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Speed your way past the competition in these outstanding racers for Android!We've rounded up the best racing games found in the Google Play Store. With so many options to choose from, we've compiled a list that covers a whole slew of sub-genres — from stylized arcade racing to highly realistic racing sims — so no matter your preference, you should find an outstanding game that's right for you.And if you want some great games in other genres, we have our list of the best Android games, too. Ready? Let's hit the road!The gamesAsphalt 9: LegendsBeach Buggy Racing 2CSR RacingData WingDirt Trackin 2#DriveGrand Prix StoryGRID AutosportHill Climb Racing 2Horizon Chase: World TourMario Kart Tour Motorsport Manager Mobile 3Nitro Nation Drag & ShiftProject Offroad 20Rally Fury: Extreme RacingReal Racing 3Riptide GP: Renegade Thumb DriftTofu DrifterTop Speed 2: Drag RivalsAsphalt 9: LegendsAsphalt 9: Legends is the latest entry in one of the most...

Reminders are one of our favorite features of the Google ecosystem. Just asking your Android phone to remember a task for you is powerful. You can ask for one-time reminders or recurring reminders. You can even set reminders far in the future to remind yourself to discharge and recharge the power station you keep in the trunk of your car. Whatever the case, reminders are awesome.There will come a time where you'll need to manage those reminders. Perhaps it's just to change the time, or you no longer need a recurring reminder. Google recently made it easier to do all of this, and we'll show you how.How to access and manage Google Assistant remindersGoogle gives you a small control panel you can use to manage your reminders. To get started, open your Google app.Tap your profile photo in the upper right corner.Tap Reminders. Note: You can skip these steps by saying, "OK, Google, open my reminders."Here, you'll see a list of overdue or upcoming reminders. Each reminder has...

Amazon Echo and Google Home/Nest smart speakers crossed over from the early adopter phase and took their rightful place within mainstream culture. You can build your smart home with the help of these devices, along with the best smart plugs for Google Assistant, which works with Google Home and Amazon Alexa. If you're like me, you might not be convinced which company's voice assistant is right for you, which is why I've got both Alexa and Google Assistant-compatible speakers in my home. If you're in the same boat, it's essential to buy smart home accessories that are compatible with both AI assistants, so we've rounded up the best smart plugs for Alexa and Google Assistant.No hub requiredKasa Smart Plug Ultra MiniStaff PickThe Kasa Smart Plug Ultra Mini is a super affordable smart plug for Google Assistant and Alexa. It's just as reliable as larger smart Wi-Fi plugs and lets you set schedules for any devices plugged into the plug, as well as operate your plugs even when you...

This is the second time this year that Telegram has gained millions of new users at Facebook's expense.What you need to knowTelegram founder Pavel Durov has revealed that the messaging app gained 70 million new users in one day after Facebook experienced a six-hour long outage.WhatsApp and Telegram rival Signal has also claimed to have gained "millions of new users." Durov has promised that Telegram won't fail its users like WhatsApp. Popular messaging app Telegram experienced a record increase in new user registrations on Monday, shortly after Facebook experienced a massive outage that lasted nearly six hours. Telegram founder Pavel Durov announced on his Telegram channel that the app welcomed over 70 million users from "other platforms" in just one day. I am proud of how our team handled the unprecedented growth because Telegram continued to work flawlessly for the vast majority of our users. For the new users I'd like to say this – welcome to Telegram, the lar...

Aloy is back in action for the next generation.One of the biggest games revealed at the June 2020 PS5 showcase was Horizon Forbidden West. Developed by Guerrilla Games, this PlayStation title is bringing the custom Decima engine and everything it's capable of to next-generation hardware.Aloy returns as a protagonist, heading into the former western U.S. There are new threats, new machines, and new lush lands to explore. It's currently set to release on February 18, 2022. Here's everything we know about Horizon Forbidden West on PS5 so far.Jump to:What is Horizon Forbidden West?Check out its trailersStory, gameplay, and featuresDoes it have multiplayer?Is it coming to PS4?Is it coming to PC?What we'd like to seeWhen does it release?What is Horizon Forbidden West?Horizon Forbidden West is a sequel to Guerrilla Games' Horizon Zero Dawn, released in 2017. It's an action role-playing game that takes place in the 31st century, in a world where humanity now exists...

Best answer: Amazon's devices with Special Offers (now called Ad-Supported devices) are products like the Kindle e-readers and Fire tablets that feature targeted lock screen ads but come at a reduced price to the consumer.What are Kindle and Fire tablet Ad-Supported devices?You may have come to this article wondering just what Kindle and Fire tablet special offers, or Ad-Supported devices, are, so let's take a minute to explain what this idea is. Amazon introduced the concept of devices with Special Offers a while back to reduce the entry cost into the Kindle, and then later, the Fire Tablet ecosystems.Amazon has always offered relatively low-cost hardware, particularly during major shopping events like Black Friday or Prime Day, but it pitched the Special Offers as a way to offset those expenditures further. The devices with Special Offers, now called Ad-Supported devices, consist of lock screen/screensaver ads personalized to you based on your shopping preferences and brows...

The Amazon Glow looks impressive, but if it doesn't get continued support from Amazon — its shine will dim quickly.It's that time of the year that we start getting a whole lot of new tech and the online retail behemoth Amazon announced a bunch of new stuff last week. As a parent of two young boys, one of the things that stood out the most was the Amazon Glow. In short, it's a mash-up of an Echo Show 8 and an interactive projector. Amazon is positioning it as a way for kids to stay connected with friends and family that may not live close enough to see very often.I love the idea. I can see it as an excellent device for families, especially for the kids who want to connect with relatives nearby and far. I don't know about you, but my family's days are always busy — and that's even during the offseason for activities. So I can see the Amazon Glow coming in handy when we may not have the time to arrange those in-person visits or if this pandemic we're living through continues to ...

Shouting into the void.Unless you were hiding under a rock earlier this week, you or someone you know was probably affected by the massive outage to Facebook's apps and services, including its popular messaging platforms like WhatsApp and Messenger. Each service boasts well over a billion users, and many of those people were left scrambling to find an alternate means to communicate with friends, family, and businesses.Even though WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger are extremely popular and capable apps, there are a bunch of other great messaging apps available on Android and other platforms. For example, just about everyone has a pre-installed SMS/MMS client like Samsung Messages or Google Messages on their Android phone.Signal is widely regarded as one of, if not the most, secure messaging apps around. And one of our favorite messaging apps, Telegram, even reported that it saw an increase of over 70 million new users during the time Facebook's services were down.It may be chall...

There aren't many smart home devices as well-known and universally respected as the extensive collection of smart lighting products made by Philips Hue. Since 2012 the company has been putting out a wide variety of indoor and outdoor smart light bulbs, and it has taken great pains to ensure that they're compatible with all major smart home ecosystems. With so many options to chose from, where do you even begin to search for the best Philips Hue lights? You can start with the Philips Hue White and Color Ambiance A19 Bluetooth Smart LED Bulb, which can connect to a Bridge for remote control, or you can use Bluetooth to manage them from the app while you're in the room.Best overall: Philips Hue White & Color Ambiance A19 Bluetooth Smart LED BulbThis bulb, available in a two-pack, is suitable for any room of your home and replaces a standard A19 bulb. However, what makes it great is that if you aren't ready to delve into a complete system yet, you can first connect it via Bluet...

A fully charged Oculus Quest or Oculus Quest 2 will give you about two to three hours of battery life, but if you have one of the best oculus quest battery packs, you can go even longer. For some players, the built-in battery is not nearly long enough for a good gaming session in Rec Room or Star Wars: Tales From the Galaxy's Edge or for an extended media session in an app like Netflix. Battery packs are some of the best Oculus Quest accessories and can double, or even triple, the battery life of your headset.Go for the comboQuest 2 Elite Strap with Battery and Carrying CaseStaff PickThis bundle is the only way you can get a Quest 2 Elite Strap with a battery built-in. The extra battery doubles the battery life of the Oculus Quest 2, according to Facebook. Just make sure you only grab one if you have an Oculus Quest 2 since it doesn't work with the original Oculus Quest.$129 at Amazon $129 at Best BuyNo need to stopRebuff Reality VR PowerRebuff Reality has been ...

Better than ever before.One of the many exciting new features of the PS5 is the ability to play games at 120 FPS (frames-per-second). With the newest generation of consoles, the advanced specs of the PS5 and Xbox Series X and the rise in capable displays mean that developers have the option of targeting 120 FPS in games if they so choose. We've rounded up all the games directly confirmed to at least feature a 120 FPS option in certain modes, which we'll add to over time as more games are announced. Here's the complete list of PS5 games with 120 FPS support — that we're aware of right now.Jump to:List of games with 120 FPS supportWhy should I want 120 FPS?What do I need?List of PS5 games with 120 FPS support Game Resolution Free upgrade Upgrade release date Borderlands 3 1080p Yes November 2020 Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War 1200p No November 13, 2020 Call of Duty: Warzone ~1512p Yes July 2021 Destiny 2 Dynamic 1440...

In addition to domestic seasons like the Premier League getting back underway, one tournament also in progress is the UEFA Nations League with 55 national teams from across Europe competing in the group stage for 2020/21. Now those group stage games have been completed, we now know which teams will be progressing to the finals in 2021 and which nations have been promoted and relegated for the next group stage.We've got all of the details below as well as info on how to live stream UEFA Nations League 2020/21 games online no matter where you are in the world.The global pandemic put a pause on the majority of domestic seasons across Europe leading to a delayed end to the campaign. That delay also saw the planned Euro 2020 competition being postponed until next summer. If you were excited to see some international football, the UEFA Nations League has got you covered.Portugal emerged as winners in the inaugural UEFA Nations League tournament in 2018/19 and were hoping to defend th...

The Grit X Pro Titan comes with an aerospace titanium case.What you need to knowPolar has announced two new additions to its Grit X family: Grit X Pro and Grit X Pro Titan.The Polar Grit X Pro offers military-grade durability, up to 100 hours of battery life, and extensive training features. The Grit X Pro Titan is 12% lighter than the Grit X Pro, thanks to the use of aerospace titanium.Polar, which makes some of the best running watches, has expanded its wearables lineup with the launch of the new Grit X Pro and Grit X Pro Titan.The new Polar Grit X Pro is a multi-sport smartwatch featuring a military-grade design with a Sapphire glass lens, flexible FKM wristband, and MIL-STD-810G compliance. It has Polar's Precision Prime sensor fusion technology for continuous heart-rate tracking and also includes built-in GPS with assisted GPS for fast-fix times.Since the watch is designed for outdoor enthusiasts, it offers new route and elevation profiles, along with turn-by-turn ...

Nokia brings its affordability and near-stock Android software experience into the world of tablets.What you need to knowThe Nokia T20 is a 10.4-inch, 2K Android tablet with a 8,200mAh battery.This is the second Nokia-branded tablet, after the Nokia N1 in 2015.It has the budget Unisoc Tiger T610 chipset and 4GB of RAM.It will ship with Android 11, with two planned OS upgrades and three years of security updates.The Nokia T20 will ship on November 17 in the US, costing $249.99 for the Wi-Fi version.When it comes to buying a cheap Android tablet, you really have three options right now: the Galaxy Tab A series, an Amazon Fire tablet, or a Lenovo Tab M series. Today, Nokia announced the Nokia T20, an affordable 10-inch tablet set to take them all on.At 10.4-inches, the Nokia T20 has solid resolution (1200x2000) with 400 nits of brightness and a reasonable weight of about a pound, making it easy enough to hold for long streaming binges. Its 8200mAh battery is supposed to la...

Google's Nest Renew program will help you live greener.What you need to knowGoogle is launching a new service for the Nest Thermostat dubbed "Nest Renew."Nest Renew will adjust heating and cooling times to help users reduce costs and live more sustainably.The service is free in the U.S., with a Premium offering for $10 per month.Nest Renew is compatible with the latest Nest Thermostat, the 3rd generation Nest Learning Thermostat, or Nest Thermostat E.As part of Google's latest sustainability efforts, the company is launching a new service for some of its best smart thermostats to help you live greener.With Nest Renew, you will have access to a new feature dubbed Energy Shift that will automatically shift heating and cooling to times when energy is cleaner or less expensive.Since electricity can come from different sources like wind farms or gas and coal, Energy Shift will help you make sure that you're getting the cleanest energy whenever possible. It works similarly w...

Google is committed to helping consumers make sustainable choices.What you need to knowGoogle announces its latest sustainability features to fight climate change.Google is introducing new features in Search and Maps to help consumers make more sustainable choices.Many of these features are rolling out globally starting October 6, with others arriving in the coming weeks or months.During the Sustainable with Google event on Wednesday, Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai outlined the company's latest plans to help fight climate change. After pledging for its campuses and data centers to run carbon-free by 2030, the company is turning its attention to consumers to help them make more sustainable choices by 2022.As part of this plan, Google is introducing more than a few features and updates to its apps and services on the web and the best Android phones, aimed at making it easier to live a more eco-friendly life.Travel greenerStarting today, Google is bringing more features mean...

Alexa will now wait a bit longer for you to complete your voice command.What you need to knowAmazon Alexa has a new feature that comes in handy for people with speech difficulty.The new accessibility feature allows users to complete a command at their own pace before Alexa responds.Android users can also now type their commands in the Alexa app.Alexa now gives you more time to finish your command before it responds. Amazon's digital assistant has picked up a new accessibility feature that will make Alexa wait a little while for you to finish your statement or query.According to Forbes, the new capability is available on some of the best Android phones and iOS devices. It's optional, which means you can choose to add the feature to your Alexa-enabled device such as the Amazon Echo Dot (4th Gen).The new accessibility feature might solve one of the lingering issues with digital assistants. For example, it can prove useful for those moments when Alexa suddenly interrupts yo...

You can now customize your Ring and Nest video doorbells with these eerie ringtones and chimes.What you need to knowGoogle and Amazon have unveiled their Halloween themes for the Nest and Ring video doorbells.The seasonal themes include spooky tones for both buzzers and quick replies for the Ring Video Doorbell.Nest Doorbell's ringtones will stick around until November 1, with more seasonal ringtones arriving for Thanksgiving and the Christmas season.Google Nest and Amazon's Ring have announced new seasonal themes and customizations for some of the best doorbell cameras just in time for Halloween, giving your guests creepy greetings and chimes the next time they knock.New eerie ringtones such as an evil laugh, skeleton dance, spooky raven, boooo ghost, howling werewolf, and cackling witch are among this year's Halloween-themed features from Nest. These ringtones are available on the Nest Doorbell (wired) and Nest Doorbell (battery) even without a Nest Aware subscription f...

All of your videos are getting their own tab.What you need to knowFacebook is getting rid of IGTV and merging it with feed videos.The new "Instagram Video" combines the app's media efforts into one tab.Instagram is also introducing new video editing features for videos.After Facebook's outage took Instagram down for a good portion of the day, the app is making some changes to put videos into one place.The new video tab will host Instagram Video, which will consist of both IGTV and feed videos, the former of which is being phased out almost entirely.Facebook says it's combining its video efforts into one format "to make it easier for people to discover new video content." Reels will apparently remain in a separate tab.Users will still be able to upload from their gallery and post the videos to their stories and direct messages. However, now video previews are being increased to 60 seconds, and the app is getting some new video editing tools and the ability to tag peo...

Google recently announced that its Stadia video game streaming service will be available for more Android TV devices. Before, people who wanted to stream games from the cloud to their televisions needed the aging Chromecast Ultra. While the Chromecast Ultra worked well and was bundled with the Stadia Controller, it was the only option to play Stadia games on the television. Here is a list of every Android TV model that will officially support Stadia.Google's ownChromecast with Google TV - SnowStaff PickThe Chromecast with Google TV replaces the Chromecast Ultra and does everything of its predecessor and more. It can cast content from an Android or iOS device, allow users to browse content among several apps without switching, and control smart home devices. It also comes with a dedicated voice remote equipped with Google Assistant.$50 at Google $50 at Best BuyNew TVHisense Android Smart TVs (U7G, U8G, U9G)Those looking to upgrade their screen can go with the...

Facebook services are down for users around the world, but they seem to be coming back online.Update, Oct 5 (16:45 ET): Facebook explains what went wrongUpdate, Oct 4 (18:45 ET): Facebook services recovering from outageIf you're having issues sending or receiving messages on WhatsApp, you're not the only one. The Facebook-owned messaging platform seems to be down, and it's not the only one; Instagram and Facebook are seeing outages as well, with users around the world unable to refresh their news feed or see messages.I'm not able to send or receive messages in WhatsApp, my Instagram feed isn't loading, and I'm not able to access Messenger. This isn't the first time Facebook services went down in recent months, and at this moment, it's unclear what's causing the issue. From the error message, it looks like a configuration issue with DNS servers.According to Downdetector, users from all over the world are having issues connecting to Facebook services, so it isn't an isolated ...

Comes with some caveats to regain control.What you need to knowA GitHub script allows Oculus Quest 2 owners to unlink the Facebook account attached to their virtual reality headset.A Facebook account and credit card are required to initially run the tool.The tool unlinks the always-required Facebook account but also disables other Oculus features.There is a new tool that lets Oculus Quest 2 owners remove the Facebook account requirement from their virtual reality headsets.'Oculess' is a script that can be sideloaded onto the Oculus Quest 2 to log the user out of Facebook while still making the headset usable. The specific tool comes after Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp suffered an outage globally earlier this week. The Oculus Quest 2 and Ray-Ban Stories glasses were also rendered useless during the outage since all require an active Facebook account.The tool can unlink the Facebook account from the Oculus Quest 2 so that it can still work even if the social media net...

Keeping your house clean isn't the easiest thing in the world. You have to find the time between running to work, taking care of family, and scheduling in that much-needed downtime. Something that can help keep your home clean is a reliable robot vacuum. I personally go with Roborock since the company creates quality products, like the Roborock S7, which comes with several convenience features while still incredibly good at cleaning my home. Roborock also offers several other amazing options. Here are the best Roborock vacuums on the market today.Best overall: Roborock S7We've had the chance to test the Roborock S7 for several weeks. Not only is it a powerful unit that can suck up anything from dirt to pet hair, but it also offers plenty of convenience features. From the Roborock app, I can schedule cleaning times, tell the unit which specific room to clean, or put up a no-go barrier telling it to leave a room alone. I have a Corgi and a gray tabby who are constantly shedding, ...

Google calendar is shaping up to be the ultimate work-from-home app.What you need to knowGoogle Calendar adds the option to create notes directly from an event.The document will automatically populate with the meeting/event information.Meeting notes will be automatically viewable to other meeting attendees depending on how you start them.Google is updating the Calendar app that will make it easy to create and share meeting notes straight from an event entry.A new option to "Take meeting notes" will appear on a Calendar event. Selecting the option will automatically populate the Google Doc with the relevant meeting information for easy organization.Upon saving, the document will not automatically share with the other event members, but a prompt will ask if you want to make it available. However, if you create or edit an existing event and select "Create meeting note," the saved document will be available to other members of that event.This distinction is likely to se...

So, you want a keyboard to use with your PS4 or PS5. If you're going to use it with games, know that most PS4 games only support keyboards for sending messages to other players in-game, not as an alternative controller. Because of this, you should probably save your money and don't go all-out on a fancy mechanical gaming keyboard. A compact or lightweight keyboard can sit next to you on the couch while you play games and is just as easy to pull into your lap for a quick message. Here are some of the best PS4 keyboards (that also work with PS5) you can get right now.Small, but completeLogitech K360Staff PickIf you're looking for a simple, wireless, compact keyboard that works and doesn't cost an arm and a leg, you might want to consider this one from Logitech. Its small size makes it ideal for storing away easily as well.From $19 at Amazon $20 at Best BuyItty bittyMacally USB Wired KeyboardThe tactile keys on this one offer a satisfying feel. Since drivers or dongl...

Get it while the deal lasts!Every so often, Amazon will have a deal so good that you just can't pass it up, and today is that day for the Lenovo Chromebook Flex 5. For today only, the online retailer is offering the best Chromebook you can buy at its lowest price ever. That means for just $300, you're getting a 13.5-inch 1080p display, loud front-facing speakers, Wi-Fi 6 support, and excellent battery life, all powered by a 10th-gen Intel Core i3.The Flex 5 was initially offered at $410 and normally sees discounts down to $380 or $350, so $300 is probably the lowest price you'll find for this fantastic device, at least for a while.Lenovo Chromebook Flex 5$300 at Amazon $425 at WalmartThe Lenovo Chromebook Flex 5 is a great device for anyone looking for a sleek, easy-to-use laptop with the power of Google's apps and services running everything in the cloud. At its lowest price ever, this laptop is practically a steal.There's a lot to like about the Flex 5. Our Ara Wago...

Best answer: Yes, you can play Stadia games on Google TV. There's a limited list of hardware that officially supports Stadia through Google TV. Still, any device that can run Google TV will play Stadia games in some capacity.Official Google TV devicesIf you've ever asked yourself: Can I play Stadia on Google TV? It's important to note when Google Stadia first launched in November 2019, users could stream games directly to their PC, television, and some mobile devices through the cloud. However, during that time, the only way to play Stadia games through the television was through the company's own Chromecast Ultra device with a Stadia controller.But times change. In mid-2021 when Google announced it was extending Stadia support to more existing hardware. The list of officially supported devices includes the following:Chromecast with Google TVHisense Android Smart TVs (U7G, U8G, U9G)Nvidia Shield TV and Shield TV ProOnn FHD Streaming Stick and UHD Streaming DevicePanasoni...

Evolving into a well-rounded wearable.In 2020, Fitbit announced several updates to existing products and even launched new hardware. One of the most interesting new wearables was the Fitbit Sense, and that means we're diving into our official Fitbit Sense review. It's hard to believe that the Fitbit Ionic — Fitbit's first actual smartwatch — was released over three years ago. Fitbit's come a long way in that short amount of time, finding new ways to refine its hardware design, FitbitOS operating system, and create a compelling narrative as to why you should have a Fitbit watch on your wrist instead of a Galaxy Watch, something with Wear OS, or an Apple Watch if you're an iPhone owner.By late 2020, Fitbit's vision for the future of smartwatches culminated in the release of the Fitbit Sense. It does all of the usual Fitbit things like activity tracking, sleep monitoring, etc., but it comes with a bunch of extra sensors that are designed to help give you a more granular understa...

Google believes the turning on security protections by default is the best way to keep its users safe.What you need to knowGoogle plans to auto-enroll 150 million more users in two-step verification by the end of the year.YouTube creators will be required to turn on two-step verification to access Studio from November 1.The search giant is also rolling out a new feature that allows users to access all their passwords saved in Google Password Manager from the Google app menu. Back in May this year, Google announced plans of enabling two-factor authentication by default for users with "appropriately configured" accounts. The search giant has now confirmed in a new blog post that it will auto-enroll 150 more Google users in "two-step verification" by the end of 2021.However, Google says it will only auto-enroll those accounts that have "the proper backup mechanisms in place to make a seamless transition to two-factor verification." As part of its efforts to prevent unauthori...

The October 19 launch for the Pixel 6 was apparently on the money.What you need to knowGoogle has set a date for the Pixel 6 launch.The Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro are set to be fully unveiled on Tuesday, October 19.The event site features a transitional theme that can be changed by holding the space bar.Google has finally unveiled the launch date for the Google Pixel 6 and 6 Pro, both of which are set to be fully revealed on October 19 at 10 am PT/1 pm ET.That means the Pixel 6 is two weeks away from launch, and it likely won't reach consumers until later in the month. On October 19, we're officially introducing you to Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro—the completely reimagined Google phones. Powered by Tensor, Google's first custom mobile chip, they're fast, smart and secure. And they adapt to you.The event site features interactive elements to highlight dynamic theming with Material You. Holding the space bar will "change moods," and hovering your cursor over the Pixel...

Philips Hue smart lights are some of the coolest on the market, and they're definitely some of the most popular, but they can be quite expensive, especially once you get into colored bulbs. So if you're looking for a less expensive option, or just something other than what's popular (maybe something without a hub?), then check out these other best Philips Hue alternatives.Best alternativePhilips WiZ Connected A19 BulbStaff PickYou might be surprised to know that Philips Hue isn't the only smart bulb brand from the company. Unlike Hue bulbs, Philips WiZ Connected bulbs require no hub, connecting directly to Wi-Fi or Bluetooth via the WiZ app. Despite being less expensive, these bulbs aren't any less capable. They can be dimmed and color-tuned to your liking. These bulbs shine in millions of colors thanks to the powerful WiZ Connected app and support your favorite virtual assistant.$33 at Amazon (3-pack white-only) $13 at Best Buy $25 at Best Buy (2-Pack white and color)A...

Carli is out this week, so Rebecca leads Jen and special guest Sam Tolbert on an expedition into recent game dev studio acquisitions, Pokémon Legends: Arceus, Switch OLED, and more.Hosted by: Jennifer Locke, Carli Velocci, and Rebecca SpearGot feedback? Hit up Podcast@androidcentral.com and tell us something!LISTEN NOW:LINKS:Netflix makes its first gaming acquisition in Oxenfree developer Night School Studio | Windows CentralSony acquires Bluepoint Games as a PS5 developer for Sony Worldwide Studios | Android CentralDemon's Souls remake crosses 1.4 million copies sold, Bluepoint's next game is an original title for PS5 | Android CentralPokémon Legends: Arceus — Everything you need to know | iMoreAre there gyms in Pokémon Legends: Arceus? | iMoreNintendo 4K kit claims and Switch OLED Models out in the wild ahead of launch | iMoreNintendo Switch OLED Model is a much bigger deal than you think | iMore...

Nest didn't reinvent the doorbell — that was done already. But it's made the best one you can buy.This review was written on March 27, 2018, and reflects the reviewer's thoughts at that time.In retrospect, I should have seen this coming long ago. The idea of a video doorbell isn't all that novel. It's just a basic button, camera, speaker, and mic, with some flashing lights tossed in. That's not all that technologically advanced, right?Nor does such a thing need to do all that much. It needs to show you who's at the door. It needs to allow you to talk to that person, and you talk to them. And it needs to record all this somewhere accessible, should something untoward happen.No. Video doorbells, at their core, really are relatively simple products. So what could Nest Doorbell (wired) — the video doorbell entry from the Google-owned company known for its gorgeous thermostats, cameras, security system (and not-inexpensive prices) possibly do that the other best video doorbel...

Finding the best U.S. wireless carrier can be a bit daunting because they all have a different approach to the same goal. Luckily for the consumers, this competition helps drive these companies to continue to improve their networks and plans. So for most people, all of these carriers are likely to have some coverage appeal, whether it's LTE or 5G. Overall, T-Mobile is the best carrier thanks to improvements in its LTE coverage and the largest 5G network with great mid-band coverage already available.Best overall: T-MobileT-Mobile has continued to improve its network consistently over the past few years, with some of the biggest improvements coming in its 5G network. T-Mobile has used low-band spectrum to start its 5G network and improve its LTE network coverage with mid-band 2.5GHz spectrum, adding more capacity where needed. This mid-band spectrum from its purchase of Sprint has allowed T-Mobile to get a serious lead in mid-band 5G as its competitors must wait for C-band in la...

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 Stadia can be used 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.The free games with Pro can then be played as long as your Stadia Pro subscription is active but are only available to be claimed 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 month.Her...

The latest Mobvoi smartwatch has a lot in common with the TicWatch Pro 3.What you need to knowTicWatch Pro X is Mobvoi's latest Wear OS smartwatch.The smartwatch is powered by a Snapdragon Wear 4100 chipset and promises to deliver up to 45 days of battery life.It is now available to pre-order in China for 2,399 yuan (about $372).Google-backed smartwatch company Mobvoi has quietly unveiled a "new" Wear OS smartwatch that appears to be based on the TicWatch Pro 3 (via GizmoChina). The smartwatch, dubbed TicWatch Pro X, is powered by Qualcomm's Snapdragon Wear 4100 chipset and promises up to 45 days of battery life in "Essential Mode."Like the TicWatch Pro 3, the TicWatch Pro X uses a dual-display design with a 1.39-inch 454 x 454 AMOLED screen and a low-power color FSTN LCD panel underneath. There's also 1GB of RAM, 8GB of onboard storage, an SpO2 sensor, continous heart rate monitoring, 20 sport modes, IP68 water resistance, 4G LTE connectivity, NFC support, and built-in G...

An easy-to-use connected kids smartwatch that offers safety features a parent can love.As a parent of a young child, letting your child grow and explore their independence is tough. It's a delicate balance of letting go and holding on to protect them. One way to help satisfy both of those desires is by giving your child a phone, but that introduces a whole new set of issues to contend with. This is where getting one of the best kids smartwatches can come in handy — and the Gabb Watch was designed for this niche category.My 9-year-old and I have been using the Gabb Watch for a few weeks, and we've come to enjoy what it offers. He gets to feel a bit more grown-up because he has a "cool smartwatch" to use, and my wife and I can have some peace of mind knowing that we can still keep an eye on him if we need to. The Gabb Watch is a no-frills connected smartwatch that brings some great safety features that parents will love, but does so in a device that kids will enjoy too.Gabb W...

In just a few short years, big phones have gone from being an outlier to the norm in the smartphone industry. Just about every major device released these days has a larger physical size, and while that's great for watching movies and playing games, it can be a challenge for those who prefer phones to be small and compact. Thankfully, there are still plenty of options out there, including the Google Pixel 4a as our top overall pick. So if you're looking eagerly at that iPhone 13 mini but don't want to switch over to iOS, these are the best small Android phones you can buy.Best overall: Google Pixel 4aRegardless of size, the Pixel 4a is just one of the best Android phones you can buy right now. Admittedly, it isn't the most technically impressive handset on the market, but the value on offer is tremendous.As you'd expect from any Pixel, the Pixel 4a takes incredible photos. Whether you're shooting in broad daylight or trying to take a picture of the night sky using the Astroph...

Much like my compadre, Jerry Hildenbrand, I buy tech across a wide range of popular brands. For me, there's really no such thing as "brand loyalty" as I, too, just want to be able to use "cool tech." But there's one section of the tech market I won't touch anymore: any Android-brand tablet.I'm not here to say that all Android tablets suck; just that most of them do. And it's not even a problem with the hardware, because the Galaxy Tab S7 FE is one sleek and good-looking device. My problem with Android tablets, on the whole, have more to do with the software and Google's decision to basically ignore that Android tablets exist. Google continues to ignore tablets that aren't the iPad.With a foot planted on both sides of the iOS vs. Android fence, I find it interesting how Google straddles the line between the two. On the one hand, Android users get access to new features and redesigned interfaces months (or even years) before iOS users — most of the time, at least. But then,...

Buying a Chromebook can be a tricky purchase sometimes. You're already working from a budget, but you still want to get the most bang for your buck. Right now a Chromebook we already valued for its features compared to its great price tag is actually even less expensive thanks to Amazon's Epic Daily Deals. Grab our favorite overall Chromebook so far this year, the Lenovo Chromebook Flex 5, on sale for just $299.99. That's a $110 price drop over what this Chromebook was selling for near the beginning of the year and $70 off its most recent street price. It's the best price we've seen and even beats a deal we shared just a couple months ago.Lenovo Chromebook Flex 5 2-in-1 laptop | $70 offOne of Amazon's Epic Deals features two Chromebooks down to low prices, and we like them both! The Flex 5 is currently our favorite, but the C330 is a strong contendor as well.$299.99 at Amazon $425 at WalmartThis deal is part of Amazon's new Epic Daily Deals. That means the price is only g...

The new indoor Nest Cam not only lets you keep track of what's happening inside your home but is also designed to match your interior décor.What you need to knowThe new indoor wired Nest Cam and Nest Cam with floodlight are now available to purchase.The Nest Cam starts at $100, while the Nest Cam with floodlight is priced at $280. Both devices were announced alongside other new Nest products in August. Google's second-generation indoor, wired Nest Cam and Nest Cam with floodlight, which were unveiled alongside other new Nest products in August, are now finally on sale in the U.S.The second-generation indoor, wired Nest Cam is Google's most affordable security camera yet, starting at just $100. It comes in four attractive colors: Snow, Linen, Fog, and Sand with maple wood base, which is priced at $120.Like the wireless Nest Cam, the wired model can capture videos at 1080p with "enhanced HDR." Thanks to advanced machine learning, the camera can easily detect people, anim...

Whatever happened to offline play?Once upon a time, portable, wireless devices were designed to be used off the grid. Sure, an electronic device would always need power to turn on, but its basic functions would keep working without the need to plug it into a TV or connect it to the Internet. These days, so many devices are wholly dependent on the cloud to function — so much so that, in the rare event the cloud goes down, the most basic features of these devices stop working.During the six to seven-hour-long Facebook outage on Monday, October 4, many users found themselves in this exact situation. Specifically, Oculus devices — including the Oculus Quest 2 and all Oculus Rift headsets — as well as Ray-Ban Stories glasses had been rendered effectively useless during that time.And so I pose the obvious question: why is a device's basic functionality — especially portable devices like the Oculus Quest 2 and Ray-Ban Stories glasses — tied so heavily to a cloud service logo...

Streaming is now a massive part of the gaming experience, and everyone wants to try and be the next Ninja. To make a living at it, though, you'll need to spend some money to get the equipment that will help you succeed. So we've put together a list of some of the best PS4 streaming equipment and also PS5 accessories that will help you reach the audience you want while retaining some great streaming quality. Don't worry about compatibility. Many of these picks work with the PS5, so you can stream the best PS5 games on the new console.Crystal soundBlue Yeti X USB Microphone for PCStaff PickThe Blue Yeti X is the gold standard for USB microphones. Streaming with one of these produces sharp tones and an all-around great sound. It has a gain dial built-in, a mute button on the front, real-time LED monitoring, and a jack to put your favorite headphones in to monitor your output. It's a must-have for streaming or recording.From $170 at AmazonBest 4K streamingAvermedia Li...

Samsung's Android 12 update is now rolling out — here's what you need to know about One UI 4.Samsung did a fantastic job with the One UI 3.1 update based on Android 11 to most phones in its portfolio, and with Android 12 launching in the coming weeks, Samsung is getting ready with its next major update.Samsung's Android 12 update is One UI 4, and it comes with a slate of new features and a UI refresh. While the design itself isn't too different to the current One UI 3.1, there's a lot to be excited about — Samsung is adding Google's Material You aesthetic for a more colorful look, and there are 60 new features. The best part is that the One UI 4 beta update is now available for the Galaxy S21 series in select countries, so let's find out what Samsung has to offer with Android 12, what phones will get the update, and a look at the new features.Jump to:Beta rolloutEligible phonesNew featuresOne UI 4 changelogLaunch dateThis is the oneSamsung Galaxy S21 Ultra...

The second One UI 4 beta is finally here.What you need to knowSamsung has released the second Android 12-based One UI 4.0 beta for the Galaxy S21, Galaxy S21 Plus, and Galaxy S21 Ultra.Aside from numerous bug fixes and improvements, the second beta build brings a new "RAM Plus" feature to the flagship phones.The update is currently rolling out to users in Korea and Germany.Nearly three weeks after launching the Android 12-based One UI 4 beta program for its flagship Galaxy S21 series phones, Samsung has finally started rolling out the second beta build. If you have signed up for the One UI 4 beta program, you should receive a notification regarding the update on your device soon.Unsurprisingly, the new One UI 4 update includes a ton of bug fixes and improvements. Some of the highlights include improvements to the input accuracy of the Samsung Keyboard, a new microphone mode in video calls to allow users to choose what kind of sounds should be emphasized, general perform...

We don't need the FE anymore if Samsung continues down this path.The situation with the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE is a confusing one. We've seen quite a few renders, press shots, and plenty of leaks of the device. However, there have been rumors of the device being canceled following report after report of delays amid the global chip shortage. Yet now, there's evidence that Samsung is still planning to launch the device, so it's hard to know what to believe at this point.However, even if we don't end up getting a Galaxy S21 FE, it wouldn't be the end of the world. In fact, Samsung has good reason to abandon its Fan Edition plans; and frankly, it should consider doing just that.We already have the Galaxy S21When Samsung launched the well-received Galaxy S20 FE, it was regarded as a full-featured, affordable version of the Galaxy S20. It offered the same design, chipset, and even the same high-refresh-rate display yet at a lower price, which is why it was hailed as a "flagship ki...

You'll only need an email address or phone number to send gifts.What you need to knowAmazon now lets Prime members send gifts to people they care about using only their email address or mobile number.The new feature is currently available only on Amazon's mobile app, with millions of products eligible to gift.Only Prime members in the United States can access the new capability for now.Alongside its early Black Friday deals announcement, Amazon is making it super easy to send gifts to family and friends. The online retail giant has announced a new way for Amazon Prime members to gift someone using only their phone number or email address.The new method supercharges Amazon's existing capability for sending gifts. This means Prime customers don't need to enter a long line of delivery address upon checkout just to have their gifts shipped to the recipients. The process is a piece of cake if they already have their phone number or email address.To get started, simply use Am...

Android and Google's Pixel phones aren't tied together in the way most people think they are.Android 12 is finally here, but you can't have it.That sounds like crazy talk, but it's true, and it makes more sense than you probably think it does. If you're not keeping up to date on the news about Android 12 or Google's Pixel phones, here's what went down: Dave Burke, Google's VP of engineering and head of the Android project, announced that Android 12 was done and available. But (there's always a but) he didn't mean what you might assume, because he was talking about the source code used to build the software we know as Android 12.Later, Google informed us that the Android 12 update would not roll out to Pixel phones on October 4th like everyone expected it would. We reached out directly to Google for clarification, and here's what we were told verbatim: "We're putting the finishing touches on a special release with Pixel-exclusive and Pixel-first experiences on Android 12. This...

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, and the stock levels we've seen so far are 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've seen them stay in stock is maybe 15 to 20 minutes (usually just a few minutes, though), and that's at random times, so finding one for yourself can be a truly difficult task. Sony warned that it will be hard to find stock throughout the year and well into 2022, but retailers are promising more are coming, and Sony has secured additional semiconductor chips to make them.In our PS5 review, we called it a technical marvel with a groundbreaking controller. After spending a few months with it now, it's nearly impossible to go back to the PS4. Everything about the PS5 is better, from the games to the DualSense haptic feedback. You'll definitely want to experience it for yourself...

Get lost in these big worlds on a small screen.Role-playing games are wonderful, story-driven experiences that complement the mobile gaming experience nicely. Despite the relatively tiny mobile screens we're used to (yes, 5.7 inches is still small by gaming standards), RPGs allow us to get lost in fanciful worlds for a while. In the case of some games, especially those ported over from PC, that "while" could be 20, 30 hours, or even more! This makes the best RPGs worth their price in the Google Play Store.Unfortunately, like most game genres, there are some mobile duds. We've hand-picked the best of the best to save you the trouble of digging.If you're looking for more than just RPGs, be sure to check out our roundup of the best Android games out there!The gamesAdventure Quest 3DAnimAAnother Eden: The Cat Beyond Time and SpaceArcane Quest 3Baldur's Gate and Baldur's Gate II: Shadows of AmnThe Banner SagaBattle Chasers: Nightwar Chrono TriggerCrashlands Eternium...