Windows 10 in S Mode rubs me the wrong way

When buying a new laptop, you may have noticed that’s labeled with “S Mode.”  It’s a version of Windows 10 that deliberately limits users to installing apps from the Windows Store and imposes certain other restrictions. That’s a weird thing to do when you think about it. Who wants their PC to be more limited, on purpose?

Well, Microsoft gives reasons for S Mode. However, after spending significant time with S Mode, we’re unconvinced they add up to a compelling reason to use it for the average person.

What’s the deal with S Mode?

So, what’s Windows 10 in S Mode? Essentially, it’s a locked-down version of Windows 10 that was originally released as Windows 10 S, a stand-alone variant that showed up first on Microsoft’s Surface Laptop. Windows 10 S was aimed at the education market as a response to the success of Chromebooks, and while Microsoft was offering free upgrades to Windows 10 Pro for a time, the intent was that users would stick with Windows 10 S for the duration.

S Mode’s primary limitation is still intact: You can only install apps from the Windows Store.

Given a rather lackluster response, though, Microsoft relented and turned Windows 10 S into Windows 10 in S Mode, making it easier to switch to the “real” version of Windows 10. And all of that happened within mere months, making Windows 10 S one of the shortest-lived operating system versions ever. Now, you’ll find S Mode on everything from the Surface Go to the Asus NovaGo.

S Mode’s primary limitation is still intact: You can only install apps from the Windows Store. That means you can only run Microsoft Edge as your default browser (although you can install any browser available in the Windows Store, which at this point is just Edge) and only Bing can act as your default search engine. Finally, the only antivirus app you can run is Windows Defender.

On the surface it feels like nothing more than a way to channel Windows users into using Microsoft applications and services. But it can’t all be bad, right? There must be some advantage?

So, what about those S Mode advantages?

Microsoft makes several claims to support its contention that people should use S Mode. To begin with, S Mode is meant to be more secure. Apps installed from the Windows Store are sandboxed, meaning they can’t affect other apps and they can only access the hardware and OS resources they’re explicitly allowed.

S Mode is meant to be more secure, to perform better, and to be more efficient.

And, Microsoft must approve apps before they’re available in the Windows Store. Apps are updated and uninstalled via the same Windows Store mechanisms. Everything is more uniform and predictable, and therefore easier to maintain. In schools, business, and public use areas that might prove useful. Fair enough.

Second, these limitations are supposed to improve performance and battery life, perhaps adding some value for the average person. But is this really true? It’s a difficult question to answer, because benchmarking performance and battery life between the two environments is complicated by the fact that most benchmark utilities won’t run in S Mode.

Rich Shibley/Digital Trends

Subjectively, we can say that in terms of performance, Windows 10 in S Mode seems faster because Windows 10 apps tend to be lighter and more casual than legacy Windows apps. That is, you’re doing less with them and so, sure, they perform better. But that’s a rather dubious advantage. If you install a legacy app from the Windows Store, which right now is mainly Microsoft’s Office 365 suite, then you’re not going to tell a difference in performance.

Unsurprisingly, using Windows 10 in S Mode feels a lot like using Chrome OS, especially when it comes to limitations.

When we compared battery life, frankly we didn’t see a huge difference. Yes, many Windows 10 apps are also more efficient than many full-featured desktop apps, again because they’re simply less intensive. And much of the alleged efficiency gains come from using Microsoft’s Edge browser versus alternatives like Chrome or Firefox. That’s great if you’re happy using Edge – again, a dubious advantage for most people.

In other words, S Mode might be a bit more efficient, but only because it forces you not to use intensive applications. There’s nothing inherent to S Mode that positively affects performance.

Do I like it? About as much as I like Chrome OS

Unsurprisingly, using Windows 10 in S Mode feels a lot like using Chrome OS, especially when it comes to limitations. As much as Chrome OS creates issues with my workflow, the situation here is even worse. The Windows Store app count is increasing very slowly, and it’s even a bit sketchy at times with app clones and other scams. What happened to Microsoft’s claims of enhanced security?

There are many apps, including a handful of important Windows utilities, that aren’t in the Windows Store, and therefore aren’t available for use in S Mode. The Microsoft Store is a ghost town, left without even common apps like YouTube or Kindle. The one silver lining is the inclusion of the full desktop version of Microsoft’s Office suite — once again, another first-party Microsoft product.

The limitations don’t stop with apps though. Even peripheral support in S Mode is hit and miss. Some devices will work and some won’t, depending on the manufacturer and whether or not drivers are available that can load automatically. If your device relies on extra software, however, then you’re likely out of luck.

As far as I can tell, my Epson multifunction device isn’t available in S Mode — or at least the advanced scanning functions aren’t. And, while I can plug in the Logitech dongle for my mice, I can’t install the software that allows me to configure their extra buttons and scroll wheels.

That stinks.

Windows with walls

Creating a closed-off system feels antithetical to what Windows has always stood for. One of the benefits of using Windows over other platforms has always been customization and choice, whether that was in hardware or in software. But with Windows 10 in S Mode, sometimes unknowing people are being forced into walled-off gardens where Microsoft Edge is the only browser in town.

Creating a closed-off system feels antithetical to what Windows has always stood for.

As much of a Windows 10 fan as I am, if I were forced to choose between Chrome OS and Windows 10 in S Mode, I’d choose the former. Google’s lightweight OS achieves what it’s aiming for — a secure, inexpensive, and easy to maintain environment — in a way that S Mode does not. Underneath Microsoft’s “lightweight” option lies the same basic complexity of Windows 10, only without the advantages.

If you have a single important application or software for a single hardware device that must be installed outside of the Windows Store, then you’re as unlikely to like S Mode as I am. In my limited use, I don’t see that there’s enough of a performance advantage to make those limitations worthwhile.

Of course, Microsoft doesn’t claim to have made S Mode for me. Instead, the company made it for schools and other organizations that want to lock down their PCs so that students and employees don’t install apps and hardware that an IT department can’t centrally manage or that reduces security. In those cases, then, I suppose S Mode is a necessary evil, but it’s one that I’d rather avoid.

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What matters (and what doesn’t) when buying a gaming desktop

Buying a gaming desktop can be overwhelming with all the configuration options. Yhere’s more to the equation than raw horsepower. Upgradability, storage, and add-on cards also deserve thought.

This guide will help you cut through the confusion and buy an amazing gaming desktop computer that matches what you need.

One size doesn’t fit all

Tomas Patlan

Most gamers start with the hardware inside a computer. We’ll cover that soon enough, but, before we get there, let’s talk about the exterior.

Gaming computers now come in many shapes and sizes. There are small systems like the Falcon Northwest Tiki, mid-size towers like the Acer Predator G1, and monoliths like the Origin Millenium.

Small systems are, well, small. They are unobtrusive and fit where larger systems simply can’t. They’re ideal for gamers who lack a large desk or want to use the desktop in a home theater. Going small can limit future upgrade options, however, and some pint-sized PCs make a lot of noise.

Mid towers are a good compromise and are ideal for most people. They’re small enough to fit under, on, or in a typical desk, yet large enough to offer upgradability and acceptable cooling. Flair, or lack thereof, is the only flaw. Most mid towers look like any other ho-hum desktop.

Dan Baker/Digital Trends

Finally, we come to the monoliths known as full towers. These are often so large that they won’t fit on top of a desk without hanging off the front or rear, and a few full towers are so tall they won’t even fit under a desk. A full tower system may carry a slight price premium over a mid tower. However, full towers are easy to upgrade and can handle hardware that won’t fit in smaller PCs.

Some custom manufacturers, like Origin and CyberPower, offer a selection of cases during customization. We recommend the full tower if you can find room for it, but make sure you understand the size before buying. Otherwise, a mid tower is best. Smaller systems can be great, but are also a niche solution. You should only buy one if space is at a premium or you’re dead set on a small system for aesthetic reasons.

Start with the heart: The processor

When you buy a gaming desktop, be it a customized model from a boutique or a pre-made model from Dell or HP, the processor will be the first specification you see – and for good reason. The processor determines how a system will perform in most software.

Your first choice will be between two-, four-, or six-core processors. We recommend a six-core unless your budget is extremely low ($600 or less). A two-core processor is often fine, but some modern games make use of additional cores and can be crippled by a dual-core CPU.

Gamers with a lot of money may be lured in by Intel’s eight-core processors and higher. These Core X-Series chips are priced at a premium and not worthwhile for gaming. We only recommend them to buyers who have absolutely no concern about a rig’s final price. This series can run up to 18 cores, such as the Core i9-7980XE, costing up to a hefty not-so-wallet-friendly $1,975.

Overall, Intel is the way to go unless your budget is below $1,000 — and even then, Intel may still be the better choice. Though AMD is competitive at a few price points, all of the company’s processors fail to offer solid single-thread performance. They’re a great way to pick up an eight-core (or better) chip on a tight budget, but Intel’s four- and six-core chips are a better pick for games if you can afford them.

A great GPU makes a great gaming PC

As a gamer, you’ll want to stay away from low-end cards. In Nvidia’s stable, the lower the model number, the lower the performance. At the bottom of the company’s current portfolio is the GT 1030, a low-end budget entry-level graphics card. The series increases in performance as the model numbers grow higher, with the GTX 1060 serving as a great starting point for VR experiences.

On the AMD front, you should shy away from the Radeon RX 400 series, as they were replaced by the mainstream gamer-friendly RX 500 Series in 2017. With both families, AMD set out to provide high-performance graphics for every budget. And as with Nvidia’s batch, the lower the model number, the lower the performance. But if you’re after an AMD-based graphics powerhouse, look no further than its two Radeon RX Vega cards.

The price-performance sweet spot usually sits with mid-range cards like the Nvidia GTX 1060 and AMD Radeon RX 580. These cards can handle almost any game in 1080p with full detail. If you want to make sure that games run well, or you want to play at an even higher resolution, like 2,560 x 1,440 or 4K, you should move up to an even more powerful card like Nvidia’s GTX 1080 and AMD’s Radeon RX Vega 56.

Bill Roberson/Digital Trends

While shopping, you may sometimes find yourself with a choice between two cards that are similar but offer different memory. More memory does not have a significant impact on overall performance by itself, but more memory does allow a video card to handle more data before choking.

We recommend at least 1GB of memory if you have a display below 1080p resolution, and at least 2GB of memory if your display is 1080p. If your monitor’s resolution exceeds 1080p, you should buy a card with at least 3GB of memory, and 4GB is better still. Most cards include at least 4GB of on-board memory anyway so you should be golden in that aspect.

Nvidia and AMD remain in tight contention at most price points. The former has a slight advantage on the whole, but it’s close. If you don’t have a preference, the choice between the brands may come down to what’s on sale the day you choose to buy a new card.

We don’t recommend multiple video cards. Though potentially quick, multi-card configurations often run into driver or game support issues that prevent them from unlocking their full potential. Multiple cards are also louder and hotter than a single card.

Don’t waste money on unnecessary RAM

Our review unit of the Alienware Area-51 R5 came with 64GB of RAM, but most people won’t need half that much.

RAM is relatively inexpensive, so adding more makes a system seem powerful to uneducated consumers at minimal cost. Don’t fall for it. The majority of games sold today will run well on a computer with only 8GB of RAM. For a serious gaming rig, however, 16GB is our recommendation. Anything over that is is a little overkill.

Here’s the current memory requirement landscape for five popular games to give you an idea of what you really need in a desktop:

• Prey – 8GB minimum / 16GB recommended
• Far Cry 5 – 8GB minimum / 16GB recommended for 4K 60FPS
• Destiny 2 – 6GB minimum / 8GB recommended
• PUBG – 8GB minimum / 16GB recommended
• Overwatch – 4GB minimum / 6GB recommended

That said, additional memory doesn’t make a game run more quickly; it merely sits unused. Any money that might be spent on RAM beyond 16GB should instead be put towards a component that has a bigger impact on performance.

Solid-state drives are fast and now more affordable

Most computers sold today come with at least a 500GB mechanical hard drive and, in most cases, a 750GB or 1TB model. More space is better, but unused space isn’t needed, so our recommendation is simple: buy as much space as you need.

Whether or not you should buy a computer with a solid-state drive is a more difficult question. SSDs are many times more expensive than mechanical drives when measured by gigabyte-per-dollar. They also have no impact on in-game performance. Still, we recommend that you buy an SSD if you can afford one that offers over 200GB of storage. Why? Load times.

A solid-state drive is many times quicker than a mechanical drive. For games, this means a level that could take 30 seconds to load on a normal drive instead loads in 5 to 10 seconds. Games with short load times may sometimes load almost instantly.

If you do choose a solid-state drive, try to select the stick-shaped models versus the hard drive-like versions. These smaller stick-shaped drives are faster than their cartridge-style counterparts due to how/where they connect to the parent computer. Still, the bulkier SSDs are loads faster than your standard hard drive of the same size.

Also make sure the SSD you choose as your primary storage device contains the operating system. You’ll gain the benefit of quick boot times and fast operation in day-to-day use. This is also why we don’t recommend an SSD with less than 200GB of space. With Windows installed, a small drive can only contain a handful of games.

Finally, if you need lots of space for your games, your best bet would be to install multiple drives if your wallet allows. For instance, you could choose a stick-shaped SSD to host your operating system and most-demanding games. A secondary SSD or hard drive could serve as your “data” storage for additional games and other files you want to keep on-hand.

Don’t lose money on the kitchen sink

After you’ve nailed down the processor, video card, RAM and hard drive you’ll start to browse through a wide selection of extras including sound cards, Ethernet adapters, additional USB ports, and more.

These extras aren’t required. Today’s motherboards ship with a built-in sound card, Ethernet adapter, and gobs of connectivity. Some even come with standard Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. These have made peripheral cards far less of a necessity.

That doesn’t mean they’re useless, but skip it if you don’t already know that you need a certain add-on card for a specific reason.

Conclusion

As you browse computers and choose custom hardware, you should always return to one question: Does this make games look and play better?

A gaming desktop is a balancing act. No one component should dominate without bringing the others up to par, and unnecessary hardware should be axed to keep the price down. For example, a system with 32GB of RAM and a dual-core processor doesn’t make sense. The money spent on memory could be far better spent on a fast quad-core.

Restraint is required to perfect the balance. When you buy a gaming desktop, you’ll be bombarded by ads, both on manufacturer websites and elsewhere, that insist what you really want is a fancy Ethernet card that allegedly improves multiplayer games, or a triple-GPU rig, or a computer the size of a cat.

As you browse computers and choose custom hardware, you should always return to one question: “Does this make games look and play better?” The information in this guide will help you answer that question, and if the answer is no, you don’t need it.

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Have you reserved the Galaxy Note 9?

The phone will finally be announced this Thursday.

Following months of seemingly nonstop leaks and rumors, this Thursday is when we’ll see Samsung finally announce the Galaxy Note 9.

We already know quite a lot about the phone, including its design, specs, and some of the new features that’ll be available for the S Pen. As such, Samsung’s letting people sign up to “reserve” the phone even before it’s been officially unveiled.

Looking through the AC forums, it appears that a lot of our members have already done just that.

TechNut79
08-01-2018 02:23 PM

“

I got it to work. A confirmation email followed.

Reply

Blues Fan
08-01-2018 03:41 PM

“

I reserved an unlocked note 9. Im trading un the s8 plus in my drawer and it gives me 400 buck! I did it anyway since I didn’t have to put a credit card in.

Reply

Morty2264
08-01-2018 04:53 PM

“

Oh wow! That’s super exciting! Can’t believe it’s pre-order season already!

Reply

jinxygrrl
08-01-2018 02:28 PM

“

Thanks. I restarted my phone, went back in, and it said that I had reserved it. Hmmmm, this will probably get cancelled because I’m sure I would rather pick a color. Oh well, I guess we will see how this plays out in the near future. (still haven’t gotten an email confirmation though)

Reply

What about you? Have you reserved the Galaxy Note 9?

Join the conversation in the forums!

Samsung Galaxy Note 9

• Samsung Galaxy Note 9 rumors: Release date, specs, price, and features!
• Is it best to buy the Galaxy S9 or wait for the Note 9?
• Do you plan on upgrading to the Note 9?
• Galaxy Note 8 review
• Join our Galaxy Note 9 forums

Google Pixel 3: News, Rumors, Release Date, Specs, and more!

Everything we know about what’ll likely be one of the year’s best phones.

Google first introduced its Pixel series in 2016, and since then, has been hard at work to establish itself as a serious player in the smartphone market. Google may be one of the most powerful and iconic companies in the world, but when it comes to hardware, is still very much a newcomer.

We saw vast improvements with the Pixel 2 compared to the original Pixel line, and we’re expecting to get that again with the Pixel 3. Google’s quickly learning what it takes to compete with the likes of Samsung and Apple, and seeing as how the Pixel 2 was one of 2017’s best phones, there’s a lot riding on this year’s entry.

Ladies and gentlemen, here’s everything we know so far about the Google Pixel 3.

The latest Pixel 3 news

August 6, 2018 — October 4 launch date leaked for the Pixel 3

While we’ve seen plenty of leaked renders and specs for the Pixel 3, talk about its release date has been fairly quiet. That is, up until now. As spotted by Brandon Lee from the YouTube channel This is Tech Today, the Pixel 3 is shown to be released on October 4 according to the website Famebit.

Famebit is a website that allows companies to connect with content creators and work out deals to create sponsored content for YouTube videos, Instagram posts, etc. An ad on the site was recently created by Google and asks for Canadian creators to switch to the Pixel 3 and then making a video talking about their experience.

In this listing, it’s stated that “The Pixel 3 phone is launching October 4, 2018.”

While there’s no way to confirm if this ad really was created by Google, that October 4 date is what we were previously expecting anyways. That’s the same day Google used to announce the Pixel and Pixel 2 before, so it makes sense that it’d keep the trend going this year.

July 30, 2018 — Clearly White Google Pixel 3 XL shows up in new leak

We just got our best look at the Google Pixel 3 XL courtesy of XDA. The images in question show off the Clearly White color option, and the live photos confirm a cutout at the front and a single rear camera. We can also make out a single speaker located below the display.

The XDA leak once again reaffirms the presence of a glass back on the Pixel 3 XL, with the finish alternating between glossy and matte. A glass back opens up the possibility for wireless charging, but for now there’s no further information as to whether the feature will make its way to the device.

When will the Pixel 3 be released?

In 2016 and 2017, Google held its hardware event on October 4. We don’t have a concrete date for this year’s event quite yet, but there’s no reason to believe Google will deter from this pattern.

Another October 4 event isn’t out of the question seeing as how that falls on a Thursday this year, but at the very least, we should be looking at some point in early October.

Pre-orders for the Pixel 3 will likely open shortly after it’s announced that same day with shipments going out at least a couple of weeks later.

How much will the Pixel 3 cost?

Over the past couple years, pricing for Google’s Pixel phones has remained mostly the same. The MSRP for the Pixel and Pixel 2 series is as follows:

• Pixel w/ 32GB — $649
• Pixel w/ 128GB — $749
• Pixel 2 w/ 64GB — $649
• Pixel 2 w/ 128GB — $749
• Pixel XL w/ 32GB — $769
• Pixel XL w/ 128GB — $869
• Pixel 2 XL w/ 64GB —$849
• Pixel 2 XL w/ 128GB — $949

I imagine we’ll see similar numbers with the Pixel 3, but don’t be too surprised if we get a Pixel 3 XL variant that crosses the $1000 threshold.

Google Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL

• Pixel 2 FAQ: Everything you need to know!
• Google Pixel 2 and 2 XL review: The new standard
• Google Pixel 2 specs
• Google Pixel 2 vs. Pixel 2 XL: What’s the difference?
• Join our Pixel 2 forums

Best Buy
Verizon
Google Store
Project Fi

Best Chromebook as of August 2018

• Best overall
• Best on the go
• Best on a budget
• Best for the pro

Best overall

HP Chromebook X2

See at Best Buy

HP’s Chromebook X2 is the first detachable Chromebook, and the category is starting off with quite the bang. This powerful Chromebook does double-duty as a tablet, and Android apps make the X2 something you might also consider if you’re looking for a new Android tablet.

Add in its light weight, beautiful display, and long battery life and the HP Chromebook X2 is the best Chromebook you can buy overall.

The bottom line: Clamshell or tablet, the HP Chromebook X2 is a winner no matter how you use it.

One more thing: Like any Chromebook worth its salt in 2018 you’ll find an excellent Pen for drawing and note taking.

Why the HP Chromebook X2 is the best

Dollar for dollar you can’t beat what HP has to offer here.

HP has built a powerful Chromebook that can moonlight as an awesome tablet with the Chromebook X2. We love the Intel Core M3 processor and the 0.3-inch thickness and the functional features like Assistant and Google Lens. But as we’ve seen before in the Chromebook world, the display steals the show.

The display on the HP Chromebook X2 is the very same 12.3-inch 2400×1600 IPS touch panel that you’ll find on the Pixelbook or Samsung Chromebook Pro. It’s beautiful to look at and supports a stylus, which is included and stows in a handy loop on the keyboard.

You’ll have plenty of power for the browser or to pull up spreadsheets and presentations in Google Docs and Android apps while you’re working. Or play something from Netflix on the gorgeous screen when you’re not.

With a more power-hungry screen than many other Chromebooks, the Chromebook X2 still has great battery life. It will last most people a full workday (8-10 hours) on a single charge. And when it’s time to charge the battery, you’ll appreciate the standard USB-C charging instead of a proprietary input. With the right cable, your Chromebook X2 will charge anywhere your phone does.

The HP Chromebook X2 is a great all-around package, and right now it’s the best Chromebook available.

Best on the go

ASUS Chromebook Flip (C101)

See at Amazon

The ASUS Chromebook Flip was rather unassuming and a little confusing when it was first unveiled, but turned out to be a hit and spawned a great successor with the Flip 101. This little laptop with its 10.1-inch display and folding design that turns it into a pseudo-tablet is the go-to choice for anyone that wants a good, inexpensive and hyper-portable Chromebook.

For less than $300 you’re getting a 1280 x 800 touch screen, a metal build, great battery life and solid performance. If you’re always on the move and looking for a great Chromebook, you can’t do much better than this.

Bottom line: The Chromebook Flip is also one of the first models slated to pick up Android app compatibility through the Google Play Store, which could tip the scales a bit for folks looking to be ready for the new feature addition.

Best on a budget

Acer Chromebook R13

See at Amazon

The Acer Chromebook R13 is a mid-range offering that seems like it should cost more. It has a 1080p IPS touchscreen for interaction with Android apps, can fold back into various modes for an all-touch experience, and charges using the new USB-C standard rather than an older connector.

The standout feature of the Chromebook R13 is the great way it’s built. It’s solid and well machined and not something you would expect from a sub-400 dollar laptop. The Chromebook R13 is an excellent choice for anyone who wants a premium product without a premium price.

Bottom line: The Acer Chromebook R13 looks and feels like a laptop that would cost a lot more, and is a great choice for savvy shoppers.

Best for the pro

Google Pixelbook

See at Best Buy
See at Google

Anyone who needs a dependable laptop to use all day, every day, and wants it to be a Chromebook should have a look at Google’s Pixelbook.

It’s thin and sleek, and oozes “premium” when using it, has the best keyboard and trackpad of any Chromebook (and as good or better than you’d find on a MacBook) and a gorgeous touchscreen. It was also designed from the ground up for Google Play and use as an Android tablet, and it excels at it.

If you want or need the very best and are willing to overpay for it, the Pixelbook was made for you.

Bottom line: You’re paying double the price of the Samsung Chromebook Plus, but for some it will be worth it.

Conclusion

There’s a Chromebook to satisfy most any need that you may have. Whether you’re buying for yourself, as a gift, or giving guidance to someone else for their own purchase, be sure to start here before making a buying decision. For most people, though, most of the time, the Samsung Chromebook Plus is the overall best bet.

Best overall

HP Chromebook X2

See at Best Buy

HP’s Chromebook X2 is the first detachable Chromebook, and the category is starting off with quite the bang. This powerful Chromebook does double-duty as a tablet, and Android apps make the X2 something you might also consider if you’re looking for a new Android tablet.

Add in its light weight, beautiful display, and long battery life and the HP Chromebook X2 is the best Chromebook you can buy overall.

The bottom line: Clamshell or tablet, the HP Chromebook X2 is a winner no matter how you use it.

One more thing: Like any Chromebook worth its salt in 2018 you’ll find an excellent Pen for drawing and note taking.

Update, August 2018: The HP Chromebook X2 is the first convertable Chromebook and the best you can buy.

Save big on Netgear’s Arlo Pro and Arlo Pro 2 camera kits and accessories today

Add another layer of protection to your home!

Amazon has a variety of Netgear’s Arlo security cameras on sale today, as well as some accessories that you’ll want to use with them. You can get started with a 3-camera Arlo Pro 2 kit for $449.99, or the 5-camera Arlo Pro kit for $549.99 depending how many cameras you need at your house. If you already have a kit and just want an extra camera, you can pick one up for $99.99.

Not sure what the difference is between the Arlo Pro and Arlo Pro 2? Don’t worry, you’re not alone. Our pals at iMore broke it down for us and point out that the video quality (720p vs 1080p), Activity Zones, and a few other small features are what set them apart.

There’s also a selection of mounts and skins available for as little as $15 today. Be sure to check out all the deals and grab one before the price runs out.

See at Amazon

Best PlayStation 4 games under $30

Want to save some money while you buy great games? Check these titles out.

There are certain painful occasions where money management has to take priority over buying every hot new game that comes out for your PlayStation 4. However, just because you are being a responsible adult doesn’t mean that you have to forgo great games altogether. With a little patience and some smart shopping, you can find killer deals on amazing games.

If you want to keep the heat on and have an awesome new video game to play, then hopefully this article will help you to achieve your goals. Here are some of the very best games available on PS4 that can be had for under $30

• Uncharted 4
• inFAMOUS Second Son
• Bloodborne
• The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
• Fallout 4
• Horizon Zero Dawn: Complete Edition
• Life Is Strange
• The Last of Us Remastered

Uncharted 4 – $20

Nathan Drake’s final chapter is a journey that everyone should experience, and thanks to PlayStation Hits, it’s now affordable to almost anyone. If you like story-focused action-adventure games, you’re doing yourself a disservice if you don’t play this game.

Travel across the world in search of pirate Henry Avery’s long lost treasure. Just be careful who you trust.

See at PlayStation

inFAMOUS Second Son – $20

Another exclusive jumping into the PlayStation Hits catalogue, inFAMOUS Second Son is a popular franchise developed by Sucker Punch Productions. What’s cooler than being a rebellious youth with superpowers and a whole city to explore at your disposal?

Choose your path and take on the Department of Unified Protection. Your actions define you, whether they be good or evil.

See at PlayStation

Bloodborne – $20

Bloodborne offers the greatest difficulty to dollar ratio on this list. Take the mechanics and brutality of the Dark Souls franchise and drop it into a gothic, horror-themed setting and you have Bloodborne.

If you are looking for a game to beat you up for the lowest price possible then this is your go-to

See at PlayStation

The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt – $20

If you’ve squeezed every last drop out of Skyrim and you still need some Dungeons and Dragons-esque gameplay then The Witcher 3 is here for you.

Play as the monster slayer Geralt as you search for elvish heir, Ciri. There is plenty to do in this gorgeous open world and plenty of monsters to slay.

See at Amazon

Fallout 4 – $20

The Fallout series has been around since the late 90’s. There have been 8 entries into the post-apocalyptic RPG series but Fallout 4 is the largest, both in terms of map size and content.

Step into your cryo chamber and awake after the Great War to a post-apocalyptic retro-future. Your main objective is to find your son but you are bound to get into plenty of other adventures along the way.

See at Amazon

Horizon Zero Dawn: Complete Edition – $20

New IP can be hit or miss, but Guerrilla Games struck gold with Horizon Zero Dawn. It’s got robotic dinosaurs, compelling characters, satisfying gameplay, and a surprisingly impactful storyline.

Discover your past to save the future in its post-apocalyptic world.

See at PlayStation

Life Is Strange – $20

Want a great independent game to play on your PS4 but don’t want to spend an arm and a leg? Check out the fantastic graphic adventure Life is Strange.

Take an independent coming of age film, mix in some superpowers and a killer story and you end up with one heck of a game.

See at PlayStation

The Last of Us Remastered – $20

If you’re looking for some survival horror action at a low low price, then you can’t do much better than the remastered version of The Last of Us.

Zombies have overrun the earth and it’s your job as Joel to protect a young girl named Ellie. It’s a thrill ride that just so happens to sport a great story.

See at PlayStation

Why are we reviewing PlayStation 4 games on Android Central? Let us explain.

Update, August 2018: We’ve updated this article to include more great games for under $30!

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Samsung Galaxy Note 9 rumors: Release date, specs, price, and features!

Here’s everything we know about the Galaxy Note 9!

Now more than ever, Samsung’s Galaxy S+ phones are becoming eerily similar to the Note series. The Note used to be Samsung’s way of touting all of the latest and greatest tech it had to offer, and while this is still the case, the same can be said for this year’s Galaxy S9+.

Samsung needs more than just the S Pen to make the Note 9 stand out from its own phones and the rest of the competition, and luckily, all signs are pointing to something exciting for this year’s release. Here’s what we know so far!

August 6, 2018 — S Pen features, camera improvements, and more highlighted in huge Reddit post

Even though we already know a great deal about the Galaxy Note 9, one Redditor that’s close with a Samsung employee recently took to Reddit to talk about a lot of smaller features/improvements that are coming to it.

There’s a lot of info about the new S Pen, with one of the most interesting tidbits being that Samsung will actually sell S Pens on their own so you can mix and match with the different colors that are going to be offered. Tying into this, the color of your S Pen will be the color used when taking screen-off memos.

It’s also noted that the Bluetooth-equipped S Pen can be used as a camera shutter with its button and that just 40 seconds of charging will give you 30 minutes of use with it.

As for the Note 9 itself, it apparently has a very similar footprint compared to the Note 8, has new AI features for the camera app, and will no longer require a DeX Pad or DeX Station to use Samsung’s desktop interface.

If you want all of the nitty-gritty details, you can read through the full post here.

August 6, 2018 — Samsung to offer 15,000 V-Bucks with Galaxy Note 9 pre-orders

The Galaxy Note 9 will officially be announced this Thursday, and along with learning more about the phone itself, we’re also expecting to hear about the long-awaited Android port of Fortnite. We already know that Fortnite for Android will be a limited-time exclusive to the Note 9, and thanks to XDA Developers, we have more information regarding the V-Bucks pre-order bonus we learned about late last month.

As discovered in the code of Epic’s website, there’s mention of “Samsung Preorder 15000 V-Bucks Promo.” In other words, you’ll be able to get 15,000 V-Bucks when pre-ordering the Note 9.

15,000 V-Bucks is equal to $150 United States Dollars, and while it might seem silly to give away virtual points as a pre-order promo for a phone that’ll likely cost $800 – $900, that should be quite appealing to fans of the game that are looking to upgrade their phone.

What will the Galaxy Note 9 look like?

Quick answer — a lot like the Note 8.

We’ve seen one collection of renders for the Note 9 so far (pictured above), and save for the fingerprint sensor being moved below the rear camera sensor, the phone’s shaping up to be nearly identical to last year’s model.

As such, we can expect a large Infinity Display with slim bezels, an all-glass back, and a 3.5mm headphone jack. Samsung’s event teaser suggests that we’ll get at least one bright yellow color option, but I’m still crossing my fingers the Galaxy S9’s Burgundy Red gets a wide release on the Note 9 🤞.

What specs can we look forward to?

Samsung’s Galaxy Note phones are always home to some of the best specs around, and the Note 9 shouldn’t be any different.

Based on the current rumor mill and what we’ve seen from other 2018 flagships, here’s what we think we’ll see this year.

What’s going on with the S Pen?

The S Pen has always been one of the biggest draws to the Galaxy Note phones, and this year with the Note 9, we’re expecting Samsung to give the accessory one of the biggest updates we’ve seen in years.

One of the biggest changes this time around is that the Note 9 S Pen is rumored to come with Bluetooth. On one hand, this means the S Pen will need to have a battery and be charged somehow. Although we can’t confirm this, it’s likely Samsung will design a system that allows the S Pen to charge up while it’s inside the Note 9.

On a more exciting note, Bluetooth could allow for the S Pen to be useful even when it’s not in direct contact with the Note 9. Its button could act as a camera shutter, slide-show clicker, give you better alerts when it’s away from your phone, and more.

There have also been hints at some sort of gaming-specific features, but it’s unclear how exactly these will pan out.

When will the Galaxy Note 9 be released?

The Galaxy Note 9 will be announced on August 9, 2018, at an Unpacked event in New York City.

We can expect retail availability to come in a 1-2 week time frame after the announcement, if any previous launches are any indication.

How much will the Galaxy Note 9 cost?

Pricing for the Note series has steadily been going up each year, as has the majority of the smartphone industry.

The Galaxy Note 8 costs $950 unlocked, and I’d expect the Note 9 to cost either the same or slightly more. Apple proved with the iPhone X that people aren’t afraid to shell out $1000+ for a new smartphone, and I don’t consider it to be out of the question for Samsung to follow suit with the Note 9 – especially if it adopts newer technologies like an in-display fingerprint sensor.

Samsung Galaxy S9 & S9+: Everything you need to know!

Samsung Galaxy Note 9

• Samsung Galaxy Note 9 rumors: Release date, specs, price, and features!
• Is it best to buy the Galaxy S9 or wait for the Note 9?
• Do you plan on upgrading to the Note 9?
• Galaxy Note 8 review
• Join our Galaxy Note 9 forums

Updated August 3, 2018: Updated spec sheet with latest available info.

Alto’s Odyssey for Android review: A perfect follow-up adventure

Another dreamy classic from Team Alto.

Alto’s Odyssey was my most anticipated game on the Android release calendar since it was released for iOS back in February. Rather than having to wait a full year as we did for Alto’s Adventure, Odyssey arrived just six months later thanks to the fine folks at Noodlecake Studios who have delivered another absolute gem for Android gamers.

Alto’s Odyssey is a simple endless runner game that has you dashing down desert dunes, wall riding rock formations, and exploring ancient ruins, but the gorgeous sound design, soothing soundtrack, and shifting color palettes will keep you coming back for more adventure.

Download: Alto’s Odyssey (Free w/IAPs)

Here’s a short video showing of Zen Mode, which lets you play the game with no distraction scores and no game overs — just you and the endless desert dunes.

Expanding on everything we loved from the first game

Creating a sequel to a celebrated game like Alto’s Adventure is no small challenge, as you want to capture the quirkiness of the original game’s premise while building on the core concepts that made the game such a joy to play. Here, Team Alto did a great job of not just changing the scenery, but justifying the decisions by incorporating brand new gameplay mechanics that feel right at home because they’re built right into how you interact with the environment.

Gone are the snow-capped mountains and runaway llamas. Instead, Odyssey takes us to more tropical locals with Alto swapping his snowboard for a wall-riding sand board. There’s more interaction with the environment here, too, with mini tornados tossing Alto high in the air, hot air balloons offering movable targets for grinding and bouncing, and much more to explore as you progress through the game.

This game is downright gorgeous with its shifting landscapes rendered beautifully with vivid colors — taken with the cinematic musical score and you get a pristine gaming experience. It’s also not particularly resource heavy so even someone rocking an older phone can enjoy it.

New additions help the game feel fresh

As much as I love Alto’s Adventure, it was important to me that Odyssey offers enough new content to justify itself. Fortunately, there’s a ton to unpack and discover for hardcore fans and anyone who’s coming into the franchise alike. The main game mode is back with plenty of goals to go after each run and characters and features to unlock, and the fan favorite zen mode is also included here for those times where you just want to kick back and relax.

Each playthrough is unique in that the terrain is always procedurally generated, which is perfect for an endless runner such as this. Because there are so many new elements in play here, you’ll always discover new ways to link combos and reach new heights.

The free-to-play model executed to perfection

Just like the first game, Alto’s Odyssey is free to play with ads on Android, or you can play an in-app purchase to remove the ads. When I interviewed Ryan Holowaty of Noodlecake Studios I made sure to ask him about this decision as the Alto games are paid apps for iOS.

Holowaty said the decision to make the Alto games free to play on Android was based on the download and buying habits of Android gamers. In that case, Team Alto must have been pretty satisfied with the performance of Alto’s Adventure on the Google Play Store because they went the same route here with Odyssey. While some might prefer paying for a game of this quality from the outset and never having to deal with annoying ads, I appreciate the ability to test drive a game before I invest cash and have found this to be a perfect compromise.

Final Thoughts

Alto’s Odyssey has lived up to all my expectations by delivering more of the core gameplay I loved from the first game while layering on added depth and more rewards for progressing through the main game. Best of all, this isn’t a game to replace Alto’s Adventure but rather a new game that compliments the previous title.

Both Adventure and Odyssey offer familiar-yet-unique experiences, and my only question now is whether there’s a third journey in the cards for Alto and pals.

Download: Alto’s Odyssey (Free w/IAPs)

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Samsung Galaxy Watch rumors: Release date, specs, price, and features!

The Galaxy Watch could be Samsung’s best and boldest smartwatch yet — here’s why.

It’s been a hot minute since Samsung released the Gear S3, and while the Gear Sport did a nice job at holding us over for a while longer, it’s time we get a proper sequel to one of 2016’s best smartwatches.

The rumor mill suggests that this year will see Samsung release the successor we’ve been longing for, but instead of a traditional Gear S4, reports are coming out that the new gadget will be called the “Galaxy Watch” and use an operating system Samsung hasn’t dabbled with since 2014.

What is the Galaxy Watch and why should you care about it? Here’s everything you need to know!

The latest Galaxy Watch news

August 6, 2018 — Galaxy Watch to come in two sizes, have 7-day battery life, and not include MST for Samsung Pay

Samsung hasn’t commented at all on the Galaxy Watch after accidentally publishing the listing on its website last month, but thanks to one Redditor that’s reportedly close with an employee at the company, we now know a lot more about what to expect from the impending wearable.

First thing’s first, Samsung will apparently offer two different sizes of the Galaxy Watch to accommodate both smaller and larger wrists — including 46mm and 42mm options. Also, despite being similar in size to last year’s Gear Sport, the Galaxy Watch is said to last an impressive “7 days” on a single charge.

That rose gold variant we saw on Samsung’s site is a new color option that’ll be sold, and if you’re into fitness, the Galaxy Watch will come equipped with a total of 40 workout modes out of the box.

Unfortunately, while Samsung Pay will be present on the Galaxy Watch, it’ll only work for NFC payments with no support for MST transactions.

July 23, 2018 — Samsung accidentally lists the Galaxy Watch on its official website

I think this is about as official as we’re going to get until the Galaxy Watch’s unveiling.

A screenshot was recently sent in to CNET showing a search result on Samsung’s website for “Wearables”, and right next to the Gear S2, the unannounced Galaxy Watch popped up alongside it.

This is our very first look at the watch, and to not much surrpise, it follows a similar design language to the Gear Sport and Gear S3 with a circular display, metal body, and two physical buttons on the right.

The model shown here is a 42mm rose gold option, and seeing as how Samsung specifically calls this out as a Bluetooth model, it’s likely we’ll also see an LTE variant.

All the big details

What’s with this talk about Wear OS?

Almost all of Samsung’s wearable products have used the company’s own Tizen operating system, but with the Galaxy Watch, that could be changing.

Back in late May, it was reported that some Samsung employees had been seen wearing Gear watches running Google’s Wear OS (previously called Android Wear). That rumor was put to rest a couple weeks later, but then on July 6, another tipster stated that the Galaxy Watch will, in fact, use Wear OS instead of Tizen.

While that may seem like a ball out of left field, this wouldn’t be unheard of for Samsung. In 2014, one of the very first Android Wear watches to come out was the Samsung Gear Live.

However, on July 18, another report popped up claiming that Tizen will actually be the operating system of choice — not Wear OS.

We’re still not entirely sure what’s going to happen here, but a Wear OS watch from Samsung would be a huge win for the platform as a whole. Google needs big names to back Wear OS, and who better to support it than one of the largest companies on the planet?

When will the Galaxy Watch be released?

Samsung’s yet to release any teasers or press invites for the Galaxy Watch, but according to the rumor mill, we’ll see it announced alongside the Galaxy Note 9 on August 9.

Current rumors point to the Galaxy Watch launching on August 24.

Following the August 9 announcement, pre-orders for the Galaxy Watch will follow on August 14. From there, the gadget will officially launch on August 24.

Should that rumor turn out to be false, the next logical announcement will likely come during IFA in Berlin in late August / early September.

How much will the Galaxy Watch cost?

Now, most importantly, let’s talk price.

As much as we loved the Gear S3, its price tag wasn’t the easiest to swallow at the time at $349. However, compared to today’s market, that’s not really unheard of.

A Series 3 Apple Watch with GPS and LTE will set you back at least $399. If you get the model without LTE, you’re still looking at a minimum of $329.

With that in mind, we’ll probably see the Galaxy Watch sell for around $300 – $350 depending on whether or not it has LTE.

That’s certainly not cheap, but if Samsung knocks it out of the park with its design and features, it should be able to hold its over (if not trump) what Apple’s currently offering.

Google Wear OS

• The best Wear OS smartwatches
• Discuss Android Wear in the forums!

Updated July 18, 2018: Updated Wear OS and release date sections to reflect current rumors/reports.