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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

With that fun Soli sensor, a 90Hz screen, and the latest and greatest software goodies from Google, the Pixel 4 XL is a tall drink of awesome. It's also made entirely of glass and metal and needs to be protected at all costs. We've spent hours scouring the internet for the best Pixel 4 XL cases to get for your new Google phone, and these came out on top.Classic heavy dutyTudia Merge SeriesStaff PickTudia's hybrid case grips your Pixel 4 XL snugly with a TPU sleeve and adds sturdiness with a colorful polycarbonate shell. There are four colors here, but the best is bright blue and warm Rose Gold.$11 at Amazon $13 at WalmartProtect and showcaseRingke Fusion-XI love the Fusion-X because it showcases the phone's natural beauty while still giving robust corner and drop protection. The black and camo black options should really pop against the orange Pixel 4 XL.$12 at Amazon$13 at Best BuyUltra-thin durabilityTech21 Studio ColourTech21 may be better known for ...

Google always has grand plans whenever it develops something new and Fuchsia isn't any different.It all started in 2016 with a simple quip that initially appeared on the Fuchsia development page: Pink + Purple = Fuchsia (a new Operating System).There was some meaning behind that simple sentence. Project Pink was a name that engineers from Apple and IBM gave to a new OS that used a new interface because the notes were written on pink index cards. Project Purple was the name given to prototype devices that eventually became the iPhone. These projects were new ideas that turned out to be wildly successful, and the original developers of Fuchsia, Google's latest operating system were involved in them.But a witty name isn't an operating system and Google quietly worked on Fuchsia for the next five years. Occasionally we would get a little more news about the project or even a way to run it on devices like the Pixelbook. It was Google's way of letting everyone know the project was mo...

Aloy is back in action for the next generation.One of the biggest games revealed at the June 2020 PS5 showcase was Horizon Forbidden West. Developed by Guerrilla Games, this PlayStation title is bringing the custom Decima engine and everything it's capable of to next-generation hardware.Aloy returns as a protagonist, heading into the former western U.S. There are new threats, new machines, and new lush lands to explore. It's currently set to release at some point in 2021. Here's everything we know about Horizon Forbidden West on PS5 so far.Jump to:What is Horizon Forbidden West?Check out its trailersStory, gameplay, and featuresDoes it have multiplayer?Is it coming to PS4?Is it coming to PC?When does it release?What is Horizon Forbidden West?Horizon Forbidden West is a sequel to Guerrilla Games' Horizon Zero Dawn, released in 2017. It's an action role-playing game that takes place in the 31st century, in a world where humanity now exists in tribes and gigant...

The next flagship mobile SoC from Qualcomm could be a big upgrade over the Snapdragon 888.What you need to knowA new leak has revealed nearly all the key specs of Qualcomm's next flagship Snapdragon chipset.The "SM8450" will be built on a 4nm process and use a Kryo 780 CPU based on ARM's Cortex v9 mobile architecture. Qualcomm is likely to announce the chipset sometime towards the end of 2021.Qualcomm's Snapdragon 888 is currently one of the most impressive mobile chipsets on the market and powers nearly all the best Android phones released so far this year. Even though a true successor to the Snapdragon 888 isn't expected to arrive until the end of the year, a new leak has shed light on the key features of Qualcomm's next flagship mobile chipset.According to popular leaker Evan Blass, Qualcomm's Snapdragon 888 successor will carry the model number "SM8450." It will be fabricated on a 4nm process and come with an integrated X65 5G Modem-RF system. Announced in February th...

So long, and thanks for all the searchable memories.Half a decade ago, backing up your photos was a tedious and often expensive experience unless you just sat down with a USB cable and a huge external drive once or twice a week. Wait, no, that method was the most tedious of all. We've come a long way since then. Amazon, Apple, Google, and basically every cloud storage company all offer automatic photo backups with robust indexing and photo management, and many of them have free tiers depending on the quality of your photos or if you subscribe to other services.Google Photos helped spur this change by offering up one of the best damn photo backups on the internet for five full years. Now that the free ride is over, I'm not getting off this bandwagon. Five years of training and refining have made Google Photos 100% worth paying for — especially when it doesn't cost me anything extra.Unparalelled photo searchingPart of the reason Google was willing to give away free unlimited ...

WhatsApp is still the glue that holds our social circles together.What you need to knowOn the eve of Facebook's F8 developer conference, AC readers told us which Facebook apps they could not live without.The runaway top choice for our readers was WhatsApp.Instagram was in second place, but not even the regular Facebook app was the last choice.The virtual Facebook F8 developer conference came and went earlier this week with little fanfare, it seems, but it marked an appropriate time to poll our readers on which Facebook app or service they felt they couldn't live without. The consensus top choice as the most popular Facebook app — WhatsApp — probably won't surprise anybody, nor will the second-most-popular selection, Instagram.The top two choices came in with around 44% and 25% of the votes, respectively. The third choice for most readers was Facebook Messenger with nearly 13%, followed by "Other" with 11%, and the regular Facebook app with less than 5%. Given how popu...

With the delayed Euro 2020 tournament looming, Spain begin their preparations in the Metropolitano Stadium as they host local rivals Portugal. Don't miss a moment of the action with our England vs Austria live stream guide.While today's game is a friendly fixture, there's no love lost in the Iberian derby that sees two of the strongest footballing nations in the world go toe-to-toe.In a bold move, Luis Enrique announced a 24-man squad for this summer's European Championship, leaving two spaces unfilled. The headline news from the squad announcement was the exclusion of Spain's most-capped player Sergio Ramos and the absence of any Real Madrid players.Today's game against Portugal gives Enrique a chance to experiment with his starting lineup ahead of competitive fixtures, particularly in the goalkeeper position where uncapped Robert Sanchez is expected to start.Spain are no stranger to success in Europe having won two of the last three European Championships. That being said, ...

While there is no shortage of standout features on the Samsung Galaxy S21, one of the things that stands out the most about the device from an aesthetic perspective, and that is literally in your face all the time, is its gorgeous screen. Presumably, you've decided to pick up a great case to protect the phone from accidental drops or falls, but have you thought about how you're going to keep the front of the phone free of scratches, nicks, and cracks? Take a look at this roundup of the best Samsung Galaxy S21 screen protectors so that your smartphone stays stunning for months and years to come.Durable and dependableZAGG Invisible Shield GlassFusion+ Screen ProtectorStaff PickThe GlassFusion+ is a hybrid glass solution that covers the screen of your Samsung Galaxy S21 with military strength protection that is nearly unbreakable. It looks and feels like the glass on your screen and delivers clear viewing and fingerprint sensor sensitivity.$40 at Best BuyEasy appllic...

A stylish sci-fi action experience, Implosion is a hidden gem in a desert of other games that WISH they could be this good.Implosion: Never Lose Hope follows the story of Jake, a human survivor of a cataclysmic event that nearly wiped out humanity twenty years ago. After an alien race invaded and started busting up Earth, a small contingent of humans narrowly made it off the planet in time to escape to the relative safety of life in space.Catching us up to the present, humanity has technologically advanced and can fight back using the latest and greatest War-Mech series III: incredible mechas piloted by an elite team that serves as humanity's last hope against the alien aggressors. The story is standard sci-fi stuff and isn't amazing or innovative, but it is vastly helped by a great cast of voice actors and a stellar full orchestral score. The story is standard sci-fi stuff and isn't amazing or innovative, but it is vastly helped by a great cast of voice actors and a stel...

The feature is likely to make its way to Pixel phones within the next few days.What you need to knowThe Google Camera app will soon gain a new "Astrotimelapse" feature.The feature could be part of Google's June Feature Drop update for Pixel phones. As clearly suggested by the feature's name, it will allow Pixel users to capture time-lapse videos combined with the Astrophotography mode. Google is working on a new feature that could make the astrophotography mode on Pixel phones even cooler. The folks at XDA Developers have found evidence of a new "Astrotimelapse" feature in the latest Pixel Tips app v3.4.0.373287606. Google usually rolls out updates to its Pixel Tips app a few days before a Feature Drop update, so it is possible that the new Astrotimelapse feature will arrive along with the June Feature Drop for all the Pixel phones that support Astrophotography mode.Even though no details have been revealed yet, the name suggests the upcoming feature will allow Pixel user...

The ominous episode "Nosedive" of the thriller anthology series Black Mirror painted a terrifying picture of a future whereby a person's value as a human is solely based on their social media rating and "likes." Don't get enough likes, or worse, get dislikes, and your social status nosedives, leading to everything from job losses to mortgage denials and even not being served at your favorite coffee shop. While we haven't quite reached such a scary level of dependence on social media, the focus on "likes" to determine popularity has been growing, and it can boost (or damage) personal or professional self-esteem. If you'd rather steer clear of placing so much emphasis on how many people tap that heart emoji on your posts, or the posts of others, you can now hide your Instagram like counts if you so desire.What is the new feature all about?The new feature hides from view how many likes your posts get, and/or hides how many likes posts from other people in your feed have received.I...

Surfshark is one of the best VPN providers out there, and it's also one of the most affordable which is kind of wild. With a solid feature set, great customer service, and reliable performance, you'd normally expect the price to be pretty high but you can actually grab a Surfshark VPN subscription for just $2.49 per month.The service offers over 1,000 servers across 60+ different countries and your subscription can be used on an unlimited number of devices at once. That's something that most VPN providers don't allow you to do, so there's a lot to like with Surfshark.Today's best Surfshark VPN deals, pricing, and discountsWhen looking at VPNs, security should always be your first concern and Surshark has you covered with AES-256-GCM encryption, IKEv2, private DNS, leak protection, and a strict no data-logging policy. It might not have the most servers of any VPN provider, but the ones it does have are spread across many locations and are plenty speedy.The best Surfshark VPN d...

More users can access YouTube TV without opening a separate app.What you need to knowCertain Vizio TVs will soon be able to access YouTube TV from the main YouTube app.The update should be rolling out over the next few days to Vizio models from 2020 onwards.The change comes after Google and Roku's very public spat over the terms of YouTube TV.YouTube TV is now being merged into the main YouTube app on select Visio televisions. The change was announced on the YouTube TV Twitter account on Wednesday.The change comes only a few weeks after the app was pulled from the Roku Channel Store amid a public spat over the terms of hosting the app on the platform. Google responded by releasing a workaround; rolling YouTube TV into the main YouTube app. It was a move that Roku did not appreciate, calling it the "clear conduct of an unchecked monopolist."Google has maintained that its terms for the app are fair and that Roku has "requested exceptions that would break the YouTube exper...

The Boy George experience comes to Waze.What you need to knowWaze is running a Boy George takeover this Pride Month.You'll be able to have him as your navigation voice throughout the month of June. Waze also introduced new moods and vehicles.The month of June is celebrated as LGBT Pride worldwide, and as such, Waze is welcoming Boy George to their platform for a Pride Month takeover. With the latest Waze update, you'll be able to listen to Boy George's voice direct you to places in your car while sharing with you words of advice in his own way.Writing in a blog post, the Waze team said: A music and fashion icon who has, for decades, represented what it means to live authentically and unapologetically, Boy George uses his signature voice to create not only instant classics, but also impassioned songs that shine a light on the movement to secure the rights and liberties of the LGBTQIA+ community around the world. And now, for the first time, he's using this recognizable...

Chrome is helping protect against malicious extensions and downloads.What you need to knowGoogle is introducing new protections in the Chrome browser for downloads and extensions.Chrome will now warn users if an extension is not trusted by Enhanced Safe Browsing.Users will have the ability to perform an enhanced check on a downloaded file if it's deemed potentially unsafe.Google is rolling out a couple of improvements to Enhanced Safe Browsing on Chrome to help keep dangerous extensions and files from being downloaded and installed.You can already easily manage all of your extensions in Chrome from a Chromebook. Now, when you attempt to install a new extension from the Chrome Web Store, a new dialogue will appear to warn you if the extension is not listed as trusted by Enhanced Safe Browsing. You can then choose to cancel the installation or continue through with the process.Google states that apps will be deemed trustworthy if they adhere to the company's Program Pol...

Gamers who play their Oculus Quest daily undoubtedly hate getting interrupted by a dying battery and should absolutely invest in one of the best Oculus Quest magnetic chargers. These VR headsets may provide a completely untethered experience, but as noted in our Oculus Quest 2 review, it has meager battery life. Meaning, after two to three hours, you'll have to sit carefully next to the power adapter to keep playing. With a USB-C magnetic charger or adapter, though, you'll have peace of mind knowing your headset won't get yanked to the ground if you accidentally pull on the cable. To work with a Quest or Quest 2, though, it must support fast data transfer speeds as well as quick charging, making the compatible picks below your best starting point. That's why our top pick is the Knaive USB-C magnetic adapter. It checks all the boxes.Best overall: Cafele USB C Magnetic Cable and TipsThese cables and tips come in a matching two-pack or three-pack in your choice of colors. The smal...

The original Quest shipped with a 3m Oculus Link-compatible charging cable. Then the Oculus Quest 2 arrived with a 1m cable far too short to use while wearing the headset, let alone with Link. Maybe you lost or damaged those cables, or else you want a Quest 2 replacement charging cable that will make room-scale PC VR easier or that recharges it faster. We've rounded up the best Quest 2 cables with different properties to fit your specific needs.Guaranteed compatibilityQuest 2 headset cable (1m)Staff PickThe Oculus support page says that "you should only charge your headset with the charger that was included in the box." This is meant to prevent you from using an inappropriate cable that could send too much (or too little) power to the headset. Able to recharge your headset in just a couple of hours, it's the safest replacement cable for Quest 2 owners that don't need it for Link.$19 at OculusA Link to the FastTNE 16ft Link Cable$20 at AmazonCharge and Play...

Now Ring users can see which safety agencies want their assistance and why.What you need to knowRing has added a new feature to its Neighbors app called Request for Assistance.Aiming to foster greater transparency, the feature will now be the only way public safety agencies can request information from Ring users and communities.The Request for Assistance feature will begin rolling out the week of June 7, 2021.Over the past several years, Ring has received a healthy dose of criticism and critique for several reasons, including untimely security breaches, inadequate safety features like not requiring two-factor authentication, and unsavory data sharing and collection practices inside its popular Neighbors app. Though these events were unfortunate, the company has recommitted to protecting the privacy and security of its users. It has been working tirelessly over the past 18 months to improve all of the holes in its services and any damage to its public image.The latest eff...

Apple is doubling down on its privacy measures for the AirTag with its upcoming Android app.What you need to knowApple has stated that it is working on releasing an AirTag app for Android.The app will allow users to detect whenever they're being "stalked" by an AirTag.Apple is also reducing the time for AirTags to alert when separated from the owner.Useful privacy improvements are coming to the recently launched Apple AirTags, including a new Android app that Apple says is currently in development.The news was first reported by CNET and Apple confirmed with Android Central. The company states that it will "introduce an Android application that will enable users to detect an AirTag or Find My network-enabled accessory separated from its owner that may be traveling with a user." The app is expected to launch later this year.Apple launched the new object tracker during the Spring Loaded event in April as a competitor to some of the best Bluetooth trackers on the market, su...