Robot vacuums, car media receivers, and more are discounted today

Whether you’re looking for new tech gear or household items, we’ve got you covered.

There’s never a shortage of deals available, but sorting through all of them can be difficult at times. We’ve handpicked all the best tech, and everyday essentials discounts that you can take advantage of right now and brought them to one central location. From robotic vacuums to hatchets, these are today’s best deals.

Tech Deals

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Everyday Essentials

If you want to know about the deals as soon as they are happening, you’ll want to follow Thrifter on Twitter, and sign up for the newsletter, because missing out on a great deal stinks!

The Google Home Hub is running a different OS from other Smart Displays

Google’s also using a completely different processor — but why?

At Google’s big hardware event this Tuesday, the company announced a slew of new products — one of which was the Google Home Hub. The Home Hub is the latest Smart Display to hit the market and is essentially Google’s version of products like the Lenovo Smart Display and JBL Link View.

However, while Lenovo and JBL’s gadgets run something called Android Things (an Internet of Things platform built by Google itself), the Home Hub is powered by something completely different.

In an interview with Ars Technica, Google’s Vice Presiden of Product Management, Diya Jolly, explained that the Home Hub is actually based on a modified version of Google Cast — the same platform that powers the Chromecast. Commenting on this, Jolly said:

There’s no particular reason. We just felt we could bring the experience to bear with Cast, and the experiences are the same. We would have easily given the third-parties Cast if they wanted it, but I think most developers are comfortable using Android Things.

In addition to the discrepancy with the operating system, the Home Hub also uses a custom Amlogic processor instead of the Qualcomm Snapdragon 624 that was built specifically to power Android Things devices. Although it’s unclear why exactly this was done, one possibility is that it was a cost-cutting move to help get the Home Hub at its $150 price tag.

While that may sound like substantial differences between the Home Hub and other Smart Displays, there’s honestly nothing user-facing that we’ve seen so far that really makes the Home Hub a seriously better or worse product. All of the new software goodies shown off at the Google event are coming to other Smart Displays, but even so, it’s still interesting to think that Google built a turn-key platform for OEMs to make these sort of gadgets and then decided to not use it itself.

If you’ve got any takes on this, feel free to sound off in the comments below.

Google Home Hub hands-on: The perfect compact bedside gadget

Keep your Google Pixel 3 XL svelte with a thin case

The Google Pixel 3 XL is tall, dark, and handsome, so why would you make yours gain weight wearing a thick, bloated case? The Pixel 3 XL’s glass back needs protecting, to be sure, but we can protect it without locking it in Fort Knox with cases like the Cimo Slim Grip that give your new phone some extra grip and guard against scuffs and scratches.

Like nothing’s there

Cimo Slim Grip

$8 at Amazon

Cimo’s Slim Grip is one of the thinner clear cases on the market. Its translucence lets the Pixel branding and two-tone glass shine through one of three cool colors — blue, purple, and clear — while the TPU offers extra grip so you can keep your Pixel 3 XL safely in hand.

Crystal Clear

Spigen Liquid Crystal

$12 at Amazon

Eschewing hard polycarbonate backs that have a tendency to produce oily rainbows on many a clear case, the Liquid Crystal’s flexible TPU is easy to apply and easier to grip. This case offers light protection that is as thin as it is beautiful on the Google Pixel 3 XL.

Affordable crystal

MoKo Clear Case

$8 at Amazon

MoKo’s clear cases display the Google Pixel 3 XL’s beauty to the world with a hard polycarbonate back while a more flexible TPU bumper lets you get the case on and off the phone with ease. Moko’s case is a little tougher to get on and off than a pure TPU case, but its hard back offers stability and a good surface for phone grips or card sleeves.

Air cushion corners

TGOOD Slim Grip

$8 at Amazon

Want a thin case but want still want more protection for your Pixel 3 XL and those dreaded corner-drop shatters? TGOOD has your answer with their Slip Grip case, which stays thin and clear and beautiful on the back and sides of the phone where you’ll grip it most often while sporting some serious air cushions on the four corners of the case.

Like totally perfect

Totallee Case

$29 at Totallee

It doesn’t get much thinner than Totallee’s 0.02-inch ultra-thin case. This premium case comes with a premium price and three styles — Frosted Clear, Solid Black, and a softer Glossy Clear — but it won’t be shipping until later this month.

Lightweight protection

Spigen Thin Fit

$12 at Amazon

Spigen’s Thin Fit wraps around the sides and back of the phone for an open, minimal look. You get corner protection and just enough lip around the camera and screen to help avoid scratches and scuffs.

The Totallee case is as thin as cases get, but it’s also more than double the price of any other case on this list. For a thin case that won’t thin your wallet, I recommend grabbing either the Cimo Slim Grip or the Spigen Thin Fit. It’s also worth reminding you that while lightweight cases will offer your phone some scuff and scratch protection, don’t expect this slim cases to protect your phone from a 2-story fall like a heavy-duty case.

Add two USB ports to any wall with the $12 Legrand electrical outlet

Get plugged in.

The Legrand Pass & Seymour electrical outlet with two AC plugs and two USB-A ports is down to $11.94 on Amazon. That compares to a regular street price of $22, and this device was selling as high as $26 recently. This drop is the best we’ve seen.

If USB-A is fine, but you could get a lot more use out of a USB-C port, this Topgreener outlet might be the way to go for you. It’s also on sale right now. Elevate the ports to a sitting position with Legrand’s desktop charging station, which is on sale for $24.

Once installed you’ll be able to have two appliances plugged in and charge two mobile devices with the extra USB ports. Each port provides up to 1.55A. You can say goodbye to wall adapters with this since you can just get powered up directly. The outlets have a shutter system that helps prevent unwanted objects from getting plugged in, providing some safety especially with children. The few users who have reviewed this give it positive ratings.

These Anker charging cables are on sale today and would work well with your new outlets.

See on Amazon

MrMobile’s Razer Phone 2 Hands-On: Glowing with potential

A blocky build chock full of right angles; a slick and smooth 120hz display; a big battery between even bigger speakers. Yep, the Razer Phone 2 sure is familiar! But in building a sequel to its gaming-focused flagship from last year, Razer has taken the opportunity to fix nearly every single flaw I called out in my review of that older model. From water and dust resistance to a glowing Chroma logo to a brighter display to a wholly reworked camera, the Razer Phone 2 seems poised to finally deliver on last year’s lofty promises – as long as you’re willing to shell out the asking price of $799.

Check out the MrMobile hands-on in the video above, and be sure you’re subscribed to the channel so you don’t miss the full Razer Phone 2 review coming soon! Then be sure to check out the Razer Phone 2 hands-on posts from Android Central and Windows Central for their platform-focused takes on this monster.

Stay social, my friends

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Should you get the Netgear Arlo Pro or the Arlo Pro 2?

We’re a virtual company made up of tech experts from across the globe. We know that when you’re looking for a security system kit, you want all the features that’ll keep your home safe.

Arlo Pro

Wire-free; hassle-free

$301 at Amazon

Pros

• 100 percent wireless.
• Weather-resistant.
• 2-way audio support.
• Night vision.
• 130-degree field of view.

Cons

• 720p resolution .
• No defined activity zone.
• No 24/7 recording.

The Arlo Pro kit makes for a great entry-level security system that features an easy 100 percent wireless installation. Extras like 2-way audio and audio detection are a plus, but the lack of 1080p video and custom defined zones are a bit of a downer.

Arlo Pro 2

Pro redefined

$420 at Amazon

Pros

• 100 percent wireless.
• Weather-resistant.
• 1080p video.
• 24/7 recording with a local storage option.
• 130-degree field of view.

Cons

• Expensive.
• Battery life can be spotty.

The Arlo Pro 2 builds on the success of the original Arlo Pro and adds much-requested features like 1080p recording and full-time surveillance (with optional local storage). However, features like this drive the price up and it’s quite expensive.

The Arlo Pro and Arlo Pro 2 systems are nearly identical. That’s great because they have a list of features that make them stand out among other DIY security system options. One major difference is the price. Arlo Pro 2 clocks in about $120 more expensive than the original for a 2-piece kit. Have a look and see if the extras are worth the price bump.

Impressive specs

DIY home security has seen a boom in recent years. Smart homes and new tech offer ways to fit cameras into our lives like never before, and well-established companies like Netgear are now offering comprehensive solutions that can rival multi-thousand dollar professional installation.

The Arlo Pro name comes highly recommended by just about everyone, and the release of the latest generation — the aptly named Arlo Pro 2 — brings about a few more features that make Arlo a name you need to look at before you buy any security system. The list of features speaks for itself.

The major differences between the Arlo Pro and the Arlo Pro 2 system are highlighted in this impressive list of features. 1080p vs. 720p video, the lack of a 24/7 “surveillance” option, and no ability to create custom zones to monitor activity are features the original Arlo Pro system lacks.

These features bring about a healthy increase in price, though. For a comparable system consisting of two cameras, a base station with alarm, two batteries, and a charger, the Arlo Pro 2 costs $120 more. To put that into perspective, it’s more than the cost of an Arlo Smart Home Security Light to add into your system. $120 is real money. Arlo’s cloud storage — seven days of recordings for free with multiple inexpensive upgrade options — is the same price for either system.

The system that’s best for you depends on more than the price. The Arlo Pro 2’s 24/7 recording feature — the base station has a USB connection for a storage device — is a must for some of us, as is the 1080p recording. The best feature, though, is the user-definable capture zones. Through the Arlo app, you can tell the camera where to look for motion before it begins recording. When you’re using the camera totally wire-free and running off of the battery, this can mean a much longer battery life.

Unless $120 is just too much of a difference to swallow, we recommend the Arlo Pro 2 as the better purchase.

Arlo Pro

Wire-free; hassle-free

$301 at Amazon

DIY ease with Pro features

The Arlo Pro kit makes for a great entry-level security system that features an easy, completely wireless installation. Extras like 2-way audio and audio detection are a plus, but the lack of 1080p video and custom defined zones are a bit of a downer.

Arlo Pro 2

Pro redefined

The Best DIY camera system

$420 at Amazon

The Arlo Pro 2 builds on the success of the original Arlo Pro and adds much-requested features like 1080p recording and full-time surveillance (with optional local storage). However, features like this drive the price up and it’s quite expensive.

Type away on your Galaxy Tab S4 with this $90 Book Cover Keyboard

Type away.

The Samsung Galaxy Tab S4 book cover keyboard has dropped down to $89.99 on Amazon. This keyboard cover normally sells for around $110 and was going for as much as $150 in early September. The drop to $90 is the lowest we have seen.

The Galaxy Tab S4 is, surprisingly, not included in that $90 price. However, you can get one to go with your new keyboard cover for just $748 on Amazon. The keyboard helps cover your screen when it’s not in use and increases your productivity by making typing more convenient. It has user-friendly key placement and a place to store your tablet’s stylus. The intuitive Pogo pin connectors make it easy to setup, too.

See on Amazon

Can you use a Samsung wireless charger with the Google Pixel 3?

Best answer: Yes. The Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL support the same Qi charging stand used in all of Samsung’s wireless chargers.

Amazon: Samsung Fast Charge Wireless Charging Convertible Stand ($58)

How does the Pixel 3 support Samsung wireless chargers?

While previous Pixel devices featured aluminum housings, the Pixel 3 and 3 XL have glass backs that are much more conducive to wireless charging. Like most other phones, the new Pixels use the Qi wireless charging standard, which is the same standard supported by Samsung’s charging stands.

Though tediously named, Samsung’s Fast Charge Wireless Charging Convertible Stand is a fantastic wireless charger with an adjustable surface that allows you to lay your phone flat or prop it up so that you can still see notifications with your Pixel 3 charging on a desk. Of course, that adjustable surface is also padded and soft to avoid scratching up your phone, and works well through even most thick cases.

Why not just buy Google’s Pixel Stand instead?

The Pixel Stand is great — it’s made specifically for the new Pixels, and has a few unique features like a specialized dock mode — but it’s also $79. While that’s not too much more than our top recommendation, the Pixel Stand doesn’t match the flexibility of the Fast Charge Wireless Charging Convertible Stand.

If you don’t care about changing the orientation of your phone while it’s charging, Samsung has other wireless chargers, including a standing charger for $35 and a flat charging pad for $50 — both of which are capable of 9W fast wireless charging. There’s also the Wireless Charger Duo, which can charge two devices at once, for $120.

Will a Samsung charger work as quickly as the Pixel Stand?

Not quite, but it’s very close. Google’s Pixel Stand outputs up to 10W to the Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL through its included 18W USB-PD power adapter. Most of Samsung’s wireless chargers, on the other hand, output at a maximum of 9W. That difference is fairly negligible, but it’s there nonetheless.

Our pick

Samsung Fast Charge Wireless Charging Convertible Stand

$58 at Amazon

The sit-stand desk of chargers.

Samsung’s convertible wireless charger allows you to top up your Pixel 3 from either a flat or raised position, and outputs up to 9W for a quick charge. It’s not quite as fast a wired connection, but it’s nearly as good.

Apple Says iOS 12 is Now Installed on 53% of Active Devices From Last Four Years

Apple’s iOS 12 operating system, released on September 17, is now installed on 53 percent of active devices introduced in the last four years.

Apple shared the installation statistics on its App Store support page for developers, which was updated today.

iOS installation rates are being broken down in a new way. The 53 percent statistic applies only to devices released in the last four years. Amid all devices, 50 percent are running iOS 12.

Of devices released in the last four years, 40 percent are running iOS 11 and 7 percent are running an earlier version of iOS. Among all devices, 39 percent continue to run iOS 11 while 11 percent use an earlier version of the operating system.

Apple’s data is in line with iOS 12 adoption rates that we’ve been monitoring from analytics site Mixpanel. A week ago, Mixpanel suggested right around 46 percent of devices were running iOS 12.

iOS 12 adoption has outpaced iOS 11 adoption rates at the same time last year. In early October of 2017, iOS 11 was only installed on approximately 38.5 percent of devices. It took until early November for iOS 11 adoption to hit 50 percent, based on Apple’s official numbers.

iOS 12 adoption rates are in line with iOS 10 adoption rates in 2016. On October 11, 2016, iOS 10 was installed on 54 percent of active devices.

It is not a surprise that customers are choosing to install iOS 12 at a more rapid pace given the speed improvements introduced with the update. On older devices, performance enhancements can make iPhones and iPads feel much faster.

On the iPhone 6 Plus, for example, apps launch up to 40 percent faster, while the keyboard can appear up to 50 percent faster. Opening the camera on the Lock screen to take a photo can be done 70 percent faster.

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Apple has made animations smoother and more responsive across the operating system, so accessing Control Center, scrolling in apps, or swiping up when multitasking feels more fluid.

iOS 12 also includes optimizations for when the operating system is under load. Apps launch up to twice as fast under a heavy load, as does the Share Sheet.

iOS 12 adoption is likely to see a decent bump with the launch of iOS 12.1, an update that is being beta tested. iOS 12.1 introduces eSIM functionality on the iPhone XS and XS Max, brings Group FaceTime, a feature that was removed before iOS 12 launched, and includes new emoji.

Related Roundup: iOS 12
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Review: The HyperJuice Adapter Lets You Charge Your AirPods Wirelessly, But It’ll Cost You

With Apple’s AirPower still missing in action, accessory makers have started coming up with alternate solutions to allow the AirPods to charge using a Qi-based wireless charger.

Hyper’s HyperJuice Wireless Charger Adapter is one such solution, adding wireless charging support to the AirPods for $50. The HyperJuice Adapter, which is made from a white plastic to match the AirPods, snaps on to the AirPods Charging Case.

One side of the HyperJuice Adapter is shorter than the other, and this side is meant to be positioned at the back of the case to leave the Bluetooth button on the back of the AirPods accessible. The front side of the adapter is longer and comes up close to the lid of the AirPods.

I guess one side of the HyperJuice had to be longer to house the wireless charging coil, but with the long side of the HyperJuice Adapter positioned right at the lid of the case, it’s a little bit harder to open the lid one handed with a thumb.

Having the longer side at the front also made the whole setup feel backwards to me, especially because the front of the HyperJuice features the HyperJuice logo and FCC regulatory information.

Inside of the adapter, there’s a Lightning connector that plugs into the Lightning port of the AirPods Charging Case, which is how the wireless charging works. On the bottom of the adapter, there’s a small green LED that lets you know when the HyperJuice Adapter is successfully charging with a wireless adapter.

Size wise, the HyperJuice Adapter adds some bulk to the AirPods. The case isn’t quite as pocketable as it is while naked, and while it wasn’t an unreasonable amount of bulk, part of the appeal of the AirPods is the small, sleek case. The HyperJuice Adapter is meant to stay on the Charging Case all the time, so the extra plastic is something to be aware of.

Because I only charge my AirPods once a week I didn’t feel like the bulk the HyperJuice Adapter adds was worth the convenience or the cost, but someone who uses the AirPods more frequently and charges more often may not mind the tradeoff.

You could use the adapter only when charging, but having to attach a case to charge feels like it would defeat the purpose of the wire-free solution.

Charging the AirPods with a wireless charger was relatively quick, but not quite as fast as charging with a Lightning cable. I drained the battery of the AirPods and the case and then charged for an hour on a 7.5W Belkin charger, certified to work with Apple’s iPhones.

In an hour’s time, both AirPods had charged to 100 percent, while the case had charged to 72 percent. It normally takes just about an hour for the AirPods and the Charging Case to charge completely over Lightning, so the wireless solution is a bit slower.

Hyper’s website says it’s supposed to take about an hour and a half to charge the AirPods to full with the adapter, which is in line with my charging results.

It’s worth noting that Hyper’s website says the case is meant to work with any 5W Qi-based wireless charger, but it does also work with the 7.5W versions. My AirPods and Charging Case did feel warm with the wireless charging
(both 5W and 7.5W) and I’m not sure if that has the potential to cause problems over time. With wired charging, my AirPods stay relatively cool.

Bottom Line

If you’re transitioning to an all wireless setup and are tired of waiting for Apple’s own AirPower charging mat, the HyperJuice Wireless Charger Adapter for the AirPods will let you charge sans Lightning cable.

Charging without a cable doesn’t come cheap, though, because Hyper is charging $50 for the accessory. That’s a lot pricier than a Lightning cable, but it’s less expensive than the AirPower will be when it launches.

The current AirPods Charging Case won’t even be compatible with the AirPower, so for customers who don’t want to upgrade to a new model, a solution like the HyperJuice Adapter is the only way to get access to wireless charging.

The HyperJuice Adapter is not without its flaws, but it works as described and provides a wire-free charging solution for existing AirPods cases.

Whether the $50 price tag is worth it for wireless charging instead of charging with a Lightning cable will depend on your personal setup and willingness to pay for the convenience of a wire-free charging experience.

How to Buy

The HyperJuice Wireless Charger Adapter for the AirPods can be purchased from the Hyper website for $49.99.

Note: Hyper provided MacRumors with a Wireless AirPods Charger for the purpose of this review. No other compensation was received.
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