Latest from Android Central

With all the packages we receive these days, it makes total sense to equip your front door with a smart doorbell. They used to be an expensive luxury but video doorbells are actually pretty cheap these days, especially with sales like this one at Woot offering a Ring Video Doorbell 2 for just $69.99.Woot is offering the smart home device in used condition at half the usual cost of a refurb model and $120 off the device's full cost for a brand new model. Each unit has been tested to ensure they are in full working order, though the used devices may exhibit some cosmetic blemishes. There's also a 90-day Woot warranty included with your purchase in case of any issues.With the Ring Video Doorbell 2, you can see, hear, and speak to visitors at your door by using an app on your phone, tablet, or computer. It's equipped with a camera that records in 1080p HD with infrared night vision so you can see what's going on outside your home no matter what time of day it is, and it's all accessi...

You probably made your big tech purchases during Black Friday and Cyber Monday when the biggest savings were available but did you stock up on essential accessories? If that slipped your mind while you were perusing sales on flagship products then Anker is giving you a chance to fix that.It is hosting a one-day sale at Amazon featuring a bunch of popular Anker charging accessories discounted by up to 40% there while supplies last. The sale offers a varied mix of products including wall chargers, power banks, car chargers, cables, wireless chargers, and more.If you've got a Qi-enabled phone (which is likely if you bought your phone in the last five years), you ought to upgrade to a wireless charger. Thankfully Anker's sale makes it super affordable to do with the PowerWave Stand down to just $19.79 today. The 10W charging stand can power up phones from Apple, Samsung, LG, Google, and more with fast wireless charging available for compatible devices. Today's price is a 40% discount...

The Premier League action continues today as the top two sides in the division face off against each other at Anfield. Don't miss a moment with our Liverpool vs Tottenham live stream guide.The two teams come into today's game with an equal record in the league having both won seven, drawn four, and lost one. Tottenham currently hold the top spot on goal difference alone.In their last outings, both sides only managed a 1-1 draw with Liverpool failing to beat newly-promoted Fulham and Tottenham struggling away at London rivals Crystal Palace.Outside of the Premier League, Liverpool have also successfully progressed from their Champions League group after finishing top of Group D. That has earned them a round of 16 clash with RB Leipzig.Similarly, Spurs won their Europa League group to make it through to the knockout rounds. Jose Mourinho's men will face Austrian side Wolfsberg in the round of 32 in February.Today's game could prove crucial in this year's Premier League title ...

A small remote, an easy-to-use interface, and wonderfully low pricing made the Chromecast with Google TV the easiest part of my holiday shopping.Christmas shopping in the Wagoner household is a lot of guesswork and questioning. After all, we're all adults who are self-sufficient: if we need something, we just buy it ourselves. Finding something someone wants for Christmas is a rare feat, and instead, I'm focusing this year on getting smaller gifts that are useful — or will be used up, like the shower bombs my little sister likes.My parents are notoriously difficult to shop for, as their house is full of stuff and they have little need for any more. However, my parents have been transitioning from watching old-fashioned over-the-air television to watching more streaming services over the last several years. This year, it's time to upgrade their streaming TV experience with a Chromecast with Google TV.I've been a Chromecast user since day one: I literally drove across town an...

The feature is currently available only in the U.S.What you need to knowAmazon's Alexa voice assistant has gained a useful new feature.Amazon Echo owners can share their shopping needs with contacts using Alexa.Once you share a shopping list, the voice assistant will send it as a message to the receiver's Alexa account.Amazon has quietly rolled out a new feature to its Alexa voice assistant, allowing users to easily share their shopping needs with their contacts. The new feature will only be available in the U.S., at least initially.To share your shopping list with someone in your contacts, all you have to do is say, "Alexa, send my shopping list to ." Alexa will then identify the contact and send the list as a message directly to the receiver's Alexa account. In addition to the Alexa app on your phone, you can share your shopping list with friends and family through compatible Amazon Echo devices as well.Once a shopping list is shared, the recipient will get a notifica...

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

Chromebook lovers are a different breed from your normal laptop lover. We don't need super high-powered battery packs like power-hungry Macs and gaming laptops, and since many Chromebooks are fanless, they don't need risers and cooling pads, either. So if that special someone on your list already has all the essential Chromebook accessories, here are a few outside-the-box gift suggestions for elevating their Chromebook experience.Stylish and super-usefulSenseAGE 3-in-1 Reusable Microfiber Screen Cleaning ClothStaff pickKeep your screen clean and your mouse effective with this multi-function microfiber cloth. The bottom is anti-slip so the mat won't slide around as you use it as a mousepad or when covering your keyboard.$10 at AmazonShow your colors!Waterproof Vinyl Sticker PackChromebook lids may be shiny and sleek, but they're kind of lacking in style. That's where stickers come in handy: make the Chromebook your own with some fitting quotes or colorful designs....

HarmonyOS 2.0 is Huawei's first homegrown OS designed to work with smartphones.What you need to knowThe HarmonyOS 2.0 Developer Beta is the first time developers outside the company will have access to Huawei's replacement for Android.The beta is currently only supported on a handful of Huawei-made smartphones.The company plans on launching HarmonyOS-powered smartphones sometime next year.Huawei's long journey toward independence from Google may finally be coming to an end, reports XDA Developers, as the company today officially launched its Developer Beta for HarmonyOS 2.0, the variant of its homegrown OS that's designed for smartphones. In light of its legal troubles, and its inability to access crucial Google services, the company hopes to eventually move its smartphone lineup to HarmonyOS and its own HMS services ecosystem.Today marks a crucial milestone in those plans, as the Developer Beta will be the first time that developers outside of the company's own labs can ...

Unable to stream music on Spotify in Europe? You're not the only one.What you need to knowSpotify is currently inaccessible in most parts of Europe.Users are unable to stream music or access playlists, or are being logged out of their accounts. We're yet to get an official statement from Spotify. Spotify is facing an outage that is predominantly affecting users in Europe. According to DownDetector, the service is inaccessible in the region right now. Users have been logged out of their accounts and are unable to log back in, and those that still have an active session are unable to stream music.The Spotify Status Twitter account has confirmed the outage, and is investigating the issue right now:We're aware of some issues right now and are checking them out! We'll keep you posted.— Spotify Status (@SpotifyStatus) December 16, 2020For what it's worth, I'm able to use the service just fine here in India, so for now it looks like the issue is limited to Europe. Runnin...

Samsung's flagship phablet is here to stay, it seems.What you need to knowA new report from South Korea dispels rumors about the impending demise of Samsung's Note series.It cites an unnamed Samsung official.Previous reports had suggested that Samsung plans on killing the Note series to focus on its lineup of foldable phones.Rumors of Samsung's Galaxy Note series' demise may have been exaggerated, as a new report out of South Korea citing an unnamed senior Samsung official claims that while Samsung will be porting over some of the best features of the Note series to its other flagship offerings, the company still plans to continue selling its beloved phablet to consumers.The report from Yonhap News Agency quotes an unnamed Samsung official as saying, "We are preparing to release the Galaxy Note series next year."Rumors about Samsung ditching the Note series to focus on its foldable phones began making the rounds after an earlier report from Korea suggested that Samsung ...

The OnePlus 8T 5G will be on sale in India at just ₹40,999 on December 17.What you need to knowOnePlus is holding its 7th Anniversary Sale in India from December 17.The brand is offering attractive discounts on its entire product line as part of the sale, along with other benefits.It is also rolling out Red Cable Life at an introductory price of ₹999.OnePlus will be celebrating the seventh anniversary of its founding on December 17. To mark the occasion, the brand has announced the OnePlus 7th Anniversary sale for customers in India.As part of its 7th Anniversary sale, customers will be able to avail the following offers on OnePlus.in and the OnePlus Store app:Customers can avail up to INR 2000 instant discount with HDFC Bank card transactions and Easy EMI options, and up to 10% cashback on select American Express® Card transactions on purchasing OnePlus smartphones on OnePlus.in, OnePlus Store app and Amazon.inCustomers buying OnePlus smartphones on the OnePlus ...

Plex is a local streaming service that lets you stream content from your media library to all devices in your home. While the service itself is free to use, there's a Plex Pass tier that brings a host of exciting features, including the ability to download shows to your phone or tablet for offline viewing, recording live TV broadcasts, shared libraries, and so much more.Plex Pass is usually $4.99 a month, $39.99 annually, and the lifetime pass costs $120. But right now, there's a 20% off on the lifetime subscription using promo code SEEYA2020 that brings it down to $96. But you can use an easy workaround where you change the country in the credit card payment window to Brazil to bring the cost down to BRL399, which is just $78. The deal itself is valid only until 11:59am PT on December 18, so sign up now at Plex to unlock the $42 savings on the lifetime Plex Pass subscription.Don't miss outPlex Pass | $42 off at Plex$70 at PlexUse the promo code **SEEYA2020 ** and change th...

Plex is the best local media streaming solution around, and Plex Pass turbocharges the service.If you have a lot of locally-stored media and want to stream it to various connected devices in your home, you'll need a local streaming client like Plex. All you need to do is install Plex Media Server on the device where your media collection is housed. Ideally, that should be a home server like a NAS — I've rounded up the best NAS for Plex, so if you don't already have a storage enclosure, you can look through the list to get started.Plex itself is free to use and straightforward to set up, but there's a paid tier called Plex Pass that unlocks a host of added features. Plex Pass costs $4.99 a month, $39.99 yearly, or you can pick up a lifetime subscription by shelling out $120. So let's take a look at what Plex Pass has to offer, and whether it makes sense for you to switch to the paid tier.Plex Pass is worth it just for mobile syncThis single feature alone is enough to justify...

Samsung is finally fixing the biggest issue with its Exynos chipsets in 2021.Samsung's flagships are often the best Android phones, but the South Korean manufacturer is unique in the way it releases phones. Samsung's dual-sourcing strategy means that a select few markets like North America and Korea feature flagships powered by Qualcomm's Snapdragon chipsets, with most other countries getting Exynos chipsets instead.Samsung used this strategy to great effect over the last six years, and it doesn't look like that's set to change in 2021. The U.S. version of the Galaxy S21 series will be powered by Qualcomm's latest Snapdragon 888 chipset, with the global versions set to feature the upcoming Exynos 2100.The reason Samsung doesn't use Exynos chipsets globally is down to carrier compatibility. Qualcomm makes the best cellular modems in the industry, and for the 4G era, Samsung didn't really have a recourse but to use Qualcomm's designs in the U.S. to ensure compatibility with the l...

The lower-tier Google One plans remain unchanged.What you need to knowGoogle is offering half-off on its most expensive storage plans.The price changes will also be in effect for current subscribers on those plans.This comes after Google's controversial announcement regarding storage policy changes.A year after launching its Google One subscription service, Google stopped offering unlimited original-quality photo backups to Pixel owners. Then the company announced in November that as of June of 2021, new photos and videos uploaded to Google Photos will count towards the free 15GB of cloud storage that Google offers. The policy changes were apparently due to the growing demand for cloud storage, which is understandable. But many couldn't help but consider the move being aimed at driving users to purchase more storage through Google One.Now Google is hoping to get back into the good graces of its highest-paying customers by slashing the prices of its most expensive Google O...

Amazon Luna is shaping up to be a serious contender.What you need to knowAmazon Luna has now been released for Android.The game streaming service was launched in September with support for several different devices including iPhone, Mac, PC, and Fire TV.It is still in early access, so those interested will have to request access to the service.When Amazon Luna's cloud gaming service launched in September, it looked like a promising contender to Google Stadia. At launch it offered access to over 100 games, compared to Google Stadia's meager 25, and while the latter's library has grown since launch, only a handful of titles are actually free with the Pro subscription, and the list keeps changing. Amazon Luna's library of games is free for Luna+ subscribers, and now it's coming to an Android device near you.Similar to how Amazon Luna gets around the Apple Store rules by making Luna accessible via Safari, the same is also true with Android, albeit via Google Chrome. The servi...

Just a few months after the full-sized GTS 2 launched, Amazfit made it much cheaper with (mostly) the same features.What you need to knowThe Amazfit GTS 2 Mini is available now for $99.99.It has a 1.55" AMOLED screen, SpO2 and heart rate measurement, built-in GPS and Alexa voice commands, 5 ATM water resistance, and sleep tracking.Compared to the GTS 2, it has a smaller display and shorter battery life, but also some new software additions like a Pomodoro calendar and phone camera controls.In my Amazfit GTS 2 review, I had plenty of positives to say about the watch, but personally preferred the GTR 2 for its larger AMOLED display during my runs. That hasn't changed, but many people favor a smaller and lighter watch, either because it weighs less or for the daintier look. For that crowd, Amazfit's newest watch may be an even better (Amaz)fit.The GTS 2 Mini lives up to its name. Ignoring its smaller size, it has the same sensors for heart rate and blood oxygen saturation mo...

Google's Blob Opera is another of Google's creative AI experiments.What you need to knowGoogle has launched another creative AI experiment, Blob Opera.Blob Opera uses ML to create festive opera-inspired sounds for you.Google recorded hours of sound from four opera singers to create this tool.Want to make your own Christmas song? You can do so with yet another of Google's creative AI offerings. Known as Blob Opera, it's a machine learning-powered tool that can transform your ideas into opera inspired sounds.Here's how it looks in action.Google's Arts and Culture team explainedhttps://blog.google/outreach-initiatives/arts-culture/create-festive-song-blob-opera/: This experiment pays tribute to and explores the original musical instrument: the voice. We developed a machine learning model trained on the voices of four opera singers in order to create an engaging experiment for everyone, regardless of musical skills. [...] The resulting experiment allows you to play ...

Deals on Apple iPhone devices and Samsung Galaxy phones are everywhere, but it's a bit more difficult to find a great deal on a OnePlus device. There are plenty of current OnePlus models to choose from, and whether you want a OnePlus 8, or a OnePlus 7 Pro, or one of the more affordable OnePlus 7T devices is the first big question you'll need to answer for yourself.Best OnePlus Deals Available NowOnePlus 8 devices: get one for freeOnePlus 7 devices: starting at $350Which to buy?OnePlus 8 Pro | $799 at AmazonAmazon is offering $200 off the cost of the OnePlus 8 Pro today, though only the Ultramarine Blue model is still available at this low price. These phones have Amazon Alexa built-in and feature 12GB RAM as well as 256GB storage.$799 at AmazonAll of the deals below vary in nature, so while some allow you to buy the unlocked phone with a single purchase today, others require a monthly payment plan; these plans are attached to carriers which usually require you...

When looking for the best kid's headphones, there are a special set of criteria. First, they need to be smaller to fit a child's head. They also need to include simplified controls, be comfortable, and crucially, include built-in volume-limiting technology to ensure that a child can't crank the volume up beyond levels that are considered to be safe for little ears. Luckily, these headphones are more affordable than ever. Some limit audio to as low as 75 decibels, which is safe for even toddlers. Other alternatives, like the Noot Products K11 are foldable for easy travel, while others still boast further clever tricks to make them kid-friendly, like cute designs and durable build quality. And these days, you can even find wireless Bluetooth headphones for kids.Best Overall: Noot Products K11 Foldable On-Ear HeadsetThese headphones will fit all children ages 3 and up. Their foldable design makes them ideal for chucking in school bags for storing in hand luggage and even for compa...

I'm not crying, you're crying.What you need to knowSamsung just released a video on YouTube, thanking fans for their support.The video mentions Samsung working on a new mobile processor to restore consumer trust in its Exynos flagships.Performance of Samsung Exynos chips has been under increased scrutiny this year.Fans of Samsung's Galaxy smartphones have not been too kind to the company this year. Samsung has often been maligned by consumers for its continued use of the in-house Exynos processors that it includes with the global variants of its smartphones, calling its chips "inferior" to the Qualcomm-powered counterparts sold in the United States. This has likely been the driving force behind the company putting in all the stops its upcoming Samsung Exynos 2100. Today, as Samsung prepares to launch said chipset, the company released a Disney's Up-style teaser video, thanking fans for their continued patience and support.It's an adorable video, showcasing how Samsung...

Rebecca, Jen, and Carli are here with the winners and announcements from The Game Awards 2020. They also begin to process their thoughts on the absurdity of Cyberpunk 2077.Hosted by: Jennifer Locke, Carli Velocci, and Rebecca SpearGot feedback? Hit up Podcast@androidcentral.com and tell us something!LISTEN NOW:LINKS:Here are the winners from the Game Awards 2020 | Windows CentralHere are the all of the big announcements from The Game Awards 2020 | Windows CentralCyberpunk 2077 is pretty rough on Xbox One and PS4 base consoles | Windows CentralCyberpunk 2077 crashing issues and how to fix them | Windows CentralCyberpunk 2077 is already profitable, paid for itself with digital pre-orders | Windows Central...

Silky smooth gameplay has arrived.What you need to knowA brand new update to Fortnite on next-gen consoles includes support for 120 FPS mode.The new 120 FPS mode is only available on displays with 120Hz refresh rates. 120 FPS mode turns down some of the other settings on Fortnite to allow for consistent 120 FPS. It's been quite a busy month for the world of Fortnite, as the game has recently received a massive update, a new map, and the inclusion of several iconic video game characters to its ranks. However, thanks to a new update, Fortnite will now officially support 120 FPS gameplay for those who can support it.Fortnite has already been given a massive update for next-gen console support, but a brand new update available now includes support for 120 FPS mode, allowing players with the proper set up the ability to play the game with 120 frames per second, making it the latest next-generation title to include support for 120 FPS.The next time players jump into Fortnite ...

Google's Pixel smartphones are some of the best Android devices ever released, but if you're hoping to get your hands on one of these stellar devices at a discount, you should first take a look at the latest Google Pixel 4a models. After a series of delays over the course of the year, the Pixel 4a is finally available for purchase — and we're collecting all the best Google Pixel 4a deals right here. This model takes the best features of the Google Pixel 4 and places them in a more affordable package.Unlike previous Pixel devices, there is no XL model of the Google Pixel 4a. However, its 5.81-inch OLED display is more than suitable for browsing the web, watching videos, playing mobile games, and more. The Pixel 4a is also equipped with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 730 processor, 6GB LPDDR4x RAM, 128GB non-expandable storage, and a 3140mAh battery. Plus, it's fitted with a 12.2MP dual-pixel rear camera and an 8MP front-facing camera featuring an 84-degree field-of-view. All in all, even t...

If you paid for something in full you still might not be allowed to repair it if it becomes broken. The right to repair movement wants to change that.Everything we own will one day stop working the way we want it to work. That goes for our cars, our appliances, our computers, and our phones, too. But you probably didn't know that some of the repairs that may be needed aren't lawful for you to do if you live in the United States; that's right — anything with its own firmware onboard is covered under the DMCA and is subject to copyright law. The right to repair movement wants to try and fix this. Software powers everything now, so almost everything is covered under the DMCA.This goes deeper than you think it does, too. The phone you just bought might have an in-screen fingerprint reader because that's become a thing. What that means is that there is software involved with replacing the display and the whole mess is covered under the DCMA. The same goes for something like you...

Hell for the holidays.What you need to knowDiablo 4 was first announced at BlizzCon 2019.Blizzard Entertainment shared quarterly updates throughout 2020.The December 2020 update details what to expect from item tiers and weapon types.Diablo 4 does not currently have a release window.Diablo 4 is still in early development in many respects, with the developers at Blizzard Entertainment giving in-depth quarterly updates throughout 2020, including details on the UI design, storytelling and skill trees. The December 2020 update is here and is focused on items, stats and weapon types.Weapon types are meant to feel distinct, with one-handed weapons allowing fast attacks, as opposed to slower two-handed weapons dealing huge amounts of damage. This is a choice that every class will have to consider, with a Sorceress picking between a slower, more powerful stave or a quicker wand.The team believes in color-coding tiers, so that if for example you see a glowing yellow item on the...

The LG G7 wasn't the most exciting phone released in 2018, but it had a lot going for it — the display looks fantastic, the sound is ridiculously good, the wide-angle camera is impressive, and the whole thing is packaged in a slick all-glass body. That's where a case comes in real handy, and the best LG G7 cases will prevent your phone from being smashed up by an accidental drop.Basically the bestSpigen Rugged ArmorStaff PickSpigen's Rugged Armor case is about as good as it gets for a single-layer case. It adds barely any bulk to the phone itself while improving the in-hand comfort with a matte finish featuring carbon fiber accents at the top and bottom. Thin enough to allow wireless charging yet rugged enough to protect against nasty drops, this case is a minimalist workhorse that looks great in all black.$13 at AmazonBest protectorSUPCASE Unicorn Beetle ProFeaturing a dual-layer design that combines a rigid polycarbonate shell with a flexible bumper, the...

If you missed out on getting a PS5 from Best Buy earlier, here's your second chance of the day.What you need to knowWalmart will have the PS5 in-stock starting at 3pm ET / 12pm PT.Sales of the PS5 will be online-only, you cannot purchase one in-store.Walmart told The Verge that shipments will arrive after December 25, so don't expect to get yours in time for the holiday.PS5 restock seems to be the theme of the day. After Best Buy quickly sold out of the PS5 this morning, it looks like Walmart has stock going live at 3pm ET / 12pm PT. The company made it clear that should you purchase a console today, you will not receive it in time for Christmas. Any PS5 available for shipping will arrive after December 25th.Next-genPlayStation 5$499 at Walmart$399 at Walmart (Digital Edition)Get it fast while it's in-stockFollowing shortly after Best Buy stocked up on the PS5, Walmart will have more in-stock at 3pm ET. Have your wallet ready because as we've seen before, the...

Cyberpunk 2077's first bug-fixing update.Update, December 15, 2020 (1:30 pm CT): The 1.04 hotfix update is now available for Google Stadia as well, after a few days' delay.Update, December 12, 2020 (1 pm CT): The 1.04 hotfix update is now available for Xbox consoles as well, after a day's delay.What you need to knowCyberpunk 2077 has launched to critical acclaim, but it universally suffers from a myriad of bugs and issues.To respond to these problems, CD Projekt RED is releasing the first of presumably many bug fixing patches.The 1.04 update is rolling out now to PC and Playstation consoles, with lots of bug fixes in tow.The update is also coming to Xbox platforms, but it'll take a little bit longer to arrive there.Cyberpunk 2077 is officially out, but it's not without its fair share of known issues and bugs, which have caused a lot of headaches with potential players. Issues are particularly bad on consoles, with base Xbox Ones and PS4s struggling mightily with CD Pro...

It's basically official at this point.What you need to knowEvan Blass posts an image of the first official press photo of the Samsung Galaxy S21.The photo shows a design almost identical to leaked CAD renders.The Galaxy S21 is expected to launch next month with the new Snapdragon 888 and Exynos 2100.It wouldn't be the run-up to a launch if we didn't get a ton of leaks ahead of it. We're barely less than a month from the launch of the Galaxy S21 series smartphones and Samsung's flagship has been leaked in an official press photo. Courtesy of tipster Evan Blass, the Voice exclusive shows a phone that should look familiar to anyone who has already seen the plethora of CAD renders that have stormed the internet over the past couple of months.As expected, the Galaxy S21 looks to feature a flat display with a center punch-hole for the selfie camera. The bezels are quite small and nearly uniform, with what looks like an ever-so-slightly larger chin at the bottom. If it wasn't ...

Not everyone can get their hands on Cyberpunk 2077 at launch, and even if you do, you might not be able to play it. Large groups of people are willing to wait for the next-gen patch to come out for new consoles before playing this highly anticipated game. With all the issues currently plaguing consoles and even players on PC, it's completely understandable. If you're one of these people, there are some great sci-fi games to pay while you wait.Awake From The VaultFallout 76Staff PickFallout 76 isn't the same game it first was at launch. With the continued support and fantastic content updates, this title is well worth putting time into. This isn't a cyberpunk game, but it's an open-world RPG — just in a post-apocalyptic sci-fi setting instead.$25 at Amazon$40 at Best Buy$14 at WalmartProtect The MetroMetro: Exodus$30 at Amazon$20 at Best Buy$45 at WalmartMetro Exodus is the third entry into the Metro franchise, semi-open world games that pi...

A longer warranty and increased confidence for the Elite Strap.What you need to knowThe Oculus Quest 2 is the latest in mainstream standalone VR technology from Facebook.The headset offers a fantastic VR experience for everyday people, with a lot of solid accessories to accompany it.However, the Elite Strap accessory saw issues early on with snapping, leading Facebook to cease shipments momentarily.After an investigation, sales have resumed, with Facebook increasing the warranty for the Elite Strap to two years.The Oculus Quest 2 is the go-to pick for anyone looking to purchase a fantastic all-around VR headset, and there are quite a few solid accessories that compliment the experience. However, the Elite Strap accessory for the Oculus Quest 2 suffered early on from reports of snapping and degraded build quality, leading to Facebook ceasing sales and shipments of the Elite Strap. Now, sales are finally resuming for Elite Strap accessory for the Oculus Quest 2. A Facebook s...

The best Android smartwatches are priced perfectly right now.Smartwatches have come a long way in the last six years, but there's also one thing that's still absolutely undeniable: Samsung makes the best Android Smartwatches on the market. From the just-released Galaxy Watch 3 with its twisting bezel and premium materials to the smaller, sleeker, and generally more sensible Watch Active and Watch Active 2, Samsung's slate of Galaxy Watches in 2020 is top-notch. They're all on sale right now if you've been looking for a reason to grab one for yourself — or for your family members, since Christmas is right around the corner.A Galaxy on your wristUp to 26% off Samsung Galaxy WatchesFrom $140 at AmazonNeed a Christmas gift that will keep on giving? Look no further.Samsung's watches have always had style and superior built quality, but they often have prices to match that quality. Thankfully, this sale will let you grab the watch you need at a price that fits your budget. ...

Source: StackCommerceThere are many times in life when it would be useful to have a charger or stand for your phone. Rather than filling your pockets, you can simply take the WonderCube Pro. This 8-in-1 accessory is now only $32.95 with coupon code WONDER7.Described as, "A seriously versatile keychain accessory" by CNET, the WonderCube Pro packs eight functions into a one-inch cube.Hidden within the cube are fold-out Apple Lightning, Type C, and MicroUSB connectors. This means you always have a means to charge your phone or sync data.If you own an Android device, you can use WonderCube Pro as an OTG USB drive. The cube has a microSD card reader that supports up to 128GB — ideal for carrying around media or backing up your photos.You can also use the cube as a stand for videos or Zoom calls, and it even works as an LED light.It normally sells for $70, but you can get the WonderCube Pro today for just $32.95 with code WONDER7. WonderCube Pro: All-In-One Mobile Keyri...

Put on your thinking hat with these strategy games for Android.We're rounding up some of our favorite strategy games on Android for the deep thinkers out there. These are more than just simple puzzles games — these require careful planning and forethought to emerge victoriously. You'll find some great replay value in games like these as well since the same strategy won't always work twice.Strategy gamers, pop on your thinking caps and get downloading these outstanding Android games. And if you're looking for our favorite games in other genres, we have those, too.The gamesTropicoMindustryThe Escapists 2: Pocket BreakoutHoledown Civilization Revolution 2The Battle for PolytopiaXCOM: Enemy WithinMushroom Wars 2Fire Emblem: HeroesPandemic: The Board GameVaingloryHearthstoneGwentLegends of RuneterraStar CommandBad NorthROME: Total WarBloons TD 6Card ThiefHello NeighborChess by AI Factory LimitedHeroes of FlatlandiaTropicoRunning a whole country...

There's no 5G, but still a great option for keeping costs low.What you need to knowQualcomm has just launched the Snapdragon 678.The chipset features a meager spec bump over its predecessor, the Snapdragon 675.The new chipset should offer both a faster CPU and GPU with a focus on entertainment.Qualcomm's 600-series chips are starting to become more relevant in a time where price sensitivity is key. While many of the top smartphones this year features 800 as well as 700-series chips, Qualcomm has been focused on putting more focus on its lower-cost offerings. Some of the best cheap Android smartphones this year ran 600-series chips. The Snapdragon 690, for example, was the first in its range to bring 5G, something that Qualcomm hopes it can continue to bring to lower and lower costs. Until that happens, Qualcomm just added a new member to its mid-range family — the Snapdragon 678.The new chipset is a follow-up to the Snapdragon 675, which was launched two years ago, so i...

Just what else lies in wait?What you need to knowCapcom has shared some new Resident Evil Village screenshots with IGN.One of these screenshots showcases a very Krampus-looking foe.Resident Evil Village is scheduled to release sometime in 2021.Resident Evil Village is Capcom's next big entry in the iconic horror franchise and while we still don't have a release date, small teases and updates are being sent out. Capcom shared some new screenshots with IGN today, including one featuring a vaguely Krampus-like enemy, though he's missing the iconic horns.You can take a look at all three new screenshots below (tap or click to enlarge).We've already seen the werewolf-like beastmen that apparently make up a major threat in Resident Evil Village but it's nice to get another shot all the same."We're really excited for fans to experience Resident Evil Village when it comes out in 2021. We feel it's an accumulation of all the best elements of Resident Evil games from the past ...

See and hear threats more clearlyArlo Pro 3$156 at AmazonPros2K video resolutionWider lens FOV and motion FOVSupports sound detectionRemoveable battery for faster rechargeHigh-quality image sensorConsShorter battery lifeMore expensiveHigher resolution requires more bandwidthThe Arlo Pro 3 is built to capture a wider range of higher-quality footage, plus alert you to concerning sounds while the Arlo Essential leaves you unaware. The higher price makes it less appealing to buy in quantity, and you'll likely also want to buy a backup battery, but you'll likely feel safer with it guarding your home.6 months of battery lifeArlo Essential$100 at AmazonProsLonger battery lifeMore affordable priceFull-color night visionSame AI and storage capabilitiesConsOnly 1080p resolution and smaller FOVNo sound detectionIntegrated battery makes recharges more arduousAnyone hoping to build a network of affordable Arlo cameras should strongly cons...

Messenger Kids recently received a design refresh to make it closer to mainstream Facebook.What you need to knowFacebook Messenger Kids is getting a couple of new features for Christmas.There's a new Santa experience where parents can text their kids under the guise of Santa.The company is also adding new filters for seasonal holidays including Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, and Christmas. It's Christmas time, and tech companies are adapting their products in recognition of the holiday season. Google recently rolled out its Santa tracker and changes to Assistant, and Facebook Messenger Kids is getting its own updates to match.Sure you can track Santa with Google, but with Messenger you can actually text Santa.The Facebook team explained: Messenger Kids is opening a direct line to the North Pole by way of you, the parent! Parents can once again opt-in to message their kids as Santa and kids will be able to message back. To kick off the conversation, parents can ask kids "What ar...

Surface Duo users can now take full advantage of TikTok across both displays.TikTok has released a new update that features support for Microsoft's dual-screen Android device, the Surface Duo. Now, when the app is spanned across Surface Duo's 5.6-inch displays, the app will correctly adjust to showcase as much content as possible.Now, when TikTok is spanned, the app will put different video categories and search queries on the left screen, and the main TikTok feed on the right. This allows you to scour TikTok for your favorite clips all while remaining on the TikTok "For You" page at the same time.Interestingly, Microsoft was a contender in the TikTok acquisition saga earlier this year, but a deal between the two companies fell through at the last minute. I'm sure TikTok updating with support for Surface Duo is just a coincidence, but I figured that was worth a mention.TikTok is just one of few third party apps on Android to correctly support the Surface Duo's unique form fac...

Google is giving your Memories more life with these new features.What you need to knowGoogle Photos is rolling out new features that highlight your memories.The new features include a cinematic effect for photos as well as updated collages.Memories will now group your photos based on more themes, such as sunsets or activities.Many people are unable to travel this holiday season, so Google has been focused on bringing tons of new features to its devices and services. And while 2020 may not be the year to reflect warmly on, that's more of a reason to think back to the good old days when families far and wide could gather. Google Photos already offers a vast amount of features over its closest alternatives, and today, Google Photos is bringing even more features that highlight your Memories and moments with people or places that may be out of reach this year.The first of these features to come to Memories is cinematic photos. 3D images have become a bit of a trend, and Goo...

Whether you use Google Play, Chromebooks, or Gmail, all these wonderful services start with — and require — a Google Account. Whether you're setting up a professional account to help job offers or finally want to offload one of your kiddies to their own account when they outgrow the Family Link profiles, setting up a Google account is simple and quick. Here's how to do set up a Google account on whichever device you have handy.How to set up a Google Account on your Android phoneOpen the Settings app.Scroll down and tap on Google.Tap Add account.Tap Google.Tap Create account.Tap For myself if it's a personal account, or To manage my business if it's a professional account.Type in the name associated with the account. While you do not have to use your real name, if this will be your main account, using your real name is recommended.Tap Next.Enter the birthdate associated with the account. Google requires all account users to be at least 13 years old and some c...

Apps are great — here's how to download them.Your phone is what you make of it, and one of the simplest ways to customize and add new goodies to it is by downloading apps. Even if you have the best Android phone ever, it won't do much without the right applications. There's a metric ton of apps available for your Android handset, and installing new ones is a fairly simple process. Today, we're going to walk you through this step-by-step to ensure you know exactly how to find and download the latest apps to your device.When you find yourself itching to try a new app, you'll want to head to the Google Play Store. This is the official way to discover and download Android apps, and the process for installing a new one is about as simple as it could be.Open the Google Play Store on your phone.Find the app you want to download.Tap the Install button.How to discover new appsIt's easy to download an app when you know exactly what you're looking for, but what about those t...

Gone are the days when having a phone meant signing up for a costly plan with one of the four (or now three) major carriers. These days, there are plenty of other options — and some of those options are proving to be more innovative and better value than the major options anyway. That's exactly the case for the Ryan Reynolds-owned Mint Mobile, which has been changing the game for some time.Not convinced? There are a ton of ways in which Mint Mobile is changing things. Here's how.Direct-to-Consumer means huge savingsMint Mobile was the first online-only wireless brand, and the result is that it's so far ahead of the competition in offering a streamlined, online approach to wireless service.You might notice that you've probably never seen a Mint Mobile store. That's because Mint Mobile sells its service directly to customers. The result of that is that the company can seriously cut down on how much it has to spend to keep the company running -- and that means that it can pass s...

At this point, Bluetooth wireless headphones have become ubiquitous, coming in a variety of styles and feature sets to support great sound. There are a lot of great options, and chief among them are the Sony WH-1000XM4 at the top of our best wireless headphones. Their sound quality is great, they have industry-leading active noise cancelation (ANC), long battery life, and fit comfortably well for long-term use.Best Overall: Sony WH-1000XM4There aren't many flaws to point out with the WH-1000XM4, and its place at the top of this list isn't surprising since its predecessor, the WH-1000XM3, was in the same spot before. One of the biggest reasons why is the ANC performance, which gets an upgrade here courtesy of Sony's QN1 processor and a dual noise sensor that do the work of blocking out the background. Commuting on a bus, train, or plane won't be a problem while wearing these. Sony's pedigree in this area shows itself with true wireless earbuds, too.Sony chose not to change any...

Some comments on what to expect moving forward.What you need to knowCD Projekt Red held an emergency investor call focused on Cyberpunk 2077.During the call, CD Projekt Red business development SVP Michal Nowakowski explained that the focus hadn't been on the Xbox One or PS4 versions of the game.Additionally, the company clarified that it does not have a special refund agreement with Microsoft or Sony.Since the release of Cyberpunk 2077, the game has been mired in many technical issues like crashes or bugs, particularly for any players on the last-generation consoles, the Xbox One or PS4. CD Projekt Red held an emergency investor call today, giving some further insight into what exactly is going on.CD Projekt Red business development SVP Michal Nowakowski explained that the company had mainly focused on how the game was running on PC, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S and PS5 versions."It is more about us looking – as was previously stated – at the PC and next-gen perfor...

Google is experimenting with a new way of work.What you need to knowGoogle has no plans to require all its employees to return to offices anytime soon.Instead, it will continue its flexible work model that started as a result of the pandemic.It now expects employees to return to offices starting from September 2021.Like other tech companies around the world, Google transitioned into a work from home model after the seriousness of the coronavirus pandemic became clear.As the pandemic moves into its final stages with the introduction of vaccines, the company is also revising its estimates for when workers would be able to return to work.Now, Sundar Pichai expects staff to be able to return from September 2021 (via the New York Times). But a return to the office doesn't mean a return to pre-2020 work models, Google wants to test a new hybrid work model where workers don't have to be in the office all the time. Rather, they can work from home most of the time with the excep...

Samsung's 10th year of Galaxy flagships is something to behold.Samsung always kicks off the new year with its Galaxy S devices. These serve as a showcase of the very best that the company has to offer, and in 2019, we were treated to a total of three new devices with the Galaxy S10, S10+, and S10e.These are no longer phones that we're regularly talking about and recommending, but they do stand out as very important (and excellent) entries in Samsung's history.No matter what brings you here, here's everything you need to know about the Samsung Galaxy S10 in 2020!The latestSamsung Galaxy S20$800 at Amazon$800 at Best BuyA powerful and worthy S10 successorThe Galaxy S10 had a fantastic run, but if you're in the market for Samsung's latest and greatest Galaxy S offering, that title now belongs to the Galaxy S20. With a 120Hz AMOLED display, even faster performance, and long battery life, the S20 has a lot going for it.Samsung Galaxy S10:Price and availabilit...

The software that turns janky old Windows machines into Chrome OS is now officially part of Google.What you need to knowGoogle has purchased Neverware, the makers of the Windows to Chrome OS conversion service CloudReady.Google eventually intends to add CloudReady to its collection of Chrome OS offerings for subscribers. Commercial and education users will eventually be able to use the Google Admin console rather than a secondary Neverware Admin Console.No changes are planned for the free Home version of CloudReady at this time.If you have a clunky old computer that still works but is just slow as molasses on Windows 10, one of the better options for getting a few more years out of it has been to convert it to CloudReady, a version of Chromium OS — the open-source version of the Chrome OS Chromebooks run — that is designed to run very well on older machines. The makers of CloudReady, Neverware, have expanded and refined CloudReady over the years, adding an admin consol...

You don't have to look far to find some of the best PS4 prices and discounts from a variety of retailers. Sony's PlayStation continues to dominate the console scene, and even as Sony and its competitors gear up for a new generation of console, the PlayStation 4 shows no signs of slowing down. It still has some of the best games of the generation, including some exclusives you can't find anywhere else. If you haven't invested in the console yet, there has never been a better time.Best PlayStation Deals Available NowPlayStation 4: as low as $280PlayStation 4 Pro: down to $370PlayStation VR: from $350More Info: Pricing history, which to buy & moreNew and better deals get released much more often than you'd expect, especially with the holidays right around the corner. If you've already bought one of the consoles in the past, maybe today is the day you upgrade to a higher storage capacity or even jump up to the PlayStation 4 Pro.Our team has had an eye on the PlayStatio...