UK Daily Deals: TCL 4K TVs, eBay’s site-wide sale, and more

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 TCL 4K UHD TV sets, Linksys home Wi-Fi systems, Tile Bluetooth trackers and pretty much everything in eBay’s site-wide sale!

View the rest of the deals

Each day, the Thrifter UK team scouts out and shares amazing deals on products you know and love, helping you find the best prices on the ‘net.

For more UK deals coverage, be sure to keep an eye on Thrifter UK and follow the team on Twitter for the most up-to-the-minute coverage.

Tips to make your Lenovo Smart Display experience easier

Here are five ways to make your Smart Display even better!

So, you’ve picked up a Lenovo Smart Display. Awesome! It’s one of the best ways to get the Google Assistant in any house and is one of our favorite smart home gadgets of the year. It’s pretty easy to get a hang of out of the box, but there are a few handy tricks we’ve discovered that make using it even better.

Without further ado, here are some tips/tricks to make your life easier with the Lenovo Smart Display.

Use the camera cover when you aren’t using it

The Lenovo Smart Display has a camera on the front that can be used for video calls with Google Duo, but when you’re not actively talking to someone, having a camera looking at you and your home isn’t the most ideal thing in the world.

Thankfully, Lenovo’s included a physical switch that completely covers the camera lens when you aren’t using it.

Just move the slider on the right side of the Smart Display up, and once the cover goes over the camera, an on-screen message will confirm that the camera’s been disabled. When you want to use it, just move the slider back down.

Don’t turn the volume up too loud

The speaker on the Lenovo Smart Display sounds quite good, and while you might want to crank the volume up to 10 before a song starts playing, we’d recommend not doing that unless you want to have a roaring headache for the rest of the day.

Why? The speaker on the Smart Display gets really loud really quickly. In fact, even with a bit of ambient noise happening around you, you shouldn’t ever need to turn it any higher than a six or seven.

Enable Night Mode

While having a powerful speaker is awesome for watching YouTube videos or jamming out to Spotify, it can be a pain if you’re trying to turn off the lights at night and you don’t want to disturb anyone else in your home.

To help combat this, you can easily enable Night Mode so that responses from the Smart Display are much quieter once it gets to be bedtime.

Simply open the Google Home app, go to the Device Settings of your Smart Display, tap Night Mode, and tap the toggle next to it. Once Night Mode is enabled, you can choose when it should automatically turn on/off, what days you want it to be active, and adjust the max volume of the Smart Display when it’s in this mode.

Set a default music service

The Lenovo Smart Display is an awesome device for listening to music while you cook, do laundry, or just about anything else. To make sure you don’t have to specify which streaming service you want to hear songs from every single time, make sure you’ve got a default music service set.

Once again from the Device Settings of the Smart Display in the Google Home app, tap the Music tab and choose what service you want to use. You can currently select Google Play Music, YouTube Music, Spotify, Pandora, Deezer, or another service as long as you’ve got the app on your phone.

Check out the accessibility features

If you have a visual and/or hearing impairment, the Lenovo Smart Display may be a little tricky to use from the get-go. However, there are a number of accessibility settings you can enable to make using it as easy as can be.

From the same Device Settings menu in the Home app, there are a host of visual and audio features that can be enabled, including:

• Play start sound
• Play end sound
• Audio descriptions
• TalkBack
• Color correction
• Color inversion
• Magnify screen
• Closed captioning
• High contrast text

What tips do you have to share?

If you’ve got a Lenovo Smart Display, what tips do you recommend that make using it even better? Let us know in the comments below!

See at Best Buy

Find a new Milanese band for your Fitbit Charge 2 for as low as $4

It’s about time to find a new look.

Hooroor via Amazon is offering its Milanese Fitbit Charge 2 bands at a discount when you enter promo code 7WRSZW4V during checkout. The code will save you 50% on any size band in any color, creating a ton of options for you to choose from. As they regularly sell between $8 and $10, you’ll be able to grab one from $4 to $5 depending on which band you prefer.

These stainless steel Milanese mesh loop bands utilize a unique magnetic clasp design instead of a buckle. There are color options like Rose Gold, Champagne, and Black so you can find the right look for your personal style. Considering how inexpensive they are, you may even want to pick up a few to keep things fresh.

You’ll receive a one-year warranty on each band you purchase. At Amazon, close to 700 reviews have been left for these bands resulting in a rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars.

See at Amazon

Apple Donating $1 Million to American Red Cross as Hurricane Florence Makes Landfall in North Carolina

Apple is donating $1 million to the American Red Cross to support Hurricane Florence relief efforts, as it routinely does for natural disasters, according to a tweet shared by Apple CEO Tim Cook today.

Apple often accepts Red Cross donations from customers through the App Store and iTunes Store, but it has yet to add banners to either storefront, or Apple.com. We’ll update this article if that changes.

The Carolinas are in our hearts. To our employees there, first responders and everyone in Hurricane Florence’s path, please stay safe. To help those affected, Apple is donating $1M to the Red Cross.

— Tim Cook (@tim_cook) September 14, 2018

Hurricane Florence made landfall in North Carolina earlier today as a Category 1 storm, resulting in destructive winds, rain, and storm surges across the Carolinas and southeastern United States.

Apple most recently accepted Red Cross donations to support wildfire relief efforts in Northern California in August. Last year, Apple donated $5 million to Hand in Hand, in support of Hurricane Harvey and Hurricane Irma relief efforts.

Tag: American Red Cross
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AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile, and Sprint Launch New Carrier Deals for iPhone XS and XS Max

The iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max are now up for pre-order on Apple.com, and with the debut of new smartphones from Apple, all of the major carriers have also kicked off their own special offers for the devices. Below we’ve taken a look at the major iPhone XS-related deals from AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile, and Sprint, so read on to see how you can save some money if you haven’t yet purchased one of the latest iPhones.

AT&T

If you buy the iPhone XS with AT&T, you’ll get another XS for $700 off if both are purchased on AT&T Next. The limited time offer requires a new line to be added onto a Next plan, and the $700 promotion will be applied over 30 months.

Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with some of these vendors. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.

If you would prefer the second device in the BOGO deal to be an iPhone 8, you can also get the 64GB iPhone 8 ($599.99) or the 64GB iPhone 8 Plus ($699.99) for free.

AT&T notes that you can also receive the $700 as a credit towards a more expensive iPhone, including a 256GB iPhone 8 and 8 Plus, iPhone X, iPhone XS, or iPhone XS Max (priced up to $1,450). In these cases the second iPhone will be discounted but not completely free.

Head to AT&T for more details.

Verizon

Verizon essentially has the same offer as AT&T, allowing you to mix-and-match a BOGO deal where you can buy the iPhone XS, XS Max, X, 8, or 8 Plus, add a new line to one of the phones, and save $700 on the second. In Verizon’s offer, the credit of $29.16 will be added to your monthly bill for the next 24 months.

This means that you’ll pay full price for the two iPhones over 24 months, but then in one to two billing cycles you’ll begin to see a credit of $29.16 added to your account. The iPhone 8 and 8 Plus in the deal are for the 256GB model, but if you opt for the 64GB option the credit placed on your account will be $24.99 per month.

Alternatively, Verizon’s second offer lets you save $100 with select trade-ins. When purchasing an iPhone XS, XS Max, X, 8, or 8 Plus with a select trade-in (that’s in good working and cosmetic condition), you’ll receive $100 over 24 months as a monthly credit. Verizon will send a prepaid package to mail the trade-in within 30 days at no cost.

The carrier notes that if your trade-in is valued at higher than $100 then you’ll get the full value as an account credit, or new customers can get the full value as a virtual gift card sent two weeks after it receives your device.

Devices eligible for trade-in include: iPhone X, 8 Plus, 8, 7 Plus, 7, 6s Plus, 6s, 6 plus, 6, 5s and SE. Non-Apple devices include: Google Pixel 2, Pixel 2 XL, Pixel and Pixel XL; LG V30, V20, V10, G6, G5 and G4; Motorola Z2 Force, Z Force, Z2 Play, Z Play, Z Droid, Z Play and Turbo 2; Samsung GS9, GS9+, GS8, GS8+, GS7, 7 Edge, 7 Active, GS6, 6 Edge, 6 Edge+, 6 Active, GS5, GS4, Note 8, Note 5, Note 4 and Note Edge; HTC 10 and M9/M9+.

Head to Verizon for more details.

T-Mobile

At T-Mobile, if you buy an iPhone XS, XS Max, X, 8, or 8 Plus, you can save up to $300 through bill credits that expand over 24 months with an eligible iPhone trade-in. The new device must be purchased on one of T-Mobile’s monthly payment plans, and the trade-ins are required to be in good condition, with values designated below:

– Devices in good condition for $300 value: iPhone 8, iPhone 7, iPhone 7 Plus

– Devices in good condition for $200 value: iPhone 6s, iPhone 6s Plus

– Devices in good condition for $100 value: iPhone 6, iPhone 6 Plus, iPhone 5, iPhone 5s, iPhone SE, iPhone 5C

If you meet all of these criteria, T-Mobile will add a credit of up to $12.50 on your monthly bill for 24 months, after one to two bill cycles following the trade-in shipping.

Head to T-Mobile for more details.

Sprint

Sprint has a few offers as well, with the 64GB iPhone XS available for $0/month or the 64GB XS Max for $4.17/month following an eligible trade-in. These include iPhone X, iPhone 8 Plus, iPhone 8, iPhone 7, iPhone 7 Plus, Samsung Galaxy S9, Samsung Galaxy S9+, LG G7 ThinQ, Samsung Galaxy S8, Samsung Galaxy S8+, Samsung Galaxy S8 Active, Samsung Galaxy Note8, Google Pixel 2, and Google Pixel 2XL.

With the value of the trade-in, you’ll get $41.67 per month credit for both 64GB models of the iPhone XS and XS Max, applied within two billing cycles. The new devices must be purchased on an 18-month lease, with a new line and approved credit.

As a more basic offer, if you switch to Sprint you’ll get $100 for each new line of service that you add when you lease a new smartphone. The credit will come in the form of a $100 Prepaid Mastercard for each new line that you add. Besides the lease, this deal requires online registration and 60 days of service before you see the card shipped.

Head to Sprint for more details.

Pre-orders for the iPhone XS and XS Max went up at 12:01 a.m. PDT earlier this morning, and shipping estimates for the bigger XS Max began slipping under an hour after orders went live. The new Apple Watch Series 4 also went up for pre-order at the same time today, and now almost all stainless steel Apple Watch Series 4 models are listing shipping dates of October 5 to October 12, with the exception of some 40mm models.

For more information on the iPhone XS, be sure to visit our full roundup.

Related Roundup: iPhone XS
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LG Named Second Supplier of OLED Displays in iPhones

LG has been selected as a secondary supplier of flexible OLED display panels for iPhones, according to Korean publication ETNews.

The report, citing unnamed sources, claims that LG’s sixth-generation flexible OLED display panels recently passed a series of Apple’s quality tests. LG is now preparing for mass production at one of its plants, the sources said.

In April, The Wall Street Journal reported that Samsung would likely remain Apple’s exclusive supplier of OLED display panels for the latest iPhones, unveiled Wednesday, after LG fell behind schedule due to mass production challenges.

If today’s report is accurate, however, LG may still be coming on board as a secondary supplier of at least some OLED panels soon. Korean newspaper Newspin reported about a potential deal signed between Apple and LG back in July.

Samsung has been Apple’s exclusive supplier of OLED display panels since the iPhone X launched last year. Numerous reports have identified LG as a potential second supplier, as Apple routinely aims to diversify its component makers.

While this news does not have significant implications for customers, Apple can potentially negotiate lower prices for OLED panels as Samsung and LG compete for its business, thereby lowering its production costs of OLED-equipped iPhones.

Earlier this week, Apple introduced the iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max with 5.8-inch and 6.5-inch sized OLED displays respectively. The new, lower-priced iPhone XR is equipped with a 6.1-inch LCD as a cost-cutting measure.

The original iPhone X also has a 5.8-inch OLED display, but Apple discontinued that model upon announcing the XS and XS Max.

Tags: etnews.co.kr, LG, OLED, LG Display
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Here’s why OnePlus is getting rid of the headphone jack on the OnePlus 6T

OPPO ditched the headphone jack on the R17 Pro, and OnePlus had no option but to follow suit.

OnePlus announced a USB-C variant of the popular Bullets V2 yesterday, and shortly thereafter, the company confirmed that it was getting rid of the headphone jack in its upcoming phone, the OnePlus 6T.

It’s a particularly puzzling decision because just four months ago — during the OnePlus 6 unveil — OnePlus took several jabs at Google and Apple for getting rid of the headphone jack on their phones. In an interview with TechRadar confirming the move, OnePlus co-founder Carl Pei said that it was the “right time” to do so:

We found 59% of our community already owned wireless headphones earlier this year – and that was before we launched our Bullets Wireless headphones.

We’re not doing it for the sake of doing it and because everyone else is. We believe now is the right time, as it’ll benefit the majority of our users while keeping the downside low.

That logic is inherently flawed because even if a user invested in a pair of wireless headphones, that doesn’t mean they’ve completed switched away from wired audio. Furthermore, if the responses to Pei’s Twitter poll are any indication, a lot of OnePlus customers care about the headphone jack.

Do you like headphone jacks? 🤔 (2018 edition)

— Carl Pei (@getpeid) March 14, 2018

While the move doesn’t make much sense considering OnePlus’ “Never Settle” motto and its stance on the headphone jack even until four months ago, manufacturing factors outside of the company’s control could have had a major role in the decision.

OnePlus doesn’t have anywhere nearly the same amount of resources as Samsung, LG, or even Xiaomi, and as such it turns to OPPO for manufacturing and distribution of its phones. The company’s main assembly line in Dongguan, China is part of a larger OPPO facility that manufactures the R15 and the F9.

OnePlus sources components from OPPO, and the R17 Pro doesn’t have a 3.5mm jack.

OnePlus sources the internal components — including the display and camera modules — from OPPO, and although the OnePlus 6’s external design is different to that of the R15 Pro, the internal layout is near-identical. With the OPPO R17 Pro eschewing the 3.5mm jack, it is possible OnePlus had to take a similar stance.

As we’ve seen from Nextbit, it’s incredibly difficult for a new brand to make its foray into the smartphone segment and create a sustainable business. OnePlus simply wouldn’t exist today if not for OPPO’s supply chain, but the downside is that it is not fully in control of product-related decisions as it relies on OPPO for the components.

And while Pei cited battery life considerations, the removal of the 3.5mm jack is not enough to free up space for a significantly larger battery. The OnePlus 6T is likely to retain a similar design as the OnePlus 6, and the curved back doesn’t allow for a larger battery unless OnePlus increases the overall thickness of the device — which it will not do. OnePlus is increasingly looking to differentiate its phones on the design front, and releasing a heavier device with a thicker chassis isn’t in the best interests of the brand.

Don’t hold out for a 4000mAh battery in the OnePlus 6T.

As such, we’re not going to see a 4000mAh battery like the one on the POCO F1, and the only tangible gain from getting rid of the headphone jack would likely be a larger haptic motor. It is possible the OnePlus 6T will offer a marginally larger battery, but most of the improvements around battery life will stem from the software. The 6T will come with Android 9.0 Pie out of the box, and the Adaptive Battery mode should go some way in boosting battery efficiency.

Monetary considerations could also have been a factor in the decision to get rid of the 3.5mm jack. OnePlus built its community around enthusiast users, but as the brand garners more mainstream attention, it is increasingly looking for ways to maximize profits. One way to do that is with accessories, and with the launch of the OnePlus Bullets Wireless and the USB-C Bullets v2, it’s clear that the brand is turning to accessories to drive growth.

It’s unlikely the removal of the 3.5mm jack will affect sales of the OnePlus 6T.

While OnePlus is still a niche manufacturer in the U.S. — where the unlocked market itself is minuscule — the company has made significant inroads into India and various markets in Europe in recent years.

OnePlus has an aggressive marketing campaign in India and is expanding its retail presence, both of which ultimately add to its overhead when selling phones in the country. And while a vocal minority of users will undoubtedly vent at the brand for getting rid of the 3.5mm jack, the decision is unlikely to hurt sales of the OnePlus 6T. After all, the introduction of a notch was derided four months ago, and OnePlus racked up over a million sales in just under a month of the device’s debut.

Although OnePlus’ phones aren’t as affordable as they used to be, they still represent great value. For instance, the OnePlus 6’s retail price of $529 is nearly half that of what the Galaxy Note 9 retails for in the U.S., and the OnePlus 6T will have significant upgrades in several areas.

The 6T will offer an in-display fingerprint sensor, and it is likely we may see three rear cameras, much like the R17 Pro. We could also see new color options and a smaller waterdrop notch that doesn’t take up as much space at the top of the display. OnePlus will be hoping that the improvements will be more than enough to assuage potential buyers looking to pick up the OnePlus 6T, but with the brand attracting more and more mainstream buyers, that shouldn’t be a problem.

For the rest of us, there’s always POCO.

OnePlus 6

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

These are the best wireless keyboards for your NVIDIA Shield TV!

The NVIDIA Shield TV is a fantastic device for streaming the best movies and TV shows from your favorite streaming services — but the included remotes and gaming controllers are pretty lousy for inputting your log-in credentials or searching for content. Fortunately, there’s support for wireless and Bluetooth keyboards that will make things oh so much easier!

For your NVIDIA Shield and more!

Logitech Bluetooth Multi-Device Keyboard K480

One of the key features of this keyboard is the ability to quickly switch between multiple connected devices, so you can watch your favorite shows while typing comfortably on a tablet or computer.

$29 at Amazon

Wireless USB with Trackpad

Logitech K400 Plus Wireless Touch TV Keyboard

This compact and comfortable keyboard connects via USB with a 33-foot range that’s perfect for your living room. The built-in trackpad and volume controls are great, as is the battery life.

$25 at Amazon

Pocket-sized with a freaking laser

Rii Mini Wireless Bluetooth Keyboard Touchpad with Laser Pointer

This pocket-sized device includes a full backlit QUERTY keyboard, along with a trackpad, and a built-in laser pointer. A great keyboard for the living room or for use in more professional settings.

$25 at Amazon

Backlit on a budget

TeckNet Universal Backlit Bluetooth Keyboard

Ultra slim and portable, this is a great option for typing in a dimly-lit home theater setup. The perfect combination of style and function and the best deal on our list.

$18 at Amazon

Palm-sized Bluetooth keyboard

Jelly Comb Mini Bluetooth Keyboard

Ergonomically designed for easy two-handed typing, this keyboard remote features a touchpad mouse right in the middle. Compatible with practically any device that supports Bluetooth.

$20 at Amazon

The NVIDIA software has just been updated with improved support for keyboards so now’s a great time to invest in a quality wireless keyboard for your home. Which option you choose will be a matter of personal preference but we’ve tried to highlight options that are compact and stylish — something that you won’t mind leaving out on your living room table. While Bluetooth keyboards work great, the best keyboard for the NVIDIA Shield might just be the Logitech K400 Plus Wireless Touch TV Keyboard ($25). It’s a reliable wireless option that’s well designed by Logitech with touchpad and volume controls conveniently located.

This $18 AmazonBasics mini desktop mic can help start your streaming career

Improve the audio of your commentary!

The AmazonBasics Desktop Mini Condenser Microphone is down to $18.46 at Amazon today. This deal brings it down to its lowest price ever and saves you over $24. This is a new product which was just released earlier this summer. All three color options are within a dollar of each other, with the white one being the lowest and the silver being the most at just $19.35

This mini single-capsule condenser microphone features a unidirectional pick-up pattern along with plug-and-play USB connectivity so you can easily start using it right out of the box without needing to install any programs or drivers. It comes with a 4.9-foot USB cable, a 3-legged adjustable stand, and is compatible with Windows, Mac, and Linux computers.

AmazonBasics includes a one-year warranty with this mic’s purchase.

See at Amazon

Our favorite Fortnite: Battle Royale tips, tricks, and cheats!

Take every bit of help you can get. You’re going to need it.

Fortnite is an easy game to get into and appears to be a much simpler affair than something like PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds at first glance. What you’ll find with time, though, is that this game is deep in strategy and requires a strong mastery of mechanics to find consistent success.

Constant practice is the best way to get better at something, but these 20 Fortnite pro tips should help get you on the road to your first Victory Royale.

Pro tips for winning in Fortnite

Seasoned a little and looking for an edge to take you closer to the top 10 or even toward your first victory? These advanced tips will go a long way toward your improvement.

Pick your fights carefully

Anyone watching YouTube footage or a live stream of serious Fortnite players might see them engaging with any enemy they can find and they often go looking for that trouble. We’re here to tell you that this is counterproductive to a winning strategy.

One of the biggest things you’ll need to learn right away is that it’s OK to not engage or to run away after an encounter has gone sour. Remember, your objective is to survive, not rack up a ridiculous kill/death ratio as if you’re playing Call of Duty.

Do NOT get caught in the storm

The other first rule of Fortnite: do not mess with The Storm. It’s a beast of a thing that can’t be controlled. It is your biggest enemy, even scarier than the 99 others standing between you and Victory Royale.

This is especially true as you get closer to the top 10, as the safe zone gets smaller and the storm hits much harder. Run away from it, always. If you can’t make it on foot, try looking for a golf cart. This is the only automobile in the game and it’ll get you from point A to point B much faster than your legs will.

Shoot first, loot later

As you’re out there looking for the items and tools to help you to victory, don’t forget that those tools won’t do you any good if you’re dead. When you’re coming to a new area, take time to scope it out and see if anyone is lingering around before you start putting your head inside loot crates.

Don’t be one dimensional

You know how you’re never supposed to bring a knife to a gunfight? Well, the same thing is sort of true in Fortnite: you never want to go into battle without a balanced loadout that will help you adapt to changing conditions. Just as you wouldn’t want to use a sniper in close quarters, you wouldn’t want a shotgun up against someone who can land accurate shots from hundreds of meters out.

An example of a well-balanced loadout is a shotgun, an assault rifle, and a sniper rifle, with the other 2 slots of your inventory taking up healing items. You don’t always have to go this route (in fact, as you play more you’ll find that this is harder to achieve than you think), but the idea is to be able to protect yourself the most you can from any distance.

Use your surroundings to track enemy players

If you picked up some tracking skills in the Boy or Girl Scouts, it’s time to put them to use here. Due to the nature of how people build in Fortnite, you will come across structures abandoned in the world for one reason or another. These structures may be one ramp or a mile-high fortress, but either way, you’ll want to take note of where they are and how certain elements are positioned.

For instance, if you see a ramp leading up a mountain, you can probably bet (or you should at least assume) that enemies have taken a position up there. Whether you use that information to find a fight or take a flight, well, that’s up to you.

High ground is key

In any shooter, high ground tends to be the most favorable position against your enemies because you can scout and see more, which also means you can shoot at more areas that they try to hide in.

That concept holds true for Fortnite, but the wrinkle that the building system brings in makes it even more crucial to your success. Being able to build a multi-tiered structure over your opponent’s head while they’re struggling to dodge your shots can make them panic, and your ability to dictate the pace of the engagement by making them build up to you almost always tips the scales in your favor.

You can get to hard-to-reach places by jumping on tires

If you see a stack of tires in the game, jump on them. Not only is it extremely fun, but it lets you jump much higher than the game’s already-ridiculous height cap allows. This is especially useful if you want to get on top of a building but don’t have (or want to use) materials to get up there.

You can knock bases down in one hit

While some bases in Fortnite can seem insurmountable, they do have a weakness: their base. Like any structure, if you take out its foundation it’ll come toppling to the ground.

You don’t even have to run up and hack away with your pickaxe: pour enough bullets into a ramp or a wall and it’ll fall to pieces. Completely separate the building from the ground and watch the whole thing come crashing down. Oh, and if you’re lucky enough to find grenades or rocket launchers, they make the job ten times easier.

Know when to disengage

One of the skills you’ll need to pick up on right away is gauging the war of attrition. We tend to speak of ammunition in that regard, but it’s impossible to know how much they’re carrying.

Instead, use the health prompts to figure out whether you can win a fight. When you shoot an enemy, you’ll see numbers appear above their head indicating how much damage you’ve dealt. If the numbers are blue and then begin turning white or yellow, it means they had a shield potion and you’ve completely exposed their health bar.

If your shots aren’t showing blue and you still have some of your shield, you’re winning. If not, you’d better look into your options for retreating fast. One of the best options for a quick getaway is rifts or rift grenades. These things will allow you to jump into a portal that’ll teleport you to the sky, allowing you to windsurf to a safer or more advantageous position. Be on the lookout for these rifts at all times.

Supply drops are extremely rewarding death traps

As the late game draws near, you’ll have more opportunities to find supply drops. These drops contain the rarest guns in the game — legendary SCAR-L rifles, rocket launchers, sniper rifles, you name it. They’re highly contested.

If you’re in a position to safely snag one of these yourself, build a dome around you and crack it open like a pinata. But know that others may be in the area looking to get it for themselves and they may be leaving it as bait, waiting to shoot you the moment you step toward it. Feel free to take that tactic yourself for some easy kills.

Ain’t no mountain high enough to climb

Whether you need to get away from the storm, hole up atop a mountain, or close the distance between you and your opponents, building is a great way to cut down your travel time. Can’t make it around the mountain? Go above it. That lake too risky to swim across? Run across it — no, not with superpowers, but with your wooden planks!

Wood is your most important material

You may go into this game thinking that the strongest building material is metal, followed by brick, and then wood. And from a pure health and strength standpoint, you’d be right. But what the game doesn’t tell you is that wood may often be your best form of cover.

This is because of the way the game initializes each building piece’s health. They load up with a fixed percentage of their maximum health, scaling top-down from wood to metal.

Wood coincidentally starts with more HP and is the fastest to get its HP fully built up, so it’d take 2 shots from a shotgun to knock down a freshly erected wooden wall compared to one shot for metal or brick. This makes it the go-to choice for those high octane engagements where you just need to lay down constant walls of wood to save your butt.

Have a little time and safety on your hands? Build a sturdier long-term base with the other materials.

Switch controls for easier building

Since the building mechanics are so important, you’ll want to know that there’s a build-centric control scheme built into the game. Called Builder Pro, this scheme places your build buttons as shoulder buttons, with the left and right trigger offering access to stairs and walls, respectively. This control scheme allows you to build without having to take your finger off of other buttons, making it not only faster to do, but far safer.

Get health boosts by eating nature’s bounty

Often in Fortnite, you’ll come across consumable items that are scattered throughout an area. Some areas will have a bunch of Apples which restore a small portion of your health, while the material left behind by the big meteor crash seems to have introduced some shield-generating space tofu. Find them — especially the shield food — and never worry about health again.

Tips for Fortnite Duos and Squads

Teaming in Fortnite can be a much different experience compared to playing it solo. If that’s the route you’re going then you’ll want to keep these things in mind.

Focus on the ones with guns

Anyone who has ever made the jump from solo to duos or squads knows how jarring it can be to see players get a second wind when you shoot them. They’ll fall to their knees for a chance to get revived by nearby teammates.

But before you go dumping the rest of your bullets into the downed enemy, take time to clear your surroundings and make sure their friends aren’t right around the corner. Remember, the ones on the ground can’t shoot you. The others can (also, you can use the downed enemies as bait to draw their teammates in, so let them live a little).

Sometimes, you have to let them die

On the flipside, if your teammates are downed then you’ll also want to exercise patience and caution. See if you can eliminate the threat or if your teammate can get to a safe spot where neither you or him will get shot. If you can’t get him, then chalk it up to the will of the game, because it’s always better for one person to survive than none at all.

Don’t be a loot goblin

While greed may get you far in life, it won’t fly in Fortnite. If your teammate is carrying a smoke bomb and you have two shotguns, a pistol, and an SMG, drop a couple of them. If someone needs ammo and you have over 300 rounds, you can spare a little. If your teammate has 2HP and you have all the medkits, drop them.

Having three able-bodied teammates will make things easier for you, so try and think of it as an investment for your success if you’re having trouble with this.

Communication is your greatest weapon

What’s the first thing you should do when you spot an enemy? On your own, it may be to take a shot and pray for the best, but when you’re in a squad it’s worth relaying everything you learn about your enemies and their position to your teammates before you decide to make a move.

You should also get on the squawk box to talk about the items you find, the location of the storm and the safe zone, whether you have ammo, or need to heal or reload. Some of this info may seem small in a vacuum, but together it will dictate your strategy in every single phase of the match.

Don’t get ahead of yourself

While greed may get you far in life, it won’t fly in Fortnite.

One of the worst feelings in Fortnite is getting caught out on your own and being too far from your teammates to be helped. When you drop from the bus, try to drop in the same general vicinity.

You don’t have to follow each other from house to house. Trust us, there’s not enough loot to go around for that, much less space. But try to stay close enough so that you can get to a fight in under 15 seconds.

Have any other tips?

There are many more little things you could mention about Fortnite that could help you in success, but it’s impossible to list them all. Give a holler in the comments section if you have a pro tip of your own that you want to share!

Should you buy Fortnite for PS4?

Updated September 2018: We’ve updated some of these tips with info about new tools and features in the game which help you survive.

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