Latest from Android Central

OnePlus will re-enable the Photochrome filter after it tweaks the feature to fix the "x-ray camera" problem.What you need to knowOnePlus is rolling out a new OxygenOS update to disable the color filter camera on the OnePlus 8 Pro.The company had previously claimed that the camera would be disabled only on HydrogenOS.OnePlus is expected to re-enable the color filter camera within the next few weeks.OnePlus disabled the color filter camera on the OnePlus 8 Pro on HydrogenOS for users in China earlier this month, after it was discovered that the camera could "see through" thin layers of plastic and clothing. The company recently clarified that it had no plans of disabling the camera on OxygenOS and that it would instead roll out an update for the global versions of the OnePlus 8 Pro to "offer the Photochrome filter while limiting other functionality that may be of concern."Surprisingly, however, the company has now started pushing a new OxygenOS 10.5.9 update (via 9to5Goog...

The Vantrue N2 Pro 1080p dual dash cam is down to $142.99 as part of Newegg's Shell Shocker deals. These are temporary deals and new ones get released every day, so expect this price to not last long. The same dash cam goes for $200 at other retailers including Amazon. We have seen it go lower in the past but not since last year, so if you're looking for a really strong dash cam right now (and everyone should have one because you never know what's going to happen the next time you drive), then this is the best price on a great model.This is a dual dash cam capable of capturing both the road ahead of you and the inside of your car. The front-facing camera can record in 1440p at 30 frames per second or 1080p at 60 fps. Other features include a 170-degree wide angle lens, night vision, motion detection, and a Time Lapse function that lets you control changes over a long period of time. The front-facing camera has a unique HDR video system that helps balance the light and dark areas. T...

Having the OnePlus 8 in Amazon's Alexa Built-in phone program is a win-win-win for both companies and their customers.We've covered the new OnePlus 8 and 8 Pro phones rather extensively here at Android Central, and for the most part, we've all loved them. Aside from the prices creeping up in pace with the industry (though still well-below their direct competitors), these phones are arguably the best OnePlus has ever produced. They also deliver features that we as fans have been asking for for years, such as wireless charging, official IP water and dust certification, and some of the best displays in the industry. And yet I feel like one of the most important features of the phone has flown under the radar a bit (it was even glossed over during the company's online launch in April), and that is its tie-ins with Amazon.For the first time ever, OnePlus has partnered with Amazon to offer its unlocked phones for sale on the website. Additionally, the phones will be part of Amazon's Al...

The Echo Look will completely stop functioning on July 24 because Amazon is ending its support for the device. That's sort of a big deal if you ever bought one, and an even bigger deal if you still actively use it. However, there is some good news. It seems that Amazon is sending out emails to some customers trying to make good on the situation. If you've bought an Echo Look in the past, you can add the Echo Show 5 to your cart and use the code ECHOLOOK20 to essentially replace the Look with the Show 5 for free. The code needs to be used by Sept. 24.This is completely a "Your Miles May Vary" type of deal. We do not know if you have to get that email for the code to work. We do not know if this applies to everyone who bought an Echo Look or just a few people. If you've never bought the Echo Look, it definitely won't work for you. And it may be that if you did buy the Echo Look, but you haven't received that email yet and the code doesn't work for you, it may work for you in the futu...

An excellent value that comes with a big catch.When's the last time you thought about buying an Android tablet? If you're like me, it's probably been a hot minute. The market for Android tablets used to be ripe with competition, with plentiful choice available whether you wanted something cheap, ultra-powerful, or just plain weird (I'm looking at you, Sony Tablet P).In 2020, Android tablets just aren't what they used to be. The market is mostly kept alive by the likes of Samsung, Lenovo, and Amazon, with most other companies abandoning the form factor to focus on other projects. Hell, even Google apparently gave up on tablets last year.One of the newest Android tablets on the block is the Galaxy Tab S6 Lite, which is a stripped-down version of the Tab S6 from last year — which we hailed as the best Android tablet ever. The Tab S6 Lite does a lot of things right, but a few notable pitfalls and a dangerously close price to the baseline iPad means it's far from the insta-buy ter...

Google and Apple have both offered tools to help you digitally detox from your phone for a few years now in Android and iOS, and other Android OEMs have taken a stab at the idea as well. One of our favorite approaches is Zen Mode by OnePlus. Whenever you feel like you need a break from your phone and all the distractions therein, you can enable Zen Mode to block notifications, restrict access to almost all of your apps, and give you a virtual pat on the back once your downtime is up. I'll show you how to enable Zen Mode and help you get on your way towards a healthier relationship with your phone.How to use Zen Mode on your OnePlus phoneSwipe down to access the quick settings panel.Swipe over to the second screen.Tap on Zen Mode. You can also access Zen Mode by swiping right from the home screen to access the OnePlus shelf on phones prior to the OnePlus 8 series.From the Zen Mode screen, you can select a time limit for your digital detox, from 20 minutes up to an hour.B...

All three models come with a dedicated Google Assistant button.What you need to knowHMD Global has launched three new Android phones in the U.S. with Cricket Wireless: Nokia C2 Tava, Nokia C5 Endi, and Nokia C2 Tennen.The three phones will be available to purchase from Cricket Wireless starting May 29.Nokia C2 Tennen, which is the most affordable of the trio, is priced at just $70.HMD Global has expanded its U.S. carrier portfolio with the launch of three affordable new Android phones: Nokia C2 Tava, Nokia C5 Endi, and Nokia C2 Tennen. All three phones run Android 10 out of the box.The Nokia C5 Endi comes with a 6.5-inch HD+ display featuring a waterdrop notch housing an 8MP selfie camera. It runs on a MediaTek Helio P22 octa-core chipset, paired with 3GB of RAM and 64GB storage. On the back of the phone is a triple-camera setup featuring a 13MP main sensor, a 5MP ultra-wide-angle shooter, and a 2MP depth sensor. It also offers a 4,000mAh battery and comes with a dedicate...

Space Force has landed at Netflix. The new comedy series co-created by and starring Steve Carell focuses on the establishment of the sixth branch of the United States Armed Forces, the Space Force. Carell stars as Mark Naid, the general in charge of the entire operation, while other castmembers include John Malkovich, Ben Schwartz, Diana Silvers, and Tawny Newsome, as well as recurring stars Jane Lynch, Lisa Kudrow, and more.As with most Netflix shows, all ten season 1 episodes of Space Force are set to debut on the same day at the same time so you can binge them all this weekend or watch one at a time. If you're hoping to watch the series but aren't a Netflix member, we'll get into how you can make that happen below.Space Force Season 1: When & whereSeason 1 of Space Force premieres on Netflix today Friday, May 29, with all ten episodes available to watch beginning at 12 a.m. PST / 3 a.m. EST. The show is a Netflix original, so you won't be able to watch it anywhere else...

Best answer: Yes, antivirus on Android can provide an extra layer of security for your phone, especially if your phone doesn't get frequent security updates.Scan apps and websites: Kaspersky Internet Security ($12 per year at Kaspersky)Antivirus with smart watch controls: Bitdefender Mobile Secuirty ($15 per year at Bitdefender)Risky apps and websitesMany people have used their Android phones with no security problems with no additional security software for years. While many will be able to continue this trend, there are a few things to keep in mind, especially if you are a less tech-savvy user or often help one.The first thing is that Android is a bigger target than ever thanks to people moving much of their personal information to their mobile devices. Besides that, phishing scams are more clever than ever and can disguise themselves as notifications of or communications like texts, emails, or even just calls.The second thing is how often your phone gets updated. Andr...

The PlayStation 4 always has new and exciting titles coming out every month. We've found all of the best for you to check out and listed the rest at the bottom of the page. Here are all the games releasing in June 2020!★ Featured favorite - June 19The Last of Us Part IIStaff pickWhen The Last of Us released in 2013, it immediately catapulted itself into the conversation for one of the best video games ever made. Now, it's highly anticipated sequel is ready to come out, and continue the story of Ellie and Joel as they try to survive in a post-apocalyptic world filled with dangers at every turn.$60 at PlayStationJune 16DisintegrationDisintegration is a brand new, action-oriented first-person shooter, where players will take on the role of Romer Shoal and lead a small resistance force in an effort to save what is left of humanity. Issue commands to your allies, salvage parts and upgrade along the way, and also dive into a multiplayer mode that sees players ...

One of the biggest perks of having a PlayStation Plus membership is the free games you get every month. The games PlayStation is offering this month include two major titles. Check out the list below, start downloading these games on May 5th. Enjoy the price of -free- until July 6, 2020.★ Soar through the galaxyStar Wars Battlefront IIStar Wars Battlefront II has pretty much everything a fan of the franchise could want. Not only is there a new campaign for players to dive into, but there's also online co-op, a ton of online modes, and a bevy of unlockable items that will keep you playing throughout one of the most comprehensive Star Wars games ever made.See at PlayStation Store★ Blast from the pastCall of Duty: WWIICall of Duty: WWII aims to bring players back to what first started the blockbuster franchise that is Call of Duty. Play through the role of a frontline soldier in the campaign, or jump into the multiplayer mode to battle it out against ot...

The update also adds the Epic Games store to OnePlus' Game Space for users in India.What you need to knowOnePlus has started rolling out a new stable OxygenOS update for the OnePlus 6 series.It brings the May 2020 Android security patch, a few bug fixes, and improved system stability. For users in India, the update adds a new Work-Life Balance feature and access to some Epic Games titles from within Game Space. Earlier this week, OnePlus began rolling out new stable OxygenOS updates for the OnePlus 7 and 7T series phones. The company has now started pushing a new OxygenOS update for the OnePlus 6 and 6T phones as well.The new OxygenOS 10.3.4 update for the OnePlus 6 and 6T brings the May 2020 Android security patch to the two phones, along with an updated 4.1.6 launcher version. OnePlus claims the update also fixes the issue with default country in assisted dialing when roaming for users using dual SIM cards.While the update doesn't include any new features, it adds a n...

Unlike the Pixel 4a, the canceled 4a XL would have featured two rear cameras.What you need to knowNew renders showing what the Google Pixel 4a XL would have looked like have surfaced.The renders reveal a hole-punch display and a dual-camera setup on the back. Google is expected to unveil the Pixel 4a on July 13. Unlike the Pixel 3a series, Google's upcoming Pixel 4a series is expected to be available in just a single size. The bigger Pixel 4a XL is said to have been canceled, so a successor to the Pixel 3a XL will not arrive this year. Despite the fact that the phone has been canceled, a replacement back cover for the Pixel 4a XL had leaked online last month, revealing a slightly different design compared to the Pixel 4a. Tech accessories store Pigtou has now teamed up with leaker @xleaks7 to publish renders showing the canceled the phone from nearly every angle. Unsurprisingly, the renders show the Pixel 4a XL would have looked fairly similar to the Pixel 4a. The p...

Come for the value, stay for the blistering performance and four years of software updates.You wouldn't normally associate Apple with value, but that's exactly what the brand is delivering with the iPhone SE 2020. The phone features the A13 Bionic — the same chipset powering the iPhone 11 series — and it has an array of exciting features, including Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.0, IP67 rating, and even wireless charging.The best part? The iPhone SE starts off at just $399. That is incredible when you look at just what you're getting here, and Apple is clearly targeting mid-range Android devices with its latest offering. The mid-range segment has seen a lot of growth in the last three years, with the current slate of devices featuring robust hardware, large displays, and multi-day battery life.The iPhone SE bucks this trend. The phone itself retains the same chassis as the iPhone 8, and that means you get a compact 4.7-inch display with large bezels, making it ideal for one-handed us...

It may have taken its sweet time getting here, but the long-anticipated Disney Plus (or Disney+) streaming service is now available in a bunch of countries — soon to be fifteen! It's made its way in a space that's already pretty crowded, standing out thanks to its exclusive family-friendly offerings from not only from Disney itself, but also Star Wars, Marvel, National Geographic, and 20th Century Studios.The size of the catalog may not rival Netflix and the competition just yet, but there are already some awesome Disney+ originals, and more are set to come in the future.Odds are you're interested, but still unsure how much a Disney+ subscription costs right? Well, there are several different plan options for Disney+ that you can sign up for, making the price for Disney+ range from $6.99 to $12.99 per month. The lower cost is the best Disney+ price you'll get right now — with one big exception — while the more expensive is a pretty sweet Disney+ bundle that you'll need to c...

The law currently protects media platforms, and it's going to take a whole lot more than this order to change that.President Trump's executive order relating to Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act has now been signed, quickly putting his words into action following a bluster over one of his tweets being "fact checked" this week. The order directs the Commerce Department, Federal Communications Commission and Federal Trade Commission to more critically use and enforce portions of Section 230 to keep social media platforms from moderating content. Section 230 gives social media platforms legal protection from being held responsible for third-party content.The Verge has an excellent explainer on Section 230, particularly with regards to how it relates to social media platforms and other online publishers. (You can also read the full legal definition, if you're so inclined.) But in extremely simplified terms, Section 230 provides protection for internet platforms that ...

Previously, the maximum RAM count was 4GB. The new version has 8GB.What you need to knowRaspberry Pi 4 comes in RAM variants of 2, 4, and 8GB.The Raspberry Pi Foundation has also released an early beta for a 64-bit OS.The Raspberry Pi 4 is $75 for the new 8GB RAM version.The Raspberry Pi is one of the most beloved computers for DIY'ers due to its ease of use, openness, and price. Now, fans of the little silicon that can are getting an upgrade for their favorite fruity computer.The Raspberry Pi Foundation announced today the release of an updated Raspberry Pi 4 that bumps the maximum RAM from 4GB all the way up to 8GB — checkmate, Pixel 4. This increase in RAM will allow for greater computing capacity for a device that is already impressive in the list of things that can be accomplished with it. From playing retro video games to using it as an ad blocker for your Wi-Fi, the options are mostly only limited to your imagination — and the additional RAM will only expand th...

These are some great games!What you need to knowGoogle Stadia is a cloud game streaming service.It's getting a lot of interesting games in the coming months. Stadia Pro subscribers will get The Elder Scrolls Online and more in June. You can purchase a Stadia bundle for $130 through the Google Store. Google Stadia is a cloud game streaming service that launched in November 2019 to a lot of excitement. Unfortunately, the lack of games and technical issues when it comes to resolution and image quality have harmed the reputation of the service.Luckily, Stadia Pro — a $10-a-month subscription service — is adding a lot of amazing games as part of the subscription in June. Today, Google revealed that on June 1, five new titles will be added. Although Stadia Pro is typically $10 a month, new users who sign up for Stadia before June 3 will receive a two-month free trial of Stadia Pro. On June 3, Google will be changing the current Stadia Pro offer from two free months to on...

Traditionally you play your game console at home unless it's a Nintendo Switch that's built for easy portability. However, it's not a totally ridiculous idea that you might want to carry your PlayStation 4 around with you, particularly if you're traveling on a lengthy trip. It's not the most convenient thing you'll ever do, but with the right accessories, you can certainly travel (fairly) light and have a great experience on the road.All-in-oneGAEMS VanguardStaff pickThis big beastly thing is an all-in-one travel solution for your PS4. It combines a durable, protective case with an HD monitor, so you can literally play anywhere you have power. Inside there is LED lighting, which is super important, along with a custom fit foam base and accessory bags.$280 at Amazon$300 at Best BuySimple and effectiveHori Universal HD portable monitorIn some markets, this monitor comes with an official Sony PS4 license. Still, it's also sold without the logo on the back and is oth...

It's no secret that the economic landscape is shifting at a dramatic pace. As the world continues to wrestle with the fallout and effects of the coronavirus pandemic, businesses of all sizes and in every industry are scrambling to adapt to a new normal in which work is done remotely and teams are managed from afar.This means that if you're either currently running a business or interested in launching a startup, you need to take a deep dive into the business strategies and methodologies that will help you make the most out of this new economic reality, and the Business Leadership & Management Bundle will help you do that and much more for just $29.99.With nine courses and over 100 lessons taught by business and management professionals with years of experience under their belts, this extensive training package will help you build and grow your team so you can hit your goals and expand your brand.Regardless of your experience in the interconnected worlds of management and te...

Amazon's sites are currently down.Updated 3:40 PM ET: It looks like things at Amazon are getting back to normal. People on Twitter are reporting that the service is once again working for them, although Down Detector is still showing that many regions in the U.S. are still experiencing downtime errors.What you need to knowAmazon.com and apps are down.The outages appear to be affecting the U.S.Most of the rest of the world seems unaffected.As of 3:20pm EST, it appears that Amazon.com and Amazon's shopping apps are down for most users in the U.S.UPDATE 3:28pm EST: Amazon's AWS, Amazon Music and Prime Video are down as well.This story is still developing, and will be updated as we have more information....

This is the third such mental health screener on Search after PTSD and depression oriented surveys.What you need to knowGoogle has partnered with The National Alliance on Mental Illness to produce an anxiety survey on Search.The survey will pop up when people search anxiety-related terms, offering them a chance to self-assess any symptoms.It is not intended to replace conventional diagnosis by a medical professional. Anxiety is one of the most common mental health issues faced, and one of the many likely to exacerbated by the current pandemic. Google has partnered with The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) to build a self-assessment tool in the U.S.Writing on Google's official blog, Daniel H. Gillison, Jr., CEO of NAMI said: The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) is the nation's largest grassroots mental health organization and we're partnering with Google to provide access to mental health resources. Starting today when people in the U.S. search on G...

You've either done it yourself, or seen someone else do it countless times. A server brings a dish to the table, and before digging in, the patron takes a photo to capture or share it on social media. The ubiquity of smartphones has made food one of the most common subjects, yet it's also among the most challenging to shoot.Making food look good isn't just about the substance of the dish itself, but also the style that goes with it. There's a big difference between a snapshot and a nice composed image to capture the culinary beauty of whatever is there to see. Here are some of the ways you can do that.Don't use the flashI get it. You're in a dark or dimly-lit environment, and you want to bring out all that succulent goodness out of the meal in front of you. Resist the urge to show that with the LED flash on your phone. It will wash out the food contents and the white on the dish itself will completely lack detail or texture.You're better off asking a friend to turn on the fla...

You've tossed many coins to your Witcher, he is growing too strong.What you need to knowCD Projekt Red announced today that The Witcher franchise has crossed 50 million copies sold.Of these 50 million sales, The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt accounts for over 28 million.CD Projekt Red's next game up is Cyberpunk 2077. Today, CD Projekt Red confirmed that The Witcher franchise has crossed 50 million copies sold. While this includes every paid Witcher game released so far, the majority of these sales are from The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, which has sold over 28 million copies.A combination of deep discounts, the release of a Nintendo Switch version and The Witcher Netflix TV series saw game sales skyrocket back in December 2019, with copies sold up a staggering 554% year-over-year.CD Projekt Red's next game is Cyberpunk 2077. Scheduled to arrive on September 17, this ambitious futuristic RPG allows players to customize every aspect of their character. Every aspect. A Night City Wire p...

SiriusXM is giving interested listeners a chance to try out its streaming service absolutely free for four months when you sign up for an Essential Streaming plan. The best part about this package is that you'll be able to listen anywhere via the SiriusXM app on an Android or iOS device, or online at its website.You won't be charged anything for your first four months of service, though after the trial, the Essential Streaming plan will bill you $8 per month. You can choose to cancel the service before then at no penalty if you don't want to keep it active.Four months of access to SiriusXM's Essential Streaming Plan would normally cost $32, but today's offer means you can start listening now and now pay a cent until this coming October.If you're using SiriusXM in your car, you'll want a vehicle package instead which start at $10.99 for the 'Mostly Music' option. That's a great price, though you'd be missing out on Howard Stern shows which are only included in the Select and All...

One of my favorite things about setting up a new phone, or refreshing an existing phone, is customizing it by changing the themes, icon packs, and of course, the wallpapers and backgrounds. My problem is that I'm too indecisive, and I can't always choose just the right background for my phone. Thankfully, OnePlus has marshaled the resources of its robust worldwide community and allowed its users to take member photos from around the world and set them as their personal wallpapers and lock screen images. Plus, you can have these update automatically to show you new and exciting photos each day. Interested? Great! I'll show you how to do this in the steps below.How to set your OnePlus phone to update daily with amazing wallpapers and lock screen photosThere are two ways to get started changing your wallpaper and lock screen. The first way is to press down firmly on your home screen and wait for the Wallpapers, Widgets, and Home Settings icons to show up at the bottom of the screen...

Google continues to improve its Chrome OS platform.What you need to knowGoogle has started updating Chromebooks to Chrome OS 83.The update adds improvements to Virtual Desks, Assistant, and Google for families.Chrome OS 83 is rolling out over the coming days.Ahead of Android 11's public beta debut next week, Google has released Chrome OS 83 to eligible Chromebooks. It's not a large milestone update, but it does contain a few quality of life touch ups heare and there that'll make using Chrome OS a little easier.Here's what's new:Naming Virtual Desks - Google introduced Virtual Desks to Chrome OS in a recent update, and now the company will allow users to name their individual desks for ease of organization. Visble Passwords in password entry field - For some reason, you were ever quite able to see our password or pin entered into the login box. Google's changed that with this update, and your Chromebook's password fiend now works every other login field. Media Sessi...

The studio celebrates its 20th anniversary as we look forward to its bright future.Arkane Studios celebrates its 20th anniversary this year, but the path hasn't always been smooth sailing. Its tumultuous past is fraught with game cancellations and near-bankruptcy, documented by Noclip in "The Untold History of Arkane," before the studio found success in 2012's Dishonored. This kicked off a sort of renaissance period for Arkane, which went on to make a sequel and a re-imagining of Prey. The studio has made a name for itself in the immersive sim space at a time when most publishers don't want to fund such titles, preferring safer routes to generate revenue like multiplayer and live-service games.Fellow Android Central writer Samuel Tolbert and I both share a similar love of Arkane Studios, so we decided that for its 20th anniversary we'd talk a little bit about what makes the studio so special, and why we want to see it continue to focus on immersive sims next generation.A modern...

Making the lamps and appliances you already own at home smarter is a lot easier — and more affordable — than you might think. Right now Amazon has Aukey's smart plug 4-pack on sale for $19.99 when you clip the coupon on its product page. That saves you over $20 off their average cost of $41 and brings the price of each plug in the set down to just $5. Free shipping is included with the purchase as well.These well-rated smart plugs are compatible with voice assistants like Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant. The Aukey Home app, which is free to download, lets you activate and deactivate home appliances and electronics from anywhere in the world. Automatically turn on your lights when the sun sets, flip them on and off at random intervals when you're on vacation, schedule your coffee timer to go off, or use your voice to turn off the box fan that keeps lulling you back to sleep. You don't need a bridge, hub, dongle, or anything else to make them work. Just a Wi-Fi network.Aukey's...

The Amazon Fire TV Stick is a godsend for those of us who want to stick with our trusted non-smart television and also want to access Netflix on it, while the Fire TVs have all the capabilities of Amazon's Fire TV Stick built into the TV itself. They're generally affordably priced, but the best time to purchase one is during a sale. Below are the best deals we could find to help you locate the right Fire TV device or Fire TV for your home.Best Amazon Fire TV Deals Available NowFire TV devices: from $30Fire TVs: as low as $140Device bundles: starting at $70Sometimes, Amazon offers deals which are only available to Prime members, so it helps to keep your membership active while you're on the hunt.Best Cheap Fire TV Device DealsPrime Day is delayed by a few months this year, but there are a few great Fire TV deals to snag until then. If you have yet to cut the cable company out of your life, the devices listed below are easily worth their full price so you can finally ma...

These tips could save you a lot.If you're using one of the Big Three carriers, AT&T, T-Mobile (including Sprint), or Verizon, chances are you're paying for features you don't need, or worse, don't have a plan that offers all you need. While traditionally, using one of the big carriers gave you better access to service and devices, unlocked devices today are easier to get and most MVNOs have great coverage. Depending on your needs, there's an MVNO that fits your needs better than a postpaid carrier and is probably cheaper.Most of us don't need unlimited everythingGetting an unlimited plan was a big deal back when many people still paid by the minute or per text. Today, however, quite a bit of our messaging and calling has moved to apps like Facebook Messenger, Telegram, or Whatsapp. These use data rather than minutes or texts, so you might not actually be using that many. You can usually see how much you used on your previous bill to get an idea.A lot of carriers, even MVN...

No address? No problem.What you need to knowPlus Codes are a new addition to Maps that use latitude and longitude coordinates to create "digital" addresses, even in areas without a traditional address.Plus Codes are searchable in Google Maps, just like a regular address.Google is making its digital address technology open source for developers to use as they see fit.Your address is just as much a part of your identity as your phone number, and makes it easy to order packages, invite friends over, or navigate home from an unfamiliar area. But throughout the world, many people live in remote areas or off of nameless streets, making it hard to pinpoint an exact address.Google is making it easier to identify your exact location, regardless of a traditional address, with its rollout today of a new feature in Google Maps called Plus Codes. Plus Codes are a new form of alphanumeric "digital" address generated using latitude and longitude information rather than street names and ...

There's nothing quite like Google Fi when it comes to service and coverage. Not everyone needs all of the features Fi offers, and if you aren't traveling internationally, the data can be quite pricey. If you've been looking to Google Fi for your phone service but don't think it's quite the right fit, here are some of the best alternatives you can get.Best Overall: VisibleVisible debuted in May 2018 as a new carrier powered by Verizon's network, and at the time, we couldn't thoroughly recommend it as it only supported iPhones. However, as of January 2019, Visible works with a growing list of Android phones, too!For $40/month, Visible gives you unlimited talk, text, and LTE data on Verizon's vast LTE network. In other words, you can use your phone however you want and as much as you want without having to worry about going over any limits. We also love that hotspot access is included for free, which is a perk you won't find everywhere.That's a good enough deal on its own, but...

It's time to catch-up with Samsung's 2018 flagship.It seems like just yesterday the Galaxy S9 was the hottest and most popular Android smartphone on the market. However, here in 2020, it's over two years old. That's not a lot of time in the grand scheme of things, but in the smartphone world, it's the equivalent of a lifetime.The Galaxy S9 stands out as one of the most refined and complete phones Samsung's ever released, even if it wasn't the most exciting or intriguing.If you need a refresher on what's going on with the Galaxy S9 or are searching for some tips on how to use it to its fullest potential, you've come to the right place.Time for an S9 history lessonHere are our reviewsIt's now running Android 10If it's how-to's you're afterS9 accessories are plentifulThe Galaxy S20 is the new hotnessThe latestSamsung Galaxy S20$999 at Samsung$800 at Best BuySamsung's 2020 flagship is worth a lookThe Galaxy S9 has lived a long and fulfilling life, but now it...

Best answer: Yes. If you're looking for a timeless wearable, the Samsung Galaxy Watch is a good buy at any time. However, it's nearly two years old; you can get the more updated Galaxy Watch Active 2 for the same price, or you can wait for the new Galaxy Watch.Timeless and classic: Samsung Galaxy Watch ($280 at Best Buy)Updated for fitness folks: Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 2 ($280 at Best Buy)What matters most to you?As you consider whether or not you should buy the Samsung Galaxy Watch in 2020, be sure to think about what features are essential to your purpose. If you're a fan of a traditional aesthetic, then it makes sense that you're interested in the classic look of the Galaxy Watch. With that said, if it's the perks under the hood that have your attention, you might think twice about buying it right now.You can get many of the same benefits in the Galaxy Watch Active 2 for the same price. It comes in a sleeker, more lightweight package. It also boasts an electrocardi...

Some serious work highlights this beautiful and gruesome post-apocalypse.What you need to knowNaughty Dog has released a new episode of Inside The Last of Us Part II.This video highlights the detail in the characters and the environments of the game.The Last of Us Part II is set to release on June 19, 2020.Small details in video games add up, which is why Naughty Dog has released a new episode of Inside The Last of Part II that focuses specifically on the new technology and details of the game. While previous episodes went over the story and the gameplay, this is all about the small touches. From characters to environments, there's a ton to go over. You can take a look at the video below.The Last of Us Part II is scheduled to release on June 19, 2020 on PlayStation 4. For more on the game, you can check out yesterday's State of Play episode, which highlighted new gameplay and mechanics, factions and more.RevengeThe Last of Us Part II$60 at Amazon$60 at Bes...

Only active paid members with an individual, student or family plan are eligible.What you need to knowYouTube Premium subscribers in the U.S. can now get a free Nest Mini from the Google Store.The offer is available on a "first come, first served basis."In addition to YouTube Music Premium and YouTube Premium, Google Play Music subscribers are also eligible for the offer.Google is once again giving out free Nest Mini speakers to YouTube subscribers in the U.S. As spotted by a Reddit user (via 9To5Google), some YouTube Premium and YouTube Music Premium subscribers have started getting notifications from the YouTube mobile app for Android and iOS about the latest promotion.If you haven't received an email or an in-app notification yet, you can still try availing the offer by clicking on this link. As long as you have a YouTube Premium, YouTube Music Premium, or Google Play Music subscription, you should be able to grab a promotional code for a free Nest Mini from the Google...

When it comes down to the best noise-cancelling headphones, Sony's WH-1000XM3 headphones are at the top of the list right beside the Bose QC 35 II, and they're usually similarly priced around $350. However, right now you can pick up the refurbished XM3 headphones on sale for $199.99 at BackMarket in mint condition and saves nearly $150 off their price brand new. That's also about $90 off the average price of a refurbished pair at Amazon, and you'll even receive free shipping with today's purchase.BackMarket includes a 1-year warranty with these headphones as well.These wireless over-ear headphones charge via USB-C and feature atomic pressure optimization that can adjust for noise-cancelling at higher altitudes, along with a quick-charging feature that gives you five hours of playback after just 10 minutes of charging. It's also equipped with multiple microphones and is capable of lasting for up to 30 hours on a single charge. The Adaptive Sound Control will allow you to adjust ju...

If you're like me, your Kindle Paperwhite is practically attached to your hand. Your personal library is on one of these little babies, and they need some extra protection. Of course, protection doesn't mean a lack of style or versatility. Want a thin, rugged, leather, or artistic case? There's an option available for every budget and style wish. Here are some of the best choices for your Kindle Paperwhite.Vertical flipMoKo Premium Vertical Flip CoverStaff PickThe MoKo case is padded to shelter your Kindle from scratches and safeguard it against damage from drops. The interior is microfiber that's soft to the touch, making it easier to hold your Kindle Paperwhite for long periods. This case has the added benefit of turning into an adjustable vertical stand that lets you read hands-free. The auto wake/sleep feature wakes your Kindle from sleep mode when you open the case and puts it back into sleep mode when you shut the lid. This is the most versatile pick on our list, and ...

An original game starring new and iconic characters, set in Blackspire Outpost.What you need to knowOculus Studios will be publishing Star Wars: Tales From The Galaxy's Edge, set for release in late 2020.The story takes place in Blackspire Outpost on the planet Batuu, the same location you'll find in Disney theme parks.ILMxLAB is working to tie in several pieces of Star Wars lore to build on Blackspire Outpost's importance.This action-adventure game is a VR exclusive, but no mention if this is on both Rift and Quest platformsWhile we won't be seeing a major theatrical Star Wars release in 2020, there's no shortage of Star Wars stories slated for release this year. An exciting new entry comes in the form of an Oculus-exclusive VR action-adventure called Star Wars: Tales From The Galaxy's Edge, developed by ILMxLAB and published by Oculus Studios. As you might guess from the name, Tales From The Galaxy's Edge takes place in the very same metaverse you'll find at Disneyland a...

Amazon Prime Day is one of the biggest shopping days on the internet. Second only, perhaps, to Black Friday and Cyber Monday, it brings deals galore to a bunch of the most popular tech and more for a limited period of time. Originally, Prime Day was for just one day as the name suggests but in recent years the event has stretched some. Last year it was 36 hours and for 2019 it has been confirmed we're getting a full 48 hours of savings starting on July 15.Not all of the deals will be available right away, and with thousands of promotions, they can be hard to keep track of. This handy guide will tell you all you need to know about how to get prepared for Amazon Prime Day and how to ensure you get the most out of the event itself.Amazon Prime MembershipThe deals on Amazon Prime Day are, as you might expect, exclusive for Amazon Prime members so it's a good idea to ensure you're signed up ahead of the big day(s). If you've never used Prime before, you can sign up for a free 30-day...

It can be an expensive endeavor to upgrade your TV set, especially if you're wanting to slide headfirst into the 4K future. One great way to save money is by going for a refurbished TV, and you can take hundreds off regular retail prices with this one-day sale on factory reconditioned Samsung UHD TVs over at Woot right now. There are several different 65-inch models on sale with prices starting at $919.99. The deals are only available until the end of the day at the latest (and some models have already sold out) so don't miss your chance to snag one of these TVs for less.Each of these TVs has been refurbished directly by Samsung, and they all come with a 90-day Samsung warranty as well.The sale includes a few models of the super neat Samsung The Frame TV. This TV has made a name for itself due to its Art Mode, which transforms the TV when it's off into a work of art — art which you've selected. There are hundreds of pieces to choose from including collections from the V&A M...

One of the most important weeks for GeForce Now since it launched is capped with the arrival of some of Ubisoft's biggest titles.What you need to knowNVIDIA GeForce Now is a streaming service that allows PC players to stream games they own on various devices.26 new games are making their way to the service in the latest update.The Long Dark returns while some of Ubisoft's biggest titles on the Epic Games Store are joining the party NVIDIA is back with another weekly update to its GeForce Now catalog and it's an absolute humdinger. 26 titles are joining the mix with this latest update, including brand new games like Maneater and Saint's Row The Third Remastered. As good as these are, there are a couple of bigger tales in this weeks update.First, The Long Dark makes a return, in conjunction with NVIDIA's new opt-in feature for game developers. Raphael van Lierop, founder and CEO at Hinterland, made a statement saying: "The GeForce NOW opt-in agreement gives creators co...

The Oculus Quest is an amazing piece of technology, but did you know you can actually use your hands instead of controllers in some games and apps? Once an experimental feature, there are now a few titles on the official Oculus Store available to download, but most are only available via the third-party Sidequest application. To get the most out of your Oculus Quest, be sure to install Sidequest on your Oculus Quest before you begin.Note: For the best results, always play in a well-lit room for optimal hand tracking performance. The brighter, the better. We cannot stress that enough.Found on the Oculus StoreBegin with Sidequest for theseFind these on the Oculus Store★ Featured favoriteThe Curious Tale of the Stolen PetsStaff PickThe Curious Tale of the Stolen Pets is a charming game for all ages, heights, and skill levels. Follow the narration of your grandfather through half a dozen imaginary worlds to find the stolen pets and discover a wonderful tale...

The Exynos 992 is rumored to be a significant upgrade over the current Exynos 990 and Snapdragon 865 chipsets.What you need to knowSamsung is reportedly set to begin mass production of its first 5nm Exynos chipset in August.The rumored Exynos 992 chipset could power Samsung's upcoming Galaxy Note 20 series phones.It will apparently utilize ARM's new Cortex-A78 CPU and Mali-G78 GPU designs.A report from ZDNet Korea had claimed last month that Samsung's Galaxy Note 20 could be powered by a new 6nm Exynos 992 chipset in select markets. The folks at ZDNet Korea have now published a new report that suggests the Exynos 992 will be Samsung's first mobile chipset to be built using a 5nm EUV process.As per the report, Samsung is set to begin the mass production of its next-gen Exynos chipset in August. However, the company is apparently yet to decide whether or not it will use the chipset in the Galaxy Note 20 series.More interestingly, the report states the Exynos 992 will use ...

This isn't the first time Google is being sued over privacy concerns.What you need to knowGoogle has been sued by Arizona over its location-tracking practices.The state accuses Google of tracking Android users even when they manually disabled location services and using that data to serve ads.The company claimed that the claims were a mischaracterization. Google has been sued by the state of Arizona due to its allegedly illegal tracking of Android users' locations. The company was accused of keeping tabs of users, even those who had turned off location tracking features manually.The Washington Post reported: The lawsuit seeks unspecified damages in arguing that Google, the maker of the Android smartphone operating system, set up its mobile software in a way that enriched its advertising empire and deceived device owners about the protections actually afforded to their personal data, running afoul of Arizona consumer-protection laws that prohibit companies from misrepr...

Chatting with the AC forums.Your phone's virtual keyboard is one of the most important things you interact with every single day. It's how you send emails, texts, and create spicy tweets.Every phone comes with a pre-installed keyboard right out of the box, but if you take a look at the Google Play Store, you'll find a variety of third-party keyboard apps that can elevate the out-of-the-box experience.Some of our AC forum members recently got to talking about what keyboard app they're using here in 2020, and this is what they had to say. the_boon 05-24-2020 07:41 AM “ I bounce back and forth between Gboard and the BlackBerry keyboard Reply mlblack16 05-24-2020 08:49 AM “ I use Gboard the majority of the time, especially on certain apps/websites like this one. For some reason, Gboard will not wo...

After several delays and a few fights in Florida, the UFC is returning to Las Vegas! The next UFC Fight Night will go live on May 30 with a headliner featuring former UFC Welterweight Champion Tyron Woodley and the #6 ranked welterweight Gilbert Burns. The fight will take place at UFC Apex, a brand-new production facility dedicated to all things UFC. Not only is this notable for being the first fight to take place at Apex, it's also important because the fight will feature a smaller 25-foot Octagon instead of the regular 30-foot space for fighters. The idea here is to have more fights that end in finishes instead of decisions. It will definitely keep the fighters closer together, and hopefully that means more action.Woodley vs. Burns is an interesting matchup. Both fighters have similar records at 19-4-1 and 18-3 respectively. Woodley weighs about 15 pounds more and has a longer reach and leg reach, but we'll see how the smaller fighting space impacts his ability to keep Burns at a d...

Unlimited plans are simple, but now's a great time to evaluate whether you actually need one.The advent of unlimited data plans in the U.S., taking off starting in 2017, has simplified billing and relieved stress for a ton of people. Per-gigabyte data plans started to seem antiquated — and potentially expensive — as we headed toward a future of video calls, multiplayer gaming, sharing huge photo and video files, and all-streaming media consumption. But now that we're all on unlimited data plans, it's reasonable to ask if we maybe went a bit too far in desiring unlimited data and are now getting a raw deal. Fear of data overages led us to sign up for unlimited — but not everyone benefited.Our fear of data overage charges that led us to sign up for unlimited offerings didn't end up saving us much money, if any. Data plans are, well, still expensive in the U.S. Even though the plans have been simplified into a single "unlimited" umbrella where we don't have to watch giga...