Amazon brings its $8 monthly Prime subscription to Canada

Spread the cost of your Prime membership over 12 months.

Amazon Canada has today introduced a monthly membership option for its Prime services. Beforehand, those wanting Amazon Prime above the border would have to pay the $79 annual fee upfront to gain access to its benefits, but can now opt to pay $7.99 per month instead. Prime members in the U.S. have had the option to pay monthly since late 2016, with UK members also being able to pay per month for some time.

Mike Strauch, country manager for Amazon Canada said:

Prime brings together the best of entertainment and shopping into a simple package at an unbelievable value for Canadians. With the launch of a monthly membership, we have added yet another easy way to enjoy Prime benefits.

Most will already be familiar with Amazon Prime and its shipping benefits that are available on millions of products. It’s what makes buying from Amazon super easy and convenient.

But Prime membership also gives you access to thousands of TV shows and movies with Prime Video — including original and exclusive content like The Grand Tour, Man in the High Castle and Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan — available to stream instantly on your tablet, phone or smart TV.

As well as Video, you’ll also be able to stream music to heart’s content as Prime Music is included in your Prime membership with over one million songs available at no additional cost. That’s not to mention game content via Twitch Prime, unlimited photo storage in Amazon Drive and exclusive early access to many Lightning Deals.

Those possessing a sharp mathematical mind will, of course, have noticed that the cost of Prime membership paid monthly for the year will amount to more than the annual $79 membership. But the option to pay per month gives shoppers the flexibility to cancel their membership at any time and renew it when they need it.

You can sign up for Amazon Prime and take advantage of the new monthly pricing, or opt to pay for the year in full, if you prefer, and new members can make the most of a 30-day free trial when doing so.

See at Amazon CA

The best microSD cards for your Galaxy Note 9

The Note 9 is one of the few phones with expandable storage — take advantage of it!

The Galaxy Note 9 comes with a hefty amount of storage with the base model at 128GB, but if you want to get more with the 512GB variant, you need to cough up another $250. Granted that version also comes with an extra 2GB of RAM, but that’s still a lot more money on top of an already expensive phone.

Thankfully, you don’t have to splurge for the 512GB Note 9 just to get more storage space. Instead, you can pick up a microSD card for a lot less money and still give yourself some more wiggle room.

Need some help deciding which one deserves your dollars? Here are our picks for the best microSD cards for the Galaxy Note 9!

• Silicon Power 32GB High Speed microSD Card
• SanDisk Ultra 64GB microSDXC Card
• Samsung 128GB EVO Select
• Samsung 256GB EVO Plus Class 10
• SanDisk Ultra 400GB microSDXC

Silicon Power 32GB High Speed microSD Card

Just need a little extra space? The Silicon Power 32GB microSD card allows you to add a bit more storage to your Note 9 for just a few bucks ($8.99, to be exact).

This card meets UHS-1 Class 10 standards to ensure fast performance, read speeds reach up to 85MB/s, and the included adapter allows you to also use this in a stnadard SD card slot.

See at Amazon

SanDisk Ultra 64GB microSDXC Card

For a few more dollars, you can step up to the SanDisk Ultra 64GB card. Along with the added space, read speeds are also a bit faster at 100MB/s.

SanDisk also includes a regular SD adapter, and just to be safe, you’ve got ratings for waterproofing, shockproofing, and temperature-proofing. For just under $18, you can’t go wrong with this one.

See at Amazon

Samsung 128GB EVO Select

Want to double your Note 9’s storage without breaking the bank? For about $35, you can get Samsung’s 128GB EVO Select microSD card and bring you total available storage up to an impressive 256GB.

Read and write speeds are rated at 100MB/s and 90MB/s, respectively, and the card’s rated to perform in temperatures ranging from -13°F to 185°F.

See at Amazon

Samsung 256GB EVO Plus Class 10

If you’ve got a bit more cash to burn through, you can step your game up to the $79 Samsung EVO Plus Class 10 microSD card with a whopping 256GB of space.

On top of all that storage, you also get an SD adapter, waterproofing, temperature protection, and ultra-fast read/write speeds.

See at Amazon

SanDisk Ultra 400GB microSDXC Card

Last but certainly not least, you can go all the way for $160 to pick up SanDisk’s 400GB microSD card — bringing your 128GB Note 9 up to a mostrous 528GB of available space!

There’s a 100MB/s max read speed, 10MB/s minimum write speed, waterproofing, protection against intense temperatures, and more.

See at Amazon

What do you think?

Which of the above cards are you getting for your Galaxy Note 9? Is there another great option that we missed? Let us know in the comments below!

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• Samsung Galaxy Note 9 review
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• Where to buy the Galaxy Note 9
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• Is the Note 8 still a good buy?
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Google is growing Chrome OS the right way

Chrome OS started as a simple, nimble operating system — and it still is, even if you can do more with it.

When the first Chromebook — the CR 48 was shown off, Chrome OS was criticized for not being able to do much. By essentially being a web browser, popular Windows programs wouldn’t be available for users to download and run. Since then, that simplicity has become Chrome OS’s main appeal: schools, enterprises, and people that don’t need more than a web browser offers get an easy-to-use, secure operating system.

But Google has been growing Chrome OS to accommodate power users with the addition of Android and Linux apps and there are rumors of Windows making an appearance for Chromebooks with enough storage.

If you’re a consumer that likes Chromebooks because they’re just a browser — or a school or business who likes the security features that come with that — this can be a bit concerning. The reason Chrome OS is as secure as it is is because it doesn’t have the baggage of an operating system designed 30 years ago.

Fortunately, if you don’t need Android or Linux apps — or Windows if that becomes an option — you don’t have to have them turned on. And this isn’t just a case of ignoring the Google Play Store icon: you have to specifically enable support for Android applications in the settings. Even for Chromebooks like the HP Chromebook X2 that have the Google Play Store out of the box, you have to specifically enable Android application support in the settings or during the startup process.

If you don’t, the pieces that make Android apps work don’t exist on your system, period. If you’re a school or business deploying Chromebooks, you can easily disable Android (and presumably Linux and Windows when those reach the stable channel) support with the administrative tools.

Compared to Google, Microsoft is facing the opposite problem. Windows supports nearly every application under the sun, which also means it’s easy for novice users to end up with an infected system. Microsoft tried a stripped down, locked down version of Windows with Windows RT, and that didn’t work to say the least.

The latest version of this concept is Windows 10 in S mode. At first appearance, this is as simple as Chrome OS. But behind the scenes, it’s very much the same Windows 10 that you know and love. So while users have a more difficult time installing malware, there are still downsides compared to a “clean slate” like the way Chrome OS started. Windows 10 S requires the same amount of disk space as Windows 10 proper, and it’s still a bit more resource-hungry than lower-end computers can handle.

Microsoft knows this too, and they’re not standing still. But in the meantime, if you want an easy-to-use computer, something to issue to employees or students, or just a secure companion device, a Chromebook is your best bet. And even though Chromebooks can do more, they don’t have to.

What are your thoughts?

Do you use Android or Linux apps on your Chromebook, or leave them off? Let us know down below!

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

Nest x Yale smart lock now supports Google Assistant voice commands

The new functionality is rolling out this Wednesday.

In March of this year, Nest officially launched its first smart lock in the form of the Nest x Yale. The lock features a keypad and can be controlled via the Nest app, and starting August 29, you’ll be able to manage it using the Google Assistant.

This is the first time any voice commands have been available for the Nest x Yale, and with Google Assistant support, you’ll be able to check the status of the lock, lock your door, and add it to any of your Assistant Routines. For example, if you add the Nest x Yale lock to a Routine titled “Goodnight”, you can turn off your lights, set an alarm, and lock all your doors with just one command.

All of these controls should prove to be mighty convenient, but take note that you won’t be able to unlock your door using Google Assistant. This was done as a sort of security precaution, and if you ask us, is a smart move on Nest’s part. Nest says you’ll be able to use Assistant commands for the Nest x Yale on both Google Home speakers and smartphones.

If you haven’t already picked up a Nest x Yale, the smart lock starts at $249 on its own or costs $279 if you buy it and a Nest Connect as part of a special bundle.

See at Nest

Bose has two new soundbars and a $400 Alexa speaker coming this October

Support for other assistants is coming at a later date.

Bose, one of the world’s most recognizable audio brands, is about to enter the smart speaker lineup in a big way. The company just announced three new products to lead these efforts, and they include the Bose Home Speaker 500, Bose Soundbar 700, and Bose Soundbar 500.

The Home Speaker 500 is Bose’s answer to products like the Google Home, Sonos One, and Apple Homepod. It’s equipped with eight microphones for Alexa voice commands (other assistants are coming later on), two custom drivers are said to provide “wall-to-wall stereo sound,” and there’s an array of buttons on the top for controlling your playback, opening your favorite music service, and more.

You see that screen? Yeah, it’s not a touchscreen. It just shows album artwork.

Along with the (likely) exceptional audio experience, the Home Speaker 500 also stands out thanks to the small display on its front. This is not a touchscreen and doesn’t have any UI to navigate. Instead, its sole purpose is to showcase the album artwork of whatever you’re listening to. While there’s not much utility there, it does give the Home Speaker 500 a visual difference over its competitors.

As for the Bose Soundbar 700 and Soundbar 500, these are also powered by Alexa and come with eight microphone arrays, too. The 700 is the more powerful of the duo and is 2-inches tall, 4-inches deep, and has a length of 38 inches. Bose is touting room-filling sound for both, in addition to ADAPTiQ technology that senses the layout of your room to provide the best possible audio.

All three gadgets are launching this October with the following prices:

• Bose Home Speaker 500 — $400
• Bose Soundbar 500 — $550
• Bose Soundbar 700 — $800

You can use these gadgets by themselves, but just like another speaker company that also has smart speakers and smart soundbars, Bose’s new gadgets can also be used simultaneously and controlled through the Bose Connect app.

The new speaker and soundbars definitely seem to be designed to attract people away from the Sonos ecosystem, but with considerably higher prices compared to what Sonos is offering, how will Bose’s efforts play out? Let us know what you think in the comments below.

See at Bose

Best replacement watch bands for the Gear S3

Samsung makes it easy to upgrade your band to something new.

The Samsung Gear S3 is one of our favorite smartwatches, and a great alternative to many of the Android Wear watches out there. The Gear S3 supports standard 22mm watch bands, making it really easy to upgrade with something new.

Here are a few of the best third-party watch bands to consider once you pick up your brand new Samsung Gear S3!

• ArtStyle nylon strap
• EloBeth Milanese Magnetic Loop Strap
• Snowoxen genuine leather strap
• TRUMiRR Milanese stainless steel band
• Barton silicone band
• Rechere stainless steel watch band

ArtStyle nylon strap

Keep things simple, fun, and functional with the ArtStyle watch band made from a sturdy nylon material and a durable metal buckle! The ArtStyle nylon strap is easily adjustable and is hypoallergenic, making it the perfect band to wear if you have sensitive skin.

$9 at Amazon

The material from this particular band is also breathable and waterproof on top of being extremely comfortable to wear day-to-day. One downside, though? It might interfere/cover up your Samsung Gear 3’s heart rate sensor.

On top of the ArtStyle’s practical design, the watch strap comes in a ton of different, bright colors, including red, blue/yellow, black, black/gray, navy blue, gray, khaki, orange, army green, black/blue, black/green/red, black/gray/blue, black/gray/orange, black/gray/green, black/red starting at around $9.

EloBeth Milanese Magnetic Loop Strap

If you’re someone who struggles with putting on your Samsung Gear S3 with one hand, or if you simply want a little bit of additional security when you’re sporting your S3, then the EloBeth Milanese Magnetic Loop Strap might be a good option to take a peek at.

$12 at Amazon

The strong, magnetic clasp keeps this $12 – $13 watch band tight around your wrist, and can easily be adjusted to fit almost any wrist type, so if you have especially larger or smaller wrists, this band might be a great option for you.

The EloBeth Milanese Magnetic Loop Strap is made out of a high-end stainless steel that’s perfect for day-to-day wear, and if there are any issues with the band, you have an 18-month warranty to fix any issues.

You can pick up the EloBeth Milanese Magnetic Loop Strap in black, gold, rose gold, or silver finishes.

Snowoxen genuine leather strap

There’s nothing more simple and stylish than a classic leather watch band, and Snowoxen nails it with their affordable leather band for the Samsung Gear S3! Made from a high quality and sturdy yet lightweight and soft leather, the Snowoxen genuine leather strap comes with an easy-to-buckle stainless steel clasp, making it the perfect day-to-day band.

$14 at Amazon

Unlike some other watch straps, the Snowoxen’s design is super simple and void of all logos, so it’s perfect for people who want a classic-looking smartwatch accessory.

The Snowoxen leather band also comes in a number of vibrant, eye-catching colors, like gray, dark red, coffee, navy, and so much more for around $14.

TRUMiRR Milanese stainless steel band

The Milanese look has been a staple with traditional watch designs for decades, so incorporating the TRUMiRR Milanese stainless steel band might be the perfect fit if that’s the particular style you’re after.

$11 at Amazon

This 22mm watch band is designed with a mesh, woven, stainless steel wire, and is adjustable for a variety of wrist sizes, so you never have to be uncomfortable while sporting your Samsung Gear S3 — and for $11 – $12, that’s quite the steal!

To attach and detach your watch band, all you need to do is release a small spring bar, minimizing annoying tools. The TRUMiRR may not come in a ton of colors, but it does come in a shiny silver, blingy gold, or a clean, classic black design.

Barton silicone band

After garnishing its fair share of positive reviews online and coupled with an easy-release design, vibrant colors, comfortable feel, and much more, the Barton silicone band is a great option to check out while you’re customizing your Samsung Gear S3.

$14 at Amazon

The Barton silicone watch band is designed with a textured back, making the slipping and sliding of most smooth silicone bands a thing of the past. The silicone design also makes it a great tool for working out, as you can easily remove and wash it if it starts to look dirty or stink.

To change your watch band, simply turn the band over and flip the switch — no tools are required! You can pick your Barton band from a number of vibrant colors, including black, white, turquoise, forest green, brown, gray, burgundy, yellow, navy blue, orange, peach, dark gray, and baby blue for around $14.

Rechere stainless steel watch band

The Rechere 22mm stainless steel watch band is an affordable, high quality strap that keeps your Samsung Gear S3 looking classic and clean without any clutter or useless accents of other watch bands.

$11 at Amazon

Unlike some other straps, the Rechere cannot be adjusted to fit individual wrists with a simple tightening system; rather, users will have to remove the links near the band’s clasps in order to make the stainless steel Samsung Gear S3 accessory smaller. You can pick up this band for around $11.

To remove the Rechere, you will have to use a small tool which comes with the band. The Rechere only comes in one color, silver, but if you’re looking for a watch with a similar style in a different color, then we suggest taking a peek at the Vetoo.

Your pick?

Is there a third-party watch band that you think would be perfect for the Samsung Gear S3?

Drop a link in the comments with a brief description of why you like it so that others can check it out as well!

Updated August 2018: All the options on this list are still the best of the best!

The best Google Home for apartments isn’t a Google Home at all

With a portable battery, big sound, and a small price tag, Insignia makes a better Google Home than Google does.

Google Home is no longer the only option for a great home speaker featuring Google Assistant and all of its goodness. Google’s AI has been added to speakers by big-name brands like JBL, Onkyo, Sony, and more, but the best buy in Google Assistant’s speakers comes from Best Buy’s in-house electronics brand, Insignia.

Insignia has two models of Insignia Voice speakers powered by Google Assistant: a smaller, non-portable speaker and a larger speaker with a five-hour battery life. While both are easily price performers over the rest of the currently available Google Assistant speakers, the portable version is bigger, bolder, and better in every way. Now that the Insignia Voice Smart Portable Bluetooth Speaker is only $5 more than its little sister, it’s the perfect smart speaker and alarm clock for those who like to bring their music with them from room to room as they go about their morning.

Insignia Voice Smart Portable Bluetooth Speaker

See at Best Buy

Price: $44.99

Bottom line: This big speaker features a bigger sound that Google Home while delivering the same Google Assistant goodness. A well-hidden carry handle and 5-hour portable battery let you keep the party going from room to room in your home.

The Good

• Big sound and big battery let you jam out all afternoon before you need to plug back in
• Large, grippy carry handle hidden under the touchpad
• 0-99 volume control for precision

The Bad

• The clock display can’t be turned completely off
• Controls aren’t explained very well, especially to turn it off
• Proprietary power adapter instead of standard charger

Okay, Google, rock my world

Insignia Voice Smart Portable Bluetooth Speaker What I love

This portable speaker is a tall drink of Google Assistant, sporting a frosted front display that always shows the time and can show the temperature when you ask it as well as showing the volume when you’re turning it up or down. That volume goes from 0-100%, and while this speaker isn’t as big as a Google Home Max or Sonos PLAY:5, 100% can shake the windows with its big sound. Even putting the speaker at 66% made me worry about noise complaints from the neighbors, but if you need to fill a big backyard party or barn-burner of a hoedown, the Insignia Voice can fit the bill all on its own.

Big speaker, even bigger sound

The height of the Insignia Voice’s display is great for low nightstands and cluttered countertops, with the time easily visible above mugs, kickstanded phones, and recipe ingredients, though the black mesh covering the bottom half of the unit can pick up stains from sugar, flour, makeup, and other powdery substances as you go about your day. With Google Assistant’s custom routines, Insignia’s alarms are even easier to set than traditional radio alarms since you can set time-triggered routine alarms from your phone or set music alarms on the fly with voice commands.

When was carrying the Insignia home in its sizable box, I had my doubts about how truly portable such a heavy speaker could be, but they were completely unfounded. While the speaker looks like a single, solid block, there’s actually a carry handle hidden on the back of the speaker and stretching under the top touchpad. It’s wide enough to fit four fingers into, then wrapping my palm around the top of the speaker for a secure grip as I carry it from room to room.

Portable but clunky

Insignia Voice Smart Portable Bluetooth Speaker What could still improve

While you can easily carry the Insignia Voice from room to room, but since it uses an AC adapter power supply, you can’t leave charger cables to plug it up in multiple rooms the way the TicHome Mini — Mobvoi’s portable Google Assistant speaker — can with its standard microUSB port. AC adapters are the norm for home speakers, but most portable speakers have long shifted to more standard connections for convenience, and USB-C and the USB-PD fast-charging standard would have been much appreciated here.

Controls on the Insignia Voice are similar to a Google Home, but differ in a few distinct and confusing ways. You have to hold the mute/power button down for 4 seconds to turn it off, but if you hold it down too long, the Insignia will factory reset itself instead, which is exactly what I did the first time I tried turning it off.

The in-store displays let passersby change tracks by waving their hand over the speaker, but I haven’t been able to do that with mine at home; waving just illuminates the volume and command buttons so you can hit them in the dark.

That said, it’s never truly dark in your bedroom with the Insignia Voice. While you can dim the clock display, you can’t turn it all the way off, and since that clock display is so high up, you’ll need to get creative when blocking it. I’ve taken one of my AC mugs, stuffed an old stretchable book cover inside for padding, and us that to cradle my phone at night while propping it up high enough to block the clock’s light.

Insignia Voice Smart Portable Bluetooth Speaker

The Insignia Voice isn’t perfect, but for $45, it’s the only Google Assistant speaker I need in my one-bedroom apartment. Whether I’m carrying it to the bathroom to jam out while I shower — this speaker is not waterproof, I leave it on the vanity counter — bringing it to the kitchen for timers and recipe instructions, or using it on the balcony while I write in the sunshine, its battery lasts long enough to get it back to its proprietary charger.

4.5
out of 5

With Google Assistant’s magic, the Insignia Voice can wake me up, get me ready for my day, wind me down, and then put me to sleep for less than half the price of a Google Home. Smart speakers with Google Assistant like this price-performer are only getting more and more plentiful, and there’s one for rooms and homes of every size showcased on the Google Assistant website. If the Insignia doesn’t strike your fancy, tell us what might that which one should review next.

See at Best Buy

Instagram Announces Support for Two-Factor Authentication Apps and Streamlined Account Verification

Instagram today announced several new security enhancements that are being implemented to make the social network safer for all users.

Starting soon, Instagram is implementing support for third-party authenticator apps, which will allow them to be used for two-factor verification purposes in lieu of a phone number.

Instagram has supported two-factor authentication for some time, but it was tied to a phone number and required users to receive text messages, which has proven to be insecure and left some Instagram users vulnerable to SIM hacking.

SIM hacking is a method hackers use to gain access to a person’s phone number, using it to get into high-profile social media accounts. Some instagram accounts with short handles are valuable and have been stolen through this method, something a third-party authenticator app can protect against.

Instagram says that users can go to the Settings section of the Instagram app, choose Two-Factor Authentication, and then select “Authentication App” to implement two-factor authentication that does not involve a phone number.

Support for third-party authenticator apps is rolling out and will be available globally “in the coming weeks.”

Along improved two-factor authentication, Instagram is also enhancing security through a new “About This Account” section that will be added to high-profile Instagram accounts. This feature will allow users to see more information about accounts that reach large audiences, allowing users to “evaluate the authenticity of the account.”

To see more about an Instagram account, users can tap on a profile, tap the hamburger menu option and then select “About This Account.” Information displayed will include the date the account joined Instagram, the country where it is located, recent username changes, and ads the account is running.

Starting in September, people who have accounts that reach large audiences will be able to review the information that will be available, and after that, the feature will roll out worldwide.

Instagram also plans to make it easier for Instagram users to earn a blue verified badge that lets people know an account is the “authentic presence of a notable public figure.” Verification has been available on Instagram, but prior to now, there was no streamlined process for requesting account verification.

To be verified, an account must comply with Instagram’s Terms of Service and Community Guidelines. We will review verification requests to confirm the authenticity, uniqueness, completeness and notability of each account. Visit the Help Center to learn more about Instagram’s verification criteria.

Instagram users who want to apply for verification can do so by accessing the Settings app and choosing “Request Verification.” Username, full name, and a copy of legal or business identification will be required. Like the other features announced today, the verification option is rolling out to users but could take some time to show up for everyone.
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Apple Releases macOS High Sierra 10.13.6 Supplemental Update for 2018 MacBook Pro Models

As we await the launch of macOS Mojave this fall, Apple has quietly released an updated version of macOS High Sierra 10.13.6 that’s designed for the 2018 MacBook Pro models.

The new version of the software can be downloaded directly from the Mac App Store or through the Software Update function in the Mac App Store on all compatible Macs that are already running macOS High Sierra.

According to Apple’s release notes the update will improve the stability and reliability of the MacBook Pro with Touch Bar, and is recommended for all 2018 machines.

The macOS High Sierra 10.13.6 Supplemental Update 2 improves the stability and reliability of MacBook Pro with Touch Bar (2018) computers, and is recommended for all users.

For detailed information about the security content of this update, please visit: https://support.apple.com/kb/HT201222

It’s not entirely clear what specific bugs or security issues are addressed in the new software, but it features build numbers of 17G2037/15P6805, while prior build numbers were 17G2208/15P6703.

Some 2018 MacBook Pro owners have experienced crackling speakers and issues with kernel panics perhaps related to the T2 chip included in the machines, so it’s possible the update addresses some of these issues.

Apple in July released an initial supplemental update for the 2018 MacBook Pro models to address a problem that caused the machines to excessively throttle when doing system intensive tasks. Today’s update could also potentially include further refinements to processor performance.

macOS High Sierra is reaching the end of its life as Apple prepares to release macOS Mojave, the newest version of macOS that’s currently being beta tested by developers and public beta testers. This is likely to be one of the final updates to the High Sierra operating system.

macOS Mojave introduces multiple enticing new features, such as a system-wide dark mode, dynamic wallpapers that shift throughout the day, Desktop Stacks for organizing desktop files, Finder improvements like a more useful Quick Look view and support for Quick Actions, and new apps like Apple News, Stocks, Home, and Voice Memos.

For details on what’s coming in macOS Mojave, make sure to check out our macOS Mojave roundup.

Related Roundup: macOS High Sierra
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