Latest from Android Central

If you're an avid runner, you probably already know what you're looking for in a pair of headphones. It wouldn't matter whether you're doing a long route in town, out in the country, or reaching a goal indoors. To listen to the music or podcasts that will break up the monotony, you need durable headphones — we're talking water and sweat resistance, plus a lightweight design that also happens to sound good. Whether you're a pro or just starting out running as part of your routine, check out our best headphones for runners.Flagship earbudsJaybird VistaStaff PickThe Jaybird Vista are at the top of this list for good reason. They have IPX7 water-resistance that all but ensures they'll be able to withstand regular sweaty runs and workouts, but they only get better when you factor in the audio quality and battery life. These are some of the best headphones for running because you can use the earbuds for up to six hours per charge, plus an additional 10 from the included chargin...

Costco has a GoPro Hero8 Black action camera bundle on sale for $269.99. That's a crazy price, but you will need a Costco login just to see the price and a membership to take advantage of it. Keep in mind that the Hero8 Black is on sale for the holidays, but most retailers like B&H have it for around $280. That means Costco's deal is actually $10 better than the Hero8 Black by itself even though it includes some very key essentials as well.We did share a different Hero8 Black bundle from Best Buy last week. That bundle is still on sale for $300. It includes a couple of different accessories including a head mount and Shorty, which works as both a tripod and extension pole. That's also a really good price and may be worth the extra $30 if you like those accessories better.Costco's bundle includes The Handler, which is a hand grip camera mount, a spare battery so you can hot swap and stay charged while in the field, and a 32GB microSD card. It also comes with a compact case for...

Chromebooks are the perfect computer for most people: they're easy to operate, all your data is backed up automatically, and set up is a breeze. Once you're set up with your new Chromebook, you're basically set up for life, but as we all know, migrating from one ecosystem to another is a big change, and there's a lot to do, but that's why we're here! We've already made the switch, and our experience can help make your own migration as easy as possible.Products used in this guideGreat Chromebook, better value: Lenovo Chromebook Flex 5 ($442 at Amazon)Store everything in the cloud: Storage for Google Drive/Photos/etc (From $2/month at Google)Sync up your old computer: Google Drive Backup and Sync (Free at Google)Move from Windows to Chrome OS:How to back up your filesUpload files to Drive in Google ChromeBack up with Google Drive Backup and SyncImport your bookmarks and browser historySetting up your ChromebookPin frequent apps to shelfAdd folder shortcuts in Files...

In this one way, it's been a great year.For most of my gaming life, there has been a steady drip of Star Wars games. I have spent more hours in the seats of TIE fighters and Podracers than I did my first car. I've spent countless weekends unleashing the Force and running with the Knights of the Old Republic. Through LEGO variants and Battlefront updates, wielding Wii remotes and arcade controls and all of my favorite controllers across my teenage and young adult years, Star Wars has been a part of my gaming experience.This year has been different, and not just because The Mandalorian is back. This year, Star Wars in gaming form has been cranked to 11, and the things that have made these titles great have almost nothing to do with the films.While technically released late in 2019, it all started with Star Wars: Jedi Fallen Order. EA Games delivered an incredible adventure in between the movies and featuring a Padawan we'd never met before in a story you'd only find familiar if...

Amazon promised the new Fire TV experience back in September.What you need to knowAmazon is now rolling out a new Fire Tv experience.With this update, content discovery should be easier for people using Fire TVs.Amazon is also adding support for user profiles.It's coming to the Fire TV and Fire TV Stick Lite over the coming weeks. Amazon is rolling out its all-new Fire TV experience to the Fire TV Stick and Fire TV Stick Lite, the company shared today.The new Fire TV interface is built to be a more personalized content discovery experience. The home screen has been redesigned to allow faster access to in-app content via a new Main Menu. Visible from this new Main Menu, Amazon has also added a new "Find" experience to the Fire TV. If you don't know what to watch, the new Find screen provides easily scrollable categories with recommendations offered across genres and content types.Finally, you can now have up to six User Profiles on the Fire TV. This way, different peopl...

Get ready for a mean, green, exciting show this year with NBC's Dr. Seuss Grinch Musical. Yes, if ever there was a year to celebrate the Grinch, it's 2020. Starring Glee's Matthew Morrison as the Grinch, a man who hates holidays and fun almost as much as Ebenezer Scrooge, this is a music event you won't want to miss.If you want to steal back Christmas this year, a great way to do it would be to watch this epic event on NBC. Staged at the Troubadour Theatre in London, the all-star cast will surely add some color (mostly green) to your holiday cheer. Obviously, Glee fans will love seeing Matthew Morrison as the Grinch, but we're also getting newcomer Amelia Minto co-starring as Cindy-Lou Who. Additionally, Descendants 3's Booboo Stewart will play a younger Max, along with Denis O'Hare.Unlike previous NBC musicals, this one will not be aired live due to COVID and a few other things. Instead, NBC's Dr Seuss' The Grinch Musical was filmed prior to air time. This broadcast, or specta...

There are a plethora of wireless security cameras on the market to choose from, and the task can be a bit daunting when you're looking for the best security camera for your home. Things get messier when you're trying to find a security camera with specific features, such as being wireless and including 2-way audio capabilities. Luckily, we've done the hard work and compiled a list of the best wireless security cameras with 2-way audio.Best of the bestArlo Pro 3Staff PickThe Arlo Pro 3 is arguably one of the best wireless security systems available today. Although the price may drive some away, the pros far outweigh the cons, especially with the ability to record 2K HDR video, along with an integrated spotlight and "color" night vision. Plus, the Pro 3 includes a free Arlo Smart trial, which adds even more abilities to this impressive security camera system.$355 at Amazon$500 at Best BuyIndoor or outdoorLogitech Circle 2It's no secret that Logitech has its hands i...

Looks like the Galaxy A52 will only be an iterative upgrade over the A51.What you need to knowThe first renders of Samsung's upcoming Galaxy A52 5G have surfaced.The renders reveal a familiar design with a centered hole-punch cutout and a rectangular camera bump.Just like the Galaxy A51 5G, the upcoming mid-ranger is tipped to have a 6.5-inch display.The Galaxy A51 5G may not be the best Android phone Samsung released this year, but it is among the more popular mid-range 5G phones currently available. A successor to the popular Galaxy phone is soon expected to debut alongside other 2021 Galaxy A series phones like the Galaxy A32 5G. While the key specs of the upcoming phone still remain a mystery, reliable leaker @OnLeaks has now posted the first high-quality renders of the Galaxy A52 5G. The leaked renders suggest the Galaxy A52 5G will look nearly identical to its predecessor. It will have a flat Infinity-O display with a centered hole-punch cutout and a rectangula...

For just $20 per month for unlimited calls and texts and $10 per gigabyte of data (and any data past 6GB is free), Google Fi is one of the most compelling carriers around. Factor in its excellent global roaming, nationwide coverage, and billing feature that credits back whatever data you don't use, and you have an even more appealing purchase. Fi works with almost any unlocked phone, but certain features, like intelligent network switching, only phones "designed for Fi," like the ones below. The Google Pixel 5 is our top recommendation for the network because of its complete feature support, but if that doesn't fit your needs, here is a collection of the best phones for Google Fi.Best Overall Phone for Google Fi: Google Pixel 5When it comes to phones that work with Google Fi, the best overall option is the Google Pixel 5. Not only is the Pixel 5 an exciting phone on its own, but it was also built with Fi in mind to provide the best possible experience when used on the network. ...

Chatting with the AC forums.About a week ago, Samsung started rolling out the One UI 3.0 update to its Galaxy S20 series. One 3.0 is chock-full of new software features, including things from Android 11 and a few Samsung-exclusive additions.Big updates like this do take some time to fully roll out to everyone, but now that it's been a few days since the rollout first began, we wanted to check-in with the AC forums and see how people are reacting to the update.Here's what some folks had to say: Adam Frix 12-05-2020 08:42 AM “ Just got it. (Didn't feel a need to post a huge screen shot of it downloading....) The first thing I noticed was that they fixed something I'd been unhappy about for a long time now: the status bar at the top is now using BLACK text/icons over my light colored wallpaper. Now I can see everything without having to swipe down. The old white-only status bar stuff annoye...

The Great Christmas Light Fight is returning for its eighth season as part of Freeform's "25 Days of Christmas" and we have all the details on how you can watch new episodes of the show on TV or online.The holiday competition first premiered on ABC back in December of 2013 and has continued every year since. While past seasons of The Great Christmas Light Fight aired on Mondays, new episodes from season eight of the show will air every Wednesday in December leading up to Christmas.This holiday season, we'll once again see four families face off in each one-hour episode for a chance to win $50,000. Each family's Christmas display is judged based on three categories: use of lights, overall design and Christmas spirit. Unlike other reality shows where contestants compete at the same time, each display is featured individually first and judges will review the display and its specific details. Once all contestants' displays have been reviewed, a winner is chosen and the judges return ...

This was only ever going to be amazing.When I got my first PC as a Christmas present, I needed to learn every possible thing I could about it. I took it apart, put it back together, and spent an unhealthy amount of time crawling through the file system. I knew everything about that machine. When the power supply failed and my parents gave it to my uncle to fix, I spoiled a birthday present because I found CD-ROM drivers that weren't there when it left.This level of obsession is where I was at in life when I found Myst on sale at local shop. I didn't have a lot of games, but it looked so pretty and the box said it was all about puzzles so I was extremely ready for this experience.I have played Myst more times than I have bothered to count. I own it on PC, PlayStation, Nintendo Switch, and I keep it in my pocket thanks to the release for Android. As much as I love the other games in this series, I always find myself coming back to this little puzzle island when I want to relax. A...

Need help redeeming codes on PS5? Look no further. As we move into an increasingly digital age, it's more and more common to give gift cards and digital games. This is especially true with the PS5 Digital Edition, which can't play physical media at all. If you're wondering where to redeem those 12-digit codes, you'll just need to visit the PlayStation Store online. It's a simple process once you know what to do.PS5 GuidesHow to transfer games and save dataHow to attach the PS5 baseHow to set up parental controlsHow to connect to Wi-FiHow to increase download speedsHow to manage multiple accountsHow to set up 2FAHow to update your PS5 system softwareHow to use Game HelpHow to enable 4K/8K resolutionHow to factory reset your PS5How to redeem gift cards and codes on PS5From the PS5 home screen, scroll left of the PlayStation Store.On the top row, scroll all the way to the right and select the overflow menu denoted by ellipses.Select Redeem Code.Enter the 12...

Though we saw some Fitibit deals over Black Friday, none of the offers compare to the current sale on the Fitbit Sense. Over at Amazon, the recently-released smartwatch is $70 off in graphite or gold coloways, dropping its price to a new low at just $259.95. The sale there is a match for a one-day sale going on at Best Buy, so we expect the price to rise tonight at Amazon too.Since the new Fitbit Sense smartwatch only came out in late September of this year, discounts have been few so far and the best price before today was a $50 discount during the Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales. Today's deal beats those offers, though you only have today to make the most of it.The Fitbit Sense is equipped with a few features you won't find on previous Fitbit watches or fitness trackers, with the main new addition being the EDA Scan app. This feature detects electrodermal activity which will give you insights into your body's response to stress. There's a built-in skin temperature sensor th...

The UK government is reportedly planning to issue an injunction against Facebooks' plans of enabling end-to-end encryption across its platforms.What you need to knowA new report says the UK government has not ordered Facebook to provide 'backdoor access' to encrypted messages on WhatsApp.However, it plans to prevent Facebook from implementing end-to-end encryption on its other services. Facebook could still use a weaker form of encryption for its other services.The UK government has not ordered Facebook to provide its law enforcement agencies with 'backdoor access' to end-to-end encrypted messages on WhatsApp, according to a new report from Sky News.While the government could use a legal instrument know as a Technical Capability Notice (TCN) to force the company to provide a backdoor for law enforcement agencies, it decided against the move as "there isn't a reasonable method yet" to bypass the Signal encryption protocol that WhatsApp uses. A former civil servant told Sky...

Well, looks like today is the day you save a bunch on some Anker gear. Amazon's deals of the day feature a couple of prominent Anker products down to super low prices. You can save up to 42% on the price of some new earbuds in this Soundcore sale. The deals range in price from $24.99 to $99.99 and feature several different models of Soundcore earbuds. Whether you just need something inexpensive and outfitted with some great features like Bluetooth 5 or need some luxury benefits like USB-C and wireless charging, this sale has something for everyone.The $99.99 Soundcore Liberty 2 Pro have eight hours of playtime per earbud, and you can use the earbuds independently to extend that use. The charging case they come with adds another three full recharges before you ever need to plug into a wire to juice back up. With a quick charge of just 10 minutes inside the case you can get an extra two hours of playtime. Plus, the charging case can be recharged via USB-C or a Qi-compatible wireless ...

Only a few encoders are supported at the moment.What you need to knowYouTube is finally adding HDR support for livestreams.The company first introduced the feature for normal videos back in 2016.HDR, which stands for high dynamic range, allows for more vivid and color accurate visuals.HDR has been quite the buzz word in the tech world in recent years, with everything from the latest flagship smartphones to the biggest 4K TVs rushing to join the HDR bandwagon. While YouTube was one of the earliest movers in the space by bringing HDR support to its videos all the way back in 2016, it has dragged its feet with doing the same for livestreams.Well, no longer. The company this week announced HDR support for livestreams, offering its rich color fidelity for anything from a liquor-induced late-night rant to a livestream of you winning a chicken dinner in a friendly match of PUBG.YouTube's JR Futrell extolls the benefits of the addition as follows: HDR videos have higher con...

Who said brushing your teeth can't be fun?If you're a parent of younger children, you know that many evenings can be a struggle. Getting ready for bed is commonly a child's least favorite part of the day, and that's because it means it's the end of playtime. For my wife and I, having our son brush and floss his teeth was probably the biggest battle of any evening because there was simply no joy in it. Then Pokémon Smile came along.Pokémon Smile The basicsIt's likely you've never heard of Pokémon Smile. Even our family dentist hadn't heard about it, and that office is packed to the gills with all sorts of amazing gadgets that are designed to fix up teeth. This particular gadget is just a simple app that you can download on your phone via the Google Play Store or Apple App Store, making it a lot easier to have in your home.The basic gist of the experience goes something like this: your child picks from one of a handful of starter Pokémon to use throughout their adventur...

One of the best parts about Google Photos is the automatic face tagging feature, which makes it easy to quickly find photos of your friends without having to scroll aimlessly through years of backups. Up until recently, though, you could only label faces Google Photos had already detected. Now, you can add those face tags yourself, with a few caveats.Tagging faces is a great way to index your photos easily, but before, you needed to let Google do all of the work, with the only manual option being confirming automatic tags. Now, you can do the tagging yourself in just a few simple steps.Open the Google Photos app.From your Google Photos gallery, tap a photo with the face or faces you want to tag.Tap the three dots in the upper right corner, or just swipe up to access additional options.Under People, you'll either see faces Google has already identified or simply see "x faces available to add." Tap the pencil icon to edit these labels.Under Available to Add, tap a face you'd l...

The Eufy Security battery-powered 2K wireless video doorbell is down to $139.99 on Amazon today only. This one-day deal saves you $80 compared to its regular $220 price tag and drops the recently-released doorbell down to the lowest price we've ever seen for it making it a great pickup ahead of the holidays.This Eufy model is one of the best video doorbells around. It includes a built-in 2K Sony sensor along with a professional-grade lens so you can view all the activity through your doorbell in perfect clarity. The expanded field of view includes a 4:3 aspect ratio for a head-to-toe view of anyone approaching the door. You'll get just the right viewing angle every time.Even though it's battery-powered, it's also designed to conserve that power. One charge of the battery can last up to half a year, and you also have the option to use a wired connection for non-stop power if you prefer.Other features include activity zones, motion sensors, and smart human detection so you don't ...

A VPN, the Google way.Google One is one of the best deals going for keeping all of your documents, photos, and data securely stored in one place. Still, not everyone has the ability to guarantee that the network they access their data on is secure. For that, you need a good VPN (or virtual private network). Thankfully, subscribers to the 2TB plan of Google One have access to a VPN built-into the service. We'll show you where to locate this feature and how to set up a Google One VPN on your device.Ready to get started with using the Google One VPN? Here's how to do it!Open the Google One app.Navigate to the Home tab.Tap on Enable VPN.Tap on the toggle to turn on your Google One VPN.Tap on the Benefits tab to connect with Google advisers for tips and guidance on using your VPN and improving your account security.Once you have activated your Google One VPN, you can turn it on or off at any time from your phone's quick settings menu.Swipe down from the top of the scr...

Carl Pei plans to fully unveil his new venture sometime early next year.What you need to knowOnePlus co-founder Carl Pei, who left the company in October, has raised $7 million in seed financing for his new tech venture.The new "audio-related" company plans to launch its first products next year.It will be headquartered in London. In October this year, OnePlus co-founder Carl Pei decided to leave the company to start his own venture. Pei has now announced that he has successfully raised $7 million in seed financing from his friends and family for the new venture, which is set to be unveiled early next year.The lineup of seed investors in Pei's new venture includes iPod inventor Tony Fadell, YouTuber Casey Neistat, Twitch co-founder Kevin Lin, Reddit CEO Steve Huffman, PCH CEO Liam Casey, Web Summit founder Paddy Cosgrave, and Product Hunt CEO Josh Buckley.Carl Pei said in a statement: I am grateful and tremendously excited to have friends of this caliber supporting ...

The OnePlus 8 Pro is a great overall package, but there are plenty of alternatives with better cameras.When I reviewed the OnePlus 8 Pro six months ago, I called it the Android flagship to beat this year. The OnePlus 8 Pro introduced several firsts for OnePlus: it was the first phone from the manufacturer to offer wireless charging and came with IP68 water resistance as standard.But the phone wasn't without its share of issues at launch. The screen had green tint issues, the software had plenty of bugs, and the camera wasn't quite as good as other phones that shared the same sensor. OnePlus rolled out software updates to fix these issues a few weeks after the OnePlus 8 Pro went on sale, and the phone also picked up the stable OxygenOS 11 update based on Android 11 last month, becoming one of the first devices to do so.Another factor that affected the OnePlus 8 Pro at launch was exorbitant pricing in global markets. The phone debuted at ₹54,999 ($745) in India, but retailed fo...

The latest version of DiskStation Manager is now in beta, and there's a lot to like.Synology makes the best NAS enclosures you can buy today, and the brand's main differentiator is the software. DiskStation Manager (DSM) has powerful features that let you easily back up data, host your own mail, office, and VPN server, and so much more.DiskStation Manager 6.0 launched back in 2016, and while the software picked up a lot of updates in the last four years, the core features have remained unchanged for the most part. That's why it's exciting to see that Synology has released the first beta of DiskStation Manager 7.0. DSM 7.0 brings a ton of new features, including a unified photo management service, fresh user interface, better system monitoring tools, new sharing and collaboration features, and more.Here's everything you need to know about all the new features in DiskStation Manager 7.0, what NAS enclosures are eligible for the beta, and how you can install the beta on your NAS r...

The Galaxy S21 gets one step closer to launch.What you need to knowSamsung's upcoming Galaxy S21 has appeared in a new FCC listing.The listing confirms the U.S. variant will be powered by Qualcomm's Snapdragon 888 chipset.There is also mention of 9W reverse wireless charging support.Yesterday, the first Galaxy S21 promotional videos leaked online, confirming the official naming scheme. The Galaxy S21 has now been spotted on the FCC website with Qualcomm's Snapdragon 888 chipset and support for 25W wired charging. When Qualcomm introduced the Snapdragon 888 chipset last week, Samsung was notably missing from the list of manufacturers working on devices powered by the platform. However, the FCC listing makes it quite clear that Samsung isn't ready to ditch Qualcomm for its own Exynos chipsets yet.Just like Samsung's current best Android phones, it is likely that the Chinese and South Korean variants of the Galaxy S21 series phones will also use the flagship Qualcomm c...

Murder Hornets are surprisingly absent from the list.What you need to knowEvery year, Google releases its Year in Search results which show popular trends throughout the year.2020 results highlighted the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic as well as the U.S. presidential election.Top results include "Among Us", "Tiger King", and "Parasite".Every year for the past two decades, Google has featured a list of the top searches throughout each given year. It's a nice little way to celebrate, relive, and even cringe at some of those trends. According to Google, the lists are "based on search terms that had the highest spike as compared to the previous year". Back in 2001, for example, Nokia was the top trending consumer brand, followed by Sony and Palm. How times have changed.2020 is ending and while we may not want to relive it, taking a look at Google's Year in Search 2020 results can allow us to reflect on a troubling year and all the things that we've managed to overcome. Here...

Uighurs are among the most oppressed minority groups in China.What you need to knowA new report claims Huawei tested facial recognition software that was capable of identifying members of China's oppressed Uighur minority group.The AI-powered system could scan faces in a crowd and determine the age, sex, and ethnicity of each individual.When a member of the minority group was detected, the system could even trigger a "Uighur alarm." Chinese tech giant Huawei tested an AI-powered facial recognition system to send automated alerts whenever members of China's oppressed Uighur minority group were detected, according to a new report from The Washington Post.Research organization IPVM has discovered a document signed by Huawei representatives, which shows the company worked together with Chinese facial recognition startup Megvii to create the AI camera system in 2018. The system was capable of scanning faces in a crowd and estimate the ethnicity, age, and sex of each person. If...

Surfshark is one of the best VPN providers out there, and it's also one of the most affordable which is kind of wild. With a solid feature set, great customer service, and reliable performance, you'd normally expect the price to be pretty high but you can actually grab a Surfshark VPN subscription for just $2.49 per month.The service offers over 1,000 servers across 60+ different countries and your subscription can be used on an unlimited number of devices at once. That's something that most VPN providers don't allow you to do, so there's a lot to like with Surfshark.Today's best Surfshark VPN deals, pricing, and discounts Plan Length Discount Monthly Cost Total Price 1 Month 0% $12.95 $12.95 at Surshark 6 Months 50% $6.49 $38.94 at Surfshark 24 Months + 3 Months Free 81% $2.21 $59.76 at SurfsharkWhen looking at VPNs, security should always be your first concern and Surshark has you covered with AES-256-GCM encryption, IKEv2, private...

President Trump is set to exact his revenge on social media companies.What you need to knowThe U.S. Senate has just confirmed President Trump's pick will take a chair as the new FCC commissioner.Nathan Simington's appointment comes at a critical time during the aftermath of the presidential election, as both Trump and current FCC Chairman, Ajit Pai, prepare their exits. Simington is a supporter of Trump's plan to repeal Section 230 protections for social media companies.President Donald Trump is not a fan of social networks right now. Amid failing efforts to discount election results in several states, the president and supporters have been facing strong moderation on social media due to misinformation about election fraud. Now, with his FCC nominee's confirmation by the U.S. Senate, Trump is readying his attack.Republican nominee, Nathan Simington, won a majority vote to replace Commissioner Michael O'Reilly. The appointment draws controversy as it comes only a month bef...

Does it really matter if we stop getting charging adapters with our new phones?What you need to knowDocuments suggest that some regions may not have the charging adapter bundled with Samsung's Galaxy smartphones next year.Samsung has reportedly been mulling this decision since the summer.The move comes after Samsung teased Apple about not including the adapter with its iPhones this year.There's been a treasure trove of leaks on Samsung's upcoming Galaxy S21 lineup, including live images, concept renders, and more recently a leaked video promo. So far, most leaks have focused largely on the sexy design and curious new camera stove, while noting that these phones might be more important for Samsung's lineup than previously thought. But a new leak seems to confirm what we all feared might come to pass.On what seems to be just another Tuesday, Samsung is reportedly going to follow in Apple's footsteps and stop bundling the. Documents obtained from Brazil's National Telecommun...

Using one of the best free VPN services could end up bringing a lot of advantages to your daily work flow. Not everyone who uses a Virtual Private Network needs everything that a paid service offers, and often the free ones are enough to get by. We've compared the advantages between free VPNs vs. paid VPNs. If you're looking for the best VPN to use, we have you covered.As of right now, we have ProtonVPN as the best free VPN option in 2020, followed closely by Hotspot Shield Free. With ProtonVPN, you get unlimited bandwidth on a single device when using the free plan, and Hotspot Shield also offers a generous data allotment and rich feature set.Moving from a free VPN to a paid VPN will get you some feature enhancements, extra data allotments, and more. A VPN provider like Surfshark comes in at just $1.99 per month, which breaks down to just six cents per day. The feature set is strong, the apps are easy to use, and it provides great speeds. ExpressVPN is our top overall pick for VPN...

What you need to knowVerizon deployed its nationwide 5G network using DSS which shared spectrum from its LTE network.T-Mobile claims that since launching its nationwide 5G network, Verizon has the lowest median 5G speeds in the nation.T-Mobile's dedicated 5G spectrum and 'layer cake' deployment have allowed it to deploy 5G without impacted LTE performance with room to add more capacity.Mobile networks need plenty of spectrum to work and so far, 5G just hasn't had much available. At least, not as much as LTE currently has. While T-Mobile and AT&T have been able to deploy coverage on dedicated low-band spectrum, speeds haven't exactly been impressive compared to the more mature LTE networks. Still, according to T-Mobile CTO Neville Ray this approach allows T-Mobile to build a 5G network without disrupting speeds on LTE while delivering great speed and coverage.Verizon on the other hand is using DSS for all of its nationwide 5G network. This is separate from the Ultra Wide...

Another big week of new releases for StadiaWhat you need to knowDestroy All Humans! is out now on Google Stadia.Cyberpunk 2077 launches on Dec. 9th at 4PM PT for Stadia.SpongeBob, Valkyria Chronicles 4, and four more games all releasing this week.Last week was noteworthy for Google Stadia users with two new platform exclusives and a free-play week for Elder Scrolls Online, but now this week is even bigger. Long-awaited titles like Destroy All Humans! are finally here, legacy titles such as Watch Dogs and Watch Dogs 2 round out the list that's due to bolster the growing library of Stadia games nicely, and an assortment of surprise drops such as SpongeBob help top off the list.Oh, and a little old game called Cyberpunk 2077 hits Stadia on the exact same day as other platforms like PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC. It's nice to not have to wait weeks or months later for a game to come to Stadia for once.Here's the full rundown of what's new this week on Stadia:Valkyria Ch...

A TV is usually a major purchase for any entertainment setup, especially when you're looking for one that can display in 4K and HDR. The Chromecast is a great streaming device to get the content you love at the highest resolution and dynamic range, but you need a TV that supports the standards as well. The LG CX 4K Smart OLED TV is a beautiful screen that fits in everywhere, with great variances in size, and a feature set that is perfectly ideal as the best 4K TV for Chromecast.Best Overall: LG CX 4K Smart OLED TVLG's OLED TVs are a thing of beauty. They bring nearly perfect blacks and vivid colors with incredibly sharp images and crystal-clear motion. If you want a top-notch TV, look no further than the LG OLED. They come in sizes from 48-77 inches, and all come complete with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant built-in, plus Dolby Atmos sound, Dolby Vision, HDR10, and HLG for 4K HDR content.There's more where all that came from. LG's CX series has the Alpha a9 III processor p...

The team dive into the lore of Assassin's Creed and other video game franchises along with a review of Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity, Game & Watch, and much more.Hosted by: Jennifer Locke, Carli Velocci, and Rebecca SpearGot feedback? Hit up Podcast@androidcentral.com and tell us something!LISTEN NOW:LINKS:Mass Effect, Dragon Age veterans Casey Hudson and Mark Darrah leaving BioWare | Windows CentralAssassin's Creed history: The full story (so far) | Windows CentralHyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity review — An entertaining but shallow trip back to Hyrule | iMoreHistory of Game & Watch Super Mario Bros.: An important reminder of Nintendo's small beginnings | iMoreImmortals Fenyx Rising review: A late contender for Game of the Year | Windows Central...

What you need to knowWaze adds Amazon Music to its in-app music controls.Setup just takes a few steps, and users gain easy access to their songs and curated playlists.Google owns Waze, but Google Maps does not support Amazon Music integration as of writing.Amazon Music may not be the first or even second thing to come to most people's minds when they want to stream music, but that surely doesn't mean no one uses it. That's why Waze has teamed up with Amazon to integrate the app into its music controls, adding to its collection of supported streaming apps.As a refresher, users need only to click on the music icon on the top right of the navigation app, which will open up a drawer of installed streaming apps. If you have Amazon Music, select the icon and Waze will prompt you to connect the apps. Clicking accept will complete the connection. If nothing is currently playing on Amazon Music, there will be a button that will open the app so you can browse through your music, or u...

Samsung once made great over-ear headphones, and it needs to start doing so again.While the whole world — and even the entire Android Central team — has been besotted with true wireless earbuds for the last few years, I'll confess that when I have to wear headphones for hours at a time, my go-to music conduits have always been over-ear headphones. They're easier to wear for long periods — especially if you have small ear canals like mine — they have longer-lasting batteries, they tend to have better passive and active noise canceling, and the controls are usually easier to use.Today, Apple debuted the AirPods Max, which are striking, come in vibrant colors, have excellent ANC controls ... and they cost $550. Oh, but most of the features aren't available when you use them with Android, and they use Lightning rather than USB-C....and they lack a 3.5mm jack for listening old-school when the battery runs dead.Apple can get away with this nonsense because Apple is Apple ...

Finding decent Android tablet deals isn't going to be tough this holiday season, especially with all the tablet discounts popping up during last-minute holiday sales. Of course, there are always opportunities to save on tablets even when it's not one of the biggest shopping events of the year. We're gathering all the best Android tablet deals and listing them right here to make saving on your next tablet simple.Best Android tablet dealsGalaxy Tab A: down to $100Amazon Fire 7 Tablet: only $40 Galaxy Tab S5e: now $340Galaxy Tab S7 up to $150 off + $50 gift cardWith all the various Android tablets to choose from, you might be wondering which tablet is actually worth buying. We've created a few guides that can help you figure out which are the best of the best, from the best Android tablets to best Samsung tablets, and best Android tablets for students, though there are plenty more to consider as well. We're routinely updating the list below with the best tablet deals for al...

It can be both fun and useful to order around the Google Assistant with simple commands like "Hey Google, turn on the lights" and see your words transformed into actions. Did you know, however, that you can do much more than simple one-off commands? By setting up and utilizing the Routines feature of Google Home and Google Assistant, you can trigger complex processes and activities with a simple action or phrase. I'll show you how how to set up Google Assistant Routines in the steps below.Products used in this guideMaximum utility: Nest Hub Max ($230 at Best Buy)Assistant in your pocket: Google Pixel 4a ($349 at Amazon)How to set up and manage a preset routineGoogle has created several preset routines, including options like Good morning, Bedtime, and Commuting to work.Open the Google Home app on your smartphone.Tap on the purple Routines iconScroll through the list of available pre-set routines and tap on Start Your Routines on to select which device you want to cont...

Playing games on your smartphone is one of the best ways to entertain yourself. However, with some games it can be really hard to play when you're just tapping on a screen. Fortunately, it's possible to sync up a traditional controller. That's where it's nice to connect your Nintendo Switch Pro Controller and get playing on the best gaming phones. By the way, the Playstation 4 controller as well as the Xbox One controller are also compatible with Android devices, if you'd prefer to use one of those.Note: You will only be able to use a Pro Controller if your phone is running Android 10 and if the game you're playing supports controllers. Additionally, the process for syncing the controller with your phone will be different from one phone to the next.Products used in this guideA compatible phone: Google Pixel 4a ($350 at Amazon)The handhold: Nintendo Switch Pro Controller ($63 at Amazon)How to use Switch controller on Android Sync Pro Controller to your phone via Bluetooth...

Ditch the heavy books and turn your phone into your library.If you've been considering the jump from physical books to e-books, you'll need to figure out the best e-book apps for Android. Books can be heavy, expensive, and take up valuable space in a cramped apartment, so making the transition is worth it. Thankfully you've got a few options, depending on where you want to get your books and how you want them to look on the screen.Take a peek at our picks for the best e-book apps for Android!The top 3 apps1. Amazon Kindle2. Moon+ Reader3. Libby, by OverDriveMore optionsGoogle Play BooksKoboPocketBookWattpadHoopla DigitalGoodreadsWhat are the best e-book apps for Android?While there are many apps on the Play Store that make it easier than ever to find and read new e-books, there's only one that stands largely above the rest. The Amazon Kindle app provides a vast library of e-books and audiobooks, with more choices than you could ever imagine.What if yo...

Hey Google, combine my business and personal calendars.What you need to knowAn option to link multiple Google accounts to the Assistant app is in beta.Call up all your various Calendar and Meet events on any Assistant-enabled device, including smart speakers and smart displays.It doesn't work with G Suite or Google Workspace accounts.Google Assistant has historically only allowed you to connect one account per person. Different family members could switch accounts on a smart speaker via Face Match or Voice Match, but you could never ask for information on upcoming meetings or deadlines associated with your secondary or work account.Thankfully Google has made it possible to link secondary Google accounts to Assistant. Android Police spotted the update in the Assistant's "All Settings" menu. There you'll now find a new Accounts sub-menu that lets you "Enable the Assistant to access data and services from your other accounts"; you can then Enable accounts that are already li...

Google Messages gets more secure.What you need to knowGoogle announced end-to-end encryption was coming to its Messages app.The security feature is now available in beta builds of Messages.Users will be able to enable it if both parties in the thread are on the most recent builds of the app.End-to-end encryption is a method of encryption that keeps data secure while in transit. It's employed in apps like WhatsApp and iMessage, keeping the contents of user messages away from prying eyes.As promised, Google is rolling it out to its own messages app, and beta testers can try it out now (via 9to5Google). You'll need to be on the Google Messages beta to have it enabled, but once you're on the latest build, you'll see a slew of indicators.Google's help page for end-to-end encryption says: Chatting with [contact name or phone number]" when end-to-end encryption is active in a conversation. Your messages will also include a lock on the send button. The timestamps of end-to-...

Source: StackCommerceIn every home and every office, there are a few corners where Wi-Fi does not reach properly. These dead spots can be pretty frustrating when you're trying to get things done. NetSpot Home Wi-Fi Analyzer helps you find and fix the problems, and it's currently 41% off at $39.99 for iMore readers.NetSpot works as a surveying tool. As you move through your home, your laptop scans the radio waves. This data is then used to create a heatmap, showing you where the signal is strong or weak.You can use the map to adjust your network, by placing extenders in key areas or moving the router. In addition, NetSpot Home provides a range of diagnostic tools, such as speed tests and a comprehensive list of networks within range.To quote our own review: "NetSpot is top drawer. You won't find a better app for figuring out why your Wi-Fi isn't working the way you need it to."It usually sells for $68, but you can get this Wi-Fi analyzer today for just $39.99 with lifetim...

Fight for the glory of the emperor.What you need to knowWarhammer 40,000: Battle Sister is available now on Oculus Quest and Oculus Quest 2.The game puts you in control of a holy warrior searching for her twin, who's gone rogue.It is based on the Games Workshop tactical miniatures game.Fans of Games Workshop's science fantasy tactical miniatures game Warhammer 40,000 will get the first chance to explore the setting in virtual reality today with the launch of Warhammer 40,000: Battle Sister on Oculus Quest and Oculus Quest 2. While there have been plenty of Warhammer 40K video games before such as Warhammer 40,000: Carnage and Warhammer 40,000: Inquisitor - Martyr, this is the first title to center on the Sisters of Battle, a group of women warriors who serve the human emperor by rooting out corruption throughout the galaxy.You'll play as Sister Ophelia, who is searching for her lost twin sister who disappeared on a mission and may have gone rogue. You'll battle all ma...

Guardians will come together no matter the platform.What you need to knowDestiny 2 is getting a next-generation update today for Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S and PS5.Additionally, Bungie confirmed today that cross-play is coming at some point in 2021.Cross-play was previously targeted for 2021 but without hard-set confirmation.Destiny 2 is getting a big update today, with next-generation support now available. This means players on Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S and PS5 can enjoy 4K 60 FPS gameplay, faster loading times, an FOV (field of view) slider and more. Xbox Series X and PS5 owners will also be able to enjoy 120 FPS Crucible multiplayer, if they've got a compatible TV.Bungie is rolling out even more in 2021. As detailed in a new blog post today, crossplay is coming to Destiny 2 in 2021! While Bungie was previously targeting 2021 for cross-platform play, it's nice to get official confirmation. Bungie also explained more of what's on the way, including two more strikes...

What you need to knowChina says that it has removed 105 apps from mobile app stores within the country.One of those apps is Tripadvisor, but it isn't clear why.But Chinese users can still reach the Tripadvisor website.China says that it has removed Tripadvisor and another 104 apps from local app stores in what it calls a "clean up" of 'illegal" apps on the internet.In a statement picked up by CNN, the Cyberspace Administration of China said that it had removed 105 apps in total, going on to note that it will continue to ". strengthen the supervision and inspection of mobile apps' information services, promptly clean up and dispose of illegal mobile applications and application stores, and strive to create a clear cyberspace."It isn't clear to anyone outside of China why it would take umbrage with the trip-planning app, but it's notable that the Tripadvisor website is still accessible without the use of a VPN or other method of bypassing the "Great Firewall" that Chinese...

For some, the Apple Watch is considered the gold standard of smartwatches, but whether it is or not makes no difference to Android users who couldn't use it even if they wanted to. Smartwatches for Android users abound, and the best Apple Watch alternative that stands out from the pack is the Samsung Galaxy Watch 3 because of its balanced functionality and stylish design that caters to a wider subset of users.Best Overall: Samsung Galaxy Watch 3After focusing for over a year on the Active models in its Galaxy Watch lineup, Samsung came back this year with a newer premium design. The slimmer frame doesn't make the watch as small as those Active models, but there are 41mm and 45mm sizes to choose from.The biggest design treatment setting this watch apart from others is the trusty physical rotating bezel that makes navigation feel fluid when wading through the various menus and options. You can still tap on the screen, if you want, and the combination helps make the software eas...

Nest makes some of the best smart thermostats, security cameras, and self-installed home security systems out there, but it comes at a price. Some of the equipment can be on the expensive side, which means that you may not be able to have as much of it in your home as you'd like, but we are here to help make it easier to afford more. At times, you can find some pretty sweet deals on a variety of Nest's most popular items.Best Google Nest Deals Available NowNest Thermostats: from $123Nest Wi-Fi: as low as $149Nest Cameras: from $125Smart Speakers & Displays: starting at $25Google Nest Mini | $24.99 at Best BuySave $25 on the Google Nest Mini today at Best Buy. This deal is valid on all colorways of the speaker, though you'll want to shop soon as the 50% discount won't be available forever!$24.99 at Best BuyWhether it's a direct price drop, coupon code, or bundle deal, we've scoured the internet to find all of the best deals around Nest's hardware that are ...

Travel Japan cooking and fighting.What you need to knowPersona 5 Strikers will release on February 23.Preorders for the game will begin on December 10.The game combines action combat with a pause-and-plan system.Fans of the Phantom Thieves, the group of heart-stealing heroes that make bad people repent in the 2017 RPG Persona 5, will be getting another chance to hang out with the characters. Atlus announced today that Persona 5 Strikers will release on February 23 on PS4, Nintendo Switch, and Steam.The game follows the Phantom Thieves as their summer vacation is interrupted by a reality distortion stealing the desires of people throughout Japan. They'll need to go on a road trip to six different cities fighting the source of the corruption in dungeons while also cooking regional recipes.Unlike the base game, which is a turn-based RPG, Persona 5 Strikers uses a hybrid system combining action combat with sequences where you'll be able to pause and plan out your next m...