Chrome OS 70 update makes it easier to get touchy with your Chromebook

Mark Coppock/Digital Trends

After Chrome 70 released to desktop and Android earlier in October, it is now in the process of rolling out to Chromebook devices around the world. This latest update introduces new changes focused on making Chrome OS more touch-friendly, as noted by Chrome Unboxed.

Foremost among the upgrades in Chrome OS 70 is a new interface that centers the system taskbar and makes app icons larger and spaced out for easier access via touch. Also new in that area is a fresher quick settings menu, which adds in cleaner toggle switches for Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, sound, and brightness settings.

The new UI and Quick Settings menu (via Android Police)

Elsewhere, another key change is new support for Android app shortcuts, where right-clicking or tapping on apps in the system tray will display secondary options. That fits in with support for a new floating touch keyboard, which includes handwriting recognization and emoji input. The keyboard even can be undocked to a length similar to Gboard on Android, a significant change from the previous versions of Chrome OS in which it took up half the display.

The new touch keyboard on Chrome OS 70 (via Chrome Unboxed)

Currently, not all Chromebooks models are eligible for this update and only 33 percent of all devices have received it thus far. Google officially says that “systems will be receiving updates over the next several days,” so not everyone will be seeing the update right away.

That should not be too surprising, considering that Chrome OS 70 also introduces a new AV1 video decoder, which focuses on delivering better video quality. Newer features on the software side don’t always work out well with older hardware.

Other key changes in Chrome OS 70 include new controls for managing extension permissions, and “not secure” warnings when entering personal information on non-HTTPS webpages. A full list of the smaller changes is available on the Google Chromium blog.

It is nice to see Google making Chrome OS more optimized for touch, especially as more Chromebooks are picking up touchscreens and other premium features.  That was a big highlight in our hands-on review of the Google Pixel Slate, which looks to be running this same version of Chrome OS. The new software also will likely play nice on big touchscreen devices such as the new thin-bezeled Chromebooks from Asus.

Editors’ Recommendations

• Google tests Android Messages feature on Chromebooks
• Chromebook users may soon get the Pixel phone’s best feature: Its camera app
• Chrome OS update could make switching to tablet mode far easier
• HP Chromebook x2 vs. Google Pixelbook
• The best Chromebooks of 2018

OnePlus 6T review

Research Center:

OnePlus 6T

Like changing the clocks for daylight savings, the biannual OnePlus launch has become so regular that we almost take it for granted. Despite this clockwork-like frequency, we still find ourselves caught up in the hype and excitement — much of it generated by the masterful OnePlus marketing team — and full of anticipation for the new model.

This is the OnePlus 6T, and like previous T models it’s not a giant leap over the product it replaces. Does that mean our anticipation has been quelled? Has the seemingly endless wave of new OnePlus phones become so much that we’re now not all that bothered by a new one? It has to happen at some point, right? Well that day hasn’t come yet. The OnePlus 6T is so good, it doesn’t need the hype.

Teardrop notch

What if the last phone you released was a bit of a looker, and you don’t want to mess things up for the sequel. What do you do? If you’re OnePlus you take basically the same shape and design, put a more sensibly shaded rear panel on, then alter the two least attractive aspects of the old model: the notch and the fingerprint sensor. The result? The OnePlus 6T, and the phone is a stunner.

The mirror black seen on the OnePlus 6 has returned, along with a less reflective midnight black version that shifts between inky black and a shiny gunmetal grey in the light. Get it just right, and a subtle S pattern emerges to finish off the effect. The OnePlus 6T doesn’t need crazy colors, it’s happy being classier than a whole room full of people who’ve just graduated from etiquette school.

Look back at the OnePlus 6 and the notch stands out, and not in a good way. It looks bizarrely dated for a phone that only came out earlier this year. The OnePlus 6T’s notch is a tiny dewdrop, and contains only the selfie camera lens. The speaker is set just above that in the body itself; it’s less intrusive, it’s prettier, and it doesn’t mess with notification icons too much either. We’d call that a success.

There are still bezels around the screen and a small chin, but they’re well disguised and don’t detract from the look of the phone greatly. On the back, the dual-lens camera is the only blemish, as the fingerprint sensor is now part of the display. Until now, we’ve only seen this on a few phones, with Huawei most recently pushing wider adoption with the Mate 20 Pro. More on that a little later. New for the 6T is the removal of the headphone jack, which OnePlus said is a reflection of how the industry is headed, and while sure to bother some, it is a necessity due to the device’s internal design.

Adopting and combining symmetry with minimalism, along with sensible design alterations like moving the trademark notification slider above the sleep/wake key on the right, OnePlus has been refining its overall design for several device generations now. Slightly heavier than the OnePlus 6 in the best way possible — it has a larger battery — but no less comfortable to hold, the OnePlus 6T takes a strong design and improves in all the areas where it lacked before. It’s one of the best looking smartphones you can buy.

Biometric security

The in-display fingerprint sensor has been dream technology since we first saw it on concept phones last year. Now that these sensors are here, what’s it like to use one every day? OnePlus has built the sensor into the very base of the screen, and claims it’ll unlock the device in 350ms. It does so with an eye-catching animation and a bright green light, which OnePlus says increases the accuracy over other colors.

It’s one of the best looking smartphones you can buy.

In reality, it’s a mixed bag, as it seems to get confused over time. When it’s working at its best, we’re talking lightning fast. It’s not as reliable as a traditional fingerprint sensor though, and we have removed and rescanned our fingerprint several times, as the accuracy dropped for no apparent reason. Doing so saw the sensor return to its former glory, but for how long until we have to do it again, we don’t know.

OnePlus has added its super-fast face unlock feature too, and if you activate this, the screen is usually unlocked before you even get your finger near the in-display sensor. It’s not a secure option though, so you won’t want to solely rely on it.

AMOLED screen

The OnePlus 6T has a 6.41-inch, 19.5:9 aspect ratio, AMOLED Full Optic screen with a 2,340 × 1,080 pixel resolution, for an 86-percent screen-to-body ratio. It’s covered in Gorilla Glass 6 — one of the first phones to use it — which provides six individual layers of protection. The screen is slightly larger than the one on the OnePlus 6.

Andy Boxall/Digital Trends

We love all the many tweaks OnePlus has added to the display settings, from its very effective adaptive brightness to a varied screen calibration setting. We left our phone in Adaptive Mode, which alters the contrast and brightness based on lighting conditions, and found it really useful. A night mode and a reading mode are also present, plus the option to hide the notch, if you for some reason still find it objectionable.

It’s bright, attractive, and looks great for gaming, YouTube, and Netflix. However, it doesn’t seem to have quite the same level of luster we’ve seen in the very best screens of 2018, notably the Galaxy Note 9 and the Huawei Mate 20 Pro. You’ll probably only notice when comparing them alongside, and considering the OnePlus 6T costs less than those two devices, it’s not a huge issue.

Great software

Our OnePlus 6T has Android 9.0 Pie with Oxygen OS 9.0.3 installed over the top. It’s worth pointing out how close Oxygen OS is to a Pixel-style Android experience, right down to the welcome inclusion of Google’s Gboard keyboard. What’s new? There’s a Gaming Mode, where notifications can be blocked, brightness is set to maximum automatically, and extra network data gets piped to whatever connected game you’re playing. Notifications arrive in a ticker-tape style display, to minimize intrusion.

The OnePlus 6T seems to have the best camera we’ve seen from the company.

Like the display settings, there are plenty of options to make Oxygen OS your own. There are four options for the ambient display clock, the option to run parallel apps like two versions of WhatsApp or Facebook, and also an encrypted locker to hide apps away, and to not show notifications either. There are even three different animations for the in-display fingerprint sensor as it scans. Unlike other deeply customized versions of Android, these are all options, and they aren’t intrusive.

The OnePlus 6T’s full screen nature lends the device to being used with a gesture control system, much like the iPhone XS and the system Huawei introduced with EMUI 9. It’s an option, and not set as default, but it does feel more natural to use than the Android buttons at the bottom of the screen. Why? Because the phone is all screen, and tapping those buttons is awkward when the device doesn’t have a chin to hold on to.

Andy Boxall/Digital Trends

A center swipe returns to home, a swipe up and hold reveals the app switcher, and swiping on the left or right of the screen goes back. Despite it making more ergonomic sense, it’s not the best gesture control method we’ve tried. You do have to be very precise with the back swipe — from the bottom of the screen or it won’t always register — and the app switcher requires effort to reveal, otherwise you just go back to home.

We experienced no stability or speed issues with Oxygen OS, but will continue using the phone over the coming weeks to build a better picture of medium to long-term use.

Speedy performance

The OnePlus 6T has a Snapdragon 845 processor and 6GB or 8GB of RAM. The choice for buyers is either 6GB/128GB, 8GB/128GB, or a range-topping 8GB/256GB configuration.

Here’s how it fared in benchmarks:

• AnTuTu 3DBench: 295,082
• Geekbench 4 CPU: 2,414 single-core; 8,949 multi-core
• 3DMark Sling Shot Extreme: 3,833 (Vulkan)

These figures surpass the OnePlus 6, the Galaxy S9 Plus, the Galaxy Note 9 the LG G7 ThinQ, and the Pixel 3 XL. OnePlus has specially tuned its software for benchmark results in the past, so treat these as for information only. But there’s no question the phone is fast enough for you, old man.

Solid camera

The camera sensors on the back of the OnePlus 6T are the same as those fitted to the OnePlus 6. There are two: A 16-megapixel camera with an f/1.7 aperture and optical image stabilization, and a second 20-megapixel lens with the same aperture. Both work together to create bokeh-style pictures, without cropping the image. OnePlus has improved the software driving the cameras, saying they provide better face identification, less noise, and greater edge detection.

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We’ve only had a few days with the camera at the time of writing, but so far we’re impressed with its ability. Taking outdoor photos on an overcast day, the HDR mode kicked in to reveal some very atmospheric clouds, while maintaining the autumnal colors on the ground. Indoors, we were surprised at the very effective white balance, and its ability to bring out plenty of detail in low light.

However, there’s a new Night mode, and it hasn’t proven to be effective yet. Taking photos of a sunset across the rooftops in both standard and Night mode didn’t reveal many differences. If anything, the Night mode shot had more noise and less detail. OnePlus has not revealed how the Night mode operates yet.

Edge detection in portrait mode shots is excellent, thankfully, and the improvements are obvious.

Slightly heavier than the OnePlus 6 in the best way possible, but no less comfortable to hold.

The camera app isn’t the best we’ve used. The settings are hidden under a slide-up menu, which isn’t that intuitive and mostly just repeats the functions available on the main screen, and when you swap to the front camera, modes like Night mode remain available, yet don’t work with the selfie cam. Accidentally tap one, and the camera reverts back to the rear camera. Annoying.

We will be trying out the slow motion video mode, and the 2× zoom feature — both which have been great so far — more, along with taking more photos in more environments, over the next few weeks. So far, the OnePlus 6T seems to have the best camera we’ve seen from the company, but it’s still one of the weakest parts of the phone compared to other flagships.

Battery

Inside the OnePlus 6T is a 3,700mAh battery, and a clever new component design under the base of the screen. You’ll never see it, but OnePlus has stacked several components in this section to make space for the new in-display fingerprint sensor, and maintained the size of the speaker box, while fitting a cell that’s 400mAh larger than the one in the OnePlus 6. We’ll take this new tech, and the larger battery, over the headphone jack.

Andy Boxall/Digital Trends

The battery has fast charging using the proprietary Dash Charge cable and plug, but still no wireless charging. We have not spent enough time with the OnePlus 6T yet to establish battery life, but have so far seen great performance, with a single charge powering through to a day-and-a-half.

Price, warranty, and availability

The phone’s pricing is as follows:

• Mirror Black 6GB/128GB – $549
• Mirror Black and Midnight Black 8GB/128GB – $579
• Midnight Black 8GB/256GB- $629

The cheapest OnePlus 6T is $20 more expensive than the equivalent OnePlus 6, while the 8GB versions are the same price.

Things are changing for OnePlus. What was once an online-only purchasing endeavor is now considerably more a hands-on buying experience, in both the U.S. and the U.K. For the first time, you’ll be able to go into a T-Mobile store and try, then buy, the OnePlus 6T for yourself from November 1. The carrier is also offering a trade-in scheme that could save you up to $300 off the total price.

OnePlus 6T Compared To

Porsche Design Huawei Mate 20 RS

LG V40 ThinQ

Huawei Mate 20 Pro

Honor 8x

Samsung Galaxy Note 9

Moto E5 Plus

Xiaomi Mi Mix

Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge

YotaPhone 2

Sony Xperia Z3

LG Optimus 4X HD

HTC One S

Samsung Galaxy S II

Google Nexus S

T-Mobile myTouch 3G

Additionally, the OnePlus 6T will work on the Verizon network, if you buy the phone without a connection through OnePlus. In the U.K. the OnePlus 6T will be available through the O2 network, as before, but also now through EE and Vodafone stores too.

Our Take

OnePlus continues to refine its formula for the perfect smartphone, and the OnePlus 6T is the closest it has gotten to it yet. The downsides are few, and often only niggles, leaving a reasonably priced phone that has something for everyone.

Is there a better alternative?

The 6GB/128GB version for $549 is arguably the only version you really need; paying out for more storage space will add to the longevity, but we’d be surprised if adding 2GB of RAM will make a meaningful difference to performance. It certainly hasn’t in the past. Paying $630 for the 8GB/256GB model will see it potentially “last longer,” but once you start spending this much money, you’re getting closer to other high performance options.

In descending order of price, you’d be advised to look at the $800 Google Pixel 3, the $750 iPhone XR, the $650 LG G7 ThinQ, and the $450 Moto Z3 Play. There are fewer phones competing directly with the $550 OnePlus 6T, but Samsung’s new Galaxy A9 (2018) is a serious foe (for U.K. buyers), and while the Honor View 10 is getting a little old, the Honor 10 is 400 British pounds, and another good buy.

If you want to save even more, take a look at the $350 Nokia 7.1, or for an outside alternative, take a look at the seriously good value $300 Pocophone F1.

How long will it last?

Let’s talk about durability first. It’s a glass phone, so it’s going to break if you drop it. We’d recommend putting it in a case. Like the OnePlus 6, the 6T does not have an IP rating to indicate water and dust resistance. But OnePlus says the phone will be fine in normal conditions, like using it in the rain or a steamy bathroom. There are special silicone rings inside the device, sealed ports, and a sealed up screen. OnePlus’ argument is that IP ratings are difficult to figure out due to the complexity of protection levels, and by saying the 6T will be work in normal damp conditions, it’s being more honest about what to expect. Don’t submerge it, or drop it in water.

While we agree that IP ratings can be confusing, and sometimes give people a false sense of security, it helps for comparison, and if you do enough research into them, they bring more clarity regarding protection. Even if OnePlus doesn’t consider IP ratings consumer-friendly, it’d be interesting to see where the OnePlus 6T fits on the scale, with its current level of water and dust resistance.

Our review phone has Android 9.0, the latest version of Google’s operating system, and OnePlus is good at releasing updates, at least compared to many of its competitors. Despite OnePlus releasing a phone every six months or so, the 6T will easily last you for more than two years before it will require updating.

Should you buy it?

Yes. We question why you wouldn’t consider buying it.

The $8 iClever Himbox FM transmitter plays your music over the car radio

The best radio station is the one you create.

The iClever Himbox HB-F02 auto-scan wireless FM transmitter radio adapter is down to $8.49 with code FMCARKIT50 on Amazon. Without the code, this adapter goes for $17 and does not drop from that price directly. This is the best deal we’ve seen for this device.

The adapter helps any device with a 3.5mm jack take phone calls hands-free while driving and uses your car stereo to play the music you really want to listen to. It comes with a 2.4A USB port so you can charge your device and listen to music at the same time, unless your phone doesn’t have its own headphone jack, and it has an auto-scan function to help you find the empty station you need. It is compact, lightweight, and made for travel. You get a 12-month replacement warranty as well.

See on Amazon

PlayStation Classic’s full games lineup revealed

Nostalgia comes in small packages

It seems Sony has decided to get on the nostalgia bandwagon and create a mini version of the original PlayStation, often called the PSX. Called the PlayStation Classic, this miniature console could be another instant hit.

Nostalgia Machine

PlayStation Classic

$99 pre-order at Amazon

A miniaturized version of the original PlayStation, the PlayStation classic looks to take us on a nostalgic ride down memory lane. Complete with twenty PlayStation games and two controllers, the PlayStation Classic will make an excellent addition to the Classic console market.

October 29, 2018

Sony has announced the full games lineup that will be included with each PlayStation Classic. Though some popular titles are listed among the 20 games, to the disappointment of a lot of fans a few notable games like Tomb Raider and Tony Hawk Pro Skater are nowhere to be seen.

• Battle Arena Toshinden
• Cool Boarders 2
• Destruction Derby
• Final Fantasy VII
• Grand Theft Auto
• Intelligent Qube
• Jumping Flash
• Metal Gear Solid
• Mr Driller
• Oddworld: Abe’s Oddysee
• Rayman
• Resident Evil Director’s Cut
• Revelations: Persona
• Ridge Racer Type 4
• Super Puzzle Fighter II Turbo
• Syphon Filter
• Tekken 3
• Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six
• Twisted Metal
• Wild Arms

October 15, 2018

While the English announcement did not provide a lot of details regarding the PlayStation Classic, its Japanese announcement did. Over on PlayStation Japan’s website, the company revealed in the fine print near the bottom of the page that peripheral devices, including original memory cards, will not be compatible with the PlayStation Classic.

On top of that, the specs also reveal that the PlayStation Classic only supports video outputs of 720p or 480p. If you were hoping for 1080p, you’ll be disappointed.

October 5, 2018 — The controllers are USB!

After looking at the images in much finer detail I have noticed that the controllers while having the same long, thin plug as the original PlayStation may actually be a standard USB instead. When looking at the console from head on you can see the undeniable shape of a USB.

This opens up a lot of possibilities, both for the console and for the controllers. Does this mean we could use a standard PS4 controller plugged into the USB of the console? Or could we use the controllers that come with the Classic on our PC’s? Hopefully, Sony can give us an answer soon.

What does it look like?

It looks almost exactly like the original PlayStation from 1994 but reduced in size by forty-five percent. Apart from the size, the major differences are found on the back. Instead of the analog ports from before, the Classic has HDMI and Micro-USB ports. Even the memory card slots are visible on the Classic although as far as we can tell they don’t do anything.

Down to the lack of thumbsticks and the long thin socket, the controllers are perfect replicas of the originals. It would be nice if they were made wireless, but I suppose they need to keep the nostalgia accurate.

How do all the buttons work?

Each of the buttons on the console works almost exactly like the original.

• The power button turns it on as you would expect.
• The reset button suspends the current game and we assume takes back to the game menu for you to launch new games.
• The open tray button actually opens the virtual tray to allow you to swap discs on games like Final Fantasy VII that used to have multiple physical discs. This is a really nice touch from Sony as it makes all the buttons usable in some fashion.

What’s in the Box?

The PlayStation Classic comes with the console, of course, an HDMI cable, USB-A to Micro-USB cable for power, and two controllers. I like this trend in the Classic consoles of supplying two controllers, and long may it continue.

The only thing missing from the box is an A/C Adapter, but Sony has said that a standard one amp, a five-volt adapter will work fine.

What about saves?

PlayStation has said that the PlayStation Classic comes with “a virtual memory card” to save your games on, I assume player one and two can save on the same memory card.

Hopefully, it operates the same as the original as they were games that used the memory card in clever ways to unlock bonus content. Until we see a full list of the games though we won’t know for sure.

What Games does it have?

There are twenty games preloaded on the PlayStation Classic and right now we only know the names of five. Final Fantasy VII as I mentioned before, as well as TEKKEN 3, R4: Ridge Racer Type 4, Jumping Flash!, and Wild Arms. Sony has said more will be announced in the coming months so watch this space.

All the games seem to be playing on at their native 4:9 aspect ratio. No sign yet if the black edges caused by the 4:9 ratio will be covered up with frames like the SNES Classic allows you to do but I’m sure they will have something.

Where and when can I get it?

The PlayStation Classic will available in all regions on December 3 and is available for pre-order for $99 at Amazon, Best Buy, Walmart, and Gamestop. With typical PlayStation flair, the PlayStation Classic will release exactly twenty-five years after the original.

Pre-order at Amazon

What have we missed?

Let us know in the comments section if you find out any new information and we will update this article. What games would you like to see on the PlayStation Classic? We want to know your thoughts!

Updated October 29, 2018: Sony has revealed the full games lineup that will be included with a PlayStation Classic.

Scaring people is a treat with these smart home tricks

Halloween may seem like an old-school holiday, filled with bedroom sheet ghosts and dollar-store candy corn and fog machines that smell weird and never seem to work right, but you couldn’t be further from the truth. Halloween is a holiday where the bleeding edge of smart home tech proves that you don’t need buckets of fake syrupy blood to scare your guests socks off. Whether you’re looking to scare trick-or-treaters away and keep all that candy to yourself or looking to spook guests at your mysterious masquerade, there are a lot of tools at your disposal.

“Let’s get spooky”

Google Home Mini

For blending into your spiderweb-covered foyers and controlling your ‘haunted’ home, the Google Home Mini is the price-performer. Google Assistant is compatible with over 10,000 smart home devices from 1,000 brands, and this compact speaker has dozens of mounts, covers, and bases to hide it away or dress it up.

$50 at Best Buy

Big sound, big spooks

Amazon Echo Plus (2nd gen)

Amazon’s speakers are great for home control, but the upgraded Echo Plus is the best of the best. This chubby speaker has a big, beautiful sound, and there’s a Zigbee smart home hub built right in, meaning it can control thousands of smart products without needing an extra hub to interface through, such as the Philips Hue bulb that is bundled free with the Echo Plus right now!

$150 at Amazon

All-night noisemaker

Anker Soundcore 2

Almost no smart speakers are portable or waterproof, but Google Home and Amazon Echo devices can pair with Bluetooth speakers that are both, like this one! Once connected, summon and control spooky sounds or terrorizing tunes from up to 60 ft away — oh, and you wanna make some parents run screaming for the hills? Start playing Let it Go! You’re welcome!!

$40 at Amazon

Waterproof Wonder-BOO

Ultimate Ears WONDERBOOM

UE makes some of the best portable speakers money can buy, and the WONDERBOOM packs a big sound inside a compact, (dare I say) cute IPX7 waterproof shell. Just hide it behind one of your skeletons and watch kids run away in terror when you Broadcast your loudest evil laugh to the Google Home or Amazon Echo paired to it.

$68 at Amazon

Let there be (creepy) light!

Philips Hue Starter Kit

Philips Hue lights are easy to set up, easy to control via Google Assistant or Amazon Alexa, and this kit will give you a Hue Bridge and two A19 color bulbs to use in any standard socket. Dip your toe in the world of smart lighting and flicker the lights without having to jiggle a lightswitch all night, just say “OK Google, let’s get spooky!”

$100 at Amazon

Strip down your lighting

Nexlux LED Strip Lights

If Hue lights are a bit much for your wallet, no problem! These lightbulbs are more affordable, and they don’t rely on a proprietary hub that steals one of your router’s LAN ports or clutters up your office. Strip lights are also easier to spread out your spooky lighting over a wider area, mounting them under the edge of your roof or a bar area.

$30 at Amazon

Old-school goes new-school

Maxcio 2-Socket Outdoor Wi-Fi Outlet

Smart plugs can control just about any old-school Halloween effect that operates off a traditional plug and can be left switched on; this smart switch will simply cut off power to the plug when you don’t want it running. This smart plug is a two-fer: two smart plugs off one outlet, and it’s IP44 water-resistant for using with outdoor effects, like that inflatable hydra on the front lawn.

$29 at Amazon

Smartest Alexa plug around

Amazon Smart Plug

Smart plugs are seemingly everywhere these days, but Amazon’s is the easiest to set up if you have a second-gen Echo device: plug in the Smart Plug and your Alexa app will buzz you a few seconds later telling you setup has been completed. Not started, completed! This plug is indoor-only and Alexa-only; sorry, Google Assistant users.

$25 at Amazon

They’re heeeeeeereee

Arlo Security Light

Smart home effects are only useful if you can trigger them when someone’s nearby. Arlo Security Light buzzes your phone when it detects invading trick-or-treaters, and then you can spring your trap on them. Once the holiday’s over, this weatherproof, wire-free sensor and intelligent dusk-to-dawn light can help keep your yard safe all winter long.

$75 at Amazon

Ding Dong

Ring Doorbell

This outdoor motion sensor option gives you live video of your prey — ahem, “neighbors” — so that you can see who is walking up and which effects you should trigger for them. Like the Security Light, the Ring Doorbell can help secure your home long after the jack-o-lanterns rot away — and help you defend your holiday shopping from porch pirates!

$100 at Amazon

Scaring people with a smart home is suprisingly easy, especially if you’ve got some smart lights your Google Home Mini is tied into: simply say “OK, Google, let’s get spooky” and Google will flicker the lights and play a creepy, creaky sound of some kind. If you’re wanting to spook people before they reach your doorstep, I suggest either investing in a Hue motion sensor to trigger lighting effects as trick-or-treaters approach — just be mindful that it’s not really fortified for outdoor use, especially in damp locales — or a Ring doorbell to show you who is approaching so you can trigger the proper music or effects based on the age group.

After all, playing death metal to an incoming group of grade-schoolers isn’t exactly polite. But ’tis the season for villains.

Anker brings Google Assistant to a Wi-Fi speaker and pocket projector

Anker has a range of new products ready for the holiday season

Anker is known for its range of excellent mobile charging products, but the company has expanded beyond providing power in recent years with its Nebula, Eufy and SoundCore brands. At a launch event in New York, the company announced new products across its range of brands that it hopes will persuade you to part with your hard earned money this holiday season.

The new products include the Nebula Capsule II pocket projector, the SoundCore Model Zero+ wireless speaker, the Eufy home security solution which aims to tackle the biggest issues with current smart security systems, and Anker’s smallest 27W Power Delivery USB-C charger.

Anker’s smallest USB-C Power Delivery charger

The PowerPort Atom PD is a compact USB-C enabled wall charger supporting 27W Power Delivery. Compared to most other Power Delivery chargers, this is smaller than stock smartphone chargers, but is capable of delivering enough power to fast charge every smartphone and even keep some laptops powered. It’s sleek, stylish and works extremely well; at a cost of $29.99, it’s ideal for throwing in your bag when you head on vacation.

Total Output Wattage	27W
Input	100 – 240V ~ 1.2A 50 – 60Hz
Power Delivery Output	5V – 3A / 9V – 3A / 15V – 1.5A / 20V – 1.1A
Size	1.61 in x 1.37 in x 1.49 in
Weight	2.2 oz

The small size of the PowerPort Atom PD makes this stand out. It’s smaller than the stock charger included in the box of the Pixel 3, yet much more powerful and for most smartphone users – in particular, those who need more power than Apple includes by default with the iPhone – this will be the go-to wall charger.

$30 at Amazon

A good pico projector made better

The Nebula Capsule II is the follow-up to the company’s successful Nebula pico projector and brings a host of new features including Android TV, Google Assistant and Improved audio. The Nebula Capsule II features the same soda-can inspired design as the original Capsule with 720p HD output and runs on the latest version of Android TV. Other notable features include 1-second autofocus, 8W speakers and USB-C.

$349 at Kickstarter

Resolution	1280 x 720
Brightness	200 ANSI lumens
Operating System	Android TV 9.0, supporting over 3600 applications, such as: Google Play, YouTube, and Hulu Plus.
Speaker	8W speakers with dual passive radiators
Improved connectivity	Supports USB Type C, HDMI, USB, AUX-Out, WiFi, Bluetooth, and Chromecast
Other	1 second autofocus Google Assistant support

The soda-can inspired design results in a sleek pico projector that looks great and will be a tasteful addition to any home. There are just a few buttons, which blend into the stylish grill design. It’s small and sleek, yet powerful and has a range of features making it one of the most capable pico projectors on the market. The addition of Android TV especially means the Nebula Capsule II has access to all the apps you need.

Two new speakers, one with Google Assistant built-in

The SoundCore Model Zero and Model Zero+ are two new portable speakers for different price points. The Model Zero+ is the more capable of the two, bringing Google Assistant and Dolby Audio support. The Zero+ has been “designed by Scan-Speak”, which Anker says further increases audio output definition. The Zero+ has 5 hours of battery life, while the regular Model Zero – which is a simple Bluetooth speaker – offers 10 hours of battery life. The Model Zero is available now for $199.99, while the Model Zero+ will retail for $249.99 when it launches next month.

Dimensions	256 x 128 x 240mm	256 x 148 x 240 mm
Weight	1955g	1955g
Microphones	None	2 Mics
Battery life	10 hours (BT mode)	5 hours (Wi-Fi mode)
Charge time	3 hours	3 hours
Wi-Fi	None	802.11 b/g/n/ac
BT	v5	v4.2 (with receiver, not transmitter)
Aux In	No	Yes
Smart features	None	Google Home supportChromeCast built-inStreaming services (Play Music, Pandora, Spotify, TuneIn, YouTube Music, iHeartRadio
Driver size	2 x 63mm Woofer2 x 19mm Tweeter2 passive Radiators	2 x 63mm Woofer2 x 19mm Tweeter2 passive Radiators
Water resistance	IPX5	None
Battery capacity	6700 mAh	6700 mAh
Operational range (Bluetooth)	20m / 66ft	10m / 33ft
Price	$199.99	$249.99

The Model Zero+ is the more capable of the two speakers but both feature a stylish design that reminds me of a handbag. They’re designed to be easy to pick-up and carry, and the key difference between them is in the style. The Model Zero+ comes in a range of colors and features a metal finish near the handle, with a slider used to change the volume. The Model Zero features actual buttons and this area is the only way to easily differentiate between the two speakers.

See at Amazon

What do you think of Anker’s new announcements? Let us know your views in the comments below!

Tune in to Android Central’s OnePlus 6T AMA on Twitter today!

We’ll get things started right after the 6T event.

At 11:00 AM ET today, OnePlus will begin its event in New York City to announce the highly-anticipated OnePlus 6T.

We’ll have plenty of coverage here on AC for you to check out, but if you have any burning questions about the phone that you want answered, we’ll also be hosting an AMA over on Twitter once the event wraps up.

To have your question submitted, just tweet it with the hashtag #ACOnePlus6TAMA and we’ll do our best to get it answered.

See you then!

Ask your questions on Twitter

These are the best wireless chargers for the Samsung Galaxy Note 9

When you’ve got a big, expensive all-glass phone like the Samsung Galaxy Note 9 you’ll want to take full advantage of all those premium features you’ve paid for, which includes wireless charging. Whether you want to stick with a Samsung-made wireless charging pad or opt for Anker’s $14 wireless charging pad, we’ve got the best wireless charging options for your Galaxy Note 9 right here!

Best Overall

Samsung Fast Charge Convertible Wireless Charging Pad

Samsung’s convertible wireless charging stand is one of the best designed wireless pads you can buy. Priced at $60 and available in black or tan color options, you’ll see Fast Charge speeds with your Samsung phone whether you have the pad laying horizontally or propped up at an angle.

$52 at Amazon

Best for multiple devices

Samsung Wireless Charging Duo

The latest wireless charging pad from Samsung, launched alongside the Note 9, is this stylish wireless charger that lets you charge two phones, or your Note 9 and a Samsung smartwatch — specifically the Gear S3, Gear Sport, or Galaxy Watch. Built with 7.5W Fast Charge Technology, you’ll be able to charge your Samsung devices faster than ever.

$96 at Amazon

Stylish value

iON Wireless Mini Fast Charger Qi Charging Pad

The latest charging pad from iOttie is this Qi-compatible product with wireless Fast Charging up to 10W for the fastest wireless charging speeds for your phone. Featuring a really nice fabric finish that’s available in Charcoal Black, Ruby Red, Ash Grey, and Ivory White, This is a wireless charger you’ll be happy to show off in your office or living room.

$29 at Amazon

Budget Pick

Anker Qi-Certified Wireless Charger

Our most budget-conscious pick on the list spares no quality or features. Anker, a well-known brand, offers a 7.5W Qi wireless charger that is extremely thin and low-profile with a larger charging coil that dissipates the heat over a wide surface area.

$14 at Amazon

OnePlus just announced the OnePlus 6T!

This is the company’s first phone to launch on a U.S. wireless carrier.

At its announcement event in New York City today, OnePlus officially unveiled the OnePlus 6T. The 6T is a subtle refinement over the OnePlus 6 from earlier this year, but there are a few key differences that make it stick out from its predecessor.

From a design point of view, the 6T looks a lot like the 6. It’s made out of glass, has an aluminum frame, and a large display around front with a notch at the top. The notch this time around is quite a bit smaller and uses the waterdrop style we’ve seen on a few other handsets, and when compared to something like the Pixel 3 XL, looks downright tiny.

While the back of the 6T looks very familiar, it doesn’t have a fingerprint sensor on the back like the 6 did. That’s because OnePlus has moved the sensor underneath the display so that it can offer the same functionality without needing a sensor cutout on the back. In fact, this makes the 6T the first phone in the U.S. to ship with this technology.

In order to make room for the in-display sensor, however, OnePlus did have to remove the 3.5mm headphone jack. This makes the 6T the first phone from OnePlus to ship without the headphone jack, and for long-time OnePlus fans, that’s going to sting quite a bit.

Other specs for the phone include the Snapdragon 845, up to 8GB of RAM, 128 – 256GB of storage, and a 3,700 mAh battery. You’ll also find Android 9 Pie running on the 6T out of the box with OxygenOS layered on top.

In addition to OnePlus’s official website, the 6T will also be sold both online and in-stores at T-Mobile. OnePlus has confirmed that sales will begin November 1.

Do you plan on getting the OnePlus 6T?

Get lifetime access to 2TB of Zoolz cloud storage for just $45!

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You will never be charged any extra fees, and you can access your cloud storage from multiple devices. Your data is protected with 256-AES encryption to better safeguard your stuff, and you can schedule backups and throttle bandwidth during uploads. Place files you know you won’t soon need in cold storage — takes three to five hours to access — or place files you frequently need in standard storage that can be accessed instantly.

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