Latest from Android Central

Protected investmentFire HD 8 Kids Edition$140 at AmazonProsYear of Amazon FreeTime Unlimited includedGreat kid-proof caseFantastic parental controlsExpandable storageConsMore expensive than standard Fire HD 8Kids Edition tablets are an excellent choice for younger children, packed with deeper parental control, a free year of FreeTime Unlimited full of kids content, and a two-year "worry-free" warranty. Put all of that into a kid-proof case, and you have a fantastic tablet for your little one.Snappy tabFire HD 8From $90 at AmazonProsGreat priceOptional 64GB built-in storageExpandable storageConsNo included caseFor someone who may be looking for a tablet that offers better performance than an entry-level device that isn't going to break the bank, the Fire HD 8 is a great option. With enough specs to ensure smooth operation, and an easy to hold size, it makes for a great tablet for watching movies or reading a good book.The dif...

The Galaxy Tab S7 series is expected to be announced in the coming weeks.What you need to knowCAD-based renders of the Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 Plus have leaked online.The renders suggest the 'Plus' variant will look nearly identical to the standard Galaxy Tab S7. Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 Plus is expected to feature a 12.4-inch display with a 120Hz refresh rate. We got our first look at Samsung's upcoming Galaxy Tab S7 Android tablet last week, courtesy of well-known leaker @OnLeaks and tech accessories store Pigtou. The two have now joined hands once again to release the first CAD-based renders of the Galaxy Tab S7 Plus.Just like the standard Galaxy Tab S7, the Galaxy Tab S7 Plus will look a lot like Samsung's current flagship Android tablet, the Galaxy Tab S6. While the Galaxy Tab S7 is expected to feature an 11-inch display, the Tab S7 Plus will arrive with a larger 12.4-inch display. If tipster Ice Universe is to be believed, both the tablets will have a 120Hz refresh rate....

ExpressVPN: Best in class: Fast speeds, reliable, privacy-focusedSurfshark: Affordable pick: Feature loaded and fast speedsNordVPN: Well known option: Reliable, secure, and clients for everythingPureVPN: Great for beginners: Easy to use, reliableHotspot Shield: A free pick: Fully-featured with no payments required These days you don't have to look hard to find a mention of VPNs, or Virtual Private Networks, around the internet. It seems as though new players keep entering the space and they are becoming more popular each day. With all of this comes a bit of confusion as to what the best VPN really is. You could spend hours upon hours looking around at free VPNs or cheap VPNs, and more without ever really figuring anything out like why you'd actually want to use one.When trying to pick the best VPN provider for yourself there are a lot of things to consider. Encryption is one of the most important features of a VPN, and one of the main uses for most people. Think about how m...

Germany U-turned on its initial decision to use a centralized tracing system.What you need to knowGermany's contact tracing app has been released to the public.It's based on the framework created by Apple and Google.Germany becomes the latest country to adopt the tech, after initially opting for a centralized method. Germany has announced that its coronavirus contact tracing app, Covid-Warn-App, is now available.As Reuters reports: Germany sought to mobilize the public on Tuesday to download a new smartphone app that seeks to help break the chain of coronavirus infections, one of several such apps in Europe that governments hope will revive travel and tourism. The new Covid-Warn-App, which became available for download for Apple and Android phones overnight, uses Bluetooth short-range radio to monitor close contacts between people and issue a warning should one of them test positive.Germany initially chose to use an app which stored data on a central server, b...

We tested several antivirus apps on Android cellphones and tablets to learn which offer excellent malware protection without causing too much drag on your device. Bitdefender Mobile Security is the overall best. In fact, it's my top pick for Windows and Mac antivirus, too. Bitdefender ranks high for malware protection, doesn't use too many resources, and includes a few extra tools. It's also an overall good value.Best Overall: Bitdefender Mobile SecurityBitdefender seems to do just about everything you'd need. It stops malware attacks and has web protection that warns of dangerous websites before you visit them. This app uses power management to use little of your phone's battery to avoid slowdown.With this app, you can also remotely access your phone to wipe data, lock it down, or send a message to the device. You can also locate it with this feature, and connects it to your Android smartwatch to help remind you to grab your phone or locate it when left behind. This is a goo...

This peel and stick dry-erase "board" is simple in premise, but RocketBook smarts give it a beacon of hope.Whiteboards, or dry erase boards, have been around a long time and used in a wide variety of ways. It's also a medium that has experienced little in the way of change. So, when I was asked if I would be interested in looking at a digital whiteboard, I was very interested. To be honest, when I thought digital whiteboard, I was thinking of something that had electronics built-in — in this case, I was wrong.Now, it's doesn't mean I was disappointed. There is something to be said for simplicity, paired with ingenuity and creativity. That's what I feel has been accomplished with the Think Board X2 powered by Rocketbook. Think Board is the team behind the peel and stick dry-erase film with Rocketbook acting as the brains for retaining your ideas, scribbles, art, and more, on the Think Board X2.I've spent the better part of a month with the Think Board X2 using it for a variety...

Google's upcoming smart speaker is tipped to use the same fabric-based design language as the Nest Mini.What you need to knowGoogle is said to be working on a new Nest-branded smart speaker to succeed the original Google Home.The smart speaker is codenamed 'prince' after music legend Prince. It is tipped to come with significantly larger speaker drivers compared to the Google Home. Google is reportedly working on a new Nest-branded smart speaker that will be a direct successor to the Google Home from 2016. According to a report from 9To5Google, the upcoming smart speaker is codenamed 'prince' after musical genius Prince.Just like the Sonos One, the upcoming Nest-branded smart speaker will not have a display. In terms of design, the device is tipped to look 'familiar' with the same fabric-based design language that we have seen with Google's Nest Mini, Nest Hub, and Home Max.To justify the smart speaker's codename, Google has apparently equipped it with larger speaker dr...

5G is moving quickly and with coverage finally reaching more people thanks to Sub-6 5G. Verizon has been moving quickly on its Ultra Wideband network as well consistently adding new cities and towers. The best plan for you might depend on whether or not you get coverage. The best overall plan for 5G is T-Mobile's Magenta plan with unlimited data and Netflix included.Best Overall: T-Mobile MagentaUnlike other carriers, T-Mobile doesn't relegate its most expensive plans for 5G so if you upgrade to a 5G capable device, you can get connected on any plan. T-Mobile's 5G network isn't the fastest right now but it has the most coverage by far. The speeds on T-Mobile 5G should be plenty for normal phone usage. With that in mind, the Magenta plan is one of the best values on T-Mobile thanks to its unlimited data with deprioritization at 50GB and Netflix included.This plan only includes 3GB of LTE hotspot so it may be worth it to step up to the Magenta Plus plan for $15 more if you use ...

Can you hear me now? No? If you're not happy with Verizon's service, it's your right to cancel whenever you please. Just remember that you signed an agreement with the carrier, so you're probably not getting off scot-free. The penalties and processes associated with canceling your Verizon service will depend on whether you're on a traditional two-year contract or in a month-to-month agreement. We'll tell you how to do both.How to leave if you're on a two-year contractVerizon, like most other carriers, doesn't really push its two-year contract anymore, but if you happen to be in that type of service agreement, here's what you need to know.Can I cancel my contract online?No dice. The only way to cancel is to head into a Verizon store in person or call Verizon's customer service line. They need to be able to verify who you are before they go losing any money – ahem, canceling someone's account. If you want to cancel, you can call Verizon's cancellation line at 1-844-837-2262....

Sony's veritable army of developers are working on a new slate of games for the PlayStation 5.The PlayStation 4 generation was an interesting one for Sony Worldwide Studios. It saw internal teams double down on blockbuster, cinematic games while also retaining experimentation from the smaller groups. U.K. developers at Evolution Studios, Guerrilla Cambridge and Manchester Studio were shut down, while Insomniac Games — longtime associate and partner of PlayStation — was finally acquired.With a new generation comes new games. This is a list of everything we know Sony Worldwide Studios is currently working on, or are at least fairly certain to be developing for the PlayStation 5.Current Sony studiosSIE Bend StudioForwardWorksGuerrilla GamesInsomniac GamesSIE Japan StudioSIE London StudioMedia MoleculeNaughty DogPixelOpusPolyphony DigitalSIE San Diego StudioSIE San Mateo StudioSIE Santa Monica StudioSucker Punch ProductionsSIE XDev EuropeFormer Sony studios ...

The One Fusion+ is Motorola's second phone with a pop-up selfie camera.What you need to knowThe Motorola One Fusion+ has been launched in India at ₹16,999 ($223).It comes with a 6.5-inch FHD+ display, Snapdragon 730G chipset, and a quad-camera setup featuring a 64MP main camera.The One Fusion+ will go on sale in the country via Flipkart starting June 24. Motorola today launched the One Fusion+ in India, just a week after the phone's global debut. The One Fusion+ is only the second Motorola phone to feature a pop-up selfie camera and the first to offer a dedicated Google Assistant button.Motorola's latest One series smartphone features a 6.5-inch FHD+ display, which, thanks to the 16MP pop-up selfie camera, does not have any notch or hole-punch cutout. Powering the phone is Qualcomm's gaming-focused Snapdragon 730G chipset, paired with 6GB of RAM and 128GB storage.In the camera department, the One Fusion+ boasts a quad-camera array on the back. The phone has a 64MP mai...

The company is also expected to unveil its first true wireless earbuds soon.What you need to knowPOCO will reportedly launch a new phone in India next month.It is possible that the brand's next launch in the country will be the F2 Pro. The F2 Pro made its global debut last month. POCO introduced its first Snapdragon 865-powered flagship smartphone last month, dubbed the F2 Pro. While the brand's first flagship was launched in India before any other market, the F2 Pro has still not been launched in the country. As per a new report from HT Tech, however, POCO may launch the F2 Pro in India sometime next month.Speaking to the publication, POCO India General Manager C Manmohan confirmed that the brand is gearing up to launch a new phone in the country in the next 20-25 days. POCO has so far launched just two phones in the Indian market: POCO F1 and the POCO X2. While the POCO F1 was launched in August 2018, the mid-range POCO X2 debuted in the country in February this year as...

Widespread outage is causing problems ranging from dropped calls to complete network disconnects.Update, June 15 (11:00pm ET): T-Mobile says it is will take several hours to fix the issue, with an IP traffic related bug causing the outage.What you need to knowUsers are reporting mobile network outages across all U.S. carriers, primarily with calling.T-Mobile's network seems to be the primary culprit, creating knock-on effects to other carriers.Issues spread throughout the U.S., starting around 2:30 p.m. ET.If you're unable to make calls or use mobile data on your phone in the U.S. right now, you aren't alone. User reports directly to us, and on popular reporting site Downdetector, show outages across the country on T-Mobile, AT&T, Verizon and Sprint. Depending on the area of the country, customers are seeing issues ranging from intermittent data service and dropped phone calls all the way to completely failed networks with no connectivity.The first widespread report...

Working from home can be great, assuming you approach it the right way. Whether your job is 100% remote or your company is shifting to remote work as a temporary thing, having a good office desk is essential to staying productive and having an enjoyable workday. If you're shopping for a new desk, there are lots of excellent ones out there that are selling for shockingly low prices. Here are a few of our favorites!Our favoriteFURINNO Econ Multipurpose DeskStaff PickWe're happy to recommend any of the desks on this list, but if we were to pick one as the best overall, it'd have to be the FURINNO Econ Multipurpose Desk. We'll mention FURINNO a few times today, but the Econ desk stands out for a few reasons. It's offered in a ton of different finishes, there's a slide-out drawer for your keyboard, and the various platforms/surfaces give you ample ways to organize your gear. We also love the included cubby on the bottom!From $47 at AmazonKeep it simpleSHW Home Office...

Phones just keep getting bigger, fitting in more features, better cameras, and larger batteries. But our hands and pockets aren't getting any larger — some of us just want a small phone. The options are limited nowadays, but there are still good choices — at the high end, with the Pixel 4, and even for less money as well.Amazing camera for lessGoogle Pixel 3aStaff pickTake the software, features, and camera that make Pixels great, but cut the price down — now you have a Pixel 3a. Strategic cutbacks in the hardware and specs are noticeable. But you may not care when you get to save money and keep that compact form factor you desire. Just be aware that the Pixel 4a is right around the corner; wait if you can.$280 at AmazonUpgrade pickGoogle Pixel 4Google has done a stellar job releasing the "same" Pixel in two sizes. The Pixel 4 doesn't miss out on any features from its larger sibling — it has the same specs, cameras, and stereo speakers. The display may be ...

When looking for headphones for kids, there are a special set of criteria. First, they need to be smaller to fit a child's head. They also need to include simplified controls, be comfortable, and crucially, include built-in volume limiting technology to ensure that a child can't crank the volume up beyond levels that are considered to be safe for little ears. Luckily, these headphones are more affordable than ever. Some limit audio to as low as 75 decibels, which is safe for even toddlers. Other options, like the Noot Products K11 are foldable for easy travel, while others still boast further clever tricks to make them kid-friendly, like cute designs and durable build quality. And these days, you can even find wireless Bluetooth headphones for kids.Best Overall: Noot Products K11 Foldable On-Ear HeadsetThese headphones will fit all children aged three and up. Their foldable design makes them ideal for chucking in school bags for storing in hand luggage and even for compact stor...

Everyone who works in an office setting, be it a corporate cubicle farm, a mom and pop shop, or working from a home office, knows that having a good office chair can make all the difference towards good posture and chronic pain. Unfortunately, not all of us have tons of cash lying around to invest in a $1,400 Herman Miller Aeron chair. We've compiled a list of some of the most affordable office chairs that you can find on Amazon, all $100 or less.Best OverallNeo Chair Marvel Avengers Headrest Office ChairStaff PickThis chair from Neo Chair has a ventilated mesh upper section with a ventilated headrest. In addition to built-in lumbar support, you can rest knowing that Iron Man, Spider Man, and Captain America have your back.$95 at Amazon$95 at NeweggBest Basic ChairAmazonBasics Classic Leather ChairDon't let this chair's low price and "basics" moniker fool you. It's padded for hours of comfortable seating and comes in three colors to match any decor.$97 at...

With early details on next-generation consoles steadily surfacing, we've wrapped up the latest on Xbox Series X, in relation to PlayStation 5.Power Your DreamsXbox Series XRead more on Xbox Series XMicrosoft's upcoming Xbox Series X is on track to deliver beastly next-generation hardware, promising "four times" the processing capabilities of Xbox One X, and pacing 12 teraflops (TF) of computing power. Accompanied by storage and memory gains, it aims to streamline next-generation gaming. But with that hardware, what does it mean for the price point?Play Has No LimitsPlayStation 5Read more on PlayStation 5While PlayStation 5 falls short of Xbox Series X processing power, it's still a sizeable 10.2 TF leap over its current console family, spearheaded by a killer solid-state storage setup. Proven to slice loading times, paired with a ton of new system features, it enters the new generation leveraging past success. But with mere months until launch, countless que...

Widespread outage is causing problems ranging from dropped calls to complete network disconnects.What you need to knowUsers are reporting mobile network outages across all U.S. carriers, primarily with calling.T-Mobile's network seems to be the primary culprit, creating knock-on effects to other carriers.Issues spread throughout the U.S., starting around 2:30 p.m. ET.If you're unable to make calls or use mobile data on your phone in the U.S. right now, you aren't alone. User reports directly to us, and on popular reporting site Downdetector, show outages across the country on T-Mobile, AT&T, Verizon and Sprint. Depending on the area of the country, customers are seeing issues ranging from intermittent data service and dropped phone calls all the way to completely failed networks with no connectivity.The first widespread reports of outages started around 2:30 p.m. ET, and only took off from there. We heard from T-Mobile customers first, particularly those in the Easter...

Competition makes for better products, and the Android ecosystem is more competitive than ever. The best Android phone right now is the OnePlus 8 Pro, bringing a great combination of hardware quality, specs, display, cameras, and software to a palatable price for a high-end phone. If you want a new Android phone at any price range, we've done the research to separate the great from the good, and the good from the bad. This list will help you make your next purchase easier.Best Overall: OnePlus 8 ProThe OnePlus 8 Pro is impressive and well-designed as any high-end smartphone can be. If you know anything about OnePlus phones, you'll be happy to know it doesn't upend the traditional OnePlus formula. Instead, it extends it to its logical place in the world of 2020 flagships with more features and a higher price.The hardware goes toe-to-toe with any phone out there, and it's punctuated by the best display OnePlus has ever used. It's bright, colorful and has a 120Hz refresh rate. I...

Everyone knows Samsung for its Galaxy S line of smartphones, the latest being the highly praised Galaxy S10 line of devices. That's not all Samsung has been known for in the smart device space, however. The Korean hardware juggernaut has also made a slew of tablets alongside its smartphone line. Here is a collection of some of the best of Samsung's Galaxy Tab line.The new hotnessSamsung Galaxy Tab S6$600 at AmazonFrom $530 at Best BuyFrom $600 at WalmartStaff PickThe Galaxy Tab S6 is the latest flagship tablet from Samsung and it's quite impressive. The Tab S6 is touted to last up to 15 hours on a single charge while including the S Pen in the box. Under the hood, you get Qualcomm's Snapdragon 855 and either 6GB or 8GB of RAM, along with either 128GB or 256GB of expandable storage.The "budget" pickSamsung Galaxy Tab S5eFrom $325 at AmazonFrom $400 at Best Buy$399 at WalmartThe Galaxy Tab S5e isn't an upgrade to the Tab S4, with Samsung instead of going...

The Galaxy S10 has got a great, big, beautiful screen with some new tricks inside — like that fancy ultrasonic fingerprint sensor — but those tricks make buying a screen protector all the more important and all the more difficult. See, that in-screen fingerprint sensor can't tolerate any air bubbles or gaps between the screen and the screen protector, so your best bets are plastic film protectors or the Whitestone Dome Glass, which is one of the only tempered glass screen protectors we can find that plays nice with it.Has it allZAGG InvisibleShield VisionguardStaff pickZAGG offers everything with its InvisibleShield screen protector, including impact and scratch protection, a built-in blue light filter, and a smudge-resistant coating.$28 at AmazonThe power of UVWhitestone Dome GlassHands down, the Whitestone screen protector is one of the best around. It has an in-depth installation, but the end result is nothing short of amazing.$60 at AmazonSmooth and se...

The Galaxy S20 Ultra is quite the phone, huh? It has a massive 6.9-inch AMOLED display with a buttery smooth 120Hz refresh rate, Qualcomm's latest Snapdragon 865 processor, and beastly rear camera setup with support for 100x zooming capabilities. The S20 Ultra packs a big punch, but without a screen protector, you risk ruining the experience.Great in every wayCaseology Film Screen Protector (2 Pack)Staff PickAlthough it does have "case" in its name, Caseology also has a fantastic screen protector available for the S20 Ultra. It's a film protector that's available in a bundle of two, and it's a pretty fantastic value. Caseology promises crystal clear transparency, bubble-free installation, and a scratch-resistant coating that can even heal itself if/when it becomes damaged. How cool is that?$11 at AmazonFeels like glassZAGG InvisibleShield Ultra Clear+ Screen ProtectorZAGG's InvisibleShield screen protector is technically film, but it sure doesn't feel like i...

Even though the Galaxy A51 sports the same specs as the A50, the design itself has been overhauled. This brings us a gorgeous new look and feel that you won't want to have damaged during your time with it. That's why we have found the best cases that money can buy for the A51.Slim and ruggedSpigen Rugged ArmorStaff PickSpigen's Rugged Armor is a constant favorite for many due to its shock absorption and flexibility. There are raised edges around the display and camera bump to protect against accidental scratches. Plus, the buttons offer tactile and solid feedback, so you'll know you're actually pushing them in.$11 at AmazonKeep it classy32nd Classic Series Leather WalletSometimes, you need a case that is both fashionable and functional. The 32nd Classic Leather Wallet falls under both categories with a built-in card slot and a pocket for some cash. The case also magnetically closes, so it won't accidentally open, leaving the display subjected to scratches....

"No pixel is untouched" in the PS5's UI overhaul.What you need to knowSony recently revealed the design of the PS5 at its event, The Future of Gaming.According to Sony's VP of UX design in a now-deleted thread on LinkedIn, the user interface has also been redone.This change is extensive, constituting a "complete rearchitecting."At Sony's recent event, The Future of Gaming, we got see several new PlayStation 5 titles such as a remake of Demon's Souls and Horizon Forbidden West. Even the console itself was shown off and it's being joined by a digital-only version. Now, it appears that this radical departure in console design isn't the only thing being changed.According to The Verge, Matt MacLaurin, Sony's VP of UX design at PlayStation, talked extensively about how the PS5's user interface (UI) was being overhauled in a now-deleted LinkedIn thread."As it's UI it's practical first, but it's a whole new visual language and a complete rearchitecting of the user interface," s...

The Samsung Galaxy S10 is a truly gorgeous phone thanks to its nearly bezel-less display and stunning glass back, but as with all of Samsung's latest handsets, you'll want to outfit it with a case to ensure its good looks for years to come. If you're planning on picking up the S10, here are the cases we recommend getting.Redesigned favoriteSpigen Neo HybridStaff pickSpigen's Neo Hybrid has long been one of our favorite phone cases. It has an iconic design, offers excellent protection, and is easy on the wallet.From $14 at AmazonThinnest you can getTotallee Thin CaseOne of the best thin cases on the market comes from Totallee. Not only is this case astonishingly thin, but it also offers ample coverage against wear and tear.$10 at Amazon$35 at WalmartMore than a caseSamsung LED Back CoverThe Samsung LED Back Cover is quite unique. The case offers good drop protection, but its real highlight is the customizable LEDs on the back.$15 at Amazon$55 at Best ...

We highly recommend the Fitbit Versa 2 for a wide variety of styles and uses, including automatic activity tracking, on-screen workouts, Fitbit Pay, music storage, and so much more. It's no wonder that Fitbit continues to be one of the many highly regarded names in the industry with all it has to offer. However, don't worry if that's not your cup of tea. There are quite a few other options to choose from. Whether you're looking for specific software, design, or feature set, you'll be able to find a fitness tracker that checks all the boxes on your wish list.Best Overall — Fitbit Versa 2Fitbit Versa 2 FeaturesHeart rate monitorAltimeter5-day battery lifeSleep trackingMusic playerAmazon Alexa built-inWater resistance to 50 metersAMOLED screenFitbit PayReplaceable bandCompatibility with Android, iOS, and Windows Swapping out the Versa 2 band isn't as easy as some other Fitbit models we've seen. Trying to attach a new band is a bit of a challenge. Not only is the...

If you're both a fitness fan and a smartwatch enthusiast, you might be familiar with Garmin, which designs a variety of wearables that cater to both the smartwatch and fitness crowds. Our personal favorite is the Vivoactive 4, which mixes the two well. Whether you're a professional athlete or a first-time runner, there are many fantastic choices here.Best Overall: Garmin Vivoactive 4The Vivoactive 4 is one of the latest Garmin smartwatches to hit the market and it's packed with features that make it a worthy upgrade. You'll now have your pick between two sizes: 45 mm and 40 mm. The larger model gives you an extra day of battery life in smartwatch mode at 8 days. It'll last 6 hours when it's in GPS and music mode. The smaller model dips down to 7 days and 5 hours, respectively.As for the good stuff, you'll have all of the essentials, like built-in GPS, smartphone notifications, Garmin Pay, and 5 ATM water resistance. Music storage is now standard, which is something you had t...

The Galaxy S20 is one of the most beautiful phones ever made, but it's also made of slippery metal and scratchable glass. If you're worried about scratching up that new expensive phone, there's no time like the present to grab yourself a great case to protect your shiny new flagship when your order shows up.Mesmerizing colorsCaseology ParallaxStaff pick$14 at AmazonThis hybrid honey of a case has a lot in common with the Spigen Neo Hybrid, but it's got better color combos for that great protection, including a new new teal "Aqua Green" that is even more alluring in person than the renders do justice.Get a gripSpigen Liquid Air$12 at AmazonKeep your carbon fiber classics and give me the Liquid Air any day of the week. The diamond pattern covering the back is just deep enough to add real grip while still feeling slim and sleek in the hand.Durable and diamond clearRingke Fusion X$10 at Amazon $13 at WalmartThe Fusion X is one of those cases you'll ...

The Samsung Galaxy S20+ has everything you could want from a 2020 flagship. There's a powerful Snapdragon 865 processor, multiple rear cameras, and a gorgeous 120Hz AMOLED display. That display is one of the main reasons to pick up the S20+, but if it happens to get scratched or shattered, the experience won't be the same. Prevent that from happening by picking up a screen protector. Trust us; you want one.Complete packageCaseology Film Screen Protector (2-Pack)Staff PickAfter picking up the Galaxy S20+, chances are you don't want to spend a ton of money on a screen protector. Thanks to Caseology, you don't have to. This package gives you two protectors at a great price, in addition to an impressive feature-set. The protectors are crystal clear, scratch-resistant, compatible with the in-screen fingerprint sensor, and can self-heal themselves.$11 at AmazonTour de forceDome Glass Whitestone Screen ProtectorWe know that Dome Glass's protector won't be for every...

Aloy is back in action for the next generation.One of the biggest games revealed at the PlayStation 5 showcase was Horizon Forbidden West. Developed by Guerrilla Games, this PS5 title is bringing the Decima engine and everything it's capable of to next-generation hardware.Aloy returns as a protagonist, heading into the former western U.S. There are new threats, new machines, and new lush lands to explore. Here's everything we know about Horizon Forbidden West on PS5 so far.What is Horizon Forbidden West?Horizon Forbidden West trailersHorizon Forbidden West story, gameplay and featuresIs Horizon Forbidden West coming to PS4?Is Horizon Forbidden West coming to PC?Horizon Forbidden West release dateWhat is Horizon Forbidden West?Horizon Forbidden West is a sequel to Guerrilla Games' Horizon Zero Dawn, released in 2017. It's an action role-playing game that takes place in the 31st century, in a world where humanity now exists in tribes and gigantic mechanical lifeforms...

My Pixel 4 came off the charger at 4 a.m. to head to the airport. Walking out of the airport at 11:30, it was down to 33%. That's when I reached for my trusty power bank. If you don't have one for your Pixel 4 or Pixel 4 XL yet, then you should get on that right now because your phone won't do you any good if it's dead.Phone-sized phenomAukey 10,000mAh Battery PackStaff pick$30 at AmazonThis bank is the same size as the Pixel 4 and can recharge it twice before it'll run dead. Since this bank charges over USB-C, you can use the same cable your phone does with it.Great for accessoriesAnker PowerCore 10000 PD ReduxFor a bank that's basically the size of a Milky Way candy bar, this 10,000mAh bank is good for your Pixel 4 and for accessories as well. You can double-click the button to trickle-charge smaller devices.$36 at AmazonBudget pickXcentz USB-C Power Bank 5000 PDThis tiny bank may not have the biggest capacity, but it's the most pocket-and-purse-frie...

Sometimes, the best game is one that helps you forget about life for a brief moment.I won't sit here and complain about my problems. You have your own things to deal with too (don't we all?). What's important, however, is giving yourself a break, even for just a few minutes, so that you can head back into the fray a little bit more refreshed than you otherwise would be. A good game can help you with that.I stressed about picking a good game for you guys this week, mostly because my free time has been dedicated to Elite: Dangerous and Call of Duty: Mobile. While the latter would work for a Game of the Week, I don't want to disappoint you all. Indeed, I think it's best if I try my best to shine a light on lesser-known or older games with this series. But a good pick eluded me all weekend until I scrolled to the bottom of my app drawer and found Transmission.Transmission has been around for a few years now, but it's almost always installed on my phone, even if I just gloss ove...

Nearby Sharing will seemingly get quite the prominent placement in the Share menu.What you need to knowA developer video for Android 11 this week gave us a quick glimpse of Nearby Sharing.The feature will be prominently placed at the top of a (slightly) redesigned share menu.The Android Beam successor is set to bring AirDrop-like capabilities to Android.Through its various iterations and nicknames, be it Fast Share or Nearby Sharing, we've been hearing about Google's AirDrop implementation for Android for quite some time now. And as the sharp-eyed folks at Android Police discovered this week, Google may finally be readying the feature for release with Android 11.As part of a developer video on conversation notifications released earlier today, we got our first glimpse at a seemingly redesigned share menu and Nearby Sharing's placement in it. The mockup in the video places the Nearby option right at the top of the menu, next to the option to copy the item to the clipboard,...

It can be fun to accessorize but sometimes it's a battle to find the perfect blend of function and fashion, like when choosing a smartwatch. The good news is that there are tons of options for women these days. Our favorite is the Fossil Gen 5 Julianna, which offers premium features while boasting a classic, stylish design. We've rounded up the best picks to help you choose the one that's right for you.Best Overall: Fossil Gen 5 JuliannaIf you were a fan of the Gen 4 smartwatches from Fossil but hoped for improvements, the moment has arrived. The Gen 5 smartwatches — including the gorgeous Julianna — come with a new stylish design, more RAM, and an external speaker. It also does everything you need it to do: activity and heart rate tracking, 3 ATM water resistance (depth of up to 30 meters), Google Pay, Google Assistant, GPS, and notifications. The new Snapdragon Wear 3100 is finally here, too, which helps with battery life. If you were hoping for a major upgrade, you might...

Best answer: The biggest external hard drive that the PS4 supports can be up to 8TB, which is the console's maximum external storage capacity. Seagate has the perfect HDD for the job.Loads of games: Seagate Expansion 8TB Desktop External Hard ($145 at Amazon)A little less: Seagate 4TB External Hard Drive ($89 at Amazon)Why do I even need more storage?Games are bigger than they've ever been, whether in terms of the sheer size of their worlds or the amount of content packed into them. This holds doubly true for the amount of space they take up on your hard drive.At the beginning of the generation, Sony and Microsoft quickly found out that 500GB just wasn't enough to include in their systems' internal storage. Fast forward to today, and your standard PlayStation 4 console holds up to 1TB of storage, minus a small percentage that's dedicated to running the console itself. You'd be surprised at how quickly the internal hard-disk drive (HDD) fills up. If you do so without breaki...

Huawei accounted for 19% market share during April, compared to Samsung's 17%.What you need to knowHuawei finally realized its dream of becoming the largest smartphone maker in the world this April.The company achieved its long-time ambition by trouncing Samsung's 17% market share by winning up to 19% of the sales during the period.The company's victory will likely be short-lived, however, as it continues losing ground in international markets due to the U.S. ban.Considered a pipe dream of days past by analysts just weeks ago, Huawei has finally realized its long-awaited ambition of becoming the largest smartphone maker in the world — albeit only in passing. As GizmoChina notes, market analysis firm Counterpoint Research reports the Chinese giant edging ever so slightly past the South Korean chaebol in April this year with 19% of the market share for that month, slightly ahead of Samsung's 17%.What's behind this seemingly miraculous turn of fortunes for Huawei, you ask?...

With everyone practicing social distancing and staying at home, you might not be around your dad this Father's Day for the first time in years. Luckily, this Father's Day sale on Portal by Facebook devices will help make sure you and dad can see each other whenever you choose. With select devices now $30 off, today's sale offers some of the best discounts yet on Portal models with prices starting as low as $99. Shipping is free.The Portal Mini is the most affordable option during the sale, priced at $99. This 8-inch device lets you easily video call other Portal users, or even just Facebook Messenger or WhatsApp users, using its built-in apps. The Smart Camera tracks you and adjusts to follow you around, meaning you could, for instance, chat with your dad while cooking dinner, or hang out with long-distance relatives while they open up their birthday presents. It features Alexa built-in so you can control your smart home, check who's at the front door, listen to your favorite music...

Minis never really caught on like Bitmoji or Memoji, Google is getting rid of them.What you need to knowGoogle prepares to kill Minis from the Gboard app.Minis were a personalized emoji feature for Gboard, akin to the popular Bitmoji or Apple's Memoji.Gboard was updated earlier this year to include an emoji kitchen feature.Google is set to kill off Minis, a feature of the Gboard app that debuted a couple of years ago. While no official announcement has been made, an APK teardown of a recent Gboard beta by XDA sees the new string "Note: Minis will go away soon" added to the code.Minis were somewhat of an overlooked feature that never had the cultural appeal of Apple's Memoji. Gboard's Bitmoji integration also meant that it was easier for users to make use of the more standard personalized emoji than whatever Google was cooking up.Awkwardly seguing off the word cooking, Google's new emoji kitchen seems like a suitable replacement for Minis. It's not quite as personalized ...

Android 11 comes with a brand-new power button menu with easier access to smart home device control.Google has rolled out the first public beta of Android 11 for the Pixels, and one of the more interesting changes is around the power button menu. Android 11 has a redesigned power button menu with the "Power off," "Restart," and "Emergency" buttons moved to the top of the screen.But the big change includes the tiles that take up most of the screen. These tiles let you easily control smart home devices in your home, and they give you a quick visual indicator on the status of various IoT devices. If you've left the lights on in the garage, for instance, you'll be able to see it from here and quickly turn them off.A short press on a tile will toggle a device on or off, and a long press will pull up additional options. For instance, long pressing on a smart light will let you change the brightness or color straight from the menu, without having to dive into the Google Home app. I di...

Android 11 introduces a fun new way to chat with your friends and family.The first public beta of Android 11 is here, and we've rounded up all the new features. Things don't look very different from Android 10 in terms of the broad visual aesthetic, but Google made a few welcome changes to notification management.The goal with Android 11 is to prioritise ongoing conversations, and to that effect you'll now see a dedicated conversation category at the top of the notification shade. The best part is that the conversation notifications aren't limited to Android Messages but also work with WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, Telegram, and other messaging apps. The feature works with one-on-one chats as well as group texts.There are a few additional options: you can set the priority of the incoming notification with a long-press, with the ability to choose from Priority, Alerting, and Silent. And if you don't want a particular conversation to show up in the dedicated section up top, you c...

Oculus Quest is Facebook's last piece of hardware in its first generation of VR devices. It has six degrees of freedom, movement tracking so you can game throughout an area and two Touch Controllers, which facilitate a wide range of gameplay. The Oculus Quest now has over 100 games available, ranging from first-person shooters to musical saber swinging titles. We marked the latest titles with "new," and at the top of the list, so you can keep track of all the latest games.New titlesAvailable nowSupported Oculus Go gamesConfirmed future titlesTeased future titlesNewStrike!Premium BowlingNewThis bowling title aims to deliver realistic bowling physics in VR. It features multiple oil patterns, oil that wears out, and variations in lane conditions from day to day.$20 at Oculus StoreBattle in darknessGloomy EyesNewAfter the sun went dark, zombies rose from their graves. While humans and zombies clash, a human girl and a zombie boy fall in love in this ...

The Father's Day deals are already flowing, and now Tello is joining in the mix with a pretty great offer. The MVNO carrier is offering those who switch between now and June 22 the first month of service for just $14. That's right, you can get unlimited talk, text, and data for just $14 for the first month, and then it goes up to $39 per month for unlimited everything after that each month.Tello Father's Day Promo$14 at TelloFor a limited time only, you can switch to Tello and get your first month of service for just $14.This offer is only valid for new customers, but it doesn't lock you into any conctract and there are no hidden extra fees with it. You can bring your own compatible phone if you want, or pick up something new, depending on your personal preference.If after the first month you decide that unlimited data is too much for you, or you don't need unlimited talk, you can fully customize your plan to something that works better. With 1GB of data each month and ...

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. A VPN can add an extra layer of security to your phone, tablet, PC, and even gaming console. They've become increasingly popular over the past few years, and for good reason.Best Free VPNsHotspot Shield: Top pick for 2020ProtonVPN: Unlimited bandwithTunnelBear: User friendlyWindscribe: Earn extra free dataHide.me: No data logs at allSpeedify: Did we mention fast?SurfEasy: Built in to OperaIt's hard to live these days without entering some type of sensitive data online. Be it your banking details, passwords, social security number, or just a home address, you probably don't realize how much personal data you use online daily. Unfortunately public Wi-Fi confections, like the ones at airports, Starbucks, etc are not protected, and someone with bad...

Even if you aren't a developer, this is still pretty cool.What you need to knowGoogle is updating Android Studio with new tools for app development on different display typesA freeform testing environment makes it possible to test Chrome OS compatibility without a Chromebook.A foldable emulator is being worked on, allowing devs to see how their app will look on a folding phone in real-time.Alongside the release of the Android 11 Beta, Google published a bunch of developer-focused videos to talk about what's new for all things in the world of Android development. One of the videos is titled "Screens - large, small and foldable," and it's meant to bring developers up to speed on the growing market of folding phones and how to adapt their apps for them.Much of the video is focused on going over best practices for adapting app layouts for larger and smaller display sizes, but there are a couple of exciting tidbits worth sharing.Firstly, the Android Studio is getting a n...

Whether you're off to a wet and wonderful vacation in some tropical locale or just want to go swimming in a pool, a waterproof pouch is an easy way to protect your phone from electronics' biggest enemy: water. IPX8 cases are widely prevalent and come in many styles, colors, and sizes to accommodate phones both big and small. Since they're usually big enough for a driver's license and some cash, too, they quickly go from unitasker to waterproof mini-purse. Whatever you're looking for in a waterproof pouch, you can probably find it in one of these.Float to the topMpow Floating IPX8 Waterproof Phone Pouch (2-pack)Staff pickThese Mpow pouches are floaters! While not ideal for divers or snorkelers, floating dry bags like these are great for a weekend of fishing or boating. They make sure your phone doesn't sink to the bottom of the river/lake/ocean but stays afloat and is easily retrievable should it go overboard. I use one and you can easily type on your phone while it's hous...

The newest version of Android is finally here.It's been delayed again and again, but the Android 11 Beta is finally here, and it's available now for your Pixel phones. Unlike the four developer previews, installing the Android 11 Beta is relatively easy — it just takes a visit to Google's Android beta portal and toggling it on for your particular phone.But that doesn't mean you should necessarily do it — the beta is still unfinished and may have showstopping bugs, or some of your favorite apps may not work. If you're worried about that, but still want some of that Android 11 hotness, I'd skip the first beta and wait a few weeks until the second or third one is released.How to download and install the Android 11 BetaInstalling using the Android Beta programInstalling using the Android Flash ToolInstalling using the Android Factory ImagesWhat comes next with Android 11?Which phones can download the Android 11 Beta?There are eight phones from Google currently gett...

Microsoft continues to make it easier to control your smartphone from your Windows 10 PC.What you need to knowControlling your smartphone's audio with the Your Phone app on Windows 10 is now generally available.The feature works with Android devices running Android 7.0 and PCs running the Windows 10 October 2018 Update or later.You can switch between multiple sources of audio in the Windows 10 app's dropdown player.Microsoft's Your Phone app for Windows 10 can now control media, including songs and other audio files, on your smartphone. The feature initially rolled out in preview in April but is now generally available. Microsoft announced the general availability of the feature alongside Windows 10 Insider preview build 19645.With the feature, you can control most audio or music apps that support media controls in Android's notification center. You can switch between multiple sources using the dropdown menu and see the track currently being played in the Your Phone app. ...

These are the phones that can run the Android 11 Beta.Google announced the first public beta of Android 11, and for now, the program is limited to the Pixels. Google opened up the beta program to 12 third-party OEMs last year, but you'll have to wait a little longer to try out the upcoming version of Android if you're not using a Pixel.It is likely the program will include the likes of OnePlus, Nokia, Xiaomi, Realme, LG, and Vivo but for now these are the phones that are eligible for the Android 11 Beta:Google Pixel 2Google Pixel 2 XLGoogle Pixel 3Google Pixel 3 XLGoogle Pixel 3aGoogle Pixel 3a XLGoogle Pixel 4Google Pixel 4 XL Basically, all Pixels aside from the first-gen Pixel and Pixel XL can run the Android 11 Beta. If you have an eligible device, just head to the Android 11 page and enroll your device. Alternatively, you can use the Android Flash Tool to manually flash the bet build to your Pixel.I'll update the list once we know more about availability on th...

Get the lowdown on what's new and changed.After months of patiently waiting, Google finally released the first build of the Android 11 Beta on June 10. The public beta follows four previous developer previews, each of which were intended exclusively for use by developers.The launch of the public beta indicates that Android 11 is now stable enough to be used by anyone that's interested, and if you happen to go ahead and download it on your phone, there's a lot for you to check out.Whether you're interested in the hallmark features Google's talking about or the smaller changes that may go unnoticed, we've rounded up everything that's new in the Android 11 Beta that you should check out. There's a lot to talk about, so without further ado, let's dive right in.Conversation notificationsChat bubblesScreen recorderPower button UIOn-device Voice AccessNew media controlsOne-time permissionsAuto-reset permissionsWireless debuggingNew conversation tab in notification tray...