UK Deal: Get £20 off the Honor Play and a free 64GB microSD card

It’s only been available in the UK for a short time and you can already grab a sweet deal!

The recently released Honor Play 6.3-inch smartphone is available right now for just £279.99 — that’s £20 off the retail price. What’s even better is that buying direct from Honor also means you get a free 64GB microSD thrown in just to sweeten the deal.

Amazon is matching the pricing for the Honor Play if you prefer to buy from there (great for Prime members, especially) with that same microSD card costing about £16 (of course, you can instead opt for a different brand or capacity to suit your needs instead).

We took an in-depth look at the Honor Play last month and were impressed by its balance of specs and pricing in a phone aimed at gamers.

The deal at Honor is listed as “first come, first served” so it’s unclear exactly how long it will last (presumably as long as supplies do). It’s also unclear how long Amazon will match the price for!

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

See at Honor UK

Stabilize your smartphone with this $6 Aukey Cell Phone Tripod

Best thing since the grain filter.

This Aukey Cell Phone Tripod Mount is down to only $5.99 right now over at Amazon. This thing normally sells for around $12, and the reviews are pretty nice too.

This tripod helps you take clearer shots and more stable video. It is compact and lightweight, but it can hold smartphones up to 5.7 inches. You can mount other cameras and things of that nature on it too, if you wish. Your purchase is backed by a 24-month warranty as well.

To really step up your cell phone photography, check out these lenses.

See at Amazon

NBA 2K19 vs. NBA Live ’19: Which should you buy?

This is David vs. Goliath all over again.

There are few other battles in sports gaming more fierce than the one between the two big NBA games. We’re talking about NBA 2K19 and NBA Live ’19, authentic options coming from 2K Sports and EA Sports, respectively.

This rivalry has been ugly ever since it sparked up way back when on the Sega Dreamcast. It’s largely been in 2K’s favor to date, including one especially dark time for NBA Live that saw its game needing to take a year off. But EA has been on a campaign to restore their franchise to the heights it once achieved, and the competition is reaching a fever pitch. NBA 2K19 vs NBA Live ’19: we break down the comparison straight ahead.

NBA 2K19 has the gameplay edge

Alongside stellar presentation, 2K Sports has always had a leg up on basketball gameplay. We don’t expect that trend to change much for NBA 2K19. 2K has built on its sports engine for years now, and although there are still some annoyances to deal with — such as some overzealous player animations which makes you feel as though you’ve lost control of your team — it’s still the golden standard.

NBA 2K19 features a heavy dosage of simulation-style basketball with an overwhelming amount of shooting, dribbling, and passing techniques to master. We’ll also give 2K the nod for its excellent GM Mode and online features. This game offers a pretty deep team management mode that lets you control every single aspect of running a successful franchise. And you can compete in most of these modes online, including both on the blacktop and in more league-based modes.

2K should also offer the superior team-building mode — called MyTeam — where you collect your favorite players’ cards to have them play on your basketball team. We haven’t always loved this mode in NBA 2K games, but the team at 2K Sports has figured out how to keep the mode fresh with regular content updates in recent years.

NBA Live ’19 is catching up

Although NBA 2K19 has dominated this arena, Live ’19 is making a roaring comeback. It also aims for simulation-style gameplay, though it’s not quite as deep as its competitor.

We’re a long way from the days of the Jesus glitch and a world of terribly clunky controls and nonsensical animations. EA has continued to build on the solid foundation they established a couple of years ago, and the company can finally boast a competent basketball game that’s worth considering.

One of the ways that will improve this year is through overall player movement. The game feels much smoother than last year’s thanks to a new streamlined dribbling mechanic and the physics-based Real Player Movement engine.

NBA 2K19 will still trounce Live overall, especially as some minor issues — such as a wonky passing system, an unrealistic rate of dunks, and questionable AI — still exist. But the gap will be greatly narrowed with this year’s entry.

The One vs. MyPlayer

One area EA is looking to better compete in is the rags-to-riches category. NBA 2K’s MyPlayer mode has been the model of RPG-style sports career modes for years now. Creating a superstar and taking him from your local neighborhood courts all the way to the hall of fame is always a journey worth experiencing. In recent years, 2K has added a story element that’ll help keep you engaged throughout the early parts of your player’s career.

How does EA look to top that? With their version of that mode called The One. It plays on the same concept that MyPlayer does. Build your superstar up and take him to great heights. You’ll use your superstar in a variety of both single player and multiplayer game modes. Where EA gets the edge is in the way you can build and progress your player.

There are tons of options to create the exact kind of player you want, with each position having its own subset of playing styles and archetypes. You can even create WNBA players this year, and the women can compete on the same courts with the men in certain modes.

NBA 2K19 does this as well sans the WNBA fun, but we’re going to give EA a huge nod for not locking player progression behind a massive wall of microtransactions. It’s true, in both games you can max out your player without spending a dime, but the grind in NBA 2K19 is so tedious and long that you’re almost forced to spend money if you realistically want to keep up. NBA Live 19 has microtransactions too, but EA looks to offer a much fairer proposition that doesn’t require you to surrender either your life or a limb.

Basketball authenticity

In terms presentation, both NBA 2K19 and NBA Live ’19 present a very believable night on the court. Live, in particular, will have significantly improved player face scans, some of which look even better than the lifelike scans featured in NBA 2K19.

It’s a bonafide wash graphically, but 2K19 will likely have the edge in overall presentation. NBA Live 19’s commentary engine still lags behind, and the broadcast graphics and halftime shows in NBA 2K19 make you feel like you’re sitting on the couch watching an actual game of basketball.

Which game is best?

NBA 2K19 once again looks to be the best basketball game you can buy. It’s a much deeper game than NBA Live 19 is right now, not just in areas of gameplay and presentation, but also how many different ways you can experience the thrill of the sport. Even with its most glaring issues, it’s hard not to recommend NBA 2K19.

$59.99 at Amazon

On the other hand, NBA Live ’19 is on the up-and-up. Those who fancy EA’s game will finally have a legit career mode to sink their teeth into, and basketball games will feel like actual basketball games instead of an amalgamation of confusion and nonsense. And if you don’t want to be badgered about pulling your wallet out every time you want to make your character better, this is the game you need to be playing.

$59.99 at Amazon

Hit the courts

Oddly enough, you can play whichever game you prefer starting on the same day. NBA 2K19 would be available September 7 if you purchased the 20th Anniversary Edition, while those buying the standard version will have to wait until September 11. If NBA Live ’19 sounds more your style, the game launches September 7 for everyone. Which one has your attention?

PlayStation 4

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

Amazon

Even renters can get great DIY security systems

We’re a virtual company made up of tech experts from across the globe and work from our homes. Keeping everything connected — and secure — is our specialty.

The Ring Alarm is the best DIY home security system for renters because it offers everything needed to keep your home safe at a competitive price and the optional $10 monthly monitoring is the best value.

Our Pick

Ring Alarm

• $199 from Amazon
• $199 from Best Buy

Out of the box the Ring Alarm system is ready to start protecting your home.

The Ring Alarm was designed to be placed and used without needing any sort of installation or tools, making it perfect for those who rent a home and might not want to start putting holes in the walls.

The no-installation option

If you rent your home you probably aren’t ready to break out the tools and install wires and sensors everywhere. But you still want to protect your valuables, so you need a great home security solution that you can use that can move with you instead of being permanent. The Ring Alarm only needs a connection to power and your Wi-Fi to start monitoring, and the sensors and detectors are securely held with double-sided tape that’s easy to remove. The Ring Alarm system is inexpensive, built to grow with you, and full-featured.

Is it a good time to buy this phone?

Yes! Ring is an established brand in the home automation and smart device space and the company is offering the Ring Alarm at a great price. The newly redesigned Ring app keeps you informed and offers complete control over your home’s security everywhere you go right from your smartphone. Best of all, you won’t find a remote monitoring solution as comprehensive as what Ring offers at a lower price; $100 locks you in with 24/7 monitoring for a full year.

Reasons to buy

• $199 gets everything you need to get started
• No wires, no tools, no installation required
• 24-hour battery backup
• 24/7 monitoring is just $10 per month

Reasons not to buy

• Motion detectors have a 3-minute reset window
• Door and window sensors are a little large
• No volume control for the siren

A comprehensive system at a competitive price

Ring is a well-known name in the home-automation space offering products like video doorbells and security cameras since it was founded in 2013. With Amazon as its parent company, Ring is well-positioned to tackle the needs of renters when it comes to a no-installation security system. The $199 base package is one of the lowest priced solutions and out of the box its ready to monitor one entryway with a contact sensor and motion detector included with the base station, range extender and keypad.

Ring’s $10 monthly monitoring plan is the cheapest you’ll find.

Another way Ring is the best is when it comes to remote monitoring. The Ring app for Android and iOS offers complete control of your Ring devices as well as your security system, alerting you whenever a sensor or motion detector triggers without any additional monthly fees. If you have the need for complete remote monitoring including a third-party service to contact law enforcement if an alarm is triggered and not reset during a 10-minute window, you’ll love the price of $100 yearly or just $10 per month.

The Ring Alarm system is smart, too! Setup is easy through the app and easy to follow directions, and you’ll appreciate features like settings to keep pets from triggering alarms. Integration with FirstAlert Z-Wave smoke and carbon monoxide detectors works out of the box and the company says full Alexa support is coming soon.

If you need a solid and affordable security system that doesn’t require drilling any holes or running any cables, the Ring Alarm is the best option for most people.

Alternatives to the Ring Alarm

The Ring Alarm is our top pick because it offers the best value when it comes to a solid basic security system. But we know that some are looking for specific features and value isn’t always the first consideration. If you’re looking for extras when it comes to professional monitoring or complete smart home integration through Google Assistant there are alternatives worth considering.

Smart Home

Nest Secure

The Nest Secure system integrates into any smart home.

$399 at Best Buy

The Nest Secure system offers complete adoption into the Google Assistant ecosystem. Control and monitor your security solution anywhere through the Nest app while you’re away or through your Google Home while you’re at home.

Nest’s $399 Nest Secure kit isn’t our overall best, but if you’re building out a smart home and want your virtual assistant to control all the things, it might be a better choice for you.

You’ll still get a full-featured system with a no-tool installation and 24/7 monitoring is available through Brinks Home Security, but tight integration with all “works with Nest” products as well as Google Assistant allow for extensive automation routines and conveinence.

Monitoring Options

SimpliSafe Wireless Home Security

Unique monitoring options make the SimpliSafe Wireless system a standout.

$256 at Amazon

SimpliSafe offers no-tool installation as well as professional monitoring that’s a cut above the rest.

SimpliSafe offers several wireless home security systems that are great for renters and the $256 “Bravo” package is a great starter kit for most homes. What sets SimpliSafe apart is unique professional monitoring options like “secret alerts” that can call law enforcement and notify you without setting off a loud siren.

Bottom line

The Ring Alarm is inexpensive, offers elexcent 24/7 professional monitoring for $10 per month, and is ready to work as soon as you take it out of the box. It’s the perfect security solution for most renters.

If you need extras like tight smart home integration or unique specialized professional monitoring, other security systems are available that won’t need you to drill holes in your walls. too.

Credits — The team that worked on this guide

Jerry Hildenbrand is well-versed in smart home products and solutions and has extensive knowledge of electronics and control wiring. He now works from home and has a vested interest in protecting his valuables.

Tom Westrick is a home automation enthusiast and has built a complete smart home in his apartment. He also has audio and video equipment that requires a bit of home security.

‘Brilliant Control’ Launches to Replace Regular Light Switches With Smart Home Controls, HomeKit Coming Later

Smart home tech company Brilliant today launched its touchscreen-based “Brilliant Control” light switch priced starting at $299.00. Announced in early 2017, Brilliant Control replaces any existing light switch to enable touch and voice control over smart home devices from Amazon, Google, Nest, Ecobee, Honeywell, Ring, Philips Hue, and Wemo, but at launch not HomeKit.

Amazon Alexa is built directly into Brilliant Control, making it easy for those in the Amazon ecosystem to control their products with their voice using the light switch. For whatever light switch you are replacing, Brilliant Control also turns these bulbs into smart lights through the touch and voice control system.

Brilliant Control is compatible with Sonos, allowing the light switch to act as a hub for music playback on Sonos’ line of smart speakers. The device also acts as a speaker system if you have two or more installed, so one person can make announcements to the rest of the house or use it as a video intercom between specific rooms.

Connected smart features include being able to see who is at your door by displaying the feed from a Ring doorbell, adjusting the temperature of Nest with touch or voice control, controlling Hue scenes, and more. Brilliant Control’s display can also act as a picture frame when not in use, displaying family photos, art, or even seasonal themes.

Next to the touch screen are grooves that represent the traditional light switches you’ve replaced using Brilliant Control. Users can slide their fingers along each area to adjust the lighting for each respective fixture.

We reached out to Brilliant regarding future HomeKit support, and the company told us that it has hardware support for HomeKit built directly into Brilliant Control. This means that a future software update for the switch will include HomeKit support, but the company didn’t divulge a release window for this update.

This should make Brilliant Control more enticing for those in Apple’s ecosystem when HomeKit support launches, allowing you to control your scenes and accessories through the touch panel or Siri. As usual, if you’re interested in Brilliant Control for HomeKit support, it’s probably best to wait until the update has rolled out since we aren’t sure how long it will take.

The company is also launching a connected iOS [Direct Link] and Android app, which allows all of the same controls when you aren’t at home. Brilliant says that installing the device is as easy as installing a light switch, and requires “no additional wiring, modifications, or remote servers.”

Brilliant Control comes in six colors and begins at $299.00 for a one light switch panel, and then rises to $349.00 for a two switch panel, $399.00 for a three switch panel, and $449.00 for a four switch panel. More information about Brilliant Control can be found on the company’s website.

Tag: Brilliant Control
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