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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...

Like the previous P-series models, these ones don't come preloaded with Google apps.What you need to knowHuawei announced today the global launch of the P50 Pro and P50 Pocket.The Huawei P50 Pro costs €1,199 while the clamshell foldable phone retails for €1,299.Both phones will be rolled out in Asia Pacific, the Middle East, Africa, Europe and Latin America.Huawei today announced the global launch of its latest flagship device and Galaxy Z Flip 3 challenger. The Huawei P50 Pro and P50 Pocket will be available for €1,199 and €1,299, respectively.Like their P-series predecessors, the new devices won't have access to Google's various apps and services such as the Google Play Store. It's not unexpected, though, in light of the existing U.S. trade ban that prevents the Chinese firm from doing business with American companies.The Huawei P50 Pro brings with it the same specs as the Chinese variant that debuted in July of last year. It sports a 6.6-inch OLED display wit...

YouTube CEO reveals a new milestone for Shorts and new ways to help creators monetize their videos.What you need to knowYouTube CEO Susan Wojcicki has revealed that Shorts creators have amassed a total of five trillion views.She also unveiled new ways to help creators make money with Shorts beyond the $100 million fund announced last year.The service is testing the integration of shopping features with Shorts.YouTube Shorts made its debut only a year and a half ago, but creators using the TikTok-style feature have already amassed over five trillion views across multiple platforms, including Android phones and laptops, thanks to the growing craze over short-form videos.Susan Wojcicki, YouTube CEO, unveiled the new milestone for Shorts in a blog post published on Tuesday. She also revealed YouTube's $100 million fund for Shorts creators, announced last year, is now available in more than 100 countries. In August of last year, YouTube began paying creators between $100 and $...

The semiconductor shortage isn't going away any time soon.What you need to knowSince the start of the pandemic, multiple industries have been struggling to meet demand due to the ongoing semiconductor shortage.The U.S. Department of Commerce has released the results of its investigation on the supply chain issues.Companies point to multiple factors, one of which is the lack of wafer production capacity.Supply chain issues are expected to continue through 2022 while solutions are being drawn out.Anyone following the tech industry for the past couple of years should be aware that a supply chain problem has affected semiconductor production, which has a trickling effect on many industries. The U.S. Department of Commerce has looked into the reason behind these issues and has just released its findings.The Request for Information (RFI) was launched in September and published on Tuesday, highlighting the "perfect storm" of factors that led to the supply issues. Among them was...

We have about two weeks for the big Galaxy S22 reveal!What you need to knowSamsung will hold its next Galaxy Unpacked event virtually in early February.The event is set for February 9 at 7 a.m. PT / 10 a.m. ET.Samsung is expected to announce the Galaxy S22 series, including the Galaxy Note successor.Samsung's Galaxy Unpacked is a-go for early February. On Tuesday, the company announced that its next major launch event will occur on February 9 at 7 a.m. PT / 10 a.m. ET. While Samsung hasn't yet named its next flagship series, the company is expected to announce the Galaxy S22 series at Unpacked.Official specs and features are yet unknown, but Samsung's president and head of MX, Tim Roh, teased experiences borrowed from the Galaxy Note series.While the Galaxy S21 Ultra was the first S series smartphone to include S Pen support — which was then followed by the Galaxy Z Fold 3 — we expect the S22 Ultra to succeed the Galaxy Note series by including a built-in S Pen. Thi...

It's a big step for keeping your voice searches off the cloud.What you need to knowQualcomm and SoundHound have come to a multi-year agreement to provide on-device speech recognition with SoundHound technology.SoundHound voice recognition is able to understand complex speech patterns, multiple voices, and follow-up commands.This speech recognition tech would reside on the Snapdragon chipset and is processed entirely locally, keeping data from being sent to the cloud.No specific chipsets have been announced with the functionality at this time.Qualcomm and SoundHound have announced a new multi-year deal to bring SoundHound's voice recognition technology to Qualcomm chipsets on the best Android phones in the future. This deal will provide a turnkey solution for device manufacturers and app developers to implement voice search and other voice commands directly into apps and devices.If you've been in the smartphone game long enough, you probably remember the name SoundHound. ...

Text watermarking ensures that your document is properly marked as confidential or draft.What you need to knowGoogle Docs now allows you to create and import text watermarks.When exporting or importing documents from Microsoft Word, the feature also preserves watermarks.Text watermarks will appear in the background on every page of your document by default.Google Docs users who frequently work with legal or business files are in for a treat, as Google has announced a new feature that allows them to protect the confidentiality of a document or simply label it as a work in progress.The search giant has added native support for text watermark to its online word processor, allowing you to create or import watermarks directly from the application. It will show up in the background to clearly indicate whether a document is confidential or simply a draft that needs to be edited by someone else.Text watermarks in documents imported from other word processors, such as Microsoft ...

With so many options, you may get overwhelmed finding the best Arlo cameras. While many of Arlo's best cameras have traditionally been pretty expensive, the company now offers plenty of options for every budget. With consistent updates and some of the greatest features, you'd be hard-pressed to find a better option. With that said, the Arlo Pro 4 is our favorite camera thanks to having almost all of the bells and whistles one could want, to the point that it's one of the best smart home security systems overall.Best overall Arlo camera — Arlo Pro 4The Arlo Pro 4 became our pick for the best Arlo Camera, thanks to its improvements over the Pro 3. The Pro 4 sports 2K video recording with HDR, allowing users to zoom in on objects and take clearer pictures. There is Color Night Vision, so you can view night recordings in color without relying on the traditional black and white video.With the Pro 4, you can set the camera up either inside or outside, providing extra versatility ...

Best answer: Yes. The new PS5 VR will feature completely redesigned controllers, dubbed the PS VR2 Sense controllers, with better tracking and more functionality than the PSVR's PS Move controllers.New PS5 VR controller: A whole new lookSony is changing everything up with PS5 VR (PS VR2), starting with the controllers themselves. Gone is the wand design of the PS Move. In its stead are controllers that look like an almost perfect mashup of the Valve Index's Knuckles controllers and the Oculus Quest 2's Touch controllers. The only real similarity between these controllers and the PS Move controllers is their elongated handle, making it easy to grip. It also has a wrist strap to keep the controllers from flying away if you were to let go of them. The new ring tracking system is considerably more accurate and offers total freedom of movement.We're looking at a completely different experience outside of all of that, starting with the tracking. The new PS VR2 Sense controller d...

The free, ad-supported Samsung TV Plus app gives users access to more than 190 curated "live channels" spanning sports, news, entertainment, and more. Users also have access to a selection of channels in 4K. But what do you do if you don't like, or don't plan to use, all the channels already programmed within the app? Thankfully, we've created this step-by-step guide explaining how to remove channels from Samsung TV Plus.How to remove channels from Samsung TV PlusAmong the nearly 200 channels offered on the free Samsung TV Plus app are ABC News Live, TV Land Sitcoms, The Walking Dead Universe, Pac-12 Insider, QVC, MTV Pluto TV, and PBS Kids. If you're picky about which channels you'll see each time you open the app, Samsung TV Plus also gives you the option to personalize your streaming experience. Here's how to remove channels from Samsung TV Plus.Press the Home or Guide button on your remote control.Navigate to the Samsung TV Plus app and select All Channels. Up in the t...

Disable your contacts from sharing memes in other groups.Telegram is way ahead of its major competitor, WhatsApp, regarding features. The app already offers a slew of features that aren't available on the Facebook-owned messaging service. It is only extending its lead by introducing new ones with each update.Telegram recently rolled out an update that allows users to restrict their contacts from forwarding messages and media to other groups. The feature, Restrict Saving Content, was released last month with Telegram 8.3 update. Here's how you can enable content protection in your group or channel.How to restrict Telegram contacts from saving or forwarding messagesDon't let your contact use your wit and share your original memes in other Telegram groups or channels. You can restrict group/channel members from saving or forwarding content on Telegram. Here's how:Open Telegram.Tap on the group/channel you want to apply the content sharing restriction on.Tap on the group nam...

What color do you want?What you need to knowLeaked renders show off the upcoming Galaxy S22 phones.The phones will launch in four colorways, which will be largely similar across models.The Galaxy S22 Ultra will have a darker shade of pink, similar to Mystic Bronze.With Samsung's Galaxy Unpacked scheduled for sometime in February, we're coming to the last stretch of leaks before the Galaxy S22 series is announced. The latest is a massive dump of renders showing the devices at every angle and in each of their colorways.Based solely on the renders, which were posted by none other than leaker Evan Blass, you'd think the base model and the Galaxy S22+ were the same phone. Although, for all intents and purposes, they pretty much are the same aside from the size difference. Both models will apparently be available in black, white, bright pink, and dark green. On the other hand, the Galaxy S22 Ultra appears to be a bit more exciting. While the colorways are largely th...

Samsung Galaxy Tab S6Best Android tabletFrom $389 at AmazonProsBetter displayMore base storageBuilt-in fingerprint scannerMore RAMIncludes S PenConsHigher price tagKeyboard must be purchased separatelyThe Galaxy Tab S6 presents the best that Samsung has to offer in the tablet market from 2019. It's powered by the Snapdragon 855 chipset, paired with up to 8GB of RAM, and has a built-in fingerprint scanner, so it gives you everything you could want. And if you want to get some work done, you can pick up Samsung's Keyboard case.Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 LiteSolid for most$269 at AmazonProsLess expensive3.5mm headphone jackIncludes S PenBetter battery lifeConsSlightly smaller displayLess RAM and storageNo first-party keyboard coverNo Samsung DeX supportWhile there are a few features that are surprising, like the included S Pen and 3.5mm headphone jack, that's about it. The Galaxy Tab S6 Lite is designed for those who just want an And...

Now that's it's officially out, the PS5 is pretty hard to find due to low stock and high demand. However, as PlayStation fans continue to check the PS5 restocks, one of the most essential accessories many players need alongside this extremely in-demand system is a headset. Not only does a headset enhance your gaming experience with its immersive qualities, but thanks to the variety of incredible multiplayer games available, you'll need something to interact with your friends and other players. Thankfully, there are tons of wireless options available, so we put together a list that features some of the best wireless PS5 headsets on the market. These are just some of the best PS5 headsets available right now.The best Wireless PS5 Headsets 2022, at a glance:SteelSeries Arctis 7P for PlayStation 5: Best overall: The best bang for your buck.Pulse 3D Wireless Headset: Best official: The official model and supported headset for the PS5.Sennheiser GSP 370: Best audio quality: A reliabl...

A better option for VR developers than sideloading apps.What you need to knowThe Quest App Lab allows smaller developers to publish their VR apps and games for Quest headsets without being listed in the main Quest Store.The program now contains 837 apps, more than double of the apps in the main store, since its launch last year.The best rated App Lab game is platformer Daedalus, while the most popular game is Gorilla Tag.The Quest App Lab store now contains more than double of the apps within the main Quest Store at 837 apps approved since the launch of the program last year. The Quest Store currently offers 341 apps in comparison, but has been live for more than two and a half years.Meta created the Quest App Lab program in February 2021 alongside the v25 update to allow indie or smaller developers to publish their apps on Quest 2 and other Quest VR headsets without official approval. The apps and games would receive a store page, but could only be accessed through a dir...

The Stadia Pro catalog continues to get bigger.What you need to knowGoogle will be adding seven games to its Stadia Pro subscription catalog on Feb. 1.The seven games are Life is Strange Remastered, Life is Strange: Before The Storm Remastered, Cosmic Star Heroine, Nanotale - Typing Chronicles, Merek's Market, Phogs!, and One Hand Clapping.With the addition of February's lineup, the Stadia Pro library has reached 50 games for subscribers to claim.Google announced today it will be adding seven more games to its Stadia Pro subscription service in February, including two new games launching on the streaming platform at the beginning of the month.Stadia Pro subscribers can claim Life is Strange Remastered, Life is Strange: Before The Storm Remastered, Cosmic Star Heroine, Nanotale - Typing Chronicles, Merek's Market, Phogs!, and One Hand Clapping beginning on Tuesday, Feb. 1. Racing games Dirt 5 and MotoGP 20 will be leaving the service on the same date.Square Enix's Life i...

Best answer: As of December 2021, the types of files that violate Google Drive's content policy include: child sexual abuse and exploitation, dangerous and illegal activities, harassment, bullying, threats, hate speech, malware, misleading content, explicit non-consensual imagery (NCEI), phishing, sexually explicit material, violence, gore, and violent organizations and movements.What kinds of files violate Google Drive's content policies?Google recently made public the latest terms of its Abuse Program Policies and Enforcement policy. The newest policy spells out exactly how it applies to content uploaded to its Google Workspace services, which includes Drive, Docs, Sheets, Slides, Forms, and new Sites features.As part of the update, Google shared a complete list of content that may be removed or blocked on services, including Google Drive based on applicable laws. In addition to applying to offenses such as account hijacking and inactivity, the latest version of the Google Dr...

To reduce the risk of fingerprinting, Google plans to limit the list proposed to around 350 topics.What you need to knowGoogle has given up on the Federated Learning of Cohorts (FLoC).The search giant has now proposed the Topics API as a replacement for third-party cookies. Google claims the Topics API will take user privacy a "step forward," while ensuring advertisers receive enough relevant information. Back in August 2019, Google introduced a new initiative called Privacy Sandbox to enhance privacy for users on the web. As part of the initiative, Google plans to eliminate third-party cookies completely and replace them with first-party alternatives.While Google proposed Federated Learning of Cohorts (FLoC) as an alternative to third-party cookies last year, it has now announced a new Privacy Sandbox proposal informed by its "learning and widespread community feedback from earlier FLoC trials."Topics, which is the search giant's new Privacy Sandbox proposal, will ...

If you're dealing with frustrating Wi-Fi dead zones, and upgrading your router isn't an option, the best Wi-Fi extenders should solve the issue. A range extender is a Wi-Fi booster adding more Wi-Fi coverage to your existing network without running an Ethernet line. It can also act as a middleman for devices with reduced Wi-Fi range. The TP-Link RE500X is the best overall range extender thanks to Wi-Fi 6 speeds, OneMesh compatibility, and a compact design. Still, we've laid out different extender types to fit every scenario.Best overall: TP-Link RE500XThe TP-Link RE500X is a compact Wi-Fi extender with a simple design that makes it easy to plug in and forget about. It supports Wi-Fi 6 for those that have already upgraded to the newer tech and still works with 802.11ac devices. This extender has a maximum throughput of 300Mbps at 2.4GHz and 1200Mbps at 5GHz.Keep in mind that the extender must share this wireless connection with devices and the router backhaul, so even though t...

The Galaxy Watch 4 may be the new kid on the block, but the Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 2 still stands its ground. It boasts some exciting features like optional LTE connectivity, an electrocardiogram sensor for detecting irregular heartbeats, and much more. When weighing what color Galaxy Watch Active 2 you should buy, there are six shades to choose from, but which is best for you? Here's our list so you can decide.Unique yet subtleAluminum Aqua BlackStaff PickSamsung has always been good about providing decent color options with its releases, even if they stay more or less the same. The second edition brings a refreshing and unique Aqua Black shade to the Galaxy Watch Active 2 series.From $257 at Amazon From $280 at Best Buy $263 at WalmartCloud 9Aluminum Cloud SilverIf you want a smartwatch that will match everything, this is an ideal option. While there was a silver version with the last release, this one comes in an eye-catching shade that shines bright...

The "Frontier 22" could be among the first Android phones to feature a 200MP main camera.What you need to knowAn alleged render and key specs of Motorola's next Android flagship have leaked online.The device is said to be codenamed "Frontier 22" and could feature a 200MP main camera. Other rumored specs of the phone include a Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 "Plus" chipset and 125W wired charging. Motorola is reportedly working on a new Android flagship with even more impressive specs than the Edge X30 that it launched in China last month. As per WinFuture, the upcoming flagship is codenamed "Frontier 22" and is going to be powered by a "Plus" variant of Qualcomm's Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 processor.As you can see in the render above, the "Frontier 22" will look quite different from the Edge X30 from all sides. It appears to have a dual-curved display with ultra-thin top and bottom bezels. On the back of the phone, we find a unique camera bump with the classic Motorola batwing logo.The ph...

The cellular coverage maps look good, but they aren't accurate — not even close.I wrote a plea in December 2020 for 5G to be the technology that saved my rural broadband situation in 2021, that situation being that it is essentially non-existent. While there was a brief period in which I was able to use T-Mobile Home Internet to bolster my connectivity situation, ultimately, my internet salvation is beamed to my home from space thanks to SpaceX Starlink Home Internet. Even with 2021's 5G expansion, it's a struggle to get even 4G LTE outside metropolitan eras despite seemingly comprehensive carrier coverage maps.In these ads that sprawl across our TVs, webpages, and social media, we constantly see how one carrier is the fastest or covers the most people—usually accompanied by a map of some form displaying brand colors shading essentially the entire United States. This is to persuade consumers to pick that carrier because it has the best coverage. If you hadn't noticed, all of ...

Microsoft has announced their intent to acquire Activision Blizzard. Our intrepid team analyze what it means for the industry, for gamers, and what's likely to change (or stay the same) as part of this massive deal.Hosted by: Jennifer Locke, Carli Velocci, and Rebecca SpearGot feedback? Hit up Podcast@androidcentral.com and tell us something!LISTEN NOW:LINKS:Microsoft is buying Activision Blizzard: What this means for Xbox and gamers in general | Windows CentralReport: Bobby Kotick to step down once Activision Blizzard deal closes | Windows CentralMicrosoft will add 'as many Activision Blizzard games as we can' to Xbox Game Pass | Windows CentralPhil Spencer named Microsoft Gaming CEO following Activision Blizzard deal | Windows CentralHere's why Microsoft made a nearly $70 billion bet on gaming giant Activision Blizzard | Windows CentralXbox CEO Phil Spencer wants to revitalize past Activision games | Windows CentralSony expects Activision games to remain multipla...

Talk to the handGarmin Venu 2 Plus$450 at AmazonProsYou can make calls from your wristGenerous battery lifePlenty of health and wellness featuresConsExpensiveYou'd be hard-pressed to find a smartwatch feature the Garmin Venu 2 Plus doesn't have. While reflected in the high price, this smartwatch can track just about anything, with the added ability to make calls and reply to messages right from your wrist using compatible voice assistants.Solid smartwatchGarmin Venu 2S$350 at AmazonProsBetter battery lifeSmaller, slimmer, lightweight designSlightly more affordableConsNo phone or text capabilitiesLower resolution screenWhile you can't make or receive calls or compose or reply to messages from your wrist using the Garmin Venu 2S, it has all the other health, wellness, and fitness features of the Venu 2 Plus. This makes it an affordable alternative if you don't need, or won't use, voice assistance.The Garmin Venu 2 Plus and the ...

The puzzle pieces are aligning for PS VR2, and one of the biggest could be Horizon Call of the Mountain.PSVR has never had an exclusive killer app. Beat Saber could certainly be considered a system seller, but it's available for several models of virtual reality headsets. Horizon Call of the Mountain could be exactly what PlayStation needs for VR enthusiasts and general consumers alike to take PS VR2 seriously. Not only that, but like Half-Life: Alyx, it could potentially deliver an authentic AAA experience on VR. While plenty of PSVR games have attempted to become that AAA killer app, none quite succeeded. Instead, those experiences ended up being mostly tech demos or short gimmicks. Though we know very little about Horizon Call of the Mountain, I hope it will be different.Sony has described Horizon Call of the Mountain as a brand-new adventure set in the popular Horizon universe, built from the ground up for PS VR2. It stars a new protagonist that we've yet to meet, but Guerril...

Meta began designing the computing infrastructure "from a clean slate" in early 2020.What you need to knowMeta has announced the AI Research SuperCluster (RSC), which it claims is among the fastest AI supercomputers in the world.The RSC will help accelerate the company's AI research and help build better AI models for the metaverse. It is expected to be fully built out in mid-2022. Facebook parent Meta on January 24 unveiled the AI Research SuperCluster (RSC), which it says is among the fastest AI supercomputers on the planet right now. Once it is fully built out in mid-2022, Meta claims it will be the fastest in the world.RSC will aid AI researchers at Meta to develop better AI models capable of learning from trillions of examples, working across hundreds of languages, creating new AR tools, and more. More importantly, RSC will allow the company to make significant strides in AI-driven applications for building the metaverse. With RSC, we can more quickly train model...

The JioPhone 5G is key to Jio's 5G ambitions in India.With over 420 million subscribers, Jio is India's largest cellular network by some margin. It partnered with Google last year to deliver the JioPhone Next, a budget phone running a customized version of Android that retails for the equivalent of $87 ($6,499).Jio is now turning to 5G as a differentiator in 2022, and as such the company is working on its first 5G-enabled phone, the JioPhone 5G. While the best budget phones sold in India come with a 5G modem, there's no 5G service to speak of, and Jio is aiming to change that later this year as it rolls out 5G connectivity in major Indian cities.To coincide with the launch of its 5G service, Jio intends to roll out the budget-focused JioPhone 5G. An insider source revealed key details about the upcoming phone, including hardware specs and software information, so let's take a look at what the JioPhone 5G has to offer.JioPhone 5G specsThe JioPhone 5G is betting on 5G as the ...

The Galaxy Tab S8 series is expected to be unveiled on February 9.What you need to knowOfficial-looking renders of Samsung's upcoming Galaxy Tab S8 have leaked online.The vanilla Galaxy Tab S8 will have a similar design to the Galaxy Tab S7, with a black stripe on the back to hold the S Pen. Samsung is rumored to unveil the Galaxy Tab S8 at its Unpacked event next month. Samsung's Galaxy Tab S8 series tablets were briefly listed by Amazon Italy last week, revealing nearly all the key specs and features. Official-looking renders showing off the Galaxy Tab S8 in three different colors have now surfaced, courtesy of legendary leaker Evan Blass. The renders seem to confirm that the Galaxy Tab S8 will not bring any significant changes in the design department. It will have a similar black stripe on the back to hold the S Pen, along with a dual-camera setup. We can also see that the follow-up to one of Samsung's best Android tablets will have a single USB-C port at the bott...

Google is looking to launch a cheaper foldable phone.What you need to knowGoogle reportedly wants its first foldable to be much more affordable than the Galaxy Z Fold 3.A new report suggests the target price for the Pixel Notepad is $1400.Google could release the device by the end of the year.While we don't expect to see Google's rumored Pixel foldable for a while, there have been rumors that it will be much more affordable than Samsung's best foldable phone when it launches. Now, we may have an idea of just how much it will cost if and when it launches.9to5Google reports that Google is reportedly targeting a price that will undercut the Galaxy Z Fold 3 by several hundred dollars. At the present time, it's being said that Google is looking at a $1400 price tag for its "Pixel Notepad."While that could change as time goes on, it might explain why the rumored device is taking longer than expected to come to market. It was reported at one point that work on the Pixel foldab...

Pixels will finally be a thing of the past.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.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 per eye.That last part is particularly important because it means that Sony will be abl...

It is said to include AV1 video format support.Update, Jan 24 (4:45 p.m. ET): New information emerges of low-end Google TV dongleWhat you need to knowA new Chromecast with Google TV device is reportedly in the works.No information has been provided, although we suspect it could include support for the AV1 video format.Google may release the new dongle later in 2022.The Chromecast with Google TV debuted only a year and a half ago, but a successor is reportedly in the pipeline already. The search giant is rumored to be preparing to introduce an upgraded Chromecast with Google TV later this year.Internal documentation and code analysis confirm the existence of the device, codenamed "Boreal," according to 9to5Google. The streaming dongle could potentially be an upgrade over the existing Chromecast with Google TV, though its specifications are unknown.That said, a new processing power and AV1 video format support may be in the cards. The latter, in particular, is being rep...

Just around the corner...What you need to knowA leaked promo image supposedly reveals the Galaxy S22 launch date.The Galaxy Unpacked will reportedly happen on February 9.So far, Samsung has only confirmed that the event will occur in February.According to a newly leaked promotional image, the Galaxy S22 launch may be just around the corner.Leaker Evan Blass (AKA @evleaks) posted the image on Monday, which apparently reveals the date and time of the event and when we'll get a full look at the successors to Samsung's best Android phones.If the information is to be believed, the Galaxy S22 launch is launching on February 9, roughly two weeks away at the time of writing. The image also says 15:00, or 3 p.m., although it's unclear what time zone it's referring to.The date seems to match some previous rumors that we would see Samsung's Galaxy S22 series at an early February launch, with dates fluctuating between February 8 and 9.No other information can be gleaned from ...

The bipartisan lawsuit accuses Google of tracking users even after they've turned off location history.What you need to knowWashington, D.C.'s attorney general has filed a lawsuit against Google over location tracking.The AGs from Indiana, Texas, and Washington state have also sued Google in their own state courts.Google is accused of "deceiving" users and "invading their privacy."Google's location tracking practices resulted in a number of legal battles, including a lawsuit filed in federal court in San Francisco in 2018 and another similar case filed by the state of Arizona in 2020. Four state attorneys general have now sued Google over how it collects and uses location data from users.Karl A. Racine, the attorney general of Washington, D.C., has led a bipartisan lawsuit accusing Google of duping users into sharing their location data. Attorneys general from Indiana, Texas, and Washington state have also filed lawsuits against Google in their respective states.The law...

Now let's start talking about getting Android 12L on the Surface Duo.What you need to knowMicrosoft has released Android 11 for the original Surface Duo.The update comes with enhanced features and apps for the Duo, as well as a new function for the Surface Slim Pen 2.Unlocked devices are being updated first, with AT&T-branded devices receiving it at a later date.The time has finally come. After a long wait, owners of the original Microsoft Surface Duo are now being treated to the Android 11 update.While we should expect the typical Android 11 goodies to arrive with the update, such as Conversation Bubbles, there are plenty of new features specific to the Surface Duo. This should make the device more like the Surface Duo 2, with an updated launcher, an optimized UI to take better advantage of the dual screens, and new pen features.These are the new features that Surface Duo owners can expect from the update, as per Microsoft's release notes:Upgrades the Android op...

The regular Google Pixel 6 was the only one to get actual color options and not just metallic shades, and we deserve to flaunt those fun colors and bold accents around that eye-catching camera bar stretching across the back. This is one of the best Android phones with half a decade of updates ahead of it, and if you want your new phone to last that long, you need to grab one of the best Pixel 6 cases you can.Come to the dark sideCaseology Parallax for Google Pixel 6Staff PickWhile not many cases yet highlight that pop of red at the top of the Kinda Coral Pixel 6, Caseology leaped right in. So whether you're tracking rebel scum across the galaxy or lording over your domain, the Parallax will help you keep an iron grip upon your Pixel 6, thanks to the new diamond grip pads along the bumper.$15 at Amazon $15 at WalmartBe still, my blue heartBellroy Leather Case for Pixel 6We might not be getting an official fabric Pixel 6 case this year, but at least Bellroy is back ...

Whether you're trying to save a bit of information for later or want to share something you came across, it's hard to find a more useful feature on our smartphone these days than the ability to take a screenshot. Thankfully, most Android manufacturers have standardized this process, so learning how to take a screenshot on a Samsung Galaxy phone should be a piece of cake. Don't believe me? I'll show you how below!Jump to:Take screenshots using a key combinationTake screenshots using a palm swipeTake screenshots using Bixby VoiceCapture more with "scroll capture"How to take a screenshot on a Samsung Galaxy S or Note phoneThere are a bunch of ways to take a screenshot with a Samsung phone, one is pretty obvious and the other two ways... a little less so. We'll walk you through all three of these methods below.Note: These methods apply to most Samsung Galaxy smartphones, including the Galaxy S and Note lines, along with most modern Galaxy A models from the last three y...

The upcoming PS VR2 could be huge.The original PlayStation VR is one of the most successful headsets of its kind, with over 5 million units sold. Due to its success, and the growing appetite for VR within the gaming industry, Sony announced the PlayStation VR2 with a release scheduled for sometime later this year, using the considerable advancements in VR technology since the first PS VR released in 2016.Some remain skeptical of VR as anything other than a gimmick, a growing view in the console space as PS VR increasingly shows its age compared to headsets like the Oculus Quest 2. The announcement of greatly improved specs and other quality of life enhancements is far from PS VR2's more primitive predecessor, and Sony's upcoming headset represents huge potential for the PlayStation brand.Better gamesA key reason for PS VR2 great potential is the technology announced for its headset, with vast improvements to the quality and variation of releases. Many current PS VR games ar...