Latest from Android Central

Google Assistant is one of the most popular smart voice assistants on the planet and is accessible on Google Home compatible devices as diverse as smartwatches, smartphones, smart speakers, and more. In addition to the devices it's built into, Google Assistant has integrations with hundreds, if not thousands, of other smart devices and services. What follows is a list of some of our favorites, broken down by category.Jump to:Smart lightsHome automationSmart appliancesSecurityEntertainmentMusic servicesStreaming services for videoGoogle Home compatible devices: Smart lightsConnected smart lights are the easiest and most fun way to start building out your smart home network. Multiple brands like Philips Hue and Sengled offer complete collections of smart lighting solutions connected by a hub and work well with Google Assistant.Smart light starter kitPhilips Hue Multicolor A19 Starter KitStaff PickPhilips is one of the leading manufacturers of connected l...

There's no stealth mode here.Personally, I would never use an indoor security camera. Sure, I've got no problem recommending the best indoor cameras for folks who feel comfortable with a camera looking at them all the time but, as for me and my household, I don't trust a single one of them. Outdoor cameras are just fine — heaven knows I've tested dozens of them and use several outside at any given time — but taking them inside the house is a big no-no.That's because, regardless of the built-in security features that companies like Google and Ring work hard to integrate into their systems, there's always a chance that human error can obfuscate them — not to mention folks that don't use two-factor authentication or share passwords between apps.But none of that matters if the only indoor camera you have is impossible to run in stealth mode. While most indoor cameras have a nice, bright LED light that turns on when the camera feed is being accessed (or recorded), there's noth...

Gboard's Assistant-powered voice typing has picked up a few upgrades reflecting the Material You design.What you need to knowGoogle appears to be planning to make Gboard's enhanced voice typing feature available for Pixel 6 devices.The feature has added a few upgrades to its functionality and interface in line with Google's Material You theme.It was initially tested on older Pixel phones ranging from the Pixel 4 series to the Pixel 5.Google looks set to finally roll out Gboard's enhanced voice typing feature as part of the upcoming launch of the Google Pixel 6 series, following a few months of beta testing on older Pixel phones before the experiment was suddenly halted.XDA Developers' Mishaal Rahman spotted the Google Assistant-powered voice typing feature enabled by spoofing a device to appear as a Pixel 6 Pro, courtesy of the Google News group on Telegram. Based on the screenshots below, it appears that the voice typing feature has seen a significant improvement, at lea...

The camera specs of the Pro model have also been confirmed.What you need to knowA bunch of new Pixel 6 renders have leaked online.The latest leak gives us our first look at Google's new Pixel Stand and the Pixel Security app.It also suggests the Pixel 6 Pro will have "secure" face unlock. Yesterday, a German retailer jumped the gun and revealed the price, specs, and release date of Google's upcoming Pixel 6. More renders of the Pixel 6 series phones have now surfaced online, courtesy of reliable leaker Evan Blass.The renders shared by Blass give us our very first look at the new Pixel Stand that will debut along with the Pixel 6 series. It looks like the redesigned Pixel Stand will come with a built-in cooling fan, which should allow it to support faster charging speeds. As can be seen in the render below, the Pixel Stand UI includes two buttons at the bottom of the screen: Performance and Quiet.The new leak also gives us a clear look at the new Pixel Security app. It...

The earbuds offer up to 45 hours of total battery life with ANC disabled.What you need to knowGrell TWS/1 are a pair of true wireless headphones by former Sennheiser engineer and headphone designer Axel Grell.The earbuds feature active noise cancellation, Bluetooth 5.2 support, and IPX4 splash resistance. They are now available to pre-order for $200 / £180. Axel Grell, who designed some of Sennheiser's most popular headphones — including the HD580 and HD800, left the company in 2019 to set up a new company called Grell Audio. The company has now launched its first product, dubbed Grell TWS/1.The new true wireless earbuds feature a minimalistic design and are claimed to have a "stunning sound signature created for a new generation of digitally-connected listeners." They also have all the features you'd expect from a premium pair of true wireless earbuds.The earbuds use custom 10mm high-precision dynamic drivers with Noise Annoyance Reduction (NAR) technology to give...

The Galaxy Z Fold 3 has everything I'm looking for in a foldable.There isn't a better time to buy a flagship phone; the Galaxy S21 Ultra, Xiaomi Mi 11 Ultra, and OnePlus 9 Pro set a new standard for the best Android phones, and Apple is joining the fray with the iPhone 13 Pro Max, which delivers the best battery life of any phone I've used in 2021.Samsung has two flagships in contention every year, and while the Galaxy Note series took up that mantle over the last nine years, it is making way for the Galaxy Z Fold 3 and Z Flip 3 this year. Samsung is confident enough in its 2021 foldables that it has eschewed the Galaxy Note line altogether, instead betting on foldables as the next big thing.While Samsung didn't change the overall design of the Z Fold 3 all that much from last year's Z Fold 2, there are key upgrades around the screens, build quality, and durability. Those refinements combined with the updated hardware and cameras make the foldable a fantastic overall phone. I u...

If you can't handle the heat, stay out of Twitter's kitchen.What you need to knowTwitter is testing a new feature that will warn users when a conversation might get intense.The prompt will remind users to communicate respectfully within a potentially headed topic.It will appear for Twitter users on iOS and Android, and the company will continuously update criteria.Twitter's latest move to help encourage better engagement on the app involves warning users against engaging with certain conversations.The company announced the new feature for iOS and the best Android phones on Wednesday. The prompt will warn users when a certain conversation might lead to a heated or intense discussion.When clicking on the prompt, it will pull up guidelines to help users navigate the conversation respectfully.Ever want to know the vibe of a conversation before you join in? We're testing prompts on Android and iOS that give you a heads up if the convo you're about to enter could get heated...

Google Photos beat it to the punch.What you need to knowSamsung has quietly rolled out an update to its Gallery app that allows you to edit its metadata.The latest change lets you change the date and time of when a photo or video was taken.You can also edit the location data of a media file.Samsung's Gallery app has gained a bunch of new features, including the ability to change the time and date when photos and videos saved to your phone were taken. It's the same feature that was just added to Google Photos a few days ago, as spotted by a Twitter user.The new feature should come in handy when media files transferred from another device to your phone have incorrect time and date information. It was discovered by a Reddit user and picked up by Android Police. To edit a file's metadata, open it, tap the overflow menu, and then navigate to the details section. This has the potential to save users a significant amount of time. Simply entering the time you took a photo ...

This one even comes with a free pair of premium Bose headphones.What you need to knowA scanned ad from German retailer Saturn reveals the Pixel 6 costs €649 and will likely launch on October 28.The retailer is allegedly offering a free pair of €269 Bose headphones when customers pre-order between October 19 and October 27.Google will be officially announcing the Pixel 6 at an event held on October 19, 2021.Of all the places to find the latest Google Pixel 6 leak, a deals website wasn't the most likely candidate. Yet that's exactly what happened when mydealz.de (via Nils Ahrensmeier) posted an ad for German retailer Saturn casually revealing the price, specs, and possible release date of the Google Pixel 6.According to the scanned ad, the Google Pixel 6 will launch €649, which lines up with previous leaks we've seen about the smaller Pixel 6's price. This €649 Pixel 6 model comes with 128GB of internal storage, 8GB of RAM, a 6.4-inch screen, a 50MP main camera, and...

What you need to knowT-Mobile Home Internet is now $50 per month, $10 cheaper than before.Home Internet is available to more than 30 million households in 600 cities and towns.In what it calls the BFD (Big Fee Deal,) T-Mobile is drawing attention to the $9 billion spent on fees with other ISPs last year.T-Mobile has been steadily making its way into the home internet business as it improves the capacity of its wireless network. T-Mobile has announced that its home internet service is $50 per month with AutoPay, down from $60 per month previously. T-Mobile is calling this new price the Big Fee Deal (BFD) in response to the $9 billion paid by Americas last year on top of the price of their internet plans.To make good on its claims, T-Mobile includes setup, a gateway with Wi-Fi 6, and all fees in its monthly price unlike most other ISPs. T-Mobile's gateway also has two Ethernet ports so if you just bought one of the best Wi-Fi 6 routers you can use it with the service. T-Mobil...

Every kid wants a tablet, but deciding to invest in an Android tablet for kids is a big step. There are several features to consider: price, parental controls, and perhaps most importantly, durability. The Amazon Fire HD 10 Kids Edition is a top pick for offering tons of great content for kids, including a protective bumper case and parental controls. You can manage what your kids do and not worry that they might be accessing questionable websites or web content.Best overall: Amazon Fire HD 10 Kids EditionThe Amazon Fire HD 10 Kids Edition is packed with some of the best hardware and software features you could ask for as a parent. Amazon took its top-of-the-line tablet for little ones aged 3-7, loaded it with parental controls, kid-specific content, and wrapped it up in a durable and functional case in lavender, sky blue, or aquamarine. While the screen size might be difficult for smaller toddlers to hold, the provided case does include a fold-out kickstand to prop up the tabl...

Nothing wrong with talking to yourself.What you need to knowGoogle takes to Twitter to hype up the Pixel 6 launch.Google's various Twitter accounts join in to prepare for this month's launch.The Pixel 6 will be officially unveiled on October 19, less than two weeks from now.After weeks of teasers and ad campaigns, we finally know when Google's next flagship will be fully unveiled. Now that Google has announced the official launch date for the Pixel 6 series, the company has taken to Twitter to have a little fun with itself.#Pixel6, the new Google Phone. Tune in October 19th at 10 am PT: https://t.co/zmp5byVq1y#Pixel6Launch pic.twitter.com/v3wwySE5gs— Made By Google (@madebygoogle) October 5, 2021Following yesterday's announcement, Google's various Twitter accounts joined in on the conversation (via Reddit) to show how they're getting ready for the launch.Even the Android account chimes in, suggesting that the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro will run Android 12 at launch, ...

Your phone may or may not be dirtier than a toilet seat right now, but luckily you can fix that with the best phone sanitizer. After all, our phones pick up a whole heap of bacteria, germs, and other nastiness when we set them down throughout our days. Cleaning our phones is paramount. While ultraviolet phone sanitizers can cost a pretty penny, they're 100% worth the investment if they can keep you from getting sick, now more than ever.Best by a landslidePhoneSoap 3 UV Cell Phone Sanitizer and Dual Universal Cell Phone ChargerStaff PickFrom $70 at Amazon $80 at Best Buy $80 at TargetPhoneSoap is one of the originals and is still one of the most trusted ultraviolet phone sanitizers around. Reliability and excellent build quality are part of why we love PhoneSoap's products.Flip and repeatHoMedics UV Clean Phone Sanitizer - UV Light SanitizerFrom $35 at Amazon $52 at Best Buy $8 at WalmartThis sanitizer keeps a slim, travel-friendly profile by being collapsible, a...

Use the service on any of these devices.NVIDIA's GeForce Now is now out of beta, and players have already begun using it more widely. However, some players might be confused as to whether they can use the service on their devices. Perhaps the best thing about GeForce Now is just how easy it is to use, how many games are available on it, and how you don't necessarily need to have a high-end device to take advance of it.GeForce Now isn't limited to one type of device, so there's no actual list of exact devices that will and won't work with it. However, NVIDIA has listed its series of requirements for the service on various devices, including what it will take for Mac, PC, and Android devices to be compatible with the service. Check out the list of GeForce Now compatible devices and their requirements below:PC Requirements for GeForce NowA 64-bit version of Windows 7, or newer (GeForce Now does not support 32-bit versions of Windows) Dual-core x86-64 CPU with 2.0GHz or faster...

Don't forget to redeem these free Primogems, Mora, XP, and more!You're going to need to gather several items and powerups in order to effectively explore Genshin Impact's magical land of Teyvat. This is one of the best Android games to come out so far, as well as one of the best free PS5 games available. There are characters that need to be acquired and then once you have them, you'll need to level them up so you can take on all of the bosses and Hurlichurl camps you come across. To help you out, we've gathered all of the Genshin Impact codes that give you free in-game items. You don't need to worry, we'll explain how to redeem codes as well, regardless of whether you're playing on a mobile device or a PS5.Free Genshin Impact codesHow to redeem codesRedeemable codesExpired codesHow to redeem a code from the Genshin Impact websiteGo to Genshin Impact's official website.Click Redeem Code.Click on the Server box.The game will ask your for your Username and Passwo...

Up to 16 users can now join a Signal group call.What you need to knowSignal has raised the number of people who can join a group call from eight to 16.In contrast, WhatsApp group calls can accommodate only up to eight users.The service also adds new options to create your own sticker packs and a private scratchpad.Signal announced a slew of new features on Wednesday, including more room for additional users during a group call and new features to expand the app's messaging options.The biggest announcement is Signal's group call expansion. It can now make room for up to 16 users, up from the previous limit of eight persons.Group calls can now hold up to 16 people. Across iOS, Android, and desktop, you can go ahead and get your whole rugby squad together for an overdue catch up. pic.twitter.com/O0Qq1iCiNI— Signal (@signalapp) October 5, 2021Signal's expanded group calls demonstrate the company's increased effort to provide a platform where friends and colleagues can...

The Galaxy S21 FE is coming, after all, but at the expense of the Galaxy S22.What you need to knowSamsung is reportedly still preparing to launch the Galaxy S21 FE.The launch could take place in January, which would lead to Samsung delaying the Galaxy S22 launch.If true, the Galaxy S22 series could launch in February, sometime around Mobile World Congress.Apparently, the Galaxy S21 FE is still on. According to the latest from SamMobile, the device is still set to be launched, although it may arrive later than expected, which could affect the Galaxy S22 launch.SamMobile says that the Galaxy S21 FE could launch in January, meaning it'll miss the holiday season, a crucial time for companies to promote and sell their best Android phones.This would be around the time the Galaxy S22 series was expected to launch, which would likely conflict. Instead of following the Galaxy S21 series with a January launch, Samsung could then delay the S22 series to February to give the S21 FE...

Big Red may charge an arm and a leg for its service, but the best Android phones on its network don't all have to be unattainably expensive. So whether you're after the top-of-the-line Galaxy S21 Ultra or you'd rather save some money and pick up something like the Galaxy A42 5G, there are plenty of great options for one of the nation's top-rated carriers. Here are our top picks when it comes to the best Verizon phones on the market right now.Best overallSamsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G - SmartphoneStaff PickThe Galaxy S21 Ultra is Samsung's ultimate mobile experience, cramming powerful specs and a 6.8-inch 120Hz display into a modern design. It also has an enormously capable camera system with a 108MP primary sensor and up to 100X zoom, plus 8K video capture. You get a massive 5000mAh battery and 5G support, and the S21 Ultra even supports the S Pen stylus.From $39.99/mo. at VerizonCompact folding designSamsung Galaxy Z Flip 3 - SmartphoneThe Galaxy Z Flip 3 from...

We break down which phones will get Android 12 and our best-educated guesses as to when.Android 12 is here ... sort of. The Android team released the final Android 12 source code. But for the first time in recent memory, the Android 12 build didn't release same-day on Pixels, so we have longer to wait than expected.Other manufacturers are using the final source code to go full steam ahead with their own betas. The first Samsung One UI 4 beta has begun, as has the initial OxygenOS 12 beta. But because Android 12 took longer than any other software release before it, your flagship phone could take longer than average to get a non-beta update.You're here to determine which of the best Android phones will get Android 12 — and when. Unfortunately, companies haven't officially announced this information yet, and it will depend on how long it takes to iron out bugs in their respective betas. But we can extrapolate from previous years what to expect. Generally speaking, recent fl...

Twitch is currently trying to understand the extent of the breach.What you need to knowThe source code for Twitch's streaming service has been leaked online by an anonymous hacker.The leak includes creator payout reports, the entirety of twitch.tv, and an unreleased Steam rival. It is believed that the data may have been obtained earlier this week.An anonymous hacker has leaked the entirety of Twitch in a 125GB torrent uploaded to 4chan, according to Video Games Chronicle. The report suggests the data may have been obtained as recently as Monday.Twitch has confirmed the breach with Android Central and promised to share additional details after it completes its investigation.In addition to Twitch's entire source code, the leak is said to contain creator payout reports from 2019, proprietary SDKs and internal AWS services, internal "red teaming tools," as well as an unreleased Steam challenger codenamed Vapor from Amazon Game Studios.The torrent file has been named "Twi...

Ghost Recon also celebrating an anniversary with free stuff.What you need to knowAssassin's Creed Rogue and The Falconeer are now available on the Stadia Store.Far Cry 6 launches on October 7 and players can get a free Stadia Premiere Edition from buying the game.Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon Breakpoint and Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon Wildlands both giving away free add-ons for a limited time.Google announced a few new Stadia games already available or coming later this week to the Stadia store alongside free add-ons for two Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon games.Aerial combat game The Falconeer launched on the Stadia store earlier this week for $20. The BAFTA-nominated game also comes in a "Warrior Edition" for $30 that contains two add-ons, The Hunter and Edge of the World, which can be purchased separately.The other game already released this week is Assassin's Creed Rogue Remastered. The remaster of the 2014 PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 game includes two bonus missions from the origi...

Get to know the cast in the twilight of the Norse saga.God of War Ragnarok is on the way, promising to close out the story of Norse myth. Naturally, that means there's quite a few characters to keep track of, so we're to help. Maybe it's been a while since you played God of War 2018, or you just need to check on something. We've compiled a God of War Ragnarok character guide, listing everyone we know so far who is returning — or making their debut — in this dark confrontation. Depending on how things play out, this could end up being one of the best PS5 games available.If you're not caught up with where the story is at so far, don't worry, we've compiled the complete God of War timeline and history, with the full story so far.Jump to:KratosAtreusAngrbodaFreyaThorTyrOdinBrokSindriDurlinGod of War Ragnarok: Character designs and artRaf Grassetti, art director at Sony Santa Monica, released several official renders for the main cast of God of War Ragnaro...

When it comes to using the best Android emulators, few devices can compare and compete with the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3. Of course, we're not talking about how the Fold 3 matches up just in terms of specs when looking at the rest of the best Android phones, but it's an absolute powerhouse for emulation and enjoying the best Android games.Thanks to the way the Galaxy Z Fold 3 folds in half, you can turn it into landscape mode and get the feeling of using a Nintendo DS. Even after downloading the best Nintendo 3DS emulator, there's another way to make your Fold 3 feel even more like a DS, and that's thanks to some skins that were created by /u/zung92 on the r/GalaxyFold subreddit. So today, we're going to show you how you can turn your Galaxy Z Fold 3 into a Nintendo DS.How to turn your Galaxy Z Fold 3 into a Nintendo DSOpen the Google Play Store on your Fold 3.Download DraStic DS Emulator.Download the created skins from Google Drive.Open the My Files app on your Galaxy Z F...

Speed your way past the competition in these outstanding racers for Android!We've rounded up the best racing games found in the Google Play Store. With so many options to choose from, we've compiled a list that covers a whole slew of sub-genres — from stylized arcade racing to highly realistic racing sims — so no matter your preference, you should find an outstanding game that's right for you.And if you want some great games in other genres, we have our list of the best Android games, too. Ready? Let's hit the road!The gamesAsphalt 9: LegendsBeach Buggy Racing 2CSR RacingData WingDirt Trackin 2#DriveGrand Prix StoryGRID AutosportHill Climb Racing 2Horizon Chase: World TourMario Kart Tour Motorsport Manager Mobile 3Nitro Nation Drag & ShiftProject Offroad 20Rally Fury: Extreme RacingReal Racing 3Riptide GP: Renegade Thumb DriftTofu DrifterTop Speed 2: Drag RivalsAsphalt 9: LegendsAsphalt 9: Legends is the latest entry in one of the most...

Reminders are one of our favorite features of the Google ecosystem. Just asking your Android phone to remember a task for you is powerful. You can ask for one-time reminders or recurring reminders. You can even set reminders far in the future to remind yourself to discharge and recharge the power station you keep in the trunk of your car. Whatever the case, reminders are awesome.There will come a time where you'll need to manage those reminders. Perhaps it's just to change the time, or you no longer need a recurring reminder. Google recently made it easier to do all of this, and we'll show you how.How to access and manage Google Assistant remindersGoogle gives you a small control panel you can use to manage your reminders. To get started, open your Google app.Tap your profile photo in the upper right corner.Tap Reminders. Note: You can skip these steps by saying, "OK, Google, open my reminders."Here, you'll see a list of overdue or upcoming reminders. Each reminder has...

Amazon Echo and Google Home/Nest smart speakers crossed over from the early adopter phase and took their rightful place within mainstream culture. You can build your smart home with the help of these devices, along with the best smart plugs for Google Assistant, which works with Google Home and Amazon Alexa. If you're like me, you might not be convinced which company's voice assistant is right for you, which is why I've got both Alexa and Google Assistant-compatible speakers in my home. If you're in the same boat, it's essential to buy smart home accessories that are compatible with both AI assistants, so we've rounded up the best smart plugs for Alexa and Google Assistant.No hub requiredKasa Smart Plug Ultra MiniStaff PickThe Kasa Smart Plug Ultra Mini is a super affordable smart plug for Google Assistant and Alexa. It's just as reliable as larger smart Wi-Fi plugs and lets you set schedules for any devices plugged into the plug, as well as operate your plugs even when you...

This is the second time this year that Telegram has gained millions of new users at Facebook's expense.What you need to knowTelegram founder Pavel Durov has revealed that the messaging app gained 70 million new users in one day after Facebook experienced a six-hour long outage.WhatsApp and Telegram rival Signal has also claimed to have gained "millions of new users." Durov has promised that Telegram won't fail its users like WhatsApp. Popular messaging app Telegram experienced a record increase in new user registrations on Monday, shortly after Facebook experienced a massive outage that lasted nearly six hours. Telegram founder Pavel Durov announced on his Telegram channel that the app welcomed over 70 million users from "other platforms" in just one day. I am proud of how our team handled the unprecedented growth because Telegram continued to work flawlessly for the vast majority of our users. For the new users I'd like to say this – welcome to Telegram, the lar...

Aloy is back in action for the next generation.One of the biggest games revealed at the June 2020 PS5 showcase was Horizon Forbidden West. Developed by Guerrilla Games, this PlayStation title is bringing the custom Decima engine and everything it's capable of to next-generation hardware.Aloy returns as a protagonist, heading into the former western U.S. There are new threats, new machines, and new lush lands to explore. It's currently set to release on February 18, 2022. Here's everything we know about Horizon Forbidden West on PS5 so far.Jump to:What is Horizon Forbidden West?Check out its trailersStory, gameplay, and featuresDoes it have multiplayer?Is it coming to PS4?Is it coming to PC?What we'd like to seeWhen does it release?What is Horizon Forbidden West?Horizon Forbidden West is a sequel to Guerrilla Games' Horizon Zero Dawn, released in 2017. It's an action role-playing game that takes place in the 31st century, in a world where humanity now exists...

Best answer: Amazon's devices with Special Offers (now called Ad-Supported devices) are products like the Kindle e-readers and Fire tablets that feature targeted lock screen ads but come at a reduced price to the consumer.What are Kindle and Fire tablet Ad-Supported devices?You may have come to this article wondering just what Kindle and Fire tablet special offers, or Ad-Supported devices, are, so let's take a minute to explain what this idea is. Amazon introduced the concept of devices with Special Offers a while back to reduce the entry cost into the Kindle, and then later, the Fire Tablet ecosystems.Amazon has always offered relatively low-cost hardware, particularly during major shopping events like Black Friday or Prime Day, but it pitched the Special Offers as a way to offset those expenditures further. The devices with Special Offers, now called Ad-Supported devices, consist of lock screen/screensaver ads personalized to you based on your shopping preferences and brows...

The Amazon Glow looks impressive, but if it doesn't get continued support from Amazon — its shine will dim quickly.It's that time of the year that we start getting a whole lot of new tech and the online retail behemoth Amazon announced a bunch of new stuff last week. As a parent of two young boys, one of the things that stood out the most was the Amazon Glow. In short, it's a mash-up of an Echo Show 8 and an interactive projector. Amazon is positioning it as a way for kids to stay connected with friends and family that may not live close enough to see very often.I love the idea. I can see it as an excellent device for families, especially for the kids who want to connect with relatives nearby and far. I don't know about you, but my family's days are always busy — and that's even during the offseason for activities. So I can see the Amazon Glow coming in handy when we may not have the time to arrange those in-person visits or if this pandemic we're living through continues to ...

Shouting into the void.Unless you were hiding under a rock earlier this week, you or someone you know was probably affected by the massive outage to Facebook's apps and services, including its popular messaging platforms like WhatsApp and Messenger. Each service boasts well over a billion users, and many of those people were left scrambling to find an alternate means to communicate with friends, family, and businesses.Even though WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger are extremely popular and capable apps, there are a bunch of other great messaging apps available on Android and other platforms. For example, just about everyone has a pre-installed SMS/MMS client like Samsung Messages or Google Messages on their Android phone.Signal is widely regarded as one of, if not the most, secure messaging apps around. And one of our favorite messaging apps, Telegram, even reported that it saw an increase of over 70 million new users during the time Facebook's services were down.It may be chall...

There aren't many smart home devices as well-known and universally respected as the extensive collection of smart lighting products made by Philips Hue. Since 2012 the company has been putting out a wide variety of indoor and outdoor smart light bulbs, and it has taken great pains to ensure that they're compatible with all major smart home ecosystems. With so many options to chose from, where do you even begin to search for the best Philips Hue lights? You can start with the Philips Hue White and Color Ambiance A19 Bluetooth Smart LED Bulb, which can connect to a Bridge for remote control, or you can use Bluetooth to manage them from the app while you're in the room.Best overall: Philips Hue White & Color Ambiance A19 Bluetooth Smart LED BulbThis bulb, available in a two-pack, is suitable for any room of your home and replaces a standard A19 bulb. However, what makes it great is that if you aren't ready to delve into a complete system yet, you can first connect it via Bluet...

A fully charged Oculus Quest or Oculus Quest 2 will give you about two to three hours of battery life, but if you have one of the best oculus quest battery packs, you can go even longer. For some players, the built-in battery is not nearly long enough for a good gaming session in Rec Room or Star Wars: Tales From the Galaxy's Edge or for an extended media session in an app like Netflix. Battery packs are some of the best Oculus Quest accessories and can double, or even triple, the battery life of your headset.Go for the comboQuest 2 Elite Strap with Battery and Carrying CaseStaff PickThis bundle is the only way you can get a Quest 2 Elite Strap with a battery built-in. The extra battery doubles the battery life of the Oculus Quest 2, according to Facebook. Just make sure you only grab one if you have an Oculus Quest 2 since it doesn't work with the original Oculus Quest.$129 at Amazon $129 at Best BuyNo need to stopRebuff Reality VR PowerRebuff Reality has been ...

Better than ever before.One of the many exciting new features of the PS5 is the ability to play games at 120 FPS (frames-per-second). With the newest generation of consoles, the advanced specs of the PS5 and Xbox Series X and the rise in capable displays mean that developers have the option of targeting 120 FPS in games if they so choose. We've rounded up all the games directly confirmed to at least feature a 120 FPS option in certain modes, which we'll add to over time as more games are announced. Here's the complete list of PS5 games with 120 FPS support — that we're aware of right now.Jump to:List of games with 120 FPS supportWhy should I want 120 FPS?What do I need?List of PS5 games with 120 FPS support Game Resolution Free upgrade Upgrade release date Borderlands 3 1080p Yes November 2020 Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War 1200p No November 13, 2020 Call of Duty: Warzone ~1512p Yes July 2021 Destiny 2 Dynamic 1440...

In addition to domestic seasons like the Premier League getting back underway, one tournament also in progress is the UEFA Nations League with 55 national teams from across Europe competing in the group stage for 2020/21. Now those group stage games have been completed, we now know which teams will be progressing to the finals in 2021 and which nations have been promoted and relegated for the next group stage.We've got all of the details below as well as info on how to live stream UEFA Nations League 2020/21 games online no matter where you are in the world.The global pandemic put a pause on the majority of domestic seasons across Europe leading to a delayed end to the campaign. That delay also saw the planned Euro 2020 competition being postponed until next summer. If you were excited to see some international football, the UEFA Nations League has got you covered.Portugal emerged as winners in the inaugural UEFA Nations League tournament in 2018/19 and were hoping to defend th...

The Grit X Pro Titan comes with an aerospace titanium case.What you need to knowPolar has announced two new additions to its Grit X family: Grit X Pro and Grit X Pro Titan.The Polar Grit X Pro offers military-grade durability, up to 100 hours of battery life, and extensive training features. The Grit X Pro Titan is 12% lighter than the Grit X Pro, thanks to the use of aerospace titanium.Polar, which makes some of the best running watches, has expanded its wearables lineup with the launch of the new Grit X Pro and Grit X Pro Titan.The new Polar Grit X Pro is a multi-sport smartwatch featuring a military-grade design with a Sapphire glass lens, flexible FKM wristband, and MIL-STD-810G compliance. It has Polar's Precision Prime sensor fusion technology for continuous heart-rate tracking and also includes built-in GPS with assisted GPS for fast-fix times.Since the watch is designed for outdoor enthusiasts, it offers new route and elevation profiles, along with turn-by-turn ...

Nokia brings its affordability and near-stock Android software experience into the world of tablets.What you need to knowThe Nokia T20 is a 10.4-inch, 2K Android tablet with a 8,200mAh battery.This is the second Nokia-branded tablet, after the Nokia N1 in 2015.It has the budget Unisoc Tiger T610 chipset and 4GB of RAM.It will ship with Android 11, with two planned OS upgrades and three years of security updates.The Nokia T20 will ship on November 17 in the US, costing $249.99 for the Wi-Fi version.When it comes to buying a cheap Android tablet, you really have three options right now: the Galaxy Tab A series, an Amazon Fire tablet, or a Lenovo Tab M series. Today, Nokia announced the Nokia T20, an affordable 10-inch tablet set to take them all on.At 10.4-inches, the Nokia T20 has solid resolution (1200x2000) with 400 nits of brightness and a reasonable weight of about a pound, making it easy enough to hold for long streaming binges. Its 8200mAh battery is supposed to la...

Google's Nest Renew program will help you live greener.What you need to knowGoogle is launching a new service for the Nest Thermostat dubbed "Nest Renew."Nest Renew will adjust heating and cooling times to help users reduce costs and live more sustainably.The service is free in the U.S., with a Premium offering for $10 per month.Nest Renew is compatible with the latest Nest Thermostat, the 3rd generation Nest Learning Thermostat, or Nest Thermostat E.As part of Google's latest sustainability efforts, the company is launching a new service for some of its best smart thermostats to help you live greener.With Nest Renew, you will have access to a new feature dubbed Energy Shift that will automatically shift heating and cooling to times when energy is cleaner or less expensive.Since electricity can come from different sources like wind farms or gas and coal, Energy Shift will help you make sure that you're getting the cleanest energy whenever possible. It works similarly w...

Google is committed to helping consumers make sustainable choices.What you need to knowGoogle announces its latest sustainability features to fight climate change.Google is introducing new features in Search and Maps to help consumers make more sustainable choices.Many of these features are rolling out globally starting October 6, with others arriving in the coming weeks or months.During the Sustainable with Google event on Wednesday, Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai outlined the company's latest plans to help fight climate change. After pledging for its campuses and data centers to run carbon-free by 2030, the company is turning its attention to consumers to help them make more sustainable choices by 2022.As part of this plan, Google is introducing more than a few features and updates to its apps and services on the web and the best Android phones, aimed at making it easier to live a more eco-friendly life.Travel greenerStarting today, Google is bringing more features mean...

Alexa will now wait a bit longer for you to complete your voice command.What you need to knowAmazon Alexa has a new feature that comes in handy for people with speech difficulty.The new accessibility feature allows users to complete a command at their own pace before Alexa responds.Android users can also now type their commands in the Alexa app.Alexa now gives you more time to finish your command before it responds. Amazon's digital assistant has picked up a new accessibility feature that will make Alexa wait a little while for you to finish your statement or query.According to Forbes, the new capability is available on some of the best Android phones and iOS devices. It's optional, which means you can choose to add the feature to your Alexa-enabled device such as the Amazon Echo Dot (4th Gen).The new accessibility feature might solve one of the lingering issues with digital assistants. For example, it can prove useful for those moments when Alexa suddenly interrupts yo...

You can now customize your Ring and Nest video doorbells with these eerie ringtones and chimes.What you need to knowGoogle and Amazon have unveiled their Halloween themes for the Nest and Ring video doorbells.The seasonal themes include spooky tones for both buzzers and quick replies for the Ring Video Doorbell.Nest Doorbell's ringtones will stick around until November 1, with more seasonal ringtones arriving for Thanksgiving and the Christmas season.Google Nest and Amazon's Ring have announced new seasonal themes and customizations for some of the best doorbell cameras just in time for Halloween, giving your guests creepy greetings and chimes the next time they knock.New eerie ringtones such as an evil laugh, skeleton dance, spooky raven, boooo ghost, howling werewolf, and cackling witch are among this year's Halloween-themed features from Nest. These ringtones are available on the Nest Doorbell (wired) and Nest Doorbell (battery) even without a Nest Aware subscription f...

All of your videos are getting their own tab.What you need to knowFacebook is getting rid of IGTV and merging it with feed videos.The new "Instagram Video" combines the app's media efforts into one tab.Instagram is also introducing new video editing features for videos.After Facebook's outage took Instagram down for a good portion of the day, the app is making some changes to put videos into one place.The new video tab will host Instagram Video, which will consist of both IGTV and feed videos, the former of which is being phased out almost entirely.Facebook says it's combining its video efforts into one format "to make it easier for people to discover new video content." Reels will apparently remain in a separate tab.Users will still be able to upload from their gallery and post the videos to their stories and direct messages. However, now video previews are being increased to 60 seconds, and the app is getting some new video editing tools and the ability to tag peo...

Google recently announced that its Stadia video game streaming service will be available for more Android TV devices. Before, people who wanted to stream games from the cloud to their televisions needed the aging Chromecast Ultra. While the Chromecast Ultra worked well and was bundled with the Stadia Controller, it was the only option to play Stadia games on the television. Here is a list of every Android TV model that will officially support Stadia.Google's ownChromecast with Google TV - SnowStaff PickThe Chromecast with Google TV replaces the Chromecast Ultra and does everything of its predecessor and more. It can cast content from an Android or iOS device, allow users to browse content among several apps without switching, and control smart home devices. It also comes with a dedicated voice remote equipped with Google Assistant.$50 at Google $50 at Best BuyNew TVHisense Android Smart TVs (U7G, U8G, U9G)Those looking to upgrade their screen can go with the...

Facebook services are down for users around the world, but they seem to be coming back online.Update, Oct 5 (16:45 ET): Facebook explains what went wrongUpdate, Oct 4 (18:45 ET): Facebook services recovering from outageIf you're having issues sending or receiving messages on WhatsApp, you're not the only one. The Facebook-owned messaging platform seems to be down, and it's not the only one; Instagram and Facebook are seeing outages as well, with users around the world unable to refresh their news feed or see messages.I'm not able to send or receive messages in WhatsApp, my Instagram feed isn't loading, and I'm not able to access Messenger. This isn't the first time Facebook services went down in recent months, and at this moment, it's unclear what's causing the issue. From the error message, it looks like a configuration issue with DNS servers.According to Downdetector, users from all over the world are having issues connecting to Facebook services, so it isn't an isolated ...

Comes with some caveats to regain control.What you need to knowA GitHub script allows Oculus Quest 2 owners to unlink the Facebook account attached to their virtual reality headset.A Facebook account and credit card are required to initially run the tool.The tool unlinks the always-required Facebook account but also disables other Oculus features.There is a new tool that lets Oculus Quest 2 owners remove the Facebook account requirement from their virtual reality headsets.'Oculess' is a script that can be sideloaded onto the Oculus Quest 2 to log the user out of Facebook while still making the headset usable. The specific tool comes after Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp suffered an outage globally earlier this week. The Oculus Quest 2 and Ray-Ban Stories glasses were also rendered useless during the outage since all require an active Facebook account.The tool can unlink the Facebook account from the Oculus Quest 2 so that it can still work even if the social media net...

Keeping your house clean isn't the easiest thing in the world. You have to find the time between running to work, taking care of family, and scheduling in that much-needed downtime. Something that can help keep your home clean is a reliable robot vacuum. I personally go with Roborock since the company creates quality products, like the Roborock S7, which comes with several convenience features while still incredibly good at cleaning my home. Roborock also offers several other amazing options. Here are the best Roborock vacuums on the market today.Best overall: Roborock S7We've had the chance to test the Roborock S7 for several weeks. Not only is it a powerful unit that can suck up anything from dirt to pet hair, but it also offers plenty of convenience features. From the Roborock app, I can schedule cleaning times, tell the unit which specific room to clean, or put up a no-go barrier telling it to leave a room alone. I have a Corgi and a gray tabby who are constantly shedding, ...

Google calendar is shaping up to be the ultimate work-from-home app.What you need to knowGoogle Calendar adds the option to create notes directly from an event.The document will automatically populate with the meeting/event information.Meeting notes will be automatically viewable to other meeting attendees depending on how you start them.Google is updating the Calendar app that will make it easy to create and share meeting notes straight from an event entry.A new option to "Take meeting notes" will appear on a Calendar event. Selecting the option will automatically populate the Google Doc with the relevant meeting information for easy organization.Upon saving, the document will not automatically share with the other event members, but a prompt will ask if you want to make it available. However, if you create or edit an existing event and select "Create meeting note," the saved document will be available to other members of that event.This distinction is likely to se...

So, you want a keyboard to use with your PS4 or PS5. If you're going to use it with games, know that most PS4 games only support keyboards for sending messages to other players in-game, not as an alternative controller. Because of this, you should probably save your money and don't go all-out on a fancy mechanical gaming keyboard. A compact or lightweight keyboard can sit next to you on the couch while you play games and is just as easy to pull into your lap for a quick message. Here are some of the best PS4 keyboards (that also work with PS5) you can get right now.Small, but completeLogitech K360Staff PickIf you're looking for a simple, wireless, compact keyboard that works and doesn't cost an arm and a leg, you might want to consider this one from Logitech. Its small size makes it ideal for storing away easily as well.From $19 at Amazon $20 at Best BuyItty bittyMacally USB Wired KeyboardThe tactile keys on this one offer a satisfying feel. Since drivers or dongl...

Get it while the deal lasts!Every so often, Amazon will have a deal so good that you just can't pass it up, and today is that day for the Lenovo Chromebook Flex 5. For today only, the online retailer is offering the best Chromebook you can buy at its lowest price ever. That means for just $300, you're getting a 13.5-inch 1080p display, loud front-facing speakers, Wi-Fi 6 support, and excellent battery life, all powered by a 10th-gen Intel Core i3.The Flex 5 was initially offered at $410 and normally sees discounts down to $380 or $350, so $300 is probably the lowest price you'll find for this fantastic device, at least for a while.Lenovo Chromebook Flex 5$300 at Amazon $425 at WalmartThe Lenovo Chromebook Flex 5 is a great device for anyone looking for a sleek, easy-to-use laptop with the power of Google's apps and services running everything in the cloud. At its lowest price ever, this laptop is practically a steal.There's a lot to like about the Flex 5. Our Ara Wago...

Best answer: Yes, you can play Stadia games on Google TV. There's a limited list of hardware that officially supports Stadia through Google TV. Still, any device that can run Google TV will play Stadia games in some capacity.Official Google TV devicesIf you've ever asked yourself: Can I play Stadia on Google TV? It's important to note when Google Stadia first launched in November 2019, users could stream games directly to their PC, television, and some mobile devices through the cloud. However, during that time, the only way to play Stadia games through the television was through the company's own Chromecast Ultra device with a Stadia controller.But times change. In mid-2021 when Google announced it was extending Stadia support to more existing hardware. The list of officially supported devices includes the following:Chromecast with Google TVHisense Android Smart TVs (U7G, U8G, U9G)Nvidia Shield TV and Shield TV ProOnn FHD Streaming Stick and UHD Streaming DevicePanasoni...