Latest from Android Central

Amazon is improving its smart security with Alexa Guard Plus.What you need to knowAmazon's Alexa Guard Plus is launching today for just $49 per year, and is included for Ring Protect Plus subscribers.Alexa Guard Plus can sense activity around your house, play barking sounds when a potential intruder is detected, and even give you voice access to emergency services. Amazon is offering a 30-day free trial for the service, and subscribers have the option of paying a monthly $5 fee.Amazon is finally launching its Alexa Guard Plus service after announcing the expanded feature last year. The new subscription service takes many of the features available in Alexa Guard and adds new ones that can better utilize the smart features of your Echo devices to protect your family and your home.With the new Amazon Alexa Guard Plus, subscribers can contact emergency services using their voice. Just saying "Alexa, call for help" will connect you with agents who can assist you in getting y...

The One by Wacom is the first 'Works with Chromebook' certified graphics tablet.What you need to knowWacom launched its first Chromebook compatible graphics tablet, the One by Wacom.It's been certified by Google's 'Works with Chromebook' program.The One will set you back $70 and is available on Amazo, Wacom, and select retailers.Wacom today announcedthe One By Wacom graphics tablet. It's the first of such tablets to be compatible with Chrome OS. The company's product is also certified as "Works with Chromebook", a label Google announced last year to highlight accessories that were optimized for the platform.Wacom is aiming this at artists and students. For students, the company is selling this as a way to make note-taking easier. Tablets like the Surface and the iPad Pro have proven valuable in educational environments, and as many Chromebooks don't offer built-in pen support, this is the next best thing. Wacom also notes that existing Chromebook users can use this witho...

More options for developers as Google steps back from VR.What you need to knowTilt Brush is a virtual reality painting application.Tilt Brush was acquired by Google in 2015 and released in 2016.Tilt Brush is going open source, with the code repository accessible for all interested developers.Google's Tilt Brush virtual reality painting application has been available since 2016 on HTC Vive, expanding to additional VR platforms. Today, the development team at Tilt Brush shared some major news: Tilt Brush is going open source.Speaking on why the decision was made, the developers stated that "we want to continue supporting the artists using Tilt Brush by putting it in your hands." Google will no longer be actively developing Tilt Brush, so moving forward no pull requests will be accepted.The archive of now-open source vode for Tilt Brush can be found on Github. It's completely free to use, distribute and modify as long as it is used under the terms of the Apache 2.0 License...

When you start shopping for the best Samsung Galaxy Watch 3 band, you'll be met with many different options. Depending on whether you purchased the 45 or 41mm model, your new Galaxy Watch 3 will require either a 22 or 20mm band, respectively. There are plenty of bands out there, so be sure to choose one that's going to match your style while also providing maximum comfort. Check out some of our favorites!Extreme comfortBarton Elite Silicone Watch BandStaff PickA band made of silicone material is a great choice for active individuals, like this option from Barton. It comes in both 20 and 22mm band sizes. You'll enjoy over 15 different color choices as well. The premium textured top, stainless steel buckle has a proprietary locking feature that ensures your band remains in place all day long.$20 at AmazonBest of both worldsBEAFIRY Canvas Nylon Watch BandAnother option to consider is this BEAFIRY canvas nylon watchband. It's affordable while still being made of...

The Galaxy S21 Ultra is one of the biggest and most powerful Galaxies ever, as well as being the first to work with the S Pen, traditionally reserved for the Note line. The camera module on the Ultra is just as big as it was on the S20 Ultra, but the design's been improved so that it looks more cohesive and meshes with the phone's metal frame, but that design also means that you're more prone to damage the cameras with a side-impact, so a case is more important than ever. The best cases for the Galaxy S21 Ultra are right here, whether you're after a clear case to show off the Ultra's design or a durable tank to keep it safe and secure.Colorful and durableCaseology Nano PopStaff pickAfter two years of the Nano Pop being exclusive to iPhones, it's finally coming to Samsung phones with the S21 series. The Blueberry Navy with its yellow accents is striking and classic, and the impact-absorbing pattern embedded in the back gives you slim protection.$15 at AmazonReady to work...

Three new games hit Stadia Pro next week, with new releases like Madden and Phoenix Point punctuating the end of January.What you need to knowJourney to the Savage Planet, Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light, and Enter the Gungeon enter Stadia Pro on Feb. 1.Madden NFL 21, Phoenix Point, TOHU, and Gods Will Fall all release this week.Six games leave Stadia Pro on Jan. 31, including Panzer Dragoon Remake, Hitman 2, and Sniper Elite 4.There is a lot of movement on Stadia Pro this week, according to today's Stadia blog post. Since it's the last week of the month that means games are leaving the optional subscription service while some other new games are coming in.Notably, Journey to the Savage Planet: Employee of the Month Edition headlines new Stadia Pro offerings for February.It's a very zany and colorful space exploration title published by 505 Games. This is a brand new iteration of the game that features 60 FPS for the first time and includes never-before-seen cont...

The Chrome OS lockscreen just got a lot more functional.What you need to knowGoogle's Chrome OS 88 is now live.It brings the new smart display-like lockscreen spotted in testing earlier in 2020.Google is also adding in support for WebAuthn. Now, Chromebook users can use biometrics to sign into sites that support it. Google today is rolling out Chrome OS 88, the newest version of its desktop operating system. It's the first update for 2021, and it's not especially feature-packed. Everything in Chrome 88 is making the jump, and Google is bringing some highly antiicpated features.First, there's the enhanced lock screen. Chrome OS has had a very minimalist lockscreen since launch. It got a slight overhaul when Google overhauled the entire operating system's interface a few years back, but it has remained relatively feature-light. With Chrome OS 88, Google will let you use it more or less like a smart display. This means you can set it to show a slide show of your favorite pho...

For the second time in three years, the Super Bowl will air on CBS this year. Luckily, that means almost anyone and everyone can watch it for free or stream the Super Bowl with ease. Here are all the streaming services that offer CBS and every way you can tune in to see Brady vs Mahomes.It looks like we're seeing Tom Brady in the NFL's biggest game, yet again, as the Tampa Bay Bucs will face Pat Mahomes and the Chiefs. This time he's with a brand new team, after leaving the Patriots after the 2019 season.For those keeping track, this is the 10th Super Bowl appearance for Tom Brady, which is insane and speaks to how great of a career he continues to enjoy. He's won 6-9, with three Super Bowl losses, and looks to add one more win before he likely retires. Tom Brady himself has more Super Bowl wins than any NFL organization as a whole, aside from the Steelers, who also have 6-wins. Does he really need another?That all said, this is a huge game and will likely be one of the most-wa...

The best Wi-Fi 6 routers get us closer to 5G speeds at home. Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) has arrived and promises to push Wi-Fi speeds over 10Gbps by combining 2.4GHz and wider 5GHz bands to provide a better experience and much wider coverage in the home. The new Wi-Fi standard is becoming increasingly common in phones and laptops and now is the right time to invest in one of the best Wi-Fi 6 routers on the market.What are the best Wi-Fi 6 routers?The Netgear Nighthawk RAX70 comes with everything that people expect out of a Wi-Fi 6 router with great AX6600 speeds, tri-band, eight streams, and 160MHz support. QoS by application and a great control app makes this the best-balanced Wi-Fi 6 router around.The second best option is the Linksys MAX-STREAM Mesh Router, which is for people who don't necessarily need a mesh solution right now but may want to expand their network in the future. Mesh router solutions pair multiple "nodes" together to increase signal quality and speeds throughout la...

When you take your Samsung Galaxy S21 along for the ride in the car, you want to make sure you're practicing safe driving habits. Whether you stream music via Bluetooth or have a fancy Android Auto display, you need a place to put your device that won't be distracting, won't get in the way, and won't fall or move around. To that end, we've compiled a list of the best Samsung Galaxy S21 car mounts that you might want to consider for your next drive.Best overalliOttie Easy One Touch 5Staff PickiOttie is one of the most trusted brands for auto accessories, and our favorite overall car mount for smartphones, including the Samsung Galaxy S21, is the Easy One Touch 5. It securely attaches to your car's dash through a suction cup, but you can also get attachments for the CD player, cup holder, or vent. It can accommodate wide phones securely, and the bottom feet prevent the phone from slipping out of the holder. The magnetic cord organizer is also a nice touch.$25 at Amazon$3...

Evolving its release to a (hopefully) final form.What you need to knowBiomutant is a third-person action-RPG that has you play as a mutating martial arts-wielding cat.The game was first announced back in 2017.Biomutant is now set to release on May 25, 2021 for PS4, PC and Xbox One.Biomutant is an action-RPG from Experiment 101 and THQ Nordic, under Embracer Group). First announced back in 2017, there have been multiple delays and long stretches of time where no new information was provided. Now, players who are interested in this unique setting finally have a day to look forward to, as Biomutant's release date is now set for May 25, 2021.Biomutant is coming to PC, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One on May 25th, 2021. pic.twitter.com/qVdTMaxxS5— Biomutant (@Biomutant) January 26, 2021In Biomutant, players use martial arts, melee weapons, and guns to help or hinder six different tribes while undergoing a quest to save the Tree of Life. As implied by the title of the game, a ...

You'll soon be able to play Madden on any of your supported devices thanks to Stadia.What you need to knowMadden NFL 21 is releasing for Stadia on January 28th.Stadia Pro members get a free play weekend from launch until 8AM PT February 1st.EA is releasing Madden on Stadia at a discounted price of just $29.99.After months of waiting, EA is finally releasing Madden NFL 21 on Stadia on Jan. 28 for $29.99. The Stadia blog post mentions you can purchase the game "at a discounted price," which implies the price will likely increase after a short time, but it doesn't say when or if it'll go back up to a full price.Back in April 2020, Google and EA announced a partnership to bring more of their games to Stadia over winter, including Madden and FIFA. A lot of people took that to mean the end of 2020, but technically it's still winter so they remained true to their word, assuming FIFA won't be too far behind Madden in a few weeks.Notably, Madden is also debuting with a free play...

Samsung's Galaxy Watch 3 is still missing out on one feature in the U.S.What you need to knowSamsung's Galaxy Watch 3 and Active 2 finally gain blood pressure monitoring outside Korea.The feature will roll out soon to Galaxy Watch owners in Europe, along with ECG readings.The new health readings will also be available to users in Chile, UAE, and Indonesia.Last year, Samsung announced blood pressure monitoring was being made available to its Galaxy smartwatches through a software update, but until today it had only been made available in the company's home country. Now thanks to regulatory approval, the feature has received its CE-marking, making it available to use in countries in the EU.Blood pressure monitoring is achieved on the Samsung's Galaxy Watch 3 and Active 2 using the on-device heart rate sensors. For accurate readings, users must initially calibrate the feature with a traditional blood pressure cuff. Afterward, users can simply tap "Measure" to take a reading ...

Source: StackCommerceIf you are sick of answering calls from machines, you might want to try RoboKiller. Available on iOS and Android, this app automatically blocks spam calls and text messages. Right now, you can get a two-year subscription for just $49.99.Automated calls have become a major problem in recent years. If the wrong company gets hold of your number, you can find the phone ringing several times each day — and that's just ignoring the scammers.RoboKiller acts as your personal assistant, intercepting spam calls in just 0.01 seconds. Depending on what settings you choose, the app will either hang up immediately or use an AI Answer Bot to waste the time of unwanted callers.Rated at 4 stars on Google Play and 4.5 stars on the App Store, RoboKiller also checks every caller against a database of 500 million known scams. It even provides protection against spam text messages.Just as importantly, you have the option to block or allow individual numbers.Order today f...

Philips Hue smart lights are some of the coolest on the market, and they're definitely some of the most popular, but they can be quite expensive, especially once you get into colored bulbs. If you're looking for a less expensive option, or just something other than what's popular (maybe something without a hub?), then check out these other best Philips Hue alternatives.Best alternativePhilips WiZ Connected A19 BulbStaff pickYou might be surprised to know that Philips Hue isn't the only smart bulb brand from the company. Philips WiZ Connected bulbs require no hub, unlike Hue bulbs, and connect directly to Wi-Fi or Bluetooth via the WiZ app. Despite being less expensive, these bulbs aren't any less capable. They can be dimmed and color-tuned to your liking. These bulbs shine in millions of colors thanks to the powerful WiZ Connected app and support your favorite virtual assistant.$36 at Amazon (3-pack white-only)$14 at Best Buy$19 at Best Buy (2-Pack white and color)Eve...

Finding a complete list of Stadia devices can be tricky. Most of the best Android phones support it by default, or you can hook up a Chromecast Ultra to your TV for a more traditional gaming experience. But in terms of Stadia on Android tablets, Stadia iOS support, Stadia on Android TV, or even Stadia on Chromebooks, it's not always clear which will work or which will work well. Below are all the Stadia-compatible phones, tablets, computers, and TVs today, as well as the devices that have planned Stadia support in the future.All Stadia Compatible Android PhonesSo long as your Android phone is running Android 6.0 Marshmallow or better — and if it isn't, you really should upgrade already — Stadia should technically run on it. If you want it to run Stadia well, Google has a list of officially supported devices that should play Stadia games as intended. You can see the current 2021 list below:GooglePixel 2Pixel 2 XLPixel 3Pixel 3 XLPixel 3aPixel 3a XLPixel 4Pixel 4 XL...

Mardi Gras season is a perfect time to revisit post-apocalyptic New Orleans.What you need to knowThe Trial will debut as a free update for the Oculus Quest version of The Walking Dead: Saints & Sinners on Feb 4.This never-ending horde mode using a new arcade-like scoring system to reward players with ways to upgrade their weapons between waves.The Quest version of The Walking Dead: Saints & Sinners sold 10x more than the Rift version.In a move that probably couldn't have been timed any better, Skydance Interactive announced that The Trial — a never-ending horde mode with an arcade-style scoring system — will be coming to the Oculus Quest and Oculus Quest 2 version of The Walking Dead: Saints & Sinners on Thursday, February 4. That's just in time for the annual Mardi Gras parades that fill the street of New Orleans in a normal year. This year, however, you'll have the opportunity to clear those streets of the resident zombies, thanks to this new never-ending ...

An incredibly powerful video tool at an accordingly high price.What you need to knowThe Xperia Pro is launching as Sony's first 5G-capable phone in the U.S. for an eye-watering $2,499.99.While functionally identical to the Xperia 1 II that launched last year, the Xperia Pro is designed specifically for video-oriented professional work, with HDMI monitoring and live streaming capabilities.The Xperia Pro will be offered through Verizon in the U.S., along with various retailers.Nearly a year after its initial unveiling, Sony has officially launched the Xperia Pro, its first 5G-capable smartphone in the U.S., with an assortment of extremely powerful (and niche) creative tools that could easily make it the best Android video camera on the market. Sony says that the Xperia Pro will sit alongside the Xperia 1 II, rather than replacing it in the company's mobile lineup, and is priced significantly higher at $2,499.99.How is Sony justifying that eye-watering price tag? The Xperia ...

The first Motorola Edge phone of 2021 isn't heading to the U.S. just yet.What you need to knowLenovo's Motorola Edge S is now official.It's the first phone to ship with Qualcomm's Snapdragon 870. It's also a China-exclusive phone at launch, with no plans of a U.S. or Europe launch yet.The Motorola Edge S has finally launched(via GSM Arena), and it's the company's first real high-end phone for 2021. Unlike the other phones Lenovo has launched under the Motorola brand this year, it's coming with Edge branding.This means big screens, high-quality cameras, powerful processors, and 5G support as a matter of course. The Moto Edge S delivers in all categories.To start with, it has a 6.7-inch 90Hz display, albeit IPS LCD rather than OLED. It has HDR10 support, making for what should be an excellent viewing experience on paper. Camera-wise, there's the usual quad-camera layout at the back. So you'll be getting a 64MP camera, a 16MP ultrawide camera, and two other lenses. One is a ...

Motorola is one of the oldest and most recognizable phone brands in the world, and while it may not have the same dominance in the market that it once did, the company still kicks out some truly excellent products, often at great prices. If your heart is set on one of these solid devices, here are the best Motorola phones that are out right now.Best of the bunchMoto G Power (2020)Staff PickWhen it comes to the best Motorola phones, the Moto G Power (2020) is the way to go. Motorola's G-series has always been about delivering quality phones at great prices, and the G Power (2020) is an exceptional example of that goal. The star of the show is the 5,000 mAh battery, offering up to three days of use per charge. Rounding out the experience is a great 6.4-inch Full HD+ display, reliable performance thanks to the Snapdragon 665, and a trio of rear cameras that are solid for the price.$220 at Amazon$220 at Best Buy$227 at WalmartThe one with a stylusMoto G Stylus (2021)...

You'll have to turn on proactive results to be able to view and interact with your wellness data on a compatible smart display.What you need to knowGoogle Assistant can now show wellness data on your smart displays.The "Sleep" section under Google Assistant settings is being replaced with a new "Wellness" section.Currently, the feature only supports sleep data from Fitbit devices. In November last year, Google Assistant gained a new feature that allowed it to access wellness data from third-party fitness trackers. Google is now expanding the feature to smart displays with a new "Wellness" section under Assistant settings. The new "Wellness" section replaces the "Sleep" section that was added in November.As can be seen in the screenshots below, the "Wellness" section will allow you to manage your sleep, exercise, as well as nutrition data. The Assistant will also proactively show the information from connected fitness devices and services on your display devices. However, ...

We just shared a deal on the Vizio 65-inch M Series Quantum 4K Smart TV when it dropped to $698 about a week ago. That was a great price considering it normally sells for $778. Right now you can get it for $50 less than that as it's going for $648 at Walmart. Now that's a huge deal and great savings on this TV that's very quickly going out of stock as Vizio prepares for its 2021 lineup.The Vizio really hits a sweet spot for price and features. You're paying less than $700 and getting 4K with local dimming zones, a solid smart platform, and even tech like Chromecast built into it. Those extra features like Chromecast and such are one of the reasons we consider the M Series Quantum a great TV series for streaming from programs like Disney Plus.For image quality, the Vizio has a ton of different features to enhance it. For one thing, you start with Vizio's IQ Active processor. This thing is super fast and delivers superior picture processing. You can upscale non-4K content to 4K and...

Dual Messenger is an incredibly useful tool that lets you run two instances of a messaging service on the same phone. So if you have two Facebook or Telegram accounts or use two phone numbers with WhatsApp, the feature is bound to come in handy. Here's how you can set up and start using Dual Messenger on your Galaxy phone.What is Dual Messenger, and how does it work?Dual Messenger is available on all Galaxy phones running One UI. The feature essentially works by cloning a messaging app so that you can run a second instance of it on your phone. That way, you can use two Facebook or WhatsApp accounts on the same phone, making it that much more convenient.Before we get started with how to use Dual Messenger, there are a few points to note. You can't manually add an app; if it doesn't show up in the list of available apps that can be cloned, you won't be able to use the feature with it. Dual Messenger works with popular messaging services, and you'll find Facebook, WhatsApp, and Te...

The Eufy SpaceView 720p baby monitor has dropped to $119.99 on Amazon. That's $40 off its regular price, and this is the first discount we've seen since Black Friday. It actually dropped as low as $113 then, but that was a super unique deal that obviously only lasted for that weekend. Otherwise, today's drop is as low as the baby monitor goes.You can also save on the SpaceView Pro, which adds some more advanced features. It's down to $144.49 on Amazon in its first ever discount from its normal price of $170.This baby monitor lets you both see and hear your little one. The 5-inch 720p display is better than most monitors you'll find on the market, and there's a wide-angle lens included for when your kid transitions from crib to climbing-out-of-the-crib-and-wreaking-havoc. Fun times. You can tilt and pan the lens to see corner-to-corner, and there's a wall mount included for customized coverage. The night vision mode allows you to see in the dark.This also has some nice features ...

Twitter hasn't disclosed the financial terms of the deal.What you need to knowTwitter has acquired Dutch newsletter startup Revue.Twitter says it acquired Revue to help writers to monetize their audience on its platform.To encourage more users to create newsletters, Twitter is lowering Revue's paid newsletter fee to just 5%.Twitter has acquired Dutch newsletter publishing company Revue to make its platform "a better home for writers." The acquisition is likely to help Twitter expand its revenue stream beyond advertising and also allow users on its platform to earn money for creating content.In a blog post announcing the deal, Twitter Product Lead Kayvon Beykpour and VP of Publisher Products Mike Park wrote: To jumpstart our efforts, Twitter has acquired Revue, a service that makes it free and easy for anyone to start and publish editorial newsletters. Revue will accelerate our work to help people stay informed about their interests while giving all types of writers a ...

What you need to knowFleksy is launching an in-keyboard theme marketplace powered by artists.Users will be able to choose from hundreds of free and paid keyboard themes in a wide variety of styles and palettes.Paid themes are nothing new for keyboards, and I'm all for paying artists when you'll see their work 250 times a day.Fleksy is one of the best keyboard apps on the market, but it's still easy to overlook when titans like Gboard and SwiftKey have the power of Google and Microsoft behind them. Fleksy long eschewed gestures and swipe typing, which wasn't added until recently. It's the perfect keyboard for hunt-and-peck typers who like having a lot of add-ons to choose from. After years of Fleksy's keyboard themes being average at best — though I will always adore teal with the fireworks add-on — Fleksy is partnering up with a collection of artists to jazz things up.FleksyArt is the keyboard's new theme store, which will showcase professionally designed themes fro...

Wearables with LTE connectivity are made for a very specific type of user — the one who doesn't want to take their phone out to work out — and they're becoming more and more popular these days. While everyone has their preference, we feel confident saying that the Samsung Galaxy Watch 3 is the best LTE smartwatch you can buy. It has a nice blend of smartwatch perks and health/fitness tracking that most users will appreciate. Fortunately, there are plenty of options to choose from.Best Overall: Samsung Galaxy Watch 3The Samsung Galaxy Watch 3 is one of the company's latest watches. In fact, it's only a few months old. If you like having the latest model, you'll appreciate this LTE smartwatch. The original model also offered optional LTE connectivity, but it didn't cater much to the fitness crowd. The Galaxy Watch 3, however, has come a long way since then.One of the reasons this is the best LTE smartwatch is all the new features, including SpO2 and VO2 max readings. If you...

The red HyperX Cloud II gaming headset is down to $79 at Amazon. You can also get it in gunmetal for just a dollar more. Both prices are $20 off what the HyperX normally sells for, and this is the first sale we've seen on the new version of the Cloud II in nearly a year. This is already a super affordable headset given its feature set, which just makes today's sale even better. It also seems this is a price match of a Target deal so you can get it there, too.The HyperX Cloud II headset uses a USB audio sound card to create 7.1 virtual surround sound. While it's not actual surround sound, it's good enough that you'll be able tell where noises are coming from. If you're using this to play the latest Call of Duty you'll be able to cut off your enemies from sneaking up on you. Of course, you still got to be good enough to aim, but we can't help you with that.The sound quality is superb, too, with powerful 53mm neodymium magnet drivers. Puts you right in the middle of the action. The ...

There are some surprisingly good things Facebook is doing for Oculus gamers.Facebook's recent history with account merging has been a disastrous PR move in every corner of the market. Every service the company rolls into the Facebook fold brings a significant backlash from users who "didn't ask for this." It's a common line of thinking that stretches from WhatsApp's updated privacy policy to the forced merging of Oculus accounts and has many people asking, "what in the world are they thinking?"To sum it up: ad revenue. You don't need to look any further than earnings reports to see this. Instagram made Facebook a reported $20 Billion in 2019, and it's doing the same thing with WhatsApp and Oculus as it did with that platform. After all, it doesn't really make much sense for Facebook to be selling a headset as advanced (and expensive to make) as the Oculus Quest 2 for just $300, right?Facebook has finally figured out a way to make money off its Oculus purchase — which cost the...

Amazon has a daily deal featuring a variety of Anker items designed to help you keep your gear juiced up and ready to go. Everything featured in this sale is discounted with some of the items up to 36% off their regular prices. Since it is a daily deal, these prices are set to expire by the end of the day. Some of them may even sell out and disappear from the list altogether. If you need a new USB-C to USB-C charging cable or 5-port wall charger, grab one now while you can.Grab this Anker USB-C power strip and surge protector on sale for $44.99. It is normally $70 and hasn't had a direct discount since October. Today's price matches its lowest ever.The power strip has three AC outlets on one side and USB ports on the other. The side with USB includes two 15W USB-A ports and a 45W USB-C 3.0 port. This is designed to sit on your desk so you have the AC outlets facing backwards off your desk and keeping your work station clutter free with some front-facing USB ports you can use to c...

T-Mobile also has the edge over its rivals when it comes to 5G availability.What you need to knowIndependent data released by Opensignal claims T-Mobile offers the fastest average 5G download and upload speeds in the U.S.T-Mobile users had an average 5G download speed of 58.1Mbps between September 16 and December 14, 2020.T-Mobile also won Opensignal's 5G Availability award with a score of 30.1%, up from 22.5% six months back.T-Mobile's 5G is the fastest among all major carriers in the U.S., according to Opensignal's 5G User Experience Report January 2021. For the first time, T-Mobile has won Opensignal's award for 5G download speed, with average 5G download speeds of 58.1 Mbps.Neville Ray, President of Technology at T-Mobile, said in a statement: From the word 'go', we've been the leader in 5G coverage, and now we're piling on the speed with Ultra Capacity 5G – first in 5G coverage, now first in 5G speed. Last year we blanketed the country in 5G, and now we're laye...

Fans of Black-ish and Grown-ish will get to see exactly what was like for Rainbow 'Bow' Johnson growing up in the 1980s as Mixed-ish is returning for its second season and we have all the details on how you can watch the show on TV or online.While Black-ish tells the story of the Johnson family living in Los Angeles and Grown-ish picks up where ABC's hit sitcom left off with Zoey Johnson going to college, Mixed-ish is a prequel spin-off which chronicles the childhood years of Rainbow Johnson. The series is loosely based on the early life Black-ish creator Kenya Barris' wife Dr. Rania Barris.Before settling down in Los Angeles and starting a family with Andre 'Dre' Johnson, Rainbow Johnson grew up in a hippie commune in California. However, the commune was raided by the ATF and Rainbow, her sister Alicia, her brother Johan, her mother Alicia and her father Paul all ended up moving to the suburbs in 1985.Going to school in the suburbs proved to be quite difficult and different fr...

Here's where Android is headed for 2021.Android 11 was an update that was greater than the sum of its parts. Smaller features like chat bubbles, conversation notifications, and a built-in screen recorder don't sound all that impressive on their own. Combined into one seamless package, however, Android 11 was a pretty great update for Google's mobile OS.We're now in 2021, and before you know it, we'll be playing around with the first developer preview of Android 12. Details on the next big update are still few and far between, but even so, that's not going to stop us from speculating and making a few educated guesses about where we're headed next.From rumored features, interface changes, availability, and more — here's everything we know so far about Android 12!Software kingGoogle Pixel 4a$349 at Amazon$350 at Best Buy$349 at B&HThe best phone for Android updatesIf getting fast and timely updates is a top priority for your smartphone, consider the Pixel 4a...

A good, small phone is a rarity that Samsung needs to get back in on.As a 5'2" woman without hands the size of a basketballer, I feel my heart sink whenever I see a phone series like the Galaxy S21 starts with a 6.2-inch screen and goes up from there. Don't get me wrong, the "baby" S21 is a great phone, and I'm very jealous of my coworker Hayato getting to review that lovely lilac lifeline, but like the Galaxy S20 that I reviewed last spring, it's small in name only.In fact, ever since my Pixel 4a arrived in August, I have only touched my S20 to use the camera and take photos of my smaller, easier to use Pixel. The S20's screen may be prettier, but the Pixel is just hands-down easier on my smaller hands.Like many, I'd held out a small bit of hope that Samsung would repeat the small surprise of a superphone that was the Galaxy S10e with a Galaxy S21 mini, but good fortune was not to be. And both Samsung and its customers are poorer for the omission, as it's time for Samsung to g...

It doesn't look like the OnePlus 9 Pro will fix the worst thing about the OnePlus 8 Pro.What you need to knowAs per a new leak, the upcoming OnePlus 9 series phones will not include a periscope lens.While the vanilla OnePlus 9 isn't expected to have a telephoto lens at all, the Pro could feature a traditional zoom lens.The two phones will still offer several new camera features, including a moon mode and focus peaking.The OnePlus 9 and 9 Pro are the most anticipated Android phones set to debut in the first half of 2021. Just yesterday, a leak revealed that the two phones will not be very different from their predecessors in the display department. Now, a new leak has revealed a few key details about the cameras on the OnePlus 9 series phones.If you want to know if the 9 or 9 Pro have a periscope cam: they do not have one https://t.co/Aewn1uK8h2— Max Jambor (@MaxJmb) January 25, 2021As per tipster Max Jambor, the OnePlus 9 series will not include a periscope zoom len...

The top two sides in Serie A go head-to-head in an intriguing cup clash at the San Siro tonight. Read on to find out how to get an Inter Milan vs AC Milan live stream and watch the Coppa Italia quarter-final online from anywhere.The two sides will be looking to improve upon lackluster weekend displays that saw both teams drop points in the league.League leaders AC managed to stay top, despite a shock 3-0 hammering at home to Atalanta, while Inter were unable to fully capitalize on their Milanese rivals' slip up after being held to a goalless stalemate away at Udinese.This cup clash marks the second derby match-up between the two sides this season, with Stefano Pioli's men edging past Antonio Conte's Inter 2-1 back in October, in a match which saw the evergreen Zlatan Ibrahimovich score a decisive brace to seal the win for the Rossoneri.Both teams are surprisingly long overdue a win in this tournament, with Inter having most recently won the cup in 2010, while AC's barren run ...

Other than the extra adapter, you can follow the same steps as setting it up on PS4.The goods news for previous PSVR owners on PS4, the set up is almost exactly the same on PS5. The biggest difference is that you'll need to use an adapter to plug in the PlayStation Camera. Sony allows you to request a free PSVR adapter from its support website if you enter your device's serial number. Other than that, the process of setting it all of is relatively painless.And for anyone wondering if you can just use the new PS5 HD Camera with PSVR, the answer is no; the new camera does not have a motion tracker. For whatever reason, the support just isn't there, and the two devices are not compatible with one another. It should also be noted that you'll want to play these PSVR games with the older DualShock 4 or PlayStation Move controllers as the DualSense may have some trouble with motion controls.Regardless of whether you have an older PSVR CUH-ZVR1 unit or the newer CUH-ZVR2 unit, the setu...

Android 11 is here with exciting new features, and it is making its way to your phone.With Android 11, Google is making a few tweaks to refine the platform instead of making wholesale changes. Privacy is a big focus with Android 11, with Google introducing one-time permissions and granular control over what sort of data you share.There are new features to get excited about as well — the power button menu picked up a massive overhaul, the Conversations view does a great job highlighting your messages, and there are little tweaks throughout the interface that give it an added polish.Android 11 is ready to power the best Android phones of 2021, and alongside new devices, manufacturers are doing a better job rolling out the update to their 2020 phones. So here's everything you need to know about all the new features in Android 11 and when your phone is likely to receive the update.Fast updatesGoogle Pixel 4a$350 at Amazon$350 at Best BuyGet Android 11 before anyone...

What is VoLTE, and should I even care about it?VoLTE, or Voice over LTE, is how our phones and carriers transmit our voices during a call, so there's good reason to know how to use it and why you should care. Most U.S. carriers have rolled out the red carpet for VoLTE on LTE, or what most of us call 4G. By now, VoLTE is most likely available in your area, and if you upgraded your phone in the last few years, you can probably use it. Once you have the right phone and carrier, setting VoLTE up on your phone is very easy and well worth it.Let's take a deeper look.Jump to:What is VoLTE?Which U.S. carriers support VoLTE?How can I use VoLTE?What else do I need to know about VoLTE?Do I need to upgrade my phone to use VoLTE?What is VoLTE?As the name suggests, Voice over LTE happens when your carrier allows you to place a phone call over your LTE connection instead of the older legacy voice networks. For example, Verizon Wireless traditionally used 1XRTT for all of you...

The Snapdragon 888 delivers huge performance and gaming gains as well as exciting 5G-focused innovations.Qualcomm has unveiled the Snapdragon 888, and we now have a detailed breakdown of the chipset's inner workings. The Snapdragon 888 is an important chipset for Qualcomm — with 5G set to go mainstream, Qualcomm is positioning its latest chipset as the go-to option for manufacturers rolling out flagship phones in 2021. In short, the Snapdragon 888 will power the best Android phones in 2021.The Snapdragon 888 also offers a massive increase in performance across the board. Qualcomm is touting a 25% uptick in CPU performance, a 35% uptick in GPU performance, and sizeable gains with the ISP, AI engine, and 5G connectivity. Simply put, this is the biggest year-on-year update we've seen for the Snapdragon 800 series for a long time.So let's take a look at what the Snapdragon 888 has to offer and why it makes 2021 flagships like the Galaxy S21 series that much more enticing.The ...

You'll need a device running Android 9 or higher to enjoy all the benefits of the new xHE-AAC codec.What you need to knowNetflix is bringing 'studio-quality' audio to Android devices with its latest update.The update adds support for the xHE-AAC (Extended HE-AAC with MPEG-D DRC) codec to compatible Android phones.Since the new format supports loudness management, all titles that you watch will play at a consistent volume. Netflix is rolling out an updated version of its Android app with support for the xHE-AAC format. The company claims the new audio codec will deliver "studio-quality" sound to Android viewers.One of the main advantages of the new codec is its ability to adapt to variable cellular connections. This means you can enjoy studio-quality audio when the network conditions are optimal, and minimized rebuffers when you have poor reception or the network is congested.The xHE-AAC codec also supports loudness management, making it possible for all titles to play a...

What you need to knowVisible is launching the new Blade X1 5G, the latest in the Blade smartphone lineup.The Blade X1 5G comes with a FHD+ display, quad-camera setup, and Qualcomm Snapdragon 765G.Visible customers can purchase the Blade X1 5G starting today for just $384.Visible is doing its best to make itself seen in the mobile industry for having one of the best prepaid plans for those on a budget. Our Joe Maring was actually quite impressed with the offerings and service in his Visible review. The carrier piggybacks on Verizon's nationwide 4G LTE network and recently began to support 5G for Android smartphones on its network, giving customers even faster data for the same $40 price. To celebrate this momentous occasion, Visible has launched its latest smartphone, the Blade X1 5G, built by ZTE with great specs and an affordable price.The newest addition to the Blade family comes with a more modern design to match the more modern network, featuring a large 6.5-inch FHD+...

Notifications are now more private when you're sharing your screen.What you need to knowGoogle addresses a big privacy issue on Chrome by "hiding" notifications when screen sharing.Notifications on Google Chrome's desktop app will still appear, but the content will no longer be visible when sharing your screen.The feature should begin rolling out to users beginning today.Have you ever have that awkward moment when you're sharing your screen and you start getting notifications that give out more information than you'd like? It's likely to become a bigger problem now that most people are working remotely and meetings usually involve screen sharing on some level. Google is finally fixing this potentially embarrassing problem by hiding the content within notifications while your screen is being shared. There has been a dramatic shift in how many of us work – now more than ever, we're relying on the use of Google Meet and other screen sharing solutions. We hope this featur...

With the Kansas City Chiefs defeating the Buffalo Bills with ease, and the Tampa Bay Bucs knocking off the SB-favorite Green Bay Packers, the stage for Super Bowl 2021 (LV) has officially been set.Tom Brady and the Buccaneers will face Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs in Super Bowl LV (55).The game is set for February 7, 2021, on CBS, at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. Yes, that means the Buccaneers will be the first team in history to play the Super Bowl in their home stadium. Is it just me, or does Tom Brady have some insane good luck? He's arguably the greatest of all time, aka "The GOAT" and this will be his 10th trip to the Super Bowl, more than any other QB.At the same time, this will be the second year in a row the Kansas City Chiefs are in the big game, as they defeated the 49ers last year in Super Bowl 54.For the record, we've seen these two quarterbacks a lot over the last three years. Mahomes and Tom Brady have each won one of the last two Super Bowls. Mahom...

Google and ad companies could stop looking at individual browsing when it comes to ad data.What you need to knowGoogle's Privacy Sandbox is a number of proposals for moving away from internet-based cookies.One proposal suggests grouping users together based on interests, which effectively removes the individual from the equation.Google claims this approach has been found to be up to 95% as effective as internet-based cookies and hopes to test publicly soon.Google's privacy practices have been under major scrutiny lately, particularly when it comes to how it handles cookies and targeted ads on the web. The company maintains that it's on the side of the users, working to improve how it handles user browsing data. First announced last year, Google's Privacy Sandbox shows how the company is taking steps to not only address the privacy of users, but it's also working with others to make it happen.As mentioned in a blog post, Google's Privacy Sandbox is essentially a set of rul...

Spotify's first collection of audiobooks features several classics.What you need to knowSpotify is experimenting with audiobooks by launching its first collection, which it will use to test the user experience.Classic novels like Frankenstein and Great Expectations are narrated by celebrities like Forest Whitaker and Hilary Swank.A new Spotify series hosted by a Harvard professor offers an analytic deep-dive of the classic novels.Spotify isn't afraid to spread its wings and try new things. The company is constantly trying out different experimental features in an attempt to switch up its offerings beyond music. It's definitely nice to see one of the best streaming music services trying to keep things fresh and offer a plethora of audio services for its customers. The latest experiment sees the company finally breaking into audiobooks, and could end up giving Amazon a run for its money.Spotify has just released its first collection of audiobooks today, and while the books ...

The Galaxy Note 20 series are two of the best Android phones right now. If you're already a fan of the Note lineup, then you'll have a lot to be excited about with the new generation. If you aren't a fan, you should be. The phones have all the latest from Samsung, including a powerful Qualcomm Snapdragon 865+ processor, a triple camera setup, 5G connectivity, and a new and improved S Pen stylus.Being brand new, these phones are going to set you back a penny or two, but we're on top of that. We've got every place you can find the Note 20 (or the Note 20 Ultra) and every deal available right now.Best Note 20 Deals Available NowUnlocked Deals: Save up to $698Carrier deals: Trade-ins, BOGO & more More Info: Price tracking, comparisons & more$10/month Note 20 at AT&TBuy the Note 20 on a 30-month installment plan, sign up for AT&T Unlimited, and trade-in an eligible smartphone to get a credit applied to your monthly bill which brings its price down to ju...

For large homes or even two-bedroom apartments, smart thermostats for multiple zones are key to saving energy without turning some rooms into ovens or freezers. Most of the best smart thermostats can detect the temperature in the room where it's installed, but bedrooms or other rooms with different insulation or windows are liable to differ significantly in temperature. That's why you don't want just any thermostat, but instead one like the Ecobee SmartThermostat, which can pair with room sensors for total home awareness. Below are all the multi-zone smart thermostats worth considering for your home.Best Overall: Ecobee SmartThermostat with Voice ControlThe Ecobee SmartThermostat with Voice Control is the best smart thermostat for multi-zone heating and cooling, and one of the best thermostats you can buy overall. It's compatible with all popular smart home platforms — Amazon Alexa, Apple HomeKit, Google Assistant, Samsung SmartThings, Wink, and even Microsoft Cortana — and...

Samsung's next Galaxy Watch will make a debut at the second Unpacked of 2021.What you need to knowSamsung's next smartwatch is said to come with a blood glucose monitorIt'll work with an optical sensor that allows the Galaxy Watch to track blood sugar levels without actually drawing blood.Samsung will put this against Apple's next Watch, rumored to also be shipping with a blood sugar tracker.Samsung's Galaxy Watch 3 was already heavily health-focused, but the Galaxy Watch 4 may be even more so. A report from the Korean ET News claims that the company's next smartwatch may ship with a blood glucose monitor, The upcoming smartwatch, either branded the Galaxy Watch 4 or the Galaxy Watch Active 3 will come with an optical sensor that can measure the blood glucose levels without needing to draw blood.Samsung has tested the technology in the past and has published research showing how it is possible, so it does make sense for the company to integrate this in a health-focused sm...

Speaking as a passionate mobile gamer, finding the best smartphone gaming accessories can save you from bad controls, a dying battery, tinny audio, and limited internal storage. With cloud-based streaming platforms on the rise and the best Android games adding controller support and more demanding graphics, having the right Android gaming accessories on hand can make or break a gaming session. We've rounded up the best controllers, battery packs, and headphones that you should consider if you want to step your game up.One size fits mostRazer KishiStaff PickBuilt to slot in almost any Android phone with a center USB-C port, the Kishi runs off your phone battery and supports passthrough charging. Unlike most Bluetooth controllers, you'll never have to charge it, it collapses into a convenient travel size, input lag is never a problem, and it's less conspicuous than a gaming-clip controller when playing on the go.$80 at Amazon$80 at Best BuyBuilt for phones, tablets and P...