Latest from Android Central

Verizon partnered with Bang & Olufsen on these new soundbars, so they should sound great.What you need to knowVerizon partnered with Bang & Olufsen to create two high-end Stream TV soundbars.The Stream TV Soundbar costs $399.99 and the Stream TV Soundbar Pro costs $999.99.Android TV powers these soundbars with access to all of the latest streaming apps.Verizon has announced that it has worked together with Bang & Olufsen to create two soundbars featuring its Stream TV. This means customers can access the features of the previous standalone Stream TV box with the expanded audio experience of a soundbar.These soundbars each come with Dolby Atmos virtual surround sound, Wi-Fi 6, and run atop Android TV for great app support. These systems have 2GB of system RAM and 16GB of storage which should be more than enough to handle 4K streaming enabled by the HDMI 2.1 port for output with up to 4K 60Hz video support.The cheaper Verizon Stream TV Soundbar has two HDM...

The craziness is finally over.While there might be some deals still shuffling about, the hottest shopping season of the year is finally over. Black Friday deals ran into Cyber Monday, which created a non-stop shopping extravaganza. Yet, amid the global pandemic still ravaging the world, things were probably a lot less crazy for in-store shoppers as more people took to their phones or computers to place orders. And in the age of Amazon, it makes sense.That said, we're curious about how our readers shopped, and we want to know what methods you used to get in on the deals, whether it was on your phone, on the computer, or in person.How did you shop on Black Friday/Cyber Monday?The argument can be made that shipping for things like tech gadgets and the like are more easily done on larger screen devices like the best laptops because it's easier to multitask and research reviews on products that you're considering buying.Meanwhile, if you're shopping for things like clothes, tho...

The app will soon remind you to respond to important messages automatically.Update, Dec 1 (3.45 p.m. ET): Rolling out for some usersWhat you need to knowGoogle is working on a new "nudges" feature for its Messages app.The feature will remind you to respond to important texts.It will likely begin rolling out to users sometime later this year.The Google Messages app could soon offer a useful new feature similar to "nudges" in Gmail, according to an APK teardown of the Google Messages app version 9.5 beta by the folks at XDA Developers.Gmail's nudges feature, which was introduced in 2018, reminds users to follow up on emails that it thinks may be important. New strings found in the latest beta update for the Google Messages app suggest the app will soon highlight "messages you might have forgotten to respond to" at the top of the inbox. It will also show you "messages you might need to follow up on."Google Messages already supports chat reminders, but they need to be set...

Though Amazon may be one of the first places that many people think of when it comes to online shopping, it also happens to make some of the best Android tablets on the market today. The Amazon Fire lineup of tablets offers a variety of use cases, from casual content consumption on the Fire HD 8 to productivity on the Fire HD 10. Whichever tablet you use, there may come a time where you want to take a screenshot on an Amazon Fire tablet. Well, not to worry, we have you covered.How to take a screenshot on an Amazon Fire tabletTaking a screenshot is much like it is on popular Android phones like the ones from Samsung. The process is relatively straightforward, and here are the steps to help you take a screenshot on your Amazon Fire tablet.Go to the screen, app, or webpage you want to capture.Press and hold the physical volume down and power button at the same time.You'll see an animation on the screen and hear a sound to confirm the screenshot was taken.At the top of the scre...

Features galore for all your Android devices!What you need to knowGoogle has announced a ton of new features coming to Android devices.The updates include new emoji kitchen mashups, permissions auto-reset support on more phones, and auto-generated Memories in Google Photos.There are also new updates to Android Auto for improved messaging and new widgets for a few Android apps.'Tis the season for Android app updates, courtesy of Google. Every few months, Google drops new features for its Android devices and services, separate from the quarterly feature drops it pushes out exclusively for Pixel devices. In this latest set of features for Android, Google is making it easier to stay in touch with the family while adding a few fun and useful updates.Family Bell on more devicesOne of the most useful features from Google's Nest product family is Family Bell, which allows users to set helpful reminders that are broadcast throughout the house. Google is now expanding this featur...

Although there's an all-new PET film and IPX8 water resistance on the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3, you can never be too careful. Samsung even upgraded the Cover Screen, bringing its 120Hz adaptive refresh rate. So if you want to make sure both displays are protected forever, we've rounded up the best Galaxy Z Fold 3 screen protectors.The ultimate optionWhitestone Dome Glass for Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3Sponsored pickSince the Galaxy Z Fold 3 already has a screen protector installed from the factory, the Dome Glass from Whitestone offers the best-tempered glass screen protector for your Cover Screen. This kit includes two screen protectors and an installation kit, which uses UV curing light to make sure your screen protector remains bubble-free.$50 at AmazonNo compromisesOlixar Screen Protector (2-pack)Staff PickThis two-pack of screen protectors from Olixar offers excellent protection for the inner display of your Galaxy Z Fold 3. There's an oleophobic coating a...

The Genshin Impact memes are out in full force because two more polearm users were announced.Welcome back to Android Central's second monthly Android gaming recap. We always strive to give you the latest gaming coverage surrounding Android, PlayStation, VR, and Stadia, with a roundup of the biggest monthly news in one convenient place. November was fairly quiet on the Android gaming front save for the highly-anticipated launch of PUBG: New State, which didn't exactly go as the developer may have hoped. So let's check out everything that happened and what you may have missed.PUBG: New State has some technical difficultiesPUBG: New State didn't exactly have the type of launch the developer was hoping for. While we called it a "solid entry that builds upon PUBG Mobile" in our review, we also noted its myriad of technical issues and its barebones content — at least at launch.As it turns out, the "next-gen battle royale" isn't so next-gen. It's understandable for any multiplay...

Hey Google, unlock my BeamerWhat you need to knowGoogle is rolling out Android digital car key support.The feature is only available on Pixel 6 and Galaxy S21 devices.Currently, select BMW cars are the only compatible car models.Back during the Google I/O 2021 keynote, the company announced that digital car key support would be arriving on select Android devices. Thanks to the power offered by Ultra Wideband chips, your phone and vehicle can communicate with one another while ditching the physical key in the process. Despite being announced as part of Android 12, the feature was not yet available, at least until now.In a blog post detailing a total of ten different features that are coming to "all" Android users, Google slipped in confirmation that digital car key support is available. There are a few catches to be aware of, however, as the feature is currently limited to the Pixel 6 and Galaxy S21 series of devices. One much larger limitation is that you must be using ...

The flow in Solar Ash is incredible — but only when it works.As an avid lover of indie games, I'm always on the hunt for something unique or different in the world of gaming. So when a game like Solar Ash comes out, promising the opportunity to skate around an otherworldly dreamscape to your heart's content, you know I just had to give it a try.Developed by the same folks behind Hyper Light Drifter, Solar Ash is an adventure-platformer for PS5, PS4, and PC with a heavy emphasis on movement and flow over combat. You play as Rei, a Voidrunner on a quest to save her planet from a massive black hole known as the Ultravoid that is sucking up entire worlds and destroying everything in its path. Rei and her people believe that they may have a piece of technology that can save their planet from being obliterated by the Ultravoid: the Starseed. You do this by skating and parkouring throughout a gorgeously-rendered world. It's all incredible, until the flow comes to a grinding halt.S...

Whether you're a new runner, a budget shopper, a casual athlete, or a seasoned expert, there are plenty of smartwatches to choose from these days. You'll discover that many of the best running watches also happen to be some of the best Android smartwatches you can buy. If you're craving a well-rounded experience that caters to your passion for running, you'll have a plethora of options available to you. The Garmin Forerunner 245 Music continues to be the best running watch overall with tons of advanced running features, solid battery life, and highly accurate activity tracking.Best overall: Garmin Forerunner 245 MusicIf you're a runner of any kind, chances are you've heard a thing or two about the Garmin Forerunner 245 Music. It's been around for two years, but this is one of those running watches that ages gracefully. Newer models continue to come out — from Garmin and other top brands — but the Forerunner 245 Music continues to be a go-to choice for many running enthusias...

Best answer: Yes, Ring devices do work with Google Assistant. Ring has an official Google Assistant app that links all devices on your Ring account to your Google account and makes them available in Google Home.Commands made easyYour favorite smart assistant is only as good as the devices it supports, and that goes for our favorite, Google Assistant. As you may know, Ring is owned by Amazon, the same company that owns and operates Alexa and Echo devices. As they are direct competitors in the same space, you will not be able to perform as many commands with Google Assistant as you will with Alexa.However, that doesn't mean you can't do anything with Google Assistant. Quite the contrary. Ring makes an official Google Assistant app, which you can get here. Once you add that app to your Google account and follow the steps to sign in to Ring, your Ring and Google accounts will be linked, and you can control your Ring devices from Google Assistant.As of now, there are a handful o...

These are the best shows on NBC's Peacock streaming service right now.NBC's Peacock streaming service is the digital hub for new and old NBC series, Peacock originals, and various content from other networks. And with both a free tier and two premium plan options, there's lots of content to choose from. With that in mind, we've rounded up the best Peacock shows available right now.PeacockFind your NBC favorites and moreFrom $5/mo. at PeacockAll the shows, movies, and sports you wantNBC's Peacock streaming service is the exclusive home for iconic NBC series like The Office and shows from a collection of other networks. You also find a rotating lineup of free and premium movies.Best Peacock showsOriginal series on PeacockCurrent series on PeacockWWE on PeacockComedy series on PeacockDrama series on PeacockPeacock OriginalsIn addition to various classic series and shows that are currently airing new episodes on TV, Peacock features a lineup of exclusi...

What song did you turn on too many times this year?If you spend much of your day with wireless headphones in your ears, then you're probably also logging tons of hours on your favorite streaming music service. As great as these services are at surfacing new artists for us to discover, it's also fun to revisit our old favorites at the end of each year. Thankfully, most of these services feature a version of your most-played music, packaged for you in a convenient playlist. Here's how to find those year in review playlists on Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube Music, and Amazon Music Unlimited.How to find your Spotify 2021 Wrapped PlaylistsOpen the Spotify app.Scroll until you see the #SpotifyWrapped section (it should be just below your recently played).Tap on Your 2021 Wrapped is here.Here, you can scroll through an Instagram Stories-style view of your most-played favorites. Tap to go through the story panels.Return to the main screen of the app.Scroll down a bit until you f...

More often, phones are designed with shiny glass backs, smooth metal frames, and other sleek elements to make them as attractive as possible. That's great if you prefer form over function, but what about if you're in the market for a smartphone that you don't need to baby nonstop? These aren't phones we'd usually recommend if you're shopping for the best Android phone overall, but if you're especially accident-prone, these devices are kind of perfect. Here are the best rugged Android phones we could find!Swiss army knifeUlefone Power Armor 13 Rugged SmartphoneStaff PickWhen looking for the best rugged phone, you want something that lasts all day, has plenty of extra tools to make life easier, and enough power under the hood. The Ulefone Power Armor 13 delivers on all fronts as it offers an infrared distance measure feature, while being powered by the MediaTek Helio G95. On top of that, the Power Armor 13 also delivers 256GB of storage, a large 6.81-inch display, and a incre...

The best wireless earbuds have come a long way in the few short years they've existed, and now with so many options with ANC, it can be tough to decipher which are the best noise-canceling true wireless earbuds. Early offerings like the first-gen AirPods were expensive and lacked many features, but as time went on, prices went down, and additional features were implemented — one of which is noise cancelation. True wireless earbuds that can block out ambient sound are more common than ever before, and today, we're highlighting six of our favorite ones — including the Sony WF-1000XM4 as our top overall pick. Here's a power-packed list of the best noise-canceling true wireless earbuds you can buy right now.Best overall: Sony WF-1000XM4Sony has been on a run with its wireless earbuds. The WF-1000XM3 were fantastic but had their flaws. Many of those were resolved with the Sony WF-1000XM4, where Sony did a fantastic job of refreshing an already great pair of earbuds that are ofte...

More than just a trackerSamsung SmartTag+$30 at Amazon$30 at Best Buy$30 at SamsungProsCan be found using Samsung SmartThings Find and ARBuilt-in loop for attaching to itemsUtilizes UltraWide Band (UWB) for accurate trackingCan control smart home devices with itConsSmartThings Find only works on Galaxy devicesUltraWide Band only works with select Galaxy phones More expensiveOnly IP53 resistantSamsung's Galaxy SmartTag+ has a lot of smarts built-in, including smart home controls. By taking advantage of the broad SmartThings Find network, you can find your lost items quickly. However, UWB is currently limited to the select Galaxy phones.The other side of the coinApple AirTag$29 at Apple$29 at Best Buy$29 at AppleProsCompact designLower cost of entryIP67 weather-resistanceApple's U1 chip and UWB for precise locationConsUWB only works with iPhone 11, 12, and 13 seriesApp compatibility is limited to iOSMust purchase accessories t...

The Honor 60 series could make its global debut sometime early next year.What you need to knowThe Honor 60 series is now official.Honor 60 Pro is the first to feature Qualcomm's upgraded Snapdragon 778+ chipset.The new Honor 60 series phones also sport 108MP main cameras and support 66W fast charging. Back in June this year, Honor announced the world's first phones powered by Qualcomm's Snapdragon 778G chipset. The company has now unveiled the first phone featuring the Snapdragon 778G+, a slightly faster version of the 778G.The new Honor 60 Pro sports a 6.78-inch quad-curved OLED display with FHD+ resolution and a 120Hz refresh rate. Like the best Android phones on the market, the 60 Pro's display supports HDR10+ and touts 100% DCI-P3 coverage.In the camera department, the Honor 60 Pro has a triple-lens setup featuring a 108MP main sensor with 9-in-1 pixel binning, a 50MP ultra-wide lens that doubles up as a macro shooter, and a 2MP depth sensor. For selfies, the phone ...

Whether you're tired of losing your keys, you're already in the process of automating your home, or you're setting up a bed-and-breakfast, a vital part of the process is choosing the best smart locks that fit your needs. There are plenty of different smart locks to choose from, each with its own unique abilities. For instance, August and Yale smart locks now support features such as remote biometric verification. Though there are some great picks out there for securing your home, the best smart lock is one of the highest-ranked August Smart Locks, the August Wi-Fi Smart Lock (4th Gen), thanks to its fantastic reputation and easy, hub-less setup.Best overall: August Wi-Fi Smart Lock (4th Gen)Unlike many of the other smart locks that you'll find on the market, it isn't immediately apparent when you have an this lock installed on your front door. That's because the device is installed inside your home, so there's no indication of the smart lock from your front porch. The latest mo...

You won't find a wall charger in the box with the phone.What you need to knowSamsung has announced a new 5G-enabled Galaxy A series phone.The new Galaxy A13 5G comes with a 6.5-inch 90Hz Infinity-V display, a triple-lens camera system, and a 5000mAh battery. It will be available to purchase in the U.S. starting December 3. Samsung on December 1 announced its cheapest 5G phone yet, the Galaxy A13 5G. The phone is a follow-up to the Galaxy A12, which launched in the U.S. earlier this year.The Samsung Galaxy A13 5G features a 6.5-inch Infinity-V HD+ screen with an adaptive 90Hz refresh rate. Samsung's latest 5G budget phone is powered by MediaTek's Dimensity 700 chipset, paired with 64GB of onboard storage and a microSD card slot for further expansion up to 1TB.It has a triple-camera system on the back, featuring a 50MP main sensor, a 2MP macro sensor, and a 2MP depth sensor. The phone has a 5MP camera on the front for selfies and video calls.The Galaxy A13 5G also pac...

Stay awareNest Cam Indoor$80 at Best BuyProsIntelligent alerts can distinguish between people and petsEasy to set up24/7 live viewGood night visionConsNeed to subscribe to Nest Aware to get the most out of itExpensiveIndoor use onlyFor a solid security camera to use inside the home, the Google Nest Cam Indoor is a great option, especially if you have other Google products and opt for a Nest Aware subscription.Affordable Ring of securityRing Indoor Cam$60 at AmazonProsEasy to set upCan set up safety alerts30-day trial of Ring Protect includedAffordable24/7 live viewConsNeed to subscribe to Ring Protect to get the most out of itIndoor use onlyLimited colorsParticularly for a household with other Ring products, the Ring Indoor Cam is small and sleek, so you can tuck it away in a corner to keep an eye on the home and view footage using the intuitive app.Many of us have outdoor security cameras by now, keeping an eye on the ...

When even budget phones have great shooters, what can the flagships offer?It's often said that the best camera you have is the one with you. For most of us, most of the time, that's our smartphone. Even if you own a more expensive, more capable standalone camera, your phone will almost always be closer at hand.That's just one of many reasons why, if you're shopping around for a new smartphone, it's worth paying close attention to its camera system -- even if it means spending a little bit more.But before you buy, it's worth thinking about what you'll use your phone's camera for most. Most phone cameras these days are good enough. So unless you're buying an absolute bargain-bin model or a really old phone from five years ago or earlier, chances are it'll take photos that are good enough in most situations. That's especially true if you're primarily sharing them on social media instead of printing them out or blowing them up onto a big display.In 2021, most phones at the $400...

It is currently available only to developers.What you need to knowThe first stable release of Android 12 for TV is now available.The update brings media playback improvements, UI tweaks, security enhancements, and more. There's no word yet on when the update will become available to users. Nearly two months after releasing the stable version of Android 12 for phones, Google has finally announced the final release of Android 12 for TV. Google's latest platform release for TV packs a number of new features and improvements — including 4K UI support and privacy enhancements.Google says the new customizations in Android 12 will help further improve the experience for users on TV devices. These include media playback improvements, a more refined user interface, better standards support, improvements for HDMI and tuners, as well as privacy and security enhancements.Here's the full changelog: Media Avoid motion judder during playback using refresh rate switching...

Buy your new carbon-neutral black edition ear (1)s with Dogecoin starting Dec. 13.Carl Pei-led audio startup, Nothing, announced today the arrival of its Nothing ear (1) earbuds in black. Widely teased on social media in recent weeks, the black ear (1) buds are priced the same as the original white models and go on sale Dec. 13. And they offer the same feature set as the original colorway, including active noise cancellation, IPX4 sweat resistance, and Qi wireless charging built into the case.You get the idea: Same buds, different color. But don't tune out just yet, because there's more to today's announcement than just a minor cosmetic difference for some of our favorite wireless earbuds.Nothing has also announced that it's partnered with sustainability certification company SGS to make ear (1) carbon-neutral, with new branding on the black version of the buds highlighting their environmental credentials. (The buds' carbon footprint of 1.78kg will presumably be offset via SG...

Instead, you can get the budget Nokia XR20 for half its original price.What you need to knowThe promised Android 11 upgrade for the Nokia 9 PureView has been canceled.HMD Global cites "incompatibilities between the camera and the software" for its decision.In exchange, the company is offering a discount for the Nokia XR20 or another phone.HMD Global promised to release three Android updates for the Nokia 9 PureView when the phone debuted in early 2019, running Android 9 Pie. But the company has confirmed that the upgrade is no longer happening.In a statement posted on its website, the Finnish mobile phone manufacturer said it has canceled the Android 11 upgrade for the device over an issue between its camera and the OS. "Incompatibilities between the camera and the software would have led to a compromised experience that does not meet our high standards," HMD Global said.As a quick recap, HMD's challenger to the best Android phones features a unique penta-lens system at...

Make a call or send a message directly from your phone's home screen.What you need to knowGoogle Voice has picked up a few shortcuts that can be accessed from the home screen.The new shortcuts let you call or text someone directly by long-pressing the app's icon.You can also quickly access your most recently used contacts.Google Voice is arguably one of Google's apps that doesn't often get some love in the way of updates. However, the service has received a welcome refresh on Android phones, allowing you to access its essential features directly from your home screen.According to 9to5Google, Google Voice is rolling out a few handy shortcuts to your home screen. It's worth noting that these shortcuts are meant to supplement, not replace, the app's existing widgets. Simply long-press the app icon to access these new shortcuts.One of the most useful shortcuts is the ability to make a new call, which immediately launches the dialer. Alternatively, you can open the Phone a...

The renders show a Nexus 6P-style camera bump at the back.What you need to knowRenders of the rumored Realme GT 2 Pro have leaked on the web.Realme's upcoming flagship phone could be inspired by the Nexus 6P's design.The company has also recently confirmed the phone's name, and it will be powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 SoC.Shortly after Realme's founder and CEO Sky Li confirmed that the company's next device will be called the Realme GT 2 Pro, renders of the upcoming phone surfaced online, courtesy of prolific leaker OnLeaks (via 91mobiles).The renders reveal a familiar design from a few years back. When you start to examine the back of the phone based on the leaked renders, it becomes clear that the upcoming device may be borrowing a design cue from the Nexus 6P, which was released in 2015.The back of the phone has a horizontal strip camera bump, which is somehow similar to the rear design of the Google Pixel 6 series. The camera island, however, appears to...

All those shortcuts are now tucked away under a single button.What you need to knowThe Google Chat app picks up a fresh UI for its bottom bar.Google Chat now hides its shortcuts behind a single button to free up some screen space.The latest change appears to be rolling out gradually to users.Google has begun to roll out a new design for the bottom bar of the Google Chat app on Android, making the interface much cleaner than the previous version.Google Chat's previously crowded bottom bar has now been tweaked with a new UI that frees up some screen real estate, as spotted by Mishaal Rahman. The app's shortcuts for Gallery, Camera, Drive, Google Meet, and Calendar are now hidden beneath the new plus button.Looks like a new UI is rolling out for the bottom bar in Google Chat on mobile.Left: OldMiddle & right: New pic.twitter.com/8UppM0e6QX— Mishaal Rahman (@MishaalRahman) November 30, 2021Prior to this change, those shortcuts appeared in the text box, just below ...

Xiaomi founder and CEO Lei Jun has revealed that the Xiaomi 12 will be the first phone to introduce Qualcomm's next-gen premium chipset.This article has been updated to include OPPO's announcement.What you need to knowThe upcoming Xiaomi 12 will be the first device to get Qualcomm's next-generation premium chipset.Xiaomi has confirmed this information at the Qualcomm Tech Summit.OPPO has also confirmed that its upcoming flagship smartphone will be powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1.Xiaomi's Lei Jun has announced that Qualcomm's Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 mobile platform will make its way first to the upcoming Xiaomi 12 series, contrary to a previous rumor.The company's founder and CEO has confirmed the latest development at Qualcomm's Tech Summit in Hawaii. He noted that Qualcomm and Xiaomi collaborated for several months to bring its latest flagship SoC to the Xiaomi 12..@Qualcomm has always been one of the most important partners of Xiaomi. Today I'm proud to announce that a...

Qualcomm's 2022 flagship chipset will make its way to devices from all major Android manufacturers.Qualcomm has unveiled the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1, with the flagship chipset getting a new name and exciting upgrades on the hardware front, including the latest Arm cores, new AI engine, and imaging tweaks that will allow phones that leverage the platform to take much better photos.We don't have to wait long to see the first phones with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1; the Xiaomi 12 will be the first to use the platform, with a launch slated for sometime in December. We should also see one of the BBK entities follow suit shortly thereafter, and with Nubia, Motorola, and Honor on the list, the best Android phones will once again use the latest Qualcomm design. Here's the full list:XiaomiRedmiOnePlusOPPOVivoRealmeNubiaBlack SharkMotorolaiQOOHonorSony ZTESHARPNow, Samsung isn't mentioned here, and that's normal. Samsung is always missing from Qualcomm's list of phone partners, bu...

But which design or location do you like better?What you need to knowGoogle has been spotted testing new designs and positions for the search bar in the Google app.One design puts the user's thumbnail into the search bar at the top of the app.Another keeps the current design but with the search bar moved to the bottom of the display.The Google Search app appears to be testing new looks and locations for its search bar, according to some users in the Google News Telegram (via Mishaal Rahman).According to the images, the new design could incorporate the user thumbnail into the right-most section of the search bar. This appears to move the search bar further up on the screen, likely to match the current position of the thumbnail in the top right corner of the display. However, it would bring it in-line with other apps like Gmail and the Play Store, which place the thumbnail in their respective search bars.Another change could be the search bar finally moving to the bottom ...

The phones just won't play ball with low-quality USB-C cables and charging bricks, and that's fine.What you need to knowGoogle's latest flagship phones apparently refuse to charge with third-party cables and chargers.The Google Pixel 6 series works only with PD-certified USB-C charging gear.Google already warned that other cables and charging bricks might not work with Pixel phones.Some Pixel 6 owners may have been disappointed earlier this month when they discovered that their devices only support up to 23W wired charging rather than 30W, as many had assumed. Now, Pixel 6 users are in for yet another letdown.Google's latest flagships appear to reject charging via non-PD-certified cables and chargers. Some Pixel 6 owners have taken to Google's support forum to express their disappointment with the phone's refusal to charge using a low-quality USB-C cable or power brick (via 9to5Google). Plugging in a cheaper cable appears to have no effect, and the phone displays no warni...

The latest Chrome OS release focuses on the camera app.What you need to knowGoogle is launching new features for the Chrome OS camera app.Users will be able to control the angle of their external webcams from the app.Google is also teasing a GIF creator that will be available next year.Google has highlighted some new features that it's bringing to the Chrome OS camera app that owners of the best Chromebooks can look forward to.Google first highlights the Scan mode that first appeared with Chrome 94, which includes QR code scanning and as well as document scanning. This will scan any document using the front or back camera on your Chromebook and convert it to a PDF or JPEG. The function will automatically detect the edges of your document, but users can also manually adjust them.Additionally, for users with the best webcams, the camera app will now include Pan-Tilt-Zoom controls to adjust the angle that the camera captures videos and images. The camera app will save th...

Snapdragon chips get a new name and new capabilities.What you need to knowQualcomm announces its latest flagship Snapdragon chipset.The Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chipset is the first to utilize Qualcomm's new naming convention.The chipset features advancements in AI to enhance on-device processing and improve photo quality.Qualcomm has finally unveiled the new Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 mobile platform, the first chipset to adopt Qualcomm's new naming convention that it teased earlier this month. This new "simplified" naming scheme represents a new generation for Qualcomm that focuses its efforts on advanced AI processing and fast 5G speeds.The Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 features a new 3GHz ARM Cortex X2 high-performance core that should provide up to 40% better performance than its predecessor. It's also built on a 4nm process for improved efficiency over the Snapdragon 888.However, beyond speed, Qualcomm is focusing on AI capabilities and performance. Thanks to the 7th Gen Qualcomm AI Eng...

The classic restaurant booth design gets a 21st century upgrade.What you need to knowProject Starline is a new way to remotely connect with people by providing the feeling of being present with them, known as telepresense.The booth uses an 8K display with a parallax barrier-like lens array to display 3D images without the use of glasses.User movement and audio are tracked via 3 "pods" that are used to render a life-like 3D version of a person to transmit wirelessly.When Google announced Project Starline back at Google I/O 2021 in May, no one was under any illusion that the tech behind it was simple. A new whitepaper published by Google research, spotted by 9to5Google, details just how complicated the tech actually is.It all starts with the booth design, which is similar to a familiar restaurant booth and gives users a comfortable place to sit while they meet or converse with other people remotely. Google says it chose a seated design primarily for this purpose.Since com...

Unsurprisingly, Samsung reigns supreme.What you need to knowThe latest numbers show that Samsung led foldable shipments in Q3 2021.Total foldable shipments in Q3 were 2.6 million, with Q4 expected to grow to 3.8 million.DSCC expects 2022 foldables to exceed 17 million.The latest report from Display Supply Chain Consultants (DSCC) shows that foldable shipments are improving, thanks mainly to Samsung's best foldable phones.The numbers show that shipments in Q3 2022 exceeded the previous four quarters combined with 2.8 million units shipped. Unsurprisingly, most of that volume could be attributed to Samsung's cheaper Galaxy Z Flip 3, which accounted for 60% of foldable shipments during the quarter, while Samsung took 93% of total foldable shipments overall. Huawei managed just 6% share with its Mate X2 phones."Samsung's August release of its improved foldables, the Galaxy Z Flip 3 and Z Fold 3, at more attractive prices along with strong promotional efforts and attractive ...

Do not upgrade to Android 12 for now if you're using apps downloaded from the Amazon Appstore.This article has been updated with Amazon's official statement.What you need to knowApps and games installed from the Amazon Appstore are currently not working on Android 12 phones.The issue appears to stem from Amazon's DRM implementation.Amazon has yet to issue a fix for the problem, which began more than a month ago.Google made Android 12 available for beta testing for several months before making it available to the general public. However, Amazon appears to have missed the opportunity to ensure that its Appstore is compatible with the most recent version of Android.The Amazon Appstore is currently broken on Android 12 (via Liliputing). This means that apps and games downloaded from the online marketplace will not function on some of the best Android phones that have been upgraded to the OS, such as the Google Pixel 6 series and the Pixel 4a 5G.A considerable number of us...

Cyber Monday is over, but a few sites still have great prices and trade-in offers.Black Friday weekend is a major deal-hunting event, and with all the deals available, you may have missed your shot to buy one of the best Android phones at a major discount. But don't worry: some of our favorite deals are still available for Cyber Week, if you want to upgrade to something better.Along with these great last-minute Android accessory deals, these are the post-Cyber Monday Android phone deals to check out.Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3 | Save hundreds or trade-in with SamsungSave $250 + up to $900 enhanced trade-in credit at Samsung$1,500 at Amazon ($300 off)$1,400 at Best Buy ($400 off)Get $250 off, free Galaxy Buds 2, and up to $900 enhanced trade-in credit from Samsung, bringing your bill down to a potential $650 (or higher with an older phone trade). This deal should be available until December 5. Samsung's premium foldable offers lightning speeds, a gorgeous fast-refreshing dis...

If you're somehow not shopped out after all of the Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals we served up this last week, good news! One of the best Chromebook deals of the fall has come back for the after-party. The Acer Chromebook Spin 713 is one of the best Chromebooks on the market because of its powerful internals and that lovely, luscious 2K touchscreen.This is the entry model of the Spin 713 — it's "only" an i3 processor with 4GB of RAM — but for $329, the Acer Chromebook Spin blows most budget and mid-range Chromebooks clear out of the water with both its quality and performance. If you've been wanting a great Chromebook for literally anyone on your holiday shopping list (except a very young, clumsy child), this is the lightweight laptop to buy.Save $200 on the premium Acer Chromebook Spin 713Acer Chromebook Spin 713This half-off Chromebook sports a 2K touchscreen with a 3:2 aspect ratio and 400 nits of brightness, allowing you to actually use it outdoors while the va...

What you need to knowTwitter publishes an updated information policy to cover media.The policy prohibits the sharing of photos or video without a private individual's consent.Twitter says that it will take context into account when making decisions on content.The move comes just a day after Twitter's former CEO stepped down.Twitter has announced an update to its private information policy that now includes photos and video. The policy now prohibits sharing "media of private individuals without the permission of the person(s) depicted."That means that users are now able to report media that depicts them without their consent.The new rule extends Twitter's policy that prohibits posting private information of individuals like phone numbers and addresses but takes things a step further. The company says that the new rule further protects users from potential harassment and abuse and help make the platform a safer place for individuals.In the blog post, Twitter says that th...

Not all devices may get the Android 12-based version, though.What you need to knowXiaomi will reportedly release the next version of MIUI based on Android 12 in the near future.A list of all Xiaomi devices that will supposedly get MIUI 13 first has also surfaced online.However, some of those devices could get only the Android 11-based MIUI 13 at first.Xiaomi has reportedly begun testing the next version of MIUI based on Android 12, with plans to release the upcoming Android skin to a limited number of devices in the near future.MIUI 13 is being tested on a variety of Xiaomi's challengers to the best Android phones released this year, including the Mi 11 series, Mi Mix 4, and Mi 11 Lite, according to Xiaomiui. The following list of devices will presumably get the Android 12-based MIUI version first (via GSMArena):Mi Mix 4Redmi K40Mi 11 UltraMi 11Redmi K40 ProMi 10SMi 11 LiteFurthermore, according to a separate report by Xiaomiui, at least two upcoming Xiaomi sm...

Not a lot of cash to build your PS5 collection? That's not a problem.So, you've finally managed to acquire a PS5 — now it's just an issue of finding games to play. While different paid titles are all over, you might want to relax with something free to play if your budget is a little tight. So, we've rounded up the best PS5 games that can be played for free. There are a lot of shooters and cross-play games, but everyone can find something they'll want to check out. Some are even being updated to take advantage of the PS5 DualSense haptic feedback and adaptive triggers.Jump to:Astro's PlayroomApex LegendsCall of Duty: Warzone DauntlessDestiny 2 FortniteGenshin ImpactRocket LeagueWarframePlayStation PlusAstro's PlayroomAstro's Playroom is a charming adventure title that takes players down a nostalgic trip of PlayStation hardware while showcasing the different advanced features of the DualSense controller. Best of all? It's entirely free and comes preinsta...

You'll need a phone with ARCore support to view the monuments in 3D.What you need to knowGoogle has added 98 3D monuments to its AR Search feature.Some of the new additions include the Big Ben, Eiffel Tower, Brooklyn Bridge, Golden Gate Bridge, and One World Trade Center. You can also superimpose the 3D monuments in your surroundings with the "view in your space" option. Google has once again expanded its popular AR Search feature with a new collection of 3D monuments. Just like 3D animals and objects, you can view the 3D monuments in your environment. Here's the full list of 98 monuments that you can now view in AR:Abbaye du Mont-Saint-MichelAlcatraz Island AlhambraAmazon TheatreArasaka Imperia ResidenceArc de TriompheAztec StadiumBasilica of Our Lady of GuadalupeBasilica of Santa Croce in FlorenceBasilica of Santa Maria NovellaBig BenBrooklyn BridgeBuckingham PalaceCampidogilo squareCapela Curial de São Francisco de AssisCastel Sant'AngeloCast...

Black Friday is over, and so is Cyber Monday, but lucky for you, we have been scouring the web to find you straggler deals on the best Android smartwatches and top fitness trackers.There are sales on some of the latest smartwatches from Samsung, Mobvoi, and Fossil. Along with fitness trackers from Fitbit, Amazfit, and more. We've even managed to track down deals on smartwatches for kids. So while you may have missed out on the deluge of sales that went down over the last few days, here's your chance to recover and snag awesome wearables without paying full price.Don't hesitate; sales on these fantastic smartwatches and fitness trackers aren't going to last much longer.TicWatch Pro 3 GPS | Save $100 at Amazon$200 at AmazonThe TicWatch Pro 3 brings some of the best battery life in all the smartwatch land, a screen that is visible in all lighting conditions, and health tracking features to help you with your New Year's resolutions — oh, and it's compatible with the new W...

It's no secret that the Oculus Quest 2 — or Meta Quest 2 as it's now called — was the top-selling video game item on Black Friday and is now the best-selling VR headset of all time. But good things come to those who wait, and Walmart is here to prove that with a Black Friday deal after black Friday on a refurbished 64GB Quest 2.At $199, this refurbished 64GB Quest 2 is the lowest price we've ever seen for the headset. That's $100 less than the actual Black Friday price and $50 less than even the best sales on the Quest 2, which came with $50 gift cards at many retailers.We've seen some stellar deals on refurbished items in the past and this is no exception, but before you get all affronted by the "refurbished" moniker, let's explore what that tag means. Good old Wikipedia gives a perfect definition of the term as "the distribution of products that have been previously returned to a manufacturer or vendor for various reasons, not sold in the market or new launch of a product. Re...

Shure truly goes big in its true wireless earbuds debut.Shure isn't a household name to the average person listening to music the way it is to an audiophile. The brand built its reputation on sound quality above all else, which probably explains why it dragged its feet in making a pair of earbuds that are truly wireless.That's where the Aonic Free come in. These are big earbuds — and I do mean that literally — that focus a lot on sound as the primary focal point. Wearing them also gives you a fair bit of control over how you want them to sound when you place them in your ears. But how does the comopany's first foray into the world of wireless earbuds pan out?Shure Aonic Free review:Price and availabilityWhat's good What's not goodThe competitionShould you buy?At a glanceShure Aonic Free Bottom line: The ...

Encore presentationSamsung Galaxy Buds 2$110 at Amazon $100 at Best Buy $120 at B&HProsBolder soundEffective ANCVery comfortable fitBetter battery lifeNice color optionsConsIPX2 rating isn't toughFinicky controlsSamsung trimmed down the original Galaxy Buds to make the Galaxy Buds 2, and it makes a real difference in fit and comfort. It also added solid audio performance to round out an effective package anyone can enjoy. You shouldn't use these for strenuous workouts, but you will like that you get more features in spite of the smaller frame.Secondary optionApple AirPods (2nd Gen)$115 at Amazon From $120 at Best Buy $115 at WalmartProsGreat microphone qualitySuper compact designWireless charging caseUp to 24 hours battery life with caseConsPoor sound isolationNo easy media controls No customizability on non-Apple devicesToo pricey for what's thereApple breathed real life into the wireless earbuds category with the AirPod...

Google's Pixel smartphones are undeniably some of the best Android phones you can buy, and it's not just because of their amazing cameras and hardware. Perhaps the best reason to purchase a Pixel is the software, including everything from exclusive Pixel features to quarterly Pixel feature drop updates. One such underrated yet important recent Pixel drop feature is Adaptive Sound. This uses your phone's microphone(s) to determine the noise in the environment around you and accordingly makes adjustments in the software to improve the speaker's sound quality. Pretty cool, huh? We'll show you how to enable this Adaptive Sound feature on your Google Pixel smartphone.How to enable Adaptive Sound on your Google Pixel phoneOpen up the Settings app on your Pixel phone.Scroll down and tap on the Sound & vibration tile.Tap on Adaptive Sound.Toggle the switch to turn on Adaptive Sound.While this feature was initially just available on the Pixel 4a 5G and Pixel 5, it has since b...

The authority says Facebook could potentially control rivals' access to Giphy GIFs to further strengthen its dominant market position.What you need to knowBritain's competition regulator has found that Meta's acquisition of Giphy could "harm" social media users and advertisers in the country.It has told Meta Platforms to sell the GIF maker. Meta is likely to appeal against the authority's decision. The UK's Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has directed Facebook's parent company, Meta, to sell GIF maker Giphy. In a press release issued on November 30, the CMA said that an independent panel reviewing the merger has concluded that the deal could harm social media users and advertisers in the country.Stuart McIntosh, chair of the CMA's independent inquiry group, said in a statement: The tie-up between Facebook and Giphy has already removed a potential challenger in the display advertising market. By requiring Facebook to sell Giphy, we are protecting millions of so...

Beats goes its own way with the Fit Pro to appeal to Android users.I'll admit it: Beats headphones have rarely, if ever, impressed me. I get that the bass-heavy sound appeals to a wider swath of listeners, but that kind of sound is also a lot easier to emulate. A changing approach at Beats is offering different strokes for different folks, and that's one way to describe the Beats Fit Pro wireless earbuds.In some ways, they follow the Beats Studio Bud's lead in trying to strike a balance between fit, comfort, sound quality, and accessibility. That last one is always tricky for Android users wearing an Apple-owned property like Beats, and it does mean you have to accept some compromises to get the best out of the Fit Pro.Beats Fit Pro review:Price and availabilityWhat's good What's not goodThe competitionShould you buy?At a glanceBeats Fit Pro ...

The new UI isn't widely available just yet.What you need to knowYouTube on Android TV and other leading smart TV platforms is gaining a new playlist UI.Until now, YouTube would simply play the entire playlist when users clicked on a playlist. The feature appears to be rolling out via a server-side update. Google has finally decided to change the way the YouTube app handles playlists on the best smart TVs. As reported by the folks at 9to5Google, the latest update for YouTube on Android TV / Google TV introduces an all-new playlist UI. The same UI is also rolling out to other smart TV platforms such as Samsung's Tizen OS.Instead of playing the entire playlist, YouTube on smart TVs will now display the playlist name and other relevant details on the left side of the screen. The list of videos included in the playlist is shown on the right side. As can be seen in the screenshots below, the new UI also includes "Play all," "Loop," and "Save to Library" options. The new ...