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Monday, September 30, 2019

Dropbox Launches Spaces, a Collaborative Workspace for Desktop and Mobile

Dropbox is introducing Spaces, that lets users focus on important tasks at work and help them stay in sync with their teams.

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YouTube Music Now Comes Pre-Installed on Android 10

Most Android 10 users and even some Android 9 users will now see YouTube Music preinstalled on their smartphones.

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Dropbox Spaces Launched, a Collaborative Workspace With Machine Intelligence for Desktop and Mobile *APP_NEWS*

Dropbox is introducing Spaces, that lets users focus on important tasks at work and help them stay in sync with their teams.

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YouTube Music Now Comes Pre-Installed on Android 10, Replacing Google Play Music *APP_NEWS*

Most Android 10 users and even some Android 9 users will now see YouTube Music preinstalled on their smartphones.

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Apple Releases iOS 13.1.1, iPadOS 13.1.1 to Address Various Bugs

iOS 13.1.1 and iPadOS 13.1.1 are available for download to all compatible iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad models.

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WhatsApp Will Soon Stop Working on iPhone Models Running This iOS Version

If WhatsApp is currently active on your iOS 8 device, you will be able to use it only until February 1, 2020.

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Microsoft Spots 'Nodersok' Malware That Turns PCs Into Zombie Proxies

Researchers at Microsoft have uncovered a new malware campaign that is infecting thousands computers across the world.

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Redmi K20 Pro, Mi Air Purifier 2S Price Cut Now Live in Xiaomi Diwali Sale

The Mi Air Purifier 2S is listed for a discounted price of Rs. 7,999, down from its original price of Rs. 8,999.

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WhatsApp to Stop Working on iPhone Models Running iOS 8 on February 1, 2020 *APP_NEWS*

If WhatsApp is currently active on your iOS 8 device, you will be able to use it only until February 1, 2020.

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Microsoft Spots 'Nodersok' Malware That Turns PCs Into Zombie Proxies *APP_NEWS*

Researchers at Microsoft have uncovered a new malware campaign that is infecting thousands computers across the world.

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TikTok Owner ByteDance's First Half Revenue Said to Be Better Than Expected *APP_NEWS*

ByteDance, owner of video-sharing app TikTok and one of the world's most valuable unicorns, booked revenue of CNY 50-60 billion in a better-than-expected result for the first half, people familiar with the matter told Reuters.

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TikTok Owner ByteDance's H1 Revenue Said to Be Better Than Expected

ByteDance, owner of video-sharing app TikTok and one of the world's most valuable unicorns, booked revenue of CNY 50-60 billion in a better-than-expected result for the first half, people familiar...

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Russia Rolls Out the Red Carpet for Huawei Over 5G

Moscow has rolled out the red carpet for Huawei, letting it develop 5G networks in Russia.

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Netflix Tests Limited Free Access in India With Bard of Blood

Not sure if Bard of Blood is worth a Netflix subscription? Well, fret not. Netflix is offering limited free access to the first episode of its latest original series from India - produced by Shah...

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Bard of Blood: Netflix Tests Limited Free Access in India for Shah Rukh Khan-Produced Original *APP_NEWS*

Not sure if Bard of Blood is worth a Netflix subscription? Well, fret not. Netflix is offering limited free access to the first episode of its latest original series from India — produced by Shah Rukh Khan — without even having to sign up for the streaming service.

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Asus ROG Phone 2 Next Sale in India Scheduled for October 8

Asus ROG Phone 2 price in India is set at Rs. 37,999 for the 8GB RAM + 128GB storage option, while its 12GB RAM + 512GB storage variant is priced at Rs. 59,999.

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Watch the Trailer for Upstarts, Netflix's Next Indian Movie

Netflix has unveiled a trailer and release date - October 18 - for Upstarts, its next Indian movie which follows three college graduates, who are "determined to ride the burgeoning wave of...

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Realme C2 Update Brings September Security Patch, Other New Features

The version number for this new Realme C2 update is RMX1941EX_11.A.17 and its rolling out over-the-air.

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Elon Musk Unveils New Mars Rocket Prototype, Expects Missions in Months

Starship, a shiny steel rocketship designed to ferry dozens of humans to the moon and Mars, is the top half of Musk's colossal interplanetary rocket system.

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Flipkart Big Billion Days Sale: Best Offers on Mobiles and Electronics

Flipkart Big Billion Days 2019 has finally unlocked offers on mobile phones and electronics as the sale enters its second day. We've handpicked some of the best offers you can grab on mobile phones,...

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Huawei Mate 30 Pro, Galaxy Watch Active 2, OnePlus 7T, new Amazon devices android os

There's a final bit of follow up on iPhone 11 Pro vs. Note 10 before Daniel Bader, Andrew Martonik, and Hayato Huseman move on to the Huawei Mate 30 Pro and the process for installing Google apps on the phone.

In the realm of smartwatches, Andrew has plenty of great things to say about Galaxy Watch Active 2. Likewise, the OnePlus 7T is heralded by the team as the best Android phone for $600. Finally, they discuss the deluge of products announced at Amazon's Fall 2019 event, which includes some mesh technology that's almost certain to stir up privacy concerns.

Listen now

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Show Notes and Links:

Sponsors:

  • Candid: Candid makes clear aligners that fit your budget and your lifestyle. Visit candidco.com/acp and use code ACP for $75 off.


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WhatsApp Was Extensively Abused During India Elections, Study Claims *APP_NEWS*

Despite WhatsApp's efforts to reduce the spread of fake news by limiting the number of forwards to five, the platform was extensively abused to spread unfounded rumours and create misinformation campaigns during recent elections in India and Brazil, a study has revealed.

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Tinder Owner Sued for Using Fake Profiles in Ads on Match.com *APP_NEWS*

The owner of Tinder and OkCupid is being sued by US regulator for seeking to draw in potential subscribers with emails from fake users expressing interest in pairing up.

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Redmi 8A Now on Sale via Flipkart, Mi.com: All You Need to Know

Redmi 8A is now on sale via Flipkart and Mi.com in India. This is the first time the phone is becoming available in the country after being launched earlier this week.

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Realme XT Now on Open Sale via Flipkart, Realme.com Until October 4

Realme XT is now available via Flipkart and Realme India store. This is the second time the smartphone is going on sale in India after the company organised its first sale on September 16.

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Sunday, September 29, 2019

These are the best Android tablets you can get under $100 android os

There are quite a few Android tablets on the market at all different price points, but there are only a few that are worth the money, especially when you get under $100. However, when you have options like the Amazon Fire HD 8, the decision can be pretty easy to make. Here are the best Android tablets under $100.

Best Overall: Amazon Fire HD 8

Amazon does a fantastic job at producing tablets for those in need of a budget-friendly device. The Fire HD 8 is one of our favorites with its 10 hours of battery life, 8-inch HD display, and easy access to the world of Amazon services.

The Fire HD 8 has access to hands-free Alexa, meaning it can act as a smart speaker of sorts if you have questions. Plus, you will be able to clearly hear Alexa's answers with the dual Dolby Atmos speakers built-in.

As one would expect, Amazon's Fire Tablet runs a modified version of Android, without out-of-the-box access to the Google Play Store. Instead, you'll need to rely on the Amazon App Store, or sideload the Play Store onto the Fire HD 8.

Pros:

  • 16GB or 32GB of storage
  • Hands-free Alexa
  • Four color options
  • Dual Dolby Atmos speakers

Cons:

  • Only 1.5GB of RAM
  • 2MP front and rear cameras
  • No access to Google Play Store

Best Overall

Amazon Fire HD 8

A great tablet for consuming Amazon content

The Fire HD 8 is a fantastic option for a budget-friendly tablet, especially if you love everything Amazon has to offer.

Best for a Big Screen: Vankyo MatrixPad Z4

When it comes to budget tablets, there are some concerns that the manufacturer will throw too much bloatware onboard. That's not the case with the Vankyo MatrixPad Z4, as there is no bloatware to be found, providing a near-stock Android experience.

This 10.1-inch tablet makes media consumption a breeze, along with the 32GB of onboard storage. There is also an 8=mgeapixel rear-camera if you like taking pictures with a huge viewfinder. Plus, there is a microSD card slot to hold a lot of your favorite content, or pictures and videos.

While there is microSD card support onboard, it has been limited to supporting cards up to 128GB. This is an upsetting inclusion, as you will end up running out of space if you plan on loading up movies and TV shows. The six hours of battery life likely won't last you throughout the day, so you will want to keep a portable charger nearby.

Pros:

  • 10.1-inch HD display
  • Near-stock Android
  • 32GB of onboard storage
  • 8-megapiel rear camera

Cons:

  • MicroSD card support limited to 128GB
  • Only available in Black
  • Mediocre battery life

Best for a Big Screen

Vankyo MatrixPad Z4

Get a big screen for the best media consumption

Vankyo's MatrixPad Z4 is a surprisingly good tablet for the price point with its 10.1-inch HD display, and solid spec sheet.

Best for the Kids: Amazon Fire 7 Kids Edition

It can be tough to keep the kids occupied, whether you are at home, on the road, or at a friends house. The Amazon Fire 7 Kids Edition helps to do just that with access to Amazon FreeTime Unlimited. This provides a slew of content and games to not only teach your kids lessons, but let them have some fun at the same time.

Amazon also provides a two-year "worry-free" guarantee, meaning that if anything happens to the Fire 7 Kids Edition, the company will replace it. This is in addition to the built-in Kid-Proof case which has a kickstand on the back, so it will be safe from the eventual accidental drops.

For better or worse, there is only a single speaker included with the Fire 7 Kids Edition. If your child is hard of hearing, this may not be the best solution, but it will be serviceable for most. While Amazon touts the inclusion of a front and rear camera, they are only 2-megapixel sensors, and will end up being even more blurry.

Pros:

  • Two-year warranty
  • Includes Amazon FreeTime Unlimited
  • MicroSD card support up to 512GB
  • Includes Kid-Proof Case

Cons:

  • Only 1GB of RAM
  • Single speaker
  • Poor front and rear cameras

Best for the Kids

Amazon Fire 7 Kids Edition

Keep the kids occupied

With the included Amazon FreeTime Unlimited access and included Kid-Proof case, the Fire 7 Kids Edition is fantastic for the little ones.

Best for Durability: CHUWI Hi8 SE

There are a lot of sub-10 inch tablets available on the market, with some offering plastic builds and subpar performance. With the CHUWI Hi8 SE, many of those concerns should be quelched, as this provides a great combination of design and specs.

The Hi8 SE comes with a metal uni-body design, which not only looks good but will stand up against you throwing it in your bag every day. This 8-inch tablet comes with 2GB of RAM, 32GB of expandable storage, and ships with Android Oreo Go for a lightweight, stock Android experience.

As we mentioned, there is a microSD card slot built into the Hi8 SE, however there's a catch. The tablet will only work with up to 128GB, removing the option for larger microSD cards. Additionally, this may not be the best tablet to use for pictures, as it's only equipped with a 5-megapixel rear camera.

Pros:

  • 32GB of onboard storage
  • Metal uni-body design
  • IPS HD display

Cons:

  • Weak rear camera
  • Ships with Android Oreo
  • MicroSD card support limited to 128GB

Best for Durability

CHUWI Hi8 SE

Get a lightweight and durable experience along with stock Android

The CHUWI Hi8 SE is a great pick for an 8-inch tablet with a stock Android experience and decent spes for the price.

Best Value: Amazon Fire 7

Year after year, the Amazon Fire 7 tablet continues to be one of the most popular tablets available. Maybe it's the price point, or maybe it's the combination of price and access to Amazon's suite of digital content.

This 7-inch tablet offers seven hours of battery life, up to 32GB of expandable storage, and provides access to Amazon Alexa with just your voice. There is even dual-band WiFi support, making it easy to use this wherever your travels take you.

On the other side of the fence, you will have to deal with a subpar display coming in at a resolution of just 1024x600. And while the processor has been updated, Amazon only included 1GB of RAM, so don't expect to do heavy gaming or multi-tasking.

Pros:

  • Seven hours of battery life
  • Expandable storage up to 512GB
  • Alexa hands-free

Cons:

  • Only 1GB of RAM
  • 2-megapixel front and rear cameras
  • Lower density display

Best Value

Amazon Fire 7

Great entry-level tablet to pair with Amazon's services

The Amazon Fire 7 is a fantastic entry-level tablet with access to Amazon's content, but the specs could be better.

Bottom line

If you are looking for the best sub-$100 tablet, you can get any better than the Amazon Fire HD 8. The 8-inch HD display will show off all of your favorite content beautifully, while transforming into a super-powered e-reader if the opportunity arises.

You get access to all of Amazon's content in a lightweight and portable package that will continue to be a joy to use. This, combined with the 10 hours of battery life and you are sure to use this tablet throughout the day, and then some.

We just warn you that this is not a traditional Android tablet, as it has Amazon's Fire UI overlay pre-installed with the Amazon App Store. You can get the Google Play Store, but it will take a little bit of work and should not be done by just anyone.

Credits — The team that worked on this guide

Andrew Myrick is a regular freelancer at Android Central and iMore. He has been a tech enthusiast ever since the original iPhone was released and continues to flip-flop between devices. You might as well hook him up to an IV filled with coffee to get him through the day. If you have any questions, you can find him on Twitter, and he'll get back to you.



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From the Editors Desk: Of Pixels and pumpkins android os

Mind your Ts and Qs as we get into the thick of the fall release season.

October starts Tuesday, and I think you'd be hard-pressed to find someone more happy with that than me. October means two things for this girl: fresh-baked pumpkin seeds and new Pixels. I've been trying to keep my head above water with these Google Pixel 4 leaks — to say nothing of all the other leaks we've been seeing about Google's next Pixelbook a new Google Home Mini, and more — and even leaving the Pixel alone, this week was chock full of news from Amazon and OnePlus.

Amazon's fall event this week brought an impressive array of new and updated products, and while some of it does seem a bit ridiculous, two of the smaller products announced grabbed my attention. The Echo Dot with Wall Clock is something that makes a great deal of sense, smart speakers with clocks on them have been few and far between, even on the Assistant side, but they work wonderfully. I only hope it sees the same bundling and sales incentives the regular Dot gets. I think the Echo Glow is also going to fill a lot of stocking this Christmas because while it's 85% frivolous, it's an inexpensive addition that's compact and just plain cool.

The OnePlus 7T was unveiled this week, too, and Jerry's right, it's going to be really tough to recommend a $900 Pixel 4 over it when OnePlus has a lower price, more sensible design, and has kept up with software just as well as Pixel phones have.

To wrap up the week behind and the week ahead:

  • I really want the Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 2, and Andrew's review only compounds the urge, but at the same time, I bought a Galaxy Watch Active 1 less than six months ago and can't believe Samsung put out two in a year.
  • Most of the Chromebooks we saw at IFA go on sale in the next few weeks — and more just keep coming — but the biggest Chromebook news of the week was the news that the Lenovo C330 will get supported until 2025, which makes the best deal in laptops an absolute steal.
  • I've had the Samsung 45W USB-C Fast Charger for over a week and have charged empty-to-full multiple times, and I haven't managed to get above 36W yet. I'm still doing a bit more troubleshooting, but something's hinky here.

Now, I'm going to go gut me a pumpkin and bake some seeds. October's a busy month and I need the protein and fiber. I've been refining my recipe for years, and here's where it stands this year:

Ara's Perfect Pumpkin Seeds

  1. Gut a good sized pumpkin and separate the seeds from the stringy strands and pulp, even the little seeds that didn't quite grow, if you can (these underdone seeds end up being the Scooby Snacks of seeds, as they tend to become plump little butter bombs during baking).
  2. Rinse the seeds in a colander under cold water until you've got as much of the guts off as you can.
  3. While seeds drain in the colander, microwave a 1/2 cup of water in a container big enough for the seeds and brine for two minutes.
  4. Stir one tablespoon of picking salt into brine until completely dissolved, then stir in drained pumpkin seeds.
  5. Cover and brine seeds for 2-3 hours.
  6. Drain seeds in colander again. Do NOT rinse the seeds, simply let the excess brine drip off while we prep the sheet pan.
  7. Line the bottom of a baking sheet with one layer of paper towels and then one half-folded tea towel.
  8. Unfold tea towel, spread seeds in an even layer across the towel, then fold over the top half of the towel and press gently on the towel to ensure contact and help precipitate the drying phase.
  9. Let seeds sit in cool, well-circulated place for 30-40 minutes before pulling back the towel.
  10. When the seeds look mostly dry, peel seeds off the tea towel and put seeds in a measuring cup. If you have more than 1 1/2 cups of seeds, split into two batches for baking. We want to ensure we don't overcrowd the seeds in the oven.
  11. For each cup of seeds in your batch, melt half a stick of butter (4 oz) in the microwave and stir in 1/2 tablespoon of pickling salt until mostly dissolved.
  12. Add seeds to butter and stir thoroughly to coat.
  13. Replace paper towels and tea towel off baking sheet with parchment paper.
  14. Spread seeds in an even, single layer across the parchment paper.
  15. Heat oven to 330. Don't do this ahead of time so butter can set up a little on the seeds and won't evaporate quite as quickly.
  16. Bake seeds in middle rack of the oven. Check ever 3-5 minutes (you can go 10 minutes at the beginning), checking and rotating the pan to ensure even cooking without burning.
  17. When the seeds are just turning from golden brown around the edges of the pan, turn off the oven and use a foil ball to crack oven door while keeping the oven light off. This allows the seeds to coast the rest of the way and can help bake out excess moisture without burning the seeds.
  18. Once seeds look deep golden and butter looks mostly or entirely gone, pull seeds from the oven.
  19. Transfer seeds to a large plate lined with paper towels to wick away any remaining moisture, and eat some once they're cool enough to not burn your mouth. Seeds should last about a week and be shared with anyone and everyone.


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Get a lifetime subscription of VPN Unlimited for just $40 right now android os

If you’re still surfing the Web without the protection of a VPN, you may as well be leaving your laptop open and unattended in a busy coffee shop. Hackers are now able to access everything from your banking information to your browsing history with just a few lines of code, and they are only growing more powerful by the day.

KeepSolid VPN Unlimited is an award-winning service that allows you to browse both securely and conveniently, and right now a lifetime subscription is available for over 90% off at just $39.99.

Unlike most VPNs that offer security at the expense of browsing speed, KeepSolid VPN Unlimited offers next-level protection and won’t slow you down.

You’ll be able to access a growing number of super-secure servers in over 70 locations across the globe, surf on a wide variety of unique VPN protocols including IKEv2 and OpenVPN, enjoy handy features like Ping Tests, and much more.

You’ll even be able to bypass those obnoxious content filters when you travel overseas—meaning you’ll be able to keep up with your favorite shows on sites like Netflix and Hulu.

Safeguard your privacy online with a lifetime subscription to KeepSolid VPN Unlimited for just $39.99—over 90% off its usual price for a limited time.



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Up your sound quality with these incredible wireless headphones! android os

Wireless Bluetooth headphones have become increasingly popular over the last several years. The best wireless headphones have support for great, high-fidelity sound. That's why the Sony WH-1000XM3 are our best overall pick. They have excellent sound quality, battery life, and are comfortable for long-term use — and their noise cancelation is second-to-none.

Best overall: Sony WH-1000XM3

By far, the most significant feature of the XM3s is their class-leading active noise canceling (ANC). Not only does it make traveling much easier by completely drowning out things such as planes and trains; they're excellent at blocking out higher-pitched sounds as well. The ANC you get out of the XM3 are legitimate, and it sometimes feels like you're in an empty room.

In terms of sound quality, bass heads will rejoice here. The sound quality of the XM3s lean heavily on the bass giving it a ton of thump and rumble. So much so that it can often sound overbearing and muddy. The mid-range is relatively neutral, and the treble region is recessed heavily giving the XM3 an overall warm and dark sound signature. Those who don't like a ton of bass should avoid these.

Bluetooth codec support here is excellent. The XM3s support everything from SBC, AAC, aptX, aptX-HD, and LDAC. The only codec that's missing is aptX-LL, which would get you ridiculously low latency over a Bluetooth connection. However, it's understandable that it isn't there because the XM3s have to do a ton of post-processing for the ANC.

Battery life is excellent with up to 30 hours of wireless listening time on a single charge. They even have fast-charging capability over USB-C that will get you five hours of listening in a 10-minute charge, which is impressive. One downside to the XM3 when it comes to charging is that you can't use them while wired or wireless. The XM3s will disable all functions until you unplug the USB-C cable.

Pros:

  • Battery life
  • Active Noise Cancelation (ANC)
  • Bluetooth codec support
  • Sound quality

Cons:

  • No charging and listening at the same time
  • No aptX-LL

Best overall

Sony WH-1000XM3

The ANC King, but excellent overall

It's hard to name over-ear wireless headphones nowadays without mentioning ANC. The XM3s do everything well: ANC, battery life, sound quality, and reliability.

Value Pick: Plantronics Backbeat Pro 2

Most, if not all, modern over-ear headphones nowadays come with active noise cancelation (ANC) in the box; especially if you're looking for wireless over-ear headphones. The Plantronics Backbeat Pro 2 is our pick for the best overall pair of headphones.

First things first: the sound quality on the Backbeat Pro 2 are exceptional, and bass heads will be happy. They feature an overemphasized bass that gives the Backbeat Pro 2 an overall bass-heavy sound signature. Both the mid-range and the treble are neutral with almost zero overemphasis on either region.

In terms of Bluetooth audio codecs, the Backbeat Pro 2 perform excellently. While they don't support the AAC codec, they do have support for SBC, aptX, and aptX-LL. With aptX-LL, you'll get ultra-low latency for a Bluetooth headphone with latency somewhere between 30-40ms. In comparison, most other Bluetooth codecs have latency around 100-150ms.

Comfort-wise, the Plantronics Backbeat Pro 2 are super comfortable and shouldn't give you much trouble when it comes to comfort. This is important as they feature up to 24 hours of battery on a single charge. And when the battery is dead, you can charge the Backbeat Pro 2 over its Micro-USB port.

Pros:

  • 24-hour battery life
  • Sound quality
  • aptX and aptX LL Bluetooth audio codecs

Cons:

  • Micro-USB for charging

Value pick

Plantronics Backbeat Pro 2

Great sound, comfort, and battery life

The Backbeat Pro 2 from Plantronics has a lot going for it. Great sound, battery life, comfort, and support for aptX-LL.

Best Budget Headphones: Tribit XFree Tune

If you're looking for ridiculously long battery life, the Tribit XFree Tune are the right headphones for you. They last up to 40 hours on a single charge which will get most people through the week without needing to recharge.

In terms of sound quality, the XFree Tune perform decently well. The bass is elevated but isn't too overwhelming. The mid-range is neutral and smooth, and the treble has an emphasis, making some tracks sound overly bright. On the bright side, they do support the AAC audio codec which means you'll get higher-fidelity audio and lower latency versus only having the SBC codec.

For comfort, the XFree Tune are excellent. In our testing, we're able to wear these for hours on end without any issues. Ears stayed relatively cool, the headband wasn't pushing up against the head, and it didn't feel like the ear cups were squeezing the head at all.

Pros:

  • V-shaped, fun sound
  • AAC audio support
  • Comfortable
  • Battery life

Cons:

  • Micro-USB for charging

Best Budget Headphones

Tribit XFree Tune

They last basically forever

You get excellent sound and great comfort for ridiculously long listening sessions at a low price.

Best Budget Earbuds: Anker SoundBuds Slim

The Anker SoundBuds Slim are a great set of earbuds for a stupidly low price. They feature IPX7 water resistance, which means you'll be covered in most scenarios. No, you can't just go swimming or shower with them on. But, if you drop them in a puddle by accident, or are doing some intense workout, the SoundBuds Slim should survive just fine.

Battery life wise, the SoundBuds Slim are good. They last up to 10 hours on a single charge and can be recharged using the included Micro-USB cable. Unfortunately, there's no fast charging here so to charge from 0% to full battery; you're looking at around three hours.

In terms of sound, they are decent. The low-bass, which mostly handles thump and rumble is non-existent, but it gets made up with the mid- and upper-bass boost. The mid-range has a modest boost giving leading vocals and instruments a bit of space to breathe. And the treble is a bit harsh and piercing, making these slightly tricky to listen to if you have sensitive ears.

Fortunately, that's made up in the comfort department. In our testing, we've noticed zero ear fatigue or pain when having them on for long periods. They come with various tip sizes and should cover most people's ears.

Pros:

  • Bluetooth 5.0
  • IPX7 water-resistant
  • Battery life

Cons:

  • Micro-USB for charging
  • Sound quality

Best Budget Earbuds

Anker SoundBuds Slim

Cost-effective in-ear buds

The Anker SoundBuds Slim are great for those who workout. They're futureproofed and last about 10 hours on a charge.

Best Over-Ear: Sennheiser PXC 550 Wireless

It's no surprise that our best over-ear headphone selection comes from Sennheiser. The PXC 550 Wireless offer outstanding sound quality for a wireless pair of cans. The bass is neutral and even, with no real overemphasis anywhere. Bass lovers might be disappointed as there isn't much thump or rumble. The mid-range is also neutral with an overall natural response, and the treble can come off a bit unnatural and weird. The low-treble is great and even, but the mid-treble is boosted which could create a sharper and piercing sound while the upper treble is recessed quite a bit, which could make lead vocals and instruments a bit less forward.

For Bluetooth audio codecs, the PXC 550 perform well. They support SBC and aptX, which means you'll get high-quality audio and low latency if your device supports aptX. Unfortunately, they're missing AAC, which is the standard on Apple devices, and aptX-HD or aptX-LL which would bring even lower latency and higher quality audio. However, this won't matter much if you're streaming music from Apple Music or Spotify, or listening to audiobooks or podcasts.

In terms of battery life, the PXC 550 are fantastic, with up to 30 hours of battery life on a single charge. Unfortunately, there's no fast charge option here. This means a full charge will take around 3 hours to complete. You'll also be getting Micro-USB here instead of the more modern USB-C for charging. However, this won't matter as much since the battery lasts quite a long time.

Pros:

  • Battery life
  • aptX Bluetooth audio codec support
  • Sound quality

Cons:

  • Micro-USB for charging

Best Over-Ear

Sennheiser PXC 550

High-quality wireless sound

If you're looking for over-ear headphones with the absolute best sound, the PXC 550 doesn't disappoint.

Best On-Ear: Skullcandy Grind

The Skullcandy Grind are a great set of on-ear headphones that won't break the bank. Its design is rather minimalist with only a Skullcandy logo on the outside, above the ear cup.

Battery life is excellent as well with up to 12 hours of battery life; they should last you throughout the day without issue. Unfortunately, there's no fast charging which means charging the Grind from dead will take approximately 3 hours to come to a full charge. You'll also get Micro-USB instead of USB-C when it comes to charging.

Fortunately, the sound signature is perfect. The bass is relatively neutral and smooth with no issues there. The mid-range has a slight boost in the upper-mids, which will give the Grind a slightly brighter sound. And this extends well into the treble as well, as the entire region is boosted ever so slightly.

In terms of comfort, the Grind more than does its job. Since it's an on-ear solution, you don't have to worry about your ears getting warm. The headband extends well and doesn't get in your way either.

Pros:

  • Battery life
  • Sound quality
  • Comfortable

Cons:

  • Micro-USB for charging

Best On-Ear

Skullcandy Grind

Comfortable on-ear headphones

If you were looking for a set of on-ear headphones that are super comfortable and have great sound, the Skullcandy Grind are worth looking at.

Best Neckbud: Bose QC30

For those looking for neck earbuds, look no further than the Bose QC30. They offer the three most important things that people have come to love with neck buds. They're comfortable around your neck and stay firmly in place so that you don't have to worry about them falling from your neck. When it comes to the earbuds themselves, they're comfortable there as well. The QC30 comes with a few different bud sizes in the box so you can choose which fits you best.

In terms of phone calls, the QC30 are excellent. In our testing, we didn't have any issues with being able to hear people on the other end, nor did they have any issues hearing us. For the most part, the person on the other end says they didn't even know we were using earbuds at all. The sound quality is also excellent. The entire bass and mid-range sound is rather neutral. The treble is a little uneven and is slightly sibilant. It's not overbearing and is controlled quite well.

When it comes to controlling your earbuds, the QC30 work tremendously. They have physical controls that mimic the classic iPod controls. Single tap them to play/pause, double-tap to skip forward, triple tap to skip back, and tap and hold for your phone's assistant.

The only real downside here is that there's no support for higher quality Bluetooth codecs such as AAC or aptX. You'll only get SBC, which is fine but you'll get a considerable amount of latency when watching videos or playing games.

Pros:

  • Comfort
  • Call quality
  • Physical media controls

Cons:

  • No AAC/aptX Bluetooth codecs

Best Neckbud

Bose QC30

Comfy phone calls

They're on your neck all the time, ready to take phone calls. They're also decently great for music playback.

Best Truly Wireless: Jabra Elite 65t

Let's start with the charging case. The charging case gives the Elite 65t an additional 10 hours of battery life on top of the excellent 5 hours on the buds themselves. This means you'll get a total of 15 hours of listening before needing to recharge the case. It's relatively small and should fit in your pocket no problem. The only downside to the case is that it uses Micro-USB instead of USB-C for charging, and there's no wireless charging capability. The buds last up to five hours before needing to be put back in the case. But when you do put them back in the case, they'll charge ridiculously fast. You'll have up to 1.5 hours of listening from a 15-minute charge.

They also have an IP56 water and dust resistance. This means that in most scenarios, you can splash them in water and most dusty and ingress should be covered as well.

The Jabra Elite 65t have a high-quality sound for a pair of truly wireless earbuds. The bass is missing a bit of low-bass, which is expected with truly wireless earbuds. This means that you'll lose a bit of thump and rumble in your tracks, but the 65t makes up for that by having a neutral mid-bass, and an elevated upper-bass which adds a bit of boominess to the sound. The elevation in the upper-bass extends into the lower-mids, which give them a more relaxed sound. For the treble, they are great and neutral for the most part up until the upper-treble, which means you'll get a bit of sibilance which can equate to a bit of harshness and sharpness in the treble.

For Bluetooth audio codecs, the Elite 65t are good. It supports the basic SBC codec but also supports AAC, which gets you better sound quality and lower latency. It's missing aptX, aptX-HD, and aptX-LL which gets you even better sound quality and even lower latency.

Pros:

  • IP56 water resistance
  • Battery life
  • Fast charging capability
  • AAC Bluetooth audio codec support

Cons:

  • Micro-USB for charging case
  • No wireless charging case

Best Truly Wireless

Jabra Elite 65t

No wires, seriously

Truly wireless earbuds can be tricky. The Jabra Elite 65t currently is your best combination of battery life, comfort, sound, and portability.

Best Noise Canceling: Bose Noise Canceling Headphones 700

Being the successor to the Bose QC35 IIs, the Noise Canceling 700s do an outstanding job at canceling out noise. Not only do they do the standard blocking out low-end noise, the Noise Canceling 700s make improvements in the mid-range and treble. As with most ANC headphones, they still struggle with non-consistent noises such as talking. Where Bose takes it a step further with the Noise Canceling 700s is that these now offer up to 11 different steps of ANC that can be toggled within the app. This allows you to control the amount of ANC you want on a more intricate level.

In terms of sound quality, Bose has once again made significant improvements in this area. The overall sound is rather neutral, with the bass and mid-range being very natural and balanced. The treble, compared to the QC35 IIs, have been significantly reduced to lower the sibilance and fatigue you would hear with the QC35 IIs. Unfortunately, this means that the Noise Canceling 700s also lose quite a bit of brightness and airiness that the QC35 IIs had.

The Noise Canceling 700s and the QC35 Iis share a lot in common. For example, they both still have the great 20 hours of battery life, SBC and AAC Bluetooth audio codecs support, support for hands-free Alexa and Google Assistant, and are both super comfortable for long-term use.

The only real downside of the Noise Canceling 700s is that it doesn't have a folding design. This means that when you pack them away in your bag, the carrying case is quite large as it has to accommodate the entire un-folded design of the headphone. And they're expensive, so maybe wait until they get a discount.

Pros:

  • Battery life
  • AAC Bluetooth codec support
  • 11 levels of ANC
  • Support for hands-free Alexa and Google Assistant
  • Comfortable

Cons:

  • Non-foldable design
  • Expensive

Best Noise Canceling

Bose Noise Canceling Headphones 700

What? I can't hear you

You can't go wrong here. They sound great and have class-leading noise cancelation, but with this price, you can get better sound quality for less.

Best For Sport: Beats Powerbeats Pro

The Powerbeats Pro is a no brainer if you're looking for proper workout buds. By far, they have the best battery life of any genuinely wireless earbud with up to 9 hours of use on a single charge and up to an additional 24 hours with the included charging case. They feature IPX4 water resistance, which means it should withstand a good amount of water such as sweat and light rain.

But, the best part about the Powerbeats Pro is their design. With an in-ear and hook design, it'll be near impossible for these to fall out of your ears regardless of how intense your workout is. You'll also get physical media controls that are available on both (yes, both) buds. The layouts are identical with a dedicated volume rocker on the top of the bud and a multi-purpose physical button for easy access to play/pause and skipping tracks.

In terms of sound quality, the Powerbeats Pro do reasonably well. The bass gets deeper than most wireless headphones, which gives you a good amount of thump without being overwhelming, the mid-range is nice and neutral, and the treble has a modest boost, making them slightly treble-forward. This means you'll get some sibilance in vocals and hi-hats and snares may sound a bit louder than the rest of the mix.

The only real downside to the Powerbeats Pro is that the charging case is comically large. It's clear that the case is meant to be put in a gym bag, backpack, or a purse unless it's the only thing in your jeans pocket. The case also charges via Lightning, which is better than MicroUSB but USB-C would have been preferred. Also, no wireless charging here either. Though, the buds do charge wirelessly in the charging case.

Pros:

  • Physical media controls
  • Battery life
  • Water-resistant

Cons:

  • Bulky Charging Case
  • Lightning for charging
  • No Qi wireless charging for case
  • Pricey

Best Sport

Powerbeats Pro

Fantastic workout buds

Powerbeats Pro have great sound, long battery life, and with the hook and bud design, will stay in your ear no matter what you're doing.

Bottom line

Bluetooth headphones will continue to evolve as more devices come out without a headphone jack. Smartphones were the first device to ditch the jack, and now tablets, and even some computers are removing them entirely.

Great wireless headphones should be comfortable, be out of your way, have excellent battery life, and sound great. That's why you should consider the Sony WH-1000XM3 when buying a pair of wireless headphones.

They're not cheap but the additional price gets you some of the best active noise cancelation in the business, along with incredible sound quality, USB-C charging, ultra-long comfort, and unmatched battery life — all in a package that can fold down really small for traveling.

Credits — The team that worked on this guide

Peter Cao loves his headphones. He constantly cycles through and tests many headphones throughout the year. In his downtime, he likes to listen and analyze to music with said headphones.



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Should you spring for the Nest Hub Max or stick with the Nest Hub? android os

Nest Hub Max

Bigger and more powerful

$230 at Google

Pros

  • Larger display
  • Stereo speaker system
  • Built-in Nest Cam
  • Gestures and Face Match
  • Duo Video Call support
  • Bluetooth 5.0

Cons

  • Only available in two colors
  • Too big for a nightstand clock
  • Expensive

Google's Nest Hub Max is the more powerful smart home hub, with a larger display and built-in Nest Cam for additional features. However, you're limited to two color options, and it's likely to large to act as a nightstand or a desk clock.

Nest Hub

Small and useful

$130 at Google

Pros

  • Compact enough for the nightstand
  • Bluetooth 5.0
  • Duo Audio call support
  • More affordable

Cons

  • No Nest Cam built-in
  • Single rear speaker

The Nest Hub is Google's gateway into the smart home hub lifestyle with its 7-inch display. This allows for you to put it pretty much anywhere, but you won't get the benefits of a Nest Cam, and the speaker is just okay.

Google waited a year before revealing the Nest Hub Max to the world, and it was for good reason. With more features than the smaller Nest Hub, the Max is one of a kind. As for the Nest Hub, it's still a great smart home hub, and one that should still be considered for your home, but it doesn't hold up enough.

What are you getting with these?

Pictured: Google Nest Hub Max.

The Nest Hub Max leads the way in many of the important categories, such as display size, speakers, and additional features. The display measures in at 10 inches, with a higher 1280x800 resolution, compared to the 7-inch display of the Nest Hub, with a lower 1024x600 resolution.

Nest Hub Max Nest Hub
Display 10-inch HD 7-inch
Dimensions 9.85 x 7.19 x 3.99-inches 7.02 x 4.65 x 2.65-inches
Speakers 2x 10W tweeters, 1x 30W woofer Full-range
Face Match Yes N/A
Gesture Control Yes No
Camera 6.5MP w/ 127-degree FOV None
Microphones 2 Far-field 2 Far-field
Bluetooth Bluetooth 5.0 Bluetooth 5.0

As for the speakers, the Hub Max wins again as it includes two 10W tweeters, along with a built-in 30W woofer. The standard Hub, on the other hand, only has a single, rear-firing speaker, which sounds just okay. The Hub Max will help spread your music throughout the room. However, both of these support multi-room audio support, so you can have your favorite playlist, YouTube video, or podcast playing everywhere in the house.

Both the Hub Max and the Hub sport two far-field microphones, allowing Google Assistant to pick up your voice. There is also Bluetooth 5.0 on-board for quickly and easily connecting to other speakers or your smartphones.

The Nest Hub Max pulls away

Pictured: Google Nest Hub.

The Nest Hub Max begins separating itself even further with the newly-included Nest Cam, whereas the Nest Hub has no camera. This 6.5-megapixel camera offers a 127-degree field of view, with many similar features to the Nest Cam IQ.

These features include intruder alerts, if you are subscribed to Nest Aware, but don't expect to get great night vision from this camera. Instead, you will still want to rely on a more traditional Nest Cam for security measures.

With the included camera, Google stepped up its game and included some additional features not found elsewhere. One such feature is Face Match, which works with up to six different people. This allows for personalized information and notifications to be shown on the Hub Max once it recognizes your face without worrying about seeing someone else's events for the day.

Perhaps the most exciting new feature is Quick Gestures. This feature allows you to control media playback with nothing more than your hand. For example, if you are in the middle of listening to a song, hold your hand up and look at the screen and the music will stop. Repeat the same motion to get the music playing again. We are hoping to see more gestures added over time, and Google has already stated it is working on new ones.

Decision time

If you're looking for a smart home hub to be your control center, then you would be hard-pressed to find a better option than the Nest Hub Max. It has a larger display with a better resolution, and has all of the same features as the Nest Hub with some pretty great improvements.

The included Nest Cam is great as an additional security measure, along with the added Face Match and Quick Gesture functionalities. You can even use the hardware switch to disable the camera if you would prefer that it not be used for security reasons.

However, the Nest Hub is no slouch, as it is still a great entry-way for those looking to get into the smart home hub world. The 7-inch display isn't as crisp, but still does the job just fine. Plus, with the smaller size, you can use the Hub as a bedside clock without needing to clear a bunch of extra room.

The single speaker is just fine if you are listening to a YouTube video or podcast, and will make sure you are awake. Without a camera, there is no worry for privacy concerns, but you don't get the added benefits either.

Nest Hub Max

Bigger and more powerful

$230 at Google

A more powerful, and more useful, Hub.

The Nest Hub Max can act as your central point for your smart home lifestyle. With its bigger display, better speakers, and included Nest Cam, you get all of the benefits of the Nest Hub, with more features.

Nest Hub

Small and useful

Perfect for a bedside alarm clock

$130 at Google

The standard Nest Hub only has a single speaker, a smaller display, and lacks the Nest Cam. However, there's still a place in the home for a product like the Nest Hub.



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Amazon and Flipkart Sales, OnePlus 7T, iPhone 11, and More News This Week

Amazon Great Indian Festival sale, Flipkart Big Billion Days sale, iPhone 11 India availability, OnePlus TV launch, OnePlus 7T price reveal, Samsung Galaxy A70s price in India reveal, and other top...

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25 Android Apps With 2.1 Million Downloads Removed From Google Play Due to Adware: Symantec *APP_NEWS*

Symantec says 25 malicious apps from over 22 developers were listed on Google Play

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YouTube's New Initiative to Support Women Creators in India *APP_NEWS*

The next generation of women creators on YouTube are moving beyond traditional verticals.

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Altstore Is an Alternative Apple App Store That Doesn’t Require Jailbreaking Your iPhone *APP_NEWS*

AltStore allows developers to publish their own apps, which would have otherwise not been allowed on the official App Store.

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Facebook to Invest in Technology Startups in India *APP_NEWS*

Ajit Mohan, the company's India vice-president and managing director, said Facebook is willing to make direct investments in technology startups in India.

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Xbox One Gets Support for Google Assistant Voice Commands, Microsoft Reveals *APP_NEWS*

Microsoft is releasing Xbox Action for the Google Assistant, through which gamers will now be able to control their Xbox consoles with voice commands. 

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Uber Unveils Revamped App With More Transit Options, Passenger Safety Features *APP_NEWS*

Uber on Thursday unveiled a revamped version of its smartphone app that weaves together services from shared rides to public transit schedules while adding more security features.

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DoorDash Breach Exposes Data of Nearly 5 Million Users *APP_NEWS*

DoorDash on Thursday said a breach of its system exposed nearly five million customers, eateries and "Dashers" to a data breach.

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Amazon Offers a Way to Delete Alexa Recordings Automatically *APP_NEWS*

Amazon says it saves voice commands to improve the service. But the practice has raised concerns with privacy experts.

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Samsung Finance+ Digital Lending Platform Launched in India *APP_NEWS*

Samsung has partnered with New Delhi-headquartered DMI Finance to launch Samsung Finance+ in the country.

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Google Play Removes 29 Malicious Apps With Over 10 Million Collective Downloads *APP_NEWS*

Twenty-nine malicious apps have been discovered on Google Play Store with a collective download count of more than 10 million, said a new report by Quick Heal Security Labs on Thursday.

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Saturday, September 28, 2019

Netflix Set for Worst Quarter Since 2012 as Competition Looms *APP_NEWS*

Shares of Netflix dropped nearly 4 percent on Tuesday and were on track for their deepest quarterly decline in seven years after two analysts added to growing worries about an impending wave of competition from Walt Disney and other rivals.

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Mario Kart Tour Now Available to Download (and Play) on Android, iOS *APP_NEWS*

Mario Kart Tour is now live to download and play on Android and iOS.

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Kik Shuts Down Messaging App Amid Kin Cryptocurrency Battle With US SEC *APP_NEWS*

Kik, a popular messaging app for young smartphone users, is shutting down as the company focuses on a legal battle over its cryptocurrency funding round.

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Microsoft's Project xCloud Game Streaming Service Public Preview Registrations Open in Select Regions *APP_NEWS*

Microsoft's bid on mobile gaming via the cloud will be in the public eye soon, at least in the US, UK, and South Korea.

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Gmail Dark Theme Now Rolling Out on Android and iOS *APP_NEWS*

Google has begun the rollout of dark theme in the Gmail app for Android and iOS.

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YouTube Creators Hit by Massive Wave of Account Hijacks: Report *APP_NEWS*

The YouTube account hacks said to be the result of hackers use phishing emails to lure victims on fake Google login pages.

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Amazon Launches Initiative to Bundle Virtual Assistants on Single Device *APP_NEWS*

Notable exclusions from Amazon's initiative are Google Assistant, Apple's Siri, and Samsung's Bixby.

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iOS 13 and iPadOS Affected by Third-Party Keyboard Bug, Apple Warns, Says Fix Incoming *APP_NEWS*

Apple is warning users that there is a bug in the iOS 13 and iPadOS involving third-party keyboards. The company has said that it is working on a fix and an upcoming software update will roll it out to iOS and iPadOS users.

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Yahoo Mail App Gets Design Update Focussing on One-Handed Usage, Includes Various Customisations *APP_NEWS*

Yahoo Mail app has been updated on both Android and iOS platforms with an all-new interface and tons of new customisations to take on the likes of Gmail and Outlook.

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Destiny 2: Shadowkeep and New Light are Destiny 3 and that's OK android os

Yearly sequels are something that big publishers want, but that hasn't worked for Destiny.

In a recent ViDoc from Bungie, we got a good indication what the next five years of Destiny will look like, and nothing in that five-year plan suggests Destiny 3 is coming soon. Bungie is going all-in with Destiny 2 as a Massively Multiplayer game, and though we see some pushback from gamers, this is a good thing for all Guardians.

Bungie is finally getting to make the game it wanted to do five years ago, and the next five years look very bright for those willing to invest the time. Shadowkeep, and by extension New Light, are offering up a new way to play Destiny that should entice new Guardians to come and play in the universe Bungie envisions.

The thing is though, Bungie never wanted to make a sequel. Destiny and Destiny 2 didn't feel like separate games. The sequel simply felt like the continuation of an ongoing arc. Each expansion — the two massive ones, and the eight smaller ones — each added something to the story, while a couple of them made crucial changes to the game, and none of them could be called proper sequels.

With the arrival of Shadowkeep and New Light, Bungie is trying to rewrite history, and achieve what they set out to do in Destiny 1. They want to give us a living world that grows naturally over time, rather than forcing breakpoints in the narrative and calling them new games.

A new chapter

Destiny 2 Shadowkeep: Digital Deluxe Edition

$60 at the PlayStation Store

The nightmares are coming

With the release of Shadowkeep, Destiny 2 starts a brand new chapter. This edition has a year's worth of season passes too. What a bargain.

Some backstory

Back on Sept. 9, 2014 Destiny, made by Bungie — formed by some of the original creators of Halo — was touted to us as an ever-evolving world that we would be able to continue exploring for years to come.

Destiny blew me away when I first started playing on the Xbox 360, and from Day One it consumed my spare time. I played that game longer than I've played any other game in my life, and I spent 200 hours on Final Fantasy VIII. The gunplay was on point, making you feel powerful and deadly without making everything else feel easy. Using the three Guardian classes felt different enough to make me want to try each one out, even if it meant I had to play the same content three times.

That's not to say it was perfect — there were balancing issues with the guns, and the grind was very real — but as more content was released the game became a machine of entertainment for me and everyone I could convince to play.

Unfortunately for Bungie, Activision — the publisher of Destiny at the time — has a history of wanting sequels to games each year, so Bungie had to respond with Destiny 2. Forcing a sequel meant the original dream —an ever-expanding universe — was curtailed.

Bungie has since left Activision to publish the game for itself. That means the drive to make a new game every year or two is replaced by making one game that evolves in a meaningful way, year on year.

Shadowkeep could be called Destiny 5 if it makes you feel better

In the last five years, Destiny has undergone significant shifts through some of the better expansions, and at least two created such large changes that they could be considered sequels. That's not to say that the other expansions didn't add cool new content, but these two expansions could've been used by Bungie to advance the number on the disc box if it wanted.

The Taken King in Destiny and Forsaken in Destiny 2 were so big and changed the nature of the game so much that for most games in Activision's stable — Call of Duty is a good example — it would have been enough to bump the version number. Bungie didn't want to though; the game is simply just Destiny.

The Taken King

The Taken King is some of the best content I've played in any video game. It introduced three new subclasses, as well as a new area, the Dreadnought, that was alive with combat all the time. It felt like you were constantly in danger, and that is something that has played into Destiny 2.

It was also the first raid to introduce challenges — specific ways to defeat bosses to gain extra rewards — and is still my favorite raid even now. The level of cooperation needed to overcome The Taken King Raid was immense, and the bonds of friendship I made with the people who defeated it with me persist through Destiny 2 and, I hope, beyond.

Forsaken

Forsaken was exactly what Destiny 2 needed to revamp the franchise. At the time of release, numbers were at an all-time low, and the game became an endlessly dull grind with no real reason to play. I decided to stop playing days before the Forsaken announcement but chose to give it one more chance to win me back. While Foresaken didn't sell as well as everybody hoped, it succeeded where it mattered.

So Shadowkeep isn't just another expansion to Destiny 2, it is the fifth major change to the franchise.

The new expansion went crazy with content. It added new subclasses, new weapon classes — the bow is the perfect addition — and two new massive play areas. It also brought us an entirely new game mode, Gambit, and a new race of bad guys called the Scorn. What it did better than any expansion before it, however, was to move the story forward in a big way.

The Forsaken storyline changed the very nature of Destiny, making Guardians more fragile. It changed the Guardians from beings of incorruptible light to flawed people that could, and often did, make mistakes. It was a revelation, and hooked me back into the game, making me feel like I was playing it for the first time.

When you look at these significant expansions, the amount of content they gave us, and how they changed the core game, you realize they can be easily described as standalone sequels.

So Shadowkeep isn't just another expansion to Destiny 2, it is the fifth major change to the franchise making it closer to Destiny 5 than "just another DLC."

We are getting Destiny 3, kind of...

Shadowkeep represents a massive paradigm shift in the way Destiny is created and the way we, as players, will play. There are changes to the way armor works, new weapons, new moves for your Guardian, a new way to spend real money, and a new end game item called an artifact.

We aren't getting Destiny 3 in the next five years at least, but I'm not worried.

The armor modifications have become more RPG-like in their execution, which expands the replayability of Destiny 2 considerably. One of the biggest complaints of the Destiny franchise is how difficult it is to truly customize your Guardian. It's hard to make it feel like only you have a particular set of skills to help the team. By changing the way armor works, Bungie has given us the option to add the stats we want to the armor we like the look of, thus making each of us unique.

Those are just some of the tangible things that you can interact with, but we're also getting the typical slew of new missions, strikes, a new raid, and a new dungeon. Bungie is also changing how you pay for Destiny moving forward with the introduction of New Light.

New Light is a reworked version of Destiny 2 that offers a core game that's free to all players. It's essentially a stripped-down version of the first year of Destiny 2 and includes all of the Year One content — Warmind, Curse of Osiris, and the Red War — up to but not including Forsaken, along with a few reworked parts of Destiny 1.

This makes a lot of sense when you're trying to create a living world. People need to be invested in the story, and to do that they have to know as much as possible about it. New Light will give them a taste of Destiny 1 with the first mission in full, and parts of other missions which will help you level your character up to power level 750.

I'm excited for the future

So we aren't getting Destiny 3 in the next five years at least, but I'm not worried. Bungie has shown time and again that with these expansions it can bring variety and new gameplay to the table. Not only that, Bungie will do it with flair and passion, and it'll be thoughtful on what the community wants.

Bungie is also giving us a new style of DLC. Gone are the huge expansions costing almost as much as the game. After Shadowkeep season, passes will take over. Like season passes in Fortnite, these passes will constantly add to the narrative of Destiny 2, helping the world evolve by adding a new story, new game modes, and new weapons. It will also take old, out of date content away, making way for more exciting content for us to sink our teeth into.

With Shadowkeep, and more importantly New light, Bungie is telling us that we don't need Destiny 3, because Destiny 2 is going to keep us busy for a long time to come.

I'm with you all the way Bungie. Let's do this.

Destiny 2: Shadowkeep releases on Oct. 1, 2019 for PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC.

A new chapter

Destiny 2 Shadowkeep: Digital Deluxe Edition

$60 at the PlayStation Store

The nightmares are coming

With the release of Shadowkeep, Destiny 2 starts a brand new chapter. This edition has a year's worth of season passes too. Bargain.



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