Latest from Android Central

Now you can have matching black or white controllers and headsets.What you need to knowSony announced a Midnight Black version of its Pulse 3D wireless PS5 headset.This color matches the Midnight Black PS5 DualSense controller that is already available.The Midnight Black Pulse 3D wireless headset is set to launch at some point in October.If you liked the functionality and price of the Pulse 3D wireless headset but wanted it available in a color other than white, your wish is granted. Sony announced on Wednesday that a Midnight Black version of its wireless PS5 headset is on the way. You can take a look at Sony's new video showcasing the headset below:Sony doesn't have a specific date for the new headset but notes that it'll be available sometime in October. This headset matches the Midnight Black PS5 DualSense, which was made available earlier in 2021. There's also a Cosmic Red controller but we don't appear to be getting a Cosmic Red headset, at least not yet.Overa...

A growing list that's only getting bigger.Xbox Game Pass for Android is here, and though the service supports hundreds of games, just over 100 of those support touch controls. The preferred method for playing these games may be to grab one of the best game controllers for Android, but you have the choice to go the old school mobile gaming route and just use the screen of your phone or tablet if you want to.Every game with touch controls on Xbox Game Pass (xCloud) for AndroidBanjo-KazooieBanjo-TooieBeholder: Complete EditionBlink: The Time SweeperBloodrootsBridge Constructor Portal Call of the SeaCelesteCities: SkylinesCrimson Skies: High Road to RevengeCris TalesDarkest DungeonDead Cells Desperados III Dirt 5Donut Country Double Dragon NeonDragon Quest XI S: Echoes of an Elusive AgeEastshadeEmpire of SinEnter the GungeonFable AnniversaryFable 2Fable 3Farming Simulator 19Fuzion FrenzyGears 5Genesis NiorGoing UnderGolf With Your FriendsGonner2Guaca...

The phone is a solid upgrade over the Mi 10T Pro in nearly every area.What you need to knowXiaomi 11T series is now official.Xiaomi 11T Pro is the company's first affordable flagship to support 120W charging speeds. The standard Xiaomi 11T comes with a Dimensity 1200 chipset, a 120Hz AMOLED screen, and 67W fast charging.Chinese smartphone maker Xiaomi announced on September 15 its first affordable flagships without the Mi branding: Xiaomi 11T and 11T Pro. The Xiaomi 11T is a follow-up to last year's Mi 10T, while the 11T Pro succeeds the Mi 10T Pro.Xiaomi's new 11T Pro sports a 6.67-inch FHD+ AMOLED TrueColor display with a 120Hz AdaptiveSync technology, a 480Hz touch sampling rate, and Corning Gorilla Glass Victus protection. It features Qualcomm's 5nm Snapdragon 888 chipset with vapor chamber cooling technology, up to 12GB of LPDDR5 RAM, and 256GB of UFS 3.1 storage.On the back of the Xiaomi 11T Pro is a triple-camera setup consisting of a 108MP main sensor, an 8MP ul...

Local app search is something that's been on the best Android phones for a while now, but Android 12 changes the interface a bit. With the update, Google combines local app search into a more universal local search which will return results for contacts, apps, and even system settings. This is a bit of a mixed blessing if you rely on just searching for apps. Plus, having results mixed in with contacts and other data can get a little busy. But there's a new layer added to this that can help.Appsearch is a new development for Android 12 that allows developers to tie in not only their app, but even functions and documents within those apps. For example, if you search for the word "new," you'll get the option to create a new document Docs or a new alarm in Clock. As a user, you just need to start searching, and you'll see what options are available to you. Here's how to do that.How to use local app search in Android 12Searching for an app on your Android 12 phone is as easy as open...

The feature will analyze snore-specific noises in your sleep environment and give you detailed results in the morning.What you need to knowFitbit is rolling out a new "Snore & Noise Detect" feature to its Sense and Versa 3 smartwatches.The feature will allow users to learn if snoring or the noise level in their surroundings may be disturbing their sleep.You can enable the feature from the "Sleep" page in the Fitbit app. The Fitbit Sense and Versa 3, which are two of the best Android smartwatches, have started receiving a new feature that enables them to "gauge snoring during sleep" (via 9to5Google).The feature uses the built-in microphone on the smartwatches to monitor noise in your sleep environment. Fitbit says the feature will help you "learn if snoring or the noise level in your sleep surroundings may be disturbing your sleep."If you have a Fitbit Sense or Versa 3 smartwatch, you can enable the new snore detection feature from the "Sleep" page within the Fitbi...

OnePlus went from strength to strength in 2021, but we've got a long wishlist for the upcoming 10 series.With the recent news that OnePlus won't be launching a 9T-series device in 2021, fans of the Chinese company will instead be looking ahead to the next generation of OnePlus phones. And while the brand's current flagship, the OnePlus 9 Pro, remains one of the best Android phones of the moment, that doesn't mean there aren't plenty of improvements we want to see in the OnePlus 10 series.From camera upgrades to software tweaks, these are the top 10 things we're hoping OnePlus will bring to its lineup in 2022.1. Superzoom camerasThis is arguably the biggest camera feature missing from OnePlus's current flagship. The 3.3X telephoto shooter used in the OnePlus 9 Pro has gone largely unchanged since its introduction in the OnePlus 7 Pro, so it's due a sizable upgrade. In addition, OnePlus's current zoom camera is weak in low light and lacks the resolution for any kind of useful h...

If you think upgrading your home with smart home products sounds difficult and expensive, know as frustrating as smart homes may sound, the experience is totally worth it — and doable. You can buy several smart home products for under $100 that provide tons of smart functionality. From smart speakers to devices that allow you to control lights or music with just your voice using smart home assistants like Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant, to smart plugs and the best smart outlets that transform coffeemakers or table lamps into smart ones you can control from your phone. Here are some of our top favorite affordable smart home products to help get you started.Colorful and compactGoogle Nest Mini (2nd Gen)Staff PickGoogle Assistant is probably baked into the phone you use daily, so it makes sense to stick with Google for your home smart speakers. The Google Home Mini is a colorful and compact smart speaker that lets you connect and control smart home products through the Go...

The Fairphone 4 5G could be a big upgrade over the Fairphone 3+.What you need to knowOfficial renders and key specs of the upcoming Fairphone 4 5G have leaked online.It is tipped to come with a 6.3-inch display, 6GB of RAM, and a 48MP camera.The sustainable 5G phone is expected to start at €600 in Europe.Last month, a listing on the Wi-Fi Alliance website suggested that Fairphone could soon unveil its first-ever 5G smartphone. While there's still no word on when the phone will launch, a Twitter user has spotted listings for the Fairphone 4 5G on a Swiss product comparison website. The listings not only include renders of the phone but also reveal some of its key specs and features.As you can see in the render above, the Fairphone 4 5G will have an all-new design that looks a lot more modern than the Fairphone 3+, which is one of the best sustainable phones on the market right now. It appears to have a triple-lens camera system on the back, while the selfie camera is hou...

Samsung is changing its aftercare device protection service for the new Galaxy Z Fold 3 and Flip 3 devices by having customers voluntarily subscribe to its Care+ program. While it may seem like they'll be spending more money this way, experts disagree and think customers will actually benefit from the service. Furthermore, they add that Samsung believes in its products enough to offer mainstream care protection.With previous generations of the foldable devices, Samsung offered Z Premier Service, which it called a "new approach to owner care." The service was only available for the Samsung Galaxy Fold, Galaxy Z Fold 2 5G, Galaxy Z Flip, and Galaxy Z Flip 5G. The service will run through the end of 2022, at which time customers will have the option to subscribe to Samsung Care+.The Z Premier Service was added to Samsung's foldable repertoire after the initial batch of Galaxy Fold units suffered a reputation hit when early reviewers found dust could easily enter the phone's hinge an...

Going back to Android 2.3, Google has included an Easter egg in every version of Android up to and including Android 12. You'll find it on any Android phone, and it's often a fun little game to play. Android 12 is no exception, and you can find it in the same place as most other Android Easter eggs. We'll show you how to track that down and how to unlock the final image.How to access the Android 12 easter eggThe process for locating the Android 12 Easter egg is very straightforward.Open Settings, scroll down, and tap About Phone.Scroll down and tap Android Version.Tap Android version three times very quickly.This will open up the game that precedes the Android 12 Easter egg. This is a clock face that's shaped like a gear or a circle with a serrated edge. Inside the clock face are a blue hour hand and grey minute hand. Initially, they'll be pointed at the 11:00 position with the minute hand pointing straight up and the hour hand pointing up and to the left.Anywhere you...

Among the many companies that make VR accessories for headsets like the Oculus Quest 2, KIWI Design is one of the most recognizable and revered. The company has been making great VR products for years, and its latest round of Quest 2 accessories proves that the company still has an edge over the competition in many ways. I've been using these Quest 2 accessories from KIWI for several weeks now and break down which ones you absolutely must buy.KIWI Quest 2 facial interface reviewAll new Oculus Quest 2 headsets might ship with a simple silicone face cover — and existing Quest 2 owners can request one — yet most face pads for VR headsets, in general, suffer from one big problem: lens fogging. So whether it's midwinter and your lenses are fogging up because they're cold, or it's the end of August, and the heat and humidity are the culprits for foggy lenses, the result is the same. Thankfully, KIWI's facial interface solves this problem no matter the season.The secret is in th...

The Google Pixel 6 Pro could come with automatic reverse wireless charging, five years of software updates, and more.What you need to knowA new leak of the Google Pixel 6 Pro has surfaced online, backing up some previous rumors surrounding the phone.The leak claims the upcoming device won't ship with Active Edge, contrary to previous rumors.It also spilled the beans on other key specs surrounding the phone's display, camera, battery, and more.Google's upcoming flagship smartphone might not come with Active Edge after all, a new leak has revealed. The feature has been a longstanding capability in some of the previous Pixel generations, allowing you to squeeze the sides of the phone to trigger Google Assistant.The latest information comes from XDA Developers' Mishaal Rahman, who shared a plethora of details about the upcoming Google Pixel 6 Pro. It debunks an earlier rumor that claimed the device would come with Active Edge. That feature was supported starting with the Goog...

Arguably the most intriguing of this week's opening Champions League group phase encounters, tonight's clash at the Nou Camp sees the once mighty hosts very much classed as the underdogs going into this fixture.Read on for your full guide to getting a Barcelona vs Bayern Munich live stream and watch this crucial Champions League clash online, no matter where in the world you are.The Catalan giants have made a reasonable start to their domestic campaign and are currently unbeaten in La Liga, but tonight's match will likely prove their most testing matchup so far of the new season.Now without departed Argentinian legend Lionel Messi and French striker Antoine Griezmann, the hosts must also make do tonight without injured key trio Ousmane Dembele, Sergio Aguero, and Martin Braithwaite as they line up against a formidable-looking Bayern side.The current German champions look in unstoppable form, with veteran striker Robert Lewadonski having scored in every Bayern match so far this ...

Long-live Nexus.What you need to knowThe Google Nexus Twitter account has sent its first tweet in four years.Google continues teasing the upcoming Pixel 6 amid the new iPhone 13 launch.OnePlus and Samsung have also joined in, poking fun at Apple's new smartphone.Apple unveiled its new iPhone 13 on Tuesday, and of course, Android manufacturers are taking a moment to poke fun, most notably Google, who is preparing for the launch of its own flagship Pixel 6.However, the company did not go through normal channels to tease Apple about its newest flagship. Instead, the company appears to have resurrected its old Google Nexus Twitter account with a simple tweet.The tweet is notable in that Google has not been active on the Nexus Twitter account in roughly four years, moving its hardware-related tweets to the @MadeByGoogle account. And since the account is private, only those that follow it are able to see it.Google has also updated the Pixel 6 splash page with a new image ...

The best cheap true wireless earbuds have become great over the past several years. The ones you typically hear about are super expensive. Still, there are some great budget options out there, such as the Creative Outlier Air V3, which offer fantastic battery life, exceptional comfort, and superb sound quality.Best overall: Creative Outlier Air V3It's hard to beat the Outlier Air V3 on battery life. Even compared to the best wireless earbuds, they outperform most of them with up to 10 hours of audio playback per charge at default volume. Add another three charges in the case, and you've got about 40 hours of total listening time. Creative also finally added wireless charging, making it easier to charge it when you don't want to plug in.Creative largely based the design on the previous Outlier Air V2, which are a little bigger, though used the same ear tips for improved fit and comfort. It also gives you a better seal to trap in more of the bass and preserve as much of the sou...

The JP crew talk about the Epic vs. Apple court ruling, Tripwire Interactive's now-former CEO, and everything announced at PlayStation Showcase 2021. Find a partner in life who speaks about you with the same level of affection that our hosts do about Venom!Hosted by: Jennifer Locke, Carli Velocci, and Rebecca SpearGot feedback? Hit up Podcast@androidcentral.com and tell us something!LISTEN NOW:LINKS:Tripwire Interactive CEO out after supporting Texas anti-abortion law on Twitter | Windows CentralEpic Games wins lawsuit victory against Apple over App Store payments | iMoreEverything announced at the PlayStation Showcase 2021 — Wolverine, God of War: Ragnarok, more | Android Central...

What is Ghostwire: Tokyo? There are a lot of unknowns, but it looks to be mysterious and creepy in the best ways possible.At Bethesda's E3 2019 press conference, they showed off two entirely brand new IPs — one of them was called Ghostwire: Tokyo. Creative director Ikumi Nakamura took the stage with a level of confidence, enthusiasm, and sincerity that immediately charmed the audience and deeply contrasted with the level of creepiness and dark aesthetic beauty of the trailer she led into. Whatever Ghostwire: Tokyo is exactly, the concepts for it presented in a CGI video look incredible.Since then, more has been revealed, with some significant footage shown during Sony's June 2020 PS5 showcase, the Future of Gaming. Nakamura is no longer on the project, Mikami is now director, and this game is a timed console exclusive. Here's what we now know about what could end up as one of the best PS5 games available:Jump to:What is Ghostwire: Tokyo?What is the story?Check out the ...

The new Android Auto UI is still pretty buggy, it seems.What you need to knowGoogle is reportedly testing a new interface for Android Auto.The UI change could make multitasking easier on cars with smaller displays.The new UI doesn't appear to be widely available just yet.As Google prepares to ditch the dedicated Android Auto for phones screens app on the best Android phones, the company is constantly trying to make Android Auto better on your car's screen. The latest test shows how the company could improve the experience for cars with smaller displays.A new UI has been spotted by AndroidWorld, which brings easier multitasking capabilities to Android Auto. The company recently launched a split-screen view for cars with large devices, but the new UI, codename "Coolwalk," brings similar functionality to small displays with a new overlay.From the looks of it, the new "Coolwalk" UI allows for tabs to appear over the map to give users access to music apps and notifications. ...

Gamers who play their Oculus Quest daily undoubtedly hate getting interrupted by a dying battery and should absolutely invest in one of the best Oculus Quest magnetic chargers. These VR headsets may provide a completely untethered experience, but as noted in our Oculus Quest 2 review, it has meager battery life. Meaning, after two to three hours, you'll have to sit carefully next to the power adapter to keep playing. With a USB-C magnetic charger or adapter, though, you'll have peace of mind knowing your headset won't get yanked to the ground if you accidentally pull on the cable. To work with a Quest or Quest 2, though, it must support fast data transfer speeds as well as quick charging, making the compatible picks below your best starting point. That's why our top pick is the Knaive USB-C magnetic adapter. It checks all the boxes.Best overall: Cafele USB-C Magnetic Cable and TipsThese cables and tips come in a matching two-pack or three-pack in your choice of colors. The smal...

It's finally live on Samsung's latest flagship phone a few months after it arrived for the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra.What you need to knowSamsung has pushed a new update to the Galaxy S21 Ultra with eSIM support.The latest release is available on the flagship device running the Android 12-based One UI 4.0.It is rolling out in phases to Samsung's flagship device.Samsung has begun rolling out eSIM support to the Galaxy S21 Ultra running the Android 12-based One UI 4.0 in the U.S. The latest change appears to have quietly arrived on the flagship device, and it's presumably available on the other Galaxy S21 devices as well.Android Central's Alex Dobie can confirm that the eSIM option is now live on his Galaxy S21 Ultra (U.S. version), as shown in the screenshot on the right. The feature doesn't come as a huge surprise, though, seeing as the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra picked up eSIM support from T-Mobile earlier this year alongside a security update.The release coincides with today's...

A veteran team and a strange new world.First revealed during the June 2020 "The Future of Gaming" PS5 showcase, Forspoken is a new IP from Square Enix. Though little of it was shown when it was revealed, its distinctive visuals and gameplay immediately captured the interest of gamers. We've since learned more of the game from Square Enix — though what we have learned is even more intriguing.Forspoken is a third-person fantasy action-adventure title and could possibly end up as one of the best PS5 games available, depending on how it pans out. Here's everything you need to know about Forspoken on PS5.Jump to:What is it?Check out some trailersGameplay and featuresIs it coming to Xbox?When does it release?What is Forspoken?Forspoken is a new IP being developed by Luminous Productions, a studio under Square Enix. Luminous Productions is primarily made up of developers who worked on Final Fantasy 15, with the studio itself founded in 2018. Final Fantasy 16 is ins...

Oculus Touch controllers have wrist loops that keep them from flying off, but you still have to keep a rigid claw grip on them at all times while playing. By installing a hand or knuckle strap, you can keep your controllers fully attached, even while letting go of them completely. We've collected the best Oculus Quest 2 hand straps — plus straps for the original Quest's different-sized Touch controllers — to make long VR gaming sessions more bearable.Best Oculus Quest 2 hand strapsThese hand straps are designed specifically for the third-generation Oculus Touch controllers that ship with the Oculus Quest 2. If you're looking for hand straps for the original Oculus Quest, check the section below this one.Best for comfortVR Cover Controller Grips for Oculus Quest 2Staff PickDesigned specifically for the new Touch controllers, these VR Cover grips have felt fabric straps that wrap around the back of your hand or knuckles, plus a plastic non-slip grip that won't bend ...

Breaking the loop can be time-consuming, but it doesn't need to be difficult.Developer Arkane has always billed Deathloop as a murder puzzle, encouraging (and even requiring) multiple playthroughs as players learn more information and make it one step closer to breaking the loop. Deathloop launched to rave reviews and quickly became one of the best PS5 games out there. If you're just picking it up and struggling to get started, we've rounded up a few tips and tricks to help you find your footing on the island of Blackreef.Turn off multiplayer if you wantWhile Deathloop does have a multiplayer component, where one person can play as Julianna trying to stop Colt from completing his mission, this can be turned off so you're only playing against NPCs. Should you want other players to invade your game, you can set it so that only friends can or that any random person can. Though its PvP aspect was marketed heavily, this is a single-player immersive sim from Arkane through and thro...

Whether you pre-ordered a Galaxy Watch 4 on Day 1 (welcome to the club) or you're just picking one up after hearing how much your friends are enjoying theirs, you'll find that even after the initial setup, there are quite a few important things to do. Topping that list is finding a way around Samsung's voice-to-text input.Samsung's not giving us a proper choice yet — but when there's a will, there's a wayYes, we can't switch Bixby out for Google Assistant yet — don't worry, it's coming likewise there's not an option to set a default voice-to-text engine yet. However, hope's not lost. We can get Google's dictation through Gboard's Wear OS keyboard, which offers superior voice recognition and easier editing if Google does mishear you.I'm really hoping that Samsung will get off its high horse and let other voice-to-text options be set as the default, but until then, here's our workaround. Because it works through the keyboard, it makes it much easier to edit your commands or r...

The best 5G network will have a good balance of speed and coverage with room to grow and added capacity as 5G adoption increases. 5G connectivity is now available to hundreds of millions of people in the U.S. thanks to improved support from phone makers and sub-6 5G networks. AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon all now offer 5G coverage with sub-6 and mmWave. While AT&T and Verizon anxiously await their expensive C-band spectrum release, T-Mobile has the best overall 5G network thanks to its wide sub-6 at both 600MHz and 2.5GHz coverage with room to grow with mmWave and C-band spectrum in the coming years.Best overall: T-MobileT-Mobile's 5G network covers more than 305 million people in the U.S., including a lot of coverage in rural areas. This is mostly thanks to T-Mobile's low-band 600Mhz (n71) spectrum, which offers excellent coverage and speeds comparable to fast LTE. T-Mobile is also improving its 5G network with Sprint's mid-band 2.5GHz (n41) spectrum in addition to its o...

The glasses weigh just 51 grams.What you need to knowXiaomi has showcased its first smart glasses concept.The Xiaomi Smart Glasses feature advanced MicroLED optical waveguide imaging technology. The smart glasses run Android and support the company's XiaoAI voice assistant.Xiaomi has unveiled an Android-powered smart wearable device that can display notifications, take photos, make phone calls, navigate, and a lot more. As confirmed by Xiaomi CEO Lei Jun, however, the Xiaomi Smart Glasses are a technology concept.The Xiaomi Smart Glasses use MicroLED imaging technology to achieve a form that is very similar to regular glasses. Xiaomi says it chose MicroLED over OLED as the technology offers a higher pixel density and a simpler structure that allows for a more compact display and easier screen integration.The Xiaomi Smart Glasses' display chip is just 2.4mm x 2.02mm in size, with each individual pixel sized at 4μm. Xiaomi claims the ultra-efficient monochrome displa...

Three games have been added to the Stadia store today.What you need to knowAssassin's Creed IV: Black Flag, Darksiders III, and Merek's Market are now available in the Stadia store to purchase.From Space gets a free online co-op multiplayer demo.Dead by Daylight and several THQ Nordic games are on sale for limited time.Three more games have been added to the Stadia store alongside a free multiplayer demo and discounts on several games, Google announced in a blog post today.The first game added to the Stadia store today is Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag. Ubisoft's sea-faring chapter of the Assassin's Creed franchise originally released in 2013 and can now be purchased from the Stadia store for $30. The second game is THQ Nordic's Darksiders III and the 2018 single-player action RPG can be bought in the store for $30 with a Stadia Pro subscription or $40 without.The final game added to the Stadia store today is Merek's Market, a game about managing a medieval shop. The S...

We want to talk with you about the Apple things.Today is a big day for Apple fans as Cupertino takes to the virtual stage to show off its latest and greatest products, which we expect will include plenty of new hardware announcements like the highly-anticipated iPhone 13. And yes, we may be an Android-focused site, but we like to talk tech wherever we can, and there's no way we're missing this, which is why we're inviting our readers to our Discord channel so that you can join in on the conversation.How to WatchThe Apple Event takes place today, September 14, at 10 a.m. PT/ 1 p.m. ET. Fortunately, there are a few ways you can watch the event. Still, perhaps the most obvious is using the Apple TV app, which is fortunately available on many of the best streaming devices, although there's still no Android app. However, you can also tune in on the Apple website or on YouTube, which we've linked to below, so there's no shortage of ways to watch the event for anyone interested in see...

Premium fireAmazon Fire TV Omni SeriesFrom $410 at AmazonProsBuilt-in, hands-free Alexa access4K UHD, HDR 10, HLG, and Dolby Digital PlusAvailable in sizes from 43 to 75-inchesPhysical privacy mute switchMake two-way video calls with a compatible webcam through Alexa CommunicationsConsOnly 65 and 75-inch models feature Dolby VisionDoesn't come with a built-in webcamAmazon's Omni Series represents its most premium entertainment experience. The TVs feature top-quality audio and video paired with hands-free Alexa controls, built-in privacy features, and an easy two-way video call setup. They are also available in five different sizes to fit any space.Fire for allAmazon Fire TV 4-SeriesFrom $370 at AmazonProsComes with new Alexa Voice RemoteA more affordable 4K UHD option4K UHD, HDR 10, HLG, and Dolby Digital PlusAvailable in sizes from 43 to 55-inchesConsNeed to use remote to invoke AlexaNot set up to handle two-way video calling wit...

A solid upgradeFitbit Charge 5$180 at AmazonProsGPS, HRM, NFCActivity/sleep trackingSpO2, ECG, EDA sensorsAMOLED displayAttractive designConsMore expensiveSome features only available with Fitbit PremiumIf you're looking for the latest and greatest fitness tracker, the Fitbit Charge 5 is where it's at. It's equipped with advanced health sensors and tracking features to keep users informed and on track to achieve their goals. The new design is thinner and more attractive, too.Still one of the greatsFitbit Charge 4$129 at AmazonProsGPS, HRM, NFCActivity/sleep trackingSpO2 monitoringLightweight designAffordable price tagConsNot as stylish as Charge 5Doesn't have ECG or EDA sensorsThere's nothing wrong with keeping things simple. The Fitbit Charge 4 is a good example of that. It has all the features most users need to enjoy their fitness tracking experience. If you don't mind the older design and lack of advanced health sensors, y...

Amazon Fire TV Stick 4KFire Powerhouse$25 at AmazonPros4K video playbackSlightly more RAMComes with Alexa Voice RemoteConsMore expensiveAlthough it's a little more expensive, the Fire TV Stick 4K has the best specs of any Fire TV Stick and brings with it the ability to stream in 4K.Amazon Fire TV Stick (3rd Gen) with Alexa Voice Remote (includes TV controls)Non-4K greatness$23 at AmazonProsSame storage and processor as 4K versionLess expensiveComes with Alexa Voice Remote including TV controlsConsNo 4K video playbackNo support for Dolby VisionIf you could care less about 4K video playback or support for Dolby Vision, the Fire TV Stick (3rd Gen 2021) is less expensive and performs just as well as its counterpart.In the battle for claiming the role of best streaming device for your home, the Fire TV Stick (3rd Gen 2021) vs. Fire TV Stick 4K are pretty similar. Both serve their roles, depending on what you are trying to achieve ...

Why would you need a game controller for your Samsung Galaxy phone? Samsung hasn't explicitly jumped into the world of gaming-specific smartphones, but since you're provided with some of the best specs to go along with amazing displays, Samsung smartphones, like the Samsung Galaxy S21, make for a perfect gaming experience. To make the most out of Xbox Cloud Gaming and other games on your phone, you'll need a great game controller to pair with it. Here are the best Galaxy S10 gamepads to get you started.Versatility at its finestRazer Kishi Mobile Game ControllerStaff PickRazer's Kishi controller is quite impressive. It not only fits just about every smartphone, but the USB-C port ensures low-latency gaming. When not in use, the two sides slide together, making for easy portability or storage.$55 at Amazon $55 at Best Buy $80 at WalmartUltra-versatileGameSir X2 Type-CThere are actually two versions of the GameSir X2, as the company has recently released an updated c...

Guardian Intrusion detection is getting a big upgrade.What you need to knowGuardian Intrusion Detection detects when an object enters your play area while you have your headset on.Space Space sense does this too, only it will also show you an outline of the object, pet or person in real-time.This was datamined a while ago.In the Oculus v32, the latest iteration of the Oculus operating system, Facebook and Oculus finally introduced an anticipated feature that's seemingly been in the works for a while. The new feature, Space Sense, automatically detects when something (or someone) is in the play area or enters it and then tells the player by displaying a model of said person, pet or object in the game.Guardian Intrusion Detection got replaced with Space Sense in the v32 Oculus Quest update pic.twitter.com/2pNHrptX8P— Bastian :D (@Basti564) September 11, 2021The feature uses the cameras attached to the front of the Quest to help keep your play area safe. Of course, thi...

The device could debut in India sometime early next month.What you need to knowRealme's first streaming stick will be powered by Google TV.The device is set to launch in India during Flipkart's Big Billion Days sale.Key features and specs of the Realme 4K Google TV Stick are yet to be revealed.After launching its first notebook and Android tablet, Realme could soon take the wraps off its first-ever streaming device. Although the BBK-owned company is yet to confirm the launch of the device, tipster Mukul Sharma (@stufflistings) has spotted the Realme 4K Google TV Stick in a poster for Flipkart's upcoming Big Billion Days sale.As its name suggests, the device will support 4K resolution and run on the Google TV platform. In terms of design, the device appears fairly similar to the third-generation Amazon Fire TV Stick. Unfortunately, however, the poster doesn't reveal anything else about the Realme 4K Google TV Stick.The Chromecast with Google TV is currently the only st...

Are you a fan of Pixel phones?What you need to knowGoogle is opening up invites to its program aimed at fans of Pixel smartphones.The program will offer exclusive access to Q&As, events, swag, and more.U.S. residents can sign up now.Ahead of the launch of its upcoming Pixel 6, Google is giving fans of its Pixel phones more ways to come together by opening up its Pixel Superfans community program.Google describes Pixel Superfans as a "VIP experience for Pixel lovers," giving members access to exclusives such as a member-only Facebook group, Q&As, events, offers, and more. We were inspired to create the Pixel Superfans community because we know many of you love Pixel as much as we do, and we wanted to create a space where we could get to know each other. It's been a blast getting to know everyone so far, and we hope you'll join this growing community.Members have opportunities to share insights and ideas with the Pixel team, which could potentially help ...

Best answer: IP ratings refer to the "International Protection Marking" ratings given after a series of tests were performed to see how much dust and water can enter your phone and under what circumstances. Each number and letter stands for a different level of protection, and the full list of them follows below.Tougher phonesManufacturers are making Android phones more rugged than they used to be. It's a big selling feature. Phones from Samsung, Motorola, and even Google now come with some degree of water- and dust-resistance. You can even pick from the best rugged Android phones. What those numbers represent are important deciding factors for many when spending cash on a new phone.You'll usually see "ruggedness" described with an IP rating or a MIL-STD rating, or both. Those are standards (loose ones in some cases) that determine how resistant something is from the elements. Things like water-resistance, shock (both electrical and physical), temperature, air pressure, and a h...

Some of the best Android phones also have the best battery life. What good is your phone if the battery dies too soon? If you use your phone hard and don't have the option to charge throughout the day, battery life is your number one priority when shopping for your next phone. Thankfully, several great options focus on battery life and won't give up halfway through the day — including the Galaxy S21 Ultra as our top overall pick.Our pickSamsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G - SmartphoneStaff PickSamsung took a modest step forward in 2021, except when it comes to the Galaxy S21 Ultra. Samsung pulled out all the stops on its S21 superphone with a 10x optical Zoom, QHD+ 120 Hz screen, and 4,500 mAh battery. Of course, if you want this phone to be a battery champ, you can ratchet down the refresh rate to 60Hz and FHD+ resolution. But overall, it's hard to go wrong with the best of the best Samsung has to offer.From $800 at Amazon From $1,000 at Best BuyIs it a phone?Asus ROG Phon...

What you need to knowMetro by T-Mobile and T-Mobile are coming to 2,300 Walmart stores and Walmart.com.This deal more than doubles T-Mobile's presence in large national retailers.Metro by T-Mobile plans and devices will be available starting October 18, followed by T-Mobile on November 1.T-Mobile and Walmart announced that Metro by T-Mobile plans and devices will come to Walmart retail locations followed by T-Mobile. The carrier's services will be available in 2,300 Walmart locations as well as Walmart.com. T-Mobile is also looking to expand into around 1,000 Best Buy locations.While T-Mobile already has locations across the country inside stores, this deal with Walmart will more than double T-Mobile's presence in large retail locations, not to mention T-Mobile's own stores around the country.Starting October 18, 2021, Metro by T-Mobile's three unlimited plans and affordable 5G devices will be available in Walmart stores and on Walmart.com. Metro by T-Mobile is a prepaid ...

Best answer: It depends on the size of your house, but three or four well-placed Echo speakers should give you decent coverage with Alexa assistance. The choice now comes down to where you think you'll best use Alexa. The most popular areas would be in the bedroom, living room, and kitchen.The original, upgraded: Amazon Echo (4th Gen)Just in time: Amazon Echo Dot with Clock (4th Gen)From every angle: Amazon Echo Show 10 (3rd Gen)Finding the right Echo products for the rooms in your homeJust how many Amazon Echoes do you need in your home? Deciding on the best Alexa speaker to get, along with how many, are tough questions to answer since every house is different, and everyone has a unique preference. There are many Alexa-compatible devices that you can choose to make your home a truly smart home. An Amazon Echo (4th Gen) is a great place to start because it's Amazon's best-sounding speaker for the price. From there, either an Echo Dot with Clock (4th Gen) or an Echo Show 10 ...

The lawsuit alleges that Amazon is not favorable to third-party resellers.Update, Sept 13 (10:45 a.m. ET): DC AG files amended lawsuit targeting Amazon's 'Minimum Margin Agreement' with first-party sellersWhat you need to knowDC's Attorney General filed a lawsuit against Amazon alleging that the company fixes online retail prices.DC AG says that the practices aren't helping third-party resellers.Amazon has been under anti-competitive scrutiny for over a year now.DC's Attorney General has filed a lawsuit against Amazon to end anti-competitive practices that have raised prices for consumers and stifled innovation and choice across the platform.Karl Racine alleges in a press release that Amazon's fixes online retail prices through contract provisions and policies to third-party sellers. The press release said that these provinces and policies are considered the "most favored nation," which prevents third-party sellers from offering the same products at lower prices on othe...

Best answer: Yes, Tello uses the T-Mobile network for its customers, including LTE and 5G support. All Tello plans come with 5G support, but you may need to upgrade your phone to use it.Does Tello support 5g?Tello uses the T-Mobile network for all of its connectivity with full LTE and 5G support. While some customers with older Tello activations may still be using the Sprint network, these people will be transitioned to the T-Mobile network soon with a phone upgrade or may have already been moved over if they have a compatible phone.To get access to 5G on Tello, you'll need a phone capable of using T-Mobile's 5G network— that's band n71 for most coverage and n41 for improved speeds. Most of the best Android phones available today support this network, including Samsung's Galaxy S20 and S21, 5G Google Pixels, and even iPhone 12 phones. There are also cheaper Android phones with 5G, such as the OnePlus Nord N200 5G sold by Tello.T-Mobile's 5G network covers 305 million Amer...

The Snapdragon SM6375 could be positioned somewhere between the Snapdragon 690 and Snapdragon 778G.What you need to knowQualcomm is reportedly working on two new chips for mid-range and budget devices.The Snapdragon "SM6375" is tipped to be a gaming-focused chip with support for 144Hz displays.A follow-up to the Snapdragon 665 with an integrated 5G modem is also said to be on the way. A report from German tech publication WinFuture claims Qualcomm is readying new Snapdragon 600 series chipsets — including what could be its first lower mid-range gaming chipset.Per the report, the upcoming Qualcomm SM6375 is an octa-core chipset with four Gold cores running at up to 2.5 GHz and four Silver cores clocked at up to 2.2 GHz. A total of four SKUs are currently in testing, with different clock speeds. The clock speed of the GPU is also said to vary between 800 and 960MHz, depending on the SKU.More interestingly, the report claims Qualcomm is testing developer platforms featur...

Turns out, the last place our readers want Facebook, is on their faces.What you need to knowThis weekend, we asked our readers if they would consider purchasing Facebook's new Ray-Ban smart glasses.An overwhelming 85% answered, "not in this lifetime."Less than 6% said they would indeed purchase the smart glasses.Last week, Facebook announced that it had partnered with sunglass maker Ray-Ban to create its own AR smart glasses, called Ray-Ban Stories. Designed to look like the iconic sunglasses, Ray-Ban Stories adds smart photo and video capture, open-ear audio, and the ability to customize with prescription lenses. As a physical product, Ray-Ban stories certainly look impressive, but we wanted to know how our readers felt about the company behind these new wearables.We weren't all that surprised that a large percentage of our readership was opposed to the idea of a Facebook wearable, but it was interesting to see just how decisive that opposition was. Nearly 85% answered t...

The Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 was something I wanted so badly, but ultimately, it let me down.Like many smartwatch fans and tech enthusiasts, when all of the rumors panned out to be true that the Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 series was going to be ditching Tizen in favor of a new Wear OS 3 — I couldn't have been more excited. From Samsung's history of excellent hardware design to the snappy performance produced by its custom processors, I was ready to give Samsung my money. So the day the Galaxy Watch 4 was announced, I placed my pre-order, and the watch has been on my wrist since it arrived — until today.Let me start by saying that Samsung did everything I could have asked for from a hardware perspective. I have a Galaxy Watch Active 2 that I enjoy for many reasons, hardware being a big one. The design changes that Samsung made from the Active 2 to the Galaxy Watch 4 were just enough to make it the perfect fitness watch for me. Then with the inclusion of the new health-tracking metho...

Arkane's experience with stealth, action, roguelikes, and kicking all come together.I've been a longtime fan of the types of games Arkane makes, so I was a bit worried going into Deathloop that it might not retain the unique structure that makes an Arkane game different. My fears were unfounded and in the 18+ hours I've spent on my PS5 exploring Blackreef and killing Visionaries in increasingly elaborate ways, I've had a blast.Deathloop is a game where you have to figure out different pieces of a puzzle, shuffling an always-resetting board of characters and actions, and manipulating it for the right outcome. With so many pieces that have to fall into place to solve the loop, it's only fitting that Deathloop is a culmination of all the immersive sims that Arkane has worked on before.The stealth and action of Dishonored, the puzzles of Prey, and the roguelike structure of Prey: Mooncrash all come together here in a whirlwind of calculated violence. I'm extremely happy to say that...

Android 12 is drifting ever closer to its final release on Pixel phones, with beta 5 available now.Android 12 is "the biggest design change in Android's history," according to Google, and it'll arrive on compatible devices before you know it. The Android 12 beta has been available since May, giving us months to explore its colorful new UI, Material You. And so far, it has truly lived up to Google's boast.The new OS customizes and enlivens your phone screen without needing an Android launcher or icon pack. Beyond that, Android 12 will add quality-of-life improvements like a Privacy Dashboard, scrollable screenshots, approximate location, faster animations, smarter notifications, and tons of other long-requested features. Compared to Android 11, Android 12 is much flashier while making equally substantive changes.The new OS will most likely arrive on Pixel phones in late September; we only have one more beta release to go. As for the rest of the best Android phones, it'll var...

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

An incredible tablet for a market that isn't quite there.Update, February 2021: Galaxy Tab S7+ review, six months laterThe Galaxy Tab S7+ is the latest and greatest in Samsung's continued effort to keep Android tablets alive — but Android tablets often get a bad rap for their lack of properly optimized apps that scale well to large screens. With such a diminutive market share, there simply hasn't been much incentive for developers to create separate tablet versions of their apps for anything but the iPad.While Samsung can't singlehandedly force developers to suddenly upend their entire business model, the company has done a tremendous job at mitigating the app support problem with clever software of its own, while at the same time offering incredible hardware that rivals any tablet to come out of Cupertino.In my time with the Galaxy Tab S7+, I've found myself both impressed by the relatively polished software experience and frustrated at the pervasive shortcomings of An...

The Mi 2K Gaming Monitor is great not just for gaming but also day-to-day use.Xiaomi is primarily known for making the best Android phones, but the Chinese manufacturer has ventured into dozens of categories over the last five years. From rice cookers to routers, robot vacuums, laser projectors, and TVs, Xiaomi offers a smorgasbord of products, and one area where it is gaining momentum is the gaming segment.Xiaomi rolled out its first gaming monitor at the end of 2019, a 24-inch 1080p option that's aimed at the Chinese market. The brand also released a 34-inch ultrawide gaming monitor, and launched it in global markets last year. Xiaomi is now introducing a new monitor in this series, and there's a lot to like. The Mi 2K Gaming Monitor 27 is a 27-inch QHD monitor with a 165Hz refresh rate panel, minimal bezels, and a rotating stand that makes it easy to swivel.Best of all, the monitor has HDR, a feature that was missing on the ultrawide monitor last year. There's overwhelming c...

The supposed public release date for Android 12 is a little bit late compared with its predecessors.What you need to knowAn internal document hints at a tentative release date for the stable version of Android 12.Google's next Android version is likely to roll out to the public in early October, starting with the Google Pixel devices.However, the stable Android 12 update might take a few months to reach non-Pixel phones.The long wait for the stable version of Android 12 might be over three weeks from now. Google is highly likely to release the next version of Android to consumers in early October.An internal Google document, spotted by XDA Developers' Mishaal Rahman, claims that the company is set to release the source code for Android 12 on October 4 to the AOSP (Android Open Source Project). XDA noted that the AOSP release typically coincides with the day when Google kicks off the public release for a new Android version. Rahman tweeted: The Android 12 stable update...