Latest from Android Central

Could it really be possible that the best free VPN is the best VPN choice for you? It sure can! By now you've likely heard the phrase Virtual Private Network or VPN, but you may not have already signed up and started using one. We've already broken down the various differences between free VPNs vs. paid VPNs, and now we're back with some information about all the best free VPN services to sign up for.Currently, the best free VPN service is Hotspot Shield Free for a few different reasons. It offers a more generous data allotment and feature set than many other free VPN providers, and is pretty easy to use. We also like ProtonVPN and its unlimited bandwidth, great speeds, and more.Stepping up to a paid VPN, like ExpressVPN may be something worth considering as well. It offers a reliable connection, amazing customer support, fast speeds, and much more. It's our favorite overall VPN and the one that we definitely think is worth the money. There are a lot of other great paid options tha...

"One of the biggest challenges the pandemic presents is global food shortages and growing hunger, and Viber can't sit idly by and do nothing about it"What you need to knowViber has announced a new campaign.It plans to help tackle global food shortages made worse by COVID-19.It is releasing a sticker pack and a brand new educational community. Viber has today announced a new campaign to help tackle global food shortages that have been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic.In a press release today the company stated: Rakuten Viber, one of the world's leading apps for free and easy communication, announces the launch of its campaign to raise funds for organizations fighting global hunger in the wake of widespread COVID-19-induced food shortages. With a brand new sticker pack and community dedicated to the cause, Viber's campaign will engage the company's users and employees, as well as donate the proceeds to development partners such as the Food and Agriculture Organizati...

See in the darkEufyCam 2C$100 at AmazonProsOn-board people detectionLocal storageIntegrated floodlightCompact designMore affordableWorks with Alexa, Google Assistant, and HomeKitConsNo anti-theftNon-removable battery2FA isn't available in all countriesShorter battery life (6 months)The EufyCam 2C packs in a floodlight and colored night vision, as well as a more compact design, and is almost half the cost of the EufyCam 2.Longer lastingEufyCam 2$140 at AmazonProsOn-board people detectionLocal storage1-year battery lifeNo subscription feesAnti-theft protectionWorks with Alexa, Google Assistant, and HomeKitConsNo floodlightNon-removable battery2FA isn't available in all countriesThe EufyCam 2 has been a winning choice since it's 2019 debut, offering quality 1080p video, local storage, on-device people detection, and no subscription fees. It's totally wireless and a cinch to install, too.The entire EufyCam line of secur...

The Galaxy Watch 3 is expected to start at $400 in the U.S.What you need to knowInstructional videos for the LTE-enabled versions of the Galaxy Watch 3 have surfaced.The videos show how users can change watch faces, reset the watch, make a phone call, and more.Samsung Galaxy Watch 3 will be announced alongside four other new products at a virtual Unpacked event tomorrow.Samsung's upcoming Galaxy Watch 3 appeared in an early unboxing video last week, giving us a clear look at its design from pretty much all angles. More videos showing the smartwatch have now leaked, courtesy of leaker Evan Blass. The instructional videos from AT&T show how users can do things like make a phone call, change the watch faces, and add widgets to the home screen on the LTE-enabled versions of the Galaxy Watch 3.pic.twitter.com/TUWXf3WaTf— Evan Blass (@evleaks) August 4, 2020The Galaxy Watch 3 is expected to be available in two sizes: 41mm and 45mm. While the 41mm version will have a 1...

See it all happen right here with us.What you need to knowSamsung's fully virtual Unpacked event will stream at 10 a.m. ET on August 5.We expect to see the Note 20 series, Galaxy Tab S7, Galaxy Watch 3 and Galaxy Buds Live.Chances are Samsung will at least tease the Galaxy Z Fold 2 5G as well.The world is in a considerably different place today than when Samsung unveiled the Galaxy S20 series in San Francisco earlier this year. For its traditional late-summer event, Samsung is going all-in on a virtual experience: it will stream live on Samsung's YouTube account.The stream will start promptly on Wednesday, August 5 at 10:00 a.m. ET — that's 7:00 a.m. PT, 4:00 p.m. CET and 7:30 p.m. IST.We're excited to see how Samsung handles this remote viewing experience, as it's one of the few companies that still thrives on filling massive venues with thousands of people for its typical events. Now, it has to convey that same excitement purely over the internet.No matter th...

Despite a lot of our content moving to the cloud, it's always handy to have a flash drive with you in case you need to quickly transfer some data from one place to another. Thankfully, it's really affordable to achieve with deals like today's offer on Samsung Bar Plus USB 3.1 flash drives from 64GB to 256GB in size over at Amazon.You'll be snagging an all-time low price whether you go for the 64GB flash drive at $11.99, the $20 128GB version or the largest 256GB model at almost $10 off its regular price.The Bar Plus flash drive is designed for absolute portability. Just use the keyring to attach it to the keys you carry around with you all the time anyway. The rugged metal casing protects your data. It's resistant to water, shock, magnets, extreme temperatures, and even X-rays. It's backwards-compatible with USB 3.0 and previous generations.Existing users rate these flash drives highly, giving them an impressive average score of 4.6 stars out of 5 based on over 3,300 reviews. I...

You're probably not travelling much at the moment so you might not think that you need to invest in a new backpack. However, B&H has a one-day sale on the Peak Design Everyday Backpack that might just convince you to get your credit card out. It's down to $149.95 in the tan colorway there today, marking the lowest we've seen it go. It's $140 off its retail price and is even undercutting Peak Design's own sale price by over $30. The price will rise back up to at least that tonight when the sale ends.When you eventually get back to your regular day-to-day life, you'll be glad you invested in this bag while it was discounted. The Everyday Backpack, as its name suggests, is meant to help you tote around your daily carry. It has a 20L capacity and can easily accommodate a laptop up to 15 inches in size as well as a tablet.On top of that, the main compartment can fit a full-frame DSLR and up to 4 lenses at once with configurable dividers to help you get the right protection set up....

CEO Zhang Yiming said Washington's "primary goal" was not to force the sale of the app but to ban it outright.What you need to knowByteDance has been put on the clock by President Trump.It has been given 45 days to agree a sale of TikTok to Microsoft.In a leaked internal letter, CEO Zhang Yiming says that the "primary goal" of the White House is still to ban the app. According to multiple outlets, the CEO of TikTok parent company ByteDance has said that the "primary goal" of President Trump and Washington remains a ban on TikTok in the U.S. rather than its sale.According to Reuters: ByteDance founder Zhang Yiming told employees in an internal letter on Tuesday that the United States goal was not to force a sale of TikTok U.S. operations but rather to ban the app, and that some people had misconceptions about the situation.The letter, according to the report, was issued to ByteDance's Chinese employees following criticism of the firm after it was revealed that a dea...

The best Android tablet available right now is the Samsung Galaxy Tab S6. It has a big screen, high-end specs, tons of features, a stylus, and support for a full keyboard. It's expensive, and not the right pick for anyone who wants a smaller and more portable tablet, but as an all-around device, it can't be beaten. For those who have different needs (or budgets), there are a few other picks that work well as media consumption devices and won't break the bank.Best Overall: Samsung Galaxy Tab S6The most important things to have in a full-size Android tablet are a great screen, loud speakers, robust build quality, and software that makes use of the extra screen size. That's what makes the Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 the best Android tablet — it has a combination of everything.Its spec sheet leaves little to be desired, with a super-fast Snapdragon 855 processor, 6GB of RAM, plenty of storage and well-optimized software. And because it's a Samsung product, you're getting a best-i...

The phone boasts class-leading specs, including a powerful Helio G80 chipset and a quad-camera setup.What you need to knowXiaomi has launched the Redmi 9 in India as the Redmi 9 Prime.The phone comes with a 6.53-inch FHD+ display, MediaTek Helio G80 chipset, and a 5020mAh battery.It has been priced at ₹9,999 ($133) and is slated to go on sale in the country via Amazon from August 6.Xiaomi today launched the Redmi 9 Prime in India, a rebranded version of the Redmi 9 that was announced in Spain in June. Aside from higher storage, however, the Redmi 9 Prime is identical to the Redmi 9 in other areas.The Redmi 9 Prime sports a 6.53-inch FHD+ display with a 19.5:9 aspect ratio and Corning Gorilla Glass 3 protection. Under the hood is a 12nm MediaTek Helio G80 octa-core processor, paired with 4GB of LPDDR4x RAM and 128GB storage.On the back of the phone is a quad-camera array with a 13MP primary camera, an 8MP ultra-wide-angle lens, 5MP macro camera, and a 2MP depth sensor....

The multi-million dollar ransom amount was paid to the hackers via a third-party intermediary.What you need to knowWearables maker Garmin reportedly paid a $10 million ransom to cybercriminals to unencrypt its computer files.Garmin's servers were infected with the WastedLocker ransomware on July 22. The ransom was apparently paid through Arete IR, which is a New York-based Cybersecurity firm. Garmin's services went offline on July 22, after its servers were infected with a strain of ransomware called WastedLocker. The wearables maker finally managed to obtain the decryption key to recover its files on July 27 and began restoring its services. According to a new report from Sky News, Garmin paid a multi-million dollar ransom to the cybercriminals through cybersecurity firm Arete IR.Per the report, Garmin had initially reached out to another cybersecurity firm that specializes in responding to ransomware attacks. However, the firm disagreed to help Garmin as it "didn't neg...

WhatsApp's forwarding tool has been a fertile ground for hoax spreading.What you need to knowWhatsApp continues to tackle the spread of hoaxes on its platform.A new feature will let users search the web for content in forwarded messages with the tap of a button.WhatsApp is bringing this to seven countries including Brazil, Italy, Ireland, Mexico, Spain, UK, and the U.S. WhatsApp is rolling out a new feature that will make it more convenient to fact-check forwarded messages with just the click of a button.The company announced the change on via its blog, saying: Today, we're piloting a simple way to double check these messages by tapping a magnifying glass button in the chat. Providing a simple way to search messages that have been forwarded many times may help people find news results or other sources of information about content they have received. This feature works by allowing users to upload the message via their browser without WhatsApp ever seeing the messa...

It's 2020, and flagship smartphones are all nearly a thousand dollars or more. But as high-end phones get more expensive, cheaper phones are getting better. We've researched and ranked all of the best cheap Android phones you can buy, and with our buyer's guide, you'll find the perfect phone for you.Best Cheap Android Phone: Moto G PowerYear after year, Motorola stands out as one of the best companies to watch for delivering good, cheap Android phones. 2020 saw the release of the Moto G Power, and if you're in the market for an affordable smartphone, it's hard to do much better than this.The Power name is a reference to the phone's best feature — battery life. With a 5,000 mAh battery crammed inside, you can easily get two or three days of use on a single charge. In a world where it's the norm to throw your phone on the charger every single night, being able to go a few days without worrying about that is a dream come true.Outside of the legendary battery life, the rest o...

The threat of cyber crime is very real in today's digital world. Hackers are always finding new ways to bypass security measures and get into people's devices to steal their personal data.To secure their devices and keep cyber criminals at bay, lots of people use the best antivirus solutions. However, with many technology manufacturers building security protections into their products by default, some have questioned whether antivirus software is still relevant.Chromebooks are one of these devices. They run on the Google Chrome operating system, which sports a range of security features to protect users from falling victim to malware, viruses and other threats. As a result, there's no real need to buy and install antivirus software on your Chromebook; it would just be timely and expensive.By using the "defence-in-depth" principle, Google has implemented multiple security layers to stop cyber criminals from hacking into Chromebooks. The idea is that there'll always be other layers...

An absolute behemoth that keeps on going.What you need to knowCapcom has shared its financial results for Q1 of fiscal year 2021.Monster Hunter World has now sold over 16 million copies sold.Resident Evil 3 has crossed 2.7 million copies sold.Like so many other companies over the last week, Capcom has shared its results for Q1 of fiscal year 2021, ending June 30, 2020. Monster Hunter World: Iceborne is continuing to sell extremely well and overall, Monster Hunter World has sold over 16 million copies, up from 15.7 million sold last quarter.With these sales, Monster Hunter World retains its title of being the best-selling Capcom ever and is the first Capcom title to cross 16 million units sold. Meanwhile, Resident Evil 3 is up to 2.7 million copies sold, having passed 2 million sold in its first five days of release.Looking ahead, we'll be learning more about Capcom's next big game in August, with an update on Resident Evil Village, which is currently scheduled to releas...

Transition plans for Ting's Verizon customers are unclear at the moment.What you need to knowDish today announced its acquisition of yet another MVNO, Ting Mobile.This marks its second wireless acquisition, following its earlier purchase of Boost Mobile.The company is also partnering with Ting's parent company, Tucows, for the management of its expanding wireless network.In a bid to expand its footprint in the mobile carrier business, Dish today announced its second MVNO acquisition yet, having just completed its $1.4 billion acqusition of Sprint's former prepaid brand, Boost Mobile, last month. Its target this time is Ting Mobile, a former subsidiary of Tucows Inc. (yes, that Tucows; it's come a long way since its freeware downloading days).As part of the deal, most of Ting's customers were ported over to Dish at the start of the month. These customers will also have access to T-Mobile's network, which Dish gained access to as part of its acquisition of Boost Mobile foll...

Get the lowdown on Mint Mobile's coverage, pricing, phones, and more.The wireless carrier space is a neverending battle between T-Mobile, Verizon, AT&T, and Sprint. However, underneath the four big dogs is a collection of smaller brands tapping into their networks to deliver excellent wireless coverage at a fraction of the price.One such company is Mint Mobile (formally known as Mint SIM), and if you've been searching for a new way to buy phone service that can help you save a heap of money, it may be worth a look.Here's everything you need to know!Start by reading our reviewLet's talk pricingMint Mobile has great coverageHotspot access is freeComparing Mint to other carriersSo, what phones does Mint sell?You can also BYOPBuy in bulkMint MobileFrom $15/month at Mint MobileA unique take on affordable wireless serviceBuying things in bulk usually results in a lower price over the long-term, and Mint Mobile brings that mentality to the wireless space. Y...

The best Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra cases protect Samsung's supersized flagship, and with that big beautiful 6.9-inch screen comes a larger and heavier phone than even last year's devices. While I can understand not wanting to bulk up your S20 Ultra, a case is not optional on a phone this big; you need a protective case to add grip to that big glass back and add some cushions or shock-absorbing bumpers to the corners. From clear and thin to big and functional, these are the best Galaxy S20 Ultra cases to buy your new flagship.Clear but sturdyRingke Fusion XStaff pickFrom $10 at Amazon$13 at WalmartWant to show off your S20 Ultra's glass-backed beauty while still protecting it from scratches, slips, and the oh-so-dreaded shatter? This case gives you robust bumper and corner protection and a crystal clear back.Germ-free gripSpeck Presidio GripFrom $30 at Amazon $31 at Best Buy $31 at Walmart Speck's iconic grip pattern is traditionally a place for grime to ac...

If you think this game doesn't have life left in it, think again.What you need to knowTake-Two Interactive has posted its financial results for Q1 of financial year 2021.Grand Theft Auto V has now sold almost 135 million copies.Borderlands 3 has crossed 10.5 million copies sold. Take-Two Interactive has shared its Q1 results for the 2021 fiscal year. Net bookings for the quarter totalled $996.2 million, which is up 136% year-over-year. Game sales remain strong overall as reported by GamesIndustry.biz, with Grand Theft Auto V reaching almost 135 million copies sold, up from 130 million sold in Q4 of fiscal year 2020.Grand Theft Auto V and Grand Theft Auto Online are coming to PS5 and Xbox Series X in the second half of 2021. Another Rockstar title, Red Dead Redemption 2, has now sold over 32 million copies. Meanwhile, NBA 2K20 has sold over 14 million copies since launching in August 2019. Borderlands 3 has reached 10.5 million copies sold, up slightly from 10 million sold...

Being active doesn't mean you should skimp out on looking fashionable! The Galaxy Watch Active is one of the best wearables for fitness enthusiasts out there. It's stylish on its own, but if you're seeking a replacement band, you'll want it to do two things: make you look super trendy and not leave your wrist feeling as though it's drowning in sweat. Fortunately, this smartwatch is compatible with 20mm quick release bands, so it's easy to find a match for your fashion and comfort needs.Soft and comfortableWNIPH Soft Nylon BandStaff pickThis replacement band from WNIPH comes in an array of colorful patterns, so you'll have plenty of options. It is made from tight double-layer woven nylon that makes it soft and breathable yet sturdy. The unique hook-and-loop design ensures it will stay secure on your wrist.$11 at AmazonFashionable patterns for allHonecumi Rubber Sport BandThe Honecumi sports band not only comes in a variety of different colors such as blue, re...

Once upon a time, you'd lose track of your keys and spend precious time searching for them. Now, you have phones and Bluetooth. When you combine the two, you have Bluetooth trackers that connect to your phone. When you lose an item, you're only an app away from quickly finding it again. Tile continues to dominate this market and recently refreshed its lineup. Our favorite Bluetooth tracker is still the Tile Pro. The new edition offers an unbeatable range, the loudest alert, and a one-year replaceable battery.Best Overall Bluetooth Tracker: Tile ProOne of the most critical factors to consider when choosing a Bluetooth tracker is the range. This determines the distance at which the tracker can be found through your smartphone app. Most people shopping for a tracker are going to look for the largest range possible. While many options on the market clock in around 100-200 feet, the new Tile Pro beats those numbers by a long shot. It's also smooth and sleek now as opposed to the tex...

The company plans to announce five new products at the virtual event.What you need to knowSamsung plans to unveil its next flagships in two days.It released its second, star-studded Galaxy Unpacked 2020 teaser today featuring BTS, Khalid, and Myth.The teaser also gave us a few more looks at the Galaxy Note 20, the Fold 2, and more.With only two more days left till Samsung's Galaxy Unpacked event, the company has taken to YouTube to tease its first online-only flagship reveal. Following last week's teaser, the company is back at it again, this time with a more star-studded sequel.The teaser shows Fortnite streamer Myth, singer-songwriter Khalid, and K-pop sensation BTS airing their excitement for the next generation of Samsung's flagships. The former is a particularly interesting addition and indicates Samsung may have some gaming-related announcements for its phones.The real stars of the show, though, were the Galaxy Note 20 and the Fold 2. The company has confirmed...

What you need to knowGoogle admitted the Pixel 4a 5G and Pixel 5 are on their way this fall.Because of 5G's limited rollout, the phones will only be available in nine countries.The Pixel 4a is essentially the Google flagship in four countries, including India, Spain, Italy and Singapore.Pixel 5 and Pixel 4a (5G) will only be available in the following countries: United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Ireland, France, Germany, Japan, Taiwan, and Australia.That's the fine print you see on select teaser pages of the Pixel 4a 5G and Pixel 5 shared with some press earlier today. While the Pixel 4a is available in 13 countries, four of those countries — India, Spain, Italy, and Singapore — will reportedly not be getting Google's 5G lineup this year. That leaves the Pixel 4a as essentially the flagship phone in those markets, a bizarre and limiting choice for many consumers who just want a Google phone.The Pixel 4 series was also limited in its availability, largely be...

An updated look but no release info.What you need to knowDiablo Immortal is a mobile spinoff game in the Diablo series.Originally scheduled to release in 2019, the game has been delayed with no new release date.New gameplay footage was shown at ChinaJoy 2020.At Chinese video game convention ChinaJoy 2020, Blizzard showed off some new gameplay footage and updated models from Diablo Immortal, an upcoming mobile-spinoff of the Diablo franchise. Six character classes can be seen: the Barbarian, Crusader, Demon Hunter, Monk, Necromancer, and Wizard. There's no sign of the Witch Doctor from Diablo 3 though. You can see the new footage below.Diablo Immortal was originally scheduled to release in 2019 but the game has been delayed without a new release date or even a release window.Meanwhile, if you're interested in the next mainline Diablo game, you can take a look at everything we know about Diablo 4.Hell unleashedDiablo ImmortalSee at Google PlayDiablo Immort...

It's here — it's finally here.To put things nicely, the road to the Pixel 4a has been a long one. The phone was originally slated to launch back in May during the Google I/O developer conference, but thanks to everything going on in the world, Google had to hit the 4a with delay after delay.It's now August 2020, and at long last, the Pixel 4a has arrived. It's a lot like the Pixel 3a before it, but it upgrades a few key specs, gets a more modern design, and costs even less. That's a recipe for success if we've ever heard one, and it means there's a lot to talk about.From full device specs, our review, or anything else in between, here's everything you need to know about the Google Pixel 4a!Latest PixelGoogle Pixel 4a$349 at Amazon$350 at Best BuyAn outstanding camera, and then someThe Pixel 3a was hailed as one of the best affordable phones of 2019, and for 2020, we have its successor in the form of the Pixel 4a. The camera is better than ever, performance is p...

Google's Pixel smartphones are some of the best Android devices ever released, but if you're hoping to get your hands on one of these stellar devices at a discount, you should first take a look at the more affordable Google Pixel 4a models. After a series of delays over the course of the year, the Pixel 4a is finally available for pre-order with a release date set for August 20. This model takes the best features of the Google Pixel 4 and places them in a more affordable package.Unlike previous Pixel devices, there is no XL model of the Google Pixel 4a. However, its 5.81-inch OLED display is more than suitable for browsing the web, watching videos, playing mobile games, and more. The Pixel 4a is also equipped with a Qualcomm Sanapdragon 730G processor, 6GB LPDDR4x RAM, 128GB non-expandable storage, and a 3140mAh battery. Plus, it's fitted with a 12.2MP dual-pixel rear camera and an 8MP front-facing camera featuring an 84-degree field-of-view. All in all, even though the device come...

Best answer: If you love your Pixel 3a, but it's feeling a bit old, the Pixel 4a is a fine upgrade. It's better than the 3a in terms of specs, storage, battery and screen size. But it's still compact and easy to use one-handed, and has the same great camera quality. It's also cheaper than your 3a was new.A subtle upgrade: Google Pixel 4a ($350 at Amazon)What's the Pixel 4a offer compared to the Pixel 3a? The Pixel 4a brings some notable visual changes, and a few spec upgrades, but not an overall change in philosophy for Google. The 4a takes the typical Google style and tightens everything up, with a much more modern look.In the hardware, the Pixel 4a just tightens everything up. The still-plastic body is more compact and even simpler than the 3a's, with much smaller top and bottom screen bezels. There's still a rear-mounted fingerprint sensor, as well as a headphone jack and the same speaker setup, but the 4a is somehow even simpler in design than the 3a.Even thoug...

Get ready to raid some villages and conquer new lands.The next Assassin's Creed was revealed by Ubisoft through a livestream where graphic designer BossLogic worked some magic to create artwork for the game. As previous rumors suggested, it does take place during the time of Vikings. If the world premiere trailer is anything to go by, it promises a lot of bloody battles. Assassin's Creed Valhalla is being developed by Ubisoft Montreal, with support from 14 other studios around the world.Viking raidsAssassin's Creed Valhalla$50 at Amazon$60 at Best Buy$50 at WalmartConquer new lands for glory and honorAfter endless wars ravage Norway and resources are scarce, you'll lead your clan to the shores of England in the hopes of finding a new home. But not everyone is keen on having Vikings around, and King Alfred of Wessex will do all he can to keep you from settling.Jump to:Where and when does Valhalla take place?What's the story and who are the characters?What'...

Die, die, and die again.It's not Dishonored 3 or Prey 2, but a new IP is always welcome. On Bethesda's stage at E3 2019, Arkane Studios introduced Deathloop to the world. It looks awesome and trippy in all the right ways, and we can't wait to get our hands on it when it releases for PS5 and PC.Jump to:What is Deathloop?Developed by Arkane StudiosDeathloop gameplayDeathloop story & charactersMultiplayer or single-player?Release date and platformsWhat is Deathloop?Deathloop is a new IP developed by Arkane Studios. According to the studio, it will be a 1st-person action game that follows two assassins on an island who are hunting each other down. As the name suggests, our two characters appear to be stuck in a time loop, much like the movie Edge of Tomorrow — or Live. Die. Repeat., as the film was retroactively named.Deathloop Developed by Arkane StudiosIf you're unfamiliar with the name Arkane Studios, you may be familiar with their work. Arkane creat...

The display on the Pixel 4a is the biggest upgrade from its predecessor. The bezels at the top and bottom are so much smaller that we can have a bigger screen in a smaller profile, but this also means that even a tiny crack at the top or bottom could impact the usable portion of the screen. We've done the research the round up the best Google Pixel 4a screen protectors you can buy!Easy to applySupershieldz Tempered Glass (2-Pack)Staff pickSupershieldz has my confidence because not only is its book-style application process easy enough for my mother to do by herself, but it has also stood up to rocks, ladders, and drops without damaging the screen underneath.$7 at AmazonSmudge resistantWRJ Anti-Fingerprint Tempered Glass (3-Pack)If you're exceedingly hard on your phone — or if you're just a klutz — you might want to invest in a multi-pack so that you have spares when the first or second protector here cracks keeping your Pixel 4a safe.$8 at AmazonFrame inst...

Speculation points to a larger 4a 5G and 5, both with a Snapdragon 765 processor.What you need to knowAlongside the Pixel 4a launch, Google confirms a Pixel 4a 5G and Pixel 5 are coming soon.We don't yet have a price, launch date or any details of the phones officially.Rumors point to the 4a 5G having a much larger screen, even larger than the Pixel 5.The first Pixel launch of 2020 is the long-awaited Pixel 4a, but if you've been following any of the news lately you know we're expecting multiple phones out of Google this year. Well, Google pulled back the curtain a tiny bit, with part of its Pixel 4a announcement confirming that there will be both a Pixel 4a 5G and Pixel 5 launching soon: This fall, we'll have two more devices to talk about: the Pixel 4a (5G), starting at $499, and Pixel 5, both with 5G to make streaming videos, downloading content and playing games on Stadia or other platforms faster and smoother than ever. In the coming months, we'll share more about ...

Everything Google brings to the table for the affordable segment.Google's Pixels never go overboard on specs, and that's particularly true with the "a" series phones. The Pixel 4a, like its predecessor, is about giving you a great all-around experience by being very selective about which specs and features are included. The 4a thankfully provides a healthy amount of memory and storage, with a nice-looking display and a slightly larger battery than the 3a. The cameras haven't appreciably changed, which isn't much of a surprise, but we also still have a 3.5 mm headphone jack. Here's the complete spec sheet.Google Pixel 4a review Category Google Pixel 4a Operating System Android 10 Display 5.81-inch OLED, 2340x1080 (19.5:9, 443 ppi)HDR Processor Qualcomm Snapdragon 730GAdreno 618Titan M Security Module Memory 6GB LPDDR4x Storage 128GBNon-expandable Rear Camera 12.2MP dual-pixel, 1.4-micron, ƒ/1.7, OISPhase detect auto focus Front Ca...

The encore to the Pixel 3a's affordable excellence is still brilliant.Google's several attempts at making own-branded phones has returned few victories, but one of the clear bright spots was last year's Pixel 3a. It turns out that Google's "less is more" approach really fits well within the constraints of a less-expensive phone, and its strengths in software and camera processing stand out against less-refined competition.It can easily be argued that its successor, the Pixel 4a, is the more important device for building the Pixel brand than the forthcoming higher-end Pixel 5. And on the face of it, Google did things right this year: it simplified to a single phone, improved the specs, kept the great camera, and dropped $50 off the price. That makes an enticing package — here's how it all works.At a glanceGoogle Pixel 4a ...

If you're still working from home and trying to keep yourself entertained without leaving the house, you may well find yourself in the market for a VPN. Whether you need a VPN to ensure a private connection while working on confidential work matters or to simply access content that is otherwise locked in certain geographic regions, the current offer on ZenMate VPN is worth checking out.Right now, you can get 18 months of the service for just under $40. That drops its relative monthly cost down to only $2.22. At this price, it's one of the best VPN deals on the market but the offer won't last forever.VPNs are going mainstream these days for obvious and good reasons. A VPN helps to keep your private information private by anonymizing and encrypting data as it is transported across the internet. They are particularly useful if you bank or shop online or if you're completing work that should remain private. Though you might not be out and about right now, your VPN is also extremely h...

If you're looking for the best smart speaker but don't know where to start, fear not! We've lined up a list of the best smart speakers in various categories to help you decide which one to add to your home. Our best overall choice is the Sonos One due to its price, performance, and interoperability with multiple platforms.Best Overall: Sonos OneLike most Sonos speakers, the Sonos One offers audiophile quality sound at a compelling price. The One, in particular, punches above its weight class considering its relatively small size at less than four pounds. This allows the device to fit in just about any space, from a bookshelf to a fireplace mantel, to your kitchen counter.The One packs two Class-D digital amplifiers, one tweeter, and one mid-woofer in that small-ish frame. You can combine it with other Sonos devices in multi-device groups, or you can create a stereo pair. The device has a far-field microphone array to enable it (and whatever smart assistant you use) to hear yo...

The Anker Soundcore Life Q20 Bluetooth headphones have fallen to $39.99 at Amazon. That's $20 off their regular price and a match for their steepest ever discount. These headphones don't drop from their $60 price very often, so you want to make the most of this sale while you can. The price drop is a match for a one-day deal at Newegg so we expect it will expire soon at Amazon as well.These headphones have an active noise-cancelling system that helps eliminate ambient noises. Whether that happens to be children screaming, an airplane's engine, or some other obnoxious sound you want to get rid of, you can focus on just your music with the Q20.You'll also get some Hi-Res Audio with the large, custom-designed 40mm drivers that produce exceptional sound. The high frequencies can reach up to 40 kHz, and the headphones have BassUp technology which can really get those lower frequencies thumping. It actually analyzes the sounds in real-time to instantly strengthen the bass output so you...

The top deal in Best Buy's deals of the day is the bObsweep Pro robot vacuum on sale for a low price of $149.99. This robot vacuum cleaner normally sells for around $200, but right now the next best price is $250 at Home Depot. Either way, Best Buy's deal is as low as this vacuum gets. It's not going to last long, though, as the price expires at the end of the day.Do you want ants? Because not having a robot vacuum cleaner is how you get ants. Set up the bObsweep Pro and clean up all those crumbs and little bits that get dropped when you're not looking. This vacuum cleaner has plenty of power and intelligence to clean your floors and do it autonomously. It can handle up to 1,000 square feet by itself.The robot vacuum's battery lasts for up to 100 minutes on a single charge. Plus, it's smart enough to detect when its battery is running low. When that happens, the robot part of the vacuum will send it back to its charging dock to juice up. It'll then get back to work finishing what...

The majority of Sprint stores were rebranded with a coat of magenta on Sunday.What you need to knowNearly all Sprint retail stores across the U.S. have been updated with T-Mobile branding.The majority of T-Mobile branded stores can now serve both Sprint and T-Mobile customers. Only a small number of retail stores in rural areas will continue to serve Sprint customers exclusively. Four months after it closed its merger deal with Sprint, T-Mobile has finally unified the majority of Sprint stores across the U.S. under the flagship T-Mobile brand. The Sprint stores, which have been updated with a "fresh coat of magenta paint," will now serve both Sprint and T-Mobile customers.Only a handful of retail stores in rural areas and national retail stores like Best Buy will continue to serve Sprint customers alone. To find a store near you that serves both T-Mobile and Sprint customers, you can use the store locator tool on the T-Mobile website. In addition to rebranding Sprint reta...

With full-fledged Android TV and a great remote, Xiaomi's Mi TV Stick is one of the best budget streaming dongles around.There are plenty of great Android TV boxes in the market right now, and Xiaomi itself has a decent product in this category in the $60 Mi Box S. The 4K-enabled Mi Box S launched nearly two years ago, but it continues to be a decent alternative to the Chromecast Ultra and the Fire TV Stick 4K.Xiaomi is now setting its sights on the regular 1080p version of the Fire TV Stick. That particular model is available for $40, which is what the Mi TV Stick will retail for once it debuts in the U.S. The Mi TV Stick has the same fundamentals; you get a great remote, access to your favorite streaming services, full-fledged Android TV interface, and reliable 1080p streaming performance.We don't have details on when the Mi TV Stick will be available in the U.S., but with the Mi Box S officially available in the country, Xiaomi should release the product in the coming weeks....

The OnePlus 7T is still a compelling phone for 2020. Of particular note is the 90Hz refresh rate display that, honestly, once you've experienced it first hand, you won't want to go back to anything slower. Given that, you'll want to protect your phone's display so you're never distracted by a pesky scratch or crack. We've rounded up the best OnePlus 7T best screen protectors designed exclusively for the OnePlus 7T.Best value for tempered glassMr.Shield Tempered Glass Screen Protector (3-pack)Staff pickMr.Shield offers a three-pack of tempered glass screen protectors that feature a little swoop cutout at the top around the selfie camera. This kit includes everything you need for a clean installation and adheres to your screen with a special silicone adhesive.$5 at AmazonTrusted brandSupershieldz Tempered Glass Screen Protector (3-pack)Supershieldz is known for creating reliable screen protectors for most phones. For the OnePlus 7T, it offers a three-pack of t...

Chromebooks are great computers for a lot of different uses, but they are almost tailor-made for education. They're designed to perform well even with modest specs, the software is hard to break, corrupt, or infect, and if a student breaks a laptop, they just need to log in on any other laptop in the school system to get back to work. There are a lot of great options to choose from, but our top pick is the ASUS Chromebook Flip C214.Best Overall: ASUS Chromebook Flip C214The ASUS Chromebook Flip C214 is the best Chromebook for students because it provides an excellent experience in a compact, durable package. The 11.6-inch screen is easy to see in a wide array of angles — even in direct Florida sunshine — and the zinc alloy hinge allows you to rotate the screen around 360 degrees into tent or tablet mode as needed. A 2-in-1 Chromebook allows your student to interact with lessons and content however they want: with the keyboard and mouse or directly with the touchscreen.The...

From online advertisers to political campaigns, it seems like everyone wants a piece of your personal data nowadays. Reclaiming your privacy can seem like an impossible task — but there are tools that can make it happen. The Premium Mobile Privacy Lifetime Subscription Bundle brings together two of the best, offering lifetime access for just $4999.Rated at 4.6 stars on the App Store, Hushed lets you set up a private second phone line for order forms, replying to ads, and more. This means you shouldn't get robocalls on your main number. What's more, Hushed numbers are fully functional — you get 1,000 mins or 6,000 messages a year.For online privacy, the bundle also includes Hola VPN Plus. Used by over 10 million people, this service helps you stay anonymous online. Hola uses strong encryption to keep your data safe, and you can connect to servers around the world to bypass local restrictions.Lifetime access to these apps is worth $867, but you can get the combined deal now f...

With its two-tone glass back, knockout camera, and the latest Android software inside, the Google Pixel 3 and 3 XL are dashing, debonair flagships ready to star in your daily technological adventures, but no star is complete without a few sidekicks to help it along and make it look even better than it does out of the box. These accessories are ready to help your Pixel 3 shine, for now and years to come.Clearly a good choiceSpigen Liquid CrystalStaff pickThis case is great for those who love to show off their new phones without compromising on protection, and it does so without adding too much extra bulk.$10 at AmazonAll-in for GoogleGoogle Fabric CaseGoogle's fabric cases are fantastic. They look great, offer rugged protection, and also come with accent colors for the power button.$40 at Google StoreSleek and ruggedRingke OnyxRingke offers this slim one-piece TPU case that looks great, delivers the protection you need for your phone, and even includes a ...

This isn't an equation, it's a perception.As smartphone prices continue to rise, discussion of the "value" of phones — both on their own, and comparatively — seems to be louder than ever. With the upcoming Note 20 Ultra expected to be over $1300, alongside phones like the OnePlus Nord at €399 and Moto G Fast at just $200, the range of prices you can pay for a phone is getting wider and wider. The argument is, then, that these super-expensive phones don't offer the same value as lower-end devices, which have been benefiting most from the rising tide of quality components available at affordable prices. There are more variables at play in a discussion of 'value' than you've ever imagined.But this logic is flawed. "Value" isn't something you can equate by taking the price and dividing by some combination of a phone's specs. Value is a perception. A feeling. Yes it's influenced by price, just like everything else a phone offers, but the weighting and specifics of how all o...

The Aukey 30W Power Delivery 3.0 USB-C dual-port fast wall charger is down to $14.99 on Amazon when you clip the 25% off on-page coupon. That's a nice chunk of change considering this charger was going for as much as $22 in June and only recently dropped to $20. And that drop to $20 is the lowest it has ever gone directly. We've never seen it go this low with a simple on-page coupon,.This 2-port charger includes a standard USB-A port and a USB-C port with Power Delivery 3.0. The power output for the USB-C port is 30W but goes down to 18W when both ports are being used to charge something. Still, with USB-C, PD 3.0, and the power output, that's plenty of juice to charge your devices super fast. The charger works with basically any USB-powered device and is especially good for Apple laptops like the MacBook, Android smartphones, the iPhone, and more. Charge all your devices as fast as you can with this.You can take this charger with you anywhere. Let it be the new companion to you...

Lenovo's 10.1-inch smart display is down to $99 at Walmart. This display normally sells for around $150, which is what you'll find it going for at retailers like B&H and Home Depot. It's actually going for $180 at Best Buy and has sold as high as $200 in the poast. We have only seen it drop this low once this year and that was through a special deal on the Lenovo website, not through a major retailer like today's price drop.The 10.1-inch display is not the Lenovo device on sale right now. You can also get the 8-inch smart display for $79. That's down from a street price of $130. And then there's the Lenovo smart clock. This is a much smaller device designed to be mostly a nightstand companion. It does have Google Assistant built in, and it's on sale for $39.99, which is half off its street price and $10 better than other places like Best Buy that also have it on sale.Our review gave Lenovo's Smart Display four out of five stars along with a "The Best" badge and called it "an ...

Round four of the Coronavirus-delayed Formula 1 season sees the racers head to Silverstone this weekend for the first of two back-to-back races at the iconic track.Read on for full details on how to get a live stream of the 2020 British Grand Prix with our guide below.Back on home turf, Lewis Hamilton will be aiming to extend his five-point lead at the top of the Driver's Championship over Mercedes teammate Valtteri Bottas.Round three of the championship saw Hamilton chalk up the 86th GP victory of his career during an eventful Hungarian GP last weekend. Red Bull's Max Verstappen took 2nd place on the podium with Bottas in third and Racing Point's Lance Stroll making it home in fourth.Hamilton is unsurprisingly heavily backed by the bookies to make it three straight wins in the 2020 Formula 1 season, as well as making it back-to-back British Grand Prix following his triumph at SIlverstone last year.The big talking point in the run up to this weekend's race has been Sergio ...

Google said BlueMail was kicked out for copying another app.What you need to knowGoogle allegedly suspended an app from the Play Store over cooperation with the congressional antitrust investigation.Google told the developers that BlueMail was being removed due to copying another app.Co-founder Dan Volach told the Post that this merely a pretext to obscure the firm's true intention.Google has been accused of kicking the BlueMail, a popular Android email app, off the Play Store in retaliation for the developers' cooperation with Congress' antitrust investigation of the company, the developers alleged.The Washington Post reported on Saturday: The founders of Blix, the maker of the "BlueMail" app, say they believe the move was retaliation for their outspokenness on antitrust issues. They said Google had not previously warned them about the move. "We have been developing for the Google Play Store for more than six years, but we woke up this morning to find ourselves ...

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. 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 a superb TV 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 products and Google Assistant. You can control your TV with your voice if your TV supports HDMI-CEC, which most modern sets do. Controlling your TV with your voice isn't a...

Whether the weather you need to weather is coming by land or by sea, we're here to help you prepare for it.Hurricane Season is still a few months off, but tornadoes and flash flooding can strike during any season. While we don't yet have the technology to stop powerful storms from wreaking havoc, we do have the technology to help prepare us for them. Your Android phone is a tool that helps you through most major events in your life, and severe weather is no exception, so long as you properly prep your phone and have a plan in place to follow with it. We are here to help you, so let's batten down the hatches and get the barn doors shut.Weather EssentialsSevere Weather AccessoriesHurricanesTornadoes and Severe ThunderstormsWeather EssentialsRegardless of the kind of weather you'll face when you step outside your door, there are some weather essentials everyone should have on their phones, and that starts with a reliable weather app. Whether you check your forecast once a...