Latest from Android Central

Slimy Slopes, spooky skins, and Dr. Frankenswine await!What you need to knowSlimy Slopes is coming to Angry Birds VR: Isle of Pigs with 13 new levels for the campaign and the level builder tool.Acron: Attach of the Squirrels! is getting brand new levels and some spooky new skins for players to use.Both titles are getting these updates for free starting today, October 21.Resolution Games, creators of Blaston and several other hit VR games, is upping the ante in both Acron: Attack of the Squirrels and Angry Birds VR: Isle of Pigs today, October 21, with 2 free Halloween-themed content updates. Starting with Angry Birds VR: Isle of Pigs, players can expect a brand new level collection called Slimy Slopes, which features 13 new levels to play through in both the campaign and level builder tools. That brings the total to 91 levels to play through, including themes for each to use in the level builder.As expected, the surroundings and pigs will fit right in with the Halloween ...

Antitrust. Monopolies. Oh my.Google is one of the most powerful companies on our planet. From services like Google Search, its advertising business, Android, and countless other projects, there's no denying how many markets and ventures it's involved with.This constant expansion and control has raised a lot of concern around the company in recent years, especially from the United States government. It's thrown around terms like "antitrust" and "monopoly," and it's finally come to a head in the form of a lawsuit.If you're trying to make sense of everything going on, you've come to the right place.Who's suing Google?Google is being sued by the Justice Department in the United States, which is the executive branch within the government that's responsible for enforcing the law of the land. In addition to the Justice Department, the lawsuit is also being led by 11 Republican state attorneys from the states of:ArkansasFloridaGeorgiaIndianaKentuckyLouisianaMississippiMis...

Looks like we finally have an travel-friendly laptop to fill the void left by the Samsung Chromebook Plus V2.What you need to knowAcer announced new Chromebooks and a new Chromebox today.The Acer Chromebook Spin 513 and Acer Chromebook Enterprise Spin 513 go on sale in the first quarter of 2021.Both versions of the Spin 513 are powered by the Snapdragon 7c compute platform, the first model to launch with a Snapdragon chipset, which gives the option for LTE and improves efficiency for better battery life.While ports are a bit sparse, this 13.3-inch 2-in-1 touchscreen Chromebook is available with up to 8GB of RAM and up to 128GB of internal storage.Acer's fall announcement today showed us the new Acer Chromebox CXI4 as well as its next Chromebook series, the Acer Chromebook Spin 513 and Acer Chromebook Enterprise Spin 513. This new model is a middle ground between the awesome Acer Chromebook Spin 713 and the recently redesigned Acer Chromebook Spin 311: it features beefier c...

The rumored Mate 40 Pro+ model could be even more expensive than the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra.What you need to knowThe Huawei Mate 40 Pro has been listed on Amazon's Germany website for €1,199 ($1,420).The flagship phone is set to debut alongside other Mate 40 series phones on Thursday.It is expected to feature a Kirin 9000 chipset, 65W fast charging, and a 50MP camera.We got our first clear look at the design of Huawei's upcoming Mate 40 Pro earlier this week, courtesy of official renders posted by German tech publication WinFuture. A listing for the Mate 40 Pro has now been spotted on Amazon's Germany website, which suggests the flagship phone could be nearly as expensive as Samsung's best Android phones in Europe.Just to preserve this before they take it down: pic.twitter.com/WNA8ZoUGlI— Roland Quandt (@rquandt) October 21, 2020If the listing is to be believed, the 8GB/256GB version of the Huawei Mate 40 Pro will cost €1,199 ($1,420) in Europe and will begin ship...

New look, new tricksRing Alarm (2nd Gen)From $199 at AmazonProsKeypad looks and works better than everNew emergency responder keys are criticalGreater compatibility with windows/doorsEasy DIY installationGreat Alexa integrationConsBase kit only covers a single door or windowRing Alarm (2nd Gen) is an excellent revision to an already excellent DIY alarm system. It retains all the ease and connectivity of the original. Still, it features snazzier looks, a refined keypad with easier-to-press keys, new quick keys to call emergency responders, and redesigned contact sensors compatible with more windows and doors.An easy DIY solutionRing Alarm (1st Gen)From $179 at AmazonProsSaves a few bucks over the 2nd genEasy DIY installationGreat Alexa integrationConsKeys on the keypad are too close togetherDifficult to know when a sensor is first pairedDated looksWhen Ring launched its first DIY alarm kit in 2018, it showed that the company mean...

Google automatically backs up your texts, but if you need more control over where they're saved and want to initiate a manual backup, you'll have to rely on an alternate service. Thankfully, there are plenty of options available for free, and it's easy to set things up.Products used in this guideStore everything: SMS Backup & Restore (Free at Google Play Store)How to automatically back up your SMS messages to Google DriveGoogle has included a convenient backup service for SMS messages and much more that uses Google Drive to store backups of all your personal data so it's available to restore when switching to a new phone. The downside is that the data is restricted to Google Drive, older backups will get deleted over time, and you're unable to restore an older backup on your phone as you please.Swipe down from the top to show the notification shade.Tap the Settings icon.Swipe up to get to the bottom of the settings page.Tap Google.Tap Backup.Tap Backup now...

Whether you're adding local movies or just want the stability of Ethernet, USB-C hubs are the way to go.I've been using the Chromecast with Google TV for the past two weeks, and I'm largely in love with this little dongle and its even littler remote. The new interface is an adjustment, but the improvements to Google Assistant and the ease of finding new content is wonderful. There's only one real downside to using the Chromecast with Google TV instead of my 2015 NVIDIA Shield TV, and it's that there's only one port on the Chromecast: a single USB-C port.But as a Chromebook enthusiast, I learned years ago: if something only comes with a USB-C port, the first thing to buy for it is a great USB-C hub, and the Chromecast with Google TV has two great reasons for you to do the same.Eliminate glitches and lag with EthernetI was used to using Ethernet with my NVIDIA Shield — Wi-Fi bug, long story — and didn't think I'd need to bother with Ethernet on the Chromecast. Within thre...

NIVRANA's battery pack for the Oculus Quest makes the headset more comfortable than not having a pack on at all.The Oculus Quest and Oculus Quest 2 have a lot of great things going for them, but battery life isn't one of them. Both headsets get between two and three hours of battery life in most situations. This has led to a growing range of battery packs, straps, and attachments to improve the battery life of the popular line of VR headsets.NIVRANA reached out to me and sent over a NIVRANA Battery Pack for review. While this particular unit was built for the original Oculus Quest, the company has a variant for the Oculus Quest 2 up for preorder that is quite similar. To be completely honest, the version for the original Oculus Quest should work on either headset, and the battery pack for the Oculus Quest 2 looks similar, apart from its color.The NIVRANA Battery Pack is currently available for $30 from NIVRANA. Preordering the Oculus Quest 2 version costs the same $30.NIV...

Before you can get started, you will have to set Spotify as your default podcast provider.What you need to knowIt is finally possible to use the Google Assistant to play Spotify podcasts.Until now, you could only play Google Podcasts using the Assistant. Although the feature has started rolling out, it could take a few days to become available for everyone. Google has finally added support for third-party podcast services to its voice assistant. As reported by Engadget, users can now use the Google Assistant to play Spotify podcasts in English on Nest smart speakers.In order to start playing Spotify Podcasts on your Google Assistant devices, you will have to open the Google Home app on your phone and tap on device settings. Next, choose Spotify as your default podcast provider.Until now, you could only listen to Google Podcasts using the Assistant, with no option of changing your podcast provider. While Spotify is currently the only third-party podcast provider supporte...

If you missed the stellar deals we saw on Robot vacuums during Prime Day, you have another opportunity to save at Amazon today. Over there, you can score a Roborock smart robot vacuum cleaner at a steep discount with as much as 44% off regular prices.This one-day sale is a part of Amazon's Black Friday 'Holiday Dash' event and brings back Roborock's Prime Day deals plus a few more options, though this time you don't have to be a Prime member to make the most of the all-time low prices. The only catch is that the sale will end tonight or when sold out so you don't have long left to make the most of it.Keeping your home clean is a lot of work but, luckily, you can make the most of Prime Day deals right now to get a little bit of help. Roborock's smart robot vacuum cleaners were designed to give you a helping hand and make it easy to ensure your floors are always clean when you come home from work for the day.The Roborock S6, on sale for its best-ever price of $419.99, can be cont...

The impact of 5G was also shown when compared to last year's 4G iPhone 11.What you need to knowTom's Guide has put the iPhone 12 through its paces in a new battery test.Unfortunately, the iPhone 12 seems to lag behind some of its Android competitors when it comes to 5G.Testing also revealed just how big an impact 5G will have on performance compared to last year. Testing of Apple's new iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro has revealed that it may lag behind competing Android devices when it comes to battery life whilst using 5G.Fresh test results from Tom's Guide have brought the issue to light. From their report: We've run the iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro through our battery test, and the results don't bring the best news. Compared to the Android competition, Apple's new phones are a step behind those devices on our best phone battery life list, especially over 5G networks. Here's how the Tom's Guide battery test works. It surfs the web continuously at 150 nits of screen ...

Set sails, matey. Booty's awaiting.Ubisoft reintroduced the world to Skull & Bones at E3 2018. Assassin's Creed fans will be familiar with what the game aims to be: a sea-dwelling pirate simulator. That's the high-level definition, but what, exactly, are we getting with this game? That's what we're here to find out. Everything you need to know about Skull & Bones is straight ahead.Jump to:What is Skull & Bones?Is there a story?What is the gameplay like?It changes with seasonsAre there microtransactions?Sign up for the betaIs it coming to PS5?Is Skull & Bones canceled?When is the release date?What is Skull & Bones?We weren't sure what to think of Skull & Bones before Ubisoft's E3 2018 press conference, because at that point we only knew that it was a pirate ship game. Thanks to new info and our first look at gameplay, however, we now have a bit better of an idea. Skull & Bones is being developed primarily by Ubisoft Singapore, who ha...

Quibi's initial mobile-only strategy is over.What you need to knowQuibi is a short-form streaming app, featuring series with episodes only ten minutes long.It launched back in April as a mobile-only experience.It now supports several new TV systems as it looks to increase its appeal. Short-form streaming platform Quibi has rolled out apps for several TV systems in a bid to increase viewership and appeal, following a fairly unsuccessful mobile-only launch earlier this year.The platform announced the change Monday stating that Quibi's new living room apps were available, and would support Amazon Fire TV, Amazon Fire Stick, Apple TV, and Android TV.To use the services you'll need a Quibi account, set up through the app on your mobile device.When it launched back in April, Quibi was supposed to be a mobile-only experience. The venture has invested some $1.8 billion in short-form television shows featuring Chrissy Teigen, J-Lo, LeBron James, and Steven Spielberg. As you ca...

The UEFA Champions League group stage kicks off tonight for Ajax and Liverpool as they face off in Amsterdam. Don't miss a moment with our Ajax vs Liverpool live stream guide.Though this is the first Champions League game for both sides, they have already been active in their domestic campaigns. Visitors Liverpool currently sit third in the Premier League after five games, registering three wins, one defeat, and a 2-2 draw in their most recent outing at local rivals Everton.Ajax have fared a little better thus far in their Eredivisie league campaign, currently sitting in second place behind PSV Eindhoven after four wins from five games. In their last outing, they triumphed 5-1 over Heerenveen and will be hoping to continue that goalscoring form into today's game against Liverpool.Last season on the European front, the Godenzonen failed to make it out of their Champions League group, though a third-place finish granted them entry into the Europa League knockouts. Sadly, Ajax wer...

A small phone that can take a beating and keep on ticking. Just don't take photos with it.For years now, big phones like the Samsung Note 20 Ultra have been popular, but lately, smaller phones have been making a comeback — which is why we decided to do a Unihertz Atom XL review. While that name does have XL in the title, this phone is not extra-large in the slightest when compared to most modern smartphones.The Atom XL is not only smaller in stature, but it's also a very durable option. Something else that is lacking in most smartphones these days. I have been a large phone user for years and recently made the crazy leap and picked up the Samsung Galaxy Fold 2, which is neither small nor durable. Now I live out in the country in rural Kansas, on a gravel road, and am routinely doing things that are not conducive to the Fold 2's health.So when the chance to check out a small and rugged phone came up, I thought I would be a great chance to put it to the test. Here's how the Ato...

Country music's only entirely fan-voted award show, the CMT Music Awards, returns this week for a night of celebration, music, and entertainment. This year's 2020 CMT Music Awards is set to feature performances from some of the biggest names in country music and will be simulcast on seven different TV channels to make the show easier to watch than ever before.Of course, you won't need cable to watch as you can also watch live using streaming services like Sling TV. We'll get into the best services to watch the 2020 CMT Music Awards show below.When are the 2020 CMT Music Awards?This year's 2020 CMT Music Awards is hosted by Sara Hyland, Kane Brown, and Ashley McBryde. The show begins at 8 p.m. ET on Wednesday, October 21 and will be available to watch on several channels as well as via streaming services like Philo and Sling TV.What channel is the 2020 CMT Music Awards on tonight?Of course, the 2020 CMT Music Awards will air on CMT, but there are also several other channel...

What is Ghostwire: Tokyo? This new IP shown at Bethesda's E3 2019 is still as mysterious as it is creepy, but that just has us more intrigued.At Bethesda's E3 2019 press conference, they showed off two entirely brand new IPs — one of them was called Ghostwire: Tokyo. Creative director Ikumi Nakamura took the stage with a level of confidence, enthusiasm, and sincerity that immediately charmed the audience, and deeply contrasted with the level of creepiness and dark aesthetic beauty of the trailer she led into. Whatever Ghostwire: Tokyo is, the concepts for it presented in a CGI video look incredible.Since then, more has been revealed, with some significant footage shown during Sony's PS5 showcase, the Future of Gaming. Nakamura is no longer on the project, Mikami is now director and this game is a timed console exclusive. Here's what we now know:Jump to:What is Ghostwire: Tokyo?What is the story?Check out the trailersWhat's the gameplay like?You can pet dogs!Why did ...

You don't have to spend over $100 to find a dependable smartwatch. The Amazfit Bip is an affordable pick originally priced at $70 which does it all, from heart rate monitoring to receiving notifications from your phone, and right now it's on sale to save you even further. You'll score the Amazfit Bip for only $46.99 at Amazon thanks to a 33% discount there on the black model. This is a match for the lowest we have ever seen the smartwatch go, though it is mirroring a one-ay offer at Best Buy so we expect the discount won't hang around for long at Amazon either.The budget-friendly Amazfit Bip smartwatch is the perfect option if you're trying to find a wearable without spending triple digits, and today's deal is probably one of the best early Black Friday smartwatch deals we're going to see. It's lightweight and features an always-on display with a battery that lasts up to 30 days on a single 2.5-hour charge.This fitness tracker has a robust array of abilities, ranging from heart r...

Vivo is launching a few affordable Y-series phones in Europe.What you need to knowVivo is entering the UK and European smartphone markets with the X51 5G.The Vivo X51 5G is a rebranded version of the X50 that the company launched in China earlier this year.It will go on sale in the UK from October 29 for £749.Vivo, which is one of the four major smartphone brands owned by BBK Electronics, has finally entered the UK and European markets (via The Verge). OPPO, OnePlus, and Realme, which are Vivo's sister brands, already have a strong presence in the old continent.The first phone that Vivo is launching in the UK and Europe is the X51 5G, which is just a rebranded version of the X50 that it announced in China in June this year. The phone's most impressive feature is its gimbal-like stabilization. Unlike the X50 Pro, which has a Snapdragon 865 processor, the X51 5G is powered by a Snapdragon 765G chipset.It has a quad-camera setup on the back with a 48MP main sensor, a 13MP...

Google Pixel 5Camera king$699 at AmazonPros90Hz OLED displayOutstanding camerasAndroid 11, three years of updatesIP68 water resistance15W wireless chargingSub-6 and mmWave 5GConsDoesn't run Qualcomm's flagship chipsetThe Pixel 5 continues Google's camera dominance in the flagship category. The phone has 5G connectivity, a 90Hz OLED panel, IP68 water resistance and 15W wireless charging, and an ultra-wide camera at the back — a first for Google. It runs Android 11 out of the box and will get three guaranteed Android version updates, making it a standout choice.OnePlus 8T120Hz goodness$749 at OnePlusPros120Hz AMOLED panel65W fast chargingAndroid 11 out of the boxLatest internal hardware with 5GClean software without any bloatConsNo wireless chargingNo water resistanceThe OnePlus 8T is a standout phone thanks to a 120Hz AMOLED panel and the latest internal hardware in the form of a Snapdragon 865 chipset. It is also the first OnePlus...

Google is simplifying a common user workflow for Google Docs.What you need to knowYou'll now be able to directly approve third-party Google Docs access in Gmail.Previously, users would be shunted away to Docs when sent an email notifying them of a request for permission to edit or comment.It's being made available to iOS, Android, and the web.If you've ever had to share a Google Doc (or other Drive file) with someone, there's always the issue of permissions. Sometimes you don't always have the right ones turned on and then your intended target has to request access for them, prompting you via email to make the changes on your end. It's not a difficult thing, it takes just a click or two, but Google has just made a change to simplify the workflow. Now, you'll be able to grant access requests straight from your Gmail inbox.The Google Workspace team explained: Now, Gmail users will be able to manage that request directly from that email, without leaving the message. Spec...

Amazon is leveraging the power of all the reader-focused platforms it owns.What you need to knowAmazon's Alexa can help you find your next read with a new command.The new feature is available on all Alexa enabled devices in the U.S.The assistant will pull data from your past reading and shopping history to help you choose when you say "Alexa, what should I read next?"It's safe to say that Amazon owns a lot of book stuff. It started as a bookstore, so it sells a lot of paperbacks. It owns the Kindle store, so it's essentially a synonym for e-books at this point. it owns the Audible audiobook platform, and it also owns Goodreads for reviews and recommendations. The company's newest update to Alexa leverages all that to help you find your newest book.Amazon today announced a new "Alexa, what should I read next?" command. Once triggered, the digital assistant will let you filter by genre and authors, as well as share ratings, and reviews.Writing in an FAQ, Amazon explained...

All the Pixel talk you can handle.I spend a few hours a week in meetings and video calls with Android Central's managing editor Daniel Bader, yet somehow I never manage to get tired of his voice and well-spoken demeanor. He's a smart guy, and I'm not just saying that because he pays me (though it doesn't hurt!).The two of us, joined by senior editor Joe Maring, spent a majority of last week's AC Podcast sharing thoughts on Google's latest top-end phone, the Pixel 5. We spoke at length on its camera performance, quality of life improvements like wireless charging and battery life, and where it still falls a bit flat compared to some of its competition.I thoroughly enjoyed the conversation, but if you want a deeper dive into the behind-the-scenes aspects of the Pixel, or you'd rather listen to a voice far smoother than mine (who could blame you), you're in luck: The Verge's Dieter Bohn invited Daniel, along with Android Police's David Ruddock, onto The Vergecast for an hour-long ...

You no longer need to leave home to get your Pixel fixed.What you need to knowuBreakiFix has now rolled out a new program for phone repair.It's called "We Come To You", and it's exactly what it sounds like.You'll be able to get you Galaxy or Pixel repaired at your home or office in two hours or less. It's going to be easier to get your Android phone repaired in the U.S. with uBreakiFix's new "We Come To You" program. In addition to current curbside and in-store repairs, now uBreakiFix will be able to dispatch a repair technician to your preferred location (most likely your home or your office), so you can get your phone fixed.It'll be made available in the U.S. and the company will support common repairs for smartphones including screen and battery replacements. If you're going to be fixing a Pixel or Samsung phone, you'll likely be using the company in most cases, so this really does offer flexibility for people who find themselves more comfortable staying home.In a st...

What you need to knowNetflix recently ended free trials for its streaming service, but a new type of trial may be in the works.Code extracts found by XDA's Mishall Rahman in the latest Netflix Android app build mention an upcoming event in December.Netflix told Protocol that it's an upcoming marketing event to try and draw in new customers. The event won't require people to input payment info to watch Netflix's library, but the event looks like it will have a capacity cap.StreamFest is a two-day event that is tentatively scheduled to start on December 4, the first Friday in December.Free trials are gone at Netflix, just a few short months after Disney+ eliminated their free trial, but there's still a chance to get a taste of Netflix without having to cough up a credit card number. After digging around in the latest build of Netflix's Android app app, Mishaal Rahman of XDA-Developers found hints of an upcoming event called StreamFest. Netflix confirmed to Protocol that StreamF...

Tons of improvementsGoogle Pixel 5$700 at AmazonPros90Hz display with thinner bezels5G connectivityUltra-wide cameraMuch larger batteryLonger update supportConsDoesn't have a "flagship" processorThe Pixel 5 is the latest and most powerful offering in the Pixel lineup, and if you're coming to it from the Pixel 3, you're in for a much better phone. Key upgrades include the faster refresh rate for the display, a larger battery, and an ultra-wide camera on the back — not to mention better update support. With a retail price of $700, it's also a darn good value.Showing its ageGoogle Pixel 3$370 at AmazonProsTakes excellent picturesDual front-facing camerasOLED display still looks greatRunning Android 11ConsPoor battery lifeLimiting 4GB of RAMFirst released back in 2018, the Pixel 3 is definitely showing its age these days. It still takes great photos and its OLED display looks nice, but it's hindered by poor battery life and a smal...

More and more often, phones are being released with shiny glass backs, smooth metal frames, and other design elements to make them as attractive as can be. That's great if you prefer form over function, but what about if you're in the market for a smartphone that you don't need to baby nonstop? These aren't phones we'd usually recommend if you're shopping for the best Android phone overall, but if you're especially accident-prone, these devices are kind of perfect. Here are the best rugged Android phones we could find!Excellent valueBlackview BV5500 ProStaff pickRugged phones don't always have to be expensive, and the Blackview BV5500 is a perfect example of just that. This rugged phone features MIL-STD-810G and IP68 resistance ratings, meaning that it's drop-proof and you can submerge it in five feet of water for up to 30 minutes. There's also a big 4,400 mAh battery, a 5.5-inch HD+ screen, and dual rear cameras.$120 at AmazonOnly for prosSamsung Galaxy XCover Pro...

Team Jiggle Physics are here for Miles Morales' new pal Spider-Cat! They also check out the user interfaces for PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X.In the "One Game You'll Never Be Able To Play, But One You Will" Department: Crucible has been canceled by Amazon Games, but we do have a preview of Assassin's Creed Valhalla. All that, plus our favorite and least favorite animated movies from the 90's/early 2000's!Hosted by: Jennifer Locke, Carli Velocci, and Rebecca SpearGot feedback? Hit up Podcast@androidcentral.com and tell us something!LISTEN NOW:LINKS:Marvel's Spider-Man: Miles Morales introduces Spider-Cat who can partake in finishers | Android CentralPS5 UI revealed with a new Control Center, Official Game Help, expanded Screen Sharing and more | Android CentralTour the new Xbox One and Xbox Series X dashboard UI with us | Windows CentralAmazon Games' Crucible has been canceled | Windows CentralAssassin's Creed Valhalla preview: Have fun overthrowing kings and bui...

There are a lot of video game consoles on the market, even between "The Big Three" companies like Sony, Microsoft, and Nintendo. Some of these are better suited for specific purposes than others, whether you want on-the-go gaming or a system that delivers the very best graphics possible. Because of its versatility and affordable price, the Nintendo Switch is easily our top recommendation. Those looking to spend extra for more premium features can look towards the PS4 and Xbox One.Disclaimer: While all of the consoles on this list are amazing, they're soon to be joined by a few others come November. Sony is releasing the PS5 ($499) and PS5 Digital Edition ($399), and Microsoft is releasing the Xbox Series X ($499) and Xbox Series S ($299). These consoles are set to be some of the most powerful that the market has ever seen. That, along with the pandemic, means you should expect prices to fluctuate.Best Overall: Nintendo SwitchNintendo Switch tries to give you the best of both ...

The war for England is just the beginning.What you need to knowUbisoft has shared more details on what kinds of Assassin's Creed Valhalla post-launch content players can expect.There'll be a mission called The Legend of Beowulf, as well as two expansions: Wrath of the Druids and The Siege of Paris.There's also new free content coming such as new modes, settlement add-ons and more.Assassin's Creed Valhalla is set to release on November 10.Assassin's Creed Valhalla is almost here and the developers at Ubisoft have shared more about the kinds of post-launch content that players can expect. There's a whole host of extras coming, both paid and free for everyone.For paid content, there's a new mission coming called The Legend of Beowulf. There's also two expansions planned: Wrath of the Druids coming in Spring 2021 and The Siege of Paris, coming in Summer 2021. More details can be found in the new post-launch trailer below.Here's the full list of everything being planned...

I know you like to kill great products for no reason, Google, but what were you thinking?Nest has seemed stagnant for the last several years. After all, this month saw the release of the first new Nest Thermostat in over three years, and there haven't been any new Nest cameras announced since early 2018. That was back when the Nest Hello finally launched after being announced alongside the Nest Secure system.That same Nest Secure system was discontinued without warning this week, and no reason was given for the abrupt end of one of the few viable alternatives to Ring Alarm. Google has pledged that it will continue to support current users, but we have no clue how long that will last, especially given how hard Google has been pushing to migrate users from the Nest app to Google Home. Case in point: the new Nest Thermostat doesn't use the Nest app at all; you have to use the Google Home app to set it up and control it.Getting back to the trainwreck at hand: the Nest Secure syst...

Amazon's annual Prime Day deals event has finally kicked off in the UK, and there are a whole lot of great deals that you can purchase right now! Following some lengthy COVID related delays, the unofficial holiday shopping season is now here upon us, and Amazon's Prime Day sales are a great time to start your shopping.Whether you are looking for a new 4K TV, set of headphones, cell phone, gaming console, webcam, or anything in between Prime Day deals are the place to be looking. We've rounded up a bunch of the best deals that are available right now, and will be updating the list below with more deals through the day as they become available.Best Prime Day Deals Available NowAudio dealsSmart Home dealsLaptop dealsTablet dealsSmart TV dealsPhone dealsMore dealsBest Prime Day Audio dealsBose QuietComfort 35 (Series II) | £210 at AmazonThere's never been a better time to grab the latest version of these legendary Bose headphones. The current Prime Day price is...

After an entire day filled with deals, the first 24 hours of Prime Day are nearly over. Luckily for us, this year's sale is a two-day event that's running through October 14 which means there's still plenty of time to save. We've seen countless deals on Echo speakers, Ring devices, popular headphones, tablets, and more, but despite all these stellar Prime Day deals, there are still a handful of products we haven't seen any offers on — and we're really wishing we would.Below are the top seven items we're crossing our fingers to see a discount on during Day 2 of Prime Day... but we won't be holding our breath either.1. Apple iPadThis year's Prime Day has treated us to the AirPods Pro for $199 and the standard AirPods on sale for $115, but where are the iPad deals? It's fair to say Amazon might be negligent in offering Apple iPad deals on Prime Day since the sale has such a major focus on Amazon devices — including the Amazon Fire tablets.With nearly every Amazon Fire tablet...

Looking to pick up a new controller, gaming mouse, or keyboard? Now is the time to do it.Prime Day is the ideal time to level up your gaming gear. Whether you're looking to pick up a new controller for your Nintendo Switch, or are looking for a new gaming mouse and keyboard, there are plenty of great deals on offer. We've rounded up some of the Prime Day deals on gaming accessories down below, so let's take a look.A terrific bundleSanDisk 128GB Card + 12-Month Nintendo Switch Online (Family) | 40% off at AmazonThis bundle gives you a 128GB SanDisk MicroSDXC memory card for boosting the storage of your Nintendo Switch. But what makes it stand out is the 12-month family subscription to Nintendo Switch Online, which in itself costs $35. The Switch Online family plan works with up to eight accounts, making this an incredible deal.$40 at AmazonWorks everywherePowerLead Pro Controller | 20% off at AmazonPowerLead's gaming controller is perfect for the Nintendo Switch,...

One of the best things about Prime Day being in October this year is it allows you to get ready for Halloween festivities and save money! From decorations, snacks, movies, and excellent safety items, you can make this Halloween the best one yet.You can never be too prepared for the big day, and whether you want something for your kids to carry candy in, or you're looking for some spooky movies to watch after the kids are in bed, these Prime Day deals are going to get you in the Halloween mood!Bloody Blu-RaysThe Purge: 4-Movie Collection | $17 off at AmazonYou can never go wrong with a good slasher flick around Halloween. The Purge series is known for being twisted, dark, and pretty gory at times. Still, it's a great price for four movies on Blu-Ray!$15 at AmazonDecorate your houseTrick or treat door decorations | $8 off at AmazonMake sure your house is in tip-top shape for the big night with the trick or treat door decorations. Suitable for indoors or outdoors, so...

It's almost time for day one of Prime Day deals to come to an end and the second day to start, which means that we are about to see a bunch of sales expire. Instead of just letting them expire, we wanted to make sure that you didn't miss out on any of the great deals that we've seen come across today, so we rounded up all the best Prime Day deals that will be ending in the next few hours to give you another shot to spend your money on them.Chamberlain MyQ Smart Garage Door Opener | $16.98 at AmazonMost likely compatible with your current garage door opener, this device lets you open and close the garage from an app on your phone. You can get notifications when it's used in real time. If you have Google Assistant, enable voice control. Today's deal saves you over 50% off its regular cost.$16.98 at AmazonApple AirPods | $114.99 at AmazonSave nearly $45 on the Apple AirPods at Amazon during Prime Day! These wireless earbuds come with a charging case to help you keep ...

Skate to the right deal:Amazon devicesHeadphonesPhones, Tablets & AccessoriesLaptops & PC ComponentsWearablesGamingTelevisionsLifestyle & KitchenOther great Prime Day dealsOh, Canada, Amazon's massive two-day sale is finally actually here, and day one is drawing to a close! After being pushed back just a few months, the annual Prime Day sale is taking place on Oct. 13 and 14. Prime Day is generally a great opportunity to snag low prices worthy of Black Friday, though you do need an Amazon Prime membership if you hope to take advantage of the discounts being offered during the sale. From Amazon Echo speakers and Fire TV Edition smart TVs to laptops, furniture, fashion, and more, Prime Day is unleashing deals in nearly every category on the site.We've already seen a ton of great deals go flying by, but a lot of deep discounts on our favorite tech are still available on day one of Prime Day. If you're feeling a bit overwhelmed, you're not alone; that's wh...

Monitor your personal growth with a discounted fitness tracker.It's officially Amazon Prime Day, and that means deals galore on all kinds of personal tech, including fitness trackers from popular brands like Fitbit and Garmin. Whether you're a longtime runner or you've been wanting to get in better shape after being locked inside for months on end this year, there's bound to be a good deal for you to jump on. Or run on, swim on, bike on ... whatever gets your heart rate going.I think most people will be well-served by the Fitbit Versa 2, a minimalistic fitness-tracking smartwatch with a great-looking AMOLED display and a bevy of fitness- and health-focused features. It lacks a GPS, meaning you won't be able to map out your runs, but for general activity monitoring and keeping track of your workout routines, it's a great option.If you're more likely to go on hikes and camping trips through rocky areas, though, the Garmin Instinct might be the better choice. This smartwatch can l...

Don't miss out on this insane deal on one of the best budget fitness trackers around.Xiaomi is the second-largest wearable manufacturer in the world, and that success is entirely down to one product line: Mi Band. Xiaomi's budget fitness trackers are the best you'll find in this category, delivering a similar set of features as Fitbit's offerings for a fraction of the cost. The Mi Band 4 in particular is an outstanding budget fitness tracker: it has a 0.95-inch AMOLED panel, 50-meter water resistance, battery life that lasts weeks, and 24/7 heart rate monitoring.The best part? The Mi Band 4 is now available for just $24 as part of Prime Day. That's incredible value when you look at the sheer number of features on offer, and having used the Mi Band 4 for the better part of the year, I can confidently say that there isn't another wearable that comes close to it in the sub-$50 category. This is one Prime Day deal you don't want to miss out on.Everything you needXiaomi Mi Band ...

While Amazon's two-day Prime Day sale doesn't officially begin until October 13, plenty of early Prime Day deals have already gone live — some of which don't even require a Prime membership yet. On Prime Day, all of Amazon's best deals will only be available to Amazon Prime members which means now is the best time to shop if you're not a member. There's no telling whether these deals will live on through Prime Day, so it's time to shop now if you see any offers you're interested in.Of course, there's a way you can shop on Prime Day without paying for a Prime membership; start a free 30-day trial of Amazon Prime and you'll be able to buy anything on sale during Prime Day at its 'Prime Exclusive' price, as well as score free two-day shipping on your orders and all the rest of the perks that come with being a member of Amazon Prime.Check it outFree Amazon Prime TrialTry out Amazon Prime for free and gain access to all of Prime Day's deals in the process! This 30-day trial gran...

The best soundbars have come a long way in the last few years. While full-sized speakers will still sound better — sound needs space, after all — soundbars are great for their size. That size also requires a smaller footprint in your living room, so it's great for people who want to save space. With something like the Sonos Beam, you'll get great sound without a head-scratching installation process, and more. Plus, if it's paired up with one of the best Android TVs, then this creates the ultimate home theater setup so you can grab some popcorn and enjoy your favorite movies. There are other great soundbars available, and we have detailed some of the best soundbar options for your home.Best Soundbar Overall: Sonos Beam Smart TV Sound BarWith the Sonos Beam, you get the best soundbar with some basic smarts. The Sonos Beam connects to your TV with HDMI-ARC or with the included HDMI-to-Optical adapter. A recent update has brought the ability for integration between Sonos produc...

If you're looking for the best Roku streaming devices, then you've come to the right place! Roku has a bunch of different streaming products that are so easy to set up and use. You'll get access to thousands of movies and TV shows with devices that are compatible with smart TVs and, for those of you who still have dinosaur-aged TVs. We love using Roku devices and have picked out our favorites for you in several categories, although our favorite is the Roku Ultra.Best Overall Roku Streaming Device: Roku UltraThe Roku Ultra is the company's premium streaming set-top box. It offers all the high-end specs you'd expect in such a device, like 4K UHD and HDR, as well as support for Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos. It also has some killer usability features unique to the Roku brand, such as a Lost Remote Finder on the box. The next time that pesky remote slips between the couch cushions, all you have to do is press a button, and it will make a sound to help you locate it.The Roku Ultra ...

The S20 FE is the most Android phone ever made, as well as one of the best.I get a lot of feedback saying that I'm too tough or unfair to Google, Samsung, and Qualcomm. That's because it's true; I hold those three companies to a higher standard than other brands because they are all obviously more capable than other brands. We should expect the very best from each at all times, and when they fall short, they should be called out. I expect the best from companies that are the best. You should, too.What probably doesn't come across because I spend time pointing out their shortcomings is that I think all three of those companies are the very best at what they do when it comes to Android or smartphones in general. Google writes and maintains the best software platform you can buy into today in Android 11, Samsung makes the best smartphone components and some of the best phones money can buy, and Qualcomm has perfected the art of building a complete mobile application processor b...

Samsung Galaxy S20 FEValue king$600 at Amazon$600 at Best Buy$600 at B&H PhotoProsFlat displayMore color optionsLess expensive4,500mAh battery5G-capableConsColor options are not available everywherePlastic back, Gorilla Glass 3 frontLower telephoto and ultrawide quality than S20Slower 15W charger in the boxThe Samsung Galaxy S20 FE is the new hotness and shows that you can get incredible value without sacrificing much. Between the flat display, fun colors, and larger battery, Samsung has shown the market how to make an upper mid-range device.Samsung Galaxy S20True flagship$1,000 at AmazonFrom $1,000 at MicrosoftFrom $1,000 at Best BuyProsImproved cameras over the FEMore RAM than the FEGorilla Glass 6 on the front and backDisplay has a higher resolutionFaster 25W charger included in the boxConsMore expensiveSmaller batteryIt's going to be tough to recommend the Galaxy S20 to anyone, unless that person really needs the...

It feels like just yesterday that the 2019/20 season was wrapping up, but the 2020/21 season is already well underway. In addition to domestic seasons like the Premier League restarting, one tournament also in progress is the UEFA Nations League with 55 national teams from across Europe competing.We've got all of the details on how to live stream UEFA Nations League 2020/21 games online this season no matter where you are in the world.The global pandemic put a pause on the majority of domestic seasons across Europe leading to a delayed end to the campaign. That delay also saw the planned Euro 2020 competition being postponed until next summer. If you were excited to see some international football, the UEFA Nations League has got you covered.Portugal emerged as winners in the inaugural UEFA Nations League tournament in 2018/19 and will be looking to defend their title this season. Other hopefuls include France, England, Germany, Belgium, and Spain.Read on for full details on ...

Microsoft's open source code editor is now available on even more devices.What you need to knowVisual Studio Code is a free, open source code editor from Microsoft.It's available cross-platform on Linux and Mac, and also Chromebooks that support Linux apps.Official ARM support for Linux now brings the application to ARM based Chromebooks, Linux machines like the PineBook Pro and the Raspberry Pi.Microsoft Visual Studio Code is one of the most popular pieces of programming software on the planet, in part because it's available on any plaform a developer might want to use it on. At least, mostly. One missing piece was ARM support for Linux devices, but with the latest update, 1.50, that's been rectified.It may sound like small news on the face of it, but this has two potentially huge applications. The first is the Raspberry Pi. While hardly the first choice in hardware for intensive software development, the Pi runs an ARM CPU and Linux and now it can run Visual Studio Code...

OnePlus kicked off the OxygenOS 11 public beta program a month ago, and the Chinese manufacturer is now rolling out the stable Android 11-based build to the OnePlus 8 and 8 Pro. Here's how to install the beta on your OnePlus phone and take a look at all the new features on offer.How to install OxygenOS 11 (Android 11) on your OnePlus phoneOxygenOS 11 comes with a lot of changes, including a new UI that is very different to what we've seen from the manufacturer. The OxygenOS 11 build is based on Android 11, and is now rolling out to the OnePlus 8 and OnePlus 8 Pro.With the stable OxygenOS 11 OTA update now available, all you have to do is head into your phone's settings and initiate the download. Head to Settings -> System -> System updates and tap the Download button to install the OxygenOS 11 update.How to manually install OxygenOS 11 (Android 11) on your OnePlus phoneIf you haven't received the OTA update on your phone, you can manually install OxygenOS 11 provided ...

OxygenOS 11 brings a new visual layout and dozens of features.OnePlus just started rolling out the Android 11-based OxygenOS 11 stable update to the OnePlus 8 and 8 Pro. The move comes after a month of the OxygenOS 11 beta program, and with the bugs sorted out, the OnePlus 8 and 8 Pro are now receiving the stable OxygenOS 11 update.With OxygenOS 11, OnePlus is making visual changes to its skin for the first time in a few generations, and we finally get Always-on Display. Although OnePlus phones have used AMOLED panels from the beginning, the company didn't offer an AOD mode; that's changing now. There's also a simplified settings page that's akin to Samsung's One UI, new system font with better readability, more customization options, new themes for Zen Mode, and a whole lot more.The OxygenOS 11 stable update is now available on the OnePlus 8 and 8 Pro, and it will be making its way to older OnePlus phones in the coming weeks and months.OnePlus will roll out the update to...

The OnePlus 8 and 8 Pro are already receiving the stable Android 11 update, with other phones set to follow.The Android 11-based OxygenOS 11 stable update is now rolling out to the OnePlus 8 and 8 Pro. The update brings a new visual layout along with new features like always-on display, optimizations to gaming mode, new themes for Zen Mode, and more.OnePlus is the only third-party manufacturer to roll out the Android 11 update, and it has confirmed that it will deliver the update to 12 phones in total. What's particularly interesting is that the OnePlus 6 and 6T will be updated to Android 11-based OxygenOS 11 in addition to OnePlus' 2019 phones. So let's take a look at when your OnePlus phone will receive the OxygenOS 11 update.These OnePlus phones have been updated to OxygenOS 11 (Android 11)As of October 10, the stable OxygenOS 11 update based on Android 11 is rolling out to the OnePlus 8 and 8 Pro. If you're using either device, you will be able to install the OTA update b...

OnePlus is rolling out the stable OxygenOS 11 build based on Android 11 to the OnePlus 8 and 8 Pro.What you need to knowOnePlus has kicked off the stable release of OxygenOS 11 based on Android 11 for the OnePlus 8 and 8 Pro.The stable build includes an always-on display, new visual design, ability to schedule dark mode, new Zen Mode themes, and more. OnePlus has mentioned that its older devices will get the Android 11-based update shortly. OnePlus kicked off the Android 11-based OxygenOS 11 public beta over a month ago for the OnePlus 8 and 8 Pro, and the manufacturer is now rolling out the stable update. The stable OxygenOS 11 build doesn't have too many changes if you've already installed the OxygenOS 11 beta, but if you're still on OxygenOS 10, you'll find plenty of new features.The big change in OxygenOS 11 is the new visual layout, with OnePlus adopting a bold aesthetic as it looks to differentiate its user interface. OxygenOS 11 comes with an always-on display — ...