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.

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

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.

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!

Our current, tech-obsessed world demands a storage solution for your multimedia data, the most convenient being cloud-based storage which you can access from anywhere. Most cloud-based storage services charge a monthly fee, which, over time, adds up to quite a fee. Those of you sick of subscription fees need a storage solution that requires a single payment for a lifetime of access. More importantly, you need cloud storage that is encrypted and can be accessed from all your devices.

Keep your stuff backed up for life! Learn More

Right now, Android Central Digital Offers has a deal on 2TB of cloud storage from Zoolz — a single payment of $45 gives you lifetime access to the two terabytes of secure cloud storage. Think you’ll need a bit more? there’s also a 3TB deal (1.5TB of Instant Vault storage and 1.5TB of Cold Storage data) for just $75. You just won’t be able to beat this deal!

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.

Save an additional 15% on either deal when you use coupon code “BOO15” at checkout! Learn More

Considering this level of storage from other popular services costs about $10 per month, this deal will pay for itself in a few months, and you can keep using it forever. Even if you don’t think you need it now, you probably will need it in the future.

Sleek Concept Imagines New Mac Mini in Space Gray With Apple Display and Magic Keyboard With Touch Bar

Apple on Tuesday will take the stage at the Brooklyn Academy of Music, where it is widely expected to unveil the next-generation iPad Pro with Face ID and updates to a wide range of Macs, including the MacBook, iMac, and Mac mini.

Ahead of the keynote, which starts at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time, Hungarian industrial design student Viktor Kadar has created concepts that imagine a new Mac mini paired with a new Apple Display and a Magic Keyboard with a Touch Bar.

Before anyone gets too excited: it’s unclear what the new Mac mini will look like, a new Apple Display isn’t coming until 2019, and there haven’t been any recent rumors to suggest Apple plans to add a Touch Bar to the Magic Keyboard. But who doesn’t love some sleek mockups to hype up tomorrow’s Apple Event?

The new Mac mini as Kadar imagines it would feature a Space Gray finish with the addition of four Thunderbolt 3 ports, while the new Apple Display would be similar to Apple’s discontinued Thunderbolt Display, but with slimmer bezels.

Kadar shared the concepts with Hungarian blog iMagazin and later with MacRumors.

Two reliable Apple scoopsters in Ming-Chi Kuo and Mark Gurman both expect the new Mac mini to feature upgraded processor options, while Gurman added that the portable desktop computer will gain new professional-focused features. Neither source has revealed details about its design or other tech specs.

Way back in April 2017, the blog Pike’s Universum said that a new high-end Mac mini would be released with a design that “won’t be so mini anymore,” suggesting the most expensive configuration might have a larger or taller design to accommodate for upgraded tech specs. The blog has a hit-and-miss track record.

We do know Apple is working on a new professional display to complement a new Mac Pro. Apple made the rare move of confirming both products will be released in 2019, as part of its reassured commitment to professional users. Apple could surprise us with a sneak peek of those products tomorrow, but we haven’t heard anything.

In any way, we’ll find out tomorrow. MacRumors will be live on location at Apple’s event inside the Brooklyn Academy of Music, with coverage on MacRumors.com and through @MacRumorsLive on Twitter.

Looks real nice. I’d take that.

Related: here’s a look back on the history of Mac mini: https://t.co/VCQig8dodu

— Brian Stucki (@brianstucki) October 29, 2018

Related Roundup: Mac miniBuyer’s Guide: Mac Mini (Don’t Buy)
Discuss this article in our forums

Twitter May Soon Remove ‘Likes’ in Ongoing Effort to Promote Healthy Conversations

Twitter is reportedly planning to remove “likes” from the social media platform as its CEO Jack Dorsey told employees at an in-house event last week that he was “not a fan of the heart-shaped button,” and that it would be eliminated “soon” (via Variety). In a Tweet, the Twitter Communications team said it is “rethinking everything” about the platform to incentivize healthy conversation, neither confirming nor denying the rumor.

The removal of the like button is said to be aimed at improving the quality of debate on Twitter, preventing people from showing favoritism in a tweet thread by liking the comments they agree with. Everything else in terms of tweet interaction appears to be staying intact, however, so users can expect retweets and replies to look the same as they currently do if the like button disappears.

It has now been three years since Twitter first rebranded “stars” and “favorites” to “hearts” and “likes.” At the time, the company said that the original star system was “confusing” for new users and that hearts would be more straightforward. Since then, Twitter has come under fire for its lax responses to certain user harassment claims and safety practices in its tweet threads, leading to privacy updates and reporting features.

More recently, the company confirmed that it will bring back the classic reverse chronological timeline as an option for users. Over the years, Twitter has introduced a curated timeline that mixes in ads, Tweets liked by friends, follower recommendations, and more, instead of the original and simple reverse chronological list of tweets. The return of the reverse chronological timeline will kick off as a test for some users this fall.

Tag: Twitter
Discuss this article in our forums

iPhone XR Just as Breakable as iPhone XS Based on SquareTrade Drop Test

Apple’s lower-cost iPhone XR is just as breakable as the higher end iPhone XS and XS Max, according to new drop test results from warranty company SquareTrade.

Much like the glass-bodied OLED iPhone XS, the iPhone XR’s LCD display and aluminum-framed glass back panel both suffered serious damage when dropped on a hard surface.

The iPhone XR was subjected to the same tests that SquareTrade did for the iPhone XS and XS Max back in September. During the face down drop test, which saw the device fall six feet onto concrete, the iPhone XR’s LCD display shattered after the first drop.

The drop was serious enough that the XR’s screen malfunctioned and became unusable, which was the same thing that happened to the XS during its drop test.

A back down drop test from six feet also saw the iPhone XR shatter on the first drop, resulting in loose glass right around the camera.

The XR successfully survived a bend test, beating out the iPhone XS and matching the performance of the larger iPhone XS Max. The iPhone XR bent at 260 pounds of pressure but didn’t crack and continued to work fine, the same result SquareTrade saw with the iPhone XS Max. The iPhone XS, though, cracked at 250 pounds of pressure.

The LCD screen in the iPhone XR has a similar level of durability as the OLED screen featured in the iPhone XS and XS Max. Our tests show that across the board – with both LCD and OLED screens – the all-glass designs of all three new iPhones are susceptible to cracking from drops, which is the most common cause of damage,” said Jason Siciliano, vice president global creative director at SquareTrade.

It doesn’t cost as much to repair a broken iPhone XR as it does an iPhone XS or XS Max, but it’s still pricey. Out-of-warranty iPhone XR screen repairs cost $199, while fixing other damage, which includes a cracked back panel, will cost $399.

Apple offers AppleCare+ for the iPhone XR for $149, which allows for two incidents of accidental damage coverage. With AppleCare+, screen repairs cost $29 while other damage costs $99.

Related Roundup: iPhone XRTag: SquareTradeBuyer’s Guide: iPhone XR (Buy Now)
Discuss this article in our forums

Apple Investigating Report of Forced Student Labor at Chinese Factory

Apple today said it is “urgently investigating” a report that claims Apple Watch manufacturer Quanta Computer has subjected teenage students to illegal work conditions at its factory in the Chinese city of Chongqing.

“We are urgently investigating the report that student interns added in September are working overtime and night shifts,” Apple said, in a statement issued to CNN. “We have zero tolerance for failure to comply with our standards and we ensure swift action and appropriate remediation if we discover code violations.”

In a report last week, Hong Kong labor rights group Students and Scholars Against Corporate Misbehavior said Quanta was “using significant numbers of student workers aged 16-19 years” to assemble the Apple Watch, under working conditions that do not comply with Chinese regulations or Apple’s own standards.

Based on an investigation during the summer of 2018, SACOM found that many students were forced to complete internships at Quanta, or face the risk of delayed graduation. The internships were often unrelated to each student’s field of study, and lacked an educational component, according to the findings.

“Our school told us that we will be deferred if we don’t do the internship,” said a student majoring in early education. “If we resign then we will also receive our graduation certificate half a year later than others.”

The report also found that students were often illegally required to work at least a few hours of overtime per day and overnight shifts.

In its statement, Apple said it audited Quanta’s factory in Chongqing three times between March and June, and found “no student interns working on Apple products at that time,” but noted students may have been hired in September. Apple has promised to take appropriate action if it discovers any violations.

On its Supplier Responsibility website, Apple says it holds itself and its suppliers to the “highest standard” when it comes to human rights, environmental protections, and responsible business practices in the supply chain.

In its 2018 Supplier Responsibility Progress Report, Apple said it has enforced a limit of “no more than 10% student workforce at a supplier facility.” The report adds that suppliers can offer overtime “only on a voluntary basis” and factories must give employees “one full day of rest for every six days worked.”

Last year, Apple and its largest manufacturer Foxconn confirmed instances of students working overtime to assemble the iPhone X, and both companies vowed to take remedial action. Apple said the overtime work was completed voluntarily, with proper compensation and benefits, but in violation of Foxconn’s policy.

Note: Due to the political nature of the discussion regarding this topic, the discussion thread is located in our Politics, Religion, Social Issues forum. All forum members and site visitors are welcome to read and follow the thread, but posting is limited to forum members with at least 100 posts.

Tags: China, supplier responsibility, Quanta
Discuss this article in our forums