Latest from Android Central

Valentine's Day isn't just about getting that perfect gift for your sweet crush or significant other — it's also about spending some real quality time. More and more, gamer couples are choosing to do just that by playing co-op games. It makes for the perfect date night, with most requiring teamwork and communication for success. It'll bring you two closer, and you'll have loads of fun. Need some ideas? These PlayStation 4 Valentine's Day video games are great places to start.Jump to:Lovers in a Dangerous SpacetimeOvercooked! 2Don't Starve Together Divinity: Original Sin 27 Days to Die Borderlands 3Call of Duty: WarzoneMinecraftLEGO Marvel Superheroes 2A Way OutHuman: Fall Flat It Takes Two Lovers in a Dangerous SpacetimeWhat better way to celebrate love than by fighting the forces of anti-love? Lovers in a Dangerous Spacetime is one of the ultimate co-op games, forcing both players to rely on each other to succeed. Players navigate various levels in a sp...

Unlike the Galaxy S22 Ultra, the upcoming Edge 30 Pro won't include a silo for its "Smart Stylus."What you need to knowMore renders of the upcoming Motorola Edge 30 Pro have leaked.The latest renders give us our first look at the stylus and smart folio case for the flagship phone. It is expected to debut alongside the vanilla Edge 30 later this month. Last month, a leak had revealed that an upcoming Motorola flagship could come with a next-gen "Smart Stylus." The first render showing off the stylus has now surfaced, courtesy of veteran leaker Evan Blass.As you can see in the render above, the Motorola Edge 30 Pro will not include a dedicated slot to hold the stylus. Instead, Motorola will offer a stylus and folio case for the phone. In addition to the render showing off the case, Blass has also shared an official-looking render of the Motorola Edge 30 Pro. Previous leaks, however, had referred to the device as the Edge 30 Ultra.The Motorola "Smart Stylus" is rumored t...

For the love of love, please play Florence.It's that time of the year, folks. Some love it, some hate it, and others just wait for the candy to go on sale the day after. That's right, I'm talking about Valentine's Day. Say what you will about the corporate marketing machine, but Valentine's Day had me wondering what games I could russle up in the Play Store about love. Well, let me tell you, it is SLIM pickings out there.Between generic dating sims the likes of which make for the worst mobile game ads and ones that mimic real life dating apps too accurately, it's tough to find games that actually tackle love and relationships in a meaningful way. So let's all thank the heavens for Florence, the only Android game about love that's worth playing. This one gets an instant spot on ye olde list of best Android games.Designed by Ken Wong of Monument Valley fame and published by Annapurna Interactive (the same folks behind Donut County), Florence follows the life and growth of 25-...

Wi-Fi 6 has taken over as the primary standard for the best new Wi-Fi routers, but Wi-Fi 5 still has plenty of speed for many people. Commonly known as 802.11ac routers, Wi-Fi 5 routers can often be found for a much lower price than the best Wi-Fi 6 routers. However, if you're looking for the best bang for your buck in Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi 5 routers are still worth considering. The Netgear Nighthawk R6900P is one of the best Wi-Fi 5 routers with solid speeds and great software support.Best overall: Netgear Nighthawk AC1900 R6900PThe Netgear Nighthawk AC1900 spent years as one of the most recommended routers with reliable software, great support from Netgear, and plenty of performance for most homes. The R6900P model is the best of the AC1900 Nighthawks, with MU-MIMO support added in to handle even more devices without dropping out. The AC1900 connection breaks down to 600Mbps at 2.4GHZ and 1,300Mbps at 5GHz. The USB port is also now USB 3.0, so you can easily connect high-speed storage...

Google's 2nd-generation Pixel Stand isn't cheap, and it doesn't charge your phone nearly as fast as proprietary systems like One Plus' Warp Charge Wireless. But it does have something to offer if you have a Pixel 6 — it allows your phone to do more than just sit there while it's charging. You will need to tap a few buttons and allow a few things to get the most from the Pixel Stand, but don't worry, it's really easy.How to set up your Pixel Stand (2nd Gen)Plug the stand into the wall using the included cable and charging block.Place your Pixel on the stand, and you should be prompted to start the setup process. If not, open the settings and look in connected devices for Google Pixel Stand.Tap the button that says Next on the screen that appears.If you have smart devices connected to Google Assistant, you can control them from the display while the phone is charging. To get started, choose Turn on from the next screen.Choose the devices you want to be shown. You can choose ...

This is up from 10 million copies sold back in 2019.What you need to knowHorizon Zero Dawn first launched in 2017 on PS4.In 2020, a PC port was released as Sony began branching more into putting games on PC.Horizon Zero Dawn has reached 20 million copies sold across PS4 and PC. The sequel, Horizon Forbidden West, is slated to launch on Feb. 18, 2022. Guerrilla Games' Horizon Zero Dawn has sold over 20 million copies across PS4 and PC, PlayStation Studios head Hermen Huslt confirmed via Twitter on Friday.Horizon Zero Dawn first launched for PS4 in 2017, with a PC port arriving in 2020 as Sony has started to put more and more games on PC, including Days Gone and God of War. Previously, Horizon Zero Dawn hit 10 million copies sold on PS4 back in 2019, with no new milestones given in 2020 or 2021.This news comes as the sequel, Horizon Forbidden West, is almost here, as it is slated to launch for PS5 and PS4 on Feb. 18, 2022. Sony also released a new cinematic trailer for H...

Nothing previously ruled out the possibility of adding digital assistant support to the wireless earbuds.What you need to knowNothing has announced the rollout of digital assistant support to the ear (1) wireless earbuds.The latest firmware update brings support for Google Assistant, Siri and Alexa.You'll need to triple-tap the stem of either bud in order to summon the default voice assistant.Nothing ear (1) launched last year with a few missing features you would otherwise expect to see in a pair of wireless earbuds. For example, there was no support for any kind of digital assistant, and Nothing even told Android Central's Harish Jonnalagadda that it had no plans to add that feature.However, the company has now remedied that limitation. In a surprising move, Carl Pei's startup announced on Twitter that the three major voice assistants including Google Assistant, Siri and Alexa are now available on Nothing ear (1).Alexa, play "Nothing Else Matters"Yeah, it's time to sa...

The Note is more than a single product now — but it's still a shame that the brand itself has to die.For the past ten years, the Galaxy Note brand has been synonymous with the very best smartphone hardware from Samsung. And, as the company has previously boasted, Note fans are among its most loyal customers. Case in point: in 2016, the Note brand survived one of the most disastrous product launches in history. The damage likely would've been terminal for a less prestigious product line. This year's "Ultra" is technically and visually distinct from the other S22s.Before Samsung complicated things by also releasing a plus-sized Galaxy S in the spring, the fall launch of the Note was an annual highlight for enthusiasts. It was the original "big screen" phone, back when people joked about big phones looking like "talking into a piece of toast." While the S-series sold in larger numbers, the Note would boast quicker performance, bigger batteries, superior cameras, expansive dis...

Realme registered the highest growth amongst the top five smartphone vendors.What you need to knowIDC's latest worldwide quarterly mobile phone tracker has revealed that India shipped 161 million smartphones last year.Shipments were up 7% compared to the previous year, despite pandemic-related challenges. Xiaomi remained the No.1 smartphone vendor in the country, with a market share of 25.1%. Smartphone shipments in India jumped 7% in 2021 to reach 161 million units, according to the IDC's latest worldwide quarterly mobile phone tracker. The growth is quite impressive as the pandemic continued to create disruptions throughout the year.IDC expects the Indian smartphone market to remain flat YoY in the first quarter of 2022 due to low seasonal demand and the ongoing third wave of COVID-19. The research firm also noted that the share of the premium segment in the country doubled to 4% in 2021, growing by over 100% YoY. However, this growth was mainly driven by higher Apple...

Samsung Galaxy S21 FEMainstream choice$600 at AmazonProsStunning 120Hz AMOLED screenGorgeous design that's easy to hold and usePowerful internal hardwareVersatile camerasIP68 water resistance and 15W wireless chargingAndroid 12 with three version updatesConsNo MicroSD card slot Not a great valueThe Galaxy S21 FE continues Samsung's momentum in the value flagship category. The phone offers powerful hardware backed by great cameras, a modern design, and the latest version of Android out of the box. It doesn't miss out on the extras either, and while you're not getting an outstanding value right now, that will change soon.OnePlus 9Stellar alternative$600 at AmazonProsStriking design120Hz AMOLED is fantastic in daily useRobust internal hardwareHasselblad-tuned cameras are great65W fast charging with 15W wireless chargingWill get three Android version updatesConsWireless charging only in select marketsNo IP protectionThe OnePlus 9 laun...

Minor tweaks to Google Assistant and Alexa by borrowing from each would make for a great service.Digital assistants have become a norm in our lives over the past few years, thanks to Google Assistant and Alexa. Even though both options can accomplish many of the same tasks, these voice assistants are quite different. I have primarily been a Google Assistant user in my smart speaker space. Still, I recently have started to incorporate more Amazon Alexa devices into my home since I reviewed the Echo Show 15. In this time, I have found ways I'd like to blend Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa.Before I get into it, let me get this out of the way first — the things I'm about to list are admittedly minor, because Google Assistant and Alexa both work very well. Still, neither is perfect and both have plenty of flaws where the other excels. My goals in combining the two are areas I think each can improve the other as the services currently exist — not the perfect world versions. To h...

Worried about misplacing your Android phone or (worse yet) having it stolen? Ease your fears and set up a tracking system before your worst-case scenario strikes. You'll get the best results if your phone is connected to a Wi-Fi signal, but GPS and mobile networks will still manage to pinpoint a fairly accurate location. You must also have a Google account for virtually all of the tracking services available, whether they are built-in or downloaded.Jump to:Find your phone using GoogleFind your phone using a smart speakerFind your phone with third-party appsBlock your phone's IMEIHow to locate your phone using GoogleMost Android phones now come with Find My Device built right in. This service automatically tracks your phone's location, so if it ever goes missing, you can hop on your laptop or a friend's phone and find its last known location, ring your phone if it's nearby, or lock and/or erase your phone if you fear it has been stolen.The most important thing you c...

The phone was supposed to begin shipping last year.What you need to knowOnwardMobility's BlackBerry 5G phone may never see the light of day.The U.S. startup's license to use the BlackBerry brand name has apparently been canceled. The news is yet to be officially confirmed by OnwardMobility. In what can only be described as bad news for BlackBerry loyalists, CrackBerry founder Kevin Michaluk has claimed that OnwardMobility has pulled the plug on its BlackBerry 5G phone project. Michaluk wrote in a post on CrackBerry forums: The majority of new businesses fail, so don't think it's that shocking of a surprise. I'm sure the people involved set out with good intentions and put in some real effort to make things happen (don't think you would go through the effort and put your names on the line with a plan to fail), but obviously were not able to execute.While the post doesn't include details on what actually went wrong, a report from Android Police suggests OnwardMobility'...

Here are the answers to all your questions about YouTube TV.If you're considering abandoning a traditional cable plan, YouTube TV is a viable alternative. While the service is one of the spendier streaming options and is only available in the United States, its selection of live channels and on-demand content make it a top contender. With that in mind, we've gathered everything you need to know about YouTube TV to make an informed decision.YouTube TVLive TV and sportsWatch all your favorite channels without cable$65/mo. at YouTubeYouTube TV provides access to your favorite shows across 85 live channels, without the cable drama. You can also record new episodes to view later and add premium channels to your monthly plan.YouTube TVWhat is YouTube TV?How much does YouTube TV cost?Channels on YouTube TV?What devices support YouTube TV?Account limits and profilesAre there any YouTube TV deals?What is YouTube TV?YouTube TV is one of the most expansive c...

The service will let you trade ad views for credits, but it'll use eye-tracking technology to ensure you watch those ads.What you need to knowMoviePass, the movie ticket service that shut down in 2019, will relaunch in the summer.Stacy Spikes, the service's cofounder, has returned to the helm after being fired by MoviePass' previous parent company.The new MoviePass will offer various subcription tiers and adopt a virtual currency model to let users earn credits for movies by watching ads.MoviePass will also be opened up for equity investment, allowing members to own a stake in the company.The pandemic has not only reshaped how businesses and educational institutions operate over the past two years, but also the movie industry. Many theaters have closed their doors, at least temporarily, but a movie ticket service that shuttered before the pandemic is relaunching with a different approach.MoviePass will make a return this summer under a new leadership, with co-founder Sta...

It's the second major patent case that Google has lost in recent months.What you need to knowGoogle will have to pay $20 million as a result of the EcoFactor patent lawsuit.EcoFactor sued Google in 2020, claiming that its Nest thermostats infringe on its patents.Google is reportedly planning to appeal the verdict.In January, Google lost a patent suit against Sonos and had to revamp its smart home controls.Google lost its second major patent case in as many months after a Texas court found that it's infringed on a patent from EcoFactor, a smart home energy management company.The suit was filed in 2020 in which EcoFactor claimed that Google's Nest Thermostat line infringed on two of its patents. However, the court found that only one patent was infringed upon, one that has to do with the method in which Google's thermostats turn off HVAC systems to save energy.EcoFactor specifically calls out Google's Early-On feature, which calculates when it should start heating or coo...

You have to really like Wear OS to buy this.What you need to knowTAG Heuer launches its latest luxury Wear OS smartwatch.The Connected Calibre E4 is powered by the Snapdragon Wear 4100+ and will be updated to Wear OS 3.The smartwatch starts at $1800 and ships in early March.Are you a fan of Wear OS? Do you like luxury smartwatches? Then the new TAG Heuer Connected Calibre E4 might be the smartwatch for you, that is if you're willing to dish out the dough for one.The new smartwatch is built using premium materials, including titanium and steel cases depending on the model and size, ceramic bezels, and sapphire crystal screens. It comes in 42mm and 45mm case sizes with a selection of sleet, leather, and rubber straps.The style has changed to reflect a sportier look while retaining the elegant design that would definitely put many of the best Wear OS watches to shame. TAG Heuer touts a thinner chassis, at least on the 42mm model, whereas the 45mm model has a 30% larger bat...

Not exactly subtle, eh?What you need to knowGoogle shows off Android 13 "Tiramisu" codename in the first developer preview build.Google stopped publicly assigning dessert names with Android 10.There don't appear to be many changes in the first build, but that could change as we dig deeper.Google has released the first Android 13 developer preview for Pixel smartphones, giving us a taste of what we can expect from the upcoming version. Given that it's an early build, we shouldn't expect too much just yet, but Google did surprise us with some nice dessert.In this first build, Google seems to go back to its old ways by giving us the dessert name as the Android version. Taking a look at the settings, our Alex Dobie noticed that Google lists the version as "Tiramisu." While we've known for some time that this would be the designation, Google did away with publicly naming OS versions after desserts with Android 10, only to continue using them internally.Typically, Google will...

The television series gets adapted to VR.What you need to knowPeaky Blinders: The King's Ransom has been announced and will be coming to Quest headsets in 2022.The virtual reality title is based on the BBC TV series Peaky Blinders.The game is being developed by a studio behind various Doctor Who games.Peaky Blinders, the BBC historical fiction and crime drama television series, will be getting its own game set entirely in virtual reality sometime this year.The VR title will be called Peaky Blinders: The King's Ransom and will be coming to Quest 2 headsets and Quest platform in 2022. It will be a "dark" action adventure game set in the streets of 1920s Birmingham and London with players seeking to join one of the most powerful British gangs.The game will include iconic locations from the series, such as the Garrison pub, Charlie's Yard, and Shelby's Betting Shop. Titular characters like gang leader Tommy Shelby and his brother Arthur Shelby Jr. will appear in the game an...

As a Stadia Pro member, you can claim new free Stadia Pro games each month.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 per 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 ...

Disney+ established itself as one of the best, most family-friendly streaming services on the market right now. However, it's possible that Disney+ might not be the best service for you and your family right now. With that in mind, we've put together this list of steps you can take to cancel Disney+.How to cancel Disney+Disney+ makes it easy to cancel your subscription if you decide that you no longer want to use the family-friendly streaming app. Here's what you need to do to cancel Disney Plus:Using a computer or mobile browser, navigate to the Disney Plus website.Login to your Disney+ account. Select your Profile.Under profile, select Account.Under Subscription, select your Disney+ subscription.Select Cancel Subscription. You will be prompted to share your reason for cancelling, fill out the survey (optional) and complete cancellation. It's worth pointing out that if you signed up for Disney+ through a third party, you'd need to cancel your subscription vi...

Celebrating the skin you're in.What you need to knowGoogle shows off its latest Super Bowl ad ahead of Sunday's game.The ad highlights the Real Tone camera technology Pixel 6 camera that provides accurate representation for people of color.Google partnered with Lizzo to preview her new song, "If You Love Me."Super Bowl LVI happens this Sunday, and Google is giving us a look at its "Seen on Pixel" ad for the big game, which features Lizzo and focuses on the Pixel 6 camera. More specifically, the ad is about the Real Tone technology featured on the Pixel 6 camera.Real Tone is a feature Google highlighted at the launch of the Pixel 6, which is used to accurately represent people of color in images. We have an explainer on how Real Tone works on the Pixel 6, but in a nutshell, the camera evaluates the subject's skin tone using AI and machine learning to produce an image without making one's skin too dark, washed out, or shiny.We partnered with @Lizzo to help us show the wor...

The Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra has a curved AMOLED display covered with Gorilla Glass 6, but that doesn't mean it doesn't need a great screen protector. Curved glass is inherently more vulnerable than flat, and the Note 20 Ultra's massive screen leaves many opportunities for scratches and potential cracks. So you should buy one of the best Galaxy Note 20 Ultra screen protectors for your new, expensive phone.The glass wayVenoro Tempered Glass Screen ProtectorStaff PickVenoro is a name we often rely on for quality screen protectors for all major phone releases, and with the Note 20 Ultra, it's showing up to the plate yet again. This single-screen protector is of the tempered glass variety, offering incredibly scratch resistance, a 99.99% transparency rating, and a super slim design at just 0.3mm thick.$10 at AmazonUltra-soft, auto repairUniqueMe TPU Screen Protector (4-Pack)Made of soft TPU, this pack includes a pair of bubble-free, case-friendly protectors ...

The new photo picker API provides a secure way for you to give apps access to photos and videos stored on your phone.What you need to knowThe first Android 13 developer preview is now available.It brings updated privacy features, themed icons, improved language controls, and new developer tools. Unsurprisingly, the first developer preview is limited to Google Pixel phones. Google on February 10 released a developer preview of Android 13 for Pixel phones. As you'd expect, the new release doesn't introduce too many user-facing changes. Like last year, Google is focusing on three main themes with Android 13: privacy, security, and developer productivity.Google says it developed Android 13 with privacy and security at the core. The first developer preview introduces a system photo picker, allowing users to share local and cloud-based photos more securely.It works similarly to Android's document picker that lets users share specific documents with an app without the app re...

A Sensible upgrade to the premier Fitbit smartwatch?Jump to:Announcement & release datePriceDesignNew features and specsThe Fitbit Sense burst onto an already crowded smartwatch scene in late 2020, promising advanced health metrics and tracking features in a premium wrist-wrapping package. While it eventually delivered on most of its early promises, the wearable stumbled a bit out of the gate. When it launched, it lacked some of its most anticipated features like an ECG app, Google Assistant support, and audio responses from smart voice assistants.The original Sense was a thing of beauty, and thankfully, Fitbit and Google have maintained an update cadence that not only brought those aforementioned features to the watch but added new ones like the ability to personalize low and high heart notifications, additional language options, and improved reliability of notifications and UI performance.But in the 18 months or so since the Sense and Versa 3 launched, Fitbit...

YouTube TV is also planning to introduce a few interface changes to make its app easier to use.What you need to knowYouTube TV will finally add picture-in-picture support to its iOS app later this year.The feature has been available on Android for quite some time now. YouTube TV will also widen surround sound support "over the next six months." YouTube TV could finally gain a few highly-anticipated features this year. Speaking with The Verge's editor-in-chief Nilay Patel on The Vergecast, YouTube chief product officer Neal Mohan confirmed that picture-in-picture support will be added to the YouTube TV iOS app " in the next few months."The ability to watch YouTube TV while using other apps using picture-in-picture has been available on the best Android phones for a long time now. On iOS, however, the feature is limited to the regular YouTube app currently.Another highly-requested feature that could reach more YouTube TV users later this year is surround sound support. Ev...

Bringing Yu-Gi-Oh! from across multiple generations to the masses.I've been a fan of Yu-Gi-Oh! ever since I was a little kid, waking up early every weekend to watch the 4Kids-dubbed anime. I started collecting the cards around the same time, and I've amassed well over 1,000 over the years. Though it's been quite some time since I've indulged in a real duel (I dropped after Yu-Gi-Oh! GX aired), I'll come back to it from time to time over video games. Previously this meant loading up Yu-Gi-Oh! Legacy of the Duelist on my Xbox, but now it means playing Yu-Gi-Oh! Master Duel on my Android phone.Even though you've likely heard of Yu-Gi-Oh!, you may not know exactly how the game works. The short of it is that it's a card game featuring monster, spell, and trap cards, each with their own unique powers and effects. Each player starts out with a specific amount of life points — this can vary, but is usually 4,000 or 8,000 — and the first person to reach zero life points loses. A monst...

Don't hold out for Xiaomi launching its phones officially in the U.S. anytime soon."When will Xiaomi launch phones in the U.S.?" That's the first question I asked Hugo Barra seven years ago. At the time, Xiaomi was just getting started in India — having launched the Mi 3 a few months earlier — and was already seeing a lot of user interest. Barra joined Xiaomi to oversee the global expansion, and at the time, he indicated that the brand would be strategic about the markets it enters, with India being the key focus outside China.Seven years later, Xiaomi is the world's third-largest phone manufacturer, with an official presence in over 50 countries. While Xiaomi made its debut in the U.S. back in 2016, it only sells its ecosystem products like power banks, projectors, streaming dongles, smart LED bulbs, and wireless earbuds. Xiaomi's phones are not officially available in the U.S. — and that isn't likely to change soon.The primary reason for Xiaomi not selling its phones in...

Ideal running companionGarmin Forerunner 245$230 at AmazonProsBuilt-in GPSLightweight designAdvanced running metricsTraining status, load, effectPulse Ox & Body BatteryConsLacks altimeterNo Garmin PayMusic version costs moreIf running is your main passion, you can't go wrong with this GPS running smartwatch. Not only will you have access to advanced running dynamics, but you'll also enjoy extensive training features, a Pulse Ox sensor, Body Battery energy monitoring, and more.Perfect lifestyle watchGarmin Vivoactive 4From $250 at AmazonProsBuilt-in GPSPulse Ox & Body BatteryGarmin PayTwo size optionsMusic comes standardConsLacks advanced running dynamicsShorter battery life in GPS modeFor those who enjoy many different sports, the Garmin Vivoactive 4 may be a better fit. This attractive lifestyle watch is equipped with over 20 sports modes. You also get two size options, a touchscreen, an altimeter, and Garmin Pay....

This week, we deliver a special edition of the show as Jerry, Nick, Ara, and Michael Fisher share their thoughts on everything released at Samsung's latest Galaxy Unpacked event.Listen nowSubscribe in Spotify: AudioSubscribe in iTunes: AudioSubscribe in RSS: AudioDownload directly: AudioLinks:Samsung Galaxy S22 hands-on: Smaller, flatter, and very Note-worthy | Android CentralThe Galaxy S22 and S22 Plus are official with an eco-conscious design, better cameras | Android CentralSamsung's new Galaxy S22 Ultra takes a Note from the past to bring the S series into the future | Android CentralSamsung Galaxy S22 gets more guaranteed Android updates than Google's Pixel 6 | Android CentralSamsung Galaxy Tab S8 series is here with an Ultra model to take on the iPad Pro | Android CentralWhy the Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra's notch isn't a big deal | Android CentralSamsung Galaxy Watch 4 gets a big update, but Google Assistant is still months away | Android CentralSponsors:...

After several internal delays, Google may finally announce the long-rumored Pixel Watch in just a few months.From the beginning of Google's wearable strategy, it has always relied on other OEMs to carry the hardware torch for its software. However, since Wear OS 3 arrived last year, the calls for an official Google Pixel Watch have only grown in number.Unfortunately, leakers have promised an imminent Pixel Watch arrival since 2016, and we learned in 2019 that Google had given up on making one because its prototype "didn't work that great," quashing those rumors. Then, after Google IO 2021 revealed the new Wear OS ecosystem, leakers promised the Pixel Watch would arrive alongside the Pixel 6, only for Google to (allegedly) delay it again.So with leakers now promising a 2022 Pixel Watch release, we may be setting ourselves up for disappointment once again. But dive into the leaks, and you'll find legitimate and consistent evidence that a new watch will arrive soon. Here's what we...

More players can now pre-register to join in the fun.What you need to knowThe Harry Potter franchise is a massive ordeal that has seen a plethora of games and spin-off releases.On Thursday, Warner Bros. Games and NetEase announced the latest title — the free-to-play Harry Potter: Magic Awakened.Harry Potter: Magic Awakened combines MMORPG and collectible card game elements into one massive game.First released in select Asian markets in late 2021, players in the Americas, Europe, and Oceania can now pre-register to play.Harry Potter is a complicated and long-running franchise, one that still captivates millions of people all around the world. Companies are always looking for new ways to capitalize on the Harry Potter brand, and the latest effort comes from Warner Bros. Games and NetEase. On Thursday, they announced the global rollout of their latest title — Harry Potter: Magic Awakened.Harry Potter: Magic Awakened is equal parts massively multiplayer online role-p...

Your phone is about to become more colorful.What you need to knowGoogle is expanding its Material You dynamic color to more Android phones.This will allow the dynamic color to work across different Android devices, making it easier for developers to target one API.OEMs receiving Material You dynamic color include Samsung, OnePlus, OPPO, Vivo, and more.One of the highlight features of Android 12 has been its dynamic color system, which allows a phone to extract color from any wallpaper and apply it across the system. While this was primarily available on Pixel smartphones, Google is making it available on more Android devices soon.By expanding Material You's dynamic color system to best Android phones, Google is ensuring a consistent experience across the platform and various devices. Not only will this be a benefit to consumers, but Google highlights how it will help developers as they prepare to bring Material You design to their apps.The writing has been on the wall...

Both the Galaxy S22+ and Galaxy S22 Ultra achieved 45W charging this year, and whether you're grabbing one of those or the 25W-charging Samsung Galaxy S22, you need a better cable to reach those top speeds. Samsung's default USB-C cable is designed for its 25W chargers, but for 45W, we need an e-marked cable. These are the best e-marked cables for whichever size Galaxy S22 you're packing.Colorful and powerfulAnker 643 USB-C to USB-C CableFrom your Macbook to your Galaxy S22 and everything in between, the 100W-capable Anker 643 Cable is your one cable to rule them all! The color choices range from neon yellow to a soft minty green and everything in between, so go bold with either 3-foot or 6-foot lengths.$23 at AmazonFast data and chargingRampow USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 USB-C CableMost e-marked charging cables are still USB 2.0, but this USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 Rampow cable boasts 20Gbps — that's 20GB per second — transfer speeds in addition to 100W Power Delivery charging. Its 1...

How many people want to spend hours wearing a Quest for something besides Beat Saber or streaming movies?Despite selling upwards of 10 million Quest 2 units, generating $1 billion in Quest Store sales, and dominating the Steam survey for PC VR users, Meta lost $10 billion on its VR business in 2021. Evidently, the company needs new VR/AR revenue sources to justify high R&D, hiring, and advertising costs.One hypothetical VR cash cow is "Quest for Business," Meta's enterprise VR initiative. The company used to sell actual enterprise-edition headsets but now plans to let people have work accounts on its consumer headsets. Imagine filling the virtual space around your computer chair with massive floating displays, unrestricted by desk space and budget. By 2023, it plans to sell headsets to businesses with MDMs like Microsoft Intune and VMware installed for remote IT installation and accessing restricted files in VR.As intriguing as that sounds, though, I'm not sure Meta can pul...

There are a lot of cheap tablets out there, but only a few are worthy of being called the best cheap Android tablets. The Android tablet market, on the whole, is a bit of a mess once you look outside of Amazon or Samsung, but there are some solid and viable options if you want to spend less than $300. We've rounded up some of our favorites, and while they vary in features and uses, all of the best cheap Android tablets are worthy of claiming the title of being your next couch tablet.Best cheap Android tablet overall: Samsung Galaxy Tab A7It's no surprise that Samsung offers the best cheap Android tablet, as the company provides options for every corner of the Android market. Even with newer tablets like the Galaxy Tab S7 and S7+, the Galaxy Tab A7 is no slouch and includes many features you will want.Starting with the design, this is a slim aluminum slab with glass on the front, which makes for quite a gorgeous form factor. With the Galaxy Tab A7, Samsung decided to include S...

All that processing power is finally being put to good use.Samsung's new Adaptive Pixel technology is exactly what the company needed to finally beat Google at its own game — smartphone photography.With Adaptive Pixel technology, Samsung is taking what it learned from last year's multi-frame capture software upgrade and adding in some impressive new innovations that could make a huge difference for all Galaxy S22 users.That last part is particularly important because it means that you don't have to spend all that extra money on a Galaxy S22 Ultra just to experience Samsung's latest big feature. That means more of this year's best Samsung phones have all the best features and the best price for you.Google may have pioneered multi-frame capture on Android with HDR+ way back on the Nexus 5, but Samsung has finally figured out a way to one-up Google and deliver better camera hardware at the same time.Throw it in the binWhile a number of people have begun to jump on the "s...

Best answer: No, but if you live in a congested area or have a lot of devices, a tri-band router can keep speeds more consistent across multiple devices.Do you need a tri-band router?A dual-band router uses a 2.4GHz band paired with one at 5GHz. On the other hand, a tri-band router can help by making use of an additional 5GHz or 6GHz band to add more capacity or by spreading the load. For the most part, a lower 5.2GHz, 5.8GHz, or 5GHz DFS band in the middle will be used. While this gives your router a lot of flexibility to find the least populated band, there can still be a lot of congestion at each frequency in many areas like apartment buildings.Most Wi-Fi routers will be able to find the best possible bands to use quickly, and if everything goes as planned, you should never notice the change. With many of the best Wi-Fi 6 routers adopting wide 160MHz band support and new devices beginning to take advantage of it, there's a good chance your entire household can get connected ...

The Samsung Galaxy S22 pre-orders are live and we've highlighted the latest details for you below. So if you're looking to compare pre-order incentives on the Samsung Galaxy S22 or the larger S22 Plus model, then you're in the right place ahead of the February 25 release date. We have a separate guide highlighting the best Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra pre-order deals.Let's quickly talk about what models you can expect to see in terms of prices, storage, and colors. The Samsung Galaxy S22 prices start at $799/£769, while the larger Samsung Galaxy S22 Plus prices begin at $999/£949. Both phones come with 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage on the cheapest model and a 256GB model is also available. As far as color options go there's Phantom Black, Phantom White, Green, and Pink Gold on both the regular and Plus S22 phones from most retailers and carriers. However, the Samsung store is also selling Graphite, Cream, Sky Blue, and Violet colors exclusive colors that are listed as ready to ship...

The company announced that it has successfully auto-enrolled over 150 million users in two-step verification.What you need to knowGoogle claims there was a 50% decrease in account breaches after auto-enrolling users in two-step verification last year.The search giant intends to push the security feature to even more accounts this year.Google also reiterated its plan to eliminate the reliance on passwords and make the sign-in experience more convenient.Google has revealed that its push for a default two-step verification last year led to a significant drop in account compromises. More than 150 million users were automatically enrolled in 2SV, and 50% of those accounts were protected from breach.The initiative kicked off in October of last year in an effort to prevent unauthorized access to accounts, including those of YouTube's two million creators. It marked a significant leap in Google's security efforts, moving from offering 2SV to users as an optional protective featur...

Like what you saw during this week's reveal event and want to lock down your Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra pre-order deal? We have the latest information on what you can get from the big networks and direct from Samsung itself. We'll let you know how much you can save via trade-in and what other freebies or discounts are available ahead of the February 25 release date.Let's quickly round up a few details before we dive in, the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra costs $1199/£1149 for the base 128GB model. Larger sizes include 256GB, 512GB and a massive 1TB option. The phone is available in Phantom White, Phantom Black, Burgundy, and Green. We've had a look at these colors in the flesh and, between us, the green and burgundy models are the most stylish of the bunch. That being said, yesterday saw Samsung sneakily reveal a few new colors that are exclusive to its website. Be sure to check out these new Graphite, Sky Blue, and Red (looks more like orange) options too. However, ordering one of these ...

The phone is rumored to have a similar design to last year's Nord CE 5G.What you need to knowOnePlus is launching its Nord CE 5G successor in India next week.It is rumored to come with a 6nm Dimensity 900 5G chipset, triple rear cameras, and 65W fast charging.The phone may not be a massive upgrade over its predecessor.Earlier this month, OnePlus India started teasing the launch of the Nord CE 2 5G. The company has now confirmed that the phone will launch in the country on February 17 and that "it's going to be a little more than you'd expect."The OnePlus Nord CE 2 5G is coming soon, and it's going to be #ALittleMoreThanYoudExpect. Stay tuned! pic.twitter.com/kXNO5ps0Wu— OnePlus India (@OnePlus_IN) February 10, 2022OnePlus India's post on Twitter also gives us a glimpse at the design of the upcoming budget phone. We can see that it looks fairly similar to its predecessor, with the power and volume rocker keys on the left side. Just as rumored, however, it looks like ...

The latest update lets you build your own live TV channel guide more easily.What you need to knowAmazon has announced a new feature for customizing live channels on Fire TV.The update makes it easier to add live channels to the Live tab from both free and subscription services.All live TV channels can be accessed via a dedicated guide button on all new Alexa Voice remotes.Amazon Fire TV's current search and discovery feature may cause you to lose hours browsing your favorite live channels on the platform. But that changes now as Amazon announced a handy customization feature for its live channel guide.The update allows you to add live channels to the main menu's Live tab, making it easier to revisit your favorites the next time you want to watch live programming. You can select live channels from both your free and paid services.Prior to this update, the live channels were tucked away under different content rows such as Live Sports and Breaking News.To customize your...

While PlayStation Plus is usually a requirement to play online multiplayer, there are notable exceptions to this rule. Most free-to-play games allow people to enjoy online multiplayer matches without needing to be active PlayStation Plus subscribers. If you're wondering which games fall into this category, we've created a list of some of the best PS5 games online that you can play without PlayStation Plus. Should you want to see the complete list of free-to-play games offered on PS4 and PS5, Sony has an entire section of its store dedicated to just that.Jump to:Genshin ImpactRocket LeagueCall of Duty: Warzone DauntlessApex LegendsFortniteFinal Fantasy 14NeverwinterSmiteBrawlhallaDC Universe OnlineWarframePaladins: Champions of the RealmStar Trek OnlineGenshin ImpactThough it has a PS5 version in the works, Genshin Impact can be played on Sony's latest console through backward compatibility. This fantasy RPG thrusts players into the world of Teyvat, wher...

Prepare for an onslaught of Motorola smartphones in the coming months.What you need to knowAlmost all of Motorola's next-generation smartphones have been leaked.The devices are codenamed Motorola "Austin," "Rogue," "Rhode," "Dubai," and "Hawaii+."These devices could be mid-rangers or low-end models, all of which appear to have a 50MP camera on the back.Samsung is getting almost everyone's attention today with the unveiling of the Galaxy S22 series and Galaxy Tab S8 tablets. But that shouldn't stop other smartphone brands from trying to steal some of its thunder, such as Motorola.Prolific leaker Evan Blass (@evleaks) is at it again, this time revealing a slew of renders showing almost all of Motorola's upcoming challengers to the best budget Android phones this year. The leak includes the phones' codenames, namely the Motorola "Austin," "Rogue," "Rhode," "Dubai," and "Hawaii+." The Motorola Rhode will supposedly be available in 4G and 5G variants, featuring slim ...

They're here, and there are some excellent deals already.After months of leaks, Samsung has finally launched the Galaxy S22 series. The phones are quite impressive thanks to the upgraded cameras, Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chipset, and, of course, the S Pen on the Galaxy S22 Ultra.From our Galaxy S22 hands-on, our Nicholas Sutrich notes how these phones are a solid upgrade from last year's flagships and should definitely be worth a look from Android fans. And now that preorders are open, you finally have a chance to secure one for yourself.We want to know if you're preordering a Galaxy S22 model and which one you're going with.Are you going to preorder a Galaxy S22 smartphone?While the pricing may have remained similar from last year's flagships, there are already some notable Galaxy S22 deals on the table that you don't wanna miss out on. For starters, Samsung and carriers are giving you the option to upgrade your storage option at no additional cost. That means if you grab any S...

Waze is already popular around the world as a means to help you get from point A to point B, but it also lets you integrate a host of streaming audio services into the Waze app for your listening pleasure during a commute. It's easy to set up, and here's how you do it.How to set a default audio app in the Waze appOpen the Waze app on your phone.Tap the Audio player icon on the top right.A list of available apps will appear in the menu. Note that available apps only appear if you have them on your phone already.Tap whichever of the available apps you want to add.A pop-up will inform you how Waze and your chosen app may share information.Tap Accept.Tap Open (your chosen app).Your chosen app will launch.If Waze fails to connect, you may need to sign in to your account for your chosen app.Tap Accept.You can also change your chosen app at any time.Tap on your chosen app, then tap Audio apps, and then Settings. Repeat the above steps to set up whichever one you ch...

The Pixel 6 series joins Google's beta program.Update, Feb 9 (4:20 p.m. ET): Android 13L Beta 3 disappears from release notesUpdate, Feb 9 (4:45 p.m. ET): Android 12L Beta 3 returnsWhat you need to knowGoogle releases the third beta for Android 12L.The update includes a few bug fixes, including one that prevented the At a Glance widget from displaying weather info.The update is available for Google Pixel smartphones, including the Pixel 6 series.Google has just released the third Android 12L beta for Pixel smartphones, which now includes the Pixel 6. Like previous betas, the latest release includes a few bug fixes ahead of the full stable launch.Among the bug fixes addressed with the release, Beta 3 fixes the At a Glance widget which would not display weather information for many users. You can see the list of bug fixes below as per the release notes:Fixed an issue that prevented weather information from showing in the system's At a glance widget. (Issue #210113641...

If you rely on your smartwatch to help you navigate your day, you want to find a comfortable band that matches your style, such as a Galaxy Watch 4 leather band. You can enjoy both fashion and functionality with these bands. What's more, there are numerous options to choose from. The Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 comes in two sizes that use 20mm bands. We've rounded up some of the best Galaxy Watch 4 leather bands below!Double the fashionLDFAS Galaxy Watch 4 Leather Band (2-pack)Staff PickStaying both fashionable and comfortable is easy with these LDFAS Galaxy Watch 4 leather bands. You get a brown and black band that allows you to match your watch with your favorite outfits. You can also choose whether you want your bands to have black, silver, or rose gold buckles.$16 at AmazonSuperior qualityRitche Galaxy Watch 4 Top Grain Leather BandQuality is essential, especially when shopping for a Galaxy Watch 4 leather band. Most users plan to wear their watch all day lon...

PS5 stock is selling out fast, so be sure to have your credit card ready.Looking to buy a PS5? Well, so are millions of other people. It doesn't help that stock levels remain tight, even nearly a year after its launch. Every time a retailer puts stock up for sale, it sells out super quickly. The longest we here at Android Central have seen PS5s stay in stock is between 15 to 20 minutes (often just a few minutes, though). That's also at random times, so finding a PS5 is a truly challenging task. Sony warned it would be hard to find stock throughout the year and well into 2022, if not further, but retailers promise more are coming and that Sony has secured additional semiconductor chips to make them.In our PS5 review, we called the system a technical marvel with a groundbreaking controller. And after spending over a year with the PS5, it's nearly impossible to go back to the PS4. Everything about the PS5 is better, from the games to the DualSense haptic feedback and adaptive trigge...