Latest from Android Central

The streaming service will arrive in the United Arab Emirates, South Africa, and more regions this summer.What you need to knowDisney Plus plans to expand into more than 50 new markets this year.The streaming service aims to reach more than 160 countries by fiscal 2023.It is expected to begin expanding in various regions this summer, including South Africa, Turkey, and the United Arab Emirates.Disney Plus surpassed more than 50 million subscribers in April 2020, just five months after its launch in the United States across various platforms, including laptops and Android phones. Less than a year and a half later, the streaming service topped 100 million subscribers, though it still trailed Netflix's subscriber base.The company is now going after its toughest rival with a planned expansion in 53 new markets this summer. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Disney Plus will launch in 42 countries and 11 territories. These include the following:Åland IslandsAlbaniaAlge...

The FCC is pushing nutrition labels for internet providers.What you need to knowThe FCC has voted to move forward with new rules for ISPs to display nutrition labels.The proposed rulemaking would mandate ISPs to display relevant speed and pricing information to consumers.This should make it easier for consumers to make an informed decision on their broadband.The FCC voted unanimously on a plan that would allow consumers to make better decisions about their broadband internet.The proposal will require internet service providers (ISPs) - including many of the best wireless carriers in the U.S. — to display "nutrition labels" that display relevant service information for consumers at point-of-sale. This includes internet speeds, allowances, and clear information on rates."If you walk into any grocery store and pull boxes of cereal from the shelves, you can easilycompare calories and carbohydrates," FCC Chair Jessica Rosenworcel said in a statement on Thursday. "That's b...

The removal will take effect some time this month.What you need to knowVerizon will no longer be supported in the Google Play Store's carrier billing program starting in January.The carrier confirmed its removal from the list, citing a "business decision" rather than a security concern.Google advises users of its carrier billing feature in the United States to update their payment method for subscriptions.If you're currently paying for apps and subscriptions in the United States through your carrier billing, you might want to update your payment method right now as Google plans to remove Verizon Wireless from the list.Google Play's support page for accepted payment options in the U.S. confirms this news, first reported by Android Police. "As of January 2022, Verizon Wireless will no longer be an accepted payment method for subscriptions in the US," reads a warning on the page.A number of Google Play users initially received an email from Google informing them that Veriz...

The Google Pixel 5a packs a big battery into a very familiar design, and while it might look a little boring on its own, that's what cases are for: protecting your phone and making it look even better! The limited release of the Google Pixel 5a had me concerned we wouldn't see many big-name, high-quality cases, but those fears were unfounded. We've got the best Pixel 5a cases right here to help you protect your new phone, whatever your tastes prefer.Sage colors, serene patternsCaseology Parallax Compatible with Google Pixel 5a Case (2021)Staff PickSince the Pixel 5a lacks color options, Caseology has given us the best of the Pixel 5's colors along with its tried and true favorites. The Parallax features a fun cubist pattern that adds grip and style across the back. The bumper has a new ultra-textured section, but some might find it abrasive.$16 at Amazon $16 at WalmartGrippy and understatedSpigen Liquid Air ArmorIf you want grip without a case that glows like a ra...

Now you don't have to miss out on features when entering protected chats.What you need to knowMessenger is rolling out end-to-end encrypted group chats and calls to everyone.Protected chats will now include features found in regular chat conversations, like gifs, reactions, and more.Users will be notified when someone takes a screenshot of disappearing messages.End-to-end encrypted chats have been available for some time on Messenger, but Meta is announcing quite a few enhancements for the feature that will make it more feature-rich on iOS and the best Android phones.Messenger's secure chats were relatively limited before, but that is now changing with the swath of new features arriving. Many of these are features you'd find when chatting normally (and not protected) in Messenger. That includes typing indicators, message replies and forwarding, reactions, and the ability to send GIFs and stickers.You can also save media and edit videos before you send them. Essentially ...

The perfect cure for a rainy day or your morning transit commute.Not everyone wants to commit hours of their day to playing games on their phones. That's why casual games exist! These games have proven wildly successful, championed by iconic mobile games such as Angry Birds and Candy Crush Saga. They're designed to be played on the go and at your own pace — as laid back or competitive as you want.Most casual games are free, offering in-app purchases and some ads. Some may cost you a dollar or two, but they're worth it. We've collected some of our favorites from the past, along with some newer games that are great to keep on your phone for a little gaming break during your day. It should come as no surprise that you'll find quite a few of these on our list of best Android games.The gamesAI Factory LimitedAlto's Odyssey Among UsAngry Birds 2The Battle for PolytopiaCandy Crush SagaCats are CuteChessplodeData WingThe FishercatFishing LifeFruit Ninja FreeMini Metr...

If you're going to have an "oopsie" name leak, at least it was a cute one.What you need to knowGoogle's latest Superfans care package offered a small Pixel 6a fakeout.The package includes a Nest Audio speaker and a Made By Google-themed coloring book.Listed in the table of contents on pages 6-7 is "Nest Thermostat • Pixel 6a," but those pages actually show the Nest Hub and the Nest Audio.On the digital coloring book version, there is a page of Pixel 6 phones that you can color in, but it's unclear if these are the Pixel 6 or Pixel 6a since the Pixel 6a is supposed to look very similar.While the Google Pixel 6a is still a ways off, that's not stopping Google from accidentally stoking the smoldering embers of hype for its next phone in a swag box sent out to Pixel Superfans this week. The care package includes a Nest Audio, still the best Google Assistant speaker after over a year on the market, a set of colored pencils, and a coloring book of all your favorite Google-ma...

The country already has IndusOS, which is based on Google's Android.What you need to knowIndia wants to create its own operating system.Union Minister of State for Electronics and IT believes Google and Apple are too dominant.The country wants more competition.The government of India is planning to create a policy that would help the mobile ecosystem in the country, the Economic Times reports. It would mean creating a native operating system that would be an alternative to Google's Android and Apple's iOS, Union Minister of State for Electronics and IT Rajeev Chandrasekhar said on Monday.Chandrasekhar says that right now, Google's and Apple's operating systems are the two most dominant systems that are driving the hardware ecosystem in the country."There is no third one. Therefore, in a lot of ways there is tremendous interest in MeitY and in the Government of India to even create a new handset operating system. We are talking to people. We are looking at a policy for t...

An easy way to find all the deals on the Play Store.What you need to knowGoogle rolls out a new "Offers" tab in the Play Store.The tab will allow users to quickly find deals on apps, entertainment, and more.The new tab is rolling out in the United States, India, and Indonesia first, with more countries coming later.The Play Store bottom bar is getting a bit crowded thanks to the brand new "Offers" tab that's rolling out now on the best Android phones.The new tab was spotted a couple of months ago in what appeared to be a limited test, but now it's officially available on Android devices as per Google's announcement on Thursday.The new tab is designed "to help you discover deals in games and apps across travel, shopping, media & entertainment, fitness, and more." Scrolling through the "Offers" tab, you'll notice different sections for apps, movies, ebooks, and rentals. There's also a section dubbed "offers for apps you might like," which will highlight deals that are...

From gaming screens to the silver screen.Sony Interactive Entertainment is responsible for the PlayStation division of Sony, manufacturing consoles like the PS5 while PlayStation Studios is hard at work on a slate of upcoming first-party games. Meanwhile. PlayStation Productions is helping turn some of those same games into movies and TV shows, spreading PlayStation characters and worlds across different forms of entertainment. Here's every project that PlayStation Productions is confirmed to be working on so far.Jump to:What is it?Uncharted movieGhost of Tsushima movieThe Last of Us TV showTwisted Metal TV showWhat is PlayStation Productions?PlayStation Productions is a part of Sony Interactive Entertainment, specifically designed to adapt games from PlayStation Studios. Founded in 2019, PlayStation Productions aims to help produce movies and TV shows from Sony-owned PlayStation IP, meaning some of the best PS5 games have a chance of turning into a show or bloc...

The messaging service is working on a revamped media picker on Android.What you need to knowWhatsApp has been spotted developing a new design for its media picker on Android.The new design will display two tabs for "Recents" and gallery when choosing a file to send.The upcoming change will make it easier for users to send older photos and videos.WhatsApp was recently spotted preparing a new capability that would let you migrate your chat history from Android to iOS. This is just one of the many features that keep the messaging service busy in order to improve the platform's chat experience.The Meta-owned service now seems to be preparing a simpler way to share both recent and older media files with a redesigned media picker that it plans to introduce to its beta version on Android phones.According to WABetaInfo, the latest WhatsApp beta update includes hints of an upcoming makeover to its existing feature for sending media files. The redesigned file picker will display ...

Forget the ads and microtransactions and just play!There's something refreshing and low-stress about playing mobile games not entirely designed to get you to spend on in-app purchases. Honestly, I can say a lot for spending a couple of dollars upfront to get an entire game that you can enjoy from beginning to end without sitting through ads, being hounded to buy coins or gems, having to open crates, card packs, or whatever.I'll spare you the soapbox rant. Instead, we've gone through the Play Store and picked out a few games that cost a bit upfront but are worth every penny. So here are the best Android games without those pesky IAPs!The gamesThe Banner SagaCastlevania: Symphony of the NightDead CellsDownwellEvoland 1 and 2Final Fantasy VIIIGrimvalorGrand Theft AutoHoledown HuntdownJYDGEMini MetroMonument Valley 1 & 2Muse DashOxenfreeReigns: Her MajestyThe Room seriesStardew ValleyStar Wars: Knights of the Old RepublicThumper: Pocket EditionUnmazeVa...

If you're like me and have kids, chances are that somewhere near the beginning of the pandemic, you might have reluctantly given in and signed your kids up to Facebook Messenger Kids. It was, after all, one of the only ways they could converse with their school friends during virtual instruction. By now, you might realize it's not all that bad and a great way for them to stay in touch with friends and family, including those from afar. They can video or text chat, send photos, play games together, and more.What is Facebook Messenger Kids?Facebook Messenger Kids is a special kids version of the popular messaging app that is connected to a parent account, and can be downloaded to select Android, iOS, and Amazon Fire mobile devices. Kids can have their own set of contacts, all approved by the parent managing the account. You can choose to allow kids to add their own contacts or have a request go through you first for approval. They add contacts through the parents connecting with ot...

The Goldilocks sizeOculus Quest 2 128GB$299 at Best BuyProsCheaperSupports all the same features and gamesRuns all original Oculus Quest gamesConsNo microSD slot for expandable storageThe 128GB Oculus Quest 2 supports all the same features and games as the larger storage version. Since Oculus upgraded the base model from 64GB to 128GB, it's easy to recommend the more affordable Quest 2 as the ideal model.More space to exploreOculus Quest 2 256GB$399 at AmazonProsEven more room for gamesExtra space for media storageRuns all original Oculus Quest gamesCons30% more expensive No microSD slot for expandable storageThe Oculus Quest 2 with 256GB of storage gives you enough room for 20 to 50 Oculus Quest games before running out of space. There's enough space where you can download a movie for offline viewing, but don't go crazy with that since there's no microSD card slot. Beyond that, this version has no exclusive features.Oculus Q...

Samsung starts the Samsung Galaxy S20 off with 128GB of memory. Still, if you like to download movies for trips like me or are just an absolute shutterbug that needs to capture literally every moment of your or your kid's life, you'll probably want to invest in a microSD card. It's the perfect thing to expand and offload your media so that the internal memory can be used for apps and those super-duper slow-mos. Here are some of the best Galaxy S20 SD cards you can buy right now.Best for appsLexar Professional 1066x 256GB microSDXCStaff PickLexar's Professional 1066x 256GB microSD card supports speedy 160MB/s read speeds and 120MB/s write speeds and it's upgraded from previous models for storing and running apps directly on the card.$38 at Amazon $38 at B&H $60 at Newegg4K-readyPNY 128GB Elite-X Class 10 U3 V30 microSDPNY's card is rated V30, which is a fancy way of saying it supports up to 30MB/s write speeds for recording video. It also has an A1 certificatio...

The chip promises best-in-class performance and power efficiency.What you need to knowMediaTek has announced a new Kompanio chipset designed for premium Chromebooks.The chipset is built on a 6nm process and uses a five-core ARM-Mali G57 GPU.Acer's Chromebook Spin 513 is the first device to feature the new chip.MediaTek has quietly announced a new Kompanio series chipset for premium Chromebooks. The Kompanio 1380 isn't vastly different from the Kompanio 1300T that the company introduced last year, but lacks 5G connectivity.The "flagship-grade" chipset is built on TSMC's 6nm process and comes with an octa-core CPU. It uses four high-performance Cortex-A78 cores and four efficiency-focused Cortex-A55 cores to handle background tasks.Like MediaTek's Kompanio 1200, the new 1380 chipset features a five-core Mali-G57 GPU for "vivid visuals and great experiences." On the connectivity front, the Kompanio 1380 supports Bluetooth 5 and Wi-Fi 6 standards.The Kompanio 1380 also in...

Pluto TV is one of the easiest ways to watch live TV right now. Operated by ViacomCBS Streaming, the free live-stream television service offers more than 250 ad-supported, curated live channels. Pluto TV also makes it easy to find your favorite programs by grouping together similar content into categories such as Movies, Entertainment, News + Opinions, Reality, and Crime. And the best part? You don't have to create an account! Here's what you need to do to watch Pluto TV from anywhere.How to watch Pluto TVIf you're planning to access Pluto TV on a smart TV or via a streaming device, all you need to do is download the Pluto TV app. Here's how to download the Pluto TV app if you're using an Amazon Fire TV Stick:From your home page, scroll to the right and select Find. Under that label, select Search, and type in Pluto TV. Select Pluto TV from the list of options.Click the Get or Download option. It's worth pointing out that downloading the Pluto TV app on Roku device...

Of all the phones that came out in 2021, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3 was my favorite. It took the Z Fold 2's design and added water-resistance, S Pen support, better built-in screen protectors, and a better outer display with a higher refresh rate. But foldables are still a pretty new concept and, as such, there are plenty of things to improve.Surprisingly, most of the things I want to see improved from the Galaxy Z Fold 3 are not hardware-related changes — although there are still a few improvements I'd love to see. Mostly, though, it's the software that I want to see improved and refined. Android 12L was made with foldables in mind and I expect those improvements to carry on to foldables that debut in 2022, like the Galaxy Z Fold 4.Flattening the creaseThere's little doubt that most Galaxy Fold users — no matter if that's Galaxy Fold 1, 2, or 3 — would agree that they could go without the giant crease in the middle of their smartphone's screen. I said the same thing o...

Less than a month until Aloy's massive new adventure.What you need to knowHorizon Forbidden West has gone gold for PS5 and PS4.This means development of the game for launch has officially finished and physical copies can start to be printed.Horizon Forbidden West is slated to launch on Feb. 18, 2022.Horizon Forbidden West has gone gold, Guerrilla Games shared via PlayStation Blog on Thursday. Going gold is a game development phrase meaning that the development phase is finished. Physical copies can now be printed and the content in digital copies is finalized, though of course there could still be a day one patch for something if the team deems it necessary.Hermen Hulst, head of PlayStation Studios, noted on Twitter that it had been an "extremely challenging" development cycle but that he was proud of the team at Guerrilla Games, adding that "...the depth, scope and sheer quality of what they have achieved has blown me away."Horizon Forbidden West is slated to launch on...

Uplift any space with an incandescent glow for an irresistible price.Smart lights come in dramatically different shapes and sizes today. ECOLOR aims to bring smart lighting to the budget segment while keeping compromises on the down-low. You get cute little portable lamps in the shape of eggs and crescent-shaped ambient lights from the brand. When it comes to the form factor, the sky's the limit as long as you keep your mind open. If you're looking to add an ethereal glow to your living room fittings or car interior though, smart light strips are your best bet.Apart from strangely shaped ambient lights, ECOLOR also offers assorted smart LED light strips. This review will take a look at the ECOLOR Rainbow LED Strip Lights, ECOLOR Smart LED Strip Lights, and ECOLOR Interior Car Lights. While they share the same heart and soul, these three products have a few key differences here and there. Happily, they do have one enticing feature in common: inexpensiveness.ECOLOR Smart Light ...

They're an easy sell if you're active and want to keep your ears free.It's not unfair to suggest bone conduction headphones are an acquired taste. By and large, most want to cover their ears to hear the tunes they want, but for those times where you may want to free them, bone conduction headphones are one way to do it.Shokz (formerly AfterShokz) usually steps up as one of the best options, and that's what the OpenRun Pro clearly turn out to be. They're presented as more active in focus, but that's not really necessary to enjoy them for what they can do.Shokz OpenRun Pro review:Price and availabilityWhat's good What's not goodThe competitionShould you buy?At a glanceShokz OpenRun Pro review Bottom line: The OpenRun Pro continue to show why Shokz is the premier brand for bone conduction headphones by doing th...

Unlike the Apple Watch, Samsung's Galaxy Watch 4 allows you to use third-party watch faces and even third-party watch face stores such as Facer and WatchMaker. You can change your watch face two ways: directly on the watch, or through the companion app on your phone. I highly recommend customizing through your phone whenever possible as it takes fewer swipes, scrolling, and taps to get things how you want them. Some watch face packs from Google Play you'll have to edit from the watch, but most you can edit from your phone. Either way, it means you can get almost any watch face design you want on your wrist.How to set a new watch face with Complications from your phoneOpen the Galaxy Wearable app on your phone.Tap Watch faces.Tap Show all.Tap the watch face you want to set.Tap the pencil icon in the watch face's icon.For third-party watch face apps like Facer and WatchFace, this is when you'll need to head to that app on your phone. For Samsung's watch faces, you'll ha...

Even if today is the first time you've touched YouTube Music, it has years of history on you.Even if you've never used the YouTube Music app or shiny new desktop site before, chances are your profile is already chock-full of recommendations. YouTube Music shares a library and a history with the main YouTube app, and so that means that every video that you've searched for or watched with your account is being used to calculate what music you'd like to listen to.Unfortunately, not everything in our YouTube history is something we want affecting our recommendations or Your Supermix — especially those Disney songs your niece demanded to sing along to while you were babysitting. Here's how to clear out the clutter and improve your YouTube Music offerings.Regularly rate recommendations Hit that thumbs up to the right of the song title.While you're listening to any radio station, don't just skip past songs you don't like; thumb them down so they leave and don't come back. If you...

LG benefited from an increase in demand for OLED and large-screen TVs in several markets in Q4 2021.What you need to knowLG Electronics has posted its 2021 financial results.The company achieved its highest full-year revenue in 2021, thanks to strong demand for home appliances and OLED TVs.LG's Q4 revenue increased 20.7% YoY, although operating profit was down 21.4%.LG, which quit the smartphone business last year, has announced that it achieved its highest annual revenue in 2021, with full-year sales reaching KRW 74.72 trillion (about $63.16 billion). That's an increase of 28.7% over 2020. LG has attributed its strong performance to robust sales of OLED TVs and premium home appliances.LG also witnessed record sales in the fourth quarter of the year, with consolidated revenue rising 20.7% over the same period last year to KRW 21.01 trillion (about $17.76 billion). Operating profit, however, declined 21.4% over Q4 2020. LG says this was due to higher raw material global lo...

Samsung expects the Galaxy S22 series to help it secure strong profitability during the first quarter of 2022.What you need to knowSamsung has announced its financial results for the fourth quarter of 2021.The company posted KRW 76.57 trillion (about $63.6 billion) in revenue and KRW 13.87 trillion (about $11.5 billion) in operating profit during the quarter. The record quarterly revenue was driven by strong sales of the company's premium smartphones, TVs, and home appliances. Samsung Electronics on January 27 reported its financial results for the fourth quarter of 2021. The company posted KRW 76.57 trillion (about $63.6 billion) in consolidated revenue, setting a new quarterly record. Its quarterly profit record also reached a four-year high.As for the full year, Samsung reported KRW 279.6 trillion (about $232.4 billion) in revenue and KRW 51.63 trillion (about $42.9 billion) in operating profit. Samsung attributes the strong growth in revenue and operating profit to...

"Meta Quest" is just so fetch.What you need to knowMeta changes the social media accounts of its VR brand to Meta Quest.The change follows Meta's company rebrand that was announced in late 2021.No one liked it then, no one likes it now.Facebook, or Meta, as it now likes to be called, is going through with the rebranding of its popular Oculus Quest 2 VR headset, changing the beloved name to "Meta Quest."A cursory glance at all of the Quest's renamed social media accounts will show the same meme highlighting the decision between Oculus and Meta Quest. Probably because Meta finds it amusing to poke fun at our emotions and lighten the mood in an attempt to get us to go along with the name change. Well, Meta was wrong.New Name. Same Mission. pic.twitter.com/USJafAPEdW— Meta Quest (@MetaQuestVR) January 26, 2022The response on social media has shown that fans are anything but amused, with people criticizing the move as a betrayal of the brand, with some asking why the c...

The massive outage forced gamers off the platform.What you need to knowDiscord was down for many users.The outage started around noon PT and lasted for a couple of hours.Discord says that it has addressed the issue, and users should be able to log back in.Discord users were left in the cold on Wednesday when one of the best messaging apps suddenly became unusable. It turns out a massive outage had kept many users from logging in.The outage began sometime before noon Pacific time. Since then, Discord kept users abreast of any updates on Twitter and its status page, saying earlier that it identified and was working to fix the problems.As of 2:19 p.m. PT, an update was posted to Twitter informing users that the chat app should be back up and users should be able to log in.Hey @ everyone connection should be fully restored now! Hope you touched a little grass while we were out. Thx for the patience. https://t.co/smYJJdJm3e pic.twitter.com/fx35pnU3eW— Discord (@discord) ...

It's like CES all over again.A health checkpoint at Mobile World Congress 2022Update, Jan 26 (8:30 p.m. ET): Corrected claim that Lenovo owns TCL; it in fact owns Motorola. We regret the error.What you need to knowLenovo has announced it will no longer have an in-person booth at Mobile World Congress 2022.Lenovo will have a virtual booth, whereas Sony has said it will skip MWC 2022 entirely.Techradar received confirmation that Huawei, OPPO, and Xiaomi still intend to have in-person booths in Barcelona next month.Other OEMs like Samsung, HMD Global/Nokia, and ASUS are slated to attend as well.Many popular tech brands abandoned in-person CES 2022 at the last minute due to the Omicron surge, including Google, Meta, and Twitter. Now, with not much changed from a pandemic perspective, and MWC 2022 set to arrive in about a month, mobile brands have to decide whether or not to go virtual — or skip the event entirely.MWC UPDATE: Due to the ongoing trends surrounding COVID, L...

Better late than never.What you need to knowNetflix has updated its list of HD and HDR-supported smartphones.Google's 2021 lineup has been added to both lists, including the Pixel 5a and Pixel 6 series.HD streaming will also depend on your subscription and carrier plan.Every so often, Netflix updates its list of phones that support HD and HDR streaming on the platform. The latest additions to Netflix's higher-quality viewing: The Google Pixel 5a and the Pixel 6 series.The change was spotted on the Netflix support page (via 9to5Google). That means owners of Google's 2021 smartphone lineup will be able to binge "Arcane" in higher resolution. Of course, that also depends on your Netflix plan.Currently, the Basic plan does not include HD streaming, which might sound a bit odd in 2022. You'll need to upgrade to the Standard plan if you want HD streaming or the Premium plan if you want to step it up to Ultra HD.Of course, it doesn't help that Netflix recently jacked up the ...

Best answer: No, PlayStation VR2 will not be wireless. It will, however, feature a single cord and a "simpler" connection to the PS5.PS VR2: Not ready to cut the cord ... yetWhen it launches on the PS5, the PlayStation VR2 will not be wireless. Sony revealed this somewhat disappointing news when it officially announced the PS VR2. While many gamers were hoping that Sony would follow Facebook's lead in delivering a totally wireless VR solution, it seems that the technology isn't ready for wireless VR from a PlayStation console at this time.In many ways, Sony is following Facebook's lead on more powerful VR experiences by announcing that a single-cable solution will be employed with the PS VR2 on PS5. Facebook's official solution for playing PC VR games on the Oculus Quest 2 is via an Oculus Link cable, a single 15-foot-long USB Type-C cable. Since the PS5 has USB Type-C ports — the same port used on PC to link up VR headsets — Sony will be ditching the processing box from th...

PlayStation VR is becoming an increasingly larger platform, especially with the upcoming PS5 VR release. But no matter where you play your VR games, whether on a PS4 or PS5, you're in for an incredible experience. With PlayStation unleashing new games almost every month, it's easy to get overwhelmed by what's out there. Here are some of the unreleased VR games slated to hit PSVR in the coming months. We look forward to adding more upcoming PlayStation VR games to this list as they become available. For now, we hope some of our favorite picks on this list catch your eye.Jump to:StrideZenithWandererStrideEver wonder what Mirror's Edge would look like in virtual reality? Well, this is the closest thing you might get. Since you probably can't do parkour in real life, do it in the safety of VR with Stride. It's not exclusively about parkour either since you'll have to fight enemies on rooftops of the metropolis you're turning into a jungle gym. Stride will feature an A...

More Windows 11 users get to play with Android apps.What you need to knowWindows 11 Insiders can now access Android apps on the Release Preview Channel.Android apps are accessible via the Amazon Appstore on Windows 11.Microsoft is launching a public preview of Android apps on Windows 11 in February.Microsoft is taking another step towards making Android apps on Windows 11 a thing. On Wednesday, the company announced in a blog post that Android apps are now available for Windows Insiders on the Release Preview Channel.This isn't the first time that Android apps have been available on Windows 11, although previously it was limited to Insiders on the Beta Channel and later the Dev Channel. Now, more users can get in on the action, which is good news for anyone not brave enough to dive into the deep end of the Insider pool that is the Dev Channel.The Release Preview Channel is available for Insiders that want to get a taste of the latest Windows features and builds right be...

If you recently got your hands on the Garmin Venu 2, you know this smartwatch is both brains and beauty. You'll want to protect it from unwanted damage, so you'll need to find the best Garmin Venu 2 and 2S screen protectors for your watch. It's important to remember that this wearable now comes in three sizes. The standard Venu 2 is 45mm, and the smaller Venu 2S is 40mm. The latest model, the Venu 2 Plus, falls right in the middle at 43mm. We've rounded up some of the best Garmin Venu 2 and 2S screen protectors for you to pick from.Perfectly transparentSupershieldz Garmin Venu 2S and 2S Screen Protector (3-pack)Staff PickIf you know a thing or two about screen protectors, you know Supershieldz is one of the most reputable names on the market. So it should come as no surprise that it's also the best Garmin Venu 2 and 2S screen protector you can buy. You get high-quality TPU film for easy installation with no residue. You also get real touch sensitivity and high-definition ...

The Google Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro are the first Pixels to go above the basic 18W Power Delivery for wired charging, but there's been some controversy over how many watts it actually can pull down. You don't need Google's 30W charge, but here are the best Pixel 6 chargers that will also charge all the other gear in your life.Compact and powerfulAnker Nano II 45W Fast ChargerStaff PickAnker's 45W charger has everything your Pixel 6 needs except a cable. Thanks to PPS support, this 1.4-inch cube is a hefty little charger ready to fast charge your laptop, your tablet, or your Pixel 6.$40 at Amazon $40 at Best Buy $40 at WalmartCharge more at onceAukey Omnia Mix3 90W 3-Port PD ChargerWant to fast-charge your Pixel 6 Pro and your laptop at the same time? Not a problem for the Omnia Mix3; when both USB-C ports are used, your laptop can charge up to 60W while your Pixel can pull down up to 30W.$50 at AukeyGalaxy-geared, Pixel perfectSamsung 25W Travel AdapterWh...

Or is the S Pen trade-off enough?Samsung is expected to launch the Galaxy S22 series on February 9, and while the standard and Plus models aren't expected to change too much, the S22 Ultra may see the most drastic change of the S series. However, not looking beyond the inclusion of the S Pen, Samsung is expected to make a rather curious change to the configuration of the S22 Ultra.Rumors and leaks have pointed to Samsung lowering the base RAM of the Galaxy S22 Ultra to 8GB, down from 12GB on the S21 Ultra. RAM would top out at 12GB instead of 16GB. Yet, rumors indicate that the phone will arrive with the same launch price as its predecessor.We want to know if our readers care if Samsung lowers the base RAM on its upcoming premium flagship.Do you care if Samsung lowers the RAM on the Galaxy S22 Ultra?One might argue that your Android phone doesn't need 12GB or 16GB of RAM and that 8GB should be just fine for most people. Especially when you take into account optimizations i...

It's not quite "retina-level" yet, but it's much closer than before.What you need to knowIn its weekly report, Display Supply Chain Consultants said that the PS VR2's display will sport greater than 800 pixels-per-inch density per eye.This comes as a massive improvement over the original, which was lower than 200 PPI per eye.Sony will continue using an RGB stripe OLED panel, which is also important to display density and quality.The PS VR2 is expected to launch later in 2022 but has no confirmed release date.Update January 26: We've added more information on PPI vs PPD.The PlayStation VR2 is set to have the most pixel-dense display of any modern VR headset, according to a report by Display Supply Chain Consultants (DSCC). In its weekly industry supply chain report, CEO of DSCC, Ross Young, says that it won't reveal the display provider for Sony's upcoming next-generation PS VR2 but that the display itself features a greater than 800 PPI (pixels per inch) display density ...

Angry Birds Journey brings contemporary mobile design philosophies to the franchise in the worst ways.As a kid, I remember Angry Birds' infamous Mighty Eagle microtransaction was a bragging right on the playground because it almost always guaranteed a perfect score on each level. Players could pay a small fee to summon this powerful bird, which flew faster and hit harder than any other bird in the game before bombing the level with sardines, essentially wiping it clean. It was a welcome crutch for relatively inexperienced players faced with a tricky level.The Mighty Eagle set a precedent for a lot of mobile games, but never invaded a player's experience. If my classmates and I were playing Angry Birds Journey, the new mobile title that came out last week, however, I'm pretty sure microtransactions worse than the Mighty Eagle would have prevented us from playing much beyond the first handful of levels.The mobile game market has evolved since the first Angry Birds game. Microtran...

Great coverage, prices, and features for less.Tello Mobile has some of the best wireless prices with a ton of flexibility, but it probably isn't the first carrier that comes to mind when shopping for unlimited data. Wireless providers are a dime-a-dozen these days, especially MVNOs that piggyback off larger networks and deliver their same coverage for less money each month.Tello's simple plan structure paired with the speed and coverage of T-Mobile's network with 5G makes it one of the best cell phone plans for light users. With so much competition focusing on huge data amounts, it's interesting to see how it stacks up against large plans, especially those from brands like Mint Mobile and Visible. If you're looking for an easy way to save some money on phone service, Tello might be the perfect fit for you.Tello review:PlansCoverageData speedPhone selectionCompetitionShould you join?Changelog, January 2022Great choiceTello Mobile ...

As more and more work-related meetings are held virtually, Zoom has become a helpful tool for many people. But not every room in your home comes with the best lighting, which means you need a nice set-up so your colleagues can see you clearly and clients can connect with you visually as you chat. Lighting is a huge part of that equation offering softer color temperatures and an overall better experience. So for those looking for the best webcam lighting, here are some of our favorite options.Everything you needLume Cube Video Conference Lighting KitStaff PickGet everything you'll need in this kit, including light with adjustable brightness, adjustable color temperature from warm orange to cool white, a built-in frosted lens, and a white diffuser. Use the suction cup computer mount to secure it to your laptop or desktop monitor. The battery lasts for hours or plugs into the computer's USB port for continuous lighting.$70 at Amazon$80 at Best BuyTravel-friendlyFDKOBE V...

Probably not.Google has abandoned its controversial FLoC (Federated Learning of Cohorts) plans and now has a new idea that's supposed to bolster our privacy while on the web: Topics.It's the next iteration of Google Chrome's Privacy Sandbox, and if we take the announcement at face value it is a much better option than the current wild-west of third-party tracking cookies that also addresses some of the concerns over the FLoC method that Google has trialed over the past year.Of course, nobody is taking any of it at face value and nobody should.What is the new Topics API?After watching the video and reading through the technical notes about Topics, it sounds pretty simple.A list of things you like is kept by your web browser that an advertiser can query so it knows what ads you're more apt to click on. We'll have some control over the list and can delete a topic, and the list itself only lives for a limited time before it gets rebuilt. In theory, this makes it harder fo...

The Nord 2T could be OnePlus' first mid-range phone to support 80W wired charging.What you need to knowA new leak has shed light on the specs sheet of OnePlus' next mid-range phone.The upcoming OnePlus Nord 2T is tipped to be powered by MediaTek's unannounced Dimensity 1300 SoC.OnePlus could unveil the phone sometime next month. OnePlus is soon rumored to expand its Nord lineup of value-focused phones with at least two new additions. If a new report from Digit is to be believed, the upcoming Nord 2T may not be a massive upgrade over last year's Nord 2.Per the report, the upcoming Nord 2T will be powered by MediaTek's Dimensity 1300 chipset. While the chipset is yet to be officially announced, rumors suggest it could bring significant performance improvements over the Dimensity 1200 chipset that powered some of the best budget Android phones launched last year.Besides a faster chipset, the phone is also tipped to offer faster charging speeds than the Nord 2. The Nord 2T ...

Both games still shine bright, but this remaster turns in fairly minimum effort.Naughty Dog is one of the biggest names from PlayStation Studios, building its brand on blockbuster titles like the Uncharted franchise. With Uncharted: Legacy of Thieves Collection, two of those games, Uncharted 4: A Thief's End and Uncharted: The Lost Legacy, which launched in 2016 and 2017, repsectively, are being bundled together with a handful of PS5 specific-improvements.Uncharted 4 follows the final adventure of treasure hunter Nathan Drake, who is experiencing married life before dealing with the appearance of his long-lost brother, Sam. Drake subsequently finds himself resuming a hunt for lost pirate treasure. Meanwhile, The Lost Legacy is a spinoff title, following Nathan's part-time compatriot, Chloe Fraser, as she seeks an ancient artifact called the Tusk of Ganesh.Uncharted: Legacy of Thieves Collection is a comfy, nostalgic trip with two games that hold up well. Overall, this PS5 versi...

The Google Pixel 6 Pro is here with outstanding camera upgrades, instant dictation/translation thanks to Google Tensor, and a curved 6.7-inch screen with a variable refresh rate. Anyone who's ever owned a curved-screen phone knows, protecting the sides of that phone is crucial to keep it intact and alive. With that in mind, here are the best Pixel 6 Pro cases to keep your shiny new flagship safe.Slim, but secureSpigen Liquid Air Armor Designed for Google Pixel 6 ProStaff PickIf you don't want to bulk up with a super-sized Pixel 6 Pro case, what you want is something slim but still thick enough to provide some impact protection and significantly add grip. The Liquid Air Armor has great textures both across the back and on the sides, which is why I recommend it over its classic Rugged Armor sibling.$16 at AmazonDesigned for dropsIncipio GripIncipio knows how to make cases that will protect your precious Pixel 6 Pro without turning it into a brick. Of course, 14-foot...

A clear sense of identityNest Hub Max$230 at Best BuyFrom $209 at Walmart$229 at GoogleProsExcellent facial and voice recognitionAccess to YouTube and YouTube Music nativelyBuilt-in access to Netflix, Hulu, Sling TV, and moreGoogle Assistant works wonderfullyConnects with Google PhotosConsFewer video calling features than the Portal+The smaller screen isn't great for watching videosCan't tilt the displayNot physical privacy shutter for the cameraThe Nest Hub Max is a full-featured smart display from Google that brings the brains of your Google Assistant with the convenience of touchscreen controls. It offers some helpful video calling tools to go along with all of your favorite streaming entertainment. But the smaller display may not be the best for watching videos.Video calling beastFacebook Portal+$299 at Amazon$300 at Best BuyProsExcellent hardwareGreat sound qualityGood camera with lots of video calling featuresDual voice assist...

Take your Synology NAS to the next level with these tips and tricks.Synology makes the best NAS for Plex streaming and general home use, and it also has plenty of productivity-focused systems tailored for businesses. While NAS enclosures from all manufacturers have similar hardware, Synology's differentiator is the software. With DiskStation Manager (DSM), it has created the best operating system you'll find for NAS enclosures.I've been using Synology NAS enclosures for nearly a decade now; I rely on my DiskStation DS1520+ for Plex streaming and backing up data from all the phones and Windows machines in my home, and I also run a VPN server directly on the NAS. If you're just getting started with a Synology NAS or are looking to learn more about all you can do with DSM, here are the best Synology tips and tricks to get the most out of your NAS enclosure.A truly fantastic NASSynology DiskStation DS220+$300 at Amazon$300 at Newegg$300 at B&H PhotoEverything you ne...

Netflix gives you access to thousands of shows and movies with new options appearing regularly. For as little as $10 a month, you can pay to stream on one screen at a time with SD resolution. Viewers looking for a more substantial streaming experience can upgrade to a standard membership for $14, which ups your viewing to two screens at once with HD resolution. Netflix also offers a premium membership for $18, which increases viewing to four screens at once with HD and Ultra HD resolution. But if this streaming service's offerings aren't doing it for you, it might be time to cancel. Follow these easy steps to cancel your Netflix membership.Products used in this guideThe original streamer: Netflix (From $10/mo. at Netflix)How to cancel NetflixLogin to your account on Netflix.com.When the page loads, click on your main account. It will open up to the Netflix streaming page. Hover over your profile image in the top right-hand corner of the screen. A drop-down menu appears...

The global Redmi Note 11 series lineup includes four models.What you need to knowXiaomi has announced the global variants of its Redmi Note 11 series phones.The lineup includes four models: Redmi Note 11, Redmi Note 11S, Redmi Note 11 Pro, and Redmi Note 11 Pro 5G.The Redmi Note 11 Pro 5G comes with a 108MP main camera and Qualcomm's 6nm Snapdragon 695 chipset. Xiaomi's Redmi Note 11 series, which made its debut in China in October last year, is finally global. Just as expected, however, the global variants of the Redmi Note 11 series phones are slightly different from the ones on sale in China.The Redmi Note 11 Pro 5G is powered by Qualcomm's Snapdragon 695 chipset, paired with up to 8GB of LPDDR4X RAM and 128GB of UFS 2.2 storage. It sports a 6.67-inch FHD+ AMOLED display featuring a 120Hz refresh rate, 360Hz touch sampling rate, and claimed peak brightness of 1,200 nits.In the camera department, the Redmi Note 11 Pro 5G has a triple-camera setup with a 108MP Samsun...

Leaks suggest the Tab S8s will take everything excellent about the S7 series and add the fastest performance available.Since mid-2020, if you wanted to buy the best Android tablet, your only real choice was between the Galaxy Tab S7 and S7 Plus. Now, finally, the Galaxy Tab S8 series will launch in early February, with a brand new Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra that'll compete with the iPad Pro for screen size and productivity.Samsung reportedly plans to announce the new tablets alongside the Galaxy S22 at the next Unpacked event. You can currently reserve a pre-order slot for Samsung's new tablet and phone, with a promised $50 credit if you buy both. But leakers suggest both devices will cost an arm and a leg, so be prepared to spend a lot to "save" that credit back.The biggest alleged upgrade to the Galaxy Tab S8 will be its processor: leakers suggest the new tablets will use either the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 or Exynos 2200, both at the cutting-edge of 2022 computing. The S7 series used the...

The vanilla Galaxy S22 will apparently pack a smaller battery than its predecessor.What you need to knowA massive new leak has revealed all the key specs of Samsung's upcoming Galaxy S22 series phones.All three phones will be powered by Qualcomm's Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chipset in North America. The phones are set to be formally unveiled at Samsung's Unpacked event on February 9. Yesterday, we got our best look yet at Samsung's upcoming Galaxy S22 phones, courtesy of renders shared by leaker Evan Blass. The complete specs sheet of all three Galaxy S22 series phones has now been leaked by German tech publication WinFuture.As per the publication, Samsung's vanilla Galaxy S22 will arrive with a 6.1-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display featuring FHD+ resolution, a 120Hz refresh rate, and a peak brightness of 1,500 nits. The European variant of the phone is going to be powered by Samsung's in-house developed Exynos 2200 chipset with AMD RDNA 2 graphics. It will have Qualcomm's Snapdrago...

The best Samsung Galaxy phones have all been updated to the One UI 4.0 update, bringing features like emoji pairs to their devices. If you're in the dark about this feature, here's how you can use emoji pairs on a Samsung Galaxy phone.How to use emoji pairs on a Samsung Galaxy phoneOpen any messaging app and start typing to open the Samsung Keyboard.Swipe left on the top bar on the keyboard.Tap on the emoji pair icon.Select two emojis of your choice and tap Next.Choose the animation style of your choice.Tap Send.Just like regular emojis, your recent and most used emoji pairs will be saved in the Samsung Keyboard. It may seem similar to emoji mashups in Gboard, but the result moves in your chosen animation style, making it all the more fun and expressive.Our top equipment picksTo access this cool emoji pairs feature, you need to own a Samsung phone. It also needs to be running One UI 4.0 based on Android 12, which is available on all the best Android phones from S...