Latest from Android Central

Mesh systems are fast with great coverage abilities, but do you need one?Mesh Wi-Fi networks are the new thing, and that's great because mesh networks can put fast Wi-Fi where you need it without getting complicated. There are some great options available that are easy to set up and keep running like Eero and others that offer greater flexibility and performance like the Linksys Velop AX4200. Setting up your own mesh Wi-Fi network is simple, thanks to consumer gear that does the hard work for you.However, "regular" Wi-Fi routers and access points are getting better, too. Many people will get plenty of coverage by upgrading to one of the best Wi-Fi 6 routers rather than moving to a mesh. Faster speeds and more extended range are more than buzzwords when it comes to buying the latest Wi-Fi router, and you'll often find advanced tools that a simple mesh system can't offer.That leads to the obvious question — should anyone switch to a mesh-based Wi-Fi network in their house? Like...

We'll see more at the upcoming State of Play.What you need to knowThe new protagonist of Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart is Rivet, a Lombax resistance fighter from another dimension.Mark Mothersbaugh, co-founder of the band DEVO, will be composing the game's soundtrack.Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart will be the focus of an upcoming State of Play, premiering on April 29.Sony has shared new gameplay and story details on its upcoming PlayStation 5 exclusive, Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart, as well as a first listen of its soundtrack.Taking to the PlayStation Blog, Marcus Smith, Creative Director of Insomniac Games, shared a brand near trailer for the game highlighting the new protagonist of Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart, Rivet, the Lombax resistance fighter from another dimension.The trailer showcases both Ratchet and Rivet battling foes through new and old locales, each contending with their world's version of Dr. Nefarious, played to the tone of early 80's new wa...

Among the new 9 series devices announced by OnePlus in 2021 is the OnePlus 9R, which is the company's cheaper alternative to the OnePlus 9 and the OnePlus 9 Pro. But there's a catch: You can only buy it in India right now. Despite being the lowest-end model, however, the 9R is still pretty sleek with a glass back, metal frame, and 6.55-inch fluid AMOLED screen that fills out the front. It's ultra-slim but doesn't come in a waterproof housing, which is all the more reason to get a protective case for the phone. Here are some of the best OnePlus 9R cases to consider if you can get your hands on the phone.Trusted brandSpigen Tough ArmorStaff PickSpigen is good 'ol reliable when it comes to smartphone cases, and often the first brand I turn to when I need to get a good quality case for a new phone in a hurry. I love the secret kickstand built into the backside that you can pop up when you need it and click back in when you don't, adding zero bulk. Made of TPU and polycarbonate,...

We're always on top of the best Amazon Echo deals, and today Amazon is having a huge sale on multiple generations of the Echo Dot. If you've never bought an Echo Dot before, this sale is the perfect time to get one because the prices have never been lower. If you're already a part of the Amazon ecosystem, make sure every room has one with this sale. You can get the 3rd-gen Echo Dot for as little as $24.99. That's $5 better than last month's sale and within a few bucks of its best price ever.If you want one of Amazon's newest devices, the 4th-gen Echo Dot is just $5 more at $29.99, which is $20 off its regular price. The kids' version of the Echo Dot is on sale as well, going for $39.99 instead of $60. You can get that deal with either the Panda or Tiger print. Or go for the regular version with an LED clock built in, which has also dropped to $39.99 from $60 and comes in both Glacier White and Twilight Blue.The Echo Dot is a great piece of smart tech. Both the 3rd and 4th generat...

Motorola's first entry-level phone with a high-refresh-rate screen.What you need to knowMotorola has launched yet another new budget phone.The new Moto G20 comes with a 90Hz display, quad rear cameras, and a 5,000mAh battery.It will be going on sale in Europe later this week for €149.Lenovo-owned smartphone maker Motorola unveiled two new Moto G series phones in India last week, including its first budget phone with a 108MP camera. Less than a week after the launch of the Moto G40 Fusion and Moto G60, Motorola has now announced a new entry-level phone called the Moto G20.The new Moto G20 features a 6.5-inch Max Vision display with the same HD+ resolution and 90Hz refresh rate as the Moto G30, one of Motorola's best cheap Android phones. Powering the phone is a "custom designed" Unisoc T700 octa-core processor with 2 ARM Cortex-A72 cores and six Cortex-A55 cores. The chipset has been paired with 4GB of RAM and up to 128GB of storage.In the camera department, the Moto...

A good smartwatch needs to balance both excellent hardware and a consistently satisfying user experience to be a winner.Wearables is an extensive term when it comes to tech, with options from excellent fitness trackers to things like the Razer Anzu Smart Glasses and so many in between. Along with fitness trackers, smartwatches are the most commonly thought of devices when it comes to wearables, but — what makes a good smartwatch?Well, for one, it should be well-built so that it can endure what life may throw at it, but that's less of an issue these days. Like the best cheap Android phones, finding a smartwatch with good build quality is becoming much more common. So that leads to the other characteristic that imbues a good smartwatch, and that's experience.Two of the quintessential traits for a good smartwatch experience are the excellent handling of notifications and app support. Unfortunately, OnePlus, the company that has been making some of the best Android phones for y...

The upcoming phone is rumored to be part of HMD Global's new X series.What you need to knowHMD Global is reportedly working on a follow-up to the Nokia 8.3 5G with a 108MP penta-camera setup.It is also tipped to feature a Snapdragon 775 chipset and a 120Hz display. The phone could debut sometime in the third quarter of the year. Finnish smartphone brand HMD Global recently launched two affordable new X series phones with 5G connectivity and quad rear cameras. According to a new report from NokiaPowerUser, the company is working on another new X series phone to replace last year's Nokia 8.3 5G and give the best Android phones in the mid-range segment a run for their money.Per the publication, the upcoming device is likely to be marketed as the Nokia X50 and is going to come equipped with a penta-camera setup featuring a 108MP primary sensor. The high-resolution main sensor will apparently be joined by ultra-wide, macro, telephoto, and depth sensors with Zeiss optics and O...

While ASUS doesn't produce many different smartphone models, there are still some great choices on offer. Its current mainstream flagship, the Zenfone 7 Pro, is one of the best Android phones for taking selfies thanks to its unique rotating camera, and you also get a clean software interface. But if you're a big mobile gamer, you might also want to take a look at the ridiculously powerful new ROG Phone 5.Still the best selfie shooterASUS Zenfone 7 ProStaff PickThe Zenfone 7 Pro is one of the most interesting phones of the past year because of its unique rotating camera module. The motorized camera module lets you use the 64MP or 12MP wide-angle rear cameras to take selfies. The internal hardware is stellar, and you get a 5000mAh battery and bloat-free software, recently updated to Android 11.$820 at AmazonLevel upASUS ROG Phone 5 (ZS673KS)ASUS has a rich heritage in gaming, and its third-gen gaming flagship is all about performance and excess. It's powered by a Sn...

While PlayStation may not have a service like Xbox Game Pass, it still has a subscription service that offers tons of games in the form of PlayStation Now. The service has hundreds of PS2, PS3, and PS4 games ready to play all on demand, and is available across the PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, and even on PC for those who may want to utilize it there. Currently, more than 800 games are available on the service, with new titles added every month and ranging from some of the best PS4 games released to more niche titles.PlayStation Now games listA-EF-JK-PQ-UV-09April 2021 PlayStation Now releasesMarvel's AvengersMarvel's Avengers may not have been the smash hit that some fans were expecting, but it's still an epic third-person action-adventure game featuring some of the most iconic superheroes in the world. In the game, you'll play with a surprisingly large (and still growing) roster of superheroes as you defend Earth from a whole host of villains.Borderlands 3...

The POCO F3 delivers high-end hardware for just $400, making it a brilliant mid-range phone.The POCO F1 launched nearly three years ago, but it continues to be one of the best cheap Android phones. Xiaomi doesn't usually sell phones beyond a 15-month window — the brand is all about flooding the market with new releases — but in a testament to the F1's success, the phone is still available in India for ₹17,999 ($240).POCO launched a lot of devices last year, but it wasn't able to recreate the winning formula of the F1. The POCO X2 series was aimed at the budget segment, and while the POCO F2 Pro delivered top-tier hardware, it was too costly to be a true follow-up to the F1. It's telling that Xiaomi didn't bother launching the F2 Pro in India last year.In 2021, POCO is doubling down on the value segment. The POCO X3 Pro delivered the ideal balance between performance and value, and now the POCO F3 is aiming to take the mantle of the POCO F1. The phone is a rebranded Redmi ...

After being delayed by two months due to the pandemic, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences will hold the 2021 Academy Awards in Los Angeles and we have all the details on how you can watch the Oscars on TV or online.The reason that the Academy decided to delay this year's awards show by two months was to accommodate films released all the way up to February of this year. Another big change is the fact that films released on streaming services and digital platforms will also be eligible to win an Oscar this year.The 2021 Oscars will take place at both Union Station and the Dolby Theater in Los Angeles with only nominees, their guests, and presenters attending the event in person. There will also be a red carpet at the award show but it likely won't resemble the more over-the-top and glitzy red carpet events of past years.As was the case last year, there won't be a host for this year's Academy Awards. There will be a number of stars present though with Brad Pitt, Joaq...

Turn your Raspberri Pi into a retro gaming powerhouse with these emulatorsIt's no secret that the Raspberry Pi is one of the most versatile series of computers available today. They don't cost hundreds of dollars, but can provide hours of fun and entertainment while helping to teach you about coding and the world of Unix. It's incredible to realize how much power is on a board the size of a credit card (or even smaller).Truth be told, while some may tinker with the Raspberry Pi in an effort to block all the ads on their home Wi-Fi, many folks will want to get started because of retro game emulation. Regardless of whether you're using the Raspberry Pi 400 or even something a bit smaller like the Raspberry Pi Zero, retro game emulation is extremely fun once it's been set up. Think about all of the hours playing those classic games from your childhood and now you can relive the excitement with the best Raspberry Pi emulators.The top 3 apps1. RetroPie2. Lakka3. RetroArchS...

The best Wi-Fi 6 mesh routers take whole-home wireless speeds to the next level. Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) has allowed mesh systems to deliver full gigabit speeds with ease throughout a large house by getting even more performance out of the available spectrum. Wi-Fi 6 lets compact routers hit gigabit speeds on their own and over 500Mbps while deployed as a mesh. With more phones than ever, including Wi-Fi 6 support, and families asking more of their internet connections than ever, it's a good time to upgrade to Wi-Fi 6.What are the best Wi-Fi 6 mesh routers?The Linksys MX10 Velop is the best Wi-Fi 6 router for people looking to take advantage of a fast connection throughout their home. With Alexa support and great parental control options, this is a great mesh system for families.The second best option is the Netgear Nighthawk MK62 which is designed for people who want a compact mesh system with enough speed for most people. A compact router and satellite design allow you to blanket yo...

Material NEXT will set the tone for the next generation of Android phones.As Android has matured and more bits of the OS have been spun out to live on the Google Play Store, individual Android platform updates have become less important. Even on Google's Pixel phones, the core experience hasn't really been altered in a few years, with the most significant user experience change in that time being the slightly fumbled introduction of gesture navigation in Android 10.Nevertheless, every few years, there inevitably comes a big shake-up of Android's design language. The first was Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich in 2011, before which Android didn't really have much of a design language to speak of. ICS gave us the sci-fi stylings of "Holo," which was eventually scaled back to look less Tron-like in subsequent versions. Material Design is evolving yet again.Then we had Material Design in 2014, introduced with Android 5.0 Lollipop and eventually rolled out as the design language...

Best answer: The Roku Voice Remote Pro will probably work with your Roku device. The remote is designed to work with any Roku TV and Roku audio product, but may not work with some Roku players, according to Roku.Good news for most Roku consumersRoku has manufactured several types of remotes for its line of streaming products since its inception in 2002. The newest remote, the Roku Voice Remote Pro, functions like a normal TV remote but can also control a Roku audio device and streaming player. If you already own a previous-generation Roku remote — even one with voice control — this might be a worthy upgrade with hands-free voice commands and a rechargeable battery that the others don't possess.If you're wondering whether the Roku Voice Remote Pro will be compatible with your Roku device, the answer is most likely. "Voice search and voice control is supported on all Roku devices shipped since 2017, along with several older devices," according to the Roku website. Roku TVs, R...

Cover all the audio basics with just one speaker: listen to music, control your smart home, and stream from multiple devices! The Marshall Stanmore II Bluetooth speaker is down to $249.99 at Amazon. While this speaker normally sells for $400, today's deal is the lowest price of the year. We have seen it go this low a couple of times, but if you missed out on those previous deals now is your chance to save $150 on a great device.Previous deals included the Bluetooth-only version, but that speaker is actually $350 at the moment so you're saving even more and getting Alexa built in.Amazon isn't the only place you can find this deal, either. You can also grab it at Best Buy for the same price.You'll get a great low latency connection with low power consumption and no interuptions thanks to the Bluetooth 5.0 tech built into this speaker. It also has the aptX codec, which allows for a smooth audio experience and lossless wireless sound. You can even connect more than one Bluetooth devi...

Winter is over, and you know what that means! That's right... allergies! Hooray! The outside world might be torturing you, but your home should be a place of comfort without the constant irritation from pollen and dander. Grab Samsung's Cube smart air purifier while it's down to a low price of $349 at Amazon. The average street price for this air purifier is around $550. It can sometimes go above $600, and the other color available on Amazon is currently $620. The drop to $349 is a huge chunk off, and it has only ever dropped this low once before.The Samsung Cube uses a three-layer True HEPA filtration system. That means you won't have to worry about 99.97% of ultrafine dust, pet dander, or allergens in the air. It also has an activated carbon filter that can remove toxic gases and remove bad odors.Despite all that work, the Cube stays relatively quiet. You won't hear it working even while it is working. As it takes in the bad air and purifies it, it releases pure air without cre...

Ice-cold horror is waiting.Capcom's Resident Evil franchise shows no signs of slowing down, with the Resident Evil 3 remake landing in April 2020. This series has sold over 100 million copies so far and the next entry is looking to escalate that number.Resident Evil Village is a strange game based on what we've seen so far, abandoning past franchise mainstays and taking our cast to a mysterious snowy village. No longer are the enemies hordes of zombies — instead, we'll have to battle the likes of werewolf-like Lycans and vampire ladies. Here's everything we know about Resident Evil Village.Jump to:What is it?Check out the trailersWhat's the story?Is it coming to PS4?Will it support PSVR?When does it release?What is Resident Evil Village?Resident Evil Village is the eighth mainline game in Capcom's long-running Resident Evil franchise. It's a survival-horror game being developed for PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Xbox One, Google Stadia and Steam....

Ever wished you could turn your smartphone into a baby monitor so you didn't have to carry a second monitor around all the time? Well, now you can. The Owlet Cam smart baby monitor does exactly that, and today it is down to just $119.20 as part of Amazon's Gold Box deals of the day. The smart camera normally sells for around $149, and it was going for as high as $200 at the beginning of the year. It has never dropped this low directly, so now is your chance to save in a big way.This isn't the only Owlet device on sale today, either. You could also grab the Owlet Sock 3, which is down to $239.20 from a street price of $300. The Sock 3 can fit on the feet of babies up to 18 months old and is used for tracking their oxygen and heart rate. You can use it to see real-time stats through the Owlet app.The smart baby camera streams secure, HD video to your phone wherever you happen to be. If you're already carrying your phone around with you, this means you don't have to carry a second m...

Having been involved in five of the last seven Carabao Cup finals, all of which they've won, Pep Guardiola's men will be looking to extend their dominant record on Sunday in a showdown against a Tottenham side still processing the departure of José Mourinho. Follow our guide below on how to get a 2021 Carabao Cup Final live stream and watch Man City vs Spurs online no matter where you are in the world.Both sides will likely be keen for the attention to be back on the pitch and not on the boardroom, with City and Spurs having both been condemned by fans, politicians and the media after being revealed as founder members of ill-fated breakaway European Super League.Amid that whirlwind of negativity, Spurs also decided to sack Mourinho earlier this week following a disappointing campaign that has left north London clubs involvement in European football next season largely resting on a win in today's final.Despite all the upheaval and outcry, Spurs won their first post-Mourinho gam...

While there won't be any fans at Elland Road for this Roses rivalry game, you can expect a full-blooded encounter on Sunday as these two teams meet in the Premier League. Don't miss a moment with our Leeds United vs Man United live stream guide.Today's hosts come into the game off the back of a come-from-behind draw against Premier League titleholders Liverpool in their last outing and a shock 2-1 win away at this year's title frontrunners Man City dispute going a man-down halfway through the game.In their first season back in the English top-flight for over 15 years, Marcelo Bielsa's team hold an impressive mid-table position with only a handful of games remaining.With some impressive scalps already claimed this season, the Whites will be confident they can notch a rivalry win against Manchester United today. After being thumped 6-2 in their previous meeting, Leeds have an extra point to prove in this return game.Manchester United are also in form right now and will be wanti...

UFC 261 will be a pay-per-view event to remember as this Saturday will mark the first time since March of last year that fans will be in attendance to see the evening's three title fights and we have all the details on how you can watch Usman vs Masvidal 2 on TV or online.The last time that Kamaru Usman and Jorge Masvidal met in the Octagon was at UFC 251 back in July of last year at the UFC's first event held at its Fight Island facility in Abu Dhabi. While Usman was originally scheduled to fight Gilbert Burns, he tested positive for Covid a week before the fight and was replaced by Masvidal at the last minute. Unfortunately for Masvidal, he lost to Usman by unanimous decision during the fifth round. Now the "Nigerian Nightmare" and "Gamebred" are set for a huge rematch and hopefully having extra time to prepare will give Masvidal an edge in this fight and a chance to take the welterweight title from Usman.During the co-main event at UFC 261, the promotion's first Chinese champi...

The best Chromebook docking stations can turn your laptop from on-the-go ready to comfortably cozy by plugging in a single USB-C cable. When you're home and want to use a clicky mechanical keyboard, an ergonomic mouse, or add a secondary display, docking stations are here to keep things tidy and organized. While you could maybe get by with some tiny USB-C hub, the cables are usually too short and leave your desk cluttered, while docking stations help keep things connected while staying out of your way. If you need to get your Chromebook connected, these are the best docking stations.Keep it tidyPlugable USB-C Mini Docking Station with 85W ChargingStaff PickThis compact docking station won't take up much desk space, but it still has enough space for four USB-A peripherals, an HDMI monitor, Ethernet, and an audio jack for some speakers. It can also charge your Chromebook at full speed.$134 at Amazon $139 at WalmartTall or flat, your choiceBaseus 16-in-1 USB-C Dock...

We all love to share photos and videos on social media sites like Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter, and for the most part, everything generally works out as planned. However, frequently the images we share on Twitter are overly compressed, squished, or cropped in ways that aren't flattering. Thankfully, Twitter is now rolling out some new methods to allow users to upload high-quality — even 4K — images and videos to Twitter, both on Android and iOS. We'll show you where these settings are located in the Twitter app so you can start sharing the shots you intended, once and for all!How to upload high-quality 4K images to Twitter for AndroidThe first improvement that you'll notice immediately is when you tweet an image, the result — or what gets posted in the timeline — will match what you see in the tweet composer. No more cropped photo surprises!Secondly, you will now be able to upload and view 4K images from your Android (or iOS) device. Here's how!Open your Twitter...

Bit by bit, Google continues to add useful features to the Chrome browser and Chrome OS. Recently, live captioning came to Chrome desktop, and we also saw the read later feature come to Android. One of the latest features might not seem so exciting, but I've found it to be such a productivity hack, especially when sharing relevant information with friends and family. What is this new feature? It's the ability to share links to highlighted text in Google Chrome, and I'll show you how simple and intuitive it is to use.How to link highlighted text from Google ChromeFrom your Chrome browser, select a bit of text that you want to share a direct link to.Right-click on the text.Select the Copy Link to Highlight option.Share that link with somone, and/or paste it into another browser tab or window.You or the person you share the link with should be taken directly to the highlighted text on the page in question. This feature is supported in Chrome version 90 and later and shou...

Looking to save even more money on Mint Mobile? Here are the current deals and promo codes to help!Finding a Mint Mobile deal or Mint Mobile coupon has never really been a hard task. The MVNO carrier loves to have some fun with promotions, and we like to keep track of them. There are quite a few options when it comes to carriers for your smartphone, and odds are you're shopping around for the best deal. Postpaid plans are a good option for some, but prepaid plans get you the lowest price, as long as you're willing to put your money down first.Mint Mobile is an alternative carrier that uses T-Mobile's 5G and 4G LTE network to bring you great coverage at an even more affordable price. In the past, going prepaid with an MVNO (mobile virtual network operator) often meant that you sacrificed a lot when it came to your plan, but that isn't the case anymore. With Mint Mobile you can pick data allotments of 4GB, 10GB, 15GB, or even go unlimited depending on your usage habits, and all of ...

Do you find the elastic band that ships with the Quest 2 uncomfortable? Have you had your Quest 2 Elite Strap break? Surprisingly, the best Quest 2 strap isn't actually any of the official solutions, although you won't necessarily have to ditch what you've got to make it better. Whether you're looking for a head strap that'll let you use a mouse and keyboard with your Quest 2 for longer, or you need better weight distribution for when you're playing the best Quest 2 games, we've got several options for you to choose from.Cradle your craniumEyglo Elite StrapStaff PickThe Eyglo Elite Strap is probably the single-most comfortable strap on this list, and that's why it earns the Staff Pick award. Unlike the original strap or even the official Oculus Elite Strap, Eyglo's model completely hugs the back of your cranium with soft PU-leather foam that's removable and easy to clean. Like the Elite Strap, the size can be easily adjusted with the simple turn-knob on the back. On top o...

Android 12 on my Pixel just isn't my style, but manufacturers like Samsung can fix everything.It's opinion time, and one that people might not agree with — I hate how Android 12 looks on my Pixel phone. The giant menu list items, the chonky controls, the animations, all of it. It's definitely the Google Pixel look and style, but everything seems very out of place to me. I think it all ruins the bright (yeah, I am not a dark mode kind of guy) and minimalistic feel to Android that Google gives us on its Pixel phones.I know Android 12 isn't nearly finished and by the time it comes out of testing and beta phases it could change, but I doubt it will. And I'm not throwing shade at the Pixel experience team here. It's their product and they get to do whatever they like with it, but this time it just happens to be, well, goofy. At least I think it's goofy, YMMV.If you don't feel what I'm saying here, that's cool. Different strokes and all that apply. If you have no idea what I'm talk...

All eyes will be on Emanuel Navarrete tonight as he makes his first defense of his WBO featherweight title in Florida. Read on for your full guide to watching a Navarrete vs Diaz live stream and don't miss a single punch.'Vaquero' captured the 126-lb strap back in October last year after beating Ruben Villa by a tight unanimous decision.This marks Navarrete's second run with a title, with the Mexican having held the WBO Junior Featherweight title, a belt he successfully defended on five occasions in a nine-month span all via TKO.Despite plenty of calls for a rematch with Villa following his heavily disputed defeat, Navarrete's first defense comes tonight against a fighter who'll be looking to prove his critics wrong after being dismissed by many as a second-tier opponent for the champ.A former WBO NABO super featherweight belt holder, Christopher Diaz flopped in a super featherweight world title fight against Masayuki Ito back in 2018 and has done little to convince he is tit...

Google Chrome is the world's most popular browser and with good reason. It's stable, easy to use, and lets you bolt on tons of new features and customizations thanks to its extensions.Best Google Chrome VPNs 20211. ExpressVPN (From $6.67/mo)2. NordVPN (From $3.71/mo)3. Hotspot Shield VPN (From $2.99/mo)4. CyberGhost VPN (From $2.25/mo)5. Private Internet Access (From $2.69/mo)Virtual private network (VPN) extensions are some of the most popular, as they allow people to protect their privacy online, while unblocking content that would otherwise be blocked in their region.If you regularly watch Netflix in your Chrome browser, for example, a VPN will allow you to watch content unavailable in the US. The legality of using a VPN in certain ways is a gray area, mind, so we're not condoning it ourselves, but we have rounded up some of the best VPN options that you can use with Google Chrome easily.How does a VPN work?Without getting too technical, a VPN essentially makes...

Following hot on the heels of this week's Amstel Gold Race and the Flèche Wallonne comes the third and most prestigious of the 'Ardennes Classics'. Read on for your full guide to watching a Liège-Bastogne-Liège live stream from anywhere online.One of the world's oldest and toughest competitive bike races, this year's installment of La Doyenne is the third of five Monuments this season.The 140.9km race kicks off in Liège in south-eastern Belgium, with the riders head south towards the picturesque town of Bastogne before turning around and taking a longer, windier, and hillier return route back to the finish line in Liège.The two clear favorites in this year's men's race are Julian Alaphilippe (Deceuninck-Quick-Step) and Primož Roglič (Jumbo-Visma), with the two riders battling out in impressive style during Wednesday's absorbing Flèche Wallonne, with Alaphilippe coming out on top.The race also provides Alaphilippe an opportunity to erase the bad memories of last year's...

Get ready for new ways to command Assistant without shouting "Hey Google."What you need to knowA new Google Assistant feature has been spotted dubbed "Guacamole."Guacamole appears to be related to voice command shortcuts that don't require the "Hey Google" wake-word.The feature doesn't seem to work for users with the toggle.Google is continuously looking for ways to make Assistant easier to use. The company recently launched a series of new features like an autofill feature to complete your online orders and a feature that lets users set up and manage Google Assistant Routines with home screen shortcuts. With the latter feature, owners of the best Android phones can tap on an icon, and a routine will commence. According to today's reveal, Google is now looking to extend Assistant shortcuts to skip the "Hey Google" prompt.Android Police caught wind of Google Assistant's new "Guacamole" feature that has appeared in the app settings for some users. Based on the name alone, w...

One hour to play. Time to get going!A few days ago, PS4 and PS5 players got their hands on the Resident Evil Village demo that took place in the village portion of the world. This weekend, beginning on Saturday, April 24, players will get a chance to download a second Resident Evil Village demo, this time taking place in the castle. This demo is only available on PS4 and PS5 this weekend, so PlayStation players need to be sure to sit ready with controllers in hand during this short eight-hour window:North America 8pm EST/5PM PST on April 24 until 4am EST/1am PST on April 25Europe 6pm BST/7pm CEST on April 25 until 2am BST/3am CEST on April 26During the window, you'll be able to download the castle portion of the Resident Evil Village demo, which lasts 30 minutes from the time you begin, and you'll have an hour to play it. Make sure you've snacked up and taken a quick bathroom break beforehand because after the timeframe above in your respective timezone, these demos will dis...

Get ready for speedier installations from the Play Store.Update, Apr 23 (5:15 pm ET): The feature is now rolling out in the Play StoreWhat you need to knowGoogle is preparing the Play Store for "app install optimization."The new feature will collect certain usage data to help speed up app installations.No identifying data will be collected, but users could opt out of the service when it goes live.Owning an Android smartphone means there's a good chance you know how to install Android apps. It also means that with the more feature-rich apps being developed, installing and getting started on a new app can take a while, especially when using some of the best cheap Android phones. Google has been working on getting users into their favorite apps quicker, and the latest effort could come soon to the Play Store.9to5Google spotted references in the latest version of the Play Store to a new feature coming to the Play Store called "App install optimization." According to an asso...

The quality of the best streaming devices has drastically grown in recent weeks, as one tech company after another launches new streaming dongles with superlative specs and shockingly low prices. Devices like the Chromecast with Google TV have shifted consumers' expectations, with Google proving that Dolby streaming and innovative AI tech doesn't need to cost you a ton of money. With so many fresh and affordable streaming devices to choose from, we're breaking down which fits your needs best.Best Overall: Chromecast with Google TVWhen Chromecast dongles could only cast content from your devices to the TV, many people reserved one HDMI slot for their Chromecast and another for a traditional streaming stick. Now, Chromecast with Google TV bundles both casting and Google TV streaming into one cheap dongle that will serve the needs of most streaming addicts.For starters, the Chromecast with Google TV is disproportionately powerful for its size and price. It can stream 4K, HDR, HD...

The ZenFone 8 would mark the return of "mini" Android phones.What you need to knowASUS is teasing the launch of its next flagship smartphone.The ZenFone 8 is teased to get the "compact" treatment with a smaller 5.9-inch display.ASUS is rumored to launch three ZenFone 8 models next month.After the respectable camera performance of the ASUS ZenFone 7 Pro's versatile camera system, the company is finally gearing up to launch the successor. ASUS now has a splash page on its website for an upcoming launch event for the ZenFone 8, which will happen on May 12 (or May 13, depending on where in the world you are).The countdown teases a device that's "Big on performance. Compact in size." That would fall in line with the rumors that ASUS plans to bring back the "compact" Android phone that was once popular with devices like the Sony Xperia Z1 Compact. This would come alongside two other ZenFone 8 models, a rumored Flip model and what might be a Pro model.While no features or sp...

We're nearly on stable ground.The final Android 12 Developer Preview has arrived, and that means we're just a few short weeks away from the first public beta, the next major milestone towards stable Android 12. In this version, we're starting to see more of the visual changes and animations that we know are coming in the next version, giving us a closer look at what the final build might look like.I disregarded my own advice and installed the latest Developer Preview 3 build on my personal Pixel 5, as I've done with the previous builds, in order to break down some of the biggest user-facing changes in this new software release.As a reminder, you probably shouldn't install this or any other preview build on your personal phone — that especially goes for anyone on an older device like the Pixel 4, not because it's not one of the best Android phones around anymore, but because stability seems to be significantly worse on older models. For what it's worth, things have been mo...

These new settings are available now.What you need to knowYouTube now offers new streaming settings on the mobile app.The new settings include a high-quality setting, a data saver option, and an advanced option for defining your preferred resolution. It's widely available on Android via a server-side update.Google is rolling out an update to the YouTube mobile app that'll give you more control over the video quality (via Android Police). It's a bit of a step-up from what users had before on phones, but it basically lets you decide how the YouTube app uses your mobile data.Previously you could choose either "auto" or just choose the precise resolution you wanted, think 480p, 720p, or 1080p. Now, you have a more complex settings menu. This makes you able to choose auto, higher picture quality, data saver, or advanced. It's a bit of a change, but it does put more power in the hand of the users, albeit needlessly complicating what used to be a simple thing.Auto is the same...

Your OnePlus 8 Pro deserves a case as great as it is. After all, the OnePlus 8 Pro is big, beautiful, and boasts some great features, including IP water resistance and wireless charging. The back glass comes in funky colors like Glacial Green and Ultramarine Blue, but it's still a glass-backed phone, and that means you'll want to protect it so that you're not blowing hundreds of dollars repairing or replacing it. After extensive research, these are the best OnePlus 8 Pro cases you can buy.Let's kick itPoetic RevolutionStaff PickThe OnePlus 8 Pro can last a long time if you protect it, and heavy-duty cases like the Revolution offer that protection in spades. Not only does this case come with a screen protector, but it also has a kickstand on the back for propping it up on your desk or nightstand.From $19 at AmazonSo sleek and svelteX-Level GuardianThis case might not be textured like the Spigen Liquid Air, but it trades that texturing for a slimmer profile and more...

Oculus is finally catching up to Nintendo's Mii-level customization.What you need to knowOculus's new avatars are finally launching on April 23, 2021 for all Oculus platforms including Rift and Quest.These new avatars feature a "quintillion combinations" that can be used to truly customize your avatar to look like you.Three games are integrating these avatars today, with many more to follow.If you're an Oculus gamer — whether that's Oculus Rift, Oculus Quest, or Oculus Quest 2 — you've undoubtedly been disappointed with the avatar that Oculus has you make upon account creation. To be frank, they've been terrible up until this point. Oculus acknowledged this a while back and has been teasing its new avatar system since last year. Starting today, April 23, you'll be able to create a brand new avatar and use it in a select few games and apps, while many of the best Quest 2 games may let you play as these avatars soon.If you've already made an Oculus avatar, you'll doubtl...

It's never been easier to watch live TV than it is with Sling. Featuring over 30 of cable's best channels in its base packages, you never have to miss a moment as this live TV streaming service gives you the ability to watch wherever you go and even includes 50 hours of free DVR storage. With the Sling app, you can watch on select streaming devices, video game consoles, some smart TVs, and your smartphone or tablet as well. Starting at just $35 per month, it's hard to find a more affordable and reliable way to stream live TV.How to sign up for Slingwith your web browserwith an Android devicewith Xbox or Windows 10with Amazon Fire TVwith RokuStart streaming todaySling TVFor as low as $35 per month, you'll be able to stream live TV channels on Android and iOS devices, your computer or smart TV, select Xbox game consoles, and more.Join today at SlingSigning up for a Sling subscription is really simple, too. Sling allows new members to start an account not only on...

The market for UWB item trackers is about to explode after the AirTag.What you need to knowOPPO has been spotted with its own Bluetooth tracker in the works.The OPPO Smart Tag will feature UWB similar to Samsung's Galaxy SmartTag+ and Apple's AirTag.Smart Tag will also include a USB-C charging port instead of a replaceable battery.The tech industry can often be unusual in handling trends, and the latest release of the Apple AirTag is an example. The market for Bluetooth item trackers has been around for some time, but this year Samsung and Apple decided that it was time to get into the game with their own item trackers. Of course, part of that may have to do with the recent growth of technology like Ultra-Wideband (UWB) to boost the usefulness of these trackers, something that OPPO is gearing to take advantage of, according to the latest leak.Images of a Bluetooth item tracker from OPPO have been found online (via XDA-Developers), which will make use of Ultra-Wideband tec...

Recently, one of the Google apps you probably didn't realize you rely on all the time got a nice little update, and you might have missed it. The Google Contacts app finally gained the ability to let you change your profile picture directly from that app and not have to go through several hoops in your Google Account settings to accomplish the same thing. It's crazy to think that this feature hasn't been built into the app all along, but we're sure glad that it's here now. Now let's look at how easy it is to change your Google profile photo from the Google Contacts app.How to change your Google profile photo from the Contacts mobile appOpen the Google Contacts app.Tap on your profile photo or avatar in the top right corner.Tap on your profile photo or avatar again in the pop-up window.Tap Change.Select where you want to pull the new profile photo from (Google Photos, on-device storage, or from the camera).Select your photo.Crop and rotate the photo to your liking.Tap Sa...

The Lenovo Chromebook Duet is the Chrome OS tablet we've all been waiting for. But then again, it's not just a tablet. With the included keyboard, you can quickly transform it into a laptop whenever needed. It even supports stylus pens and has pretty unbelievable battery life, with the ability to stay powered on for 2 to 3 days per charge. Even at its regular starting price of $280, finding a comparable 2-in-1 as dependable as the Chromebook Duet is close to impossible.The Lenovo Chromebook Duet already sits at a more affordable price than many of its competitors, though if you can find a deal on one, you're really in for a treat. While there are usually one or two ways to save a bit of cash on the purchase, the best Lenovo Chromebook Duet deals don't come around all that often. We'll be tracking all of the best sales and offers right here so be sure to keep this page bookmarked and check back soon if you don't see a deal that entices you to reach the checkout page just yet.Still...

In this episode, Hayato, Daniel, Ara, and Jerry check out the final Developer Preview of Android 12. They also talk about Sony's Xperia 1 III, the TCL Fold 'n Roll concept phone, and the Fitbit Luxe.Apple had their Spring Loaded event this week, so the gang takes some time to view their announcements through the lens of Android users.Listen nowSubscribe in Spotify: AudioSubscribe in iTunes: Audio Subscribe in RSS: AudioDownload directly: AudioLinks:Android 12's final Developer Preview lands with new app launch animations, better camera support for third-party apps, and improved haptics | Android CentralThe Sony Xperia 1 III is one of the last flagship phones for hardware fanatics | Android CentralI can't get my hands on TCL's wild Fold 'n Roll concept phone soon enough | Android CentralThe $150 Fitbit Luxe is a fitness tracker with high-end sensors and plenty of style | Android CentralApple's Spring Loaded event debuts impressive Mini LED iPad Pro, AirTags, pr...

After more than two years of being available in Japan, Disgaea RPG brings the over-the-top charm of its series to western mobile audiences at long last.Disgaea RPG has finally arrived in the west after first debuting in Japan over two years ago. A mobile gacha spinoff of the core Disgaea series, Disgaea RPG features its own story while still remaining true to the style and vibe the main games are known for. Characters that long-time players will already know and love account for a big chunk of the character lists, bringing their patented charm and humor to Disgaea RPG (we'll call it DRPG for short from here on out). It's our Android Game of the Week, and may turn out to be among the Best Android Games.For the uninitiated, Disgaea is traditionally a tactical turn-based RPG dating all the way back to 2003. Developed by Nippon Ichi Software, Disgaea makes itself unforgettable in the RPG-scene by way of its Netherworld setting, it's main characters being maniacal, villainous anti...

Chrome OS comes on two types of devices: laptops called Chromebooks and desktop machines called Chromeboxes. While the best Chromebooks are more widely known and more diverse in their options, Chromeboxes are a relatively small market where you have one option from each of the major manufacturers that gets updated every few years. 2021 is a good year to be a Chromebox user, as we're getting updates to the three most popular Chromeboxes on the market. They're still trickling out right now, but of the three upcoming models, the ASUS Chromebox 4 is the one you'll want to buy for the extra ports and the extra power.Best Overall: ASUS Chromebox 4ASUS makes some of the best Chromebooks for work, and it's never afraid to squeeze in every little feature and port it can to try and stand out in an increasingly competitive Chrome Enterprise space. This means that whether you're buying the business version or consumer-grade, we all benefit from ASUS's dedication to being the most powerful ...

Twitter's new monetization features could be on the horizon.What you need to knowTwitter is working on a "Tip Jar" and "Super Follows" to help influencers monetize their tweets.We finally get a look at what Twitter's method for tipping could look like.There are currently two iterations of a "Super Follow" button being tested.Twitter announced several new features in February that it is currently developing for mobile devices, including the best Android phones, mainly aimed at providing influencers with monetization options and ways to bolster revenue for the platform. The new features include a new "Super Follow" that lets users monetize certain content on their accounts, as well as a tipping feature that's largely self-explanatory. The company didn't exactly provide an ETA for these features, but a recent look at them indicates that they might arrive sooner rather than later.Leaker Jane Manchun Wong has provided a look at some of the features that Twitter is currently de...

New and improvedOculus Quest 2From $299 at AmazonProsRuns on new Snapdragon XR2 processorHas a 90Hz displayHas 6GB of RAMLighter than original Oculus QuestCheaper than original Oculus QuestOption for up to 256GB of storageSupports all Oculus Quest gamesConsOnly has one headphone jackDoesn't work with some old accessoriesLacks "true blacks" due to LCDThe Oculus Quest 2 is lighter and more powerful than its predecessor. With the Snapdragon XR2 processor, a new 90Hz display, and 6GB of RAM, the Oculus Quest 2 is the best way to experience the Oculus platform.An aging headsetOculus QuestFrom $529 at AmazonProsPlays growing library of Oculus Quest gamesHas two headphones jacks, allowing more optionsShows "true blacks" with OLED displayConsHeavier than Oculus Quest 2Has processor that's several years oldMore expensive than Oculus Quest 2Only has 4GB of RAMMax option of 128GB of storageRunning out of stockThe original Oculus Que...

Things aren't looking good for Google or Apple, and it's likely that some things will change.Application developers have levied some serious accusations against Google and Apple in the latest Senate hearings about how the two tech giants abuse their market position and power.Testimony from names like Spotify, Tile, and Tinder tells how the two companies are stifling competition and any potential rivals and details how the rules surrounding in-app payments and even application updates allow it to happen. Even worse, claims of threatened retaliation if the line isn't toed are being tossed out, too. While Apple is having a tougher time, serious allegations have been levied against Google.Things look much worse for Apple, which is under tight antitrust scrutiny and in another legal battle with Epic Games. This is because of Apple's closed ecosystem where Apple calls all the shots, and no alternative ways to install applications or updates exist. Even one of Apple's anticipated...