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Best answer: Yes, but be very careful and do your research. Sony can't guarantee that all SSDs meeting its listed requirements will be fully compatible with PS5. You'll want to make sure that the SSDs in question have been tested and the manufacturer states they're compatible.What's the difference between an SSD and HDD?To make it as simple as possible: SSDs are much faster, usually smaller, and cost more than HDDs. SSDs use flash storage to read and write information, while HDDs have mechanical parts that physically read and write information.If you look at the PS5 vs. PS4 Pro, which uses an HDD, the PS5 is lightning fast in comparison.Should I buy an internal or external SSD?Now that Sony has enabled expanded storage for PS5, you should definitely buy an internal SSD. There's a dedicated slot for one next to its fan and across from the disc drive after you take off the white plate. The problem is that it can be tricky figuring out which models are compatible. You can read...

Despite decreased demand, Samsung's mobile profitability remained solid in Q2.What you need to knowSamsung has announced its financial results for the second quarter of 2021.The company's operating profit increased 54% YoY, thanks to solid chip sales.Samsung's mobile communications division, however, saw a decrease in revenue over the previous quarter.Samsung Electronics' operating profit jumped 54% YoY and 34% QoQ in the second quarter of 2021, led by strong semiconductor sales. The company posted KRW 63.67 trillion (about $55.5 billion) in revenue and KRW 12.57 trillion (about $10.9 billion) in operating profit.Samsung's semiconductor division contributed more than a third of the total revenue during the second quarter. The memory business registered a significant increase in sales over the previous quarter due to a stronger-than-expected rise in prices of both DRAM and NAND chips. While demand for server and PC memory was strong, sales of mobile memory were affected by...

When it comes to getting a refund for a digital game on PS4 or PS5, your mileage may vary. Technically, you won't be given a refund on a digital game that you've already downloaded or played unless the content is faulty. This is usually up to PlayStation Support's discretion — and whether or not the game is riddled with bugs. Still, if you've purchased a game and find that you don't want it, you have up to 14 days to request a refund. Here's a quick way to learn how to refund a PS4 game and even a new PS5 release.How to request a refund on a PS4 or PS5 gameGo to playstation.com/en-us/support/store/ps-store-refund-request/.Select Request Refund.If you were the owner of the account that was charged, select Yes in the chat window that opens up.Select why you'd like a refund.Select why you're returning the game. If a support agent is available, you'll be redirected to a live agent. If you're requesting a refund outside of operating hours, you'll need to take note of the...

Endless possibilitiesFitbit Versa 3From $225 at AmazonProsGPS, HRM, NFCActivity/sleep trackingActive Zone MinutesGoogle Assistant & AlexaAttractive designConsShorter battery lifePrevious Versa bands aren't compatibleThose who want a well-rounded smartwatch the addresses numerous needs will love the Fitbit Versa 3. You won't be confined to one specific focus. This watch offers GPS, activity/sleep tracking, blood oxygen monitoring, Active Zone Minutes, Fitbit Pay, voice assistants, and much more.Focus on runningGarmin Forerunner 55$200 at AmazonProsGPS, HRMActivity/sleep trackingNewly added sports appsAdvanced running perksTwo weeks of battery lifeConsNo NFC for Garmin PayBland designIn some cases, you might be better off with a watch that focuses on a specific need. This is especially true for runners who want to track their runs and improve their performance over time. Some perks include GPS, activity/sleep tracking, advan...

Complete The Farmer's Treasure quest.Genshin Impact just got its biggest update yet, allowing players to travel to Inazuma, the nation of the Electro Archon. As you travel through Inazuma for the first time, you will quickly be overwhelmed with new quests and missions, as well as a huge addition to the map to explore. The Farmer's Treasure quest will have you treking across that map in search of old stone tablets on the promise of impressive treasure from a shady character. Fortunately, we've made that trek and can walk you through each step of this quest. If you're playing on Android, it doesn't support controllers at this time, but we're hoping you can use some of the best Android gaming controllers sooner rather than later to take your game to the next level.The Farmer's TreasureThe Farmer's Treasure is a world quest in the latest nation of Genshin Impact, Inazuma. Completing the quest will earn you 60 Primogen, 500 Adventure EXP, a Northlander sword billet, and the Saimon...

Cyber attacks are on the rise, including data breaches that leave personal information compromised. One of the best ways to protect yourself is with an antivirus program designed to keep your locally stored information and your internet data secure. I spent several months testing and reevaluating the top antivirus programs currently available in 2021. While there haven't been many changes since last year, these recommendations will keep your computers, mobile devices and networks as secure as possible. Bitdefender Antivirus Plus is still the best antivirus program with real-time protection that stops and scrubs threats from your system before they have a chance to start downloading. Still, there are several other excellent programs on this list to choose from, including a handful of these solutions that work with mobile devices. Check out my picks for the best antivirus apps for Android to see a more comprehensive list.Best Antivirus Overall: Bitdefender Antivirus PlusBitdefend...

You don't have to look far to find some of the best PS4 prices and discounts from a variety of retailers. Sony's PlayStation continues to dominate the console scene, and even after Sony and its competitors have unveiled a new generation of console, the PlayStation 4 shows no signs of slowing down. It still has some of the best games of the generation, including some exclusives you can't find anywhere else.Best PlayStation Deals Available NowPlayStation 4: starting at $280PlayStation 4 Pro: refurb from $390PlayStation VR: starting at $150More Info: Pricing history, which to buy & moreNew and better deals get released much more often than you'd expect. If you've already bought one of the consoles in the past, maybe today is the day you upgrade to a higher storage capacity or even jump up to the PlayStation 4 Pro.Our team has had an eye on the PlayStation 4 for years, and we've been tracking the best prices, the best deals, and all the best bundles and combo deals aro...

SSD compatibility is complicated on PS5 right nowOne of the most exciting features about the PS5 is its lightning-fast SSD. With only 825GB of storage — and only around 667GB of it actually usable — it fills up quickly. An SSD means that developers can theoretically cut down on the size of games, but this only goes so far. In anticipation of Sony approving support for expanded SSD storage, we've created a handy guide to explain the differences between an SSD and HDD, how PS5 storage currently works, and more.Jump to:SSD vs HDD explainedPS5 SSD compatibilityWhich SSDs are not compatibleExpanding your PS5 storageSSD vs HDD explainedSSDs (solid-state drive) tend to be faster and smaller than HDDs (hard disc drive) because the former uses flash-memory chips and does not having moving parts. HDDs, on the other hand, take longer to read/write information because they use magnetic tape and have internal moving parts. This is also why SSDs are usually more expensive ...

The Edge 20 Pro is Motorola's first phone to support 8K UHD video recording.What you need to knowMotorola has rolled out three new Edge series phones.All three phones feature a 108MP main camera. They will go on sale in select markets across Europe, Latin America, and the Middle East starting next month.Motorola today unveiled a trio of Edge series phones with 5G connectivity, high-refresh-rate screens, and a 108MP main camera. The Motorola Edge 20 Pro, which is the most impressive of the three new phones, is the company's answer to the best Android phones in the premium mid-range segment.The Edge 20 Pro comes with a 6.7-inch FHD+ OLED display with a 144Hz refresh rate, up to 576Hz touch latency, and HDR10+ certification. It runs on Qualcomm's Snapdragon 870 platform with up to 12GB of LPDDR5 RAM and 256GB of UFS 3.1 storage.The phone has a triple-camera setup with a 108MP primary sensor featuring 9-in-1 pixel binning, an 8MP periscope lens with 5X zoom, and a 16MP ul...

Whether you work from home or are drowning in homework, a good desk lamp is a great way to tie your entire workspace together. Better yet, a desk lamp that can charge your phone adds a beautiful level of functionality that any workflow can benefit from. So without further ado, these are our favorite desk lamps that also serve as some of the best phone chargers.Fast wireless chargingAFROG Multifunctional LED Desk LampStaff PickThis desk lamp from AFROG has a very modern design that's super sleek and highly customizable. The LED light has five lighting modes and five different brightness levels that can be changed at any time using the touch controls at the base. You'll also enjoy a wireless charging pad at the base of the lamp, along with a USB-A charging port for when you want to plug something in.$30 at Amazon $39 at WalmartThe simple choiceLimelights Brushed Steel LampLimelights' lamp has a much more traditional design that's simply timeless. The fabric lampshad...

The new phones boast class-leading camera hardware, but lack 5G connectivity.What you need to knowHuawei's flagship P50 and P50 Pro phones are now official.The P50 is the first phone to feature a 4G-only Snapdragon 888 chipset. Both phones have a 50MP main camera and run Huawei's HarmonyOS 2.0. Huawei has finally taken the wraps off the latest additions to its P series line of phones. Like their predecessors, the new P50 and P50 Pro tout impressive camera capabilities and a premium design.The vanilla Huawei P50 has a 6.5-inch OLED screen with a 90Hz refresh rate and a 300Hz touch sampling rate. Just as rumors had suggested, the phone is powered by a 4G-only version of Qualcomm's Snapdragon 888 chipset. The 5nm chip has been paired with 8GB of RAM and up to 256GB of storage, which can be further expanded using Huawei's proprietary NM cards.The Leica-branded triple-lens camera setup at the rear features a 50MP primary sensor, a 13MP ultra-wide lens, and a 12MP periscope ...

Chromebooks have come a long way since these computers debuted in 2011. While initially thought of as a low-cost laptop that was only good for browsing the web, now, they are powerful enough that many people use them as a full-time work laptop. Whether you are using your Chromebook for school, your job, or entertainment, getting a bunch of notifications can easily distract you from the task at hand. This is why knowing how to enable Do Not Disturb on your Chromebook can really be beneficial — and good news, it's easy to do.How to enable Do Not Disturb on your ChromebookThere are a lot of great Chromebook tips and tricks, and being able to turn on the Do Not Disturb setting can be just the ticket to maintain sanity when trying to get something done on your computer.Power on your Chromebook.Click on the clock in the lower-right of the screen.Select the icon that looks like a no entry (⛔) symbol. By following these steps, you'll be able to keep all notifications fro...

Nothing's first wireless earbuds have a few drawbacks, but they excel in one area: sound quality.There's no dearth of choice if you're in the market for wireless audio. The best wireless earbuds from Samsung, Sony, Jabra, and Sennheiser deliver incredible sound and come with useful features like the ability to tune out background noise and water resistance. But what's particularly interesting is how far budget wireless earbuds have come in the last three years; these days, you can get great-sounding earbuds that offer the same set of features as their high-end counterparts for $100 or less.So when Carl Pei announced that his startup Nothing was launching wireless earbuds that would disrupt the audio segment, I was skeptical. But history is on Pei's side; he already managed to shake things up in the smartphone industry with OnePlus, and it's clear that he set to do something similar with Nothing.In fact, Nothing evokes memories of OnePlus during its infancy, with Pei employing s...

Overheating isn't just a hassle — it damages your PS4. Prolonged heat at high temperatures can ruin your circuit boards. But don't beat yourself up too bad, console overheating is often an external cause. From a system overload to a routine cleaning job, we're here to help show you how to fix PS4 overheating issues and get you back to playing some of your favorite PS4 games in no time. Let's get started.Products used in this guidePS4 Stand Cooling Fan Station for Playstation 4Dust-Off Falcon Compressed Air 3-PackMR.SIGA Microfiber Cleaning Cloth 6-PackRoom temperature and random flukesSometimes, a console overheating is just a one-time fluke. Before you think your console is broken forever, make sure you try these steps first.Turn off your PS4.Let the console cool down to a normal temperature.Turn your console back on.While the PS4 is designed to run for awhile, it's best to give it some time to breathe, in a sense, especially in between long sessions of use. If...

Data savingsMint MobileFrom $15/mo. at Mint MobileProsBulk savingsCheaper dataNo overagesCompatible with most phones5GB mobile hotspotConsInternational roaming is extraMinimum of three monthsUnlimited is slowed at 35GBMint Mobile can save you money on data with three months of service and save even more with six and 12-month plans. With plenty of data options for most people and no risk of overage fees, you'll get T-Mobile's huge LTE and 5G network behind you for an affordable price.Worldwide coverageGoogle FiFrom $20/mo. at Google FiProsFree-roaming data in 200+ countriesData is free over 6GBMultiple networks5G coverageMulti-line savingsConsExpensive dataFew phones support full networkData slowed on all plansSimply Unlimited plan has fewer perksGoogle Fi is a great premium option with no contracts. You get the benefit of more than one network with a supported phone that keeps speeds and coverage higher than many other carr...

A similar lawsuit was filed against Apple in May over "unlawful" App Store charges.What you need to knowA legal action brought in a UK court against Google seeks damages of up to £920 million ($1.3 billion) for Play Store users in the UK.It alleges that Google's Play Store practices are in violation of UK and EU competition laws.The lawsuit argues that the Play Store's 30% surcharge is "unearned tax" and is imposed on Android users without justification.A new legal action brought by consumer campaigner Liz Coll against Google in London seeks damages of up to £920 million ($1.3 billion) on behalf of around 19.5 million Android users in the country.It alleges that the Google Play Store's 30% surcharge for digital purchases is unlawful and "bears no relationship to the costs of providing the services." The case comes less than a month after a coalition of 37 state attorney generals filed a lawsuit against Google over high Play Store app fees.Liz Coll, who is the proposed...

Google's Live Transcribe is an app that listens to what's going on around it and translates in real-time any text it hears onto your phone screen. The app can also identify some common sounds such as animals, engines, and more. It's handy as an accessibility feature if you have trouble hearing, but can also be used as a transcription tool. You probably already have it on your Android phone, but it's not always visible in your app list. We'll show you how to find it, use it, and what the settings can do. Note: Live transcribe requires an internet connection to function.How to use Google's Live Transcribe appLive Transcribe is a part of Google's suite of services, but the Live transcribe app may be hidden from your app list by default. Therefore, the easiest way to open the app the first time is to open the Play Store and search for it.Open the Play Store.Search for Live Transcribe.If the app is not already on your phone, tap Install. Otherwise, tap Open.The first time yo...

And there's still no fix in sight.When you've been using the same phone for a long time, it's just expected that you'll eventually run out of space and have to clean things up from time to time. Google has made it easy to clean your phone up for a few years now with the Files Go app, and big OS updates like Android 12 have built-in smart storage that's designed to automatically free up space when it makes sense. So imagine my surprise when I found out a hidden system app that can't be cleaned up was taking up nearly 20GB of my phone's precious storage space.That system app in question is "Phone and Messaging Storage"; an innocuously named app that, based on my experience with trying to trim up its size, doesn't do exactly what you think it does. I've been using this Pixel 4 XL for the past year-and-a-half — a phone that does not support storage expansion with the best microSD cards, mind you — and no amount of operating system updates seem to have solved this problem for me....

The winner of this year's Concacaf Gold Cup will be decided this Sunday at Allegiant Stadium in Paradise, Nevada but before then the four remaining teams will face off in the semifinals to decide which two teams will move on to the finals and we have all the details on how you can watch both Qatar vs USA and Mexico vs Canada online or on TV.The Concacaf Gold Cup is held every two years and this year's tournament kicked off earlier this month on July 10. So far 24 matches have been played across 11 different stadiums throughout the U.S.The 2021 Concacaf Gold Cup semifinals will see Qatar go up against USA in Austin, Texas while Mexico takes on Canada in Houston, Texas on Thursday, July 29. The winners of each match will then meet on Sunday, August 1 for the 2021 Concacaf Gold Cup final to see which team will take home the trophy. During the 2019 Concacaf Gold Cup final, Mexico defeated the U.S. 1-0 while Haiti and Jamaica were the runners-up.To earn their spots in Thursday's sem...

One of the longest-running and most iconic music festivals in the United States is coming to a screen near you! Lollapalooza first began 30 years ago in Chicago, Illinois and has consistently sold out shows annually since its inception. With performances across genres such as alternative rock, hip hop, heavy metal, electronic, and pop music, Lollapalooza does an excellent job of offering a diverse lineup that all music fans can enjoy.Following last year's cancelled event due to the pandemic, Lollapalooza organizers instead held a livestream event for free on YouTube in July 2020 which included previously recorded performances as well as a few new sets. Unlike last year, the in-person Lollapalooza 2021 festival is still happening despite rising COVID-19 cases. However, thanks to the 2020 livestream's success, those who aren't attending in person will be able to watch the festival at home once again.Lollapalooza 2021 is sure to be one for the books as this year's event marks the ...

Google Voice gets several much-needed enhancements.What you need to knowSeveral features and enhancements are arriving for Google Voice users.Google is adding a redial button available when calls drop, along with providing the reason behind the dropped call.iOS users will now be able to set their Google Voice caller ID as the display number when receiving forwarded calls.Google is improving SMS management with multiple-thread deletion.Fans of Google Voice may be happy to know that the company is finally giving the app some attention with a few helpful new features already rolling out on the best Android phones and iOS devices.Google announced on Wednesday that dropped calls and missed calls will now be more informative, letting the user know why the device couldn't complete or receive a call. In the former matter, if a call doesn't complete using Google Voice, not only will the user be able to quickly redial, but the app will provide a reason that the call couldn't compl...

The chip shortage is still affecting many industries, but Qualcomm proves it can overcome.What you need to knowQualcomm announced its fiscal year Q3 earnings on Wednesday.The company reported higher-than-expected growth, with revenue up by 63% from the previous year.Qualcomm attributes its strong chip sales to its multi-sourcing strategy.Qualcomm announced its fiscal year Q3 earnings on Wednesday, showing impressive growth despite the ongoing chip shortage that continues to affect many industries.The company managed to beat analyst expectations with quarterly revenue of $8 billion, compared to the expected $7.58 billion. That's also up from $4.8 billion in the same period last year.The biggest driver for that is the company's QCT semiconductor business which reported $6.47 billion in revenue. That's up 70% YoY, and saw the most growth from Qualcomm's RF front-end sales which the company says is "crucial to design high-performance 5G devices."At a glance: @Qualcomm Q3 ...

What you need to knowCustomers that switch to Metro by T-Mobile and trade in any working phone get unlimited service for $25 per month for two years.Switching customers can also get a free 5G phone.Metro by T-Mobile targets Cricket and Boost Mobile customers, pointing out that they can get half-off an unlimited plan with 5G.T-Mobile is on the offensive, and its most recent target is prepaid customers, specifically those on Cricket Wireless and Boost Mobile. T-Mobile announced starting July 29, customers that switched to Metro by T-Mobile can get an unlimited plan for $25 per month with 5G support. Customers can also get a free 5G phone when they switch. This offer is only open to customers that bring their number to Metro and trade in any working phone.This is down from the $40 per month plan currently offered to switching customers. The $25 per month price will be available for two years before reverting to full price. Once your term is up, you own the phone, so you can ta...

Eero is one of the biggest names for consumer mesh routers, but some of the best eero mesh alternatives offer many great features. The company's routers are easy to set up, connect, and maintain, but Eero is far from the only brand in this space. So if you know you need a mesh system and you're looking for an alternative to the Eero craze, these are your best bets.So easy to useGoogle Nest Wifi - Mesh WiFi SystemStaff PickAs far as we're concerned, the best Eero alternative comes from Google. With its Nest Wifi system, Google's made setting up a mesh network incredibly easy without sacrificing speed or features. Setup is handled through the fantastic Google Home app, and this bundle gives you a primary router and mesh point for up to 3,800 square feet of coverage. You'll get speeds up to 2.2Gbps, both 2.4GHz and 5GHz frequencies are supported, and the mesh point even doubles as a Google Assistant speaker.$269 at Dell$269 at Best Buy$269 at WalmartBudget pickTP-Link De...

The future of Android development with Kotlin has arrivedWhat you need to knowGoogle announced that Jetpack Compose 1.0 is exiting its beta status and is available today.Jetpack Compose was originally introduced at Android Dev Summit 2019.The main purpose behind this new tool makes it easier for developers to create good-looking apps.After being announced in 2019 and introduced in a Canary build earlier this year, Google has formally announced that Jetpack Compose 1.0 is finally available. This tool aims to help developers build apps faster, taking advantage of "Android's modern native UI."As detailed by Android Central's Jerry Hildebrand, Jetpack Compose is a tool that not only will "breathe new life into your favorite apps," but also other products using Google's different pieces of software. This includes Chrome OS for the best Chromebooks, Android TV, tablets, and even the best foldable phones.The problem with many of the best Android apps is that while these can be...

What you need to knowT-Mobile's coverage map now shows where you can get faster Ultra Capacity 5G coverage.Ultra Capacity 5G uses mid-band spectrum at 2.5GHz and covers 165 million people, with 200 million expected by the end of the year.Extended Range 5G now covers 305 million people across 1.7 million square miles.T-Mobile has been focused on expanding its Ultra Capacity 5G network across the country, hitting milestone after milestone in the number of people covered. The only problem was that it was nearly impossible to tell if you were covered by this faster 5G network unless you dug into the diagnostics menu on your phone. As Reported by PCMag, T-Mobile includes Ultra Capacity 5G on its coverage map so the customer can tell where they can experience this fast 5G connection.According to an update from T-Mobile, Ultra Capacity 5G covers 165 million people with an average download speed of 350Mbps. This is a notable upgrade from the speeds people got previously on well-dev...

Anecdotal evidence that Apple won't easily give up its societal dominance.What you need to knowAccording to an upcoming book, NBA coach Jason Kidd was a "hard-nosed coach" who punished the whole team for a single player's mistakes.One "mistake" included a lone Android user among his team, causing green bubbles to appear in the team's iMessage group chat.Most of the unique features in Apple's iMessage app require all users in a group chat to use an iPhone.It's a story as old as time — or, as old as modern smartphones, anyway; A group of friends with iPhones start a group chat, only to find that one of their friends' chat bubbles don't show up in the right color. What was originally designed as a way to easily identify when all chat features would be available in iMessage quickly became a societal stigma. According to a report by Insider, the Android-shaming stigma made it all the way to the NBA, where the at-the-time Milwaukee Bucks coach Jason Kidd punished the whole team...

Enjoy the rush of competition from the comfort of your living room.The PS4 has an immense catalog of great games that let you relax, visit a new world, or hang out with friends online. That includes a vast number of sports games catering to fans and competitors of every type. So whether you want to put together a dream team featuring your favorite professional athletes or play a wild, futuristic sport that will test your reflexes and situational awareness, there's a game for that. We've put together a guide to some of the best PS4 sports games available now so you can enjoy all the thrills.Jump to:Rocket LeagueFutureGrindBOXVReFootball Pro Evolution Soccer 2020Everybody's GolfMadden NFL 21F1 2020NBA 2K21OlliOlli: Epic Combo EditionTony Hawk's Pro Skater 1 + 2MLB The Show 21Rocket LeagueWhy play soccer with people when you can do it with customized Battle-Cars? Face your friends in the arena through local multiplayer and online play that lets you share ga...

We've researched, tested, and reviewed dozens, if not hundreds of devices and have come up with the following list of what we consider the best Alexa devices. If you don't already have an Echo smart speaker, we recommend you pick up the Amazon Echo (4th Gen) to get started. It sounds great and comes in at a reasonable starting price. But, of course, if you already have an Echo and want to see what else is available, well, we've got you covered there too.Best Amazon Alexa smart speaker: Amazon Echo (4th Gen)The original Amazon Echo that debuted in late 2014 gave us our first introduction to Alexa, and we've been hooked ever since. What started as a stark, black tube has evolved over three generations to a softer, gentler-looking Alexa vessel and has spawned an entire line of other Echo devices.This "regular" Echo (4th Gen) is the best of the series yet. It boasts an improved sound architecture over the first three generations, one that is borrowed from the more expensive Echo ...

Google's work-from-home policy gets an extension.What you need to knowGoogle CEO Sundar Pichai sends an open letter to employees about returning to the office.The new policy states that employees coming to the office much be vaccinated.Google is extending its optional work-from-home policy until October 18.While vaccinations continue to ramp up, so does the new Delta variant of COVID-19. Amid a steady return to the office for many employees, Google CEO Sunday Pichai has released an open letter to employees regarding its new policy and vaccinations.Pichai outlined the new company policy requiring that all employees returning to the office be fully vaccinated. He says that this new requirement "will vary according to local conditions and regulations, and will not apply until vaccines are widely available in your area." The policy will not go into effect immediately but will roll out "in the coming weeks" to employees in the U.S. and eventually to offices in other countries....

Sony's WH-1000XM4 over-ear headphones are incredibly popular for travelers, and with good reason. They offer a near-perfect blend of great sound quality, battery life, and of course, active noise-canceling. Unfortunately, they're expensive, but they're far from your only option in this increasingly popular field. Whether you're after better comfort or just don't like the capacitive controls, some of these alternatives may be a better fit for you.Best overallBose Noise Canceling Headphones 700Staff pickBose's 700-series headphones go a step above the QC35s, with better sound quality and a much sleeker design that feels incredibly comfortable on your head. Of course, you still get excellent noise cancellation, USB-C, and even Alexa built in. Consider the Bose 700 your all-over upgrade pick.$379 at Amazon $379 at Best Buy $379 at WalmartSuperior audioB&O Beoplay HXBang & Olufsen delivers some of the best audio around, even with its Bluetooth headphones. The H...

The best Synology NAS enclosures are often the best overall NAS servers available today. A NAS lets you easily back up data from Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS devices, and you can build a robust media server for streaming audio and video to all devices on your home network. These are the best Synology NAS enclosures you can buy.1. Synology DiskStation DS220+: Best overallIf you're buying a NAS for the first time or looking to upgrade, the DiskStation DS220+ is the ideal choice. The NAS enclosure has two bays, and it can accommodate a total of 32TB worth of storage across the two drive bays. That should be more than enough storage for most users, and you get upgraded internal hardware in the form of an Intel Celeron J4025 chipset and 2GB of DDR4 RAM.You also get two Gigabit Ethernet ports at the back, and thanks to Link Aggregation, you can combine the two ports to get a boost in data transfer rates across your home network. There are also two USB 3.0 ports and a single fan...

If you're buying a Verizon phone on a budget, this is your winner.As I sit here writing this review, it is lunchtime and the Samsung Galaxy A42 5G in my hand is at 67%, with five hours screen on time since I took it off the charger yesterday. While the A42 is easy to misplace in the now crowded A-series on sale this summer, it can definitely differentiate from the other best cheap Android phones itself in two ways: a unique look and a battery that really will last for days.The A42 5G also has the mmWave support that the Samsung Galaxy A52 5G lacks, which will make this a very tempting choice for Verizon customers wanting to use its 5G Ultra Wideband (UWB) network — assuming you actually have any patches of it rolled out in your area. For $400, it could be a decent mid-range phone for those who value screen and battery above all. There's some definite compromises made at this price point — phone calls are quiet and the camera is average at best — but overall, the Samsung Gal...

Best answer: Yes. While useful without the subscription, a Nest Aware subscription plan gives you access to cloud storage as well as the ability to share clips, receive Intelligent Alerts, and customize activity zones.What is Nest Aware?Nest cameras are some of the best Google Home compatible devices you'll find, but a Nest Aware subscription makes them even better. Nest Aware is a subscription service offered by Nest that works to enhance the function of various Nest Cams. This service provides a few important benefits, especially for those who want to be able to store recordings for use in the future.Nest Aware enables running cloud storage for all of the videos captured by any of your Nest devices, displayed in a timeline view. Events can be searched or sorted by device, and individual clips can be easily shared from the Nest app to anyone who might need to see them. Additionally, you'll be able to customize specific areas on the camera footage where motion detection is igno...

OPPO becomes the second OEM to use the Snapdragon Wear 4100.What you need to knowOPPO has launched the OPPO Watch 2 with the Snapdragon Wear 4100 chipset.The company claims up to 16 days of battery life thanks to its Ultra Dynamic Dual Engine.The OPPO Watch 2 is only available in China for now, with an international launch likely planned for next month.OPPO has just launched the follow-up to last year's impressive OPPO Watch, this time with a new processor and vastly improved battery life.The new watch doesn't stray far from its predecessor in terms of looks, with a rectangular design closely matching the Apple Watch. The OPPO Watch 2 comes with a curved 1.75-inch or 1.91-inch AMOLED display for the 42mm and 46mm sizes, respectively. The display has a pixel density of 336ppi and runs at a relatively smooth 60Hz.The new OPPO Watch 2 features the latest Qualcomm Snapdragon Wear 4100 chipset, making OPPO only the second OEM to make use of the new chip since it launched las...

Top pick for studentsOffice 365 EducationFree at MicrosoftProsAccess to eight Office programsTeams allows real-time collaborationCompatible with multiple devicesConsNot as many collaboration tools as WorkspaceSaved files may be seen by administratorsYou can get an Office 365 Education subscription free with your school email address. With this subscription, you get access to Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and OneDrvie. You can collaborate with teachers and fellow students through Teams, OneNote and keep track of email messages and upcoming deadlines with Outlook.Good collaborative toolsGoogle Workspace for Education FundamentalsFree at GoogleProsAccess to Google Docs, Sheets, and SlidesCollaboration toolsAccess school email through GmailConsSchool partnership is requiredCollaborating features are clunkyGoogle Workspace allows real-time collaboration through all Google apps, including Docs, Slides, and Sheets. You can meet virtually usin...

The default Messages app is installed out of the box on all Android phones, and Google constantly adds new features to the service. A new addition is the ability to star messages. This feature allows you store important messages for later, making it easier for you to access the contents of the message without having to dig through dozens of conversations. Here's how you can take advantage of this useful feature.How to star important messages in the Google Messages appOpen Google Messages. Pick a conversation.Tap and hold the message you'd like to star. Now hit the Star icon that shows up at the top of the app.You should see a smaller star icon at the bottom of the message, indicating that it has been saved as a starred message. You can view these messages by going to the action overflow menu (three vertical dots to the right) and selecting Starred. All of your starred messages are saved here by default.It's good to see Google adding the ability to star messages wit...

Another BlackBerry is on the way, but do you care?The smartphone industry has become a cutthroat business, and only those that can keep up will last. Companies like Nokia and LG have fallen victim to the fast-moving business. BlackBerry used to be one of the biggest players in the market, but the rise of all-screen smartphones, among other things, brought the company to its knees more than once. But now, it appears BlackBerry is getting another chance, and we want to know if you'd actually be interested in a new BlackBerry smartphone.Would you buy a 5G BlackBerry smartphone?After years of struggling to keep up with the best Android phones, TCL managed to give BlackBerry new life in 2016 by agreeing to build its smartphones while Blackberry would focus solely on its software. However, that partnership ended last year, which seemed to mark the final death of BlackBerry. Until, later that same year, the company entered a partnership with OnwardMobile and FIH Mobile Limited to bui...

The safety section will help you better understand an app's privacy and security practices and make more informed install decisions.What you need to knowGoogle has revealed more details about Google Play's upcoming safety section.The safety section will enable developers to showcase their app's safety to users. It is slated to launch for apps in Google Play in the first quarter of 2022.Back in May, Google announced plans of adding a new safety section to app listings in Google Play to help users understand how their data is used by developers. The company has now shared more details about the upcoming safety section — including images that show what it might look like.As you can see below, the safety section will show up in an app's Play Store listing page on the best Android phones. The new section will highlight the app's safety details, such as whether it uses data encryption and if it has been independently validated against a global security standard.When you t...

Commit and save.Verizon sells all kinds of phones. From top-of-the-line flagships to discounted budget devices. From iPhone to Android. From phones focused on watching media to phones focused on cameras. No matter what you're looking for, you're probably also looking to save some money. Who isn't? Verizon releases new and interesting deals all the time. The majority of these deals work in a similar fashion, too. You will get the discount on the phone through a series of promotional credits applied to your monthly bill. It may take up to two years to earn all your savings, but that would be worth it when we're talking about hundreds of dollars.Best Verizon Plan DealsWhile some people (and even other carriers) like to poke fun at Verizon for being more expensive, if you look in the right places you can actually get a plan that meets your needs without spending too much cash. The carrier does offer a variety of different options, and you'll want to do a little research to figure o...

Trying to find the best cheap headphones is already a tough task with the number of options out there, and it gets more difficult when trying to find the best earbuds under an affordable price point. A headset — earphones or earbuds (or even a single earbud) with a microphone and controls — is a different beast than a set of earbuds or headphones without a mic. For starters, not every set will work with Android when you need to answer calls and adjust the volume. Plus, when products are cheap, there are thousands of choices to wade through. So we chose the best ones.Foam fitKLIM Fusion EarbudsStaff PickThey handle calls just fine, fit better than average, and aren't terrible to wear. Best of all, they sound awesome. The Fusion Earbuds also include memory foam ear-tips so that you'll get the best fit possible without having to worry about ear fatigue. Plus, KLIM offers a 5-year warranty if anything goes awry with your amazing earbuds.$20 at AmazonFor the gymJLab M...

As our connected lifestyles and smart homes continue to merge, we find new ways to secure our houses and belongings, like choosing from among the best security cameras with local storage. In light of recent data breaches and privacy scandals, many are looking for options that feature on-device storage solutions (a.k.a. don't use the cloud), so we've put together a list of some of the best options for your reference. My favorite out of the bunch is the eufy Cam 2. It has all of the features I want, with none of the added expenses (subscriptions).Best overall security camera with local storage: eufy Cam 2Eufy makes a line of quality smart home products like this Indoor/Outdoor camera, but one of the things we like best about its products is the one-time fee model they espouse. You don't have to purchase an ongoing cloud storage subscription to access or store your videos, and this device even comes with 16GB EMMC digital storage, which is enough to store up to a year's worth of r...

Samsung started teasing the One UI 3.0 beta program for the Galaxy S20 series in September last year.What you need to knowSamsung has confirmed that the Android 12-based One UI 4.0 beta program will begin in September.The One UI 4.0 beta program will initially be limited to owners of Samsung's Galaxy S21 series phones. You can expect the stable One UI 4.0 update to hit the Galaxy S21 series before the end of the year.Earlier today, a Samsung community manager accidentally posted a banner for the the company's Android 12-based One UI 4.0 beta program. The banner suggested that the first One UI 4.0 beta for the Galaxy S21 series is "coming soon." However, the company has now clarified that the One UI 4.0 beta program will only begin "around September and October" (via TizenHelp).This means that the stable Android 12-based One UI 4.0 update could begin rolling out to the company's best Android phones sometime in the fourth quarter of the year. It took roughly two months fo...

Several games also reached key milestones.What you need to knowSony announced on Wednesday that over 10 million PS5 units have been sold so far.This makes the PS5 the fastest-selling PlayStation console ever.Sony also provided sales updates on numerous games, including Ratchet and Clank: Rift Apart. On Wednesday, Sony provided an update on PS5 unit sales and several sales milestones for major games released so far. Sony confirmed that PS5 sales crossed 10 million units sold, a major accomplishment that cements the PS5 as the fastest-selling PlayStation console ever.Speaking with GamesIndustry.biz, Sony shared updates on multiple exclusive titles, stating that Insomniac Games' Marvel's Spider-Man: Miles Morales has sold over 6.5 million copies, Housemarque's Returnal is over 560,000 copies sold and finally, Ratchet and Clank: Rift Apart is over 1.1 million copies sold."Engagement on the platform is the highest that we've ever seen whichever way you look at it," Sony Inte...

While manufacturers are making sure to cut off all cords as part of their increased focus on wireless headphones, it doesn't mean wired connections aren't an option. Bluetooth headphones are great, but if you'd rather do without the latency and charging process, some of the best USB-C headphones are a great alternative to both. Just plug and play — and that's it.Go boldRAZER Hammerhead USB-C ANCStaff PickThese earbuds already stand out with the neon green finish, but they also have booming sound and active noise cancelation (ANC). They also come with plenty of tips to get the comfy fit you'd want while wearing them for longer periods.$99 at NeweggWireless first with USB-C audioSennheiser Momentum 3 Wireless Noise Canceling HeadphonesWhile the Momentum 3 Wireless are Bluetooth first, they work just like a pair of USB-C wired headphones. Even better, you can charge them at the same time you're listening to music. A premium design and solid sound with ANC means you...

The X3 GT is POCO's first X-series phone with a "flagship-level" chipset.What you need to knowPOCO has announced a new gaming-focused Android phone powered by MediaTek's Dimensity 1100 5G chipset.The POCO X3 GT features a 120Hz display, a 64MP triple-camera setup, and 67W fast charging. It runs Android 11-based MIUI 12.5 out of the box.Earlier this week, POCO launched its first gamer-centric Android phone, the POCO F3 GT. The company has now unveiled a new X-series device to challenge the best cheap Android phones, dubbed the POCO X3 GT. Just as expected, the X3 GT is actually a rebranded version of the Redmi Note 10 Pro 5G, which launched in China earlier this year.Kevin Qiu, head of POCO Global, said in a statement: We're excited to continue delivering on our customers' expectations with POCO X3 GT, a true powerhouse capable of the demanding mobile gaming and flagship entertainment experience.POCO's latest Android phone comes with a 6.6-inch LCD display with FHD+...

More in-depth detailsGarmin Instinct$200 at AmazonProsOnboard GPSHeart-rate monitoringActivity/sleep trackingMultiple variant optionsMilitary-grade durabilityConsMore expensiveShorter battery lifeIf you want a watch that's built for rugged exploring and you don't mind spending more on some extra features, you'll love the Garmin Instinct. There are several variants to choose from depending on your needs. You get GPS, heart-rate monitoring, activity/sleep tracking, Body Battery energy monitoring, and TracBack routing.Tough but basic trackingAmazfit T-Rex$110 at AmazonProsOnboard GPSHeart-rate monitoringActivity/sleep trackingAmazing battery lifeMilitary-grade durabilityConsOnly one variantNo altimeterIf you're a beginner when it comes to outdoor adventuring and you simply need a rugged watch that can keep up, the Amazfit T-Rex is a solid option. It's got everything required to handle the basics, including GPS, heart-rate monitor...

OnePlus Nord 2Mainstream choice₹29,999 at Amazon IndiaProsPowerful internal hardware65W fast chargingGreat camerasClean softwareConsNo wireless chargingNo IP ratingSlow software updatesThe Nord 2 doesn't deviate too much from the first-gen variant, but it delivers exciting new hardware and upgraded cameras that take stunning photos in any lighting conditions. There's also 65W fast charging, clean software with three years of security updates, and a modern design that makes the device look premium.POCO F3 GTUnbeatable value₹26,999 at FlipkartProsClass-leading 120Hz AMOLED panelSame great hardware as Nord 2Insane battery life with 67W fast chargingSide-mounted gaming triggersIP53 dust and water resistanceConsCameras not as good as Nord 2No wireless chargingLot of bloatware out of the box The POCO F3 GT is all about delivering the best value in the mid-range segment. You get powerful internal hardware backed by an incredible 120Hz...

Realme's solution may not be the prettiest, but it's a step.What you need to knowRealme's MagSafe clone has apparently been revealed in a new image.The magnetic charger is dubbed MagDart and will launch alongside the upcoming Realme Flash.The charger features an internal fan to keep the internals cool while charging.Realme may not be a big name in the U.S., but the company is preparing to take on a big-name OEM with its new charging tech. The company has been teasing its take on the Apple MagSafe charger, and we may have just gotten our first look at the device.Apparently dubbed "MagDart," the charger appears to take Apple's solution slightly to the extreme, with a square and seemingly bulky design. GSMArena obtained images of the device, which apparently houses a fan meant to keep the internals cool while it's charging.According to GSMArena, the charger will be capable of exceeding charging speeds found in Apple's MagSafe chargers, which max out at 15W when charging th...

Let's try this againWhat you need to knowZTE has announced the Axon 30 with an initial release in China, ahead of a global launch.This marks the second attempt at integrating an under-display selfie camera.Pricing and region-specific availability have not yet been announced.The new ZTE Axon 30 5G was announced on Tuesday, introducing the second iteration of ZTE's under-display selfie camera technology. The first attempt came via the ZTE Axon 20, which marked the first smartphone release to include such a feature.Before diving too deep into this new selfie camera, let's run down the specs. The Axon 30 sports a 6.92-inch AMOLED display, along with a 120Hz refresh rate and a FullHD (1920 x 1080) resolution. Powering ZTE's latest handset is the Qualcomm Snapdragon 870, which means that its a step down from the Axon 30 Ultra, which launched earlier in the year.The chipset is being paired with 6GB, 8GB, or 12GB of RAM, along with 128GB or 256GB of storage. In terms of batte...