Latest from Android Central

The stable update is reportedly bricking Samsung's foldable phone and causing a slew of other issues.What you need to knowSome Galaxy Z Fold 3 and Z Flip 3 devices are reportedly having various issues after the stable One UI 4 update.The Android 12 update appears to be bricking some devices while booting others into recovery mode.Samsung is supposedly planning to halt the rollout until these issues are resolved.Samsung is reportedly considering holding back the stable One UI 4 (Android 12) rollout for the Galaxy Z Fold 3 and Z Flip 3 due to mounting customer complaints just a few days after the update was released.Some South Korean users have taken to Samsung's community forum to report various issues that have occurred on their devices since installing One UI 4. According to one of the complaints, the update bricked Samsung's foldable devices.In some cases, the phone entered recovery mode after the update, and rebooting did not appear to resolve the issue. In other ins...

5G, AT&T, and what it means for you.AT&T has one of the most developed 5G networks out right now, with millimeter-wave coverage alongside low-band coverage. Both networks are available to customers with phones capable of connecting to both networks. AT&T has been aggressively expanding its 5G network and now approximates coverage for 250 million people, with mmWave expansion continuing to add capacity in high-traffic areas.Jump to:When will my area get 5G?Cities coveredWhich phones work with 5G?Which plan do I need?What tech is AT&T using?What is 5Ge?Is 5G worth it for most people?Sub-6 and mmWaveAT&T Unlimited ExtraFrom $75/mo. at AT&T5G access with 50GB of premium dataAT&T's Unlimited Extra plan is one of the best ways to use AT&T's network thanks to 50GB of premium data, 15GB of mobile hotspot data, and 5G accessWhen will my area get 5G?As far as 5G goes, AT&T is building two networks with C-band coming in 2...

Life360 sells user location data to companies that offer it to "virtually anyone who wants to buy it."Life360 is a family safety app that over 33 million customers around the world use. It has a single purpose — to track your children's location in real-time through their smartphones. A story at The Markup discovered that the company is doing more with that data than just keeping parents informed of where their children are (and have been). Apparently, it is selling this location data to about a dozen companies that broker data to "virtually anyone who wants to buy it."This isn't anything new, and there is a good chance that your location data has been sold in a very similar way. We've seen carriers and ad networks do something very similar when it comes to the location data collected from us. So many different companies collect user data that it's tough to keep track of where it's going and who can access it. It doesn't matter if you buy one of the best Android phones, or one ...

Samsung brings color, comfort, and ANC to its entry-level earbuds.I have a theory that may or may not be true, but it's one I think makes sense. Samsung, in its quest to build the AirPods of the Android world (or at least the AirPods for Samsung users), switched to a jewelry box design because it wants users to think of its products not necessarily as the best wireless earbuds but as a natural extension of the phone. It's much like how earrings or a necklace accent the wearer's features without drawing overt attention.AirPods are so good because wearers don't have to dwell on the mechanics of how they work. From pairing to pausing to transparency, they just do. And the magic comes from Apple's ownership over the entire technology stack.Samsung's been increasingly approaching that level of seamlessness with its Galaxy Buds lineup, but never before have all the pieces been so effortlessly integrated than with the Galaxy Buds 2, the new $150 earbuds that complement the existing Bu...

The YouTube TV app will soon be restored to Roku's channel store.What you need to knowRoku says it has reached a multi-year agreement with Google for YouTube and YouTube TV.While YouTube will continue to be available to Roku customers, the YouTube TV is expected to soon return to the platform. YouTube TV was removed from Roku devices in April this year.Streaming hardware maker Roku has announced that it has signed a multi-year deal with Google to keep YouTube and YouTube TV on its platform. The announcement comes just a day before YouTube was scheduled to be removed from the best Roku devices.Effective today, we have agreed to a multi-year extension with Google for YouTube and YouTube TV. This agreement represents a positive development for our shared customers, making both YouTube and YouTube TV available for all streamers on the Roku platform.— Roku (@Roku) December 8, 2021The multi-year extension means that both new and existing Roku customers will continue to ha...

Nothing makes a party better than some music, and nothing makes playing music easier than a Bluetooth speaker, especially as more phone manufacturers omit the 3.5mm headphone jack. Fortunately, you don't need to spend a fortune to get the best Bluetooth speaker and get the good times rolling.Best overall: Tribit StormBox MicroTribit sure knows its way around audio accessories, and the StormBox Micro is no exception. This Bluetooth speaker isn't just compact. It puts out a huge kick with deep, booming bass and 9W of power.One of the most distinctive features of the StormBox Micro is its ability to be easily mounted to bikes, backpacks, belts, or nearly anything else — get creative! The IP67 water and dust resistance mean you don't have to worry about getting caught in the rain, and you can pair two of these speakers together for an immersive stereo effect.The only downside is that the StormBox Micro only has 8 hours of battery life — enough to cut some parties short. But...

Ring ring, no one's home.What you need to knowAmazon Web Services, known as AWS, experienced an outage throughout the day on December 7, 2021.The outage started spiking around 11:20 am Eastern Time and continued on well into the evening.Ring, Alexa, iRobot, Disney+, Venmo, Prime Video, Prime Music, and many other services that rely on Amazon's cloud systems were affected.Update at 10:00 am ET, December 8: All services appear to be back online and operating normally.In the late morning hours of December 7, 2021, AWS — that's Amazon Web Services, or Amazon's massive cloud system — began experiencing connectivity issues with servers located in the East Region, which is located in Virginia. Any services that utilize servers in this region will likely continue to experience issues until the connectivity issues have been resolved. Richard Rocha, an Amazon spokesperson, had this to say about the outage: "There is an AWS service event in the US-East Region (Virginia) affe...

The new Memories collection isn't widely available just yet.What you need to knowGoogle Photos' "Best of 2021" Memories collection has started rolling out.The collection highlights some of the "best" photos that you uploaded to the service over the last twelve months. You'll be able to view the new collection alongside other Memories in your photo grid. Google has started surfacing a "Best of 2021" Memories collection in the Photos app, highlighting users' finest photos from the last twelve months. As reported by 9to5Google, the "Best of 2021" Memories collection should show up at the top of your photo grid when opening the app.Unlike a few themed collections in Google Photos, the "Best of 2021" collection only surfaces a random number of photos that you have uploaded to the service in the last year. Even though the collection is generated using AI, the featured photos aren't arranged by date or follow a specific pattern. For now, it looks like the "Best of 2021" c...

Private Safe lets you password-protect sensitive data on your phone.OPPO introduced a nifty feature in ColorOS 6.0 called Private Safe that allows you to safeguard sensitive data — including photos, videos, and documents — behind a passcode. With OnePlus using ColorOS 12 as the foundation for OxygenOS 12, the feature is making its way to OnePlus devices as well.How to configure Private Safe in OxygenOS 12It's very straightforward to set up and use Private Safe. You will need to set a privacy password for the feature, and you can do so during the initial configuration. Here's how to get started with Private Safe in OxygenOS 12:Go to Settings. Scroll down the page. Select Privacy.Choose Private Safe. You'll get a dialog box asking you to set a privacy password. Select Set password to do so. You'll see a message that the privacy password controls features like App Lock, Hide Apps. Private Notes, and Private Safe. Hit Set unified password to continue.The privacy pa...

Samsung's AirPods Pro competitors sound sweet.It's all been leading up to this. As with Samsung's first few Android phones, its first couple attempts at building wireless earbuds were ambitious but rife with problems: the original IconX, from 2016, had terrible battery life. The successor, a year later, had finicky controls. The first pair of true wireless earbuds to sport the Galaxy brand, 2019's Galaxy Buds, experienced major connectivity problems that required months of updates to fix.It wasn't until 2020 that Samsung's true wireless earbud line hit its stride with the austere, affordable, and ridiculously long-lasting Galaxy Buds+ in February followed up by the now-iconic (and still-weird) bean-shaped Galaxy Buds Live in August. The Buds+ laid solid sonic foundations while the Buds Live introduced a welcome redesign to the case and, more importantly, active noise cancelation.Now we have the $160 Galaxy Buds Pro, and in the ways it counts, I'm floored. Samsung continues to r...

For just $15 a month, HBO Max provides subscribers with access to a massive streaming library that includes more than 10,000 hours of film and television content from HBO and WarnerMedia. While the most straightforward way to sign up for HBO Max is through HBO, you can also access HBO Max through cable and mobile providers. Here are the options for getting HBO Max through cable and mobile providers right now.How to get HBO Max through your cable providerIf you already subscribe to HBO through your cable provider, you may already get access to HBO Max at no additional cost or for an extra fee. Here are the providers who offer HBO Max free of charge as part of your current HBO plan.1Tennessee BroadbandAcenTekAcme CommunicationsAdams Cable ServiceAlbany Mutual TelephoneAll West CommunicationsAllen's CommunicationsALLO CommunicationsAlpine CommunicationsAltice OneAltice USAAntietamArmstrongArthur Mutual TelephoneAT&TATC BroadbandAtlantic BroadbandATMCBaldwin ...

If Nokia phones don't get speedy Android 12 access, it could be the straw that breaks the brand's back.The Nokia 9 PureViewSince HMD Global acquired the Nokia Mobile brand in 2016, its smartphone business has mostly stood on three legs: affordability, clean and secure software, and speedy, reliable updates. If you take away one of those legs, a stiff breeze could send its business tumbling, with budget brands like Motorola — or major OEMs with budget phones like Samsung — eager to fill the gap.With the news last week that the Nokia 9 PureView wouldn't receive Android 11 — the second of two promised updates for a flagship phone — HMD Global has broken trust with its loyal customers. And it needs to approach 2022 like it has something to prove."Smartphone updates have been the cornerstone of HMD's value proposition basing it on the vanilla Google Android experience," says Counterpoint Research's VP of Research, Neil Shah. "Deviating from this core promise especially for t...

When it's time to switch from your older Android phone to a new one, you'll want to make sure all of your data makes its way across safely. Thankfully, Google makes it extremely convenient to migrate your texts, call logs, contacts, music, and photos over to your new phone seamlessly.How to back up data on your old Android phoneYou'll need to make sure that all the relevant data on your old phone is backed up to the cloud before you make the switch to your new phone. Google automatically backs up contacts, call logs, texts, and settings — including Do Not Disturb details — to Google Drive, so you'll be able to restore all that data to your new phone just by logging in with your Google account during initial configuration.Best of all, the data that's automatically backed up by Google doesn't count toward your 15GB free Drive storage quota, so you don't have to worry about running out of storage. The feature backs up call history, app data, contacts, device and home screen se...

You're shopping for the best Android TVs the market currently has to offer. But "best" can be subjective. For example, is 4K enough, or do you want specific perks like HDMI 2.1, Dolby Vision/Atmos, or local dimming zones? Do you want an LCD or an OLED? Are you OK with the old Android TV OS, or do you want an upgrade to Google TV? Most importantly, what's your budget? We've gathered our top picks to appeal to as wide an audience as possible, so you'll find the choice that's right for you.What are the best Android TVs?Overall, the Hisense H9G Quantum Series is the best Android TV you can buy in 2021. The television has an excellent 4K ULED display, HDR and Dolby Vision support, and a modern design with plenty of HDMI ports. Even better, you get all of this for an outstanding price.Budget shoppers who see 4K as more than enough should consider the TCL 4-Series for their next Android TV. It's one of the more affordable picks on this list, but still looks pretty stellar for its low pr...

Another year goes by.What you need to knowGoogle has released its Year in Search results for 2021.The list shows trending searches throughout the year for as many as 70 countries.Squid Game, Pokémon Unite, and Bernie Sanders' mittens were among the top trending searches for 2021.With the year coming to an end, Google has released its Year in Search for 2021. Google normally provides this list as a snapshot of trending searches throughout the year, although they don't necessarily represent top searches. Google says that the data is used to identify "topics that saw huge spikes in 2021, which means they're unique to this year compared to last year."As Google highlights in its Year in Search video, many searches highlight just how 2021 was about healing from 2020, whether it be the rollout of vaccines or coming together to fight racial injustice. That said, there were many categories that Google tracked throughout the year, and these are just some of the notable trends ...

Ring ring, no one's home.What you need to knowAmazon Web Services, known as AWS, is experiencing an outage.The outage started spiking around 11:20 am Eastern Time.Ring, Alexa, iRobot, Disney+, Venmo, Prime Video, Prime Music, and many other services that rely on Amazon's cloud systems were affected.Update at 8:20 pm ET: Services are slowly being restored. At this time, it appears that most services are back and operational, although some apps may experience longer than usual load times.Earlier today, AWS — that's Amazon Web Services, or Amazon's massive cloud system — began experiencing connectivity issues with servers located in the East Region, which is located in Virginia. Any services that utilize servers in this region will likely continue to experience issues until the connectivity issues have been resolved. Richard Rocha, an Amazon spokesperson, had this to say about the outage: "There is an AWS service event in the US-East Region (Virginia) affecting Amazo...

Do it all from your couch and remote.What you need to knowAmazon is rolling out a ton of new features for select Fire TV devices.The new Smart Dashboard allows users to easily view and manage their smart home devices from their TV.Alexa Shortcuts brings quick access to certain controls with the click of a button.Fire TV devices can connect to Echo speakers for an immersive home theater experience.Amazon is also bringing support for AirPlay 2, HomeKit, and Zoom.While Amazon deals with its AWS outage, the company has taken the time to drop a ton of new features for its Fire TV devices which turn its smart TVs into smart displays.The first major feature arriving on its TVs is the new Smart Dashboard, which sounds a lot like what it is. For Fire TV users in the U.S. and Canada, this new screen gives users quick and easy access to their smart home devices straight from their television. Users can easily manage their devices from this screen like they can on some of the best ...

More places to play Stadia games.What you need to knowGoogle is adding official Stadia support for LG Smart TVs with a native app starting today.The Stadia app can be downloaded from the LG Content Store for televisions running webOS 5.0 and webOS 6.0.A Stadia controller, compatible third-party controller, or smartphone virtual gamepad is required to play Stadia games on a supported LG Smart TV.Stadia now officially supports LG Smart TVs with its own app beginning today, Google announced. The integration was initially revealed earlier this year by LG.The Stadia app can be downloaded directly to the television from the LG Content Store with no external streaming stick or device required. The app only works with LG Smart TVs running webOS 5.0 and webOS 6.0, which covers the 2020 and 2021 series of LG televisions.All that is required for LG owners is a Stadia account and a compatible controller to start playing some of the best Stadia games streamed to their televisions. T...

New name, new features, same excellent service.Update, Dec 7 (6:45 p.m. ET): Alexa Together is now availableWhat you need to knowAmazon launches Alexa Together, a new version of Alexa Care Hub.Alexa Together has many of the same features as Care Hub, with new additions like a 24/7 Urgent Response helpline and support for third-party fall detection devices.A subscription costs $19 per month or $200 a year, but early adopters can get six months free.A year ago, Amazon announced the Alexa Care Hub as a way to give families peace of mind by giving them a direct line to loved ones that may require extra care. Now, Amazon is upgrading that service and giving it a new name, too: Alexa Together.At its core, Alexa Together is the same service that Amazon launched last year, but gains a few new features that will enhance long-distance caregiving.Alexa Together gives aging loved ones access to 24/7 Urgent Response in case something happens. Another helpful feature is the added s...

One of the biggest perks of having a PlayStation Plus membership is the free games you get every month. The free PlayStation Plus games offered this month include three major titles, all available on either the PS4 or PS5. Check out the list of games below, with downloads available starting Dec. 7. Enjoy the price of free until Jan. 3, 2022.★Unleash magic on your enemiesGodfall: Challenger Edition (PS5 & PS4)Godfall: Challenger Edition doesn't launch until Dec. 7, and it will arrive right on PlayStation Plus when it does. This version of the game comes with a few bonuses for fans, including the ability to jump your character straight to player level 50, the ability to dive right into the endgame, and a handful of new boss rewards.See at PlayStation★ Fun for everyoneLEGO DC Super-Villains (PS4)One of the latest new entries in the DC lego adventure games allows players to try their hand as some of the more iconic villains ever to grace the world of...

Your Pixel Buds now have a fallback plan.What you need to knowGoogle is rolling out a new update for Pixel Buds A-Series earbuds.The update allows users to customize their audio for improved bass.The Pixel Buds A-Series will now fall back to another recent connection if the last connected device isn't available.Monday was all about Pixel, with Google releasing the latest security patch and feature drop for Pixel smartphones. However, Google also updated its Pixel Buds A-Series with a few new tricks as well to improve audio and make connection smoother.As announced alongside the Pixel feature drop, A-Series owners will be able to adjust their bass with a new slider in the app. Google says the new slider should provide twice the amount of bass than what was previously available with the earbuds, even with the optional "Bass Boost," and users can adjust this from -1 to +4 "with options of multiple magnitudes."Users can also adjust bass and treble with a toggle in Sound Set...

Max everythingAmazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max$35 at Amazon$35 at Best Buy$40 at B&H PhotoProsLive View picture-in-pictureFaster processorAlexa Voice Remote includedHDR10 and HDR10+ certifiedWi-Fi 6 supportConsMore expensiveNot too many extra featuresAmazon's latest and greatest Fire TV Stick checks all of the boxes you could want, and then some.Paved the wayAmazon Fire TV Stick 4K$30 at Amazon$25 at Best Buy$29 at B&HPros4K HDR and HDR10+ playbackAlexa Voice Remote includedOffers most of the same features at a lower priceSame great designConsNo Wi-Fi 6 supportUnable to use Live View picture-in-pictureAlthough it's not on top of the mountain anymore, the Fire TV Stick 4K is still the best option for many.It's easy to want to see how the Fire TV Stick 4K Max vs. Fire TV Stick 4K stack up against one another as they duke it out for the title of the best Fire TV Stick. But are there enough improvements with Amazon...

Google's vision for the future of gaming is here.The world of gaming is changing, thanks in part to new cloud gaming platforms like Google Stadia. Rather than coming to market with another console or PC competitor, Google employed its powerful cloud-streaming tech to allow anyone with a fast internet connection to play AAA games on their phones, tablets, Chromebooks, Macbooks, and other underpowered devices. While we're big fans of Stadia, it's undeniable that the service is going through some serious issues lately.Ready to learn more? Let's dive in.Everything you needPlay and Watch with Google TV Package$109 at GoogleA good way to startPlay and Watch with Google TV Package is the latest bundle that contains the Chromecast with Google TV and a Stadia controller to easily start playing Stadia games on the television.Stadia:How it worksPlans and global availabilityReviews and recent newsIs Stadia shutting down?Supported devicesStadia controllers and acce...

Visible thinks it's the best carrier for the new Pixel 6 or Pixel 6 Pro and it may just be right with this impressive holiday deal. Visible is offering those that switch to the carrier and buy or finance a new Pixel 6 or Pixel 6 Pro a free pair of earbuds and a $200 gift card. It's not just any buds either. Visible is giving away the remarkably good Google Pixel Buds A-Series. Switch to Visible to get this deal with unlimited data for as low as $25 per month, a $200 gift card, and your free Pixel Buds A-Series.To get this offer you need to sign up with Visible and bring your current phone number with you. Once you've paid your bill for three months, Visible will send you the information you need to claim your gift card and earbuds. At this point, you'll choose which virtual gift card you want.Visible's unlimited service costs $40 per month but if you join a Visible party, that goes down to just $25 per month. Joining a Visible party is quick and easy to do with open parties easily ...

Our planet is beautiful, but we only have one to go around. As such, making smart choices about how we live our lives and the products we buy is key to ensuring it sticks around for generations to come. Some smartphones are created to be more sustainable and repairable than others — and if those are important factors to you when buying a new phone, the Fairphone 4 is the one to buy. There are also a few other options worth discussing when it comes to the best modular phone, which we'll dive into in this article.Best overall: Fairphone 4In the world of sustainable smartphones, the Fairphone 4 is perhaps the most popular. Why? It's arguably the most repairable on the planet, receiving a perfect 10/10 repairability score in iFixit's teardown just like the older Fairphone 3. Most of the Fairphone 4 is made out of user-replaceable modules, meaning you can swap parts in and out as you need to. There are modules for the display, battery, rear camera, selfie camera, headphone jack, U...

Rebecca is sick this week, so "Old Miriam" joins us for news about Titanfall, new leadership for the Battlefield franchise, Pokémon, and more!Hosted by: Jennifer Locke, Carli Velocci, and Rebecca SpearGot feedback? Hit up Podcast@androidcentral.com and tell us something!LISTEN NOW:LINKS:Respawn Entertainment is discontinuing sales of original Titanfall | Windows CentralAn ode to Titanfall: The last twitch shooter I'll probably ever enjoy | Windows CentralRespawn head Vince Zampella now leading Battlefield franchise, announces connected universe | Windows CentralNintendo recap: Pokémon BDSP outsells Sword and Shield at launch and '97 Zelda Ocarina of Time demo available | iMore...

When trying to figure out the best phone for kids, there are many factors to consider. Deciding what age your child should get a phone is entirely up to you, but when it's time, you want to make sure you're getting something worthwhile. As a parent or guardian, the most important features to look for include security, ease of use, and of course, budget. Lucky for you, there are tons of great handsets that your kid, and wallet, will equally love. We think the Pixel 4a is the best all-around choice, but if it's not catching your fancy, there are plenty of other stellar phones on this list.Best overall: Google Pixel 4aBuying a phone for your kid is a balancing act of getting something they'll want to use and having excellent security, all without spending a fortune. In our eyes, the Pixel 4a best fits that bill.The value proposition offered by the 4a is phenomenal due to the fantastic camera, good battery life, and regular security updates. Plus, there's no breaking the bank to ...

She is the first female FCC lead in the history of the Commission.What you need to knowJessica Rosenworcel has been confirmed as the new FCC lead.Rosenworcel has sat as acting chair since Ajit Pai's departure in 2020.Gigi Sohn was nominated to fill the remaining FCC seat, but a vote has yet to occur.The Federal Communications Commission celebrates a historic first as the U.S. Senate voted 68-31 to confirm Jessica Rosenworcel as the new chair. This makes Rosenworcel the first female to ever lead the Commission.She was first appointed acting FCC chair following Ajit Pai's exit. She is known for her stance advocating for net neutrality and has already led the Commission in adopting new programs to help more Americans gain affordable access to broadband internet."People across the country count on the FCC to support the connections they need for work, learning, healthcare, and access to the information we require to make decisions about our lives, our communities, and our c...

Fitness tracking for cheapSamsung Galaxy Watch Active$160 at WalmartProsBuilt-in GPSActivity and sleep trackingSamsung PayGreat battery lifeConsNo LTE connectivityHeart-rate tracking is basicThe Galaxy Watch Active has "active" in the name for a reason. It's a robust fitness smartwatch that's ideal for athletes with plenty of perks, which include built-in GPS, activity, sleep, and stress tracking, up to two days of battery life, music storage with Spotify, and more.Affordable lifestyle watchApple Watch Series 3$169 at Best BuyProsBuilt-in GPSActivity trackingApple PayOptional LTE connectivityConsShorter battery lifeLTE model is more expensiveThe Apple Watch Series 3 isn't marketed as a fitness smartwatch, but it can serve as one. Plus, you'll have nearly a day of battery life, built-in GPS, health and fitness tracking, superior app support, music storage with Apple Music, and optional cellular connectivity.Galaxy Watch Act...

While Netflix started as a movie service, fans now think of the streaming platform's extensive library of great shows. Netflix has so many great TV shows that it can be hard to know where to begin. So whether you're streaming a new series from the comfort of your couch or downloading series to watch on your phone to watch later, here are 20 of the best Netflix shows streaming in 2021.The OG streamerNetflixFrom $9/mo. at NetflixStream all the original shows and moviesNetflix subscribers have access to thousands of shows and movies at their fingertips. Sign up now to check out hit series like Tiger King, Emily in Paris, Seinfeld, and more.Best shows on Netflix 2021Trending Now on NetflixOnly on NetflixKids shows on NetflixDocuseries on NetflixTrending now on NetflixOne of the easiest ways to find a good series to binge is to check out what's trending on Netflix. With that in mind, here's a collection of some of the most-talked-about series streaming on ...

If you have the budget, it's the perfect home router.Almost no one needs a router of this caliber in their home, but it certainly is a lot of fun. The ROG Rapture GT-AXE11000 from Asus sets out to be the ultimate Wi-Fi 6E router, and in most ways, it is. This router can handle full-speed 2.4Gbps wireless device connections at both 5GHz and 6GHz, so whether you're trying to make the most of a fast 160MHz WI-Fi 6 connection or a Wi-Fi 6E connection, this router keeps up with ease.Beyond the technical details, this router is absolutely massive. Even compared to other AXE11000 routers, the 6E Rapture is gigantic, and Asus hasn't done much to make it blend in. In fact, with RGB on the top, a modern design, and impressive materials, this router is as much of a statement piece as it is technology. Well, as long as that statement is about how much of a rad gamer you are.Asus ROG Rapture GT-AXE11000 review:Price and availabilityWhat you'll like What you won't likeThe competition...

More people will be able to use their Wear OS watch for payments.Update, Sept 8 (5:30 p.m. ET): Google Pay support expands to more countries.Update, December 7 (12:30 p.m. ET): Three additional countries added to the listWhat you need to knowGoogle Pay is getting expanded support in more countries.16 additional countries will support contactless payments on the Galaxy Watch 4.The expanded support will also come to older Wear OS smartwatches "in the coming weeks."With the launch of the Galaxy Watch 4, Google has updated plenty of its apps, some of the new app experiences that will come with the new Wear OS 3 update and are even available on older Wear OS 2 devices. Google Pay is among the apps that received a redesign, but Google also announced that it's expanding support for more countries.As it stands, Google Pay only supports a handful of countries for contactless payments on Wear OS. Google is now adding 16 additional countries to the list, which include the follow...

Now that you have a new Pixel 5a, it's time to make sure that it's protected. Chances are you've already grabbed one of the best Pixel 5a cases, but to complete the ensemble, you'll want to get the best Pixel 5a screen protectors. Thankfully, there are many different options to choose from, and we've rounded up our favorites.The bestFerilinso Screen Protectors (5-pack)Staff PickThere's more to protecting the Pixel 5a than just the big slab of glass on the front. This kit from Ferilinso includes three screen protectors for the main display and two more for the rear camera module, made to avoid any distortion.$8 at AmazonPlastic shieldSupershieldz PET Clear Shield (6-pack)Tempered glass screen protectors aren't for everyone, and thankfully Supershieldz makes some great PET film screen protectors. Not only do you get six of these in a single pack, but they are straightforward to install, and they add very little bulk, so you'll likely forget it's even there.$...

The FD3 deliver outstanding sound and a durable design, making them an ideal option for lossless music.The last five years have transformed the audio industry — both for creators and consumers. For consumers, the rise of streaming services made a wider variety of music much more accessible, and wireless earbuds made it easier to listen on the go. The best wireless earbuds today deliver the same audio fidelity as their wired siblings from five years ago, and they include digital assistant integration and gesture controls.But history is cyclical, and we're once again seeing a renewed interest in wired earbuds. With lossless music streaming going mainstream, a new generation of users are getting interested in wired audio, and a lot has changed on the hardware front as well. Chinese audio makers have turned the wired category on its side — there are dozens of Chinese brands making wired audio products focused on value, and Fiio has been at the forefront of that change for a while...

The holiday season means its time to connect with family and friends, even if you can't physically travel to see them in person. It's why the best smart displays have become so indispensable, as it's easier than ever to tell old stories together, thanks to the power of technology. One of the most intriguing series of smart displays we've seen comes from Meta (formerly Facebook), with the Faceboook Portal lineup. And now's your chance to save up to $100 on the best Portal smart displays.As we've seen with the myriad of Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals, the holiday season also means that companies can offer some steep discounts on its products. Take the Facebook Portal for example. This smart display is normally priced at $179, but in the latest roundup of "last minute deals", you can get this smart display for just $79. The same price applies to the Portal TV, which essentially acts as a smart hub with a webcam that plugs right into your TV.Facebook Portal | Save $100$79 ...

Instagram says it will launch new tools for parents and guardians to control their teens' experience in March.What you need to knowInstagram is rolling out new features that it claims will help keep young people safe on its app.The new "Take A Break" feature will remind teens to take a break from Instagram if they have been scrolling for a certain amount of time. It is now available to users in the U.S., Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and the UK.Instagram on December 7 announced a bunch of new tools and features to ensure the safety of teens and young children on its app. The announcement comes just a day before CEO Adam Mosseri is set to testify before a Senate panel on Instagram's harmful effects on teens.The new "Take A Break" feature is aimed at helping younger users make "informed decisions about how they're spending their time." Instagram will now ask users to take a break if they have been scrolling for a certain amount of time. It will also suggest users to set r...

If you're a wearable enthusiast, you're probably aware that more and more smartwatches can measure blood oxygen these days. Two popular Fitbit smartwatches that offer this feature are the Versa 3 and the Sense.What's SpO2 and how does it work?If you're not familiar with SpO2 tracking, this reading measures your blood oxygen saturation levels (SpO2). It tells you how much oxygen is in your blood and how efficiently it's carried throughout the rest of your body. This information can be helpful in various situations, including sleep tracking or when you're working out at high altitudes. An abnormal SpO2 reading can even alert you to potential health conditions.Fortunately, you can keep track of your blood oxygens with your Fitbit SpO2 sensor and watch face. While many Fitbit devices are equipped with an SpO2 sensor, the Versa 3 and the Sense allow you to install an SpO2 watch face and SpO2 app for faster and easier access.Remember that the SpO2 app won't appear as an app on your...

If you're paying for faster internet than you can get on your phone, don't rush off to get a new router until you've checked that you're using your connection in the best possible way. For example, if you've upgraded to gigabit internet, but your speed tests still only show 100Mbps, you might just be connected to a slower band. Here's how to see if you're connected to fast Wi-Fi Android.How to know if you're connected to fast WI-Fi on AndroidMost of our routers use both 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands for Wi-Fi, with some older routers limited to just 2.4GHz. These frequencies are set aside for local, so most of the interference you'll get on these bands will be from other wireless routers in the area. While there's nothing inherently wrong with the 2.4GHz signal, the amount of spectrum available is much lower than 5GHz and results in routers reducing the width of their signals to avoid interference.There's still interference at 5GHz, but with much more spectrum to work with, routers can...

The adventures return for new platforms.What you need to knowUncharted: Legacy of Thieves Collection is a bundle containing Uncharted 4: A Thief's End and Uncharted: The Lost Legacy.It's coming to PS5 on Jan. 28, 2022, with a PC version launching later in 2022.Anyone who previously purchased Uncharted 4: A Thief's End or Uncharted: The Lost Legacy for PS4 can upgrade to the PS5 bundle for $10. Uncharted: Legacy of Thieves Collection is coming to PS5 on Jan. 28, 2022. Uncharted: Legacy of Thieves Collection was previously announced at Sony's 2021 PlayStation Showcase, bundling together Uncharted 4: A Thief's End and Uncharted: The Lost Legacy for PS5 and PC players. On Tuesday, Sony shared preorder information for the game, as well as technical and upgrade info.The game has three rendering modes on PS5: 4K at 30 FPS, a 60 FPS performance mode and a "Performance+ mode" that renders the game at 1080p and 120 FPS. There aren't many 120 FPS games on PS5, making this a notable ...

When the HP Chromebase was introduced, it was an instant contender for the title of best Chromebox. This all-in-one tower features a rotating 21.5-inch touchscreen, and includes everything that you would need to set up a Chrome OS-powered workstation at home.For Black Friday, we saw a pretty great deal on the entry-level model, but Intel's Pentium chipset is a bit long in the tooth making this deal for the Core i3 model even more intriguing. But the best part about all of this is that you can save $70, as HP has dropped the price down to its lowest ever for this configuration.Included with this specific configuration is the aforementioned Core i3 processor, 16GB of RAM, 256GB of storage, along with a matching Chrome OS mouse and keyboard. Found in the cone-shaped base is a built-in speaker system that honestly, gets quite a bit louder than you might expect.HP Chromebase All-in-One | Save $70$700 at HPIf you're looking for an all-in-one solution powered by Chrome OS, it ...

When you have young members in your household, you'll likely want some form of control over the types of media they access. On PS5, Sony lets you set parental controls to restrict the age ratings of games and DVDs for your children. Because many of the best PS5 games are rated T or M, it's wise to familiarize yourself with these settings. So let's get started.PS5 GuidesHow to transfer games and save dataHow to attach the PS5 baseHow to set up parental controlsHow to connect to Wi-FiHow to increase download speedsHow to manage multiple accountsHow to set up 2FAHow to update your PS5 system softwareHow to use Game HelpHow to enable 4K/8K resolutionHow to factory reset your PS5How to set up parental controls on PS5Go to Settings. Select Family and Parental Controls.Select PS5 Console Restrictions.Enter the restriction passcode (defaults to 0000).From here, you can change the restrictions for creating new accounts, access parental controls for new users...

Apple is doing all the right things in China, but its Android rivals will catch up soon.Samsung and Apple dominate phone sales charts in North America, but that's not the case in other global markets. For instance, Samsung has less than a 1% market share in China, with the South Korean giant overshadowed by its Chinese counterparts. Apple fares slightly better, with the iPhone manufacturer amassing a 13% market share in Q3 2021 — a year-on-year increase of 48%.Apple ended Q3 as the fifth-largest phone brand in China, but the introduction of the iPhone 13 turned the momentum in its favor; in October, it became the largest phone brand in the country, overtaking the best Android phones from Xiaomi, Honor, OPPO, and Vivo. October sales figures from Counterpoint show the scale of this achievement, with Apple going from a 13% share to 22% in the course of a month.The launch of the iPhone 13 was the catalyst for the turnaround, but that alone isn't the reason. To find out more,...

Samsung's new co-CEO Kyehyun Kyung will head the device solutions (DS) division.What you need to knowSamsung has merged its mobile and consumer electronics businesses.The newly merged unit will be headed by new co-CEO and vice chairman Jong-Hee (JH) Han. Kyehyun Kyung has also been named co-CEO of Samsung Electronics will lead its device solutions business. Samsung Electronics has merged its mobile and consumer electronics business units to "strengthen its business competitiveness." The newly merged "SET" division will be headed by Jong-Hee (JH) Han, who has been promoted to vice chairman and co-CEO of Samsung Electronics.JH Han has played a key role in helping Samsung maintain its top position in the global TV market for over a decade. As the new CEO of Samsung Electronics, Han is "expected to strengthen synergies among the different businesses in the SET division and help drive new businesses and technologies." He will also continue to head Samsung's visual display busi...

Personalized profiles won't be coming to your Google TV screens just yet, but ambient mode is here.What you need to knowGoogle TV's personalized profiles have been delayed.The feature is now expected to arrive in the coming months.Fortunately, the ambient mode cards are rolling out as scheduled.Google TV was supposed to get personalized profiles in November, but that feature never arrived last month. The search engine giant has now reportedly confirmed that Google TV's much-anticipated feature has been postponed.A Google representative told 9to5Google that profiles will be available in the coming months. Individual profiles are likely to arrive on many of the best Android TVs sometime next year, according to that vague timeline.It's not clear why the feature has been pushed back, but another highly anticipated feature is now rolling out to some users. Google TV's ambient mode is apparently showing up for a small percentage of users in the United States for the time bein...

Forget about Bluetooth or NFC, Samsung phones have a faster and easier way to share images and videos in a jiffy. As long as your Galaxy phone runs Android 10/One UI 2.0 or above, you can share files using Quick Share. The feature uses Bluetooth and Wi-Fi technology to find the nearest Galaxy device and then initiates a transfer, like AirDrop on iPhones. Here's how to use Samsung's Quick Share feature to send files from one Galaxy phone to another.Products used in this guideThe best Samsung phone of 2019: Samsung Galaxy Note 10+ ($800 at Amazon)How to use Samsung's Quick Share featureOpen the Gallery app on your Samsung Galaxy phone.Press and hold the file(s) to select it.Tap the Share option in the bottom left corner of your screen.Select Remove location data if you want to strip the location info of the file(s).Tap Quick Share.Tap the three vertical dots in the upper right corner of your screen.Tap Settings.Make sure Quick Share is toggled On.Select who can sha...

The update has reached a few users already, and a broader rollout is expected to begin in a few days.What you need to knowOnePlus 9 and 9 Pro are now receiving the stable Oxygen OS 12 update.The update brings a revamped UI design, new quality of life features, an updated Gallery app, and more. While some users appear to have received the update already, it may take a few weeks for the rollout to be completed.OnePlus has started rolling out the stable Android 12-based OxygenOS 12 update to its best Android phones of 2021. The company announced the rollout in a post on its official Community forums.OxygenOS 12 introduces a refreshed UI design that is "inspired by brand-new materials." OnePlus has also added a bunch of new Shelf card styles, new Canvas AOD styles, and three adjustable Dark mode levels.Additionally, the update enables the Work-Life Balance feature for everyone, which means you can now easily switch between Work and Life modes. The Gallery app has been updat...

With its high price tag and nearly all-glass construction, you're going to want to get one of the best Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 2 cases around. However, even with its unique form factor and build, there are still some ways to add some protection to your device. So here are the best Galaxy Fold 2 cases available right now.Best of both worldsSpigen Ultra HybridStaff PickThe Spigen Ultra Hybrid case brings two fantastic features together. First, it provides all-around protection without being too thick. The case offers excellent protection for your phone's front and back by utilizing a dual-layer system with a hard outer shell surrounding a shock-absorbing TPU inner layer. There are also raised bezels that help keep the screen and camera up off surfaces.$40 at AmazonLuxury on luxurySamsung Leather CaseThe Galaxy Z Fold 2 is a device with a luxurious price tag and feel, so it should have a case that matches. Made from high-quality genuine leather, this cover offers...

OxygenOS 12 is here with tighter ColorOS integration and Android 12.Software is a big part of why OnePlus' devices are considered the best Android phones. OnePlus has turned OxygenOS into one of the best software interfaces around, delivering a clean layout with plenty of customizability and timely updates.There's a new dimension to that narrative in 2021. OnePlus is now using ColorOS as the foundation for OxygenOS in a bid to streamline resources between the two entities, and that means there are changes afoot. We got an early look at the integration with OxygenOS 11.3 on the Nord 2, and with the stable OxygenOS 12 build based on Android 12 now rolling out, we're getting a clearer picture of what this merger has to offer.The OxygenOS 12 stable release is now making its way to the OnePlus 9 and 9 Pro, and should be making its way to other devices in the coming months. As I revealed earlier in the year, OxygenOS 12 gets a lot of features from ColorOS, a new UI that makes it a bi...

Only the Pixel 6 Pro can support every feature in the December Pixel Drop.What you need to knowNew Pixel feature and security updates will arrive on eligible phones next week.Along with digital car key support and new wallpapers, you'll also be able to customize your Google Assistant shortcut press time or back tap to snap photos.Google also announced improvements to Now Playing and Nearby Share.You can download the factory images or OTAs now.Google announced a double-whammy of Pixel updates on Monday, with its December Pixel Drop and Security patch arriving to close out 2021. The new Pixel updates, which will arrive next week, will add everything from digital car key support to new shortcuts for Google Assistant and Camera, plus some snazzy new wallpapers.Nothing here is as vital as the fingerprint scanner fix from last month, but these are all nice-to-have features that Google has been advertising for Android 12 for months. And the security update will nip some dangero...

The program offers discounts on smartphones, the OnePlus Watch, and the OnePlus Buds Pro.What you need to knowOnePlus has expanded its Red Cable Club loyalty program to Europe.Members will get exclusive perks in December including discounts on various product categories.The program will also give members early access to an upcoming audio product.OnePlus has launched Red Cable Club in Europe, two years after introducing the membership program in India with a bunch of exclusive benefits including free cloud storage, extended warranty and more.This time, the program is providing its European members with a slew of exclusive benefits that are not available in India. The benefits mainly consist of savings on various product segments, including a 2% discount on Android phones, 10% on the OnePlus Watch and OnePlus Buds Pro, and 20% on accessories.The company is also offering free shipping to Red Cable Club Europe members. But what's interesting about OnePlus' announcement is t...