Latest from Android Central

Because the U.S. healthcare system is just a hot mess.What you need to knowGoogle is adding new features to Search to make it easier to find healthcare.Users will be able to filter for doctors that accept Medicare.Doctors can now list what languages are spoken at their offices.Open Enrollment is upon us for those of us that live in the U.S. That means it's time to shop around for healthcare plans for 2022. However, if you live in the U.S., you know how much of a mess the healthcare system is and how confusing it can be to find the right doctor. Google wants to help alleviate some of that confusion with a couple of new features it's introducing in Google Search.Google highlights how when using Search or Maps to find doctors in your area, you can quickly look up the types of insurance they accept. This is usually found in the business information under the operating hours.Google is expanding on this by allowing users to easily filter for doctors who accept Medicare, typic...

More party games to stream.What you need to knowThe Jackbox Party Pack 7 launches for Stadia on Dec. 7.Dynasty Warriors 9 Empires will be coming to Stadia, though no release date announced yet.The game will be coming to PC and consoles in North America and Europe on Feb. 15, 2022, but the Stadia version will receive a different launch date.Google revealed two more games coming to the Stadia platform: The Jackbox Party Pack 7 and Dynasty Warriors 9 Empires.The Jackbox Party Pack 7 includes five games with Quiplash 3, the cooperatively chaotic The Devils and the Details, drawing fighting game Champ'd Up, on-the-spot public-speaking game Talking Points, and pop culture guessing game Blather 'Round. The party game collection launches for Stadia on Dec. 7, almost a month after its sequel, The Jackbox Party Pack 8, initially released for Google's service.Dynasty Warriors 9 Empires will also be coming to Stadia, though no release date has been announced specifically for the St...

If you're the proud owner of an Oculus Quest 2 (or Meta Quest 2, whatever you want to call it), PlayStation VR, or are just looking forward to the PSVR 2, developers just unveiled a ton of new games on the Upload VR Winter Showcase for you to celebrate.The bi-annual Upload VR Showcase is now on its fifth show and has previously revealed tons of new titles with every show. It's a bit like the PC Gamer's PC Gaming Show in that it's designed to be an industy-wide showcase of upcoming titles for all of VR, although the industry primarily supports the Quest and PlayStation VR platforms due to their popularity. Without further ado, here's everything announced at the 2021 Upload VR Winter Showcase!Cities: VRQuest 2, Spring 2022Cities: Skylines is coming to VR for the first time ever as the appropriately-titled Cities: VR. Just as you'd expect from the series, Cities: VR brings the city-bulding sim into a more personally interactive medium exclusively on the Quest 2 this coming s...

Smart lighting isn't just limited to turning your bulbs on and off from your phone or changing their colors by asking Alexa. With the best smart light bulbs, you can even soup up your gaming rig with lights that follow the rhythm and beats of your games, turning your entire room into a living visualizer. These are some of the top smart lights for gaming to consider.Bulbs for your lampsPhilips Hue White and Color Ambiance - LED Smart BulbStaff PickIf you don't already have an elaborate smart lighting rig, why not start simple with a couple of bulbs? You can start with one, two, or however many Philips Hue White and Color Ambiance bulbs you want and connect directly to your phone via Bluetooth. No hub needed. Philips Hue partners with gaming brands like Razer so that your lights can match the changing colors of your Chroma-powered peripherals.$100 at Amazon (3 Pack)$100 at Best Buy (3 Pack)$112 at Walmart (2 Pack)Ambient glowPhilips Hue Bluetooth Smart LightstripJ...

The first beta build for the Note 10 series is currently available only in South Korea.What you need to knowSamsung's One UI 4 beta program is now live for the Galaxy Note 10 series phones.The first One UI 4 beta has been rolled out to beta testers in Samsung's home market. Samsung is expected to release the stable Android 12 update for the Galaxy Note 10 series sometime in January 2022. Samsung has released the first Android 12-based One UI 4 beta for the Galaxy Note 10 and Note 10+. While the beta program is currently live for the two phones only in South Korea, it is likely to expand to users in other countries soon.One UI 4 Beta for Galaxy Note10 / Note10+ has started in Korea.4GB RAM Plus (virtual RAM) included. pic.twitter.com/VBtU0Fmfg4— Tron ❂ (@FrontTron) December 2, 2021Once the beta program goes live in your country, you'll be able to join it from the Samsung Members app. After you finish signing up, head over to Settings > Software update to downlo...

Synology unveils its first Wi-Fi 6 router alongside key updates to Surveillance Station and cloud networking products.Synology had a great 2021; it extended its lead as the manufacturer of the best home NAS servers, and while it hasn't released as many new models as it usually does, its existing portfolio continues to sell remarkably well.The biggest change came not in the form of hardware, but software: the brand's long-running DSM interface got an update to DSM 7.0 with a fresh design and exciting new features. With 2022 around the corner, Synology is showing off what's on the horizon at its Synology 2022 and Beyond launch event.Synology highlighted a lot of products, and in this post I'm going to focus on four areas: networking, DSM updates, Surveillance Station, and the brand's cloud networking products. So let's take a look at what Synology has in store for the coming months, and why you should be excited.Jump to:Wi-Fi 6 routerDSM 7.1Surveillance StationC2 cloud...

While PlayStation Plus is usually a requirement to play online multiplayer, there are notable exceptions to this rule. Most free-to-play games allow people to enjoy online multiplayer matches without needing to be active PlayStation Plus subscribers. If you're wondering which games fall into this category, we've created a list of some of the best online games you can play without PS Plus. Should you want to see the complete list of free-to-play games offered on PS4 and PS5, Sony has an entire section of its store dedicated to just that.Jump to:Genshin ImpactRocket LeagueCall of Duty: Warzone DauntlessApex LegendsFortniteFinal Fantasy 14NeverwinterSmiteBrawlhallaDC Universe OnlineWarframePaladins: Champions of the RealmStar Trek OnlineGenshin ImpactThough it has a PS5 version in the works, Genshin Impact can be played on Sony's latest console through backward compatibility. This fantasy RPG thrusts players into the world of Teyvat, where elemental gods a...

The best tablets and large-screened smartphones are designed for you to use your fingers to navigate menus and screens, type, select, and more. But you can also use the best stylus for Android phones and tablets to do all of the above. A stylus offers better precision, particularly with tasks like coloring, jotting down digital notes, or selecting items in a detailed document or spreadsheet. They're beneficial for those with large hands, fingers, and/or thumbs who find it difficult to manipulate small text on the screen. The absolute best option for a Samsung Galaxy device is an S Pen Pro, but if you're looking for an alternative or have another tablet brand or smartphone, there are alternatives worth considering, too.Fine-point stylusAdonit Dash 4Staff PickThis universal stylus for Android phones and tablets features a fine-tip point that mimics a paper-like drag. You can replace the nibs and top-up the charge via a unique wireless USB C dongle. With a 15 hour up time, thi...

Super advanced smartwatchFitbit Sense$199 at AmazonProsBuilt-in GPSStylish designRobust sleep trackingFitbit Premium free trialUnique skin temperature sensorConsNot a lot of storage for musicDoesn't work with a ton of appsExpensiveThe Sense is Fitbit's newest premium smartwatch, and it doesn't disappoint with all of the bells and whistles you'd expect in a high-end smartwatch and from Fitbit, including built-in GPS, detailed sleep tracking, heart rate tracking and zones, plus interesting new features like Sp02 oxygen saturation measurement and skin temperature sensor. Plus, the Fitbit app is second to none.A fitness winnerSamsung Galaxy Watch Active 2From $149 at AmazonProsRecharge from a compatible phoneSpecial edition options for golfers, runnersTwo size optionsStylish designCool turn and touch bezelConsBattery only lasts a few days per chargeRound face not for everyoneWhile it's a year old now, the Samsung Galaxy Watch Act...

The Galaxy A73 is rumored to be Samsung's first A series phone with a 108MP main camera.What you need to knowCAD renders of Samsung's Galaxy A72 successor have surfaced.The renders suggest the upcoming Galaxy A73 will have a similar design to the Galaxy A72. It is tipped to feature a 6.7-inch FHD+ display, Qualcomm's Snapdragon 750G chipset, and a 5000mAh battery. Last month, a massive leak gave us our first look at the design of Samsung's Galaxy A53. Popular leaker Steve Hemmerstoffer has now teamed up with Zoutons to publish CAD-based renders of the Galaxy A73.Sooo... By popular demand following my #Samsung #GalaxyA13, #GalaxyA33 and #GalaxyA53 leaks, here comes your very first look at the #GalaxyA73! (360° video + gorgeous 5K renders + dimensions) #FutureSquad On behalf of @Zoutons -> https://t.co/5X2sz9rrx6 pic.twitter.com/qpLZ4qxEn2— Steve H.McFly (@OnLeaks) December 2, 2021The leaked renders suggest the Galaxy A72 successor will arrive with a familiar desi...

Seagate's latest IronWolf and Exos drives have all the storage you could ask for.No matter how many hard drives I get, I always seem to be running out of storage. I'm currently at 148TB, but I'm down to the last 8TB on the primary NAS and need to pick up more drives in a few months' time. Thankfully, Seagate's latest announcement is aimed squarely at my usage needs: the brand has announced 20TB variants of the Exos and IronWolf Pro hard drives, with both models going on sale from later this month.I already have over 40TB spread out over various IronWolf and IronWolf Pro drives, and I recommend them highly if you're interested in picking up one of the best NAS for Plex models. I first got started with two 14TB IronWolf drives three years ago, and they're holding up just fine in my primary NAS — a DiskStation DS1019+ — that runs 24/7.So what do you get with the 10TB Exos and IronWolf Pro drives? Both drives are based on conventional magnetic recording (CMR) tech, so you will ...

OEMs and carriers will take barely-functional phones and lose money to boost sales.Trading in your old smartphone while buying a new one isn't rocket science. Plenty of people get the newest flagship every year, trading in last year's cutting-edge tech for half (or more) off the latest device. But two years after launch, a popular Android phone might get you $200 off, while a budget phone will get tossed straight into the recycling bin. Three years on, it's barely worth bothering to bring to the store.But 2021 proved that old phones are a valuable commodity. If you play your cards right, your wimpy old phone could easily score you a brand new phone. Old phones are a valuable commodity.We first noticed this trend with the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3. As soon as it launched, AT&T offered the $1,000 phone for free with a trade-in, even if the traded phone's market value was much less. A $200 Moto G Power, a 4-year-old Galaxy S8, a 5-year-old iPhone 7 — all of these are "wor...

Traditionally, you play your game console at home unless it's a Nintendo Switch that's built for easy portability. However, it's not a ridiculous idea that you might want to carry your PlayStation 4 around with you, particularly if you're traveling on a lengthy trip. It's not the most convenient thing you'll ever do, but with the right accessories, you'll be able to travel (fairly) light and have a great experience on the road. Many of the best PS4 travel accessories work with PS5, too, if you've managed to get hold of one.All-in-oneCase Club PS4 Gaming StationStaff PickThis big beastly thing is an all-in-one travel solution for your PS4. It combines a durable, waterproof case with an 18.5 inch HD monitor so that you can play anywhere you have power. Inside, an HDMI cable is included, along with a custom-fit foam base, heavy-duty straps to secure your console, and accessory bags. It's pricey, but has everything you could want if you're planning to take your PS4 traveling....

Best answer: If you're interested in taking advantage of the Fitbit Daily Readiness score feature, you'll be glad to know it can be found on many of the company's best devices. This feature is available on the Sense, Versa 3, Versa 2, Charge 5, Inspire 2, and Luxe.Which Fitbit devices feature the Daily Readiness experience?If you've been torn about whether or not you should invest in a Fitbit Premium subscription, the Fitbit Daily Readiness Score may just sway you. This experience is designed to improve your exercise and recovery routine. With the Daily Readiness experience, users can base their workouts and recovery on their body's needs rather than adhering to a particular schedule.First, you'll want to learn how to use the Fitbit Daily readiness score. So let's start with the basics. This feature uses an advanced algorithm based on well-researched physiological science that's very popular within the athletic community. This science is known as "Fitness-Fatigue."To put it s...

You'll need to have the Wi-Fi version of the tablet to install the preview build.What you need to knowThe first Android 12L Developer Preview has been released for the Lenovo Tab P12 Pro.Android 12L includes a bunch of optimizations for large screens devices such as tablets and foldables. It is expected to be released to the public sometime early next year. Ahead of the release of the first Android 12L Beta, Lenovo has announced the rollout of the first Android 12L Developer Preview for its Tab P12 Pro.Developers can now download and install Android 12L DP1 image on the Tab P12 Pro from Lenovo's website (via 9to5Google). The update includes the November Android security patch and new APIs that enable app developers to "provide a better app usage experience in landscape mode, including easier multitasking."Since it is the first Developer Preview build for the tablet, there are quite a few bugs, and not everything works as expected. Lenovo warns that the build "may displa...

Qualcomm partners with Razer to boost its gaming strategy.What you need to knowQualcomm has announced the new Snapdragon G3x gaming platform.The chipset will power Switch-like handheld gaming consoles based on Android.Qualcomm and Razer have collaborated on a reference device for developers to test out.Hot off the heels of the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 announcement for smartphones, Qualcomm launches its new Snapdragon G3x gaming platform as the company aims to use its mobile prowess to take handheld gaming to another level.The new chipset will utilize some of the best of Qualcomm's Snapdragon Elite Gaming technologies, such as an Adreno GPU, which will enable 144fps gaming and 10-bit HDR, with support for 4K when attached to an external monitor or TV. It will also take advantage of Snapdragon Sound for immersive audio while gaming.Qualcomm also touts its industry-leading 5G and FastConnect 6900 with Wi-Fi 6 and 6E support for low-latency gaming, ideal for services like Xbox ...

We might have our first look at Motorola's smart glasses.What you need to knowMotorola says it will be among the first to launch a Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 smartphone.The company also plans to utilize the new chip with an upcoming wearable launch.Images of Motorola's upcoming smart glasses may have leaked with an interesting design.Since Qualcomm launched its new Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 mobile platform, Xiaomi has claimed that it will be the first to launch a smartphone with the new chipset, which isn't too surprising. Now, Motorola has chimed in, saying it will be among the first to feature the chipset, but it has plans for more than just a smartphone.Motorola's head of customer experience, Ruben Castano, has teased that the company is working on a new wearable launch that will utilize the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1. Motorola is leading the way with new premium experiences based on the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 mobile platform, bringing to market one of the first Snapdragon 8 smartphones via ...

The Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 aims to deliver significant performance gains in all areas.At its annual tech summit, Qualcomm unveiled the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1, the chip manufacturer's 2022 flagship design. The Snapdragon 888 ended up powering the best Android phones of 2021, and Qualcomm is looking to do the same with next year's phones with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1. To that effect, the platform has picked up a lot of changes.First and foremost is the change in naming. Qualcomm was running out of numerals with its current Snapdragon 8xx convention, and with the series hitting its tenth year, the company wanted to overhaul the naming with this generation.Going forward, all models in the Snapdragon portfolio will feature a single-digit naming system; Qualcomm says this was done to make it easier for users to figure out what they're buying. And you'll notice that there's no Qualcomm in the naming — that's intentional, with the Snapdragon moniker being spun off as its own brand.Of course,...

Qualcomm claims the new chip will "redefine mobile computing."What you need to knowQualcomm has introduced two new SoCs for Always-On, Always-Connected PCs.The Snapdragon 8cx Gen 3 is the first 5nm compute platform for notebooks.Qualcomm is also extending 5G across ecosystems with the mid-tier Snapdragon 7c Gen 3 platform. Qualcomm has unveiled the world's first 5nm chip designed for Windows PCs and Chromebooks at its annual Snapdragon Tech Summit. While the 5nm Snapdragon 8cx Gen 3 is designed for premium devices, Qualcomm has also rolled out a new entry-tier compute platform with integrated 5G connectivity. The announcement comes just a day after the chipmaker introduced the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1, which is expected to power the best Android phones of 2022.Qualcomm's new Snapdragon 8cx Gen 3 chip is built to deliver "breakthrough performance per watt," enhanced AI-acceleration, multi-day battery life, and fast 5G connectivity in ultra-thin laptops with fanless designs. Than...

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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