Latest from Android Central

Google's search choice screen is getting a little more equitable.What you need to knowGoogle's auction based search choice system is going away after backlash from rival search companies.In replacement, a system that includes up to 12 search englines will come into play on new Android devices.This change is rolling out from September 1.Google will be altering its search choice screen for Android users in Europe. From September 1, users will be able to see an expanded list of up to twelve search services. Previously, the company offered four choices, each one based on an auction.Google is retiring the auction as a result of feedback from both the European Commission and search companies, instead opting to promote the top 5 search services in each eligible country, that is, the European Economic Area and the United Kingdom. It will now display the top five most popular search services in each applicable country, followed by up to seven other eligible services in a randomi...

The new Sony WF-1000XM4 launch with a smaller footprint and a big price tag.What you need to knowThe new Sony WF-1000XM4 earbuds have launched with a new design and improvements over their predecessor.The earbuds feature enhanced ANC and High-Resolution Audio Wireless with LDAC support thanks to Sony's new V1 chip.The Sony WF-1000XM4 retail for $280 and can be ordered online now.Roughly two years after the launch of its last flagship wireless earbuds, Sony has finally unveiled the new WF-1000XM4. The earbuds represent a major design change from the Sony WF-1000XM3 while improving many features.The earbuds and included charging case feature a more compact design than the XM3s. Sony says the buds are 10% smaller, and the case is a whopping 40% smaller. But the size reduction doesn't come at the expense of premium features or battery life, and that's largely thanks to Sony's new V1 Integrated Processor.The WF-1000XM4 have improved ANC with dual microphones on either earb...

Bose is known not only for comfortable headphones, but for excellent sound quality, so getting a pair of the best Bose headphones might be worth the investment. Bose's Noise Canceling Headphones 700 are the company's most innovative option to date. They feature 11 different steps of active noise cancelation, great battery life with up to 20 hours on a single charge, USB-C charging, and solid sound quality.Best overall: Bose Noise Canceling Headphones 700The Bose Noise Canceling Headphones 700 aren't the newest headphones the company has to offer, but they're still, by far, the most innovative.The headlining feature here are the NCH 700s' active noise-cancelation (ANC) capabilities. The outgoing Bose QC35 II had solid ANC but were clearly showing their age. However, the NCH 700 now feature some of the best ANC available on the market today. With new ANC algorithms, they're able to block out nearly all bass/low-end noise and a decent amount of midrange and treble. They also fea...

For some, card games are the ultimate way to relax. Killing time on your morning commute or unwinding at the end of your day playing cards can now all happen on your phone, which is fantastic. You can play solo games, connect with friends or random online opponents over classic card games, or dive into fantasy card games of every kind.Here are some of our favorites now available for Android. When you're all wrapped up here, be sure to check out our best Android games!The gamesMicrosoft Solitaire CollectionGin RummyUno!Exploding KittensEvil Apples: You Against HumanityCard ThiefReigns: Her MajestyHearthstoneAscensionGwentLegends of RuneterraShelter FreeRWBY: Amity ArenaYu-Gi-Oh! Duel LinksStar RealmsShards of InfinitySlay the SpireMicrosoft Solitaire CollectionMicrosoft single-handedly made Solitare a household name by including it with every version of Windows since 1990. You can now keep yourself distracted on the go with the Microsoft Solitaire C...

Captured in Fidelity Mode.You can't save the day without a little help from friends.As one of the PS5's biggest exclusives so far, Ratchet and Clank: Rift Apart takes the hardware to new levels. This was already evident in its early trailers and gameplay footage, showcasing what the lightning-fast SSD could do for its world and its interdimensional adventure hopping. It's even more pronounced after spending nearly 20 hours with it. Insomniac is at its best here, coming off the already successful releases of Spider-Man and Spider-Man: Miles Morales the past few years.To provide some context on my experience with the series, I played the original Ratchet and Clank on PS2 but haven't picked up the series since. Despite taking place after the events of Into the Nexus and the 2016 game, Rift Apart is very accessible to newcomers. I had no issue jumping in, and it stands as an excellent starting point if this is your first Ratchet and Clank game.With hyper-realistic masterpieces lik...

OnePlus announces yet another stripped-down Nord.What you need to knowOnePlus today shared more on the OnePlus Nord CE 5G, a stripped-down version of the OnePlus Nord.It's set to come to Europe and India for an affordable price. An official launch will reveal everything on June 10.OnePlus today introduced the OnePlus Nord Core Edition, following up on its OnePlus Nord N200 reveal yesterday via an exclusive shared to TechRadar. The OnePlus Nord CE aims to replicate the core of the original Nord, one of the best cheap Android phones in 2020. Of course, OnePlus will also be cutting down on many of the specs to accomplish this.Down from a quad lens, OnePlus will have a triple-lens layout at the rear. With two of the Nord's lenses being more or less useless though, this is doesn't quite matter. Instead, what does matter is that the company will keep a powerful main shooter, and likely an ultra-wide. TechRadar speculates it may have a depth or a macro shooter of some unknown re...

Like many of its A-series brethren, Samsung Galaxy A42 5G offers a lot of value for money. The mid-range smartphone includes a massive 6.6-inch display, a 5,000mAh battery, quad-camera setup, and most importantly, 5G connectivity, all for just under $400. That said, like any modern smartphone, the Galaxy A42 5G also needs a case to survive the rigors of everyday use. There are quite a few of them available out there, so to help you decide, we've rounded up some of the best Samsung Galaxy A42 5G cases.Best overallSpigen Rugged ArmorStaff PickSpigen's Rugged Armor is made from flexible TPU material and uses "Air Cushion" technology to absorb impact, thus protecting your Galaxy A42 5G from bumps and falls. The case features raised lips around the corners for shielding the display from damage, and its precise cutouts allow easy access to all the ports.$11 at AmazonBest slim profileOtterbox Symmetry SeriesEasily one of the best Galaxy A42 5G cases in the market, ...

VR lens manufacturers are gearing up for huge orders from Facebook and Sony.What you need to knowBoth Facebook and Sony's next-generation VR headsets will launch in 2022, based on supply chain orders for lenses.These new lenses are more advanced and will cost more to produce, which should deliver greater clarity and a wider field of view.Kuo estimates that 8-9 million Quest 2's will be shipped in 2021, while Facebook will be shipping 18-20 million VR headsets in 2022.While we'll still be busy playing the best Quest 2 games well into the next year, VR lens factories will be working to build even better hardware than we have right now. As the Oculus Quest 2 enters its second year of existence, supply chain analysts believe we will see an Oculus Quest 3 hit the shelves. That, or an Oculus Quest Pro, depending on what Facebook's headset strategy turns out to be.Meanwhile, the same Taiwanese lens manufacturer, Yujingguang, will also be working on orders for Sony's PlayStation ...

After making her debut in the 25th season of The Bachelor, Katie Thurston is back but this time she'll be doing the choosing and we have all the details on how you can watch season 17 of The Bachelorette on TV or online.Just a year after The Bachelor debuted on ABC, the network created a spinoff series called The Bachelorette in 2003 that would give female contestants a chance to do the choosing when it came to finding a husband among 25 bachelors.While Chris Harrison hosted the show from its first season all the way up to season 16, he has decided to take a step back this season and now former Bachelorettes Taysia Adams and Kaitlyn Bristowe will be doing the honor.During her time on The Bachelor, Katie made a name for herself by standing up against bullying and negativity in the house which led to fans of the show across America applauding her for speaking up for what she believes. The 30-year-old Washington native will now have her pick of 29 lucky potential suitors as well a...

The Galaxy Z Fold 3 could be priced around $1,600 in the U.S.What you need to knowSamsung's next foldables could be more affordable than expected.The top-of-the-line Galaxy Z Fold 3 will reportedly be up to $400 less expensive than its predecessor. Samsung's Galaxy Z Flip 3, on the other hand, is tipped to be priced at around $1,100. Samsung's upcoming Galaxy Z Fold 3 and Galaxy Z Flip 3 foldables could be significantly more affordable than their predecessors, according to a report from SamMobile. The publication claims both devices will be "up to 20% cheaper" than last year's models.If the report is to be believed, the Galaxy Z Fold 3 would be priced somewhere around $1,600 in the U.S. The Galaxy Z Flip 3, on the other hand, could start at $1,100. The lower prices should help make foldable phones a lot more popular, although it could still take a long time for foldables to become truly mainstream. Along with lower prices, Samsung is said to be planning to offer "generous...

AT&T subscribers who take advantage of this deal can also snag a Stadia controller and Chromecast Ultra for $20.What you need to knowAT&T Fiber and 5G customers can get 6 months of Stadia Pro for free.Stadia Pro comes with free games every month, such as MotoGP20 and Chronos: Before the Ashes.Customers that sign up for Stadia Pro can buy a Stadia Controller and Chromecast Ultra bundle for $19.99.Many of the best cell phone plans come with some extra perks like Netflix or HBO Max but starting June 9, 2021, AT&T is putting the focus on gamers with Stadia. Paired with one of its fiber optic home internet plans or 5G wireless unlimited plans, AT&T is offering customers six months of Stadia Pro for free with the option to buy a Stadia controller and Chromecast Ultra for just $19.99.This is open to existing wireless customer that upgrade to a 5G phone or new customers that add a 5G phone. New fiber internet customers and existing home internet customers that upg...

The penultimate video chatting speaker.May 2021 saw a whole host of updates and refreshes to Amazon's product lineup, from a new Fire HD 10 tablet, to a second tier of Fire Kids Pro devices, to updates to the Amazon Halo band and service. All of this is no doubt clearing its older devices from the decks in preparation for Prime Day 2021, where we're bound to see some impressive discounts on all Amazon devices (likely including this latest Echo Show).When I first saw the spec sheet and read the relatively minor updates to the Echo Show 8 (2nd Gen), I knew that I'd still like the device, but I didn't think I'd be overly impressed with it as a refreshed product. After using the near paradigm-busting Echo Show 10 (3rd Gen) and experiencing its show-stopping features like its rotating display and impressive speaker array, the updates offered on the new Show 8 felt like a sad trombone 'wah wah.' However, as I sat down to write this Echo Show 8 (2nd Gen) review after a few days of using...

JBL isn't as popular as it once was, but the brand still makes some great headphones and other audio products, especially at reasonable price points. The JBL Live 660NC are our best overall pick for having excellent sound, battery life, and comfort. But we've gathered a handful of other reliable options for different budgets and lifestyles to ensure you get your hands on the best JBL headphones for your needs.Best overall: JBL Live 660NCThe JBL Live 660NC are an incremental upgrade from their 650 predecessors, so a lot of what was already there will be easy to find here. One of the main draws was battery life, and that continues to be a focus with the 660NC by raising it to up to 40 hours of playback per charge with ANC on.Not only that, but in a nod to attract a wider subset of users, JBL tweaked the default sound signature to feel more neutral, so the heavier bass presence is something you'll have to bring in via JBL's My Headphones app. Sound quality benefits, as a result,...

The Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro are the latest to top our list of the best true wireless earbuds and, today only, you can score them at a $40 discount at Woot. Down to $159.99 in phantom black, this is the lowest we've seen them go since their release earlier this year.Unlike a lot of Woot deals, these earbuds are offered brand new, though it's worth noting a 90-day Woot warranty is included rather than a manufacturer's warranty.Our Galaxy Buds Pro review said these earbuds "made almost every necessary improvement over the Buds Plus — better sound, more comfortable fit, improved design, sweat-resistant waterproofing and, best of all, active noise cancelation."Let's start with the active noise cancellation. You can activate it with just a tap of your finger. The system has both a high and low mode so you can choose just how much noise you want to cancel out. Plus you can download the Wearable app on your Android phone and get even more customization.The earbuds are also IPX7 rat...

Everyone knows Android security sucks, right? Not so fast — we've come a long way in the past decade.There's been plenty of FUD — fear, uncertainty and doubt — spread surrounding Android phone security over the years. And I'll be honest: in the early days, much of it was well deserved. The fragmented nature of Android, the sheer amount of stuff that required a full firmware upgrade in order to change, and the reticence of phone makers to roll out those updates meant that Android phones were more susceptible to security issues than the iPhone.Ten years ago if a major iPhone security vulnerability was discovered, Apple could quickly patch its entire ecosystem. On Android you could be left waiting months, if a fix ever made it to your device. For an Android security issue to be addressed in 2011, new code first had to be pushed out by Google, then integrated into your phone's firmware by the manufacturer and eventually signed off by your carrier. That's not an ideal sequence o...

Xbox Game Pass's cloud gaming option on Android (also known as xCloud or Xbox Cloud Streaming) has been steadily expanding ever since Game Pass launched. At the time of writing, you can play over 250 games on your Android device if you're a Game Pass Ultimate subscriber — check out our list of the best games. So if you want to turn your Android phone or tablet into a Game Pass machine, here are a few of the things that will make your gameplay experience better.Best controller attachmentRazer KishiStaff PickSome of the games on Game Pass work with touch controls, but for versatility, it's always best to get a controller of some kind. Assuming you're playing on a phone or a phone-sized device, then you can't go wrong with the Razer Kishi. This attachment turns your phone into a Switch-like handheld, has a USB passthrough for charging purposes, and also folds into a small device for easy storage when you're on the move.$100 at Amazon $64 at Best Buy $100 at Microsoft...

The outage lasted for nearly an hour.What you need to knowA number of popular websites were down on Tuesday morning due to an issue with Fastly's content delivery network (CDN).Fastly has identified the issue and global services have been restored. Amazon, Twitter, Reddit, and Google were among the websites that were affected by the massive outage. Amazon, Google, Reddit, Twitter, Facebook, and several other popular websites were offline for nearly an hour on Tuesday morning due to a massive outage. As per DownDetector, the outages started around 5:30 AM ET.A number of popular news websites such as CNN, the Guardian, The New York Times, and The Financial Times were also hit by the outage. All of the affected websites displayed the "Error 503 Service Unavailable" message.The outage was caused due to an issue with Fastly's CDN services. Fastly says it has identified the issue and applied a fix to restore all services: The issue has been identified and a fix has been ...

While Amazon has approached Sidewalk, an endeavor in connecting smart devices to a neighborhood mesh Wi-Fi, in a "sophisticated way" with privacy in mind, experts are still wary of how effective this project will be from a security standpoint.Amazon announced last week that customers have until June 8 to opt-out of its latest project to keep smart devices connected at all times by using a mesh Wi-Fi system. If you don't want to participate here's how to opt-out on Echo devices and Ring devices.The program, which was initially announced in September 2019, uses a low-bandwidth shared network that will use part of your home Wi-Fi to connect to Amazon Echo devices, Ring security camera and lights, and Tile Bluetooth trackers. The mesh Wi-Fi is helpful when your device loses connection, at which point it will automatically connect to the neighborhood Wi-Fi over the 900Mhz channel.According to the company's privacy and security whitepaper, the project was "carefully designed" with pr...

Familiar takeGoogle Pixel Buds A-Series$99 at Best BuyProsSame sound quality for lessIntegration with Android and Google AssistantLightweight build and comfy fitSame size caseFast chargingConsNo swipe gesturesNo wireless charging caseNo change in battery lifeStill no active noise cancelationGoogle brought its Pixel Buds back, only instead of an improved sequel, it opted for a more affordable variant of its existing Pixel Buds. The A-Series pair leave a few things behind, but the major pieces are still in place, and that's what makes them such an attractive target for your ears.Original makeGoogle Pixel Buds$130 at Best Buy $129 at B&HProsGood soundWireless charging case & USB-C wired chargingIntegration with Android and Google AssistantFantastic media controlsCons:Lacks active noise cancelationBattery life could be longerComfort might not be great for everyoneBass could be betterThe Pixel Buds were Google's first at...

Jaybird adds the right pieces to make the Vista 2 really compelling.It's been almost two years since Jaybird launched its original Vista wireless earbuds, and in the intervening time, they've held up well, even among the best wireless earbuds on the market. The Vista 2 follow the same path, only add the extras you would now expect from a pair at this price.The physical dimensions and additional features benefit from the key to what makes these earbuds sound the way you want them to, and that's the Jaybird app.Jaybird Vista 2 review:Price and availabilityWhat's good What's not goodThe competitionShould you buy?Jaybird Vista 2 Bottom line: When it comes to rugged resolve, it's hard to look past the Jaybird Vista 2 and their ability to not only keep playing in tougher conditions, but to also give you a lot of con...

The M3 Pro 5G is POCO's first M series phone with a high-refresh-rate display.What you need to knowThe POCO M3 Pro 5G is now official in India.It is based on Xiaomi's Redmi Note 10 5G. The phone made its debut in Europe last month. Xiaomi's POCO sub-brand launched an affordable new 5G phone in Europe, dubbed the POCO M3 Pro 5G. POCO has now launched the phone in India to take on Samsung's Galaxy M42 5G and Realme 8 5G.The POCO M3 Pro 5G is based on Xiaomi's Redmi Note 10 5G, but comes with a slightly tweaked design that helps set it apart from the best cheap Android phones. It sports a 6.5-inch FHD+ LCD display with a 90Hz refresh rate and a centered hole-punch cutout for the 8MP selfie camera.Powering the POCO M3 Pro 5G is MediaTek's 7nm Dimensity 700 chipset, which has been coupled with 6GB of LPDDR4X RAM and up to 128GB of UFS 2.2 storage. Around the back of the phone is a triple-camera setup featuring a 48MP main sensor, a 2MP macro lens, and a 2MP depth sensor....

We have reviewed a bunch of VPN services and ExpressVPN is our top pick for just about everyone. It earned a full 5 stars in our review, we are constantly praising the customer service, speeds, reliability, and more multiples times, but all of that comes with a price. ExpressVPN is definitely one of the more expensive VPN services compared to its competitors, but you can still score a great deal if you know where to look.ExpressVPN has more than 3,000 servers that span across 160 different locations in 94 countries, so there's no shortage of options when you are looking to spoof your location. You can check all the locations and make sure that the one you want is available before signing up.Today's best ExpressVPN dealWhen it comes to VPN deals there is no shortage of great options out there. We've already covered all of the top VPN services that are out there, but just because something is great doesn't mean that you have to pay too much money for it. ExpressVPN may not be the c...

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

Regardless of how you feel about YouTube comments, it's a pretty handy feature.What you need to knowUsers have reported seeing a new layout for YouTube comments.The layout appears when users switch to a fullscreen view of a video, with comments appearing in a scrollable side panel.The layout appears to be available for only a limited number of users, suggesting it could be part of an A/B test.YouTube has been working on improving its comment section on the best Android phones, and the latest look shows how the app might plan to incorporate comments while viewing a full-screen video.Multiple users have reported a "bug" (via Android Police) in the YouTube app that shows the comment section in a scrollable side panel while in landscape mode. The panel appears to allow users to hide or bring up the comment section at will, with the video adjusting in size to accommodate.The transition looks fairly smooth and provides an uninterrupted viewing experience for anyone brave en...

Apple just built a window into a walled garden.Ah, FaceTime. Just as the name iPad is often used in place of a tablet, FaceTime has become synonymous with video calling someone. That changed a bit in 2020 when people began using Zoom for their daily needs and, it seems, Apple has noticed the shift. Zoom isn't just used for meetings, though; I've used it personally when video calling long-distance family or friends, and certainly an unknowable number of times during the pandemic for just about every event you could think of.One of Zoom's biggest advantages over FaceTime is its ability to use it on every single platform in existence. Basically, if your platform of choice can connect to the Internet, you can use Zoom. But Apple's latest attempt at aping its competition is about as half-hearted as it gets. The big news, of course, is that FaceTime is coming to Android! Queue celebration until you realize just how limited FaceTime on Android — or any other non-Apple platform, for th...

While just about every phone takes advantage of USB-C these days, having the best micro-USB cable is still important. Just take a look around, and you'll quickly notice that many of your accessories and other peripherals still rely on that old charger to fill up. Many probably already have a box filled with old cables, but some don't have that luxury and need to find an alternative. Grabbing one of these micro-USB cables is perfect for those who want to throw one in a bag to use with the best power banks. Or maybe you want to grab the best family charging station and need to make sure everyone has the right cables. Whatever the case, here are the best micro-USB cables you can buy!I have the power!Anker PowerLine+ Micro-USB (6ft)Staff PickMade of Kevlar — the same stuff that bulletproof vests are made from — Anker boasts that this durable cable has a 10,000 bend lifespan, which customers appear to confirm.From $13 at Amazon $10 at WalmartMulti-colored multi-packs...

Big on speedTP-Link Deco M9 Plus$200 at Best BuyProsFast AC2200 Wi-Fi speedsTri-band Wi-Fi keeps mesh speed highTwo gigabit Ethernet portsZigBee smart home hubHomeCare software includedConsMore expensiveThe TP-Link M9 Plus offers great specs in a tiny package. This white plastic puck can use its tri-band Wi-Fi to create a fast mesh network at high speeds, even when connected to a mesh point. The Deco M9 makes a great start to a mesh network, and the inclusion of two Ethernet ports on each node makes upgrading your home network a breeze.Big on valueTP-Link Deco M5$153 at AmazonProsAC1300 speeds are enough for standard browsingSmall footprintGreat priceTwo gigabit Ethernet portsHomeCare software includedConsDual-band will hamper mesh performancePunching well above its weight in performance, the TP-Link Deco M5 surprises with its snappy AC1300 Wi-Fi speeds and mesh capabilities. The small package and expandability with other Deco p...

A shared design story that continues even after both companies have split.What you need to knowHonor today announced the launch date of the Honor 50.It'll be debuting in Shanghai on June 16th.Honor also shared a render of the device, showing off its color options and a design similar to the Huawei P0Honor is preparing to launch its first flagship after breaking away from Huawei last year, the company announced today. The Honor 50 series will be making an entrance on June 16th in Shanghai.It'll be available in four colors; black, green, pink, and silver. Honor also touts the design's "hypercurved" screen and 100W super-fast charging support. It'll also be powered by Qualcomm's Snapdragon 778 chip, though reports are floating of Pro and Pro Plus models with either the Snapdragon 870 or 888. Huawei's P40 and a P40 Pro and a P40 Pro Plus, so Honor sticking with that structure makes sense. What sticks out a lot, though, is the company's choice of camera lenses. It's a design ...

The best Android tablet available right now is the Samsung Galaxy Tab S7. It has a big screen, high-end specs, tons of features, a stylus, and support for a full keyboard. It's pricey and not the right pick for someone who prefers a smaller, more portable tablet). Still, as an all-around device, it can't be beaten. For those who have different needs (or budgets), there are a few other picks that work just well for media consumption and won't break the bank.What are the best Android tablets?There's a lot more to a tablet than just its display, but it's hard to deny what an important role that particular spec plays. The Galaxy Tab S7 has one of the most impressive displays on any device we've used. It's able to get extremely bright and even bears support for Samsung's S Pen stylus. Of course, the Tab S7 also packs incredibly powerful specs elsewhere, and you can even buy a 5G-capable variant for a bit more money.If you really want to go the extra mile, Samsung's larger and pricier ...

The Galaxy S21 Ultra is one of the biggest and most powerful Galaxys ever, as well as being the first to work with the S Pen, traditionally reserved for the Note line. Given its size and heft, you need to protect your investment with a secure case that adds grip and style. The best Galaxy S21 Ultra cases are right here, whether you're after a clear case to show off the Ultra's design or a durable tank to keep it safe and secure.Colorful and durableCaseology Nano PopStaff PickAfter two years of the Nano Pop being exclusive to iPhones, it's finally coming to Samsung phones with the S21 series. The Blueberry Navy with its yellow accents is striking and classic, and the impact-absorbing pattern embedded in the back gives you slim protection. I wish the Ultra has gotten the Violet the smaller S21s have, but the colors here are still fun.From $16 at Amazon $16 at WalmartReady to work hardArmadilloTek Vanguard Series for S21 UltraThe S21 Ultra is made for productivity, s...

FaceTime invite links breaks down Apple's walled garden just a bit.What you need to knowApple just announced new FaceTime invite links so users can join a chat from anywhere.The links are available for Android and web users to access a FaceTime video call.The new feature will arrive with iOS 15 and was announced during WWDC 2021.Apple has shown off several new features arriving in FaceTime. One notable feature includes new invite links that allow users to join a video call from almost anywhere. This opens up FaceTime video calls to users on the best Android phones and the web.FaceTime was previously only available for users on iPhones and Macs and will now open up to billions of users on Android and Windows thanks to iOS 15. iPhone users with iOS 15 will can create a link to a FaceTime chat and share it through the normal share sheet, meaning the link can be sent to others via apps or email.It's gleaned from the announcement that FaceTime won't be available via a dedica...

And keep an eye out for some hot takes on WWDC from Android Central!Following closely behind last month's Google I/O 2021 and Microsoft's Build conference, Apple is taking the stage to make some major announcements at WWDC 2021. The keynote is happening now, so head over to iMore.com for full coverage of the event!What to expect from WWDC 2021Unlike the Apple Spring Loaded event back in April, WWDC is focused more on software. The company is expected to announce the next major update to iOS, which will likely be iOS 15. It may not be a big overhaul like Android 12 will be for some of the best Android phones, but there could be some notable feature updates.New features could include updates to notifications and even changes to iMessage to make it more like a social network, potentially widening the feature gap between Apple and Google's messaging apps. Apple is also expected to make announcements about privacy, such as the recently announced changes to AirTags.iPadOS is also...

Ultra MobileBulk savingsFrom $15/mo. at Ultra MobileProsT-Mobile 4G LTE and 5G networkUnlimited talk, text, and dataMulti-month discountsFree mobile hotspotFree international calling and texting to 80+ countriesCons10GB mobile hotspot limit on unlimited plan40GB data cap on unlimited planUltra Mobile offers several data plans on T-Mobile's 4G LTE and 5G network to suit individual needs. Each plan includes free international calling and mobile hotspot along with unlimited talk, text, and data. If you can pay for multiple months in advance, you can save more on your bill when you sign up for three, six, or 12 months.Cricket WirelessFamily-friendlyFrom $30/mo. at Cricket WirelessProsHuge AT&T 4G LTE networkUnlimited talk, text, and data 15GB hotspot on top unlimited planMexico and Canada usage with unlimited plans Multi-line discountsCons5G access only included with top unlimited planMobile hotspot not included with all plans D...

Android 12's ripple animation has been reported as a "bug" by several users.What you need to knowGoogle has decided to tone down Android 12's ripple animation for taps.A large number of users who installed the Android 12 beta have reported the animation as a bug due to its pixelated nature.The ripple effect will be more subtle and less distracting in the second Android 12 beta. Google's first Android 12 beta, which was released last month, packs a number of significant design changes that make it a lot more dynamic than previous Android versions. While the vast majority of the "Material You" changes have gone down well with users, there are a few that haven't. One such change is the new ripple effect that appears whenever you tap on a UI element.A number of users who installed the first Android 12 beta found the ripple effect to be distracting and believed that it was a "graphical glitch." There are also a few users who claim the ripple doesn't glitch on their devices, ...

Coming June 23 — way to get it in just under the wire, Google.What you need to knowOver half a year after launching the Chromecast with Google TV, you'll finally be able to officially play Stadia games on it.On June 23, Stadia comes to the Chromecast with Google TV and a half-dozen Android TV devices.For non-supported Android TV devices, you'll still be able to play Stadia through an experimental opt-in.Stadia players will be able to use the Stadia controller or compatible Bluetooth controllers on Android TV.One of the most glaring holes in the Chromecast with Google TV, when it launched back in October, was that it didn't support Stadia — you still had to spend more for the four-year-old Chromecast Ultra if you wanted to use Google's streaming game service on your TV. Stadia support for the Chromecast for Google TV was slated to arrive in the first half of 2021, and we now know Google will be hitting that deadline, barely.Stadia will be supported on Android TV model...

Locked Folders finally make it to Pixel phones with the latest feature drop.What you need to knowGoogle is rolling out the latest feature drop for Pixel smartphones.The update brings a new astrophotography timelapse feature and new clipboard features in Gboard.Google Photos gains the recently announced Locked Folders feature, and more countries gain access to car crash detection.The latest feature drop for Pixel smartphones arrives today, and Google highlights the many features that are arriving with this latest update.Astro timelapseThe last feature drop introduced underwater photography for Pixels. This time, Google is taking the Pixel astrophotography feature to the next level. With the new Astrolapse feature, Pixel owners can take a video of the stars moving across the sky while the phone simultaneously captures an image using the same exposure. This gives owners of the Google Pixel 4 and later devices more ways to share their awesome night captures.You can lear...

We've rounded up the best Samsung Galaxy S21+ cases that we could find because we know how important it is to keep your prized and expensive new smartphone safe and protected for its entire lifetime. Some of these cases offer maximum protection, while others showcase that incredible Samsung style. Consider the form factor, color, and thickness that works best for you when looking for a case from this list.Exclusive to the PlusSamsung Kvadrat CoverStaff PickSamsung has been on a sustainability kick in 2021, and this lovely textured case is part of that initiative. Made entirely out of recycled PET bottles, the case not only keeps new materials out of the product stream, but it can be composted as well! The texture makes it easy and comfortable to hold while still providing protection. You can pick one up in violet or a stunning silvery gray.$35 at Amazon $35 at SamsungA pleasure to holdCaseology Parallax CaseIt's not often that you find one of the best-lookin...

This is OnePlus's cheapest 5G phone yet.What you need to knowOnePlus today shared the first concrete details of the OnePlus Nord N200 5G.It'll come to the U.S. and Canada later this year for $250.With this release, OnePlus will also fix some flaws of the earlier Nord N100, including a better display.After teasing the phone in late May, the company today announced (via an interview with PCMag), the OnePlus Nord N200 5G. Little is known about the phone at ts stage, what we do know is that it offers 5G, that it has a 90Hz smooth display, and that it'll be pretty cheap at $250. The screen will get slightly smaller at 6.49-inches, but it'll be a lot better in quality with a new 1080p display. The display was one of the weakest points of OnePlus's older Nord N100, so it's great to see it being tackled with this new model.The company also shared a render showing the camera layout. OnePlus will equip the phone with a hole punch front-facing camera and a triple rear camera layout....

New and exciting PS4 releases seem to come out each month, giving dedicated gamers plenty of worlds to choose from. With the PS5 officially here, fans now keep track of multiple new releases and updates more than ever. Fortunately, we've gathered all of the best titles and listed other worthy games for you to consider. Here are all the PS4 and PS5 releases to look out for this June.★ Dimension hopping: June 11Ratchet & Clank: Rift ApartStaff PickOne of the first massive releases for the PlayStation 5 hits this month when Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart lands and gives players the chance to dive into some true, next-gen technology. After being separated from each other, Ratchet must try and rescue his longtime best friend, Clank. This time, though, players will be hopping across various dimensions via rifts globally, as the game will utilize the PS5's processing and solid-state drives to give fans some incredible gameplay.$70 at AmazonJune 10Final Fantasy VII...

Google apparently abused its power to further increase its dominant position in the online advertising market.What you need to knowThe French Competition Authority has slapped Google with a €220 million ($267 million) fine for abusing its dominance in the digital advertising market.The regulator has accused the search giant of unfairly favoring its own ad marketplace over rivals. Google has announced that it will be making changes to its ad technology to "make it easier" for publishers to use its tools with alternative ad technologies. Google has been fined €220 million ($267 million) by the French Competition Authority for favoring its own digital advertising services over rivals. The search giant has agreed to pay the fine and also proposed a few major changes to its ad technology. The announcement comes less than a month after Italy fined Google €100 million for unfairly restricting access to Android Auto to an EV charging app.The French watchdog has alleged that...

Unreleased earbuds are apparently more alluring than ones you can buy right now.What you need to knowThis past weekend, we polled AC readers to see which wireless earbuds they were most looking forward to.More than half of the respondents said that they were eagerly anticipating the rumored Sony-WF10000XM4s.A second rumored pair, the Galaxy Buds 2, came in second place, with two already-announced devices rounding out the poll.This past week the reviews for Google's much anticipated Pixel A earbuds started to trickle out, with some saying they were Google's answer to Apple's entry-level AirPods. While our review of these buds is coming soon, we wanted to see which of the best wireless earbuds that you, our readers, were looking most forward to purchasing in the coming months.According to a poll that we put out over the weekend, nearly 55% of you said that you would be grabbing the Sony WF-100XM4 wireless earbuds if, and when, they become available. The next choice among re...

A compact tri-band mesh system with gigabit speeds.Mesh systems like the TP-Link Deco X68 have benefited more from Wi-Fi 6 and tri-band Wi-Fi than just about all other applications. The expanded speed capabilities that come with Wi-Fi 6 can improve the mesh performance even when the devices you're using only support Wi-Fi 5 or older. Adding an extra 5GHz band dedicated to the mesh link means that the mesh connection can keep up with connected devices and keep the nodes reliably connected.The Deco X68 is a compelling choice for many people, thanks to its combination of speed and coverage. It also manages to deliver its speeds without a bunch of external antennas or even a large housing. Each Deco X68 node is under seven inches tall and 4.5 inches in diameter. These nodes are not only compact, but they look nice as well with a matte white finish and a black glossy top.TP-Link Deco X68 review:Price and availabilityWhat you'll like What you won't likeThe competitionShould ...

Though Prime Day is still a couple of weeks away, Amazon has kicked off a bunch of early Prime Day deals already so you can start saving right now.As is tradition, Amazon has slashed prices across an array of its first-party products and services before the main sale has even begun. On top of that, there are discounts from third parties across a variety of categories so you can score some bargains in basically every department.Check out some of the highlights below and hit up the full sale for more Prime Day deals.Blink Mini | $15 off at AmazonPrime members can save 43% on the indoor Blink Mini camera at Amazon, dropping its price down to a new low at just $20. The 3-pack is also on sale for only $50, making each camera even cheaper.$19.99 at AmazonRing Video Doorbell Wired + Free Echo Dot (3rd Gen) | $55 off at AmazonRing's Video Doorbell Wired is available at a 25% discount and also comes with a free 3rd-gen Echo Dot. That means you're saving $55 all told fo...

This eye-opening Echo device frames Alexa in a positive light.Before you roll your eyes at another smart glasses review, just hear me out. The Amazon Echo Frames (Gen 2) may sound like another half-hearted attempt by a tech company to shove smart virtual assistants where they don't belong, further complicating and confusing our already crazy lives. But I'm here to tell you that these are actually pretty well thought out, designed, and implemented. After all, they've already been wear-tested for over a year by hundreds of nerds like me.First introduced at Amazon's fall 2019 hardware and services event, the Echo Frames were part of Amazon's Day 1 Editions program, where Amazon aims to product-test innovative designs and ideas with early adopter customers. Prime customers can request to participate in the program, and if accepted, are offered the Day 1 device at a reduced price. The only other Day 1 Edition product so far has been the Echo Loop, an Alexa-powered smart ring. The Loop...

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...

Nubia says the RedMagic 6R is a gaming phone that has been designed for everyday use.Update, June 7 (08:30 am ET): Global availability announcedWhat you need to knowNubia has announced another new flagship gaming phone.The RedMagic 6R features a 144Hz AMOLED screen, Qualcomm's Snapdragon 888 processor, and a 4,200mAh battery. It will go on sale in China from June for a starting price of 2,999 yuan ($470). ZTE's Nubia sub-brand has announced a new addition to its RedMagic 6 series family, dubbed the RedMagic 6R. The phone is primarily aimed at gamers, but doesn't have the same gaming-inspired design as the RedMagic 6 and 6 Pro phones.Nubia's new RedMagic 6R sports a 6.67-inch FHD+ AMOLED display with a 144Hz refresh rate and 360Hz touch sampling rate. Under the hood, it packs the same Snapdragon 888 chipset as the best Android phones on the market, paired with up to 12GB of LPDDR5 RAM and 256GB of UFS 3.1 storage.The RedMagic 6R has a quad-camera setup at the rear, f...

The OnePlus Nord CE 5G will be a little more affordable than last year's Nord.What you need to knowOnePlus Nord CE 5G's Indian pricing has leaked online ahead of its launch in the country on June 10.The phone could start at ₹22,999 ($316) in India. OnePlus Nord CE 5G has been confirmed to arrive with a 64MP camera and a 4,500mAh battery supporting Warp Charge 30T Plus.OnePlus is set to unveil a new Nord series phone in India this week, dubbed the Nord CE 5G. Ahead of its formal launch in the country, a new leak has revealed the phone's pricing and launch offers for the Indian market.Pricing of OnePlus Products launching @ Summer Launch Event has leaked!OnePlus Nord CE 5G Price: ₹22,999(₹1,000 discount on HDFC Bank Cards)OnePlus TV U1S:50": ₹37,99955": ₹45,99965": ₹60,999(₹2K, ₹3K & ₹4K off respectively on HDFC)Thoughts? #OnePlusNordCE5G pic.twitter.com/KMBXmgSuvt— Ishan Agarwal (@ishanagarwal24) June 7, 2021According to tipster Ishan Agarwal, t...

Xiaomi's latest flagship does not have a release date six weeks after its global launch.The Mi 11 Ultra is possibly one of the best Android phones you can buy right now. Xiaomi has nailed the basics here, delivering the latest hardware innovations combined with a 120Hz AMOLED panel, cleaner software and less bloat than previous generations, and truly incredible cameras.There's only one problem: you can't actually buy the phone. The Mi 11 Ultra made its debut in China earlier in the year and was announced for global markets a few months ago, but as of June 4, it isn't available anywhere. Instead, Xiaomi's UK, Germany, Spain, and other European sites have a Notify Me button, and there's no way to get your hands on the flagship even if you're willing to shell out the equivalent of $1,500 that Xiaomi commands for the device.Technically, Xiaomi did release the phone in the UK on May 6 — it immediately sold out — and it is entirely likely there were minimal units available for th...

Apple is rumored to launch a new iPod Touch later this year, but why?The rumor mill has been buzzing that Apple is gearing up to release a new iPod Touch this fall to celebrate 20 years since the iPod lineup launched. That may not sound too exciting for many, especially since most people own smartphones that can do more or less the same thing as an iPod Touch, but with the bonus of a cellular modem. However, I think it's a great idea for Apple to launch a new model. And even though I'm an Android kinda guy, a new iPod Touch is something that I've wanted for years.I'll start by saying that I've never owned an iPhone and probably never will. That said, I've owned quite a few iPod Touch models, up until the 6th-generation, which was released in 2015. As the iPhone and iPad exploded, the iPod line waned in relevance, especially since most of the line was dropped in 2017, leaving the iPod Touch to fend for itself. And even then, any updated versions only received hand-me-down chipsets...

The S21 FE is rumored to debut at a Galaxy Unpacked event in August.What you need to knowA new report out of South Korea claims the upcoming Samsung Galaxy S21 FE will be more affordable than its predecessor.It could start at around KRW 700,000 ($630). The Galaxy S20 FE was launched at KRW 899,800 ($810) in South Korea last year. Samsung's next 'Fan Edition' phone could be more affordable than expected, according to a new report out of South Korea. A few new renders of the upcoming phone have also surfaced, courtesy of reliable leaker Evan Blass.Herald Corp claims the Galaxy S21 FE will be priced somewhere between KRW 700,000 ($630) and KRW 800,000 ($720). For reference, last year's Galaxy S20 FE was launched at KRW 899,800 ($810) in South Korea. The information certainly doesn't come as a surprise, as the vanilla Galaxy S21 is $200 cheaper than the Galaxy S20.Since the Galaxy S21 FE is expected to be similar to the Galaxy S21 in a number of areas, the highly competitiv...