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Hands-on: This is the best tempered glass screen protector I’ve tried for the Google Pixel

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Screen protectors aren’t for everyone, but for those who spend a lot on their device and want to better protect it from scratches and the occasional drop, a good tempered glass screen protector is well worth the investment, along with a solid case. I’ve tested several tempered glass screen protectors since buying the Google Pixel XL, but none have really impressed me, until I tried one from Orzly…


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Hands-on: Thin Fit and Crystal Shell HTC 10 cases from Spigen [Video]

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Crystal Shell Spigen

Last week, Spigen sent over a few cases for the recently released HTC 10. That was great news for me, as I’ve been extremely hesitant to use the device as my daily driver without some sort of protection.

If the HTC 10 wasn’t so pretty and well designed it wouldn’t matter, but it’s a beautiful smartphone that I wish to keep in tip-top shape. As such, I was more than happy to take Spigen’s offerings for a test drive. Take a look at our hands-on video to see the cases in action.
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Review: iClever folding Bluetooth keyboard is portable, solid and very affordable

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Over the past few years, we’ve seen a number of projections and claims that we are now in a ‘Post PC era’. But despite the fact that more people than ever are using mobile devices and tablets for web browsing and gaming, when it comes to getting real work done, you can’t replace a physical keyboard with a virtual one.

While using a Bluetooth keyboard with a smartphone or tablet is never going to make for a compelling laptop replacement, it may just be the accessory that saves you in a pinch, especially if you have little space to store gadgets while on the move. The iClever folding keyboard is a wireless affordable keyboard with sturdy metal construction that you can take anywhere.


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Review: SCOSCHE’s light-up reversible Micro USB cable is impossibly convenient and well-made

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One of the undoubted benefits of USB Type-C is the fact that it’s reversible. It doesn’t matter which way around it is, you can just shove it in your phone and know it’ll work. Of course, it has other benefits too, which is why Samsung’s decision not to use it in the Galaxy S7 series was a little puzzling. Still, you can at the very least get the reversible factor using the right cable. One available option is the SCOSCHE reversible light-up Micro USB which I’ve had for the past month or so.


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Official Galaxy S7 Edge accessories: Unboxing the wireless charger, keyboard and S-View Cover [Video]

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When Samsung unveiled the Galaxy S7 Edge, they also showed off some official accessories. Some of them we’d seen before, while others have been redesigned to fit the Galaxy S7 Edge. I decided to check out the new S-View Cover, keyboard case and wireless charger built by Samsung specifically for its newer devices.


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Unboxing the awesome, pricey C-3PO and Stormtrooper Bluetooth speakers [Video]

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Towards the end of last year, a company called AC Worldwide launched a promising Kickstarter project. Essentially, these were fully licensed, to scale Star Wars Bluetooth speakers in the shape of C-3Po and Stormtrooper heads. Not long after the speaker project launched, an investor came in and offered the company all the money they needed to get the speakers to market. Now they’re here, and I just had to try them out…


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Amazon bans the sale of dodgy USB Type-C connectors and adapters

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Following the launch of the Type-C equipped Nexus 5X, Nexus 6P and Pixel C devices, Google engineer Benson Leung set out to save us from all the dodgy non-compliant cables and adapters available on Amazon. Without the correct technical compliance, a Type-C adapter could charge a device too slowly, or at worst, ruin the product. Following Leung’s extensive testing, Amazon has now prohibited the sale of non-compliant accessories.


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Roundup: 8 best cases for Galaxy S7 Edge [Video]

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The Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge has been on the market for roughly a week, and in that first few days, we’ve been testing a number of third party cases to see which we think are the best. Thanks to the phone’s IP67 rating, we know the phone is already pretty well equipped to handle the elements, but a little extra protection from drops and scuffs is always a good thing.


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Quick Review: Edifier M3280BT is an affordable, versatile Bluetooth home audio 2.1 speaker system

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It may not be one of the biggest names in audio equipment, but Edifier has a growing reputation for building great-looking speakers systems that don’t cost the earth. While the M3280BT hardly has the most catchy of names, it is a decent 2.1 audio system that’s at the very least, worth your consideration, if not your cash.


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Review: Skyroam’s mobile hotspot could prove invaluable on your trips abroad

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If you’ve ever travelled abroad with your smartphone, there’s a chance you’ve been stung by a hefty roaming bill because you’ve used data in another country. Depending on which carrier you’re with, that could cost you hundreds of dollars just for doing regular, everyday stuff. And you can forget about using your device as a hotspot.

That’s where Skyroam comes in. It’s an affordable mobile hotspot you can take with you to countries in Europe, Africa, South Pacific, Middle East, Asia or The Americas and pay only one single flat rate per day for (sort of) unlimited usage.


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Review: Aukey’s affordable and universal 18mm clip-on wide angle smartphone lens [Gallery]

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While mobile photography keeps on improving thanks to the advancement of tiny camera sensors and image processors, it’s still nowhere near as fully-fledged as DSLR or Micro 4/3rd photography. You can’t swap out interchangeable lenses for different types of imagery, and have to rely on third party manufacturers producing clip-on accessories. That’s where the Aukey 18mm HD wide angle clip-on lens comes in.


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ZAGG to acquire Mophie, takeover battery, screen protection, & keyboard accessories market

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Screen Shot 2016-02-02 at 6.39.34 PMPopular accessory maker Zagg today announced that it has acquired Mophie, another accessory maker best known for its battery cases and power accessories. The deal will see Zagg purchase Mophie for $100 million. Mophie CEO Daniel Huang and COO Shawn Dougherty will continue their current respective roles and will report to Zagg CEO Randy Hales.


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Speck Pocket VR for Galaxy S6 combines a great case and collapsible Google Cardboard viewer

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Speck is one of the best-known smartphone case manufacturers. Its products normally combine practicality and durability with attractive designs in a way not many other companies manage. Its Candyshell Grip case is one of the most recognizable around, thanks to the grippy, (usually) brightly colored stripes on the outer shell. Now, the company has decided to dive in to the world of virtual reality with its latest product: Pocket VR.


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HTC and Under Armor’s HealthBox combines smart scales, fitness and heart-rate trackers in a single $400 package

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In an effort to get customers entirely absorbed into their ecoystem in one fell swoop, HTC and Under Armor have today announced HealthBox. Although it may sound like the brand-name for some kind of nutritious lunch, it is in fact a system which ties together a smart scale, fitness band and heart-rate monitor with a smartphone app…


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PSA: The Google Store is now selling Bose headphones

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Google’s US and Canadian online retail store is now selling several models of Bose headphones. Items sold on the Google Store are usually more directly related accessories like cases, chargers, and cables, but this launch marks one of the more broad expansions of the store.

There are currently four sets of headphones on sale. The cheapest are the SoundSport In-Ear for $129.95. Followed by the SoundTrue Around-Ear Headphones II at $179.95. The more premium SoundLink Wireless Headphones II cost $279 and Bose’s top of the line QuietComfort 25 cost $299.

These prices are comparable to the prices you would find at other retailers, like Amazon and others. They come with free shipping and all products bought from the Google Store come with an extended return window for the holidays. All purchases made from November 27 to December 25 can be returned through January 22 of next year.


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OnePlus’ latest product is an iPhone case – Unboxing and Hands-on [Gallery]

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Android smartphone maker OnePlus is no stranger to unusual marketing tactics. Whether it’s because it’ll only sell phones to those with an invitation, asks customers to trade in their iPhone or Samsung phones for one of its devices, or by leaving out features many Android fans love, it seems to promote discussion with whatever it does. Its latest move is equally interesting, to say the least…


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Hands-On + Unboxing: OnePlus Icons earphones are now available [Gallery]

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Back when OnePlus announced its third smartphone, the OnePlus X, you may remember it also teased a pair of earphones. These earphones, it claimed, would bring quality craftsmanship and great audio for a price way below what you’d expect. The OnePlus Icons are now available to buy for $44.99 (reg. $49.99), and I’ve got my hands on a pair…

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You can now purchase the OnePlus 2 and OnePlus X without an invite, plus discounts on accessories

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Today is officially Black Friday, which means several companies will be selling various products at better-than-full prices. OnePlus’ version of a Black Friday weekend sale has begun and — instead of getting discounted smartphones — the company has made its phones available for open sale from today through until the 30th. That’s four full days of invite-free purchasing.

Both of the latest phones — the OnePlus X and OnePlus 2 — are available to buy all weekend and you won’t need an invite to purchase.

While the phones haven’t been discounted, the company has taken a percentage off the retail price of most of its accessories. Multiple OnePlus One accessories are available for 90% off, while accessories for the newer devices are 10% off. If you’ve been desperate to get your hands on the company’s new smartphones, now is the best opportunity to do so. To take advantage, head on over to OnePlus.net.

As for devices with actual discounts, we compiled a list of phones that we’d personally recommend buying, all of which have seen healthy price-cuts this week. What’s more, we’ve also rounded up some of the best gift ideas for you to consider, while our friends at 9to5Toys have an extensive list of all notable Black Friday deals running.

V-MODA Crossfade Wireless headphones – Unboxing and Review [Video]

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V-MODA makes some of the best earphones available. While sports stars and celebrities are normally seen wearing Beats, you’re more likely to find a pair of V-MODA cans wrapped around the necks of DJs. And if I’m going to trust someone’s judgement on an audio product, I’ll choose a music professional over a sports-person any day.

In the past, I’ve owned the Crossfade M100 and now, the award-winning earphones are back with an added feature: Wireless connectivity. I’ve been using the Crossfade Wireless for the past week or so, and they’re rather fantastic…


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Cam’s 9to5Google Gift Guide: The best Chrome & Android-powered products and accessories

gift-guide-2015The holiday season is well and truly upon us, and whether you’re looking for gift ideas for yourself, your friends or your family, we have you covered here at 9to5Google. This list contains some of my favorite smartphones, tablets, Chromebooks and some awesome accessories that I’ve used and loved. Ranging from $25 to $630, these are some of this year’s great gadgets…


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Samsung Keyboard Cover reportedly among accessories planned for Galaxy S7

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When Samsung launched the Galaxy Note 5 at the end of this summer, we stared on — not in disbelief but rather ‘they’ve done it again’ – as the company launched a flimsy-looking plastic keyboard cover to clamp to the front of its pristine glass smartphone. And it seems the company may do it at least one more time when the Galaxy S7 and its dual-curved sibling launches next year.

According to information received by SamMobile, Samsung is going to bring out a keyboard cover for the Galaxy S7 and the S7 Edge, along with a few more bespoke cases and accessories. Joining the keyboard cover is the usual S View Cover, a ‘Glitter Cover’ and a ‘Clear Cover’. This may come as good news to those of you who like Samsung’s market leading hardware, but miss the clickety-clack of real keys under your thumbs as you pound out messages and tweets on your smartphone.

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No details have been given on pricing, but each version of each accessory has its own SKU beginning with EF or EJ. I am curious to see how Samsung will design the keys and layout. With the Galaxy S7/S7 Edge likely to be smaller than the Note 5, that gives less room to cram in four rows of keys, meaning they’ll be smaller and harder to use. If Samsung can release a keyboard that’s both small, and sensibly design, I’ll be impressed.