A.I. can now learn how to solve a Rubik’s Cube, researchers claim

“Rubik’s Cube” by theowest

We’ve mastered the Rubik’s Cube. By we, though, I don’t necessarily mean that you and I have figured out how to solve the classic puzzle, but other members of humanity have certainly shown the Cube who’s boss. After all, the record for completing a Rubik’s Cube now stands at a blistering 4.22 seconds.

But now that artificial intelligence can solve the Rubiks’ Cube, too, can our record stand?

Sure — it’s probably not that difficult for a machine to figure out how to solve one of these things, right? After all, if A.I. can beat Ken Jennings at Jeopardy or unseat a Grandmaster in a game of chess, a multi-colored cube hardly seems like a challenge. But while it’s pretty simple to create an algorithm for a machine that allows it to figure out which faces to turn and when, the tougher part is creating a machine that can solve the Rubik’s Cube completely without ever being handed a puzzle-solving algorithm by humans. And that is what some researchers have now managed to do.

As initially reported by CNET, Stephen McAleer and a team of researchers at the University of California believe that they’ve managed to create an algorithm that can solve the Rubik’s Cube without human help. It depends upon a process known as “autodidactic iteration.” McAleer and his colleagues call it a “novel reinforcement learning algorithm that is able to teach itself how to solve the Rubik’s Cube with no human assistance.” Apparently, this algorithm can solve every single scrambled Rubik’s Cube in 30 moves or less, which is about the same (or better than) what we can do.

Basically, autodidactic iteration requires the algorithm to think backwards in order to find a solution. It begins its process by visualizing the finished cube, and then retraces its steps to see if each subsequent move will get it closer to its end goal.

Is it complicated? Yes. But the idea is that once A.I. can solve a Rubik’s Cube on its own, it can also begin to address more complex problems. We will just have to see what the next major puzzle to be solved by artificial intelligence may be.

Editors’ Recommendations

• Machine learning? Neural networks? Here’s your guide to the many flavors of A.I.
• Awesome Tech You Can’t Buy Yet: Smart Rubik’s Cubes, diving drones, robot artists
• Here’s who’s going to win the World Cup, according to A.I.
• New ‘smart’ Rubik’s Cube tracks your stats, lets you race against other people
• Replaced by robots: 8 jobs that could be hit hard by the A.I. revolution

Best Google Pixel 2 Cases in 2018

Enhance the funky look of your Google Pixel 2 with the right case!

The Google Pixel 2 Whether you love the design and want to enhance it, or simply looking for drop protection for your new phone, there’s a case that’s perfect for you.

Google has partnered with a number of accessory makers for its ‘Made for Google” certification program featured in the Google Store, but you can also find a ton of quality third-party cases to fit your needs. We’ll run through the best options available straight from Google, then look at some cheaper options from Amazon.

• Google Live Cases
• Google Fabric Cases
• Power Support Air Jacket
• OtterBox Defender Series
• Bellroy Leather Case
• Ringke Fusion
• Spigen Rugged Armor
• LK Slim Thin Pixel 2 Case
• Incipio Carnaby Series Case
• Maxboost Folio Style Wallet Case
• Carved wooden cases
• RhinoShield SolidSuit Case

Google Live Cases

First up is the customizable Google Live Cases, which give you the option of customizing the back of your Pixel 2 with a personal photo or a wide range of styles curated by Google.

For instance, you can choose a gorgeous satellite photo from Google Earth, and the case will pair with a matching live wallpaper for a cohesive look around your device that’s absolutely gorgeous. Looking to add a bit more of an artistic flair to your case? Check out the Artworks Live Case and find something that matches your style.

Google has curated a great selection of cases that feature artwork, photos from space, and naturally beautiful images that are really quite stunning. Prices range from $40 to $50 depending on the styling and your choice of a minimalist shell or a more rugged dual-layer case. Create and customize your own case via the Google Store.

See at Google Store

Google Fabric Cases

If you like a little texture on your phone case, you’ll love the Google Fabric Case which brings the look and most importantly the feel of the fabric finish found on other Google products, like the Home Mini and even the Daydream View.

Designed in-house by Google, you can be sure of the build quality and fit. These cases offering a premium microfiber liner to ensure your device stays scuff-free and your choice of four color combinations for $40.

See at Google Store

Power Support Air Jacket

If you’re looking for a certified “Made for Google” clear case, look no further than Power Support Air Jacket. it’s about as minimalist as you can get — a single piece of crystal clear polycarbonate that’ll clip onto your new phone and virtually disappear while keeping your Pixel 2 save from harm. It also features a self-healing coating that’ll ensure your case looks fresh even if you put it through hell.

You can order yours from the Power Support website or buy it straight from Google with free shipping. However, at $35 it’s also four times the price as other clear case options on this list.

See at Google Store

OtterBox Defender Series case

OtterBox is a brand that’s become synonymous with rugged phone cases, so it comes as no surprise that Google would get OtterBox onboard with its “Made for Google” certification program.

The Defender Series is the classic OtterBox case that offers ultimate triple-layer protection for your phone — a shock-absorbing inner shell, rugged outer shell, and a screen protector up front. A cover prevents lint and dust from getting into the charging port, and despite its ruggedness, the case is designed to work with the Pixel 2’s Active Edge technology.

You can get yours from OtterBox directly or from the Google Store for $50.

See at Google Store

Bellroy Leather Case

Looking to add a touch of class to your Pixel 2? How about an elegant leather case from Bellroy?

These cases are as slim as possible with a design that really compliments the Pixel 2 while keeping it protected from harm. Made using premium leather and featuring a soft microfiber lining this is a lightweight case that will keep your phone well protected and age beautifully over time. It’s also backed by a 3-year warranty from Bellroy.

You can learn more about the case and materials used at Bellroy.com, then get yours from the Google Store for $45 with free shipping!

See at Google Store

Ringke Fusion

If you’re debating whether to cover the design of your Pixel 2 in plastic or gamble by using it without a case, might we suggest a quality clear case?

Ringke has their rugged clear case available for the Pixel 2. Made with a rugged panel of polycarbonate on the back panel and an easy-grip TPU bumper, this case will keep your new device protected while also letting the Pixel 2’s design shine through. You’ll also get lifted bezels around the camera and screen to protect those important pieces of glass, along with precise cutouts for the charging port and fingerprint scanner.

Looking to save some money on your case? Yeah, us too. You can get this reliable case from Amazon for just $11.

See at Amazon

Spigen Rugged Armor

Spigen has its full line of cases available for the Pixel 2 at affordable prices, but we’ll recommend the Rugged Armor because it’s slim and rugged with a signature look and feel.

This is a lightweight case that adds little very little bulk, with carbon fiber detailing along the top and bottom. There’s raised edges around the screen and around the camera on the back to protect against scratches and scuffs.

I’ve been using the Rugged Armor case on my Pixel XL and it’s held up against all of my klutziness. If you want great protection for your new phone without the bulk (or high price) of other case options, get Spigen’s Rugged Armor case for just $13 on Amazon.

See at Amazon

LK Slim Thin Pixel 2 Case

For those who want a cheap clear case to keep your phone protected without obscuring the Pixel 2’s cool design, LK has a minimalist case for just $7.

If you go with the clear case, you’ll barely notice it at all and it won’t add much bulk to the phone. There’s also more colorful options like purple and mint green as well as a classic black look. Because it’s made of flexible TPU and is thin, it should not impede the use of the Active Edge functionality.

This case offers decent protection from anyone prone to dropping a new phone. Like me.

See at Amazon

Incipio Carnaby Series

If you like the look of that Google Fabric case, but can’t wrap your head around paying that much for a phone case, you’ll want to consider the Carnaby Series case from Incipio.

This is, I must say, one of the classier case styles I’ve seen emerge this year and the fact that it’s also from a trusted brand like Incipio means that your phone will look great while also being well-protected from bumps and drops.

The bulk of the case is made from TPU for good protection, while the exterior features a soft cotton finish that will feel great in your hand — you’ll never want to put your phone down! It also includes ample cutouts around the fingerprint sensor and camera, along with a lip around the front to protect that screen. Get yours in elegant blue-grey for just $17.50!

See at Amazon

Maxboost Folio Style Wallet Case

Cases typically offer a single function in that they keep our phones safe. Wallet cases are a different beast and let you keep the two most important things in your life — your phone and your money — all in one place.

Maxboost offers a well-reviewed wallet case for the Google Pixel 2 that’s got a stylish look and all the functionality that you’d expect. We’re talking three card slots on the inside flap, a hidden side pocket for some cash, and a magnetic flap that comes around to keep everything secure. You can also fold over the case to use as a kickstand when you’re watching your YouTube videos. It does all that with clean cutouts around the camera, fingerprint sensor, and charging port, and even includes cutouts around the earpiece so you can talk while keeping your screen covered.

Available for just $13, it’s a great option for your Pixel 2!

See at Amazon

Carved wooden cases

Carved has a bunch of great case options available for phones like the Pixel 2, including 52 stylish pre-made option featuring a mix of cool prints and fancy cut wood designs with prices ranging from $29 to $55, along with a selection of classic wood grain cases for just $24.

Carved also allows you to create your own custom case using an online case designer. They also offer the option to get a section of a map engraved or printed onto the case. With the right eye for design, you could design a case that uses the fingerprint scanner as part of your case’s decoration.

See at Carved

RhinoShield SolidSuit Case

RhinoShield makes some fantastic phone accessories that always seem to go a step beyond. With the SolidSuit case, you get a rugged case that’s designed to both protect your phone and also give you the option of using add-on lens attachments that will enhance the experience of using the superb camera on the Pixel 2. First, you’ll need the $5 lens adapter and then you can start investing in the superb lens kits that Rhinoshield also offers.

The Pixel 2 is a great phone that really shines with the right accessories like this. Don’t miss out on getting this RhinoShield case for just $35 on Amazon.

See at Amazon

Is the Pixel 2 too good looking for a case?

What do you think of the Google Pixel 2’s design? Too cool to cover with a case? Which cases are you interested in? Let us know in the comments!

Updated June 2018: Added the RhinoShield SolidSuit to our list along with new pricing information These are still the best case options for the Pixel 2!

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

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Complete the new Developer Economics Survey: Voice your opinion and win a Galaxy S9!

Developers – Now is the time to share your opinions and enter to win amazing prizes like a Galaxy S9!

Is JavaScript giving you headaches? Do you wish other developers knew how important Swift and Rust will be in the coming years? It’s your chance to turn your opinions into a tool of change! The new Developer Economics survey is open NOW, calling out all software developers to take part. Start right away!

Don’t miss a chance to join over 40,000 developers from 160+ countries who take part in the Developer Economics surveys every year to tell the world where software development is going next.

Who can take the survey?

Pretty much everyone writing code and getting their hands on software development in Mobile, Desktop, IoT, AR/VR, Machine Learning & Data Science, Web, Backend and Games. It doesn’t matter if you’re a hobbyist, a startupper or an enterprise dev — the survey is open for all real developers out there!

What sort of questions are they asking?

The survey is designed to dive into real-life developer issues, from coding skills and favorite tools to satisfaction with learning resources and communities.

Expect questions like:

• Which are your favorite tools and platforms and why?
• Are you getting value from the available dev resources?
• What are your goals for coding?

Ready to take the survey?

Why should you take the survey?

It’s fun, for starters! The survey is designed to reveal your sci-fi profile, so the more you engage, the closer you get to finding out your place in the galaxy far, far away.

Then there are the PRIZES. This time, devs who complete the survey can win stuff like a Samsung S9+, an HTC Vive Pro, an iPhone X, GitHub Developer Plans, Amazon vouchers and other useful things to help you test your work or just play around. You can also take part in the referral program, which allows you to with up to $700 in cash by referring other developer friends to take the survey.

This year we’re introducing a novelty – SlashData will donate funds to a coding charity to support their mission. We want to give back to the community, and we hope this encourages developers to take our survey and be a part of something larger and truly meaningful.

And last but not least, everyone who takes the survey will get insights with key findings from the survey, as well as a free report with the highlights and up-and-coming trends.

If you have a few minutes to spare and want to have a quality time, then this survey is for perfect for you! You can start right here. Extra tip: if you need to take a break, just click to save your responses and then you can come back and continue where you left off.

Good luck!

Take the survey now!

Google’s Datally app gets guest mode, daily limits, and other features

All of this is rolling out to the app now.

In late 2017, Google launched an app to help you cut down on your mobile data usage called “Datally.” Datally’s already pretty great as is, but Google recently announced four new features for the app that aim to help you use even less data.

The feature that users will likely find the most useful is Daily Limit. With this, you can tell Datally how much mobile data you want to use each day. Once you hit that number, you can either keep using your data or block it for the rest of the day.

Another big addition is Guest Mode. If you’ve got a friend, kid, or someone else that wants to play around with your phone, you can use Guest Mode to enable a data limit before handing them your phone so you can make sure they only use the data you allow them to.

On top of Daily Limit and Guest Mode, Datally is also getting a map that shows nearby Wi-Fi networks and an Unused Apps tool that’ll sniff out apps you aren’t using but are still eating up your data in the background. Datally will then present these apps in a list, show you how long ago it was opened, how much data it’s used, and give you a shortcut for quickly uninstalling it.

All four of these features are rolling out to the Datally app today on the Google Play Store.

Download: Datally (free)

These are Android Central’s favorite laptop bags

Carry me away.

Everyone carries a bag of some sort of bag, from tiny leather shoulder bags to massive 40L rucksacks that can carry everyone one needs for a week-long getaway.

Being a remote company, we’re always ready to work, either with a laptop, a tablet, or just a phone and a prayer.

The bag one wears is important: it speaks a lot about a person’s lifestyle, and about their priorities. Given that we spend a lot of time reviewing gadgets, it’s really important that we have the right bag to carry all of our gadgets, cameras, and other accessories.

So without further ado, here are the Bags of Android Central.

Hayato Huseman, Associate Editor

Peak Design Everyday Backpack 20L The bag that ended my bag addiction

What Hayato loves about this bag: Whenever I travel for work, I need to bring a few things that help me write, film, and edit videos. The Everyday Backpack has enough room to fit my 15-inch MacBook Pro, camera, and various accessories like spare batteries, an ND filter, a wireless mic kit, Bluetooth headphones, and even a portable slider. The side pockets expand out enough to hold my travel tripod, and there are plenty of hidden compartments to stow away keys, passports, or anything else.

What Hayato doesn’t love about this bag: The straps are pretty stiff and poorly padded, so if you tend to overstuff your bag, it’ll wear on your shoulders pretty quickly. There’s not much protecting your laptop from impact either, and while the bag’s side access design can be great, it also puts all of your things on display — expensive gadgets and dirty laundry alike.

The ideal user for this bag: Anyone can enjoy the Everyday Backpack, but it’s specially geared towards photographers. If you’re a frequent traveler who never goes anywhere without a camera and a spare lens or two, this bag is probably a good fit. If you need a bit more space, there’s also a larger 30L version available.

Price: $259.95

See at Amazon

Tom Westrick, Freelance Writer

Timbuk2 Uptown backpack All the space and compartments I need

What Tom loves about this bag: My favorite thing about this bag is how small it is when it’s relatively empty. Other bags I had were issued to me when I was in the Air Force, and they were gigantic and unwieldy even when they were completely empty. I can stuff this one to the brim with clothes, laptops, and other equipment and it all fits comfortably, but it shrinks back down when I just have one or two things inside. The most I’ve held inside has been six Dell Latitude 3330 laptops, and while my back didn’t enjoy that, this backpack held up with no issues.

Another thing I love is that despite all the abuse I’ve put this bag through for the past year and a half, it still looks like the day I bought it. This bag has been by my side through pouring rain, on the floor of a moving van, and countless day trips, and it still looks brand new. And if something ever does go wrong, the bag has a lifetime warranty.

What Tom doesn’t love about this bag: I do wish the compartments were designed a little better. The two big compartments are great for just piling laptops into, but I wish there was a bit more organization available within those pockets. The bag also doesn’t stand up on its own, meaning it always has to lean against a wall or just lay flat on the ground.

The ideal user for this bag: While this isn’t as expensive as the Peak Design bag, $120 is still a hefty chunk of change. If you’re willing to invest in a durable bag for day trips, and you need something that can grow with the amount of stuff you’re carrying, this bag is for you.

Price: $120

See at Amazon

Marc Lagace, Gaming Editor

MATEIN Travel Laptop Backpack A great backpack when you’re on a tight budget

What Marc loves about this bag: Straight up, I bought this bag because it matched my grey gym bag and because it was among the cheapest options that was well-reviewed on Amazon.ca — and for just $30, it’s a heck of a deal. What I’ve come to love about it after using it is the plethora of zipper compartments and pockets for storing all my stuff, the built-in support for a portable battery pack that I actually make use of, and the overall look and feel of it. It’s comfortable to wear even when it’s jam-packed full of gear and compact enough to be stowed under an airplane seat for travel.

The branding for the Amazon.ca model is slightly different than the Amazon.com bag I’ve listed below, but it’s essentially the same look and style as the one I’m rocking.

What Marc doesn’t like about this bag: I’ve owned this backpack for just about a year and it’s held up fine… but I still can’t help but think of the old adage “you get what you pay for” and expect it to fail me at some point down the line. I’ve gone through a number of backpacks in my life — and gotten less use out of bags I’ve spent more money on — so there’s a side of me that still thinks this thing is going to let me down at some point. The surprising part is that it hasn’t, despite its “disposal” price point.

The ideal user for this bag: This is a great utilitarian bag for anyone who needs a functional backpack to store their laptop and other gear — whether you’re in University or work a job that has you travelling a lot. At just $30, frankly I don’t think you could find a better deal for a laptop backpack.

Price: $30 for grey / $36 for other color styles

See at Amazon

Ara Wagoner, Writer

ThinkGeek Handbag of Holding Darling, durable, and… Discontinued?!?

What Ara loves about this bag: Just like the Dungeons and Dragons item the bag is named for, the Handbag of Holding can fit an ungodly amount of things within its muted canvas covers. I can easily fit two Chromebooks, their chargers, their sleeves, a Bluetooth mouse, six Android phones, two portable batteries, six charging cables, my big noise-cancelling Bluetooth headphones, my smaller backup Bluetooth headphones, my backup backup wired earbuds, a journal, some pens, two pill bottles, and four different kinds of snacks in the lavender-lined tote-cum-messenger bag.

I have stuffed this thing to the gills before severe weather shifts and cross-country flights, but it still maintains its shape and stability whether light or heavy. Four metal feet help keep the bag stable even on shag carpet, and so long as you’ve packed the bag relatively evenly, it should stay upright.

While the Handbag of Holding comes with a detachable shoulder strap, I find it far easier to carry day-to-day via its sturdy, heavily reinforced tote straps. Carrying it as a tote allows me to better handle the weight and doesn’t snag my shoulder holster the way messenger bags and backpacks do.

What Ara doesn’t love about this bag: While the Handbag of holding can easily fit a laptop — or three — it lacks a dedicated laptop sleeve, so I bent and shoved a quilted Rapha House laptop sleeve into one side of the main compartment to fill the role. It’s also quite easy to lose items in all of the pouches and pocket dimensions of the Handbag of Holding; I’ve forgotten items in here for months a time. It’s like a TARDIS with tote straps: you can fit everything in here somewhere, but things disappear in its space every now and then.

The biggest downside to the Handbag of Holding right now is that you can’t buy one anymore.

The Handbag of Holding is currently discontinued, but we’ll pass along your resurrection request to the Overlords!

— ThinkGeek (@thinkgeek) June 6, 2018

There are other bags in the Bag of Holding line available at ThinkGeek right now, but all versions of the Handbag of Holding are Out of Stock forever. I can only hope that there’s a new, improved model on the way, but there’s really no way to know. If you’re interested in buying one, tell ThinkGeek to bring it back!

The ideal user for this bag: This is a bag for tech-savvy women who want one bag for light days and heavy-duty work trips, nerdy to its d20 core but sophisticated enough to pass as a business bag — especially if you spring for the vegan leather Deluxe Handbag of Holding. It’s highly adaptable so long as you pack it properly, and over a year into its use I am still genuinely surprised at how much I can fit in my Handbag of Holding at a moment’s notice.

Price: When it was in stock, the Handbag of Holding ran from $50 for the standard canvas model to over $100 for some of the vegan leather models, but it’s priceless now. If you still want a Bag of Holding, there is a slightly smaller satchel-style Con Survival Edition available for $35, as well as a Convertible Fast Travel Bag of Holding that can switch from a messenger bag to a backpack and can everything for your weekend trip into a carry-on bag that will fit easily under your seat for a neat $30.

See at ThinkGeek

Harish Jonnalagadda, Regional Editor

Xiaomi Mi Travel Backpack Enough pockets to store all my gear

What Harish loves about this bag: I picked up the Mi Travel Backpack for the amount of space it offers. The bag doesn’t look huge at first glance, but it fits all my gear with ease, and has space left over for a change of clothes — which comes in handy for overnight travel.

There’s a padded section that comfortably slots in a 15-inch MacBook, and you get a sleeve for a tablet as well. I particularly like the fact that it has more than enough compartments, which makes it convenient to store the plethora of accessories I carry around.

The shoulder straps and the back are adequately padded, and it’s comfortable to wear with a full loadout of gear. I’ve been using the bag for close to a year now, and it has held up very well to the usual wear and tear.

What I don’t love about this bag: The one quibble I have with the Mi Travel bag is that it doesn’t have a water bottle holder. There are lined pockets on either side of the bag, and the compact size means there’s no room to store a water bottle.

The ideal user for this bag: What I like about the Mi Travel Backpack is that there’s no branding anywhere, and it looks like a regular bag. If you want an affordable bag to store all your gear, then this is the one to get.

Price: $55

See at GearBest

Joe Maring, News Editor

Ibagbar Vintage Canvas Backpack Cheap, boring, effective

What Joe loves about this bag: I initially picked up this Ibagbar backpack to get me through my last semester of college at the beginning of the year, but even after I graduated in May, it’s served me well for packing up my things and heading out to the nearest Starbucks to scope out news for the day.

What I love the most about this backpack is how it looks. It’s not flashy and isn’t as modern-looking as the famous Peak Design Everyday Carry, but I’m a sucker for this vintage aesthetic. It’s clean, simple, and the fabric it’s made out of has held up nicely after about 6 months of regular use.

Something else I’m a fan of is the interior. The main compartment is great for housing headphones and notebooks while a sectioned off area at the very back holds by Pixelbook like a glove. There are also two small pockets near the front that work great for stowing away a charging cable and AC adapter.

Lastly, it’s hard to argue with that price. $26.99 is a steal considering the quality and function this bag offers, and for a cheapskate like me, that’s what got me to pull the trigger on buying it in the first place.

What Joe doesn’t love about this bag: As well as this backpack has served me, I do have on minor complaint. Although I usually don’t carry a ton of stuff with me, I do wish this bag offered a better way to organize my belongings. The two zippered areas on the front work well in conjunction with the main part of the bag, but the lack of any extra compartments in these make it hard to sort smaller gadgets and gizmos.

The ideal user for this bag: If all you need is an affordable, simple backpack for lugging around a laptop, notebook, headphones, and more, Ibagbar has a great solution here for doing just that. The bag’s stylish, is comfortable to wear, and does a good job at holding all your junk. Plus, for under 30 bucks, it offers a tremendous value proposition for the budget-savvy out there.

Price: $26.99

See at Amazon

Daniel Bader, Managing Editor

Booq Pack Pro The most comfortable traveler’s bag

What Daniel loves about the Pack Pro: The Booq Pack Pro is, according to the company that makes it, “a tank,” and that couldn’t be more accurate. I’ve taken this backpack to half a dozen countries, subjected it to every abuse imaginable — trade shows are not bag-friendly — and it still looks new. Like, brand new.

What I love is how versatile this bag is. There’s a place for everything inside the spacious interior, with a number of obvious and hidden compartments ready to stow the most valuable of possessions. Behind it, a dedicated padded laptop sleeve can carry up to a 17-inch MacBook Pro or larger Surface Book 2, and there’s even a tertiary tablet/ebook reader compartment around back.

The exterior is made of 1680 denier ballistic nylon, and the zippers are fully waterproof. I don’t think I could damage them even if I wanted to.

Finally, and perhaps most importantly, the shoulder straps are supremely comfortable; I wore the Pack Pro for upwards of 6-hours straight walking around CES this past January, and my back was perfectly fine. (My feet on the other hand…)

What Daniel doesn’t like about the Pack Pro: For all of its benefits, the Pack Pro is for a certain kind of traveler; this isn’t a weekend getaway bag (too small) or a hiker’s bag (too heavy). It’s for people who travel on airplanes and subject their stuff to the hardships of travel. It’s also not designed for camera equipment, as the single main pocket is a little tight for the average DSLR.

It’s also expensive, at $249, and may be a bit overkill for the average city slicker. It’s also a little plain-looking, opting for sparse branding and only a single color, black.

The ideal user for this bag: The average traveler doesn’t need a bag like this. Instead, the Pack Pro is for the workhorse, someone who stuffs backpacks under airplane seats and into trade show corners. It’s for people with valuables they don’t want crushed or broken.

Price: $249

See at Amazon

Quentyn Kennemer, Freelance Writer

Thule Crossover 32L Backpack Tons of space, Tons of Durability

What Quentyn loves about this bag: Being one of the last holdouts to the messenger bag craze, I knew my options for a great tech backpack were slim. Thankfully, Thule’s Crossover 32L backpack fits my needs almost perfectly. Seeing as I have a glutton of camera equipment, a massive 17-inch gaming laptop, a smaller work laptop, a tablet, headphones, a portable battery pack, and my phone with me (and all the associated cables I need) on any given trip, the biggest thing I need is massive capacity.

And yes, the Crossover can hold all of that, and then some. It’s not just the sheer size of the thing, though. The innards are expertly crafted with multiple compartments, some of which are elevated by aluminum to ensure no one area of the bag becomes unusable.

There’s also a healthy amount of padding to protect all your stuff, including a crush-proof compartment to protect your phone or other small valuables. And while I’m no textile materials expert, I can say that the Crossover has held up far longer than any other ordinary bag I’ve owned. I haven’t seen a single rip or tear in the two years I’ve owned it. Oh, and it also looks really, really nice.

What Quentyn doesn’t love about this bag: I do wish the crush-proof compartment was a bit bigger. I’m the kind of guy who loves big headphones with massive drivers, and I’d love to be able to take them with me without having to bring a dedicated carrying case.

I’d have loved it more with a built-in roller for when my back needs a break, especially considering it can reach the size of a small carry-on when filled to the brim.

The ideal user for this bag: If you have tons of stuff you have to carry around on a regular basis or if your equipment is just more bulky than most ordinary bags can handle, this is for you. If you have a bad back, however, then you’ll want to look for something with wheels on it.

Price: $129

See at Amazon

Andrew Martonik, Executive Editor

Peak Design Everyday Sling 10L Just enough space for what you need

What Andrew loves about the Everyday Sling: I enjoy the security of having necessary gear (think laptop, battery, cables, camera) everywhere I go, and I understand that that means I also have to deal with that gear — typically in a bag. Size, comfort, flexibility (physically and conceptually) and style are all factors when choosing one. I’ve tried a lot of different bags for this sort of “daily essentials” set of stuff I carry, and for this duty I love the the Peak Design Everyday Sling — particularly, the larger 10L size.

What I love about the Everyday Sling is that it isn’t a large multi-purpose oriented messenger bag — it’s small, structured and doesn’t have a ton of expandability. It’s just the right size for the things I need to carry every day, and nothing more.

To that point, the Everyday Sling snugly holds my 13-inch MacBook Pro, plus a small camera, a backup phone and a few extra accessories like cables and batteries. And that’s it. The movable divider system inside lets you tightly organize items to keep them from crashing around as you move, and small zipper areas on the inside and outside hold onto smaller items. There’s a tiny bit of expandability with the outside pouch, but not much.

It’s a small thing, but I love how the top of the bag both zips closed and hinges away from you — as compared to almost all messengers that hinge toward you. This makes it incredibly simple to pull the Sling around to your front, zip it open and have quick access to everything. And the full zipper gives the inside water resistance from all angles, unlike the fold-and-clip style open bags.

If you’ve ever seen or used a Peak Design product, you know the kind of fantastic quality you’ll get with the Everyday Sling. Zipper are firm and close snugly. The fabrics are extremely tough and well-stitched. It feels like you could pull a truck with the metal clasps. The fabric on the back provides just a little grip to keep it from sliding on your back. And there are two side mounting points for Peak Design’s Capture camera clip system, which I love to use.

What Andrew doesn’t love about the Everyday Sling: The main downside to this bag is the strap, which really isn’t as wide or comfortable as I’d like it to be, and doesn’t really compare well to my Timbuk2 messenger bag. To be fair to the Everyday Sling this isn’t intended to be a carry-everything-everywhere messenger, and is built for lighter duties, but the strap still disappoints in its padding. It also has the habit of loosening ever-so-slightly, but consistently, over time and needs shortened back up to the proper length.

Being compact and light cuts both ways, and that makes the Everyday Sling a poor choice for people who need to carry a lot with them. One of the biggest upsides for me is how small the Sling is because it means it won’t ever get too heavy, but that’s a big restriction for a lot of people. It can barely fit a 13-inch MacBook Pro, so larger laptop users are instantly ruled out.

The ideal user for this bag: If you’ve tried to find a small, compact bag to carry the essentials and nothing more, the Peak Design Everyday Sling 10L is for you. It’s built out of fantastic materials that won’t let you down, and is filled with genius little design touches that make it functional and practical for any sort of profession or adventure. The Everyday Sling isn’t for long trips or heavy gear, but if you don’t need that much space this bag is great.

Price: $149

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What’s your favorite bag?

Everyone needs to carry stuff, and whether that container is big, small, expensive or cheap-and-cheerful, we’d love to know what you carry with you on the go!

The Kindle Voyage, a Logitech webcam, a headphone stand, 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 Kindle Voyage, the Logitech C920 Pro webcam, Twelve South’s headphone stand, and more! Time’s running out to take advantage of these prices, so hurry!

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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!

Samsung brings back customizale text message ringtones for each contact

Available as part of the v4.4.30.5 update for Samsung Messages.

The Android Oreo update brings a lot of goodies to Samsung phones. There’s an updated UI for the Samsung Experience skin, more emojis, adaptive notification dots, and much more. However, it also removed something that struck a chord with a lot of users — customizable text message ringtones.

Prior to the Oreo update, you could have different ringtones/notification sounds for your text messages on a per-contact-basis. If your mom texted you, you heard one ringtone. If your brother texted you, you heard another. Samsung removed this for whatever reason with Oreo, but it’s now coming back with the latest Samsung Messages app update.

The feature returns as part of the v.4.4.30.5 update that’s rolling out to users now.

We’ve heard a lot of clamoring and complaining in the AC forums ever since this feature was removed, so this is likely to come as overwhelmingly good news to most all of you reading this.

What are you waiting for? Go grab that update now and start re-customizing your text notifications!

Android Messages for web is officially rolling out to all users

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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Apple Seeds Third Beta of macOS High Sierra 10.13.6 to Developers

Apple today seeded the third beta of an upcoming macOS High Sierra 10.13.6 update to developers for testing purposes, one week after seeding the second 10.13.6 beta.

The new macOS High Sierra 10.13.6 beta can be downloaded through the Software Update mechanism in the Mac App Store with the proper profile installed.

We don’t yet know what improvements the sixth update to macOS High Sierra will bring, but it likely focuses on bug fixes and performance improvements for issues that were not able to be addressed in macOS High Sierra 10.13.5.

No feature changes were discovered in the first two macOS High Sierra 10.13.6 betas, but we’ll update this post if new features or notable bug fixes are discovered in the third.

Work on macOS High Sierra is wrapping up, with Apple now shifting focus to the next-generation version of macOS, macOS 10.14, which was unveiled at the Worldwide Developers Conference on June 4.

Related Roundup: macOS High Sierra
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Volvo has designed a self-docking system for yachts

We’re already working on self-parking cars, so why not take things a step further and investigate self-parking boats? Of course, the correct vernacular here isn’t “parking,” but rather “docking.” But semantics aside, Volvo — an expert on both land and water — has now designed a self-docking yacht. Because if you can afford a floating paradise, you shouldn’t have to worry about docking it on your own.

The newest solution from Volvo Penta builds upon the Volvo’s Group extensive research in the autonomous driving space. Already, the broader Volvo family has managed to produce prototype vehicles meant to be used in areas like mines and ports. So of course, developing a watercraft with similar autonomous capabilities didn’t seem like that big of a stretch. Indeed, Volvo Penta’s new self-docking solution is being called “another step forward in the development process for the group.”

Volvo recently showed off its new technology in the Gothenburg, Sweden, stopover of the Volvo Ocean race. In its live demo, Volvo showed off how a 68-foot yacht, outfitted with the autonomous technology, was able to maneuver itself into a tight space between two Volvo Ocean Race 65 racing yachts.

“Docking is one of the most challenging boat handling maneuvers – getting it wrong can be embarrassing, expensive, and precarious,” says Bjorn Ingemanson, President of Volvo Penta. “Our IPS system has already taken great strides in making docking easier, and this new self-docking feature takes that process one important stage further. Its sensors and on-board computers react in milliseconds to changing wind and sea conditions, constantly making micro adjustments in power and steering angle of the IPS drive to keep the boat on its intended course into a safe berth. If necessary, the docking process can be paused, and the system will hold the boat stationary in the water. Even in changing sea conditions it can make the sea appear to stand still.”

Of course, Volvo maintains that in order to guarantee the safety of the boat and its passengers, for now, the system is not meant to be entirely autonomous. While the technology should be able to dock a watercraft on its own, it also features surround sensors for anti-collision alerts and avoidance, and Volvo requires that a captain be at the ship’s helm during the entire docking process so that he or she can jump in if necessary.

It’s unclear when we can expect to see self-docking technology widely implemented, but for now, it’s good to know that the bright minds at Volvo are already thinking about it.

Editors’ Recommendations

• Volkswagen tests autonomous parking, aims for 2020 commercial launch
• How Nvidia is helping autonomous cars simulate their way to safety
• Why self-driving trucks will take over before self-driving cars
• Driverless pods could be used to ferry tourists around a U.K. national park
• Could fleets of self-driving cars become a public health concern?

You’ll want Xiaomi’s Mi A2 for the software, not the iPhone X looks

The Xiaomi Mi A2 has been leaked, and all signs point toward a release in early August. The Mi A2 is expected to be the sequel to Xiaomi’s Mi A1, making it the Chinese brand’s second device to use the Android One operating system. The Mi A2, according to the leak, is a version of the already announced Xiaomi Mi 6X, and will be available for sale in parts of Europe, where Xiaomi has continued to put its hardware on sale.

As leaked by Swiss online retailer digitec.ch, it’s Android One that makes the Mi A2 interesting. Xiaomi replaces its own MIUI user interface over Android with Google’s almost stock version of the operating system. The primary benefit is receiving regular and timely software and security updates, including the next version of Android, Android P, and Android Q as well. While MIUI is one of the better manufacturer interfaces, Android One will always be preferable.

The phone’s specification follows the Mi 6X, based on the information on Digitec’s page. This means a Snapdragon 660 processor with 4GB of RAM, and a choice of either 32GB or 64GB of memory, while a high-performance model will also be sold with 6GB of RAM and 128GB of internal storage space. The 6-inch screen has an 18:9 aspect ratio, curved edges, and small — but still very visible — bezels. The resolution is 2160 x 1080 pixels, according to the online advert, all of which matches the Mi 6X.

On the back of the Mi A2’s body, which like the Mi 6X closely resembles the iPhone X, the OnePlus 6, and several other phones, is a dual-lens camera and a fingerprint sensor. The camera array is made up of 12-megapixel and 20-megapixel lenses, complete with some artificial intelligence technology for the bokeh and beauty modes. Digitec lists the phone in three colors — black, blue, and gold — with local prices ranging from the local equivalent of $290 to $370.

Although Digitec has a detailed online page for the Mi A2, it has not been officially announced by Xiaomi yet. That means things could be different from the listing when it is. Also, while the Mi A1 should operate internationally, it will probably have a modem tuned for mostly European carriers, and an official U.S. release is currently unlikely. We’ll update here when more information is revealed.

Editors’ Recommendations

• Xiaomi Mi 6X hints at what’s to come for company’s next Android One phone
• Xiaomi unveils the near bezel-free Mi Mix 2S with dual camera
• Xiaomi Mi Mix 2S review
• Xiaomi’s European tour continues –it will arrive in France and Italy in May
• Here’s everything we know about the upcoming Honor 10 smartphone