Latest from Android Central

Another brick in the wall of Facebook's first-party Oculus Studios.What you need to knowFacebook continues to bolster its first-party VR development repertoire with another top-tier VR developer.As with other VR developer acquisitions, Oculus has pledged to continue to support the game on all available platforms.The news follows a record-setting earnings quarter for Facebook's AR and VR division.Facebook is officially announcing its acquisition of Downpour Interactive, the developer behind the massively popular multiplayer military simulator Onward. While Facebook isn't disclosing the terms of the deal, they did specify that Downpour Interactive will remain an independently operated studio despite joining the umbrella of Oculus Studios. Onward has remained one of the best Quest 2 games since its launch and, indeed, one of the best multiplayer shooters on any VR platform where it's available. Facebook says that Onward will continue to receive updates and support on all platf...

Customers are the losers in Google's very public tussle with Roku over YouTube TV.What you need to knowRoku removed the YouTube TV app from its app store after negotiations with Google fell through.Google responded to the action, maintaining its position and accusing Roku of seeking "special treatment."Roku has called Google's terms "unfair and anti-competitive."Anyone looking to download the YouTube TV app on any of the best Roku devices may be in for a surprise, as the company has just removed the app from its store. The move comes after failed negotiations between the two companies, with Roku accusing Google of monopolistic behavior and search manipulation.Google issued a statement in response to Roku's action, stating that Roku has "engaged in this tactic with other streaming providers" and that Google's terms have been in place for several years. Roku requested exceptions that would break the YouTube experience and limit our ability to update YouTube in order to ...

Several new featuresGarmin Venu 2$400 at AmazonProsGPS, HRM, NFC10 to 11 days of battery lifeStunning AMOLED displayHealth Snapshot, fitness age, sleep scoreTwo size optionsConsSignificantly more expensiveThe Garmin Venu 2 shows that successors can indeed be successful. There are several new features to go around. You get the essentials and more, including fitness age, sleep score, Health Snapshot, new activity profiles, a battery saver mode, rapid charging, and more. It's more expensive, but the beautiful design, AMOLED display, and extra perks might just be worth the money.Timeless classicGarmin Vivoactive 4$268 at AmazonProsGPS, HRM, NFC7 to 8 days of battery lifeActivity/sleep trackingMore affordableTwo size optionsConsShorter battery lifeNo battery saving modeLacks Venu 2's new perksMost people searching for a smartwatch with solid health and fitness tracking will be more than happy with the Garmin Vivoactive 4. You get t...

We've all been there. You're just casually scrolling through photos on your phone or responding to a WhatsApp message when all of a sudden, it's gone. The photo you were just looking at, the whole album, everything, gone. I know I've accidentally deleted items off my phone before, and also had my phone suddenly freak out on me and decide to delete something without my permission.The boiling anger and the utter sadness of possibly losing that memory forever is something any Android user can relate to. Thankfully, as smartphone software continues to improve, there are some pretty great tools available to help you recover data you thought you lost.In the early days of Android development, many of these tools required you to root your phone so the software could access the appropriate files on your phone. Not anymore. Tenorshare is a software company that has been building data recovery software for over 10 years, and their UltData program is the perfect Android data recovery tool....

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 ...

Over the past year or so, quite a few of us have been learning to adjust to working from home, and by most indications, that will continue to be the case for the foreseeable future. Most companies that I have been hearing about will either continue to allow employees to work from home indefinitely, or will allow for some hybrid version of it.If you are one of the folks that will be doing most of their job from home for a while, having a good desk can be vital to building a productive workspace in your home. Standing desks have long been recommended as a great option to get work done while keeping your mind active and focused while you're working.The SmartDesk from Autonomous is a great addition to your home office without having to stretch your budget too far. It offers all the necessary features of a standing desk in a well-designed, sleek-looking package that can seamlessly fit into your home office.The high-quality design means it's solidly built with little to no wobble i...

The missing link can now be found.Are you looking to set up Oculus Air Link on your Oculus Quest 2 but can't seem to find the option? Don't worry, you're not alone and there's nothing wrong with your Quest 2. Despite getting the April v28 Quest 2 update, many Oculus Quest 2 players don't have the ability to configure Air Link because, quite simply, the option is missing from their Oculus Home dashboard. If you'd rather not wait for Facebook to enable the feature for everyone and get to playing the best Oculus Link games, there's a solution — albeit not the most simple solution ever created.Thankfully, a clever Redditor figured out a quick command that'll force your Oculus Quest 2 to restart the system software and check for new features, thus enabling the missing Air Link feature. It's not super cut and dry though, so you'll need to follow these steps in order to get it working. For this process, you'll need a PC, your Quest 2, and a USB cable that can connect the two. We'll be...

The psychological horror roguelike Returnal has arrived on the PlayStation 5 and is one of the best games on the system. The fast-paced bullet hell action, light Metroidvania elements, and gorgeous visuals and performance that showcase the power of the PS5 all help Returnal stand out in the crowd. The plot of Returnal is also a wild ride, and Selene's never-ending cycle isn't broken when the credits roll the first time.After clearing all six biomes, you might find yourself left with more questions than answers. Who was the White Shadow? And why is Selene still trapped in this cycle? Well, there's a third act waiting to be completed, but the path to the game's true ending isn't clear. If you're scratching your head and wondering what to do, we're here to help. Here's how to complete the third act in Returnal on PS5.A house haunted by memoriesIn the first biome and the fourth, Selene will come across a house similar to the one she lived in back on Earth. When you enter the hous...

Chromebooks are getting ready to hit the ground running.What you need to knowGoogle is getting ready to expand Chrome OS's pre-installed app list.Chromium commits indicate that Google is planning to add Meet and Chat by default.This would be the web apps as opposed to the Google Play Android apps.Chromebooks don't come with a lot of apps out of the box. You'll find Chrome, the Play Store, Gmail, and a selection of other Google apps and utilities on first boot. Google is considering expanding that list of pre-installed Chrome OS apps to include Google Meet and Google Chat, according to a pair of new feature flags.As per 9to5Google who stumbled upon these feature flags:These two feature flags read: Default Chat web app Enables the Chat web app to be installed by default. enable-default-chat-web-app Default Meet web app Enables the Meet web app to be installed by default. enable-default-meet-web-app Google Meet is a popular service, used...

While fun backgrounds have been a hit with video call services like Zoom, sometimes they can be distracting. That can also be the case with regular backgrounds, which might include personal items or even, let's face it, a mess you just don't want anyone to see. While Google is working on new ways to improve how you look on Google Meet calls, including some exciting new developments in AI, you can consider things like ring lights to enhance your visage as well. Those still don't solve the issue of a distracting background. You can actually keep things professional by blurring out your background. This ensures the focus remains on you and not what type of houseplants you have at home or vinyl records in your collection. But how do you blur your background on a Google Meet call?How to blur your background on a new Google Meet callOpen the Google Meet app or go to Google.meet.com.Tap New meeting.Tap Start a new meeting. Tap the three dots on the far right.Select Change backgrou...

Consumers are upset they have to pay more to get their Galaxy S20 fixed.What you need to knowSamsung is being sued for a camera defect in S20 series phones.Lawyers say Samsung did not disclose this defect.Samsung being charged for fraud, breach of warranty, and violations of consumer-protection laws.Customers are suing Samsung for not disclosing a defect that caused Samsung Galaxy S20 smartphone cameras to shatter unexpectedly.Despite paying a high premium price for the phone, Samsung "refuses to cover the issue under its warranty," according to the lawsuit filed by attorneys at Hagens Berman Sobol Shapiro LLP. The lawsuit was filed on April 27 and accuses Samsung of fraud, breach of warranty, and violations of several consumer-protection laws.The defect affects the back camera module's glass covering that "shatters" randomly without any force placed on it, even if the phone is protected by the best Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra cases. The shatter leaves a prominent "bullet ...

A very stylish OnePlus experience.What you need to knowYou can now buy a limited edition of the Nord in an artsy box designed by Joshua Vides.It's called the OnePlus Nord X Reality to Idea Collector Box.It'll set you back £469, the same price as the regular non-exclusive Nord Model.OnePlus phones often come with various collector's editions, and the Nord is no exception. Aside from the OnePlus Nord Literally Only One Edition, there's a OnePlus Nord X Reality to Idea Collector Box — a limited edition of the OnePlus Nord in a stylish box.Inside the package you'll get the Norditself, then a creative case, a sleeve, and a tote back, all decked out in a monochrome design by artist Joshua Vides. It's all very minimal and intended to reflect OnePlus's stated ethos of "stripping things down to the essentials." You're not getting anything that's not in the regular OnePlus Nord functionality and features-wise, but that is most likely not why you'd be interested in this.With ...

PlayStation Now may not be the hugely popular service that Xbox Game Pass is for players, but the subscription service still has a ton of value. It offers more than 800 games spanning some of the best that the PS2, PS3, and PS4 have to offer and adds new games monthly. However, if you're a member of PlayStation Now and find yourself ready to get rid of your subscription, doing so is incredibly easy.How to cancel PlayStation Now on your consoleLuckily, canceling your PlayStation Now subscription is easy, no matter what console you have. Ending your subscription is as simple as navigating to your account information page on your console and/or website. From there, you simply turn off the auto-renew function or cancel the service, and you're good to go. To cancel your PlayStation Now subscription on your PS4 or PS5, follow these steps:From the dashboard on your PlayStation 4 or 5, head to your Settings app on the console. Scroll all of the way down to Users and Accounts on the P...

As you would expect, the Clearly White Pixel 4a prototype looks nearly identical to the Clearly White Pixel 4a 5G.What you need to knowGoogle has accidentally revealed an unreleased white Pixel 4a prototype in an Instagram story.It is likely that Google may have originally planned to release the phone in black and white colors at launch.The Pixel 4a is available in just two color options: Just Black and Barely Blue.Google posted a new story on its official "Made by Google" Instagram account on the occasion of International Dance Day, showing off its latest Nest Audio smart speaker. As spotted by the folks over at Android Authority, the Instagram story also reveals an unreleased white Pixel 4a.While the phone looks fairly similar to a Pixel 4a 5G in Clearly White, the orange power button makes it clear that the device is, in fact, a Pixel 4a. Surprisingly, however, the story hasn't been taken down yet.It is possible that Google may have planned to release the Pixel 4a ...

Bowflex stepped up to make a Peloton-killer, but this ain't it. Not yet, anyway.A year ago, Bowflex made an amazing bike for half the price of the starter Peloton. The reason I like that bike so much was simple; it did everything a Peloton could do and let me watch whatever I wanted to watch while I'm on the bike. See, I have very little interest in being part of a virtual spin class when I'm on my bike. In fact, when I first started using an indoor bike to lose weight, I binged the entirety of Stargate SG-1 while riding. Being able to bring my own screen to the Bowflex bike so I could ride in my own home and record my rides with my heart rate while I watched whatever I wanted was a dream.When Bowflex announced the Velocore bike series, I was similarly excited. Instead of having to bring your own screen, there was a 16 or 22-inch display mounted on the edge of the bike with access to dozens of streaming apps like Netflix and Disney+. If you wanted that guided, spin class-style ex...

Privacy at its coreRing Video Doorbell 3$180 at AmazonProsAdjustable motion zonesDual-band 2.4Ghz/5Ghz Wi-FiPrivacy zonesNo wiring needed since it's battery-poweredConsPoor Google Assistant integrationThe Ring Video Doorbell 3 isn't a mind-blowing generational leap, but it's a worthwhile product upgrade nonetheless. With a focus on privacy, better motion detection, and improved compatibility with faster, modern Wi-Fi networks, the Ring Video Doorbell 3 is an excellent choice for anyone looking for a powerful battery-operated video doorbell.Now discontinuedRing Video Doorbell 2See it at AmazonProsNo wiring needed since it's battery-poweredConsOnly supports 2.4GHz networksPoor Google Assistant integrationCan't customize motion detectionOfficially discontinuedRing has made a name for itself over the years, and the Ring Video Doorbell 2 has been at the forefront of that. The Ring Video Doorbell 2 isn't being sold at many places nowada...

The EU says consumers are losing out due to Apple's anti-competitive App Store practices.What you need to knowThe European Commission has found Apple's app store practices to be in violation of the EU competition law.It is concerned with the mandatory use of Apple's own in-app purchase system imposed on third-party music streaming apps distributed via the App Store.Apple will have to respond to the European Commission's objections within the next twelve weeks. The European Commission today issued a "Statement of Objections" against Apple, nearly two years after Spotify filed an antitrust complaint with the European Union over "Apple Tax." The Commission's preliminary conclusion is that the Cupertino-based tech giant is in breach of the EU competition law.The Statement of Objections takes issue with the imposition of Apple's own in-app purchase system on all third-party music streaming apps that are distributed via the App Store. A preliminary investigation by the Commissi...

Android 11 is coming to more and more phones every day.The stable version of Android 11 was released a few months ago, and while it isn't the most revolutionary update we've ever seen, there are plenty of reasons to get excited about it. Whether you're looking forward to the new conversation notifications, chat bubbles for messaging apps, or the upgraded permission handling, it may be a while before you can actually start messing around with all of these software goodies.The update is available for the Pixels and select OnePlus phones, while the Galaxy S20 and Note 20 lineups have also received their One UI 3.0 update which is based on Android 11. We've rounded up all of the current info to help give you a better idea of when Android 11 will arrive on your device.The timelines change based on manufacturer and region, but the list below should give you a broad overview of if and when you will get the Android 11 update on your phone.Jump to:Google PixelSamsungOnePlusXia...

Star Wars Day is almost here! May the Fourth is coming up and Instant Pot wants to get a head start with some interesting Star Wars-themed deals. Right now you can get an Instant Pot Duo pressure cooker with either an R2-D2 theme or a Darth Vader theme on sale for $59.98. These custom designs are very limited and never go on sale. Today's deal is only the second time we have seen either one of these Instant Pots drop from their regular $100 street price, and this is the lowest they go. This is a great price for a fantastic pressure cooker, and the Star Wars theme is just a little bit extra if you happen to be a fan.There are some other themes available, but they aren't on sale. You can get the BB-8 version for just $79.99, but that's also a 3-quart Instant Pot instead of a 6-quart pot.I am all for Star Wars-themed anything. Celebrate your fandom with one of these pressure cookers. Go for it. However, I also need to know that this is a good device, right? The Star Wars theme is fu...

Never worry about losing your keys again after you grab one of our picks for the best Bluetooth trackers! Simply pair one of these Bluetooth trackers with your phone and attach it to your keys or valuables. When you lose an item, you're only an app away from quickly finding it again. Tile continues to dominate this market though it faces competition from new players all the time. Even so, our favorite Bluetooth tracker is still the Tile Pro. And the newer version, introduced in late 2019, offers an unbeatable range, the loudest alert, and a one-year replaceable battery.Best Overall: Tile ProOne of the most critical factors to consider when choosing a Bluetooth tracker is range. This determines the distance a tracker can be found through your smartphone app. Most people shopping for a tracker are going to look for the largest range possible. While many options on the market clock in around 100-200 feet, the new Tile Pro beats those numbers by a long shot. It's also smooth and sl...

Working from home? Need to always be ready for the next meeting? The Jabra Evolve 75 Bluetooth headset is perfect if you're already moving around a lot anyway. Right now the headset is down to $216.80 at Amazon. That's a huge drop in price since it normally sells for around $280. It has only dropped this low one other time so far this year, and this is the best price we've seen since last year's Black Friday sale. Grab it while you can before the price jumps back up.[thrifter:319228 template:reco cache:resetWe like Jabra. They make good headsets. Whether you need something to pair with your Samsung smartphone or you just need something that's powerful but inexpensive, Jabra seems to pop up everywhere. So it makes sense that Jabra would have one of the best office headsets around, too.The Evolve 75 uses Bluetooth 4.2 technology and can work with pretty much any Bluetooth device. It actually has dual Bluetooth connectivity so you can stay connected for your calls and connect to ano...

Google has also announced new guidelines to ensure preview assets accurately represent an app or game.What you need to knowGoogle has updated its Play Store policies to crack down on app listings that mislead users.The policy change is expected to be enforced sometime later this year.Any app that doesn't comply with the new policies will be removed from the Play Store.Google's Play Store is filled with thousands of great apps and games. However, there are also a ton of apps on the store with misleading titles and catchy icons. Google has now announced a new policy change that will require app listings to include only precise and meaningful information.Google says its goal with the new policy change is to ensure developers keep their app metadata "recognizable and unique." App titles will now be limited to 30 characters, and developers will be prohibited from including graphic elements to promote the app or indicate its ranking. Additionally, special character sequ...

Best answer: Yes. Ultra Mobile does support 5G, but you need to have a 5G-enabled phone to access the next-generation wireless network. You will also need to have an Ultra phone plan.What is Ultra Mobile?Ultra Mobile focuses on offering cost-effective phone plan options, so you're not spending hundreds on a phone plan. It's a Mobile Virtual Network Operator that uses on T-Mobile's network, and because it runs on T-Mobile's network, it supports many devices that are made for the U.S. market.According to the company's site, its 5G network covers 200 million people in 6,000 cities. Because T-Mobile's network coverage is vast, most people won't have trouble having a network connection. The only time you'll find yourself having issues is in more rural areas, in which case you might encounter dead zones.However, if you're planning to use the service for 5G, you'll need a phone that enables 5G services. Ultra Mobile does have nationwide 5G coverage, but not only will you need a phon...

When Samsung brings the Note back in 2022, it probably won't look like what we've come to expect.It's been a good couple of years since I last used a big-screened Samsung phone for any length of time. When I have used a Galaxy S, it's usually been one of the smaller models. That said, I've also used and enjoyed the Galaxy Note series over the years, many of which have ranked among the best Android phones. But spending more time with the Galaxy S21 Ultra over the past week or so has convinced me that this, and not the Note, is the future of big-screened, slab-shaped Samsung phones.Or, to put it another way, the Galaxy Note, in its current form, is obsolete.It seems that Samsung itself might be of that same opinion, as the boss of the company's smartphone division has basically told us not to expect a Galaxy Note 21 this year, with the Note instead expected to make a return in 2022. As for why that's the case? Well, I don't want to go too far down that particular rabbit hole. S...

One of the biggest perks of having a PlayStation Plus membership is the free games you get every month. The free PlayStation Plus games offered this month include three major titles, all available on either the PS4 or PS5. Check out the list of games below, with downloads available starting May 4. Enjoy the price of free until June 1, 2021.★Crash hardWreckfest: Drive Hard, Die Last (PS5 Only)Burn rubber, break the rules, and take down your opponents in this full-contact racer. Wreckfest: Drive Hard, Die Last's title explains a lot of the game, as you'll be racing wrecking cars as you look to come out on top in a variety of circuit races. Upgrade your car, improve its looks, and then dive into some Challenge modes the game has as well for even more fun.See at PlayStation★ Relive the fightBattlefield VBattlefield V drops players into some of the most iconic and well-known battles throughout World War II, in a way only a Battlefield game could. Players ...

A great option for today's work-from-home needs.Shure is one of the most pedigreed names in the audio business, with a range of incredibly popular and instantly recognizable microphones, from the SM7B to the SM57 to the gorgeous Super 55 Deluxe. These models have been around for decades and have established Shure as an undeniable force in recording, but in more recent years, there's been an increasing demand for portable USB microphones — not so much for musicians looking to record their next album, but for podcasters, streamers, and voiceover artists who want to record audio without the need for expensive and bulky equipment like XLR interfaces and pre-amps.Last winter, I reviewed the Shure MV7, calling it "the perfect podcasting microphone" thanks to its great sound, versatility, powerful app, and options for either USB or XLR output. It's essentially a more compact and modern SM7B, and I still use it for every recording of the Android Central Podcast — but even that microp...

Chatting with the AC forums.Recent reports from the Apple vs. Epic Games trial unearthed communications between Apple executives, confirming that the company had at least considered bringing its popular iMessage service over to Android as far back as 2013. It's pretty easy to understand why Apple wanted to protect its ecosystem lock-in, but it's also interesting to speculate what might have been.Sure, we have no shortage of great messaging apps over here on Android, but being able to securely communicate with our iPhone wielding friends on their preferred chat app would have been nice too.So what say you, faithful Android community? Would you have rushed to download iMessage for Android to join club blue bubbles? I probably would have.We want to hear from you — If iMessage was available on Android, would you use it? Why or why not? Let us know!Join the conversation in the forums!...

Demand for Chromebooks is expected to remain strong in the second quarter.What you need to knowSales of tablets and Chromebooks continued to rise in the first quarter of 2021.Preliminary data from IDC shows a total of 13 million Chromebooks were shipped in Q1 2021, up from 2.8 million during the same period last year.HP was the biggest Chromebook vendor in the January to March period, with a market share of 33.5%. Chromebook sales skyrocketed last year as the pandemic made studying and working from home the new normal. According to preliminary data from the IDC's worldwide quarterly personal computing device tracker, sales of Chromebooks and tablets remained strong in the first quarter of 2021.While only 2.8 million Chromebooks were shipped in the first quarter of 2020, total shipments reached 13 million units in Q1 this year. HP, which was held the third spot in Q1 2020, was the biggest Chromebook vendor in Q1 2021, with a market share of 33.5% and 633.9% YoY growth. L...

Had iMessage come to Android in 2013, Google would have less competition in the U.S., but the biggest loser would have been Facebook.In 2013, Apple's senior VP of software and services Eddy Cue wanted to bring the iMessage service to Android, but the idea was nixed by other Apple executives, including Apple's SVO of software engineering Craig Federighi. Ever since, there have been a lot of people who wish it could have happened.Of course, this would have had an impact. Many people think iMessage is the best messaging app available, and with the iPhone holding a large portion of the market in the U.S. and the U.K., sales numbers might look a little different. But neither Google nor Apple is the winner here. Instead, both lost the battle to Facebook because Apple didn't make iMessage cross-platform.Apple's future would have changedThere are people who won't use any messaging app except iMessage. In fact, those people sometimes refuse to talk to someone who isn't sending a blu...

The iPad Pro is eating Google's lunch, so where's the Lenovo Duet Pro?Google's Chrome OS powers more than just laptops. From devices as large as desktops to small children's tablets, the operating system is flexible enough to work on a variety of devices. While Chromebooks have been steadily creeping higher in price and specs over the past couple of years, the same can't be said about Chrome tablets. Yes, we've seen some excellent ones like the Lenovo Duet, which perform well for their price. Still, it's been a while since we've seen one that could take on the likes of the iPad Pro or Surface Pro and make a good argument for why you should pick it over those devices, and that's a real shame. The Pixel Slate was the first and last prosumer Chrome OS tablet.Before Chrome tablets were a thing, Google once pushed Android tablets as iPad rivals. It had its own Nexus tablet line, and every other Android manufacturer had an Android tablet at one point. There's an argument to be mad...

I want to love this laptop, but it still needs a bit more refining.The processor diversity on the best Chromebooks has expanded nicely over the last year, with Ryzen processors arriving on the ThinkPad C13 and the Snapdragon 7c first announced for Chromebooks last October. We've been waiting on the Acer Chromebook Spin 513 for a solid six months now, with some questioning if the model had been canceled after the silent delays surrounding its release.Now, the wait is over for the Acer Chromebook Spin 513, and while there's generally a lot to like about this laptop, what makes it unique also makes it a liability for at least the next few months: it's using a budget processor that's not fully optimized yet. In short, the Acer Chromebook Spin 513 is a perfectly fine laptop being held back by its chipset.At a glanceAcer Chromebook Spin 513 ...

Samsung didn't ship a charger with the Galaxy S21, but we can still hope for its next flagships. Or not.What you need to knowSamsung just launched the Galaxy Book Pro with a new, smaller USB-C charger.The fast charger is based on Gallium nitrate (GaN) and can achieve 65W charging speeds.Samsung has stated that it will gradually remove chargers from the in-box packaging of its smartphones, meaning it's unlikely its upcoming flagships will ship with GaN chargers.Samsung just launched its new Galaxy Book Pro laptops at its recent Galaxy Unpacked event, with impressive design, specs, and mobile-focused features. Both offer thin designs, FHD AMOLED displays, and fairly large batteries. Samsung claims as much as eight hours of battery life from a 30-minute charge thanks to its new 65W fast charger, but the real story might be what the new charger is made with.Samsung made quite a deal over its new Gallium nitride (GaN) charger at Unpacked. If you're not familiar, Gallium nitrid...

These new updates are available in the U.S.What you need to knowGoogle Pay in the U.S now works better with local stores and transit systems.The app can now highlight deals from Target and Safeway.Google is also adding Chicago and the Bay Area to the list of supported transit systems.Google today rolled out several new updates to the Google Pay app in the U.S., helping users with the best Android phones manage their money better.First, the app now offers integration with Safeway and Target. It will surface deals from either store when a user searches for Safeway or Target in the app. Alternatively, enabling location access and passing by these stores should pop up a notification that'll show off weekly deals.Google's Josh Woodward explained in a blog post: We teamed up with Safeway to make it easy to find weekly grocery deals from the Google Pay app. You can find deals on thousands of items across more than 500 Safeway stores nationwide. You can also discover simila...

Moving Prime Day should help Amazon in Q2.What you need to knowAmazon's Q1 2021 financial earnings have been released, showing a 44% increase in sales.The company expects the momentum to continue into Q2 as a result of increased online shopping.Prime Day has been moved to later this quarter, which is expected to bolster the company's Q2 earnings.Amazon has just announced its Q1 2021 financial earnings, reporting a substantial gain in earnings. That includes a 44% year-over-year increase in sales, which helped Amazon accrue more than $108 billion in revenue. The growth is undoubtedly a result of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, which led to more online shopping in many countries that faced lockdowns. It also shows its continued strength as it prepares for the upcoming transition to its new CEO-elect.Amazon CFO Brian Osofsky discussed how the company expects this strong momentum to continue in Q2, despite the pandemic seemingly winding down and more countries starting to open...

It looks like we'll have a lot of fun hopping between dimensions very soon, and the power of the PS5's SSD is on full display.What you need to knowToday's State of Play showcased 15 minutes of new gameplay from Ratchet and Clank: Rift Apart.We recently learned that the female Lombax is named Rivet.Ratchet and Clank: Rift Apart will launch on June 11, 2021 as a PS5 exclusive.Insomniac unveiled over 15 minutes of new Ratchet and Clank: Rift Apart PS5 gameplay during today's State of Play. The game's looking gorgeous and seems to be a potential hit for PlayStation this summer, when so many games have already experienced delays.The demo showcased gameplay between Ratchet and Rivet as Insomniac explained the benefits you'll receive from the DualSense and PS5's SSD. Though we only got a taste of the early game, there's plenty to look forward to with puzzles to solve, open areas and pocket dimensions to explore, and armor to collect. There's also a ton of accessibility optio...

A surprise software update provides better playback controls for the Chromecast with Google TVWhat you need to knowGoogle released a surprise update for the Chromecast with Google TV.The new software version number is QTS1.210311.005, along with an update for the Voice Remote.After downloaded, you'll be provided with better granular controls over your video playback settings.One day after gaining HDR10+ certification, the Chromecast with Google TV received a surprise update overnight. The latest update brings the software up to version QTS1.210311.005 while still being based on Android 10. There's also a new update for the included Voice Remote, bringing that version software from 24.5 and up to 24.7, but you'll want to double-check the remote settings to find and download that update as it's done separately.Within the update, there are quite a few features included, all primarily focused on providing the Chromecast with Google TV with more control over content playback. ...

Get ready to murder your friends on console. Don't act sus.What you need to knowDuring today's State of Play, PlayStation revealed that Among Us is coming to PS4 and PS5.It will hit PlayStation consoles sometime this year.Among Us became a smash hit online in 2020, nearly two years after its initial release.Before Ratchet and Clank: Rift Apart took the stage at today's State of Play livestream it was revealed that Among Us will be coming to PS4 and PS5 sometime later this year.The PS4 and PS5 versions will include an exclusive Ratchet and Clank skin, hat, and pet. It will also feature cross-play and online multiplayer (of course) according to the developer. New content is constantly being added as the studio wants to support Among Us for a very long time.The social deduction game became insanely popular in 2020, nearly two years after its initial release. It became such a huge hit that the studio cancelled a sequel in favor of supporting the first game. It's already...

Every PlayStation Now game is available to stream to your PC, meaning over 800 games are at your fingertips if you're a subscriber. For anyone starting these games on PS4 or PS5 and then wanting to pick up on PC where you left off, you'll need a PlayStation Plus membership to transfer your cloud saves. Though you can access these saves through the PS Now app on PC, you'll need to transfer them from the console first in order for it to work. It's a quick and easy process once you know what to do.How to transfer PS4 & PS5 saves to PlayStation Now on PCHover over the game on your home screen. Press the Options button on your controller.Select Upload/Download Saved Data.Next to Console Storage, select Upload.Either choose Upload All or Select and Upload to upload specific game saves. How to transfer multiple PS4 & PS5 saves to PlayStation Now on PC in bulkNow, if you have a lot of game saves you'd like to transfer over and don't want to go through each game to d...

Best answer: Although Visible is powered by Verizon's LTE and 5G network, only select phones are compatible. This includes many popular devices, such as the Galaxy S20 family, the Pixel 4a and 5 series, and the Moto Edge. If you prefer Team Apple, the iPhone 6 up to the iPhone 12 Pro Max is fully supported.-Great choice: Visible $40/mo. at Visible-Incredible camera: Google Pixel 4a $350 at Amazon-Awesome 5G experience: Moto Edge $400 at AmazonVisible only works with select Android phonesVisible is one of the most enticing carrier options on the market right now. Still, at least for the time being, the most significant limiting factor is its lineup of supported top Android phones.GooglePixel 3Pixel 3 XLGoogle Pixel 3aGoogle Pixel 3a XLPixel 4Pixel 4 XLPixel 4aPixel 5Hot PepperHot Pepper GhostLGG8G8 ThinQStylo 5/M7Stylo 6V40MotorolaMoto EMoto E6Moto EdgeMoto G powerMoto G7 powerMoto Z4OnePlus8 Pro87 Pro7TSamsungGalaxy A11...

Spotify is making your library more dynamic.What you need to knowSpotify has announced its new Your Library layout for the mobile app.The new layout features dynamic filters to switch between music, podcasts, playlists, and different sorting options.The update will roll out to Android and iOS users "in the coming week."Spotify is making some welcome changes to its mobile app to simplify the experience. The company recognizes that ever-growing music libraries can be difficult to manage and browse through, so it's introducing a new UI for Your Library that should help streamline things quite a bit.The new update rids the tabbed view found on the current version of Your Library, replacing it with dynamic filters to quickly jump between playlists, podcasts, albums, and more. Users can even combine filters; for example, you can select "Playlist" along with "Downloaded," so the app will only show you offline playlists when you're on the go. It makes it a little easier to quickl...

Now's your chance to get the Xiaomi Mi Band 6, if you don't care about having NFCWhat you need to knowPre-orders have opened for the global version of the Xiaomi Mi Band 6.This version is not equipped with NFC for mobile payments.The Mi Band 6 offers a large upgrade over last year's model.After making its initial appearance at the end of March, Xiaomi's Mi Band 6 is finally ready for primetime in more regions than just China. The fitness tracker has appeared on Amazon and seemed to quickly sell out before being re-listed again while also making an appearance on Walmart.The Mi Band 6 sports a 1.56-inch AMOLED display with more than 60 different watch faces to choose from, along with plenty of health and fitness tracking sensors for all of your needs. These include the all-new SpO2 sensor for monitoring your blood oxygen saturation levels, along with heart rate tracking, sleep monitoring, female health-tracking, and the ability to keep track of more than 30 different workou...

Two very consistent quarters of sales bode well for the future.What you need to knowQuest 2 sales estimates show that the VR console has now sold in upwards of 5 million units in just 6 months.The previous best-selling VR headset, PlayStation VR, took 5 years to reach this same milestone.The majority of VR developers are now developing Quest games, showing an overall shift in the market.Facebook released its Q1 2021 earnings report and it paints quite a rosy picture for the company's involvement in the future of VR and AR devices. Lining up with the previous quarter — where developers and analysts alike estimated the Oculus Quest 2 sold between 2-3 million units — Quest 2 seems to have sold another 2 million units so far in 2021, according to analysts. If estimates are correct, that means that the Quest 2 now has an install base of up to 5 million users; a milestone that's incredibly impressive when compared to any other before it.Up until now, the most successful VR ...

This issue affects the Google Nest Hub first generation.What you need to knowGoogle Nest Hub owners are experiencing severe display issues.Users report display banding, as well as screen burn in on affected units. It's not clear just how widespread this problem is.While Google makes really good software, its hardware is often no slouch. The company ships some of the most 'helpful' devices around, but sometimes little bugs creep in here and there to tarnish the experience. Some Google Nest Hub owners are experiencing a particularly debilitating issue on their Nest Hub screens. Particularly, the smart display begins to showcase weird fuzzy lines and fall victim to screen burn-in. For a device that's more or less meant to almost always be on, these would all but render them useless.There are reports on this from Reddit on the Google Home subreddits as well as on the Google product support forums. Users are advised to reset their devices, but it appears to be a hardware faul...

Best answer: The higher, the better! According to PlayStation, 5 Mbps is the minimum requirement to stream PlayStation Now. However, this is the minimum, and even at high speeds, players have noticed input lag and compression.If you haven't already subscribed: PlayStation Now $60/year at AmazonPlayStation NowPlayStation Now may not be the hugely popular service that Xbox Game Pass is for players. However, the subscription service has a ton of value. It offers more than 800 games spanning some of the best that PS2, PS3, and PS4 offers and adds new games monthly. However, if you're a member of PlayStation Now and find yourself ready to get rid of your subscription, doing so is incredibly easy.Check your internet speedsSony PlayStation recommends a minimum download speed of 5 Mbps to stream PlayStation Now. This also happens to be its recommendation for Share Play and Remote Play. It's a nice, safe number that most ISP's can provide and a majority of PlayStation customers ca...

Troubleshooting your new console? You're not alone.The PS5 is here, marking the start of the next generation of consoles along with the Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S. The PS5 brings a host of new features and improvements to its system performance, thanks to its new custom CPU and GPU and its new ultra-high-speed SSD that makes load times shorter than ever before. With games like Demon's Souls and Spider-Man: Miles Morales, the PlayStation 5 is already a force to be reckoned with.But with the arrival of every new console generation comes a new generation of issues and bugs. Software and hardware bugs are not uncommon but will definitely hinder the enjoyment of your new console. We've rounded up all of the known bugs and issues you may encounter, as well as any know workarounds that might help.PS5 GuidesHow to transfer games and save dataHow to attach the PS5 baseHow to set up parental controlsHow to connect to Wi-FiHow to increase download speedsHow to manage multip...

The complete pictureRing Video Doorbell 3 Plus$200 at AmazonProsPre-Roll video2.4 GHz and 5.0 GHz Wi-Fi 1080p HD videoAdvanced Motion DetectionConsNo Google Assistant integrationA bit priceyThe Ring is bringing you some new features with its Video Doorbell 3 Plus. The addition of Pre-Roll video gives you four seconds of video before the detect event. This helps get a better idea of what happened leading up to the notification from your doorbell.A solid upgradeRing Video Doorbell 3$180 at AmazonPros2.4 GHz and 5.0 GHz Wi-Fi 1080p HD videoAdvanced Motion DetectionLess expensiveConsNo Pre-Roll videoNo Google Assistant integrationThe Ring Video Doorbell 3 carries all of the same upgrades as the Plus version, aside from the higher price tag and the Pre-Roll. The Ring Video Doorbell 3 is a quality upgrade over Ring Video Doorbell 2 due to the addition of the 5.0 GHz Wi-Fi and Advanced Motion Detection.The Ring Video Doorbell 3 v...

The OnePlus 6T is getting Android 11... not soon enough.What you need to knowAndroid 11 beta will reach the OnePlus 6 and 6T later this year.OnePlus has addressed several other community questions regarding its latest smartphones.A fix is coming to the OnePlus 9 and 9 Pro to improve connection to Android Auto.Android 12 is soon to end its developer preview and move into beta, which should hopefully hit some of the best Android phones like those from OnePlus. Meanwhile, the company is still working on bringing Android 11 to some of its older devices like the OnePlus 6T. In a community post on Thursday, OnePlus gave a time frame for when the OnePlus 6 and 6T would receive the update. The Android 11 Open Beta version for the OnePlus 6 & 6T is scheduled to be released at the end of August, please stay tuned for our Community posts for more details.While this is good news for those devices, it still means that the update is several months away. It also means that the ...

The immensely popular MOBA is finally on mobile.League of Legends has been a wildly successful game on PC since it launched in 2010, and now developer Riot Games is taking it to a larger mobile audience. League of Legends: Wild Rift is the mobile version of the PC game, but it's not a straight port. The game has been rebuilt from the ground up for mobile platforms, giving players a well-rounded experience no matter their preferred platform."Our overall approach was to create an authentic League experience on new platforms, and we knew we had to make some adjustments to the game, the champs, and the controls to really deliver on that promise to players," Brian Feeney, the design director of Wild Rift, said in an interview.Wild Rift is also meant to be a way for new players to get in on the ground floor and learn how to play. Riot developers also expect players to also feel at home on Wild Rift, and in our review of the beta, we found that it does a great job with that balance. H...

Best answer: TP-Link HomeCare is a software suite included with some TP-Link Archer and Deco routers that include parental controls, antivirus, and QoS.Do routers need extra software?Quite a few routers come with advanced software offering more security features than a router would typically have. This includes most of the best Wi-Fi 6 mesh routers from Asus, Eero, TP-Link, and Netgear. Eero, for example, offers its Eero Secure and Eero Secure+ subscriptions to all of its customers through the Eero app. If you found that you you need a mesh system, this included software could be a major factor in picking the right brand.Several of TP-Link's routers and mesh systems also ship with this software, and unlike some others, it's free. At least HomeCare is. HomeCare comes with a handful of Deco systems and Archer routers and brings with it added security, in-depth parental controls, and quality of service (QoS). At the low cost of free for the product's lifetime, there's little reaso...

HuluOn-demand and liveFrom $6/mo. at HuluProsMore kid-friendly contentVariety in subscriptions High-quality streamingConsLimited cloud DVR storageAdd-ons add up Restrictions on simultaneous streamingThe Hulu + Live TV plan provides access to more than 65 live channels. In addition to the four major local networks, Hulu's live programming includes networks like The CW, Bravo, Disney Channel, and CNN. The service also offers premium channel add-ons.YouTube TVThe cable alternative$65/mo. at YouTubeProsGreat overall channel lineupUnlimited cloud DVRBest in live sports coverage ConsNo offline viewing No HD playbackRestrictions on select sports contentYouTube TV operates as a premium cable replacement, offering live TV, on-demand video, and cloud-based DVR. The services provide 85 television networks, including the Big Four broadcast networks, and the option to add premium channels.While Hulu's cheaper plans don't include live cha...