

QuickCharge 3.0 (4.0 with adapter, not included)

3,500mAh

QuickCharge 2.0

Qi wireless charging

App marketplace
Google Play Store
Google Play Store

Network support
T-Mobile, AT&T, Verizon
T-Mobile, AT&T, Verizon, Sprint

Colors
Translucent Blue, Ceramic Black, Flame Red
Midnight Black, Coral Blue, Lilac Purple

Price
Starting at $800
Starting at $840

Buy from

HTC, Amazon

Samsung, Amazon

Review score
Hands-on review
4.5 out of 5 stars

Performance, battery life, and charging

Julian Chokkattu/Digital Trends

On paper, the performance on these two phones appears to be a dead heat. Both are equipped with the Snapdragon 845’s blisteringly powerful performance, and with 6GB of RAM apiece, we’d expect both of these phones to be fairly snappy, and very similar in real-life usage.

It’s the same story when we turn to batteries. The 3,500mAh batteries in each are hefty, but with the energy demands from such large screens, we expect that they’ll equal about the same battery life — roughly a day. We see some differences in charging rate though — while the Galaxy S9 Plus is stuck with QuickCharge 2.0, the HTC U12 Plus comes with QuickCharge 3.0 out of the box, and the option for QuickCharge 4.0 with a compatible adapter. However, despite having flagship specs and a high price point, the U12 Plus does not have wireless charging — which seems more than a tad odd for a 2018 flagship with glass on the back.

We can’t separate these two yet — this has to be a tie for now.

Winner: Tie

Design and durability

Julian Chokkattu/Digital Trends

This should be completely clear from the outset — both of these phones are drop-dead gorgeous, glass-wrapped beauties. The Galaxy S9 Plus takes its style cues from its older sibling, the S8 Plus — but that’s no bad thing, since the gentle curves, slim bezels, and sleek design look stunning. The HTC U12 Plus takes a similar route, bringing back the Liquid Surface design from the HTC U11, but slimming down the bezels significantly. And how could we not mention the slight transparency of the Translucent Blue model? Brilliant. In terms of pure bezel size, though, Samsung takes the win for its skimpier edges around the screen.

Durability is always going to be an issue with glass phones of course, and you’re probably going to want cases for both devices, just in case the worst does happen. It’s all good news on the water-resistance front though, as both phones come with an IP68 rating and should be able to resist a trip down the toilet or into the pool. The U12 Plus may even be even better at water resistance, because it doesn’t have any mechanical buttons, just touch-sensitive ones.

It’s more or less even on this front. But there is something of a tie-breaker if you’re passionate about your old headphones — the HTC U12 Plus has no headphone jack. It comes with some USB-C headphones in the box to offset this, but for us it’s a missing feature, so the Galaxy S9 Plus ekes out the win.

Winner: Samsung Galaxy S9 Plus

Display

Julian Chokkattu/Digital Trends

You’ll find a 6-inch Super LCD screen dominating the front of the HTC U12 Plus, with a 2,880 x 1,440 pixel resolution. With a pixels-per-inch (ppi) measurement of 537 , HTC’s phone delivers a sharper display than the S9 Plus’ 529 pp. But no matter how good the U12 Plus’ display is, it still can’t beat the AMOLED display on the S9 Plus. AMOLED screens are capable of much deeper colors and inkier blacks than LCD screens, and it’s clear that there’s something of a mismatch here.

That’s not to say the HTC U12 Plus’ display isn’t good, but it’s up against one of the world’s best displays here.

Winner: Samsung Galaxy S9 Plus

Camera

Julian Chokkattu/Digital Trends

The S9 Plus comes with two 12-megapixel lenses on the rear, plus an 8-megapixel selfie shooter on the front. The HTC U12 Plus goes a step further with two lenses on the back (a 12-megapixel lens and a 16-megapixel telephoto lens), but it also comes with two 8-megapixel selfie lenses. That sounds exciting, but in practice, most of what the front two lenses do is Portrait Mode selective blur for selfies, and not much else. It’s a feature that was already possible on the Galaxy S8, never mind the S9 Plus.

In terms of raw camera hardware, we suspect the Galaxy S9 Plus’ variable aperture and great low-light performance gives it the edge over the HTC U12 Plus, but we need more time to be absolutely sure of that. You’ll find bokeh-style selective blur on both cameras, and both phones are capable of 2x optical zoom thanks to telephoto lenses.

In terms of video, you can expect solid performance from both, with both being able to record in 60 frames per second at 4K resolutions. The S9 Plus’ 960 fps super slow-motion video is more impressive than the U12 Plus’ regular slow-mo, but HTC’s Sonic Zoom tech wins it some points back. Sonic Zoom is a feature that lets you zoom in during a video, and the camera will suppress other sounds to focus on your zoomed-in-on subject.

Honestly, without further testing, we’re finding it hard to separate the two phones. HTC’s phones have beaten Samsung’s before, so we’re not confident enough to declare a winner yet. It’s a draw, for now.

Winner: Tie

Software and updates

Julian Chokkattu/Digital Trends

These aren’t phones for stock Android enthusiasts — both phones come with manufacturer skins of Android, and your choice between the two is going to be personal. Rest assured though, both are accessible for anyone with prior experience of Android. Both also come with Android 8.0 Oreo, and as flagships, we expect both will be supported for years to come, especially with the upcoming Android P.

In terms of update speed, HTC has continuously beaten Samsung. The HTC U11 was one of the first non-Google devices to get Android 8.0 Oreo, and it’s fair to assume this will still be the case with Android P. While we laud Samsung’s breadth of updates (the Galaxy S7 recently received the Oreo update), it’s just too slow in getting the ball rolling.

Winner: HTC U12 Plus

Special features

Julian Chokkattu/Digital Trends

Being top-of-the-line flagship phones, you’d be right to expect a good amount of special features from both of these phones. The Galaxy S9 Plus’ roster is well known at this point — there’s virtual reality with the Gear VR, the ability to turn your phone into a desktop computer with the Dex Station or Dex Pad, A.I. assistant Bixby — and finally — the hit-and-miss AR Emojis.

That’s a formidable arsenal, but the U12 Plus has its own strengths. Edge Sense is back from the U11, and in addition to squeezing the sides, there’s also a new action — double tapping either side of the phone There’s also face unlock — also available on the S9 Plus — as well as the BoomSound speakers that was one of the highest points of last year’s HTC U11.

There’s a lot to love on both of these phones, and there’s no particular feature on either of these phones that signify a clear winner. It’s another tie.

Winner: Tie

Price

The Samsung Galaxy S9 Plus is currently available on all major carriers, and prices start at $840 for the 64GB model. The HTC U12 Plus can be pre-ordered from May 23 from HTC’s website and Amazon, with prices starting at $800 for the 64GB model. It’s certified to work on AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon.

Overall winner: Samsung Galaxy S9 Plus

This was a very hard choice to make — there’s a lot to love in both of these phones, including stunning designs, tons of power, and some wonderful additional features. While the HTC U12 Plus certainly has a lead in some areas, it’s not quite enough to topple the Galaxy S9 Plus based on specifications alone. That may not be the case after we’ve tested features like the camera and battery, so stay tuned for our full review.

Editors’ Recommendations

• HTC U12 Plus vs. HTC U11: Is it time to upgrade?
• Huawei P20 Pro vs. Samsung Galaxy S9 Plus: Are three better than two?
• OnePlus 6 vs. Samsung Galaxy S9 Plus: Which big phone is better?
• LG G7 ThinQ vs. Samsung Galaxy S9 Plus: Clash for the heavyweight title
• Flagship face-off: Samsung’s Galaxy S9 Plus vs. Google’s Pixel 2 XL

Google’s mini-golf pop-up event in NYC highlights its smart home products

In a bid to raise awareness for its smart home products, Google is launching a pop-up event in New York City aimed at showing off some of the best features of its smart home devices. But this pop-up is a little different than others you may have seen. Why? Well, because it’s a mini-golf course.

Each hole on the course will represent a different room in the home, so you might have a hole for the kitchen and one for the bedroom. As you make your way through the course, Google says that you’ll be able to interact with the Google Assistant to see just how the products can help you in your day-to-day life.

At the event, guests will be able to play mini-golf, win prizes, take photos, and enjoy a sweet treat, according to Google.

Specifically, Google wants to highlight the Google Home, Google Home Mini, Google Home Max, and Nest products. Nest, in particular, has a growing slate of devices, including security cameras, locks, thermostats, and more. In general, Nest smart home products have been getting some pretty rave reviews — the Nest Hello Doorbell scored a hefty 9 out of 10 in our review, while we gave the Nest Secure security system a still very respectable 8 out of 10.

The pop-up itself will launch on Wednesday, May 30, and will close on June 4, so if you’re in the New York City area and want to check it out, you’ll have a few days to make that happen. Even if you don’t live in New York City, however, you may still be able to check out the pop-up at some point — Google says that the pop-up will be taken on the road. It’ll be available in Chicago from June 14-17, Los Angeles from June 30 to July 5, and Atlanta from July 26-29.

This isn’t the first time that Google has shown off its products at a pop-up event. Last year, the company set up a pop-up donut shop, where guests could step in, get some donuts, and ask the Google Home Mini a question. At the time, the Google Home Mini was a new product — so it made sense to promote it.

Watch Disney’s Stickman robot show off its amazing acrobatic skills

If you hear about a Disney-owned property called Stickman you could be forgiven for thinking that it’s the next Marvel Cinematic Universe character in line for a movie adaptation. In fact, it’s an innovative robot created by researchers from the animation giant’s research and development wing Disney Research.

Given the name Stickman due to the fact that, well, it looks like a stick, this unorthodox robot is capable of performing acrobatic flips better than any robot since Boston Dynamics’ Atlas started upping his gymnastics game. These include some dazzling flips, which involve the robot swinging from a near-20-foot ceiling-mounted wire, then tucking into a ball to pull off assorted gravity-defying feats.

“Human performers have developed impressive acrobatic techniques over thousands of years of practicing the gymnastic arts,” a research paper describing the project notes. “At the same time, robots have started to become more mobile and autonomous and can begin to imitate these stunts in dramatic and informative ways. We present a simple two degree of freedom robot that uses a gravity-driven pendulum launch and produces a variety of somersaulting stunts.”

The two degrees of freedom refers to the robot’s ability to bend at two points. It is composed of three links and these allow it to fold into a tight tuck, thereby increasing and decreasing its rate of spin mid-flight. To work out when it needs to perform its movements, Stickman emulates the behavior of human performers by using simple sensing and actuation capabilities. Specifically, it utilizes three laser range-finders along with a six-axis inertial measurement unit (IMU), an electronic device which measures and reports a body’s specific force. Add in some smart algorithms and the robot is able to perform either a single flip, a double flip, or a motion which allows it to remain flat through a free fall.

In the past, Disney Research has been responsible for some pretty innovative projects — which have ranged from a wireless charging room to a haptic jacket that can simulate the sensation of a snake crawling across your body. While Disney hasn’t spelled out exactly how Stickman fits into its plans, we can imagine this having the makings of a fun theme park attraction. After all, who wouldn’t enjoy a robot gymnastics display live show?

Editors’ Recommendations

• Awesome Tech You Can’t Buy Yet: Wine preservers, pocket typewriters, and more
• Counting down the 10 most important robots in history
• You won’t even need to dress yourself in the future — thanks to robots like this
• Astonishing artificial muscle can lift 12,600 times its own body weight
• This robot taught itself how to walk and it’s as clumsy as a newborn deer

Apple Store hints you shouldn’t buy a new MacBook Pro until after WWDC

Apple’s online store could be hinting that a MacBook Pro refresh may happen at the Worldwide Developers Conference, which takes place in San Francisco beginning June 4. A user on Reddit noticed that the delivery date on the 13-inch version of Apple’s base MacBook Pro — without Touch Bar — is listed as June 5, a day after the start of WWDC. However, after checking with Apple’s web store, the base 13-inch and 15-inch MacBook Pro models show they will be available immediately for in-store pickup in the San Francisco area, with a ship date of June 1.

Still, a refresh may likely be in the works given that Intel’s 8th Generation Core i Series processors have become available since Apple launched the MacBook Pro a year ago with Intel’s 7th-generation processor family. Since then, Apple’s PC rivals have all debuted systems with Intel’s 8th-generation chips, and a refresh would keep the MacBook Pro competitive in the hardware department by delivering better performance and battery savings.

Another issue that Apple could address with a MacBook Pro refresh is the keyboard. “I’d say a keyboard [overhaul] fix too,” one Reddit user commented in the thread. To make the MacBook Pro slim, Apple switched to the new butterfly key switch design that was first introduced on the MacBook laptop. However, the keyboard design has been criticized for its shallow travel and for having a high failure rate. To make matters worse, repairs for keyboard failures are expensive, often costing twice as much as traditional keyboards on older MacBook Pro models.

It’s still not confirmed that a MacBook Pro refresh is coming at WWDC or what new features will be coming to the laptop, if any. Given that the notebook’s design is new, Apple may just issue under the hood improvements, like a processor refresh. If you’re not in a rush to purchase a new MacOS-powered laptop, you may be better off waiting until after June 4 to make your purchase. If you need a new MacBook right now, be sure to view our guide on the best MacBook laptops.

Historically, Apple sells through existing inventory and delays shipping ahead of a new product announcement until after the product is shown off at its press conferences. If the MacBook Pro is coming at WWDC, it will likely have to share time on stage with a new release of MacOS and a new version of Apple’s iOS operating systems.

Apple has also committed to revealing more of its plans for high-end desktops, like a Mac Pro refresh, in an effort to retain and attract its prosumer audience of video editors, graphic designers, and visual artists. The Mac Pro is expected to arrive in 2019.

Editors’ Recommendations

• Benchmarks show the next wave of Intel desktop processors are on the way
• Entry-level MacBooks may make an appearance in June at WWDC 2018
• DxO Labs files for bankruptcy, but will launch Nik Collection update in June
• First preproduction units of the Pimax ‘8K’ VR headset to ship to testers in May
• Start saving up: Steam’s Summer Sale will reportedly begin June 21

Acer announces four new Chromebooks, two of which are 2-in-1s

Sales begin this month.

While we sit around dreaming of what we’ll see with the Pixelbook 2, Acer’s got a few new Chromebooks for us to check out in the form of the Chromebook 15, Chromebook Spin 15, Chromebook 13, and Chromebook Spin 13.

The 13-series Chromebooks are actually the more powerful of the bunch, so let’s start there. Both come with 13.5-inch 2256 x 1504 IPS displays with a 3:2 aspect ratio, but the Chromebook Spin 13 comes with a 2-in-1 design that allows you to flip the keyboard back and use it like a tablet. There’s also Wacom stylus support if you’re into that sort of thing.

Powering the Chromebook 13/Spin 13 is your choice between 8th-generation Intel Core i5 or Core i3 processors, but the regular Chromebook 13 will also come with Pentium and Celeron configurations. You can get up to 16GB of LPDDR3 RAM with either one, with the Spin 13 offering up to 128GB of eMMC storage while the regular Chromebook 13 lets you choose between 32GB or 64GB.

As for ports, you’ll find two USB 3.1 Type-C ones, a full-sized USB 3.0 Type-A, and a microSD card slot.

Moving over to the Chromebook 15 and Spin 15, these actually have less impressive specs than the two 13-inch models. Go figure.

The screen for both models measures in at 15.6-inches with a 1920 x 1080 IPS panel. The processor selection includes two Intel Celeron options and one Pentium chip, you can get up to 8GB RAM, and you’ve got a choice between 32GB and 64GB of eMMC storage. The port selection is the same as the 13 series.

As for pricing and availability, we currently know that the standard Chromebook 13 will cost $399 and go on sale at some point this month. The Chromebook 15 will debut this June for $349 and the Chromebook Spin 15 will cost a bit more at $449 when it launches in July.

Best Chromebook as of May 2018

Chromebooks

• The best Chromebooks
• Chromebooks in education: Everything you need to know
• Should you buy a Chromebook?
• Chromebook Buyers Guide
• Google Pixelbook review
• Join our Chromebook forums

Best Tempered Glass Screen Protectors for Google Pixel 2

What are the best tempered glass screen protectors for the Pixel 2?

The Google Pixel 2 is here and as expected it’s pretty amazing — and if you want to keep it looking amazing, you should be sure to protect that screen with a screen protector. Tempered glass screen protectors are your best option for protecting your phone’s screen from drop damage and general wear and tear. And chances are you will see some wear over time.

Fortunately, there’s a number of great options out there for you to choose from. Let’s dive in!

• Whitestone Dome Glass Tempered Glass Screen Protector
• Power Support Tempered Glass Film
• IntelliGLASS Tempered Glass Screen Protector
• Supershieldz Tempered Glass Screen Protector [2-pack]
• ZeKing Tempered Glass Screen Protector [2-pack]
• InvisibleShield Glass+ Tempered Glass Screen Protector
• amFilm Pixel 2 XL Tempered Glass Screen Protector

Whitestone Dome Glass Tempered Glass Screen Protector

The Whitestone Dome Glass screen protector has quickly become one of the more trusted options for keeping your smartphone display safe. Sure, it’s absolutely the most expensive option but it has won over a ton of fans.

Typically sold for $60, you can get one for the Pixel 2 for just $45. Check out this review and installation guide to get an idea of how this tempered glass screen protector uniquely adheres like no other screen protector you’ve seen before. If the worst case scenario has already occurred and your screen is cracked, think of this as a second chance screen before dropping hundreds of dollars on a proper replacement screen. The packaged UV light required to complete the curing process makes this a bit more of an involved process, but if you spend the time to install it right the first time you should have one of the most reliable screen protectors for your Pixel 2!

See at Amazon

Power Support Tempered Glass Film

Next, we’ll shift gears and look at the tempered glass accessory Google sells alongside the Pixel 2 on the Google Store. It has a black border at the top and bottom to help with lining it up during installation and also has cutouts around the front-facing speakers. Curved edges ensure a good in-hand feel, and the oleophobic coating will ensure you’re not constantly wiping fingerprint and grease smudges off of your screen.

Google is selling this screen protector for a whopping $39.95, but for that money, you can be sure that it’s a quality product and designed precisely for your Pixel 2.

See at Google

IntelliGLASS 3D Tempered Glass Screen Protector

IntelliARMOR is a trusted brand in phone protection, and right now they’ve got a great deal on their IntelliGLASS 3D screen protectors. Regularly sold for $45, you can get one for just $20.

The IntelliGLASS screen protector is incredibly thin and features the ever-important oleophobic coating to prevent oils and dirt from sticking to your screen. It’s a great option that is super thin and lightweight but tough when it counts. IntelliGLASS uses a silicone-based adhesive that makes for an easy installation, and if you have any problem the IntelliARMOR customer service will work to make things right. It’s available with a white or black border, or you can opt for the IntelliGLASS HD that’s fully transparent and starts shipping the first week of December.

See at IntelliARMOR

Supershieldz Tempered Glass Screen Protector [2-pack]

If you like screen protectors with a border around the screen (which helps with installation), you should check out this affordable offering from Supershieldz. This two-pack of tempered glass screen protectors includes all the features you’d expect, such as hydrophobic and oleophobic coatings to keep your screen clean.

The kit includes alignment stickers and Supershieldz guarantees a bubble-free installation. If you run into any issues, you can contact Supershieldz customer support as it offers a no-hassle lifetime replacement warranty on its products. Available for just $7.99, this is a premium option at a budget price.

See at Amazon

ZeKing Tempered Glass Screen Protector [2-pack]

ZeKing offers a really good option if you don’t like leaving the top and bottom edges of your phone exposed. Opting to provide precise cutouts around the front-facing speakers instead, this two-pack of tempered glass screen protectors will offer good protection for the entirety of the display up to the curved edge of the screen glass.

It’s a basic kit but includes all the standard features including an oleophobic coating for fingerprints along with alcohol wipes for a clean installation. At just $5.99, you aren’t likely to find a better deal on a tempered glass screen protector.

See at Amazon

InvisibleShield Glass+ Tempered Glass Screen Protector

Zagg is a trusted name in phone accessories, and especially screen protectors.

The InvisibleShield Glass+ provides ample impact protection for your screen and is designed to withstand shattering itself. If it does, you can count on its limited lifetime warranty in which it’ll replace the screen protector if it gets worn or damaged for as long as you own the phone (you only pay shipping and handling costs).

It’s also smudge- and scratch-resistant, too, so it will hold up nicely to daily wear and tear — and you wouldn’t expect any less from a product that costs $39.99.

See at Zagg

amFilm Pixel 2 XL Tempered Glass Screen Protector

One of the few options available for the Pixel 2 XL, this tempered glass screen protector from amFilm should do the trick. It’s been specifically designed for the larger model and claims to offer edge-to-edge protection with an improved adhesive gel. The glass has a black trim around the perimeter of the curved corner display, and notches cut out of the top and bottom to accomodate the front-facing speakers.

This is a case-friendly screen protector that features an invisible dot matrix to simulate fingerprint contact most accurately. It also has an olophobic coating to prevent fingerprints which is always important.

There may be cheaper options to come, but for $12.99 you’ll get everything you’ll need to ensure a clean installation and quality protection for your new phone.

See at Amazon

Which screen protectors do you trust?

Are you going to grab something off our list? Eyeing a different brand? Let us know in the comments!

Update May 2018: Removed options that are no longer available and updated pricing info. These are your best bets for protecting your Pixel 2 screen.

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

Best Buy
Verizon
Google Store
Project Fi

Latest AirTV is available today for $119

AirTV is a dual-tuner box for OTA antennas, and ties in directly with Sling TV, if you want.

It’s a tuner for OTA TV, with Sling TV users in mind.

Over-the-air TV is awesome, if for no other reason than it doesn’t cost anything more than the antenna hardware. But you can still do better than plugging straight in to a television tuner. In 2018 it’s all about sharing video across a network, right? And the latest AirTV does precisely that.

For $119 you get a dual-tuner setup that connects over 802.11n networks. (It’s got ethernet, too, which is always a good thing.) You’ll connect an antenna to the AirTV, and connect the AirTV to your network, and then fire up the AirTV app on up to two devices at once. (Two tuners means two devices can watch separate channels at the same time.)

Or, if you’re a Sling TV user, you can just fire up the Sling app and watch your local channels right alongside everything you get through Sling’s streaming service.

The AirTV app is available on iOS, Android, Roku, Amazon Fire TV, and Apple TV.

See at Amazon

More: The best OTA antennas

Watch free local channels at home, on-the-go with new AirTV

AirTV connects to over-the-air (OTA) antenna to wirelessly deliver free local channels to TVs, tablets, phones—in and out of home

Integrates free broadcast channels into Sling TV app or AirTV app on iOS, Android, Roku and Amazon Fire TV

Available now for $119.99 at AirTV.net

ENGLEWOOD, Colo., May 23, 2018 — AirTV, a brand dedicated to meeting the growing consumer demand for over-the-air (OTA) broadcast products and services, has launched a new solution that brings together the value of free local broadcast television with the power of live internet streaming. The new AirTV solution, when connected to an OTA antenna and a home Wi-Fi network, wirelessly streams free local channels to internet-connected TVs and mobile devices, in and out of the home.

With AirTV, free local channels, like ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC and PBS, are available for viewing via the Sling TV or AirTV app on Roku, Amazon Fire TV, and iOS and Android phones and tablets. Local channel availability depends on the OTA signal availability at the user’s home location. In many major markets, customers can receive 50 or more local channels for free.

“Our new AirTV solution solves two problems: first, it blends free local channels with OTT television, something customers have demanded since the advent of streaming,” said Mitch Weinraub, director of product development for AirTV. “And, because it’s a Wi-Fi-enabled device, you can power your entire home with one OTA antenna, simplifying the installation process.”

AirTV’s configuration eliminates common pain points associated with OTA antennas, like wiring multiple rooms with individual antennas, and it allows for optimal antenna placement, regardless of the TV’s location. AirTV connects to a digital antenna and a wireless or wired network, providing two live streams of digitally transmitted OTA content simultaneously. Up to two streams are available inside the home; one of these streams can be viewed while outside of the home.

“Customers can mount their antenna connected to AirTV wherever the signal is strongest, whether it’s tucked away in an attic or hidden behind the living room TV,” said Weinraub. “AirTV wirelessly streams to AirTV-enabled devices visible to a home Wi-Fi network, so there’s no longer a need to run cables across the home to get OTA signals.”

Existing Sling TV users can integrate AirTV directly into their accounts. Customers can also set up a free Sling TV account to access their local channels via AirTV, or create a free account with the stand-alone AirTV app.

AirTV is available at AirTV.net/products/airtv/, on Amazon and at regional retailers like Microcenter for $119.99 with a one-year warranty. OTA antennas can be purchased separately at https://www.airtv.net/antenna-installation/ or at a local retailer. To identify local channels in your area, visit https://www.airtv.net/local-channels/.

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Oculus Go: Finally, VR for Everyone

The first VR headset everyone can, and will, enjoy.

AC
Score
4.5

Where most other VR headsets feel like experiments pushed into the world for users and developers to figure out what is cool and fun, Oculus Go is different. This headset has been built to offer a polished experience from the moment you open the box to the moment you excitedly hand the headset to someone else to share what you saw. It’s the evolution of the Samsung Gear VR headset, replacing the need to insert a phone into the front slot with its own standalone processor and display. It’s portable, capable, and by far the easiest to use VR system released to date.

Best of all? It’s yours for $200. No external hardware required, and no cable hanging off the back of your head. This is the VR headset you take with you on an airplane, or for your kids to enjoy with your supervision. It’s a full entertainment system, from game console with hundreds of titles to immersive high definition television, you can bring with you anywhere.

Got questions? We’ve answered them all right here.

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• What is Oculus Go?
• Oculus Go vs Daydream Standalone
• How good is the battery?
• How to set up Oculus Go
• Playing with friends
• Choosing good headphones
• Sharing your experiences
• Travelling with Oculus Go

What is Oculus Go?

Put simply, it’s a virtual reality headset designed for everyone. Oculus Go is the third headset from Oculus, and it’s meant to exist between the phone-powered Samsung Gear VR and PC-powered Oculus Rift. It’s a little more capable than the phone-powered headset, but not quite as capable as the PC-powered experience. But as a standalone system, meaning it doesn’t need to connect to anything, Oculus Go offers something unique.

Screen	2560×1440 @ 72Hz
Lenses	Custom Fresnel
FoV	101-degrees
SoC	Snapdragon 821
RAM	4
Storage	32/64GB
Battery	2600mAh
Connectivity	WiFi
Audio	Speakers/3.5mm jack
Weight	177grams
Price	$199/$249

The headset itself is plastic around the outside, with an easy to remove foam pad around the eye sockets to make cleaning and sizing easier. Most prescription glasses fit in the headset just fine, but Oculus has included guides in the box to replace the padding if your lenses don’t fit right away. If you’re not sure which configuration you prefer, swapping back and forth is fairly easy.

On the front panel you’ll see Oculus Go has been designed to reduce heat in such a way that overheating shouldn’t ever be a problem while wearing the headset. The metallic front panel conducts heat well, and a gap around the entire front rim helps with air flow where it is most needed. In all of our testing, the headset has yet to offer up a temperature warning.

Oculus Go comes in two models, available for those who would prefer more or less storage in the headset. These headsets are visually identical, but one has a total capacity of 32GB while the other supports 64GB.

Not sure which storage size is best for you? Here’s how you choose the right Oculus Co go for you!

Whats the difference between Oculus Go and Daydream Standalone?

Oculus Go is not the only VR headset to come out this year with its own computer baked in and no messy cables. Google’s Daydream Standalone project exists to take the phone-based VR experience it calls Daydream and extend it into its own headset system. Like Oculus Go, no phone is required. Unlike Oculus Go, it’s $400.

The reason for this increase in price is the availability of features you won’t find on Oculus Go, like a more advanced head tracking system and a rigid plastic design that can take a couple of bumps. Choosing between these two headsets has more to do with the ecosystem you want to live in, whether you’d rather have Facebook and Oculus controlling the store selling you apps, or Google.

Check out more on Oculus Go vs Lenovo Mirage Solo

What can I do in Oculus Go?

All of the apps and games you install on the Oculus Go come from the Oculus Store, a separate store managed by Oculus. It has its own payment system and its own update system, which you manage through the Oculus app on your phone. While the Oculus Go headset does in fact run Android underneath, the Oculus App is available for Android and iOS users alike.

Check out our favorite horror games for Oculus Go

Thee Oculus Store gives you access to over 1,000 VR experiences, ranging from action games to emotional stories and so many puzzles for you to explore. You will also find a healthy Educational section in the store alongside a huge selection of movies you can purchase directly from Oculus and enjoy in your very own virtual theater.

Our Parents Guide to Oculus Go will help you choose the right apps for your kids

How is the battery life in Oculus Go?

According to Oculus, the Go headset is capable of 2.5 hours of constant gameplay. In our testing of the headset, we found that number to depend heavily on the kind of gaming you were doing and what the brightness level of the display inside the headset was set to. If you find yourself browsing the web and watching YouTube 360 videos with the brightness a little lower than average, our tests found the headset battery will last closer to 4.5 hours. If you’re playing a visually intense game like Anshar Online with friends, the 2.5 hour claim from Oculus is just about right.

You can drain the battery in under three hours if you try.

This doesn’t include standby time, which is quite a bit longer. If you unplug the headset for travel, expect the battery to last several days between uses. Even of you use the headset for 20-30 minutes and set it aside, the battery will keep for quite a while. The same goes for watching movies in the headset, if you take a break in between viewings you’ll find you can just about watch two whole movies with the brightness down a little. But in a single use, you can drain the battery in under three hours if you try.

But the real secret to getting the Oculus Go to last for more than 2-3 hours is to have a backup battery nearby you can use while you are inside the headset. Depending on the capacity battery you choose, these backups can recharge the headset multiple times before it needs to be charged, and can deliver enough power to charge the headset even while you are playing the more visually intense games.

Take a look at the best Battery Backups for Oculus Go!

I just got my headset. Now what?

Before you go tearing open the box, there are a few things about setting this headset up you should know. This VR headset is a little different from the others, and while it doesn’t need a phone to power the inside there’s an app for Android an iPhone owners alike to make the experience a lot easier to manage.

How to set up your Oculus Go: Android Edition

How to set up your Oculus Go: iPhone Edition

After the initial set up with your Oculus Go headset, you may want to take a look through the privacy settings and make sure they are set the way you want. Oculus Go includes an online gaming component, which includes sharing information about your activities with other people in their headsets. If you want to avoid sharing that information publicly, you need to keep an eye on your privacy settings.

How to adjust your Oculus Go privacy settings

Once you get all set up and you’re happy with the experience, you might want to add a gamepad to play all of the latest games available in the headset. Check out our tested batch of the best gamepads for Oculus Go to complete the experience!

The best gamepads we have tested with Oculus Go

If you’d rather just use the included controller, that’s cool too! There are a ton of great things you can do with your Oculus Go remote, and all you need to power it is a single AA battery. Since the battery doesn’t recharge likeyou might expect from using other controllers, it’s important to know how to check on the battery capacity from inside the headset and how to swap the battery out when it’s time for a fresh cell.

How to check the battery on your Oculus Go controller

Playing Oculus Go games with friends

While most Oculus Go experiences are solo for now, there are some amazing multiplayer experiences in the Oculus Store. To fully take advantage of these experiences, you need to add a few friends to your list.

How to add friends to your Oculus Go

This will make it easy for you to quickly jump into a game together, whether that game is something stationary like Catan VR or full of excitement like Anshar Online.

Adding headphones to your Oculus Go

Oculus did an incredible job including amazing speakers in the straps of the headset, but sometimes you need a little privacy. The 3.5mm headphone jack on the side of the Oculus Go makes it perfect for just about any set of headphones, which is great. You absolutely want to use wired headphones instead of wireless headphones though.

Bluetooth headphones, even really good ones, introduce latency in a VR headset. You’ll hear everything, but there will be a slight delay and that isn’t fun at all!

The best headphones for Oculus Go

How to share your Oculus Go experiences with others

It’s not always easy to hand your headset over to someone else to share an experience in VR. Oculus Go offers a couple of options for sharing what you’ve seen. You can either take a screenshot, record a gameplay video, or live stream your game right to Facebook for everyone to watch.

How to take a screenshot in Oculus Go

Once you have taken a screenshot, you can either post it to Facebook or connect your headset to your computer and extract the files yourself. If you want to share to anything other than Facebook, it’s going to take a little bit of work.

How to use your computer to grab files from Oculus Go

Oculus is planning on adding a local sharing feature soon, similar to the set up found on the Samsung Gear VR. This would allow you to stream what you see in Oculus Go to a Chromecast, which is a lot of fun.

It may be a little while before this feature is rolled out to everyone, but when it happens your friends will be able to see what you see right on the TV in front of you.

Choose the right Chromecast for your Oculus Go

Travelling with your Oculus Go

I love using my headset on an airplane, and I’ve seen others enjoy it in a car on a long trip. The coolest thing about Oculus Go is how portable it is, but there are a few things you can do to ensure you are prepared for your headset taking a long trip with you. For example, you can load movies on Oculus Go to watch while you travel instead of buying straight from Oculus.

How to load movies onto your Oculus Go

Since you will be travelling with the headset, you also want to make sure you have it in a protective case and you are able to keep in clean for when you inevitably share the headset with someone else.

Best travel cases for Oculus Go

How to clean your Oculus Go

No matter how you look at it, taking your Oculus Go with you as you travel is going to be a great experience. Even if all you do with it is kill some time in your hotel room because the TV doesn’t have much on it.

Updated May 23, 2018: Our epic user manual for Oculus Go now includes even more information to keep you in the headset longer!

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