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The new Fire HD 8 Plus offers Qi wireless charging as well.What you need to knowAmazon has introduced an updated version of its Fire HD 8 tablet.The new model comes with a faster processor, double the storage, and a USB Type-C port.Along with the refreshed Fire HD 8, Amazon has also launched new Fire HD 8 Plus and Fire HD 8 Kids Edition tablets. Amazon has unveiled an overhauled version of its affordable Fire HD 8 tablet, alongside new Fire HD 8 Plus and Fire HD 8 Kids Edition tablets.Amazon's updated Fire HD 8 runs on a 2GHz quad-core MediaTek 8168 processor, which is claimed to be 30% faster than the MediaTek 8163 powering the tablet's predecessor. The faster chipset has been paired with 2GB of RAM and up to 64GB storage. Unfortunately, however, the rest of the specs remain the same, except for the addition of a USB-C port.The new Fire HD 8 Plus, which has been priced at $110, comes equipped with 3GB of RAM and is also the first tablet from Amazon to support Qi wirele...

More bang for your buckArlo Video Doorbell$150 at Amazon$150 at Best BuyProsHDR video with wider aspect ratioDigital zoomAI-based object detectionPre-recorded responses for answering the doorbellBuilt-in siren for scaring off intrudersConsRequires hardwiringNeeds subscription to unlock all featuresNo 5GHz Wi-Fi supportThe Arlo Video Doorbell features some of the most advanced object detection on the market, so it can tell you if it saw an actual person versus just a cat or a car. It also has some amazing security and convenience features, like the ability to respond to the door using one-touch pre-recorded messages or to sound a siren if someone shouldn't be there.When wireless is the only wayRing Video Doorbell 3$200 at Amazon$200 at Best BuyProsOption to go battery-poweredPrivacy Zones5GHz Wi-Fi supportConsMotion detection isn't as precisePricier up-frontRing continues to offer one of the most advanced wireless video doorbe...

Things continue to slow down but sales are strong.What you need to knowSony has provided its Q4 results and overall report for the past financial year ending in March 2020.The PlayStation 4 has reached 110.4 million units shipped overall.From January through March 2020, 66% of games sold were digital. Sony has shared its Q4 results and overall financial year report. During the report, Sony shared the PlayStation 4 (PS4) has reached 110.4 million units shipped, meaning a total of 13.6 million PS4 units were shipped in the financial year. While this is down from 17.8 million shipped the previous financial year, it's still a strong result.For the last quarter, Sony also shared an interesting note on the digital share of games: for games sold from January through March 2020, 66% of games sold were digital, the highest digital share ever reported by Sony. This has likely been somewhat affected by the ongoing global pandemic.Another factor of the pandemic is the forecast for ...

Sengled's 4-pack multi-color A19 smart bulb starter kit is back and has matched a low price! Grab it for $64.99 at Best Buy as part of Best Buy's deals of the day. This 4-pack usually sells for around $120. We've only seen it drop this low a couple times before with the most recent deal about a month ago. Don't miss your chance this time around as this price expires at the end of the day.Normally Sengled smart bulbs are frustrating because they don't connect instantly to your smart home, but thanks to this starter kit you don't have to worry about that. The kit includes the hub you need to connect your bulbs, and you can then connect your new hub to your smart home ecosystem, giving you full control over the whole set. The hub connects to your 2.4GHz Wi-Fi network band. Even if you don't have a smart home, use the Sengled Home app on your iOS or Android smartphone to control the lights, turn them on or off, set the brightness, and more. If you do have a smart home, you can use Amaz...

Today only, Woot is holding a sale on the Anker Nebula Mars II Projector, dropping the price to just $339.99. It usually goes for $500 at Amazon and elsewhere. It also has the Nebula Prizm II on sale at 30% off. Shipping is free with Amazon Prime, so be sure to take advantage of that if you don't want to pay the regular $6 fee.The Nebula Mars II is down to $339.99, a huge $160 off its usual price. The Nebula Mars II can create an HD picture up to 1280 x 720 resolution with DLP IntelliBright tech for a clear image. It has two 10W audio drivers for powerful sound. Set the projector down wherever you want it, at any distance or angle, and get an autofocus picture in one second.The projector has Android 7.1 built-in so you can run streaming and media apps like Netflix, YouTube, and more. You'll need that access because a lot of those services don't allow themselves to be screencast from a device to a projector like this. Compared to the original model, the Mars II adds an extra hour ...

Whether you're trying to save some money on your calling plan, or if you just want to take advantage of your strong home Wi-Fi signal while you're stuck working from home, you should learn how to enable Wi-Fi calling on your smartphone. While there might be a slight discrepancy between carriers or geographic locations, following the steps below should do the trick in toggling on Wi-Fi calling for your OnePlus phone.How to enable Wi-Fi calling on a OnePlus phoneNote that options may vary by carrier and location. The example below was done on a Mint Mobile SIM running on T-Mobile's network.Open the Settings app.Tap on Wi-Fi & internet.Tap on SIM & network.Tap on your active SIM.Toggle the Wi-Fi calling switch to the on position.Tap Calling preference.Tap Call over Wi-Fi as your preference.Now you can make your phone calls over Wi-Fi when on one of your selected Wi-Fi networks (like at home), and potentially save some money on your plan.Just remember that d...

Commit and save.Verizon sells all kinds of phones. From top-of-the-line flagships to discounted budget devices. From iPhone to Android. From phones focused on watching media to phones focused on cameras. No matter what you're looking for, you're probably also looking to save some money. Who isn't? Verizon releases new and interesting deals all the time. The majority of these deals work in a similar fashion, too. You will get the discount on the phone through a series of promotional credits applied to your monthly bill. It may take up to two years to earn all your savings, but that would be worth it when we're talking about hundreds of dollars.Best Verizon Plan DealsWhile some people (and even other carriers) like to poke fun at Verizon for being more expensive, if you look in the right places you can actually get a plan that meets your needs without spending too much cash. The carrier does offer a variety of different options, and you'll want to do a little research to figure o...

Having a chat with the AC forums.Yesterday, Google took a big step forward with its efforts to consolidate its music streaming options. Google Play Music and YouTube Music have co-existed alongside each other for nearly two years at this point, but now, there's a transfer tool to bring over all of your songs, playlists, and listening history from Play Music over to YouTube Music.This is a shift we've been expecting for a while, and thankfully, the transfer process Google's created is just about as easy as we could have hoped for. That said, not everyone is excited about the change.Taking a look through the AC forums, there are plenty of people that aren't ready to leave Play Music quite yet. Morty2264 05-12-2020 11:29 AM “ Oh, no... I am OBSESSED with Google Play Music. This cannot be! Reply Kirstein Gourlay 05-12-2020 11:33 AM ...

It had shipped 1.1 million smartphones in Q1 2019.What you need to knowSony announced its latest quarterly financial results today.It posted an operating profit of 35.45 billion yen ($331 million) during the January-March period. Smartphone sales fell 63.7% YoY during the quarter, due to lower demand and supply disruptions due to the coronavirus pandemic.Sony today announced its financial results for the first quarter of 2020. The Japanese tech giant reported an operating profit of 35.45 billion yen ($331) billion during the quarter, down from 82.73 billion yen a year earlier. Sony has blamed the decline in operating profit on lower demand for consumer electronics due to the coronavirus outbreak. Sony was forced to halt production at some of its manufacturing facilities across various countries due to restrictions imposed to contain the spread of COVID-19.For the current year, Sony expects operating profit to tumble at least 30% compared to the previous year. While the co...

This was bound to happen sooner or later.If you're a Wink Hub owner, doubtless you've heard the news. Starting on May 20, your Wink Hub will either be a completely useless brick, or you'll be paying $5 per month for services you used to enjoy for free. Owners of the Wink Hub have been understandably outraged. It doesn't matter if you bought a Wink Hub back in 2014 or if you just purchased one last week; you bought it under the guise of paying for the hardware and getting a service for free.Let's look at the bright side of things before we begin, though. We've seen tech companies go out of business overnight and, as an effect of products requiring an always-on connection to some server, the products you love are suddenly completely useless. Anki, the company behind great connected toys like Overdrive, Cozmo, and Vector is a perfect example of this happening when it went out of business last year. Wink could have done that, but it didn't. Instead of bricking the Wink Hub you know a...

And recognize that the system of classifying phones into these buckets is flawed to begin with.When we say a phone is "mid-range," what does that even mean nowadays? Do its specs land under a certain level overall? Is it based on specific missing features? Or is it purely defined by price? Any of those calculations can be easily confusing, if not outright flawed.I'm not sure how or when, exactly, the nomenclature was developed, but for some reason technology enthusiasts are eager to put phones into buckets: "budget," "mid-range," and "flagship," at a minimum. Problem is, the lines between these made-up categories differ from person to person, and just keep getting more and more blurry.OnePlus 8 vs. Galaxy S20: Which should you buy? For some reason, we're eager to put phones into broad groups — but it doesn't make any sense.I suppose "flagship" (as silly as the name is) can always make some sense, as it's always going to represent the best and most expensive phones avai...

A message falsely warns users they have been in contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19.What you need to knowScammers are reportedly preying on the UK's upcoming contact tracing app.UK mobile users are receiving malicious texts, falsely stating they have been in contact with someone who has COVID-19 symptoms.The attack could be used to steal personal information or compromise bank accounts. A report suggests that scammers have already starting targeting UK mobile users with fake, malicious contact tracing warnings before the UK's contact tracing app has even been released to the public.As Independent reports: A text scam is trying to scare people into believing they could have contracted COVID-19. The false message tells them that they have been near someone who has shown symptoms for the disease and that they should get tested. But if they are to follow the instructions in the message, the scam will actually just try to steal their persona...

This pair of earbuds became the perfect partner when I went outside for walks.I've always preferred headsets to earbuds because the latter never felt secure in my ears. For years, they would all too frequently fall out or fit uncomfortably — leading me to only use wired pairs. Despite manufacturers improving the ergonomics over time, I still didn't really care for earbuds. Then, I had a chance to try out the SYNC Pro true wireless earbuds from SOUL Electronics. I don't know if I'd personally choose them over a good headset, but they virtually eliminated all of my previous problems with earbuds.The SOUL SYNC Pro offer up to 150 hours of battery life thanks to a 3000 mAh portable charging case, and they feature Qualcomm aptX and AAC codecs, an IPX5 water-resistant rating, dual microphones, and Bluetooth 5.0. Some of these features are par for the course and what you'd see on other competitors, but the battery life afforded by its charging case is nearly unprecedented.I've been ...

Some users are now able to react to messages with emojis in RCS conversations.What you need to knowGoogle has begun testing the much-anticipated 'reactions' feature in its Messages app.For now, only a small number of users are seeing the feature in their RCS chats.Google is expected to begin rolling out the feature to users sometime in the coming weeks.Earlier this year, an APK teardown had revealed that Google was working on adding emoji reactions similar to iMessage to its Messages app. It now appears that Google has started testing the feature for RCS chats in the Messages app.As spotted by Android Police, a few users on Reddit have confirmed that message reactions have started appearing in Google Messages. To select an emoji reaction, users have to long press on a message. As of now, however, it appears there are only seven emoji reactions to choose from. When a user who has the feature enabled sends a message reaction to another user who does not, a fallback te...

Whether you're a casual or professional athlete, GPS is often one of the most sought-after features when buying a smartwatch or fitness tracker. Depending on your budget and what other features you're seeking, there are some great options out there, but you'll often have to pay more for the privilege. If you're serious about tracking your activities and want all of the details plus built-in GPS, we'd recommend the Garmin Forerunner 245 Music. It has plenty to offer, especially if you're a highly active individual who's committed to detailed fitness tracking.Best Overall: Garmin Forerunner 245 MusicIf you enjoy exercise just as much as you enjoy tracking it, you'll love the Garmin Forerunner 245 Music. It comes with built-in GPS that's reliable and accurate. It also promises at least seven days of battery life in smartwatch mode. You'll get a total of six hours in continuous GPS mode with music playing, which is more than enough juice to track even your most active day of workou...

Its relatively affordable price tag could help make foldable phones a lot more popular.What you need to knowSamsung could be working on an "affordable" foldable phone called the Galaxy Fold Lite.The phone is tipped to be powered by a Snapdragon 865 processor and feature a smaller outer display than the Galaxy Fold.Just like the Galaxy Z Flip, it is expected to lack 5G support.Samsung's Galaxy Fold, despite being an impressive engineering feat, has failed to achieve commercial success. The biggest reason behind that is the phone's steep $1,980 price tag. Samsung's Galaxy Z Flip, which isn't quite as impressive as the Fold in terms of specs, has managed to grab a lot more attention from consumers, thanks to its significantly more affordable price tag. If a new rumor is to be believed, Samsung could launch an even more affordable foldable smartphone later this year.I have some info on the Galaxy Fold Lite. -Galaxy Fold Lite 4G-256GB storage-Mirror Black, Mirror Purple-Displa...

Xiaomi's 2019 5G flagship is stuck on Android 9.0 Pie, and it doesn't look like it will be updated to Android 10.Xiaomi introduced MIUI 12 last month in China, and is set to introduce the global version of the ROM in the coming weeks. MIUI 12 comes with a host of exciting new features and much-needed privacy controls, and will be rolling out to devices starting next month.But one device that has fallen by the wayside is the Mi Mix 3 5G. The phone debuted last year to much fanfare as Xiaomi set its sights on the 5G segment in European markets, but lackluster sales have dampened those ambitions. As a refresher, the Mi Mix 3 5G was announced at last year's Mobile World Congress, and featured a 3800mAh battery and the Snapdragon 855 along with the Snapdragon X50 5G modem.Xiaomi announced 5G partnerships with Vodafone, TIM, Three, Orange, and Sunrise, and the Mi Mix 3 5G went on sale in May 2019 for €599 ($645). A year later, the phone is still on Android 9.0 Pie, and it doesn't l...

Keeping the kids entertained while schools are closed and the world focuses on social distancing hasn't been easy. Luckily, the Disney Family Singalong is back with a whole new slate of stars and performances for little ones to look forward to, along with host Ryan Seacrest.The first Disney Family Singalong aired on April 16 and featured stars like Ariana Grande, Michael Bublé, Josh Groban, Demi Lovato, and Christina Aguilera singing covers of classic and modern Disney tunes, from The Lion King's "Can You Feel the Love Tonight?" to Frozen's "Let It Go". Volume II comes just three weeks later and is scheduled to feature performances by Halsey, Shakira, Idina Menzel, Miguel, Keke Palmer, and Donald Glover, among others.If you haven't seen the first Disney Family Singalong, you'll want to catch up on that now!The Disney Family Singalong: When & whereThe second Disney Family Singalong premiered on Mother's Day and was hosted by Ryan Seacrest. It's now available on both Disne...

Heads up! We share savvy shopping and personal finance tips to put extra cash in your wallet. Android Central may receive a commission from The Points Guy Affiliate Network. Please note that the offers mentioned below are subject to change at any time and some may no longer be available.Changes in grocery spending are the biggest shifts in consumer behavior that we've seen during the coronavirus pandemic. Along with an uptick in online grocery deliveries, there has been an increase in grocery spending relative to other purchases. Credit card issuers have responded to these changing spending patterns, with temporary grocery bonuses and statement credits.For those of us with an arsenal of cards to choose from – especially with so many new grocery bonuses recently announced – it can be a bit overwhelming to figure out which card to use for grocery spending right now. It's time to break down these bonuses.Cards that provide the most value nowWith credit card companies scramb...

Slack was down for a few hours, but the issue has been resolved.What you need to knowUsers across the world are unable to connect to Slack right now.Slack's status dashboard shows the problem originated around 7:30 pm ET. The company is now trying to fix the issue, but there's no timeline on when it will be resolved. Update: Slack fixed the issue, and the service is back to normal.Original story follows:Slack is down right now, with users from all around the globe unable to connect to the service. The problem originated at around 7:30pm ET on May 12, and isn't limited to one region. I'm not able to log in to the service from India, with Slack returning a 503 error (service unavailable).Slack's status dashboard details the outage: "Users are unable to connect to Slack. We are investigating and will provide an update shortly." The company posted an update that some users may be able to connect to the service, but that it is still investigating the issue: Some custom...

No more nickel-and-diming based on just how many cameras are in your home.What you need to knowThe new pricing structure announced at the "Made By Google" event in October are rolling out.This means that all of your Nest devices will be covered under a single Nest Aware subscription, but you might lose some third-party app integration if you migrate to the new plan.You'll now have to choose for the whole house whether you want 30-Day or 60-Day access to recordings and whether you need continuous recordings, which now require Nest Aware Plus.Nest has long had a slight disadvantage compared to its competitors when it comes to its cloud security subscription. While most cost the same whether you had 1 camera or 10, Nest made you pay for Nest Aware for each camera separately. At the Made By Google event last fall, Google announced it was revising this strategy to instead have Nest Aware cover all the devices in your home — because after all, why punish the people who are alre...

The upgrade includes data layers, quizzes, and more.What you need to knowGoogle Earth is getting a fresh coat of paint.The search experience for the service is receiving a massive upgrade, with both UI and functional features.The changes are already live on the web, iOS, and Android apps.Google Earth has been the recipient of a lot of love from Google in the past few months. Having brought the starry sky to the mobile app after years, the company has now turned its sights to improving the overall experience, especially as it relates to search.A new blog post from the Google Earth term indicates the search experience has been almost entirely revamped. It now includes personalized search history, featured content, and what the company considers 'must-see views.' Check out the new desktop search below:The differences become far starker when comparing the before and after pictures from the mobile apps, courtesy of Google: The mobile revamp features a similar theme,...

Right now, the best smartwatch for Android users is the Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 2. It's optimized for Samsung phones but runs well on all Android devices and has all the smartwatch and fitness features you'd expect. It's compact and lightweight but still offers good battery life. But if you're not into that one, the good news is that there are so many other amazing options from Fossil to Garmin to Fitbit and more.Best Overall — Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 2You don't have to use a Samsung phone to enjoy the benefits of owning a Samsung smartwatch, and the Galaxy Watch Active 2 provides the most well-rounded wearables experience for Android users right now. It's compact and lightweight but features an extremely sharp and vivid touch display that's easy to navigate and fun to use thanks to the new capacitive bezel. The Tizen OS is smooth and battery-friendly, unlike Google's own Wear OS, and while the app selection isn't massive, the core tenets are there, like Spotify, Stra...

When the ESA is away, the publishers will play.E3 2020 was cancelled but that isn't stopping various parts of the gaming industry from rallying together and figuring out new events. Of particular note is Geoff Keighley's Summer Game Fest, which is acting as a wider umbrella for several different announcements. There's already been a couple of game events so far this year, but we're looking ahead to the future. Naturally, we'll also be updating this list as more events and showcases are announced.Summer Game Fest showcase and interview — May 13, 11:00 a.m. ESTWe don't what this will be but there's a showcase and interview with Geoff Keighley happening on May 13 at 11:00 a.m. EST. Keighley referred to this event on Twitter as "...one of the more important moments this summer."State of Play: Ghost of Tsushima gameplay — May 14, 4:00 p.m. ESTSony is bringing back the State of Play format to show off the upcoming Sucker Punch blockbuster Ghost of Tsushima. This show will beg...

Humble Bundle is holding an insane sale on The Walking Dead comic series this week. There are several tiers you can choose from, though the best catches you up on the entire series (volumes 1 through 32 specifically) for only $18. The bundle also includes a handful of bonuses to keep you busy reading over the summer. In total, you'll be scoring over $450 worth of comics for less than $20, and there's no telling how long it will be before we see a deal this good on the series again — if ever.This is an insane offer if you've been wanting to read The Walking Dead series. As a fan of the show, waiting for the next season to come out is always brutal - yet I didn't want to pay over $10 per volume to catch up on the comic series either. This deal is a no-brainer for those who've almost bought previously, plus it's all digital so you don't have to find space in your room for a large collection of heavy books. You'll thank yourself later during your next move to a new home.Humble Bund...

Smart lighting isn't just limited to turning your bulbs on and off from your phone or changing their colors. With the right smart bulbs, you can even soup up your gaming rig with lights that follow the rhythm and beats of your games, turning your entire room into a living visualizer.Bulbs for your lampsPhilips Hue White and Color AmbianceStaff pickIf you don't already have an elaborate smart lighting rig, why not start simple with a couple of bulbs? The Philips Hue White and Color Ambiance kit comes with two bulbs that connect directly to Wi-Fi, no hub needed. Philips Hue partners with gaming brands like Razer so that your lights can match the changing colors of your Chroma-powered peripherals.$90 at Amazon $90 at Best BuyAmbient glowPhilips Hue Light StripJust like the light bulbs, Philips Hue's LightStrip Plus can connect with Razer Chroma devices like Razer's RGB gaming mice and keyboards and match their colors to give a unique ambience to your room. You can st...

Huawei's P30 Pro returns. Again.What you need to knowHuawei is launching the P30 Pro New Edition again.It's the first Huawei 'flagship' this year to ship with Google apps.The company says this is to celebrate the one year anniversary of the P30's launch. Huawei is once again relaunching the P30 Pro after an initial relaunch last year to add a new finish. Unlike all other Huawei phones released this year, the P30 Pro stands apart from them by being able to use Google's apps and services.Huawei made the announcement today (via Android Police): The new fan-favourite smartphone will provide users with increased RAM to 8GB, expanded ROM to 256GB, as well as the return of the award-winning Leica Quad Camera. After setting a new standard in DxOMark scores, in August 2019, the European Image and Sound Association (EISA), a group comprising of 55 of the world's most respected consumer electronics magazines, named HUAWEI's P30 Pro the "EISA Best Smartphone 2019-2020". The ...

Just because live events are cancelled for the time being doesn't mean you're out of luck when it comes to seeing your favorite artists perform this year. Instagram, YouTube, and other platforms have been taken over with live and pre-recorded performances from some of the world's most talented performers, and now one of the biggest shows to date is about to hit ABC: Taylor Swift's City of Lover concert.Recorded back in September of last year, the show took place in Paris at the L'Olympia Theater where Swift performed 16 songs from various albums, including live performance debuts of Lover tracks like "Death by a Thousand Cuts", "Cornelia Street", and "The Man" as well as radio hits like "I Knew You Were Trouble", "Love Story", and "Shake It Off". While there's no word on whether the televised performance will include every song, the show is sure to bring some relief to Swifties upset by Taylor's upcoming Lover Fest dates being rescheduled from this summer to 2021.Taylor Swift's...

One relatively common issue with DualShock controllers seems to be the jitters. It's as if your controller has had too many cups of coffee. If you are experiencing this issue, you will find that input from your sticks (usually the left) will start to stutter. When you push the stick forward, instead of seeing smooth movement on the screen, you'll see a movement that starts and stops with no rhyme or reason. Have no fear. Before you toss that dual-stick in the trash, let's take a look at what you can try to remedy your problem.Products used in this guideBlow out the dust-bunnies: 2-Pack Dust-Off Compressed Air ($16 at Amazon)Adieu dust: AmazonBasics Microfiber Cloth 24-pack ($15 at Amazon)Grime be gone: Babyganics Alcohol-Free Sanitizing Wipes ($10 at Amazon)Get crafty: Joystick Wireless Controller Rocker for Playstation 4 PS4 Controller ($7 at Amazon)Small Philips: Dynamite Screwdriver ($5 at Amazon)The whole package: Plusivo Soldering Kit ($18 at Amazon)Its getting hot in...

Instagram's new tools will make it easier to tackle bullying on the social network.What you need to knowInstagram's new tools will grant users more control over their account.From today, users will be able to mass delete comments and control who can tag or mention them.The company is also testing a pinned comments feature. Instagram today launched a selection of tools that would make it easier for users to retain control of their accounts. Specifically, users now have more control over what comments are displayed under their photos and who can tag or mention them.As per the Instagram team: First, we're launching a new feature to help people manage multiple unwanted interactions at once. We know it can feel overwhelming to manage a rush of negative comments, so we've been testing the ability to delete comments in bulk, as well as block or restrict multiple accounts that post negative comments. Early feedback has been encouraging, and we've found that it helps people, e...

I use my Fire HD 8 tablet just about every day, whether it be to watch a show on Amazon Prime, look up a recipe, or simply surf the net. It's an amazing little device, but as with any tablet it can easily get broken, which is why you'll want to purchase a quality case for it. I've collected the best cases for the Fire HD 8 tablet so you can determine which one best fits your needs.All around protectionFintie Tuatara Magic RingStaff pickThere's a reason why this is one of the most popular cases on Amazon. Not only does it feature a handle that converts into a kickstand, but it also has a built-in screen protector. It will protect your tablet from scratches and bumps at all angles. Since it comes in six different colors, you can choose the look you like best.From $30 at Amazon From $20 at FintieBudget buyFintie Silicone CaseFor thrifty shoppers who don't like to spend more than they need to, this silicone casing is the perfect option. It offers plenty of protection ...

A lot can happen in just a few years.If you're an Android fan, May is usually a super exciting month. It's when Google I/O takes place, which is Google's big developer conference where we learn all about the latest version of Android and other projects the company is working on.This year, however, things are different. Google I/O 2020 was canceled as a result of the global health pandemic our planet is facing, meaning no big and flashy event like we're used to.In light of that, we thought it would be fun to take a look a the last five years of I/O announcements and call out the five biggest ones. Without further ado, here's what sticks out to us the most!Google Photos (2015)Today, Google Photos is established as one of the best products from Google in years. It's featured-packed, free to use, and pretty much the best place for cloud photo storage. Given all of that, it's hard to believe it's only been around for five years.Google Photos was first unveiled at I/O 2015 ...

Today would have been the Google I/O 2020 keynote. I know this because, despite being deleted from Android Central's shared calendar weeks ago, a phantom notification appeared on my laptop last night reminding me of that fact.Google's done a good job erasing this year's Google I/O from the internet. If you go to the dedicated website for the event, it succinctly sums up why it and basically every other live event scheduled since mid-March has been cancelled: Out of concern for the health and safety of our developers, employees, and local communities — and in line with recent "shelter in place" orders by the local Bay Area counties — we sadly will not be holding I/O in any capacity this year. Right now, the most important thing all of us can do is focus our attention on helping people with the new challenges we all face. Please know that we remain committed to finding other ways to share platform updates with you through our developer blogs and community forums. ...

The best Netflix VPN could be the difference between you actually watching what you want and sitting in a dark room wishing your subscription wasn't going to waste. This is what geo restrictions do — they block access to content when you're in the wrong place.Best Netflix VPNs available right nowExpressVPN: Overall best pick for everyoneCyberGhost: Easiest of all to useNordVPN: Great performance for streaming NetflixSurfshark: Most affordable option aroundIPVanish: Easy to use & great supportHow can I be in the wrong place? Well, if you're trying to access a U.S. Netflix show while overseas, in a place that doesn't have the rights, then you'll find yourself locked out. That means you'll only be able to watch whatever is available in the place you find yourself. If you want to see the British Royal family in The Crown show, when on your visit to London, then this is ideal. But should you want to catch a US only movie which doesn't have the ok for UK viewing, then y...

Play Doom, but at its roots.We're almost two months out from the Doom Eternal and Doom 64 releases across major consoles and PC, but now Stadia players can get in on the complete action.Google announced Tuesday that Doom 64, the remastered rerelease of the game from the Nintendo 64, is now live on Stadia. Players can get it for just $5 on the Stadia store, but if you purchased Doom Eternal on or before April 3, you can get it for free.Doom Eternal owners should receive an email with a code that they can redeem on the Stadia store. From there:Go to stadia.google.com.Click on your profile picture in the top right corner of the screen.Go to your Stadia settings.Click on redeem code.Enter the code from your email.Enjoy the game! (Or don't, we won't judge.)Doom 64 is mostly a remaster of the original game, but with a couple added twists. Of course, the graphics have been updated (our own Asher Maden clocked it to run at 60 FPS on his Xbox One X), but there is also a whole...

Being at least somewhat familiar with the incredibly popular and ubiquitous suite of Microsoft Office programs has become all but a prerequisite for landing virtually any job in the modern world. But if you're looking to start or further a truly exciting career in an increasingly data-driven and interconnected world, you're going to need much more than just a baseline understanding of Excel and Word.The All-In-One Microsoft Office Professional Suite Certification Prep Bundle will transform you from a Microsoft Office novice into a full-fledged pro so you can outpace the competition and land the career of your dreams, and it's currently available for over 95% off at just $34.99.Usually priced at nearly $2,500, this comprehensive training package comes loaded with over 70 hours of content that will walk you through both the basics and more advanced elements of Microsoft Word, Excel, Access, Outlook, PowerPoint, and more.Regardless of your previous experience with these essentia...

The Oculus Quest is an amazing piece of technology, but did you know it can automatically track your hands instead of just using the Oculus Touch controllers? While it's convenient to browse through the Oculus menus with just your fingers, playing games is a lot more fun. To get started, sideload apps to your Oculus Quest using Sidequest before you begin. For the best results, always play in a well-lit room for optimal hand-tracking performance. The brighter, the better. We cannot stress that enough.★ Featured favoriteHand Physics LabStaff PickDeveloper Dennys Kuhnert of Holoception fame has been working on this incredible collection of hand-tracking experiments since Oculus opened up the development floodgates a few months ago, and the results are nothing short of revolutionary. Simply put, there's nothing on the market that even competes with the accuracy, interactivity, or imagination as Hand Physics Lab. The only thing we can hope for is that all of these conc...

Get your tricks on later this year.What you need to knowTony Hawk's Pro Skater 1 and 2 were originally released in 1999 and 2000 respectively.Today, a remaster for both games was announced via Summer Game Fest.Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 1 and 2 remasters are set to release on September 4, 2020. First released in 1999 and 2000 respectively, Tony Hawk's Pro Skater and Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 2 are critically acclaimed skateboarding games. They were originally developed by Neversoft and published by Activision. Today, during a Summer Game Fest stream, Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 1 and 2 remasters were announced. You can check out the announcement trailer below.Both games are included in one package for the remaster, which was developed by Vicarious Visions. Amusingly enough, before the Summer Game Fest stream was live, Tony Hawk himself started texting people telling them the remasters were on the way.Tony Hawk is sending texts that say that a Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 1+2 remaster...

Step into the suit of this iconic superhero over the summer.What you need to knowIron Man VR was delayed back in April.It is now expected to release on July 3.It will feature an original story inspired by the movies and comics.Maybe indefinite delays aren't so bad after all. Iron Man VR was delayed back in April alongside The Last of Us Part II due to the current global pandemic. Sony would eventually announce that The Last of Us Part II was coming in June, but it did not also reveal a new release date for Iron Man VR at that time. The company has now announced that Iron Man VR is soaring onto PSVR on July 3.Don't expect to play through any scenarios found in the movies or comics. The story in Iron Man VR is apparently entirely original and has been built from the ground up. You shouldn't worry about it not feeling like an Iron Man story though, because the studio is still pulling inspiration from the comics and movies.Iron Man VR was pulled from pre-order pages aft...

Keeping track of new games before the PS5 arrives.The PlayStation 5 (PS5) still has yet to launch and we don't have a definitive idea of what the launch lineup looks like. Still, games are starting to be confirmed for Sony's next-generation gaming machine. As such, we've compiled all the games so far that have been announced for PS5.A little bit of clarification is needed here before we start. Because the PS5 is backward compatible with "almost all" PlayStation 4 (PS4) games, we're listing games that specifically include listed PS5 support. Some of them are exclusive in some capacity, some will be Sony Worldwide Studios titles, some are next-generation hardware only, and others are available on current systems. There are also options, particularly the newer games, that may take advantage of the Dualsense controller. Here's a list of every game coming to PlayStation 5 that we know of.Assassin's Creed ValhallaBluepoint's unknown gameDiRT 5GodfallGods & MonstersLord of t...

I work out of a backpack six months out of the year. Since power outlets aren't always accessible, I rely on power banks to keep my gear in working order.Power banks weigh in on the hefty side. For all their added bulk, they have never delivered enough oomph to keep my devices going when I'm traveling. And wall chargers are iffy too. Most I've tested are built for one device only, which means I have to load my pack with numerous cables and chargers. Not fun! Those chargers that do have more than one port are weighty, missing a foldable plug, or take up too much real estate.After years of lugging around not-so-portable power banks and wall chargers, I've found a solution that works for me with AUKEY. It's not perfect, but it's the closest setup I've found that works for me.How I'm making AUKEY workMy goal is to keep a light pack. To do that, I need to carry as few items as possible, and they all need to fall into the featherweight category. For me, that means one charger tha...

After almost two years of Google Play Music and the revamped YouTube Music existing side-by-side with no clear path forward, Google is finally ready to bring long-time Play Music fans over to YouTube Music without disrupting their streaming habits. As of May 12, a new transfer tool is rolling out to users that allows you to bring over all of your songs, playlists, and more from Play Music to YouTube Music. Here's how it works!Products used in this guideStream it all: YouTube Music Premium (From $10/month at YouTube)Pure Google: Google Pixel 4 XL (From $599 at Amazon)If you don't see the transfer feature in your YouTube Music app quite yet, don't worry. This is a staged rollout, meaning it could be a few days before the option is available to you. Once it is, check back here to learn how to use it.How to transfer your Google Play Music library to YouTube MusicOpen the YouTube Music app on your phone.Tap the Let's Go button under the Play Music banner.Tap Start Transfer...

Not all 2020 flagship phones support 8K video recording.What you need to knowThe Nokia 9.3 PureView could be HMD Global's first phone to offer 8K video recording.It is also rumored to come with enhanced "Pro" and "Night" modes. The phone is expected to debut at a dedicated event in late August or early September. Last month, a report published by the folks at NokiaPowerUser shed light on the camera specs of the rumored Nokia 9.3 PureView 5G. The publication has now come up with a new report, which reveals some key camera features of the upcoming flagship.As per the new report, Nokia 9.3 PureView might be capable of recording videos at up to 8K resolution. HMD Global is apparently working on finalizing the camera and editing algorithms for 8K video recording, even though it is "still considered to be an experimental feature."Along with 8K video recording, the next Nokia flagship phone might also come with improved "Night" and "Pro" camera modes. The enhanced Pro mode on ...

Google Play Music is set to shut down by the end of the year.What you need to knowThere's now a transfer tool to bring your Google Play Music library to YouTube Music.Google is no longer letting new customers sign up for Play Music Unlimited.Play Music will be completely shut down at some point in 2020.Google's current offering for music streaming is a bit messy, and it's been that way for a while. Google re-launched YouTube Music back in August 2018 with the ultimate intent to have it replace Google Play Music, but ever since then, both services have continued to exist side-by-side.YouTube Music has far fewer bugs and a lot more features since that initial launch, and now, Google's ready to start winding down Play Music — kind of.Starting today, May 12, you'll find a new transfer tool in the YouTube Music app that allows you to move all of your songs, playlists, and more over from Google Play Music to YouTube Music. Simply go to the Library page in the app, tap Tra...

If you've got a modern(ish) Android phone with an OLED screen, you may be aware that dark mode is a thing that not only looks cool but can also save you some battery life. You see, OLED panels don't activate any pixels when representing "black" — instead, black represents what it really is, the absence of light. By not activating large swaths of pixels, you inevitably save battery life. While it's not as simple as a quick settings shortcut like on Samsung Galaxy phones, enabling dark mode on a OnePlus phone is still darn simple.How to enable dark mode on your OnePlus phoneOpen the Settings app.Tap on Customization.Tap on Preset Theme.Tap on Nuanced dark.Tap Apply when you see a pop-up asking you to confirm your choice.Make any additional adjustments in the options below.Just note that once you change the theme, any customizations you made previously with regards to accent colors, icon packs, etc. will have to be reconfigured. But have no fear, that can all be don...

Today at Best Buy you can grab the bObsweep Pet robotic vacuum cleaner for $199.99. This is one of Best Buy's deals of the day, which is a temporary one-day sale, and applies to both the silver and scarlet colors. The price is usually closer to around $300 or more.If you've got fur babies, you really ought to check out this bObsweep vacuum as it can banish pet hair and dander from your home with limited input from you. The bObi Pet has a 5-in-1 cleaning process that leaves your floors vacuumed and mopped without you having to lift a finger.It has silicone touch sensors and embedded wall sensors to help it avoid obstacles and navigate around your home without bumping into furniture or falling off stairs. Its battery runs for up to 120 minutes between charges and when it starts getting low, bObi Pet even begins to head back to its charging station to juice back up. There are touch-sensitive buttons on the top of the vacuum and a remote control for manually setting the device going,...

The OnePlus 8 is one of the priciest OnePlus smartphones to date, but with Verizon's latest deal on the device, you could get one in your hands for as low as $100 with monthly device payments. Though the phone is regularly priced at $799.99 there, you can save up to $550 off its cost when you trade in an eligible device and add a line on select Unlimited plans.If you're not currently a Verizon member, you'll also earn a $150 prepaid card when you switch to Verizon, port-in your old number, and add the OnePlus 8 to an Unlimited plan. You'll also need to visit Verizon's Digital Rebates Center and enter code VZONEPLUS along with the requested information to complete the prepaid card offer.There are a ton of different devices you can trade-in to score the $550 discount, such as iPhone models as far back as the iPhone 6, Samsung Galaxy devices such as the Galaxy S6, any Google Pixel device, and select OnePlus phones, among others. You'll receive the full $550 discount by adding your n...

Great all aroundGoogle Pixel Buds (2020)$180 at Best BuyProsLong battery lifeGreat sound qualityWireless charging case and USB-C wired chargingExcellent integration with Android devicesGood mic quality for callsConsComfort could be better for long term useNo active noise cancelationOutside of comfort and microphone quality for calls, the Pixel Buds are equal to or better than the AirPods in every way. The Pixel Buds feature better sound, USB-C for wired charging, and a better media control scheme. They work best with an Android phone but work decently well on other devices as well.Call champAirPods (2nd Gen)$169 at Amazon $180 at Best BuyProsGreat mic for calls and video chatsWireless charging case (optional)Excellent comfortConsSound quality isn't as greatLightning for wired chargingNoise isolation is poorThe AirPods feature great comfort (if they fit your ears) and great mic quality for the phone calls. They are great for phone cal...

We're going to have to keep waiting.What you need to knowA job listing for Sony Interactive Entertainment stated the PlayStation 5 was being released in October 2020.Sony Interactive Entertainment has confirmed the listing was made in error.The PlayStation 5 is currently scheduled to release sometime in Holiday 2020.If you were starting to get your hopes up that the PlayStation 5 (PS5) release window was being made available today, it's time to crush those hopes. Earlier today, a Japanese job listing for Sony Interactive Entertainment (SIE) was noticed for stating that the PlayStation 5 would be released in October 2020.According to Famitsu, who reached out to SIE for comment on the situation, SIE responded stating the listing was made in error and there is no update on the release window for the PS5. For now, the PS5 is still set to release sometime in Holiday 2020.Still, we did get a small tidbit of PS5 news today all the same: the reveal of the PlayStation Studios br...