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Sabtu, 31 Agustus 2019

The Outer Worlds welcomes you to Halcyon in an upbeat new trailer

Ferocious wildlife, violent border towns, limited benefits...why WOULDN'T you want to sign up on a trip to The Outer Worlds?

What you need to know

  • There's a new trailer for Obsidian Entertainment's upcoming role-playing game (RPG) The Outer Worlds.
  • In the trailer, a company representative for Halcyon espouses the many benefits of coming to work in one of the outer space colonies.
  • Amusingly enough, those many, many benefits have many, many possible restrictions.
  • You can preorder The Outer Worlds on PlayStation 4 for $60 at Amazon.

There's a new tongue-in-cheek trailer for The Outer Worlds, the upcoming science-fiction RPG being developed by Obsidian Entertainment and published by Private Division. From the variety of wildlife, to the harsh conditions, to the overbearing corporate presence, there's a ton of challenges for aspiring spacers to overcome. So come work for Halcyon, because if you're starting at the bottom, the only way to go is up, right? You can watch the new Come to Halcyon trailer for The Outer Worlds below:

The Outer Worlds definitely seems to be going for the same zany vibes as past Obsidian titles like Fallout: New Vegas. If you'd like to learn more about the game, one of our editors, Carli Velocci, got the chance to try a hands-on preview. You can check out her thoughts right here.

While Obsidian Entertainment was acquired by Microsoft, The Outer Worlds is still currently set to release on October 25 for all platforms, including PlayStation 4.

Welcome to Halcyon

The Outer Worlds

$60 at Amazon

Hey there spacer!

The Outer Worlds is a new science-fiction role-playing game from Obsidian Entertainment and Private Division. In the Outer colonies, find your own path through strength, cunning, friendships and anything in-between.

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Sony PlayStation

Playstation 4 Pro From $400 at Amazon Playstation 4 Slim From $300 at Amazon

Borderlands 3: What you need to know before you play

Borderlands is probably the game equivalent of a "mindless action flick," and I say that with as much respect as possible.

Everything you need to know about Borderlands 3

Welcome back

Borderlands 3

$60 at Amazon

Prepare for the fight of the galaxy

Borderlands 3 promises a ton of action and mayhem. Pick your new favorite Vault Hunter and get ready to save the worlds. No pressure or anything. Oh, and watch out for the wildlife.

The essentials

The Borderlands series is easy to jump into without needing to play all of its games. It's not something like Kingdom Hearts where you'd be lost and confused. Still, you may want to know a few essentials before hopping into Borderlands 3, so you're more informed than the average Joe. At the very least, knowing some important universe history, terms, and characters will allow you to get the most out of your experience and understand some references made to previous games.

History and lore

  • Eridian influence: Long before events in any of the games took place, an ancient alien race known as Eridians flourished across the galaxy. They mysteriously disappeared, leaving behind ruins and vaults containing untold riches (and threats), and their advanced technology was eventually discovered that led powerful corporations to Pandora, a mostly arid, desolate planet that held remnants of these artifacts. Cue years of corporations fighting for resources and exploiting their workers before taking off, you're left with hostile factions making Pandora their new home.

  • Sirens: Sirens are women imbued with mystical powers in the Borderlands universe. Only six Sirens can exist within the universe at a time. Little is known about their history, but it is speculated that they are connected to Eridians in some way. Their lore is set to be further explored in Borderlands 3.

Important characters

  • Lilith: Lilith is a playable Vault Hunter in the first Borderlands, and is one of the most powerful Sirens in the galaxy. She is now the leader of a resistance movement that works towards ensuring powerful Eridian artifacts don't fall into the wrong hands.

  • Maya: Another Siren, Maya, is a playable character in Borderlands 2. We don't know what role she will play in Borderlands 3 yet, but at some point, we will be going to her home planet of Athenas and interacting with a monastic cult that took her in as a child.

  • Zero: Zero is also a playable character in Borderlands 2. It appears to now be an assassin for hire that helps our new Vault Hunters in Borderlands 3 and will be a mission-giver.

  • Ellie: Ellie serves as Borderlands' resident mechanic and his responsible for getting your vehicles up and running. Her brother, Scooter, died in Tales from the Borderlands.

  • Rhys: Rhys is one of the main playable characters in Tales from the Borderlands. He started out as a Hyperion employee and, after finding a Vault, has now become CEO of the Atlas corporation.

  • Vaughn: Vaughn is a supporting character in Tales from the Borderlands. He started out as an accountant for Hyperion. By the time the events of Borderlands 3 roll around, he now leads the local bandits.

  • Athena: Athena is an assassin who has been recruited to help Lilith's resistance. Though Lilith initially wanted to kill her and was reluctant to accept her help, a mysterious entity known as The Watcher showed up and saved her life, warning of an impending disaster.

  • Handsome Jack: Handsome Jack was the infamous main villain in Borderlands 2 and former CEO of the Hyperion corporation. On his quest to dominate Pandora and unleash a powerful monster from within an Eridian Vault, he was subdued and killed by Lilith.

  • Roland: Roland was a playable character in the first Borderlands and a member of the Crimson Lance, what would become the Crimson Raiders, the resistance group that Lilith leads. He was killed during the events of Borderlands 2.

Each Borderlands game summarized

Lucky for you guys, I've summarized what happened in the series previously.

Borderlands

Borderlands is a role-playing shooter (RPS) that released in 2009. On the fictional planet of Pandora, what appears in some spots to be a post-apocalyptic wasteland, four characters known as Vault Hunters journey to loot the riches of a rumored ancient alien vault and happen to get caught up in a corporate takeover of the planet along the way. Through the use of previously-uncovered Eridian technology—the alien tech sealed within vaults across the universe—the Atlas Corporation attempted to stop the Vault Hunters from finding the vault in order to take its contents for themselves. Atlas loses, of course, and it turns out that the vault actually housed a giant monster that was sealed inside for centuries to prevent the destruction of the universe.

Borderlands 2

Borderlands 2 picks up several years after Borderlands ends, and stars a new set of Vault Hunters. While out on a job they are betrayed by a man called Handsome Jack, the leader of the Hyperion Corporation. A woman known as the Guardian Angel then appears and tells them to find the city of Sanctuary and join its local resistance group that opposes Hyperion. With the help of the four original Vault Hunters from the first game who make appearances as NPCs, we come to discover that Handsome Jack intends to open a new vault and unleash The Warrior, a powerful monster who he will then be able to command to do his bidding. As is usually the case, our heroes end up defeating Handsome Jack, but not before The Warrior is released and taken care of.

Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel

Much of Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel, a spin-off title that released after both games, takes place chronologically in between the two main entries, hence the name, but the beginning and end give us a taste of what went on after Borderlands 2. It begins with the former assassin Athena recounting the events of Handsome Jack's (simply known as Jack at the time) rise to power on Pandora's moon Elpis. You can think of this as a bit of an origin story for Handsome Jack, even if he originally wasn't a playable character. What's interesting is that after Athena finishes recounting her story, an Eridian alien appears at Sanctuary and warns everyone of an imminent war in which they will need "all the Vault Hunters they can get."

Tales from the Borderlands

Telltale also got their hands on the series at one point and released a 5-episode narrative adventure called Tales from the Borderlands. Taking place after Borderlands 2, this series follows a Hyperion employee and a con artist who gets caught up in a struggle on Pandora to find another vault. This time, however, instead of a monster awaiting them at the end of their journey, a simple glowing chest—no doubt Eridian in nature—greeted them upon entry, and once they opened it, they vanished. Their whereabouts and what happened after are currently unknown.

Welcome back

Borderlands 3

$60 at Amazon

Prepare for the fight of the galaxy

Borderlands 3 promises a ton of action and mayhem. Pick your new favorite Vault Hunter and get ready to save the worlds. No pressure or anything. Oh, and watch out for the wildlife.

Sprint outage? Here's what you need to do

Is your Sprint service more like a crawl? Here's what to do when there's an outage!

Whether it's a natural disaster, power failure, or network issues, Sprint outages happen. They're inevitable and totally suck, but there are things you can do to alleviate some of the frustration.

Check your device

First thing's first: Is the issue on just one of your devices, like your phone or tablet? If that's the case, then it could be the device acting up, so power it off, wait a few seconds, and power it back on again.

If it's just one device it is likely a configuration error. This can happen if the configuration file isn't downloaded properly or fails to apply. If you still have an internet connection, even if it's slow, you can try reapplying that update. To do this, you can input ##update# (##873283#) in the dialer or find an option in the settings to update the network profile.

For further information on your specific device you can call customer care or visit a local store. We recommend calling ahead to make sure the location you visit has techs on site.

If you're noticing the issue on several devices (every family member's phone is having problems with texting), then you're likely facing an outage.

Don't forget about Wi-Fi

While it can be frustrating to have to deal with an outage, there will be times when your connection isn't available. It's important to be able to make use of features such as Wi-Fi calling to minimize the impact on your business or everyday life. Wi-Fi provided by a Sprint device may share the outage, however, so having Wi-Fi from another source will be necessary. Enabling Wi-Fi calling should allow you to continue to make calls and use the internet during a Sprint outage.

Visit an outage website

There are quite a few websites that document carrier outages in the U.S., allowing you to see if other people are having the same woes you are before having to sit on hold with Sprint to find out if anything is wrong.

downdetector.com is one of the more popular options, offering a graph of Sprint issues over the last 24 hours, as well as a map showing you which areas the outage may be affecting most. Outage.Report is another good option, featuring a live coverage map as well.

Either way, check online before contacting Sprint, because if there is an outage, you may be waiting a long time to talk to someone.

Check out the My Sprint app

If you're an Android user, you should already have the My Sprint app installed on your phone; if not, grab it on Google Play. If you're an iPhone user, you can download it right from the App Store.

Not only can this app be used to access your account information and data usage, but it also has some troubleshooting options built in to help if there is a service issue. Sometimes a service outage can actually be a failed payment on your Sprint bill.

You can even report issues like dropped calls, texting issues, slow data speeds, or no service at all. It will use your GPS location to report the issues, which can help isolate a problem, such as an intermittent connection.

Contact Sprint

If all else fails or if you want to know just how long an outage might last, contact Sprint directly via phone or online chat. Check out Sprint's support center page for specific issues, and click the yellow chat button when it appears after a few seconds. Chat is open 24/7.

You can also call customer service at 1-844-382-3312. You can also tweet directly to Sprint @sprintcare or message customer service on Facebook.

You can also report a network issue by signing into My Sprint.

Contact Sprint

The 5G Galaxy

Samsung Galaxy S10 5G

From $41/month at Sprint

Fast, smooth, and cutting edge

One of the most complete feeling flagship phones only gets better with 5G support and a massive battery. With a great display and cameras, this phone is the perfect tool for anyone that gets things done on the go.

Why the latest iPhone hack should worry you no matter what phone you use

People writing exploits don't care about green bubbles. They just want data.

Google's Project Zero team dropped a bombshell of a blog post that says malicious websites have hacked iPhones for years whenever someone using one simply visited them. The specifics are interesting if you're into information security, but the gist is that hackers were able to exploit the various levels of iOS security to gain access to private data including photos, passwords, and databases for encrypted messaging apps like WhatsApp and iMessage. And again, all a user had to do was visit a website.

We only hear about an exploit when it's been caught.

Apple promptly patched the vulnerabilities used for these exploits once Google informed it of the findings in February, but still. This went on for over two years and nobody knew except the people involved in stealing the personal data of "thousands of visitors per week." Yikes.

I know most everyone reading this uses an Android phone and probably isn't affected by this in any way. At least, you hope you weren't affected. The scary truth is that there are probably other "hacks" in the wild that work in a very similar way and that your phone is vulnerable.

Hackers (the bad kind of hacker) aren't worried about what type of phone you use. There is a case to be made that iPhone users tend to have more disposable income and are a "better" target when it comes to stealing money, but it's more important to hit as many people as possible if you're trying to steal data. In the U.S. about half of all people with a smartphone use an iPhone, about half use an Android. Doctors, lawyers, and celebrities use Android phones, too. Their passwords, messaging databases, and photos are just as interesting to a hacker.

Android phones are filled with juicy data just like iPhones are.

There aren't a lot of people finding and writing these sorts of attacks, thankfully. There are also not a lot of people trying to find and fix them, either, though. And unfortunately, there isn't much we can do about it.

If you know how to use a proxy service and browse onion links (and no, I'm not going to help you there) you can find places online that sell packages that let you attack smartphones. The easier it is to infect or affect a phone, the higher the price and something that's as automatic as this recent iOS hack that affected even the most recent version are very expensive. But people still buy them, because spending upwards of $3 million dollars for them is a sound investment if you can get enough phones infected. If you can steal a dollar from 3.1 million users, you just turned a tidy profit.

All this should concern you. It doesn't matter if you're the type of person who uses a strong password everywhere and religiously encrypt and lock all your devices or if you're the type who doesn't even have a lock screen in use and all your passwords are "password." You're on the internet right now and there is no guarantee that you won't stumble across a page that has malware of this type embedded. You should use safe practices like only following links you trust from people you trust, but malware is like love and it will find a way.

You don't have to obsess about online security but you should care at least a little.

I'm not going to suggest we go back to a glorious age where no business was done online and risque photos all came from Polaroid Instant Cameras. And you don't need to wear a tinfoil hat and think someone is out to get you every time you pick up your phone. You should, however, care about security just a little bit. Use a company's track record on security whenever you purchase anything that can connect to the internet and keep following the rules like only visiting links you trust, use two-factor authentication when you can, and never using unsecured Wi-Fi.

Remember, this isn't the only exploit of this type out there in the wilds; it was only the one that was caught.

Get 2TB of ThunderDrive Cloud Storage for $50 with this Labor Day sale

If you’re still relying on traditional, external hard drives to transfer and store your data, you’re missing out. Cloud storage services have come a long way since their admittedly shaky beginnings, and it’s now possible to quickly and conveniently store all of your files in secure cloud servers.

But not all cloud storage services are created equal. ThunderDrive Cloud Storage offers unparalleled security and convenience, and a lifetime subscription is currently available for 95% off at just $59. This weekend, use code SAVE15STORAGE and get it for just $50.15.

Featuring a whopping 2TB of storage space, this subscription grants you unlimited access to your files at all times, along with a series of organizational tools and transfer methods.

You’ll be able to quickly and easily store and access all of your files from a streamlined platform, log in via your smartphone, secure all of your files under 256-bit AES encryption, and more.

This subscription is also 6x faster than Amazon storage services, and you’ll be able to transfer files to friends and family via email or a link.

Ditch the expensive and unreliable hard drives and land 2TB of secure cloud storage with ThunderDrive Cloud Storage for just $59—95% off its usual price. Use code SAVE15STORAGE this weekend and get it for just $50.15.

Part backpack, part suitcase the best duffel bags for traveling

Duffel bags are great! You can pack them with pretty much anything for a long work trip with the boss or a weekend escape with your best buds. What I like about them is that they sit somewhere between a backpack and a suitcase, which makes them incredibly versatile in any situation. When it comes to choosing the best duffel bag out there, WANDRD's Hexad Access Travel Duffel steps up as the best choice overall. With ample storage, a padded laptop sleeve, stowaway backpack straps, internal dividers, and easy access, it is the perfect travel duffel.

Best Overall: WANDRD Hexad Access Travel Duffel

WANDRD's Hexad Access Travel Duffel Bag is the best duffel bag out there, and nothing else can compare. It was designed for any traveler and has unique storage compartments inside and out. There are compartments for literally everything: shoes, computer, keys, clothes, cameras (more on that later), and anything else you want to pack into this 45L duffel bag. The Hexad has two slots built into the side of the bag designed to house two separately sold camera cube inserts. This is great if you are a photographer and own two cameras. But if you're not, you can use the slots for whatever else you want.

The Hexad Access is ready for action. You can carry it like a traditional duffel bag, but you can also wear it like a backpack using the stowaway shoulder straps. There's an exciting cutout design in the straps to ensure that the part where your arms and chest meet are comfortable, which is a remarkable little detail. Additionally, you can use the load lifting handles that are built into the side of the duffel bag.

Everything about the WANDRD Hexad Access Travel Duffel Bag is beautifully engineered. From its innovative design and overall weather-resistance to its ample storage and clamshell opening, this pack was made by experienced travelers who understand the importance of a great duffel bag.

Pros:

  • Lots of storage
  • Clamshell opening gives you full access
  • Expandable laundry pocket
  • Internal mesh dividers
  • Cutout shoulder straps for comfort
  • Padded laptop sleeve

Cons:

  • Looks sloppy when not fully packed
  • Costly

Best Overall

WANDRD Hexad Access Travel Duffel Bag

The duffel bag you've always wanted

WANDRD understands the needs of a modern traveler, and this bag is proof. No other duffel bag comes close.

Best Large: Patagonia Black Hole 70L

Patagonia's Black Hole line comes in multiple sizes and options; however, their 70L duffel bag is the perfect size for traveling. The outside of the bag is made out of a recycled polyester nylon fabric called ripstop, a woven material that prevents tearing. The bag isn't waterproof, but it is highly weather-resistant in case you're caught in the rain. An outside pocket allows easy access to charging cables, a passport, or your mobile device.

Getting to your things inside the bag is easy. A U-shaped lid makes the opening nice and wide, giving you easy access to all of your clothes and items. There are two mesh pockets built into the lid help you keep track of smaller items. You get easy access with a quick zip and flip. Also, this bag is built to keep your things safe and sound. The base of the bag is nicely padded, so don't have to worry about accidental drops.

A big part of what makes this duffel awesome is that there are multiple ways that you can carry it. You can hold it like a traditional duffel bag using one hand, or you could throw it over your shoulder using the padded shoulder strap. If the bag is pretty heavy, you can use the padded shoulder straps and strap it on your back. If it's really loaded, you can have someone help you by each of you using the load haul straps on the side of the bag, or you can carry the bag with two hands.

Pros:

  • U-shaped lid
  • Multiple carry options
  • Two mesh pockets are easily accessible
  • Water-resistant
  • Made out of recycled materials

Cons:

  • Not padded
  • Not a lot of pockets

Best Large

Patagonia Black Hole 70L

70L's is more than enough

Patagonia's Black Hole duffel has tons of room for all of your belongings, and it's super tough. A must if you travel.

Best Small: Backcountry All Around 40L

The Backcountry duffel bag is well designed tough duffel bag that is also very functional and visually appealing. It's great for short pack trips, and at 40L, you can get a lot into this bag.

Shoulder straps that you can easily add or remove come in handy when the bag is tightly packed and on the heavier side. It gives the option to switch it from a duffel bag to a backpack. Side handles located at both sides of the bag make it easy to carry with two arms.

When it comes to storage, the bag also has two well placed, and perfectly sized pockets that are very easy to access simply by flipping the top lid of the bag. Its smaller size makes it very convenient as a carry-on when flying and stows away nicely in the overhead compartments. Unfortunately, its lack of padding means your expensive tech could get damaged.

Overall, it's a great choice if you are looking for a duffel bag that is simple in design and ready for any short pack trip.

Pros:

  • Wet/dry compartments
  • Simple design
  • Very comfortable as a backpack

Cons:

  • Not padded

Best Small

Backcountry All Around 40L

Perfect for short trips

Very durable and great for those long weekend getaways or a quick overnight work trip. The wet/dry compartment is fantastic.

Best Value: Samsonite Andante Wheeled Duffel

Samsonite has been a long-time leader in the travel industry with its line of suitcases, backpacks, and bags. Their Andante wheeled duffel bag carries the quality you'd expect from Samsonite but at an affordable price. Multiple handles let you easily grab the duffel bag from a variety of points for various carrying options. The large U-shaped opening makes packing and finding belongings a breeze.

Large wheels at the base of the duffel bag will make running through busy airport terminals or down crowded streets a breeze. The sturdy handle at the top of the bag can take the abuse of all types of travel. One thing to note is that this wheeled duffel bag can be a bit bulky for some travelers.

While the Andante does have plenty of internal storage, it only has one outer pocket which can fill up fast. Still, it's a great option at an affordable price.

Pros:

  • Excellent price
  • Lots of storage
  • Very durable

Cons:

  • A little bulky
  • Only one outer pocket

Best Value

Samsonite Andante Wheeled Duffel

Great value from Samsonite

The Samsonite Andante duffel offers a lot of charm, storage, and durability. It also comes at an excellent price.

Best Lightweight: Osprey Ultralight Stuff Duffel

The Osprey's Ultralight Stuff is a super lightweight duffel bag that is as simple as they come. Made out of nylon ripstop, the UL Stuff can handle all of your basic day-to-day needs at a meager price, and it's not bulky. When not in use, the duffel bag can be folded down into its own pocket.

The comfy padded shoulder straps help when you need to throw your bag over your shoulder. Plus, the bag's zipper is quick and won't get stuck during those moments when you need to get into the bag right away.

The focus here is simplicity and lightweight, which Osprey has nailed. This bag is great for a quick run to the supermarket or if you want to bring some extra clothes or a hoodie with you during the evening out with your friends. Unfortunately, a lack of any padding makes this duffel a poor choice for carrying your computer to the coffee shop.

It also comes with a great warranty. The company will repair any damaged or defective bag free of charge. It doesn't matter when it was purchased, and if they can't fix it, they will replace it.

Pros:

  • Very lightweight
  • Awesome price
  • Simple design
  • Great warranty

Cons:

  • Not great for tech
  • It's on the smaller side
  • Not weather-proof

Best Lightweight

Osprey Ultralight Stuff Duffel

Great value at a great price

The Osprey Ultralight Stuff duffel is lightweight with a sturdy design, which makes it a great travel duffel bag.

Best Wheeled: Thule Crossover Rolling Duffel 56L

Thule makes excellent travel gear, and their Crossover rolling duffel sits at the top of their class as the best duffel bag on wheels. The aluminum hardware is incredibly sturdy and able to withstand the abuse of travel. The water-resistant fabrics make the bag look really slick and keeps your items nice and dry.

The Thule Crossover is no doubt a durable duffel bag. A tough exoskeleton ensures that it can handle lots of rugged travel. It also has two large compartments for ultimate storage. It has two removable, and lockable crushproof SafeZone compartments on the outside of the duffel bag keep your fragile gear well protected.

Hardware-wise, the Crossover has nice oversized wheels so you won't get hung up on cracks or any gaps on sidewalks. The telescoping handle pulls out nice and smooth with a simple click of a button on the side of the handle. You can carry the Crossover like a duffel bag using the straps on the front of the bag, and even wear it like a backpack. Though, as a backpack, it's very uncomfortable and not recommended.

Pros:

  • Rugged exoskeleton
  • Oversized wheels
  • Lot's of room
  • Looks awesome

Cons:

  • Pricey
  • Limited warranty
  • Getting into overhead airplane compartments can be tricky

Best Wheeled

Thule Crossover Rolling Duffel 56L

Tough with lots of storage

Two big storage compartments on the inside and two lockable crushproof compartments on the outside make the Crossover the top pick.

Best Waterproof: YETI Panga 50

Yeti's Panga 50 is something beyond the traditional duffel bag. Right off the bat, the first thing to mention is that this duffel bag is 100% waterproof. You could throw this bag into the water, and all of the items inside of the bag will stay completely dry.

On top of that, the bag's shell is high-density nylon that makes it puncture and abrasion-resistant, and being able to take on the harshest abuse you can dish out. The big padded base can handle any top of drop, which means the items packed into the duffel bag are safe and sound. The Panga's big padded shoulder straps let you wear this bag like a backpack comfortably if the bag gets too heavy.

The Metallock hardware that is part of the bags strap system can take on the abuse of any travel. Plus, the dry haul straps placed at various parts of the bag are super durable and allow you to strap on extra gear on the outside.

Pros:

  • Airtight closure makes sure the bag stays waterproof
  • Puncture and abrasion-resistant
  • Lots of storage space

Cons:

  • Premium price
  • Only comes in gray

Best Waterproof

YETI Panga 50

Perfect for the outdoors

Perfect for an adventure into the wilderness, a weekend getaway, or a work trip. It's super tough for any situation and 100% waterproof.

Best Gym: adidas Defender II Duffel Bag

The Adidas Defender II duffel bag offers a lot of room for all of your gym clothes, sneakers, and safety gear. A very stylish design with two pockets located at each end of the bag for items such as your keys or wallet, the Defender II also has a big U-shaped lid with an excellent zipper for smooth opening and closing.

The single shoulder strap has a comfortable pad that is easily adjustable to your size to ensure that the weight inside of the bag is evenly centered over your shoulder.

The Defender II offers up a lot of storage. You could easily fit a basketball, racquetball gear, boxing gloves, towel, a change of clothes, or whatever else you need for the gym. Unfortunately, it does lack proper venting. So, don't forget to empty your bag after your workout.

Pros:

  • Lots of space
  • Color choices
  • Available in three sizes

Cons:

  • No vents
  • Not a lot of pockets

Best Gym

adidas Defender II Duffel Bag

Simple and reliable

The duel zippered pockets at each end of the bag are great for your keys, mobile device, or wallet while you're at the gym.

Best Carry On: Thomtery Canvas Travel Duffel

The Thomtery Canvas Travel Duffel has all the perks of style and storage but without being too bulky. It's the perfect choice for a carry on duffel bag during a quick weekend getaway or a mid-week work trip.

There are plenty of pockets conveniently located on the outside of the duffel bag that you can use for your wallet, mobile phone, and any snacks you may have purchased for your flight. Separate storage space for your shoes located at the end of the bag, which makes it easy to slip into your slippers during your trip, and because of its size, the duffel bag doesn't take up much room. You can easily tuck the bag under the seat in front of you or stow it in the overhead compartment.

Stowaway shoulder straps mean you can quickly throw the duffel bag onto your back and walk through the airport with ease.

Pros:

  • Lots of pockets
  • Fits nicely under the plane seat
  • Shoe compartment

Cons:

  • Comes in gray

Best Carry On

Thomtery Canvas Travel Duffel

The perfect carry on duffel

The Thomtery Canvas Travel Duffel fits nicely under the seat on the plane and offers a lot of storage for all of your mid-flight items.

Best College: Gonex 40L Duffel

The Gonex 40L is a great duffel bag for any college student. Two pockets on the outside of the bag plus plenty of internal storage for clothes and any other items will allow your students to easily travel back and forth to their home between semesters or during school breaks, or whatever destination they may be heading.

The Gonex's water repellent material will make sure their items don't get soaked in case they get caught in the rain or happen to spill liquids on their bag during their travels. When not in use it folds up nicely and can be tucked away in a closet or dorm dresser. Which is great for storage, but it also means the duffel bag doesn't offer any protective padding.

This bag might not last all four years of college, but at just over 20 bucks, it's a great bag for getting your students back and forth.

Pros:

  • Very lightweight
  • Folds up nicely
  • Great for college life
  • Lots of colors
  • Comes in multiple sizes

Cons:

  • No padding
  • Not built to last

Best College

Gonex 40L Duffel

Perfect for any college student

The Gonex 40L Duffel is a great duffel bag for your college student. If you need more space, the bag comes in multiple sizes up to 100L!

Bottom line

There are a lot of duffel bag options out there. Just do a quick internet search or jump on social media, and you'll find a lot of bags to choose from. However, WANDRD nails it with their Hexan Access Travel Duffel. This bag really reinvents the duffel without overdoing it in a way that embraces the balance of a backpack and a suitcase.

The Access Travel offers so much more than other duffels out there when it comes to storage, design, and overall looks. The large clamshell lid to give you easy access to everything inside of the bag, and the outer pockets offer you plenty of creative ways to bring everything you need; whether you are commuting to work, traveling for fun, on a business trip, or just going to your local coffee shop to do some work. This duffel bag is a dream and perfect for any situation.

Credits — The team that worked on this guide

Bobby Carlton is a contributing writer for Mobile Nations. He's been working in technology for over 10 years. He has attended events such as SXSW, CES, Tribeca Film Festival, Learning, TechLearn, Comic Con, and countless other conferences that may have the latest in VR and AR news. Of course, all of that requires packing up a lot of tech into bags, backpacks, and suitcases, and at the same time, have enough room for his clothes. Follow him on Twitter.

What's the best Ring security system?

Best answer: We recommend Ring's 8-piece Alarm Security Kit for most homes. It includes multiple contact and motion detectors to cover most entry points of the home, and you can get it all for a reasonable price.

Cover all your main doors and points of entry

When shopping for a home security system, you always start with one consideration: the layout of your home. How many doors do you have? How many windows? How much outside ground do you want to monitor? These are essential questions to answer because they will give you an idea of how much equipment you will need for proper coverage. The trick is to get as close as possible to the number of sensors you need without spending too much. If you can get close to the number of items you need in the same bundle, you will save yourself a good chunk of money.

Most average homes have two main points of entry and several windows on the bottom floor. If this is you and you are shopping for a Ring Alarm Security kit, the 8-piece configuration should be enough to get you started.

With this configuration, you get three contact sensors, which are the devices you put on doors to be notified whenever they're opened. This is the perfect number, as you will get enough sensors to cover the front door and backdoor, as well as a third for a patio door or one of your primary windows.

The 8-piece kit also comes with two motion detectors, enough to cover a couple of the main rooms in your home. Where you can't install a motion detector, you can choose to cover a window or door on that part of the house with a contact sensor.

All Ring Alarm Security kits also come standard with a base station, a keypad, and a range extender. You can also use any of them on any of Ring's Protect Plans. It should be noted, however, that while Ring's subscription plans offer you features like video recording and alerts, they can also add more to the overall price tag.

Finally, if you are an Amazon Alexa user, then you can connect your Ring security system to the Alexa Guard service. Alexa Guard is a free service from Amazon that lets you leverage the listening abilities of your existing Echo devices to enhance your home security. When connected to Alexa Guard, you can ask the Amazon smart assistant to arm/disarm your Ring security system. Alexa can also push security alerts to Ring emergency responders through the Ring app if you have a Ring Protect Plan.

You can always add more pieces later

If you've bought one of Ring's Alarm Security Kits and come to the conclusion that you need more, don't fret. You can buy individual pieces of equipment to fill out your home. Ring offers extra contact sensors, motion detectors, keypads, and range extenders on an individual basis.

You can also get a number of extras such as an alarm sound amplifier, as well as add other pieces of equipment from the Ring family such as smoke and CO alarms, flood and freeze sensors, security doorbells, and security cameras. Smart lighting systems will also be available soon. Be sure to explore all of your options over at Ring's website.

A great security package

Ring Alarm Security 8-Piece Kit

$190 at Amazon

Monitor and protect your home.

Ring's suite of home alarm products let you know exactly what's going on around your home, and it's all managed inside one easy app.

All the bells and whistles

Ring Alarm 14-Piece Kit+ Echo Dot (3rd Gen)

$330 at Amazon

Security system with smart assistant

This 14 piece kit comes with additional sensors, a second keypad, and an Echo Dot so you can talk directly to your Ring system.