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One of the primary complaints when the HP Chromebook x2 11 was introduced was that the price was just a tad bit too high for what was being offered. However, thanks to a pretty awesome early Black Friday deal, that complaint can be thrown out of the window, as the x2 11 has been knocked down to just $399, saving you $200 in the process.The Chromebook x2 11 may be a bit too small for some with its 11-inch display, but it's this reason why we consider it one of the best Chromebooks for travelers. A slim and lightweight design ensures that your bag won't weigh you down as you're heading to your favorite coffee shop or onto a plane for your next business trip.There's plenty of power under the hood as well, thanks to Qualcomm's Snapdragon 7c chipset, which is has been paired with 8GB of RAM and 64GB of storage. Those who are worried about battery life can rest easy knowing that a 45-minute juice-up will get the Chromebook x2 11 back up to 50%.HP Chromebook x2 11$399 at Best Buy...

In the battle for the best streaming devices, it's hard to compete with Amazon's vast lineup of options. From the entry-level Fire TV Stick Lite to the all-new Fire TV Stick 4K Max, there's something in Amazon's arsenal for everyone. And just as we expected, the company is slashing prices of the best Amazon Fire TV Stick devices, just in time for Black Friday.This latest batch of deals comes to three out of the four main Fire TV Stick options, with the Lite coming in at just $18, while you could upgrade to the "regular" version for just $20. But arguably, the best option that we've found so far comes via the Fire TV Stick 4K, which you can have for just $25, a savings of 50%.Amazon Fire TV Stick Lite$18 at AmazonDespite being limited to Full HD resolution, the Fire TV Stick Lite is the perfect streaming device to throw on the TV in the kitchen, bedroom, or garage.Amazon Fire TV Stick$20 at AmazonThe "regular" Fire TV Stick may miss out on 4K video playback, bu...

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

Among the best Black Friday Fitbit deals, the biggest discount we've seen by far is on the Fitbit Sense. Most of the best Fitbit trackers are receiving a $50 discount for Black Friday, but the Sense has regularly dropped $100 off its list price throughout November with every major retailer.At $200, the Fitbit Sense isn't cheap but drops to a reasonable level for people that need more than just a fitness watch. It's also designed to keep a close eye on your health, and it looks good doing it.One of the best smartwatches for measuring health data, the Fitbit Sense has an electrocardiogram (ECG) for measuring irregular heartbeats, an electrodermal activity (EDA) sensor for tracking stress, and a temperature sensor. Plus, of course, you get other popular data like heart rate, blood oxygen levels, and sleep tracking.In our Fitbit Sense review, we praised the Sense for its stylish, comfortable design and gorgeous OLED display. It also has all the bells and whistles you want in a sm...

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

Sometimes, smart glasses don't feel very smart. For the price, you often get features that are cool but, ultimately, don't feel like they were worth the money you spent. That all changes this Black Friday with Fauna Audio Glasses, which are half off at Amazon right now.For just $99, Fauna Audio Glasses will look and feel great on your face and help you do a few more things hands-free throughout your day. Fauna Audio Glasses come in several different styles and colors, all of which are on sale for Black Friday!Fauna Audio Glasses connect to your smartphone via Bluetooth and can play music or act as a mouthpiece for your favorite virtual assistant, whether that's Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa, or even Apple's Siri.Nestled within each temple is a quality speaker that'll let you jam to your favorite tunes throughout the day without ever having to put a pair of earbuds in your ears. They're built in a way that won't let everyone around you hear your music clearly, but you'll be enjo...

The free tier is available only in the US for now.What you need to knowTidal has announced a new free tier with periodic ad interruptions.The service also added HiFi audio quality to its $10/month plan.You can stream more than 80 million songs from Tidal's library through the free and paid tiers.Tidal is taking on many of the best music streaming services like Spotify and Apple Music by launching an ad-supported free tier in addition to its two paid tiers with support for HiFi audio.The service now offers three subscription tiers, including Tidal HiFi and HiFi Plus in addition to Tidal Free, which is initially available on the best Android phones. All of them provide access to Tidal's library of more than 80 million songs, but the free tier has some notable trade-offs in addition to the occasional interruptions. For example, it does not provide offline listening and unlimited skips, both of which are available on the premium tiers.In addition, Tidal Free's audio quality...

If you're looking to buy a cheap Android tablet, Amazon is effectively the go-to choice. The Fire tablet series combines affordability with decent hardware, including 1080p screens, Alexa integration, and reliable build quality.To sweeten the deal, Amazon is offering up to 50% off its latest Fire tablets. The 2021 version of the Fire HD 10 is now on sale for just $75, 50% off its regular price of $150. That's a fantastic deal for a tablet with a 10.1-inch Full HD screen, 3GB of RAM, 32GB of storage with a MicroSD card slot, and an octa-core chip that ensures you don't see any lag in day-to-day use.The Fire HD 10 also has a 2MP front and 5MP camera at the back, and has a screen-on-time that goes up to 12 hours. There's USB-C charging by default, and if you want wireless charging and a little more RAM, the Fire HD 10 Plus has 4GB of RAM and Qi wireless charging, and it is now available for $105 — $75 off its usual retail price of $180.If you need something smaller, the Fire HD 8 ...

The Neutron is a diminutive charger with two ports and 20W USB PD fast charging.There are plenty of choices if you're looking for the best GaN charger in the U.S.; but the options are limited in India. Thankfully, there are a few brands that are innovating in this area, with Stuffcool and AMX leading the charge. These brands cater to Indian users, and tailor their products for the local market.I use several Stuffcool products daily — including the 65W Napoleon GaN charger and the 100W four-port Centurion — with both combining good build quality with fast charging over USB PD. Stuffcool's latest offering is just as enticing: the Neutron is a diminutive USB PD charger with two ports, and it goes up to 20W. The size is what makes the Neutron stand out. The charger is around 40% smaller than regular PD chargers in this category, and that makes it significantly easier to use — particularly on the road. What's also interesting is that you get two ports: a USB-C port that hits...

Nick and Jerry spend the episode chatting with fellow Android Central-ites Chris Wedel and Andrew Myrick. Chris shares his unpleasant experience with the Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro, plus the gang discuss Motorola's rise to number three smartphone vendor in the U.S. And that's just the tip of the iceberg of everything they cover — check it out!Listen nowSubscribe in Spotify: AudioSubscribe in iTunes: AudioSubscribe in RSS: AudioDownload directly: AudioLinks:Chris Wedel (@chris_wedel) / TwitterAndrew Myrick (@andymyrick) / TwitterSamsung Galaxy Buds Pro are infectious in all the wrong ways | Android CentralHow Motorola became number 3 against all odds | Android CentralSamsung publishes official One UI 4 (Android 12) update schedule in the US | Android CentralFoldables may be the future but Samsung is betting big on regular phones in 2022 | Android CentralQualcomm hints at a strong Snapdragon presence in the Galaxy S22 series | Android CentralThe Pixel 6 Pro fall...

OnePlus introduced its first pair of wireless earbuds over a year ago, and while its initial efforts were decidedly lackluster, it turned things around shortly thereafter. The OnePlus Buds Pro in particular stand out because they're on par with the likes of the Galaxy Buds Pro in terms of sound quality, but at $150, they're more affordable.And right now, you can get your hands on the Buds Pro for just $120, with the earbuds getting their first discount. That's $30 less than what they launched at three months ago, and a great overall value when you consider the quality on offer here.The OnePlus Buds Pro do a good job emulating the AirPods Pro design, with a short stalk that houses the controls for adjusting volume and music playback. The buds nestle easily into your ear, and because they're so light, you don't feel any fatigue even after using them for five hours or more.These earbuds also have excellent active noise cancellation and are able to tune out ambient noise in your surr...

While the Google Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro sport some of the very best cameras in the industry, the default settings aren't set to the maximum quality that can be offered. This is especially true for the front-facing camera, which defaults to 1080p resolution and a standard angle of view. Get the most out of your Pixel 6 by jumping to 4K resolution and an ultrawide angle by following these steps, and don't forget to enable speech enhancement to make your videos sound as amazing as they'll soon look!How to take ultrawide selfies on Pixel 6 ProThe Google Pixel 6 Pro is equipped with a wider-angle front-facing camera that can take in more of your surroundings with the tap of a button.Open the camera app.Switch to the front-facing camera by clicking the circular arrow button on the bottom-left of the viewfinder.At the bottom of the screen, above the white shutter button, select the .7x button to switch to the ultrawide angle.While the default view is best for taking a nice fu...

While Amazon Echo Auto might not be the first device that comes to mind as you shop for the best Black Friday smart home deals, it's one that deserves your attention. If you find yourself wishing you had the help of Alexa when you're on the road, this is an ideal solution.Black Friday is the perfect time to invest in Amazon Echo Auto so that you can bring Alexa with you in the car. There's no better time, especially when you consider the incredible savings you'll receive. You can score a whopping 70% off for Black Friday.This device makes it easy for you to add Alexa to your vehicle. It works by connecting to the Alexa app on your phone. Once that's done, it'll seamlessly play through your car's speakers via your smartphone's Bluetooth connection or auxiliary input. Amazon Echo Auto also comes with a vent mount that is compatible with most vehicle air vents.When investing in an Alexa device, buyers are looking forward to an efficient experience from start to finish. Fortunately, ...

While Twitter is a great platform for following breaking news and engaging in dumb fights with strangers, it can get messy when you get tired of a follower and choose to block them. In an attempt to help users from going on a "blocking" spree, Twitter recently introduced a new feature that allows you to simply unfollow followers you didn't necessarily ask for. Here's what you need to do to remove a follower on Twitter without blocking them.How to remove a follower on TwitterOne of the most awkward moments you'll have on Twitter is when you decide to block someone—and said follower decides to call you out for blocking them. In hopes of protecting users from this embarrassing exchange, Twitter recently announced a new feature that allows you to unfollow instead of blocking a follower. Here are the simple steps you need to take to remove a follower on Twitter.Sign in to Twitter using your existing credentials. Navigate to your Profile.Click Followers. Scroll until you find...

Good things come in small packages. This stands very true with the cute little Amazon Echo Dot Kids Edition (4th Gen). Children are immediately taken by the adorable tiger face painted on the Alexa device. If your little one is more of a panda lover, you can grab the Echo Dot Kids Edition with a panda bear on it instead.The Echo Dot for kids comes with the well-loved Amazon interface that's incredibly easy to use. For your child's safety, this version comes with a very extensive set of parental controls. So you can rest assured that your kids can ask Alexa anything they like without anything inappropriate popping up.Adding to its viability as the best Alexa speaker for kids, the Echo Dot Kids Edition (4th Gen) can interpret misspoken phrases with ease. Toddlers who are just learning to speak or have a lisp won't face any trouble trying to communicate with this Alexa device.Whether it's help with homework or some funky tunes, the Amazon Echo Dot Kids Edition (4th Gen) does it all....

Is the Dimensity 9000 the Qualcomm competitor we need or just a paper tiger?MediaTek is leveraging its newfound position as the dominant chipmaker in a big way with the announcement of the new Dimensity 9000. This is great news because of how the mobile device chip market looks and functions — a company needs to sell great chips that power devices we want to use for us to really care. Unfortunately, that's a spot where MediaTek has struggled.On paper, the new TSMC 4N chip boasts some amazing specs. In multi-core and GPU performance, it equals Apple's offerings. When it comes to the NPU and ML capabilities, it beats Google's Tensor. In raw power and efficiency, it blows away everything we've seen from Qualcomm and Samsung. While everyone expected to see big gains from MediaTek's current lineup, nobody expected this.Until we see it in action, slides with words like first, best, and fastest are all we have. Let's assume all the claims are valid, and the Dimensity 9000 is every b...

Roku may not be as refined compared to Android TV, but it brings a huge selection of apps and channels to the table. There's a lot to love in Roku TV products, especially the fact that some of them are so cheap. Walmart generously decided to lower their prices for some of the best Roku products even more this Black Friday.As a special treat, Roku has launched a special edition of its TV box called the Roku LE and it's only selling at Walmart. We're assuming "LE" stands for "limited edition" since the company has confirmed that it'll only be available "while supplies last." You can only stream content in HD on it but it is super affordable. Priced at only $15, the Roku LE is the perfect Roku TV box for beginners or students on a strict budget.Other buyers with more mula can rejoice for there are other deals on bigger and badder Roku devices, and these aren't Walmart exclusives. There's the Roku Streaming Stick 4K which offers Dolby Vision and a superb long-range Wi-Fi receiver that ...

In a world where it's next to impossible to get your hands on a next-gen console like the PS5, and finding new graphics is almost as difficult, there's one gaming arena that is easier to get into. VR headsets like the Oculus Quest 2 are readily available, and one of the best early Black Friday deals just went live.While you won't find a regular discount on the Quest 2 just yet, both Amazon and Best Buy are running promotions netting you a $50 gift card. This can be used to pair your new headset with some of the best Quest 2 accessories, but you also might want to check out the best Quest 2 games.Gone are the days where you need to pickup an overpowered gaming PC and a separate, more expenisve, VR system if you want to enjoy the world of Virtual Reality. Now, you can just grab the Quest 2, find some awesome games to play, and start experiencing video games in ways that you only imagined would be possible.Get a $50 gift cardUse the gift card for some games$299 at Amazon$29...

Google Chrome's dinosaur game is adored by adults and children alike. Google is very good-humored about it and even updates the game with ongoing events and holidays. For instance, in the past, we've seen an Olympic-themed version of the Chrome Dino game. If you're on your Android phone, you can add Google's Chrome Dino game widget to your home screen. Here's how you can do that.How to add the Chrome Dino game widget to your home screenOpen Google Chrome on your phone.Go to chrome:flags/#enable-quick-action-search-widget-android-dino-variant.Set the Quick Action Search Widget - Dino Variant flag to Enabled.Go to your home screen.Press and hold until the home settings menu appears.Tap on Widgets.Look for the Chrome Dino widget.Place the widget on your home screen.Tap the Chrome Dino widget to play.With the cutesy Chrome Dino widget sitting on your home screen, you won't have to fumble around Chrome looking for the side-scroller. It's a fun casual game for Andro...

If you're on the hunt for some of the best Black Friday fitness tracker deals, you'll be glad to know there are plenty of options available. If you've already had your eye on the upcoming Amazon Halo View, you're in for a treat. Buyers can save $30 when they pre-order Amazon Halo View ahead of its December 8, 2021, release date.Amazon Halo View is the much-needed successor to the Amazon Halo Band that was released late last year. However, if you're not concerned about having all the latest features, you can also score a sweet deal on the Amazon Halo Band, which is 45% off for Black Friday.Those who want to enjoy all the upgrades should consider the Amazon Halo View deal instead. This new-and-improved fitness tracker now has an AMOLED display. Previously, you had to pull out your phone to view your health and fitness data. In addition, the always-on microphone has been removed, which was a major source of battery drain on the predecessor. Now, it's much more likely that users will r...

Not as bad as it was; not as good as it could be.No, it's not deja vu — we really are doing another Amazon Echo Auto review. So why would we bother doing that two years later? Well, that's a good question; I'm glad you asked!When we first reviewed the Echo Auto back in 2019 (yes, it's really been that long), the product was decidedly not ready for prime time, and its review score at the time — two stars out of five — clearly reflected that. But that initial review also mentioned that the device could be so much better with some minor updates and tweaks, which naturally encouraged me to take a second look at some point in the future. Well, enough time has elapsed to allow Amazon to dedicate greater resources to developing the back-end services to make this gadget work as it initially intended. Indeed, the Echo Auto is a much more complete product than it was at launch, and if it was as well-rounded now as it was then, I'm sure my colleague would have given it another star or...

After it was done killing flagships, OnePlus tackled the budget phone segment head-on with the Nord series. U.S. residents finally got a taste of cheap Android phones that perform like no other with the Nord N10 5G. The even more affordable OnePlus Nord N200 5G followed soon after, to the delight of many Americans.Despite its inexpensive pricing, the Nord N200 5G looks and feels very much like one of the best OnePlus phones. It touts a gorgeous 6.49-inch LCD display with a 90Hz refresh rate, giving on-screen movements a certain fluidity. Combined with the lightweight Oxygen OS, you'll have good fun browsing through this device.For shooting pictures or video clips, the OnePlus Nord N200 sports a triple camera setup on the back. Your data will stay safe and secure in the phone, guarded by the side-mounted fingerprint reader. Alternatively, you can use the 16MP front snapper to utilize face unlock.The Nord N200 supports 18W fast charging but that will only be needed once in two or t...

Google has some of the biggest AAA games out there on its platform, and the catalog keeps getting bigger and better. With more than a year on the market, dozens of games on Stadia are available to play instantly with no downloads, patches, or updates required. So whether you love shooters, RPGs, online multiplayer, platformers, indies, or something in between, there are undoubtedly games for you on Stadia. Here's our list of the best Google Stadia games available to you right now.Featured favoriteCyberpunk 2077 for StadiaCD Projekt RED's open-world epic may not be the genre-defining revolution a lot had hoped for, but the Stadia version plays great. While the PS4 and Xbox One editions currently suffer from horrible performance issues and tons of bugs, the Stadia version is comparable to playing on a gaming PC and is arguably the best way to play the game. I enjoyed it quite a lot in my review and am excited to see it get better.$60 at StadiaGather your party...

Here's our first look at what could be a cheaper and smaller version of the Google Pixel 6.What you need to knowThe Google Pixel 6a renders have leaked online, revealing a familiar design.Google's upcoming mid-range phone looks a lot like the Pixel 6 series, but with a smaller body.However, a 3.5mm headphone jack is missing from the renders, a first for a mid-range Pixel phone.The Google Pixel 6a isn't expected to be unveiled until the summer of 2022, but renders of the upcoming mid-range phone have already surfaced online, revealing it in all its glory. This is courtesy of prolific leaker Steve Hemmerstoffer (@OnLeaks).First reported by 91mobiles, The new renders indicate that the Pixel 6a will have a similar design to the standard Pixel 6, making it difficult to tell the two apart. It appears to have the same black camera strip as the Pixel 6 on the back, which houses the two cameras and a flash. However, the renders lack a key feature that was present on previo...

Soundbars have come a long way in the last few years, offering excellent sound while taking up less space and costing far less. Our criteria for the best soundbars start with: bars that won't bankrupt you, come with the best streaming devices or smart assistants built-in and create powerful sound without relying on subwoofers or rear speakers. The Sonos Beam will astonish you with its massive sound in a small, reasonably-priced package, but we have plenty of other great options to consider below.Best overall: Sonos Beam Smart TV Sound BarWith the Sonos Beam, you get the best soundbar with some basic smarts. The Sonos Beam connects to your TV with HDMI-ARC or with the included HDMI-to-Optical adapter. A recent update has brought the ability for integration between Sonos products and Google Assistant. You can control your TV with your voice if your TV supports HDMI-CEC, which most modern sets do. Controlling your TV with your voice isn't a replacement for a remote, but it's an ex...

When you're looking for the best TV for PS5, you need to be looking for a few specific features: excellent screen quality, high dynamic range (HDR), and the ability to game in 4K resolution at up to 120 frames per second (FPS). The LG OLED CX Series ticks all of these boxes and then gives you lots more smart functionality thrown in for good measure.Best TV for PS5 overall: LG OLED CX SeriesThe name of the game for the PS4 Pro was HDR gaming, and our old favorite pick was the LG OLED ThinQ B8. However, fast forward many months into the lifecycle of the PS5, and LG still takes the top spot, albeit with the newer LG OLED CX Series. From 4K upscaling to an incredibly thin design, the CX Series is a fantastic option for everyone with a PS5.As one would expect, the CX supports 4K gaming at a 120Hz refresh rate, thanks to the four HDMI 2.1 ports on the back. This television also supports Variable Refresh Rate out of the box, with it smoothly moving from 40Hz all the way up to 120Hz....

Technics serves notice that everyone should notice these earbuds.Technics ventured into the wireless earbuds category to go after the big dogs in the race. Think of the likes of Sony, Bose, and Sennheiser on sound quality, as well as the best you can find on design and functionality. It's a combination that comes at a price, but if done right, it gets easier to justify spending more.That's the case Technics makes with its EAH-Z60 earbuds. Its newest pair aims to take what the company has done in the past and make it even better. The results are easy to like and are significant enough to consider them as serious contenders.Technics EAH-AZ60 review:Price and availabilityWhat's good What's not goodThe competitionShould you buy?At a glanceTechnics EAH-AZ60 Bottom line: Technics didn't just do one thing right wit...

The COVID-19 pandemic forced developers to adapt their work pipelines and finish games from home. It's led to multiple delays.Last year began with a slew of high-profile game delays, most notably Cyberpunk 2077 and the Final Fantasy 7 Remake, but then COVID-19 struck and threw the games industry through a loop. As 2021 nears its end, more delays continue to hit the industry as developers truly begin to understand the effects the pandemic had on their work pipeline. One of the first significant delays to surface this year was Hogwarts Legacy, pushed into 2022.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 QueenDying Light 2Elden RingFive Nights at Freddy's: Security BreachGhostwire: TokyoGod of War RagnarokGotham KnightsGran Turismo 7Hogwarts Legac...

There are benefits to each type, so which do you like?There's a lot to consider when listening to music, from the streaming service to the actual headphones you're going to use. Both can affect your listening experience, but because there are many different types of headphones out there, each with its own benefits, so we want to know which style you prefer.Do you prefer headphones or earbuds?Some users prefer headphones or headsets, which remains a popular option for gamers. These can come in wired or wireless flavors, as well as in-ear or over-ear designs. With wired, you'll likely get the best listening experience, particularly with over-hear designs, which can provide a more immersive listening experience. With wireless, you'll still get a good listening experience, but even with many of the best wireless headphones, there will likely be some compression, and you'll have to consider battery life.However, with the excellent Sony WH-1000XM4, you'll get both great audio, ama...

The best 4K Android TVs are abundant these days, but not all of them come with the same interface, and that can be a determining factor when looking for something that does UHD. Android TVs have emerged as a reliable way to access popular streaming services and other apps that enhance the TV viewing experience. The Sony A80J Bravia XR OLED 4K TV is a beautiful screen that brings out the best visual splendor and convenient connectivity.Best overall: Sony A80J Bravia XR OLED 4K TVSony does special things with OLED panels, and the A80J Bravia is an example of that. There are 55, 65, and 75-inch panels available, and Sony's Bravia XR processor offers plenty of ways to calibrate and improve the screen's output. With Dolby Vision, IMAX Enhanced, and even a Netflix calibration mode, this is a gorgeous display that can adapt to almost anything you want to watch and make it look great.Thin bezels and an adjustable stand make this fit right into your decor. Bright or dark rooms don't m...

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

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 be available not only in person at retail stores but also online. 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.Best Black Friday Android phone deals:SamsungGoogle PixelOnePlusMotorolaThere are some pretty stellar Black Friday phone deals every year, though you have to know where to shop if you want to find the best offers. So 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.When it comes to phone deals, you have three types: wholesale discounts from retailers, trade-in discounts and deals from manufacturers, and special deals from carriers. We're doing...

iMessage reactions are now being translated into emoji in Google Messages.Update, Nov 20 (7:41 a.m. ET): Rolling out now for some usersWhat you need to knowGoogle Messages is now interpreting iMessage reactions as emoji.iMessage reactions are currently displayed as text descriptions when received on Google Messages.Google Messages might also pick up a birthday reminder that will be displayed in the conversation list.Google might be working on improving the way its Messages service handles iMessage reactions. According to 9to5Google, the company could be preparing to display iMessage reactions as emoji on the Messages app.An app teardown of the app's most recent beta version (v10.7) reveals a string of code indicating an upcoming preference to address those annoying iMessage reactions that appear as text descriptions on Messages.Currently, iMessage lets you react to SMS with likes and emoji, which will then be displayed as such on the recipient's device running iOS. Ho...

Disney really wants people on its Disney Bundle.What you need to knowHulu is raising the price of its Live TV subscriptions by $5 per month.The streaming service will now include Disney+ and ESPN+ with the service at no extra cost, as a consolation.The change will go into effect on December 21.Hulu is raising its prices again, but this time the increase affects subscribers of its Live TV service. As noted by Variety, the company will increase the cost of its Live TV subscription options by $5 per month.This will bring the price to $70 per month, which puts it above rival services like YouTube TV. However, the streaming service does offer 4K at no extra cost on many of the best streaming devices. Additionally, Disney is apparently sweetening the pot by bundling Disney+ and ESPN+ at no extra cost as a consolation for the price increase.That does sound like a nice consolation, considering that the bundle normally costs $73 per month, and both Disney+ and ESPN+ cost $8 and ...

Geo characters will headline this latest update.Genshin Impact Update 2.3, "Shadows Amidst Snowstorms," is set to release on Nov. 24, 2021. While it may be an incremental update this time around, it's still adding new characters and events to one of the best Android games out there. From the mountainous Dragonspine area to Inazuma, players will have plenty of content to get through. Just be sure you brace for the unrelenting cold.As always, Update 2.3 will be free for all players across all platforms. With that said, let's dive in and check out everything you can expect when it launches.Genshin Impact Update 2.3: Adventures in DragonspineThe snowy mountain of Dragonspine will soon be home to new challenges that await players in Update 2.3. Taking its name from the title of the update, Shadows Amidst Snowstorms is the primary event and focus of this upcoming update. It may not be a massive update, but it is aptly themed around the cold holiday season.Agility Training: S...

Security patches and no sign of Android 12.What you need to knowMicrosoft is rolling out the November security update for the Surface Duo 2.The October update featured some stability improvements, but nothing in terms of features.Meanwhile, the original Surface Duo is still awaiting its Android 11 update.The Microsoft Surface Duo 2 hasn't been out very long and is already receiving its second update. On Friday, Microsoft has released the November security patch (via Windows Central) which should be available for Surface Duo 2 owners now.However, if you're looking for anything more substantial in the update, like Android 12, for instance, it appears you're out of luck. In the release notes, Microsoft states that the update "[a]ddresses scenarios outlined in the Android Security Bulletin – November 2021."It's not too exciting, even when compared to the first update received in October, which came with stability improvements. As noted by Windows Central, users that recei...

The long-rumored Quest Pro and Project Cambria may be one and the same.Before Oculus was rebranded to Meta, we'd heard rumors for about half a year that Oculus was hard at work on a Quest Pro. While the Oculus (Meta) Quest 3 remains far off, plenty of evidence suggests that Meta plans to release a new Pro-branded VR headset in 2022.During the recent Metaverse announcement, Mark Zuckerberg announced Project Cambria, a high-end headset that will exist alongside the Oculus Quest 2. But comparing how Zuckerberg described Project Cambria to prior leaks about the Quest Pro, our educated guess is that Project Cambria will officially be named the Meta Quest Pro.Keeping that in mind, we'll break down what we officially know about the next Meta headset — whatever it's called — from its leaked features to its announced tools. If you're considering buying a new VR headset, this should help you decide whether to wait or jump on the Quest 2 now.Jump to:Quest Pro or Project Cambria...

Looking to upgrade some of the devices you game with? There are plenty of amazing gaming and PS5 deals ahead of Black Friday, including Amazon's Luna controller, which is currently $20 off of its original price.While it may not be a first-party device like a DualShock or Xbox controller, Amazon's Luna controller is every bit as capable as the rest, and has some features that may rank it higher than the competition in certain regards. Better yet, the controller is now sitting at $49.99, down from its normal $69.99 price tag. If you're looking for a solid bluetooth gamepad or looking to give Amazon's cloud gaming service a try, this might be for you.Save $20 on the Amazon Luna controllerAmazon Luna Controller$50 at AmazonThe Luna Controller is designed for Amazon's cloud gaming service, and connects directly to the cloud, allowing for seamless transitioning between Windows PC, Mac, Fire TV, and many other devices. . Pick up this model for $20 off this holiday shopping seaso...

Chrome OS comes on two types of devices: laptops called Chromebooks and desktop machines called Chromeboxes. While the best Chromebooks are more widely known and more diverse in their options, Chromeboxes are a relatively small market where you have one option from each of the major manufacturers that gets updated every few years. 2021 is a good year to be a Chromebox user, as we're getting updates to the two most popular Chromeboxes on the market. While we may see another Chromebox or two come out in the second half of 2021, the ASUS Chromebox 4 is the one you'll want to buy for the extra ports and the extra power.Best overall: ASUS Chromebox 4ASUS makes some of the best Chromebooks for work, and it's never afraid to squeeze in every little feature and port it can to try and stand out in an increasingly competitive Chrome Enterprise space. This means that whether you're buying the business version or consumer-grade, we all benefit from ASUS's dedication to being the most power...

OnePlus makes some of the best Android phones you can stick your SIM in with low prices on unlocked phones that work great on T-Mobile's huge 5G network. The OnePlus 9 is $130 off to just $600 at Best Buy while its bigger sibling is $270 off to $800. It's also worth remembering that if you live near a Best Buy, there's a good chance you can order it online and pick it up the same day. These phones are completely unlocked so you can take them to the GSM carrier of your choice, though they'll really shine on T-Mobile thanks to 5G support that works with its high-speed Ultra Capacity 5G network.The OnePlus 9 is a beauty available in two colors. Whether you want a dash of excitement with winter mist astral black for a professional look, the OnePlus 9 looks great. It's packing a 6.55-inch AMOLED display with 120Hz refresh and it's powered by the venerable Snapdragon 888 with 8GB of RAM. There's a 50MP main and a 48MP ultra-wide camera on the back producing great photos in a variety of lig...

Rushing to crowded stores and shopping malls right before the holidays to buy gifts for our family and friends is a nightmare best avoided. Though online shopping is a decent solution and there's no shortage of Black Friday deals, shipping delays are a reality, especially the longer you wait. So what's one to do? If you happened to wait until the very last minute to find your mom, partner, or your secret admirer a gift, Amazon has a new feature that could save the day. As long as you're a Prime member, you can send hundreds of Amazon gifts with just a phone number or email address, no physical address required. Gift-giving without a delivery address only works from the Amazon mobile app, so grab your new iPhone 13 or beloved Android phone to get started. Here's how to send Amazon gifts with just a phone number or email address, step by step.How to send Amazon gifts with just a phone number or email addressOpen up the Amazon mobile app on your phone.Find the gift you want to sen...

Text providers have until July 16, 2022, to support text messaging to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline.Update, Nov 19 (3 p.m. ET): FCC approves text-to-988, sets deadlineWhat you need to knowThe FCC plans to make the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline service accessible through text messaging.Text providers must enable automatic rerouting of text messages sent to 988 to the Lifeline.The goal is to make it easier to access the network for those who want "a certain level of anonymity."The Federal Communications Commission is considering implementing a new method for people in crisis to seek help from the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline by sending a text message in addition to calling the network.Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel has proposed an order that would allow anyone seeking to connect with mental health professionals to simply send a text message to 988. The message should be automatically routed to Lifeline's full number (1-800-273-8255).Rosenworcel...

Verizon's nationwide 5G network is available in 2,700+ cities, and it's quickly expanding. For those who want Verizon's excellent coverage, this carrier offers four unique unlimited plans to choose from, as well as several prepaid options. But its best cell phone plan, 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 this year.Best overall: Play More UnlimitedVerizon's Play More Unlimited plan is like the more expensive Get More Unlimited plan but at a slightly lower cost, making it the perfect Verizon plan. It's a great option if you're looking for a new 5G cell phone plan or even a family plan because the plan comes with a ton of entertainment perks along with HD streaming. For instance, you'll get the Disney bundle, six months of Apple Music, and a free year of discov...

It's about time!What you need to knowGoogle appears to be testing a redesign for the Play Store website.The new design features a new layout with rounded corners that uses more screen real-estate.The revamp appears to be live in Korea and Taiwan so far, although it seems not every section has been updated.The Play Store is finally getting a new look, but this time Google is focusing its attention on the website version of the Play Store.Android Police spotted the new design, which drastically changes up the look from the previous site design. Instead of the cluttered, boxy look of yore, the new website appears to take some Material design cues with rounded corners while also borrowing from the more recent Play Store app design by ridding of the side navigation bar.Settings, app management, and the like are now found when clicking the user thumbnail, just like on the mobile version.Near the top is a selection of chips to filter apps by device type, which should make it...

Eero has made a name for itself in the home Wi-Fi market thanks to its tight focus on delivering consistent performance with one of the easiest setup experiences around. With a tri-band connection and a tiny housing, the Eero Pro is a great value at $139 (30% off) at Amazon. Not only that, but if you have a large house with Wi-Fi dead zones, Eero works great as a mesh. While you can link up multiple Eero Pro routers, you also have the option of using the compact Eero Beacon which is also on sale for $71, a massive 40% off at Amazon.The Eero Pro has great performance thanks to its tri-band AC2200 connection. Tri-band is essential for the best possible mesh performance because mesh routers need to be able to communicate with one another. Having a dedicated band for the mesh connection allows the system to perform at full speed for devices without giving up any mesh link speed.The Eero Pro is set up with the Eero app in just a few minutes and kept up to date automatically. You can eas...

In a post-Pixel 6 world, what's next for affordable Google phones?Google's A-series Pixel phones have routinely ranked among the more popular devices from the company, with affordable prices, intelligent features, and long software support lifespans. Now, with the Pixel 6 series launched and in the hands of fans around the world, it's time to turn our attention towards the next budget Pixel, the Pixel 6a.Over the past year, the A-series has offered an unpredictable balance of size, regional availability and connectivity options. With the recent soft reset of the Pixel brand, though, there are plenty of things on our wish list for the Pixel 6a. These are our top six picks.1. A Google Tensor processorIf Google wants to disrupt the mid-range like never before, it should fit the Pixel 6a with the same homegrown Tensor processor as the Pixel 6.Tensor in the Pixel 6a may seem like overkill. But moving the entire Pixel line over to Google silicon sooner rather than later would m...

When your pockets are too small — or you don't have any at all — neckband earbuds are a convenient alternative to wearing larger over-ear or on-ear headphones. They lay around your neck and take away the weight from the earbuds for a more comfortable fit. If you're looking for a dependable pair, the JBL Live 220BT Wireless are a good place to start when it comes to the best neckband headphones under $100, owing to their exceptional sound, battery life, and comfort.Best overall: JBL Live 220BT WirelessJBL made the Live 220BT good enough to stay at the top of our list, mainly because of its superb sound quality. You get a pretty balanced soundstage out of the box that stands out for the right reasons. Bass is present without it being too heavy, while the highs and lows complement each other well.Finding the right fit will largely depend on which ear tips you feel offer the best seal. This part is critical to ensuring they fit right and getting the most out of the audio qua...

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

Black Friday, the biggest shopping day of the year, is fast approaching, and it's expected that some of the most widely discounted products during this time are going to be smart home gadgets. One of the greatest things about all these sales is that it doesn't matter if you're looking for some of the best Alexa devices, awesome Google Home-related tech, or even more futuristic smart lights to build out the smart home of your dreams — it's all going to be on sale. We'll keep an eye out for the best Black Friday smart home deals as the season progresses and update this list accordingly, so be sure to check back for the latest.Jump to Black Friday Smart Home dealsGoogle Home dealsAmazon Alexa dealsSmart light dealsSmart plug dealsSmart camera dealsSmart doorbell dealsWi-Fi router dealsBlack Friday is a fantastic time to pick up smart home devices. So whether you're just getting started and need an excellent smart speaker to manage your devices, like a Nest Hub Max, o...

There are some pretty great Android tablets for kids, and the holiday season is the perfect time to pick one up. But if you want the best while not getting a fantastic deal, then look no further than the excellent Amazon Fire Kids tablets. Amazon is taking up to 50% off of its already well-priced tablets for kids, and there's no better time to get one for your child than right now.Amazon is always looking for ways to improve its lineup of Fire Kids tablets, and in 2021 it introduced the Pro lineup for older kids. I got the Amazon Fire 10 HD Kid Pro for my 9-year-old, and he loves it. One of his favorite things about it is the less kid-like case that comes on the tablet and the more grown-up-looking interface. These things make me happy too, but most of all, it is still safe for him to use thanks to the inclusion of Amazon Kids+ software.If you are looking for a tablet for a younger child, Amazon has something for them. The non-Pro Fire Kids tablets offer the same performance as t...