Best answer: No. As of Sept. 2020, you can no longer remove your Facebook account from an Oculus Quest or Oculus Quest 2. In fact, you'll need it to access a lot of features.
A new level of wireless VR: Oculus Quest 2 (From $300 at Amazon)
While you could previously use a Facebook account or an Oculus account, you can no longer remove a Facebook account from Oculus Quest. Facebook announced the change in August 2020. If you preordered an Oculus Quest 2, just be aware that you'll need to sign in with your Facebook account and won't have any other options.
Oculus players that are still using an Oculus account have the option to merge their Oculus account with their Facebook account if they want. Just remember to use a legitimate Facebook account with your real name and not a fake account, as Oculus stated that it will ban players who use false identities.
Once you merge your Oculus account with your Facebook account, there's no going back. Facebook says it will not require existing Oculus players to merge their accounts, but players might have issues beginning January 2023 if they do not, as Facebook is continuing to merge Oculus services with Facebook services.
A better way to play
The Oculus Quest 2 is a huge leap over the original Oculus Quest in every way. From the lighter and smaller design to the new, more comfortable head straps and face pads, the Oculus Quest 2 is designed for a more enjoyable experience. It's also got more ergonomic controllers with a better button design, better haptic feedback, and longer battery life.
If that wasn't enough, the Oculus Quest 2 features a processor that's over three generations newer than the one found in the Oculus Quest. It's also got a display that sports 50% more pixels than the original, and enough horsepower to add additional detail to all your favorite games.
The Pixel 4a is the budget phone that manages to do it all. It has good performance, a great OLED display, unmatched cameras, and clean software that's backed by years of updates. It does all of this while retaining a wonderfully small size and price tag, making it a go-to recommendation for just about anyone.
With the Motorola One 5G, we have a phone that does some things better than the Pixel, others worse, and does so at a higher price. The 90Hz display, Snapdragon 765G processor, and huge battery are all great, but things like mediocre cameras and carrier exclusivity are not. If you're an AT&T customer, it's certainly worth a look.
Both of these phones bring a lot to the table while maintaining low price tags, but if we had to pick a winner, we'd choose the Pixel 4a. Its camera is unmatched, performance and battery life are great, and Google backs the phone with three years of major updates and security patches. Even better, it costs just $350 and can be purchased unlocked for use on any carrier that you'd like. The Motorola One 5G is also worth considering, though it doesn't have the same mass appeal of the Pixel. It gets big points with its 90Hz display, faster processor, and larger battery, but it also finds itself hindered by disappointing cameras, worse hardware compared to the 4a, and carrier exclusivity deals.
Google Pixel 4a vs. Motorola One 5G Price and availability
When looking at pricing and availability for the Pixel 4a and Motorola One 5G, the Pixel instantly gets points for being both cheaper and more accessible. It has a retail price of $350, can be purchased at Amazon and Best Buy, and is sold as an unlocked smartphone that can be used on whichever carrier you like — including AT&T, T-Mobile, Verizon, and any of their respective MVNOs.
By comparison, the Motorola One 5G costs $445. That price increase isn't too bad considering some of the different specs between the two phones, but where the One 5G tumbles is with how it's being sold. The phone is currently exclusive to AT&T, meaning if you aren't an AT&T customer, you have no way of buying and using the phone.
Motorola has said that the Motorola One 5G is headed to Verizon at some point this fall, but even when that happens, there still won't be an option to buy the phone unlocked and use it wherever you please.
Google Pixel 4a vs. Motorola One 5G The Pixel 4a is best for most people
With that out of the way, let's take a closer look at what it's like to use both phones and where each one shines. Starting with the Pixel 4a, the most obvious advantage is its camera.
On paper, the single 12.2MP sensor looks pretty weak stacked up against the four cameras offered on the Motorola One 5G. To actually use both phones, however, is a completely different story. The Pixel 4a takes absolutely incredible photos, with shots having great detail, depth, and colors regardless of the time of day. Whether you're shooting in broad daylight or in pitch black, the 4a is there to capture a gorgeous image time and time again. No matter the price tag, this sort of camera performance is beyond impressive.
The other big benefit of the Pixel 4a is its software. Both the Pixel 4a and Motorola One 5G ship with clean builds of Android and their own sets of useful feature add-ons, but the Pixel is backed by Google's excellent update policy. You're looking at three years of major OS updates and monthly security patches, with updates heading to the phone first before anyone else. If you plan on keeping your phone for a long time, this is a huge perk to consider.
Other specs of the Pixel 4a aren't as jaw-dropping, but they all contribute to make the phone a joy to use. The OLED display looks great, there aren't any performance issues, and you get reliable all-day battery life. I'm especially fond of the Pixel 4a's design, which is super lightweight and easy to use with one-hand (something we don't get enough of with phones these days). There's a reason we consider the Pixel 4a to be one of the best Android phones of 2020.
Google Pixel 4a
Motorola One 5G
Operating System
Android 11
Android 10
Display
5.8-inch OLED
2340 x 1080
60Hz
6.7-inch LCD
2520 x 1080
90Hz
Processor
Qualcomm Snapdragon 730G
Qualcomm Snapdragon 765G
RAM
6GB
4GB
Storage
128GB
128GB
Expandable Storage
❌
✔️
Rear Camera 1
12.2MP primary
f/1.7
OIS
48MP primary
f/1.8
Rear Camera 2
❌
8MP ultra-wide
f/2.2
Rear Camera 3
❌
5MP macro
f/2.2
Rear Camera 4
❌
2MP depth
f/2.2
Selfie Camera 1
8MP primary
f/2.0
16MP primary
f/2.0
Selfie Camera 2
❌
8MP ultra-wide
f/2.2
Audio
Stereo speakers
3.5mm headphone jack
Mono speaker
3.5mm headphone jack
Battery
3,140 mAh
18W wired charging
5,000 mah
15W wired charging
Dimensions
144 x 69.4 x 8.2mm
168 x 74 x 9mm
Weight
143g
210g
Google Pixel 4a vs. Motorola One 5G Where the Motorola One 5G shines
That brings us to the Motorola One 5G, which could be a great purchase depending on where your needs lie (and which wireless carrier you're subscribed to). The Motorola One 5G has three main benefits over the Pixel, with those being its display, processor, and battery.
In regards to the display, we're treated to a much larger 6.7-inch LCD panel with a crisp 2520x1080 resolution. It's a perfectly fine screen with good colors and detail, but what helps it stand out is the 90Hz refresh rate. This makes all of the scrolling, swiping, and other animations considerably more fluid than how they look on the Pixel 4a, and especially at this price point, it's a fantastic feature to have. When you pair that with the more powerful Snapdragon 765G processor, the Motorola One 5G ends up feeling a bit snappier and more responsive than the Pixel.
Battery life is outstanding on the Motorola One 5G.
Then there's that 5,000 mAh battery, which is substantially larger than the 3,140 mAh one that Google gives you. The Motorola One 5G easily lasts for over two days on a single charge, which is something a lot of other devices just can't do.
All of that's great, but that's not to say everything about the Motorola One 5G is better than the Pixel 4a. In fact, it has a few different problems you don't have to worry about if you get the Pixel. Motorola's phone is difficult to use one-handed, its camera performance is pretty disappointing compared to what the 4a offers, and the single mono speaker is annoying if you watch a lot of YouTube or movies.
Worse than all of that, though, is the lack of updates offered for the Motorola One 5G. Motorola is committed to just a single update for the device, which will take it from Android 10 to Android 11. After that, it won't get anything else. That won't be a deal-breaker for everyone, but it is annoying if you plan on keeping the phone for any longer than a year.
Google Pixel 4a vs. Motorola One 5G Availability is king
At the end of the day, a lot of this comes back to the phones' availability. Anyone can go out right now, buy the Pixel 4a, and use it on their carrier — no matter if you use AT&T, T-Mobile, Verizon, Mint Mobile, Cricket Wireless, etc., etc. Factor that together with the lower price, and the Pixel 4a becomes an unignorable value.
The Motorola One 5G is a non-starter for anyone that doesn't have AT&T, but if you do, there are a few other things you'll want to consider. Motorola's phone doesn't have as good of cameras as the Pixel 4a, but its battery life is substantially better. The 90Hz display is a wonderful treat, but are you willing to sacrifice long-term update support to get it? There's also the matter of size, with the Pixel 4a being nice and compact while the Motorola One 5G is rather bulky.
Once you answer those questions, it should be pretty clear which phone is right for you. Happy shopping!
The Pixel 4a is one of those phones that easy to recommend to anyone. Excellent camera? Check. Fast performance? Yep. Sharp and colorful display? Of course. Easy-to-use software that'll get updates for years to come? You betcha.
The Motorola One 5G isn't as well-rounded of a device like the Pixel 4a, but for the right buyer, it is a compelling option. The 90Hz display is buttery smooth, Qualcomm's Snapdragon 765G is super powerful, and that 5,000 mAh battery is a treat.
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Google can still adjust the production volume based on the market response.
What you need to know
A new report claims Google is planning to produce less than 1 million Pixel 5 phones this year.
Google's phone sales fell below its target last year, and the company is reported to have shipped just 1.5 million Pixels in the first half of 2020.
The Pixel 5 and the Pixel 4a 5G will debut at Google's "Launch Night In" event later today.
In just a few hours from now, Google will take the wraps off its first 5G Pixel phones, along with a new Chromecast and Nest-branded smart speaker. Ahead of the event, a report from Nikkei Asia claims Google has set a surprisingly modest sales target for the Pixel 5, mainly due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Google is apparently looking to produce only around 800,000 units of the Pixel 5 this year. Initial production for the Pixel 5, Pixel 4a 5G, and Pixel 4a combined is currently set at just 3 million units. Not only has COVID-19 lowered demand for smartphones globally, it also disrupted Google's plans of moving production of its Pixel phones to Vietnam. While the Pixel 4a is already being produced in Vietnam, the Pixel 5 is being manufactured in Shenzhen, China.
A source close to Google told Nikkei:
Google gave a relatively conservative order forecast this year because its flagship Pixel 4 did not sell well last year, and because COVID-19 is causing their team to stay on the safe side concerning handsets for now.
Google had set an ambitious sales target of 8 to 10 million units last year, but it could only ship 7.2 million. Sales of the company's flagship Pixel 4 series were particularly disappointing. According to data from IDC, Google only shipped 1.5 million phones in the first six months of 2020, a massive decline compared to the 4.1 million units it sold in the first half of 2019.
The Marshall Stanmore II Bluetooth smart speaker with Alexa is on sale for $249.99 on Amazon. That's $150 off what it normally sells for and a crazy low discount for a speaker that hs never really gone on sale. There is another version of this speaker that's just Bluetooth with no Alexa, and even that one is currently going for $350 right now. This is a super low price on one of Marshall's best speakers.
The speaker uses Bluetooth 5.0 technology, which allows for a low latency connection that doesn't use much power and doesn't get interupted. It even uses the aptX codec for a smoother audio experience and lossless wireless sound. The multi-host functionality of the speaker allows you to connect two different Bluetooth devices and easily switch between them. Of course you don't have to just connect via Bluetooth either. The speaker has an RCA connection and a 3.5mm input so you can connect your favorite pair of headphones if you want.
The advanced components used in the speaker's design help it produce clean and precise audio. That means it can fill up a room, whether that room is large or small. And no matter what volume level you set, the speaker's audio will still sound fantastic. Do more to control the sound, too. Use the Marshall Bluetooth app or the analogue controls on the speaker's top panel. You can get the perfect sound based on the room you're in this way, which helps when the acoustics change.
With Alexa built right in, you have even more ways to control this speaker. Connect it to your Wi-Fi and your smart home. You can use this speaker to control your other Alexa-enabled devices. Plus it has LED lights on the front that correspond to Alexa's voice. You can also use the Voice Mute button if you don't want Alexa to hear you.
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Chrome OS used to be lightweight and simple, but that doesn't mean it should rely on workarounds and hobbled apps.
There are a lot of great things about Chromebooks: they're competitively priced, even the affordable models run all day on a single charge, and there's not much I'd change about the Chrome OS operating system. Designed to be lightweight and stay out of your way, Chrome OS helps you focus on your work or play while still giving you the productivity and convenience of using Android apps and Linux apps.
New features are arriving all the time, too, like the coming dark theme — that sat near the top of this list for a long, long time — and screen recorder. Even after nine years of slow, continual improvements, though, there are still a few things that make me groan every time I see them. Google gets so much right, but there are still a few wrongs that need righting.
Google needs more proactive standards for Android apps on Chromebooks
The first thing I — and probably more Chromebook users — would fix, is how Android apps look on Chromebooks. Most apps when you open them are either one of three things:
A small phone-sized window for a small phone-designed app
A full-screen window for a comically blown-up phone-designed app
A full-screen window that scales for a Chromebook but still has tons of white space
While there are some apps optimized for Android tablets that work pretty well on Chromebooks, the vast majority of the apps we use on Chromebooks today are obviously and laughably mis-scaled phone apps. Four years ago when Android apps were still relatively new on Chromebooks, I could have forgiven this.
Now, it's just a slap in the face to users. Google and Chromebook manufacturers put Android apps front and center when marketing Chromebooks to customers. But when it comes to getting apps optimized for Chromebooks — both in how users navigate and interact with the app and how well the app runs on Chromebook hardware — Google's done practically nothing in years to improve the situation.
When you compare a Chromebook to an iPad, Chromebook takes the lead whenever you're dealing with the Chrome Browser and a straight web experience. However, the second you bring apps into the mix, Apple takes the lead because of the strict guidelines Apple has and enforces for iPadOS apps.
Google's long been lax when it comes to app standards. It has an entire website devoted to Material Design and better UI design, and even that seldom mentions designing responsive layouts for tablets and the only mention of Chromebooks on the entire site is an outdated device metrics list. The section on Android Developers focuses much more on the functional rather than design, to the detriment of all.
This is the perfect time to make a fresh push to get developers to redesign apps for the multi-window experience on Chromebooks and the ever-shifting experience on foldable phones. But no one can push for it unless Google's willing to start playing hardball.
Simplify permissions and app use for microSD cards
Another infuriating aspect of Android apps on Chromebooks — especially on budget-minded, storage-strapped Chromebooks that dominate the market — is that while you can get a Chromebook to read a microSD card, most apps can't consistently save any app data to them. For instance, I've tried to save videos to a microSD through the Android apps for Disney+ and Google Play Movies, and it errors out on every Chromebook I've tried so far.
Of course, letting an app see the microSD card to begin with requires you going into a Storage management submenu in the Settings app, then going to each individual app in the apps section of Android Settings and turning on the Storage permission, and then rebooting everything to get the microSD card to show up in your desired app.
Oh, and even then, it might not work.
I know this is done for security reasons, but I think we can also agree that this is a ridiculous amount of hoops to jump through. Most Chromebooks sold in the last three years only have 32GB of internal storage to begin with and need a microSD to expand their storage; we shouldn't be punishing users for using external storage.
At the very least, I'd settle for having all the settings to turn on microSD support for each app on a single page rather than being spread out in three different menus.
It's time to overhaul Chrome OS's settings
Turning on microSD support isn't the only operation that requires you to hunt through multiple menus to get it working. If you have poor eyesight and want to adjust the screen and font sizes, you have to go to the Display settings in the Settings app, then over to Appearance settings inside Chrome Browser and bounce between the two menus before you find a zoom/font balance that works for you.
Want to change the look of your Chromebook? Well, first you open the Settings app to change your wallpaper, then you head over to the Chrome Web Store to find your new Chrome theme, then you open a new tab to customize which shortcuts you see and what image displays on a new tab.
As Project Lacros has the Chrome OS team detangling the Chrome Browser from the Chrome OS system, it's also a good time to re-evaluate the Chrome OS settings menu and streamline more complex procedures. Google prides Chrome OS on its simplicity; that should extend to its system settings, too.
Give us home screen widgets
The last thing I'd change is petty, but if even Apple can come around on home screen widgets, then it's time to allow them on Chromebooks, too! Widgets would allow the desktop to be a little more functional than a bare wallpaper alone — as much as I love a good wallpaper.
Wouldn't you like to get a peek at the weather and your next calendar appointment just by minimizing your Chrome window for a moment? How about getting an inspirational quote that changes every few hours to keep you motivated when you close your window to take a break.
Widgets can add just a little bit of functionality and fun to our laptops without letting the screen get too cluttered. Though while they're at it, support for Android icon packs would be nice, too!
What would you change?
I'll admit that I want some significant changes for Chrome OS — particularly in regards to apps — but I know I'm not alone in these frustrations. But what grinds your gears in regards to the Chrome operating system? Do you think it should be easier to install Linux apps? Do you think there should be a manual toggle for tablet mode rather than being tied to the angle of your screen? Should Chrome shortcuts we re-programmable? Share your hopes, dreams, and fury with us in the comments below.
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A little over a month ago, Amazon surprised us all with an intriguing product drop in the form of the Amazon Halo band, a holistic fitness wearable that has some fairly ambitious capabilities hidden in a pretty non-descript, understated wrist strap.
Like every other fitness tracker on the market today, the Amazon Halo has sensors and software to track your steps, heart rate, and sleep, and it can even analyze your overall activity levels. There is a Halo subscription plan that provides access to guided workouts, training plans, and enhanced health metrics similar to what Fitbit Premium offers. It is $3.99/month, but the device comes with a free six-month trial, just like Fitbit's latest wearables.
What's more interesting about the Halo are its voice tone and body composition analysis capabilities. Amazon touts how secure this personal data is on its platform, but you will likely either be fascinated by these new features or be terrified by them.
Currently, the Halo is only available through what Amazon describes as an Early Access program. In other words, you have to express your interest in ordering the band from Amazon (for a low introductory price of $65), and if Amazon deems you worthy, you will receive an invitation to purchase it. This is a formula that the company has used in the past with devices like the orginal Echo speaker, the Echo Auto, and Day 1 products like the Echo Frames and Echo Loop, and it gets people like me, rabid early adopters, to beta test these products.
I've spent about a week wearing the Halo and testing out its baseline and premium features, and I have to say that I've never come away more conflicted about a review. On the one hand (or wrist?), Amazon gets so much right here, and I genuinely applaud it for its innovation. On the other hand, I have serious doubts about whether I should wear it beyond the review period.
So, where did I ultimately land on the Amazon Halo, and do I think you should try to buy one? I'll get to that, but first, let's go over all that this band can do.
Amazon Halo
Bottom line: If you're serious about getting a better understanding of your physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing, the Amazon Halo just might be the perfect holistic wearable for you. From improving communication to analyzing your body for important health metrics, it's as comprehensive as it is simple.
The Good
Comfortable and stylish straps
Excellent app experience and user interface
Basic fitness tracking and impressive premium features
No unnecessary distractions
The Tone and Body Composition features work remarkably well
The Bad
Availability currently limited through the Early Access program
Battery life is only two days with Tone enabled
Tone and Body Composition features may feel too intrusive for some
Simple setup, comfortable fit, and innovative health features
Amazon Halo What I like
In this age of the best smartwatches, I've remained solid in my commitment to and appreciation for the basic fitness band. And as fitness bands go, they don't get much more basic looking than the Amazon Halo.
As with other Amazon devices, the Halo was extremely easy to set up, and I found the onboarding process straightforward and even enjoyable. You first have to make sure your band is charged and that you've downloaded and logged into the Amazon Halo app (available for iOS and Android). Once those tasks are done, you are walked through the setup process and Halo band's features by a series of charming illustrations and animations (if you haven't watched the videos for the Halo band, you should).
There is no screen to display your fitness stats, notifications, or even the time, which took a bit of getting used to for me at first. Amazon pitches this lack of display as a feature, though, saying that it has been designed to be "distraction-free." I was a bit skeptical of this as a selling point at first, but then I grew to appreciate not having notifications or even the time vying for my attention.
I came to appreciate the distraction-free nature of the display-less Halo
The Halo ships with a polyester/nylon/spandex band similar to what you might see on a Fitbit or Apple Watch, and the band is available in several different sizes and colors (I opted for the large silver version), though there are other sport options available, too. I am partial to this one, and might have to get it if I end up wearing this tracker long-term.
The Halo was able to fade into the background and just do its thing, and there were large portions of the day where I completely forgot that I even had it on. That is especially remarkable because I wore it on my dominant (right) wrist, opposite the Fitbit Charge 3 that I wear every day. Yes, this was partially because I didn't want to lose out on my ongoing Fitbit competitions, but it was mainly so that I could compare the Halo's accuracy in heart-rate and sleep monitoring and step tracking to my Fitbit (more on that in a bit). I think this type of band could be perfect for the minimalist who doesn't care about seeing their fitness stats constantly on display, or the person who really loves their traditional, analog watch but also wants to have the benefit of continuous health tracking on the other wrist.
The fit, finish, and basic functionality of the Halo isn't anything special, and you could easily find some or all of those features on another fitness tracker. What sets this device apart are two features that Amazon hopes will help you really get to know your body better, have a better grasp on your physical, emotional, and mental wellbeing, and give you some tools and suggestions to make any improvements that you might feel necessary.
The first holistic health feature that Amazon wants you to take advantage of is what it is calling Tone, and yes, it's what it sounds like. With Tone enabled, the Halo will take periodic scans of your speech patterns throughout the day and provide an analysis of them for your review within the app. The band can tell you with remarkable accuracy if your side of the conversation sounded irritated, happy, sad, etc. The process to set up the Tone feature was quite interesting and similar to how you get Alexa, Siri, or the Google Assistant to recognize your voice for the first time. The app asks you to read a series of quotes and captions from famous literary sources to better understand inflections and changes as you speak.
I found the Tone feature to be eerily accurate when it actually picked up my voice (more on that below), but I'm not 100% sure how helpful it is right now. The idea is that you can visualize how you're coming across to others and better understand that perception so that you can make necessary adjustments to how you react with others in future conversations. I can envision applications of this technology that could be beneficial for those with documented communication issues, but it remains to be seen if and how it will be received and used by the masses.
Now when it comes to the basics, I found the Halo to be reasonably competent. The Halo also sports a degree of water-resistance, and is capable of handling up to 5 atm (or 50 meters) of depth. I am not much of a swimmer, but I can attest to the fact that it holds up quite well to the sweaty run and daily shower routine. The heart rate measurements and sleep tracking were spot-on, at least when compared directly to my Fitbit Charge 3. However, the Halo tended to overestimate my step count when compared to the Fitbit. Which one is more accurate? I'm not sure, but there was a definite discrepancy there. Step count accuracy is not that important with the Halo, though, because it wants to track your overall activity level and give you a weekly score that is continuously being adjusted. The default target is 150 points, but you can change that in the app.
You get credit for walking, more credit for jogging, and even more credit for running. The interesting thing about this point system is that you can actually lose points for being sedentary. By being sedentary, I mean being inactive, not necessarily sitting down. It's not clear to me how the Halo addresses those who are in a wheelchair. Overall I really like this approach, as it seems to consider your activity as a whole, not just based on a single metric. It reminds me of the Nike+ Fuelband from back in the day
Don't worry, I'm not going to share my personal body scans with you.
The other main feature of the Halo app and service is its ability to use your smartphone to capture full-body scans. The app uses this data to generate a three-dimensional scan of your body, allowing you to visualize your body composition and measure your body fat percentage. If this freaks you out a bit, you're not alone. Amazon says that its scanning system is ultra-secure. Your scans are only sent to its encrypted cloud long enough to generate the 3D images and then are immediately deleted.
Did I try this feature out? Yes. Am I going to share the results? Absolutely not. I don't think that I would partake in this feature in the future, but I can see how it could be appealing to some. Amazon says that body scans of this caliber can cost tens or hundreds of dollars a pop at clinics or other facilities and that the Halo interpretations are nearly as accurate. Users can take their scans and adjust them to their ideal body composition using a slider in the app. Amazon has tried to address misuse of this feature by those with body dysmorphia issues or those who are not legal adults. However, there is still a lot of concern about how this feature might be abused by users, notwithstanding potential data breaches.
For all the worries about personal voice and body composition data, I do think that Amazon has pretty strong privacy controls and policies in place. As you can see from the screenshots below, users can delete their body scans and voice tone analysis from the cloud at any time, and they can also opt to not store their scans in the cloud but rather on their smartphones. Users can also delete all health data from the Halo app and service with just a tap of a button. Like its Echo speakers, the Halo has a physical mute button on the band as well. Amazon has every reason to keep this data secure, but when it comes to information this personal, there is always going to be concern about it getting out into the wider world.
One area that seems to get overlooked by new entrants into the fitness tracking market is the social component, and I've knocked points from other trackers who have failed to consider this as an important feature. Many people who get a fitness tracker want to see how their activity compares to friends, family, and even strangers. Whether that be in the form of competitions and leaderboards like Fitbit and Apple offer in their apps, or through more universal third-party apps like MapMyRun or Strava, competition can be an important, motivating factor for the success of a wearable and fitness regime.
The Halo does not have its own leaderboard or competitions in the app at this point, nor does it appear to plug into any of these third-party services except for Weight Watchers, but that doesn't mean that there is no social component here. Amazon has created a private Facebook group for Halo owners, where users can connect with other Halo owners and fitness experts to bond and get the most from their Halo experience.
Innovative features overshadowed by ick factor
Amazon Halo What I don't like
For the most part, I found the Halo to be a perfectly capable and surprisingly comfortable fitness tracker. The experience of wearing the device was similar to any other tracker, and the accompanying app was really well thought out and designed. But it isn't all roses.
For starters, let's talk about battery life and the charging experience. Amazon claims that the Halo can last up to seven days on a single charge, and while that may be technically true, most users won't likely experience that longevity, at least not at first. To its credit, Amazon does say this front and center in the Halo's documentation and on the website, but if you have the Tone feature enabled, then your battery life drops to about two to two-and-a-half days, maximum. That's still better than many popular smartwatches, but it's not great for a tracker. Of course, I understand why the battery gets depleted more quickly with an always-on microphone enabled, but it's something you may want to keep in mind.
Just what you need, another proprietary charging cable to clutter your nightstand.
When it comes to recharging the Halo, Amazon gives you yet another proprietary charging clamp or cradle. If you have had any Fitbit in the past, you know the kind I'm referring to. The charging cradle is well-made and looks fine, but it's just another piece of e-waste cluttering up your desk, drawer, or nightstand.
And speaking of the Tone feature, I found the experience to be a bit inconsistent, not in terms of the accuracy of its results or analysis, but the everyday use of it. I found that the Halo took voice readings very sporadically, and some days I didn't have any results. Sure, you can run a scan manually through the app, but I wanted to see if the device worked as advertised. My theory on why I got inconsistent results was that the processing is done on your smartphone, and there were days where I spent hours sequestered in my office, several rooms away from my Pixel 4a where the Halo app was running. So the lesson here is if you want to get good Tone readings, keep your phone nearby.
I mentioned above how I quickly grew to appreciate the lack of a display on the Halo, and how Amazon touts this as a feature for a more distraction-free lifestyle. While I believe Amazon had good intentions with this design that were both pragmatic (it's cheaper not to include a display) and noble (we spend too much time looking at devices), the tinfoil hat club could be forgiven for thinking there were ulterior motives here also. After all, this device is another microphone on our bodies and in our homes that just sort of fades into the background and out of our perception. If there were a display on this band that gave you visual prompts or notifications of your voice scans, you might react to it differently.
Not that Amazon is hurting for money, but the real economic model here is not in the sale of the hardware, but in the associated subscription service. We've seen this strategy played out time and time again, most recently with Fitbit Premium and Apple Fitness Plus. The Halo+ service is much cheaper than those other options at just $3.99/month, and Amazon does give you the first six months free (something Fitbit is doing right now with its new devices, too). Of course, you don't need to subscribe to access the basic fitness tracking. Still, if you want to take advantage of Tone, Body Composition, or any additional guided workouts and extras, the Halo+ subscription will be required.
I wonder if people will be able to get past the initial "ick" factor of this device.
The biggest reservation that I have about the Halo is just, well, how do I say this... it gives me the heebie-jeebies a bit. Paying for a device and a service that is literally judging how I act and look would take some getting used to, to put it mildly. I can see the potential benefits and use cases, and I admire companies like Amazon and Fitbit for exploring holistic health strategies, but these are still hurdles that I and others will need to get over if a device like this is to succeed.
Amazon Halo The competition
There are so many fitness bands and exercise wearables to which I could compare the Amazon Halo, but there are two specific devices that come to mind if you're considering this device.
The first is the Whoop strap and membership experience. At first glance, the Whoop looks almost exactly like the Halo band, and I do not doubt that Amazon drew inspiration for its product and service from this device. Whoop has been around for several years and has already received wide acclaim and support from the wellness industry. It's even worn and endorsed by professional athletes like Super Bowl MVP Patrick Mahomes and champion PGA golfer Justin Thomas. The device can be worn with different straps across your wrist, leg, arm, or body, and is priced based on a $30/month subscription model for the band and accompanying service.
The Fitbit Sense retails for $330 and has some innovative health features of its own. Not only does the smartwatch come with an advanced heart rate monitor, but it packs an FDA-approved SpO2 sensor, an EDA (electrodermal activity) sensor, skin temperature sensor to monitor changes in your skin to look for signs of impending sickness, as well as a built-in ECG monitor. The Sense comes with six months of Fitbit Premium, which you can extend for $9.99/month.
Both of these wearables are more expensive up-front than the Halo, as are their accompanying membership subscriptions. Plus, the Fitbit Sense is a more full-featured smartwatch, which may or may not appeal to someone considering a more minimalistic band or tracker.
Should you buy
You should buy this if ...
You are comfortable in the Amazon ecosystem
If you already have a bunch of Echo speakers, Fire TV devices, and Ring and Eero smart home products in your house, then chances are you are pretty comfortable with your connection to Amazon and its devices.
You want a minimalist tracker
Fitness wearables don't get much simpler looking than the Amazon Halo. This device definitely won't be a distraction in everyday use.
You want a better picture of your overall health
This simple-looking device has some quite powerful features that can help you get a better understanding of your physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing.
You should not buy this if...
You are even the slightest bit paranoid
As I said, I trust Amazon's privacy and security measures and think it is doing the right thing right now in this regard, but I totally get it if you don't, or if you have reservations.
You have severe or diagnosed body dysmorphia issues
While Amazon is trying to prevent those with such issues from using the Body Composition features, if you suffer from body dysmorphia or severe self-image issues, you should probably consult your physician or therapist before even considering ordering this device.
You want smartwatch functionality
If you like to be able to triage notifications, see the temperature and time, or your fitness progress on the fly, you're not going to be happy with this band.
Overall, I came away way more impressed with the Halo than I imagined I would. At its most basic, I found it to be an attractive and comfortable basic fitness tracker that I could actually envision myself wearing. At its most complicated, it pushes up against the limits of wrist-based holistic health tracking and societal norms for privacy and intimacy.
4out of 5
My recommendation is that if you are even the slightest bit interested in a new fitness band or this tracker specifically, then go ahead and request early access to purchase the Halo. The initial price is quite affordable, and you can always opt-out of the Tone and Body Composition features and analysis. Alternatively, you can opt back into them at any time, and the monthly fee to access Halo+ is the most affordable I've seen from similar bands.
The bottom line is this: if you really want to know about yourself and your health and habits, the Halo is an interesting device that can provide a ton of insight that is difficult to find anywhere else right now, especially at this price point.
The Amazon Halo band may look like a simple device, but hidden inside are powerful features capable of providing in-depth insights to guide you on your overall fitness journey.
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Amazon Prime Day is coming up on Oct. 13 and 14, but apparently Amazon isn't the only retailer planning a huge sales event around that time. Target is getting in on the action now with "Deal Days," a sales event that will feature discounts on "hundreds of thousands of items." This event will cover the exact same days as Prime Day and directly compete with Amazon's sales. You can expect to see a lot of the same deals, giving you some great options for online shopping, especially if one deal runs out at one place but not the other.
If you haven't done any online shopping in a while or you've been waiting since July for these delayed sales events, get ready. Amazon Prime Day is going to be huge, and we're already starting to see the discounts. You will need to be an Amazon Prime member to take advantage of it. At least at Target you don't need to be a member to take part in the Deal Days event. Although, you can sign up for Target's Circle loyalty program for easy access to all the best deals, and you can save an extra 5% with a Target RedCard.
Amazon already depends on online shopping of course, but this year marks a noticeable change for brick and mortar retailers like Target. Target has said it expects less people in stores for things like Black Friday but will still hire the same number of seasonal employees to deal with the uptick in online shopping, fulfillment, and pickup options. You can also take advantage of an extended time period for Target's Price Match Guarantee, which will apply beyond 14 days for the first time. At any point between Nov. 1 and Dec. 24 you can request a price adjustment for a "Black Friday deal" if it's down to a lower price at Target or Target.com.
Target already has plans underway for Black Friday as well. Consider October's deals just the start of a very long, very jampacked holiday shopping season. The company will close its doors on Thanksgiving Day just like most retailers plan to do this year, but that won't stop the deals from hitting long before with chances for you to save through online shopping before the Friday in Black Friday even arrives. Target plans to start Black Friday deals as early as Nov. 1 with savings throughout the entire month.
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Sometimes the right soundbite is as important as the right message.
Things in Washington are about to get a little hotter for Google and Apple as regulators hear all of the ways that the two companies are pushing around the little guy whenever and however they can.
At the front of the situation on both sides is the question of market power. Specifically, does Google or Apple have enough of it to abuse it? The short and easy answer is yes; these are literal superpowers when it comes to mobile technology. It would be pretty difficult for either to operate in any capacity that wouldn't have a massive effect on the industry as a whole regardless of how each deals with its own app developers.
Strangely enough, though, the company with more actual power has less potential to abuse it because of how Android and Apple's ecosystems work.
Android is almost everywhere
For most people living in the West, seeing an iPhone is an everyday occurrence. In fact, we see so many of them that we can be forgiven for not realizing that about 8 of every 10 smartphones out there run Android in some flavor or another. That still leaves plenty of room for Apple to make money hand over fist every quarter, but knowing that its market penetration is so small is what saves it from any serious anti-competitive measures by the world's courts.
That's surely a blessing because as Google is reminding us today, you can't do something like install another app store and download Fortnite on iOS. Apple is almost certainly going to have to make some changes in its App Store policies, but if it had Android's market share, the developer policies Apple has would never fly.
The inverse is true, too. Google says if you use Google Play to make any money, it deserves a 30% cut. No ifs, no ands, no buts. Google can get away with that because nobody is forcing a developer to use Google Play for anything. Google likes to use the word open a bit freely sometimes, but when it comes to distribution channels, Android really is open. Too open in some ways.
Since Google doesn't force a developer to use Google Play, it can get away with taking 30%. Since Apple is moving fewer devices by way of a simple count, it too gets a pass when the word monopoly gets tossed around. What that means is that even when every lawmaker with a pen in hand is ready to do something Google can still announce that as of next year, all developers will follow the same Google Play rulebook.
All of this is, of course, horse hookey. Apple moves enough product to be the wealthiest company in the world, and Google holds enough eyeballs that actual device counts aren't a useful metric if you want to keep score. The tiny details each company uses to convince whoever is listening that it is the one playing fair are designed to do just that; you don't need to convince someone of a thing if it's obvious and true. And this is what Google is reminding us of today.
You can choose to sell your apps through any mechanism, and Google won't take a penny unless you use its own.
If you try to make money through Google Play, you are charged the same amount as everyone else, even Google itself.
Google doesn't hide from competition. Instead, it loves being able to give you a choice because, in the end, you will be choosing Android — a Google product.
Finally, and most importantly, Google doesn't try to stop you from talking to your customers however you like.
Google had to reach way back to April 2019 to let us know it values developer feedback. That's not because Google doesn't really value it; it's because Google tends to be a little more informal about it all. While it's been 18 months since a blog post, user groups where developers from Google are talking to app developers are all over the web. It's a little more casual.
That casual tone may make things like corporate blog posts look out of place when they discuss Epic Game's and their lawsuit or how Microsoft's Xbox Game Pass is a killer experience that outshines Google's own offerings. But these blog posts were never meant to convince us of anything — if you don't already have your mind made up, you're late for the party. They are intended to be read at hearings or as a lead-in for the 6 PM news.
Even when something looks too simple to be useful, Google knows what it's doing.
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It hasn't been long since the 2019/20 La Liga season wrapped up, but the 2020/21 campaign is already underway. We've got all of the details on how to live stream La Liga games online during the new season no matter where you are in the world.
The global pandemic forced an unusual end to the last season with an unscheduled break pushing fixtures into the summer months. On the teams' return to play, then-league leaders Barcelona crumbled under pressure allowing rivals Real Madrid to surge forward and claim a record 34th La Liga title win. The league only played to completion in mid-July with Europa League and Champions League football continuing in August for several La Liga teams meaning a truncated pre-season break ahead of the new season.
Leganés, Mallorca, and Espanyol were relegated last term and have been replaced by Huesca, Cadíz, and Elche this year.
Similar to the Premier League, the 2020/21 La Liga season kicked off on the weekend of September 12, around five weeks later than usual, due to the late completion of the last term. It's also likely that UEFA Nations League fixtures being scheduled for early September influenced the later-than-usual kick-off.
That means La Liga sides have had a much shorter pre-season period with just a matter of weeks between competitive fixtures having wrapped up and the new wave of games beginning.
Some teams did not play in weeks one or two due to a particularly late finish to their 2019/20 seasons. Week three sees Champions League quarter-finalists Barcelona and Atlético Madrid participate for the first time this season as well as Europa League winners Sevilla and newly-promoted Elche, who gained a place in La Liga via the play-offs.
The first El Clásico clash between reigning champions Real Madrid and rivals Barcelona takes place on October 25 with the season's first Madrid derby scheduled for December 13.
There is also hope that the delayed 2019/20 Copa del Rey final between Athletic Bilbao and Real Sociedad could be played in December, though it is currently "indefinitely" postponed.
Read on for full details on how to get a live stream of the 2020/21 La Liga season no matter where you are in the world with our guide below.
Watch La Liga online from outside your country
We have details of all the US, UK, Australian, and Canadian broadcasters of La Liga further down in this guide. If you're looking to watch the action, but find yourself away from home then you'll run into problems when trying to stream your domestic coverage online from abroad as its likely to be geo-blocked.
That's where a VPN (Virtual Private Network) can be a lifesaver. They allow you to virtually change the ISP of your laptop, tablet, or mobile to one that's back in your home country, letting you watch as if you were back there.
VPN's are incredibly easy to use and have the added benefit of giving you a further layer of security when surfing the web. There are lots of options, and we recommend ExpressVPN as our #1 pick due to its speed, security, and ease of use. It can be used on a vast array of operating systems and devices (e.g. iOS, Android, Smart TVs, Fire TV Stick, Roku, games consoles, etc). Sign up for ExpressVPN now now and enjoy a 49% discount and 3 months FREE with an annual subscription. Or give it a try with its 30-day money-back guarantee. Looking for other options? Here are some alternatives that are on sale right now.
No matter where in the world you may be, a VPN is one of the easiest ways to watch La Liga. Get in on this deal now!
How to stream the 2020/21 La Liga season online in the U.S.
Pay-TV sports service BeIN Sport has exclusive live broadcast rights in the U.S. for the 2020/21 La Liga season.
Subscribers also get access to watching matches via the BeIN Sports Connect streaming app.
BeIN Sport can be accessed via most cable providers, as well as TV streaming services such as FuboTV and Sling. They also carry free trials, so it's worth checking out if you're of cord-cutting persuasion.
Sign up for Sling TV World Sports to access BeIN Sports' La Liga matches!
How to stream the 2020/21 La Liga season online in the UK
You'll need to be a Premier Sports customer to watch all the action from La Liga in the 2020/21 season in the UK.
The subscription service is available to Sky TV customers from just £5.99 a month for its dedicated LaLiga TV channel. Premier Sports is also allowing UK viewers to watch La Liga for free until October.
In addition, there's the option of going for the network's full-fat serving that will get you LaLiga TV plus Premier Sports 1 and Premier Sports 2 for just £9.99 on both Sky and Virgin Media, giving you access to the network's Premier Player streaming app as well as live coverage of Serie A and the Dutch Eredivisie. If it's just streaming access you want, then go for the standalone Premier Player package that includes everything for online viewing for £9.99 a month.
How to stream the 2020/21 La Liga season online in Australia
If you're planning on watching the La Liga Down Under, then you'll need to be a BeIN Sports subscriber as the network holds live broadcast rights for the league in Australia.
Alternatively, subscribing to Kayo Sports gets you access to La Liga football from BeIN Sports among 50 other sports from AU$25 per month.
How to stream the 2020/21 La Liga season online in Canada
As with their North American neighbors, BeIN Sports is the place to head for Spanish soccer fans in Canada, with the BeIN Sports Connect app on mobile the way to go for streaming the match on the go.
If you're not keen on subscribing to BeIN then you also have the option of going with Fubo TV who are the exclusive over-the-top provider carrying the streaming service's La Liga soccer coverage.
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