Android Central - Android Forums, News, Reviews, Help and Android Wallpapers

Employees accessed information using an internal tool called "SnapLion."What you need to knowA report claims Snapchat employees abused their privilege to access user data.This included saved snaps, phone numbers, and more.SnapLion was one of the internal tools used to do this.It seems like not a day goes by without learning about a new privacy concern or data breach, and this time around Snapchat gets its spot in the limelight with a report that some of its employees abused internal tools to access users' personal information.According to former Snap Inc. employees, internal tools at Snapchat were used to access heaps of personal information in an abusive way. This includes phone numbers, email addresses, location information, and saved snaps. One of the tools used to access this info is reportedly called "SnapLion." The tool was originally used to gather information on users in response to valid law enforcement requests, such as a court order or subpoena, two former emp...

The OnePlus 7 Pro is powerful, eye-catching, and incredibly slippery. As much as we love the phone, it's almost impossible to use the thing without a case of some sort — it's heavy (relatively speaking) and has glass on the back. This is a brand new phone, so the case selection isn't complete yet, but here are our top recommendations so far!Striking hybridRingke Fusion-XStaff pickRingke's Fusion-X takes the best bits of a clear and rugged case, mashes them into one package, and calls it a day. There's a dot matrix pattern on the clear portion to prevent an unwanted rainbow effect, lanyard hole, and a raised lip around the pop-up camera to keep it secure at all times.$13 at AmazonNothing like nylonOnePlus Nylon Bumper CaseOnePlus has always made great first-party cases for its phones, and thankfully, that hasn't changed with the OnePlus 7 Pro. The company's Nylon Bumper Case snaps onto the phone with ease and offers great all-around protection in a rela...

Heads up! We share savvy shopping and personal finance tips to put extra cash in your wallet. Android Central may receive a commission from The Points Guy Affiliate Network.Capital One® just announced that its Spark® Miles for Business Card now includes a TSA PreCheck ($85 value) or Global Entry ($100 value) credit every 4 years. If you were unaware, both TSA PreCheck and Global Entry require renewal every 5 years. Most people will prefer Global Entry, which I would recommend since it also allows members to go through an expedited customs process in addition to PreCheck security lines when entering an airport. Put simply, Global Entry includes PreCheck.For even those who travel only occasionally, these benefits could save you a lot of time. Additionally, if you already have PreCheck or Global Entry, you can use Spark Miles to purchase membership for someone else and still get the credit. The Spark Miles is the latest in a long line of other great cards that have this bene...

Customers now get 3GB of LTE hotspot data, too.What you need to knowT-Mobile ONE is being rebranded to Magenta.Netflix on Us now includes the Basic plan instead of the Standard one.You now get 3GB of LTE hotspot access before being slowed down to 3G.Nothing's more fun than when carriers change their wireless plans, and on May 23, T-Mobile announced some pretty significant changes for its T-Mobile ONE unlimited plan.First thing's first, the name "T-Mobile ONE" is out. Starting June 2, it'll be replaced by "Magenta." Magenta is mostly the same as T-Mobile ONE, offering unlimited talk, text, LTE data, free international texting + 2G data, access to T-Mobile Tuesdays, and one hour of free in-flight Wi-Fi on Gogo-enabled planes. You'll be charged an extra $2/month if you stay on T-Mobile ONE and don't switch to Magenta.That's all fine and dandy, but as part of this change, T-Mobile's adjusting its Netflix on Us promo and making it a little less enticing. Before this change...

The Oculus Quest is an excellent device for VR gaming, but it's also a great headset for enjoying videos and other media. Whether it's streaming YouTube videos or watching your own videos that are stored directly on the headset, these are the best media apps for the Oculus Quest.Watching the webYouTube VRStaff FavoriteYouTube has billions of views for a reason; there's an almost unlimited amount of content. That only expands on the Oculus Quest with support for 360-degree videos on the headset and access to all of YouTube's other content on top of it.Free at OculusShows and filmsNetflix VRNetflix has been in the streaming business for years. Its native app on the Oculus Quest puts a giant screen in front of your eyes and makes it feel like you're watching Netflix content in a cinema. It's a great way to watch an action flick, though your head might tire during longer viewings.Free at OculusViewing versatilitySKYBOX VR Video PlayerThis video pla...

Ready for something new? Check it out!The latest content update for Fortnite — the 9.10 patch — is out today, and with it comes the introduction of a brand new feature that will make special locations on the map have a higher loot rate drop. Hot Spots, as they're called, will essentially be select areas on the map that will have a higher loot rate with an increase in Supply Drops. Landing here or getting to the area will likely mean you'll be finding better gear, so get ready to duke it out in these areas.You can check out the full list of changes to the Battle Royale portion of Fortnite below, and jump into a game now to check out the changes:LIMITED TIME MODE ROTATION:SNIPER SHOOTOUT DUOSSniper Rifles only. Downed players are eliminated instantly. May the best aim win!UNVAULTED SQUADSBattle Royale gameplay with a limited set of weapons made up entirely of items that are vaulted in the standard modes.CLOSE ENCOUNTERS SQUADSClose quarters combat with Shotg...

Oculus Quest is the shiny new headset that has arrived, delivering awesome untethered VR experiences that anyone can enjoy. But before you can show off your Beat Saber score to friends, you'll need to get it all set up. It will take a few minutes, but once you're done, you'll be ready to play.How to set up your Oculus QuestOpen the Oculus Quest Box and remove the headset. Remove the Oculus controllers from the box.Gently slide the battery cover off of the controllers.Insert the batteries from the box.Replace the battery cover. Download the Oculus App onto your phone. Login to Oculus. You can create an account, use your Facebook or login to an existing account. Tap dismiss to acknowledge Oculus's updated privacy police and TOS.Adjust your privacy settings and tap next. You can skip this step and always come back to it later if you want.Add any Oculus friends. Add a payment method for Oculus games. You can always come back to this later.Select Oculus Quest from the ...

Sometimes you don't want to play a game by yourself; sometimes you want to have a good time with a friend. For the purposes of this list, we stuck to games that don't typically fall under the category of competitive multiplayer shooters like Call of Duty, Battlefield, Rainbow Six Siege, and more. The games below give a great cooperative experience without the threat of random strangers mowing you down and possibly ruining the fun.★ Featured favoriteBorderlands: The Handsome CollectionBorderlands: The Handsome Collection compiles Borderlands 2 and Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel into one outstanding package. Its over-the-top theatrics and gunplay make for a breath of fresh air compared to serious, gritty first-person shooters. The world of Pandora is full of colorful monsters looking for their next meal. When you team up with a buddy (or three), the fun never ends. And how can you say no to a game that has an enemy type called the "Badass Psycho"?$24 at AmazonMor...

The OnePlus 7 Pro's display is bigger and better than any OnePlus phone before and the difference is dramatic. Unfortunately, the downside is a bit of a hit to battery life. Despite the rather hefty 4000mAh battery, you may find yourself looking for a charger on heavy days — but we have a bunch of tips and tricks that can help you extend your battery and stay away from the batteries and chargers for as long as possible.Check your Ambient display and screen timeout settingsThe display is one of the biggest battery drains on a phone, so the best way to cut down on battery usage is to keep it off whenever you're not actively using it. Simple. Jump into Settings and Display and tap on Sleep to adjust how long the display stays on when it's not being touched. By default it's set to one minute, which is a bit long — drop it to 30 seconds and those minutes will add up throughout the day, saving you every little bit of battery possible.Back out into the display settings, ...

Google Assistant and Maps integration will also make it easier to find your ride.What you need to knowContactless payments will be supported on certain NYC public transit routes beginning on May 31.Google Maps and Assistant can now give real-time transit info for the Metropolitan Transportation Authority in NYC.The real-time transit features will also begin rolling out to other cities including London and Melbourne in the coming weeks.Contactless payments have added a certain level of ease to our lives, and now that convenience is about to come to public transit for New Yorkers. Recently, Google has been hard at work with transit agencies in more than 30 cities around the world including, London, Singapore, Moscow, and now New York City to make paying with Google Pay possible.Beginning on May 31, The Metropolitan Transportation Authority will start a pilot program which enables contactless payments. The program called OMNY will be supported on Staten Island buses and the 4...

We did the hard work for you.Purchasing a dedicated Kindle has tons of benefits. Using complimentary Kindle reading apps is nice and all, but sometimes you just want a distraction-free adventure through Hogwarts or Westeros. On a Kindle device, you can get lost in a book without straining your eyes, getting bombarded by social media notifications, or draining your device's battery life. They are designed from the ground up for one thing: reading. The fonts are better, the screen is bigger, and the overall experience is ideal. Luckily, Kindle deals are relatively common, and certified refurbished models and bundles are here to save the day when there isn't a full-on sale.Best Kindle Deal $89.99This updated version of the base model improves on the previous iteration while only raising the original price by $10. There aren't many bells or whistles, which makes this the most affordable e-reader in the lineup. The display does feature special offers on the lockscreen, which are ta...

As headphones become portable and wireless, their use cases begin to change. There are many options out there and it may be tough to figure out which one works for you.Ridiculous Battery LifeJabra Elite 85h$300 at Best BuyProsBluetooth 5.0Ridiculously long battery lifeGoogle Assistant, Siri, and Alexa supportMulti-device pairingConsLack of higher quality Bluetooth codecsNo audio over USB-CSound leakageANCThe Jabra Elite 85h is competing against some of the top dog ANC headphones such as the Sony WH1000XM3 and the Bose QC35s. While it gets some key features right, they have some work to do before it can be a true competitor.Class-leading ANCSony WH1000XM3$348 at AmazonProsClass-leading ANCSupports all major Bluetooth codecsHands-free Google Assistant and AlexaConsCan't listen and charge at the same timeLacks aptX-LL (low latency)Most app functions disabled when "high quality streaming" is enabledSound leakageSony claims to have "Hi-Res" audio...

The Oculus Quest is here, and it's brought an untethered VR system that includes Oculus Insight Tracking for a full room-scale experience and updated Oculus Touch controllers for intuitive input within the virtual world. The Quest isn't exactly cheap to start out with, so you're probably looking for some affordable accessories to go along with it. Here are some of the best we could find.Keep Touch controllers onEnergizer Rechargeable batteriesEditor's choiceThe Quest's Touch controllers each require a AA battery to operate and, speaking from experience, you're going to want to invest early in some rechargeable batteries to save money in the long run. This pack includes a wall charger that can handle four AAs at once, so you shouldn't have any downtime while waiting for a charge.$14 at AmazonQuick cleanupMicrofiber clothsStaff pickThere's nothing worse than foggy or dirty Quest lenses. They obstruct your ability to focus on the action in the headset properly, and...

It should come as no surprise that learning how to code is one of the most important things you can do if you want to land a career in virtually any subfield of tech. And the good news is that you don’t need to invest thousands of dollars and just as many hours in a traditional computer science education in order to get the skills you need to succeed.The Legendary Learn to Code Bundle will get you up to speed with the industry’s most important programming languages and platforms, and the best part is that you only have to pay what you want.Through over 120 hours of in-depth training, this instruction is ideal for both first-time programmers and more seasoned developers who want to add a few more coding skills to their toolkit.You’ll learn how to build a wide range of apps using Google’s Go programming language, craft pro-level websites using everything from HTML to CSS, integrate Angular 7 into your projects to increase functionality, develop Android app...

The flaw was patched in March but been accessible since at least last October.What you need to knowThe flaw made Instagram users contact info available through the source code on the website.It was first reported in February and patched by March, but evidence shows it had been present since at least last October.The info could have been easily used to create a database and it is possible it already was by an Indian marketing company called Chtrbox.Bad news for users of Instagram, as apparently the site has been leaking the phone numbers and email addresses of its users for the last few months.Back in February, data scientist David Stier notified Instagram when he discovered the site was showing some user's contact info in the source code. While the information wasn't showing directly on profiles, having it displayed in the source code on the user's page would still make it easy for someone to scrape the info and build a database.The problem was fixed by March, but by then ...

Best answer: If you have an older device like the OnePlus 5T, the OnePlus 6T is absolutely still worth considering, especially at its newly discounted price. Performance is still top-notch, and it's one of the only phones with an Android Q beta available.Last year's budget flagship: OnePlus 6T ($549 at OnePlus)Who's the OnePlus 6T for?OnePlus has long touted its devices as "flagship killers," offering top-tier performance and specs at a much lower price than the competition. While other phones like the Galaxy S10+ and iPhone XS climb past the $1,000 mark, the OnePlus 6T now sits below $600 and boasts a Snapdragon 845 chipset and 8GB of RAM. The OnePlus 6T is still the company's best value and an overall great phone.The 6T is for people who want a flagship Android experience and don't mind compromising a bit to reach a much lower price. You won't get water resistance or wireless charging, nor are the cameras quite up to par with more expensive phones like the S10 and Pixe...

Giveaway extended through May 29th so get your entries in!The folks at Coolpad have dropped off three shiny new Legacy devices at our door, and we're giving them away! Between now and Wednesday, May 22, you can enter our contest in a number of ways using the handy-dandy widget below.Besides pointing you to Coolpad social channels, there's also their newer brand, Dyno. This is the umbrella for their tech for kids, namely the smartwatch Russell loves.If you're unfamiliar, the Coolpad Legacy is bringing an awful lot to the table for only $29.99 at Metro PCS (with port in and rate plan over $50). It's got a 6.36-inch FHD+ display, 4,000 mAh battery supporting Qualcomm QuickCharge 3.0 over USB-C, and runs Android 9 Pie.Entry details and conditions are below. Good luck!Coolpad Legacy">$129.99 at Metro PCSThe Coolpad Legacy includes all the basics running on top of Android 9 Pie. A big screen and big battery are rounded out with a dual camera and fingerprint sensor....

The wrist-worn device would determine your emotions to make helpful suggestions and sell you products.What you need to knowThe patent shows the wrist-worn device would be used to determine your emotional state.Amazon would use the information to suggest products or provide other helpful suggestions.The product is currently in some form of beta testing but it may never be released.Have you ever wished your Alexa speaker would realize when you're feeling down so it could try to cheer you up? If so, then you'll be interested to know Amazon is currently working on a wearable device which would read your emotions.The wrist-worn device is meant to be paired with a smartphone app and would include microphones to detect your voice. After hearing you speak, it would then use software to decipher your emotions from the sound of your voice.This could go a long way towards making digital assistants seem more personable and less robotic. However, this will most certainly be used to try...

The Oculus Quest is the newest VR headset on the block, delivering a stellar experience with no wires to trip over. But before you can take advantage of everything that the Quest is capable of, you'll need to make sure it's fitted properly on your face. You want a fit that is firm, without being tight. After all, you are going to be wearing this for a while, right?How to get the best fit with Oculus QuestRemove your Oculus Quest from the box. You'll also want to remove any stickers on inserts at this time. With one hand hold your Quest up to your face.Using your free hand tighten the velcro straps on the left and right side of your head. It should feel firm but not tight. Using your free hand then tighten the top velcro strap until it is firm against the back of your head. Remove your hand to ensure that the headset is tight enough against your face.Adjust your headset up or down to make sure there is minimal light bleed and that it sits comfortably. How to adjust Oculus Qu...

When you're gathering friends and family for a BBQ, it helps to have the right accessories and tools for the grill. Whether you're a staunch gas griller, a traditional campfire griller, or an electric grill fan, we've got you covered. We've taken the liberty of collecting both necessary items and fancy doodahs that can make your grilling experience better. See what piques your interest.Easy GrillingMeater+This modern meat thermometer walks you through the grilling process and allows you to monitor your meat using your smartphone. This allows you to grill your food exactly the way you want it. The wooden case doubles as a signal repeater so you can use the app up to 165 feet away from the thermometer.$100 at AmazonAll the toolsHome Complete BBQ Grill Tool Set 16-PieceThis handy dandy carrying case makes it easy to bring all of your necessary grilling utensils in one container. It comes with tongs, a spatula, two skewers, a basting brush, a wire cleaning brush, an ext...

PUBG Mobile remains one of the most popular games for Android since its release in 2017 — in part because the game is free to play but also because the developers at Tencent keep adding new maps and modes, and have steadily built out a competitive scene for serious players.Lets say you decide to join a competitive clan and want to change your username, or perhaps you signed up with Facebook and rocking your real name (the default user name when you sign up with the social media platform) isn't exactly ideal. PUBG does let you change your user name, but it's a bit more complicated than just heading into your account settings. You'll need to own an ID change card in your inventory, which might be already sitting in your inventory.Otherwise, you can buy an ID Card at any time from the in-game shop using Unknown Cash (UC), the in-game currency which can be purchased using your Google Play Store credit.Where to unlock an ID Change card from progress achievementsIf you've p...

Rumors of the Note 10 have some people itching for something new.Released last August, the Galaxy Note 9 continues to be one of the biggest and most capable Android phones on the market. Its AMOLED display still looks great, its internal specs remain powerful, and there really is nothing quite like the S Pen.However, even with all of that said, rumors about the upcoming Galaxy Note 10 have gotten some of our AC forum members a bit bored with their current flagship.Here's what they have to say. Blues Fan 05-21-2019 12:59 AM “ I love my Note 9 and glad I held off on the S10 Plus just like last year BUT I need Note 10 and I need it now. I'm getting bored. Im thinking about switching my case up and see if that helps. My problem is as everyone knows bad luck getting my phones on time due to stuff such as hurricanes and such! This time around I'm taking a vacation and going up to St. Louis in the middle of...

A simplified home screen, seamless icons, and complex themes all come together for my unquittable combo.When it comes to Android, my first and best love has always been theming. Dark Theme is finally coming back for real with Android Q — I gotta stop crying for joy when I hear that — leaving me free to focus on home screen theming, an area I haven't been able to give as much attention in recent months.I've still kept up on the updates and happenings with each of the major launchers, but where I once spent oodles of time constantly changing up my launchers, layouts, and widgets, I seem to have hit upon a system that makes things easier for me to create and to swap themes with ease. I mentioned this system in AC's what's on your phone roundup last month, and I'd like to expand on the system, how I've arrived at this combination, and how to achieve it on your own device.Because this system is perfection, and it deserves to be shared!Theme engine: KLWPI've prefe...

There are many extra steps you have to take to care for any VR headset a typical gamer might not be aware of. While the general structure of the headset and controllers are built to withstand a good amount of wear-and-tear, the internal components are very delicate, and require a lot of care and consideration. One vital piece of the headset is the lenses. Without a working set of lenses, your headset's display would be completely indecipherable to the naked eye. As such, it is important to dedicate time specifically to lens care.Products used in this guideSimple cleaning: MagicFiber Microfiber Cleaning Cloths ($9 at Amazon)Full cleaning solution: Snakebyte Cleaning Kit ($13 at Amazon)Getting startedEvery VR user should have a microfiber cloth for cleaning the lenses. This should be stored with your headset at all times for easy access. This type of cloth will not damage your lenses, unlike rough cloth like a shirt. It is also vitally important to never use, or store, your V...

Repeat after me, my friends: No matter your taste, your phone needs a case. You just dropped a thousand dollars on a Samsung Galaxy S10+, and carrying it around without a case is just begging for Murphy's Law to come pay that phone a visit. We've got thin cases, clear cases, fun cases, butch cases, and even more. There's something here for everyone, but please, don't leave this article without getting your new phone some protection!New look on a classic winnerSpigen Neo HybridStaff pickWe've given this case series awards more than once in the last year, but this time around, the Neo Hybrid is getting even more attention because it's gotten a refresh and features a new rear texture. Gone is the Herringbone and in its place is a new pattern that Spigen promises is grippier than ever.$17 at AmazonHard as crystalRingke Fusion XThese crystal clear cases from Ringke feature clear, hard-shell backs, rugged bumpers in three colors — Black, Royal Purple, and Space Bl...

Because the Oculus Quest is a standalone headset, the total cost to get into VR is lower than many headsets that require expensive PCs or phones. But costs can add up quickly between spending at least $400 for the device and additional costs for any games. Luckily, there are some impressive free apps and games that you can use on your Oculus Quest.★ Featured favoriteRec RoomStaff FavoriteRec Room isn't just a great free game; it's a great game in general. Don't be deterred by its basic graphics — this game houses thousands of different rooms that allow you to play multiple games with your friends, including a paintball battle royale, laser tag, and a pirate ship adventure.Free at OculusThrill rideEpic Roller CoastersWith Epic Roller Coasters, you get more than just a simulation of a roller coaster. The game allows you to race, shoot enemies, and compete with your friends.Free at OculusRelaxingBait!Bait! is a basic fishing game. ...

If you were to just judge it by the name, one would assume Amazon Prime Day 2019 would last for just 24 hours, a full day, but that's not the case. The first few years, Amazon stared the event in the morning, and ended it at night, but two years ago the event spread to a 30 hour span, and then last year it was 36 hours. While Amazon has yet to announce any official details about this year's Prime Day event, if we had to guess we would put our money on the event lasting even longer this year, up to 48 hours.Back in 2017, Amazon reserved the first few hours of the event to offer exclusive deals for Voice Shoppers only. This meant you had to have an Echo device in order to order the items via an Alexa voice command, but last year there was no exclusive period for that. As the event gets bigger, Amazon stretches it to last longer and longer. Last year the company boasted millions of deals throughout the span of Prime Day, and there's no way we could see them taming that down any....

OnePlus has added a ton of useful new features in OxygenOS 9.5, and one of the most exciting is the screen recorder. There's now a native screen recorder that's baked into the interface, and you can even record your own audio as you're recording the screen, making it a great choice for those offering troubleshooting advice or who want to record something for the web.How to use the screen recording mode in OxygenOS 9.5Pull down on the Notification shade twice to reveal the quick toggles menu. Select Screen Recorder. Select the Gear icon that shows up on the screen to fine-tune your recording options.You can choose to record at your device's native resolution, or adjust the settings to your needs. You'll also be able to select the bit rate of your recording, with a lower bit rate leading to a smaller file. My favorite setting is the ability to record your own voice. Hit Microphone audio to record a voiceover alongside the screen recording. Once you've selected your options,...

All the latest goodies from the shop to add to your collection!The Fortnite Item Shop has updated once again, and players can now hop in and pick up some new gear, including brand new cosmetics, gliders, and other items.Today's update adds a brand new bundle into the game in the form of the Hang Time Bundle, giving players the option of grabbing two new outfits and a set of challenges to unlock a variety of styles for the skins that are all themed around the latest Jordan-themed update to Fortnite. Also added back into the shop was the Tomatohead outfit and its Axeroni and Night Slicer items.Alongside the bevy of skins and pickaxes, players can also pick up some cheaper items to add to their arsenal. Today, the Jaeger and Brawler outfits are in the shop, alongside the Battle Axe and Hot Rod items. For emotes, the Squat Kick dance and a new emote, Buckets, is available. Jumpman, jumpmanHang Time Bundle1,800 V-BucksMalicious intentionMalice2,000 V...

Nostalgia comes in small packagesIt seems Sony has decided to get on the nostalgia bandwagon and create a mini version of the original PlayStation, often called the PSX. Called the PlayStation Classic, this miniature console brings old-school PlayStation games to the modern era. Here's everything you need to know!Nostalgia MachinePlayStation Classic$40 at AmazonA miniaturized version of the original PlayStation, the PlayStation classic take us on a nostalgic ride down memory lane. Complete with twenty PlayStation games and two controllers, the PlayStation Classic makes an excellent addition to the Classic console market.All the big detailsWhat does it look like?It looks almost exactly like the original PlayStation from 1994 but reduced in size by forty-five percent. Apart from the size, the major differences are found on the back. Instead of the analog ports from before, the Classic has HDMI and Micro-USB ports. Even the memory card slots are visible on the Clas...

Get yourself a Sonic Screwdriver!Immersing yourself in your favorite movies or TV shows has always been one of the dreams of owning VR. Making a franchise as beloved as Doctor Who jump to life is a big deal, and the BBC seems intent on doing just that. With Doctor Who: Edge of Time, the BBC, along with publisher PlayStack, has created a new Doctor Who storyline specifically for VR.Here's what we know so far — and a lot we don't.What kind of game is Edge of Time?Doctor Who: Edge of Time is primarily a puzzle game with some action adventure thrown in for good measure. PolyStack says "Armed with the Sonic Screwdriver, players will solve mind-bending puzzles, grapple with iconic monsters and encounter new horizons..." This says to me there will be a lot of variety within the game, but from the screenshots we have so far, puzzles are going to be the main thrust.One of the scenes we have been given so far shows a laundromat, while another is some sort of back office. It ...

Prepare for micro-transactions and stamina bars to slow you down in your Mario KartMario Kart is one of Nintendo's strongest franchise with titles available for nearly every Nintendo console and handheld released in the past two decades and over 100 million copies sold — but Nintendo is eyeing a much larger potential audience by bringing Mario Kart to mobile phones.When Mario Kart Tour was first announced more than a year ago, the online reactions were a mixed bag. Some folks were rightfully hyped up about the prospect of playing Mario Kart on their phone, while others were worried about how a free-to-play Mario Kart app might be bogged down with micro-transactions.Now that closed Android beta for Mario Kart Tour has begun, we're starting to see screenshots and video clips leak out from brazen beta testers breaking the rules of the beta. Along with those leaks, we've rounded up some other impressions from around the tech news industry to get a sense for what Nintendo has ...

When you have a product as popular and well-known as the Arlo Pro, there is no shortage of options when looking for the best mount possible. Our favorite pick is the Wasserstein Gutter Mount which not only will work with almost any Arlo camera but can easily be positioned so that you get the view that you are looking for.Mount on almost any gutterWasserstein Gutter MountStaff pickIf you are in need of a new outdoor mount for your Arlo Pro, Wasserstein's Gutter Mount is great as this can attach just about any gutter. The mount offers a 360-degree swivel and 180-degree tilt providing an easy experience when trying to get the "perfect" view.$15 at AmazonClamp it anywhereAceTaken Clamp MountIt's important to find a versatile mount for your Arlo Pro, and this Clamp Mount from AceTaken is pretty versatile in its own way. The mount sports an articulating design, which means that you can position the camera in an array of different ways. Plus, included ball-head ens...

The update comes with the April 2019 security patch.What you need to knowAndroid 9 Pie is rolling out to the OnePlus 3 and OnePlus 3T.The update comes with the April 2019 security patch.Also included is Gaming Mode 3.0, Google Lens in the camera app, and more.Even though Android Q is all the rage right now, there are still plenty of phones out there without Android 9 Pie. Today, two of them are finally getting some TLC as OnePlus is pushing its Pie update to the OnePlus 3 and OnePlus 3T.OnePlus announced the news on its community forums, and as with all updates, it'll initially be pushed incrementally to make sure everything's going smoothly. When the update arrives, your firmware version will change to OxygenOS 9.0.2 for both phones.This update includes all of the Pie features you'd expect, including new gesture navigation, a refreshed user interface, improved battery life, and new emoji.Specific for OxygenOS, this update also brings OnePlus's Do Not Disturb Mode, Gamin...

It's not clear what happens to Huawei's phone business now.It hasn't been a great week for Huawei. The company is embroiled in a pretty messy situation: it's been placed on an Entity List, making it illegal for U.S. companies to transact with it, be it hardware or software. This has forced Google to stop providing Android updates and security patches, though existing devices have received a three-month reprieve. It's also forced ARM, the maker technology that goes into Huawei's Kirin chips, to cease all sharing of information with the company.The ban, issued as an executive order issued by U.S. President Trump and followed up with the aforementioned Entity List by the Department of Commerce, focuses its attention on Huawei's networking equipment, which was essentially banned for use in the U.S. prior to this invocation but is now very banned, but it's had a knock-on effect with the rest of Huawei's businesses.Huawei is the number two smartphone maker in the world by volume, and...

Oculus Quest is Facebook's last piece of hardware in their first generation of VR devices. It has six degrees of freedom and Facebook has made it relatively easy for developers to port their Oculus Rift games to the Oculus Quest. Because of this, there are a number of games available at the headset's launch.Nonstop funBeat SaberStaff pickBeat Saber is one of the most popular VR games across a number of platforms. In it, you use both controllers and motion tracking to swipe at blocks that are synced to music. None of those words do the game justice, and having it available at launch is a huge deal for the Quest.$30 at Oculus StoreGood clean funRec RoomIf you own a VR headset and you don't know Rec Room you should really change that. Rec Room is one of the most well rounded VR experiences I've ever had. It has a myriad of adventures to go on, including a full-size Battle Royale paintball game, a pirate ship adventure, and laser tag.Free at Oculus Store...

Heads up! We share savvy shopping and personal finance tips to put extra cash in your wallet. Android Central may receive a commission from The Points Guy Affiliate NetworkAmazon prime Day has grown into one of the biggest shopping days of the year with millions of deals throughout the site. If you're already a Prime member, you're already in on the deals when they go live. If you're not and you still want access to the sale, you can sign up for a free trial of Prime to test run Prime Day along with Amazon's other services like video, music, and of course two day shipping.While the deals on Prime Day are always some of the best of the year, you can make out even better with an Amazon credit card that gets you extra rewards on top of all those savings. Amazon tends to offer exclusive discounts on top of its usual rewards during Prime Day for its credit card cardholders. We've done the homework to provide you with all the information you need to up your savings when Prime Day is an...

The best part about VR is fully immersing yourself in a new experience, so you can feel like you're really in the game world. Anybody who's spent time with a driving wheel knows that it enhances the experience of driving games, and that feeling is only amplified once you're hooked into your PlayStation VR. How do you pick the best steering wheel though? That's where we come in.The very bestThrustmaster T300RS GTStaff pickThe Thrustmaster T300RS GT wheel is the best racing wheel that you can use in VR. This setup includes the racing wheel and three pedals for immersed gameplay. The force feedback is part of what makes this wheel particularly fantastic. You'll feel the wheel pull as you race around corners, and it's a smooth pull that makes you feel like you're steering.$278 at AmazonForce feedbackThrustmaster T150The Thrustmaster T150 offers a great system with a full racing wheel and two solid metal pedals. The racing wheel has a rubber grip and offers force feedb...

Team Ninja is back with another entry in the Nioh series, but only a select few can play it.What you need to knowNioh 2 still does not have a release date.A closed alpha for the game will take place May 24 - June 2, 2019.There are no plans to expand the alpha to everyone.The action series Nioh bears resemblance in some aspects to Dark Souls and Bloodborne, with people even calling it a Souls-like game, but reducing it to such a comparison wouldn't be fair. Nioh is its own beast, and developer Team Ninja is looking to further spread its wings with Nioh 2. Little is known about Nioh 2 at this time, but the upcoming game is set to feature character customization according to Team Ninja.Some PS4 users are invited to take part in the Nioh 2 closed alpha to help gather feedback for the development. To ensure the team can manage the feedback, there are no plans to expand the alpha at the moment, but please keep an eye on our channels for more info in the future. pic.twitter.com/...

We are here to help get started as fast as possible.The PlayStation Classic is a mini version of the original grey PlayStation from the late 1990's. It comes with 20 built-in games and two controllers for you and your family to indulge your nostalgia bones. Now you have one though you need to get it set up and ready to play.Happily, the Classic is fairly simple to get going so we will take you through some simple steps with a little bit of advice on how to move forward once you are ready.What's not in the box?Has you can see from the above picture, and the Classic that is in your hand right now, there isn't a lot of cables or anything else in the box. One thing you will have noticed straight away is the lack of power adapter. Don't worry if you didn't pick one before you bought the Classic if you own a modern smartphone then use its power adapter for now.Later on, if you want to buy one, you can pick up this Anker 2 port wall plug from Amazon that will run it just great. ...

Best answer: There are several things to do with a phone that you're no longer using and may not be worth selling used. Whether you donate or recycle, it's better than throwing a smartphone and its hazardous materials in the trash.Phone still working? Donate it: Cell Phones for SoldiersIs your phone still worth buying? Sell it on SwappaRecycle locally for cash: Find an ecoATMJust want to get rid of it? Take it to Best BuyWhy can't I just throw my phone away?We create tens of millions of tons of e-waste — waste from electronic devices — every year, and just dumping it in the trash is the worst possible thing you could do with it. There are two types of materials in smartphones and other e-waste that require special disposal processes:Precious materials like rare metals are hard to mine, refine, and use in electronics, so it's imperative that we reclaim as much of these materials from a device at the end of its lifetime so that manufacturers can minimize new ...

The Lyft app will also enlarge license plates and require you to leave feedback for drivers rated less than four stars.What you need to knowPassengers will be able to contact 911 through an in-app panic button in the Lyft app.License plate numbers are being enlarged in the app.Rating a driver less than four stars will now require you to leave feedback as to why.When it comes to hailing a Lyft or Uber these days, safety has come to the forefront, especially after several frightening incidents in the news. Most recently, there was a case involving a student in South Carolina who was killed after she got into the wrong car after calling for an Uber.That's why Lyft is taking measures to make riders feel safer starting with an in-app panic button to call 911, a feature Uber added to its app last year for passengers. The button was already made available late last year in the app for Lyft drivers, but now riders will also have access to it in case of emergencies.In an effort to ...

Action-packed, fast-paced gameplay isn't the only way to get your heart pumping. Some of us find that very same experience being as stealthy as possible. The stakes are never higher than when you can't be detected, so here are the best stealth games for the PlayStation 4.★ Featured favoriteThe Last of Us RemasteredThe Last of Us Remastered is praised for its cinematics and impeccable character-driven storytelling, but its gameplay mechanics are nothing to sneeze at. With an infection plaguing the world and scarce resources, you'll need to use your bullets wisely. Sometimes this means not using them at all. The best course of action in The Last of Us is no action as you stealth your way through dilapidated cities, avoiding threats around every corner.$16 at AmazonA dark story in a dark timeA Plague Tale: InnocenceStaff pickBeing the newest game on our list is by no means the only thing A Plague Tale: Innocence has going for it. This beautifully writte...

By borrowing a tool from Chrome, Android Q will run OpenGL ES features on your phone's GPU no matter the version.One of the coolest under the hood changes of Android Q is the implementation of ANGLE, the Almost Native Graphics Layer Engine. It's one of those things that you'll never see or know is there if it's working properly, but will let your phone run games using it's native GPU hardware APIs even if it was built for a more powerful set of graphics instructions. It's complicated to wrap your head around unless you're a hardware nut, so we're going to explain it in plain English.More: What are the Vulkan APIs, and what do they mean for Android?ANGLE is a Chrome project designed to do one thing — allow users on any platform to run WebGL and OpenGL ES content on its native APIs. It does this by translating OpenGL ES 2.0 and 3.0 API calls to desktop OpenGL, OpenGL ES, Direct3D 9, and Direct3D 11. These are all APIs (Application Programming Interface) that let a developer...

Because fake status symbols are dumb — especially at twice the price.The Pixel 3a is in a weird place. On one hand, it's not the Pixel 3. (Or the Pixel 3a XL versus the Pixel 3 XL, if that's how you roll. And, in fact, that's how I've rolled.) It's not as powerful, but it's newer. It's not as expensive, even though the Pixel 3 line has seen pretty deep discounts of late.Here's the thing, though: I'd be pretty hard pressed to tell anyone to buy a Pixel 3 over the 3a, especially right now.Let's stipulate that at the end of the day price is everything. Phones that retail at $399 or $479 should be an easier sell than phones that retail for twice as much. But let's also stipulate that a Google phone sold in that price range is decidedly different than anyone else's. (Save for maybe the Moto X line.)Subscribe to Modern Dad on YouTubeIf you bounce between a lot of phones, you tend to know what you're using, and how it's meant to be used. But the thing about the Pixel 3a XL...

Between Black Mirror and The Handmaid's Tale, the start of summer is going to be a dark one.School is winding down. The pool is heating up. Beaches are beckoning. But so, too are the major streaming services, with a world of premieres headed our way in June. Here's what all you have to look forward to next month on Netflix, Amazon Prime Video and Hulu:On Netflix in June: The long-awaited return of the critically acclaimed Black Mirror is here. We'll get three new installments of the series on June 5 — SMS, SV and RJAT. And the final season of Jessica Jones lands on a to-be-determined date.On Amazon Prime Video in June: It's basically Jonas Brothers June on Amazon Prime Video, with Chasing Happiness taking a look at the meteoric rise of the musical trio, the burnout that followed, and their more recent triumphant return.On Hulu in June: Under his eye, Offred is back in the third season of The Handmaid's Tale. It's a perfect pairing for Black Mirror on Netflix, if y...

Creators will still have access to the exact count in YouTube Studio.What you need to knowStarting in August, subscriber counts on YouTube will be shown in an abbreviated format.It will affect creators and third-party analytics sites such as Social Blade.Creators will still be able to see the exact number in YouTube Studio.If you're a YouTube creator, you'll soon see that the way your subscriber count is displayed is changing. Beginning in August, YouTube will start showing an abbreviated subscriber count instead of the exact number.While it begins in August, only creators with over 1,000 subscribers will see the abbreviated format. For example, if you had 13,123 subscribers, it would instead be displayed as 13,000 would not update until you reached 14,000 subscribers.It's important to note that even though these changes will affect your publicly displayed subscriber count, creators will still be able to see the exact number in YouTube Studio. However, when you're a creato...

ARM technology is at the foundation of Huawei's Kirin chipsets.Updated 10:44 AM ET: Following this news, Huawei reached out to AC with the following statement: We value our close relationships with our partners, but recognize the pressure some of them are under, as a result of politically motivated decisions. We are confident this regrettable situation can be resolved and our priority remains to continue to deliver world-class technology and products to our customers around the world.The hits just keep on coming for Huawei. A litany of U.S. companies — including Google, Intel, Qualcomm, and Broadcom — have cut ties with the Chinese manufacturer following a trade ban, and ARM is now joining the list. According to the BBC, the UK chip vendor has sent out a memo to its staff to suspend "all active contracts, support entitlements, and any pending engagements" with Huawei.Calling it an "unfortunate situation," ARM sent a note to Huawei and its related entities that ...

Shipments are set to begin on June 2.What you need to knowPre-orders are available through Lenovo and Walmart.The Lenovo Smart Clock will set you back $80 before tax and shipping with shipments beginning on June 2.The 4-inch screen won't support video playback.Lenovo's adorable little Smart Clock with Google Assistant is finally available for pre-order. We first got a look at this stylish alarm clock with Google smarts back at CES 2019, and until last week there had been nothing but silence from Lenovo on the product.That's when, after months of waiting, Lenovo quietly updated its forums with an FAQ, user guide, and spec sheet for the device. We took that as a sign that it would be launching soon, and we were right.Currently, the Lenovo Smart Clock is listed for pre-order on Lenovo.com and Walmart.com. It will set you back a total of $80 before tax and shipping with shipments expected to begin on June 2.While we love the form factor of the Lenovo Smart Clock, it won't qu...

When you game in VR, you're wearing your system right on your face. The Oculus Quest is no different, and that means that after a few hardcore sessions you might be wondering how to keep your headset and controllers clean. With a mixture of hard plastic, fabric, and foam pads it means that you'll need to use different methods for each different part of your Quest.How to clean your Oculus QuestKeeping your VR headset clean isn't just a good idea; it also makes for better gameplay. You don't want to put your face on a foam insert that feels damp from someone else's sweat, and dust in your lenses will definitely hamper your gameplay. With that in mind, we've broken down how to clean each individual section of your Oculus Quest.How to clean your Quest lensesWhen cleaning your lenses it's important that you remember that no liquid cleaner can be used. This means no damp paper towels, Lysol wipes, or lens cleaner should ever be applied.Use a compressed air cannister to clean ou...