Latest from Android Central

One of Samsung's latest smartphones, the Galaxy S21 Ultra, impresses with tons of fabulous features, including amazing cameras and a super sleek design that's complemented by the absolutely gorgeous 6.8-inch screen. The phone is IP68 dust and water-resistant, but it's still important to protect it with a case. And while the device doesn't come with the popular Samsung S Pen, it works seamlessly with one. So, it's a no-brainer to grab the S Pen — easily the best stylus for Android phones like this one — to use with this phone. While you're at it, consider choosing among the best S Pen cases and other accessories to complete the experience.Trusted brandSpigen Liquid Air PStaff PickYou can never go wrong with a Spigen case, and this one actually comes with a built-in slot to accommodate an S Pen. It's slim and form-fitting with an anti-slip matte surface that's comfortable to hold while tapping away or jotting notes. With military-grade protection and Air Cushion technolog...

I know it's hard to find a docking station, but this costs as much as my first Chromebook.What you need to knowHyper has announced a series of accessories that are Made for Chromebooks.The HyperDrive 14-Port USB-C Docking Station for Chromebook has four video outputs and 5 USB-A ports.Hyper's also offering a 5-in-1 USB-C Hub and an Ethernet to USB-C Adapter.All three products will be launching in August, ranging in price from $50-$240.Whether you're running the best Chromebook or you're using something that's a couple of years old, you can upgrade your experience and turn your Chromebook into a perfect work from home laptop by adding on an external monitor and a better mic than the dinky one your Chromebook shipped with using a Chromebook-compatibile docking station. The problem is that finding a docking station that plays nice with a Chromebook can take a while because things aren't always the same as they are on a Windows laptop or a Macbook.I've actually gone throug...

Second chancesAmazon Echo Buds (2nd Gen)$100 at AmazonProsSmaller and better fitHands-free Alexa accessImproved ANC performanceMaintains EQ supportGreat support on both iOS and AndroidFaster chargingConsNo real difference in battery lifeNo multipoint BluetoothFinicky touch controlsAmazon is back for an encore with the second-gen Echo Buds, focusing on improving the things their predecessors didn't do so well. The results will largely depend on how you view the audio output, but the supporting features at least move the ball forward.First time outAmazon Echo Buds$130 at B&HProsSolid active noise reduction (ANR)Up to 20 hours of total listening timeHands-free Alexa accessEQ support for some custom soundGreat support on both iOS and AndroidCompact charging/carrying caseConsAging Micro-USB for chargingNo wireless chargingOnly available in blackThe debut Echo Buds don't look to be here for long, as Amazon looks to go all-in...

Bringing back the age of gathering around a table for some fun.Dungeons and Dragons is one of those experiences I've often considered but had never undertaken. Over the years, I've played card games like Magic the Gathering, taken part in several Everquest and World of Warcraft LAN parties, and, yet, something as ubiquitous as Dungeons and Dragons has, somehow, always eluded my grasp. I don't know if it's the deep commitment that D&D players often find themselves agreeing to — my own brother has a regular D&D group he plays with — or the huge rulebook that seems to change all the time; it's just never been part of my routine.Demeo threatens to change all of that — in a very good way, of course — by bringing the feel of Dungeons and Dragons to the world of VR, creating a board game atmosphere in a virtual basement where you and three other teammates can delve deep into dungeons without the need for a commute or a massive commitment. It's Dungeons and Dragons for th...

Your family members can now respond to Broadcast messages from any device.What you need to knowGoogle is rolling out new family-friendly Google Assistant features.Broadcast, which is one of the most popular Assistant features, now makes it easier to reach your family wherever they are. Google is also introducing two new family bell reminders, along with new stories and games that can be accessed from an Android device or a smart display.Ahead of Mother's Day this weekend, Google has announced a bunch of new family-friendly Assistant features. You can now reach your family wherever they might be, with the help of Family broadcast, one of the most popular Assistant features.When you broadcast a message to your family, they will now be able to respond from any device — including smart speakers, smart displays, iPhones, or Android phones. You can easily reply to a broadcast message from the best Android phones by tapping the reply button or by voice.Google is also rol...

Google Play wants to help you understand how your data is being used.What you need to knowGoogle Play will introduce a safety section to bring more app transparency.The section will inform users of the different data requirements and safety features of an app.The timeline for the safety section indicates a rollout won't occur until early 2022.Google is announcing a new safety section that will live in Google Play app listings. The new section will encourage better transparency between users and app developers by including useful information about how an app uses data.Google wants developers to indicate the kind of information that their app will use, including "approximate or precise location, contacts, personal information (e.g. name, email address), photos & videos, audio files, and storage files."Developers have the ability to highlight if their app includes data encryption, whether or not the app can function without sharing or using certain data if users can re...

There's a lot to love about the PS5 DualSense controller, but it isn't perfect. Even the best PS5 accessories have their faults. One of the biggest issues plaguing the DualSense is thumbstick drift, and some people have other issues in addition to that, including with its internal battery. We'll run down a few of the most common you may experience and how you can fix them. There's no one size fits all option, and your mileage may vary, but these methods have proven to work in some instances.How to fix PS5 controller driftDualSense drift usually happens because of general wear and tear on your controller. Its thumbsticks are soldered to the main controller board and are connected to potentiometers that detect movement. As you constantly use your controller, friction can wear them down. This is the most difficult problem to fix because the best method to do so would be to take apart the entire controller and replace the offending parts, and not everyone is equipped to do that....

Facebook's cementing its status as a messaging king.What you need to knowFacebook is improving its most interlinked messaging apps.Facebook Messenger is gaining new themes, stickers to commemorate AAPI month, as well as tap-to-record. For Instagram, the company is adding themes, a new read receipts feature, and new, more visual replies.Facebook's messaging apps are already best in class, and the company today announced new features to keep it that way for both Instagram and Messenger. It's worth noting on the outset that some of these features may depend on whether you have Facebook's new Instagram integration, while some are Messenger exclusive and others are universal.When it comes to Messenger, this update adds a lot. Messenger is getting new themes and stickers. It may be too late for May the 4th, but there's a new Star Wars sticker pack regardless. You'll also find one for Selena The Series. The company is also rolling out new stickers for Asian and Pacific Islander...

According to an investigation by the New York Attorney General, millions of comments submitted during the 2017 net neutrality proceeding were fake.What you need to knowNew York Attorney General says millions of comments to FCC proceeding on net neutrality were fake.Broadband companies initiated the campaign to generate fake comments.Three firms that help generate comments were charged $4.9 million.The nation's largest broadband companies, which includes some of the best wireless carriers in the U.S., funded a secret campaign to generate millions of fake comments to the Federal Communications Commission during its repeal of net neutrality rules in 2017, according to the New York Attorney General's office (NYAGO).The investigation, which was released today, indicated that many of the comments provided "cover" for the repeal of the rules. The investigation indicated that the broadband companies engaged "commercial lead generators" that would use prizes, like gift cards or sw...

The best tablets and large-screened smartphones are designed for you to use your fingers to navigate menus and screens, type, select, and more. But you can also use the best stylus for Android phones and tablets to do all of the above. A stylus offers better precision, particularly with specific tasks like coloring, jotting down digital notes, or selecting items in a detailed document or spreadsheet. They're especially useful for those with large hands, fingers, and/or thumbs who find it difficult to manipulate small text on the screen. We've rounded up the best universal stylus pens. For those who own a Samsung device, specifically, however, the absolute best option is an S Pen.Fine-point stylusAdonit Dash 3 (Black)Staff PickThis universal stylus for Android phones and tablets features a fine-tip point that mimics a paper-like drag.$50 at Amazon $50 at B&H PhotoFor the latest Samsung tabletsSamsung Note20 Replacement S PenFor a replacement or extra S Pen to u...

One of the most annoying things about surfing the web back in the wild west days of the early internet was pop-up ads. Do you remember those? Yuck! Unfortunately, pop-ups have been reborn in recent years with pop-up notifications that appear when you visit various websites in popular browsers like Apple's Safari and Google's Chrome. If these notifications bother you as much as they bother me, then you're probably wondering if there is anything you can do about them, short of clicking Block every time one pops up. Thankfully, there is something you can do, and it's pretty darn easy. I'll show you how you can get rid of Google Chrome pop-ups once and for all so that they never bother your browsing again!How to prevent site notification popups in Google ChromeOpen up the Google Chrome browser.Click on the three-dot menu at the top right corner.Click on Settings.Click on Privacy and security.Click on Site Settings.Click on Notifications.Click the toggle at the top th...

It's no secret that Android tablets are a lot less popular today than they were a few years ago. Despite that, Samsung continues to be one of the few companies that regularly releases new tablet options. That's a good thing for you and me because Samsung knows what it takes to create a killer tablet. Whether you get our top overall pick — the Galaxy Tab 7 — or anything else mentioned in this roundup, here are the best Samsung tablets you can buy in 2021.Best Overall: Samsung Galaxy Tab S7You have a large number of Galaxy Tabs to choose from, but above everything that's on offer, the Galaxy Tab S7 stands out as our go-to recommendation. It's one of the newest tablets in Samsung's lineup, and for most folks, it'll be the best one you can buy.The most important aspect of any tablet is its display, and in these regards, the Tab S7 has a lot going for it. You're treated to an 11-inch LCD panel with a 2560x1600 resolution and a buttery smooth 120Hz refresh rate. Whether you pla...

Sony had stopped letting retailers sell digital game codes back in 2019.What you need to knowSony has prevented third-parties from selling digital game codes since 2019.The company is now facing a class action lawsuit due to this decision.The lawsuit alleges that PlayStation has created an unlawful monopoly.For The Players means different things to different folks. PlayStation's enduring motto has taken criticism over the years for what people view as anti-consumer practices, one of which was the decision to prevent third-party retailers from selling digital game codes. Sony enacted this policy in 2019, preventing stores like Amazon, Best Buy, Walmart, and more from selling digital game codes that could be redeemed on PlayStation consoles, making the PlayStation Store the only place to buy these games. Sony is now being sued for this decision, according to a report from Bloomberg.A proposed class action lawsuit claims that Sony is operating an unlawful monopoly where peop...

You'll soon be able to access the clipboard directly from the virtual keyboard on your Chrome OS tablet.What you need to knowGoogle is making it easier to copy and paste on Chromebook tablets.The virtual keyboard on Chrome OS has gained a new Multipaste feature with the latest Chrome OS Beta update.It is likely to be added to the stable channel with the next Chrome OS release. The Google-made virtual keyboard on Chrome OS received a major update last year, which brought a refreshed UI and a few other useful improvements. Despite the update, however, the virtual keyboard is still not good enough and makes a great physical keyboard essential for Chromebook tablet owners.Fortunately, Google willl soon add a new feature to the Chrome OS virtual keyboard to make it a lot easier for Chromebook tablet users to copy and paste content. As reported by Android Police, a recent Chrome OS Beta added Multipaste functionality, which can be activated by pasting chrome://flags/#enable-cro...

When all is lost, the tide remains.Selene's journey deeper into Atropos leads her into the Abyssal Scar, an underwater ruin and the final biome of Returnal. In the Abyssal Scar, your jump is twice as effective, but you also fall slower, which could leave you open to attack if you're not careful. As you plunge deeper into the depths of the Abyssal Scar, you'll encounter Ophion, the final boss standing behind you and the answers you seek. Here's how to defeat the final boss Ophion in Returnal.How to prepareIf you've managed to fight your way through the fourth and fifth biome, then you may in good shape heading into the Abyssal Scar. Enemies are frequent in this biome and are prone to exploding, so watch your step as you explore its murky depths. Stock up on health and shield items, and grab a Child's Watch or an Astronaut Figurine, to make sure your run doesn't end in tragedy. I also like the Spitmaw Blaster for this final fight, but the Hollowseeker works really well. You're...

Whether you're using the Chrome Browser on Windows, Mac, Android, or on the best Chromebook, there's a lot of ways to tweak the performance or try out upcoming features even without having to switch to software channels. Chrome Flags allow you to try out experimental features or disable certain features if you're encountering issues, and here's how to turn them on or off as you see fit.How to enable flags in ChromeGo to chrome://flags in your Chrome browser.Type the flag name into the search bar. If you're not entirely sure on the same, type in the process or task, and the search should get close enough.Click the drop-down menu next to the flag you want to enable.Click Enabled.Click Restart to relaunch Chrome and activate the flag.Chrome will close and restart — Chromebook users, be warned that depending on the flag, the entire system might reboot — with the flag enabled. You can activate multiple flags at once and then reboot once you're done, or you can clos...

Follow the music.Just when Selene thought she had broken the cycle and returned to her normal life, she gets dragged back to Atropos only to discover that the cycle is not broken. Not yet. Wandering through the Echoing Ruins, she follows a song playing deep in the center of the ruins and plans to silence it. Hyperion is the fourth boss in Returnal, and is one of the hardest. If you're struggling to defeat Hyperion, we're here to help. Here's how to defeat Hyperion in Returnal.How to prepareReturning to the planet of Atropos again will leave Selene without any of the upgrades she collected her first time around. None of the items or artifacts carry over, but weapon skills and permanent upgrades remain. Also, you'll notice that Weapon Proficiency, which was once capped at 15, can now raise up to 30. The key to preparing for this fight is to look for Silphium Resin to upgrade your health and try to find a weapon that has a good combination of skills. For Hyperion, I used the Spi...

There's been a lot to love with Chromebooks this year between manufacturers continuing to churn out the best Chromebooks ever and Google adding tons of new features in recent Chrome OS updates like Nearby Share, Ambient mode, and a plethora of minor upgrades to help make your Chromebook an even better work from home laptop. To be more productive, we need to stop getting lured away by every notification and beep of our phones, and with Phone Hub, we can keep an eye on our phones while still keeping busy.How to set up Phone Hub from scratchOpen the Settings app.Tap Set up under Connected devices.Select your phone from the drop down menu.Tap Accept & continue.Enter the password to your Google account.Tap Done.Tap Done onc the connection is secured.You can now tap the phone icon in your dock to pull up the Phone Hub and see your phone's status, recent Chrome tabs, and toggles to silence your phone, locate your phone, or toggle on the hotspot.As a note, whe...

One giant foe stands in the way of your escape. Take them out.After defeating Phrike and Ixion, Selene will finally make it to the third biome, called the Derelict Citadel. A Temple long abandoned, it creeks to life with a myriad of different types of machinery, all hellbent on stopping Selene's progress towards the White Shadow. Finally, after fighting through the Derelict Citadel, Selene encounters the next threat — Nemesis. And while Nemesis is massive and intimidating, it's also a straightforward fight. Here's how to defeat Nemesis in Returnal.How to prepareIf you've gotten this far without dying, pat yourself on the back. That probably means you're more than prepared for this fight. As far as what weapon to use, look for long range weapons, like the Hollowseeker, the Tachyomatic Carbine, or the Thermogenic Launcher, and avoid using your pistol or the Spitmaw Blaster. You're going to want range for this upcoming fight. Like always, grab a Child's Watch or an Astronaut F...

Chatting with the AC forums.There's no question that Samsung makes some of the best Android phones on the market. From budget phones to mid-range marvels like the Galaxy A52 5G or Galaxy S20 FE, on up to the most premium devices like the Galaxy Z Fold 2, Samsung is a leader in smartphone hardware.The company has also seriously stepped up its software game with its One UI skin of Android, which is packed with all sorts of accessibility and usability features. One of those features, love it or hate it, is its Bixby smart assistant. Some people coexist with Bixby, some ignore it, and some are downright hostile to it and want to get rid of it at all costs, including rooting their phones. ship69 05-04-2021 06:15 AM “ Hello How can I remove Bixby from my Samsung Galaxy Note 10 plus (Android 11)? I can't even find any way to disable it! I have stopped it from firing up when I hit the Power butt...

Ixion is one of the hardest bosses in the game. Learn how to beat it.The second biome of Returnal, called Crimson Wastes, is a red desert with a long dormant temple at the base of the mountain. Crossing the desert, clearing the temple, and making it to the summit is one of the hardest parts of Returnal. And just when you thought you'd seen it all, a powerful boss named Ixion waits for you at the very top. If you find yourself being bested by the flying fiend, take a look at our guide and plan your next (and final) encounter. Here's how to beat Ixion in Returnal.How to prepareAt this point, you might find yourself on two different ends of the spectrum. If you've been cruising through, then you probably defeated Phrike and have held onto your artifacts and items, which means you're probably more than prepared for what awaits. If you died at some point and are jumping back into the Crimson Wastes, take your time and explore. While shortcuts do become available to you once you re...

The Galaxy S22 Ultra could be a bigger upgrade over the Galaxy S21 Ultra than previously expected.What you need to knowSamsung could introduce several new camera technologies with the Galaxy S22 Ultra next year.A new rumor claims the phone will have continuous optical zoom and an under-display selfie camera. It is also rumored to be Samsung's first flagship phone to feature AMD Radeon Mobile graphics. Samsung's Galaxy S21 Ultra may not offer great value, but there is no doubt that it is one of the best Android phones the company has launched so far. The phone offers a gorgeous 120Hz AMOLED display, great battery life, and a truly impressive quad-camera setup. According to a new rumor, Samsung is planning to take things up a notch with its Galaxy S21 Ultra successor.Samsung leaker Ice Universe has claimed that the company is working on continuous optical zoom technology for the Galaxy S22 Ultra. While no details have been revealed yet, the leaker says Samsung Electro-Mecha...

Apple can't afford to lose podcast ground to Android listeners.A few weeks ago, Apple made a bit of a splash with its announcements about its new AirTags trackers as well as updates to the iPad Pro and iMac, but it also announced significant changes to one of its more popular "services" — podcasts. Apple doesn't own podcasting per se, but it does deserve a ton of credit for the way it has nurtured and popularized the platform for millions of users around the world over the past decade and a half.At the Spring Loaded event, Apple unveiled a new design for its Podcasts app to go along with its new Apple Podcast Subscriptions service. Apple Podcast Subscriptions are rolling out to Apple customers across iOS and macOS this month, and no one is quite sure how creators or consumers will receive them. Personally, I'm expecting it to be a big hit. Still, I do think that Apple should bring both its Podcasts app and Podcast Subscriptions to Android sooner rather than later if it truly wa...

A sensible high-performance upgradeNetgear makes a Nighthawk for every home, whether you need to focus on delivering raw speed, great coverage, or something that delivers just enough in every category. The Nighthawk RAX80 feels like a common sense upgrade with its dual-band AX6000 Wi-Fi delivering plenty of speed in most home types, great compatibility with current devices, and even a fast 2.4GHz setup for smart home devices.The Nighthawk RAX80 has a great, modern design with support for all of the Wi-Fi 6 bells and whistles like OFDMA, 160MHz support, and link aggregation. It also manages to do so in a handsome yet understated package that isn't flanked on all sides with an aggressive antenna design. Instead, you get two dark gray winglets that look like they came off a Boeing 737. This one-size-fits-all router is focused on the most important features, but if you know precisely what you want from your network, you might find a better fit for a better price, even within the Nigh...

It's been 20 years since their last performance but the fictional one-hit-wonder girl group Girls5eva is making a comeback in Peacock's latest original series and we have all the details on how you can watch the new musical comedy on TV or online.Created by writer and producer Meredith Scardino who is known for her work on Saturday Night Live, The Colbert Report and Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, Girls5eva tells the tale of Dawn (Sara Bareilles), Wickie (Renée Elise Goldsberry), Gloria (Paula Pell) and Summer (Busy Philipps) who rose to fame in the late 90s as members of the group Girls5eva.After one of the group's songs gets sampled by an up-and-coming young rapper, four of its five original members decide to reunite and try to give their dream of being pop stars one more chance. Dawn, Wickie, Gloria, and Summer may be grown women with adult responsibilities like spouses, kids, jobs, debt, aging parents, and shoulder pain but can't they also be Girls5eva?One thing that will hopef...

The process of how to get a VPN can be super simple if you just go online, download the first you see, and install it. But, in reality, it's far more complex than that. Not only do you have to pick the right service if you want the best VPN experience but you also need to know how to set it up correctly for your needs.Start by working out why you want a VPN. Is your priority getting a secure VPN for better online privacy and anonymity? Do you want a Netflix VPN for streaming internationally? Perhaps a VPN is your way to save money on shopping where the prices adjust to your details.Then you need to think about where this applies. Will you need it on your computer, your phone, maybe your console and TV? And do you want more than one person to use it in your household?Price is another big part of your decision. There are free VPN options and there are paid-for VPN choices – do you need to pay or not?Then, once you've picked one, how do you actually get it up and running? Read...

Krafton will open pre-registrations for Battlegrounds Mobile India before its official launch in the country.What you need to knowKrafton is bringing back PUBG Mobile to India under a new brand name.The "new" title, Battlegrounds Mobile, has been customized for the Indian market. PUBG Mobile was banned in India in September last year, along with PUBG Mobile Lite and hundreds of other apps of Chinese origin. PUBG Mobile, which was banned in India last year, will soon relaunch in the country as Battlegrounds Mobile India. PUBG Mobile, which was banned in India last year, will soon relaunch in the country as Battlegrounds Mobile India. As per an official teaser video released by Krafton on YouTube, the game will offer a "world-class multiplayer gaming experience on mobile."Krafton, the parent company behind PUBG Mobile, said in a statement: Krafton will collaborate with partners to build an esports ecosystem while bringing in-game content regularly, starting with a s...

The regular ZenFone 8 doesn't appear too exciting, but the Flip is another story.What you need to knowImages of the ZenFone 8 smartphones have leaked not long before their launch.The ZenFone 8 appears to feature a dual-camera setup, with a triple rotating camera on the ZenFone 8 Flip.Both smartphones will launch on May 12.The upcoming ZenFone 8 smartphones have been spotted in leaked renders, just a week before the devices are expected to launch. The images, obtained by 91mobiles, show two different angles of the ZenFone 8 and ZenFone 8 Flip.The ZenFone 8 design appears fairly uninspired from the images, particularly with the dual-camera setup on the rear. Leaks indicate that these cameras consist of a 64MP main sensor and 12MP macro sensor. Meanwhile, the device is expected to be powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 888, which is powering all the best Android phones.It'll be interesting to see how ASUS positions this device. Other rumored specs include 8GB of RAM and 1...

Hisense just made the best Android TV product announcement ever.What you need to knowHisense just launched several new TVs with the help of Community actor Joel McHale.The new 2021 lineup of Hisense TVs includes mostly Android TV sets and one 8K Roku set.This is probably the best TV launch you'll ever watch.Hisense just launched its 2021 Android TV lineup with several new models and with the help of "Community" actor Joel McHale. He even name-dropped Android Central in the process, which is no surprise since we gave the Hisense H9G Quantum such a glowing review as one of the best Android TVs on the market.McHale goes on to say that if you're watching the launch, "you're either a tech journalist, a well-informed consumer, or just a passionate fan of product line announcement videos." Which, to be fair, is also probably true if you're reading this article. He then states the obvious by saying that "you don't wanna be stuck with some corporate suit armed with weak jokes and ...

A fix is coming very soon.What you need to knowA critical save file error was accidentally introduced in the latest patch for Returnal.Players who downloaded the new patch have been asked to re-install the game.The update was meant to fix a number of launch issues, including issues with crashing.Players affected will get a CE-100028-1 error popup when starting the game.This update does not include any sort of save function.The brutally difficult roguelike Returnal launched last week to critical acclaim from fans and critics alike, but a recent update from developer Housemarque has accidentally caused a lot of grief for a lot of players. Following an update to patch 1.3.3. of the game, players discovered the update had prevented them from progressing their run.Players who installed the latest patch will need to re-install the game to revert back to the previous patch, so if your game auto-updated to the newest patch, you may need to revert back to patch 1.3.1. Players af...

Twitter wants everyone to stop being mean on Twitter.What you need to knowTwitter will now ask all users to reconsider if they intend to tweet an aggressive comment at another user.It had tested this in a limited fashion last year.The company says 34% of users had adjusted their tweets after being prompted once, and 11% went on to send fewer aggressive tweets going forward.Twitter today announced an evolution of its drive to encourage more thoughtful and considerate tweeting. As we noted last year, it asked users to take a moment before responding to articles, nudging them to read beyond the headline and wagging a finger when they tried to be rude to others. The former rolled out broadly to all last year. Now, the company is expanding the latter test to all users.Twitter's Sunita Saligram, global head of site policy for trust and safety, explained at the time: We're trying to encourage people to rethink their behavior and rethink their language before posting because...

Three of the most charming indie games from the past few years are on sale for crazy low prices in the Google Play Store.Annapurna Interactive games on saleThree of Annapurna's best Android games are on sale.Florence and Donut County are true classics and we can't recommend them enough.Annapurna is the publisher of popular games like Outer Wilds and What Remains of Edith Finch.One of the giants of indie games publishing, Annapurna Interactive, is running a Google Play Store sale on three of their best mobile Android titles right now.Known as the backing force behind some of the most unique and wonderful games out there, (What Remains of Edith Finch, Sayonara Wild Hearts, Outer Wilds, and many more) Annapurna Interactive has nearly perfected the art of giving indie developers a platform to tell impactful stories in boldly creative ways. Many of these are already on our list of the best Android games, so you know you need to check 'em out.The sale applies to Florence, Gor...

Perhaps you've noticed Mint Mobile's humorous ads featuring Ryan Reynolds, and you've wondered whether you should give this quirky carrier a shot. Mint Mobile is a prepaid carrier that offers customers affordable cell phone plans on T-Mobile's vast 4G LTE and 5G network at a lower cost when you sign up up for three, six, or 12-month terms. If you want to put the carrier up to the test before committing, Mint Mobile is willing to send you a free Mint Mobile SIM card to try out during a free 7-day trial. To sign up for the trial and get your complimentary SIM card, all you have to do is follow these simple steps.How to get your free Mint Mobile SIM cardMint Mobile offers some of the best cell phone plans today and can help you save you some money. But joining a new carrier or switching over from one that you've been with for years can sometimes feel risky, which is why Mint launched a free 7-day trial to try out its service. The trial comes with 250MB of 5G and 4G LTE data, 250 te...

USB-C is getting increasingly popular, and as that happens, there are more and more reasons you might want to buy a USB-C to HDMI cable. Sure, USB-C monitors are getting more popular, but they're not totally common yet — and even then, it's unlikely we'll see products like TVs switch to USB-C any time soon. iVanky is the latest company to join the slew of brands launching USB-C to HDMI cables of their own.But iVanky's cables seem to be a little different from the rest. Cables can actually be tricky to buy. Most want a strong cable that's going to last, but not everyone is willing to pay a ton of cash to get them. iVanky has two affordable alternatives: a USB-C to female HDMI adapter, which you can use with a standard HDMI cable, and a full USB-C to HDMI cable. Both come at under $17, have a braided nylon sleeve, and support features like a 4K resolution at 60Hz.An adapter on a budgetiVanky USB-C to HDMI Adapter$15.99 at AmazonUSB-C to HDMI anytime, anywhereThe iVanky ...

Twitter is rolling this out to a limited number of people.Update, Apr 21 (4 pm ET): 4K image support is rolling out for everyoneUpdate, May 5 (4:20 pm ET):You can now view large photosWhat you need to knowTwitter is testing two photo-related tweaks on mobile apps.It'll let users see how their photos will appear on the timeline as part of a change to the tweet composer.The company will also enable higher quality uploads, allowing for the sharing of 4K pictures.Twitter is testing out an improvement to how its mobile app handles photos on Android. In a limited test the company announced today, there'll be changes made to both the tweet composer and image upload quality.The composer will now display a more representative view of an image you plan to share pre-upload. That is to say, you'll now see how it would appear in the timeline before you upload it.The second is a small tweak that'll let you see and view 4K pictures on Android and iOS. It's a step up from the compr...

Fixing the latest bugs and exploits in Android every month.Google has detailed the latest Android Security Bulletin and released the fixes for Pixel devices.These are exploits and other security concerns that affect Android as a whole. Issues with the operating system, kernel patches, and driver updates may not affect any particular device, but these need to be fixed in the Android base by the folks maintaining the operating system code. That means Google, and they've detailed the things they have improved for this month.Updated factory images for Pixel devices that are supported are available, and over-the-air updates are rolling out to users. If you don't want to wait, you can download and flash the factory image or OTA update file manually, and here are some handy instructions to get you started. The company that made your phone uses these patches to send an update out to you.These changes have been released to the people making the best Android phones for at least 30...

The full version of Rocket League could be coming sooner than you think.What you need to knowEpic's plans to bring Rocket League to mobile were revealed during its ongoing legal battle with Apple.A redesigned game launcher would introduce Rocket League on mobile to match the PC and consoles game.This would be the "full" version of the game and would include cross-play and cross-progress between devices.Earlier this month, Epic and Psyonix announced Rocket League Sideswipe, a version of the popular game that will be coming to Android and iOS later this year. However, thanks to the current Epic v Apple court proceedings, Epic and Psyonix could have their collective sights set on a bigger launch coming to mobile.In court documents assembled by The Verge (via Android Police), it was revealed that Epic is working on creating an entirely new game launcher for the game which would work across the PC, consoles, and mobile. That's right—the full version of Rocket League accessib...

The Raspberry Pi's convenience, versatility, and usefulness simply cannot be understated. With just a few clicks, you can set up just about everything, including the ability to set up Plex on a Raspberry Pi. After you've finished loading up your library of movies, TV shows, and even music, you can then download the Plex app on any of your devices and enjoy your favorite content from anywhere. Today, we're going to show you how you can get everything set up.Products used in this guideStream all the things: CanaKit Raspberry Pi 4 8GB Starter KitStore all the things: Seagate Expansion 6TB External Hard DriveInstall the desktop: Raspberry Pi ImagerWhat you'll need to install Plex on a Raspberry PiRaspberry Pi 2, 3, or 4: I recommend using the Pi 4 as it comes with built-in Wi-Fi. It has beefier hardware and offers great value. You can choose from 1GB, 2GB, 4GB, or even 8GB RAM configurations, and I have the 8GB option as that gives me more overhead for adding more things l...

YouTube isn't making it easy to opt-out, either.Update, May 5 (3:40 pm ET): Google announced updates to its Shorts permissionsWhat you need to knowYouTube is automatically opting-in videos to be sampled for Shorts.Some see the move as problematic as there was no prior notice to creators about the option.Not all videos can opt-out of the Shorts permission, but it's not clear which.Users are discovering that YouTube is automatically opting in their content without their consent to be used by others in YouTube Shorts, the platform that imitates TikTok. The permissions box found in a video edit screen reads that when checked, it "allows people to create Shorts using parts of this video." Users are finding that this box is automatically checked:IMPORTANT:YouTube suddenly automatically checked "Yes" on EVERY YouTube video to allow them to be re-uploaded as Shorts on OTHER channels ???Please let your YouTuber friends know that they have to go through and uncheck this setting o...

What you need to knowEpic and Apple's court case started this week and is ongoing.In recently released emails, Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney reached out to NVIDIA about avoiding Google/iOS App Store fees. The company entertained the idea of potentially streaming an emulated version of Fortnite onto Android devices. As the court battle between Epic and Apple continues, more information regarding Epic and its efforts to distance itself from having to pay out App Store fees are coming to light.Throughout the case, emails, and other evidence has been submitted to the court. The latest set of emails shows Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney inquiring about the possibility of the company partnering with NVIDIA to emulate Fortnite on Android on their GeForce Now program in order to avoid having to pay the 30% fee that the Google Play Store chargers.Conversation between Tim Sweeney and NVIDIA about "successfully escaping the Google and/or iOS paywalls."First is Sweeney to NVIDIA, second is N...

If you have a Google account, chances are that a lot more info than you think is tracked and stored within it. It's not all bad, though. Google does a good job trying to keep that all as private as possible, but it doesn't hurt to review that info by knowing how to secure your Google account using Privacy Checkup. There are many security measures put into place by Google to help keep your info safe from prying eyes, even if you have the most secure Android phone around — stuff happens.How to secure your Google account with Privacy CheckupGoogle has created a helpful tool within your account that allows you to help control how your information is used, stored and who can see it. That tool is called Privacy Checkup, and here's how to use it.Open the Google app on your phone.Tap on your profile picture in the upper right corner.Choose Manage your Google Account.Towards the middle of the screen, under your name, scroll left and tap on Data & personalization.Tap on Take P...

Those wishing to work remotely permanently will have to applyWhat you need to knowGoogle said in an internal email that employees would be able to apply to work remotely.60% of staff will work in the office "a few days a week."20% will be able to relocate and work from one of the company sites.Google will allow more of its employees to work from home by relaxing some of its rules, the company said in an internal email.In an email obtained by Bloomberg, CEO Sundar Pichai said on Wednesday morning that offices will slowly be reopening but that some employees will be able to work remotely until September.Google confirmed with Android Central in an email that the company will allow about 60% of Google's staff to work in the office "a few days a week," while another 20% will be able to relocate and work from one of the many company sites. The rest will be able to apply and work from home permanently."We'll offer opportunities for employees to transfer to one of our many gl...

With Man City confirmed as their potential final opponents, it's all to play for as Real Madrid travel to Chelsea in this UEFA Champions League semi-final second leg. Don't miss a moment with our Chelsea vs Real Madrid live stream guide.This semi-final tie is delicately poised after a 1-1 draw in Madrid in the first leg. Christian Pulisic opened the scoring at the Alfredo Di Stéfano Stadium, bagging the Blues an important away goal before Karim Benzema brought the hosts level.With that slight advantage plus the benefit of playing on home turf, Thomas Tuchel's Chelsea will be confident that they can meet their Premier League counterparts Man City in what would be the second all-English final in three years.There's really not much in this tie, though, and Real can tip the scales back in their favor with just one goal at Stamford Bridge enough to neutralize Chelsea's away goal. That being said, Benzema's superb strike in their last meeting is the only goal Chelsea's staunch defen...

If you've decided that the Garmin Lily is the best Android smartwatch for your needs, you'll be happy to know there are many fantastic band options to pick from. Keep in mind that this smartwatch is compatible with 14mm proprietary bands, so you'll need to be diligent when choosing your replacement. We've rounded up some of the best Garmin Lily bands to make this easier for you!Straight from the sourceGarmin Lily Italian Leather or Silicone BandStaff PickSome people feel better knowing their replacement band comes right from the company that made the watch regardless of how expensive it is. If you want to stick to bands made by Garmin, you'll have a handful of options. The Italian leather bands are available in White, Black, and Paloma. The silicone bands are available in White, Deep Orchid, and Light Sand.$60 at Amazon (leather) $30 at Amazon (silicone)Triple threatMeiruo Garmin Lily Replacement bandIf you're looking for a multi-pack, this option from Meiru...

Xiaomi is now rolling out the MIUI 12 stable update based on Android 11 to a lot of phones.MIUI 12 made its debut earlier this year, and Xiaomi has finished rolling out the stable update to most devices in its portfolio. Xiaomi's latest skin offering an array of new features, including an improved system-wide dark mode, AI-assisted calling features, Dynamic Always-on Display, new visual design, tweaks to system animations, and much-needed privacy fixes.Xiaomi is now turning its attention to the Android 11 update. It is starting to roll out MIUI 12 based on Android 11, with the stable update now rolling out to the Redmi Note 9 Pro and Mi 10. Xiaomi makes some of the best cheap Android phones, and it is good to see the manufacturer rolling out the Android 11 update earlier than usual.So let's take a look at the list of eligible phones slated to switch to Android 11, and when your device might receive the update.MIUI 12 Android 11 update: Now rolling out to Redmi Note 9, Mi 10, ...

Google's new tablet experience focused solely on content.What you need to knowGoogle is launching a new Entertainment Space for Android tablets.The new hub brings a Google TV-like layout to separate content based on type.The new Entertainment Space will only be available on select tablets.Google announced its latest experience for Android tablets on Wednesday, dubbed Entertainment Space. Similar to how Kids Space focuses on apps, games, and content for children, Entertainment Space will take a similar approach but for adults.Entertainment Space might look a bit familiar to anyone who owns a Chromecast with Google TV, as it adopts a similar layout with three different sections to separate content; Watch, Games, and Read. The Watch tab gives quick access to shows and movies, with recommendations surfacing from apps like YouTube, Google TV, Twitch, and Hulu. The Verge points out, however, that Netflix won't be among the services to provide these recommendations.The Games...

Best answer: PlayStation Now is a subscription service that allows members to stream and download a rotating catalog of games on their PS4, PS5, and PC. There are currently over 800 games in PlayStation Now's library.PlayStation Now GamesPlayStation Now has a library of over 800 games, including some that released on PS2 and PS3. While most are labeled as having ongoing access, some rotate out every few months. Highlights include games like Bloodborne, The Last of Us, Resident Evil 7, Fallout 4, Red Dead Redemption, Dishonored 2, Horizon Zero Dawn, and a lot more.If you choose not to renew your subscription and let your membership expire, you will lose access to these games until you purchase a subscription again.PlayStation Now Streaming and downloadingOut of its 800 games, only about 300 can be directly downloaded onto PS4 or PS5. Because you're not reliant on internet speeds and other factors, downloading will always provide a more reliable experience than streaming a ga...

The Tab S7 Lite is launching next month, but the leaks aren't letting up.What you need to knowSamsung is planning to release new cheap tablets in June.New leaks today show off the upcoming Tab S7+ Lite and its book cover cases.The accessory will come in black, blue, grey, teal, and pink.Samsung's Android tablets are pretty much the only Android tablets worth paying serious attention to (next to Amazon's Fire tablets), and rhe company is set to unveil two new ones pretty soon. The Galaxy Tab S7 will be seing a new "lite" model, reportedly heading to the market in June. While earlier reports had it dubbed the Tab S7 Lite, it'll reportedly be called the Tab S7+ Lite. As far as names go, that is one of them. We've gotten spec leaks and renders in the past, so this is a pretty minor one, all things considered.This time, the render not only shows off the mystic pink color way, but a selection of the book cover-styled cases and their colors. From the image, it appears to ship in...

YouTube is also adding a new Shorts tab to its mobile app on Android and iOS.What you need to knowYouTube's TikTok rival Shorts is finally rolling to all creators in the U.S.Shorts launched in beta in the U.S. in March this year. YouTube has also added a few new features to its short-form video platform — including support for 60-second-long videos, new filters, and more.After being limited to users in India for six months, YouTube Shorts finally launched in beta in the U.S. earlier this year. YouTube has now started to roll out its TikTok rival to all creators in the U.S. Along with a wider rollout, the short-form video platform is also gaining a bunch of new features.The rollout was confirmed by YouTube in its latest Creator Insider video. According to the video, all YouTube creators in the U.S. are expected to gain access to Shorts over the coming week. To help make Shorts more popular, the platform is also gaining support for 60-second-long videos, new filters a...

And yes, the Tall Vampire Lady is great.2017's Resident Evil 7: Biohazard worked as a reboot of the long-running series — and it was a necessary one. Resident Evil had been chugging along and selling well, but had transitioned into what was mainly an action game series with a couple elements of body horror thrown in. Critics and fans alike weren't here for where the series was going.That's why Resident Evil 7 was so explosive, even if it's a relatively quiet game compared to its siblings. Capcom developers stripped the bombastic action games Resident Evil had become of most of its spectacle, moved it to a first-person view, and brought it back to basics: a creepy house with a lot of mystery. It suffered in the third act when trying to balance the new horizons the series could reach with the blueprint it had to follow, but it represented a new world of possibilities for the survival horror series.Resident Evil Village is that next step. It's a game that harkens back to what ...