Latest from Android Central

Pico projectors come in all shapes and sizes, with some even available as modular attachments for your smartphone. They exist to fill the niche for those who want to project content directly from their phone or tablet to make it easier to share photos or watch movies with friends. Our top recommendation when it comes to the best portable pico projectors is the LG PH550 CineBeam LED Projector because it uses a reliable and efficient LED lamp to cast up to 100-inch diagonal projections and can connect to virtually any media playing device you own — all while remaining portable enough to take with you wherever you go.Best Overall: LG PH550 CineBeam LED ProjectorLG's portable projector lets you cast a screen up to 100 inches to replicate a movie theater experience in your home, at the office, or wherever else the mood strikes you.The LED lamp offers brightness of 550 lumens when plugged in and 160 lumens running off the battery. The built-in wireless mirroring function works wi...

Get rewards for using the new Google Pay app.What you need to knowGoogle Pay is offering $30 cashback rewards for using the new app.Users will gather stamps by performing various tasks within the new Google Pay app.The challenge is available to Google Pay users in the United States.When the new Google Pay launched late last year, Google was really hyping up its social features and one-stop-shop design for all your payment needs. Now that the app's old version has been stripped of most features, Google is introducing ways to make the new app more appealing, and that brings us to the new Spring Challenge.Beginning April 12, the Google Pay Spring Challenge will offer cashback rewards for completing various actions within the new app. When performing tasks like completing transactions, sending payments, and even answering fun quizzes, users will collect cute animal stamps within the app. Once five stamps are collected, users will receive a $30 credit in their Google Pay balan...

Take advantage of these awesome games for a few bucks a month.Google Play Pass continues to offer great value for Android users looking to save on premium apps and indie-developed games in 2021. It's only $5 per month and gives you access to tons of premium content. Plus, if you need to take a break and cancel your subscription, all of your favorite games and apps, as well as their save data, will be waiting when you return.There are a ton of great games that have already been added to the service across multiple genres — from intense strategy games and action-packed indie platformers to relaxing puzzle experiences and immersive RPGs. Of course, this isn't a full list of Play Pass games, just the ones we think you should check out first. If you're looking for other great games to try, be sure to check out our collection of the best Android games!Note: All games on this list are included with your Google Play Pass for no additional charge. The prices shown are what you would p...

Every kid wants a tablet, but deciding to invest in an Android tablet for kids is a big step. There are several features to consider: price, parental controls, and perhaps most importantly, durability. The Amazon Fire HD 10 Kids Edition is a top pick not only for offering tons of great content for kids but also for its included protective bumper case and parental controls. You can manage what your kids do and not worry that they might be accessing questionable websites or web content.Best Overall: Amazon Fire HD 10 Kids EditionThe Amazon Fire HD 10 Kids Edition is packed with some of the best hardware and software features you could ask for as a parent. Amazon took its top-of-the-line tablet, loaded it with parental controls, kid-specific content, and wrapped it up in a durable and functional case. While the screen size might be difficult for smaller toddlers to hold, the provided case does include a fold-out kickstand to prop up the tablet.At 1080p, the full-HD display provi...

Outriders is about to get a little bit better.What you need to knowOutriders is a brand-new co-op looter shooter RPG from People Can Fly, available on PlayStation, Xbox, and PC.Recently, People Can Fly released a dev update that outlined their upcoming plans for Outriders, including patches.Earlier than planned, the promised first patch update is set to go live for PlayStation and PC within the next few hours.The patch update includes tons of fixes for stability and crashes, and restores cross-play between PlayStation and PC.Outriders is the latest game to capture the attention of gamers, especially fans of the popular looter shooter genre. Yesterday, Outriders studio People Can Fly released their launch week dev update for Outriders, which outlined its plans to update and improve Outriders in the coming weeks. In the dev update, People Can Fly promised that the first big Outriders patch update would arrive at some point next week.Today, People Can Fly is delivering on t...

Ticket to Earth blends color-matching puzzles with turn-based strategic RPG elements to form a world all its own.Developed and published by Robot Circus in 2017, Ticket to Earth isn't new. Still, having just discovered this gem thanks to Play Pass, I now feel obligated to tell absolutely everyone about this hit you probably missed.Ticket to Earth opens on an interstellar colonial conflict. The story's depth took me by surprise, with a gripping plot that pulled me in right away. 90 years before the game's opening, humans traveled to a planet 10-years journey away in search of a resource called Nitrium. After striking proverbial gold on an alien world, a mining operation was established, and New Providence was born. Rose dreams of someday being able to board the starship that will take her to Earth.Flash forward to the present, and we now take on the role of Rose. Not lucky enough to be born into the ruling class that dominates New Providence, Rose dreams of someday bein...

Spotify may inadvertently fuel a conspiracy theory that had somewhat died out.What you need to knowSpotify's "Hey Spotify" hands-free feature is now rolling out to iOS and Android users in the U.S.A contentious section in the company's new privacy policy indicates it could use your voice and data to provide targeted ads.Spotify also filed on a new patent for technology that'll theoretically let the app monitor your voice to read your mood in service of relevant music and advertising. Spotify today finally announced its new "Hey Spotify" feature, one that will allow users to verbally summon Spotify's voice search feature without having the app open as if it were Alexa or the Google Assistant. It's rolling out now in some parts of the U.S. to Android and iOS phones, though Spotify plans to expand availability going forward.Writing in a blog post today, the Spotify team shared some tidbits on their approach to privacy, mimicking approaches taken by Google and Amazon: Whe...

Facebook's apps and services are back up and running after an outageUpdate, April 8th (7:00 pm ET): Facebook services appear to be up and running again after being down for around 45 minutes.What you need to knowLate thursday afternoon, users of WhatsApp and Facebook announced the services being down.There seems to be no indication as to what is causing the issue. Pokemon Go and Oculus also seem to be suffering from the problem.In what seems to be a weekly trend, various Facebook services are seeing outages across the country. We first recognized that the Facebook Messenger web client wasn't working properly, before noticing the same error message from the main Facebook website.The outage started around 5 P.M. EST, and has continued to plague various apps and services. In addition to Facebook and Messenger being down, WhatsApp users have also reported problems connecting and sending messages. Instagram seems to be slightly bothered by these problems, but not to the sa...

In case you're curious about what it's like to have a Galaxy smartphone.What you need to knowSamsung is giving iPhone users the chance to try out Android through a web app.The iTest web app demos the Galaxy experience without requiring an actual Galaxy smartphone.It appears to be advertised in New Zealand, but anyone can try out the experience.Samsung is the largest Android manufacturer globally, meaning it has no shortage of customers using its devices. That doesn't mean it should stop trying to lure more people into buying its phones, and it seems now that Samsung wants to tempt iPhone users to move over to the dark side. The company has launched a new web app experience called iTest that puts the Galaxy experience on an iPhone.According to MacRumors Samsung is advertising the app in New Zealand, although the experience is open to everyone with an iPhone. iTest allows iPhone users to play around with a mock version of Android, complete with apps and notifications. Obvio...

UV Index info on Wear OS can help save your skin.What you need to knowGoogle is updating the weather app on Wear OS.It will now display the UV Index for your location.This information can help Wear OS users to know the optimal time for outdoor activities.Say what you will about the pace of software development on Wear OS, but Google has steadily continued to iterate on the product and has been dropping occasional updates to its users. As a case in point — today, the Wear OS team announced via its Twitter account that the weather app on Wear OS will now start including the UV Index for your location.Stay safe while catching rays. ☀️Your Weather app on #WearOSbyGoogle now includes the UV Index for your location. pic.twitter.com/8KXDzTq1cV— Wear OS by Google (@WearOSbyGoogle) April 8, 2021Why is the UV Index information so important? Knowing the UV Index levels for your area can help you decide the optimal time to take your dog for a walk or to get some fresh air...

Newer and betterOnePlus Watch$159 at OnePlusProsOnboard GPSHeart-rate monitoringBlood oxygen trackingMic/speaker for callsTwo weeks of battery lifeConsOnly two color optionsA bit more expensiveIf you don't mind a watch running real-time OS, you might be a fan of the new OnePlus Watch. It's reasonably priced and it covers all the essentials. You get activity/sleep tracking, onboard GPS, heart-rate monitoring, blood oxygen tracking, and 14 days of battery life.Dated, but affordableAmazfit GTS$120 at AmazonProsOnboard GPSHeart-rate monitoringActivity/sleep trackingTwo weeks of battery lifeMultiple color optionsConsNo mic/speakerLacks blood oxygen trackingThe GTS isn't Amazfit's newest smartwatch, but it's still an impressive wearable that comes at an affordable price point. You'll have the basics, including GPS, activity/sleep tracking, and heart-rate monitoring. Did we mention this watch also offers 14 days of battery life?...

Samsung's original Quantum was a variant of the A71 5G, but the Quantum 2 is said to be a variant of the as-yet-unreleased A82.What you need to knowSamsung's Galaxy Quantum 2 has leaked in live images.This is said to be a variant of a possible A82, and would be the most powerful A-Series phone being sold on release.It is expected to retail on April 23rd in South Korea.Samsung is set to launch the Galaxy Quantum 2, a South Korean model of the rumored Galaxy A82 and a sequel to last year's Quantum. When it launches, it'll be one of Samsung's most powerful A-Series phones, with a Snapdragon 855+ on board.With a series of photos shared on social media site Naver (via Twitter user FrontTron), the phone will adopt the same standard design that we've seen on some of Samsung's latest phones, including the A52 and A72. It'll have the now-standard 6.7-inch 1080p screen, with a 120Hz refresh rate, continuing the trend of good cheap phones with high refresh rates. Alongside the Snap...

What you need to knowJerryRigEverything manages to snap the Legion Phone Duel 2 easily.The device features two batteries on either end of the device with symmetrical antenna lines on both sides.The Legion Phone Duel 2 launched today starting at €799.JerryRigEverything is back with another gaming phone, this time the new Lenovo Legion Phone Duel 2. The device features the latest flagship specs necessary for this year's best phones for gamers, including the Qualcomm Snapdragon 888, up to 18GB of RAM, and a 6.92" FHD+ AMOLED display with a 144Hz refresh rate and 720Hz touch sampling. It can achieve an impressive 90W charging with its dual-charging/dual-battery setup, which is somewhat similar to the ASUS ROG Phone 5. Unfortunately, this will also become its downfall.Because the device features batteries on either end of the device, it tends to create something of a weak spot in the center. Lenovo may have thought that the center-mounted cameras and other internals may have s...

Turn your smartphone into a new-age Game BoyOutside of the NES and SNES, the Game Boy is among the rest of the most popular consoles to emulate. Considering how popular the Game Boy, Game Boy Color, and Game Boy Advance were, it only makes sense to use the new-age power of your smartphone to play those classics.The problem with finding the best Game Boy and Game Boy Advance emulators for Android is that there are so many different options to choose from, which is not the worst problem to have. Thankfully, certain developers have made it easy for our favorites to stand out from the crowd.The top 3 apps1. ClassicBoy2. John GBAC3. Pizza Boy Emulators (GBA / GBC)More optionsGBA.emu / GBC.emuRetroArchLemuroidMy Boy! Emulators (GBA / GBC)The best Game Boy & Game Boy Advance emulators for AndroidIt should come as no surprise that our pick for the best emulators for Android is also the best Game Boy and Game Boy Advance emulator for Android. ClassicBoy makes ...

If you want to get the most out of your favorite music or podcast, the best cheap noise-canceling headphones are the way to go. They block out ambient noise around you, making it easy to focus on what's playing — something that's especially useful when flying, working at a noisy coffee shop, or just being out in public. We've rounded up eight of the best ones you can get for less than $100, including the Soundcore Life Q30 as our top overall pick.Best Overall: Soundcore Life Q30Anker's Soundcore brand has been at the forefront of the best wireless earbuds and best wireless headphones, and the Life Q30 are another reminder of why Soundcore is one of the most compelling players in the game.When it comes to active noise cancelation (ANC), the Soundcore Life Q30 feature three customizable modes to help you get the perfect listening experience. Transport Mode helps block out things like an airplane engine (remember those?), Outdoor Mode reduces traffic and wind sounds, and Indoo...

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

The ever-rising popularity of streaming comes with a lot of competition. You'll need a great personality to set yourself apart, but you'll also need some reliable equipment. Mediocre microphones are a surefire way to lose viewers quickly. Try some of the best PS4 USB microphones that offer quality sound without breaking the bank to up your game. Our top choice goes to Blue Yeti's USB microphone for its high-quality audio and varying recording patterns. Still, there are several trustworthy choices on this list for any budget that will give you crystal clear audio when streaming from your PS4 or PS5.MultipurposeBlue Yeti X USB MicrophoneStaff PickIt doesn't get much better for streamers than the Blue Yeti X. It's affordable (relatively speaking compared to other high-end mics), it picks up high-quality audio from four different recording patterns, and it features zero-latency headphone output through a 3.5mm jack so that you can listen to exactly what you're recording. Gettin...

Boomier soundSonos Move$400 at Best BuyProsSpacious sound with ample bassPortable, with built-in handleExcellent battery life while undockedWater and dust resistanceSeamless transition between Wi-Fi and BluetoothConsMicrophones are better on dedicated Alexa or Google Assistant speakersHeavier and bulkier than other portablesEven more expensiveThe Move has become one of Sonos' signature speakers because it blends the dependability of sitting still with the convenience of moving around. It's a portable speaker supporting both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, but its mobility is contingent on its size and weight.Roomier soundSonos Roam$169 at Best BuyProsGreat sound for the sizeSeamless transition from Wi-Fi to BluetoothWell-built and ruggedHas wireless chargingConsExpensive Middling battery life for a Bluetooth speakerSome standby battery issues at launchThe Roam is Sonos' smallest speaker, and by default, it makes it the most portable and...

"Not another streaming service" is starting to become a common refrain amongst cordcutters with new options popping up every few months. Paramount Plus, however, isn't exactly a new service but a rebranded and majorly updated one.CBS All Access was previously known as the home of Big Brother live feeds, Star Trek: Discovery, and all the NCIS episodes you can stomach, while slowly accumulating shows and other content from networks like BET, Nickelodeon, Comedy Central, MTV, and even the Smithsonian Channel. The amount of content on the service would actually surprise anyone who believes it solely includes CBS shows, which is why it's no surprise that the name has now been officially changed to Paramount+.Paramount+ Streaming ServiceWhat is Paramount+?How much does Paramount+ cost?Are there any Paramount+ deals?Where is Paramount+ available?What's streaming on Paramount+?What devices support Paramount+?Account limits and profilesTry Paramount+ for freeParamount+ in...

Just five months after the last season's installment in the UAE, the IPL returns to India for another exciting helping of T20 cricket. Watch every ball of the new season with our Indian Premier League 2021 live stream guide below.Mumbai Indians dominance of domestic T20 cricket was once again on show last season as they romped to their 5th IPL title in pretty conclusive fashion.With their mix of Indian talent like Ishan Kishan and Suryakumar Yadav, coupled with top-drawer overseas stars like Quinton de Kock, Rohit Sharma's men are somewhat unsurprisingly hot favorites to make it six this season.In terms of challengers, many pundits are tipping David Warner's Sunrisers Hyderabad to provide the biggest threat to Mumbai, following their strong finish to last season, which saw them finish third.Last year's runners-up Delhi Capitals will meanwhile need to find a way of coping without inspirational captain Shreyas Iyer, with much resting on the shoulders of the newly-recruited Ste...

Aside from ultra-wideband (UWB support, the Galaxy SmartTag+ is identical to the standard Galaxy SmartTag.What you need to knowSamsung's new Galaxy SmartTag Plus will be available from April 16.Unlike the standard Galaxy SmartTag, the Plus version uses both Bluetooth and ultra-wideband (UWB) technologies to help you find lost items. It operates using the SmartThings Find service. Earlier this year, Samsung launched the Galaxy SmartTag, a Tile competitor that uses Bluetooth Low Energy to help you find your lost items. The South Korean tech giant has now announced the launch of the Galaxy SmartTag+, a beefed-up version with both Bluetooth Low Energy and ultra-wideband (UWB).Thanks to ultra-wideband (UWB), Samsung says the Galaxy SmartTag+ can pinpoint the location of your missing item with greater accuracy than the standard SmartTag. It also uses augmented reality (AR) to visually guide you to the item using your smartphone's camera. However, you'll need to have an UWB-equi...

It's no secret that Beat Saber is one of the single best games you can buy for your Oculus Quest 2 — or any other VR headset that you have, for that matter. With millions of copies sold, great official DLC, and even custom songs, it's hard to stop slicing blocks once you get started. While it's an amazing experience unto itself, the best Beat Saber accessories will have you cleaning up sweat far less often and spending more time enjoying the high-quality music, heart-pumping exercise, and addictive gameplay of Beat Saber instead.Stop the sweatUnijoy SweatbandsStaff PickOK, so if there's one single accessory that you absolutely need to get to keep Beat Saber at its most enjoyable, it's a pack of sweatbands. This 4-pack of sweatbands will keep you from constantly having to remove your headset during any Beat Saber session — especially those extra-sweaty ones — and will even make it a little more sanitary to share that headset with friends or family that might want to ...

Nokia's new X-series offers affordable 5G options.What you need to knowNokia is launching six new smartphones today, four of which are part of new lineups.The X-series brings 5G smartphones to an affordable price point, and the G series offers extended battery life.The new smartphones will start arriving globally later this month at a starting price as low as €75 ($86).Since its return to the smartphone market, Nokia has made some of the best cheap Android phones on the market thanks to HMD Global. The designs may not stand out like the Lumia days of yore, but Nokia's smartphones often feature very sturdy builds, inoffensive designs which you can see in devices like the Nokia 5.4. That continues with Nokia's latest launch, which introduces six new smartphones and two new smartphone series, all of which offer great value, impressive battery life, and years of updates.Nokia X-SeriesNokia's new X-series represents the cream of the crop in Nokia's new mid-range smartpho...

This doesn't come as a surprise, but it is disappointing.What you need to knowDeathloop has been delayed again to September 14, 2021.It was first meant to release with the launch of the PS5 before being bumped to May.The game follows two assassins stuck in a time loop. In order to break the loop, you'll need to take out eight targets across the island.Though Arkane is now a studio under Xbox, Deathloop is set to release on PS5 and PC.Deathloop is the latest game to get hit with a delay. The immersive sim will now launch on September 14, 2021 for PS5 and PC. Arkane made this decision in order to give the team more time to accomplish its goal: to "create a fun, stylish, and mind-bending player experience."An update on DEATHLOOP from @ArkaneStudios: pic.twitter.com/tJwUSM5vum— DEATHLOOP (@deathloop) April 8, 2021Part of the delay was also attributed to the pandemic and preserving the quality of the game while keeping its team healthy and safe. This isn't the first hig...

Just one more month until Lady Dimitrescu can step on all of us.What you need to knowCapcom has announced a new Resident Evil Village showcase set to premiere on April 15.The showcase promises a new trailer and gameplay along with a few surprises.There are rumors that a new Resident Evil Village demo will drop on PlayStation as well.We're one week away from a new Resident Evil Village showcase. Capcom announced that the next is set to air on April 15 and will feature a look at some new gameplay along with a trailer. Judging by the teaser video that accompanied the announcement, we could be seeing a human processing plant along with more of Lady Dimitrescu. You'll find I have no complaints on the latter.The showcase is set to take place on April 15 at 6pm ET / 3pm PT, and you can watch it through the series' social channels on YouTube and Twitch. The last showcase in January ended with a demo being available on PS5, and it appears that may be the case this time as well...

Best answer: No, the rechargeable battery in the Sonos Roam is not removable. By sealing the battery into the speaker, it helps with the device's water- and dust-resistance.What happens when the Sonos Roam's battery is drained?As one of the best smart speaker manufacturers, it was time for Sonos to break into the small portable speaker arena — enter the Sonos Roam. Sonos released the Move in late 2019 and recently announced a battery replacement kit for it but is the Sonos Roam battery removable too? Unfortunately, when the 18Wh battery dies, you won't be able to swap it out for a fresh one.While the battery does offer up to 10-hours of playback time, just because the battery has lost its juice doesn't mean that you can't keep the music going. Sonos included multiple ways to power up your Roam either via USB-C, a yet-to-be-released magnetic dock, or by using one of the best Qi wireless chargers. When using a 10W USB-C charger, not only will it power the speaker so you can kee...

Unlike its predecessor, the new Legion Phone Duel 2 will not be exclusive to China.What you need to knowThe Legion Phone Duel 2 is Lenovo's latest flagship gaming smartphone.It comes equipped with Qualcomm's Snapdragon 888 chipset, dual cooling fans, and up to 18GB of RAM.The phone is slated to go on sale in Europe in May.Lenovo today announced its second-generation Legion gaming phone, dubbed the Legion Phone Duel 2. Like its predecessor, the new Legion Phone Duel 2 packs impressive specs and a unique design that sets it apart from all its rivals.As you would expect, the Legion Phone Duel 2 features Qualcomm's flagship Snapdragon 888 chipset, paired with up to 18GB of LPDDR5 RAM. The phone uses an impressive new cooling system that comprises of a vapor chamber and dual cooling fans.Moving on to the display, Lenovo's latest gaming phone sports a 6.92-inch FHD+ AMOLED screen with a 144Hz refresh rate and 720Hz touch sampling rate. Just like the best Android phones on the...

I'm a huge fan of swipe gestures on my smartphone. Whether they're used for navigating the operating system as introduced in Android 10 or for quickly performing tasks in apps like Gmail or Twitter, they're great for triaging messages and notifications that you don't want or need to dwell on. Swipe gestures are also useful if you like to use your phone one-handed, as I do. That's why I was so excited when Telegram announced that it was now allowing users to customize the swipe gestures available within your messages home screen. If you want to see what options are available to you and learn how to customize chat list swipe gestures in Telegram, then read on!How to customize chat list swipe gestures in TelegramOpen the Telegram app.Tap on the settings menu in the top left corner (three lines).Tap on Settings.Tap on Chat Settings.Scroll down until you see the Chat list swipe gesture options.Scroll through the options including Archive, Mute, Delete, Pin, and Read.Tap to se...

Pasting just the last thing you copied is so 90s; time for a real clipboard on Chromebooks!Among the many very, very exciting changes that came to your favorite Chromebook with Chrome OS 89 is an actual, proper clipboard that'll let paste one of the five most recently-copied words, links, or pictures. As someone who does an ungodly amount of formatting and copy-pasting of links and proper product names, I'm over the moon about this update, and while I was initially worried that I might have to give up my caps lock key to use the dedicated shortcut for the clipboard, this is actually not the case. Even if you have the Search key mapped to caps lock — because SOMETIMES I NEED THE EMPHASIS — you can still take full advantage of the new clipboard. Here's how.Using the keyboard shortcut to access your clipboardThe keyboard shortcut for the newly expanded clipboard is Search + V, which isn't far off from the regular paste action of Ctrl + V. The Search key is that key that would ...

Bolder choicesSamsung Galaxy Buds Pro$190 at Amazon $190 at Best BuyProsBolder soundSolid ANC performanceDynamic ambient mode360-degree audio abilitySignificant water resistanceSupports Qi wireless chargingConsFit requires more fidgetingProprietary ear tips Lower battery lifeSamsung crammed in as much of the previously missing tech as possible with the new Galaxy Buds Pro. Not only is there dynamic, active noise cancelation at work, but it also works in reverse with a lively ambient mode. That's all on top of a bolder sound and better water and sweat resistance for workouts.Staying trueSamsung Galaxy Buds Live$150 at Amazon $150 at Best Buy $150 at B&HProsLong-lasting battery lifeVery comfortable designWearable app truly helpsSupports Qi wireless chargingANC supportConsTouch controls can be finickyDesign can be polarizingSamsung took a whole new approach to build a pair of true wireless earbuds by cutting off the actual ...

Only one unit of the Nord LE will be made, and you can get your hands on it for free.What you need to knowOnePlus' latest social media contest lets you get your hands on a one-of-a-kind phone.Dubbed the Nord LE, only one unit of the phone will be manufactured, and it will be given away to the winner of the contest. The phone is a standard Nord with a unique color option. The OnePlus Nord continues to be one of the best cheap Android phones in 2021, and while it isn't available in North America, OnePlus has manufactured millions of units of the device.What if you're looking for a more limited edition option? That's where the Nord LE comes in. OnePlus revealed the Nord LE on its forums, and the device itself is identical to the regular Nord, but it has a unique gradient effect that transitions from orange to green.Oh, and only one unit of the Nord LE will be made. In case it wasn't clear what LE means, OnePlus says it stands for Literally Only One Edition: The OnePlus...

Despite having been around for a while at this point, we still Sony's XM3 Bluetooth headphones one of the best around, especially if you need a voice assistant in your ears. Right now you can get the Sony WH-1000XM3 active noise-cancelling Bluetooth over-ear headphones for a low price of $191.38 at Amazon. While these headphones don't exactly sell around their $350 MSRP anymore, they have been mostly selling for around $228 recently. They're actually discontinued and not being sold at some retailers, so this may be one of the last chances to get these headphones on sale.While the XM4 headphones have been a great step-up for a new generation, they're also over $150 more expensive at the moment. The XM3 headphones definitely won't let you down.These headphones include USB-C charging, atomic pressure optimization that can adjust for noise-cancelling at higher altitudes, a 30-hour battery life, a quick-charging feature that will give you five hours of playback after 10 minutes of cha...

When it comes to finding the best emulators for Android, there are a lot of variables to consider, along with a lot of options to choose from. For those who want to play Nintendo 3DS ROMs on their smartphones, thankfully, there aren't as many options out there. Here's how you can install a Nintendo 3DS emulator for Android.How to install a Nintendo 3DS emulatorThe first step in the process is finding the best Nintendo 3DS emulators that you want to try. There are a few different options, although our current favorite is Citra Emulator. For the purpose of this guide, that's the emulator that we'll be using. Regardless of which emulator you pick, the steps will largely be the same.Download Citra Emulator from the Google Play Store.Open the app on your phone after it's installed.Tap Allow to provide Citra access to view files on your device.Select the folder where your Nintendo 3DS ROMs are stored. Tap Select this directory at the bottom of the screen. Select the game you ...

The Lenovo Chromebook Flex 5 is our favorite Chromebook for a variety of reasons, including its already affordable price and a plethora of features that works for just about everyone. Right now you can get the touchscreen laptop for just $376.19 at Amazon. That's down from its regular price of $410 and one of the best prices we've ever seen (it was $10 cheaper yesterday, but this is still a good price). Take advantage of this deal before the price jumps back up!This is one of the more powerful Chromebooks around. It has plenty of great features. The technical specifications include an Intel Core i3-10110U processor, 4GB DDR4 RAM, and a 64GB solid state drive. It uses Intel integrated graphics, which should be enough for basic gaming and creative work. It has a pretty solid battery life, too, that lasts up to 10 hours so you don't have to be wired in all the time.It's all powered by the Chrome OS, which is specifically designed to help you maximize your space. Use the Cloud and a ...

The full list of what's been added this week in Wild Rift, which launched in open beta in the Americas.Fans of League of Legends have been clamoring for a version of the game on their mobile devices for some time now, and Riot Games has finally answered with League of Legends: Wild Rift. The game aims to bring the PC game to your pocket, albeit with some tweaks to make it playable on smaller devices. Wild Rift is now officially in open beta for folks in the United States, and has quickly climbed the ranks as one of the best Android games available now. However, for those jumping in for the first time, they may be wondering just which of their favorite League of legends champions has made the cut.As of early April 2021, there are 62 champions found in League of Legends: Wild Rift. Fans of the series will recognize them, but newcomers will have to get used to the various roles and abilities that they have. You can find the list of champions in League of Legends: Wild Rift below.E...

If your budget for a pair of headphones allows, then something under $100 is within reach. They range from over-ear headphones to true wireless earbuds, giving you some variety to select from. For the best of the bunch, you'd have to start with the Anker Soundcore Life Q30 because of their excellent sound quality, comfort, and consistency.Best Overall: Anker Soundcore Life Q30Need long battery life? With the Anker Soundcore Life Q30, you get up to 40 hours of playback while ANC is enabled, with that number going up to a ridiculous 60 hours when ANC is off. That's an impressive figure for a pair of budget headphones, and adding USB-C now makes fast charging possible. Plug in for five minutes and get four hours of play time.That kind of long battery life makes comfort a bigger factor, and thankfully, Anker delivers there. It improved the design and materials from the previous interation, with a nice headband that goes together with deep and wide ear cups to accommodate even the...

Chatting with the AC forums.We're revisiting another popular forum discussion today and checking in with our AC community on Samsung Dex. Samsung introduced this new computing form factor back in 2017, and over the past couple of years, it brought the ability to connect your Galaxy smartphone to a computer wirelessly.The problem is, not everyone knows how to use Dex with their Galaxy phone, or even if they do, they still report issues in the process. In particular, AC forum members report issues using wireless Dex with a monitor or TV. JREwing 04-06-2021 07:07 AM “ With wireless Dex, my mouse acts like it's going crazy. Almost useless because of lag. I plug in the device and hardwire Dex, and it works perfect. I hope there is a software update coming soon. I was looking forward to the wireless Dex on both my S7 and Note 10+. Reply Kizzy Ca...

Who needs keys when you have fingerprints?For years, the best smart locks have been trying to get rid of keys, but the experience often falls short of the simplicity of a key. Sure, you could use the PIN pad to unlock the door, but, personally, inputting a PIN always feels like an easy way for someone to gain easy access by watching you tap (or looking at the fingerprints on that shiny keypad). Smartphone entry is a great alternative — especially when locks like the August Wi-Fi Smart Lock will automatically unlock when you're in range — but that, of course, requires you to have your phone on your person, making it no better than a key that can be left in the house accidentally.Eufy seems to have figured out the ideal solution to both of these problems and, ultimately, the best way to get rid of the keys you'll find on any smart lock: a fingerprint scanner right above the keypad. This simple-yet-ingenious solution seems like a no-brainer for a smart lock, and, really, it is. ...

OnePlus is already working on a fix.What you need to knowSeveral OnePlus 9 Pro owners are experiencing overheating issues with their devices.Most owners claim the phone starts overheating when using the camera.OnePlus is aware of the issue and plans to resolve it with a software update.The OnePlus 9 Pro is, without a doubt, one of the best Android phones launched so far this year, offering nearly everything you would expect from a 2021 flagship. Unfortunately, however, a large number of OnePlus 9 Pro users are reporting overheating problems with their devices.As spotted by the folks over at Android Police, many OnePlus 9 Pro owners have complained about the issue on Twitter and the company's official support forum. In most cases, OnePlus 9 Pro users get an overheating warning when using the camera app. Surprisingly, the overheating warning can sometimes appear even when attempting to take a photo outside. We can confirm that our OnePlus 9 Pro review unit also suffers fr...

The best way to experience zero-gravity without losing your cookies.When Ready at Dawn studios released the unfathomably good Lone Echo — a game that invented and simultaneously perfected zero gravity mechanics in VR — few realized how well it would translate into a competitive multiplayer title. Echo VR, as it's now called, is the multiplayer-only spin-off of Lone Echo, available both on the Oculus Quest, Oculus Quest 2, and Oculus Rift platforms.Echo VR already made the list of best Oculus Quest 2 games, and Echo VR Season 1 promises to incentivize players to keep returning so that they can earn points over the season — which ends on May 23, 2021 — earning new chassis, stickers, and other cosmetic features to represent their robot alter-ego. Echo VR is a free-to-play game and Season 1 marks the first time players can opt-in to purchase additional cosmetic items for their characters.Is it worth your time and money? We went hands-on for a few weeks with the Oculus Quest...

As great as the OnePlus 9 is, I keep finding myself going back to the Pixel 4a.A few weeks ago, I was lucky enough to spend some time with the latest value flagship from OnePlus when I got to write our OnePlus 9 review. I liked it so much that I dubbed it "Android's new value flagship champ," and I've been using it continuously to this day. Even though many would argue that the Samsung Galaxy S20 FE still holds that crown, there's no denying that the OnePlus 9 is a better option than previous OnePlus devices like the 8 or 8T.I praised the 9's Hasselblad-tuned cameras, its beautiful 120Hz AMOLED display, and its improved haptics, and even though I was a little let down by the color options in the U.S., I was suitably impressed with the availability of cases that can add a little flair and protection to the device.But as much fun as I've been having with the OnePlus 9, I have to admit that I've been giving a couple of my other devices some serious side-eye of late, most notab...

Can champion Dustin Johnson become just the fourth player to triumph back-to-back at Augusta? Read on for full details on how to get a live stream of The Masters 2021 with our guide below.Back in its regular April slot, having been shunted to October last year thanks to the pandemic, the 84th edition of the tournament also welcomes back fans.With a limited number of patrons set to be allowed on the course to watch, the Masters 2021 will be the first major with onlooking spectators since 2019's Open Championship at Royal Portrush, which should bring some welcome added atmosphere and tension to proceedings.Last year's coronavirus-delayed tournament saw Johnson shoot a 20-under-par 268 to set a new tournament record on his way to glory, and the current World No.1 is being heavily backed to retain his title this year.Nevertheless, the pundits' choice to finish the final round victorious this time appears to be Bryson DeChambeau, following his win at the Arnold Palmer Invitational...

The UEFA Europa League returns today as La Liga's Granada CF host Premier League giants Manchester United in this quarter-final clash. Don't miss a moment with our Granada vs Man United live stream guide.This is Granada's first European campaign in their 90-year history and the Nazaríes will be wanting to make the most of the home-field advantage in this quarter-final first-leg clash.Diego Martínez's side finished second in a group containing PSV, PAOK, and Omonia in order to progress to the knockout stages and have seen off stiff competition from Napoli and Molde in order to reach the quarter-finals at the first time of asking.Today's opponents Manchester United are no strangers to the latter stages of the Europa League having reached the semi-finals last season.The Red Devils dropped into this year's Europa League competition at the round of 32 after failing to escape their Champions League group. Victories over Real Sociedad and AC Milan secured their Europa League quart...

LG's current premium phones will receive three Android updates.What you need to knowAfter exiting the handset market, LG is now promising three Android updates to its current portfolio.LG says its premium phones released after 2019 in the G series and V series as well as the Velvet and Wing are eligible. 2020 phones in the K series and LG Stylo will get two platform updates. LG confirmed its exit from the smartphone market earlier this week, with the company winding down operations by the end of July. While the announcement said that current phones will continue to receive updates, LG didn't clarify just what phones were eligible, and how many updates they will receive.In a new press release, LG is clarifying its stance on software updates. Basically, all of LG's premium phones released after 2019 in the G series and V series — and last year's Velvet and Wing — will receive three guaranteed Android updates.That's in line with what Samsung offers on its best Android ...

The OnePlus 9R is nothing more than a rebranded OnePlus 8T with a different camera housing.With the OnePlus 9 Pro, OnePlus has shown that it can deliver an all-round package that measures up to the best Android phones in the market today. The OnePlus 9 takes that same formula but at a more accessible price point.Then we have the OnePlus 9R. The phone is positioned as the value option in the OnePlus 9 lineup, slotting in at ₹10,000 ($135) less than the OnePlus 9. But in reality, the OnePlus 9R is just a rebranded OnePlus 8T with a new design for the rear camera housing.Of course, this isn't the first time OnePlus did this. The OnePlus 7 was effectively the same phone as the OnePlus 6T, but with new camera modules and an upgraded chipset. It's no surprise, then, that the OnePlus 9R is limited to India and China. OnePlus isn't launching the phone in other markets because it also understands that the 9R doesn't offer anything substantially different to the 8T.So why is OnePlus ...

Since you're here, chances are you've come across the term VPN or Virtual Private Network. Mabe you've heard about VPNs because you want to watch BBC iPlayer on U.S. soil or Netflix when traveling abroad, or perhaps you want to know everything about why a VPN is also great for anonymity, security, and your personal online safety. If any of that applies to you, you're in the right place.What is a VPN and why do I need one?A VPN is a clever way of obscuring your online identity and encryption data sent and received from your devices. Usually, when you go online you get connected to a server and given a unique IP address. This identifies where you are logging on from and can be used to associate data with you. Since these servers are relatively open, there are inherent risks to privacy with that data being visible to your Internet Service Provider (ISP) or even potential bad actors wanting to intercept that data.This IP address and associated data can give away your real-world ide...

The Play Store redesign is here whether you like it or not.What you need to knowGoogle's new Play Store UI is rolling out now on Android devices.The updated UI removes the hamburger menu and moves it to the profile thumbnail.The redesign is already a point of contention for some.There have been whispers of Google working on a UI refresh for the Play Store for some time now. The last time Play Store received a new look was in 2019 when it rolled out the new Material theme with a new color scheme and bottom navigation bar. While those elements have remained, this latest redesign does move around some UI elements in an effort to make things look cleaner.When you first open the new Play Store UI, you'll notice that the hamburger menu on the left side is no longer there. You'll be greeted with a dialogue telling you that the Play Store menu items have all been moved to your profile thumbnail. Clicking it will bring up the menu, which has been condensed. For instance, the opt...

But it's not the only Clubhouse competitor Facebook is working on.What you need to knowFacebook is testing a new web app called Hotline that is very similar to the popular Clubhouse app.Hotline allows the host to live stream instead of being audio-only. Sessions are recorded and saved afterward.Anyone can sign up on the waiting list using their Twitter account.Facebook has been developing its competitor to the popular Clubhouse app that's sweeping the iPhone community. Today's public test "launch" of Hotline is a little something like that, Facebook's experimental NPE division. The web app has many of the fixings of a Clubhouse competitor, but with a little extra flare - or fire - thrown in.Hotline is a web application that lets users host Q&A sessions with an audience. Similar to how you use Twitter Spaces or Clubhouse, it can be an audio-only session, and unlike those platforms, the host can also choose to live stream the session with video. Another way it differs i...

Blink BasicSingle camera subscription$3/mo. or $30/yr. at AmazonProsInexpensive Storage on Blink's cloudLive view and motion clip recordingPhoto captureRapid video accessConsOnly works with one Blink device Extended warranty not includedBlink discount not included Blink Basic is extremely affordable at only $30 per year and will give you access to all the extra features you need to improve your home security, such as storage of motion clips and live view sessions on Blink's cloud server that you can view via Blink's app. The downside is that Blink Basic will only cover one security camera.Blink PlusMultiple device protection$10/mo. or $100/yr. at AmazonProsCovers multiple Blink devicesStorage on Blink's cloudExtended warranty 10 percent Blink device discount Live view and motion clip recording ConsMore expensiveBlink Plus costs more, but it's the subscription plan for anyone that owns a few Blink security cameras. This plan wi...

Fitbit looks to continue adding useful health monitoring features to its product lineup.What you need to knowFitbit is currently investigating the possibility of measuring one's blood pressure from its wrist-based trackers.It is currently conducting a study to determine if its existing sensors can be used to measure this data point.It's not clear if Fitbit will unveil this option with new products or extend it to current devices.Fitbit has always been a fitness-focused wearable company, but it has really stepped up its health-tracking game with all kinds of new sensors, devices, and features over the past year or so. According to a recent post on the company's blog, we may soon be able to track a new health metric — our blood pressure.Fitbit is currently undertaking a study through its Fitbit Labs research arm to see how some of its existing Fitbit devices might be used to track a person's blood pressure. The study will try to determine if the sensor array on the Sense...