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Growth in subscription services, with the tantalizing promise of games to come.What you need to knowSony held its Corporate Strategy Meeting for 2020 today.In the meeting, Sony announced that PlayStation Now has crossed 2.2 million subscribers.Sony also stated it would soon be revealing "a compelling lineup of game" for the PlayStation 5.The PlayStation 5 is still slated to release in Holiday 2020.Today, Sony held its Corporate Strategy Meeting for 2020 and there are a few interesting items of note specifically for the PlayStation division. To start, PlayStation Now (PS Now), Sony's cloud gaming subscription service, has reached 2.2 million subscribers as of April 2020. Sony CEO Kenichiro Yoshida stated this growth was primarily due to "changing our price and strengthing our catalog of games, including the addition of many AAA titles."PS Now previously purported 700,000 subscribers in March 2019, hitting 1 million subscribers in September 2019 after the price was lowered...

If you're been looking to upgrade to the GoPro Hero8 Black action camera, now's your chance. Costco has a unique bundle that combines the Hero8 Black with The Handler floating hand grip, a spare battery, a carrying case, and a 32GB microSD card all for just $289.99. The Hero8 by itself has been selling at $300 since its $100 price drop we reported on a month ago. The Handler sells for around $22 at B&H, a spare battery costs about $20 at Best Buy, and the case and microSD card are worth about $10 total. So you're getting around $50 worth of free stuff plus the $10 discount on the camera itself, giving you $60 worth of value here. The deal does require a Costco membership.The Hero8 just released last fall and it offers some good improvements over the previous generations. More so than ever, the GoPro is designed to travel with you. It's a more pocketable design and has folding fingers at the base so you can easily swap mounts. The side door makes changing out the rechargeable ba...

Great valueAmazon Echo Buds$130 at Best BuyProsGreat active noise reduction (ANR) performanceHands-free AlexaGood, bass-heavy soundExcellent comfortSome EQ customizationConsMicro-USB for chargingLacks wireless charging caseCase is a bit largeThe Amazon Echo Buds have a large feature set considering their price. They have a great, customizable sound, long battery life, and have support for hands-free Alexa.More convenienceGoogle Pixel Buds (2020)$180 at Best BuyProsLong battery lifeIntegration with Google Assitant & AndroidUSB-C and wireless charging caseCompact charging caseGood, bass-boosted soundConsLacks active noise cancelation (ANC)No EQ customizationCan be uncomfortable after several hours of useMore expensiveThe Pixel Buds are more convenient than the Echo Buds. If you're okay with the non-customizable sound, and worse comfort, the Pixel Buds offers you a smaller overall footprint, USB-C, wireless charging, and hands-f...

Xiaomi will roll out the MIUI 12 global update from June. Here's when your phone will receive the update.MIUI 12 is now official, with Xiaomi's latest skin offering an array of new features. Some of those features include an improved system-wide dark mode, AI-assisted calling features, Dynamic Always-on Display, new visual design, tweaks to system animations, and much-needed privacy fixes.Xiaomi has detailed plans for the rollout of the global MIUI 12 update, with the build set to roll out to phones from the end of June. Xiaomi is also kicking off a beta program for MIUI 12 in global markets starting next week, so if you're interested, you can sign up and get started with the MIUI 12 global beta.Here's when your Xiaomi, Redmi, or POCO phone will receive the MIUI 12 global update.MIUI 12 global update: When it is rolling out?A tentative MIUI 12 update schedule has been shared by the MIUI team, and this gives us an indication as to when your phone will likely receive the upda...

Having a chat with the AC forums.Over the last few years, there's been an ongoing trend of smartphones getting bigger and bigger. Display sizes increase, bezels keep shrinking, and handsets continue to eat up more space in our pockets.Large phones are great for playing games and watching movies, but when it comes to easily using them with one hand, it's a different story entirely.Recently, someone in the AC forums asked for recommendations for a compact Android phone — something that's easier said than done. Here are some of the devices that were recommended to them. the_boon 05-17-2020 11:29 AM “ I don't think there's such thing as a compact phone that's also an endurance beast right now. But an S10e seems pretty good in the battery department, and has just about every feature you could need, in a compact enough package. Reply B. D...

Memorial Day is only a few days away, which means it's time to start shopping all of the deals and discounts that are starting to crop up ahead of the holiday. Among the first to kick off its Memorial Day sale is eBay, offering discounts on a huge variety of products including electronics, tools, home and kitchen appliances, and more. eBay is also offering an extra 20% off with code PICK2SAVE on select home, fashion, and tech items.Limited-time saleeBay Memorial Day SaleeBay's deals are now live so you can stock up on tech, home, and fashion essentials this Memorial Day. Many of these deals won't survive the weekend.See at eBayCelebrate the season by checking out the major discounts on from top brands including KitchenAid, Bose, Sonos, Dyson, and more. You could grab a set of refurbished Jabra Elite 65t true wireless earbuds for $55.99, for example. That's almost $100 off compared to their regular retail price in new condition. Refurbished Bose 700 noise-cancelling headphon...

You can get the Eufy RoboVac 15C self-charging robot vacuum cleaner for just $149.99 with code UPGRADE through the Eufy website right now. This is the best price we've ever seen on a new version of the robot vacuum. The last deal we saw was a couple weeks ago when a refurbished RoboVac 15C dropped to around $116 at Newegg, so today you can get it brand new for just $24 more. That's good value. The 15C has been replaced by the 15C Max, but that vacuum's price starts at $260.The 15C is a Wi-Fi equipped robot vacuum. That means you can connect it to your smart home to gain voice control using Amazon Alexa or you can use the free app to control it from your smartphone. If your friendly little robot vac has wondered off somewhere and you haven't seen it in a while, use the app to find it. It might be stuck and need your help! You can also schedule the vacuum with the app and ask it to get to work by talking to it through Alexa.This is a super slim robot vacuum at just 2.8 inches, but ...

The conference will not be open to the public this year.What you need to knowIFA 2020 will take place as a physical event in Berlin from September 3-5.Unlike previous years, however, IFA 2020 will not be open to the public. The annual electronics show will be run as four standalone events, with a limit of 1,000 attendees for each event per day.IFA had announced last month that its upcoming 2020 conference would go ahead with an "innovative new concept," despite the ban on all events with more than 5,000 participants until October 24 by Berlin authorities. It today announced more details on the new concept, which prioritizes the health and safety of the attendees over everything else.IFA 2020 will take place as an in-person event in Berlin over just three days – from September 3-5. In addition to shortening the duration of the conference, IFA has also made it invite-only. There will be a strict limit of 1,000 attendees per day for each of the four standalone events that ...

We all appreciate wide retail availability, complete carrier compatibility, and consistent software updates.Samsung built its smartphone empire on a series of restrictive, confusing, and convoluted carrier relationships. For years it made bespoke carrier-specific Galaxy S variants with completely different designs at first, and later different specs and radios to fit the carriers' needs. But after paying its dues for several years, it took its position at the top of the Android pyramid ... and unexpectedly became one of the best companies when it comes to selling unlocked phones.Samsung's launches are, in many ways, confusing, with so many moving parts, but one thing that can't be argued is how well the company handles its unlocked models. Sales, support, network compatibility, and updates are all excellent — and unique among the big companies selling phones in the U.S.First and foremost, Samsung sells its unlocked phones right from the start of availability — there's no ...

Take this story to the next level with a new console.What you need to knowPlayStation has revealed a Limited Edition The Last of Us Part II PlayStation 4 Pro.The bundle also includes a custom controller and digital copy of the game.It'll release alongside the game on June 19, 2020.Even with new hardware down the pipeline in the form of the PlayStation 5, there's still one more custom PlayStation 4 here to tempt fans. Today, Naughty Dog and PlayStation revealed a Limited Edition The Last of Us Part II PlayStation 4 Pro bundle. This bundle is specially engraved with Ellie's tattoo design from the game. It also includes a custom controller and a digital download of the game.You can check out a short video showing off the console below.The bundle will retail for $399 USD and $499 CAD. In addition to this console, there's also a special Gold Wireless Headset and a Seagate external hard drive on the way.This console is set to launch alongside the game on June 19, 2020....

Same price, better productRing Video Doorbell (2nd Gen)$99 at Best BuyProsNear Zone helps decrease motion capture false positives1080p videoBetter night visionHigher quality two-way audioEasier to installConsNeed to completely remove from wall to charge batteryNo support for 5GHz networksPoor Google Assistant integrationNarrower camera field of viewRing did something truly amazing. It upgraded its excellent Ring Video Doorbell without upcharging on the price. That makes the Ring Video Doorbell (2nd Gen) the best value for a connected video doorbell on the market. Higher resolution video, better night vision, higher quality two-way audio, and better motion detection are here, all without a higher price.Time to say goodbyeRing Video Doorbell (1st Gen)$99 at RingProsCan likely be found for well under MSRPSuper wide camera field of viewConsNeed to completely remove from wall to charge batteryNo support for 5GHz networksPoor Google As...

Working from home means only having to put in your password once a day.Smart Lock is already one of Android's best-kept secrets, allowing you to keep your phone unlocked when you're paired to a trusted Bluetooth device or carrying the phone on your person. It's something Android borrowed from Motorola and then upgraded six ways to Sunday, and while you're working from home, Smart Lock will become your best friend, especially if you're also using a Chromebook.See, when I'm working from home, there's always something to pull me away from my computer just long enough to put it to sleep — grabbing a snack from the kitchen turns into doing dishes, for example — and then coming back and having to log in again, and then again in 20 minutes when I get lost in thought, and then in another 20 minutes after that, and then another 20 minutes after that.Smart Lock lets me avoid that nonsense and get back to work faster on both my phone and my Chromebook.Smart Lock: The best thing Andr...

The Onn Tablet Pro comes in 8-inch and 10.1-inch sizes.What you need to knowWalmart has launched new 8-inch and 10.1-inch Onn Tablet Pro models.Both variants run Android 10 out of the box and feature a USB Type-C port.The 8-inch variant is priced at $99, while the 10.1-inch model is $129.Walmart has quietly launched two affordable new Android tablets to take on Amazon's Fire tablet lineup in the U.S. The two new tablets offer several upgrades over the Onn tablets launched last year, along with an updated design.The $99 8-inch Onn Tablet Pro sports an 8-inch HD LCD display and is powered by a 2.0 GHz octa-core processor, paired with 2GB of RAM and 32GB of storage. It also features 5MP front and rear cameras, and promises up to 10 hours of battery life. What sets the Onn Tablet Pro apart from most of its rivals, however, is the presence of a USB-C port. It also runs the latest version of Android out of the box.The 8-inch Onn Tablet Pro's main rival is the updated Fire H...

TVs all kind of look the same these days, and not in a good way. They add a lot of visual clutter to a room, particularly when not in use, and with some of the sizes they come in these days, they really dominate the room they are in. That's a problem Samsung set out to solve with its The Frame. Instead of being a blank black slab, it's a 4K UHD TV set that, when not in use, transforms itself into a work of art and today only Woot has select factory reconditioned 2018 and 2019 models on sale starting at $579.99.Though these TVs aren't brand new, they've each been inspected directly by Samsung to ensure they're in like new condition and properly working. Samsung even includes a 90-day warranty with the purchase. Log in with an Amazon Prime membership for free shipping, or start a free 30-day trial.The unique feature of Samsung's Frame TV lineup is its Art Mode. When you aren't using the TV, it basically becomes the frame of a work of art (hence the name). You can choose your favori...

One of the hardest photos to perfect is the low-light or night shot. Too many variables work against you from the start, which is especially true when dealing with the limitations of a smartphone.It's much easier to ruin a photo in those conditions, where a dearth of light and creeping camera noise often pose major challenges in capturing something good. But all is not lost if you take the right steps to consistently improve output whenever the lights dim and night falls.Use Night modeIf your phone has something like this, you may have already gone through half the battle. There are different names for it, depending on the phone. It's Night Sight on a Pixel, Night Mode on a Huawei device, Bright Night for Samsung, and Nightscape for OnePlus.These modes aim to emulate long exposure photography — the kind that would otherwise require a tripod and patience. In these modes, the phone uses HDR (high dynamic range) and other software processing to capture a compilation of image...

You may have kitted your house out with a bunch of smart home tech, but have you spared a thought for your home security system? Instead of settling for an old or unreliable alarm, you really ought to upgrade to something like Arlo's Ultra camera system — especially with discounts of up to $130 via Woot right now. The UHD Arlo cams heave seen a few discounts since their release, but the deals at Woot today are among the best we've seen with the 1-camera starter kit down to $259.99 and add-on cameras going for just $189.99.The biggest upgrade over the previous Arlo Pro 2 is in the resolution. This is Arlo's first security camera to have 4K resolution and HDR image processing. Arlo believes users will be able to use the resolution to pick up on critical details they may have otherwise missed, like license plate numbers or clothing, when identifying suspicious activity.The cameras have a 180-degree field of view, automatic zoom and tracking, dual microphones, and more. The Ultra a...

Samsung claims the sensor boasts DSLR-level autofocus speeds.What you need to knowSamsung has announced a new 50MP image sensor with large 1.2μm pixel size.It is the first Samsung image sensor to come with both Dual Pixel AF and Tetracell technologies.Samsung has already started mass producing the new ISOCELL GN1 sensor. Samsung today announced the ISOCELL GN1, a new 50MP image sensor that offers Dual Pixel technology for snappy auto-focusing and Tetracell technology for impressive low-light performance.The new ISOCELL GN1 is a 50MP sensor with 1.2μm pixel size, marginally smaller than the 1.22μm pixel size of Sony's 48MP IMX689 sensor. It uses Samsung's Tetracell pixel-merging technology, which bins four pixel signals into one to double the sensor's pixel size to 2.4μm. The technology enables the sensor to capture bright and detailed photos in low-light situations at 12.5MP resolution.Yongin Park, executive vice president of sensor business at Samsung Electronics, ...

The company will tweak how the sensor works before re-enabling it.What you need to knowOnePlus will disable the OnePlus 8 Pro's color filter camera with an upcoming update.It was recently discovered that the color filter camera is capable of seeing through plastic and certain types of cloth. OnePlus says the camera will be re-enabled in the future after it fixes the "x-ray" problem.Earlier this month, a few OnePlus 8 Pro users on Reddit discovered that the phone's color filter camera is capable of seeing through thin layers of plastic. Unsurprisingly, the discovery raised privacy concerns, as the camera is also capable of partially "seeing through" certain types of clothing.OnePlus has now announced on Weibo that it will be rolling out a new HydrogenOS update for the OnePlus 8 Pro to disable the color filter camera. The update is expected to be pushed out within a week. Even though OnePlus hasn't officially confirmed it yet, we can expect a similar OxygenOS update to roll...

OnePlus 8 ProFast like no other$899 at OnePlusProsStunning 120Hz QHD+ AMOLED displaySnapdragon 865 chipset with 5G IP68 dust and water resistance30W wired and wireless chargingClean software with fast updatesDecent camerasConsNo 3.5mm jackThe OnePlus 8 Pro comes with a stunning 120Hz AMOLED display backed by the latest internals you can get today. There's also IP68 water resistance and 30W wireless charging, and you get a clean software without any bloatware in OxygenOS along with timely updates. Combine that with much better cameras and the OnePlus 8 Pro makes a great case for itself in the high-end category.Xiaomi Mi 10 Pro108MP goodness€999 at XiaomiProsVivid 90Hz AMOLED displaySnapdragon 865 chipset with 5G 108MP camera with 8K video 50W wired / 30W wireless chargingConsNo IP ratingMIUI is still glitchyNot available in the U.S. The Mi 10 Pro combines a 90Hz AMOLED panel with the latest internal hardware and 50W wired as well a...

The implementation looks very similar to a 2016 demo for Project Soli.What you need to knowGoogle may be developing a Soli-powered smartwatch.Newly published patents show the company has been working on a gesture-centric smartwatch.The Pixel 5, meanwhile, may ditch Motion Sense and the Soli chip entirely, according to at least one rumor.One of the most unique aspects of the Pixel 4 was, without doubt, its Motion Sense gesture navigation system that allowed the phone to pick up your hand gestures from a distance. While an interesting novelty, it ultimately failed to gain much traction among Pixel owners, all while being a significant drain on the phone's already abysmal battery life, and reports suggest the company may drop the feature with the next-generation Pixel phone entirely.Still, the technology is impressive from a technical standpoint, and a lot of effort did go into Google's efforts to build the Soli chip that powers the experience. It's possible the company may ...

One of the biggest dealmakers at Disney has left to get a CEO position elsewhere.What you need to knowKevin Mayer has resigned from the Walt Disney Company to become CEO of TikTok.Mayer was the head of Disney's Direct to Consumer & International division and was the head of streaming at the company.The move comes months after Mayer was passed over for Disney CEO when Robert Iger stepped down in February.Before leading DCI, Mayer was chief strategy officer, helping orchestrate Disney's purchase of Pixar, Marvel and Lucasfilm, BAMTech (the service which powers ESPN+ and Disney+), and 20th Century Fox.This has been a very bizarre year for everyone, but especially for Disney leadership. Longtime CEO Bob Iger stepped down in February — but then almost immediately retook most of the CEO from newly-christened CEO Bob Chapek — and people have been bouncing around (and out of) the leadership structure of the company far more in the last 9 months than they have in the previo...

Whether you have a Fire tablet for yourself or your kids, you've probably noticed that the internal storage doesn't go very far. You can quickly fill it up with some games, a few apps, and media, which is a bit disappointing. Instead of trying to figure out what to delete and how to micro-manage the storage, why not make things easier and add a 64GB SanDisk microSD card so it can hold more?Our top brand name pickSanDisk 64GB MicroSD CardStaff pick64GB is often the sweet spot for a lot of folks when it comes to microSD cards. It's plenty of room for apps, music, and games without spending too much.$13 at Amazon$14 at eBayCheap and cheerfulSamsung 32GB EVO Plus MicroSD CardIf you only need a little extra space on your Fire Tablet, this 32GB card from Samsung offers fast transfer speeds and durability at a super-low price.$9 at Amazon$8 at eBayA budget beautySilicon Power 64GB MicroSD CardLike the idea of a 64GB card but want to spend as little as possibl...

The Chinese government is considering both restrictions on, and investigations against, U.S. companies operating in China.What you need to knowChina is mulling over retaliatory measures against the U.S., following its move to cut off Huawei's access to crucial semiconductor suppliers.Reports suggest it's considering launching investigations against U.S. companies.Apple, Boeing, Cisco, and Qualcomm have all been named as potential targets.The trade war between the U.S. and China may be slated to become far more damaging soon. Following the announcement of new rules by the Trump administration that effectively prevent non-U.S. chipmakers — like Taiwan-based TSMC — from supplying Huawei, China is considering retaliatory measures against U.S. companies in response.The Global Times reports that the Chinese government is considering a range of legal measures targeting U.S. companies, including launching investigations into them or otherwise restricting their ability to oper...

Memorial Day is only a week away, which means it's time to keep your eyes peeled for all the great deals and discounts that are heading our way over the next few days. This year, Nanoleaf is one of the first to get its sales started. Now through May 31, you can save 10% on select Nanoleaf smart lighting kits at Best Buy and you'll even score free shipping with the purchase.Nanoleaf's kits come with a number of LED panels that you can arrange however you see fit. Maybe you want them in the shape of a letter, a heart, or a random pattern — it's up to you. Expansion kits are on sale this month as well, so while the starter kit may not have as many panels as you need to fully realize your design, you can add on more panels whenever you choose. Plus, they can not only be mounted to your wall but to your ceiling too for some insane design possibilities.Once your panels are installed, you'll be able to control them using an app on your phone, with your voice, or even using hand gestur...

What's better than finding a game you love, finding a game you love and only having to pay for it once to play it on two devices. Many popular games support cross-buy between the Oculus Quest and Oculus Rift. If you buy any of the games in this collection for one platform, you'll get them on the other without having to spend another penny.Shoot to the musicPistol WhipStaff pickThis rhythmic shooter brings the action to you. You shoot, dodge, dance, and defeat enemies to the rhythm of the music to feel like you're in an action movie.$25 Oculus StoreSeeeeet hut!2MD: VR Football UnleashedYou can immerse yourself in VR football with this game. You throw the ball with your Touch Controller, draw plays to run, and play against AI on the gridiron.$15 at Oculus"Accounting"Accounting+This comedic game is just about everything other than accounting in an office. It takes you to a series of virtual worlds where you go on a humorous adventure.$12 at Ocul...

Just because you're not some hotshot Wall Street dude doesn't mean you can't already rake in tons of revenue from trading in the U.S. market. Just take it from the recently viral Redditor who turned a small investment into a million-dollar gain overnight, as well as Travis Rose, a self-taught trader and investor who put together a set of courses to help aspiring traders find success in the stock market just like him.If that happens to be you, you can learn everything there is to know about trading in the Wall Street Survival & Stock Trading Guide Bundle currently on sale.This bundle features 13 hours of premium instruction, spread across eight courses that are easy to follow and understand. You begin by learning how the stock market works and setting up your very own investing account. Once you've got all the basics down, you'll move on to more advanced concepts that can help you become a successful trader.You'll learn how to create a trading plan to minimize your risks, pr...

If you want to go all-in with smart home gadgets, smart locks are absolutely worth investing in. Not only do they keep your home safe and secure, but they can be also be controlled remotely and allow you to give other family members or friends access to them easily. Here are the best ones that can be controlled using Google Assistant!Google Assistant's best friendNest x Yale Smart LockStaff pickThis smart lock can be controlled from anywhere through Google Assistant, and ties in beautifully with other Nest products with automated features like disabling your Nest Secure alarm when you come home. It can unlock automatically with your phone and has a backup number pad.$280 at Best BuyBudget choiceAugust Smart Lock (3rd Gen)August's third-generation smart lock is a real treat. It unlocks automatically with your phone and has a deadbolt thumb turn on the front so you can still use it manually from inside. Just keep in mind you'll also need to pick up the August Connec...

Larger or smaller or maybe even both.What you need to knowAssassin's Creed Valhalla is the next major entry in the Assassin's Creed series.According to producer Julien Laferrière, the map for Assassin's Creed Valhalla is a bit larger than in Assassin's Creed Odyseey.Assassin's Creed Valhalla is set to release in Holiday 2020.Assassin's Creed Valhalla is the next big RPG from Ubisoft in the long-running Assassin's Creed franchise. Exactly how big is it though? That's a bit confusing. According to Julien Laferrière, producer on Assassin's Creed Valhalla, it's bigger than Assassin's Creed Odyssey. I would actually say in terms of range it is probably a bit larger than Assassins Creed Odyssey. I do not have the exact figures at this stage, but we have not only created the whole country, which is in this case England, but also to a good part of Norway too. There are other secret worlds, which I can not speak about today, which contributed to the size of the game. It's not ...

Google seems set to drop a failed idea.What you need to knowGoogle's Pixel 5 may ditch the Soli radar chip.Project Soli powered the Motion Sense feature of the Pixel 4 and 4 XL.It also drained battery and added little benefit to the phone's experience as a whole.With the Pixel 4, Google brought a new feature -- Motion Sense -- to the Pixel line. Powered by the innovative Project Soli, Motion Sense added a layer of mystique to the Pixel 4. You'd be able to control your phone from a distance. It's a fancy feature undercut by the inconvenient fact that a smartphone is 99% of the time located in your hand, but you have to give Google points for trying. With the Pixel 5, Google seems set to drop that feature, according to the folks over at 9to5Google (via The Next Web.)In yesterday's show, we also touched on some things we're hearing about Pixel 5 from sources — specifically that it will likely leave behind hobbies like Soli— Stephen Hall (@hallstephenj) May 15, 2020A...

Reports of outages started this afternoon.What you need to knowReddit is down for some users in North America and Europe.Outages started this afternoon, around 1 PM Eastern.Users may experience problems loading the site or app.Having problems with Reddit? You're not alone. Reports of an outage spiked on DownDetector earlier today. As per the site, users have been experiencing issues roughly around 1PM Eastern Time in Western Europe and North America.It's not clear what the specific issue is, but we've seen (and experienced) issues with loading content on the app and site. Reddit support has yet to issue any comment, but we'll update this article when we have more information.Best Reddit apps for Android...

Maybe now you'll avoid jumping into your TV.What you need to knowOculus Software version 17 for Quest brings automatic Playspace Scanning to detects objects that get in the way of your VR experience.Your Guardian playspace will warn you of objects by switching to a mixed-reality mode and highlighting the object in red.The guardian boundary color can now also be customized with a blue, purple, or yellow color.The Oculus Quest is an amazing headset, and one of the reasons it's so great is that it can recognize your play space and help you stay within a safe boundary. But, until now, the Quest could only tell you when you approach the edge of that boundary. Countless numbers of people have likely tripped over furniture, people, or an errant object that got in their playspace, and the new update to the Oculus Quest boundary system can now recognize those obstacles and help players clear them out before disaster occurs.Once you've mapped your playspace out, Oculus Guardian wil...

The global pandemic has forced developers to adapt their work pipelines and finish games from home. This has led to multiple delays.This year began with a slew of high-profile game delays, most notably Cyberpunk 2077 and the Final Fantasy 7 Remake, but then COVID-19 struck and and threw the games industry through a loop. We've compiled a list of every game that's been delayed into 2020 and beyond. Some of these games have been delayed indefinitely while others have release windows or a final release date.We'll continually update this list as more games are delayed.Marvel's AvengersCyberpunk 2077Death StrandingDying Light 2Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles RemasteredGhost of TsushimaGods & MonstersIron Man VRThe Last of Us Part IIMinecraft DungeonsRainbow Six QuarantineSkull & BonesStar Wars Episode I: RacerVampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines 2Wasteland 3Watch Dogs: LegionGames delayed in 2020Marvel's AvengersMarvel's Avengers was supposed to...

Hand tracking is now generally available for the Oculus Quest, and games can use it later this month.What you need to knowOculus Quest hand tracking is now generally available.Hand tracking has been an experimental feature for a year.Third-party games can include hand tracking starting on May 28, 2020.Oculus announced a slew of updates and bits of information to celebrate the anniversary of the Oculus Quest and Oculus Rift S. One of the largest changes is that hand tracking is now generally available. The feature has been classified as an experimental feature for the last year but is now fully available on the Oculus Quest. Oculus will start accepting third-party titles that include hand tracking on May 28, 2020.Developers have now had a year to work with the hand tracking SDK, and Oculus has had long enough to improve the feature to roll it out to the public. Later this month, several apps and games will gain hand tracking support. Here's the list that Oculus shares in i...

If you've tried to order anything from Amazon in the past few months you've likely noticed that the online retail giant is struggling with delivery times and stock levels on various items. Several credible reports have indicated that Amazon's annual Prime Day event is going to be delayed from its usual mid-July timeframe to some point in August instead.As much as we would all love to get things back to normal as quickly as possible, that may just not be what's best right now. While it's not fun for Amazon to delay the event, and pushing it back has a number of risks involved with it, it's likely the best decision that Amazon could make right now.From employee safety to stock levels, and everything in between, Amazon Prime Day 2020 taking place in August is just a smarter overall decision than trying to rush things and make it happen in July. Let's break down when it could happen, why it should be delayed, and more.Amazon Prime Day 2020: When will it happen?If the new reports ...

Smartphones are more powerful today than they ever have been, with some devices offering a better gaming experience than even your desktop computer. On top of that, the mobile gaming platform has expanded so much that the library of games is incredible, so you'll want to use a controller to get the best experience. If you're not tied to a specific ecosystem, the best option for most people is the Razer Raiju Mobile, which works with both Windows and Android.Best Overall: Razer Raiju MobileFor those who want to get serious about mobile gaming, then you'll have to consider the Razer Raiju Mobile. Instead of a mount that clips onto your existing controller, this is an all-on-one system as Razer has created its own gaming controller.The controller itself has all of the necessary buttons you would expect, along with a few extras. On the top of the controller, there are two additional trigger buttons for added ergonomics, and under the left and right grip there are multi-function...

A slight change of plans.What you need to knowGamescom Opening Night Live is a digital show that will conclude Summer Game Fest.It's being produced by Geoff Keighley, host of the Game Awards.Gamescom Opening Night Live is being moved back slightly and will now begin on August 27.While Gamescom Opening Night Live was previously scheduled to begin on August 24, there's been a slight change of plans. Geoff Keighley, host of Gamescom Opening Night Live, shared today that the showcase was being moved back slightly. It'll now begin on August 27, 2020. Gamescom Opening Night Live is the finale to the Summer Game Fest, a series of events collected by Keighley into one large summer-long program.Quick update: @gamescom Opening Night Live will now take place live on August 27 and kick off 3 days of @gamescom 2020. We’re planning a spectacular show that will also be the grand finale of @summergamefest More at https://t.co/KRzKTQeHcs pic.twitter.com/3gVEvG1so7— Geoff Keighley (@ge...

Respawn is giving Apex Legends the attention it deserves to compete with the best battle royales out there.What you need to knowRespawn has opened up a new studio in Vancouver.This studio will focus entirely on Apex Legends, its popular battle royale title.The Vancouver-based location looking to expand to up to 80 employees.Respawn is expanding its reach by opening up a new studio in Vancouver, Canada to focus entirely on Apex Legends. This announcement was confirmed by Respawn COO Dusty Welch to GamesIndustry.biz and coincides with the studio's 10th anniversary.The team over at Respawn Vancouver, conveniently located near EA's Vancouver campus, will be led by Head of Operations Henry Lee and Team Director Steven Ferreira. Lee spoke about how excited he was for the move. When you look at Vancouver, it's one of our [EA's] biggest studio locations. And Vancouver is full of talented people in the games industry, so there was a natural fit with Steven coming on board with...

Are you ready to take to the skies and shoot down enemies?I've always wanted to know what it would be like to put my head inside of Iron Man's mask. Anytime I watched the movies, I fell in love with the way the screen looked from the inside of his helmet. All the scanners, notifications, stats, and information displayed on the screen using an augmented reality view has always sparked my interest.Now, it's going to be something none of us have to dream about anymore. Iron Man VR is coming sometime this year as a PlayStation VR exclusive and I'm already at the edge of my seat.Ryan Payton and his studio, Camouflaj, got permission from Jay Ong, the head of Marvel Games, to make an Iron Man game inside of a virtual reality (VR) headset. The team has been working diligently for a few years on this creation and the world is close to seeing it release to the public for play.Are you ready to join this super secret boy band as Iron Man? Well, get ready!Soaring highMarvel's Iron M...

Let's see if your favorite apps work with the Pixel 4.The Pixel 4 is an important phone for the Android landscape. The 90Hz display, dual rear cameras, and wireless charging are all perfectly cool, but the thing that really makes it stand out is Google's all-new face unlock system.We've seen other Android phones offer face unlock in the past, but the Pixel 4 is the first one that's secure enough to be useful beyond the lock screen — meaning you can use face unlock on the Pixel 4 to authorize purchases and log in to apps — such as mobile banking apps and password managers.If you pick up your Pixel 4 and realize that face unlock doesn't work with your favorite apps, however, you're not doing anything wrong. Developers need to support Google's BiometricPrompt API in order for it to work, and the adoption of it has been slow.Apps that currently work with the Pixel 4's face unlock1PasswordAlly MobileAmerican ExpressBank of AmericaBarclays USBettermentBMO Digital Banki...

Now your actual hands will appear in the game!What you need to knowThe Curious Tale of the Stolen Pets is now the first commercial game on the Oculus Store with hand-tracking support.You'll no longer need controllers to play the game on the Oculus Quest once the update launches later this month.Curious Tale is already one of the most accessible VR games on the market since it includes automatic height adjustment and content tailored for all ages.The Curious Tale of the Stolen Pets was designed to be an immersive and accessible experience for all ages, and both of these factors are getting a big upgrade in the brand new hand-tracking update for the Oculus Quest. As the first commercial game to receive hand-tracking support, The Curious Tale of the Stolen Pets boldly goes where no full-fledged VR game has gone just yet. Once the update goes live later this month, all you'll need is an Oculus Quest on your head and your hands to explore the vibrant worlds that Fast Travel Game...

Integrates with GoogleGoogle Pixel Buds (2020)$180 at Best BuyProsGood battery lifeWireless charging caseUSB-C wired chargingCompact charging caseIntegration with Google AssistantConsComfort could be betterLacks active noise cancelingThe Pixel Buds integrate with Google Assistant and Android really well. They also feature a compact wireless charging case, and superior sound compared to the Surface Earbuds.Integrates with MicrosoftMicrosoft Surface Earbuds$200 at Best BuyProsLong battery lifeUSB-C for wired chargingIntegration with Microsoft 365Can pair two devices at the same timeGood, bass boosted soundConsLacks wireless charging caseNo active noise canceling Sound not as great as Pixel BudsThe Surface Earbuds integrate super well with Microsoft's PowerPoint, Word, and Outlook apps. They also feature a built-in EQ and nearly double the battery life, compared to the Pixel Buds.Both the Pixel Buds (2020) and the Surface Earbuds ...

Mojang Studios' sales titan just keeps on going.What you need to knowMicrosoft shared the news today that Minecraft has crossed 200 million copies sold.Minecraft previously sold 122 million copies as of February 2017. Yesterday, Minecraft developer Mojang rebranded as Mojang Studios, with plans to expand.Minecraft Dungeons, a hack-and-slash RPG set in the aesthetic of Minecraft, is set to release on May 26.Minecraft has been an utter sales juggernaut, selling over 122 million copies back in February 2017. The blocks of cash keep on stacking though, as today Microsoft shared the news that Minecraft has sold over 200 million copies. This even further solidifies Minecraft's position as the best-selling game of all time, with only Rockstar Games' Grand Theft Auto V even being in the same league at over 120 million copies sold.Mojang was acquired by Microsoft in back in 2014. Yesterday, Mojang shared the news that it had rebranded as Mojang Studios, unifying the dual studios ...

The standard Galaxy Note 20 is expected to come with a 4,000mAh battery.What you need to knowSamsung's upcoming Galaxy Note 20 Plus may come with a smaller battery than the Galaxy S20 Ultra.While the Galaxy S20 Ultra packs a 5,000mAh battery, the Galaxy Note 20 Plus is tipped to feature a 4,500mAh battery.The Galaxy Note 20 Plus is also tipped to sport a 108MP camera, although there is no word yet on whether it will have a 100X "Space Zoom" periscope lens.Last week, a leak suggested that the Galaxy Note 20 Plus could be Samsung's first flagship phone to feature a variable refresh rate display and Qualcomm's second-gen 3D Sonic Max fingerprint sensor. Some more information about the upcoming Samsung flagship has now surfaced, courtesy of the folks at Galaxy Club.As per the new report, the Galaxy Note 20 Plus will have an identical 4,500mAh capacity battery as the Galaxy S20 Plus. If the information turns out to be accurate, the Galaxy Note 20 Plus will have a smaller batt...

If it's about time to switch to a new smartphone, you won't want to miss this latest offer at Verizon on the Samsung Galaxy S10 devices. Right now you can score $600 off the Samsung Galaxy S10 device of your choice when you buy another with monthly payments at regular price and add a line on an Unlimited plan. That means you could snag the Galaxy S10e completely free or score a major discount on one of the other models. Plus, if you're not currently a Verizon customer, this deal gets even better.The $600 discount will be applied to your monthly bill in increments; with the Galaxy S10e, that'd bring its monthly cost down to $0.New customers at Verizon can score a $150 Verizon e-Gift card for each device when switching to an Unlimited plan. You must port-in your old number as well. After purchasing the Galaxy S10e with monthly payments, visit Verizon's Digital Rebates Center and enter promo code SPRINGTIME along with the requested information to complete the offer. Your gift card s...

Nreal Light makes your virtual space a lot more personal.What you need to knowThe Nreal Light mixed-reality glasses development kit is now up for pre-order.Dev kits are $1200 and come with everything you need to create amazing mixed-reality experiences.Nreal Light plugs into your phone's USB-C port and can run any app from your phone, all in a personalized virtual space right in front of you.Nreal has been working hard to get their first consumer-ready mixed-reality glasses ready for a while now, and the time to get your hands on one is finally here. Nreal Light development kits have now gone up for pre-order at Nreal's developer site for $1200 apiece. That development kit, of course, includes everything developers will need to get started on making incredible mixed-reality experiences, including the Nreal Light Glasses, Nreal Light Computing Unit, controller, corrective lens frames, clip, three nose pads, a USB-C cable, charger, cleaning cloth, and a user guide.But there...

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

Both of these robot vacuums include a camera as well as advanced object detection capabilities. We've compared them against each other to determine which is the better of the two.Ecovacs Deebot OZMO T8 AIVIThe very best$800 at Best BuyProsCan view video feed from appUp to 180 minutes of runtimePowerful suctionIntuitive appCasing doesn't get very dirtyConsNo adjustable camera coverObject detection isn't perfectThe Deebot OZMO T8 AIVI is a smart device that learns to recognize items in your home. The camera and powerful suction allow the unit to avoid obstacles while truly cleaning your floors. It's also a great choice for pet homes as it sucks up plenty of fur, dust, and dry pet food along the way. You can even use the app to access the vacuum's camera and monitor your home.Roborock S6 MaxVAnother great optionSee at RoborockProsRemembers up to four mapsUp to 180 minutes of runtimePowerful suctionEasy to clean brushesIntuitive appLarger dust...

Smart displays powered by Google Assistant have been around for a little while now and we've collectively figured out their place in our smart homes. As the form factor has matured, we've also seen some pretty stellar deals on smart displays with one more cropping up at Verizon where the JBL Link View is down to just $99.99. Considering it sells for $300 at Best Buy and elsewhere, this is a deal that is worth snapping up while it is still available. Add it to your cart to see the savings.With a number of Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa-enabled smart displays out there, a third-party model has to offer something to differentiate itself from a crowded market that is dominated by the first-party options.JBL's smart display aims to do so with an 8-inch touchscreen, stereo front-facing speakers with JBL's excellent sound, and IPX4 splash resistance, so you don't have to worry about keeping it on your kitchen counters near the sink, and spill-able, splash-able ingredients. Like the L...

It's time for Chromebooks to be considered first-class computing citizens.While I've always loved tech gadgets in general and computers specifically, I've tended to prefer "lightweight" computing devices that don't bog me down with legacy software and cruft. That's why I've gravitated towards devices like iPads, smartphones, and yes, Chromebooks. In fact, I've had a soft spot in my heart for Chromebooks since I first learned about them way back in 2011-2012.I purchased my first Chromebook in 2013, and have bought several more in the years since. But at some point, I stopped using them, and I honestly don't remember why. During the intervening years, my now teenagers began using them at school and for entertainment purposes, and they love them. So this got me wondering, should I give Chromebooks another try?Ever since I joined Android Central last year, my primary work machine has been the family computer, a 2015 iMac that sits in our home office. However, with all of us now at ...

Best Buy has a 3-pack of the black Linksys Velop tri-band mesh networking Wi-Fi system on sale for $279.99 today. As part of the Deals of the Day, this is a very temporary price. The 2-pack version of this system sells for $300 at most retailers, including B&H. The white 3-pack is going for $330 at Best Buy, and that's considered a sale price since it's going for $400 elsewhere. In other words, the 3-pack black version of the system is the best value you're going to find anywhere today.The traditional Wi-Fi setup is a modem with a router, which distributes a wireless signal as far as it can go. This is a problem if you have your modem setup in a weird spot or you just have a large house. I'm not talking about mansions here. Even a simple townhome with three floors can be a problem for a normal router because it can't fill every floor with solid, strong Wi-Fi. For example, in my home my modem has to be plugged in a certain outlet that puts the router in a weird location. It's st...