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Are you feeling lucky enough to burn $100?I love Chromebooks. They're lightweight, but they still allow me to get all my work done securely. There are super-affordable Chromebooks and there are premium perfect Chromebooks, but they all deliver the same streamlined experience. They also use the same accessories no matter the price range thanks to the ubiquity of USB-C, a specification that allows us to have data input, power input, and video output all going on at the same time through one port when it's paired with a great USB-C hub or a docking station.At least, this is what I'd love to tell you, but because of that exact flexibility of USB-C and the various standards that use it — and manufacturers that implement it on Chromebooks — the actual experience of using a Chromebook docking station is far from rosy. In reality, you can spend $100 or even $300 on a docking station that should work perfectly with a Chromebook on paper, but once you get it on your desk and have all y...

Best answer: No. Sony's PlayStation 4 does not provide support for standard USB webcams. In fact, the company requires that you use its proprietary camera, which uses a different jack than USB.The only PS4 camera: PlayStation CameraA professional option: Elgato HD60 S Cameras and PlayStationRather than adding support for third-party USB cameras, Sony has tried to make its camera a must-have accessory since it first introduced the EyeToy camera for PlayStation 2. Unfortunately for Sony, the EyeToy and upgraded PlayStation Eye were far from a must-have, and camera games were limited at best throughout the life of the PlayStation 2 and 3.It wasn't until 2010 that the camera started gaining a little traction with the launch of PlayStation Move. Over 15 million Moves were shipped by 2012, but the continued lack of any games worth owning meant it would eventually die out as EyeToy had — if the upcoming PlayStation VR headset hadn't been able to save it.With the announcemen...

Amazon Music Unlimited is a no-brainer for Prime members.By this point in the music streaming wars, most people have settled on a service, whether that be Spotify, Apple Music, Tidal, or even YouTube Music. Each of the best streaming music services has its own strengths and weaknesses, but they mostly share the same catalog of content and similar pricing structures. So if there's not much to differentiate between these different apps, how are any of them going to successfully convince you to dump the one you're currently using and give theirs a try? Spotify is building up its original podcasting and audiobook content offerings. Apple is trying to generate churn from other services by offering premium features like lossless or high-def music for free to its subscribers. YouTube Music's draws people in thanks to its integration with YouTube Premium and the YouTube platform in general.The one service that I haven't yet mentioned — Amazon Music Unlimited — is doing all of these ...

Well isn't that spatial?What you need to knowThe brand new home screen gives quick access to lights and scenes in tile format, as well as a way to quickly switch between Hue bridges.Lights can now be placed in 3D space to further enhance the scene lighting accuracy when synced with entertainment.New automation abilities include multi-user geofencing, sunset and sunrise enhancements, and more.Your Philips Hue bulbs are about to get a lot more brilliant thanks to the newly redesigned 4th-generation Philips Hue app, launching today on the Google Play Store and Apple Appstore. Philips Hue bulbs are consistently ranked among the best smart lights in any situation for many reasons, but the regular updates and feature additions, like the recent announcement that all Hue bulbs and bridges will be supporting the new Matter industry standard for smart home interconnectivity.Right up front, you'll find a brand new home screen with a more handy tile view in the new 4th-generation Phi...

Affordable with plenty of performance.The TP-Link Archer AX21 is one of the cheapest Wi-FI 6 routers TP-Link makes, but most of the people that use it would never know. The Archer AX21 has all of the most important features you want in a WI-FI 6 router, such as solid AX1800 speeds, basic parental controls, and quality of service controls. As long as you don't have too many devices or expect to cover a big house, the Archer AX21 will have no trouble keeping up with even gigabit connections, though Wi-Fi 5 performance will be a bit lackluster.The Archer AX21 is a compact router at just under six inches deep, including the antennas. Not everyone wants to see their wireless router, so it's nice that you can tuck your Archer AX21 out of sight relatively easily. The router still includes four gigabit ethernet ports for LAN and a USB port. You can also use this router as the base for a mesh with OneMesh supported extenders.TP-Link Archer AX21 review:Price and availabilityWhat wo...

If your ears like good bass and care little for the mics, the JBL Live Pro+ TWS fit the bill.Let's get one thing out of the way from the start: The JBL Live Pro+ TWS look like AirPod clones, but aren't cheap AirPod clones, and that matters because they do have their own sound. A sound certainly filled with more bass than Apple's earbuds often manage, and the ancillary features suggest JBL's earbuds belong in the conversation with other pairs in the same price range.It's obvious what the play is here, and that's to be an alternative that looks and sounds better. Except times have changed, and the wireless earbud category has never seen this much competition before. Does JBL's pair here stand out as a leader, or as another pair to join the club of decent performers looking to carve out their own place in the market?JBL Live Pro+ TWS review:Price and availabilityWhat's good What's not goodThe competitionShould you buy?JBL Live Pro+ TWS ...

The Galaxy Book Go features Qualcomm's latest Snapdragon 7c Gen 2 and Windows for just $349.What you need to knowSamsung has unveiled two new models in the Galaxy Book series: Galaxy Book Go and Galaxy Book Go 5G.The Galaxy Book is powered by Qualcomm's Snapdragon 7c Gen 2 platform, and it is going on sale from June 10 for just $349. The Galaxy Book Go 5G features the beefier Snapdragon 8cx Gen 2, and will be available later in the year. Both models run Windows on Arm. The last 12 months have been particularly fruitful for the notebook industry, with the best Chromebooks seeing a massive 300% year-on-year increase in North America. One of the reasons for the meteoric rise in Chromebook sales is the affordability; with most models retailing for under $500, they lower the barrier to entry for computing.Windows device manufacturers have clearly noticed, because we're now seeing a lot of budget-focused Windows notebooks slotting in at the same price points that were previous...

The Horizon Pro delivers stellar picture quality and a sleek design — all while undercutting its rivals.XGIMI made a name for itself with its portable projectors over the last five years, and the brand is now making its foray into the high-end segment with its first 4K projector, the Horizon Pro. The flagship projector has a sleek design, standout features like automatic keystone correction, and runs Android TV with Google Assistant out of the box.It uses DLP (Digital Light Processing) tech, has 2,200 lumen brightness, and can project an image of up to 300 inches with a throw ratio of 1.2:1. You also get HDR10, MEMC for sports content, built-in dual 8W speakers tuned by Harman Kardon, and all the ports you need. It is also portable, and the tripod mount located at the bottom means it is relatively straightforward to set it up in your living room.The best part about the Horizon Pro is that it retails for $1,699, undercutting its rivals by a decent amount. So if you are looking...

Garmin's new smartwatches are either quite affordable or quite expensive.What you need to knowGarmin has launched its latest Forerunner smartwatches for fitness enthusiasts.The Garmin 55 is an affordable option with up to 20 hours of battery life with GPS in use.The new Garmin 945 features LTE connectivity and up to two weeks of battery life.Garmin makes some of the best fitness smartwatches on the market and has just introduced two new models to commemorate Global Running Day. The Garmin Forerunner 55 and 945 LTE both offer impressive battery life, and one even features LTE connectivity.The Garmin Forerunner 55 (above) is the cheaper model and is available in three different styles. It features built-in GPS with an impressive battery life that can last up to two weeks without location tracking or 20 hours with continuous tracking.Thanks to the lasting battery, the Garmin Forerunner 55 is ideal for helping fitness enthusiasts train more efficiently. The watch has severa...

Google celebrates Pride month with features aimed at inclusiveness.What you need to knowGoogle is announcing several initiatives aimed at promoting inclusiveness.Google Maps will start highlighting businesses with gender-neutral bathrooms.Google TV is introducing a curated section for LGBTQ+ content.June is Pride Month, and companies are ramping up to show their support for the LGBTQ+ community. Google has announced several initiatives within its services to help promote more inclusivity.The company is introducing a new feature in Google Maps that will allow users to check if a business has gender-neutral restrooms. This is important, especially for trans or non-binary individuals who may not feel like they have a safe space to do their business. Google already allows businesses to list themselves as "Transgender Safe Space" or "LGBTQ-friendly," and this latest move should help to further promote businesses that welcome these individuals.Google TV now has a dedicated ...

The Fitbit Ace 3 is the brand's latest activity and sleep tracker for kids. But already, there are plenty of other swappable bands you can get for the device beyond the standard blue/astro green and black/sport red band that it comes with. As the best fitness tracker for kids, the Fitbit Ace 3 certainly does everything you'd want an activity and sleep tracker to do, without any extra distractions. But with the best bands for Fitbit Ace 3, you can make sure it fits with your child's personal style, too.They're not despicableFitbit MinionsStaff PickIn addition to the special edition Minions-themed version of the Fitbit Ace 3 with a Minions-themed band and animated clock faces, Fitbit launched special edition Minions-themed replacement bands for the activity tracker. Designed with the adorable critters from the Despicable Me movies in mind, they come in "mischief black" or "despicable blue" with a distinctive Minions design etched on the silicone band. It's a subtle design, bu...

Echo Show 8 (2nd Gen)Goldilocks zone$130 at AmazonProsGreat compromise sizeMuch improved cameraPhysical cover/off switch for microphones and cameraSimilar specs to the larger and more expensive Echo Show 10 (3rd Gen)ConsNo Dolby processingNeed a stand to adjust viewing anglesThe Echo Show 8 has the same 13MP camera and privacy controls as the larger and more expensive Echo Show 10 (3rd Gen) but costs nearly half as much. A better camera, better display resolution, and better speakers make this a great buy over the smaller Echo Show 5 (2nd Gen).Echo Show 5 (2nd Gen)Bedside buddy$85 at AmazonProsCompact design to fit anywherePhysical cover/off switch for microphones and cameraImproved camera over first-generationConsAuto-brightness isn't well-tunedIf all you want is an Echo with a clock, the Dot with Clock is almost 1/2 the priceThe Echo Show 5 (2nd Gen) is an incremental update over the first-generation speaker, bringing an improv...

Spotify wants to drive engagement by making the annual Wrapped a constant.What you need to knowSpotify today rolled out a new 'Only You' feature to its mobile and web apps.It's a set of features that's reminiscent of its end-of-year Wrapped Experience. Spotify will also add a new "Blend" feature that 'blends' the music tastes of two users into one playlist for a more social listening session. Spotify is bringing Wrapped earlier this year, only that it's called "Only You", a new experience in Spotify that does what Wrapped does — but it's going to be here all year round. It'll be accessible on the web or in the iOS and Android phones.Only You consists of a few experiences that'll be available for you in the hub. There's the "Your Audio Birth Chart" feature that appropriates the language of a horoscope but for your music taste. Your Sun sign will show the artist you've listened to most over the last 6 months, the Moon sign is for artists that'll showcase your emotional s...

While Oculus Move is a great way to track some basic workout stats on your Oculus Quest 2, a smartwatch can provide much more accurate health data when paired with supported apps. Right now, there's no native way to pair your smartwatch with your Oculus Quest 2. Still, apps like Supernatural have apps that work specifically with your smartwatch to gather additional data that you can use to track your VR workouts more accurately.How to pair a smartwatch or fitness tracker with SupernaturalSupernatural supports the Apple Watch, Wear OS watches, and the best fitness trackers with BLE support.First, you'll need to grab the Supernatural Companion App from the app store of your choice. It's a free download and can be found below.Supernatural Companion appFree at Google Play StoreFree at Apple AppstoreThe Supernatural Companion App lets you manage your workouts, pair your smartwatch, and do more with the best VR fitness app.Once logged into the app, select the heart ...

Access to most of the same great content, but you'll miss out on some newer releases.What you need to knowHBO Max has launched its cheaper ad-supported tier.The subscription is available for $10 per month but features several limitations, such as no 4K or downloads.The new tier should help HBO to better compete with other popular streaming services.WarnerMedia has launched its more affordable HBO Max subscription plan on Wednesday, roughly a year after the service was initially launched. The new subscription plan costs just $10 per month and features most of the same content from the original $15 tier, although with some differences.With the cheaper plan, customers will no longer be able to stream 4K content, nor will they have access to same-day theatrical releases, which is one of the main selling points of the pricier plan. That means missing out on upcoming releases like Space Jam: A New Legacy and The Suicide Squad. Customers also won't be able to download movies o...

The Blue Snowball iCE was first introduced to be a far more affordable, budget friendly version of the expensive Blue Yeti. Even from the very beginning it only cost $50, so any deal was huge savings. Right now you can get it for just $34.42 at Walmart. We haven't seen it go lower than $40 in years, even at Amazon where it's currently $50. This is a great price on one of Blue's top microphones.In addition to the price, the mic itself is just extremely accessible. Practically anyone can use it, and you don't need a lot of audio experience to do so. For example, the mic is USB 2.0 compatible, so it will work even on an older computer without newer generations of USB. Of course if you do have only USB 3.0 available it will work on that as well thanks to the backwards compatibility of the technology.It's also a plug-and-play device, which means you can just attach it to a USB port and get to recording your voice. You won't have to install any extra third-party software or any drivers...

Best answer: The simple answer is, no one has ever complained about having too much storage on a tablet. Given how affordable Amazon Fire Tablets are, your best bet is to always go for the largest storage option available.Which Fire Tablet size should I buy? Bigger is almost always betterThe first thing you need to know about buying an Amazon Fire tablet is that the listed storage space is not actually representative of the usable storage space you end up with. Amazon builds its tablets on the Android operating system, which requires a decent chunk of storage for core system functions and Amazon's apps and services. This is worth keeping in mind, especially when considering a tablet that offers 16GB, 32GB, and 64GB options. That low-end 16GB tablet will, in actuality, only give you about 12GB of usable storage. Depending on your plans for downloading games, movies, and other media onto your tablet, you're probably going to want as much storage as possible.The Fire 7 tablet come...

Chronos: Before the Ashes and The Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel III complete the lineup.What you need to knowStadia has announced the games that will be coming to Pro subscribers in June.The lineup includes Blue Fire, MotoGP20, Chronos: Before the Ashes, and The Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel III.Leaving Stadia Pro are Jedi: Fallen Order, Submerged: Hidden Depths and Reigns.Stadia today revealed the latest games coming free to Pro subscribers in the first week of June. Starting now, gamers can play Blue Fire, The Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel III, MotoGP20, and Chronos: Before the Ashes.Perhaps the most interesting game out of the bunch is Blue Fire, which is coming to Stadia for the first time. Stadia describes it as an "action-adventure that hearkens back to the golden age of 3D platformers." One of the other free games, MotoGP20, is almost its exact opposite, being a motorsports racing game with several different modes.Chronos: Before the As...

The Samsung Galaxy Buds Plus true wireless earbuds were great when they first released and still hold up. Right now you can get the earbuds in white or red for a low price of $89.99 at Amazon. This is the lowest direct discount ever on any version of the Buds Plus, and the deal is $10 better than black and $20 better than blue. The earbuds do sell for as much as $150 regularly, although the average street price is closer to $110. Either way, you're saving a lot today.The members of the Galaxy Buds lineup are some of our favorite Samsung earbuds, and we gave the Buds Plus 4 out of 5 stars with a Recommended badge in our review. Daniel Bader said these earbuds have "...no major flaws, no huge downsides, and a price and feature set in line with much of the competition." He added, "...they do everything pretty well, and if you're a Samsung user, their seamless integration with the company's Galaxy phones make them irresistible." Plus the earbuds are now compatible with iOS as well so a...

This clash of titans isn't going to be out in 2021.What you need to knowGod of War Ragnarok is the sequel to the 2018 God of War.Developed by Sony Santa Monica, it was originally announced as releasing in 2021.Now, Sony Interactive Entertainment has confirmed the game will instead launch in 2022.God of War Ragnarok is widely anticipated to be one of the best PS5 games available when it launches but unfortunately, it won't be out this year. In a statement on Twitter, the developer confirmed that God of War Ragnarok is delayed to 2022, becoming another name on a long list of PS5 games that have been delayed this year.This upcoming title is developed by Sony Santa Monica, one of the most acclaimed developers at Sony Worldwide Studios. It's coming to the PS5 and follows the story of the 2018 God of War, which saw Kratos and his son Atreus attract the attention of the Norse pantheon, including the incredibly dangerous Thor and cunning Odin.Though the company hasn't announced...

With the delayed Euro 2020 tournament looming, England and Austria are looking to get in tip-top physical shape and finalize their respective starting lineups as they take to the Wembley turf in this friendly game. Don't miss a moment of the action with our England vs Austria live stream guide.Though there's nothing on the line in today's game, it's a chance for both managers to experiment with players and formations now that Euro 2020 squads have been locked in.England come into today's game on a four-game winning streak and will be looking to maintain that momentum into this summer's major tournament.Having just announced his final 26-man squad yesterday, Gareth Southgate may look to bring in a few fresh faces today while the pressure is off in order to decide who starts against Croatia on June 13.Austria meanwhile arrive at Wembley on a mixed run of form. Franco Foda's men were on the wrong end of a 4-0 scoreline in their last outing against Denmark and have won just two o...

If you're a gamer who's into Xbox, PlayStation, or both, and you plan to get your hands on the new PS5 or Xbox Series X (or maybe you were already lucky enough to pick one up!), chances are you'll want to get the best experience possible. This requires loading up on some great PS5 accessories, including the best HDMI 2.1 compatible cables you can find to support higher resolution, more bandwidth (up to 48Gbps), faster refresh rates, and even dynamic HDR. Here are the best we found to enhance your gaming experience even further!Braided strengthHighwings 8K HDMI Cable - 6.6-FootStaff PickIt's still early days for 8K, but if you have a future-friendly set-up for your intense video gaming sessions, this cable can support it with 8K@60Hz (4K@120Hz) to accurately reproduce every scene in the game in stunning clarity. The braided cord will ensure it won't break or fray, along with the anti-bending design and 24K gold-plated plug part material. The 6.6-foot length should suit most ...

This should have been available from the startWhat you need to knowThe Google TV Home app for Android has been updated with minor fixes.Within the update, code was found referring to the addition of multi-profile support.The update also suggests that better parental controls are on the way for kids profiles.The Chromecast with Google TV may be one of the few options out there with Google's new interface, but the company is working on bringing new features to the streaming dongle. Courtesy of the latest APK Insight from 9to5Google, code within the Google TV Home app for Android reveals references to providing the ability to add multiple profiles. Not only will you be able to switch between your own profile and others in the home, but you will also encounter personalized content recommendations.With the current version of Google TV, you can add multiple accounts to one device. However, the content is still personalized for the "main" account. With this upcoming feature, it ...

Ditch the hub and the subscription with Eufy's latest.What you need to knowEufy announced six new cameras covering four different categories: Essential, Spotlight, Solar, and Floodlight.All of these new cameras ditch the reliance on a central hub and feature 8GB built-in storage and local AI-powered human detection.Eufy's new Floodlight Cam 2 Pro features automatic human tracking via a built-in 360-degree pan/tilt/zoom motor.Eufy Security took to the virtual stage to announce six new cameras today, each falling into one of four new categories. Three of these categories call under the SoloCam branding — meaning they're entirely self-reliant since they're all battery-powered and connect directly to Wi-Fi instead of a central hub — while one is a brand new floodlight camera with a big new feature. All of these cameras feature 8GB of built-in storage, connect directly to Wi-Fi instead of a hub, sport at least a 90-decibel alarm, and even have local AI-powered human detectio...

Ideal running companionGarmin Forerunner 245$220 at AmazonProsBuilt-in GPSLightweight designAdvanced running metricsTraining status, load, effectPulse Ox & Body BatteryConsLacks altimeterNo Garmin PayMusic version costs moreIf running is your true passion, you can't go wrong with this GPS running smartwatch. In addition to advanced running dynamics, this model also offers extensive training features, a Pulse Ox sensor, Body Battery energy monitoring, and more.Perfect lifestyle watchGarmin Vivoactive 4From $264 at AmazonProsBuilt-in GPSPulse Ox & Body BatteryGarmin PayTwo size optionsMusic comes standardConsLacks advanced running dynamicsShorter battery life in GPS modeFor those who like doing many sports rather than just one, the Vivoactive 4 will serve you well. It's equipped with over 20 sport modes, after all. You also get two size options, a touchscreen, an altimeter, and Garmin Pay.Garmin Forerunner 245 vs....

The P50 Pro is expected to set a new standard for smartphone photography.What you need to knowHuawei teased the upcoming P50 series phones at its HarmonyOS launch event today.The company has claimed that the P50 will lift mobile photography to a new level.The Huawei P50 and P50 Pro are expected to launch sometime later this year. At its HarmonyOS launch event today, Huawei offered our first look at the P50 series. Teasing the upcoming launch, Richard Yu, head of Huawei's smartphone business, said that the P50 series "lifts mobile photography to a new level."Huawei is "trying to figure out how to make this great product available to you," but isn't ready to share a specific launch date yet. As you can in the official teaser above, the P50 series will indeed have an egg-shaped camera module on the back. The unique new design was first revealed in March when popular leaker @OnLeaks shared CAD-based renders of the Huawei P50 Pro.The P50 series phones are rumored to come...

These films and television series are free on the Roku ChannelWhile Roku devices make it easy to access your favorite subscription-based streaming services — including Netflix, Hulu, HBO Max and Disney+ — the streaming brand also offers a variety of content that's free to stream via the Roku Channel. With that in mind, we've put together an extensive, if not totally complete, list of the best films and television content streaming for free on the Roku Channel right now.Guide to the Roku ChannelFree moviesAction moviesComedy moviesDrama moviesRomance moviesThriller moviesRoku OriginalsClassic TV seriesQuibi showsMore free contentFree movies on Roku ChannelThe Roku Channel provides users access to a rotating roster of free movies every month. Whether you're into action and comedy films or lean more towards dramatic and romantic flicks, the Roku Channel has a ton of free film content to choose from. Here's an extensive roundup of what films are streaming f...

Samsung doesn't operate in the same vein as Dell by releasing new laptops on a semi-quarterly basis. However, those looking for the best Samsung laptops will want to strongly consider the Samsung Galaxy Book Pro. This is one of the best laptops you can find, which is impressive considering how stiff the competition is currently in the laptop market.Best Samsung laptop overall: Samsung Galaxy Book ProOur previous favorite, the Samsung Notebook 9 Pro, has finally been succeeded by the all-new Samsung Galaxy Book Pro. This laptop comes in two different sizes, 13.3-inches or 15-inches, with both options taking advantage of Samsung's gorgeous OLED displays. Powering these laptops are Intel's 11th-gen processors, which have integrated Intel Xe graphics that will help play some games or get some photo editing done on the go.As you might expect from a Samsung laptop, the Galaxy Book Pro includes a suite of apps designed to work in tandem with the best Samsung phones, such as the Gala...

First comes the developer preview, then the public beta, and finally Snow Cones for everyone.Android 12 is on the way. On February 18, we learned that the first Android 12 Developer Preview had gone live, giving devs access to a preview build of the new operating system, codename Snow Cone. Based on our Android 12 Developer Preview hands-on, the UI is largely unchanged, but there are some behind-the-scenes upgrades that could make your Android handheld that much better.Shortly after Google I/O was finished, Google dropped the first Android 12 beta for Pixel owners. But we also saw quite a few other phone makers launch Android 12 beta programs for their devices. Many of these compatible phones rank amongst the best Android phones), which really shouldn't come as any surprise.With the first Android 12 beta, we have been introduced to Google's Material You design language, marking one of the biggest updates to Android that we've ever seen. This includes subtle changes to different...

Best answer: You can purchase an Ultra Mobile SIM card along with a data plan directly from Ultra Mobile's website, or you can use its store locator online to find the nearest Ultra Mobile retailer near you.Buy an Ultra Mobile SIM card onlineUltra Mobile is an MVNO on T-Mobile's 4G LTE and 5G network that will suit many users' cellular needs. Its plans start as low as 250MB and then go up to 2GB, 3GB, 6GB, 15GB, and unlimited data. You have the choice of signing up for one, three, six, or 12 months at a time, though the best value is offered with a 12-month plan.If you've done your research and checked that you have good coverage with Ultra as well as a compatible GSM unlocked device, such as one of these best T-Mobile phones, you can purchase an Ultra Mobile SIM card directly on Ultra's website. For most of us, this is the fastest and easiest way to get a SIM kit. However, you're not able to purchase an Ultra Mobile SIM on its website without first selecting a data plan, so yo...

Huawei has also launched a new MatePad 11 alongside the refreshed 12.6-inch and 10.8-inch MatePad Pro models.What you need to knowHuawei has unveiled three new tablets running its HarmonyOS operating system.The new 12.6-inch MatePad Pro features a 16:10 OLED panel, HiSilicon's Kirin 9000E chipset, and a 10,050mAh battery. It has been priced at €799 ($975) in EuropeHuawei introduced three new MatePad series tablets at its HarmonyOS event today, alongside the Huawei Watch 3. As you would expect, the new MatePad tablets run Huawei's "in-house developed" HarmonyOS operating system.The 12.6-inch MatePad Pro sports a 1600 x 2560 OLED display with thin bezels and HDR10 compliance. Huawei's answer to the best Android tablets is powered by HiSilicon's Kirin 9000E chipset, a slightly less impressive version of the flagship Kirin 9000 chip. The tablet packs a large 10,050mAh battery with support for 40W wired charging and 27W wireless charging. It also includes Wi-Fi 6 support, ei...

Valorant can soon be played on the go straight from your pocket.What you need to knowValorant is a popular 5v5 hero shooter from Riot Games.It is currently free-to-play on PC.Riot has announced a mobile spin-off of Valorant.The studio did not reveal a launch date or which mobile devices will support the game.One year after Riot Games' tactical hero shooter Valorant released on PC, the company has revealed that a mobile spin-off is in development (via The Verge). The 5v5 free-to-play game is currently only available for Windows PC. This announcement comes as Riot plans to expand the franchise and make it more accessible to players around the world.The studio has revealed very little details about the upcoming spin-off, so we don't know which mobile devices it will come to or when it will release. Given Riot's other most recent spin-off, League of Legends: Wild Rift, we'll likely see Valorant Mobile come to Android and iOS devices."One of our top goals this first year wa...

There can be only one.Facebook's F8 developer conference is taking place today, and we expect to learn all about the future of the social media giant's many apps, platforms, and initiatives. Following the pandemic-times trend of online events, this year's F8 will be a virtual conference (Facebook canceled last year's for health and safety concerns).Despite being constantly in the news for one reason or another, the main "blue" Facebook app is still going strong, while Facebook Messenger is one of the fastest-growing chat apps around. Even with all of the drama surrounding WhatsApp and its privacy policy changes this year, it continues to dominate among messaging platforms worldwide, and Instagram is still the darling of influencers and ordinary people alike. And who could forget Oculus and the growing popularity of VR gaming, fitness, and social opportunities!?Even though the company generates some strong feelings among users and non-users alike, the simple fact is that Faceb...

While the Google Pixel 4a 5G isn't going to be winning any beauty contests, the best Pixel 4a 5G cases jazz up this affordable 5G phone. Protecting your investment is paramount, but let's get real. Life's too short for boring phone cases. Thankfully, these Pixel 4a 5G cases are anything but and add pops of color and extra protection to keep your phone looking brand new.Keep it safeTudia DualShield Merge SeriesStaff PickTudia's Merge Series has been protecting Pixels big and small for years, and if you need some heavy-duty support for your Pixel 4a 5G from Day One, this case will do the job for less than a large pizza.$13 at AmazonFabulous feelGoogle Fabric CaseGoogle's fabric case feels just as amazing on the Pixel 4a 5G as it has in previous generations. This year, we have some fun color options like the Blue Confetti and the classic but ever so sophisticated Basically Black.$40 at Amazon $40 at Best BuyTwo-tone texturingCaseology ParallaxIf you can't s...

Huawei's first HarmonyOS smartwatch looks slick and boasts strong battery life and fitness features.The Huawei Watch line has changed dramatically since it first debuted in 2015. The first Huawei Watch (or the Huatch, as we liked to call it at the time) ran Android Wear and turned heads with its striking design. The second iteration focused on fitness tracking with a more rugged appearance. Then the Huawei Watch GT line traded smartwatch functionality for a trimmed-down OS and long battery life.Now we have the Huawei Watch 3, which seeks to bring the best of all those earlier wearables into a single product. It's the first watch to run Huawei's HarmonyOS, a more fully-featured platform than the barebones LiteOS used in the Watch GT. Huawei is also aiming for multi-day battery life from this new model while also packing a full loadout of working and health-tracking capabilities. And to top it off, this latest Huawei Watch is the best-looking since the 2015 original.While there a...

The upcoming feature will allow you to use apps installed on your phone directly from your Chromebook.What you need to knowAndroid users will soon be able to 'stream' apps to a connected Chromebook.The feature is expected to be released sometime later this year.It could be exclusive to Google's Pixel phones, at least initially. Google Play Services will soon allow you to stream apps from your phone to the best Chromebooks, according to a report from XDA Developers. The publication performed a teardown of the latest Google Play Services beta v21.21.12 and discovered strings that confirm the feature is under development.Even though the latest Google Play Services release contains strings that confirm users will soon be able to stream apps to their Chromebook, the functionality isn't live yet. There are also no details available yet on exactly how the feature will work. Device availability remains unclear as well, although it is being suggested that the feature could be excl...

Wide soundstageRoku Streambar$129 at Amazon$130 at Best Buy$130 at B&HProsOptional wired Ethernet connectionBluetooth 5.0 supportCheaper priceSide-firing driversAlexa, Google Assistant supportConsSmaller speakersEthernet adaptor sold separatelyWeaker sound than Streambar ProThe Roku Streambar is a compact, 14-inch-long soundbar with two front- and side-firing drivers (four total) designed for a wider audio presence that will permeate through your entire living room. The Streambar also features better connectivity options for your router and smartphone.Larger speakersRoku Streambar Pro$180 at Roku$180 at Amazon$180 at Best BuyProsUpgraded voice remoteLarger speakers for stronger soundMore traditional soundbar sizeAlexa, Google Assistant supportConsMore expensiveNo Ethernet optionThe Roku Streambar Pro justifies its higher price tag with four large full-range drivers that produce a richer sound than the smaller Roku Stre...

The new video player comes with a QuickTime-inspired floating box with various media controls.Update, June 2 (07:50 am ET): Google has rolled out this new video player with Chrome OS 91What you need to knowGoogle is testing an improved video player for Chrome OS.The video player offers a much better UI with a floating box at the bottom that includes all the media controls you would expect.It can be accessed in Chrome OS Canary v91.0.4463.0. The Chrome OS video player hasn't received a major update in years, and isn't anywhere near as feature-rich as users would expect. Fortunately, Google has finally started testing a new video player for Chrome OS that has a much more appealing UI and comes with enhanced controls.As reported by Android Police, the new player is now live in Chrome OS Canary version 91.0.4463.0. While you don't need to have the best Chromebook to try out the new player, you must enable it via the Media App Video flag (chrome://flags/#media-app-video) fir...

By putting the Android runtime under the Mainline umbrella, Google gets to control how apps perform across all devices running Android 12 or later.Android 12 is here for those willing to try their luck with beta software but it will be coming in its final form sometime later in 2021. There are plenty of changes — both under the hood and things we can see — that make it one of the best updates we've received in quite a while, and one of them is something you've probably never thought about — the Android runtime will now be a part of Project Mainline.This is an important change for every Android phone, from the best Android phone to the cheapest Android phone. But to understand how important it is, you need to know exactly what Project Mainline entails and what the Android runtime is. That's where we come in.Project MainlineProject Mainline extends the work Google did with Project Treble to try and do two things: make it easier for phone makers to update their products ...

Apple doesn't care that nearly 26% of its users switch to different platforms between quarters because it is focusing on encouraging users to buy all of the products in its broader functional ecosystem, experts say. They add that users are likely switching over to Android phones to save money.During the Epic Games vs. Apple trial, internal documents showed evidence of "meaningful switching" of smartphone users quarter-over-quarter. The highest percentage of users switching was between Q1 2020 and Q2 2020, which saw 26% of users switch from iOS to Android. This timeframe is particularly interesting as it marks the period that typically follows the announcement and release of new iPhones.Nugget of data on iPhone customers switching platforms came out in the Epic v. Apple trial. Apple submitted this to show people do switch (even if small) and therefore choice does exist.Average iOS loyalty over this time period was 81%. cc @benedictevans @asymco pic.twitter.com/koBSk7bvpK— Ben ...

You will soon find a Loop button within playback controls in YouTube's mobile app.What you need to knowYouTube has quietly added a Loop button to its mobile app on Android.The Loop video option has been available on the web for years. It might take a few more weeks for the feature to become widely available on mobile.YouTube has started testing a Loop button on its mobile app for Android. The test was first spotted by DroidMaze last month. While it was limited to a small number of users initially, the test has now started rolling out more widely to the best Android phones (via Android Police).The loop video option has been available on the web for years now, although it isn't very easily accessible. Instead of showing up as a dedicated button in the web player, It is hidden away in the right click menu. Fortunately, the Loop video button on the YouTube mobile app can be found easily within playback controls.Although it is certainly disappointing that it took so long f...

With a bold design and incredible performance, the Mi 11 Lite 5G may just be the lightweight phone you need.Xiaomi launches a lot of phones over the course of a year, and even by its standards, 2021 has been busy. We got the Redmi Note 9T, Redmi Note 10 series, Mi 10i, Mi 11, Mi 11 Ultra, and a slate of devices under the POCO label, including the POCO X3 Pro, F3, and more recently the M3 Pro.While the Mi 11 and Mi 11 Ultra make a claim for the best Android phones, there's a third model in the series aimed at the mid-range segment: the Mi 11 Lite. This device is particularly interesting because it is the first to be powered by the Snapdragon 780G chipset. Qualcomm dominated the mid-range tier last year with the Snapdragon 765G, and the 780G takes things to a whole new level.The Mi 11 Lite stands out because of its fresh colors, and it has a svelte 6.8mm profile and is one of the lightest phones around at 157g. But it doesn't miss out on table stakes features: you get a 90Hz AMOL...

The OnePlus Nord continues to deliver the best value in the mid-range segment.OnePlus is at its best in the value segment. The company has made decent strides in challenging Samsung and Google in the high-end category with the likes of the OnePlus 9 and 9 Pro, but the pricing makes them inaccessible to a wide swathe of its audience. That's why it's exciting that OnePlus has a slew of offerings in the mid-range and budget segments with the Nord series.The Nord delivers all the features that you'd expect from a OnePlus flagship — superb hardware, elegant design, clean software, and a lag-free experience — and it does so for several hundred dollars less than the OnePlus 9, making it one of the best cheap Android phones. With flagships steadily increasing in price, the Nord shows that you can get a comparable experience to $1,000 phones at half the cost.The hardware itself is obviously great, and you should have no issues with the Nord in day-to-day usage, but the different...

Amazon's annual exclusive sale is coming back for an even bigger event sooner than usual in 2021. Prime Day is the sale every Amazon Prime member should be looking forward to. With hundreds of ways to save and hundreds of dollars off popular products, shopping during Prime Day is even a smart way to earn back the cost of Amazon Prime's membership fee.During past Prime Day sales, Amazon hasn't skimped on its offerings in the slightest. We've seen products in just about every category go on sale, from home and kitchen appliances to clothing, furniture, toys, electronics, computers, and of course, just about every Amazon device there is. You name it, there's probably been a Prime Day sale on it. And if the sales of previous years are to be any indication, Prime Day 2021 is already slated to be one of the best shopping events of the year.Best Prime Day deals & sales in 2021As it stands, Amazon has not officially announced all of its early Prime Day deals, but that won't stop ot...

Amazon Prime Day 2021 is arriving earlier than any of the previous years.What you need to knowAmazon has announced the dates for its annual Prime Day sales event.Prime Day will take place in the U.S. and many other countries on June 21-22.Amazon Prime Day is an annual event for customers to find plenty of heavily discounted items.After some teasing during its Q1 earnings call in April, Amazon has finally unveiled the dates for its annual Prime Day sales event, which will happen later this month. The event will happen from June 21 through June 22.Amazon Prime Day is an annual event where customers can find exclusive deals on products throughout the site. That includes items like home appliances and kitchenware as well as tech products from the best microSD cards for Android to some of the best Android phones and plenty more.According to Amazon, last year's Prime Day sales event managed to save customers $1.4 billion, with small businesses making more than $3.5 billion. O...

Google is having a hard time convincing others that it means no harm.What you need to knowGoogle VP Jerry Dischler has stated that the company doe not plan to build backdoors in FLoC.Google will abide by the same Privacy Sandbox standards as other ad agencies.Some are not convinced, including other browsers critical of Google's new technology.Google has been trying to convince ad tech companies that it will follow its own Privacy Sandbox initiative, which the company recently echoed at a marketing event. Google VP Jerry Dischler stated that the company will abide by its own FLoC technology and won't build a backdoor to give itself an advantage. We'll be using these [Privacy Sandbox] APIs for our own ads and measurement products just like everyone else, and we will not build any backdoors for ourselves.The statement, as reported by DigiDay, can be seen as Google playing damage control as the industry criticizes the company's move to replace browser cookies.Google to...

Stay focused and avoid distractions with Do Not Disturb and improved notification settings.What you need to knowGoogle's Chrome OS improvements for June include icon badges and increased notification control, new wallpapers, and the ability to save entire Google Drive folders for offline editing.As apps gain the ability to display app badges for unread messages and other notifications, we also get the option to quickly disable notifications on a per-app basis as well as Do Not Disturb to turn them all off.New "Imaginary" wallpapers from Leo Natsume add some summer whimsy to your Chromebook.It's not live quite yet, but soon we'll be able to save entire folders for offline editing without first having to open every single document in them.Part of what makes the best Chromebooks so good is that they're always getting better. While Chromebooks didn't get much attention at Google I/O two weeks ago, the Chrome OS team has been busy improving on the features added in Chrome OS 89...

We're a step closer to the OnePlus Watch we were (sort of) hoping for.What you need to knowThe OnePlus Watch is receiving an update that brings the promised 110 workout modes.The device is getting an AI Outfit feature to mimic the user's clothing to create a watch face.The update comes after OnePlus devices finally received the AOD function.Owners of the OnePlus Watch are finally getting their hands on an update that brings the fitness features first promised at launch. OnePlus software manager Baihan H. announced update B.52 on Monday in the OnePlus forum.The update brings more than 110 workout modes to the watch, a feature that the company first promised at launch and one of several that were notably missing. The update also introduces a marathon running function as well as a new AI Outfit feature.AI Outfit was hinted at when the company announced the first major software update for the OnePlus Watch. The feature allows the user to change the watch face by capturing a...

There's more than meets the eye with Motorola's latest affordable smartphones. Just last year, the company debuted three budget-conscious devices all sitting well below $500 each: the Moto G Fast, Moto G Power, and the Moto G Stylus. With the Moto G Fast debuting at just $249.99 in Canada, it's become one of the least expensive ways to get a dependable Android smartphone in your hands.Thanks to a limited-time offer at Costco Canada, the Moto G Fast is dropping even lower in price! Through June 6, customers can purchase the Moto G Fast on sale for just $159.99 at Costco Canada and save $90 off its full cost instantly, though you will need to be a Costco member if you want to take advantage of today's discount. This phone has more recently been priced around $210.Moto G Fast | $90 off at Costco CanadaThe affordable Moto G Fast is dropping even lower in price with today's extra $50 discount at Costco Canada. This device features a 6.4-inch Max Vision HD+ display, 32GB expandable...

Nest makes some of the best smart thermostats, security cameras, and self-installed home security systems out there, but it comes at a price. Some of the equipment can be on the expensive side, which means that you may not be able to have as much of it in your home as you'd like, but we are here to help make it easier to afford more. At times, you can find some pretty sweet deals on a variety of Nest's most popular items.Best Google Nest Deals Available NowNest Thermostats: from $114Nest Wi-Fi: as low as $149Nest Cameras: from $123Smart Speakers & Displays: starting at $35Whether it's a direct price drop, coupon code, or bundle deal, we've scoured the internet to find all of the best deals around Nest's hardware that are available right now and rounded them up. We will keep this page updated with the best deals we can find, so if you frequently find yourself looking for more of it, you'll want to bookmark this page.Best Cheap Nest Thermostat DealsI just moved int...