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Creative director Jason Connell talks about why there aren't traditional waypoints, why the team went with stealth, and the game's many inspirations.Players recently got an extended look at some of the gameplay and customization in Ghost of Tsushima in an 18-minute State of Play dedicated entirely to Sucker Punch's upcoming title. I had the chance to speak with Creative and Art Director Jason Connell about how the team is adapting to its new work-from-home environment, how they balanced its stealth and combat gameplay, how the Guiding Winds came about, what players can expect from its pacing and progression, and more.War-torn landGhost of Tsushima$60 at Best BuyThe way of the GhostIn Ghost of Tsushima, Jin must decide what honor and principles are worth sacrificing to defeat the unstoppable Mongol invaders. Will you challenge everyone in your path or silently take them out by way of the ghost? The choice is yours.Android Central: Was it daunting to work on a new I...

The Galaxy S20 Ultra was the second most popular 5G phone during the period.What you need to knowSamsung Galaxy S20+ was the most popular 5G-enabled smartphone in the U.S. in the first quarter of 2020.It accounted for a 40 percent share of all 5G phones shipped in the U.S. during the quarter. Samsung grabbed a whopping 94% share of the U.S. 5G smartphone market during the January-March period.A report from The Korea Herald had claimed earlier this month that Samsung held 34.4% of the global 5G smartphone market in the first quarter of 2020. The latest research from Strategy Analytics has now revealed that Samsung continued to dominate the U.S. 5G smartphone market in Q1 2020.Samsung's Galaxy S20+ was the best-selling 5G smartphone in the U.S. during the quarter, accounting for an impressive 40 percent share of the market. The Galaxy S20 Ultra, despite its $1,400 price tag, was the second most popular 5G phone in the U.S. in the January-March period, with a market share ...

YouTube Music continues to improve as Google Play Music shuffles off this mortal coil.What you need to knowGoogle is testing a new tab for discovery in YouTube Music.The tab will sit alongside the Up Next and Lyrics tab in the new Player UI.Google recently announced a transfer tool to YouTube Music as it plans to make that its only streaming service going forward. Google has been improving the YouTube Music app ever since it repositioned it as the successor to Play Music two years ago, and now, as Play Music prepares to be shuttered completely, the company is testing out a new feature that'll help improve discovery.Spotted on Reddit via the folks at XDA Developers, Google is adding a new 'Related' tab next to the new Lyrics and Up Next tabs introduced with last month's YouTube Music update. While the appearance of the tab varies across users, the gist of it is that the app would show you related artists, albums, or playlists. It already has a precursor to this recommend...

What you need to knowAmazon Prime Day 2020 now likely to happen in September.It will still be a two day event.Amazon hopes to have more inventory and better fulfillment by then.There have been a few reports that suggested Amazon would be delaying its annual Prime Day event this year, and now a new one from The Wall Street Journal indicates that it will be happening in September. It was fairly obvious that with the retailers current supply chain and delivery restraints that Prime Day would not happen in July as it normally does, but many thought it would take place in August.September is two full months later than it normally takes place, and puts it just two months before Black Friday and the 2020 holiday shopping season. Amazon warehouses are already under a lot of additional strain, and up until just a few weeks ago it wouldn't even allow 3rd-party sellers to ship items into warehouses. Stock levels are low, orders are high, and Prime deliveries are delayed all over the p...

Chatting it up with the AC forums.In just a few months, it'll be time for Samsung to take the wraps off of the Galaxy Note 20. It may seem like the S20 just launched the other day, but that's how fast this industry moves.There's still a lot left to learn about the Note 20, but some early speculation and rumors are starting to piece the device together. We're expecting two different models, flagship specs, and possibly a release in August or September. That's about it.Some of our AC forum members recently got to talking about the Note 20, referencing some of the latest reports that have come out. bhatech 05-19-2020 10:13 PM “ Early design preview https://twitter.com/UniverseIce/status/1262554030850445312?s=19 Reply mustang7757 05-19-2020 10:16 PM “ Don't look much different from Note 10+ ex...

Matt Hancock had previously said the app would roll out in mid-May.What you need to knowThe UK's contact tracing app has been delayed until June.Deployment was supposed to take place in mid-May.It is reported that developers need time to iron out problems, of which there are many. A report suggests that the UK's NHS contact tracing app has been delayed until June.As reported by The Guardian, health secretary Matt Hancock had previously stated the app would roll out in mid-May, however, it doesn't seem to be ready: NHS insiders said the deployment of the tracking app currently being trialed on the Isle of Wight would not take place until next month as developers iron out problems. "This is a complicated thing to do and get right," one source said. It is the latest in a string of slippages that have followed Hancock's declaration. By the end of last week, the launch date moved back to the end of the month, and on Monday Downing Street said it would be ready "in a f...

Stadia may not be perfect, but the game streaming service from Google does still have a lot to offer — especially with its Stadia Pro membership. Your $10/month membership gives you access to a couple of key perks, including 4K gameplay at 60FPS and free games every month that you get to keep as long as you continue to pay your monthly fee. If you aren't sure how to go about claiming these free games, here's what you need to know.Products used in this guideCloud gaming: Stadia Pro ($10/month at Stadia)Perfect pairing: Google Pixel 4 XL (From $900 at Best Buy)How to claim your free Stadia Pro gamesOpen the Stadia app on your phone.Tap Store on the bottom navigation bar.Scroll down until you find Stadia Pro games.Tap See all.Tap the game you want to claim.Tap Claim.Just like that, you've claimed a free Stadia Pro game. Congrats!As mentioned above, you get to keep these games for as long as you have a Stadia Pro membership. With new games added every month, y...

It could take a week or two for the update to become widely available.What you need to knowSamsung is pushing a new software update with some camera enhancements to the Galaxy S20 series phones.The update is available for both the Snapdragon and Exynos variants of the three phones.Currently, the update is rolling out only in South Korea.Samsung began rolling out the May security patch to its latest Galaxy S20 series late last month. Aside from the May security patch, however, the update did not bring much else. According to the folks at SamMobile, Samsung is now pushing a new update for the Galaxy S20 series, which brings a few camera improvements.The new update arrives as version G98xxXXU2ATE6 and happens to be the second update that Samsung has rolled out for the S20 lineup with the May 2020 security patch. While a detailed changelog isn't available yet, a few users on Reddit claim the update comes with en enhanced Night mode. What remains to be seen, however, is if the...

Xbox Game Pass is racking up subscribers.Recently, Sony held a Corporate Strategy Meeting and teased the PlayStation 5 lineup. During the conference, Sony head Kenichiro Yoshida revealed that PlayStation Now (PS Now) passed 2.2 million subscribers. While this is quite the feat for a cloud game streaming service, the figure is around five times less than the current 10 million Xbox Game Pass subscribers.PS Now and Xbox Game Pass cater to two different crowds, but both are becoming increasingly similar. A few months ago, Sony allowed users to download PS Now titles directly onto their consoles. On the other hand, Microsoft announced that Project xCloud game streaming access was going to be part of Xbox Game Pass. This means that there is some overlap already, with even more similarities coming later this year.One of the main reasons Xbox Game Pass is so much more popular is because Microsoft adds Xbox One console exclusives to the service at launch. Xbox Series X console exclus...

There's a secret to everything if you know where to look.You may be the one who takes countless photos on your phone, shooting anything and everything when the mood strikes you. Do you like how they look? Do you think there's something missing? Could you do better if you changed a few things?Unless you're a professional who is already naturally selective when capturing any scene, the answer to all of those is probably yes. The beauty of mobile photography is not only its convenience, but its continuing evolution that makes it easier to shoot in more situations. Don't expect to match what a good DSLR or mirrorless camera can do, but with the right adjustments, your phone's photos will come out looking better.If your photos are looking less than stellar, it usually comes down to one of five reasons.You used your own flash and not someone else'sSee that LED flash on the back of your phone? It's one of the crappiest features your device has for a couple of simple reasons. First...

The actual event date has apparently not been finalized yet.What you need to knowSamsung could launch the Galaxy Note 20 series and the Galaxy Fold successor at an online-only event in August.Given the current situation, Samsung will not be able to hold a physical Unpacked event for its upcoming flagship phones.The exact date of the launch event hasn't been revealed yet.The ongoing coronavirus pandemic has forced smartphone makers to hold online-only events to launch new phones. Major tech industry events like MWC 2020 and Google I/O 2020 have been canceled entirely due to the pandemic, while events like WWDC 2020 and Gamescom are now slated to be held online.A new report out of Korea claims Samsung too has now decided to unveil the Galaxy Note 20 series at an online event. Along with the Galaxy Note 20 series, the Galaxy Fold 2 is also rumored to debut at the same event.The online-only Unpacked event is expected be held sometime in August, although an exact date hasn't...

The amount of data used for first time installs climbed a whopping 34% compared to a year ago, and 52% on the three-year average.What you need to knowCOVID-19 has driven a massive surge in app downloads.According to Sensor Tower data, first time installs increased data usage by 34% compared to the same period last year.Over 596 million GB of data was used to download apps in Q1 2020. New data from Sensor Tower suggests that the COVID-19 pandemic has driven a massive surge in first-time app downloads, as more people are staying at home and finding new ways to socialize and entertain themselves.According to the new report, a "sharp rise in consumer adoption of mobile apps during the global COVID-19 pandemic precipitated a significant increase in internet bandwidth consumption around the globe."Sensor Tower data reportedly reveals that the amount of data used to download the top 250 mobile apps globally increased by a whopping 34% in Q1 of 2020 when compared to the same pe...

I'm a bit of a digital neat freak, and I like to keep my apps organized so that I know how to find them. For me, the easiest way to do that is by making sure my phone's app drawer is organized alphabetically. Different Android OEMs approach app drawer organization in different ways, but almost all of them let you customize — at least, a little — to suit your preferences. I'll show you how quick and easy it is to organize the app drawer on your Samsung Galaxy phone so that all of your apps are listed alphabetically.How to alphabetize your Samsung Galaxy appFrom your home screen, swipe up from the bottom of the phone to open your app drawer.Tap on the three-button menu at the top right of the search field.Tap on Sort.Tap on Alphabetical order.That was so easy that you're probably kicking yourself right now that you didn't do this sooner (I know, I was)! If, at any point, you want to organize them a different way, just repeat this process and tap on Custom order. Then...

The Ring Video Doorbell Pro is now down to $119.99 in refurbished condition at Woot for a limited time only. This deal takes almost $60 off the regular price for a refurb model, and over 50% off the cost of a brand new one, making this one of the best deals we've seen for it this year. Since the models on sale at Woot are certified refurbished, they have each been tested and internally certified by Amazon to ensure they look and work like new. They even come with a 1-year warranty.Ring's Video Doorbell Pro takes the place of your existing hardwired doorbell at home. It's equipped with a 1080p HD camera featuring infrared night vision that lets you view its video feed using an app on your smartphone, tablet, or computer, and you'll be able to do so from anywhere in the world. It's also equipped with a microphone and built-in speaker that allows you to speak with any visitors that arrive at your door. There's an integrated motion sensor as well which can send an alert to your phone e...

There is no word on the price tag yet.What you need to knowSamsung has introduced a "rugged" version of the Galaxy S20 called the S20 Tactical Edition.In addition to a rugged case, the phone also comes with a few additional software features. Samsung says the Galaxy S20 Tactical Edition will be available in Q3 2020 through "select IT channel partners." Samsung has announced a new version of its flagship Galaxy S20 phone tailored for the U.S. army. It says the phone will provide warfighters "with the technology that will give them an edge in the field" and "an easy to manage and deploy mobile solution that works with a broad range of technologies" to federal program managers and executive officers.Unlike the "Active" versions of Samsung's past flagships, however, the S20 Tactical Edition isn't actually an all-new phone. It happens to be a standard Galaxy S20 equipped with a rugged case and software features customized for operators in the federal government and Department ...

It has been recommended to discontinue the '5G Evolution' and '5G Evolution, The First Step to 5G' claims by the NARB.What you need to knowThe National Advertising Review Board (NARB) has recommended that AT&T stop using the misleading "5G Evolution" term for its LTE network.AT&T will no longer advertise its upgraded LTE network as "5G Evolution." The "5GE" icon, however, will not disappear from Android smartphones on its network. For the last two years, AT&T has been receiving flak for its misleading "5G Evolution" branding. The National Advertising Review Board (NARB) has now recommended the carrier to discontinue using the branding for its upgraded LTE network.AT&T has announced that it will comply with the NARB's recommendation, but will continue to use the "5GE" service icon. Its reasoning is that the recommendation only applies to advertising, and therefore the service icon doesn't have to be changed.In a statement sent to Light Reading, AT&T s...

Xiaomi delivers its best phone yet, but MIUI gremlins from years past continue to plague the Mi 10 Pro.Xiaomi knows how to make a good phone; after all, it is the fourth-largest smartphone manufacturer in the world. But the brand owes its success to the entry-level and budget segments, where it is dominant. Xiaomi also makes flagships in the Mi and the Mi Mix lineups, with the Mi phones in particular aimed at the value flagship segment.Factor in devices like the POCO F1 and the Redmi K20, and Xiaomi's value offerings look very crowded. That's why the manufacturer branched out POCO and Redmi as standalone entities, and with those brands now catering to the budget as well as the mid-tier segments, it frees up the Mi moniker to focus exclusively on the high-end category.That's what it is doing with the Mi 10 Pro, its first "true" flagship. The Mi 10 Pro comes with all the bells and whistles you'd expect from a high-end phone in 2020, including the latest internal hardware, 108MP c...

The Pixel 4a's launch has been pushed back to July 13.What you need to knowThe Pixel 4a will be unveiled on July 13, according to a new leak by Jon Prosser.The phone will be available in Just Black and Barely Blue color options. As has been detailed several times, there will just be a regular Pixel 4a this year and no XL version. There's no 5G variant of the phone. We've seen a spate of Pixel 4a leaks over the course of the last week, including a full camera review. A new leak by Jon Prosser gives us more details on when the phone will be available.According to Prosser, the Pixel 4a will be unveiled on July 13, and the phone will be available in Just Black and Barely Blue color options. Live leaks of the phone showed off the Just Black color option, but we didn't see the Barely Blue variant yet. The leak also says there won't be a 5G variant of the phone. Interestingly, it looks like the launch has been pushed back twice, with the phone set to debut in May, and then June...

It'll be a while longer before you can prep the rockets.What you need to knowKerbal Space Program 2 was announced at Gamescom 2019.The game was originally scheduled to release in 2020.It has now been delayed to sometime in Fall 2021. Kerbal Space Program 2 was first announced back at Gamescom 2019, as part of the Opening Night Live at Gamescom 2019. Originally scheduled to release in 2020, it's being pushed back, as the development team announced today that more time is needed due to the ongoing pandemic. As a result, Kerbal Space Program 2 is now scheduled to release sometime in Fall 2021.You can read the full message from the developers below.Heads up Kerbonauts, we've a message from mission control for you.#KSP2 pic.twitter.com/aa1aTEloXG— Kerbal Space Program (@KerbalSpaceP) May 20, 2020Earlier this year, development of Kerbal Space Program 2 shifted from Star Theory to an unnamed internal Take-Two studio located in Seattle, Washington.Take-Two Interactive s...

Grand Theft Auto V selling well? Shocking, I know.What you need to knowTake-Two Interactive has posted its Q4 and end of year results.Multiple games reached new milestones, with Grand Theft Auto V selling over 130 million copies.Red Dead Redemption 2 has sold over 31 million copies. Borderlands 3 has sold over 10 million copies. Take-Two Interactive has posted its financial results for Q4 and the fiscal year as a whole. Total net bookings for the quarter reached $729, which is up 49% year-over-year. Total net bookings for the year reached $2.99 billion, up slightly from $2.93 billion the previous year.Multiple titles also crossed significant sales milestones. As reported by GamesIndustry.biz, Grand Theft Auto V has crossed 130 million copies sold, up from 120 million sold in the previous quarter. This places Grand Theft Auto V directly behind Mojang Studios' Minecraft, which recently crossed 200 million copies sold.Another Rockstar Games title, Red Dead Redemption 2, c...

Accessories can allow you to customize your gaming experience, giving you the right tools for various genres or just making it easier to interface with your console. You can certainly get by with just the PlayStation 4 out of the box, but if you're willing to spend a bit of money, this guide will provide you with ways to really unlock the system's potential.Back to basicDualShock 4 Soft TouchStaff pickSure, the PS4 comes right out of the box with at least one DualShock controller, but it's never a bad idea to have a backup. While you're at it, personalize it with one of seven different colors and opt for a grip that will be comfortable for long gaming sessions and stay easy to hold even when your hands get sweaty.$80 at AmazonClean SoundSteelSeries Arctis 7The kids or roommates are sound asleep, but you're in the mood to blast some baddies with a rocket launcher. The solution to your woes is a great set of headphones. With an Arctis 7 SteelSeries headset, yo...

Android Central's top-ranking Chromebook reviews rankedThe best Chromebooks of 2020 can provide a top-notch computing experience, perfect for students, grandparents and anyone looking for a trouble-free laptop with long battery life. We've reviewed and rated the absolute best Chromebooks so that you can find the best value at any budget. Our buyer's guide will help you find the perfect Chrome OS laptop or tablet.Best overallLenovo Chromebook C340 (11.6")$250 at Walmart$287 at Amazon$309 at CDW$320 at LenovoThe best Chromebook just got better.With double the USB ports and 8GB models on the horizon, Lenovo's aluminum-lidded laptop is more than a pretty face.Lenovo Chromebook C340 (11.6") Features11.6-inch 10-point IPS touchscreenAluminum lid, plastic bodyIntel Celeron N40004-8GB RAM, 32-64GB storageUp to 10-hour battery lifePretty pink or silver color optionsWhile last year's C330 skimped on ports, the Lenovo Chromebook C340 (also known as the C340-11) f...

After having its season put on hold due to everything going on, Nascar is finally back (kinda). Tonight the cars will burn rubber around the track at Darlington Raceaway in the Toyota 500 without fans. The event is streaming on FS1, and whether you have cable or not you can easily tune in and watch it.This race comes just three days after the "Real Heros 400" that took place this past weekend at Darlington Raceway in South Carolina. Tonight's race actually uses the finishing lineup from The Real Heros 400, but it inverts the lineup for the Top 20, and the bottom 20 will start in their finishing positions.What that means is that Ryan Preece will start in the number 1 spot for the night and Ty Dillon will take the second spot.Darlington Toyota 500: When & where?The Toyota 500 takes place tonight, Wednesday May 20 live at the Darlington Raceway in South Carolina. The pre-race coverage starts at 5 p.m. Easter, and the actual race begins just an hour later.How to watch the D...

There's only one thing to do at a moment like this: strut!What you need to knowDisney+ is replacing its 16:9 versions of the first 19 seasons of The Simpsons with the original 4:3 content.The streaming service landed exclusive rights to the show last fall.Many of The Simpsons' details and punchlines were cut off with the lost vertical space in the converted widescreen episodes.The Simpsons is one of the longest-running shows of all time, and as such, it was a valuable addition to the Disney+ lineup when it landed exclusivity last fall. There was just one problem: all of the older episodes had been cropped and converted to 16:9.For the first 19 seasons, The Simpsons was aired in 4:3. Cropping the show to a widescreen format cut off important details that were key to many of the show's jokes, frustrating familiar viewers.WOO HOO! We love a prediction for #TheSimpsons, especially coming from @AlJean himself in 2015. Episodes in original 4:3 aspect ratio are coming to #Disn...

New Show in TownEcho Show 8$100 at AmazonProsThe Goldilocks of Echo Show devicesDisable camera and mics with one switch/coverSignificantly cheaper than larger Echo Show (2nd Gen)Uses "Certified with Humans"ConsCan't adjust viewing angles without a standNo Dolby processing built-inFast on the heels of the popular Echo Show 5, the Echo Show 8 fits right in the middle of this expanding product line. It brings a higher resolution screen than the Echo Show 5 and welcomes more media integrations like an exclusive partnership with the Food Network.Show Me MoreEcho Show (2nd Gen)$230 at AmazonProsStunning displayAvailable with a free Echo Flex and smart bulbDolby processing built-inZigbee smart hub built-inConsMost expensive Echo deviceNo physical camera coverMight be too big for someWith its softened corners and fabric covering, the Echo Show (2nd Gen) marked a major design shift for the Echo line. Its large HD display and Alexa integ...

You wanted it, you're going to get it. Next year. On a premium network.The rumors were true. An actual, honest-to-go Justice League Snyder Cut will actually see the light of day. Zack Snyder — director of the original Man of Steel and who first helmed Justice League before having to hand off post-production due to the death of his daughter — confirmed as much today in the middle of a live commentary he was doing with Henry Cavill.And you'll be able to watch it some time in 2021, on HBO Max."I want to thank HBO Max and Warner Brothers for this brave gesture of supporting artists and allowing their true visions to be realized. Also a special thank you to all of those involved in the SnyderCut movement for making this a reality," Snyder said in a press release. View this post on Instagram Just had a little chat with Zack Snyder after a man of steel watch party. Ladies and Gents, it finally happened. The Snyder cut will be out next year! Now, I know the...

If you thought the first and second-generation of the 10-inch Echo Show was a tad too big, you're in for a treat. Amazon makes its smart screen in two more manageable sizes — a 5-inch and an 8-inch model. Let's see which one you should get.Echo Show 8Goldilocks zone$100 at AmazonProsGreat compromise sizePhysical cover/off switch for microphones and cameraSimilar specs to more expensive Echo Show (2nd Gen)ConsNo Dolby processingNeed a stand to adjust viewing anglesThe Echo Show 8 has taken pretty much all that was good from the Echo Show (2nd Gen) and the Echo Show 5, and fit them into a perfectly-sized smart screen speaker. On-device privacy controls, a better screen resolution than the smaller Show 5, and better speakers make this a great buy.Echo Show 5Bedside buddy$70 at AmazonProsCompact design to fit anywherePhysical cover/off switch for microphones and cameraBetter speakers than Echo Dot or Echo SpotConsAuto-brightness isn't...

Update: Samsung is now offering $500 off the Galaxy S20+ 5G, bringing the cost of the unlocked phone down to just $699.99 with an eligible trade-in. Grab one now!Galaxy S20+ 5G for $699.99 at SamsungIf the $1,000 starting price of Samsung's Galaxy S20 you off buying one on day one, Samsung is running a promotion right now that may just tempt you to pull out your credit card. For a limited time, the prices of both the S20, S20+ and S20 Ultra have dropped there by $200 meaning you can get your hands on one of Samsung's flagship phones from as little as $799.99. Considering these phones have only been on the market for a couple of months, this is a stellar discount worth jumping on. The discoutns are being matched at Best Buy and B&H too.There are tons of Android handsets released each year, but the Samsung Galaxy S phones are always worth paying attention to. 2020's Samsung Galaxy S20 lineup is no different. This year, each one is packed with impressive specs, such as a 120Hz...

It's a common and unfortunate myth that you need to be born with a certain set of talents in order to become good at drawing and illustration. In fact, the best visual artists in any medium tend to put in countless hours of practice in order to get to a point where they can create pro-level work, and you can do the same with the right instruction by your side.The Fundamental Drawing Bundle for Beginners bundle is a best-selling instructional package that will help you embrace and bring out your inner artist through over 56 hours of in-depth training that's both engaging and entertaining, and it's currently available for over 95% off at just $39.99.Through 12 courses and over 300 lessons, this bundle will teach you how to draw in a variety of mediums and environments—all through instruction that's easy to follow regardless of your previous experience.You'll learn about both the art and science of drawing with lessons that focus on developing an eye for space and structure, how...

The Rachio 3e 8-zone smart Wi-Fi sprinkler controller is down to $129.99 at Best Buy. You can also find this $20 available at other retailers like Home Depot and even through Best Buy's eBay store. The drop is one of the only discounts we've seen on this version of Rachio's smart sprinkler controller, which is already designed to be a budget version in the first place. The regular Rachio 3 sells for $190 at most places like Best Buy, so the 3e is a decent discount even without today's $20 price drop.The entire point of the Rachio system is to give you a simple and easy way to control your sprinklers. It's a system that's smart enough it can actually save you money in the long run, and it does that without ruining your lawn in the process.The Rachio 3e can avoid watering your lawn when it doesn't need it. The Weather Intelligence technology skips unnecessary waterings when it detects rain, wind, freeze, and more. You can even create a smart schedule based on your mix of soil, the ...

The ever-rising popularity of streaming comes with a lot of competition. You'll need a great personality to set yourself apart, but you'll also need some reliable equipment. Mediocre microphones are a sure way to lose viewers. To up your game and get the best of the best without breaking the bank, you have your choice of several USB microphones that will give you crystal clear audio when streaming from your PlayStation 4.MultipurposeBlue Yeti USB MicrophoneStaff pickIt doesn't get much better for streamers than the Blue Yeti. It's affordable, it picks up high-quality audio from four different recording patterns, and it features zero-latency headphone output through a 3.5mm jack so that you can listen to exactly what you're recording. Getting the perfect sounding audio with impeccable control has never been so easy.$130 at Best BuyFor beginnersBlue Snowball USB MicrophoneThe Blue Snowball is like the Yeti's younger sibling. It still gives you great audio quality at...

Rolling out to a small percentage of users globally now.What you need to knowTwitter is testing a new feature that lets you choose who can reply to the tweet you're composing.You'll have three permission options to choose from, including only the people you @mention.Others will still be able to view and like your tweets, but not reply.Twitter has a problem with harassment and unwanted replies, and it's looking to alleviate that with a new feature it's testing that allows you to limit who's able to reply to your tweets. Initially rolling out to a small number of users globally, Twitter is adding a permissions option to the tweet composition screen, with three options to choose from.The default setting will allow anyone to reply to your tweet, just as has always been the case on Twitter, but you can now choose to allow only the people you follow to reply, or even just the people you @mention in your tweet. This works on a per-tweet basis, rather than applying to all tweets ...

The first phase of Apple and Google's plan is live.What you need to knowApple and Google have launched their Exposure Notifications technology.The technology is now available to developers as an API to integrate with public health apps.This is the first phase of their plan to help fight the coronavirus pandemic.Today, Apple and Google have announced that they are making their Exposure Notifications technology available to public health agencies across the world.In a joint statement, the companies announced that the API, which health agencies can use to incorporate the technology into their apps, is now available to developers on both iOS and Android.Apple and Google stress that users have the option to opt-in to Exposure Notifications, the technology does not track their location, and that it is up to the individual to report potential exposure to the public health app they may be using. For iPhone owners, users must update to iOS 13.5 in order to have access to Exposur...

How can you not be excited by a collaboration between minds behind Game of Thrones and Dark Souls?There are a lot of reasons to be excited about Elden Ring, even though we haven't been told very much at all about the game itself. First, the mind behind Dark Souls, Hidetaka Miyazaki, is the one developing the game along with the team at Bandai Namco. If you have never played the Dark Souls games, you'll know they are a gritty, powerful collection of games with fantastic fighting mechanics and storylines.The next amazing thing about Elden Rings is that George R.R. Martin has written the story. That's right, the creator of Game of Thrones — one of the most popular TV series ever — has created the world, mythos, and backstory to the Elden Ring Game.If ever there was a combination of people to make a dark fantasy game, it's these two. While gameplay footage is non-existent and information extremely scarce, we do have some information for you to check out. We will also be updatin...

As smartphones got bigger and selfies more crucial, PopSockets became a must-have. Now you can stabilize your phone without getting that dreaded cramp in your pinky finger. The PopSockets Swappable PopGrips have so many fun designs and last through me running around Disney World's heat and rain, but there's phone grips aplenty if you're in the market for something a little less round.Best Overall: PopSockets Swappable PopGripsPopSockets were already some of the most popular and widely-used phone grips on the market for a reason: they lasted a long time, really helped reduce the stress on your hands, and came in more styles than you can shake a phone case at. PopSockets are also impressively affordable: even PopGrips with premium materials and styles like the Metallic Diamond Collection and franchised designs like Marvel superheroes still cost less than a large pizza.One of the more addictive aspects of PopSockets is its trademarked accordion design, which pops in and out in a...

The Logitech G213 Prodigy gaming keyboard is down to $44.99 at Target. This keyboard usually sells for $70, and that's the price it's going for at other retailers like Best Buy. Newegg has the next best price at $50, but that's still not quite as good as Target. The deal does come with free shipping, too.The Logitech G213 Prodigy keyboard is not a mechanical keyboard, but that might appeal to you if you're not into the super loud clickity-clacks of mechanical keys. It's actually a membrane keyboard, which gives the keystrokes a softer feel. Despite the domed keys, you'll still get a tactile response and a performance profile similar to mechanical keyboards.The keyboard connects via USB, which makes it easy to get going. It's plug-and-play right out of the box. Plus, it's designed to be spill resistant. That contributes to its durability, which is important for this keyboard. Demand a lot from it and it will not break. It also has RGB illumination so you can customize the colors a...

Memorial Day is just around the corner, and the Memorial Day sales are already getting started. B&H Photo is the latest to kick off its Memorial Day savings event by offering deals on consumer tech, camera gear, and a bunch of other electronics.Shop nowB&H Photo Memorial Day SaleB&H's deals are now live so you can save big on stock up on tech, camera gear, and more this Memorial Day. Many of these deals won't survive the weekend so be sure to take advantage of them while you still can.See at B&H PhotoAs you might expect, many of the deals are photography-focused with discounts as high as $200 on select cameras and accessories. You can snag the Sony Alpha a6000 mirrorless digital camera body plus accessory kit for $398, for example. It's $150 off and comes with a camera bag, spare battery, and 32GB SD card. The Nikon Z 6 mirrorless digital camera body is $200 off, too, for those wanting to step it up a notch.Outside of camera gear, the sale has a ton of con...

Ellie is trying to survive and she's deadlier than ever.What you need to knowNaughty Dog is releasing a series of videos examining different aspects of The Last of Us Part II.The first video went over the characters, story and themes.A newly released video shows off how combat and gameplay has changed. The Last of Us Part II is scheduled to release on June 19, 2020.The Last of Us Part II is just a few weeks away and ahead of its release, Naughty Dog is sharing some videos that take a a deeper look inside various aspects. While the previous video focused on the characters, story and themes that start the game off, this video takes a look at the gameplay and combat improvements. Ellie is smaller than Joel, so she isn't as strong but she is more nimble, capable of jumping and going prone.While Ellie is capable of hiding, if enemies find her, they'll yank her out of cover, so you'll have to balance hiding with staying on the move and being aggressive.The Last of Us Par...

If you can't access a network, then it doesn't matter how fast it is.What you need to knowVerizon has the fastest average 5G speeds, over 500 mbps, in OpenSignal's latest testing.T-Mobile and AT&T had average 5G speeds of just 62 and 47 mbps, respectively.But 5G availability is dramatically different — Verizon customers see 5G just 0.5% of the time.Verizon is bragging today that it has, by far, the fastest 5G speeds in the country — and some of the fastest in the world — based on the latest OpenSignal 5G report comparing network speeds and availability across South Korea, Australia, the U.S. and UK. Verizon's mmWave 5G network had average download speeds of 506 mbps, over double the next-highest average speeds from South Korea's LG U+, SK Telecom and KT. Verizon's direct competitors in the U.S. fared far worse: Sprint averaged 114 mbps, AT&T 62 mbps and T-Mobile just 47 mbps.Sounds like a win for Verizon, right? Well, this is where it's important to rea...

Whether you've recently purchased the Galaxy Watch Active 2 or you've had it for a while now, you're probably eager to get a stylish new band to go with it. We know how important it is to find a match for your needs. You want to be happy with all aspects of your investment, after all. Both the 40mm and 44mm versions of the watch are compatible with 20mm bands, so it'll be easy to find a favorite. We've rounded up some of the best options below.Waterproof permeabilitySycreek Silicone Watch BandStaff pickThis band from Sycreek is made with high-quality silicone that's waterproof and anti-sweat, so it'll be suitable for all your workouts, even swimming. It's also the perfect band for those who prefer the pin-and-tuck design over a traditional bulky watch buckle.$11 at AmazonUltra-soft durabilityFullmosa Silicone Rubber Watch BandThis waterproof, non-toxic, wear-resistant silicone band comes in eight vibrant color options. It's a nice alternative if you're not a...

If you head over to eBay right now you can get the Jabra Elite Active 75t true wireless earbuds for $111.99 refurbished when you use the code PICK2SAVE. The code should even be present right above the promo code window so all you have to do is click. These refurbs come straight from Jabra's official store so you know it's quality. The deal includes free shipping, too.These sell for $200 new at Best Buy. We shared a deal earlier in May that featured these refurbished earbuds dropping $140 through the same eBay page, but this new code brings them down to a low price we have never seen before.You can also get the regular Jabra Elite 75t for just $99.99 through the same Jabra refurb store and using the same code during checkout. Saves you a bit of money, especially if you don't plan to use these earbuds for your workouts. Check out how the Elite 75t compare to the Elite Active 75t, and decide for yourself which one you should go for.The Elite Active 75t earbuds are powerful, featur...

The numbers are coming back.What you need to knowCall of Duty is an annual franchise, with a new game releasing every year.According to Eurogamer, this year's Call of Duty entry is titled Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War.It's meant as a reboot of sorts for the Black Ops franchise. A series of hints and clues are being released in Call of Duty: Warzone.No, there isn't a punctuation mistake in the headline above. According to Eurogamer, Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War is indeed the title for the next game in the annual Call of Duty franchise. Eurogamer's sources also indicated that the game is meant to be a reboot of sorts for the Black Ops franchise, similar to how 2019's Call of Duty: Modern Warfare rebooted the Modern Warfare titles.Eurogamer has further teased that a series of clues and hints are being introduced into Call of Duty: Warzone, with the mysterious bunkers finally opening up. This game has previously been rumored to be taking place in the Cold War, with Ra...

You can't go wrong with either set of earbuds. They both feature USB-C charging, active noise cancelation (ANC), and great sound quality.Water resistantSony WF-SP800N$200 at Best BuyProsLong battery lifeGreat sound with EXTRA BASSCompact charging caseIP55 dust and water resistantConsLacks wireless chargingMiddle of the road ANC performanceThe WF-SP800N are your new workout companion. They feature IP55 dust and water resistant with active noise cancelation (ANC) and nine hours of battery life.Class-leading ANCSony WF-1000XM3$198 at Best BuyProsGreat, balanced soundLong battery lifeExcellent comfortClass-leading ANC performanceConsLarge charging caseLacks wireless charging caseThe WF-1000XM3 feature some of the best ANC performance from a set of true wireless earbuds. They also have a more balanced sound compared to the WF-SP800N but have a much larger charging case.The WF-SP800N's main focus is fitness with their IP55 dust and wa...

Woot has a number of refurbished Samsung and Google smartphones on sale for today only. The promotion includes phones from the Samsung Galaxy S4 to newer devices like the Galaxy Note 9 and Google Pixel 3, and prices start as low as $40. Most models are listed as "scratch & dent" condition which means there may be some cosmetic wear, though they have all been tested to ensure they are in full working order. A 90-day warranty is included. Several options have already sold out, so don't wait on the phone you want if it is still available.One interesting and affordable option still in stock at the time of writing is the Samsung Galaxy S8+ at $199.99. It comes in a few different color options and each is fully unlocked to be compatible with GSM networks. While it's not the newest phone on the market, It's still plenty powerful for day-to-day use. It's water resistant, has a 6.2-inch Super AMOLED display, 12MP camera and 64GB internal storage with space for a microSD card. The newer ...

The phone will not receive any more OS upgrades after Android 10.What you need to knowHMD Global is now rolling out the Android 10 update for the Nokia 5.1 Plus.Along with all the new Android 10 features, the update brings the April 2020 security patch.The update is being dispatched in batches.The budget-friendly Nokia 5.1 Plus, which made its global debut in August 2018, has finally started receiving the stable Android 10 update. HMD Global is dispatching the update in waves, so it will take a few weeks for the update to become available in all markets.As per a post on the Nokia Community forums, the update is currently rolling out in the following countries:ArmeniaAustraliaAzerbaijanBangladeshBelarusBelgiumCambodiaDenmarkFinlandGeorgiaHong KongIcelandIndiaIndonesiaKazakhstanLaosLuxembourgMacauMalaysiaMongoliaMyanmarNepalNetherlandsNew ZealandNorwayPhilippinesRussiaSingaporeSri LankaSwedenThailandUkraineUzbekistanVietnamHMD Global e...

Amazon's Fire tablets are already super-affordable, but right now at QVC you can snag the top-of-the-line Amazon Fire HD 10 at a $40 discount. At $109.96, it's steeply discounted at one of its best prices ever and, to sweeten the deal, QVC is even throwing in a free 32GB microSD card with your purchase while supplies last.The Amazon Fire HD 10 is the best Amazon Fire tablet in 2020. It features a 10.1-inch full HD screen with 1080p resolution, stereo speakers, front and rear-facing cameras, and 32GB internal storage. That included microSD card can be used to instantly double the capacity, too.It's powered by a 2GHz octa-core processor and 2GB RAM and runs Amazon's Fire OS for features like hands-free Alexa utility and the ability to double as a convenient smart home portal to control your Ring and Blink devices. Its battery is no slouch either with up to 12 hours of usage per charge. When it comes to powering back up, you can fast-charge using USB-C.The deal at QVC is slated to...

While screen recording apps have been around the Android world forever, the feature has still not come to most phones at the OS level, except for a few OEMs like Samsung. It was rolled out with Galaxy Note 10 series and an update to One UI at the time. Samsung now includes an easy-to-use and simple-to-ifnd screen recording tool for all Galaxy phones on Android 10 and OneUI 2. We'll show you where it is and how to get started with it.How to use the screen recorder on a Samsung Galaxy phoneThere are two ways to get to the screen recorder function, but the easiest is to swipe down from the quick settings menu and scroll over. You can also access the Screen recorder through the search function in the Settings app.Tap on Screen recorder.A pop-up will ask what Sound settings you wish to record. Choose a sound setting for recording: No Sound, Media Sounds, or Media sounds and mic.Once you are done with your recording, tap the square in the top right corner of the screen to stop...

Amazon closed its warehouses to avoid accidentally breaching a ruling that restricted what items it could ship.What you need to knowAmazon will repoen its French warehouses this week after negotiations with workers.The company closed them in April after a ruling restricted them to shipping essential items.Workers have secured benefits such as increased pay, staggered work times, and a gradual reopening. After being ordered to ship only essential items in France a few weeks ago, Amazon closed all six of its warehouses to prevent accidentally falling afoul of the ruling. Now the company is reopening them after coming to an agreement with worker representatives in the intervening period.To recap, Amazon was ordered to limit shipping to essential products while it put in place measures to protect employee safety. It was to do so in concert with worker representatives, as the company's warehouses had been critiqued as being "health bombs."Now, Amazon and worker representativ...

Everyone should have a dash cam these days, right? You never know what's going to happen when you're out on the road. And you never know what the other person is going to say either, honestly. Get all the facts right for every accident or just get every scene of that deer you saw on the side of the road captured in beautiful 1080p video. Relive your favorite road trip memories or save the important incident videos. The Yi Technology smart dash cam is down to $54.99 as a part of Best Buy's deals of the day. These are very temporary sales that will expire at the end of the day if they don't sellout first. This dash cam normally sells for around $65 or more, so you're saving $10 here.The Yi dash cam is built to withstand a lot of punishment, too. It has a shock-resistant construction and a thermally-optimized ventilation system. That means even in an accident or whatever the dash cam will stay sturdy and strong. Plus it won't overheat after extended use.The device records in 1080p a...

Fifth time's the charm?If there's one way we could describe the Pixel 4, it would be "frustrating." Google made a lot of smart moves with the phone, notably its phenomenal cameras and ultra-fast face unlock, but inexcusably bad battery life held it back from being an easy recommendation. The larger Pixel 4 XL is undoubtedly the better of the two phones, but its battery is still just OK and raises the already high price by an extra $100.Using the Pixel 4 is a wonderful thing, but there's no getting around the compromises required to use it as a daily driver. With that in mind, it's no surprise we're anxious to see what Google does with its successor.All the Pixel 5 needs to do in order to be a great phone is to give us the same Pixel 4 experience, use a reasonably-sized battery, and add an ultra-wide camera.Is that what's happening? Read on to find out everything we know so far about the Google Pixel 5!Let's talk about the designWe'll get three rear camerasGet ready for s...