How often do you find yourself fussing with your chargers, swapping from one device to another? Live with a spouse or children? We imagine that some of your wall outlets are precious commodities.
Many of the things we own require regular or semi-regular charging. And if we’re being honest, we own a lot of things. Between phones, tablets, wearables, earbuds, gaming, and other things, we could really use a hand in the area of charging.
The ChargeHub X7 Signature, available in the AG Deals Store for as low as $45 right now, is your 7-in-1 charging solution. Simply plug it into the wall, place it in a common or convenient area, and enjoy the seven USB ports.
With a six foot cable it’s perfect to plug in behind a night stand or an office desk. No more fighting over cables because your device is at a lower battery percentage than someone else.
ChargeHub X7 Signature Features
Patented SmartSpeed Technology provides the fastest possible charge for 7 USB devices simultaneously
Single power supply eliminates excess cables & numerous plugs, outlets and power strips to maintain a neat and organized space
Exclusive color & pattern brings style to your electronics
Underwent stringent testing for standard product quality & safety compliance
Order Yours!
Available in black and white color options, the ChargeHub X7 Signature typically retails for about $60; however, enter coupon code LIMITLESS25Â at checkout and you can save 25%, getting yours for just $45. Hurry, the deal won’t last forever!
Technology has advanced by leaps and bounds over the past decade, leaving us with the ability to take advantage of various cell phone features. Whenever the newest mobile model releases, there is always a crowd of interested buyers vying to get their hands on one. Opinions differ on whether this is the best method of obtaining a phone, as there is always the option of buying a used phone instead. We will be going over some common do’s and don’ts when it comes to buying a used phone in 2021.Â
Advantages
Cost is the primary advantage when it comes to buying a second-hand phone. Cell phones depreciate as soon as someone purchases them, and they will lose about 15% of their value by the second year. If the owner wants to sell at any point, this will allow you to buy the phone from them for less than the original cost.
Another advantage of a used phone is that you may be looking for a particular style or model that is no longer in production. By shopping second-hand, you will have your choice of available models, as people are constantly upgrading.
Disadvantages
While shopping for a used phone, keep in mind that you will not be receiving a warranty along with it. This should not be a problem. Just be sure to handle it carefully so that it remains in pristine condition.
If the seller is unfamiliar to you, you should take extra precautions to ensure that they are trustworthy. You do not want to be in the situation where they have sold you a faulty or stolen phone. If you can, you might want to consider conducting a background check on the seller before you close the deal. This will give you a brief glimpse into their history to see if they have a record for possession of stolen goods or other crimes.
Do: Inspect the Product
When you meet up with the seller, do not simply exchange money for goods and then leave. You should spend some time examining the phone and making sure there is no physical damage that was not described to you. If there are noticeable dents, this might be an indication that an internal function might not work anymore.
If the phone is off when you get it, power it back on before paying the seller. You want to check that the touchscreen works and apps open as intended.
Don’t: Neglect the Camera
There are so many different ways for cell phone cameras to get damaged. This often happens when the owner allows the phone to drop. Even one drop can cause irreparable damage to sensitive components. The camera may have lost its focus, the lens might have scratches or warps, or the sensor could be malfunctioning. Before you complete the deal, snap a few sample photos with the camera. This will give you an idea if it is usable or not.
Do: Ask for the Original Packaging
When a seller has the original bill and/packaging that the phone came in, this can give you more reassurance that they take care of their belongings. As well, having the box will give you the IMEI number. This is important because it will let you know if the phone got stolen or lost by its original owner, as the IMEI number would get flagged. You can use a free tool to input the IMEI number and check if a flag appears or not.
On the other hand, if the seller does not have any of the original packaging, this is an opportunity for you to barter with them even more. Ask them if they will lower the price since you will not be receiving the complete package.
Don’t: Buy a Used Phone from Abroad
One thing you should avoid doing is purchasing a phone that originally came from a different country. This is because it can be difficult to reach a representative for help if your phone needs repairs or if you have questions about the product. Some sellers may lie to you about the phone’s origins. To find out the truth, you can check the phone’s IMEI number if you have it available to you.
Do: Try to Find a Trusted Source
It can be difficult to find a trusted friend who happens to be selling their phone when you want to buy it. However, this does not mean that you should jump on any sketchy deal that you come across out of desperation. Try using legitimate refurbishing websites, as these companies tend to be more reliable to work with. The prices are likely to be a little higher when using sources like these, but it is better than finding yourself to be the victim of a scam.
Don’t: Buy an Unsupported Phone
Be careful if you are seeking a particular older model of cell phone, as it may no longer receive security updates. Most Android manufacturers will only offer security upgrades for their products from the last few years. Apple products tend to stay supported for longer than Android’s average. Before you make your purchase, do some research about whether the model is still supported and for how much longer. Having an unsupported phone will mean that all the personal data on your phone, including photos, is vulnerable to attacks from hackers.
Do: Read the Fine Print
This point is especially true when you agree to purchase a used phone from a refurbishing website. You will need to read every word to ensure that you know exactly what it is that you are getting. There may be phrases in the description that indicate there is an essential part of the phone that does not function. Or, the ad might be for only the phone cable or other accessories. By clicking too quickly, you might end up spending a lot of money on something that you did not want or need.
Final Thoughts
Buying a used phone is a great endeavor, as it reduces the environmental impact as well as saves you money. At the same time, you should always remain vigilant when making such a purchase. Avoid the scammers and shop in the right places, and you will be able to find a perfectly workable second-hand cell phone.
As pervasive and fast as wireless data is, and given the fact that Wi-Fi seems to be omnipresent, there still comes a time where you won’t have an online connection. Car rides through the hills and mountains, airplane trips, and commutes through the subway are just three common examples of situations where data might not be available.
It’s often during these times of disconnect where we might want to turn to a movie, YouTube video, or other source for catching up. The problem of course is that you cannot watch your favorite YouTube channel or Vimeo videos without a connection. Or can you?
Award-winning software vDownloader, on sale for just $30 in the AG Deals Store today, is software tht lets you download videos from a variety of sources to watch on your Android or iPhone.
Not only does it let you download in 4K and 8K resolution, it also allows you to customize which parts of a video you want. Moreover, it can sync your clips to Dropbox or Google Drive so you can pull them down from anywhere. This way you can grab a few for offline viewing whenever you’re ready.
vDownloader Features
Download from YouTube, Vimeo, Flicker, Twitch, or any of the 10,000+ video hosting sites
Enter a playlist or channel URL & download them all in one go
Download videos in 4K & 8K ultra high definition
Choose which part(s) of a video you want to download
Custom resolution, frame rate, audio & video bitrates, codecs, audio volume normalization, and more
Add a watermark
Schedule downloads & conversions
Follow YouTube channels or keywords & automatically download new videos
Sync videos to your Android or iPhone using a cloud storage folder such as Dropbox or Google Drive
Discover that hard-to-find video by searching through DailyMotion, Vimeo & YouTube at the same time
Download any video you’ve previously watched/downloaded with the Rewind feature
Select your preferred & alternate subtitle language
Unblock YouTube regional filters with a proxy
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Available for both Windows and Mac platforms, vDownloader normally carries a retail price of $129 for a lifetime license. AndroidGuys readers can save 76% on the software right now, getting the full suite for just $30.
These days, most of us have a security camera for our homes because it’s an effective way to keep an eye on things and protect where we live. While we may spend the majority of our time at home, there’s another place where we also spend much of our time — our vehicle.
Having a camera there is just as important. On the road you are subject to other people far more often, and if you get into an accident, being found at fault can be a pricey affair. That’s why having a dash camera is helpful.
Fortunately, our friends over at Nextbase were kind enough to send out its top-of-the-line 622GW front and rear dash cams for us to share with you.
Key Features
4K 30fps video recording
Slow-motion
Night vision and extreme weather mode
Alexa support
Installation
Installing the Nextbase 622GW went smoothly. Inside of the box you’re provided with all the mounts that are required. You have the option of mounting the front-facing camera by either using the 3M sticky mount or the suction cup. The 622GW connects to these mounts via a proprietary magnetic connector on the front of the camera body.
This magnetic connection is extremely strong, the few times I removed it from the mount required some strenuous pulling on my part. Basically, know that once it is in place the camera isn’t going to fall off of the mount.
I went the suction cup route with my install since it would allow me to reposition the camera as much as I liked. Ultimately, I stuck it up behind the rear-view mirror to keep it out of the way.
Installing it so high up meant running the power cable to the cigarette lighter and the cable for the rear camera around the top of the car and down the weather seals of the door. I had to run the cable through the glove compartment but it did not require any additional hardware or tape, It’s not pretty, but it works and we rarely open that anyways.
For installing the rear-facing camera I had to use the 3M mount and the cable from the front-facing camera was plenty long enough to run semi-hidden through the weather seals of the front and back doors. You could also run it through the top roof panel if you’re so inclined but I didn’t feel like disassembling it at the time.
Once you have both cameras installed, you can easily adjust the viewing angle of the 622GW. In my case, I used the live view in the app to make things even easier.
Cabin Camera
Besides the front and rear cameras that come bundled together, Nextbase also sent along the cabin camera. I didn’t spend much time with this installed because there is only one port on the main dash cam to add an additional camera. That means choosing between the rearview or the cabin camera.
I went with the rearview camera as I found it more important; there is also an option to buy the cabin camera if you prefer that.
It’s a great way for parents to get a glimpse of what’s going on in the backseat but it won’t give you a good view out the rear of your vehicle.
Recording
The Nextbase 622GW is a premium dash cam featuring up to 4K 30fps recording with a sharp clear image. This high resolution makes it easier for you to zoom in for details, such as checking the license plate of other drivers. There is even image stabilization to help make details even clearer.
Furthermore, the enhanced night vision and extreme weather modes will ensure that even if you’re caught in a storm or driving late at night, you’ll be able to make out your surroundings in the video.
In my experience, I found this perfect for reading plates directly in front of me when stopped but it can be more challenging if on the move or if the car is in the lane next to you.
Besides recording in 4K, the Nextbase 622GW also includes 1440p (60fps), 1080p (120fps), and slow-motion modes capture for the front-facing camera. The rear-facing camera is limited to only 1080p though; be aware that it’ll be lower resolution with no slow motion.
Rear view sample image
Just a note on the microSD card – the Nextbase 622GW requires a card that can sustain write speeds of 60MB/s. For this review, I was sent one of Nextbase’s own U3 microSD cards which provides ultra-fast write speeds. I was able to keep up with saving 4K video from the front camera and 1080p from the rear.
Smart Features
Along with recording footage at UHD and HD resolutions, the Nextbase 622GW comes with some smart features such as what3words to help pinpoint your location even when you’re offline. It also has support for Alexa which allows you to do a host of actions such as snapping photos, starting/stopping recording, turning the display on/off, and more.
Apps
The Nextbase 622GW uses two different apps, one is for your phone and the other is for your computer. Most of the time you’ll probably use the phone app to view videos and change the settings on the camera.
I found it much easier to navigate and set the camera up by using the app. The camera does have a large 3-inch touchscreen if you prefer to use that, but because the camera was located behind my rear-view mirror it was much easier to use the app.
Within the app, you’ll also be able to set up what3words, Alexa, enable parking mode, reverse camera view, and extreme weather modes. Additionally, you can control the resolution of your recordings and whether or not it will imprint your speed, GPS location, use image stabilization, and set your video recording length.
There is also a way to see a live feed from the cameras or review footage, but only if you have it recording at lower resolutions. In my case, since I was using 4K I had to turn on the dual recording mode, otherwise, you can only view the 4K files via your PC.
The PC app gives you an entire dashboard view when reviewing and editing footage taken with the camera. You’ll be able to see your GPS location and a view on the map showing what road you’re on and your route. There is also a section to show your speed, average speed, and distance traveled in the clip.
Most importantly, there is a zoom button and you can adjust the brightness making sure you get a clear view of important information like license plate numbers.
Cropped video frame with license plate censored
Overall, I was very impressed with both apps, especially the PC app for reviewing footage. My only complaint was having to manually add clips from the SD card to the app because of how long it took for them to parse.
Final Thoughts
The Nextbase 622GW is not a cheap camera, the set featuring the front and rear-view cameras retails for $500 on Amazon. However, for that price, you get a sharp picture, smart features, and a pair of good apps to go along with the cameras.
There are certainly cheaper alternatives out there, but I had no major complaints with the Nextbase 622GW and besides the price, I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend it to anyone.
At the time of writing, the package is even selling for a lower than usual $420 price on Amazon, which makes it even more appealing to pick up with a discount. Alternatively, you can purchase only the front-facing Nextbase 622GW dash cam on sale for $319 from the Nextbase website.
A company with a proper networked computer system, particularly one based in the cloud, needs to make sure its defenses are up to par. Without the right protocols and configurations, any system can fall victim to malware, hacks, and cyber espionage.
According to Information Age, cyber crime pulls in more than $1.5 trillion per year for the bad guys. That’s a ton of money, right? And that was for all the way back in 2018. Think about how much is being spent today to ensure networks aren’t susceptible to attack.
To make sure your company’s Cisco-based network doesn’t become the next victim, learn a few ways to defend against threats and attacks. Do it by earning a top-flight certification through Complete 2021 Cisco Certification Training Bundle.
Available now for only $69, it’s discounted by some 96 percent off the regular price. This bundle brings together more than 75 hours of training over six main courses which will have you integrating Cisco networking devices into a system and managing security measures to keep vital data and information safe.
It’s not just tips, tools, and tutorials, either. Once you get through these courses you’ll have the education needed to sit for various Cisco-related certification exams.
Through this extensive training, students will learn the skills to install, operate, configure, and verify a basic IPv4 and IPv6 network. Additionally, they’ll become proficient with network switching and routing concepts, deploy basic firewalling services, learn various WAN technologies, and more.
Where to Buy
You can pick up a lifetime access to the 6-Course Complete 2021 Cisco Certification Training Bundle for only $69 in the AndroidGuys Deals Store. Valued at nearly $1,800, the whole kit can be yours for 96 percent off.
While Android might have taken over the mobile world, Microsoft still has a firm grasp on other parts of the software space. Its Windows operating system still rules the PC world and the Office suite of productivity tools has made the transition to the cloud as Microsoft 365. And then there’s Azure, or Microsoft’s play for cloud services.
Suffice it to say, Microsoft isn’t going anywhere anytime soon. And the sooner you become proficient with its offerings, the better poised you’ll be in the workplace.
With The Complete 2021 Microsoft 365, Windows, and Azure Bundle, $69.99 in the AG Deals Store, you can go from novice to master in all three disciplines. And you can even pick up certification in the process.
This online training package is massive, spilling open with some 17 courses and more than 230 hours of training. Valued at over $5,000, it’s a comprehensive self-paced education that gets down to the nuts and bolts.
If you’re an aspiring or growing IT pro, you’ll love getting the inside scoop on configuring, securing, and managing everything Microsoft does in and for the cloud.
Students will also appreciate courses such as Microsoft MD-100: Windows 10 which will help you learn to properly install, customize, and update devices running Windows 10. Dive deeper and master skills like managing storage, files, and devices, configuring network connectivity, and troubleshooting.
And then that brings to Azure and its cloud-based platform. If you’re looking for one of the hottest alternatives to Amazon Web Services or Google, this is surely it. This bundle includes a trio of courses to help students learn Azure skills needed to pass three different Microsoft certification exams.
The Complete 2021 Microsoft 365, Windows, and Azure Bundle is available to AndroidGuys readers for about $4 per course, or just $69.99 while this deal lasts.
During the pandemic many of us were bitten by the baking bug. You know who you are, and there are a lot of you. I’m looking at all of you, filling up our social media feeds with pictures of your sourdough adventures.
What may have started as a way to kill some time or wipe out boredom may have turned into a new hobby or full-blown obsession for some of us.
As with all new hobbies, there is always some new way to enhance it by acquiring a new tool or gadget. When it comes to baking, there is nothing as quintessential as the stand mixer. Thankfully, our friends over at Acekool sent us one of their latest for us to review.
Key Features
Included dough hook, mixing beater, and whisk
Dishwasher safe bowl and accessories
Large 7.5-quart stainless steel bowl
Quiet operation
Suction cup feet for stability
Three-year warranty
Design
The first thing I noticed about the Acekool Stand Mixer was how light it was when pulling it out of the box. Both the mixer itself and the 7.5-quart stainless steel bowl are deceptively light. However, as I would find out, this goes a long way in making things much easier to handle.
Since the bowl is so lightweight, it won’t feel heavy when moving around as it becomes filled with ingredients. Moreover, cleaning it by hand is also much easier.
If you’re someone who doesn’t like cluttered countertops, then the equally lightweight body of the Acekool Stand Mixer makes it easy to move and store away until you need it.
Also great, the suction cups on the bottom ensure that it stays in place when you’re working with thick mixes.
The controls on the Acekool Stand Mixer are as simple as can be; there is only one dial that controls speed and there’s a lever to lift up the head of the mixer. This makes it convenient to operate and all the controls worked just as they should.
The only complaint I have about the design is for the ring of light around the dial. It will flash constantly while the unit is plugged in with the head of the mixer in the down position. The only way to disable it is to unplug it completely or lift the head up.
Most of the time I had to unplug the Acekool Stand Mixer because the incessant blinking was so annoying. In the end this is a minor complaint and it’s not like leaving it unplugged is a huge inconvenience.
How well does the Acekool Stand Mixer work?
In a word, wonderfully. Over the past few weeks, I’ve put the Acekool Stand Mixer to work baking a handful of things, like this delicious banana bread recipe, and it has performed perfectly.
I had some concerns that the lightweight mixer might not be steady under load, but it never rocked or budged an inch. Everything was smooth as silk and I’m sure the suction cup feet were a big help here.
My one criticism would be that I wish it went a little slower at the lowest speed. However, this is a mixer after all, and even at this somewhat faster speed, it didn’t seem to have any negative effects on anything I baked, nor did it make a mess.
Final Thoughts
If you’re a long-time baker, or if you just recently dipped your toes in the proverbial waters, a stand mixer could be just the thing you need. At a price of $120, or even cheaper if you clip the $25 off coupon on Amazon, the Acekool Stand Mixer is a fantastic bargain.
It’s lightweight, powerful, comes with three different mixing accessories, and has a large bowl for making bread, cakes, or large batches of cookies. I still wish there was a way to disable the blinking light, but for the price, it’s something I’m willing to work around.
Whether you’re concerned about security domestically or you’re a frequent traveler, transmitting your data over public Wi-Fi and mobile carrier networks isn’t always the safest option. Enter the VPN Unlimited service, providing you with a dedicated server to protect your online activities.
A lifetime of Peace of Mind
With this lifetime subscription plan you’ll have access to worry-free browsing, unlimited bandwidth, and the ability to unlock territory-restricted content by choosing a server from the country of your preference. Some users have found that, through bypassing their ISP’s restrictions, they’ve even increased their transfer speeds.
Features
Reliably protect your data on any public WiFi
Surf with no speed or bandwidth limits
Access 400+ VPN servers with 80+ locations globally, including the USA, the UK, Canada, & Australia. Check the list here
Surf on a variety of VPN protocols, like IKEv2, OpenVPN, L2TP/IPSec & KeepSolid Wise
Access servers for US Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Hulu, ESPN+ & HBO Now
Enjoy a better browsing experience with handy features, like Trusted Networks, Ping Tests & Favorite Servers
Easily configure your VPN connection on your router.
Convenient management of connected devices
Includes torrent (P2P) servers
Includes kill switch on iOS, macOS, Android, and Windows platforms
Military-grade AES 256-bit encryption
Zero log policy
Proprietary apps for all platforms
Unlimited traffic and connection speed
24/7 customer support
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Normally valued much higher at around $200, VPN Unlimited is now offering our readers this lifetime plan for just $39. In addition, this license affords you access across five devices. The best part? You can remove devices anytime you want, making room for others.
Save Later!
For a limited time, when you purchase the VPN Unlimited Plan, you’ll receive a coupon code for $30 which can be used on a future order in the AG Deals Store!
Recently, I became aware of a high-end audio brand out of Romania named Meze. Curious as to whether its headphones sound as good as they look I decided to give them a try. Luckily, Meze was nice enough to send a pair out, and spoiler alert, they sound just as good as they look.
While most headphone brands typically use plastic and materials that aren’t made to be tampered with, Meze takes a different approach by using a design that’s fully serviceable. This ensures your headphones will live on with the ability to replace parts if anything should wear out or breaks over time.
Part of the reason Meze is able to do this is because it uses a split cable design that requires a 3.5mm cable with two plugs — one for the left ear cup and one for the right.
Most other manufacturers these days only require you to plug into one ear cup with a wire running through the headband to the other. The result is a build that is highly unserviceable for the end-user.
Inside the box are the beautifully designed Meze 99 Neo, a hard shell carrying case, 3.5mm Y-cable, 3.5mm to 6.3mm adapter, and pouch for accessories. Basically, everything you need to use the Meze 99 Neo and keep them protected on the go.
Comfort
The Meze 99 Neo are extremely comfortable thanks to a unique self-adjusting headband made from PU leather. Combine that with the light 9.2-ounce weight of the Meze 99 Neo headphones and they feel like a floating cloud on your head.
You could easily wear these headphones for hours on end and they are one of the most comfortable pair of over-ear headphones I’ve ever tried.
The only issue I ran into was that the self-adjusting headband would cause them to slip down my head over time until the top of the ear cups began to rest on my ears. Were that to happen, I’d have to gently nudge them back up in place. It was a minor inconvenience at most, but still worth mentioning.
Sound Quality
The first thing that stood out to me when listening to the Meze 99 Neo is how open the soundstage is. For a closed-back pair of headphones, they do a fantastic job of sounding open and making it feel like the sound comes from all around.
When picking out a pair of headphones this is one of my top priorities because it makes music sound so much more immersive. That’s exactly what the Meze 99 Neo do, they make you feel like you’re immersed in the music. If you want to shut out the world and lose yourself in your favorite song then these headphones will certainly help with that.
Besides the open soundstage, the Meze 99 Neo also impressed with its sound signature. The highs, mids, and lows are all wonderfully represented making them suited for a variety of genres of music.
The highs are a little rounded off as to not be piercing and there is a nice low-end for bass without being enough to overpower other instruments in songs. Overall, the Meze 99 Neo are tuned to make music more enjoyable and prevent ear fatigue making them easy to listen to for hours.
Final Thoughts
In an age of Bluetooth headphones and phones lacking a 3.5mm jack, most consumers will opt for a wireless pair of headphones for convenience’s sake. The Meze 99 Neo are made for those discerning few who want to do more than simply listen to music, and experience and enjoy it instead.
If you’re one of those individuals, the Meze 99 Neo will delight your ears with stunning sound quality along with featuring an exceptional build and comfortable fit.
It’s no secret that Google’s wearable platform has been stagnant over the years. Wear OS users are lucky to get one or two quality of life updates a year, but hopefully, with the upcoming merger with Tizen, we’ll see the platform truly take a leap forward in features and usability.
However, while we wait for the revolutionary new platform upgrade, Google is releasing some much-needed improvements for installing apps on your smartwatch in the coming weeks.
For starters, you’ll soon be able to search for watch apps using the Play Store on your phone by adding the terms “watch” or “watch faces” to your query. Browsing for watch apps on your phone will also get easier with new curated sections for Wear OS and Watch Faces for Wear OS category pages featuring recommended popular apps for your smartwatch.
Even better, you’ll also have the option to use the Play Store on your phone to install the apps on your watch. Because what good would browsing watch apps on your phone be if you couldn’t install them from there?
Installing apps that have both a phone and watch app will be easy thanks to a drop down menu housed in the “Install” button on the Play Store listing. Tapping on the arrow icon will expand the menu and allow you to choose which device you want to install it on.
Along with making apps easier to install when using your phone, Google is also giving the Play Store on your watch a visual refresh. The new layout is based on Material You and features larger cards to help with navigating on a smaller display.
Additionally, when you make an in-app purchase on the watch the Play Store will now open the purchase page on your smartphone or provide a URL to open up in a browser to complete the purchase.
Google says the new update will begin rolling out over the coming weeks to smartwatches running Wear OS 2.x and above. However, there have already been reports of many users receiving the new Play Store redesign on their watches over the past week. Unfortunately, I’m not one of those lucky few but it’s nice to know that it will be coming soon.
