Thursday, October 31, 2019

The best USB-C adapters

OnePlus 7T USB C port SIM tray and speaker

From smartphones and tablets to laptops, USB-C is finally gaining traction as the future of connectors. However, some companies took that to mean they can get rid of other ports folks have gotten used to using over the years, including HDMI, USB 3.0, and more.

If you want to restore some of those lost ports, your best choice is a USB-C adapter. It's not ideal, but a USB-C adapter gives your device more versatility than before. Here's our list of the best USB-C adapters you can buy today.

The best USB-C adapters:

Editor's note: We will update our list of the best USB-C adapters over time.


1. Anker USB-C Hub Adapter

Anker USB C Hub Adapter

First up is the Anker USB-C Hub Adapter. The adapter features two USB 3.0 ports, an HDMI port, an SD card reader, and a microSD card reader. The HDMI port supports up to 4K resolution at 30fps, though it also supports 2K resolution at 60fps.

Also read: The best USB-C cables

While the port selection is nice, there's no USB-C port. This isn't an issue if your device has more than one USB-C port, but those with the iPad Pro, Apple MacBook, or other devices with one USB-C port should take note.

The Anker USB-C Hub Adapter is available for $19.99.

Check pricing


2. Satechi Slim Aluminum USB-C Multi-Port Adapter

Satechi Slim Aluminum USB C Multi Port Adapter

If you want a USB-C adapter with more ports, take a look at the Satechi Slim Aluminum USB-C Multi-Port Adapter.

The adapter features six ports: two for USB 3.0, one for microSD cards, one for SD cards, one for HDMI, and one for USB-C. The USB-C port supports the Power Delivery charging protocol and delivers up to 60W of output.

The Satechi Slim Aluminum USB-C Multi-Port Adapter is available for $69.99.

Check pricing


3. Vava USB-C Hub Adapter

Vava USB C Hub Adapter

Just in case you aren't satisfied with six ports, the Vava USB-C Hub Adapter features eight ports.

The ports include two USB 3.0 ports, one USB 2.0 port, an HDMI port, two microSD and SD card readers, a gigabit Ethernet port, a USB-C port with support for 49W input, and even a headphone jack. The headphone jack is particularly useful for iPad Pro owners, since the iPad Pro doesn't have a 3.5mm port.

The Vava USB-C Hub Adapter is available for $39.99.

Check pricing


4. HyperDrive Duo 7-in-2

HyperDrive USB C Hub

Because the HyperDrive Duo 7-in-2 was specifically designed for the Apple MacBook Pro and MacBook Air, the adapter doesn't work with anything else. That said, we'd be remiss if we didn't mention this unique adapter.

Also read: What you need to know about USB-C audio

As with other USB-C adapters, the HyperDrive Duo features two USB 3.0 ports, two microSD and SD card readers, and an HDMI port. However, there are two USB-C ports instead of just one. Even better, both ports support Thunderbolt 3 and 100W PD. The adapter features two USB-C ports because it takes up the two USB-C ports on the side of the MacBook Pro or MacBook Air.

The HyperDrive Duo is available for $69.99.

Check pricing


5. Uni USB-C Hub

Uni USB C Hub

In terms of port selection, the Uni USB-C Hub has a healthy selection. There are two USB 3.0 ports, two microSD and SD card readers, an HDMI port, and a USB-C PD port with up to 100W of input. Standard stuff, but it's nice to see PD support with the USB-C port.

Where the Uni USB-C Hub differs from the competition is with its removable USB-C hub connector. Other USB-C adapters feature permanently-attached hub connectors, which could lead to concerns over durability.

The Uni USB-C Hub is available for $32.99.

Check pricing


6. Nonda USB-C Adapter

Nonda USB C Adapter

Unlike any of the aforementioned USB-C adapters, the Nonda USB-C Adapter isn't a hub. Rather, it's a miniature USB-C to USB 3.0 adapter. When we say miniature, we mean it. It's barely smaller than a quarter.

The adapter also features an LED indicator to let you know when it's connected to your device. Just make sure to not move around the Nonda USB-C Adapter too much, since it wiggles a bit while connected. That said, the adapter is a cheap and ultra-portable way to add a USB port to your device.

The Nonda USB-C Adapter is available for $8.99.

Check pricing


That's it for our list of the best USB-C adapters. In the comments below, let us know your thoughts on our list and your own recommendations!

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Lost your important files? Get Disk Drill Pro 4 while it’s 78% off

Disk Drill Pro 4

Is there a feeling worse than accidentally deleting your important files? Probably, but this one is definitely near the top of the list.

Fortunately, all is not lost. Instead of sulking, you've got a great chance to recover the files using Disk Drill Pro 4. This expert-level software can find lost files in almost any system, and it's likely much cheaper than overpaying some tech guy to do the same thing.

Disk Drill can recover over 200 types of files on your computer or even on external drives when you connect to a computer. It can even find whole missing partitions. It's easy to use and could be a lifesaver.

Disk Drill Pro 4 Testimony

You needn't wait until an accident happens to protect your important files either. When you install Disk Drill Pro it will safely index your files, making them much easier to recover if and when disaster strikes.

It's no wonder why some of the biggest companies in the world rely on Disk Drill.

Disk Drill Pro 4 at a glance:

  • All future updates and major upgrades included.
  • Scan and recover data from virtually any storage device with just the click of a button.
  • Recover any file or folder or reconstruct over 200 file types with multiple recovery methods.
  • Connect your mobile or storage device and recover data from it in minutes.

A lifetime license to Disk Drill Pro 4 is worth over $170 for Windows, but this week Tech Deals is offering the license for just $39.

By the way, Disk Drill Pro is also available for macOS at the same price.

The deal ends soon, so now is a good time to protect your cherished photos. Hit the button below to find the deal.

Is this deal not quite right for you? To see all our hottest deals, head over to the DEALS HUB.



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The best Chromebook deals you can get right now

If you want to buy a Chromebook, it's pretty easy to find one on a budget. After all, that's the whole idea behind Chrome OS devices — they serve as a cheaper alternative to Windows laptops. However, some Chromebook deals have reached even lower prices due to recent sales or discounts, and of course, premium Chromebooks are now a thing as well.

Read next: Protect your Chromebook with one of these covers and cases

We've rounded up some of the best Chromebook deals on the internet, so you won't have to search too hard for a solid Chromebook at a good price. New deals and price cuts pop up all the time, so we will update this post as new Chromebook deals show up.

Editor's tip: New to the world of Chromebooks? Our What to expect from Chromebook buyer's guide helps explain what a Chromebook can and can't do, buying options, and setup guides for first time Chromebook users.

Best Chromebook deals

Editor's note: We will update this post as more Chromebook deals are launched.

1. Google Pixel Slate

google pixel slate deal

 

Google recently announced its new Pixelbook Go Chromebook. However, its previous Chrome OS-based tablet, the Pixel Slate, is still a solid pick for people who want a powerful Chromebook-like product. The 1.6-pound tablet has a 12.3-inch 3,000 x 2,000 display, along with an Intel Core m3 processor, 8GB of RAM and 64GB of storage. The onboard battery should last you up to 10 hours on a single charge. You can get this Chromebook deal on Amazon now for just $537, over $250 off its normal $799 price. Keep in mind that the keyboard and pen accessories for the Pixel Slate are not included.

3. Lenovo S330 Chromebook

lenovo s330 chromebook

If you want one of the Chromebook deals that is also ultra-cheap, but still offers a solid experience, the Lenovo S330 is for you. It's now available at Amazon for just $199. For that price, you get a 3.3-pound 14-inch display with a 1,366 x 768 resolution. Inside, it has the MediaTek MT8173C processor, along with 4GB of RAM and 32GB of storage. Its battery will last up to 10 hours on a single charge.

3. Samsung Chromebook V2

samsung chromebook v2 deal

 

Samsung released a number of Chromebook models over the past few years, from budget-priced notebooks to high-end laptops. This Samsung Chromebook V2 is somewhere in the middle, and right now you can get it on Amazon for just $428, well below its normal $499.99 price tag. The 2.98-pound Samsung Chromebook Pro has an 12.3-inch display with a 1,920 x 1,200 resolution, which flips 360 degrees so it can be used like a tablet. It even comes with its own embedded stylus for notetaking and more. Inside, there is an Intel Celeron M3 processor running at 1.5 GHz, 4GB of RAM and 32GB of onboard storage. The battery on board should last up to 10 hours on a single charge.

4. Lenovo Chromebook C330

lenovo 330 chromebook

 

Lenovo has also been busy expanding its Chromebook lineup, and Amazon currently has a deal on the Lenovo Chromebook C330. Normally it costs $299.99, but you can snap it up for $30 less, at $269.99. The hardware specs on the C330 are pretty solid for the price point as well. It has an 11.6-inch touchscreen display that's on a rotating 360-degree hinge that allows you to turn it into a big tablet. Inside, there's a MediaTek MT8173C processor, 4GB of RAM and 64GB of storage. It only weighs 2.6 pounds and it has an estimated battery life of up to 10 hours.

5. Acer Chromebook 15

acer chromebook 15 deals

 

Acer is another major source for Chromebooks, and right now you can get one of its most popular models, the Acer Chromebook 15, in a nice deal on Amazon. At the moment, the 3.42 pound Chromebook available for just $299.99, or $100 off its normal price. It has a large 15.6-inch 1,920 x 1,080 resolution display. Inside, there's an Intel Pentium N4200 chip running at 2.5GHz, along with 4GB of RAM and 32GB of onboard storage. The battery is estimated to last up to 12 hours on a single charge. This is an excellent price for a budget-friendly Chromebook if you want to get one that's good for web browsing and video binging.

6. Asus CB3-532 Chromebook

acer 532 chromebook

 

This Asus CB3-532 Chromebook model could be perfect for people looking for a budget laptop. Amazon is currently selling this 2.76-pound Chromebook for $189.77. It has a big 15.6-inch display, along with an Intel Celeron processor, 2GB of RAM and 16GB of onboard storage. The battery should last up to 12 hours on a single charge. All in all, this Asus Chromebook deal is perfect for students on a budget.
 
That's a look at some of the best Chromebook deals available right now. Did we miss any Chromebook discounts you would like to see added to this list? Let us know in the comments!


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Sexual use of emoji is banned from Facebook, Instagram

Facebook Logo App

Recently, Facebook decided to take a formal stance against online sexual solicitation. To crack down on the issue, the social media giant has updated its Community Standards, effectively banning the use of certain emoji on Facebook and Instagram.

To be precise, Facebook has banned the use of both the eggplant and the peach emoji when used alongside various sorts of sexual content. The updated Facebook Community Standards do not target the emoji by name but instead refers to "[commonly used] sexual emoji" as the subject in question.

According to adult industry news site XBIZ (NSFW), a user's account can be flagged or removed if any of its content falls under the vague criteria Facebook lays out in its Community Standards. Instagram clarified this process to The New York Post. The content "will only be removed from Facebook and Instagram if it contains a sexual emoji alongside an implicit or indirect ask for nude imagery, sex or sexual partners, or sex chat conversations," said Instagram.

Facebook claims it isn't merely taking action against the emoji, either. This new initiative is targeting nudity and sexual conversation of all sorts.

The only definitive exception to the new policy is when content draws attention to sexual violence and exploitation. That means even some of the internet's favorite memes and gifs could get users flagged or even banned.

There is good news though. Posting these emoji regarding your Sunday farmer's market haul won't get you in trouble. The bad news is that according to the Community Standards, "long shots of fully nude butts" certainly will.

Read next: If you trust Facebook to deliver your news, the News tab is in public testing



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Deal: Charge on the road with the Hudly wireless car charger

If you're like me, you rely on your phone's GPS to take you everywhere. The problem is that the navigation tanks your phone's battery. Why not upgrade your car charger to the Hudly wireless car charger for just $30 with this deal?

The Hudly charger combines the convenience of a phone mount with the power of a fast-charging wireless charger. This means you can keep your eyes on the road while checking directions as easily as checking the radio. You can get directions for even the longest of road trips with the wireless charging capability.

10W charging capacity to fill your phone faster.

If you're on the Uber or Lyft grind, the Hudly is a perfect addition to your ridesharing arsenal. I don't think I've ever hopped into a ride that didn't have a phone running directions mounted somewhere. The problem is that many of the mounts you can buy don't offer a charging capability.

The Hudly wireless car charger offers 10W of charging capability, faster than many options on the market. Forget feeling like your charger lets your phone die faster than it charges.

Hudly Car Charger

The Hudly Wireless Car Charger at a glance:

  • 10W charging capacity to fill your phone faster.
  • Plug in a second device through the USB port.
  • Secure to a vent, window, or dashboard.
  • Charge safely with overheat and overcharge protection.

The Hudly wireless charger has a retail value of $79.99 but this limited-time deal lets you pick one up for just $30

Time is running out to jump on this offer, so hit the button below to take advantage.

Is this deal not quite right for you? To see all our hottest deals, head over to the DEALS HUB.



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How to enable RCS messaging on your phone, regardless of carrier (Updated)

rcs messages

Update, October 31, 2019 (5:21PM ET): Thanks to Reddit user LinkofHyrule, we now know you can connect to carrier-specific Jibe servers if you encounter issues during setup. We've updated the original article below with the steps to connect to the aforementioned servers.


Original article, October 28, 2019 (6:22AM ET): RCS messaging is meant to be the next evolution of SMS, bringing a variety of nifty features to the table to rival Apple's iMessage. But the truth is that many carriers around the world are dragging their feet in implementing the feature.

Now, a tutorial on reddit has shown users how to enable RCS on almost any smartphone, regardless of carrier. It's worth noting however that RCS doesn't apparently support dual-SIM phones though.

In any event, the solution requires the Android Messages beta, and Activity Launcher app. Once you've got those apps, you should then turn off Wi-Fi and follow the reported steps listed below.


How to enable RCS messaging on your phone

  1. Open Activity Launcher
  2. Tap Recent Activities, and in the menu choose All Activities
  3. Look for Android Messages
  4. Tap it, then scroll until you find Set RCS Flags (com.google.android.apps.messaging.ui.appsettings.rcs.overrides.OverrideFlagsActivity)
  5.  After pressing it select ACS Url and in the menu select https://ift.tt/2qI9irq
    1. Alternatively, manually enter the Jibe server address intended for your carrier network into the ACS Url box. You can go here to see the details for your carrier.
  6. Follow setup in Android Messages. Will take around three minutes. If it doesn't work, continue reading
  7. Clear the data of Carrier Services and force stop Android Messages
  8. Repeat steps 1-4
  9. Select OTP Pattern, and in the menu click, Your\sMessenger\sverification\scode\sis\sG-(\d{6})

Once this procedure is completed, you can check out Settings > Chat Features > Status to verify that RCS messaging is actually enabled. The status should be "connected" if everything works out well.

As it relates to the Jibe server addresses, the servers for all compatible carriers aren't known yet. Also, you must wipe your Google Messages app data if you switch from Google's sandbox server to a carrier server. Messages won't go away, but your settings, archived conversations, and existing group RCS conversations will.

Editor's Pick

It's not a lengthy procedure in practice, and it doesn't require root access or anything like that. In saying so, I was unable to enable RCS messaging on my Huawei Mate 20 Pro on the Cell C network here in South Africa (it seems to be enabled on my Galaxy S8 on Vodacom). My colleague Jimmy Westenberg was able to get his Pixel 4 XL working with RCS on T-Mobile. Additionally, users around the world are reporting success via this method, ranging from the US and the Netherlands to Denmark and Algeria.

RCS is the next generation of text messaging, delivering high-quality image sharing, typing indicators, location sharing, group chats, and video calls. Carriers have been slow to adopt the standard though, making for a frustrating roll-out. Nevertheless, it's still a rather cool addition to smartphones, even if it's essentially duplicating functionality seen in popular IM apps.

Have you tried this solution to get RCS messaging? Let us know how it went in the comments section!

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The best Halloween movies you can stream on Amazon Prime

Corpse Bride Best Halloween Movies Amazon Prime

There's no better time to watch a scary movie than on Halloween. After all, it's supposedly when the veil between the living and the dead is at its thinnest and all sorts of supernatural shenanigans could happen. But the horror genre is not the only one in the spirit of the holiday! We have included magical, spooky, and light-hearted films to our list to set the mood for a great All Hallows' Eve. These are the best Halloween movies on Amazon Prime Video this October 31.

The best Amazon Prime Halloween movies

Editor's note: The list only features movies available with an Amazon Prime subscription without additional rental fees. We will update it regularly as films are added or removed from the platform.


1. The Monster Squad (1987)

The Monster Squad best prime video Halloween

Before the fearless gang from Stranger Things and the foul-mouthed kids from It Part 1, there was The Monster Squad. This 80s monster mash sees a group of pre-teen boys obsessed with the supernatural form the titular club. They hold regular meetings in club leader Sean's tree house, admiring the classic Universal monsters. Before long, however, they stumble onto Van Helsing's diary and they have to face the real Dracula and his monster pals in a fight to save the world from evil.

The movie is a fun romp full of 80s clichés and tropes, but they actually work in the film's favor. If there is one movie we can call a modern Halloween classic, it's The Monster Squad. If you are feeling nostalgic this Halloween, check it out on Amazon Prime Video.


2. Nosferatu (1922)

Nosferatu

The vampire is a classic monster and one of the mainstays of gothic horror. And what better way to honor it on Halloween night than watching the first, although unofficial, Dracula adaptation. Nosferatu is a film from the silent era — one of the few movies of that age that survives to this day. But don't expect any of the silliness of some early movies here. Nosferatu is strange, surreal, and unnerving.

Unlike other adaptations of Bram Stoker's famous novel, here Count Orlok (Dracula) is not a gentleman with sleek hair, but a terrifying monster with long claws who slowly creeps up on his victims. The cinematography is excellent, and the juxtaposition and use of shadows and light was groundbreaking for its time. It's a classic film you should see at least once and it's definitely one of our top picks for best Halloween movies on Amazon Prime.


3. Hereditary (2018)

Hereditary film

Hereditary is one of the most critically acclaimed horror films of recent years and one of the best Amazon Prime movies to watch on Halloween. Its story begins with the death of Ellen — a reserved and secretive woman. As daughter Annie and her family try their best to cope with their grief, they are struck with another tragedy. Sinister secrets begin to unravel themselves and nightmares become reality for the Grahams.

Hereditary is perfectly paced, with stunning cinematography. Best of all, it can be deeply unsettling without relying on cheap jump scares or gore. If you haven't watch it yet, there's no better time than Halloween.


4. A Quiet Place (2018)

A Quiet Place Hulu

In a post-apocalyptic world, one family needs to stay quiet to survive. This is the premise of A Quiet Place – a suspense horror film that will keep on you the edge of your seat from beginning to end. Wife Evelyn and husband Lee, played by Emily Blunt and John Krasinski, have three young children. The family communicates in ASL (American Sign Language) as they scavenge whatever food and resources they can find in an abandoned town. But how long can they stay silent?

A Quiet Place is a showcase of executing an interesting premise masterfully. The excellent acting and beautiful cinematography convey the constant sense of dread and terror the characters are in without the need to utter a word. It is without a doubt one of the best horror movies you can watch this Halloween on Amazon Prime.


5. Night of the Living Dead (1968)

night of the living dead

It's the movie that single-handedly spawned a thousand zombie flicks. George Romero's Night of the Living Dead is one of the best Halloween movies for any fan of the subgenre. The story begins when Barbra and her brother Johnny visit their father's grave and are suddenly attacked by a strange ghoulish man. Johnny dies, while Barbra barely escapes with her life. She is saved by a stranger and they are forced to barricade themselves in a house as the undead hordes surround them.

Night of the Living Dead has been emulated and parodied repeatedly in the decades since its release, but nothing beats the original. At the time, it was a first of its kind apocalyptic horror, ushering in a new age for the genre and setting the standards for horror films for decades to come. If you haven't seen it yet, do yourself a favor and watch it this Halloween.


6. Corpse Bride (2005)

Corpse Bride Best Halloween Movies Amazon Prime

Whimsical, spooky, and one of the best movies to watch on Halloween night is Tim Burton's Corpse Bride. This stop-motion animated film has all the hallmarks of a Burton classic. Starring Johnny Depp and Helena Bonham Carter in the roles of Victor and Emily, the movie is set in a small Victorian village surrounded by a dark, mystical forest. When Victor wonders into it, trying to practice his wedding vows, he places a wedding band on what looks like a tree branch. But he quickly discovers that he has unknowingly married the corpse bride Emily and must now join her in the Land of the Dead.

Corpse Bride is delightfully macabre. It has a touching story, combined with excellent stop motion animation and voice acting. It is both dark and enchanting, making it one of the best Halloween movies on Amazon Prime Video to enjoy with the whole family.


7. Children of the Corn (1984)

Children of the Corn

Stephen King and Halloween go together like salt and pepper. The author's name is pretty much synonymous with the horror genre, which is why we couldn't exclude a King film from our Halloween list. The Children of the Corn is an adaptation of a book by the same name, set in the eerie cornfields of Nebraska. The plot has been referenced and parodied so much in pop culture, you might already be familiar with it — a couple is stranded in a small town where the only inhabitants seem to be children. As they try to find a phone to call for help, they are attacked.

John Franklin is excellent as cult leader Isaac and although the film has some shoddy effects and silly moments, it's both a Stephen King and a Halloween classic that you won't regret watching.


8. All Hallow's Eve (2013)

All Hallow's Eve

All Hallow's Eve is an anthology horror movie. The overarching story focuses on Sarah, as she's babysitting two kids on Halloween night. After returning from trick or treating, they discover an unmarked VHS tape in Timmy's goody bag. A reluctant Sarah shoves it into the VCR and all three watch the first "movie." To Sarah's horror, they witness an evil clown kidnapping a girl and serving her up to Satan in a subway tunnel. Sarah quickly bans the kids from watching the tape and sends them to bed.

Naturally, curiosity gets the better of her and she continues watching the VHS clips. However, we get a sense of something evil unfolding, tying everything together in a thrilling way. It's one of the best Halloween movies on Amazon Prime, but if you have a phobia of clowns, our other entries might be a better fit.


9. Gravy (2015)

Gravy

It's Halloween night. Six employees of Raoul's — a local cantina and bar — all gather together after closing to celebrate Kerry's new job as a paramedic. But they soon discover the doors are sealed shut with no means of escape. They're held captive by a trio of cannibals with the intent to eat them before morning. But this won't be just a straight-up meal: captors Anson, Stef, and Mimi would rather play with their food first.

If you love dark humor, this twisted Halloween-themed hackfest will take a bite out of your funny bone. It's one of the best Halloween movies you can stream with your Amazon Prime subscription.


10. The Woman in Black (2012)

The woman in black

If you are tired of modern horror tropes, The Woman in Black might be the right Halloween movie for you. Based on a 1983 Susan Hill novel of the same name, the film is a true gothic horror story in every sense of the word. It begins when Arthur Kipps, played by Daniel Radcliffe, is forced to visit the strange and unwelcoming town of Crythin Gifford. He needs to retrieve documents from Eel Marsh House — a foreboding abandoned manor surrounded by foggy marshland. When he's forced to stay there overnight, he sees and hears strange things, but the villagers dismiss his concerns and urge him to go back home.

The Woman in Black can be quite predictable at times, but if you love the atmosphere of gothic horror and classic ghost stories, you will enjoy every minute of The Woman in Black.


Honorable mentions

Looking for films suitable for younger viewers other than Corpse Bride? If you don't mind spending a little extra, these are some of the best children's Halloween movies you can rent on Amazon Prime Video:

Hocus Pocus a Disney Halloween comedy. Three witches are accidentally resurrected on Halloween night 300 years after their death. Now Max and his friends have to figure out how to use their stolen spell book against them before they become immortal.

Hotel Transylvania — a monster mash animated comedy, in which Dracula's famous castle is turned into a hotel. But what happens when a mortal stumbles upon it and falls in love with Dracula's daughter?

Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas — a whimsical and spooky musical. The pumpkin king of Halloweentown Jack Skellington is tired of the same old Halloween traditions when he accidentally stumbles upon Christmas town and makes it his mission to spread Christmas joy and wonder.


That wraps up our list of the best Halloween movies on Amazon Prime subscribers can stream right now. For additional movie roundups, check out these lists:



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Would you pay a subscription fee for the latest iPhone? Apple thinks you might

iphone 11 display angled

CNBC reported yesterday Apple hinted at a subscription fee for iPhones. Apple CEO Tim Cook hinted at the change during yesterday's earnings call, where the company announced strong fourth-quarter earnings.

Cook didn't outright announce "Apple Prime" during the earnings call. The rumored subscription bundle would include the iPhone, Apple TV Plus, and Apple Music. However, he didn't reject the idea of a subscription fee for the iPhone.

Also read: Apple iPhone buying guide: Which iPhone is right for you?

"In terms of hardware as a service or as a bundle, if you will, there are customers today that essentially view the hardware like that because they're on upgrade plans and so forth. So, to some degree, that exists today."

Cook also said Apple sees subscriptions as a major growth area.

"My perspective is that we will grow in the future to larger numbers that will grow disproportionately."

Inevitability and competition

For Apple, the advantages might be too much to ignore. Turning iPhone sales into a subscription model gives the company recurring revenue from its most popular product. A subscription model would also help Apple further push Apple TV Plus and Apple Music.

As CNBC noted, Apple may have already laid the groundwork for an iPhone subscription fee. The company lets you pay for its iPhones on a monthly basis and trade in your older iPhones for new ones.

A subscription to an iPhone would be better suited for those already living in Apple's ecosystem.

During the earnings call, Cook even announced those who use the Apple Card for iPhone purchases receive no interest for 24 months. Alongside the announcement, Cook acknowledged there are customers who are fine with recurring payments.

"We are cognizant that there are lots of users out there that want sort of a recurring payment like that and the receipt of new products on some sort of standard kind of basis. We are committed to make that easier to do than perhaps it is today."

Keep reading: iPhone 11 shows Apple finally takes affordable flagships seriously

Then again, will this sway people who weren't interested in iPhones to begin with? Samsung, Apple's biggest competitor in the U.S., offers an extremely robust trade-in system for its smartphones, TVs, and computers. As of this writing, you can get the Galaxy Note 10 for $399.99 or $14.58 a month for 24 months with an eligible trade-in.

If nothing else, a subscription to an iPhone would be better suited for those already living in Apple's ecosystem. They wouldn't mind paying a recurring fee, even if it means there's no outright ownership at the end of the tunnel.

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