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From Pixel phones to Matter and Android 13, analysts expect a lot from Google in 2022.Google has had a busy year launching Android 12, updating the look and feel of the OS with Material You, announcing its first in-house SOC Tensor, and incorporating it in its Pixel 6 series.The company announced a partnership with Samsung to unveil the use of Wear OS 3 on Samsung's Galaxy Watch 4, which is also the best Android smartwatch. Google also launched a bunch of new Nest smart home devices this year.All of it wasn't perfect — we saw several bugs coming out of Android 12 and issues with the Pixel 6. And as much as everyone fell in love with the Galaxy Watch 4, it didn't necessarily mean that Wear OS was the reason for it (although some might think now is the time for Wear OS to shine).Through it all, Android Central spoke to many industry analysts to understand their perspectives on Google's performance this past year. So what about 2022? We ask Mishaal Rahman, senior technical edi...

The warning messages were sent in error.What you need to knowLastPass has denied reports that there were unauthorized login attempts to some accounts.The recent security alerts received by some users were apparently triggered in error.Some LastPass users received emails this week warning them about failed login attempts.LastPass users can welcome the incoming year with peace of mind after all. A LastPass executive confirmed that no accounts had been compromised following multiple reports from users claiming they'd been notified of failed unauthorized logins.The reports were first spotted by AppleInsider in the Hacker News forum. According to the alerts they received, some unauthorized third parties attempted to access their accounts from various parts of the world, such as Brazil. Fortunately, those attempts were thwarted because of the suspicious geographic origin.Most of the LastPass accounts that got the alert appear to be outdated. Furthermore, the developers behind...

The latest leak leaves almost nothing to the imagination.What you need to knowA teaser video for the upcoming OnePlus 10 Pro has appeared online.The video reveals the exact date when OnePlus will announce its next flagship device.The rear panel is noticeably different from its predecessor, despite the fact that the front design is broadly similar.The OnePlus 10 series is likely launching sooner than its predecessors did this year, if a new teaser video is any indication. The video also reveals the phone's supposed final design, which aligns with previous leaks.The OnePlus 10 Pro will be unveiled on January 11th, according to a leaked video posted on Weibo (via 9to5Google). OnePlus founder Pete Lau previously confirmed that the upcoming flagship phone would be announced in January, though the exact date was not disclosed. Oddly, there is no mention of the standard OnePlus 10 model.In addition to the launch date, the teaser corroborates previously leaked renders of the ph...

While the best 4K Android TVs have Chromecast built-in, some people want the benefit of casting without having to use the Android or Google TV interface. With a Chromecast Ultra or Chromecast with Google TV, you can stream in 4K, HDR, or Dolby Vision or play 4K HDR games with Stadia Pro on a wider range of TV brands. We're here to help you find the best 4K TVs for Chromecast — either built-in or as a peripheral — with the LG C1 OLED TV standing at the top of the list.Best overall: LG C1 OLED TVWhile the LG CX previously topped our best 4K TVs for Chromecast list — and is still worth buying if you want a discounted model — the new LG C1 OLED TV only improves on its sterling predecessor for visual quality, gaming, and streaming. Its new Alpha a9 Gen. 4 processor will upscale your cast content to 4K beautifully and naturally, something the Chromecast can't handle on its own. And it adds four HDMI 2.1 ports, which enable 4K gaming at 120Hz if you own a next-gen console like...

Taking a snapshot during a Google Duo call is easy. Here's how.Google Duo earns the highest rank when it comes to the best Android apps for video calling. Enjoying a particularly fun and memorable video chat with your loved ones? You can immortalize the moment by capturing a snapshot of the Duo call. Here's how you can use Google Duo moments to take and share photos on group video calls.Products used in this guide:Top-notch video calling platform from Google: Google Duo (free at Google Play Store)Xiaomi's lightest and slinkiest phone: Xiaomi Mi 11 Lite (£299 at Amazon UK)How to use Google Duo moments to take and share photos on group video callsInstall and open the Google Duo app on your phone.Tap the three vertical dots in the top right corner.Tap Settings.Tap Call Settings.Turn on the toggle for Duo moments.Start a video call.Tap the little white circle in the bottom right corner.With the Duo moments feature turned on, you'll see the little round button ...

Best answer: If you want to keep your current phone, it needs to be unlocked and compatible with a new carrier. To keep your number, you need to port the number with the new carrier. Remember not to cancel your old account until the port is complete.Which carrier should you switch to?There are some great cell phone plans available, but the most important thing is the network when it comes down to it. It's no good signing up for a phone plan if you can't use it everywhere you go.While all carriers have made huge strides in recent years to make sure they offer service where most Americans live, some rural areas still strongly favor one carrier. T-Mobile has the strongest 5G network, but AT&T and Verizon tend to have greater coverage in rural areas. You'll need to check out the coverage maps for AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon before signing up to be sure.If you like a carrier's network but not the plans, it's time to check out an MVNO. The best MVNOs can save you money by g...

Finding the best Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 screen protector for your device is easy when you know what to look for. First, you want to find a product that is specifically designed for your model's case size (40mm or 44mm). Next, you'll need to determine what type of screen protector offers the best protection. Some popular choices include tempered glass for the display as well as protective cases for all-around coverage. We've put together a few of our favorites to help you choose.The best protectionSupershieldz Tempered Glass Screen Protector (3-Pack)Staff PickWhen you're looking for all-around protection, you'll want to consider this three-pack from Supershieldz. All the features you seek in a screen protector are present. You'll enjoy high-quality tempered glass for maximum scratch protection, high-definition clarity, and hydrophobic, as well as an oleophobic coating, to reduce sweat and fingerprints.$8 at Amazon (44mm) $8 at Amazon (40mm)Amazing precisionSPGUAR...

Google recommends anyone with signal issues factory-reset their Pixel 6 and 6 Pros to the previous version.What you need to knowThe recent December Pixel Drop caused significant mobile connectivity issues for some Pixel 6 owners.Google has "identified a fix" but won't deliver it to users until late January.The next update will include all of the previous bug fixes.If you've downloaded the update already, your only recourse is to use the Android Flash Tool to revert to the previous version.Google's December update fixed a variety of Pixel 6 bugs that had plagued the phone since launch. Unfortunately, it also introduced an even worse bug that hamstrung the Pixel 6's network connectivity. Some users couldn't connect to networks in areas with great coverage and reported frequent signal drops.Google said it was looking into the issue on December 17, and paused the update's rollout. Now, nearly two weeks later, a Pixel support page indicates Google has found a fix for the issu...

Despite facing an uphill battle, PlayStation delivered a solid lineup of games and updates.2021 was a weird year for PlayStation, not to mention the games industry as a whole. It was the first full year the PS5 was on sale, but it also happened to be a year fraught with supply shortages amid a deadly pandemic. It's been near-impossible to buy a PS5, and as Niko Partners senior analyst Daniel Ahmed noted on Twitter, it's taken quite a toll on potential sales.Not all's bad for PlayStation, though. It managed to unlock expanded SSD storage on the PS5, drop some stellar exclusives throughout the year, and reveal a slate of impressive upcoming games.While I don't think it managed to have quite a great year as Xbox has had, especially with Microsoft's acquisition of ZeniMax Media, PlayStation proved it wouldn't rest on its laurels and be complacent. It made some notable studio purchases and delivered easily the most impressive showcase of the year in September. PlayStation fans have ...

Samsung is on a roll with updates this week.Update, December 30, 9:00 a.m. ET: Samsung also updates the original Galaxy Fold.What you need to knowSamsung has started rolling out the stable Android 12-based One UI 4 update to the Galaxy S10 series and Galaxy S20 FE phones.While the rollout is limited to just a few markets right now, a wider rollout is expected to commence soon.Samsung has also pushed out stable One UI 4 to the Galaxy Fold a day later.Along with all the new One UI 4 features, the update also includes the December 2021 Android security patch.Earlier this week, Samsung resumed the stable One UI 4 rollout for its best Android phones after fixing a compatibility issue between the update and Google Play.It also expanded the rollout to the Galaxy Note 20, Galaxy S20, and Galaxy Z Fold 2 phones. Now, the company has started pushing the Android 12 update to a few more devices — including the Galaxy S10 series and the Galaxy S20 FE.As per SamMobile, the One U...

Trim the fatTelloFrom $5/month at TelloProsVery cheap ratesAccess to T-Mobile LTE and 5GMobile hotspot on every planUnlimited plan is one of the cheapest in the industryConsUnlimited plan slowed at 25GBPlans lack extrasTello makes it easy to save with fully customizable phone plans with cheap data. Running on the T-Mobile network, every plan comes with tethering and can be configured up to unlimited with up to 25GB of data. Tello is one of the cheapest ways to try out T-Mobile 5G with plenty of data for most people.AT&T for lessCricket WirelessFrom $25/month at Cricket WirelessProsFamily multi-line savingsHuge AT&T LTE network with 5G accessUnlimited premium data availableData-only plans are availableConsMore expensive plansPhone compatibility is less consistentHotspot not included with data plansCricket is a great alternative to prepaid AT&T with a great variety of plans with a massive unlimited plan that comes wit...

Slabs are old hat now.Samsung's latest sales update for the Galaxy Z Fold 3 and Galaxy Z Flip 3 are in, and they exceed expectations in every way possible. But it's not exactly impressive that Samsung sold four times the number of foldables in 2021 that they sold in 2020. It's not even impressive that these phones exceeded the lifetime sales of their predecessors in a mere four weeks.What's impressive is that Samsung has started stealing customers from other brands because, quite frankly, those other brands have become incredibly stagnant.Initial sales numbers show that Samsung sold around 2 million foldables and is poised to sell up to 10 million by the time the Z Flip 4 and Z Fold 4 debut in 2022 but, it turns out, a significant portion of those sales are coming from people who were once enamored with other brands like the iPhone. This is particularly true for the Z Flip 3.It's more than just an upgradeSamsung's own internal data from its trade-in programs and other ret...

Hey Google, this is what we want in 2022At times it felt like the longest year ever, and at others, it seemed to absolutely fly by. Despite all the ups and downs, we find ourselves finally at the end of an eventful and memorable 2021.As we look forward to 2022, we asked a handful of our editors, staff writers, and freelance contributors what they hope will come from Mountain View over the coming twelve months. No major area was off-limits, from Google's software, apps, and services to its various hardware divisions and corporate culture and ethical obligations.So without further ado and straight from the keyboards of our talented team of Android experts — here's what we want to see from Google in 2022.Jump to:Software and appsPixel phones and accessoriesNest and ChromebooksCompany cultureSoftware and appsAra Wagoner, staff writerI had hoped, perhaps vainly, that 2021 would be the year that YouTube finally got off its ass and made YouTube Music a consiste...

Samsung foldables blow expectations out of the waterWhat you need to knowSamsung has shared some key figures regarding sales of its foldable lineup in 2021.Sales of the 2021 foldable lineup exceeded market growth expectations.The company claims that the Galaxy Z Flip 3 is enticing more customers than ever from other brands.When you look back at what Samsung introduced with the Galaxy Z Fold 3 and Galaxy Z Flip 3, it was difficult to not be awe-struck. Not only is it apparent that the company is listening to its customers, but a few months later, it's clear that foldable phones are here to stay. According to Samsung, the Z Flip 3 brought an increase of 150% who switched from another brand compared to the Galaxy Note 20. That number drops ever-so-slightly to 140% compared to the Galaxy S21.Considering that Samsung opted to forgo the Galaxy Note 21 in favor of its foldable offerings, Samsung had a lot riding on the success of these devices. And according to Samsung directly,...

You can get a lot of phones for a modest price these days, and to prove it, we've rounded up a list of the best Android phones under $300 for your consideration. Motorola has been a leading name in mid-range options for years, and that holds true with its excellent Moto G Power (2020). You get capable specs with a big display and simple software that anyone can figure out for an extremely competitive price. Plus, it has a massive battery and convenient USB-C charging.Best overall Android phone under $300: Moto G Power (2020)Motorola launched a few different Moto G phones for 2020, but the one that stands out as the best pick for most people is the Moto G Power (2020). This phone nails all the basics, has a very affordable price, and a cool trick up its sleeve — battery life.A 5,000 mAh battery is crammed inside of the Moto G Power, meaning you can get between two and three days of use out of the phone before needing to charge it up. In a world where a lot of $1,000 flagship...

Once upon a time, uninstalling games from an Oculus Quest or Oculus Quest 2 would result in losing your game saves. Whether you were just freeing up space for the best Quest 2 games or were trying to upgrade your headset from an Oculus Quest to an Oculus Quest 2, losing your game saves is terrible because it means you would lose all your progress in a game. Thanks to Oculus cloud saves, you'll no longer have to choose between free space on your Quest and keeping your game saves. Here's how to ensure this never happens to you.How to enable cloud save backup on Oculus QuestPut on your Oculus Quest and press the home button on the right controller to bring up the universal menu.Select the clock/settings panel on the left side of the menu bar at the bottom.Select Settings from the list.Select Backup from the left menu.Ensure that Cloud backup is toggled on. The toggle will be blue when enabled.With cloud backup enabled, any installed games that support cloud saves will ...

You get audiophile-style sound, but it comes at a price.Bowers & Wilkins already has the reputation befitting a reliable audio brand, so the company was bound to enter the fray with a refined pair of wireless earbuds. Its audiophile chops pretty much infer that you're entering a more luxurious level in both quality and performance.That's the premise the PI7 start with because they are the best Bowers & Wilkins currently has. Built to be great right out of the box, you get plenty to work with, but also have to be cool with what's missing, and that's what clears up who will ultimately want to wear them.Bowers & Wilkins PI7 review:Price and availabilityWhat's good What's not goodThe competitionShould you buy?At a glanceBowers & Wilkins PI7 Bottom line: Bowers & Wilkins stays true to its repu...

It's going to be an exciting year.2022 is just days away, but some of next year's flagships have already launched. The Motorola Edge X30 and Xiaomi 12 are two of the first phones to be powered by Qualcomm's newest flagship chipset and look pretty promising. However, there are still many flagship devices that haven't been announced, many of which we're expecting in the first quarter of 2022.We at Android Central want to know which unannounced 2022 flagship you're looking forward to the most, at least for the first half of 2022.Which flagship smartphone are you looking forward to in 2022?Samsung is set to make two major launches in Q1, starting with the Galaxy S21 FE. Rumors indicate that we'll see Samsung's latest "flagship killer" Fan Edition smartphone at the beginning of January, and it'll likely undercut some of the best Android phones of 2022. However, the company will likely launch its Galaxy S22 flagship series the following month, giving consumers a tough choice, espe...

Chromeboxes aren't laptops. You're not tossing one into a backpack and setting it up at Starbucks. Instead, it sits quietly behind a screen of some sort and is always ready. That means there's no reason to try and get by with 16 or 32GB of storage. Most models are easy to take apart and upgrade if you're the DIY type, but adding more storage is as easy as plugging in a cable. These are the best external hard drives and SSDs for your Chromebox.The affordable choiceWD 1TB My Passport Portable External Hard DriveStaff PickWD My Passport is the best Chromebox hard drive you can buy at a bargain. It's a spinning disk drive, so you won't be breaking any read speed records, but it's perfect for storing photos, music, and video. It's also available in 1TB to 5TB options.$45 at Amazon$55 at Best Buy$55 at NeweggWhen you wanna go fast!SAMSUNG T5 Portable SSD 1TB External Solid State DriveIf you need a big boost in storage for your Chromebox but need to have SSD speeds, th...

If you're a gamer who's into Xbox, PlayStation, or both, and plan to get your hands on the PS5 or Xbox Series X (or maybe you were already lucky enough to pick one up!), chances are you'll want the best experience possible. This requires loading up on some great PS5 accessories, including the best HDMI 2.1 compatible cables you can find to support higher resolutions, more bandwidth (up to 48Gbps), faster refresh rates like 120Hz and 144Hz, and dynamic HDR. Here are the best HDMI 2.1 cables to enhance your gaming experience even further!Braided strengthHighwings 8K HDMI Cable - 6.6-FootStaff PickIt's still early days for 8K, but if you have a future-friendly set-up for your intense video gaming sessions, this cable can support 8K at 60Hz and 4K at 120Hz to accurately reproduce every scene in the game in stunning clarity. The braided cord will ensure it won't break or fray, along with the anti-bending design and 24K gold-plated plug part material. The 6.6-foot length should s...

Stadia had a rough 2021, but it is still trudging on into 2022.Google Stadia's 2021 could be best described as having an explosive start followed by a low simmer for the rest of the year. I don't mean explosive as if the platform was firing on all cylinders and capitalizing on its own momentum. I mean it blew off a few limbs with fireworks and handicapped itself with much lower expectations.Stadia in 2020 was not perfect since it still lacked basic features and a small library, but the end of the year saw the releases of high profile games like Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice and Assassin's Creed Valhalla, showing the support was there. Cyberpunk 2077 capped off the year with Stadia unexpectedly becoming the best place to play it at launch, making the case that streaming could offer benefits that aging hardware could not.However, Google had other plans for Stadia for 2021.Google got out of video game developmentGoogle kicked off 2021 by announcing in February that it was shutti...

A look back at 2021.Another year has come and gone as we wrap up and prepare to jump into the new year with an onslaught of CES 2022 announcements. But before the year ends, we've decided to take a look back at some of the biggest moments that shaped 2021 for our readers. It's not an exhaustive list, considering Android Central posted over 3,000 news posts throughout 2021, covering various categories from Android, Amazon, PlayStation, Oculus, and more. However, these are some of the most notable topics we've covered throughout the year.Galaxy Watch 4 and Wear OS 3Google announcing Wear OS 3 was a big deal because it meant it was finally going to do something about its wearable platform, which for a while seemed all but abandoned. The company promised faster performance, better efficiency, new app experiences, and even integrations with Fitbit. However, the biggest news of all was the partnership with Samsung to launch the first Wear OS 3 smartwatch.And after years of Samsun...

Well, no one can say OPPO is copying its camera design.What you need to knowThe OPPO Find X3 Pro successor has just been leaked in new renders.The images show a different camera design with a unique shape.The flagship may ditch the microscope lens camera found on the X3 Pro.Hot on the heels of the OPPO Find N launch, the company's 2022 flagship has just leaked in a set of 5K renders. The images come from leaker Steve Hemmerstoffer (@OnLeaks) via the website Prepp, and show off the upcoming OPPO Find X3 Pro successor with a fairly similar design.From its looks, the front will resemble the Find X3 Pro with a large, curved display and a hole punch camera on the top left corner. However, the rear does have some slight but notable changes.Instead of an even square, the camera hump has a more liquidy, oblong shape. This would highlight the device's overall unibody design and definitely stands out among a crowd of similar-looking camera humps on some of the best Android phones...

OnePlus isn't short on things to fix next year.OnePlus had an interesting year; it publicly acknowledged its OPPO roots while announcing that it would become a sub-brand of the BBK-owned entity — all in a bid to deliver faster updates — and rolled out a lot of devices this year. While that would normally be limited to high-end phones, OnePlus now caters to the entry-level and budget segments in addition to flagships like the OnePlus 9 series.The Nord series has allowed OnePlus to post massive gains in sales figures, but it came at the cost of alienating its userbase. To compound matters further, OnePlus's foray into wearables hasn't gone to plan, and its efforts with TVs have languished in recent months. Here are a few things that OnePlus needs to fix next year.Figure out its identityAs we head into 2022, I have no idea what OnePlus stands for. Until two years ago, it was the go-to company if you wanted a value flagship that offered the same caliber of specs for hundred...

Rebecca, Jen, and Carli commemorate the end of 2021 by sharing their favorite games of the year. They also touch on what they're hoping to see in 2022. Happy New Year!Hosted by: Jennifer Locke, Carli Velocci, and Rebecca SpearGot feedback? Hit up Podcast@androidcentral.com and tell us something!LISTEN NOW:...

Almost two-day battery life in a pair of earbuds sounds good, but what about the rest of the features?In the world of Android phones, there are budget options, upper-tier flagships, and mid-rangers that sit somewhere in between. Enter the bottomless pit that is the wireless earbud marketplace of today and you'll notice a similar pattern. You can get amazing Bluetooth earbuds that pull out all the stops with barely any compromises nowadays. It all depends on your budget and the segment you're targeting.Just like the best Android phone brands, Bluetooth headphones and earbud makers usually offer something at each price point. Tronsmart stands tall among them, offering premium earbuds like the Apollo Air+ and cheaper, lower-tier options like the Onyx Apex. Adding to Tronsmart's portfolio, the new Onyx Prime earbuds have now joined the ranks. After taking a close look at the latest entrant, here are my two cents on the Tronsmart Onyx Prime true wireless earbuds. Tronsmar...

It doesn't take a lot to win the heart, just the right mix of fun and practicality.It's been a fabulous year for the tech industry, with fun Android phones that flip and fold breaking into the mainstream. Between all the hustle and bustle, there were a few noteworthy launches that caught my eyes in particular. Samsung's chic Z Flip 3 stood out as a stylish accessory, making a bold statement and leaving its mark on the world. From a more practical perspective, the larger Z Fold 3 equipped with the S Pen Pro took its place as the best foldable we've seen to date.Let's not forget other awesome releases like the Amazon Echo Show 15, the Sony WF-1000XM4 earbuds, and the Google Pixel 6 series. Pre-existing features were finessed and newer technologies made their debut. Despite all the outstanding new devices we've seen this year, the one that captured my heart was the Onyx Boox Nova3 Color. Confused? Let me explain. We constantly see crazy new specs obliterating the barriers that w...

Water resistance and portability make for an egg-cellent ambient light.The best smart lights come in typical form factors like light bulbs, adhesive strips, or table lamps. ECOLOR's unique entry doesn't fall under any of those categories. Instead, it's shaped like an ethereal Easter egg of large proportions. The football-esque design is something I have never seen before, in smart lights or otherwise. Aside from the unusual shape, the Smart Egg Lamp sports some unexpected features such as an IP65 rating and extensive control over each individual LED light.Considering the low-end pricing on the ECOLOR Smart Egg Lamp, I went in with pretty low expectations at first. Still, the specs are enough to get anyone excited and I was in high spirits upon receiving the package. It may be made for children but I can think of many adults who'd be very entertained by such a cute gadget. It's a charming little accessory worth every dime of that sub-$50 price tag. ECOLOR Smart Egg La...

Players will be adventuring below the depths of Watatsumi Island.With Genshin Impact Update 2.3 in the rearview mirror, miHoYo has already set sights on Update 2.4. Scheduled to launch on Jan. 5, Update 2.4 takes players below the ocean to a new area of Enkanomiya, a floating island that resides under Inazuma. Along with new character banners, miHoYo will be adding new events for players to participate in and earn rewards. Here's what we know about Update 2.4 so far.Genshin Impact Update 2.4: Visit the mysterious location of EnkanomiyaAs leaks had suggested, Genshin Impact Update 2.4 will open up a new location under Watatsumi Island. Enkanomiya is a floating island beneath Inazuma that's been sealed away for millennia. Because it's been sealed underground, there isn't a natural day and night cycle. Instead, miHoYo says that players will use the Dainichi Mikoshi, the artificial sun developed by the ancient civilization, as they explore the area.Genshin Impact Update 2.4: ...

It remains unclear if the Pro model will launch globally.What you need to knowXiaomi has unveiled its first Snapdragon 8 Gen 1-powered flagships.The Xiaomi 12 Pro features a QHD+ LTPO OLED screen, three 50MP cameras, and 120W fast chargingXiaomi 12 is a "compact" flagship with a 120Hz display, a 50MP main camera, and 67W charging. Xiaomi on December 28 introduced its new 12 series flagship phones. While the vanilla Xiaomi 12 is a "compact" phone with powerful specs, the 12 Pro brings quite a few major upgrades over last year's Mi 11 Pro.The Xiaomi 12 features a 6.28-inch 120Hz AMOLED display with FHD+ resolution and a centered hole-punch cutout for the 32MP selfie camera. Under the hood, it has Qualcomm's new Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chipset, which is expected to power many of the best Android phones of 2022.On the back of the Xiaomi 12 is a triple-lens camera setup featuring a 50MP Sony IMX766 main sensor, a 13MP ultra-wide lens, and a 5MP tele-macro shooter. Keeping the lig...

Everyone wants to own one of the best Android phones, but not everyone can or should pay full price for one. Some people are happy to pay retail, but others are looking for a deal — and one of the ways to find discounts is to look for refurbished phones. As you'd expect, buying a refurbished phone isn't as simple as walking into a store and asking for one — it takes a bit more research and understanding. However, we have all of the information to help you navigate the refurbished market so you can make the best choice when buying a new-to-you phone.What does "refurbished" mean?Even though we see the word "refurbished" get thrown around a lot, that doesn't mean it's necessarily a standardized term. You may often see it used interchangeably with "recertified," "reconditioned," or just "open box," or "pre-owned." No matter the exact wording, it generally refers to a product that was manufactured to sell as new but for whatever reason was returned to the manufacturer — either b...

From Bluestacks to Apple Arcade to Xbox Game Pass, Android on Windows 11 has plenty of rivals.The world of Android will invade Windows PCs in 2022. Microsoft is currently beta-testing 50 Android apps from the Amazon Appstore on Windows 11, preparing for a public launch next year. Google, meanwhile, will launch Google Play Games on PCs next year, too.You'll already find Android app support on Chromebooks, and Google claims it saw a 50% increase in Android app engagement in Chrome OS in 2021. But Android on Windows 11 will help devs, and game studios piggyback on PCs' much larger market share for greater revenue — and close the gap on Apple's massive advantage in app sales.That all sounds great in theory! Especially for people working from home who want to enjoy their favorite Android games on a larger screen, or for those who prefer to buy cheap Android phones and can use their superior PCs for better benchmarks.But in practice, there's plenty of reason to be skeptical. Andr...

Ah, spam. Not only is it a questionable source of protein, but it's also been the bane of our online existence over the past 20 years or so. Remember how annoying it was (and still is) to receive random, unsolicited garbage in your email? Of course, spam email hasn't gone away, but improved filters and blockers have certainly negated its power to clog our inboxes over the years. Unfortunately, the annoying and unwanted content has found a new attack vector: our shared online documents!That's right, people are now getting their online storage platforms blitzed with spam, some of which are just a nuisance, but some can even be quite abusive. If you find yourself in a situation where your Google Drive is getting bombarded with spam, don't worry, you have options. We'll show you how to block spam in Google Drive so that you can keep your online storage junk-free.Jump to:How to block spam in Google Drive from the webHow to block spam in Google Drive on your phoneHow to unblock ...

Samsung's Galaxy Z Flip 3 is one amazing piece of hardware, folding into itself to turn a big smartphone into something much more pocketable. But Samsung didn't stop with amazing hardware; it also packed amazing software into the phone that lets you do more than ever with that beautiful device in your hand. But where do you start first? Once you've picked out the best Galaxy Z Flip 3 case for your style, we've got a few Galaxy Z Flip 3 tips and tricks that'll make your experience even better.Jump to:Make the most of the tiny screenCustomize the big displayDark mode isn't just for looksGestural navigationSwap out BixbySamsung Pay hasslesGet a better keyboardEnhance your lock screenStop missing notificationsMultitask like a proControl your smart homeGet some better backgroundsGet your Flex onUse the small screen for group shotsGet kids mode set up1. Make the most of the tiny screenThe Galaxy Z Flip 3 features an outer screen that's 4x larger than the one on ...

Whether it's for a birthday, the winter holidays, or any other special occasion, chances are you've received a gift that you're not wild about. While the gift was undoubtedly well-intentioned, it just wasn't the right fit — figuratively or literally. Heck, perhaps you bought something over Black Friday that you ended up not loving. No matter the reason, we'll show you how to return a gift to Amazon so that you can exchange it for something even better (or just get the money back).How to return a gift or order to Amazon: starting from the websiteIf you purchased a "gift" for yourself that you wish to return, or if you purchased a gift for a friend or family member who lives with you or close by, it might just be easier on you if you return it to Amazon yourself. Here's how to do it.Go to Amazon.com and click on Returns & Orders at the top right of the website.Scroll through your orders to find the one you wish to return, or search in the box at the top of the section....

Fortunately, the problem does not appear to be widespread.What you need to knowGoogle Maps is apparently crashing on Android Auto due to a bug.The navigation interface appears to relaunch every five or 10 minutes.Google has yet to acknowledge the issue.Google Maps on Android Auto is designed to give you an uninterrupted guide on the road without requiring you to touch the screen, but a new bug seems to be preventing some users from having a seamless experience with the app.As spotted by Autoevolution, the app keeps on refreshing for a number of users while in navigation mode. This reportedly occurs every five to 10 minutes for no apparent reason.The problem appears to occur regardless of which Android phone is used. Some of those affected by the issue complained on Google's forum, and they own a Huawei Mate 20 Pro and a Google Pixel 3 XL. A Vivo X70 Pro owner even captured the issue in action.According to forum comments, the problem affects both wired and wireles...

Internal system testing on the smart display appears to have begun.What you need to knowGoogle has apparently begun testing Fuchsia OS internally on the Nest Hub Max.The smart display will be the second retail device to run the OS if it's rolled out to the public.It looks like the internal testing is in the final stage.Google quietly rolled out Fuchsia OS to the first-generation Nest Hub earlier this year, though the update made no significant changes to the device's functionality. Now, it appears the same update will arrive on the Nest Hub Max in the future.According to a comment posted to a Fuchsia code change, Google is preparing to release an update to the Nest Hub Max that will transition its current operating system from the Linux-based Cast OS to Fuchsia OS.As spotted by 9to5Google, "dogfood" builds of the OS are currently being tested on "Sherlock," the code name for the Nest Hub Max. Google did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Android Centr...

A few more months before the next big look at the game.What you need to knowFinal Fantasy 16 is an upcoming role-playing game being developed and published by Square Enix.Square Enix shared that while the team wanted to show the game off in 2021, portions of development were delayed.Final Fantasy 16 is getting a "big reveal" sometime in Spring 2022. Upcoming Square Enix title Final Fantasy 16 was first shown off at the Sep. 2020 PS5 games showcase. Since then, there's not been much information on the game, with no new trailers or major details revealed. Square Enix producer Naoki Yoshida shared on Monday that problems caused by the global pandemic delayed Final Fantasy 16 by almost six months. As a result, the team is now aiming for a "big reveal" in Spring 2022.A message from Final Fantasy XVI producer Naoki Yoshida. #FF16 #FFXVI pic.twitter.com/qtfJUUp6LA— FINAL FANTASY XVI (@finalfantasyxvi) December 27, 2021Final Fantasy 16 is being developed as at least a timed...

Hopefully, it will be priced competitively as well.What you need to knowThe third-generation Motorola Razr is confirmed to be in the works.A Lenovo executive has revealed that the upcoming foldable will have improved power and design.The next Motorola Razr will be unveiled in China first.The Motorola Razr 5G, which debuted last year, will finally have its successor in 2022. This was confirmed by Chen Jin, an IT manager at Motorola's parent company Lenovo, through his Weibo profile.Motorola's third-generation Razr will be a major upgrade over its predecessor (via Android Authority). According to Chen, the upcoming Razr 3 will have a more advanced processor. He didn't specify the chipset in question, but it could be something more powerful than the Qualcomm Snapdragon 765G, which fuels the Razr 5G.In light of the latest revelation, it's difficult to rule out the possibility that Motorola will use a Snapdragon 8 series processor for its next foldable phone. Aside from that...

If there's one thing that can be said about the PS5, it's that it's fast. The ultra-fast internal SSD can load optimized games in just a few seconds, nearly eliminating loading screens in others. But the SSD won't make your downloads go faster if your internet is poor. So if you've been lucky enough with the PS5 restocks, you'll want to make sure your console's internet connection is as fast as possible When you want to increase the download speeds of your games, there are a few things you can try to make it happen.Jump to:Manage your PS5 downloadsUsing a wired connection instead of Wi-FiUsing Rest Mode to increase download speedsUpdate to the latest firmwareChange your DNS settings Check your modem's bandwidthUpgrade your internet service PS5 GuidesHow to transfer games and save dataHow to attach the PS5 baseHow to set up parental controlsHow to connect to Wi-FiHow to increase download speedsHow to manage multiple accountsHow to set up 2FAHow to update your...

So you're looking for the latest Disney Plus prices to make sure you get the best deal? Well, you're in luck as we've always got a careful eye on the latest Disney Plus bundle information to help you get more for less. It's been two years now since the Disney Plus streaming service launched, and it's safe to say the platform has established itself as one of the premier streaming platforms, thanks to its exclusive family-friendly offerings from Disney itself, Star Wars, Marvel, Pixar, National Geographic, and 20th Century Studios.While the catalog size may not rival Netflix and the competition just yet, a variety of Disney+ originals are already streaming, and there are plans for at least 10 Marvel and 10 Star Wars series to hit the platform over the next few years.Odds are you're interested, but still unsure how much a Disney+ subscription costs, right? Thankfully, Disney+ has several different plan options for Disney+, with fees ranging from $7.99 to $19.99 per month. You can al...

Thanks to the included microSD card slot, you can grab one of the best memory cards for the Amazon Fire Tablet quickly to expand the storage. Whether you picked up one of the best Amazon Fire Tablets for yourself or your kids, you've probably noticed that the internal storage doesn't go very far. Unfortunately, you can quickly fill it up with some games, a few apps, and media, which is a bit disappointing. So make sure to pair one of the best Android tablets with the best memory cards and bump up the storage.Simply the bestSanDisk 64GB Ultra MicroSD CardStaff PickA 64GB capacity is often the sweet spot for many folks when it comes to microSD cards. It has plenty of room for apps, music, and games without spending too much.$16 at Amazon $14 at Walmart $12 at B&H PhotoPlenty of spaceSilicon Power 256GB MicroSD CardSilicon Power may not be a household name for many, but the company makes some pretty great storage options, including microSD cards. This Silicon Pow...

The Amazon Echo Show devices are the only Alexa smart speakers that feature touchscreen displays. Available in 5-inch, 8-inch, and 10-inch display sizes, the Echo Show is a countertop device that packs a lot of heat. Whether it's video calling via Zoom or Skype, streaming music from various providers such as Apple Music and Spotify, listening to Audible audiobooks, or watching Prime Video, you're sure to get a lot out of this device. This product line also comes in smaller versions such as the Echo Show 5 and the Echo Show 8 in case the Echo Show 10 (3rd Gen) is a bit too much for your tastes. If this is your first time getting started with one of these dynamic devices, let us show you how to set up your Amazon Echo Show!How to set up your new Echo Show all modelsUnbox your Amazon Echo Show, and plug the power adapter into the device and then into a wall outlet.Allow the Echo Show to boot up and go through its initialization process.Once the initialization process is finishe...

Take your mobile gaming to the next level with these great titles on Amazon Fire HD!Amazon's line of Fire HD Tablets are a solid alternative for those seeking a budget-friendly option. At half the cost of an iPad, the Amazon Fire HD 10 boasts good battery life, performance, USB-C port, and even a coveted headphone jack! Its display isn't glare-resistant, though, so if you're in the market for a dedicated e-reader, you'd be better off sticking with Amazon's Kindle Paperwhite.But for all of your other tablet needs, including gaming, an Amazon Fire HD tablet can be a hub for all your entertainment needs. You can make those long car rides with the kids much more bearable and make the most out of your Amazon Fire HD tablet with these great games. Some of these are already ranked among our best mobile games, so you can't go wrong.The gamesDrawful 2Happy ColorJackbox Party Pack 3Lake Jigsaw PuzzlesLEGO Star WarsMonument ValleyPhantasmat: Behind the MaskQuell Zen+Stardew V...

After years of half-hearted attempts, we finally got a Chrome OS tablet that can go all the way.Chrome OS has had a tablet mode for a really, really long time, but dedicated Chrome OS tablets have been few and far between. There have been some ugly, low-spec Chromebook tablets for the classroom, and then we had the HP X2 and the Google Pixel Slate. The X2 was a detachable, not really a tablet, but it worked well, and while the Slate was powerful, it was expensive, even more so once you added the kickstand case and keyboard you need to actually get work done at a reasonable speed.This might be why when the Lenovo Chromebook Duet debuted at CES 2020 — I know, it feels like a century ago — it drew a lot of attention because it seemed like someone finally got it right and gave us the Chromebook tablet we deserved. It didn't skimp on the storage like the education-oriented models. It came with a keyboard and kickstand in the box.Best of all, it came at the reasonable price we ...

No matter if you're trying to lose weight, be more active throughout the day, keep track of sleep, or simply get an idea of your overall health, Fitbits are among the best fitness trackers out there and a great way to help you live a healthier life. Excited to start using yours but need some help getting it set up for the first time? You're in the right place. Here, we'll look at how to set up Fitbit.How to download the Fitbit app for AndroidBefore we do anything else, we need to get the Fitbit app downloaded on your phone. Doing so is quite simple.Open the Google Play Store app on your phone.Tap the search bar at the top and search Fitbit.Tap the Fitbit app (it should be the first result).Tap the green Install button.How to set up your FitbitNow that you have the Fitbit app on your phone, it's time to get your new tracker/smartwatch all set up and ready to go. The process looks a bit different depending on whether or not you already have a Fitbit account, so choose ...

Nothing warms my heart more than giving a thoughtful gift to my friends or family. If I'm honest, receiving a thoughtful gift is pretty darn great, too. What happens when you get a present that you don't really like? Returning gifts has always been a pain, but now retail giants like Amazon and Walmart are making it easier than ever. I'll show you how to return an unwanted gift to Walmart without even leaving your house!How to return a gift to WalmartWalmart is making socially distant, contactless returns easier than ever this holiday season. Here's how you can return your unwanted gifts for free in just a few easy steps.Go to Walmart.com in your web browser of choice or open the Walmart app.Type Returns in the Search bar and hit Enter.Under Ship it back, select Start your return.If you have a gift receipt, type in the Email address on the receipt.If you don't know the email, you may need to ask the sender.Type in the Order number.Click View order status.Click o...

Xbox Game Pass cloud streaming is now available for Xbox Game Pass Ultimate members. What was formerly known as xCloud in beta allows players to stream games to their Android phones without worrying about downloads. If you have a Game Pass Ultimate membership, the process of streaming is incredibly simple. If a game doesn't support touch controls, all you'll need to do is connect a Bluetooth controller, and you'll be ready to go. We'll show you how to stream Xbox Game Pass to Android. Let's get started.How to stream Xbox Game Pass (xCloud) to your Android phoneDownload the Xbox Game Pass app through the play store.Update the app if it hasn't already been updated. Sign-in to your Microsoft account.If you don't already have a Game Pass Ultimate membership, you'll need to upgrade. Select Cloud on the bar between Cloud, Console, and PC.Select which game you'd like to play. Connect a Bluetooth controller if you haven't already.Enjoy!It really is as simple as that. ...

We'll be watching how things play out.What you need to knowCompanies continue to pull out of in-person appearances at CES 2022.More poll responses think CES 2022 should be canceled, as MWC and IFA were this year.Many don't think it should be canceled and that it should either go completely virtual or continue as planned.CES 2022 hasn't even begun, and it's already off to a bad start. At first, a handful of companies chose to withdraw from in-person appearances, but the list of companies quickly grew. Even Google has decided to remove itself and its self-driving unit Waymo from the show, saying in a statement that it wants to "identify and support virtual opportunities."We asked whether our readers thought CES 2022 should just be canceled, given the number of publications and big-name companies that have chosen not to attend in person. Out of the votes, 37% thought that it should be canceled. This would follow similar moves by MWC and IFA over this year, the former of whic...

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. Of course, these are also playable on PS5, through backwards compatibility.Best co-op games for PS4:Borderlands 3It Takes TwoA Way OutThe Division 2: Warlords of New York EditionMinecraftLEGO DC Super-VillainsOvercooked! 2TowerFall AscensionDon't Starve TogetherUnravel TwoKeep Talking and Nobody ExplodesNidhogg 2Human: Fall FlatGuacamelee! One-Two Punch CollectionRayman LegendsRocket League Ultimate EditionDivinity: Original Sin 2 - Definitive EditionLovers in a Dangerous SpacetimeKeyWeSocial:The Jackbox SeriesGang BeastsKno...