Latest from Android Central

Valorant can soon be played on the go straight from your pocket.What you need to knowValorant is a popular 5v5 hero shooter from Riot Games.It is currently free-to-play on PC.Riot has announced a mobile spin-off of Valorant.The studio did not reveal a launch date or which mobile devices will support the game.One year after Riot Games' tactical hero shooter Valorant released on PC, the company has revealed that a mobile spin-off is in development (via The Verge). The 5v5 free-to-play game is currently only available for Windows PC. This announcement comes as Riot plans to expand the franchise and make it more accessible to players around the world.The studio has revealed very little details about the upcoming spin-off, so we don't know which mobile devices it will come to or when it will release. Given Riot's other most recent spin-off, League of Legends: Wild Rift, we'll likely see Valorant Mobile come to Android and iOS devices."One of our top goals this first year wa...

There can be only one.Facebook's F8 developer conference is taking place today, and we expect to learn all about the future of the social media giant's many apps, platforms, and initiatives. Following the pandemic-times trend of online events, this year's F8 will be a virtual conference (Facebook canceled last year's for health and safety concerns).Despite being constantly in the news for one reason or another, the main "blue" Facebook app is still going strong, while Facebook Messenger is one of the fastest-growing chat apps around. Even with all of the drama surrounding WhatsApp and its privacy policy changes this year, it continues to dominate among messaging platforms worldwide, and Instagram is still the darling of influencers and ordinary people alike. And who could forget Oculus and the growing popularity of VR gaming, fitness, and social opportunities!?Even though the company generates some strong feelings among users and non-users alike, the simple fact is that Faceb...

While the Google Pixel 4a 5G isn't going to be winning any beauty contests, the best Pixel 4a 5G cases jazz up this affordable 5G phone. Protecting your investment is paramount, but let's get real. Life's too short for boring phone cases. Thankfully, these Pixel 4a 5G cases are anything but and add pops of color and extra protection to keep your phone looking brand new.Keep it safeTudia DualShield Merge SeriesStaff PickTudia's Merge Series has been protecting Pixels big and small for years, and if you need some heavy-duty support for your Pixel 4a 5G from Day One, this case will do the job for less than a large pizza.$13 at AmazonFabulous feelGoogle Fabric CaseGoogle's fabric case feels just as amazing on the Pixel 4a 5G as it has in previous generations. This year, we have some fun color options like the Blue Confetti and the classic but ever so sophisticated Basically Black.$40 at Amazon $40 at Best BuyTwo-tone texturingCaseology ParallaxIf you can't s...

Huawei's first HarmonyOS smartwatch looks slick and boasts strong battery life and fitness features.The Huawei Watch line has changed dramatically since it first debuted in 2015. The first Huawei Watch (or the Huatch, as we liked to call it at the time) ran Android Wear and turned heads with its striking design. The second iteration focused on fitness tracking with a more rugged appearance. Then the Huawei Watch GT line traded smartwatch functionality for a trimmed-down OS and long battery life.Now we have the Huawei Watch 3, which seeks to bring the best of all those earlier wearables into a single product. It's the first watch to run Huawei's HarmonyOS, a more fully-featured platform than the barebones LiteOS used in the Watch GT. Huawei is also aiming for multi-day battery life from this new model while also packing a full loadout of working and health-tracking capabilities. And to top it off, this latest Huawei Watch is the best-looking since the 2015 original.While there a...

The upcoming feature will allow you to use apps installed on your phone directly from your Chromebook.What you need to knowAndroid users will soon be able to 'stream' apps to a connected Chromebook.The feature is expected to be released sometime later this year.It could be exclusive to Google's Pixel phones, at least initially. Google Play Services will soon allow you to stream apps from your phone to the best Chromebooks, according to a report from XDA Developers. The publication performed a teardown of the latest Google Play Services beta v21.21.12 and discovered strings that confirm the feature is under development.Even though the latest Google Play Services release contains strings that confirm users will soon be able to stream apps to their Chromebook, the functionality isn't live yet. There are also no details available yet on exactly how the feature will work. Device availability remains unclear as well, although it is being suggested that the feature could be excl...

Wide soundstageRoku Streambar$129 at Amazon$130 at Best Buy$130 at B&HProsOptional wired Ethernet connectionBluetooth 5.0 supportCheaper priceSide-firing driversAlexa, Google Assistant supportConsSmaller speakersEthernet adaptor sold separatelyWeaker sound than Streambar ProThe Roku Streambar is a compact, 14-inch-long soundbar with two front- and side-firing drivers (four total) designed for a wider audio presence that will permeate through your entire living room. The Streambar also features better connectivity options for your router and smartphone.Larger speakersRoku Streambar Pro$180 at Roku$180 at Amazon$180 at Best BuyProsUpgraded voice remoteLarger speakers for stronger soundMore traditional soundbar sizeAlexa, Google Assistant supportConsMore expensiveNo Ethernet optionThe Roku Streambar Pro justifies its higher price tag with four large full-range drivers that produce a richer sound than the smaller Roku Stre...

The new video player comes with a QuickTime-inspired floating box with various media controls.Update, June 2 (07:50 am ET): Google has rolled out this new video player with Chrome OS 91What you need to knowGoogle is testing an improved video player for Chrome OS.The video player offers a much better UI with a floating box at the bottom that includes all the media controls you would expect.It can be accessed in Chrome OS Canary v91.0.4463.0. The Chrome OS video player hasn't received a major update in years, and isn't anywhere near as feature-rich as users would expect. Fortunately, Google has finally started testing a new video player for Chrome OS that has a much more appealing UI and comes with enhanced controls.As reported by Android Police, the new player is now live in Chrome OS Canary version 91.0.4463.0. While you don't need to have the best Chromebook to try out the new player, you must enable it via the Media App Video flag (chrome://flags/#media-app-video) fir...

By putting the Android runtime under the Mainline umbrella, Google gets to control how apps perform across all devices running Android 12 or later.Android 12 is here for those willing to try their luck with beta software but it will be coming in its final form sometime later in 2021. There are plenty of changes — both under the hood and things we can see — that make it one of the best updates we've received in quite a while, and one of them is something you've probably never thought about — the Android runtime will now be a part of Project Mainline.This is an important change for every Android phone, from the best Android phone to the cheapest Android phone. But to understand how important it is, you need to know exactly what Project Mainline entails and what the Android runtime is. That's where we come in.Project MainlineProject Mainline extends the work Google did with Project Treble to try and do two things: make it easier for phone makers to update their products ...

Apple doesn't care that nearly 26% of its users switch to different platforms between quarters because it is focusing on encouraging users to buy all of the products in its broader functional ecosystem, experts say. They add that users are likely switching over to Android phones to save money.During the Epic Games vs. Apple trial, internal documents showed evidence of "meaningful switching" of smartphone users quarter-over-quarter. The highest percentage of users switching was between Q1 2020 and Q2 2020, which saw 26% of users switch from iOS to Android. This timeframe is particularly interesting as it marks the period that typically follows the announcement and release of new iPhones.Nugget of data on iPhone customers switching platforms came out in the Epic v. Apple trial. Apple submitted this to show people do switch (even if small) and therefore choice does exist.Average iOS loyalty over this time period was 81%. cc @benedictevans @asymco pic.twitter.com/koBSk7bvpK— Ben ...

You will soon find a Loop button within playback controls in YouTube's mobile app.What you need to knowYouTube has quietly added a Loop button to its mobile app on Android.The Loop video option has been available on the web for years. It might take a few more weeks for the feature to become widely available on mobile.YouTube has started testing a Loop button on its mobile app for Android. The test was first spotted by DroidMaze last month. While it was limited to a small number of users initially, the test has now started rolling out more widely to the best Android phones (via Android Police).The loop video option has been available on the web for years now, although it isn't very easily accessible. Instead of showing up as a dedicated button in the web player, It is hidden away in the right click menu. Fortunately, the Loop video button on the YouTube mobile app can be found easily within playback controls.Although it is certainly disappointing that it took so long f...

With a bold design and incredible performance, the Mi 11 Lite 5G may just be the lightweight phone you need.Xiaomi launches a lot of phones over the course of a year, and even by its standards, 2021 has been busy. We got the Redmi Note 9T, Redmi Note 10 series, Mi 10i, Mi 11, Mi 11 Ultra, and a slate of devices under the POCO label, including the POCO X3 Pro, F3, and more recently the M3 Pro.While the Mi 11 and Mi 11 Ultra make a claim for the best Android phones, there's a third model in the series aimed at the mid-range segment: the Mi 11 Lite. This device is particularly interesting because it is the first to be powered by the Snapdragon 780G chipset. Qualcomm dominated the mid-range tier last year with the Snapdragon 765G, and the 780G takes things to a whole new level.The Mi 11 Lite stands out because of its fresh colors, and it has a svelte 6.8mm profile and is one of the lightest phones around at 157g. But it doesn't miss out on table stakes features: you get a 90Hz AMOL...

The OnePlus Nord continues to deliver the best value in the mid-range segment.OnePlus is at its best in the value segment. The company has made decent strides in challenging Samsung and Google in the high-end category with the likes of the OnePlus 9 and 9 Pro, but the pricing makes them inaccessible to a wide swathe of its audience. That's why it's exciting that OnePlus has a slew of offerings in the mid-range and budget segments with the Nord series.The Nord delivers all the features that you'd expect from a OnePlus flagship — superb hardware, elegant design, clean software, and a lag-free experience — and it does so for several hundred dollars less than the OnePlus 9, making it one of the best cheap Android phones. With flagships steadily increasing in price, the Nord shows that you can get a comparable experience to $1,000 phones at half the cost.The hardware itself is obviously great, and you should have no issues with the Nord in day-to-day usage, but the different...

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

Amazon Prime Day 2021 is arriving earlier than any of the previous years.What you need to knowAmazon has announced the dates for its annual Prime Day sales event.Prime Day will take place in the U.S. and many other countries on June 21-22.Amazon Prime Day is an annual event for customers to find plenty of heavily discounted items.After some teasing during its Q1 earnings call in April, Amazon has finally unveiled the dates for its annual Prime Day sales event, which will happen later this month. The event will happen from June 21 through June 22.Amazon Prime Day is an annual event where customers can find exclusive deals on products throughout the site. That includes items like home appliances and kitchenware as well as tech products from the best microSD cards for Android to some of the best Android phones and plenty more.According to Amazon, last year's Prime Day sales event managed to save customers $1.4 billion, with small businesses making more than $3.5 billion. O...

Google is having a hard time convincing others that it means no harm.What you need to knowGoogle VP Jerry Dischler has stated that the company doe not plan to build backdoors in FLoC.Google will abide by the same Privacy Sandbox standards as other ad agencies.Some are not convinced, including other browsers critical of Google's new technology.Google has been trying to convince ad tech companies that it will follow its own Privacy Sandbox initiative, which the company recently echoed at a marketing event. Google VP Jerry Dischler stated that the company will abide by its own FLoC technology and won't build a backdoor to give itself an advantage. We'll be using these [Privacy Sandbox] APIs for our own ads and measurement products just like everyone else, and we will not build any backdoors for ourselves.The statement, as reported by DigiDay, can be seen as Google playing damage control as the industry criticizes the company's move to replace browser cookies.Google to...

Stay focused and avoid distractions with Do Not Disturb and improved notification settings.What you need to knowGoogle's Chrome OS improvements for June include icon badges and increased notification control, new wallpapers, and the ability to save entire Google Drive folders for offline editing.As apps gain the ability to display app badges for unread messages and other notifications, we also get the option to quickly disable notifications on a per-app basis as well as Do Not Disturb to turn them all off.New "Imaginary" wallpapers from Leo Natsume add some summer whimsy to your Chromebook.It's not live quite yet, but soon we'll be able to save entire folders for offline editing without first having to open every single document in them.Part of what makes the best Chromebooks so good is that they're always getting better. While Chromebooks didn't get much attention at Google I/O two weeks ago, the Chrome OS team has been busy improving on the features added in Chrome OS 89...

We're a step closer to the OnePlus Watch we were (sort of) hoping for.What you need to knowThe OnePlus Watch is receiving an update that brings the promised 110 workout modes.The device is getting an AI Outfit feature to mimic the user's clothing to create a watch face.The update comes after OnePlus devices finally received the AOD function.Owners of the OnePlus Watch are finally getting their hands on an update that brings the fitness features first promised at launch. OnePlus software manager Baihan H. announced update B.52 on Monday in the OnePlus forum.The update brings more than 110 workout modes to the watch, a feature that the company first promised at launch and one of several that were notably missing. The update also introduces a marathon running function as well as a new AI Outfit feature.AI Outfit was hinted at when the company announced the first major software update for the OnePlus Watch. The feature allows the user to change the watch face by capturing a...

There's more than meets the eye with Motorola's latest affordable smartphones. Just last year, the company debuted three budget-conscious devices all sitting well below $500 each: the Moto G Fast, Moto G Power, and the Moto G Stylus. With the Moto G Fast debuting at just $249.99 in Canada, it's become one of the least expensive ways to get a dependable Android smartphone in your hands.Thanks to a limited-time offer at Costco Canada, the Moto G Fast is dropping even lower in price! Through June 6, customers can purchase the Moto G Fast on sale for just $159.99 at Costco Canada and save $90 off its full cost instantly, though you will need to be a Costco member if you want to take advantage of today's discount. This phone has more recently been priced around $210.Moto G Fast | $90 off at Costco CanadaThe affordable Moto G Fast is dropping even lower in price with today's extra $50 discount at Costco Canada. This device features a 6.4-inch Max Vision HD+ display, 32GB expandable...

Nest makes some of the best smart thermostats, security cameras, and self-installed home security systems out there, but it comes at a price. Some of the equipment can be on the expensive side, which means that you may not be able to have as much of it in your home as you'd like, but we are here to help make it easier to afford more. At times, you can find some pretty sweet deals on a variety of Nest's most popular items.Best Google Nest Deals Available NowNest Thermostats: from $114Nest Wi-Fi: as low as $149Nest Cameras: from $123Smart Speakers & Displays: starting at $35Whether it's a direct price drop, coupon code, or bundle deal, we've scoured the internet to find all of the best deals around Nest's hardware that are available right now and rounded them up. We will keep this page updated with the best deals we can find, so if you frequently find yourself looking for more of it, you'll want to bookmark this page.Best Cheap Nest Thermostat DealsI just moved int...

PS4 Pro4K Ready$450 (renewed) at AmazonPros4K HDR gaming looks incredible on everythingPlayStation VR performance is best on this PS4ConsNoticeably larger Can get loud during intense gameplayIf you want the best possible last-gen PlayStation experience, this is the one to buy, even if it's the largest and most expensive option.PS4 SlimBudget-friendly$414 at AmazonProsFits just about anywhereWhisper quietInexpensiveConsNo 4K supportThe slimmer PS4 plays every game with ease, but the lack of 4K output is noticeable if your TV supports it.It's hard to go wrong with either version of the PlayStation console, but these two versions serve very different purposes. While you can still play every PS4 game on each option here, you'll notice a significant difference in overall quality depending on the room you're playing in and the other hardware you connect to the PlayStation.PlayStation 4 stock issuesDue to the pandemic, it's become incr...

The Galaxy Note 20 series are two of the best Android phones right now. If you're already a fan of the Note lineup, then you'll have a lot to be excited about with the new generation. If you aren't a fan, you should be. The phones have all the latest from Samsung, including a powerful Qualcomm Snapdragon 865+ processor, a triple camera setup, 5G connectivity, and a new and improved S Pen stylus.Being brand new, these phones are going to set you back a penny or two, but we're on top of that. We've got every place you can find the Note 20 (or the Note 20 Ultra) and every deal available right now.Best Note 20 Deals Available NowUnlocked Deals: Save up to $450Carrier deals: Trade-ins, BOGO & more More Info: Price tracking, comparisons & moreNote 20 Ultra | $204 off at AmazonSave $204 instantly on Samsung's Galaxy Note 20 Ultra today at Amazon. This deal is only valid on the 128GB storage model in Mystic Bronze while supplies last.Shop at Amazon $999 at Walma...

Synology DiskStation DS220+Latest and greatest$300 at AmazonProsIdeal for media streamingPowerful hardwareOutstanding software featuresWorks great for 4K transcodingTwo Gigabit Ethernet portsHolds up to 32TB of storageConsNo M.2 slots for SSD caching Missing an eSATA port The DiskStation 220+ is a standout choice if you're in the market for a NAS enclosure for use as a media server. The NAS has powerful hardware, 2GB of RAM, and can handle 4K transcoding, ensuring seamless media playback across all devices on your home network. You get a lot of other software features as well, and overall the DS220+ is the two-bay NAS to beat right now.Synology DiskStation DS220jOutstanding value$170 at AmazonProsBest value Robust software featuresGigabit Ethernet connectivityRuns quiet Holds up to 32TB of storageConsLimited memoryNot great at transcoding filesThe DiskStation 220j offers incredible value, and you get a decent set of features that m...

NVIDIA announced it first, but it's coming to all Android TV devices.What you need to knowThe Apple TV app is now available on Android TVs.It brings access to exclusives like Ted Lasso and Home Before Dark.On the NVIDIA Shield, the Apple TV app supports both Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos. The Apple TV app is now available on Android TV platform via the Google Play Store. While it was announced to be coming specifically to NVIDIA Shield devices, a Google spokesperson confirmed to Android Central that "starting today, the Apple TV app is rolling out to the Android TV OS ecosystem."The Apple TV app had made its first appearance on the Chromecast with Google TV but was promised to be coming to other Android TV devices in the future. Now that it's here, it brings access to popular Apple TV Original shows as Ted Lasso, The Morning Show, and others. It also makes using an Apple TV+ subscription in an Android household more feasible.You'll also be able to use Apple TV Channels a...

Spill some blood with the best Android shooters currently on the market.Professional and/or competitive shooter games are fast becoming a sustainable industry trend for mobile gaming. Both game development and smartphone hardware reaching the point where phones can absolutely deliver top-notch gaming experiences — even for first-person shooters.This still probably sounds like crazy talk to traditional PC gamers but the fact is mobile shooters have cut out a nice niche within the pro-gaming community — franchises such as PUBG Mobile and Guns of Boom have competitive esports leagues that can be advantageous to people who love to stream or try playing for cash in a tournament. Just like other online games for console or PC, mobile games reward teams who can practice and train together — or you can just jump into the game and have some fun on your phone.And if you're looking for something a bit less violent, check out our favorite Android games of 2021!The gamesCall of...

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

A group of PUBG Mobile cheatmakers were making hundreds of thousands of dollars a month.What you need to knowA VICE report details the background of the creators of a popular PUBG Mobile cheat, whose business recently came to an end.The creators were making hundreds of thousands a month, and millions a year, from the sale of these cheats.The Chinese police cracked down on this in an operation known as "Chicken Drumstick."Chinese police have cracked down on one of the largest mobile gaming cheat developers in the world, known to them as "Chicken Drumstick," and to its users as Cheat Ninja. In a new report, VICE documents the cheat-maker's story and reveals just how many millions they were making from the illicit software.The cheats in question include things like wallhacks and were developed for the mobile versions of PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds. Naturally, given cheating has a negative effect on a game and the bottom line of the game's creators, Chinese company Tencent ...

Despite what some top brands on the market would like you to believe, you don't need to spend hundreds of dollars for an excellent pair of noise-cancelling headphones. In fact, thanks to a limited-time sale at Amazon Canada, you can snag the Anker Soundcore Life Q30 headphones for just $90 today! These headphones were chosen as our favorite Value Pick in this guide to the best wireless headphones of 2021.Previously sold for up to $150 just earlier this year, the Soundcore Life Q30 headphones are now available for just $89.99 at Amazon Canada when you clip the coupon on their product page before heading to checkout. That's a savings of $60 off their original price and a match of the best price we've ever seen them reach. More recently, these headphones have been sitting around $110 for the past few months.Anker Soundcore Life Q30 | $60 off at Amazon CanadaClip the coupon at Amazon to save an extra $20 on the Anker Soundcore Life Q30 hybrid active noise-cancelling headphones fo...

Fitbit also rolled out new updates for the Versa 3.What you need to knowFitbit introduced the Fitbit Ace 2 Special Edition Minions, a sleep tracker aimed at young children.It piggybacks off the popular minions brand and comes in a nice Minions Yellow. Fitbit also announced software updates for the Fitbit Versa 3 and Sense.Fitbit today announced a new Fitbit Ace model, the Fitbit Ace 3 Special Edition: Minions. It's a version of the already Minion-focused Fitbit Ace 3 that brings even more Miniony action to the watch.Starting from $99, the Minions edition adds an exclusive, engraved accessory band in the iconic "Minions Yellow." There are also two new bands for the Ace 3 in Despicable Blue and Mischief Black. Finally, the company will add a new animated clock face, available exclusively on Ace 3 devices, aimed at making kids form healthy habits and illustrating their progress towards daily customizable goals for step count or activity.Alison Ross Powers, Head of Global S...

This week, we check out all the happenings for Sonic the Hedgehog's 30th Anniversary. We also dig into the juicy morsels found within the Epic vs. Apple court case, Sony's recent investor call, and what secret stuff Nintendo and Microsoft might be working on together.Hosted by: Jennifer Locke, Carli Velocci, and Rebecca SpearGot feedback? Hit up Podcast@androidcentral.com and tell us something!LISTEN NOW:LINKS:Sonic the Hedgehog's 30th Anniversary stream: Everything announced | iMoreHorizon Forbidden West gameplay looks gorgeous as Aloy battles new beasts | Android CentralEpic Games v. Apple: Here's everything we've learned so far | Windows Central10 quotes that could reveal the outcome of the Apple vs Epic Games trial | iMoreYep. Epic and Apple argued, in court, about whether a banana can be naked. | iMoreApple slams 'unspeakable' Itch.io content hosted on Epic Games Store | iMoreEpic CEO: Sony forces Epic to pay for Fortnite cross-play on PlayStation | Android Ce...

The best Wi-Fi routers can be lifesavers. The difference between good Wi-Fi in your house and poor connectivity can be the difference between a good day and a bad one. Whether you need something with a ton of speed and connections or just want to make sure you don't drop connection when you move around your home there's a router that's right for you. Here's our reliable guide to some of the best wireless routers you can buy today!What are the best Wi-Fi routers?The TP-Link Archer AX21 is the best Wi-Fi router thanks to its AX1800 speeds being enough for most people, along with offering the capacity for future Wi-Fi 6 devices. It also has an easy setup procedure thanks to the TP-Link Tether app for smartphones. If you're looking for something to keep up with most households without going overboard, the AX21 is a great fit.The best value option is the TP-Link Archer A7. While there are cheaper routers available, the AC1750 speeds should keep up with HD media streaming and browsing ...

Over 40 new games are coming to Play Pass.What you need to knowGoogle's Play Pass is expanding to 48 new countries.Verizon customers with eligible unlimited plans can now get up to 12 months of free Play Pass access in the U.S.Crying Suns, Evoland 2, Botanicula, and Night of the Full Moon are the latest additions to the hundreds of games available on Play Pass.Google's Play Pass subscription service has expanded to 48 additional markets around the world. With the latest expansion, the Play Pass is now available in 90 countries. You can find a full list of all the 90 countries here.Google has also joined hands with Verizon to offer up to 12 months of Play Pass access. However, customers must be subscribed to one of Verizon's Unlimited plans to be eligible for the offer. Those of you who are on the Big Red's Start Unlimited plan will get access to six months of Play Pass. Customers with Verizon's Play More or Get More unlimited plans, on the other hand, are eligible to rece...

One of the biggest reasons to buy a high-end phone is for the camera. Whether through computational processing or the use of as many lenses as possible, phones are taking good enough photos these days that most people don't even consider a dedicated camera. Luckily, there are plenty of options for people that want effortless point-and-shoot style photography, as well as those who want to go more in-depth or have different needs in a phone beyond the camera. The best Android camera is on the Google Pixel 5 because it's simple to use yet produces amazing photos in all conditions.Point and shootGoogle Pixel 5Staff PickIf you want the very best camera experience you can get on an Android phone, the Pixel 5 is what you need to buy. The 12MP primary and 16MP ultra-wide sensors might not sound all that impressive, but when combined with Google's unmatched image processing, you end up with a phone that takes incredible pictures every time you press the shutter button. Day or night,...

Google's rumored foldable Pixel will apparently be among the first non-Samsung phones to feature an ultra-thin glass cover window.What you need to knowGoogle's first foldable phone will reportedly use Samsung's ultra-thin glass (UTG).Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold 2 and Galaxy Z Flip are currently the only foldable phones to use UTG. Samsung may begin supplying UTG to Google and other smartphone makers in the second half of the year. Samsung Display will soon begin supplying its ultra-thin glass (UTG) to Google, according to a new report from ETNews. Samsung Display currently supplies UTG only to Samsung electronics.Samsung Display is said to have decided to sell UTG to other companies to help expand its foldable display business. It plans to begin shipping UTG to Google and a few other companies in the second half of the year. Announced in February last year, Samsung's ultra-thin glass is manufactured using an intensifying process to achieve enhanced flexibility and durabili...

Cozy up to Wi-Fi 6 anywhere you could possibly want it — even outside.Linksys Velop products regularly top our list of best mesh routers, and the new Linksys Velop AX4200 is a more affordable version of our favorite Wi-Fi 6 mesh system. It may offer a lower maximum theoretical wireless speed than the higher-end Velop MX5/MX10, but it doesn't cut out any of the important features or compatibility with other Linksys products that make the Velop family so darned good.It's also a lot less money — for $500, you'll be getting a 3-pack of Velop AX4200's which are rated to cover over 8,000 square feet of space. Compare that with the Velop MX10, which is $600 for a 2-pack that only covers 6,000 square feet, and you'll immediately understand the value proposition. Since it's Wi-Fi 6, you can use advanced high-speed wireless devices like the Oculus Quest 2 in ways that Wi-Fi 5 just didn't allow.On top of that, each Velop AX4200 node sports three usable gigabit LAN ports, giving you ni...

The Amazon Fire TV Stick is a godsend for those of us who want to stick with our trusted non-smart television and also want to access Netflix on it, while the Fire TVs have all the capabilities of Amazon's Fire TV Stick built into the TV itself. They're generally affordably priced, but the best time to purchase one is during a sale. Below are the best Fire TV deals we could find to help you locate the right device or TV set for your home.Best Amazon Fire TV Deals Available NowFire TV devices: from $20Fire TVs: as low as $110Device bundles: starting at $59Sometimes, Amazon offers deals which are only available to Prime members, so it helps to keep your membership active while you're on the hunt.Best Cheap Fire TV Device DealsIf you have yet to cut the cable company out of your life, the devices listed below are easily worth their full price so you can finally make it happen. You might not save huge on the Fire Stick, but not paying for cable each month will save you ...

Taking the temperature of our readers.What you need to knowAndroid Central readers responded to a poll over the holiday weekend about which weather apps they use on their phones.The majority of respondents said they used the default weather app pre-installed on their devices.AccuWeather was the top third-party weather app chosen, and there were a number of popular "write-in" votes as well.Believe it or not, it's already June, which means increased temperatures and (hopefully) more time spent out in nature. Given how important things like temperature and precipitation are to our outdoor plans, we thought it might be interesting to poll our readers on what their go-to weather apps are.When we asked our readers this weekend what their favorite weather app on Android was, the majority of respondents — over 43% — said, "other/whatever is preinstalled on my phone. The most popular third-party app by far was AccuWeather at nearly 38%, which was followed by Today Weather at a...

Get valuable information out of your pictures — even if you took them years ago!Google Lens has been an instrumental part of your camera for half a decade, but it's also been part of Google Photos for a few years, too. This means that even if there's no time to use Google Lens at the moment — such as when some weird-looking snake gets into the garden — you can come back and use Lens for its AI object identification, text transcription, and context recognition to figure things out later — like if that was a harmless rat snake you killed or a deadly copperhead.Here's how to use Google Lens inside the Google Photos app on your phone.How to use Google Lens in Google PhotosOpen the Google Photos app.Tap the photo you want to pull text or item info from.Tap the Lens icon in the bottom bar.Once Lens has analyzed the image, tap an object dot.Swipe up to expand the details or context of the identified object.To copy text, tap any highlighted text string.Drag the blue ...

Galaxy Note loyalists aren't happy with the S Pen implementation on the S21 Ultra.What you need to knowSamsung is apparently disappointed with the market response to the Galaxy S21 Ultra with the S Pen.It is planning to bring the Galaxy Note series next year.Samsung isn't launching a new Note series phone this year due to the global chip shortage. Before Samsung unveiled the Galaxy S21 series, several rumors claimed that the company's Galaxy Note line would be discontinued this year. Soon after the launch of the Galaxy S21 series, however, Samsung mobile chief Koh Dong-jin confirmed that the Note series isn't going away.According to tipster @FrontTron, the market response to the Galaxy S21 Ultra with the S Pen has been much lower than what Samsung had expected. As a result, the company is said to be "discussing" bringing back the Galaxy Note series next year. This doesn't come as a surprise since Samsung has already announced plans to launch a new Galaxy Note in 2022.I...

Great sound. A lovely design. Excellent price.The Amazon Echo needs no introduction at this point. What started off as an experimental invite-only gadget back in late 2014 has since become the most popular family of smart speakers on the market, with Amazon crushing competition from Google and Apple without breaking a sweat.It's become a tradition that we get new Echo hardware every year, with one of the latest entries in the series being the Amazon Echo (4th Gen). It's the new middle child in between the Echo Dot and Echo Studio, and with a retail price of just $100, it's packing a ton of value.There's nothing about the Amazon Echo (4th Gen) that'll make you an Alexa convert if you still don't like how the virtual helper works compared to something like Google Assistant, but for existing Alexa fans or anyone that's been wanting to finally jump on the bandwagon, this is one of the best speakers you can buy right now.Amazon Echo (4th Gen) review:Price and availabilityWha...

In a commoditized smartphone market, photography is the key area to make phones exciting again.We're a long way removed from the smartphone boom of the early 2010s, and handset sales have plateaued since the latter part of that decade. Phones in general are commoditized to the point where it's pretty hard to buy a bad one unless you're spending absolute bargain bin money. At the high end, you can throw a rock and hit an excellent handset.But that doesn't mean phones are boring. In fact, there's one area of high-end smartphone tech that's never been more exciting: photography.You can find a great smartphone camera anywhere Shots from the Galaxy S21 Ultra.The gold standard for smartphone photography in 2021 is Samsung's Galaxy S21 Ultra. It's one of the best Android phones of the moment and has one of the best Android cameras, with a gigantic main image sensor that can pull light and color from areas that appear pitch black to the naked eye. Plus, the dual telephoto lense...

Whether the weather you need to weather is coming by land or by sea, we're here to help you prepare for it.Hurricane Season is back again, and tornadoes and flash flooding can strike during any season. While we don't yet have the technology to stop powerful storms from wreaking havoc, we do have the technology to help prepare us for them. Your trusty Android phone is a tool that helps you through most major events in your life, and severe weather is no exception, so long as you properly prep your phone and have a plan in place to follow with it. We are here to help you, so let's batten down the hatches and get the barn doors shut with the best weather apps, services, and accessories.Severe Weather and Android:Weather EssentialsSevere Weather AccessoriesBlizzards and Winter StormsHurricanesTornadoes and Severe ThunderstormsWeather EssentialsRegardless of the kind of weather you'll face when you step outside your door, there are some weather essentials everyone sh...

With all of the streaming, gaming, and working we do from home these days, it's never been more important to have a reliable internet connection. If you've experience drop outs or dead zones, or just have a bunch of devices and smart home gear on your network at all times, then you ought to invest in a mesh networking system for broader coverage.Eero mesh Wi-Fi systems are some of the most popular and widely regarded as some of the best mesh Wi-Fi routers on the market, but you don't have to pay full price to get set up. Here are the best Eero deals out there.Eero Mesh Wi-Fi Systems | 15% off at AmazonEero's home Wi-Fi system was named #1 on Android Central's list of best mesh Wi-Fi systems in 2019 and for good reason. Today's deal at Amazon could score you the Eero Mesh Wi-Fi Router for $67, or grab a multipack to save even more.15% off at AmazonWhether you're looking for a basic mesh Wi-Fi system, upgrading to an Eero Pro system, or just want to add some extra cov...

The 5G-enabled version of the Moto G Stylus will be exclusive to the U.S. market.What you need to knowMotorola could soon roll out a 5G version of the Moto G Stylus (2021).The specs of the upcoming phone are yet to be revealed. Aside from a redesigned quad-camera setup on the back, the 5G version will look fairly similar to the Moto G Stylus (2021).The Moto G Stylus (2021), which was launched in January this year, is one of the best Android phones in Motorola's current Moto G lineup. A new leak suggests Motorola is gearing up to launch a new version of the Moto G Stylus with 5G connectivity and a slightly tweaked design.Motorola already sells two budget 5G phones in the U.S.: One 5G and One 5G Ace. It is likely that the upcoming Moto G Stylus 5G will be positioned below the two One series phones as the company's most affordable 5G offering. According to Nils Ahrensmeier from TechnikNews, the upcoming Moto G Stylus 5G will be sold only in the U.S.Motorola Moto g Stylus 5...

Ray tracing and variable rate shading are coming to Samsung phones.What you need to knowAMD announced that it will bring its RDNA2 tech to the mobile segment for the first time.The tech will debut later in the year on Samsung's upcoming Exynos platform. AMD says it will deliver ray tracing and variable rate shading on phones. At Computex 2021, AMD CEO Lisa Su announced key details for its RDNA2 architecture. The graphics architecture forms the basis for AMD's RX 6000 GPUs and powers the latest gaming consoles — both the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X feature RDNA2 chips — and AMD is now bringing the platform to new form factors.AMD has announced that RDNA2 tech will be integrated into Tesla's Model X and Model S. Tesla's cars have an embedded Ryzen chipset already, and they will be getting a discrete RDNA2 GPU that unlocks AAA gaming — in your car. Su notes that the RDNA2 chip coming to Teslas will deliver up to 10TFLOPs of compute, which is on par with the 10.28TF...

Android 11 is coming to more and more phones every day.The stable version of Android 11 was released a few months ago, and while it isn't the most revolutionary update we've ever seen, there are plenty of reasons to get excited about it. Whether you're looking forward to the new conversation notifications, chat bubbles for messaging apps, or the upgraded permission handling, it may be a while before you can actually start messing around with all of these software goodies.The update is available for the Pixels and select OnePlus phones, while the Galaxy S20 and Note 20 lineups have also received their One UI 3.0 update, which is based on Android 11. We've rounded up all of the current info to help give you a better idea of when Android 11 will arrive on your device.The timelines change based on manufacturer and region, but the list below should give you a broad overview of when to expect the Android 11 update on your phone.Jump to:Google PixelSamsungOnePlusXiaomiOPPO...

Now more than ever, it's important to use energy wisely, so we've compiled a list of the best energy monitoring smart plugs available right now. Smart plugs are the best and most convenient smart home accessories for controlling devices around your home. Most typically work with both Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa and can turn almost any lamp or small appliance into a smart device you can control with your phone or just your voice. We've highlighted the best smart plugs that go the extra mile and offer energy monitoring features that let you track how much energy your favorite devices and appliances draw so that you can make the best purchase decision for your household.It's all in the nameTopGreener Heavy-Duty Smart Wi-Fi PlugStaff PickThis plug from TopGreener excels at what it does. It's a little chunkier than others on this list, meaning it will cover both outlets when plugged into a wall. However, it requires no hub for setup — just a 2.4Ghz Wi-Fi connection and...

Apps like Sharedr will no longer be able to replace the default share dialog.What you need to knowThird-party apps will not be allowed to replace the Android share menu in Android 12.You will no longer be able to set apps like Sharedr as the default. Google says it never intended to allow third-party apps to replace the official Sharesheet. One of Android 12's biggest highlights is the new Material You design language, which brings major changes to nearly every key UI component. Android 12 will also introduce a major change to the way users share links and photos, according to a report from XDA Developers.On Android 11, Google allows third-party apps and OEMs to fully customize the Android Sharesheet, which is the reason why the share dialog differs from one app to another. It is even possible to completely bypass the official Android Sharesheet by setting an app like Sharedr as the default Sharesheet. In addition to providing a more consistent experience, Sharedr also ge...

An already good entertainment device finally gets productive.Amazon has been busy churning out a whole host of new devices and upgrades to existing devices over the past several months. Earlier this year, I reviewed the excellent Echo Buds (2nd Gen), and even the fantastic Echo Frames (2nd Gen), have since been updated to include options with sunglass and blue light filtering lenses. In early May, we also learned that Amazon was refreshing the Echo Show 5 and Echo Show 8 and that it was even rolling out its first Echo Show for kids.While newer and more novel products like the ones mentioned above often see a faster update cycle, more mature devices like Kindle e-readers and Fire tablets go longer between new versions. In fact, the last update to the Fire HD 10 line was back in 2019, so, understandably, Amazon was ready to reinvigorate its flagship tablet. Not only did it update the specs and colors on the Fire HD 10, but it also gave us a second version in the Fire HD 10 Plus.A...

Facebook-like emoji reactions are also coming to Twitter.What you need to knowTwitter is working on a new feature to help further reduce misinformation on its platform.It could soon introduce three levels of misinformation warning labels. Twitter is also testing emoji reactions similar to Facebook. In March last year, Twitter introduced warning labels with an aim to fight misinformation on its platform. While the labels were initially limited to coronavirus misinformation, they were later expanded to misleading tweets about elections in the U.S. App sleuth Jane Manchun Wong has now discovered that Twitter is working on three levels of misinformation warning labels.Twitter is working on three levels of misinformation warning labels:“Get the latest”, “Stay Informed” and “Misleading” pic.twitter.com/0RdmMsRAEk— Jane Manchun Wong (@wongmjane) May 31, 2021As per the screenshot shared by Wong, tweets that contain misinformation will be labeled as "Misleading" ...

It is a rebranded version of the Realme GT Neo launched in China earlier this year.What you need to knowRealme has launched a new mid-range Android phone in India.The Realme X7 Max 5G features a 120Hz AMOLED display and a 6nm Dimensity 1200 chipset.It will go on sale in India from June 4 for a starting price of ₹26,999 ($370). Back in March, Realme unveiled its first Dimensity 1200-powered phone in China, dubbed the GT Neo. The company has now launched the phone in India as the Realme X7 Max 5G to take on the best Android phones from OnePlus, Samsung, and Xiaomi in the mid-range segment.The Realme X7 Max 5G arrives with a 6.43-inch AMOLED display that offers an impressive 120Hz refresh rate and includes a hole-punch cutout for a 16MP selfie camera in the top-left corner. The display also covers 100% of the DCI-P3 color gamut and has a high 360Hz touch sampling rate. Realme has paired the Dimensity 1200 chipset inside the X7 Max 5G with up to 12GB of RAM and 256GB of UFS...