Latest from Android Central

Chatting with the AC forums.Swipe navigation gestures have been officially available on the best Android phones since Android 10, and while they are the method that many of us prefer to get around the OS, the older three-button way of doing things still has its fans.We found a couple of different threads over on the AC forums discussing this topic, so we wanted to raise it to the general Android community. jhnnyblze2000 04-01-2021 06:55 PM “ Just out of curiosity, I was wondering what everyone was using? The buttons or the gesture navigation? Reply mustang7757 04-01-2021 07:15 PM “ Gestures Reply BigMosley 04-01-2021 07:40 PM “ Gestures here too, full screen is always the better option for me. ...

The phone could debut in India and Brazil as the Moto G40 Fusion.What you need to knowOfficial renders of Motorola's upcoming Moto G20 and Moto 60 phones have surfaced.The Moto G60 will be the company's first budget phone to feature a 108MP camera. Moto G20, on the other hand, will come with quad rear cameras and a similar design to the Moto G10.Last week, Motorola introduced two new Moto G series — including the global variant of the Snapdragon 870-powered Edge S. Leaked renders of two upcoming Moto G phones have now appeared online, courtesy of tipster Abhishek Yadav.Similar to the best Motorola phones, the Moto G60 will have a relatively modern design with a centered hole-punch cutout. On the back of the phone will be a triple-camera array featuring a 108MP main sensor. It is also tipped to sport a 6.78-inch display with FHD+ resolution and a 120Hz refresh rate. The phone will apparently be powered by Qualcomm's Snapdragon 732G chipset, paired with up to 6GB of RAM a...

It started as a small enthusiast brand back in 2014, but OnePlus has quickly exploded into a mainstream hit that's responsible for making some of the best Android phones every year. If you're looking for the best OnePlus phone but aren't sure which model to get, we've got a quick list to help you decide which one is right for you!Ultimate flagshipOnePlus 9 ProStaff PickThe OnePlus 9 Pro sets a new standard for OnePlus, with the phone offering a Hasselblad-tuned camera that holds its own against the best in the industry. You also get a sublime 120Hz AMOLED display, the latest internal hardware with mmWave 5G, 65W wired and 50W wireless charging, a gorgeous new design, and bloat-free software.$1,070 at Best Buy$1,070 at Amazon$1,070 at OnePlus₹64,999 at Amazon IndiaAll about the valueOnePlus 9If you're looking for a more affordable option, the OnePlus 9 is a great choice. The phone delivers a great camera thanks to Hasselblad tuning, you get the same 65W fast c...

Amazon's redesign is long overdue.What you need to knowThe Amazon app has been spotted with a redesigned UI.The new UI features a bottom bar navigation for easier access to different tabs.The updated UI has been available on iPhones for some time but is starting to show up on Android phones.Many people have opinions about the Amazon app, and rarely are they positive. The app is functional and does everything you could need it to do, but the layout leaves a lot to be desired. A new UI has already been on iOS for some time, but it seems Android devices are finally getting the chance to experience it, according to Droid-Life.With the updated UI, the Amazon app finally rids the hidden sidebar menu and adopts a bottom navigation bar. Different tabs are present on the bar for the home screen, your account, your cart, and the menu. It's a much-improved experience and makes it easier to access the most important app elements, especially now that many of the best Android phones ar...

It only took Samsung a few months.What you need to knowThe Galaxy SmartTag+ is finally up for preorder after being announced in January.The tag features UWB for enhanced location tracking with the SmartThings Find app.Galaxy SmartTag+ will retail for $40 and ship on April 12.During Galaxy Unpacked in January, Samsung announced its first Bluetooth tracker alongside the Samsung Galaxy S21 smartphones. The Galaxy SmartTag was launched as a competitor to some of the best Bluetooth trackers on the market, but then Samsung also teased an even better version of the tracker that would be released at an unspecified date. Although without much fanfare, that date happens to be upon us, with Galaxy SmartTag+ now available for preorder.Like other Bluetooth trackers, the Galaxy SmartTag and SmartTag+ can be attached to items like backpacks, luggage, or even pets and track them with a Bluetooth signal. Samsung even has a neat crowdsourcing trick where the tag will silently ping other ne...

Dish thinks T-Mobile is rushing things.What you need to knowDish is complaining to the FCC regarding T-Mobile's shutdown of Sprint's legacy 3G CDMA network.T-Mobile is scheduled to shutter the network on January 1, 2022, earlier than the other major carriers.Dish says this move could affect 9 million Boost Mobile customers who rely on the CDMA network.Dish has a few choice words about T-Mobile. On January 1, 2022, the Magenta carrier is scheduled to shutter the 3G CDMA network inherited from the Sprint merger to refarm the spectrum for T-Mobile's own network. The move, however, took Dish by surprise and the new up-and-coming wireless carrier isn't happy about it. In a letter to the FCC (via Axios), Dish complains that the move blindsided it and that T-Mobile should wait longer.The letter argues that roughly 9 million Boost Mobile customers will be affected by the shutdown since the prepaid carrier is now owned by Dish as part of the Spring-T-Mobile merger. Dish is allowed...

Best Answer: The main difference between Paramount+ and its predecessor, CBS All Access, is its expanded media library that features a variety of CBS content and series from other ViacomCBS-owned brands, plus an expanding collection of Paramount Pictures films.Climb Mount Paramount: Paramount+ from $5.99/mo. at Paramount+Paramount+ vs. CBS All Access: ContentCBS All Access was rebranded on March 4 as Paramount+, a new and improved streaming service that came about due to Viacom and CBS merging to become ViacomCBS in 2019.Besides the name change, the main difference between the old and new platforms is the amount and variety of content you can access. While CBS All Access was limited to content that aired on the CBS network, the new Paramount+ features your favorite CBS series, as well as new and nostalgic selections from BET, Comedy Central, MTV, Nickelodeon, and Smithsonian Channel.The new Paramount+ streaming service also provides subscribers with a rotating library of Pa...

Casio extends its Wear OS offerings to its ultra-rugged lineup.What you need to knowCasio has launched the first Wear OS smartwatch in its G-Shock lineup.The GSW-H1000 features a dual-layer LCD and an ultra-rugged build.The watch will retail soon for $699 in the US.Casio is no stranger to Wear OS, and its line of Pro Trek watches offers some of the most rugged options for anyone on Google's platform. The company wants to take things up a notch and has launched its first Wear OS smartwatch under the iconic G-Shock lineup, offering the ultimate level of protection and peace of mind. That extra protection doesn't come cheap, though.The GWS-H1000 features a 1.2" dual-layer display with a 360 x 360 resolution. It's not the first smartwatch to feature this type of display; the Mobvoi TicWatch Pro GPS has a secondary monochrome display on top of an OLED, which helps to preserve battery life. The difference here is that both displays on Casio's watch are LCD, so colors won't ...

Googlers have been working from home since the early stages of the pandemic.What you need to knowGoogle this week shared more of its reopening plans with its employees after a year of work from home.Some offices in the U.S. will be able to reopen in April, with employees attending on a voluntary basis.Google will not be mandating vaccine adoption, though employees are advised to get it if possible. Google this week shared its reopening plans to employees as the company prepares for a post-pandemic world. The company is planning a smaller scale return-to-office scheme. With large swathes of the U.S. being vaccinated against COVID-19, it's now hoping to see some employees return to the office in April.In a memo seen by Axios, Fionna Cicconi, SVP and Google's chief people officer, said: In the United States, the situation is also mixed and we must continue to stay vigilant to prevent a new wave of the virus. We are also seeing some hopeful improvements in parts of the c...

Speed your way past the competition in these outstanding racers for Android!We've rounded up the best racing games found in the Google Play Store. With so many options to choose from, we've compiled a list that covers a whole slew of sub-genres — from stylized arcade racing to highly realistic racing sims — so no matter your preference, you should find an outstanding game that's right for you.And if you want some great games in other genres, we have our list of favorite Android games overall, too. Ready? Let's hit the road!The gamesGRID AutosportMario Kart Tour Asphalt 9: LegendsRiptide GP: Renegade #DriveHorizon Chase: World TourThumb DriftReal Racing 3CSR RacingTop Speed 2: Drag RivalsMotorsport Manager Mobile 3Grand Prix StoryData WingBeach Buggy Racing 2Nitro Nation Drag & ShiftDirt Trackin 2Hill Climb Racing 2Rally Fury: Extreme RacingGRID AutosportGRID Autosport brings console-quality racing to Android with no compromises in terms ...

The co-op game has finally launched, but not without some bumps in the road.Square Enix and People Can Fly's sci-fi shooter Outriders has released for PS4 and PS5, with a demo still available to download (a pretty lengthy demo, at that). If you've hopped into the newest title — which also happens to be free through Xbox Game Pass — you may have ran into some issues already. While no game is without its faults — especially one that relies on servers — they should be noted all the same so that the developers can get to work on fixing them.We've compiled a list of major issues that people are experiencing, including any workarounds that people have found so far.Outriders Known bugs and how to fix themPS5 and PS4 cross-play disconnects with PCOne of the biggest issues that players are reporting right now are frequent disconnects when trying to cross-play between console and PC. Apparently there was a desynchronization between the PC and console code that resulted in a b...

Google Lens could be everywhere in Android 12.What you need to knowGoogle Lens has been spotted in the Android 12 multitasking window.This suggests more of a push for Google Lens throughout the OS.Android 12 is expected to reach its first beta release in May.Google Lens has had a lot of focus put on it lately with more features and more integration with other apps like Google Photos. There may have been a reason for all this focus, though, and it looks like it has to do with Android 12. The feature has been spotted in the recent apps/multitasking view on the Android 12 Developer Preview 2, which suggests Google has more plans for Lens.The feature was spotted by Android Police on a Google Pixel 5, and you can see the translate button near the bottom of the display and above the screenshot and selector. It seems that the button will appear if something in your recent apps view is set to a language that differs from your phone's default. When selected, it will apparently e...

With its high price tag and nearly all-glass construction, you're going to want to get one of the best Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 2 cases around. Even with its unique form factor and build, there are still some ways to add some protection to your device. Though the list of cases available right now is short, it will expand as manufacturers have more time to get products ready. Here are the best cases available right now.Best of both worldsSpigen Ultra HybridStaff PickThe Spigen Ultra Hybrid case brings two fantastic features together. It provides all-around protection without being too thick. The case offers great protection for your phone's front and back by utilizing a dual-layer system with a hard outer shell surrounding a shock-absorbing TPU inner layer. There are also raised bezels that help to keep the screen and camera up off of surfaces.$40 at AmazonLuxury on luxurySamsung Leather CaseThe Galaxy Z Fold 2 is a device with a luxurious price tag and feel, so...

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

Best answer: A Ring Protect Basic plan costs $3 per month per device and provides 60 days of video history. The Protect Plus plan covers all of your Ring cameras for $10 per month and extends your warranty on each product.Breaking down Ring Protect plansWhile the best Ring products, including Ring's Video Doorbells and Security Cams, work well independently, they work even better with a Ring Protect Plan. Free Ring accounts will let you connect all your Ring products, but you'll be forced to rely on your fast reflexes to view live footage since these devices require a cloud account to save recordings. To get the most out of your cameras — like the excellent Ring Video Doorbell Pro 2 — you'll want to consider a Ring Protect plan. If you only have a couple of Ring cameras, Ring Protect Basic offers plenty.If you have fewer than four Ring cameras, you'll probably be best suited with the Ring Protect Basic plan, which costs $3 per month per device (or $30 per device with a...

The new video player comes with a QuickTime-inspired floating box with various media controls.What 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) first. As you can see in the screenshots above, the new video player has a floating box at...

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 April.★ Featured favorite - April 1OutridersStaff PickOne of the more highly-anticipated games of 2021, Outriders, is a co-op RPG title that features third-person shooting mechanics. Players will create their own character and then choose from various classes, complete with their own upgradable abilities. Like Destiny and Tom Clancy's The Division, players can also find and upgrade weapons, each with their own rarity levels.$60 at AmazonApril 20MLB The Show 21It's almost baseball season once again, which means another entry in the annual MLB The Show franchise. This time, the game will...

The Xperia 1 III could also be Sony's first phone to come with a periscope camera.What you need to knowSony will be announcing new Xperia smartphones at a virtual event on April 14.The company is rumored to introduce the Xperia 1 III, Xperia 10 III, and Xperia 5 III phones at the event. Sony's next Android flagship is tipped to feature a 4K 120Hz display, Qualcomm's Snapdragon 888 chipset, and a 5,000mAh battery. Sony has announced that it will be holding a virtual event on April 14 to unveil its latest Xperia smartphones. The event will be live-streamed on the company's official YouTube channel starting at 3:30 AM ET.Unfortunately, Sony hasn't revealed any details about the devices that will be unveiled at the upcoming event. According to Weibo leaker ZACKBUCKS, however, the company will be launching three new phones on April 14: Xperia 1 III, Xperia 10 III, and Xperia 5 III.The Xperia 1 III, which is expected to be a follow-up to last year's Xperia 1 II, is said to ...

The best competitors and personalities ever to compete on MTV's The Challenge are returning to the fray for a chance to win $500,000. Currently airing its 36th season, The Challenge has spent decades cultivating a memorable cast that fans love to see return to the game, though in that time, it's also sought out younger and fresher faces to take their place. As fans rallied around a hashtag #WeWantOGs during 2020, the series The Challenge: All-Stars was greenlit to bring back many of the fan-favorites who haven't graced television screens in over ten years.Unlike The Challenge which has always aired on MTV, The Challenge: All-Stars won't air on MTV or any traditional cable network. The series is a Paramount Plus exclusive, which means you'll have to subscribe to the streaming service or start a free 1-month trial if you want to watch the series.Paramount+Join at Paramount+ todaySubscribe at Paramount+ today to start watching The Challenge: All-Stars and get your first mo...

Once more, a pair of 1More buds has managed to impress me.I'm generally very easy to please when it comes to choosing a pair of Bluetooth earbuds. So long as they have good battery life, decent noise isolation, and don't break the bank, I'm pretty happy with them. I can certainly appreciate the more advanced features of the best wireless earbuds, but I don't typically care enough about those features to fork over the extra money required to access such improvements.That's why I've been happily exploring the various options among the best cheap true wireless earbuds. I'm all about saving money, and being able to get 75%-90% of the way to a high-end pair like the Jabra Elite 85t, Galaxy Buds Live, or even AirPods Pro is just fine by me. But apparently, it's not enough for earbud upstart 1More. The company that makes one of my favorite affordable earbuds of the past year — the 1More ColorBuds — has set its sights squarely on Apple with its latest product, the 1More ComfoBuds Pro...

These Aukey true wireless earbuds are our favorite earbuds with a hook design, and they were already noticeable for being relatively inexpensive. Now they're at an even better price thanks to a ridiculous on-page coupon that takes 45% off the price. Get Aukey's sports true wireless earbuds for just $27.49 at Amazon. That's $2 above the lowest we have ever seen and way better than the regular $50 price they're going for without clipping that coupon.These Aukey earbuds are not like most true wireless earbuds you've seen, and you might not be excited to see that hook design that's so different from other designs. However, if you've used ear hook headphones before or you're someone that spends a lot of time at the gym or running from class to class, then you will appreciate what those hooks do for you. They provide a secure fit that can't be jostled from high movement. If you need earbuds that won't fall out when you get going, this is the pair you want. They are comfortable but firm, ...

Most of the time, our smart devices just work as intended, which is kind of miraculous if you think about it. However, there are occasionally times when your trusty gadget, be that a laptop, tablet, smartphone, or smartwatch, just won't cooperate. It's particularly frustrating when it happens to your fitness tracker or smartwatch, as that means that you'll not only miss out on notifications, but your crucial step counts and health metrics won't be tracked. When this happens with your Fitbit, you can simply reboot it. Sound complicated? It's not really. We'll show you how to factory reset your Fitbit tracker or smartwatch.How to factory reset your Fitbit trackerTap on your Fitbit tracker screen, or squeeze the side or capacitive button to wake it.Swipe through the onscreen menu options/apps until you get to the Settings app.Tap on Settings.Swipe through the options and tap on Reboot device.On the Inspire, press and hold on the screen for three seconds.On the Charge, ta...

Mint MobileIrresistably affordableFrom $15/mo. at Mint MobileProsT-Mobile's 5G and 4G LTE networkInexpensive Multi-month savingsMultiple plan options Free calling to Mexico and Canada ConsMobile hotspot capped at 5GB (unlimited plan)Data slows after 35GB (unlimited plan) No multi-line discounts No premium data Need to pay in advance Mint Mobile offers T-Mobile coverage for less. Though your speeds might be slower at times, the price is hard to beat. With Mint, you have the choice between a 4GB, 10GB, 15GB, and unlimited plan, and you can save money by signing up for multiple months at a time. Sadly, there aren't any multi-line discounts, but it's the perfect plan for a single line and anyone who doesn't mind paying upfront for three, six, or 12 months.T-MobileTruly unlimitedFrom $60/mo. at T-MobileProsUnlimited data At least 50GB of premium data Unlimited mobile hotspot data Multi-line discounts Service in Mexico and Canada Cons...

League of Legends is a free game that has been around on PC since 2009 and is now a popular eSport title. The developer, Riot Games, has recently brought it to mobile in a lightly adjusted form as League of Legends: Wild Rift. If you're looking to take your 5v5 on the go, here are the steps on how to download League of Legends: Wild Rift.How to download League of Legends: Wild RiftOpen your Google Play Store app.Tap the search bar at the top of the store.Type in League of Legends: Wild Rift.Find League of Legends: Wild Rift in the list and tap install.That's all it takes to download League of Legends: Wild Rift. Once your install is complete, you can get going playing the new game! Playing League of Legends: Wild Rift doesn't require a lot of power or a gaming phone. It's also very well set up for experienced League of Legends players and beginners.What you need to download League of Legends: Wild RiftTo run the game, your Android phone must have Android 4.4 or above...

An official announcement could come on Monday.What you need to knowLG has apparently decided to quit the smartphone market.An official announcement regarding the decision could be made as soon as next week.LG will be relocating its mobile communications employees to other divisions.LG has apparently decided to wind its mobile communications division and relocate its employees to other business units, according to a new report from The Korea Times. Industry sources told the publication: LG has considered various options such as a sale, split sales or pulling out of the smartphone business, but decided recently to pull out of the business.The industry sources added that LG will make an official announcement about the decision at its upcoming board meeting on April 5.When asked for a comment, an LG Electronics spokesperson said: There's nothing to comment on. All we can say is that every possibility is open. Although we cannot confirm that right now, we will annou...

If you're in the market for a free VPN service, hide.me is widely considered to be one of the best available. That being said, its free account does have some limits when it comes to bandwidth and server locations which can be removed by upgrading to a Premium account. Luckily for you, hide.me is offering a 77% savings on its Premium account for the holidays making it cheaper than ever to upgrade.At its site, you can snag a year's subscription for just $45 and get 3 months on top of that for free, dropping the equivalent monthly cost to just $3. That's close to $150 off the regular $13 month-to-month cost for that period of time. The deal is only available for a limited time, so don't miss it.You've probably heard a lot about VPNs of late, and for good reason. They enable you to keep your private information private, feel safe in the knowledge that your device's security is intact, and get around geographical barriers that otherwise restrict online content.hide.me VPN, based ou...

If you're not using Duo for video calls, you're missing out.Google Duo has been around now for several years, and during that time, it has become one of the most feature-rich video calling services available in the market. Duo launched alongside Allo as Google tried to simplify its messaging strategy — offering one app each for text messaging and video calling — and while Allo was waylaid in 2019 over low usage figures, Duo has grown from strength to strength. The service has amassed over a billion downloads and is now pre-installed on all new Android phones.Here's everything you need to know!Jump to:Duo is easy to useYou can make audio-only callsLink Duo with your Google accountThere's finally a web clientKnock Knock live previewsEnd-to-end encryption is the defaultMake group calls with up to 32 peopleSend video and voice messagesIt works with Smart DisplaysData saver lets you save bandwidthThe new standardGoogle DuoFree at Play StoreVideo call...

One of the biggest perks of having a PlayStation Plus membership is the free games you get every month. The free PlayStation Plus games offered this month include three major titles all available on either the PS4 or PS5. Check out the list of games below with downloads available starting April 6. Enjoy the price of free until May 3, 2021.★A new adventureOddworld: Soulstorm (PS5 Only)Oddworld: Soulstorm marks the return of the Oddworld franchise, with the first game since the 2014 Oddworld: New 'n' Tasty! Acting as a re-imagining of 1998's Oddworld: Abe's Exodus, the game will see Abe set out to save the mudokons from slave labor. As you recruit more followers, you'll have to stick to stealth and other survival aspects in order to save as many of your friends as possible.See at PlayStation★ Survive in the wastelandDays GoneOriginally released in 2019, Days Gone sees players thrust into an apocalyptic wasteland filled with zombie-like creatures. As yo...

Chatting with the AC forums.Well before it acquired/merged with Sprint, T-Mobile attempted to compete with the major U.S. cellular carriers with creative pricing strategies and customer loyalty programs. Still, it may have just scored its biggest coup yet, at least as far as Android fans are concerned. Earlier this week, the company announced a partnership with Google that will see more Google products and services in T-Mobile stores and on devices that T-Mobile sells. This includes Google Messages and Google One being preloaded as officially supported apps on T-Mobile Android phones and greater visibility for Pixel phones at T-Mobile stores. T-Mobile is even shuttering its own streaming service in favor of YouTube TV.Naturally, these moves caught the attention of our hawk-eyed Android faithful over on the AC forums: mustang7757 03-30-2021 07:52 PM “ Tmobile devices will get Android messages as ...

Terraria on Stadia is about as excellent of a port as you could ask for, all the way down to the pixel-perfect graphics.Terraria is a fascinating game. Not only is it one of the best-selling indie games of all-time, but it also remains popular and topical to this day with the resurgence in popularity of survival sandbox games. Billed as a sort of 2D Minecraft, Terraria is all about gradually collecting resources, building shelter, and fighting hordes of enemies as you explore and craft your way to glory either alone or with friends and—thankfully—the Stadia version is a perfect port of this pixel-themed classic that plays great on mobile with a wireless Stadia controller — though keyboard and mouse is the best way to play.At a glanceTerraria on Stadia Bottom line: At first glance, it's pretty easy to write off Terraria ...

MLB is ready for its 2021 season after surviving its harrowing 60-game one last year. Baseball stadiums won't be full and there will still be plenty of COVID protocols in place, but by-in-large the game should look similar to how it has in years past.As America's favorite pastime you can bet fans are ready to see a full, 162-game season again and get the full baseball experience. Likely, the limited capacity stadiums will sell out quickly.The off-season this year produced a number of interesting developments. The Padres were one of the biggest winners, acquiring Yu Darvish, Blake Snell, Ha-Seong Kim, and spending $340 million to lock up Fernando Tatis Jr. for 14 years. Of course, after winning the World Series last year, the Dodgers won't let the NL West division go without a fight.How to watch the MLB 2020 season from anywhereThere is no surefire way to catch every MLB game, but there are plenty of ways below that should work for people in some way. For those that can't find...

"A" stands for affordable, accessible, and adept."Google is not a hardware company!"How many times have we heard this (or said this) in the past? Google is great at providing free or low-cost software and services, but it always seems to stumble and gets in its own way when it tries its hand at making devices. From launching devices before features are ready (like Soli on the Pixel 4 series) to canceling beloved devices before their time is up, to just making some unforced errors, Google has certainly had its ups and downs in the hardware department over the years.However, one of Google's founding principles and guiding missions is to make the world's information accessible to all. A part of that is helping more people access that information more easily in the first place. A big part of this effort has and will continue to come in the form of free (to the end-user) services, but a growing area for this access is in the physical tools through which the world connects to Google'...

It's been nearly ten years since detective Elliot Stabler left the NYPD's Special Victims Unit (SVU) but now he's set to return in a brand new series and we have all the details on how you can watch Law & Order: Organized Crime on TV or online.NBC's Law & Order: Organized Crime will see actor Christopher Meloni reprise the role of Elliott Stabler from Law & Order: Special Victims Unit which he played for 12 seasons of the show from 1999 until his departure in 2011. At the same time though, Meloni's co-star Mariska Hargitay who played Stabler's partner Olivia Benson is also expected to make an appearance on the show.Stabler decided to leave the SVU at the end of season 12 after he was involved in a deadly shoot-out where a young girl opened fire in the precinct. In the next season of Law & Order: Special Victims Unit we learned that Stabler had decided to retire following the incident. The latest Law & Order spin-off series will see Stabler return to the NYPD t...

The feature is currently limited to Community servers.What you need to knowDiscord has rolled out Stage Channels, a new feature inspired by Clubhouse.Discord says Stage channels can be used to run AMAs, townhalls, reading groups, and more. The feature is now live on Android, iOS, Windows, macOS, Linux, and the web.Discord, which is one of the best Android messaging apps, is rolling out a new Clubhouse-like feature called Stage Channels. Discord says Stage Channels are a "special type of voice channel you can create in your Community server."new type of voice channel just dropped.stage channels gives community servers better controls for audio-only events where some people can talk and others can listen as the audience. pic.twitter.com/NWUApOruxr— Discord (@discord) March 31, 2021The feature could be useful if you're running an event that requires only a few participants to be speaking at one time with others listening as the audience. Speakers will be displayed at t...

Whether you're wanting to snag a set of noise-cancelling headphones for your commute or to block out distractions while working, the Sony WH-1000XM4 are widely regarded as some of the best – if not the best – on the market.Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless Noise-Cancelling Headphones + Mophie Power Bank | $348 at AdoramaThe Sony WH-1000XM4 headphones are full price pretty much everywhere right now, but there are still soem deals to be found if you know where to look. For example, but them at Adorama and you'll score a free Mophie power bank with your order.$348 at AdoramaSony WH-1000XM4 Wireless Noise-Cancelling Headphones Bundles | $348 at BuyDigBuyDig also has various bundle deals on the XM4 headphones with power banks, headphone stands, cleaning cloths, and more thrown in.$348 at BuyDigBeing the best out there, the WH-1000XM4 obviously command a hefty sum but you don't have to pay the full retail ticket price to get yourself a set. In fact, deals on them com...

Chuck Lorre is back with a brand new comedy series on CBS and we have all the details on how you can watch United States of Al on TV or online.United States of Al, written by David Goetsch and Maria Ferrari, tells the story of Marine combat veteran Riley (Parker Young) who is trying to readjust to civilian life in Ohio after serving in Afghanistan. However, he is soon joined by the Afghan interpreter Awalmir (Adhir Kalyan) who served his unit overseas and wants to start a brand new life in America.During their time at war, Riley and Al quickly became friends which is why Riley offered to take Al in when he moved to America. In fact, their relationship is so close, that Al is even the godfather to Riley's daughter Hazel. In addition to Young and Kalyan, Breaking Bad's Dean Norris is also part of the cast and he plays Riley and his sister Lizzie's father Art.By the time Al arrives in the U.S., Riley is already separated from his wife Vanessa (Kelli Goss) who takes care of Hazel. ...

The MLB 2021 season is officially here. This is MLB's second attempt at playing a season through a pandemic and, while there's a full slate of 162 games, plenty of things about this season will be different than previous ones. One thing that has not changed, unfortunately, is blackouts. While stadium capacity is going to be limited for most games, that doesn't mean it's easier to watch the game from home. You can, however, use a VPN to bypass the annoying MLB blackouts and we are here to walk you through the process.Luckily, using one of the best VPN services makes the whole experience pretty easy, and some of the services will even automatically pick the best server for you to use to avoid the blackouts. We recommend ExpressVPN for a number of reasons. It combines speed, ease of use, customer service, and more into a single affordable monthly payment. Signing up takes a minute, and using our link can even score you an extra three months for free. Here's what you need to know.Head...

For just one day only, Ring's Video Doorbell Pro is now on sale for only $95 in certified refurbished condition at Woot. This deal takes $45 off the regular price for a refurb model, and over $70 off the usual cost of a brand new one — making this one of the best Ring deals we've seen this year.Though the product on sale today isn't brand new, each has been tested and internally certified by Amazon to ensure they look and work like new. They even come with a full 1-year warranty.Ring's Video Doorbell Pro takes the place of your existing hardwired doorbell at home. It's equipped with a 1080p HD camera featuring infrared night vision that lets you view its video feed using an app on your smartphone, tablet, or computer, and you'll be able to do so from anywhere in the world. It's also equipped with a microphone and built-in speaker that allows you to speak with any visitors that arrive at your door.There's an integrated motion sensor as well which can send an alert to your phon...

The Mi 11 Ultra is Xiaomi's most impressive Android flagship yet.What you need to knowXiaomi's Mi 11 Ultra will launch in India on April 23.The phone made its global debut alongside the Mi 11 Pro earlier this week.It comes with Qualcomm's Snapdragon 888 processor, a WQHD+ 120Hz AMOLED display, and 67W wireless charging. At its "Mega Launch" event earlier this week, Xiaomi launched three new Mi 11 series phones in China: Mi 11 Ultra, Mi 11 Pro, and Mi 11 Lite. Xiaomi has now announced that the flagship Mi 11 Ultra will debut at a virtual event in India on April 23.In the world of flagships, we're pushing further.The only #SuperPhone, launching on 23.04.2021.Stay tuned! RT with #Mi11Ultra if you're excited too. pic.twitter.com/sVk73yd0zh— Mi India (@XiaomiIndia) April 1, 2021At this point, however, it remains unclear if the standard Mi 11 and Mi 11 Pro models will also be coming to India along with the Mi 11 Ultra. The Mi 11 Ultra is the most impressive member of the ...

OnePlus 8TEverything you need$590 at AmazonProsSublime 120Hz AMOLED displayAndroid 11 out of the box65W wired chargingSnapdragon 865 with 5G connectivity12GB RAM and 256GB storage by default ConsNo wireless chargingNo IP ratingAverage cameraThe OnePlus 8T delivers the latest hardware you can buy today. The phone is powered by the Snapdragon 865 chipset and has 5G connectivity, and you get a flat AMOLED display with 120Hz refresh rate, 12GB of RAM, 256GB of storage, and insane 65W fast charging. Add the fact the phone runs Android 11 out of the box and you get a great overall package.OnePlus 8 ProAll the extras$699 at OnePlusProsStunning 120Hz AMOLED displayExciting cameras30W wired and wireless chargingIP68 water resistanceSnapdragon 865 chipset with 5GNow on Android 11ConsNo 3.5mm headphone jackThe OnePlus 8 Pro takes things to the next level with a curved QHD+ AMOLED 120Hz refresh rate screen, cameras that take great photos in an...

The best network attached storage (NAS) for Plex lets you easily stream your media library on all devices across your home network. The DiskStation DS220+ illustrates this point perfectly — it transcodes content so that any device can play back any file without running into issues, and doubles up as a reliable solution for backing up photos and videos from your connected devices.1. Synology DiskStation DS220+: Best OverallRight now, the DiskStation DS220+ is the best NAS you can buy for Plex streaming. The NAS is powered by an Intel Celeron J4025 chipset and comes with 2GB of RAM — with the ability to add another 4GB — and there are two drive bays that can hold 16TB of storage each, taking total storage to 32TB. The DS220+ has two Gigabit Ethernet ports at the back with Link Aggregation, and you can just bridge these ports and double data transfers. There are two USB 3.0 ports as well, and overall, the DS220+ is the best NAS for home use, particularly if you want a robust...

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

Verizon wants your broken phones.What you need to knowVerizon has announced a new trade-in deal that includes broken smartphones.The trade-in amount will depend on the phone model and its condition.The deal will start April 1, and Verizon assures it's not a prank.Tomorrow is April Fool's Day, although no one really has the patience for it. However, Verizon's new trade-in deal begins tomorrow, and it's a bit hard to believe. That's because the company is giving new customers up to $1000 when they trade in broken smartphones for a new one. That's right, Verizon wants your dead, cracked, water-damaged phones, and it'll give you money towards an upgrade to one of the best Android phones.To take advantage of this deal, you can be either a new or existing customer, although the offer isn't as robust if you're already on the network. For example, existing customers trading in for a new smartphone will receive up to $440 of trade-in credit. That's still not bad, especially wh...

Get some clarity on the OnePlus Watch before it goes on sale.What you need to knowOnePlus posted an faq regarding the upcoming OnePlus Watch.The company explains why it didn't choose Wear OS and why the watch doesn't feature an always-on-display.The OnePlus Watch will go on sale starting April 15th for $159.The OnePlus 9 and OnePlus 9 Pro are just days away, and many can't wait to get their hands on the devices. The OnePlus Watch is also on the way, gunning for a spot as one of the best cheap Android smartwatches, although it will be a couple more weeks before it goes on sale. OnePlus decided to take this opportunity to explain some of its choices regarding the watch.One of the main points that the company is making is that the focus for this wearable is battery life, something that CEO Pete Lau has echoed in the past and is now being emphasized again. The post explains that both Wear OS and RTOS were weighed against each other, but the latter won out due to its battery e...

The full list of what's been added this week in Wild Rift, which launched in open beta in the Americas.League of Legends: Wild Rift is Riot Games' attempt at bringing the wildly successful PC game to the mobile world. While the game is currently in its beta stage, it's still available to a fairly wide audience, and is getting steady updates to make sure fans have a ton of new things to experience. The latest update, Patch 2.2, is now out across all countries, and brings with it a lot for players to dive into as they try to make their way through this great Android game.Described as a "monstrous patch," the latest update brings with it five new champions for players to check out, as well as a ton of updates to the existing champions in the game. Gameplay changes also occur in the update, with new items and system tweaks being delivered to give fans a more authentic League of Legends experience. If you're participating in the beta for Wild Rift, you can check out some of the variou...

Dead Cells is making its way to Google Play Pass.What you need to knowGoogle Play Pass now offers access to over 800+ premium apps and games.Google highlights some of the top games to make their way to Play Pass over the past couple of months.Dead Cells will arrive on Google Play Pass this week.Can't get enough gaming on your phone? Google Play Pass continues to offer subscribers more value every month by adding some of the best Android games and apps to its catalog, all of which can be accessed for just $5 per month. As it stands, Google has added over 800 entries to Play Pass, and it will continue to grow. If that sounds pretty intriguing, we can walk you through how to sign up for Google Play Pass, a fairly simple process.Since February 1st, Google has added more than a few new games to Play Pass. In case you missed some of them, we're here to point out the latest games and apps to arrive on Play Pass. Keep in mind that anyone not subscribed to Play Pass is more than w...

Streaming is now a massive part of the gaming experience, and everyone wants to try and be the next Ninja. To make a living at it, though, you'll need to spend some money to get the equipment that will help you succeed. We've put together a list of some of the best PS4 streaming equipment and also PS5 accessories that will help you reach the audience you want while retaining some great streaming quality. Don't worry about compatibility because a lot of these items will also work with the PS5 if you're looking to stream some of the best PS5 games on the new console.Crystal soundBlue Yeti X Professional Condenser USB MicrophoneStaff PickThe Blue Yeti X is the gold standard for USB microphones. Streaming with one of these produces sharp tones and an all-around great sound. It has a gain dial built-in, a mute button on the front, real-time LED monitoring, and a jack to put your favorite headphones in to monitor your output. It's a must-have for streaming or recording.From $...

While the Chromecast with Google TV has had a few bumps in the road since its release, it's still one of the best Android TV boxes on the market — and knowing how to add a kids profile to your Chromecast with Google TV can make it even better. Kids can get their own version of the excellent discovery feature that is on your profile for themselves. When Google announced the rollout of kids profiles, it was going to be executed in phases, and it seems that has started. If you don't see the option on your device, try restarting your Chromecast with Google TV, as that worked for me.Making the Chromecast with Google TV the perfect family streaming deviceIf you haven't done so yet, you'll need to create a Google account for your child through Family Link. Now that you have your child's profile set up and ready to go, let's move on to the Chromecast with Google TV.View the accounts associated with your device by selecting the profile picture in the upper right corner. Choose add a...

Kids love gadgets as much as adults (maybe even more), so it's no surprise the idea of having their own smartwatch gets them excited. Finding the best kids smartwatch to get for your child can be daunting with so many choices on the market. Aside from wading through all the options, it's also important to consider privacy, durability, and cost when searching for the best kids smartwatch. One watch that does a great job of these core features is the TickTalk 4. Sure, you may think getting one of the best cheap Android smartwatches would work, and it might, but kids smartwatches have a lot of safety features that can make them a better option. There are many choices out there, so let us help you find the best kids smartwatch for your child.Best Overall: TickTalk 4When the TickTalk 3 was on this list, it was a good watch, but missing some essential features — with the TickTalk 4, many were resolved. The newest version of the kids smartwatch fixed one of the most significant iss...

Owners of the new special edition Fiat 500s will be able to access a ton of features using Google Assistant even when they aren't on the road.What you need to knowFiat has announced three new 'Hey Google' special edition Fiat 500 vehicles.The new Fiat 500 'Hey Google' family includes the 500, 500X, and 500L. All three models will soon go on sale in 10 countries across Europe. Fiat has teamed up with Google for the latest special editions of its popular 500, 500X, and 500L vehicles. All three special edition versions feature 'Hey Google' branding and the latest version of the tech giant's voice assistant. Owners of the new 'Hey Google' Fiat 500 special edition cars will be able to interact with them remotely using their smartphone or the Nest Hub, which is one of the best smart displays around.Since the new vehicles come with the Google Assistant built-in, you can check your fuel level, find the nearest service station, switch on the emergency lights, and more by saying 'H...