OnePlus 6: Everything you need to know!

Unlock the secrets.

The OnePlus 6 is now available, and it’s a compelling option for someone looking for an unlocked phone at a reasonable price — starting at $529 to be specific. But price aside, it’s a great choice for anyone, even those considering more expensive options, thanks to a combination of hardware and software, and a community that continues to support the company and one another.

Here’s everything you need to know about the OnePlus 6!

The latest OnePlus 6 news

July 1, 2018 — OnePlus is adding a limited-edition red OnePlus 6 to the mix

Late on Sunday night in the U.S., OnePlus is announcing a limited-edition red OnePlus 6, which is coming to North American and European markets on July 10 for $579. The model will just be available in the now-common 8GB/128GB RAM and storage combination, and only from OnePlus.com.

Following the launch of the critically acclaimed OnePlus 6, which sold over 1 million units in just 22 days, OnePlus is bringing a new limited-edition color to Europe and North America, the OnePlus 6 Red.

The OnePlus 6 Red is designed to match power with style, with attention to detail paramount. The metallic red shimmer coupled with the red, mirror-like fingerprint sensor elegantly contrast the silver accent around the camera.

Six panels of glass make up the back of the OnePlus 6 Red. With this variant, OnePlus has added an additional anti-reflective layer to create a sense of depth by allowing more light to reach the bottom layers before being reflected off the device. A translucent orange layer has been intermixed with the red base layer to achieve a radiant and glossy red, unique to OnePlus design.

OnePlus also says that the Bullets Wireless headphones will also be restocked on July 10.

More: The OnePlus 6 in red

June 14, 2018 — One million units of the OnePlus 6 were sold in just 22 days

We expected the OnePlus 6 to sell like hotcakes, but I don’t know if anyone was anticipating demand on this level. On June 14, OnePlus confirmed that it crossed one million sales of the OP6 just 22 days after it launched.

OnePlus notes that this demand is a “sharp upward hike from even the OnePlus 5T”, and as such, the OnePlus 6 is now taking the title of the company’s best-selling product to date.

For comparison, both the OnePlus 5 and 5T each crossed one million units sold within three months of launching.

Read our review and watch the video

First thing’s first, watch the video and read the review. There’s plenty about the phone to learn, even though much of it is familiar. But the essential question a review tries to answer is, Should you buy this thing? And the response is an unrestrained, Yes.

The OnePlus 6 is the company’s finest phone ever, with excellent design, build quality, battery life and, for the first time, cameras.

Read the review

Review the specs

Once you’re done reading the review, you should, ahem, review the specifications. The phone is powerful — like one of the most powerful on the market today — with plenty of headroom and legroom (it’s proverbially spacious is what I’m trying to say) for whatever you want to throw at it. Apps-wise, not like object-wise.

OnePlus 6 specifications

How does it compare to other phones?

Of course, the OnePlus 6 doesn’t exist in a bubble — you have to compare it to other devices if you’re going to decide whether you should buy it. Thankfully, we’ve done most of the work for you, comparing it to the best flagships on the market right now.

• OnePlus 6 vs. Google Pixel 2 XL: Which should you buy?
• OnePlus 6 vs. Samsung Galaxy S9+: Which should you buy?

What about to other OnePlus phones?

Yeah, OnePlus owners like to keep it in the family, so to speak, so it wouldn’t be surprising to see many upgrading, or thinking of upgrading, from an existing OnePlus device, like a 3, 3T, 5, or 5T. Of course, with the company releasing two phones a year these days, it won’t be long until the next upgrade cycle hits, but that also means that the existing phones age quite well, thanks to frequent software updates (the joys of not going through carriers).

If you have a OnePlus 5 or 5T, you can probably hold onto those phones for a bit longer — unless you need the camera improvements. OnePlus’s 2016 phones, on the other hand, may be getting a bit long in the tooth and could use a replacement.

• OnePlus 6 vs. OnePlus 5T: Should you upgrade?
• OnePlus 6 vs. OnePlus 5: Should you upgrade?
• OnePlus 6 vs. OnePlus 3T & 3: Should you upgrade?

Is the OnePlus 6 camera that much better than before?

This photo was taken in nearly pitch-dark conditions. OnePlus ramps up the light sensitivity to ISO6400, which would normally produce a lot of grain, but this photo is totally usable thanks to better software processing.

Yes! The OnePlus 6 has a larger 16MP sensor than previous OnePlus devices, with pixels that are 19% bigger, so low-light photography is immensely improved. It’s not going to overtake the Huawei P20 Pro or Pixel 2 for Low Light Champion Of The World, but it’s reliable in all conditions, and that’s more important than anything else.

The camera is probably the biggest improvement over previous OnePlus models.

The phone’s main sensor is aided by a fast ƒ/1.7 aperture, so true depth of field is a thing, along with drastically improved image signal processing from Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 845. Together, the phone is able to detect the correct settings more quickly, take multiple shots if necessary, enable HDR mode automatically, and reduce or eliminate grain in dark conditions.

There’s also Optical Image Stabilization (OIS), which was in the OnePlus 3 line but removed in last year’s series for unknown reasons. It’s back now, and paired with a larger sensor and faster main lens, the results speak for themselves.

On the other hand, the OnePlus 6’s secondary camera has less to do — it’s a 20MP sensor with an ƒ/1.7 lens, but its main purpose is to facilitate portrait mode which, while good, isn’t enough reason to have a second sensor in the first place.

Is the notch distracting?

The notch is what it is. You may hate it out of an aversion to all things Apple, or you may learn to live with it and forget it’s there. Most people will fall somewhere in the middle — it’s a character trait, like a freckle or a certain hairstyle.

What it does, though, is open up spme additional real estate on the 6.28-inch screen, which is great. But it also limits the number of icons that can be seen in the notification area, which is a bummer. Plus, the clock on the left side of the notification bar will never make sense. If you watch the video below, though, you can see ways to tweak the notification area to your liking. And you can also disable the notch altogether if you want to.

How’s the software?

It’s good! Running Android 8.1 Oreo, OxygenOS has turned into one of the most enjoyable, reliable versions of Android to date. OnePlus has also added a number of additions to make the whole thing run more smoothly, especially if you’re looking to maximize your screen real estate.

One of the more interesting changes to the software is a set of gestures that eliminates the bottom navigation keys, relying on swipes up from different areas of the bottom edge to go back, home, and enter multitasking. It’s different, but not bad. You’ll have to try it yourself.

As for tips and tricks, we’ve already got that list going, so if you’re looking to make the most of your OxygenOS experience, we have you covered.

• How to enable navigation gestures on the OnePlus 6
• How to disable the notch on the OnePlus 6

What’s it cost?

The OnePlus 6 starts at $529 USD for the base model and goes up to $629 for additional RAM and storage. There are three configurations and three colors, and here’s a breakdown of which one to buy.

Here’s how the pricing breaks down in various regions.

6/64	$529	€519	£469	$699
8/128	$579	€569	£519	$769
8/256	$629	€619	£569	$839

See at OnePlus

Tell me more about the colors

There are three colors: Mirror Black, Midnight Black, and Silk White.

• Mirror Black is going to be the most common, since it’s the only color offered in the cheapest tier. It’s shiny, reflective glass, so it gets fingerprint-y, but that’s OK because you’ll likely put the phone in a case (see below). It’s also a little slippery, which is to be expected. Mirror Black is offered in 6GB / 64GB configurations for $529.

• Midnight Black is the color we’ve come to expect from OnePlus over the years, though the matte-looking finish belies a glass back, too, like the Mirror Black. Midnight Black is only available in 8GB / 128GB and 8GB / 256GB configurations for $579 and $629, respectively.

• Silk White is the most limited of the three colors, and is selling out fast. It’s also covered in glass, but like the Midnight Black model it has a matte finish and is easier to grip. Its white back has rose gold accents, and it’s definitely the nicest and most unique of the three colors. It’s only available in the 8GB / 128GB configuration for $579, and once the run is sold out, OnePlus is not making any more.

What color OnePlus 6 should you buy?

I heard there’s an Avengers version — TELL ME EVERYTHING

Yes, you heard right: OnePlus has once again worked with Disney on licensing a special version of the OnePlus 6 for the Chinese and Indian markets. Last year, OnePlus offered an understated Start Wars variant of the OnePlus 5T, and now the Avengers version takes advantage of the hype behind the recent film release.

The Avengers version comes in a unique box and includes an Iron Man case and a OnePlus/Avengers co-branded medallion, which is neat. And while there’s a familiar glass back on the Avengers Edition, it has a Kevlar-style design underneath. Because Kevlar=superheroes, or something.

While the special edition isn’t coming to the U.S. officially, I’m sure that some entrepreneurial Indian and Chinese resellers will do the dirty business of importing some of them at a huge premium to this side of the world.

This is the OnePlus 6 Marvel Avengers Edition

The OnePlus 6 doesn’t work on Sprint or Verizon

The OnePlus 6 technically supports the CDMA bands for Verizon and Sprint in the U.S., but the phone lacks certification for their networks, so those users — just under half the smartphone-wielding U.S. population, is out of luck.

We’ve got your full technical explainer below.

The OnePlus 6 doesn’t work on Sprint or Verizon

Do you like cases?

As it does with all of its phones, OnePlus has unveiled a series of first-party cases for the OnePlus 6, and they’re all pretty great.

This year, there’s a fancy new protective bumper made of woven nylon, and while it adds a bit more bulk than the typical snap-on, I think it looks and feels awesome.

These are the official OnePlus 6 cases you can buy at launch

What are your thoughts on the OnePlus 6?

Let us know in the comments!

OnePlus 6

• OnePlus 6 review
• OnePlus 6 vs. OnePlus 5T: How much changes in six months?
• OnePlus 6 vs. OnePlus 5: Should you upgrade?
• These are the official OnePlus 6 cases
• The OnePlus 6 doesn’t work on Verizon or Sprint
• Join the discussion in the forums

Automate tasks in Android to put your digital life on autopilot

Automating functions on your Android device — such as sending alerts once you’ve used a certain amount of data or texting a friend when you reach your destination — can not only make your life easier, it also uses some of that untapped potential in the small computer you carry around in your pocket and gives you time to focus on the truly important things in life, like browsing Reddit or watching Netflix (or we guess, like hanging out with friends and family).

There are tons of cheap (and free) automation apps out there that make the entire process really easy — once you know how to use them. Applications like Tasker and Automate share many similarities, so once you know how to use one of them, the rest should come pretty easily.

We decided to walk through the process of setting up automation in Automate by LlamaLab, not only because it offers a free version that you can try out before committing to a purchase, but also its simple, flowchart-based UI makes it easier to visualize and understand what’s going on.

There is a premium version of Automate as well that lets you use over 30 blocks (more on that in a sec), but for most things you’re going to be automating, less than 30 should be plenty. In our example, we’ll show you how to automatically backup Snapseed-edited photos to your Google Drive, which only involves using 3 blocks. But before we dive in, there are a few terms you should be aware of.

Important terms

Flow

Flow is the term that Automate uses to describe a single automation.

Building blocks

Building blocks are the pieces that make up each flow. They contain actions (such as copying text, etc.) that can be chained together to create an automation.

Fiber

Fiber describes the process of running through a flow. Because of the flowchart-based UI Automate has, the fibers appear as the lines connecting one building block to another. When you run a flow, the fiber will ensure that each of your actions is completed as it works through the automation.

Output variables

Output variables are data that you want to transfer from one building block to another.

Payload

A payload is a piece of information that can be altered along the entire flow. This means it may come out as something completely different on the end.

Fiber URI

This is an identifier for a new fiber.

Flow URI

This is an identifier for the flow, which is generated by the app. You can use it if you want other flows to call on this one in some way, but that’s starting to get into more advanced territory.

You don’t need to be an expert with these ideas to use the app, but you will see references to them as you explore it. If you decide to create more advanced automations, you’ll be able to fork the fiber from one flow to another, have it do multiple things at once, and build a bunch of cool and complex things.

Basics of automation

To start using Automate, open the app and select either a pre-made option or press the plus sign at the top of your screen to create a new automation. For this example, we will be walking through the process of backing up Snapseed photos to your Google Drive, which will require you to create a new flow.

You’ll start with a flow beginning node. Next, we’ll dive into the plethora of building blocks available on Android, which you can find by tapping on the top left to bring up all the options. Based on the the sheer number of building blocks, there is a crazy amount you can do. You can find more information on specific building blocks and terminology on Llama Lab’s website.

However, the easiest way to find a specific block is to search for its keywords at the top. For this, we will be using the Upload G Drive Module. You can also search for it by filtering categories. Click on it to add it to the flow.

So, now we have that second block in our flow, but nothing is connected yet. Never fear! Connecting two blocks is very simple. Tap and hold the OK dot on the end of the flow beginning node and drag it to the In dot on the G Drive module. This indicates that after the flow starts, we want it to go into the Google Drive action.

Next, tap the G Drive block and enter the Google account you want the flow to work with, and then enter the local path, which is where you want it to grab files from, which will be Snapseed. Navigate to the Snapseed folder, where you’ll find all the Snapseed saves and then tap OK.

The remote path is the path on our actual Google Drive where we want the files to go once they are uploaded. You can leave this blank and they will all upload to the main part of your Drive or you can enter a specific file name (such as “/business/photos/automate/”).

To ensure the flow worked without checking our Drive every single time, we’ll want to have a small message appear that tells us when the function is complete. To do this we are going to add the Toast Show module to our flow. Place it in the same way as the Google Drive module by finding it in the list of building blocks. After you place it, tap and hold the OK node on Google Drive and drag it to the In Node on the Toast Show.

Press Toast Show and type “backup complete” or whatever you want your message to be, set the duration, and click Done. The final thing you’ll need to do is allow any privileges that the task will need to complete. Things like having access to your camera or to your Google Drive. You only need to do this when you create the flow and it should work every time after that. And that’s it! Our flow is completed. Press the check mark at the top, give it a name, and we’re done!

If you want to make any tweaks, or if something got messed up along the way, tap the pencil icon at the very top, tap Flowchart, and you can make any necessary changes. For more information, and more on what specific functions do, be sure to check out Llama Lab’s website.

David Cogen — a regular contributor here at Digital Trends — runs TheUnlockr, a popular tech blog that focuses on tech news, tips and tricks, and the latest tech. You can also find him on Twitter discussing the latest tech trends.

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WhatsApp just rolled out a giant Internet megaphone

Facebook-owned messaging service WhatsApp has debuted a new feature for groups to create one-way broadcast communication streams: With the new feature, the owners of a group can make it such that they are the only ones capable of sending messages — essentially handing them a massive megaphone for shouting at people.

“Today, we’re launching a new group setting where only admins are able to send messages to a group,” WhatsApp noted in a blog post on Friday. “One way people use groups is to receive important announcements and information, including parents and teachers at schools, community centers, and non-profit organizations.” WhatsApp said that it decided to roll out this feature to help group admins better streamline their communications.

The messaging service has introduced a number of new features over the past few months including group descriptions, a catch-up  feature that’s an out for folks who are constantly getting re-added to groups they’ve previously tried to leave.

In order to turn on this newest feature, you’ll need to open up Group Info, tap on Group Settings, then Send Messages, and select “Only Admins.” The feature will be rolling out to all WhatsApp users across the globe.

What’s striking is the tool’s similarity to a feature of  Telegram, the popular messaging app that was recently banned in Russia. But it’s by no means the first time a Facebook-owned platform has drawn inspiration from a competitive service. Instagram has been copying Snapchat features for years — and as it turns out, beating Snapchat at its own game. Nearly a year ago, Instagram Stories overtook Snapchat in terms of daily users, as well as active users.

As such, it comes as little surprise that WhatsApp is looking increasingly similar to Telegram, especially with regard to this newest feature. While group admins could always broadcast information to a set of users, this is the first time that they can ensure that there isn’t any tangential conversation going on, and that a single person controls the entire stream. As present, WhatsApp boasts over 1.5  billion active users. Comparatively, Telegram only recently reached 200 million active users … close, but no cigar.

Editors’ Recommendations

• WhatsApp expands its capabilities with a slew of new features
• Facebook F8 2018 Keynote recap: Everything Zuckerberg and co. announced
• WhatsApp’s latest update brings more order and control to group chats
• Instagram now lets you video chat with up to three buddies
• Yes, Facebook is reading the messages you send through Messenger

A huge meteorite just splashed into the ocean, and scientists want to find it

Residents of Ocean Shores, Washington, were startled on the evening of March 7 when a bright flash lit up the sky and a tremendous boom rattled the sleepy seaside town. “They thought it was a spaceship,” local resident Brittany Bryson told the Seattle Times.

It wasn’t a spaceship, but it was definitely a visitor from outer space. From analysis of radar signals, Marc Fries, NASA Cosmic Dust Curator, concluded it was a meteorite about the size of a golf cart that broke apart and splashed down into the ocean about 16 miles off the coast. Approximately two tons of fragments are likely scattered over a half-mile of seafloor.

“This is easily the biggest recorded meteor fall in the United States in 21 years,” Fries said.

Some of the debris that survived the plunge may be as large as a brick, and scientists want to retrieve as much as they can for further study. Luckily, a nearby research ship is in the middle of a survey mission, and they have some high-tech tools to aid in the scavenger hunt.

The Nautilus is the flagship of the Ocean Exploration Trust (OET), a nonprofit group founded by explorer Robert Ballard. Joined by scientists from the University of Washington, the Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary, and NASA, the Nautilus will use remote-operated submarines to survey the area and collect any fragments they find.

The debris field is situated near an underwater canyon about 400 feet deep. The area is relatively flat, making the dark-black meteorites easier to spot resting on the lighter seafloor. The OET, which previously discovered the wreckage of the Titanic, agreed to donate a day of their technical expertise to the endeavor. “It’s a great opportunity for us because it’s such an interesting, pure exploration type mission,” said Nicole Raineault, vice president of exploration and science.

Any meteorites discovered will be added to the research collection at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C.

The Nautilus also includes a high-speed satellite connection which is used to transmit video and other sensor data in real time to their mission control center at the University of Rhode Island. A live stream video of the expedition will be available at http://www.nautiluslive.org if you want to follow the search. The remote submarine dive is scheduled to occur between 9 am and 4 pm (Pacific Time) on July 2.

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• Nuclear scientists at CERN discover color of antimatter, hope to learn much more

Beginners guide to the BlackBerry Key2’s keyboard

Andy Boxall/Digitaltrends.com

It’s easy to dismiss a phone with a physical keyboard as “old,” but don’t. The BlackBerry Key2 is as modern as smartphones get, and the keyboard does a whole lot more than simply put words on the screen. However, swapping from a virtual keyboard on a full touchscreen phone — which the majority of us use today — is not only daunting, but actually quite a challenge.

Don’t panic, and don’t let it put you off. Practice on your Key2 makes perfect. Here is our quick guide to learning how to type like a pro on the BlackBerry Key2, with some helpful hints to make swapping from a virtual keyboard to a physical one more pleasant than you may fear.

If you want more general tips, not just those related to the act of typing, we have those too. Plus, if you’re still considering the Key2, then this may help make up your mind.

Learn to hold your phone

Sounds silly, doesn’t it; but you may need to retrain your muscles the first few times you hold the BlackBerry Key2. While the phone is better weighted than the KeyOne, it’s still different than holding an iPhone or another Android phone. You’re going to have to experiment. Move it around in your hand, shift the position of your fingers, and your hand will gradually get used to its new position.

Pro tip: If it’s really proving difficult, stick a Popsocket on the back. We gave it a try because the adjustment was initially quite hard, and the stick-on grip helps you balance the phone without too much strain on your fingers. It definitely made a difference and stopped any fears of losing a grip on our shiny new Key2 as well. Think of it like BlackBerry training wheels.

Slow down

Julian Chokkattu/Digital Trends

You have been typing on a virtual keyboard for years and relying on autocorrect probably more than you think. Going from this to actually pressing physical keys is jarring, and here is something you won’t want to hear: You’re going to make mistakes and it’s going to be frustrating.

The key (sorry) to improving is to slow down. You’re typing on a new keyboard, likely one you haven’t used before, and relearning how to type quickly is part of the process. Stop your fingers dancing over the keys, like you did on the virtual keyboard and make slower, more precise movements. Speed will come over time, and it will arrive with improved accuracy as a special bonus.

Swipe it

Andy Boxall/Digitaltrends.com

Predictive text on the BlackBerry Key2 (and the KeyOne) is fast, intelligent, and very powerful, all because of a single swipe. The Key2’s keyboard is capacitive so it operates like a touchscreen, and you can swipe corrected words from the list provided right into your conversation.

It’s accurate, and you can “type” responses almost solely by swiping the words the Key2 predicts, rather than actually typing. To do it, you run your thumb up the keyboard under the predicted word you want to insert. Learn to use this early on, and it’ll minimize any frustration you’re feeling about the time it takes to type out a message.

Pro tip: Swiping is quick, but if your finger is close enough, you can tap those predicted words too. If you do, look out for words with three dots underneath. Tap and hold those words to see other words that would potentially fit. For example, if “The” is predicted, it’ll also show words like, “Is,” “For,” “And,” and “Your.”

You’ll find words that are related to the sentence you’re typing too. If you type “Test,” then “Results,” may appear in the same menu. Again, it’s all about regaining speed after swapping from a virtual keyboard.

Hold keys, and use the Sym shortcut

Andy Boxall/Digitaltrends.com

Most of the time, the only special characters we use in messages are capital letters, punctuation, and things like a hashtag or currency symbol. You can use the Alt key to access special characters already assigned to each key and shown in grey, or the Shift key to get capital letters.

Don’t do this. Learning shortcuts and fast actions is an important part of BlackBerry ownership, and one of the first things to get to grips with is the alternative way to get all these keys without pressing many other keys first.

Hold down each key to get the capital letter, which is much faster than finding the shift key or accidentally pressing the Alt key in your haste. To get the symbols, press the Sym key and a virtual keyboard appears on the screen, showing all the available symbols. If you can’t see the one you want, press Sym again and more will show up. Tap the one you want. Press the Sym button a third time and the virtual keyboard disappears.

Pro tip: Looking for special characters used in languages other than English? You’ll find them with a long press on the appropriate key. Hold down the “E” key to find “é,” for example.

Emoji, clipboard, and voice

Andy Boxall/Digitaltrends.com

There are times when only an emoji will do; but where are they hidden? There is a comprehensive menu with all this and more, which is accessed by tapping the three horizontal lines on the left of the predictive words that appear on the screen.

Tap it, and the first option from the left, which looks like a microphone, activates voice input. Move along towards the right and the second is for emoji, while the central button is to return to the keyboard. The first icon to the right from here brings up a cursor control for the screen, and the final button is for the clipboard.

Pro tip: Sometimes the Key2’s virtual keyboard will show up over the screen content, even when you want to type on the physical key. To ensure this doesn’t happen, go to Settings > Languages & Input, and then Current Keyboard. Tap the slider next to Show Virtual Keyboard to turn it off.

Alternative languages

Andy Boxall/Digitaltrends.com

Some of you will need access to a second keyboard when typing, and these can be added and accessed easily on your Key2. You can also use either BlackBerry’s alternate keyboards, or Google’s keyboards.

Here’s how to get BlackBerry’s alternate language keyboards. Go to Settings > Language & Input and tap Languages. Tap Add a Language, and scroll through the list until you find the one you want.

To select it during typing, hold down the spacebar and pick the language you want. We selected Japanese, and provided you download the dictionary when prompted, the predictive text works in the same way as it does in any other language.

If you install a second Google keyboard, it can also be used. Again, go to Settings > Language & Input, and activate the keyboard under Keyboard Settings. To select it when typing, hold down the Alt key and at the same time press the Enter key. Each subsequent press of the Enter key will cycle through the available keyboards.

Practice makes perfect

That is our introductory tips on how to get started with your BlackBerry Key2 keyboard, which has been built with the classic BlackBerry Bold 9900 in mind. These tips should speed up the process of swapping to a physical keyboard after years of experience on a virtual keyboard. Now, it’s time to practice, as that is the only way you will improve here. Push past the frustration too, it doesn’t last long, and you’ll be well on your way to physical keyboard nirvana.

We’ll be back with advanced keyboard tips soon, so get practicing.

Editors’ Recommendations

• Swapping an iPhone for a BlackBerry made me appreciate the physical keyboard
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• Galaxy S7 tips and tricks

Hook your computer up with a great set of speakers for just $80

50W of sound.

The Mackie CR3 multimedia monitors are down to $79.99 on Amazon. These speakers normally sell for $100 and have never dropped below this price on Amazon. In fact, they haven’t dropped this low in a very long time. We have seen them go as low as $69 at Adorama, but that was a very rare deal and did not last long.

I actually just ordered a pair of Mackie CR3 speakers a few days ago to accompany my new PC. I’m very excited about it because these are great speakers. The Mackie CR3 are the sort of speakers that hit a great sweet spot between cost and sound. You could spend a lot more money for much better speakers, but you won’t find this quality of sound at a cheaper price. Especially not with this deal.

See on Amazon

Computer speakers, a wireless mouse, string trimmers, and more are all discounted today

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

We found plenty of great deals today that include big discounts on the Mackie CR3 computer speakers, the Logitech Anywhere mouse, a variety of string trimmers and attachments, and more! Time’s running out to take advantage of these prices, so hurry!

View the rest of the deals

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

The $50 Logitech MX Anywhere 2S wireless mouse covers multiple screens from any surface

An improvement of a classic design.

The Logitech MX Anywhere 2S wireless mouse is down to $49.99 on Amazon. This is a match for its lowest price ever and $15 off its regular price. It only hit this price once before back in very early May. The price is only good on the Black version as the other colors are selling for around $80.

The original MX Anywhere was one of Logitech’s best mice. I still have one that’s basically my travel mouse now. The 2S improved on an already successful formula by adding more DPI (up to 4,000), twice the battery life, and Flow. Flow is Logitech tech that allows the mouse to seamlessly switch between different machines just like scrolling from one monitor to the next.

The mouse uses Logitech’s Darkfield laser tracking so it can work on almost any surface, including glass (although, you know, find a better surface). It’s compatible with Windows and Mac and has 4.1 stars based on 383 user reviews.

See on Amazon

The Tanita ES-100 will sniff your pits so that you don’t have to

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You don’t need (or want) to depend upon your subway neighbors’ grimaces to tell you that your natural aroma is more of a stench. For the sake of everyone around you, you’ll want to do everything you can to cut down on body odor during these hot and sweaty months. Recognition of a problem is the first step to solving it — and a new handheld device will sniff your armpits and other odor-producing regions to let you know exactly how stinky you really are.

Imagined by the perennially creative minds in Japan (this isn’t the first Japanese device to smell you), this new device comes from a company called Tanita, and it’s called the ES-100. It quite literally takes the dirty work out of your hygiene — or at least, part of it. The ES-100 is rather discreet when it’s not being used, resembling an old-school pager of sorts. When you want to use it, flip the top part outwards, creating a handheld wand that you can use to check behind your ears, your armpits, or anywhere else, without awkwardly craning your neck to get your nose to its (un)desired location.

The ES-100 measures the intensity of your body odor, assigning you a numerical rating from 0 to 10. In this case, a perfect 10 is not what you’re looking for from the digital judges.

So how does it do it? The ES-100 scans your body for odor-producing particulates, much in the same way a breathalyzer might check your breath for alcohol particulate. When you want to give yourself a check, simply power it on, whip out the sensor, and stick it toward whichever body part you’re checking. About 10 seconds later, you’ll get a numeric answer as to how much you stink. It’s unclear if you have to hold the wand in your pits for 10 seconds, or if you just have to sit on the edge of your seat for 10 seconds while you’re silently judged by an inanimate object.

A word to the wise, however. The ES-100 measures the intensity of a smell you’re emanating, so if you’ve doused yourself in perfume or cologne, you could also get a negative reading.

The device will go on sale on July 1, and pricing will be decided by individual retailers in Japan. Alas, for the time being, it doesn’t seem as though we’ll be able to get it in the U.S. — but here’s hoping it crosses the ocean soon. In the meantime, at least your gym clothes won’t stink, right?

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Japan’s latest attempts at a private aerospace industry goes down in flames

The past several years have seen a surge in private companies interested in space flight. Perhaps the most prominent of them is SpaceX founded by Tesla CEO Elon Musk. SpaceX has seen its fair share of successes and failures along the way, but, so far, things have been going fairly well. Sadly, the same cannot be said for Japan’s private aerospace industry.

Interstellar Technologies’ most recent attempts at launching a rocket have quite literally gone down in flames. On June 30, it was reported by AFP that the launch of the MOMO-2 rocket caught fire and exploded shortly after liftoff. Fortunately, the rocket was unmanned and no one was harmed in the ensuing explosion though it does come as a major setback to Interstellar Technologies which is the first private Japanese company to attempt such a launch.

The unmanned rocket was meant to carry observational supplies and serve as a proof of concept for Interstellar Technologies ability to provide similar services as SpaceX. However, the company has been plagued by a string of setbacks of which this recent explosion is only the most speculator. In last July, the company’s engineers reported that they had lost contact with one of their rockets roughly one minute after it had been launched.

Despite these issues, Interstellar remains undeterred and the company has said it will begin preparations for a new launch once it analyses the data obtained from Saturday’s mission. As of right now, the company has not announced a timetable for when its next launch will occur.

Rather or not Interstellar will be able to compete with the likes of SpaceX remains to be seen though so far it has not shown as much promise. Beyond that, the company’s founder does not command the same level of respect as Elon Musk. Interstellar was founded in 2013 by Takafumi Horie who rose to prominence in the late 1990s and early 2000s as the founder of Livedoor, one of Japan’s most popular ISPs. However, in recent years he has been convicted of fraud and spent almost two years in prison which damaged his reputation in the business community.

That being said, the country’s government-backed institutions have seen plenty of success and even its failures, such as last year’s mini-rocket, hold promise.

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