SquareTrade Announces 2-Year Apple Watch Protection Plans [iOS Blog]

Alternative insurance protection plan service SquareTrade today confirmed support for both the Apple Watch Sport and mid-tier Apple Watch models. The plans sit near the cost of AppleCare+ for the Watch, but cover accidental damage done to the device, unlike the additional charge required in AppleCare+.

The SquareTrade Apple Watch plans offer customers options with and without deductibles. So, for example, the Apple Watch Sport plan ranges from $59 to $69 (with deductible) and $129 to $159 (with no deductible). Similarly, the mid-tier Apple Watch models stretch from $79 to $149 (with deductible) and $169 to $239 (without deductible).

Both Watch tiers are 2-year plans covering malfunctions as well as accidental damage. The company believes that one of the most likely points of risk for the Watch will be "among others, drops and falls from nightly charging stations." But it assure customers that anything beyond intentional damage, loss, or theft will be covered by the plan.

"We don't mean to dampen all the excitement about the Apple Watch, but inevitably the klutz in us will come out. Just like smartphones, the Apple Watch accompanies us everywhere and is susceptible to the wear and tear of daily life," said Jessica Hoffman, vice president of global communications for SquareTrade.

The company has even gone so far as to create a "Wrisk" Predictor Lifestyle Quiz that aims to predict which Apple Watch model is most suitable for each customer's lifestyle. The company created the so-called Wrisk Factor to detect and perceive the risks for the wrist-worn device.


AppleCare+, in comparison, sees its two-year plans priced at $49 (plus $69 deductible for accidental damage) for the Sport and $69 (plus $79 deductible for accidental damage) for the mid-tier Watch, with the only gradient pricing range increasing with the added option of a combination iPhone/Apple Watch plan. AppleCare+ also provides a $1500 plan for the Apple Watch Edition, but SquareTrade appears to have opted out in focusing on those higher-end customers for its new Watch protection plans.

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Posted in 2015 at 03:45PM, April 24

Twelve South Launches Portable 'BaseLift' Support Stand for Mac Notebooks [Mac Blog]

Twelve South today revealed the BaseLift for MacBook, a "super-thin, microfiber-layered pad" that attaches to the bottom of any MacBook and can instantly fold up, similar to an iPad Smart Cover, to provide an elevated screen and angled keyboard to users on either a MacBook Air or MacBook Pro. Once attached, BaseLift for MacBook stays connected to the MacBook, and is thin enough to fit into "most bags and laptop cases" along with a user's computer.

"If you have a MacBook, get a BaseLift," said Andrew Green, Creative Director of Twelve South. "Without a doubt, it's one of the best MacBook accessories we've ever invented. It is so simple and adds so much comfort for just $39, that everyone with a MacBook should have one. When I'm on a MacBook without a BaseLift now, I miss it terribly -- and that's the true test of a great accessory."

BaseLift aims to be more than a MacBook stand, with Twelve South claiming that the device acts as a buffer between the initial chilliness of a MacBook and even the heat given off when heavily using the device.



The BaseLift fits any current model of the MacBook Air and MacBook Pro, with the default BaseLift Pad aimed at the 11" MacBook Air and a few optional "Fit Strip" accessories included for users on 13" and 15" models. The company promises that the adhesive SurfaceGrip technology used to attach the accessory to a MacBook won't leave a sticky residue if a user ever chooses to remove the BaseLift Pad from the device.






The BaseLift for MacBook can be purchased right now from Twelve South's official website for $39.99, and seems to be only available in red. Although the new MacBook is not directly mentioned, the dimensions of the BaseLift suggest the product could be used on Apple's just-announced ultra-thin MacBook.

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Posted in 2015 at 03:45PM, March 18

MASSIVE SALE: Download 145 paid Android apps for free from Amazon for a limited time!

Here at BGR, we cover paid iPhone and iPad apps that go on sale for free all the time. Why? It's simple: we love sharing great deals with our readers and iOS apps go on sale all the time. Unfortunately, the same just isn't true of Android apps. Big Android app sales are sadly few and far between, but we always try to cover them when they do come around.

And you might have guessed, a huge sale on Android apps has just popped up and it's definitely worthy of your attention.

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Posted in 2015 at 03:45PM, February 26

Galaxy S6: One more secret design element may have been revealed

The most important Galaxy S6 design details has already been leaked well ahead of the phone’s launch, but that doesn’t mean all of the phone’s secrets have been uncovered. In fact, South Korean publication ETNews has learned one more interesting thing about the handset, detailing a design element that might be crucial for the phone’s performance.

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Posted in 2015 at 03:45PM, February 23

The 5 best moments from the SNL 40th Anniversary Special

Against all odds, Sunday night's SNL 40th Anniversary Special was pretty much perfect. Sure, there were a few awkward moments, but the cast didn't even have time for dress rehearsal. It was an incredible celebration of a show that has become an institution and a breeding ground for some of the most successful comedians of all time.

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Posted in 2015 at 03:45PM, February 16

8 awesome paid iPhone apps that are free downloads right now (includes some great apps that NEVER go free!)

We've had two great days in a row for paid iPhone and iPad apps that go on sale for free for a limited time, and now we're stretching our streak out to three consecutive days. There are still a few nifty paid iOS apps that are available for free in yesterday's post if you hurry, but today we have a fresh new list of eight more apps.

Wednesday's list includes a few that never go free, so you definitely don't want to take your time downloading these great apps today.

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Posted in 2015 at 03:45PM, February 11

Video: This may be the most incredible Google robot yet

Google has taken a big interest in developing robots and a new video posted by Google-owned robotics firm Boston Dynamics shows off what might be its most incredible robot yet.

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Posted in 2015 at 03:45PM, February 10

VIDEO: I filmed my father using Samsung's Gear VR and can't stop laughing

Have you ever just wanted to test a new gadget or phone on an unsuspecting member of your family? I was so impressed with Samsung's new Gear VR virtual reality headset that I brought it over to my parents' house for them to try. While both my mother and father were equally blown away, my mother acted like a normal person throughout the demo.

My father did not, and so I filmed it to share with the world.

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Posted in 2015 at 03:45PM, February 05

Bill Gates is the latest brilliant person to warn artificial intelligence could kill us all

Worries about artificial intelligence possibly wiping out humanity aren't just limited to science fiction writers -- plenty of the world's most brilliant people think developing AI could be a potentially catastrophic mistake as well. In addition to famed physicist Stephen Hawking and Space X CEO Elon Musk, Microsoft cofounder and philanthropist Bill Gates is now warning about the dangers of AI.

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Posted in 2015 at 03:45PM, February 03

Today's list includes one of our FAVORITE APPS! 8 awesome paid iPhone apps that are all free for a limited time

We had some truly great paid iPhone and iPad apps for you yesterday that were all on sale for free for a limited time, and if you visit yesterday's post you can still grab a few of them without paying a dime. Today, however, we have eight new paid iOS apps to share with you, and they're all free downloads right now if you hurry. We definitely have some gems for you today, and one of our favorite word games is up first.

As always though, you had better download anything that looks appealing as soon as possible, because these sales could be over at any minute.

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Posted in 2015 at 03:45PM, January 29

HURRY AND SAVE! 9 awesome iPhone apps that are all free downloads right now

This has been an incredible week so far for paid iPhone and iPad apps that have gone on sale for free for a limited time. Yesterday's list had some real gems on it and several of the best apps on the list can still be downloaded for free if you hurry. For Thursday, we have a fresh new list of nine iOS apps that are normally all paid apps, but each and every one is completely free if you hurry.

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Posted in 2015 at 03:45PM, January 22

The 5 coolest phones unveiled at CES 2015

Smartphones typically aren't the focus of CES, but every year the underdogs of the industry attempt to lure in new consumers with flashy and unique devices that break the mold in various ways. This year, we've decided to sort through the list to find five of the most interesting phones on display at CES 2015.

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Posted in 2015 at 03:45PM, January 08