Latest from Android Central

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The suit claimed Apple, Google, Twitter, and Facebook were "stifling" the First Amendment.What you need to knowA lawsuit against Apple, Google, Twitter, and Facebook has been dismissed.It claimed that top tech companies were suppressing conservative views.A judge said that the claims were not actionable under the First Amendment. A lawsuit against top tech companies claiming that anti-conservative bias has been dismissed in the U.S. appeals court.As TechCrunch reports: The same day Donald Trump took to Twitter to threaten to regulate or shut down social media sites, the U.S. appeals court in Washington, D.C. dismissed a lawsuit accusing top tech companies of silencing conservative voices. Filed in 2018 by nonprofit Freedom Watch and right-wing gadfly Laura Loomer, the suit accused Apple, Facebook, Twitter and Google of stifling First Amendment rights.The lawsuit accused the four companies of collaborating to "intentionally and willfully suppress politically conserv...

Test your skills!What you need to knowOnePlus and Epic Games have partnered together to produce a new Creative Island.The island is filled with five different mini-games, all of which last up to 90 seconds. Fortnite players who have OnePlus phones can now stream the game at 90 FPS.One of the many modes inside Epic Game's Fortnite is its Creative mode, which allows players to customize their own space to host a variety of activity. As a part of OnePlus and Epic's ongoing partnership, the two companies have launched their own Creative Island that allows players to test their skills in a handful of mini-games.The island, named "90," will consist of five individual mini-games, all of which last up to about 90 seconds each and focus on the themes of speed and smoothness. The mini-games range from things like Color Dash, which test a players ability to color as many tiles as possible while undergoing different gravitational effects, to Skydive Shootout, which sees players tes...

Looking to add another smart speaker to your home? Maybe you've got that one little room that doesn't have an Echo in it or you need a speaker on your bookshelf. Daily Deals has the Amazon Echo 1st-generation smart home music speaker available for $34.99 refurbished with code THRIFTERECHO. That price is the lowest around at the moment, and the speaker is going for around $70 brand new on Amazon. The deal comes with free shipping and a 30-day warranty.Sure, this isn't the newest Amazon smart speaker in the lineup, but it still has a very powerful speaker that's steps ahead of similarly priced speakers. Plus, Alexa, the Amazon smart voice assistant, doesn't care about the age of the speaker. Alexa is built in the cloud, so as long as the speaker is compatible with Alexa it has the most advanced version. You can use voice commands to control your smart home, access streaming apps like Pandora or Amazon Music, and ask about all kinds of things like the news or weather.The Echo is des...

Small phones do a lot of things well, but sadly, typing just isn't one of them.I love small phones and I cannot lie! You Android lovers can't deny, that when a phone walks in with an itty bitty case, and small bezels in your face you get— okay, I'm not going to do the whole song, but safe to say, I love small phones. I love phones that will fit in the front pockets of my jeans so that I don't have to rock the Tomb Raider casual look. Small phones usually get shafted on battery or features — usually both — but they have many advantages, especially for users with smaller hands and smaller pockets.However, there is one area where small phones have a distinct, inescapable disadvantage to bigger, taller phones: typing. Typing on a small phone is awkward and uncomfortable unless you're very, very nimble, and in most cases your keyboard will take up half the screen or more, limiting the amount of a conversation/email you can see while replying.Once upon a time, small phones ...

The OnePlus 7 Pro 5G is receiving a new update as well.What you need to knowOnePlus is rolling out new OxygenOS updates for the OnePlus 7 and 7T series.The update brings Dolby Atmos support for the Bullets Wireless Z and adds 960fps slow-motion video recording to the OnePlus 7T. A new update for the OnePlus 7 Pro 5G has also started rolling out in Europe with the May 2020 security patch.OnePlus has started pushing a new stable OxygenOS update for the OnePlus 7 and 7T series, just a week after it rolled out the latest Open Beta build for its 2019 flagship phones. The latest stable OxygenOS build comes with a few new features and improvements, including Dolby Atmos support for OnePlus' new Bullets Wireless Z earphones.According to the official changelog (via XDA Developers), the update comes with improved battery life, optimized volume adjustment, lens stain detection, and a few other enhancements. For the OnePlus 7T series phones, the update also adds support for slow-moti...

EE's most recent Mobile Network data report covers February to May 2020.What you need to knowEE has revealed how lockdown has changed UK mobile data usage.It says it has seen a 45% increase in traffic for apps like WhatsApp, Houseparty, and Skype.Voice calling has also doubled, and there's been a big increase in exercise data from apps like Strava. UK Carrier EE has revealed how lockdown is changing UK mobile data usage throughout the country.The new report, published earlier this week highlights several big shifts in communication and how people are choosing to use their data. From the report: With people unable to visit friends and family, as well as many people working from home, communication traffic on EE's mobile network has seen a huge increase. Zoom users on EE's network increased five times during lockdown compared to earlier this year, and total data use on the platform has more than doubled. Social evening activities with friends and family have seen the da...

Trump had threatened to "close down" social media platforms on Wednesday.What you need to knowPresident Donald Trump is likely to sign an executive order against social media companies on Thursday.The order could allow federal regulators to apply constraints to social media companies such as Twitter, Google and Facebook for "political bias."For a long time, Trump has alleged that major social media companies are biased against conservatives.President Donald Trump is expected to sign an executive order on Thursday that could significantly limit the immunity given to social media and other online platforms by Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act. As per a report from Washington Post, the order will enable federal regulators to hold social media companies responsible for the comments, videos, and other content posted on their platforms by users.Once the order is signed by the President and the scope of the law protecting social media companies is reconsidered, the F...

OnePlus will only be holding a limited sale for the OnePlus 8 5G in India tomorrow.What you need to knowOnePlus has delayed the availability of its latest OnePlus 8 series phones in India.Both phones were slated to go on sale in India from May 29. The new sales schedule for the OnePlus 8 and 8 Pro in India is expected to be revealed soon.OnePlus had announced earlier this month that it would commence sales of its new OnePlus 8 and 8 Pro phones in India from May 29. Unfortunately, the company has now revealed that it is postponing the date for open sales in India due to some unforeseen circumstances.OnePlus had to halt production of its latest flagship phones in India last week after nine employees at the OPPO facility in Greater Noida tested were diagnosed with COVID-19. Fortunately, however, production is now back up and running at the OPPO facility, which is where OnePlus assembles its phones for the Indian market.While OnePlus hasn't confirmed a new date for open sal...

Start preparing right now! Amazon Prime Day 2020 is rumored to be happening in September this year, but that doesn't mean you shouldn't start thinking about it now. This year, more than ever, it's going to be a great opportunity to get a head start on your holiday shopping. From simple things like ensuring your account is in good standing with updated information to small tips and tricks, we have you covered. Let's take a look at some of what you'll want to do in the days leading up to Amazon's event.Update your billing and shipping informationThis may seem like an obvious one, but it's easy to have your Prime account get cluttered up with extra shipping addresses and credit cards. This can slow you down, and even if it's just a matter of seconds, it may be the difference between securing a deal and missing out on it.Be sure to delete any expired credit cards or ones that you don't use anymore, and do the same for shipping addresses. If you have any Amazon gift cards laying aro...

Studios have to opt in by May 31 to have their game not removed from the service.What you need to knowDevelopers and publishers now have to opt-in through a new process to have their games available through GeForce Now.A blog post announced that those who don't opt in by May 31 will be removed.The process is likely in response to licensing issues with the service.NVIDIA announced Wednesday that publishers and developers who want to use its GeForce Now streaming service to offer games will now have to go through a new opt-in process."Going forward, only the games that are opted in will be available on the service, providing confidence in the GeForce Now game library," a blog post read.The company added that, so far, over 200 publishers have opted in to have their games available to stream through the platform, which allows players to stream games through the cloud across different PCs and mobile devices. It's meant to remove the complications of having a high-spec gaming...

1440p screen owners, your time has come.What you need to knowGoogle Stadia has, until now, only supported 1080p and 4K screens.1440p screen users were required to stream in 1080p.With a new update, Stadia now supports 1440p streaming.1440p streaming has the same requirements as streaming in 4K. Previously, Stadia games could only be streamed in 1080 or in 4K, with no proper support for other resolutions like 1440p. That's just changed, as the official Stadia Twitter account has confirmed that 1440p support is now available, provided that the users already met the requirements for streaming in 4K.We’ve completed rolling out improved resolution settings. Players using a display with a resolution between 1440p and 4K will be able to stream in 1440p instead of 1080p, so long as they meet all of the requirements to play in 4K: https://t.co/2oA33pCSMc— Stadia (@GoogleStadia) May 27, 2020Playing in 4K resolution requires a Stadia Pro subscription and a network speed of ...

If there's anything I've learned in all my years of gaming, it's that headsets can make or break your gaming experience. Not only do you want good sound quality, but you also want a comfortable fit and a microphone that won't make you want to rip your hair out. We did all the research for you to make sure you get the most out of your money without having to go through trial and errorLong battery lifeAstro A50 WirelessStaff pickWith Dolby 7.1 surround sound and a built-in MixAmp DAC, the A50 produces some of the finest sounds you can find in a gaming headset. Featuring 15 hours of battery life, this headset charges back up in its magnetic charging cradle. As far as wireless is concerned, it connects to the PS4 through a base station using a 5GHz wireless transmitter.$290 at Amazon$300 at GameStopBest budget optionRazer Kraken XThis is easily one of the most affordable options available. It features 7.1 surround sound capability when used on PC and sports a comfort...

This dark tale is almost here and there's new gameplay to check out.What you need to knowToday, Naughty Dog and PlayStation held a new State of Play event showing off The Last of Us Part II.This showcase presented about 20 minutes of gameplay. The Last of Us Part II is set to arrive on June 19, 2020. As promised earlier this week, PlayStation and Naughty Dog held a State of Play focused entirely on The Last of Us Part II. In this presentation, creative director Neil Druckmann showed off the setting and talked about new gameplay elements, like how Ellie can throw down ropes. You can check out the full State of Play below.There's a lot to go through here, including the major news that yes, Ellie can swim. You can also check out some images from the State of Play below.The Last of Us Part II is scheduled to release on June 19, 2020 on PlayStation 4. There's also a special edition console and some accessories releasing at the same time.RevengeThe Last of Us Part...

After nearly a decade of hitching rides to space with rockets from other countries, NASA will be sending two astronauts back to the International Space Station from U.S. soil. This mission, called Demo-2, is a joint task between NASA and Elon Musk's SpaceX company. NASA astronauts Bob Behnken and Doug Hurley will be returning to space, and NASA is making this event easier to watch than any previous one.SpaceX Launch: When & whereThe launch is scheduled to happen today, Wednesday March 27 at 4:33 p.m. Eastern. As with all launches, this is totally dependent on the weather at that exact moment, though the conditions are favorable for it happening. Should the launch not occur today, the next two possible dates are Saturday May 30 at 3:22 p.m. and Sunday May 31 at 3 p.m. Eastern.The Demo-2 mission will send Behnken and Hurley to orbit on a 19-hour journey to the ISS and viewers will be able to watch right from their TVs at home on Discovery and Science Channel (beginning at 2...