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The first annual Quest Day begins December 14 for U.S. residents.What you need to knowQuest Day takes place on December 14, 2021.Interested participants can follow the Oculus account on Instagram, where all the Quest Day festivities will take place.Meta didn't specifically say what was being given away, but Quest 2 accessories and swag are almost certainly on the list.If you're an Oculus Quest 2 owner (or are about to become one), then you owe it to yourself to check out Meta's first Quest Day, a made-up holiday for all Quest 2 fans who might be interested in getting some free Quest swag this Holiday season. Quest Day takes place on December 14, 2021, and all you'll need to do is follow Oculus on Instagram to take part.At this point, Meta hasn't revealed anything specific, but an email sent late last week from "Dr. 6DOF" shows an email correspondence between Reality Labs and "Boss" asking if there were any free accessories or creations available to give away to fans in li...

Nvidia is a little stingy when it comes to deals on the Shield streaming media players. We don't often see them drop in price, and it usually takes a big event like Black Friday or Prime Day to get any sort of price drop at all. Right now you can get the Nvidia Shield TV Pro 4K media player on sale for $179.99 through Amazon and a couple of other retailers like Best Buy. That's a nice $20 drop just in time for Christmas, and it matches deals we've seen in the past on the same device.Nvidia Shield Android TV Pro 4K media player | $20 offUses Nvidia's Tegra X1+ chip and can enhance video up to 4K with next-gen upscaling. Has two USB ports for storage expansion and such. Includes Plex Media Server built in, 3GB RAM, and 16GB storage. Supports Dolby Vision and Atmos. Voice controlled.$179.99 at AmazonYou can even save on the non-Pro version right now. The regular Nvidia Shield 4K streaming media player has dropped to $129.99 through Amazon and other retailers. That's als...

Don't know where to start? We're here to help.We're a year into the new console generation, but systems are still incredibly difficult to come by. This means that many will be getting ahold of the PS5 for the first time over the holidays. If you're unfamiliar with PlayStation or Xbox, the setup can be an intimidating process. And even if you know your way around a gaming console, there are still a few things you may want to know beforehand. We'll walk you through everything you'll need to know about buying a PS5, setting it up, and more.Jump to:Where to buy a PS5Setting up a PS5Transferring data to PS5Why you should get PlayStation PlusUpgrading your storageWhat to do when the PlayStation Network is downFinding a PS5The PS5 was released alongside the PS5 Digital Edition in November 2020, priced at $499 and $399, respectively. If you haven't been able to pick one up yet, be on the lookout at retailers like Amazon, Target, Walmart, Best Buy, and GameStop. Stock is ...

Customize your console, then get a new controller to match.What you need to knowSony is bringing colored PS5 faceplates available for purchase starting in Jan. 2022.The faceplates will be available for the PS5 and PS5 Digital Edition at $55 each.There's also new matching DualSense controllers available in three more colors.Sony is introducing official PS5 faceplates starting in Jan. 2022. As detailed on PlayStation Blog, these faceplates come in five colors, with options for Midnight Black, Cosmic Red, Nova Pink, Starlight Blue and Galactic Purple. The faceplates are available for both PS5 console models: the regular console and the PS5 Digital Edition. The faceplates are also $55 each.If you are picky about making sure your controller matches your console, Sony has even more good news. Three new DualSense colors are on the way, with Nova Pink, Starlight Blue, and Galactic Purple DualSense controllers starting to be available at various retailers in Jan. 2022. You can tak...

Experts say it's time Amazon offers offline controlsAccording to experts, Amazon's Web Services (AWS) should start offering local or offline controls of its smart home devices, following a major outage that left consumers unattached to several products for hours last week. However, there are mixed reactions as to whether Amazon will commit to this feature.During the morning of Dec. 7, AWS, or Amazon's massive cloud system, began experiencing connectivity issues with servers. As a result, the outage affected many web services throughout the day, including popular payment app Venmo, streaming services such as Disney Plus and Netflix, in addition to smart home apps like iRobot and Amazon Alexa. Most Amazon services like Prime Music and Prime Video were also down during the outage, and customers were even unable to order items from Amazon during parts of the outage.Amazon's Ring Video Doorbell customers also reported that they were unable to access the Ring app, which means custome...

It doesn't look like the Nord 2 CE will be a big improvement over its predecessor.What you need to knowAlleged specs of OnePlus' upcoming Nord 2 CE have leaked.The phone is tipped to come with a MediaTek Dimensity 900 chipset, a 90Hz display, and 65W fast charging. It will apparently launch in India by mid-February next year. OnePlus launched a stripped-down version of the popular OnePlus Nord earlier this year, dubbed the Nord CE. According to a new report from 91Mobiles, the company is planning to launch a follow-up to the Nord CE early next year.Per the report, the OnePlus Nord 2 CE is codenamed "Ivan." Unlike the current Nord CE, which is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 750G chipset, the upcoming mid-ranger is tipped to be powered by a MediaTek Dimensity 900 5G. The 6nm chipset could be paired with up to 12GB of RAM and 256GB of internal storage.Disappointingly, it looks like the Nord 2 CE will not bring any significant upgrades in the display department. It will a...

Whether you know the name of a setting or not, you can still search for it.Five years ago, Android setting names and locations varied wildly between manufacturers. The steps to change your always-on display might've been in Display on one phone but under Security on another. Google has slowly standardized the way most settings are located and named on most great Android phones, but a decade of added features means that there are more settings to find and change than ever before.The Settings app on almost every single Android phone these days has a settings bar at the top. Unfortunately, it's hard to search for something you don't actually know the name of. Here's how to look for a setting whether you do — or do not — know its name.How to quickly find any Android system settingOpen the Settings app.Tap the search bar towards the top of the screen. (If you don't see a search bar or magnifying glass, swipe down and it should appear up top.)Type in the name or a function o...

Don't expect to see it on the Xiaomi 12, though.What you need to knowXiaomi has unveiled a new battery technology that increases capacity without changing the battery size.The new tech also features a gauge system that prevents overcharging when a phone is plugged for too long.Mass-production of the battery is expected to start in the second-half of 2022.Xiaomi continues to make great strides in battery technology. After pushing the limits of fast charging speeds with its 200W HyperCharge technology, the company is now focusing on cramming more capacity into the same battery volume.Xiaomi announced a new "breakthrough" in its battery technology on its official Weibo account, cramming 10% more battery life into the same battery size (via Android Police). The Chinese phone manufacturer plans to achieve this capacity storage efficiency by tripling the silicon content of the battery and upgrading the packaging system.The result is 100 minutes of additional life on a single ...

OnePlus is entering a new product category next year.What you need to knowOnePlus is rumored to launch its first Android tablet early next year.The OnePlus Pad, as it's currently dubbed, could launch in India following its China debut.However, the tablet may not be announced alongside the upcoming OnePlus 10 series.OnePlus was rumored in July to be working on its first Android tablet to challenge Samsung and other OEMs. A new rumor now points to the company's plan to expand into that segment early next year.A new report from 91mobiles, backed by information coming from tipster Mukul Sharma, claims that the OnePlus Pad will arrive in India sometime in the first half of 2022. That said, it remains unclear if the final product will carry that moniker.The tablet is expected to make its debut in China first, where the company may unveil several models. The OnePlus Pad, on the other hand, may only be available in a single model for the Indian market.At the moment, little is...

Harish, Nick, Jerry, and Ara check in on the announcements from the Qualcomm Snapdragon Summit. Pixel Watch inches closer to reality, and OPPO is sent to release their first foldable phone.The gang also investigate a week's worth of outages and bugs, including AWS downtime and the inability to dial emergency services.Listen nowSubscribe in Spotify: AudioSubscribe in iTunes: AudioSubscribe in RSS: AudioDownload directly: AudioLinks:Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 mobile platform ushers in a new generation for Qualcomm | Android CentralSnapdragon 8 Gen 1 is coming to these phones in 2022 | Android CentralQualcomm takes the fight to Intel with new 5nm Snapdragon 8cx Gen 3 ARM chip | Android CentralQualcomm teams up with Razer for the next evolution of mobile gaming | Android CentralThis could be our first look at official Google Pixel Watch images | Android CentralGoogle's Pixel Watch looks like the Moto 360 successor I've been waiting for | Android CentralOPPO's first fold...

Google gets the basics right with its latest pair of true wireless earbuds.The life cycle of a Google hardware product usually takes one of two directions: it starts full of bugs and slowly, with software updates, ends up being a solid product with a whiff of reputation damage; or it starts seemingly flawless and, over time, loses its luster as small issues crop up and don't get solved.The company's first true wireless earbuds, 2020's Pixel Buds, were the latter. In April 2020, as the pandemic started raging across the country, Google appeared triumphant as early reviews praised the earbuds' sound quality, comfort, and general ease of use. But it became quickly apparent that users would discover endemic connectivity issues as they spent more time wearing their new buds. Google chalked it up to early firmware and promised fixes, but even after several updates, the problems have yet to fully abate — even today, Google's support forums are full of posts about the Pixel Buds' chopp...

I love my Nest Hub, but I want more.I own a couple of Google's Nest products. I have the original Google Home in my bathroom, and I sprinkle some Nest Minis around my apartment. However, my favorite is the first-generation Nest Hub display that I leave on my bedside table. It's the perfect size as a digital clock, but versatile enough to do most of my smart home things.However, even with the bigger Nest Hub Max and the newer Nest Hub (2nd Gen), I can't help but feel like Google's smart display lineup is quite lacking, and I wish it would launch a broader range of first-party devices.The main reason I feel this way is Amazon. Every time Amazon launches a new version of its Echo Show devices, I can't help but be a little jealous. The Echo Show 10 (3rd Gen) looks so cool with its swivel display that follows the user around, and the new Echo Show 15 looks like something I would love to hang up on my wall.At the risk of sounding like an iPhone user when asked to switch to Andr...

OPPO looks serious about taking the fight to Samsung with its first foldable device.What you need to knowOPPO's first foldable phone has been leaked a few days after its official teaser.The OPPO Find N appears to resemble the Galaxy Z Fold 3 design, but with a smaller body.OPPO will officially take the wraps off its first foldable device on December 15.OPPO finally teased its first foldable phone a few days ago after having been rumored earlier this year to be working on a Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3 challenger. While the teaser gave us a glimpse of what the device would look like, it left us wanting more.Thanks to reliable leaker Evan Blass, we now have a handful of high-quality images of the OPPO Find N that reveal what was missing in the official teaser: the back of the phone. If the leak is to be believed, the upcoming foldable phone will have a triple camera setup on the back, similar to the Galaxy Z Fold 3.OPPO Find N pic.twitter.com/MMzGo5270U— Ev (@evleaks) Decemb...

Meta is snapping up the best VR developers and games, while Sony remains in a tethered, AAA world.Whatever you think of Meta and the Metaverse — and you can criticize both for plenty — the Oculus/Meta Quest 2 is incredibly popular right now. Qualcomm hinted that Meta has shipped about 10 million Quest 2 headsets, and it was the top-selling video game product on Amazon during Black Friday. PSVR 2 will have a huge hardware advantage; the Quest 2 has a software and price advantage.Before the Quest 2, perhaps the most successful VR story was the PSVR, which sold 5 million units by early 2020 and may have sold more since. That's only a small percentage of the 116 million who bought PS4s, but is still a success story given how niche VR was when it first launched.The question is, can the PSVR 2 replicate that success? Because, despite the popularity of the brand and the rumored improvements to the headset, the PS5 VR headset has some obstacles on its road to success in 2022....

All the best movies streaming on HBO Max today.HBO Max launched in 2020 as the digital hub for all of HBO's exclusive content. It features a rotating lineup of hundreds of television series and movies from Warner Bros., DC, Studio Ghibli, and more. HBO Max will also launch brand new films from WarnerMedia in 2021 without waiting for them to play in theaters first. Here are the best movies on HBO Max right now, from new drama and comedy films to the best in action franchises and documentary films.The best movies on HBO MaxJust added on HBO MaxBest action filmsBest comedy filmsKids & family filmsBest documentary filmsMovies and moreHBO MaxFrom $10 at HBO MaxFind new releases and old favorites on HBO MaxHBO Max provides streamers with access to film and television content from HBO, WarnerMedia, and DC, among other studios. Subscribe now to check out new blockbusters or your longtime faves.Just added on HBO MaxWarnerMedia announced at the end of 20...

You can now access other Google Workspace services under a single button.Update, Dec 11 (2:28 p.m. ET): Google has officially announced the new Chat interface.What you need to knowThe Google Chat app picks up a fresh UI for its bottom bar.Google Chat now hides its shortcuts behind a single button to free up some screen space.The latest change appears to be rolling out gradually to users.Google has begun to roll out a new design for the bottom bar of the Google Chat app on Android, making the interface much cleaner than the previous version.Google Chat's previously crowded bottom bar has now been tweaked with a new UI that frees up some screen real estate, as spotted by Mishaal Rahman. The app's shortcuts for Gallery, Camera, Drive, Google Meet, and Calendar are now hidden beneath the new plus button.Looks like a new UI is rolling out for the bottom bar in Google Chat on mobile.Left: OldMiddle & right: New pic.twitter.com/8UppM0e6QX— Mishaal Rahman (@MishaalRahma...

Parents now have improved control over their kids' mobile phone activities.What you need to knowOne UI 4 update introduces new improvements to Samsung Kids mode on Galaxy phones.The update allows parents to moderate the apps that appear on their kids' phone screen.Parents also gain more control over their children's screen time on a daily basis.The pandemic has ushered in a new norm where children are stuck at home as schools shift to remote learning environments. This means kids spend several hours a day with their eyes glued to computer or mobile screens, posing a challenge to parents in terms of regulating screen time.Samsung is now attempting to address this issue through a new update to Samsung Kids as part of the One UI 4 release. The experience was previously known as Kids Mode, which debuted in 2014 before being renamed Samsung Kids.With the new update, parents can now select which apps should appear on their children's home screens and change the background col...

When you start building your smart home, one of the central parts should be picking up an excellent smart speaker. But for a home to truly be smart, it should handle specific tasks on its own — OK, maybe with a bit of help. That's where the smart speaker comes into play, especially if it's one of Amazon's fantastic Alexa speakers. Because it has added a helpful automation feature to the latest 4th-Gen Echo and Echo Dot that uses ultrasonic sounds to detect if there is anyone in the room. This means it can turn the lights on when someone enters the room and off when they leave. Of course, you have control over this feature. So, follow along to learn how to enable Motion Detection on your Amazon Echo device.How to enable or disable Motion Detection on your Amazon Echo deviceMotion Detection is a helpful way to enable Occupancy Routines for your smart home devices when your 4th gen Echo devices recognize that someone is in the room. Using ultrasonic sound to carry out these tasks,...

Gotta catch 'em all, or at least the couple of dozen in Pokémon Unite at the moment.Pokémon Unite is officially out for the Nintendo Switch, Android, and iOS. For anyone who hasn't picked up the game just yet, fans can already begin to look ahead to figure out which potential Pokémon they'll want to use in what promises to be one of the best Android games out.For those unaware, Pokémon Unite pits teams of five trainers against each other, each armed with just a single Pokémon. Pokémon can evolve, hold items to improve their standing, and even learn new moves during battle. Here are all of the Pokémon Unite playable Pokémon characters so far.Jump to:Pokémon Unite rosterRoles and Battle Type systemsAre more Pokémon coming?Pokémon licensesAre any Pokémon free? Pokémon Unite playable charactersOnly 28 Pokémon are currently available in the game, each broken up by one of five types — Attacker, All-Rounder, Defender, Speedster, and Supporter. More P...

Instagram is the latest social platform to hop on the year-in-review fun.What you need to knowInstagram has announced its own Spotify Wrapped clone for Stories.Instagram Playback recaps up to 10 Stories that you can share with your followers.The feature surfaces posts from your Story archive.Instagram has unveiled its own year-in-review feature that lets you revisit key moments in 2021 by replaying a selection of Stories you've shared throughout this year.The Playback feature recaps up to 10 pre-selected Stories from your archive and lets you share those moments with your followers or friends. Of course, there's an option to edit the selection in order to remove or add your favorite moments before sharing your Playback with everyone.It's essentially Instagram's clone for Spotify Wrapped, the music streaming service's popular recap feature that provides insights into their listening habit over the past year. The feature displays the songs and artists you've listened to...

Storage options are becoming more robust. But is it enough for you?With 2022 on the horizon, there still seems to be a divide when it comes to storage. Many of the best Android phones don't offer microSD slots like the Galaxy S21 series and even the Google Pixel 6 series. However, there are still plenty of devices that support expandable storage, especially on the lower-end.We at Android central want to know if expandable storage is essential to you when buying a smartphone.Poll: Do you care if your smartphone supports expandable storage?With our growing dependence on the cloud, one might say that smartphone SD card slots are going the way of the 3.5mm headphone jack and are headed out the door. Additionally, more smartphones come with 128GB of internal storage and more, which is plenty for the average user.However, power users might require more storage and can either shell out the extra dough for a higher-storage option, pay for one of the best microSD cards for devices ...

Among the dozens of apps and services that Google offers, Google Docs is easily one of the most powerful. The online word processing program is used by millions of users around the world for its collaborative workflow and easy access. And thanks to the recent addition of a universal @-menu, it has become even easier to insert images, tables, charts, and more into Google Docs. In fact, you don't even need to move your mouse to do so!How to quickly and easily insert images, tables, charts, and more into Google DocsRegardless of what you want to insert, you start off by hitting the @ key in any document. This brings up a menu with a list of recommended items that can be added to the document.The items that can be inserted into your document include images, tables, drawings, charts, different types of lists, titles and headings, footnotes, and much more. You can even add other documents stored in your Google Drive, meeting blocks from Google Calendar, and directly mention other use...

Nvidia needs three governments to approve its Arm purchase, and two have already expressed concerns.Nvidia buying Arm would, in the short-term, at least, seem like a good move for consumers. For one, it'd be a new venue for Nvidia to design and license excellent machine learning properties and likely buffer the capabilities of the standard Mali GPU used in so many mobile devices. But it seems like that's not going to happen.In September 2020 Nvidia formally announced that it would be spending $40 billion on Arm Holdings. The deal would also see Softbank — Arm's current majority owner — gain a 10-percent stake in Nvidia and the company would remain in Cambridge England for "the foreseeable future." Of course, the next step was to seek regulatory approval and this is where things turn south.The E.U. has already voiced its displeasure over the purchase. In the U.S., the FTC is suing to block the merger completely. At this time, we haven't heard anything official from China, bu...

The movies you don't want to miss on Netflix right nowNetflix continues to be one of the best streaming services for both original series and films. But with so much content to choose from and more being added on the regular, where do you start? Right here! Here's a roundup of the best 20 Netflix movies streaming now.The best for originalsNetflixFrom $9/mo at NetflixStream the best of the best with these exclusive films and seriesNetflix subscribers have access to thousands of original shows and movies, as well as classic content you don't want to miss.The best movies on NetflixTrending NowNetflix Originals ClassicsKids & FamilyDocumentariesTrending Now on NetflixDigging through Netflix's massive library of films can be intimidating. Thankfully, the platform offers a Trending Now section, which highlights the most popular movies on Netflix right now. With that in mind, here's a handful of films trending now on Netflix.Lady Bird (2017)Lady...

The Amazon Fire TV interface makes it easy to access your favorite streaming apps and live TV channels, whether you're using an Amazon Fire TV Stick, an Amazon Fire TV built-in television set, or another Amazon Fire TV device. However, general use and software updates sometimes make your favorite streaming apps lag. With that in mind, we've put together this list of simple steps you can take to clear the app cache on your Amazon Fire TV device.How to clear the app cache on your Amazon Fire TVOne of the best ways to ensure your streaming apps are working as smoothly as possible is to clear the app cache on your Amazon Fire TV device. Here are the steps you should follow to do just that:On your Fire TV homepage, navigate to Settings.Under Settings, select Applications.Scroll down to and select Manage Installed Applications.Select the app you are having trouble with. Select Clear Cache and then Clear Data.It's worth pointing out that cache files are created whenever ...

The GTR 3 Pro is packed with all the features you need — and you'll only need to charge it once a week.Amazfit is doing all the right things in the wearable segment, as evidenced by the fact that it's now the second-largest manufacturer in this category. A big part of the company's rise is down to its budget offerings, with its $60 fitness band providing a great value.Lately, Amazfit has ventured into the premium tier with its smartwatches, and the GTR 3 Pro is now available for $230, taking on the likes of Samsung and Fitbit. The GTR 3 Pro has a lot going for it on the hardware front: it has a large AMOLED panel with an always-on mode, a lag-free interface with a lot of customizability, plenty of health and fitness monitoring features, and a minimalist design that looks great.But the biggest differentiator is the battery life — the GTR 3 Pro lasts nearly a week even with heavy use. With the Galaxy Watch 4 only lasting up to two days with normal use, the GTR 3 Pro has a dis...

Prepaid carriers provide laser-focused mobile service that the Big Three postpaid carriers can't match. Ultra Mobile has zeroed in on people that want to stay in contact with family and friends in other countries while offering great value and service for a connected generation. Whether you just need a basic service with talk and text or want plenty of data for streaming, social media, and video calls, Ultra Mobile has an option for you.Super FlexibleUltra MobileFrom $10/mo. at Ultra MobileA plan for everyoneUltra Mobile has an option for just about any customer, whether they need a ton of data or just need to be able to call internationally.Ultra Mobile:What is Ultra Mobile?Read the reviewUltra Mobile's service plansUltra Tourist and FlexCoverage and 5GHow does Ultra Mobile stack up?Compatible phonesUltra Mobile DealsWhat is Ultra Mobile?Ultra Mobile is an MVNO using T-Mobile's network that focuses on offering great service options for those who ...

It has also added new controls for creators to moderate comments on their posts and block certain people.What you need to knowFacebook makes it easier to get support if you're locked out of your account in a new test.The service has also beefed up its comment moderation controls for creators.For Facebook Live, there are new moderation tools designed to block certain words.Losing access to your Facebook account for any reason and being unable to get timely assistance must be one of the worst drawbacks of the platform. Fortunately, Meta is addressing that flaw in a new experiment, as well as improving comment moderation for creators.On Friday, the social networking giant announced that it is testing live chat support for people, including creators, who are locked out of their accounts. The new test is currently available only to a small set of English-speaking users worldwide.There seems to be a series of tests that will unfold as part of the whole effort. For the initi...

Chalk this one up under ridiculous ideas that we don't need right now.What you need to knowA patent has been discovered showing a mockup for a rollable smartwatch.The smartwatch would feature a camera in the center of the display.Images suggest users would watch movies on the device.Meta is also said to be working on a Facebook smartwatch with a camera for video calls.Rollable smartphones aren't really a thing quite yet, but it looks like Samsung might already have literal designs for another rollable device. LetsGoDigital, which likes to uncover outlandish tech patents, recently came across a filing that shows a unique take on a potential future Galaxy Watch.The patent was filed with the World Intellectual Property Office (WIPO) and shows a smartwatch with a rollable display that expands outwards from the center. This would consist of two separate displays that act as one, not unlike what you see on the Microsoft Surface Duo 2.The displays would expand outwards at the...

Visible is one of the best values for people that need a lot of data. Not only that, but Visible's simple plan, unlimited hotspot data, and 5G support make it an easy choice for someone trying to make the most of one of the best new Android phones. Utilizing Verizon's LTE and 5G network, most people will have great coverage as well.Visible isn't for everyone since it lacks roaming support and doesn't have many international calling options. It's also not a good fit for people that need to travel abroad. Visible customers also don't get the highest priority data connection, so the connection may be slower than expected in congested areas. Still, for many people, Visible is a great fit. Here's our comprehensive Visible buyer's guide, containing everything you need to know before signing up.Just one planVisibleFrom $40/mo. at VisibleUnlimited talk, text, and dataVisible gives you great Verizon coverage with no limits, including 5G with truly unlimited high-speed data plu...

Setting up a home theater? You should take a look at VAVA's latest projector.For the last three years, I used Xiaomi's Mi laser Projector in my bedroom for streaming movies and TV shows. I wanted a large screen but didn't want a TV to take up a lot of room, so that meant going with a projector. I wasn't interested in a regular projector, as that would've involved wall-mounting it above the bed. So I turned to the laser ultra short throw (UST) category.As the name suggests, a UST projector has a short throw distance, meaning you can put it right next to a wall and still get a large picture. Regular projectors need to be a meter or two away to project a large image, but I had the Mi Laser Projector just 10cm away from the wall and it projected a 75-inch picture — ideal for my needs. However, the Mi Laser Projector was $1,599 when I picked it up, and that was considered a good value because similar options from Optoma and Epson sold for double that amount.That brings us to the V...

Players might be adventuring below the depths of Watatsumi Island if leaks are to be believed.With Genshin Impact Update 2.3 in the rearview mirror, miHoYo will certainly look towards Update 2.4 in the near future. We don't have exact details as to what players can expect just yet, but some leaks from data miners and teases from the developer point to a couple of new characters and a mysterious region below the island of Watatsumi. With that in mind, here's what we know about Update 2.4 so far.Genshin Impact Update 2.4: Yun Jin and Shenhe make their debutsYun Jin and Shenhe aren't technically confirmed for Update 2.4 yet, but it's within reason that since miHoYo officially revealed them, you can expect them in the next update.Yun Jin: Yun Jin is a popular singer and dancer among Liyue Harbor and is the current director of the Yun-Han Opera Troupe. She is a four-star Geo user who wields a powerful polearm. According to Honey Hunter World, her Elemental Burst, Cliffbreaker's...

Choosing the best cloud storage service isn't a simple decision. Are you backing up a specific batch of files or your entire computer? Do you need to share your files with others for work, or would you prefer total encryption? Your choice will depend greatly on your budget, whether you need gigabytes or terabytes of storage and your favorite productivity apps. If you're looking for the best option for general use, particularly but not exclusively for Android users, choose Google Drive for its free storage and popular productivity apps.Best overall: Google DriveGoogle Drive may have particular perks for Android power users, but we believe it's the best cloud storage solution for anyone, regardless of which device you use. The most obvious perk is its 15GB of free storage, while most competitors offer 10GB or 5GB free. If that isn't enough, you can pay $20/year for 100GB, $30/year for 200GB, or $100/year for 2TB. The 100GB price is a few dollars cheaper than OneDrive's, while the...

Google launched Stadia a little over a year ago, giving players access to some of their favorite games without owning a console or gaming PC. While you can use Stadia as a free service, Google offers a Stadia Pro membership for $9.99/month, which gives subscribers access to special discounts, upgraded 4K streaming options, and one or more free games to claim per month. Once you claim a game in Pro, it's yours to keep as long as you're subscribed, similar to how PlayStation Plus works.As long as your Stadia Pro subscription remains active, you can play any free Pro games you claim. But you can only claim specific games for a limited time, so make sure you're checking back every month as we update the list of games available. If you cancel or suspend your Pro subscription and then decide to resubscribe in the future, all previously claimed games will return to your library. Also, some of the best Stadia games were offered on Pro in the past so make sure you claim each game every mont...

The company says it will roll out software updates to address the performance issues "soon."What you need to knowTCL has temporarily stopped selling its Google TV lineup over performance and software issues.The company is working on "refining" its products featuring Google TV. TCL Google TVs are expected to return to Best Buy in the coming weeks. In what comes as a big blow to Google's smart TV platform, TCL has stopped selling its lineup of Google TVs over certain "performance-related issues." Best Buy, which is the exclusive retailer of TCL Google TVs in the U.S., pulled all listings of the company's 2021 5-Series and 6-Series TVs from its website earlier this week.Confirming that the TVs have been removed from sale, a TCL spokesperson told 9to5Google that the company will soon roll out software updates to "refine" the Google TV experience on the sets. The company has also confirmed that sales of the TVs will resume "in the coming weeks." Our high-performance TVs ar...

Amazon recently updated the News app across Fire TV devices to include local news coverage in 158 cities across the United States. But how exactly do you access all that new content on your television? With that in mind, we're breaking down what you need to do to watch local news on your Amazon Fire TV device right now.How to watch local news on your Amazon Fire TVTo watch local news on your Amazon Fire TV device, follow these simple steps:On your Amazon Fire TV homepage, select the News app. Access local news for your city using the Local News tab within the app or by saying Alexa, play local news into your voice remote. Choose which channel you want to watch from the list of Suggested News.When you open the News app for the first time, it will prompt you to select the type of news you're most interested in. From there, the app will generate a custom playlist based on your selections. Otherwise, you'll find a wide selection of news options on the News app main page, ...

All Pokémon are S+ tier in my eyes. Except Stunfisk. I do not much care for Stunfisk.A new take on a long-established formula, Pokémon Unite pits teams of 5 trainers against each other, each armed with just a single Pokémon. Pokémon can evolve, hold items to improve their standing, and even learn new moves during battle, but some Pokémon have natural advantages over others — which is why we're heartlessly ranking them here. But let the record show that if my editor let me, this would be a tier list based on how huggable these cuties are.Tragically for me, we're instead ranking them based on how well they perform overall, along with how they perform in their respective categories of All-Rounder, Attacker, Defender, Speedster, and Supporter.Only a fraction of all (extremely huggable) existing Pokémon are currently represented in Unite — there are just 28, including a limited-time Zeraora. That may be good news for early adopters, though, as a more concise roster makes i...

What if a router company cared about your security as much as you do?Gryphon makes mesh routers with a significant focus on security. That means Gryphon owners get malware blocking from ESET and 24/7 monitoring for all of their connected devices. You also get access to Gryphon Homebound, which allows you to easily use your home network as a VPN so you can ensure your internet is as secure as your home, even when you're on public Wi-Fi.When it comes to raw performance, Gryphon falls behind many of its closest competitors in cost. But then again, that's not the point. Gryphon AX delivers plenty of speed for the vast majority of usage, including 4K streaming, work-from-home applications, and even large downloads. Of course, you're not going to get all of your gigabit connection on a single device, but you still get pretty close.Gryphon AX review:Price and availabilityWhat's good What's not so goodThe competitionShould you buy?Gryphon AX ...

Slay your crewmates from a whole new perspective.What you need to knowAmong Us VR is the first made-for-VR version of the popular social deduction game, evolving the series into a first-person perspective.The VR version is co-developed by Schell Games, Innersloth, and Robot Teddy for Quest, PlayStation VR, and PC VR platforms.The original Among Us is coming to PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, and Xbox consoles on December 14.Whether you've been an Among Us player for some time or are just waiting for the upcoming release of Among Us on PlayStation consoles, developer Innersloth is ready to unveil the next mission for all crewmates. Among Us VR is coming to the Meta Quest 2, PSVR, and PC VR platforms in the coming future, and it's co-developed by Schell Games and Robot Teddy, two studios responsible for the best Quest 2 games like Until You Fall, I Expect You To Die, and Superhot VR.A quick teaser trailer (which you can watch above) gives you an idea of what to expect. As...

No need for a p-p-p-poker face, we know you love her songs.What you need to knowA new Lady Gaga Beat Saber DLC pack will launch on the Oculus Quest 2 starting on December 9, costing $13 or $2 per song.The pack includes ten songs, including popular hits like Bad Romance, Born This Way, and Telephone.Beat Games recently grew its team of beatmappers, which could help the team release more popular DLC soon.BTS. Billie Eliish. Skrillex. Imagine Dragons. Green Day. Beat Games has brought some major bands and artists to Beat Saber in the past couple of years, which has helped it gain $100 million in Quest revenue. But Lady Gaga may be the game's biggest launch yet.At The Game Awards 2021, we saw a brief trailer for the new pack, which has visuals inspired by Lady Gaga's 2020 album Chromatica. Oculus describes the ambience as a "futuristic cyberpunk atmosphere" with the album's "neon and dark color palette and beautiful auroras."The pack will include ten of her most popular son...

Because nothing says love like finding someone who likes The Midnight as much as you do.What you need to knowTinder is launching a new Music Mode using Spotify integration.The feature will automatically play someone's Anthem when a user visits their profile.Music Mode will be available via the Explore tab.Tinder is doubling down on its Spotify integration with a new "Music Mode" that it's rolling out to help users vibe with potential matches.While Tinder already allows users to post an "Anthem" song on their profile thanks to integration with Spotify, viewers usually have to navigate down and tap the song for it to start playing. However, with Spotify's new Music Mode, the user's Anthem will automatically begin playing when someone views their profile.It's a bit reminiscent of the MySpace days when users could set songs to automatically play whenever someone visits their page.Tinder says that this could help users find matches based on musical interests since roughly ...

Google Photos makes it easy (and fun) to reminisce.What you need to knowGoogle puts its latest Photos features on blast in time for the holidays.Google's Cinematic Photos are being improved using Machine Learning to fill in the background.Google also highlights its new widget and the latest update to Memories.With the holidays right around the corner, Google is taking a moment to highlight the latest updates and features arriving on the Google Photos app, some of which began rolling out on the best Android phones with the latest Android feature drop last week.One of the most notable updates is to the Cinematic photos that was introduced around this time last year. This feature gives otherwise still images more depth and movement so that the most important parts pop out at the viewer.Now, Google is upgrading them so that machine learning fills in more of the background behind the subject. This should make the end-result much cleaner than before and allow more movement in...

If you've been thinking about getting into VR, there are a lot of headsets to choose from. The Oculus Quest 2, gets just about everything right with standalone experiences alongside PC support. Walmart is running a deal with refurbished 64GB models for just $199. That's $100 less than buying a new version and since it's sold and shipped by Walmart, you know exactly where to return it if it's not perfect.Unlike other Oculus headsets, the Quest 2 doesn't require a gaming PC to use. Its built-in hardware can power immersive experiences without wires or any external boxes. It's made better with the high 1832x1920 resolution per eye with up to 120Hz resolution. This version comes with 64GB of storage for downloaded apps and games.Of course, two controllers are included so you don't need to buy anything else to start using the system. The controllers can track your motion and work with just about any VR title out there including some exclusives like Resident Evil 4.Get a refurbished Oc...

JBL isn't as popular as it once was, but the brand still makes some great headphones and other audio products, especially at reasonable price points. The JBL Live 660NC are our best overall pick for having excellent sound, battery life, and comfort. But we've gathered a handful of other reliable options for different budgets and lifestyles to ensure you get your hands on the best JBL headphones for your needs.Best overall: JBL Live 660NCThe JBL Live 660NC are an incremental upgrade from their 650 predecessors, so a lot of what was already there will be easy to find here. One of the main draws was battery life, and that continues with the 660NC by raising it to 40 hours of playback per charge with ANC.Not only that, but in a nod to attract a wider subset of users, JBL tweaked the default sound signature to feel more neutral, so the heavier bass presence is something you'll have to bring in via JBL's My Headphones app. Sound quality benefits, as a result, and the slightly impro...

Matter will benefit your TV as well.What you need to knowThe Matter specification includes interoperability with TVs for basic controls.Amazon is apparently at the forefront of implementing a universal casting on Matter-enabled TVs.This new method will face some hurdles but could rival Apple Airplay and Google's Chromecast.While the Connectivity Standards Alliance (CSA) continues to build out and complete the Matter specification, work is underway for the new standard to extend its interoperability to arguably the most important smart devices in our homes — the TV. According to The Verge, this could enable a universal casting system to rival the likes of Google's Chromecast and Apple Airplay.At the forefront of the specification for TVs is Amazon, which doesn't have its own cast system despite its massive presence in the smart home industry.Speaking to The Verge, Chris DeCenzo, Principal Software Development Engineer at Amazon Lab126, notes how there are several dispa...

Now you can get a taste of what a piece of the metaverse feels like.What you need to knowHorizon Worlds is finally exiting beta after more than 2 years of testing.The virtual world is powered by Facebook's social network profiles and is only available for folks 18 years and older in the U.S. and Canada.Support for the original Oculus Quest is ending on January 13, 2022 and will only work on Quest 2 after that.It's been a long time coming, but Meta's Horizon Worlds is finally leaving beta and is now available for all Oculus Quest 2 players who are ages 18 and older and reside in the U.S. and Canada. You can grab Horizon Worlds on the Oculus Store by browsing the app on your smartphone or downloading it directly from your Quest or Quest 2.Quest users should be aware, however, that support is for the original Oculus Quest is ending on January 13, 2022, and Horizon Worlds will no longer be playable on the headset after that date.Launching alongside the public version of the...

Let's face it — not everyone wants or needs to own one of the best fitness trackers or best Android smartwatches. But just because you don't want to strap on a wearable doesn't mean you aren't concerned about tracking your health. Thankfully, Google added new useful measurement tools into its Fit app to help you do just that by using your Android smartphone cameras. We'll show you how easy it is to measure your heart and respiratory rates from the Google Fit app on your Android phone.How to measure your heart rate with the Google Pixel's camerasOpen the Google Fit app on your Android smartphone.If this is your first time measuring your heart rate, tap on Get started under the Check your heart rate section.Read through the informational screens, and tap Next for each.Decide if you want to grant Google Fit access to your phone's camera While using the app or Only this time.Place your fingertip on the rear camera.Tap Start measurement.Keep your hand still while the meas...

Future's technology editors are once again coming together to recognize the people and products driving innovation in consumer tech.Here at Android Central, we are incredibly excited to announce that it's once again time to celebrate the Future Tech Awards!Now in its third year, the Future Tech Awards are a collaboration across the various tech sites owned and operate by Future PLC, including Android Central, iMore, Windows Central, T3, Laptop Mag, Tom's Hardware, Tom's Guide, What Hi-Fi, and TechRadar. The awards recognize the best in consumer technology across the U.S. technology sector and are selected by an expert committee made up of Future's technology editors.Future will announce the award winners at the upcoming CES 2022 conference in Las Vegas in early January. The FTAs were last celebrated in person at CES back in 2020 and were awarded virtually last year.This year, the Future Tech Awards consist of two tracks:The Future 50: these awards recognize 50 key people wh...

You can now customize dark mode in OxygenOS 12 — here's how to get started.Dark mode is now standard on all Android phones, and manufacturers are starting to add further customization to the mode. With OxygenOS 12, you get the ability to customize the intensity of dark mode, with three preset options available. The feature is ported over from ColorOS 12, and the labels for each mode are the same across OxygenOS and ColorOS.How to customize dark mode in OxygenOS 12Go to Settings. Tap Display & brightness. Choose Dark mode settings.You will see three options for dark mode — Enhanced, Medium, and Gentle. Here's the difference:Enhanced: This is the default dark mode with the interface switching to a black color scheme. Medium: This mode switches the colors to a dark grey hue, and serves as the ideal balance if you're just getting started with dark mode. Gentle: In this option, you will see a grey color scheme throughout the interface. If you don't like dark mode ...

Whether you're in a house or apartment, making sure your home is safe while you're away is a key priority, and there's no better way to do that than with one of the best smart video doorbells on this list. Our favorite smart doorbell that can deter thieves while providing you with peace of mind is the Nest Doorbell (Wired), formerly known as Nest Hello. But Nest isn't the only great smart doorbell available; we've compiled a list of eight of the best on the market! See which one works for you.Best smart doorbell overall: Nest Doorbell (Wired)I loved the Nest Hello when it first launched in 2018. Since then, it's been rebranded to the Nest Doorbell (Wired), but it still holds its own as the best choice in 2021. It costs a little more than other alternatives, but you get plenty of features that make the price worth it.For one thing, you can set it up to give you alerts whenever it detects motion in specific areas of your yard. What's more, it has facial recognition abilities, s...