Latest from Android Central

Russia's smartphone market declined 7% in 2021, and it may fall further this year amid the Ukraine invasion, says Counterpoint Research.

OSOM, the former team behind the Essential PH-1, offers more insight into its upcoming OV1 smartphone.

To celebrate the 1-year anniversary of its launch, Paramount Plus is offering new users Essential plans for $1 per month and Premium plans for $2 per month for the first three months.

Huawei's flip phone comes with some compromises, but a fun design and great feature set shines through.

Quite a few MVNOs take advantage of T-Mobile's rapidly growing LTE and 5G network offering a large range of plans with great phone compatibility. Whether your need just a few minutes of unlimited data, there's a carrier and plan that will work for your and chances are the network works with your phone.

If your PS5 SSD doesn't have a heatsink built-in, it's easy to buy one and attach it. Whether you purchase a double or single-sided heatsink, if it fits within the case's dimensions, it should work with your PS5.

Amazon is closing its brick-and-mortar bookstores, Pop Up stores, and 4-star shops in the U.S. and UK as it shifts its retail strategy.

Qualcomm and ByteDance have partnered up to bring future AR and VR headsets to your home, and that spells trouble for Meta.

The creators of Job Simulator and Vacation Simulator are back with their biggest game yet. We joined the ranks of other aliens in the galactic high school Cosmonious High to tell you the tale.

Google has told employees in the Bay Area and various other U.S. locations to return to physical offices starting in the week of April 4.

The Google Pixel Watch and Pixel 6a have reportedly appeared in an inventory system of a U.S. carrier, revealing their colorways and storage capacities.

Google's latest System Update brings fixes for the Play Store and much more

The former OnePlus founder could bring a vital dash of fresh air to Android, with the same translucent look as the Nothing Ear(1) buds

There are many different Android phones and each has its own set of features. You should use the one you like best.

HTC is reportedly looking to expand its smartphone business once again, this time tying directly into one of its more successful ventures, the HTC Vive.

Google has rolled out Chrome 99 with a bunch of useful features, including better date pickers, a downloads shortcut in the top toolbar, and more.

Samsung's latest SSD is the best choice to upgrade your PS5's storage thanks to a great price and even better speed.

Polyphony Digital brought some of its best to the table with Gran Turismo 7. It's not perfect, but it makes for a fantastic racing sim.

Russian state media will be barred from appearing on Google services, according to a company statement.

Signing up for Luna+ before April locks you into "founder pricing" for its monthly gaming subscription

The next Beat Saber original soundtrack release is upon us, and developer Beat Games has dropped a 20-second teaser of what to expect.

With the breakup of its combined AR/VR team, Meta appears to be postponing its plan to create an all-encompassing operating system for AR and VR.

When you're facing an emergency, the last thing you want to do is fight with your phone. Google's latest emergency dialing UI for Pixels is making it less stressful to get help.

We've updated the Android Central website and CMS to more closely fit in with our Future PLC family, and to take advantage of all of the resources that come with being a key member of such an important, multinational media powerhouse. We hope you like the changes!

Using two-factor verification makes sure that you — and only you — have access to your Google account.In a world where we're constantly becoming more and more digital, maximizing the security of your online accounts is one of the most important things you can do, whether or not you have one of the most secure Android phones.A strong password is a good start, but if you want to take things to the next level, you need to use two-factor authentication. This adds another layer of privacy to your account, often requiring you to enter a randomized code every time you log into your account in addition to your password.Your Google account is likely one of the most important accounts you have, and thankfully, setting up two-factor authentication for it is quick, easy, and can be done in a few different ways. We'll walk you through it all and show you how to enable 2FA on your Google account.How to set up Google Prompt two-factor authenticationGoogle allows you to use a variety o...

NVIDIA's entry into the streaming wars is seeing some impressive success and substantial challenges.As companies compete and server technology improves, streaming games is becoming more and more of a viable option. You can use anything from the best gaming phones to your laptop as a great gaming machine, giving players more options than dropping hundreds or thousands on a separate console or gaming PC.One recent major entrant is NVIDIA GeForce Now, a streaming service for PC games that players already own. Nvidia claims over a million players have tried it out so far. While some publishers are choosing not to support this streaming platform, it does have several major brands backing it. GeForce Now is a clearly viable option for games streaming, right on par with the likes of Google Stadia, Xbox Game Pass, and Amazon Luna.Jump to:What is GeForce Now?GeForce Now: List of supported devicesIs GeForce Now free?Is GeForce Now still in beta?GeForce Now: List of gamesWha...

Google announced two indie open-world adventure games published by Whitethorn Games will be coming soon to Stadia.

February was a big month for PlayStation with the release of Horizon Forbidden West. Even though it has stiff competition from Elden Ring, Aloy's latest adventure shines bright.

At MWC 2022, Samsung's smartphone chief gave some insight into the future of the Galaxy Note brand, which is officially dead.

February may not have been full of major releases, but we did learn about new Android games in the works from the likes of Blizzard, bringing Warcraft to mobile devices.

A former Spotify global licensing executive has joined Google to lead the YouTube Music business in Asia Pacific.

Checking out the latest Verizon cell phone plans is a smart move if you're looking for some of the best coverage in the US, especially if 5G and unlimited data plans are high up on your wishlist. You're able to pick up a new deal on an existing handset, or Verizon will help you set up a monthly fee to get a brand new phone, such as the brand new Samsung Galaxy S22 or the flashier Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra upgrade.We've considered the full range of Verizon cell phone plans available today to compare them against each other so you can weigh up what you'll get on each tier to help show you the best one for you and your budget. The biggest discounts are made available to anyone taking out multiple lines, so expect prices to rise if you're only going for a single line.If you're thinking those prices look too steep, be sure to check out our wider best cell phone plan guide to see how the Verizon prices and benefits weigh up against the competition. Verizon is massively popular though, e...

ZTE's new Blade V40 series includes an affordable 5G phone powered by a 7nm chipset.

The Blade V40 series includes just one 5G model.What you need to knowZTE has introduced the new Blade V40 series at MWC 2022.The V40 series includes the vanilla Blade V40, Blade V40 Vita, V40 5G, and V40 Pro.All four phones will go on sale globally from April.Last week, ZTE announced the world's first Android phone with magnetic wireless charging. Less than a week later, the company has released four new V40 series phones to take the fight to the best budget Android phones. The new V40 family includes the Blade V40 5G, Blade V40 Pro, Blade V40, and Blade V40 Vita.The ZTE Blade V40 5G features an unnamed 7nm octa-core 5G chipset with a 360-degree integrated antenna system and Sounding Reference Signal technology to speed up 4G, 5G, and Wi-Fi signals. Weirdly, the company hasn't revealed any of the other key specs of the phone.ZTE Blade V40 Pro comes with a 6.67-inch FHD+ AMOLED display and an 8.3mm slim body. The phone also packs a large 5,100mAh battery and supports 6...

A new report from DSCC has revealed that Samsung held 96% of the global foldable smartphone market in Q4 2021.

Samsung's Galaxy Z Flip 3 was the best-selling foldable smartphone of 2021.What you need to knowDSCC's quarterly foldable display shipment and technology report has revealed that Samsung single-handedly dominated the foldable smartphone market last quarter.Per the report, Samsung's market share stood at 96% in the fourth quarter of 2021. Samsung held an 87% share of the foldable smartphone market for all of 2021. Foldable smartphone shipments rose 520% YoY to reach 4.25 million units in the fourth quarter of 2021, according to DSCC's latest quarterly foldable display shipment and technology report. The report also reveals that Samsung led the foldable market with a whopping 96% share. The company shipped 4.1 million foldable phones during the October to December period.For the whole year, Samsung held an 87% share of the 8-million-unit foldable market. In 2020, Samsung had an 86% share of the 2.3-million-unit market. Huawei was the second-largest foldable smartphone vendo...

The new capability is rolling out to everyone worldwide.What you need to knowTikTok has confirmed the global rollout of 10-minute video uploads.The new capability is available on both the TikTok app and website.TikTok previously tested three-minute video limits with creators.TikTok videos are now getting longer. The short-form video service has apparently confirmed that it is rolling out the ability to upload videos up to 10 minutes long for everyone worldwide.Social media consultant Matt Navarra tweeted an account update message from TikTok, stating that the new video limit is available on both mobile devices, including the best Android phones, and the desktop site.CONFIRMED: TikTok is rolling out longer 10 minute video uploads to ALL users globally. https://t.co/Q0ksHThroa— Matt Navarra (@MattNavarra) February 28, 2022Chris Stokel-Walker, a British journalist, also tweeted what looks like a confirmation from a TikTok representative regarding the longer video upl...

Stylish and smart-ish.Choosing the best Android smartwatch looks a bit different for each person. We all have unique preferences and tastes, after all. The Garmin Lily is designed for women who want their smartwatch to look good and feel good while still being functional. It succeeds in several key areas, including activity/sleep tracking, heart-rate monitoring, smartphone notifications, and many more. Although, the intense focus on fashion inevitably results in some sacrifices.If you're familiar with the company at all, it's easy to see that the Lily is not your typical Garmin smartwatch. While there are various models geared toward fashionable folks, like the Garmin Vivomove models or the Garmin Venu models, this is the first wearable that is designed for women, by women.Speaking of which, the Garmin Lily may just become one of the best smartwatches for women. Those who want the appearance of a traditional watch while still being privy to some useful smartwatch features are t...

OnePlus tells Android Central it's partnering with Google on features for foldables in the upcoming OxygenOS 13.OnePlus's new OxygenOS 13, launching with Android 13 later in 2022, will be co-developed with Google and OnePlus fans, bringing a cleaner software experience that's closer to stock Android. But the company isn't settling for a mere visual refresh — there are new features coming to the next version of OxygenOS thanks to that closer partnership with Google.In a group interview with Android Central and other publications ahead of today's numerous OnePlus announcements, we asked OnePlus software lead Gary Chen what features the company was working on with Google for inclusion in OxygenOS 13. Speaking in Chinese through an interpreter, Chen told us that the co-development initiative with Google will include new privacy and security features, as well as the overall design — although since the software is in the early stages of development there's not much they can say abo...

OnePlus 10 Pro will launch with OxygenOS 12.1 out of the box in global markets.OnePlus unveiled the OnePlus 10 Pro back in January, but the phone hasn't made its way outside China yet. One reason for this has to do with the software — OnePlus uses ColorOS 12 in China, so it didn't have to make too many modifications to launch the phone in its home market.OnePlus has now announced that it is launching the OnePlus 10 Pro to India, Europe, and North America starting in March. We don't have a launch date, but the phone should make its debut in the latter half of the month. What's interesting is that the phone will launch with OxygenOS 12.1 out of the box, with the update hopefully delivering bug fixes from the OxygenOS 12 build. The OnePlus 10 Pro has the potential to be one of the best Android phones from a hardware point of view, but we'll have to wait and see how the software holds up.In a media roundtable announcing the move, OnePlus co-founder and CEO Pete Lau said that the ...

The Nord 3 could be OnePlus's first phone with 150W fast charging.OPPO just introduced its 150W SuperVOOC fast charging standard, and it can fully charging a 4500mAh battery in just 15 minutes. OnePlus announced that it would introduce a device based on the 150W standard in Q2 2022, and while it didn't share further details, it's a good bet that the phone in question is the Nord 3.OnePlus has a busy launch schedule in Q2; it is rolling out the OnePlus 10R based on the Dimensity 9000, and a budget 5G phone in India and the UK that will be its most affordable to date.We're also due a Nord refresh in Q2, and this is the device that is most likely to pick up 150W fast charging. One of my insider sources at OnePlus suggested that the Nord 3 is based on the Realme GT Neo 3, which has the same 150W charging tech. While I wasn't able to verify the information with a second source, OnePlus has used Realme designs in the past for its Nord series, and as such it is a distinct possibilit...

OxygenOS 13 will deliver a 'light and clean experience that is close to stock Android.'For the last six months, OnePlus faced a torrent of backlash from its userbase for the changes it made to OxygenOS. The Chinese manufacturer merged its software codebase with OPPO's ColorOS in a bid to deliver faster updates, and in doing so, it got rid of its primary differentiator: clean software that's well-optimized for its hardware.We got a first look at this integration on the Nord 2 with OxygenOS 11.3 , but it wasn't until OxygenOS 12 that we got a clearer understanding of what OnePlus had in store. OxygenOS 12 ended up being a rebranded version of ColorOS 12, but OnePlus wasn't able to refine the software for its devices, and as a result, OxygenOS 12 had dozens of bugs. Even though the stable OxygenOS 12 build launched at the end of last year — after several months of beta testing — it had device-breaking bugs that are still being fixed.In short, OnePlus went from having the best ...

OPPO is also debuting a Battery Health Engine feature that increases battery longevity.OPPO was one of the first manufacturers to bring fast charging to its phones; the 2014 Find 7 could charge at 20W, and it set the foundation for the VOOC standard that made its way to several OPPO phones and OnePlus devices under the Dash Charge label. For the last two years, OPPO has offered 65W SuperVOOC on its flagship and mid-range phones along with OnePlus and Realme devices.OPPO introduced an updated 125W standard last year, but we haven't seen many devices that leverage the tech. For 2022, OPPO is introducing its most ambitious update with 150W SuperVOOC. OPPO claims that the 150W charging tech can fully charge a 4500mAh battery in just 15 minutes, less than half the time taken with the 65W standard (38 minutes).But what's just as interesting is the fact that you'll be able to get a 50% charge from flat in just five minutes. Like all VOOC implementations, the 150W tech uses OPPO's cu...

The new sound platforms feature Qualcomm's third-generation adaptive active noise cancellation capabilities.What you need to knowQualcomm announced today two new audio platforms that support its Snapdragon Sound technology.The S5 and S3 sound platforms include 16-bit lossless CD-quality audio, stereo recording via earbuds and multipoint bluetooth wireless connectivity.It also features gaming mode with 68ms low latency audio and low-energy audio for sharing and broadcasting.Customer samping with commercial products will begin in the second half of 2022.Qualcomm aimed to redefine the wireless audio experience for consumers with the launch of the Snapdragon Sound end-to-end platform early last year, allowing smartphone and audio OEMs to integrate its latest innovations. Today, the semiconductor giant expanded its Snapdragon Sound solution with two new audio platforms.The S5 and S3 audio platforms combine traditional Bluetooth and the new low-energy (LE) audio technology sta...

Using AI to make 5G really shine.What you need to knowQualcomm has announced its latest flagship 5G modem for mobile devices.The Snapdragon X70 is the first modem-RF system with a 5G AI processor, which will improve connection and power efficiency.The X70 is expected to launch in commercial mobile devices in late 2022.Smartphones using the Snapdragon X65 modem have only just started cropping up, but Qualcomm is already announcing its next-generation 5G modem for mobile devices. AI integration has been one of the biggest buzzwords trends in recent years, and Qualcomm is leaning into this with its latest chips, including the new Snapdragon X70, which introduces Qualcomm's first 5G AI Suite.Why does a modem need an AI processor? Qualcomm believes this will give 5G smartphones a boost by using AI to help manage connections to provide faster 5G speeds. This will be most useful for managing mmWave connections, which are often limited due to the fragility of the spectrum. Snapdr...

The M4 Pro is POCO's first M-series phone to feature an AMOLED screen.What you need to knowPOCO has announced two new phones at MWC 2022.The POCO X4 Pro 5G is a rebranded version of the Redmi Note 11 Pro 5G. POCO M4 Pro, on the other hand, is based on the Redmi Note 11S. Xiaomi's POCO sub-brand has expanded its smartphone portfolio with the launch of two new budget phones. Like most POCO devices, however, the new X4 Pro 5G and M4 Pro aren't actually all-new.Besides the slightly different design, the POCO X4 Pro 5G is identical to the global Redmi Note 11 Pro 5G — one of Xiaomi's best budget Android phones. It sports a 6.67-inch FHD+ AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate, Corning Gorilla Glass 5 protection, and a 360Hz touch sampling rate.Powering the X4 Pro 5G is Qualcomm's 6nm Snapdragon 695 chipset, paired with up to 8GB of LPDDR4X RAM and 256GB of UFS 2.2 storage. The large camera bump on the back of the phone houses a triple-lens setup with a 108MP main sensor,...

Smart speakers are quickly becoming the norm for many households. People have a variety of reasons to add one to their homes, from controlling smart home devices to using them as an intercom. But perhaps the most common use is as a speaker to play audio. Whether music, podcasts, or audiobooks, smart speakers are great for listening to audio — especially Amazon Echo devices. With access to multiple music services on an Amazon Echo, you can get your favorite audio all in one place, and here's how.How to play multiple music services on your Amazon EchoAs some of the best smart speakers on the market, Amazon Echo devices span from the high-fidelity Amazon Echo Studio to the small, but powerful Echo Dot — with many in between. Regardless of which speaker you use, connecting your favorite music services to your Alexa account will make your audio accessible to all your Echo devices.Open the Alexa app on your phone.Tap More in the bottom right of the screenSelect ⚙️Settings...

Lenovo's new "ultra-portable" Duet 3 Chromebook features the same Snapdragon 7c Gen 2 compute platform as the Duet 5 Chromebook Gen 6.What you need to knowLenovo has unveiled three new IdeaPad Chromebooks at MWC 2022.The new IdeaPad Chromebooks are designed for "the modern home office, classroom and beyond." All three models will begin shipping in the second quarter of the year. Lenovo announced three new additions to its IdeaPad Chromebook lineup at its virtual MWC 2022 press conference on February 28. The new models are priced under $500 and bring "smarter features for less hassle."The IdeaPad Flex 5i is a versatile 14-inch Chromebook that comes equipped with Intel's latest 12th Gen processors. It features a 14-inch FHD IPS screen and can be configured with optional 400-nit brightness and 100% sRGB "treats." The screen has a 16:10 aspect ratio with minimal bezels on all sides and includes stylus support as well.The 2-in-1 convertible Chromebook also has a 360-degree...

The new phones don't run Google's latest Android 12 (Go edition) out of the box.What you need to knowHMD Global has announced three new Android 11 (Go edition) devices.The new Nokia C21 Plus is the brand's first C series phone to feature a metal chassis and an IP52 rating. The phone will go on sale in select markets "soon." Finnish smartphone maker HMD Global has taken the wraps off three new C-series phones at its MWC 2022 event. The company's latest entry-level lineup includes the C21, C21 Plus, and C2 2nd edition.The Nokia C21 Plus is the company's most premium Android Go device yet, featuring a metal chassis and a large 6.5-inch HD+ display protected by "toughened cover glass." It is powered by a Unisoc SC9863A octa-core chipset, coupled with up to 4GB of RAM and 64GB of storage.The phone has a dual-camera setup on the back with a 13MP main sensor and a 2MP depth sensor. There's a 5MP selfie camera on the front with face unlock support. Keeping the lights on is a 4...