Google may soon let you run Windows 10 on Chromebooks using ‘Campfire’

Campfire — Google’s version of Apple’s Boot Camp — could be just on the horizon.

Google was discovered to be getting Windows 10 certification for its Pixelbook earlier this year, and thanks to the folks at XDA Developers, we now have more details on Google’s vision for bringing Windows 10 to not just the Pixelbook, but other Chromebooks as well through a new service called “Campfire.”

Similar to Apple’s Boot Camp, Campfire will allow users to have two operating systems installed on a Chromebook at once so they can boot into whichever OS they’d like at any given time.

Users won’t be required to enable Developer Mode on their Chromebook in order to use Campfire, and according to XDA, getting things set up with Campfire should be pretty simple.

Now, with Campfire, Google will push signed updates to RW_LEGACY via the regular auto-update process, so firmware flashing won’t be a concern for Joe Public. A recent commit for enabling Alt OS through crosh with a simple [alt_os enable] command indicates that it will be a fairly easy setup process from the user’s end too.

As for what devices will be able to use Campfire, more details are trickling in here, too.

40GB appears to be the minimum storage requirement for Campfire (30GB going to Windows 10 and 10GB being used for Chrome OS), and while we don’t know which Chromebooks specifically will be supported, talk of “campfire variants” suggests that it’ll be supported on more than just the Pixelbook.

It’s still unclear when Google will officially unveil Campfire, but with the Pixel 3 event likely coming up in early October, it’s possible we’ll learn more then. Stay tuned!

After using Chrome OS for four months, I never want to go back

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Kingdom Hearts 3: Everything you need to know!

Want to know what’s going on with Kingdom Hearts 3? Here’s everything we know so far

In the early years of gaming, there were quite a few swings taken at the creation of a game utilizing Disney properties. Most of those games ranged anywhere from unplayable to mediocre as far as quality goes.

Then in 2002, Square released Kingdom Hearts onto the PlayStation 2. Disney fans and gamers rejoiced as they finally had a significant video game with Disney characters. Thus far, there have been a total of nine Kingdom Hearts games and here in 2018 Square stands poised to release a new entry to the gaming public.

We have been hearing rumblings about Kingdom Hearts 3 for years now but there is finally light at the end of the tunnel for fans of the series. As it stands now, we should see a release toward the end of 2018. However, what do we know about Kingdom Hearts 3 right now? Let’s take a look.

What’s new with Kingdom Hearts 3?

All the latest Kingdom Hearts 3 details can be found straight ahead. Be sure to check back often to find out everything new as we head toward release!

July 17th, 2018

Those looking to pre-order Kingdom Hearts 3 just received some extra incentive to do so from GameStop. The company has revealed that one of three fabric posters will be included with your pre-order of the game, and it’s up to you to cast your vote on Twitter with the hashtags noted in the image above to decide which one it will be.

June 11th, 2018

Sony had their own piece of exclusive Kingdom Hearts 3 footage to show at E3 2018. The new footage confirms the inclusion of Pirates of the Caribbean. This isn’t the franchise’s first appearance in a Kingdom Hearts game, with Kingdom Hearts 2 having been the first.

Yes, Captain Jack Sparrow is back, and Sora’s crew are on deck to help him live the pirate’s life. The gameplay sequences for this world seem pretty epic, with both a ship battle and a fight with a huge sea monster being featured. The trailer also shows that a replica version of Riku will make an appearance.

Alongside that new footage, we get word that not only will there be a special edition Kingdom Hearts 3 PlayStation 4 console, but you’ll also be able to buy all three mainline Kingdom Hearts games as a bundle. That means you’ll get Kindom Hearts 1.5 HD Remix, Kingdom Hearts 2.5 HD Remix, and Kingdom Hearts 3 in the same package. They’ve even thrown in Kingdom Hearts 2.8: Final Chapter Prologue for good measure.

A release date for the special edition PS4 has not yet been confirmed, though it’s likely we’ll see it on or close to Kingdom Hearts 3’s release date, which was previously confirmed to be January 29th, 2019.

June 10th, 2018

Square Enix has announced a release date for Kingdom Hearts 3. It’ll be arriving January 29th, 2019. Originally, their goal was to get the game out in 2018. However, the company needs more time to ensure the game is the best it can be before launch.

With that news, we also saw a new trailer at E3 2018 that revealed new details, namely showing off new content and abilities surrounding previously unannounced Disney franchises. Those franchises include heavy-hitting staples such as Frozen and Lion King, with Elsa and Mufasa making appearances, respectively.

A whole new world

Since its inception, an important element of the Kingdom Hearts games has been the setting. Part of the joy of these games is the opportunity to explore familiar Disney worlds in a way that is not possible when you’re watching a film. Some of the worlds which have been tapped for inclusion in KH3 include Andy’s House from Toy Story, Twilight Town, Mount Olympus from Hercules, Monsters Inc, Tangled, and even San Fransokyo from Big Hero 6.

With Disney owning just about every existing IP under the sun there doesn’t seem to be many worlds left that are not within their reach. However, everything indicates that all the worlds tapped for inclusion will remain those who lie directly under the Disney Umbrella, as well as some from underling Pixar.

While Kingdom Hearts 3 isn’t a traditional open world game, Square Enix has a clear goal to increase the scope and capacity of each world. Some of these levels are the most expansive we’ve ever seen in a Kingdom Hearts game. You’ll especially feel the scale at places like Toy Box in the Toy Story world, or Mount Olympus over in Hercules’ corner. Despite the increased size, Square Enix manages to create each world with the level of detail that’ll make you feel like you’re in the theater watching your favorite movies all over again. It’s this nice balance of scope and focus that gets us excited to be sucked into Disney’s magical kingdom once more.

Characters Welcome

Another critical element of the Kingdom Hearts series has, of course, been characters. There is something undeniably exciting about running into some of your favorite Disney denizens whilst you progress through a KH game.

While your main characters will remain steadfast – Sora and the gang are back – there are some additions. With the inclusion of the aforementioned worlds, it should come as no surprise that we will see end up crossing paths with their related character inhabitants. You’ll certainly be seeing Woody, Buzz, and the glutton of other toys living in Andy’s room for the Toy Story sections. I, for one, am totally ready to get some heals from Beymax.

And that’s alongside mainstays such as Goofy, Donald Duck, and Mickey Mouse, all of whom have proven to be valuable comrades for Sora over the years.

Gameplay

Kingdom Hearts 3 will seemingly feature a keen blend of all the combat mechanics introduced in each previous title. Keyblades still cut foes down with ease and magic is still here to help you quickly dispel waves of enemies. However, we’ll also be seeing new mechanics such as character summons, keyblade transformations, link attacks, something Square Enix is calling “attractions,” and more. Here’s a quick rundown of what those types of attacks are:

• Character Summons: You can call on one of your Disney or Pixar friends to fight alongside you for a short time.
• Keyblade Transformations: Alongside your keyblade’s normal abilities and combos, you can transform the keyblade after hitting a series of uninterrupted attacks. The temporary transformation unlocks a wealth of new abilities, as well as a finisher attack.
• Link Attacks: Like Character Summons, this mechanic brings your friends into the fray, but instead of being there as a sidekick they’ll execute a more coordinated and powerful attack with Sora.
• Attractions: These are flashy, big abilities that play out like rides you’d see at Disneyworld and Disneyland. For instance, you can call on something like a water ride to splash through a ton of foes.

There will also be other miscellaneous gameplay mechanics that may be unique to certain worlds and sequences. For instance, Sora can take control of robot Gigas at Toy Box to help him get around the store and fight enemies faster. Expect a lot of variety in this regard.

Players will get stronger as the game goes on with a leveling system that should increase your power, health total, mana pool, and offer new abilities. And it’s not just Sora getting this treatment, either – all your mainstay companions have their own experience to grow.

World traversal has been a big part of the Kingdom Hearts series, and Sora’s movement abilities are seeing some interesting changes with this entry. Sora has seemingly been practicing parkour as a new mechanic allows him to scale up, down, and across walls. This is likely to help players quickly maneuver through a world is just as wide as it is tall, with verticality being a staple element of Kingdom Hearts.

As was the case in most Kingdom Hearts games to date, you’ll be fighting enemies who use Darkness for evil. Darkness is both an alternate realm and an actual force of energy. Good characters can use Darkness to augment their abilities, though the bad ones use it with far more malevolent intentions. Much of your battling will be done against those known as the Heartless, a common enemy in the game. The Heartless are actually living forms of the darkness that exists in everyone’s heart. Their goals are likely driven by some evil no-gooder behind the scenes, as the heartless don’t act on any sort of feeling or emotion of their own.

When can I play?

Square Enix has announced that Kingdom Hearts 3 will now launch January 29th, 2019. The game was originally given a 2018 launch window, but Square Enix has felt the need to delay it, likely to make sure it gets the polish it needs.

If you want to get in line early, you can always head over and preorder a copy for $60.

See at Amazon

In its long and storied history, Kingdom Hearts has done a stellar job of taking the elements that work and adding new ones. Like a fine wine, Kingdom Hearts has (mostly) gotten better with age. At this point, we don’t know everything about what is in store for us but as the year progresses we will undoubtedly see more new pieces of the puzzle unveiled.

I think Square knows that part of the magic and joy in these games is the surprise of running into unexpected characters. I have no doubt that they are holding a few cards close to their chests for the time being but I can’t wait to find out what those cards are.

What do you want to see in Kingdom Hearts 3?

Updated August 2018: It’s quiet on the news front for Kingdom Hearts 3, but know that we’re checking each and every day and will update you when there’s something new!

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Michael Kors’ new Wear OS smartwatch has GPS, NFC, and costs up to $450

Prices range from $295 up to $450 depending on the model you choose.

Michael Kors is one of the many fashion brands that’s been keeping Wear OS alive over the last few months, and most recently, the company announced an update to its popular Runway series of smartwatches.

Regarding design, there’s nothing here we haven’t seen before. We’ve got a 1.2-inch 390 x 390 circular display, metal casing, and three lugs on the right side. The only notable aesthetic update is the addition of a silicone watch band that’ll be much better-suited for physical activity than the traditional steel one.

As for features, you’ll find built-in GPS, NFC for Google Pay support, 3 ATM water resistance that makes the watch “swim-proof”, and a battery that’ll allow for about a day’s use before needing to charge up.

Prices range from $290 to $450 depending on the model you choose, and while that’s not terrible considering the quality of the watch and everything that’s packed inside, the presence of Qualcomm’s old Snapdragon Wear 2100 processor should give you some pause.

Qualcomm’s holding an event on September 10 where it’ll likely announce the long-awaited successor to the 2100, and as such, you might want to hold off on a buying any Wear OS watch until then.

However, if you don’t care about the new processing tech, the new Micahel Kors watch is available for purchase now.

See at Michael Kors

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Samsung’s new SmartThings Wifi, hub and sensors smarten things up even more

The new Samsung SmartThings Wifi, Hub and Sensors.

Mesh networking, a new hub and sensors round out the company’s connected home aspirations.

Samsung today announced a revamp of its mesh networking system, featuring the new SmarThings Wifi system, plus a new SmartThings hub and sensors.

The SmartThings Wifi system uses the smarts of Plume (which Samsung previously invested in) to keep everything talking to each other as quickly as possible. Each Wifi router covers 1,500 square feet. It’s available today at $119 for a single device, and a three-pack goes for $279 and can cover a 4,500-square-foot space.

Additionally, Samsung announced an updated SmartThings Hub, along with a new water leak sensor, motion sensor smart outlet and a multipurpose sensor. The hub handles both Z-Wave and Zigbee protocols, and does Bluetooth 4.1. And it now works over Wifi, so you can stick it just about anywhere.

The SmartThings Hub runs $69.99, sensors cost between $19.99 and $24.99, the programmable button is $14.99, and the smart outlet is $39.99.

All of the new offerings are available today.

Smarter Wi-Fi, Smarter Home: Samsung Announces New SmartThings Mesh Wi-Fi System

Intelligent Wi-Fi system offers AI-based network optimization with a built-in SmartThings Hub; SmartThings Hub and sensors refreshed with sleek design and improved performance

RIDGEFIELD PARK, N.J. — August 13, 2018 – In an effort to eliminate the dreaded Wi-Fi dead zone and prevent streaming latency, Samsung Electronics America, Inc. today announced its new SmartThings Wifi mesh network system. Equipped with AI-based mesh Wi-Fi technology from Plume and a built-in SmartThings Hub, the system delivers an intelligently optimized whole home network with the added value of complete smart home control throughout every room of the home.

Reliable and secure Wi-Fi is a fundamental need for consumers today, and internet use is no longer limited to the home office or location where the router is based. As more connected technologies enter the home, there is a greater need for a stable network that can efficiently support these devices. The SmartThings Wifi system not only delivers this stability, but also delivers fast and consistent coverage that covers the whole home.

“As the number of phones, tablets and other connected devices we use increases, home Wi-Fi can be spotty, slow and unreliable,” said SK Kim, Senior Director, IoT Product Marketing at Samsung Electronics America. “We demand more from our home networks. SmartThings Wifi is the answer to bandwidth issues and dead zones, with the mesh capability for corner to corner coverage plus built-in SmartThings Hub for complete smart home control.”

SmartThings Wifi features Plume’s AI-based mesh Wi-Fi optimization. The platform adapts to internet usage in the home and intelligently allocates bandwidth, mitigates interference, and delivers maximum Wi-Fi capacity across the home, accounting for every connected device and selecting the optimal band and frequency channel so users can get the fastest speed possible. Plume’s technology can optimize a home network across multiple devices so parents working from laptops can download files while kids stream TV, and gamers experience speed and reliability even when others are on the network. Now, Wi-Fi goes where the need is instead of the other way around. Users can also set parental controls to manage screen time and set-up special logins and passwords for guests using the Plume HomePass® feature.

“Integrating our adaptive home Wi-Fi technology and a rich set of consumer features into SmartThings’ large, open ecosystem truly elevates the smart home experience,” said Fahri Diner, co-founder and CEO, Plume. “Samsung gives you myriad devices to consume content and connect, and Plume ensures that your Wi-Fi network delivers a superior user experience to all of those devices.”

SmartThings Wifi works as a SmartThings Hub to serve as the “brain” of the smart home. Samsung’s open SmartThings ecosystem makes it easy to automate and manage the smart home with one hub and the SmartThings app. Compatible with hundreds of third-party devices and services, SmartThings enables users to expand their smart home with lights, door locks, cameras, voice assistants, thermostats and more. SmartThings Wifi delivers a simple, convenient 2-in-1 solution, offering whole-home automation out of the box.

For corner to corner coverage, users can choose the right Wi-Fi configuration to fit their needs, from a home with multiple levels to a small apartment. Each SmartThings Wifi router has a range of 1,500 square feet, with the 3-pack covering 4,500 square feet, and users can expand coverage by adding additional mesh routers to the set-up. It is easily set-up and managed by the Android and iOS compatible SmartThings app.

The SmartThings Wifi 3-pack retails for $279.99 and the single device retails for $119.99. It is available starting today on Samsung.com and at retailers nationwide.

Samsung Introduces New and Improved SmartThings Hub, Sensors and Outlet

In addition to SmartThings Wifi, Samsung is upgrading the performance and connectivity of its SmartThings Hub, Water Leak Sensor, Motion Sensor, Multipurpose Sensor and Smart Outlet to give consumers more choice in their smart home set up. The new, more compact SmartThings Hub has been upgraded with the latest Zigbee, Z-wave, and Bluetooth 4.1 connectivity protocols. Now, the Hub can wirelessly connect to a Wi-Fi network, no longer needing a dedicated Ethernet cable, so users have the flexibility to place it anywhere in their home.

The SmartThings Motion Sensor is additionally redesigned with a magnetic ball mount, so consumers can adjust the tilt angle for a wider view range to detect motion and trigger automated events. Samsung is also introducing the new SmartThings Button with programmable triggers that manually control routines around the home – like setting Movie Mode – without having to go into the SmartThings app. The SmartThings Button, like the rest of the SmartThings sensor line, monitors temperature in an area of the home, such as basement or baby’s room, and signals the smart thermostat to adjust automatically.

The new SmartThings Hub ($69.99), sensors ($19.99 – $24.99), Button ($14.99) and Smart Outlet ($34.99) are now available on Samsung.com and at retailers nationwide.

For more information about Samsung Smart Home, visit http://www.samsung.com/us/smart-home.

These are the best multiplayer games for Android!

Gaming is always better with friends in the mix!

Mobile gaming has come a long way in the past few years. These days, you’re not only able to play outstanding games on your phone, but there are so many awesome games you can play with friends.

While I still lament the loss of split-screen multiplayer experiences on console gaming, online multiplayer for mobile just makes sense and has reached the point where we can now get some of the best gaming experiences across multiple genres scaled down to your phone.

PUBG Mobile

It’s pretty incredible how well PUBG Mobile plays on Android. This is a massive PvP battle royale game that pits 100 players against each other on a massive island loaded with weapons, ammo, tactical gear, and vehicles. You drop in as a solo player or as part of a team and must use all your best skills to take down your opponents until you’re the last man standing.

It’s not unheard of for a popular PC or console release to find its way to Android, but you’ll be surprised at how well PUBG plays on a smartphone. The developers have made it easier for mobile players to pick up and manage items, and have also added bots in the lowest ranks to help ease players into the game experience. Bluetooth controller support would be a nice addition but the touch controls are some of the best I’ve seen for a shooter on mobile.

It also allows you to scale back the graphics so you can enjoy smooth gameplay even when playing on an older device. If you’ve got a newer device, crank those settings to the max and enjoy one of the best looking mobile games I’ve played in a long while.

PUBG Mobile somehow delivers all the epic moments you’d expect the PC game scaled down perfectly for mobile devices. Best of all, it’s free to play and currently devoid of any in-app purchases. Get your squad together and I’ll see you on the battlegrounds!

Download: PUBG Mobile (Free w/IAPs)

Fortnite Battle Royal (beta)

My hands are basically tied to include Fortnite on this list. After months of waiting for the Android beta, it’s finally been released for recent Android flagship devices after briefly being exclusive to Samsung Galaxy devices.

This is the full Fortnite experience scaled down for your smartphone and packs in all the features and wackiness you’d find on the PC or console versions such as Battle Pass seasons, Solo and Squad game modes, and so many ways to customize your character using V-Bucks. You’re able to sign on with your existing Fortnite account if you’ve played it on PC or console, and all your character upgrades and V-Bucks balance will follow you across all your devices.

This is a massive moneymaker for Epic Games from people spending real money on in-app purchases, but you really don’t need to spend any money in-game to have a blast. I would recommend that you invest in a Battle Pass, though, as you’ll be able to unlock a ton of awesome content that would otherwise only be available by buying it outright in the store.

The game is still in beta (and certainly feels like it), with must-have features like Bluetooth controller support and voice chat yet to be added. It’s also not available from the Google Play Store, so you’ll have to download it from the Galaxy App Store on your Samsung phone or sign up for the beta below.

See Fortnite at Epic Games

Battlelands Royale

If you love the concept of a mobile battle royale game but your phone can’t handle PUBG Mobile or Fortnite, Battlelands Royale is a great option to try out instead. It offers a fairly unique take on the genre that does take some getting used to but is ideal for casual gaming sessions. Just like PUBG or Fortnite, you parachute down onto a map with, in this case, 29 other players, and must scavenge for weapons, ammo, and armor while staying in the safety circle and eliminating your enemies.

You’re limited to carrying one gun at a time and ammo is very sparse, which leads to some pretty intense moments where you need to decide whether to engage an enemy or try and sneak past them. There’s also a duo mode where you can team up with a friend or a random player. The art style and gameplay is bright and fun and this is a great little game for killing time.

Download: Battlelands Royale (Free w/IAPs)

Brawl Stars

Brawl Stars is a great new game for Android developed by Supercell. It’s an absolute blast to play, with over 21 unique characters to unlock, multiple game modes, and a frantic PvP gaming experience that will have you coming back for more. The controls are nice and basic with twin-stick controls for moving and shooting and a super attack button that’s unique to each character.

You start out with just one character and one game mode to play. Gem Grab is a 3 vs 3 battle mode where you fight for control of 10 gems. Win and you’ll collect trophies, keys, and experience which all help you unlock new game modes, characters, and unlock battle boxes.

The second game mode you unlock is Showdown, which is a Battle Royale survival mode where it’s every man for themselves. The third mode is Heist, which is unlocked when you collect 350 trophies. It’s another team mode where your team battles to unlock your opponents safe before time runs out.

This is a game that’s definitely worth checking out, but it was only soft-launched in select countries, including Canada, so it might not be available where you are. If it isn’t, this is certainly a game to keep an eye on — especially if you’re a fan of Supercell’s previous games like Clash Royale and love action-packed games.

Download: Brawl Stars (Free w/IAPs)

VainGlory

Vainglory is a real-time PvP MOBA developed by Super Evil Megacorp and is arguably the best representation of the genre on Mobile. There are over 35 playable characters to unlock, each with unique abilities and play-styles. 5 vs 5 matches can get pretty crazy, but since Vainglory was designed to run as high as 120 frames per second you shouldn’t have too many issues with lag in the heat of the battle.

Vainglory is free-to-play with chests and quests, but it’s also an emerging eSport so if you get really good you could conceivably go pro and play in international tournaments for cash and prizes! It’s a great game to play with friends or just against random online opponents with calculated strategy and tactics required to win each match.

Download: Vainglory 5V5 (Free w/IAPs)

Star Wars: Force Arena

Star Wars: Force Arena is a MOBA-style game set in a galaxy far, far away and featuring all your favorite characters from across the Star Wars universe.

You play as a hero character from the franchise as you command troops on the battlefield. There’s some deep strategy involved here to be competitive as every match is against another player also trying to break through your defenses and destroy your base.

There are single-player modes to work on your skills but the real meat and potatoes here are the 1v1 ranked battles and 2v2 arcade battles. The gameplay is fairly balanced no matter whether you choose to fight for the Rebellion or join the Dark Side and the scale of the action at its best moments looks and feels like an epic scene from one of the movies.

Download: Star Wars: Force Arena (Free w/IAPs)

Critical Ops

Critical Ops is arguably one of the best online first-person shooters available on mobile that provides fast-paced action that’s perfect for casual sessions or longer

It’s kind of got that Call of Duty: Modern Warfare vibe to it, mixed with a healthy dose of CounterStrike to create a best-of-both-worlds scenario that offers great graphics and really solid touch controls. There are in-app purchases but no pay-to-win mechanics here — you’re mostly just opening crates to unlock new gun skins.

This game is really fun to play and features multiple game modes, from quick deathmatch, gun game, and bomb defusion, and also lets you create custom games so you can play with your friends. Definitely worth checking out for any naysayers out there who say first-person shooters just aren’t any good on mobile.

Download: Critical Ops (Free w/IAPs)

Guns of Boom

From afar, Guns of Boom looks like a fun and casual first-person shooter with cartoony graphics and fairly basic gameplay. However, the game itself has proven to become both wildly popular and extremely competitive, with the developers partnering with ESL for its first Guns of Boom Esports season in 2018.

That makes Guns of Boom a great game whether you’re just looking for a casual shooter to play to pass the time or if you’re looking to create a clan with your friends and try your luck at tournament play.

The one downside to Guns of Boom is that you buy your weapons using gold, which you can earn in-game or buy with in-app purchases. specific guns are only made available to you once you reach higher levels and the matchmaking system does a good job at keeping the teams balanced, but there are times when you’ll come up against some dude who has clearly spent some money to max out his character.

Still, pay-to-win aspects aside, Guns of Boom is a great multiplayer game to play alone against strangers or together with friends.

Download: Guns of Boom (Free w/IAPs)

Asphalt 9: Legends

The latest entry in the storied Asphalt racing series is the best racing game on Android and features some of the best multiplayer racing action I’ve ever seen on a mobile phone.

Asphalt 9: Legends is an insane game featuring outstanding graphics and fantastic gameplay that’s all about hot nasty badass speed. Rather than try and be an accurate racing simulator, Asphalt 9 offers a crazy arcade experience that looks realistic until you double-tap the drift button and pull off a ridiculous 360-degree spin to knock out your opponents. In that way, it feels a lot like a Burnout game which is one of the best compliments I could give a racing game.

Once you’ve progressed a bit through the single-player campaign, you unlock

Download: Asphalt 9: Legends (Free w/IAPs)

What are your favorite multiplayer games?

These are our top picks for the best multiplayer experience on Android, but as always we want to know what you think. Let us know what games you think deserve to make this list in the comments below!

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Echo Dot and Echo Spot are discounted today only at Amazon Canada

Save money on an Echo Dot or Echo Spot — or both!

Amazon Canada has today reduced the price of its popular Echo Dot to $59.99. The Dot regularly sells for $69.99, making this offer a great opportunity to get into the Echo ecosystem or add Alexa to more rooms in your house.

Most will already be familiar with Amazon Echo line of products, adding smart assistant functionality to rooms in your home. The hands-free, voice-controlled Dot is Amazon’s entry-level Echo offering the ability to play music, control smart home devices, make calls, send and receive messages, answer queries, read the news, set alarms or timers, among other things.

It features 7 in-built mics to help it pick up your commands, even when playing music, and has a built-in speaker for output (and can even be paired to other speakers via Bluetooth or 3.5mm stereo cable for added oomph).

Amazon has reduced the price of its Echo Spot, too. It’s currently available for $129.99 — down by $40. The Spot connects to Alexa to do all of the above smart stuff and, with the addition of a 2.5-inch screen, you can also see music lyrics, see news flash briefings, make video calls or simply use the device as a bedside clock.

These deals expire today, so make sure you don’t miss out on these savings.

For more Canadian deals coverage, be sure to keep an eye on Thrifter CA, sign up for the Canadian newsletter and follow the team on Twitter.

See at Amazon Canada

The Moto G6 is the best budget phone you can buy right now

We’re a virtual company made up of tech experts from across the globe. We live and breathe Android phones, and use nearly every one to find the best budget picks for you.

The Motorola Moto G6 currently offers the best combination of performance, features and value. It overshadows the competition with its wide availability, fast performance, and support for nearly every network in the world, beating out a number of rivals from Nokia and Honor.

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Our Pick

Moto G6

• $235 from Amazon
• $249 from Motorola

The best budget Android phone for most people.

A winner in every respect, from the modern design to the dual camera setup and excellent performance, the Moto G6 represents the pinnacle of Motorola’s dominance in the budget phone space.

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Who should buy this phone

Not everyone needs a big, expensive Android phone — especially if they’re looking to buy it outright. At $249 (or less from Amazon’s Prime Exclusive program), the Moto G6 provides 90% of what flagship devices offer at a third of the price. This phone is for anyone coming from an older budget phone, or just looking to simplify and downsize, without losing the core Android experience.

Is it a good time to buy this phone?

Yes. As of August 2018, the Moto G6 is practically brand new and will continue to be supported and updated by Motorola for two years or more. And because it’s a budget phone already, the price is unlikely to drop dramatically over the course of its life, so anyone looking for an inexpensive Android phone, now is a great time to pick up the Moto G6.

Reasons to buy

• Great build quality and design for the price
• Excellent main rear camera
• Good battery life
• Compatible with all major U.S. and international carriers
• Moto Display adds tremendous value
• USB-C fast charging
• Available as Amazon Prime exclusive

Reasons not to buy

• Moto G line isn’t known for swift software updates
• Lacks NFC

Most people don’t need to spend a lot on a phone anymore

Flagship phones like the Pixel 2 and Galaxy S9 series can be up into the $700 or $800 range, and many of the features that come with them, like wireless charging or waterproofing, aren’t fundamental to a device’s enjoyment. They’re bonus features.

Increasingly, you’re paying so much more for those bonus features that the Law of Diminishing Returns comes into play. At its core, the Moto G6 offers 90% of phones double and triple its cost. A few years ago, that delta would have been a lot more, but the prices of budget components have dropped so much, and retained so much of their more expensive counterparts’ characteristics, that it’s often not worth recommending those expensive flagships anymore.

The Moto G6 and its other budget counterparts on this list have awesome, high-resolution touchscreens, reliable software, and great cameras. Some features, like NFC, drive up manufacturing costs, so you have to weigh whether you need NFC-enabled features like mobile payments. And the Moto G6 also lacks the same graphical power as its more expensive competitors, but most games play without issue, even at medium or high settings, because Android games are designed to play on hardware of all sizes and prices.

The Moto G6 has all the major features you need from a modern smartphone, and the ones it lacks you can easily live without.

Motorola has had five years of practice making the Moto G line into a budget powerhouse; when it designed the first Moto G back in 2013, it eschewed expensive materials like metal and glass and focused instead on the core experience. Starting in 2016, Motorola began finding ways to add important features like fingerprint sensors, and last year, in 2017, the company transitioned the Moto G line to metal. With the sixth-gen lineup, that includes the cheaper Moto G6 Play and more expensive Moto G6 Plus, it’s back to a combination of plastic and glass, it’s a nice visual improvement over previous models.

At the same time, Motorola understands its audience, which is why it added a dual camera setup to the Moto G6. The second camera adds depth effects like portrait mode without sacrificing the excellent pedigree of the main 12MP sensor.

Finally, if you’re in the U.S., the Moto G6 is one of the few sub-$300 phones to work on all four U.S. carriers, and it’s even sold at directly at a couple of carriers, another advantage of Motorola’s long-standing relationship with companies like Verizon.

Alternatives to the Moto G6

Motorola isn’t the only player in town when it comes to cheap phones. In recent years, Honor, a subsidiary of Huawei, and HMD Global, which has reinvigorated the Nokia brand, have kept Motorola on its toes in the budget space. Then there’s Alcatel, which continues to bring down the cost of phone ownership with its new Android Go-powered devices.

Runner-up

Nokia 6.1

A feature-rich phone that’s priced right.

$267 at Amazon

The 2018 Nokia 6.1 is durable, powerful and will receive timely updates direct from Google – priced at $250.

For a phone that offers a nice mix between performance and value, you should consider the Nokia 6.1. The phone only works on T-Mobile and AT&T in the U.S., and doesn’t have the same caliber of camera as the Moto G6. And given that it’s running Android One, it lacks some of the value-added software features like Moto Display that we love on the Moto G6.

The top carrier option

Moto E5 Plus

Budget option with crazy battery life.

A larger, more battery-focused version of the Moto G6 is the Moto E5 Plus, which has a massive 5,000mAh battery inside. Featuring a 6-inch HD screen and a 12MP camera, the Moto E5 Plus is a fantastic option if you’re going the carrier route.

$225 from T-Mobile

If you’re locked into the carrier ecosystem, or want to get your phone with a low-cost financing option, getting the Moto E5 Plus from T-Mobile is likely your best bet. At just $9/month for 24 months, the $225 phone is huge and powerful, and retains the same excellent software and camera experience of the Moto G6. Its rear fingerprint sensor is built into the phone’s logo, too, for some extra style.

Battery for days

Honor 7X

A dual camera with real depth.

Honor’s 7X is a great budget option, with a beautiful, tall 6-inch screen, a powerful processor, and a giant battery — all for $199.

$199 at Amazon

The Honor 7X is a tremendous phone, especially for its $199 price, and there’s very little it does badly. Honor is one of those companies that, because of Huawei’s problems in the U.S., hasn’t really received its fair share of coverage, and that’s a shame. In other markets, the more expensive Honor 10, takes everything we love about the Honor 7X and improves upon it, while U.S. customers can also enjoy the confusingly-named Honor View10, which shares a lot of the Honor 10’s best traits.

Value pick

Alcatel 1X

An awesome Android experience under a hundred.

Priced under $100, the Alcatel 1X runs Android Oreo Go Edition, Google’s suite of apps and software optimizations to make Android run great on less-expensive hardware.

$99 at Amazon

With the Alcatel 1X, you lack a lot of the amenities of even the $250 Moto G6 — it’s all plastic, for starters, and only has 1GB of RAM — but if all you need is a basic smartphone to make calls, browse Instagram, and take a few photos, the 1X is a fantastic option.

Bottom line

There’s no shortage of awesome Android phones these days, whether you want to spend more than $700, less than $300, or even $100. The above phones represent the best of a set limitation — that of not wanting to overspend on a product that, inevitably, will need to be replaced in a couple of years.

But that’s the beauty of a device that costs a third of what you’d spend on a Galaxy S9 or Pixel 2. It offers 90% of what those phones cost and can be replaced more easily. While you may miss out on some of the more advanced features like waterproofing and wireless charging, and you may not receive as many updates, or for as long, these phones represent a new breed of budget devices you can feel confident in buying.

And the Moto G6 is the best of the bunch.

Credits — The team that worked on this guide

Daniel Bader is the Managing Editor of Android Central. As he’s writing this, a mountain of old Android phones is about to fall on his head, but his Great Dane will protect him. He drinks way too much coffee and sleeps too little. He wonders if there’s a correlation.

Andrew Martonik is the Executive Editor, U.S. at Android Central. He has been a mobile enthusiast since the Windows Mobile days, and covering all things Android-related with a unique perspective at AC since 2012. For suggestions and updates, you can reach him at andrew.martonik@androidcentral.com or on Twitter at @andrewmartonik.

Jerry Hildenbrand is Mobile Nation’s Senior Editor and works from a Chromebook full time. Currently he is using Google’s Pixelbook but is always looking at new products and may have any Chromebook in his hands at any time. You’ll find him across the Mobile Nations network and you can hit him up on Twitter if you want to say hey.

Netflix CFO David Wells is leaving the company

Educate yourself on the world’s biggest video streaming service 📺

When it comes to video streaming companies, few are as iconic as Netflix. What started out as a DVD rental service quickly turned into the world’s largest platform for binging old movies, classic TV shows, and a heap of original programming.

No matter if you’re looking to cut your cable cord or simply want some extra content to supplement it, Netflix can be a great addition to any household’s entertainment needs.

To ensure it has exactly what you’re looking for in a video service, here’s everything you need to know!

The latest Netflix news

August 13, 2018 — Netflix CFO David Wells is stepping down

On Monday, August 13, Netflix issued a press release announcing that its CFO David Wells is planning to depart the company.

Wells will leave Netflix after helping the company pick someone to replace him, and during the search for the perfect candidate, Netflix will be looking both internally and externally for the right match.

Commenting on his departure, Wells said:

It’s been 14 wonderful years at Netflix, and I’m very proud of everything we’ve accomplished. After discussing my desire to make a change with Reed, we agreed that with Netflix’s strong financial position and exciting growth plans, this is the right time for us to help identify the next financial leader for the company. Personally, I intend my next chapter to focus more on philanthropy and I like big challenges but I’m not sure yet what that looks like.

David Wells first joined Netflix back in 2004 and has been serving as CFO since 2010.

August 10, 2018 — Galaxy Note 9, LG G7, Honor 10, and more officially support HDR Netflix playback

Netflix regularly updates its list of devices that support HDR playback to ensure everyone has the best streaming experience possible, and today, the company brought HDR video to the following gadgets:

• Samsung Galaxy Note 9
• Samsung Galaxy Tab S4
• LG G7
• LG V35
• Honor 10

All of the above phones are also supported for HD playback, in addition to the Huawei MediaPad M5 10 Lite, MediaPad T5 10, and Nova 3.

All the important details

Plans start at just $7.99/month

Netflix has three main plans to choose from, including Basic, Standard, and Premium.

Basic is the cheapest plan with a subscription fee of just $7.99/month, but since it’s limited to Standard Definition and only allows you to have one stream going at a time, you’ll likely want to upgrade to the Standard tier for $10.99/month. With Standard, you’ll get access to HD streams and can watch Netflix on up to 2 screens at once.

If you’ve got a 4K television and/or have a big family that wants to use one account, Netflix’s Premium plan will likely be the best fit. For $13.99/month, you’ll get access to Ultra HD video content and can watch any shows you’d like on 4 different screens at once.

New members can sign up for a 1-month free trial of whatever plan you’d like, and you can cancel at any time as there’s no commitment required.

T-Mobile customers get the Standard plan for free!

Netflix’s current pricing is more than reasonable, but if you happen to be a T-Mobile customer, you’ll get it for free!

T-Mobile subscribers get Netflix’s Standard plan bundled with their cell service at no extra charge, and if you want to upgrade to the Premium tier, you’ll pay just $3/month extra.

It’s available on pretty much everything

In addition to its excellent library of content, one of Netflix’s strong suits is its wide availability across pretty much any gadget you can think of.

For watching Netflix on the big screen, you can download its official app on Android TV, Amazon Fire TV, Roku, Apple TV, cast it from your phone using Chromecast, and access built-in apps across a variety of smart TVs and Blu-Ray players.

You’ll also find the Netflix app on Android, iOS, Windows Phone, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and from your desktop/laptop at netflix.com.

Netflix’s official list of all supported devices

The Android app recently got a big overhaul

Netflix’s Android app is one of the best ways to access the service, and it recently got a big update that makes everything look much more polished.

The old navigation menu on the left-hand side has been replaced for a simple navigation row at the bottom for Home, Search, Downloads, and More. Home is where you’ll be taken upon opening the app and tapping the TV Shows, Movies, and Originals tabs near the top will allow you to quickly filter the content that’s presented to you.

The Search and Downloads sections are pretty self-explanatory, and More is where you’ll be able to switch profiles, customize notifications, and adjust all of your other account/app settings.

Everything works about the same as it did before, but the new layout is still greatly appreciated and considerably easier to understand.

New content’s being added (and removed) all the time

Every month, Netflix changes its content library by adding and removing titles from its lineup. The company’s taken a big bet on original movies and TV shows over the last few years, but you can still find a wide array of third-party content, too.

The Netflix app does a pretty good job at highlighting new/trending content as it’s released, and Joseph Keller at iMore does a regular roundup of the best shows you should be watching at any given time.

Best TV shows and movies on Netflix right now

Some Android phones support HDR playback

The displays on our smartphones are crispier and more colorful than ever before, some of which go as far to support High Dynamic Range (more commonly known as HDR). HDR offers more vivid colors and higher contrast, and Netflix supports this type of content on the following phones:

• Huawei Mate 10 Pro
• Huawei P20 / P20 Pro
• LG V30
• Razer Phone
• Samsung Galaxy Note 8
• Samsung Galaxy Tab S3
• Samsung Galaxy S9
• Sony Xperia XZ Premium
• Sony Xperia XZ1
• Sony Xperia XZ2

You can still rent physical DVDs

Although renting physical DVDs to customers may not be its primary focus anymore, this is something that Netflix does still offer.

The DVD business has since been moved to DVD.com, but it’s just a full-featured as ever before. Plans start at $4.99/month to rent one disc at a time with a cap of two discs per month, or you can step all the way up to $11.99/month to have two discs out at once and rent as many movies as you want each month (prices are increased to $5.99/month and $14.99/month respectively for HD Blu-Ray).

Netflix finally brought its DVD app to Android in October of 2017, and while the service may not be nearly as popular as the on-demand streaming platform, it’s still alive and kicking for anyone that wants to see that iconic red envelope in their mailbox.

What are you waiting for?

If you somehow still haven’t checked out Netflix, you owe it to yourself to at least sign up for a free trial. My fiance and I use Netflix just about every day, and whether you’re using it to re-watch The Office for the eighth time or catch up on the latest Marvel movies, it’s well worth every penny.

See at Netflix

Apple Has Certified Key Suppliers of 2018 iPhones as Volume Production Set to Begin

Apple has successfully completed certification of key component suppliers for its widely rumored trio of 2018 iPhones, expected to be announced in September, according to Taiwanese publication Economic Daily News.

2018 iPhone imitation models via Marques Brownlee/MKBHD
The report claims that these suppliers have begun shipping large quantities of camera lenses, metal chassis, and other components to larger manufacturers, including Foxconn, which is expected to assemble the majority of 2018 iPhones, according to Taiwanese research firm Fubon Securities.

In particular, Fubon Securities said Foxconn will assemble every second-generation iPhone X, 90 percent of units for the so-called iPhone X Plus, and 75 percent of units for an all-new, lower-priced 6.1-inch iPhone. Taiwanese manufacturer Pegatron is said to fulfill all of the remaining orders.

While the supply chain is clearly gearing up for 2018 iPhones, it’s unclear when volume production of fully-assembled devices will begin. Foxconn recently began its seasonal hiring spree in preparation.

Foxconn typically ramps up manufacturing of new iPhones over the summer, for release in September, but last year was somewhat of an anomaly. While the iPhone 8 and 8 Plus launched in September, the iPhone X was delayed until November 3, reportedly due to TrueDepth sensor-related manufacturing challenges.

Back in June, oft-reliable Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said all three 2018 iPhones will be both announced and available to order this September, but Morgan Stanley analyst Katy Huberty recently cautioned that the 6.1-inch iPhone with an LCD may not launch until October due to possible issues with backlight leakage.

Of course, the 6.1-inch iPhone could end up being available to order in September with a 4-6 week shipping estimate.

As far as pricing is concerned, Kuo expects the second-generation iPhone X to start at $799 to $899, the so-called iPhone X Plus to start at $899 to $999, and the 6.1-inch iPhone with an LCD to start at $599 to $699.

If those price points prove to be accurate, we suspect the second-generation iPhone X would start at $899, with the iPhone X Plus taking over the $999 price point, and the 6.1-inch model serving as somewhat of a budget iPhone X with a $699 price tag — all, of course, based on base storage capacities.

Apple’s usual September event will likely take place in almost exactly a month, so there isn’t much longer until we know for certain.

Related Roundup: 2018 iPhonesTag: Foxconn
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Spotify Continues Strong Push Into Podcasts With Addition of BBC’s Podcast Library

Spotify today announced that listeners across the globe can now tune into the BBC’s podcast catalog directly within the Spotify app, including “hundreds of programs across thousands of episodes.” In the announcement, the company focuses on podcast listeners in the United Kingdom, but it appears that BBC podcasts on Spotify are also appearing for users in the United States and elsewhere outside of the U.K.

The BBC podcasts on Spotify include shows from iPlayer Radio and BBC Sounds, covering numerous genres, which listeners can find in the Browse tab on Spotify. Podcast categories include Comedy, News and Politics, Educational, Sport and Recreation, Lifestyle and Health, Business and Technology, and Kids and Family.

The company also recommended a few podcasts for users, including “Short Cuts,” which centers on themes like “fear” and “magical realism” through the presentation of poetry, short stories, documentaries, and more. There’s also “Desert Island Discs,” in which host Kirsty Young asks guests to list the items they would take if they were stranded on an island.

Prior to BBC, Spotify in May added NPR’s catalog of podcasts to its app. The streaming company has been making a stronger push into podcasts since July 2017, when a report from Bloomberg claimed that Spotify was “coming after” Apple Podcasts. The company started by commissioning original podcasts about music in early 2017, and has now shifted to partnering with existing podcast creators to bolster its catalog of shows.

With the addition of these content creators, Spotify’s head of podcast partnerships for Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, James Cator, says that users “can now be assured of finding the perfect podcast for every moment and mood on Spotify.”

“The BBC is one of the largest content creators in the UK, and have worked with the biggest and best audio talent in the world,” explains James Cator, Spotify’s Head of Podcast Partnerships, EMEA. “To have a comprehensive audio catalogue in the UK, the BBC are essential, so adding the BBC to our rapidly-expanding catalogue of podcasts was a natural partnership.” To that end, Spotify has added podcasts from iPlayer Radio and BBC Sounds to the platform, making hundreds of BBC podcasts available to Spotify users in the UK from today.

Apple rebranded iTunes Podcasts to “Apple Podcasts” in April 2017, and then at WWDC 2017 announced an overhauled podcasts app for iOS 11 that introduced changes for both listeners and podcasters. In iOS 12 this year, Apple Podcasts isn’t expected to see much of a change, with beta discoveries so far limited to the introduction of custom durations for the Forward and Back options in the app.

At the time of Bloomberg’s article revealing Spotify’s new podcast initiative, weekly podcast newsletter author Nick Quah wrote that Apple had the majority share of the podcast market at about 55 percent. Quah then pointed out that Spotify’s large user base of free and paid users (now 180 million globally) presents it with “an opportunity to steal share from Apple.”

Tags: Spotify, Podcasts
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