Instagram Lite launches on the Play Store, available first in Mexico
Instagram will expand the app’s rollout to other countries later in the year.
Similar to what we’ve seen from the likes of Facebook and Twitter, Instagram’s now testing a new, lightweight version of its mobile app called “Instagram Lite.”
As the name suggests, Instagram Lite strives to offer all the core features of Instagram in an app that’s considerably smaller and easier to run on lower-end hardware. Instagram Lite weighs in at only 573Kb which is a huge step down from the main app’s 32Mb size, and you can use it to scroll through your feed, post pictures, and even watch your friends’ stories.
There’s currently no way to access your direct messages in Instagram Lite, but according to the Play Store listing, this is a feature that’s “coming soon.”
Unfortunately, you might have to wait a while before you can actually download the app. Instagram told TechCrunch that Instagram Lite is currently only being tested in Mexico, but the company plans on expanding it to other countries throughout the year.
If you do happen to live in Mexico, though, you can download Instagram Lite right now by clicking/tapping the button below.
Download: Instagram Lite (free)
Totallee Google Pixel 2 Case Review: The perfect case for people that hate cases
Totallee’s slim Pixel 2 case is totally worth your money.
I hate cases. I know they’re important to use and often do a great job at protecting your phone, but I can’t stand the added bulk or weight they usually add. As such, when I came across the Totallee case on Amazon, I knew I had to get my hands on it ASAP.
Totallee designed a case that offers basic protection from small drops and bumps without adding any sort of bulk found with 99% of other “slim fit” cases. I was a bit skeptical as to whether or not Totallee’s asking price of $20 would be worth it, so how do the company’s efforts pay off?
Totallee case for Google Pixel 2
Price: $19.97
Bottom line: It protects your Pixel 2 from minor bumps and falls and doesn’t feel like anything’s there.
The Good
- Fits the Pixel 2 like a glove
- Comes in a good selection of colors
- It adds zero bulk or weight
The Bad
- Sometimes difficult to press power/volume buttons
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Are you sure there’s a case on this thing?
Totallee Pixel 2 Case What I like
Without a doubt, the thing I love the most about Totallee’s case is just how thin it really is. It looks like a case and pops onto your phone like one, but once it’s on there, the feel in-hand is no different to a naked Pixel 2 (save for the frosted plastic texture that adds a good amount of grip).
Despite not adding any sort of bulk, the Totallee case still manages to offer good, basic protection. You don’t have to worry about smudging or scratching the glass panel on the back, the metal frame and back are safe from any sort of chipping of the coating Google adds to the Pixel 2, and you can lightly toss it on a table without having to worry about the end of days.
I opted for Totallee’s Really Blue color, and while it’s not quite as bright as pictured online, still looks leaps and bounds better than Google’s Kinda Blue paint job. If blue isn’t your thing, you can also choose Grey, Frosted White, Midnight Black, and a Clear option that comes with a soft finish.
Press, press again
Totallee Pixel 2 Case What I don’t like
My only real gripe with the Totallee case lies with the cutouts for the power button and volume rocker.
While they aren’t terrible, I do notice that I’ll sometimes go to change the volume and have nothing happen until I move my thumb slightly to the left or right. I think this has to do with how flush the cutouts are around the buttons, and while it’s never a deal-breaker, it’s something that can still be slightly irritating throughout the day.
Totallee Pixel 2 Case
Does Totallee’s case offer complete protection over serious drops or falls? No. If you drop your Pixel 2 on its front, will the screen crack? There’s a good chance, yeah.
If you want a case to offer protection over serious spills like that, get something else. I could give Totallee’s case a terrible review for not offering the same level of protection compared to similarly-priced and cheaper cases, but that’s not what it’s designed to do.
4.5
out of 5
Totallee made this case so you can get a basic safeguard against regular wear-and-tear while also giving your phone a new splash of color. In those regards, they knocked it out of the park.
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Amazon’s Show Mode docks turn the Fire HD 8 and 10 into Echo Shows
There’s also a new Fire HD 10 Kids Edition tablet.
Alexa seems to have invaded just about all of Amazon’s hardware products, including its Fire HD tablets. Hands-free Alexa functionality was rolled out to the Fire HD 10 last year, and following up on those efforts, Amazon’s now releasing something called “Show Mode.”
Show Mode will be available on the Fire HD 8 and 10 as part of an over-the-air update on July 2, and once it’s enabled, Show Mode will essentially turn your tablet into a portable Echo Show.
With this on, you’ll be able to ask Alexa to show you the weather, get lyrics to your favorite songs on Prime Music, start a video call with friends and family, and more. All of the same visual elements from the Echo Show and Spot are present with Show Mode, and to help you get the absolute most out of the new feature, Amazon’s also launching Show Mode Charging Docks for both the Fire HD 10 and 8 that’ll keep your device juiced up and automatically enable Show Mode once the tablet is docked.
The charging docks aren’t required to use Show Mode, but they are a nice touch that should make the whole experience feel a little more complete. Also, if you’ve got a Fire HD 8, you’ll need to be connected to power in order to use Show Mode.
Additionally, Amazon also announced its new Fire HD 10 Kids Edition tablet. Similar to other Kids Edition tablets Amazon’s released, the 10-inch variant comes with a fully-featured Fire HD 10 tablet, rugged kid-proof case, two-year “worry-free” guarantee, and a free year of Amazon FreeTime Unlimited.
If you’re interested in any of this, here’s what pricing for Amazon’s new toys looks likes:
- Fire HD 8 Show Mode Charging Dock — Pre-orders are open at $34.99 (launches July 12 for $39.99)
- Fire HD 10 Show Mode Charging Dock — Pre-orders are open at $49.99 (launches July 12 for $54.99)
- Fire HD 10 Kids Edition — Launches on July 11 for $199.99, pre-orders are open now
See at Amazon
Amazon Fire tablets
- Amazon Fire 7
- Amazon Fire HD 8
- Amazon Fire 7 Kids Edition
- Amazon Fire 8 Kids Edition
- Amazon Fire HD 10
See more at Amazon
Win your choice of Galaxy S9, Pixel 2, BlackBerry KEY2, or iPhone X and more from Bitmo!
The Bitmo app is changing the gift card game! They’re letting one Grand Prize winner pick the smartphone of their choice, plus gifting 3 Runners-Up with a $75 gift card on the Bitmo app. Read more and enter now!
Bitmo is a new way of gifting that keeps your options open. Gift cards are a $160 billion dollar industry and 40% of those gift cards go unredeemed or lost.
We’ve all been there – you lose a card or you get one to a place you don’t want to shop. Bitmo changes all that. This free app lets you spend what you want and swap what you don’t. Regift to a friend or exchange any gift card to another retailer instantly and at no cost. You can also redeem right from your phone. No more lost $$$.
So it makes sense that they’re letting one winner pick a smartphone of their choice (iPhone X, Galaxy S9, Pixel, or BlackBerry KEY2) with a $75 gift card on the Bitmo app to Amazon. Plus, Bitmo is gifting three runners-up with a $75 gift card to Best Buy, Game Stop, or Amazon on the app.
Bitmo is a fun and easy gifting platform for sending a personalized thank-you gift, birthday present, and more. The gifts never expire plus they’re safe and secure in your account just waiting to be instantly redeemed in-store or online.
Gift better. Get more.
Enter To Win
THE PRIZE: One lucky reader will receive a choice of one iPhone X, Galaxy S9, Pixel, or BlackBerry KEY2 and a $75 Amazon gift card on the Bitmo app, and 3 runners up will receive a $75 gift card to Best Buy, Game Stop, or Amazon. All gift cards can be swapped for another retailer on the app for free!
THE GIVEAWAY: Use the widget at the bottom of this page. There are multiple ways to enter each with varying point values. Complete all of the tasks for maximum entries and your best shot at winning! The email used to enter the competition and email used to download the app must match. Please keep in mind that all winning entries are verified and if the task was not completed or cannot be verified, a new winner will be chosen.
Phone service is not included with the prize and we make no guarantees that the phone will work with your service provider, so be sure to check that before you enter. Open only to legal residents of the 50 United States, District of Columbia and Puerto Rico, that are at least 13 years old, as of the date of entry. To participate, you must have a valid mobile number (US only) capable of receiving a text message.
The giveaway is open through July 12, 2018, and the winner will be announced right here shortly after the closing date. Good luck!
Win your choice of iPhone X, Galaxy S9, Pixel 2, or BlackBerry KEY2 and more from Bitmo!
By entering you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms & Conditions.
YouTube: Everything you need to know
From user-uploaded videos to movies and music, YouTube’s got you covered.
In February 2005, a small company by the name of YouTube was founded. YouTube was trying something new by giving people a free, easy-to-use platform for uploading videos, and a little over a year later, it was purchased by Google.
While YouTube continues to be the largest and most popular user-uploaded video site around, it’s since expanded into the markets of music streaming, live television programming, and even creating original content similar to Netflix and Hulu.
It can be difficult to keep track of everything the YouTube brand is attached to these days, so to help keep you in the loop, here’s everything you need to know.
YouTube
No matter what new ventures YouTube decides to tackle, the company’s bread and butter will always be its main YouTube service for user-created content.
Anyone can upload videos to YouTube, and with enough hard work and dedication, make money on them, too. You can subscribe to channels/users you’re particularly fond of, search for specific videos, and catch up with the most popular videos that are currently trending.
You can access YouTube just about anywhere, be it your Android phone, computer, or even a TV.
YouTube has always been free to use, and while there are paid versions we’ll dive into in just a minute, the main service itself can be accessed without spending a dime (as long as you’re okay with advertisements before your videos).
YouTube app for Android: Everything you need to know!
YouTube Music
In an effort to compete with the likes of Apple Music and Spotify, Google’s using its YouTube brand to take them head-on with YouTube Music.
YouTube Music follows in the footsteps of its competitors with a price tag of $9.99/month, and for that price, you get access to unlimited on-demand streaming, curated playlists, offline downloads, ad-free music videos, and plenty more.
The end goal is to have YouTube Music eventually replace Google Play Music, and to ensure that transition process is as seamless as can be, Google’s confirmed that all of Play Music’s best features will eventually come over to YouTube Music — including a digital locker for storing all of your locally owned songs!
YouTube Music began to officially roll out on June 18 to the countries that were part of its Early Access program, in addition to expanding to 12 all-new locations such as Canada, the United Kingdom, and more.
YouTube Music: Everything you need to know!
YouTube Premium
If you’re already paying $9.99/month for YouTube Music, you might as well throw in another two dollars and get YouTube Premium, formerly known as YouTube Red.
YouTube Premium is a subscription service that costs $11.99/month, and in addition to full access to YouTube Music, you also get ad-free videos on YouTube, background playback, and the ability to watch YouTube Originals.
This basically gives you the experience previously found with YouTube Red, and even though it now costs a couple bucks more each month, is still a tremendous value. It took a while for YouTube Premium to actually launch, but as of June 18, the service has officially replaced YouTube Red in the United States, Australia, New Zealand, Mexico, and more.
What is YouTube Premium? Everything you need to know!
YouTube TV
Last but not least, the YouTube brand is also used to offer an Internet-based live television service via YouTube TV.
YouTube TV costs $40/month, giving you access to more than 60 channels with local sports/news, cloud DVR, and the ability to watch on up to three screens at a time.
You can watch YouTube TV from your Android or iOS device, computer, or right on your TV through a number of smart TV apps (such as Roku, Android TV, Xbox One, and more).
YouTube TV costs a bit more than competing services such as Sling TV and Philo, but for folks invested in the Google ecosystem that want to supplement their live television shows with YouTube programming, too, YouTube TV is still worth checking out.
YouTube TV: Everything you need to know
How do you use YouTube?
Which YouTube do you use most?
Updated June 28, 2018: Tweaked the YouTube Premium and Music sections now that they’ve been released.
RAVPower’s newest Qi wireless charging pad is only $24 today
This is a Thrifter exclusive, so be one of the first to get this deal.
This RAVPower 10W Qi Wireless Charging Pad with HyperAir is down to $23.99 with code MNRAVPC034 on Amazon. That’s $16 off its regular price and a few bucks better than the last deal we shared. This is one of RAVPower’s newest wireless chargers.
The HyperAir tech helps make this charging pad a lot faster than others, delivering up to 7.5W for the iPhone and 10W for Android phones. The triple temperature controls disperse heat fast and effectively, and the pad has built-in safeguards against overcharging, overheating, short circuit, and more. All you have to do is place your phone on the pad and it will detect what device you have and how fast the charge can be. The LED indicator will let you know when the phone is charging, and if you use an Android phone it will turn green when fully charged. This pad has 3.9 stars based on close to 900 user reviews.
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YouTube app for Android: Everything you need to know!
YouTube started as a simple video site, but today it’s much, much more.
YouTube is so much more than cute cats and mindless pranks; it’s where millions come for education, information, and live, late-breaking news. YouTube streams more than just Google keynotes; it streams important political debates and allows users to stream from almost anywhere in the world with an internet connection. It’s important to understand YouTube and how to use it, and whether you’re just looking to watch your videos without Autoplay plaguing you or you’re looking to turn your feed into a legitimate cord-cutter cornucopia of enticing entertainment, we’re here to help you get it done.
Finding your way around
First things first: let’s find where we find videos on YouTube and how we start curating our content so that YouTube’s algorithms can start working to bring us more of what we want. Want to get started with YouTube? Start here.
How to use YouTube for Android
Managing YouTube
YouTube can run away with you (and your mobile data) if you don’t keep it in check. From managing what kinds of content can pop up in your results to what networks you use to stream in HD, these are settings you can use to keep YouTube manageable.
How to manage the YouTube app for Android
Saving YouTube videos
See a fun video that you want to watch later? We’ve all been there. Here’s how to save videos for later — and to save them for watching offline, depending on where you live.
How to save videos in YouTube for Android
Managing your YouTube history
We all search for things we’d rather not fess up to. We stumble upon videos we wish we hadn’t seen. It’s okay, you don’t have to burn your digital identity — we just need to clean up our YouTube histories.
How to pause and clear your YouTube history
Uploading videos
Making the jump from consumer to creator on YouTube is a breeze. Here’s how to get videos from your Android phone onto YouTube. Getting them on the front page, however, is another matter entirely.
How to upload videos to YouTube
Taming YouTube’s annoyances
Like any site or product, there are ways that YouTube can annoy and irritate. Luckily, here’s the way to stop some of the more visible annoyances on the app.
Best tricks to fix YouTube’s most annoying features
How to sign up for YouTube Premium
As great as YouTube is on its own, the app’s made even better when you sign up for YouTube Premium.
YouTube Premium gives you access to a heap of extra features, including the ability to download videos for offline viewing, not having to ever watch ads, access to all YouTube Originals content, and more. If you want to give the service a shot, it costs $11.99/month and signing up takes just a couple minutes.
How to sign up for YouTube Premium
How to get the most out of Premium
Once you’re signed up for YouTube Premium, you’ll want to make sure you tap into everything it has to offer!
It can be easy to overlook all of the benefits that come with your Premium subscription, so let us help you get the absolute most out of your money.
How to get the most from YouTube Premium: Top tips and tricks
Updated June 28, 2018: Added all-new photos, removed references of YouTube Red, and added sections for YouTube Premium.
Samsung Messages app is randomly sending pictures for some users
Even worse, there’s no evidence on your end that the photos were sent.
If you’ve got a Samsung phone and use the default Samsung Messages app for all your texting needs, you may want to check your gallery to make sure you don’t have any embarrassing photos in it. According to numerous Redditors, a bug is causing Samsung Messages to randomly send pictures to contacts without leaving any sort of evidence.
This has been reported on the Galaxy S9 and Note 8 so far, but based on what we’re seeing, this could also be affecting other Samsung phones. Rather than being a carrier or device-specific quirk, the bug appears to be rooted in the Samsung Messages app itself.
Some of the complaints read as follows:
Last night around 2:30 am, my phone sent her my entire photo gallery over text but there was no record of it on my messages app. However, there was record of it on tmobile logs. Why would this happen?
Oddly enough, my wife’s phone did that last night, and mine did it the night before. I think it has something to do with the Samsung SMS app being updated from the Galaxy Store. When her phone texted me her gallery, it didn’t show up on her end — and vice versa.
To make sure you don’t have any photos sent out without your knowledge, go to Settings -> Apps -> Samsung Messages -> Permissions -> Storage. From here, disable the permission and you should be safe until Samsung rolls out a fix.
5 changes that would make the Galaxy S9’s software dramatically better
Samsung Galaxy S9 and S9+
- Galaxy S9 and S9+: Everything you need to know!
- Galaxy S9 review: A great phone for the masses
- Complete Galaxy S9 and S9+ specs
- Galaxy S9 vs. Galaxy S8: Should you upgrade?
- Join our Galaxy S9 forums
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Track everything you do with the $75 Withings Activité watch
One-day only deal.
The Withings Activité Steel Activity and Sleep Tracking Watch is down to $74.99 on Amazon. This is part of Amazon’s Gold Box deals of the day, so the price is temporary. This tracker normally sells for around $99. The drop to $75 is one of the best deals we’ve seen, and it works on both the Black model and Black & White.
We have shared deals on the newer version of this watch, the Nokia Steel HR, but that watch has never dropped to less than $100 before.
The activities this watch can track include steps, running, calories burned, swimming, and distances. It also has sleep monitoring that provides analysis of your sleep, and it can wake you up with a silent alarm in the mornings. There is a free app you can access for coaching. It comes with a stainless steel case and a silicone sports strap and works with both iOS and Android. Users give it 3.8 stars based on 625 reviews.
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Amazon Working to Further Lessen Reliance on Power Cords for Future Echo Speakers
In an effort that would give future Echo speakers with Alexa a new advantage over Apple’s HomePod, Reuters today reports that Amazon is working with chipmakers to build Alexa speakers that would not require a constant power source. As it stands, most smart assistant devices — Amazon’s main Echo, Apple HomePod, Google Home, etc — require a constant draw of power due to their always-on microphones listening for the user’s voice commands, among other reasons.
Now, Amazon has partnered with chipmaker DSP Group to build a standardized chip that is “a little smaller than a U.S. 10-cent coin” and optimized for lower power consumption. Amazon and other companies will be able to use the chip to place Alexa into their own smart devices that offer greater portability to users.
Amazon already has the Amazon Tap, a portable Bluetooth speaker that doesn’t need to be plugged in to use all of its features. With a “hands-free mode” users can ask Alexa questions and command her to play music, which slightly affects battery life: 9 hours of continuous playback compared to 8 hours with hands-free mode activated.
There are also third-party companies like Fabriq that sell portable Alexa solutions, but these devices are still a small portion of the market in comparison to AC-powered speakers. With Amazon and DSP Group’s new partnership, it appears that Amazon is looking to greatly bolster the amount of cord-free Alexa devices available to buy, while also improving the user experience with internal chips that can run always-on listening features without as much of a hit to battery life.
Amazon also has numerous other chipmakers offering solutions for Alexa — including Intel and Qualcomm — but as of now DSP is said to be the sole supplier competing with a chip that offers low power consumption. DSP’s current client roster includes making chips for Samsung smart watches, cameras for GoPro, and a wireless speaker for Logitech.
Those are all large companies with many engineers, but by working with Amazon to make its chip easier to use in a device, DSP is hoping to spur more products from gadget makers of all sizes to include Alexa, Elyakim said.
“We are at a fairly early level in this market, but I think over the next 12 months we’ll see a lot of announcements,” he said.
For Apple’s HomePod, the main rumor for the next-generation speaker centers around its price tag, with numerous reports earlier this year suggesting Apple is “mulling” and “low-cost version” of the HomePod that will run between $150-$200. What this means for specific features remains unclear, but since the original speaker is believed to have underperformed due to ecosystem limitations and Siri issues, some theorize Apple could focus on combating these problems in the cheaper HomePod.
The only time that portability and a future version of HomePod were tied together came from a questionable report earlier this spring, which claimed that the “low-priced” HomePod will be placed under the Beats by Dre brand, which only sells portable rechargeable speakers. Apple has yet to introduce its Siri assistant into any non-Apple product, and one reason Beats Pill devices don’t have “Hey Siri” is likely due to their portability and lack of constant power.
Although unlikely at this point, the speculative HomePod/Beats speaker was described in a way that suggested a more portable smart speaker than the first generation, and could be similar to the proposed future versions of Amazon Echo from today’s report. As it stands, there are many pros and cons to both the HomePod and Echo, as Apple’s more expensive speaker focuses on sound quality first, while Amazon’s speaker provides one of the most robust smart home hubs on the market thanks to its numerous Alexa Skills.
Tags: Amazon, Alexa
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