Latest from Android Central

Affordable doesn't have to mean cheap. It doesn't have to mean limiting your options or settling for lower quality of service. These are two of the core pillars on which Tello Mobile was founded.For years, they've provided clients with feature-rich and flexible phone plans at a near-unbeatable price. And those plans just got a whole lot better. Starting this month, Tello is migrating its entire mobile service from a CDMA network to a GSM network.What this means in plain English is that Tello customers will be able to enjoy improved 4G LTE coverage, faster data speeds, and better overall network stability. New customers will be enrolled directly into the new network, while current customers will be migrated in batches starting with the first quarter of 2021.What does this migration mean for new customers?First things first, if you're considering signing up for Tello, we'd recommend checking their coverage to make sure they're active where you live. Provided you're within a Tel...

An excellent experience doesn't have to be expensive.The mobile virtual network operator company Tello has recently transitioned from a CDMA network to a GSM one, resulting in improved 4G LTE connectivity, faster data speeds for better web browsing and media streaming, and increased stability so that you never have to worry about troublesome connection hiccups.If you're looking to take advantage of this new network but don't have a big budget for mobile tech, don't worry; there are plenty of affordable devices out there that offer surprisingly great performance and are fully compatible with Tello's new network. Something important to note is that for a device to be compatible with Tello's GSM network, it needs to be unlocked, GSM-compatible, VoLTE-compatible, and capable of supporting LTE 2, 4, and 12 bands.Here are 3 of our favorite Tello GSM-compatible phones that cost $150 or less.Moto G FastThe Moto G Fast is arguably the best available smartphone at this price point....

Having a chat with the AC forums.One of the biggest selling points of the Galaxy S21 series is the camera experience. The S21 and S21+ offer subtle improvements over the same camera package we got on the S20 last year, and with the S21 Ultra, Samsung's gone all-out and delivered one of the best mobile photography solutions we've ever seen.If you take one look at our Galaxy S21 review and Galaxy S21 Ultra review, you'll see just how good the end results really are. From sharp detail, ample shooting modes, and a ton more, there's plenty to like.A few of our AC forum members have also been sharing their thoughts on the S21's camera capabilities, saying: azdmelani 01-27-2021 02:22 PM “ Wanted to show a camera comparison between the same meal taken on my S20 ultra vs S21 ultra. Totally night and day with the auto focus. Will have to play with the settings a bit but love the camera Reply ...

A microSD card for your Android phone lets you easily move your files, photos, and music from device to device without having to rely on steady Wi-Fi or costly data. An Android microSD card also lets you load your phone up with apps, music, and movies, which is especially useful if your device doesn't come with a lot of internal storage. But which ones are the best? Here's a good selection from which to choose.Best blendSamsung EVO SelectStaff PickThis is our preferred card because it's reliable, fast, and goes on sale frequently.$33 at AmazonUltra affordableSanDisk UltraSanDisk has more powerful cards, but for most, the Ultra is the right answer, offering up to 100MB/s read speeds.From $7 at Amazon From $7 at Newegg From $9 at B&H PhotoGo proPNY PRO EliteThis card is an excellent choice for power-users who intend to use the card for storing app data and recording 4K video.From $14 at Amazon $100 at Best Buy $100 at B&H PhotoFor constant use...

C-band frequencies will enable much faster 5G speeds for Verizon and AT&T customers in the U.S.What you need to knowThe Google Pixel 5 and LG Wing have been cleared by the FCC to access faster C-band 5G frequencies.Currently, the only other phones that support C-band 5G frequencies are Samsung's latest Galaxy S21 series and Apple's iPhone 12 lineup.C-band 5G is expected to offer significantly higher speeds than the current "nationwide" 5G from Verizon and AT&T.The Google Pixel 5 and LG Wing have been cleared to access C-band 5G frequencies by the Federal Communications Commission, according to a report from PCMag. LG and Google can now push a software update to enable C-band access on the two phones. Until now, Samsung's Galaxy S21 and Apple's iPhone 12 lineup were the only phones with C-band support in the U.S.C-band networks are expected to deliver much faster speeds than "nationwide" 5G from AT&T and Verizon, along with a better range than Verizon's impress...

One of Amazon's daily deals includes the DJI Osmo Pocket, a handheld gimbal, on sale for $199. That price is an all-new low on a device we've seen drop a couple times in the past. It just has never dropped this low. The Osmo Pocket normally sells for around $300 or more with prices above $365 at some points. This price is even $50 better than some other retailers featuring it on sale right now like B&H.The Osmo Pocket is a small, lightweight, portable camera you can hold in your hand. You use it to get amazingly stable shots, which means crystal clear image quality when taking photos or video that looks like it was professionally shot. The camera has a 3-inch sensor, an 80-degree field of view, and a f/2.0 aperture. You can shoot in 4K video at 60fps and get 12MP photos. While you might be able to find a better camera, you definitely won't find one better in this form factor.You can actually connect the Osmo Pocket to your phone, too. Use the DJI Mimo App to customzie and con...

New number, same messages.One of the great things about the Telegram messaging app is that you can use it across multiple devices simultaneously. I use and review several devices at a time, from Android phones to Chromebooks to Macs to iPhones, and I love that I can log in to Telegram on each and pick up right where I left off. But what if the phone number associated with your Telegram account changes? No worries! I'll show you how to change your phone number in Telegram and keep your existing chat history, contacts, messages, and media. Let's get started.How to change your Telegram phone numberOpen the Telegram app on your phone.Tap on the menu icon (hamburger menu) in the top left corner.Tap on Settings.Tap on your phone number to change it.Tap Change Number.Tap Change.Type in the new number.Tap the check mark in the top right corner to save.Confirm the new number in your SMS app from the notification that Telegram will send you.Repeat this process on any othe...

The first round of Studio Ghibli films made their way to Netflix back in February 2020, with more hitting every month after. In total there are 21 films that are now available on Netflix, with the most recent batch of them hitting on April 1, 2020. The films will be made available globally through a distribution partner Wild Bunch International, though this rollout will exclude some big markets where people will want to watch them.For those not familiar, Studio Ghibli was founded back in 1985 by the directors Hayao Miyazaki and Isao Takahata, along with the producer Toshio Suzuki. It is a Japanese animation film studio that has produced feature films, shorts, TV commercials, and even worked with video game studios on visual elements for games. Six of the studio's films are among the 10 highest-grossing anime films from Japan, and the company has many other accolades. It's most successful title was Spirited Away, which made over $360 million worldwide and was voted the fourth-best fil...

Blizzard actually pulled this one off.The Diablo Immortal Technical Alpha has come and gone, and while we've already spoken about just how fun it was, it's important to look back on the experience and see if there's anything that we can take from the brief look at the game as we wait for another chance to play. With that in mind, we'll be looking at some of the key takeaways from the alpha, and why things are looking good for the future of Diablo Immortal.Jump to:Classic Diablo feelCombatSomething to play forRepetive, but funMonetization The classic Diablo feelOne of the biggest fears many players had going into Diablo Immortal was whether or not the game could accurately capture the feel of a Diablo title. More often than not, franchisees that get ported over to the mobile world are usually done so poorly and can drive fans away by not playing or reminding them of the initial property. Thankfully, it seems like Blizzard has avoided this so far.While those inv...

Google launched Stadia a little over a year ago, giving players access to some of their favorite games without having to own a console or gaming PC. While Stadia can be used as a free service, Google does offer a Stadia Pro membership for $9.99/month, which gives subscribers access to special discounts, upgraded 4K streaming options, as well as one or more free games to claim per month. Once you claim a game in Pro, it's yours to keep as long as you're subscribed, similar to how PlayStation Plus works.The free games with Pro can then be played as long as your Stadia Pro subscription is active, but are only available to be claimed for a limited time, so make sure you're checking back every month as we update the list of games available. If you cancel or suspend your Pro subscription and then decide to resubscribe in the future, all previously claimed games will return to your library. Some of the best Stadia games have been offered on Pro in the past so make sure you claim each game...

Rumors suggest the phone will be a significant upgrade over last year's Mate XS in nearly every area.What you need to knowHuawei's third foldable smartphone will be unveiled on February 22.The phone will be called the Mate X2 and come with an inward-folding design.Rumors suggest the foldable will be powered by a Kirin 9000 chipset and feature a quad-camera setup with a 50MP main sensor.Huawei will soon take the wraps off its third foldable smartphone. The company has revealed in a post on Weibo that its next foldable will be called the Mate X2 and will debut at an event in China on February 22.The official launch poster suggests the upcoming device will have an inward-folding design – just like Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold 2. The original Mate X, as well as last year's Mate XS, featured outward-folding displays.As per recent leaks, the Mate X2 will have a large 8.01-inch main display and a 6.45-inch secondary display on the front. Under the hood, it is expected to featur...

Sensible, savvy, and just a tiny bit sexy, Lenovo offers up one of the best Chromebooks of the year.Once upon a time, the first Chromebook that I called mine was a Lenovo ThinkPad Yoga Chromebook, one of the 11e models. It wasn't the newest or the sexiest Chromebook, but it had a battery to last all day and then some, it booted up quickly and let me get on with my work, and it was kid-proof so I could just throw it in my bag and go. I've used a lot of Chromebooks since then, but the ThinkPad was my first and it set the bar.Over the last week, I've been using the latest Chromebook to bear the ThinkPad name — the Lenovo ThinkPad C13 Yoga Chromebook — and it's lived up to all my hopes and then some. This is a premium Chromebook that's durable, enduring, and with some of the most sensible upgrades a laptop can have today.It's not as affordable as the 11e of the last decade, but it's futureproofed and ready to keep you working from now through 2029, so long as you can handle its...

Here's what we know so far about OnePlus' 2021 flagship.OnePlus had a lackluster 2020 in the flagship category, and it is looking to bounce back this year with the OnePlus 9 series. The OnePlus 9 series will continue the Chinese manufacturer's push as the maker of the best Android phones, and we're likely to see a slew of exciting additions that should make the phones stand out from their 2020 counterparts.We've had a few nuggets of information on the OnePlus 9; there will be three models in the series — OnePlus 9, 9 Pro, and 9 Lite — and they will debut at an earlier-than-usual release window in March 2021. Here's what you need to know about the OnePlus 9 release date, specs, pricing, and availability.Setting a high barOnePlus 8TFrom $727 at AmazonThe new standardWith a new design backed by a sublime 120Hz AMOLED display and insane 65W fast charging, the OnePlus 8T is a performance monster. The phone runs Android 11 out of the box, and has a ton of exciting sof...

If you're on the hunt for true wireless earbuds with active noise cancellation that don't cost as much as the Apple AirPods Pro or the new Galaxy Buds Pro, you'll want to consider the Samsung Galaxy Buds Live. These earbuds retail for $169.99, though right now Best Buy has them on sale for $59.99 for just one day only.The earbuds are offered in Geek Squad certified refurbished condition and come with a 90-day warranty so take that into account when considering the price versus going brand new.The Samsung Galaxy Buds Live make for some of the best wireless earbuds on the market. They are equipped with 12mm speakers with sound by AKG. They sit softly inside the ear and feature active noise cancellation that lets you block out disturbances around you so you can truly focus on whatever's playing. There's even a setting that will let voices and announcements through so you can hear them even with the noise cancellation on.They're available in five colors — Mystic Black, Mystic Bro...

Get the lowdown on Mint Mobile's coverage, pricing, phones, and more.The wireless carrier space is a never-ending battle between T-Mobile, Verizon, and AT&T. However, underneath the three big dogs, is a collection of smaller brands tapping into their networks to deliver excellent wireless coverage at a fraction of the price.One such company is Mint Mobile (formally known as Mint SIM), and if you've been searching for a new way to buy phone service that can help you save a heap of money, it may be worth a look.Buy in bulkMint MobileFrom $15/month at Mint MobileA unique take on affordable wireless serviceUse T-Mobile's massive data network while saving money thanks to Mint Mobile's great data plans and multi-month savings.Jump to:Mint Mobile reviewMint Mobile pricingMint Mobile UnliMINTedMint Mobile coverageMint Mobile 5G?Mint Mobile hotspot accessMint Mobile vs. the competitionMint Mobile phonesMint Mobile dealsMint Mobile Check out our full...

Your photos, videos, reels, and IGTV videos will remain in the new "Recently Deleted" folder for up to 30 days.What you need to knowInstagram is rolling out a new "recently deleted" feature.The new feature allows you to review and restore your deleted posts.Users will be required to verify that they are the rightful account holders when permanently deleting posts from Recently Deleted.Instagram is rolling out a new feature that it claims will prevent hackers from deleting posts from users' accounts. Called "Recently Deleted," the feature lets users easily get their photos and videos back even if a hacker gains access to their account. The feature works similarly to "Trash" in the Google Photos app and "Recycle Bin" in the Samsung Gallery app.When you delete photos and videos from your Instagram account, they will now be moved to the new Recently Deleted folder. Your deleted Instagram stories will remain in the folder for up to 24 hours, while everything else will be autom...

To be the best VPN service doesn't mean you can't also be the cheapest VPN service. There are a lot of VPN providers out there offering plans at a variety of different price points, some of which even have free VPN plans. Normally, when it comes to services and subscriptions the best ones are on the more expensive side, but when it comes to VPNs that isn't the case.You don't have to go broke each month or pay a huge upfront cost to get a great VPN, some of the best VPNs are actually pretty cheap, seriously.6 best cheap VPN services in 2021 rankedSurfshark: Lots of features, fast speeds, and cheapest option | More infoIPVanish: Easy to use and includes 250GB cloud storage | More infoNordVPN: Well known, reliable, and offers clients for all devices | More infoHotspot Shield VPN: Tweeting earns you more free bandwidth | More infoCyberGhost VPN: Easiest server matching for unblocking content | More infoPIA VPN: One-click easy connections to servers | More infoBonus Pick: Exp...

Google makes it easier to check yourself before you go on camera.What you need to knowGoogle Meet is introducing a new feature to preview yourself before a meeting.The feature will help you troubleshoot any issues that might be present.Users should begin to see the feature roll out starting today.You ever try to get started on a Google Meet video call and realize that nothing works how you want it? Whether it's your mic or maybe the connection is bad and causing the video to freeze? Or maybe something funny is happening with the audio because you didn't spring for one of the best wireless headphones with great microphones? Google is hoping that this latest feature rolling out to those who frequent Google Meet will help you enter a meeting more confident that your technology will work just how you want it.Now before you enter a call, Google Meet will allow you to preview yourself beforehand. Sure, it already does that now, but Google is taking it a step forward with a ne...

Alphabet hits impressive numbers across the board as Google Cloud continues to weigh it down.What you need to knowAlphabet's quarterly revenues grew 23% YoY, fueled by Google Services and YouTube ads.YouTube grew about 46% in Q4 thanks to brand ads and driven by the election.Google's cloud business has lost over $5 billion throughout 2020.Google's parent company, Alphabet, just released its fourth-quarter earnings, which shows strong growth across much of the business. Total revenue grew more by more than $10 billion YoY to $56.90 billion, while net income grew to $15.23 billion. One of the driving factors for Google's growth was due largely to Search and YouTube revenue, particularly from brand ads. Google Cloud continued to lose money, with more than $1.2 billion lost in the fourth quarter, but the company expects it to improve going into 2021.Google attributed much of its growth to the continuous digital shift that occurred within the past year due to the pandemic. Whi...

Want to upgrade your Android experience? Try upgrading your launcher.The way we arrange, organize, and interact with our apps on Android is called the launcher. Launchers usually consist of a series of home screens, where we can arrange app shortcuts and widgets and an app drawer. Every phone comes with a launcher, but when they drop the ball, there are endless third-party launchers that not only pick it up again but knock it clear out of the park. Everyone has their perfect launcher, but if you haven't found your favorite yet, then here are a few launchers we think will satisfy users of every type.The best launchersBest Overall Smart Launcher 5Resurging Legacy Nova LauncherSwiss Army Launcher Action LauncherBest Productivity Microsoft LauncherQuick and Simple Niagara LauncherHonorable Mention Lawnchair 2Best Overall: Smart Launcher 5 AC Score 5 ...

No longer building any teams from the ground up.Updated Feb. 2 6:10 p.m. ET: Jade Raymond released a statement about her departure.What you need to knowStadia Games and Entertainment is Google's first-party wing of development teams for Stadia.Stadia Games and Entertainment is being shut down, with head Jade Raymond leaving the company.The focus is now on Google partnering with third-party developers for Stadia content.Stadia Games and Entertainment is Google's first-party development studios for Stadia. Led by Ubisoft veteran Jade Raymond, the organization consisted of two internally built studios, one of which is led by Shannon Studstill, formerly head of Sony Santa Monica studio. Google also acquired Typhoon Games, creators of Journey to the Savage Planet, for further first-party growth. Now it's all shutting down.Google announced today that Stadia Games and Entertainment is being shuttered, with head Jade Raymond exiting the company. According to a report from Kotak...

"Hey, Google, what's wrong with you?"What you need to knowA Google Assistant outage is causing some Google Home devices to give errors that they are "not yet set up".The issue is impacting smart home controls through Google Assistant, but not through the Google Home app.If you're getting this error on one of your devices, you can still give feedback through Assistant so Google knows your device is impacted.The issue seems mostly confined to Google Nest and Google Home devices, though Assistant isn't working on some Android phones, too.I love being able to just call out "OK Google" wherever I am in my apartment — the bedroom, the kitchen, even the bathroom — and be able to have Google Assistant change the lights, tell me the weather, or put on some music. This also makes for a single point of failure, and right now it is in partial failure. Hundreds of users are reporting that they can't use Google Assistant on their Google Nest and Google Home devices like the Nest Hub...

While the Oculus Quest 2 has speakers built into its straps, you'll need some of the best Oculus Quest 2 headphones to make the audio as expansive and enveloping as the VR visuals. You can't use any old headphones you bought for the original Oculus Quest: the Quest 2 has just a single audio jack on its left side, compared to the two jacks of its predecessor. Technically any headphones with a 3.5mm jack will suffice, but for the best fit you'll need some that are specifically designed for the Quest 2. Here are the best wired headphones that fit that description.In ear for the next genLogitech G333 VR gaming earphonesStaff PickLogitech worked with Facebook to build these headphones specifically for the Oculus Quest 2. They have custom 3.5mm cables with different lengths that you velcro into place on the head strap, so nothing is left dangling that could distract from your Quest experience. It also has dedicated audio drivers for highs, mids, and bass, plus low latency to de...

60 Oculus Quest titles have now surpassed the $1 million revenue mark.What you need to knowDouble the number of apps and games have achieved $1 million in revenue since the launch of the Oculus Quest 2 four months ago.Six titles have now amassed more than $10 million in revenue each, marking a new developer success milestone.Some huge success stories include studios like Dante Buckley, who went from a one-man team to a million-dollar development studio.When it comes to success stories in the gaming industry, it's less common to hear about indie developers making their way big with a new platform. Sure, it's happened in the past with development houses like Rovio, who turned a $2 game into a billion-dollar franchise, and the Oculus Quest looks to be paving the way for more stories like this. Oculus' VP of Content, Mike Verdu, wrote a post on the Oculus Blog detailing the many success stories of Quest developers, particularly since the Oculus Quest 2 launched.Developer succ...

When you're playing games online on your PS5, almost nothing is worse than running into someone saying or doing something inappropriate. Whether it's in a party chat or display in their profile, there are some actions you can take to keep unnecessary comments out of your view and notify PlayStation to take action. Here's how to block and report players on PS5.Products used in this guidePlay online: PlayStation Plus 3-month subscription ($25 at Amazon)Try some different games: PlayStation Now 3-month subscription ($25 at Amazon)How to block and report players on PS5To block a player on PS5, first select their profile.You may need to select their name from a game menu.Alternatively, you can check the PS5 Game Base.Once you've selected their profile, scroll to the left and select more.Select Block.Or, select Report.If you selected Report, you'll need to select the reason for the report.If you're reported something said in party chat, you'll be able to select an audio...

Mint Mobile is giving its customers more data at no extra cost.What you need to knowMint Mobile is raising its data limits in each of its tiers, at no extra cost to customers.The data increase is available for existing and new Mint Mobile subscribers.Ryan Reynolds reportedly got beat up by AT&T and Verizon because of its data increase... just kidding.Mint Mobile subscribers will be happy to learn that one of the best 5G carriers is raising its data limits for each of its tiered data plans. The best part is that there's no extra cost for this increase, and subscribers can get more out of their data plan for the same. We've got some hot news. The data limit on every Mint plan is increased…for free. We'll repeat. We're giving you more data, but keeping plan prices right where they are. Why? Because we're all about you. If you're already a Mint customer, keep an eye on your Mint account to watch that free* data go up. If you're not, well, it seems like we just g...

The billionaire CEO is moving to a new role in the company.What you need to knowAmazon founder and CEO Jeff Bezos is stepping down from his current role.He'll be replaced by Andy Jassy, current CEO of Amazon Web Services.Bezos will move to a new role as the Executive Chair of the Amazon Board.Today, Amazon founder and CEO Jeff Bezos announced that he would be stepping away from his current position. Bezos had led the company since its inception in 1994 and overseen its growth to the online retail giant it currently is.Bezos will be replaced by Andy Jassy, the current CEO of Amazon Web Services. Bezos himself will not be fading into obscurity, he will instead become Executive Chair of the Amazon Board and shift his focus to "new products and early initiatives." These will include the Washington Post, the Day 1 Fund, the Bezos Earth Fund, Blue origin, and other unnamed projects. In an email to employees shared online, Bezos reiterated that he was not retiring, simply re-fo...

The Jiggle Physics team try to make some sense of the whole GameStop stock thing. They're also joined by Sara Gitkos for a detailed look at The Legend of Zelda as the game franchise turns 35.Hosted by: Jennifer Locke, Carli Velocci, and Rebecca SpearGot feedback? Hit up Podcast@androidcentral.com and tell us something!LISTEN NOW:LINKS:Sara Gitkos (@Sera_BelleG6) / TwitterThis GameStop stock fiasco is getting out of hand | Windows CentralThe Legend of Zelda 35th anniversary retrospective: A windy adventure | iMore...

Facebook Messenger and App Lab are just two of the dozen new features for QuestWhat you need to knowApp Lab is Facebook's new Oculus Store feature to help indie developers with distribution.Facebook Messenger makes communication significantly easier while using the Oculus Quest.Oculus firmware update v25 begins rolling out this week and includes nearly a dozen new features.If you're looking to buy an Oculus Quest 2 or already got one this past Holiday season, Facebook has a ton of new features for you to get excited about. First off, you'll no longer need to just know how to Sideload game on the Oculus Quest, as Facebook is launching its own indie developer section called App Lab. Found right in the official Oculus Store, indie developers who register to be a part of the App Lab process can get their games published to the Oculus Store and earn revenue and a bigger player base through first-party channels. App Lab is shipping with Oculus firmware v25, which is scheduled to ...

Huawei is pulling an Amazon without acknowledging it.What you need to knowHuawei's HarmonyOS is a lot less novel than Huawei presents.A deep dive into the operating system revealed a largely unchanged version of Android 10. Huawei says phones running HarmonyOS will ship this year.As has been assumed, Huawei is moving away from Android this year, in a manner of speaking. The company has been rendered unable to use Google's operating system in any meaningful manner ever since a 2019 U.S. ban prevented it from working with Google and loading the Google Play Store on its devices. Instead, the company throwing all its eggs into its HarmonyOS basket, a new operating system that Huawei has been playing up over the past year as its big Android replacement.How did Huawei manage to do this? Well, according to ArsTechnica's Ron Amadeo who went poking around in the HarmonyOS emulator, they didn't. Huawei's HarmonyOS is just Huawei's version of Android with any mention of "Android" in...

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 above the others because of its perfectly accommodating size.Best Amazon Echo Show Overall: Echo Show 8The Echo Show 8 is currently the newest product in the Echo Show line, and as such, it takes some of the best features from the high and low ends. For example, it is in-between the smaller size of the Show 5 and the arguably unwieldy size of the Show (2nd Gen). It improves upon the sound quality of the smaller Show 5 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 Show (2nd Gen) for a higher ratio of pixels per inch.The Echo Sho...

This is why open-source software is great. It's also why you should never trust what your eyes haven't actually seen.Huawei used to make some of the best Android phones you could buy. You probably never used one if you live in the U.S., but in many other parts of the world, Huawei phones were popular enough to keep the company in a head-to-head race with Samsung as the world's largest smartphone maker. Huawei makes great phones but they all need great software for anyone to care about them.Ars Technica has a wonderfully complete breakdown of Huawei's HarmonyOS 2 beta program written up that you totally need to take a look at. It covers the world's previously largest phone manufacturer's woes when it comes to software after the Chinese giant was placed on the U.S. Entity list and can no longer do business with Google, and on its own, that's an incredibly complex subject to tackle. Or it should have been.It turns out that after all the smoke and mirrors, HarmonyOS, as it sta...

Google's discrimination charges come at a pretty awkward time.What you need to knowA compliance audit performed at Google several years ago discovered discriminatory behavior towards certain workers.Google reportedly underpaid nearly 3,000 of its female software engineers.Discriminatory hiring practices were also observed at Google, with women and Asian candidates offered fewer opportunities.,Google's troubles are seemingly unending, and the latest allegations against Google aren't really a good look for the company during a month focused on acceptance of others. Reuters reports that Google has been fined nearly $4 million for "allegations of systemic compensation and hiring discrimination" towards its workers based on audits that were conducted several years ago.According to the Department of Labor, the compliance audit, which was conducted between the years of 2014 and 2017, determined that nearly 3,000 of Google's female software engineers in the Mountain View, CA, and...

PlayStation Now continues to add new games from month-to-month.What you need to knowPlayStation Now is Sony's gaming subscription service that offers access to a revolving selection of games.Starting today, six new games are available as part of PlayStation Now's February lineup.Call of Duty: Black Ops III, arguably the headlining game, is available until April 29, 2021.Five other games are included like Detroit: Become Human, Little Nightmares, WWE 2K Battlegrounds, and more.PlayStation Now, Sony's game subscription service, has revealed the PlayStation Now lineup for February 2021. February sees the addition of six new games to the service, which is a decent number of new arrivals for Sony's service. While none of these games may dominate our Best Games on PlayStation Now list, there are some pretty great options like Call of Duty: Black Ops III and Detroit: Become Human.In case you missed it, PlayStation Now also added some new games in January that may be worth your ...

Buy in bulkMint MobileFrom $15/month at MintProsCheaper monthly ratesLots of plan optionsUnlimited talk and textFree hotspot accessWorks with most unlocked phonesConsCoverage isn't quite as dense as Visible'sMint Mobile uses T-Mobile to power its network, and while that means coverage isn't quite as expansive, you get a lot of bang for your buck. Plans are sold in bulk, meaning you have a bigger upfront cost but save a lot of money month-to-month. And, unlike Visible, you can use Mint Mobile with just about any Android phone.Verizon's networkVisible$40/month at VisibleProsUnlimited talk, text, and dataVerizon's LTE networkFree hotspot access (5Mbps)Taxes and fees includedSave more with Party PayConsOnly works with select Android phonesNo international supportWant access to Verizon's incredible LTE network for a fraction of the cost? That's what Visible brings to the table. For just $40 per month all-in, you get unlimited talk, ...

The best cheap wireless earbuds have become great over the past several years. The ones you typically hear about are super expensive. Still, there are some great budget options out there, such as the Creative Outlier Air V2, which offer fantastic battery life, exceptional comfort, and superb sound quality.Best Overall: Creative Outlier Air V2It's hard to beat the Outlier Air V2 on battery life. Even compared to the best wireless earbuds, they outperform most of them with up to 12 hours of audio playback per charge at default volume. Add another (almost) two charges in the charging case and you've got over 30 hours of total listening time. The only real downside is that the case doesn't feature wireless charging.Creative based the design on the Outlier Gold, which used different ear tips than the original Outlier Air did, and that move pays dividends in both fit and comfort. It also gives you a better seal to trap in more of the bass and preserve as much of the soundstage as p...

It's a relief to finally have a date for FIFA 21, but Stadia will need more big AAA third-party titles like this to remain relevant.What you need to knowFIFA 21 is releasing on Stadia March 17.Madden NFL 21 is still on sale for half-off until Feb. 9.New Stadia Pro games are available for February.Epistory - Typing Chronicles is a new typing-themed RPG, out today.Today, EA announced that FIFA 21 is finally coming to Stadia on March 17. The game was originally announced several months ago for Google's cloud-based gaming platform, so it's good to see it coming to fruition.A couple of other EA titles recently released on Stadia as well, such as Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order late last year and Madden NFL 21 just last week. You can still grab the entire Madden NFL 21 Superstar Edition for just $30 until Feb. 9.Like Madden, FIFA is highly anticipated as a core game to drive interest in the platform. The flexibility of being able to play anywhere at any time is a huge bonus for...

Bigscreen is introducing Black Cinema as a new movie category to celebrate Black History Month.What you need to knowBigscreen's newest movie category celebrates Black films.Users can watch 14 ad-supported films for free with friends, along with live broadcasts of Selma.Available films include Night Catches Us, The Long Walk Home, Southside With You, and more.Bigscreen is celebrating Black History Month by introducing a new Black Cinema category, which is a collection of films now available to users "to commemorate the accomplishments of African Americans in every area of endeavor throughout our history." The films are now available on-demand through PlutoTV and include the following:Night Catches UsThe Long Walk HomeThe Pruitt-Igoe MythSt. Louis SupermanSilverainSincerely, BrendaFor AhkeemMuhammad Ali Life of a LegendCoverI Am Not Your NegroSouthside With YouJackie BrownBroken CeilingMandelaAdditionally, Bigscreen is hosting live screenings of Selma throu...

Source: StackCommerceFrom checking emails to reading the latest news on Windows Central, we spend hours a day reading from screens. If you prefer to listen, Eloquence can turn any text into a personal podcast. You can currently get a lifetime subscription for just $34.99.One reason why podcasts are so popular is that audio is often more convenient than video or text. You can be engrossed in a story while walking around and doing chores.With Elocance, you can enjoy the same experience with online articles, documents, emails, newsletters, and more. You simply save content to your reading list, and the app automatically converts the text into audio.The magic comes from a powerful text-to-speech engine, which offers HD sound and multiple accents. Elocance also lets you create custom playlists. This means you virtually never need to look at your phone.Rated at 4.4 stars on the App Store, the app is available on Android and iOS.Order today for $34.99 to get lifetime access, val...

New kid on the blockFossil Gen 5 LTE$349 at FossilProsGPS, HRM, NFC, LTEActivity/health trackingGoogle AssistantBuilt-in mic/speakerSnapdragon Wear 3100ConsShort battery lifeMore expensiveIf you've been waiting for a new Wear OS smartwatch with LTE connectivity to arrive, you'll be thrilled with the Fossil Gen 5 LTE. It's essentially the same wearable as the original Gen 5 with LTE added to the mix. You get GPS, heart-rate monitoring, activity/health tracking, Google Assistant, and NFC payments.Budget-friendly classicTicWatch Pro 4G LTE$292 at AmazonProsGPS, HRM, NFC, LTEActivity/health trackingGoogle AssistantBuilt-in mic/speakerDual-layer display + longer battery lifeConsNot a very attractive watchOld Snapdragon Wear 2100 processorWhile the TicWatch Pro 4G LTE offers some nice features, it's not the newest or best model from Mobvoi. The most notable disadvantage is that it's running on the outdated Snapdragon Wear 2100 proce...

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

It's Super Bowl week and, if you've recently cut the cord, you're probably thinking about how to watch Super Bowl 2021 this year. With a variety of streaming options, there's basically a way for everyone to watch this year and maybe even catch a stream for free.While there are ample ways to stream the biggest game of the year online, you actually need some hardware to stream the game on. Fortunately, the makers of the most popular streaming hardware are wise to the fact that the biggest annual sporting event is coming right up and are offering some excellent deals on their streaming sticks and set top boxes.Check out the best streaming device deals below and place your orders in time for the main event.Best Super Bowl deals on Roku, Apple TV, Fire TV & moreAmazon Fire TV Stick Lite | $21.99 at AmazonThe Fire TV Stick Line is a fantastic entry-level streaming device, perfect for any TV and any room. It's directly discounted to just $22 which is only a few bucks more ...

The fan-favorite series is finally coming back.What you need to knowEA Sports announced today that it would be bringing back its College Football game series.Currently, EA Sports plans to move forward without using the names, images, or likenesses of any real college athlete.The last college football game was in 2014, and has quickly become a cult favorite amongst fans.In a surprise move earlier today, EA Sports announced that it would be rebooting its fan-favorite College Football game series. This marks the first college football video game since 2013, when EA Sports last released NCAA Football 14, a game that has since become a cult classic amongst sports games fans.For those who never stopped believing...#EASPORTSCollegeFootball pic.twitter.com/2vDUYnbXEJ— EA SPORTS (@EASPORTS) February 2, 2021In an announcement made by ESPN shortly after the reveal, EA Sports Vice President and general manager Daryl Holt confirmed that "EA Sports College Football" would be the ...

One of the great things about the best messaging apps is that you can customize and craft them to look just the way you want them. It's true of Signal, it's true of WhatsApp, and of course, it's true of Telegram. We'll show you just how easy it is to change your theme, backgrounds, and chat settings on Telegram so that your messaging experience is as colorful as you are.How to change your theme and chat settings on TelegramOpen the Telegram app on your phone.Tap on the menu icon in the top left corner.Tap on Settings.Tap on Chat Settings. From here, you can customize nearly every design feature of your chats, including text size and bubble shape, and color.Tap on Change Chat Background.Scroll through the available Chat Background options. You can upload your own Chat Background by tapping on Select from Gallery, or just choose to Set a color.Select your favorite background. Tap on Blurred or Motion to change the effect of your Chat Background.Tap Set Background to co...

If you are one of the millions of new converts to the private messaging app Signal, then welcome! We are thrilled that such a privacy-centric app exists on both iOS and Android users (as well as Mac, Windows, and Linux). While Signal has always been secure and end-to-end encrypted, it hasn't always been the most fun-looking or customizable app, nor has it had as many personalization features. Thankfully, these features are finally starting to roll out to users, including one of our favorites — stickers! We'll show you how to add and use stickers in your Signal chats. Let's get started.How to add and use stickers in the Signal messaging appOpen the Signal app.Tap on a message thread or start a new message.Tap on the sticker icon in the Signal message composer.Choose from your installed sticker packs, or tap the + icon to add more stickers.Pick which sticker you like and tap on it.Tap the blue send arrow to send the sticker to your contact.Signal has built its privac...

It's no secret that Super Bowl LV is just days away, but if you're hoping to watch the big game in all its glory, it might be time to finally replace your current TV for an upgraded model. All the best TV brands know that fans will be looking for a fantastic screen to watch the year's biggest sports event on, and that means it's easier than ever to find great TV deals which can be hard to pass up.Best Super Bowl TV Deals Available Now55" and under65" and under70" and overSuper Bowl TV deals are not to be missed, so we'll be keeping track of all the best offers just below to make sure you can find the right model for your home before kickoff on February 7.It was recently announced that Super Bowl 2021 won't stream in 4K or HDR this year due to production limitations stemming from COVID-19. However, last year was the very first time the game was streamed in 4K and technically, it was only filmed in 1080p and later upscaled to 4K for the broadcast. Many of the TVs below also ...

The trilogy has been enhanced for PS5 and Xbox Series X to support 4K resolution, HDR, and 60FPS.What you need to knowMass Effect Legendary Edition is set to release on May 14, 2021. BioWare has released a new trailer to mark the occasion.The game is releasing for last-gen consoles like Xbox One and PS4 but will be enhanced on PS5 and Xbox Series X/S through backward compatibility.It's $150 Legendary Collector's Edition does not come with the game, because of course it doesn't.BioWare has announced that the Mass Effect Legendary Edition trilogy remaster will be launching on May 14, 2021 for PS4, Xbox One, and PC. But not to worry, it can still be played on PS5, Xbox Series X, and Xbox Series S through backward compatibility. In fact it's enhanced for these consoles to support 4K resolution, HDR, and 60FPS.Mass Effect Legendary Edition features improved textures, redone character models, updated UI, and much more. FemShep's iconic look from Mass Effect 3 has also been car...

HMD Global will roll out the update in two phases.What you need to knowHMD Global has released the stable Android 11 update for the Nokia 8.3 5G.The update was supposed to arrive in Q4 2020.HMD Global says the update will hit Nokia 8.3 users in 27 countries by February 7.The Nokia 8.3, which is currently the only 5G-enabled phone in HMD Global's lineup, has finally started receiving the Android 11 update. HMD Global has announced that the update will be rolled out in two phases, with the first phase expected to be completed by February 7.We are excited to announce the roll out of our Android 11 update plan with Nokia 8.3 5G as part of our commitment to be trusted, secure and built to last. Update available now https://t.co/Ti1TtSrUFx pic.twitter.com/HBqhHqiAEi— Nokia Mobile (@NokiaMobile) February 2, 2021As per a post on the Nokia Community forums, the update will be rolled out in the following countries by February 7:BahrainBelgiumDenmarkEgyptFinlandFra...

Best answer: The Galaxy S10 is a fine smartphone in 2021, especially now that its price has come down considerably. However, with the launch of the Galaxy S20 FE and S21, the S10 no longer feels like a smart purchase.Value flagship: Samsung Galaxy S20 FE ($700 at Amazon)New in town: Samsung Galaxy S21 (From $800 at Samsung) How much does the Galaxy S10 cost these days?It's been about two years since the Galaxy S10 series first came to market. Samsung was still actively selling the S10 following the release of the S20, but now that the Galaxy S21 is out, the S10 is all but discontinued.You can find the baseline S10 being sold on Amazon, often for a little over $700. That's a decent price considering that the S10 is still a very capable Android phone, but thanks to Samsung's more recent releases, it doesn't make the most sense.Is the Galaxy S10 still powerful enough in 2021?The Galaxy S10 has since been updated to the most recent One UI 3 software, so you aren't being lef...

Sometimes you really don't want to listen to other players yell.Destruction AllStars has launched into PlayStation Plus on PS5 and players have already discovered an unfortunate feature... it has voice chat turned on by default, and it blares loudly through the speaker on a DualSense controller. It appears that you can't turn this off in-game, rather you'll need to go to the Activities cards and turn it off on a system level. Weird, but doable.How to mute voice chat in Destruction AllStars on PS5After you select your character for a multiplayer match, you'll notice in the top right that it says game voice chat has started.Press the PS button on your DualSense controller.Navigate to the voice chat Activity card.Press Square on your controller to mute the voice chat.To mute yourself for other players, press the button below the PS button on your DualSense controller, denoted by the muted microphone. It will turn orange when muted.Enjoy your match in peace and quiet. ...