Latest from Android Central

A button should do more than turn on your screen, and in Android 11 it can.Android 11 isn't filled with huge changes that make everything look and feel different. But there are some really nifty goodies in the next version and one of them is the new power button menu.Up until now the power button on your phone was really only there to turn it on and off. That's a waste when pushing it brings up its own menu. Android 11 replaces the vertical box that lets you shut down, restart, or take a screenshot with two other features most people want quick access to: Google Pay and smart home controls.You still have the emergency button and the power controls but now they are across the top of a new window. Right under is a picture of your default designated Google Pay card to let you know you're ready to pay for purchases. Just hold your phone to a credit card reader set up to use Google Pay and you're good to go. You can't access Google Pay when your screen is locked, so it offers the ...

Faster and hotter charging will make your battery fail prematurely no matter what safeguards are in place. The question is how much.Everyone hates the fact that we have to charge our phones. While smartphone battery life is getting better each and every year, we still wish there were some sort of fission reactor or something inside our phones so they would never need to be plugged in. That's why we love to hear about how fast a new phone can charge; it means less time plugged into the wall.But like everything that looks good on the surface, there are drawbacks. With fast charging, those drawbacks could be pretty serious when it comes to battery health.Battery health: What is it?In case you're not sure what that means, battery health is a term that describes how much a battery has degraded since it was brand new. Battery degradation means that the actual capacity is diminished and that means two things: you spend more time on the charger and you eventually have a phone that ...

With the number of tasks we complete online these days, it's essential that you protect your security and privacy. A VPN is a tool you should have on your side in order to shield your sensitive information and you don't have to spend a fortune to get one set up with deals like this one on CyberGhost VPN. Right now, you can snag six months of VPN service for free when you sign up for its annual plan. That means you're getting 18 months of coverage for just $49.50, dropping the monthly cost down to just $2.75.You'd regularly pay $12.99 for its service month-to-month and its annual plan usually lowers that to $5.99. However, with this deal, you're saving 79% making this one of the best VPN deals out there right now. The promotion expires soon, though.Protect yourselfCyberGhost VPNA VPN helps anonymize your internet activity so you can browse without being tracked across the web. You'd regularly pay $13 per month for CyberGhost, but signing up for this 18-month deal drops it to j...

The MLS is Back Tournament is well underway in Orlando, Florida, and today's schedule sees the return of the Canadian Classique as Montreal Impact take on Toronto FC. Follow along with all of the action wherever you are with our Montreal vs Toronto live stream guide.Both teams are taking part in their second MLS is Back group stage game this evening in this Group C clash. After a few months off, there's plenty to play for in the tournament-style competition with group games contributing to regular season standings and the overall MLS is Back winner gaining a CONCACAF Champions League berth.Toronto FC lost a 2-0 lead in their first game against D.C. United, ultimately drawing the game 2-2 thanks to two late goals from a 10-man Black-and-Red. Greg Vanney's side will want to bounce back from that opening game disappointment against rivals Montreal in the 47th Canadian Classique meeting. In the overall Eastern Conference standings, Toronto FC sits in fourth place with five points fro...

Qualcomm, which owns the aptX Bluetooth codec, describes aptX Low Latency as "audio that keeps up." The implication is that sound will be in sync with whatever you're watching on a screen, which is critical if you're watching a show, movie, or playing a game. The Bang & Olufsen Beoplay H9 stands out as the best headphones available with this codecyeah because they offer excellent all-around performance.Best Overall: Bang & Olufsen Beoplay H9 (3rd Gen)Bang & Olufsen first launched the Beoplay H9 in 2017, and the headphones have now entered their third generation. They have a number of features you would expect for the price, including a premium build and comfortable fit, though are probably a little overpriced when considering competitors offer the same for less. However, many of those competitors don't support aptX Low Latency, putting these in unique territory for viewing content without sync issues.It reduces the delay to a maximum of 40 milliseconds, which is ...

Update: In a surprising turn of events, several of NBC's TV stations across the U.S. are refusing to air the 30 Rock special on Thursday night — the reasoning being that it promotes NBC's new streaming service Peacock too heavily. If your local NBC channel is not airing the special, check below for the list of channels which will air the reunion on Friday night instead.Just last month, NBC announced the return of 30 Rock with a reunion special that brings the star-studded cast back for one more episode. After seven years off the air, 30 Rock stars Tina Fey, Alec Baldwin, Tracy Morgan, Jane Krakowski, and Jack McBrayer are set to reprise their roles for an hour-long special that's coming to your screen later this week.The 30 Rock reunion special was filmed using social distancing production techniques to keep the cast and crew safe, and the episode itself doesn't shy away from the current events in the world either. In fact, the first promo shows Fey's character Liz Lemon wearing...

Vivo has also launched its TWS Neo true wireless earbuds in India.What you need to knowVivo's premium mid-range X50 and X50 Pro smartphones have been launched in India.The Vivo X50 Pro is the world's first smartphone to feature gimbal-like video stabilization. Both phones will go on sale in the country starting July 24.Vivo unveiled its X50 series of camera-focused smartphones in China last month. The X50 series has now made its way to the Indian market. However, the flagship X50 Pro+ isn't coming to India.The Vivo X50 has been priced at ₹34,990 ($465) in India for the 8GB/128GB version and ₹37,990 ($505) for the 8GB/256GB version. Vivo X50 Pro, on the other hand, will be available in a single 8GB/256GB variant for ₹49,990 ($665). The two phones will be going on sale in the country starting July 24, although consumers can pre-book them starting today.Unlike the Vivo X50 sold in China, the Indian variant of the phone is powered by a Snapdragon 730 chipset. Vivo X50...

Ready for some golf? When the Memorial Tournament kicks off this week, it will mark the first time since 1957 the PGA Tour has had two events played in a row on the same course. Although, this event will look much different than last week's Workday Charity Open both in terms of how the course will play out and who will be there.PGA Tour Memorial Tournament when & where:The PGA Tour is back with the Memorial Tournament this week from Thursday, July 16, to Sunday, July 19. This is an annual event hosted by golf legend Jack Nicklaus and taking place at the Nicklaus-designed Muirfield Village Golf Club in Ohio. The first tee times for the event start at 7 a.m. Eastern, although players like Rory McIlroy and Tiger Woods don't tee off until 1:17 p.m.Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it will be played without spectators. While that's unusual, it is not unexpected as golf has been mostly shut down since March.How to stream PGA Tour Memorial Tournament from anywhereIf you're intent on...

Having lost a thrilling first Test, the home side now need a win to keep the series alive. Read on to find out how to get an England v West Indies live stream and watch the second Test online from anywhere.With England having lost the first Test by four wickets in Southampton, the hosts are likely to make changes across the board for Old Trafford.One guaranteed return to the England line up will be Joe Root who is set to return as skipper having missed out on the first Test due to the birth of his daughter. The experienced Stuart Broad also looks a good bet for a return to the team following his controversial exclusion from the first Test line-up.Despite the quick turn-around between Tests, it's unlikely the Windies will be rotating a winning team, following such a sparkling display by Jason Holder's side in the first game.Holder led by example at the Rose Bowl, tearing through England's batting order with a six-wicket haul, and is now ranked as the second-best bowler in the ...

The hack is affecting a number of high profile accounts on the platform.What you need to knowTwitter has experienced a major security breach.The breach has resulted in a number of accounts sending Bitcoin-related tweets.The hack appears to be part of a widespread cryptocurrency scam.Twitter is currently experiencing a widespread security breach that is resulting in a number of high profile accounts enouraging their followers to send Bitcoin to an unknown account.Twitter's official Support account has acknowledged the breach, saying that they are actively investigating and working on a fix.We are aware of a security incident impacting accounts on Twitter. We are investigating and taking steps to fix it. We will update everyone shortly.— Twitter Support (@TwitterSupport) July 15, 2020Apple, along with a number of high profile Twitter accounts like Elon Musk, Uber, and Barack Obama have all been affected by the breach. While each tweet has been slightly different, al...

All of Microsoft Launcher 6.0's new goodies are finally out of preview.What you need to knowMicrosoft Launcher is getting its biggest overhaul since launch.The app's 6.0 update is now rolling out for everyone with landscape mode, a fresh design, and more..You can grab Microsoft Launcher 6.0 now from Google Play.Microsoft has been cooking up a new version of Microsoft Launcher in preview for several months, and now it's finally available for everyone to check out. Version 6.0 of the app is now officially rolling out to everyone, and it comes with a refreshed design, new features, and more."This launcher is built on a new codebase allowing us to bring multiple new features to you – such as Personalized News, Landscape mode, Customizable App Icons, Bing-Supported Wallpaper, Dark Theme, and numerous performance improvements like speed to load, low memory utilization, battery optimization and fluent animations," Microsoft said in its blog post announcing the new update. Here...

Gmail is being revamped into a productivity powerhouse.Update, July 15 (04:00 pm ET): Google has officially announced the upcoming changes.What you need to knowGoogle plans to integrate more of its productivity services into Gmail later this year.On mobile and the web, it'll be adding support for G Suite's Chat service.For Gmail desktop users, Google will be building in full-blown Google Docs integration for more effective collaboration. Gmail is going to get a work focused revamp, as per leaked slides from Google's upcoming Cloud Next presentation. The company had already added some minor integration with Meet a while back, but now it plans to weave in support for Chat as well. For the latter service, Google will add two tabs, one called "Chat" for one-on-one exchanges, while another will be called "Rooms" for group conversations. On the web, Google is adding side-by-side Google Doc editing directly from your email, so you don't have to leave your inbox to make a quick e...

The Raspberry Pi is great when tucked away being part of the internet of things, but it's best when you're enjoying the web, watching a video, or doing anything else a more expensive and bigger computer can do. Best of all, there are plenty of great products that let you take it all with you. Check out these ultra-portable screens for your Raspberry Pi.Super Low PowerGeeekPi 7-inch Capacitive Touch ScreenStaff pickThis 7-inch capacitive display has a 1024x600 resolution and connects via HDMI. It also only requires 500mA of power for its backlight. There are two additional USB ports for you to take advantage of and expand and extend.$53 at AmazonFrom the sourceRaspberry Pi 7-inch Touch Screen DisplayRaspberry Pi has made a 7-inch touch screen display of its own, and sports a resolution of 800x480, along with multi-touch support. There are just two connections needed to make from the display to the Raspberry Pi board for easy installation. Raspberry Pi also in...

Valhalla keeps it familiar while bringing new features to the table. Oh, and horses can swim now.Assassin's Creed Valhalla is the latest historical outing from Ubisoft, set in 9th century England during the Dark Ages with, you guessed it, Vikings. I had the chance to view three hours of gameplay with a walkthrough by a demoist, and I came out of that session feeling optimistic about what the company has in store for players. It's a little rough around the edges, but it was a work-in-progress build that signals a lot of potential for the final product.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. Unfortunately, not everyone is keen on having Vikings around, and King Alfred of Wessex will do all he can to keep you from settling.For the demo, only the regio...

Juventus travel to Sassuolo as Serie A football continues today. Follow along with all of the action wherever you are with our Sassuolo vs Juventus live stream guide.Juve currently sit eight points clear at the top of Serie A and will hope to secure a victory tonight as the season approaches its climax. Sassuolo will be no pushover, though, with the team in a great run of form having recorded four consecutive victories.Juventus had won all of their post-lockdown league games up until their 4-2 defeat at AC Milan on July 7. The team also just scraped a point in their last outing with a 90th-minute Cristiano Ronaldo penalty securing a 2-2 draw against Atalanta. The Bianconeri will want to get back to winning ways with just six Serie A games remaining of the 2019/20 campaign.Sassuolo will want to continue their current unbeaten run that has seen them rise to eighth place in the league. Their latest victory came at second-placed Lazio after going 1-0 down in the first half. Roberto...

Arsenal host newly-crowned Premier League champions Liverpool at the Emirates in London today. Don't miss a kick by following our Arsenal vs Liverpool live stream guide below.Tonight's game means much more to the hosts than it does the visitors with this season's title race already wrapped up, though Liverpool can only afford to drop two more points if they hope to match Manchester City's record 100-point season. Arsenal, on the other hand, need to win in order to keep their Europa League qualification hopes alive.Liverpool have secured their first league title in 30 years at a canter this season, though the team's form after the enforced break has been mixed, including three wins, draws against Burnley and city rivals Everton, and a humiliating 4-0 defeat at the hands of current title holders Man City.Arsenal risk not qualifying for European football for the first time since 1996 if they do not win today. Four wins, three defeats, and one draw post-lockdown leave the Gunners c...

Creating games for a living is something many of us dream about. If you want to make it a reality, The Hardcore Game Development & Animation Bundle can help. Right now, you can pick up this collection of six premium courses for just $29.99.Thanks to the App Store and other platforms such as Steam, there are more opportunities than ever for aspiring developers. However, gamers today expect a certain level of visual polish. If you plan on turning pro, you really need to understand this artistic side.Through 24 hours of training, this bundle shows you how to create stunning graphics from scratch. The courses cover a range of techniques and tools used by professional game designers, starting at entry-level.Through hands-on video lessons, you learn how to create rich digital environments using Photoshop, Sketchup, and Blender. You also get into character sculpting, with tips on various styles.Other courses in the bundle focus on animation and rigging — essentially all the ways...

A Raspberry Pi is a delicate electronic instrument and that means you'll definitely need to provide it with the right kind of power. These power supplies will give your Pi the right amount of clean wholesome electrons so that you can do something really cool with them. Note that each Pi model has different power requirements, so check to make sure you're buying the right thing!Basic and perfect (v.4)Raspberry Pi 4 Model B Official PSUStaff pickThe company behind all of your Pi-goodness has released its very-own Power Supply, rated for 5.1V 3.0A of power. You can snag this in either white or black, and there are four different models to pick from, depending on what country you live in.$15 at Amazon$15 at NeweggMighty Mini (v. 4)IBERLS 5V 3A USB-C Power SupplyThis power supply from IBERLS provides the regulated power your Raspberry Pi 4 needs and the adapter is up to 20% smaller than the competition. If you need to plug things in where space is at a premium, ...

ARM chips power everything from phones to servers. Making that company public or selling it off could spur innovation or stifle competition.ARM is a CPU core design developed by Arm holdings, which since 2016 has been wholly owned by Japan's SoftBank Group Corporation. Look at the phone in your hand right now; it's almost certainly running a chip with an ARM design.The name SoftBank might be familiar to you. The company wholly or partially owns plenty of tech and energy companies but you probably recognize the name because of its buyout of Sprint in 2012 (and now 24% owner of T-Mobile US since the Sprint-T-Mobile merger). It also purchased robotics company Boston Dynamics from Google in 2017, and has a huge stake in WeWork (which is why it's in this mess in the first place). SoftBank has its hands in a lot of things, but it appears it's looking to remove them from Arm.Remember, for now, this a rumor. Nobody from SoftBank has made any public statement, but the Wall Street Journa...

The Ninja MC702 3-in-1 slow cooker cooking system is down to $69.99 refurbished with code THRIFNINJA. Without the code, the Ninja system is $80, so you get an extra $10 off there. And while the Ninja is mostly sold out at other retailers these days, it was originally selling for as much as $250 new and most recently was going for $171 at Best Buy new. Refurbished versions have still regularly sold for as much as $110 at Walmart and other places. Today's deal is easily the lowest it has ever gone and a huge discount off normal prices. As a manufacturer refurbished unit, the MC702 comes with a 30-day warranty.The Ninja MC702 acts as three different important appliances: a slow cooker, a stovetop, and an oven. This gives it a lot of versatility in how you might use it. You can sear food, slow cook a roast, or even bake a cake. Plus, because it's portable you can do this sort of thing anywhere. Have an oven-capable device with you at your next picnic or book club.When using the Ninja...

Apple has also been contacted by the House over the same issue.What you need to knowCongress has reached out to Google to get clarity over the company's approach to national security risks posed by foreign apps.In a letter, the body expressed concerns over the data of U.S. citizens being stored in foreign servers, potentially exposing them to espionage. Google has until the 31st of July to respond. Google has been approached by the U.S. Congress to address issues with mobile apps originating from foreign countries. More particularly, the body expressed concern over data storage policies which could potentially form a vector for a national security intrusion.Writing to Google, National Security Subcommittee Chairman Stephen Lynch said: While the Subcommittee appreciates the safeguards Google has put in place to protect user privacy, we remain concerned that mobile applications owned or operated by foreign developers, or that store the user data of U.S. citizens oversea...

The Roborock S6 Pure robot vacuum and mop is on sale for $499.99 at Amazon, but you'll only get that price if you remember to clip the $100 off on-page coupon. Otherwise, the price is $600, and that's the price it has been going for for the last couple of months. Even when it has dropped lower, it only went as low as $550. Today's deal is one of the best prices we've seen. The robot vacuum is sold directly by Roborock.The Roborock S6 Pure works as both a vacuum and a mop based on your needs. Basically, if you want it to mop on its scheduled routine, fill the water tank. It will add mopping to its functions as it goes around your home. If you don't want it to mop, just don't give it any water to mop with. It has a 180ml water tank, which is pretty big and can be used to mop up to 1,610 square feet. You can even adjust the mopping based on floor types.The vacuuming occurs thanks to extremely powerful 2000Pa suction. It's also smart enough as a vacuum to know when it's on a hard flo...

Looking into a 4K TV to use with your Chromecast or Chromecast Ultra can be confusing. There are tons of options out there, each with their own little quirks. There are fantastic TVs at the high end of the market, but those cost thousands of dollars. Luckily, with the Samsung TU-8000, you don't have to have an enormous budget to get a satisfying and reliable picture.Best Overall: Samsung TU-8000Samsung's latest TU8000 comes in sizes ranging from 43 inches all the way up to 85 inches, covering every size you could need. With ultra-thin bezels and a sleek design, you'll be able to keep your eyes focused on what you are watching.Under the hood, the TU-8000 sports 4K upscaling with the help of AI, so even those older movies and shows look good. This television is also equipped with plenty of smarts thanks in part to the OneRemote, giving you the ability to control more than just your television. Plus, there's Amazon Alexa and Samsung's Bixby support for those times you aren't usi...

ExpressVPN is one of the best VPN services we've ever tested, but while the fact that users can only connect up five devices is disappointing, it provides apps and configurations for a range of different platforms.The ability to connect different types and makes of devices is important for a VPN service because most people own and use a multitude of gadgets, whether it's a smartphone, tablet, laptop, streaming box or games console. And having a premium VPN has benefits for all these technologies, from being able to access content that isn't available in your region to adding an extra layer of privacy to your device.So, the short answer is that ExpressVPN supports a wide range of devices. Like any premium VPN provider, ExpressVPN can be used on laptops, desktop computers, tablet PCs, smartphones, wireless routers and streaming devices from a range of different manufacturers and operating systems.Best OverallExpressVPN$6.67 per month at ExpressVPNExpressVPN has mor...

Check out this headset.What you need to knowAudeze is a popular headset manufacturer.Today, it announced the Penrose for consoles and PC. The headset is designed for the Xbox Series X and PlayStation 5. The device will cost $300 when it ships in September. Today, Audeze, a popular headphone manufacturer, announced the launch of their new Penrose wireless headset for console and PC gamers. Extending Audeze's family of gaming headphones that includes the high-end LCD-GX and the Mobius 3D Surround Sound PC gaming headset, the Penrose is designed with Microsoft's Xbox Series X and Sony's PlayStation 5 (PS5) in mind.According to the company, the Penrose is equipped with Audeze's 100 mm planar magnetic drivers, a broadcast-quality microphone for enhanced chat and streaming, and a 2.4 GHz low-latency lossless wireless connection, so you can experience the best in audio quality and wireless functionality.The Audeze Penrose wireless headset comes in two versions. The Penr...

The update is rolling out now.What you need to knowAmazon is rolling out a new software update for its Echo Buds wireless earbuds.The update addresses a safety issue in which the Echo Buds can overheat in the charging case.It's said that the overheating issue is "very rare."The market for true wireless earbuds is filled with endless options, one of which being the Amazon Echo Buds. The big draw to the Echo Buds is the idea of having Alexa built right into your ear, but it looks like all of that functionality has come with an unexpected quirk.On July 15, Amazon sent out an email to owners of the Echo Buds warning them of a potential safety hazard in which the Echo Buds can overheat when placed in the charging case. Per the email: The safety of our customers is our top priority. We recently determined that in very rare cases it is possible for Echo Buds to overheat while in the charging case. Out of an abundance of caution, we have released a software update that addres...

Great convenienceGoogle Pixel Buds (2020)$180 at Best Buy $179 at Walmart $179 at B&HProsUSB-C chargingWireless charging caseIntegration with Android and Google AssistantCompact charging caseOne-tap pairing with AndroidConsLacks active noise-cancelationBattery life could be betterThe Pixel Buds are some of the most convenient true wireless earbuds on the market due to their compact size. They may not sound the greatest but they feature wireless charging and fantastic integration with Android and Google Assistant.Great soundSennheiser Momentum True Wireless 2$300 at Amazon $300 at Best Buy $300 at WalmartProsUSB-C chargingGreat sound qualityLong battery lifeExcellent ANC performanceApp with EQConsLacks wireless charging caseExpensiveIf sound and battery life are on the top of your list, the Momentum True Wireless 2 are going to be tough to beat for a set of true wireless earbuds.When you think about true wireless earbuds, you...

Get your squad ready on these dates.What you need to knowThe beta times for Marvel's Avengers have been announced through an IGN First.The beta begins for PS4 preorders on August 7. Marvel's Avengers is set to release on September 4, 2020.The beta times for Marvel's Avengers have been announced via IGN First. PS4 owners who have preordered the game will be getting priority access, with the beta beginning for them on August 7. After that, anyone who has preordered the game on Xbox One or PC will get to hop in on August 14. Finally, the beta becomes open to everyone on any platform with no preorder required on August 27.Another War Table presentation will be held by Crystal Dynamics on July 29 at 10:00 a.m. PT, which will dive into what the beta has in store. For another look at Marvel's Avengers, you can check out the first War Table gameplay right here.Marvel's Avengers is currently scheduled to be available on September 4, 2020. The game is getting a free upgrade to ne...

Google has been accused of illicitly tracking users' app usage and using the data to serve personalized ads.What you need to knowA data privacy lawsuit has accused Google of tracking users in apps and collecting their data even after they turn off "Web & App Activity" tracking.Google apparently uses its Firebase SDK to "illegally" collect data from mobile users. Antitrust investigators in the U.S. are already probing the search giant's advertising practices. Last month, Google was hit with a $5 billion lawsuit for "illegally" tracking millions of users in Incognito Mode by law firm Boies Schiller Flexner. The search giant has now been slapped with another lawsuit by the law firm, accusing it of collecting data from mobile users, despite them having turned off "Web & App Activity" tracking in their Google account settings (via Reuters).The lawsuit, which is seeking class action status, contends Google is in violation of the federal wiretap and California privacy la...

Getting a ton of notifications can be rather annoying, and that's made especially true when accessing said notifications isn't very easy. As phones get bigger and bigger, swiping down from the very top of your screen to see who texted you is far from ideal. Thankfully, by following these handy tips, you can get access to all of your notifications with a lot more convenience. Let's take a look!How to access notifications with the home screen gesture on Galaxy phonesTo start, let's talk about the most popular way of quickly accessing notifications — swiping down from anywhere on your home screen. This is a setting that allows you to bring down your notification panel by swiping anywhere on your screen, not just from the very top. To enable it, all you have to do is the following:Press and hold down on a blank part of your home screen.Tap Home screen settings.Tap the toggle next to Swipe down for notification panel.This gesture only works when you're on your home screen,...

Just hours after the GCEU overturned Apple's $14.9 billion tax bill...What you need to knowThe EU has today adopted sweeping new tax measures.They are designed to promote "fair, efficient and sustainable taxation."Measures include the automatic sharing of income and revenue data generated by sellers on digital platforms amongst member states. The EU is today adopting a series of sweeping new tax measures, which will include increased scrutiny on the revenue and sales of digital platforms like the App Store and Google's Play Store.In a statement released today, the EU Commission stated: The European Commission has today adopted an ambitious new Tax Package to ensure that EU tax policy supports Europe's economic recovery and long-term growth. The Package is built on the twin pillars of fairness and simplicity. Fair taxation remains a top priority for the European Commission, as a means of protecting public revenues, which will play an important role for the EU's economi...

Xiaomi's new products are all about keeping you connected for wallet-friendly prices.What you need to knowXiaomi has launched products for hyper-connected users.It's debuted new wireless earbuds and new Xiaomi Mi Band 5.Xiaomi has also launched an Android TV-powered Mi TV Stick. Xiaomi's newest product launches are all about the connected home and smart living. Today's not about (new) phones, it's about TVs, smart bands, wireless earbuds, and scooters.Starting with the buds, Xiaomi announced the Mi True Wireless Earphones 2 Basic. These are Xiaomi's everyday 2020 wireless earbuds, and there's some visual differentiation to make this look distinct from similar-looking products (coughs* AirPods.) It's compatible with both iOS and Android, charges to full within an hour and a half with USB-C, and offers up to 20 hours of on the go music (five hours on a single charge and three recharges from the carry case.) Audio-wise, Xiaomi adds SBC/AAC codecs and a large 14.2mm dynamic d...

Having a chat with the AC forums.You may not see a lot of them out in the wild compared to Galaxy phones and iPhones, but there are people out there that use and love their Pixels. Despite all of the bumps in the road the Pixel series has gone through over the years, there's no denying that Google has crafted some seriously great hardware since the first Pixel made its debut back in 2016.2020 is shaping up to be the oddest year yet for Pixel fans, with Google's release strategy seeming to change with a new report/rumor every single day. The latest word on the street is that we'll be getting a Pixel 4a, Pixel 4a 5G, and a Pixel 5 — no XL models at all.One AC forum member recently reached out to other fellow Pixel owners, inquiring as to what their next phone purchase would be. Here's what they had to say: B. Diddy 07-13-2020 01:51 PM “ I will probably hold onto my 3 XL for another year. Fo...

More stock could be available due to increased demand.What you need to knowSony was reportedly producing around six million PS5 units by the end of 2020.Now, new reports indicate production is increasing to around 10 million units by the end of 2020.This decision is due to the global pandemic increasing the overall demand for gaming.Previously, reports from Bloomberg indicated that the PlayStation 5 would be more supply-contstrained at launch than its predecessor the PS4. Now, it appears that could be changing. A report from Nikkei Asian Review indicates that after originally planning to produce around six million consoles by March 2021, Sony is upping its production to around nine million units.Bloomberg is corroborating this development with a new report. Per Bloomberg's sources, Sony is aiming to produce around 10 million PS5 units by the end of 2020. This decision is being made as a result of Sony seeing increased demand for gaming due to the global pandemic. While sh...

Xiaomi hasn't demonstrated its 120W fast charging solution yet.What you need to knowChina's 3C certification body has certified an upcoming Xiaomi smartphone with the model number M2007J1SC.The certification reveals the phone will support 120W fast charging.It is also rumored to feature a 48MP main camera and Qualcomm's Snapdragon 865/865+ chipset.Earlier today, OPPO announced its next-gen 125W Flash Charge technology, which is capable of fully charging a 4,000mAh battery in just 20 minutes. While OPPO did say that the new tech is "commercial ready," it hasn't revealed exactly when its first phone with 125W fast charging will hit the market. OPPO's compatriot Xiaomi, however, could launch a phone with support for 120W charging as soon as next month.小米新旗舰入网3C认证，确定配备MDY-12-ED快充头，支持20V 6A最高120W快充。划重点，目前唯一取得公示的百瓦级快充手机[吃瓜] pic.twitter.com/v5up92Sklu— Digital Chat Station (@StationCh...

Like it or not, our smartphones are an integral part of our day-to-day lives. We use them for connecting with loved ones, staying on top of emails, joining video calls for work, and so much more. There are some apps you need to have open all the time, and few things are as annoying as accidentally closing them. Thankfully, your Samsung Galaxy phone is equipped with a tool to prevent this from happening ever again!How to stop apps from closing on your Samsung Galaxy phonePreventing an app from closing on your Galaxy phone takes just a couple of seconds and taps, with the entire process going as follows:Go to the Recents page (swipe up and hold if using gesture navigation, or tap the III button if you're using navigation buttons).Tap the app icon above the app preview/card.Tap Lock this app.So, what exactly happens when you do this? When you lock an app, you stop it from getting cleared out of your phone's RAM so that it's always open and running. When you normally open a...

Facebook had acquired a 9.99% stake in Jio Platforms for $5.7 billion earlier this year.Update, July 15 (7:30 am ET): Google confirms $4.5 billion investment in Jio Platforms.What you need to knowGoogle is reportedly in "advanced talks" to acquire a stake in Reliance's Jio Platforms.The search giant is looking to invest about $4 billion in Jio Platforms. Jio is India's leading cellular network, with nearly 400 million subscribers. In April this year, Facebook invested $5.7 billion in Jio Platforms, which is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Reliance Jio, India's leading cellular network. A report from Bloomberg Quint now claims Google is in "advanced talks" to acquire a stake in Jio Platforms.Citing people familiar with the matter, the publication says the search giant has been discussing an investment of around $4 billion in Jio Platforms. A formal announcement is expected to be made within the next few weeks.As noted by Bloomberg Quint, Google would become the fourteenth...

Look past the name and use this tool to automate so many things you do every day.Bixby is used as a punchline more than as a smart assistant, and for the most part, it's justified. But there's another "Bixby" feature that doesn't have anything to do with Bixby at all: Bixby Routines. And interestingly, unlike most of Bixby, Routines is an amazing feature that more people should be using — but most don't even know it exists.Bixby Routines was introduced with the Galaxy S10, and it didn't get much attention at the time — probably because it's a bit mechanical and requires lots of manual set up, rather than being something that happens automatically and intelligently. Nonetheless, everyone with a Samsung Galaxy phone from the last couple of generations should be trying out Bixby Routines — there's a great chance you'll find something useful it can do for you.How to use Bixby Routines on Samsung Galaxy phonesBixby Routines is similar to the likes of Tasker or IFTTT, in that...

Jio Glass is claimed to provide best-in-class Mixed Reality services for a truly immersive experience.What you need to knowReliance Jio is working on a 5G solution using 100% homegrown technologies.Jio plans to offer its 5G solution to carriers in other countries as a completely managed service.The company also announced its first mixed-reality glasses called "Jio Glass."Reliance Industries, which is India's largest private company, today announced that it is working on a homegrown 5G solution that will enable it to provide a "world-class 5G service" in the country. During the company's annual general meeting, the company also revealed plans of launching mixed-reality glasses called "Jio Glass."The 5G solution, which is claimed to use 100% homegrown technologies and solutions, will apparently be ready for deployment next year. Reliance Jio plans to begin testing its 5G service in India as soon as 5G spectrum is made available. Since Jio uses an all-IP converged network, ...

The biggest phone has the biggest shoes to fill — and is (mostly) up to the task.Samsung's Galaxy S line is usually pretty easy to figure out as "the same phone in different sizes" — but the Galaxy S20 Ultra actually stands out as a different phone entirely. It's considerably bigger than even the S20+, and its unique rear camera setup needs to be evaluated separately from the other two S20 models.That was true when they were launched, and it's equally true now as we near the half-birthday of the Galaxy S20 lineup. With over five months since the Galaxy S20 Ultra launch, it's time to re-evaluate and see if it's still worth the high price tag. That's particularly true as we approach the launch of the new Galaxy Note 20 series, which will largely be based on the Galaxy S20 Ultra's foundation.At a glanceSamsung Galaxy S20 Ultra ...

With the amount of data we keep around these days, you can never have enough storage space. Whether you want a capacious microSD card for a phone or Nintendo Switch, a hard drive for easily moving a lot of data around between machines, or to build your own media server, today's Amazon daily deal featuring sales from SanDisk and WD has got you covered.In this sale, you will find thumb drives, portable hard drives, solid state drives, SD and microSD cards, and more all ranging from a few gigabytes to multiple terabytes. And all going for super low prices.In recent years, the prices of microSD cards have been falling so it's never that expensive to pick up a high-capacity card. However, this sale offers some steep discounts that are worth considering on cards from 128GB to 1TB in size. The models on sale today are from SanDisk's Ultra and Extreme lines which will work great in all manner of devices, from security cameras to phones, tablets, and the Nintendo Switch. There's a 128GB m...

You're probably well aware of Amazon's lineup of devices by now. The company makes a whole host of Echo smart speakers, Fire TV devices and tablets, Kindle e-readers, among other things, and these devices have become super popular thanks to their affordable prices. Today only, you can save even more on Amazon devices at Woot thanks to a limited-time sale that drops starting prices as low as $19.99.Some of the devices are offered in new condition which means the only thing you're missing out on is paying full price. Others are used or refurbished to look and work like new, with shorter warranties, so it's worth paying close attention to that before you place an order.Possibly the best deal in the sale is on the latest Echo Dot. The 3rd-gen model goes for up to $50 at Amazon, but is down to only $24.99 today at Woot. With the Echo Dot you can control your smart home gear, as well as have measurements converted, find out the local weather, set timers, stream music, and more. If you'...

It's quickly becoming a standard feature that's worth getting excited over.The rollout and expansion of 5G have been interesting to watch over the last year or so. The first time I got to experience 5G for myself was in April of last year, when Verizon loaned me a Moto Z3 for the day, equipped with the 5G Moto Mod, to test out its millimeter wave 5G network in Chicago. Speeds, where I was able to find a signal, were incredibly impressive, but the availability of that signal was hilariously spotty.Of course, things eventually began to improve. About five weeks later, I came back to Chicago to try Verizon's network again and had a much better experience, and I later returned once more to try sub-6 5G for the first time over Sprint's network. This was by far the best experience of three, with far more consistent and reliable coverage, albeit at the cost of slower (though still impressive) speeds.Fast forward to today, and every major carrier has a decently well-established 5G netw...

NBC's new streaming service Peacock finally makes its debut this week with a slate of original content you won't be able to stream anywhere else. Based on the iconic novel of the same name, Brave New World could be the next big streaming hit — that is, if audiences can find it. Luckily, we've compiled a list of ways you can stream the show below.Brave New World Season 1: When and whereThe first two episodes of Brave New World premiere on NBC's Peacock when the service launches on the morning of Wednesday, July 15. The following episodes in the season will air on a weekly basis.Though NBC's Peacock streaming service has a few different tiers available, including a free tier, you will need to be on a Peacock Premium or Peacock Premium Ad-Free membership to watch the service's original programming. There is plenty of free content available if you want to try out the service before signing up for a paid membership.How to watch Brave New World from anywhereThe options listed...

The new Calibrate with Live View option helps determine your precise location in dense urban environments.What you need to knowGoogle has started using Live View to calibrate users' location in Maps.To calibrate with Live View, you will need to point your phone cameras at buildings and signs across the street.The new 'Calibrate with Live View' option is now available on ARCore-compatible Android smartphones running the latest version of Google Maps. Google Maps gained a new featured called Live View last year, allowing users to get around more confidently with the help of augmented reality. Google has now quietly introduced the ability to use Live View to calibrate your location in Maps on Android devices (via 9to5Google).It is usually quite challenging to pinpoint a location in dense urban environments, mainly due to low visibility and interference from buildings. Since GPS often "falls short" in urban environments, Google's latest solution uses the camera on your phone ...

125W Flash Charge debuts alongside 65W wireless AirVOOC.What you need to knowOppo has announced 125W wired flash charging, and 65W wireless charging for smartphones.It promises super-fast charging speeds, while remaining within safe thermal limits.The tech is said to be "commercial ready," and should feature in Oppo's next-gen phones.Oppo has today announced its next generation of VOOC charging technologies for smartphones, leading with a super-quick 125W wired charging spec. That's almost double the wattage of the 65W SuperVOOC 2.0 spec used in its current flagship, the Find X2 Pro. The new wired Flash Charge, which pushes up to 20V at 6.25A, can refill a dead 4,000mAh battery to 41% in five minutes, or 100% in just 20 minutes, all while maintaining a device temperature below 40ºC.The charger appears around the same size as the current 65W SuperVOOC 2.0 brick, though with a USB-C port instead of the Type-A connector used in that model. Oppo also promises 65W USB-PD and ...

Widespread outage delaying messages for many users.Update, July 14 (5:20 pm ET): Reports of WhatsApp outages have almost entirely ended, after over an hour of widespread problems.What you need to knowPeople all over the world are reporting a WhatsApp outage, starting around 4 p.m. ET.Biggest sources of issues are Europe and South America.There has been no word or confirmation from WhatsApp on the issue.If you're having issues sending and receiving WhatsApp messages, you aren't alone. Users around the world are reporting outages with the service — including myself. A quick check of popular outage reporting site Downdetector shows a massive spike in reports of issues. Now, about an hour into the large spike in reports of WhatsApp issues, the reports have started to level off, indicating that WhatsApp has started to address the issue.At least on Downdetector, the biggest number of reports of WhatsApp issues are in Europe and South America, though when you think about it ...

Just because the Raspberry Pi 4 is such an inexpensive computer doesn't mean you shouldn't take good care of it. That means you'll want an enclosure of some sort to keep debris out and away from the board as well as provide protection against static shock. Thankfully, like the Pi itself, a great case is just a few dollars; here are the best you can find.Package dealMiuzei Raspberry Pi 4 CaseStaff PickA wonderful acrylic enclosure, a cooling fan, heat sinks, and a 3A power supply make this case deal a steal. You'll have access to all the ports and pins so this one works with any project, too. If you're not sure what to buy, buy this.$17 at AmazonSupercoolingVilros Raspberry Pi 4 Clear CaseThis acrylic case from Vilros is easy to assemble, has a mount for a camera, and cut out channels underneath for maximum airflow. These case channels, combined with the pre-installed fan, will keep your Pi nice and cool no matter what you're trying to do with it.$10 at Ama...

These are some great games!What you need to knowGoogle Stadia is a cloud game streaming service.It's gotten a lot of interesting games in that past few months. Today, the company announced even more titles for the service. Outriders, Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, and more are coming to Stadia soon. Today, Google hosted another Stadia Connect in which it revealed more games coming to the cloud game streaming service soon. Out of them all, Outriders, Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, Hitman, and Hitman 2 were the stars of the show. Even though these titles are coming to Xbox One and other platforms — or have been available for a while — they're great experiences that should attract more players to Google's service.Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice is one of the best games from 2019 and if you like Dark Souls, you should definitely pick this one up. The Hitman franchise is excellent and if you purchase Hitman 2, you can also play the first game through it. Though, Hitman is coming to t...

Not just any pair of headphones is suitable to use while you're working out. Even if you don't sweat a ton, moisture can damage headphones which aren't sufficiently water-resistant. Thankfully, plenty of models out there are designed with this in mind, such as the Treblab Z2 Workout Headphones. These over-ear headphones normally sell for $90, but today you can snag a pair on sale for $76.47. This limited-time offer saves you nearly $15 off their usual cost and offers one of the lowest prices we've ever seen on them.Treblab's Z2 headphones feature active noise-cancelling technology to tune out the world around you while you're listening. Bluetooth 5.0 powers the wireless connectivity so you can pair these headphones with devices like your smartphone or laptop with ease. Meanwhile, IPX4 water resistance keeps these headphones protected during your runs in the rain and spin classes. Inside are neodymium 40mm speakers, while swiveling ear-cups help to keep you comfortable for longer li...