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Five tips to choose the best VPN based on your needs

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Whether you work from home or on the move, Virtual Private Networks or VPN, have become a popular tool to protect your browsing history. Having said that, while all the important things you do online remain a secret between you and the other point on the internet, your protection from the VPN server to your destination server remains a cybersecurity hotspot that can cost you dear in the long run. This is the reason that the VPN service you choose should be after careful consideration.

Getting hold of the right VPN (like best value VPN is one of the leading providers in the market today) can be extremely difficult, after all it is a matter of trust between you and the service provider as one can do little to control who can set up a VPN for rent and who cannot. While in theory VPN’s are supposed to keep your interests safe, in practice some of them can be scams designed to steal your data for selling to someone else. That said, there are reliable VPN services, best for your needs, which can be selected by following these five useful tips.

Check the trial period

One of the most important things to check initially while opting for a new VPN service is the length of the free trial period. During this time you can avail of the service without having to pay for it and ask for a refund if not satisfied. In order words, do not invest in a VPN without testing if it conforms to your requirements, which means, the trial period should be long enough to fully try out the VPN you are intending to purchase.

AG DEALS: Shop our offers on VPN services

Numbers can confuse

VPN service providers display a list of numbers which are meant to inform the buyer about the services they are offering to different locations in various countries. This information, though useful to gauge the scope of the VPN company, may not necessarily offer what you actually want. The bottom line is, that irrespective of the big numbers, you should check whether the country you want to VPN is on the list. Say you want to connect to a server in Shanghai, the VPN may be useless for you even if it has thousands of locations but don’t include China.

Bigger is better

Depending on how you access the internet, it is important to know the number of simultaneous devices you can be contacted to at the same time. While traveling, two or three may be more than sufficient, but at home you may want more connections in your router.

Add on features

Almost every VPN service has software installed for Macs, Windows PC, phones, iOS devices and even Linux users. If at home you may prefer to control all your traffic a VPN service with your router, once you move away from this platform, support can become inconsistent. You will need to check, therefore, all the individual offerings which inform you about the add-on features like special software, editing etc. which may meet your needs.

Kill switch

This term basically refers to the stopping of sending data from the app of a VPN client as soon as the connection of the provider is over. The object is, that unless encrypted, nothing should be transferred to the destination server. While some VPN vendors have kill switches that are effective, look for a provider who says it runs at higher levels in the app network connection. A simple yardstick: do not sign up with a VPN service that does not offer a kill switch, even though it may not be universally effective if you happen to lose your connection.

Editor Note: This is a promoted post and should not be considered an editorial endorsement.

Samsung schedules another Unpacked event for September 23

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Samsung has had a pretty busy go of things as of late, but that doesn’t mean it’s done introducing phones for the year. An invitation for a “Samsung Galaxy Unpacked for Every Fan” has gone out, revealing the hardware maker still has something up its sleeve.

Scheduled for September 23, the event figures to mark the debut of the Samsung Galaxy S20 Fan Edition. First spied on Verizon’s website by Android Police, it looks to be a less expensive approach to the Galaxy S20 experience.

This would not mark the first time Samsung has taken this approach to its flagship series of phones. In the past, however, they were known as “Lite” versions.

The hardware details, which have not been confirmed, are rumored to include the same Qualcomm Snapdragon 865 processor but with potentially less memory.

The screen size may actually come in larger than in the standard model, and retain the same 120Hz refresh rate.

According to video renders found on the Verizon website, the back of the phone will retain three cameras. Reportedly, it will feature an 8-megapixel telephoto lens with 3X zoom instead of the 48-megapixel crop/zoom sensor of the original.

With about one week to go before the official announcement we might not be surprised if more details surface. Given the phone is already in Verizon’s system and seemingly ready to sell, availability shouldn’t be very far off.

Samsung’s invitation shows a mint green and dark blue phone so we suspect those are two of the color options for the Samsung Galaxy S20 Fan Edition. Others are anticipated to include red and pink; choices may vary by carrier.

Google partners with Lenovo for Meet hardware kits

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Google on Tuesday announced new Google Meet videoconferencing hardware as part of a partnership with Lenovo. The new Series One hardware comes in the form of a bundle which are slated for pre-order soon.

The entire kit is powered by a Compute System which has a version of Chrome OS designed for Meet. The platform uses AI to provide a smarter and more user-friendly way of conducting meetings. Features include joining meetings using voice, enhanced noise reduction, and participant framing.

The Series One hardware is comprised of a 12-megapixel Smart Camera; an alternate 20.3-megapixel Smart Camera XL is offered for larger conference rooms.

A Smart Audio Bar houses a 2.5-inch woofer, one-inch tweeter, and eight beam-forming microphones that Google says can process “up to 44 channels simultaneously.” It advises that it can filter out distracting sounds such as typing and snacking.

This isn’t Google’s first approach to workplace tech, nor is it the first attempt at hardware for Google Meet. Asus introduced gear for Google Meet back in May.

Depending on what version of the Series One hardware you purchase, you’ll may also be able to control meetings via a rechargeable remote control or a 10.1-inch display. Both of support Google Assistant for hands-free meeting controls.

Companies interested in adding one of the Series One kits to their conference rooms will soon be pre-order one. Exact timing isn’t known yet, but pricing starts at $2,699 for the Small Room Kit.

For the money, you’ll get a Smart Camera, Smart Audio Bar, Compute System, and remote control ($2,699). Alternatively, a $2,999 Medium Room Kit and $3,999 Large Room Kit will be sold. Color options include “charcoal” (black) and “chalk” (white).

Mobvoi’s new budget TicWatch GTX smartwatch is now available

Andrew Allen
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For those that may not know, Mobvoi has become somewhat of a darkhorse for Google devices over the last few years. With multiple iterations of Android Wear, Google smart speakers, and earbuds, the “Tic” line of devices are affordable options for those living the connected life. Today the company’s latest a budget smartwatch targetting the workout warriors with the TicWatch GTX is ready for purchase.

The Ins and Outs

While the $60 price tag will get most people’s attention, the software might be the biggest story for the TicWatch GTX. This marks the first time the Mobvoi team has strayed away from Android Wear. The GTX runs a custom Realtime OS that the company claims leads to the optimization it accomplished.

That mainly shows itself in up to 10 hours of battery life. Android Wear has struggled to find that kind of endurance, but the TicWatch GTX presents that it can far exceed the single day that Wear OS lasts on most watches.

Outside of battery, the TicWatch GTX offers normal sports tracking you’d find on most smartwatches. There are 14 workout modes to follow you while running, cycling, swimming, or even yoga. General steps are getting calculated as well of course.

Sleep tracking is also onboard. This should give users the ability to better track trends about a good night’s sleep versus a sleepless evening.

Other smart options are the basic interactions with the paired phone. The TicWatch GTX offers notifications for incoming calls and messages. You can also control media playback, check the weather, and find your phone.

Internally, the GTX is fairly straight forward. You will get 160KB of RAM, heart rate monitor, accelerometer, IPX68 water resistance, and Bluetooth 5.0 for pairing. No GPS, WiFi, or microphone.

Pricing

The full retail price of the TicWatch GTX is $60, but if you act fast, you can snag this watch from Amazon or the company’s website for just $54. The GTX should offer a nice alternative in the Mobvoi lineup to the likes of entry-level Fitbit and Garmin devices and at this price point, it even undercuts many of its competitors while offering better battery life.

Google Pixel 5 expected to launch September 30

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Google is expected to introduce its Pixel 5 smartphone, Pixel 4a with 5G, and a handful of other products on September 30, according to an invitation being sent out.

The “Launch Night In” event takes place at 2PM EST/11AM EST and promises details on a new Chromecast, a new smart speaker, and new Pixel phones.

Google has previously indicated that the Pixel 5 and a 5G-ready version of the Pixel 4a were coming this fall. According to Google, the 5G variant of the Pixel 4a will start at $499. The Pixel 5’s price remains a mystery.

Google’s new smart speaker is likely the one that leaked in July, which appears to be somewhat of a cross between the Nest Mini and the Google Home Max from a few years back.

As for the new Chromecast device, it may be one of two that were recently spied at the FCC. Google has been working on tweaking its Android TV and Chromecast experience; a TV dongle with codename “Sabrina” is the likely candidate and figures to blend the two.

Given there are a couple of weeks separating now and the September 30 launch chances are good that a few leaks could spoil the surprises.

Verizon to acquire Tracfone for nearly $7 billion in 2021

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Verizon has entered into an agreement with America Movil to buy Tracfone, the leading prepaid mobile provider in the US and largest reseller of wireless services.

Verizon and America Movil have a longstanding relationship with about 13 million of its 21 million subscribers using the Verizon network. To be clear, Tracfone is actually comprised of a family of brands, including StraightTalk, Net10, Simple Mobile, Total Wireless, Walmart Family Mobile, and others.

The deal, which is expected to close in 2021, is worth upwards of $7 billion; it includes $3.125 billion in cash, $3.125 billion in Verizon stock, and up to $650 million in future cash consideration.

Following the closing of the deal, Verizon plans to bring its 4G LTE and 5G networks and technology to Tracfone.

Verizon expects to keep all 850 Tracfone employees as it folds them under the larger umbrella.

There are more than 90,000 retail locations serving the Tracfone family of brands, including Best Buy, Walmart, Target, Dollar General, Family General, and CVS.

LG Wing arrives with swiveling two-screen experience

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LG on Monday announced its first handset under the “Explorer Project”, the LG Wing. And just as the rumors told us, it features a unique two-screen experience.

Currently there are two main ways that phone makers are working with dual displays. There’s the “two phone screens that make a tablet screen” approach and then there’s the “flip phone” design that opens to reveal a full-screen experience. The LG Wing is neither of those.

The LG Wing features a 6.8-inch full HD OLED main display that swivels up to reveal a secondary 3.9-inch screen underneath. Resembling a Tetris T-block, it leads to unique use cases.

The LG Wing is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 765G processor with 8GB RAM and 128GB/256GB storage options. A microSD expansion card slot allows for external media.

The rear houses a 64-megapixel main camera, accompanied by a 12-megapixel wide-angle and 13-megapixel wide-angle camera. One is mounting in standard portrait orientation while the other is rotated 90 degrees. A 32-megapixel camera pops out for selfies on the front side of the phone.

The hinge mechanism in LG WING has proven to be reliable even after 200,000 swivels – this averages out to about 100 motions every day for five years.

Given its unique design, the LG Wing allows for some interesting camera modes. Grip Mode ignores accidental touches while recording video when the phone is opened. Gimbal Motion Camera Mode adds a joystick, lock, and follow controls on the secondary display.

The design also allows for watching full-screen video content on the big display while messaging, commenting, and other features are available on the secondary screen.

Other prominent features in the LG Wing include a 4,000mAh battery with wireless and Quick Charge 4.0 and an IP54 rating against dust and water.

The LG Wing will be offered in Aurora Gray and Illusion Sky when it goes on sale. Pricing and exact availability has yet to be revealed. With that said, Verizon will have first dibs on the unique phone with AT&T, T-Mobile, and others following later.

Upgrade your WFH setup with this three piece bundle

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Things have changed in the US workforce. Even after this pandemic is over and the situation gets back to the old definition of “normal”, things will be different in the work space.

A lot of companies and organizations have warmed to the idea of remote working and will likely keep it as a permanent part of doing business. Many people who work from home will probably continue to work from home.

While you may have gotten used working remotely, chances are you could do better in the way of proper tools and devices. Getting in front of a camera is one thing, but having the right lighting, camera angles, and perspective is another.

Whether you’re looking to connect with your team once a week or present a quarterly slide deck for upper management, you’ll want to invest in the right equipment. The Pictar Home Office Kit is that right equipment.

The bundle, just $89.99 in the AG Deals Store, is comprised of three components: a Pictar Wide-Angle Smart Lens, Splat 3N1 Flexible Tripod, and Pictar Smart Light. Together, these three will help eliminate the hassles of clumsy and less than stellar calls.

The smart lens doubles the viewing on your mobile device, so you’ll capture more than just a closely cropped image of your head. It connects to an app and allows for precise and easy adjustment; it also has 20 different shooting modes.

The tripod has five flexible legs that allow for mounting just about anywhere and everywhere you take your phone. The smart light clips onto your phone or camera to enhance the quality of your video footage.

Availability

You can purchase your three-piece Pictar Home-Office Kit from the AG Deals Store for just $89.99 right now. That’s a 35% discount off the normal retail price.

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Free Stuff

Not looking to spend any money today? No worries. You can still visit the AndroidGuys section for freebies and pick something anyhow.

App Review: Kanbani Task Manager

Andrew Allen
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Task management can be a nightmare. Whether you need something for our own family chores or overseeing a team of employees, it can be a cluttered mess. A new app called Kanbani hopes to help you not get overwhelmed.

Just another task and to-do app?

Well… yes and no. Most of the things that Kanbani does can be achieved by existing apps. Asana, Trello, and Todoist all offer similar services. However, Kanbani offers some unique interactions.

The company behind Kanbani (kanban is Japanese for billboard), PDAapps, describes the app as the Advanced Task Planner. This results in a tier paradigm of Boards, Cards, and Lists. It’s a little hard to follow but come along for the ride.

Boards are the highest level of the Kanban and each one is assigned three lists: To-do, Doing, and Done. Each one of these lists then contains the Cards filled with pertinent information like dates, descriptions, and titles.

The status of the Lists is influenced by your workflow as you go. Any upcoming task is automatically aggregated into To-do. When the event is started it moves to Doing. Finally, once complete, the Done list comes into play.

You can also align the Boards in Kanbani with your calendar to create a Timeline. This offers you a more confined view of all your tasks in chronological order. If you have multiple Boards across personal and work-related tasks it can really pair down your day to make it more manageable.

Hosting is the winning feature

The real contrast from other apps for Kanbani is that you can store your data on their servers, your server, or online storage. You can have the app sync only locally in encrypted fashion if that’s what you prefer.

But, if you want to have your tasks across devices, you can sync with their servers or open an FTP connection with your own server. By default, Kanbani uses its own servers to sync over WebDav.

Backups are also a breeze and can be handled in similar ways. You can use your own data stream or sync with existing services like Dropbox or Google Drive. This is done by changing your local backup path from internal hardware file paths to your synced Dropbox or Google location.

Sharing

You can even share links to your boards with anyone. This option reminds me of links of Google Drive or Flickr from the past. As long as the other party has the link they can get to a webpage viewer of the Kanbani board to see what tasks need to be knocked out.

Hard space to break into and rough interface

Two things are really holding Kanbani back in my mind. For starters, this is a flooded market of established apps. Trello, Asana, Microsoft ToDo, and Todoist are just a few offerings from truly powerhouse development companies. To break into this array seems like an uphill battle for PDApps.

The other is the interface. It’s not intuitive at all and just looks dated. That’s the nices way I can say ugly. It reminds me of a 90s Java app for Windows or a first-generation Android app. The team has a long way to go before this one can match the others above in polished UX for consumers.

However, Kanbani does offer an interesting sync and backup model for users to handle their data in any way they want. And it’s completely free! Be sure to check it out if you’re looking for a task manager and let us know your thoughts in the comments.

EDITOR NOTE: This is a promoted app review, however the views and opinions expressed here are entirely those of AndroidGuys. No editorial consideration or adjustment was made on behalf of the sponsor.

Arlo Essential Spotlight Camera review

Scott Webster
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One of the biggest reasons for my not having a home security system until recently was that it’s somewhat cost-prohibitive. It can be expensive to get started and then there are the monthly service fees that go along with it.

Over the past few years we’ve seen more tech brands step into the security space, giving consumers alternatives to the likes of Brinks, ADT, and others.

Having set up and spent time with the Arlo Pro 3 and Arlo Pro 3 Floodlight, I’ve since come to see the value in taking things into my own hands. It’s less expensive, incredibly easy to install, and very flexible.

As robust as the Arlo Pro 3 series is, those cameras may be more than what some people need. Moreover, they could still be a tad bit more costly than some customers want to spend up front. Enter the Arlo Essential Spotlight Camera.

Looking every bit like the Arlo Pro 3, this $130 camera makes for a great entry point for consumers wanting to keep an eye on things. Or, in my case, a terrific indoor camera for watching over the entryway of the home.

SEE ALSO

At first glance it’s hard to notice and differences between the Essential Spotlight and the Pro 3. A few minutes with one, however, reveals the changes.

Instead of of a removable battery or one that can be charged using he handy magnetic cable, the Essential Spotlight requires a microUSB cable. For what it’s worth, the one that comes with the camera is incredibly short – like less than one foot, short.

Fortunately, I’ve not had to charge the camera just yet. When it comes time to do so I’ll either have to pull it down from the mount or use an alternative cable. Results will vary from user to user, but my history with Arlo suggests it could be a month or two before I need to charge.

Another difference comes in the resolution and field of view. Whereas the Arlo Pro 3 has a 2K video recording capability, the Arlo Essential Spotlight records at 1080p. Likewise, the Essential’s field of view is 130 degrees with the Pro 3 getting up to 160 degrees.

As to whether that matters to you depends on how you plan to use the camera. I’m currently using it to keep an eye on things indoors so I don’t want it to trigger every single time someone walks by. Instead, I use it for scheduled times after going to bed or when I am away.

Setting up the camera is just as easy as other Arlo products and basically amounts to connecting it to Wi-Fi through the app. It takes but a few minutes to get going and the app allows for on-the-fly changes.

Similar to the Pro 3, the Essential has two-way audio and a built-in siren. I only use the former feature every so often and haven’t had to rely on the latter. In my testing, though, I did find the siren to be a little quieter than expected. With that said, it would be amply loud in the middle of the night should an intruder find their way into my home.

The 12X zoom is nice, in theory, but I suspect it would look pretty bad or even useless if you’re trying to get a good look at someone on the perimeter of your property. Naturally, the closer the subject, the better the image.

Capturing video or monitoring a dark environment was a good experience, thanks to the Night Vision and spotlight. When triggered, you’ll get a full color look at how things appear.

The Arlo Essential comes with a three-month trial of Arlo Smart, the subscription service that provides a rolling 30 day window of recorded video storage. Additionally, it offers AI-enabled detection of people, vehicles, animals, and packages. The customizable activity zones, and alerts with video are especially handy. Once the trial is up, Arlo Smart “Premier” plan costs $3/month for a single camera; it’s $10/month for up to five cameras.

All in all, the $130 Arlo Essential Spotlight Camera is a decent, and somewhat affordable, entry point into the Arlo lineup. I’m a fan of its battery-powered and weather-resistant cameras and appreciate the different models for their use cases.

I appreciate that the Essential can handle the elements just the same as other cameras in the Arlo lineup. If or when I ultimate move it outdoors I feel fine knowing that rain, snow, and wind isn’t going to affect things.

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