Stabilize your smartphone with this $6 Aukey Cell Phone Tripod

Best thing since the grain filter.

This Aukey Cell Phone Tripod Mount is down to only $5.99 right now over at Amazon. This thing normally sells for around $12, and the reviews are pretty nice too.

This tripod helps you take clearer shots and more stable video. It is compact and lightweight, but it can hold smartphones up to 5.7 inches. You can mount other cameras and things of that nature on it too, if you wish. Your purchase is backed by a 24-month warranty as well.

To really step up your cell phone photography, check out these lenses.

See at Amazon

NBA 2K19 vs. NBA Live ’19: Which should you buy?

This is David vs. Goliath all over again.

There are few other battles in sports gaming more fierce than the one between the two big NBA games. We’re talking about NBA 2K19 and NBA Live ’19, authentic options coming from 2K Sports and EA Sports, respectively.

This rivalry has been ugly ever since it sparked up way back when on the Sega Dreamcast. It’s largely been in 2K’s favor to date, including one especially dark time for NBA Live that saw its game needing to take a year off. But EA has been on a campaign to restore their franchise to the heights it once achieved, and the competition is reaching a fever pitch. NBA 2K19 vs NBA Live ’19: we break down the comparison straight ahead.

NBA 2K19 has the gameplay edge

Alongside stellar presentation, 2K Sports has always had a leg up on basketball gameplay. We don’t expect that trend to change much for NBA 2K19. 2K has built on its sports engine for years now, and although there are still some annoyances to deal with — such as some overzealous player animations which makes you feel as though you’ve lost control of your team — it’s still the golden standard.

NBA 2K19 features a heavy dosage of simulation-style basketball with an overwhelming amount of shooting, dribbling, and passing techniques to master. We’ll also give 2K the nod for its excellent GM Mode and online features. This game offers a pretty deep team management mode that lets you control every single aspect of running a successful franchise. And you can compete in most of these modes online, including both on the blacktop and in more league-based modes.

2K should also offer the superior team-building mode — called MyTeam — where you collect your favorite players’ cards to have them play on your basketball team. We haven’t always loved this mode in NBA 2K games, but the team at 2K Sports has figured out how to keep the mode fresh with regular content updates in recent years.

NBA Live ’19 is catching up

Although NBA 2K19 has dominated this arena, Live ’19 is making a roaring comeback. It also aims for simulation-style gameplay, though it’s not quite as deep as its competitor.

We’re a long way from the days of the Jesus glitch and a world of terribly clunky controls and nonsensical animations. EA has continued to build on the solid foundation they established a couple of years ago, and the company can finally boast a competent basketball game that’s worth considering.

One of the ways that will improve this year is through overall player movement. The game feels much smoother than last year’s thanks to a new streamlined dribbling mechanic and the physics-based Real Player Movement engine.

NBA 2K19 will still trounce Live overall, especially as some minor issues — such as a wonky passing system, an unrealistic rate of dunks, and questionable AI — still exist. But the gap will be greatly narrowed with this year’s entry.

The One vs. MyPlayer

One area EA is looking to better compete in is the rags-to-riches category. NBA 2K’s MyPlayer mode has been the model of RPG-style sports career modes for years now. Creating a superstar and taking him from your local neighborhood courts all the way to the hall of fame is always a journey worth experiencing. In recent years, 2K has added a story element that’ll help keep you engaged throughout the early parts of your player’s career.

How does EA look to top that? With their version of that mode called The One. It plays on the same concept that MyPlayer does. Build your superstar up and take him to great heights. You’ll use your superstar in a variety of both single player and multiplayer game modes. Where EA gets the edge is in the way you can build and progress your player.

There are tons of options to create the exact kind of player you want, with each position having its own subset of playing styles and archetypes. You can even create WNBA players this year, and the women can compete on the same courts with the men in certain modes.

NBA 2K19 does this as well sans the WNBA fun, but we’re going to give EA a huge nod for not locking player progression behind a massive wall of microtransactions. It’s true, in both games you can max out your player without spending a dime, but the grind in NBA 2K19 is so tedious and long that you’re almost forced to spend money if you realistically want to keep up. NBA Live 19 has microtransactions too, but EA looks to offer a much fairer proposition that doesn’t require you to surrender either your life or a limb.

Basketball authenticity

In terms presentation, both NBA 2K19 and NBA Live ’19 present a very believable night on the court. Live, in particular, will have significantly improved player face scans, some of which look even better than the lifelike scans featured in NBA 2K19.

It’s a bonafide wash graphically, but 2K19 will likely have the edge in overall presentation. NBA Live 19’s commentary engine still lags behind, and the broadcast graphics and halftime shows in NBA 2K19 make you feel like you’re sitting on the couch watching an actual game of basketball.

Which game is best?

NBA 2K19 once again looks to be the best basketball game you can buy. It’s a much deeper game than NBA Live 19 is right now, not just in areas of gameplay and presentation, but also how many different ways you can experience the thrill of the sport. Even with its most glaring issues, it’s hard not to recommend NBA 2K19.

$59.99 at Amazon

On the other hand, NBA Live ’19 is on the up-and-up. Those who fancy EA’s game will finally have a legit career mode to sink their teeth into, and basketball games will feel like actual basketball games instead of an amalgamation of confusion and nonsense. And if you don’t want to be badgered about pulling your wallet out every time you want to make your character better, this is the game you need to be playing.

$59.99 at Amazon

Hit the courts

Oddly enough, you can play whichever game you prefer starting on the same day. NBA 2K19 would be available September 7 if you purchased the 20th Anniversary Edition, while those buying the standard version will have to wait until September 11. If NBA Live ’19 sounds more your style, the game launches September 7 for everyone. Which one has your attention?

PlayStation 4

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Amazon

Even renters can get great DIY security systems

We’re a virtual company made up of tech experts from across the globe and work from our homes. Keeping everything connected — and secure — is our specialty.

The Ring Alarm is the best DIY home security system for renters because it offers everything needed to keep your home safe at a competitive price and the optional $10 monthly monitoring is the best value.

Our Pick

Ring Alarm

• $199 from Amazon
• $199 from Best Buy

Out of the box the Ring Alarm system is ready to start protecting your home.

The Ring Alarm was designed to be placed and used without needing any sort of installation or tools, making it perfect for those who rent a home and might not want to start putting holes in the walls.

The no-installation option

If you rent your home you probably aren’t ready to break out the tools and install wires and sensors everywhere. But you still want to protect your valuables, so you need a great home security solution that you can use that can move with you instead of being permanent. The Ring Alarm only needs a connection to power and your Wi-Fi to start monitoring, and the sensors and detectors are securely held with double-sided tape that’s easy to remove. The Ring Alarm system is inexpensive, built to grow with you, and full-featured.

Is it a good time to buy this phone?

Yes! Ring is an established brand in the home automation and smart device space and the company is offering the Ring Alarm at a great price. The newly redesigned Ring app keeps you informed and offers complete control over your home’s security everywhere you go right from your smartphone. Best of all, you won’t find a remote monitoring solution as comprehensive as what Ring offers at a lower price; $100 locks you in with 24/7 monitoring for a full year.

Reasons to buy

• $199 gets everything you need to get started
• No wires, no tools, no installation required
• 24-hour battery backup
• 24/7 monitoring is just $10 per month

Reasons not to buy

• Motion detectors have a 3-minute reset window
• Door and window sensors are a little large
• No volume control for the siren

A comprehensive system at a competitive price

Ring is a well-known name in the home-automation space offering products like video doorbells and security cameras since it was founded in 2013. With Amazon as its parent company, Ring is well-positioned to tackle the needs of renters when it comes to a no-installation security system. The $199 base package is one of the lowest priced solutions and out of the box its ready to monitor one entryway with a contact sensor and motion detector included with the base station, range extender and keypad.

Ring’s $10 monthly monitoring plan is the cheapest you’ll find.

Another way Ring is the best is when it comes to remote monitoring. The Ring app for Android and iOS offers complete control of your Ring devices as well as your security system, alerting you whenever a sensor or motion detector triggers without any additional monthly fees. If you have the need for complete remote monitoring including a third-party service to contact law enforcement if an alarm is triggered and not reset during a 10-minute window, you’ll love the price of $100 yearly or just $10 per month.

The Ring Alarm system is smart, too! Setup is easy through the app and easy to follow directions, and you’ll appreciate features like settings to keep pets from triggering alarms. Integration with FirstAlert Z-Wave smoke and carbon monoxide detectors works out of the box and the company says full Alexa support is coming soon.

If you need a solid and affordable security system that doesn’t require drilling any holes or running any cables, the Ring Alarm is the best option for most people.

Alternatives to the Ring Alarm

The Ring Alarm is our top pick because it offers the best value when it comes to a solid basic security system. But we know that some are looking for specific features and value isn’t always the first consideration. If you’re looking for extras when it comes to professional monitoring or complete smart home integration through Google Assistant there are alternatives worth considering.

Smart Home

Nest Secure

The Nest Secure system integrates into any smart home.

$399 at Best Buy

The Nest Secure system offers complete adoption into the Google Assistant ecosystem. Control and monitor your security solution anywhere through the Nest app while you’re away or through your Google Home while you’re at home.

Nest’s $399 Nest Secure kit isn’t our overall best, but if you’re building out a smart home and want your virtual assistant to control all the things, it might be a better choice for you.

You’ll still get a full-featured system with a no-tool installation and 24/7 monitoring is available through Brinks Home Security, but tight integration with all “works with Nest” products as well as Google Assistant allow for extensive automation routines and conveinence.

Monitoring Options

SimpliSafe Wireless Home Security

Unique monitoring options make the SimpliSafe Wireless system a standout.

$256 at Amazon

SimpliSafe offers no-tool installation as well as professional monitoring that’s a cut above the rest.

SimpliSafe offers several wireless home security systems that are great for renters and the $256 “Bravo” package is a great starter kit for most homes. What sets SimpliSafe apart is unique professional monitoring options like “secret alerts” that can call law enforcement and notify you without setting off a loud siren.

Bottom line

The Ring Alarm is inexpensive, offers elexcent 24/7 professional monitoring for $10 per month, and is ready to work as soon as you take it out of the box. It’s the perfect security solution for most renters.

If you need extras like tight smart home integration or unique specialized professional monitoring, other security systems are available that won’t need you to drill holes in your walls. too.

Credits — The team that worked on this guide

Jerry Hildenbrand is well-versed in smart home products and solutions and has extensive knowledge of electronics and control wiring. He now works from home and has a vested interest in protecting his valuables.

Tom Westrick is a home automation enthusiast and has built a complete smart home in his apartment. He also has audio and video equipment that requires a bit of home security.

‘Brilliant Control’ Launches to Replace Regular Light Switches With Smart Home Controls, HomeKit Coming Later

Smart home tech company Brilliant today launched its touchscreen-based “Brilliant Control” light switch priced starting at $299.00. Announced in early 2017, Brilliant Control replaces any existing light switch to enable touch and voice control over smart home devices from Amazon, Google, Nest, Ecobee, Honeywell, Ring, Philips Hue, and Wemo, but at launch not HomeKit.

Amazon Alexa is built directly into Brilliant Control, making it easy for those in the Amazon ecosystem to control their products with their voice using the light switch. For whatever light switch you are replacing, Brilliant Control also turns these bulbs into smart lights through the touch and voice control system.

Brilliant Control is compatible with Sonos, allowing the light switch to act as a hub for music playback on Sonos’ line of smart speakers. The device also acts as a speaker system if you have two or more installed, so one person can make announcements to the rest of the house or use it as a video intercom between specific rooms.

Connected smart features include being able to see who is at your door by displaying the feed from a Ring doorbell, adjusting the temperature of Nest with touch or voice control, controlling Hue scenes, and more. Brilliant Control’s display can also act as a picture frame when not in use, displaying family photos, art, or even seasonal themes.

Next to the touch screen are grooves that represent the traditional light switches you’ve replaced using Brilliant Control. Users can slide their fingers along each area to adjust the lighting for each respective fixture.

We reached out to Brilliant regarding future HomeKit support, and the company told us that it has hardware support for HomeKit built directly into Brilliant Control. This means that a future software update for the switch will include HomeKit support, but the company didn’t divulge a release window for this update.

This should make Brilliant Control more enticing for those in Apple’s ecosystem when HomeKit support launches, allowing you to control your scenes and accessories through the touch panel or Siri. As usual, if you’re interested in Brilliant Control for HomeKit support, it’s probably best to wait until the update has rolled out since we aren’t sure how long it will take.

The company is also launching a connected iOS [Direct Link] and Android app, which allows all of the same controls when you aren’t at home. Brilliant says that installing the device is as easy as installing a light switch, and requires “no additional wiring, modifications, or remote servers.”

Brilliant Control comes in six colors and begins at $299.00 for a one light switch panel, and then rises to $349.00 for a two switch panel, $399.00 for a three switch panel, and $449.00 for a four switch panel. More information about Brilliant Control can be found on the company’s website.

Tag: Brilliant Control
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Satechi Launches New Wired and Wireless Aluminum Keyboards Designed for iMac and iMac Pro

Satechi today announced the launch of two new keyboards that have been designed for use with the iMac and iMac Pro.

The Aluminum Bluetooth Wireless Keyboard and the Aluminum USB Wired Keyboard offer up enhanced scissor switch keys and an extended keyboard layout with full numeric keypads. Each of the keyboards is available in silver, space gray, gold, and rose gold to match Apple’s lineup of Mac devices.

There are built-in hotkeys designed for macOS that are able to play/pause media, switch between applications, adjust brightness, adjust volume, search, and more.

With the Aluminum Bluetooth Wireless Keyboard, up to three devices can be connected at once with three buttons available for quick switching between them. It features a built-in USB-C port for recharging the battery, which Satechi says has enough capacity for 80 hours of uninterrupted work. The keyboard can continue to be used while charging with a USB-C connection.

The Aluminum USB Wired Keyboard connects to a USB-A port on an iMac or iMac Pro using an included USB-A cable and is ideal for those who prefer a wired connection to a Bluetooth connection.

The Aluminum Bluetooth Wireless Keyboard is priced at $79.99 and and the Aluminum USB Wired Keyboard is priced at $59.99.

Both of the keyboards can be purchased in silver today from the Satechi website or Amazon.com, while the space gray, gold, and rose gold options can be pre-ordered and will ship by the end of September.

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

Tag: Satechi
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Opinion: Apple needs to modernize its antiquated annual app update routine

Brenda Stolyar/Digital Trends

While there are many things that set the two biggest mobile operating systems apart, something that’s often overlooked is the difference in Apple’s approach to system-level apps like Mail, Messages, and Photos compared to Google’s. When Apple updates iOS every year, it tends to cram everything in together, and much of what it highlights are app updates. By contrast, Google updates its major apps individually in a piecemeal fashion year-round.

If we look at the best features in iOS 12, we find group chat added to FaceTime, Animojis and other effects added to iMessage, a Maps app redesign, and updates to the Photo app, Voice Memos, Apple Books, and more. There are system-level upgrades in there too, like grouped notifications and better performance, but look at the last Android update and you’ll see it’s almost completely focused on those system-level features.

Google has broken its apps out of the Android operating system and updates them independently, frequently rolling new features into Google Maps, Chrome, Gmail, Google Photos, and many others. This is partly driven by Android fragmentation, as Google tries to find ways to bypass carriers and manufacturers dragging their feet with software updates to the main OS, but that’s not the whole story.

Why does Apple do it this way?

Apple likes to put on a show. The big annual event has been a mainstay of Apple’s mobile approach, though its roots go back further. Apple has been holding its annual WWDC developer conference since 1987, bolstered by special events for hardware unveilings. Steve Jobs understood the importance of showmanship and Apple has always been comfortable blowing its own trumpet, whereas Google’s approach is quiet and unassuming – it often releases app updates with a simple blog post.

Because Apple makes the hardware and the software, there are no barriers to it creating close ties between apps and the OS. It is often suggested that this allows for greater speed and efficiency, so they work more smoothly together. This is true of the relationship between hardware and software, which is why Google has taken that direction with its Pixel phones, but it’s not necessarily true with apps and the OS. There are some definite disadvantages, which we’ll get to in a minute.

When Apple updates iOS every year, it tends to cram everything in together and much of what it highlights is app updates.

You could also make an argument that Apple does it this way because it wants to force you to use its own apps. It doesn’t really want you using Google Maps instead of its own Maps app. Although you can delete many built-in Apple apps now – a feature that was much requested for years before it arrived — any replacements you employ will not enjoy the same level of integration with Siri and other system settings.

Another reason Apple bundles everything into an annual update is because that’s the way it has always been done. Software developers have traditionally packaged together all sorts of features into one big build, but tradition is a terrible reason to keep doing something the same way – progress relies on change.

We reached out to Apple for comment on this story, but Apple has yet to respond.

We should note, Apple occasionally (and we mean rarely) does introduce new features outside of the big OS update, such as when it debuted new features for its Clips app after the release of the iPhone X.

Is Apple’s approach antiquated?

If we view this briefly from a software development perspective, there’s no doubt we have moved collectively away from annual updates to continuous integration and delivery. The idea is we can integrate feedback and speed up improvement by making small, frequent changes. Tight coupling in software is unfashionable nowadays as everyone seems to be pursuing a modular approach that’s more flexible, scalable, and secure.

For the smartphone-toting public, it’s difficult to see how bundling updates is advantageous. Isn’t it better if new features, bug fixes, and improvements can be rolled out swiftly and independently into apps, instead of requiring a platform update? Now that you can delete and reinstall superfluous apps like Stocks, why aren’t they updated separately from iOS?

The rush to hit one big deadline and integrate, then properly test all the code from a disparate group of teams working on different apps can and does lead to problems. Serious bugs have been creeping into iOS more frequently in recent years. But if teams miss their deadline, they face the prospect of waiting a whole year to push out what they’ve been working on – no wonder they’re tempted to rush.

Serious bugs have been creeping into iOS more frequently in recent years.

Take a look at group Facetime, for example. It’s now being delayed for another version of iOS 12 (presumably iOS 12.1), but if Apple issued app updates regularly, the FaceTime team could simply push the feature out when it’s ready.

This bundling approach makes it harder to fix flaws, and there’s a risk that a rushed patch will introduce yet more bugs. It’s a lot of pressure to put on developers and that’s rarely conducive to quality – though Jobs would obviously disagree. He always ostensibly pushed for the impossible and often achieved it, through what biographer Walter Isaacson called his “reality distortion field.”

Perhaps the culture Jobs helped to build at Apple persists, but we’re getting back to tradition. Just because it has been done that way in the past doesn’t mean you should keep doing it that way. The balance between speed, features, and quality is a very tricky one to strike, and it’s impressive that Apple has managed it for such a long time, but there are signs that equilibrium may be slipping.

Is Google’s way better?

We’ve seen the arguments about the dangers of Android fragmentation many times and, while Google has tried to find ways to separate security patches and make them easier to apply, with some success, it would be fair to say that Apple devices are more likely to have the latest updates. What we rarely hear about in Android vs. iOS arguments is the impact of Google’s app updates for all Android users. When Google Maps gets a new feature – almost every Android device can immediately get that update.

If Apple rolls a new feature into a core app, only devices with the latest version of iOS can get it. While Apple does enjoy a far higher adoption rate for updates, let’s remember that Apple does leave devices behind, and that’s a problem that will only grow over time.

Neither platform is perfect, but Google’s approach seems more in tune with modern software development thinking. It also brings new app features into the hands of people as soon as they’re ready – instead of on an arbitrary date every year – and it should mean fewer bugs because there isn’t the same pressure to rush to meet a specific deadline.

Ultimately, the proof is in the pudding and we’d argue Google’s suite of apps, such as Gmail, Maps, and Photos, are stronger than Apple’s equivalents. Apple has some work to do to hit the same standard with its core apps, and the annual update system may be one of the things that’s holding it back.

The views expressed here are solely those of the author and do not reflect the beliefs of Digital Trends.

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ADT’s new cybersecurity suite adds four levels of digital protection

ADT continues to augment its traditional home and business security solutions with the announcement of Digital Security by ADT, a new cybersecurity service with four levels of digital protection in the home.

The new ADT security suite includes identity protection, dark web defense, a secure VPN, and home network protection.

At CES 2018 in January, where the company introduced a video doorbell and the ADT Go monitoring service, ADT also announced its intention to launch additional cybersecurity products this year. The Digital Security by ADT rollout fulfills that promise.

Augmenting ADT’s conventional home security alarm systems and 24/7 monitoring with digital products and services is a logical next step.

“With online threats occurring more often than ever before, our mission evolved to not only help protect the premises,” ADT CEO Tim Whall said in a statement, “but also people on the go and their network and digital identity.

“On average, cyberattacks are happening every 39 seconds, and Digital Security by ADT is an opportunity to extend the breadth and scale of our security monitoring to our customer’s personally identifiable information and network.”

Digital Security by ADT services:

ADT’s four cybersecurity service levels will roll out starting September 5 and during the next few months. Prices will range from $5 to $30 per month depending on the protection level.

• Identity Protection — The only service available today, Identity Protection helps monitors credit activity and scores, public and criminal records, and address changes. If your identity is stolen, ADT has a fraud incident resolution feature with a theft expense reimbursement program.
• Dark Web Defense — According to ADT, the Dark Web Defense service monitors both the public and private internet watching for any nefarious use of your personal information. As with Identity Protection, if the Dark Web Defense app alerts you of unapproved use of your identity, you can enlist ADT’s fraud resolution service.
• Secure VPN — Shield your internet connection from crooks who want to hack into your system any reason with ADT’s virtual private network app.
• Home Network Protection — ADT’s highest level digital security service includes the other three services plus an ADT-installed Norton Core secure Wi-Fi router to protect your home network and all connected devices.

ADT also partners with Samsung in the Samsung SmartThings ADT Home Security Kit, using ADT hardware in parallel with Samsung smart home devices. The new Digital Security by ADT differs from the ADT/Samsung home security kit by focusing on the digital home including user and network security, while the Home Security Kit monitors traditional property security threats such as break-ins, fire, water leaks, and carbon monoxide.

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Amazon’s new Fire HD 8 range supports Spanish-language FreeTime content

Amazon has taken the wraps off the latest revamp of its Fire HD 8 tablet range, and the improved tablets come with more storage than ever before, and complete hands-free Alexa support with a screen in standby. In addition, the new Fire HD 8 Kids Edition will also come with support for Spanish in FreeTime and FreeTime Unlimited.

Tweaked tablets

Not much has changed between this generation of Fire HD 8 tablets and the 2017 Fire HD 8, with Amazon making only small changes to the overall formula. Like most of the Fire tablets, the new Fire HD 8 is made from a hardy plastic shell that’s — according to Amazon — twice as durable as the iPad Mini 4. The 8-inch screen runs a 1,280 x 800 display, and the tablet should run smoothly with a quad-core 1.3 GHz processor and 1.5GB of RAM.

There’s been a slight boost in available storage over the last generation of Fire HD 8, and while the onboard storage options stay at 16GB or 32GB, the cap on expandable storage has been lifted to up to 400GB more via MicroSD card. As if that wasn’t enough, Amazon has also added the ability to save apps to expandable storage, helping to boost available storage significantly. That’s supported by a battery that Amazon claims will last for up to ten hours of mixed usage.

Alexa support is back, and she’s no longer tethered by the status of your screen. Unlike older generations of the Fire HD 8, users of the new Fire HD 8 will be able to trigger Alexa even while the screen is off, and will be able to ask her to play Audible books, answer questions, or control your smart home. Show Mode is included, too, and users will be able to set their Fire HD 8 up to show the latest news, weather, videos, and more.

A new Fire Kids Edition is also arriving, hand-in-hand with the new Fire HD 8. The improved Fire HD 8 Kids Edition comes with the 32GB model of the Fire HD 8, Amazon’s world-class parental controls, and a kid-proof case in blue, pink, or yellow. As usual, Amazon is so confident in its kid-proof case that the Kids Edition comes with a two-year worry-free guarantee that promises no-questions-asked replacements should your child break their tablet.

Pre-orders for the new Amazon Fire HD 8 range start today, and will ship from October 4. The standard tablet will start at $80, while a Show Dock to use with Show Mode will set you back another $40. Amazon is also offering a bundled tablet and dock for just $95. The Kids Edition comes with a tablet and case with prices starting at $130, but you can buy two at once for just $195.

FreeTime and FreeTime Unlimited — en Español

As ever, the Kids Edition of the Fire HD 8 comes with a year’s worth of free subscription to Amazon’s FreeTime Unlimited service — but Amazon is expanding the reach of that service with the addition of over 1,000 books, apps, games, and more in Spanish, in addition to the 20,000 apps, books, and games available in English.

Whether fluent in or learning the U.S.’s second-largest language, kids will be able to access Spanish-translated versions of popular books and games like Harry Potter, Lego Ninjago, Minecraft, and more. As with all of Amazon’s FreeTime catalog, each has been hand-picked and tested to ensure that all available content is totally age appropriate.

A subscription to Amazon’s FreeTime Unlimited service costs $3 a month for Amazon prime members, or $5 a month for everyone else.

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How to buy a refurbished iPhone

Julian Chokkattu/Digital Trends

Apple’s iPhones are some of the best smartphones around, and they can last a long time when properly looked after, but they’re also very expensive. Stir these factors together and you get a roaring trade for used and refurbished iPhones.

When Apple releases a new line of iPhones many people upgrade, and they generally get rid of their old iPhones. We have guides on how to sell your smartphone and how to sell your iPhone specifically, but what if you’re looking to buy?

You could always take your chances buying directly from another individual, but it’s less risky to buy a refurbished device that comes with a warranty. That way, if something goes wrong with it, you have some chance of getting a replacement or a refund. We’ve looked at refurbished electronics before, but today we’re going to examine how to buy a refurbished iPhone.

What is a refurbished iPhone?

Because the term refurbished covers a lot of different scenarios, it’s important to take your time and understand what you’re buying. A refurbished iPhone is an iPhone that the manufacturer or a trader has tested and repaired where necessary. It should come with a warranty, but it may not have the original packaging or accessories, and it might have some signs of cosmetic damage.

Some refurbished iPhones will be devices owners returned because there was a fault or simply because they decided they didn’t want them. Others will have been used and then sold by the owner, perhaps to raise funds for a newer model.

To help buyers understand the difference, a grading system is often used. The precise meanings may differ from manufacturer to manufacturer or trader to trader, so read listings carefully, but these are generally accepted definitions:

• Grade A — Near mint condition, so the iPhone should look like new.
• Grade B — Minor cosmetic damage, such as light scratches, or small chips.
• Grade C — Looks used with clear signs of wear.

Best places to buy

Trevor Mogg / DT

You can find deals on refurbished iPhones at a wide variety of retailers and carriers. There are also many online services that buy used iPhones and refurbish them for sale. You can also buy refurbished iPhones directly from Apple now in some countries, including the U.S.

Here are some of your top options with our thoughts on the pros and cons.

Buy a refurbished iPhone from Apple

Where better to buy your refurbished iPhone than Apple? Every handset is fully tested and in working order. They come with a brand-new battery fitted, a new outer shell, in a fresh white box. You get a 12-month warranty and Apple support is generally excellent if you should run into any problems. You also have the option of going into an Apple Store.

The downside to buying from Apple is the discounts tend to be quite shallow. You may only be saving $50 compared to a new device.

Buy a refurbished iPhone from a big retailer

Big stores like Walmart and Best Buy offer a wide range of refurbished iPhones and they tend to offer deeper discounts than the manufacturer. The iPhones they sell are fully tested and usually come with a cable and charger, but there’s no battery or outer shell replacement like Apple offers, so expect scratches and other signs that the device has been used.

A 12-month warranty is standard, but it may be provided by a third-party. You can sometimes get further discounts for picking your iPhone up from a local branch. That may also prove handy if you need to return it for any reason, but check the terms of the warranty to make sure you can take it back to the store where you bought it if something goes wrong. For example, Best Buy uses CCR Warranty and you’ll have to contact them about any issues.

Buy a refurbished phone from an online service

There are various services online like Gazelle, Decluttr, and Back Market that buy iPhones from people, refurbish them, and then sell them. You’ll often find bigger discounts here than the manufacturer or big box retailers will offer, but all iPhones are shipped and these services lack physical locations you can visit.

They all fully test iPhones and offer some details on the condition of the device you’re buying, but the specifics of their terms differ. For example, Decluttr offers a 12-month warranty and Back Market offers 6 months. With Gazelle, you get 30 days to change your mind and return postage is covered.

Buy a refurbished phone from your carrier

Carriers tend to prefer the term “certified pre-owned” for their refurbished wares, but they amount to the same thing. They fully test used iPhones and repair them where necessary. You’ll get a charger with each one, but there could be signs of wear and tear.

The discounts aren’t generally that good unless you go for an older device. There might be certain incentives and discount offers for existing customers and you can potentially pick up and return devices in store, however, warranties are usually limited to 90 days.

Best time to buy

Most people sell their old iPhones when Apple releases new iPhones and that’s in September every year. You’ll likely find the best deals between August and October. Lot’s of different factors impact the prices and they fluctuate daily, so it’s worth shopping around and doing your homework to find the best deal.

Always check the warranty

Selecting the right iPhone is about more than being happy with the price and condition — you must check the details of the warranty being offered. If your refurbished iPhone develops a fault, a good warranty allows you to arrange a replacement or refund. Look for a minimum 12-month warranty, make sure that you understand what is covered, and consider who is responsible — the retailer, trader, or manufacturer — as that’s who you’ll have to deal with if something does go wrong.

Keep in mind that even when you can return the iPhone for a replacement or refund, it will likely be your responsibility to pay for postage. You should also consider performing due diligence by checking out reviews of the service you’re considering using. Find out how other people’s experiences have been and what kind of customer service you can expect should you need it.

Now that you know how to buy a refurbished iPhone, it’s time to snag yourself a bargain.

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AMD’s new gaming-ready Athlon processor starts at just $55

Bill Roberson/Digital Trends

AMD announced an affordable desktop processor with integrated graphics that’s made for gaming. With pricing starting at just $55, AMD described its Athlon 200GE as a reimagined chip that’s been “optimized for everyday PC users.” The dual-core Athlon 200GE comes in two SKUs — a general consumer release and an AMD Athlon Pro 200GE targeted at enterprise and business users.

Both the Pro and non-Pro variants share similar specs, with two cores and four threads, a base clock speed of 3.2GHz, and three graphics compute units. Neither variant comes with boost speeds, and AMD lists 5MB of cache for the Pro model. The main difference between the two variants is that the Pro version will benefit from commercial support and better manageability. The Athlon 200GE is a 35W processor that combines the dual-x86 Zen compute cores with AMD’s Radeon Vega graphics architecture for a system-on-chip design.

The chips are based on AMD’s Raven Ridge architecture, which combines CPU and GPU into what the company labels as its APU, or accelerated processing unit. The Athlon 200GE is unique in that unlike prior members of the Athlon family, the GPU portion isn’t disabled. AMD claims the chip is ready for advanced workloads, like high-definition gaming.

“It offers up to 67 percent more graphics performance and up to two times greater power efficiency, delivering 84 percent faster high-definition PC gaming than the competition,” AMD said in a statement. We’ll have to wait and see how AMD’s new Athlon processors benchmark and perform in real-world tests, but gamers looking for more performance may likely want to upgrade to AMD’s Ryzen series of processors. The Ryzen 3 2000G, for example, retails $100 currently and comes with a quad-core processor architecture and improved integrated Radeon Vega 8 graphics.

AMD’s new Athlon 200GE will likely compete against  Intel’s entry-level Pentium Gold G5400 processor, which debuted earlier this year. The Pentium G5400 comes with a similar dual-core and four-thread design processor design along with integrated Intel UHD Graphics 610. Intel’s chip has a base speed of 3.7GHz and comes with 4MB of cache, but it’s a less energy efficient processor at 58 watts. Intel’s model retails for $64. An upgraded Intel Gold G5600 processor retails for $88, and that chip comes with a slightly faster 3.9Ghz clock speed. Both Intel Pentium processors and AMD’s pair of Athlon 200GE CPUs are based on a 14nm design.

AMD also announced new 2nd-generation Ryzen Pro for commercial clients. The Ryzen 7 Pro 2700X and Ryzen 7 Pro 2700 come with an eight-core design with 16 threads. The 2700X is a 105-watt chip and has a 3.6GHz base speed, while the 2700 model is a 65-watt processor with a 3.2GHz base speed. Both the 2700 and 2700X have a boost speed of 4.1GHz. The AMD Ryzen 5 Pro 2600 is a six-core chip with 12 threads that utilize a 65-watt design. That processor has a base speed of 3.4GHz and maximum boost speed of 3.9GHz,

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