Apple Store hints you shouldn’t buy a new MacBook Pro until after WWDC

Apple’s online store could be hinting that a MacBook Pro refresh may happen at the Worldwide Developers Conference, which takes place in San Francisco beginning June 4. A user on Reddit noticed that the delivery date on the 13-inch version of Apple’s base MacBook Pro — without Touch Bar — is listed as June 5, a day after the start of WWDC. However, after checking with Apple’s web store, the base 13-inch and 15-inch MacBook Pro models show they will be available immediately for in-store pickup in the San Francisco area, with a ship date of June 1.

Still, a refresh may likely be in the works given that Intel’s 8th Generation Core i Series processors have become available since Apple launched the MacBook Pro a year ago with Intel’s 7th-generation processor family. Since then, Apple’s PC rivals have all debuted systems with Intel’s 8th-generation chips, and a refresh would keep the MacBook Pro competitive in the hardware department by delivering better performance and battery savings.

Another issue that Apple could address with a MacBook Pro refresh is the keyboard. “I’d say a keyboard [overhaul] fix too,” one Reddit user commented in the thread. To make the MacBook Pro slim, Apple switched to the new butterfly key switch design that was first introduced on the MacBook laptop. However, the keyboard design has been criticized for its shallow travel and for having a high failure rate. To make matters worse, repairs for keyboard failures are expensive, often costing twice as much as traditional keyboards on older MacBook Pro models.

It’s still not confirmed that a MacBook Pro refresh is coming at WWDC or what new features will be coming to the laptop, if any. Given that the notebook’s design is new, Apple may just issue under the hood improvements, like a processor refresh. If you’re not in a rush to purchase a new MacOS-powered laptop, you may be better off waiting until after June 4 to make your purchase. If you need a new MacBook right now, be sure to view our guide on the best MacBook laptops.

Historically, Apple sells through existing inventory and delays shipping ahead of a new product announcement until after the product is shown off at its press conferences. If the MacBook Pro is coming at WWDC, it will likely have to share time on stage with a new release of MacOS and a new version of Apple’s iOS operating systems.

Apple has also committed to revealing more of its plans for high-end desktops, like a Mac Pro refresh, in an effort to retain and attract its prosumer audience of video editors, graphic designers, and visual artists. The Mac Pro is expected to arrive in 2019.

Editors’ Recommendations

• Benchmarks show the next wave of Intel desktop processors are on the way
• Entry-level MacBooks may make an appearance in June at WWDC 2018
• DxO Labs files for bankruptcy, but will launch Nik Collection update in June
• First preproduction units of the Pimax ‘8K’ VR headset to ship to testers in May
• Start saving up: Steam’s Summer Sale will reportedly begin June 21

Acer announces four new Chromebooks, two of which are 2-in-1s

Sales begin this month.

While we sit around dreaming of what we’ll see with the Pixelbook 2, Acer’s got a few new Chromebooks for us to check out in the form of the Chromebook 15, Chromebook Spin 15, Chromebook 13, and Chromebook Spin 13.

The 13-series Chromebooks are actually the more powerful of the bunch, so let’s start there. Both come with 13.5-inch 2256 x 1504 IPS displays with a 3:2 aspect ratio, but the Chromebook Spin 13 comes with a 2-in-1 design that allows you to flip the keyboard back and use it like a tablet. There’s also Wacom stylus support if you’re into that sort of thing.

Powering the Chromebook 13/Spin 13 is your choice between 8th-generation Intel Core i5 or Core i3 processors, but the regular Chromebook 13 will also come with Pentium and Celeron configurations. You can get up to 16GB of LPDDR3 RAM with either one, with the Spin 13 offering up to 128GB of eMMC storage while the regular Chromebook 13 lets you choose between 32GB or 64GB.

As for ports, you’ll find two USB 3.1 Type-C ones, a full-sized USB 3.0 Type-A, and a microSD card slot.

Moving over to the Chromebook 15 and Spin 15, these actually have less impressive specs than the two 13-inch models. Go figure.

The screen for both models measures in at 15.6-inches with a 1920 x 1080 IPS panel. The processor selection includes two Intel Celeron options and one Pentium chip, you can get up to 8GB RAM, and you’ve got a choice between 32GB and 64GB of eMMC storage. The port selection is the same as the 13 series.

As for pricing and availability, we currently know that the standard Chromebook 13 will cost $399 and go on sale at some point this month. The Chromebook 15 will debut this June for $349 and the Chromebook Spin 15 will cost a bit more at $449 when it launches in July.

Best Chromebook as of May 2018

Chromebooks

• The best Chromebooks
• Chromebooks in education: Everything you need to know
• Should you buy a Chromebook?
• Chromebook Buyers Guide
• Google Pixelbook review
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Best Tempered Glass Screen Protectors for Google Pixel 2

What are the best tempered glass screen protectors for the Pixel 2?

The Google Pixel 2 is here and as expected it’s pretty amazing — and if you want to keep it looking amazing, you should be sure to protect that screen with a screen protector. Tempered glass screen protectors are your best option for protecting your phone’s screen from drop damage and general wear and tear. And chances are you will see some wear over time.

Fortunately, there’s a number of great options out there for you to choose from. Let’s dive in!

• Whitestone Dome Glass Tempered Glass Screen Protector
• Power Support Tempered Glass Film
• IntelliGLASS Tempered Glass Screen Protector
• Supershieldz Tempered Glass Screen Protector [2-pack]
• ZeKing Tempered Glass Screen Protector [2-pack]
• InvisibleShield Glass+ Tempered Glass Screen Protector
• amFilm Pixel 2 XL Tempered Glass Screen Protector

Whitestone Dome Glass Tempered Glass Screen Protector

The Whitestone Dome Glass screen protector has quickly become one of the more trusted options for keeping your smartphone display safe. Sure, it’s absolutely the most expensive option but it has won over a ton of fans.

Typically sold for $60, you can get one for the Pixel 2 for just $45. Check out this review and installation guide to get an idea of how this tempered glass screen protector uniquely adheres like no other screen protector you’ve seen before. If the worst case scenario has already occurred and your screen is cracked, think of this as a second chance screen before dropping hundreds of dollars on a proper replacement screen. The packaged UV light required to complete the curing process makes this a bit more of an involved process, but if you spend the time to install it right the first time you should have one of the most reliable screen protectors for your Pixel 2!

See at Amazon

Power Support Tempered Glass Film

Next, we’ll shift gears and look at the tempered glass accessory Google sells alongside the Pixel 2 on the Google Store. It has a black border at the top and bottom to help with lining it up during installation and also has cutouts around the front-facing speakers. Curved edges ensure a good in-hand feel, and the oleophobic coating will ensure you’re not constantly wiping fingerprint and grease smudges off of your screen.

Google is selling this screen protector for a whopping $39.95, but for that money, you can be sure that it’s a quality product and designed precisely for your Pixel 2.

See at Google

IntelliGLASS 3D Tempered Glass Screen Protector

IntelliARMOR is a trusted brand in phone protection, and right now they’ve got a great deal on their IntelliGLASS 3D screen protectors. Regularly sold for $45, you can get one for just $20.

The IntelliGLASS screen protector is incredibly thin and features the ever-important oleophobic coating to prevent oils and dirt from sticking to your screen. It’s a great option that is super thin and lightweight but tough when it counts. IntelliGLASS uses a silicone-based adhesive that makes for an easy installation, and if you have any problem the IntelliARMOR customer service will work to make things right. It’s available with a white or black border, or you can opt for the IntelliGLASS HD that’s fully transparent and starts shipping the first week of December.

See at IntelliARMOR

Supershieldz Tempered Glass Screen Protector [2-pack]

If you like screen protectors with a border around the screen (which helps with installation), you should check out this affordable offering from Supershieldz. This two-pack of tempered glass screen protectors includes all the features you’d expect, such as hydrophobic and oleophobic coatings to keep your screen clean.

The kit includes alignment stickers and Supershieldz guarantees a bubble-free installation. If you run into any issues, you can contact Supershieldz customer support as it offers a no-hassle lifetime replacement warranty on its products. Available for just $7.99, this is a premium option at a budget price.

See at Amazon

ZeKing Tempered Glass Screen Protector [2-pack]

ZeKing offers a really good option if you don’t like leaving the top and bottom edges of your phone exposed. Opting to provide precise cutouts around the front-facing speakers instead, this two-pack of tempered glass screen protectors will offer good protection for the entirety of the display up to the curved edge of the screen glass.

It’s a basic kit but includes all the standard features including an oleophobic coating for fingerprints along with alcohol wipes for a clean installation. At just $5.99, you aren’t likely to find a better deal on a tempered glass screen protector.

See at Amazon

InvisibleShield Glass+ Tempered Glass Screen Protector

Zagg is a trusted name in phone accessories, and especially screen protectors.

The InvisibleShield Glass+ provides ample impact protection for your screen and is designed to withstand shattering itself. If it does, you can count on its limited lifetime warranty in which it’ll replace the screen protector if it gets worn or damaged for as long as you own the phone (you only pay shipping and handling costs).

It’s also smudge- and scratch-resistant, too, so it will hold up nicely to daily wear and tear — and you wouldn’t expect any less from a product that costs $39.99.

See at Zagg

amFilm Pixel 2 XL Tempered Glass Screen Protector

One of the few options available for the Pixel 2 XL, this tempered glass screen protector from amFilm should do the trick. It’s been specifically designed for the larger model and claims to offer edge-to-edge protection with an improved adhesive gel. The glass has a black trim around the perimeter of the curved corner display, and notches cut out of the top and bottom to accomodate the front-facing speakers.

This is a case-friendly screen protector that features an invisible dot matrix to simulate fingerprint contact most accurately. It also has an olophobic coating to prevent fingerprints which is always important.

There may be cheaper options to come, but for $12.99 you’ll get everything you’ll need to ensure a clean installation and quality protection for your new phone.

See at Amazon

Which screen protectors do you trust?

Are you going to grab something off our list? Eyeing a different brand? Let us know in the comments!

Update May 2018: Removed options that are no longer available and updated pricing info. These are your best bets for protecting your Pixel 2 screen.

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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Latest AirTV is available today for $119

AirTV is a dual-tuner box for OTA antennas, and ties in directly with Sling TV, if you want.

It’s a tuner for OTA TV, with Sling TV users in mind.

Over-the-air TV is awesome, if for no other reason than it doesn’t cost anything more than the antenna hardware. But you can still do better than plugging straight in to a television tuner. In 2018 it’s all about sharing video across a network, right? And the latest AirTV does precisely that.

For $119 you get a dual-tuner setup that connects over 802.11n networks. (It’s got ethernet, too, which is always a good thing.) You’ll connect an antenna to the AirTV, and connect the AirTV to your network, and then fire up the AirTV app on up to two devices at once. (Two tuners means two devices can watch separate channels at the same time.)

Or, if you’re a Sling TV user, you can just fire up the Sling app and watch your local channels right alongside everything you get through Sling’s streaming service.

The AirTV app is available on iOS, Android, Roku, Amazon Fire TV, and Apple TV.

See at Amazon

More: The best OTA antennas

Watch free local channels at home, on-the-go with new AirTV

AirTV connects to over-the-air (OTA) antenna to wirelessly deliver free local channels to TVs, tablets, phones—in and out of home

Integrates free broadcast channels into Sling TV app or AirTV app on iOS, Android, Roku and Amazon Fire TV

Available now for $119.99 at AirTV.net

ENGLEWOOD, Colo., May 23, 2018 — AirTV, a brand dedicated to meeting the growing consumer demand for over-the-air (OTA) broadcast products and services, has launched a new solution that brings together the value of free local broadcast television with the power of live internet streaming. The new AirTV solution, when connected to an OTA antenna and a home Wi-Fi network, wirelessly streams free local channels to internet-connected TVs and mobile devices, in and out of the home.

With AirTV, free local channels, like ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC and PBS, are available for viewing via the Sling TV or AirTV app on Roku, Amazon Fire TV, and iOS and Android phones and tablets. Local channel availability depends on the OTA signal availability at the user’s home location. In many major markets, customers can receive 50 or more local channels for free.

“Our new AirTV solution solves two problems: first, it blends free local channels with OTT television, something customers have demanded since the advent of streaming,” said Mitch Weinraub, director of product development for AirTV. “And, because it’s a Wi-Fi-enabled device, you can power your entire home with one OTA antenna, simplifying the installation process.”

AirTV’s configuration eliminates common pain points associated with OTA antennas, like wiring multiple rooms with individual antennas, and it allows for optimal antenna placement, regardless of the TV’s location. AirTV connects to a digital antenna and a wireless or wired network, providing two live streams of digitally transmitted OTA content simultaneously. Up to two streams are available inside the home; one of these streams can be viewed while outside of the home.

“Customers can mount their antenna connected to AirTV wherever the signal is strongest, whether it’s tucked away in an attic or hidden behind the living room TV,” said Weinraub. “AirTV wirelessly streams to AirTV-enabled devices visible to a home Wi-Fi network, so there’s no longer a need to run cables across the home to get OTA signals.”

Existing Sling TV users can integrate AirTV directly into their accounts. Customers can also set up a free Sling TV account to access their local channels via AirTV, or create a free account with the stand-alone AirTV app.

AirTV is available at AirTV.net/products/airtv/, on Amazon and at regional retailers like Microcenter for $119.99 with a one-year warranty. OTA antennas can be purchased separately at https://www.airtv.net/antenna-installation/ or at a local retailer. To identify local channels in your area, visit https://www.airtv.net/local-channels/.

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Oculus Go: Finally, VR for Everyone

The first VR headset everyone can, and will, enjoy.

AC
Score
4.5

Where most other VR headsets feel like experiments pushed into the world for users and developers to figure out what is cool and fun, Oculus Go is different. This headset has been built to offer a polished experience from the moment you open the box to the moment you excitedly hand the headset to someone else to share what you saw. It’s the evolution of the Samsung Gear VR headset, replacing the need to insert a phone into the front slot with its own standalone processor and display. It’s portable, capable, and by far the easiest to use VR system released to date.

Best of all? It’s yours for $200. No external hardware required, and no cable hanging off the back of your head. This is the VR headset you take with you on an airplane, or for your kids to enjoy with your supervision. It’s a full entertainment system, from game console with hundreds of titles to immersive high definition television, you can bring with you anywhere.

Got questions? We’ve answered them all right here.

See on Amazon

• What is Oculus Go?
• Oculus Go vs Daydream Standalone
• How good is the battery?
• How to set up Oculus Go
• Playing with friends
• Choosing good headphones
• Sharing your experiences
• Travelling with Oculus Go

What is Oculus Go?

Put simply, it’s a virtual reality headset designed for everyone. Oculus Go is the third headset from Oculus, and it’s meant to exist between the phone-powered Samsung Gear VR and PC-powered Oculus Rift. It’s a little more capable than the phone-powered headset, but not quite as capable as the PC-powered experience. But as a standalone system, meaning it doesn’t need to connect to anything, Oculus Go offers something unique.

Screen	2560×1440 @ 72Hz
Lenses	Custom Fresnel
FoV	101-degrees
SoC	Snapdragon 821
RAM	4
Storage	32/64GB
Battery	2600mAh
Connectivity	WiFi
Audio	Speakers/3.5mm jack
Weight	177grams
Price	$199/$249

The headset itself is plastic around the outside, with an easy to remove foam pad around the eye sockets to make cleaning and sizing easier. Most prescription glasses fit in the headset just fine, but Oculus has included guides in the box to replace the padding if your lenses don’t fit right away. If you’re not sure which configuration you prefer, swapping back and forth is fairly easy.

On the front panel you’ll see Oculus Go has been designed to reduce heat in such a way that overheating shouldn’t ever be a problem while wearing the headset. The metallic front panel conducts heat well, and a gap around the entire front rim helps with air flow where it is most needed. In all of our testing, the headset has yet to offer up a temperature warning.

Oculus Go comes in two models, available for those who would prefer more or less storage in the headset. These headsets are visually identical, but one has a total capacity of 32GB while the other supports 64GB.

Not sure which storage size is best for you? Here’s how you choose the right Oculus Co go for you!

Whats the difference between Oculus Go and Daydream Standalone?

Oculus Go is not the only VR headset to come out this year with its own computer baked in and no messy cables. Google’s Daydream Standalone project exists to take the phone-based VR experience it calls Daydream and extend it into its own headset system. Like Oculus Go, no phone is required. Unlike Oculus Go, it’s $400.

The reason for this increase in price is the availability of features you won’t find on Oculus Go, like a more advanced head tracking system and a rigid plastic design that can take a couple of bumps. Choosing between these two headsets has more to do with the ecosystem you want to live in, whether you’d rather have Facebook and Oculus controlling the store selling you apps, or Google.

Check out more on Oculus Go vs Lenovo Mirage Solo

What can I do in Oculus Go?

All of the apps and games you install on the Oculus Go come from the Oculus Store, a separate store managed by Oculus. It has its own payment system and its own update system, which you manage through the Oculus app on your phone. While the Oculus Go headset does in fact run Android underneath, the Oculus App is available for Android and iOS users alike.

Check out our favorite horror games for Oculus Go

Thee Oculus Store gives you access to over 1,000 VR experiences, ranging from action games to emotional stories and so many puzzles for you to explore. You will also find a healthy Educational section in the store alongside a huge selection of movies you can purchase directly from Oculus and enjoy in your very own virtual theater.

Our Parents Guide to Oculus Go will help you choose the right apps for your kids

How is the battery life in Oculus Go?

According to Oculus, the Go headset is capable of 2.5 hours of constant gameplay. In our testing of the headset, we found that number to depend heavily on the kind of gaming you were doing and what the brightness level of the display inside the headset was set to. If you find yourself browsing the web and watching YouTube 360 videos with the brightness a little lower than average, our tests found the headset battery will last closer to 4.5 hours. If you’re playing a visually intense game like Anshar Online with friends, the 2.5 hour claim from Oculus is just about right.

You can drain the battery in under three hours if you try.

This doesn’t include standby time, which is quite a bit longer. If you unplug the headset for travel, expect the battery to last several days between uses. Even of you use the headset for 20-30 minutes and set it aside, the battery will keep for quite a while. The same goes for watching movies in the headset, if you take a break in between viewings you’ll find you can just about watch two whole movies with the brightness down a little. But in a single use, you can drain the battery in under three hours if you try.

But the real secret to getting the Oculus Go to last for more than 2-3 hours is to have a backup battery nearby you can use while you are inside the headset. Depending on the capacity battery you choose, these backups can recharge the headset multiple times before it needs to be charged, and can deliver enough power to charge the headset even while you are playing the more visually intense games.

Take a look at the best Battery Backups for Oculus Go!

I just got my headset. Now what?

Before you go tearing open the box, there are a few things about setting this headset up you should know. This VR headset is a little different from the others, and while it doesn’t need a phone to power the inside there’s an app for Android an iPhone owners alike to make the experience a lot easier to manage.

How to set up your Oculus Go: Android Edition

How to set up your Oculus Go: iPhone Edition

After the initial set up with your Oculus Go headset, you may want to take a look through the privacy settings and make sure they are set the way you want. Oculus Go includes an online gaming component, which includes sharing information about your activities with other people in their headsets. If you want to avoid sharing that information publicly, you need to keep an eye on your privacy settings.

How to adjust your Oculus Go privacy settings

Once you get all set up and you’re happy with the experience, you might want to add a gamepad to play all of the latest games available in the headset. Check out our tested batch of the best gamepads for Oculus Go to complete the experience!

The best gamepads we have tested with Oculus Go

If you’d rather just use the included controller, that’s cool too! There are a ton of great things you can do with your Oculus Go remote, and all you need to power it is a single AA battery. Since the battery doesn’t recharge likeyou might expect from using other controllers, it’s important to know how to check on the battery capacity from inside the headset and how to swap the battery out when it’s time for a fresh cell.

How to check the battery on your Oculus Go controller

Playing Oculus Go games with friends

While most Oculus Go experiences are solo for now, there are some amazing multiplayer experiences in the Oculus Store. To fully take advantage of these experiences, you need to add a few friends to your list.

How to add friends to your Oculus Go

This will make it easy for you to quickly jump into a game together, whether that game is something stationary like Catan VR or full of excitement like Anshar Online.

Adding headphones to your Oculus Go

Oculus did an incredible job including amazing speakers in the straps of the headset, but sometimes you need a little privacy. The 3.5mm headphone jack on the side of the Oculus Go makes it perfect for just about any set of headphones, which is great. You absolutely want to use wired headphones instead of wireless headphones though.

Bluetooth headphones, even really good ones, introduce latency in a VR headset. You’ll hear everything, but there will be a slight delay and that isn’t fun at all!

The best headphones for Oculus Go

How to share your Oculus Go experiences with others

It’s not always easy to hand your headset over to someone else to share an experience in VR. Oculus Go offers a couple of options for sharing what you’ve seen. You can either take a screenshot, record a gameplay video, or live stream your game right to Facebook for everyone to watch.

How to take a screenshot in Oculus Go

Once you have taken a screenshot, you can either post it to Facebook or connect your headset to your computer and extract the files yourself. If you want to share to anything other than Facebook, it’s going to take a little bit of work.

How to use your computer to grab files from Oculus Go

Oculus is planning on adding a local sharing feature soon, similar to the set up found on the Samsung Gear VR. This would allow you to stream what you see in Oculus Go to a Chromecast, which is a lot of fun.

It may be a little while before this feature is rolled out to everyone, but when it happens your friends will be able to see what you see right on the TV in front of you.

Choose the right Chromecast for your Oculus Go

Travelling with your Oculus Go

I love using my headset on an airplane, and I’ve seen others enjoy it in a car on a long trip. The coolest thing about Oculus Go is how portable it is, but there are a few things you can do to ensure you are prepared for your headset taking a long trip with you. For example, you can load movies on Oculus Go to watch while you travel instead of buying straight from Oculus.

How to load movies onto your Oculus Go

Since you will be travelling with the headset, you also want to make sure you have it in a protective case and you are able to keep in clean for when you inevitably share the headset with someone else.

Best travel cases for Oculus Go

How to clean your Oculus Go

No matter how you look at it, taking your Oculus Go with you as you travel is going to be a great experience. Even if all you do with it is kill some time in your hotel room because the TV doesn’t have much on it.

Updated May 23, 2018: Our epic user manual for Oculus Go now includes even more information to keep you in the headset longer!

Amazon Kindles, iOttie car mounts, a Dremel rotary tool, and more are on sale today

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

Today you can get big discounts on the WeMo smart light switch, several Amazon Kindles, the Dremel 3000 rotary tool, and much more! Don’t pass these up.

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!

Where to buy the LG G7 ThinQ

Your guide for buying the G7 in the U.S. and Canada.

LG’s playing it safe this year with the G7 ThinQ, but that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s a bad phone. In fact, based on what we’ve seen so far, the G7 will be one heck of a smartphone that could be very well-deserving of a place in your pocket.

If you live in the United States or Canada and are interested in picking up the G7 ThinQ for yourself, here’s everything you need to know.

United States

AT&T

Although LG devices usually show up on AT&T like clockwork, this year appears to be different.

A spokesperson from AT&T recently confirmed that it won’t be selling the G7 ThinQ, but instead will “launch a new LG device this summer only from AT&T.” We aren’t sure if that’ll be a new phone entirely or a slightly improved version of the G7, but we’ll certainly be keeping an eye out for whatever happens here.

Sprint

If Sprint’s your carrier of choice, you’ll be able to place pre-orders for the phone beginning May 25. Following that, regular sales will begin online and in-stores on June 1.

See at Sprint

T-Mobile

Jumping over to T-Mobile, the Un-Carrier has announced that it’ll officially open pre-orders for the G7 on Friday, May 25 at 5:00 AM Pacific Time.

The phone will cost $30 down and then $30/month afterward, resulting in a final retail price of $750 ($30 more than the Galaxy S9). To help offset the cost, T-Mobile will be running a BOGO promo that’ll allow you to get two G7s for the price of one via monthly bill credits.

Following pre-orders, the G7 ThinQ will be available at participating T-Mobile stores around the U.S. starting June 1.

See at T-Mobile

U.S. Cellular

Similar to Sprint, U.S. Cellular will also start selling the G7 on June 1. The phone will be available in-stores and at uscellular.com, but there’s currently no word on pre-orders through the carrier.

See at U.S. Cellular

Verizon

Last but not least for U.S. carriers, Verizon has confirmed that it’ll open pre-orders for the G7 on May 24 – a day before Sprint.

Pricing for the G7 will be similar to that of T-Mobile, including a payment of $31.25/month for 24 months for a final price of $750.

In honor of the G7’s launch, Verizon’s offering an instant $100 off discount just for buying it on an installment plan. Better yet, that deal can be combined with Verizon’s other trade-in promotions.

See at Verizon

Canada

Bell

It’s been confirmed that the LG G7 will launch on Bell, and it’ll do so on June 1.

See at Bell

Freedom Mobile

Just like Bell, Freedom Mobile will also begin carrying the G7 on June 1. However, further details are currently unknown.

See at Freedom Mobile

Rogers

Once again, Rogers will begin selling the LG G7 on – you guessed it – June 1.

See at Rogers

SaskTel

Ready for a curveball? SaskTel will allow you to purchase the G7 on June 1.

See at SaskTel

Telus

Lastly, Telus has also been confirmed for a June 1 date on which it’ll open sales for the G7.

See at Telus

LG G7

• LG G7 hands-on preview: All about that bass
• LG G7 Specifications: Everything you need to know
• Join the LG G7 forums

Where to buy the Moto G6 series in the U.S. and Canada

The Moto G6 Plus isn’t coming to North America, but the Moto G6 and G6 Play are still fantastic options for budget shoppers.

There are few phones more prolific in the budget market than Motorola’s Moto G lineup. We’ve often crowned the latest Moto G as the best bang-for-your-buck smartphone around, so if you’re eyeing one of the new Moto G6 models … well, we can’t blame you.

The way that Motorola is distributing each Moto G variant across different regions this year is a bit strange — for one, you won’t be able to get the alluring Moto G6 Plus anywhere in North America. While this is a little frustrating, the standard Moto G6 and the cheaper Moto G6 Play are still compelling options, with sleek new designs and improved internals.

United States

Verizon

If you’re on Big Red, you’ll be able to choose either model being made available in the States — Verizon is carrying both the Moto G6 and the Moto G6 Play.

The Moto G6 goes on sale May 24 and it’ll set you back $10/month for 24 months. That brings you to a final price of $240 once all is said and done, and considering everything the G6 has to offer, that’s not a bad deal at all.

There’s still no word on the G6 Play, but we’ll update this page accordingly once that info is available.

See at Verizon

AT&T

Interestingly, AT&T will only be carrying the less expensive (but longer-lasting) of the two phones. The Moto G6 Play will be available on AT&T’s postpaid network.

See at AT&T

Boost Mobile

Sprint won’t be carrying either of the new Motorola phones, but its prepaid MVNO will. If you’re on Boost Mobile, you’ll be able to pick up the Moto G6 Play once it launches.

See at Boost Mobile

Cricket Wireless

Likewise, the AT&T subsidiary Cricket Wireless will be carrying the Moto G6 Play, though it’s inexplicably launching with a different name — the Moto G6 Forge. We’re not exactly sure why that is, but don’t worry. You’ll still be getting the same phone as everyone else.

See at Cricket Wireless

Virgin Mobile

Virgin is yet another prepaid carrier operated by Sprint, so it only makes sense that, like Boost Mobile, Virgin will be carrying the Moto G6 Play.

See at Virgin Mobile

TracFone

All work and no Play makes Trac a dull boy, or … something like that. TracFone won’t be carrying the Moto G6 Play, but it is getting the Moto G6 proper.

See at TracFone

Ting

Ting Wireless may not have any physical locations, but you can still order a compatible phone directly from its site. The popular prepaid carrier will be selling both the Moto G6 and the Moto G6 Play.

See at Ting

Republic Wireless

Much like Google’s Project Fi (which is not carrying the new Moto phones), Republic Wireless runs off of both Sprint and T-Mobile towers. If you’re shopping for a new phone, they’ll be happy to sell you either of the new Moto G6 models.

See at Republic Wireless

Unlocked

There are plenty of reasons to buy your phone directly from your carrier — financing options, the guarantee that it’ll work with your SIM card, and so on — but if you can afford to buy the phone outright, the best option is almost always buying it unlocked.

You’ll soon be able to pick up an unlocked Moto G6 or G6 Play at various local retailers, including Best Buy, Target, Fry’s, and B&H, though Walmart will only carry the Moto G6 Play.

Canada

If you live in Canada, your options for buying a standard fare Moto G6 are limited — the only carrier who will sell you one postpaid is Vidéotron.

See at Vidéotron

If, on the other hand, you’re after the Moto G6 Play, your options widen significantly. Vidéotron will still sell you a postpaid unit, and you’ll be able to choose between postpaid and prepaid with Bell Canada, SaskTel, Virgin Mobile, and Freedom Mobile.

Moto G6, G6 Play, and G6 Plus: Everything you need to know!

Deal: Get 2 months of free unlimited data from MetroPCS

MetroPCS is introducing a new special offer that will net you 2 months of free unlimited data free! All you need to do to take advantage of this limited-time offer is to sign up for a new account and make 2 payments on a $50+ plan. After that, you’ll get two months of unlimited talk. text and data free.

Here’s the breakdown:

• Bring your number to MetroPCS
• Sign up for a new account and make 2 payments on a $50+ plan
• Enjoy Unlimited LTE data and get $100 prepaid Mastercard.
• This deal is available in store
• Activation fee is $10 per line

Here’s what you’ll get with MetroPCS Unlimited data plan:

• Unlimited talk, text, and 4G LTE data (users of more than 35GB in a month may notice a temporary reduction in speeds during times of high network traffic)
• Coverage on T-Mobile’s network
• Video streaming at SD quality (480p)
• Mobile hotspots (tethering) is not included

See at MetroPCS

Samsung Gear S4 smartwatch may use Wear OS, not Tizen

If true, this could be a huge win for Google.

It’s turning out that 2018 could be a very exciting year for Wear OS. Following rumors that Google’s working on its own Pixel Watch, it’s now being reported that Samsung’s developing a future Gear smartwatch that’ll ditch the Tizen operating system in favor of Wear OS.

Earlier this week, a rumor popped up on Chinese social network Weibo suggesting that the Gear S4 will be powered by Wear OS instead of Tizen. Weibo tips/leaks are usually pretty hit or miss, but shortly after that, Evan Blass took to Twitter with the following message —

Seen on the wrists of Samsung employees: Gear watches running not Tizen, but Wear OS.

— Evan Blass (@evleaks) May 23, 2018

This doesn’t necessarily mean that Samsung will decide to release a Wear OS watch to the masses, but this piling evidence leads us to believe that the company is certainly toying with the idea.

Tizen has been Samsung’s operating system of choice for most all of its wearables, save for the Gear Live that was powered by Android Wear and released in 2014.

Samsung’s gotten a lot right with Tizen, but one of its pain points has long-been lacking developer support. Wear OS is far more endowed in these regards, and having a big name like Samsung backing the platform would be huge.

Would you like to see a Samsung smartwatch with Wear OS?

Best Replacement Watch Bands for Samsung Gear S3

Android Wear

• Everything you need to know about Android Wear 2.0
• LG Watch Sport review
• LG Watch Style review
• These watches will get Android Wear 2.0
• Discuss Android Wear in the forums!