Latest from Android Central

Google is miles ahead when it comes to contextual computing, and a refresh of Google Glass would be amazing.Apple Glass isn't a thing you can buy just yet, but for a lot of people, it already looks like a winner. If all the rumors are true, it will sell out very quickly when released. But Apple didn't just come up with the idea of smart glasses itself. Instead, the company looked at the past history of wearables and added the things it can do best to a pair of smart specs. Google needs to do the same thing. The things that were good about Google Glass have gotten much better since 2012.Google Glass version one was clearly labeled as an experiment, and on the consumer side, it turned out to be a failed one. Using Glass was a bit cumbersome, and because it housed a camera (a really bad camera), people had some privacy concerns whenever around someone who was wearing them. But it did some things really, really well.The prism was a bit of an odd duck, but it worked well enough...

The outrage is the point.Did Twitter really think politicians would play by their rules? That by merely stating that a Tweet had run afoul of the same rules they moved heaven and Earth to avoid implementing it would somehow change someone's behavior?Pray they are not that naive.But here we are. Mere days after Twitter first labeled a tweet by the person currently serving as President of the United States it's quite obvious that the grand experiment isn't just an abject failure — it immediately was turned into a weapon by someone who normally couldn't wield anything more dangerous than a 3-iron.The problem, as it's been long before Jan. 20, 2017, is that one side is pretending there are rules, and that those rules have any sort of heft to them. That after years of nonsense and asshattery by a petulant teenage troll, shaking a finger in the general direction of someone who has recently reached legal adulthood and gently asking them, if it's not too much trouble, to Cut that ...

If you haven't given Stadia a shot yet, now might be a good time.What you need to knowT-Mobile Tuesday's weekly offer is three free months of Stadia Pro.The offer is showing up on the Android T-Mobile Tuesdays app.The offer is only valid for new Stadia accounts in the continental U.S.T-Mobile Tuesdays is back with another fun offer for its consumers, since free movie tickets aren't really useful with most theaters closed. This week's offer is three months of Stadia Pro, but the offer is only valid for new Stadia accounts, so if you're a current free Stadia user or canceled a Stadia Pro account, you'd have to make a new Stadia/Google account to redeem this offer.Google Stadia may have started off hobbled — and to a degree, it's still hobbled by a small library — but the service itself has made some good progress in the last couple months. Support for OnePlus phones was added a month ago, as was the ability to finally use a wireless Stadia controller with the Google C...

You don't have to look far to find some of the best PS4 prices and discounts from a variety of retailers. Sony's PlayStation continues to dominate the console scene, and even as Sony and its competitors gear up for a new generation of console, the PlayStation 4 shows no signs of slowing down. It still has some of the best games of the generation, including some exclusives you can't find anywhere else. If you haven't invested in the console yet, there has never been a better time.New and better deals get released much more often than you'd expect. If you've already bought one of the consoles in the past, maybe today is the day you upgrade to a higher storage capacity or even jump up to the PlayStation 4 Pro.Best PlayStation Deals Available NowPlayStation 4: starting at $284.99PlayStation 4 Pro: now $449.99PlayStation VR: from $199.99More Info: Pricing history, which to buy & moreOur team has had an eye on the PlayStation 4 for years, and we've been tracking the best...

Get the lowdown on 2019's flagship killer.Every year for the last few years, we've come to expect two phone releases from OnePlus. In May 2019, the company ushered in the OnePlus 7 Pro — a big and heavy phone with a curved display, pop-up selfie camera, and the highest price we've seen on a OnePlus product to-date.A few months later in September, OnePlus followed up on the 7 Pro with the OnePlus 7T.The 7T is less impressive in some regards, opting for a flat, non-curved display and no pop-up selfie cam, but it benefits from a slightly faster processor, keeps the excellent 90Hz AMOLED display, and is paired with an extremely competitive price.From our review, specs, the best features, and more, here's everything you need to know about the OnePlus 7T!First, read/watch our reviewLet's talk about the specsThe OnePlus 8 is a thingPitting the 7T against the competitionOnePlus's frosted glass is fantasticThe display is 90HzHow are the cameras?Do you get wireless charging...

You can now check the battery status and lock the touchpad without having to open the Galaxy Wearable app.What you need to knowSamsung is rolling out a new update for the Galaxy Buds and Buds+ plugins on Android.The update adds two new homescreen widgets that make it easier for users to control them.The first widget displays the battery level of both the earbuds and the charging case, while the second one lets you enable the Ambient Sound mode and lock the touchpad.Samsung is rolling out a new update for the Galaxy Buds and Buds+ plugins for the Galaxy Wearable app, adding two new home screen widgets. As spotted by a few users on Reddit, the new widgets make it easier to control the two wireless earbuds.The first new widget shows you the battery level of both the earbuds and the charging case, while the second one lets you turn on the Ambient Sound mode and lock the touchpad on the earbuds. Both new widgets are available in two themes: black and white. It is also possib...

Thanks to PlayStation 4's update to firmware version 6.50, Remote Play is now available on iOS. It allows you to play your PS4 games from an iPhone or iPad remotely. To access it, you'll need to download the Remote Play app and set it up to work along with your PS4. Here's how to do it:Break free from the TVThe App: Remote Play for iOS (Free at Apple)Prepare your PlayStation 4 firstFirstly you'll want to make sure your PlayStation 4 has the settings turned on to allow Remote Play connections.Start by going to Settings on your PS4Click on Remote Play Connection SettingsMake sure Enable Remote Play is on, there will be a check mark in the box if it isConnect easierThese next steps are optional but -highly- recommended to make future Remote Play sessions easier. Following these steps will allow you to connect to your sleeping PS4 from your iPad as you launch Remote Play.Return to your PS4's Settings menuClick on Power Save SettingsGo into the Set Features Avai...

"We want to make it easy for you to curate your presence on Facebook to more accurately reflect who you are today."What you need to knowFacebook has announced a brand new feature.It's called 'Manage Activity'.It lets you archive or trash old posts you might not want on Facebook anymore, all from the same place. Facebook has announced a brand new feature called 'Manage Activity', which is designed to help you archive or trash old posts all in one place.In a press release today Facebook stated: Whether you're entering the job market after college or moving on from an old relationship, we know things change in people's lives, and we want to make it easy for you to curate your presence on Facebook to more accurately reflect who you are today. That's why we're launching Manage Activity to help you archive or trash old posts, all in one place. The archive feature is for content you no longer want others to see on Facebook, but that you still want to keep for yourself. For...

Surfshark is one of the best VPN providers out there, and it's also one of the most affordable which is kind of wild. With a solid feature set, great customer service, and reliable performance, you'd normally expect the price to be pretty high but you can actually grab a Surfshark VPN subscription for under $2 per month.The service offers over 1,000 servers across 60+ different countries and your subscription can be used on an unlimited number of devices at once. That's something that most VPN providers don't allow you to do, so there's a lot to like with Surfshark.Today's best Surfshark VPN deals, pricing, and discounts Plan Length Discount Monthly Cost Total Price 1 Month 0% $11.95 $11.95 at Surshark 1 Year 50% $5.99 $71.88 at Surfshark 2 Years 83% $1.99 $47.76 at Surfshark 3 Years 84% $1.94 $69.99 at SurfsharkWhen looking at VPNs, security should always be your first concern and Surshark has you covered with AES-256-GCM ...

Which Instant Pot size makes the most sense for you?One of the most common questions people have when trying to pick the right Instant Pot to buy is figuring out the right size. Most Instant Pot models come in three sizes — 3-quart, 6-quart, and 8-quart — but those numbers don't exactly give you any indication as to which is best suited for you based on how you cook, how big your family is, and what you cook.While there's no one-size-fits-all answer to this question, here's a guide to help you make the right decision when weighing the most important factors.When to buy a 3-quart Instant PotThe 3-quart Instant Pot is really small, so there are two main reasons you might buy one. The first is if you're single, living alone, or don't entertain often. In this sense, you probably won't need more than a 3-quart. If you're making for only yourself, a 3-quart might suffice.The second situation that might warrant a 3-quart Instant Pot is if you have very limited counter space,...

Get ready to raid some villages and conquer new lands.The next Assassin's Creed was revealed by Ubisoft through a livestream where graphic designer BossLogic worked some magic to create artwork for the game. As previous rumors suggested, it does take place during the time of Vikings. If the world premiere trailer is anything to go by, it promises a lot of bloody battles. Assassin's Creed Valhalla is being developed by Ubisoft Montreal, with support from 14 other studios around the world.Assassin's Creed Valhalla: SettingAssassin's Creed Valhalla: Story and charactersAssassin's Creed Valhalla: GameplayAssassin's Creed Valhalla: Release date and platformsViking raidsAssassin's Creed Valhalla$60 at Best BuyConquer new lands for glory and honorAfter endless wars ravage Norway and resources are scarce, you'll lead your clan to the shores of England in the hopes of finding a new home. But not everyone is keen on having Vikings around, and King Alfred of Wessex will d...

Sony is gearing up to release the PS5, its most ambitious console to date.While development on the PlayStation 5 has likely been going on for years, Sony has officially confirmed that it's in the works and is on its way this year. It is expected to release holiday 2020 alongside the Xbox Series X, cost upwards of $450 or $500, and should be fully revealed sometime soon over the summer. Here's everything we know about the PS5 so far.What will the PS5's design look like?When will the PS5 be revealed?What will the PS5 cost and when will it release?What are the PS5's specs?What are the PS5's launch games?Is PS5 backward compatible?What is the new PS5 DualSense controller?Will the PS5 support virtual reality?What will the PS5 user interface look like?What will the PS5 design look like?The devkit design resembles that of the Roman numeral for 5, but odds are the final product that ships to consumers will look much different. At the very least, don't expect something lik...

Samsung's new Notes are here — let's talk about them.In the second half of each year, Samsung launches a new entry in its Galaxy Note series to showcase the very best it has to offer in smartphones. For 2019, Samsung used the Galaxy Note 10, Note 10+, and Note 10+ 5G to do just that.2019 was the first year Samsung's ever launched three Notes at the same time, and along with that, the company also made some controversial decisions when it comes to legacy Note features. Even so, these handsets stand out as some of the best smartphones Samsung has to offer right now (even with the Galaxy S20 now available).Eager to learn more? Keep on reading.Check out our reviewThe Note 10 has impressive specsOne UI 2.1 is available nowWe've compared it to other phonesThere are three different modelsTips & tricks for using the Note 10It's true — Samsung got rid of the headphone jackSamsung upgraded its charging speedsHere's what's new with the S PenTake a look at the Note 10's...

Amazon is now selling the refurbished Ring Video Doorbell Pro for $119. This is the lowest price it has ever been on Amazon and matches a deal we saw from Woot a few weeks ago. Normally the refurb unit sells for $179, and even when it does go on sale usually only dropped to $129. The new version of the Pro goes for $250. Today's refurb device still comes with the same one-year warranty as the new ones.I was just looking at this same page May 31 when I wrote about this bundle, which is how I know today's price is unique because it wasn't this low just a couple days ago. Take a look at that bundle, too, because it includes the same refurb Pro with a refurb Echo Show 5 for just $179.This is one of the best video doorbells you can put on the front of your door. You will replace your existing hardwired doorbell, and it comes with four different colored faceplates so you can match the exterior of your home. Then you just leave it there! The Pro is designed to work in any temperature wi...

Amazon's annual Prime Day 2020 event isn't likely to happen in July for the first time since it came about. This year, rumors suggest that Amazon is pushing it back until September, following issues the company faced during the COVID-19 outbreak. While unfortunate, it makes sense for Amazon to delay the event for several reasons. Consumers are affected by the economic slowdown, lots of people lost jobs during the outbreak, and supply chains are still affected by everything. While it would be awesome to have a small sense of normalcy and have Prime Day happen during July, it doesn't look like that's what will happen this year.The delay could potentially change a lot of things about Prime Day 2020, especially with how much closer it pushes the event towards Black Friday and the holiday shopping season. There are a lot of unanswered questions at this point like what is this rumored Summer Sale that people are talking about, when will Prime Day be announced and take place, and should y...

If you've been missing the movie theater and wishing your TV at home was a bit more comparable, today's sale at Woot gives you the perfect opportunity to score a big screen at a big discount. Sony's X850G Series 4K UHD Smart TV with HDR is now on sale starting as low as $499.99 in refurbished condition at Woot, and while these TVs may not be brand new, they've each been tested and inspected to ensure they look and work as they should. Plus, Woot includes a 90-day warranty just in case the TV you receive doesn't meet your expectations.There are two models of Sony's X850G Series TV on sale today, including a 55-inch version on sale for $499.99 and a 75-inch model that's on sale for $1,049.99. While the 55-inch model actually offers the largest discount at $330 off its regular price, you'll still score a great deal if you're eyeing the 75-inch version as it's now discounted by $280.The Sony X850G Series TVs utilize the Android TV platform so you can download apps and streaming servi...

It's 2020, and OnePlus is done settling.OnePlus manages to release some of the most exciting and interesting Android phones every year. The concept of getting flagship specs for considerably less money than the competition is what's helped OnePlus stand out from other brands, but as prices rise with each new release and that cost gap closes, OnePlus has had to further refine and improve its phones to help them still stand out.For 2020, OnePlus is bringing two new handsets to the U.S. with the OnePlus 8 and OnePlus 8 Pro. The OnePlus 8 is a pretty minor update to 2019's OnePlus 7T, while OnePlus 8 Pro is where the company put all of its marbles to create its most premium smartphone to-date.Whether you're interested in our review, full device specs, or a closer look at the OnePlus 8/8 Pro's best features, here's everything you need to know!Here's our full reviewStock is limited right nowOnePlus is offering two modelsThe specs are insaneIs it time to upgrade?Let's compare ...

Unlike Xiaomi and OPPO, Huawei hasn't showcased its in-display camera technology yet.What you need to knowHuawei patents suggest the company is working on a flagship phone with an under-display camera.Similar to the Huawei Mate 30 Pro, the phone will not have any volume buttons. Huawei compatriots OPPO and Xiaomi are also working on phones with under-display cameras. Huawei could be planning to launch a new smartphone with an under-display selfie camera this year. The folks at LetsGoDigital have spotted two patents showing a phone featuring an under-display camera.The patents reveal a phone with extremely curved edges and virtually no bezels. The display does not have a notch or hole-punch cutout, and nor do we find any evidence of a pop-up camera mechanism. This suggests the phone features an under-display camera, similar to the prototypes showcased by OPPO and Xiaomi last year.The patents also reveal that the phone will not have volume buttons, just like the Mate 30...

Let's chat with the AC forums.Yesterday marked the beginning of a new month, and as per usual, another monthly security patch from Google. The June 2020 update is mostly focused on small bug fixes and vulnerabilities, but if you have a Pixel device, things are more interesting.Also included with the June 2020 update is the latest Pixel Feature Drop, which offers a few new safety tools and a feature in the Clock app for helping you get a better night's sleep.Taking a look through the AC forums, a lot of people appear to already have the new software. TgeekB 06-01-2020 02:52 PM “ Downloaded Reply Scott337 06-01-2020 03:02 PM “ Downloading now, thanks for the reminder and lists of but g fixes & new stuff. Reply wyelkins 06-01-20...

The Samsung QN65Q70TAFXZA 65-inch Q70T Series QLED 4K HDR smart TV is down to $1,097.99 at Amazon. This is the first ever discount on the Q70T since it first released in February. The TV normally sells for around $1,300, so you're saving a good chunk today. Best Buy also has a deal pretty close to this price.The Q70T series is from Samsung's 2020 QLED lineup. While it is on the lower end of the lineup in terms of features, it's also on the lower end in terms of cost. If you want that beautiful QLED technology, this is a great way to do it. Today's deal puts the Q70T nearly $700 less than the moderate step-up the Q80T, so you're saving hundreds and not losing out on much.The Q70T series uses a Quantum Processor with deep-learning AI for all your 4K content, which also helps upscale less-than-4K stuff so you always have the best image on your screen. Quantum HDR also gives you an expansive range of colro and detail. It has a 240 Motion Rate, which keeps everything smooth even when ...

Software has truly pushed mobile photography to the new heights it's reached in recent years, but there's something to be said about putting more of that control back into your own hands. That's where a phone's pro or manual mode can step in with tools that better emulate how a DSLR or mirrorless camera performs.There's a very good chance your phone has a pro or manual mode. Especially if it's a flagship, though even some mid-range devices will include it. You may have skipped over that mode every time, but you don't need to be intimidated by it. A little knowledge will go a long way in helping you capture even better photos than you expected.Find the modeFrom the start, it's important to note that not every Android phone has a pro or manual mode. As an example, Google's Pixel line — among the best phone cameras available — doesn't have one. Third-party apps do offer some recourse as alternatives, so you're not out of luck if you don't see one. If yours does have it, open i...

Out of all of Samsung's fun customizations in One UI and its Galaxy phones, the dynamic lock screen is low-key one of my all-time favorites. With other phones, I often forget how easily bored I can get with the standard lock screen options, but this dynamic feature automatically updates all the time in the background and gives me a pleasant surprise each time. I'll show you just how easy it is to toggle this setting on so that you can start enjoying a little variety on your Galaxy phone.How to enable Samsung's dynamic lock screenOpen the Settings app.Tap on Wallpaper.Tap on Wallpaper services.Toggle on Dynamic Lock screen.Tap on the gear icon to the right of the Dynamic Lock Screen.Toggle on Auto update.Toggle on Download using mobile data, or leave it off if you only want to download new wallpapers over a Wi-Fi network.Tap on Dynamic Lock Screen and select a category to download.Confirm how you wish to download updates and tap Download.That's it. Now you'll be gr...

The chip is designed for smartphones, tablets, wearables, and IoT devices.What you need to knowSamsung has shed more light on the specifications of its new Exynos 850 mobile processor.It is the first 8nm mobile processor that is designed for budget phones.The first phone to feature the new chip is the Galaxy A21s, which was announced last month.Samsung introduced a new Galaxy A series phone called the A21s last month, featuring an Exynos 850 chipset under the hood. While Samsung didn't reveal much about the chipset back then, it has now detailed all the key features and specifications of the Exynos 850 on its website (via SamMobile).The Exynos 850 is manufactured on an 8nm LPP process, which gives it an edge over other recent mobile chipsets that have been designed for affordable smartphones. It uses eight ARM Cortex-A55 CPU cores clocked at 2GHz, coupled with an ARM Mali-G52 GPU. Unlike Samsung's flagship Exynos 990 and mid-range Exynos 980 chips, however, the Exynos 850...

The Samsung T5 500GB portable solid state drive is down to just $79.99 at Amazon, which is a match for the lowest it has ever gone. This drive has sold for as much as $110 in the last few months and rarely goes far below $90. The sale price, which is a match for a Best Buy one-day sale, applies only to the blue model, with the gold and red versions at $89.99.This 500GB external SSD features quick read and write speeds of up to 540 Mbps, along with optional password protection and AES 256-bit hardware encryption. It's so tiny it can fit in the palm of your hand too. Samsung includes two cables so you can connect it to either a USB-C or a standard USB port right out of the box.In a perfect world, portable solid state drives would be just as inexpensive as portable hard drives. After all, the main feature of SSDs is they have no moving parts, which really makes them perfect for carrying data on the move. Hard drives are much more prone to failure when getting knocked around in your ...

Your smartphone's camera does a lot of work to make your photos look the way they do. Onboard software takes the data from the image sensor and processes it to create the photo you see when you preview it right after shooting it. RAW photos are, much like their namesake, totally raw and devoid of any processing.Shooting in RAW gives you the ultimate freedom to handle the processing side of the equation yourself. Editing these images provides the flexibility to get more out of them than you might otherwise get from the software itself. Here's how to do that.What makes a file RAWWhen a phone saves a photo as a JPEG, it does all the processing and compresses it at the same time. A RAW file is both unprocessed and uncompressed, so what you have is the raw data that the image sensor recorded. This is why file sizes are several times larger than they would be as JPEGs, and why they look so dull and desaturated when you first see them. Because these files also save in formats like DNG...

Having a good processor is a checkbox item, not a purchase driver.The debate over what processor you should expect in a smartphone has picked back up in 2020 after a couple of years of seemingly taking a back seat in people's hierarchy of needs. It seems to be mostly driven by increasingly-expensive high-end phones saddled by the extra cost tied to Qualcomm's Snapdragon 865, and the subsequent decision by some companies to step down and use Qualcomm's 700-series processors typically used in less-expensive phones.Every time one of these arguments over processors springs back up, I need to remind everyone that the vast majority of people simply don't care what processor is in their phone — in fact, most people don't even know what processor they're using. And even those who do know which processors are in phones probably shouldn't put so much emphasis on them when buying their next phone.Research shows that average consumers simply don't factor the processor into their buying...

Trying to find the best VPN is a struggle on its own, but when you then mix in trying to find the best deal on a VPN you find yourself down a whole new rabbit hole. Odds are you've heard a lot about VPNs and are already aware of the reasons that you need one, but now you need to find the best price, right? We've looked through hundreds of the "best" VPN deals that are out there to bring you only the top options that are actually worth considering.Best VPN Deals Right NowExpressVPN: 49% off annual sub + 3 months freeNordVPN: Save 70% on 3-year planIPVanish: Save $200 + 250GB SugarSync freePureVPN: 7-day trial for $1PIA VPN: 2 months freeSurfshark: From 7 cents/dayFastestVPN: Lifetime access for $20More Deals: Tunnelbear, Cyberghost & moreOdds are that you have heard of a VPN, or Virtual Private Network, before but may not have signed up for one already. There are some common misconceptions about VPNs, especially that they are quite expensive, but that's not at all...

Keep your tabs organized.Google has decided to release a new feature to Chromebook owners and general Chrome users who have problems with too many tabs and the disorganization that comes with it. Tab Groups are created with a right-click, and then you can customize them with colors and even group naming. Those who like visual cues to see where work is being done, or to separate work from play will enjoy using this new feature.How to Group Tabs in ChromeAlthough Google stated that the ability to group tabs in Chrome is coming, it's not available for everyone just yet. Before getting started, you'll need to make sure that Chrome is updated to the latest version. This is done by tapping the three-dot overflow menu, selecting Settings, then clicking About Chrome. If an update is available, you will be shown a prompt to download and install. Once the installation is finished, restart Chrome, and the new Grouped Tabs feature should be available.Right-click on a tab at the top of C...

Go Into The Unknown two weeks earlier than originally anticipated.What you need to knowFrozen 2 was originally scheduled to arrive on Disney+ in the UK on July 17.This was due to existing license agreements before the service launched.The smash hit sequel is already streaming on Disney+ in other territories.We're used to waiting for digital content in the UK, especially Disney content, but one of the hottest movies on the planet is still absent from the local version of Disney+. The good news is that the wait won't be quite as long as first anticipated, with Disney announcing that Frozen 2 will now be available to stream from July 3.“Don't make me wait, one moment more… show yourself!” OK Elsa. ❄️ #Frozen2 streaming July 3 on #DisneyPlusUK pic.twitter.com/DS4AdY7xTv— Disney+ UK (@DisneyPlusUK) June 2, 2020Originally, fans of Elsa and the gang were going to have to wait until July 17 to stream the sequel on Disney+ "due to existing agreements." Whatever tho...

The Galaxy M11's headline feature is its massive 5,000mAh battery with 15W fast charging.What you need to knowSamsung has launched two new affordable Galaxy M series phones in IndiaThe Galaxy M11 features a 6.4-inch Infinity-O display and a triple-camera array on the back. Samsung's latest entry-level phone, the Galaxy M01 sports a dual-camera setup and a 4000mAh battery. Samsung today launched two new budget-friendly Galaxy M series phones in India: the Galaxy M11 and Galaxy M01. While the Galaxy M11 quietly made its global debut in March, the Galaxy M01 is an all-new phone.The Galaxy M11 comes with a 6.4-inch HD+ Infinity-O display and is powered by the three-year old Snapdragon 450 processor, paired with up to 4GB of RAM and 64GB storage. It has a triple-camera setup at the rear featuring a 13MP primary sensor, 5MP ultra-wide-angle lens, and a 2MP depth sensor. For selfies, the phone offers an 8MP camera with an f/2.0 aperture. It also includes a rear-mounted fingerpri...

Until now, it wasn't possible for users to use their Google Account with both Advanced Protection and Nest devices.What you need to knowGoogle has finally brought its Advanced Protection Program to Nest devices.The Advanced Protection Program offers additional safeguards against fraudulent access, phishing, and malware. It is aimed at people that are at high risk of targeted attacks, such as activists, journalists, and people working on elections.Google's Advanced Protection Program, which is designed for high-risk users such as journalists, activists, and people working on elections, is now available for Nest users as well. Over the years, Google has integrated many of the security features of the Advanced Protection Program into GSuite, Chrome, and the Google Cloud Platform. The program offers extra safeguards that help protect your Google Account against phishing, malware, and unauthorized access.Shuvo Chatterjee, Product Manager, Advanced Protection Program, wrote in ...

It's no secret that some people just love to hate Prime Day. Do their opinions have any basis in truth? With the sixth annual Prime Day likely to take place in September, here's a bit of my experience. I'll be the first to admit that I was disappointed by the first and second Amazon Prime Day. The Internet exploded with much-justified outrage after each one, and I was part of the mob. Amazon's first Prime Day was basically a garage sale, with too many items to choose from and not enough inventory. It was clunky, confusing, difficult to navigate, and frustrating.The few deals I did want to buy sold out within seconds. I was disappointed, partially because I hadn't secured a slew of packages, but mostly because I expected more from the supersized retailer. The second year was slightly better, but more of the same. I didn't make a single purchase on Prime Day 2015 or 2016.In 2017, Amazon learned from its mistakes. I was fully prepared and bracing myself for more discounted refurbished...

The two features combined can automate some of your writing duties.What you need to knowMonths after their availability on G Suite, Autocorrect and Smart Compose for Google Docs are finally making their way to G Suite for Education and Nonprofits.Autocorrect automatically correct any spelling and grammatical errors in your writing.Smart Compose, meanwhile, uses machine learning to suggest the rest of the sentence based on what you've written.It's been over six months since Google first started testing Smart Compose and Autocorrect in Google Docs and over four months since the feature was made widely available to G Suite users in general, but the company has finally brought the features to G Suite for Education and Nonprofits.First revealed for Gmail, Smart Compose uses machine learning for automatic sentence completion based on the current phrase you're typing in. The feature, Google says, is aimed at 'cutting back on repetitive writing while reducing the chance of spelli...

Soon you won't need a controller.What you need to knowGoogle Stadia is a cloud game streaming service.Google keeps on adding new features to the platform. On-screen controls are coming soon. You can purchase a Stadia bundle for $130 through the Google Store. Google Stadia is a cloud game streaming service that launched in November 2019 to a lot of excitement. While there is still an issue when it comes to having an expansive game catalog, there are a lot of promising titles on the horizon.However, the technical front of Stadia is even more exciting. Recently, 9to5Google said that Stadia was getting on-screen controls after doing some digging. This would be great for those who want to play a less-intense game without hooking up a controller. Hopefully, Google will announce this feature soon because it seems like it's already been datamined.Would you use on-screen controls or do you think they're too finicky? Let us know.Everything you needStadia: Premiere Editio...

Well, that's not good.What you need to knowOn June 1, Google began rolling out the latest monthly security patch for Pixel devices.Instead of a boring patch, some users were given the Android 11 beta ahead of schedule.The build number for the OTA beta update is RPB1.200504.018.A new month is a signal for a new monthly security patch for Pixel devices, and the latest June update has proven to be more exciting than usual for a couple of reasons. In addition to a new Pixel Feature Drop that adds improvements for better battery life and new safety tools, some Pixel owners were also treated to the Android 11 beta ahead of schedule.Rather than be super vague about this, I'll just say it up front:Two people DMed me saying they got the Android 11 beta OTA update on their Pixel 4 XL.Build #: RPB1.200504.018— Mishaal Rahman (@MishaalRahman) June 1, 2020XDA's Mishaal Rahman recently shared that some users who expected to download the June security patch were instead given an O...

The PlayStation 5 is shaping up to be an incredibly powerful console the likes of which we have never seen before.Sony's next-generation console, likely to be named the PlayStation 5, is far from gracing store shelves, but the company has revealed a few of its specs to give fans a taste of just how powerful it will be. We're hoping to learn more as we head deeper into 2020, but for now, the presumed PS5 is looking like quite the machine, in comparison to both the current crop of consoles and the next generation Xbox also in the works right now.PS5 specs & how does it compare to the PS4 Pro?It should go without saying, but the PS5 will be drastically more powerful than any model in the PS4 family, including the PS4 Pro. Category PlayStation 4 Pro PlayStation 5 Price $399 Unknown Dimensions 11.61in x 12.87in x 2.17in Unknown CPU AMD Jaguar 8-core (x86-64) 8x Zen 2 Cores at 3.5GHz GPU AMD Radeon (4.2 TFLOPs) Custom RDNA 2 (10.28 TFLO...

Sometimes, you stumble across greatness while digging through the Play Store. This happened to me late last week when I was trying to come up with an idea for this article. I found Shadow of Death 2, an Early Access title and sequel to Shadow of Death (obviously). It's a side-scrolling 2D hack-and-slash with a shadowy aesthetic and RPG elements. Intriguing!All of that sounds cool, but this game was obviously designed with a mobile gamer's short attention span in mind. Each of the levels is often pretty quick to complete, so you can finish one while waiting in line or whatever, and pick it up again later when you have another free moment. While I wouldn't say this game grips my attention as thoroughly as Titan Quest or Anima do, it's definitely a great way to kill some time.Shadow of Death 2 picks up where its predecessor (a game I never gave much thought to) left off. I remember picking it up a few times to try it and, while I had some fun, I couldn't justify the time investm...

There be dragons ahead, so use caution.It's that time of year again, though earlier than ever before: a developer preview of the latest version of Android is available, called Android 11. And while Google explicitly says that only developers should install it, many of us want to see what the company is planning for the next big update, set to be released sometime this summer.Top 10 features in Android 11 you need to know about right nowGiven that this is a developer preview, there are going to be missing features and bugs, so you shouldn't expect a fully working experience. But if you're curious about what's next, here's how to download and install it, plus answers to a few questions you may have.Update, May 6, 2020: Google has released the fourth Android 11 developer preview for Pixel phones. It's still aimed primarily at developers, but there will be far fewer bugs, and newer features, this time around. Google has delayed the release of the first Android 11 beta beyond June...

Lockdown mode is a security feature that first arrived with Android 9 Pie that acts as a last-resort measure to keep prying eyes out of your phone. Enabling it obfuscates any incoming notifications on your lockscreen and disables biometrics and Smart Lock settings, preventing anyone from forcing you to unlock your phone with your face or fingerprint.Product used in this guidePure Android bliss: Google Pixel 4 ($650 at Amazon)Well-rounded flagship: Samsung Galaxy S20 ($1000 at Amazon)How to enable Lockdown on the Pixel 4The exact steps to enable Lockdown mode varies from phone to phone, but on the Pixel 4, it's as simple as jumping into the display settings. Once it's been enabled, you won't have to launch it from the settings every time; instead, it'll conveniently show up in the power menu.Open the Settings app.Tap Display, then drop down additional options by tapping Advanced.At the bottom of the screen, tap Lock screen display.Under What to Show, toggle Show loc...

Oculus Quest is Facebook's last piece of hardware in its first generation of VR devices. It has six degrees of freedom, movement tracking so you can game throughout an area and two Touch Controllers, which facilitate a wide range of gameplay. The Oculus Quest now has over 100 games available, ranging from first-person shooters to musical saber swinging titles. We marked the latest titles with "new," and at the top of the list, so you can keep track of all the latest games.New titlesAvailable nowSupported Oculus Go gamesConfirmed future titlesTeased future titlesNewBattle in darknessGloomy EyesNewAfter the sun went dark, zombies rose from their graves. While humans and zombies clash, a human girl and a zombie boy fall in love in this VR experience.$8 at Oculus StoreFour!Pro Putt by TopgolfNewPlay on your own or in multiplayer modes in this golf game with a 10,000 square foot practice green and three courses. You can also play in the Topgolf Putt L...

Facebook employees now wonder if they are the baddies.What you need to knowFacebook employees have come out to publicly criticize Zuckerberg's handling of a Donald Trump post last week.Employees have also staged a virtual workout in protest and in solidarity with protestors across the U.S.Zuckerberg has promised to donate an additional $10 million to nonprofits tackling racial justice.Facebook employees are openly revolting against CEO Mark Zuckerberg over the company's decision to leave a post by Donald Trump, censured on Twitter for being an incitement to violent, up on its platform.For some, it went further than simply allowing the story to stay up on its platform, "Mark Zuckerberg Comes to Trump's Defense," The New Republic's headline went as the CEO went on Fox News to denounce Twitter. It's against this backdrop that Facebook employees finally spoke out in open revolt.Mark is wrong, and I will endeavor in the loudest possible way to change his mind.— Ryan Freita...

Android tablets come in all different shapes and sizes and picking the best one can be tough for a student. But it's easier to pick the perfect tablet when you have one as powerful as the Galaxy Tab S6. With S Pen support and 8GB of RAM, this will handle anything and everything you come across.Best Overall: Samsung Galaxy Tab S6If you need a tablet capable of handling almost any task, then you don't want to look past the Samsung Galaxy Tab S6. When picking one of these up, you'll be happy to know that Samsung includes an S Pen with every purchase, so you don't have to fork over extra cash.Under the hood, the Tab S6 sports either 6GB or 8GB of RAM and either 128GB or 256GB of expandable storage. This has been combined with the latest Snapdragon 855 chipset, which is found in many of your favorite 2019 flagship phones. This will allow you to take advantage of Samsung Dex Mode, which turns your Tab S6 into a desktop-like experience. Having a desktop-like experience on a 10.5-inc...

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

Some things are more important right now.What you need to knowSony's upcoming PS5 showcase, The Future of Gaming, was scheduled to take place on June 4, 2020.The showcase is being delayed due to the ongoing protests. There is no new date for when the event will be held yet. A few days ago, Sony announced The Future of Gaming, a presentation for PS5 games. While the event was previously scheduled for June 4, it's now being delayed to an undisclosed date in the future. Sony made this decision in light of the ongoing protests against police brutality and racial injustice. You can read the full statement below.pic.twitter.com/ZAY8StN0EU— PlayStation (@PlayStation) June 1, 2020We'll provide an update in the future when a new date is announced.Developing...PlayStation 5PlayStation 5: Everything we know so farPS5 vs. Xbox Series X: How they comparePS5 Specs: What's in the next-gen PlayStationWill PS4 games work on the PlayStation 5?...

The first round of Studio Ghibli films made their way to Netflix starting on February 1, 2020, with more hitting every month after. In total there are 21 films that are now available on Netflix, with the most recent batch of them hitting on April 1, 2020. The films will be made available globally through a distribution partner Wild Bunch International, though this rollout will exclude some big markets where people will want to watch them.For those not familiar, Studio Ghibli was founded back in 1985 by the directors Hayao Miyazaki and Isao Takahata, along with the producer Toshio Suzuki. It is a Japanese animation film studio that has produced feature films, shorts, TV commercials, and even worked with video game studios on visual elements for games. Six of the studio's films are among the 10 highest-grossing anime films from Japan, and the company has many other accolades. It's most successful title was Spirited Away, which made over $360 million worldwide and was voted the fourth-b...

Android 11's power menu will work better with smart home devicesWhat you need to knowAndroid's power button menu will get built-in smart home controls with Android 11.Hints of the upcoming feature were spotted in developer documentation earlier in the year.New screenshots show us what the finished product might look like. Google is continuing the revamp of Android's power button menu it started this year. With the second Pixel Feature Drop, it added Cards & Passes, a way to quickly access all your stored Google Pay cards. With Android 11, Google plans to add options for smart home controls.Spotted at the initial drop of Android 11 by* XDA Developers*, the new quick controls area of the power button menu will plug into smart home apps and services. You'll be able to control devices like fans, coffee makers, AC units, Mowers, and radiators, among others, as long as they are compatible with the new "Controls" API on Android 11.New screenshots show off what Google inte...

In order to ensure that you enjoy a bright financial future, you need to have more than just a few scattered stocks and a low-interest savings account.In fact, it's never been more important to have a detailed understanding of the more advanced and nuanced financial options that will help your money work for you, and the Complete Finance Training & Investing Bundle is your one-stop resource for making that happen.Usually priced at over $1,500, this comprehensive $34.99 training package comes loaded with eight courses and over 400 lessons on everything from financial literacy and accounting to long-term investments and beyond.Your instructor, Chris Haroun, has years of experience with multiple types of investing strategies and platforms, and all of his expert knowledge is available in this best-selling bundle that features over 30 hours of content.You'll learn how to make detailed predictions in any financial market, diversify your portfolio, work with the financial industry...

As Android technology progresses, so does your ability to get everything done right from your Android phone or tablet. Google has designed a cloud printing app that works with your printer connected either to your wireless network or to your computer via USB. Here's how to set up Google Cloud Print within Chrome on your computer and how to start printing directly from your Android device.Products used in this guideGoogle's best: Pixel 4 (From $628 at Amazon)Solid starter printer: HP LaserJet Pro MFP M29w ($139 at Amazon)How to add your printer to Google Cloud PrintLaunch Chrome on your computer.Click on the menu button in the top right corner. It looks like three horizontal lines.Click Settings.Click Advanced in the sidebar.Scroll down and click Printing.Under Printing, click Google Cloud Print.Click Manage Cloud Print devices at the bottom.Click the Register next to the printer you want to be added to Google Cloud Print.Click Confirm.If you happen to hav...

Fixing the latest bugs and exploits in Android every month.Google has detailed the latest Android Security Bulletin and released the fixes for Pixel devices.These are exploits and other security concerns that affect Android as a whole. Issues with the operating system, kernel patches, and driver updates may not affect any particular device, but these need to be fixed in the Android base by the folks maintaining the operating system code. That means Google, and they've detailed the things they have improved for this month.Updated factory images for Pixel devices that are supported are available, and over-the-air updates are rolling out to users. If you don't want to wait, you can download and flash the factory image or OTA update file manually, and here are some handy instructions to get you started.How to manually update your Pixel The company that made your phone uses these patches to send an update out to you.These changes have been released to the people making Andr...

The update is rolling out in stages starting today.What you need to knowThe June 2020 patch also has an accompanying Pixel Feature Drop.High-priority and moderate-priority bugs in the Android framework and system have been addressed.The update is rolling out now for supported phones.The beginning of the month means Google's Pixel phones will be seeing a new update, and June is no exception. Starting today, Google began rolling out the latest security patch for its Pixel devices.As with every security patch, this one comes with general bug and vulnerability fixes to ensure your phone is as safe as possible. These fixes may seem minor and unimportant, but they're the kinds of update that truly keeps your phone safe and secure.In addition, this month brings another Pixel Feature Drop that includes improvements to the adaptive battery feature, new emergency contact tools, and more.More: Google's new software update tries to fix the Pixel 4's awful battery lifeThe June 2...