Latest from Android Central

The staged rollout of the feature drop will begin starting today, August 20.What you need to knowGoogle just announced the first feature drop for its wireless earbuds.Users should start receiving the software update on their Pixel Buds beginning today.The update includes features like bass boost, better translation support for some languages, and improved Assistant integration."A genuine triumph," "worth the wait," and "my favorite wireless earbuds" are just some of the phrases the Android Central team has used to describe Google's truly wireless earbuds. And with their first feature drop, set to drop sometime today, Google plans on making the Pixel Buds even better.Sharing your Buds with a friend? Google's software will now automatically detect this and let each person individually control the volume settings on their earbud. It even works during calls, but Google's engineers were smart enough to remember to disable one of the microphones during calls to avoid all that c...

ExpressVPN Great customer support30-day money-back guaranteeFast, reliable speedsFrom $6.67/mo at ExpressVPNSingletown:When & WhereHow to watch from anywhereHow to watch in U.S.If you can't get enough of shows like Love Island and Love is Blind, the new series Singletown on HBO Max is a must-see. The show takes five long-term couples who have recently split and are considering seeing other people, putting them into one apartment building where they'll all live together, go out on new dates with new people, and then return back to their exes at the end of the day to discuss whether they should get back together or continue searching for new love instead.Singletown: When & whereThe first season of Singletown is now available to watch on HBO Max. That means you can stream all 15 episodes today or ...

VPN usage has skyrocketed in recent years, but that doesn't mean you have to spend a fortune for some added security and privacy. In fact, NordVPN's latest deal offers a huge 68% savings on its two-year subscription which drops the monthly equivalent cost to just $3.71. Billed upfront at $89, you're saving close to $200 on the two-year plan versus the regular month-to-month cost for that period of time making this one of the best VPN deals out there.VPNs have gone mainstream so you've probably heard a lot about them of late, and for good reason. They enable you to keep your private information private, feel safe in the knowledge that your device's security is intact, and get around geographical barriers that otherwise restrict online content.NordVPN offers a secure, fast, and anonymous browsing experience. It uses military-grade 256-bit AES encryption, DNS Leak Protection, and keeps no logs about user activity so you surf anonymously. NordVPN is also speedy and has an unlimited b...

Whether you want to reduce screen time for your family members or you just want to save some data, there are a lot of reasons to block a device on your router. Many modern routers will have this function built into the management software or even an app, but the level of control available can vary quite a bit. Here's how to do it yourself.Can you use an app to block devices on your router?The easiest way to manage your network is through an app. While not every router and manufacturer is in a position to maintain and update an app, most of the big names have something. Netgear has an app with a lot of great settings for both its Nighthawk and Orbi lines of routers. One of the best examples is eero, which has a clean and easy-to-use app that manages to pack in most of the features of its competitors.If you set up your network with an app, the best way to identify and block devices on your router will be through the app. Of course, this is going to be different with every manufac...

The profiles had been extracted through a process called web scraping, and stored without password protection.What you need to knowThe profiles of 235M TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube users have been exposed.A database without password protection was discovered containing all the information.It had been collected by a company called Deep Social and stored online without a password. A new report says that the user profiles of 235M TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube users were exposed in a data breach after the information was collected through web scraping.According to TNW: A databased containing scraped data of nearly 235 million social media users from Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube was exposed without any password protection. It contained user information such as names, contact info, images, and stats about followers. Web scraping is a technique of gathering data from web pages in an automated manner. While it's not illegal, social media companies prohibit this prac...

Driving around listening to the same 20 songs gets old pretty quickly. If you're ready to take true control of the radio in your vehicle, the Anker Roav Bluetooth Transmitter + Car Charger is an essential purchase. This 2-port USB-C car charger connects to your phone via Bluetooth and then transmits its sound to a radio frequency that you can tune into. Unlike other Bluetooth FM transmitters, this model offers a static-free listening experience — and right now it's even 25% off at Amazon. Clip the on-page coupon to snag one for your vehicle for just $22.49 while supplies last. That saves you nearly $8 off its usual price of $30 and marks the lowest price this model has ever reached.Anker's Roav Bluetooth Transmitter + Car Charger is equipped with a USB-C port with PowerIQ 3.0 technology as well as a USB-A charging port so you can power up two devices simultaneously. A button on the charger lets the device search and connect to unoccupied FM frequencies in your area so you can tun...

Fitness trackers can pick up underlying symptoms before they float to the fore of our consciousness.What you need to knowYour smartwatch may be an important health tool during the COVID-19 pandemic.A new survey by Fitbit suggests that wearers of the company's health trackers may be able to catch COVID-19 early. This is due to underlying changes in physiology that may not be immediately apparent to a casual observer but could be picked up by a health tracker.Your Fitbit may be able to tell you if you have COVID-19 up to one day before symptoms start to present themselves, a new study suggests.Writing on the Fitbit blog, Conor Heneghan, Director of Research, Algorithms at Fitbit, said: Based on the findings of our study, we can detect nearly 50 percent of COVID-19 cases one day before participants reported the onset of symptoms with 70 percent specificity. This is important because people can transmit the virus before they realize they have symptoms or when they h...

The Samsung T7 500GB USB-C portable solid state drive is currently down to $79.99 at Amazon in all three available colors (black, blue, and red). These drives were selling for $110 just a month or two ago, and they have never gone lower than $80. As it is, the 1TB version is $170 right now, which means you could buy two of the 500GB drives and save $10 thanks to this deal. You can also find this deal at other retailers like Best Buy.We reviewed the Samsung T7 just a couple days ago and gave it 4.5 stars out of 5 along with a Recommended badge. Richard Devine said, "The real benefit to the T7 is its size. Whether you go for the 500GB, 1TB, or 2TB model, it weighs only 58g and literally fits inside any pocket. It's beyond convenient to carry about, and it's also plenty tough enough if you're the kind of person who goes outdoors a lot."The T7 has read/write speeds up to 1,050 MB/s and 1,000 MB/s respectively. That's almost double the speeds of the previous generation T5 drive. It us...

It's easy to find affordable headphones/earbuds just about anywhere you look these days, with Mpow being one of the most prominent brands in this space. Whether you're looking for workout buds, true wireless ones, or anything in between, Mpow has you covered. The Mpow H12 IPO stand out as the best overall headphones you can get from the company, and whether you choose those or something else, you're in for a great audio experience.Best Overall: Mpow H12 IPOMpow's selection of headphones/earbuds is rather expansive, but among everything that the company has to offer, we think the Mpow H12 IPO are the best ones you can get. All of Mpow's products stand out for one reason or another, with the H12 IPO striking a near-perfect balance of features, specs, and value.It all starts with the listening experience, which is pretty darn great. The Mpow H12 IPO have 40mm drivers and Hi-Fi audio, allowing your music to shine with deep bass and crystal clear clarity. You even get active noise...

Surfshark hasn't been around that long, but it has quickly established itself as one of the best VPN services out there. As well as being an all-round great service, Surshark has been one of the most affordable VPNs available since it entered the market, though that's about to change with a price rise on the horizon.Not to worry, though. You have one final chance to score two years of Surfshark VPN for just $1.99 per month. Once the deal expires this time, it's not coming back so you don't want to wait on it. It's billed as $47.76 upfront, which equates to under $2 per month and is 83% less than the regular price for paying monthly over two years.It's wild how much of our lives are online in this day and age, and even wilder just how much personal data we share and how much we're tracked across the web. That's probably why VPNs, or virtual private networks, have gotten so popular in recent years as we strive to claw back a little bit of online privacy. Thankfully, you don't have ...

Need a nice affordable pair of headphones that can withstand the wear and tear of the gym? The Anker Soundcore Spirit X Bluetooth in-ear headphones are down to $17.99 with code W5SCHYRW58 at Newegg. Without the code, they are going for $26 and that's the same price you'll find them going for at other retailers like Amazon. Shipping is free.The Soundcore Spirit X are some of the best cheap wireless earbuds around, especially for use at the gym. They have Anker's SweatGuard technology, which is specially designed to resist sweat. They are IPX7 rated, too, to resist other sources of water like rain or getting splashed by the pool. You definitely don't have to worry about water with these earphones.Plus, the headphones have 10mm dynamic drivers, which means you'll get powerful sound to help drown out the noise of the gym or subway if you're heading to work. The headphones do have passive noise isolation, too, so you can actually get even more drawn into your music and not the world a...

Samsung's Galaxy Note series has become well known for churning out big phones with big screens, and the Galaxy Note 20 is no exception to that rule. Touting a 6.7-inch AMOLED display with slim bezels all around, the Note 20 has a great canvas for watching movies, playing games, taking notes, or whatever else you want to do. If you want to be sure it stays in tip-top shape for years to come, you need to pick up one of these screen protectors.It's all hereLK Film Screen Protector (2-Pack)Staff PickKicking off our list, we have some film screen protectors from LK — one of the most-trusted brands in the screen protector world. These protectors are fully compatible with the Note 20's in-screen fingerprint sensor, are easy to install, have self-healing tech for light scratches, and you get two at a great price. Not to mention, LK even includes two protectors for the rear camera bump!$15 at AmazonAwesome valueHATOSHI Film Screen Protector (3-Pack)If you're looki...

Even if you want to avoid bulking up your S20+, your phone deserves the best thin case you can get. "No matter your taste, your phone needs a case" is a bit of a motto for me, but for glass-backed phones like the Galaxy S20+, you really do need at least a thin case to add some grip and give that glass back a minimum of scratch protection. Whether you like your thin case hard or soft, clear, or colorful, there's an option for everyone.Almost invisibleTotallee Thin CaseStaff pickFrom $15 at AmazonIf you hate cases because they're bulky, Totallee has built its entire brand around people like you. These are the thinnest cases you can get; they are entirely free of branding or emblems and come in clear or black.Clearly thinRingke Air$8 at Amazon$8 at WalmartThis clear case is thin as can be and grippy as all get-out. Ringke may have built most of its reputation on more robust cases like the Fusion X, but it can do thin just as well as the hotshots when it applie...

Chatting with the AC forums.Smartphones are pretty amazing. Every year they get better displays, faster performance, more capable cameras, and so on. The advancements that companies make on an annual basis is pretty impressive when you step back and think about it, but regardless of all these improvements, there's always one area that tends to degrade with time — battery life.Batteries have gotten bigger and more efficient over the years, but the fact remains that their longevity naturally decreases the more you use them. Draining a battery and recharging it over and over takes a toll on its endurance, especially after you've owned a phone for over a year.Some owners of the Galaxy Note 10 recently started talking about how their batteries are doing now that it's been about a year since the handset was released, with the conversation going as follows: donebrasko 08-15-2020 10:24 PM “ Has anyo...

A Worthwhile UpgradeTP-Link Archer AX3000 / AX50$$150 at DellProsAX3000 speeds are a great upgrade for manyWi-Fi 6 compatibleFour Ethernet portsHomeCare software included (AX50)USB 3.0 portConsOnly dual-band Wi-FiThe TP-Link Archer AX50 (also known as the AX3000 at Walmart) is the sweet spot for most families looking to add more speed and capacity to their home network. With a wide and fast 5GHz band capable of up to 2,402Mbps, Wi-Fi 6 capacity improvements over previous generations, and great parental controls, this is a great router to get the whole family online.Entry-level Wi-Fi 6TP-Link Archer AX1800 / AX20$99 at WalmartProsAX1800 speeds are adequate for manyWi-Fi 6 compatibleFour Ethernet portsUSB 2.0 portConsVery basic parental controlsNo QoS by applicationNot as fast as AX3000 / AX50The TP-Link AX1800 will likely be faster than the router you already have if you haven't upgraded in a while but it's less capable 5GHz ban...

Big Brother returns in its 20th year on the air for a special All-Stars season that's bringing back some of the show's best houseguests ever. While most seasons of the show feature a cast of new players all vying to win half a million dollars, the All-Star format sees fan-favorite cast members from previous seasons return to the show for another try at winning the grand prize.This season has differed from most in more than just the All-Stars aspect. This time around, the cast had to be quarantined for two weeks before the show and undergo testing for coronavirus to ensure they were all virus-free before entering the house. At least one cast member was cut due to a positive test result, and on premiere night, the guests entered the Big Brother house while wearing face masks. The crew behind-the-scenes have been tested and quarantined as well.Though the cast wasn't revealed until premiere night, we now know the All-Stars houseguests include Janelle Pierzina, Da'Vonne Rogers, Ian Terr...

Edifier actually has two discounts working in conjunction on this one. Not only are the Edifier R1850DB Bluetooth bookshelf speakers on sale for $150 but using code EDIFIER during checkout takes another $15 off the price. That's two discounts you can't find anywhere else because these speakers are still going for their regular price of $200 in places like Best Buy. Today's price is the lowest we've seen. The next best price was a drop to $140, but that was more than a year ago.Edifier makes some amazing speakers. If you're looking for an audio upgrade for your computer or home media, save $65 today and you'll hear the quality difference. The speakers have Bluetooth 4.0 tech so you can stream from all your favorite mobile devices, and the wireless remote lets you pick the input selection, adjust volume, and more.The speakers are "designed with purpose" as Edifier puts it. The enclosure is made with medium-density fiberboard, which helps minimize the acoustic resonance. The base is...

There are a few essential items everyone should keep in their vehicle, and a powerful car charger is at the top of the list. Luckily, the RAVPower 48W USB-C car charger is on sale today for only $14.99 if you're in need of one. You'll just need to clip the coupon on its product page before adding it to your cart to score this low price. That saves you $5 off its usual cost of $20.RAVPower's 48W USB-C car charger is equipped with two USB ports, including one 30W USB-C port featuring Power Delivery 3.0 and one 18W USB-A port that supports Quick Charge 3.0. They can be used at the same time to pump out 48W of power simultaneously, and thanks to built-in safety protections such as advanced temperature controls, overload protection, and short-circuit protection, you can rest assured your devices will charge properly every time they're plugged in.With that amount of power, you can easily charge up a phone as well as a larger device like a tablet, Nintendo Switch, or even a laptop. This...

ZTE has yet to reveal how much the phone will cost.What you need to knowZTE President Ni Fei has shared a render of the company's upcoming Axon 20 5G.The Axon 20 5G will be the world's first phone to feature an under-display selfie camera.It is set to be unveiled in China on September 1. ZTE announced earlier this week that it will take the wraps off the world's first smartphone with an under-display camera next month. ZTE's President Ni Fei has now shared a render of the upcoming phone, giving us a clear look at its design (via Tweakers).Since the Axon 20 5G will not have a hole-punch cutout or notch in the display, the phone's 32MP selfie camera isn't visible, at least in the render above. What is pretty clear, however, is that the phone will offer a truly immersive viewing experience with its true 'full-screen' design. Around the back of the phone, we can see a quad-camera array, along with an LED flash. As revealed by the phone's TENAA listing recently, it will come e...

Now that we're past halfway in 2020, you should really consider picking up a smart robot vacuum. They've been around for a few years at this point and while they have been pretty expensive in the past, there are a bunch of affordable options out there now that are pretty fantastic. One such option is the Eufy RoboVac 30C Max.This model regularly sells for around $300 at Amazon, but today only you can pick one up for just $209.99. This is one of its best direct price drops to date, though it won't stick around for long.Though there are tons of robot vaccums to choose from these days, this particular model features the strongest suction of any model Eufy has released yet. It operates quietly and the slim design won't take up much space. You can control the vacuum with a free app on your smartphone or by using it in conjunction with a smart home helper like Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant. Use the app or your voice to schedule routines, start a cleaning spree, find your robot pal, ...

The former PC gaming smash-hit comes to mobile.What you need to knowCompany of Heroes is coming to iPhone and Android.It will be released on September 10.The award-winning title was originally released for PC back in 2006. Feral Interactive has today announced that PC gaming smash-hit Company of Heroes is making its way to iPhone and Android next month.In a press release today, Feral Interactive stated: Building on its lauded debut on iPad earlier this year, Feral Interactive has today announced that the groundbreaking World War II real-time strategy game Company of Heroes will be released on September 10th for iPhone and Android. Company of Heroes offers players an epic WWII campaign, with gameplay comprised of intense squad-based battles that progress from the D-Day landings through to the liberation of Normandy. Designed for phones, this version of the game allows mobile gamers to direct all the action from a user interface highly tailored to touch controls....

Amazon's annual Prime Day 2020 event is rumored to be taking place in October following some COVID-related delays. Normally, Prime Day takes place mid-July each year, and this will be the first time since the event started a few years ago that it is being delayed. Consumers have been affected by an economic slowdown and Amazon has suffered from product supply issues along with delays for fulfillment, making the delay a smart move.If Amazon does indeed have Prime Day 2020 during October, that will likely be the unofficial kickoff for the whole 2020 holiday shopping season. It's likely we will see Amazon go hard with the deals in an effort to gobble up some of the early shopping shares, and will carry the momentum through the month and into November ahead of Black Friday.Let's dive into some of the things that we do know while we await Amazon's official announcement about Prime Day 2020.When is Amazon Prime Day 2020?Amazon has gone on the record saying that Prime Day 2020 will ...

The best monitor light bars can brighten up the monitor in your workspace for easier reading without having to boost the brightness of the screen itself, which can be taxing on your eyes. They usually don't take up much, or any, additional space on your desk and don't cost a lot either. We've done the research to identify and rank the best monitor light bars for your home office or workspace.Best for customizationLOFTER Screen Bar LightStaff pickWith three lighting modes including warm, cool, and natural, and 10 brightness levels via a total of 84 LEDs, the slim and sleek design of this light keeps crucial desk space free. There's no glare or shadows thanks to the convenient angle, and it's easy to set up, plugging in via USB.$40 at AmazonAdjustable anglesBaseus Screen Light BarThe gravity rotating shaft fixing device makes it easy to adjust the angle of this light to your liking. It fits just about any monitor, from those as thick as 1.5 inches to as slim as 0.2 ...

Huawei's high-end tablet is yet another tale of exceptional hardware marred by software troubles.The Android tablet space has rarely set the world alight. While there are some great Android tablets on the market, much of the segment is now focused on cheaper iPad alternatives, as opposed to products that compete at the high end. The Huawei MatePad Pro is an exception. It's an iPad Pro lookalike running Huawei's custom silicon, and built around the new ecosystem the company is trying to foster in its post-Google era. (As such, it's a far cry from many of the Samsung Android Tablets that occupy the upper mid-range.)But just as Huawei's smartphones have run into some teething issues with app support, there are also some significant challenges facing the MatePad Pro. Even with its magnificent hardware, quick performance and helpful multitasking features, how useful this tablet will be to you largely depends on how comfortable you feel living outside of the Google ecosystem.In anoth...

Google Docs, Google Meet, and Google Voice are having issues as well.Update, August 20 (6:10 am ET): Gmail service has now been restored for some users.What you need to knowA large number of users are reporting issues connecting to G Suite services, including Gmail and Google Drive.Data from DownDetector shows the problem is affecting users in India, Australia, Japan, the United States, and a few other countries. Google is currently investigating the issue expects to resolve it soon.Thousands of users across the world are reporting issues with Gmail, Google Drive, and a few other G Suite services. As confirmed by the Google apps status page, services affected by the outage include Gmail, Google Drive, Google Docs, Google Meet, and Google Voice. The issues started around 12 PM ET and haven't been resolved yet. A similar outage happened in March this year, when Gmail, Drive, YouTube, and other Google services went down for a few hours in some countries.While most users s...

The feature is rolling out to both iOS and Android.What you need to knowGoogle is adding captions to Duo.The feature is now rolling out to both iOS and Android.Google is also rumored to be planning on replacing Duo with Meet in the long term.If you're being forced to take conference calls while your kid (or dog) screaming in the background — and really, which of us isn't in that situation these days? — Google has some good news for you: Google Duo is getting built-in caption support.In a noisy place? No problem. Captions are now available on Google Duo, so you won't miss a word of your video and voice messages. https://t.co/jqEvy9Vyn7 pic.twitter.com/gq5Z2ntn5P— Made by Google (@madebygoogle) August 19, 2020Note that this is different from Live Caption. While that feature has steadily expanded in availability from its Pixel-exclusive launch last year and is now on some OnePlus and Samsung devices (and soon, even the desktop!), it's still a distant dream for the ...

The two phones will only be released in 9 countries.What you need to knowLeaker Jon Prosser has revealed that the Pixel 5 5G and Pixel 4a 5G will be unveiled on September 30.While the Pixel 5 is tipped to be available in Black and Green colors, the Pixel 4a 5G will only be available in Black initially. Google will apparently release a White color variant of the Pixel 4a 5G in October.Google revealed earlier this month that it will be launching two new 5G phones later this year, the Pixel 4a 5G and Pixel 5 5G. While the company did not confirm a specific launch date for the two phones, a slip-up by Google France revealed the Pixel 5 and Pixel 4a 5G will be up for pre-order in the country from October 8. According to a new tweet by leaker Jon Prosser, however, both phones are set to be launched on September 30.What we see in the system isPixel 5 5G (black and green)Pixel 4a 5G (black) - September 30Pixel 4a 5G (white)- October— Jon Prosser (@jon_prosser) August 19, 2020...

This is how the Android ecosystem moves forward.During the Galaxy Note 20 launch event, Samsung made a big announcement: it committed to delivering three OS updates to its phones starting with the Galaxy S10 series, matching the Pixels for software updates.I wrote earlier this year that two years of updates are no longer enough, particularly with flagships costing well over $1,000. The Galaxy Note 20 Ultra starts at $1,300, and when you're paying that kind of money for a phone, you'd want the device to get the latest OS updates for at least three years. Samsung committing to three updates for its mid-range phones is monumental.Thankfully, that is the case now. Samsung will roll out three Android version updates to Galaxy S, Galaxy Note, and Galaxy Z as well as its foldables, but the bigger story here is that the same commitment is being extended to a few mid-range phones in the Galaxy A series. Samsung shared the full list of phones that will get three OS updates, and it i...

Tiger Woods' hunt for a record third FedEx Cup championship begins this week at the TPC Boston. Read on for full details on how to get a live stream of the Northern Trust: PGA Tour with our guide below. Woods joins a packed field in Boston that's set to include Bryson DeChambeau, Rory McIlroy, and defending champion Patrick Reed.There's plenty at stake at the Northern Trust, with the top 70 qualifying for the Cup's second event, the BMW Championship in Chicago, with only the top 30 after that advancing to the Tour Championship in Atlanta, which was won last year by Rory McIlroy.Woods is ranked No. 49 on the FedExCup points leaderboard going into this weekend's action - should he make it through the playoffs, it will mark the first time this year that the former world no.1 has played three straight weeks.Topping the table is Justin Thomas, who has three wins this season and four top-10 finishes in his last seven starts.The American holds a comfortable lead in the standings wit...

The Galaxy Z Fold 2 is Samsung's most interesting phone this year.What you need to knowSamsung is preparing to launch the Galaxy Z Fold 2 5G, the sequel to last year's attention-grabbing Fold.A video on TikTok shows a live model of the upcoming foldable. The Fold 2 is going to be revealed in detail sometime in September.Samsung is preparing the Galaxy Z Fold 2 5G for launch later this year. It's already been announced, but the company will officially show it off later in September. A new video on TikTok (via Android Police) has just shown us a glimpse of the upcoming foldable from all angles.The short 15-second clip shows off the display (folded and open), the much-improved cover-display, the software, and some of the apps like the camera and dialer.Samsung will officially reveal more about the Galaxy Z Fold 2 in September, so we don't have much to wait to find out how the phone will look and feel physically. Specs-wise, we already know a lot more. It'll be powered by t...

The best cases for the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra needs to balance protection and profile, style and substance, and do it all without breaking the bank. The Note 20 Ultra is one of the most cutting-edge phones on the market, but it's also one of the largest and heaviest phones in 2020 as well. Combine that with the luxury price tag that Samsung demands, and you have a recipe for disaster if you dare to take your new phone out into the world naked. Skip the public smartphone indecency and get yourself a great case.Slim and sublimeRingke Air-SStaff pickIf you don't want to bulk up your Note 20 Ultra but need to add some grip, the Air-S is a minimalist case that will give your fingers more purchase than expected while also guarding against scratches.$11 at Amazon$9 at WalmartSustatinable styleSamsung Kvadrat CoverThe Kvadrat Cover we loved on the S20+ is back for the Note 20 and it looks even more vibrant and lovely than ever. It's made of sustainable materials and feels ...

The Google Pixel 4a is one of the most compelling phones of 2020, offering excellent performance and cameras for less than half the price of a flagship. While it might not cost thousands of dollars, that doesn't mean that it's any less worthy of protection. Whether you need to spice up the Just Black of the Pixel 4a or need to keep it safe from the chaos outside your door, these are the best Pixel 4a cases you can buy right now.Pretty protectionCaseology ParallaxStaff pickThis hybrid case comes in three dazzling color combinations — a deep navy blue, a lighter purple, and a darling coral/gold two-tone — and offers drop protection and grip in a compact profile.From $15 at Amazon$15 at WalmartGuard the front and backPoetic RevolutionThis heavy-duty case comes with a screen protector built into the front frame, offering 360 degrees of protection for your new Pixel 4a. I also like the robust kickstand on the back that can be used in portrait or landscape.$17 at...

The largest phone in the S20 lineup absolutely deserves the rugged protection of a heavy duty case — but that doesn't mean you need to add an inch of opaque plastic to make it even more unwieldy. These days, you can find rugged clear cases and other sleek designs that add extra functionality to your phone. Here are our picks for the best heavy duty cases for the S20 Ultra.Clearly ruggedRingke Fusion XStaff pickFrom $12 at Amazon$13 at WalmartThe Ringke Fusion X is the perfect blend of function and style. The rugged TPU bumper protects along with the rigid backplate, which is crystal clear to let the S20 Ultra's design shine through.Heavy-duty hybridSpigen Tough ArmorFrom $16 at Amazon Spigen makes some outstanding cases that are sleek and rugged. The Tough Armor style is the best of the bunch with dual-layer protection and a built-in kickstand around the back.Texas-proud protectionArmadilloTek Vanguard SeriesFrom $19 at AmazonThe Van...

Sony WH-1000XM4Better than ever$350 at AmazonProsIndustry-leading noise cancellationBuilt-in sensor for wearing detectionConnect two devices at the same timeImproved padding provides better comfort for long listening periodsConsDated designTouchpad controls are still oddSony has taken a great design and continued to iterate while adding user-requested features such as Multi Device Connection. Noise cancellation has been incrementally updated, and there's now a built-in sensor for the XM4 to detect when it has been removed, automatically pausing the music.Sony WH-1000XM3Still great, but wait for a sale$348 at AmazonProsNoise Cancellation is greatUSB-C for chargingCustomizable EQ (via app)30-hours of battery lifeConsCan only connect one device at a timePadding is slightly thinner than XM4 versionThe Sony WH-1000XM3s are no slouch despite being succeeded by the XM4. There's still fantastic noise-cancellation, customizable EQ and 30...

A virtual private network, or VPN, keeps your online activity secure from snooping by masking your identity and location. It does this by creating an encrypted "tunnel" to the server run by your VPN of choice, redirecting your internet connection there and spitting it out the other side with a different IP address than your own.You'll usually have to pay for the privilege via a monthly or annual subscription fee, with the latter the best option if you're after a deal and can pay upfront. If you've never used one before, it might seem like a bit of an unnecessary expense but there are lots of situations where a VPN might come in handy. First and foremost, the extra security offered by a VPN is great for peace of mind – especially when you're browsing the internet on a public Wi-Fi network.These networks are often unsecured, which means they're open to abuse from those in the know. Some are even set up by nefarious types for that very reason, and might look legit, but aren't. When ...

It's never been more important to learn how to work from home, but there's a big difference between simply setting up your laptop at the kitchen counter and really doing it right.With seven guided courses on time management, remote work, writing and more, the 2020 Work From Anywhere Hacker Bundle will teach you how to manage and maximize your productivity away from the office.You'll learn how to quickly and smoothly transition into working from home through courses that will teach you how to streamline your communication with teams, engage in critical thinking, manage time and resources more efficiently, and much more.You'll even learn how to start your own online business from scratch.Get the skills you need to work from home like a true pro with the 2020 Work From Anywhere Hacker Bundle for just $29.99—over 80% off its usual price today.Prices are subject to change....

The band for MiXiaomi Mi Band 4$25 at AmazonPros20-day battery lifeAMOLED displayWater-resistant to 50mSix built-in exercise modesBetter app integration and friend competitionsConsLow brand recognition in the U.S.Charging cradle issuesAtypical band replacementApp problems??? Social?? Integrations??As with its phones, Xiaomi has set an example of how to offer a compelling fitness band at a competitive price. It brings multi-sport modes and long battery life that let it match up against trackers two-three times its price. As good as it is with fitness, it is lacking in other smart features.New kid in townWyze Band$30 at AmazonProsTwo-week battery lifeAMOLED displayWater-resistant to 50mIntegration with Wyze smart home ecosystemAmazon Alexa built-inConsBand changing can be challengingNo social competitions or integrationsMinimal exercise mode supportApp has to be running for smart home features to workThe Wyze Band is a fanta...

The RAVPower 25000mAh solar phone charger outdoor portable charger is down to $21.99 with code WEK4QJZL on Amazon. Without the code, the charger is going for $46. It has sold higher than that in the past, and it has never dropped lower than $44 directly. You'd really need a coupon code like today's deal to ever find it on sale, and these can be hard to find if you aren't looking for them. Today's sale is one of the best we've ever seen.The RAVPower power bank has a 25000mAh battery. That's a huge capacity. Doesn't matter whether you're using it for your tablet, an Android smartphone or the iPhone, this thing has enough juice to keep your device's power topped off. You'll be able to go all day without having to find a wall outlet to plug into. The great thing is, this one is designed to work outside. It has a built-in solar panel so you can actually recharge the battery's capacity just by hanging around outside. That's like infinite power!Of course, sunlight won't be very fast for...

Using one of the best free VPN services could provide you with a lot of benefits in your daily life. Not everyone who uses a Virtual Private Network needs everything that a paid service offers, and often the free ones are enough to get by. We've compared the advantages between free VPNs vs. paid VPNs. If you're looking for the best VPN to use, we have you covered.As of right now, we have ProtonVPN leading the ranks when it comes to best free VPN, followed closely by Hotspot Shield Free. With ProtonVPN, you get unlimited bandwidth on a single device when using the free plan, and Hotspot Shield also offers a generous data allotment and rich feature set.Moving from a free VPN to a paid VPN will get you some feature enhancements, extra data allotments, and more. A VPN provider like Surfshark comes in at just $1.99 per month, which breaks down to just six cents per day. The feature set is strong, the apps are easy to use, and it provides great speeds. ExpressVPN is our top overall pick ...

It's reminiscent of TikTok and its endless For You page.What you need to knowInstagram will now suggest new content to users once they exhaust updates from people and hashtags they follow.Previously, Instagram would warn users when they used the app too much as part of a digital wellbeing initiativeThis update seems reminiscent of TikTok's popular For You page, which worked on the same principle.Apparently done with digital wellbeing, a new Instagram feature will make it easier fot you to stay on the app perpetually. From today on, once you run out of content from accounts and hashtags you follow on your feed, Instagram will now let you keep scrolling indefinitely through content its algorithms think you'll like.Prior to this update, once you had viewed all content on your feed, an Instagram warning would pop up and let you know that you'd seen all the new posts over the past few days. The Verge reports that it'll still keep that message, but will also offer you a new opt...

The Wyze Lock smart Bluetooth door lock has dropped to $89.99 on Amazon. Before today, the lowest it had ever been on Amazon was $98. We did see a deal in early August that dropped it to $88 through the Wyze website, but other than that today's drop is the lowest price we've seen. And, obviously, this is still pretty close. The lock normally sells for around $108 or so.In the world of tech, Wyze is a company that builds itself around the idea of simplicity. All of Wyze's devices are super easy to use, have no crazy frills attached, and often go for bargain basement prices. The idea here is to remove all the hassle and stress of installing a new tech device while keeping the convenience of it. And that's exactly what the Wyze Lock does. You can install it in just a few minutes, and it uses your existing deadbolt setup. You won't have to lose or replace your keys, and when it works you won't need those keys at all.The Wyze Lock is capable of automatically locking and unlocking your...

Your phone may or may not be dirtier than a toilet seat right now, but luckily you can fix that with an ultraviolet phone sanitizer. After all, our phones pick up a whole heap of bacteria, germs, and other nastiness when we set them down throughout our days. Ultraviolet phone sanitizers are nifty little devices, and while they can cost a pretty penny, they're 110% worth the investment if they can keep you from getting sick, now more than ever.Best by a landslidePhoneSoap 3Staff pick$80 at Amazon$80 at PhoneSoapPhoneSoap is one of the originals and is still one of the most trusted ultraviolet phone sanitizers around. Reliability and excellent build quality are part of why all of PhoneSoap's products were really hard to come by the first several months of the pandemic.Flip and repeatHoMedics UV-Clean Phone Sanitizer$60 at AmazonThis sanitizer keeps a slim, travel-friendly profile by being collapsible, and the lid zips open and closed to help ensure that UV li...

Another confirmation it's happening.What you need to knowThe Prince of Persia game franchise hasn't seen a new entry since 2010, since Prince of Persia: The Forgotten SandsA few months ago, a cryptic leak revealed that Ubisoft had claimed a new website domain with the Prince of Persia name.Now, a retail listing for a Prince of Persia remake for the PS4 has shown up on Guatemalan retail site Max.It's possible Ubisoft is gearing up to announce a new entry in the Prince of Persia series, or a remaster of the original.Prince of Persia fans haven't had a new game to play for over a decade now, but they recieved hopeful news a few months ago when Ubisoft registered the princeofpersia6.com domain. While absolutely nothing was confirmed, this indicated that Ubisoft may be working on a brand-new entry in the Prince of Persia series after a very long hiatus.Now, as discovered on Resetera, a Prince of Persia remake appeared on a Guatemalan retail site Max, advertised for the Playst...

It was an unexpected move from Google.Update, August 19 (12:30 pm ET): Zoom is coming to the Amazon Echo Show and Facebook Portal as well.What you need to knowGoogle will add Zoom support to the Nest Hub and other Assistant-enabled smart displays.Buyers will be able to use them as easily as they can Google Meet or Duo.Google says to expect the update by the end of the year.While you can use either Google Meet or Duo to make video calls on Nest Hub smart displays, in the future, Google will be adding support for a competing service, Zoom.Google announced on Wednesday: Zoom is coming to Assistant-enabled Smart Displays, including Nest Hub Max, by the end of the year. [...]Anyone with a Zoom account—whether it's free or paid—will be able to join a video call from their Hub Max or other Assistant-enabled Smart Display. With Meet or Zoom, you can easily move from one call to the next.While Google Duo and Meet were expected on the platform, Zoom comes as a bit of a...

Another move for better privacy means more work for developers, not the loss of third-party cameras.You might have read that Google is killing off third-party camera apps in Android 11, and if they were true. you'd have the right to be very unhappy. Don't worry, though: it's not.This all stems from a posting at Commonsware, a blog dedicated to Android development. There, it's explained that a behavior change in Android 11 takes away the standard camera picker when an app allows you to take a photo but doesn't provide its own camera widget. In Android 11, the default behavior will be to use the built-in camera app. Some apps include their own camera widget and are unaffected.This doesn't apply to every app. Something like Instagram uses its own camera widget and would be unaffected. It applies to apps that don't work like Instagram but where the developer still wants you to be able to take a photo without leaving the app. In previous versions of Android, you would see a dia...

The Sony WH-XB700 Bluetooth extra bass headphones are down to $78 on Amazon. This price is a match for the lowest ever for these headphones, and you'd have to go all the way back to February to see them drop this low. The headphones sell for around $128 usually, making this a pretty decent $50 discount. This is a manufacturer's discount. That means you'll be able to find these savings across several retailers in addition to Amazon, like Best Buy, B&H, and others.The WH-XB700 headphones might not be Sony's most advanced headset, but they will not disappoint. They still have powerful sound for one thing, and they use Sony's Extra Bass technology to really get your chest thumping at those low frequencies. You can even adjust the sound using Sony's Connect App to optimize the performance.Plus, they're designed to be comfortable. The on-ear design and the swiveling ear cups let you adjust the headset to your satisfaction, giving you a perfect fit every time.The built-in mic on t...

The built-in camera on your Android phone is now your true default camera from Android 11 onwards.What you need to knowAn Android 11 update will change how third-party camera apps work on Google's operating system.Users will no longer be able to use apps that aren't built-in to capture photos in third-party apps.Google says that this is done for security reasons.With Android 11, Google is imposing an additional limit on how camera apps may plug into the system. Specifically, it's limiting what camera apps other than the default built-in app would be able to do.As reported by Android Police, Google is mandating that third-party app without their own camera functionality can only launch the default camera app to carry out either image or video capture. Before this, a user would be presented with a dialogue allowing them to choose from the camera apps installed on their device.The developer documentation reads: Starting in Android 11, only pre-installed system camera a...

Find what you're looking for faster than ever.What you need to knowSideQuest is a third-party marketplace for indie games, early access titles, and more for the Oculus Quest.A new update overhauls the store UI, making things easier to find, follow your favorite games and developers for updates, and more.Virtual Desktop and Oculus Link support have been added to make finding Windows PC VR games easier than ever.SideQuest has long been one of the best places to get indie and early access titles for the Oculus Quest, not to mention mods for popular games like Beat Saber. But it's always had one big problem: the store just wasn't super user-friendly. That all changes with the latest update, which completely overhauls the UI for the store, including brand new categories and better sorting options. New options like Hot & Fresh, Staff Picks, and Latest Apps & Games right up top make it a lot easier to find what's great to play, especially for new Quest users who might just...

The PuroPro wireless headphones from Puro Sound Labs are the best volume-limiting headphone to keep the max volume of your audio under the recommended 85 decibels. Listening to high decibel sounds for extended periods can cause damage. While most headphones have volume controls on them, sometimes an audio source can have overly loud moments that can be damaging. So having a pair of headphones that can limit the max volume to a safe level is a great idea. Here are the best volume-limiting headphones that keep noise below 85 decibels so you can listen longer.Best Overall: Puro Sound Labs PuroProThese volume-limiting headphones from Puro Sound Labs are a great-looking pair of wireless Bluetooth headphones that come with active noise-canceling (ANC) as well as adjustable max volume levels. The PuroPro headphones have two levels of volume limitation with a maximum of 85 decibels, safe for longer listening periods, and a 95 decibels option that is only recommended for listening perio...

With all the new health and fitness features it has to offer, you'll want to make sure you choose the best Samsung Galaxy Watch 3 sport band possible. After all, the material and fit will make a major difference in your workout experience. We've rounded up some of the best options for you to choose from.Waterproof blissWonlex Silicone Watch BandStaff PickSweat and water are two elements that are all but unavoidable when exercising. These waterproof silicone bands from Wonlex will provide your wrist with maximum breathability thanks to the unique multi-hole design. No matter what type of sports you're playing, this band will keep your wrist dry and comfortable.$12 at AmazonSoft and secureAVOD Nylon Sport BandPerhaps you prefer nylon to silicone. Luckily, there are plenty of nylon sport bands for the Galaxy Watch 3. This option from AVOD comes in an array of colors and patterns. You can even opt for a two-pack. The tight woven nylon is soft and breathable. Plu...