Latest from Android Central

Samsung says SmartThings Find is one of the fastest-growing location services on the market right now.What you need to knowSamsung is adding new safety and convenience features to its SmartThings Find service.The new Unknown Tag Search feature will let you scan for SmartTags that don't belong to you but might be moving along with you.You can also now use Samsung's Bixby voice assistant for finding your belongings hands-free. Samsung's SmartThings Find service, which was launched in October last year, now has over 70 million helper devices. The company has also introduced two new features that are aimed at making the service even better with enhanced privacy and convenience.The new Unknown Tag Search feature scans for unknown SmartTags that may be moving along with you, ensuring nobody can secretly track your location. It works similarly to 'Item Safety Alerts' added to Apple's Find My service with iOS 14.5 beta last month. You will be able to access the feature from the S...

Amazon's annual exclusive sale is coming back for an even bigger event in 2021. Prime Day is the sale every Amazon Prime member should be looking forward to. With hundreds of ways to save and hundreds of dollars off popular products, shopping during Prime Day is even a smart way to earn back the cost of Amazon Prime's membership fee.During past Prime Day sales, Amazon hasn't skimped on its offerings in the slightest. We've seen products in just about every category go on sale, from home and kitchen appliances to clothing, furniture, toys, electronics, computers, and of course, just about every Amazon device there is. You name it, there's probably been a Prime Day sale on it. And if the sales of previous years are to be any indication, Prime Day 2021 is already slated to be one of the best shopping events of the year.Best Prime Day deals & sales in 2021As it stands, Amazon has not announced any official early Prime Day deals, but won't stop other companies from offering up e...

Here's what you need to know about the 2021 mid-range Galaxy A series.The Galaxy A series has taken on an increased significance over the last two years as Samsung's flagships have crossed the $1,000 figure. Customers that don't want to spend that much on a phone have inevitably turned to options like the Galaxy A50 or the A51, and Samsung did a great job porting over features from its flagships to its more affordable phones.For 2021, Samsung rolled out exciting changes to the Galaxy A series. The Galaxy A52 and Galaxy A72 come with an fresh new design that makes them stand out a lot more from their predecessors, and there's also a 5G-enabled model of the A52 called the A52 5G that allows you to switch to 5G on a budget.So if you're in the market for a new phone in 2021 and want to know the differences between the Galaxy A52, A52 5G, and the A72, here's what you need to know.Samsung Galaxy A52 5G vs. A52 vs. A72: Three great optionsSamsung has also streamlined a lot of th...

A smarter way of managing your space may be on the way.What you need to knowAndroid 12 could come with an app hibernation feature.It'll help users conserve space and resources by clearing data from unused apps.The feature was discovered in a hidden Android 12 build. Smartphone users often download a lot of apps, far too many to be used by any one user. And research indicates that we don't really use that many. Indeed, there are one-off apps for events, apps for local stores that only get used in stores, banking apps that get used when discrete management is needed, apps that only need running on a case-to-case basis (no one chooses to Zoom on their phone I promise you), and so on. Statista even notes that 25% of apps are only ever opened once. Yet these apps can remain installed on our phones, having access to our data when not necessary, and even taking up space with cached files and so on. For Android 12, Google is working on this with a new feature that'll automatically...

For those with limited broadband options, this is an excellent internet source with a lot of 'ifs'.After spending over a decade living in rural Kansas with little to no decent internet, I was ecstatic to try and, after four months, give a T-Mobile Home Internet review. As I discussed in my look towards 5G in 2021 to help rural internet, one of the most considerable sacrifices that people who want to live the country life face is a complete lack of legitimate broadband access.It's been a couple of years since T-Mobile announced its Home Internet service, and when the slow rollout made it to me, I jumped on it. The mobile carrier has been my cell provider for about seven years and has been pretty good. Admittedly, where my home is, no carrier is great — no matter what the coverage maps say.Did I believe that T-Mobile's Home Internet offering could be the fast and reliable internet savior I was looking for — no. However, the carrier's been making speedy upgrades to the towers ...

Wear OS on the TicWatch Pro 3 is about to get a huge performance boost.What you need to knowMobvoi has started rolling out the H-MR2 update for the TicWatch Pro 3 GPS.The update includes plenty of improvements, including optimization for the Snapdragon Wear 4100 chipset.H-MR2 should continue rolling out to the TicWatch Pro 3 throughout the week.More than six months after Google announced its H-MR2 update for Wear OS, it's finally arriving on the Mobvoi TicWatch Pro 3 GPS. Oddly enough, the update was announced on the Official Mobvoi Ticwatch group on Facebook, with a changelog attached to it.The update brings with it several new features, improvements, and bug fixes, all of which you can find on Reddit if you're not already part of the Facebook group. One of the biggest enhancements is the improved performance, but the update also brings enhanced support for the Qualcomm Snapdragon Wear 4100 chipset, which means the TicWatch Pro 3 should see a huge jump in performance and...

Google will introduce improvements to Chrome and WebView to prevent this from happening again.What you need to knowGoogle explains why the WebView crashes happened, which was due to a bug.The company laid out ways in which it plans to improve Chrome and WebView from now on.A WebView "Safe Mode" would revert back to a stable version in case of future error.Remember last month when all your apps started crashing for no reason? The problem was caused by a bug that was introduced within WebView and Chrome that affected many of the best Android phones like the Samsung Galaxy S21. Fortunately, there were ways to get around this by uninstalling updates to WebView and Chrome, but it left a lot of people scratching their heads. The Google Workspace team has now addressed the issue while also laying out ways it will improve things from now on to prevent things like this from happening again. A bug within Chrome & WebView's experiment & configuration technology caused inst...

One of Sony's biggest franchises will indeed be making a full return on PS5. Here's what we know so far.Gran Turismo has been one of Sony's biggest franchises since the days of the very first PlayStation. The tagline, "the real driving simulator," has always cut straight to the core of what Gran Turismo is all about, and generally speaking, has received much praise over the years.Jump to:When does it release?Resolution and frame rateWill it support PSVR?Fan favorite circuit returnsWhat cars will it include?What are its features?Will it be on PS4?Gran Turismo esports and Getty Images But it's also hard to believe that the PS4 has gone by entirely without a new, full Gran Turismo game. Gran Turismo 6 launched on the PS3, and while PS4 owners have at least had GT Sport, it's fair to say the reaction has been mixed at times, and it's not quite the same as a full sequel.Which is what we seem to be getting on the PS5. There's still a lot of questions that need answer...

You add a Chromecast with Google TV to every TV in the house for the price of one Apple TV 4K.Even before the pandemic, I spent an unhealthy amount of time with my TV. Between using it for music streaming while I cook, bingeing the latest anime after work, and just re-watching old favorites as I mull over which accessories to add to a collection, my TV is on the majority of the day, and it serves up all my content via Chromecast with Google TV.There's plenty of competition in the best streaming devices space these days: even before Google made its splash with the Chromecast with Google TV back in October, Amazon's Fire TV sticks and Roku had been fiercely battling to be the TV platform of choice in households around the country (and around the world). In contrast, the last new Apple TV before today was released all the way back in 2017 with the first Apple TV 4K, and the Apple TV HD is from 2015.Chromecast with Google TV isn't a perfect device — I've written about its bugs an...

While we're just two months away from Apple's WWDC event, Cupertino held a special Spring showcase to feature new products and upgrades. The aptly-named Spring Loaded event saw the launch of products that have long been rumored, as well as some updated hardware featuring Apple's powerful M1 chip.We may like to focus on the best Android phones here, but these events are always fun to watch for tech enthusiasts, and it's a good chance to see what the other side is up to. So here's a roundup of the things that Apple announced at its Spring Loaded event.Apple TVOne of the best streaming devices is getting even better thanks to Apple's A12 Bionic chip. With the upgraded chip, the new Apple TV 4K can now display 4K HDR content at high frame rates, which can boost not only movies and shows but also gaming with Apple Arcade. The device also features a cool trick that uses the camera, proximity sensor, and light sensor to adjust the TV's color balance.There's also a newly designed r...

You'll just need to make sure you're on Quest 2 firmware v28 first.What you need to knowVirtual Desktop version 1.20.4.0 now supports the new 120Hz refresh rate option on Quest 2.You'll need to download the latest beta Virtual Desktop app from the Oculus store for the Quest 2, and the beta desktop streamer for your PC.120Hz translates to 120FPS — an extremely difficult-to-achieve performance metric that even good gaming PCs will struggle with.If you've been using Virtual Desktop to play PC VR games on your Oculus Quest 2, you're in for a real treat. If you're Oculus Quest 2 has already received the April v28 firmware update, you can download the latest Virtual Desktop beta — that's version 1.20.4.0 as of this writing — and begin playing PC VR games at the new buttery-smooth 120Hz refresh rate. A new low-quality option has also been added for PCs that couldn't quite handle VR streaming in the past, as well.In order to move over to the beta channel, you'll need to ope...

It's rolling out now to all Google Workspace customers.What you need to knowGoogle is rolling out improved Maps integration with Google Workspace.This new update will add Google Maps to the Workspace side panel.You'll be able to use Maps while in other Workspace apps like Calendar without needing to switch. Google's Workspace side panel is adding support for Google Maps, the company announced this week. The panel already hosts relevant apps like Tasks and Keep, but Google Maps comes in as an idiosyncratic addition to what was a focused part of the Workspace interface.The way Google explains it, the addition does make a lot of sense. With the newfound Google Maps integration, you can now more easily find information about a location and see precise details without needing to switch apps. It's aimed at smoothening the workflow of frequent Calendar power-users. If you're entering a meeting or an appointment into the Calendar web app, opening Google Maps to see the opening ti...

We expect that the new Samsung Galaxy A52 will take home the crown for best cheap Android phone of the year. This is the successor to the ultra-popular Galaxy A51 from last year that was actually Samsung's best-selling phone over the course of the year. And why wouldn't you want to keep one of the best Samsung phones protected with the best Galaxy A52 and Galaxy A52 5G cases?Our favorite caseCaseology Nano PopStaff PickAre you looking for a case that "pops" with your new Galaxy A52? Caseology's new Nano Pop case fits the bill quite nicely, with its two-tone color scheme providing enough contrast to help your phone stand out. The case is compatible with most screen protectors and only adds 0.14-inches of thickness, keeping your A52 slim and lightweight.From $16 at AmazonThe next bestSpigen Liquid CrystalClear cases are some of the most fun options because they allow you to show off how sleek your new Galaxy A52 is without sacrificing protection. And what bett...

The JP crew are all about Resident Evil this week as they check out Resident Evil Village and Resident Evil 4 VR. They also the need for Sony to overhaul PlayStation Now, Nintendo Switch Production and the latest Indie World Showcase.Hosted by: Jennifer Locke, Carli Velocci, and Rebecca SpearGot feedback? Hit up Podcast@androidcentral.com and tell us something!LISTEN NOW:LINKS:Resident Evil Village demo announced for PS5 & PS4, new trailer showcases gruesome threats | Android CentralResident Evil 4 VR Remake coming to Oculus Quest 2 | Android CentralSony desperately needs to overhaul PlayStation Now | Android CentralNintendo unsure whether Nintendo Switch production will meet future demands | iMorePS5 is the fastest-selling console in U.S. history for unit and dollar sales | Android CentralIndie World Showcase: Everything announced during the April 14 event | iMore...

Step up to the plate.When MLB The Show 20 launched last year, it marked the last time the game would release solely on previous generation consoles. Now, just in time for the start of the 2021 MLB season, San Diego Studio is back once again with the latest entry in the MLB The Show franchise. MLB The Show 21 will not only make the leap to next-gen but will be a multi-platform title for the first time ever.Like many games making the jump to the PS5, MLB The Show 21 features a handful of huge changes that make the game much more exciting. While MLB The Show 20 had to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic and a shortened MLB season when releasing content, San Diego Studio has made an impressive return to the field. MLB The Show 21 features a ton of improvements and new details that make it one of the best sports games on the market.MLB The Show 21 review:What you'll likeWhat you won't likeShould you play?MLB The Show 21 ...

HTC could usher in a new era of standalone fitness-focused VR headsets.What you need to knowHTC Vive Air looks to be the company's first major consumer-focused standalone headset in a long time.The Vive Air is made of lightweight, breathable materials that are all removable and washable.The iF WORLD DESIGN award that revealed the headset says it's due for release in 2021 in North America, Europe, and Asia.It's been a long time coming, but HTC might finally have a viable competitor to the Oculus Quest 2 if these leaks for an upcoming headset called the "HTC Vive Air" are anything to go by. Per Engadget, an *iF WORLD DESIGN GUIDE award appears to have been published ahead of an official announcement from HTC, making this a bit more official than many other types of leaks.Per the design award, the HTC Vive Air is specifically designed for virtual fitness in mind. That means the headset is made of lightweight, breathable materials, and it looks like everything but the computi...

PS5 stock is selling out fast so be sure to have your credit card ready.Looking buy a PS5? Well, so do millions of other people and the stock levels that we've seen so far are tight. Every time a retailer puts stock up for sale, it sells out super quickly. The longest we've seen them stay in stock is maybe 15 - 20 minutes (usually just a few minutes, though), and that's at random times, so finding one for yourself can be a difficult task. Sony has warned that it will be hard to find stock throughout the year, but retailers are promising more is coming.In our PS5 review, we called it a technical marvel with a groundbreaking controller. After spending a few months with it now, it's nearly impossible to go back to the PS4. Everything about the PS5 is better, and you'll want to experience it for yourself whenever you get the chance.Jump to:When are retailers releasing new stock?Buy PS5 in the U.S. Buy PS5 in CanadaBuy PS5 in the UKWhere to buy PS5 accessoriesTips for buyi...

The days of sacrificing great service in search of affordability are officially over. Powered by Verizon's 4G LTE and 5G networks, Visible puts you on the nation's best network with its singular plan that offers unlimited data, talk, and text for $40 per month all-in — taxes and fees included. There's no annual contract and a variety of excellent deals available for new members or those looking to purchase a new phone.Best Visible DealsBest Visible Android dealsBest Visible iPhone dealsBest Visible plan dealsMore about VisibleVisible: Three months for $20/monthVisible lets you use Verizon's 4G LTE and 5G networks without paying the high cost of being a Verizon customer. Visible's latest deal drops the cost of the first 3 months for new subscribers to just $20/month with promo code 20FOR3 through April 30.Join today at VisibleWith Visible's Party Pay feature, you can drop the monthly cost of service to as low as $25 per month by getting your friends or famil...

The Samsung Galaxy A52 is one of the best budget phones of the year, and before you go out and buy one, there's one final decision you need to make. Well, there are technically two questions — are you getting 5G and what Galaxy A52 color is best — but the first answer might also answer the second, depending on the market you're buying in. Both the LTE/4G and the 5G versions of the Galaxy A52 come in four Awesome colors, but which one is the most awesome? Let's take a look.Like a summer skyAwesome Blue A52Staff PickI'll confess, I'm partial to blue phones in general, but the Awesome Blue on the A52 is just darling, like the morning sky on a clear summer day — or the powder blue paneling on a vintage car. It's nostalgic, youthful, and energetic, ready to tackle whatever today brings.$375 at Amazon (4G) £399 at Amazon UK (5G)Lilac lovelinessAwesome Purple A52This purple isn't quite as deep or radiant as the Phantom Violet on this year's Galaxy S21, but it's st...

It's available on all Android phones running Nougat and above.What you need to knowGoogle has now added some of the most popular Japanese pop culture characters to AR search.You'll now find icons like Pac-Man, Ultraman, and Hello Kitty present via AR search in the Google Search app or any Android browser.It also works in iOS on any iPhone or iPad running iOS 11 and above. Google's AR character search already includes cute farm animals, Marvel superheroes, and even those terrible lizards from the Jurassic past. Now, the company is adding several new characters to AR search, including popular characters from Japanese pop culture. The company says that it has seen a rise in anime interest, reaching a crescendo over the last month, even ranking higher than video games.You'll now find anime characters from Neon Genesis Evangelion and Gundam, as well as Hello Kitty, Ultraman, Pac-Man, and more. Some of these characters even make sounds, as Google shared in its Japanese blog pos...

Introduced in December 2020, the Samsung Galaxy A12 is a solid Android 10 device featuring a 6.5-inch screen, 48 MP camera, and 5,000mAh battery with fast charging. At just 8.9mm thin, it's an entry-level phone that won't rival some of Samsung's more premium models, like the Samsung Galaxy S20, but it's a great phone for those who don't need all the bells and whistles. It's a reliable smartphone for a teenager, an elderly family member, or even as a secondary phone. Regardless of who it's for, protect your smartphone with a case. These are the best Samsung Galaxy A12 cases you can get.Everything you needMilomdoi CaseStaff PickIt's everything you need in one package for an affordable price, including a military-grade protective case with a 360-degree ring holder kickstand on the back along with a 2-pack of tempered glass screen protectors. The case is made of soft TPU silicone and offers heavy-duty protection with Air Cushion technology.$11 at AmazonBuilt-in screen prote...

Smartphone shipments reached 340 million units in Q1 2021, up from 275 million units during the same period last year.What you need to knowGlobal smartphone shipments increased 24% YoY in the first quarter of 2021.Samsung was the biggest smartphone vendor globally in Q1 2021, with a market share of 23%. Huawei, which held the number two spot during the same period last year, slipped out of the top five. The global smartphone market grew 24% YoY in the first quarter of the year, according to the latest research from Strategy Analytics. While nearly all major smartphone makers saw strong growth during the January to March period, Huawei dropped out of the top five.Huawei had surpassed Samsung as the top smartphone maker in the second quarter of 2020, thanks to strong performance in its home market. Since then, however, the company has been losing market share in pretty much all markets — including China.Linda Sui, Senior Director at Strategy Analytics, said in a state...

What you need to knowVerizon Ultra Wideband 5G is coming to four new cities and 5G Home Internet is coming to three more cities.Verizon will pay up to $500 early termination fees for customers to switch to 5G Home Internet beginning April 29.Verizon is giving new customers that switch a free Samsung Chromebook 4.Verizon announced that it's bringing its Ultra Wideband (UWB) 5G coverage to four new cities bringing the total to 71. On April 22, Ultra Wideband service will come to New Orleans, LA; Fresno, CA; Riverside, CA; and San Antonio, TX. The best cell phone plans now come with 5G including Verizon's Ultra Wideband service which is available with its Play More, Do More, and Get More unlimited plans. All Verizon plans now include Nationwide 5G which makes up most of Verizon's 5G coverage.Verizon's 5G Home Internet is expanding to three new cities starting with Riverside, CA on April 22. Memphis and San Antonio will follow on May 6 bringing the total number of covered citie...

You don't have to look far to find some of the best PS4 prices and discounts from a variety of retailers. Sony's PlayStation continues to dominate the console scene, and even after Sony and its competitors have unveiled a new generation of console, the PlayStation 4 shows no signs of slowing down. It still has some of the best games of the generation, including some exclusives you can't find anywhere else.Best PlayStation Deals Available NowPlayStation 4: now $385PlayStation 4 Pro: refurb from $390PlayStation VR: starting at $150More Info: Pricing history, which to buy & moreNew and better deals get released much more often than you'd expect. If you've already bought one of the consoles in the past, maybe today is the day you upgrade to a higher storage capacity or even jump up to the PlayStation 4 Pro.Our team has had an eye on the PlayStation 4 for years, and we've been tracking the best prices, the best deals, and all the best bundles and combo deals around. Now...

Are you an active individual looking for the best Android smartwatch? Whether you're focused on powerful fitness and health-tracking tools or an eye-catching design, there are plenty of options. The Garmin Vivoactive 4 is one of the best fitness smartwatches with built-in GPS, music storage, full waterproofing, and even NFC for Garmin Pay. It's as fully featured of a smartwatch and fitness tracker that you'll find, so it might be just what you're looking for.Best Overall: Garmin Vivoactive 4Announced late last year, the Garmin Vivoactive 4 is one of the company's newest smartwatches to hit the market. It's got some significant improvements when compared to its predecessor, like new on-screen workouts, two size options, and music storage is now standard. Admittedly, these are some significant upgrades, but they come at a cost. If you can get past the hefty price tag, it's a phenomenal fitness smartwatch that will track your every move.Previously, the Vivoactive was only availa...

The feature is making its way to users as part of a server-side rollout.What you need to knowGoogle Photos is finally rolling out the ability to add new files to albums even when you're offline.The functionality appears to be live in the latest version of the Google Photos app for Android for some users. Any new photos or videos you add to an album offline will be synced as soon as you are connected to the internet. The Google Photos app gained a new Documents tab earlier this week, making it a lot easier for users to find their documents. Google has now quietly added another new feature to the app, allowing users to add new photos and videos to albums even when they're offline, without having to back up files.As reported by Android Police, the highly anticipated feature is now live for some users in the latest version of the Google Photos app on Android. If you're among the lucky users who have received the feature, you can now add photos and videos to existing and new...

Facebook recently introduced Oculus Quest 2 keyboard and mouse support to its most popular VR device, but hooking up your favorite pair might not be as obvious as you would have thought. That's because Oculus Quest 2 keyboard and mouse support is still technically an experimental feature, although you shouldn't expect any substantial problems or bugs when using it. Whether you're looking to enhance your work from home experience with apps like Spatial or just browse the web more easily, the best keyboards and best mice will all get the job done with amazing efficiency.How to pair a Bluetooth keyboard or mouse with Oculus Quest 2Pairing your keyboard or mouse with your Oculus Quest 2 is pretty simple, but finding the option isn't as obvious as you might hope. Let's begin with pairing your keyboard.Put the Oculus Quest 2 on your head and press the Oculus button on the right Oculus Touch controller.Select the settings button, located on the Universal Home menu's right side.Sele...

The phone will have a dedicated button to activate "Game Mode."What you need to knowRedmi's first gaming phone will debut in China on April 27.It will be part of the brand's Redmi K40 family. The phone is rumored to feature a MediaTek Dimensity 1200 chipset, 67W fast charging, and a 144Hz display.Xiaomi's Redmi sub-brand recently teased the launch of its first-ever gaming phone. The brand has now revealed that the phone will make its debut at a virtual event on April 27.The company's post on Weibo confirms the upcoming gaming phone will be part of the Redmi K40 series and is going to be called the Redmi K40 "Gaming Edition." As you can see in the official teaser below, the phone will come with shoulder buttons similar to ones seen on Black Shark devices. We can also see a triple-camera array on the back of the phone, with an LED ring around the sensors. The ring will light up when the phone's Game Mode is activated.Rumors suggest the phone will be powered by MediaTek'...

Mobvoi's TicWatch Pro S has an outdated processor and only offers a few minor upgrades.Depending on your perspective, you may or may not consider the new TicWatch Pro S to be one of the best Android smartwatches you can buy. While it certainly offers some nice improvements, it's a lot the same stuff we experienced on the TicWatch Pro 2020. If you're going to spend this much on a smartwatch, you might as well stretch your budget a bit further and get yourself the Ticwatch Pro 3 instead.So, what does the TicWatch Pro S bring to the table that's new and different? The main selling point is a handful of new and upgraded apps from Mobvoi. You'll now have TicExercise 3.0 and TicSleep 2.0, for example. The company also added new apps, including TicBreathe and TicHearing. You can now measure VO2 max during runs as well.If you were anticipating an updated processor with better performance, you'll be disappointed. The TicWatch Pro S is still running the severely outdated Snapdragon Wear ...

The SanDisk Extreme 1TB portable USB-C NVMe solid state drive has dropped to $149.99 at Best Buy as part of Best Buy's deals of the day. Amazon has also price matched this deal, so you'll be able to get it there as long as it lasts at Best Buy. This is a limited time sale that will be gone by tomorrow. The drive normally sells for as much as $240 at Best Buy and can be found going for around $170 or more at other retailers.This is a newer version of a SanDisk Extreme portable SSD we have recommended before. The older version has gone much lower than today's deal before, but right now it's going for $140. That means you can get the newer, faster version for just $10 more.The portable SSD uses a USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 interface. That's an upgrade from 3.1 on the previous generation and ensures a wide compatibility with USB-C connectors including on both computers and smartphones. Because of that USB-C connection and the NVMe technology built into the solid state drive, you can get some re...

The best OnePlus Nord cases are durable, affordable, and dependable, just like the Nord. The phone, which was introduced in the summer of 2020, is a wonderful return to form, a mid-range phone that offers a premium experience at a reasonable price tag. The back of this phone may be covered in impact-resistant Gorilla Glass 5, but that doesn't mean that you can let your Nord go around naked. Scratches, slips, and sweat are still a smartphone's enemy. So, while you might be considering grabbing the rumored OnePlus Nord 2 once it comes out if you still own a Nord, it's worth adding some grip and glamour so the phone can stay safe and solid for years to come.Clear protectionSpigen Ultra HybridStaff PickSpigen is one of the most trusted case brands on the market, and I'm happy to see this robust, clear case available for Nord. The clear back lets that lovely Blue shine through while the black bumper adds grip and contrast.$14 at AmazonClassic protectionTudia DualShield...

Headphone jack, expandable storage, 4K HDR OLED display, and more!Sony's smartphones don't get a lot of love these days, but if you ask me, they're incredibly underrated — in fact, the recently announced Xperia 1 III might end up being one of the best Android phones of 2021. Aesthetically, this phone looks like any of its predecessors, with roughly the same squared-off design and extra-tall aspect ratio. However, under the hood, this looks to be one of the few remaining high-end phones that cater to fans of both new and old features.The Xperia 1 III has an impressive spec sheet, helmed by the latest and greatest Snapdragon 888 processor, along with 12GB of RAM and 256GB of UFS storage. That storage is expandable via microSD, something that's become increasingly difficult to find in high-end phones over the last year, and as a bonus, you even get a 3.5mm headphone jack for wired headphones. With LG out of the mobile space, it's more important than ever to have worthwhile com...

The three new Earth-themed wallpapers are the latest additions to Google's "Curated Culture" collection.What you need to knowGoogle has released a bunch of new Earth Day-themed wallpapers for its Pixel phones.You can find the new wallpapers in the "Curated Culture" collection in your styles & wallpapers settings.They are only available for Pixel 3 and newer phones.Back in February, Google introduced a new "Curated Culture" wallpaper collection for its Pixel phones. Last month, the company added three new wallpapers to the collection ahead of International Women's Day. Google is now expanding the "Curated Culture" collection again with new wallpapers for Earth Day, which have been drawn by artist Jeremyville. If you have a Pixel phone, you can access these exclusive wallpapers from the Styles and Wallpapers menu. However, they are only available on the Pixel 3 and newer phones. It is also worth noting that the wallpapers aren't optimized for the hole-punch display...

Chatting with the AC forums.While previous Pixel phones were metal and glass sandwiches in the truest sense, the Google Pixel 5 saw a dramatic change in material design for the brand. Instead of a Gorilla Glass back, we got an aluminum rear panel coated in a protective resin, which could even allow for wireless charging. At first glance, it looked, and felt, like one of the most durable of the best Android phones.But has that proven to be true? Is the Google Pixel 5 really that durable? That's the question raised by a recent AC community forums post. ianhanson85 04-18-2021 08:18 PM “ Hi, Unfortunately my 2+year old Pixel 3XL is nearing its end. The back is randomly separating near the power and volume rocker and going all the way down the phone. Not sure if it's just adhesive or battery expanding. I was not thrilled with Google's solution so even though I had planned on not upgrading unt...

Landscape and selfies are fine, but at less than four feet, the Galaxy S21 goes downhill fast.I stunned all of my coworkers in a morning meeting a few days ago. We were talking about smartphone cameras and the Pixel 5a, and I brought up that I had to double back to the Pixel 4a from my Galaxy S21 for taking my Chromebox 4 review photos and it was far from the first time. "Wait, you take your review photos with a phone?" "I take all my article photos with a phone."Cue the shock and awe.I've been using my cell phone cameras for my article photos — yes, including my reviews — for as long as I've had two phones. While that was harder back in the earlier days when I was using my HTC 10 or Galaxy S6, ever since the original Google Pixel, I've had zero issues getting good photos of any phone, Chromebook, or accessory I've been writing about. Well, zero issues until I got the Galaxy S21 because I don't know what is up with the camera here, but it seems determined to not photograph ...

In recent months, Google has made a bit of news and shaken up the browser space by announcing that it's moving away from the traditional tracking technology of web cookies and moving toward a new option called FLoC. FLoC stands for Federated Learning of Cohorts, and it purports to anonymously aggregate people into interest groups to serve them ads based on the groups they fall into, rather than on their unique, individual ad identifiers. This sounds great in theory, and our own Jerry Hildenbrand has talked on the AC podcast about why he thinks it's a good move for Google and users. However, many competing web browsers using Chromium aren't so thrilled, and neither are many users. Google has begun testing this new method recently, but it's not clear who all is involved in the testing phase. If you don't want to be caught up in this testing, here's how you can block Google's new FLoC web tracking — at least, for now.How to block Google's new FLoC web tracking on desktopOpen the...

The Oculus Quest 2 is lighter, more comfortable, and more powerful than the original Oculus Quest. Facebook refined its design to be more comfortable on your head and in your hands, but that doesn't mean you can't improve it even further with some of the best Oculus Quest accessories. From headphones built specifically for the Quest 2 to a device to let you cast your Quest 2 to a TV, these are the best Oculus Quest 2 accessories. You can order the Oculus Quest 2 now.Strap it upQuest 2 Elite StrapStaff PickThe Quest 2 Elite Strap replaces the standard strap that ships with the headset. The Elite Strap is more ergonomic and has a fit wheel that lets you twist the headset to a nice, snug fit.$49 at Amazon $49 at Best Buy $49 at WalmartIn-ear for the next genLogitech G333 VR gaming earphonesLogitech and Facebook worked together to create these in-ear headphones. The cables are just the right length to work with the headset, and they have dedicated audio drivers for hi...

Google is set to introduce phones with custom silicon — just like Apple and Samsung.Google makes some of the best Android phones money can buy, and a large part of what makes its phones stand out is the cameras. Although Google hasn't changed the hardware sensor itself in over three years, it was able to leverage its software prowess to deliver truly outstanding photos from Pixel phones — including the $350 Pixel 4a.While Google likes to focus on software as a differentiator for its phones, it looks like the company is now turning to custom silicon to give Pixels an added edge. The custom chipsets could end up eventually powering its phones and even its Chromebooks, and the first such chipset, the GS101, is set to show up in the Pixel 6 later this year.Here's everything you need to know about Google's custom silicon, including the hardware rundown, security features, camera upgrades, and why this is a big deal for Google's hardware ambitions.Jump to:HardwareSecurity...

Motorola is taking Xiaomi's Redmi Note 10 Pro Max head-on with the new Moto G60.What you need to knowThe Moto G60 and Moto G40 Fusion are the latest additions to Motorola's budget smartphone lineup.Both phones are powered by Qualcomm's Snapdragon 732G processor and feature 120Hz displays.The Moto G60 is the company's first budget Android phone with a 108MP camera. After launching its first 'flagship' Moto G last month, Motorola today unveiled two new Moto G phones to challenge the best cheap Android phones on the market.The new Moto G60 and Moto G40 Fusion are powered by Qualcomm's Snapdragon 732G processor, which also powers the popular Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 Pro Max. Both phones sport a large 6.8-inch FHD+ display with a 120Hz refresh rate and a centered hole-punch cutout.In the camera department, the Moto G60 has a triple-camera setup with a 108MP primary sensor, an 8MP ultra-wide lens, and a 2MP depth sensor. Moto G40 Fusion, on the other hand, comes with a 64MP pri...

A sleek build without the bells and whistles to back it up.I had the pleasure of testing out another EPOS headset a few months ago, the GSP 600, so when I was offered the opportunity to try the company's newest headset and review the EPOS H3, I immediately said yes. The H3 sports a similar form factor to its siblings, making it appear more sleek and stylish with some minor variations. After spending some time with it, I have mixed feelings.The EPOS H3 headset is billed as the company's "next generation of premium peripherals," but there's not a whole ton about it that screams "next-gen." While not necessarily bad, it doesn't live up to expectations that marketing sets, though it fits well within its price point for the features you get. It has a flip-to-mute mic, a closed acoustic design (like several EPOS models), and is compatible with multiple devices. While it's not one of the best PS5 headsets out there, it's still a good option.EPOS H3 review:Price and availabilityW...

On your search for the best VPN service, you might have been confused by the different plans and offerings of each provider when trying to figure out the best value option.For the most part, going for a longer-term plan will save you more money (sometimes as much as 70% or more), though not everyone wants to commit for a year or longer. Fear not, though, as cheap monthly VPN plans do exist so you can get set up with a VPN without spending a ton of cash upfront.Best Cheap Monthly VPN PlansIPVanish: $3.49/1-monthPureVPN: $0.99/7-day trialProtonVPN: $5/1-monthWindscribe: $9/1-monthExpressVPN: $12.95/1-month You don't have to go broke each month or pay a huge upfront cost to get a great VPN. These cheap monthly VPN plans make it affordable to try out a VPN for yourself before committing for a longer period of time or just pay for VPN service as and when you need it without a commitment.IPVanish VPN: 65% off one-month plan$3.49 at IPVanishWith its current deal,...

No PlayStation Plus subscription required.What you need to knowHorizon Zero Dawn is now free for everyone on PS4 and PS5.It will be available for free until May 14.Once you download it, it's yours to keep forever. It will not be removed from your library.Everyone on PS4 and PS5 can now download Horizon Zero Dawn for free thanks to PlayStation's Play At Home program, encouraging people to stay inside and play games. The program recently gave away Ratchet and Clank and a bunch of other titles for free, and it looks to continue the trend over the coming months.Horizon Zero Dawn is free from April 19 at 11pm ET until May 14, so that gives people a few weeks to take advantage of the offer. What's even better is that it's the Complete Edition, featuring the Frozen Wilds expansion. Once you download it, it's yours to keep forever. They won't be removed from your library at some arbitrary date in the future.This is an excellent way for Sony to drum up hyper before its sequel. I...

No social media platform is safe from the Clubhouse takeover, not even Reddit.What you need to knowReddit has just announced its own Clubhouse clone, Reddit Talk.The platform works similarly to Clubhouse, with its own Reddit flair added to the mix.The service isn't widely available at the moment, but moderators can join the waitlist.Reddit just officially jumped on the Clubhouse train. Coming on the heels of Facebook's announcement, as well as other offerings like Twitter Spaces and Discord's Stage Channels, Reddit is rolling out with Reddit Talk. The service will offer a Clubhouse-like experience with Reddit's own particular flair.The platform revealed on Monday that Reddit Talk will be available within subreddits. It will feature hosts and audiences, and the host will be able to regulate the audio chats, meaning users can be invited, muted, or booted. Reddit hopes to bring more customization to the service with background colors, reactions, and interchangeable avatars...

Google Photos is now the place for your documents.What you need to knowGoogle Photos is rolling out with a new "documents" category.This new section will collect photos with visible text and categorize them based on their type.The update has started rolling out but has yet to reach a wide number of users.One of the best things about Google Photos is how it leverages AI to categorize your photos into various, easy-to-find collections. Recently, the app started integrating Google Lens features, such as a copy/paste tool that pulls text from images. Google is taking things a bit further by categorizing all of your photos with text into its own "Documents" category.Some users are noticing the new Documents section when navigating to the Search tab in Google Photos (via Android Police). Once inside, your images will be further categorized based on the type of "document" the app thinks it is. For instance, images of text messages will get their own album, as will cook covers, r...

Parler's sudden disappearance comes hours after a blunt ultimatum from the Apple App Store: moderate your platform or leave.Update, April 19 (06:00 pm ET): After Apple finally approved a Parler update, Google is likely to do as well.What you need to knowParler has been suspended from Google Play, pending improvements to its moderation system.The social media network has been the source of much criticism after Trump supporters and QAnon conspiracy theorists flocked to the platform.Apple is giving Parler 24 hours to address complaints regarding the content and moderation of its network or be banned from the App Store, but it appears Google is suspending first and then asking for changes to be let back in.It has been a very busy week for social media news! President Trump got permanently banned from Twitter earlier this afternoon after being suspended indefinitely from Facebook and Instagram yesterday, and earlier today, Apple issued a warning to the social media network tha...

What you need to knowVerizon with partners Ericsson and Samsung has begun deploying C-Band equipment to towers.Verizon plans to cover 100 million people with C-Band Ultra Wideband 5G by March 2022.T-Mobile counters that its mid-band 2.5GHz 5G already covers 125 million with 200 million by the end of 2021.T-Mobile also claims that its mid-band 5G has much better propagation than the 3.7 to 3.98GHz C-Band spectrumVerizon was the first company to really impress people with incredible wireless speeds on its Ultra Wideband millimeter-wave 5G network. Even as the speeds continued to climb, coverage was a constant issue with poor building penetration and inconsistent performance even with a line of sight to the tower. Verizon spent big on C-Band with an average of 161MHz nationwide once it's available. Verizon announced that it's working with partners Ericsson and Samsung and has begun to deploy C-Band equipment to its towers so it can flip the C-Band switch as soon as possible.I...

Google commemorates the first atmospheric, extraterrestrial flight with Ingenuity Mars Helicopter easter egg.What you need to knowGoogle has included a fun easter egg on the search page for the Ingenuity Mars Helicopter.When searching "Ingenuity," an interactive model of the helicopter will fly around your computer screen.NASA successfully conducted the first test flight of the Ingenuity Mars Helicopter on Monday.Monday represented a landmark moment as NASA completed the first powered test flight on Mars, thanks to the Mars Ingenuity Helicopter. It marks a major accomplishment for NASA and opens up a world of possibilities for unmanned planetary exploration. To commemorate the moment, Google Search has launched a fun Easter egg for anyone hoping to read up on the little helicopter that could and did.If you type in "Ingenuity," "Mars Ingenuity Helicopter," or any combination thereof, the associated Wikipedia card will display a small animation of the robot. Clicking on i...

It's never too soon to start saving. Sure, the Google Pixel 5 is still brand new, but thanks to carriers and stores competing for your business, it's usually not too difficult to find an early discount on a popular product such as this. Pixel 5 deals may be limited at first, but we expect we'll be seeing plenty of offers in no time with carrier discounts arriving first and deals on unlocked devices following. Of course, if the Pixel 5 is out of your price range, there are also some stellar Pixel 4a deals available right now.Best Pixel 5 Deals Available NowCarrier Deals: Trade-in or BOGOUnlocked deals: Up to $130 offThe Google Pixel 5 offers a number of solid improvements upon the Pixel 4. Though its predecessor received some flak for its bad battery life, the Pixel 5 includes a 4080mAh battery that's miles better than the 2800mAh battery found in the Pixel 4. The cameras are receiving an upgrade as well; the telephoto lens from the Pixel 4 has been replaced with a standa...

You'll enjoy playing Outriders, but you probably won't remember it when you're done.Outriders is an enjoyable, if slightly formulaic, looter shooter that is at its best when it remembers to be fun and at its worst when it tries to tell a story. A solid core of fun gameplay, a simple but rewarding mod system, and a responsive difficulty curve do a lot to save the game from mediocrity, and Outriders is much better than mediocre.That said, a panoply of peripheral issues hold the game back from being a true delight. The problems with the gameplay are small, but once you notice them, they're very difficult to ignore. And if you want an engaging story, you can forget about it, because almost everything about Outriders' story and setting is forgettable.Also, as a side note: I don't want to address the server issues in great detail since I'm optimistic they'll be fixed over the next couple of weeks. However, they were there when I started playing, and have only marginally improved at t...

Getting a new phone in your hands doesn't have to be as expensive as you might think. There are always deals out there on Android phones but they tend to come and go rather quickly with other discounts appearing in their place. However, if you're hoping to buy one of the latest devices on the market, finding a proper deal is easier than ever these days.Best Android Phone DealsUnlocked dealsCarrier dealsWhen it comes to buying a new smartphone, there are two main types of deals to consider. You could buy your new phone unlocked so that you own it and can bring it to any carrier where it's compatible, or you can purchase devices through carrier deals at a retailer such as Verizon or T-Mobile.Carrier deals generally make you pay for the device in monthly installments and require that you add a line of service, which means you'll be locked into paying for the device (and your service contract) for a few years. Deals like these can be excellent if you're willing or need to ...