Latest from Android Central

Chatting with the AC forums.Whenever there's a new best Android phone on the market, we all gush about the colors and finishes and debate on which color we should get. Yet most of us inevitably put a case on our devices, and for good reason. There's nothing worse than dropping $500, $800, or $1,000 or more on a new phone and then dropping said phone onto a hard surface, destroying your beautiful new device.However, there are still the brave, daring, or, dare we say, impulsive, among us who insist on rocking their phones naked (without a case), showing off their phones as the manufacturer intended. It's been an ongoing debate since the smartphone era started, and it's still a lively one over on the AC forums, even for a plastic phone like the Google Pixel 4a: cbreze 03-13-2021 01:03 AM “ Whats the consensus regarding cases for the 4a? I like this one I found on Amazon but was wondering if I need ...

Since its debut in October 2020, Population: One quickly rocketed itself to our best Oculus Quest 2 games list and solidified itself as the defacto standard for battle royale in VR. While many people will attest to its incredibly solid and unique mechanics playing a huge role in its popularity, there's no doubt that developer BigBox VR's regularly-scheduled 10-day events — filled with new mechanics, exclusive skins and characters, and plenty of map changes — are what keeps players coming back over and over again.Population: One Season 1 - Uprising lasts 10-times as long as one of the regular events that the game hosted over the past few months. That 10-week event started on February 25 and lasts until the first week in May, giving players plenty of time to amass points and collect special skins, sprays, and even unlock an exclusive character if they can make it all the way to the end of the Battlepass tiers. How awesome is the first season, and is a Battlepass worth the $5 purc...

Bethesda games are made for PC and consoles, but streaming them to your Android device is fine, even though there are some caveats.Microsoft's acquisition of Bethesda was a big deal for Xbox and PC gamers, but it's also important for those who play on mobile. With Xbox Game Pass (xCloud) for Android players can stream some their favorite games directly to their Android phone or a tablet. It opens up a new library of titles on mobile that you could argue should be listed among the best Android games.Not only that, but Microsoft has proven that it deeply cares about the past, present, and future of the games industry. Through efforts like backward compatibility you can still play games well over two decades old, and it's through Game Pass titles that titles like Doom II can live on to be streamed wherever you go.We decided to test out some of Bethesda's newest games to come to Xbox Game Pass for Android. While many of these titles aren't well-suited for a phone's smaller screens ...

Blue's reputation did not disappoint as the Yeti X delivers a strong audio experience.Over the years, whenever I would look up the best microphones for streaming, I'd always find the Blue Yeti at the top of the list. Professionals and amateurs alike would recommend it for its reliability and excellent audio quality, not to mention its ease of use with a simple USB connection. I've wanted to try a Blue Yeti out for myself for a while now, and I've finally had the opportunity.While I'm no expert in microphones, I can tell what sounds good and what doesn't. I reviewed the HyperX QuadCast a couple of years ago and was impressed by what it had to offer, especially as the company's first attempt to produce a gaming microphone. I can easily say that I'm equally impressed with the Blue Yeti, though there are a few key features that elevate it above most of the competition. If you have the money to spare, it's near-perfect.Whether you use it for game streaming on PC or hook it up to you...

There's really not enough time in the day for everything that needs to get done anymore. Luckily, finding time to kick your feet up and relax becomes a bit easier with a robot vacuum as capable as the Roborock S6. This smart robot vacuum maps your house's layout and then gets to work cleaning your carpets, hard floors, and will even mop up after itself! Controlling it is easy too, as you can use an app on your smartphone or voice control it using Alexa.Though this smart vacuum regularly sells for $650, a sale at Amazon is dropping it down to the best price in its history! Today you can snag one on sale for $401.99, saving you almost $250 off its usual cost. To get the discount, you'll need to clip the on-page coupon for $180 off and then enter code ROBOROCKS6 during checkout.The Roborock S6 works as both a vacuum and a mop based on your needs. Basically, if you want it to mop on its scheduled routine, fill the water tank. It will add mopping to its functions as it goes around you...

Despite not using Gorilla Glass Victus, the phone's display doesn't scratch easily.What you need to knowOnePlus' latest Android flagship has passed JerryRigEverything's durability test with flying colors.The phone's display doesn't scratch easily and can even resist fire for up to 40 seconds.Unlike the ASUS ROG Phone 5, it also performed well in the bend test.The new OnePlus 9 Pro is one of the most impressive phones released so far this year, packing all the latest and greatest specs. It also comes equipped with impressive Hasselblad-branded cameras, which take much better photos than last year's OnePlus 8 Pro.Not only is the phone a massive improvement over previous OnePlus flagships in the camera department, it also happens to be quite durable. Zack from JerryRigEverything put the OnePlus 9 Pro through his slew of durability tests, and the phone performed well in pretty much all of them.Even though the phone doesn't use Corning's latest Gorilla Glass Victus like ...

International football returns as the best players from across North America, Central America, and the Caribbean compete for places in next year's FIFA World Cup. Don't miss a moment with our FIFA World Cup 2022 CONCACAF qualifiers live stream guide.CONCACAF nations begin their paths to Qatar with the first raft of qualifying games taking place this month in the initial group stage. Nations will play twice between March 24 and March 30 with a second set of group stage games scheduled for June to decide which nations will move on to the second stage knockout round.By the end of that, we'll know which of the teams will line up against the USA, Mexico, and others in the third and final qualifying round to compete for the three available FIFA World Cup 2022 berths. There's more on exactly how the qualifying process works below as well as how to catch games live.Read on for full details on how to get a live stream of the FIFA World Cup 2022 CONCACAF qualifying matches no matter wher...

International football returns as the best players from across Europe compete for places in next year's FIFA World Cup. Don't miss a moment with our FIFA World Cup 2022 European qualifiers live stream guide.While the 2020-21 UEFA Nations League is still ongoing, and the delayed European Championships from 2020 are set to be played in just a few months, international teams from across Europe have to set their sights on the 2022 FIFA World Cup this week with the first raft of qualifying games set to take place.Current World Cup holders France begin their title defence with an opening qualifying game against Ukraine. Other European behemoths England, Germany, Spain, Belgium, and Portugal will also be in action.There are thirteen qualification spots up for grabs. With 55 teams competing for them, every game counts. We've got a full breakdown of how the qualification process works below as well as the upcoming fixtures and details of how to watch the games live.Read on for full de...

One of the most popular ways to use the best VPNs, aside from ensuring your privacy and security, is to unblock region restrictions on streaming platforms like Netflix. NordVPN strikes the balance between these top features making it a powerful option when it comes to unblocking Netflix.While streaming on Netflix can be a wonderful experience, with that clever buffering that has 4K and HDR quality video up and running with immersive Dolby Atmos sound near right away, it's not always so easy. Netflix, like many other streaming services, does restrict access to content based on your location.Why does Netflix block you? This is based on licenses bought for a particular show or movie to be shown in that region or country. Since pricing varies by place, Netflix is still limited by frankly dated region-based licensing deals. But there is a way around this by using a VPN.Using a Netflix VPN allows you to appear to be somewhere you're not, thanks to bouncing your signal through a secur...

OnePlus 9 ProCamera king$969 at OnePlusProsQHD+ 120Hz AMOLED LTPO displayLatest internal hardware with 5GOutstanding camerasBloat-free software with fast updates65W wired / 50W wireless chargingIP68 dust and water resistanceConsSub-par battery lifeLimited 5G connectivity in the U.S.ExpensiveThe OnePlus 9 Pro offers key upgrades in all areas from last year. Up front is a 6.7-inch QHD+ 120Hz AMOLED that uses LTPO tech for dynamic refresh, and you get the latest internal hardware with 65W wired and 50W wireless charging. But the biggest upgrade is at the back: the OnePlus 9 Pro has one of the best cameras you'll find on any phone today, and if you take a lot of photos, you should upgrade.OnePlus 8 ProStill going strong$700 at AmazonProsVibrant 120Hz AMOLED displayRock-solid internal hardware with 5GBloat-free software with fast updates30W wired and wireless chargingIP68 dust and water resistanceConsCameras not anywhere as good as 9 ProU...

Hopefully, these new Pixel Buds will come with ANC.What you need to knowA new "wireless device" has been spotted in the FCC.It's likely that these are a new model of Google Pixel Buds set to be launched later this year.The FCC filing could point to better connectivity, but specs are largely unknown.Last year's Google Pixel Buds (2020) were a step up from the original model that launched in 2019, finally ditching the wire after most Bluetooth earbuds already transitioned to the "truly wireless" form factor. While the Pixel Buds are among the best wireless earbuds on the market, there's always room for improvement. As it turns out, we may not have to wait too long to see those improvements, thanks to a new FCC filing for a new pair of Pixel Buds.9to5Google spotted filings for two devices that can likely be attributed to Google. The model numbers, "GPQY2" and "G7YPJ," are similar to that of other Google products, and it's likely that they each represent each separate earbud,...

Gestures on Android phones are widely used and have been around for quite a while. You can find them on everything from expensive options like the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra to the best cheap Android phones, but gestures may be lesser-known and used on smartwatches. Because of this, you may not know how to use gestures on Wear OS smartwatches. Using them on a watch is a bit different than the gestures you're familiar with on a phone, but that doesn't mean they can't be useful. Let's get you set up to navigate your Wear OS watch with more than just a touch.How to use gestures on Wear OS to wake the displayOne of the most basic and possibly most useful gestures is tilt-to-wake. This feature will turn on your display entirely when you lift your watch or tilt it to view the screen.Go to your watch Settings by swiping down from the top and pressing the gear icon or pressing the side button to find settings in your app drawer.Tap on Gestures in the settings menu.Turn on Tilt-to-wake...

This week, we check out the Life is Strange series from Square Enix, the Black Panther expansion for Marvel's Avengers, and more upcoming games. The crew also look back at the past year of Animal Crossing: New Horizons, a game that is helping millions of people get through the dark times..Hosted by: Jennifer Locke, Carli Velocci, and Rebecca SpearGot feedback? Hit up Podcast@androidcentral.com and tell us something!LISTEN NOW:LINKS:Life is Strange: True Colors revealed, coming to PS5 and developed by Deck Nine | Android CentralLife is Strange Remastered Collection announced at Square Enix Presents for the PS5 | Android CentralBlack Panther expansion finally announced for Marvel's Avengers | Android CentralProject Athia is now Forspoken, coming to PS5 in 2022 | Android CentralAnimal Crossing: New Horizons one year retrospective: Thanks for the memories | iMore...

Qualcomm is going all-in on Android gaming.What you need to knowReports point to Qualcomm working on its own Android-powered gaming console.The console would feature a Nintendo Switch-like setup with detachable controllers.It will likely run Android 12 and launch in Q1 2022.Android smartphones are becoming increasingly powerful, with many of the best phones for gamers rivaling even some laptops. The ASUS ROG Phone 5 tops out at an impressive 18GB, which is more than twice the RAM found on the machine used to type this up. With phones this powerful, it's no surprise that Qualcomm has reportedly begun developing its own Android-powered portable gaming console modeled after the Nintendo Switch.Android Police got the exclusive on the upcoming console, which is said to resemble a thicker, bulkier smartphone to provide better airflow and allow the processor to run at higher clock speeds. The device will come with detachable controllers on either side à la Nintendo Switch, whic...

The Future Games Show is returning this year with a big splash. Continuing the year of video games that has been 2021, GamesRadar is once again hosting the Future Games Show with new announcements, game updates, and more. If you tune into the Future Games Show this year, you can expect to see over 40 games from over 30 different publishers, including a pre-show from Daedalic Entertainment! We don't want you to miss anything from one of 2021's biggest gaming events, so here's your complete guide on how to watch the Future Games Show.How do I watch the Future Games Show?The Future Games Show begins on Thursday, March 25, 2021 at 2:45 p.m. PT / 5:45 p.m. ET / 9:45 p.m. GMT with a pre-show. The main show will kick off at 3:00 p.m. PT. You can of course tune in on the GamesRadar website, which is hosting the event, or you can use any one of the popular streaming platforms listed below:TwitchYouTubeFacebookTwitterThe Future Games Show isn't holding anything back and will f...

The best Android tablets come with blazing-fast processors, giant screens, and the ability to multitask like you simply can't on a smaller phone screen. But if you were looking for more traditional productivity or a true laptop replacement, you're going to need to pick up a good keyboard and a mouse. Like keyboards, mice aren't a one-size-fits-all kind of product, so we've assembled a list of the best mice you can buy for your Android Tablet, including plenty of different shapes, sizes, and aesthetic looks.Best Overall: Logitech M585It's hard to beat a good traditionally-styled mouse, and the Logitech M585 has basically everything good going for it in that regard. That traditional rounded Logitech mouse will fit your hand quite nicely, and the curved back will snug your palm as it glides over your desk surface throughout the day. Five buttons adorn its classic exterior, with the usual left/middle/right configuration and two forward/backward navigation buttons situated in a spot...

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 $149 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...

It's been more than a year since the Disney Plus streaming service launched -- and its global rollout will continue through the remainder of 2021! It's safe to say the platform has established itself as one of the premier streaming platforms, thanks to its exclusive family-friendly offerings from Disney itself and Star Wars, Marvel, Pixar, National Geographic, and 20th Century Studios.While the catalog size may not rival Netflix and the competition just yet, there are already some awesome Disney+ originals, and it was confirmed at the latest Disney Investor Day event that at least 10 Marvel and 10 Star Wars series will hit the platform over the next few years.Odds are you're interested, but still unsure how much a Disney+ subscription costs, right? Thankfully, there are several different plan options for Disney+, with fees ranging from $6.99 to $12.99 per month. You can also sign up for an annual plan to save a little extra. Let's take a second to break down the current offers an...

If you're currently looking for the best fitness tracker, you may come across some smartwatches during your search. That may lead you to question if one kind of device is better than the other. While they both have their pros and cons, there are some good reasons to buy a fitness tracker over a smartwatch. Whether you're just getting started with fitness tracking or you prefer the compact design, there's plenty more where that comes from.You'll be happy to know that the same industry leaders who are also responsible for some of the best Android smartwatches on the market also offer plenty of fitness trackers. While their features may vary a bit, you'll still enjoy an excellent wearable experience at a much more affordable price point. Choosing to buy a fitness tracker over a smartwatch will come down to a few key factors. If you won't miss the larger displays and more advanced features, you can score a great deal on a device that's still loaded with perks.Ideal for beginnersW...

There are a great many excellent Chrome extensions out there for work and play, but what good are extensions if you forget to use them? You can only pin so many extensions to the right side of the Omnibar in Google Chrome, but thankfully, there's a better way to quickly activate extensions while you're using Google Chrome on your laptop, desktop, or Chromebook: keyboard shortcuts. Google Chrome allows you to set a custom keyboard shortcut and assign it to your extension — and developers can even offer up multiple extension actions that you can assign to multiple different keys — and they are ridiculously easy to set up.In fact, the hardest part of this whole experience is trying to decide just what key combo you're going to use for your shortcut.How to create shortcuts for Google Chrome extensionsOpen Google Chrome.Click the three-dot menu in the top right corner.Click More tools.Click Extensions.Click the three-line menu in the top left corner.Click Keyboard sh...

Though the Jabra Elite 65t may be a couple of generations old at this point, they are still a stellar set of true wireless earbuds and, today only, you can snag a set for only $50 at Best Buy.Since the release of newer models, these Jabra buds normally sell for about $80 these days though this deal of the day takes them back down to the lowest price we have ever seen for them, even beating out last year's Black Friday price of $65. It remains to be seen if Amazon will price match this Best Buy sale, though it usually does.The 65t have dual microphone technology and true wireless Bluetooth stability that helps reduce audio drops. They will last up to five hours on a single charge of the battery with an extra 10 hours of battery life within the charging case itself. These headphones also feature one-touch access to Alexa, Siri, or Google Assistant, which can make your life so much easier when it comes to remembering appointments or dealing with smart home technology.Daniel Bader'...

Even though the best cheap Android phones have gotten much faster in the past few years, they still don't perform at flagship levels, and even the most expensive phones can occasionally feel a bit sluggish. However, it is possible to make your phone feel snappier by reducing animations. Every action on your phone causes a different animation to take place. These are designed as part of the software experience by the manufacturer of your phone. No matter who makes your Android phone, you can reduce the amount of time each animation takes — and we can help you do that.How to make your Android phone feel more responsive by reducing animationsTo be able to speed up the animations on your Android phone, first, we'll need to enable developer mode. Once that is done, a faster feeling phone is only a few more taps away.Open the settings on your phone.Scroll to the bottom tap on about phone.We're looking for build number in the menu. For Pixel phones, scroll to the bottom. With Sam...

These are the series and movies you don't want to miss on Disney+Disney Plus is a relatively new streaming service from Disney that brings the best of Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Nat Geo, and more into one place.There is a whole lot of content on Disney+, which could make finding something new to watch a little overwhelming. Luckily, we've done the hard work and rounded up some of the best shows and movies that you should be watching on Disney+ right now. From original series meant for kids, to action-packed or endearing films for the whole family, see our guide to the best Disney+ shows and movies below.What is Disney+ and how do I sign up?If you aren't familiar with Disney+ or have been holding out on signing up, now may be the time to learn more and get a subscription started. It brings pretty much the full collection of shows and movies from Disney, Pixar, National Geographic, Marvel, and more into one service for a low montly cost that doesn't require a long-term commitment....

The OnePlus 7 and 7 Pro are also likely to receive the stable update soon.What you need to knowThe stable OxygenOS 11 update is now rolling for the OnePlus 7T and 7T Pro phones.While the update comes with several new features, Always-on Display is disappointingly missing.OnePlus 7 and 7 Pro owners will have to wait slightly longer for the Android 11-based OxygenOS 11 update.The highly anticipated Android 11-based OxygenOS 11 stable update has finally started rolling out to the OnePlus 7T series phones. OnePlus had rolled out the first OxygenOS 11 Open Beta build for the 7T series in late January, three months after it rolled out the stable update to its best Android phones.As you would expect, OnePlus is rolling out the update in stages. The company says only a small number of OnePlus 7T users will receive the update today, and a broader rollout will commence in a few days.The stable OxygenOS 11 update brings a long list of new features, including the ability to turn on...

England's two-month tour of India comes to a close with this series of three one-day internationals at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Pune. Watch every ball of this ODI series with our India vs England live stream guide below.Having battled it out in a four-match Test series and five-match T20I series which both saw the home team victorious, this trio of one-day internationals may at first glance seem something of an afterthought with so much now focused on preparations for this year's T20 World Cup.Nevertheless, both captains have stated these games offer a chance for a number of fringe players to stake a late claim for inclusion in their squads for October's tournament.This final series also offers up World Cup Super League and for England one last chance to head home with a win under their belt against arguably their biggest current rivals in the shorter form version of the game.Having put out a close to full strength side in the T20 leg of the tour, Englan...

It's unclear what caused the Android app crashing problem, but the culprit is clear.What you need to knowAndroid users are reporting frequent app crashes, particularly owners of Samsung Galaxy smartphones.The problem has been traced back to the Android System WebView.Uninstalling updated from the System WebView should fix the problem.Android smartphones are apparently dealing with an annoying bug that seems to cause their apps to crash frequently. According to a Reddit post, the problem seems to affect mainly some of the best Samsung phones like the Samsung Galaxy S21. The problem seems to be related to the Android System Webview, which comes preinstalled on Android phones and is what apps use to display web content such as in-app web browsers.According to a Google spokesperson (via 9to5Google), the company is working to address the problem: We are aware of an issue with WebView causing some apps on Android to crash. We are currently working to fully validate the scop...

Gestures on Android phones are widely used and have been around for quite a while. You can find them on everything from expensive options like the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra to the best cheap Android phones, but gestures may be lesser-known and used on smartwatches. Because of this, you may not know how to use gestures on Wear OS smartwatches. Using them on a watch is a bit different than the gestures you're familiar with on a phone, but that doesn't mean they can't be useful. Let's get you set up to navigate your Wear OS watch with more than just a touch.How to use gestures on Wear OS to wake the displayOne of the most basic and possibly most useful gestures is tilt-to-wake. This feature will turn on your display entirely when you lift your watch or tilt it to view the screen.Go to your watch Settings by swiping down from the top and pressing the gear icon or pressing the side button to find settings in your app drawer.Tap on Gestures in the settings menu.Turn on Tilt-to-wake...

As high-end phones get more expensive, awesome budget Android phones are getting better. We've researched and ranked all of the best cheap Android phones you can buy, and with our buyer's guide, you'll find the perfect phone for you.What are the best cheap Android phones?Last year was tremendous for Android phones in the budget space, and as we make our way through 2021, we expect more of the same. You're seeing features like multiple cameras, faster processors, and 5G hit price points that would have been unheard of just a couple of years ago. We recommend the Moto G Power (2020) as the best cheap Android phone because it hits the right balance of performance, camera quality, and battery life, with a clean build of Android that you're sure to love.If you're willing to spend a bit more than the above pick, the Google Pixel 4a is a near-perfect balance of premium features at a value price, especially if you use the camera on your phone a lot. Indeed, the Pixel 4a's camera is nearl...

Google Photo and Google Lens have become one in the latest update.What you need to knowGoogle Photos now has more access to Google Lens tools.Users can copy, search, hear, or translate text from images using Google Lens.The new functionality should be rolling out to users that have both apps installed.Google Lens has received a bit of attention lately with a couple of new updates. Earlier this year, the app received offline translation capabilities, while the most recent update brought a new gallery view for easy access to screenshots. Now Google Photos is getting in on some of the fun with new tools integrated from Google Lens.Android Police noticed that the new tools would surface whenever a user brought up a photo with visible text. The tools are accessible when swiping up for details, and users can select which section of text they want to interact with. Google Lens will present the option to copy, search, listen, or translate the text.Copying text will bring up t...

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...

You don't have to spend a ton of money on your phone bill for excellent service and cell reception anymore. Visible is the very first all-digital wireless service in the United States with zero stores and zero paper bills — everything you need to accomplish can be done on the Visible app! This service runs on Verizon's 4G LTE and 5G networks so you have unlimited access to the most reliable networks in the country at a much more affordable price.Visible doesn't just offer affordable rates on cell service but on smartphones as well. Right now, you can pick up the new Samsung Galaxy S21 for as low as $33 per month and snag a free Amazon Fire TV Stick with its purchase! Plus, if you're new to Visible, you can earn a free $200 Samsung gift credit when you port-in your current number while making the switch.Visible's wireless service starts at just $40 per month and includes access to 5G speeds for compatible devices like the Samsung Galaxy S21 above. Adding a line to your plan actu...

Android 12 helps you know exactly what apps are tracking your location, using the camera, and using the microphone when it's happening.In Android 11, we saw the debut of a popular privacy feature: a one-time permission setting for getting your location in the background, using your microphone, or using the camera. That's a great thing — we spent the money on the best Android phone, so we should be told whenever an app could "spy" on us and restrict it from getting access to sensitive data when we're not actively using it.Along with these finer privacy controls, Android 12 has also included a way to know when location services, the camera, or the microphone is in use even though you might have allowed it to happen. Two ways, actually.Android 12 DP2 has a new privacy indicator UI, as seen in the mockups that leaked in early February. It's much more polished than the hidden implementation in Android 11 and it matches the mockups surprisingly well. pic.twitter.com/hIaKFEpgsb— k...

Designed for 3D AudioPS5 Pulse 3D Wireless Headset$100 at AmazonProsGreat audio qualityExcellent 3D audio supportAffordable3.5mm functionalityConsLow-quality microphoneVolume button instead of wheelNo Bluetooth supportSony's Pulse headset is built to be affordable and comfortable, but it leans into the PS5's 3D audio featureset to punch above its weight in quality. The microphone is noticeably subpar though, bringing down what is otherwise an easy choice.Made for Dolby AtmosXbox Wireless Headset$100 at MicrosoftProsComfortableGreat Bluetooth supportAffordableConsNo 3.5mm functionalityBass overwhelms other soundsMicrosoft packed a ton of advanced features into this headset, so for the price, you're getting very advanced Bluetooth integration. The audio quality is mixed though, leaning heavily into the bass at the expense of other sounds.With the launch of a new console generation through the PS5, Xbox Series X and Xbox Seri...

Spotify's new home screen experience is all about personalization.What you need to knowSpotify is launching a new home screen experience for smartphones.The new Home hub introduces a new "recently played" section for individual tracks.Spotify's new home screen makes it easier to find new podcasts or songs from artists.Spotify launched a revamped home screen just a year ago, making it easier for listeners to discover new music and access their favorite playlists. Today, Spotify is introducing new features for the Home hub that will further enhance the experience on one of the best music players for Android, particularly those on Spotify Premium.With this new update, Spotify users will now have access to a new "recently played" section that can be accessed by the history icon near the top of the home screen, which will list all the individual tracks that were listened to. Spotify states that this feature will give Premium and Free users access to their history as far back...

The NVIDIA Shield TV Pro is the best Android TV box that money can buy right now, but you'll still want to snag one of the best external drives for the Shield TV Pro. It comes with a beefy Tegra X1+ chipset and 3GB of RAM, but the internal storage is limited at 16GB. If that doesn't sound like enough storage space for your media needs, you can make use of the NVIDIA Shield TV's USB ports and mount an external storage device to easily expand your available storage. Here are our top choices for external drives for your NVIDIA Shield TV Pro.Best valueSeagate Portable External Hard Drive 5TBStaff PickLooking to get the best value for your money? Then the 5TB Seagate Portable drive should be your go-to choice. The drive works over USB 3.0, easily pairs to your Shield TV, and gives you better gigabyte-to-dollar value than the rest of the options listed here.$108 at Amazon $110 at B&H PhotoNVIDIA approvedSanDisk - Extreme Pro 128GB USB 3.1 Flash DriveThe SanDisk Extr...

Starting your fuboTV subscription may have only taken seconds, but canceling your fuboTV account can be a bit more perplexing. That's because where you signed up for fuboTV has an impact on how you have to cancel your account. There are different steps to take if you're canceling an account that you started on a Roku device as opposed to one that was started on an Apple device or at fuboTV's own website.How to cancel fuboTVOn the fuboTV websiteOn your RokuOn an Apple deviceIf it's time to get rid of your fuboTV membership, you've come to the right place. We even have a few excellent suggestions below on the next streaming services you should consider trying out. The following sections will guide you through canceling your fuboTV account based on where you signed up. Of course, you'll want to remember that if you're currently on a fuboTV free trial, canceling your trial will end your ability to access fuboTV immediately.Best VPN for fuboTVBefore you cancel your subscri...

If you are looking for an affordable, mid-range smartphone, we think the Google Pixel 4a is the best Android phone you can get for under $400. That's because it offers the same core experience as the higher-end Pixel 4 that preceded it. You get the same software and features and the same camera experience. The only shortcomings come in the hardware and a couple of the specs — a fine trade-off to save hundreds of dollars.Best Overall Android Phone Under $400: Google Pixel 4aThe Pixel 3a from 2019 stood out as one of the best Android values for well over a year, and to fill its impressive shoes, we now have the Pixel 4a. Google took what worked about the 3a, kept it in place, and added a few improvements to make the Pixel 4a as fully-featured as possible — all while selling the Pixel 4a for less than what the 3a cost.As with any Pixel phone, the best thing about the Pixel 4a is its camera. The 12.2MP single rear camera certainly isn't impressive on paper, but it's outstandi...

A dual-hinge Galaxy Z Fold could be awkwardly thick.What you need to knowRumors point to Samsung launching a dual-hinge Galaxy Z Fold successor as soon as this year.The device would likely fold two ways, offering a more tablet-like form factor when folded out.Samsung has been rumored to have such a device in development since as early as 2018.The Samsung Galaxy Note 20 successor may be delayed this year, but the company isn't slowing down by any means. Despite the global chip shortage reportedly affecting the production of higher-end smartphones like the Samsung Galaxy S21 series, the company is still seeing high device sales and doesn't want to remain stagnant this year. According to Nikkei, Samsung reportedly wants to shake up its Galaxy Z Fold lineup this year with a dual-hinge model.This wouldn't be the first time such a device has been mentioned, with patents cropping up as early as 2018, before the original Samsung Galaxy Fold launched. While patents hardly translat...

Best answer: Wi-Fi 6, or 802.11ax, is the newest evolution of Wi-Fi and is providing faster speeds to more simultaneous devices than the last generation. If you're buying a router today, you should buy one that supports Wi-Fi 6, especially now that prices have gone down.How is Wi-Fi 6 better than Wi-Fi 5?Most new flagship phones support both 5G and Wi-Fi 6 as standard, including most of the best Android phones. Wi-Fi 6 is the name given to the 802.11ax wireless standard following up 802.11ac, which has been retroactively named Wi-Fi 5. Hopefully, these simpler names will help people more easily understand their network equipment. Wi-Fi 6 can be potentially 40% faster than Wi-Fi 5 by doing more with the same spectrum.Wi-Fi 6 can also help your device last longer on battery power. When you're on Wi-Fi, your phone communicates with an access point. If both the access point and the device are using WI-Fi 6 the Access Point (AP) can enable a new Target Wake Time (TWT) feature. ...

The writing has been on the wall for LG's smartphone business for years.What you need to knowLG might be closing down its smartphone business for good.The company had tried and failed to find buyers for its once-thriving mobile business.LG is said to be sharing its decision by April.LG's smartphone business might be done for, according to a new report from the South Korean trade Donga (via Bloomberg). The company, unable to find a buyer, is said to be strongly leaning towards shuttering the mobile arm of its business.According to the report, LG has already pressed pause on its entire 2021 smartphone lineup, including the sequel to the LG Velvet and its rollable phone. The company had been in talks with the Vietnamese Vingroup as well as Volkswagen, but negotiations fell through.LG is said to be considering a pivot to other industries in which it currently dabbles, including household appliances, automobiles, and other more profitable businesses.The decision isn't out ...

If you're looking for the best game controllers to use with Android emulators, then you might be a bit frustrated because of the sheer number of options available. Android emulators are the best way to play those classic games that aren't found on the next-gen consoles, and make it so you can play games from wherever you are. Regardless of what games you're playing, we've rounded up the best controllers for you to consider.Best Game Controller to Use with Android Emulators Overall: 8Bitdo SN30 ProWhen you think of emulators, you think of the classics from your childhood and consoles like the NES or SNES. Unfortunately, those old controllers don't exactly include the technology needed to work with an emulator on the best Android phones. That's where 8Bitdo comes in its lineup of controllers headlined by the SN30 Pro.This specific controller is a remake of those iconic SNES controllers, but there are other colorways available. The SN30 Pro is an inexpensive controller, making t...

Transforming nearly any TV into a smart TV is affordable and easy with a Roku streaming stick. These tiny devices plug into your TV's HDMI port to unlock access to a world of streaming services, live TV channels, and other apps that will never leave you without entertainment. While prices are rather comparable to its main competition, the Amazon Fire TV Stick, Roku's devices have a few interesting features you won't find on a Fire stick.Roku Streaming Stick+ - HD/4K/HDR | $39.99 at AmazonSave $10 instantly on the Roku Streaming Stick+ today at Amazon. This model features an extended wireless range and can stream content not just in 1080p HD but 4K as well.$39.99 at Amazon $43 at WalmartOnce you've plugged in your new Roku streaming device, you can download the Roku app and use it as a remote or even plug headphones into your phone and listen to what's on TV privately. You'll also gain access to The Roku Channel which offers thousands of free TV shows and movies to watch a...

Alexa is the beating heart of the Amazon Echo and the platform upon which its app-like abilities — called Skills — live. Alexa Skills are what let your Echo device do all kinds of things like turn on your lights, control your Wi-Fi and tell you what's happening in the world today, but for most Skills, you need to enable them before they will work. We'll show you how to enable new Alexa Skills and disable ones that you no longer wish to have connected to or associated with your Alexa account.Products used in this guideUpdated O.G. of the ecosystem: Amazon Echo (4th Gen) ($80 at Amazon)Set up and control: Amazon Alexa (Free at Google Play)How to enable a new Alexa Skill in appOpen the Alexa app on your phone.Tap on the More menu at the bottom right of the screen.Often, the Alexa app will showcase skills on the main page, from which you can immediately enable new Skills or jump to the search page.Tap on Skills & Games from the sidebar menu.Tap the magnifying...

The Galaxy S21 Ultra is more popular than its siblings among consumers in the U.S.What you need to knowSales of Samsung's flagship phones have improved significantly in the U.S.Strategy Analytics claims the first-month sales of the Galaxy S21 series phones were three times higher than the Galaxy S20 series.The Galaxy S21 Ultra is surprisingly the most popular S21 series phone in the U.S., accounting for more than 40% of the total sales.Samsung's latest Galaxy S21 series phones are selling a lot better than their predecessors, as per the latest data from market research firm Strategy Analytics. As reported by the folks at SamMobile, the first-month sales of the Galaxy S21 series in the U.S. were three times higher compared to last year's Galaxy S20 series.The numbers certainly don't come as a surprise, since the Galaxy S21, Galaxy S21+, and Galaxy S21 Ultra are more aggressively priced this year. More importantly, however, the COVID-19 pandemic has started slowing down, an...

Stadia gets a big win with Resident Evil Village hitting the service on the same day as all other platforms, plus Resident Evil 7 for free to all Stadia Pro subscribers.What you need to knowResident Evil Village releases on Stadia on May 7, the same day as all other platforms.If you pre-order or buy Resident Evil Village by May 21 you get a free Stadia Premiere Edition while supplies last.On April 1 Resident Evil 7 biohazard Gold Edition is coming to Stadia Pro with all DLC.Today Google revealed some big news regarding one of Capcom's biggest and most successful game franchises: Resident Evil Village is releasing on Stadia on the exact same day as all other platforms. Resident Evil Village will come to Stadia on May 7 either as its standard edition ($60) or the Deluxe Edition ($70) which includes a handful of digital bonus items.Following in the footsteps of other recent big-budget AAA releases like Cyberpunk 2077 and Hitman 3, it's a great sign for Stadia to get big must...

Verizon's nationwide 5G network is available in 2,700+ cities, and it's quickly expanding. For those who want Verizon's excellent coverage, this carrier offers four unique unlimited plans to choose from, as well as several prepaid options. But its best plan, Get More Unlimited, will give you an exceptional experience. With this plan you'll have access to Verizon's 5G network, 50GB of premium data, unlimited hotspot data with 5G Ultra Wideband or 30GB otherwise, as well as some serious entertainment perks. Here are some of the best Verizon plans to consider this year.Best Overall: Get More UnlimitedIf you're looking for the best plan Verizon has to offer, look no further than Get More Unlimited. The number of impressive features this plan includes can almost feel overwhelming, but you won't be left wishing for more when you experience Verizon's ultimate performance. With this plan, you'll get total access to Verizon's 5G network, which includes 5G Ultra Wideband (available in se...

Tracking the tracker.What you need to knowThe Fitbit Inspire 2 now works with Tile from today onwards as part of a collaboration between the two companies.An update is rolling out to enable this newfound integration.Once installed, users will be able to use the Tile Network to keep track of their Inspire 2 wearables.Fitbit and Tile are getting closer today with a new update. Once installed, users of the Fitbit Inspire 2 will be able to use the Tile app to keep track of their wearable both indoors and outdoors.The update is rolling out today to Inspire 2 owners. Users will be able to use the Tile app to track their Fitbits if at home and within bluetooth range. They'll also be able to use the Tile app to track any lost wearables if outdoors via the Tile Network. As a quick refresher, this means that other Tile users who pass near your lost Inspire 2 will essentially transmit its location back to you automatically. It's a tool that gets more powerful via way of the network ...

The Arlo Pro 4 wireless security cameras are relatively new in the Arlo lineup. They only released earlier this year. The brand new cameras released at $550 and have mostly sold for that price since release. Even when they went on sale they only dropped by about $50. Right now you can get them on Amazon for $449.99, and this deal is a price match of a sale going on at Best Buy.These are completely wireless security cameras. That has a lot of benefits. For one thing, they're super easy to install. Just put them anywhere you like. They even come with wall mounts and screw kits so you can get creative in covering your home fully. Plus, the batteries can last for up to six months on a single charge. You'll get a magnetic charging cable to easily get them back up and running, too, when they get low.The Arlo cameras can see and record in 2K resolutions, support HDR, and have color night vision that's strong enough to make out faces and license plates. Use the integrated spotlight to li...

Pour one out for all those digital games that can't be downloaded again. RIP.What you need to knowA new report indicates that Sony will permanently close the PS3, Vita, and PSP digital storefronts in a few months.There will be no way to purchase digital-only games that released on these platforms and have not been made available for PS4 or PS5.The report states that an official announcement from Sony is apparently planned for the end of March.You'll no longer be able to buy digital games or DLC from the PS3, Vita, and PSP storefronts in the coming months according to a report from TheGamer. Sources speaking to the outlet have indicated that the aforementioned stores are set to shut down permanently in July and August, with an official announcement regarding the matter supposedly coming from Sony in the coming days.The PS3 and PSP stores are set to be closed on July 2 while the Vita store will remain open until the end of August. It's unclear what is causing the apparent d...

Best answer: Yes. The new PS5 VR will feature completely redesigned controllers with better tracking and more functionality than the PSVR's PS Move controllers.New PS5 VR controller A whole new lookSony is changing everything up with PS5 VR, starting with the controllers themselves. Gone is the wand design of the PS Move. In its stead are controllers that look like an almost perfect mashup of the Valve Index's Knuckles controllers and the Oculus Quest 2's Touch controllers. The only real similarity between these controllers and the PS Move controllers is that elongated handle, which makes it easy to grip. It also has a wrist strap to keep the controllers from flying away if you were to let go of them. The new ring tracking system is considerably more accurate and offers total freedom of movement.Outside of all of that we're looking at a completely different experience, starting with the tracking. The new PS5 VR controller design sports a pronounced series of rings that wra...