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When it first launched in May 2018, Visible made a significant mark on the carrier space since $40 a month for unlimited everything on Verizon sounds too good to be true. One of the few drawbacks to the service is that Visible only works with a small selection of Android phones, but that doesn't mean it's impossible to be an Android user and get the most out of what the carrier has to offer. The Google Pixel 6 is one of the best Visible phones, thanks to great hardware with 5G and a pure Android experience with plenty of updates on the way.Best overall Visible phone: Google Pixel 6The Pixel 6 from Google is one of the best Android phones you can get on any carrier, and Visible is ready for it right off the bat. The Pixel 6 is the first Pixel to use Google's custom Tensor chipset. This hardware upgrade helps the Pixel 6 deliver silky-smooth performance on Android 12 with Material You design. Material You aims to make Android more cohesive while retaining the customization featur...

The Pixel Fold might pay homage to the past in the worst way.What you need to knowThe Pixel Fold is rumored to feature downgraded cameras compared to the Pixel 6.The device may feature the same primary camera sensor from past Pixel smartphones.The foldable is also tipped to arrive in 2022.New insights into the rumored Google Pixel Fold may give us an idea of what to expect from the device's cameras, suggesting that at least the primary sensor may be a step down from the latest Pixel 6 series smartphones.9to5Google did some digging into the Google Camera APK and discovered references to a device codenamed "Pipit," which they expect is the new designate for Google's upcoming foldable, moving away from the previous codename "Passport."From the code, they found that the Pixel Fold may not use the latest and greatest sensors found in Google's new flagship devices, instead recycling the same 12.2MP sensor used since the Pixel 3.While the cameras haven't necessarily been bad...

Adding citations to your lengthy school research will be a piece of cake.What you need to knowGoogle Docs has added a new feature that makes inserting citations more efficient.The new search and automated entry function speeds up the process of populating attributes for your sources.Automated citations also help you follow the correct formatting standards.Last year, Google Docs picked up a citations tool designed to help bring you up to speed on citing source materials for your essay or research paper. However, you have to do it manually with this method, which can still take some time as anyone familiar with writing citations would know.Now, Google Docs has a new option to automate the citation process. The service's new search and automated entry function helps you cite sources more efficiently and ensures correct formatting for your citation. As usual, you can add a bibliography to your document in the MLA, APA, or Chicago (author-date) styles.For students and rese...

The holiday season is on the horizon, and that means we're starting to see some great Black Friday deals on all kinds of cool tech gear, from the best Android phones to the best headphones and wireless earbuds to pair with them.We'll be regularly updating this list collection through the Black Friday weekend, so be sure to check back frequently if you don't see the phone deals that you're looking for. There are pretty stellar Black Friday headphone sales every year, but there can be a lot to sort through to find the best deals.Whether you're looking for something to keep you entertained on a walk or jog, noise-canceling headphones to let you concentrate while at work, or something that just sounds amazing for your epic video game battles, we've got you covered. If you're looking for more ways to save during this holiday season, be sure to take a look at our Black Friday 2021 hub for all the latest deals.Black Friday headphone deals:Best headphone dealsWireless headphones...

Your Fire TV stick should last as long as your TV does.What you need to knowAmazon Fire TV devices are guaranteed to receive four years of security updates or more.Amazon lists devices that will receive support through 2025 or beyond.The update policy mirrors that of some Android OEMs which are extending support for their smartphones.According to Amazon's update policy on its streaming devices, Fire TV owners won't have to worry about support ending for their devices any time soon.SlashGear spotted the policy which states that Fire TV devices "receive guaranteed software security updates until at least four years after the device is last available for purchase."That means some of the best Amazon Fire TV sticks and other products will remain secure for quite some time.In Amazon's exhaustive list, the company names its streaming sticks, Recast devices, TV sets, and soundbars that will be supported "through 2025," including the Fire TV Stick Basic Edition from 2016.Ama...

Fitness trackers are some of the best gifts to pick on Black Friday for anyone working towards a healthier lifestyle. Because not only will you be helping someone achieve their wellness goals, but you get to save some cash! There are a lot of excellent fitness trackers, and there are sure to be plenty of deals to go around this year. Don't worry; we're going to make sure you get the best Black Friday fitness tracker deals all season long.Even though there are some pretty great Android smartwatches out there, with their own Black Friday deals, fitness trackers have earned their place on many wrists over the years. From longer battery life to their lightweight design, there are plenty of reasons to pick up a fitness tracker over a smartwatch in 2021.One of the most popular brands in the fitness tracker space is Fitbit, and it has dropped two new products in 2021 — the nearly a smartwatch Charge 5 and the fashion-forward Luxe. While these two devices are the newest options from Fi...

If you're looking to get into smartwatches this year — or just want to upgrade the aging one you've been using for a while — Black Friday is the best time to do it. While you could get a smartwatch the moment it's released, waiting until Black Friday ensures you're getting the best smartwatch at the best price possible. It's that fabled moment when you don't have to compromise to stay in line with your budget. These are the best Black Friday smartwatch deals you'll find anywhere!Jump to Black Friday Android smartwatch dealsSamsungFitbitFossilMobvoiAppleFitness trackersThis year has brought plenty of excellent products to choose from. Whether it's the Samsung Galaxy Watch 4, the Fossil Gen 6, or the TicWatch Pro 3 Ultra GPS, there's a brand new smartwatch that's sure to be on sale for Black Friday. Fans of fitness trackers will find a refreshed series of wearables from brands like Fitbit and Garmin, as well as snazzy offerings from Amazfit.Those willing to pick ...

As we enter the second year of the Oculus Quest 2's life, we're expecting some seriously great deals for the hardware and accompanying accessories for Black Friday. Many companies have already begun to offer sales and discounts on their accessories, and newly refined designs ensure that the accessories you buy today will be a better experience than the ones you purchased this time last year. Here are the best Black Friday Oculus Quest deals to enhance your gaming experience.Jump to Black Friday Oculus Quest 2 dealsSee Oculus Quest 2 stockCasesController gripsFacial interface replacementsHead strapsCables, batteries, and docksHeadphonesUnlike some other consoles, Meta has been able to keep the Oculus Quest 2 in stock at most retailers without issue over the past year — even despite record-breaking sales for the headset. The new Quest 2 128GB SKU is the best value you'll find, as it's the same price as last year's 64GB SKU but with double the storage. Couple that wi...

You probably know the exquisite pain that is holding for a customer service representative. The music plays over and over. Sometimes there's a recording saying, "your call is very important to us." Fortunately, if you have a Pixel phone, like the Pixel 6, that's no longer an issue. Google rolled out Hold for Me, a clever feature that will wait on hold for you and alert you when a representative answers on the other end. It's neat, and we'll show you how to use it!How to enable Hold for MeTo use the feature, you have to make sure it's ready to go for you.Open the Google Phone app.Tap the three dots in the upper right corner.Tap Settings.Tap Hold for Me.Tap the Hold for Me toggle if it's not already on.Note: If you don't see Hold for Me in Settings, try updating the Google Phone app and/or restarting the phone, especially if you only recently upgraded to Android 12.How to use Hold for MeWhen you dial the number, you'll see the option to Hold for me.Tap Hold for M...

Web-slinging in long after the initial announcement.What you need to knowSpider-Man was first announced for the PlayStation versions of Marvel's Avengers back before the game launched.Crystal Dynamics and Square Enix confirmed that Spider-Man is coming to Marvel's Avengers on Nov. 30, 2021.This update will also bring There's a whole host of new improvements and events coming to Marvel's Avengers later in November and chief among them is the prime arachnid-themed superhero himself. Though there's still no photos of what he looks like in game (Peter Parker is slacking on his job) Crystal Dynamics confirmed that Spider-Man is coming to Marvel's Avengers on Nov. 30, 2021 as part of a larger update.As previously announced, Spider-Man is only available on the PS4 and PS5 versions of the game, unlike the other heroes that have been added over time like Black Panther. As part of the story, Spider-Man discovers a new threat from AIM's army and teams up with the Avengers to prevent...

Erase crowds, specks on your lens, and anything else you can think of.Google Tensor's machine-learning moxie inside the Google Pixel 6 brings ridiculously fast voice typing, instant translations, and mind-blowing photo-processing, but one of the best features it enables isn't in the camera at all. It's called Magic Eraser, and it's currently a Pixel 6-exclusive feature in Google Photos.This type of item removal feature was previously reserved for Photoshop and other desktop photo-editing suites, but more basic versions have appeared on smartphones by Samsung and Apple in recent years. However, the feature is much faster and far more accurate at detecting people to remove, and it can be used on every photo you take or download on your Pixel 6, helping make it one of the best Android phones you can buy today.Here's how to find and use it on the Pixel 6.How to use the Magic Eraser mode on the Google Pixel 6Open Google Photos.Select the photo you'd like to edit. (If your phot...

It packs a lot of major upgrades over its predecessor at a lower price.What you need to knowArlo has introduced the Arlo Go 2 with support for Wi-Fi and LTE connectivity.The wireless security camera features two-way audio, built-in spotlight, GPS, 1080p video recording, and more.It is available for $250 from Verizon, with additional carriers to follow in 2022.Arlo today announced a follow-up to its 2017 Arlo Go security camera, which was designed to monitor areas where Wi-Fi can be spotty or is simply unavailable. However, unlike its predecessor, the new Arlo Go 2 is a bit cheaper at $250 and comes with a slew of significant upgrades.The new security camera is designed for use in remote locations such as your vacation home, cabin, RV slips, or even a campsite where there is no reliable Wi-Fi connection. With Wi-Fi and LTE support, you can be sure that the Go 2 will always be connected to the internet, even if your primary connection goes down.Arlo's new security syste...

Facebook Groups are getting the boost they need.What you need to knowFacebook is getting several new features focused on building communities in groups.Group admins will not be able to add various customizations to personalize the community experience.Facebook is also working on implementing subgroups for more specific communities.Admins will also have access to new monetization options for groups and subgroups.Facebook is introducing a bevy of new features to enhance the community experience on groups and pages. The latest updates bring added customization features and ways for admins to monetize groups with fundraisers and paid access.Facebook is giving admins the ability to dress up groups with colors, backgrounds, fonts, and emojis to make the group more unique to their interests. This includes a new intro page that admins can implement to welcome new members to the group.Groups are also getting new and easier ways to engage thanks to a floating "posting button" ...

Everyone wants to own one of the best Android phones, but not everyone can or should pay full price for one. Some people are happy to pay retail, but others are looking for a deal — and one of the ways to find discounts is to look for refurbished phones. As you'd expect, buying a refurbished phone isn't as simple as walking into a store and asking for one — it takes a bit more research and understanding. However, we have all of the information to help you navigate the refurbished market so you can make the best choice when buying a new-to-you phone.What does "refurbished" mean?Even though we see the word "refurbished" get thrown around a lot, that doesn't mean it's necessarily a standardized term. You may often see it used interchangeably with "recertified," "reconditioned," or just "open box," or "pre-owned." No matter the exact wording, it generally refers to a product that was manufactured to sell as new but for whatever reason was returned to the manufacturer — either b...

You can finally have your music continue on another Echo device that is connected to the same network.What you need to knowAlexa's October update brings a number of new useful features.The update makes it possible to move your audio from one Echo device to another in your home.It is also now easier to move your music, podcasts, and radio stations between device groups. Amazon's Alexa voice assistant is now more helpful than ever, thanks to a number of new feature additions that have arrived as part of the October update.The latest update makes it easier than ever to take your music with you wherever you go. You can now ask Alexa to move your music or podcast to another Echo device and continue listening exactly where you left off.If you are listening to a playlist in your kitchen and want to continue listening to it in your bedroom, you'll just have to say "Alexa, move my music to the bedroom."In addition to moving audio between Groups, you can also move your music fr...

As a rule of thumb, Blade & Sorcery is one of those games that brings even the best PCs to their proverbial knees. So when WarpFrog announced it for Oculus Quest at Connect 2021, I could practically hear the sound of PC VR players' jaws dropping around the world. What certainly seemed an impossible task was suddenly happening, and it is coming out in just a week on November 4 for the same $20 the PC version costs.Not only did they somehow manage to make this incredible physics-laden VR medieval sandbox run on the Oculus Quest 2, but they also managed to bring over full mod support from the PC version — a staple of the game that helped bring it the popularity it has enjoyed for years on the PC — although this version will need its own mods made for it since the Quest 2 won't be able to handle a one-for-one translation of those mods.On top of that, the small team at WarpFrog delivered the latest updates to the PC game, including the newly-minted procedurally-generated progr...

What you need to knowT-Mobile is giving its customers a year of Paramount Plus Essential free starting Tuesday, November 9, 2021.All T-Mobile and Sprint postpaid customers get this offer as well as Home Internet subscribers.New and current customers can get this deal as well as existing Paramount Plus subscribers.T-Mobile has revealed in a press release that it's giving a year of Paramount Plus Essential to all of its postpaid customers. The deal opens up on November 9, 2021, and is available to all postpaid T-Mobile customers including Sprint customers. T-Mobile Home Internet subscribers can also get in on the action. After the free year, the plan will automatically renew for the standard rate which is currently $4.99 per month.T-Mobile points out that its competitors often restrict deals like this to only their most expensive plans. President of Consumer Group at T-Mobile Jon Freier said: At T-Mobile, EVERYONE means EVERYONE. And now, every one of our postpaid consume...

Black Friday SSD deals will be in hot demand this year now that Sony has finally unlocked the storage expansion bay of the PlayStation 5. Users can upgrade the console's internal storage capacity beyond the measly amount the PS5 launched with.Picking up one of the best PS5 SSD options around on Black Friday may save you a bit of cash compared to the normal MSRP, but at the same time, the 'deals' might actually just be managing to find stock in the first place as many of our favorite models have been selling out. Don't worry, though; we're constantly testing new PS5-compatible SSDs, so we'll let you know which ones are available too beyond the old favorites likes the Samsung 980 Pro, WD SN 850 Black, and the Firecuda 530.If you're going to have a look around yourself, we've listed some retailers below that we'll be checking for Black Friday PS5 SSD options for the next few weeks. Be careful, though; you'll want to make sure the specs of the SSD meet Sony's particular requirements....

Look no further, for we have the definitive listing of the best Amazon Fire Tablets to help you make your purchase decision. Can you believe that Fire Tablets have been around for almost a decade? When the original Kindle Fire was released way back in 2011, many thought Amazon was onto something with a low-cost, easy-to-use tablet experience. You know what? They were right! Today, there are no fewer than six Fire Tablet devices on offer from Amazon if you count the Kids Editions. Out of them all, we think the Fire HD 8 (2020) is the best overall value thanks to its size, improved processor, charging, storage capabilities, and ability to hit an affordable price point still. Here is a list of some of the best Fire Tablets out on the market right now.Best overall Amazon Fire Tablet: Fire HD 8 Tablet (2020)The Fire HD 8 sits in between the Fire 7 and Fire HD 10 in more ways than one. It's roughly in the middle of the two sizes, of course, but it's also priced in the middle. Those t...

Even at $87, the JioPhone Next is too costly for India's large feature phone userbase.With over 500 million users, India is the second-largest smartphone market in the world. What's particularly noteworthy is Android's dominance in the region; Google's operating system accounts for over 96% of the market share in India, with a userbase of over 480 million. A majority of the sales are skewed toward the budget segment, with the best Android phones under $300 getting most of the attention.But Google wants more. India has a user base of nearly 400 million still on feature phones, and Google has been on a mission to switch these customers over to Android. The latest salvo in those efforts is a partnership with Jio — the largest carrier in India — for the JioPhone Next, an entry-level phone running a custom version of Android Go that's debuting at just ₹6,499 ($87).Over the last decade, Google tried a lot of initiatives to target the entry-level segment. The first wave of Andro...

Believe it or not, there are plenty of great, inexpensive smartphones you should consider, so we rounded up the best Android phones under $200. Smartphones that cost $1,000 and more have quickly become commonplace in the market, and for anyone on a budget, those steep prices can quickly induce a headache. If you need a new handset but only have a couple of hundred bucks to spend, the Moto G Fast is our top favorite with three cameras and a large screen to enjoy all those photos and videos. Today, we're not only talking about the Moto G Fast, but also some of the best phones that bring tremendous value to the low-end space.Best overall Android phone under $200: Moto G FastThe Moto G Fast hits the very top of our $200 budget, and all things considered, it's the best phone you can buy when looking at Android devices this cheap.G Fast's hardware is built far better than you'd expect for a phone in this price tier. It feels substantial when held, doesn't rattle or creak, and all p...

When times get dark, we need bright light to see our way out — and the brightest LED smart bulbs make it that much better. A high-lumen (unit for measuring the quantity of light) bulb can do the trick in a small or large room. Adding in some smarts to that bulb gives it the flexibility to control from your favorite smart speaker or phone. So whether you want a standard A19 E26 bulb or the BR30 for recessed lighting, there's a bulb for you. The Feit Electric OM100 is our top pick for its incredibly high lumen rating and hubless smart controls, which means it only needs Wi-Fi and your phone to control.Best overall: Feit Electric OM100 - RGBWWhile Feit Electric may not be a well-known smart bulb, it's been innovating and creating high-quality lighting solutions since 1978 — and the OM100 RGBW bulb continues that trend. Since this bulb doesn't require extra hardware such as a hub, this Wi-Fi-enabled smart LED bulb is simple to set up. It has a peak output of 1,600 lumens, makin...

The best Android 12 feature appears to have brought the worst problem for gamers.What you need to knowA bug in Android 12's Material You theming is crashing a number of games while you're playing.The issue appears to be caused by a wallpaper change and a configuration change in Android.Google has acknowledged the issue, but no fix has been released yet.The wallpaper-based theming in Android 12, also known as Material You, is obviously one of the operating system's best standout features. However, a bug is currently forcing some games to stop when you change your wallpaper.A new bug report in the Google Issue Tracker explained how the problem causes some games to crash, as spotted by XDA Developers. According to the report, changing the wallpaper on Android 12 devices causes app activities to restart due to a configuration change. This setting is intended to ensure that apps properly adapt to the Material You theme of the wallpaper.It's not as though you usually change y...

Not everybody needs to spend upwards of $1,000 on a new phone, especially those on prepaid carriers looking to cut down on spending wherever possible. Luckily, the best phones under $100 deliver reliable performance and useful features that make them a great choice. We think the BLU VIVO X6 is the best phone in this price range. While there are a few other options to pick from in this price range, these days, the choices are getting harder and harder to come by1. BLU VIVO X6: Best phone under $100Exquisite design isn't something you see with Android phones within this budget, and while "exquisite" isn't exactly the word we'd use to describe the BLU VIVO X6, it certainly stands out from the rest of the phones on this list. The eye-catching black and blue gradient design on the back is bold and bright. Plus, you get decent hardware.Joining that design is a 6.1-inch HD display that reminds us of previous Pixels and iPhones. There's also an 8MP selfie camera, 13MP rear camera, an...

Nothing's next product could be unveiled sometime before the end of the year.What you need to knowNothing is gearing up to launch as many as five new products.Rumors suggest the company is also developing its first Android phone.The company launched its first true wireless earbuds earlier this year. Carl Pei's consumer technology startup Nothing is working on over five new products, according to a report from India Today. The information was revealed by Manu Sharma, vice president and general manager, Nothing India.Speaking to the publication, Manu Sharma said: For our way forward, our mission is to build for the future. We are speeding up very rapidly in terms of building a pipeline of products, we already have five products in development that we are speeding up to meet our mission of launching iconic products and we are excited about that.Sharma also told the publication that the ear (1) wireless earphones are doing "extremely well." India is currently the bigge...

Chrome OS already makes using desktop peripherals dead simple, and we've rounded up the best Chromebook external monitors for any situation. Chromebooks are perfect on-the-go computers for many people, but sometimes you just want to sit down, relax, and do your thing with a big display. That's why almost every laptop, regardless of the software its running, has some port to send video out to an external display. Our top recommendation is the incredible LG 24UD58, but we've also rounded up other great options with lower resolutions and price points that will match perfectly with one of the best Chromebooks.Best overall: LG 24UD58-B 4K UHDThe LG 24UD58 may not look as pretty as other options, but LG has gone out of its way to give users a great experience. This monitor sports a 4K UHD resolution, which is excellent for those who want to get work done and let off steam with a game. Of course, Chromebooks aren't the best for gaming, but if you're going to use your monitor with anot...

Samsung already has a comparable feature, but it isn't nearly as good as Google'sGoogle's new photo editing feature, "Magic Eraser," is a very intuitive and good tool but isn't groundbreaking, some experts say, adding that a slew of apps and other phones have similar capabilities. However, they say that If Google is serious about its hardware advancements, then it should keep the feature exclusive to the Pixel 6 lineup and future phones, at least for some time.The new feature was a long time coming. First announced back in 2017, Magic Eraser will edit out unwanted background images using the power of Google's in-house developed chip, Tensor, and its AI-processing capabilities. Tensor will first scan for any objects or people in the background of an image (to be removed) that has been taken on a Pixel 6 or Pixel 6 Pro or one that has been uploaded. Alternatively, you can also manually highlight or circle objects to help Tensor identify what needs to be removed. This feature could ...

Back in August, Google announced that kids, teens, and their parents could now request to have pictures of minors removed from search results to "give young people more control over their digital footprint." But how do you actually do it? In hopes of simplifying the process, we've explained exactly what you need to do to remove images of yourself or your loved ones from Google search results.Removing images of yourself from Google searchIt's worth pointing out that most images that show up in search results are from websites that aren't owned by Google, meaning Google can't remove them from the web. However, Google will work directly to remove an image from its search results if one of the following things applies:The image depicts financial, medical, or national ID information.The image depicts non-consensual explicit intimate acts ("revenge porn").The image depicts involuntary fake pornography.The host site has exploitative removal practices. The image is part of an in...

She'll be fighting the good fight, likely against Google.What you need to knowA former Google employee is moving to a new role at the FTC.Meredith Whittaker will serve as senior advisor on AI for the FTC, working alongside Lina Khan.Whittaker has been an outspoken critic of Google's practices since exiting the company.The FTC has another weapon in its arsenal in the fight against Google and other Big Tech companies. Former Google employee, Meredith Whittaker, has announced that she will be joining the FTC as the senior advisor on AI.Whittaker worked at Google for 13 years as an AI researcher before leaving the company in 2019 after it became clear that the company did not align with her AI ethics work.As noted by The Information, her exit also followed protests she helped lead in 2018 over Google's handling of sexual harassment accusations, and she was openly against the company's contracts with the Department of Defense. For this, she reportedly faced retaliation from ...

Qualcomm faces more competition but sees continued growth.What you need to knowQualcomm announces its fiscal Q4 earnings with more than $9.3 billion in revenue.Revenue from Qualcomm's chip business rose compared to last quarter and the same period last year.Qualcomm expects revenue to exceed $10 billion this quarter despite the ongoing semiconductor shortage.Qualcomm managed to exceed expectations when it announced its fiscal year Q4 earnings on Wednesday. The company reported over $9.3 billion in revenue, with total yearly revenue of more than $33 billion.Quarterly revenue was projected to hit somewhere between $8.4 billion and $9.2 billion, with analysts expecting just under $8.9 for the quarter. It's a notable growth over last quarter's revenue and a 12% growth compared to the same period last year.The company's chip business, QTC, which provides chips for the best Android phones and other connected devices, contributed the most with $7.7 billion, more than the proje...

Search chips are finding more places in Google's ecosystem.What you need to knowGoogle launched a new beta for Google Drive to better filter search results.The new feature works in a similar manner to Gmail's search chips.The beta release is available to all Google Workspace editions.Gmail's handy feature for narrowing down search results in order to locate certain files faster is coming to Google Drive with a new beta update.Google announced today that search chips are available on Google Drive as a beta update. As you might expect, it allows you to refine your search results when looking for specific files stored in Drive. This capability makes the search process faster, taking irrelevant results out of the equation.Search chips appear only after you've entered your initial query. Above the list of results, you can use different chips to refine your search further. Multiple chips can be used at the same time as well. These filters include file location, attachment t...

The Oculus Quest 2 fabric strap has more cons than pros. It's easy to slide on and off, but absorbs sweat and germs and does nothing to counterbalance the front-heavy design or add cushioning. You can buy the official Elite Strap, but it's a bit pricey and had some early issues with durability. Thankfully, a few third-party alternatives will fit the bill. So whether you're looking for more support, better weight distribution, better cushioning, or other improvements, these are the best Quest 2 straps we've found.Best overall: Frankenquest Deluxe Audio StrapThe Frankenquest, as the name might imply, mashes together different, unrelated products into one magnificent outcome. Taking the HTC Vive Deluxe Audio Strap — arguably one of the most comfortable VR accessories ever — and a 3D printed accessory that snaps to the Quest 2, the Frankenquest head strap is the single best solution you'll find anywhere. Just make sure you buy both the Deluxe Audio Strap and the Frankenquest a...

Web users can now share and view game captures.What you need to knowUbisoft's recently released Riders Republic now has a timed, free trial on Stadia following Hello Engineer and Control.Google is rolling out the Explore Feed feature for Stadia web users, allowing players to view and share game captures.Stadia Pro subscribers can play Ghost Recon Breakpoint for free this weekend only.Stadia is adding more free trials of games alongside a social feature coming to those who play on the web and a free play weekend for Stadia Pro subscribers.Riders Republic, Ubisoft's extreme racing game which launched on Stadia last week, now offers a free, two-hour trial for Stadia players to try out the game before buying. Google allowed games to have free trials beginning last week with 30-minute timed trials of multiplayer construction game Hello Engineer and single-player action game Control Ultimate Edition.Google also revealed that an Explore Feed will be rolling out to all Stadia u...

Trying to find the best cheap headphones is already a tough task with the number of options out there, and it gets more difficult when trying to find the best earbuds at an affordable price point. A headset — earphones or earbuds (or even a single earbud) with a microphone and controls — is a different beast than a set of earbuds or headphones without a mic. For starters, not every set will work with Android when you need to answer calls and adjust the volume. Plus, when products are cheap, there are thousands of choices to wade through. So we chose the best ones.Foam fitKLIM Fusion EarbudsStaff PickThey handle calls just fine, fit better than average, and aren't terrible to wear. Best of all, they sound awesome. The Fusion Earbuds also include memory foam ear-tips so that you'll get the best fit possible without having to worry about ear fatigue. Plus, KLIM offers a 5-year warranty if anything goes awry with your amazing earbuds.$20 at AmazonFor the gymJLab Meta...

Google News is making a comeback for Spanish readers early next year.What you need to knowGoogle announced today that it will bring back its Google News service to Spain next year.The Spanish government has adopted a new decree that will let Google negotiate payments with local media outlets.Google shuttered the service in Spain back in 2014 due to a law that would force the company to pay publishers for their content.Google News is resuming service in Spain after a seven-year hiatus. The news aggregator will return to the country early next year, after the government overhauled a local copyright law to allow local publishers to negotiate content fees directly with Google.The country previously forced news aggregators such as Google News to pay local publishers for using their content, even the smallest portions of it like the headline and excerpt, in the News tab of Google Search. That law prompted the search giant to shut down Google News in Spain back in 2014 even befo...

It may be hard to pick the best Google Pixel 5 case considering how many options you'll have. So whether you're on the hunt for a ruggedly handsome heavy-duty case that offers maximum protection, a super slim and stylish case, or something in between, these are some of the best Google Pixel 5 cases available right now.Safe and stylishCaseology Parallax for Google Pixel 5Staff PickThis mesmerizing case has protected my last two Pixels with grace, and the colorways for the Pixel 5 are quite fetching. The Aqua Green will fit the green Pixel 5 perfectly, while Burgundy and Navy Blue jazz up the black Pixel 5.From $16 at Amazon $15 at WalmartLong-term protectionTudia Dualshield Merge SeriesIf you want a heavy-duty case without a heavy-duty price, Tudia has been the go-to for years. The Merge Series gives you the impact protection and grip of a flexible TPU sleeve with the sturdiness of a polycarbonate back.$15 at AmazonMachine washableGoogle Fabric CaseGoogle...

Android 12 is here for some, on the way for many.Stable Android 12 has been available for a couple of weeks now, whether you own an older Pixel smartphone or a new Google Pixel 6. There's a lot to like about it, from the new Material You design language and themes, to the new privacy and security settings. However, not everything is perfect, and some changes may be less than favorable for Pixel owners.So how are you enjoying Android 12 so far? Is it what you hoped it would be?How are you enjoying Android 12 so far?There are a lot of new features with Android 12. For example, widgets are much cleaner and more functional. In addition, there are dedicated hubs for privacy and security, you can search for content within apps from the on-device search engine, there's finally a dedicated game mode, and so much more. So far, it seems to be a much bigger update than the transition from Android 10 to 11, and as mentioned before, there's a lot to like about the update.However, nothi...

Silent Hill 2, Metal Gear Solid 3, and Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion would be amazing in VR.During the recent Connect 2021 event, Mark Zuckerberg announced that Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas would be ported to play in virtual reality. Even if you're not a GTA fan, this could mark an intriguing trend all gamers will care about: the Quest 2 could grant second lives to tons of video game classics.Most recently, the beloved action horror game Resident Evil 4 was converted from third-person to first-person for VR on the Quest 2, and it arguably plays better with motion controls than it ever did with traditional controls. People have also modded classic FPSs like Half-Life, Doom, and Quake 2 to work through SideQuest.With this latest GTA announcement, my mind began spinning with all the possibilities. The Quest 2's limited mobile hardware and storage space possibly can't handle more modern games, but it appears games from the Gamecube/ PS2/ Xbox era (or earlier) could be fair game. The ...

Voting is now open globally.What you need to knowVoting for the Google Play Best of 2021 awards is now open.You can vote for your favorite Android apps and games of the year until November 17.Winners of the Users' Choice and Best of 2021 picks will be announced on November 30.Google on November 3 opened user voting for the Google Play Best of awards. Android users around the world will be able to vote for their favorite apps and games of 2021 until November 17.Google will announce the winners of both the Users' Choice awards and the Best of 2021 picks from the Google Play editorial team on November 30. The editorial team will be judging the best Android apps and games of 2021 on their overall quality, design, technical performance, and innovation.The following apps are the nominees for the Users' Choice App of 2021 award:BitClass: Learn Anything. Live. Together!Sortizy- Recipes, Meal Planner and Grocery ListsEvolve Mental HealthBeing: your mental health friendClu...

The alarm system with an Eero router built right in.Since the launch of the original Ring Alarm system in 2018, Ring refined its product only a few times with the most recent launch, including a redesigned keypad and sensors. This time, the Ring Alarm Pro ups the ante by featuring an Eero Wi-Fi 6 router inside, a better and more versatile battery backup system, and the ability to finally store video taken from your Ring cameras locally on a microSD card.But while it may seem like many of these steps are designed to make the do-it-yourself alarm system more, well, do-it-yourself, the reality is that the best features are still kept behind a paywall, ensuring you'll always want to keep a Ring security subscription active. Still, Ring's subscriptions costs are a pittance when compared to the other best home security systems.If you're debating between the two, the $50 difference between the regular Ring Alarm and the Ring Alarm Pro is well worth the price, so long as you're plannin...

The best cheap standing desks are those that are flexible enough to work well in your existing workspace or just about anywhere around your home. Standing while working — even in short spurts — is one of the best things you can do for your health if you are physically able to. The trouble with standing desks is that they are often expensive and replace otherwise perfect office furniture, but thankfully there are several affordable and portable alternatives. Our favorite overall is the FLEXISPOT Standing Desk Converter because it sits on top of an existing desk or tabletop, and it is incredibly spacious, sturdy, and adjustable.Best overall cheap standing desk: FLEXISPOT Standing Desk Converter (M7MB)"In addition to the stand-alone electronic and manual desks, it also makes several desktop units that you can place on existing workspaces. Out of these, our favorite is hands-down the standing desk converter. The unit consists of two levels — an upper section for your laptop a...

The Google Pixel 4a was one of the most compelling phones of 2020, offering excellent performance and cameras for less than half the price of its flagship. While it might not cost thousands of dollars, that doesn't mean it's any less worthy of protection. Whether you need to spice up the Just Black of the Pixel 4a or need to keep it safe from the chaos outside your door, these are the best Pixel 4a cases you can buy right now.Pretty protectionCaseology Parallax for Google Pixel 4aStaff PickThis hybrid case comes in four dazzling color combinations — matte black, classic blue, purple, and a darling coral pink — and offers drop protection and grip in a compact profile.From $15 at Amazon $16 at WalmartGuard the front and backPoetic RevolutionThis heavy-duty case comes with a screen protector built into the front frame, offering 360 degrees of protection for your Pixel 4a. I also like the robust kickstand on the back that can be used in portrait or landscape.$15...

Fixing the latest bugs and exploits in Android every month.Google has detailed the latest Android Security Bulletin and released the fixes for Pixel devices.These are exploits and other security concerns that affect Android as a whole. Issues with the operating system, kernel patches, and driver updates may not affect any particular device, but these need to be fixed in the Android base by the folks maintaining the operating system code. That means Google and they've detailed the things they have improved for this month.Updated factory images for Pixel devices that are still supported are available, and over-the-air updates are rolling out to users. If you don't want to wait, you can download and flash the factory image or OTA update file manually, and here are some handy instructions to get you started. The company that made your phone uses these patches to send an update out to you.These changes have been released to the people making the best Android phones for at lea...

If you're using one of the best Android phones, you may be a little nervous about your security. Specifically, you might want to know who can access your microphone or camera. Fortunately, Android 12 places a particular emphasis on security. As part of that effort, Google added quick setting toggles that you can use to completely disable microphone and camera access system-wide. All you need to do is add those toggles to your quick settings. We'll show you how!How to add camera and microphone toggles to quick settingsThe first step toward using these toggles is to add them to your quick settings.Swipe down your notification shade twice.Tap the pencil icon to edit your quick settings.Scroll down until you see toggles labeled Mic access and Camera access.Tap and hold on to either of those controls and drag them up. In between the controls that appear in your quick settings and those that don't is a break in the icons along with the text Drag here to remove. You'll want to dra...

Earbud prices can run all over the place. The ones you typically hear about most often are super expensive. Still, there are some great budget options out there, such as the Creative Outlier Air V3, which offer fantastic battery life, exceptional comfort, and superb sound quality. But besides those, we've done the research and gathered some of the best cheap true wireless earbuds for any style and budget.Best overall: Creative Outlier Air V3It's hard to beat the Outlier Air V3 on battery life. Even compared to the best wireless earbuds, they outperform most of them with up to 10 hours of audio playback per charge at default volume. Add another three charges in the case, and you've got about 40 hours of total listening time. Creative also finally added wireless charging, making charging easier when you don't want to plug in.Creative largely based the design on the previous Outlier Air V2, which are a little bigger, though used the same ear tips for improved fit and comfort. It...

The One UI 4 stable update for Samsung's flagship series is now one step closer to launch.What you need to knowSamsung has released a new One UI 4 beta update for the Galaxy S21 series.The update fixes a number of bugs such as the the stretch effect when you hit the end of a list.This is the fourth One UI 4 beta update for the flagship devices, suggesting that the final stable update is close to a public release.Samsung has begun seeding the fourth One UI 4 beta update (based on Android 12) for the Galaxy S21 series, introducing a lot of improvements and bug fixes.The latest update improves the overall software experience for beta testers across all countries where the beta program is live, as per SamMobile. It's over 800MB in size and fixes a slew of bugs, including the stretch "overscroll" effect that appears when you reach the end of a list. This effect was already present in the previous beta update.Other notable bugs that have been fixed by the new update include d...

The feature could make a comeback in Spring 2022.What you need to knowVolume controls for Chromecast media sessions are disabled on Android 12 devices.The feature was apparently removed from Android 12 after the third beta due to a "legal issue." A "fix" for the issue could arrive with Android 12L next year. Last month, Google finally released the stable version of Android 12 to its Pixel phones. The update brings a ton of new features, along with a revamped user interface. Unfortunately, however, Google has still not enabled volume controls for Chromecast media sessions on devices running Android 12.As per developers on the IssueTracker thread, Google removed the feature with Android 12 Beta 3 in August. While it was initially believed to be a bug, a Googler later confirmed that the cast controls were "intentionally not shown". The Googler added that the feature would be added back with Android 12 Beta 5.Android 12 quietly disabled the ability to change the volume of a...

Amazon Fire HD 8 (2020)Best value tablet$90 at AmazonProsMuch cheaper than the HD 10The smaller size is better for e-booksMost portable HD Fire tabletUSB-C, fast charging, and 12-hour battery lifeConsThe display isn't as dense as the HD 10Speakers distort at high volumesThe Fire HD 8 might be the best value tablet on the market, boasting smooth performance with Amazon's Fire OS and a surprisingly good display for just $90. While it isn't quite as powerful as the HD 10, it offers all the same basic functionality at substantial savings.Amazon Fire HD 10 (2021)Best Amazon tabletFrom $150 at AmazonProsThe large screen is better for watching videosBetter specs than the HD 8Louder speakers with more clarityUSB-C, fast charging, and 12-hour battery lifeConsThe larger size may be too much for someHighest priced Fire tablet, non-Kids EditionThe Fire HD 10 takes everything great about the HD 8 and kicks it up a notch with better specs, a larger...

While others may fawn over the Galaxy Z Fold 3, the most alluring foldable of 2021 is the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3. As someone who has worn a shoulder holster for almost five years to accommodate ever-growing phone sizes that refuse to fit in my pants' pockets, this is a phone I can actually fit all the way inside my front pocket. However, nothing will transform your splendid new phone into a splintered nightmare faster than a bad fall because it slipped out of your sweaty palms. So get a grip on the best Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3 cases on the market today.Ring around my heartSamsung Silicone Cover with RingStaff PickAvailable in a wide variety of colors, this case keeps both halves connected via a durable woven strap, and at the end of its loop is a silver flat-edged ring so that you can use it as a ring grip. Given that PopSockets will be almost impossible to place correctly on the Flip, this case gives you a dependable grip as well as an easy way to pull it out of your pock...

It's that time of year when we start getting ready for the Black Friday PS5 deals, and you certainly shouldn't be waiting until the day itself if you haven't bagged Sony's new console yet. Since launch, last November, the PS5 has never lasted more than a few minutes when it comes into stock, and we expect the feeding frenzy to be no different well into next year.Jump to Black Friday PS5 dealsSee PS5 stockInternal SSDHeadsetsControllersTVPlayStation PlusWe're here to help point you in the right direction of the stores most likely to get the PS5 in next. There won't be any discounts on the console, though, and Black Friday PlayStation 5 bundles that appear will likely feature a range of items all added at full price because people will pay it. Sad, but true. So, if you see a sensibly priced PS5 at any moment from now, just bag it while you can.It's not all bad news, as the genuine stars of the Black Friday PS5 deals will be found on some of the very best PS5 headsets...