Apple Pay Now Accepted at All Costco Warehouses in United States

Apple Pay is now accepted at all Costco warehouses in the United States, at in-store checkouts, according to the company.

Costco has been equipping its warehouses with contactless payment terminals over the past several months, and as of this week, it has activated contactless payments at all of its 750 locations across the country. Costco is also outfitting its gas stations with contactless readers, but only a few have gone live.

Costco had previously been trialing Apple Pay at a warehouse in Issaquah, Washington, near its corporate headquarters, and a handful of other locations, but only now has acceptance rolled out to all of its stores.

The tap-to-pay functionality of Costco Anywhere credit cards is also working now. Costco launched this Visa-branded card a few years ago, in partnership with Citi, enabling Costco members to earn 2% cash back on purchases from Costco and Costco.com. It also doubles as a Costco membership card for entry.

As one of the biggest retailers in the United States, Apple Pay acceptance at Costco was long awaited. Apple Pay will also be launching at pharmacy chain CVS and convenience store chain 7-Eleven in the U.S. later this year.

Related Roundup: Apple PayTag: Costco
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Apple to Debut Low-Cost MacBook Air With Retina Display, Revamped Pro-Focused Mac Mini in 2018

Apple is working on several new products for its Mac lineup, including a new low-cost MacBook Air and a Pro-focused Mac mini, reports Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman.

The upcoming low-cost MacBook Air will be similar in design to the current MacBook Air, but with slimmer bezels around the display. It will continue to be sized around 13 inches, and it will feature a Retina display.

We’ve heard multiple rumors about the upcoming low-cost notebook, but it has been unclear whether it is part of the MacBook family or if it will be branded as a MacBook Air. Today’s report makes it clear that the new machine is going to be positioned as a MacBook Air upgrade, aimed at students and schools with a lower price tag than MacBooks in the MacBook family.

Apple is continuing to make new MacBook models as well, and it’s not yet clear how the company will differentiate the new MacBook Air from the MacBook. Right now, the MacBook’s higher price tag, slimmer body, and Retina display set it apart from the MacBook Air.

Apple is also said to be working on an upgrade to the Mac mini, which has not seen an update since October 2014. Little detail is available about the upcoming machine, but it is said to be focused on pro users with new storage and processor options that are likely to make it more expensive than previous Mac mini products.

2017 rumors suggested Apple was working on a Mac mini that “won’t be so mini anymore,” which would be in line with a machine that has more powerful, less compact components.

Bloomberg suggests Apple could potentially be planning to introduce the new Macs in October, following a September event that will see the launch of new iPhones and new Apple Watch models.

New iPad Pro models with Face ID are also in the works, but it is not clear if these will debut in September or October.

Related Roundups: Mac mini, MacBook AirBuyer’s Guide: Mac Mini (Don’t Buy), MacBook Air (Don’t Buy)
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Review: Twelve South’s New AirSnap Protects Your AirPods Case

Twelve South last month introduced its newest product, the AirSnap case designed to work with Apple’s AirPods.

Priced at $29.99, the AirSnap is made from a supple, full-grain leather that molds around the AirPods for a perfect fit. The fit is tight enough that I had to put a little effort in to stretch it to snap the case shut, but like all leather, it will loosen over time. Expect it to change in color too, because as you use it, it develops a patina.

Twelve South makes the AirSnap in deep teal, black, and cognac, colors that match its iPhone case lineup, so if you’re aiming for a matching look, it’s possible with the AirSnap and a Twelve South case. These colors also aren’t too far off from several of the colors of the leather cases that Apple sells.

The AirSnap features a main pouch the AirPods fit into, with a snap closure to keep the case closed for protection. The stitching around the case is well done and professional looking, and at the top, there’s a loop for a metal swivel clip. There are two slits at the back to allow the top flap to open, and an AirSnap logo at the back. A cutout at the bottom for the Lightning port enables charging while the AirPods are in the case.

Because of the Lightning port cutout and the snap-open flap that can be pulled back to get to the AirPods inside of the AirSnap, there’s no need to remove the AirPods case from the AirSnap.

You can put the AirPods case inside of the AirSnap and leave it there indefinitely, which is convenient. The snap can add an extra step, but I found that the act of unsnapping the AirSnap almost always opened up the AirPods case so there was no friction getting to my AirPods.

Similarly, closing the top flap of the AirSnap also closes up the AirPods case, so all in all, getting to the AirPods inside the AirPods case is similar to the experience using them without the AirSnap installed.

With the AirSnap protecting the AirPods case, it’s going to be safe from scratches, and the included clip at the top also has the potential to keep the AirPods from getting lost inside a bag or backpack if you don’t mind the risk of loss or theft.

Many of Twelve South’s marketing materials and images show the AirSnap clipped onto the outside of a bag, which is definitely something I’d be hesitant to do. The AirPods have a recognizable shape that isn’t hidden by the design of the AirSnap, which invites theft, and all clips can be prone to breakage.

There’s no way to lock the clip once it’s attached to a bag, and it also seems like it could be easy for it to accidentally come unfastened. That said, there are some bag and backpack options that have a clip for a set of keys inside the bag (usually attached to a long flexible cord) and in that situation, the AirSnap can be clipped safely inside where it’s easy to find and not vulnerable to being lost.

I didn’t have problems with the clip while I tested the AirSnap with my AirPods attached to my purse, but I did read about someone who used the AirSnap clip and had it fall off their bag (or get stolen), resulting in lost AirPods.

I’d feel a lot better about the clip if it weren’t so easy to unclip, but it just takes a simple little press to get it unclasped. I did, however, appreciate the swivel mechanism, which made it easy to get to my AirPods inside the AirSnap.

Bottom Line

It seems counterintuitive to put a case inside a case, and I’ve never worried about my AirPods case scratching, but based on a few searches, it’s certainly a concern for some people. There have been many complaints about the AirPods case scratching, and that’s something the AirSnap puts a stop to.

AirSnap will also prevent the AirPods from getting dirty inside a bag or a pocket because of the protective cover, so if you often have the AirPods Case floating around inside your bag, AirSnap is a good way to prevent damage.

I think the clip is useful, both for finding the AirPods in a mess of other items in a bag (it’s easy to grasp) or for clipping inside of a bag so it’s always easily locatable, but I’d use caution attaching it to the outside of a bag.

Aside from clip design, the AirSnap is a great little case that’s well made and seems worth the $29 asking price for those seeking a good quality AirPods case. The stitching looks great, the snapping mechanism is both secure and simple to use, and the Lightning port cutout offers easy charging access.

I’d expect that the AirSnap will work with the wireless AirPods charging case that’s set to come out alongside the AirSnap. It’s presumably using Qi wireless charging, which is able to work through cases as iPhones and other smartphones have demonstrated.

How to Buy

The AirSnap can be purchased from the Twelve South website for $29.

Note: Twelve South provided MacRumors with an AirSnap for the purpose of this review. No other compensation was received.

Tag: Twelve South
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How to Browse the Internet on Apple Watch Through watchOS 5’s WebKit Integration

With watchOS 5, Apple has added support for WebKit, which is designed to allow you to view content from the web right on your wrist, something that’s entirely new to the Apple Watch.

There’s no full web browser so you’re not going to see a Safari app for Apple Watch anytime soon, but you can now click on and open web links in apps like Mail and Messages.

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WebKit in Messages

If someone sends you a link to your Apple Watch in the Messages app, you can tap on it to open up a little mini web browser right in the Messages app.

You can open all kinds of webpages, from restaurant menus to airline flight information. Webpages are interactive and you can click on links and browse as you normally would.

WebKit in Mail

Just like Messages, if you get an email with a web link in it, you can open it up using the Mail app. You can also view HTML emails on the Apple Watch for the first time thanks to the WebKit integration.

Using Google and Other Websites on Apple Watch

As we mentioned earlier, there’s no built-in Safari app on the Apple Watch for browsing the web, but you can cheat. Here’s how:

From your iPhone or Mac, send yourself an iMessage with a link to Google.com (or any other search engine).
On the Apple Watch, open up the Messages app.
Tap on your name, and then tap on the Google.com link that you sent yourself.
Wait for the Google site to load on the Apple Watch.
Tap on the search field.
Speak or spell out whatever you want to search for.
Tap the search button.
You can load all kinds of websites on the Apple Watch, from Wikipedia to restaurant sites for finding menus, to airline check-in sites to websites like MacRumors.com. It’s essentially a full browser that’s been miniaturized for the wrist.

Some content will not load on the Apple Watch. You can’t watch YouTube videos, for example, nor will other types of video content load. Complicated websites with a lot of content, such as news sites, can take awhile to load or can refuse to load all together, so simple browsing is best on the Apple Watch.

Where possible, the little Apple Watch browser will use Reader Mode for text heavy websites, so you will see simple, easy-to-view sites with no ads. Mobile optimized sites work the best on the Apple Watch.

Using Google in the Messages app for browsing the web isn’t something that you’re going to want to do all the time because it’s slow and tedious on such a small screen, not to mention it eats up a lot of battery, but it’s useful for an emergency where you need to look something up and don’t have an iPhone handy.

For browsing the web on the Apple Watch, you will always need to use the search cheat because Apple doesn’t allow access to the URL bar. You can tap it, but there’s no way to enter a web address.

WebKit Gestures

WebKit on Apple Watch supports several gestures, which are outlined below.

• Use the Digital Crown or a finger on the screen to scroll.
• Double tap to zoom in and double tap again to zoom out.
• Long press to access options for Back, Forward, Reload, and Reader Mode.
• Swipe to move forwards or backwards through different sites.
• Tap a text field to speak or spell out text.

How to Clear Website Data on Apple Watch

Being able to browse the web on the Apple Watch through Mail and Messages means that your Apple Watch is storing some website data. You can delete all of this data in the Settings app. Here’s how:

Open the Settings app on Apple Watch.
Choose General.
Scroll down to Website Data.
Select “Clear Website Data.”
Using this option will remove all website cookies, credentials, and browsing data. It does not appear that Apple Watch stores any browsing history in a viewable format, so there’s no option to clear just history.

Availability

WebKit integration appears to be a feature that is limited to Apple Watch Series 3 models, as Apple Watch owners with Apple Watch Series 1 and Series 2 models are not able to open web links during the beta testing period, instead seeing a message that links need to be viewed on the iPhone.

It’s not clear if this is a beta limitation because Apple’s watchOS 5 site does not mention that it’s a Series 3 only feature, but it’s possible older Apple Watch models will not work with WebKit when watchOS 5 sees a release.

Related Roundups: Apple Watch, watchOS 4, watchOS 5Buyer’s Guide: Apple Watch (Caution)
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From DIY to AAA, here’s how to take a passport photo in 6 different ways

Alexey Ivanov/123RF
Alexey Ivanov/123RF

Applying for your first passport, or renewing an old one? In addition to the documents you need to submit, you’ll also have to provide a photo. But not just any photo will do, as the U.S. Department of State has a list of requirements that must be met. Not meeting one could result in an unwanted — and unfortunate — delay.

There are two approaches to taking a passport photo: Do it yourself for free, or utilize a service for a fee, such as a nearby pharmacy’s photo center. Choosing one will depend on your timing and budget, as well as the amount of effort you want to put in. Regardless of which option you pick, here’s how to get the perfect passport photo. You’ll be jetting off to somewhere far in no time.

Why do you need a passport?

Simply put, a passport allows you travel outside the country and re-enter upon your return. A passport serves as both a proof of identity and citizenship. Possessing a passport is required when you travel outside the United States or its territories.

A passport also works as the ultimate photo ID. Should you misplace your driver’s license or you need a second proof of identification, a passport is universally accepted, whether you’re flying domestically or trying to get into a club.

The official requirements

A passport photo is not the time to submit your Hollywood headshot. In this case, the more natural you look in the photo, the more likely it’ll be accepted by the Department of State. The photo also needs to be taken recently, or at least within the last six months. If you’ve undergone a significant change to your facial appearance — if you’ve grown a beard, for instance — you may also need a new passport with an updated photo.

While there are guidelines to follow, they aren’t necessarily complicated:

• Photo must be in color
• Subject’s background must be entirely white or off-white
• Head should face directly at camera, and face must be in clear view
• Eyes should be wide open (infants’ eyes can be closed or partially open)
• Remove red eyes and shadows (caused by a flash or overhead lighting)
• Keep a neutral facial expression or make a normal smile
• Wear clothing you would normally wear
• Unless it’s for religious reasons, no hats or head coverings
• No objects should be in the photo, such as headphones or pacifiers

Julian Chokkattu / Digital Trends
Julian Chokkattu / Digital Trends

If you need further guidance, here are some examples of what’s acceptable and what isn’t. Also, keep in mind that the State Department does not endorse any particular photo service, even those that claim to be government-compliant. The State Department could still reject a photo if it fails to meet the guidelines listed above.

Ready to have your photo taken? Here are a few options available at your disposal, as well as our preferred method.

Opt for your local drugstore

Jonathan Weiss / 123RF
Jonathan Weiss / 123RF

All major pharmacies with a photo center — e.g., Walgreens, CVS, Rite Aid — offer a passport photo service. Retailers such as Costco, Sam’s Club, Walmart, Target, FedEx Office, and the UPS Store also offer similar services. For many people, these businesses are conveniently located close to where they live or work. Prices range from $5 to $15, and photos can be ready for same-day pickup or even within an hour, which is ideal if you’re in a rush. For the fee, you’ll also get two 2-inch by 2-inch photos.

We recommend that you ask to see the photos before you pay, however, just to make sure you’re happy with the way you look.

Check out your local post office

James Martin / 123RF
James Martin / 123RF

The United States Postal Service can accept (but not process) passport applications and renewals at most branches. Select post office locations can even take your photo for an extra fee, which means you can take care of your entire passport application in one place.

The problem with using the post office is just that — it’s the post office. The government agency isn’t particularly known for its speed or efficiency, and passport services have different hours for different locations. Expect to wait in line if your local post office tends to get busy.

Utilize your AAA membership

Paul Jantz / 123RF
Paul Jantz / 123RF

If you’re an active AAA Premier or Plus member, you can have your passport photos taken for free. Each year, Premier-level members are entitled to four sets (one set equals two 2-inch by 2-inch photos) per household, while Plus-level members receive one set per member. It’s a nice benefit for premium-level members, but it does require trekking to a AAA branch, which may not be convenient for everyone. Basic-level members can also pay $8 for a set, while nonmembers can nab a pair for $12.

Hire a photography studio

The above-mentioned services are convenient, but keep this in mind: The people taking the photos aren’t professional photographers, so don’t expect them to take glamorous headshots for your passport. Most use a basic point-and-shoot camera under fluorescent store lighting. In fact, one AAA office we visited uses a decent DSLR, yet the photos still came out OK. If you’re somebody who cares about portrait aesthetics, consider using a photo studio. Many studio photographers who shoot portraits also offer passport photo services. They are more expensive — one studio we found, charges $20 for basic shots and $40 for ones with studio lighting — but your photos would be taken by someone with a professional eye, who can at least make sure you look your best.

Here’s how to watch Nvidia’s GeForce event at Gamescom

Watch live video from NVIDIA on http://www.twitch.tv

Today is August 20, and that means Nvidia is getting ready to (possibly) showcase its new GeForce RTX 20 Series family of add-in graphics cards for PC gamers. We’re sticking with that name, rather than the previous GTX 11 Series brand, due to today’s date (20th day, eighth month… get it?) and the recent introduction of Nvidia’s “Turing” architecture.

Although Nvidia invited members of the press and individuals attending Gamescom to its event, you can watch the show right here via Twitch or stay put and view it right here. According to Nvidia, the event will reveal “some spectacular surprises,” along with “exclusive” PC game demos running “on the latest GeForce hardware.

Nvidia introduced its “Turing” architecture last week, but not with cards slated for PC gamers. Instead, the company introduced new Quadro solutions for professionals. The big selling point? Cores dedicated specifically for real-time ray tracing. Typically, this job requires loads of computational power and lots of time to render each frame. That’s reportedly not the case with Nvidia’s new Turing design.

So far, we’re only assuming that Nvidia’s new graphics cards for gamers will be based on this design, but for all we know Nvidia may have another architecture up its sleeve. Over the last several months, we’ve seen a hint at Nvidia’s release schedule for the next several months: The 2080 on August 30, the 2070 and 2080 Plus on September 30, and the 2060 on October 30. We assume the prefix will be “RTX” if they’re based on the Turing design and support real-time ray tracing.

The rumored 2080 Plus is particularly interesting. Nvidia may release the 2080 with a mere 8GB of GDDR6 video memory as an “affordable” option while the 2080 Plus will likely have 16GB of on-board memory at a higher “premium” price. The latter card will likely sport higher clock speeds as well.

That all said, we’re extremely anxious to see what Nvidia has to offer during its Gamescom pre-show event.

Editors’ Recommendations

• Email shows Nvidia’s GTX 11 Series will start being released in late August
• Nvidia’s Turing chip reinvents computer graphics (but not for gaming)
• Nvidia GeForce GTX 11 Series’ arrival is uncertain after Computex remark
• Nvidia’s GTX 11 Series may get people ready for the next generation of VR
• Cryptocurrency may be why you still don’t have Nvidia GTX 11 Series graphics

HTC breaks down VR barriers by bringing Oculus Rift titles to Viveport

HTC’s Viveport content platform and subscription service will begin offering Oculus Rift compatible titles to gamers and virtual reality explorer on September 4, ending a long-running devotion to Vive-only games and experiences. The alternative virtual reality content platform has played second fiddle to Steam since its creation, but this could at least make it comparable in terms of support, leading to a larger content library in the long run.

Following a recent partnership with Amazon which will allow prospective VR gamers to buy new games and experiences for Viveport through the retail giant’s website, HTC is now bringing together the two largest VR gaming demographics under one roof. While SteamVR has offered compatible content for both the Oculus Rift, HTC Vive, and Vive Pro headsets for some time, HTC’s Viveport platform has, until now, operated similarly to Oculus own storefront: Hardware exclusive.

Starting September 4 though, Oculus Rift owners will be able to use Viveport just like their Vive counterparts do. While there will likely be a larger library of Vive-compatible content on the store to start with, as developers integrate their applications with the Viveport store, it could become a more even landscape. The store will leverage the same OpenVR compatibility that makes SteamVR work with both headsets, RoadtoVR reports.

Many Viveport titles that are compatible with the Rift will have already been available through Steam though, so arguably the biggest news of this announcement is that Oculus Rift owners will be able to take advantage of the Viveport subscription. The $9 per month service allows VR headset owners to download and play five VR titles a month, with an option to change them for something else every 30 days if they desire.

As much as this is good news for existing VR users though, it won’t do much to pull in new ones. With cost and lack of content cited as some of the biggest barriers to entry in the virtual reality ecosystem, HTC may need to do more if it wants to snowball VR growth over the next few years. The HTC Vive Pro might have been great to use, but it’s hardly a good starting-off point.

Editors’ Recommendations

• The best VR headsets of 2018
• HTC Vive review
• Here’s how and where you can watch the best 4K content
• Huawei has a clever way to put Windows on phones
• Apple Music vs. Spotify: Which service is the streaming king?

7 amazing anti-drone technologies designed to swat UAVs out of the sky

Drones are pretty darn awesome, but that’s not to say they can’t also be troublemakers. Whether it’s delivering contraband to individuals in prison, risking people’s safety by straying into flight paths, or breaching security by snapping photos and video where they’re not allowed, it’s easy to see why there would be demand for anti-drone technologies.

Fortunately for gadget lovers, some of these approaches are every bit as high-tech as the UAVs (unmanned aerial vehicles) they’re designed to bring down.

Here are seven of the most intriguing pieces of anti-drone technology in existence right now. And no, sadly you probably can’t buy most of them as a regular civilian with an eye on annoying your drone-owning next door neighbors.

DroneGun

With a name like “DroneGun,” there’s not too much apparent mystery about this solution — although it’s a bit more nuanced than its blunt force trauma name makes it sound.

Developed by Australian company DroneShield, this bazooka-looking creation works by jamming the signal between drone and drone pilot, thereby grounding unwanted UAVs. The anti-drone weapon tips the scale at 13 pounds, and is reportedly capable of warding off rogue quadcopters from up to 1.25 miles away.

ATHENA

Forget about puny handheld anti-drone weapons: defense giant Lockheed Martin wants to blast offending UAVs out of the sky by using a specially developed giant laser tower like we’re living in the future.

Called ATHENA (Advanced Test High Energy Asset), a 30-kilowatt version of the laser weapon has already been shown off in demos to the U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command, where it fried the heck out of five Outlaw drones.

The final version of ATHENA promises to fire anywhere up to a 120-kilowatt laser blast, should your drone problem be big enough.

DroneCatcher

As satisfying as frying drones in midair with a giant laser might be, there are, unfortunately, occasions on which it might not be appropriate. One example? When a drone is being used in restricted areas, and you want to be able to ground it without losing potentially incriminating evidence.

That’s where Dutch firm Delft Dynamics’ DroneCatcher comes into play. DroneCatcher is essentially an anti-drone drone, capable of locking onto an enemy UAV in the air and then catching it in a net from up to 20 meters away.

SkyWall 100

Like a ground-based version of DroneCatcher, SkyWall 100 is a net-launching bazooka that promises to bring down an enemy drone from 100 meters away.

Weighing 22 pounds, the shoulder-mounted cannon uses compressed air to fire its net. To keep the drone in one piece (for all the reasons we mentioned in the last entry), it then deploys a parachute to return its vanquished foe to terra firma.

Heck, it even helps out its operator by using predictive algorithms to help lock on to drones which may be moving at high speeds.

Sky Fence

Drones pose a real threat to prison security, since they’re capable of easily flying over walls and delivering contraband to folks behind bars. With that in mind, a prison in the U.K. this year installed 2,000-foot “drone shield,” designed to incapacitate law-defying quadcopters.

The Sky Fence system incorporates a number of signal disruptors, designed to jam the flight control signal of drones as they fly by. More impressively, it then makes the drone fly back to where it took off from, giving officers the chance to seize the offending pilot.

Eagle power

Remember that scene in Family Guy in which Peter’s new drone was plucked out of the air by an eagle? It may sound crazy, but that’s exactly the low-tech solution that Dutch cops showed off in early 2016, when they demonstrated how UAVs were no match for the sharp talons and eyesight of one of nature’s most awesome flying predators.

What could possibly go wrong, right? Unfortunately it turns out that the eagles didn’t always do what was expected of them during training sessions, leading to the retirement of this particular approach. We’re not sure whether to chalk this up as a win for nature or machine. We totally give them props for trying, though!

Drone malware

Hacking an enemy drone in midair, before it can do any damage, totally sounds like a set piece from one of the Mission: Impossible movies. In fact, it’s the real world concept behind Maldrone, a security vulnerability demonstrated by researcher Rahul Sasi. The malware can be used to remotely hijack drones, kill the on-board autopilot, and then take control remotely.

The process may not be quite so smooth or instantaneous as some of the other approaches on this list, but there’s certainly something poetic about bringing down a drone with its own vulnerabilities. Hey, it’s not like you’ve always got a net-shooting bazooka when you need one!

Editors’ Recommendations

• Prisons are fighting back against contraband-dropping drones. Here’s how
• This net-blasting security drone can stay airborne forever. Here’s how.
• Did a drone help a notorious French gangster escape from prison?
• Watch 958 drones create a 400-foot tall Time cover in lights instead of pixels
• 9 bizarre drones, from web slingers to lake hoppers

Dell’s new fast-refresh Freesync display could be your next great gaming screen

Dell has a pair of new Ultrasharp displays aimed squarely at gamers, and for those who value speed and responsiveness overall, they could be an ideal upgrade avenue in the near future. Sporting refresh rates as high as 155Hz, resolutions up to 1440P, and the option of both 24- and 27-inch panels, there’s plenty to like about the new, Freesync equipped displays. But will they join the pantheon of the best gaming displays available today?

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The Dell 2719DGF is a 27-inch, TN-panel monitor with a clean, professional look to its chassis. The understated aesthetic extends to its bezels, which are wonderfully thin, and the frame’s height and tilt angle can be adjusted, swiveled, and pivoted to help line it up perfectly with your position at your desk.

The native resolution of the display is 2560 x 1440, with a 144hz refresh rate over HDMI 2.0 and DisplayPort — although its overclockable to 155Hz. Response time is as fast as it gets at 1ms, so ghosting will be nonexistent.

Owing to this being a TN panel, color support isn’t as rich as other displays, but it still reaches 84 percent of the NTSC gamut, and has a static contrast ratio of 1,000:1. Viewing angles are restricted to 170 degrees on the horizontal. Port selection includes an HDMI 2.0 connector, a single HDMI 1.4 port, a DisplayPort 1.2 connector, and five USB ports. One USB BC 1.2 charging port and three USB 3.0 downstream ports. There are also headphone and audio line-out jacks.

When it debuts on August 28, the 2719DGF will be priced at $550.

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The Dell 2419HGF is the smaller of the two new displays, but its features are no less impressive. It’s a 1080p display with a TN panel that gives a 1ms gray to gray response time. Its refresh rate is 120Hz native but can be overclocked to enjoy up to 144Hz if desired. It enjoys the same 84 percent of NTSC color gamut support as its bigger brother, and the same 1,000:1 static contrast ratio.

Its ports are a little different, as it drops the HDMI 2.0 port in favor of a pair of HDMI 1.4 ports. It also has a single DisplayPort 1.2 connector and a trio of USB 3.0 ports — two downstream, one upstream. The standard headphone and audio-out jacks are also present.

Both monitors support Freesync (it’s different than G-Sync) and come with full support for Dell’s exhaustive Premium Panel Exchange program, which allows for a free replacement if even one bright pixel is found.

The 2419HGF will retail for $320 when it goes on sale on August 28.

Editors’ Recommendations

• BenQ’s curvy new QHD display for gamers supports AMD’s FreeSync 2 tech
• Computer monitor buying guide
• Philips claims ‘world’s first’ with a new 4K HDR desktop display
• Asus claims ‘world’s thinnest’ title with its new Zephyrus S gaming laptop
• Lenovo’s new mobile workstations pack a punch with Xeon CPUs, Quadro graphics

There’s no reason to not get the Essential Phone at just $224

You’d be hard-pressed to find a better phone deal than this.

Update: Looks like everyone agreed with this, and the discounted batch of Essential Phones has sold out. Be sure to keep an eye out at Thrifter to see if it comes back in stock!

Despite launching with a seriously bad camera, buggy software, and janky performance, the Essential Phone has still remained in the headlines over a year after its release — and for good reason.

For one thing, Essential’s been straight-up killing it when it comes to software updates. Not only has the company issued a heap of camera and performance improvements, but it also kicked out the full Android 9 Pie update to all Essential Phone owners just minutes after Google released it for the Pixel and Pixel 2 series.

Secondly, the Essential Phone has seen a number of big price cuts since it debuted with that staggering $799 price tag. After Essential permanently cut the phone down to just $499, various retailers have been running their own promos here and there to make the phone even more affordable. This past Prime Day saw one of the better deals with the phone being lowered to a mere $250.

This is one of the best values in smartphones you’ll find all year.

We didn’t think we’d see a better deal than that, but to our delight, we’ve been proven wrong. Right now on Amazon, you can pick up the Halo Gray Essential Phone for only $224. That’s it!

The Halo Gray color has a nice matte finish you won’t find with the Black or Pure White variants, and since it’s an Amazon exclusive, it’s also got Alexa baked right into it.

For those 224 dollars, the Essential Phone gets you way more than your money’s worth. The 5.7-inch LCD 2560 x 1312 is bright, crisp, and handles the notch far better than most of the competition since it ushered in the design trend. The Snapdragon 835 and 4GB RAM offer more than enough performance for day-to-day tasks, the 128GB of internal storage ensures you’ll never run out of space, and the combo of ceramic and titanium for the Essential Phone’s construction creates for one of the most premium-feeling phones that’s on the market right now.

Whether you’re shopping for a sub $300 phone, need a backup handset, or have been meaning to see what all the hype for the Essential Phone is about, now’s the time to pull the trigger.

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