Apple Highlights iPad Pro Reviews

Reviews for the 2018 iPad Pro went live this morning ahead of Wednesday’s launch, and in a press release, Apple this afternoon highlighted reviews from several media sites that were able to spend some time with the new tablets.

Apple shared key passages from sites that include WIRED, Laptop Mag, Mashable, Daring Fireball, Resource, The Independent, Pocket-Lint, CityNews, and HardwareZone, along with reviews from digital artists on Instagram.

WIRED, for example, said that the new iPad Pro models are the “best, most powerful, most capable” iPads that “put other tablets to shame.”

The Independent said that the new iPad Pro is a “huge upgrade” from previous models and that it will become the “tablet of choice” for creatives, while Daring Fireball’s John Gruber said that the Apple Pencil 2 “nears perfection” and is one of the “best 2.0” products he’s seen.

Laptop Mag called the iPad Pro the “most powerful mobile device ever made,” Pocket-Lint said it will pique the interest of those who have started to question whether they still need a laptop,” and CityNews said it’s “hard not to be wowed when you first pick it up.”

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╳ NEW iPad Pro. ⠀ Excited and proud to say that I’m one of the first artists in the World to create with @apple ‘s new #ipadpro & #applepencil ! ⠀ This is a crazy tool for experimental projects to merge digital drawings, traditional art and mobile photography together. ⠀ I’ve used some of my calligraphy paper sketches, @procreate app as the main tool, #shotoniphone photos and @adobe @lightroom apps for color editing. ⠀ This is the next level of my creativity. Some of these artworks will be used for my upcoming new clothing collection! Stay tuned.🤘🏻🔥 ⠀ _______________________ ⠀ Друзья, я стал одним из первых художников в мире, которые работают с новым айпадом от Apple! ⠀ Делюсь с вами актуальным сетапом — Скан моих каллиграфических работ, перевод в диджитал, мобильная съемка и коррекция в Lightroom, финальная работа в Procreate. ⠀ Получается очень удобное комбо для путешествий и работы там, где вдохновение приходит внезапно — на улице, в отеле, в метро. Везде! ⠀ И очень приятно быть в авангарде этого движения. Всем привет и ванлав из Нью-Йорка! Ждите принты из этой серии в рамках моей новой коллекции одежды. 🖤

A post shared by Pokras Lampas | Покрас (@pokraslampas) on Nov 1, 2018 at 6:52am PDT

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Drawn with the new iPad Pro #ipadpro #apple #applepencil @apple #todayatapple #aircraft #sketch #drawing #architecture #design @procreate @procreateartist #procreate #narinderpencil #narinderpenciltool

A post shared by Narinder Sagoo (@narinder_sagoo) on Nov 2, 2018 at 11:29am PDT

Apple only highlighted the positive parts of each of these reviews, many of which had some negative elements to them. On the whole, reviewers praised the iPad Pro’s hardware, which is unparalleled, but most felt that it is no computer replacement due to the limitations of iOS. Some reviewers also ran into quirks with Face ID not working properly, and there were criticisms of USB-C and the way the iPad Pro handles files as external storage devices are not supported.

Apple’s full list of iPad Pro review selections can be seen in the article shared via the Apple Newsroom, while additional reviews can be found in our own review roundup.

The 2018 iPad Pro models can be ordered from Apple’s online store and will be available in retail locations starting Wednesday.

Pricing on the 11-inch iPad Pro starts at $799 for 64GB of storage, with 256GB of storage priced at $949, 512GB priced at $1,149, and 1TB of priced at $1,549. Models with cellular connectivity in addition to Wi-Fi are available for an additional $150 over the base price for each storage tier.

Related Roundup: iPad ProBuyer’s Guide: 11″ iPad Pro (Buy Now), 12.9″ iPad Pro (Buy Now)
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Audeara A-01 headphones review, how a headphones with a hearing test affects your music

The Audeara A-01 headphones are an ambitious project from two Australian doctors with a goal to provide better-personalized audio for every ear. They tackled this problem by using their medical background to create a pair of headphones and an app that tests your hearing.

After testing, it then uses this information to customize the sound specifically to your ears. In theory, this sounds amazing and after raising $100,000 within the first hour of launching on Kickstarter there are big expectations.

Design and Comfort

The Audeara A-01 headphones are solid as a tank. They are built using aluminum, hard plastic, and faux leather ear cups. The headband also features a touch of the faux leather with Audeara embossed on the top and a soft cushion underneath.

You’ll find the music controls, power switch, and headphone jack on the right ear cup. I’m a big fan of headphones that offer a wired back up and I’m glad to see they included this option. While the left ear cup includes the micro USB charging port and the switch that controls noise cancellation.

Unfortunately, like many headphones, the Audeara A-01 use micro USB to charge instead of USB-C. It’s difficult to hold this against them as the vast majority still use micro USB, but I still dream of a world that leaves micro USB in the past and embraces USB-C for everything.

While there is nothing particularly special about the design of the Audeara A-01 headphones they are durable, comfortable, and feel well made. Between the oversized rotating ear cups and the padded headband, you should have no problem wearing the A-01 headphones for hours. However, your ears can become warm after a while, but this is typical of closed back headphones.

When not in use the Audeara A-01 can be kept safe in the include hard case which also includes accessories such as a 3.5mm cable, airline adapter, 6.5mm headphone adapter, accessories bag, and micro USB cable.

The App

The Audeara experience would not be complete without the app, it is an integral part to the experience. The Audeara app is required to test your hearing and apply the Audeara effect. The app itself is designed beautifully and works great.

You’ll be required to set up an account before using it though, which also requires you to verify with your email address. This was a minor annoyance but Audeara says they have plans to enable sharing of profiles and settings in the future.

The hearing test itself is straightforward with easy to follow directions. After you set up your profile you are able to choose from three different accuracy levels. It is important to do the test in a quiet area and not to cheat because you’ll only be cheating yourself. The Audeara app also tests both ears separately because each ear hears differently.

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Once you finish the test you are presented with your very own audiogram displaying a line graph for each ear. I found this fascinating looking at how my ears differed in frequency response. No matter what age you are bound to have some hearing loss to some degree. Which is exactly why these headphones were created with this app.

After inspecting the graph you can jump to enabling the effect and once enabled it will stay enabled on the headphones. Whether you choose to use them wired or wireless as long as they are turned on the effect will be applied.

The Audeara app allows you to create multiple profiles and do multiple tests all saved under your profile. So, fear not if you make a mistake or want to test again later on or in another location.

Sound Quality

Now, here’s what you’ve all been waiting for. After all of that testing, what do they sound like? Audeara provides you with the ability to apply the effect at 0, 25, 50, 75, and 100 percent. It suggests starting with 50 percent and working your way up from there because 100 percent can be overwhelming at first.

Audeara wasn’t joking, there is a huge difference in sound quality after applying the effect. Like suggested, I started out at 50% and could hear an instant change in the music. Out of curiosity I jumped to 100% and found music unsettling to listen to. I soon switched back to 50% and then began to sample each level with different songs.

While I wish I could say it made the music sound amazing or better than any other headphones I’ve ever heard. That simply was not true, I had high hopes to see what could be done with a medically based test to personalize headphones to my ears. Yet, it did not enhance the music listening experience the way I wish it had.

What I found as I increased the effect was it made the highs stronger on each level while decreasing the bass. Apparently, according to the hearing test, I’m good at hearing the low end and not as good at hearing the high end of the spectrum. It seemed as if it was trying to compensate by turning up the treble and turning down the bass in order to level out the music.

This was an effect I did not care for. I found it most pleasing to listen to at 25 percent and thankfully they provide that option. At 25 percent the highs were boosted slightly while still leaving some bass in the music. However, it still lacked the deep bass, clean highs, and open soundstage that I’ve come to enjoy from other headphones. I ran the test at all three levels and each time I was presented with similar results.

According to Audeara it can take some time for your ears to adjust and for your brain to relearn how to hear. After using them for several weeks exclusively and going back to my favorite headphones that wasn’t true for me. I’ve been listening to music my entire life and I don’t think my brain needs to learn how to hear differently when something sounds good, it just knows.

Noise Canceling

The addition of noise canceling technology is welcomed in any pair of headphones. It is a stand out feature and a great perk for frequent travelers. Unfortunately, this was another area the Audeara A-01 didn’t quite live up to.

Without a doubt, the A-01 headphones minimized noise but not as much as several other pairs of noise canceling headphones I’ve tried in the past. If this is an important feature in your headphones then there are more affordable headphones on the market that do it better.

Battery Life

Battery life has been stellar on the Audeara A-01 headphones. I have been using them both wired and wireless with the Audeara effect turned on and ANC turned off. They are rated for 45 hours with Bluetooth with the Audeara effect and I’ve yet to kill them. Thankfully, even if you were to run the battery down the wired option guarantees that you’ll never have to be without your music.

Final Thoughts

The Audeara A-01 headphones sounded so promising. They were taking a medically based approach to improve the way we enjoy our music. I was so excited of the prospect of hearing my favorite songs with a fresh pair of ears. Hoping to hear new them in a whole new light picking up on instruments or vocals in ways I had never heard before. Unfortunately, in practice, they fell far short of that.

It’s not that the Audeara A-01 headphones sounded bad by any means but they lacked the deep rich bass, clean highs, and open soundstage of other more affordable headphones. When you’re asking $499 for a pair of headphones you are hitting at the premium sound end of the market and you better deliver. You can find better-sounding headphones at half of the price.

Regardless, I love the concept of a medical hearing test to personalize the sound for your ears. I only wish the execution would have been better. If you’d like to give it a try yourself then you can pick up a pair at Audeara’s site by using the link below.

Purchase from Audeara

OnePlus 6T tips and tricks to get the most out of your new phone

Andy Boxall/Digital Trends

While OnePlus has developed quite a cult following in the U.S. over the past few years, its newest phone, the OnePlus 6T, is about to introduce the smartphone manufacturer to a whole new audience. In addition to sporting some awesome hardware, the OnePlus 6T is now available in T-Mobile stores and finally works on Verizon’s network.

Whether you’re new to OnePlus or you have been a fan for years, the OnePlus 6T has some features you may not be familiar with. We compiled a list of some of our favorite tips and tricks to get you started with your new phone. We also have a separate guide on key settings you will want to tweak as you set up the phone.

How to set up a Do Not Disturb schedule

Need to take a break from your smartphone? It may be a good idea to schedule some downtime with the Do Not Disturb feature on the OnePlus 6T.

If you want to set up a Do Not Disturb schedule, go to Settings > Sound > Do Not Disturb > Turn On Automatically. Tap Sleeping to set up a nightly Do Not Disturb schedule. If you would rather have Do Not Disturb kick in during meetings or certain events, tap the Event option.  To set up a custom rule select Add Rule. When you’ve finished configuring your selected option, make sure you toggle the slider next to Use Rule. 

How to hide the Notch

Like it or not, the smartphone notch is here to stay. In comparison to some phones like the Google Pixel 3, the notch on the OnePlus 6T is downright dainty. If a display notch is an absolute nonstarter for you, however, there’s an easy way to hide it on the OnePlus 6T.

To hide the notch, just head over to Settings > Display > Notch Display. Tap the button next to Hide the Notch Area. 

How to configure Reading Mode

Reading Mode is one of our favorite features in OxygenOS. With Reading Mode, you can easily emulate an ebook reader screen on your OnePlus 6T. OxygenOS allows you to select apps to automatically open in Reading Mode.

Ready to set up Reading Mode? Go to Settings > Display > Reading Mode. Select Add Apps For Reading Mode and select the apps you’d like to use. You can also toggle the slider next to Block Peek Notifications if you don’t want to be disturbed while using Reading Mode.

How to use Gaming Mode

The high-end specs on the OnePlus 6T make it an excellent smartphone option for mobile gamers. In addition to strong specifications, there is a Gaming Mode that helps minimize notifications and prioritize mobile data when playing your favorite games.

To set up Gaming Mode, go to Settings > Utilities > Gaming Mode. At the bottom of the screen press Add Apps For Gaming Mode and select the apps you would like to include. Press the back arrow and toggle the sliders next to the settings you would like to change when gaming.

How to switch to new Navigation Gestures in OxygenOS

Though it has been out for months, very few phones have Android 9.0 Pie. The OnePlus 6T is a member of that exclusive club. While that means the entire OS is up to date, it also means you’ll see Android’s clunky new navigation system in action. That is unless you switch to the far superior OnePlus navigation gestures that are baked in the latest version of OxygenOS.

If you want to make the switch to the new gesture system, go to Settings > Buttons & Gestures > Navigation Bar & Gestures. Tap the button next to Navigation Gestures. Swipe up from the bottom of the display to return to the home screen.

How to customize the Alert Slider

Similar to the iPhone’s mute switch, there is an Alert Slider on the OnePlus 6T. This slider allows you to quickly turn off notifications on the phone. But did you know you can change the Alert Slider settings to better fit your needs?

You can customize the Alert Slider by going to Settings > Buttons & Gestures > Alert Slider. Tap Silent and toggle the Media slider if you would like to limit the mode to ringtones and notifications only. Tap Ring and toggle the Also Vibrate For Calls slider if you’d like to stop the phone from vibrating when it rings.

How to improve the fingerprint sensor’s accuracy

Sure the in-display fingerprint sensor is awesome, but it’s a little finicky. If you’re having problems authenticating with the sensor, you may be able to do something about it. Right now the best workaround seems to be creating a second instance of your fingerprint to improve overall accuracy.

When you’re ready to add a second copy of your fingerprint on the OnePlus 6T, go to Settings > Security & Lock Screen Fingerprint. Enter your PIN or pattern to authenticate. Tap the Add Fingerprint option and re-register the finger you already use to unlock your phone.

How to use App Locker

While it’s easy to secure documents and other information on your computer, things are a little more tricky on a smartphone. Luckily, the OnePlus 6T has a feature called App Locker that allows you to hide your sensitive information from prying eyes. With App Locker, users are required to authenticate with a PIN, Pattern, or fingerprint before opening selected apps.

If you’re ready to set up App Locker, go to Settings > Utilities > App Locker. Enter your PIN or Pattern. Press Add Apps to select the apps you’d like to protect with App Locker.

How to set up Parallel Apps

Have multiple accounts with a certain app or service? Like to use them easily without having to log in and out of accounts? If so, you’ll love Parallel Apps. This feature allows you to create multiple instances that run independently on the OnePlus 6T.

To set up Parallel Apps, make sure you have the apps you’d like to duplicate installed and go to Settings > Utilities > Parallel Apps. A list of compatible apps will appear. Toggle on each app you would like to duplicate on the home screen or in the app drawer.

Editors’ Recommendations

• OnePlus 6T: Absolutely everything you need to know
• Key settings you need to change on your brand-new OnePlus 6T
• OnePlus 6T review
• Apple iPhone XR vs. OnePlus 6T: Spec comparison
• OnePlus’ ‘Crackables’ includes puzzles in both the digital and physical worlds

Did a leaked image reveal Apple’s upcoming desktop monitor?

Apple revealed a new Mac Mini and MacBook Air at its October 30 event in Brooklyn, New York City, but a new desktop monitor was notably absent from the fall announcements. Now coming several days after those confirmed products are set for release, a specific page from the new Mac Mini documentation might have leaked images of a new and unknown Apple display.

Have you seen the Getting started guide on the new Mac Mini? It shows the display we all want ????‍♂️ pic.twitter.com/M2Tf0xfUOB

— Jonatan ???? (@jonatan) November 2, 2018

Originally noted by Twitter user Jonatan, a welcome page from the “getting started” documentation showcases a new super-light-looking Apple display. Although it looks very similar to Apple’s now discontinued 27-inch Thunderbolt monitor, the image clearly points to a newer model with a fresh design, smaller bezels, and a slim profile.

The display in the documentation also falls in line with Apple’s current product lineup since the bezels are getting smaller for a more edge-to-edge look. This is best seen in the new MacBook Air 2018, which also cut down on the old-looking aluminum bezels for a modern fancy glass appearance.

Quite obviously, this image does not indicate that Apple is planning on releasing a new display right away, but it does fall in line with how previous leaks have gone in the past. Back in September, references to Apple’s unreleased AirPower were spotted in the documentation the iPhone XS packaging.

Though Apple might be hinting at a new display with the product documentation, a release of such a product obviously doesn’t seem imminent. New Mac Mini buyers might instead be happy with third-party displays, of which there are several on the market. As we pointed out, the BenQ PD3200U 32-inch 4K IPS display, and the LG 27UD88-W 27-inch 4K IPS are two of the best monitors for use with MacBooks and other Apple devices.

We also found that the ability to plug the Mac Mini in to an external display is what makes it a good buy over the iMac, but there is still a good option for those who really want a Mac with a super bright and vibrant display. Apple currently sells an iMac with Retina 5K Display, and while the design and specs might be a bit outdated, it remains the only all-in-one computer to exceed the requirements for 4K resolution.

Editors’ Recommendations

• Concept images dress up a new Mac Mini in a sleek space gray
• Leak confirms new MacBook, Mac Mini, and iMac are incoming
• Apple will accept some of your old iPhones, MacBooks, and Macs for repairs
• Mac Mini vs. iMac
• What to expect from Apple’s October 30 event: New MacBooks, iPads

The best A.I. movies of all time

There are some great tech documentaries out there, but sometimes you just need a good feature film. But which one to choose for the discerning A.I. fan?

Combing through the cinematic archives, we’ve made our picks for the best A.I.-themed movies you have to see before you die. Or, at least, before the machines take over and we’re put to work in the dung mines with no time for frivolous entertainment.

Metropolis (1927)

Artificial intelligence wasn’t formed as its own official discipline until the mid-1950s, but the first “must watch” movie on this list pre-dates this by more than a quarter century. Made by German expressionist filmmaker Fritz Lang, Metropolis is an epic science fiction film which has inspired countless other movies in the genre.

It tells the story of a dystopian near-future society in which technology has helped the gulf between rich and poor to grow unimaginably vast. The movie’s iconic Maria robot was clearly the inspiration for Star Wars’ later C-3PO. However, another fascinating aspect of the film is the way in which the high tech city is portrayed as an enormous living organism: a glimpse at the future reality of connected smart cities.

Watch it now on:
Prime Now

Westworld (1973)

Today, the HBO series of the same name is probably where people’s minds go when they hear the title Westworld. However, this 1973 movie — written and directed by techno-thriller master Michael Crichton — remains worth watching.

Like the HBO series, Westworld depicts a kind of dystopian Disneyland where society’s wealthiest can indulge their fantasies by interacting with robots in a Western-themed amusement park.

It’s a great high concept thriller, but what makes it interesting in the context of this list is the way it explores what happens when science and technology is used frivolously by unprincipled business-people wanting to make a quick buck. Crichton explored the same topic, with a focus on genetic engineering instead of robots, in his most famous work, Jurassic Park.

Watch it now on:
Prime Now

Ex Machina (2015)

Ex Machina does what science fiction does best: take complex philosophical and technological ideas and give them fictitious form. Ex Machina brings a semi-Apocalypse Now vibe to proceedings. Programmer Caleb Smith is invited to the isolated home of intense and unhinged CEO Nathan Bateman, who lives miles from anyone.

Bateman reveals that he has created a robot, Ava, who has passed the Turing Test. Smith’s job is to judge whether she possesses genuine consciousness. Then things take a dark turn. A taut, capable thriller that doesn’t feel like it’s dumbing down its subject matter.

Watch it now on:
Prime Now Netflix

I, Robot (2004)

Based on a story by sci-fi writer extraordinaire Isaac Asimov, I, Robot is set a few decades in the future, in a world where robots are commonplace. Will Smith plays a cop investigating the death of a robotics professor, who may have been killed by one of his creations.

Like Ex Machina, I, Robot does a good job of exploring the philosophical questions in A.I. (in this case, the conundrum of machine ethics) in a way that remains engaging as a story.

Plus, it has one of the greatest interactions regarding the thin line between humans and machines, when Smith’s character asks: “Can a robot write a symphony? Can a robot turn a canvas into a beautiful masterpiece?” The robot responds, “Can you?” That’s a robo-mic drop right there!

Watch it now on:
Prime Now

The Terminator (1984)/Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991)

“[Skynet] goes online August 4th, 1997. Human decisions are removed from strategic defense. Skynet begins to learn at a geometric rate. It becomes self-aware at 2:14 a.m.” Okay, so that timeline might have been missed (although the Terminator movies do make clear that the future is malleable), but Skynet remains one of our most enduring reference points for A.I. run amok.

Starring Arnold Schwarzenegger and Linda Hamilton, T1 and T2 tell the story of cyborgs sent back from the future to influence an unfolding war between machines and humankind. The series went to hell after the first two James Cameron movies, but these two entries in the franchise are masterpieces. They’re both five-star classics, so we couldn’t help but put both on this list.

Watch Terminator now on:
Prime Now Hulu

Watch Terminator 2: Judgement Day now on:
Prime Now

The Matrix (1999)

The Matrix makes a fascinating counterpoint to the Terminator movies. It echoes the idea of machines overthrowing humanity, but with a twist. Whereas Skynet set out to destroy humanity, the machines in The Matrix instead imprison mankind and sets about harvesting their bodies for energy, while trapping them in a simulated reality.

A.I. might not be the only idea the movie is grappling with, but it’s interesting enough to warrant a place on this list.

Watch it now on:
Amazon

Blade Runner (1982)

Set in the dystopian far future of, err, 2019, Blade Runner is a neo-noir sci-fi directed by visionary director Ridley Scott. Its protagonist, played by Harrison Ford, is a world-weary cop whose job involves hunting down synthetic humans called replicants.

At the risk of *SPOILERS* the question of whether Deckard is, himself, actually a replicant has caused many, many, many late night conversations among fans over the years. A brilliant movie which explores the “uncanny valley” divide between human and machine. Its sequel, Blade Runner 2049, is brilliant, too.

Watch it now on:
Amazon

Her (2013)

Arriving two years after the debut of Siri on the iPhone 4s, Spike Jonze’s Her tells the near future story of a lonely depressed man whose life changes after he purchases a talking A.I. assistant. Named Samantha, they build up a relationship of sorts, bonding over discussions about love and life.

Unlike many of the other movies on this list, Her doesn’t ever come close to tipping over into action or hard sci-fi, but rather remains a soulful, affecting drama. It’s like a much, much better version of 1984’s Electric Dreams, an admittedly prescient movie about a love triangle involving a human and an A.I.

Watch it now on:
Amazon Netflix

2001: A Space Odyssey (1968)

More than half a century after it was made, 2001’s HAL 9000 remains the most famous A.I. in movie history. The film was remarkably accurate at predicting the future of everything from iPads to voice-based computer interactions. That’s not too surprising considering how many future engineers were inspired by Stanley Kubrick and Arthur C. Clarke’s vision.

HAL’s chilling delivery of the line “I’m sorry Dave, I’m afraid I can’t do that” has been endlessly parodied, but his hyper-rationality in the face of astronaut Dr. David Bowman’s growing panic remains the perfect encapsulation of many people’s fears about machine intelligence.

Watch it now on:
Amazon

WarGames (1983)

There are some superb movies about intelligent computers gone awry, but WarGames remains a sentimental favorite. It arrived at the time that personal computers were just starting to become a fixture in American homes, and tells the story of a kid hacker who manages to accidentally break into a military supercomputer in control of the United States’ nuclear weapons system.

While this is a kids’ movie, the questions about the usage of A.I. in warfare are increasingly relevant in today’s world of military robots and battle drones.

Watch it now on:
Amazon

Editors’ Recommendations

• The best HBO series (September 2018)
• The best Android apps (October 2018)
• The scariest TV shows you can binge this Halloween
• The best free TV show episodes on YouTube
• The best Galaxy S8 cases and covers

Help your Arlo Security Light reach its full potential with these team-ups!

Home security cameras can give you a much better look at who keeps cutting through your backyard if you can get some light on them. The Arlo Security Light is a wire-free smart light that’s weatherproof and can be mounted over any walkway, porch, backyard, or hunting blind on your property. Now, this little light can do a lot on its own, but it can do so much more if you combine it with some sensible accessories and fellow smart home products.

Official skins

Arlo Security Light silicone cover 2-pack

You wouldn’t take your phone out into the big, bad world without a case, so why would you let your Arlo Security Light face the elements naked?? Netgear sells skins in 2-packs in camo and black.

$40 at Amazon

Solo silicone

HOLACA Covers

These skins are sold in singles, pairs, or 3-packs so that you can cover as many or as few lights as you own. Choose white if you want your Security Light to be easy to spot, or black if you don’t mind it hiding in the dark when it’s not on.

$9 at Amazon

Brimming with promise

AhaStyle Arlo Light Case

These silicone skins sport cute little brims, which make a little more sense on a camera than the Arlo Security Light, but they can still keep raindrops off the sensors. Like the Arlo skins, they come in black and camo, but these 2-packs are only half the price.

$14 at Amazon

All-purpose mount

VideoSecu Security Camera Mount

This highly adaptable mount is trusted by many users for mounting projectors, Vive sensors, and security cameras. Mount your Arlo Security Light between 2-6 inches away from whichever wall or ceiling you screw it into in order to make sure that the sensor is the proper height and angle to detect movement and illuminate the area.

$10 at Amazon

Mount anywhere

Wasserstein Quadpod mount

Need to mount your light somewhere a little more non-traditional, like a branch outside your hunting cabin or around a conduit on your garage? This flexible mount lets you wrap the legs tightly around a post or pipe, or you can set the mount up like a tripod and let the security light just balance atop it.

$15 at Amazon

Damage-free mounting

Wasserstein Gutter Mount

Real estate around the roof of your house can be a bit hard to come by, or maybe you live in a rental and need a mount that doesn’t leave behind a lot of wall damage. This gutter mount keeps your Security Light nice and high without breaking out a drill; just be mindful that it may not fit every style of gutter perfectly.

$16 at Amazon

Plug in

Arlo Outdoor Power Adapter

The Arlo Security Light comes with a USB power adapter for indoor use, but if you want to run it off an outside outlet, grab this official adapter. This cable is angled to better fill the gaps around the cable so that most errant dust and water can be kept at bay. Just remember that this still won’t be totally waterproof!

$25 at Amazon

Battery buddy

Arlo Rechargeable Battery

Arlo includes one of these batteries with your Security Light, but they’ll need to recharge every couple of months, so it’ll be easier to just swap out the battery rather than take the whole light down and bring it inside to charge. It’s also generally a good idea to have spare batteries.

$48 at Amazon ($48)

Time to recharge

Arlo Rechargeable Battery Charging Station

Of course, if you’re going to have a spare battery, you’ll need a charger to juice it back up — otherwise, you’ll need a spare Arlo light to charge it up inside of. This charger also doubles as a handy battery cubby to keep your spare in once it’s topped off.

$52 at Amazon ($52)

Alexa, kill the lights

Amazon Echo Dot (3rd gen)

When it comes to controlling the Arlo Security Light, most of the automation integration you’ll get will only happen with other Arlo products, but the Arlo Alexa Skill will allow you to turn your Security Light on and off — as well as changing the color and brightness of the light — with just your voice. The new Echo Dot has a bigger sound and a plusher look as it controls your light.

$50 at Amazon

Totally wireless

Arlo Pro 2

A wire-free security makes more sense with a wire-free camera to go with it, and the Arlo Pro 2 system is the latest and greatest Arlo has to offer. Mount your Arlo Security Light so that it can illuminate your Arlo Pro 2’s field of vision — or even expand the motion sensor range by linking them together!

$380 at Amazon

Lights, camera, alerts!

Arlo Q Plus

The Arlo Q Plus is a nifty camera for 24/7 recording, but it’s trapped indoors. Point one out the window and use the Arlo Security Light to both give you a light on what’s moving and a handy list of times it detected motion. That way, you don’t have to scrub through the whole night/weekend’s feeds to see who stole your daughter’s bike.

$200 at Amazon

These are a lot of accessories to consider, but the three I’d absolutely buy for any Arlo Security Light are the HOLACA skin since you don’t have to buy that one in pairs, Wasserstein’s quadpod mount so you can stick the light anywhere and everywhere you want, and the Amazon Echo Dot (3rd gen) so that you can turn the light on and off without having to dig out the app at 3 a.m. when bugs or spiderwebbing is making it go off every 15 seconds. It is kind of insane that Alexa can control the Arlo Security Light and Google Assistant can’t, right?

Can’t access Ingress Prime? Here’s the fix!

Are you experiencing issues logging in to Ingress Prime? Here’s what you should do!

Niantic launched its huge update for Ingress known as Ingress Prime which has given the game a fresh new look, and the ability for the developers to start adding new content to the game. Unfortunately, the launch has caused some bugs and issues to pop up when loading up the new version of the game. If you’re looking for some help on how to resolve these issues, here are some things you can try.

Error loading Ingress account data

If you’ve played Ingress before, and installed the new Ingress Prime update, you may be getting a screen that looks a lot like the image to the right. As of right now, lots of users on both Reddit and Twitter seem to be complaining of seeing this message pop-up, and it seems to be a simple case of busy servers.

Many users have reported that waiting for several minutes and trying to load the game up again has solved the issue. This was also my experience loading up the game for the first time. This message appeared on the screen for me four or five times before it finally let me in after relaunching the app several times.

Old data not syncing

Some users have reported a loss of data from there Ingress account when switching to Ingress Prime causing them to start from Level 1 again and with no progress on their account. While some Twitter users have reported that this has fixed itself after waiting several minutes, Niantic has been reaching out to people on Twitter and send them to make a report to Ingress Support.

It’s important that you log in to the same account that you used for Ingress if you want your progress to carry over. So double check that you’re entering the right account details before you send off a report to Niantic.

Other fixes

As with a lot of different bugs in various apps and games, sometimes deleting the app and then re-installing the app can fix minor bugs. Your results may vary on effectiveness, but if you’ve already tried waiting and relaunching Ingress several times, it may be worth your time to attempt this method.

Are you experiencing issues with Ingress Prime?

Let us know what problems you’re having, and if you’ve have any solutions!

Amazon’s Black Friday pricing for Echo, Fire TV, and more begins Nov. 16

Here. We. Go!

November is already underway, and that means that before you know it all the Black Friday sales will be in full swing. We’ve already seen ads from Costco, Kohls, Target, and others surface, and now Amazon’s getting in on the fun. The company rebranded its daily deals section at the beginning of the month to “Early Black Friday Deals”, and now we are getting our first look at some of the upcoming deals that start as early as November 16.

We’ve already posted a number of deals that Amazon has released as part of its early promotions, and it’s great to see that we are just at the tip of this year’s iceberg. Amazon just recently revamped nearly all of its own hardware, including the Echo Dot, Echo Plus, Fire TV Stick 4K, and more, and the company is already planning to offer some massive discounts on most of it. In celebration of Alexa’s 4th birthday we saw some pretty nice discounts, but those appear like they’ll be topped in the coming weeks.

Some of these prices are a bit surprising given how new the hardware is.

It’s not surprising to see Amazon’s hardware on sale during large shopping events like Black Friday, but some of these prices are a bit surprising given how new it is. We already knew that the 3rd-gen Echo Dot would drop down to just $24, which is 50% less than it’s selling for right now. It won’t drop down to that price at Amazon until November 22, meaning that it will likely only run a few days at that price.

On November 16, you’ll be able to pick up Amazon’s Fire 7 Kids Edition tablet for $70, the Fire HD 8 Kids Edition for $90, the Fire HD 10 Kids Edition for $150, and the regular Fire HD 10 for just $100. These discounts range from $30 to $50 off the original prices, and make these some of the best deals we’ve seen on the hardware since Prime Day.

The next set of discounts kicks off on November 18, and that will bring some nice drops to the Amazon Fire TV lineup. You’ll be able to get the original Fire TV Stick for $25, the new 4K version for $34.99, or the Fire TV Cube for $60. This is up to 50% off, and at these prices you’ll want one of these on every TV in your home.

For those who want some extra security at home, the Blink XT 1-cam system will be $51 off on November 21, which means it will be down to just $79. You can jump up to the 3-camera system for $90 off, pricing it at $230 for this event.

It should be no real surprise that the best discounts arrive on Thursday, November 22. Nearly all of the new Echo devices are included, with prices starting at just $20, and Amazon will offer anyone buying an Echo device the option to add its new Smart Plug for just $5.

The extremely popular 2nd-gen Echo Dot will be $20, and the newer, vastly improved 3rd-gen model will come in at just $24. You can’t go wrong with either model, but given how close they are in price, you’re much better off paying the extra $4 for the newer one. The 2nd-gen Echo will drop to $69, the Echo Spot will be $90, the Echo Plus can be yours for $110, and the new Echo Show will be $180. Not sure which Echo device is right for you? Be sure to check out this guide for a rundown of the full lineup.

The entry-level Fire 7 tablet is going to drop down to just $30, and the 8-inch version will be down to just $50. You can bundle the new Show Mode Dock with a Fire HD 8 tablet for $80, and the largest tablet, the Fire HD 10 with a Show Mode Dock will be priced at just $145. For the readers out there, you’ll be able to pick up the 7th-gen Kindle Paperwhite for $80.

Smartphones, knives, and more are discounted today

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

There’s never a shortage of deals available, but sorting through all of them can be difficult at times. We’ve handpicked all the best tech, and everyday essentials discounts that you can take advantage of right now and brought them to one central location. From smartphones to knives, these are today’s best deals.

Tech Deals

Everyday Essentials

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!

Get your car’s lights ready for bad weather with the $9 3M restoration kit

I can seeeeee.

The 3M 39084 Headlight Restoration Kit is down to $8.91 on Amazon if you choose the Subscribe & Save option. This is a feature that will send you the product on a regular interval unless you cancel it (and there’s no penalty for doing so). Even as a one-time purchase it’s only $10.48, which is still a great price considering it normally sells around $15 or more.

Have a hard time piercing the darkness with your old headlights? Maybe you don’t need to replace the lights themselves. Maybe the cover just needs some polishing and cleaning to get rid of the built-up dirt, haze, and yellowing. This kit has sanding discs and polishing pads along with a compound to help them look like new again. You can use it on headlights, taillights, fog lights, and directional lights. If it doesn’t make a huge improvement, maybe you replace the lights, but if it does work you’ve spent $10 and saved yourself a ton of money. Users give it 4.5 stars based on 7,229 reviews.

See on Amazon