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OnePlus 8T announced for October 23

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OnePlus on Wednesday announced its newest phone, the 8T. Priced as low as $749, it builds on the flagship 8 announced earlier in the year.

The OnePlus 8T has a faster refresh rate than its predecessor at 120Hz and features a 65-watt fast charging battery. In a related note, the battery is a smidge larger at 4,500mAh.

According to OnePlus, the 8T can get a “full day’s charge” in just 15 minutes. A full charge takes just 39 minutes on the charger. To make this possible, the 8T relies on two batteries and a dozen temperature sensors.

Other noteworthy differences include a video portrait mode and always-on display options. Perhaps most interesting, and welcome, change is that it uses a flat glass for the screen and not a curved edge.

Similar to the OnePlus 8, the 8T has a 6.6-inch HD AMOLED display with an in-display fingerprint reader, 8/12GB RAM with 128GB/256GB storage. The rear houses a quad-camera experience centered around a 48-megapixel main camera sensor.

The OnePlus runs Android 11 and will be offered in Lunar Silver and Aquamarine Green, The phone goes on sale October 23 at OnePlus and Amazon; pre-orders are available immediately.

T-Mobile will be the exclusive carrier for the OnePlus 8T 5G in the United State. Its version will also be available October 23 with pre-orders starting October 16. Pricing will be $31.25/month for 24 months.

How to reach maximum security on your Android device in 2020

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Let’s face it, the world is a pretty scary place right now. That’s why it’s more essential than ever to stay connected with family, friends, and work mates.

While we feel secure sheltering inside our homes, not all external threats are protected by walls and social distancing. We want to be able to rely on secure, stable connections wherever we’re located.

Each year, there are more security risks targeting us than the previous year. Not only do we have to deal with new threats almost daily, hackers are coming up with innovative twists on old exploits.

How bad is the problem?

Here’s some Android security information that may surprise you.

Android Devices and Security

According to a study conducted at the University of Maryland, there is a new cyber attack launched every 39 seconds. What’s more, hackers are tailoring common PC exploits to reach smartphone users. For example, SMiShing is a new approach to phishing that uses your messaging platforms to insert malicious code into your phone.

The top risks to your mobile computing sessions are:

  1. Public WiFi
  2. Data leaks
  3. Phishing exploits
  4. Network spoofing
  5. Broken cryptography
  6. Spyware
  7. Improper sessions handling

With the right tools and information, you’ll have added layers of protection against hackers and other cyber threats.

Common Security Issues and How to Fix Them

Whether you’re streaming movies or using your smartphone to conduct business remotely, security is the number one concern. While no device is perfect, Android-powered phones are more secure than models using iOS. The most common security issues with Android devices center around access control and malicious apps.

There are 5 ways that you can harden your phone or tablet against the existing threats and beat the odds of suffering from whatever attacks develop in the future.

Practice Strong Access Control

This should be a no-brainer, but you would be surprised by how many people fail at the simple act of locking their phones. I know it’s a pain to remember a code or a pattern. However, it’s even more of a pain to lose your device and all of the information in it rather than to take a few seconds longer to call your mom.

Believe it or not, the simplest ways to control access are still the most effective. Choose a pin that’s easy to remember without resorting to insecure, easy-to-guess pins like birthdays, phone numbers, or the last four digits of your SS number. Make sure to choose a different pin for each device and change them once a month or so. The same goes for passwords.

You can use a password manager to create and store strong passwords. Using two-factor authentication (2FA) is a viable option, and most devices have this capability built into the system. You could also use Google’s own 2FA. Many models include built-in device encryption that you can access through your settings. Simply go to Settings>Security>Encrypt Device and follow the directions.

Another important consideration for stronger access control are authorized apps that could potentially allow third parties to gain access to your financial accounts. Authorized apps are given varying levels of control over email accounts and logins. We recommend using secure invoicing and financial apps if authenticating with a bank account or email address. Vulnerabilities in the authorized app can create larger security issues.

Remember That Who Makes Your Phones and Apps Matters

Google releases regular smartphone security patches. Unfortunately, not all manufacturers release them right away. Some don’t bother to release them at all.

It may be tempting to purchase a phone because it’s cheap or aesthetically appealing, but it’s more important to choose a model from a manufacturer you can trust. That means buying a phone from a company that puts customer security first.

Keep in mind that it’s not just phone manufacturers that you should concern you. Thousands of unsecured apps are released on the market each day. Consider whether any app you use is necessary before installing it on your phone, and only use apps from reliable developers that offer regular support and security patches. As for apps that are just fun but not critical to your daily life, think twice about platforms like Facebook and popular games that are not always secure, but are often invasive. Do they really need access to your phone, contacts, and cameras in order to function?

Delete any apps you’re not using rather than simply disabling them. This will not only remove access from hackers, it will free up some of your phone’s resources and improve performance.

As an alternative to downloading apps from Play Store, consider a platform like F-Droid that has a large catalog of open source apps and doesn’t sell your info third parties. If you are downloading apps from Play Store, make sure to enable Google Play Protect in your settings. Just go to Setting>Security>Play Protect and enable full scanning via the Scan device for security threats option.

Use the Right Security Tools

Most Android devices include hidden security features that not a lot of people are aware of or use. Don’t be afraid to explore your system and put them to good use to secure your tablet or phone. Make sure to also deploy tried-and-true tools like properly configured firewalls, antivirus and anti-spyware apps, and anti-malware scanners. Keep all device firmware and software up to date.

Will Ellis from Privacy Australia explains further:

“The number one way that you can protect your information is by installing a VPN from a reputable company. This allows you to browse securely while masking your identity, location, and activity from prying eyes and cyber criminals. Using suspiciously cheap or free VPN services is dangerous because that means your data is being sold on the Dark web or to the advertisers. Make sure you choose a VPN with a strong encryption protocol – IKEv2, OpenVPN, and SoftEther are considered to be the most secure nowadays.”

Other ways to protect yourself is by using a secure browser, like TOR’s Obit or the private search engine, DuckDuckGo.

Secure Your Messaging Platforms

One of the most common uses of smartphones is messaging. This is an area where you have to worry about more than hacking. Government agencies and some employers also try to access messaging platforms to spy on citizens and employees. The most popular of these is WhatsApp, which is supposed to be an encrypted platform owned by Facebook. However, they have been legally allowed to track and release user data for more than a decade.

Instead of following the crowd, consider private messaging systems like Signal, which is free, or a low-cost messaging app like Threema.

Backup, Backup, Backup

We can’t stress enough how important it is to backup your databases. This is a solution for a worst-case scenario, but it will make recovering contacts and other important files, like those vacation videos and pics of your kids, easier when you replace your device. Your phone has a built-in backup and restore function that’s worth a few minutes of your time.

Just make sure to inform banks and credit card companies if your device is stolen, and change any passwords and login information.

Final Thoughts

In a time when most of us rely on our smartphones and tablets for staying connected, entertainment, work, and education, remember to put safety first. Our tips and recommendations are designed to work on virtually any Android-powered device.

We hope you’ll continue to enjoy your device with confidence wherever you are. Stay safe!

EDITOR NOTE: This is a promoted post and should not be viewed as an editorial endorsement.

Waterfield Field Sling Bag review

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What do you use to carry your “things” around? Whether it’s coming and going to school, commuting to and from work, or just heading out for a few hours, you need something to hold your stuff.

In some instances a full messenger bag or backpack is in order. In other scenarios, a tote bag or pouch might suffice. Somewhere in the middle is where you’d find the Waterfield Field Sling.

Introduced in September, the Field Bag comes in two designs: Sling and Backpack. In short, it’s a difference between one strap that goes around the body and chest or two that are worn over the shoulder.

The Field bags are designed to carry essential items like laptops, notepads, tablets, chargers, cables, and/or wallets. It is available in waxed canvas with chocolate leather and ballistic nylon with black leather.

Our team was provided the Sling version of the bag in waxed canvas for review purpose. Given the choice between the two colors, we’re likely going to opt for these materials as we’ve fallen in love with them in other bags.

This is not the first sling-style bag from Waterfield; it also has the Sutter Tech Sling and Sutter Sling Pouch in its portfolio. This is, however, the biggest of the three. But to say that it’s big isn’t exactly accurate. It’s more or less a small backpack with one strap.

One of things we really like about the waxed canvas and leather combination is the unique patina that comes with usage. See, once you get a few scrapes or worn spots you’ll start to bring out the character. The longer you own and use these bags, the more antique and unique they become.

As we’ve seen in other Waterfield bags, there are numerous pockets and pouches to work with, each a different size. The main sleeve, which has an incredibly soft plush material, is big enough to hold most 12″-14″ laptops and Chromebooks.

The general compartment can expand nicely to accommodate a jacket, hat, files, or other daily use items. It’s a nice size that doesn’t get too big or allow for any overly heavy items. that’s not to suggest the stitching or straps couldn’t handle it, though. It’s quality stuff everywhere you look.

There are also a pair of side pockets that are big enough for portable chargers, a notepad, or Nintendo Switch. It’s also an easily accessible spot for your phone or wallet.

A front pocket, however, might be where you toss keys, a wallet, or to better tuck away your phone. There’s a dedicated key hook and pen slot to ensure these things don’t toss about or get lost.

The inside of the Waterfield Sling Bag has the brand’s familiar gold nylon liner that’s both eye-catching and sturdy.

There are also a couple of Sling-only features worth pointing out.

  • A 180-degree rotation D-ring strap attachment helps the bag rest flat.
  • Two lower D-ring strap attachments accommodate a right-handed or left-handed preference.
  • A leather, removable shoulder pad distributes weight for enhanced comfort.
  • A Cam Lock buckle easily adjusts the strap with one hand.
  • Custom designed, sturdy snap hooks attach the strap to the bag.

We like the size of this bag. It’s perfect for not only getting to and from destinations, but also comes in handy while you’re there. We’ve found it convenient for toting phones, chargers, cables, notepads, a Chromebook, wallet, and a key fob.

Conclusion

WaterField has another hit on its hands with the Field Sling Bag. The build quality is among the best we’ve seen for bags with strong stitching and reinforced straps. The hooks and buckles are secure, lock tightly, and figure to hold up to long-term usage.

Should you have any sort of defect in the materials or workmanship, WaterField will gladly take care of it through its lifetime warranty.

We’ve really come to appreciate the little scuffs and rubs that come with owning its waxed canvas bags. The longer you own them, the more “you” it becomes.

Availability

Learn more about the Field Sling Bag and other WaterField products at the brand’s website. There are tons of bags, backpacks, totes, tech cases, wallets, and other accessories to check out. As of publication, the Field Sling/Backpack is $249 and is offered in Waxed Canvas with Chocolate Leather or Ballistic Nylon with Black Leather.

Mous case: Get the iPhone 12’s magnetic charging and accessories on your Android phone

Jason England
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Apple held its big iPhone event today, and unless you’ve been living under a rock, I’m sure you already knew that. Among the usual upgrades such as a faster processor, improved cameras, 5G, and more; the new iPhones now include magnets for attaching accessories and charging.

It’s not the first time Apple has used magnets in its devices, the iPad Pro models and new iPad Air also use strategically placed magnets for attaching the Magic Keyboard. Apple even uses magnets on the Apple Watch and charger to make it as effortless as possible to use.

If all of this has you feeling some Apple envy over there, we wouldn’t blame you, but did you know its already possible to add this capability to your Samsung Galaxy or Pixel phone? All you need is the right case, like the ones from the Limitless 3.0 collection by Mous, a London-based tech accessory brand.

By using one of the Limitless 3.0 cases on your device, you can hot-swap between car mounts, wall mounts, attach card wallets or flip wallets, and yes, Mous even has a range of magnetic Qi-enabled wireless chargers. No longer will you have to painstakingly slide your phone around on the pad to ensure its perfectly lined up and charging.

Mous made this all possible by using its in-house AutoAlignPlus technology and engineering the magnets to work with its accessories without interfering with how your phone operates. That means the case attracts the various mounts and accessories by directing the magnetic field outwards, which avoids causing any interference with the compass and other components inside of your phone.

While it’s not exactly the same as having the magnetic tech built into your phone, the Mous Limitless 3.0 system is an easy and effective way to add the same features to the phone you already own.

You can pick up cases and accessories from the Limitless 3.0 lineup for your Samsung Galaxy or Google Pixel phone starting as low as $40 from either Amazon or Mous’s online store.

Anker has some great Amazon Prime Day deals

Andrew Allen
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We are big fans of Anker. The company makes solid accessories that don’t break the bank. It also has a long-standing partnership with Amazon as it’s main retail storefront. So, unsurprisingly, Anker has some really good Prime Day sales for today’s big discount campaign.

While there are many more, these are the top five favorite reductions Anker has going today.

Soundcore Liberty Air 2

The Liberty Air 2 by Anker’s audio sub-brand are great Airpod competitors for much less. In our review, we pointed to great battery life and above-average audio as big selling points. Add that to a wireless charging case and comfy fit, and you have a winner.

Prime Day will a large $30 discount off the normal $100 pricetag too! This applies to both the black and white variations.

Buy now at Amazon: $69.99 normally $99.99

Soundcore Flare +

Want to share great audio with all your friends instead of keeping it to yourself? Then check out the Soundcore Flare +. This 360-degree speaker has amazing audio for the size with four 25Watt drivers. Pair that with IPX-7 waterproofing, 20 hours of playback, and an LED ring for some “flare” and you have a great Bluetooth speaker for your next party.

This price reduction isn’t quite a large, but at $85 it’s still a good value.

Buy now at Amazon: $84.99 normally $99.99

Anker PowerPort Cube

I love a good power strip and Anker has a great on in the PowerPort Cube. This compact charger gives you three full power outlets and three more PowerIQ USB ports in one devices the size of a tennis ball. The USB ports support adaptive charging up to 18W fast charging as well.

It’s down to $17… what are you waiting for to buy?

Buy now at Amazon: $16.99 normally $19.99

Anker PowerPort Atom II

 

Need something a little more just dedicated for your mobile devices? Check out this 60W PowerPort Atom II is an awesome addition to any travel bag. Both Power Delivery ports allow for full 60W charging via USB-C. This should give you one power brick for everthing from your phone to even a full size laptop with USB-C ports.

And it’s cut by a steep dollar amount of $30 off.

Buy it now at Amazon: $30.99 normally $50.99

The best apps on Android to track cryptocurrency prices [2020 List]

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Cryptocurrency becomes more and more popular that is why hundreds of people join this market every day.

Whether you are a cryptocurrency trader or just a curious observer, these apps on Android are sure to keep you interested. They make it easy to keep track of the movements of the cryptocurrency market, and you’ll never miss a nerve-racking bitcoin price spike.

Crypto Pro

Crypto Pro Portfolio Tracker is a cryptocurrency market tracking application. It allows you to monitor prices, manage your portfolio, receive price alerts, and read news from the crypto world.

You can add currencies to the Crypto Pro portfolio by simply importing data from popular Bitcoin exchanges. If any currency exists, it will mean it is available in the application.

CryptoTrax

CryptoTrax is simple yet effective.

Thanks to its transparent design, you can check the status of major cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, Bitcoin Cash, Ethereum, NEM, NEO, etc. and see the value of your cryptocurrency portfolio fluctuating every second.

The pie chart view gives you a visual overview of the latest crypto, ICO, and blockchain news.

The main advantage of CryptoTrax is its ease of use. You don’t have to worry about security or anything else.

The app is available for both Android and iOS, and both provide the same simple interface.

Blockfolio

Blockfolio is a one-stop app for buying / selling Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies. It has many easy-to-use tools to track your investments.

In the cryptocurrency portfolio overview section, you can see all of your blockchain assets, as well as a candlestick chart, an order book, and market information.

No cryptocurrency app is complete without price notifications. Blockfolio has an extensive warning system when the price of currency crosses a threshold you set.

More than 2,000 different cryptocurrencies can be tracked and the app will provide you with all the latest news.

Blockfolio is available for both Android and iOS.

Investing.com

Investing.com is a well-known name in the field of investment, and it should come as no surprise that its cryptocurrency app – the result of experienced mobile app development services activity, is a strong competitor.

Clear and easy to use, this application provides real-time data tracking for various currencies and shows the history of their change in the foreseeable past.

Investing.com offers quotes for over 1,300 altcoins and fiat currencies with tracking of market dominance and trading volumes.

Investing.com can be considered a pretty comprehensive app that can satisfy even financial geniuses. It imports news and analysis from a variety of sources including CoinDesk, NewsWire, Yahoo, Reuters, and many more.

With it, you can track your total profit and loss over the past 24 hours, identifying trends and predicting price changes in the near future. Alerts and price notifications can be set up quickly and easily.

This is the list of the best, according to our opinion, tracking apps. Their design is very user-friendly, and the availability of services is on a high level.

Feel free to choose the best app for you to know all the cryptocurrency changes!

EDITOR NOTE: This is a promoted post and should not be viewed as an editorial endorsement.

Unlock a new career in Google Cloud with this mastery bundle

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You may not realize this, but you interact with AI technology on a consistent, if not daily basis. And if you do recognize it, chances are good that you take it for granted. Whether it’s a Spotify playlist, an Alexa reply, or one of the myriad cool things Google Assistant does, it’s powered by AI and cloud technology.

More and more, companies are turning to cloud technology for AI applications, and that means the demand for developers and architects is steadily rising.

The Google Cloud Platform, one of the largest in the space, is a suite of computing services and tools that power Google’s Search, YouTube, and much more. According to Glassdoor, a GCP Cloud Architect can pull in a starting salary of $120,000- $160,000. Ready for a piece of that?

Google Cloud computing isn’t exactly something you master overnight. Hell, it could take you weeks just to form a basic understanding of it. It takes time to learn topics like deploying and implementing cloud solutions, software-defined networking, or virtual private clouds.

Fortunately, you can kick-start your education with some online training. Take the Google Cloud Certifications Practice Tests + Courses Bundle, for instance. This comprehensive online training features 43 hours of lectures and other tools to help prepare you for a career in the emerging field.

Sign up, and you’ll get lifetime access to the training so feel free to really dig in and learn things. Or, if you’re like many of us, drop in and out and spend the rest of the pandemic period fine-tuning yourself.

Considering how incredibly valuable the information in this 7-course bundle is, $29.99 is a small price to pay. It’s worth more than $630 if you were to purchase yourself, but we’d never let you pay that much.

Save even more!

In addition to the savings above, when you buy through AndroidGuys Deals, for every $25 spent, you get $1 credit added to your account. What’s more, should you refer the deal via social media or an email that results in a purchase, you’ll earn $10 credit in your account.

 

If this is your first time buying, then you are also eligible for a further 10% discount when you subscribe for email updates.

How about a freebie?

Not looking to spend any money today? That’s alright, we understand. Why not visit the AndroidGuys section for freebies and take something anyhow? Go ahead, grab two!

Nest launches new $129 Thermostat with simple design

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Google’s Nest division on Monday announced its newest product, the Nest Thermostat. Priced just $129.99, it gives consumers a simple, yet smart thermostat — one that learns and offers up suggestions to save energy and money.

The Nest Thermostat forgoes the familiar turning dial in favor of a touch sensitive strip on the right side of the panel. Other than that, it resembles other Nest products and looks right at home in any environment. Removing the moving pieces allows for Google and Nest to lower the price of the thermostat.

The Nest Thermostat is offered in four colors (Sand, Snow, Charcoal, and Fog) and can be pre-ordered immediately. Shipping is expected within a weeks. An optional color-matched trim kit can be purchased for $14.99 which makes it easy to cover any holes left from the previous thermostat.

While Google will continue to offer its Nest Thermostat E, that model will be made available through professional installers.

The setup process is much easier for the new Nest Thermostat, walking users through an app that asks for preferred temperature settings and waking and sleep times. While it doesn’t have the full learning experience that comes with its pricier model, the new one will occasionally offer up “Savings Finder” suggestions for saving energy and money.

The Nest Thermostat may, for instance, suggestion that you let the temperature drop an extra couple of degrees at bedtime to save money over time.

Additionally, the thermostat will monitor things such as air filters and HVAC efficiency. Perhaps you ought to be replacing the air filter earlier than the suggested 90 days; the device will keep track of how much air has been passed through the filter.

Another feature, which will come to other Nest thermostats, is monitoring efficiency of your HVAC system. Does it take longer to lower the temperature than it used to? Maybe it’s time for a tune-up. The Nest will make recommendations and even provide certified recommended installers and professionals.

Learn more about the Nest Thermostat at Google’s blog, The Keyword. Pre-order yours through the Google Store for $129.99.

Audeze Mobius Gaming Headset review

Jason England
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If you’ve never heard of Audeze before, it’s most likely because you’re not an audiophile. This high-end headphone maker has made a name for itself by using planar magnetic drivers over dynamic drivers used in traditional headphones.

By utilizing planar magnetic technology Audeze is able to provide large drivers with enhanced clarity and detail. Unfortunately, this technology is not cheap; a pair of Audeze headphones can potentially set you back thousands of dollars.

However, in recent years, Audeze has branched out into gaming headsets, which are much more affordable in comparison. For example, the Mobius headset provided to us for review starts at $400. That’s still pretty expensive, but when it comes to planar magnetic headphones from Audeze, this is one of the best deals you’re gonna get.

Design

The Mobius is a big headset, as most gaming headphones are, but still manages to use a clean design. At first glance, you wouldn’t even think the Mobius was a gaming headset if not for its large size.

One of the benefits of this oversized design is the sheer amount of options the Mobius provides. For example, it has just about every connection type under the sun, whether you want to connect via USB, 3.5mm, or Bluetooth, the Mobius has you covered.

On top of that, there is a copious amount of buttons, including the power button, mute mic switch, 3D button, and two separate volume control dials that also serve as clickable buttons.

Along with the USB-C port and 3.5mm jack, the Mobius headset also includes a port for the removable mic. That can be a handy feature for all those times you may not need a mic and don’t need it in your field of view. Audeze even includes a carrying pouch with the Mobius, so you can store it and all the accessories when not in use or on the go.

Comfort & Fit

Gaming headsets aren’t usually lightweight, and the Mobius comes in at a pretty hefty at 350g, but I found the foam padding on the headband and ear cups to be sufficient.

That doesn’t mean you aren’t going to feel these though, after a couple of hours of gaming the pressure really starts to build up on the top of your head. However, that can be said for many gaming headphones.

The good news is, that the ear cushions have plenty of padding and never touched the inside of my ears, a concern I’ve had with a couple pairs of over the ear headphones recently. Even better, the ear cushions on the Mobius are replaceable ensuring if they start to wear down you can extend the life of the headset.

User Experience

The Audeze Mobius can be a little overwhelming at first with all of its dials and buttons, plus, it has a ton of options. That’s a good thing though, when you’re getting a headset this pricey, it better come with plenty of bells and whistles, and Audeze certainly delivers.

The only downside is that there will be a bit of a learning curve and figuring out what all the buttons do can take a little time. In the end, it will all be worth it because you’ll be able to customize the Mobius to your liking and get the most out of it.

The first decision you’ll have to make is how you want to connect it. If you’re using it with a PC, USB will be your best bet. It will give you access to the full capability of the Mobius such as the 5.1 or 7.1 surround sound and access to the AudezeHQ app.

When using it with a console, you’ll have the option of connecting using either USB or the 3.5mm cable depending on your console.

Finally, when connecting to your phone you’ll be able to use all three options, with Bluetooth being the most convenient choice. A word of warning though, you will experience a significant amount of audio latency if you try using the Mobius headset to play games while using the Bluetooth connection with your phone. Thankfully, streaming video appears to be unaffected though.

Next, you’ll have to decide which sound mode and sound profile you’d like to use. In order to use 5.1 or 7.1 audio, you’ll need to connect via USB. When using the Bluetooth or 3.5mm cable you are limited to stereo mode, so that simplifies things a bit. However, in every mode, you’ll have access to the different sound profiles, which are custom EQ settings including choices such as, Flat, Foot Steps, Music, RPG, and more.

Even though surround sound isn’t supported via Bluetooth or the 3.5mm connection, the Mobius still offers a virtual surround effect with 3D option. In my experience, this just added an echo to make audio appear more spacious. In most cases, I didn’t care for the effect and preferred to hear the plain vanilla stereo audio instead.

Mic

The removable microphone on the Audeze Mobius sounds phenomenal over a USB connection. I found when using it with Bluetooth the quality took a sharp dive, but if you’re using it hardwired then you’ll be impressed at how clean the audio sounds.

Sound Quality

This is the first pair of planar magnetic headphones I’ve ever experienced, and I came away very impressed by the audio quality. When gaming on the PC I was blown away by the 7.1 surround sound, it truly felt like the audio was coming all around me. The soundstage was so spacious and it was far more immersive than other high-end stereo headphones when I compared them head to head.

Similar to gaming, watching movies with the Mobius connected via USB provided a wonderfully immersive experience thanks to the surround sound. It really made an audible difference compared to traditional over the ear headphones.

When listening to music, the Audeze Mobius continued to impress. Songs had tight punchy bass with clear highs for plenty of detail. The soundstage was fairly wide, but not as wide as you’ll experience in games with 5.1 or 7.1 audio. Overall, they are not my favorite headphones for music, but the Mobius still sounds fantastic for a pair of headphones pulling triple duty.

Battery Life

By default, the Mobius will select the LDAC Bluetooth codec if your phone supports it. This is the highest quality Bluetooth codec that transmits audio at the highest bitrate. Unfortunately, that means it uses up a lot of power. When using the LDAC codec you’ll be lucky to get four to five hours of battery life.

However, if you change the Bluetooth codec to AAC, you’ll see nearly double the amount of battery life, and come much close to the 10 hours Audeze rates the Mobius for. That difference in battery life is pretty typical, and I saw something similar when I reviewed the 1More Dual Driver ANC Pro Headphones. If you want to know how to change the codec and extend your battery life, check out our guide on how to do it over here.

Final Thoughts

The Audeze Mobius is one of the most expensive gaming headsets out there carrying a price tag of $399.00. For most people, that is going to be a dealbreaker, and I can’t say I blame you. However, if you can afford it, the Mobius is a fantastic gaming headset and pair of headphones for enjoying music or movies.

The planar magnetic drivers offer a premium sound quality ensuring this headset can do a lot more than just be used for gaming or watching movies.

However, if you’re using it specifically for gaming, be aware that you’ll only get 5.1/7.1 surround sound if using the USB connection. When using it with consoles you’ll be limited to stereo audio, and at that point, the Mobius loses a lot of its advantage over other high-end headphones.

If you’re wanting a pair of planar magnetic headphones for console gaming, you’d be better off checking out the new Penrose models from Audeze which come with wireless adapters.

Buy from Amazon Buy from Audeze

AndaSeat Fnatic Edition Gaming Chair review

Jason England
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This year has thrown a lot of changes at us, most of which stem from the coronavirus pandemic. One of these changes is the shift to many of us working from home. As someone who has been working home for years already, I can vouch for the fact that a comfortable chair is one of the must-haves for your home office.

A gaming chair may not be first on your list for a new office chair, but really, who knows more about comfort than gamers who regularly spend hours and hours sitting at their PC? Fortunately, AndaSeat, which previously manufactured race car seats for BMW and Mercedes Benz has a brand new Fnatic edition of its popular gaming chairs.

Assembly

The AndaSeat Fnatic Edition comes in several pieces with some assembly required. Fear not, because even with a little know-how, it shouldn’t take longer than 30-60 minutes to get the chair fully assembled. You won’t even need any tools, as the entire chair can be put together with the included Allen wrench and bolts.

In fact, putting the chair together is so simple, it could easily be sped up with a second pair of hands. Be warned, even though the instruction booklet has clear directions including photos, it is also filled with spelling errors. The most common being “crew” in place of the word screw.

On a side note, I thought it would be important to bring up a couple of minor blemishes I found while putting the chair together. The first is a small piece of material hanging out from one of the stitches, while the other was a marking on the back of the chair. Neither prevents the chair from functioning in any way, but when you’re charging this much for a product, I thought quality control would be a little higher, and wanted to point it out.

 

Comfort

The first time I sat in the AndaSeat Fnatic Edition I expected a soft plush cushion, much like a memory foam mattress. However, the AndaSeat chair uses a much firmer foam for the seat of the chair, while reserving the form-fitting memory foam for the neck and lumbar pillows.

That’s probably a good call, considering the seat of the chair is where it will take the most abuse and needs to stand up to years of long working or gaming sessions. After spending many hours testing out, I can say with confidence that the AndaSeat Fnatic Edition is one very comfortable chair.

It was a massive improvement over my previous office chair, but let’s face it, that was not a difficult task to achieve. That cheap office chair hasn’t been comfortable since the first year that I bought it. My hope is that the cushioning on the AndaSeat Fnatic Edition can stand up to the test of time. And considering it retails for nearly four times what I paid for my last office chair, it better.

Besides the cushioning, the AndaSeat Fnatic Edition comes with plenty of other features to help make it as comfortable as possible. My favorite of these is the reclining feature. I’m that person that starts adjusting the seat to learn back as soon as I get in the car. I just don’t feel comfortable sitting straight up and prefer to lean back at a slight angle.

Next is the 4D armrests; where have these been my whole life? I never thought adjustable armrests would make such a difference, but it truly does help to be able to control exactly where you’ll rest your arms.

The armrests on the AndaSeat Fnatic Edition allow you to adjust the height, as well as how close they are to your body, and the angle. I’m not exaggerating when I say I spent a good five minutes just pressing the buttons and working the armrests, partially to find the right position, but mostly because it was just so much fun.

Finally, as someone who spends most of their evenings in a leather rocking recliner, I really appreciated the AndaSeat’s rocking feature. I can often be found rocking away in my chair while sitting there. Whether out of habit or just my need to fidget, it was nice to have something similar here.

Final Thoughts

The AndaSeat Fnatic Edition is easy to recommend, except for one thing, the price. For most people, spending nearly $450 on a computer chair will be a hard sell. However, you have to consider that with more of us working from home, you’re going to be spending up to eight hours in this chair, or more, especially if you like to game after work. That means I’m going to be sitting in this seat for longer than I sit in my recliner that I spent slightly more money on.

If you think about it that way, $450 isn’t that bad of an investment to avoid hours of discomfort for your back and bottom.

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