Latest from Android Central

The "new" watches share most of their features with the Amazfit GTR 2 and GTS 2.What you need to knowAmazfit has introduced two new affordable smartwatches.Both the new GTS 2e and GTR 2e watches feature AMOLED screens, six sports modes, and blood oxygen monitoring.They have been priced at just 799 yuan ($122) in China.Huami's unveiled the successors to its popular Amazfit GTR and Amazfit GTS smartwatches earlier this year. The company's Amazfit brand has now launched more affordable variants of two of its best Android smartwatches, called the GTS 2e and GTR 2e. Unlike the GTR 2 and GTS 2, however, the GTR 2e and GTS 2e lack Wi-Fi connectivity.Like the Amazfit GTR 2, the new Amazfit GTR 2e sports a 1.39-inch circular AMOLED screen with two buttons on the right side. The Amazfit GTS 2e, on the other hand, has a rectangular 1.65-inch AMOLED screen with just a single button on the right. Both smartwatches come with six workout modes, heart-rate tracking, 5 ATM water resistanc...

Need a new desk? Well, lucky for you the Need Store has a desk on sale. The Need 63-inch computer gaming and writing desk has dropped to $91.20 on Amazon. This deal matches the same price drop around this time last year, which is the only other time this desk has ever dropped so low. It normally sells for around $170 and has been at that price for most of the year. Even when it has dipped, it hasn't gone for less than $150.This is a great computer desk, and it's one of our top picks for the best computer desks for students. If you're a college student or anyone really who needs a dedicated space for a computer, printer, monitors, and other gear, then you'll get plenty of space for just that with a desk like this.It's quite a large desk. I prefer a large desk, personally, and i think you will, too. The extra space gives you plenty of room to add stuff in the future or just spread out with paperwork and devices. The overall size of the desktop is 63 x 23.7 x 29.5 inches, which agai...

Samsung is likely to introduce at least two new non-Note phones with S Pen support in 2021.What you need to knowSamsung has confirmed that it is bringing the S Pen to other devices in its lineup.The first non-Note device from Samsung with S Pen support will be the Galaxy S21 Ultra.Samsung also plans to make foldable phones more accessible in 2021.Soon after Samsung unveiled the Galaxy Note 20 series in August, a rumor had claimed that the company was planning to add S Pen support to the Galaxy S series. In a blog post published this morning, Samsung's Head of Mobile Communications Business, TM Roh has confirmed that it is going to be bringing the Galaxy Note's "most well-loved features" to other devices in its lineup next year.While the company hasn't detailed its plans yet, recent reports out of South Korea suggest the Galaxy S21 Ultra will be the first phone under the Galaxy S series to have S Pen support. Although it won't have a dedicated slot for the S Pen, Samsung i...

If you have small ears, chances are you find it difficult to get a pair of headphones that fit well. There are virtually endless choices out there for audio gadgets in 2020, but finding ones that work properly in smaller-sized ears can still prove to be a pain in the butt. That's why we've done our homework and created a list of our favorite headphones and earbuds that are worth spending money on, even if your ears are smaller than the average Joe.Diamond-enhanced soundAnker Soundcore Liberty Air 2Staff PickSticking with true wireless buds, another great choice comes from Anker with the Soundcore Liberty Air 2. Soundcore's "diamond-enhanced sound" touts 15% better frequency bandwidth and double the bass for all-around better audio. Tie that together with Bluetooth 5.0, 28 hours of total battery life, and customizable EQ settings, and you get one heck of a package.$70 at Amazon $70 at Best Buy $100 at WalmartSurprise hitBack Bay Duet 50True wireless earbuds a...

Where you hoping to get a PS5 this morning? If you waited even a minute, you were already too late.What you need to knowBest Buy restocked the PS5 at 9am ET / 6am PT this morning.Though the website experienced some technical difficulties, PS5 stock still sold out within seconds.The retailer has not stated when another round of PS5 stock will go live.Best Buy announced that it was restocking the PS5 today at 9am ET and the console sold out within minutes. There's nothing shocking here, but it is a testament to how popular Sony's PS5 is this holiday season. The next-gen console first released on November 12, 2020.If you go to Best Buy's website right now, the console's are listed as "Coming Soon," but at one point there were a few seconds where the PS5 and PS5 Digital Edition let you add them to your cart. The last time this happened and the website listed them as "Coming Soon," the consoles were sold out and technical issues prevented the store page from updated. The next ...

School is a dangerous environment for most tools and tech, but none more so than phones. Phones are essential items always in arm's reach but often bumped, dropped, or banged in the hustle and bustle of changing classrooms or running to meet up with friends at lunch. The best phone grips for students are a lifesaver for slim and slippery fingers. And considering how affordable these ones are, they're well worth the investment.Pop-ular and adaptableSwappable PopGrips by PopSocketsStaff PickSwappable PopSockets support wireless charging when you twist off the PopTop while still allowing you a better grip, a larger range of motion, and a flash of style for your phone. These also come in a bevy of pop culture character designs, like The Child from The Mandalorian.$15 at Amazon$10 at WalmartStylish slide gripSpeck GrabTabSpeck's phone grip is the size of a credit card, comes in dozens upon dozens of styles, and is easy to keep a precise grip on. Best of all, since the...

Get those spicy questions ready!It's hard to believe, but 2020 is finally coming to a close. This year sure has been something else, so why not end it on a high note? The final Android Central Podcast of 2020 is coming soon, and rather than doing a normal show to send off the year, we wanted to do something a bit more fun.As such, the next episode of the Android Central Podcast will be a Q&A! Whether you want to get our hot takes on our favorite phones of the year, finally want us to settle which Android interface is best, or just need to know what we think about pineapple on pizza (it's delicious, by the way), this is your opportunity to ask.Whatever your question may be, all you have to do is leave it in the comments below. We'll sift through everything that comes in, pick our favorites, and try to answer as many as possible. You all get to decide what we'll be talking about, so get creative and have fun!We'll be recording the next Android Central Podcast on Thursday, D...

The Garmin Vivoactive 4 has a lot to offer, especially when you compare it to its predecessor. Make sure you choose a suitable band for your smartwatch. Whether you need something that can handle your high-intensity workouts or you want to dress it up for fancy occasions, there are plenty of options. The Vivoactive 4 works with 22mm quick release bands. If you prefer the smaller Vivoactive 4S, you'll need 18mm bands instead. Not to worry, we've included the best Garmin Vivoactive 4 bands in both sizes.Waterproof comfortRitche Silicone Watch BandStaff PickNeed a watch band that can do it all? Check out these silicone bands from Ritche. They're made of premium elastomer material that's flexible and waterproof, which is perfect if you want to go swimming with your Vivoactive 4. Best of all? You'll never have to worry about skin irritation as it's lightweight and dries easily.From $17 at Amazon (22mm) From $17 at Amazon (18mm)Impeccably permeableSycreek Quick Releas...

Having a chat with the AC forums.As difficult as it is to believe, we're just weeks away from the Samsung Galaxy S21. The phone is expected to be unveiled and launched in January 2021, meaning we don't have to wait too much longer to get our hands on Samsung's next round of flagships.Thanks to the seemingly endless rumor mill, we already have a pretty good idea of what we can expect from the series. Samsung is poised to launch a total of three phones, including the Galaxy S21, S21+, and S21 Ultra. They'll all feature flat displays, a new back design, upgraded internals, and possibly lower prices compared to the S20 series.Some of our AC forum members recently got to talking about waiting to buy the S21 when it comes out, with the conversation going as follows: Jgp55555 12-11-2020 02:17 PM “ Am thinking about getting s20 plus, can get 150 for my phone and 400 off through verizon. Might wait fo...

If you snagged a new phone, tablet or PC during Black Friday and Cyber Monday, now's the time to snag some essential accessories. If you're not already rocking true wireless earbuds, today's deal on the Aukey EP-T21 earbuds lets you do just that without shelling out a ton of cash in the process. These Bluetooth earbuds normally sell for just under $30, though today you can snag a pair for as low as $17.84 thanks to a sale at Amazon.With this deal, you'll be scoring them at $12 off and a fraction of the price that brand name true wireless earbuds like the Apple AirPods sell at. The discount only applies to the black version of the earbuds.These Aukey true wireless earbuds let you listen to your music wirelessly with Bluetooth 5.0 for a stable wireless connection. Its smart touch controls let you just tap the earbuds to pause or play your music, or answer an incoming call using the built-in noise-cancelling microphones. Aukey includes various sizes of ear tips with these earbuds so...

The Corsair K100 RGB is the best gaming keyboard in the market today.Corsair makes some of the best gaming keyboards money can buy today. The K95 RGB Platinum was released three years ago and continues to be a great choice in 2020. I bought the keyboard a few months after it went on sale and used it for the better part of the last three years.Corsair has now introduced the successor to the K95, the K100. The K100 RGB Gaming Keyboard builds on the foundation of the K95, but Corsair isn't resting on its laurels here; the keyboard features Corsair's new OPX optical switch, a new wrist rest, an iCUE control dial, and an RGB lightbar that now extends to the sides as well as the top.Combine all of that, and you get a truly extravagant gaming keyboard that sits head and shoulders above other options in this category. If you're in the market for a new gaming keyboard, this is the one to get.Corsair K100 RGB Keyboard review:What I likeWhat I don't likeThe competitionShould you...

The Amazon Echo is great for controlling your smart home and playing music, but it can also be used for fun, enhancing games, powering some of the best Alexa-enabled toys you've ever seen. Whether you're enjoying a night in or playing outside with your friends, these are some of the best Alexa-compatible toys you can buy.Trivia board gameWhen in RomeStaff PickWhen in Rome is a travel-oriented trivia board game that tests your knowledge of 20 cities worldwide. Just like Escape Room in a Box, When in Rome ties into Alexa to add music, sound effects, and even character voices. If you have an Amazon-powered speaker like an Echo Dot, Alexa can host your game, keeping score, and reading the game's rules.$7 at AmazonTwist and shoutTwister UltimateThis edition of Twister is a larger version of the old favorite, perfect for families or larger gatherings. When you enable the Twister Spinner Alexa Skill in the Alexa app, you can have Alexa dictate the instructions and gamep...

Looks like Best Buy doesn't want to end the fun that started yesterday with its Green Monday sale. The party continues over there with a huge 3-day sale continuing throughout the week with tons of deals on electronics. Save on portable Bluetooth speakers, laptops, 4K TVs, video games, smart home devices, true wireless earbuds, Apple products, and more. It's like the whole store is discounted this week, but the sale won't last forever. The prices go away at the end of the day on Thursday, Dec. 17.Ready for some award-winning video gaming? End of the year awards for games are out, and right now you can save on a lot of nominated and victorious video games at Best Buy during this sale. Get Game of the Year The Last of Us Part II for just $29.99, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild on Nintendo Switch for $39.99, and more. If you've got some holiday time coming up, spend it on the couch with a controller in your hand.There is a mini sale on Apple products inside the larger sale. I...

If you somehow managed to miss the stellar Amazon Echo deals that were available over Black Friday and Cyber Monday, Woot is giving you one more opportunity to save. Today only, it has the 2nd-generation Amazon Echo on sale for just $49.99. Unlike a lot of Woot deals, it's offered brand new and even comes with a 1-year warranty.The Echo has Amazon's Alexa baked right in to help answer your questions, convert measurements, keep you updated on the news, and even control your smart home gear. It has seven microphones, which allow it to hear you even in loud situations when you're not right next to it, and the improved speaker quality makes listening to music on it a better experience. Amazon is constantly adding new skills and features to Alexa, thus making the Echo devices even smarter and better to use.The Amazon Echo model on sale today is the international version which regularly sells for $100 these days direct at Amazon. For users in the U.S., that differentiation doesn't mean...

Sony made another great accessory to pair with your PS5, but you might not want it if you only have one controller.Sony released a handful of accessories alongside the PS5, and I was eager to test them all out. I recently reviewed the Pulse 3D wireless headset and found that while it provides great audio, the mic is less than adequate. I now had the chance to test out the DualSense Charging Station that Sony offers on the side for an additional $30. For what it is worth, it's another great accessory that does its job. I don't see it being useful for everyone, but I think it's worth it for its price.At a glanceDualSense Charging Station Bottom line: There's nothing groundbreaking about the DualSense Charging Station, but it works exactly as intended. It can charge two controllers at once in about 3 hours, and it can stand be...

Ireland's data regulator has opened over 20 probes into U.S. tech companies, including Google, Facebook, and Apple.What you need to knowTwitter has been fined 450,000 euros ($547,000) for violating EU data protection rules.The penalty has been levied due to Twitter's inability to report a breach within 72 hours, as required by EU data protection rules.This is the first time that a U.S. company has been fined under the new EU data privacy law.Twitter has been fined €450,000 ($547,000) by Ireland's Data Protection Commission (DPC) for its failure to report a data breach on time under EU data protection rules (via Reuters). The Irish watchdog said in a statement that the penalty was levied as "an effective, proportionate and dissuasive measure."Europe's General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) requires companies to report breaches of personal data to the relevant authority within 72 hours. The penalty relates to a breach that was disclosed by Twitter in January 2019, mor...

Those hoping to snag an affordable VPN deal this holiday shopping season will want to check out the current promotion running at VyprVPN. For a limited time, you can score a free year of service when you go for the already-discounted 2-year plan. At just $60 upfront, you're effectively paying just $1.66 per month over the course of the subscription making this one of the cheapest VPNs available right now.It's wild how much of our lives are online in this day and age, and even wilder just how much personal data we share and how much we're tracked across the web. That's probably why VPNs, or virtual private networks, have gotten so popular in recent years as we strive to claw back a little bit of online privacy. Thankfully, you don't have to spend a fortune to subscribe to one with a variety of inexpensive VPN services out there.VyprVPN may be one of the cheapest options available right now at under $2 a month, but it's not short on features. The service has strong encryption and f...

The latest iteration of the iPad Air stands tall over its Android rivals.If you're looking for the best Android tablets, you will have to pick up something made by Samsung. The South Korean manufacturer is the only brand continuing to release Android tablets with any regular cadence, with Amazon catering to the budget segment with its Fire HD series that runs a forked version of Android.Android tablets showed a lot of promise three years ago, with the likes of Xiaomi, ASUS, and Lenovo releasing a slate of models. But Google hasn't paid much attention to this category, and recent Android versions don't include any tablet-focused features. The move has soured other manufacturers to the form factor, and Samsung had to come up with workarounds to optimize apps for the tablet form factor.While Google has effectively given up on the tablet segment, that isn't true of Apple. The iPad continues to be the default choice in the tablet category, and Apple introduced iPadOS last year with ...

The companies have 45 days to hand over information about their privacy practices to the FTC.What you need to knowThe FTC has ordered nine tech companies to provide information about their data practices.The orders are being sent to Amazon, ByteDance, Discord, Facebook, Snap, Twitter, WhatsApp, Reddit, and YouTube.The companies will have to respond to the FTC within 45 days of receiving the order. The Federal Trade Commission has sent orders to nine popular tech companies, requiring them to provide information on how they collect, use, and present data from their users. The orders have been issued under Section 6(b) of the FTC Act, which authorizes the agency to "conduct wide-ranging studies that do not have a specific law enforcement purpose."The FTC wants to know how the companies determine which ads are shown to consumers and whether they apply algorithms or data analytics to personal information. It is also seeking information related to how their practices affect chi...

Since we're all going to be stuck indoors watching Christmas films for the foreseeable future, now's the time to upgrade your TV to something bigger and better. Woot is giving you the perfect opportunity to do just that with a huge one-day sale on Samsung smart TVs has a few different models to save on today only that you need to check out.All of the TVs in today's sale are factory reconditioned, and though they may not be brand new, they've each been inspected and tested to ensure they're in proper working condition. Oftentimes, you can barely notice an item has been used before after it's been refurbished. Plus, Woot includes a 90-day Samsung warranty with the purchase. Prices start at $169.99 with the 4K options starting at $219.99, though there's no telling how long these TVs will last so be sure to shop soon.The sale includes a few models of the super neat Samsung The Frame TV. This TV has made a name for itself due to its Art Mode, which transforms the TV when it's off into...

Who needs big, over-sized phones when these great small ones exist?Ever since the first Samsung Galaxy Note made its debut back in 2011, the smartphone market has constantly pushed towards larger and larger handsets. Big phones allow you to have larger displays, bigger batteries, and more room to mess around with things like multiple camera sensors.All of that stuff is fine and dandy, but in this quest to make gigantic smartphones that bring everything but the kitchen sink, there's been an unfortunate side effect — phones have gotten really difficult to use. The Galaxy Note 20 Ultra and OnePlus 8 Pro are two of the best Android phones to be released in 2020; however, their cumbersome designs often hinder the overall user experience (despite how good everything else is).Thankfully, things are starting to change. This year saw small phones make a comeback in a way we haven't seen in a long time — so much so that Apple even jumped on the bandwagon. Yes, Apple! Small phones are...

It's 2020, and OnePlus is done settling.OnePlus manages to release some of the most exciting and interesting Android phones every year. The concept of getting flagship specs for considerably less money than the competition is what's helped OnePlus stand out from other brands. Still, as prices rise with each new release and that cost gap closes, OnePlus has had to further refine and improve its phones to help them stand out.For 2020, OnePlus brought two new handsets to the U.S. with the OnePlus 8 and the OnePlus 8 Pro. The OnePlus 8 is a pretty minor update to 2019's OnePlus 7T, while the OnePlus 8 Pro is where the company put all of its marbles to create its most premium smartphone to-date.Whether you're interested in our review, full device specs, or a closer look at the OnePlus 8/8 Pro's best features, here's everything you need to know!Done settlingOnePlus 8 Pro$799 at AmazonOnePlus goes full flagshipThe OnePlus 8 Pro marks a big shift in OnePlus as a company. ...

There are a bunch of Fitbit devices on the market these days and choosing between them can be difficult. One key factor for many buyers, presumably including you reading this article, is price. Fitbit's smartwatches and fitness trackers span a wide range of price points and pretty much all of them can be found at a discount if you know where to look.Best Fitbit Deals Available NowFitbit Smartwatch Deals: Save up to $50Fitbit Fitness Tracker Deals: Up to $31 offFitbit Smart Scale Deals: From $49More Info: Pricing history, which to buy & moreFitbit Sense | $278.95 at AmazonThe Sense is Fitbit's newest and most premium smart health watch, and it's also the company's most expensive wearable. It has sensors to measure your electrodermal skin activity, temperature, and stress levels, and it can also take an ECG reading to determine if you have atrial fibrillation. All of this in a stylish new package with all of the comprehensive fitness tracking you've come to expec...

Get started with Live Albums, one of Google Photos' best features.Google Photos is one of the best ways to manage and store all of your pictures and videos. With simple cloud backups and powerful search features, it makes saving all those precious memories as easy as can be.If you find yourself storing a lot of stuff in Google Photos, you'll want to take advantage of a feature called "Live Albums." This automatically adds photos of the people and pets that you choose to their own respective albums, taking out some of the stress of managing all your various pictures. Here's how to use it!How to create a Live Album on Google PhotosIf you're ready to get started with Live Albums on Google Photos, doing so is quite easy. Let's get started:Open Google Photos.Tap the Library tab at the bottom.Scroll down a little bit.Tap New album.Tap Select people & petsSelect the people and pets you want to include.Tap Confirm at the top-right when done.Add a title to your album t...

The Nokia 5.4 is HMD's most affordable phone yet with a 48MP camera.What you need to knowNokia 5.4 is the latest addition to HMD Global's lineup of affordable Android One phones.It comes with a 6.39-inch HD+ display, Qualcomm's Snapdragon 662 chipset, and quad rear cameras with a 48MP main sensor.The phone will retail for €189 ($230) in Europe.HMD Global took the wraps off the Nokia 5.3 in March this year, alongside the Nokia 8.3 5G and Android Go-powered Nokia 1.3. Nine months later, HMD Global is back with a new budget phone to take on some of the best cheap Android phones on the market. The Nokia 5.4 isn't a big upgrade over its predecessor, but promises a significantly improved camera experience.HMD Global's latest budget phone sports a 6.39-inch HD+ display with a waterdrop notch at the top, housing a 16MP selfie camera. It is powered by Qualcomm's 11nm Snapdragon 662 chipset, which has been paired with 4GB of RAM and 128GB of storage. Around the back of the phon...

Alexa is an assistant of many talents, live translation just became one of them.What you need to knowAmazon now supports Live Translation via Alexa.The new feature is enabled on Echo devices based in the U.S.You can currently translate between English and Spanish, French, German, Italian, Brazilian Portuguese, or Hindi.Amazon today announced and launched a nifty new feature for Alexa, a built-in live translator. Now, select devices will be able to use Amazon's assistant to serve as an interpreter between a limited pair of languages in real-time (via XDA Developers).You'll be able to use Live Translation with one of six language pairs, including English and Spanish, French, German, Italian, Brazilian Portuguese, or Hindi. It'll only be made available on Echo devices with their regions set to English U.S, at the moment.Amazon explained how the feature worked on Monday, saying: The Live Translation feature leverages several existing Amazon systems, including Alexa's a...

Christmas is right around the corner, and Google's helping make it fun with its annual Santa Tracker.What you need to knowGoogle has launched its annual Santa Tracker, just in time for Christmas.Santa is being a bit health conscious, donning a purple mask in recognition of the global pandemic.Googles Santa Tracker can be installed from the Play Store or as a progressive web-app if your browser supports it.Christmas is here in just over a week, and Google's Santa Tracker has made its annual appearance as we track the jolly red gift giver on his global journey from the North Pole.Going over the Santa tracker site, you'll notice a minor cosmetic tweak. That's right, Santa and Mrs Claus are donning purple face masks (spotted by Android Police). It seems even the frosty North Pole isn't immune from concerns of the coronavirus (though if he still plans on zooming through everyone's house in a night, he'd best stock up on hand sanitizer.)Google has also trotted out the usual...

It's nearly the end of an era as the Nest brand takes over.What you need to knowGoogle has just sold the last remaining units of the Home Max smart speaker.Google Home branded devices have been slowly replaced by Nest branded ones.The Home Max will still receive software support for an undisclosed amount of time.The original Google Home has effectively been dead for a while, to the point where any search for it on Google's Store simply tells you that it's no longer available. It's had a good run in the four years it managed to stay alive, but now another Google Home speaker has met its end.Engadget reports that any remaining units have been sold and Google is no longer manufacturing them. A cursory glance on the Google Store will still present you with a "buy" button on the Home Max product page, but then you'll be met with a greyed out "out of stock". While it's a sad end for such a great speaker that doesn't have a direct replacement, the newer Nest Audio speakers are p...

Phone Hub is even closer to reality with these new visual updates.What you need to knowGoogle Phone Hub has received some visual updates, giving a better look at the upcoming feature.This looks to be Google's answer to Microsoft Your Phone on Windows.There is still no expected date for the final version.Not to be outdone by Apple and Microsoft, Google is working on its own desktop-level phone integration dubbed "Phone Hub". The feature was first hinted at several months ago when code was discovered referencing the app, as well as some visual UI aspects. At its most basic level, Phone Hub will integrate Android with Chrome OS, allowing users to control aspects of their phone from their desktop.Since the earliest mentions of Phone Hub, there seems to have been some updates, which include a number of new UI elements. None of the functions actually... function, but it should give you an idea of what you might expect once the full version rolls out. From the looks of ...

Your pets are part of your family. You take pictures of your animals, include them in activities, and feed them and love them. Want to give something back to your four-legged friend for all their loyal years of service? These are the best pet gadgets around. Some will help you keep an eye on your furry friends while others reward good behavior and give your best pal something to do when you're not home.Eyes on the prizeViture 1080P Pet CameraStaff FavoriteThis Wi-Fi camera keeps encrypted files on an SD card that only you can access. With 1080P Night Vision, you get clear images night or day of your pets inside or out. This video camera has motion detection that alerts you when your pet is on the move. And with two-way audio, you can tell your dog to get off the couch even when you're in the office.$26 at AmazonDeshedding magicFURminatorEliminate matted fur and stray pet hair without scissors or stressing out your dog or cat. The FURminator does away with lo...

You may not realize it, but you can actually use a webcam with the TV in your home for your video calling needs. With so many options to choose from, it can be tough to find the best TV webcams, but we've rounded up some of the best that can handle just about every situation you throw at it. The Facebook Portal TV is our favorite thanks to its easy integration with your Facebook account, along with the built-in Amazon Alexa smart features, packing a nice one-two punch to keep in touch with the family or even if you just want one of the best webcams to connect to your TV.Best TV Webcam Overall: Facebook Portal TVThe Facebook Portal TV is an easy choice for the best TV webcams thanks to its simple installation process and included features. Just about everyone you know likely has a Facebook or WhatsApp account, so getting everything setup is as easy as signing into your account. Plus, you have the added benefit of onboard Amazon Alexa for easy integration with your smart home.T...

Google Nest Hub Max brings Zoom to a smart screen near you.What you need to knowZoom add integration with Google's Nest Hub Max.The feature is currently in early preview and should be rolling out to users starting today.Users interested in using Zoom on their Next Hub Max need to link their Zoom accounts.The holidays are upon us, and many people are remaining in their own homes amid the current pandemic. For those of you who have opted out of traveling this holiday, Google Meet and Duo are already available on its smart displays, but now Google is going the extra step by finally integrating Zoom with its Nest Hub Max.In order to get started, you will first need to link your Zoom account, which can be done within the Google Home app settings. Simply navigate to "Services" then tap "Voice and Video calls" and then "Video & Voice apps". Here you'll be able to add Zoom to the list of app providers by following the instructions. Once it's set up, you can simply say "He...

Portable, versatile, and great-sounding. Every podcaster needs one.It's hard to imagine a more iconic microphone than the Shure SM7B. The legendary cardioid mic was famously used on Michael Jackson's album Thriller and has since been used on countless other records as well as for voiceover and podcasting work. It's an unbelievably versatile mic, with an instantly recognizable sound signature that works equally well for vocals, guitar amps, brass instruments, and even drums.That's why I was so excited when Shure announced the MV7, a sort of miniature SM7B with a particular focus on podcasting and on-the-fly adjustments. As a fairly regular voice on the Android Central Podcast (and a musician who occasionally works up the courage to post vocal performances on social media), it seemed like a perfect fit for my workflow, offering a versatile recording experience without some of the difficulties of using the SM7B.In my three weeks with the Shure MV7, it's lived up to every bit of th...

Figuring out what's wrong isn't going to be easy. Getting it fixed isn't, either.So a thing has been happening on Apple computers, and apparently, the Chrome web browser is behind it all. Depending on who you ask, this is either a new thing or a thing that's been happening for almost 10 years, but in any case, it is a thing. It's a real problem that is happening right now to plenty of people who use Chrome on a Mac. Google isn't trying to purposely break every MacBook, but there is an issue at hand.Without going too deep, what's happening is that the part of macOS that creates and manages application windows, called WindowServer, is going off the rails and using way too much processing power, and for some reason, the automatic update utility Google has built into Chrome is causing it. Users experiencing this — and not every user does, which makes it harder to find and fix — can simply delete Chrome and the problem is fixed, or they can dig into the command line and stop...

It's time to make the family some hot chocolate, get out a few cozy blankets, and settle in for one of your favorite holiday films. Disney+ is full of content designed to be watched during this time of the year, from holiday episodes of popular TV shows to some of the best Christmas movies ever. Whether you're in the mood to watch something animated or a live-action film, Disney+ has you covered.Give Disney+ as a gift subscriptionDisney+ has a new way you can share the service with another friend or family member. This holiday season, you can buy a gift subscription for $69.99 and have it delivered via email on the day of your choosing! The subscription gives your recipient an entire year of access to Disney+, and once the year is over, they'll have the option of adding in their payment info to continue the subscription. There's no risk of it charging you again.Happy holidays!Disney+Shop at Disney+Give the gift of Disney+ this holiday season. The Disney+ gift subscripti...

Best answer: Yes, but not in the way you'd want expensive headphones to work. Apple's AirPods Max are premium over-ear Bluetooth headphones built with features that have some exclusivity attached to them for iOS users. Given the price, there are premium alternatives that do more for less.Maxing out: AirPods Max ($549 at Best Buy)What the AirPods Max can doThe AirPods Max have H1 chips in both ear cups. It's the same chip introduced in the second-generation AirPods that facilitated the super-fast pairing and easy access to Siri through voice activation. The improved battery management means the headphones won't die faster since they're constantly listening for the "Hey Siri," command, plus you get longer talk time for calls.Apple put in a digital crown like the one from the Apple Watch as the primary form of onboard control for volume, skipping/repeating tracks, making phone calls and activating Siri. There are nine microphones, eight of which are included to handle the ac...

Google just made using Meet on a Nest a lot better.What you need to knowGoogle has made Meet better on the Nest Hub with a slew of updates.These include a new grid view for group video calls, pinning callers, and a new overflow menu.These changes are being made available immediately.Using Google Meet for your holiday catchup? Granted, Google's made that easier to do by making Meet free, but it's also rolling out substantial improvements for Nest Hub (and other smart displays) this week when it comes to group calling.The first feature is a useful visual tweak, from now, you'll be able to see up to 4 people at once in Meet with a new 2x2 grid view. Not everyone will fit inside that grid, so Google's also adding a new overflow menu where you can see all the call attendees who aren't visible. If you do want to pay specific attention to someone, you can now pin them on your display to keep them front and center.Here's how it'll look once you're fully set up.Aside from th...

No more invites!What you need to knowAmazon is making its Halo health tracker available for purchase after an early-access periodAmazon Halo has been met with some controversy regarding the invasiveness of its service.The launch also includes a few new features, including on-demand workouts.After a few months in a limited "early access" period, the Amazon Halo band and service are now available to the general public. The band does not feature a display that is meant to keep from distracting the user and go largely unnoticed on their wrist. And while the device is meant to fade into the background, the device is much more involved in its tracking than other similar devices.Beyond the typical step, calorie counter, and sleep tracker, Amazon Halo can also measure the intensity of your activity. For users who subscribe to the $3.99/month membership, it can take things even further by calculating your body composition, and even has a feature called Tone that actively listens...

Best answer: The Arlo Essential battery will last up to six months, or up to a year with the Essential XL Spotlight Camera. Although that estimate depends on how often and when the camera is activated, with nighttime footage burning through the battery twice as fast. It can last indefinitely if you connect your Essential Camera to an Arlo solar panel.Six months or less: Arlo Essential Spotlight Camera ($100 at Amazon)Up to a year: Arlo Essential XL Spotlight Camera ($130 at Amazon)Never worry about battery life: Arlo Essential Solar Panel Charger ($50 at Amazon)How long will the Arlo Essential battery last?Many wireless or wire-free security cameras have removable battery packs, so you can buy a spare and swap it in with almost no footage downtime. That isn't the case with the Arlo Essential, which we named the best Arlo camera for people just starting out at home security. It has a built-in battery, so you'll need to unmount and recharge it indoors when its battery runs ou...

Horrifying in its own way, this is pure gaming gold.I love platformers. From metroidvanias to side-scrolling action RPGs, there's a lot to love in this classic gaming genre. In the spirit of platforming goodness, it's my pleasure to introduce our Android Game of the Week for this final week before Christmas: Limbo.You've probably heard about it, and it features in both our best Android platformers and best Android games roundups. It's a delightfully creepy game, full of shadowy surrealism that leaves you wanting more. There are definitely good reasons why this game is liked.Limbo is over ten years old now, which is almost impossible to believe. It tells the story of a young boy who ventures into limbo to find out what happened to his sister. His journey is fraught with danger as he wakes up in a dark forest, and you're left to figure out the context as you push forward.It's more accurate to label Limbo as a puzzle-platformer since it features plenty of puzzles to challeng...

PlayStation is notoriously bad at customer support when it comes to refund requests, so you'll need to be patient.Cyberpunk 2077 runs like garbage on PS4 and Xbox One. There's just no other way to say it. Our own Cyberpunk 2077 review mentions the persistent bugs that still plague the game on PS5 through backward compatibility. If you're looking to refund Cyberpunk 2077 after buying it on PS4 digitally, you should contact PlayStation.While CD Projekt RED has acknowledged the problems and stated that everyone can request a refund on PS4, PlayStation Support hasn't always been helpful to customers in the past. Should you have any issues, CD Projekt RED says to contact the studio at helpmerefund@cdprojektred.com where you will have until Dec. 21, 2020 to request a refund on your game. If you purchased a physical copy, you should try to request a refund from the retailer you purchased it from.How to request a refund on Cyberpunk 2077 for PS4 and PS5Go to playstation.com/en-us/su...

The rollable phone will be 7.4-inches in size when fully stretched out and promises to be lighter, thinner, and more reliable than folding phones.What you need to knowLG is reportedly readying three new phones for launch in 2021.The LG Rollable is set to be the first commercially available rollable smartphone, while the LG Rainbow will be the company's more traditional flagship.It's also preparing a mid-range option, tentatively named the LG Q83.LG is set to steal Oppo, Xiaomi, and Samsung's thunder next year by becoming the first company to offer a rollable smartphone. We've been hearing about this phone for quite some time, of course, but a new report from Korean outlet ETNews sheds more light on the company's plans at large, with three new smartphones planned for early 2021.Of these, two are slated to be flagship devices. The most eye-catching of the two will, of course, be the company's rollable phone, rather unimaginatively codenamed the LG Rollable. It's is said to ...

Source: StackCommercePodcasting has taken off massively in the past couple of years. If you want to jump into the gold rush, Podsite can help you publish and promote your show. Right now, annual plans are 50% off at $29.99.Anyone with a mic can publish a podcast nowadays. But to generate any kind of audience, you need to work hard at promotion. Having your own website is an essential part of pulling in listeners.Podsite is a website builder that was made specifically for podcast hosts. Rated at 5 stars on Product Hunt, the platform offers a wealth of dedicated features.You build your online presence in Podsite using an AI-powered drag-and-drop editor. It's easy to change the design, add email sign-up forms, and share links to your social media accounts. You even get access to a stock image library.Podsite also lets you create a unique page for every episode of your podcast, complete with RSS and SEO. This makes your show much more discoverable.You would normally pay $60 a yea...

Future-proofedLenovo Flex 5 Chromebook$406 at AmazonProsTwo more years of updatesMore advanced Wi-Fi and BluetoothFront-facing stereo speakersGreat battery life and portsConsNo 8GB RAM optionThe Flex 5 matches its Chromebook rival with a backlit keyboard, flexible 2-in-1 design, 2 USB-C ports, and 10+ hour battery. Where it stands out is its SSD storage option, later auto update expiration date, and better price.Bigger, brighter displayASUS Chromebook Flip C434$518 at AmazonProsSlightly larger, brighter screen with wide sRGB gamut8GB RAM, i5/i7 CPU optionsGreat battery life and portsStylish aluminum bodyConsTinny, downward-facing speakersBetter CPU options are rare, expensiveIf you want a wider range of specs to choose between, the ASUS Flip gives you a wider range of CPUs and RAM options based on your budget. But whichever configuration you buy, you'll get a 14", colorful display with plenty of nits.The Lenovo Flex 5 Chrom...

Best Oculus Quest 2 Deals Available NowOculus Quest 2: as low as $299Oculus accessories: starting at $39More on the Oculus Quest 2The next step in VR hardware has arrived, and now that the Oculus Quest 2 is available on store shelves, you can discover an immersive virtual reality of gaming starting as low as $299. Of course, if you know where to shop, you might even be able to score a discount on this new VR system.While deals don't come around every day on this new release just yet, it's not too soon to score a discount on the Oculus Quest 2. In fact, with the holidays right around the corner, we could be seeing some major savings sooner than you'd think. If you have yet to decide whether this VR headset is the right one for your home, our Oculus Quest 2 review can help you learn more about the new model.Best Oculus Quest 2 DealsThe Oculus Quest 2 was only just released in mid October, so it will still be some time before we see any crazy discounts on the new model. ...

The holidays are here and nothing says I love you like PlayStation merchandise. That's the saying, right? Anyways, you're probably on the lookout for some affordable gifts this holiday season, and PlayStation is always popular. While it's near impossible to get your hands on a PS5 or any official PS5 accessories right now, there are plenty of related products you can get that'll make the recipient just as happy... ok, I'm lying that they'll be just as happy, but the point is these are some cool PlayStation gifts that won't break the bank.Near limitless optionsPlayStation Store Gift CardStaff PickYou can never go wrong with a PlayStation Store Gift Card. They start at $10 and go all the way up to $100 if you really want to spend the big bucks. Regardless, they're the perfect gift when you don't know what to get because the recipient can choose whatever they want from the store and you have the knowledge that you didn't just give money. It's the thought that counts.From $...

Stadia's library continues to growWhat you need to knowUbisoft+ beta begins rolling out today for Stadia US users for $15/mo, Pro not required.Roll out will be gradual and concludes on December 16.Features cross-platform progression and premium versions for big titles.Following the recent news about Ubisoft+ and Stadia, Google has now started rolling out a beta version of Ubisoft+ that's available to Stadia customers in the US. Access is available for both free Stadia users and Stadia Pro subscribers at a price point of $15 a month, which also includes Ubisoft+ for PC as well. The rollout will complete on December 16. Over time, this should dramatically expand and improve the quality of the Stadia game library.According to a representative, the Stadia version of the Ubisoft+ beta should feature the same games as the current Luna beta for Ubisoft+. This mostly consists of recent AAA releases such as Assassin's Creed Valhalla, Watch Dogs: Legion, Immortals Fenyx Rising, and...

Samsung's next big version update is now available.One UI 3.0 — Samsung's custom interface for Android 11 — is finally starting to arrive. Between official rollouts and public betas, Samsung's well underway with its update process for the new software. The stable release is now rolling out to the Galaxy S20 and Note 20 devices, and should make its way to older flagships soon.One UI 3.0 comes with exciting new features, subtle UI tweaks, and optimizations across the board. Here's what you need to know about the One UI 3.0 update, the list of eligible phones slated to receive the stable update, and when you'll get the stable OTA update on your Galaxy phone.The default choiceSamsung Galaxy S20+$950 at Amazon$950 at Best BuyA great all-round optionThe Galaxy S20+ is one of the best phones on the market today, with a gorgeous design coupled with enticing hardware. You get a stunning 120Hz AMOLED panel, global 5G connectivity, Snapdragon 865 chipset, outstanding came...

A set of guiding principles for all three to strive for.What you need to knowMicrosoft, Nintendo and Sony are the three console platform manufacturers.The three companies are working together to collaborate on safe online gaming standards.These standards are guided by prevention, partnership and responsibility.While online gaming is an everyday part of players lives, it's still not as safe as it could be. Microsoft, Sony and Nintendo, the three gaming console giants, announced today via Xbox Wire that the teams are working together on shared safety standards across gaming. These standards are focused on three principles: prevention, partnership and responsibility.Prevention is aimed at not only providing safety features but making them easy to use and publicly known, while also investing in new technology that makes playing safely easier. Partnership focuses on having huge swathes of the industry work together, sharing research and encouraging the use of reporting tools. ...

All Google services went down for just under an hour, but they're back up and running.Update 1, December 14 (7:45 am ET): Google services are coming back online after going down around the world for nearly an hour.Update 2, December 14 (10:30 am ET): Google issues a statement clarifying the reason for the global outage.What you need to knowWidespread Google outage is affecting Gmail, YouTube, Google Drive, and other core Google services.Users are unable to log in to their Gmail accounts, YouTube's home page is down, and all Nest devices are affected. Google is aware of the issue, and is investigating the problem right now. Google is seeing a widespread outage that is affecting most of its key services, including Gmail, YouTube, Drive, and others. So if you're trying to log in to your Gmail inbox or access YouTube's home page and unable to do so, you're not the only one facing issues.When I try logging in to my Gmail account, I get the following error: We're sorry,...