Latest from Android Central

There's no word yet on when the first Xiaomi phone with 200W charging will launch.What you need to knowXiaomi's 200W 'HyperCharge' reduces a phone's battery capacity to 80% after 800 charging and discharging cycles.The industry-leading fast charging solution was announced last month.OPPO's 125W Flash Charge and other rival fast-charging solutions also have a similar impact on long-term battery health after 800 charging cycles. Xiaomi's 200W 'HyperCharge' fast charging technology was showcased last month, making it possible for a 4,000mAh battery to be fully charged in just 8 minutes. While there's no doubt that the technology is awe-inspiring, there are concerns about its long-term impact on battery health.In a Q&A posted on its Weibo page, Xiaomi today answered some of the questions regarding battery degradation with its 200W charging solution (via Android Authority). According to the company, a battery could lose around 20% of its capacity after 800 charging and dis...

Whether you're making an all-day road trip or just your normal half-hour commute, the car is the perfect place to top off your shiny, new Android phone. After all, your phone should be stationary in a car mount for Android Auto or stowed away, so you're not tempted to use it while driving. Car chargers come in many styles and shapes, but with the advent of USB-C Power Delivery charging, we now have a widely used standard that can be used for charging a phone or even laptops off the same port. Here are the best car chargers to replenish your battery on the road.Futureproof chargingAnker 49.5W PowerDrive Speed+ 2 Car AdapterStaff PickThis charger features a 30W USB-C Power Delivery port that can charge your Chromebook decently or charge most phones at top speed and a USB-A port to charge older phones and accessories. Anker's build quality also means this charger might outlive your car.$35 at Best BuyGo wirelessiOttie Easy One Touch Wireless 2Who wants to plug in and...

You'll need a literal warehouse in order to take advantage, though.What you need to knowOculus Quest and Quest 2 update v30 could introduce a new, expanded Guardian play space.This place space would max out at 15 meters per side, or 49ft long.Upcoming games like Space Pirate Arena should be able to take full advantage of the new, larger play spaces.The Oculus Guardian looks to be getting a big upgrade with Oculus Quest update v30, as noted by UploadVR. The Oculus Quest will soon be able to create those virtual Guardian boundaries up to 15 meters in length; that's 49ft long for Americans like myself who aren't used to metric sizing. We're confirming the math with Facebook but, if the measurements are in the same proportion, this means the new maximum diagonal size of the Oculus Guardian would be 11.25 meters or nearly 37ft. That's a substantial upgrade from the current maximum diagonal size, which rests at 7.5 meters or 24.6ft.Oculus updated the Guardian around this time l...

Here's my weblink, so call me maybe?What you need to knowWe asked our readers if they were excited by Apple's announcement that it will make its popular FaceTime video chat service available to Android users.Nearly half of respondents said flat out that they didn't care.Almost as many were lukewarm about the announcement, while nearly a quarter of respondents said they were actually excited by the news.On Monday, Apple kicked off its WWDC conference with a two-hour keynote presentation filled with new announcements about its latest software releases. One of the biggest pieces of news for iOS was the announcement that the company would be making its popular FaceTime video calling service available to Android and Windows users via web links. Since communicating with our iPhone-toting friends and family can sometimes be a challenge, we wanted to hear from the Android community whether or not they were excited by these developments.Over 42% of respondents said that they were ...

Amass your insect horde and prepare your troops for battle in this tiny but mighty resource management game.I'm not the sharpest tool in the shed, but it's still somewhat rare that I encounter a game that instantly makes me feel like I'm way out of my depth. And yet here I stand with The Ants: Underground Kingdom, trying to build up an ant colony and feeling like an absolute newb in the process.The Ants is a strategy and resource management game where you're appointed as the ruler of your own tiny kingdom, which you need to build and expand as far as you can to obtain insect dominance. The depth to this unique title and its great production value make this an easy contender for our best Android games.Your colony revolves around your queen, of course, and you need to mobilize workers and soldiers to your advantage. The game's tutorial does a decent job of holding your hand through the first few chapters to ensure you get the gameplay before eventually setting you loose on your...

Could more UI customization options be on the way?What you need to knowGoogle Chrome Canary v93.0.4536.2 adds a customizable shortcut button to the address bar.Once you enable the toolbar shortcut, Chrome will automatically add a new button between the address bar and the tab switcher, based on your usage. You can access the new toolbar options by heading over to Settings > Advanced > Toolbar shortcut. Google recently rolled out Chrome 92 beta for Android with quick access to Google Lens in the address bar, an improved video conferencing experience, a new file handling API, and a few UI tweaks. As part of random A/B tests, Google also rolled out a new button between the address bar and the tab switcher to a small number of users – a 'New tab' shortcut for some, and a 'Share' shortcut for others.Google has now introduced a 'Toolbar shortcut' option for users with Chrome Canary 93, giving users the ability to customize the new button (via Android Police). If you ha...

You may know that there are three smart screen devices currently being sold by Amazon, but do you know which is the best Amazon Echo Show? With so many showy Echo devices, which one should you get? We'll talk you through each option to help you decide which is right for your home, although right now, we recommend the Echo Show 8 (2nd Gen) above the others because of its perfectly accommodating size.Best Amazon Echo Show overall: Echo Show 8 (2nd Gen)The Echo Show 8 (2nd Gen) sits right in the middle of the Echo Show line. As such, it takes some of the best features from the high to low ends. For example, it's in-between the smaller size of the Echo Show 5 (2nd Gen) and the arguably unwieldy size of the Echo Show 10 (3rd Gen). It improves upon the smaller Echo Show 5 (2nd Gen) sound quality with double the number of speakers (two 2-inch speakers at 10W per channel vs. one 1.7-inch speaker at 4W per channel). Plus, it has the same 1280x800 display as the larger Echo Show 10 (3rd ...

Gallium nitride picks up where silicon ends — it's stronger, runs cooler, and is finally cost-effective enough to end up in cheap devices like wall chargers.Like most everyone else I have a pile of random phone chargers that sits mostly unused. I've recycled all the horrid low-power ones that used to be good enough to charge a phone and kept the best USB-C chargers, but still have more than I'll ever need. I even have a good many that support USB-C Power Delivery so I really don't care that phone makers pretend to care about the environment and don't include one in the box.I also rarely use any of them, because I have one that's a lot better in every way. You see it in the photo above, where it looks like just another charger, but it's actually a 100-watt Aukey USB Type C gallium nitride charger. It's a little bigger than the crummy charger that used to come with every phone, but it's also powerful enough to charge two laptops at the same time and barely gets warm to the touch....

Moto G Stylus 5GFor versatility$400 at MotorolaProsSuperior screen5G connectivityHigher-end specsConsTwice the priceBarely-changed designThe Moto G Stylus 5G brings a large display with a sharp enough resolution to see what you're doing clearly, which will come in handy if you're going to make use of the built-in stylus regularly. Its 5G connectivity, large battery, and Android 11 operating system make it a bit more prepared to last for a few years, but it comes with a major price uplift.Moto G Power (2021)For affordability$200 at MotorolaProsAffordable priceLarge batteryBig screenConsDowngraded displayWeaker performanceThe Moto G Power (2021) is a simple phone that may hint at complexity with its three cameras, but its main selling points should really be its large display and large battery. It doesn't have high-end performance, and its display isn't super sharp, but it will likely do the job for more casual smartphone use....

Thank you, Kustom themers, you da real MVP.Android 12 is in beta right now, if you have one of the supported phones, but even on the beta, there's not much of the new Material You theming to be found so far. You can set accent colors, but the only updated widget we've seen so far is Conversations, which doesn't really work yet.That's okay, though. Hundreds of Android themers saw the Material You demo during Google I/O and immediately set to work. In theming communities like r/androidthemes and r/kustom, there's been a flurry of KWGT preset packs shared over the last month. I've tried several of these packs, and these are the three you'll have the best theming experience with. Because they're third-party, you can use them with every Android launcher and almost every modern Android phone.Please keep in mind that in order to use KWGT packs, you need to either pay for KWGT Pro or be a Google Play Pass subscriber, and you need the main KWGT app installed before you can add any of th...

Pick a game for your kids to play on their Android devices.Xbox Game Pass has so many games that one person will probably not be able to play them all in one lifetime. It has games for Android gamers, console gamers, RPG fans, FPS enthusiasts, casual gamers, and just about everything in between.It's not just the adult gamers who can get something out of a Game Pass subscription. There are plenty of games on Game Pass that are appropriate for younger players as well. Several of them have touch controls, though there are several that require the use of a controller. Luckily, there are several controllers that work well with Game Pass on Android.These are the games we recommend for parents who want to let their kids play on Game Pass.Jump to:Banjo-KazooieSlime RancherDisneyland AdventuresRush: A DisneyPixar AdventureOvercooked 2Ori & the Blind ForestPHOGS!Viva PiñataNew Super Lucky's TaleYooka-Laylee and the Impossible LairBanjo-KazooieThis game and i...

Samsung's next big version update has an exciting design and loads of new features.One UI 3.0 — Samsung's custom interface for Android 11 — is here. With most of its 2020 phones now receiving the update, Samsung's well underway with its update process for the new software. The stable release has made its way to the Galaxy S20, Note 20, S10, Note 10, and dozens of other Samsung phones, and it landed on tablets as well.One UI 3.0 comes with exciting new features, subtle UI tweaks, and optimizations across the board. Here's what you need to know about the One UI 3.0 update, the list of eligible phones that are getting the stable update, and when you'll get the stable OTA update on your Galaxy phone. With the Galaxy S21 series offering One UI 3.1 out of the box, Samsung is making that particular build available to its older flagships, so let's see what One UI 3.1 brings to the table as well.The default choiceSamsung Galaxy S21 Ultra$1,200 at Amazon$1,200 at Best Buy$1...

OxygenOS 11 brings a radical new visual layout and dozens of features.OnePlus made the switch to Android 11 last year with OxygenOS 11, introducing a new visual design and a slew of exciting new features. While OnePlus was content to offer a UI that mimicked vanilla Android in the past, that has changed with OxygenOS 11. There are distinct styling elements here, and the interface resembles Samsung's One UI quite a bit.In terms of features, we finally get Always-on Display. Although OnePlus phones have used AMOLED panels from the beginning, the company didn't offer an AOD mode — until now. There's also a simplified settings page, new system font with better readability, more customization options, new themes for Zen Mode, and a whole lot more.OxygenOS 11 is installed out of the box on the OnePlus 8T and the OnePlus 9 series, and the update has made its way to all of OnePlus' 2020 and 2019 phones, including the OnePlus 8 series, OnePlus 7 and 7T series, and the Nord. OnePlu...

Android 12 is the 'biggest design change in Android's history,' and you can install it right now.Android 11 was an update that was greater than the sum of its parts. Smaller features like chat bubbles, conversation notifications, and a built-in screen recorder don't sound all that impressive on their own. Combined into one seamless package, however, Android 11 was a pretty great update for Google's mobile OS.While it introduced a lot of under-the-hood changes, Android 11 didn't have many user-facing features. That's changing with Android 12; the second beta is now available, and it includes exciting new features in the form of overhauled customization options, useful privacy and security fixes, and fun animations throughout the animation.Google calls Android 12 "the biggest design change in Android's history," and that's immediately evident once you take a look at the new interface. If you need a quick look at what the interface looks and feels like right now, you should he...

The TicWatch Pro 3 GPS seems set to get the Wear OS update, but we have to wait and see.Update: A source close to Android Central stated that the Wear OS 3.0 update is not yet confirmed for the TicWatch Pro 3 at this time, but efforts are being made, and we should hopefully know more soon. The article has been updated to reflect the new information.What you need to knowAccording to a customer service representative, the TicWatch Pro 3 GPS will be receiving the new Wear OS in the future.There is no set date for the availability of the new wearable OS from Google and Samsung, but it's expected to launch this year.If true, this update would put Mobvoi into an elite category of manufacturers willing to update their smartwatch to the brand new OS.Ever since the new Wear OS was announced at Google I/O 2021 — a joint effort by Samsung and Google to make the ultimate smartwatch OS — a few things have remained a bit unclear. Which of the best Wear OS watches will be getting t...

Android 12 is already breaking records, and it's only in beta.What you need to knowGoogle VP of Engineering has stated that the Android 12 beta has been downloaded more than any other.The tweet comes just as the second beta becomes available on eligible devices.Android 12 beta 2 comes with several visual and privacy enhancements.Android 12 is currently in beta, but the platform update is already breaking records according to Google's VP of Engineering. Dave Burke stated on Twitter that the Android 12 beta was Google's "most downloaded/installed beta ever."Android 12's beta is by far our most downloaded/installed beta ever. Speaking of which, Beta 2 is available today: https://t.co/VR8CtXKWkZ— Dave Burke (@davey_burke) June 9, 2021The statement comes just as the second beta makes its way to some of the best Android phones. The new beta comes with a host of visual and privacy enhancements, such as the new Material You theming system and the Privacy Dashboard, features...

We're not sure where Sam met Snake, but he picked up a few tricks.What you need to knowHideo Kojima made an appearance at the Summer Game Fest, and dropped the teaser trailer for the Director's Cut of Death Stranding.Death Stranding Directors Cut is coming to PlayStation 5 "soon."The entire teaser trailer is one big Metal Gear Solid-inspired joke.An expanded version of Death Stranding is coming soon to PlayStation 5, as Hideo Kojima revealed during a first look at the Summer Game Fest. We don't know anything about it yet, other than that Kojima Productions is apparently not above poking fun at some of the auteur's previous creations, as the whole teaser trailer is basically one big joke at the expense of Metal Gear Solid.Kojima appeared during the Summer Game Fest during a pre-recorded interview with Geoff Keighley. Initially, he responded to Keighley's questions with only vague hints about his future projects, only to drop the trailer for the new release of Death Str...

When it comes to playing games via Xbox Game Pass, once known as Project xCloud, you'll need the best controllers for Android gaming. There are also many titles to choose from, so be sure to check out the best Game Pass games you can play on your phone. When it comes to audio, though, finding the best Bluetooth headset that takes your gaming to the next level can be tough. These are our picks for the best around.Best overallSteelSeries - Arctis Pro Wireless Gaming HeadsetStaff PickThe SteelSeries Arctis Pro Wireless is one of the best choices when it comes to Bluetooth gaming headsets. While the price point is extremely high, it comes packed with features and has some of the best audio that a gaming headset can provide. The Arctis Pro Wireless even comes packaged with a wireless transmitter for those looking to transition from mobile gaming to a console or PC.$330 at Best BuyCancel out the noiseBL - Quantum 800 RGB Wireless DTS HeadphoneThe JBL Quantum 800 i...

Play all the Ubisoft games you could ever want for a monthly price.Game companies continue to seek ways to get their games in the hands of gamers, and subscription services like Xbox Game Pass and GeForce Now are all the rage. Following that trend, Ubisoft has launched Ubisoft Plus, a subscription that opens up the company's substantial library of games for a monthly price.Ubisoft+ resembles EA Play more than it does the likes of Xbox Game Pass. It's a publisher-specific service, and gives you access only to Ubisoft games. However, given that it's attached to Google Stadia and Amazon Luna, you can not only have access to these games on cloud, but you can also play the games on PC without either of those services.Jump to:What is Ubisoft+?How much does it cost?What devices is it available on on?What games are available?Ubisoft+:Reward systemWhat is Ubisoft+?Originally called UPLAY+, Ubisoft+ is Ubisoft's dedicated game subscription service. For a monthly price, yo...

Screen-on time helps users better understand their phone usage habits.What you need to knowGoogle has confirmed that it will be bringing back screen-on time information with a future Android 12 build.The option to view your screen-on time since the last full charge was removed in the first Android 12 beta. You can still use a third-party app to check your screen time in Android 12 Beta 2. Google introduced a ton of new features with the first Android 12 beta last month — including Material You design tweaks and privacy enhancements. Weirdly, the first public Android 12 beta also removed the ability to view the "screen-on time" in the Battery section of the Settings app.On Android 11, users can view their phone's screen-on time by heading over to Settings > Battery > screen usage since full charge. The screen-on time could be accessed from the same section in the first two Android 12 Developer Preview builds as well. With the third Android 12 Developer Preview, how...

The best wireless chargers give you an easy way to top up a phone's battery, and the Galaxy Note 10 and Galaxy Note 10+ support every standard you can think of, including Qi, PMA, and Samsung's own Fast Wireless Charging 2.0. The Note 10 and 10+ support extra-fast speeds of 12W and 15W, respectively, but only with a select few chargers. Let's round up the best Note 10 wireless chargers for your new phone!Best wireless chargersSamsung 15W Fast Charge 2.0 Wireless Charger StandStaff PickIf you want the absolute best wireless charging speeds for your new Note 10, Samsung's own 15W wireless charging stand is your best bet. It's not cheap, but that's because there's a lot of tech inside. Charge your phone vertically or horizontally, cool down your phone with a fan, and change the fan speed and LED strength.$51 at Amazon $60 at Best Buy $78 at B&H PhotoTwo for oneYootech (2 Pack) Wireless Charger,Qi-Certified 10W Max Wireless Charging StandBest ValueIf you l...

Advertisers want the right people to see the right products, and Google uses the advertising ID to do it.Google has built many of the products and services we use every day, but selling things to consumers isn't how the tech giant makes the bulk of its money. Google is primarily an advertising company.That doesn't mean Google is creating ads and making sure you see all of them (though the company can help create captivating advertisements); it means that Google sells advertising space for other companies to use inside of its products and across the web. This is a very competitive space and one where Google has a unique (and potentially unfair) advantage: tracking our interests can focus on showing the right ads to the right people. Google makes money because it knows what you like.I'll use the same analogy I always use here. I like fishing. I buy fishing equipment on the internet, research fishing spots on the internet, and watch videos about new fishing techniques on the ...

The best chargers to buy today for laptops, Android phones, and everything in between these days are GaN chargers, short for Gallium nitride. Semiconductors made with Gallium nitride like the Anker Nano II can be smaller than traditional silicon chips, and smaller chips make smaller, lighter, and ultimately better chargers. The tech has been around for a couple of years now, but this is still a relatively small field. These are the best GaN chargers with Power Delivery charging you can buy today.Too small to pass upAnker Nano II 45WStaff PickThis 45W charger is smaller than most 30W chargers, thanks to what Anker calls "GaN II" chips, making it even more efficient and limiting heat buildup. The folding prongs also make it perfect for travel.$36 at Amazon $36 at WalmartBest dual-port chargerRAVPower GaN PD 90W Wall ChargerI love the utility of this charger. You can charge a Macbook at top speed, charge two Chromebooks at top speed, or fast-charge a laptop and a tab...

Messenger and Instagram gain new themes paying homage to World Oceans Day and two pop media releases.What you need to knowFacebook today improved Messenger's payments support with QR codes and links.The app, including Instagram, also picked up new themes.Finally, Facebook makes it easier to reply to media in conversations with a quick reply bar. Facebook today is rolling out new updates to Messenger and Instagram (for users who've updated to the new Instagram). The update adds support for new themes, a quick reply bar when sending or receiving media, and new ways to send and receive money from anyone using Facebook Pay.The payment feature is probably the most significant. Like Apple Pay and iMessage, Facebook has allowed U.S users to send each other money without leaving the app. Messenger payments are probably not coming outside the U.S. because there are easier methods for P2P transfers in international markets, but that doesn't stop Facebook from improving on it.The ...

Gmail and Google Photos are two of Google's best services. But they've never worked well together, until now. So if you're still using Google Photos, even after Google did away with unlimited storage, and haven't moved on to a cloud backup alternative, you can now save photos directly to Google Photos with a click.In May 2021, Google announced that the two services will now work better together. You can save photos sent via email directly to Google Photos, but there are some limitations. First, it only works with JPEG images. Second, it only works when viewing Gmail in a browser; this is not for mobile yet. Here's how to do it.How to move photos from Gmail to Google PhotosWhen you receive an email with a JPEG photo attachment, you can save it to Google Photos in one of two ways.Hover your mouse over the photo, and click the icon in the lower right corner that looks like a Google Photos icon with a plus symbol.The first time you do that, you'll get a message asking you to ...

Armor up Ratchet and Rivet before taking down their enemies.Ratchet and Clank: Rift Apart features several armor sets that both Ratchet and Rivet can wear throughout the game, giving them damage buffs and other benefits. Each armor set is comprised of three pieces; the helmet, chest, and boots. Without all three pieces of a complete set, you won't get their collection bonus buffs. Thankfully, each map tells you exactly where to find the armor you need. It's then all about exploring the area and picking it up. You'll find most pieces within optional dimensional rifts that feature platforming puzzles of some kind, and there are eight total sets to be found.Here's every armor set in Ratchet and Clank: Rift Apart and the buffs that they offer:Galactic RangerDescription: The classic helmet of the Solana Galactic Rangers. The Galactic Rangers' chest armor is forged with justice and Raritarium. The Galactic Rangers' pants protect the galaxy... and your legs.Collection Bonus: Mel...

Ms. Zurkon has a lot of weapons for you to buy, so save up those bolts.Ratchet and Clank: Rift Apart wouldn't be much without the arsenal of weapons at your disposal. As you progress throughout the game, you'll be able to purchase new weapons from Ms. Zurkon with all of the bolts you collect. Because ammo can sometimes be scarce and because of the wide variety of weapons, I highly recommend switching between several instead of sticking to just one. You'll want to purchase the entire lot to make the most out of combat.Here's every weapon you can get in Ratchet and Clank: Rift Apart:Jump to:Blast PistolThe ExecutorShatterbombMr. FungiTopiary SprinklerLarge Negatron ColliderWreckochetLightning RodDrillhoundVoid ReactorCold SnapGlove of DoomBombardierBuzz BladesPeacemakerBlackhole StormHeadhunterRyno 8Blast PistolDescription: Fires three shots of hot plasma at once. Accuracy decreases if shots are fired in a stream.The ExecutorDescription: Abl...

For the whole familyAmazon Echo Show 5 (2nd Gen)$85 at AmazonProsAffordableMultiple color optionsOption for Amazon Kids+ConsOnly 2 MP cameraNot very big for displaying photosIf you're looking for a smart display for an adult or older child's bedroom nightstand or desk, the Echo Show 5 (2nd Gen) is a good option that adds the benefit of a screen to the smart speaker experience. It costs less than the Kids edition, but it's effectively the same smart display in a different finish without a kids content subscription.Great for young kidsAmazon Echo Show 5 Kids$95 at AmazonProsAffordableBright, cool color optionComes with Amazon Kids+ subscriptionStand and light bundle optionsConsOnly 2MP cameraNot very big screen for displaying photosIf you are searching for a device your young child can use exclusively, the Kids Edition of the Amazon Echo Show 5 is the perfect choice since it comes with a one-year subscription to the Amazon Kids+ se...

Privacy Dashboard, automated Material You theming, and plenty of quality of life features to behold.Android 12 Beta 2 launched today, and we immediately got our hooks into Google's latest mobile OS release to bring you everything that's new with Android. Android 12 Beta 2 brings us the Privacy Dashboard for the first time — the center for how users will control privacy on Pixels for the foreseeable future — as well as a more fleshed-out Material You theming engine, brand new ways to connect to Wi-Fi quickly, a new location to access Google Pay and control your smart home, and much more.Quite a bit has changed since we got our hands on Android 12 Beta 1, as you can see from the list above. Our Android 12 Beta 2 hands-on is just below and, if you like what you see and have a supported device like a Pixel 5, you can install Android 12 and give it a shot.Android 12 Beta 2 Privacy at the forefrontThere's no doubt that privacy is the new tech buzzword of 2021. While Apple is ...

Android 12's Privacy Dashboard does the one thing it had to do — be a single place where you can see exactly which apps are accessing your potentially sensitive data.The second beta of Android 12 has arrived and among the additions is one I've been looking forward to for a while — the Privacy Dashboard.I'll tell you right up front that this isn't the end-all-be-all when it comes to managing your digital privacy, but that unicorn doesn't exist anywhere, even on the best Android phone money can buy. But it's actually better than I expected it to be, and since this is "just" a beta release, there is time for it to get even better. I've been taking a look at it for a minute, and here's everything you need to know about how it works and what I think of it.What the Privacy Dashboard isImagine a single screen with a list of all the permissions and hardware that could be used to transmit sensitive data. Things like your location or your phone call logs. Things like your camera ...

The device comes with a Google Assistant-enabled remote control featuring dedicated buttons for nearly all major streaming platforms.What you need to knowWalmart's Onn-branded Android TV streaming devices are now available to purchase.The 4K model costs $30, while the FHD stick is priced at $25. Both models ship with a Google-designed remote control featuring a built-in microphone. Walmart's in-house Android TV UHD Streaming Device, which was quietly announced last month, is finally available to purchase (via 9to5Google). In addition to Walmart stores, you can also purchase the device online from the retailer's website for $30.The Onn-branded Android TV UHD Streaming Device has a similar design to Google's ADT-3 streaming device, which was announced for developers in December 2019. It also has a Google-designed remote control with dedicated buttons for popular streaming services like Netflix, HBO Max, Disney+, and YouTube. The remote includes an IR blaster, too, so you'll...

An AI-driven mesh system with incredible 5GHz Wi-Fi 6 performance.The TP-Link Deco X90 is without a doubt one of the fastest mesh systems I've ever used with a tri-band Wi-Fi 6 connection adding up to AX6600 speeds. This Deco also has an attractive design that looks great in just about any home, with interlocking curves that remind me a bit of expressionist architecture, a follow-up to Art Deco. The nodes are also compact for their power making them easy to place.With coverage of up to 6,000 square feet, the Deco X90 is a top contender for those looking to cover a large home or even a property with detached buildings. The Deco X90 gets even more powerful as you add nodes thanks to an AI-driven mesh technology that learns from your connected devices moving between nodes as well as neighboring connections. TP-Link notes that this information is all stored locally and is not uploaded to the cloud.The raw power of the equipment with its fast AX6600 Wi-Fi 6 connection and the intell...

This week, Daniel and Ara welcome iMore's Joe Keller and Android Developer Chris Lacy of Action Launcher and SwirlWalls fame onto the show. They have an in-depth conversation about Apple's announcements at WWDC 2021 and the latest Android 12 beta from Google.Listen nowSubscribe in Spotify: AudioSubscribe in iTunes: AudioSubscribe in RSS: AudioDownload directly: AudioLinks:WWDC 2021: All the biggest Apple news and announcements | iMoreApple will bring head tracking to spatial audio on Apple Music later this year | iMoreApple is bringing FaceTime to Android in the most green bubble way possible | Android CentralGoogle is walking back on one of our favorite Android 12 design tweaks | Android CentralAndroid 12 will bring the end of third-party share menus | Android CentralWith Android 12 and the new Wear OS, Google can now better compete with Apple | Android CentralAmazon Sidewalk is revolutionary, but its massive scope has privacy experts worried | Android Centra...

Chrome OS notifications could get a new lease on life.What you need to knowNew code hints at a revamp of Chrome OS notifications.It's not clear how the notifications will look, but the code hints at new notification grouping.Google may choose to bring notifications closer to those found on Android 12.New developer code has been spotted that hints at a new UI for notifications on Chrome OS. The code was spotted by Android Police on the Chromium Gerrit developer tool and will reportedly feature a new UI.While there's no indication of what this new UI will look like, Android Police has found evidence that it will include notification grouping. The lack of a more intelligent notification system has been a major gripe for many users on the best Chromebooks, and Google may finally be making an effort to address it. This means notifications will appear grouped when coming from the same app, giving them a less cluttered look.The new notifications are not yet live in Chrome an...

Google Play Pass has a few hundreds apps and games since its launch. But to be honest, the selection here leaves something to be desired, especially on the app side of things. If you tried Google Play Pass but aren't receiving much benefit from it — here's how to cancel your subscription.How to cancel Google Play PassOpen Google Play.Tap your profile picture in the top right corner of the search bar.Tap Payments & subscriptions.Tap Subscriptions.Find Google Play Pass in the list and tap it.Once the Play Pass settings open, tap Cancel subscription at the bottom of the menu. Google will recommend you other plans to keep you subscribed, tap Continue cancellation.Tap the reason you're canceling if you want to give Google one. If you choose not to, tap Decline to answer.Tap Continue.A confirmation window will pop up, asking if you're sure you want to cancel. Tap Cancel subscription.Cancel your subscription todayGoogle won't refund you if you're partway throug...

Users are reporting outages on Snapchat, which appear to stem from AWS.What you need to knowSnapchat appeared to be down for many users across North America.The outage likely stemmed from AWS, which powers many of the platforms that went down.Several other services were reportedly down, including Zoom, Amazon Alexa, and more.Snapchat and several other platforms were reportedly down across North America, but the problem appears largely resolved.Many Snapchat users were reportedly unable to sign in or kept getting logged out of the app. The problem appeared to stem from Amazon Web Services (AWS), which also suffered from increasing outages and also powers many of the affected platforms.One of the affected platforms was Zoom. According to Down Detector, one of the best teleconferencing apps on Android also experienced an increasing number of outages as a result. Zoom outages across the U.S.The official Zoom status page indicates that the platform experienced degraded p...

Trump's TikTok ban never really took effect, and now it never can.What you need to knowPresident Biden has issued an executive order canceling a previous one that had restricted TikTok and WeChat.Both apps had been banned last year under nebulous national security concerns. The government is instead directing a focus on an "evidence-based analysis" of app and services linked to China in the future.President Biden has reversed former President Trump's TikTok and WeChat bans in an executive order unveiled today. The new president will instead focus on more specific tasks aimed at protecting American data from China as a whole, rather than taking aim at select companies.In the executive order, the administration says individual threats should be looked at through a "rigorous, evidence-based analysis" and threats tackled in ways "consistent with overall national security, foreign policy, and economic objectives, including the preservation and demonstration of America's core v...

Speaking as a passionate mobile gamer, finding the best smartphone gaming accessories can save you from bad controls, a dying battery, tinny audio, and limited internal storage. With cloud-based streaming platforms on the rise and the best Android games adding controller support and more demanding graphics, having the right Android gaming accessories on hand can make or break a gaming session. We've rounded up the best controllers, battery packs, and headphones that you should consider if you want to step your game up.One size fits mostRazer Kishi Mobile Game ControllerStaff PickBuilt to slot in almost any Android phone with a center USB-C port, the Kishi runs off your phone battery and supports passthrough charging. So unlike most Bluetooth controllers, you'll never have to charge it. It collapses into a convenient travel size, input lag is never a problem, and it's less conspicuous than a gaming-clip controller when playing on the go.$55 at Amazon $55 at Best Buy $100 a...

From phones to laptops and beyond, USB-C Power Delivery chargers are simply the best.Trying to keep all of your tech and toys charged day after day is no small challenge, but having a good Power Delivery charger to center your gear around is a godsend. Whether you need a newer, smaller charger for your phone since the new iPhones and Galaxy S21 don't include one in the box anymore, or you want to use one singular charger for both your laptop and phone — these are the USB-C charger deals that stand out the most right now.Though Prime Day isn't live just yet, we're already beginning to see some excellent deals appearing on USB-C chargers and other products. Below we're gathering some of our favorites and you'll also find the best Prime Day USB-C Charger deals right here once they go live.Twice the chargeRAVPower 65W PD Charger 2-Port Fast Wall ChargerClip the coupon on its product page at Amazon to save an extra $10 off this charger's sale price instantly! It's equipped w...

Video backgrounds have arrived on Google Meet for the web.What you need to knowGoogle Meet now supports image backgrounds on Android phones.The web version of Google Meet has new video backgrounds with a selection of three to choose from.The new features should be available now on Android phones and on the web.Google Meet has received new updates this week that bring new background features on the web and the best Android phones.The first update comes to the Google Meet Android app. Users will now be able to add image backgrounds or a new blur effect to their video calls. This feature has already been available on Google Duo, the company's other video calling app.Google also provides a selection of images for users to choose from, such as office spaces, landscapes, and abstract backgrounds.The web version of Google Meet takes things up a notch with new video backgrounds. This comes as a new way to spice up your work meetings and includes three videos to choose from;...

Best answer: Ultra Mobile is an MVNO that uses T-Mobile's 4G LTE and 5G network to offer customers a range of affordable data plans with access to 5G at no extra cost.What is Ultra Mobile?Ultra Mobile is an MVNO, also known as an alternative carrier, that offers a variety of data plans with 250MB, 2GB, 3GB, 6GB, 15GB, or unlimited data on T-Mobile's 5G and 4G LTE network. By joining a carrier such as Ultra Mobile instead of T-Mobile directly, you can save money on your cell phone bill—especially when you sign up for three, six, or 12 months upfront.The cheapest 250MB plan for 12 months starts at $10 per month. Each plan comes with unlimited talk, text, and data, unlimited international text, free mobile hotspot, and free international calling to 80+ countries. It's a great plan to get if you want excellent T-Mobile coverage for a reasonable price and don't want to overpay for data or features you don't need.Ultra Mobile's networkUltra Mobile uses T-Mobile's network, als...

What you need to knowFacebook's rumored smartwatch will have two cameras.The back camera will be detachable and will have auto-focus.The smartwatch will connect will all Facebook apps.Facebook rumored smartwatch that is likely to come out next summer will feature a display with two cameras that can be detached from the wrist for taking pictures, according to a report from The Verge.According to the article, the camera on the front of the watch will be used for video calling and the back camera, which is 1080p, will have auto-focus and is primarily to be used for taking photos and video when detached.The Verge spoke to two individuals with knowledge of the project and was not named in the article as they did not have permission to speak about the product from Facebook.Android Central reached out to Facebook, but the company did not comment on the report and instead, pointed to comments made on Twitter by Andrew Bosworth, the company's vice-president of Reality Labs.Bos...

Samsung and Google have already announced the intention to merge Tizen and Wear OS.What you need to knowSamsung may be giving us our first look at the new Wear OS this month.The company is hosting an event showing off its "reimagining" of smartwatches at virtual MWC on June 28th.The company combined its smartwatch operating system efforts with Google earlier this year at Google I/O.Samsung might show off the new Wear OS watch operating system later this month at virtual MWC, the company has hinted at via its session description. Spotted by 9to5Google, the company will be showing off its next-generation smartwatch experience on the 28th of June.The description reads: The Galaxy ecosystem of connected devices, services, and partnerships provides people with choice, freedom, and possibility. We're reimagining smartwatches, creating new opportunities for both developers and consumers. And we're enhancing security, giving people the protection they need in an open and conn...

Podcasts are the new radio.Whether you're doing laundry, driving home from work, or breaking a sweat at the gym, podcasts are great for filling up your time with the latest news, comedy shows, in-depth storytelling, and so much more. Podcasts are the new radio stations, and there are plenty of options to choose from, but how do you find them? These are easily our picks for the best podcast apps for Android.The top 3 apps1. PocketCasts2. Spotify3. Google PodcastsMore optionsPodcast AddictCastboxPodbean App & PlayerStitcher Podcast PlayerAmazon MusicAntennaPodSonnetDitch the radio with the best podcast apps for AndroidIt should come as no surprise that Pocket Casts is our favorite podcast app for Android. Even with changes to the platform that made the app free but introduced another subscription service, it doesn't get much better than this.Did you really think that Spotify wouldn't be included? The app is already our favorite music streaming servic...

Hey Fossil, watch this!What you need to knowAccording to a customer service representative, the TicWatch Pro 3 GPS will be receiving the new Wear OS in the future.There is no set date for the availability of the new wearable OS from Google and Samsung, but it's expected to launch this year.This update puts Mobvoi into an elite category of manufacturers willing to update their smartwatch to the brand new OS.Ever since the new Wear OS was announced at Google I/O 2021 — a joint effort by Samsung and Google to make the ultimate smartwatch OS — a few things have remained a bit unclear. Which of the best Wear OS watches will be getting the update? What is the new Wear OS going to be called? Thanks to a Reddit user, it seems that Mobvoi support has some answers for us.First up is the news that the TicWatch 3 Pro GPS will, indeed, be getting the brand new Wear OS update co-created by Samsung and Google. Given that the latest Samsung Galaxy smartwatches — and current Wear ...

Ready to build a new security system for your home? Start with the Arlo Pro 2 1-camera system. Use code 6DADSALE399 during checkout to bring this security package down to $99.99 at Newegg. You'll get the Arlo Pro 2 base station and one wire-free security camera. That code takes $20 off the price, and that's off an already discounted price. It was going for as much as $150 in 2020 and has been selling for around $130 at the beginning of April. Similar systems are still going for over $120 at other retailers like Amazon.The Arlo Pro 2 is a fully wireless security system. The camera uses a rechargeable battery. It can also be easily plugged in if you're using it indoors or let it recharge with a solar panel if you have one. The wireless nature gives you the flexibilty to put this camera basically anywhere. Set it up to watch a spot of interest or buy a bunch of cameras, connect them all the to the base station, and keep an eye on every part of your house from the outside and inside....

The best wireless earbuds enhance every screen we use, from phones to tablets to Chromebooks and laptops . Not only are they convenient, sound great, and have a pretty good battery life, but you can use them while relaxing while working or while working out! With Prime Day deals nearly here, we're about to see some of the best discounts on the most popular wireless earbuds.Another great thing about true wireless earbuds is that no matter what kind of device you have, be it an Android phone or iPhone, Chromebook, smartwatch or tablet, the Bluetooth connectivity means that they will work across devices.Amazon Echo Buds (1st Gen) | $50 off at AmazonAmazon's Echo Buds may look a little bulky, but they're actually quite comfortable in the ear. The earbuds feature Bose-powered Active Noise Reduction, while also allowing granular control of what outside sounds you want to let pass through. You have hands-free Alexa access, and you can invoke Siri or the Google Assistant with just a ...

The second Android 12 beta is all about privacy control.What you need to knowGoogle is rolling out the second Android 12 beta update with new privacy features.The beta brings Android 12's Privacy Dashboard, app indicators, and toggles to block or enable system access to certain apps.A new Internet Panel is being introduced in the quick settings menu for easy access to connectivity options.The first Android 12 beta has been available for less than a month, but Google is already releasing the second beta. This build is focused on privacy and introduces features that give users more control over their phones and apps.The biggest addition coming to Android 12 Beta 2 is the new Privacy Dashboard introduced during Google I/O 2021. The new setting allows users to check which apps gaining access to certain smartphone data, when the data is accessed, and for how long. This includes location data, the camera, microphone, and more.Additionally, Google is bringing app indicators ...

Amazon's Prime Day 2021 is being held on June 21 and 22, and you can look forward to amazing deals on just about every product the retailer makes, including Kindles. We've already seen Kindles go on sale over the course of the year, but the best deals are reserved for Prime Day.Every Kindle model will be discounted for Prime Day, so if you've already made up your mind about what you want, you can just wait for Prime Day to roll around and get your hands on a new e-reader. A few deals are live right now, so head on down to the deals section below to see if the model you're looking for is on sale. If you haven't decided and are interested in learning more, we have you covered. We'll be rounding up all the Kindle deals for Prime Day 2021 as and when they go live, and give you buying advice to ensure you pick up the right Kindle for your needs.Best Amazon Prime Day 2021 Kindle Deals:Should you buy a Kindle?Best Kindle Prime Day dealsPricing history, which to buy, and more...

As millions of us continue to learn and work from home, Prime Day deals will make a great time to replace your aging desktop or add another Chromebook to your family's collection. Most of the best Chromebooks have been available for over a year now, which means that deals are much more likely this year than they were last year — when we were also in the midst of the 2020 Chromebook shortage.Part of why Chromebooks have (almost) always had great deals on Prime Day is that mid-range Chromebooks come down to budget prices, and budget Chromebooks come down to impulse-buy prices. Considering that Chrome OS is designed to run on more affordable hardware to begin with, and that means that Prime Day is the best time to get a laptop, especially a budget laptop.No matter your budget this Prime Day, Google has durability and usability standards for almost all Chromebooks — because most models are designed for chaotic classrooms or unforgiving businesses — that make Chromebooks ideal f...