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9to5Toys Last Call: Spigen iPhone 6 cases from $4, Apple refurb iPad Air 2, LifeProof iPad Case $40, more

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Today’s can’t miss deals:

Last Call Updates:

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Spigen iPhone 6/Plus cases from $4 Prime shipped: Clear, Aluminum, Wallet style, more

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Apple is now selling various refurbished iPad Air 2 models on its online store

Daily Deals: LifeProof Nüüd iPad 2/3/4 Case in White/Grey $40, Toshiba 1TB Portable HDD $50, more

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Apple drops refurbished 5K iMac pricing down to lowest ever in light of today’s announcement


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$100 iTunes gift card for $80 w/ email delivery from PayPal (20% savings)

More new gear from today:

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Roku discounts each of its streaming media players by $10, new Roku 3 w/ voice search down to $90 shipped

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Now any Xbox One can receive over-the-air HD channels with this new bundle from Microsoft

  • New! Games/Apps: Living Earth, Ninja Turtles Rooftop Run & Duet Game $1 ea, more
  • New! 4-Port 48W/9.6A Smart USB Car Charger $9 (Reg. $13), more
  • New! NETGEAR Essentials Edition 500 Mbps Powerline Starter Kit $30 (Orig. $45)

More deals still alive:

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DODOcase handcrafted iPad and iPhone cases 50% off: iPad mini slim case $20, iPhone 6 wallet sleeve $25, more

New products & more:

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LINKA will keep your bike secure and unlock it when you walk up with your iPhone

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 Apogee’s new aluminum USB headphone amp and portable DAC is now available

Opinion: Roku’s new media players use voice search and apps to make Apple TV feel old

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Just so there’s no ambiguity on this point, I’m definitely an Apple TV fan. The first-generation model was a (literally) hot mess, but Apple did a much better job with the streamlined second- and third-generation versions, which I use every day and have strongly recommended for years. If you have an iPad, iPhone, or iPod touch, the Apple TV is one of the top three accessories you can buy for under $100, and nearly a no-brainer at Apple’s recently announced $69 price point.

Even as a fan, though, I give Apple TV’s chief competitor Roku great credit for developing compelling alternatives. According to reports, Roku is the number one seller of media streamers, and has been outselling the Apple TV for some time now. While it’s true that sales don’t necessarily reflect quality, Roku has earned its numbers by frequently iterating on its products — ironically unlike Apple, which has spent years letting an old Apple TV design chug along as a “hobby.” The difference in Roku’s and Apple’s approaches became starker yesterday when Roku released the new Roku 3 with Voice Search ($100) and new Roku 2 ($70), updates to two of its already-successful devices. These media streamers include several of the key features Apple should be adding to the Apple TV, including voice search, downloadable apps, games, and more…


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