Latest from Android Central

The best Android phones are communication tools first and foremost. Whether they be used for phone calls, video chats, or direct messaging, these devices are perfect for starting conversations with contacts, friends, and family, and keeping them going. One of the best new features in Android 12 is a way to stay on top of the conversations that are most important to you. The new Conversations widget allows you to pin a conversation you're having to a home screen so you can quickly access it (or multiple conversations, as the case may be). We'll show you how to set up this new Conversations widget, and give you a few other notes that we discovered along the way.How to use conversation widgets in Android 12You can easily pin a conversation to your home screen by using the Conversations widget.Long press on an empty space on your home screen.Tap Widgets.Tap Conversations to expand the category.Tap and hold the Conversation widget. Drag it to an open place on your home screen.P...

Chargers always seem to be getting faster and smaller. With such a wide adoption of the Power Delivery (PD) standard, one high-powered PD charger can serve all the gear in your life, from your power-hungry laptop to your phone, power bank, and even your battery-sipping headphones. There are quite a few 60 to 65W wall chargers out there we trust with our gear, but the iSmart 61W GaN Charger charger is the best for size, adaptability, and reliability.Best overall: iSmart 61W GaN ChargerHigh-capacity chargers don't get any smaller than this right now, and iSmart's top-quality charger is actually one of the more affordable in the lineup. That adds to the hands-down best single-port 60W charger on the market, especially when you add in the excellent build quality and responsive customer service.You might need to flip this charger over to be completely sure the second plug on your wall outlet isn't obscured, but iSmart has the smallest footprint and is the easiest to pack up and po...

Voice control in your kitchen is truly a game-changer. Oftentimes, while you're cooking up a storm, your hands are either dirty or preoccupied. Imagine as you're multitasking through meal prep, being able to adjust songs on your playlist, pause a recipe video while you grab an ingredient, or find out how many ounces are in a gram without having to tap your phone's screen. There are plenty of helpful smart products for your kitchen that come with Google Assistant built-in. Here are some of the best kitchen products that support Google Assistant to help make cook and prep a breeze.Your guiding chefGoogle Nest Hub Smart Display - (2nd Gen)Staff PickImagine having your own assistant in the kitchen. While this smart display can't stir sauce or chop veggies, it can playback cooking videos for you to follow along with, let you add items to a shopping list, play music, do measurement conversions, set timers, and more, and it's all controllable with your voice.$100 at Best Buy$10...

Google wants to differentiate its Chrome OS devices with custom in-house chips.What you need to knowA new report claims Google will start using its own chips for its Chrome OS notebooks and tablets from 2023.The new chips are apparently based on Arm chip blueprints. Google's current Chrome OS device lineup uses chips from Intel.Google is working on its own chipsets for Chrome OS tablets and notebooks, according to Nikkei Asia. Sources familiar with the matter told the publication that Google is planning to start using the new chips from around 2023.Google was apparently "particularly inspired" by Apple's success in making its own chips for iPhones and Mac computers. It is hoping to differentiate its products with custom chips in the same way that Apple does.Google's new chips for Chrome OS devices are said to be based on blueprints from British chip designer Arm. While the search giant has experience building its own silicon for its data center cloud servers, it is hiri...

We are moving more and more into a high-tech future where even our small appliances and kitchen gadgets have smart features. Whether you're a smart kitchen guru or a total newbie, these easy-to-use smart gadgets are excellent additions to your home. Moving to smart devices can be a little scary, but adding some of these appliances will make your life much easier. And if you've already embraced the smart kitchen life, check out some of the best smart kitchen gadgets and appliances that can help complete your collection.Meat's best-friendThe MEATERStaff PickGuesswork? We don't know her. The MEATER works like a basic thermometer but takes it further by adding smart features like Bluetooth and Wi-Fi. Combined with the MEATER app, this thermometer not only gives you recipes but also monitors your cook time. Plus, it lets you know when to pull meat from the heat and how long to let it rest for the perfectly cooked carnivorous experience.$69 at Amazon Brew comfortablyC...

Google is always coming up with new features, tools, and settings for its various products and services. Recently, Google Chrome received an update on desktop versions that enables you to log into multiple profiles on the browser at the same time. This helps you keep work and private accounts separate, or perhaps student and personal accounts completely separate. Here's how you can seamlessly switch between multiple profiles on Google Chrome.How to switch profiles in Google ChromeThe following steps apply only if you are already logged on to more than one account or profile in Google Chrome.Launch Google Chrome on your desktop.Click on your account picture in the upper right corner.Click on the profile you want to switch to.You have now successfully switched profiles on the desktop version of Chrome. If you haven't already signed in to another account on Chrome, the next tutorial will show you how to add a profile to Google Chrome.How to add profiles in Google Chrome...

Should Fitbit continue to exist as a hardware brand?Ever since Google announced that it would be acquiring Fitbit a few years ago (a move that formally went through earlier this year), pundits and fans of the humble fitness tracker have wondered what Google would do with the brand.Back in May, when Google announced a new partnership with Samsung to revitalize the Wear OS platform and ecosystem of products, Fitbit CEO James Park confirmed that the company's next smartwatch would run on the new Wear OS 3. But he didn't say much at the time about what would happen to the rest of the product lineup, like fitness trackers.Over the past few months, Fitbit has released some important new updates to its fitness tracker line, including the fashion-forward Luxe and the forthcoming Charge 5. Both sport new designs and the Charge 5 will even come equipped with some of the advanced sensors found on Fitbit's most premium smartwatch, the Sense, including the ability to take EDA (electrodermal...

Xiaomi's 11T Pro will be a follow-up to last year's Mi 10T Pro.What you need to knowOfficial-looking renders of Xiaomi's 11T and 11T Pro phones have surfaced.The renders reveal both phones will have an identical design with a centered hole-punch cutout and a square-ish camera module on the back. Xiaomi 11T Pro is rumored to feature a Snapdragon 888 chipset, a 120Hz OLED display, and 120W fast charging.The first renders of Xiaomi's next flagship phones have leaked online, courtesy of tipster Ishan Agarwal and 91Mobiles. Unlike their predecessors, the upcoming Xiaomi 11T and 11T Pro will not carry the Mi branding.The leaked renders reveal the Xiaomi 11T series phones will look fairly similar to the Mi 11X series devices that debuted in India alongside the flagship Mi 11 Ultra in April. Both phones feature a flat display with minimal bezels and a centered hole-punch cutout.They have a square-ish camera module on the back with two large sensors and a smaller tertiary sensor...

Best answer: Yes. Those who want to be connected at all times will benefit from buying a Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 LTE model. It'll cost more than the standard Bluetooth model, but you'll never miss an important notification.Why pay more for a Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 with LTE?In addition to being available in numerous sizes and colors, the Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 also comes in Bluetooth and LTE versions of the device. Many people buying a smartwatch to stay connected will benefit from going the extra mile and investing in a Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 LTE model.The starting price point for these watches is reasonable, but it does get more expensive when you add LTE to the mix. When determining whether this is a worthwhile investment, there are a couple of important factors to consider. If you're buying the Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 to take advantage of the excellent health and fitness tracking, LTE might appeal to you. After all, you can leave your phone at home when you hit the gym or go f...

Many Google Chrome users may have noticed something a little different as they open new tabs from their desktop. Similar to the "Discover" cards seen on your phone's Chrome browser, Chrome now has suggestions cards listed at the bottom of your search bar. On a desktop, these cards display information such as your recent shopping carts or those late-night searches for recipes. If you're seeing these cards on your computer and would like to remove them, it's really simple to turn them off. Let's get started.How to remove suggestions from Chrome's new tab pages on desktopOpen Google Chrome on your desktop.Open a new tab.Click on Customize Chrome.Click on Cards.Choose Hide all cards to remove all suggestions.Alternatively, if you'd like to customize your cards, choose the suggestions you'd like to see by selecting them individually.Do take note that this 'suggestions' feature for Google Chrome on desktops seems to be relatively new. It is likely that Google quietly st...

Although Samsung removed the ability to use Samsung Pay with MST terminals, it's still arguably the best mobile payment service for Android. Not only is it a home for your credit and debit cards, but you can also store things like rewards cards right from some of the best Samsung phones. More recently, Samsung partnered with CommonHealth so that you can digitally store your vaccination card in Samsung Pay. Here's how you can get started.How to upload vaccination card in Samsung PayOpen the Play Store app on your Samsung phone. Download CommonHealth from the Play Store. Open the CommonHealth app after it's finished downloading.Follow the on-screen steps to add your vaccination record to CommonHealth.Once your vaccination card has been added, click the Add to Samsung Pay link.Open Samsung Pay, and click COVID-19 Vaccine Pass.After your Vaccine Pass is uploaded into Samsung Pay, it's easily accessible right from the home screen. All you need to do from that point is cli...

It may take a few days for the feature to reach all Philips Hue App 4 users.What you need to knowSignify has announced a new range of Hue smart lights.The lineup includes four new gradient-enabled products and White ambiance filament bulbs.Signify has also announced its first-ever deep integration of Hue smart lights with Spotify.Signify, which makes some of the best smart lights, has taken the wraps off a new lineup of Hue products — including four new filament bulbs that can change their color temperature, brighter Hue bulbs, a "light tube" designed to sit above or below your TV, as well as new bathroom and ceiling lights.The new Philips Hue Play gradient light tube blends multiple colors of light in a single lamp. Similar to the Hue Play gradient lightstrip that Signify launched last year, the new light tube can sync the colors with what's on your TV screen to provide a more immersive viewing experience.Signify's smart bulb collection now include Filament bulbs in ...

Android 12 is drifting ever closer to its final release on Pixel phones, with beta 4 available now.Android 11 made significant improvements to Google's mobile OS, adding tools like chat bubbles, conversation notifications, and a built-in screen recorder. But most of its improvements were in the backend, making it rather unexciting compared to iOS 14's flashy changes. This year, it's Android 12 that's making a snazzy entrance.Labeled by Google as "the biggest design change in Android's history," Android 12 has a colorful redesign called Material You. The new OS customizes and enlivens your phone screen without needing an Android launcher or icon pack. Beyond that, Android 12 will add quality-of-life improvements like a Privacy Dashboard, scrollable screenshots, approximate location, faster animations, smarter notifications, and tons of other long-requested features.Android 12 should arrive in about a month, at least on some of the best Android phones, including all Google Pi...

How much do you trust big tech to protect your children?About a month and a half ago, Bloomberg reported that Amazon had apparently been working on a wearable device aimed at kids ages 4-12. The device, allegedly codenamed "Seeker," would cost $99 and was rumored to feature built-in GPS to help parents keep track of their children, Alexa voice access to allow kids to message their parents, and access to curated Amazon Kids+ content (with a $2.99/month subscription). Android Central reached out to Amazon for more information of the report, but the company declined to comment at this time.Amazon was supposedly exploring the possibility of adding the Seeker device to its 2020 product lineup, but it has yet to see the light of day, and perhaps it never will. However, over the past year, Amazon has been actively working on expanding its wearable offerings, including the second-generation Echo Frames and Echo Buds, as well as its Halo fitness wearable and service.Among the major diff...

Android 11 brings much-needed privacy and security features alongside exciting UI changes.Android 11 continues to push Google's vision of Android forward. With Android 11, Google made a few tweaks to refine the platform instead of making wholesale changes. Privacy is a big focus with Android 11, with Google introducing one-time permissions and granular control over what sort of data you share.There are new features to get excited about as well — the power button menu picked up a massive overhaul, the Conversations view does a great job highlighting your messages, and there are little tweaks throughout the interface that give it an added polish.Android 11 is powering the best Android phones of 2021, and manufacturers are doing a better job rolling out the update to their 2020 phones. So here's everything you need to know about all the new features in Android 11, and when your phone will receive the update. Google is set to introduce Android 12 shortly, with the update offeri...

Just how much do you want to know about yourself?In late 2020, Amazon surprised us all with an intriguing product drop in the form of the Amazon Halo band, a holistic fitness wearable that has some fairly ambitious capabilities hidden in a pretty non-descript, understated wrist strap.Like every other fitness tracker on the market today, the Amazon Halo has sensors and software to track your steps, heart rate, and sleep, and it can even analyze your overall activity levels. In addition, there is a Halo subscription plan that provides access to guided workouts, training plans, and enhanced health metrics similar to what Fitbit Premium offers. It is $3.99/month, but the device comes with a free six-month trial, just like Fitbit's latest wearables.What's more interesting about the Halo are its voice tone and body composition analysis capabilities. Amazon touts how secure this personal data is on its platform, but you will likely either be fascinated by these new features or be terr...

A OnePlus 9 upgrade could arrive this fall. Here's what we know so far.The OnePlus phone release schedule used to be beautifully straightforward: the Chinese phone maker would release a flagship sometime in spring or early summer, followed by a T model with some minor improvements on the original in late fall. Last year's OnePlus 8T improved on the OnePlus 8 with its 120Hz AMOLED display and 65W charging at a slightly higher price than the 8. Simple!But recently, OnePlus started shipping its phones in more markets — and made its lineup more complicated. "Pro" phones appeared in 2019, followed by a surge of mid-range phones like the OnePlus Nord 2 and budget handsets like the OnePlus Nord N200 5G. To top it off, the OnePlus 9R launched earlier this year, which our reviewer noted was essentially a rebranded OnePlus 8T.In the midst of this crowded lineup and a global chip shortage, OnePlus has apparently decided to forego the OnePlus 9T. Android Central's Asia Editor Harish Jonn...

The One UI 4 beta begins in September and brings Android 12 to the Galaxy S21.Update, Sep 1 (3:15 a.m. ET): U.S. rollout details revealedWhat you need to knowSamsung is beginning the One UI 4 beta program in September, starting with the Galaxy S21.One UI is the name Samsung's themed version of Android and contains many features that stock Android does not.The One UI 4 beta is built atop Android 12, likely bringing a slew of changes along with Android's biggest UI update yet.Looks like Galaxy S21 owners won't have to wait too long to experience Android 12, as Samsung Korea's One UI 4 beta is beginning sometime in September. One UI 4 is the next major version of Samsung's themed version of Android, this time build atop Android 12, and is expected to be rolled out to more devices later in the year. For now, though, Galaxy S21 owners look to be in the elite group that gets the ability to sign up for the beta.The Samsung Community forum Beta Operations Manager posted the new...

The Galaxy A52s 5G takes the fight to Xiaomi's Mi 11X series phones.What you need to knowSamsung's mid-range Galaxy A52s 5G is now official in India.The phone comes with a Snapdragon 778G 5G chipset and a 120Hz AMOLED display.It is now available to purchase in India at a starting price of ₹35,999 (about $493). Samsung's Galaxy A52s 5G, which made its global debut last month, has now made its way to India. Except for a more powerful chipset, however, the phone is largely similar to the Galaxy A52 5G.The Galaxy A52s 5G has a 6.5-inch Super AMOLED display with FHD+ resolution, a 120Hz refresh rate, and a centered hole-punch cutout for the 32MP selfie camera. It features Qualcomm's 6nm Snapdragon 778G 5G processor, paired with up to 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage. Announced in May this year, the Snapdragon 778G touts 40% faster CPU performance and 40% faster graphics compared to the previous generation.In the camera department, the Galaxy A52s 5G has a quad-lens setup on...

Create a shared playlist with your friend and check your music compatibility score.What you need to knowSpotify announced that its Blend shared playlist has exited beta testing.The feature provides a personalized experience that allows two friends to combine their music tastes.Blend is available to both free and premium users worldwide.Spotify debuted Blend in June as part of beta testing alongside the "Only You" feature to personalize your listening experience. The new feature is now officially available to all users worldwide with some nifty improvements.Blend initially allowed two users to combine their favorite songs in a shared playlist. The updated feature now lets you compare your listening preferences with your friends' through a "taste match score". The score will show how compatible your musical tastes are with those of your friend.To create a shared playlist with a friend, you can simply tap the "Create Blend" option in the For You hub in the mobile app and...

You won't be able to sign in or play many of your games right now.Update 7:50 p.m. ET: PlayStation confirms that all services are back online.What you need to knowThe PlayStation Network appears to be down on PS5, PS4, PS3, Vita, and the web.All services, from gaming and social to account management, are affected.PlayStation has not acknowledged the maintenance and has not stated when service plans to be restored.Sony's PlayStation Network appears to be down across all PlayStation platforms, including PS5 and PS4. A number of people on social media have been reporting their difficulties signing in and accessing anything from their account, and a look at PlayStation's status website shows that all services are affected at the moment.Down Detector has also seen a huge spike in reports regarding PSN in the past hour across the United States. According to Sony's website, these issues have been persisting since 2:34pm ET on August 31.If you try to access your PlayStation a...

A 'Lite' version of the OnePlus Buds Pro with active noise canceling could be in the works.What you need to knowA new rumor suggests that OnePlus is developing a "Lite" version of the Buds Pro.The rumored wireless earbuds will reportedly come cheap while keeping the Pro version's ANC feature.It could take some time before the product hits the market.OnePlus recently launched the OnePlus Buds Pro with quite a bunch of premium features including active noise canceling for $150. But if that price tag is a bit too much for your budget, you might be pleased to learn that the company could be working on a cheaper version of the truly wireless earbuds.The rumored "Lite" edition of the Buds Pro will reportedly keep some of the key features of OnePlus' premium earbuds such as ANC while cutting down the price. This information comes from leaker Max Jambor who shared the rumor on Twitter.1+ is working on a new - lower priced - pair of headphones with ANC. Some sort of Lite edition...

Leading the packSamsung Galaxy Watch 4 ClassicFrom $350 at SamsungFrom $350 at AmazonFrom $350 at Best BuyProsRuns new Wear OS 3Fast and power-efficient processorMore RAM and storageAdvanced health sensorsPhysical rotating bezel for navigationConsMore expensiveCurrently, no Google AssistantSome health features are locked to Samsung phonesThe Galaxy Watch 4 Classic is the crown jewel of Samsung's wearable lineup. This smartwatch can do almost everything, from the new BioActive health sensor to the latest version of Wear OS. However, those features don't come cheap, and some of them only work with Samsung phones. You also won't be able to access your Google Assistant at this time.Battery kingMobvoi TicWatch Pro 3$300 at Amazon $280 at Walmart$255 at MobvoiProsGood performanceGoogle Assistant availabilityExcellent battery lifeSolid set of health featuresDual-layer display is fantastic for outdoor viewingConsWon't get Wear OS 3 ...

Ever since Samsung introduced the S Pen with its lineup of Note phones, the accessory has become a favorite for those who like to handwrite their digital notes. But the S Pen is about more than just writing letters; it gives a finer point for precise selection of items on the screen, and in some instances, it can be used to access device shortcuts. Samsung makes some of the best Android tablets, and these are the Galaxy tablets that support the S pen.Cream of the cropSamsung Galaxy Tab S7Staff PickThe Galaxy Tab S7 brings excellent hardware and a fantastic software experience to fans of Android tablets. The S Pen performs wonderfully thanks to the 120Hz display, so all of your doodles flow effortlessly from the pen tip.$529 at Amazon$650 at Best Buy$650 at B&HThin is inSamsung Galaxy Tab S6 LiteIf you want a tablet with a premium build, thin design, and typical fantastic Samsung display but don't want to break the bank, then the Galaxy Tab S6 Lite wi...

You can change it every six months if you want a new one.What you need to knowStadia players can now change their usernames and the feature is rolling out through tomorrow, September 1.Players will be able to manually change their names every 180 days.Stadia Founders will have to contact support to change their unique username to include appended numbers, but can change back to an un-appended name after 180 days.Stadia players will now be able to manually change their usernames with some restrictions as the feature is rolling out today through tomorrow, September 1, Google announced in a post on the official Stadia subreddit.According to the announcement, players will have the ability to change their Stadia name every 180 days since the last name change or account creation, depending on which is more recent. Users can change it by clicking on their profile icon in the top-right corner of the Stadia homepage, select Stadia Settings, then click on "Change your name" under t...

Believe it or not, there are plenty of great, inexpensive smartphones out there that you want to consider, so we've decided to round up the best Android phones under $200. Smartphones that cost $1,000 and more have quickly become commonplace in the market, and for anyone on a budget, those steep prices can quickly induce a headache. If you need a new handset but only have a couple of hundred bucks to spend, the Moto G Fast is our top favorite with three cameras and a large screen to enjoy all those photos and videos. Today, we're not only talking about the Moto G Fast, but seven other phones that bring tremendous value to the low-end space.Best overall Android phone under $200: Moto G FastThe Moto G Fast hits the very top of our $200 budget, and all things considered, it's the best phone you can buy when looking at Android devices this cheap.G Fast's hardware is built far better than you'd expect for a phone in this price tier. It feels substantial when held, doesn't rattle o...

Sam Tolbert teams up with Carli and Rebecca for their analysis of everything announced at Gamescom 2021. They also check out Call of Duty: Vanguard, Saints Row, and chat about why you shouldn't preorder Halo Infinite.Hosted by: Jennifer Locke, Carli Velocci, and Rebecca SpearGot feedback? Hit up Podcast@androidcentral.com and tell us something!LISTEN NOW:LINKS:DFEH says Activision Blizzard interfering with workplace investigation | Windows CentralOverwatch is changing McCree's name after namesake fired from Blizzard | Windows CentralNiantic restores pandemic bonus for US in Pokémon Go | iMoreXbox Gamescom 2021: Game announcements, trailers, and everything you missed | Windows CentralOpening Night Live Gamescom 2021: Game announcements, trailers, and everything you missed | Windows CentralWhy Saints Row is a reboot: 'Those were games of a time' | Windows CentralCall of Duty: Vanguard preview — A return to the fictional past | Windows CentralDon't preorder Halo I...

Hey, Google. Remind me to go back to the office in JanuaryWhat you need to knowGoogle CEO Sundar Pichai revealed that it has extended its current in-office policy until January 10, 2022.This is due to the rising cases of the COVID-19 Delta variant.Employees are also being given two "global reset days" in the upcoming quarter.In a blog post, Google CEO Sundar Pichai revealed its plans for employees to return to its offices. Pichai shared that staff won't be required to return until January 10, 2022, as the Delta variant of COVID-19 is forcing other companies to hit pause on resuming work-life as normal. First, as offices continue to reopen, we hope to see more teams coming together where possible, whether it be for regular team meetings, brainstorming sessions around a whiteboard, or outdoor socials. For some locations, conditions are starting to improve, yet in many parts of the world the pandemic continues to create uncertainty. Acknowledging that, we'll extend our glo...

Best answer: Currently, no information on a brand new alpha or beta test for Diablo Immortal has been unveiled. With the game recently delayed until 2022, however, we'll likely know more in the future.Try before you dieThe Diablo franchise is one of the most popular gaming franchises in the world, and Blizzard aims to recreate that same magic on mobile devices with Diablo Immortal. The bite-sized version of Diablo delivers the same dungeon crawling and role-playing mechanics as the original game and aims to explore a previously unknown era of Diablo lore, with the game taking place between Diablo II and Diablo III and acting as a bridge between the two stories.Despite not being out yet, it's already become one of the most highly anticipated games to play on either Android or iOS and has fans waiting anxiously for any new news.Previous alphasSo far, only two technical tests have been had for Diablo Immortal, with the first taking place in December 2020 to a minimal amount of...

The phone won't include a headphone jack either.What you need to knowThe user manual for Samsung's upcoming Galaxy S21 FE has leaked out.It confirms several key features, including a high-refresh-rate display and IP68 water resistance. Sadly, it looks like the phone will not include a microSD card slot. Samsung is soon expected to unveil the Galaxy S21 FE to challenge the best Android phones in the highly competitive value flagship segment. Ahead of the phone's launch, the folks at SamMobile have managed to get their hands on its user manual.While the user manual doesn't mention the core specs of the phone, it does confirm a few key features. Like its predecessor, the Galaxy S21 FE will have an IP68 rating, which means it can stay submerged in fresh water up to 1.5 meters deep for up to 30 minutes. There's mention of a high-refresh-rate screen as well, along with an ultrasonic in-display fingerprint sensor. Other features revealed by the new leak include Dolby At...

The One UI 4 beta begins in September and brings Android 12 to the Galaxy S21.What you need to knowSamsung is beginning the One UI 4 beta program in September, starting with the Galaxy S21.One UI is the name Samsung's themed version of Android and contains many features that stock Android does not.The One UI 4 beta is built atop Android 12, likely bringing a slew of changes along with Android's biggest UI update yet.Looks like Galaxy S21 owners won't have to wait too long to experience Android 12, as Samsung Korea's One UI 4 beta is beginning sometime in September. One UI 4 is the next major version of Samsung's themed version of Android, this time build atop Android 12, and is expected to be rolled out to more devices later in the year. For now, though, Galaxy S21 owners look to be in the elite group that gets the ability to sign up for the beta.The Samsung Community forum Beta Operations Manager posted the news this morning, announcing that the One UI 4 beta would be av...

Will you buy a Pixel Stand or make do with wired charging?The Pixel 5 on a wireless charging standWhat you need to knowAndroid Police reports that retailers are being given Pixel 6 accessories, including a "23W Google Pixel 23W WL Stand."Most recent flagship phones only support 15W wireless charging, though OnePlus Warp Charging does hit 50W. The Pixel Stand could have built-in fans to keep the phone cool, plus different charging modes like "Auto," "Quiet," and "Power Boost."Back in June, we heard rumors of a Pixel Stand accessory, which will have built-in cooling fans to keep your Pixel's temperature low while supporting faster wireless charging. Reportedly, the fans will automatically go silent if you use Google Assistant or the Recorder app, and you can choose how fast your phone charges in exchange for higher or lower fan noise.Today, an Android Police retail source provided evidence that the Pixel Stand exists, and is being shipped out to various stores already in pr...

When you start shopping for the best Fitbit Charge 4 bands, you'll find there's no shortage of options to choose from. If you know that you don't typically fancy the proprietary bands, you'll want to think about stocking up on some new ones. You'll be happy to know that the Fitbit Charge 3 bands are also compatible with the new device in case you have some of those lying around. If not, we've gathered up some excellent options for you to consider.Affordable breathabilityWepro Waterproof BandStaff PickIf you want to make sure your skin can breathe, this soft TPU band from Wepro is a great pick. The soft material is smooth on the wrist and comes in various colors. The unique design has tons of perforations for maximum airflow. It's also one of the most affordable options, which is another reason that it's one of the best Fitbit Charge 4 bands out there.$7 at AmazonComfy canvashooroor Canvas Woven BandYour Fitbit Charge 4 will look stunning in this woven canvas...

The sword should only be used as a shield.Young Souls is a 2D beat 'em up by the small French developer 1P2P Studio. It features precise combat and timing that would liken itself to Dark Souls, but the story of two loudmouthed teenagers fighting both evil, and themselves, more than makes up for the obvious similarities between gameplay systems. The combat is fun after getting the hang of it but does not quite have the variety to keep it fresh.The game is a "First on Stadia" title, which means it is a timed exclusive for the streaming platform. It is expected to launch for Nintendo Switch, PlayStation, Steam on PC, and Xbox One in Fall 2021, though it could have used a bit more time for polish after experiencing various glitches and multiple crashes.Young Souls review:Gameplay, story, and presentationStadia performance and featuresShould you buy it?At a glanceYoung Souls on Stadia ...

Good news if you own an older Samsung foldable.What you need to knowSamsung has announced that it's bringing many of its newest software features to its older foldable phones.The company says that beginning August 31, One UI 3.1.1 will begin rolling out to Galaxy Z Fold 2 5G, Galaxy Z Flip 5G, and the original Galaxy Z Flip devices.The original Galaxy Fold should start seeing the updates in a week or so.The news out of Samsung Mobile today should surprise and delight those intrepid early adopters who shelled out their hard-earned money for one of the company's early foldable devices. Samsung says that it is now bringing some of the exciting new features from its One UI 3.1.1, which debuted on the new Galaxy Z Fold 3 and Galaxy Z Flip 3, to these older phones starting today.These features include the ability to drag and split the screen, change the aspect ratio for any app, adjust the app split view, and mirror your cover screen to your interior screen. In addition, users ...

Many senior citizens have used smartphones for a decade and like the same phones that younger demographics do. But if you're new to smartphones — or you're the relative of a Baby Boomer or Silent Generation person who needs help picking something accessible — we're here to help. Likewise, some of you may have impairments or disabilities that make a standard phone difficult to use; others may be on a limited retirement budget and may not have the money for anything fancy. Whatever your circumstances, here are the best phones for seniors to fit any scenario.Best smartphone for seniors: Google Pixel 5aSeniors could easily pick any of the best Android phones or a premium iPhone and be happy. Most have perks like bright screens, big batteries, and fast performance that anyone will appreciate regardless of age. But truth be told, the most expensive phone perks like pro-quality cameras and fast displays for mobile gaming are superfluous for plenty of seniors. In most cases, a mid-...

Microsoft is working with Amazon and Intel to bring Android apps to Windows 11.What you need to knowMicrosoft has revealed that Windows 11 will not support Android apps at launch.A preview of the feature will become available for Windows Insiders "over the coming months."Windows 11 will begin rolling out to eligible Windows 10 PCs on October 5. Microsoft announced August 31 that Windows 11 will not include Android app support at launch. Support for running Android apps is one of the biggest highlights of the new operating system (via Windows Central).It now looks like most Windows 11 users will have to wait until 2022 to be able to run Android apps. Aaron Woodman, general manager of Windows Marketing, revealed in a new blog post that Microsoft plans to bring a preview of the future for Windows Insiders "over the coming months." We look forward to continuing our journey to bring Android apps to Windows 11 and the Microsoft Store through our collaboration with Amazon an...

Google's Pixel phones are some of the best Android phones you can buy, and not just because of their amazing cameras and hardware. Arguably the best reason to purchase a Pixel is the software available on the phones, from exclusive Pixel features to quarterly Pixel feature drops. One such underrated but important recent Pixel drop is called Adaptive Sound. This uses your phone's microphone(s) to determine the noise environment around you and make adjustments in the software to improve the speaker sound quality. Pretty cool, huh? We'll show you how to enable this Adaptive Sound feature on your Google Pixel device.How to enable Adaptive Sound on your Google Pixel phoneOpen up the Settings app on your Pixel phone.Scroll down and tap on the Sound & vibration tile.Tap on Adaptive Sound.Toggle the switch to turn on Adaptive Sound.According to our testing, this feature currently only works on the Pixel 4a 5G and Pixel 5, but not the Pixel 4a or Pixel 5a. It's not clear if i...

Tinker with and customize your favorite foldable phone.Samsung's all-new foldable phone is landing on doorsteps, and whether you already own the Galaxy Z Fold 3 or are planning to get one, there are a few things to try out first. We're not talking about going through the setup process or downloading the best Android apps.Instead, we're taking a look at some of the first features and settings that you should tinker with. These range from customizing all four screens to getting rid of Bixby and so much more.Jump to:1. Customize all the screens2. Extend your battery life3. Multitask away4. Apps on the big screen5. Pin your apps6. Make your phone feel faster7. Switch up the keyboard8. Ditch Bixby9. Turn your Fold 3 into a portable charger10. Use the good camera for selfies11. Fix broken notifications12. Accessorize your Z Fold 31. Customize all the screensThe very first thing that you'll want to do (after signing in and downloading the best Android apps) is t...

NVIDIA's entry into the streaming wars is seeing some impressive success and substantial challenges.As companies compete and server technology improves, streaming games is becoming more and more of a viable option. You can use anything from the best gaming phones to your laptop as a great gaming machine, giving players more options than dropping hundreds or thousands on a separate console or gaming PC.One recent major entrant is NVIDIA GeForce Now, a streaming service for PC games that players already own. Nvidia claims over a million players have tried it out so far. While some publishers are choosing not to support this streaming platform, it does have several major brands backing it. GeForce Now is a clearly viable option for games streaming, right on par with the likes of Google Stadia, Xbox Game Pass, and Amazon Luna.Jump to:What is GeForce Now?GeForce Now: List of supported devicesIs GeForce Now free?Is GeForce Now still in beta?GeForce Now: List of gamesWha...

What you need to knowJabra follows up the Elite 85t with three new true wireless models.The Elite 7 Pro and 7 Active are aimed at the high end of the market, with premium sound and ANC.The Elite 3 cost just $79 and share many of the Elite 75t's best traits at a much lower cost.Jabra is back with a roundup of true wireless earbuds that even Samsung, Google, Apple, OnePlus, and others will want to take notice of. The company, which helped popularize the category with the incredibly popular Elite 65t and Elite 75t models in 2018 and 2019, respectively, has seen the market saturate with budget, no-name products sold directly to consumers from Amazon, while the premium tier is being filled by recognizable brands, most of which have their own hardware ecosystems. Jabra stumbled a little with the oversized and overpriced Elite 85t last year and is looking to make up for lost market share with a hattrick.At the cheap end of the spectrum are the Elite 3s, which cost $79 and share ma...

Samsung is the biggest phone manufacturer in the world, and with good reason — it makes incredible phones, combining outstanding hardware design with handy features that differentiate its phones from the competition. The Galaxy S21 is one of the best Samsung phones you can buy right now for its value and hardware, but plenty of other devices hit different sizes and price points. Here are some of our favorites you can buy right now.1. Samsung Galaxy S21: Best overallIt may not be very compact, but the Galaxy S21 has a lot to offer, and the highlight is that it is available for $200 less than its predecessor. Samsung achieved this by reducing the screen's resolution to FHD+ — last year's Galaxy S20 had a QHD+ panel — and ditching the glass back for a plastic option. The 6.2-inch AMOLED screen still has 120Hz refresh rate, so you still get velvety smooth interactions for everything from browsing, scrolling through social media, and gaming.You also get the latest internal...

The bill is nicknamed the "Google power-abuse-prevention law" by some lawmakers in Korea.What you need to knowSouth Korea has passed a new bill to prevent Google and Apple from forcing developers to use their in-house payment systems.Companies could be fined up to 3% of their South Korea revenue if they fail to comply with new rules. The bill is expected to soon be signed into law by President Moon Jae-in. A new bill passed by South Korea's National Assembly could significantly reduce Google and Apple's dominance over app store payments. According to The Wall Street Journal, the bill is set to become law once it is signed by President Moon Jae-in.The bill amends the country's Telecommunications Business Act to prevent "large app-market operators" from forcing the use of their in-house payment systems on developers. Additionally, it bans companies from delaying the approval of apps or pulling them from the marketplace. These provisions are meant to "head off retaliation ag...

This one's an empty Nest.Nest is in a bit of a predicament these days. Its home security products have gone untouched for years — owing to the fact that they were, largely, superior products when they launched — leaving rivals to catch up. The best outdoor security cameras are all made by Ring, Arlo, and Eufy, leaving Nest to pick up the pieces. But Google's software has held the advantage for years, keeping true with the company's mantra of products that are smarter, not better on a spec sheet.But the Nest Cam (2021), better known as Nest Cam (battery), is a product that feels like it's been sitting in a backroom and left to be forgotten. The 2MP 1080p sensor only provides passable but not great image quality, and night vision is worse than the competition. Battery life and overall design are quite good, and the camera is extremely easy to mount and set up. It's even got on-board image processing to more quickly identify objects without the need for a subscription.But, ult...

Pokémon Unite is officially out for the Nintendo Switch now. While it won't be releasing for mobile devices until later next month, fans can already begin to look ahead to plan out how they'll start playing what promises to be one of the best Android games out to date.For those unaware, Pokémon Unite pits teams of five trainers against each other, each armed with just a single Pokémon. Pokémon can evolve, hold items to improve their standing, and even learn new moves during battle. Here are all of the Pokémon Unite playable Pokémon characters so far. It's important to note that items can vary in effectiveness, but some are much better than others, so here are all of the best items in Pokémon Unite items so you can plan your best strategy.Pokémon Unite held item tier listBest ItemsS RankA RankB RankC RankBest Items for each RoleAttackerAll-RounderSpeedsterDefenderSupporterHow to buy Held ItemsPokémon Unite item tier listThe world of Pokémo...

Looking for the best wireless earbuds to pair with your Galaxy S21? You've come to the right place. The Galaxy Buds Pro launched alongside the S21 series, and they complement the phone perfectly. Of course, you'll also find plenty of options for any budget or style, so let's take a look at some of the best wireless earbuds for the Galaxy S21.Best overallSamsung Galaxy Buds 2 - True Wireless EarbudsStaff PickThe Galaxy Buds 2 have a new design that makes them great to wear throughout the day. They nail the basics: You get active noise cancelation, sublime audio quality with powerful bass, and IPX2 water resistance. You can even switch between devices effortlessly, and they last over seven hours on a full charge.$150 at Amazon $150 at Best Buy $149 at WalmartThe upgrade pickSamsung Galaxy Buds Pro Bluetooth EarbudsWith the Galaxy Buds Pro, Samsung is taking things to a new level. The earbuds offer active noise cancelation on par with the best that Sony and Bos...

Sweat it out in VR.FitXR is a fitness game designed for the Oculus Quest and Oculus Quest 2 that offers HIIT, boxing, and dance classes accompanied by upbeat music, motivational instructors, and workouts for all levels of athleticism. I initially reviewed FitXR at the beginning of 2021 when it was a single app purchase that hosted boxing and dance workouts, but a lot has changed since then.FitXR has added a HIIT studio and a multiplayer option, as well as a bunch of new tunes to accompany workouts. It also switched from a single app purchase with DLC options to a monthly membership subscription. It's a choice many FitXR app "owners" aren't happy about, as they can't access new features without subscribing.All that being said, I find FitXR to be a fun, effective way to get into shape. If you're a fan of VR and fitness — and own a Quest 2 — this is a game worthy of checking out. Get ready, because VR just got a whole lot sweatier.FitXR review:What you'll like / What's ...

All you need to know about Pluto TV.Pluto TV provides viewers with a variety of live programming, as well as on-demand movies and television series, at zero cost. And while the streaming platform might seem too good to be true, it's not. Here's all you need to know about Pluto TV, from which channels you find and how you can start streaming immediately.Pluto TVStream live and on-demand contentFree at Pluto TVAll the shows, movies, and sports you want for freePluto TV provides access to the best in free movies, television, and sports. Browse live channels, watch on-demand movies, and morePluto TVWhat is Pluto TV?Where is Pluto TV available?What devices support Pluto TV?What's streaming on Pluto TV?How do you sign up?What is Pluto TV?Pluto TV is a free live-stream television and on-demand video service owned and operated by ViacomCBS Streaming, a division of ViacomCBS. It offers more than 250 unique ad-supported live channels for streaming content. You...

We can go beyond Pixel's one-note icons and do it for free.While Android 12 will be arriving soon, the most striking visual change will be Pixel-exclusive at launch. While Material You as a whole will be part of Android 12 and can be implemented by all Android manufacturers, but the Dynamic Color picker is limited to the Pixel line. Dynamic Color is the algorithm that will analyze your wallpaper then pick complementary colors to tint system elements and your app icons, and even if we can't get Google's super-secret color formula, we can still get app icons that change with our wallpapers easily using Icon Pack Studio and one of the best Android launchers.Icon Pack Studio allows you to craft custom icon packs, that can then be exported and applied like any third-party icon pack. However, you won't need to re-export and re-apply each time you change your wallpaper if you use Smart Launcher 5. The Smart Launcher team built Icon Pack Studio and integrated it into its launcher, so you...

The feature works similarly to the Walkie-Talkie feature that Apple introduced for Apple Watch devices in 2018.What you need to knowSamsung has released a new WalkieTalkie app for its latest Galaxy smartwatches.The app allows you to use your Galaxy Watch as a Walkie Talkie to have instant conversations. Samsung's WalkieTalkie app isn't compatible with older Galaxy smartwatches. Samsung has quietly released a new app that allows Galaxy Watch 4 and Galaxy Watch 4 Classic users to have instant conversations, "just like if they were using a walkie-talkie" (via XDA Developers). It uses Bluetooth to look for nearby friends and create your Walkie-Talkie channel.Unsurprisingly, the new app isn't compatible with older Galaxy smartwatches like the Galaxy Watch 3 and Galaxy Watch Active 2, which run on Samsung's own Tizen platform.To use the new app, you must register your Samsung account on a phone that is connected to your Galaxy Watch 4 or Galaxy Watch 4 Classic. Samsung reco...