Less glitz, more tech for Michael Kors and its new Access Runway smartwatch

Michael Kors is back with a new smartwatch, and it sees the return of a name it has used in the past. The Michael Kors Access Runway is a full-fledged touchscreen smartwatch with Google Wear OS, and continues the stylish Access Runway name from when we last saw it in 2016, when it was attached to a slim Michael Kors hybrid smartwatch. The new watch is less glitzy, and more effortlessly stylish than previous watches from the designer brand, potentially making them more attractive to more people.

Let’s start with the good news that one of our favorite Michael Kors smartwatch features is included in the Access Runway: The My Social App. This lets you use Facebook and Instagram pictures as your watch face, and it now comes with special Michael Kors stickers to customize the look further. Changing the watch face on a Wear OS watch is one of the biggest attractions, and the more personal customizations there are, the better. The My Social app gets it exactly right.

The new Access Runway is also the first Michael Kors smartwatch to come with the option of an 18mm silicone strap, joining three stainless steel options. They’re attached to a sleek gold or stainless steel body that measures 41mm, making it suitable for smaller wrists. The silicone strap comes in either black or pink, while the metal link strap has a two-tone matte and polished look in gold and stainless steel combinations. We really like the cool muted, darker gold model.

A 1.19-inch screen sits in the center of the body and has a 390 x 390-pixel resolution, with Wear OS powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 2100 processor and 512MB of RAM. There’s just 4GB of space inside, which should still be enough to store some music of offline use. Using the watch without your phone is easier with the new Access Runway, as it has its own GPS system and heart rate tracking — features we haven’t seen on previous generations.

NFC is also present for mobile payments, the 300mAh battery takes just an hour to recharge and should last for a day, while the entire watch is water resistant to a degree where you can take it swimming. Google Assistant is on board, and Wear OS smartwatches will work with both Android phones and iOS phones.

The new Michael Kors Access Runway smartwatches will be available globally through the company’s boutique stores, and online, starting Monday, August 13.

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The MetroPCS Alcatel 7 has a dual-sensor camera and FHD+ screen for $180

It looks like MetroPCS customers are about to get one more option to choose from. The company has announced the launch of the new Alcatel 7, a midrange phone that aims to offer excellent value for money. Specs aside, the phone seems to have a lot to offer, from a great design to relatively up-to-date software. That’s good news for those who want a phone that looks premium and has some premium features like a dual-sensor camera.

Let’s start with that design, which, as mentioned, looks very nice. On the back of the phone, you’ll find a vertically aligned dual-sensor camera, under which can be found a fingerprint sensor — and that’s about it. It’s a nice, minimalistic look, which we quite liked. On the front of the phone is a 6-inch display with what looks to be slightly rounded corners, and while it doesn’t quite look like a flagship-quality device, it still looks quite nice. The display boasts a resolution of 2160 x 1080, and an aspect ratio of 18:9.

Under the hood, the phone features a MediaTek MT6763T chipset, which is a decent chip, though decidedly midrange. The chip is coupled with 2GB of RAM and 32GB of storage. Thankfully, the device also boasts a MicroSD card slot, through which you can expand the storage by up to 128GB.

The aforementioned dual-sensor camera boasts one 12-megapixel primary sensor and one 2-megapixel secondary sensor. The secondary sensor is really built for depth sensing, so don’t worry too much about the lower resolution. The front-facing camera comes in at 8 megapixels. Last but not least is the 4,000mAh battery, which is actually a pretty large battery and should help ensure the phone lasts at least a day on a charge.

The phone boasts a few extra features too. For example, according to Alcatel the Alcatel 7 comes with “Face Key,” which is a facial recognition system. We doubt Face Key is of a similar quality to the likes of the iPhone X, and it can probably be easily fooled, so we recommend sticking with the fingerprint sensor as much as possible. Still, Face Key may be convenient for some users.

The Alcatel 7 launches on Metro PCS on August 13, and comes at $180. That’s actually a very good price for a phone like this, so if you’re a MetroPCS customer, it may well be worth looking into.

Editors’ Recommendations

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Bloatware could be putting millions of Android devices at risk

Millions of Android devices could be vulnerable from the moment they’re taken out of their boxes, thanks to a combination of manufacturer skins and carrier bloatware added to the Android operating system’s firmware.

The news comes from a study by mobile security firm Kryptowire. It tested 10 devices sold across the U.S. by a variety of carriers and discovered that various additions made to the Android operating system by manufacturers and carriers could leave users open to being hijacked and hacked. According to Wired, these vulnerabilities ranged from getting unfettered access to the microphone to being able to completely lock a user out of their phone.

A particularly disturbing example was the Asus ZenFone V Live, which was discovered to have security flaws that could lead to the entire system being taken over. From there, a hacker could take screenshots, screen recordings, tampering with text messages and phone calls, and more. Asus is aware of this issue and is working to seal the hole.

Android’s open-source nature is one of its major strengths, and that accessibility has allowed manufacturers to put their own spins on Google’s operating system, whether that be the light changes made by Motorola, the larger changes made by Samsung, or the vast overhauls made by Huawei to the core Android systems.

While these changes allow each company to use Android while still being individual, tampering with such core code always comes with risks. In addition, having to make big changes to Google’s code often means that vital security patches and major updates can be much slower on phones with significant UI changes. Carrier bloatware — apps added after manufacture by networks — is often unremovable, can also add to security problems if delivered with security issues at the time of release.

In order to avoid possible security issues, it’s best to always make sure your phone is fully up-to-date and only ever install apps from the Google Play Store. Updates can commonly be found in Settings > System > Updates, though that may change from phone to phone. We’ve also put together a guide on how to remove or disable bloatware, as well as some of the best antivirus and security Android apps available, so you can ensure your security is in tip-top shape.

Editors’ Recommendations

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What is the Marco Polo app?

If I say “Marco,” you may feel the urge to call back “Polo,” and in this case, you’d be half right. While Marco Polo is indeed a call-and-response game enjoyed by people around the world, it is also a video messaging app in the same vein as Snapchat and Instagram’s Stories feature.

Released in 2016 by Joya Communications, Marco Polo has been dubbed a “video walkie-talkie.” The app allows you to send short video messages to your friends and family, and respond to them much in the same way you would with Snapchat.

There are actually a lot of similarities between the two apps. Both sport visual and voice filters, and give you the option to draw or add text to any of your videos. Where Marco Polo differs from other popular messaging apps, however, is that the messages — know as “Polos” — won’t disappear after they’re viewed.

There is nothing worse than trying to make concrete plans via Snapchat or forgetting the contents of your last message. With Marco Polo, that’s not a problem. You can only send videos through this application, though — not photos.

You can, of course, chose to delete your less-than-flattering videos, but unless you (or the person you’re contacting) makes the conscious decision to remove videos from the app (you can also only remove the ones that you’ve created), you won’t have to worry about forgetting their contents, because you can easily look back and rewatch any of the videos you’ve sent or received.

Another unique feature of this app is that it is not tied to any larger social network like Facebook or Google, making the whole experience a whole lot less noisy. You can also only add people you already have in your phone’s contact list, making it easier to stay safe online. No one has public access to your account or the ability to seek out strangers and send them videos.

There are also a variety of notifications you can get while using the app (which can be turned off in your device’s settings if they become too annoying) such as when someone is viewing your Polo, while they are recording one that is viewable, even when their internet connection is spotty and causing a transmission delay. All videos are stored online, so they don’t take up space on your device. Just be aware that this means the app will eat up a pretty large amount of data if you are using it a lot, so make sure to use it sparingly or only when you are connected to Wi-Fi.

That’s basically it! While Marco Polo isn’t revolutionary considering the other messaging apps out there, it’s a good alternative to most and addresses a lot of common problems with its competitors. You can download the app for free from the App Store or Google Play.

Editors’ Recommendations

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AMD’s new 32-core Ryzen Threadripper chip is out, and you can get one for free

As revealed last week, AMD’s new 32-core Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX desktop processor for enthusiasts is now available for a hefty $1,800. It’s compatible with motherboards packing the TR4 socket and the X399 chipset. The only other new Threadripper chip arriving this month will be the Ryzen Threadripper 2950X 16-core desktop chip costing half the price.

If you’re just tuning in to the Threadripper channel, the 2990WX is now AMD’s flagship processor with 32 cores zooming along at a base speed of 3.0GHz and a maximum speed of 4.2GHz. It also supports 64 threads, 64 PCI Express 3.0 lanes, and packs 3MB of L1 cache, 16MB of L2 cache and 64MB of L3 cache. Rounding out the package is a 250-watt power requirement.

“All second-generation Ryzen Threadripper CPUs are supported by a full ecosystem of exciting new motherboards, as well as all existing X399 platforms with a simple BIOS update, with designs already available from top motherboard manufacturers including ASRock, ASUS, Gigabyte, and MSI,” the company says.

To celebrate the 2990WX’s arrival, AMD teamed up with Maingear to launch a contest where the grand prize is a custom workstation based on the new Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX processor. The contest begins on Monday, August 20, at 9 a.m. ET (6 a.m. PT) and presents a series of hidden clues that will lead one lucky winner to a secret code for claiming the workstation. This contest is only valid within the United States.

As for the three other second-generation Threadripper chips, the 16-core 2950X arriving later this month will have a base speed of 3.5GHz and a maximum speed of 4.4GHz. It will also support 32 threads, 64 PCI Express 3.0 lanes, and pack 32MB of L3 cache. The chip will draw 180 watts of power.

Meanwhile, the remaining two won’t appear until October. The 2970WX will be a 24-core chip with a base speed of 3.0GHz and a maximum speed of 4.2GHz. It will support 48 threads, 64 PCI Express 3.0 lanes and include 64MB of L3 cache. Like the 2990WX, this chip will draw 250 watts of power for a lower $1,300 price tag.

AMD’s fourth and final Ryzen Threadripper chip for 2018 will be the 2920X packing 12 cores, 24 threads and 32MB of L3 cache. It will have a base speed of 3.5GHz, a maximum speed of 4.3GHz and support 64 PCI Express lanes. It arrives sometime in October for a mere $650.

To purchase the Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX desktop processor, head over to Amazon, Fry’s, Micro Center and Newegg. You can also get the chip already installed in M-Class and L-Class desktops assembled by Origin PC.

While you’re shopping, you’ll need a cooler to chill out that monster CPU while it’s under heavy pressure. AMD lists an arsenal of solutions here provided by Cooler Master, Corsair, EVGA, Noctua, NZXT, Thermaltake and six other hardware partners. And no, the Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX does not ship with its own CPU cooler despite the monster $1,800 price. You don’t even get a chocolate mint.

Editors’ Recommendations

• AMD’s new 32-core Ryzen Threadripper desktop CPU rips into wallets at $1,800
• AMD’s second-gen Ryzen Threadripper CPUs could rip into stores in August
• AMD Threadripper 2 with 32-cores and 64-threads one ups Intel
• AMD vs. Intel
• Intel “forgot” to mention its 28-core CPU demo was bogus

Google may launch two Pixelbook 2 laptops in October

Google may have two new Pixelbook laptops in the works with a planned October debut for them both. Although not announced by the search giant, recent commits in the Chromium repository point to two new designs that may well be iterations on the same model — one that makes use of a specialized mainboard that appears to be built around Intel’s eighth-generation Kaby Lake architecture.

The original Pixelbook received a mixed response when it debuted in October 2017. Although easily the most powerful Chromebook ever released, it came with a price tag of $1,000, which is a hard sell when that puts it in the same price bracket at laptops running desktop operating systems like our favorite, the Dell XPS 13. Perhaps that’s why we may be looking at two second-generation Pixelbooks, so that there is more of a variation in price.

If the commits dug up by ChromeUnboxed are to be believed, both the code-named “Atlas” and “Nocturne” devices could be based on the same motherboard, currently code-named “Krabbylake.” That would suggest that Intel will be using Kaby Lake hardware for its new design. The first generation of that architecture made up the base of Intel’s seventh-generation CPUs, but Kaby Lake has also been used in the eighth-generation, especially with the Kaby Lake R and Kaby Lake G ranges, which offer medium to high-performance chips.

Another suggestion that Nocturne is a Pixelbook iteration is a commit about an attachable keyboard, code-named “Whiskers.” That keyboard is said to have an “Assistant” key and a “Control Panel” key. Both of those are currently only found on one Chromebook keyboard: The Pixelbook.

This news backs up previous rumors we’ve heard that Google was working on a newer, more powerful Pixelbook to release in 2018. We’ve been told that it would sport smaller bezels surrounding the display and would enhance its internal hardware to Intel’s eighth generation.

Considering the original Pixelbook was recently discounted by $250, it could be that Google is looking to clear stock of its older model before the new-generation device arrives. ChromeUnboxed thinks we’ll see it (and perhaps two variations of the design) at the #madebyGoogle event which takes place on October 4.

That may come just days after an announcement of brand-new Intel CPUs, so October is shaping up to be an exciting time for new hardware.

Editors’ Recommendations

• Google could release the most powerful Chromebook ever this year
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The top reasons to use a VPN on your phone

It never hurts to be a little more secure.

You’ve probably heard your security-conscious friends talking about their favorite VPNs from time to time, and why using one is so important — or maybe you are the security-conscious friend having these conversations — but what exactly is a VPN, and why should you be using it?

VPN stands for Virtual Private Network. It’s basically a way for you to connect to the internet without your ISP or anyone else seeing what you’re doing. By using a VPN, you’re connecting to a separate network that works as a middleman between you and the sites you’re visiting, typically encrypting your sensitive information like passwords and banking info.

What is a VPN and should I use it on my phone?

Security

It’s pretty much a no-brainer that encrypting your information is a good idea. Whether you’re on a public WiFi network at your local coffee shop or hotel lobby, or your job is extra concerned with security, using a VPN can be the only thing standing in the way of an unwanted third party gaining access to your data.

VPNs aren’t perfect, and using one doesn’t guarantee that your information is perfectly safe, but it’s far better than not having any kind of protection at all. Most good VPNs feature end-to-end encryption so that even if someone were to intercept your data, they’ll have a hard time deciphering it. The important thing is finding a VPN you trust, since they’re the ones handling your info back and forth.

Just keep in mind that this back and forth handling can be slow, since you’re adding an additional step in the browsing process. VPNs let you choose your simulated location, so play around with your options until you find a decently fast connection.

Outside access

Choosing your location isn’t just useful for finding faster VPN connections, it’s also the best way to experience the internet from other users’ perspectives. Maybe you’re visiting China and need to access Google services. Maybe you’re trying to watch a TV show on that streaming service that isn’t available in your country. There are plenty of reasons you might want to browse the web from different regions of the world.

You might be surprised to learn how many services are region-locked — especially if you live somewhere like the U.S. that rarely misses out on features and services. Whether it’s something you think about every day or hardly even a passing thought, there are plenty of ways to experience the internet differently than you might be used to.

Downloading

There are plenty of torrenting apps are on phones these days, and if you’ve ever taken advantage of them, you might have received an email notice from your carrier or ISP who, along with the company that rightfully owns your pirated media, wasn’t too happy with your recent activity. There are plenty of legitimate reasons to download torrents — you might already own a legal copy of the file or it might not be copyrighted in the first place — but without getting into the legality of it, torrents happen.

So do plenty of other forms of downloading content, and to avoid getting on your ISP’s bad side for it, you can use a VPN, which replaces your IP address with a completely different one based on the location you chose to use.

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Do you use a VPN?

Not everybody needs to use a VPN, especially if you only browse from a desktop at home. But when you’re using an unsecured network on your phone, it can be a huge help in making your online experience a bit safer and more private. There are plenty of great VPN services out there, from NordVPN to Private Internet Access, IPVanish, and TunnelBear. Most (but not all) will run you a small monthly or annual fee, but it’s well worth it for the peace of mind they’ll provide you with.

See at NordVPN

Do you use a VPN service on your phone? And if so, which one is your favorite? Let us know in the comments below!

Are you getting the 128GB or 512GB Galaxy Note 9?

Do you want lots of storage or lots and lots of storage?

With the Galaxy Note 9, Samsung ticked off a lot of boxes that Note fans have been wanting for years. Huge 4,000 mAh battery? Check. An S Pen that can be used as a remote control? Yep. Large storage configurations? You betcha.

Looking specifically at that last point, Samsung’s selling the phone with two storage makeups — 128GB and 512GB.

Both should be more than enough for most people, and looking through the AC forums, it appears that folks are pretty much split down the middle in regards to which version they’re buying.

ISPM
08-09-2018 04:53 PM

“

128GB, cheaper and still nearly 10x my current storage amount with an extra 2GB of RAM which should be a noticeable difference, the 512GB with the 8GB RAM will be a good choice for those who are constantly multi-tasking etc but the 128 is plenty enough for me.

Reply

buzzy3970
08-09-2018 06:08 PM

“

Was debating, but with Verizon’s BOGO and bestbuy offering 100 off makes sense to get the 512gb and 128gb for the free one.

Reply

Mr Segundus
08-09-2018 06:10 PM

“

512GB. I don’t need that much storage, but I want it. Plus the extra 2GB of RAM will be awesome. I just hope it doesn’t kill the battery quicker. =/

Reply

Carrie Greicar
08-09-2018 08:24 PM

“

Considering T-Mobile wants an arm and a leg down, I’m probably only getting the 128gb

Reply

What about you? Are you getting the 128GB or 512GB Galaxy Note 9?

Join the conversation in the forums!

Samsung Galaxy Note 9

• Samsung Galaxy Note 9 hands-on preview
• Galaxy Note 9 vs. Note 8
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• Join our Galaxy Note 9 forums

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Should you upgrade your headphones for PlayStation VR?

Great audio experiences are a huge part of VR.

No matter what VR headset you are using, you want to make sure you have decent headphones. That full immersion experience, where your physical world is replaced by the virtual one, has a lot to do with hearing things from all around you. Knowing that when you turn your head you’ll see something coming from the direction you just heard it is a big deal, but if you can hear the real world as well it takes away from this experience.

Since PlayStation VR does come with wraparound earbuds, wired headphones may not seem like a big deal. However, the higher quality the headphones, the better the immersion is in the VR World.

Killer headphones are going to be a big deal with PlayStation VR, so here’s what you should be looking for if you’re planning an upgrade.

• Best overall: PlayStation Gold Wireless
• Best runner up: Bionic Mantis
• Best on-a-budget- option: iJoy Premium

PlayStation Gold Wireless

Wired headphones also mean another cable dangling from your body while you’re playing, though, and that could be a problem when furiously moving around with PlayStation Move controllers in each hand. If you’re thinking about going wireless, Sony already makes a fantastic headset specifically for the PlayStation 4 that sounds great and will play nice with PlayStation VR. It’s called PlayStation Gold Wireless, and you can pick them up today for $98.50!

See on Amazon.

Why is PlayStation Gold the best option?

Why are these headphones the best? They’re headphones that were built for gaming on the PlayStation and it definitely shows. They support 7.1 surround sound so you never miss a thing, and have an internal noise-canceling microphone to make sure your friends can always clearly hear what you are saying when you game together. If you prefer a wired setup, these headphones rock a 3.5mm headphone jack which means you do have the ability to plug them in physically. You even have the option to customize these headphones by swapping out the faceplate for something more suited to your style.

Go integrated with Bionic Mantis

For those of you that want something designed just for PlayStation VR, there is one last option. The Bionic Mantis headphones. Designed specifically for use in VR, these headphones look more like earbuds and deliver an awesome experience. They clip right onto your headset and then rest against your ears. This means you won’t get the uncomfortable feeling of an earbud jammed into your ear canal, or the discomfort of headphones digging into the top of your head. For only $49.99 there’s no hefty price tag hitting your wallet

See at Bionik Gaming.

What makes Bionic Mantis so cool?

Bionic Mantis has hit our number two on the list for quite a few reasons. These headphones click directly into your PlayStation VR, which ought to also help with sound quality. These are some of the first headphones built specifically for VR, and they were created with PlayStation VR users in mind. Heck, they even match the color. These are a great option for anyone who is looking for an awesome pair of headphones to use in VR. You get the superior audio quality of headphones with PlayStation VR, without wires to get in your way or earbuds that will fall out in the process.

Spare your waller with iJoy Premium

iJoy headphones are perfect for when you’re working on a budget. For only $15.99 on Amazon, you can get yourself a pair of these over-the-ear headphones that will work just fine for your PlayStation VR usage. This way you can give yourself a more controlled audio without having to break your bank.

See on Amazon.

Why is iJoy Premium the best option for my budget?

Aside from price, there are a few awesome features these headphones have. Not only do you have the comfort of over-the-ear, but you can connect them through BlueTooth. This means there are no cords when you are attempting to run from the zombies in your face. There are 7 different options of colors for you to choose from and over 4 hours of battery life! The package is complete with a 6-month warranty option, so you don’t have to worry if you get a defective pair. Your money is still protected. You won’t get the best noise-canceling options, but they’ll definitely get the job done.

What kind of headphones are you rocking?

Are you using a different pair of headphones than what we’ve listed above? Tell us what you’re using and why you love or hate them in the comment section below! Or shoot me a tweet about it @originalsluggo.

Updated August 2018: We’ve added iJoy to our list so you also have an option for when you’re on a budget!

The Alcatel 7 is now on sale at MetroPCS for $130

The phone has an 18:9 display and dual rear cameras.

The Alcatel 7 is finally making its way to the United States after first being announced at MWC in February, and for its U.S. debut, the phone’s being sold exclusively through MetroPCS.

Like so many other phones this year, the Alcatel 7 features a narrow 18:9 6-inch display with a resolution of 2160 x 1080. Powering the phone is a MediaTek MT6763T octa-core processor, 2GB RAM, and a 4,000 mah battery — the same capacity found on the much more expensive Samsung Galaxy Note 9.

Other specs for the Alcatel 7 include a 12MP + 2MP rear camera combo, 8MP front-facing camera, 32GB of expandable storage (up to 128GB), rear-mounted fingerprint sensor, and Android 8.1 Oreo.

The Alcatel 7 is available for purchase at MetroPCS now and has a retail price of $179.99. That’s a fair price as is, but MetroPCS is making the phone even more affordable by making it free after porting your exisitng number and signing up for an unlimited LTE plan. Along with that, customers can also get it for just $129.99 when adding a new line of service or upgrading an exisitng line.

See at MetroPCS