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Amazon's Echo range of Alexa-powered smart speakers is great for controlling smart home devices. With smart bulbs installed throughout your house, you can use Alexa to turn individual lights and even entire rooms off and on, change the colors of your bulbs, and more. The only trouble is deciding on the right bulbs to buy — luckily, we're here to help.Best overallRing Smart BulbStaff pickAmazon-owned Ring is now in the smart bulb game, and what better product to work with Alexa than one from Amazon's own brands? These affordable bulbs are sure to help you save on your energy, but just know that as with other Ring lighting products, a Ring Bridge is required.$15 at Amazon$15 at RingBest Color ValueLIFX ColorLIFX bulbs can be controlled remotely by Alexa without the need for a hub — the bulbs connect directly to Wi-Fi. The LIFX Color supports 16 million colors and is available with threading for either A19 or BR30 lighting fixtures. It's also the brightest...

Is it possible to grow and flourish in the smartphone industry — or indeed any industry — without selling your soul?OnePlus was once the darling of smartphone enthusiasts. But as the company has grown over the past half-decade, culminating in the recent launch of the OnePlus 8 series, it's faced accusations that it no longer represents the core fans who helped build its brand.Let's start by contrasting the OnePlus of old with the company that we know today. Back then, you needed an invite to even be able to buy a OnePlus phone. The first phone ran CyanogenMod, the custom ROM of choice for many an Android nerd, back when that sort of thing was more mainstream. And above all else, buying OnePlus in 2014 meant you got tip-top flagship specs — that all-important Snapdragon 800 processor — for a whole lot less than the competition. OnePlus was all about giving you those lustworthy specs and vanilla Android software at a price that was way more accessible to a lot of people. Th...

Now's the time to start shopping as Memorial Day weekend sales are kicked into high gear. There are deals popping up at retailers on just about everything, from furniture and kitchen essentials to TVs, toys, and appliances, but some of the best offers for the home happen to be at Lowe's. The Lowe's Memorial Day sale is already live with deals on bathroom fixtures, flooring, hardware, lighting and fans, and much more.During Lowe's Memorial Day sale you can save up to 50% tons of smart home products by brands like Google and Ring, up to 20% off lighting and ceiling fans for inside and out, up to 40% off a new fridge or deep freezer and other appliances, and the savings don't end there. You'll find that many products at Lowe's are shipped for free, too. You can score free shipping on your order there by reaching an order total of $45 or more, and free store pickup is an option as well.The Best Lowe's Memorial Day 2020 DealsSmart home: up to 50% offAppliances: up to 40% offCeiling...

YouTube Music is one of the most capable streaming services on the planet. It offers an enormous library of content, ranging from official songs, music videos, covers, concert clips, and more. On the off chance you can't find what you're looking for in YouTube Music's streaming library, you can also upload your own tunes and store them on your account for easy access on any of your devices. Need some help on how to do this? We've got you covered!Products used in this guideStream it all: YouTube Music Premium ($10/month at YouTube)How to upload music to YouTube MusicIf you want to upload your own songs to YouTube Music, you'll need to do so from your computer. As of right now, YouTube Music doesn't support uploading songs from the Android or iOS apps.The following steps were done in Google Chrome on an iMac, but the process should be virtually identical no matter what browser or desktop operating system you're using.Go to the YouTube Music website (music.youtube.com) on...

The Sengled smart LED soft white A-19 starter kit 2-pack is down to $29.99 at Best Buy. The sale is part of Best Buy's deals of the day, which means the price is temporary. The Sengled bulbs are only sold at Best Buy, but they usually sell for $40. Right now they're less than half the cost of the multi-color version of this starter kit, so if there's any place you could use some smart bulbs but you don't imagine you'll need to change the color, this is the pack you should get.Normally Sengled smart bulbs are frustrating because they don't connect instantly to your smart home, but thanks to this starter kit you don't have to worry about that. The kit includes the hub you need to connect your bulbs, and you can then connect your new hub to your smart home ecosystem, giving you full control over the whole set. The hub connects to your 2.4GHz Wi-Fi network band. Even if you don't have a smart home, use the Sengled Home app on your iOS or Android smartphone to control the lights, turn t...

The Illithid are back and they are ready to conquer all of the Forgotten Realms.When you think of truly iconic Dungeons and Dragons videogames the first name that will always come to mind is Baldur's Gate. There are others — Neverwinter Nights comes to mind — but none of them hold the hallowed place in people's hearts like the Baldur's Gate series.It's taken a long time, but Wizards of the Coast, the owners of D&D, have finally agreed to allow a company to get its hands on the rights to the franchise. Larian Studios — the creators of the hugely popular Divinity: Original Sin series — has been given the reigns, and asked to create a true successor to the RPG we all know and love.What is Baldur's Gate 3?Baldur's Gate 3 story, gameplay and featuresBaldur's Gate 3 racesBaldur's Gate 3 classesIs Baldur's Gate 3 a direct sequel?What edition is Baldur's Gate 3?Will Baldur's Gate 3 be on PS4?Will Baldur's Gate 3 have multiplayer?Baldur's Gate 3 early accessBaldur'...

Now's the time to start shopping as Memorial Day weekend sales kick into high gear. There are deals popping up at retailers on just about everything, from furniture and kitchen essentials to TVs, toys, and appliances, but some of the best offers for the home happen to be at Lowe's. The Lowe's Memorial Day sale is already live with deals on bathroom fixtures, flooring, hardware, lighting and fans, and much more.During Lowe's Memorial Day sale, you can save up to 50% on smart home products by brands like Google and Ring, up to 20% off ceiling fans and lighting, up to 40% off refrigerators and other appliances, and the savings don't end there. You'll find that many products at Lowe's are shipped for free, too. You can score free shipping on your order there by reaching an order total of $45 or more, and free store pickup is an option as well.The Best Lowe's Memorial Day 2020 DealsSmart home: up to 50% offAppliances: up to 40% offCeiling fans and lighting: up to 54% offFaucets: u...

The long, 4-day weekend is finally here. Memorial Day isn't far away at all, and Memorial Day sales are live now through the weekend at various retailers across the internet. Best Buy's sale is one that just went live this morning, and it's certainly one you won't want to miss out on. While all of its deals are scheduled to run through Monday, May 25, there's still the chance for items to sell out early — shopping ASAP is recommended.Best Buy is notable for its selection of computers, phones, and tech accessories, though there's quite a bit more to find there from kitchen and home appliances to fitness equipment, toys, and more. Memorial Day weekend has brought deals to just about every category, and Best Buy is even offering free next-day delivery on thousands of items during the event. Not every item offers free shipping though, so for others you may need to reach a cart total of $35 or more to have your order shipped for free.Best Memorial Day 2020 DealsTV dealsLaptop de...

To be the best, you have to learn from the best. You can't expect to be great at something purely by self-guidance—we all need a bit of a push and some pieces of priceless wisdom from people who are experts in their field. And you might think that you can only get expert instruction from learning institutions, but there is now a platform that boasts an almost bottomless library of video lessons straight from the pros.Enter: Big Think Edge. Ideal for aspiring entrepreneurs and anyone needing inspiration for their next big idea, the series of lessons included in the platform are created by educators and taught by world-class experts, including Malcolm Gladwell, Ariana Huffington, and Elon Musk (don't worry, he won't dispense advice on how to name children).Here's a sneak peek:Trusted by the world's most recognized future-thinking companies like Pfizer, Citi, and Disney, the video lessons included in the collection will equip you with the most important skills of the 21st century....

It's Memorial Day weekend and a ton of sales are live now as we approach Monday's holiday. Right now you can score a pair of refurbished Sony WF-1000XM3 noise-cancelling true wireless earbuds on sale for just $109.99 at BackMarket in mint condition, and you'll even score free shipping and a one-year warranty with the purchase. These earbuds can sell for as much as $230 brand new on Amazon and more regularly sell for around $150 refurbished.Today's deal is valid on the headphones in both black and silver while supplies last.The Sony earbuds use industry-leading noise-cancelling technology with a QN1e HD processor, and they have 24bit audio signal processing for improved sound quality. That means you get a full range of powerful sound without the distracting noises of the everyday world around you.Plus, the earbuds have smart listening technology that automatically switches to an ambient sound mode based on your activity. While you might not want to hear a lot of the noises aroun...

Start brushing up on your accents.Surprising absolutely no one thanks to Amazon leaking its existence and details beforehand, Watch Dogs: Legion was announced at Ubisoft's E3 2019 press conference. Get ready to travel across the pond because players are going to London.What is Watch Dogs: Legion?Watch Dogs The story so farWatch Dogs: Legion DedSec goes to LondonWatch Dogs: Legion CharactersWatch Dogs: Legion GameplayWatch Dogs: Legion Release datePost-BrexitWatch Dogs: Legion$60 at AmazonSave all of LondonUbisoft is taking us to post-Brexit London with Watch Dogs: Legion. Play as anyone and recruit resistance fighters to join DedSec. The fight begins soon in March.What is Watch Dogs: Legion?Watch Dogs: Legion is the third entry in the action/adventure franchise Watch Dogs. This time, players will be taking their hacking escapades all the way to London in a post-Brexit society. You'll be able to explore several iconic locations across its open world as y...

A myriad of deals and discounts are going live this weekend in preparation for Memorial Day on Monday, and one of the best offers just reached Best Buy. TCL's 65-inch 8 Series 4K QLED Roku Smart TV (65Q825) is now on sale for $999.99, saving you $1,000 off its regular price. This matches a one-day sale we saw at Best Buy earlier this month, and it likely won't last much longer.This TV is only sold at Best Buy, so you won't see any competing offers at other retailers. It's priced at $2,000 through the TCL website, and Best Buy was most recently selling it for around $1,250. Today's deal is the lowest we've seen and amazing savings no matter how you look at it.Check out the Cordcutters review of this TV when it released last year. Nirave Gondhia said, "Why is the 8-series my new go-to recommendation for a TV? Simple — it's a QLED panel. Actually, it's much more than that — it also heralds in a new era in TVs thanks to mini-LED technology, which allows the TV to display much dee...

Get the lowdown on Mint Mobile's coverage, pricing, phones, and more.The wireless carrier space is a neverending battle between T-Mobile, Verizon, AT&T, and Sprint. However, underneath the four big dogs is a collection of smaller brands tapping into their networks to deliver excellent wireless coverage at a fraction of the price.One such company is Mint Mobile (formally known as Mint SIM), and if you've been searching for a new way to buy phone service that can help you save a heap of money, it may be worth a look.Here's everything you need to know!Start by reading our reviewLet's talk pricingMint Mobile has great coverageHotspot access is freeComparing Mint to other carriersSo, what phones does Mint sell?You can also BYOPBuy in bulkMint MobileFrom $15/month at Mint MobileA unique take on affordable wireless serviceBuying things in bulk usually results in a lower price over the long-term, and Mint Mobile brings that mentality to the wireless space. Y...

Memorial Day weekend is here, and along with it are a number of great Memorial Day sales all over the internet, from home appliances and patio furniture to TVs and tablets, and it's also a great time to save on smart home products like eero's mesh Wi-Fi systems.The eero 3-pack was listed as the best mesh Wi-Fi router of 2020 in our guide from last month, and right now you can grab yourself a set for just $199 when you use promo code HOME20 during checkout at eero's website. That saves you $50 off its usual cost, however if you're only looking to buy a single eero, you can bring its cost down to $79 using the same code.Those aren't the only discounts you'll find at eero over the next few days, as eero Pro Wi-Fi systems are now 20% off and you don't even need to use a code to score the discount. The eero Pro offers faster speeds and covers up to 1,750 sq. ft., and with the current discount you'll save $40 off the regular price. Meanwhile, the eero Beacon lets you expand your networ...

Best answer: No, unfortunately, you cannot reuse faceplates from the Ring Video Doorbell 2 on the Ring Video Doorbell 3 or 3 Plus. However, there are similar options available for the newer doorbells to give you the personalization and customization that you're looking for.Newest from Ring: Ring Video Doorbell 3 ($200 at Best Buy)New varieties: Interchangeable Faceplate — Ring Video Doorbell 3 / 3 Plus ($15 at Ring)Classic change up: Interchangeable Faceplate — Ring Video Doorbell 2 ($15 at Ring)Will the faceplates from the Ring Video Doorbell 2 fit the Ring Video Doorbell 3 and 3 PlusI know it sounds superficial (literally), but one of my favorite things about Ring's Video Doorbells, especially the "main" ones in the series, is that they are at least somewhat customizable to your home and front door decor. They ship with at least two different color faceplates that you can choose from — Satin Nickel and Venetian — and Ring also makes over 15 different colored first...

Gaming hardware is there for Android, but the content just isn't; I wish companies like Nintendo cared about Android.The Nintendo Switch is freaking awesome. Pretty much anyone you ask will agree if they aren't too busy playing Animal Crossing or Zelda. It's portable but can connect to a television, has wireless controllers that mostly don't suck, and every big name developer is tripping over its own feet trying to get games ported to the platform. Yes, it has Skyrim.But under the small screen is the same type of hardware you would find inside a high-end Android device. In fact, if NVIDIA had chosen to remake the Shield Tablet, it probably would use the exact same hardware as the Switch. There is nothing magic inside, just an ARM CPU with a bunch of GPU cores built by NVIDIA just like the Shield TV. The hardware in your expensive phone has the muscle to do it.The difference, of course, is the software. The Switch has a basic but fairly complex OS running on it (or you can ...

Best answer: No, ExpressVPN does not offer a lifetime subscription. In fact, the longest subscription you can purchase from ExpressVPN right now is an annual one, and the first time you sign up for it you get an extra three months free. Running the service the way ExpressVPN does requires ongoing costs, and offering a one-time payment is not a sustainable business model for the company.Secure your browsing: ExpressVPN ($6.67 per month at ExpressVPN)You may have seen one of those "too good to be true" lifetime VPN license offers out there for $10 and wondered why some companies are doing that and others are charging $100 each year. Well, running a VPN company happens to be an expensive endeavor. The hardware (servers) costs money, the software costs money, the apps are expensive to develop, the chat agents need to be paid, and there are lots of other costs.Unfortunately, ExpressVPN is not able to roll all of that into a single cost for each customer and does not allow people t...

Social distancing won't put a stop to BBC Radio 1's Big Weekend 2020. Though the event was originally planned as an in-person music festival for the end of May, BBC is taking the event virtual and letting everyone watch the show.With live (at home) performances from artists like HAIM, Rita Ora, Ellie Goulding, Sam Smith, and the Jonas Brothers, as well as replays of past performances from musicians like Ed Sheeran, Jay-Z, Alicia Keys, and Calvin Harris, the festival is certain to include something for everyone.BBC Radio 1's Big Weekend festival will have several 'stages' showing performances, including the Radio 1 Stage where live at home performances will be aired and the Headliner stage which features past performances from top artists from around the world. Meanwhile, BBC Music Introducing Stage offers up 40 acts you probably haven't heard of before. Radio 1 Dance and 1Xtra stages feature their own performances as well.BBC Radio 1's Big Weekend: When & whereBBC Radio...

Filling in the blanksGalaxy Watch Active 2$279 at AmazonProsOptional LTEDigital rotating bezelImproved sensorsBuilt-in GPSConsBattery drains faster with LTE modelMore expensive, especially with LTESometimes upgrades miss the mark. Fortunately, that's not the case with the Galaxy Watch Active 2. It improves existing sensors with faster and more accurate readings plus some other new perks that fill in the blanks left by its predecessor.OG fitness smartwatchGalaxy Watch Active$150 at AmazonProsBuilt-in GPSGreat fitness trackingMore affordable optionNow has a digital rotating bezelConsOnly one size optionNo LTE connectivityThe Galaxy Watch Active is still an impressive smartwatch. It's got all the features you'd expect, like built-in GPS, activity tracking, heart rate monitoring, Samsung Pay, smartphone notifications, and more. It's also less expensive.If you're a true techie, you probably look forward to device updates and th...

Google will always need an in-person, human element.What you need to knowWired recently interviewed Google CEO Sundar Pichai, covering a wide range of topics.Pichai talked about Google's response to the pandemic, contact tracing, etc.Once all is said and done, Pichai doesn't see Google becoming a 100% remote company.We talk a lot about Google here on AC, and as with any company we often discuss, it's important to have a better understanding of the people behind it. Sundar Pichai is the CEO of both Google and parent company Alphabet, meaning he's got quite a lot on his place.The folks at Wired recently conducted an interview with Pichai, asking a variety of questions that mostly revolved around where the company stands in a world with an ongoing global pandemic.The topic of "work from home" is one we've seen a lot given everything that's happened, and this is something Google's also had to adapt to. Commenting on Google's response to this, Pichai says: Once we realiz...

The long, 4-day weekend is finally here. Memorial Day isn't far away at all, and Memorial Day sales are live now through the weekend at various retailers across the internet. Best Buy's sale is one that just went live this morning, and it's certainly one you won't want to miss out on. While all of its deals are scheduled to run through Monday, May 25, there's still the chance for items to sell out early — shopping ASAP is recommended.Best Buy is notable for its selection of computers, phones, and tech accessories, though there's quite a bit more to find there from kitchen and home appliances to fitness equipment, toys, and more. Memorial Day weekend has brought deals to just about every category, and Best Buy is even offering free next-day delivery on thousands of items during the event. Not every item offers free shipping though, so for others you may need to reach a cart total of $35 or more to have your order shipped for free.Best Memorial Day 2020 DealsTablet dealsTV de...

It's no secret that the DualShock 4's weak point is its analog sticks. The surfaces are slippery and domed, and the grip material isn't very durable. Some players also find them to be too stiff. Thumb grips for your PlayStation 4 controller can help with all of that. We've highlighted the best options here, from grips designed to give you an edge in first-person shooters to entire collections of grips that can be used for matching your style — or simply protecting the controller from wear and tear.Ultimate ControlKontrolFreek Performance for PS4Staff PickKontrolFreek's Performance offers superior grip and security thanks to its clasp-like mounting mechanism and studded surface. Heightened raise also gives you greater control, offering greater accuracy and range of motion.$17 at AmazonFor FPS GamersKontrolFreek FPS Freek Vortex for PS4Here's something specifically for those who love playing first-person shooters. These grips vary both in height and surface design...

Tune in for a deeper look.What you need to knowSquare Enix will stream Outriders gameplay on May 28.This stream is the start of a new monthly broadcast for Outriders.These broadcasts will show off the gameplay, world, classes and more.Outriders is still scheduled to release sometime in Holiday 2020. If you've been eager for another look at Outriders from People Can Fly and Square Enix, you won't be waiting much longer. Square Enix has announced the Outriders Broadcast, a monthly stream that'll show off gameplay, dig into how the different classes work and show off the world.The first of these Outriders Broadcasts is titled Built for the Core and is coming on May 28 at 9:00 a.m. PT. You can check out a brief trailer for the stream below.When the broadcast begins, you'll be able to find it on the Square Enix Twitch channel. According to Bartek Kmita, Creative Director at People Can Fly, the game is still on track, even with the team all working from home."With the ...

TCL promises at least one major OS update for its affordable phones.What you need to knowThe TCL 10 Pro and 10L are TCL's first own branded phones.The company promises to deliver at least one major OS update. It will also deliver two years of security patches every two months. While often cheaper and more powerful (broadly speaking) Android phones don't get nearly the same amount of support as iPhones, with the TCL 10 Pro and 10L, being TCL's first phones, we weren't sure how long the company planned to support them. Fortunately for us, the company has come out to deliver some clarification on the topic."We can confirm both the TCL 10 Pro and 10L will, at minimum, receive one major OS update as well as SMR updates every two months to two years," a TCL spokesperson said (via Matthew Moniz.)With the use of the phrase "at a minimum", TCL implies that this policy is flexible. Perhaps if the series moves enough units to prove themselves as a viable business, it would push ou...

In these uncertain times, finding a secure job is a priority for everyone. While many well-paid careers require college degrees, white hat hacking is open to just about anyone. These cybersecurity experts are paid good money to find the weaknesses in networks, and there is a huge demand for new talent. The Ultimate 2020 White Hat Hacker Certification Bundle helps you get started in this field, with 98 hours of training working towards top exams. You can get it now for just $39.90.According to industry experts, there will be around 3.5 million vacant jobs in cybersecurity by next year. As a result of this shortfall, many companies are willing to offer six-figure salaries to certified experts.This bundle helps you break into the lucrative world of cybersecurity. Through 10 courses, you learn about all the most common attacks used by malicious hackers — from SQL code injection to botnets. The training also looks at penetration testing, password analysis, and other key skills.Yo...

When your PlayStation or peripherals do things you've never seen before, it's understandable you would get worried. The DualShock controller light doesn't usually flash white. There are two main reasons you might see the flashing white light on your DualShock controller: either the battery is dying, or the controller failed to connect to your PlayStation 4. Both of these things are fixable; we just need to troubleshoot the problems.Products used in this guideReplace problem cables: AmazonBasics PlayStation 4 Controller Charging Cable ($14 at Amazon)Replacement controller: DualShock 4 Wireless Controller ($60 at BestBuy)Check your USB cableUSB cables can be fragile. One of the most straightforward problems to fix is replacing your old USB charging cord and replacing it with shiny new ones. These USB Charging cables work well with the DualShock controller and are worth picking up to make sure your cable isn't stopping your controller from charging.Once the replacements ha...

Do you ever get confused as to which Gmail, Google Drive, or Google Calendar account you're using? Have you tried to join a Google Meet call for work, only to be rejected because you were accidentally in your personal account? Yeah, it happens to us too. All. The. Time. Fortunately, Google makes it easy not only to switch between accounts but to set a different account as your default.How to change your default Google accountOn the webIf you're already logged in to your Google account on the web (whether you're in Gmail or another Google app), here's how you can switch between accounts.Open a Google app in your browser of choice.Click on your avatar (photo of you or your initials) in the top right corner of the screen.You should see a dropdown showing all of the Google accounts that you've used to login on this browser. Select the one you want to switch to.That's it! A new browser tab will open with your secondary account app. If you want to change which of your Googl...

The Curious Tale of the Stolen Pets debuted near the end of 2019 on the Oculus Quest and PC VR platforms. The diorama-scale virtual worlds found in the game present a perfect way for players of all ages to appreciate the magic that VR brings. It truly feels like these miniature worlds are floating right in front of you, and their designs compel players to look around every corner and in every nook and cranny to find all the stolen pets and hidden secrets.Developer Fast Travel Games is among the first elite group of developers to release a hand tracking update for the Oculus Quest version of their existing game, bringing an entirely new dimension of magic to the experience. Hand tracking is particularly impressive and important for a game like The Curious Tale of the Stolen Pets because the world already begs for you to reach out and touch it. It's also one of the most accessible VR experiences on the market, as it'll scale the worlds according to player height automatically, featur...

There are a variety of use-cases for a VPN, but no matter which VPN provider you use or what reason you're connecting to a VPN for, the underlying technology remains the same — changing the location of the IP address of your computer, phone, or even your router.Known as 'spoofing', changing your IP address to somewhere else in the world is really easy to do with a VPN meaning you can access content not usually available in your own location. The best way to achieve it is to subscribe to a reputable VPN provider and use their apps on your devices. While you may have to pay a monthly or annual fee to use a VPN, these services are usually more feature-rich than free VPNs and you can always save on VPNs with our best VPN deals guide.ExpressVPNSee latest pricing at ExpressVPNThis is our top pick for anyone looking to get started with a VPN. It offers a great mix of speed, reliability, outstanding customer service, and affordability. There is a 30-day money-back guarantee, so g...

Die, die, and die again.It's not Dishonored 3 or Prey 2, but a new IP is always welcome. On Bethesda's stage at E3 2019, Arkane Studios introduced Deathloop to the world. It looks awesome and trippy in all the right ways, and we can't wait to get our hands on it.What is Deathloop?Deathloop is a new IP developed by Arkane Studios. According to the studio, it will be a 1st-person action game that follows two assassins on an island who are hunting each other down. As the name suggests, our two characters appear to be stuck in a time loop, much like the movie Edge of Tomorrow — or Live. Die. Repeat., as the film was retroactively named.Deathloop Developed by Arkane StudiosIf you're unfamiliar with the name Arkane Studios, you may be familiar with their work. Arkane created the action/stealth series Dishonored and successfully rebooted Prey a couple of years ago. The type of games that Arkane ends up creating are many times labelled as immersive sims. These tend to focus o...

The unlocked OnePlus 8 and 8 Pro phones received Live Caption support last month.What you need to knowThe T-Mobile OnePlus 8 variant is now receiving its very first OxygenOS update.The new OxygenOS 10.5.8.IN55CB update brings Google's live caption feature and support for additional 5G bands.It also includes a few general improvements and bug fixes.OnePlus rolled out the first OxygenOS update for its latest OnePlus 8 series phones last month, adding Live Caption support and several optimizations. Nearly a month later, the T-Mobile variant of the OnePlus 8 is receiving its first OxygenOS update.Unlike the first update for the unlocked OnePlus 8 variants, the one for the T-Mobile variant doesn't bring too many changes to the software. As per the official changelog, the update adds 5G support for bands n2 and n66 and Google's Live Caption feature. The Live Caption feature generates captions for all media playing on your phone, including videos, podcasts, and audio messages. A...

Worth the upgradeFitbit Charge 4$150 at Best Buy$150 at WalmartProsBetter battery lifeSwimproof designActive Zone MinutesBuilt-in GPS Built-in Spotify control ConsExpensive upgrade Not as many color optionsProprietary chargerThe Fitbit Charge 4 is a worthwhile upgrade for features like built-in GPS and Spotify Connect that let you leave your smartphone at home. You also get Active Zone Minutes, Quick Replies via compatible Android devices, a swim-proof design, SPO2 sensor to measure blood oxygen levels, Fitbit Pay, and generous seven-day battery life. That's just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to why you should upgrade from a Charge 2.Still a decent trackerFitbit Charge 2$160 at WalmartFrom $60 at eBayProsHas all the essentialsFive-day battery lifeSame app dashboardConsOnly water-resistant No built-in GPSOutdatedIf you already own the Fitbit Charge 2, it's still a pretty decent activity tracker. You get access to the s...

While it took some getting used to watching matches being played in whisper-quiet empty stadiums, the Bundeliga made a largely successful behind closed doors return from pandemic suspension last weekend.With a string of eye-catching games making up the fixture list for this second week back from the enforced break, there's plenty to look forward to for casual German soccer fans and hardcore Bundesliga supporters alike. Don't miss a moment by following our live stream guide to watching all matches from gameweek 27, no matter where you are in the world.The weekend's action kicks off with a clash between local rivals Hertha and Union Berlin at the Olympiastadion on Friday evening, with the home side's new boss Bruno Labbadia hoping to build on his side's impressive victory against Hoffenheim on their return back to action last week.Arguably the pick of the weeknd's games comes on Saturday afternoon when Borussia Monchengladbach host Bayer Leverkusen at the Stadion im Borussia-Park...

Days of Play is back in 2020 with even more deals on software and hardware.What you need to knowDays of Play is back with deals on games and hardware.It begins June 3 and lasts through June 17.PlayStation has not yet revealed a limited edition Days of Play PS4 like years prior.Continuing the tradition, PlayStation's Days of Play is back for the fourth straight year. Sony announced that the annual sale will take place from June 3 through June 17, and it features discounts on games, hardware, and services like PlayStation Now and PlayStation Plus.Some of the deals that PlayStation highlighted so far include:Select Gold Wireless Headsets – $69.99 USD / $79.99 CAD (MSRP) Platinum Wireless Headset – $129.99 USD (MSRP) / $159.99 CAD (MSRP)Nioh 2, MLB The Show 20 – $39.99 USD / $49.99 CAD (MSRP)Predator: Hunting Grounds, Death Stranding, Dreams – $29.99 USD / $39.99 CAD (MSRP)Days Gone, MediEvil, Blood & Truth – $19.99 USD / $29.99 CAD (MSRP)Everybody's Go...

Enough for mostKaspersky Security Cloud - FreeFree at KasperskyProsVirus protectionProtects from suspicious sitesVPN includedAccount monitoringConsAlways connected serviceLimited privacy protectionNot a lot of VPN dataKaspersky's free option is now part of its Security Cloud line, which brings new features beyond pure antivirus software. It also includes VPN data, a password manager, the ability to scan for weak settings, and monitoring for your online accounts. For most people, this is a great level of protection to keep browsing safe and machines clean of infection.Privacy focusedKaspersky Security Cloud - PersonalFrom $54/year at KasperskyProsVirus protectionProtects privacy onlineBlocks tracking and webcam spiesVPN includedAccount monitoringHome Wi-Fi monitoringConsExpensive upgradeNot much VPN dataUpgrading your Security Cloud account comes with some great extras like the bonus privacy protection and home Wi-Fi monitorin...

Here's the lowdown on Samsung's newest Note.Every year, there are certain phones we just can't help but get excited about — one of which is the Galaxy Note. From the first Note that debuted in 2011 up to last year's Note 10, Samsung's stylus-equipped flagships are regularly some of the most interesting to hit the market.Samsung revamped its naming convention this year with the Galaxy S lineup, going from the S10 to the S20. We're expecting something similar for the Note lineup, meaning 2020 will see the launch of the Galaxy Note 20.From the latest specs, leaked renders, pricing rumors, and more, here's everything you need to know!We're expecting at least two modelsGet ready for a familiar designSpecs? Here's what we knowThere won't be a physical launch eventLet's discuss pricingDon't overlook the Note 10Today's NoteGalaxy Note 10+From $950 at Samsung$900 at Best BuyPlenty of specs and features for years to comeWhile we are excited to see what Samsu...

Let's talk about one of 2020's most anticipated smartphones.Starting in 2016 with the release of the original Pixel, Google's lineup of Android phones has been marketed towards people looking to buy premium, high-end flagships. That notion has continued to hold true, but in May 2019, Google decided to try something a bit different with the release of the Pixel 3a.The Pixel 3a was the first mid-range Pixel phone to be released by the company, and it was an instant hit. Critics and consumers alike were immediately drawn to the 3a, thanks to its offering of great specs, solid build quality, and outstanding camera performance — all for less than $400.We were absolutely smitten with the Pixel 3a here at AC, and now, the rumor mill is buzzing with information regarding its successor. From specs, design, features, and more, here's everything we know about the Google Pixel 4a.There may only be one modelThe design is pretty interestingMid-range specs are expectedThere looks ...

Some truly wild results await.What you need to knowThe April 2020 NPD results are in.Spending for the month hit a record high. Final Fantasy 7 Remake was the best-selling game of the month.Every month, the NPD Group releases information on the top-selling games across all video game platforms in the United States. While it doesn't account for worldwide sales, it does provide a good look at one of the largest video game markets. Mat Piscatella, an analyst for NPD, has shared the results for April 2020, tracked from April 5 to May 2.Spending hit a record high in the month of April 2020, with the sales of the Nintendo Switch breaking the record set by the Wii in 2008. Sales of Nintendo Switch, Xbox One and PlayStation 4 were up 160% year-over-year altogether. Final Fantasy 7 Remake makes its debut at #1 on the chart and is instantly the third best-selling game of 2020. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare and Animal Crossing: New Horizons also keep on going strong at #2 and #3 for t...

Samsung has improved a lot when it comes to Android updates, but there is still some work to be done.Updates are something no Android handset maker outside of Google has ever been really great at. Overall, the landscape has improved by leaps and bounds, but sometimes when you drill down to individual manufacturers and especially individual phones things still need a lot of work.Since Samsung is a name that's almost synonymous with Android, I decided to take a long hard look at how the company is doing when it comes to updating the phones it sells. I looked at both platform updates as well as the more important security updates, expensive phones and cheap phones, and even how things look by region. Here's where things stand.More: The Galaxy S20 is the first phone to have Samsung's own security chip insideThe goodSamsung is on the ball for its flagship phones. Whether you buy unlocked or from a carrier, you can expect Samsung to update your phone with two platform versions ...

It is also rumored to feature a larger 1.2-inch display.What you need to knowThe Mi Band 5 could be Xiaomi's first fitness tracker to include an SpO2 (blood oxygen saturation) sensor.It is also tipped to support menstrual cycle tracking and come with Amazon Alexa built-in.The wearable is likely to be launched in China in late June or early July. Xiaomi's Mi Band 4, which was launched in June last year, is still among the best budget fitness bands on the market, offering fantastic value for money. A new report has now shed light on the possible key features of its successor, which is expected to be launched soon.According to TizenHelp, the Xiaomi Mi Band 5 will offer an SpO2 sensor for measuring blood oxygen saturation, menstrual cycle tracking, and Amazon Alexa support. In addition to these three new features, the upcoming fitness band will apparently come with a new "Personal Activity Intelligence (PAI)" function, which will show users how much activity they need daily t...

The T-Mobile network has been one of the biggest surprises in recent years with continued growth and a knack for locking down a lot of great spectrum. T-Mobile is trading blows with the likes of AT&T and Verizon in terms of coverage and speed across the U.S. and has done so with one of the most open and compatible networks around. This is one of the reasons some of the best MVNOs take advantage of the T-Mobile network and can offer great rates on data with great coverage. Metro by T-Mobile manages to be one of the best prepaid carriers to use the network with tons of data and even great roaming partner access.Best Unlimited: Metro by T-MobileMetro by T-Mobile has three main plans starting at 10GB with unlimited music streaming for $40 per month for one line. This is a great plan for most people with regular access to Wi-Fi and even comes with $10 off each additional line. This works out to $70, $100, $130, and $160 per month for two, three, four, and five lines, respectivel...

Learning is easier when it's fun. Sometimes you just have to bury your nose in a book and figure something out, but sometimes you can learn by playing games and doing activities that hold your interest. That's what ABC Mouse and Adventure Academy do. These are websites built for kids to help them learn essentials like math and language, and they do it through games and activities and reward systems that encourage kids to dig deeper. Right now you can get three months of ABC Mouse for $9.95 and three months of Adventure Academy for $9.99. Choose one or both. ABC Mouse is for kids aged 2 to 8, and Adventure Academy skews a little older than that (8 to 13). Whether you have multiple kids that can learn or just one who needs to be really engaged with multiple programs, you can tailor the sites to your needs.These services normally cost $10 a month, so this is essentially a "Buy One, Get Two Free" situation. After the three months are up, your subscriptions will both automatically renew f...

"Here, the FBI physically intruded on Mr. Sam's personal effect when the FBI powered on his phone to take a picture of the phone's lock screen."What you need to knowA district judge has ruled that even switching on a phone to look at its lock screen constitutes a search.As such, a law enforcement agency cannot do it without a search warrant.This is different from a police officer looking at your phone at the scene of a crime or inquiry, however.A Seattle district judge has ruled that turning on a phone's lock screen during the course of an investigation constitutes a search, and as such requires a warrant to be lawful.As reported by Ars Technica: A man from Washington state was arrested in May 2019 and was indicted on several charges related to robbery and assault. The suspect, Joseph Sam, was using an unspecified Motorola smartphone. When he was arrested, he says, one of the officers present hit the power button to bring up the phone's lock screen. The filing does no...

Let's chat with the AC forums.One of the more polarizing phones of the year has been the Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra. There were a lot of expectations for the device leading up to its release, and while it gets a lot right, it also comes with some quirks and drawbacks you don't want to see in a phone this expensive.Now that the Ultra has had some time to breathe and exist in the wild, we wanted to check in with our AC forum members to see where their thoughts about the phone currently lie. Gray Area 05-21-2020 10:32 AM “ The s20 ultra may be the most polarizing phone I've seen to date. Before getting one, I said... to expensive, not much of an upgrade over last yr or even 2 yrs ago. Then I got an offer I couldn't refuse on one, so I traded in my trusty Note 9 and went all in with no s-pen. After getting it I kept reading and watching reviews and even people on this forum saying it was a bust, ...

Gather 'round, everyone — class is starting.There are a lot of components that go into making up your phone. There's the display, processor, RAM, storage, battery, cameras, etc. All of these pieces come together to create for a cohesive device that you use and interact with every single day, but there's another component that's just as important — apps.The apps on your phone determine what you can and can't do with it. Apps you download from the Play Store allow you to access social media platforms, check the weather, make video calls, play games, you name it.Downloading an app is easy and simple enough, but every single one comes with a slight catch that you need to be aware of.In this article, we're going to talk about everything you ever wanted to know about Android app permissions — what they are, how they can be misused, and how they differ in certain Android versions.What Android app permissions areBefore we can dig too much deeper into this topic, we need t...

Best answer: Yes, as long as you have a Kaspersky security solution, you should be using the extension. It provides additional information to keep you safe while browsing the web.Get the whole security package: Kaspersky Total Security 2020 (From $50/year at Kaspersky)Get the extension for free: Kaspersky Security Cloud - Free (Free at Kaspersky)Included with KasperskyMany people have become adept at identifying threats online, whether it's a sketchy website or a suspicious download. Of course, the people that would take advantage of you or your information are learning and adapting as well. The Kaspersky Protection Chrome extension can directly monitor the sites and links open in Google Chrome while you browse and can flag known threats. This extra information remains unobtrusive and provides great additional information.The extension can also look for problems on sites and block things like keyloggers, phishing attempts, and even block advertising banners. The best featu...

Have you looked at your schedule recently and noticed it's pretty empty for the next month or so? Time to fill it up with some binge-worthy TV. If you're a new customer, you can sign up for the Sling TV Premium Pass that not only includes all the channels in Sling Blue or Sling Orange but will also give you a month of the premium channels Showtime, Starz, and Epix completely free. The regular Sling channels cost $30 a month, and the three premium channels would cost an extra $24 on top of that as an add-on. In fact, after you sign up the monthly cost will revert to $54 a month if you don't cancel by the end of the free month.With this pass you can sign up for Sling Orange or Sling Blue. These are both packages that include more than 30 channels in addition to your three premium channels mentioned above. For the most part you get a lot of the same stuff, but the differences are pronounced enough that you'll want to pay attention to your choice. For example, if you want ESPN and Disn...

Way back in 2018, Fitbit introduced its Charge 3 fitness tracker, a sleek and simple fitness tracker that monitors everything from activity to 24/7 heart rate, sleep, and exercises. This year, Fitbit followed up with the newest iteration called the Fitbit Charge 4 that adds a host of new features, namely built-in GPS.But if you don't really need GPS, or you're okay bringing your smartphone along with you in order to track pace and distance, the Charge 3 is still a pretty viable choice to consider. There are a lot of features the two fitness trackers share.Here's a look at what makes the Charge 4 different and why the Charge 3 might suit just fine, depending on which features and functions are a priority for you.Why Fitbit released the Charge 4There are three major upgrades with the Charge 4 compared to the Charge 3. The first is the built-in GPS. With this feature, you can leave your phone at home while you go for a run or morning walk and still track your route with real-t...

Microsoft added its name to SwiftKey and added support for Emoji 12.What you need to knowSwiftKey is now called Microsoft SwiftKey.The name change rolled out to SwiftKey Beta last week and is now in the public version of the app.The update that brings the name change also brings support for Emoji 12.Microsoft purchased SwiftKey in 2016.SwiftKey is now known as Microsoft SwiftKey, adding Microsoft's name to the app after being purchased by Microsoft four years ago. The name change appears on the Google Play listing for SwiftKey but hasn't rolled out to the iOS version yet. The name change appeared on the beta version of SwiftKey last week, and is now on the public version of the app.In addition to adding Microsoft to the app's name, SwiftKey now supports Emoji 12.0 and has a new icon. Vishnu Nath, partner director of PM Microsoft Mobile & X-Device experiences, shared the news of the name change and update on Twitter.Our @SwiftKey is now officially branded Microsoft ...

QR code support is expected to become available for all beta testers within the next few days.What you need to knowThe latest beta version of the WhatsApp for Android app adds support for QR codes.You can now share your contact info with your friends using a QR code. The QR codes can be scanned from within the app to add new contacts.WhatsApp has introduced a nifty new feature with the latest beta version of its app for Android. The feature, which is currently available only for beta testers, lets users quickly add new contacts by scanning a unique QR code.As per WABetaInfo, the feature is available through a server-side update in the latest WhatsApp beta v2.20.171. If you have signed up for the WhatsApp beta testing program, you should be able to find it by heading to Settings. You can view your QR code by tapping on the icon next to your name. In addition to viewing your QR code, you will also be able to scan other QR codes from the "Scan Code" tab. Aside from the camer...