Latest from Android Central

An expansion of personalized mixes.What you need to knowSpotify today announced new personalized playlists for all free and premium users.The app will now generate mixes for you based on artists, genres. or decades.These new mixes will sit in the 'Made for You' hub alongside Daily Mixes.Spotify today announced new personalized mixed, aimed at bringing subscribers more of the same kind of music they already know and love. The company announced the move today on its blog, adding that it would be an expansion of the current Made for You hub. This currently features 7 daily mixes, and is a lot like what Google announced for YouTube Music.The new personalized mixes announced today would include mixes based on artists you love, genres you like, or even time periods. So you could see something like 2010s music, or Paramore mix. You'll get a mix of songs you like, as well as new ones to broaden your taste. Spotify says the mixes update frequently, (likely daily or weekly based on...

The value of Xbox Game Pass continues to grow.What you need to knowXbox Game Pass Ultimate users can now access 16 Xbox classics via Xbox Cloud Gaming, with more coming soon.Three of the titles added have been updated with touch controls.Users can also access game saves via the cloud and play online.One of the best values in gaming just got better. Xbox Game Pass Ultimate members can now access 16 original Xbox and Xbox 360 games on their Android phones and tablets via Xbox Game Pass for Android, with more games coming soon.Xbox owners already know about the value of Xbox Game Pass. With Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, you get the benefits of Xbox Live Gold as well as more than 100 games on console, PC, and Android devices, and an EA Play membership.Here's the list of all of the backward compatible games available now:Banjo-KazooieBanjo-TooieDouble Dragon NeonFable IIFallout: New VegasGears of War 2Gears of War 3Gears of War: JudgmentJetpac Refuelled (touch controls...

The shows you can't miss on Paramount Plus right nowCBS All Access recently relaunched as Paramount Plus, a refreshed streaming service boasting a massive catalog of movies, as well as series from networks including CBS, BET, Comedy Central, MTV, Nickelodeon, and Smithsonian Channel. Whether you choose Paramount+'s basic plan with limited commercials or take things to the next level with the ad-free subscription, we've rounded up the best Paramount+ shows available now.Best Paramount+ showsParamount+ originalsBest drama on Paramount+Best reality on Paramount+Best docuseries on Paramount+Best classic shows on Paramount+Coming soon on Paramount+Peak entertainmentParamount+From $6/mo. at Paramount+New and classic shows for youParamount+ offers new original series as well as shows and films from networks like Nickelodeon, MTV, BET, and more.Paramount+ OriginalsParamount+ launched on March 4 with a handful of brand new series, along with a roster of ho...

One of the best features of Gmail is the ability to tuck away emails and messages that you don't need right now but that you might want to reference at some point in the future. Archiving messages is a feature that we take for granted now in email, but it's not necessarily something at the forefront of our minds when thinking about chat and messaging apps. If you're like most people, your favorite chat app is probably overflowing with chats and message threads that you don't need clogging up your inbox but that you may not be quite ready to get rid of either. If this sounds familiar, I'm going to show you how to archive conversations and chat threads in one of my favorite messaging apps — Telegram.How to archive conversations in TelegramOpen the Telegram app on your phone.Choose which chat thread or conversation you wish to archive, and swipe left.That's it! You can always access these chats by tapping on the archived chats folder, and you can un-archive them byDon't w...

Seeing the exact path to a more secure home.When people think of video doorbells, they probably think of Ring first. There's a good reason for that. Ring's name has become synonymous because of its pivotal contributions to the home security industry — including some of the best smart doorbells — and for the lessons in privacy we've learned from the company's missteps over the years. Ring Doorbell Pro 2 is the culmination of Ring's impressive motion detection technology research and introduces a brand new concept to video doorbells: 3D motion detection.3D Motion detection enables the video doorbell to see motion and understand where that motion is happening in viewable space. Ring Doorbell Pro 2 is the debut Ring product with this feature, swapping out the passive infrared sensor that Ring has used for years with a brand new radar sensor. In conjunction with the brand new, higher-resolution camera, this new sensor creates the most accurate view of motion you'll get from any vi...

It is also now easier than ever to access the "Favorites" tool.What you need to knowFacebook has rolled out new features to give users more control over their News Feed.The new Feed Filter Bar makes it much easier to access the "Favorites" and "Recent" filters.Android users can now access the Feed Filter Bar when they scroll up on News Feed.Facebook has introduced a new tool that will give its users greater control over what they share to News Feed. Users can now adjust who can comment on their public posts on Facebook.The social networking giant, which owns two of the best Android messaging apps, says the new tool will enable users to "further control how they want to invite conversations onto their public posts and limit potentially unwanted interactions." It is also now easier to sort and browse News Feed, thanks to the new Feed Filter Bar, which can be accessed by scrolling up on News Feed in the Facebook Android app. The new Feed Filter Bar gives you easier access ...

No Man's Sky just keeps getting better and better with each new update.What you need to knowHello Games released a new update for No Man's Sky called Expeditions.Expeditions has players completing community tasks together, and these will change seasonally.The update is live today and is free for all existing players.Just over a month after the Companions update turned No Man's Sky into Jurassic Park, Hello Games has released a new major update for No Man's Sky called Expeditions, free to all existing players on PS4 and PS5. As of today, Expeditions introduces an all-new game mode that will change with the seasons.According to the announcement, players will now start off on the same planet and embark on community expeditions. Travelers will be able to keep track of these milestones and challenges through the Expedition planner, and rewards vary from a new jetpack, an exclusive ship, a new weapon, and much more in the coming weeks.Expedition mode is separate from the ...

One of the most wonderful things about Chromebooks is how simple they are — you don't have to buy additional accessories to make them work. They just do most of what people want out of the box. But perhaps you have additional needs like using a larger external screen, necessitating having an external keyboard and mouse in the process. Now that so many of us are working from home, it's worth investing in a proper workstation setup to help your productivity and give you more screen space to spread out your work. Here's how to use a Chromebook with a monitor, keyboard, and mouse to get the best experience on Chrome OS.Jump to:Hubs and Docking StationsMonitorMouseKeyboardHubs and Docking Stations: Are you going wired or wireless?While most of the best Chromebooks have ample USB ports for plugging in all your peripherals, HDMI is becoming harder and harder to find on Chromebooks. However, that's okay because all USB-C Chromebooks can add on a secondary screen via a US...

The world of Teyvat will look even better when it lands on PS5.What you need to knowGenshin Impact is a popular free-to-play fantasy RPG on PlayStation.Developer miHoYo released a new trailer to announce it is coming to PS5 very soon.The PS5 version of Genshin Impact will feature enhanced visuals, faster loading, and DualSense support.It looks like Genshin Impact is finally launching on PS5 soon. Developer miHoYo released a new trailer to announced the PlayStation 5 version, and PlayStation's Twitter went on to confirm that the game will feature enhanced visuals, faster loading, and DualSense controller support. This makes it another title on the growing list of PS5 games that support DualSense haptic feedback and adaptive triggers.Genshin Impact first released in September 2020 and became wildly successful shortly after. The free-to-play RPG is set in the fantasy world of Teyvat and features an art style pulled straight from anime. There are over 30 playable characte...

Ever since the Google Discover feed debuted, OnePlus fans have been begging to ditch the company's Shelf alternative in favor of the Android standard. Still, it wasn't until the OnePlus 8 series that this even became an option. With the OnePlus 9 series, users can access both the Google Discover feed and the OnePlus Shelf simultaneously, but not everyone wants that either. You see, the way you access the OnePlus shelf is via a pull-down gesture in the middle of your screen, but it's not immediately apparent that it is the way it's supposed to be. Some would prefer to just use that gesture as a way to reach the notification and settings shade better, and the good news is that now, you can set yours up to do just that. We'll show you how to disable OnePlus Shelf and enable notification gestures on your new OnePlus 9 or 9 Pro.How to enable notification pane pull-down gesture on OnePlus 9/9 ProPress down firmly on your OnePlus 9 or 9 Pro's home screen.Tap on Home settings.Tap on...

2021 is expected to be an even more challenging year for the company than 2020.What you need to knowHuawei has announced its financial results for 2020.The company's revenue increased 3.8% YoY, while profits were up 3.2% YoY.Huawei's consumer division managed to increase its revenue by 3.3% in 2020, but smartphone sales are starting to fall even in its home market.As almost everyone is aware, 2020 was a tough year for Huawei. Despite all the challenges, however, its latest financial report reveals the company performed better than expected last year (via The Verge). The company posted 891.5 billion yuan ($136 billion) in revenue for 2020, an increase of 3.8% YoY. Similarly, net profit increased 3.2% YoY to 64.6 billion yuan ($9.86 billion).Unsurprisingly, the annual report notes revenue from the Americas tumbled 24.5% last year. Even though its market share in the west fell significantly, sales in China jumped 59% YoY. In fact, nearly 66% of Huawei's total sales came from...

The old Google Pay app is being prepped to die next week, at least in the U.S. Last month, Google sent out a notice to users of its payment app that it's killing off many of the features that allow it to function. While a select few features will remain — like contactless payments — the old Google Pay app as we know it is effectively dead as of April 5.Google is shifting focus solely to the new, redesigned application, which first launched in India four years ago. That particular version of the app is now becoming the de-facto option globally, and we can walk you through how to download and set up the new Google Pay. Unfortunately, there's one glaring problem that the change might prompt, and that has to do with Wear OS. The new version of Google Pay brings welcome changes with a refreshed UI, but unfortunately, one of these changes has the potential to break the Wear OS app.One of Google's changes with the new version is that the app is tied to your phone number and requires...

Telegram has become one of the best Android messaging apps in recent years in part to security, but if you don't know how to encrypt your chats in Telegram, you're missing out. Since our phones are where we do most of our communicating, privacy and security is becoming more important in our daily lives. You might have one of the most secure Android phones on the market, but that won't help if you don't secure the messages you're sending. Here's our guide to help you easily encrypt your chats on Telegram to keep from prying eyes.Protect the conversations you're having in TelegramWhile Telegram uses high levels of encryption on its platform, general messages are secured by server-client encryption, and if you trust Telegram, this is great. However, if you want to protect your messages from the platform, too, messages in "secret chats" are protected by client-to-client also known as end-to-end encryption. So, here's how to make sure only those whom you want to are seeing your conver...

With 17 straight wins under his belt, great Australian boxing hope Tim Tszyu looks unstoppable in his pursuit of the super-welterweight crown — but can he go one step further in realizing his dream tonight? Read on for your full guide to watching a Tim Tszyu vs Dennis Hogan live stream and don't miss a single moment.Steadily building up a reputation as a fighter to watch within his homeland, Tszyu, came to worldwide attention after beating fellow Aussie and former WBO champ Jeff Horn last year.The son of light-welterweight legend Kostya, Tszyu, last stepped into the ring back in December, rapidly dispatching New Zealander Bowyn Morgan in impressive style with a first-round knockout.The 26-year-old's performances now put him in line for a title challenge against current WBO super-welterweight titleholder Brian Castano.In Tszyu's way of that objective tonight is Brisbane-based Irish fighter Dennis Hogan, an experienced hand written off by many, yet who still holds genuine tit...

Chatting with the AC forums.Whether for light work or surfing the web on the couch, there's nothing like one of the best Chromebooks to get the job done. I'm partial to the Lenovo Chromebook Duet (pictured above) for my leisurely activities, but there are many other affordable options out there. Whether you purchase a new Chromebook on sale or buy used, you're getting more computer for longer than ever, with newer models having AUE (auto expiration dates) stretching out up to eight years.Over on the AC forums, there was a bit of discussion about the best options in the $200 Chromebook space. Several folks mentioned the Duet, as well as the ASUS CM3. walterg5 03-25-2021 02:03 AM “ When my Acer C720 reached EOL, I started looking for a replacement. Because of photo editing I was doing I got a laptop instead. I miss having a chromebook. So with a low budget of $200 I'm looking for a somethin...

Elgato is making waves with the Wave 3. I won't apologize for that pun.After spending some time testing out the Yeti X microphone, I was able to try the Elgato Wave 3, another that came up frequently when I was researching what mics people prefer to use when game streaming. You'll find a lot of people swear by one or the other — someone even commented on a tweet regarding my Yeti X review to say that the Wave 3 was better — but I find them fairly comparable. I have a little less to complain about with the Wave 3, but they're both excellent in terms of audio quality.The Elgato Wave 3 can easily stand beside the best microphones for PS5 and even just some of the best streaming equipment in general. If you're a professional or amateur streamer, the Elgato Wave 3 should definitely be on your radar.Elgato Wave 3 review:Price and availabilityWhat's great What's badThe competitionShould you buy?Elgato Wave 3 ...

Running out of space for video games? Or maybe you want to carry more music with you on your commute to work? We all have different needs, but the one solution to all of it is more space. Amazon's one-day sale features internal and external hard drives and solid state drives from a variety of major brands including Western Digital, SanDisk, Crucial, Toshiba, and more. Get drives as large as 16TB down to their lowest prices ever with some options like Toshiba's 1TB external hard drive on sale for just $42.99. For many of these drives, the prices today are either the lowest we've seen or a match for the lowest, and it all expires at the end of the day.Grab the SanDisk Extreme portable solid state drive with 2TB of space down to $239.99 in this sale. That's an all-new low price, $10 better than any previous deal and $60 off what it normally goes for. Since it's an SSD, you don't have to worry about the same moving parts you'd find on a portable hard drive, so it's a lot more durable a...

The 5G variant has been launched at a lower price than the Exynos 990-powered LTE variant in the country.What you need to knowSamsung has launched the Snapdragon 865-powered Galaxy S20 FE 5G variant in India.Th 5G variant will be available at an introductory price of ₹47,999 ($655).Aside from the chipset and 5G support, the Galaxy S20 FE 5G is identical to the LTE variant.Just as expected, Samsung today launched the 5G variant of the Galaxy S20 FE in India.Unlike the 4G-only variant of the phone, which was launched in the country in October last year, the 5G variant is powered by Qualcomm's Snapdragon 865 processor. The new variant will take on the best Android phones in the value flagship segment — including the new OnePlus 9.The Galaxy S20 FE 5G has been priced at ₹55,999 ($765) in India, but it is being offered with an instant cashback of ₹8,000 as part of an introductory offer, bringing down the effective price to just ₹47,999 ($655). It will be available ...

A solid webcam for content creators that offers a suite of customization options in an easy-to-use app.If you've read any of my initial headset, microphone, or even gaming chair reviews over the years, you might know how this one starts. I didn't grow up with the latest tech and didn't have lots of money to spend on extravagant things. As such, the only webcam I've really known is the built-in webcam on my HP laptop, and... it's not great, to put it mildly. When you'd look at the best streaming equipment for PS4 and PS5 over the years, I didn't have any of it.I've now had the opportunity to try out the Logitech StreamCam, which I can say is the first proper webcam I've ever used. While I may not be in the greatest position to judge it based on everything the market offers, I did get a good feel for it compared to my laptop webcam and the Razer Kiyo Pro, which I've also been sent and will be reviewing in the coming weeks. It has its own strengths and weaknesses, which I'll go into...

The final batch of European World Cup qualifiers for March sees Poland travel to Wembley Stadium to take on England in this Group I top-two clash. Don't miss a moment with our England vs Poland live stream guide.England sit at the top of Group I after two games in this FIFA World Cup 2020 qualifying campaign following a 5-0 win against minions San Marino and a 2-0 win away in Albania.Though the Three Lions will be grateful to have six points at this stage — and are the only team in the group maintaining a 100% record — the side were expected to win both of those ties against much lower-ranked opposition. Poland will represent a tougher test today.It's one win and one draw for Poland from their opening two games with the Eagles beating Andorra 3-0 in their last outing and recording a 3-3 draw in Hungary to open the campaign. Those results leave Poland in second place for now, just above Hungary by way of head-to-head away goals.Poland will be without star player Robert Lew...

True wireless earbuds used to be a total luxury item with a price tag to match, but in recent years they have gotten really affordable. Today only, Woot is giving you the chance to snag a solid set of true wireless earbuds for just $49.99 by offering the Jabra Elite Active 65t at half off.Though these are no longer the newest Jabra model on the market, these sporty earbuds still sell for $100 or more at Amazon and other retailers. Unlike a lot of Woot deals, the earbuds are offered brand new with a 1-year manufacturer warranty.The Elite Active 65t earbuds are an upgrade over the regular Elite 65. The Active in the name denotes exactly what they're doing, giving you some protection for a more active lifestyle.They have built-in water resistance and dust resistance with an IP56 rating, which means you can use these at the gym or while outside without worry about ruining them.A selection of earbud tips is included to ensure you get the perfect fit. These things should not be fal...

Google is expected to unveil a new line of Nest security cameras later this year.What you need to knowThe latest version of the Google Home app has revealed Google's upcoming Nest Hello successor.The image reveals an oblong-shaped device with a USB-C port at the top.Google will likely unveil the device alongside the Pixel 5a in June. A new version of the Google Home app is now rolling on both Android and iOS, bringing a few minor tweaks. While the v2.35 update doesn't introduce any new features, it reveals the rear design of what appears to be the next-gen Nest Hello doorbell (via The Tape Drive).As you can see in the image below, the device looks very different from the Nest Hello video doorbell, which was unveiled in 2018. It features a USB-C port at the top, instead of the micro-USB connector on the current model. We can also see a mysterious silver circle at the bottom. However, we cannot be completely certain if it is indeed a video doorbell as the front and sides of...

Legendary Pictures is back with the latest entry in its MonsterVerse series and we have all the details on how you can stream Godzilla vs. Kong online.Filmed in 2018 and 2019 in Hawaii, Australia and Hong Kong, Godzilla vs. Kong was originally supposed to be released in November of last year but was delayed due to the pandemic. While the film premiered in theaters internationally on March 24, Warner Bros has decided to make it available for free to HBO Max subscribers in the U.S. while viewers in Canada, the UK and Australia will be able to rent it using Premium Video On Demand (PVOD) services.Godzilla vs. Kong is a sequel to both 2019's Godzilla: King of the Monsters and 2017's Kong: Skull Island as well as the fourth film in the MonsterVerse. The film begins on Skull Island where Kong and his protectors are preparing to embark on a perilous journey to find his true home at the center of the Earth. This is because at the end of Kong: Skull Island there were several references to...

If you want to install one of the best VPN services on your Chromebook, one service worth considering is ProtonVPN. It offers many different features, including a large server network, strong encryption, DNS leak prevention, a kill switch, a no-logging policy, and more.But what also sets ProtonVPN apart from other services is its extensive range of multi-platform apps, including Android, iOS, Windows, Mac, and Linux. In November 2020, the VPN provider even rolled out support for Chromebook users and it offers a free VPN option if you want to try before you buy.That'll be great news if you use a laptop running on the Google Chrome operating system and want to improve its online security. However, how do you download and install a Chromebook VPN like ProtonVPN? Read on to find out.How to download and install ProtonVPN on ChromebookBefore you can use the different capabilities and features offered by ProtonVPN on your Google Chromebook, you'll need to download and install the of...

With 17 straight wins under his belt, great Australian boxing hope Tim Tszyu looks unstoppable in his pursuit of the super-welterweight crown — but can he go one step further in realizing his dream tonight? Read on for your full guide to watching a Tim Tszyu vs Dennis Hogan live stream and don't miss a single moment.Steadily building up a reputation as a fighter to watch within his homeland, Tszyu, came to worldwide attention after beating fellow Aussie and former WBO champ Jeff Horn last year.The son of light-welterweight legend Kostya, Tszyu, last stepped into the ring back in December, rapidly dispatching New Zealander Bowyn Morgan in impressive style with a first-round knockout.The 26-year-old's performances now put him in line for a title challenge against current WBO super-welterweight titleholder Brian Castano.In Tszyu's way of that objective tonight is Brisbane-based Irish fighter Dennis Hogan, an experienced hand written off by many, yet who still holds genuine tit...

Google puts enterprise-level AI into a handy document scanner.What you need to knowGoogle's incubator team just developed a smart document scanner.The app will automatically organize documents and add important details.Stack uses enterprise-level AI to analyze documents and organize them.Google's in-house Area 120 incubator has just developed a new application called Stack. As a document scanner, it may not sound exciting, but its many AI smarts can help you keep track of your documents which is always important when tax season is around. It's essentially a purpose-built version of Google Lens available for even the best cheap Android phones.With the app, you can scan a document such as a receipt or a bill, and the app will automatically categorize it and organize it into a "stack." The app will use AI to "read" what's on the document to determine what it is. It can also automatically draw information from the document, such as dates, amounts, and account numbers, adding ...

Hopefully, these new Pixel Buds will come with ANC.Update, Mar 30 (7:30 pm ET): New information emerges about the Pixel Buds AWhat you need to knowA new "wireless device" has been spotted in the FCC.It's likely that these are a new model of Google Pixel Buds set to be launched later this year.The FCC filing could point to better connectivity, but specs are largely unknown.Last year's Google Pixel Buds (2020) were a step up from the original model that launched in 2019, finally ditching the wire after most Bluetooth earbuds already transitioned to the "truly wireless" form factor. While the Pixel Buds are among the best wireless earbuds on the market, there's always room for improvement. As it turns out, we may not have to wait too long to see those improvements, thanks to a new FCC filing for a new pair of Pixel Buds.9to5Google spotted filings for two devices that can likely be attributed to Google. The model numbers, "GPQY2" and "G7YPJ," are similar to that of other Go...

Birds of a Google Chrome feather FLoC together.What you need to knowGoogle is begun testing its FLoC web technology on Chrome.FLoC is part of Google's Privacy Sandbox and is meant to replace third-party cookies that collect browsing information.FLoC will address browsing privacy by grouping users together as opposed to individualized ad-targeting.Last year, Google announced that it was preparing to research ways to eliminate third-party cookies that track data when browsing on the best Android phones to supply targeted ads on Chrome. Over the years, Google has received tons of backlash over its privacy practices, particularly when it comes to search ads, so this is a way to address that. Unfortunately, it's received a new set of complaints from both ad companies and state attorneys over possible implications of the new technology. Despite that, Google seems to be moving full-steam ahead with its new FLoC web technology, which starts testing on Chrome today.In a nutshell...

With Sony reportedly shutting down the PS3, Vita, and PSP stores, how do we deal with game history and preservation for digital-only releases? The team also review It Takes Two and chat about all the activities you can do during the Animal Crossing: New Horizons Bunny Day 2021 event.Hosted by: Jennifer Locke, Carli Velocci, and Rebecca SpearGot feedback? Hit up Podcast@androidcentral.com and tell us something!LISTEN NOW:LINKS:Sony reportedly shutting down PS3, Vita, and PSP stores permanently | Android Central5 PlayStation Vita games you need to buy before they are gone forever | Android CentralIt Takes Two for Xbox review: Narrative shortcomings hold back a genuine co-op experience | Windows Central6 tips for surviving Bunny Day in Animal Crossing: New Horizons 2021 | iMoreAnimal Crossing: New Horizons Bunny Day 2021 — Eggs, recipes, and Zipper T. Bunny | iMore...

It's a story about cheap phones and Huawei.What you need to knowMediaTek became the number 1 chipset supplier last year.It was carried by the absence of Huawei's Kirin chips in the low-end market.MediaTek was also helped by the sale of low-end Xiaomi and Samsung handsets. MediaTek has taken the crown of the biggest smartphone supplier, according to a report from analyst firm Omdia (via Digitimes). The company shipped 351.8 million chips to smartphone OEMs, a growth of 47.8% coming from what it had supplied in 2019.The company's rise in 2020 can be attributed to an increase in the sales of cheap Android phones, alongside a ban on rival chipset maker, Huawei.Huawei last year had said that it would be quitting the chip market for low-end phones, allowing MediaTek to swoop in and supply chipsets to the likes of Xiaomi. Xiaomi also saw a sales bump due to Huawei's absence in the market, further contributing to MediaTek's rise.Zaker Li, senior analyst of wireless devices co...

The latest This Week in Stadia blog post is full of juicy details and new games this week, including the launch of one of the scariest games of all-time.What you need to knowFour new games are coming to Stadia Pro in April, including Resident Evil 7 biohazard Gold Edition.Eight more games launching on Stadia this week.Hitman - Free Starter Pack includes two missions and is free for everyone on Stadia.Elder Scrolls Online is free to play from March 31 until April 13 for Stadia Pro subscribers.This is arguably the biggest and most promising week for Stadia this entire year so far. Not only is one of the best horror games of all-time getting added to Stadia Pro this week in Resident Evil 7 biohazard Gold Edition, but one of the big JRPGs that just hit the platform recently, Ys VIII: Lacrimosa of DANA, is also getting added to Pro as well. SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom Rehydradted and cute puzzler Pikuniku help round out the list of four new titles hitting St...

Google Meet's free service limitations remain suspended till June.What you need to knowGoogle Meet's unlimited meetings will remain available for the free version of the service till June this year.Google had previously extended it through March after initially lifting the limitations of the free iteration in 2020.Now, users will no longer have to pay to hold a meeting that exceeds 1 hour until June.Google is extending the temporary removal of limitations on the free iteration of Meet past March, the company announced today. It's a second extension to a freebie that was initially slated to expire in September 2020.To be precise, it allowed users to hold meetings longer than an hour on the free version of Meet. Users would have had to pay for the privilege by signing up for a Google Workspace plan before this move. Now, Google is extending this gift through June, allowing users to make use of the product for a little while longer.We’re continuing unlimited #GoogleMeet ...

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

Armv9 has arrived, and smartphones won't be the same.What you need to knowArm has launched its new architecture, Armv9, to power the next wave of chips.The new architecture promises a 30% performance increase over current chips with the new Cortex-X1 core.Armv9 will focus on improved security and advanced AI solutions.Arm Holdings has just announced its first new chip architecture in a decade, Armv9. The last release, Armv8 in 2011, has powered billions of devices, including the best Android phones, IoT devices, and even some of the best Chromebooks. With this new release, Arm expects big performance improvements, as much as 30% over the next two chip generations, but the big focus for this new design is security and AI.Security is becoming increasingly important as more of our lives are put into the digital space. To address this, Arm is introducing its Confidential Compute Architecture (CCA), which is a hardware-based secure environment that protects certain data while ...

Best answer: No, the OnePlus Watch doesn't run Wear OS. Instead, the watch is running a custom operating system based on RTOS.If the OnePlus Watch isn't using Wear OS, what does it use?OnePlus has been making some of the best Android phones for a long time, so when the company announced it was making a smartwatch, it raised the question of if the OnePlus Watch used Wear OS. By doing so, there would be a good chance that in following what it has done for its smartphones, the OnePlus Watch could become one of the best Wear OS watches, too.Well, for better or worse, the new smartwatch will not be running Google's smartwatch operating system. OnePlus has decided to go with its own operating system to reduce some of the pain points found in other smartwatches. According to OnePlus CEO Pete Lau: We chose to go with a smart wear operating system developed based on RTOS because we believe it provides you a smooth and reliable experience while offering a great battery life, covering...

Best answer: Yes, the Fitbit Ace 3 is swim-proof and thus safe to use in the water, though you should take a few precautions to ensure that it remains functional.What is the Fitbit Ace 3's waterproof rating?The Fitbit Ace 3 is Fitbit's latest activity and sleep tracker for kids, and arguably the best fitness tracker you can get for kids aged 6-12. It's a simple device with a silicone band kids can wear around their small wrists to keep track of how many steps they take each day, their active minutes, and how many hours they sleep as well as set timers, alarms, and more.The wearable is water-resistant up to 50 meters, not technically waterproof. But with that said, you can safely go in the shower, pool, or walk in the rain with the device and it will be fine. If your kids do an intense cardio workout, play soccer, or run, the sweat won't impact it either.However, keep in mind that with any wearable device that is water-resistant or even waterproof, you need to be mindful of ...

Google's been making its products more child-friendly over the last year, this is just the latest step.Update, Mar 30 (2:30 pm ET): Rolling out now on Google TVWhat you need to knowGoogle TV is the latest Google service to add a kids profile feature.Once enabled, parents will be able to control what kind of apps and content can be used or consumed on the Google TV platform. It's coming to the U.S. in March and other countries later in the year.Google is building out an update for the Google TV platform that'll make it more child-friendly, as expected from a report last month. It's rolling out "kids profiles", a feature that'll allow parents to create a space on the Google platform focused on appropriate content for their children.As with the main Google TV home screen, the kids profile home screen will be filled with recommendations revolving around apps and programs. They'll all be child-friendly apps, think YouTube Kids, and parents will be able to control what purcha...

Xbox Game PassDownload hundreds of titles$120/year at AmazonProsXbox Game Studios games launch onto serviceAll games can be downloadedCan be bundled with Xbox Live GoldMembers get discounts on DLC for games in the serviceCons$120/yearFewer gamesXbox Game Pass offers the most, with Xbox Game Studio exclusives launching into the service and discounts on games in its catalog. Because of this, it comes at a higher price.PlayStation NowGame streaming on-demand$60/year at AmazonProsOnly $60/yearLets you stream or download gamesPerformance and reliability have improved over timeIncludes PS2, PS3, and PS4 gamesConsNot all games can be downloaded Single-month subscription is $10New Sony games don't launch into the serviceCan't be bundled with PlayStation PlusChoose whether to stream or download the games you want to play on your PS4 with PlayStation Now. Just know that your streaming quality may be at the mercy of your internet connection, f...

A new Galaxy Watch is on the horizon.What you need to knowThe Galaxy Wearable app has hidden references to Samsung's next Galaxy Watch.There will reportedly be two models with different case sizes and LTE connectivity.The new Galaxy Watch models will reportedly run Wear OS.Samsung's Galaxy Wearable app is proving to be increasingly useful outside of its core functions. Just yesterday, references to a new pair of Galaxy Buds were found within the app's code, suggesting that we could get a direct sequel to Samsung's original pair. Another look into the app has given some insight into another wearable, the upcoming Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 running Wear OS.watches. Those are Watch Active3/4 and Watch4. In there, I found a reference that straight up says "newos" and all of these codenames, other than the new water one, match what we've previously heard. 2/2 pic.twitter.com/wqLeHMMTal— Max Weinbach (@MaxWinebach) March 29, 2021Max Weinbach discovered references to what he b...

Best answer: Yes. If you purchased the OnePlus 9 Pro or OnePlus 9 from T-Mobile directly, your phone comes with a certified IP68 rating. However, if you bought an unlocked OnePlus 9, it won't have an official water-resistance badge even though it's the same hardware as the carrier variant.Can the OnePlus 9 and 9 Pro handle getting wet?Since its first phone, OnePlus devices have always had a bit of mystery surrounding water resistance. So, it makes sense that we ask if the OnePlus 9 and 9 Pro waterproof? If you don't recall, nearly every major phone released by OnePlus has always had the same asterisk attached to it. That being, the phones are tested and manufactured to be water-resistant, but they weren't officially certified. This changed with the OnePlus 8 and continued with the OnePlus 9 series, well sort of — again a mystery.Like the OnePlus 8 series, the OnePlus 9 Pro is fully certified IP68 regardless of where you buy it from. However, if you go for the less expensive O...

Verizon says it's time to move on.What you need to knowVerizon has set a date for the shut-down of its 3G CDMA network.The carrier states that the network will be fully decommissioned at the end of 2022.According to Verizon, only 1% of its customer base still relies on 3G.Verizon is finally marking its transition into the new decade. The company has just announced the date that it plans to shut off its legacy 3G CDMA network after delaying it twice. The shutdown will happen on December 31st, 2022, which the company believes will give its customer ample time to switch to newer devices. We worked for the past several years to help those who still have 3G devices transfer to devices capable of accessing the 4G LTE or 5G networks....As a result of those efforts, we can now report that more than 99% of our customers use the enhanced features of 4G LTE or 5G, with less than 1% still accessing the 3G network.Shutting down older networks isn't unheard of, and it's something ...

A new prompt in Chrome sets PWAs apart.What you need to knowGoogle is making PWAs more app-like with a new app install prompt.Developers can now add an app description and screenshots to the app installation flow.Twitter's Progressive Web App is already using it.Progressive Web Apps, or PWAs, are getting a lot more app-like with a new feature that now evokes the installation flow you'll recognize from an app store. A PWA, to recap, is a web-app that acts like a native app. It can launch in its own app window, can work offline in some regards, and even launches with a splash page.Previously, installing a PWA was indistinguishable from creating a shortcut to a web page or a non-progressive web app. Now, when installing a PWA that's built for this new system, you'll see screenshots, an app description, and everything you'd expect to see if the web app was listed in a traditional app store pop up as part of the installation process. It's just another step that's going a long ...

This expansion is a real game changerWhat you need to knowThe new Hearthstone expansion Forged in the Barrens was unlocked today.Announced at BlizzConline, the set is focused on heroes of the Horde.The set features a new mechanic that makes cards more powerful when played later in a game.A little more than a month after it was announced at BlizzConline, Hearthstone's latest expansion Forged in the Barrens was unlocked today and is making one of the best Android games even better.The set is focused on the zone in Warcraft that serves as the primary leveling area for Horde characters. It's part of a theme of leveling up that runs throughout the Year of the Gryphon, which is bringing the biggest shakeup to the CCG since the game launched in 2014.The shift started on March 25 with the launch of the new Classic format, where the cards are limited to the list that was available when the game was first released. The leaderboards for the new format also went live today. Players...

Smart assistants like Amazon Alexa are becoming more popular than ever, and headphone makers are jumping on board to offer it as a built-in signature feature. They're growing in number and variance, but the Sony WH-1000XM4 stand out because of the combination of comfort, sound quality, and versatility in bringing Alexa into the fold. We have plenty of options for all ranges, so here are our picks for the best headphones with Alexa.Best Overall: Sony WH-1000XM4It's a challenge for any company to follow up on a great product with something better, but in this case, Sony has fixed some key pieces to make the WH-1000XM4 one of the best pairs of headphones available. There was no need to reinvent the wheel when so much of the previous model worked so well, though good changes are always welcome.Whether the WH-1000XM4 sound any better is highly subjective. There are aptX HD and LDAC codec support, plus 360 Reality Audio for those who can actually hear it on Tidal. Tinkering around ...

Samsung Cloud features will be completely terminated on June 30.What you need to knowSamsung is about to pull the plug on its cloud storage service for Galaxy owners.If you are a Samsung Cloud user, you should soon start migrating your data to Microsoft OneDrive.Samsung will begin deleting all files from its cloud service starting July 1.Samsung announced last year that it would wind down its Samsung Cloud service in 2021 in favor of Microsoft's OneDrive, which is one of the best cloud storage services around. As spotted by our colleagues at TechRadar, a notice on the Samsung website makes it clear that Samsung Cloud will soon stop supporting Gallery Sync, Samsung Cloud Drive, and Premium Storage. It also warns that users may lose their data in case they do not take urgent action.Since Samsung Cloud is being shut down, the Gallery and Drive sync features for My Files on Samsung's best Android phones and tablets will now be supported by Microsoft OneDrive instead. If you ...

The best OnePlus 8 cases keep your phone protected without covering up the beautiful design and delicate glass body. The Ringke Fusion X, for example, is our top pick to keep your OnePlus 8 safe from dings and scratches with its air-cushioned corners and clear back to show off the natural beauty of your device. Still, there are plenty of great cases available for the OnePlus 8 — including some of my other favorite case series on the market — so skip the basic in-box case and get you one of these!Clearly durableRingke Fusion XStaff PickSuppose you want to show off that Glacial Green or Interstellar Glow without leaving your phone exposed. The Fusion X combines a clear back with a robust bumper with air-cushioned corners. This is a divisive design, but I like it, especially that Green variant.$12 at Amazon $13 at WalmartHybrid protectionTudia Merge SeriesThere aren't many heavy-duty cases out for the OnePlus 8 yet, but you shouldn't need to look further than the...

Cyberpunk 2077 is about to get a lot better.Update, March 30, 2021 (9:45 a.m. CT): The 1.2 patch update for Cyberpunk 2077 has now been released for Google Stadia.What you need to knowCyberpunk 2077 is an ambitious open-world sci-fi RPG that launched in a sorry state, especially on consoles.The latest (and largest) update aimed at resolving these problems is the 1.2 patch update, which is launching today.Cyberpunk 2077 players on PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, and PC can install the 1.2 patch update from CDPR today.Google Stadia players will have to wait until later this week to enjoy the massive batch of fixes in the newest update.Cyberpunk 2077 is an ambitious but ultimately flawed game, especially when played on last-gen consoles like PS4 and Xbox One. CD Projekt RED, the developer behind Cyberpunk 2077, has released multiple updates to fix the numerous issues afflicting the game, but none have made significant headway. That changes today, with the release of th...

The full packageFitbit Versa 3$229 at AmazonProsGPS, HRM, NFCActive Zone Minutes SpO2 trackingBuilt-in mic/speakerVoice assistantsConsShorter battery lifeOnly one size optionIf you're the type of smartwatch user who doesn't want to leave any features on the table, the Fitbit Versa 3 will likely have everything you need. In addition to health/fitness tracking, you get mobile payments, a mic/speaker, voice assistants, and more.Most of the essentialsGarmin Vivoactive 4From $250 at AmazonProsGPS, HRM, NFCBody Battery SpO2 trackingA week of battery lifeTwo size optionsConsNo voice assistantLacks mic/speakerWhen your main goal is to score a smartwatch with excellent health and fitness tracking, you can't go wrong with the Garmin Vivoactive 4. It offers GPS, Pulse Ox, Body Battery, sleep monitoring, stress tracking, and more. It offers a week of battery life and comes in two sizes.Garmin Vivoactive 4 vs. Fitbit Versa 3: Many si...

It is the world's first phone to come equipped with a liquid lens camera.What you need to knowXiaomi Mi Mix Fold is the company's first foldable smartphone.It features an inward-folding design, similar to the Galaxy Z Fold 2.The phone sports an 8.01-inch main display and is powered by Qualcomm's Snapdragon 888 processor.Xiaomi today took the wraps off its first-ever foldable smartphone, dubbed the Mi Mix Fold. Just as rumored, the new Mi Mix Fold has a similar inward-folding design as the Galaxy Z Fold 2, which is the best foldable phone on the market currently.The new Mi Mix Fold runs on Qualcomm's 5nm Snapdragon 888 chipset and is equipped with a sophisticated cooling system that uses a vapor chamber and several layers of graphite sheets. It features a massive 8.01-inch OLED internal screen with 2,480 x 1,860 resolution and a secondary 6.52-inch OLED panel with 2,520 x 840 resolution and a 90Hz refresh rate. While the main display only offers a 60Hz refresh rate, it doe...

Setting up outdoor lighting can be a pain if you don't have the right plug, especially if you don't have a smart plug. The TP-Link Kasa KP400 outdoor smart plug eliminates a lot of that inconvenience. Today, the Kasa plug is on sale for $16.99 at Amazon. That's an all-new low price we have never seen before and beats out a deal we shared earlier in March when it dropped down to $20. This deal has also been matched at Best Buy so you can get it there if you prefer. The plug usually sells for around $25 and has seen spikes as high as $30.TP-Link's outdoor plug comes with two outlets so you can plug in two devices at once. Control them individually or together. Got lights on the bushes and lights on the tree? Have them turn on and off at the same time. Perhaps you already have some porch lights you want to control with your phone and want to control your new Christmas lights, too? Use this plug for both and set up different times! Any sort of outdoor appliance or system could be used ...