Latest from Android Central

The last good reason to own a Pixel 3 is dead.What you need to knowSupport for unlimited Original quality uploads is ending on Pixel 3 devices.The Pixel 3 was one of the last Pixel smartphones to support free unlimited Original quality uploads.Going forward, photos and videos will count towards your storage plan.Pixel 3 owners should upload everything they can to Google Photos, as unlimited full-quality backups will expire for the device after Monday, January 31. That's today.While this may come as a surprise for some that are still holding onto the Pixel 3, the writing has literally been on the wall that the deadline was approaching. As 9to5Google points out, Google has previously clarified its support for the Pixel 3, which you can find on the Google Photos support page: You get unlimited storage in Original quality at no charge for all photos and videos backed up to Google Photos from Pixel 3 through Jan 31, 2022. Photos and videos backed up on or before that date ...

Sony had announced a partnership with Discord in 2021 with the company making a minority investment in the messaging app. Now PlayStation Network users will be able to connect their accounts to Discord and display what PlayStation 4 or PlayStation 5 games they are currently playing to friends. Here is how to link your PlayStation Network and Discord accounts together.How to link your PlayStation Network and Discord accountsOpen Discord from either the desktop app, web browser, or on mobile.Click the gear icon next to your profile name in the sidebar for User Settings on desktop or browser. On mobile, tap the three horizontal lines in the upper left corner to open the sidebar, then tap your profile picture on the bottom bar of icons for the User Settings menu.Select Connections.Select the PlayStation Network icon from the row of different account icons. On mobile, tap Add then select PlayStation Network from the list.A browser window will open up to sign into your PlayStati...

T-Mobile has reached its RE100 goal by investing enough in wind and solar power annually to account for its usageWhat you need to knowT-Mobile is the first U.S. telecom to reach 100% renewable energy, following an ambitious goal set in 2018.T-Mobile has reached this goal through investment in wind and solar to account for all of the energy it uses.T-Mobile has also upgraded retail stores, data centers, and cell sites with more energy-efficient equipment.T-Mobile has made good on its 2018 commitment to reach 100% renewable energy becoming the first U.S. carrier to do so. T-Mobile announced that it had reached its RE100 goal through a strategy that included eight virtual power agreements, 19 retail agreements, one Green Direct program, and unbundled Renewable Energy Certificates. Rather than directly connecting all of its equipment to a renewable source, this has allowed T-Mobile to invest in enough wind and solar projects to account for all used energy.T-Mobile's CEO Mike ...

20% of respondents say they'll upgrade to the next-generation flagship seriesWhat you need to knowA new survey indicates a strong demand for the upcoming Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra.44.4% of respondents to the survey plan to purchase the top-end model when it is released.The survey was commissioned by SellCell, a phone trade-in price comparison site.The upcoming Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra could be in high demand even before its official release, a new survey shows. SellCell, a phone trade-in price comparison site, commissioned a survey of Android users to gauge upgrade intentions for the Galaxy S22 series.According to SellCell, purchase intent of the upcoming series' top-end model is at 44.4% for current Android users. Samsung might also see a surge in demand for the Galaxy S22 Ultra, if the latest rumor is correct. Jon Prosser claims that the top-of-the-range model will ship weeks before the vanilla Galaxy S22 and S22+ due to supply chain issues.The rumored 6.8-inch Ultra m...

The latest Android Auto beta picks up some improvements but is still not ready for prime time.What you need to knowGoogle's test Android Auto UI, "Coolwalk," continues to get layout improvements.Android Auto calls pick up a new reject option that sends an SMS to the caller.Screen mirroring via a "Cast" app is also unearthed in the latest Android Auto beta.Google has been hard at work with updates to Android Auto in the past year. The in-vehicle interface that incorporates the best Android phones with your automobile's infotainment display most recently got an update fixing text message notifications, and today we are seeing some upcoming changes to the UI along with other improvements.In September 2021, we got a glimpse of a UI that Google was testing, titled "Coolwalk," and AndroidWorld found some updates and managed to enable them in the latest Android Auto beta.One of the UI revisions removes the status bar and instead puts the icons into a condensed navigation bar. ...

PlayStation added five studios in 2021 and has already added one in 2022.What you need to knowSony recently acquired Bungie, developers of Destiny, for PlayStation.Sony Interactive Entertainment CEO Jim Ryan says more acquisitions for PlayStation should be expected.Sony bought multiple studios in 2021. Gaming acquisitions have been all the rage over the last couple of years, with a gaming cold war as tech giants and established brands purchase more and more gaming properties. According to Sony Interactive Entertainment CEO Jim Ryan, we should expect more acquisitions for PlayStation. Sony made waves by announcing the acquisition of Bungie for $3.6 billion, developers of Destiny and the first few Halo games."We should absolutely expect more," Ryan says, speaking with GamesIndustry.biz. "We are by no means done. With PlayStation, we have a long way to go. I will personally be spending a lot of my time with Pete [CEO of Bungie] and the team at Bungie, helping make sure that ...

Deemo II is putting some much needed soul and emotion back into the genre.Far from the high octane pop and EDM overload that characterizes most rhythm games, Deemo and its freshly released sequel, Deemo II, stand apart. The latest installment from the mobile masterminds at Rayark Games, Deemo II has more to offer than your standard rhythm game. And best of all, it's completely free with no ads.Between its truly stunning animations (I would happily watch a full-length film with these graphics), piano-centric charts that tug at your heartstrings, and surprisingly good world-building, Deemo II is doing some seriously heavy lifting to elevate its genre to new heights. I may be a biased party thanks to my undying love for rhythm games, but don't be shocked when you see Deemo II on our list of best Android games. The rhythm gaming aspects are joined by adventuring elements to create a unique genre experience.Since it's primarily a rhythm game, Deemo II's progression and core...

WhatsApp users might soon have to pay to store their entire chat history in Google Drive.What you need to knowNew evidence has been uncovered that suggests Google will no longer offer unlimited backups for WhatsApp chats in Google Drive.The site WABetaInfo discovered code purportedly showing the upcoming limits and warnings for WhatsApp users.It is not clear at this time if, or when, these changes might take effect.For quite some time now, WhatsApp users have had the ability to back up their chat history seamlessly and media to Google Drive for free directly from their Android phones — meaning, that data didn't count against a user's Google Drive (or later, Google One) storage quota. However, according to findings from WABetaInfo, this gravy train may soon be leaving the station.Based on the source code the site was able to dig up, it appears that the free unlimited storage option is coming to an end sooner rather than later.Initially, WABetaInfo said that it consider...

Yes, you can actually play the popular one-word-a-day guessing game on Google SheetsWhat you need to knowEveryone is playing Wordle, but one creator made it on Google Sheets.The format is a bit different, but the concept is the same.The creator uses some of Google Sheet's lesser-known features.By now, you have probably seen multiple tweets that contain green, yellow, and grey squares. It's all part of the new buzz-worthy game called Wordle, a one-word-a-day guessing game that has taken the internet by storm.Josh Wardle, the creator of the game, wanted to create something for his wife to play during the pandemic. The game was then posted online and now is played by likely thousands around the world.The aim of the game is easy, you need to guess the right word, but you only have six tries. If you get a green square it means the letter is correct and is in the right position. If you get a yellow square, it means the letter is correct but in the wrong position. If it's grey...

Get AT&T's cheapest unlimited 5G plan ever with no contracts, HD streaming, and 10GB of hotspot data.What you need to knowAT&T Prepaid plans are cheaper than ever at Walmart with an in-store activation.The AT&T Prepaid MAX plan requires a new line activation in-store and is not available online.AT&T Prepaid plans can be discounted by $30 with the Affordable Connectivity Program for eligible customers.AT&T has new plan pricing for its AT&T Prepaid plans exclusively available at Walmart. As reported by The Verge, these plans include the 5GB, 15GB, and Unlimited MAX plans. The Unlimited MAX plan is mostly identical to the Unlimited Plus plan available directly from AT&T with unlimited data, talk and text, 10GB of hotspot data, 100GB of personal cloud storage, and HD video streaming.While the Walmart 5GB and 15GB plans are also $5 less than their online counterparts, the biggest value comes with the Unlimited MAX plan with its unlimited data, 5G co...

The new Nebula streaming service and app rise above other streaming services by allowing its users to watch smart and thoughtful videos made by various educational-focused indie creators. In addition to featuring Nebula Originals, the app boasts an impressive back catalog and a growing library of new videos from an expanding roster of contributors. Here's how and where to watch Nebula streaming educational content right now.How and where to watch Nebula streaming educational contentThe Nebula app is free to download, but the actual streaming service currently costs $5 per month. The app is now available on most major streaming devices, including Google TV/Android TV, Roku, Fire devices, and iOS/Apple TV devices. While the steps for getting started are similar on all platforms, here are the steps you need to take to access and watch Nebula streaming educational content on Google TV.Go to https://nebula.app and signup for an account.From your Android TV/Google TV homepage, us...

The chip shortage strikes again. Or does it...?What you need to knowSamsung is expected to announce the Galaxy S22 series on February 9.Preorders are likely to go live the same day for each smartphone.Samsung will reportedly prioritize the Galaxy S22 Ultra availability over the others.Samsung is gearing up for its Galaxy Unpacked event, where it's expected to launch the Galaxy S22 series. The event will take place on February 9, which is also when we expect preorders for the new phones and the Galaxy Tab S8 to occur. However, the phones may not be released all at the same time, according to the latest rumor.Leaker Jon Prosser tweeted on Monday that while he expects preorder to open on the day of the announcement, Samsung will reportedly prioritize the Galaxy S22 Ultra over the other models in the series, shipping it weeks ahead.Bad news: I'm told that due to supply chain issues, the Galaxy S22 lineup has had a slight setback. Pre-order for ALL devices is still happening...

Doing it rightJabra Elite 7 Pro$200 at AmazonProsExcellent audio qualityEffective ANCGreat fit and comfortOutstanding call qualityReliable button controlsSolid battery lifeConsANC must be customizedJabra carries on its penchant for making earbuds that find themselves in the conversation among the best in the industry. The Elite 7 Pro fall well within that, starting with fit and comfort to set the soundstage for sonic excellence, clearer call quality, and solid battery life.Standing firmSamsung Galaxy Buds ProFrom $170 at AmazonProsBolder soundMore custom fitSolid ANC performanceDynamic ambient modeSignificant water resistanceConsLower battery lifeFit requires more fidgetingAmbient mode is not as goodSamsung squeezed everything it could into the Galaxy Buds Pro, leading to a collection of features that converge into a successful pair of earbuds worth considering. Fit and comfort are hard to read for everyone, but you do get ac...

Go figure, huh?What you need to knowWe asked our readers what they cared about most with their smartphone cameras.Of the responses, 67% voted for image quality.Versatility was also a popular response out of the options.Over the weekend, we asked our readers what the most important aspect of a smartphone camera was to them. After all, many of the best Android phones offer impressive camera hardware, coupled with AI and software that can pick up where the hardware may be lacking, like with the Pixel 6 series.Out of more than 550 responses, 67% voted that image quality was the most important thing, which isn't too surprising. After all, companies love to hype up how good their pictures are more than anything. In second place was versatility with 13% of votes. That means some readers care more about having multiple focal lengths or even variable aperture, the latter of which is still very uncommon in smartphones outside of a few Samsung and Sony devices like the Xperia Pro-I....

Bungie started at Microsoft and has made its way to Sony.What you need to knowSony is buying Bungie for $3.6 billion.When the deal closes, Bungie will be an "independent subsidiary" of Sony Interactive Entertainment. Bungie will remain a multiplatform studio.Sony is acquiring Bungie for PlayStation Studios. The news broke on Monday, with Sony's stock trading halted minutes beforehand."We've had a strong partnership with Bungie since the inception of the Destiny franchise, and I couldn't be more thrilled to officially welcome the studio to the PlayStation family," said SIE president and CEO Jim Ryan, speaking with GamesIndustry.biz.Bungie has a long history in the gaming industry, starting iconic franchises such as Halo and Destiny, the former of which is owned by Microsoft and currently managed by Xbox developer 343 Industries."Bungie create community-driven games with outstanding technology that are enormous fun to play, and I know that everyone at PlayStation Studio...

Keep talkingJabra Elite 7 Pro$200 at Amazon$200 at Best BuyProsExcellent audio qualityEffective ANCGreat fit and comfortOutstanding call qualityReliable button controlsBetter battery lifeConsANC must be customizedJabra always manages to put its earbuds in the upper echelon for the entire category, and that's exactly where you would find the Elite 7 Pro for a number of reasons. The fit and comfort set the tone for great sound, excellent call quality, solid battery life, and overall reliability you can't always find elsewhere.Keep playingJabra Elite 85tFrom $185 at Amazon $230 at Best BuyProsHybrid ANC Great sound qualityDecent fit if you can manageResponsive controlsWireless charging caseConsNoticeably bigger sizeNot as ruggedTaller and heavier caseJabra crafted a solid pair of earbuds with the Elite 85t, and they prove to be solid performers. It's just that packing in all the tech around their active noise cancelation made t...

Best for mostSamsung Galaxy Tab S7From $499 at AmazonFrom $510 at SamsungFrom $650 at Best BuyProsSmooth 120Hz refresh rateLarge display that's still easy-to-useSnapdragon 865+ processorLots of RAM and storageMore affordable priceConsLCD onlySmaller batteryThe Galaxy Tab S7 is a premium tablet with specs and performance that hold up over a year later. It offers a crisp and smooth LCD panel, blazing-fast performance, and all the RAM and storage you could ask for. Combine all of that with the free S Pen included in the box, and you end up with a pretty solid deal.Upgrade pickSamsung Galaxy Tab S7+From $560 at SamsungFrom $800 at AmazonFrom $850 at Best BuyProsAMOLED screen is jaw-dropping120Hz rate is as smooth as can beExcellent canvas for drawing or productivityQualcomm's latest processorAmple specs across the boardConsSize can be a bit awkwardVery expensiveThe larger, more visually stunning Tab S7+ shares a lot of DNA wit...

As one of the biggest carriers in the US, it'll come as no surprise that the best Verizon phones are in hot demand, especially for some of the best Android phones out there. Verizon isn't particularly cheap, but we can show you the latest prices below. It's also worth noting that Verizon phones can be made much more affordable with the ongoing trade-in offers that could save $1000 on select Unlimited plans. Likewise if you're looking for a second line you can also get $1000 off plans as well. If you're switching networks, some phones come with a $1000 virtual prepaid Mastercard. There's also a year of AMC+ included with some plans. So as far as value goes, there's certainly more than meets the eye at first glance. Dive in below and be sure to take a look at the 'ways to save' text too at Verizon's site to see what offers are available.Best overallGoogle Pixel 6 - 5GStaff PickThe Google Pixel 6 punches above its weight class with the powerful Tensor CPU package delivering ...

Left-handed users rejoice.What you need to knowA new update for Resident Evil 4 VR adds more movement options, size adjustments, and fixes a few bugs.Some of the options include choosing which analog stick can be used for movement and adjusting height in "Standing" mode.The Mercenaries mini-game will be coming in a free update later this year.Resident Evil 4 VR received a new update that does not include any new content, but adds more options when it comes to movement and adjusting the size of your body to fine-tune controls. It also contains some quality of life and bug fixes.The v1.1 update for Resident Evil 4 VR adds controller-directional movement, or hand steering, to the "Steering" options for better control. Meanwhile, left-handed players will be glad they can set which analog stick can be used for movement, which is an option that is separate from the "Dominant Hand" setting.Players can now adjust their height if they are playing standing up in addition to waist...

The phone is rumored to debut sometime in Q3 2022.What you need to knowOPPO is reportedly working on a clamshell foldable.The device will apparently be more affordable than Samsung's Galaxy Z Flip 3. A follow-up to the Find N is said to be in the works as well. Back in December, BBK-owned smartphone maker OPPO unveiled the Find N, its first-ever foldable. The company is now working on a clamshell foldable to take on Samsung, according to tipster Mukul Sharma and 91Mobiles.The tipster claims OPPO's first flip folding phone will be all about value for money. While there's no word on just how affordable the device will be, it is tipped to arrive sometime in the third quarter of the year. Sadly, no other details regarding the upcoming foldable have been revealed.It remains to be seen if the device will have the specs to challenge Samsung's best foldable phones. The foldable's name is also apparently yet to be finalized, although the report does confirm that it will be launc...

Keep talkingJabra Elite 7 Pro$200 at Amazon$200 at Best BuyProsExcellent audio quality, including ANCGreat fit and comfortOutstanding call qualityReliable button controlsGreat value for the priceConsColor options aren't as niceMore slippery when wetYet again, Jabra finds itself in the conversation with the best wireless earbuds you can get your hands on with the Elite 7 Pro. By getting the fit and comfort down to the best design the company managed thus far, all-around performance speaks for itself, and that includes outstanding clarity on phone calls.Keep playingJabra Elite 7 Active$180 at Best BuyProsExcellent audio quality, including ANCGreat fit and comfortVery good durabilityReliable button controlsNicer color optionsSlightly cheaperConsCall quality isn't as goodDon't submerge them in waterJabra may not have carved out a different design for the Elite 7 Active, but it did utilize the excellent mold to build a pair of ea...

Where the Galaxy Watch 4 faltered, the Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 can soar.It's 2022, and many of us are either looking for fresh starts or improvements to various areas of our lives, including the tech we use. Of course, Samsung is one of the largest technology companies in the world so, and there are high hopes for it. We've already lined out 5 things Samsung needs to do better in 2022, but I'm going to go at the company in a bit more detail with improvements that I want to see in the Samsung Galaxy Watch 5.With the Galaxy Watch 4 ushering in a new era for Samsung in its wearable lineage by dropping the homegrown Tizen OS in favor of Wear OS 3, of course, there's going to be some bumps in the road. However, there are many reasons why the Galaxy Watch 4 series are some of the best Android smartwatches available. Thanks to excellent build quality, some of the most advanced health monitoring sensors, and many more reasons. However, these are perfect devices. I could only make it two w...

Maybe Samsung is catering to an audience who doesn't care about power but wants a premium phoneIf Samsung decides to launch the Galaxy S22 Ultra phones with less RAM (random access memory), it won't be a "deal-breaker" for consumers, despite it being a "straight downgrade" to the S21 Ultra devices, experts say. They add that it would be disappointing, but Samsung has a clear reason for targeting a specific demographic who want a premium phone without having too much power.Samsung is expected to launch the S22 series on February 9, and while the standard and Plus models aren't expected to change too much, the S22 Ultra may see the most drastic change of the series.Rumors and leaks have pointed to Samsung lowering the base RAM of the S22 Ultra to 8GB, down from 12 GB on the Galaxy S21 Ultra. RAM would top out at 12 GB instead of 16GB. Yet rumors indicate that the phone will arrive with the same launch price as its predecessor.One reason why Samsung might have chosen to go this ...

It will take a lot of rebuilding to fix these burned bridges.Google's storied history in both the AR and VR markets is a long and devastating one. As is the case with many different kinds of mobile technology, Google was way ahead of the curve on these technologies. The company's rumored upcoming AR/VR headset, Project Iris, has all the trappings of becoming one of the best XR — that's the bridged definition of a device that can do AR and VR together — headsets ever created.The problem is, I don't trust Google to stand behind whatever it builds, and I'm willing to bet plenty of other folks don't, either.Google Glass was the first pair of AR glasses most people had ever heard of or even seen — outside of sci-fi movies, of course — but the public resentment against wearable cameras caused Google to kill it early.Similarly, the Lenovo Mirage Solo — which was built upon Google's Daydream VR platform — was the first standalone VR headset to market, beating the original...

The Nord 2T may not debut alongside the rumored Nord 2 CE 5G.What you need to knowA new rumor claims the OnePlus Nord 2T may not debut before April.It is tipped to be priced in the ₹30,000 to ₹40,000 (about $402 to $536) range in the Indian market. The phone is expected to be a follow-up to last year's Nord 2.Last week, a report from Digit shed light on the specs sheet of OnePlus' upcoming Nord 2T. While it was rumored that the phone could launch in India in February, tipster Yogesh Brar claims the Nord 2T will only be released in the second quarter of the year.According to Brar, the OnePlus Nord 2T will debut in India in April or May. Additionally, the tipster claims the phone is going to be priced in the ₹30,000 to ₹40,000 (about $402 to $536) price bracket. The Nord 2T will succeed the Nord 2 — which is still among the best budget Android phones on the market.The mid-ranger is tipped to feature MediaTek's Dimensity 1300 chipset and support 80W wired chargin...

Welcome to our guide to the best Verizon cell phone plans available to buy right now. We've spent time comparing the various offers available from Verizon today and can tell you what you'll get across a range of budgets. If you're looking to pick up multiple lines you'll get discounts on each line, whereas prices are highest for those of you looking for a single line.If you're looking to check out alternative options, then be sure to check out our wider best cell phone plan guide. Verizon is massively popular though, especially with its nationwide 5G network that's now available in over 2,700 cities. Verizon cell phone plans offers four unique unlimited plans to choose from, as well as several prepaid options. Play More Unlimited, will give you an exceptional experience. With this plan, you'll have access to Verizon's 5G network, 50GB of premium data, 15GB hotspot data, as well as some serious entertainment perks. Here are some of the best Verizon plans to consider right now.Best...

The error previously prevented new message notifications from showing up on a car's head unit.What you need to knowGoogle has announced a fix for an Android Auto error that blocked notifications when new messages arrived.The problem began in November of 2021, and Google has now acknowledged it.To obtain the fix, users should update their Android Auto app and messaging app to the latest version.Since Google released Android 12, there have been a number of issues with Android Auto, including a bug that caused Google Maps navigation to crash for some users. Another issue that has cropped up since November 2021 is a bug that prevents notifications from appearing on the head unit of some users when new messages arrive.The search giant has now fixed the problem (via autoevolution). A Google representative confirmed that the team has "implemented a fix to resolve this issue" in response to a complaint posted on Android Auto's help page.One user complained via a forum post that...

Young demanded that Spotify remove his music in exchange for allowing Rogan's podcast on the platform.What you need to knowSpotify lost more than $2 billion in market value after Neil Young pulled his music from the streaming platform.The Canadian-American singer took his songs off Spotify in protest of Joe Rogan's podcast.Rogan has been accused of spreading misinformation about COVID-19 and vaccines via his podcast.Spotify's market value has slipped by $2.1 billion over the Joe Rogan controversy. Canadian-American singer Neil Young removed his music from the streaming giant a few days ago, accusing Spotify of supporting Rogan in spreading false information about vaccines.According to a report by Variety, Spotify shares dropped 6% in just three days, from January 26 to 28, following Young's protest. Canadian singer Joni Mitchell has also thrown her weight behind Young and had her songs removed from one of the best music streaming services as well.Prior to the boycott, a...

Get two killer services for the price of one.Whether you're leaving Spotify with the Neil Young/Joni Mitchell-led boycott or you're just tired of Spotify killing features you like and failing to fulfill its promises, looking for a replacement is always a daunting task. No other music service has the magic of Spotify Connect, but there are plenty of great music streaming subscriptions out there with tens of millions of songs, robust features, and reasonable rates.Most leaving Spotify will turn to either Amazon Music or Apple Music, but there's a dark horse candidate that could just win you over once you give it a try. YouTube Music is the music service I've used for the last four-ish years, and a number of my colleagues have likewise been users since the Google Play Music days.We may not always be 100% happy with the YouTube Music app, but we will never, ever, ever let our YouTube Premium subscriptions lapse for one very big reason.YouTube Premium comes with ad-free YouTube an...

Washington state AG said Amazon made it hard for third-party sellers to make sales by limiting their ability to lower prices.What you need to knowAmazon will shut down its "Sold by Amazon" third-party seller program following an antitrust investigation.Washington AG said the company forced sellers to sell their products at "artificially high levels", thereby stifling competition.The retail giant will also pay $2.25 million to the state AG for antitrust enforcement efforts.Amazon is embroiled in yet another antitrust lawsuit for allegedly fixing third-party prices and undermining competition. The retail giant's third-party seller program "Sold by Amazon" is shutting down following the Washington state attorney general's investigation into the unlawful practice.Washington AG Bob Ferguson said in a press release that "Amazon unreasonably restrained competition in order to maximize its own profits off third-party sales." The program's pricing algorithm allegedly raised the p...

Starter Wi-Fi 6Eero 6$90 at AmazonProsWi-Fi 6 increases mesh performanceAX1800 delivers enough speed for more peopleCompatible with all existing EerosConsDual-band Wi-Fi is worse for mesh performanceOnly one open Ethernet port on the base routerEero 6 is a solid upgrade to the base Eero line. It brings with it Wi-Fi 6, which takes the 5GHz performance up to 1200Mbps with compatible devices. Even if you haven't upgraded your wireless devices to take advantage of Wi-Fi 6, it ensures a faster connection between the different routers in your mesh.Gigabit speed meshEero Pro 6$229 at AmazonProsWi-Fi 6 tri-band delivers gigabit speedCompatible with all existing EerosDedicated backhaul keeps mesh speed highConsMore expensiveOnly one open Ethernet port on the base routerEero 6 Pro has all of the best features Eero 6 has with a little more of everything. A tri-band connection allows the mesh to hit gigabit speeds with an extra 5GHz band. Du...

Jabra makes sure these earbuds fit right in with the active crowd.It used to be that Jabra would never release two Elite pairs of earbuds at the same time. So if you wanted to go with the "Active" pair, you would need to wait until they came after the regular pair had their time to shine. Jabra reversed that this time by releasing the Elite 7 Active at the same time as the Elite 7 Pro.They sport a lot of similarities between them, which means the Elite 7 Active are worthy of attention given how good their siblings already are. However, a simple focus here should appeal to a subset of people. So, if you're an active person and don't necessarily care about phone call clarity, read on to find out why these may be for you.Jabra Elite 7 Active review:Price and availabilityWhat's good What's not goodThe competitionShould you buy?At a glanceJabra Elite 7 Active ...

Google cracked the door into the kids' space, but smaller brands continue to kick it wide open and show the tech giant how it's done.Technology and science seem like magic in many ways, even to adults, but to a child, it's hard to convey all the effort from the teams of people who make devices like tablets work. As a person in this industry, with two boys, I see the wonderment in their eyes every day, and it's a constant battle of balance. That balance is finding safe kids' tech that's trusted not only to withstand the treatment of a child, but also ones that are private and secure.One of the primary issues parents face is finding kids' tech trustworthy enough to give to their children. Google should be one of those companies, but it isn't making the push it should. Yes, Google has Family Link, but it has many limitations. Some include: shared in-app purchases, workarounds for parental controls via third-party app installs, a lack of content monitoring, and more. Then there's Goo...

Smartphone season is nearly upon us, which means we have a metric boatload of leaks and rumors to share. Tune in and learn what's coming this year along with other news for Google and Android fans.Listen nowSubscribe in Spotify: AudioSubscribe in iTunes: AudioSubscribe in RSS: AudioDownload directly: AudioLinks:Lenovo, Sony will skip in-person MWC 2022 while other Android brands commit to stay | Android CentralQualcomm's SoundHound partnership keeps your voice searches off the cloud | Android CentralHuawei P50 Pro and P50 Pocket launch globally with insane cameras | Android CentralMassive Samsung Galaxy S22 specs leak leaves nothing to the imagination | Android CentralSamsung confirms Galaxy Unpacked date and time for Galaxy S22 reveal | Android CentralLeaked Galaxy S22 renders show off the different colors, models, and angles | Android CentralSamsung's Galaxy Home Mini successor could be right around the corner | Android CentralThe PS VR2 display will be mor...

Jabra finds the right fit for most ears to go with everything else it delivers.For several years now, Jabra has been consistent in approaching wireless earbuds. The combination of audio performance and reliability has positioned the company in the upper echelon year after year. However, when it's time to refresh things, Jabra usually aims straight for the design to deal with concerns over fit and comfort.That was clearly a major motivation behind the Elite 7 Pro, arguably the current flagship, despite the ongoing presence of the Elite 85t. The Elite 7 Pro also share the distinction with the Elite 7 Active, which are basically identical in every way save for a couple of design changes. To stand out as among Jabra's best, the Elite 7 Pro had to balance out in all the right ways.Jabra Elite 7 Pro review:Price and availabilityWhat's good What's not goodThe competitionShould you buy?At a glanceJabra Elite 7 Pro ...

The best Wi-Fi routers can be lifesavers. The difference between good Wi-Fi in your house and poor connectivity can be the difference between a good day and a bad one. So whether you need something with a ton of speed and connections or just want to make sure you don't drop your connection when you move around your home, there's a router that's right for you. Here's our reliable guide to some of the best wireless routers you can buy today.What are the best Wi-Fi routers?The TP-Link Archer AX21 is the best Wi-Fi router thanks to its AX1800 speeds being enough for most people and offering the capacity for future Wi-Fi 6 devices. It also has an easy setup procedure thanks to the TP-Link Tether app for smartphones. So if you're looking for something to keep up with most households without going overboard, the AX21 is a great fit.The best value option is the TP-Link Archer A7. While cheaper routers are available, the AC1750 speeds should keep up with HD media streaming and browsing wi...

You've probably abandoned your 2022 fitness goals already, so find some new ones that'll last.Setting New Year's Resolutions can be a futile venture. Forbes says that four out of five people abandon their goals by February, and is that really a surprise? The days are short and cold, you're probably facing new goals at work or school, and you're putting the pressure of a year's worth of self-improvment on your shoulders.But nothing ventured, nothing gained, right? It's time to put our old resolutions aside and give them a February reboot. Rather than aiming for a specific mileage or weight goal for your dream self, you need to avoid the psychological pressure for results and focus instead on building good habits and actionable goals.You can hit those goals with nothing but good old-fashioned human willpower. But why do that when you have tech to help make the process a heck of a lot easier? From apps to trackers, smart assistants to watches, these are our recommendations for the...

Choose your case before the Galaxy S22 phones are out.What you need to knowReal-world cases for the Samsung Galaxy S22 series have leaked.The Galaxy S22 Ultra will have a Smart Clear View Cover, while its smaller siblings will be outfitted with leather cases.The upcoming phones are expected to be unveiled on February 9.As the Samsung Galaxy S22 series announcement date inches closer, we continue to see an abundance of leaks and rumors about the upcoming devices. Following a massive leak a few days ago that revealed all of the key specs of Samsung's next-generation Android phones, the devices' real-world cases have now surfaced.The official-looking cases, courtesy of SamMobile, give us a glimpse of the various designs for the upcoming phones' protective accessories. The leak shows the leather covers for both the vanilla Samsung Galaxy S22 and S22 Plus, wrapped around what look like dummy handsets in real life. The Ultra model, on the other hand, appears to be getti...

The COVID-19 pandemic forced developers to adapt their work pipelines and finish games from home. It's led to multiple delays.We saw 2020 begin with a slew of high-profile game delays, most notably Cyberpunk 2077 and the Final Fantasy 7 Remake. Then, COVID-19 struck and threw the games industry through a head-spinning loop through 2021. As 2022 begins, more delays continue to hit the industry as developers truly begin to understand the effects the pandemic had on their work pipeline.So we've compiled a list of every game delayed from 2021 and beyond. Some of these games are stalled indefinitely, while others have set release windows or a final release date. We'll continually update this list as more game news develops.Jump to:Destiny 2: The Witch QueenElden RingFinal Fantasy 16Ghostwire: TokyoGod of War RagnarokGotham KnightsGran Turismo 7Hogwarts LegacyHorizon Forbidden WestLego Star Wars: The Skywalker SagaPrince of Persia: The Sands of TimeThe Lord of the Rin...

It can be fun to accessorize with smartwatches, but it can also be difficult to find the perfect balance of form and function, especially when you're focused on finding the best smartwatch for women. The good news is there are tons of options to pick from these days. The Fossil Gen 5 Julianna is the top choice for several reasons, including premium features and a classic yet stylish design. This may be the best Android smartwatch for women, but it's just one of many options to consider. We've rounded up the best picks to help you find the right one for your needs.Best overall: Fossil Gen 5 JuliannaIf you were a fan of the Gen 4 smartwatches from Fossil but had hoped for improvements, you'll appreciate the Gen 5 smartwatches — including the gorgeous Julianna. It comes with a new stylish design, more RAM, and an external speaker. It also does everything you need: activity and heart rate tracking, 3 ATM water resistance (depth of up to 30 meters), Google Pay, Google Assistant, G...

The free Samsung TV Plus app gives Samsung users the ability to tune into tons of free television shows and movies across 190 live channels. However, you can also watch various free TV shows and movies on Samsung TV Plus on-demand. With that in mind, we've compiled a list of the best free TV shows and movies on Samsung TV Plus right now.TV & Movies on Samsung TV PlusTV shows on Samsung TV PlusMovies on Samsung TV PlusBest free TV shows on Samsung TV PlusOne of the easiest ways to watch TV on Samsung TV Plus is to tune in to one of the platform's themed live channels. If you want to tune into classic episodes of some of your favorite series, we suggest you tune into The Walking Dead Universe (1065), Baywatch (1063), Degrassi (1067), Forensic Files (1131), or Fear Factor (1144). However, if you're looking for a series to binge on-demand, you might want to check out the following:Anthony Bourdain: No ReservationsAnthony Bourdain: No Reservations follows late che...

One of Sony's biggest franchises will indeed be making a full return on PS5. Here's what we know so far.Gran Turismo has been one of Sony's biggest franchises since the days of the very first PlayStation. The tagline, "the real driving simulator," has always cut straight to the core of what Gran Turismo is all about, and generally speaking, has received much praise over the years.But it's also hard to believe that the PS4 has gone by entirely without a new, full Gran Turismo game. Gran Turismo 6 launched on the PS3, and while PS4 owners have at least had GT Sport, it's fair to say the reaction has been mixed at times, and it's not quite the same as a full sequel.Which is what we seem to be getting on the PS5. Here's everything we know about Gran Turismo 7.Jump to:When does it release?Resolution and frame rateWill it support PSVR?Fan favorite circuit returnsWhat cars will it include?What are its features?Will it be on PS4?Gran Turismo esports and Getty Images Gran...

We've researched, tested, and reviewed dozens, if not hundreds of devices and compiled the following list of what we consider the best Alexa devices. With so many options to choose from, starting with the little Echo Dot up to the Echo 15 with its massive 15.6-inch display — it can be tough to sort through it all. If you don't already have an Echo smart speaker, we recommend you pick up the Amazon Echo (4th Gen) to get started. It sounds great and comes in at a reasonable price. But if you already have an Echo and want to see what else is available, well, we've got you covered there too.Best Amazon Alexa smart speaker: Amazon Echo (4th Gen)The original Amazon Echo that debuted in late 2014 gave us our first introduction to Alexa, and we've been hooked ever since. What started as a stark, black tube has evolved over three generations to a softer, gentler-looking Alexa vessel and has spawned an entire line of other Echo devices.This "regular" Echo (4th Gen) is the best of the...

What do you really want in a smartphone camera?Smartphone cameras have come a long way. We've gone from having one camera on every phone to multiple lenses on even the best budget Android phones. And despite what any iPhone user would say, Android phones can churn out some great images. But a lot goes into making a good camera experience on a smartphone.In this weekend's poll, we want to know what you care about the most when it comes to your smartphone's camera.What do you care about most when it comes to smartphone cameras?Image quality is definitely an essential aspect of a smartphone camera. It's nice to have the ability to whip out your phone and snap a shot, knowing it'll come out good. But some people prefer to put in a little more work to get the image just right, almost like having a pocket DSLR. Many of the best Android phones have manual modes. However, Sony arguably has the most comprehensive offering thanks to phones like the Xperia Pro-I, borrowing the UI from ...

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 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 would be hard to find stock throughout the year and well into 2022, if not further, 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 over a year 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 and adaptive trigge...

Tello is a unique carrier in that it doesn't have a traditional set of plans, instead, the best Tello plans can be customized for each person. This includes choosing how many minutes and minutes they want, plus data. Tello operates on the T-Mobile network with access to 5G including the faster mid-band connection. While you don't need to commit to it, Tello has created some starting points for plans, and the best value for most people is Tello's Smart Plan with 4GB of data and unlimited talk and text.Best overall: Tello Smart 4GBOn Tello, you can create your own plan by choosing how many minutes you think you'll need and how much data you think you'll need. You can get an idea of how much data you typically use by looking at your current bill or checking the data usage settings on your Android phone. For most smartphone users, Tello's pre-configured Smart Plan is a great starting point with unlimited minutes and 4GB of high-speed data. All Tello plans with minutes come with unl...

And there is no end in sight.The U.S. and China are in a full-on war over the tech that will power what comes next from almost every industry. What started as a trade dispute under the Trump administration has grown under President Joe Biden, and there is no predicting how things will end.Things haven't worked out as expected so far, either. Three years later, Huawei and ZTE (the original targets of Trump's economic bans) are still alive and kicking, producing new equipment every year. In fact, Huawei is still making smartphones after every pundit was sure the company wouldn't even be around.The P50 Pro happened anywayHuawei is back with another P series flagship phone with just one limitation because of the crushing trade bans that prevent the company from accessing components — it's using the 4G-only version of the Snapdragon 888 from Qualcomm.Like the past few phones from Hauwei, it also has no access to Google's proprietary software but can run Android Harmony OS ...

It includes the December 2021 security patch.What you need to knowLenovo announced the second Android 12L Developer Preview for the Lenovo Tab P12 Pro.The new update includes no significant changes from the first beta, except for the 2021-12-01 security patch level.The latest beta only supports the tablet's Wi-Fi version that is sold outside of China.Lenovo on Friday released the second Android 12L beta for the Lenovo Tab P12 Pro, nearly two months after the rollout of the first developer preview.Both the software flashing packages and the Android 12L beta 2 image are now available to download via Lenovo's developer website, coming in at 1.7GB. The latest update also includes the December 2021 security patch level.Lenovo did not provide release notes for the new beta, so it's not clear what issues have been resolved. That said, the company lists the same software limitations from December. 'Copy apps & data' in OOBE is not supported. Fingerprint unlock is n...

The Jabra Elite 7 Pro just might be perfect now.What you need to knowJabra pushes out a significant update for its Elite 7 series earbuds.The update enables multipoint Bluetooth support for connecting to more than one device.The earbuds are also Google Assistant certified.Jabra's excellent Elite 7 Pro and Elite 7 Active earbuds are receiving an update, and you're going to like what it brings.The update was spotted by Digital Trends, started rolling out on Thursday, and enables multipoint Bluetooth support, something that was noticeably missing from the earbuds when they launched in August. This feature allows the earbuds to connect to more than one device, such as a phone and a computer, allowing you to switch between them when needed.This feature is present on Jabra's previous models, so it was odd that it wasn't readily available at launch. However, at CES 2022, Jabra ensured that the feature would be arriving "later this January," and the company managed to keep its ...

Running out of storage on your PS5? After an incredibly helpful update in 2021, you can now use the internal M.2 SSD slot. Sony finally confirmed hardware requirements for the M.2 slot on the PS5, and the latest software update allows you to use an internal SSD to increase your console's storage. These are the best external SSDs for PS5.PS5 M.2 SSD requirementsBefore we get started, we'll need to take a look at the list of hardware requirements for an M.2 SSD to work as an internal drive on the PS5. On Sept. 15, 2021, Sony released a software update that lets everyone use the M.2 SSD slot to extend the storage of their PS5 consoles.Sony's M.2 hardware guidelines are pretty stringent, so you will need to pick up the latest M.2 drives. These are the full requirements for an M.2 drive to work as internal storage on the PS5:PCIe Gen4 interfaceMinimum sequential read speeds of 5,500MB/sDrive storage has to be within 250GB to 4TBM.2 form factor with 22mm widthMandatory heatsin...