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Chatting with the AC Forums.One of the reasons that many folks opt for a Pixel over other Android devices is because of Google's commitment to providing multiple years of software and security patches aimed at making your online experience more secure. But how do you feel about the way Google handles your online privacy?One of our newest AC forum members asked a similar question when considering if the Google Pixel 5 was the best Android phone for them to purchase. Here's what our community had to say. Whooricane 03-02-2021 07:51 AM “ Hi guys and gals, I am on the point of buying a new mobile, my old Xperia x compact is now 4 years old and showing signs that its ready for retirement. For several reasons, the Pixel 5 is pretty much the only device atm I see fitting for my needs. But the phone being a google device also causes a certain uneasy feeling as for the safety of my data and my privacy....

Affordable workhorseLenovo Chromebook Flex 5$401 at AmazonProsMore affordableAdequate power Great backlit keyboardConsLess RAMFrequently sells outThe value offered on the Lenovo Chromebook Flex 5 has made it one of the most popular Chromebooks on the market, for good reason. You get all the features you'd want in a laptop without having to pay for all the excess Premium chromebooks shove in alongside them.Upgrade pickAcer Chromebook Spin 713From $629 at Amazon$629 at Best BuyProsBeefier specs across the boardBright 2K screen with 3:2 aspect ratioMore ports including HDMIConsMore expensiveSpeakers are averageIf gaming, coding, STEM, or art matter to you and your laptop, Acer makes the best Chromebook for you. With powerful processors, futureproof RAM and storage, and an absolutely gorgeous touchscreen, the Acer Spin 713 is ready to work hard and play harder.There's a lot of competition in the Chromebook market these days, es...

Here's how you can easily safeguard your privacy in WhatsApp.Maintaining your privacy is an important part of staying safe online. Not everyone needs to see your profile photo or know that you are online right now. Let's take a look at how you can protect your privacy in WhatsApp.Jump to:Change last seen settingsChange profile photo privacySet up privacy settings for StatusBlock a userChange your phone numberHow to change your last seen privacy settings in WhatsApp for AndroidThe last seen status tells other users when you were last online in WhatsApp. It's a good way to know when your friends or family members have last used the service, but if you don't want to share these details, you can easily change last seen settings.Open WhatsApp. Tap the action overflow menu. It's the three vertical dots on the top right corner. Tap Settings.Tap Account. Tap Privacy. Tap Last seen. Choose the option you want to use:Everyone: All WhatsApp users get last seen ...

Only one-to-one voice and video calls are currently supported.What you need to knowIt is finally possible to make voice and video calls from the WhatsApp desktop app.Voice and video calls on WhatsApp desktop are end-to-end encrypted, just like the mobile app. Group calls, however, aren't supported currently.Despite all the controversy surrounding its new privacy policy, WhatsApp is still among the best Android messaging apps out there. The Facebook-owned app has now added a new feature to its desktop client, allowing users to make voice and video calls directly from their PC. It is worth noting, however, that WhatsApp Web doesn't support the feature currently.Just as you would expect, voice and video calls on WhatsApp desktop will be end-to-end encrypted. To ensure it can provide a "reliable and high-quality experience" to users, WhatsApp is starting with one-to-one calls on the desktop. In the future, you will also be able to make group voice and video calls from the des...

Excellent hardware for a kid's watch that is held back by a lackluster companion app experience.Wearables for kids are becoming more and more common, which why I wanted to do an Xplora X5 Play review. This device is more than just another wearable; it's also a phone. This opens up more possibilities as well as problems for families. The Xplora X5 Play attempts to combine many of the features that I have found in watches I have previously reviewed, like polished hardware of the GizmoWatch 2 and the camera found in the TickTalk 3.Xplora is a brand based in Norway and has been making very popular devices for children in Europe for years, but the X5 Play is the first to make it to the United States. Using some standard features of kid's smartwatches like a parent-controlled experience and fun emojis for communication, Xplora adds some gamification of activity. It achieves these goals for the most part but misses mostly on some others.Xplora X5 Play review:Pricing and Availabil...

Let this be a real S20 FE competitor!Like Samsung before it with the Galaxy S21 lineup, OnePlus is set to debut its new crop of flagships in the OnePlus 9 range earlier than ever this year. Next week, the company has scheduled a surprise announcement on March 8th, which many people expect to be a tease for the actual unveiling of the devices later this month.During the product launch, OnePlus is expected to introduce updates to its current two flagships with the 9 and 9 Pro, and it is also rumored to be launching a third "value flagship" in the OnePlus 9R. OnePlus made a name for itself as the Flagship Killer by offering great design and specs for lower prices than its competitors, but its prices have crept higher and higher in recent years. The company made a bit of a course correction on the lower and mid-range with its Nord line, but after seeing the success of phones like the Google Pixel 5, Samsung Galaxy S20 FE, OnePlus is looking to regain its position as the Android value...

While the Premier League title is all but wrapped up for Man City already, there are still plenty of interesting games to pay attention to as sides jostle for position over the next few months — including this game between Liverpool and Chelsea.Both sides are vying for a coveted top-four finish and UEFA Champions League spot meaning today's clash could prove crucial come May. Don't miss a moment with our Liverpool vs Chelsea live stream guide.Despite winning the Premier League last season, today's hosts Liverpool seemed to be in freefall in recent weeks.Prior to a 2-0 win at Premier League strugglers Sheffield United in their last outing, The Reds had been on a losing streak of four games in the league including a devastating loss at Anfield to local rivals Everton.Though form has improved for visitors Chelsea who are unbeaten in their last five Premier League games, The Pensioners have had their own struggles this season and sit just 1 point above Liverpool.New Blues man...

The phone boasts a 'race-track inspired' design.What you need to knowRealme GT 5G is the brand's first 'performance flagship' for 2021.The Realme GT 5G comes with a Snapdragon 888 chipset, 65W SuperDart flash charge, and a 120Hz Super AMOLED display.It will be going on sale in China from March 10 for a starting price of 2,799 yuan ($433).Realme today announced its first "performance flagship" of 2021, dubbed Realme GT 5G. The phone offers nearly everything you would expect from a flagship phone in 2021, but at a much lower price point than phones like Samsung's Galaxy S21.The Realme GT 5G features a 6.43-inch FHD+ AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate and a 360Hz touch sampling rate. It is powered by Qualcomm's 5nm Snapdragon 888 processor, paired with up to 12GB of LPDDR5 RAM and 256GB of UFS 3.1 storage.In the camera department, the Realme GT 5G has a 64MP Sony IMX682 primary sensor, an 8MP ultra-wide lens, and a 2MP macro lens. For selfies, the phone has a 16MP ...

The Redmi Note 10 Pro Max is Xiaomi's most affordable smartphone yet with a 108MP camera.What you need to knowXiaomi's Redmi Note 10 series is now official.The lineup includes three models: Redmi Note 10, Redmi Note 10 Pro, and Redmi Note 10 Pro Max. All three phones come with AMOLED screens and support 33W fast charging.Xiaomi's Redmi sub-brand today unveiled its latest Note series phones at a virtual event in India. The new Redmi Note 10 series are significant upgrades over their predecessors in numerous areas and come with an "all-new" design.The Redmi Note 10 sports a 6.43-inch AMOLED display with FHD+ resolution and a hole-punch cutout for the 13MP selfie camera. It is powered by Qualcomm's Snapdragon 678 processor, paired with 6GB of RAM and 128GB of storage. Around the back of the Redmi Note 10 is a quad-camera setup featuring a 48MP primary sensor, an 8MP ultra-wide lens, 2MP macro lens, and 2MP depth sensor. The phone also packs a large 5,000mAh battery with 33W ...

Brave just pulled a fast one on Google Search.What you need to knowBrave announces that it's purchased the Tailcat search engine and is integrating it into its web browser.The new Brave Search engine is focused on privacy and does not track or profile users.Brave browser is available for both mobile and desktop and Brave Search will be available for testing soon.The Brave web browser has set out to become one of the best Chrome for desktop alternatives, and this latest move puts it in a pretty good position. Brave announced in a blog post on Wednesday that it has acquired the open-source search engine, Tailcat, and is integrating it into its privacy-focused web browser.For those not familiar with Brave, it's an open-source web browser made using the Chromium source code. Because of this, it looks and feels like Google Chrome in many ways, although without many of its bells and whistles, while also claiming to be more battery efficient. The main difference, though, is that...

The upcoming Wear OS Galaxy Watch has an elegant codename.What you need to knowSamsung has been rumored to ditch Tizen for Wear OS in its next Galaxy Watch.The upcoming watch has supposedly been spotted in the source code for the Galaxy S20.The code hints at least some of the connectivity options for the rumored smartwatch.Rumors of Samsung replacing Tizen with Wear OS for its next Galaxy Watch certainly came out of nowhere. For years, the company had been pretty adamant about proving that it didn't need to rely on Google for everything. Samsung made the switch from Google's software to its own Tizen-based OS back in 2014 and hasn't looked back... until now, it seems.A developer known as ivan_meler spoke to XDA Developers about what he believes is code that references Samsung's upcoming Wear OS Galaxy Watch. It was discovered in source code for the Samsung Galaxy S20 Exynos version, and references the device which is reportedly known internally as "Merlot":Elsewhere in ...

Nest Hub displays finally have a useful clock face.What you need to knowGoogle has rolled out a few new clock faces for its Nest Hub smart displays.Two of the clocks are simple analog faces with light and dark themes.The third clock face is a visual new weather experience that changes from day to night and depending on the weather.The Google Nest Hub and Google Nest Hub Max are some of the best smart displays around as Google continues adding new features and functionalities. The latest features come in the form of three new clock faces for its Nest Hub displays. They aren't really "features," per se, but they're still interesting nonetheless, especially since one of the new clock faces does have some neat functionality.9to5Google spotted the new clock faces, two of which are the same but with a light and dark version that actually look quite nice. It's also been noted that these originally appeared on the Lenovo Smart Clock and appear to have been reworked a little for G...

Every user has a different set of priorities and if you don't want to spend a fortune on your Wear OS device, then you may find yourself interested in the best cheap Android watches. Luckily, there are numerous quality options available at lower price points. One of the most affordable yet feature-packed Android smartwatches you'll find is the TicWatch S2, which is all about rugged durability. There's plenty more where that came from.Best Overall: TicWatch S2The TicWatch S2 isn't for the faint of heart. This smartwatch was designed with the active individual in mind. Whether you're the outdoorsy type or a certified gym fiend, you'll be glad to have this level of strength on your wrist. The large 1.39-inch display is crisp and easy to read. It's not only waterproof but it was also built with military-grade durability, so you know it's tough. You won't have trouble keeping track of your stats, either. The combination of Google Fit and TicMotion will help you stay motivated with e...

PSVR is far from dead.While gamers are eagerly anticipating the release of PSVR 2 sometime in the future, Sony is hoping to quench your thirst for new PSVR games this year with a smattering of announcements. A total of six new games have been announced — only two of which we knew about previously — and these, combined with previous announcements from Sony, are proving that 2021 is going to be a busy year for PSVR. Some of these games will even work with the best PSVR accessories llike the PS Aim controller, which is always a thrill to use.While all of these games are, of course, PlayStation 4 games, they will work perfectly on the PS5 so long as you've gotten that PSVR adapter for PS5. Each game will look and play better on PS5, thanks to a higher framerate, higher resolution rendering, and better-looking in-game models and textures.Doom 3: VR EditionDoom 3 needs no introduction. As the most horror-like game in the entire decades-long series, Doom 3 holds a special pl...

The first Android 12 update is arriving today to squash some bugs.What you need to knowGoogle has released the first update for Android 12 Developer Preview 1.Version 1.1 brings several bug fixes to address crashes, reboots, and battery drain.As usual, a word of caution to those interested in flashing the developer preview to their phones, as the software is largely unfinished.The first Android 12 Developer Preview was released a few weeks ago, giving developers and enthusiasts an idea of what to expect for the next major version of the OS. Of course, because it's still a work-in-progress, it can turn even the most basic of tasks a bit of a chore due to random reboots, crashes, and more. Fortunately, those who have Android 12 flashed to their devices are being treated to the first update, which should address some of those problems.This new update for the developer preview brings it to version 1.1 and Google's release notes highlight nine fixes that are present in the...

New technology will attempt to merge anonymity and user interests to make our web browsing more private.Every time we browse the internet on even the best Android phone or any other device, we're being tracked by advertising companies, including the biggest of them all: Google. The good news is that Google plans to stop selling interest-based ads that rely on individual user-tracking across the web as part of its Privacy Sandbox program, and it and plans to begin testing as early as Q2 of 2021. As the biggest digital-advertiser, Google has the responsibility to make the industry better.Google is the world's largest digital advertising company and in 2020, over 50% of global ad sales were made through the company, so the stakes are high. Google seems to be optimistic about how it can shift not only how it supplies interest-based ads but is confident that this could trigger a major shift across the industry as a whole.To be clear, the only way to offer ads based on your inte...

Big Red may charge an arm and a leg for its service, but the best Android phones on its network don't all have to be unattainably expensive. Whether you're after the top-of-the-line Galaxy S21 Ultra or you'd rather save some money and pick up something like the Moto G Power, there are plenty of great options for one of the nation's top-rated carriers. Here are our top picks when it comes to the best Verizon phones on the market right now.Best overallSamsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5GStaff PickThe Galaxy S21 Ultra is Samsung's ultimate mobile experience, cramming powerful specs and a 6.8-inch 120Hz display into a modern design. It also has an enormously capable camera system that features a 108MP main sensor and up to 100X zoom, plus 8K video capture. You get a massive 5000mAh battery and 5G support, and the S21 Ultra even supports the S Pen stylus.From $39.99/mo at VerizonBest compact phoneGoogle Pixel 5If you value clean software and timely updates above all else,...

Your Fitbit tracker will still work, so you can go on that run.Update, Mar 3 (3:15 pm ET): Fitbit servers should be back onlineWhat you need to knowUsers have been reporting that the Fitbit app is not syncing their metrics.Fitbit has confirmed that the app is experiencing technical issues, but the problem has been identified and a fix is on the way.The app has reportedly been down since early morning March 3rd.Fitbit users, you're not alone. If you've noticed that the app has been acting funny lately then it's not just you ― Fitbit's services are down right now. Users have been reporting problems since early morning on March 3rd, with difficulties signing in or syncing metrics to Fitbits servers. This comes just a couple of days after the Fitbit web dashboard was down, with users complaining about sign-in problems then, too.As noted by 9to5Google, the problem seems to affect historical data, sleep metrics, and food logging. Fitbit is apparently aware of the situation ...

Microsoft's work with Google on improving foldable phones is starting to pay off.What you need to knowMicrosoft has announced support for foldable phones in Flutter.The new implementations make it easy for app developers to accommodate dual or folding displays.Google and Microsoft have been working together on bringing Surface Duo features into Android.Foldable phones like the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 2 are no doubt an impressive step forward for smartphones, but there are still plenty of things to iron out before they can become more mainstream. Aside from the price, which is often staggering, full app compatibility is still lacking, whether it's on the best foldable phone or dual-screen devices like the Microsoft Surface Duo. Fortunately, Microsoft has been working with Google on improving the dual-screen experience, which will benefit not only its own foldable but future devices as well like the rumored Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3. Today the companies are announcing the first s...

Chromebooks are built light, lithe, and long-lasting, but as more Chromebooks shed USB-A and card-reading ports for future-proof, multi-functional USB-C ports, users are faced with a choice. You can try to upgrade all your peripherals to USB-C, or you can get a USB-C hub and keep using your USB-A keyboard and ripping photos off your camera's SD cards. Many USB-C hubs also support HDMI monitors, Ethernet, and Power Delivery charging, too, so no matter your needs, there's a great USB-C hub out there for you!Best Gets BetterAUKEY Link PD Pro USB-C HubStaff pickThis is another refinement of our previous favorite USB-C hub, the Aukey Link PD, but this model adds an Ethernet port yet is somehow more affordable. You also get 3 USB-A ports, 100W USB-C pass-through charging, 4K HDMI, SD, and microSD card slots.$38 at AmazonPocket-Friendly PowerhouseUni USB-C Hub$34 at Amazon (6-in-1) $40 at Amazon (8-in-1) This credit-card sized hub allows you to swap out the host cab...

The Sennheiser Momentum true wireless earbuds 2 compete with the best of them in the wireless earbuds market. Today you can get a pair of your own for just $249.95 at Amazon in both black and white. This is a $50 price drop and a match for the lowest we've seen the Momentum 2.0 go. You can also find this price at Best Buy in both available colors. It's a great deal that is sure not to last long. Previous deals only lasted for a couple of days at most.If you're looking for good sound in your earbuds in addition to all the convenience of the true wireless experience, then look no further. The Sennheiser Momentum 2 have some of the best sound around, and that's why they're a bit more expensive than the average set. Not only are you paying for Sennheiser's ability to make great audio, but you're also getting some killer features like active noise-canceling.The earbuds use 7mm dynamic drivers to deliver exceptional clarity and powerful sound. You'll also have complete control right at...

Best answer: Yes, while the heart of the Amazon Echo Show 10 (3rd Gen) is the screen that moves with you, that screen is positioned on a motorized stand that props it up and serves as the base on which it pivots.What is the Amazon Echo Show 10 (3rd Gen)?The Amazon Echo Show 10 (3rd Gen) is the latest version of the Amazon Echo Show smart display that offers a literal twist to the equation: the 10.1-inch HD screen combines with the 13MP camera so that it can pan and zoom, following you around the room.Why would this be useful? You will always remain in frame if you're moving around a room while on a video call — and if you're watching a TV show, movie, or recipe video, you can multitask while always being able to see the screen. It has a 110-degree field-of-view and auto-framing technology to make sure that whether you're running to the oven to check on the pie while the next steps of a recipe video are playing or walking over to get the TV remote while on a video call, you ...

The latest Netflix feature is focused on making you laugh.What you need to knowNetflix is rolling out a new TikTok-style feature called Fast Laughs.Viewers will have access to a continuous collection of funny clips from a variety of comedy shows, movies, and more.Fast Laughs is rolling out to iOS users first and will reach Android users at a later date.Let's just chalk this up as the latest app to adopt a TikTok or Snapchat-style video reel. Netflix, already one of the best streaming platforms, has decided to borrow TikTok's defining function and roll it into its own app under a different name. First reported back in November, Fast Laughs gives viewers quick access to funny clips from some of the best Netflix originals like Big Mouth, Murder Mysteries, and even some stand-up shows.We've been working in the kitchen ALL DAY to bring you our new Fast Laughs feature, now are you going to eat it or not? pic.twitter.com/pW7NrRkmTN— Netflix Is A Joke (@NetflixIsAJoke) March 3,...

Go face-first into Hell.What you need to knowDoom 3: VR Edition is coming to PSVR.The game features Doom 3 and both expansions: Resurrection of Evil and The Lost Mission.It's set to be available on March 29, 2021.As part of today's PSVR Spotlight from Sony, several new PSVR games are being announced and the first one up is Doom 3: VR Edition. This special port of id Software's Doom 3 includes the Resurrection of Evil and The Lost Mission expansions, while everything has been retooled specifically to work in PSVR.You can check out the announcement trailer below:Some of the new features include a wrist-mounted health display, as well as an instant 180-degree turn to quickly recover from ambushes. Doom 3: VR Edition is set to release on March 29, 2021.Microsoft is currently working to finalize its acquisition of ZeniMax Media, parent company of Bethesda Softworks and its family of studios, including id Software. As such, this could end up being one of the last Bethes...

Google's privacy-preserving APIs promise to deliver a secure browsing experience, while still providing results for advertisers.What you need to knowGoogle has confirmed that it won't be building alternate identifiers to track users after third-party cookies are phased out.Instead, the search giant will switch to privacy-preserving APIs that prevent individual tracking.Google says the use of third-party cookies for individual tracking has led to an erosion of trust among users.In January last year, Google announced that it would block third-party cookies in its Chrome web browser by 2022. The company is currently working on building alternative user-level identifiers that ensure the privacy of users isn't compromised. Google has now clarified that once thirdy-part cookies are phased out, it will not build alternate identifiers to track individual users.David Temkin, Director of Product Management, Ads Privacy and Trust, wrote in a blog post: Keeping the internet open ...

The update will also let you use Alexa to navigate Live TV channels and programs.What you need to knowAmazon is expanding support for more providers to Fire TV's live channel guide.It's also now integrating select apps including Plex, IMDB, and XUMO, into the guide.Finally, users will have a more robust Alexa-experience, including the ability to invoke news channels and programs by name. Amazon today announced an expansion of providers to Fire TV's Live Channel guide. It's adding more than 400 channels from 20 providers, including YouTube TV, SLING TV, Tubi, and its own services like Prime Video Channels and Prime Video Live events.The company also announced that it would be integrating IMDB, XUMO, Plex, and the Amazon News app into Fire TV's Live TV channel guide. This means you'll be able to see them in the Live tab, as well as the Universal Channel tab. All of these services but Plex are available now, but even that should be coming soon. Amazon notes that all these se...

Imagine waking up one day only to find out you're dead. You're not exactly sure how it happened, where it happened, if someone killed you, or you just died naturally. Either way, you're trapped in a space somewhere between Earth and some other ethereal realm. It looks a lot like the last place you recall visiting, Barclay Mansion, but everyone here is... gone? Vanished? A ghost? Maybe they're just a memory. A figment of your imagination.Regardless of what they are, you appear to be trapped here, wandering the halls in search of some answers — any clue to what's going on and why. Memories echo like footsteps in the halls, people you've met before take on a haunting new look, and everything seems to be connected to one single event that happened in the last few days of your mortal life. Will you survive long enough to capture the truth about your life, or will you be cast into Oblivion for all eternity? That is the quest in Wraith: The Oblivion - Afterlife, which is quickly looking...

This could've been amazing if it didn't make me want to throw it into the wall every time I tried working from it.I'd love to say there's been a lot of competition in the best Android tablets space, but really, Samsung's run the table for years. Lenovo has put out a number of Android tablets but they've all been mid-range or budget models. This year at CES, Lenovo broke that streak with the Lenovo P11 Pro, a premium tablet with great specs that Lenovo claims is a jack-of-all-trades tablet that you can use for work or play.With a nice big 2K screen, it's easy to see how well the P11 Pro will handle video, comics, and social media, but it's 2021 and we expect tablets to do more these days. In the age of working from home, distance learning, and constant device sharing in a busy home, we need tablets that can work hard and play harder, and while the P11 Pro can definitely play hard, working hard just isn't in the cards.At a glanceLenovo P11 Pro ...

The update has arrived two full months earlier than expected.What you need to knowSamsung has started rolling out the Android 11 update for its Galaxy Tab S6 series tablets.The update was originally expected to begin rolling out in May. It is currently rolling out only in Europe, but you can expect the update to become much more widely available in the coming weeks.Samsung's Galaxy Tab S6 series tablets have started receiving the stable Android 11-based One UI 3.1 update, two months earlier than expected. According to a report from SamMobile, the One UI 3.1 update for the Galaxy Tab S6 LTE variant arrives as version T865XXU4CUB7 and weighs about 2.2GB in size.The update brings a number of major changes, including a refreshed UI design, an improved Samsung keyboard with support for additional languages, auto switching with the Galaxy Buds Pro, and a few other improvements. The Galaxy Tab S6's One UI 3.1 update also brings the latest March 2021 Android security patch to one...

Best answer: No. PS5 games are not region-locked. So, you can play games on any PS5 no matter what.PlayStation 5 has no region locks (for games)Sony revealed several months before the PlayStation 5's release that PS5 games would not be region-locked. Region-locked games are only available to users living in a specific part of the world. If you attempt to play a region-locked game with an account or on a console that isn't associated with its region, it won't work. The regions are usually defined as the Americas (NTSC), Europe (PAL), and Asia. For example, if a PS2 game is region-locked to Asia and you attempt to play it on an American PS2 console, the game won't work.Sony's consoles, starting with the PS3, haven't had any official region locks, but it was still possible for developers to use them, though it was very rarely done. For example, the fighting game Persona 4: Arena, released on the PS3 and Xbox 360, was region-locked. According to US Publisher Atlus, this was done be...

There's no time like the present to boost your smart home, especially if you can do it at a low price. If you shop today at Woot you can save on a variety of Amazon smart home devices including Echo smart speakers, Fire TV devices, Ring cameras, and even Kindle e-readers. Some of the devices are offered brand new with others being used or refurbished, so be sure to check the cosmetic condition and warranty notes carefully. Regardless, you'll be saving a ton of cash on whatever you go for with prices from just $17.If you're after Alexa devices, there are a few deals worth looking at in today's sale including discontinued devices like the 1st-gen Echo Show and Echo Spot smart displays, as well as the 1st- and 2nd-gen Echo speakers, 1st-gen Echo Plus, and Echo Dot Kids Edition. With prices from just $25 for these, it's a great chance for you to add Alexa to more rooms in your home without paying full price for the latest models at Amazon.Your smart TV needs are covered in this sale,...

The recent slew of negative headlines has truly dampened the high note that Google ended 2020 on with Stadia.Comparing how I feel about Stadia right now to how I felt at the end of 2020 / beginning of 2021 is giving me a serious case of whiplash. In my Stadia 2021 review to kick off this year I explained how the cloud gaming service was "finally worth it" and that it was "starting to prove itself as a legitimate gaming platform." I felt really good about those statements at the time I wrote them.Stadia Status is our monthly recap of what's new and what's next for the Stadia platform. Let's dive in!Stadia Status February 2021 RecapIf Stadia wasn't on life support yet, we've got to assume it's getting dangerously close. Despite major success stories such as many of the best Stadia games releasing recently like the comparatively excellent version of Cyberpunk 2077, great ports of games like Hitman 3 and Madden NFL 21, and upcoming big releases like Outriders slated to launch o...

Chatting with the AC forums.Earlier this year, Samsung unveiled the much-anticipated update to its premium Galaxy S series of smartphones, including the small-ish Galaxy S21, the larger Galaxy S21+, and the massive Galaxy S21 Ultra. Any one of these devices can compete for the title of best Android phone in 2021, and each packs a long-lasting battery, gorgeous display, and capable cameras.One of the most interesting aspects about the S21 line was the design update, incorporating the camera housing into the side rails rather than featuring it as a "bump" on the back. Samsung also introduced several new colors under its Phantom pallete, including Phantom Violet, Phantom Silver, and Phantom Black. However, not every color is available for every model S21, and the color choices per model have left some consumers scratching their heads on which to choose. mesocyclone30 03-02-2021 08:30 PM “ Has anyon...

We've researched, tested, and reviewed dozens, if not hundreds of devices and have come up with the following list of what we consider the best Alexa devices. If you don't already have an Echo smart speaker, we recommend you pick up the Amazon Echo (4th Gen) to get started. It sounds great and comes in at a reasonable starting price. Of course, if you already have an Echo and want to see what else is available, well, we've got you covered there too.Best Amazon Alexa Smart Speaker: Amazon Echo (4th Gen)The original Amazon Echo that debuted in late 2014 gave us our first introduction to Alexa, and we've been hooked ever since. What started as a stark, black tube has evolved over three generations to a softer, gentler-looking Alexa vessel and has spawned an entire line of other Echo devices.This "regular" Echo (4th Gen) is the best of the series yet. It boasts an improved sound architecture over the first three generations, one that it borrowed from the more expensive Echo Studi...

The phone's 90Hz Super AMOLED display is claimed to have a peak brightness of 800 nits.What you need to knowSamsung's Galaxy A32 is now official in India.The phone comes with a 90Hz AMOLED display, MediaTek's Helio G80 chipset, and a 5000mAh battery. It has been priced at ₹21,999 ($302) in the country.Samsung today expanded its Galaxy A-series lineup in India with the launch of the Galaxy A32. The phone was quietly unveiled last week as the company's first Galaxy A-series model with a high-refresh-rate screen.The Galaxy A32 sports a 6.4-inch Infinity-U AMOLED display with FHD+ resolution and a 90Hz refresh rate. The phone is powered by MediaTek's gaming-focused Helio G80 processor, which has been coupled with 6GB of RAM and 128GB of storage.Around the back of the phone is a quad-camera setup with a 64MP primary sensor, an 8MP ultra-wide lens, a 5MP macro lens, and a 5MP depth sensor. The phone also includes a 20MP selfie camera, an in-display fingerprint sensor, NFC, ...

The first pre-release build I wouldn't advise against installing.I've never been one to use or recommend unfinished software on personal phones — at least, not since I stopped habitually rooting my phones back in college. But I've been using the Pixel 5 almost daily since the initial review period, and even after installing the first Android 12 developer preview build for hands-on coverage, I haven't wanted to put it down; if you ask me, it's one of the best Android phones around.Of course, I expected that sentiment to quickly change as I inevitably ran into dozens of show-stopping bugs that made my phone of choice nearly unusable — but to my surprise, that hasn't really happened yet. In fact, everything's been running so smoothly that I've forgotten at times that I'm even running pre-release software, though it isn't completely perfect just yet. Still, this may be the first time I'd feel confident encouraging enthusiasts to flash a preview build on their phones.You rea...

Over the past few years, Google has made a regular habit of updating its first-party Pixel phones with semi-regular "feature drops." These feature drops have included minor system updates along with major, life-saving features such as the ability to tell if you've been in a car crash and notify emergency contacts. Somewhere in the middle is Google's Smart Compose feature, which it has offered in certain apps like Gmail for quite some time now. In March 2021, it began rolling out to other services such as messaging apps. If you get annoyed and want to disable the Smart Compose feature on your Google Pixel phone, don't worry, you have recourse.Products used in this guideThe most affordable Pixel: Google Pixel 4aHow to disable Smart Compose on your Google Pixel keyboardOpen any app that you can type into, like Google Messages.Tap on the text entry field to pull up the keyboard.Tap on the Settings (gear) icon.This should take you to your Pixel's Gboard settings. Tap on Text...

If you're looking for a stellar robot vacuum deal ahead of spring cleaning season, Amazon is giving you a great opportunity to save today only. Over there, you can score a Roborock smart robot vacuum cleaner at a steep discount with as much as $220 off regular prices. The only catch is that the sale will end tonight or when sold out so you don't have long left to make the most of it.Keeping your home clean is a lot of work but, luckily, you can make the most of these deals right now to get a little bit of help. Roborock's smart robot vacuum cleaners were designed to give you a helping hand and make it easy to ensure your floors are always clean when you come home from work for the day.The Roborock S6 Pure, on sale for its best price of 2021, can be controlled using an app on your smartphone and uses smart LiDAR navigation to map your house, plan routes, and work on a schedule. As long as there are no barriers higher than two centimeters, it can cross over them, clean, and self-re...

After being stunned in the first-leg game in Seville, Ronald Koeman's FC Barcelona will hope that home-field advantage pays off in this Copa del Rey semi-final second leg clash. Don't miss a moment with our Barcelona vs Sevilla live stream guide.With some distance between them and Atlético Madrid at the top of La Liga and a disastrous 4-1 defeat against PSG in the Champions League round of 16 first leg, the Copa del Rey remains Barcelona's best chance at some silverware this season.The Blaugrana didn't set themselves up for success in the first leg, though, with a 2-0 defeat at Sevilla's Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán stadium.Goals from Jules Koundé and former Barça midfielder Ivan Rakitić secured the win, giving Los Nervionenses a strong advantage going into this second leg tie.Koeman's men will be buoyed by the fact that they have gone unbeaten in the league since the first leg meeting, including a 2-0 victory of their own over Sevilla ending a 6-game winning streak for Julen...

Getting your hands on a Google Pixel is generally more affordable than other flagship devices, and thanks to today's exclusive sale at Woot, the cost is dropping even lower for a short time. For just one day only, Woot has a selection of Google Pixel devices on sale with prices starting at just $69.99 — all of which are fully unlocked and compatible on GSM and CDMA networks.The Pixel devices on sale today at Woot are refurbished. Though these devices may not be brand new, they've each been tested and inspected to ensure they work exactly as they should. Plus, Woot includes a 90-day warranty with the purchase of any refurbished device.The newest Pixel device on sale at Woot today are the Pixel 4 and 4 XL models. These affordable refurbished Google Pixel devices start at just $249.99. Meanwhile, the popular Pixel 3a and Pixel 3a XL are now on sale starting at $129.99.For the most affordable Android phone deals in today's sale, check out the offers on Pixel 3 and Pixel 2 devices...

You'll have to update to the latest version of the Flipboard to access the new location feature.What you need to knowFlipboard's local coverage is now available in over 1,000 cities and towns in the U.S. and Canada.The latest version of the app will match your location with local stories such as COVID-19 news, weather forecasts, political updates, dining recommendations, and more. Flipboard says it will only use users' coarse location for showing relevant stories, and the data won't be stored on its servers.Popular news aggregator Flipboard has rolled out a new update for its Android and iOS apps, which makes it much easier to stay connected to what's happening around you. Flipboard's local coverage is expanding from 60 metro areas to over 1,000 cities, towns, and regions across the U.S. and Canada.Mike McCue, Flipboard CEO, said in a statement: The recent crisis in Texas has again shown the importance of local news, both to provide citizens with reliable information ...

Looking for a value-focused alternative to the Galaxy Buds Pro and AirPods Pro? You've found them.Samsung released the Galaxy Buds Pro earlier this year, and they quickly became the best wireless earbuds for their powerful noise isolation, stellar sound quality, and design that's comfortable for all-day use.With the Enco X, OPPO is looking to challenge Samsung's might in the premium segment. OPPO has a storied heritage in audio that extends back 15 years — the brand started out with Blu-ray players and audio products — and it has teamed up with Danish hi-fi manufacturer Dynaudio to tune the sound of the Enco X true wireless earbuds.The result is that the Enco X delivers exceptional sound quality that goes above and beyond other products in this particular segment. It also has powerful ANC and all the extras that you'd associate with premium options like the Buds Pro. Here's why you should consider the Enco X if you're in the market for a new pair of wireless earbuds in 2021...

Demand for virtual private networks has grown exponentially in recent times, particularly as people spend more time using the internet in their homes during lockdown. According to a recent report, the use of the best VPN services experienced an increase of 41% in March, and more than 30% of internet users are now accessing VPNs.For 72% of American and British VPN users, they have chosen to download free services and many of them are available on the Android operating system. A VPN app provides users with a private network and hides their IP address, allowing them to use the internet anonymously.By downloading an Android VPN app, you can encrypt your internet data to stay one step ahead of cybercriminals, unblock content that isn't available in your country, stop internet service providers from intentionally slowing down your connection, and download torrent files without revealing your identity.If you search for VPNs on the Google Play Store, you'll see that hundreds are availabl...

It's time to unite!The world of Pokémon is no stranger to spin-off games, as many have been released in the franchises 25 year history. With games like Pokémon GO already taking the world by storm, The Pokémon Company is ready to introduce a new contender into the ring form of Pokémon UNITE. Announced in mid-2020's Pokémon Direct, UNITE is a multiplayer strategy game that tasks players with using a variety of Pokémon to take down opponents and level up.Here's everything we know about Pokémon UNITE on Android.Jump to:What is Pokémon UNITE?What's gameplay likeWhich Pokémon are in it?Other platformsIs Pokémon UNITE cross-play? Is there a beta?When does it release?What is Pokémon UNITE?Pokémon UNITE is an upcoming strategic MOBA team battle game developed by both The Pokémon Company and Tencent Games TiMi Studios. Pokémon UNITE will have players facing off against one another in 5-on-5 team battles. During these battles, players will continue to co...

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...

There's more bad news for anyone waiting for a follow-up to last year's LG V60.What you need to knowA new report indicates that LG's next flagship, codename "Rainbow," is put on indefinite hold.The report claims that LG has halted all testing of its V60 successor, which was initially planned for a launch this month.LG has supposedly been searching for a buyer of its smartphone business, which has been losing money for nearly a decade.Fans of the LG V60 ThinQ 5G may be disappointed to know that the company has reportedly put its next flagship on indefinite hold. The smartphone, codename "Rainbow," was expected to launch early this year, but according to a report from Korean outlet Chosun (via Sleepy Kuma), LG has already stopped testing the device with carrier partners.The news comes amid rumors that LG has been considering an exit from the smartphone business and that it's looking for someone to buy its manufacturing facilities. At one point, it seemed as though LG was co...

Just as it did with its live-action version of Mulan last year, Disney has decided to release its latest animated feature film Raya and the Last Dragon via Disney Plus Premier Access and we have all the details on how you can stream it online.Raya and the Last Dragon is set in the fantasy world of Kumandra where humans and dragons once lived together in harmony. However, when sinister monsters known as the Druun threatened the land, the dragons sacrificed themselves to save humanity.Now 500 years later, the Druun have returned and it's up to the lone warrior Raya (voiced by Kelly Marie Tran) to track down the last living dragon and defeat them once and for all. On her journey, Raya will learn that it takes more than dragon magic to save the world and she'll be joined on her quest by a con baby named Nori, a warrior named Tong, a young entrepreneur named Boun and her pet Tuk Tuk. In the end, Raya will have to face off against her nemesis and the princess of the Fang Land Namaari....

The movie is a short but gripping tale about the OPPO Find X3 Pro and its capabilities.What you need to knowPromotional videos have leaked of the OPPO Find X3 Pro.The first video is a sci-fi "film" focused on the capabilities of the upcoming smartphone.The second video is all about the design, particularly the camera hump.The OPPO Find X3 Pro may have a weird-looking camera hump, but the latest leak from Evan Blass really put it on display and makes the phone look like something straight out of a sci-fi film. In fact, putting its new flagship in a sci-fi film is exactly what OPPO did. The two leaked videos are apparently promotions for the upcoming successor to last year's OPPO Find X2 Pro, with some impressive visuals that'll make even the biggest Samsung fan look twice.The first is a gripping tale of a space crew tracking and collecting colorful meteorites on an unknown planet. Throughout the video, several features of the OPPO Find X3 Pro are named, such as the dyn...

Google Play Books celebrates National Read Across America Day.What you need to knowGoogle Play Books is launching new reading tools for kids.The new tools can read full books aloud or just selected words to help kids learn.These tools are launching as part of National Read Across America Day.Last year, Google added a Kids tab to the Play Store, with a collection of kid-friendly, teacher-approved apps for your kids to download. We even have a guide to show you how to create a Google account for your kid through Family Link. This year, Google Play Books is launching new tools aimed at helping children learn to read their favorite books. These new features are rolling out as part of National Read Across America Day as an interactive way for young kids to build their reading skills and can be experienced on some of the best tablets for kids.The first new feature is Read & Listen, which narrates the pages for your child with highlighted words to follow along, almost like...

The Echo Show 10 (3rd Gen) is Amazon's most advanced Echo Show device yet. It can perform all of the entertainment and smart home functions of previous Echos and do so even better thanks to a larger display, better cameras, and improved speakers. Perhaps its most interesting features, like video chatting and home security monitoring, are enabled by its microphone and enhanced camera. As useful as those features are, there might be times when you don't want Alexa listening or watching what's going on in your home. If you're interested in some additional privacy, we'll show you how easy it is to disable the microphone and camera on your Echo Show 10 (3rd Gen).Products used in this guideHear no evil, see no evil: Amazon Echo Show 10 ($250 at Amazon)How to disable the microphone on the Amazon Echo Show 10 (3rd Gen)As with all of the best Alexa speakers dating back to the original Amazon Echo, the Echo Show 10 (3rd Gen) has a physical mute switch that kills the microphone's conn...