How are you liking the Galaxy Note 9 so far?

Looks like we’re off to a good start.

Today is Friday, August 24, 2018. In other words, it’s Galaxy Note 9 launch day! The Note 9 is now officially up for purchase, and if you pre-ordered the phone, chances are you’ll be getting it today if it hasn’t already been delivered.

A number of our AC forum members are reporting that their Note 9s have arrived safe and sound, and as such, we thought it’d be fun to check in with them and see whether or not they’re liking the phone so far.

Here’s what they had to say!

Carrie Greicar
08-22-2018 06:35 PM

“

So far, love the camera. Set up was super easy. I’m finding the facial recognition to be lacking in comparison to the note 8. It’s fast. Battery seems to be decent but Its hard to tell since doing all the set up.

Reply

smooth4lyfe
08-22-2018 06:45 PM

“

– This id definitely much faster than my Note 8
– Dolby Atmos makes the speaker sound much louder and clear
– Tried out bluetooth S-Pen and love it!
– Also love the Selfie mode with the depth of field and the camera is great

Reply

jsk0703
08-22-2018 07:58 PM

“

First impression is that this is all stock settings and is faster than my Note 8. Even without tuning transitions or other tweaks. Wifi is noticeably faster too. No issues pairing with my S3 frontier.

And my Spen is not neon yellow. It’s more of a mustard color. I don’t think it looks as bad as some have reported.

Reply

amyf27
08-22-2018 08:27 PM

“

After the horrific debacle with Spritn and my Samsung factory unlocked Note 9, I walked into TMobile and got it onto a Prepaid accoutn without an issue and it’s been smooth sailing since! Loving the phone. 🙂 Great camera, smooth operation. I even got a used Gear S3 smart watch today and it paired right up, along with my bluetooth keyboard I’m typing on it right now.

Hellish day, but…

Reply

How about you? If you’ve got the Note 9, what are your first impressions of it?

Join the conversation in the forums!

Samsung Galaxy Note 9

• Samsung Galaxy Note 9 review
• Galaxy Note 9 vs. Note 8
• Where to buy the Galaxy Note 9
• Galaxy Note 9 specifications
• Is the Note 8 still a good buy?
• Join our Galaxy Note 9 forums

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Grab a few of SanDisk’s 32GB USB 3.0 flash drives for just $8 each

Load up on these now!

Amazon currently has the 32GB SanDisk Ultra USB 3.0 flash drive on sale for $7.99, which is a match of the lowest it’s ever sold for. These days we tend to store most of our files in the cloud, and while that’s convenient in most situations, sometimes having local copies of the data is invaluable. This USB 3.0 flash drive has read/write speeds of up to 100MB/s, so you’ll be able to quickly load and offload data from it.

The SanDisk SecureAccess software allows you to protect your private files, and the keyring slot makes it easy to attach to your keys or a lanyard so you don’t misplace it. If you want some more storage, you can opt for the 64GB model for $13.99 instead. Odds are these prices won’t stick around for long, so don’t miss out.

See at Amazon

Iceworks makes for a great USB-C power bank if you can actually buy it

This svelte little power bank is ready to tackle a long day at IFA or a weekend in the wilds of Wales.

Portable batteries are a dime a dozen — quite literally on some shopping sites — but cheap portable batteries are almost always bulky, boxy, and double as a hand-warmer while you’re using one to give your phone half a charge. Well, Iceworks has a portable battery that’s slim enough to fit in your hand or pocket right alongside your phone, and it won’t feel like an inferno while it’s giving its power to your phone. The built-in USB-C cable also means that you don’t need to hassle with long cables tangling in your pocket or snagging while you walk around a convention or theme park while charging.

The hardest thing to overcome for the Iceworks 7000 is actually getting your hands on one.

Iceworks 7000 USB-C Power Bank

Price: £19.95

See at Amazon UK

Bottom line: This travel-friendly charger lets you leave bulky cables behind. The built-in USB-C cable is the perfect short length to charge your phone while holding it or keeping it in your pocket.

The Good

• This portable battery truly is slim and pocketable
• Indicator LEDs are visible but not too bright
• Doesn’t heat up much when charging

The Bad

• Currently only available in Europe via Amazon UK
• Built-in cable is short and non-replaceable

Charge me up before you go-go

Iceworks 7000 USB-C Power Bank What I like

Iceworks has a trio of power packs on the market, but the 7000 is the biggest in capacity and the only one to feature USB-C for both charging itself and charging other devices. The watchword of this charger is thin, and when I handed it to co-workers at the TV station, they thought I’d handed them an iPhone at first because of how thin and light it feels in their hand.

This power pack features a built-in USB-C charging cable that fits expertly into one corder of the charge to store flat and out of the way. The integrated cable means that it’s easy to charge your phone while holding both the phone and power bank in your hand or in your pocket without dealing with bulky USB-C to USB-A cables or tons of excess cable.

The electronics inside this svelte power source is a 7000mAh battery that both charges and recharges at 5V/3A for 15W quick charging. It’s not quite USB-PD speeds like you’d see with the Pixelbook’s charger, but for a battery that’s designed to charge while the phone is still in use and not overheat in your hand or pocket, I’m okay with that. The Iceworks recharges exactly as fast as it charges other devices, so I tend to throw it on a charger before bed so it’s ready to go in the morning.

Iceworks 7000 USB-C Power Bank What could still improve

The Iceworks 7000 has a built-in USB-C cable, which is both a blessing and a curse. Blessing: the only exposed port on the Power Bank when it’s not in use is the USB-C input port for recharging the battery. Curse: if that built-in cable breaks, the power bank is now a thin, black paperweight. I’m not terribly worried about the built-in cable’s durability, but since that cable is nestled along one of the shorter ends of the power bank, it’s a cable with no slack at all and very easy to yank when picking your phone up off the table or out of your pocket while charging.

Iceworks Global is selling its three power banks on Amazon Launchpad, but that also means that they’re only available to be shipped to some European countries. Iceworks shipped one to me in Texas to review, but if I wanted to buy a second, I wouldn’t be able to.

Iceworks 7000 USB-C Power Bank

The Iceworks 7000 is a handy little battery that will fit in your pocket, purse, or in your hand alongside your phone as it charges. It has more than enough juice to keep your phone going all day and all night, provided you live in a country that can buy it.

4
out of 5

Hopefully it will become internationally available in the future — and hopefully, it can pick up some color variants along the way — but until then, if you live in Europe, this is a great little battery for long days away from an outlet or an overnight camping trip.

See at Amazon UK

T-Mobile August 2018 security breach: Everything you need to know

Are you a T-Mobile customer? Here’s what you should do to keep your info safe.

T-Mobile, one of the United States’ most popular and controversial wireless carriers, announced on August 24, 2018, that a variety of personal information was exposed for its entire subscriber base.

Any security breach should be handled with the utmost care and caution, and to help you understand what exactly is going on, here’s a quick breakdown of everything you need to know.

What happened?

Per a statement that T-Mobile issued on its website:

On August 20, our cyber-security team discovered and shut down an unauthorized access to certain information, including yours, and we promptly reported it to authorities.

T-Mobile doesn’t explain who was behind the attack, but it’s clear that someone (or a group of people) was trying to obtain data that didn’t belong to them.

What information was exposed?

As a result of this, the following information was exposed:

• Name
• Billing address
• ZIP code
• Phone number
• Email address
• Account number
• Account type (prepaid or postpaid)

It’s unclear if all of this info was exposed for every single customer, with T-Mobile simply stating that it, “may have included one or more of the following.”

Thankfully, social security numbers, passwords, and credit card info were all untouched.

What you should do

Should you have any additional questions about the attack, T-Mobile recommends contacting its customer care team. T-Mobile customers can do this by calling 611 or chatting with a rep through the My T-Mobile app.

Also, while no passwords were stolen, an event like this is always a good excuse to reset your password anyways — just to be safe.

If you aren’t already using a password manager, we highly recommend changing that. Not only does this make it easier to remember all of your passwords, but it also greatly increases the security of your online accounts. Similarly, two-factor authentication is also a great resource to look into.

Best T-Mobile Phones in 2018

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How does GPS work on my phone?

Before Space Force, there was NAVSTAR.

One of the coolest features of a modern smartphone is the way it can determine where you are while you’re there. This has some downsides — horrible location-based ads or tracking your movements come to mind — but being able to see where you are, where you need to be, and exactly how to get there is awesome. Your smartphone is also your TomTom.

All this magic happens the same way on every phone from every company making them, regardless of the operating system. Several components work together to pinpoint you (often with an accuracy of 5 meters!) and the software can intelligently pick the best way to make it happen. If you need very precise location information for something like navigation, GPS is usually called up to do the job. The way it works is also pretty cool.

What is GPS?

Photo courtesy of the National Coordination Office for Space-Based Positioning, Navigation, and Timing.

GPS stands for Global Positioning System. It’s a technology owned (yes, owned) by the U.S. government and overseen by the country’s Air Force. It’s free for everyone to use and primarily a North American utility even though GPS is commonly a regional name for the same sort of system in other locales.

GPS is a radio navigation system. It uses radio waves between satellites and a receiver inside your phone to provide location and time information to any software that needs to use it. You don’t have to send any actual data back into space for GPS to work; you only need to be able to receive data from four or more of the 28 satellites in orbit that are dedicated for geolocation use.

GPS is precise, but it’s slow and uses a lot of power on both ends.

Each satellite has its own internal atomic clock and sends a time-coded signal on a specific frequency. Your receiver chip determines which satellites are visible and unobstructed (that’s important and you’ll read why in a bit) then starts gathering data from the satellites with the strongest signals. GPS data is slow and this is by design — satellites run on rechargeable batteries and sending a fast signal hundreds of thousands of miles would require more power — so it’ll take up to a minute to get your geolocation.

Your phone’s GPS receiver uses the data from these signals to triangulate where you are and what time it is. Notice the word triangulation and the mention above that four satellites are required for GPS to work. The fourth signal is used to determine altitude so you can get your geolocation data on a map with only three signals.

GPS receivers use a lot of power and require an unobstructed view of multiple satellites to work. Obstructions can include tall buildings and that means the places where most of us live can (and does) have trouble getting the data it needs all of the time. That’s where AGPS comes into the picture.

What is AGPS?

For starters, you probably use AGPS — Assisted Global Positioning System — when you want your location from your phone. As mentioned GPS radios use a lot of power and unless they stay in constant use, it can take up to a minute each and every time you get new data. Since you usually want your location while on the move, that can be a burden.

AGPS adds cellular location data to assist geolocation. Your phone carrier knows where you are since your phone “pings” cell towers. When you can see three or more towers the phone company can triangulate where you are. How precise this is will depend on the strength of the signal between your phone and the tower, but usually, it’s good enough to be used for location data.

Software on your phone feeds this raw cellular location data to the GPS receiver which will periodically switch between GPS data and cellular location to get a very close approximation (within 50 meters or so) in real time. Whenever a true geolocation position is received from GPS satellites your location is adjusted; we’ve all seen the pin on a map indicating where we are snap into place once in a while and that’s what’s happening when it does.

AGPS does send data out of your phone, but its data that was already being sent when it checks for cell towers in range. you’re not charged for this but you will need an active data plan to use AGPS.

Which is better?

That’s an easy question: AGPS is the better solution most of the time. We want our phone to know where we are in real time, to not use a lot of battery power to do it, and to be able to refresh whenever the software needs it without waiting for a good GPS lock. AGPS location isn’t as precise as a true GPS location will be, but it’s good enough for almost every use case and the micro-adjustments that can be made with true GPS data when it refreshes makes up for most discrepancies.

As mentioned, AGPS needs a cellular connection. That means there are cases where GPS is preferred. Any time you have no data connection you’ll be unable to use cellular-assisted GPS. The same goes when you don’t have enough (three is the magic number) cell towers in range of your phone. Most apps that require location also require a data connection, but some, like Geocaching apps, live on your phone’s storage and will work while you’re off the beaten path looking for hidden treasure.

To get the best of both worlds, make sure you’ve enabled all location options in your phone’s settings and let it make the decisions for you!

Samsung announces its first Android Go phone — the Galaxy J2 Core

The J2 Core is available for purchase in India and Malaysia starting today.

Following some pretty in-depth leaks this past July, Samsung’s officially taken the wraps off its first-ever Android Go phone. It’s called the Galaxy J2 Core, and as expected, offers a barebones Android experience with a Samsung twist.

Similar to other Android Go phones, you won’t find any groundbreaking specs under the hood. An Exynos 7570 and 1GB of RAM are present to keep things moving along, and in regards to battery life, a 2,600 mAh unit should offer, “long-lasting smartphone power from morning to night.”

The display measures in at 5-inches and has a resolution of 540 x 960. There’s 8GB of internal storage, an 8MP rear-facing camera, and a 5MP front-facing one. Android Oreo (Go Edition) is present out of the box, and at this time, there’s no word if it’ll ever be updated to Android Pie (Go Edition).

You’ll find all of the regular Go apps on the J2 Core, but since it’s still a Samsung phone, elements of the company’s custom software are here as well.

The Samsung Galaxy J2 Core is available for purchase starting today in India and Malaysia. There’s currently no word on pricing, but it’ll likely sell for $100 or less.

These are all the Android Go apps you can download right now

PSA: There’s an insane amount of plastic on your Galaxy Note 9

Don’t be that person using their phone with the factory plastic sheeting on it.

Most phones come out of the box with a protective coating of some sort, typically a plastic sheet that wraps around most of the phone to protect it from the moment it came off of the assembly line until you set your hands on it. Typically, you can peel it off in one smooth motion. But in the case of the Galaxy Note 9, Samsung went all out with dozens of tiny individual pieces of plastic stuck on the phone rather than one big piece that comes off easily.

I’m sure there’s some reason for doing it this way, protecting the metal and glass as this $1,000 phone makes its way to you, but it sure is annoying to peel it all off. If you’re not paying attention, it’s very easy to miss one or more of these sticky little pieces. Here’s what you need to look for when you unbox your Note 9 to make sure you get it all.

One big sheet of plastic surely would’ve done the job, but we get a dozen tiny pieces instead.

The big ones are easy to see and remove — Samsung gives you a tab in the top-left corner of the screen to peel that sheet off, and another tab jutting out of the side to peel off the back plastic. But under that plastic is another sticker with the IMEI information — you’ll want to remove that. Then, there are the sides … with about 10 different pieces of clear, sticky plastic to remove. Each edge has its own piece and in some cases multiple segmented pieces, covering the flat portions of the metal. Go around the phone once, then go back around and find the piece or two you inevitably left behind. I sure did.

And then there’s the dang “Qualcomm 4G” sticker on the top of the phone. I can’t quantify the number of times I’ve seen people using 6-month-old or year-old phones that still have this on the top — you don’t want to be part of that group. For whatever reason Samsung keeps agreeing to put this sticker on the top edge of its phones, and it’s actually underneath the other protective stickers. It also always seems to have considerably more staying power than the rest as well — which really just annoys users. I beg of you, Qualcomm, please stop doing this.

Not only does it just look goofy to keep using your phone with the out-of-box plastic on it, but it saves you extra hassle down the road. By removing the plastic from the start, you reduce the amount of dirt and grime that will inevitably build up around the edges of the stickers and be tough to remove later. I know it’s tough to stop your unboxing process to pick away at little pieces of plastic, but it’s something you can easily do in a few minutes while your phone is setting itself up and downloading apps after sign-in. Then, you’ll be able to enjoy the Note 9 in all its beauty.

Best Galaxy Note 9 cases

Once you get the out-of-the-box plastic all removed, consider getting some real protection on the Note 9 with a case. It won’t be as thin as that plastic, but it sure looks a whole lot better and will actually save the glass and metal from scuffs and scratches over time.

Samsung Galaxy Note 9

• Samsung Galaxy Note 9 review
• Galaxy Note 9 vs. Note 8
• Where to buy the Galaxy Note 9
• Galaxy Note 9 specifications
• Is the Note 8 still a good buy?
• Join our Galaxy Note 9 forums

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Game of the Week: Grand Mountain Adventure is an amazing new skiing sim!

Grand Mountain Adventure feels incredibly polished for a game that’s still in beta.

Update August 24, 2018: You definitely need to check out the public preview for Grand Mountain Adventure, then test your skills with Bendy in Nightmare Run!

Grand Mountain Adventure (Early Access Beta)

It might still be summer, but Grand Mountain Adventure has me dreaming of slapping on a pair of skis and plunging down a steep mountain.

This fantastic skiing simulator is still in beta, but just recently opened up for a public preview on the Google Play Store. I’d compare this game to a modern remake of the 90’s PC classic SkiFree except rendered in brilliant 3D and set in an open world that lets you explore the mountain at your own pace. It’s really quite excellent in its current state and I’m excited about how this game might be expanded in the future.

Even though the game is in early access, there’s a surprising amount of trails and challenges to explore on the Waldtal mountain as you collect all the ski passes, outrun avalanches, and interact with wildlife and other skiers on the mountain. You can download and check out this game right now!

Download: Grand Mountain Adventure – Public Preview (Free)

Bendy in Nightmare Run

It’s would be all too convenient and easy to just call Bendy in Nightmare Run a Cuphead knock-off — but that would also be quite disingenuous because it’s actually a spin-off of 2017’s Bendy and The Ink Machine, a first-person puzzle action horror game. Nightmare Run is a tough-as-nails game that will test your abilities.

The game is broken up into four chapters, with each chapter dedicated to an extended boss battle where you control Bendy or one of his pals as they run towards the camera collecting cans of Bacon Soup and picking up cartoonish weapons to toss back at enemies. You’re given standard swipe and tap controls for switching running lanes, jumping, and throwing weapons as the game throws everything it’s got at you to try and slip you up.

The comparison to Cuphead reemerge when you consider the difficulty level — this game feels impossibly hard at times, but it just takes some practise to learn enemy attack patterns before you’re able to breeze through earlier sections like it’s a walk in the park. The developers also deserve praise for how they implemented in-app purchases to offer real-life souvenirs that include posters, lapel pins, plushies and more instead of only offering virtual currencies or in-game items.

Download: Bendy in Nightmare Run (Free w/IAPs, Ads)

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Here’s every Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL case worth your money!

Looking for a case for your brand new Google Pixel 2 or Pixel 2 XL? We’ve got you covered!

There are so many reasons to get a case for your Google Pixel 2 or Pixel 2 XL. Whether you want the highest level of protection available to prevent damage to your new phone or the most transparent, thinnest case available to show off your new phone with pride, there are plenty of options out there.

So if you want a case for your Google Pixel 2 or Pixel 2 XL, we’ve compiled a massive list of all the cases we could find that are worth your while!

Note: Due to the large size of the list, we made the pictures smaller than usual; however, you can enlarge any image to full size by clicking or tapping on the image.

Thin Cases

Spigen Thin Fit

A thin polycarbonate back plate with a little cushion in the corners to help prevent damage if you drop your Pixel.

You can pick one up for about $12.

• See Thin Fit for Pixel 2 at Amazon
• See Thin Fit for Pixel 2 XL at Amazon

Maxboost mSnap series

A hard polycarbonate case that protects the back and sides of the Google Pixel 2 from scratches and scuffs.

Get the Maxboost mSnap series in black, pink, or mint for $20.

• See Maxboost mSnap for Pixel 2 at Amazon
• See Maxboost mSnap for Pixel 2 XL at Amazon

Vinve flexible case

Made from TPU, the Vinve flexible case will help prevent damage from drops. The textured back also provides extra grip.

You can pick one up in black or blue for about $8.

• See Vinve flexible case for Pixel 2 at at Amazon
• See Vinve flexible case for Pixel 2 XL at at Amazon

Peel case

The thinnest case you’ll find, it will almost look like you have no case on your phone at all.

You can pick it up in black, white, and kinda blue for $25.

• See Peel case for Pixel 2 at Peel
• See Peel case for Pixel 2 XL at Peel

MNML case

Only 0.35mm thick and made with a matte finish that won’t show fingerprints.

You can find the MNML case in gray, black, white, red, and blue for about $15.

• See the MNML case for Pixel 2 at Amazon
• See the MNML case for Pixel 2 XL at Amazon

Google Live Case

Pick from a wide selection of designs, places, and even stunning scenes from Google Earth.

You can even send Google your pictures to make a personal case for you; perfect for a gift. Starts at $40.

• See Google Live Cases for Pixel 2 at Google
• See Google Live Cases for Pixel 2 XL at Google

LK Slim Thin

For those who want a cheap clear case to keep your phone protected without obscuring the Pixel 2’s cool design.

You can pick up the LK Slim Thin case for just $8.

• See LK Slim Thin for Pixel 2 at Amazon
• See LK Slim Thin for Pixel 2 XL at Amazon

Incipio NGP Pure

A slim soft polymer case that provides a barrier between your Pixel 2 and the rest of the world.

You can pick one up in smoke, navy, plum, or clear for about $20.

• See Incipio NGP Pure for Pixel 2 at Incipio
• See Incipio NGP Pure for Pixel 2 XL at Incipio

totalle case

Plain and simple, the totalle case for your Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL will add a splash of color and a little grip to your phone, but absolutely no bulk. At only 0.02 inches thick, the totalle case won’t even feel like its there at all.

In fact, we liked the totallee case so much for its practically non-exsistant nature, thta we gave if a glowing review of 4.5 stars out of five.

You can pick up the totallee case for $20 in blue, black, white, grey, and more color options.

• See totallee case for Pixel 2
• See totallee case for Pixel 2 XL

Clear Cases

Spigen Liquid Crystal

This thin flexible TPU case will provide your Google Pixel 2 or 2 XL with more grip and has cushioning on the corner to help prevent damage from drops.

You can pick up the Spigen Liquid Crystal for $12.

• See Spigen Liquid Crystal for Pixel 2 at Spigen
• See Spigen Liquid Crystal for Pixel 2 XL at Amazon

Spigen Crystal Shell

Dual-layered protection consisting of both TPU and polycarbonate, the Spigen Crystal Shell offers protection while keeping the design of your Google Pixel 2 in clear sight.

You can pick up the Spigen Crystal Shell for $25.

• See Spigen Crystal Shell for Pixel 2 at Spigen
• See Spigen Crystal Shell for Pixel 2 XL at Spigen

Ringke Fusion

Ringke has their rugged clear case available for the Pixel 2. Made with a sturdy panel of polycarbonate on the back panel and an easy-grip TPU bumper, this case will keep your new device protected while also letting the Pixel 2’s design shine through.

You can pick up the Ringke Fusion for about $10.

• See Ringke Fusion for Pixel 2 at Amazon
• See Ringke Fusion for Pixel 2 XL at Amazon

Ringke Bevel

Just like the Ringke Fusion, the Bevel provides the same protection with a bevel design on the back to enhance grip and make your phone stand out. The case is still clear enough not to take away from the design of the Pixel 2.

Grab it for around $9.

• See Ringke Bevel for Pixel 2 at Amazon
• See Ringke Bevel for Pixel 2 XL at Amazon

Speck Presidio Clear

Dual-layered protection drop tested for eight feet. Thick cutouts for camera prevent scratches on the lens when lying on a flat surface.

The Speck Presidio Clear case will cost you $40 for the Pixel 2 and $45 for the larger Pixel 2 XL.

• See Speck Presidio Clear for Pixel 2 at Speck
• See Speck Presidio Clear for Pixel 2 XL at Speck

Trianium CLARIUM

Shock-absorbing TPU mixed with a hard polycarbonate back give the Trianium CLARIUM dual-layered protection to keep your phone safe.

You can pick up the Trianium CLARIUM for $8.

• See Trianium CLARIUM for Pixel 2 at Amazon
• See Trianium CLARIUM for Pixel 2 XL at Amazon

Incipio Reprieve Sport 2.0

Clear back to show off the Google Pixel 2’s style, textured sides to improve grip, and reinforced corners to prevent damage from dropping. For $40, the Incipio Reprieve Sport 2.0 has a little something for everyone.

• See Incipio Reprieve Sport 2.0 for Pixel 2 at Incipio
• See Incipio Reprieve Sport 2.0 for Pixel 2 XL at Incipio

Rugged cases

Caseology Vault Series

Made of flexible TPU, it features a sleek finish along the back and textured grip around the edges.

You can pick up the Caseology Vault Series for around $11.

Note: This case is only available for the Pixel 2 XL.

• See Caseology Vault Series for Pixel 2 XL at Amazon

Otterbox Symmetry series

Otterbox’s Symmetry series offers the classic protection you expect from the company in a slimmer profile. The one-piece design is thick enough to prevent damage from drop and scratches, and the raised edges help protect your Pixel 2 when lying on a flat surface.

• See Otterbox Symmetry series for Pixel 2 at Otterbox
• See Otterbox Symmetry series for Pixel 2 XL at Otterbox

CrashGuard Bumper Case by RhinoShield

RhinoShield’s CrashGuard Bumper Case is a great way to protect your phone without adding a ton of bulk. Protects the edges of your phone with lots of cusion on the corner, which prevents damage when your Pixel 2 takes a tumble.

You can pick up CrashGuard Bumper Case by RhinoShield for $25.

• See CrashGuard Bumper Case for Pixel 2 at RhinoShield
• See CrashGuard Bumper Case for Pixel 2 XL at RhinoShield

Spigen Rugged Armor

Single layer TPU with rasied edges to protect screen and camera while lying on a flat surface. Plus, the corner of the case are extra protected to help prevent damage from drops.

You can pick up the Spigen Ruged Armor for $13.

• See Rugged Armor for Pixel 2 at Amazon
• See Rugged Armor for Pixel 2 XL at Amazon

Spigen Neo Hybrid

A TPU sleeve and a hard polycarbonate bumper make up Spigen’s New Hybrid case offering adequate protection with a sense of style. The way the bumper is designed it sit completely flush with the rest of the case, make the Neo Hybrid feel good when you’re holding your phone.

You can pick up the Neo Hybrid for $16.

• See Neo Hybrid for Pixel 2 at Amazon
• See Neo Hybrid for Pixel 2 XL at Amazon

DGtle shockproof case

Made from a single layer of TPU, the DGtle shockproof case has lots of extra protection around the corners to help prevent damage when the phone is dropped on a corner.

Available in a wide variety of colors, such as blue, pink, and smoke black for $8.

• See DGtle shockproof case for Pixel 2 at Amazon
• See DGtle shockproof case for Pixel 2 XL at Amazon

UAG Plasma series

This translucent rugged case features a two-tone single piece design that cover the back and sides of the Google Pixel 2 and meet military drop test standards.

You can pick up the UAG Plasma series in ice or ask color option for about $40.

• See UAG Plasma series for Pixel 2 XL at UAG
• See UAG Plasma series for Pixel 2 XL at UAG

Suensan protective case

A single TPU layer that covers the back and side of the Google Pixel 2 with raised bezels to protect the camera and screen on flat surfaces.

You can pick on up in mint green, black, blue, gray, and red for $9.

• See Suensan protective case for Pixel 2 at Amazon
• See Suensan protective case for Pixel 2 XL at Amazon

Heavy Duty

ATUS Anti-Slip Slim Fit

Heavy duty protection in a slim profile, the ATUS Anti-Slip Slim Fit has dua-layered protection to keep your Pixel 2 safe and sound, while keeping the profile of your phone slimmer than most heavy-duty cases out there.

The ATUS Anti-Slip Slim Fit is only avaiable for the Pixel 2. You can pick one up in black, pink, or teal for about $9.

• See ATUS Anti-Slip Slim Fit for Pixel 2 at Amazon

Caseology Parallax series

The Caseology Parallax Series offers a slim, two-piece design to keep your Pixel 2 well-protected.

It’s available in a wide variety of colors such as black, burgundy, navy blue, and ocean gray. You can pick on up for about $15.

Note: This case is only available for the Google Pixel 2 XL.

• See Caseology Parallax series for Pixel 2 XL at Amazon

Caseology Legion Series

The Caseology Legion Series offers the same dual-layered protection as its Parallax series; however, the Legion series focuses on protecting the back of the phone a lot more.

You can grab it for $18.

Note: This case is only available for the Pixel 2 XL.

• See Caseology Legion Series for Pixel 2 XL at Amazon

Spigen Tough Armor

A personal favorite of mine, Spigen Tough Armor offers robust dual-layered protection with TPU and hard polycarbonate materials. The metal kickstand is perfect for watching videos and other media while your hands are other wise preoccupied.

You can pick up the Spigen Tough Armor in black or gunmetal for $35.

• See Spigen Tough Armor for Pixel 2 at Spigen
• See Spigen Tough Armor for Pixel 2 XL at Spigen

Spigen Slim Armor

Just like Spigen’s Tough Armor, the Slim Armor case uses TPU and hard polycarbonate materials for dual-layered protection, but comes in a slimmer package.

You can pick up the Spigen Slim Armor in black or gunmetal for $30.

• See Spigen Slim Armor for Pixel 2 at Spigen
• See Spigen Slim Armor for Pixel 2 XL at Spigen

Otterbox Defender series

The ultimate name in protection, Otterbox’s Defender series is the Mack Daddy of all protective cases. With four different layers, your Pixel 2 or Pixel 2 XL will be as safe as it possibly can be.

The Otterbox Defender series will cost you $50 or $60 for the Pixel 2 and the Pixel 2 XL respectively.

• See Otterbox Defender series for Pixel 2 at Otterbox
• See Otterbox Defender series for Pixel 2 XL at Otterbox

Leather Cases

Bellroy Leather case

Made using premium leather and featuring a soft microfiber lining this is a lightweight case that will keep your phone well protected and age beautifully over time. It’s also backed by a 3-year warranty from Bellroy.

You can pick up the Bellroy Leather case from the Google Store for $45 with free shipping!

• See Bellroy Leather case for Pixel 2 at Google
• See Bellroy Leather case for Pixel 2 XL at Google

Wallet cases

ProCase Leather Wallet

This beautiful leather case has three cards slots and closes with a magnetic clip. Plus, it even can be used as a kickstand for media viewing.

You can pick up the ProCase Leather wallet for about $30 in black, tan, or red.

• See ProCase Leather Wallet for Pixel 2 at Amazon
• See ProCase Leather Wallet for Pixel 2 XL at Amazon

Case Mate Wallet Folio

Made from real leather, the Case Mate Wallet Folio has four card slots and even a pocket to put your cash. Leaving your wallet at home has never been easier.

You can pick one up for $60.

• See Case Mate Wallet Folio for Pixel 2 at Case Mate
• See Case Mate Wallet Folio for Pixel 2 XL at Case Mate

JD wallet case

Made from a faux leather material, the JD wallet case has plenty of room for cards and cash. The case even comes with a built in RFID blocker, meaning your credit card numbers should be safe.

The JD wallet case comes in black, blue, pink, and brown for about $16.

• See JD wallet case for Pixel 2 at Amazon
• See JD wallet case for Pixel 2 XL at Amazon

Trianium wallet case

A hard protective shell with a card slot that card hold ID, credit cards, and cash, the Trianium wallet case offers protection and functionality.

You can pick up a Trianium wallet case for $10.

Note This case is only available for the Pixel 2 XL.

• See Trianium wallet case for Pixel 2 XL at Amazon

Maxboost wallet case

With three cards slots and a place to store your cash, the Maxboost wallet case has a magenetic lock to keep the wallet case firmly closed when not in use.

Grab the Maxboost wallet case for only $13.

• See Maxboost wallet case for Pixel 2 at Amazon
• See Maxboost wallet case for Pixel 2 XL at Amazon

LK wallet case

With a TPU inner skin, the LK wallet case offers mild protection against damage when your Pixel 2 takes a fall. With three card slots, and a place to put your cash, you can venture out into the world with your normal bulky wallet with ease.

The LK wallet case comes in black, brown, purple, and rose gold and will cost you about $10.

• See LK wallet case for Pixel 2 at Amazon
• See LK wallet case for Pixel 2 XL at Amazon

Other types of cases

Moment Photo case

Another personal favorite of mine, the Moment Photo case is designed to work with the wide-variety of Moment lenes. If you want a beautiful looking case that will up you photography game, check it out.

You can pick one up with a walnut finish for only $30.

• See Moment Photo case for Pixel 2 at Moment
• See Moment Photo case for Pixel 2 XL at Moment

Google Fabric case

If you prefer your phone case to have some texture for grip, you’re probably going to love the Google Fabric Case. It features the same fabric finish look found on other recent Google products such as the Google Home Mini.

These cases offer a premium microfiber liner to ensure your device stays scuff-free and your choice of four color combinations for $40.

• See Google Fabric case for Pixel 2 at Google
• See Google Fabric case for Pixel 2 XL at Google

Carved Wooden Cases

With dozens of unique designs and plenty of wood grains and colors to choose from, Carved wooden cases are absolutely gorgeous.

The Carvedwooden cases range from $24 — $40.

• See Carved wooden cases for Pixel 2 at Carved
• See Carved wooden cases for Pixel 2 XL at Carved

What case did you go with for your Pixel 2 or Pixel 2 XL?

Let us know in the comment below!

Updated August 2018: These are still all the cases for the Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL we believe are worth your consideration!

Google Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL

• Pixel 2 FAQ: Everything you need to know!
• Google Pixel 2 and 2 XL review: The new standard
• Google Pixel 2 specs
• Google Pixel 2 vs. Pixel 2 XL: What’s the difference?
• Join our Pixel 2 forums

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These 500 Million Limited Edition PS4 accessories are in stock now!

Update: The console became available and sold out overnight at most retailers! Hopefully you snagged one, but if you weren’t so lucky, you can still pick up the limited edition accessories for it while supplies last: the DualShock 4 Controller and the Gold Wireless Headset. Since you likely already own a PlayStation 4, these would pair perfectly with it. You also might be able to snag the console from B&H or the complete limited edition set as a bundle later today.

Snag this coveted collectible (relatively) hassle-free.

It’s no secret that Sony is a juggernaut in the video game console market. Since the original PlayStation first went on sale nearly 25 years ago, the company has sold over 500 million systems across the world, taking into account each console iteration. To celebrate the momentous occasion, Sony revealed a Limited Edition PS4 Pro in an old school translucent blue casing. Now when they say limited, they mean it. Only 50,000 of these bad boys are being manufactured, and here’s how you can grab one for yourself.

When can I get mine?

The Limited Edition 500 million PS4 Pro will be available at participating retailers starting on August 24 in the United States and Canada, when sales are set to go live. It will be priced at $499.99 USD / $639.99 CAD. This seems a bit costly compared to regular PS4 Pros, but the console packs a 2TB hard drive and includes a PlayStation camera.

We’ve compiled a list of known retailers expected to carry the console. We’ll update this page if/when more pop up. Some listings are already live without the ability to purchase while other store pages appear to have been removed. These should go live once sales do.

Amazon

See at Amazon

Limited edition headset only ($100)

See at Amazon

Limited edition DualShock 4 controller only ($65)

See at Amazon

Target

See at Target

Limited edition headset only ($100)

See at Target

Limited edition DualShock 4 controller only ($65)

See at Target

GameStop

See at GameStop

Collector’s Bundle

See at GameStop

Ultimate Bundle

See at GameStop

Limited edition headset only ($100)

See at GameStop

Limited edition DualShock 4 controller only ($65)

See at GameStop

Best Buy US

See at Best Buy

Limited edition headset only ($100)

See at Best Buy

Limited edition DualShock 4 controller only ($65)

See at Best Buy

Best Buy Canada

See at Best Buy Canada

Limited edition DualShock 4 controller only ($75)

See at Best Buy Canada

Walmart

See at Walmart

Orders have already started on Amazon UK and have sold out, but more stock may be made available.

See at Amazon UK

If you’re unable to purchase one through official retailers, you may need to contend with scalpers on the market. Since that’s certainly not appealing to anyone, we’ve got you covered with some other suggestions on what to pick up if you didn’t get a hold of a coveted 500 million PS4 Pro.

PlayStation 4

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

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