Latest from Android Central

Using Android as an example of the 'dangers' of sideloading is misguided, but that doesn't mean opening the floodgates on iOS is necessarily a good idea.As part of its ongoing legal spat with Epic Games, Apple recently published a whitepaper entitled, "Building a Trusted Ecosystem for Millions of Apps: A threat analysis of sideloading." The document outlines Apple's case for retaining tight control over the iPhone's highly lucrative app ecosystem in the face of pressure from major developers and U.S. lawmakers. "Sideloading" is used by the firm as a catch-all term for allowing apps to be installed from the web or local storage in addition to third-party app stores — effectively, any source that isn't vetted in the same way as the iOS App Store.As you might expect, the report paints the bleakest possible picture of security on Android, which as a platform has allowed apps from outside the default app store to be installed since its earliest days. Figures and case studies are che...

Trusting AI to know you better than you know yourself.Apple made a big splash during Monday's MacBook Pro event. Whatever you think of Apple, its upgraded M1 Pro/ Max silicon looks stunningly powerful, and its 3rd-gen AirPods will be a hit with audiophiles. But the weirdest announcement came right at the start when Apple CEO Tim Cook announced a new, Siri-dependant music streaming option.Apple Music Voice is a $4.99/month subscription that gives you access to the service's full 90-million-song catalog, ad-free. However, unlike standard Apple Music, you can't use a touchscreen to select or search for songs. Instead, you have to ask Siri to find a song or playlist for you.You'll get access to "tens of thousands of playlists, including hundreds of brand new mood and activity playlists, personalized mixes, and genre stations; as well as the award-winning Apple Music Radio." But unlike with standard Apple Music, you can't create your own playlists, download music for offline listeni...

Google hasn't launched a flagship Pixel phone in India since the Pixel 3 XL.What you need to knowGoogle has confirmed that the Pixel 6 and 6 Pro phones will not be launched in India.The company has decided against launching the phones in India due to global demand supply issues.Pixel 4a was the last phone that Google launched in the country.The all-new Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro, which are Google's answer to the best Android phones from Samsung and Xiaomi, will not be coming to India.In a statement sent to Gadgets360, Google confirmed that it won't be able to make its latest Pixel phones available in the country "due to a variety of factors including global demand supply issues."The news certainly doesn't come as a surprise, since Google hasn't launched a flagship Pixel phone in India since 2018. The budget-friendly Pixel 4a was the last phone that the company released in the country.Google had decided against launching the Pixel 4 in India as the phone's Soli radar hard...

The Pixel 6 is just better at being a phone than anything else you can buy, thanks to some special software sauce.A few years ago, the world decided that the last thing we wanted to do while using our phones was to use them as phones. Seriously, I'm a dinosaur, and outside of talking to my parents, calling for a Pizza, or learning about my car's extended warranty, even I don't really use the phone part of my smartphone.But that doesn't mean it's not annoying as heck when I do interact with it, especially when I'm using one of the best Android phones not made by Google. It's not so difficult to explain, though — it's more of Google's insane Artificial Intelligence doing things that seem like sorcery when it comes to controlling who calls you and how you make phone calls. On the Pixel 6 with Android 12 it's about to get even better!These aren't the headline features that reviewers and forums are going to be gushing over, but the two best things about the Pixel 6 just might be i...

Google is the largest search engine on the planet, so popular that "Google" is the most popular search term on Bing. Unfortunately, even when searching from one of the best Chromebooks, Google doesn't always get everything right. Google can pick up old, outdated content and feed it back to us in search, and when that happens, we can help. How you go about removing search results depends on whether or not you own the website in question. The most common reason for removing search results is that the information has gone out of date. But there are other more serious reasons for needing to remove data, and we'll cover all of those situations.How to remove web results of a site you own from Google SearchThe first thing you need to do to remove web results from your site is prove that you own the site. When you visit the URL Removal Tool, the first thing you'll have to do is pick a property or the domain of the website you own. Then, if you haven't already done so, you'll need to veri...

You can now mark a message as unread on mobile and on the web.What you need to knowGoogle Chat has rolled out a new capability to mark messages as unread.The new feature is available on mobile and the web.You can access the feature both on individual and group chats called Spaces.Google Chat has added a new feature that lets you mark a message as read or unread, a feature that has long been available on other messaging apps such as Microsoft Teams and Slack.The ability to mark messages as unread is available both on mobile and the web for individual chats and Spaces. You can long press and hold a direct message or group chat on many of the best Android phones. The app will then surface a pop-up menu showing the "Mark as unread" button.Alternatively, you can tap a contact's name in the top-left corner in order to find that button under the conversations option. That said, there's also an option to reverse that action by clearing all of the "unread" badges in order to m...

PS5 stock is selling out fast, so be sure to have your credit card ready.Looking to buy a PS5? Well, so are millions of other people. It doesn't help that stock levels remain really tight, even nearly a year after its launch. Every time a retailer puts stock up for sale, it sells out super quickly. The longest we here at Android Central have seen PS5s stay in stock is between 15 to 20 minutes (often just a few minutes, though). That's also at random times, so finding a PS5 is a truly challenging task. Sony warned it will be hard to find stock throughout the year and well into 2022, but retailers promise more are coming and that Sony has secured additional semiconductor chips to make them.In our PS5 review, we called the system a technical marvel with a groundbreaking controller. And after spending a few months with the PS5, it's nearly impossible to go back to the PS4. Everything about the PS5 is better, from the games to the DualSense haptic feedback. So you'll definitely want t...

The social networking giant wants to create a new identity as a "metaverse company."What you need to knowFacebook is said to be planning to change its name to "reflect its focus on building the metaverse."The change could be announced as soon as next week.The rebranding could lead to the creation of an umbrella company that would oversee the Facebook app, Instagram, WhatsApp, Oculus, and more.Facebook has decided to change its name to better reflect its focus on "being a metaverse company," according to The Verge. The social networking giant is expected to detail the change at its annual Connect Conference on October 28, but an announcement could happen sooner.The report suggests Facebook's new name may have something to do with Horizon, which is the name of its social VR platform. The app's name was changed to Horizon Worlds earlier this month.A source familiar with the matter told the publication that the rebranding is meant to "signal the tech giant's ambition to be ...

Telegram rolled out two-step verification five years ago, and if you've been using the service for a while now or are just getting started, you should enable it right now. Setting up two-factor authentication on Telegram takes less than five minutes, and it provides much-needed safeguards to your account. Here's how to secure your Telegram account with two-factor authentication.How to activate two-factor authentication on TelegramYour Telegram account is tied to your phone number, and you'll receive a one-time code whenever you have to sign in to a new device. With two-factor authentication, you can set up a password in addition to the one-time code. So you'll have to enter both to log in to your account. Here's how to set up two-factor authentication on Telegram:Open Telegram. Hit the Hamburger menu on the left. Select Settings.Go to Privacy and Security. Tap Two-Step Verification. Hit Set Password.Enter the password you want to set. Confirm the password. Add a hi...

Black Friday is a few weeks away, and it's always a great time to buy storage enclosures and hard drives. Unfortunately, there have been severe shortages around hard drives in recent months, but availability is thankfully getting back to regular levels as we head into the holiday season.While network-attached storage (NAS) enclosures haven't had the same issues with availability, this category hasn't seen as many new launches as in previous years. That said, the best home NAS launches from last year — particularly the DiskStation DS1520+ — continue to be a stellar choice, handling everything from Plex media streaming in 4K to backing up your connected phones and so much more with ease.There are a few things to consider when you're buying a NAS enclosure. First is the number of drive bays. Most budget models come with a single or two drive bays, and mid-range models have four or more drive bays. If this is the first time you're buying a NAS, my recommendation would be to go wi...

The phone will spruce up your photos with AI capabilities.What you need to knowThe Google Pixel 6 and 6 Pro have introduced new photo-editing features powered by the Tensor chip.One of those features is Magic Eraser, which can seamlessly remove photobombers or any other distractions from your photos.Other AI-powered features included with the Pixel 6 phones include Motion mode and Snapchat integration.Google's new flagship phones will let you edit a photobomber or an unsightly background clutter out of your photos. The new Google Pixel 6 and 6 Pro were unveiled on Tuesday, bringing with them powerful new imaging tricks such as Magic Eraser, which works similarly to Photoshop's content-aware capability.The search giant explained in a blog post what imaging features the new devices will have when they go on sale on October 28. The Pixel 6 phones can remove distractions from your photos, such as power poles and even people who appear in the background, thanks to Google's Ten...

It's all about the Pixel.Google took to the virtual stage on Tuesday and launched its long-awaited Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro, making official many of the rumors and leaks that we've seen of the devices. However, the event was about more than just the phones; it was about the hardware powering the devices and the bevy of experiences that will come from the new software and AI capabilities.Google announced some pretty impressive features and even some new accessories during the launch. There was quite a bit going on, but here are the most significant announcements Google made, some of which the company didn't actually talk about during the livestream.Jump to:Pixel 6TensorAI featuresPixel StandAndroid 12Pixel PassPixel 6, Pixel 6 ProOf course, the Pixel 6 series stole the show. After all, the devices mark a significant design shift for Google, going from bland to bold. The phones feature upgraded cameras with a 50MP primary sensor, 12MP ultrawide, and an extra 48MP ...

It's not exactly the four years we were hoping for.What you need to knowThe Google Pixel 6 is only getting three years of OS upgrades.Rumors previously hinted at four years of upgrades.The Pixel 6 will still receive five years of security updates.During the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro launch on Tuesday, Google played up the fact that the new devices would receive up to five years of security updates. While that's an impressive feat, the company failed to mention its schedule for OS upgrades, but thanks to a Pixel support page, we now know why.According to the page, both Pixel smartphones will only receive OS upgrades until 2024. That means they may not receive updates past Android 15 while continuing to receive support until 2026.That's not bad, since only some of the best Android phones are promised as much as four years of security updates, and the Pixels will remain secure well after they stop receiving newer versions of Android. Still, it may be a bummer for some that...

There's no denying that the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3 is one of the best foldable phones available in the market right now. The futuristic clamshell packs in a lot of improvements over its predecessor from 2020. These include a more prominent external display, water resistance, and, more importantly, a gorgeous foldable OLED panel that comes pre-installed with a harder screen protector. That said, you can never be too careful with a device this fragile (and expensive), so here are some of the best Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3 screen protectors you can get for your swanky new foldable.Fully coveredOrzero Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3 screen protector - 3 packStaff PickOrzero's soft TPU screen protectors guard the inside, outside, and even the hinge of your Galaxy Z Flip 3 from damage. These are made with an ultra-thin material for that barely-there feel and also have hydrophobic and oleophobic coatings that reduce smudges and fingerprints.$16 at AmazonCase-friendly protection...

The Pixel 6 takes AI and runs with it.What you need to knowGoogle introduced several new features at Tuesday's Pixel launch.New features include enhancements to the Phone app, Google Assistant, and Live Translation.These new features will be available on the new Pixel 6, which is up for preorder now.During the Pixel 6 launch, Google took some time to highlight some of the new features that are coming to its latest flagships, courtesy of the custom-built Tensor chip. Thanks to the focus on machine learning, the chip can provide the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro with on-device AI processing, which keeps your information safe and potentially makes them much faster at handling speech recognition and visual information than many of the best Android phones running Qualcomm chips.Smarter calling featuresGoogle is introducing a handful of calling features for the Pixel 6. Now, when looking up a phone number in the Search app, before you hit the call button, you'll soon be able to get...

It's that time of year again. Black Friday is nearly upon us, if you can believe it! Much like last year, many of the best deals will not only be availabe in person at retail stores, but online as well. It's never too early to start looking for bargains on the best Android phones, so here is a running list of Android phone deals that we've got our eye on leading up to the biggest shopping weekend of the year. We'll be keeping this guide updated regularly leading up to Black Friday, so be sure to check back frequently if you don't see the phone deals that you're looking for.Every year, there are some pretty stellar Black Friday phone deals, though you have to know where to shop if you want to find the best offers. Whether you're hoping for the best Samsung deals, Google Pixel deals, some other Android phone, or even an iPhone (gasp!), this is truly the best time of the year to find one.We'll be scouring all the usual retailers and phone carriers to scope out any worthy offers and ...

After appearing on The Bachelor earlier this year and finishing as the runner-up, Michelle Young is ready to fall in love and find the man of her dreams and we have all the details on how you can watch new episodes from season 18 of The Bachelorette from anywhere in the world.During season 25 of The Bachelor, fans fell in love with Katie Thurston and Michelle Young who were both vying for the heart of 28-year-old Matt James. While Katie Thurston went on to be The Bachelorette in the show's last season, this time around Young will have her pick from 30 eligible bachelors.Young grew up in Minnesota and went onto play Division I basketball at Bradley University before graduating with a degree in elementary education and going on to begin her career as an elementary school teacher. Despite entering The Bachelor during the third week of the competition, Young made it to the final two before being rejected by James in favor of fellow contestant Rachel Kirkconnell.As was the case last...

If you're about to pre-order a Pixel 6, you need to read this first.What you need to knowGoogle has announced a new "Pixel Pass" subscription service alongside the Pixel 6 series.Pixel Pass offers "Pixel and Google services" together in one easy subscription. Along with a new Pixel phone with an extended warranty and the option to upgrade Pixels every two years.You'll also get 200GB of Google One storage and get access to YouTube Premium, YouTube Music Premium, and Google Play Pass. If you already subscribe to the four services above, you might not be able to subscribe right now as Google Fi and Google Store are having some issues with it. In order to get Pixel Pass, you need to subscribe to it through Google Fi or the Google Store before you pre-order your Pixel 6.At its fall launch event today, Google announced a new service called Pixel Pass alongside the Pixel 6 series. Just as expected, Pixel Pass is basically Google's answer to Apple One and the iPhone Upgrade Prog...

When you begin your search for the very best Google Fit accessories, you'll be met with tons of choices. After all, Google Fit is one of the best apps out there for tracking your fitness data. So whether you're keeping track of the food you eat, the calories you burn, or your fitness progress over time, there's no shortage of options to choose from. Your search might be focused on finding the best Android smartwatch for health/fitness tracking. Other users might prefer more basic accessories. Whatever the case may be, we've got options for you.Best fitness smartwatchSamsung Galaxy Watch 4 - 40mmStaff PickIt might be new to the market, but the Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 is an excellent fitness smartwatch. This makes it one of the best Google Fit accessories you can buy. Considering that it runs on Wear OS 3, you'll enjoy a seamless experience from start to finish. Android users can't go wrong with this smartwatch, especially when it comes to using Google Fit.From $220 at Sam...

The new Pixel Stand isn't the fastest but might be the smartest.What you need to knowGoogle announced its second-gen Pixel Stand with faster wireless charging.The new Pixel Stand features 23W wireless charging capable of charging smartphones and Qi-enabled wearables.An active fan will keep devices from heating up while charging.The new Pixel Stand (2nd Gen) retails for $80, the same as the original stand.Google is introducing a new wireless charger for its Pixel lineup, the Pixel Stand (2nd Gen). The new wireless charging stand is optimized for the new Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro and other Google hardware.Compared to the first-gen Pixel Stand, the second-gen model ups the ante with 21W and 23W of wireless charging for the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro, respectively, more than double the 10W provided by the original. This is better than many of the best wireless charging pads, although it can't match the 30W+ wireless charging support found on phones like the OnePlus 9 Pro. Still, ...

If you're looking for the best Roku streaming devices, then you've come to the right place. Roku has a bunch of different streaming products that are so easy to set up and use. You'll get access to thousands of movies and TV shows with devices that are compatible with smart TVs and for those of you who still have dinosaur-aged TVs. We love using Roku devices and have picked out our favorites for you in several categories, although our favorite is the Roku Ultra.Best overall Roku streaming device: Roku UltraThe Roku Ultra is the company's premium streaming set-top box. It offers all the high-end specs you'd expect in such a device, like 4K UHD and HDR, as well as support for Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos. It also has some killer usability features unique to the Roku brand, such as a Lost Remote Finder on the box. The next time that pesky remote slips between the couch cushions, all you have to do is press a button, and it will make a sound to help you locate it.The Roku Ultra a...

You'll have to wait a little longer for Android 12.Update, Oct 19 (1:15 p.m. ET): Pixel phones are finally being updated to Android 12What you need to knowGoogle announced the official stable rollout of Android 12The update comes with a host of new features for the platform, including dynamic theming, updated widgets, and enhanced privacy settings.Google Pixel smartphones will be the first to receive Android 12, with other OEMs following.After months of developer previews and beta builds, Google has finally released the stable Android 12 build to the Android Open Source Project. However, it won't arrive on Pixel smartphones just yet.Pixel owners that didn't participate in the beta program will soon have access to a massive visual overhaul for Android, with the new Material You design language and dynamic theming. With this, your system colors and accents can change based on your wallpaper for a more cohesive look across the OS.This new Material You theming also applie...

The regular Pixel 6 was the only one to get actual color and not just metallic shades, and we deserve to flaunt those fun colors and bold accents around that eye-catching camera bar stretching across the back. This is one of the best Android phones with half a decade of updates ahead of it, and if you want your new phone to last that long, you need to grab one of the best Pixel 6 cases you can.Come to the dark sideCaseology Parallax for Google Pixel 6Staff PickWhile not many cases yet highlight that pop of red at the top of the Kinda Coral, Caseology lept right in. So whether you're tracking rebel scum across the galaxy or lording over your domain, the Parallax will help you keep an iron grip upon your Pixel 6, thanks to the new diamond grip pads along the bumper.$15 at AmazonGrip and goSpigen Liquird Air Armor for Google Pixel 6While Spigen is better known for the Rugged Armor and Tough Armor, its best case is the Liquid Air Armor. The texture is grippier than th...

The Pixel 6 is finally here in all its glory.What you need to knowGoogle details the new Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro.The phones are powered by the custom-built Tensor chip, an all-day Adaptive Battery, and upgraded camera systems.The Pixel 6 starts at $599, while the Pro variant starts at $899.After months of teasing and promoting, Google has officially launched the new Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro. Both devices mark a significant departure from previous generations of Pixel smartphones thanks to the new Google Tensor chip running the show.Thanks to the power of on-device AI processing, both the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro will achieve faster speeds with an 80% improvement over the previous generation. This will be used to power speech recognition features, like Assistant Voice Typing in Gboard and Live Translate, to instantly translate captions from videos and text from messaging apps like Google Messages.The improvements also extend to the cameras. As far as hardware goes, both ...

Six years in, the Pixel 6 is Google's first true in-house phone.While we're excited for the new Google Pixel every October, the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro launch is about so much more than just new phones. It's the real-world debut of its first in-house chipset with Google Tensor, and Google is using the Pixel 6 as the launch bed for a new era of Android design, Material You. Once you combine that with the first significant camera update Pixels have seen in half a decade and half a decade of system updates, the Pixel 6 and 6 Pro very well could be the best Android phones of 2021.We've had our Pixel 6 and 6 Pro models in for less than 24 hours, but honestly, it didn't even take two hours to realize how much of an improvement they are over the previous three generations of Pixels. From the lightning-fast AI capabilities of Google Tensor to the polished perfection of an ever-growing fleet of Pixel-exclusive features, here's why the Pixel 6 or Pixel 6 Pro is probably going to be your ne...

If you're looking for a great streaming device, we've ranked the best Amazon Fire TV Sticks that you can buy right now. A streaming stick is a great, low-cost option to bring all of the content you want into your living room, and there really isn't a better option than a Fire TV Stick. Even though it's a couple of years old at this point, we still believe that the best choice overall is the Fire TV Stick 4K. It comes with a handy Alexa Voice Remote and is the best all-around version of a Fire TV device.Best overall Fire TV Stick: Fire TV Stick 4K with Alexa Voice RemoteLet's not mince words here; this is the Fire TV stick that you want to get. Period. Yeah, the others work just about as well, but with the Fire TV Stick 4K, you are future-proofing yourself. As more and more video content is available in better formats like 4K, UHD, HDR 10+, and Dolby Vision, you're going to want to have a device that can support and stream that content, especially if and when you upgrade your ...

The Raspberry Pi is a magnificent little side-project as you can use it to do pretty much anything that you can set your mind to. From the Raspberry Pi 400, offering an all-in-one computing solution, to creating a retro console by installing RetroPie on the Raspberry Pi, the sky is the limit. But one of the problems with the Raspberry Pi is that you need to have some type of way to actually interact with the interface.This is where the best Black Friday Raspberry Pi screen deals comes into play. Not only can you find some big chunks of change on the best Raspberry Pi accessories, but you'll definitely want to grab a monitor to connect to your Raspberry Pi. Even if you plan on using it as a "headless" system, it's important to make sure everything is set up properly and running before making the move. We've rounded up some of our favorite Raspberry Pi screen deals for you to take advantage of on Black Friday!...

In this very Nintendo-centric episode, Rebecca, Carli, and Sam geek out over the recent Animal Crossing Direct, Switch Online Expansion Pack, and Metroid Dread. There's also details to report on Avowed, an upcoming Xbox exclusive title.Hosted by: Jennifer Locke, Carli Velocci, and Rebecca SpearGot feedback? Hit up Podcast@androidcentral.com and tell us something!LISTEN NOW:LINKS:Everything announced in the October 2021 Animal Crossing Direct | iMoreAnimal Crossing: Happy Home Paradise — Everything you need to know | iMoreNintendo Switch Online Expansion Pack pricing revealed, starts at $50 for one year | iMoreIt's safer to buy the Animal Crossing: New Horizons DLC separately than with the Nintendo Switch Online Expansion Pack | iMoreAnimal Crossing: New Horizons — How to use the Island Backup & Restoration Service | iMoreNintendo Switch OLED model review: The prettiest handheld experience Nintendo has to offer | iMoreMetroid Dread for Nintendo Switch review...

As Black Friday approaches, many of us are already making a mental list of all the deals we'd like to score. If history is any indication, we can expect to see plenty of discounted tech items. If you're eager to take your wearable game to the next level, you should keep your eyes peeled for the best Black Friday fitness trackers deals.Whether you're an in-store or online shopper, you'll have an opportunity to score an unbeatable deal. While there's not usually a shortage of Black Friday deals on some of the best Android smartwatches, fitness tracker prices tend to reach an all-time low. As you can imagine, these deals are hard to pass up. You'll have to be the one to determine if you'd benefit from a fitness tracker over a smartwatch. If you've been waiting for the perfect time to purchase a wearable, this is it.In the past year, we've seen many new devices hit the market, such as the Fitbit Charge 5 and the Xiaomi Mi Band 6. We're confident that many of this year's best fitness ...

Amazon is also making lossless streaming available to all Music Unlimited subscribers.What you need to knowAmazon Music Unlimited subscribers can now stream music in spatial audio.In addition to Dolby Atmos, Amazon's Music Unlimited service also supports Sony's 360 Reality Audio format.Amazon Music Unlimited is priced at $7.99 per month for Prime members in the U.S.Amazon is finally making spatial audio more accessible to its users. The company has announced that all Amazon Music Unlimited subscribers can now listen to tracks mixed in spatial audio on a wide range of devices — including the best Android phones and select devices supporting Alexa Cast.Devices that support 360 Reality Audio with Alexa Cast include Sony's SRS-RA5000 and SRS-RA3000 wireless speakers, as well as HT-A9, HT-A7000, and HT-A5000 home theater systems. Later this year, customers will be able to hear music mixed in Dolby Atmos on the Sonos Arc and Beam (Gen 2) soundbars as well.Amazon says spatia...

With so many great options to choose from, it can be hard to pick the best Android phone from AT&T's selection. If you're a little overwhelmed by all of the options and want some help determining which AT&T phone is the right for you — you've come to the right place. Here are some of the best AT&T phones available right now.Best overallSamsung Galaxy S21 UltraStaff PickNeed a powerful Android phone that can do it all? Look no further than the Galaxy S21 Ultra. It has a big, brilliant 6.8-inch display, a Snapdragon 888 processor, 5G support, and a 108MP main camera backed by a 100X telephoto and an ultra-wide. Of course, it's also water-resistant, and it supports not just wireless charging, but reverse wireless charging — and even the S Pen stylus.$34/mo. at AT&TBest for lessSamsung Galaxy S20 FEThe Galaxy S20 FE offers almost everything you'll find in the S21 Ultra (minus the S Pen) in a smaller, much more affordable package. You get the same o...

It appears that Google is finally getting into the smartwatch game with the first Pixel Watch — here's what we know so far.From the beginning of Google's wearable strategy, it has always relied on other OEMs to carry the hardware torch for its software. However, that doesn't mean fans of Wear OS, and Android Wear before it, haven't been clamoring for an official smartwatch from the software giant.After years of rumors for a Google-branded wearable that always ended in disappointment for Wear OS fans. It was looking like 2021 was to be the year that a Google Pixel Watch would materialize alongside the Pixel 6 lineup. But, it seems unlikely that the Pixel Watch will be arriving this year. Here's what we know so far about the Pixel Watch.Jump to:Announcement & release datePriceModelsDesignSpecs and softwarePixel Watch: Announcement and release dateAs of right now, we don't have anything official from Google in terms of a Pixel Watch being released this year...

The thing Apple didn't say out loud, but it did say it a lot.The new MacBook Pro isn't an Android device, so it isn't particularly interesting for a website like Android Central to cover. However, it is a good upgrade for the right person, thanks to the removal of the touch bar and new specs inside. As long as you can learn to enjoy the notch, that is.More importantly, for Apple, tech writers, and tech consumers, is how it is the beginning of a new push to create more Apple ecosystem lock-in through hardware. Yes, you read that right: the new M1 chip is also a new way to get a subset of users onboard and keep them locked up there.This isn't anything new, and every company — including the one who made whatever phone you think is the best Android phone — tries it, too. But few are successful; outside of Apple, Google, and Amazon. Most companies don't really offer any reason to buy more products. Google does it through a pretty damn good software ecosystem, Amazon does it thro...

Get serious about fitnessFitbit Premium$10/mo. or $80/year at FitbitProsGuided programsSeveral workout optionsHealth and fitness statsThree-month free trial with purchaseOptional upgrade to 1-on-1 coachingOn more devicesConsNo option to share with family membersFitbit Premium has been around a while now, and it offers a more hands-on approach than Apple Fitness+ does. The most important difference is that you can pay more for 1-on-1 coaching, which will help you improve your fitness game if you're looking for extra motivation.A great place to startApple Fitness+$10/mo. or $80/year at AppleProsGuided programsSeveral workout optionsHealth and fitness statsThree-month free trial with purchaseOption to share with five family membersConsNo 1-on-1 coaching optionsApple devices onlyApple Fitness+ is a relatively new service, especially in comparison to Fitbit Premium. However, it does a good job of offering several perks, including s...

The app is compatible with only a handful of Android devices currently.What you need to knowGoogle Play Protect is now available to download as a separate app.Google Play Protect automatically scans all apps installed on your phone and prevents the installation of harmful apps.Google claims Play Protect is the most widely deployed mobile threat protection service in the world.At I/O 2017, Google announced Play Protect, a suite of services aimed at securing all Android devices with access to the Play Store. After being a part of Play Services for over four years, Google has now quietly made it available as a standalone app on the Play Store (via XDA Developers.Google Play Protect now has a separate downloadable app from the Google Play Store. It was previously part of Play, though from my decompilation of the APK it still requires Play Services to function.https://t.co/Osi5vDpKVLCredits to GoogleNews group on Telegram. pic.twitter.com/UBYMDKkzEO— Adam Conway (@AdamConway...

It's really difficult to engage in a video call with people who don't have the technical know-how or the equipment to do it right. Help out your Luddite family members by getting them one of Facebook's newest smart displays, the Portal Go. Buy two devices through the Facebook Portal website, one for yourself and one for them, and you can save $100 off the total. Since the Portal Go is $199, that means you'll only pay a total of $298 instead of $398.The first time this deal came around the Portal Go wasn't released yet, and the savings didn't apply. Facebook's newest device was just announced at the end of September, so it's actually quite surprising to see this deal even applies given new products tend to take awhile to go on sale. Of course, the same thing applies to Facebook's another new device, the Portal Plus and any other Portal devices that are available, including the 1st-gen gear.Facebook Portal Go | Save $100Facebook's newest device, designed to take on other portab...

The Goal Zero can power all your devices while camping, but you'll need a weightlifter to get it there.It seems I have become the unofficial reviewer of solar generators here on Android Central, and it is a role I am happy to play. Goal Zero, makers of one of the best portable chargers & power banks we've used, reached out to me and asked if I could review its Amazon exclusive Yeti 1000 Core, a giant battery pack that it claimed had enough juice to power your fridge.I've spent several weeks with the Yeti, taking it camping, using it for day trips to the lake, as well as powering my home appliances. Goal Zero also sent me the solar panel and the 230-watt power supply to get the whole experience, and having that solar panel makes all the difference. As a unit, the Yeti 1000 and the Nomad 100 solar panel are an excellent choice for your portable power needs. However, you're going to need to put in some effort to lug it to your destination.Goal Zero Yeti 1000 Core review:P...

Choose your favorites from across gaming.What you need to knowEvery year, GamesRadar holds the Golden Joystick Awards for fans to vote in.This year, there's two special extra awards, including "Ultimate Game of All Time."Voting for most categories is now open. GamesRadar is holding its yearly Golden Joystick Awards and voting is now open. Fans can choose between different games like Ratchet and Clank: Rift Apart and Resident Evil Village for a varity of different awards. The voting for the main categories is available through Nov. 5, so get your votes in quickly if you want to see your favorites winning."Trimming the shortlists has made judging even more hotly-debated than ever, but we're thrilled at the diversity of this year's nominees, which reflect the importance of indie games and long-running service games during 2021 where a number of high-profile titles have faced unavoidable delays," says content director Daniel Dawkins. "This year's Golden Joystick Awards is rea...

The best monitor light bars can brighten your workspace for easier reading without boosting the brightness of the screen, which can be taxing on your eyes. They also come in handy during video calls by providing the proper lighting when you're in a dark setting. Light bars usually don't take up much, or any, additional space on your desk and don't cost a lot. And this is especially important if you're using an external monitor, keyboard, and mouse with a computer, like a Chromebook, and thus have minimal desk space. As you work toward enhancing your home office with items that help increase productivity and better organize the space, we've researched to find the best monitor light bars for your home workspace.Best for customizationLOFTER Screen Bar LightStaff PickWith three lighting modes, including warm, cool, and natural, and 10 brightness levels via a total of 84 LEDs, this light's slim and sleek design keeps crucial desk space free. Thanks to the convenient angle, there...

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 Nokia 1.3 is the best phone in this price range, but if that doesn't strike your fancy, there are plenty of other options out there.1. Nokia 1.3: Best phone under $100HMD Global has a standout option in the entry-level segment in the Nokia 1.3. This particular device is one of the best Android Go phones and comes with lightweight versions of Google services out of the box. Android Go is an excellent choice in this category as it is designed to run on low-end hardware, and the lightweight OS combined with Google Go apps ensures you don't see any slowdowns.The hardware on offer with the Nokia 1.3 is pretty decent, considering it is an Android Go device. You get a 5.71-inch HD+ screen, Qualcomm's 215 pla...

Google is hoping to steal market share from Apple, Samsung, and Xiaomi.What you need to knowGoogle has reportedly asked its suppliers to make over 7 million units of its upcoming Pixel 6 phones.It is also said to have asked suppliers to produce more than 5 million units of the Pixel 5A.Last year, Google's total smartphone shipments came to 3.7 million.Google has told suppliers that it plans to make over 7 million units of the Pixel 6 and 6 Pro, according to Nikkei Asia. That's nearly twice as much as its total smartphone shipments last year. As per data from IDC, Google shipped just over 3.7 million phones in 2020.Google apparently wants to take advantage of the post-pandemic recovery in the global market and its position as the only U.S. maker of Android phones. It is also hoping to lure consumers away from other brands by promising longer updates and superior security features. And it's not just the upcoming Pixel 6 series that the company is betting big on. The company...

Using the internet is a lot like queuing to get on a plane. Several lines keep things orderly as many different people try to get through a singular bottleneck. And like getting on a plane, some people have a higher priority and can skip right to the front of the line. All internet traffic is designed to work this way so critical data can get where it needs to go as soon as possible without having to navigate a traffic jam of YouTube videos and Tweets.This extra delay can sometimes feel like a slow connection to the end-user waiting for something to load, and every consumer plan is subject to a bit of prioritization. It creates higher priority data tiers for health and rescue workers as well as for business accounts. Still, most of the time, data will go through in the blink of an eye on even the lowest priority carriers, so is it really something you should worry about?Do you need premium dataEach of the big three network operators, AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon, include pre...

The hardware is there, but the software still lags behind.A lot of anticipation has been riding on OEMs ever since we learned that many of 2021's best Android smartwatches would be getting the Wear OS 3 update. After all, a big overhaul to Google's wearables platform is something that's been needed for years now. But the problem wasn't just software; Wear OS hardware has lagged behind the competition in some very real ways.The Fossil Gen 6 line of smartwatches aims to begin the healing process for Wear OS users, like myself, who have been burned by sub-par products for years. Quite of the bit of the problem lay with Qualcomm, who has consistently created mediocre wearable chipsets that were both underpowered and power-hungry at the same time. Fossil Gen 6 launches with the Qualcomm Snapdragon 4100+, a new platform that aims to fix quite a bit of that with the help of a more powerful co-processor.In addition to a better processor, Fossil has packed the gamut of sensors into the ...

To properly protect your Oculus Quest when traveling or even at home, you'll need one of the best Oculus Quest cases. Most importantly, the Quest lenses need to be shielded from sunlight at all times or risk permanent damage to the interior screen (think of a magnifying glass burning an ant). Beyond that, something can easily fall into the headset and scratch the lens if you're not careful — and the Quest has a lot of small accessories that are hard to keep track of unless stored in the same place. So whether you want a compact travel case for your Quest and controllers or a larger storage case with space for all your VR peripherals, our list below will do the trick. Or, if you need the best Oculus Quest 2 cases, we've got you covered with that link.Organize and protectYinke Hard Case for Oculus QuestStaff PickThis Yinke Oculus Quest case comes with velcro straps for securing your cords in place, a small mesh bag for keeping your accessories organized, a lens cover, and...

It's apparently still happening, though, so there's that.What you need to knowThe Google Pixel Watch will allegedly not launch with the Pixel 6 on Tuesday.The watch has been rumored for some time and will reportedly launch in Q1 2022.The Pixel Watch will likely run Wear OS 3 at launch.Wear OS fans may be disappointed to learn that Google is allegedly not planning to announce the rumored Pixel Watch at its upcoming smartwatch launch.Leaker Jon Prosser, who has had a pretty good track record lately with Google/Pixel leaks, suggested on Monday that the Pixel Watch will not launch until Q1 2022.Pixel Watch Don't expect it at the event tomorrow. Last I heard, it was delayed until Q1 2022.It's still happening, just not tomorrow. https://t.co/Rd0dGN3yek— Jon Prosser (@jon_prosser) October 18, 2021Prosser has previously stated that the Pixel Watch was slated for either an October or Q1 2022 launch, but apparently, an announcement is unlikely to happen tomorrow. We've reac...

The Pixel 6 is already rumored at a crazy good price, but this takes the cake.What you need to knowA new leak shows that users could get a freebie bundle when preordering the Pixel 6 through Target.The bundle deal will include a free pair of Pixel Buds A-Series.The deal will allegedly start October 19 at 11 a.m., likely just after the Pixel 6 launches.There's less than a day until Google fully unveils the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro, and while we seem to know just about everything, some tidbits are still trickling in about the phones, including a launch day deal spotted at Target.Android Police has gotten their hands on an alleged image of Target's internal system showing a Pixel 6/Pixel 6 Pro deal that will save users $99 when purchasing either smartphone with the new Pixel Buds A-Series. Essentially, you're getting some of the best wireless earbuds for free when you preorder the new Pixel.As noted by the image, the preorder deal will start on October 19 at 11 a.m., whic...

OnePlus's latest smartphone combines power with surprising affordability.The OnePlus 9ROnePlus has no plans to release a mainstream T phone this year. Instead, it has launched the OnePlus 9RT, a slight variation on the mid-range OnePlus 9R that shipped earlier this year. Likely OnePlus's final major phone of 2021, the 9RT is worth considering — if you live somewhere where it's available.OnePlus has released a T-model phone every fall from 2016 to 2020, offering similar specs to that year's main flagship, plus some slight variations that often ended up in next year's flagship. OnePlus co-founder Carl Pei chose the naming scheme to emulate the iPhone S-series, except that S + One(Plus) = T.But recently, OnePlus started shipping its phones in more markets, therefore making its lineup more complicated. "Pro" phones appeared in 2019, followed by a surge of mid-range phones like the OnePlus Nord 2 and budget handsets like the OnePlus Nord N200 5G. Then, of course, there was the 9R,...

The committee gives Amazon a deadline to tell the truth.What you need to knowThe U.S. House Judiciary Committee is accusing Amazon of lying to Congress.Committee members say that the company lied about product discrimination on its platform.The committee has given Amazon until November 1 to provide proof to corroborate its testimony.Amazon has two weeks to prove that it does not discriminate against other products sold on its online platform, a deadline imposed by the House Judiciary Antitrust Subcommittee.A letter addressed to Amazon on Monday suspects the company of misleading the committee and lying to Congress when it said that it does not promote its own products more than others and that it does not use seller data to create competing products.The letter directly cites investigations from Reuters and The Markup, which claim that Amazon "ran a systematic campaign of creating knockoffs and manipulating search results to boost its own product lines in India, one of t...

What you need to knowT-Mobile has extended its lead as the fastest provider with a median download speed of 62.35Mbps compared to AT&T's 47.42Mbps and Verizon's 39.91Mbps.T-Mobile also took the crown in 5G performance with the fastest median download speed on 5G and the best 5G availability.Verizon had the best fixed broadband speeds with a Speed Score of 178.38 followed closely by Cox and Xfinity.Ookla released its Q3 U.S. Market Report on October 18, 2021, detailing the fastest and most consistent providers based on data from its popular Speedtest app. With results in the United States, Ooklas data shows consistent improvements in download speeds from mobile providers and download and upload improvements for fixed providers.In the mobile report, T-Mobile is the fastest provider overall with a very strong 62.35Mbps median download speed. AT&T takes second place with a 47.42Mbps result with Verizon trailing behind with 39.91Mbps. Latency was about the same for each ...

Stream away with some of your favorites or something brand newHulu has established itself as one of the top streaming services thanks to its solid, ever-growing content library. In addition to carrying new and classic content from networks like ABC, NBC, Fox, HBO, the platform offers various Hulu original series that span genres. Whether you're a fan of dark totalitarian futures and mommy mysteries or coming of age dramas and millennial love stories, Hulu has you covered. With that in mind, here's a rundown of all the shows you can only watch on Hulu.Guide to Hulu OriginalsEvery Hulu originalBest Hulu original seriesHulu original limited seriesBest Hulu original limited seriesNext on HuluAll the shows you can only watch on HuluHulu announced back in 2012 that it would begin airing scripted original series exclusive to the streaming service, beginning with Battleground. That series followed a group of political campaign staffers working to elect an underdog to the ...