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Premium experienceGoogle Pixel Buds$180 at Best BuyProsFantastic case design look and feelWireless charging caseGreat microphone qualityHands-free Google Assistant commandsConsYou pay extra for this designShorter earbuds battery life than mostNo customization optionsSome people put a value on design and a thought-out user experience, and these people will prefer the Pixel Buds. Excellent design throughout just elevates everything — a great case, good sound, great microphones, and smart features like adaptive sound, Hey Google commands and more.Great valueSamsung Galaxy Buds Plus$140 at AmazonProsLess expensive for same core featuresWireless charging caseLong earbuds battery lifeCustomizable touch controls and EQConsCheap-feeling and looking caseLarger earbud designVoice commands require touch controlSometimes you don't need (or want) any of the extra features; you just want solid true wireless earbuds. The Galaxy Buds+ get t...

Samsung's mid-range refresh is available from AT&T immediately, with availability of May 8 from Xfinity Mobile.What you need to knowThe Galaxy A51 has a quad-camera set up with a 48MP main shooter.It has a 6.5-inch AMOLED display with a hole-punch camera cut out.Xfinity Mobile is offering a $100 discount on your purchase when opening a new line of service.The $400 range of phones may have a lot of options, but many of them really aren't even worth that. Thankfully the Samsung Galaxy A51 is worth your money if you're in the market for a phone in this price range, and today it's available in more places. Specs Samsung Galaxy A51 Software One UI 2.0 based on Android 10 Display 6.5-inch (2400x1080) Super AMOLED Chipset 2.30GHz Exynos 9611 RAM 4GB Storage 128GB Rear Camera 1 48MP ƒ/2.0 (primary) Rear Camera 2 12MP ƒ/2.2 (wide-angle) Rear Camera 3 5MP ƒ/2.4 (macro) Rear Camera 4 5MP ƒ/2.2 (portrait) Front...

A first look at a very different kind of The Lord of the Rings game.What you need to knowThe Lord of the Rings: Gollum is a game being developed Daedalic Entertainment.It's coming to PC and next-generation platforms, including Xbox Series X.A batch of new screenshots have been released, showing Gollum, Orcs and more.The Lord of the Rings: Gollum is currently set to release in 2021. The Lord of the Rings: Gollum is a new game being developed by Daedalic Entertainment. First announced back in 2019, we now have a few screenshots giving us a rough idea of the visual style to expect. We get to see Gollum, some Orcs, giant spiders and more.You can take a look at all the images in the gallery below. The Lord of the Rings: Gollum is set before the events of the titular books, with players have to choose between Smeagol decisions and Gollum decisions depending on the situation at hand.The game was originally announced as coming to PC and "all relevant console platf...

It's far from perfect, but there's a lot here that works.My relationship with Stadia has been — complicated. When the service was initially announced over a year ago at GDC 2019, I quickly placed my pre-order for the Founder's Edition and was ecstatic to get my hands on it. A few months later in September of that year, I canceled my pre-order.Google captivated my nerd heart with the idea of being able to play my favorite games on any screen I wanted, all without the need for downloads, installs, or updates of any kind. The concept is still just as cool as it's ever been, but leading up to Stadia's launch in November 2019, it became quickly apparent that the service was going to go through some growing pains.We initially gave Stadia a 2.5 out of 5-star review, and three months later in March 2020, revisited it to see how things were going. Even with months to improve and polish things up, we once again gave it that 2.5 rating — citing a heap of missing features Google was pr...

Chatting with the AC forums.On a website called "Android Central," it shouldn't come as much surprise that Android is our mobile operating system of choice. Whether it be Android's vast customization options, a large variety of available devices, or anything else in between, there are a lot of reasons why we prefer it over iOS.Even so, that's not to say that iOS is a bad operating system. In fact, there are a lot of perks and benefits that come with it.Recently, some of our AC forum members began a conversation about switching to iOS/iPhone and the various upsides that come with that transition. blak8830 05-03-2020 06:57 AM “ I've always hated Apple and their closed, expensive ecosystem, so why in the world am I moving to iPhone? I've used Blackberries and Android phones for pretty nearly 20 years - 5 different Android phones since 2012, when I gave up on Blackberry, as they failed to keep up...

Grab the TP-Link Kasa 2-outlet Wi-Fi smart plug on sale for $21.99 with the code 93XPJ54 at Newegg. Without the code, the smart plug is going for $30. You can find it going for that price at other retailers like B&H, and the next best price is $25. We haven't seen it drop as low as today's deal since last year's holiday shopping season when it dropped to around $20 for Black Friday. Just remember with Newegg you will need to sign into an account to use a code like this. Because this deal is a Shell Shocker, one of Newegg's daily deals, it also comes with free shipping.Given the way the smart plug is designed, you can essentially use this to add an extra place to plug in on any AC outlet. The device stretches horizontally with two plugs on either end, leaving the second wall outlet unused and available. (Although you won't be able to fit two of these on the same outlet.) Despite having two appliances plugged into the same device, they aren't automatically tied to each other. You...

Wireless earbuds are the future, and you don't have to spend nearly $200 on a pair of AirPods to snag a pair worth your time. Anker's Soundcore Liberty Air 2 true wireless earbuds made their debut at the end of last year at half the price of Apple's AirPods; today, you can save an additional $20 on their purchase and pick them up at Best Buy for just $79.99. The discount is thanks to limited-time deal that applies to both the black and white versions. We've never seen them go lower than this before. You can score the same savings at Amazon, Newegg, and Walmart.The Liberty Air 2 offer 7 hours of playback per charge, and the compact carrying case actually can provide an additional 21 hours of usage time. You can use one headphone at a time, or both, and the noise-cancelling mics makes for crystal clear calls. There are integrated touch controls on the earbuds for controlling music playback, answering calls or summoning your phone's voice assistant. The earbuds are also IPX5 rated to ...

Google's been making portrait-mode magic on single-lens Pixel phones for a while. Now Apple has entered the ring with the iPhone SE 2020.It's no secret that Google's Pixel phones have had some of the best cameras you'll find on any phone, even though most of them only have one camera lens. They rely on software magic to turn what the camera sees into a great photo, and effects like portrait mode or night sight take that software even further. It makes sense — Google is, after all, primarily a software company. Apple makes hardware and sells it to people. Google mostly makes algorithms.Apple is not primarily a software company, at least not the same way that Google is. Apple is more like Samsung and builds products that people want to buy without thinking of the software inside of them. But just like Samsung, Apple's camera game is strong. Very strong. A sampling of photos from the iPhone 11 shows how good Apple's cameras can be.And then we have the new iPhone SE. Let's b...

Jio has over 388 million subscribers, making it India's biggest telecom operator.What you need to knowPrivate equity firm Silver Lake is investing $746.8 million in Jio Platforms, India's largest telecom network provider.The announcement comes just weeks after Facebook invested $5.7 billion in Jio Platforms. Silver Lake will own a 1% stake in Jio Platforms.Last month, Facebook announced an investment of $5.7 billion in India's biggest telecom network provider, Jio Platforms. Just two weeks later, Jio Platforms has now secured a fresh $746.8 million investment from Menlo Park-based private equity firm Silver Lake. The investment will give Silver Lake around 1.15% stake in the Indian telecom giant.As noted by TechCrunch, this is only the second time that Silver Lake is investing in an Indian firm. In 2013, it had invested in Eka Software, a Bangalore-based commodity management startup. However, Silver Lake has been investing in several popular tech firms over the last few y...

Best Buy is celebrating Star Wars Day, May the 4th, with some excellent deals. One of those deals features the Garmin Legacy 45mm fiber-reinforced polymer smartwatch on sale for $299.99. You can get this smartwatch featuring a 45mm display with a Darth Vader theme or a 40mm display Rey theme with lighter colors. Both watches are $100 off compared to other retailers like B&H.The Garmin Legacy is a powerful smartwatch that works with both Android and iOS devices thanks to its smart app. Whether you're using your phone to adjust the settings or using your smartwatch while your phone is out of sight, you can get all the information you need wherever you are. You'll get smart alerts for incoming calls, texts, and calendar alerts when paired with your phone.The smartwatch is capable of all-day health monitoring. In can track your body's energy levels, blood oxygen saturation, daily water intake, sleep quality, and more. It also has wrist-based heart rate monitoring and Pulse Ox tec...

Working from home is a lot easier with loud, pristine music.I'm a big advocate for listening to music while you work. Music can put you in a better mood, and there's research to suggest that ambient and instrumental music in particular (or at the very least, music with minimal lyrics) can help keep you focused and make you more productive.There are all sorts of ways to listen to music, and those in shared spaces will likely gravitate towards enclosed headphones. But if you have a bit of personal space and don't need to worry about disturbing others, by far my favorite way to consume audio is through studio monitors — those large, actively powered speakers typically used for music production.For years now, the ADAM A3X studio monitors have been my go-to solution. They aren't the cheapest speakers around, nor are they the smallest, but believe it or not they're actually considerably smaller than most studio monitors, and deliver outrageously good sound quality.ADAM Audio A3...

Whether it's May the Fourth or any other day of the year, it's always the perfect time to start up a new Star Wars game. There are only a handful of Star Wars games available on PlayStation 4 right now, but there are some classics and a couple of newer titles sure to spark some interest.★ Featured favoriteStar Wars Jedi: Fallen OrderYou wanted a great Star Wars game, and you got one. Play as Jedi-turned-refugee Cal Kestis as he attempts to evade the Imperial Inquisitors hunting the remaining Jedi who survived Order 66. Visit iconic locations like Kashyyyk and Dathomir and new ones created just for the game. It truly feels like you're wielding a lightsaber in this title, which I'm sure every fan can appreciate.$47 at Amazon $60 at Best BuyEvery eraStar Wars Battlefront IIStaff pickIn its single-player campaign, play as a member of Inferno Squad, an elite group of Imperial soldiers that are tasked with completing the Emperor's orders after the destruct...

The Mi 10 is Xiaomi's first premium phone in India in over two years.What you need to knowXiaomi is launching its latest flagship in India later this week.The Mi 10 will be debuting in a livestream on May 8. The news comes on the back of Xiaomi stating that it is restarting retail operations across most of India. Xiaomi's last premium phone in India was the Mi Mix 2, which debuted in the region in October 2017. The phone didn't sell particularly well, and in recent years Xiaomi has focused its attention solely on the entry-level and budget segments.After divesting Redmi into a standalone entity and doing the same with POCO a few months ago, Xiaomi is now turning its attention once again to the high-end category. The Redmi K20 series showed that there's a lot of potential in this segment, and now Xiaomi has announced that it is bringing the Mi 10 to India.Xiaomi will launch the Mi 10 in a virtual event on May 8. This is a big deal for the brand because the Mi 10 is the f...

The Ecovacs Robotics Deebot Ozmo 930 connected robot vacuum cleaner and mop is down to $349.99 at Best Buy. The low price is one of Best Buy's deals of the day, which means it's very temporary. The Ozmo 930 can sell for a lot more than this at other retailers, including up to $700 at places like Kohl's, though its average price is around $530.The robot cleaner can switch between mopping hard floors and vacuuming carpet. It's smart enough to automatically boost its own suction when moving over carpet. Thanks to the Smart Navi 3.0 technology, the robot can learn to safely traverse your home. It will scan, map, and plan an efficient cleaning route. Clean your kitchen, bedrooms, and more all at one time. The laser detection system makes the process as efficient as possible.If you already have a smart home ecosystem, you can connect the Deebot 930 to your Wi-Fi and control it with your voice. The machine is compatible with Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, and Siri. You can use these to...

Smartphone makers in India are being asked to preinstall the app on new devices.What you need to knowThe Aarogya Setu contact tracing app reportedly enables federal surveillance.It was launched by the Indian government last month to help fight COVID-19 in the country.The app has been installed by over 75 million smartphone users in India so far.India rolled out a contact tracing app called Aarogya Setu last month to help track coronavirus infection in the country. While it started as a voluntary app, the Indian government recently made it mandatory for all employees in the country. However, various privacy-focused groups have been raising concerns about the app's information collection ever since it was launched.An independent analysis of the contact tracing app by the folks at Gizmodo has found that the app enables federal surveillance and also makes devices vulnerable to a wide range of hacks. The app requires users to provide basic information such as their age, gender...

Looks like it's here to stay!What you need to knowCall of Duty: Modern Warfare is an incredibly popular first-person shooter from Activision.Its battle royale mode is called Warzone.Warzone is a free-to-play experience so anyone can download the client. The game may be upgraded for PlayStation 5. Call of Duty: Warzone is a first-person battle royale shooter from Activision. It seems like the team wants the game to stick around for a while because Xbox Series X and PlayStation 5 (PS5) upgrades are planned.According to a report by Charlie Intel, the game may be upgraded for both consoles. The outlet said the following, while quoting the game's Narrative Director. In an interview with GamerGen, Infinity Ward has confirmed that fans who are looking at getting the PS5 and Xbox Series X this holiday will be able to still play Call of Duty: Warzone. Infinity Ward's Narrative Director says that the studio will be working to update Call of Duty: Warzone in order to support ...

Daniel and Jerry are joined by Lory Gil of iMore for a chat about global smartphone shipments tumbling. Apple's move to put their flagship processor into a budget phone is a shot across the bow of Qualcomm and all other device manufacturers.They have an in-depth conversation about contract tracing and the technology behind Apple and Google's joint COVID-19 exposure notification API. Tune in and learn what it does and how it protects your privacy while helping make the world a safer place.Listen nowSubscribe in Pocket Casts: AudioSubscribe in Spotify: AudioSubscribe in iTunes: Audio Subscribe in RSS: AudioDownload directly: AudioLinks:Global smartphone shipments tumbled 13% in Q1 2020 due to COVID-19 | Android CentralSee how Apple and Google came together to trace the coronavirus | iMoreApple and Google release first seed of COVID-19 exposure notification API for contact tracing app developers | TechCrunchApple Earnings Call Transcripts: Apple CEO Tim Cook on t...

Let's be frank: Samsung's default keyboard on its Galaxy phones is not good. The touch response just seems off. Word and sentence prediction is horrible. It has lots of customization options, and that's about all it has going for it. Thankfully Android offers everyone the opportunity to choose the keyboard that's right for them, with zero compromises. When Samsung's keyboard starts to grate on you to the point where you want something new, here's how you can switch — and recommendations for which keyboard you should pick.Choosing a new keyboardIf you want to really get into it, there are hundreds of keyboard options on Google Play. You could spend hours and hours researching, but if you want to cut to the chase, we highly recommend starting with one of our favorites.Google's own Gboard and the ever-present SwiftKey are excellent starting points that millions of people use and enjoy. Critically, they're both leaps and bounds ahead of Samsung's own keyboard. And they're both fr...

There's almost nothing secret about the Pixel 4a at this point.What you need to knowGoogle's Pixel 4a is the upcoming successor to 2019's Pixel 3a.An early camera review showcases the prowess of the mid-range handset.As expected of Google, the camera is as good as previous Pixel iterations despite lacking a secondary lens.Google's Pixel 4a is the company's upcoming (and much leaked) budget phone for 2020. In typical Google hardware release fashion, we know pretty much everything about the phone before its official unveiling.Now, to add to that already heaping pile of leaks, the Pixel's camera has been reviewed by Cuban tech blog TecnoLike Plus in partnership with the folks over at XDA Developers.Speaking on the full resolution photos, XDA comments: The photos are characteristically Pixel-like in look. This means they have excellent detail, balanced noise reduction with visible luminance noise, adequate (but not best in class) dynamic range, and great color accuracy....

Showtime's hit TV series Billions is returning for its fifth season on Sunday, May 3 and we have all the details on how you can stream the show online or watch it on TV from anywhere in the world.Billions is a fictional drama that gives viewers an inside look at the world of high finance in New York City. The series follows billionaire hedge fund king Bobby 'Axe' Axelrod (played by Damien Lewis) as he tries to tilt the capital markets in his favor. However, he is relentlessly pursued by U.S. Attorney Chuck Rhoades (played by Paul Giamatti) who wants to take him down.The show was created by Brian Koppelman, David Levien and Andrew Ross Sorkin and it is loosely based on the true story of New York attorney Preet Bharara's legal battles with hedge fund manager Steve Cohen of S.A.C Capital Advisors.Season 5 of Billions will also see some new additions to the cast with Julianna Marguiles, Corey Stoll, Roma Maffica, Daniel breaker, Frank Grillo and Rick Hoffman all joining the show....

With an official price cut, we should adjust how we assess the Pixel's value.Google cut the prices of the Pixel 4 and 4 XL on the Google Store by $300 each this week, down to $500 and $600; and Amazon's price dropped to match. Short-term sales and certain retailers had dropped the Pixels down to these prices before, but with Google setting its own store prices there, it shows this is the new ceiling for the Pixels until they're replaced later this year.The combination of this $300 price cut, and a swath of 2020 flagships coming out at ever-higher prices, have created an interesting situation: the Pixel 4 and Pixel 4 XL are now compelling mid-range phones.The Pixel 4 XL, in particular, offers surprisingly competitive value with its larger screen and slightly more acceptable battery life. (I still wouldn't recommend the Pixel 4, due to its poor battery life, unless you're dying to have a small phone.) Flagship phones now hover around the $1000 price point, which is an entirely ...

It's finally time to think about 5G when choosing a carrier. 5G coverage has continued to grow and is available in more places than ever. Increased use of sub-6 5G has led to great coverage and many supported phones while mmWave is pushing out the boat on speed and capacity in dense urban areas. There are also some MVNO options allowing for even more access. With a mix of sub-6 on low-band and mid-band spectrum for rural and suburban areas and mmWave in progress in urban areas, T-Mobile is the best carrier for 5G.Best Overall: T-MobileT-Mobile invested heavily in 600MHz spectrum, which is used to bolster it's LTE as well as start building a capable 5G network. While this 600MHz 5G hasn't been able to deliver speeds significantly higher than modern LTE in real world testing, it does deliver these speeds consistently. For most people using it, this network will be plenty fast enough.Perhaps the most important part of T-Mobile's 5G efforts is its heavy investment in a wide range...

I love using my Chromebook when I'm working from home to be as portable and productive as possible. With its touchscreen, stylus, and 360-degree hinge, I also find that it makes a great entertainment device as well — until the Wi-Fi starts acting finicky. If this happens to you, here are a few simple things you can try to get things up and working again as intended.How to fix slow Wi-Fi: Turn it off then turn it on againI'm a firm believer in the KISS method (Keep It Simple Stupid), so I always try to reach for the low-hanging fruit first when troubleshooting a Wi-Fi issue. Here are some of the quick and easy settings that you can check to get your Wi-Fi back on track before diving any deeper into the settings.First, check your Wi-Fi router and modem and make sure they are up and running.If you don't see the indicator lights working properly, or if something looks amiss, turn off or unplug your router.Turn your router back on and/or plug it back in, and wait a minute or ...

The Seagate One Touch STJE1000402 1TB portable solid state drive is down to $129.99 at Newegg with code 93XPJ39. That's a great low price because the 1TB One Touch normally sells for around $160 or more. You can find it going for $165 at Staples right now. The One Touch has dropped to $140 at a few retailers like Best Buy, but Newegg is the only one offering an extra $10 off. That makes it the best place to go for this portable SSD today.Portable SSDs are usually priced at a premium just because they offer a significant upgrade over portable hard drives in terms of durability and speed, but if you don't want to pay that price and still need some portable storage, we've got you covered. Newegg also has the Seagate Expansion 2TB portable hard drive on sale for $55.99. That's more space and a much more affordable price.In a perfect world, portable solid state drives would be just as inexpensive as portable hard drives. After all, the main feature of SSDs is they have no moving parts...

The Sony XBR75X800G 75-inch X800G 4K HDR Smart TV is down to $1,199.99 at Best Buy. The same model goes for $1,398 at most other retailers like Walmart. Today's price at Best Buy is part of the deals of the day, so this won't last very long. This is one of the best prices we've ever seen, even if this is a 2019 model TV.The X800G TV includes 4K upscaling so you'll always see improved detail and clarity even when watching lower resolution content. It uses 4K X-Reality Pro technology to upscale images as close to 4K as they can get. Plus, the TV supports HDR, including HDR10 and HLG, so you'll get even more color and contrast with a wide range of brightness.Use the Sony smart platform to access all your favorite streaming apps, like Netflix and Hulu. The Sony Bonus Offer app even includes ways to save on new content. The system has Android TV built in, and you can use Google Assistant to control the TV and the rest of your smart home with just your voice. It's also compatible with ...

Sure, the Google Home smart speaker has been around for a while at this point, but it is Google's quintessential smart speaker. It all started with the Home. Now you can get it for the same price as the Mini version! The Google Home is down to $29 at several retailers including Target, Best Buy, Walmart, and more. You can even find it this low at Google. Most of these retailers require at least $35 in the cart for free shipping, so you're going to pay an extra $5 to $7 unless you can order it for in-store pickup (or order more than one).This deal price is honestly shocking considering we shared a deal just a couple days ago where it was down to $47, and we thought that was pretty good. I can't imagine this will last long and it looks like some places are already selling out. Get it while you can.Google Assistant is the brains within the cylinder and can accomplish all sorts of tasks for you. Just ask and Google will answer. Check the weather, stream music, get traffic information...

The Grand Ole Opry has hosted shows every Saturday night consecutively for the past 90 years, and even social distancing measures aren't going to keep performers off the iconic stage. For the past few weeks, Circle All Access has streamed performances live from the Opry for free on Youtube and a few select other platforms, and this weekend's concert is set to be one of the best yet.Previous livestreamed events featured guests like Luke Combs, Trace Adkins, and Craig Morgan. This Saturday night, Bobby Bones will host as Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood take to the stage to perform acoustically at the Saturday Night Grand Ole Opry, along with opener Scotty McCreery.The Opry Livestream events are in support of MusiCares. With the #UNBROKEN campaign, the livestream aims to raise money for MusiCares's COVID-19 Relief Fund, dedicated to benefiting artists and music professionals affected by the crisis. You can text UNBROKEN to 41444 to make a donation during the live event.Even thoug...

VoLTE isn't particularly new, but it's a luxury feature nonetheless. Otherwise known as voice-over-LTE, this tech allows you to use your data connnection to make dramatically clearer, crisper-sounding voice calls instead of the garbled mess we're all used to. Just about every manufacturer and carrier supports VoLTE these days, and OnePlus is no exception — here's how to enable it.Products used in this guideLatest and greatest: OnePlus 8 Pro ($900 at OnePlus)Affordable excellence: OnePlus 7T ($500 at OnePlus)How to enable VoLTEEnabling VoLTE on a OnePlus phone is as simple as jumping into the Settings app and hitting a switch. Nearly every OnePlus phone is compatible with VoLTE (especially if your phone was released in the last couple of years), but your carrier might also play a part in whether or not you'll be able to use it. The vast majority of carriers support VoLTE, but you should check with your particular carrier if the following steps don't work for you.Open t...

Mother's Day is coming up soon, and if you'll be far away from mom or just can't be there on the big day, there are a number of ways to make her feel special and loved. Flower delivery services are a reliable choice, but with so many sites to choose between, you might understandably feel a bit lost on which to pick and which can get your gift to mom, or grandma, or another loved one on time. The guide below will take you through the ins and outs of the best flower delivery services there are to help you make the decision and find mom a gift she'll adore.Best Flower Delivery Services1-800 FlowersFTD OnlineHarry & DavidProFlowersJustFlowersFlowers FastTelefloraWhether you want to send a big bouquet of flowers, a box of chocolates, or if you have no clue what to send at all, the sites below will help you get your gift together and delivered on time for the big day. Delivery availability does vary depending on the items you select and where they're being sent.The ...

Learning Microsoft Azure is now easier than ever thanks to a new partnership between Pluralsight and Microsoft. You can become an expert and strengthen your Azure skills in no time, and the best part is that getting started is absolutely free. There are a number of courses on Azure you can take at Pluralsight to see whether the site and learning method is right for you before paying a cent on any further courses you might decide to take.Get to class!Free Microsoft Azure Courses at PluralsightLearn skills you'll need to be prepared for Microsoft Azure certifications with free courses at Pluralsight. Pluralsight features more courses in Software Development, IT Ops, Cyber Security, and other subjects as well.Enroll at PluralsightWith your free Pluralsight account, you'll score unlimited access to select Azure courses, along with skill assessments to stay on track of how much knowledge you've actually retained. There are eight free Azure courses in all, and over 200 more to ge...

Mint Mobile is all about getting great service for a fraction of the price of the big carriers, and for many, that philosophy extends to the phone they choose to use. Thankfully, tons of great Android phones embody the same idea: getting a great experience with the latest specs and features and not paying top dollar for it. The best example of this is the OnePlus 8 Pro, which offers a flagship-like experience for less than the direct competition. It's a great phone to pair with the solid-but-inexpensive Mint Mobile service.Best Overall: OnePlus 8 ProThe OnePlus 7 Pro is as excellent and well-designed as any high-end smartphone out today. If you know much about OnePlus, you'll be happy to know it doesn't stray from its traditional formula. Instead, it extends to its logical place in the landscape of 2020 flagships with more features and a higher price — but of course, not too high.The hardware is toe-to-toe with any flagship, and it's punctuated by the best display OnePlus h...

Signing up for AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, or Verizon service is making a commitment to a network. MVNOs just sell access to one of the major networks with different services and plans that might work better for some people. Most of them ditch any sort of contract as well. Unless an MVNO is partially owned or operated by a specific carrier, it will have no specific commitment to any network.With an MVNO, it can be possible to choose which network works best for you or use one that's compatible with the phone you already have. Keep in mind that if you roam a lot or see extended LTE popping up on your phone, you're using another carrier's network and you may lose service in these areas on an MVNO.Just be sure to check the coverage map for each carrier before signing up.Sprint and T-MobileIn April 2020, T-Mobile completed its purchase of Sprint taking over all of its network assets. While this will undoubtedly have an eventual impact on MVNOs making use of either network, for th...

It means user data will only be held on individual devices, not a server.What you need to knowThe Irish government has revealed its plans for its contact tracing app.It says it's actively involved with Apple and Google to help develop a national app to help with contact tracing.The app will use a 'de-centralized' model, which means user data will not be kept on a central server, only user's devices.The Irish government has confirmed its plans to release a national app to help trace the spread of COVID-19 and has stated that it will not use a centralized database, in line with Apple and Google's own technology.In a statement, the Department of Health stated: As part of the national response to Covid-19, work is underway to develop a national app for contact tracing and real-time symptom tracking. The primary purpose of the app is to enable the health services to improve the speed and effectiveness of contact tracing and to map and predict the spread of Covid-19 in s...

Best OverallGoogle MeetFree, From $6/mo at GoogleProsFree for all to useWorks on all platformsReal-time collaboration toolsNo extra charge for call-inConsGoogle account required for accessConnection may drop for Mac usersGoogle Meet is free for everyone to use, including businesses. All you need is your personal Gmail account or a free G Suite Essentials account. Business accounts give you access to all real-time collaboration tools and the ability to record and save your meetings.For Microsoft 365 UsersMicrosoft TeamsFree, from $5/mo at MicrosoftProsUse basic collaboration tools for freeEncrypted meetingsUp to 10,000 participants for live streaming eventsConsCall-ins cost an additional feeWebinar support also costs extraMost tools require a Microsoft 365 subscriptionMicrosoft Teams have tools to hold video meetings with up to 10,000 people. Meetings can be recorded and saved to OneDrive to share or reference later. Teams works ...

Need to order groceries? You can do it without leaving your home.Instacart is one of the oldest and most well-known grocery delivery services around. I remember placing my first order through the app nearly 10 years ago, and I still use it on occasion thanks to its large selection of stores and a large number of delivery associates. In the steps below, I'll show you how you can place an order for groceries through the app, whether you're social distancing and working from home or just want to place an order in.Products used in this guideThe default grocery app: Instacart (Free at Google Play)How to order groceries on InstacartOpen the Instacart app on your phone, or visit instacart.com.Select the store you wish to order from by tapping on it from the list.Search for and select products by tapping on them.Once you're satisfied with your selections, tap on Go to Checkout.When entering your payment information, make sure that you leave the driver a good tip! These peo...

"We're entering into a totally new class or form of surveillance"What you need to knowA report has revealed that privacy watchdogs in Canada are worried about contact tracing.Some have voiced concern over what they think is a totally new level of surveillance.Others have suggested that with the right laws, the technology can be used effectively without disenfranchising individuals. A report from Canada has revealed that watchdogs are concerned about the potential levels of surveillance involved with contact tracing.As CFJC Today reports: Privacy watchdogs are voicing concerns over proposals across the country to implement smartphone apps to help track COVID-19. New Brunswick, Manitoba, Newfoundland and Labrador, and Saskatchewan are among the provinces looking at or planning on creating smartphone apps that would track a user's whereabouts. Alberta is the first province to launch an app.The report notes onlookers who are worried about the level of surveil...

Someone has to break the West's dependence on Qualcomm for the "flagship" Android phone market and it might as well be Google.The tech world on the Android side is dangerously close to free-fall mode. Many companies are losing money, others are close but still breaking even, and it's only predicted to get even worse. But during the last quarter, there was one company that seemingly fiddled while it watched the industry burn even though it was partially responsible for the fire: Qualcomm.Qualcomm shipped 21% fewer smartphone platform chips (that means the processor, GPU, coprocessors for things like the camera or AI) yet made 5% more profit. How the hell do you pull that off, you might be asking? The answer is that you overcharge for your product and make sure people will buy it anyway.More: The Snapdragon 865 is driving up flagship prices during a renaissance of affordable phonesQualcomm is the ultimate grandmaster of this game. Think about it — would you walk into the Veri...

It's called the 'COVID-19 Consumer Data Protection Act'.What you need to knowU.S. Senators are introducing a new COVID-19 data privacy bill.It comes from the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.It hopes to strike a balance between using technology to fight the virus and maintaining the privacy of U.S. citizens. U.S. Senators from the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation have introduced a new COVID-19 privacy bill designed to protect the privacy of U.S. Citizens.In a press release April 30 the committee announced the billed stating: U.S. Sens. Roger Wicker, R-Miss., chairman of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, John Thune, R-S.D, chairman of the Subcommittee on Communications, Technology, Innovation, and the Internet, Jerry Moran, R-Kan., chairman of the Subcommittee on Consumer Protection, Product Safety, Insurance and Data Security, and Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., today announced plans to introduc...

Sports fans have had it hard during these past weeks of lockdown with just about every major event in the calendar seemingly postponed or cancelled. Among the casualties is the 146th Kentucky Derby, which had been due to take place this Saturday, but has now been postponed until September 5.While horse racing fans won't be able to descend upon Churchill Downs this weekend - some technical ingenuity means the iconic racetrack is still set to host a replacement event.The Virtual Kentucky Derby takes the form of a computer-simulated race, with sports fans encouraged to take part in nationwide at-home Derby parties to help raise money for COVID-19 emergency relief funds - read on for our full guide to watching the event online.The virtual version of the world famous race is being put together by Inspired Entertainment, a firm who last month recreated the UK's prestigious Aintree Grand National which proved a big hit with sports-starved racing fans who tuned in live in their millio...

Best answer: We don't know. If past Ubisoft games provide precedent, however, there will likely be cosmetic microtransactions of some kind.Get the season pass: Assassin's Creed Valhalla Gold Steelbook Edition ($110 at Best Buy)Go for the basics: Assassin's Creed Valhalla ($60 at Best Buy)Does Assassin's Creed Valhalla have microtransactions?Much like Assassin's Creed Odyssey in 2018, Assassin's Creed Valhalla is a massive single-player role-playing game (RPG). Assassin's Creed Odyssey still had microtransactions, which took the form of Helix Credits that could be used to purchase different cosmetic skins and booster packs. The booster packs allowed you to progress quicker, which could make it easier to finish the game.Right now, we don't know if Assassin's Creed Valhalla will have any microtransactions. That said, it seems very likely that there will be at least some extras you can fork over cash on to deck out Eivor and your village, even if they aren't as egregious as th...

With the reveal of Assassin's Creed Valhalla, there's plenty of different special and limited editions of the game from which to choose. It can get a bit confusing keeping everything straight. Fortunately, we've put together a guide to keep things simple.Different versions of the gameEasy to find extras: Assassin's Creed Valhalla Gold Steelbook Edition ($110 at Best Buy)Only at GameStop: Assassin's Creed Valhalla Ultimate Steelbook Edition ($130 at GameStop)Specialty in every way: Assassin's Creed Valhalla Collector's Edition ($200 at Ubisoft)Every Assassin's Creed Valhalla special editionThere are a few different special editions to go through here. To start, it's worth noting that any preorder of any version, even the Standard Edition, grants a bonus mission called The Way of the Berserker. The other versions of the game, however, have plenty of goodies, both digital and physical. Finally, it goes without saying that the digital versions of any special editions won't in...

Getting a second-hand phone doesn't have to be overly complicated or stressful.Over the last few years, the cost of smartphones has skyrocketed. It's no longer uncommon to see phones being sold for $1,000 or more, making the decision to buy a new handset quite the investment. Thanks to the ever-growing used smartphone market, though, it's rather easy to take the sting out of those increasing prices. The used marketplace is a great way to save some cash on your next phone purchase, and if you have old devices lying around that you aren't using anymore, selling them allows someone else to use it while simultaneously putting extra money in your pocket.Things to consider before you buy a used phoneWe've already talked about the principles of selling your phone, and you can keep all of those in mind as you go to buy a used phone. Go through the same sort of checklist — factory reset, SIM unlock status, original accessories, damage, sales history — to decide if the phone ...

Streaming services have grown in popularity over the past few years, and there are now more options than there ever has been before. Back in the day, every single one of them offered a free trial to get you to use the service for a set length of time in hopes that you'd sign up after, but that seems to have slowly become less of a norm. Odds are that you are signed up for at least one of them, but thanks to some new offers which have popped up, there are a number of new opportunities to try out new streaming services, and they won't cost you a cent.Streaming Free Trial OffersSling TV: Free access every nightHulu: First month freeDisney Plus: One week trialAmazon Prime Video: 30-day trialHBO Now: 7 days freeAT&T TV Now: One week freeNetflix: 30 days freeAmazon Music HD: 30 days freeApple Music: 3 months freeSpotify: One month freeTidal: 30 days freeQuibi: 14-day trialfuboTV: One week freeAmazon Kindle Unlimited: Two months freeWhether you're looking for a ...

Google Wifi isn't a bad looking router (or three) on its own, and it's pretty easy to stick it anywhere in your house without offending anyone. However, every home is different and you might want something a little more elegant and organized than just plonking a node down on a window sill. Thanks to its popularity and the fact it's a pretty simple shape, there are plenty of options out there for mounting the Google Wifi to a wall or even a ceiling.Power upDot Genie Google Wifi Outlet HolderStaff pickIf you want your router flush with your power plug, this mount is for you. You can wrap and hide the power cable around the inside of the mount so it isn't seen, and the weight of the router is easily supported by the power plug and your wall. Finally, there's an opening at the bottom for plugging in an Ethernet cable.From $8 at Amazon$10 at Best BuyEasy peasyWall Mount Holder for Google Wifi by KoroaoThis mount makes it super easy to hang your router on a wall or cei...

If you're like most, chances are you're stuck at home with more time on your hands than you're used to. Between socially distanced trips to the grocery store and wiping down all the furniture in your house again, hopefully you are making considerations for what you will do when the threat of COVID-19 passes. If you were laid off, will you be prepared to get back out into the working world? Will you be as hirable as possible? Why not take advantage of this time and bolster your resume with a fascinating new technical skill?Amazon Web Services, or AWS, is Amazon's own cloud services platform, which provides everything from virtual servers to scalable storage to millions of customers around the world. With industry titans like Intuit and GE counting on AWS, it's safe to say knowing AWS can take you far professionally.If you want to start working with AWS, consider the All-Level AWS Cloud Professional Bootcamp. With 32 hours of in-depth instruction spread across 6 courses, this bootcam...

With its accurate body tracking, Guardian protection and light, wireless headset, the Oculus Quest may be the best VR headset for fast-paced gameplay. You'll find plenty of heart-pumping apps for daily exercise, but also games that get you off the couch, dodging back and forth and flailing your arms. Here is a list of the top games that will give you a killer workout in VR—except you'll be too busy having fun to notice.★ Featured favoriteBOXVRProgress from 2-minute bursts to hour-long workouts that uses shadow boxing and stance shifts to develop your core. You'll feel the burn after workouts set to match the rhythm of music from a variety of genres—including your own music, thanks to a generator that matches punches to the beat. The app tracks burned calories but goes beyond cardio and arm workouts, with moves like dodging and squats to target full-body muscles. The variety of workouts, along with add-on packs with new routines, make this a great long-term exercise ...

Parks and Rec is returning to the air five years after the show's finale for a new 30-minute reunion special. We have all the details on how you can watch the original cast return to the big screen together with ease. Staying connected with family and friends is more important than ever during the ongoing coronavirus outbreak and that is exactly what Pawnee's most dedicated civil servant, Leslie Knope will be trying to do in the new reunion special. It is a must-watch event for anyone who enjoyed the series.In addition to Amy Poehler, all of the show's original cast including Rashida Jones, Aziz Ansari, Nick Offerman, Aubrey Plaza, Chris Pratt, Adam Scott, Rob Lowe, Jim O'Heir, and Retta will return along with a few special guest stars from the Parks & Rec universe. The whole cast has filmed the episode from the comfort of thir own homes.If the news that the show is returning for a special reunion episode isn't enough, it will also help raise funds for Feeding America's Covid...

Google promised to bring RCS to more regions in 2020 after a limited release in 2019.What you need to knowRCS is a set of standards that makes SMS a contender in an age of instant messaging.Google rolled out its implementation of the standard in 2019 to the U.S., UK, Mexico, and France.Now reports indicate it's testing it out in Italy and Singapore as well. Google's RCS service is reaching more people after an initial rollout last year. Reports of the RCS set-up screen popping up have emerged from Italy and Singapore. Italian siteTuttoAndroid (via Android Police) noted that some Italian users have gotten Google's Chat prompt upon launching the Messages app. At the same time, some Singaporean Messages users have shared screenshots of the same prompt on social media. Google itself has yet to share anything indicating a roll-out, but the growing presence of the prompt means one can't be too far behind.Google last year rolled out RCS to the U.S., the UK, Mexico, and France, i...