Latest from Android Central

Amazing coverage with unexceptional speeds.It's easy to get caught up in megabits and megahertz when talking about routers, but the Meshforce M7 stays focused on what matters most to most people. Consistent speeds and amazing coverage have helped the M7 to become one of the go-to solutions for people that need a lot of Wi-Fi coverage but don't want to waste money to get it. Sticking with a tried and true tri-band Wi-Fi 5 mesh setup, the M7 delivers the results many people are looking for.The Meshforce M7 is, unsurprisingly, a mesh system first and foremost and comes in a single or three-pack. Meshforce claims the three-pack can cover up to 6,000 square feet, and based on what I've seen, it can deliver. If you think you need a mesh system versus a router and need a ton of coverage, enough speed to keep up with an entire family, and a price that people can justify, the Meshforce M7 is a great option.Meshforce M7 review:Price and availabilityWhat you'll like What you won't ...

The browser features custom gaming themes and a built-in ad blocker.What you need to knowOpera has launched the first gamer-focused mobile browser.The first beta version of Opera GX is now live for both Android and iOS devices. The desktop version of Opera GX has more than 9 million monthly active gamers. Back in 2019, Opera introduced the world's first browser built for gamers, dubbed Opera GX. Nearly two years later, the Norwegian company has announced the launch of Opera GX Mobile. The mobile browser is now available in beta on both Android and iOS and is expected to become widely available in a few weeks.Since Opera GX Mobile has been built specifically for gamers, it offers a Fast Action Button for navigation, complete with vibration and haptic feedback. The browser also has an interesting feature called "Flow," which makes it possible for gamers to sync mobile and desktop experiences to share game walkthroughs, tutorials, and character builds between devices....

Google wants to help you with your smart home needs.What you need to knowGoogle has launched a smart home directory to help educate users about building a smart home.The new directory can help users learn about smart assistant capabilities in their homes.Filters on the site aim to make it easier to find smart home devices from speakers to displays and TVs.Google knows how difficult it can be to build or even get started with a smart home. That's why the company announced a new smart home directory on Wednesday, which will serve as a one-stop-shop for consumers to learn about and find smart home products.The new directory has useful guides that can show users the various capabilities of smart home products, like some of the best smart locks to support Google Assistant, or the best smart LED bulbs. Helpful videos can be found near the bottom of the page to walk users through setting up and using their various devices.The directory also showcases many of the Google Assis...

Faster camera streaming, automatic home and away routines, and so much more are coming.What you need to knowAndroid and Nest devices will be able to quickly pair and control Matter-enabled devices once the standard launches later this year.Thread support is coming to several Nest devices, bringing secure, low-power connectivity to supported smart home devices.WebRTC streaming will reduce the time it takes to bring up your smart home camera feeds on Nest smart displays and in the Google Home app.Nest Home and Away is being replaced by Google Home and Away statuses, which can automatically toggle lights, adjust the thermostat, and control other devices based on whether you're at home or away.Hot on the heels of the announcement that Project CHIP is becoming Matter — the smart home standard that aims to finally create a smart home that actually feels smart — Google has announced that Android and Nest products will be receiving full Matter integration, as well.While ther...

Samsung gives us a glimpse into its foldable desires.Update, May 19 (7:10 pm ET): Samsung releases a sizzle reel of its latest conceptsWhat you need to knowSamsung shows off some display concepts at this year's Display Week event.One concept includes the rumored bi-folding smartphone device that's thought to debut with an upcoming Galaxy Z Fold.Other concepts include a device with a slidable display, a PC-like device with a 17-inch folding display, and a PC with an under-display camera.Among the few tech events happening this week is the Display Week 2021 exhibition, where companies show off the latest innovations in display technology. Samsung is one of the big names at the event, and the company has just shown off several concepts at the event (via SamMobile), giving us a look into the company's plans for its mobile devices.The first concept (above) has been rumored for some time. Samsung's "S Foldable" OLED panel shows a mobile device that folds in two places. When...

Some details about the Galaxy Watch Active 4 have emerged.What you need to knowThe upcoming Galaxy Watch Active 4 is tipped to feature a new 5nm processor.There will reportedly be two versions; titanium and stainless steel.The Galaxy Watch 4 and Active 4 are expected to launch later this year, running the updated Wear OS.While it was teased at the Google I/O keynote that the next Galaxy Watch would run the joint Google and Samsung Wear OS platform, there have been no official details on the actual device. However, tipster Ice Universe took to Twitter to divulge some alleged hardware details about the Galaxy Watch Active 4.According to Ice Universe, the upcoming successor to the best Android smartwatch will reportedly feature a new 5nm processor. That is in stark contrast to the 12nm process on last year's Qualcomm Snapdragon Wear 4100, and even the 10nm process on the Exynos 9110 found on the already impressive Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 2.The new Galaxy Watch Active 4...

The new HBO Max tier would directly compete with Netflix and Disney+.What you need to knowWarnerMedia is offering a new tier of HBO Max for $10.I will have the same features and quality as HBO Max, but it will have ads.The service will start this June.WarnerMedia is offering an ad-supported version of HBO Max for $10 per month starting this June.That's $5 off the monthly price of $15 per month for HBO Max, which has some of the best shows to watch right now. The price change comes less than a week after AT&T announced it was selling its media assets for $43 billion to merge with Discovery, which will create a new media streaming giant. That transaction will not close until 2022.AT&T has seen a steady growth of HBO Max subscribers and gained almost three million subscribers in Q1 2021. The streaming service now has 9.7 million subscribers, and globally HBO Max and HBO together have about 64 million subscribers. Netflix has 208 million users globally.In late Apr...

Google also hinted at several new Chromebooks coming later in the year.What you need to knowGoogle today finally announced Linux on Chromebook's exit from beta status.This change will happen on the next release of Chrome OS.Google also confirmed that Android 11 was coming to Chromebooks with Chrome OS 90, bringing improved Android app support.Google today at I/O announced that Linux on Chromebooks would finally be coming out of beta with the release of Chrome OS 91. The company had offered Linux apps on Chrome OS alongside Android apps, hoping to reach an audience of developers with IDEs and so on. However, the Linux Development Environment, as Google had dubbed it, had been in beta ever since while first launched. The company had added new features at a steady cadence, enabling things like GPU acceleration, better support for USB drives, and so on so people could be more productive while using Linux apps.Alongside Linux, Google also announced that it would be bringing An...

Most popular messaging apps like WhatsApp and Telegram offer solutions to answer your messages from a computer, whether via a dedicated desktop app or through a web browser. Have you ever looked longingly at an Apple product-using friend or colleague who was able to answer their phone's text messages on their computer because of iMessage integration and wished for something similar as an Android devotee? Well, guess what? There is. It's called Google Messages (you've heard of it!). I'll show you how easy it is to use Google Messages from a web browser on your PC or Mac computer or even a Chromebook. Let's get started.How to use Google Messages from a web browserFrom your browser (I'm using Google Chrome), go to messages.google.com.Open Google Messages from your phone.Tap on the three dot menu in the top right corner of the app.Tap on Messages for web.Tap on the blue QR code scanner button.Aim the camera at the QR code on your computer screen.Tap Yes when it asks if y...

Google Play cross-devices installs are finally going to be a thing for Wear OS.What you need to knowGoogle announced new updates for the Play Store at Google I/O.The Play Store will soon be able to offer prepaid plans, multi-quantity purchases, and more.Users will soon be able to install Wear OS apps on their watches directly from their smartphones.Google is preparing several useful additions to the Google Play Store. In Wednesday's Google I/O session, Product Management Director Alex Musil went over some of the changes that are arriving on the Play Store, including new ways to discover and pay for apps on both smartphones and Wear OS.One new feature coming to the Play Store is multi-quantity purchases. This allows users to select more than one item in their cart by selecting how many they want. This will most likely be useful for certain types of passes.Google is also introducing multi-line subscriptions, making it easy for users to include add-on items to their monthl...

Amazon really upped its tablet game with the Fire HD 10 and HD 10 Plus models, which boast faster processing, more RAM, brighter HD displays, longer battery life, and an updated design compared to the previous generations. In fact, the HD 10 Plus is dubbed Amazon's most powerful 10-inch tablet to date. You'll want to protect either with a good Fire HD 10 case, but to further keep the 10.1-inch HD display free from scratches and fingerprints, a screen protector is a good idea too. And these are the best Fire HD & HD 10 Plus screen protectors you can buy.Has it allSupershieldz Matte Shield – 3-packStaff PickThis matte screen protector not only protects the screen from bumps and cracks, but also offers anti-glare and anti-fingerprint features. Supershieldz, a company that focuses predominantly on screen protection, uses Japanese PET film, which is easy to apply and won't leave any residue behind when you remove it. You'll get three in a pack.$11 at Amazon $11 at Walmar...

Spotify is making it a lot easier to be a hermit in 2021.What you need to knowSpotify is experimenting with virtual concerts on its platform.Five concerts will take place between May and June, featuring The Black Keys, and Rag'n'Bone man, and more.Tickets will be available for $15 from Spotify.With concerts being a more or less theoretical affair over the past year, virtual concerts have risen in popularity as a viable alternative. Spotify had offered listings to virtual concerts in its app since last year, allowing artists to link to upcoming live streams on their Spotify page. Perhaps encouraged by the data from that previous effort, the company now wants to try hosting virtual concerts on Spotify itself.Spotify announced the news today, saying: We know that fans care deeply about supporting artists and connecting with their music through live performances. And while some parts of the world are beginning to open up, we recognize not everyone is comfortable with or a...

If you're captivated by the market's newest stylish tracker, make sure you also choose a suitable band for your Fitbit Luxe. Whether you're headed outdoors, to the gym, or a formal event, there are plenty of options to pick from. We've rounded up some of the best Fitbit Luxe bands for you to explore!Classic comfortFitbit Luxe Classic BandStaff PickIf you're like most people and you plan to use your wearable for fitness tracking, you want a comfy band that will be gentle and lightweight on your skin. Fitbit's classic band is a great choice. Did we mention you can take it for a swim, too? It comes in a few different color options to match your style, including Lunar White, Black, Orchid, and Peony.$30 at FitbitPerfectly durableFitbit Luxe Woven BandSome fitness enthusiasts prefer a band with a bit more heft to it. The best Fitbit Luxe band for durability is the company's woven band. It's soft to the touch while still being tough enough to withstand high-intens...

Everything you'd expect from a modern flagship without the modern price.For years, there's been a stigma around using plastic designs in high-end, expensive phones. Consumers have come to expect more luxurious materials like metal and glass which, despite being more fragile than plastic, typically have a more "premium" feel.I'm definitely guilty of shying away from devices whose spec sheets feature the word polycarbonate. I was reluctant to try the Galaxy Note 20 for exactly that reason. But once my review unit came in, my concerns surrounding creakiness and a cheap in-hand feel disappeared. Build quality, in general, has massively improved since the days when plastic flagships were commonplace, and the Note 20 felt just as solid as any other phone I'd tested in recent memory.The story is the same with the Galaxy S20 Fan Edition — better known as the S20 FE. This phone is the latest in Samsung's crusade to dominate every pricing tier with a well-rounded device that makes ...

The frequency of security updates is getting better on Android phones.What you need to knowGoogle highlights the speed and frequency of Android security updates.The company states that 95% of Android 11 devices ran a security update that was released within 90 days.Google also highlights how Google Play Protect helps prevent malicious apps from being published.During Google I/O on Wednesday, the director of the Android Security Strategy, Eugene Liderman, took time to discuss the state of Android security. In the session, he declared that in the first quarter of 2021, 95% of Android devices were given a security update that was released within 90 days.While not all of the best Android phones received monthly security updates like the Google Pixel 5 and its predecessors, it does highlight the improvements that Android is making to ensure that devices are secure and users are protected, which can likely be attributed in some part to efforts like Project Mainline. That said...

Can't get enough battle royales in your life? Android will be welcoming another very soon.What you need to knowPUBG: New State is an upcoming battle royale coming from the PUBG company exclusively to mobile.It is set within the same universe as PUBG but takes place a few decades in the future.Android players in the United States will be able to register for its closed alpha in a few days.Not to be confused with PUBG Mobile, PUBG: New State is an entirely new PUBG experiences being built exclusively for Android devices. When it was announced in February, developer PUBG Studio revealed that it was set within the same universe as PUBG but in 2051, where "anarchy rules as numerous factions battle each other." If you're excited to get in on the action, the studio has also announced that registration for its closed alpha test is kicking off in the next few days.The closed alpha test will be available in the United States and only on Android (sorry, iPhone users). However, t...

New Galaxy phone companionGalaxy SmartTag+$40 at Amazon$40 at B&H PhotoProsSeamless integration with Galaxy phonesAdjustable ring volumeCustomized smart home device controlSuper-precise location trackingConsBattery life not as goodRequires a Samsung Galaxy smartphone or tabletPhone owners have to opt into SmartThings FindIf you own a new ultra-wideband-equipped Samsung Galaxy smartphone like the S21+ or S21 Ultra, the Galaxy SmartTag+ is a good choice, offering the features you'd expect from a Bluetooth and GPS device tracker along with some added niceties, like an augmented reality finder that helps you track items right down to their exact locations.Tried and true for any phoneTile Pro$30 at Amazon$35 at Best Buy$35 at WalmartProsCompany focuses solely on Bluetooth trackersGreat battery lifeGenerous Bluetooth tracking distanceWider phone compatibilityConsNo added featuresCan't adjust ring volumeTile has been around for...

You're already Googling this, so why not make it accurate?What you need to knowA new AI tool coming from Google wants to be your first port of call for skin conditions.The tool uses your camera to diagnose your skin against multiple known skin conditions. It also gives users a baseline for healthy skin across different tones.It's certified as a class medical device in the EU and Google hopes to launch it later in the year.Google is working on a new AI-powered web tool that'll help you figure out what that weird thing on your skin is, the company announced at I/Othis week. It will become available later in the year, Google hopes, and will help diagnose skin conditions via photos of your skin. The company has fine-tuned its AI with "65,000 images and case data of diagnosed skin conditions, millions of curated skin concern images, and thousands of examples of healthy skin — all across different demographics." In other words, Google's trying to be inclusive with this, addres...

Telegram's founder says that "Apple's totalitarian approach is so appreciated by the Communist Party of China."What you need to knowTelegram founder says Apple's software feels like the "Middle Ages."He says anyone using an iPhone is a "digital slave."His comments were made in response to a New York Times investigation.Telegram's founder Pavel Durov says developing for Apple's software feels like working in the "Middle Ages," adding that users are a "digital slave" to the company.Durov made comments in his public Telegram channel on May 19 in response to a recent New York Times investigation on Apple's relationship with China and its involvement in "large-scale surveillance and censorship at the behest of China.""Apple is very efficient at pursuing their business model, which is based on selling overpriced, obsolete hardware to customers locked in their ecosystem," he wrote. "Every time I have to use an iPhone to test our iOS app I feel like I'm thrown back into the Mid...

Amazon's line of Fire tablets are some of the best out, so we made sure to find you the best Fire HD 8 cases around. Amazon's 2020 model brought some nice upgrades to the tablet, so getting a case to make sure it stays protected makes sense. Don't worry! If you're looking for a case for an earlier model of the Fire HD 8, we have those for you here too.Amazon Fire HD 8 2020 (10th Gen)Don't worry, be happyAmazon Mickey No Bad DaysStaff PickThis case from Amazon does double-duty of keeping your table safe while spreading joy. It features Mickey and Minnie Mouse in a great beach scene and a bit of inspiration on the back. This folio-style case will also do a great job of keeping your tablet in great shape.$35 at AmazonFull sleevedMoKo Felt SleeveIf you are looking for some protection during your tablet's transit and less so while you're using it, then you may want to consider this sleeve from MoKo. It offers the main pouch for your device with a secondary spot...

Samsung could unveil the Galaxy Tab A7 Lite sometime in June.What you need to knowOfficial renders and full specs of Samsung's Galaxy Tab A7 Lite have surfaced.The affordable tablet will feature an 8.7-inch screen and MediaTek's MT8768x chipset. It is expected to be announced alongside the Galaxy Tab S7 FE. Samsung is soon expected to launch its first-ever "Fan Edition" tablet, which will be a follow-up to last year's Galaxy Tab S6 Lite. However, the Galaxy Tab S7 FE isn't the only affordable Android tablet Samsung is working on currently. It is also rumored to launch a cheap entry-level Android tablet called the Galaxy Tab A7 Lite. Official renders and specifications of the upcoming tablet have now appeared online, courtesy of German tech publication WinFuture.de.The Galaxy Tab A7 Lite will have a fairly similar design to the Galaxy Tab A 8.4 (2020), which was launched in March last year. It will feature an 8.7-inch LCD display with 1,340 x 800 resolution and much thicke...

Follow websites in Chrome the way you'd follow them on Twitter.What you need to knowThe Chromium blog is showing off a coming experiment for Chrome Canary on Android.Users will see an option in the Chrome menu to "Follow" websites.Once followed, Chrome will serve up the latest content from subscribed websites, using RSS to pull in new content.Google killed its RSS service Google Reader in 2013, and fans are still mourning its loss.This week is Google I/O 2021, and that means all things Google get an update, or in this case, the first rumblings of reanimating an old, dead Google service. The Chromium Blog detailed a new experiment that will be taking place in the upcoming weeks for Chrome Canary for Android users which will add a Follow option to the Chrome menu on most websites. If you click Follow, then when new content is available from those sites, it'll appear as part of a feed in the New Tab on Chrome Canary. There's no mention if this will sync between phones or with...

If you tried install the Android 12 beta on a OnePlus 9, this might help you.What you need to knowShortly after releasing the Android 12 beta, OnePlus was forced to pull the download links.OnePlus 9 and 9 Pro owners found themselves with bricked devices after not being able to install the beta.The only way you can unbrick your device is to use specialized software from Qualcomm to downgrade to Android 11.Yesterday was a big day for Android 12, as not only were you able to jump into the Android 12 beta for Pixel devices, but there were a few other phone makers who are participating in the program. This includes OnePlus with the OnePlus 9, OnePlus 9 Pro, and OnePlus 9R. However, unlike those trying to download and install the beta on something like a Pixel 5, OnePlus hopefuls were met with quite a bit of frustration.This is because users worldwide started flooding the message board, stating that their OnePlus devices were rendered practically useless. In most cases, you wou...

It supports up to 144Hz displays, just like the Snapdragon 780G.What you need to knowThe Snapdragon 778G 5G is Qualcomm's latest mobile chipset for premium mid-range devices.It brings a 40% increase in overall CPU performance and 40% faster graphics over the previous generation. Xiaomi, Motorola, Realme, OPPO, Honor, and iQOO are soon expected to launch new devices powered by the Snapdragon 778G chipset. Qualcomm today announced the Snapdragon 778G 5G mobile platform at its annual 5G summit. The new chipset is built on a 6nm process and is set to power several upcoming "high-tier" phones from leading Android OEMs. It uses Qualcomm's Kryo 670 CPU, touting a 40% jump in performance compared to the previous generation. Qualcomm is also claiming an impressive 40% improvement in graphics rendering with the Adreno 642L GPU.Similar to the Snapdragon 780G chipset announced in March, the new Snapdragon 778G offers a number of features that had so far been limited to Qualcomm's fla...

You can easily use a home NAS server to back up your photos and videos — here's how to get started.Google Photos is the best utility for seamlessly backing up your photos and videos to the cloud, and the service's unlimited high-quality uploads made it the de facto choice for hundreds of millions of users around the world. But starting June 4, Google will start counting high-quality uploads toward your storage quota, so it's entirely likely that you will have to buy a paid Google One plan to be able to continue using Google Photos.We've already listed the best Google Photos alternatives — including OneDrive and Amazon Photos — and now I want to talk about offline options. I use Google Photos' high-quality option to back up photos and videos from my phones, and while Google does a great job preserving quality, I use a network-attached storage (NAS) server to store the original copies. The best part about using a NAS is that you control the data; as it's stored offline on you...

Great family valueMetro by T-MobileFrom $30/mo. at Metro by T-MobileProsGreat family savingsNo overage chargeUnlimited talk and text5G included for freeAmazon Prime included with UnlimitedConsMore expensiveMetro by T-Mobile is a great option for someone that needs a lot of data. Even Metro's largest unlimited plans can offer great value for the entire family thanks to the fourth line being essentially free. With 15GB of hotspot data and Amazon Prime included with the top plan, Metro is a fantastic family option.Bulk savingsMint MobileFrom $15/mo. at Mint MobileProsFree calls to Mexico and CanadaNo overage chargeUnlimited talk and text5G included for freeInternational roaming optionsConsNo multi-line discountsNo stores for supportMint Mobile manages to keep prices lower by selling service in chunks of three, six, or 12 months. With a variety of plans with plenty of data for most people, Mint Mobile is a great choice for those wh...

On your search for the best VPN service, you might have been confused by the different plans and offerings of each provider when trying to figure out the best cheap monthly VPN plan.For the most part, going for a longer-term plan will save you more money (sometimes as much as 70% or more), though not everyone wants to commit for a year or longer. Fear not, though, as cheap monthly VPN plans do exist so you can get set up with a VPN without spending a ton of cash upfront.Best Cheap Monthly VPN PlansIPVanish: $3.49/1-monthPureVPN: $0.99/7-day trialProtonVPN: $5/1-monthWindscribe: $9/1-monthExpressVPN: $12.95/1-month You don't have to go broke each month or pay a huge upfront cost to get a great VPN. These cheap monthly VPN plans make it affordable to try out a VPN for yourself before committing for a longer period of time or just pay for VPN service as and when you need it without a commitment.IPVanish VPN: 65% off one-month plan$3.49 at IPVanishWith its cur...

You really don't want to miss out on this time-bending adventure when it comes to PS5 this September.Twenty-four hours. Eight targets. It seems simple enough, but Arkane Studios isn't known for playing it safe. Following in the footsteps of Dishonored and Prey, Deathloop is Arkane's latest time-bending immersive sim that oozes style, taking inspiration from the 1960s to create a bold aesthetic not usually seen in video games.I recently had the chance to sit in on a hands-off gameplay preview along with a Q&A from Game Director Dinga Bakaba and Art Director Sebastien Mitton ahead of Deathloop's release on the PS5. I was already eagerly awaiting the game before the preview, and this preview has only solidified my feelings. Deathloop could easily be one of the most interesting games to come out this year.What are the loops in Deathloop?Without spoiling anything, the gameplay preview started off at the beginning, with one of our main characters Colt waking up on Blackreef s...

Even before the Xbox Game Pass launch, having the best mobile gaming controller was pretty important for mobile gamers. There are a slew of great Android games out there that can be enhanced with the help of a controller, and honestly, who really enjoys using the on-screen controls? Nevertheless, if you're in the market for a new controller that can enhance your mobile gaming experience and take it to the next level, we've got you covered with the best Android controllers.Best Android controllers overall: Razer KishiMany game developers took over the Play Store with phones that feature better specs than many computers. Call of Duty and Fortnite are great examples, for starters. You shouldn't have to deal with a third-party plastic clip, though, if you want to play your phone like a real controller. With the Razer Kishi, you can turn just about any smartphone into a Nintendo Switch, and you don't have to worry about Bluetooth connectivity slowing you down.In our review of the ...

Why pay more if you don't need to?Fitness trackers are usually priced well below smartwatches because they tend to offer fewer features, and that's certainly the case here with the new Wyze Band. It doesn't have onboard GPS, nor music storage, nor the ability to respond to app notifications. You can't automatically trigger a workout or engage in step competitions with your buddies.Despite these shortcomings, the Wyze Band does do most of what you'd want or expect a fitness tracker to do, at less than half of the price of market-leading bands like the Fitbit Inspire 2, and less than a third the price of the new Fitbit Charge 4.Are there compromises here? Of course. But the whole package was compelling enough for this Fitbit fan to want to test drive the first wearable from Wyze to see if it might be worth my while. In the process, I learned a lot about what is possible at such an affordable price point, and what sacrifices have to be made to achieve that price.A solid first ...

Enough of everythingVisible$40/mo. at VisibleProsNo contractUnlimited talk and textUnlimited LTE and 5G dataUnlimited hotspot (5Mbps)Savings with Visible Party PayConsFewer supported phonesNo 3G or roaming accessVisible has an impressive set of features, especially considering the price. With one of the largest LTE networks plus nationwide 5G combined with an unlimited package including hotspot connectivity, Visible is about as close as it comes to hassle-free wireless.More is moreVerizon WirelessFrom $30/mo. at VerizonProsGreater coverageFaster speedsLarger phone selectionUltra-Wideband 5G included with unlimited plansNationwide 5G on every planConsMore expensive for one lineContract requiredVerizon Wireless continues to set the bar in wireless service as one of the strongest networks available. With some of the fastest speeds and a massive LTE network, a growing 5G network, and 3G and roaming to fill in the gaps, it's one of...

When you look at the list of best emulators for Android, you'll find a lot of recurring themes across the board. There are many more NES and SNES emulators available than for something like the PS1 or PS2. A lot of that has to do with the difference in graphics for what Sony was using back in the day, even compared to other graphics-intensive consoles like the Dreamcast or N64.So when you are trying to find the best PS2 emulators for Android, there simply just aren't as many options out there. And this may come as a bit of a surprise considering just how popular the PS2 was and continues to be for many. If you're dead-set on emulating some of your favorite PS2 games on your Android phone, then you're not completely out of luck.Play! is the best PS2 emulator for AndroidUnlike something like ePSXe for PS1 emulators, Play! is a relatively new emulator to land on the Play Store. And like its PS1 counterpart, it doesn't go down the RetroArch path by being compatible with a bunch o...

With an exciting design and great hardware, the POCO M3 Pro 5G ticks all the right boxes.POCO is having a great 2021. The brand's latest launches in the X series — the POCO X3 and X3 Pro — are picking up momentum in India and the EU, and the POCO F3 is giving mid-range devices like the OnePlus Nord a run for their money.But POCO's best-selling phones are in the M series, with the POCO M3 in particular turning out to be a standout success for the brand. The unique design combined with the gigantic 6000mAh battery and reliable hardware have made the M3 one of the best budget Android phones available today, and POCO is now looking to build on that success with the latest launch in the series, the POCO M3 Pro 5G.As the name suggests, the M3 Pro is the first 5G-enabled budget phone from POCO. The phone is powered by a MediaTek Dimensity 700 5G platform, offering much better performance over the standard M3. There's also a 90Hz LCD panel, faster storage modules, and a bold design...

The Google Pixel 5 is the best Android phone when it comes to security. Google builds its phones to be secure from the start, and its monthly security patches guarantee you won't be left behind on future exploits. Some of the most secure Android phones available to date are on this list to keep your mind at ease while staying safely connected.Best overall: Google Pixel 5The Pixel 5 is updated directly from Google with the latest version of Android. Outside of any new features that may come with it, the device security model has been updated and strengthened by a dedicated team that regularly audits and enhances the code used to build Android. On top of this, Google releases updates to the security model at the beginning of every month for the people who build Android phones to apply to its software. These are important, more dire than any other update.Equally necessary but often overlooked is transparency. You shouldn't have to trust a company when it says something is secu...

It's the smoothest mobile VR has ever been...if your PC can handle it.What you need to knowThe May v29 Quest 2 update silently added the ability to run PC VR games at 120Hz through Oculus Air Link.This refresh rate was previously made available via wired Oculus Link or wirelessly via the 3rd-party Virtual Desktop software in April.Gamers will need to toggle the option in the Oculus desktop software to see the change on their Quest 2.Oculus Air Link has only been around for about a month now and it's already seeing its first big upgrade on the Oculus Quest 2. UploadVR spotted a post on Reddit that showed 120Hz availability for Oculus Link on the PC side of the equation. Turns out, that May v29 Quest update silently enabled the feature without any mention or fanfare from Oculus.Oculus Air Link was already one of the best ways to play SteamVR on Quest, as well as the only way to play certain Oculus-exclusive PC VR games wirelessly — like Minecraft, for instance. Having 120...

Outside of the best gaming phones, the biggest innovation when it comes to smartphones has been in the area of foldables. Samsung is easily leading the way with the likes of the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 2 and Galaxy Z Flip 5G, but other OEM's have come out with options of their own.Huawei's Mate X2 looks like the perfect foldable with a cover display large enough to act as a phone by itself before folding out into a massive tablet with no camera cutout on the inside. The Xiaomi Mi Mix Fold is intriguing not only thanks to its lower price point but also due to the Liquid Lens camera technology. TCL and LG have shown off rollable displays, but LG isn't making smartphones anymore, and TCL's designs are more of a concept instead of something that will actually make it to market.The problem with Huawei is the obvious one, as it's not readily available here in the US, and it still doesn't support Google Services thanks to its place on the U.S. government's entity list. Xiaomi could make i...

The phone is rumored to feature a 7.6-inch main display.What you need to knowThe latest Android 12 beta build includes a reference to Google's rumored foldable Pixel phone, codenamed "Passport."The codename had first surfaced in an internal Android document last year. Additionally, the Android 12 beta reveals the model numbers of the upcoming Pixel 5a 5G and Pixel 6 phones. Back in 2019, a report from CNET claimed that Google was working on a foldable Pixel phone. The rumor was corroborated by an internal Android document last year, which also revealed the foldable Pixel's "passport" codename. Now, the folks over at 9to5Google have found new evidence that suggests Google is still working on the device and could launch it later this year.As per the publication, the first Android 12 beta build includes multiple references to Google's upcoming Pixel phones. In addition to codenames, the build contains model numbers for the Japanese variants of the Pixel 6, Pixel 5a 5G, and t...

We may finally be getting the hardware we deserve and the software we want.Samsung has been making smartwatches since the beginning of time — OK, so not that long, but the company has been at it for the better part of a decade. While not all of the designs have been the most elegant, the watches have stood out and been built very well. In my opinion, the thing that has been holding Samsung back from being a true Apple Watch competitor is its software — and that's why I'm excited to see a Samsung Wear OS watch.No, Wear OS (which Google is now calling simply Wear; we'll be changing our usage of the term over time to folllow suit) is not perfect, but when comparing Tizen vs. Wear OS — it's the basics that Google's software nails. The fact that even with the shortcomings that Samsung's homegrown wearable operating system has had, the company still makes some of the best Android smartwatches right along with excellent Android phones. With Samsung partnering with Google to make W...

Two of Serie A's top sides battle it out for silverware in today's Coppa Italia final. Follow our guide below on how to get an Atalanta vs Juventus live stream online no matter where you are in the world.Atalanta take to the field at Sassuolo's Città del Tricolore in just their fifth Coppa Italia final. La Dea have won the competition only once in their history, though Gian Piero Gasperini's side have definitely become overachievers in recent times.Having already secured a Champions League qualification spot for next season, their third successful campaign in a row, Gasperini's men can be fully focused on lifting the trophy.Juventus, on the other hand, are the most successful club in Coppa Italia history having won the competition 13 times in 20 final appearances.It hasn't been plain sailing for Juve in the league this season, though, with the Bianconeri failing to extend their consecutive title-winning run to 10.Andrea Pirlo's side currently sits in fifth spot needing to ...

Using one of the best free VPN services could end up bringing a lot of advantages to your daily workflow. Not everyone who uses a Virtual Private Network needs everything that a paid service offers, and often the free ones are enough to get by. We've compared the advantages between free VPNs vs. paid VPNs. If you're looking for the best VPN to use, we have you covered.As of right now, we have ProtonVPN as the best free VPN option in 2021, followed closely by Hotspot Shield Free. With ProtonVPN, you get unlimited bandwidth on a single device when using the free plan, and Hotspot Shield also offers a generous data allotment and rich feature set.Best Free VPN service 20211. ProtonVPN2. Hotspot Shield3. Windscribe4. TunnelBear5. Hide.me6. SpeedifyFree VPNs aren't for everyoneA note about free VPN optionsThere are a bunch of great free VPN options (which we've highlighted lower on this page), but it's worth noting that these aren't the best picks for everyone. With fr...

Google's Material You aesthetic gives Android 12 a fresh new look.Google introduced Material Design back in 2014, and while Android looks very different from seven years ago, the design language itself hasn't changed too much. Google has focused its attention on polishing core interface elements in recent releases, adding better notification management, overhauled gestures, new privacy features, and system-wide dark mode.With Android 12, Google is embarking on a huge redesign that changes just about every facet of the interface. Google calls this the "biggest design change in Android's history," and that claim is warranted. The new design language is an evolution of Material Design dubbed Material You, and it makes Android much more playful and accessible. The best Android phones feature skins with plenty of customizability, and Google is heading down that path with Android 12.Of course, Android 12 is much more than a fresh coat of paint. Google is introducing important privacy...

Google is overhauling Wear OS looks and making it easier to get things done on your smartwatch.What you need to knowGoogle's Wear platform is getting a recent apps switcher similar to what is on Android now.Tiles on Wear are being expanded to more developers with better toolsThe launcher on Wear looks like it's getting revamped with new indicators and ongoing activities.Among all of the announcements at Google I/O, Wear OS had some of the biggest. From the platform being co-developed with Samsung to Samsung announcing it will be making a Wear watch, it was a big day for Google's wearable platform. In a separate video, Google announced more of what's new with Wear — and it looks good.Some visual changes will mimic some of what we see from Android 12, along with changes to how navigating through the operating system will work. You will still be able to press the side button of your watch to access the app drawer, but from what was shown, it might look a bit different than...

YouTube Music and Spotify are bringing quality music experience to Wear.What you need to knowGoogle announced that it's bringing a YouTube Music app to its Wear platform.Spotify is also rebuilding its app from the ground up with support for offline playback.The apps will arrive later this year with the new updates to Wear OS.There was quite a bit that got announced at the Google I/O keynote today, but one of the bigger announcements was around the changes coming to Wear OS, namely, the apps that are arriving on the platform. Spotify and Google are aiming to bring quality music experiences to Wear thanks to their new apps.Spotify already has an app on Wear OS, but the company has announced that it's rebuilding the app experience for Wear. This will include improved performance, smarter handling of playlist syncing, and even offline downloads. The company states that it is working to allow users to download music and podcasts to the Wear app, which could come in handy when ...

Spotify is going even harder on podcasts.What you need to knowSpotify today announced that it would be rolling out new accessibility-focused features to its mobile apps.It's bringing a small redesign of its app to make it easier to use if you're visually impaired.You'll also now be able to generate transcripts for a selection of Spotify Exclusive or Original podcasts in the coming weeks. Spotify plans to make this universal in the future.Spotify today announced a couple of new features aimed at making its experience more accessible to everyone, primarily those who are visually and hearing impaired. It's rolling out updates to both its iOS and Android apps towards these ends.The first update is a small one, aimed at making Spotify clearer when in use. Buttons will be bigger, the text is now sentence case, and the company will be making some tweaks to color and text formatting.Spotify also announced support for large text, alas, for iPhone users and not for Android phones...

This week, Sam Tolbert stops by for a deep dive into the entire Mass Effect franchise, including a review of Mass Effect Legendary Edition.Hosted by: Jennifer Locke, Carli Velocci, and Rebecca SpearGot feedback? Hit up Podcast@androidcentral.com and tell us something!LISTEN NOW:LINKS:Mass Effect Legendary Edition: Every difference from the original Mass Effect | Windows CentralMass Effect 3's ending revisited: Overblown outrage or justified fury? | Windows Central5 things the next Mass Effect could learn from the Legendary Edition | Windows CentralMass Effect: Mako vs. Mako vs. Mako — Who would win in a fight? | Windows CentralMass Effect: The 5 best and 5 worst decisions you can make | Windows CentralBest alien creatures in Mass Effect that can be pets | Windows Central11 rare Mass Effect scenes you probably never saw | Windows CentralWhy we'll miss Mass Effect 3's multiplayer mode in the Legendary Edition | Windows CentralBioWare remastered Mass Effect, now i...

It may not be a Pixel Watch, but it will run Wear (OS).What you need to knowGoogle announced a host of updates to its Wear OS platform, including greater Fitbit services integration at I/O 2021.Fitbit CEO James Park confirmed that the company's next smartwatch would run the Wear operating system.Neither Google nor Fitbit provided any specific details on the new watch or launch date.At the information-dense Google I/O keynote earlier today, we were treated to all manner of updates on Google search, shopping, Maps, and Android 12, but one of the most highly anticipated sections of the presentation was on Wear OS (now referred to simply as Wear).During the Wear section of the keynote, we learned that Google is developing the latest iteration of its smartwatch platform in conjunction with Samsung. In the process, it is reimagining a number of its most popular apps for smartwatches. Apps like YouTube Music, Google Maps, and even Fitbit will be updated and available to all OEMs...

Both on your phone and your smart displays, Assistant is getting easier to develop for.What you need to knowNew developer tools for Google Assistant were unveiled as part of Google I/O 2021.Android 12 APIs for Shortcuts will make it easier for users to find all the Assistant commands associated with an installed app.Google Assistant will also be able to better display your data by displaying widgets in the Google Assistant pop-up.New advancements will also improve the ability for developers to build a conversational experience for smart displays powered by Google Assistant.Google I/O 2021 has kicked off with a bevy of big announcements from the new Material You UI with a Pixel-exclusive theming system to Samsung and Google teaming up to make Wear OS better. There are new developer tools for just about every system and service that Google touches debuting today, and Google Assistant is no exception.Google Assistant's new features and dev tools this year focus around makin...

Oculus sells a ton of accessories for its newest VR headset, but your first purchase should be one of the best Oculus Quest 2 cases, without question. A case will shield your lenses from sunlight damage and make sure all your VR accessories are kept in one place. Original Quest owners can try using their old cases, but the Quest 2 is about an inch smaller, so there may be a bit too much wiggle room if you use it as a travel case. We've rounded up the Quest 2 storage and travel cases that we trust to keep your headsets properly protected from falls, lens scratches, or controller stick drift.Official Quest 2 caseOculus Quest 2 Carrying CaseStaff PickUnlike many of the Quest 2 cases made by third parties that were originally Quest 1 cases, the official Quest 2 Carrying Case is specifically tailored to its new dimensions. It can squeeze inside the headset, controllers, charging cable, power adapter, and Elite Strap with Battery, keeping them static so nothing moves around. Th...

The newest version of Android is finally here, and you can install it right now.After three long months, the Android 12 beta is here, which means that the build is now more stable — though it's still not advisable to install it on a daily driver.Along with a major change to the look called Material You, Android 12 ships with a bunch of new privacy features that may or may not be useful.As of May 18, the public Android 12 beta is available for Pixel phones along with some other devices from companies like Xiaomi, TCL, OnePlus, and more (full list below). Here's how to get it installed on your Pixel, and we'll have device-specific instructions as they become available.Jump to:Installing using the Android Beta programInstalling using the Android Flash ToolInstalling using the Android Factory ImagesWhich phones can download the Android 12 Beta?There are nine phones from Google that support the Android 12 beta:Pixel 3Pixel 3 XLPixel 3aPixel 3a XLPixel 4Pixe...

Google is powering up ARCore with new capabilitiesWhat you need to knowGoogle today announced ARCore 1.24.It's highlighting two new APIs, Raw Depth API as well as the Recording and Playback API.Google also shared that there were more than 850 million ARCore compatible devices. Alongside Android 12 and other announcements at Google I/O today, Google also brought in new updates for ARCore. The company unveiled ARCore 1.24, complete with a new Raw Depth API and a new Recording and Playback API.The Raw Depth API is aimed at helping developers take more accurate measurements of indoor spaces and built a better model of physical surroundings. It works on devices that lack specialized sensors, making it more widely accessible. Google says that this also allows developers to filter depth data in real-time, further enabling the placing of AR objects on physical objects such that look pretty realistic — well, for AR objects anyway. Google highlights examples from TikTok and 3D L...