Latest from Android Central

The update is currently available in just three markets.What you need to knowThe October 2021 Android security patch has started rolling out to Samsung's Galaxy S21 series in some markets.Besides the newer security patch, however, the update doesn't bring any other major changes.The update is expected to expand to other markets over the coming weeks. Samsung has once again started rolling out a new Android security patch to its best Android phones before everyone else. According to a report from SamMobile, the Galaxy S21 trio has started receiving a new software update with build number G991BXXU3AUIE. The update brings the latest Android security patch dated October 1, 2021.The update appears to be rolling out to users in Germany, India, and the Philippines currently. As is usually the case, it will take a week or two for the update to become more widely available. The official changelog apparently mentions the update also brings "improved stability of functions."Once t...

Put on your party hats and get playing some fun games!Party games provide a great way for friends, new and old, to come together, share a laugh, and just have a good time. With the new reality of many of us stuck at home during the coronavirus pandemic, these games can be a distraction and a source of laughter at an otherwise serious time. Here are our favorites!And when you're ready for more Android gaming goodness, be sure to check out our list of the best Android games!Best social multiplayer games:Among UsBombSquadChwazi Finger ChooserEscape TeamHeads Up!Jackbox Party PackKeep Talking and Nobody ExplodesOut of the LoopPsych!Selfie GamesSpaceteamTicket to RideTriple Agent!Undercover ^^Who Can't DrawAmong UsTo say that Among Us has exploded in popularity recently would be underselling the fad. It's a cute, fun, and interesting multiplayer game that supports 5-10 players where not everyone is as they seem.Your group is meant to complete various ...

It will be HMD Global's first tablet since acquiring exclusive rights to the Nokia brand.What you need to knowNokia teased its upcoming Android tablet, the brand's second such device ever.The device is set to be announced on October 6.It could be the rumored Nokia T20 with modest specs.Nokia is set to announce a new tablet on October 6. The company has released a teaser for the upcoming unveiling, implying that the new slate will be inspired by the Nokia 3310 from 2017.The tablet appears to have rounded edges, similar to Nokia's recent smartphone lineup. Aside from that, the teaser doesn't reveal much about what Nokia has up its sleeve. It only shows a sliver of a slate peeking out from around a corner, alongside the Nokia 3310 in full view.Everything you’d expect from a Nokia phone in a tablet.Coming 6.10.21 pic.twitter.com/uTssAURMMQ— Nokia Mobile (@NokiaMobile) September 27, 2021That said, it's possible that the teaser refers to the same tablet that hit the r...

The phone is set to debut in India next week.Update, Sept 28 (3:00 a.m. ET): Launched in IndiaWhat you need to knowSamsung's Galaxy M52 5G is now official.The mid-range phone uses a Snapdragon 778G chipset and a 6.7-inch AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate.It is expected to go on sale in select markets across Europe from September 28.Samsung has quietly announced the Galaxy M52 5G, a new mid-range phone that is based on the Galaxy A52s.According to the landing page for the Galaxy M52 5G on Samsung's official Polish site, first spotted by leaker Roland Quandt, the phone features a 6.7-inch AMOLED display with FHD+ resolution and a 120Hz refresh rate. The centered hole-punch cutout at the top of the display houses an impressive 32MP selfie camera.Samsung's latest mid-ranger appears to have the same 6nm Snapdragon 778G chipset under the hood as the Galaxy A52s, coupled with 6GB of RAM and 128GB of onboard storage. It has a triple-lens camera system on the back, with...

It's a sleek Android TV dongle, but is it worth the price?Update, Sept 28 (1:00 a.m. ET): Available now through Anker or AmazonWhat you need to knowAnker has teased a new Android TV streaming dongle with 4K support.The device will include a Google-designed remote and ship with Android TV 10. It is slated to launch in Japan later this year.Anker's Nebula brand has announced that its first-ever streaming dongle will arrive later this year (via 9to5Google). According to a tweet posted by Nebula's Japanese Twitter account, the device will be called the "Nebula 4K Streaming Dongle" and ship with Android 10.TV等にHDMI接続できるストリーミングデバイス「Nebula 4K Streaming Dongle」を9月頃に販売開始予定！最新のAndroid TV 10.0を搭載し、YouTubeやNetflixを始めとした7,000以上のアプリに対応。最大4K出力の高解像度に加え、Dolby Digital Plus対応の高音質な映像がお楽しみいただけます。#APC21Spring pic.t...

Android 12.1 is set to significantly improve the foldable experience.What you need to knowA look into Android 12.1 shows several improvements aimed at foldables.Many UI elements will make better use of the larger display area.The new features include improved notifications, split-screen, and navigation across the UI.Android 12 isn't even available in stable form yet, but we're already getting a look at the follow-up Android 12.1 if that's what Google ends up calling it. The update is expected to be aimed at the best foldable phones to enhance the UI experience for those devices.XDA-Developers appears to have done a deep dive into many features and changes coming to Android 12.1, which appear to make much better use of the larger displays that foldables often offer.Dual-pane navigation and split-screen appear to be a big focus with Android 12.1. The quick settings panel, for example, can now be shown on one side with the notification panel sitting next to it. Not only th...

Another mid-range Android tablet for you to ignoreWhat you need to knowSpecs and renders have leaked for the Galaxy Tab A8 2021.The tablet is said to be powered by a Unisoc processor and features up to 4GB of RAM.Expected pricing is to begin around $260 with an October release date.Earlier this month, the first renders leaked in regards to the Samsung Galaxy Tab A8 2021. At the time, some of the specs were revealed, but another leak has cropped up, providing a bit more insight into what we can expect.This new leak comes courtesy of @OnLeaks in conjunction with 91Mobiles, providing us even more renders and specs for the upcoming device. The Galaxy Tab A8 2021 is said to arrive as the successor to the Galaxy Tab A7 and will be "placed in the mid-range segment when launched."In terms of power, the Tab A8 2021 is said to feature a Unisoc processor, which is paired with either 3GB or 4GB of RAM and three different storage configurations. Meanwhile, the tablet could feature...

Google could soon make it easier to view your recent search results and current tab at the same time.What you need to knowGoogle Chrome looks set to add a new feature to easily browse your search results in a side panel.The new capability will let you view your current tab and recent search results without having to open a new tab.Chrome's sidebar search has been spotted in the latest build of Chrome Canary.Google is reportedly developing a new Chrome feature that will allow you to open your recent search results in a sidebar. The experimental feature, dubbed "Side search," appears to be similar to Microsoft Edge's sidebar search feature.As per 9to5Google, the experimental feature opens a sidebar to the left of your current tab when you click the Google "G" logo that shows up next to the URL bar. The sidebar panel displays your most recent Google Search results, while the main browser tab displays any results you click.This means you won't need to click the "Back" butto...

Google Meet upgrades live captions with live translations in a new beta test.What you need to knowGoogle Meet has begun beta testing live caption translations.The beta test will be available for English meetings and support four languages initially.Only certain Workspace accounts will be eligible for the beta.Google Meet has started testing a new feature that could improve meetings for teams that collaborate globally.Starting now, Workspace users can beta test the new live caption translations, which takes Google's accessibility feature to the next level with auto-translation across languages. Translated captions helps Google Meet video calls to be more global, inclusive and effective by removing language ability as a barrier to collaboration. By helping users consume the content in a preferred language, you can help equalize information sharing, learning, and collaboration, and make sure your meetings are as effective as possible.For those included in the bet...

Network Address Translation (NAT) is a big part of connectivity for online multiplayer games, deciding how incoming traffic is handled. For gamers, your NAT type can play a huge role in who you can play with, establishing barriers if it's not set up right. There are a bunch of reasons you may have strict or even double NAT types showing on your network, but with the help of port forwarding, you can easily overcome the hurdles. It's not the only method — for many folks just ensuring Universal Plug and Play (UPnP) enabled on their router will be enough. Here's how to change NAT type on PlayStation 4 in order to play online.How to port forward your PlayStation 4The ports you need to open up for your PlayStation to get an open NAT are the same, but the actual process may differ from router to router. The steps are constant but you may need to dig around your router's settings to find what you need.Open the Settings app on your PlayStation 4.Next, scroll down and select Networ...

Unsurprisingly, the Gen 6 watches don't run Wear OS 3 out of the box.Update, Sept 27 (3:45 p.m. ET): Fossil Gen 6 on sale nowWhat you need to knowFossil has announced its next-generation Gen 6 series wearables.The smartwatches will get the Wear OS 3 update sometime in 2022. They are now available to pre-order for a starting price of $299.Fossil, which is known to make some of the best Android smartwatches, today announced the launch of the first wearables powered by Qualcomm's Snapdragon Wear 4100+ platform. The Snapdragon Wear 4100+ was introduced in June last year, alongside the standard Snapdragon Wear 4100.Even though it's not as powerful as the 5nm Exynos W920 chip inside the Galaxy Watch 4 series, the Snapdragon Wear 4100+ promises faster app load times and higher power efficiency than the previous generation Snapdragon Wear 3100 platform.Fossil's new Gen 6 smartwatches come in two sizes: 42mm and 44mm. All variants feature a 1.28-inch circular AMOLED display wi...

Regardless of why you need a new TV, you'll end up wanting or needing one at some point. And not everyone wants to throw thousands of dollars at a television, but thankfully, you don't need to. With the advancements in technology, you can get a 4K TV with a bunch of awesome features without needing to empty the piggy bank. Plus, when you find televisions that offer as great of a value as with the Samsung AU8000, you don't need to spend a boatload of dough. These are the best cheap 4K TVs you can get today!Best overall: Samsung Crystal UHD AU8000 SeriesOne thing in the tech world is undeniable — Samsung makes some fantastic displays. It doesn't matter if you're in the budget smartphone market or the high-end television market, you'll find great displays everywhere you go. The Samsung AU8000 doesn't fall on the "high-end" of the spectrum, so you won't find Samsung's QLED panel here, but it still checks a lot of boxes.There's a TV size option for just about every application y...

Google gives you creative ways to stay anonymous.What you need to knowGoogle is launching a set of colorful avatars that can be used as profile pictures.The Illustrations feature a range of topics, from animals to space, technology, sports, and more.The new Illustrations editor will be available on select Google apps with more following soon.Google is giving users the option to use personalized images as profile avatars with the launch of Google Illustrations.The company announced the new collection on Monday as a way for users to set a profile photo that matches their own personal style while providing privacy for those that would rather not use an actual image of themselves. On Google, a single image acts as a reflection of you across a variety of products, like when you send an email, write a comment on a document or share your location with your family on Maps. Of course, people have different preferences of how they want to be represented digitally....But fo...

Your favorite NBCUniversal channels will go dark on Thursday if both companies fail to reach a deal.What you need to knowYouTube TV subscribers may lose access to several NBCUniversal channels if both companies fail to make a new deal.Some 14 channels will go dark if Google and NBCUniversal's carriage agreement isn't renewed by Thursday.When NBCUniversal's channel lineup becomes unavailable, YouTube TV will reduce its monthly price by $10.YouTube TV subscribers may soon lose access to several NBC-owned channels. Google's streaming TV service has announced that NBCUniversal's lineup of channels will go offline after September 30 unless an "equitable" agreement is reached.Google said in a blog post that it has been trying to renew its deal with NBCU. The existing agreement between the entertainment company and YouTube TV is set to expire on Thursday, but both companies are still locked in a carriage dispute, with no new agreement in sight.In a statement, NBCU accuses Goog...

Nothing can turn your great Android phone from state-of-the-art to overpriced paperweight faster than a dead battery. The best portable chargers and power banks can help recharge your tech when life plays keep-away with your power outlets. Portable chargers used to be big, bulky, and slow, but USB-C power banks and Power Delivery charging standards have made things much faster — fast enough to charge laptops, even — and have allowed power banks to get slimmer and better than ever. There are plenty of options in every shape or size, but our favorite is the versatile Anker PowerCore III 10K Wireless. Still, there are plenty of other choices that rank among the best portable battery packs. Here are our top recommendations that you can buy today.Best overall: Anker PowerCore III 10K WirelessWhile most portable chargers only let you recharge your devices with wired charging, wireless portable chargers are finally becoming somewhat mainstream. There were several hurdles that ea...

Google says it can't be anti-competitive with Apple around.What you need to knowGoogle is in court disputing a $5 billion fine over the Android operating system.EU courts ruled that Google uses its dominant position to promote and require its own apps and services on Android devices.Google says that the court's decision ignores Apple's presence in the market.Google is in court fighting a €4.34 billion ($5.1 billion) fine issued in 2018 by European Union regulators over Android's market dominance. It's argument: that regulators are ignoring Apple, its biggest competitor.The EU slapped the massive fine on Google after ruling that the company used its dominance to require its own Search and Chrome apps to be installed on the best Android phones in order to gain access to the Play Store.Regulators also found that Google would pay manufacturers to pre-install its apps on their phones to further its dominance in search and discourage manufacturers from selling smart devices...

The phone is a spiritual successor to the Mi CC9.What you need to knowXiaomi has introduced its first "Civi" series phone.The new Xiaomi Civi comes with a Snapdragon 778G chipset, a 120Hz OLED display, and a 64MP camera.The phone will be going on sale in China from September 30 for a starting price of 2,599 yuan (about $403). Xiaomi has rolled out a new "Civi" smartphone series to replace the Mi CC series that it introduced in late 2019. The first phone under the series, dubbed Xiaomi Civi, touts a slick design with a curved display and an ultra-thin frame.Xiaomi Civi comes with a 6.55-inch curved OLED screen featuring FHD+ resolution, a 120Hz refresh rate, and a 240Hz touch sampling rate. It also happens to be HDR10+ and Dolby Vision compliant, just like the best Android phones on the market. Powering the mid-ranger is Qualcomm's 6nm Snapdragon 778G chipset with an Adreno 642L GPU.Xiaomi's latest mid-ranger has a triple-camera setup at the rear, with a 64MP main sensor...

Whatever your fitness goals are, living a healthier lifestyle is easier when you have something to track your activity throughout the day automatically. Fitbits are great tools for this, but with so many to choose from, which one should you buy and why? We think the Fitbit Versa 3 is the best Fitbit you can buy, offering a great blend of features, specs, and design at a price your wallet will love.Best Fitbit overall: Fitbit Versa 3Fitbit makes many fantastic fitness wearables, but if you ask us, the best one you can buy right now is the Fitbit Versa 3.Combining the best bits of a smartwatch and fitness tracker into one, the Versa 3 is lightweight and slim enough to fit onto even the smallest of wrists and not look obnoxiously big the way competing watches can. In addition, it has a gorgeous AMOLED display on the hardware side of things, a battery that lasts over six days on a single charge, and it's waterproof up to 50 meters. Compared to the Versa 2, Versa 3 has a much-impr...

Sony needs to work on its messaging or risk alienating PlayStation fans.The life cycle of the PS5 so far has been mired by delays and unanswered questions, leading many to be wary of Sony's plans for the console. PlayStation attempted to quell some of those fears during its big 2021 showcase in September, but we were left with far too many questions and very little answers. While Insomniac seems to be having quite a productive time working on Spider-Man 2 and a Wolverine game, many of its bigger studios — barring Sony Santa Monica and Guerrilla Games, which are currently developing God of War Ragnarok and Horizon Forbidden West, respectively — are working on unannounced projects.PS5 roadmap leaves us with questionsMetroid Dread could save the franchiseAge of Empires 4 developer interviewYou could say that this tactic of not announcing games too early has its merits. Studios may feel less pressure to hit a specific date when the game isn't publicly announced or fi...

Also opens support for more third-party controllers.What you need to knowStadia players can use their smartphones or third-party controllers to play Stadia games on TV.Works with Android and iOS smartphones, and requires the mobile Stadia app to pair.Can be used with Chromecast Ultra, Chromecast with Google TV, or any Android TV device.Google announced today that Stadia players can now use their smartphones as controllers to play Stadia games on a television alongside opening support for more third-party controllers.Any Stadia-enabled device can use a Bluetooth controller or pair an Android or iOS smartphone itself to play games with touch gamepad controls. The process can be done through the Phone Link option in the mobile Stadia app. With the smartphone and TV tied to the same Wi-Fi network, players can choose a controller from the list or "Phone touch gamepad" to control games directly with the smartphone for the TV. Google outlined the entire process in the GIF below....

While others may fawn over the Galaxy Z Fold 3, the most alluring foldable of 2021 is the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3. As someone who has worn a shoulder holster for almost five years to accommodate ever-growing phone sizes that refuse to fit in my pants' pockets, this is a phone I can actually fit all the way inside my front pocket. However, nothing will transform your splendid new phone into a splintered nightmare faster than a bad fall because it slipped out of your sweaty palms. So get a grip on the best Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3 cases on the market today.Ring around my heartSamsung Silicone Cover with RingStaff pickAvailable in a wide variety of colors, this case keeps both halves connected via a durable woven strap, and at the end of its loop is a silver flat-edged ring so that you can use it as a ring grip. Given that PopSockets will be almost impossible to place correctly on the Flip, this case gives you a dependable grip as well as an easy way to pull it out of your pock...

Google gives the people what they want.What you need to knowGoogle begins rolling out the YouTueb Music app on its older Wear OS 2 platform.The app will arrive first on select smartwatches from Fossil and Mobvoi, with more coming later.YouTube Music was released as a Wear OS 3 exclusive on the Galaxy Watch 4.Users will be able to stream music offline, and the app will update playlists when connected to Wi-Fi.Google is bringing its new YouTube Music smartwatch app to devices running Wear OS 2, the company announced Monday in a blog post.The announcement comes just a month after the company released the YouTube Music app for the Samsung Galaxy Watch 4, which is currently the only Wear OS 3 smartwatch.With the app, YouTube Premium subscribers will be able to listen to ad-free, offline tracks and playlists, allowing users to leave their smartwatches at home while going out on a jog. The app also has a Smart Downloads feature that automatically updates playlists with trac...

Next-level trackingFitbit Charge 5$180 at AmazonProsGPS, HRM, NFCSpO2 trackingECG & EDA sensorsSlimmer and sleeker designAMOLED displayConsOld bands and chargers don't workExpensive for a trackerSome fitness enthusiasts want the look and feel of an activity tracker while enjoying the features and tracking capabilities of a smartwatch. The Fitbit Charge 5 is the perfect solution. You get a compact, sleek design with premium perks. Some examples include onboard GPS, heart-rate monitoring, advanced health sensors, and NFC support for Fitbit Pay.Best for basicsFitbit Inspire 2From $99 at AmazonProsActivity/sleep trackingHeart-rate monitoringCompact, lightweight designStellar battery lifeReasonably pricedConsNo GPS or NFCNo advanced health sensorsLacks AMOLED displayWhether you happen to be on a tight budget or you're a beginner shopping for your first fitness tracker, you may be searching for something a bit more modest. If s...

Samsung apparently to focus on the Galaxy Z Flip 3 instead.What you need to knowA new report claims Samsung has canceled its October Unpacked event for the Galaxy S21 FE.The company is currently "reviewing" the phone's release. Shortage of Qualcomm's Snapdragon 888 chipset and the higher-than-expected sales of the Galaxy Z Flip 3 are said to be the two main reasons behind the move. Samsung has decided to cancel its planned Galaxy S21 FE Unpacked event, according to a report from South Korean publication Digital Daily. The event was expected to be held sometime next month.Samsung is currently said to be "reviewing" the release of the phone, which means there is a possibility of the Galaxy S21 FE being canceled altogether. The main reason behind the cancelation of the launch event is said to be the shortage of Qualcomm's Snapdragon 888 chipset, which powers Samsung's best Android phones of 2021.The report claims the success of the Galaxy Z Flip 3 is also an important rea...

These tips will put you at an advantage against your early game competition.Pokémon Unite may not be your typical Pokémon game like the classic RPGs, but it's a whole lot of fun (and could very well be one of the best Android games out right now). As a multiplayer online battle arena (MOBA), it's not something we've usually seen from the franchise. As such, longtime Pokémon fans may not know where to get started. Your strategies in Shield and Sword won't help you here, so we've compiled a handy list of tips and tricks we think can give you an early game advantage.Jump to:Play through the tutorialsPurchase useful itemsKnow the battlefieldUse the Super Jump platformPlay to your strengthsLevel up fastResearch your movesPlay through the tutorialsPlayers are required to complete only the first two basic tutorials. There are still four advanced tutorials that players can do at any time, earning 800 Aeos Coins each. The advanced tutorials play through different sc...

The upcoming supervision tools will enable parents to "meaningfully shape their teen's experience."What you need to knowFacebook is pausing the work on building an Instagram experience for kids.The social networking giant plans to use this time to work with parents and policymakers "to demonstrate the value and need" for the product.Facebook will also continue building opt-in parental supervision tools for kids.Facebook announced on September 27 that is temporarily pausing the work on "Instagram Kids" — an Instagram experience designed specifically for users under the age of 13. The company says the move will give it more time to "work with parents, policymakers, and regulators, listen to their concerns, and demonstrate the important of the project for younger teens."While the work on "Instagram Kids" has been paused, Facebook is working on introducing new parental supervision tools that will allow parents to "oversee" their children's accounts. Facebook says it will mo...

A new leak suggests the upcoming Samsung Galaxy S22 and S22 Plus will borrow heavily from their predecessors' design.What you need to knowRenders of the Samsung Galaxy S22 and S22+ have appeared online, offering a first look at the upcoming flagship phones.The upcoming devices will supposedly retain much of the design of their predecessors, unlike the Galaxy S22 Ultra.However, the next Samsung flagship phones may have smaller dimensions than their predecessors.The upcoming Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra surfaced online last week in a series of renders that showcased a device with more of a Galaxy Note vibe with its S Pen slot. Now, the Galaxy S22 and S22+ have also leaked, showing off a design that's more consistent with the previous Galaxy S devices.Samsung's next flagship phones may be heavily influenced by their predecessors, at least in terms of design. The standard Galaxy S22, for example, looks a lot like the Galaxy S21, as per the leak from @Onleaks in collaboration with...

With its latest DLC, Galaxy's Edge ties in more closely with the Star Wars universe — and gets some long-needed enhancements.When Star Wars: Tales from the Galaxy's Edge launched late last year, it was a promising but fundamentally limited, unfinished experience. You spend the majority of your time as an anonymous droid repair tech who silently blasts their way through dozens of Death Gang members, droids, and alien monsters. There's only one short "Tale" left on a bit of a cliffhanger, and even the main storyline ended abruptly with no catharsis.Knowing all that, I skipped it entirely, deciding to wait until Part 2 arrived to experience the game as a complete package. And I'm so glad I did. The Last Call DLC doesn't just add two new Tales and several main story missions; you also get tons of new purchasable upgrades, weapons, enemy types, quests, and mini-games.Last Call integrates seamlessly into the original game's narrative, and I was shocked to learn later on how much co...

Gotta know when to fold 'em.What you need to knowThis weekend, we asked our readers which type of futuristic phone form factor they preferred, foldable or dual-screen.The results were close, but over 55% said they favored foldable displays.Nearly 45%, however, said that a dual-screen phone would be their preference.These past two months have seen a flurry of new phone activity, particularly at the high-end among the best Android phones. Samsung showed off its third generation of foldable phones with the Galaxy Z Fold 3 and Z Flip 3, and just this last week, we got a glimpse at Microsoft's Surface Duo 2 dual-screen device.Even though we've been talking about foldables as a category for a while now, there haven't been that many examples to point to beyond these companies, Motorola's RAZR, and LG's dual-screen case (RIP).Naturally, we were curious about what our readers thought made for the best folding form factor, so we asked them. To be honest, we expected these numbers...

Need to charge a dead Galaxy Watch 4? Throw it on a charger and then put on a two-hour movie.When I upgraded from the Galaxy Watch Active to the Samsung Galaxy Watch 4, I expected an upgrade in just about every way. Wear OS 3 brought us Google Play apps and services while the One UI Watch skin gave us the software fit and polish Samsung is known, and there are more health tracking features than ever, even if the most advanced ones are limited to Galaxy phones. Unfortunately, the battery has only lasted about 24-36 hours on a charge, and recharges are slower than the Watch Active, too.Meanwhile, Apple's upcoming Apple Watch Series 7 is packing a new USB-C-plugged wireless charger that works with Power Delivery for faster speeds. The Apple Watch Series 7 might not be sporting any processor or sensor upgrades, but battery improvements are more important to the product and the people who use it. I just wish Samsung had realized that, too.Smartwatches are meant to be worn all the ...

Dr. Salvador (aka Chainsaw Man) is about to get even scarier.What you need to knowResident Evil 4 VR will launch "exclusively" on the Oculus Quest 2 on October 21, 2021, at 7am PT/10am ET.The port will follow the storyline of the classic game, except with first-person combat instead of third-person. It'll also have new VR-specific controls.Side content like Separate Ways and The Mercenaries won't appear in this port.U.S.-based Armature Studios developed the port with help from Oculus Studios.Capcom has sold Resident Evil 4 on the Gamecube, PS2, Wii, iOS, Android, PS3, Xbox 360, PS4, Xbox One, PC, and Nintendo Switch. And we'll see it again with revamped graphics and gameplay next year with the upcoming Resident Evil 4 remake. But no matter how many times you've experienced the story before, RE4 will play fundamentally differently when it launches on the Oculus Quest 2 on October 21.Resident Evil 4 VR will play entirely in first-person, similar to the perspective we got i...

The safety features parents want, packed into a fun and functional watch kids like to use.My 9-year-old son wants a phone, but Mom and Dad aren't ready for that yet — and honestly, neither is he. However, getting him started with some tech, and teaching some responsibility, is something that we all want to explore These are some of the reasons I was exited to put together a GizmoWatch 2 review..Learning things other than just how to use a piece of technology and taking care of his possessions are important, but so is the etiquette of communication through said technology. Thus, a smartwatch with a cellular connection is an excellent first step towards learning those lessons.The list of excellent kids smartwatches is a short one for many reasons. But the GizmoWatch 2 has the tools I need as a parent and is simple enough to help my son learn how to begin using technology properly. Of course, while learning he also found some pure enjoyment from the watch — even if there are ...

Google is offering attractive discounts on home security packages as well.What you need to knowGoogle's birthday sale is now live in several countries across Europe, including the United Kingdom.Customers can get 20% off across a wide range of Google products. The sale is set to end at midnight on September 27. Google is offering a discount of up to 20% on a number of its popular products — including the company's best Android phones as part of its birthday celebration in Europe.Customers in the UK, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Sweden, and a few other countries across the old continent can also unlock bigger discounts on the Pixel 4a, Nest Audio, and Chromecast devices by finding hidden codes throughout the Google Store.To get 20% off products like the Pixel 5, Nest Hub Max, Pixel Buds-A series, Pixelbook Go, and the Stadia Controller, all you need to do is to enter the promo code "GOOGLEBDAY" at checkout. It is worth noting that not all Google products are eligible...

Obviously, having a robot vacuum comes with some considerable perks that just make life better. Going about my day is only that little bit more pleasant while surrounded by clean floors. Walking around barefoot doesn't leave the soles of my feet darkened with dirt, and I'm not regularly faced with the discomfort of small debris building up on the bottom of my foot. And, if I'm being honest, I don't always get all the sand out of my backpack, shoes, or pockets after a day at the beach, but the vacuum takes care of that. But that's just what you'd get from regular vacuuming in general. Having a robot vacuum has had some bigger effects that can't go unmentioned.Pet hair isn't the pest it once wasEven running vacuuming every weekend is hardly enough to keep up with all the animal hair in a household with several pets, especially if one of them is a long-hair cat or a shaggy dog. But, with a robot vacuum, I can schedule frequent cleanings to go around the apartment and keep the pet ...

While there are a great many things that we can finally access on the Galaxy Watch 4 thanks to Google Play: Gboard for better voice typing, a wider array of apps and watch faces, and Google Pay for Wear OS. While Samsung Pay is okay in its own right, Google Pay is more widely available and already has my card info from my Google Play purchases, and it probably has yours, too. That makes setting up Google Pay on the Galaxy Watch 4, the best Android smartwatch around, an absolute breeze.How to set up Google Pay on your Samsung Galaxy Watch 4As a warning, Google Pay requires a lock screen on your watch — just as it requires a lock screen when you use it on your phone. So you'll only have to unlock the watch when putting it back on your wrist after having it off for charging, showering, or other activities you don't want it on for (like gutting a pumpkin or dressing a turkey).Open the Google Play app on your Galaxy Watch 4.Tap the search icon.Speak or type Google Pay.Tap th...

The Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 series offers users a complete package when it comes to smartwatches. There's a lot to like, from running the latest Wear OS 3 software to the durable, well-designed hardware. In fact, you may love wearing this watch so much that you never want to take it off — except to charge, of course. But when you wear the smartwatch so much, it's bound to collect some grime on it, especially when you get in a good sweat during workouts. This means you'll want to be able to clean it really well, but how to clean the Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 may not be clear to you. Not to worry — we've got you.How to clean the Samsung Galaxy Watch 4The Galaxy Watch 4 has vaulted onto the list of best Android smartwatches and is getting a lot of wrist-time. Unfortunately, while there are some really great UV sanitizers, those won't get the dirt or other debris that may accumulate in some of the nooks and crannies of the watch.As for the steps to clean the smartwatch, the process...

Best answer: Philips Hue gradient lights emit multiple colors of light and are often found on light strips, while regular Philips Hue lights such as non-gradient light strips and light bulbs can emit 16 million different colors but not all at once.What's the difference between Philips Hue gradient and regular lights?Philips Hue has some of the most popular smart light bulbs around, but it doesn't stop there. If you're looking for smart lighting that's more original than a Philips Hue White Ambiance A19 bulb, Philips Hue has a collection of gradient lights. Gradient lights are most commonly featured on Philips Hue light strips, where you'll see the word gradient in the product name. These light strips aren't the same as standard Philips Hue light strips, such as the Philips Hue Lightstrip Plus.What sets a gradient light apart from a regular light is its ability to emit multiple colors at once and create a rainbow or ombre effect. On a light strip, this means that the gradient li...

Apps can be better than ever on the Galaxy Watch 4, but it doesn't matter if developers don't bring their A-game.I've had my Galaxy Watch 4 for a month now, and while I've never been more sure I made the right call buying this watch, with my own money, I've had some trepidations about recommending it to family members. Battery life and charging speeds lag behind the competition, and some of my coworkers returned theirs after experiencing overheating issues.My nitpicky approach to buying anything tech-related comes from my father, who is even more choosy about his phones, laptops, and accessories than I am. He's been asking about the Galaxy Watch 4 since its announcement in August, but I didn't want to tell him to buy a $250 watch if it wouldn't do the one thing he wants in a smartwatch: work with his golfing app. Now, he's tested my Galaxy Watch 4 while golfing and palling around Walt Disney World with me, and while the watch performed quite well, his app still lacks some importa...

Last week, the iPhone 13 lineup was finally available to the public. But the phones aren't cheap. The 13 Pro Max with 1TB of storage starts at $1,599. That's nearly the same price as the Samsung Z Fold 3 with 256GB of storage, priced at $1,799.While the iPhone boosts extraordinary photo and video capabilities, faster charging speed, and more storage, Android Central's Nicholas Sutrich says Samsung made all the right changes with the Z Fold 3 by "finally giving people a good reason to consider a foldable phone without making serious concessions."Which one would you choose? Do you prefer the iPhone 13 Pro Max or the Samsung Z Fold 3?While I have no intention of getting either phone, I was curious to find out what all I could buy for the same amount of money these devices cost.Best budget phoneThe first thing I wanted to figure out was how many budget phones I could get instead of buying these high-end phones?The Google Pixel 4a, which starts at $349.99, is considered one...

Arguably the most competitive division in the NFL right now, two of the AFC North's biggest guns go head-to head in Pittsburgh on Sunday.Read on for full details on how to watch Bengals vs Steelers, no matter where you are in the world.Pittsburgh come into the game looking to improve following an timid week 2 showing against the Raiders which saw them crash to a 17-26 defeat.That loss undid much of the positivity surrounding their impressive season-opening victory over the Bills, but the Steelers nevertheless will have approached today's game knowing that they've had the Bengals' number in recent years.The home side will have also drawn confidence from Cincinnati's week 2 defeat against the Bears, and how they made hard work of beating the Vikings in Week 1, having been in control only to get pushed out to overtime.Any sort of positive result for the Bengals in this game will likely be determined by how much protection is offered to Joe Burrow, with the beleaguered quarterbac...

Having hit some form after a horrendous start to the season, Gunners boss Mikel Arteta will be hoping his side can maintain their winning streak this afternoon against their great rivals.Read on to find out how to get an Arsenal vs Tottenham live stream from anywhere in the world.The Gunners faithful had been on the verge of becoming mutinous after losing their opening three fixtures of the new campaign.However, recent back-to-back wins over Norwich and Burnley have eased the tension and a derby win here today could see Arsenal leapfrog over their great local foes, which would likely shift the pressure Nuno Espírito Santo's way.The new Spurs boss made the perfect start to his tenure in North London, with the club sitting pretty at the top of the table after three 1-0 wins of their own.But two 3-0 defeats on the trot to London rivals Crystal Palace and Chelsea has seen them drop to seventh, making a third successive loss in the capital today unthinkable.Read on to find out...

The event is likely for new Nest devices and updates to Google Maps and Travel.What you need to knowGoogle is rumored to be holding an event on October 5 to announce new hardware products.The company could unveil new Nest products as well as updates to Google Maps and Travel.However, there's no mention of Google Pixel 6 being unveiled at the event.Google's October event schedule may include more than just announcements for Android 12 and the Google Pixel 6 series. According to a CNET post that has since been removed (a cached version is available here), the company plans to hold an event on October 5 for a few hardware unveiling and updates to some of its services.XDA Developers' Mishaal Rahman managed to grab some screenshots of the post before it was taken, revealing a few important details. First, it suggests that Google will introduce new Nest smart speakers and smart home devices on that day. The last time that Google unveiled a Nest product was in early August with ...

UFC is back in its hometown of Las Vegas, Nevada this weekend with a stacked card that in addition to featuring two title fights, will also see the long-awaited return of Nick Diaz and we have all the details on how you can watch UFC 266 on TV or online.At the top of the card, Australia's 32-year-old former Rugby League star Alexander "The Great" Volkanovski will take on the American 30-year-old Brazilian jiu-jitsu fighter Brian "T-City" Ortega in a featherweight title fight. Volkanovski and Ortega were originally scheduled to fight back in March but Volkanovski had to pull out of the match after contracting Covid-19.Going into tonight's fight, defending champion Volkanovski has a 19 fight win streak with 11 wins by knockout and three wins by submission. Ortega on the other hand won his last fight by decision during the fifth round against Chan Sung Jung back in October of last year. Before that though, he suffered a loss by TKO in the fourth round against Max Holloway all the w...

It doesn't seem to support voice chat on Android at the moment.Pokémon Unite is all about teamwork as 5v5 matches take place to see which team reigns supreme. While it supports voice chat on Nintendo Switch, this, unfortunately, isn't the case on mobile. Neither the Android nor iOS versions feature any voice chat functionality, limiting a team's ability to communicate effectively.This is especially disappointing when cross-play is supported, allowing mobile users to play with people on Nintendo Switch. The Pokémon Company hasn't stated whether or not voice chat is in the cards to be added at a later date. For now, players can only communicate using the text chat system within Pokémon Unite.Players can send out simple messages to teammates, communicating things like which role they will go for and where on the map they're headed. These are all pre-written options, but players can also type out a message of 49 characters or less to relay to their team.If you want to start...

Let's face it, living in the Android world is fantastic. Android users have many options when choosing the devices and software customizations that truly make our devices personal and unique. We often get these features years before other platforms do, if they ever do at all. However, one area that has been a pain point has been messaging and video chatting with our Apple-loving friends. Even though there are loads of good alternative apps, these folks still tend to prefer using iMessage and FaceTime. Well, the good news is, we won't be left off of those FaceTime calls any longer. So let's jump in and learn how to use FaceTime on an Android phone.How to use FaceTime on an Android phoneNow, this option is relatively new, having been released by Apple with its iOS 15 update in the fall of 2021, but it works on any of the best Android phones, budget devices, and even Windows PCs. Your Apple friends will have to initiate a video call, but your part as the recipient is pretty easy....

The battle of the foldable.This week, Microsoft finally took the wraps off the Surface Duo 2 with plenty of upgrades all around. The device features a largely similar slim chassis, but the internals have been greatly improved to better compete with some of the best Android phones of 2021. Compare that to last year's Surface Duo, which featured a previous-gen chipset at launch and a measly camera setup, and Microsoft seems to have a winner.But the Surface Duo is going against a heavyweight contender, the Galaxy Z Fold 3, which features a folding OLED display as opposed to a dual-screen. So naturally, we want to know which type of phone you'd prefer.Do you prefer foldable displays or dual-screen phones?A case can be made for either display type. Foldables are great when you want to watch fullscreen content like videos and movies but can also be suitable for viewing large, full screen. That said, the experience there isn't perfect, and Google and Samsung have been trying to imp...

Drive with friends or shoot at their cars with a paintball gun.What you need to knowRec Room will add Rec Rally, a six-car, multiplayer off-road racing game.The drivable vehicles can also be used for a road trip with friends or vehicle-on-vehicle combat with a paintball gun.The new driving feature and game come to the game across all platforms later this month.Social app and multiplayer video game Rec Room will add drivable vehicles for players to use on Oculus Quest 2, other VR headsets, PC, and consoles later this month, the developer announced during its annual Rec Con community event today.According to the developer, the vehicles can be used for a variety of possibilities such as going on a road trip with friends or using a paintball gun while in the driver's seat to shoot at other cars in vehicle-on-vehicle combat. Each vehicle will support dual-wielding objects while driving and has fully optimized controls across all platforms, including a clean intuitive feel on s...

PlayStation VR is increasingly becoming a larger platform, especially with the upcoming PS5 VR release. But no matter where you play your VR games, whether they be on PS4 or PS5, you're in for an incredible experience. With PlayStation unleashing new games almost every month, it's easy to get overwhelmed by what's out there. Here are some of the unreleased VR games slated to hit PSVR in the coming months. We look forward to adding some new titles to our best PlayStation VR games list, and we hope some of these catch your eye, too.Jump to:Song in the SmokeAfter the FallPuzzling PlacesStrideZenithWandererPuzzle Bobble 3D: Vacation OdysseySong in the SmokeAfter watching the trailer for Song in the Smoke, we were reminded heavily of Far Cry Primal. The prehistoric wilderness on display here is all about survival, forcing you to battle deadly predators for precious resources that might just keep you alive. Craft weapons, set up camp, and go out hunting for your nex...

I'm persistently pining away for another petite Pixel.We're firmly in the midst of another busy techtember, that time of year when the biggest names in the game — including Samsung, Apple, Microsoft, and Amazon — unveil their fancy new devices that will lead the industry forward over the next many months. Of course, one of the events that I'm most looking forward to is the upcoming Google Pixel 6 launch, as it promises to be one of, if not the most significant Pixel event ever.Make no mistake. I'll be first among those lining up (virtually, anyway) to get my hands on one of these new phones (I adore that lemon/lime green one!), but I'm a little put off by their sizes. The "regular" Pixel 6 has a 6.4-inch display, while the Pixel 6 pro has a massive 6.71-inch display. These are sure to be fantastic for consuming content and productivity purposes, but they're also likely to be hard on the hands and plenty in the pockets for many people.The Pixel 4a has been one of my favorite...

None of the parts that are yours will work without the parts that aren't.The Lithuanian Defense Ministry wants you to "throw away" your Chinese smartphone. Seriously — it advises you not to buy any smartphones made by Chinese companies and to throw away the ones you might already own because of the software that powers them.This stems from research that shows how flagship phones from Xiaomi, which are also some of the best Android phones, built for the European market, can detect and remotely censor things like any expression of freedom for Tibet or Taiwanese independence. Of course, this isn't all of the story. As many of us understand, this is normal for products sold in China — even Apple and Google bow to Chinese regulators when necessary. As we've seen before, sometimes Western software versions from Chinese brands leave tracking and censorship tools in place.To be perfectly clear: We reached out to Xiaomi directly, and a company spokesman adamantly denied actual wrong...