Latest from Android Central

The penultimate video chatting speaker.May 2021 saw a whole host of updates and refreshes to Amazon's product lineup, from a new Fire HD 10 tablet, to a second tier of Fire Kids Pro devices, to updates to the Amazon Halo band and service. All of this is no doubt clearing its older devices from the decks in preparation for Prime Day 2021, where we're bound to see some impressive discounts on all Amazon devices (likely including this latest Echo Show).When I first saw the spec sheet and read the relatively minor updates to the Echo Show 8 (2nd Gen), I knew that I'd still like the device, but I didn't think I'd be overly impressed with it as a refreshed product. After using the near paradigm-busting Echo Show 10 (3rd Gen) and experiencing its show-stopping features like its rotating display and impressive speaker array, the updates offered on the new Show 8 felt like a sad trombone 'wah wah.' However, as I sat down to write this Echo Show 8 (2nd Gen) review after a few days of using...

JBL isn't as popular as it once was, but the brand still makes some great headphones and other audio products, especially at reasonable price points. The JBL Live 660NC are our best overall pick for having excellent sound, battery life, and comfort. But we've gathered a handful of other reliable options for different budgets and lifestyles to ensure you get your hands on the best JBL headphones for your needs.Best overall: JBL Live 660NCThe JBL Live 660NC are an incremental upgrade from their 650 predecessors, so a lot of what was already there will be easy to find here. One of the main draws was battery life, and that continues to be a focus with the 660NC by raising it to up to 40 hours of playback per charge with ANC on.Not only that, but in a nod to attract a wider subset of users, JBL tweaked the default sound signature to feel more neutral, so the heavier bass presence is something you'll have to bring in via JBL's My Headphones app. Sound quality benefits, as a result,...

The Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro are the latest to top our list of the best true wireless earbuds and, today only, you can score them at a $40 discount at Woot. Down to $159.99 in phantom black, this is the lowest we've seen them go since their release earlier this year.Unlike a lot of Woot deals, these earbuds are offered brand new, though it's worth noting a 90-day Woot warranty is included rather than a manufacturer's warranty.Our Galaxy Buds Pro review said these earbuds "made almost every necessary improvement over the Buds Plus — better sound, more comfortable fit, improved design, sweat-resistant waterproofing and, best of all, active noise cancelation."Let's start with the active noise cancellation. You can activate it with just a tap of your finger. The system has both a high and low mode so you can choose just how much noise you want to cancel out. Plus you can download the Wearable app on your Android phone and get even more customization.The earbuds are also IPX7 rat...

Everyone knows Android security sucks, right? Not so fast — we've come a long way in the past decade.There's been plenty of FUD — fear, uncertainty and doubt — spread surrounding Android phone security over the years. And I'll be honest: in the early days, much of it was well deserved. The fragmented nature of Android, the sheer amount of stuff that required a full firmware upgrade in order to change, and the reticence of phone makers to roll out those updates meant that Android phones were more susceptible to security issues than the iPhone.Ten years ago if a major iPhone security vulnerability was discovered, Apple could quickly patch its entire ecosystem. On Android you could be left waiting months, if a fix ever made it to your device. For an Android security issue to be addressed in 2011, new code first had to be pushed out by Google, then integrated into your phone's firmware by the manufacturer and eventually signed off by your carrier. That's not an ideal sequence o...

Xbox Game Pass's cloud gaming option on Android (also known as xCloud or Xbox Cloud Streaming) has been steadily expanding ever since Game Pass launched. At the time of writing, you can play over 250 games on your Android device if you're a Game Pass Ultimate subscriber — check out our list of the best games. So if you want to turn your Android phone or tablet into a Game Pass machine, here are a few of the things that will make your gameplay experience better.Best controller attachmentRazer KishiStaff PickSome of the games on Game Pass work with touch controls, but for versatility, it's always best to get a controller of some kind. Assuming you're playing on a phone or a phone-sized device, then you can't go wrong with the Razer Kishi. This attachment turns your phone into a Switch-like handheld, has a USB passthrough for charging purposes, and also folds into a small device for easy storage when you're on the move.$100 at Amazon $64 at Best Buy $100 at Microsoft...

The outage lasted for nearly an hour.What you need to knowA number of popular websites were down on Tuesday morning due to an issue with Fastly's content delivery network (CDN).Fastly has identified the issue and global services have been restored. Amazon, Twitter, Reddit, and Google were among the websites that were affected by the massive outage. Amazon, Google, Reddit, Twitter, Facebook, and several other popular websites were offline for nearly an hour on Tuesday morning due to a massive outage. As per DownDetector, the outages started around 5:30 AM ET.A number of popular news websites such as CNN, the Guardian, The New York Times, and The Financial Times were also hit by the outage. All of the affected websites displayed the "Error 503 Service Unavailable" message.The outage was caused due to an issue with Fastly's CDN services. Fastly says it has identified the issue and applied a fix to restore all services: The issue has been identified and a fix has been ...

While Amazon has approached Sidewalk, an endeavor in connecting smart devices to a neighborhood mesh Wi-Fi, in a "sophisticated way" with privacy in mind, experts are still wary of how effective this project will be from a security standpoint.Amazon announced last week that customers have until June 8 to opt-out of its latest project to keep smart devices connected at all times by using a mesh Wi-Fi system. If you don't want to participate here's how to opt-out on Echo devices and Ring devices.The program, which was initially announced in September 2019, uses a low-bandwidth shared network that will use part of your home Wi-Fi to connect to Amazon Echo devices, Ring security camera and lights, and Tile Bluetooth trackers. The mesh Wi-Fi is helpful when your device loses connection, at which point it will automatically connect to the neighborhood Wi-Fi over the 900Mhz channel.According to the company's privacy and security whitepaper, the project was "carefully designed" with pr...

Familiar takeGoogle Pixel Buds A-Series$99 at Best BuyProsSame sound quality for lessIntegration with Android and Google AssistantLightweight build and comfy fitSame size caseFast chargingConsNo swipe gesturesNo wireless charging caseNo change in battery lifeStill no active noise cancelationGoogle brought its Pixel Buds back, only instead of an improved sequel, it opted for a more affordable variant of its existing Pixel Buds. The A-Series pair leave a few things behind, but the major pieces are still in place, and that's what makes them such an attractive target for your ears.Original makeGoogle Pixel Buds$130 at Best Buy $129 at B&HProsGood soundWireless charging case & USB-C wired chargingIntegration with Android and Google AssistantFantastic media controlsCons:Lacks active noise cancelationBattery life could be longerComfort might not be great for everyoneBass could be betterThe Pixel Buds were Google's first at...

Jaybird adds the right pieces to make the Vista 2 really compelling.It's been almost two years since Jaybird launched its original Vista wireless earbuds, and in the intervening time, they've held up well, even among the best wireless earbuds on the market. The Vista 2 follow the same path, only add the extras you would now expect from a pair at this price.The physical dimensions and additional features benefit from the key to what makes these earbuds sound the way you want them to, and that's the Jaybird app.Jaybird Vista 2 review:Price and availabilityWhat's good What's not goodThe competitionShould you buy?Jaybird Vista 2 Bottom line: When it comes to rugged resolve, it's hard to look past the Jaybird Vista 2 and their ability to not only keep playing in tougher conditions, but to also give you a lot of con...

The M3 Pro 5G is POCO's first M series phone with a high-refresh-rate display.What you need to knowThe POCO M3 Pro 5G is now official in India.It is based on Xiaomi's Redmi Note 10 5G. The phone made its debut in Europe last month. Xiaomi's POCO sub-brand launched an affordable new 5G phone in Europe, dubbed the POCO M3 Pro 5G. POCO has now launched the phone in India to take on Samsung's Galaxy M42 5G and Realme 8 5G.The POCO M3 Pro 5G is based on Xiaomi's Redmi Note 10 5G, but comes with a slightly tweaked design that helps set it apart from the best cheap Android phones. It sports a 6.5-inch FHD+ LCD display with a 90Hz refresh rate and a centered hole-punch cutout for the 8MP selfie camera.Powering the POCO M3 Pro 5G is MediaTek's 7nm Dimensity 700 chipset, which has been coupled with 6GB of LPDDR4X RAM and up to 128GB of UFS 2.2 storage. Around the back of the phone is a triple-camera setup featuring a 48MP main sensor, a 2MP macro lens, and a 2MP depth sensor....

We have reviewed a bunch of VPN services and ExpressVPN is our top pick for just about everyone. It earned a full 5 stars in our review, we are constantly praising the customer service, speeds, reliability, and more multiples times, but all of that comes with a price. ExpressVPN is definitely one of the more expensive VPN services compared to its competitors, but you can still score a great deal if you know where to look.ExpressVPN has more than 3,000 servers that span across 160 different locations in 94 countries, so there's no shortage of options when you are looking to spoof your location. You can check all the locations and make sure that the one you want is available before signing up.Today's best ExpressVPN dealWhen it comes to VPN deals there is no shortage of great options out there. We've already covered all of the top VPN services that are out there, but just because something is great doesn't mean that you have to pay too much money for it. ExpressVPN may not be the c...

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...

Regardless of how you feel about YouTube comments, it's a pretty handy feature.What you need to knowUsers have reported seeing a new layout for YouTube comments.The layout appears when users switch to a fullscreen view of a video, with comments appearing in a scrollable side panel.The layout appears to be available for only a limited number of users, suggesting it could be part of an A/B test.YouTube has been working on improving its comment section on the best Android phones, and the latest look shows how the app might plan to incorporate comments while viewing a full-screen video.Multiple users have reported a "bug" (via Android Police) in the YouTube app that shows the comment section in a scrollable side panel while in landscape mode. The panel appears to allow users to hide or bring up the comment section at will, with the video adjusting in size to accommodate.The transition looks fairly smooth and provides an uninterrupted viewing experience for anyone brave en...

Apple just built a window into a walled garden.Ah, FaceTime. Just as the name iPad is often used in place of a tablet, FaceTime has become synonymous with video calling someone. That changed a bit in 2020 when people began using Zoom for their daily needs and, it seems, Apple has noticed the shift. Zoom isn't just used for meetings, though; I've used it personally when video calling long-distance family or friends, and certainly an unknowable number of times during the pandemic for just about every event you could think of.One of Zoom's biggest advantages over FaceTime is its ability to use it on every single platform in existence. Basically, if your platform of choice can connect to the Internet, you can use Zoom. But Apple's latest attempt at aping its competition is about as half-hearted as it gets. The big news, of course, is that FaceTime is coming to Android! Queue celebration until you realize just how limited FaceTime on Android — or any other non-Apple platform, for th...

While just about every phone takes advantage of USB-C these days, having the best micro-USB cable is still important. Just take a look around, and you'll quickly notice that many of your accessories and other peripherals still rely on that old charger to fill up. Many probably already have a box filled with old cables, but some don't have that luxury and need to find an alternative. Grabbing one of these micro-USB cables is perfect for those who want to throw one in a bag to use with the best power banks. Or maybe you want to grab the best family charging station and need to make sure everyone has the right cables. Whatever the case, here are the best micro-USB cables you can buy!I have the power!Anker PowerLine+ Micro-USB (6ft)Staff PickMade of Kevlar — the same stuff that bulletproof vests are made from — Anker boasts that this durable cable has a 10,000 bend lifespan, which customers appear to confirm.From $13 at Amazon $10 at WalmartMulti-colored multi-packs...

Big on speedTP-Link Deco M9 Plus$200 at Best BuyProsFast AC2200 Wi-Fi speedsTri-band Wi-Fi keeps mesh speed highTwo gigabit Ethernet portsZigBee smart home hubHomeCare software includedConsMore expensiveThe TP-Link M9 Plus offers great specs in a tiny package. This white plastic puck can use its tri-band Wi-Fi to create a fast mesh network at high speeds, even when connected to a mesh point. The Deco M9 makes a great start to a mesh network, and the inclusion of two Ethernet ports on each node makes upgrading your home network a breeze.Big on valueTP-Link Deco M5$153 at AmazonProsAC1300 speeds are enough for standard browsingSmall footprintGreat priceTwo gigabit Ethernet portsHomeCare software includedConsDual-band will hamper mesh performancePunching well above its weight in performance, the TP-Link Deco M5 surprises with its snappy AC1300 Wi-Fi speeds and mesh capabilities. The small package and expandability with other Deco p...

A shared design story that continues even after both companies have split.What you need to knowHonor today announced the launch date of the Honor 50.It'll be debuting in Shanghai on June 16th.Honor also shared a render of the device, showing off its color options and a design similar to the Huawei P0Honor is preparing to launch its first flagship after breaking away from Huawei last year, the company announced today. The Honor 50 series will be making an entrance on June 16th in Shanghai.It'll be available in four colors; black, green, pink, and silver. Honor also touts the design's "hypercurved" screen and 100W super-fast charging support. It'll also be powered by Qualcomm's Snapdragon 778 chip, though reports are floating of Pro and Pro Plus models with either the Snapdragon 870 or 888. Huawei's P40 and a P40 Pro and a P40 Pro Plus, so Honor sticking with that structure makes sense. What sticks out a lot, though, is the company's choice of camera lenses. It's a design ...

The best Android tablet available right now is the Samsung Galaxy Tab S7. It has a big screen, high-end specs, tons of features, a stylus, and support for a full keyboard. It's pricey and not the right pick for someone who prefers a smaller, more portable tablet). Still, as an all-around device, it can't be beaten. For those who have different needs (or budgets), there are a few other picks that work just well for media consumption and won't break the bank.What are the best Android tablets?There's a lot more to a tablet than just its display, but it's hard to deny what an important role that particular spec plays. The Galaxy Tab S7 has one of the most impressive displays on any device we've used. It's able to get extremely bright and even bears support for Samsung's S Pen stylus. Of course, the Tab S7 also packs incredibly powerful specs elsewhere, and you can even buy a 5G-capable variant for a bit more money.If you really want to go the extra mile, Samsung's larger and pricier ...

The Galaxy S21 Ultra is one of the biggest and most powerful Galaxys ever, as well as being the first to work with the S Pen, traditionally reserved for the Note line. Given its size and heft, you need to protect your investment with a secure case that adds grip and style. The best Galaxy S21 Ultra cases are right here, whether you're after a clear case to show off the Ultra's design or a durable tank to keep it safe and secure.Colorful and durableCaseology Nano PopStaff PickAfter two years of the Nano Pop being exclusive to iPhones, it's finally coming to Samsung phones with the S21 series. The Blueberry Navy with its yellow accents is striking and classic, and the impact-absorbing pattern embedded in the back gives you slim protection. I wish the Ultra has gotten the Violet the smaller S21s have, but the colors here are still fun.From $16 at Amazon $16 at WalmartReady to work hardArmadilloTek Vanguard Series for S21 UltraThe S21 Ultra is made for productivity, s...

FaceTime invite links breaks down Apple's walled garden just a bit.What you need to knowApple just announced new FaceTime invite links so users can join a chat from anywhere.The links are available for Android and web users to access a FaceTime video call.The new feature will arrive with iOS 15 and was announced during WWDC 2021.Apple has shown off several new features arriving in FaceTime. One notable feature includes new invite links that allow users to join a video call from almost anywhere. This opens up FaceTime video calls to users on the best Android phones and the web.FaceTime was previously only available for users on iPhones and Macs and will now open up to billions of users on Android and Windows thanks to iOS 15. iPhone users with iOS 15 will can create a link to a FaceTime chat and share it through the normal share sheet, meaning the link can be sent to others via apps or email.It's gleaned from the announcement that FaceTime won't be available via a dedica...

And keep an eye out for some hot takes on WWDC from Android Central!Following closely behind last month's Google I/O 2021 and Microsoft's Build conference, Apple is taking the stage to make some major announcements at WWDC 2021. The keynote is happening now, so head over to iMore.com for full coverage of the event!What to expect from WWDC 2021Unlike the Apple Spring Loaded event back in April, WWDC is focused more on software. The company is expected to announce the next major update to iOS, which will likely be iOS 15. It may not be a big overhaul like Android 12 will be for some of the best Android phones, but there could be some notable feature updates.New features could include updates to notifications and even changes to iMessage to make it more like a social network, potentially widening the feature gap between Apple and Google's messaging apps. Apple is also expected to make announcements about privacy, such as the recently announced changes to AirTags.iPadOS is also...

Ultra MobileBulk savingsFrom $15/mo. at Ultra MobileProsT-Mobile 4G LTE and 5G networkUnlimited talk, text, and dataMulti-month discountsFree mobile hotspotFree international calling and texting to 80+ countriesCons10GB mobile hotspot limit on unlimited plan40GB data cap on unlimited planUltra Mobile offers several data plans on T-Mobile's 4G LTE and 5G network to suit individual needs. Each plan includes free international calling and mobile hotspot along with unlimited talk, text, and data. If you can pay for multiple months in advance, you can save more on your bill when you sign up for three, six, or 12 months.Cricket WirelessFamily-friendlyFrom $30/mo. at Cricket WirelessProsHuge AT&T 4G LTE networkUnlimited talk, text, and data 15GB hotspot on top unlimited planMexico and Canada usage with unlimited plans Multi-line discountsCons5G access only included with top unlimited planMobile hotspot not included with all plans D...

Android 12's ripple animation has been reported as a "bug" by several users.What you need to knowGoogle has decided to tone down Android 12's ripple animation for taps.A large number of users who installed the Android 12 beta have reported the animation as a bug due to its pixelated nature.The ripple effect will be more subtle and less distracting in the second Android 12 beta. Google's first Android 12 beta, which was released last month, packs a number of significant design changes that make it a lot more dynamic than previous Android versions. While the vast majority of the "Material You" changes have gone down well with users, there are a few that haven't. One such change is the new ripple effect that appears whenever you tap on a UI element.A number of users who installed the first Android 12 beta found the ripple effect to be distracting and believed that it was a "graphical glitch." There are also a few users who claim the ripple doesn't glitch on their devices, ...

Coming June 23 — way to get it in just under the wire, Google.What you need to knowOver half a year after launching the Chromecast with Google TV, you'll finally be able to officially play Stadia games on it.On June 23, Stadia comes to the Chromecast with Google TV and a half-dozen Android TV devices.For non-supported Android TV devices, you'll still be able to play Stadia through an experimental opt-in.Stadia players will be able to use the Stadia controller or compatible Bluetooth controllers on Android TV.One of the most glaring holes in the Chromecast with Google TV, when it launched back in October, was that it didn't support Stadia — you still had to spend more for the four-year-old Chromecast Ultra if you wanted to use Google's streaming game service on your TV. Stadia support for the Chromecast for Google TV was slated to arrive in the first half of 2021, and we now know Google will be hitting that deadline, barely.Stadia will be supported on Android TV model...

Locked Folders finally make it to Pixel phones with the latest feature drop.What you need to knowGoogle is rolling out the latest feature drop for Pixel smartphones.The update brings a new astrophotography timelapse feature and new clipboard features in Gboard.Google Photos gains the recently announced Locked Folders feature, and more countries gain access to car crash detection.The latest feature drop for Pixel smartphones arrives today, and Google highlights the many features that are arriving with this latest update.Astro timelapseThe last feature drop introduced underwater photography for Pixels. This time, Google is taking the Pixel astrophotography feature to the next level. With the new Astrolapse feature, Pixel owners can take a video of the stars moving across the sky while the phone simultaneously captures an image using the same exposure. This gives owners of the Google Pixel 4 and later devices more ways to share their awesome night captures.You can lear...

We've rounded up the best Samsung Galaxy S21+ cases that we could find because we know how important it is to keep your prized and expensive new smartphone safe and protected for its entire lifetime. Some of these cases offer maximum protection, while others showcase that incredible Samsung style. Consider the form factor, color, and thickness that works best for you when looking for a case from this list.Exclusive to the PlusSamsung Kvadrat CoverStaff PickSamsung has been on a sustainability kick in 2021, and this lovely textured case is part of that initiative. Made entirely out of recycled PET bottles, the case not only keeps new materials out of the product stream, but it can be composted as well! The texture makes it easy and comfortable to hold while still providing protection. You can pick one up in violet or a stunning silvery gray.$35 at Amazon $35 at SamsungA pleasure to holdCaseology Parallax CaseIt's not often that you find one of the best-lookin...

This is OnePlus's cheapest 5G phone yet.What you need to knowOnePlus today shared the first concrete details of the OnePlus Nord N200 5G.It'll come to the U.S. and Canada later this year for $250.With this release, OnePlus will also fix some flaws of the earlier Nord N100, including a better display.After teasing the phone in late May, the company today announced (via an interview with PCMag), the OnePlus Nord N200 5G. Little is known about the phone at ts stage, what we do know is that it offers 5G, that it has a 90Hz smooth display, and that it'll be pretty cheap at $250. The screen will get slightly smaller at 6.49-inches, but it'll be a lot better in quality with a new 1080p display. The display was one of the weakest points of OnePlus's older Nord N100, so it's great to see it being tackled with this new model.The company also shared a render showing the camera layout. OnePlus will equip the phone with a hole punch front-facing camera and a triple rear camera layout....

New and exciting PS4 releases seem to come out each month, giving dedicated gamers plenty of worlds to choose from. With the PS5 officially here, fans now keep track of multiple new releases and updates more than ever. Fortunately, we've gathered all of the best titles and listed other worthy games for you to consider. Here are all the PS4 and PS5 releases to look out for this June.★ Dimension hopping: June 11Ratchet & Clank: Rift ApartStaff PickOne of the first massive releases for the PlayStation 5 hits this month when Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart lands and gives players the chance to dive into some true, next-gen technology. After being separated from each other, Ratchet must try and rescue his longtime best friend, Clank. This time, though, players will be hopping across various dimensions via rifts globally, as the game will utilize the PS5's processing and solid-state drives to give fans some incredible gameplay.$70 at AmazonJune 10Final Fantasy VII...

Google apparently abused its power to further increase its dominant position in the online advertising market.What you need to knowThe French Competition Authority has slapped Google with a €220 million ($267 million) fine for abusing its dominance in the digital advertising market.The regulator has accused the search giant of unfairly favoring its own ad marketplace over rivals. Google has announced that it will be making changes to its ad technology to "make it easier" for publishers to use its tools with alternative ad technologies. Google has been fined €220 million ($267 million) by the French Competition Authority for favoring its own digital advertising services over rivals. The search giant has agreed to pay the fine and also proposed a few major changes to its ad technology. The announcement comes less than a month after Italy fined Google €100 million for unfairly restricting access to Android Auto to an EV charging app.The French watchdog has alleged that...

Unreleased earbuds are apparently more alluring than ones you can buy right now.What you need to knowThis past weekend, we polled AC readers to see which wireless earbuds they were most looking forward to.More than half of the respondents said that they were eagerly anticipating the rumored Sony-WF10000XM4s.A second rumored pair, the Galaxy Buds 2, came in second place, with two already-announced devices rounding out the poll.This past week the reviews for Google's much anticipated Pixel A earbuds started to trickle out, with some saying they were Google's answer to Apple's entry-level AirPods. While our review of these buds is coming soon, we wanted to see which of the best wireless earbuds that you, our readers, were looking most forward to purchasing in the coming months.According to a poll that we put out over the weekend, nearly 55% of you said that you would be grabbing the Sony WF-100XM4 wireless earbuds if, and when, they become available. The next choice among re...

A compact tri-band mesh system with gigabit speeds.Mesh systems like the TP-Link Deco X68 have benefited more from Wi-Fi 6 and tri-band Wi-Fi than just about all other applications. The expanded speed capabilities that come with Wi-Fi 6 can improve the mesh performance even when the devices you're using only support Wi-Fi 5 or older. Adding an extra 5GHz band dedicated to the mesh link means that the mesh connection can keep up with connected devices and keep the nodes reliably connected.The Deco X68 is a compelling choice for many people, thanks to its combination of speed and coverage. It also manages to deliver its speeds without a bunch of external antennas or even a large housing. Each Deco X68 node is under seven inches tall and 4.5 inches in diameter. These nodes are not only compact, but they look nice as well with a matte white finish and a black glossy top.TP-Link Deco X68 review:Price and availabilityWhat you'll like What you won't likeThe competitionShould ...

Though Prime Day is still a couple of weeks away, Amazon has kicked off a bunch of early Prime Day deals already so you can start saving right now.As is tradition, Amazon has slashed prices across an array of its first-party products and services before the main sale has even begun. On top of that, there are discounts from third parties across a variety of categories so you can score some bargains in basically every department.Check out some of the highlights below and hit up the full sale for more Prime Day deals.Blink Mini | $15 off at AmazonPrime members can save 43% on the indoor Blink Mini camera at Amazon, dropping its price down to a new low at just $20. The 3-pack is also on sale for only $50, making each camera even cheaper.$19.99 at AmazonRing Video Doorbell Wired + Free Echo Dot (3rd Gen) | $55 off at AmazonRing's Video Doorbell Wired is available at a 25% discount and also comes with a free 3rd-gen Echo Dot. That means you're saving $55 all told fo...

This eye-opening Echo device frames Alexa in a positive light.Before you roll your eyes at another smart glasses review, just hear me out. The Amazon Echo Frames (Gen 2) may sound like another half-hearted attempt by a tech company to shove smart virtual assistants where they don't belong, further complicating and confusing our already crazy lives. But I'm here to tell you that these are actually pretty well thought out, designed, and implemented. After all, they've already been wear-tested for over a year by hundreds of nerds like me.First introduced at Amazon's fall 2019 hardware and services event, the Echo Frames were part of Amazon's Day 1 Editions program, where Amazon aims to product-test innovative designs and ideas with early adopter customers. Prime customers can request to participate in the program, and if accepted, are offered the Day 1 device at a reduced price. The only other Day 1 Edition product so far has been the Echo Loop, an Alexa-powered smart ring. The Loop...

Amazon's annual exclusive sale is coming back for an even bigger event sooner than usual in 2021. Prime Day is the sale every Amazon Prime member should be looking forward to. With hundreds of ways to save and hundreds of dollars off popular products, shopping during Prime Day is even a smart way to earn back the cost of Amazon Prime's membership fee.During past Prime Day sales, Amazon hasn't skimped on its offerings in the slightest. We've seen products in just about every category go on sale, from home and kitchen appliances to clothing, furniture, toys, electronics, computers, and of course, just about every Amazon device there is. You name it, there's probably been a Prime Day sale on it. And if the sales of previous years are to be any indication, Prime Day 2021 is already slated to be one of the best shopping events of the year.Best Prime Day deals & sales in 2021As it stands, Amazon has not officially announced all of its early Prime Day deals, but that won't stop ot...

Nubia says the RedMagic 6R is a gaming phone that has been designed for everyday use.Update, June 7 (08:30 am ET): Global availability announcedWhat you need to knowNubia has announced another new flagship gaming phone.The RedMagic 6R features a 144Hz AMOLED screen, Qualcomm's Snapdragon 888 processor, and a 4,200mAh battery. It will go on sale in China from June for a starting price of 2,999 yuan ($470). ZTE's Nubia sub-brand has announced a new addition to its RedMagic 6 series family, dubbed the RedMagic 6R. The phone is primarily aimed at gamers, but doesn't have the same gaming-inspired design as the RedMagic 6 and 6 Pro phones.Nubia's new RedMagic 6R sports a 6.67-inch FHD+ AMOLED display with a 144Hz refresh rate and 360Hz touch sampling rate. Under the hood, it packs the same Snapdragon 888 chipset as the best Android phones on the market, paired with up to 12GB of LPDDR5 RAM and 256GB of UFS 3.1 storage.The RedMagic 6R has a quad-camera setup at the rear, f...

The OnePlus Nord CE 5G will be a little more affordable than last year's Nord.What you need to knowOnePlus Nord CE 5G's Indian pricing has leaked online ahead of its launch in the country on June 10.The phone could start at ₹22,999 ($316) in India. OnePlus Nord CE 5G has been confirmed to arrive with a 64MP camera and a 4,500mAh battery supporting Warp Charge 30T Plus.OnePlus is set to unveil a new Nord series phone in India this week, dubbed the Nord CE 5G. Ahead of its formal launch in the country, a new leak has revealed the phone's pricing and launch offers for the Indian market.Pricing of OnePlus Products launching @ Summer Launch Event has leaked!OnePlus Nord CE 5G Price: ₹22,999(₹1,000 discount on HDFC Bank Cards)OnePlus TV U1S:50": ₹37,99955": ₹45,99965": ₹60,999(₹2K, ₹3K & ₹4K off respectively on HDFC)Thoughts? #OnePlusNordCE5G pic.twitter.com/KMBXmgSuvt— Ishan Agarwal (@ishanagarwal24) June 7, 2021According to tipster Ishan Agarwal, t...

Xiaomi's latest flagship does not have a release date six weeks after its global launch.The Mi 11 Ultra is possibly one of the best Android phones you can buy right now. Xiaomi has nailed the basics here, delivering the latest hardware innovations combined with a 120Hz AMOLED panel, cleaner software and less bloat than previous generations, and truly incredible cameras.There's only one problem: you can't actually buy the phone. The Mi 11 Ultra made its debut in China earlier in the year and was announced for global markets a few months ago, but as of June 4, it isn't available anywhere. Instead, Xiaomi's UK, Germany, Spain, and other European sites have a Notify Me button, and there's no way to get your hands on the flagship even if you're willing to shell out the equivalent of $1,500 that Xiaomi commands for the device.Technically, Xiaomi did release the phone in the UK on May 6 — it immediately sold out — and it is entirely likely there were minimal units available for th...

Apple is rumored to launch a new iPod Touch later this year, but why?The rumor mill has been buzzing that Apple is gearing up to release a new iPod Touch this fall to celebrate 20 years since the iPod lineup launched. That may not sound too exciting for many, especially since most people own smartphones that can do more or less the same thing as an iPod Touch, but with the bonus of a cellular modem. However, I think it's a great idea for Apple to launch a new model. And even though I'm an Android kinda guy, a new iPod Touch is something that I've wanted for years.I'll start by saying that I've never owned an iPhone and probably never will. That said, I've owned quite a few iPod Touch models, up until the 6th-generation, which was released in 2015. As the iPhone and iPad exploded, the iPod line waned in relevance, especially since most of the line was dropped in 2017, leaving the iPod Touch to fend for itself. And even then, any updated versions only received hand-me-down chipsets...

The S21 FE is rumored to debut at a Galaxy Unpacked event in August.What you need to knowA new report out of South Korea claims the upcoming Samsung Galaxy S21 FE will be more affordable than its predecessor.It could start at around KRW 700,000 ($630). The Galaxy S20 FE was launched at KRW 899,800 ($810) in South Korea last year. Samsung's next 'Fan Edition' phone could be more affordable than expected, according to a new report out of South Korea. A few new renders of the upcoming phone have also surfaced, courtesy of reliable leaker Evan Blass.Herald Corp claims the Galaxy S21 FE will be priced somewhere between KRW 700,000 ($630) and KRW 800,000 ($720). For reference, last year's Galaxy S20 FE was launched at KRW 899,800 ($810) in South Korea. The information certainly doesn't come as a surprise, as the vanilla Galaxy S21 is $200 cheaper than the Galaxy S20.Since the Galaxy S21 FE is expected to be similar to the Galaxy S21 in a number of areas, the highly competitiv...

Boxing legend Floyd Mayweather Jr is returning to the ring after retiring in 2017 to take on YouTuber Logan Paul and we have all the details on how you can watch Mayweather vs Paul on TV or online.44-year-old Mayweather was inducted to the International Boxing Hall of Fame last year to commemorate his exceptional career in which he won 50 fights, had 27 knockouts and was never once defeated. During his last big fight back in August of 2017, Mayweather defeated UFC star Conor McGregor with a 10th-round TKO. He then went on to defeat Japanese kickboxer Tenshin Nasukawa in one round on New Year's Eve in 2018.26-year-old Logan Paul on the other hand is returning to the ring after losing via split-decision to fellow YouTuber KSI in 2019 while making his professional boxing debut. However, this was the second time Paul went up against KSI as their first fight was ruled a majority draw. While Logan has yet to win a fight as a professional boxer, his brother Jake has won three fights.M...

Amazon Sidewalk is one of the coolest new ways to connect smart devices in your home and beyond. Many Ring devices can use the Amazon Sidewalk network to extend wireless coverage to several other smart devices. Even Tile Trackers and Level Locks can use Amazon Sidewalk to help connect outside of normal Bluetooth range. In addition to that, Ring devices like the Echo Show 8 can be used as Amazon Sidewalk bridges. You might want to disable Amazon Sidewalk on Ring if you're extra concerned about privacy or mobile security. Even if you've disabled Amazon Sidewalk elsewhere, you'll need to specifically disable it in the Ring app to take your Ring devices off the network. Let's get started!How to opt-out of Amazon Sidewalk on your Ring devicesOpen up the Ring app on your smartphone.Tap the hamburger menu on the top-left corner of the Ring app. It looks like three horizontal lines stacked on top of each other.Select Control Center.Scroll down to Amazon Sidewalk and select it.Tap ...

Roku devices give users the ability to stream content from hundreds of apps, but there are a handful of third-party apps that aren't compatible and don't appear automatically on the Roku Channels page. While Roku previously allowed users to sideload apps on their devices, this is no longer an option in 2021, meaning you can't technically sideload apps onto Roku boxes, streaming sticks, or Roku TVs. As such, the best way to stream third-party content is to cast or screen mirror from your phone to a Roku device. Here's what you need to do to cast or screen mirror to a Roku device.Casting on RokuThe easiest workaround for streaming third-party content onto your Roku device is to use screencasting. This method works for users using both compatible iOS or Android devices. Here are the steps you need to follow.Make sure your mobile device or tablet and Roku device are connected to the same Wi-Fi network.Install the third-party app you want to stream from on your Roku device. Add i...

The grass isn't always greener on the other side.I have used Chromebooks since 2014 and used them full-time for four years. Some of my Chromebooks have been premium and luxurious, like the Google Pixelbook and the Acer Chromebook Spin 713, but the ones I've used longest are 11.6-inch budget-minded models like the Lenovo C340 and C330. Many tech enthusiasts revile Chromebooks as "fake laptops," thinking they can't "do anything" because they don't support classic computer applications like Windows and Mac.Well, I'm back on my first new Windows laptop in a decade, the Acer Aspire 5 that I will be reviewing in the coming days. It's been a serious adjustment, coming back here after all these years on a Chromebook, and as I remember all the arguments people make about why a "cheap" Windows laptop beats a cheap Chromebook, they're just all falling flat for me.Chromebooks are not just cheap, disposable laptopsLet's start with the definition of "cheap" in each category. A "cheap" Ch...

The best password manager is one you actually use.While Google may be trying to build a password-free future, the present current forces us to make a new account and new password for almost every single website we use. From our most secure banking apps to some frivolous web game we use to kill time between meetings, everything has a password and an email/username that we need to keep track of.While most of the best password managers are paid and add features like VPNs, 2FA token keeping, and identity monitoring, you don't really need most of that stuff. For most of us — myself included — we just need somewhere to easily dig out passwords when logging into our apps and websites, and Google Password Manager does that perfectly for free on Android and Chrome. Here's how to use Google Password Manager on both of these platforms to enter, modify, or delete your passwords.Google Password Manager:How to use on AndroidHow to add passwords on AndroidHow to activate or manage ...

if you are using cable internet, did you know your ISP actually charges you to use the cable modem they provided for you? The cost generally tends to be a fee they don't really bring up unless you ask. Whether you knew or not, you can get rid of that fee and in the long run save yourself some money by buying your own cable modem. The Netgear CM1000 cable modem is down to $129.99 at Amazon today. That's a $40 discount. It's also the best price we've seen since 2019 as last year didn't see any real sales at all on this cable modem.The CM1000 is a fantastic cable modem designed to work with a wide variety of internet service providers. It works with Xfinity, Cox, Spectrum, and more. Of course, if you're interested you should check with your ISP before making the purchase. No sense spending this much money on a device you can't even use, right? They should be able to tell you if it will work.And remember, if you're sitting there reading this going "Why would I buy this when I got one...

Movies to watch on Disney+ prior to LokiIn addition to offering a variety of originals films and series, Disney Plus is the digital hub for all things Marvel. Whether you've just finished WandaVision, or want to revisit your favorite Avenger on film, Disney+ has got you covered.The platform also offers a number Marvel-adjacent and bonus superhero films that are perfect for satiating your superhero addiction ahead of Marvel Studios' latest spinoff show. With that in mind, we've rounded up a list of movies to watch on Disney+ before diving into the new Loki series. Here they are.Best movies and shows on Disney+MCU Phase 1MCU Phase 2MCU Phase 3 & 4Marvel Legacy filmsBonus Superhero flicksWhat's next on Disney+Super streamingDisney+From $7 at Disney+Your home for Disney classics, Marvel heroes, and moreDisney+ subscribers have access to nearly every film in the MCU, as well as a variety of other superhero-related films and series. Sign up to catch up on...

You'd be surprised at all the things you can do with an LED light strip. From adding some light underneath your cabinets to bias lighting behind your TV to something to agument a live stream, a good LED light strip can change the mood of a room in an instant. Right now you can get the Nitebird 32.8-feet smart wireless LED light strip on sale for $26.38 at Amazon. That's a nearly $14 discount over what it was selling for at the beginning of April and the lowest direct discount we have ever seen.This isn't the only Nitebird product on sale today, either. The sale is one of Amazon's deals of the day and features a wide range of Nitebird products all going for discounted prices. If you just need some smart bulbs you can get a 4-pack in white for $22.39 or multi-color for $25.49. There are a few other options available, too, so check out the whole sale before these deals disappear.The light strip has a lot of smart functionality built in so it's more than just LEDs on a strip. For one...

The 2021 Formula 1 season continues and this weekend teams and drivers are in Baku, Azerbaijan for the first time in over a year for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix and we have all the details on how you can watch the race on TV or online.Azerbaijan's capital city first hosted Formula 1 back in 2016 under the European Grand Prix banner before becoming the Azerbaijan Grand Prix the following year. The race will take place on the Baku City Circuit which has 20 turns, a circuit length of 3.728 miles (6km) and drivers will complete 51 laps before finishing the 190 mile race. Baku is the newest street circuit on the Formula 1 calendar and it joins the likes of Monaco, Melbourne and Singapore as drivers will need to race through the city's old town.At the Monaco Grand Prix a few weeks ago in May, Red Bull's Max Verstappen was able to take first place with a time of one hour and thirty eight minutes followed by Ferrari's Carlos Sainz Jr and McLaren's Lando Norris. In addition to this being Ve...

I'm not mad, Fossil, I'm just disappointed.What you need to knowFossil admits none of its current Wear OS watches will see the new Wear platform.Fossil was hyping premium watches coming later this year that will be powered by the new platform to CNET when it confirmed what we've been dreading for weeks.Considering all Fossil watches were powered by either the Wear 3100 or 2100, this isn't surprising, but it's still a major disappointment to anyone who bought a Fossil watch in the last year or two.Now's both a wonderful and terrible time to be an Android smartwatch fan. On the one hand, Google and Samsung are finally teaming up to give us the new Wear platform that we've wanted for years. On the other hand, it means that it's hard to recommend buying any of the best Android smartwatches today, because we already know that no Tizen watches will get the new system, and there's a giant question mark looming over whether any current Wear OS watches get the new system.Fossil ha...

The American Triple Crown of horse racing is coming to an end this weekend with the final race in the series and we have all the details on how you can watch this year's Belmont Stakes on TV or online.Just like the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness Stakes, the Belmont Stakes is an American Grade 1 Thoroughbred race featuring 3-year old Thoroughbreds run on a 1.5 mile (2,400m) track at Belmont Park in Elmont, New York. The race, which is traditionally held five weeks after the Kentucky Derby and three weeks after the Preakness, is the oldest of the three Triple Crown races and dates back to 1867.As Medina Spirit is now facing disqualification after failing two separate drug tests after winning the Kentucky Derby back in May and Rombauer won last month's Preakness Stakes, there won't be a chance of any horse winning the Triple Crown at this year's Belmont Stakes. In fact, the last time a horse was able to win all three races was back in 2018 when Justify became the second horse to w...