Latest from Android Central

Android 12's ripple animation has been reported as a "bug" by several users.What you need to knowGoogle has decided to tone down Android 12's ripple animation for taps.A large number of users who installed the Android 12 beta have reported the animation as a bug due to its pixelated nature.The ripple effect will be more subtle and less distracting in the second Android 12 beta. Google's first Android 12 beta, which was released last month, packs a number of significant design changes that make it a lot more dynamic than previous Android versions. While the vast majority of the "Material You" changes have gone down well with users, there are a few that haven't. One such change is the new ripple effect that appears whenever you tap on a UI element.A number of users who installed the first Android 12 beta found the ripple effect to be distracting and believed that it was a "graphical glitch." There are also a few users who claim the ripple doesn't glitch on their devices, ...

Coming June 23 — way to get it in just under the wire, Google.What you need to knowOver half a year after launching the Chromecast with Google TV, you'll finally be able to officially play Stadia games on it.On June 23, Stadia comes to the Chromecast with Google TV and a half-dozen Android TV devices.For non-supported Android TV devices, you'll still be able to play Stadia through an experimental opt-in.Stadia players will be able to use the Stadia controller or compatible Bluetooth controllers on Android TV.One of the most glaring holes in the Chromecast with Google TV, when it launched back in October, was that it didn't support Stadia — you still had to spend more for the four-year-old Chromecast Ultra if you wanted to use Google's streaming game service on your TV. Stadia support for the Chromecast for Google TV was slated to arrive in the first half of 2021, and we now know Google will be hitting that deadline, barely.Stadia will be supported on Android TV model...

Locked Folders finally make it to Pixel phones with the latest feature drop.What you need to knowGoogle is rolling out the latest feature drop for Pixel smartphones.The update brings a new astrophotography timelapse feature and new clipboard features in Gboard.Google Photos gains the recently announced Locked Folders feature, and more countries gain access to car crash detection.The latest feature drop for Pixel smartphones arrives today, and Google highlights the many features that are arriving with this latest update.Astro timelapseThe last feature drop introduced underwater photography for Pixels. This time, Google is taking the Pixel astrophotography feature to the next level. With the new Astrolapse feature, Pixel owners can take a video of the stars moving across the sky while the phone simultaneously captures an image using the same exposure. This gives owners of the Google Pixel 4 and later devices more ways to share their awesome night captures.You can lear...

We've rounded up the best Samsung Galaxy S21+ cases that we could find because we know how important it is to keep your prized and expensive new smartphone safe and protected for its entire lifetime. Some of these cases offer maximum protection, while others showcase that incredible Samsung style. Consider the form factor, color, and thickness that works best for you when looking for a case from this list.Exclusive to the PlusSamsung Kvadrat CoverStaff PickSamsung has been on a sustainability kick in 2021, and this lovely textured case is part of that initiative. Made entirely out of recycled PET bottles, the case not only keeps new materials out of the product stream, but it can be composted as well! The texture makes it easy and comfortable to hold while still providing protection. You can pick one up in violet or a stunning silvery gray.$35 at Amazon $35 at SamsungA pleasure to holdCaseology Parallax CaseIt's not often that you find one of the best-lookin...

This is OnePlus's cheapest 5G phone yet.What you need to knowOnePlus today shared the first concrete details of the OnePlus Nord N200 5G.It'll come to the U.S. and Canada later this year for $250.With this release, OnePlus will also fix some flaws of the earlier Nord N100, including a better display.After teasing the phone in late May, the company today announced (via an interview with PCMag), the OnePlus Nord N200 5G. Little is known about the phone at ts stage, what we do know is that it offers 5G, that it has a 90Hz smooth display, and that it'll be pretty cheap at $250. The screen will get slightly smaller at 6.49-inches, but it'll be a lot better in quality with a new 1080p display. The display was one of the weakest points of OnePlus's older Nord N100, so it's great to see it being tackled with this new model.The company also shared a render showing the camera layout. OnePlus will equip the phone with a hole punch front-facing camera and a triple rear camera layout....

New and exciting PS4 releases seem to come out each month, giving dedicated gamers plenty of worlds to choose from. With the PS5 officially here, fans now keep track of multiple new releases and updates more than ever. Fortunately, we've gathered all of the best titles and listed other worthy games for you to consider. Here are all the PS4 and PS5 releases to look out for this June.★ Dimension hopping: June 11Ratchet & Clank: Rift ApartStaff PickOne of the first massive releases for the PlayStation 5 hits this month when Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart lands and gives players the chance to dive into some true, next-gen technology. After being separated from each other, Ratchet must try and rescue his longtime best friend, Clank. This time, though, players will be hopping across various dimensions via rifts globally, as the game will utilize the PS5's processing and solid-state drives to give fans some incredible gameplay.$70 at AmazonJune 10Final Fantasy VII...

Google apparently abused its power to further increase its dominant position in the online advertising market.What you need to knowThe French Competition Authority has slapped Google with a €220 million ($267 million) fine for abusing its dominance in the digital advertising market.The regulator has accused the search giant of unfairly favoring its own ad marketplace over rivals. Google has announced that it will be making changes to its ad technology to "make it easier" for publishers to use its tools with alternative ad technologies. Google has been fined €220 million ($267 million) by the French Competition Authority for favoring its own digital advertising services over rivals. The search giant has agreed to pay the fine and also proposed a few major changes to its ad technology. The announcement comes less than a month after Italy fined Google €100 million for unfairly restricting access to Android Auto to an EV charging app.The French watchdog has alleged that...

Unreleased earbuds are apparently more alluring than ones you can buy right now.What you need to knowThis past weekend, we polled AC readers to see which wireless earbuds they were most looking forward to.More than half of the respondents said that they were eagerly anticipating the rumored Sony-WF10000XM4s.A second rumored pair, the Galaxy Buds 2, came in second place, with two already-announced devices rounding out the poll.This past week the reviews for Google's much anticipated Pixel A earbuds started to trickle out, with some saying they were Google's answer to Apple's entry-level AirPods. While our review of these buds is coming soon, we wanted to see which of the best wireless earbuds that you, our readers, were looking most forward to purchasing in the coming months.According to a poll that we put out over the weekend, nearly 55% of you said that you would be grabbing the Sony WF-100XM4 wireless earbuds if, and when, they become available. The next choice among re...

A compact tri-band mesh system with gigabit speeds.Mesh systems like the TP-Link Deco X68 have benefited more from Wi-Fi 6 and tri-band Wi-Fi than just about all other applications. The expanded speed capabilities that come with Wi-Fi 6 can improve the mesh performance even when the devices you're using only support Wi-Fi 5 or older. Adding an extra 5GHz band dedicated to the mesh link means that the mesh connection can keep up with connected devices and keep the nodes reliably connected.The Deco X68 is a compelling choice for many people, thanks to its combination of speed and coverage. It also manages to deliver its speeds without a bunch of external antennas or even a large housing. Each Deco X68 node is under seven inches tall and 4.5 inches in diameter. These nodes are not only compact, but they look nice as well with a matte white finish and a black glossy top.TP-Link Deco X68 review:Price and availabilityWhat you'll like What you won't likeThe competitionShould ...

Though Prime Day is still a couple of weeks away, Amazon has kicked off a bunch of early Prime Day deals already so you can start saving right now.As is tradition, Amazon has slashed prices across an array of its first-party products and services before the main sale has even begun. On top of that, there are discounts from third parties across a variety of categories so you can score some bargains in basically every department.Check out some of the highlights below and hit up the full sale for more Prime Day deals.Blink Mini | $15 off at AmazonPrime members can save 43% on the indoor Blink Mini camera at Amazon, dropping its price down to a new low at just $20. The 3-pack is also on sale for only $50, making each camera even cheaper.$19.99 at AmazonRing Video Doorbell Wired + Free Echo Dot (3rd Gen) | $55 off at AmazonRing's Video Doorbell Wired is available at a 25% discount and also comes with a free 3rd-gen Echo Dot. That means you're saving $55 all told fo...

This eye-opening Echo device frames Alexa in a positive light.Before you roll your eyes at another smart glasses review, just hear me out. The Amazon Echo Frames (Gen 2) may sound like another half-hearted attempt by a tech company to shove smart virtual assistants where they don't belong, further complicating and confusing our already crazy lives. But I'm here to tell you that these are actually pretty well thought out, designed, and implemented. After all, they've already been wear-tested for over a year by hundreds of nerds like me.First introduced at Amazon's fall 2019 hardware and services event, the Echo Frames were part of Amazon's Day 1 Editions program, where Amazon aims to product-test innovative designs and ideas with early adopter customers. Prime customers can request to participate in the program, and if accepted, are offered the Day 1 device at a reduced price. The only other Day 1 Edition product so far has been the Echo Loop, an Alexa-powered smart ring. The Loop...

Amazon's annual exclusive sale is coming back for an even bigger event sooner than usual in 2021. Prime Day is the sale every Amazon Prime member should be looking forward to. With hundreds of ways to save and hundreds of dollars off popular products, shopping during Prime Day is even a smart way to earn back the cost of Amazon Prime's membership fee.During past Prime Day sales, Amazon hasn't skimped on its offerings in the slightest. We've seen products in just about every category go on sale, from home and kitchen appliances to clothing, furniture, toys, electronics, computers, and of course, just about every Amazon device there is. You name it, there's probably been a Prime Day sale on it. And if the sales of previous years are to be any indication, Prime Day 2021 is already slated to be one of the best shopping events of the year.Best Prime Day deals & sales in 2021As it stands, Amazon has not officially announced all of its early Prime Day deals, but that won't stop ot...

Nubia says the RedMagic 6R is a gaming phone that has been designed for everyday use.Update, June 7 (08:30 am ET): Global availability announcedWhat you need to knowNubia has announced another new flagship gaming phone.The RedMagic 6R features a 144Hz AMOLED screen, Qualcomm's Snapdragon 888 processor, and a 4,200mAh battery. It will go on sale in China from June for a starting price of 2,999 yuan ($470). ZTE's Nubia sub-brand has announced a new addition to its RedMagic 6 series family, dubbed the RedMagic 6R. The phone is primarily aimed at gamers, but doesn't have the same gaming-inspired design as the RedMagic 6 and 6 Pro phones.Nubia's new RedMagic 6R sports a 6.67-inch FHD+ AMOLED display with a 144Hz refresh rate and 360Hz touch sampling rate. Under the hood, it packs the same Snapdragon 888 chipset as the best Android phones on the market, paired with up to 12GB of LPDDR5 RAM and 256GB of UFS 3.1 storage.The RedMagic 6R has a quad-camera setup at the rear, f...

The OnePlus Nord CE 5G will be a little more affordable than last year's Nord.What you need to knowOnePlus Nord CE 5G's Indian pricing has leaked online ahead of its launch in the country on June 10.The phone could start at ₹22,999 ($316) in India. OnePlus Nord CE 5G has been confirmed to arrive with a 64MP camera and a 4,500mAh battery supporting Warp Charge 30T Plus.OnePlus is set to unveil a new Nord series phone in India this week, dubbed the Nord CE 5G. Ahead of its formal launch in the country, a new leak has revealed the phone's pricing and launch offers for the Indian market.Pricing of OnePlus Products launching @ Summer Launch Event has leaked!OnePlus Nord CE 5G Price: ₹22,999(₹1,000 discount on HDFC Bank Cards)OnePlus TV U1S:50": ₹37,99955": ₹45,99965": ₹60,999(₹2K, ₹3K & ₹4K off respectively on HDFC)Thoughts? #OnePlusNordCE5G pic.twitter.com/KMBXmgSuvt— Ishan Agarwal (@ishanagarwal24) June 7, 2021According to tipster Ishan Agarwal, t...

Xiaomi's latest flagship does not have a release date six weeks after its global launch.The Mi 11 Ultra is possibly one of the best Android phones you can buy right now. Xiaomi has nailed the basics here, delivering the latest hardware innovations combined with a 120Hz AMOLED panel, cleaner software and less bloat than previous generations, and truly incredible cameras.There's only one problem: you can't actually buy the phone. The Mi 11 Ultra made its debut in China earlier in the year and was announced for global markets a few months ago, but as of June 4, it isn't available anywhere. Instead, Xiaomi's UK, Germany, Spain, and other European sites have a Notify Me button, and there's no way to get your hands on the flagship even if you're willing to shell out the equivalent of $1,500 that Xiaomi commands for the device.Technically, Xiaomi did release the phone in the UK on May 6 — it immediately sold out — and it is entirely likely there were minimal units available for th...

Apple is rumored to launch a new iPod Touch later this year, but why?The rumor mill has been buzzing that Apple is gearing up to release a new iPod Touch this fall to celebrate 20 years since the iPod lineup launched. That may not sound too exciting for many, especially since most people own smartphones that can do more or less the same thing as an iPod Touch, but with the bonus of a cellular modem. However, I think it's a great idea for Apple to launch a new model. And even though I'm an Android kinda guy, a new iPod Touch is something that I've wanted for years.I'll start by saying that I've never owned an iPhone and probably never will. That said, I've owned quite a few iPod Touch models, up until the 6th-generation, which was released in 2015. As the iPhone and iPad exploded, the iPod line waned in relevance, especially since most of the line was dropped in 2017, leaving the iPod Touch to fend for itself. And even then, any updated versions only received hand-me-down chipsets...

The S21 FE is rumored to debut at a Galaxy Unpacked event in August.What you need to knowA new report out of South Korea claims the upcoming Samsung Galaxy S21 FE will be more affordable than its predecessor.It could start at around KRW 700,000 ($630). The Galaxy S20 FE was launched at KRW 899,800 ($810) in South Korea last year. Samsung's next 'Fan Edition' phone could be more affordable than expected, according to a new report out of South Korea. A few new renders of the upcoming phone have also surfaced, courtesy of reliable leaker Evan Blass.Herald Corp claims the Galaxy S21 FE will be priced somewhere between KRW 700,000 ($630) and KRW 800,000 ($720). For reference, last year's Galaxy S20 FE was launched at KRW 899,800 ($810) in South Korea. The information certainly doesn't come as a surprise, as the vanilla Galaxy S21 is $200 cheaper than the Galaxy S20.Since the Galaxy S21 FE is expected to be similar to the Galaxy S21 in a number of areas, the highly competitiv...

Boxing legend Floyd Mayweather Jr is returning to the ring after retiring in 2017 to take on YouTuber Logan Paul and we have all the details on how you can watch Mayweather vs Paul on TV or online.44-year-old Mayweather was inducted to the International Boxing Hall of Fame last year to commemorate his exceptional career in which he won 50 fights, had 27 knockouts and was never once defeated. During his last big fight back in August of 2017, Mayweather defeated UFC star Conor McGregor with a 10th-round TKO. He then went on to defeat Japanese kickboxer Tenshin Nasukawa in one round on New Year's Eve in 2018.26-year-old Logan Paul on the other hand is returning to the ring after losing via split-decision to fellow YouTuber KSI in 2019 while making his professional boxing debut. However, this was the second time Paul went up against KSI as their first fight was ruled a majority draw. While Logan has yet to win a fight as a professional boxer, his brother Jake has won three fights.M...

Amazon Sidewalk is one of the coolest new ways to connect smart devices in your home and beyond. Many Ring devices can use the Amazon Sidewalk network to extend wireless coverage to several other smart devices. Even Tile Trackers and Level Locks can use Amazon Sidewalk to help connect outside of normal Bluetooth range. In addition to that, Ring devices like the Echo Show 8 can be used as Amazon Sidewalk bridges. You might want to disable Amazon Sidewalk on Ring if you're extra concerned about privacy or mobile security. Even if you've disabled Amazon Sidewalk elsewhere, you'll need to specifically disable it in the Ring app to take your Ring devices off the network. Let's get started!How to opt-out of Amazon Sidewalk on your Ring devicesOpen up the Ring app on your smartphone.Tap the hamburger menu on the top-left corner of the Ring app. It looks like three horizontal lines stacked on top of each other.Select Control Center.Scroll down to Amazon Sidewalk and select it.Tap ...

Roku devices give users the ability to stream content from hundreds of apps, but there are a handful of third-party apps that aren't compatible and don't appear automatically on the Roku Channels page. While Roku previously allowed users to sideload apps on their devices, this is no longer an option in 2021, meaning you can't technically sideload apps onto Roku boxes, streaming sticks, or Roku TVs. As such, the best way to stream third-party content is to cast or screen mirror from your phone to a Roku device. Here's what you need to do to cast or screen mirror to a Roku device.Casting on RokuThe easiest workaround for streaming third-party content onto your Roku device is to use screencasting. This method works for users using both compatible iOS or Android devices. Here are the steps you need to follow.Make sure your mobile device or tablet and Roku device are connected to the same Wi-Fi network.Install the third-party app you want to stream from on your Roku device. Add i...

The grass isn't always greener on the other side.I have used Chromebooks since 2014 and used them full-time for four years. Some of my Chromebooks have been premium and luxurious, like the Google Pixelbook and the Acer Chromebook Spin 713, but the ones I've used longest are 11.6-inch budget-minded models like the Lenovo C340 and C330. Many tech enthusiasts revile Chromebooks as "fake laptops," thinking they can't "do anything" because they don't support classic computer applications like Windows and Mac.Well, I'm back on my first new Windows laptop in a decade, the Acer Aspire 5 that I will be reviewing in the coming days. It's been a serious adjustment, coming back here after all these years on a Chromebook, and as I remember all the arguments people make about why a "cheap" Windows laptop beats a cheap Chromebook, they're just all falling flat for me.Chromebooks are not just cheap, disposable laptopsLet's start with the definition of "cheap" in each category. A "cheap" Ch...

The best password manager is one you actually use.While Google may be trying to build a password-free future, the present current forces us to make a new account and new password for almost every single website we use. From our most secure banking apps to some frivolous web game we use to kill time between meetings, everything has a password and an email/username that we need to keep track of.While most of the best password managers are paid and add features like VPNs, 2FA token keeping, and identity monitoring, you don't really need most of that stuff. For most of us — myself included — we just need somewhere to easily dig out passwords when logging into our apps and websites, and Google Password Manager does that perfectly for free on Android and Chrome. Here's how to use Google Password Manager on both of these platforms to enter, modify, or delete your passwords.Google Password Manager:How to use on AndroidHow to add passwords on AndroidHow to activate or manage ...

if you are using cable internet, did you know your ISP actually charges you to use the cable modem they provided for you? The cost generally tends to be a fee they don't really bring up unless you ask. Whether you knew or not, you can get rid of that fee and in the long run save yourself some money by buying your own cable modem. The Netgear CM1000 cable modem is down to $129.99 at Amazon today. That's a $40 discount. It's also the best price we've seen since 2019 as last year didn't see any real sales at all on this cable modem.The CM1000 is a fantastic cable modem designed to work with a wide variety of internet service providers. It works with Xfinity, Cox, Spectrum, and more. Of course, if you're interested you should check with your ISP before making the purchase. No sense spending this much money on a device you can't even use, right? They should be able to tell you if it will work.And remember, if you're sitting there reading this going "Why would I buy this when I got one...

Movies to watch on Disney+ prior to LokiIn addition to offering a variety of originals films and series, Disney Plus is the digital hub for all things Marvel. Whether you've just finished WandaVision, or want to revisit your favorite Avenger on film, Disney+ has got you covered.The platform also offers a number Marvel-adjacent and bonus superhero films that are perfect for satiating your superhero addiction ahead of Marvel Studios' latest spinoff show. With that in mind, we've rounded up a list of movies to watch on Disney+ before diving into the new Loki series. Here they are.Best movies and shows on Disney+MCU Phase 1MCU Phase 2MCU Phase 3 & 4Marvel Legacy filmsBonus Superhero flicksWhat's next on Disney+Super streamingDisney+From $7 at Disney+Your home for Disney classics, Marvel heroes, and moreDisney+ subscribers have access to nearly every film in the MCU, as well as a variety of other superhero-related films and series. Sign up to catch up on...

You'd be surprised at all the things you can do with an LED light strip. From adding some light underneath your cabinets to bias lighting behind your TV to something to agument a live stream, a good LED light strip can change the mood of a room in an instant. Right now you can get the Nitebird 32.8-feet smart wireless LED light strip on sale for $26.38 at Amazon. That's a nearly $14 discount over what it was selling for at the beginning of April and the lowest direct discount we have ever seen.This isn't the only Nitebird product on sale today, either. The sale is one of Amazon's deals of the day and features a wide range of Nitebird products all going for discounted prices. If you just need some smart bulbs you can get a 4-pack in white for $22.39 or multi-color for $25.49. There are a few other options available, too, so check out the whole sale before these deals disappear.The light strip has a lot of smart functionality built in so it's more than just LEDs on a strip. For one...

The 2021 Formula 1 season continues and this weekend teams and drivers are in Baku, Azerbaijan for the first time in over a year for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix and we have all the details on how you can watch the race on TV or online.Azerbaijan's capital city first hosted Formula 1 back in 2016 under the European Grand Prix banner before becoming the Azerbaijan Grand Prix the following year. The race will take place on the Baku City Circuit which has 20 turns, a circuit length of 3.728 miles (6km) and drivers will complete 51 laps before finishing the 190 mile race. Baku is the newest street circuit on the Formula 1 calendar and it joins the likes of Monaco, Melbourne and Singapore as drivers will need to race through the city's old town.At the Monaco Grand Prix a few weeks ago in May, Red Bull's Max Verstappen was able to take first place with a time of one hour and thirty eight minutes followed by Ferrari's Carlos Sainz Jr and McLaren's Lando Norris. In addition to this being Ve...

I'm not mad, Fossil, I'm just disappointed.What you need to knowFossil admits none of its current Wear OS watches will see the new Wear platform.Fossil was hyping premium watches coming later this year that will be powered by the new platform to CNET when it confirmed what we've been dreading for weeks.Considering all Fossil watches were powered by either the Wear 3100 or 2100, this isn't surprising, but it's still a major disappointment to anyone who bought a Fossil watch in the last year or two.Now's both a wonderful and terrible time to be an Android smartwatch fan. On the one hand, Google and Samsung are finally teaming up to give us the new Wear platform that we've wanted for years. On the other hand, it means that it's hard to recommend buying any of the best Android smartwatches today, because we already know that no Tizen watches will get the new system, and there's a giant question mark looming over whether any current Wear OS watches get the new system.Fossil ha...

The American Triple Crown of horse racing is coming to an end this weekend with the final race in the series and we have all the details on how you can watch this year's Belmont Stakes on TV or online.Just like the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness Stakes, the Belmont Stakes is an American Grade 1 Thoroughbred race featuring 3-year old Thoroughbreds run on a 1.5 mile (2,400m) track at Belmont Park in Elmont, New York. The race, which is traditionally held five weeks after the Kentucky Derby and three weeks after the Preakness, is the oldest of the three Triple Crown races and dates back to 1867.As Medina Spirit is now facing disqualification after failing two separate drug tests after winning the Kentucky Derby back in May and Rombauer won last month's Preakness Stakes, there won't be a chance of any horse winning the Triple Crown at this year's Belmont Stakes. In fact, the last time a horse was able to win all three races was back in 2018 when Justify became the second horse to w...

Google Chrome syncs a ton of data, including an increasingly useful password manager, across your devices. It's arguably one of the things that make Google Chrome so useful. The service is called, creatively enough, Google Sync. Google Sync matches data to all your phones, tablets, and desktops, including your bookmarks, history, open tabs, passwords, payment info, and more. You might be thinking, "That's a lot of private data," and you're right. You might further be wondering how you can go about keeping that data private from even Google.The good news is, you can tell Google to encrypt all of your data, even from Google, by setting up a passphrase. Once you do, that will encrypt all of your data, except on other devices with your Google account. The better news is that Google will no longer see that information, not even the passphrase.The bad news is, that's a one-way trip. Once you set up the passphrase, if you change your mind or forget your passphrase, you'll have to reset ...

Even before Fitbit officially became a part of the Google family in 2021, Fitbit had decided that its users deserved on-wrist access to Google Assistant. With the Sense and Versa 3 smartwatches, Fitbit faithful can now choose which smart voice assistant they want to take with them, whether that's Amazon's Alexa or Google Assistant. If you lean more towards the Google camp, we'll show you how easy it is to use the Google Assistant on your Fitbit watch.How to use Google Assistant on a Fitbit: First setupWhen you get to the setup screen asking you to choose a voice assistant, tap on Google Assistant to connect your Fitbit smartwatch with your Google account.Read the description and tap Activate Google Assistant.Tap the blue Activate button when the app asks for permission to use your voice to track workouts.Tap the blue Turn on button when the app asks to connect Google Assistant to calendars, reminders, and connected health services.Once your Assistant is ready, tap Done....

There are some exciting wireless earbuds on the way.With the promise of exciting new smartphones and smartwatches on the horizon, we can't forget about the upcoming earbuds. Amazon and Google have already unveiled their latest earbuds, and rumors have already started swirling about new earbuds coming from Sony and Samsung. While nothing is official, some information has emerged to give us an idea of what we might expect. We at Android Central want to know what pair you're looking forward to getting next!What are you next wireless earbuds?Echo Buds (2nd Gen)The recently released Echo Buds (2nd Gen) have gotten rave reviews since their launch and are perfect for anyone who is ingrained within Amazon's ecosystem. The design is improved, they offer hands-free Alexa, and they have even upgraded to active noise-cancellation for a much-improved listening experience.Pixel Buds A-SeriesThe Google Pixel A series have finally been unveiled, and they're more or less the same as the ...

A more practical look at a futuristic light source.If you've ever watched a tech-focused video on YouTube, you've undoubtedly spotted them glowing on a wall somewhere. Nanoleaf is ubiquitous in the tech sector, thrilling RGB enthusiasts everywhere with its geometrically perfect, highly customizable glowing nature. But Nanoleaf's new Elements Wood Look product line is totally different from the triangles and hexagons of the past, eschewing RGB aesthetics for a much more natural look, all without forgetting about what makes Nanoleaf's products truly great — their products always seem to make the list of best smart lights no matter the category.I sat down virtually with Nanoleaf CEO Gimmy Chu to discuss a bit of Nanoleaf's past, a smattering of Nanoleaf's present, and a look ahead to the future of the company and the smart home industry, as a whole. Having just come from the announcement of the Elements Wood Look line, Chu was practically glowing with excitement from the possibili...

Please, give me a Fitbit Charge 4 refresh that "just works."We all know that Google is in the midst of a huge shakeup of its wearable ecosystem. Wear OS has continued to underperform when it comes to sales, the company recently acquired Fitbit, and a completely new platform is coming with a new generation of chips to power it.That's great news for the future, but not so great news if you're in the market right now. And that's me. Well, my wife, actually. Her doctor thinks she needs to start monitoring things like calories, exercise, heart rate, and her weight because of an unexpected weight loss. Couple in the fact that she's wrapped up in the tentacles of the Google Android ecosystem (not a bad thing, but still a total lock-in) Google Fit is the logical answer.I thought this would be easier than it is. She has a nice Withings scale that does exactly what she wants. She also has a Mi Band 4 that she loves, but it doesn't really do what she wants because the option to sync with ...

The best streaming VPN will let you access video and other online content, no matter where you are. That means the likes of Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Amazon Prime, Hulu, YouTube, and more can all have their geo-restrictions dodged so you can get your streaming video fill.Best streaming VPN 20211. ExpressVPN (From $6.67/mo)2. CyberGhost VPN (From $2.25/mo)3. NordVPN (From $3.71/mo)4. Surfshark VPN (From $2.49/mo)5. IPVanish (From $2.62/mo)That kind of sounds illegal, right? Well, in some cases it can be and, in others, it may well be against the terms of use of the service you are accessing. That being said, it is a super common use case for VPNs — whether you're abroad and want to stream Hulu from back home or you're in a region that is locked out of certain types of content. Ultimately, you'll want to exercise caution and think about what you are doing to ensure you stay safe during the process and don't break any rules.A VPN will allow you to appear somewhere you are ...

Walmart employees can use their new Samsung phones at work and home.What you need to knowWalmart has announced the new Me@Walmart app for employees to complete work tasks.The company is providing its employees with Samsung Galaxy XCover Pro smartphones for work and personal use.While clocked in, employees will only be able to use the Me@Walmart app.Walmart has announced that it is launching a new Me@Walmart app for its associates and will provide new Samsung Galaxy smartphones to more than 740,000 employees.The Me@Walmart will allow associates to perform daily work tasks such as clocking in, scheduling, and quick communication with push-to-talk. The app even includes voice assistant features with Ask Sam so employees can ask various questions about merchandise or metrics. Employees will be limited to the Me@Walmart app while clocked in, and it will use geofencing so that employees will only be able to clock in while physically at work. The capabilities within t...

Making lives easier for developers, one group charter at a timeWhat you need to knowGoogle, Microsoft, Apple, and Mozilla have partnered to form the WECG.The main goal of this new group is to make it easier for developers to create and update extensions.With these changes, developers can easily port their extensions between different browsers instead of sticking with one.For years, Google Chrome has led the way as the most popular browser, regardless of whether you were using one of the best Android phones or one of the best laptops. With a browser so large in popularity, it only makes sense for developers to flock to that platform to develop apps and extensions. However, in recent years we have seen the likes of Microsoft Edge, Mozilla Firefox, and even Apple's Safari gets closer (or surpass) Chrome in terms of reliability, compatibility, and speed.Today, the four companies announced a new partnership called the WebExtensions Community Group (WECG). This brings these fou...

Amazon Sidewalk is an ambitious project to extend the discoverability and connectivity of smart devices through the nearly ubiquitous network of Amazon Echo smart speakers. Its goal is to help people find lost pets, lost keys, or expand the range of their security camera coverage on larger properties. Amazon can achieve this scale by siphoning off a small sliver of your internet bandwidth to share with your neighbors. Amazon has repeatedly assured customers that Sidewalk is built with privacy in mind and that protecting customer privacy and security is paramount. It claims that the network is protected with multiple layers of encryption and that no one will be able to access your browsing history or devices. Still, it's understandable why many people are bristling at the idea of a corporation deciding to use their excess bandwidth to benefit others. If you're not keen on the idea, I'll show you how to opt out of Amazon Sidewalk directly from the Alexa app on your phone.How to opt-o...

Best answer: It's unclear at the moment. PlayStation's been tight-lipped about their next VR outing since they announced it last February, but manual IPD adjustment has become commonplace among most VR headsets on the market. To add fuel to this speculation, multiple rumors about the next PS VR have suggested that the new headset will introduce several quality of life changes, including manual IPD adjustment.What is IPD adjustment, and why does it matter?IPD, which stands for interpupillary distance, is the distance between the center of a person's eyes. Players come in different shapes and sizes, so IPD drastically varies from person to person. Because the screens on VR headsets are designed to be held so close to the user's face, even just a few millimeters can make a world of difference. Headsets must cover a range of IPDs so that they can accommodate a range of players, too.Since the first PS VR launched nearly five years ago, companies like Oculus and Valve have made massi...

The best Samsung Galaxy S21 cases will not only keep your new smartphone protected, but they'll keep it looking as stylish as you are. Whether you prefer a clear case, a flip case, something colorful, or something rugged, you have options with a phone as popular as the Galaxy 21. Here are some of the best Galaxy S21 cases you can buy today. The best part of all is that you don't have to spend a lot of money to keep your Galaxy S21 looking great for the long term!Colorful and well-texturedCasology Nano PopStaff PickThe Galaxy S21 is the first Android phone to get Caseology's Nano Pop Series, and it was 110% worth the wait. The texturing on this case is grippier than Casology's longtime favorite Parallax, and the color combos here are bold, beautiful, and absolutely pop around the camera cutout on the S21.From $16 at Amazon $18 at WalmartSlim grip and gritRingke Onyx SeriesIf you want to add some grip to your slippery little Samsung, Ringke's Onyx series has t...

Best answer: Yes. Eero 6 and Eero Pro 6 are HomeKit-enabled routers with special permissions for HomeKit devices to keep your network secure. Eero will not act as a HomeKit hub, however.Does Eero 6 support HomeKit?HomeKit support made it to the older routers in the Eero line earlier in 2021, but the newest Wi-Fi 6 Eeros were not included. This changed with a firmware update in May of 2021 that featured the Eero 6 and Eero 6 Pro. Now the entire Eero lineup supports Apple's HomeKit security features. This is a great thing as the Eero 6 is easily one of the best Wi-FI 6 mesh routers you can get.You will need to use the Eero app on an Apple device to enable HomeKit.HomeKit routers aren't the same thing as HomeKit hubs, and you will still need an Apple TV, iPad, or HomePod to act as your HomePod hub. HomeKit routers offer security enhancements specifically tailored to the needs of HomeKit accessories. This allows users to decide what kind of permissions to grant to these accessori...

Board, however, doesn't agree that Facebook should have said it would suspend the account "indefinitely."Update, June 4 (1:30 p.m. ET): Facebook settles on-two year Trump suspension.What you need to knowFacebook's Oversight Board upholds Facebook's decision to suspend former president Donald Trump's account.Board does not think Facebook's decision to "indefinitely" suspend trump was appropriate.Board wants Facebook to re-evaluate its decision of banning Trump in six months. Facebook's Oversight Board upholds Facebook's decision to suspend former president Donald Trump.The board however added in its decision that the social media giant, within six months, should reexamine its decision to "indefinitely" suspend the account."It was not appropriate for Facebook to impose the indeterminate and standardless penalty of indefinite suspension. Facebook's normal penalties include removing the violating content, imposing a time-bound period of suspension, or permanently disablin...

Starter Wi-Fi 6Eero 6$129 at AmazonProsWi-Fi 6 increases mesh performanceAX1800 delivers enough speed for more peopleCompatible with all existing EerosConsDual-band Wi-Fi is worse for mesh performanceOnly one open Ethernet port on the base routerEero 6 is a solid upgrade to the base Eero line. It brings with it Wi-Fi 6, which takes the 5GHz performance up to 1200Mbps with compatible devices. Even if you haven't upgraded your wireless devices to take advantage of Wi-Fi 6, it ensures a faster connection between the different routers in your mesh.Gigabit speed meshEero Pro 6$229 at AmazonProsWi-Fi 6 tri-band delivers gigabit speedCompatible with all existing EerosDedicated backhaul keeps mesh speed highConsMore expensiveOnly one open Ethernet port on the base routerEero 6 Pro has all of the best features Eero 6 has with a little more of everything. A tri-band connection allows the mesh to hit gigabit speeds with an extra 5GHz band. D...

True wireless earbuds have come a long way in the few short years they've existed, and now with so many options with ANC, it can be tough to decipher which are the best noise-canceling true wireless earbuds. Early offerings like the first-gen AirPods were expensive and lacked many features, but as time went on, prices went down, and additional features have been implemented — one of which is noise cancelation. True wireless earbuds that can block out ambient sound are more common than ever before, and today, we're highlighting six of our favorite ones — including the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds as our top overall pick. Here's a power-packed list of the best noise-canceling true wireless earbuds you can buy right now.Best overall: Bose QuietComfort EarbudsBose has established a reputation for creating some of the best noise-canceling headphones on the market, and now, it's brought that same level of prowess to the earbud space. The Bose QuietComfort Earbuds have arrived, and t...

Joe Root's team begin their first series of what looks set to be a very busy summer schedule, as they host the Black Caps at Lords - watch every ball of this Test series with our England vs New Zealand live stream guide below.Ahead of an intriguing Test series against India in August and the main event of the Ashes in Australia at the end of the year, comes this tough match up against the current number one ranked test side in the world.New Zealand head to the Home of Cricket looking to exact revenge for their last appearance at Lords back in 2019, which saw them lose the World Cup final.The visitors will draw strength from the fact that two of England's key stars from that day won't be involved in this 1st Test, with Ben Stokes ruled out thanks to a fractured finger, while Jofra Archer is once again sidelined after elbow surgery.IPL stars Jos Buttler, Moeen Ali, Jonny Bairstow, Sam Curran and Chris Woakes are all also set to miss out for the hosts, alongside the injured Ben ...

Middle ShowEcho Show 8 (2nd Gen)$130 at AmazonProsThe Goldilocks of Echo Show devicesDisable camera and mics with one switch/coverSignificantly cheaper than larger Echo Show 10 (3rd Gen)Big improvements to the chat cameraConsCan't adjust viewing angles without a standNo Dolby processing built-inThe Echo Show 8 (2nd Gen) fits right in the middle of Amazon's expanding Echo Show product line. Like the smaller Echo Show 5 (2nd Gen), it can fit almost anywhere in the home, but it has a camera on par with the larger Echo Show 10 (3rd Gen).Show me moreEcho Show 10 (3rd Gen)$250 at AmazonProsStunning screenRotating display for better viewing anglesBuilt-in security camera featuresMuch-improved 13MP cameraZigbee smart hub built-inConsMost expensive Echo deviceCreep factor?Largest Echo device may take up too much roomWith its larger pedestal base and rotating display, the Echo Show 10 (3rd Gen) marks a significant shift in form factor a...

Amazon Prime Day isn't the only sale you can shop this month.What you need to knowWalmart and Target have both announced June sales.The events compete with Prime Day, taking place across the same dates.Both sales leverage the stores' brick and mortar presence.Not to be left out with Amazon's Prime Day getting all the attention this month, fellow retailers Walmart and Target have both announced their own summer sales. And, by pure chance I'm sure, the sales run at the same time as Prime Day.Walmart's event, dubbed 'Deals for Days', will take place from June 20 through the June 23 and is said to feature "Black Friday-like savings" across its electronics, toys, home, beauty and fashion categories. Leveraging its physical locations, some deals will be available in-store in addition to online exclusives so you don't have to wait for items to be delivered.Target's sale, the similarly titled 'Deal Days', kicks off just ahead of Prime Day as well, starting on June 20 and runnin...

In this episode, Ara, Jerry, and Dan are joined by Adam Molina. He's the producer of Waveform: The MKBHD Podcast and a freelance journalist. They nerd out over Bluetooth headphones, lossless music streaming, upcoming Android phones, Led Zeppelin, and more.Listen nowSubscribe in Spotify: AudioSubscribe in iTunes: AudioSubscribe in RSS: AudioDownload directly: AudioLinks:Adam Molina (@AdamLukas17) / TwitterThe new Google Pixel Buds A-Series launch with a familiar design, more affordable price tag | Android CentralLeaked promo video of the Sony WF-1000XM4 reveals a ton of features | Android CentralHere's why Apple and Amazon are 'giving away' lossless music to subscribers | Android CentralApple Music will upgrade your audio at no extra cost, Android users to miss out on its best new features | Android CentralSpotify launches new lossless 'HiFi' plan to take on Tidal and Amazon | Android CentralSpotify's new 'Only You' feature brings in even more personalized play...

There are hundreds of uses for a smartphone. But a staple function will always be its clock. You can change your Android phone's clock to a 24-hour time format to avoid mixing up your AMs and PMs. Sure, many of the best android smartwatches are dedicated to the art of timekeeping, but old habits die hard, as the saying goes. Here's our guide on how to keep track of time military-style.How to change your Android phone's clock to 24-hour timeTo change your time format, you need to access your Android phone's date and time settings. You can either find them in your phone's system settings or through the clock widget. Take note that this tutorial is depicted on Android 10.Open the Date & time settings menu. This can be located in the system settings or through the clock widget.Look for the Use 24-hour format option and tap it.As soon as you toggle the time format option, all the clocks on your Android phone will immediately switch over to military time. This includes t...

Xbox Game Pass is hands down the best game streaming service you can get on your Android phone.Microsoft made waves across the industry with Xbox Game Pass, creating an affordable subscription service that sees new select AAA titles and exclusives launch into it the day they release at retail. The value is immense, and it only got better when Xbox Game Pass Ultimate added cloud streaming for its members. Though still in beta, Xbox Game Pass cloud streaming works fantastic on Android, allowing you to play your favorite console games on the go wherever you are.I've spent some time testing it out in a variety of games that support either touch controls or dedicated controllers, and it works like a charm, even in first-person shooters. Though there are times where you'll encounter some input lag or latency as the connection buffers, these tend to be few and far between. As far as game streaming services go, this is the best you can get on Android.Xbox Game Pass for Android review...

Google's new Play services update will come into effect in "late 2021."What you need to knowGoogle is implementing additional safeguards to ensure Android apps cannot track users who have opted out of sharing their "Advertising ID."Google says the changes are aimed at providing users with more control over their data. The new policy is expected to be rolled out later this year. Google will soon make it a lot harder for Android apps to track users who opt-out of sharing their Advertising ID. Advertisers use a device's "Advertising ID" to track users as they switch from one app to another.While Google already lets Android users limit ad tracking and even reset their Advertising IDs, developers can easily find their way around the current restrictions with the help of alternative device identifiers. Once Google implements its new policy later this year, developers will only receive "a string of zeros instead of the identifier."The Financial Times reports that Google announ...