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Tuesday, November 1, 2016

Don't miss these awesome deals on Kmashi's portable battery packs!

Right now you can score some sweet savings on Kmashi's portable battery packs at Amazon with a coupon code. For as little as $9 you can grab a 10000mAh power bank to charge your favorite gadgets while on the go without tethering yourself to a wall. The batteries are rather small and high capacity, with both 10000mAh and 15000mAh units available. Both have two USB outputs to charge multiple devices at the same time if needed, and recharge via microUSB.

These two are currently on sale with coupons:

If you find yourself needing extra power during your day, you will want to have one of these around. At these prices, you may want to pick up some gifts for others as well. Be sure to act quick, as this deal likely won't last long.

See at Amazon



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Best Third Party Watch Bands for Moto 360 (2015)

Don't like that plain leather band that you got with your Moto 360? Strap on one of these!

The Moto 360 (2015) comes with a pretty nice leather band on its own, but if you're looking to give it an upgrade — or just a new style — we've rounded up some of the best third-party watch straps for your strapping smartwatch!

Important Note: Make sure you know the size of band you will need for your Moto 360! The Moto 360 2nd Gen comes in three different sizes that require three different watch band widths.

  • Men's 42mm case uses a 20 millimeter band.
  • Men's 46mm case uses a 22 millimeter band.
  • Women's 42mm case uses a 16 milimeter band.

With that in mind, we have rounded up some of the best third party wristbands for the Moto 360 that we could find. We divided them up into the material they're made of, so you can focus on the type you really want.

Leather

We know that the Moto 360 already comes with a leather band, but that doesn't mean you don't want a different one. Whether you want a different color, a different thickness, or just one that you think looks nicer, leather bands are still worth checking out.

MOTONG genuine leather band

This leather band is a little more defined than the one that ships with the Moto 360. The stitching along the sides of the band and the two-toned wash really makes the band pop a little better when it's on your wrist.

It only comes in the one size (17.5cm) so it could potentially feel too tight or too loose on your wrist. The good thing about leather is it's easy enough to poke an extra hole or two to make sure you get the right fit.

See at Amazon


Hadley-Roma genuine leather strap

If you want a band that stands out a little more than the stock Moto 360 leather band, Hadley-Roma's band has a really nice look to it. The leather is worked to look slightly worn and the stitching along the band is very contrasted to give the band a defined look.

It also comes treated with a water-resistant coating that is useful to help prevent sweat and light amounts of rain from wrecking the leather.

See at Amazon


Sport

Typically made out of silicone, sport bands are ideal for people who are very active. The bands are waterproof and very tear-resistant.

VIMVIP silicone sports watch band

This is a pretty typical sports band that's made out of silicone, so you can rest assured that your sweat won't ruin it, which makes it perfect for working out.

The band itself doesn't look like anything special, but it does have the added bonus of having a texture inside. This means the band doesn't move around as much and can still allow air to move in between your skin and the watch. This means less chance for any skin irritation.

See at Amazon


Lwsengme silicone band

If you want a sports band that will stick out from the crowd, look no further than the Lwsengme silicone band.

It's textured silicone gives it the look and feel of a high-end watch strap at a fraction of the price. It's stainless steel clasp and quick release system will make sure you can swap this out anytime you need Lwsengme silicone band comes in a few different color combinations and the holes in the band aren't just for securing the watch to your wrist, they also increase air flow allowing you to wear the band longer without risk of skin irritation.

See at Amazon


Metal

Metal bands are super durable and very stylish. An excellent way to make your Moto 360 look high-end and polished.

GOOQ stainless steel metal band

A metal watch band doesn't always have to mean links. GOOQ's watch band is made from a stainless steel mesh, which gives it a neat textured look and feel. The great thing about the mesh is arm hair doesn't get pinched inside it, which makes moving the watch around on your wrist much more comfortable.

The clasp is also made of stainless steel which makes this whole band pretty rust-resistant. The durability of the metal will also help it from showing any wear and tear.

See at Amazon


Fitian stainless steel band

The Fitian's metal band we've featured here is your more classic metal band. It's comprised of stainless steel links and connected by two spring pins that are easy to install. This is your classic metal band that you just can't go wrong with.

See at Amazon


MODE Bands

MODE bands were just released from Google and they get rid of the hassle of dealing with those tiny pins all the time. They might just be the easiest bands you have ever installed! This neat video on the MODE site, shows you just how simple clipping one of these to you Moto 360 actually is.

To use them all you have to do is replace the original pin that is on your Moto 360 and then add the MODE pin. From there it's just a matter of sliding your MODE band over the pin, and locking it shut!

Hadley Roma is the only company making the MODE bands right now, and they start around $50. Don't forget, want size band you will need.

See at Android



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New Sonos Android beta brings speaker control to the Spotify app

As promised, Sonos has further opened up its platform to new uses. Back in August, the popular connected speaker company promised tighter integration with Spotify and Alexa, and with a new beta version for Android (and Mac and PC), its products can now be controlled through the Spotify app itself.

For someone like me who uses the Spotify app every day, pointing music at whichever speaker is most convenient — my receiver, Amazon Echo, or now, Sonos — this is a big deal, and will go a long way to helping Sonos better compete with the growing number of companies trying to dethrone it from the connected speaker crown.

More: Everything you need to know about Sonos

Before this feature rolls out to the broader public, it is going through the company's beta process, which involves a simple toggle in the Android app's settings.

Sonos users can also expect better integration with Amazon's Alexa platform early next year, allowing the Play series speakers to seamlessly work as outputs for the Echo Dot.



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Best Keyboard for Android

Best overall

Google Keyboard

Free

See on Google Play

Years ago, Google's built-in Android keyboard was considered a bit of a slouch. Oh, how times have changed. The Google Keyboard is completely free, supports gesture typing for both individual words and entire sentences, a bounty of languages, and a modest choice of themes.

The Google Keyboard employs Google's own speech-to-text engine for voice dictation, and while it might not be the best at predictive text, it does learn from your typed data across Google's apps and services. If your phone didn't ship with the Google Keyboard, you can download it from the Google Play Store.

Bottom-line: Google Keyboard has pretty much every feature you'd want from a touch keyboard. It's fast, reliable, and minimalist, with theme options to tweak in the settings.

One more thing: Google has included one-handed mode for those who prefer to type with one thumb.

Why Google Keyboard is the best

Leave it to Google to make their stock keyboard the easiest and smoothest experience you can find on Android. Over time, they've added features that Android users have enjoyed from other keyboards and kept it all quick, responsive and free.

You have the option of tap-typing or swiping around for words, one-handed or two. It employs Google's own speech-to-text technology, which will only get better fine-tuned as Google builds out. And it even incorporates GIFs, which can be found alongside the full suite of Android emojis. If you're phone doesn't already come with the Google Keyboard pre-installed, do your thumbs a favor and check it out.

Best for predictions

Swiftkey

Free

See on Google Play

For years, SwiftKey soared above Google's included keyboard, and it did — and still does — come pre-installed on many a phone and tablet. SwiftKey's prediction methods, called the "fluency engine," has made it the keyboard that many users and editors alike keep coming back to. SwiftKey has been pre-loaded on millions of devices over the years, including on Samsung's flagship phones.

While SwiftKey used to be a paid app, the keyboard itself went free in 2014, instead having its users pay for themes. SwiftKey has led the keyboard pack for a while, and was our readers' top response when we asked which keyboard they used. And it's still a great option in 2016.

Bottom-line: SwiftKey is a great option for those looking for an alternative to the stock Google keyboard.

One more thing: On the topic of themes, there are over 80 of them to choose from in all sorts of colors and styles to fit your personality.

Best for gesture typing

Swype

$0.99

See on Google Play

Swype is to SwiftKey as GM is to Ford. Both are established, respected, feature-rich keyboards. Swype allows you to swipe out words or whole sentences, and also supports typing in two languages at once, for bilingual users. Swype offers a free trial version, but the full version is only a dollar, and themes are an additional two dollars apiece.

Swype ties into Android's Accessibility features for TalkBack and Explore By Touch, which make Swype a keyboard vision-impaired users can learn more easily on their own. Copy/Cut/Paste functions are embedded as gestures in Swype's keyboard, too. Swype all the things!

Bottom-line: Swype originally introduced the world to fluid, swipe-based typing, and is still a quality keyboard for Android.

One more thing: Swype is great for sports fans, offering offers themes, including Major League Soccer themes.

Best overall

Google Keyboard

Free

See on Google Play

Years ago, Google's built-in Android keyboard was considered a bit of a slouch. My how times have changed. The Google Keyboard is completely free, supports gesture typing for both individual words and entire sentences, a bounty of languages, and a modest choice of themes.

The Google Keyboard employs Google's own speech-to-text engine for voice dictation, and while it might not be the best at predictive text, it does learn from your typed data across Google's apps and services. If your phone didn't ship with the Google Keyboard, you can download it from the Google Play Store.

Bottom-line: Google Keyboard has pretty much every feature you'd want from a touch keyboard. It's fast, reliable, and minimalist, with theme options to tweak in the settings.

One more thing: Google has included One-Handed Mode for those who prefer to type with one thumb.



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Lenovo's Phab 2 Pro offers a glimpse at augmented reality in the real world

Here's a look at some of the new apps accompanying the Phab 2 Pro on launch day.

The first consumer-centric Tango-enabled smartphone is on sale today. Lenovo's Phab 2 Pro is officially available for $500 and there are already a number of compatible apps available in the Play Store. Here's a quick glimpse at what you can do with this giant augmented reality-enabled phablet device.

Realistic gaming — sort of

Over the last few months, Google has worked closely with a number of developers to put together a library of apps that show off Tango's capabilities. Many of those apps are game titles, though that's not necessarily a bad thing. After all, there was plenty of skepticism around virtual reality when it first hit the scene. The upside is that Tango's mobility lets you take the fantasy world inside your smartphone and experience it outside wherever you are — even on the train ride to work.

Ghostly Mansion is a great example of this. Your objective in the game is to scour the room you're physically in to search for objects that might help you figure out why you're dead. The room is merely projected through the Phab 2 Pro's 6-inch display, but because of its motion tracking mechanisms, I was able to keep my head inside the game despite not having the phone physically strapped to my face. In fact, I was so engrossed into following what was on the screen, that I had to remember to look ahead not to run into something or someone. I now understand all those Pokemon Go-related injuries.

I had just as much fun with Slingshot Island, which plays more like a sophisticated version of Angry Birds. After you choose the real-life placement of the fantasy island, you'll have to launch boulders, cluster bombs, and other sorts of artillery towards the giant fortresses erected on the land. And to do so, you have to physically pull-back with the Phab 2 Pro to fire off the slingshot.

The result is a game that smartly exemplifies Tango's interactive abilities while illustrating how immersive augmented reality can be in the real world. For instance, I could "freeze" the angle of the slingshot and then walk around to see what exactly the projectiles would hit. This particular game mechanic becomes a requirement in later levels of Slightshot Island as the fortresses become harder to penetrate with just the standard weaponry.

Not all of the applications will whisk you away to another world, however. I played around with the Phab 2 Pro's built-in augmented reality "pets" but they're a bit disappointing. Both the cat and dog, which are available in the camera app as an AR prop of sorts, do not interact with your environment too well. I enjoyed the AR scenery a bit more since it didn't require me to actively interact with a virtual object.

Tango is not a one-trick pony

Games are not Tango's only trick, though they're certainly a great example of what's possible with the underlying technology. The team behind Tango hope that the Phab 2 Pro will show the technology's educational abilities too. "If you really want to understand the scale of the dinosaur, today you have to go to the American Museum of Natural History and you have to stand next to a [dinosaur's bones] to get a sense for how big they were," said Nikhil Chandhok, Director of Product, a few days ago at a media roundtable at Google's offices in San Francisco. "But [the Dinosaurs among us app] actually gives you a sense of scale... and that is a very practical teaching tool."

There will be more communication apps that will take advantage of Tango

Chandhok also sees Tango's effectiveness in connecting emerging markets. "I think there will be more communication apps that will take advantage of the Point Cloud to build new communication experiences."

Johnny Lee, Director of Engineering, hopes to see Tango bring experiences to other parts of the world that might otherwise feel isolated. "Part of the appeal of [AR] is that it's something that makes the transaction more efficient," added Lee. "You have a greater chance of buying something you really want without actually having to have a retail presence nearby. [Retailers can bring] larger scale shopping to places where physical retail stores are much more difficult to reach."

Is AR the future of smartphones?

Augmented reality is nothing new. We've seen it utilized in plenty of industries and mobile apps, and it's one of the underlying technologies making headway in the game industry. However, that doesn't mean that Lenovo's Phab 2 Pro phablet doesn't have its challenges ahead. There may be more than a few dozen apps currently leveraging Tango's technology, but that doesn't prove its effectiveness in the long term. For Tango's technology to have the pervasiveness of GPS and cameras in smartphones, there has to be a legitimate use for it.

Fortunately, Tango is taking its chances months after the relative success of other augmented reality apps like Pokémon Go. That helped show that the market is there; It's merely the implementation that will reel consumers in. The Phab 2 Pro might have trouble proving its worthiness as a 6-inch smartphone, but its existence will also help regular users and developers alike acclimate to the idea of using a phone in this interactive manner.



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How to free up extra storage on the Google Pixel

How do I free up storage on the Google Pixel?

The Google Pixel doesn't come with expandable storage, so you'll want to make sure there's lots of free space for your apps, games and other content. Luckily, Google makes it easy to free storage with these built-in tools.

We're outlining two of those tools in this guide, one built into the phone's storage settings, and one built into Google Photos itself.

How to free up storage by deleting photos and videos that have been uploaded to the cloud

Google makes it easy to free up phone storage by purging photos and videos that are already stored, for free and in full quality, on Google Photos.

  1. Open Google Photos from the home screen or app drawer.
  2. Open up side menu by tapping on three-line menu bar or swiping in from the left.
  3. Tap "Free up space" in the side menu.

  4. Wait for app to tabulate photos stored in the cloud.
  5. Tap Remove to delete them from your phone.

Note: These photos and videos will still be available, in their full quality, Google Photos. If you want to download them again to access them locally, just tap on the greyed-out version in Google Photos and tap Download.

How to free up storage by deleting unused apps and old downloads

The Pixel comes with a useful tool hidden in the settings that frees up content that hasn't been touched in a while. The phone calculates which files have been untouched in over 30 days, and lets you delete them, safely, with one tap.

  1. Swipe down on the notification shade to open the notification drawer.
  2. Tap on the Settings icon (circular cog).
  3. Scroll down and tap on Storage.

  4. Tap on three-dot menu button in the top right.
  5. Tap on Free up space.
  6. Choose items to remove (Photos, Downloads, Apps) and tap Free up in the bottom right.

That's it! The phone will remove those items and you'll be able to press the back button to see how much extra space you have. While the 32GB of minimum storage should be enough for most people with a Pixel, it's always nice to know you have easy ways to free up more.



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Save 50% on this protective Galaxy S7 case today!

Looking for a protective case for your Galaxy S7 that doesn’t add a ton of bulk to it? If so, check out Seidio’s Surface case for your phone. It adds a thin hard layer to the phone and has a built-in kickstand for propping the phone up when you aren’t using it. Right now you can save 50% on the purchase, dropping it to just $14.95.



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