Are you in the beginning stages of planning or building out a smart home? Is your house looking to add a few smart bulbs or outlets? Fortunately, there are a number of great brands to consider.
While many people may think of GE or Philips as being among the only companies in the smart light space there are numerous other, less expensive options. Treatlife, for example, is one brand that’s slowly building out a portfolio of connected devices, lights, switches, and more.
Treatlife expanded its product line in July, adding the following products:
Smart Ceiling Fan Control and Light Dimmer Switch ($44.99): Our combined fan and light dimmer switch turns any ceiling fan into a smart fan and puts control directly on the wall so that you never have to fuss with pull chains again.
3-Way Wi-Fi Smart Light Switch ($19.99): Add smart light functionality for 3-way and single pole applications.
Wi-Fi Smart Dimmer Switch ($21.99): Add smart dimming functionality for single pole applications.
Wi-Fi Smart Light Switch ($17.99): Add smart light functionality for single pole applications.
Plug in Dimmer ($37.99): All the programmable features of Treatlife products including scheduling and dimming in a plug. Works indoors and outdoors and is great for floor lamps, outdoor market lighting, Christmas lights and more.
Smart Wi-Fi LED Bulbs with 16M Colors ($39.99 for 4 bulbs): Express yourself with dramatic lighting effects in up to 16 million dimmable colors at a cost that’s more than 75% less than the same product from a leading competitor. No hubs required.
Among those that were sent to us, and which we feel comfortable recommending, are the following:
3-Way Wi-Fi Smart Light Switch
60W LED Dimmable White and Color Bulb
60W LED Dimmable White Bulb
We were provided a few editorial samples of Treatlife products and found them to be of solid build quality and easy to set up. Moreover, they were easy to integrate with Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa.
If you’re looking to replace your lights in an overhead manner, such as a ceiling fan, you may want to look into the dimmable white bulb. Lamps and sconces, on the other hand, look great when adding a hint of color. And with 16 million colors to choose from, the color bulb is excellent.
A quick look around shows that the Treatlife options are a fraction of what it might cost for any other brand. The dimmer switch, for example, is just $20 when Leviton’s alternative is about $45.
Similarly, a 4-pack of Treatlife color bulbs runs $30.59 while a 2-pack of C by GE costs $48.99. That breaks down to $7.65 per bulb versus $24.50 each.
The pandemic has thrown everything into a blender, especially in the area of work and careers. Some are working from home, others have different duties, and others are simply looking for work.
As more companies dive deeper into cloud-based services, streamlined communications, and other tech-driven systems, a well-versed and cross-trained IT expert becomes increasingly more valuable. Put a few certifications under your belt and you’re attractive to prospective employers and management.
There’s no easier better way or time to get started on an IT career path or become a tech pro. And thanks to online training bundles like the 2021 All-in-One AWS, Cisco and CompTIA Super Certification Bundle, it doesn’t get any cheaper. It’s just $99 right now, more than 90 percent off from the AG Deals Store.
The sheer volume of content in this 22-course, 420+ hour kit is pretty mind-blowing stuff. We’re talking exhaustive learning on Amazon Web Services (AWS), Cisco, cloud computing, Google Cloud, and more.
The best part about this bundle isn’t the nearly 1,900 lessons, but that’s pretty damn cool, too. No, it’s that you can learn at your own pace on both desktop and mobile. And when you’re done with a course, you get a certificate of completion. Tuck that into your resume or package when negotiating a pay raise.
Get Started Today!
This intensive and exhaustive IT training is valued at well over $4,400, but as part of this super bundle, it’s all yours for just $99 while the offer lasts. Become a tech pro at your leisure.
Nokia is back in the US and making a big push over the last few years. Well, its new partner HMD Global has a revealed a new device coming to Verizon later this month. Say hello to the Nokia 2 V Tella.
The name may be a mouthful, but this device is looking to give folks a solid smartphone with no frills and a great price. The Nokia 2 V Tella builds on the Nokia 2 V from last year to offer users “stock Android” on the cheap on Big Red’s network.
With the Nokia 2 V Tella, you get a 5.45-inch HD+ display paired with a 3000mAh battery pack inside. Around the back is a dual-camera module with an 8-megapixel main shooter and a 2-megapixel depth sensor.
Performance should be good but not great with the included internals of a MediaTek Helio A22 processor and 2GB of RAM. You also only get 16GB of internal storage but will have expansion with the microSD slot.
However, even with meager specs, day-to-day use should be decent with Android 10 running with little to no tweaks. Nokia tends to not mess with the way Google intended to present Android to the masses. One thing the company does include is a handy dedicated button on the side of the phone to launch Google Assistant.
The Nokia 2 V Tella will be available on the Verizon network and stores later this month for $89. It will also be sold in Walmart retail outlets and the online storefront.
Soundcore may not be the household name of Beats or Sony…yet. However, the audio brand from Anker has been making quality devices for a few years now. The company is adding to that stable of music headphones with the new Life Q30 Bluetooth headphones.
While truly wireless earbuds are all the rage these days the Life Q lineup of “traditional” over-ear headphones could be considered the top tier that Anker has to offer. The new Soundcore LIfe Q30 builds on the great Q20 from last year with Active Noise Cancellation and a compelling spec sheet.
ANC included
The active noise cancellation uses multiple microphones to help filter up to 95% of outside noise while only giving you the audio playback in the headphones. There’s also a transparency mode that adjusts the filter process to allow you more input from the outside environment.
Custom tuning
When you do want to rock out to nothing but tunes, you’ll be hit with 40mm silk drivers for a robust sound. Custom tuning is onboard as well. This offers different EQ and sound profiles to be set from the Soundcore mobile app on both iOS and Android.
All-day battery
Pair all that with a huge power capacity, and the Life Q30 is a great addition to the Soundcore portfolio. Anker has the battery life rated at up to 40 hours of total playback per charge while using ANC. Turn off noise cancellation and it estimates an additional 20 hours. Yes, 60 hours total.
Of course, we’ll need to confirm this in real-world usage, but the Life Q20 has us comfortable that these projections are pretty close to actual results.
Available soon
Anker doesn’t have a set date of availability past “early November” in the US. It does have a concrete price tag of $79.99 from the Soundcore Amazon storefront.
LG’s reputation in the Android world isn’t exactly the best right now. The South Korean company hasn’t had the easiest time differentiating its phones or telling people why they should buy them.
Sure, it plasters advertisements everywhere, including your TV, the internet, radio, and billboard, but do you know why you should buy one of its phones after listening to them? Feels like every other phone out there, right? Based on a new strategy introduced earlier this year, LG agrees.
The company went back to the drawing board and came up with something new. While the V series is still kicking around after the death of the G series, the LG Velvet is something completely different. Combining premium looks and the best software suite we’ve seen from LG, this mid-range 5G device might just turn some heads… If LG can get anyone to listen.
Build
Taking the LG Velvet out of the box is an experience. The device is absolutely beautiful with a mirror-finish back, a display which has bezels slimmer than you’d imagine from press photos, and a solid feel in the hand.
LG also decided to stretch the phone out, so now the Velvet is very tall, but much easier to handle because of how thin it is for a device with a 6.8-inch display. It’s the best of both worlds.
One area that I wish LG would take a look at is their display. While the quality of the display is absolutely fantastic, I believe the era of curved displays needs to come to an end. It’s difficult to grab onto the aluminum side rails because the screen curves in a dramatic fashion.
I don’t experience many accidental touches (kudos to LG’s software team) but it does make the phone harder to use and feels less secure in my hand. Sure, it looks sleek but after you take it home, you want a good user experience and this isn’t it.
Software
This is a very pretty phone but there’s also depth, too. The software experience is far, far better than any other LG device I’ve ever used. Yes, it still comes with about 37 million preloaded apps (Thanks, AT&T), but beyond that, I’m pretty happy with what LG has done here.
First, let’s get this out of the way: if you’re a stock-Android lover, this one probably isn’t for you. The Velvet’s software reminds me a lot of Samsung’s offerings as well– but that’s a good thing.
You can see thought was put into design choices like moving the menu and buttons further down the screen while displaying information and graphics in the top half of the screen. LG doesn’t go as far as Samsung with this, but it’s a good start.
There’s also an impressive amount of options and settings in the device. You have everything from fine-tuning audio controls, display options, intelligent charging controls, a theme engine, and far more. But more than offering these features, it’s that LG has gotten out of its own way to do so.
No longer do we find things buried three or four menus deep. No longer are things half explained with users left to figure it out on their own. Again, there’s some real thought put into this.
The one thing I would love LG to work on, though, is the stock keyboard. This can be changed easily by downloading Gboard, but working with LG’s keyboard is a frustrating experience. It’s laggy, glitchy, and makes some pretty strange suggestions.
Frustrating things even more is the fact that it’s probably the best keyboard to use with the dual-screen display so you have to keep going back and forth between Gboard and LG’s keyboard if you want the best of both worlds. But hey, at least we have that option, right?
Before we move on, I just want to point out how good LG has been at updating its software so far. I, like many others, laughed when LG said it was making a huge push into software development so it could better support its devices. It even opened up software houses just for this purpose. But then, we saw no results.
But, I think that hard work (and millions of dollars) are starting to pay off. The monthly security updates are coming at more regular intervals now and that’s a refreshing change. But, where LG will be judged is how fast it can deliver full Android software updates (c’mon, Android 11!) and just how long LG is planning to support its devices for.
Dual Screen
Speaking of the dual-screen display, it’s one of my favorite things about the LG Velvet. It’s an optional accessory but comes bundled with the phone most of the time. With it, you can turn your device into a powerful pocket computer that’s only going to get better over time.
You can currently launch multiple apps, and that’s the best way to use the dual-screen. Because of the large hinge in the middle, using something like Google Maps across both displays isn’t a great experience, but it’s not really designed for that.
Playing a game and displaying a controller on the second screen is great. Opening up two documents at the same time is wonderful. Video editing is… well, you can do it if you want to.
via LG
For gaming, the Velvet is a dream. LG has included a dedicated Game Mode, which turns one of your displays into a full-screen (and customizable) controller. Then, throw the actual game on the other screen and enjoy something that you only wish you could have. Unless you actually pick up the Velvet, V60, or something like the Galaxy Z Fold 2 (which is a different experience entirely).
The display case charges via a pogo pin adapter that you can plug any USB-C cable into. I’ve heard people complain that you need an adapter but in my usage, I’ve never had an issue doing it.
The adapter lines up with the case via magnets so you never miss and you can just leave the adapter connected to your cable when you’re not using it. You’ll probably want to try and find an extra adapter, if you happen to travel frequently and don’t want to have to take your Velvet out of the dual-screen case just to charge it.
Performance
2020 has been a bit weird in terms of tech. Most companies decided that the Qualcomm Snapdragon 865+ was too expensive and decided to go with the cheaper 765G instead. That’s exactly what LG did for the Velvet, which is why the device is priced right around $600 at the time of publishing.
In terms of performance, it’s… fine. This isn’t going to blow anything out of the water and benchmarks are going to make it seem like a potato, but in real life usage, it does the job just fine. There are a few stutters and some lag there, but I’m hesitant to attribute that to the processor and not to LG’s software or something running in the background.
I’ve used other devices with the 765G and performance has been great. In fact, you can barely notice you’re not using a flagship chip, if you can notice at all. I hope that I’m right and the little issues I’ve seen can get ironed out in a software patch. Truth be told, while I’m all for LG’s changes on the software front, they may have done too much and it does show a bit on the Velvet.
Battery
Battery life is another story. I was initially ready to criticize LG for making a phone super thin and killing the battery capacity, but there is a 4,300mAh battery here, which makes it competitive with pretty much every phone on the market.
In terms of real-world usage, battery life is pretty good. I averaged between five and 6.5 hours of screen on time each day and would go to bed with anywhere from 15 to 30% of my battery left. I achieved these results with all radios on, using the dual-screen case for an hour or so each day and screen brightness at auto.
This isn’t going to win any marathons, but I struggle to think of any phones that are this thin with this good of battery life.
What I do really like, however, is that LG included fast charging (up to 15W) and fast wireless charging (9W) on board. I’m the type of person who likes to stick my phone on the wireless charger at night to charge so it’s nice to see LG adding it after competitors like OnePlus took it out of devices in similar price ranges.
We also see intelligent charging controls so that your phone doesn’t charge too quickly at night. Fast charging produces heat and heat is the enemy of good, long last battery life. Over the life of your device, your battery degrades and heat doesn’t help that out. LG allows you to charge your phone slower at night, thus reducing heat and ensuring the long life of your battery.
Camera
The camera on the LG Velvet is good. It’s not crazy Samsung/Google/Huawei levels of good, but for almost everyone on the planet, it’ll do just fine.
Looking at camera samples, you can see that LG is probably changing its processing and leaning a little more into saturation, rather than true tones. We’ve seen this throughout the years, especially on Samsung devices, that blow out colors so they feel more vibrant and alive. I don’t necessarily mind this but it is something you should keep in mind if that sort of thing matters to you.
Beyond that, you’ll find the same full suite of picture modes and filters that you come to expect from LG. Video, however, has taken a bit of a step back. We don’t see quite the amount of control we’ve come to expect on past V-series devices, but as we said earlier, it’ll be fine for most people.
Conclusion
The LG Velvet can be just about anything you want it to be. It’s a mid-range device with pretty decent performance and 5G support. It’ll do great with everything except the most challenging apps. And even then, it should be fine, it just might take a little longer to launch that app or show a few less frames in that game.
Out of the box, it’s one of the sleekest and sexiest phones on the market, and trust me when I tell you that it looks far better in person. But, if you want more, slap the dual-screen case on there and you have a slimmer Fold 2-like experience that can launch multiple apps at the same time and allow you to get some work done on the train or browse Reddit as you’re watching YouTube videos. I believe that once more office apps begin to support multi-display support with the Fold and Microsoft Duo becoming more popular, the Velvet will prosper as well.
I wasn’t sure how LG’s strategy was going to plan out when they first announced they were going back to the drawing board. I was even less confident when renders started to appear because the Velvet looks like every slim and sexy slab of glass released in the last five years. But then I picked one up and started using it. It’s the first time I really don’t have any complaints about an LG phone in a long, long time.
It has never been easier to teach yourself how to become a developer. Whether it’s mobile apps or something for the web, we’re in an age where having access to tools and teaching is only a mouse-click away.
We’ve got a collection of training designed specifically with the would-be web developer in mind. Called the Web Development Master Class Certification Bundle, it gives you all of the resources and education you need to gain an advantage in an increasingly competitive market. We’re talking more than 35 hours of instruction spanning 697 lessons.
Get started on a new career or take your current one to another level with the six-course bundle from AndroidGuys Deals.
Features
Web Development Master Class: Complete Certification Course: Set Up Virtual Cloud Severs & Develop Database-Driven Websites Using the Latest Web Technologies
Internet & Web Development Fundamentals Certification Course: Learn How the Internet Works & Set Up a Testing and Production Web Server
HTML, CSS, & JavaScript Certification Course for Beginners: A Comprehensive Guide for Beginners Interested in Learning HTML, CSS, & JavaScript to Build Interactive Web Pages
Bootstrap & jQuery: Certification Course for Beginners: Create Fully Animated, Interactive, Mobile Responsive Web Pages Using Bootstrap & jQuery Library
PHP & MySQL: Certification Course for Beginners: Learn to Build Database-Driven Web Applications Using PHP & MySQL
Create a Members Only Blog using PHP, MySQL, & AJAX: Create a Database Driven Blog with Authentication, Validated Contact Forms, & Session Variables Using PHP, MYSQL, and AJAX
Where to Buy
The Web Development Master Class Certification Bundle you can purchase it for only $35. Hurry, this won’t last forever!
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!
Recently, cloud gaming gained a huge competitor when Microsoft launched Xbox Game Pass Ultimate offering over 100 games free to play with your subscription. It joins the increasingly crowded space with players like Google Stadia and NVIDIA’s GeForce Now.
I’ve spent the past few weeks testing out Xbox Game Pass Ultimate and here are my thoughts.
Game Selection
There’s no getting around it, Microsoft’s service comes out swinging with a host of hit games at launch. Titles include Xbox exclusives such as games from the Halo, Gears of War, Forza, Ori, and more. There is also a selection of popular games available on third-party platforms including Batman Arkham Knight, Doom Eternal, The Outer Worlds, Witcher 3, and many many others.
Not only does Microsoft have a wide selection of games on offer, but it is sure to grow as time goes on. It has promised future exclusives will show up on the platform on day one. Plus, there is Microsoft’s recent acquisition of Bethesda, which will surely see more of its catalog joining Xbox Game Pass Ultimate in the future. Skyrim on yet another platform anyone?
Additionally, EA Play is also headed to Xbox Game Pass Ultimate in November, growing the library of games even further.
Basically, there is a wide selection of games to choose from on Microsoft’s new service spanning multiple genres. It won’t be difficult to find at least a few titles to throw yourself into and get lost for a bit.
The downside is, unless it’s a Microsoft exclusive game, you won’t be playing many new titles. If you’re someone who likes to play specific games or is always chasing the next big game, you might be left wanting with only a selection of older hits to choose from.
Gaming on the PC
When playing games on your Android device Microsoft streams them much like Google’s Stadia service. However, once you make the jump to PC, everything changes. Xbox Game Pass for PC offers a more traditional gaming setup where you download and install each game on your local PC.
Now, this has both its advantages and disadvantages. For one, if you have a good gaming PC, you’ll be able to play games in higher quality than 720p at 60fps. You’ll also be able to play games without burning through your internet provider’s data cap. On the flip side, if you have a weak PC then you’re sure to see worse performance, and the games are going to eat up lots of space on your hard drive.
In my personal experience, I was unable to install the Game Pass for PC app on my more powerful PC. Each time I tried, I was met with an error and eventually, I just gave up. Finally, I decided to give it a try on a weaker desktop I have, and to my surprise, it installed fine. Unfortunately, the game ran like garbage because of the slower CPU and onboard graphics.
If you’re hoping to run games on your computer, make sure your PC has decent specs, and try installing Xbox Game Pass for PC app ahead of time just to ensure it works.
Perks
Besides giving you access to games across multiple platforms, Xbox Game Pass Ultimate also includes perks. Most of the time these tie directly into gaming with free digital items or expansion passes.
However, you’ll also find offers for other services such as three months of Discord Nitro or two months of Funimation Premium Plus. All of these are limited-time offers, so be sure to claim them quickly and check back often for new perks.
Performance
My time streaming with Xbox Game Pass Ultimate was spent between using my Android phones with the Razer Kishi, and a Chromebook running the Android app on a 200Mbit connection. Microsoft recommends a 10Mbit connection, so mine should be plenty. Regardless, I still ran into many streaming issues and loading screens.
If you’re a console gamer, you’re used to loading screens by now, and I found the wait to be very similar to using a console. However, coming from using Stadia, the wait was brutal. Games load up significantly faster with Google’s service, and that made the wait feel even longer on Xbox Game Pass Ultimate.
That would have been fine if games ran perfectly after loading. Unfortunately, that was not the case. There were many times I encountered macro blocking and even stutters during gameplay. More than once, I had a game completely close out on me or refuse to load. And in one particular session, the audio was distorted the entire time until I exited the game and launched it again.
All of this and the service is capped at 720p 60fps with stereo sound. To its credit, the graphics still looked good when playing on a phone or even my 12.3-inch Chromebook. At least it did when there weren’t connection issues, which was pretty often. There is a reason this service is still considered a beta.
Final Thoughts
Xbox Game Pass Ultimate offers a wide selection of games, including old hits and new favorites spanning multiple genres for only $14.99 a month. Unfortunately, there are still some glitches in the system, and quality is capped at 720p at 60fps.
While it has its downsides, the service is still technically in beta, and there isn’t a better value out there at the moment. That could all change once Amazon launches Luna, but we’ll have to wait and see on that front.
For now, if you’re a fan of the games offered in the Xbox Game Pass Ultimate library–or you’ve always wanted to try some of them out–I’d say go ahead and sign up for at least a month to give it a try.
At the moment, Microsoft is running a deal where you can get the first month for only a dollar, so it won’t cost you much to decide if this cloud gaming service is for you. Check out our guide on how to sign up over here to get started.
Data is valuable. Whether it’s your school papers, work documents, passwords, preferences, and settings, or something else, it’s important to keep the data locked up tight. This is exponentially more vital for businesses who are trusted to guard your credit cards, legal documents, and other personal information.
Everyone is at risk of being hacked, but things are much scarier for big companies. That’s why having the right cybersecurity team in place is so critical. Getting on an IT team is not just a case of showing up and/or applying. Having IT certification and credentials is more important than ever.
CompTIA is the voice of the world’s information technology (IT) industry. It advances the global interests of IT professionals and channel organizations. It’s the leading certification body in the accreditation space and the way to do IT.
Great, lucrative, and family-sustaining IT jobs are out there, but the vast majority of candidates are not yet qualified. Certifications help to train and identify qualified, knowledgeable employees and match them with employers who have jobs to fill.
The Advanced Cyber Security Career Advancement Bundle features more than 56 hours of content to prep you for CompTIA and other cyberscurity exams. It’s on sale for only $49.99 right now, and a steal of a deal.
For every $25 you spend in the AG Deals Store you get $1 credit added to your account. And, if you refer the deal via social media or an email that results in a purchase, you’ll earn $10 credit in your account.
First Time Buying?
If this is your first time buying, you are also eligible for 10% discount! Just be sure to subscribe for email updates.
Free Stuff
Not looking to spend any money today? No worries. You can still visit the AndroidGuys section for freebies and pick something anyhow.
Verizon this week announced that it has launched the nationwide sub-6 GHz 5G network, giving its customers broad 5G coverage.
According to Verizon, the network covers over 200 million people across some 1,800 cities and towns in the US.
Verizon also detailed plans to continue building out its mmWave “Ultra Wideband” network, which provides even higher speeds in select dense areas.
This week sees mmWave 5G going live in some 19 new cities, including Baltimore, Hartford, Las Vegas, Louisville, Milwaukee, Oklahoma City, Philadelphia, San Francisco, and St. Louis. This brings the total to 55 markets with a goal of hitting 60 by the end of the year.
Verizon 5G Ultra Wideband is also available at 43 stadiums and arenas as well as seven airports.
Motorola One 5G UW Now Available
The Motorola One 5G UW is now available through Verizon, providing customers with one of the first devices to support both versions of the 5G network. With an all-in retail price of $549.99, it’s just $22.91 per month for 24 months.
Powered by Android 10, the phone features a 6.7-inch display, 48-megapixel quad-camera array, and a large 5,000mAh battery.
When you pay for Netflix’s most expensive plan, you want to get the highest streaming quality no matter where you watch, and I don’t blame you.
However, you may be surprised to find out that the quality of your video and audio is not only dependent on your plan and connection, but also the device you use, as well as the browser. Keep reading to find out how to get the highest quality when streaming Netflix on a Chromebook.
In Short
Use the Chrome browser, it supports up to 1080p video, and that’s as good as it gets on a Chromebook.
Chromebooks don’t support 4K HDR playback
First off, it’s time for the bad news, unfortunately, Chromebooks don’t support 4K HDR playback. Instead, 1080p video quality is the best you’re going to get as a Chromebook user.
According to the Netflix support page, streaming with the Chrome browser on a Chromebook supports up to 1080p. What about running the Android Netflix app on a Chromebook? I’m glad you asked, turns out, that’s even worse, with a maximum resolution of 480p.
Regardless, even with a maximum resolution of 480p, there is a benefit to using the Netflix app on Chromebooks, offline watching. If you’re out and about, unsure whether there is going to be a stable connection or not, then you’re going to want to download some videos, and the Netflix app is the only way that’s happening.
It’s not all bad news
I’m sure this is disappointing to hear if you pay for Netflix’s top tier plan. However, take solace in the knowledge that there are very few Chromebooks out there with a 4K display.
Also, be glad that Chrome even supports 1080p on Chromebooks, because it is limited to 720p on Windows devices. However, at least Windows users have the option to watch in 4K HDR with surround sound, you can find out how with our guide.
