Latest from Android Central

Facebook's most controversial decision regarding Oculus hardware is being investigated in an antitrust case.What you need to knowFacebook is being investigated in Germany for forcing a link between Oculus VR headsets and Facebook accounts.New Oculus hardware currently requires a Facebook account.46 US states recently filed a separate lawsuit against Facebook regarding potential antitrust issues.Facebook is under investigation for potential antitrust issues surrounding its Oculus virtual reality headsets. Germany's Federal Cartel Office, also known as the Bundeskartellamt, initiated proceedings against Facebook earlier today. The aim of the proceedings is to "examine the linkage between Oculus virtual reality products and the social network and Facebook platform" (via Tech Crunch).Facebook announced earlier this year that Oculus headsets would require a Facebook account. Additionally, Facebook announced that it would end support for Oculus accounts in 2023, meaning that ev...

While it doesn't have an original design, the Mi Watch Lite offers great value.What you need to knowXiaomi has introduced an affordable new smartwatch for global markets.The Mi Watch Lite is based on the Redmi Watch, which was launched in China last month.It comes with a 1.4-inch color screen, 11 workout modes, built-in GPS, and a 230mAh battery.Xiaomi's Redmi sub-brand launched its first smartwatch last month, alongside new Redmi Note 9 series phones. While the Redmi Watch is currently exclusive to China, Xiaomi today announced a new watch based on Redmi's first smartwatch for global markets.Just like the Mi Watch, which was launched last year, the new Mi Watch Lite has a very similar design to the Apple Watch. It features a 1.4-inch 320 x 320 TFT color display with automatic brightness adjustment and over 120 themed watch faces.While it obviously isn't as impressive as the best Android smartwatches when it comes to activity tracking, the Mi Watch Lite does offer 11 ...

It started as a small enthusiast brand back in 2014, but OnePlus has quickly exploded into a mainstream hit that's responsible for making some of the best Android smartphones every year. If you know you want to buy a OnePlus phone but aren't sure which model to get, we've got a quick list to help you decide which one is right for you!Best of the bestOnePlus 8 ProStaff PickWith the OnePlus 8 Pro, OnePlus finally released a phone without holding back a single feature. All of the OnePlus essentials are here, such as a gorgeous 120Hz display, Snapdragon 865 processor, a huge 4,510 mAh battery, and up to 12GB of RAM. The 8 Pro has the best camera setup we've ever seen on a OnePlus device, in addition to 30W wireless charging and an official IP68 dust/water resistance rating.From $689 at AmazonFamiliar formulaOnePlus 8TIf you like what the OnePlus 8 Pro has to offer but just can't justify its steep price, it's worth checking out the OnePlus 8T instead. The display is lo...

Having a chat with the AC forums.While 2020 may have been a dumpster fire in almost every regard, it was honestly a pretty fantastic year when it comes to Android. We saw many excellent Android phones released this year, ranging from jaw-dropping foldables, high-end flagships, and impressive budget options.Recently in the AC forums, one user reached out to the community asking what phone they should buy. There are so many great options to choose from, making it difficult to decide on just one when it comes time to pay up.Many of our members were quick to jump in with their thoughts, with the conversation going as follows: frederickdawg 12-04-2020 11:50 PM “ One plus 8 pro would be a solid choice. I owned one briefly and it was solid. Issue for me is that I unfortunately have a samsung note fettish. Reply B. Diddy 12-04-2020 11:22...

The Google Pixel 5 comes in some really pretty colors, which makes it a bit of a shame to cover it up with a case. Thankfully, there are plenty of clear phone cases out there that will allow you to continue to admire your phone's natural beauty. I've scoured the internet looking for the best of the best. Here are the very best Pixel 5 clear cases for you to look through. To further protect, don't forget to pick up one of the best Pixel 5 screen protectors as well.Like Frodo with The RingSpigen Ultra Hybrid Crystal ClearStaff PickWith its clear edges and backing, the Spigen Crystal Clear case allows you to admire the Pixel 5's casing while providing some added protection. It has TPU bumpers and a hard PC backing.$12 at AmazonSplash of colorPoetic Guardian Series Full-Body CaseThis Poetic case surrounds your phone with its plastic faceplate and clear shell for all-around protection. The sides give added grip and the corners are shockproof. Additionally, the added po...

Gaming is more accessible than ever, but cloud streaming still has some work to do.Looking back at this year, it's clear that 2020 has been rough on a lot, if not all, of us in some way or another. While I'm fortunate enough to be able to work from home, I know some lost their jobs, their loved ones, and part of their sanity due to the hellish events in the last several months. Personally, I got hit with a rather bad case of COVID-19 that knocked me for a loop, to put it lightly.One thing that has remained strong in 2020 is gaming. Being stuck at home saw more people than ever playing video games, making high-profile releases like Animal Crossing: New Horizons even more successful than they might have otherwise been. We've also seen incredible demand for consoles, arguably more than just holiday season fervor. There are more reasons than ever to get into gaming, but with "next gen" here, there's simultaneously more demand than ever, too.Yet despite the wrenches 2020 threw at ...

The Honeywell Home T9 smart touchscreen thermostat with smart room sensor is on sale for $139.99 at Best Buy. This is part of Best Buy's deals of the day and won't last forever. We have seen it drop this low before, but that was also part of a one-day sale. Grab it now while you can because the Honeywell T9 goes for $200 when it's not on sale and is still that price at some retailers like Lowe's.The T9 released around July last year, and it's meant to be a less expensive option in general for people trying to get into the smart thermostat game. It has plenty of easy-to-use features, too. It's versatile enough to work with most heating, cooling, and heat pump systems.Download the free app on iOS or Android and use it to adjust the thermostat from your phone or other mobile device. You can even do that from miles away like if you head to work and forgot to adjust it before you left. Of course, you can solve that problem with scheduling. The T9 can handle seven-day scheduling that w...

Smartphones were one area where you got more for your money in 2020.Now that the year is blissfully coming to an end, I don't want to spend too much time rehashing the toxic hellscape that was 2020. I also really hate it when people try to find "silver linings" from truly awful circumstances. Let's face it, the pandemic, social unrest, political upheaval, and economic downturn absolutely pummeled us all this year. However, as I sit here writing for an Android blog, it is pretty hard to ignore that despite all of the bad things that transpired this year, at least one consumer-facing benefit has come out of it — more good phones at (relatively) lower prices than ever before.Some kudos are certainly due to the smartphone manufacturers who saw the collective writing on the wall, read the room, and realized that most customers were not going to fork up $1,000 or more on new phones this year. So what did they do? They introduced a number of models that were squarely in the "affordabl...

Best Buy's deals of the day feature a great selection of deals every day, but sometimes you got to sort through the options to find the particularly good deals. This WD My Passport 1TB portable solid state drive stands out as a good one. It's down to $139.99 at Best Buy, which is one of its lowest prices ever and just $10 above what it was going for on Black Friday. It normally sells for as much as $200, and the first time it ever dropped below $140 was this November so it's not a deal that has shown up in the past. You can find this price in both available colors, and you can find it price matched at Amazon.We recently saw the 500GB go on sale for around $85 just after Cyber Monday. While it's not quite that low anymore, it is still on sale. If you don't want to go for the full 1TB version, grab the 500GB SSD for just $89.99 at both Best Buy and Amazon.This isn't just an SSD. It also has NVMe technology. If you know about internal SSDs, you know there's a significant difference ...

It is rumored to have a 300 PPI screen, just like the Kindle Paperwhite and Kindle Oasis.What you need to knowAmazon will reportedly soon launch a new entry-level Kindle.The upcoming Kindle is rumored to feature an upgraded display with the same pixel density as the Kindle Paperwhite and Kindle Oasis.Amazon could also launch a refreshed Kindle Oasis early next year.Amazon could soon introduce a new entry-level Kindle with an upgraded screen. As spotted by the folks at GoodEReader, the Amazon Kindle product listing has been changed to include the launch year and generation in the title. Amazon usually does this when a device is set to be replaced by a newer model.There is currently no word on the new upgrades that the upcoming entry-level Kindle will bring to the tablet, but rumors suggest it will come with an improved display. While the current entry-level Kindle model has a 167 PPI screen, the upcoming Kindle might feature a similar 300 PPI screen as the more expensive...

The Zepp Z is a great looking watch wrapped in titanium, if only it could figure out notifications and apps.I enjoy smartwatches and the various use cases available, so when I was given the opportunity to do a Zepp Z review, I was all in. My daily driver in terms of wearables is a Wear OS watch in the TicWatch Pro 3, but I also will occasionally switch over to Tizen and use the Samsung Galaxy Active 2.What intrigued me about the new Zepp Z was the prospect of using a device that was of high-quality and running an operating system that was outside of the "big two" mentioned above. If you aren't familiar with the Zepp name, don't worry, I wasn't either, the brand is under the same umbrella as Amazfit. Like Amazfit, the Z has a big focus on personal well-being with a multitude of sensors and software features to help you monitor your overall health.The Zepp Z is taking a premium approach as a health and fitness device by building the case from a titanium alloy and including a brow...

The situation is ongoing, and it's unclear what the issue is.What you need to knowSeveral major Facebook services including Messenger, Instagram, and WhatsApp are down right now.Reports all over the internet indicate that there is a large outage affecting major Facebook services including Messenger, Instagram, and WhatsApp this morning.Huge spikes on Downdetector indicate that users are experiencing connection issues on WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, Facebook, and Instagram. The latter is showing issues with news feeds, stories, and posting.Maps of the respective outages indicate that the UK and Europe are the most heavily affected at this stage, however, this may simply be because US users are only just waking up for the day. Facebook at the time of publication has not issued any notice or update about the problem.Reports on Downdetector indicate that whilst the highest concentration of issues is being reported in Europe, there are reports of issues on all services worl...

Samsung is likely to officially confirm the launch date very soon.What you need to knowSamsung's largest store in India has started taking blind pre-orders for the Galaxy S21 series phones.The Samsung store has confirmed that the Galaxy S21 series will make its global debut on January 14.The Galaxy S21 series phones will apparently go on sale in India a week or so after their formal unveiling.Samsung's largest store in Bengaluru, India, has confirmed that the Galaxy S21 series will be unveiled at an Unpacked event on January 14. As reported by Android Authority, Samsung's Opera House store in Bengaluru is already taking pre-orders for the Galaxy S21, Galaxy S21+, and Galaxy S21 Ultra phones.Samsung fans can now pre-book any of the three Galaxy S21 series phones by paying ₹2,000 ($27) at the store. While the store hasn't confirmed a specific launch date for the Indian market, it expects the successors to Samsung's best Android phones of 2020 to go on sale in the country ...

If you don't have an Echo device in every room of your home after Black Friday and Cyber Monday, Woot is giving you one more chance to correct that. For a limited time, you can pick up a 3rd-gen Echo Dot for just $14.99 there, making this one of the most affordable ways to add some more smart speakers to your setup.You'll see the Echo Dot listed for $19.99 at Woot though you can save a further $5 at checkout just by logging in with your Amazon Prime account. That will also score you free shipping. Though these Echo Dots are not brand new, they have been inspected and tested to ensure they work like new and they come with a 90-day warranty. Right now you can choose between charcoal, heather gray, and sandstone color options but individual colorways may sell out sooner than others.Echo Dot is one of Amazon's best overall smart speaker option and one of the easiest ways to start up a smart home. You can use one to listen to music from several different streaming services, control co...

The annual iHeartRadio Jingle Ball presented by Capitol One is back for another show full of special musical performances and guest appearances. This year's event is shaping up to be the biggest one so far with some of the biggest names in music set to attend. Along with performances by Billie Eilish, Shawn Mendes, and Dua Lipa, the show will also feature music by Doja Cat, Harry Styles, Lewis Capaldi, Sam Smith, and The Weeknd along with never-before-heard covers of some iconic holiday tunes.More than 20 years ago, Jingle Ball was started in New York by Z100 as a holiday concert for some of the station's top performing artists. Nowadays, it's evolved into a much bigger event. In 2020, everyone will be able to watch (or listen to) the concert happening live in a few different ways.iHeartRadio Jingle Ball live: When and whereThe 2020 iHeartRadio Jingle Ball concert airs live on Thursday, December 10 at 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT. The CW app will air the livestream for free, or you ...

The deal will give us more anime than we can handle, and that's a good thing.What you need to knowSony has announced that it is acquiring Crunchyroll for $1.175B in cash.The deal comes months after AT&T was first reported to be scouting potential buyers for Crunchyroll.Funimation and Crunchyroll have partnered in the past, and not both brands will become one.It's been rumored for some time that Sony was interested in purchasing Crunchyroll, but today it's been confirmed that a deal is indeed happening. AT&T's WarnerMedia, which owns Crunchyroll, has agreed to sell the streaming service to Funimation Global Group, which is owned by Sony Pictures Entertainment and Sony Music Group. How much is Crunchyroll's vast category of anime worth? $1.175 billion in cash, according to a Sony press release: Together with Crunchyroll, we will create the best possible experience for fans and greater opportunity for creators, producers, and publishers in Japan and elsewhere. Funi...

We spotted this Lightning deal on the Wyze Cam v2 with just under six hours left, but there's still plenty unclaimed if you want one of the best indoor security cams for a bargain-barrel price. Buy one Cam for 23% off at $19.99 or a 2-pack for $39.99. It matches the lowest price we've seen on this camera, which is rarely discounted.Get Wyze to this cameraWyze Cam v2$20 at AmazonCheap price, not cheap qualityThe Wyze Cam doesn't stand out with specs like 1080p resolution and 110-degree field-of-view, but it grabbed our attention thanks to its integration with Alexa, Google Assistant and IFTTT. You'll also appreciate 14 days of free cloud storage for your motion-activated clips, where most companies require a monthly subscription.Wyze Cams are a reliable purchase for yourself or as a gift for others because of their excellent compatibility with most smart home tech. You can control them using both Alexa or Google Assistant commands, for example. So if you want to pull u...

Do your part by aiding important medical research that could help future generations.What you need to knowGoogle Health Studies seeks to crowdsource information for medical research.Boston Children's Hospital and Harvard Medical School have teamed up for the first study available on the app.Identifying information will remain private and stays on the device.The importance of one's physical and even mental health can't be stressed anymore this year as COVID-19 surges and lockdowns are put back into effect. Google and Apple have even teamed up for a contact tracing API that's being rolled out in various regions.Meanwhile, companies like Pfizer and Moderna have managed to quickly develop vaccines, the result of tireless research into how the virus functions and how it affects those who become exposed. Research such as this focuses a lot on statistics; who is more vulnerable? How are certain groups reacting? How are the different regions being affected? Demographics like this...

Having a thicker case can make it difficult to stick your Google Pixel 4a into your pockets or purse. Fortunately, there are plenty of slim cases to choose from that still offer a great deal of protection against drops and bumps. I've gathered the best thin Google Pixel 4a cases, so you can determine which works best for you. To further protect, don't forget to pick up one of the best Pixel 4a screen protectors as well.Barely thereX-level Slim Fit CaseStaff PickThis ultra-thin case wraps around your Pixel 4a without adding unnecessary bulk. It feels soft to the touch and is easy to put on or remove thanks to the soft TPU material. Get it in wine red, black, or gold.$10 at AmazonDual-layer protectionCrave Pixel 4a Dual Guard CaseAlthough it's plenty small, Crave's design offers dual-layer protection composed of a soft inner TPU material covered by a hard PC shell. It's sure to protect against dust, dirt, and bumps while giving you a textured grip to prevent slippin...

If you like platformers, this list is for you.A lot of you probably remember the heyday of the platformer. Whether it was Super Mario Bros or even classic Metroid, this style of game has been around a long time and it has aged incredibly well. We still see awesome platformer games like Trine and Hollow Knight to this day. The point, however, is that "platformer" isn't really all that definitive. All it does is describe how the game in question plays. All of that being said, this style of game translates extremely well to mobile and you'll find that any one of the entries in this list are wonderfully fun additions to your Play library.And once you're finished up here, feel free to visit our roundup of the best Android games.The gamesCastlevania: Symphony of the NightGrimvalorOddmarDandaraSuzy CubeSega ForeverRayman AdventuresNinja ArashiSuper Cat Tales 2TeslagradLIMBOTerrariaThe CaveSwordigoSword of XolanDead CellsDan the ManLevelheadWitcheyeDownwellOrdi...

Facebook's grip on Instagram and WhatsApp is now being threatened.What you need to knowThe Federal Trade Commission has filed litigation against Facebook after a year-long investigation.Facebook is alleged to have practiced anticompetitive behavior by purchasing Instagram and WhatsApp, companies that Facebook's executives were threatened by.The lawsuits call for Facebook to divest both Instagram and WhatsApp.The FTC today filed litigation against Facebook on the grounds that it has practiced anticompetitive behavior. The claims by the FTC allege that Facebook has managed to maintain a monopoly that began with the company's acquisition of Instagram in 2012, followed by its purchase of WhatsApp in 2014. The lawsuits call for Facebook to strip ownership of both applications and would require regulatory approval for any future acquisitions.The complaints surrounding Facebook's conduct allege that it would purchase companies that it felt threatened by, stating that it would ra...

Best answer: If you're comparing Cyberpunk 2077 to CD Projekt RED's last game, the Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, you'll find that the overall size of the map in surface area is a little smaller in the newest game. However, this doesn't mean at all that Cyberpunk 2077 is the smaller game. In fact, this sci-fi RPG densely packs Night City and its surrounding area with a ton of content, activities, life, and more.More to do: Cyberpunk 2077 ($60 at Amazon)A step-up in contentCyberpunk 2077 is officially out in the world after years of waiting from excited players. The latest project from CD Projekt RED is an open-world sci-fi RPG that promises to be bigger, more ambitious, and more immersive than ever before. Of course, a large part of any open-world game is the world. How big is the map in Cyberpunk 2077, and how much freedom do players have to explore?The easiest comparison to make with Cyberpunk 2077 is the Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, the last big project from CD Projekt RED. The Witche...

The best Samsung Galaxy S20 cases protect one of the most beautiful phones ever made, which consists of slippery metal and scratchable glass. If you're worried about scuffing up that new investment, there's no time like the present to grab yourself one of the best Galaxy S20 cases that are available right now, from heavy-duty to leather to thin and lightweight options.Mesmerizing colorsCaseology ParallaxStaff Pick$16 at Amazon$16 at WalmartThis hybrid honey of a case has a lot in common with the Spigen Neo Hybrid, but it's got better color combos for that great protection, including a new teal "Aqua Green" that is even more alluring in person than the renders do justice.Durable and diamond clearRingke Fusion XFrom $11 at Amazon $13 at WalmartThe Fusion X is one of those cases you'll either love or hate the second you see it. I love it, and if you do, too, this rugged clear case will give you a distinct look and some beefy corner air cushions.Fabulous fir...

Get your game on — even in the offseason — with the best sports games available for Android.After a few golden years of fantastic entries, it seems like most mobile sports games have succumbed to the freemium model. There are far too few quality titles available that just let you jump into the game without having to deal with player cards, pointless upgrades, or waiting for stamina meters to refill. Nearly all the top mobile sports game franchises have switched over to a team-building system that requires you to unlock (or buy) card packs to upgrade your team.However, there are still great games to be played. We've tried to cover the five major North American sports here with some extras thrown in for fun. Be sure to note which games are more sim-based for the hardcore sports fan and which ones offer a more arcade-like option for casual players.Want something a bit less sporty? We have a list of the best Android games overall, too!The gamesNBA 2K20NBA JamMLB 9 Inni...

The worst thing that can happen after getting a new Google Pixel 5 is dropping it and causing permanent damage to the screen or casing. That's where having the best heavy-duty Pixel 5 case will really put your mind at ease. I've scoured the internet and made a list of the best heavy-duty Pixel 5 cases. See which one catches your eye. To further protect, don't forget to pick up one of the best Pixel 5 screen protectors as well.Full-body protectionSupCase Unicorn Beetle Pro Series Case for Google Pixel 5Staff PickIn addition to the rugged TPU and polycarbonate material, this case comes with a built-in plastic screen protector. That way, it offers protection on every side of your Pixel 5. It's even been 20-foot drop tested. If you want to make sure it's extra secure while on-the-go, you can use the holster clip and attach it to your belt.$22 at Amazon$23 at WalmartMilitary gradeGiner Heavy-Duty Military-Grade Armor CaseEmploying an inner rubber lining covered by the...

Sonos is having a sale on a couple of speakers in its lineup. Grab the Sonos One SL speaker on sale for $139 or the Sonos One (Gen 2) speaker for $159 at Amazon. The One SL is only available in White at this price as the Black one is sold out, but the regular Sonos One is available in both colors.This is a sale being passed down from Sonos. That means you can find both speakers this low at several other retailers including B&H and Best Buy among others.We did see these speakers drop to about $10 less than today's sale during Black Friday. Of course, with all the craziness happening over that weekend it's perfectly possible you missed it. If so, today's your lucky day because Sonos does not discount its gear very often. In fact, outside of today and Black Friday you'd have to go all the way to April for the last time they dropped in price.The One SL is the least expensive option here, and it still has plenty of great features you can only get from a Sonos speaker. For one th...

If you want 60 FPS gameplay alongside ray-tracing, you no longer have to choose.What you need to knowMarvel's Spider-Man: Miles Morales originally featured two gameplay modes: one with ray-tracing, one with 60 FPS support.Insomniac Games has now provided a third mode with lower resolution, 60 FPS and ray-tracing.The developers are looking into providing this mode as an option in Marvel's Spider-Man Remastered.At launch, Insomniac Games' Marvel's Spider-Man: Miles Morales had two different modes available on PS5. Performance mode targeted dynamic 4K at 60 FPS, while the visuals mode allowed 4K with ray-tracing, with a drop to 30 FPS. Now, Insomniac Games has added an additional option, lowering resolution, texture quality and crowd density to achieve 60 FPS and ray-tracing.James Stevenson, community director at Insomniac Games, confirmed the news on Twitter:Yes. We now have a 60fps AND ray-tracing mode! Woo! @dark1x https://t.co/BsLQJZYKS7— James Stevenson (@JamesSteve...

Pre-order a "free" bundle of Wyze sensors, keypad and siren when you pay for a year of pro monitoring.What you need to knowThe new Wyze Home Monitoring app launches in February 2021 with remote arming, Noonlight emergency services and multi-camera view.The Core Starter Kit comes with two entry sensors, one motion sensor, hub with siren, and keypad.Pro monitoring costs $59.88 annually, but includes one annual Cam Plus license ($23.98) for free.We listed Wyze as one of the best home security systems with cameras, but specifically for self-monitored security because it currently offers no pro monitoring. That will change in early 2021, when Wyze launches its new, bargain-priced professional monitoring plan. While not the most complete home security package, Wyze Home Monitoring makes other security options look positively exorbitant.Wyze already sells security cameras and sensors that alert you of motion or break-ins through the Wyze app, plus compatible smart home tech like...

All of the major Canadian retailers should be rolling out the update around December 15.What you need to knowCanadian S20 users are slated to receive the One UI 3.0 update very soon.Telus announced its rollout would begin on December 15 — Rogers and Bell should follow suit soon.The update brings with it not only Android 11 but also a slew of new features from Samsung's engineering team.In a little less than 2 weeks since Samsung began the worldwide rollout of the Android 11-powered One UI 3.0 update, Canadian Samsung Galaxy S20 users should also start getting their first taste of Android 11.An update to Telus' software update schedule shows the carrier plans to roll out the One UI 3.0 update for Galaxy S20 users on December 15 — and if history is any indicator, Bell and Rogers should follow suit soon after.Alongside the Android 11 goodies you'd expect — ranging from the new chat bubbles to improved privacy and permissions controls — One UI 3.0 also has some of ...

Virtually travel to 20 locations around the world.What you need to knowHitman 3 will provide PSVR support for the entire World of Assassination trilogy.The PS5 version will come with a PS4 download to enable the feature.The game will be released on January 20.IO Interactive promised in August that Hitman 3 would be fully compatible with PSVR, letting players experience both the new content and previous levels from the World of Assassination trilogy in virtual reality. However, Sony hasn't announced any new PS5 PSVR titles yet, with the headset only working on PS4 games via backward compatibility.As a result, IO Interactive has come up with a workaround to make sure that PS5 VR players get the best experience currently possible. Whether you buy a disc or digital copy of the PS5 game, which releases on January 20, they'll throw in a digital copy of the PS4 version.Hitman 3 puts you in control of Agent 47, who will travel the globe with an array of weapons and disguises at...

Source: StackCommerceThe gaming world has been going crazy over the new PS5 and Xbox X Series this fall. If you hate missing out, this giveaway is definitely worth your attention.The Ultimate Gaming Giveaway gives you the chance to win both new consoles and a huge stash of gaming gear, worth over $5,000 in total. You can enter simply by donating to charity.First, let's talk about what you could win. With the PS5 and Xbox X Series, you can enjoy Gran Turismo, Final Fantasy, Gears Tactics, Watch Dogs, and much more in crisp 4K.Need a better screen? Not to worry — the prize includes a Sony X900H 65" 4K Ultra HD Smart LED TV.You also get a Secretlab TITAN Gaming Chair, a Corsair Optical Gaming Keyboard, a Bose QuietComfort 35 Series 2 Gaming Headset, and five years of PlayStation Plus and Xbox Game Pass Ultimate.For your chance to win, donate $10 or more to the Playing For Change Foundation — a non-profit organization that helps kids through music education. The more you do...

Choosing the best cloud storage service isn't a simple decision. Are you backing up a specific batch of files or your entire computer? Do you need to share your files with others for work, or would you prefer total encryption? Your choice will depend greatly on your budget, whether you need gigabytes or terabytes of storage and your favorite productivity apps. If you're looking for the best option for general use, particularly but not exclusively for Android users, choose Google Drive for its free storage and popular productivity apps.Best Overall: Google DriveGoogle Drive may have particular perks for Android power users, but we believe it's the best cloud storage solution for anyone regardless of which device you use. The most obvious perk is its 15GB of free storage, while most competitors offer 10GB or 5GB free. If that isn't enough, you can pay $20/year for 100GB, $30/year for 200GB, or $100/year for 2TB. The 100GB price is a few dollars cheaper than OneDrive's, while the ...

Time to set up your new home theater! You can grab Anker Nebula Cosmos Max 4K projector is down to $1,499.99 at Amazon. This is a relatively new projector and hasn't gone on sale much. It normally sells for around $1,700.Anker has extensive experience with projectors, and the Nebula lineup has several iterations. If you aren't quite ready for the full investment in the Cosmos Max, you might want to check out some of the smaller and more portable Anker projectors like the Nebula Mars II or the Nebula Solar. Both of these options are significantly cheaper and are currently $30 off with an on-page coupon.The Cosmos Max projector can display all your favorite TV shows and movies in an image size that stretches up to 150 inches and has 4K resolutions. It also has a light source of 1,500 ANSI lumen so you know you'll get a bright image that looks amazing. Even if you're watching non-HDR content, the Cosmos Max has Hybrid Log Gamma, which can detect and upscale content to give you the b...

Disney's masks are comfortable, long-lasting, and way more fun to wear than boring white cotton masks.While the vaccine has started to be approved in a few countries, it's going to take months if not years for everyone to get it and we'll all be wearing masks for at least the next 8 months, so do yourself a favor and ditch the uncomfortable (and environmentally disastrous) disposable face masks and buy you some comfy face masks from Disney, who has put a dozen of its mask packs down to their lowest prices ever. This includes their cute holiday packs as well as packs for Pixar, Star Wars, Classic Mickey Mouse and of course Marvel superheroes.Because wearing your mask properly over your nose and mouth is the heroic thing to do in the middle of a global pandemic. So wear cute masks and let's save the world!Stay safe, stay cuteDisney Parks Cloth Face Mask PacksGet a variety of face masks for styles from Star Wars — including the most adorable Baby Yoda and Mandalorian mask ...

With ultra-fast charging speeds coming, we need smarter charging software.Among the additions in week's December 2020 feature drop for Google Pixel phones is Adaptive Charging, a smarter way to handle charging that should hopefully lessen the wear on Pixels' batteries over time. It follows similar features by Android manufacturers like OnePlus and ASUS, who've looked to lessen the impact of fast charging on long term battery life.First, a quick refresher on lithium-ion batteries. Because of the chemistry of these batteries, you ideally want to minimize the amount of time it spends with either very high or very low charge levels, both of which stresses the battery. Much like in humans, increased stress over time causes premature aging in batteries.The truth about this —and all kinds of battery degradation really — is you'll only really see the difference this makes over years of use. But hopefully you're planning to keep a new phone for a couple of years, so you'll want to m...

Automate your messaging with just a few taps.If you're like me, you sometimes get a great idea or have a thought that you want to share with one of your friends or family, but the timing just isn't right. Maybe it's 2 AM and you want to make sure your mom remembers to take her medicine in the morning, but you don't want to wake her up right now. Or maybe you know your partner is in a meeting and you don't want to disturb them.That's what scheduled messaging is for! I'll show you how to schedule texts from the Google Messages app so you can type and send away without worrying about bothering others. Ready to get started? Here's what you need to know.Open the Google Messages app.Tap on a contact to message.Type your message.Press down and hold the send message arrow.Decide when you want to send the message or pick your own date and time.Tap Save.You will see the scheduled time in blue above the message. Tap the send message arrow.That's it! The message will appear i...

The changes are now rolling out to all beta users.What you need to knowGoogle has recently been tinkering with the Gboard's design.The changes are now rolling out to all beta users.Both the default font and default theme are seeing subtle revisions.Beautifying Gboard is a top priority at Google, it seems. Just a few months after it improved light and dark theme switching, the company is now in the motions for making a couple more changes to the Android keyboard's design. Though subtle, they should make the Google ecosystem just that bit more cohesive.The first of these changes is a new font, though you may not notice the change unless you're a typography expert. Thankfully, the folks at 9to5Google were kind enough to spot the difference for us. The font also more closely matches the Google Sans typography you'll find on Pixels phones, so it's definitely a nice touch.The second is a change to the default black and white themes. Again, the changes are quite subtle, but yo...

Get lost in these big worlds on a small screen.Role-playing games are wonderful, story-driven experiences that complement the mobile gaming experience nicely. Despite the relatively tiny mobile screens we're used to (yes, 5.7 inches is still small by gaming standards), RPGs allow us to get lost in fanciful worlds for a while. In the case of some games, especially those ported over from PC, that "while" could be 20, 30 hours, or even more! This makes the best RPGs worth their price in the Google Play Store.Unfortunately, like most game genres, there are some mobile duds. We've hand-picked the best of the best to save you the trouble of digging.If you're looking for more than just RPGs, be sure to check out our roundup of the best Android games out there!The gamesBattleChaser: NightWarFinal Fantasy Chrono TriggerEvoland 2Arcane Quest 3Crashlands Baldur's Gate and Baldur's Gate II: Shadows of AmnThe Bard's TalePocket MortysStar Wars: Knights of the Old RepublicDra...

It's certainly not the Snapdragon 800-series equipped model.What you need to knowThe Moto G Stylus 2021 has leaked on Amazon in a now-deleted listing.Amazon confirmes the price as roughly $340, though that may be a place-holder.Earlier, more detailed leaks pinned the Moto G Stylus as a minimal update to the 2020 model.Amazon's Moto G Stylus isn't a one-off as an Amazon listing (via Slash Leaks) emerges to validate earlier reports. The now-removed listing doesn't say much, but it does share some details that may be disappointing.According to Amazon, the G Stylus will cost around $340, it'll also come in Aurora Black and Aurora White. It'll have 4GB of RAM and sadly ship with Android 10 over the more recent Android 11.Earlier leaks from Evan Blass already spilled a little more of the beans regarding this phone. The G Stylus will have a larger display with a 6.81" FHD+ display. It'll come with a Snapdragon 675 (meaning no 5G), and it'll still be lacking NFC.Reviewing...

Google continues rebranding itself as a privacy conscious company.What you need to knowGoogle today announced changes to extensions coming in 2021.When they go live, Chrome extensions will no longer have blanket domain permission as they do now, users will have to enable them per domain.Google also plans new limits on what extension developers can do with data.Your Chrome extensions have a lot of power over your browsing experience, and a lot of the time, this is how we like it to be. Google warns you of this when you initiate one nothing that x or y extension has the power to "change the contents of this page." Most of us ignore and use these extensions anyway because if we didn't, we probably wouldn't have installed them anyway. That's not a good practice when it comes to data security, and Google has added a few tools to Chrome over the year to nudge people towards healthier security practices.From 2021, it will now automatically limit how much data an extension can h...

Google Photos is our favorite photo-sharing service because it allows for virtually unlimited backups, has near-perfect syncing abilities, and can do neat things like automatically creating albums or enhancing pictures. With so many of our photos living as bits on our phones and computers, it can be easy to forget to show them off properly. Thankfully, Google has made it simple to turn your favorite photos into screensavers and slideshows on your Nest Hub or Google Assistant-enabled smart screen. We'll show you how to set up Google Photos slideshows on your smart screen devices in the steps below.Products used in this guideSee more of your photos: Nest Hub Max ($230 at Best Buy)Photos for any area: Nest Hub ($70 at Best Buy)Pefect bedside photos: Lenovo Smart Display 7 ($80 at B&H)How to set up custom photo slideshows in Google Home appOpen your Google Home app.Locate your smart screened speaker and tap on it (in my case, I'll select "Kitchen Display").Tap on the...

Now is as good a time as any to get Sony's SRS-XB33 portable Bluetooth speaker. It is down to $98 at Amazon in four different colors. The speaker normally sells for around $150. We shared a deal over the Black Friday weekend when we saw it drop to $118. At the time that was an all-new low price. So today's drop that's even $20 better than that really adds some value. It's doubtful it'll last long this low considering it's a brand new speaker, so grab one while you can. Amazon's $98 price for the SRS-XB33 seems to be a price match of the same deal going on at B&H.The SRS-XB33 is a new generation of a portable Bluetooth speaker Sony has been working on for many years. You can still find the previous gen around at some retailers. It's going for $79.99 at Best Buy, which is a pretty good price. This speaker improves on that one in a lot of ways, though.Wherever you choose to take this speaker, you're going to have a good time. It has a super long-lasting battery so the music will...

Smartphone photography is a huge deal, and some of the best Android cameras can even take on traditional DSLRs for general shots. But there's more to it than just hardware and software — you need to know how to use it all! Take these five tips and tricks and put them to good use with any smartphone you have.Products used in this guideBest Android camera: Google Pixel 5 ($699 at Amazon)Massive camera sensor: Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra ($1300 at Amazon) Jump to:Clean the camera lensUnderstand the basicsUse your flash as a last resortConsider a mini tripodUse a photo backup serviceClean the camera lensYes, really. It feels like the simplest possible thing because it is! And that's why we forget about it. Our phones come with us everywhere, and that means the camera lenses are far more susceptible to getting covered in fingerprints and dirt and all kinds of other things over the course of the day. At the same time, there are more cameras than ever on modern...

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

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

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

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

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

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

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