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Amazon launches Echo Show 8 and Echo Show 5 with upgraded cameras and an all-new Echo Show 5 Kids

Jason England
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Amazon unveiled a trio of new Echo Show devices this morning, including the upgraded Echo Show 8, Echo Show 5, and the all-new Echo Show 5 Kids.

During the pandemic, video calls have soared in popularity. Being able to see friends, family, or just take meetings for work has made video calling essential. In fact, over the past year, people have made three times the number of videos than the previous year using Alexa.

That’s why all three of the new Echo Show models puts a focus on, you guessed it, video calls. There are new features, such as zooming and panning on the Echo Show 8, new Augmented Reality effects, and in-call reactions are coming soon. Plus, you can even take Zoom meetings hands-free using the Echo Show devices.

Echo Show 8

Seeing the big focus on video calls, it’s no surprise that the new and improved Echo Show 8 features a powerful 13MP wide-angle camera. Using this camera and software, it will be able to track your face and ensure you stay centered in the frame as it pans and zooms around during video calls.

Don’t worry though, there’s also a built-in camera shutter for those times you want to make sure the camera won’t be able to see anything. That’s a feature found on all of the Echo Show models announced today.

Along with the upgraded cameras, the Echo Show 8 also features an 8-inch HD adaptive color display to make sure all your photos and video calls look stunning. Plus, with the dual stereo speakers, the Echo Show 8 will be perfect for enjoying your favorite TV shows and movies from Prime Video, Netflix, and Hulu.

The Echo Show 8 is now available from Amazon for $129.99 in Charcoal or Glacier White.

Echo Show 5

If the Echo Show 8 is too large and you want something more compact, then look no further than the new Echo Show 5. It comes with a smaller 5.5-inch display and an improved 2MP camera with double the pixels of the original.

Plus, you get all the same great features of Alexa, such as viewing photos and videos on the display, listening to music or podcasts, keeping an eye on your home with Drop In, viewing your calendar, setting alarms or timers, and much much more.

You can even set up routines to turn on the lights when you enter a room, and soon you’ll be able to set up actions for when it detects a specific sound. For instance, if Alexa hears a person snoring, a dog barking, or a baby crying–it will trigger an action, such as turning on a light or playing white noise.

The new Echo Show 5 is available now for only $84.99 and it comes in Charcoal, Glacier White, and a new Deep Sea Blue color.

Echo Show 5 Kids

The new Echo Show 5 Kids comes with everything you love about the Echo Show 5, but with a fun design for kids and parental controls. Kids can customize their Echo Show 5 Kids with colorful clock themes, set alarms using voices from their favorite characters, and make video calls to pre-approved contacts.

The Echo Show 5 Kids also comes with a one-year subscription to Amazon Kids+ which features thousands of hours of entertainment and educational content. Even better, it has a two-year guarantee, so if it breaks you’ll be able to get it replaced free of charge.

The Echo Show 5 Kids is available starting today for $94.99 and it comes in Chameleon green.

Save up to $1,000 on a new phone at Verizon with the any-condition trade-in promo

Jason England
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Back in April, Verizon began a new limited-time promotion allowing for customers to trade-in broken or cracked phones and receive up to $1,000 off on a 5G phone. It was the perfect opportunity for new and existing customers to offload any broken device you may have lying around the house, while also snagging a fantastic deal on a brand-new 5G phone. The only problem…it was a limited-time offer.

Well, the good news is, Verizon has now brought it back just in time for graduation day. What was a great deal for you back in April, is now a fantastic way for you to get yourself or someone close to you a graduation gift.

The deal includes a wide variety of 5G-enabled phones, including the latest flagships from Samsung, Google, LG, and Apple. That means you can trade-in your old broken or cracked phone, and grab a brand-new Galaxy Z Fold 2 5G or Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G at a discount. Not too shabby, and a great way to ditch your old shattered and busted phone.

Of course, there are some stipulations, every deal comes with fine print, ya know. First off, the broken phone you are trading in must not exhibit any signs of battery damage. That means, no swelling, leaking, and it cannot be hot to the touch.

Secondly, the deal is good for “up to $1,000 off,” which means the amount will vary from phone to phone. For example, the Galaxy Z Fold 2 5G, Galaxy Note 20 5G, and Galaxy S21 5G series of phones will only get you a discount of $800.

Next, you’re going to have to purchase a new line and get an unlimited plan. Then after you get your new phone, you’ll have 30 days to turn in your old device.

Finally, the biggest caveat of them all, your discount comes in the form of a trade-in promo credit over the next 24 or 30 months. So no, it won’t be a big discount seen all at once, but one that you continue to receive over the course of two years or more.

If all of that is fine with you, then this is a perfect opportunity to drop that broken phone and get a deal on a brand-new 5G smartphone that lets you experience Verizon’s 5G network now available in 2700+ cities.

Learn how to secure an older Android phone

AndroidGuys
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Technology moves so fast nowadays that it seems like there’s a new smartphone out every week. But with each new model offering fewer exciting features, there’s less motivation to upgrade your phone constantly. 

Unfortunately, most big manufacturers stop offering software updates for their devices after some time. If you notice that your phone’s operating system or last security patch level was from a few years ago, then your manufacturer may consider your phone to be obsolete. 

Why Are Updates So Important?

Not only do updates offer UI and performance enhancements, but they also patch security holes. Hackers constantly look for ways to exploit weaknesses in your phone’s operating system. When a threat actor finds a flaw, your manufacturer quickly patches it to keep your data safe.

Is It Safe to Use an Older Android Device?

Ideally, your phone should have the latest security updates. However, you don’t have to run out and buy a new phone. Here are some steps you can take to secure an older Android device:

1. Download Good Cybersecurity Software 

A malware infection on your Android device can breach your security and privacy. It can also slow down your phone. Some malware, like ransomware, can lock your device until you pay a hacker a fee through Bitcoin or any other untraceable digital currency. 

It would help if you had some Android malware protection by downloading cybersecurity software that shields your device from viruses, ransomware, and other emerging threats. The best cybersecurity software could also secure your browsing experience by scanning for fraudulent URLs and auditing your apps for extra safety. 

2. Manage Your Apps

You might be surprised to learn that many apps are security threats, even those on Google’s official platform. In fact, one study identifies Google Play Store as the primary distribution vector for most Android malware. 

Start by deleting all unnecessary apps from your device. Next, manage the permissions on the apps you use. Only allow apps the permission they need. For example, while your videoconferencing software may need access to your contact list, your child’s painting app would certainly not.

Remove apps that demand permissions needlessly. Instead, install well-reviewed alternatives that don’t invade your privacy. 

3. Turn off Autofill

Go to the privacy tab in your settings and deactivate the Autofill service from Google. Autofill saves your passwords, credit cards, addresses, and search history. A cybercriminal with access to your phone can use this data to commit identity theft or various financial crimes. 

Please also monitor your bank accounts and credit reports regularly to stay one step ahead of people with malicious intent. 

4. Secure Your Communications

It’s a good idea to use an encrypted messaging app on your older Android device to stop anyone from snooping on you. Signal and Telegram are two of the most secure messaging apps available for your smartphone. WhatsApp was a favourite for its end-to-end encryption. However, experts consider it less reliable after Facebook bought it. 

Without the latest security patches, your Android device isn’t as protected as it should be. However, by using good cybersecurity software and the best precautions, you can reduce the risk of using an older device. 

Photo by MOHI SYED from Pexels

Anker PowerConf C300 webcam review

Andrew Allen
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Anker recently announced a new sub-brand specifically for home and small office environments. AnkerWork is set to help users who now may be working from home get the right tools for the job. We’ve been testing the first AnkerWork product for the last two weeks. Let’s take a deep dive into the new Anker PowerConf C300 webcam.

Design

Have you seen any other webcam? Yes… then you should feel right at home with the Anker PowerConf C300. Anker hasn’t broken any new ground here, but that’s a good thing in my opinion. If you are targeting the small business or home office consumer, then you want something dead simple.

In the new age of work from home, IT departments are no longer just down the hallway. Anker has a familiar rectangular design with an adjustable mount system. As mentioned, if you have ever set up a webcam from Microsoft or Logitech, then the PowerConf C300 will be a breeze.

On the from is a wide-angle lens capable of 1080p flanked by two microphones on each end. There’s also a status LED light that illuminates when the camera is in use.

Around the rear is the armed-mounting system and a single USB-C cable for power and data. Anker includes an adhesive-backed privacy shield for the lens, but I’ve chosen not to install it just yet. Oh, and just for good measure, there’s a tripod screw mount on the very bottom.

Plug and Play

I’ve yet to encounter a device in our home that doesn’t recognize the PowerConf C300 straight out of the box. Windows, Chrome OS, Mac OS, and even Linux had zero issues. The included USB-C has around three feet of caple but any that you have laying around should work.

The default from Anker is a USB-C to USB-C connection, but there’s also a USB-A adapter included in the packaging. This should give you the correct connection to be up and running on any device you have lying around in your household.

Smarter than the average webcam

So what set the Anker PowerConf C300 camera apart from the competition. Well, it’s artificial intelligence. Anker has programmed this webcam to offer multiple viewing angles and depth of field depending on the subject in the frame.

This allows the PowerConf C300 to follow you from left to right as you move in a solo conference call and always make sure you are in focus. It also allows the camera to zoom in and out if multiple people are in the frame.

Similar to the Facebook Portal, this leads to a great experience for the end-user. From 78-degrees all the way to 115-degrees, the camera automatically adjusts to capture all the participating members. If you move or add callers, the PowerConf C300 will move and re-center to the field of view to make sure everyone is accounted for.

And it works really well in practice. While on a solo call, the PowerConf C300 would zoom into 78-degrees of FOV to make sure I was the centerpiece of the video. But if I moved to the left or right it would follow me and reposition.

If I added another member of the family to a video call it would adjust again. For two people it tends to land on 90-degrees and then increases again at an additional third person to the full 115-degrees. It’s a small mechanical and software change that truly changes how you interact on a video call.

Finally, Anker is working with some more software engineers to make sure the lighting is top-notch as well. The PowerConf C300 has a dedicated sensor to filter low-light and provide a much brighter video result. While this one is less noticeable in certain conditions, I can say that it’s much better than the older Microsoft webcam I’ve been using.

Handy desktop app

You even use the AnkerWork companion desktop app to make settings more permanent. If you find that a wider field of view works better for your environment then you can change that up in the app.

Or maybe you know you have a bad connection and want to lower to 30fps streaming. That’s there too. Locking in the video resolution is there as well. You can easily select between three modes from 1080p, 720p, and 360p.

The PowerConf C300 desktop app handles the camera firmware updates too. On setting mine up I received an update a few days into this review. I was greeted with a pop-up from the Windows system tray and took about three minutes to install.

Sadly, this is Windows and Mac only. Linux and Chrome OS users will have questionable firmware support without it. I’d love to see Anker implement either an Electron app that is more universal or a true web-based option.

Solid webcam

Anker is no stranger to making solid products for consumers. The new PowerConf C300 webcam is no exception. This first generation of streaming devices for the home office will not disappoint buyers. With a full 1080p resolution and some functional AI elements like the following focus and zoom, the PowerConf C300 should be on your list.

And for the price of $130 it’s not going to break the bank either. The Anker PowerConf C300 is currently available for purchase on both Anker’s website and Amazon.

New Instagram privacy and security features coming

Josiah Ward
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Recently, Instagram released a beta version of their app where DroidMaze has found some hidden privacy-centric features that we might see in the future

Safety Check

The first feature discovered in this Instagram beta is called Safety Check, which is an entry in the sidebar that brings you to a list of features such as two-factor authentication, the ability to hide comments, and limit who can message and tag you in photos.

Instagram Safety Check sidebar
Instagram Safety Check dashboard
Safety Check (Photo Credits: DroidMaze)

Encrypted Messaging

The next feature is Encrypted Messaging, with a simplistic UI that does not include a call option and only allows you to send photos as media.

This comes on the heels of yesterday’s news concerning backlash about Facebook’s Instagram for kids app and further controversy concerning Whatsapp’s new privacy policy. It will be interesting to see how Facebook proceeds in unifying it’s various messaging platform as well as how it responds to increasing demand for privacy from both consumers and regulators.

Need a new router? This $99 unit offers top speeds to three dozen devices

AndroidGuys
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The Nitty Gritty: Give your home or office WiFi a boost with the Tenda AC23 wireless router, on sale for $99 — a 29% savings in the AG Deals Store. This limited-time offer won’t last long.

If you pay for top-notch internet speeds and service, you should expect it to work throughout your entire home. However, if your equipment isn’t all that great, you could face lagging, buffering, or dropped connections.

If those symptoms sound familiar, perhaps it’s time to upgrade your gear — perhaps with something like the Tenda AC23 Smart WiFi Router, on sale for nearly 30% off for a limited time.

The AC23 wireless router is a dual-band gigabit router designed for homes with high-speed internet connections. The AC23 provides speeds up to 300Mbps on its 2.4GHz band and up to 1,733Mbps on the 5GHz band.

The Tenda AC23 provides a secure connection that allows for easy creation of WPS fast encryption and WPA-PSK/WPA2-PSK, WPA/WPA2 security features.

Other notable features include a built-in signal amplifier and seven external antennas, all of which lead to better WiFi coverage and a stronger 5GHz WiFi signal throughout your home.

  • Up to 2033Mbps. Provides up to 300Mbps for 2.4GHz band & up to 1733Mbps for 5GHz
  • 4×4 MU-MIMO for 5GHz Band. Provides wider WiFi coverage & faster WiFi speed
  • Built-in Signal Amplifier. Enhances the penetration capability
  • 7 External Antennas. Provides optimized WiFi coverage & better 5GHz WiFi signal
  • Fiber Internet Up to 1000Mbps. Equipped with full gigabit ports
  • Dual-Core Design. Faster processing speed & optimized operation
  • IPv6 Protocol Support. Reduces data transmission time & minimizes the lag

Around front, the LED display shows you how strong your connection and lets you know when it’s time to reboot the system.

Order Yours!

Typically, the Tenda AC23 retails for $139, but for a limited time, you can save 29% and upgrade your home or office’s internet connections for just $99. Head to the AG Deals Store today and order yours!

Aukey and Mpow ousted from Amazon over fake reviews

Josiah Ward
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Amazon’s tech accessory options might start looking more limited, as major accessory brands Aukey and Mpow have been removed from the platform and digitaltrends has a theory as to why: fake reviews.

On May 6, SafetyDetectives published a report in which they described a discovery of a fake reviews scam implicating over 200,000 people. Essentially, vendors would send a list of products that they want a five-star review on, reviewers would buy and rate the product, and the reviewers would be completely refunded.

Aukey and Mpow in particular being implicated in this scam is quite disappointing. Both Aukey and Mpow have shown up in many product reviews here at AndroidGuys as well as in our personal tech collections with truly positive experiences. The companies have not responded and there’s no indication if/when they will return to Amazon.

It is worth noting at this point that any reviews of the products of Aukey and Mpow on AndroidGuys were reflective of our honest opinion.

YouTube’s Shorts UI rolling out to users globally, Shorts camera available in the U.S. and India

Jason England
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YouTube has never been one to shy away from trends, as we’ve seen by it copying Instagram with YouTube Stories. Now, it’s going after TikTok with YouTube Shorts, vertical videos up to 60 seconds of length that loop by default.

Originally, the length was restricted to 15 seconds when Shorts was in testing, but now with the official rollout of the “Shorts camera,” the limit has been increased to 60 seconds to better compete against Tiktok. Some other key features of YouTube Shorts include, adding music, text, auto-generated captions, filters, and more.

  • Music & sound: Add a song or use other audio to create your own Short.
  • Text: Add text after recording a Short and use Timeline to control when it appears and disappears.
  • Speed: Choose to accelerate or slow down recording.
  • Timer: Set the countdown to record hands-free and choose when to automatically stop recording.
  • Shorts filters: You can add different filters to your Shorts in the recording and editing screens to color correct your Short, and we’ll continue to bring more filters and effects over the coming year.

The “Shorts camera” is now available in the U.S. and India, it can be found by pressing the plus button at the bottom of the YouTube app. Once created, Shorts will be present in the Explore and carousel sections of the app, and the latest YouTube UI even has a button in the bottom bar dedicated to them. As a result, the Explore button has now been moved to the upper left-hand corner.

If you’re not in the U.S. or India, don’t worry, you’ve not been left out. Simply take a vertical video up to 60 seconds and include #Shorts in the title or description of the video. This will help YouTube recommend your video along with all the other Shorts present on the platform.

Facebook faces backlash over Instagram for kids app from over 40 attorneys generals

Jason England
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Instagram is looking to grow its user base with a version of the app made specifically for children under the age of 13. However, these plans for expansion are not rolling out unchallenged. On Monday, 44 attorneys general signed a letter urging Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg to terminate the project.

It appears that Facebook is not responding to a need, but instead creating one, as this platform appeals primarily to children who otherwise do not or would not have an Instagram account.

As we all know, social media can be a toxic place, even if you take out the risks of bullying, users still face issues over mental health or fall victim to oversharing. The letter from the state attorneys general also brings up concerns over grooming by sexual predators on the app.

Furthermore, Instagram’s parent company Facebook doesn’t have the best track record when it comes to privacy. Many are concerned about how Facebook will use the information gathered, as brought up by Florida GOP Congressman, Gus Bilirakis, during a Congressional hearing in March with Zuckerberg.

I find that very concerning, targeting this particular age bracket, 13 and under, given the free services, how exactly will you be making money? Or, are you trying to monetize our children, too, and get them addicted early?

Facebook states that it doesn’t plan to show any ads in the version of the app for kids, however, the mental health concerns and getting children hooked on the app are still very valid.

Officially, Instagram doesn’t allow for users under the age of 13, but without any sort of age verification, many underaged users already exist. Facebook argues that the new Instagram for kids app would allow for parents to have greater “visibility and control over what their kids are doing.”

Twitter’s Tip Jar helps you send money to users on the platform

Jason England
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If you’ve spent any time at all on Twitter, then I’m sure you’ve seen people posting their Venmo or Cash App asking for money. Even if you haven’t, you’ve most likely seen the hashtags trending on Cash App Fridays.

Whether it’s someone needing money for an emergency, a creator asking for support from their fans, or just someone looking for a little birthday cash–there’s no shortage of people asking for money on Twitter.

Now, Twitter is making it easier than ever to send money to people on the platform with its new Tip Jar feature that’s currently available via the Twitter app on Android and iOS. Additionally, Android users can also send money through Twitter Spaces.

While you may be using Tip Jar to initiate the money transfer, Twitter itself is not handling the transaction, and it will get no cut from the transfer.

Instead, Tip Jar allows users to add an existing payment service to their profile. Services currently supported include, Bandcamp, Cash App, Patreon, PayPal, and Venmo.

Once a user adds one or more of these services to their account, an icon will appear to the left of the follow button when viewing their profile. Tapping on the button will display a menu allowing you to choose which service you want to use to send money, at which point you’ll be forwarded to the app to complete the transaction.

Tip Jar is now available worldwide for English speakers, and it’s starting with a limited number of people, including creators, journalists, experts, and nonprofits. However, Twitter has plans to expand Tip Jar in the future to more users and languages.

Just a heads up though, it was soon discovered that sending money using PayPal would reveal your address to the person you are tipping. Something that was brought to attention by security expert Rachel Tobac.

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