Latest from Android Central

Respawn is giving Apex Legends the attention it deserves to compete with the best battle royales out there.What you need to knowRespawn has opened up a new studio in Vancouver.This studio will focus entirely on Apex Legends, its popular battle royale title.The Vancouver-based location looking to expand to up to 80 employees.Respawn is expanding its reach by opening up a new studio in Vancouver, Canada to focus entirely on Apex Legends. This announcement was confirmed by Respawn COO Dusty Welch to GamesIndustry.biz and coincides with the studio's 10th anniversary.The team over at Respawn Vancouver, conveniently located near EA's Vancouver campus, will be led by Head of Operations Henry Lee and Team Director Steven Ferreira. Lee spoke about how excited he was for the move. When you look at Vancouver, it's one of our [EA's] biggest studio locations. And Vancouver is full of talented people in the games industry, so there was a natural fit with Steven coming on board with...

Are you ready to take to the skies and shoot down enemies?I've always wanted to know what it would be like to put my head inside of Iron Man's mask. Anytime I watched the movies, I fell in love with the way the screen looked from the inside of his helmet. All the scanners, notifications, stats, and information displayed on the screen using an augmented reality view has always sparked my interest.Now, it's going to be something none of us have to dream about anymore. Iron Man VR is coming sometime this year as a PlayStation VR exclusive and I'm already at the edge of my seat.Ryan Payton and his studio, Camouflaj, got permission from Jay Ong, the head of Marvel Games, to make an Iron Man game inside of a virtual reality (VR) headset. The team has been working diligently for a few years on this creation and the world is close to seeing it release to the public for play.Are you ready to join this super secret boy band as Iron Man? Well, get ready!Soaring highMarvel's Iron M...

Let's see if your favorite apps work with the Pixel 4.The Pixel 4 is an important phone for the Android landscape. The 90Hz display, dual rear cameras, and wireless charging are all perfectly cool, but the thing that really makes it stand out is Google's all-new face unlock system.We've seen other Android phones offer face unlock in the past, but the Pixel 4 is the first one that's secure enough to be useful beyond the lock screen — meaning you can use face unlock on the Pixel 4 to authorize purchases and log in to apps — such as mobile banking apps and password managers.If you pick up your Pixel 4 and realize that face unlock doesn't work with your favorite apps, however, you're not doing anything wrong. Developers need to support Google's BiometricPrompt API in order for it to work, and the adoption of it has been slow.Apps that currently work with the Pixel 4's face unlock1PasswordAlly MobileAmerican ExpressBank of AmericaBarclays USBettermentBMO Digital Banki...

Now your actual hands will appear in the game!What you need to knowThe Curious Tale of the Stolen Pets is now the first commercial game on the Oculus Store with hand-tracking support.You'll no longer need controllers to play the game on the Oculus Quest once the update launches later this month.Curious Tale is already one of the most accessible VR games on the market since it includes automatic height adjustment and content tailored for all ages.The Curious Tale of the Stolen Pets was designed to be an immersive and accessible experience for all ages, and both of these factors are getting a big upgrade in the brand new hand-tracking update for the Oculus Quest. As the first commercial game to receive hand-tracking support, The Curious Tale of the Stolen Pets boldly goes where no full-fledged VR game has gone just yet. Once the update goes live later this month, all you'll need is an Oculus Quest on your head and your hands to explore the vibrant worlds that Fast Travel Game...

Integrates with GoogleGoogle Pixel Buds (2020)$180 at Best BuyProsGood battery lifeWireless charging caseUSB-C wired chargingCompact charging caseIntegration with Google AssistantConsComfort could be betterLacks active noise cancelingThe Pixel Buds integrate with Google Assistant and Android really well. They also feature a compact wireless charging case, and superior sound compared to the Surface Earbuds.Integrates with MicrosoftMicrosoft Surface Earbuds$200 at Best BuyProsLong battery lifeUSB-C for wired chargingIntegration with Microsoft 365Can pair two devices at the same timeGood, bass boosted soundConsLacks wireless charging caseNo active noise canceling Sound not as great as Pixel BudsThe Surface Earbuds integrate super well with Microsoft's PowerPoint, Word, and Outlook apps. They also feature a built-in EQ and nearly double the battery life, compared to the Pixel Buds.Both the Pixel Buds (2020) and the Surface Earbuds ...

Mojang Studios' sales titan just keeps on going.What you need to knowMicrosoft shared the news today that Minecraft has crossed 200 million copies sold.Minecraft previously sold 122 million copies as of February 2017. Yesterday, Minecraft developer Mojang rebranded as Mojang Studios, with plans to expand.Minecraft Dungeons, a hack-and-slash RPG set in the aesthetic of Minecraft, is set to release on May 26.Minecraft has been an utter sales juggernaut, selling over 122 million copies back in February 2017. The blocks of cash keep on stacking though, as today Microsoft shared the news that Minecraft has sold over 200 million copies. This even further solidifies Minecraft's position as the best-selling game of all time, with only Rockstar Games' Grand Theft Auto V even being in the same league at over 120 million copies sold.Mojang was acquired by Microsoft in back in 2014. Yesterday, Mojang shared the news that it had rebranded as Mojang Studios, unifying the dual studios ...

The standard Galaxy Note 20 is expected to come with a 4,000mAh battery.What you need to knowSamsung's upcoming Galaxy Note 20 Plus may come with a smaller battery than the Galaxy S20 Ultra.While the Galaxy S20 Ultra packs a 5,000mAh battery, the Galaxy Note 20 Plus is tipped to feature a 4,500mAh battery.The Galaxy Note 20 Plus is also tipped to sport a 108MP camera, although there is no word yet on whether it will have a 100X "Space Zoom" periscope lens.Last week, a leak suggested that the Galaxy Note 20 Plus could be Samsung's first flagship phone to feature a variable refresh rate display and Qualcomm's second-gen 3D Sonic Max fingerprint sensor. Some more information about the upcoming Samsung flagship has now surfaced, courtesy of the folks at Galaxy Club.As per the new report, the Galaxy Note 20 Plus will have an identical 4,500mAh capacity battery as the Galaxy S20 Plus. If the information turns out to be accurate, the Galaxy Note 20 Plus will have a smaller batt...

If it's about time to switch to a new smartphone, you won't want to miss this latest offer at Verizon on the Samsung Galaxy S10 devices. Right now you can score $600 off the Samsung Galaxy S10 device of your choice when you buy another with monthly payments at regular price and add a line on an Unlimited plan. That means you could snag the Galaxy S10e completely free or score a major discount on one of the other models. Plus, if you're not currently a Verizon customer, this deal gets even better.The $600 discount will be applied to your monthly bill in increments; with the Galaxy S10e, that'd bring its monthly cost down to $0.New customers at Verizon can score a $150 Verizon e-Gift card for each device when switching to an Unlimited plan. You must port-in your old number as well. After purchasing the Galaxy S10e with monthly payments, visit Verizon's Digital Rebates Center and enter promo code SPRINGTIME along with the requested information to complete the offer. Your gift card s...

Nreal Light makes your virtual space a lot more personal.What you need to knowThe Nreal Light mixed-reality glasses development kit is now up for pre-order.Dev kits are $1200 and come with everything you need to create amazing mixed-reality experiences.Nreal Light plugs into your phone's USB-C port and can run any app from your phone, all in a personalized virtual space right in front of you.Nreal has been working hard to get their first consumer-ready mixed-reality glasses ready for a while now, and the time to get your hands on one is finally here. Nreal Light development kits have now gone up for pre-order at Nreal's developer site for $1200 apiece. That development kit, of course, includes everything developers will need to get started on making incredible mixed-reality experiences, including the Nreal Light Glasses, Nreal Light Computing Unit, controller, corrective lens frames, clip, three nose pads, a USB-C cable, charger, cleaning cloth, and a user guide.But there...

Joel and Ellie made it out alive, but did they escape danger?The original launch of The Last of Us was a refreshing departure for Naughty Dog. As much as we love Nathan Drake, seeing Uncharted's level of polish, deep storytelling, and rich character development in an entirely different world is richly satisfying.So naturally, we're expecting big things out of The Last of Us sequel. The Last of Us II is on its way for the PlayStation 4, and if you haven't kept up until now, then we're here to get you up to speed.What's the story so far?What's happening in Part II?Gameplay detailsWhen does it release?Ellie is backThe Last of Us Part II$60 at Best BuyReturning for one last adventureThe Last of Us Part II is the continuation of the 2013 hit. This time the story follows the path of hate, vengeance, retribution, and how they change a person. Please be careful to avoid spoilers, because this is sure to be one hell of a ride.What's the story so far? Spoilers for ...

Both of these robot vacuums include a camera as well as advanced object detection capabilities. We've compared them against each other to determine which is the better of the two.Ecovacs Deebot OZMO T8 AIVIThe very best$800 at Best BuyProsCan view video feed from appUp to 180 minutes of runtimePowerful suctionIntuitive appCasing doesn't get very dirtyConsNo adjustable camera coverObject detection isn't perfectThe Deebot OZMO T8 AIVI is a smart device that learns to recognize items in your home. The camera and powerful suction allow the unit to avoid obstacles while truly cleaning your floors. It's also a great choice for pet homes as it sucks up plenty of fur, dust, and dry pet food along the way. You can even use the app to access the vacuum's camera and monitor your home.Roborock S6 MaxVAnother great optionSee at RoborockProsRemembers up to four mapsUp to 180 minutes of runtimePowerful suctionEasy to clean brushesIntuitive appLarger dust...

Smart displays powered by Google Assistant have been around for a little while now and we've collectively figured out their place in our smart homes. As the form factor has matured, we've also seen some pretty stellar deals on smart displays with one more cropping up at Verizon where the JBL Link View is down to just $99.99. Considering it sells for $300 at Best Buy and elsewhere, this is a deal that is worth snapping up while it is still available. Add it to your cart to see the savings.With a number of Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa-enabled smart displays out there, a third-party model has to offer something to differentiate itself from a crowded market that is dominated by the first-party options.JBL's smart display aims to do so with an 8-inch touchscreen, stereo front-facing speakers with JBL's excellent sound, and IPX4 splash resistance, so you don't have to worry about keeping it on your kitchen counters near the sink, and spill-able, splash-able ingredients. Like the L...

It's time for Chromebooks to be considered first-class computing citizens.While I've always loved tech gadgets in general and computers specifically, I've tended to prefer "lightweight" computing devices that don't bog me down with legacy software and cruft. That's why I've gravitated towards devices like iPads, smartphones, and yes, Chromebooks. In fact, I've had a soft spot in my heart for Chromebooks since I first learned about them way back in 2011-2012.I purchased my first Chromebook in 2013, and have bought several more in the years since. But at some point, I stopped using them, and I honestly don't remember why. During the intervening years, my now teenagers began using them at school and for entertainment purposes, and they love them. So this got me wondering, should I give Chromebooks another try?Ever since I joined Android Central last year, my primary work machine has been the family computer, a 2015 iMac that sits in our home office. However, with all of us now at ...

Best Buy has a 3-pack of the black Linksys Velop tri-band mesh networking Wi-Fi system on sale for $279.99 today. As part of the Deals of the Day, this is a very temporary price. The 2-pack version of this system sells for $300 at most retailers, including B&H. The white 3-pack is going for $330 at Best Buy, and that's considered a sale price since it's going for $400 elsewhere. In other words, the 3-pack black version of the system is the best value you're going to find anywhere today.The traditional Wi-Fi setup is a modem with a router, which distributes a wireless signal as far as it can go. This is a problem if you have your modem setup in a weird spot or you just have a large house. I'm not talking about mansions here. Even a simple townhome with three floors can be a problem for a normal router because it can't fill every floor with solid, strong Wi-Fi. For example, in my home my modem has to be plugged in a certain outlet that puts the router in a weird location. It's st...

Roborock has just introduced its latest vacuum, but this time around it's not a robotic vacuum that's meant to target just your floors. The new Roborock H6 is a powerful, cordless stick vacuum that can clean just about anywhere, and the company is offering an early-bird discount that sees the price drop from its $449 retail to just $399.The new Roborock H6 is a fully-equipped vacuum with all the different accessories you need to give your house a deep clean both high and low. It has a long wand that lets you easily use it on floors like a traditional vacuum or reach up to the ceiling, while a flexible hose simplifies cleaning the tops of shelves and cupboards.Thanks to its motorized brush heads, the Roborock H6 is also ready to dig deep into carpets and furniture, especially with the mini-brush. The vacuum's motor is capable of 150AW of suction power, so it can pull up messes with ease and even tug mites loose from furniture.Roborock H6$399 at AmazonRight now you can sc...

While it might not be the latest Fire tablet, the 7th-generation Fire 7 is available as low as $20 at Woot for a limited time. What's even better is that you can even bundle it with Amazon's first-party case for just $1 more. Getting a 7-inch tablet and case for just $21 total is a steal, especially when you consider that the new Fire 7 tablet goes for $50.Amazon's 2017 Fire 7 model is equipped with a 7-inch IPS display, a 1.3 GHz quad-core processor, and an 8GB or 16GB storage capacity. If that isn't enough storage, you can expand its capacity using a microSD card such as SanDisk's affordable 32GB option.The tablet is capable of lasting for up to eight hours on a single charge and still features Alexa (you just have to hold the home button to access it) so you can ask questions, tell it to play a song, check the weather and more. You'll also have access to Amazon's App Store where you can download apps like Netflix, Facebook, HBO, Hulu, and Spotify. For more info, check out our ...

Perfectly refinedSamsung Galaxy S20$1,000 at SamsungProsCompact size is easy to use in one hand120Hz AMOLED display is gorgeousExcellent battery lifeHas expandable storageWorks with all U.S. carriersConsIn-screen fingerprint sensor isn't the best5G is only sub-6The Galaxy S20 is one of the hottest Android flagships you can get right now, and rightfully so. It continues Samsung's legacy of offering a breathtaking display, great cameras, and speedy performance while delivering all of the upgrades you'd expect in 2020. We're especially fond of the 120Hz refresh rate, long battery life, and refreshingly compact size.Only for VerizonMotorola Edge+$1,000 at MotorolaPros90Hz waterfall displaySurprisingly easy to use one-handedHuge 5,000 mAh batteryMotorola's software is fantasticThere's a headphone jackConsExclusive to Verizon in the U.S.No official waterproof ratingIf you've been waiting and waiting for Motorola to get back in the f...

It could take up to a year for "Aeri" to become commercially available.What you need to knowWearable maker Huami has announced plans of making a reusable transparent mask with a self-cleaning feature.Users will have to connect the mask to a power supply through a USB port to disinfect the filter inside the mask. Called Aeri, the mask will be aimed at the mass consumer market and provide protection against viruses as well as air pollution. Huami, the maker of Xiaomi's popular Mi Bands and Amazfit smartwatches, has revealed that it is working on a reusable transparent plastic mask with a self-disinfecting feature. In a phone interview with TechCrunch, the company said that the mask will be equipped with ultraviolet lights that will disinfect the filter inside in ten minutes when it is connected to a power supply through a USB port.The mask, which is called Aeri, will feature user-replaceable filters that will apparently be on par with N95 filtration capacity. Since the filt...

Here's the handset that has me excited.Whenever a new iPhone is announced, it's met with a great deal of hype and excitement — that's just a fact. No matter if the particular model is completely revolutionary or just a modest year-over-year improvement, it gets a spotlight that seldom Android phones do.This exact thing happened when the iPhone SE was unveiled back in mid-April. Everyone clamored to talk about how great and amazing the phone was — heck, we even gave it a great deal of praise and said that it "basically just killed the Pixel 4a and other value flagships." That's a good take and one with a lot of merit, but the more and more I've thought about it, the less I'm sure I personally agree with it.It's true that the current state of budget Android phones leaves a lot to be desired compared to the iPhone SE. Motorola's Moto G handsets are only promised one major OS update, Samsung's new Galaxy A51 is a laggy mess, and so on. However, as we continue to learn about Goo...

The next generation of Wi-Fi, known as Wi-Fi 6, is making its way to a lot of new phones and wireless devices. This new tech brings with it the fastest speeds, more consistent coverage, and support for more devices. Wi-Fi 6 has finally made its way to the cheaper routers that most people are interested in without losing the best features that come with it. The best overall cheap Wi-Fi 6 router is the Asus RT-AX56U thanks to its great price and advanced features, including easy mesh expansion and AX1800 speeds.Best Overall: Asus RT-AX56UThe RT-AX56U manages to find a balance of features that are a great fit for the majority of homes without packing in unnecessary speed or features. While it's not the cheapest Wi-Fi 6 router around, its increased speed, as well as access to additional features, makes it a great buy. One important consideration of Wi-Fi speed is that it makes up ground over AX1500 routers on the 2.4GHz band. This router can deliver speeds up to 574Mbps at 2.4GHz a...

Another day, another great earbud value.I'll be honest — I had a hard time coming up with a way to start this review. I've tested a ton of true wireless earbuds over the last few months, with one of the drawers in my office closet now dedicated to holding all of them.They all start to blur together after a while, offering the same basic experience but with little tweaks here and there. Taking a look at Amazon, I have to imagine it's just as difficult for these companies to make a dent in the true wireless market with so many competitors out there.Recently, I was contacted by a company called "EarFun" to review its EarFun Free earbuds. I've never heard of these before, and looking at the Amazon page, they sounded a lot like other earbuds I'd previously reviewed. Seeing as how you can't judge a book by its cover, I decided to go ahead and try them out.The EarFun Free are not perfect earbuds and are far from the only ones in this price range, but if you decide to pick them up ...

Virtual reality offers an excellent digital space for unique 3D artwork, graphic design, and animation. Yet the wireless Quest lacks the PC processing to handle several excellent artistic VR apps, and the few quality Quest ports lose some key features. Despite this, we'd argue it's a fair tradeoff for an untethered, 3D painting experience. The Quest port of our top choice for VR art creation, Tilt Brush, benefits strongly from a lack of wires, as do our other top choices for the best VR art apps available.Best Overall: Tilt BrushTilt Brush remains the most accessible and thorough app for creating art in VR. Despite being over four years old, it still receives regular updates from Google devs that take advantage of new VR advancements to improve the interface and available tools. Each brush stroke has depth of field built-in, so your creations can be viewed at any angle. People lacking confidence in their artistic abilities can use the Beginner mode to master the basic tools bef...

Huawei accounted for nearly 20% of TSMC's annual revenue last year.What you need to knowTaiwanese chipmaker TSMC has stopped taking new orders from Huawei.A new rule change was announced by the U.S. last week, requiring chipmakers using American technology to obtain a license before supplying to Huawei and its subsidiaries.While the decision will have a massive impact on both Huawei and TSMC, the chipmaker has no choice but to follow the new U.S. rules.The U.S. Commerce Department had announced a new rule change last week, aimed at cutting Huawei off from global chip suppliers. According to Nikkei, Taiwanese chipmaker TSMC has stopped taking new orders from Huawei in response to the new restrictions.Citing multiple sources, the publication says the decision was difficult for TSMC as Huawei is its second-biggest client. All of the Kirin mobile processors designed by Huawei subsidiary HiSilicon were so far manufactured by TSMC. In addition to mobile processors, Huawei depen...

Your smart display can now be used to fully control a few more smart home devices.What you need to knowA new update is now rolling out to Google's Nest Hub and other Google Assistant smart displays.The update enables the smart home displays to properly control smart home devices such as smart locks, vacuums, and blinds. It also adds live light status for smart lights and a few other new features. Google is rolling out a new update for the Nest Hub, Nest Hub Max, and select third-party Assistant smart displays such as the Lenovo Smart Display. As per the folks at Android Police, the update brings significantly improved smart home controls to the smart displays, along with a few other enhancements and new features.Your smart display can now show the current status of your smart lights on the main page. However, not all smart lights support this new feature. According to the Android Police report, Philips Hue and Lifx smart lights support the live light status feature curren...

MediaTek continues to build for affordable flagships.What you need to knowMediaTek today announced the new Dimensity 820 SoC.It's the first of its 800-series, bringing 5G to affordable flagships.The chip supports sub-6GHz carriers in Asia, Europe, and North America. 5G phones are expensive, and chips like the Snapdragon 865 are a big reason for that. But Qualcomm's not the only name in the game, and Mediatek is one competitor building 5G capable SoCs, driving down the cost of entry. The company today announced its new SoC, the Dimensity 820, its new chip for value flagships. It's the first of the Dimensity 800 series line to launch since the line was announced back at CES, and it's the first that'll be shipping in phones later this year.Dr. Yenchi Lee, Assistant General Manager of MediaTek's Wireless Communications Business Unit said: Our Dimensity 1000 is already powering impressive flagship 5G devices in a number of markets. With the new Dimensity 820, we're now mak...

With two key leaders behind the Pixel phones gone from Google, what does the future hold for the product line? Will it continue as the industry-leading smartphone camera, and/or serve as a developer reference device? Will the price go down How likely is it that Google is even interested in making a push for the phone at retail to compete with market share leaders? Daniel, Andrew, and Jerry read the tea leaves and discuss this turning point for the Pixel.Listen nowSubscribe in Pocket Casts: AudioSubscribe in Spotify: AudioSubscribe in iTunes: Audio Subscribe in RSS: AudioDownload directly: AudioLinks:The mastermind behind the Pixel's camera has left Google | Android CentralTop members of the Pixel team leaving Google isn't purely negative — maybe it needed fresh leadership | Android CentralIf Google loses the Pixel's camera advantage, the product line will die | Android CentralWhy Amazon's hardware makes more sense than Google's - The VergeIf this rumor is tru...

It's not a new game, it's not live, but it is new sports related content and we are here for it. There's no denying that Michael Jordan is one of the best players who has ever stepped foot on the basketball court, and right now you can take a look back at his incredible career through a new documentary mini series called 'The Last Dance'. The first two of the ten episodes have already aired on ESPN, and if you happened to miss them you can still tune in and watch before the next one airs.The series contains a mixture of gameplay from Jordan's time with the bulls, present day interviews, and some exclusive rare archival footage. It follows along with the story behind Jordan's departure from the team, which was due to Phil Jackson being removed as head coach despite the winning streak the team was on. Originally, the series was set to debut later this year, but thanks to the lack of sports and the troubling times we are facing right now ESPN has decided to push things up.There are ...

Oculus Quest is Facebook's last piece of hardware in its first generation of VR devices. It has six degrees of freedom, movement tracking so you can game throughout an area and two Touch Controllers, which facilitate a wide range of gameplay. The Oculus Quest now has over 100 games available, ranging from first-person shooters to musical saber swinging titles. We marked the latest titles with "new," and at the top of the list, so you can keep track of all the latest games.New titlesAvailable nowSupported Oculus Go gamesConfirmed future titlesTeased future titlesNewRock the blocksTetris EffectNewThis new take on the classic Tetris model adds more music, backgrounds, and special effects to the legendary video game. It also features a "Zone" mechanic which lets you stop time.$30 at Oculus StoreVroom vroomMini Motor Racing XNewRace in career and multiplayer modes in this minute racer. You can also play Bumper ball, which is a bit like Rocket League i...

Podcasts about COVID-19 exist, therefore Podcast Addict is a Covid-19 app.What you need to knowPodcast Addict pulled from the Google Play Store as a result of new COVID-19 rules.Google currently bans apps from "referencing COVID-19" unless they are endorsed by public health agencies.Some podcasts which can be accessed on the app do reference the virus and associated disease, triggering the ban.The Play Store's policies currently warn "any apps referencing COVID-19, or related terms, in any form in their metadata will only be approved for distribution in the Play Store if they are published, commissioned or authorized by [official government entities and public health organizations]."While it has helped clean up the Play Store from genuinely misleading apps, one podcast app—Podcast Addict—has fallen victim to an obtuse (or particularly robotic) reading of it.Here's the notification I got this morning... pic.twitter.com/UJF20ZnaPw— Podcast Addict (@PodcastAddict) Ma...

The investigation is on track to be wrapped up by fall.What you need to knowAn antitrust investigation against Google in the U.S. might lead to a lawsuit in the fall.The investigation started out as a probe into Google's online advertising business but later delved into its Search and Android operations.A Google spokeswoman confirms the companies continued cooperation with law enforcement, but could not comment on potential results. Google may be facing a lawsuit from the United States Department of Justice later this fall as the body wraps up its antitrust investigation. The story comes after a nearly yearlong probe which ran from last June. It started as an investigation into the company's online advertising practices and eventually expanded its scope into its Google Search and Android businesses as well. An investigation from Indian authorities in 2019 also revolved around the same subject matter.The Wall Street Journal reported: At least some state attorneys gener...

With so many different smartphones offering different specs, it can be tough to keep track of everything. Plus, you may need to know how much storage you have left, or how fast your cellular connection is. With these apps, not only can you find out just how much RAM you have, but you can do so much more.Our favoriteInwareStaff PickWith Inware, you can take a look at all of your phones' hardware specs, and it's done in a clean and modern way. You can even find your current uptime, which security patch you have installed, and much more. Plus, the app allows you to customize and change the theme to match whatever style you want.Free at Google PlayCompare specsDevice Info HWSometimes you need an app that can do everything, and that's what you'll get from Device Info HW. In addition to viewing detailed information, the app also makes it so you can run an LCD test on your display (if your device is compatible). Plus, you can easily compare your smartphone to other...

As the world continues to wrestle with the effects of the coronavirus, thinking about furthering or beginning a career can be more than a bit intimidating—given the fact that entire markets have been upended and that companies in virtually every industry are altering their business models in order to adjust to a new normal.But it's an indisputable fact that the overarching field of IT has been largely immune to the negative economic effects of the virus, and demand for talented and trained IT and tech professionals is only going to grow as the world becomes more dependent on networks and inter-business connections in the coming years.The Complete Developer & IT Pro Library will help you land a lucrative and exciting position in this growing field through training that covers the most in-demand methodologies and platforms in IT and development, and unlimited lifetime access is available for over 90% off at just $79.99.This bundle is packed with over 750 courses on everythi...

In this new decade, you're only going to spend yet more of your life online which means a VPN is quite important. You can try and avoid it but, honestly, it's pretty much impossible to do. It's important that you have security and privacy at the front of your mind as you traverse the online world, especially with the amount of sensitive data we out on our devices and send via the internet. If you use public Wi-Fi networks while out and about, that's even more important.Best VPN Deals Available TodayExpressVPN: 3 mo. free + 49% offIPVanish: 69% off + 250GB SugarSync freeNordVPN: Save 70% on 3-year planPureVPN: 7-day trial for $1PIA VPN: 2 months freeSurfshark: From 7 cents/dayMore Deals: $20 lifetime acccess & free optionsOdds are that you have heard of VPNs, or Virtual Private Networks, before but may not have signed up for one just yet. There are some common misconceptions about VPNs, especially that they are super expensive, but that's not at all the case — es...

The Crowd PleaserGoogle MeetFree from GoogleProsWorks on all platformsSupports up to 100 participantsCollaboration toolsConsMeetings capped at 60 minutesMac users may be dropped during meetingsGoogle Meets is simple to use and allows you to easily connect with at least a hundred other people and is especially convenient when meeting with those across time zones.Meet for LongerSkype Meet NowFree from SkypeProsRecord and save meetingsLonger time limitsShare your screen for interactive presentationsConsIt takes a while for the program to connectInterface isn't as easy to use as Google Meet50 max participantsThis video conferencing program gives you longer time limits for each meeting and has background blur capabilities. It integrates with Outlook to make it easy to create or join a meeting.Google Meets is now available for free for everyone to use and it is located right within your Gmail inbox. You do need a free G Suite Ess...

After years of wishing and hoping, all my music is back in one place.Yes, I know, I'm one of five people who actually likes and uses YouTube Music and before that was a die-hard Google Play Music user since I first came to Android. When YouTube Music first re-launched, I had to start rebuilding my library from scratch, because while I'd spent 7 years building my library in Play Music — and several years before that building my initial library in iTunes — there was no way to bring that library over to the new service.As such, I'm one of the few who gave a legitimate WOO HOO when I first heard that I was finally going to be able to re-unite my two libraries and access my not insignificant collection of Disney Parks music alongside my more recent obsessions with Panic! at the Disco and Skillet. You can now transfer your Play Music library to YouTube Music, and the process itself is relatively painless.It's been fun to go through playlists from 5, 6 years ago in Play Music — ...

On the whole, the Android market may look a little sparse, but when you dive into the sub-$200 price range, things get rather interesting. The Amazon Fire 7 may not give you access to the Play Store, but you'll still have the Amazon App Store with many of the same great apps. Plus, with Hands-Free Alexa, you can ask it any questions you may have, or even control your smart home right from your tablet.Best Overall: Amazon Fire 7Amazon's lineup of Fire tablets is rather impressive considering what you get at various budget price points. The Fire 7 is the starter tablet for this line and gives you easy access to all of Amazon's services, including Hands-Free Alexa. With this in-tow, you could turn your Fire 7 into something like an Echo Show for when you're home and then take it with you.On the spec side, Amazon offers either 16GB or 32GB of storage, which is expandable up to 512GB via microSD. And with the updated 1.3GHz processor, you'll be able to browse, play games, and do m...

Best Buy has the 2nd-generation Amazon Echo Plus smart speaker for $50 off, and you'll get an Amazon Smart Plug and Philips Hue smart bulb thrown in for free. So not only are you only paying $99.99 instead of $150, you're getting about $40 worth of free stuff.Amazon's Echo Plus was the first of Amazon's devices to be able to handle the Zigbee wireless protocol. That means of all of Amazon's smart speakers, it is the most robust and capable of handling a lot more than the others. Connect to the Echo Plus via Zigbee, Bluetooth, or by just using your Wi-Fi network. You can control your entire smart home from this device since it has Alexa built right in, too.Not only that, but the Echo Plus has 360-degree sound with a powerful speaker using a 1.32-inch tweeter and 3-inch woofer. Easily access your favorite streaming apps like Apple Music, Pandora, Sirius, Spotify, and more without breaking a sweat. Of course, you can also use the built-in Chromecast to just send some great tunes to ...

All four major U.S. carriers and even some MVNOs currently offer unlimited data plans. In the past, carriers have steered away from offering a lot of data. Now, the plans are mainly differentiated by extras such as hotspot data, streaming quality, or even bundled extras like streaming services. T-Mobile's Magenta plan is the best value with plenty of data, 5G access, and even Netflix if you bring two or more lines.Best Overall: T-Mobile MagentaT-Mobile's three main plans are all unlimited, starting with the Essentials plan and moving up to the Magenta and Magenta Plus plan. All three plans come with unlimited talk, text, and LTE data. T-Mobile also offers 5G connectivity to anyone with a compatible phone, so there's no need to look for a special plan. The main differences come with the extras.The Essentials plan is the most basic and doesn't include taxes and fees in the sticker price. It starts at $60 per month for one line. For two lines, the price comes down to $45 per lin...

YouTube Music is here — and it's packing the biggest music library in the world.YouTube is one of the most-viewed websites on the planet, and by far the most popular video platform today, so it's no surprise that millions upon millions of users turn to it every day for music. It's the default platform for music videos — especially viral music videos like ME! and Old Town Road — and it's also a place to find just about any song, remix, mashup, or fan cover you could ever want. Whether you're looking for lyrics to a song before karaoke night, music to sleep to, or a new remix to play at your next party, YouTube has what you're looking for.With YouTube Music, YouTube is ready to dominate the streaming market with a music app built upon its video empire. YouTube Music has an app with a truly unique interface, an unparalleled content library, and more than a few kinks to work out, but YouTube Music is here to stay and here to compete.Music reimaginedYouTube MusicFree o...

If watching Glover Teixeira knockout Anthony Smith in the fifth round of Wednesday night's fight wasn't enough for you, don't worry as the UFC has even more MMA action in store for you this weekend. UFC Fight Night: Overeem vs Harris is scheduled for this Saturday and we have all the details on how you can watch the event on TV in the U.S, Canada, UK and Australia.Alistair Overeem and Walt Harris were originally scheduled to battle it out in the octagon at the Moda Center in Portland, Oregon on April 11 but just like with UFC 249, the event was cancelled as a result of the coronavirus. UFC Fight Night: Overeem vs Harris has now been rescheduled for Saturday, May 16 and will be held at the VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena in Jacksonville, Florida as will likely be the case for the rest of the UFC's upcoming events in the near future.Overeem is a former kickboxing champion while Harris is a Golden Gloves amateur boxing champion. However, the two are closely matched as Overeem is in e...

Overheating isn't just a hassle; it damages your PlayStation 4. Prolonged heat at high temperatures can ruin your circuit boards. Console overheating is often an external cause, so don't beat yourself up. From a system overload to a routine cleaning job, I'm here to help walk you through your overheating problems!Products used in this guideCooling in style: Kootek Vertical Stand for PlayStation 4 and Slim ($18 at Amazon)Must have: Dust-Off Falcon Compressed Air - 3 Pack ($23 at Amazon)Safe cleaning: MR.SIGA Microfiber Cleaning Cloth - 6 Pack ($11 at Amazon)Room temperature and random flukesSometimes, a console overheating is just a one-time fluke. Before you think your console is broken forever, make sure you try these steps first.Turn off your PlayStation 4.Let the console cool down to a normal temperature.Turn your console back on.While the PlayStation 4 is designed to run for some time, it's best to give it some time to breathe, in a sense, especially in betwee...

Getting your hands on the Samsung Galaxy S10+ just became much more affordable thanks to the latest sale at Daily Steals. Right now the unlocked 128GB Samsung Galaxy S10+ is on sale in New/Open Box condition for just $579.99 when you use promo code THRIFTERS10 during checkout. You'll even score free shipping with the purchase, along with a one-year warranty.While these devices have open-box packaging, they're still new; that's quite a discount for unsealed packaging. The factory unlocked Samsung Galaxy S10+ is ready for use on all major U.S. carriers, including Verizon, T-Mobile, Sprint, and AT&T. Today's deal is valid on all models of the S10+ in stock at Daily Steals: Prism Black, Prism Blue, and Prism White.Samsung's Galaxy S10+ smartphone has been well-received by tech reviewers and customers alike. Packed with 8GB of RAM, the device is equipped with a large 6.4-inch AMOLED display featuring an integrated ultrasonic fingerprint sensor hidden underneath to keep it secure f...

Smart sensors are great little devices if you're looking for added security. They can detect movement, alert you when someone tries to enter your home, detect leaks, and others can monitor room temperature. Our top pick is the Ecolink Z-Wave Door and Window Sensors. Set up is quick and easy, and it is compatible with SmartThings so that you can use voice controls through multiple smart hubs. Check our top picks for the best smart sensors out there.Best Overall: Ecolink Z-Wave Door and Window SensorsYou never know when a break-in may occur, so it's better to be safe rather than sorry. A great way to add protection is with the Ecolink Z-Wave Door and Window Sensor. It will detect whenever a door or window is opened and will send alerts immediately.The Ecolink sensor is compatible with Z-wave Plus security hubs such as V1, V2, V3. Vera Plus, Vera Edge, and Vera Lite. It is also it is compatible with SmartThings, which is perfect if you already have a SmartThings hub. If you don'...

Everyone can write, but not everyone is capable of writing well. Even if you're not a professional writer or plan on ever being one, having superior writing skills can benefit various facets of your life. From writing an email to your boss as to how you deserve a promotion or putting together a Craigslist ad and enticing people to buy your old cabinet, having the proficiency to weave compelling and powerful words together can take you places.If you want to step up your wordsmithing game, the Ultimate Creative Writing Course Bundle can shape you to be a better writer. It contains 10 courses, all of which are taught by the Centre of Excellence, an online training provider recognized worldwide. The training collection will expose you to just about any type of writing, from travel writing to novel writing to writing books for children and even calligraphy. Should you want to transition to a freelance writing role sometime in the future, this bundle also features courses on proofrea...

Rings are one of the best accessories a woman can have. Not only are they a subtle accessory choice, but most of them aren't so heavy that they'll become bothersome. Granted, a smart ring can do less than a watch — you can only fit so much technological marvel into a tiny ring — but it's nice to have some extra perks inside your jewelry. The options are limited these days, but the smart ring market is constantly changing so who knows what the future may bring!The perfect fit for fitnessMotiv RingStaff pickAmazingly sleek and available in three finishes, the Motiv ring is perfect for women on the go. It's waterproof and highly durable with its smooth titanium shell. Once connected to your phone and the Motiv app, you can monitor your heart rate, calories burned, distance traveled, and sleep habits. You also get a 2-step verification feature that keeps you safe when you shop online, check your email, or use social media. The sizing guide for Motiv ensures your ring will...

Scoring a deal on a PlayStation Plus membership earns you free game downloads every month, discounts on digital games at the PlayStation Store, and more, but the best part about the service is that it unlocks access to online multiplayer modes on most PlayStation games. That's a pretty essential feature you'd miss out on otherwise, but thanks to an early Black Friday deal at eBay, you can score a one-year membership for only $29.79 and start playing online at 50% off its usual cost. Over at Amazon, this subscription is currently priced at $59.49.With today's deal, you'll be paying only $2.50 per month for your PlayStation Plus subscription. That's 75% off the price of a one-month subscription which costs $9.99. This deal is offered via trusted seller CDKeys and is delivered as a digital redemption code which is sent usually immediately after purchase.PlayStation Plus is an important subscription to have as it unlocks online multiplayer modes on most PlayStation games that have th...

It's clear to see why the versatile Echo Show 5 is Amazon's best Echo device to date. This streamlined version of the original Echo Show is a bit more compact and much more affordable, with an integrated smart display that let you watch videos, control smart home devices, talk with Alexa, and more.The device debuted last year for $89.99, though thanks to a one-day sale at Best Buy, you can score two of the Echo Show 5 today for the price of one. That's like paying only $45 for each one, or you could see it as scoring one for free. You can choose between white and black versions of the device while supplies last.Amazon's Echo Show 5 is equipped with a compact 5.5-inch smart display that can show you the weather, news reports, movie trailers, and more, or you can listen to radio stations, podcasts, audiobooks, and music streaming services like Apple Music or Spotify. It's best utilized as a hub for any smart home devices you have too, as it allows you to voice control any compatibl...

The OnePlus 8 Pro has a pretty incredible display, touting industry-leading color accuracy, a 120Hz refresh rate, and a sharp 1440p resolution. Still, there's always room to improve, and OnePlus includes an MEMC chip in the phone that allows you to enable Motion Graphics Smoothing for even better-looking video content. But what exactly is Motion Graphics Smoothing, and what does it do?Products used in this guideDisplay of speed: OnePlus 8 Pro ($900 at OnePlus)More affordable: OnePlus 8 ($700 at OnePlus)What is Motion Graphics Smoothing?Motion Graphics Smoothing, otherwise known as MEMC or Motion Estimation, Motion Compensation, is a feature commonly found in many TVs, and is often referred to as the "soap opera effect." It analyzes individual frames in a video, and uses that information to interpolate new frames by filling in the gaps and "upscaling" the video, not to a higher resolution, but a higher frame rate.Motion smoothing is often used to make 24FPS or 30FPS foota...

Earlier this week Sony announced two new IMX image sensors that are going to change everything when it comes to "smart" photography.That's a really bold statement to make, but it's also an easy prediction because of how smartphones and other smart products use their cameras. You expect a bigger "real" camera with an expensive lens to take great photos because the hardware being used makes it easier. But when you're using a tiny sensor in a tiny device and a fixed lens, you don't have expensive optics to do the heavy lifting. Instead, things like AI are used, and that's what makes Sony's new sensors special: they have a small AI processor embedded in the sensor package.These sensors have nothing to do with a phone or any consumer products. They're designed for industrial and manufacturing machine vision equipment and companies like Amazon have expressed interest because an all-in-one solution means there is plenty of cost savings built into the product. But like all things, the se...