Latest from Android Central

You wanted it, you're going to get it. Next year. On a premium network.The rumors were true. An actual, honest-to-go Justice League Snyder Cut will actually see the light of day. Zack Snyder — director of the original Man of Steel and who first helmed Justice League before having to hand off post-production due to the death of his daughter — confirmed as much today in the middle of a live commentary he was doing with Henry Cavill.And you'll be able to watch it some time in 2021, on HBO Max."I want to thank HBO Max and Warner Brothers for this brave gesture of supporting artists and allowing their true visions to be realized. Also a special thank you to all of those involved in the SnyderCut movement for making this a reality," Snyder said in a press release. View this post on Instagram Just had a little chat with Zack Snyder after a man of steel watch party. Ladies and Gents, it finally happened. The Snyder cut will be out next year! Now, I know the...

If you thought the first and second-generation of the 10-inch Echo Show was a tad too big, you're in for a treat. Amazon makes its smart screen in two more manageable sizes — a 5-inch and an 8-inch model. Let's see which one you should get.Echo Show 8Goldilocks zone$100 at AmazonProsGreat compromise sizePhysical cover/off switch for microphones and cameraSimilar specs to more expensive Echo Show (2nd Gen)ConsNo Dolby processingNeed a stand to adjust viewing anglesThe Echo Show 8 has taken pretty much all that was good from the Echo Show (2nd Gen) and the Echo Show 5, and fit them into a perfectly-sized smart screen speaker. On-device privacy controls, a better screen resolution than the smaller Show 5, and better speakers make this a great buy.Echo Show 5Bedside buddy$70 at AmazonProsCompact design to fit anywherePhysical cover/off switch for microphones and cameraBetter speakers than Echo Dot or Echo SpotConsAuto-brightness isn't...

Update: Samsung is now offering $500 off the Galaxy S20+ 5G, bringing the cost of the unlocked phone down to just $699.99 with an eligible trade-in. Grab one now!Galaxy S20+ 5G for $699.99 at SamsungIf the $1,000 starting price of Samsung's Galaxy S20 you off buying one on day one, Samsung is running a promotion right now that may just tempt you to pull out your credit card. For a limited time, the prices of both the S20, S20+ and S20 Ultra have dropped there by $200 meaning you can get your hands on one of Samsung's flagship phones from as little as $799.99. Considering these phones have only been on the market for a couple of months, this is a stellar discount worth jumping on. The discoutns are being matched at Best Buy and B&H too.There are tons of Android handsets released each year, but the Samsung Galaxy S phones are always worth paying attention to. 2020's Samsung Galaxy S20 lineup is no different. This year, each one is packed with impressive specs, such as a 120Hz...

It's a common and unfortunate myth that you need to be born with a certain set of talents in order to become good at drawing and illustration. In fact, the best visual artists in any medium tend to put in countless hours of practice in order to get to a point where they can create pro-level work, and you can do the same with the right instruction by your side.The Fundamental Drawing Bundle for Beginners bundle is a best-selling instructional package that will help you embrace and bring out your inner artist through over 56 hours of in-depth training that's both engaging and entertaining, and it's currently available for over 95% off at just $39.99.Through 12 courses and over 300 lessons, this bundle will teach you how to draw in a variety of mediums and environments—all through instruction that's easy to follow regardless of your previous experience.You'll learn about both the art and science of drawing with lessons that focus on developing an eye for space and structure, how...

The Rachio 3e 8-zone smart Wi-Fi sprinkler controller is down to $129.99 at Best Buy. You can also find this $20 available at other retailers like Home Depot and even through Best Buy's eBay store. The drop is one of the only discounts we've seen on this version of Rachio's smart sprinkler controller, which is already designed to be a budget version in the first place. The regular Rachio 3 sells for $190 at most places like Best Buy, so the 3e is a decent discount even without today's $20 price drop.The entire point of the Rachio system is to give you a simple and easy way to control your sprinklers. It's a system that's smart enough it can actually save you money in the long run, and it does that without ruining your lawn in the process.The Rachio 3e can avoid watering your lawn when it doesn't need it. The Weather Intelligence technology skips unnecessary waterings when it detects rain, wind, freeze, and more. You can even create a smart schedule based on your mix of soil, the ...

The ever-rising popularity of streaming comes with a lot of competition. You'll need a great personality to set yourself apart, but you'll also need some reliable equipment. Mediocre microphones are a sure way to lose viewers. To up your game and get the best of the best without breaking the bank, you have your choice of several USB microphones that will give you crystal clear audio when streaming from your PlayStation 4.MultipurposeBlue Yeti USB MicrophoneStaff pickIt doesn't get much better for streamers than the Blue Yeti. It's affordable, it picks up high-quality audio from four different recording patterns, and it features zero-latency headphone output through a 3.5mm jack so that you can listen to exactly what you're recording. Getting the perfect sounding audio with impeccable control has never been so easy.$130 at Best BuyFor beginnersBlue Snowball USB MicrophoneThe Blue Snowball is like the Yeti's younger sibling. It still gives you great audio quality at...

Rolling out to a small percentage of users globally now.What you need to knowTwitter is testing a new feature that lets you choose who can reply to the tweet you're composing.You'll have three permission options to choose from, including only the people you @mention.Others will still be able to view and like your tweets, but not reply.Twitter has a problem with harassment and unwanted replies, and it's looking to alleviate that with a new feature it's testing that allows you to limit who's able to reply to your tweets. Initially rolling out to a small number of users globally, Twitter is adding a permissions option to the tweet composition screen, with three options to choose from.The default setting will allow anyone to reply to your tweet, just as has always been the case on Twitter, but you can now choose to allow only the people you follow to reply, or even just the people you @mention in your tweet. This works on a per-tweet basis, rather than applying to all tweets ...

The first phase of Apple and Google's plan is live.What you need to knowApple and Google have launched their Exposure Notifications technology.The technology is now available to developers as an API to integrate with public health apps.This is the first phase of their plan to help fight the coronavirus pandemic.Today, Apple and Google have announced that they are making their Exposure Notifications technology available to public health agencies across the world.In a joint statement, the companies announced that the API, which health agencies can use to incorporate the technology into their apps, is now available to developers on both iOS and Android.Apple and Google stress that users have the option to opt-in to Exposure Notifications, the technology does not track their location, and that it is up to the individual to report potential exposure to the public health app they may be using. For iPhone owners, users must update to iOS 13.5 in order to have access to Exposur...

How can you not be excited by a collaboration between minds behind Game of Thrones and Dark Souls?There are a lot of reasons to be excited about Elden Ring, even though we haven't been told very much at all about the game itself. First, the mind behind Dark Souls, Hidetaka Miyazaki, is the one developing the game along with the team at Bandai Namco. If you have never played the Dark Souls games, you'll know they are a gritty, powerful collection of games with fantastic fighting mechanics and storylines.The next amazing thing about Elden Rings is that George R.R. Martin has written the story. That's right, the creator of Game of Thrones — one of the most popular TV series ever — has created the world, mythos, and backstory to the Elden Ring Game.If ever there was a combination of people to make a dark fantasy game, it's these two. While gameplay footage is non-existent and information extremely scarce, we do have some information for you to check out. We will also be updatin...

As smartphones got bigger and selfies more crucial, PopSockets became a must-have. Now you can stabilize your phone without getting that dreaded cramp in your pinky finger. The PopSockets Swappable PopGrips have so many fun designs and last through me running around Disney World's heat and rain, but there's phone grips aplenty if you're in the market for something a little less round.Best Overall: PopSockets Swappable PopGripsPopSockets were already some of the most popular and widely-used phone grips on the market for a reason: they lasted a long time, really helped reduce the stress on your hands, and came in more styles than you can shake a phone case at. PopSockets are also impressively affordable: even PopGrips with premium materials and styles like the Metallic Diamond Collection and franchised designs like Marvel superheroes still cost less than a large pizza.One of the more addictive aspects of PopSockets is its trademarked accordion design, which pops in and out in a...

The Logitech G213 Prodigy gaming keyboard is down to $44.99 at Target. This keyboard usually sells for $70, and that's the price it's going for at other retailers like Best Buy. Newegg has the next best price at $50, but that's still not quite as good as Target. The deal does come with free shipping, too.The Logitech G213 Prodigy keyboard is not a mechanical keyboard, but that might appeal to you if you're not into the super loud clickity-clacks of mechanical keys. It's actually a membrane keyboard, which gives the keystrokes a softer feel. Despite the domed keys, you'll still get a tactile response and a performance profile similar to mechanical keyboards.The keyboard connects via USB, which makes it easy to get going. It's plug-and-play right out of the box. Plus, it's designed to be spill resistant. That contributes to its durability, which is important for this keyboard. Demand a lot from it and it will not break. It also has RGB illumination so you can customize the colors a...

Memorial Day is just around the corner, and the Memorial Day sales are already getting started. B&H Photo is the latest to kick off its Memorial Day savings event by offering deals on consumer tech, camera gear, and a bunch of other electronics.Shop nowB&H Photo Memorial Day SaleB&H's deals are now live so you can save big on stock up on tech, camera gear, and more this Memorial Day. Many of these deals won't survive the weekend so be sure to take advantage of them while you still can.See at B&H PhotoAs you might expect, many of the deals are photography-focused with discounts as high as $200 on select cameras and accessories. You can snag the Sony Alpha a6000 mirrorless digital camera body plus accessory kit for $398, for example. It's $150 off and comes with a camera bag, spare battery, and 32GB SD card. The Nikon Z 6 mirrorless digital camera body is $200 off, too, for those wanting to step it up a notch.Outside of camera gear, the sale has a ton of con...

Ellie is trying to survive and she's deadlier than ever.What you need to knowNaughty Dog is releasing a series of videos examining different aspects of The Last of Us Part II.The first video went over the characters, story and themes.A newly released video shows off how combat and gameplay has changed. The Last of Us Part II is scheduled to release on June 19, 2020.The Last of Us Part II is just a few weeks away and ahead of its release, Naughty Dog is sharing some videos that take a a deeper look inside various aspects. While the previous video focused on the characters, story and themes that start the game off, this video takes a look at the gameplay and combat improvements. Ellie is smaller than Joel, so she isn't as strong but she is more nimble, capable of jumping and going prone.While Ellie is capable of hiding, if enemies find her, they'll yank her out of cover, so you'll have to balance hiding with staying on the move and being aggressive.The Last of Us Par...

If you can't access a network, then it doesn't matter how fast it is.What you need to knowVerizon has the fastest average 5G speeds, over 500 mbps, in OpenSignal's latest testing.T-Mobile and AT&T had average 5G speeds of just 62 and 47 mbps, respectively.But 5G availability is dramatically different — Verizon customers see 5G just 0.5% of the time.Verizon is bragging today that it has, by far, the fastest 5G speeds in the country — and some of the fastest in the world — based on the latest OpenSignal 5G report comparing network speeds and availability across South Korea, Australia, the U.S. and UK. Verizon's mmWave 5G network had average download speeds of 506 mbps, over double the next-highest average speeds from South Korea's LG U+, SK Telecom and KT. Verizon's direct competitors in the U.S. fared far worse: Sprint averaged 114 mbps, AT&T 62 mbps and T-Mobile just 47 mbps.Sounds like a win for Verizon, right? Well, this is where it's important to rea...

Whether you've recently purchased the Galaxy Watch Active 2 or you've had it for a while now, you're probably eager to get a stylish new band to go with it. We know how important it is to find a match for your needs. You want to be happy with all aspects of your investment, after all. Both the 40mm and 44mm versions of the watch are compatible with 20mm bands, so it'll be easy to find a favorite. We've rounded up some of the best options below.Waterproof permeabilitySycreek Silicone Watch BandStaff pickThis band from Sycreek is made with high-quality silicone that's waterproof and anti-sweat, so it'll be suitable for all your workouts, even swimming. It's also the perfect band for those who prefer the pin-and-tuck design over a traditional bulky watch buckle.$11 at AmazonUltra-soft durabilityFullmosa Silicone Rubber Watch BandThis waterproof, non-toxic, wear-resistant silicone band comes in eight vibrant color options. It's a nice alternative if you're not a...

If you head over to eBay right now you can get the Jabra Elite Active 75t true wireless earbuds for $111.99 refurbished when you use the code PICK2SAVE. The code should even be present right above the promo code window so all you have to do is click. These refurbs come straight from Jabra's official store so you know it's quality. The deal includes free shipping, too.These sell for $200 new at Best Buy. We shared a deal earlier in May that featured these refurbished earbuds dropping $140 through the same eBay page, but this new code brings them down to a low price we have never seen before.You can also get the regular Jabra Elite 75t for just $99.99 through the same Jabra refurb store and using the same code during checkout. Saves you a bit of money, especially if you don't plan to use these earbuds for your workouts. Check out how the Elite 75t compare to the Elite Active 75t, and decide for yourself which one you should go for.The Elite Active 75t earbuds are powerful, featur...

The numbers are coming back.What you need to knowCall of Duty is an annual franchise, with a new game releasing every year.According to Eurogamer, this year's Call of Duty entry is titled Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War.It's meant as a reboot of sorts for the Black Ops franchise. A series of hints and clues are being released in Call of Duty: Warzone.No, there isn't a punctuation mistake in the headline above. According to Eurogamer, Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War is indeed the title for the next game in the annual Call of Duty franchise. Eurogamer's sources also indicated that the game is meant to be a reboot of sorts for the Black Ops franchise, similar to how 2019's Call of Duty: Modern Warfare rebooted the Modern Warfare titles.Eurogamer has further teased that a series of clues and hints are being introduced into Call of Duty: Warzone, with the mysterious bunkers finally opening up. This game has previously been rumored to be taking place in the Cold War, with Ra...

You can't go wrong with either set of earbuds. They both feature USB-C charging, active noise cancelation (ANC), and great sound quality.Water resistantSony WF-SP800N$200 at Best BuyProsLong battery lifeGreat sound with EXTRA BASSCompact charging caseIP55 dust and water resistantConsLacks wireless chargingMiddle of the road ANC performanceThe WF-SP800N are your new workout companion. They feature IP55 dust and water resistant with active noise cancelation (ANC) and nine hours of battery life.Class-leading ANCSony WF-1000XM3$198 at Best BuyProsGreat, balanced soundLong battery lifeExcellent comfortClass-leading ANC performanceConsLarge charging caseLacks wireless charging caseThe WF-1000XM3 feature some of the best ANC performance from a set of true wireless earbuds. They also have a more balanced sound compared to the WF-SP800N but have a much larger charging case.The WF-SP800N's main focus is fitness with their IP55 dust and wa...

Woot has a number of refurbished Samsung and Google smartphones on sale for today only. The promotion includes phones from the Samsung Galaxy S4 to newer devices like the Galaxy Note 9 and Google Pixel 3, and prices start as low as $40. Most models are listed as "scratch & dent" condition which means there may be some cosmetic wear, though they have all been tested to ensure they are in full working order. A 90-day warranty is included. Several options have already sold out, so don't wait on the phone you want if it is still available.One interesting and affordable option still in stock at the time of writing is the Samsung Galaxy S8+ at $199.99. It comes in a few different color options and each is fully unlocked to be compatible with GSM networks. While it's not the newest phone on the market, It's still plenty powerful for day-to-day use. It's water resistant, has a 6.2-inch Super AMOLED display, 12MP camera and 64GB internal storage with space for a microSD card. The newer ...

The phone will not receive any more OS upgrades after Android 10.What you need to knowHMD Global is now rolling out the Android 10 update for the Nokia 5.1 Plus.Along with all the new Android 10 features, the update brings the April 2020 security patch.The update is being dispatched in batches.The budget-friendly Nokia 5.1 Plus, which made its global debut in August 2018, has finally started receiving the stable Android 10 update. HMD Global is dispatching the update in waves, so it will take a few weeks for the update to become available in all markets.As per a post on the Nokia Community forums, the update is currently rolling out in the following countries:ArmeniaAustraliaAzerbaijanBangladeshBelarusBelgiumCambodiaDenmarkFinlandGeorgiaHong KongIcelandIndiaIndonesiaKazakhstanLaosLuxembourgMacauMalaysiaMongoliaMyanmarNepalNetherlandsNew ZealandNorwayPhilippinesRussiaSingaporeSri LankaSwedenThailandUkraineUzbekistanVietnamHMD Global e...

Amazon's Fire tablets are already super-affordable, but right now at QVC you can snag the top-of-the-line Amazon Fire HD 10 at a $40 discount. At $109.96, it's steeply discounted at one of its best prices ever and, to sweeten the deal, QVC is even throwing in a free 32GB microSD card with your purchase while supplies last.The Amazon Fire HD 10 is the best Amazon Fire tablet in 2020. It features a 10.1-inch full HD screen with 1080p resolution, stereo speakers, front and rear-facing cameras, and 32GB internal storage. That included microSD card can be used to instantly double the capacity, too.It's powered by a 2GHz octa-core processor and 2GB RAM and runs Amazon's Fire OS for features like hands-free Alexa utility and the ability to double as a convenient smart home portal to control your Ring and Blink devices. Its battery is no slouch either with up to 12 hours of usage per charge. When it comes to powering back up, you can fast-charge using USB-C.The deal at QVC is slated to...

While screen recording apps have been around the Android world forever, the feature has still not come to most phones at the OS level, except for a few OEMs like Samsung. It was rolled out with Galaxy Note 10 series and an update to One UI at the time. Samsung now includes an easy-to-use and simple-to-ifnd screen recording tool for all Galaxy phones on Android 10 and OneUI 2. We'll show you where it is and how to get started with it.How to use the screen recorder on a Samsung Galaxy phoneThere are two ways to get to the screen recorder function, but the easiest is to swipe down from the quick settings menu and scroll over. You can also access the Screen recorder through the search function in the Settings app.Tap on Screen recorder.A pop-up will ask what Sound settings you wish to record. Choose a sound setting for recording: No Sound, Media Sounds, or Media sounds and mic.Once you are done with your recording, tap the square in the top right corner of the screen to stop...

Amazon closed its warehouses to avoid accidentally breaching a ruling that restricted what items it could ship.What you need to knowAmazon will repoen its French warehouses this week after negotiations with workers.The company closed them in April after a ruling restricted them to shipping essential items.Workers have secured benefits such as increased pay, staggered work times, and a gradual reopening. After being ordered to ship only essential items in France a few weeks ago, Amazon closed all six of its warehouses to prevent accidentally falling afoul of the ruling. Now the company is reopening them after coming to an agreement with worker representatives in the intervening period.To recap, Amazon was ordered to limit shipping to essential products while it put in place measures to protect employee safety. It was to do so in concert with worker representatives, as the company's warehouses had been critiqued as being "health bombs."Now, Amazon and worker representativ...

Everyone should have a dash cam these days, right? You never know what's going to happen when you're out on the road. And you never know what the other person is going to say either, honestly. Get all the facts right for every accident or just get every scene of that deer you saw on the side of the road captured in beautiful 1080p video. Relive your favorite road trip memories or save the important incident videos. The Yi Technology smart dash cam is down to $54.99 as a part of Best Buy's deals of the day. These are very temporary sales that will expire at the end of the day if they don't sellout first. This dash cam normally sells for around $65 or more, so you're saving $10 here.The Yi dash cam is built to withstand a lot of punishment, too. It has a shock-resistant construction and a thermally-optimized ventilation system. That means even in an accident or whatever the dash cam will stay sturdy and strong. Plus it won't overheat after extended use.The device records in 1080p a...

Fifth time's the charm?If there's one way we could describe the Pixel 4, it would be "frustrating." Google made a lot of smart moves with the phone, notably its phenomenal cameras and ultra-fast face unlock, but inexcusably bad battery life held it back from being an easy recommendation. The larger Pixel 4 XL is undoubtedly the better of the two phones, but its battery is still just OK and raises the already high price by an extra $100.Using the Pixel 4 is a wonderful thing, but there's no getting around the compromises required to use it as a daily driver. With that in mind, it's no surprise we're anxious to see what Google does with its successor.All the Pixel 5 needs to do in order to be a great phone is to give us the same Pixel 4 experience, use a reasonably-sized battery, and add an ultra-wide camera.Is that what's happening? Read on to find out everything we know so far about the Google Pixel 5!Let's talk about the designWe'll get three rear camerasGet ready for s...

Android phones come in all sizes and prices, but if you're looking for a cheap Android phone that still offers great specs and will perform well, look no further than this. Right now, Best Buy has the LG V40 ThinQ unlocked Android phone on sale for just $299.99 as one of its deals of the day. This means it's a temporary price drop, and this happens to make it the most affordable price around the web right now beating deals at B&H and elsewhere.This unlocked phone will work on all of the major U.S. carriers, and most of the MVNO options as well. All you need to do is pop a SIM card in, add your accounts, and you're good to go. It has a 6.4-inch display, 6GB of RAM, 64GB of internal storage, and is powered by a Snapdragon 845 processor. The V40 ThinQ has five cameras, three of which are on the back and two of them are on the front. On the back, it has a standard, ultra-wide, and telephoto lens, while the front has a standard and wide angle lens.It was originally released back i...

The NHS bowed to pressure to release the source code for its app, but probably wishes it didn't.What you need to knowSecurity experts have exposed laughable flaws in the NHS' contact tracing app.Source code analysis revealed seven holes.Staggeringly, the random ID code used to protect user privacy only changes once every 24 hours, and the beta for the app was published before encryption was finished.A security report based on source code analysis of the NHS' contact tracing app has revealed several serious security flaws in the software.As reported by Business Insider: The UK government's contact-tracing app has got a number of serious security flaws according to cybersecurity experts who analyzed its source code. A report by two cybersecurity experts, Dr. Chris Culnane and Vanessa Teague, was published on Tuesday. They identified seven security risks around the app, which is currently being trialled on the Isle of Wight and is supposed to be rolled out to the re...

Pixels have never been about chasing specs — but Google may actually be able to compete on price now.It's no secret among tech followers that Google's Pixel line doesn't sell anywhere near the numbers that the big-name competition does. The Pixel 3a and 3a XL are the only exception, and even still, the "high" sales are only relative to their underperforming siblings. As a constant observer of phones in the wild, when I see a Pixel in the hands of a regular person is a notable occurrence. With flagships getting really expensive, Google has an opportunity to change its positioning in 2020.The reasons why that's the case are numerous and continuously debated, but what's clear is that the Pixels typically have prices mismatched to what they offer on a spec-for-spec and feature-for-feature comparison to the high-end competition. In 2020, Google has an opportunity to change its price positioning and actually sell some phones this year. Rumor has it that the Pixel 5 will run on a...

Powering down your phone isn't quite as simple as it used to be. These days, manufacturers are using the power button as a shortcut to launching various apps — in Samsung's case, Bixby — and you can't always just hold the button down to access the power menu. At least, not by default. Don't worry, though, turning off the Galaxy S20 still isn't exactly complicated.How to turn off the S20There's plenty of debate around whether or not you actually need to turn your phone off with any regularity, but it can be good to start things fresh from time to time. Turning off your phone can also be a way to alleviate some bugs and issues (we've all seen the IT Crowd memes). It turns out, there are multiple ways to power down the S20, but we'll focus the step-by-step on the one that probably feels most natural: holding the power button down.Open the Settings app.Scroll down and tap Advanced features.Tap Side key.Under Press and hold, make sure Power off menu is toggled on, rather tha...

Skirting the line between fast-paced fun and buggy stress.Games don't need a "message" to be gratifying or meaningful, but Embr: Über Firefighters grabbed my attention with its satirical premise. You're a gig economy worker in a world where social services like firefighting no longer exist. Your semi-employed character hangs out in a dirty alley waiting for notifications about nearby fires; the more people you rescue, the higher payday and in-app rating you receive.Elevator pitch aside, this title falls into the same category of stressful, physics-based co-op games as Overcooked and Human: Fall Flat, though it differs with its first-person camera and destructable environment. It certainly succeeded in stressing and challenging me, but not always in ways the devs likely intended. Weird physics proved far more dangerous than fire in the dozen or so hours I've played.As an Early Access title Embr will receive plenty of updates and new content in the coming months. It's also likel...

After years of half-hearted attempts, we've finally got a Chrome OS tablet that can go all the way.Chrome OS has had a tablet mode for a really, really long time, but dedicated Chrome OS tablets have been few and far between. There have been some ugly, low-spec Chromebook tablets for the classroom, and then we had the HP X2 and the Google Pixel Slate. The X2 was a detachable, but it worked well, and while the Slate is powerful and (these days at least) stable, it was expensive, even more so once you added the kickstand case and keyboard you need to actually get work done at a reasonable speed.This might be why when the Lenovo Chromebook Duet debuted at CES at the beginning of this year — I know, January feels like a century ago — it drew a lot of attention because it seemed like someone finally got it right and gave us the Chromebook tablet we deserved. It didn't skimp on the storage like the education-oriented models. It came with a keyboard and kickstand in the box.Best...

ASUS' new kits are the first to have been launched after the Google Meet rebrand.What you need to knowASUS has rolled out new Google Meet hardware kits.The kits come with a Google Meet Compute System, an external speaker, a 4K UHD camera, and a touch screen control panel. ASUS' new videoconferencing kits will go on sale in 28 countries starting next month for a starting price of £1650 ($2,022).ASUS has launched a new Google Meet videoconferencing solution designed for enterprise customers (via 9to5Google). The new ASUS Google Meet hardware kits come in three combinations: Starter Kit, Small/Medium room kit, and Large room kit.ASUS' new kits include a compact Google Meet "compute system," a touchscreen control panel, 4K UHD camera, and an external "speakermic." While the Small/Medium kit includes all four accessories, the Large room kit lacks the 4K UHD camera. The Starter kit lacks a touchscreen control panel but includes a remote control that can be used to join and ex...

It's time to get back to basics.The OnePlus 8 Pro, starting at $900, is no longer representative of the classic OnePlus phone that earned the company its early recognition. Even the OnePlus 8, at $700, is pushing the limits of what a traditional OnePlus fan is willing to pay for one of its phones. If you jumped on the OnePlus bandwagon a few years ago because of its solid phones with almost too-good-to-be-true prices, the OnePlus of 2020 is basically unrecognizable.OnePlus is now in the same situation as so many other companies: it needs to fill in the newly-created void underneath its ever-more-expensive flagship phones with a value-focused offering at a lower price. But in the case of OnePlus, it's even more necessary because of just how rapidly its phones increased in price. If you, like most people, only upgrade your phone every two years, you bought a OnePlus 6 for only $530 — and are now being asked to spend 30% more on a OnePlus 8, which isn't its top-end model like th...

Microsoft has developed a "thin client" version of Windows that seems a lot like Chrome OS. But there are plenty of differences that matter.Back when the world first saw the Microsoft Surface Duo (a folding device that runs Android) and the Surface Neo (a larger two-screen laptop-style device that runs Windows), there was a lot of talk about their software.Most of the conversation was about the decision to put Android on a Microsoft-branded device, but the really interesting news was a new version of Windows dubbed Windows 10X that was designed from the ground up to run on light hardware and dual displays.Microsoft has shifted course a bit, and now Windows 10X is going to be released with single display clamshell devices (think netbook but better quality) first, which puts them in direct competition with Chromebooks. For some, these thin-client Windows laptops will be a better choice, and for others, a Chromebook will be the one to buy. The difference is in the details.The be...

It will also include a periscope zoom lens.What you need to knowVivo's upcoming X50 flagship phone will have a humongous gimbal-style camera lens.It is rumored to be the first phone to come equipped with Samsung's new ISOCELL GN1 camera sensor.The Vivo X50 series will be launched in China on June 1. In February this year, Vivo showcased the Apex 2020 concept phone with an in-display selfie camera and 60W wireless charging support. In addition to these headline features, the Apex 2020 also included a 48MP main camera with a gimbal-like lens structure, claimed to offer a 200% improvement in stabilization performance compared to OIS systems.Vivo is now teasing (via The Verge) the X50, which will be the first phone to come equipped with the revolutionary new stabilization technology. The company has posted two videos on its Weibo page today, showing off the gimbal-style camera lens on the back of the phone. Even though Vivo hasn't officially confirmed it yet, the X50 is rumor...

Different people have different priorities.Your phone can say a lot about you and your personality. The features that matter the most to you largely determine what phones you should consider when looking to upgrade; the Pixel 4 takes amazing photos, for example, but it's off the table if you need all-day battery life.We asked around the Android Central staff to see what each of our writers look for in a phone, and what phones should be on your radar based on your needs.Alex Dobie CameraLousy battery life? Pick up a power bank. Slow connection? It's not hard to wait a couple of extra seconds for your stuff to load. Bad camera? Well, you're SOL.There's no substitute for a capable, high-quality camera array in your smartphone. A bad photo is bad forever, after all. A modern flagship phone should offer at least three options — covering wide, ultrawide, and telephoto photography — along with a dedicated computational night mode for lower-light snaps. For me, having all the...

If you have young kids, you know that they're always asking to play with your smartphone. And while you may be all about restricting screen time, sometimes you just need to keep them occupied while you concentrate on responding to a work email, or finishing that conversation with a close friend. For those times, it's great that Samsung has built a whole sandboxed experience for children into their Galaxy phones called Kids Home. I'll show you where to find it, how to use it, and how to tweak the settings to what you deem appropriate for your little ones.How to manage parental controls with Kids Home on a Samsung Galaxy phoneSwipe down from the top of your home screen to access the quick settings menu.Swip over to the second page of quick settings.Tap on Kids Home.Read the introduction, and tap on Start.Read the introduction, and tap on Add Samsung Kids icon so you can access this feature from your home screen or app drawer, in addition to the quick settings menu.Tap Next....

The 4G-enabled Snapdragon 730 version of the Galaxy A71 is the perfect mid-range phone.Samsung released the Galaxy A71 earlier this year, with the phone featuring a fresh new design and upgraded internals. The Galaxy A series has grown from strength to strength in recent years, and the Galaxy A51 was the best-selling Android phone globally in Q1 2020.That's a huge milestone for Samsung, particularly when you consider that the Galaxy A51 isn't even that great. It has a vibrant display and modern design, but the chipset doesn't hold up in day-to-day use and the camera is average at best. A 4G-enabled Galaxy A71 for $400 would be Samsung's answer to the iPhone SE and Pixel 4a in the U.S.This is where the Galaxy A71 comes in. The A71 has robust internals, an even bigger screen, outstanding battery life, and great cameras, and the best part is that the phone is launching in the U.S. later this year. Only one downside; the variant that Samsung is releasing in the U.S. is the 5G-...

It lets owners set up a single online store for both Facebook and Instagram!What you need to knowFacebook has launched a brand new e-commerce tool, Facebook shops.It's designed to help small businesses set up a single store for both Facebook and Instagram.It's totally free! Facebook has this week announced a new e-commerce tool, Facebook shops, which will allow business owners to set up an online store on both Facebook and Instagram for free.Facebook announced the move in a blog post, May 19, which states: Right now many small businesses are struggling, and with stores closing, more are looking to bring their business online. Our goal is to make shopping seamless and empower anyone from a small business owner to a global brand to use our apps to connect with customers. That's why we're launching Facebook Shops and investing in features across our apps that inspire people to shop and make buying and selling online easier.Facebook shops will let businesses set up a s...

This is a bigger deal than losing Google Mobile Services.This has not been a great week for Huawei. The U.S. extended the trade ban with the manufacturer for another year, preventing Huawei from doing business with most U.S. entities. Huawei was put on the U.S. Entity List a year ago, cutting off the Chinese manufacturer's access to U.S. businesses. A direct result of the ban was losing out on Google Mobile Services (GMS), including the Play Store.But Huawei launched phones anyway over the course of 2019, with the Mate 30 series and more recently the P40 series offering an alternative to GMS in the form of AppGallery and Huawei Mobile Services. But a new development puts Huawei's phone business — not to mention its network infrastructure unit — in jeopardy. According to a new report, Taiwanese chipmaker Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) cut off access to Huawei and is no longer taking new orders. Without TSMC, Huawei just cannot manufacture Kirin chipsets ...

The Note 20 Plus may still feature a periscope zoom lens with 'less impressive' digital zoom.What you need to knowA new rumor claims the Galaxy Note 20 Plus will not have the same 100X "Space Zoom" feature as the Galaxy S20 Ultra.The Galaxy Note 20 Plus is rumored to feature a 108MP primary sensor. It is also tipped to come with an "additional sensor" to solve the autofocus issues affecting the S20 Ultra. A report published by Galaxy Club earlier this week claimed the Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Plus will come equipped with the same 108MP primary camera as the Galaxy S20 Ultra. Popular tipster Ice Universe has now shared some additional information about the Galaxy Note 20 Plus' camera hardware, claiming the phone will not have the Galaxy S20 Ultra's 100X "Space Zoom" feature.Note20 series no longer retains 100X zoom function— Ice universe (@UniverseIce) May 19, 2020As our very own Andrew Martonik noted in his review of the Galaxy S20 Ultra, the much-hyped feature has ze...

Heads up! We share savvy shopping and personal finance tips to put extra cash in your wallet. Android Central may receive a commission from The Points Guy Affiliate Network. Please note that the offers mentioned below are subject to change at any time and some may no longer be available.Lots of rewards credit cards have built-in credits that help justify the annual fee. Those credits may be big (hello there, $300 annual travel credit on the Chase Sapphire Reserve®), or they could be small (we're looking at you, $10-per-month American Express® Gold Card dining credit), but in all cases, you're better off using the credits you have available to you than letting them go to waste.In a normal world, it's easy enough to put most of these built-in credits to use. For example, you can use the Sapphire Reserve's travel credit on virtually any travel charge on the card (even parking or subway tickets) and you can even pick up a slice of basically free-to-you cheesecake at the Cheesecake ...

The Pixel 5 could be Google's first 'premium' mid-range smartphone.What you need to knowGoogle may not release a Pixel phone with Qualcomm's Snapdragon 865 chipset this year.Instead of the flagship Snapdragon chipset, the Pixel 5 might feature the mid-range Snapdragon 765.The Pixel 5 is expected to launch this Fall with a starting price of $699.In March this year, a teardown of the Google Camera app had suggested the Pixel 5 may not be powered by Qualcomm's Snapdragon 865 processor. More evidence suggesting the same has now surfaced, courtesy of the folks at XDA Developers.XDA Developers found a new reference to an upcoming Pixel device in the pre-installed EUICCGoogle APK in Android 11 Developer Preview 4. The reference includes Google's codename for the Snapdragon 765 chipset, corroborating the evidence found in March. However, the reference doesn't confirm that it will be the Snapdragon 765 chipset that will power the Pixel 5. The upcoming phone could also be powered b...

Google introduced dark mode to its mobile platform with Android 10 last year.What you need to knowGoogle is finally adding a dark theme to its eponymous search app.It'll be available on iOS 12, iOS 13, and Android 10. The rollout starts from now through the end of the week. Dark mode, after rolling out in Android officially last year with Android 10, has been making its way slowly to all of Google's apps. Now, it's the turn of the eponymous Google app to grab the popular feature. Google announced the update today, explaining that dark mode would work with both Android 10's and iOS 13's default system settings. For iOS 12 users, Google will offer the option to change it with an in-app toggle as the operating system lacks a system-wide dark theme.Starting today & fully rolling out this week, dark mode is now available for the Google App on Android 10 and iOS 12/13. By default, the Google App will reflect your device’s system settings in Android 10 & iOS 13. If th...

Right now, it's just a prototype.What you need to knowThe helical sensing matrix (HSM) using E-textiles are currently in the prototype phase.Interactions can be done via pinching, sliding, twisting, and other ways to control various devices and programs Fiber optic strands can be woven into the fabric to give visual feedback through light.Google has been experimenting with fabrics for a while — remember the Project Jacquard jacket from Levi? Not to mention all of the fabrics that have made their way into the lineup of smart speakers and phone cases. Now, Google is looking at ways to add media and other controls to fabric-wrapped cords.In a post to the Google AI Blog, prototypes for a helical sensing matrix (HSM) using E-textiles are shown off. HSM is essentially braided fabric with "smart threads" woven in that contain capacitive characteristics — meaning you can touch the cord to make things happen on your devices.Thinking of something like the cord for a spe...

We all love our tablets, but sometimes you just want to set it and forget it rather than carrying it around or looking for a surface to balance it on. That's where wall mounts come in, providing both a tasteful and practical answer that looks right out of your favorite sci-fi. Our favorite is the Koala Mount 2.0 by Dockem, with its minimalist design and easy, one-step installation. Here are the best wall mounts for Fire Tablet available today.Best Overall: Koala Mount 2.0 by DockemThe Koala Mount 2.0 by Dockem is the best option for anyone who wants a no-fuss, no-muss way to stick their Kindle Fire on a wall without too much hassle. With a sleek, minimal, and unobtrusive design, the Koala Mount is an easy one-step installation that can be moved around your space wherever you need it next. Simply slide your Kindle Fire into the mounting brackets and enjoy. There's no need to fuss with your electrical system or knock holes in your wall.It's also one of the more affordable optio...

A new season-long challenge is here for players to undertake.What you need to knowApex Legends Season Five has begun.Season Five is introducing Quests, with the first one being called The Broken Ghost.This quest will run over the course of the season as players try to find nine different parts of an artifact.Finding the artifact parts will unlock new pieces of lore.With Apex Legends Season Five kicking off, Respawn Entertainment is introducing a new event to shake things up with Quests. The first of these Quests is The Broken Ghost. Players can undertake weekly Hunts, delving into King's Canyon at night to recover nine fragments of an artifact. Successfully completing these Hunts will unlock the story of The Broken Ghost.You can go on weekly Hunts by yourself or in a squad but in order to get the rewards, you'll need to have unlocked the missions yourself. If you recover all nine pieces of the artifact, Respawn states you will "uncover a secret that the Outlands might no...

Those of us who have felt the crushing weight of the ban hammer comes down upon our fragile skulls know the pain it can cause. There are few things as sad as pulling up to your favorite digital hangout only to find that you are no longer allowed inside. If you've turned on your PlayStation 4 and discovered that you've been banned from the PlayStation Network, then take a look at the advice below.Identify your error messagesIf you cannot connect to the PSN you will be provided with an error message. While the details given are somewhat sparse, it can give you an idea of where you stand. Start by writing down your error message and comparing it to the list below.8002A227: You cannot use PlayStation®Network with this account.8002A231: Your PlayStation®Network account has been suspended.80710016: For more information, go to WS-37397 Error Code (most often means PSN doesn't like something about your IP).WS-37337-3: This PSN account has been temporarily suspended.WS-37368-7: T...

Private virtual networks, or VPNs, are an invisibility cloak for your Android device while online. It keeps your info, like IP address, location and personal data hidden so cookies and internet trackers can't log your browser or app use history. VPNs are also helpful when trying to connect to TV streaming apps while you are traveling outside of your come country.The best VPN for Android devices is ExpressVPN. It has the most servers in the most locations worldwide but has 100Mbps download speeds, the fastest available of any VPN service. You get unmatched customer support, easy to use apps, and more as well.There are a lot of VPN providers out there, each of them offering something a little different in an attempt to stand out above the others. While ExpressVPN is our top pick for most people, that doesn't mean it ticks every box for every person. It's not the cheapest, not the fastest, may not have the most servers, but that's where you need to decide what the most important part ...

Hardware is only a part of Google's massive business, and Pixels are just a tiny slice of hardware.Anytime the CEO of a massive company in our industry speaks, we hang on every word — we had the opportunity to do just that with CEO of Alphabet and Google, Sundar Pichai, thanks to a fresh interview with The Verge. It's a well-timed interview, from our perspective, given the recent news of a shakeup in the top ranks of the Pixel team — and thankfully Pichai spoke specifically about Google's hardware business: The last couple of years have been a major integration phase for us because we've combined our Google hardware efforts with Nest. We absorbed the mobile division of HTC. So it's been a lot of stitching together. And we have a wide product portfolio, too. So it's definitely been a building phase. We're super committed to it for the long run. Hardware is hard. And it definitely has components, which take real time to get it right, thinking about underlying silicon or dis...