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Demand for Chromebooks is expected to remain strong in the second quarter.What you need to knowSales of tablets and Chromebooks continued to rise in the first quarter of 2021.Preliminary data from IDC shows a total of 13 million Chromebooks were shipped in Q1 2021, up from 2.8 million during the same period last year.HP was the biggest Chromebook vendor in the January to March period, with a market share of 33.5%. Chromebook sales skyrocketed last year as the pandemic made studying and working from home the new normal. According to preliminary data from the IDC's worldwide quarterly personal computing device tracker, sales of Chromebooks and tablets remained strong in the first quarter of 2021.While only 2.8 million Chromebooks were shipped in the first quarter of 2020, total shipments reached 13 million units in Q1 this year. HP, which was held the third spot in Q1 2020, was the biggest Chromebook vendor in Q1 2021, with a market share of 33.5% and 633.9% YoY growth. L...

Had iMessage come to Android in 2013, Google would have less competition in the U.S., but the biggest loser would have been Facebook.In 2013, Apple's senior VP of software and services Eddy Cue wanted to bring the iMessage service to Android, but the idea was nixed by other Apple executives, including Apple's SVO of software engineering Craig Federighi. Ever since, there have been a lot of people who wish it could have happened.Of course, this would have had an impact. Many people think iMessage is the best messaging app available, and with the iPhone holding a large portion of the market in the U.S. and the U.K., sales numbers might look a little different. But neither Google nor Apple is the winner here. Instead, both lost the battle to Facebook because Apple didn't make iMessage cross-platform.Apple's future would have changedThere are people who won't use any messaging app except iMessage. In fact, those people sometimes refuse to talk to someone who isn't sending a blu...

The iPad Pro is eating Google's lunch, so where's the Lenovo Duet Pro?Google's Chrome OS powers more than just laptops. From devices as large as desktops to small children's tablets, the operating system is flexible enough to work on a variety of devices. While Chromebooks have been steadily creeping higher in price and specs over the past couple of years, the same can't be said about Chrome tablets. Yes, we've seen some excellent ones like the Lenovo Duet, which perform well for their price. Still, it's been a while since we've seen one that could take on the likes of the iPad Pro or Surface Pro and make a good argument for why you should pick it over those devices, and that's a real shame. The Pixel Slate was the first and last prosumer Chrome OS tablet.Before Chrome tablets were a thing, Google once pushed Android tablets as iPad rivals. It had its own Nexus tablet line, and every other Android manufacturer had an Android tablet at one point. There's an argument to be mad...

I want to love this laptop, but it still needs a bit more refining.The processor diversity on the best Chromebooks has expanded nicely over the last year, with Ryzen processors arriving on the ThinkPad C13 and the Snapdragon 7c first announced for Chromebooks last October. We've been waiting on the Acer Chromebook Spin 513 for a solid six months now, with some questioning if the model had been canceled after the silent delays surrounding its release.Now, the wait is over for the Acer Chromebook Spin 513, and while there's generally a lot to like about this laptop, what makes it unique also makes it a liability for at least the next few months: it's using a budget processor that's not fully optimized yet. In short, the Acer Chromebook Spin 513 is a perfectly fine laptop being held back by its chipset.At a glanceAcer Chromebook Spin 513 ...

Samsung didn't ship a charger with the Galaxy S21, but we can still hope for its next flagships. Or not.What you need to knowSamsung just launched the Galaxy Book Pro with a new, smaller USB-C charger.The fast charger is based on Gallium nitrate (GaN) and can achieve 65W charging speeds.Samsung has stated that it will gradually remove chargers from the in-box packaging of its smartphones, meaning it's unlikely its upcoming flagships will ship with GaN chargers.Samsung just launched its new Galaxy Book Pro laptops at its recent Galaxy Unpacked event, with impressive design, specs, and mobile-focused features. Both offer thin designs, FHD AMOLED displays, and fairly large batteries. Samsung claims as much as eight hours of battery life from a 30-minute charge thanks to its new 65W fast charger, but the real story might be what the new charger is made with.Samsung made quite a deal over its new Gallium nitride (GaN) charger at Unpacked. If you're not familiar, Gallium nitrid...

These new updates are available in the U.S.What you need to knowGoogle Pay in the U.S now works better with local stores and transit systems.The app can now highlight deals from Target and Safeway.Google is also adding Chicago and the Bay Area to the list of supported transit systems.Google today rolled out several new updates to the Google Pay app in the U.S., helping users with the best Android phones manage their money better.First, the app now offers integration with Safeway and Target. It will surface deals from either store when a user searches for Safeway or Target in the app. Alternatively, enabling location access and passing by these stores should pop up a notification that'll show off weekly deals.Google's Josh Woodward explained in a blog post: We teamed up with Safeway to make it easy to find weekly grocery deals from the Google Pay app. You can find deals on thousands of items across more than 500 Safeway stores nationwide. You can also discover simila...

Moving Prime Day should help Amazon in Q2.What you need to knowAmazon's Q1 2021 financial earnings have been released, showing a 44% increase in sales.The company expects the momentum to continue into Q2 as a result of increased online shopping.Prime Day has been moved to later this quarter, which is expected to bolster the company's Q2 earnings.Amazon has just announced its Q1 2021 financial earnings, reporting a substantial gain in earnings. That includes a 44% year-over-year increase in sales, which helped Amazon accrue more than $108 billion in revenue. The growth is undoubtedly a result of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, which led to more online shopping in many countries that faced lockdowns. It also shows its continued strength as it prepares for the upcoming transition to its new CEO-elect.Amazon CFO Brian Osofsky discussed how the company expects this strong momentum to continue in Q2, despite the pandemic seemingly winding down and more countries starting to open...

It looks like we'll have a lot of fun hopping between dimensions very soon, and the power of the PS5's SSD is on full display.What you need to knowToday's State of Play showcased 15 minutes of new gameplay from Ratchet and Clank: Rift Apart.We recently learned that the female Lombax is named Rivet.Ratchet and Clank: Rift Apart will launch on June 11, 2021 as a PS5 exclusive.Insomniac unveiled over 15 minutes of new Ratchet and Clank: Rift Apart PS5 gameplay during today's State of Play. The game's looking gorgeous and seems to be a potential hit for PlayStation this summer, when so many games have already experienced delays.The demo showcased gameplay between Ratchet and Rivet as Insomniac explained the benefits you'll receive from the DualSense and PS5's SSD. Though we only got a taste of the early game, there's plenty to look forward to with puzzles to solve, open areas and pocket dimensions to explore, and armor to collect. There's also a ton of accessibility optio...

A surprise software update provides better playback controls for the Chromecast with Google TVWhat you need to knowGoogle released a surprise update for the Chromecast with Google TV.The new software version number is QTS1.210311.005, along with an update for the Voice Remote.After downloaded, you'll be provided with better granular controls over your video playback settings.One day after gaining HDR10+ certification, the Chromecast with Google TV received a surprise update overnight. The latest update brings the software up to version QTS1.210311.005 while still being based on Android 10. There's also a new update for the included Voice Remote, bringing that version software from 24.5 and up to 24.7, but you'll want to double-check the remote settings to find and download that update as it's done separately.Within the update, there are quite a few features included, all primarily focused on providing the Chromecast with Google TV with more control over content playback. ...

Get ready to murder your friends on console. Don't act sus.What you need to knowDuring today's State of Play, PlayStation revealed that Among Us is coming to PS4 and PS5.It will hit PlayStation consoles sometime this year.Among Us became a smash hit online in 2020, nearly two years after its initial release.Before Ratchet and Clank: Rift Apart took the stage at today's State of Play livestream it was revealed that Among Us will be coming to PS4 and PS5 sometime later this year.The PS4 and PS5 versions will include an exclusive Ratchet and Clank skin, hat, and pet. It will also feature cross-play and online multiplayer (of course) according to the developer. New content is constantly being added as the studio wants to support Among Us for a very long time.The social deduction game became insanely popular in 2020, nearly two years after its initial release. It became such a huge hit that the studio cancelled a sequel in favor of supporting the first game. It's already...

Every PlayStation Now game is available to stream to your PC, meaning over 800 games are at your fingertips if you're a subscriber. For anyone starting these games on PS4 or PS5 and then wanting to pick up on PC where you left off, you'll need a PlayStation Plus membership to transfer your cloud saves. Though you can access these saves through the PS Now app on PC, you'll need to transfer them from the console first in order for it to work. It's a quick and easy process once you know what to do.How to transfer PS4 & PS5 saves to PlayStation Now on PCHover over the game on your home screen. Press the Options button on your controller.Select Upload/Download Saved Data.Next to Console Storage, select Upload.Either choose Upload All or Select and Upload to upload specific game saves. How to transfer multiple PS4 & PS5 saves to PlayStation Now on PC in bulkNow, if you have a lot of game saves you'd like to transfer over and don't want to go through each game to d...

Best answer: Although Visible is powered by Verizon's LTE and 5G network, only select phones are compatible. This includes many popular devices, such as the Galaxy S20 family, the Pixel 4a and 5 series, and the Moto Edge. If you prefer Team Apple, the iPhone 6 up to the iPhone 12 Pro Max is fully supported.-Great choice: Visible $40/mo. at Visible-Incredible camera: Google Pixel 4a $350 at Amazon-Awesome 5G experience: Moto Edge $400 at AmazonVisible only works with select Android phonesVisible is one of the most enticing carrier options on the market right now. Still, at least for the time being, the most significant limiting factor is its lineup of supported top Android phones.GooglePixel 3Pixel 3 XLGoogle Pixel 3aGoogle Pixel 3a XLPixel 4Pixel 4 XLPixel 4aPixel 5Hot PepperHot Pepper GhostLGG8G8 ThinQStylo 5/M7Stylo 6V40MotorolaMoto EMoto E6Moto EdgeMoto G powerMoto G7 powerMoto Z4OnePlus8 Pro87 Pro7TSamsungGalaxy A11...

Spotify is making your library more dynamic.What you need to knowSpotify has announced its new Your Library layout for the mobile app.The new layout features dynamic filters to switch between music, podcasts, playlists, and different sorting options.The update will roll out to Android and iOS users "in the coming week."Spotify is making some welcome changes to its mobile app to simplify the experience. The company recognizes that ever-growing music libraries can be difficult to manage and browse through, so it's introducing a new UI for Your Library that should help streamline things quite a bit.The new update rids the tabbed view found on the current version of Your Library, replacing it with dynamic filters to quickly jump between playlists, podcasts, albums, and more. Users can even combine filters; for example, you can select "Playlist" along with "Downloaded," so the app will only show you offline playlists when you're on the go. It makes it a little easier to quickl...

Now's your chance to get the Xiaomi Mi Band 6, if you don't care about having NFCWhat you need to knowPre-orders have opened for the global version of the Xiaomi Mi Band 6.This version is not equipped with NFC for mobile payments.The Mi Band 6 offers a large upgrade over last year's model.After making its initial appearance at the end of March, Xiaomi's Mi Band 6 is finally ready for primetime in more regions than just China. The fitness tracker has appeared on Amazon and seemed to quickly sell out before being re-listed again while also making an appearance on Walmart.The Mi Band 6 sports a 1.56-inch AMOLED display with more than 60 different watch faces to choose from, along with plenty of health and fitness tracking sensors for all of your needs. These include the all-new SpO2 sensor for monitoring your blood oxygen saturation levels, along with heart rate tracking, sleep monitoring, female health-tracking, and the ability to keep track of more than 30 different workou...

Two very consistent quarters of sales bode well for the future.What you need to knowQuest 2 sales estimates show that the VR console has now sold in upwards of 5 million units in just 6 months.The previous best-selling VR headset, PlayStation VR, took 5 years to reach this same milestone.The majority of VR developers are now developing Quest games, showing an overall shift in the market.Facebook released its Q1 2021 earnings report and it paints quite a rosy picture for the company's involvement in the future of VR and AR devices. Lining up with the previous quarter — where developers and analysts alike estimated the Oculus Quest 2 sold between 2-3 million units — Quest 2 seems to have sold another 2 million units so far in 2021, according to analysts. If estimates are correct, that means that the Quest 2 now has an install base of up to 5 million users; a milestone that's incredibly impressive when compared to any other before it.Up until now, the most successful VR ...

This issue affects the Google Nest Hub first generation.What you need to knowGoogle Nest Hub owners are experiencing severe display issues.Users report display banding, as well as screen burn in on affected units. It's not clear just how widespread this problem is.While Google makes really good software, its hardware is often no slouch. The company ships some of the most 'helpful' devices around, but sometimes little bugs creep in here and there to tarnish the experience. Some Google Nest Hub owners are experiencing a particularly debilitating issue on their Nest Hub screens. Particularly, the smart display begins to showcase weird fuzzy lines and fall victim to screen burn-in. For a device that's more or less meant to almost always be on, these would all but render them useless.There are reports on this from Reddit on the Google Home subreddits as well as on the Google product support forums. Users are advised to reset their devices, but it appears to be a hardware faul...

Best answer: The higher, the better! According to PlayStation, 5 Mbps is the minimum requirement to stream PlayStation Now. However, this is the minimum, and even at high speeds, players have noticed input lag and compression.If you haven't already subscribed: PlayStation Now $60/year at AmazonPlayStation NowPlayStation Now may not be the hugely popular service that Xbox Game Pass is for players. However, the subscription service has a ton of value. It offers more than 800 games spanning some of the best that PS2, PS3, and PS4 offers and adds new games monthly. However, if you're a member of PlayStation Now and find yourself ready to get rid of your subscription, doing so is incredibly easy.Check your internet speedsSony PlayStation recommends a minimum download speed of 5 Mbps to stream PlayStation Now. This also happens to be its recommendation for Share Play and Remote Play. It's a nice, safe number that most ISP's can provide and a majority of PlayStation customers ca...

Troubleshooting your new console? You're not alone.The PS5 is here, marking the start of the next generation of consoles along with the Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S. The PS5 brings a host of new features and improvements to its system performance, thanks to its new custom CPU and GPU and its new ultra-high-speed SSD that makes load times shorter than ever before. With games like Demon's Souls and Spider-Man: Miles Morales, the PlayStation 5 is already a force to be reckoned with.But with the arrival of every new console generation comes a new generation of issues and bugs. Software and hardware bugs are not uncommon but will definitely hinder the enjoyment of your new console. We've rounded up all of the known bugs and issues you may encounter, as well as any know workarounds that might help.PS5 GuidesHow to transfer games and save dataHow to attach the PS5 baseHow to set up parental controlsHow to connect to Wi-FiHow to increase download speedsHow to manage multip...

The complete pictureRing Video Doorbell 3 Plus$200 at AmazonProsPre-Roll video2.4 GHz and 5.0 GHz Wi-Fi 1080p HD videoAdvanced Motion DetectionConsNo Google Assistant integrationA bit priceyThe Ring is bringing you some new features with its Video Doorbell 3 Plus. The addition of Pre-Roll video gives you four seconds of video before the detect event. This helps get a better idea of what happened leading up to the notification from your doorbell.A solid upgradeRing Video Doorbell 3$180 at AmazonPros2.4 GHz and 5.0 GHz Wi-Fi 1080p HD videoAdvanced Motion DetectionLess expensiveConsNo Pre-Roll videoNo Google Assistant integrationThe Ring Video Doorbell 3 carries all of the same upgrades as the Plus version, aside from the higher price tag and the Pre-Roll. The Ring Video Doorbell 3 is a quality upgrade over Ring Video Doorbell 2 due to the addition of the 5.0 GHz Wi-Fi and Advanced Motion Detection.The Ring Video Doorbell 3 v...

The OnePlus 6T is getting Android 11... not soon enough.What you need to knowAndroid 11 beta will reach the OnePlus 6 and 6T later this year.OnePlus has addressed several other community questions regarding its latest smartphones.A fix is coming to the OnePlus 9 and 9 Pro to improve connection to Android Auto.Android 12 is soon to end its developer preview and move into beta, which should hopefully hit some of the best Android phones like those from OnePlus. Meanwhile, the company is still working on bringing Android 11 to some of its older devices like the OnePlus 6T. In a community post on Thursday, OnePlus gave a time frame for when the OnePlus 6 and 6T would receive the update. The Android 11 Open Beta version for the OnePlus 6 & 6T is scheduled to be released at the end of August, please stay tuned for our Community posts for more details.While this is good news for those devices, it still means that the update is several months away. It also means that the ...

The immensely popular MOBA is finally on mobile.League of Legends has been a wildly successful game on PC since it launched in 2010, and now developer Riot Games is taking it to a larger mobile audience. League of Legends: Wild Rift is the mobile version of the PC game, but it's not a straight port. The game has been rebuilt from the ground up for mobile platforms, giving players a well-rounded experience no matter their preferred platform."Our overall approach was to create an authentic League experience on new platforms, and we knew we had to make some adjustments to the game, the champs, and the controls to really deliver on that promise to players," Brian Feeney, the design director of Wild Rift, said in an interview.Wild Rift is also meant to be a way for new players to get in on the ground floor and learn how to play. Riot developers also expect players to also feel at home on Wild Rift, and in our review of the beta, we found that it does a great job with that balance. H...

Best answer: TP-Link HomeCare is a software suite included with some TP-Link Archer and Deco routers that include parental controls, antivirus, and QoS.Do routers need extra software?Quite a few routers come with advanced software offering more security features than a router would typically have. This includes most of the best Wi-Fi 6 mesh routers from Asus, Eero, TP-Link, and Netgear. Eero, for example, offers its Eero Secure and Eero Secure+ subscriptions to all of its customers through the Eero app. If you found that you you need a mesh system, this included software could be a major factor in picking the right brand.Several of TP-Link's routers and mesh systems also ship with this software, and unlike some others, it's free. At least HomeCare is. HomeCare comes with a handful of Deco systems and Archer routers and brings with it added security, in-depth parental controls, and quality of service (QoS). At the low cost of free for the product's lifetime, there's little reaso...

HuluOn-demand and liveFrom $6/mo. at HuluProsMore kid-friendly contentVariety in subscriptions High-quality streamingConsLimited cloud DVR storageAdd-ons add up Restrictions on simultaneous streamingThe Hulu + Live TV plan provides access to more than 65 live channels. In addition to the four major local networks, Hulu's live programming includes networks like The CW, Bravo, Disney Channel, and CNN. The service also offers premium channel add-ons.YouTube TVThe cable alternative$65/mo. at YouTubeProsGreat overall channel lineupUnlimited cloud DVRBest in live sports coverage ConsNo offline viewing No HD playbackRestrictions on select sports contentYouTube TV operates as a premium cable replacement, offering live TV, on-demand video, and cloud-based DVR. The services provide 85 television networks, including the Big Four broadcast networks, and the option to add premium channels.While Hulu's cheaper plans don't include live cha...

The feature will only work on phones with Play Protect certification.What you need to knowGoogle Pay users in India will soon be able to make UPI payments over NFC.The functionality will be limited to Pine Lab payment terminals, at least initially.It could take a few days for the feature to go live for all users.Google has quietly introduced a new feature that will make it a lot easier for users in India to make UPI payments at a merchant store. As reported by Android Police, Google Pay is gaining the ability to let users make contactless payments via NFC.Needless to say, you won't be able to make contactless payments if your phone doesn't have NFC or if it lacks Play Protect certification. If you are unsure if your phone has NFC, open the Settings app and type "NFC" in the "Search settings" bar. You should see an option to turn on NFC if your phone can make contactless payments. While NFC support was limited to mid-range and flagship phones a few years back, it is now av...

There are lots of Wear OS smartwatches out there, but these are the watches that support Google Pay. This handy software lets you pay anywhere contactless payments are available using just your watch. There are many options for watches with Google Pay, so without further ado, here are the Wear OS watches you should check out.Top of the lineTicWatch Pro 3 GPS Smart WatchStaff PickThe TicWatch Pro 3 keeps much of the design lineage from previous generations of the Pro watches. However, the newest model brings an updated secondary display which includes a backlight, improved and new health monitoring like an SpO2 sensor, but the most significant may be the new Snapdragon 4100 processor — it's very fast. That speed translates to faster payments within Google Pay as well.$300 at Amazon $255 at Walmart $255 at B&HWork smarterFossil Men's Gen 5EThe Fossil Gen 5E runs the latest Snapdragon 3100 processor from Qualcomm, which helps to achieve great performance ...

Best answer: No. The Fitbit Luxe does not offer onboard GPS, which might be a deal-breaker for some people. This means you'll need to connect to your phone if you want to track your route during a workout.Full of style, but missing a key featureThose who have been holding out for a fashionable fitness tracker will be more than pleased with the Fitbit Luxe. The company's goal with this wearable was to offer a stylish device that's versatile enough for all occasions. While there are plenty of health and wellness perks to go around, the Fitbit Luxe is missing a key feature: GPS.Depending on what type of user you are, this might not have an impact on your experience. If you casually track your steps, sleep patterns, stress levels, and heart rate, the Luxe may just have everything you need from a fitness tracker. However, those who want the full experience may not be willing to spend so much on a device without GPS.If you're content with a fashionable tracker that can handle the ...

With all of the streaming, gaming, and working we do from home these days, it's never been more important to have a reliable internet connection. If you've experience drop outs or dead zones, or just have a bunch of devices and smart home gear on your network at all times, then you ought to invest in a mesh networking system for broader coverage.Eero mesh Wi-Fi systems are some of the most popular and widely regarded as some of the best mesh Wi-Fi routers on the market, but you don't have to pay full price to get set up. Here are the best Eero deals out there.Eero Mesh Wi-Fi Systems | 15% off at AmazonEero's home Wi-Fi system was named #1 on Android Central's list of best mesh Wi-Fi systems in 2019 and for good reason. Today's deal at Amazon could score you the Eero Mesh Wi-Fi Router for $67, or grab a multipack to save even more.Starting at $67 at AmazonWhether you're looking for a basic mesh Wi-Fi system, upgrading to an Eero Pro system, or just to add some extra ...

Samsung's flagship smartphone sales increased over the previous quarter, despite weak seasonality.What you need to knowSamsung has posted its financial results for the first quarter of 2021.Its operating profit jumped 45.5% YoY to KRW 9.38 trillion ($8.5 billion), while consolidated revenue increased 18.2% YoY to KRW 65.4 trillion ($59 billion). Samsung says its mobile profitability strengthened further in Q1 2021, led by strong sales of flagship Galaxy S21 series and mass-market Galaxy A-series phones.Samsung today posted its earnings report for the first quarter of 2021. The company saw an 18.2% increase in revenue over Q1 2020 to KRW 65.4 trillion ($59 billion), while operating profit was 45.5% higher at KRW 9.38 trillion ($8.5 billion).Samsung says "solid sales of smartphones and consumer electronics" outweighed lower earnings from its semiconductor and display business units. The IT & Mobile Communications Division posted KRW 29.21 trillion ($26.3 billion) in rev...

The Eufy RoboVac 15C Max is one of our favorite robot vacuums of the year, and has been impressing us since it was released last year. Today, you can get it at a low price of just $175.99 at Amazon. The 15C Max normally sells for around $260. Today's deal matches the lowest we've seen. It's a price we've seen a few times before, but if you've missed it then this is your chance.The 15C Max is a very powerful robot vacuum with great suction that can max out at 2000Pa. That's suction that won't disappoint and can handle anything from hard wood floors to deep carpet. Plus, the robot vacuum is still smart enough to stay as quiet as possible during operation, only bumping up the suction when it needs to. That's where the BoostIQ technology comes into play. It automatically increases the suction when the sensors detect the need for it. It takes only 1.5 seconds to get that extra vacuuming strength, too, so you'll always be getting the best possible clean.With a slim design that makes it...

Samsung's most misunderstood phone of 2020 caught me by surprise.The Galaxy Note 20 is one of Samsung's most perplexing devices in years. It has most of the modern appointments of a 2020 flagship, including 5G support, a top-of-the-line processor, and a trio of high-quality cameras, but it also ditches the luxe glass backing of its Ultra counterpart in favor of a plastic one and features a relatively dated 60Hz 1080p display.On paper, these compromises can make the Note 20 seem like a hard sell compared to the Ultra, especially given the abundance of comparably high-end options like the OnePlus 9 at similar or even lower price points. But in my time with the Galaxy Note 20, I've come to appreciate it as a more practical device than even the pricier Note 20 Ultra that I absolutely love. As it turns out, those hardware tradeoffs aren't so bad. Jump to:Price & release dateWhat I like What's not so greatThe competitionShould you buy?Changelog, April 2021Th...

Make sure the next time you return is your last with these tips and tricks.Returnal is a new third-person roguelike shooter for the PlayStation 5 that's part Metroidvania and part psychological horror wrapped in bullet-hell fueled action. It's an intense, beautiful, and disturbing title, as well as a difficult one. Players play as Selene Vassos, who has found herself stranded on Atropos, a constantly shifting alien planet where death is a never-ending cycle.Returnal is difficult, but with some of our help, you and Selene will be able to conquer the procedurally generated world of the game. Remember — death is not the end. Here's are a few tips and tricks for Returnal.Returnal Resurrection tips:Always keep movingAdjust the optionsFind Silphium Resin earlyUpgrade your blade to take down yellow doorsPurple and orange lasers are bad newsGrab the Child's Watch and the AstronautGet up close and personalDashing and grappling makes you invulnerableLook out for secret roo...

Bought in bulkMint MobileFrom $15/mo. at Mint MobileProsUnlimited talk and text on all plansT-Mobile LTE and 5G speedsUpgrade plan at any timeData as a hotspotConsMust buy in bulkUnlimited plan slowed at 35GBMint Mobile is known for providing great value if you are willing to buy three or more months of service at a time. All data plans come with data access, unlimited talk and text, and the ability to use your data as a hotspot. The unlimited plan comes with 5GB of hotspot data. Mint Mobile is a great fit for most smartphone users.Great flexibilityConsumer CellularFrom $15/mo. at Consumer CellularProsFlexible data optionsShare the plan with two linesAARP discountsRobust AT&T LTE and 5G networkConsLimited phone selectionsUnlimited plan slowed at 35GBConsumer Cellular lets you tailor a plan to your data usage without needing to buy any more than you need. With plans ranging from calling only up to 35GB of data, Consumer Cellu...

New hotnessRing Video Doorbell 4$200 at AmazonProsColor Pre-Roll videoDual-band Wi-FiFull 1080p HD videoQuick RepliesAdvanced Motion DetectionConsNo Google Assistant integrationOnly comes with a satin nickel faceplateWith the Ring Video Doorbell 4, Ring kept all of the best parts from the previous models and improved them. Pre-Roll video is now in color rather than only black and white; there's also improved battery life to go with it.Close secondRing Video Doorbell 3 Plus$200 at AmazonPros1080p HD video qualityAdvanced Motion Detection2.4 GHz and 5.0 GHz Wi-FiPre-Roll VideoQuick repliesConsPre-Roll Video is only black and whiteOnly works with AlexaPriced the same without color Pre-Roll videoThe Ring Video Doorbell 3 Plus introduced Pre-Roll video to the video doorbell lineup, and while the feature still works great — as black and white only, it seems dated. Other features are very close in line with the new model, but fewe...

Don't fear the reaper.When the PS5 released late last year, it arrived with a couple of cross-gen releases, a very pretty remake of a 10-year-old game, and an adorable platformer tucked away in the system's memory. But once the dust settled and the newness of the console started to fade, many wondered when the first real next-gen game would arrive for the system — the flagship title that would showcase what the PS5 is capable of. Not just from a technical standpoint, but in its gameplay, sound, story — the whole package.Almost five months into the new year, it's looking like we have to turn to Returnal for answers. This roguelike is the first major PS5 release of the year so there is a lot riding on its shoulders. Not only was it bound to set the standard for next-gen releases, but it had a lot to prove as a new IP amidst news of Sony's focus on blockbusters and reluctance to greenlight new projects.When I first started up Returnal, I thought I knew what to expect. Develop...

Stay connected, stay safe.Distracted driving is one of the most dangerous things you can do while behind the wheel. It puts you and everyone else on the road at risk, and while it should go without saying, it is obviously something we don't condone.That said, there are times when you need to stay connected, even when in your car. Whether you're following turn-by-turn navigation, making a hands-free phone call, or controlling your music while on a long road trip, having a device to do all of these things is a must.Google is aware of that, and that's why it created Android Auto. Android Auto is software that's available on your phone and in your car, and it gives you a way to do all of the things mentioned above as safely as possible. Ready to learn more? Keep on reading!Auto upgradeSony XAVAX3000$400 at Best BuyElevate your Android Auto experienceIf you have an older car that doesn't natively support Android Auto, consider this third-party model from Sony. With a 7...

The UEFA Europa League returns today as Premier League giants Manchester United welcome Roma of Serie A in this semi-final clash. Don't miss a moment with our Man United vs Roma live stream guide.Manchester United will be hoping they can go one step further in this year's Europa League after exiting the competition at the semi-final stage last season at the hands of eventual winners Sevilla.United are favorites to lift the trophy, dispatching La Liga sides Real Sociedad and Granada en route to the semi-finals as well as Roma's Serie A compatriots AC Milan.For Roma, a win against Man United would result in the club's first European cup final since the early '90s. Roma's route to the semis saw the team breeze past Braga and Shakhtar Donetsk before a tough test in the last round against Ajax.The Red Devils come into today's first-leg game on the back of a 13-game unbeaten streak in the Premier League that stretches as far back as January. The Europa League remains the club's mos...

Most Google employees have been working from home since April last year.What you need to knowGoogle parent Alphabet saved over $1 billion in 2020 "as a result of COVID-19."Alphabet saw its travel and entertainment expenses decline by $371 million last year.Google will allow its employees to continue working from home until September.Back in March last year, Google began advising its employees around the world to work from home due to COVID-19. While working from home has its downsides, the shift has had a positive impact on Alphabet's business.Since its employees are working from home and aren't traveling anywhere near as much as they used to before the pandemic struck, Bloomberg suggests Alphabet has saved over $1 billion in the last year.A recent filing by the company revealed it saved $268 million during the first quarter of the year due to a reduction in expenses from travel and entertainment as well as company promotions as a result of the pandemic. Alphabet noted ...

If you're getting your smart home set up, the Amazon Echo Show is one of the most versatile devices you can add to the mix. Rather than just being a speaker like other Echo devices, the Echo Show also has a built-in screen that enables all kinds of other use cases.Today only, you can pick up Amazon's 10.1-inch Echo Show 2nd gen for only $149.99 at Woot. That's a discount of $80 versus its regular retail price and a match for the lowest we've ever seen it go.Of course, the 2nd gen Echo Show has now been discontinued in favor of the updated Echo Show 10. The 2nd gen model is now only available refurbished at Amazon but the models on sale at Woot not only cost less, but they are brand new and come with a 1-year Amazon warranty making them a much better deal.Amazon's Echo Show is equipped with a 10.1-inch HD display that can show you the weather, news reports, movie trailers, and more. It's particularly helpful in the kitchen if you want to follow along with a recipe, catch up on Y...

HBO Max could offer users more value with its new ad-supported tier.What you need to knowHBO Max could charge $9.99 for its upcoming ad-supported tier.The company has already announced that the cheaper tier will be available this June.The price could undercut other streaming services like Netflix, which doesn't have an ad-supported tier.The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has driven more people to streaming services. HBO Max launched at an opportune time to take advantage of this, bringing several theatrical movie releases to the platform. While not cheap at $14.99/month, it does offer more than one simultaneous stream and supports 4K HDR on many of the best streaming devices. WarnerMedia has already announced plans to launch its cheaper, ad-supported tier this June, and now we may have an idea of how much it'll cost.According to a report from CNBC, WarnerMedia plans to charge just $9.99 for its ad-supported tier. That would challenge rival streaming services like Disney+...

What are you most excited about for Google I/O?What you need to knowThe schedule for Google I/O 2021 has finally been released.The three-day conference will go over plenty of Google products like Wear OS, Android 12, Google TV, and more.Google I/O 2021 is virtual and free for anyone to attend.Google's annual developer conference is only a few weeks away, but there's already a lot to be excited about. We continue to speculate about what to expect at Google I/O 2021. Fortunately, Google is helping out a bit with the speculation thanks to the event schedule that's just been released.Amongst the keynotes, meetups, and workshops, there's quite a lot going on. Fortunately, those that already registered and selected their interests will have certain sessions marked as "suggested for you." Google also has curated schedules based on different topics or interests, and sessions can also be favorited to create your own personal schedule. Many of the sessions seem to overlap, making ...

Qualcomm has high hopes for 2021.What you need to knowQualcomm reported a 52% year-over-year increase in revenue in its recent quarterly earnings.The company has expressed a positive outlook on the state of the global chip shortage later this year.Qualcomm partially attributed its endurance in the chip shortage to a "reduction on orders from an OEM." Qualcomm announced its quarterly financial earnings on Wednesday, beating analyst expectations with $7.93 billion in revenue, a 52% increase when compared to the same quarter last year. That's despite not only a global pandemic but also a global semiconductor shortage that has affected several different industries, not to mention the availability of devices like the PS5. Outgoing CEO, Steve Mollenkopf, attributed Qualcomm's strong growth to its strong position in the market: Demonstrating the strength of our strategy and our success in execution, we delivered another quarter of year-over-year growth driven by sustained dema...

Not sure what to watch? Netflix can help.What you need to knowNetflix has finally launched its shuffle feature worldwide.The "Play Something" feature will roll out on connected TVs first.Android devices will receive the feature soon, with no word on iOS availability.Netflix has been working on its shuffle feature for some time now. A version of it was first spotted a couple of years ago, but nothing ever came of it until last year when the company reportedly began testing the feature. Netflix is now keeping its word and rolling out the feature worldwide.Dubbed "Play Something," the new shuffle feature is pretty straightforward, allowing viewers to launch a movie or TV show at random. It's helpful for the times when you can't figure out what to watch since Netflix chooses shows and movies based on what you've already seen. The idea is that Netflix will guide you towards titles that you're most likely to enjoy. If you're not a fan of what Netflix recommends, you can "Pl...

Best answer: Yes and no. It depends on which games you're playing and if you're playing those games on PlayStation Now. The general rule of thumb is that you'll need PS Plus to play online multiplayer unless the game is free-to-play.Which games can I play online without PS Plus?Only free-to-play games can be played online without PlayStation Plus. Thankfully, plenty of the most popular games today, like Genshin Impact, Fortnite, Apex Legends, Call of Duty: Warzone, and more, are free-to-play. You can access these games so long as you have an internet connection.Do I need PS Plus to play online games in PS Now?No. Oddly enough, any game in PlayStation Now can be played online without an active PlayStation Plus membership. You can think of this as an extra perk of a PS Now subscription. However, if you want to transfer your PS Now game saves from console over to PC for whatever reason, you will need a PS Plus membership to do so.When will PS Plus stop becoming a requirement f...

Video conferencing is finally coming to Telegram next monthWhat you need to knowTelegram has been seeing many major updates in recent months.The next big update will be to introduce video conferencing functionality.Video conferencing is said to be arriving on Telegram sometime in May.Although the number of folks working from home is starting to go down, that hasn't stopped Telegram from finally announcing its video conferencing functionality. Telegram's CEO Pavel Durov posted a short video message on his personal Telegram channel showing off some of the features that will be available. Durov also shared that the feature will be coming in May, although we aren't exactly sure when it pertains to a specific day or time frame.You could think of this as a competitor to Google Meet or Zoom, but it seems to be like a combination of those two platforms along with something like Clubhouse. Instead of just opening the floodgates as soon as the video conferencing room has been opene...

Google Assistant is starting to understand more context clues.What you need to knowGoogle has made some improvements to its AI Assistant's conversational abilities.Google Assistant can now understand contextual prompts better than before.Users can teach the Assistant how to pronounce the names of their contacts.Google Assistant is handy when it comes to performing tasks, providing information, and has a pretty good understanding of what's being asked of it. That said, the AI assistant isn't perfect, and Google is continuously working on making improvements to it. The latest update from the company highlights some of the improvements that have been made to Google Assistant, which should make it even more helpful at completing tasks around the house.For starters, Google is now improving the Assistant's ability to understand context clues. Now, when multiple queries are given, the Assistant will discern between them and better connect later prompts to previous ones. For exam...

NVIDIA Shield TV (2019)A compact redesign$145 at Amazon $150 at Best Buy$150 at WalmartProsClever and compact designUpdated remote is fantasticStill the best Android TV experienceImproved AI Upscaling is greatConsMight run into issues running some Android gamesNot novice-friendly out of the boxThe most striking change for the 2019 NVIDIA Shield TV refresh is its unique tube shape and the redesigned remote. This is a streamlined and portable stream box with upgraded processing power that's still delivering the best Android TV experience you can buy.NVIDIA Shield TV Pro (2019)Subtle upgrade$200 at Amazon$200 at Best Buy$200 at B&H PhotoProsSame sleek Shield TV designMore RAM and double the onboard storageOffers USB ports for external storageThe one you'll want for Plex and gamingConsLess internal storage than older Pro modelMore expensive than the tubeNot enough new features to justify upgradingThe NVIDIA Shield TV Pro (2019) l...

T-Mobile's item tracker can even tell when it's moved into a dark space.What you need to knowT-Mobile has launched its own item tracker that uses LTE to track items.The SyncUp Tracker gets real-time tracking from miles away and can set a geofenced boundary.T-Mobile customers can add the device to their accounts for just $5 per month.Now that Samsung and Apple have entered the item tracker market, more companies are set to follow suit. T-Mobile is the latest to launch its own device as part of its SyncUp line of connectivity devices. The SyncUp Tracker may not look as svelte as the best Bluetooth trackers, nor is it quite as affordable, but it offers some handy features that could make it a must-have for anyone prone to losing their items.The key difference between T-Mobile's SyncUp Tracker and many other devices like the Apple AirTag is that the SyncUp Tracker relies on a GPS and an LTE connection instead of Bluetooth and Ultra-Wideband (UWB). Because of this, it doesn'...

After seeing the popularity of the Galaxy A71 as it became one of the best cheap Android phones, the Samsung Galaxy A72 arrived and tried to fill some pretty big shoes. With its gorgeous 6.7-inch AMOLED display equipped with a 90Hz refresh rate, you're definitely going to want to use one of the best Galaxy A72 screen protectors to keep your display looking good. We've rounded up some of our favorites, including some that protect both displays and others that protect just the rear camera glass.All the glassIVSO Screen Protector Kit (6-pack)Staff PickIf you want to protect all the glass on your Galaxy A72, then this six-pack of screen protectors from IVSO will be perfect. There are three tempered glass screen protectors for the main display and three more for the glass on the rear camera module. Plus, these are all case-friendly, so you can forget worrying about finding the best case only to realize that it won't work properly.$13 at AmazonPlastic protectionSupers...

We've all been there. You're just casually scrolling through photos on your phone or responding to a WhatsApp message when all of a sudden, it's gone. The photo you were just looking at, the whole album, everything, gone. I know I've accidentally deleted items off my phone before, and also had my phone suddenly freak out on me and decide to delete something without my permission.The boiling anger and the utter sadness of possibly losing that memory forever is something any Android user can relate to. Thankfully, as smartphone software continues to improve, there are some pretty great tools available to help you recover data you thought you lost.In the early days of Android development, many of these tools required you to root your phone so the software could access the appropriate files on your phone. Not anymore. Tenorshare is a software company that has been building data recovery software for over 10 years, and their UltData program is the perfect Android data recovery tool....

Android's aarthquake detection could save lives.What you need to knowGoogle is expanding its Earthquake detection and alert system to more states and countries outside California.The feature is expanding to Washington State after recently coming to Oregon.New Zealand and Greece are the first countries outside the U.S. to receive the new system.Last year, Google launched the Android Earthquake Alerts System, which utilizes the best Android phones "to form the world's largest earthquake detection network." The system was created with the United States Geological Survey (USGS), the California Governor's Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES), and ShakeAlert to send earthquake alerts to smartphones and help keep people safe. The service was only available in California but is expanding to both New Zealand and Greece, where earthquakes can be quite common and dangerous.Google's system uses the accelerometer in your smartphone to act as a mini seismometer to pick up any chang...