Apple Releases Firmware Update for AirPort Express With AirPlay 2 Support

Apple today released updated 7.8 firmware for 2012 802.11n AirPort Express models, introducing support for AirPlay 2.

The new software can be downloaded onto compatible AirPort Express devices using the AirPort Utility app for iOS devices.

After downloading the firmware update, AirPort Express users have reported being able to target the AirPort Express right alongside other AirPlay 2 devices when running iOS 11.4.1 or iOS 12. With the AirPlay 2 update, 2012 AirPort Express models offer support for multi-room audio and are able to work with other AirPlay 2 devices such as the HomePod, the Apple TV, and Sonos speakers.

There has been speculation that the AirPort Express would be updated to include AirPlay 2 support after the accessory started showing up in the Home app as an AirPlay 2 accessory in the iOS 12 beta.

Apple in April announced that its entire AirPort wireless router lineup, AirPort Express included, had been discontinued. Apple sold the AirPort Express until available stock ran out, but it is no longer available for purchase at this time.

Because the AirPort Express was discontinued, it wasn’t clear if it would indeed gain AirPlay 2 support because Apple’s AirPort unit was disbanded, but Apple did indeed opt to introduce support for customers who are still using the AirPort Express units.

Apple plans to provide service and parts for current AirPort Base stations for the next five years.

Related Roundup: AirPortTag: AirPlay 2
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Intel Announces 8th-Generation Whiskey Lake and Amber Lake Processors Suitable for MacBook and MacBook Air

Intel this afternoon officially debuted its new eighth-generation U-series “Whiskey Lake” and Y-series “Amber Lake” chips, which are designed for use in thin, light notebooks like the MacBook and the MacBook Air.

The new “Amber Lake” Y-series processors, which include the i7-8500Y, i5-8200Y, and the m3-8100Y, are successors to the current chips that Apple uses in the 12-inch MacBook lineup. Apple is working on updated 12-inch MacBook models set to come out this fall that could use the new Amber Lake processors.

Intel’s new 15W U-series “Whiskey Lake” chips, which include the i7-8565U, i5-8265U, and i3-8145U, would be appropriate for a refreshed MacBook Air, and rumors have suggested that such a machine is perhaps in the works.

While details haven’t been entirely clear, Apple is working on a followup to the MacBook Air that features a 13-inch Retina display, and if this machine uses chips similar to the chips that MacBook Air models have used for years, the new Whiskey Lake chips are suitable.

According to Intel, its new Whiskey Lake and Amber Lake chips “raise the bar for connectivity, performance, entertainment, and productivity.” The U-series chips introduce support for integrated Gigabit Wi-Fi for up to 12-times faster connectivity speeds, support for USB 3.1 Gen 2 transfer speeds, and built-in support for voice services like Alexa and Cortana.

Intel says that compared to a 5-year-old PC, the new U-series processors offer two times better performance and double-digit gains in office productivity for everyday web browsing and content creation over previous-generation chips.

The high-end Intel Core i7 8565U processor enables Intel Thermal Velocity Boost for additional single core performance, while all the U-series chips offer 16 PCIe lanes, up from 12.

Using these new chips, 2 in 1 machines can last up to 16 hours on a single charge, while power optimized systems can last as long as 19 hours. Intel says “many systems” using the U-series chips will offer over 10 hours of battery life.

Intel’s Y-series chips offer faster Wi-Fi and LTE capabilities and double-digit gains in performance compared to the previous-generation, enabling new, compact notebook designs with better battery life. The chips offer Gen 3 PCIe support for higher data transfer rates, along with NVMe PCIe x4 solid state drives.

Both the new Y-series and U-series chips are considered 8th-Generation, a designation that also includes Intel’s previously-announced Kaby Lake Refresh processors.

Intel says that laptops and 2 in 1s powered by the new chips will be available starting this fall.

Related Roundups: MacBook Air, MacBookTag: IntelBuyer’s Guide: MacBook Air (Don’t Buy), MacBook (Don’t Buy)
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LG reveals its first Android One phone and a cheaper LG G7

You might think that LG has a pretty good spread of devices across price ranges, but apparently LG wouldn’t agree. LG is launching two new versions of the LG G7 ThinQ at IFA 2018 — the LG G7 One and the LG G7 Fit. These two models will supposedly bridge a gap between flagships and midrange phones, and at first glance, they’re looking pretty tasty.

Both the G7 One and the G7 Fit use the same glass-and-metal shell and look as the LG G7 ThinQ, but there are some key differences between the two models and the flagship phone that you need to know about before you put your money down. LG hasn’t announced the prices of these two models yet, but here’s everything you need to know about the Android One powered LG G7 One and the LG G7 Fit.

LG G7 One

The LG G7 One is the phone that’s a step below the flagship G7 ThinQ, and while it looks similar to the flagship phone, there are some key differences that mark it out as a lower-powered version of the G7 ThinQ.

The G7 One comes with LG’s stunning 6.1-inch FullVision Super Bright Display, running a 3,120 x 1,440 resolution in a 19.5:9 aspect ratio. It’ll feel as good as the G7 ThinQ, too, with the same build materials and design as its bigger brother, as well as IP68 water resistance, the dedicated Google Assistant button, and the hefty 3,000mAh battery.

The hardware on the inside has seen a slight change — instead of the Snapdragon 845 in the G7 ThinQ, the G7 One comes with last year’s Snapdragon 835, as well as 4GB of RAM and just 32GB of onboard storage. But don’t let that put you off — the Snapdragon 835 is still a powerful chip, being the chip that still runs the snappy and powerful Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL. MicroSD card support of up to 2TB also means that onboard storage shouldn’t be too much of an issue either.

There’s a difference in the camera suite on offer, too — the G7 One drops a camera lens, leaving just a single 16-megapixel camera lens with an f/1.6 aperture on the back of the phone — though the front gets the same 8-megapixel wide-angle lens as the G7 ThinQ. While this will probably mean a slightly weaker camera on the G7 One, it comes with Google Lens built into the camera’s software. LG’s A.I. Cam software that changes camera settings based on your subject will be added at a later date.

In fact, it’s the software that’s the real draw here. Unlike regular LG phones, which ship with LG’s own spin on Android, the G7 One will come with the stripped-down Android One experience. This is LG’s first ever Android One phone, and means that Android 8.1 Oreo on the G7 One will be free of any additional apps and features from LG. This should make it quick and snappy, thanks to the lighter load on the hardware.

The G7 One will also be packing the same extremely impressive sound as the G7 ThinQ, with the Boombox resonance chamber, 32-bit Hi-Fi Quad DAC, and DTS:X for supreme audio quality.

LG G7 Fit

The LG G7 Fit fills the space between the G7 One and the midrange market. As such, while it’s still equipped with the same stunning display as the G7 ThinQ and G7 One, it’s packing less powerful innards and further downgraded camera tech.

It’s powered by the Snapdragon 821 — the same chip that powered the LG G6 and original Google Pixel range — as well as 4GB of RAM, so the G7 Fit should provide good performance. Storage is split across two models — the standard G7 Fit that comes with 32GB of onboard storage, or the G7 Fit Plus which comes with a larger 64GB hard drive. However, with whichever one you pick, you’ll get to expand that storage by up to 2TB with a MicroSD card.

Like the G7 One, there’s only one camera lens on the back of the G7 Fit — a 16-megapixel lens with an f/2.2 aperture. Thankfully for selfie fans, the G7 Fit will get the same 8-megapixel wide-angle selfie lens as its bigger, more powerful brethren.

The G7 Fit isn’t an Android One phone though, so you’ll find LG’s usual brand of Android on here, with access to A.I. Cam, Google Lens, and the dedicated Google Assistant button on Android 8.1 Oreo. The G7 ThinQ’s amazing sound is still present, too, with the Boombox resonance chamber, 32-bit Hi-Fi Quad DAC, and DTS:X.

Editors’ Recommendations

• LG V35 ThinQ hands-on review
• LG V35 ThinQ vs. LG G7 ThinQ: Which phone prevails in stablemate showdown?
• Hear everything: Get the best from the LG G7 ThinQ’s brilliant audio system
• How to buy the LG G7 ThinQ
• Take control of your LG G7 ThinQ with these helpful tips and tricks

A tweet suggests the midrange HTC U12 Life could launch this week

Julian Chokkattu/Digital Trends

Last year’s HTC U11 Life was a midrange phone with it all — an affordable phone with an attractive design, good performance, and even a nice level of water resistance thrown in for good measure. We liked it enough to choose it as the best phone under $400 in our list of the best cheap phones.

But nothing lasts forever, and the U11 Life’s time in the spotlight is nearly up. The HTC U12 Life is on the way, and we’re hoping it’s as good as its predecessor. Here’s everything we know about the HTC U12 Life.

Release date

Beauty and power meet on August 30th 2018. pic.twitter.com/pOVKlEzSGY

— HTC (@htc) August 23, 2018

Nothing about the HTC U12 Life has been confirmed yet, but it seems likely that we’ll be seeing it at HTC’s event on August 30. Previously leaked promotional materials concern a device known internally as “Imagine Life,” so while it’s not confirmed that the U12 Life will be launching at this event, it seems fairly likely.

Design

Not much has been leaked regarding the HTC U12 Life’s looks, but it’s a safe bet that the U12 Life will broadly follow the HTC U12 Plus‘s design.

On the plus side that means we’re likely to see a bezel-less design and a display with an 18:9 aspect ratio. Leaks support this, suggesting the U12 Life will come with a 6-inch, 2,160 x 1,080 display. According to rumors, the shrunken bezels will also mean the fingerprint scanner moves behind the phone, likely beneath the camera.

It’s less likely that we’ll see the same translucent glass on the HTC U12 Life as we saw on the U12 Plus — but it’s possible that HTC will attempt to replicate that see-through design with plastic on the U12 Life. Unfortunately, we might also see the HTC U12 Plus’s terrible digital buttons on the U12 Life.

Specs

The latest spec leaks come from Geekbench, and show a HTC device with the Snapdragon 660 processor and 4GB of RAM. That should put the device on par with some of the midrange offerings this year, and bodes well for the device’s relative power.

MySmartPrice

However, leaked promotional materials show the presumed HTC U12 Life equipped with the Snapdragon 636 — which would be a significant downgrade in power from the 660, putting the U12 Life more in line with the power of the U11 Life. However, the battery is apparently set to see a huge upgrade, jumping from 2,600mAh on the U11 Life to 3,600mAh on the U12 Life.

Other rumors put the device’s onboard storage at 64GB — though if that’s true, we expect there will also be a 32GB option available — with the option to expand storage by up to 256GB with a MicroSD card.

Camera

We haven’t seen much regarding the HTC U12 Life’s camera at this stage, but what we do know comes from the leaked promotional materials presumably made for the U12 Life’s launch. According to those, the HTC U12 Life will be packing a dual-lens arrangement on the rear, with a 16-megapixel and 5-megapixel lens, along with phase detection autofocus and 4K video recording capabilities. There’s a 13-megapixel selfie lens around the front, along with a flash and beauty mode.

Editors’ Recommendations

• Say hello to the U12 Plus: Everything you need to know about HTC’s latest phone
• HTC U12 Plus vs. OnePlus 6: The new kids battle for supremacy
• LG V35 ThinQ vs. HTC U12 Plus: Which big beauty should you buy?
• HTC U12 Plus review
• HTC U12 Plus vs. LG G7 ThinQ: Which powerful flagship prevails?

Google responds to Trump’s tweet-rage: We didn’t rig search against you!

Google categorically rejected President Donald J. Trump’s claim that the search engine giant is using its position to manipulate search results in a politically biased manner. In a fiery tweet Tuesday morning, August 28, Trump slammed Google, claiming that the search engine favored news sources from sites that publish negative views on him in its search results.

Google search results for “Trump News” shows only the viewing/reporting of Fake News Media. In other words, they have it RIGGED, for me & others, so that almost all stories & news is BAD. Fake CNN is prominent. Republican/Conservative & Fair Media is shut out. Illegal? 96% of….

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 28, 2018

“Google search results for ‘Trump News’ shows only the viewing/reporting of Fake New Media,” the President said in an initial tweet. “In other words, they have it RIGGED, for me & others, so that almost all stories & news is BAD. Fake CNN is prominent. Republican/Conservative & Fair Media is shut out. Illegal? 96% of…”

….results on “Trump News” are from National Left-Wing Media, very dangerous. Google & others are suppressing voices of Conservatives and hiding information and news that is good. They are controlling what we can & cannot see. This is a very serious situation-will be addressed!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 28, 2018

Trump continued his rant in a second tweet: “….results on “Trump News” are from National Left-Wing Media, very dangerous. Google & others are suppressing voices of Conservatives and hiding information and news that is good. They are controlling what we can & cannot see. This is a very serious situation – will be addressed!”

Trump did not provide evidence to support his claims, and the president is likely referencing a recent news story published by conservative media outlet PJ Media bearing the headline, “96 Percent of Google Search Results for ‘Trump’ News Are from Liberal Media Outlets.” The claims made by Trump and PJ Media have since been refuted by Twitter users and reports on CNN, Gizmodo, and The Washington Post. These sites reported that one of the top search results for “Trump News” this morning comes from conservative Fox News, a fact that we can confirm in our own search for the same terms.

“When users type queries into the Google Search bar, our goal is to make sure they receive the most relevant answers in a matter of seconds,” Google said in statement. “Search is not used to set a political agenda and we don’t bias our results toward any political ideology. Every year, we issue hundreds of improvements to our algorithms to ensure they surface high-quality content in response to users’ queries. We continually work to improve Google Search and we never rank search results to manipulate political sentiment.”

Trump’s administration will investigate whether Google is showing bias in its search results. The president’s tweet prompted Larry Kudlow, Trump’s chief economic adviser, to issue a statement saying that the administration is investigating Google. “We’re just gonna do some investigations, some analysis, that’s what we do,” he said. The White House has not issued an official statement on the president’s latest tweet-rage.

Google isn’t the first tech company to be in Trump’s crosshairs. Last month, Trump blasted Twitter for shadow banning conservatives. Like Google, Twitter denied Trump’s claim. Separately, lawmakers are also looking into social media and election interference, with the Senate Intelligence Committee set to hear testimony from Facebook, Twitter, and Google on September 5.

Editors’ Recommendations

• Google’s $5.1 billion antitrust fine could mean the end of free Android
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• ‘Can I book a table for Thursday?’ Google Duplex duped me, but I didn’t mind
• ‘Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3’: Everything we know so far

Two left feet? No problem. This A.I. can turn anyone into a dancer

Are you a terrible dancer who dreams of one day starring in a toe-tapping music video that would have made Michael Jackson jealous? If so, you’ve got two options: go the Napoleon Dynamite route and put in some serious practice, or simplify the process by taking advantage of some cutting-edge artificial intelligence.

Since you’re still reading and not off YouTubing “How to dance” videos, we’re going to assume the second of these options is the one that more appeals to you. If so, you have researchers at the University of California, Berkeley, to thank. Using the kind of “deepfake” technology that makes it possible to carry out realistic face-swaps in videos, they have developed a tool which can make even the most bumbling and uncoordinated among us look like experts.

“We have developed a method to transfer dance motions from one individual — a professional dancer — to another, [who we’ll refer to as ‘Joe’ for this example,]” Shiry Ginosar, a Ph.D. student in Computer Vision at UC Berkeley, told Digital Trends. “In order to do this, we take a video of Joe performing all kinds of motions. We use this video to train a generative adversarial network to learn a model of how Joe looks and moves. When we have learned this model, we can take a stick figure of a body pose as input and generate a still photograph of Joe performing that body pose as output. If we have a whole video of a dancing stick figure, we can generate a whole video of Joe dancing in the same way. Now, given a video of the professional dancer, we extract the body pose of the dancer and go back to Joe and generate a video of him dancing in much the same way.”

Aside from the fun of being able to make anyone resemble an expert dancer, Ginosar said that dancing presents an interesting challenge for this kind of deepfake technology. That’s because it involves the entire human body moving in a fluid way, which is considerably different (and tougher) than the more static pose or face transfers which have been carried out so far.

A paper describing the work, titled “Everybody Dance Now,” is available to read on the arXiv preprint server. In addition to Ginosar, other researchers on the project included Caroline Chan, Tinghui Zhou, and Alexei Efros.

Editors’ Recommendations

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A dual-screen MacBook concept shows how Apple could ditch the keyboard

Image credit: Furkan Kasap

One way for Apple to solve the MacBook Pro’s highly publicized keyboard problems and issues with sticky keys is to ditch the physical keyboard altogether. In a concept of what a future MacBook Pro could look like if Apple removed the keyboard, Turkish designer Furkan Kasap envisions that the space will be occupied by a large screen. Essentially, Kasap envisions that Apple would retain the Touch Bar and replace the keyboard and trackpad portion with a larger display just below the Touch Bar. Essentially, this concept would compete against the crop of emerging dual-screen notebooks that use Microsoft’s Windows 10 platform.

Rather than having a trackpad, Kasap moves the keyboard to the bottom edge of the laptop, freeing up space in the area between the keyboard and the Touch Bar. This area contains a dynamic area of tiled windows that could be used for switching between apps or other programmable keys, The Next Web noted. Without a physical keyboard, Apple could dynamically rearrange the keys on this on-screen keyboard. In a short video detailing the new keyboard-less design, Kasap initially shows a keyboard arrangement with a number pad on the right. However, when you need to use a mouse, the number pad disappears, making way for a virtual trackpad.

While this design is functional — the keyboard layout and design can automatically change depending on the application or what the user needs — there are still some downsides going with a keyboard-less design. Typing on a glass surface may not be as comfortable as using physical keys. Typing a long email could lead to faster finger fatigue on a touchscreen keyboard, but Apple could simulate physical key presses by applying its 3D Touch technology from today’s Apple Watch and iPhone models to its new keyboard.

Removing the physical keyboard could also lead to an even slimmer MacBook Pro. Apple could either remove the space required for the butterfly key switches on the keyboard and slim down the laptop, or it could potentially keep the laptop at the same thickness and add in a beefier battery for even longer battery life. Kasap’s concept is one of the best examples of how laptop manufacturers can adopt a large second display on a notebook and maintain an elegant user experience. Are you ready to give up your physical keyboard for this futuristic MacBook?

Editors’ Recommendations

• MacBook 12-inch vs. MacBook Pro 13
• Dell XPS 13 vs. MacBook Pro 13
• Apple patents a trio of ideas to fix its MacBook keyboard
• If you own a 2018 MacBook Pro, you will want to maintain data backups
• MacBook Pro 13-inch with Touch Bar review

The best cases for the Pixel 2 XL!

What are the best cases for the Google Pixel 2 XL?

The Google Pixel 2 XL is a beautifully designed phone — especially if you snagged the panda/Stormtrooper Black and White edition. But as much as you’ll want to show it off, you’re also going to want to protect a phone that cost you close to $1000.

We’ve rounded up the best case options specifically for the Pixel 2 XL.

• Google Live Cases
• Google Fabric Cases
• Bellroy leather case
• OtterBox Symmetry Series
• Spigen Tough Armor
• Spigen Thin Fit
• Supcase Unicorn Beetle Pro
• Ringke Fusion
• Caseology Vault Series
• i-Blason Ares
• Vena vCommute wallet case
• Carved wooden cases
• Lifeprooof FRE case

Google Live Cases

Best for Added Features

Google has curated a great selection of cases that feature artwork, photos from space, and naturally beautiful images that are really quite stunning. Prices start around $50 depending on whether you choose a minimalist shell or a more rugged dual-layer case. Create and customize your own case via the Google Store.

See at Google Store

Google’s Live Cases for the Pixel 2 XL are entirely customizable with your own photos plus a wide range of styles curated by Google. Maybe you’ll decide on a gorgeous satellite photo from Google Earth which also pairs with a matching live wallpaper for a cohesive look around your device. Looking to add a bit more of an artistic flair to your case? Check out the Artworks Live Case and find something that matches your style.

Google Fabric Cases

Premium Pick

Designed in-house by Google, this case features great build quality and is a perfect fit for your Pixel 2 XL. The fabric finish is uniquely Google and on the inside, you get a premium microfiber liner to ensure your device stays scuff-free. Choose from four color combinations for $40.

See at Google Store

If you prefer your phone case to have some texture for grip, you’re probably going to love the Google Fabric Case. It’s got the same look as the Google Home Mini, so if you’re a big Google fan and love all your tech to have a uniform look.

Bellroy leather case

Upscale Option

This stylish leather case from Bellroy is available in four color choices and will keep your phone well-protected. Backed by a 3-year warranty from Bellroy, you can get this premium leather case for your Pixel 2 XL for $49.

See at Amazon

Another great option that used to be exclusively offered through the Google itself. Bellroy makes all sorts of great leather accessories such as wallets and bags, but they also make great leather accessories for phones, laptops, and tablets. The Pixel 2 XL case combines leather, flexible polymer, and a microfibre lining on the interior to create a great case that looks great with a streamlined design to keep things sleek in your hand.

OtterBox Symmetry Series

Iconic protection

OtterBox cases are known for being great cases that offer outstanding protection for your phone with great customer support. Starting at just $22, you can get this great case for your Pixel 2 XL in your chose of four colors.

See at Amazon

Unlike other bulkier OtterBox case styles, the Symmetry Series is designed to be rugged and sleek. This is a dual-layer case that will keep your phone well-protected without making it a pain to fit in your pocket.

Spigen Tough Armor case

Best Protection

Spigen has a solid lineup of cases for the Pixel 2 XL. The Tough Armor case offers a combination of flexible TPU interior and a rugged outer shell to provide great dual-layer protection for your phone, with Spigen’s air cushion technology offering support in the corners. Get the Tough Armor case for just $17 on Amazon.

See at Amazon

Despite its rugged design, the Tough Armor case is still mighty slim adding just 2.5 mm of thickness to your device. Another great feature is the pop-out kickstand built into the shell. There are so many handy reasons to have your phone propped up, and having this feature built right into the case means you don’t need to add a pop socket or style ring to the back of your phone.

Spigen Thin Fit

Thinnest Option

Keep your Pixel 2 XL safe from scuffs and scratches without sacrificing the slim design with the Thin Fit case for just $12. Available in black, this case will match the look of the Pixel 2 XL and features precise cutouts around the fingerprint scanner and camera on the back.

See at Amazon

It can be an issue finding a case for larger phones like the Google Pixel 2 XL that doesn’t add too much bulk to your phone. The Spigen Thin Fit case is about as minimalist as phone cases get, and it’s thin enough to keep the Active Edge compatibility fully intact — yet it still features Spigen’s Air Cushion technology in the corners for added drop protection.

Supcase Unicorn Beetle Pro case

Most Resistant

Combining a polycarbonate outer shell with a flexible and shock-absorbing TPU sleeve around back, the Unicorn Beetle Pro goes an extra step further by including a built-in screen protector to provide maximum protection for your Pixel 2 XL. There’s also an optional belt clip holster if it’s convenient for you. Get yours from Amazon starting at $18.

See at Amazon

When you name your phone case after the Unicorn Beetle — one of the gnarliest looking armored bugs in the natural world — you better back it up with a rugged case. If you’ve used this style of case on another phone before, you’ll know it’s well-designed: beefy in the corners where it needs to be yet slim and sporty enough as to not turn your phone into a thick brick of plastic.

Ringke Fusion

Value Option

Available for just $11, the Ringke Fusion case offers two layers of protection for your phone — a rugged and shock-resistant TPU bumper combined with a ridged PC panel covering the back. There’s a protective lip around the front to save the display glass from harm, and there are precise cutouts around the fingerprint sensor, camera, and USB-C charging port.

See at Amazon

Looking for a reliable clear case for the Pixel 2 XL at a very reasonable price? Check out the Ringke Fusion case. Get the clear version if you want to preserve the original look of the Pixel 2 XL, or opt for the Rose Gold or Smoke Black versions.

Caseology Vault Series

Most Stylish

Caseology has a couple different cases available for the Pixel 2 XL. We recommend the Vault Series because it’s got a classic design for just $13. Made of flexible TPU, it features a sleek finish along the back and textured grip around the edges. It’s available in black and should look great whether you went with the Just Black or Black and White Pixel 2 XL.

See at Amazon

If you’re looking for something a bit more substantial, check out the Parallax Series ($16) which offers a slim, two-piece design to keep your Pixel well-protected. It’s also available in some really cool color combinations. Or consider the Legion Series ($14), which offers a more rugged matte shell around the back of the case.

i-Blason Ares

Best for Drops

This i-Blason case combines the protection of a rugged case with the views of a clear case. It has extra reinforcement in the corners to provide superior drop protection, has a built-in screen protector, and a transparent back so you can still enjoy the look of your phone. Get yours starting at just $18.

See at Amazon

If you’re looking for a solid case that provides optimum protection for your Pixel 2 XL, and you’re okay with adding a little bit of bulk to your already large phone, then i-Blason’s Ares case is the one you want. It’s available in five different styles and will absolutely keep your Pixel 2 XL safe and secure.

Vena vCommute wallet case

Best Wallet

This case features a magnetic flap on the back that covers a slot big enough for about three cards or a couple cards and some cash. There’s a raised lip in the card slot, so even if you only have one card, you can still slide it out easily. The folding magnetic flap doubles as a kickstand so you can watch video hands-free and can be yours for just $20.

See at Amazon

Vena’s sleek wallet case isn’t your typical folio-style wallet case, and it’s the perfect way to cut down on pocket carry with your Pixel 2 XL. If you don’t need the kickstand feature but still want a wallet case, they offer a sleeker credit card slot holder case%7B.cta.shop.nofollow&th=1) for just $12 on the same listing.

Carved wooden cases

Best Wood Case

Carved has a bunch of great case options available for phones like the Pixel 2 XL, including 52 stylish pre-made option featuring a mix of cool prints and fancy cut wood designs with prices ranging from $29 to $55, along with a selection of classic wood grain cases for just $24.

See at Carved

Carved also allows you to create your own custom case using an online case designer. They also offer the option to get a section of a map engraved or printed onto the case. With the right eye for design, you could design a case that uses the fingerprint scanner as part of your case’s decoration.

Lifeproof FRE case

Best Rugged Case

This Lifeproof case is designed to be form-fitting and lightweight while providing 360-degree protection that keeps all water and dust out while also providing great drop protection. This is marketed and sold as a premium case and that’s reflected in the price — at $89, it’s the most expensive case on our list but it’s arguably the most rugged, too. If you need a case that will live up to your rough and tumble lifestyle, this is the one.

See at Lifeproof

I suppose you could say we’ve saved the best for last. The Lifeproof FRE case is a go-to option for anyone who loves to stay connected while exploring the outdoors and never wants to worry about their phone getting wet or damaged while hiking, biking, or kayaking. It’s also designed to work with Lifeproof’s accessory mounts, which let you attach your phone to your car’s dashboard, an armband for running and hiking, and a bike mounts for riding the trails. If you intend to use your Pixel 2 XL for a couple more years yet and live an EXTREME lifestyle, this is well worth the investment.

How do you keep your phone protected?

What’s your favorite case for the Pixel 2 XL? Let us know if you’re getting one off our list or opting for a different option in the comments below!

Updated August 2018: Added the OtterBox Symmetry Series to our list and updated pricing information.

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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Save 15% on your purchase of $25 or more at eBay today only

Load up your cart!

For a limited time today, eBay is running a sitewide sale that saves you 15% on your purchase of $25 or more when you use the coupon code PREGAME15 during checkout. The coupon can only be used once per account and has a maximum savings of $100. It’s not limited to specific sellers like other coupons are, but there are a few exceptions on product categories, including Coins & Paper Money, Gift Cards & Coupons, and Real Estate. If there are a few things that you’ve been eyeing at eBay, this is your chance to pick them up for less.

These sales are the perfect time to pull the trigger on that pricey gadget you’ve been second-guessing. Whether you’re looking for a Nintendo Switch console or an Xbox One X, a Philips Hue Starter Kit, Ring Video Doorbell 2, or some nice Bose headphones today is your big day. You’ll be able to find some great retailer-specific sales from big box stores like Best Buy and Newegg, along with others like Dyson and BuyDig.

• Bose Quiet Comfort 35 II – $254.15 (Was $299)
• Dyson Refurb V6 Motorhead – $169.99 (Was $200)
• Xbox Live 12-month Subscription – $42.49 (Was $50)
• Marshall Stockwell portable Bluetooth speaker – $169.99 (Was $200)
• Samsung Evo 128GB microSD card – $42.49 (Was $50)
• Microsoft Surface Go – $466.65 (Was $549)

Remember this sale is site-wide, so be sure to browse to your heart’s content and then buy everything at once.

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Why adding a screen makes the Lenovo Smart Display so much better

Voice is great, but sometimes you just can’t beat visuals.

Ask anyone who’s used Google Home for any length of time and they’ll tell you this — it’s great. But it could be so much better with a screen. And that’s where the new Lenovo Smart Display comes in. Think Google Home, with a screen. (And an even better audio experience, actually.)

Video, of course, is a big thing. And when you think video, you think YouTube. And the Lenovo Smart Display handles that better than any other product of this sort. But it goes even further, having great integration with YouTube TV for live shows, and Chromecast for anything and everything that uses that brilliant little protocol.

Or consider it in the kitchen. There’s a reason why cookbooks exist and we don’t usually reach for an audio recording of kitchen instructions, right? Having ingredients lists and instructions right in front of you, available to see, is how the cooking experience was meant to be done. Step by step, on the screen. (And, again, video!)

Then there’s the news. Audio is great, but a picture’s worth a word or two or a thousand or so. Some things just require video. And we’re now seeing major news platforms push dedicated video feeds to the Lenovo Smart Display, so you can always be up on what’s going on.