Latest from Android Central

Hisense just made the best Android TV product announcement ever.What you need to knowHisense just launched several new TVs with the help of Community actor Joel McHale.The new 2021 lineup of Hisense TVs includes mostly Android TV sets and one 8K Roku set.This is probably the best TV launch you'll ever watch.Hisense just launched its 2021 Android TV lineup with several new models and with the help of "Community" actor Joel McHale. He even name-dropped Android Central in the process, which is no surprise since we gave the Hisense H9G Quantum such a glowing review as one of the best Android TVs on the market.McHale goes on to say that if you're watching the launch, "you're either a tech journalist, a well-informed consumer, or just a passionate fan of product line announcement videos." Which, to be fair, is also probably true if you're reading this article. He then states the obvious by saying that "you don't wanna be stuck with some corporate suit armed with weak jokes and ...

A fix is coming very soon.What you need to knowA critical save file error was accidentally introduced in the latest patch for Returnal.Players who downloaded the new patch have been asked to re-install the game.The update was meant to fix a number of launch issues, including issues with crashing.Players affected will get a CE-100028-1 error popup when starting the game.This update does not include any sort of save function.The brutally difficult roguelike Returnal launched last week to critical acclaim from fans and critics alike, but a recent update from developer Housemarque has accidentally caused a lot of grief for a lot of players. Following an update to patch 1.3.3. of the game, players discovered the update had prevented them from progressing their run.Players who installed the latest patch will need to re-install the game to revert back to the previous patch, so if your game auto-updated to the newest patch, you may need to revert back to patch 1.3.1. Players af...

Twitter wants everyone to stop being mean on Twitter.What you need to knowTwitter will now ask all users to reconsider if they intend to tweet an aggressive comment at another user.It had tested this in a limited fashion last year.The company says 34% of users had adjusted their tweets after being prompted once, and 11% went on to send fewer aggressive tweets going forward.Twitter today announced an evolution of its drive to encourage more thoughtful and considerate tweeting. As we noted last year, it asked users to take a moment before responding to articles, nudging them to read beyond the headline and wagging a finger when they tried to be rude to others. The former rolled out broadly to all last year. Now, the company is expanding the latter test to all users.Twitter's Sunita Saligram, global head of site policy for trust and safety, explained at the time: We're trying to encourage people to rethink their behavior and rethink their language before posting because...

Three of the most charming indie games from the past few years are on sale for crazy low prices in the Google Play Store.Annapurna Interactive games on saleThree of Annapurna's best Android games are on sale.Florence and Donut County are true classics and we can't recommend them enough.Annapurna is the publisher of popular games like Outer Wilds and What Remains of Edith Finch.One of the giants of indie games publishing, Annapurna Interactive, is running a Google Play Store sale on three of their best mobile Android titles right now.Known as the backing force behind some of the most unique and wonderful games out there, (What Remains of Edith Finch, Sayonara Wild Hearts, Outer Wilds, and many more) Annapurna Interactive has nearly perfected the art of giving indie developers a platform to tell impactful stories in boldly creative ways. Many of these are already on our list of the best Android games, so you know you need to check 'em out.The sale applies to Florence, Gor...

Perhaps you've noticed Mint Mobile's humorous ads featuring Ryan Reynolds, and you've wondered whether you should give this quirky carrier a shot. Mint Mobile is a prepaid carrier that offers customers affordable cell phone plans on T-Mobile's vast 4G LTE and 5G network at a lower cost when you sign up up for three, six, or 12-month terms. If you want to put the carrier up to the test before committing, Mint Mobile is willing to send you a free Mint Mobile SIM card to try out during a free 7-day trial. To sign up for the trial and get your complimentary SIM card, all you have to do is follow these simple steps.How to get your free Mint Mobile SIM cardMint Mobile offers some of the best cell phone plans today and can help you save you some money. But joining a new carrier or switching over from one that you've been with for years can sometimes feel risky, which is why Mint launched a free 7-day trial to try out its service. The trial comes with 250MB of 5G and 4G LTE data, 250 te...

USB-C is getting increasingly popular, and as that happens, there are more and more reasons you might want to buy a USB-C to HDMI cable. Sure, USB-C monitors are getting more popular, but they're not totally common yet — and even then, it's unlikely we'll see products like TVs switch to USB-C any time soon. iVanky is the latest company to join the slew of brands launching USB-C to HDMI cables of their own.But iVanky's cables seem to be a little different from the rest. Cables can actually be tricky to buy. Most want a strong cable that's going to last, but not everyone is willing to pay a ton of cash to get them. iVanky has two affordable alternatives: a USB-C to female HDMI adapter, which you can use with a standard HDMI cable, and a full USB-C to HDMI cable. Both come at under $17, have a braided nylon sleeve, and support features like a 4K resolution at 60Hz.An adapter on a budgetiVanky USB-C to HDMI Adapter$15.99 at AmazonUSB-C to HDMI anytime, anywhereThe iVanky ...

Twitter is rolling this out to a limited number of people.Update, Apr 21 (4 pm ET): 4K image support is rolling out for everyoneUpdate, May 5 (4:20 pm ET):You can now view large photosWhat you need to knowTwitter is testing two photo-related tweaks on mobile apps.It'll let users see how their photos will appear on the timeline as part of a change to the tweet composer.The company will also enable higher quality uploads, allowing for the sharing of 4K pictures.Twitter is testing out an improvement to how its mobile app handles photos on Android. In a limited test the company announced today, there'll be changes made to both the tweet composer and image upload quality.The composer will now display a more representative view of an image you plan to share pre-upload. That is to say, you'll now see how it would appear in the timeline before you upload it.The second is a small tweak that'll let you see and view 4K pictures on Android and iOS. It's a step up from the compr...

Fixing the latest bugs and exploits in Android every month.Google has detailed the latest Android Security Bulletin and released the fixes for Pixel devices.These are exploits and other security concerns that affect Android as a whole. Issues with the operating system, kernel patches, and driver updates may not affect any particular device, but these need to be fixed in the Android base by the folks maintaining the operating system code. That means Google, and they've detailed the things they have improved for this month.Updated factory images for Pixel devices that are supported are available, and over-the-air updates are rolling out to users. If you don't want to wait, you can download and flash the factory image or OTA update file manually, and here are some handy instructions to get you started. The company that made your phone uses these patches to send an update out to you.These changes have been released to the people making the best Android phones for at least 30...

The full version of Rocket League could be coming sooner than you think.What you need to knowEpic's plans to bring Rocket League to mobile were revealed during its ongoing legal battle with Apple.A redesigned game launcher would introduce Rocket League on mobile to match the PC and consoles game.This would be the "full" version of the game and would include cross-play and cross-progress between devices.Earlier this month, Epic and Psyonix announced Rocket League Sideswipe, a version of the popular game that will be coming to Android and iOS later this year. However, thanks to the current Epic v Apple court proceedings, Epic and Psyonix could have their collective sights set on a bigger launch coming to mobile.In court documents assembled by The Verge (via Android Police), it was revealed that Epic is working on creating an entirely new game launcher for the game which would work across the PC, consoles, and mobile. That's right—the full version of Rocket League accessib...

The Raspberry Pi's convenience, versatility, and usefulness simply cannot be understated. With just a few clicks, you can set up just about everything, including the ability to set up Plex on a Raspberry Pi. After you've finished loading up your library of movies, TV shows, and even music, you can then download the Plex app on any of your devices and enjoy your favorite content from anywhere. Today, we're going to show you how you can get everything set up.Products used in this guideStream all the things: CanaKit Raspberry Pi 4 8GB Starter KitStore all the things: Seagate Expansion 6TB External Hard DriveInstall the desktop: Raspberry Pi ImagerWhat you'll need to install Plex on a Raspberry PiRaspberry Pi 2, 3, or 4: I recommend using the Pi 4 as it comes with built-in Wi-Fi. It has beefier hardware and offers great value. You can choose from 1GB, 2GB, 4GB, or even 8GB RAM configurations, and I have the 8GB option as that gives me more overhead for adding more things l...

YouTube isn't making it easy to opt-out, either.Update, May 5 (3:40 pm ET): Google announced updates to its Shorts permissionsWhat you need to knowYouTube is automatically opting-in videos to be sampled for Shorts.Some see the move as problematic as there was no prior notice to creators about the option.Not all videos can opt-out of the Shorts permission, but it's not clear which.Users are discovering that YouTube is automatically opting in their content without their consent to be used by others in YouTube Shorts, the platform that imitates TikTok. The permissions box found in a video edit screen reads that when checked, it "allows people to create Shorts using parts of this video." Users are finding that this box is automatically checked:IMPORTANT:YouTube suddenly automatically checked "Yes" on EVERY YouTube video to allow them to be re-uploaded as Shorts on OTHER channels ???Please let your YouTuber friends know that they have to go through and uncheck this setting o...

What you need to knowEpic and Apple's court case started this week and is ongoing.In recently released emails, Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney reached out to NVIDIA about avoiding Google/iOS App Store fees. The company entertained the idea of potentially streaming an emulated version of Fortnite onto Android devices. As the court battle between Epic and Apple continues, more information regarding Epic and its efforts to distance itself from having to pay out App Store fees are coming to light.Throughout the case, emails, and other evidence has been submitted to the court. The latest set of emails shows Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney inquiring about the possibility of the company partnering with NVIDIA to emulate Fortnite on Android on their GeForce Now program in order to avoid having to pay the 30% fee that the Google Play Store chargers.Conversation between Tim Sweeney and NVIDIA about "successfully escaping the Google and/or iOS paywalls."First is Sweeney to NVIDIA, second is N...

If you have a Google account, chances are that a lot more info than you think is tracked and stored within it. It's not all bad, though. Google does a good job trying to keep that all as private as possible, but it doesn't hurt to review that info by knowing how to secure your Google account using Privacy Checkup. There are many security measures put into place by Google to help keep your info safe from prying eyes, even if you have the most secure Android phone around — stuff happens.How to secure your Google account with Privacy CheckupGoogle has created a helpful tool within your account that allows you to help control how your information is used, stored and who can see it. That tool is called Privacy Checkup, and here's how to use it.Open the Google app on your phone.Tap on your profile picture in the upper right corner.Choose Manage your Google Account.Towards the middle of the screen, under your name, scroll left and tap on Data & personalization.Tap on Take P...

Those wishing to work remotely permanently will have to applyWhat you need to knowGoogle said in an internal email that employees would be able to apply to work remotely.60% of staff will work in the office "a few days a week."20% will be able to relocate and work from one of the company sites.Google will allow more of its employees to work from home by relaxing some of its rules, the company said in an internal email.In an email obtained by Bloomberg, CEO Sundar Pichai said on Wednesday morning that offices will slowly be reopening but that some employees will be able to work remotely until September.Google confirmed with Android Central in an email that the company will allow about 60% of Google's staff to work in the office "a few days a week," while another 20% will be able to relocate and work from one of the many company sites. The rest will be able to apply and work from home permanently."We'll offer opportunities for employees to transfer to one of our many gl...

With Man City confirmed as their potential final opponents, it's all to play for as Real Madrid travel to Chelsea in this UEFA Champions League semi-final second leg. Don't miss a moment with our Chelsea vs Real Madrid live stream guide.This semi-final tie is delicately poised after a 1-1 draw in Madrid in the first leg. Christian Pulisic opened the scoring at the Alfredo Di Stéfano Stadium, bagging the Blues an important away goal before Karim Benzema brought the hosts level.With that slight advantage plus the benefit of playing on home turf, Thomas Tuchel's Chelsea will be confident that they can meet their Premier League counterparts Man City in what would be the second all-English final in three years.There's really not much in this tie, though, and Real can tip the scales back in their favor with just one goal at Stamford Bridge enough to neutralize Chelsea's away goal. That being said, Benzema's superb strike in their last meeting is the only goal Chelsea's staunch defen...

If you've decided that the Garmin Lily is the best Android smartwatch for your needs, you'll be happy to know there are many fantastic band options to pick from. Keep in mind that this smartwatch is compatible with 14mm proprietary bands, so you'll need to be diligent when choosing your replacement. We've rounded up some of the best Garmin Lily bands to make this easier for you!Straight from the sourceGarmin Lily Italian Leather or Silicone BandStaff PickSome people feel better knowing their replacement band comes right from the company that made the watch regardless of how expensive it is. If you want to stick to bands made by Garmin, you'll have a handful of options. The Italian leather bands are available in White, Black, and Paloma. The silicone bands are available in White, Deep Orchid, and Light Sand.$60 at Amazon (leather) $30 at Amazon (silicone)Triple threatMeiruo Garmin Lily Replacement bandIf you're looking for a multi-pack, this option from Meiru...

Xiaomi is now rolling out the MIUI 12 stable update based on Android 11 to a lot of phones.MIUI 12 made its debut earlier this year, and Xiaomi has finished rolling out the stable update to most devices in its portfolio. Xiaomi's latest skin offering an array of new features, including an improved system-wide dark mode, AI-assisted calling features, Dynamic Always-on Display, new visual design, tweaks to system animations, and much-needed privacy fixes.Xiaomi is now turning its attention to the Android 11 update. It is starting to roll out MIUI 12 based on Android 11, with the stable update now rolling out to the Redmi Note 9 Pro and Mi 10. Xiaomi makes some of the best cheap Android phones, and it is good to see the manufacturer rolling out the Android 11 update earlier than usual.So let's take a look at the list of eligible phones slated to switch to Android 11, and when your device might receive the update.MIUI 12 Android 11 update: Now rolling out to Redmi Note 9, Mi 10, ...

Google's new tablet experience focused solely on content.What you need to knowGoogle is launching a new Entertainment Space for Android tablets.The new hub brings a Google TV-like layout to separate content based on type.The new Entertainment Space will only be available on select tablets.Google announced its latest experience for Android tablets on Wednesday, dubbed Entertainment Space. Similar to how Kids Space focuses on apps, games, and content for children, Entertainment Space will take a similar approach but for adults.Entertainment Space might look a bit familiar to anyone who owns a Chromecast with Google TV, as it adopts a similar layout with three different sections to separate content; Watch, Games, and Read. The Watch tab gives quick access to shows and movies, with recommendations surfacing from apps like YouTube, Google TV, Twitch, and Hulu. The Verge points out, however, that Netflix won't be among the services to provide these recommendations.The Games...

Best answer: PlayStation Now is a subscription service that allows members to stream and download a rotating catalog of games on their PS4, PS5, and PC. There are currently over 800 games in PlayStation Now's library.PlayStation Now GamesPlayStation Now has a library of over 800 games, including some that released on PS2 and PS3. While most are labeled as having ongoing access, some rotate out every few months. Highlights include games like Bloodborne, The Last of Us, Resident Evil 7, Fallout 4, Red Dead Redemption, Dishonored 2, Horizon Zero Dawn, and a lot more.If you choose not to renew your subscription and let your membership expire, you will lose access to these games until you purchase a subscription again.PlayStation Now Streaming and downloadingOut of its 800 games, only about 300 can be directly downloaded onto PS4 or PS5. Because you're not reliant on internet speeds and other factors, downloading will always provide a more reliable experience than streaming a ga...

The Tab S7 Lite is launching next month, but the leaks aren't letting up.What you need to knowSamsung is planning to release new cheap tablets in June.New leaks today show off the upcoming Tab S7+ Lite and its book cover cases.The accessory will come in black, blue, grey, teal, and pink.Samsung's Android tablets are pretty much the only Android tablets worth paying serious attention to (next to Amazon's Fire tablets), and rhe company is set to unveil two new ones pretty soon. The Galaxy Tab S7 will be seing a new "lite" model, reportedly heading to the market in June. While earlier reports had it dubbed the Tab S7 Lite, it'll reportedly be called the Tab S7+ Lite. As far as names go, that is one of them. We've gotten spec leaks and renders in the past, so this is a pretty minor one, all things considered.This time, the render not only shows off the mystic pink color way, but a selection of the book cover-styled cases and their colors. From the image, it appears to ship in...

YouTube is also adding a new Shorts tab to its mobile app on Android and iOS.What you need to knowYouTube's TikTok rival Shorts is finally rolling to all creators in the U.S.Shorts launched in beta in the U.S. in March this year. YouTube has also added a few new features to its short-form video platform — including support for 60-second-long videos, new filters, and more.After being limited to users in India for six months, YouTube Shorts finally launched in beta in the U.S. earlier this year. YouTube has now started to roll out its TikTok rival to all creators in the U.S. Along with a wider rollout, the short-form video platform is also gaining a bunch of new features.The rollout was confirmed by YouTube in its latest Creator Insider video. According to the video, all YouTube creators in the U.S. are expected to gain access to Shorts over the coming week. To help make Shorts more popular, the platform is also gaining support for 60-second-long videos, new filters a...

And yes, the Tall Vampire Lady is great.2017's Resident Evil 7: Biohazard worked as a reboot of the long-running series — and it was a necessary one. Resident Evil had been chugging along and selling well, but had transitioned into what was mainly an action game series with a couple elements of body horror thrown in. Critics and fans alike weren't here for where the series was going.That's why Resident Evil 7 was so explosive, even if it's a relatively quiet game compared to its siblings. Capcom developers stripped the bombastic action games Resident Evil had become of most of its spectacle, moved it to a first-person view, and brought it back to basics: a creepy house with a lot of mystery. It suffered in the third act when trying to balance the new horizons the series could reach with the blueprint it had to follow, but it represented a new world of possibilities for the survival horror series.Resident Evil Village is that next step. It's a game that harkens back to what ...

While OnePlus phone in previous years had to wait weeks for viable name-brand cases to arrive, the OnePlus 9 Pro has ample selection right out of the gate, with major brands like Caseology, Otterbox, and Ringke all offering up great cases at a variety of price points. So if you're grabbing a OnePlus 9 Pro, we've rounded up the best cases available — because really, your shiny new flagship deserves nothing but the best.Clearly ruggedRingke Fusion-XStaff PickJust as Ringke made its most popular case for previous generations of OnePlus phones, the OnePlus 9 Pro is getting the Fusion-X, a durable clear case with robust air cushions inside the bumper and hard plastic back that allows you to show off that Pine Green or Morning Mist silver.$14 at Amazon $14 at WalmartSleek texturingCaseology ParallaxThe Midnight Blue version of the Parallax could make for some striking contrast with the colors on the OnePlus 9 Pro via the camera module. The rest of the phone is then co...

Is it too early to start a funeral procession for Stadia?What you need to knowStadia's general manager and head of creatives services have left the company.They have joined Jade Raymond's Haven Studios, working on a PlayStation exclusive game.This news comes shortly after Google confirmed Stadia VP John Justice was no longer with the company.Stadia has had a rough few months as even more talent leaves the studio. Following Jade Raymond and VP John Justice, General Manager Sebastien Puel and Creative Services and Publishing Head Corey May have also departed the floundering service (via Game Informer). Puel and May have apparently joined Raymond at her newfound venture, Montreal-based studio Haven, which is working on a PlayStation exclusive game.Puel and May aren't the only Stadia talent to join Raymond's team, however. Cyberia on ResetEra discovered that several other employees had left Google for Haven as well, including Jonathan Dankoff, Erwann Le Rouzic, Francis Denonc...

One way that Signal maintains its ultra-secure privacy is by not sending or storing message data in the cloud — not its own, not Apple's iCloud, not Google Drive/One, not anywhere else. So what is a loyal Signal user to do when they change phones, but want to bring their chat history with them? Well, if you're an Android user, you're in luck. You can create a locally stored, encrypted backup of your chat that can regularly and automatically back up. We'll show you how to set up and enable these automatic Signal backups on your Android phone.How to enable automatic Signal backups on an Android phoneOpen up the Signal app on your Android phone.Tap on the three-dot settings menu in the top right corner.Scroll down and tap on Chats.Scroll down and tap on Chat backups.Tap Turn On.Choose or create a folder on your device that you want to save your encrypted backups to.Tap Use This Folder.Tap to Allow Signal to access files in your selected folder.Copy the passsphrase cod...

Incredible tri-band WI-Fi 6 speed for tons of devicesThe best way to get great performance out of your wireless network is to make sure you're using all of your available resources in the best way possible. The TP-Link Archer AX90 helps you get closer thanks not only to Wi-Fi 6 but some other perks like tri-band connectivity, access to DFS channels, and 160MHz support. The Archer AX90 can be configured in several different ways to operate as fast as possible regardless of how much interference and traffic you have.TP-Link and its competitors jumped into Wi-Fi 6 with dual-band routers or routers that couldn't use Wi-Fi 6 on all bands. For many people, this is fine and will deliver all the speed they could ever want. But for people living in a congested area such as an apartment building, finding a fast setup while retaining good device compatibility can be challenging. That being said, a crazy AX11000 router could more often than not overcome these obstacles by brute force; but a ...

Board, however, doesn't agree that Facebook should have said it would suspend the account "indefinitely."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 disabling the page and account," the board said."The board insists that Facebook revi...

Facebook Neighborhoods will soon be rolled out to users in select U.S. cities.What you need to knowFacebook has started testing Neighborhoods, a mini social network similar to Nextdoor.The new feature is claimed to "bring the local experience across Facebook into one place."It is now available within the Facebook app in Canada and will soon expand to the U.S. Social networking giant Facebook today announced that it has started testing a new feature called Neighborhoods, which aims to "build and strengthen local communities on Facebook."The feature works similarly to Nextdoor, which is one of the best Android apps for hyperlocal social networking. Facebook says Neighborhoods will allow users to connect with their neighbors, participate in their local community, discover new places, and get local recommendations.Neighborhoods is being offered as an opt-in experience within the Facebook app. To create a Neighborhood profile, however, you will need to be 18 years or older. ...

If there's one messaging faux pas that we're all guilty of, it's opening a message and then getting distracted before we reply. Then, a few hours, days, or weeks go by, and we look like a jerk because we never responded to our friend's question or funny GIF. After all, that message was marked as read. Well, what if I told you that you could have your cake and eat it too in this scenario? It's true! I'll show you how easy it is to preview chats on Telegram, so you can get that instant gratification of seeing who sent what without having to worry that you'll forget to respond. Let's get started!How to preview chats on TelegramOpen the Telegram app and find a thread with an unread message.Press down on the chat's profile picture.That's it! This works for both individual and group chats, and it allows you to quickly read the message to see if it's important without marking it has read. I will caution that it is much easier to preview messages from your phone or tablet than fro...

There's a lot to be said about the current state of gaming. Whether it's the explosion of mobile gaming to go along with the best gaming phones, or if you're still trying to get your hands on the PS5 or one of those fancy, new graphics cards for your PC build. However, there's another aspect entirely that has also exploded in recent months, and that's cloud gaming.While Google seems to just be waiting around for something to happen with Stadia, others are taking advantage without really pushing the mobile platform too hard. Last year saw the exit of Project xCloud from its "project" status and its entrance into the Google Play Store in an official capacity with Xbox Game Pass. Earlier this year, Microsoft even brought a similar experience to iOS and iPadOS devices, although you'll have to use it as a web app just like Stadia.As someone who currently has more phones on his desk than he can count, along with a custom-built gaming PC, a Raspberry Pi running RetroPie, a permanently...

The best Chromebooks are more than just lightweight laptops with speed and simplicity; they're adaptable devices that help us get through the day. While I don't spend all day chained to a desk with my Chromebook, whenever my Chromebook is plugged in and not actively used, it pulls double duty as a smart display. Because of the integrations with Google Assistant and Chromebook's Ambient Display feature, all it takes to turn this on is a thirty-second trip to the Settings app.How to turn on your Chromebook's Ambient ModeOpen the Settings app from the app drawer or quick settings menu.Tap or scroll down to the Personalization section.Tap Screen saver.Tap the toggle to turn it on.Select the Background images you want to use.To edit which photos you see, tap the right arrow to the right side of the selected source.If you're using Google Photos, tap the folders you want Ambient Display to pull from.If you're using Art gallery, tap Earth and space if you only want to s...

Chatting with the AC forums.While not as common as they used to be, several of the best Android phones these days like the Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra or even the OnePlus 9 Pro and Oppo Find X3 Pro still have (slightly) curved displays. It seems that for right or wrong, many manufacturers have largely given up on the curved display form factor and have rediscovered the joy of flat displays. And yet, there are definitely people out there who like a curved screen. Are you one of them?This topic has sparked an interesting conversation over on the AC forums: Evilguppy 05-01-2021 03:44 PM “ Since I got my Note 20 Ultra, I've become a big fan of curved screens. I just love the feel of it when I pull out my side panel. I hear many people hate it but I can't figure out why. Maybe it's because I don't use a screen protector? I find the glass on this phone to be practically bullet proof, even my 85 lbs...

For all of the efforts that Google and Amazon are putting into smart assistants to help with smart homes, there is still a ways to go.We've seen smart homes in movies and TV shows for decades now, but in those instances, we're led to believe that all of that tech is harmonious and works together seamlessly. However, in reality, it is a very different story, and, for the most part, the question you have to ask is this: is Google or Amazon better for my smart home?Sure, there are other ecosystems you can choose, like Samsung SmartThings , which can integrate several different brands into a single app for you to manage those devices. But if you want to truly have a smart home, you're going to want to have voice control — and then it's back to the Google or Amazon decision. Choice is a great thing to have in almost every situation, but when there are only really two options here, and when neither has really solved the equation, it can be a bit of a letdown. From the app experie...

The tablet is rumored to make its global debut next month.What you need to knowThe Wi-Fi and LTE variants of Samsung's upcoming Galaxy Tab A7 Lite tablet have been listed on the Google Play Console.Both variants of the tablet will be powered by a MediaTek Helio P22T chipset and run Android 11 out of the box.As its name suggests, the Galaxy Tab A7 Lite will be a cheaper version of the budget-friendly Galaxy Tab A7.We got our first look at Samsung's upcoming Galaxy Tab A7 Lite a few weeks back, courtesy of popular leaker Evan Blass. More details about the upcoming entry-level Android tablet have now surfaced, this time from Google. As spotted by the folks over at 91Mobiles, both the Wi-Fi and LTE variants of the Galaxy Tab A7 Lite have been listed on the Google Play Console. The Play Console listings reveal the Galaxy Tab A7 Lite will feature MediaTek's Helio P22T octa-core chipset, clubbed with 3GB of RAM. Additionally, the listings confirm the tablet will include an 8...

Getting a smart home security camera system set up doesn't have to break the bank if you know where to find a great deal. Today only, Woot is giving you the chance to snag a Nest Cam Outdoor 2-pack with $48 off its regular cost. At $250, this is one of the best prices we've seen for the pair, though note that the warranty offered is 90 days.The Nest Cam Outdoor records in 1080p HD at up to 30 frames per second with a 130-degree wide-angle view. There's also night vision support so you can still see what's going on after dark. Being weatherproof, these cameras are ideal for use outside your home and they plug into power so you don't have to worry about recharging any batteries. The 8x zoom lets you get a better look at certain parts of your yard or home, too.These cameras let you use your phone to see what the camera sees wherever you go. You can also have it send you custom notifications when motion is detected within a certain range. As well as seeing a feed on your phone, you c...

The first "powerful" Raspberry Pi is still alive and kicking and might be what you're looking for.The Raspberry Pi 3b (and the 3b+) was introduced way back in 2016, and for its time, it was one of the most compelling project boards available. That's because it turns out that it was a lot more than a project board, and many a game console, home entertainment system, smart home controller, and even a few robots used the inexpensive PC board. It seemed to be able to do anything.Nothing's changed in 2021, except our expectations. The Pi 3b is just as powerful as it ever was, and it's still available for anyone looking for a cheap way to get started with any DIY project. OK, so one thing changed — we now have a much more capable Raspberry Pi in version 4.You still might find a Raspberry Pi 3b is what you need, though, so we're taking a look at it today to see how it stacks up.Raspberry Pi 3 review:Price and availabilityWhat's good What's not goodThe competitionShould yo...

Finding your misplaced smartphone with Google Assistant can be a real lifesaver. The unique pain of losing your smartphone is something that we're all familiar with. Whether you set it down someplace and forgot, or it managed to work its way down into the couch cushions again, you can use Google Assistant in your smart speaker or smart screen to find it. As long as you're logged into the phone using your Google Account, and you haven't disabled Find My Device, Google Assistant uses the Find my Device service to ring your phone, even if it's muted.How to find your phone with Google AssistantAll you need to do is activate Google Assistant and ask by saying, "Hey Google, find my phone." Similar phrases like "where is my phone" and "ring my phone" also work. You can use this method on your smart speaker or on Google Assistant on another phone. As long as your account is signed in, it will work.It's a good idea to make sure Find My Device is on in the first place. You can check th...

Signal says being transparent about how ads use personal data is enough to get banned in Facebook's world.What you need to knowSignal attempted to purchase Instagram ads that would show users the personal data Facebook collects about them.Unsurprisingly, Facebook wasn't willing to sell such ads and banned Signal's account.Facebook's tools collect a ton of information about users — including location, relationship status, age, interests, and more. Facebook kicked Signal off its ads platform for trying to buy ads that would show users how the tech giant collected data from them, according to privacy-first messaging app Signal.In a blog post titled "The Instagram ads Facebook won't show you," Signal wrote: Facebook is more than willing to sell visibility into people's lives, unless it's to tell people about how their data is being used. Being transparent about how ads use people's data is apparently enough to get banned; in Facebook's world, the only acceptable usage i...

If you like ringing around your ears, you may like the JLab Epic Air Sport ANC.One great thing about the current crop of cheap wireless earbuds is that they're coming with some variances. You can get your standard fare of inexpensive buds that you might only use in dry places indoors, or maybe something more rugged. How about longer battery life? Or would you prefer active noise cancelation (ANC)?JLab tries to offer something that weaves through all those types of features and does so with a design that is supposed to keep stability and comfort in mind at all times. Any pair that uses ear hooks will fall under that category, and that's what the JLab Epic Air Sport ANC feels like.JLab Epic Air Sport ANC review:Price and availabilityWhat's good What's not goodThe competitionShould you buy?JLab Epic Air Sport ANC ...

If you weren't paying attention to Oppo before, now's the time to start.Although a behemoth in Asia, Oppo is still relatively new to Western markets. The past two years have seen a few high-profile launches for the brand, but Oppo still has a way to go in terms of brand recognition and perception in Europe.So last year, the company simplified its smartphone portfolio, positioning the Find X line as its main high-end brand. Launched a year ago in spring 2020, the Oppo Find X2 Pro isn't an outlandish, borderline experimental device like the original Find X. Instead, Oppo's goal has just been to build a really solid, top-to-bottom Android flagship that ticks every possible box.And having spent some time getting to know the Find X2 Pro, it's clear to me that this is still one of the best Android phones of the moment.Find X2 Pro reviewPrice and availabilityHardware and designDisplayBattery lifeSoftware and performanceCamerasCompetitionShould you buy it?Changelog, Ap...

T-Mobiel continues to gain more lines, but possibly at the literal cost of revenue.What you need to knowT-Mobile reported net customer additions of 1.4 million for Q1 2021.The company's total customer base has reached 103.4 million subscribers.Revenue grew year-over-year, although revenue growth was slower than competitors.First-quarter earnings for T-Mobile have been released, which show that the company continues to grow as it adds more than 1.4 million subscribers to the network, including nearly 800,000 new post-paid customers. The company also managed a year-over-year increase in revenue of $19.8 billion, which was higher than analysts expected.T-Mobile's successful quarter was partly attributed to stimulus checks that were rolled out to many Americans last quarter, putting more money into the economy and allowing more people to spend money. It also credited the growth to the rollout of the Magenta Max 5G plan, which gives customers truly unlimited 5G data.On the 5...

YouTube isn't making it easy to opt-out, either.What you need to knowYouTube is automatically opting-in videos to be sampled for Shorts.Some see the move as problematic as there was no prior notice to creators about the option.Not all videos can opt-out of the Shorts permission, but it's not clear which.Users are discovering that YouTube is automatically opting in their content without their consent to be used by others in YouTube Shorts, the platform that imitates TikTok. The permissions box found in a video edit screen reads that when checked, it "allows people to create Shorts using parts of this video." Users are finding that this box is automatically checked:IMPORTANT:YouTube suddenly automatically checked "Yes" on EVERY YouTube video to allow them to be re-uploaded as Shorts on OTHER channels ???Please let your YouTuber friends know that they have to go through and uncheck this setting on every video or risk stolen content... pic.twitter.com/b4rjiwmE2c— Mysticat #...

As one of the most popular live TV streaming services, Sling brings the best of cable to your screens while keeping the price more affordable than competitors like YouTube TV and Hulu with Live TV. When it comes to cutting the cord and replacing your cable bill with something a bit less pricey, Sling TV should be the first service you try.Sling TV streaming serviceHow much is Sling per month?What channels does Sling have?Can you get local channels with Sling?What are the Sling packages?Is Sling really free right now?What channels are on Sling Free?What platforms have a Sling TV app?With your Sling subscription, you'll never have to miss another episode of your favorite shows. Not at home? Not a problem. Sling is available as an app on Android and iOS phones and tablets, Xbox game consoles, and streaming devices like the Fire TV Stick, Roku streaming sticks, and Apple TV. Thanks to services like Sling, cable is less restricting that ever before — there's not even a...

This week, we talk about Returnal for PS5, Rebecca provides a glimpse into Miitopia, Pinocchio as a cryptid, and much more.Hosted by: Jennifer Locke, Carli Velocci, and Rebecca SpearGot feedback? Hit up Podcast@androidcentral.com and tell us something!LISTEN NOW:LINKS:Returnal for PS5 review: A mesmerizing blend of action and psychological horror | Android CentralMiitopia for Nintendo Switch: Everything you need to know | iMoreBest Miitopia Mii Customizations: Mr. Clean, Mario, Revali, Garfield, and more | iMore...

There's a new reason to keep your Joy-Cons charged up.What you need to knowA Reddit user discovered that the Nintendo Switch Joy-Con could act as a remote shutter.When paired via Bluetooth, the Joy-Con can perform actions like zoom in and out along with taking the picture.Your mileage may vary depending on what phone and camera app you are using.Proud owners of the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra have patiently awaited the arrival of the S Pen Pro with its Bluetooth capabilities, but you might not have to wait any longer. Well, at least if you're looking for a device to use as a remote Bluetooth camera shutter.Although the Nintendo Switch has been available for more than four years at this point, and we're all awaiting the arrival of the Nintendo Switch Pro, the Joy-Cons have a hidden feature in-tow. Not only can you pair the Joy-Cons via Bluetooth to your Android device of choice, but as one Reddit user discovered, these can also be used as a remote camera shutter.The process...

The Pixel Buds A were outed early.What you need to knowGoogle's Android Twitter account accidentally unveiled the Pixel Buds A-series.The tweet highlights "quality sound" and "quick Bluetooth pairing."The Pixel Buds A are expected to launch during Google I/O.Google isn't very good at keeping secrets. The company's Android Twitter account accidentally tweeted out an image promoting the upcoming Pixel Buds A-series. The Tweet was live for at least ten minutes before it was taken down, which was enough time for plenty of responses and retweets.The image shows the Google Pixel Buds in a white colorway with a grey-ish accent. As expected, they look very similar to last year's Google Pixel Buds (2020). The now-deleted tweet shows off the Buds connecting to a Pixel smartphone using an "updated" Fast Pair, which gained several improvements last year and is available on some of the best wireless earbuds. This suggests that there may be more improvements in tow for the technology...

New shows are coming to YouTube.What you need to knowGoogle today announced a new slate of shows coming to YouTube Originals.The company is launching shows headlined by Will Smith and Alicia KeysIt is also launching new shows focused on racial inequity in America.YouTube today announced new YouTube Originals debuting on the platform from this year to the next. They will star big names such as Will Smith, Alicia Keys, Liza Koshy, and more.Will Smith will release Best Shape of My Life, a six-part unscripted fitness series that focuses on Mr. Smith as he attempts to restore himself to the (you guessed it) best shape of his life. It will premiere next year, and be directed by Dexton Deboree, as reported by Deadline.Alicia Keys' Noted will launch this summer and be a docuseries that showcases her world to fans. It's a four-part show and will share new performances and behind-the-scenes footage.Liza on Demand, a YouTube Originals created by YouTube star Liza Koshy, will see...

Could we see Epic make a VR game for PlayStation soon?What you need to knowEpic emailed PlayStation in 2018 to open up cross-play for Fortnite on PS4.In the email, Epic's Joe Kreiner offered for Epic to make a PS5 VR game in exchange for cross-play.It's unclear whatever came of this deal or if Epic is currently working on a VR title for PS5 VR.Epic really really wanted cross-play support for Fortnite on PlayStation, so much so that the company even offered to make a virtual reality game ready for PS5 VR. After The Verge went through emails and documents unsealed in Epic and Apple's court case, it came to light yesterday that Sony was making Epic pay for cross-play. In one of those same emails, UploadVR noticed an interesting offer that some people have glossed over: Epic was going to make a PSVR game in return for cross-play being enabled in Fortnite.In his list of proposals, Epic's Joe Kreiner said, "...maybe we commit to a game at the launch of your next VR platform?"...

Getting a new phone in your hands doesn't have to be as expensive as you might think. There are always deals out there on Android phones but they tend to come and go rather quickly with other discounts appearing in their place. However, if you're hoping to buy one of the latest devices on the market, finding a proper deal is easier than ever these days.Best Android Phone DealsUnlocked dealsCarrier dealsWhen it comes to buying a new smartphone, there are two main types of deals to consider. You could buy your new phone unlocked so that you own it and can bring it to any carrier where it's compatible, or you can purchase devices through carrier deals at a retailer such as Verizon or T-Mobile.Carrier deals generally make you pay for the device in monthly installments and require that you add a line of service, which means you'll be locked into paying for the device (and your service contract) for a few years. Deals like these can be excellent if you're willing or need to ...

Best answer: Yes. Oculus Quest 2 supports wired Oculus Link or wireless Oculus Air Link. It's worth noting that there are a lot of wired alternatives to Oculus Link and that Oculus Air Link is still in beta.Oculus Quest 2: Two ways to playLike the original Oculus Quest, Oculus Quest 2 supports wired Oculus Link. While you could pick up the official $80 Oculus Link cable, the best Oculus Link cable alternatives will cost significantly less. PCs without a USB Type-C port should consider one of those alternatives since the official cable is only USB Type-C. Wired Oculus Link on Quest 2 will provide users with the most consistent and likely the highest-quality audio and video since it's plugged directly into your PC via a USB cable. That means it's a dedicated connection that's purpose-built, even if the cable will occasionally get in the way.While the original Oculus Quest only supported wired Oculus Link, Oculus Quest 2 offers an additional wireless method known as Oculus Air Lin...