Latest from Android Central

All those free Nest Minis are coming in handy.What you need to knowGoogle is making it more convenient to own multiple Nest speakers.A new update rolling out today will offer more powerful multi-room audio.Nest Hubs and other Google Assistant smart-displays will get the new multi-room control today, while the Google Home app will get it in a fall update.Google is updating Nest smart home devices with more powerful and dynamic multi-room support. Previously, users could pair Nest devices for stereo audio or manually create a multi-room speaker home grouping. Going forward, it'll be able to be done dynamically. If you have a Google Assistant-powered smart display like the Nest Hub, you'll be able to tap the icon at the bottom of the screen to open up the multi-room control interface and add/remove devices as you move through your home.Here's how Google suggests users can use the new capabilities: Move music from one room to another: Stream transfer lets you easily move ...

Play as your favorite Marvel heroes and save the world from horrific evil.The Marvel Cinematic Universe brought to life our favorite comic book heroes like never before. Due to its success, we've seen the team grace nearly every form of media recently. Square Enix and Crystal Dynamics, along with several other studios lending a hand, were tasked with creating a new video game to do the Earth's Mightiest Heroes justice.Avengers, reassemble!Save the planetMarvel's Avengers$60 at Amazon $60 at Best Buy $60 at WalmartAn ever-expanding online gameAfter a horrific event leaves San Francisco in ruins, the Avengers have been disbanded. However, an even bigger evil threatens the planet five years later, and it's up to you to assemble the crew and save the world once again.Jump to:What is Marvel's Avengers?Which characters are in it?What's the story?What's the gameplay like?Is it connected to Spider-Man on PS4?Does it have platform-exclusive content?It will not h...

Facebook's slow rebranding of Oculus is sure to upset quite a few people.What you need to knowAll new Oculus users will need a Facebook account in order to sign up with the service, starting in October 2020.Existing Oculus users will be able to use their Oculus accounts for another two years before being required to migrate.Oculus accounts are sunsetting on January 1, 2023.Users who don't want to migrate their existing accounts will still have basic functionality after January 2023.Since the purchase of Oculus by Facebook in 2014, the social media giant has been slowly but surely adding its name and services to the Oculus entourage. This latest announcement from Facebook further curtails Oculus accounts, which used to be the way to use an Oculus device without bringing Facebook into the equation. Starting in October 2020, all new Oculus users will be required to sign in with their Facebook account and will no longer be offered the option to create an Oculus account.Exist...

The Jiggle Physics crew offer their take on Epic Games vs. Apple, Google, and anti-competitive behavior in general. They also mourn the delay of Halo Infinite but discuss why it may turn out to be a good thing.Some high level employees have been fired by Ubisoft for abusive behavior, but it remains to be seen if the company will affect significant change in their corporate culture. The gang finish with listener questions and talk about what they've been playing. Hosted by: Jennifer Locke, Carli Velocci, and Rebecca SpearGot feedback? Hit up Podcast@androidcentral.com and tell us something!LISTEN NOW:LINKS:Fortnite has been removed from Apple's App Store | iMoreEpic Games is suing Google following Fortnite's removal from the Play Store | Android CentralFrom the Editor's Desk: Who to root for in the Epic/Apple/Google slap-fight | Android CentralFortnite fiasco: Three multi-billion dollar companies drag phone users into a battle royale | Android CentralHere's why Halo...

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.Even though many people have put travel on hold for the time being, that doesn't mean the desire to rack up points and miles for future redemptions has stopped. In fact, many (myself included) have used this time spent at home to save up rewards for an amazing trip down the line.For those who are interested in storing up points with Southwest, new sign-up bonus offers across all three personal cobranded Southwest credit cards could help you hit your goals.The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card, Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card and Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card now all have this same sign-up bonus offer:Earn 65,000 bonus points after spending $2,000 on purch...

If you're trying to reach more customers and maximize your website's engagement online, you need an in-depth understanding of the latest SEO methods and ad platforms.The SEO & Social Media Ads Certification Bundle will get you up to speed with everything you need to know, and it's on sale for over 95% off at just $29.99.With six courses and six hours of content, this bundle will teach you how to expand your business by reaching your target audiences, using Instagram ads, engaging with new potential users, and much more—all through training that's easy to understand regardless of your experience level with marketing.Give your brand or website the attention it deserves with the SEO & Social Media Ads Certification Bundle for just $29.99—over 95% off its usual price today.Prices are subject to change....

Most Oculus Quest owners know you connect your Quest to your PC to play PCVR games. However, you may not know that linking up to your PC also lets you transfer files back and forth between your headset and computer. Doing so enables you to download films, music, pictures, game mods, and other content to your device. Below, we walk you through the process of transferring files to (and from) your Quest.Products used in this guideSimple cable solution: AmazonBasics USB Type-C ($8 at Amazon)Wireless VR: Oculus Quest ($399 at Oculus)How to connect your Quest to your PCConnect your Quest to your PC with a USB-C cable. If your PC has its own USB-C port, you can use the USB-C cable that comes with the Quest itself. You will see the Quest pop up on your explorer.Put your Quest on your head.Within the Quest, you will be prompted whether you want your PC to be able to access your Quest files. Confirm yes.On your Windows PC, you will now have access to explore your Quest as if i...

Google highlights new ways people can use their voice on Android.What you need to knowIt's now easier to send audio messages on Android phones with Google Assistant.Google has now added the "Hey Google, send an audio message" command to Assistant on Android.You can send these audio messages on supported apps like Google Messages or WhatsApp.Google today highlighted a few capabilities for the Google Assistant service on Android, some of which are new-ish, one of which is completely new.The new feature is faster, kind of more natural access to audio messages. Instead of opening a messaging app and holding down the microphone icon, you can simply ask Google Assistant to compose and send an audio message with just your voice."You can now send audio messages with Google Assistant on Android smartphones — without holding down the little mic icon," Google announced, "To get started, just say, "Hey Google, send an audio message" or "Hey Google, send an audio message to Paul s...

Setting up a smart home security system isn't as difficult as you might think. The Blink XT2 Smart Security Cameras make watching over your home easy with live video feeds that you can check in and watch at any time using an app on your smartphone or tablet. They're suitable for use indoors and outside and even include a built-in microphone and speaker so you can talk with anyone on the other end of the camera.Right now's a stellar time to think about setting up Blink XT2 cameras in your home as Amazon is currently offering $95 off the 5-camera Blink XT2 security camera kit. Not only that, but you'll also receive a free Echo Show 5 smart display valued at $90 with the purchase. That brings your total savings up to $185. The cameras work hand-in-hand with the Echo Show 5 so you can see, hear, or speak with visitors using your new smart display.Each Blink XT2 smart security camera offers an extended battery life of two years just using two AA lithium batteries. That means there is ...

If you want to get the most out of your favorite music or podcast, noise-canceling headphones are the way to go. They block out ambient noise around you, making it easy to focus on what's playing — something that's especially useful when flying, working at a coffee shop, or just being out in public. We've rounded up eight of the best ones you can get for less than $100, including the Soundcore Life Q20 as our top overall pick.Best Overall: Soundcore Life Q20Anker's Soundcore brand has been at the forefront of a lot of budget-minded audio gadgets, and the Life Q20 headphones are another reminder of why Soundcore is one of the most compelling players in the game.Using a hybrid active noise cancellation system comprised of four ANC microphones, an internal feedback microphone, and an external feedforward microphone, the Soundcore Life Q20 can block up to 90% of ambient noise. That's primarily focused on the low and mid-end of sound frequencies, allowing the Q20 to effectively ...

SwiftKey Beta's new feature makes it easier to edit textWhat you need to knowMicrosoft SwiftKey Beta for Android now has cursor support.The feature allows you to hold the spacebar and drag left or right to move the cursor through text.The feature is popular on other keyboards.Microsoft SwiftKey Beta for Android just got an update that brings cursor support to the digital keyboard. The feature allows you to press and hold the spacebar and then drag along the spacebar to move the cursor through text.Here's Microsoft's description of the feature from the app's store listing. We've added cursor control to your Microsoft SwiftKey Keyboard. Try it out by tapping and holding the spacebar to move the cursor We hope you'll love it!The ability to move the cursor by holding the spacebar and dragging left or right is a popular feature on some other keyboards. It should be a welcome addition to SwiftKey if it rolls out to general availability.SwiftKey BetaFree at Google...

Samsung's lineup of Galaxy Buds are some of the best true wireless earbuds you can buy on Android or iOS, but that's even more true if you use a Galaxy smartphone. The buds sound great, are comfortable and convenient, and can be charged on the go. But what happens if your Samsung Galaxy Buds Live charging case or Galaxy Buds/Buds+ charging case gets lost, misplaced, or damaged? We'll show you what to do to get a replacement.How to replace the charging case for your Samsung Galaxy Buds, Buds Plus, or Buds LiveIf it's lost, try finding it firstThis seems obvious, but hear us out. Retrace your steps, try to remember where you last had the case, and work back from there. Hopefully, it couldn't have gone far!While the Samsung Galaxy Wearable app does have a feature that allows you to ping your Galaxy Buds themselves, it doesn't work to locate the charging case. This is because there is no speaker in the case from which to play a pinging noise.Reach out to customer serviceLost ...

Disabling Samsung Pass is a good idea depending on if you already have a password manager. A good password manager can be a real life-saver. Not only can it protect your important login credentials from those hiding in the dark corners of the web, but it can spare you the headache and hassle of manually entering that information in time and time again. If you enabled Samsung Pass but are tired of its constant prompts, or if you just want to try another password manager, we'll show you how you can disable this service and move on to something else.What is Samsung Pass?Samsung Pass is a proprietary, password management app by Samsung that is built-in at the system settings level and is included on newer Galaxy phones and tablets by default as part of One UI. Users have to enable the feature (often at the prompting of system notifications when filling in online passwords). Still, not everyone realizes that you can just as easily disable the service, and even use another password m...

Curious children are the cutest, but they can also be a bit of a handful with their constant questions about why the sky is blue and how whales can float and why is Earth. Now, thanks to the Amazon Echo Dot Kids Edition speaker, Alexa can start fielding questions for you while always providing 100% kid-friendly answers. While the Echo Dot Kids Edition regularly sells for $69.99, right now you can snag one bundled with an Echo Glow smart lamp for only $49.99 and save 50% off the usual cost of both products in the process.Today's deal allows you to choose between either Blue or Rainbow models of the Echo Dot Kids Edition. An entire year of FreeTime Unlimited is also included with your purchase, which gives your child access to age-appropriate books, music, games, cartoons, audiobooks, and more — some of which can be accessed using the Echo Dot.This smart speaker is pretty similar to the latest Amazon Echo Dot, with the main differences being its paint job and parental controls. H...

We'll be waiting a while for Arkane Lyon's next immersive sim.What you need to knowDeathloop is an immersive sim being developed by Arkane Lyon.It was revealed to be a timed PS5 launch exclusive that would release in Holiday 2020.Arkane revealed today that Deathloop is being delayed into Q2 2021.Arkane Studios' Deathloop was revealed earlier this year to be a timed PS5 exclusive that was set to arrive around next-generation launch in Holiday 2020. Unfortunately, like so many other games this year, this title has been pushed back. Arkane announced today via Twitter that Deathloop is now scheduled to release at some point in Q2 2021.To the community, an update on DEATHLOOP: pic.twitter.com/XveoG6AgoT— DEATHLOOP (@deathloop) August 18, 2020Arkane notes that considering "the health and safety" of the team, combined with how the global pandemic had impacted work, means that polishing Deathloop in time for next-generation launch simply isn't feasible. Arkane also states t...

Want to upgrade your Android experience? Try upgrading your launcher.The way we arrange, organize, and interact with our apps on Android is called the launcher. Launchers usually consist of a series of home screens, where we can arrange app shortcuts and widgets and an app drawer. Every phone comes with a launcher, but when they drop the ball, there are endless third-party launchers that not only pick it up again but knock it clear out of the park. Everyone has their perfect launcher, but if you haven't found your favorite yet, then here are a few launchers we think will satisfy users of every type.The best launchersBest overall Smart Launcher 5Long-term Legacy Nova LauncherSwiss Army Launcher Action LauncherBest Productivity Microsoft LauncherPixel Perfected Lawnchair 2Quick and Simple Niagara LauncherBest Overall: Smart Launcher 5 AC Score 5 ...

The right tool for the wrong time.At one point, I was going to start this review with a sentence like, "Samsung's never really screwed up the Galaxy Note; every version has been better than the last." I got about halfway through writing that sentence and then it all came flooding back — the summer of 2016, when reports of Note 7s catching fire started trickling in. Then came the recall, then the reissue, then the second recall, then the bans. How could I have forgotten, even briefly, something that fundamentally changed Samsung, and the wider smartphone industry, so dramatically?I forgot it for a moment because Samsung's done such a profoundly good job helping us forget it. In the wake of the Note 7 debacle, the company returned the following April with the Galaxy S8, which turned out to be its best-selling flagship ever (and retains that title today), followed by the Note 8 a few months later. A year later, the Note 9 was the first premium Android phone to justify its thou...

Are you looking for the best wireless earbuds for the Galaxy Note 20? Samsung has a lot of excellent options in this category, and the Galaxy Buds Live stand out for the sound quality, stellar battery life, wireless charging, and the unique design. There are plenty of other options across various price points, so let's take a look at the best wireless earbuds for the Note 20.1. Samsung Galaxy Buds Live: Best OverallThe Galaxy Buds Live debuted alongside the Note 20 series, and the unique design of the earbuds makes them stand out. The earbuds rest on your outer ear instead of the inner canal, leading to a much more comfortable fit. The Buds Live share the same fundamentals as the Buds+, and that means you get excellent sound quality, battery life over 10 hours, and a case that charges over USB-C as well as Qi wireless charging mats. Of course, you get perfect compatibility with your Samsung phone as well.Samsung also offers customizable gestures, and if you're looking to buy ...

Anker's Soundcore Liberty 2 True Wireless Earbuds are down to just $59.99 in refurbished condition via Anker's official store at Newegg. These earbuds normally go for $100 brand new and $80 refurbished.This is one of the lowest prices we've seen for the Soundcore Liberty 2 since their release, though the deal is available today only. To get that low price, all you have to do is enter coupon code 93XPQ62 during checkout. Shipping is free.Anker's Soundcore Liberty 2 are some of the best affordable true wireless earbuds available. They feature a diamond-coated driver for flawless accuracy and an elastic, bass-maximizing ridge around the exterior to pump up your music a bit further. Using HearID technology, you can create a custom set of EQ settings for these earbuds; it even maps your hearing sensitivity at various frequencies to give you a personalized listening experience. There's also AptX technology for high-quality audio over Bluetooth.These earbuds last for up to eight hours...

The Monoprice Obsidian Speed 85W Power Delivery USB-C wall charger is on sale for $13 on the Monoprice website. Monoprice says this charger regularly sells for around $74, and we can find it going for $45 at Target. Today's deal is a crazy low price either way. Plus, Monoprice offers free shipping so you aren't encurring extra fees that way. There is a warning about slower than usual shipping on the site, so you might not get it very fast.Look, let's get the bad out of the way. You're probably asking yourself why this thing is $13 when it seems so powerful. Well, that's because while the tech on the inside is top notch, the outside isn't great. It uses a plastic casing that may not feel great. However, it is covered by a one-year warranty, and you'd be hard-pressed to find a charger this capable for such a low price.With 85W power output, the charger is good enough for even the more powerful laptops. Especially the USB-C powered ones. It has Power Delivery 2.0, and it's smart eno...

Similar to the Nest app, you will also be able to view the current status of your smart lock in the Home app.What you need to knowA Google promo video has revealed an upcoming feature coming to the Home app.Users will soon be able to unlock their smart locks right from the Google Home app.The functionality will likely begin rolling out to users sometime within the next few weeks. Google has been posting new videos daily featuring actor and comedian Fred Armisen as part of the "Daily Special" campaign that it kicked off last month. As spotted by Android Police, yesterday's video revealed a new functionality that could soon be available on Google's Home app.As can be seen in the promo video below, Fred is able to unlock his Nest x Yale smart lock simply by tapping and holding on the lock icon in the Google Home app. Similar to the Nest app, the lock icon in the middle will also show users the current status of their smart lock.The Home app has gained quite a few featu...

NVIDIA is bringing its own cloud gaming platform to Chromebooks from today.What you need to knowNVIDIA GeForce Now is a streaming service that allows PC players to stream games they own on various devices.The service is officially launching on Chromebooks via a web-app.Lower-end Chromebooks aren't supported for the time being as NVIDIA looks to create a good base experience first.It felt inevitable, but NVIDIA has announced that its GeForce Now cloud gaming platform is launching officially on Chromebooks by way of a web-app. From today, GeForce Now subscribers will have access to the PC games available on the platform through their Chromebooks simply by visiting the dedicated portal.The timing is definitely right as we enter the back to school season, especially with Chromebooks increasing popularity in this space. NVIDIA recognizes how many students rely on a Chromebook for their education, whether at home or out at school, and is now helping turn them into a proper gami...

Wi-Fi 6 was designed with the future of routers in mind. As more people work from home in the wake of coronavirus, holes in our Wi-Fi are more annoying than ever. As our homes get smarter, we have more connections than ever that need to check in consistently and reliably. Wi-Fi 6 is designed to bring more capacity to a network and even allows for greater speed with a lot of devices. Wi-Fi 6 mesh systems have come down in price, and the Netgear Nighthawk MK62 is one of the best choices for most people.Best Overall: Netgear Nighthawk MK62The Nighthawk Mesh WiFi 6 System from Netgear takes on compact AC-only mesh systems with its compact housing and understated design. Measuring only 4.8 inches wide and 2.5 inches tall, each router has a smaller footprint than a CD case. This compact design makes this mesh system one of the easiest to integrate into a home.While you do give up some speed compared to the larger and more expensive mesh systems, the AX1800 speeds should be more tha...

The Anker Soundcore Pro+ 25W high-definition Bluetooth speaker is down to $59.99 when you clip the $30 off on-page coupon at Amazon. Without the coupon, the speaker is going for $90. It has only dropped near this low a couple times before, but the biggest savings come from coupons like today's. So you may have missed the deals in the past. Here's your chance to save a nice big chunk of change.The Anker Soundcore Pro+ promises very powerful sound. It has 25W power, four professionally-tuned drivers, and a digital signal processor. You get high definition audio delivered flawlessly every time. Plus, Anker uses an exclusive BassUp tech to boost the low frequencies and give you chest-thumping bass every time. The bass will resonate even when the speaker itself is tuned to a low volume.It's also a portable speaker, so you can take it with you. Whether you're having a backyard barbecue or just relaxing by yourself on the porch, you can keep Anker's speaker going for up to 18 hours on a...

Let's chat with the AC forums.In just a few short days on August 21, Samsung will officially launch the Galaxy Note 20 and Note 20 Ultra to the masses. They're the two latest flagships from the company, and as with any major Galaxy devices, they're chock-full of endless features.The Note 20 series, in particular, brings a lot to the table. There's the reduced latency with the S Pen, the new wireless DeX feature, deeper integrations with Microsoft services, and a ton more. Some of our AC forum members recently started talking about the features they're looking forward to the most, with the conversation going as follows: mountainman 08-16-2020 07:46 PM “ I'm looking forward to using the Dex with my TV. No wires. Just checked today to confirm my TV has Miracast compatibility. Also, I'm coming from the Note 8, so I am hoping the low-light camera shots are much improved. And, I want to see for ...

Yes, no, maybe so.It's safe to say that true wireless earbuds are only as popular as they are thanks to the massive success of Apple's AirPods. First unveiled back in 2016, it didn't take long for AirPods to become a worldwide phenomenon. The Q-tip design was made fun of endlessly, and people scoffed at the $160 price tag, but Apple reportedly sold over 60 million AirPod units in 2019 alone.The big draw to AirPods is how seamlessly they work with other Apple devices, and while that's great if you live in the Apple ecosystem, plenty of people do not. There are more than 2.5 billion Android devices on the planet, and if you're among the individuals that have an Android smartphone, chances are you've considered picking up a pair of AirPods even though you don't have an iPhone.You can technically use AirPods with Android devices, but is that an experience that's worth it? It's time to settle that question once and for all.The perks of using AirPods with an Android phoneThis i...

The best Galaxy Watch 3 accessories include everything you need to enhance the experience of the smartwatch. You'll find the best wireless earbuds to pair with the watch to stream Spotify locally, the best third-party bands, wireless chargers, and screen protectors for Samsung's latest smartwatch. So let's take a look at the best Galaxy Watch 3 accessories you can get right now.Pump up the musicSamsung Galaxy Buds LiveStaff PickThe Galaxy Watch 3 lets you stream music locally, so you can just connect the smartwatch to your earbuds and leave the phone behind. The Galaxy Buds Live are the ideal option as they offer active noise cancelation, a unique design that fits snugly into your ear, excellent audio quality, and they last 10 hours between charges.$170 at Amazon$170 at Best Buy$170 at B&H PhotoRock out for lessTaoTronics TT-BH079TaoTronics's TT-BH079 wireless earbuds deliver a snug fit that's great for all-day use, and you get an eight-hour battery ...

The RAZR 5G could prove to be a massive disappointment in terms of battery life.What you need to knowMotorola's upcoming RAZR 5G has been certified by TÜV Rheinland.The listing on the TÜV Rheinland website reveals the upcoming foldable phone will pack a 2,633mAh battery. Motorola is expected to unveil the RAZR successor at a virtual launch event on September 9.Motorola teased the launch of its RAZR successor last week, confirming that the foldable will be unveiled at an event on September 9. Ahead of its official unveiling next month, the upcoming RAZR 5G has now been spotted on the TÜV Rheinland website by the folks at MySmartPrice.Per the TÜV Rheinland listing for the Motorola RAZR 5G, the foldable phone will have two batteries with a rated capacity of 1,180mAh and 1,453mAh respectively. That means the RAZR 5G will have a combined rated capacity of 2,633mAh. The typical cell capacity, on the other hand, could be around 2,800mAh. While the listing seems to confirm th...

Bluepoint Games is remaking the title that started a genre so the world might be mended.For years, there's been a lot of speculation as to exactly what Bluepoint Games, the studio behind several successful remasters and remakes, was working on. That mystery has ended, as during a Sony games showcase showcase, it was revealed that Bluepoint Games and Japan Studios are working on a remake of FromSoftware's Demon's Souls, modernizing this Gothic title for the PS5.This is no mere remaster, with everything being rebuilt from the ground up to take advantage of a new generation's hardware. Here's everything you need to know about this remake of Demon's Souls for the PS5.Jump to:What is Demon's Souls?Gameplay and featuresCheck out the trailerIs it PS5 exclusive?Will there be multiplayer?How about some comparison pictures?When is the release date?What is Demon's Souls?Demon's Souls is a game originally developed by FromSoftware for the PS3. A colorless fog has overta...

The Anker Official Store is selling a refurbished Eufy RoboVac 11S Slim robot vacuum cleaner for $109.99 when you use code 93XPQ63 at Newegg. The code is taking $41 off the price making this one of the best robot vacuum deals around right now.Anker promises this robot vacuum works and looks like new and is covering it with a 3-month warranty. However, if you would prefer new, you can get the RoboVac 11S Slim discounted to $159.99 via Woot's Amazon store right now. That's $50 more for the same product but you get a full one-year warranty.The RoboVac 11S is slimmer than previous generations and is only 2.85 inches high. It is still capable of some truly powerful suction up to 1300Pa, which means you get a lot of power in a small package. Anker's BoostIQ tech can detect when some extra suction is needed and automatically increases the power for the tough to clean spots. This saves you some battery life in the long run, too, by only using that extra suction in bursts when it's needed...

Perfect FitTP-Link Archer AX3000 / AX50$150 at DellProsAX3000 speeds are fast enough for mostFour Ethernet portsSmaller sizeHomeCare software includedConsOnly dual-band Wi-FiCoverage is not as strongThe TP-Link Archer AX50 (it's known as the AX3000 at Walmart) is a great balance for a lot of people with its fast AX3000 speeds being more than enough for most. Four Ethernet ports make it easy to connect your wired devices while a USB 3.0 port lets you hook up an external storage device. TP-Link includes HomeCare with the AX50 model, which provides great parental control software as well as antivirus protection.Support more devicesTP-Link Archer AX6000$300 at AmazonProsFast AX6000 speedsEight Ethernet portsDual USB ports with USB-CHomeCare includedConsLarge size makes it hard to placeExpensiveOnly dual-band Wi-FiThe TP-Link Archer AX6000 is a great option for many people that need to get a lot of devices online. Even if you haven'...

The Amazon Echo Studio smart speaker has dropped to $149.99 at Staples when you use the code 38890. This is the lowest price we've ever seen on the Echo Studio, and it's happening in part because Amazon already dropped the price on the Studio from $200 to $170 at pretty much every retailer. The Staples coupon takes another $20 off, which brings it down to a lower price than anywhere else, including Amazon.The Studio is designed to focus on high-fidelity sound. So if you want some music to listen to, you should also check out this deal giving you a free trial to Amazon Music HD. That's the highest-quality music you can get from Amazon for free. Not a bad way to try out your new smart speaker.The Android Central review of the Echo Studio last November gave it 4.5 stars out of 5 and a The Best badge. Daniel Bader said, "...this is the speaker to buy for anyone who wants to play in the big leagues of sound without getting overly complicated. The Echo Studio has enough amplification t...

Champions League glory is on the line tonight as French giants Paris Saint-Germain take on RB Leipzig at the Estádio da Luz. Read on to find out how to watch this crucial match between RB Leipzig vs PSG, no matter where in the world you are.The rejigged format of this Coronavirus-delayed tournament means tonight's match is a one-off game played at the neutral venue of Benfica's Estádio da Luz in Lisbon, with the spoils for the winner a Champions League final clash against Lyon or Bayern Munich.Both sides hoping to progress to their first-ever Champions League final with a victory tonight, though PSG go into the match as favorites. The French side won a domestic treble this season with Ligue 1, Coupe de France, and Coupe de la Ligue trophies.The Parisians saw off Atalanta in their quarter-final bout with two late goals from Marquinhos and Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting needed in order to progress to this stage. There's no doubt that PSG have been a force in France this season, but t...

Dependable noise-cancelling headphones can be some of the most expensive options out there, which is why finding a nice pair on sale can sometimes feel like a godsend. You should actually be feeling that way right about now, as Amazon has the Sony WH-XB900N active noise-cancelling Bluetooth headphones on sale with $100 off today only. That discount drops them down to just $148 which is the best price we've seen on them outside of Black Friday. You can find them for the same price today at B&H, too, though only the black model is on sale there.The WH-XB900N feature 30 hours of battery life and a 10-minute charge gives you an hour of playback thanks to built-in fast charging. They pair up quickly with either Bluetooth or NFC. The headphones provide digital noise cancellation making them perfect for your commute or your next flight and a Quick Attention Mode lowers the volume and turns off the noise-cancellation, allowing you to communicate without taking your headphones off. Sony...

The company has reportedly shown interest in its U.S., Canada, Australia, and New Zealand operation.What you need to knowAnother company has entered the race to buy TikTok.U.S. firm Oracle has reportedly shown interest. Microsoft seems to be the frontrunner in the race. A report suggests U.S. firms Oracle has reportedly joined the race to purchase TikTok from ByteDance.As reported by the Financial Times: Oracle has entered the race to acquire TikTok, the popular Chinese-owned short video app that President Donald Trump has vowed to shut down unless it is taken over by a US company by mid-November, people briefed about the matter have said. The tech company co-founded by Larry Ellison had held preliminary talks with TikTok's Chinese owner, ByteDance, and was seriously considering purchasing the app's operations in the US, Canada, Australia and New Zealand, the people said.According to the report, Oracle is working with a group of U.S. investors who already ow...

An Instant Pot can easily become your best friend.I spend a lot of time in the kitchen, and one of my favorite small appliances is my Instant Pot Ultra 10-in-1. It's not only useful for cooking items you'd typically slow cook in a fraction of the time, but it's great to "set and forget," allowing you to dump in ingredients, then let them pressure cook until done and be kept warm until you're ready to serve.A lot of people who buy an Instant Pot leave it in the box for months because they're intimidated by it, but there's really no need to be. Once you get the hang of using it, it will become second nature. Here are my best Instant Pot tips and tricks to keep in mind along the way that I've learned after several years of using mine every week.Best Instant Pot Tips: Use only the features you needStarting off, you might find the number of buttons overwhelming. These vary from model to model but usually include ones like Cake, Chili, Rice, Soup, and so on. Don't worry about all...

Thanks to 5G and a few other upgrades, the ZenFone 7 may not be quite as affordable as its predecessor.What you need to knowASUS will be taking the wraps off the ZenFone 7 series on August 26.The vanilla ZenFone 7 is expected to feature Qualcomm's Snapdragon 865, while the Pro variant may be powered by a Snapdragon 865+. The launch event will begin at 2 AM ET and is going to be live streamed on YouTube. ASUS has confirmed that it will be unveiling the successor to last year's ZenFone 6 at a virtual launch event on August 26. Unlike last year, however, ASUS is rumored to launch two new flagship phones at its upcoming event. Along with the vanilla ZenFone 7, a Pro variant with beefier specs is also expected to debut next week.The ZenFone 6, with its quirky flip camera and solid hardware specs, was among the most impressive value flagships launched last year. If rumors are to be believed, the ZenFone 7 will be a great successor to the ZenFone 6.The vanilla ASUS ZenFon...

Samsung's Galaxy S20 and Note 20 series phones will continue to receive Android updates until 2022.What you need to knowSamsung has released a list of Galaxy phones and tablets eligible to receive three generations of Android OS upgrades.In addition to the company's flagship S and Note series phones, several Galaxy tablets and mid-range Galaxy A series phones have also been confirmed to receive three major OS updates. Eligible Galaxy A series phones include the Galaxy A71 5G, A71, A51 5G, A51, and A90 5G. Samsung announced at its virtual Unpacked event earlier this month that it would roll out "three generations" of Android OS updates to its flagship Galaxy S and Note series phones. The company has now released a list of devices eligible for three OS updates, which includes a few mid-range Galaxy A series phones and some Galaxy tablets as well.Janghyun Yoon, Senior Vice President and Head of Software Platform Team, Mobile Communications Business at Samsung, said in a stat...

Some horned foes may await.What you need to knowResident Evil Village is the next mainline Resident Evil game.According to an alleged playtester, the game will feature goatmen enemies and a woman as a secondary playable character.Resident Evil Village is currently set to release at some point in 2021.Resident Evil Village is bringing new the classic horror franchise to new locations with the next-generation of horror. While we're still waiting for Capcom to share more, we've received reports that the game will be featuring a second playable character besides Ethan — and sword-wielding Goatmen as enemies.According to the Biohazardcast, a playtester tried a section of the game where you are controlling a young woman who doesn't have any weapons, just a lantern. This could be the woman seen at multiple points in the reveal trailer, who you can see below.The playtester continued to explain that the woman was avoiding bipedal goatmen creatures in a large cave. These crea...

MediaTek continues to push 5G to the mass marketWhat you need to knowMediaTek today announced the Dimensity 800U.This chip is built to bring 5G to more affordable devices.It supports 5G technologies like dual SIM dual standby, theoretically useful in places where dual sim use is common.MediaTek continues to release 5G enabled chips for lower-priced phones. This time, it has announced the Dimensity 800U, another chip aimed at powering more affordable high-performing phones. It's another model for the Dimensity 800-series, following up the 820 announced earlier this year.Dr. Yenchi Lee, Deputy General Manager of MediaTek's Wireless Communications Business Unit said: MediaTek has always focused on enhancing the user experience with our leading semiconductor technology, whether consumers are streaming, gaming or taking photos. Dimensity 800U brings cutting-edge, next-gen technology to the Dimensity SoC series, bringing MediaTek's advanced 5G, imaging, and multimedia techn...

The Galaxy S20+ is quite an impressive phone with an impressively large 6.7-inch 120Hz display that you're going to want to protect from the cruel, concrete world outside your door. To help you defend your S20+ from shattering drops and scratched glass, we've rounded up the best heavy-duty options for protecting the Galaxy S20+ in style.Sleek and stylish protectorSupcase Unicorn Beetle Style SeriesStaff Pick$13 at AmazonThis stylish case combines a rugged bumper with a rigid and clear backplate that accents the phone without adding unnecessary bulk. It's thin and lightweight on your phone and just as easy on your wallet.For rugged outdoorsmenUAG Pathfinder Series$40 at AmazonThe UAG Pathfinder offers ideal protection for anyone who spends time exploring the outdoors. The slim design offers reinforced corners for added drop protection, and it's available in black, olive green, and camo styles.Kick back and relaxArmadilloTek Vanguard SeriesF...

Lowe's is plenty well-known for being the go-to store for home improvement projects, but not many are aware that improving your home office qualifies too. Now that more and more people are working from home in 2020, it's important to have a solid, reliable internet connection but there are also a few other improvements you can make to improve your workspace past the obvious. Lowe's offers free in-store pickup where available to help you save on shipping costs; alternatively, you can score free shipping at Lowe's by reaching an order total of $45 or more.The model of router you own can significantly improve your internet connection at home. Your current router could be fine to use casually, but for business purposes, ensuring your internet connection remains fast and reliable at all times is crucial. You might not even be making proper use of the current upload/download speeds that you pay monthly for if your router isn't able to properly send an internet signal to your computer or ...

Motorola is one of the oldest and most recognizable phone brands in the world, and while it may not have the same dominance in the market that it once did, the company still kicks out some truly excellent products. If your heart is set on one of these solid devices, here are the best Motorola phones that are out right now.Best of the bunchMoto G PowerStaff PickWhen it comes to the best Motorola phones, the Moto G Power is the way to go. Motorola's G-series has always been about delivering quality phones at great prices, and the G Power is an exceptional example of that goal. The star of the show is the 5,000 mAh battery, offering up to three days of use per charge. Rounding out the experience is a great 6.4-inch Full HD+ display, reliable performance thanks to the Snapdragon 665, and a trio of rear cameras that are a ton of fun to use.$230 at Amazon$230 at Best Buy$230 at WalmartThe one with a stylusMoto G StylusIn a lot of ways, the Moto G Stylus is a lot like ...

Add a little more Microsoft flavor to your Android phone.What you need to knowFluent Icon Pack is a set of Android icons that take after Microsoft's Fluent Design System.The pack has more than 1,600 icons, and it pairs perfectly with Microsoft Launcher.Fluent Icon Pack is available at Google Play for $1.50.So, you have Microsoft Launcher set as your default launcher on your Android phone, but you still want to add a little more Microsoft flavor. With Fluent Design becoming all the rage with Microsoft's own apps and services, particularly when it comes to icons, that might be a good place to start. Luckily, there's a third-party icon pack that does just that.Fluent Icon Pack is a set of icons for Android that bring exactly what the name implies. The developer behind the project has built up icons based on Microsoft's Fluent Design guidelines, and they're quite the eye candy. Even better, there are more than 1,600 icons currently in the pack, which means most, if not all, o...

Get rid of the Galaxy's most disappointing feature.Ever since Samsung announced the Galaxy S8 with its onboard assistant, Bixby, people have been asking for ways to disable it and forget the button ever existed in the first place. With the Galaxy S9, Note 9, that chorus became even louder. And with the Galaxy S10 and Galaxy Note 10 released in 2019, a whole new generation of customers looked to kill Bixby. And now with the Galaxy S20 and Note 20, we're at it all over again.Here's how to get rid of as much of Bixby as possible.Why do you want to disable Bixby?On phones where there's a dedicated Bixby button, one of the biggest frustrations is its placement; the button is right under the volume keys and nearly directly opposite the power buttons. On larger phones like the Galaxy S10+ or Note 10+, this often leads to accidental presses and unintended Bixby launches, especially when double-pressing the power button to launch the camera.On the Note 10, Note 10+, the Galaxy S20...

It's the same concept but toned-down and with a different viewpoint.Yeah, I'm serious with that title. Hello, and welcome back to the Android Game of the Week for August 17-23. This week, we're checking out something that just hit the Play Store fairly recently. It's called Motorball, published by Noodlecake Studios, and as you saw from the title, it's basically Rocket League, but on a phone.Of course, there are some differences, notably in the camera perspective. However, it's an extremely fun free-to-play game that's perfect for just about anyone. Even if you don't like Rocket League, per se — I'm right there with you — Motorball is still really fun, and I think you'll find plenty to enjoy.Okay, so what if you've never heard of Rocket League? The gist is that you control an RC car on a soccer field, and you try to push a giant ball into the opposing team's goal. It's an insanely popular game because of its ease of entry, i.e., anyone can pick it up and play it, and al...

Microsoft's custom security work could mean faster or slower security updates, depending on how they're handled.What you need to knowMicrosoft developed a custom UEFI for Surface Duo's firmware.The company says this will allow it to review every line of firmware code.This should allow Microsoft to "respond directly and agilely, to potential firmware threats," the company says.After launching the Surface Duo last week, Microsoft published documentation on its approach to security in hte new device. A lot of the security features Microsoft outlines are standard for any Android phone. However, there are a couple of custom bits that stand out.The most notable addition is Microsoft's "custom engineered" Unified Extensible Firmware Interface (UEFI). This gives Microsoft "full control" over firmware components, and it's somethign the company already uses in its other Surface devices."Microsoft delivers Enterprise-grade security to Surface Duo by writing or reviewing every line...

A controversial change that originally was slated for Android 10 becomes mandatory for all new apps in August 2020 and every app targeting Android 11.When Android 10 was still in its early beta days, Google had plans for a big change in the way that apps could access the files and folders in your phone's external storage (things like photos that you or other apps placed in the /data/media folder, not the SD card present in many Android models).This change was known as Scoped Storage, and its purpose was to kill the abuse of the READ_EXTERNAL_STORAGE permissions that so many apps and developers like to request.These changes were originally slated to apply to every app on a phone running Android 10 or later, but because of developer backlash Google changed course and only required the use of Scoped Storage for apps that target Android API level 29, which is Android 10. But with Android 11 Scoped Storage is back, and Google isn't likely to change its mind this time.Top 10 featur...

The last thing you want to do while your hands are dirty with food or wet from washing dishes is to tap a button on your smart speaker. When entertaining, don't you find that so many parties congregate in the kitchen? Smart kitchen products are pretty standard nowadays, but most useful, in particular, are those you can control by voice. They help simplify things when you're multitasking and make for a super-cool kitchen that will be the envy of all your friends and family. Here are some of the best kitchen products with Alexa to make your life a little easier.Versatile multicookerInstant Pot Smart WiFi MulticookerStaff pickThe best multicooker you can get is the Instant Pot, and this smart version allows you to remotely control it from a smartphone app as well as by voice using Alexa and a compatible smart speaker. Control what you're cooking, receive status alerts on your phone, and access more than a thousand pre-programmed recipes.$130 at Amazon$150 at Best Buy$130 a...

It's time to save more with the WD My Passport 5TB portable hard drive. Right now this external hard drive is on sale for just $99.99 on Amazon. The My Passport lineup was updated late last year with the previous version long having been considered one of the best values in portable drives, and this new version has lived up to the reputation. However, since releasing last October there have not been a lot of sales at this level. The drive dropped to today's price a couple of times last year and did go a tad lower very briefly for Black Friday. It retails for $150 and averages around $115 so you're getting a good deal no matter how you look at it. You can also get this deal at Best Buy.The WD My Passport hard drive is a super portable and very convenient drive to keep around. It has a ton of space with that 5TB drive so you can keep all your favorite downloads. Whether that means software, music, movies, or whatever else, you can keep it close by at all times. Just shove the drive i...