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In this new decade, you're only going to spend yet more of your life online. You can try and avoid it but, honestly, it's pretty much impossible to do. It's important that you have security and privacy at the front of your mind as you traverse the online world, especially with the amount of sensitive data we out on our devices and send via the internet. If you use public Wi-Fi networks while out and about, that's even more important.Best VPN DealsExpressVPN: Get 3 months freeNordVPN: Up to 3 years freePureVPN: $2.66/mo w. couponPIA VPN: 67% off yearlySurfshark: From $0.07/dayIPVanish: $47.99 per yearMore Deals: $20 lifetime license & free optionsOdds are that you have heard of VPNs, or Virtual Private Networks, before but may not have signed up for one just yet. There are some common misconceptions about VPNs, especially that they are super expensive, but that's not at all the case — especially if you know where to look for the best deals (hint: it's here). In f...

Top-of-the-lineArlo Ultra$580 at AmazonProsBetter image sensors and resolutionDual-microphone arrayWider field of viewDouble-motion detectorsYear-long Arlo Smart subscription includedConsMost expensive Arlo security cameraCan only use with included Arlo hubThe Arlo Ultra system packs in all the features you'd expect from the company's best security camera. 4K UHD video, dual-microphone noise cancellation, a wider field of view, and a broader temperature range make for a mighty home surveillance device.The next best thingArlo Pro 3$453 at AmazonProsLess expensive than UltraCompatible with more Arlo hubsThree-month Arlo Smart subscription includedConsLower quality sensors and resolutionLess free cloud storage than the UltraWhile it may not have the highest-end specs, this camera system is still impressive. It can record in 2K HDR, which is more than enough for most people, and it has similar if scaled-back capabilities to the Arlo...

Let's chat with the AC forums.Announced alongside the Galaxy S20 and Galaxy Z Flip, the Galaxy Buds+ are the latest and greatest true wireless earbuds that Samsung has to offer in 2020.Although they lack active noise cancellation (a feature that's becoming more prominent on high-end true wireless buds), the Buds+ still impress with improved sound quality and significantly longer battery life — up to 11 hours of continuous listening time and a total of 22 hours when you factor in the charging case.Taking a look through the AC forums, some of our members have already jumped aboard the Buds+ bandwagon. SpookDroid 02-26-2020 03:42 PM “ If the original buds vs 65t were any indication, Jabra's are much better if a bit bulkier. With the 75t getting stellar reviews, I assume the same will apply here, but both are going to be great. Jabra's seem to constantly deliver louder volume than Samsung's, ...

Android 11 gives developers tools to decide how secure biometrics need to be and makes it easier to include methods that aren't fingerprint-based.Biometric security has made it easy to keep our phones secure, which means most of us actually are doing it. It's easy to argue that your fingerprint or iris or a map of your head aren't as secure as a strong password or are your identity and not a passcode, but in the end, more people securing their phones is better for everyone. It's easy to understand why your bank wants you to secure your phone, but remember that some of your personal details are probably on someone else's phone, too. Biometrics make security easy, which means we'll actually use it.We saw big changes to biometrics with Android 9. The introduction of the BiometricPrompt API tried to unify how different types of biometric authentication could function by providing a unified interface that worked with fingerprint scanners (both capacitive and ultrasonic), Iris sca...

Boost is great, but we think this is better.In January 2020, Virgin Mobile customers were informed that the pre-paid wireless provider was closing its doors. The company officially shut down in February, with any existing customers being transitioned over to Boost Mobile.Seeing as how Boost Mobile is powered by Sprint just like Virgin Mobile was, it's a solid fit. The coverage is exactly the same, not to mention that Boost has a good selection of plans and features. But what if we told you that we think there's a better option out there?If you're an ex-Virgin Mobile customer looking for a new home, we'd recommend checking out Tello. Whether or not you've heard of Tello before, here are a few reasons why we think it's the better alternative over Boost.Better than BoostTelloFrom $5/month at TelloAn excellent home for ex-Virgin Mobile customersSwitching to a new wireless provider can be difficult, but with everything Tello brings to the table, we don't think you'll m...

Sales of the three phones could still pick up in the coming weeks.What you need to knowA report out of Korea claims initial sales of Samsung's new Galaxy S20 series phones are significantly lower than expected.Apart from the high prices of the new phones, Coronavirus infection fears may also have contributed to the lacklustre sales. While Samsung had shifted 140,000 Galaxy S10 units on day one, it could only sell 70,800 Galaxy S20 units in South Korea on February 27. Samsung's new Galaxy S20 trio went on sale in the company's home market of South Korea yesterday. Due to a variety of reasons, however, initial sales of the Galaxy S20 series in the country weren't as high as Samsung had expected.As per The Korea Herald, Samsung sold 70,800 units of the Galaxy S20 series in Korea on Thursday, which is significantly lower than the first-day figures for the Galaxy S10 series last year. Samsung had sold 140,000 units of the Galaxy S10 series on its first day, while the Galaxy No...

If you are like me and have multiple Amazon Echo smart speakers, sometimes when you call out to one, a different device responds. Or, when you ask Alexa to play music, she sends the stream to a different speaker. Here's how to make sure the output comes from where you expect it.Products used in this guideMost popular Echo: Amazon Echo Dot (3rd Gen) ($50 at Amazon)All-around champ: Amazon Echo 3rd Gen ($100 at Amazon)Newest smart screen: Amazon Echo Show 8 ($130 at Amazon)How to set an Amazon Echo speaker groupTo set a default speaker, you'll need to have multiple Echo speakers arranged into an existing group. If you don't have this setup, here's how.Open the Amazon Alexa app on your smartphone.Tap on Devices in the lower right corner. Tap on the + icon in the top right corner.Tap on Add Group.Select or create a group name.Choose which Echo devices should be in the group, then tap Save.How to set a default Amazon Echo speakerNow that you have a speaker gro...

In short: no, it is not faster.Best answer: The Galaxy S20 series uses the same first-generation ultrasonic fingerprint sensor as the Galaxy S10 and S10+. While there have been minor software improvements to increase speed and reliability of the fingerprint sensor, the Galaxy S20 series' ultrasonic sensor is no faster than the previous generation.The ultimate: Samsung Galaxy S20 ($1000 at Samsung)The disappointing realityThe Galaxy S10 and S10+ have few flaws, but if you could point to one constant bugbear it'd be the in-display fingerprint sensor. It's slow, inconsistent and kicked back far more false negatives than we'd come to expect from capacitive fingerprint sensors before it. And more starkly, optical in-display fingerprint sensors in other 2019 phones were better in every regard than Samsung's ultrasonic sensor. I had hope the fingerprint sensor improved. I was disappointed.The hope was that Samsung was aware of this issue and had addressed it in the Galaxy S...

Heads up! We share savvy shopping and personal finance tips to put extra cash in your wallet. Android Central may receive a commission from The Points Guy Affiliate Network. Please note that the offers mentioned below are subject to change at any time and some may no longer be available.What kind of rewards does the Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express offer?Best answer: All the rewards. From cash back on groceries to gas, and Netflix to Lyft, this card has best-in-class rewards in all of the categories you care about most.More card details: Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American ExpressThe Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express is one of the most premium cash back cards in the industry today and for good reason. It offers a ton of rewards for its cardholders that are focused on earning them the most on the common purchases they make every day.So, what rewards does the Blue Cash Preferred Card offer? It has three levels of rewards, so let's start with ...

The P40 Pro could have the same 40W SuperCharge wired fast charging tech as Huawei's current flagship phones.What you need to knowHuawei P40 series phones have been certified by China's 3C regulatory body.The certification reveals the standard P40 supports 22.5W charging, while the P40 Pro supports 40W charging. Both the Huawei P40 and P40 Pro will be announced at a global launch event in Paris on March 26. Huawei's P30 Pro was one of the most impressive Android smartphones launched in 2019, boasting incredibly capable cameras and fantastic battery life. The P30 Pro's successor, expected to be called the P40 Pro, is set to be unveiled at a global launch event in Paris next month. Ahead of its formal unveiling, the P40 Pro and the standard P40 have been certified by China's 3C regulatory body.Going by the information revealed by the 3C listings, the upcoming P40 and P40 Pro phones will support identical charging speeds as their predecessors. While the Huawei P40 supports 1...

At least once a day, you're likely to come across a situation in which you want to take what's on your phone screen and either share it or save it for your own reference later. Rather than bother with sharing a link, why not just capture your screen and know that it's saved as an image? Screenshots are perfect for this — especially Samsung's, which give you tons of ways to capture, edit and share. Here's how you get it done on a Galaxy S20.How to screenshot using a key combinationSince removing the Bixby button and turning the "power" button into a multi-function button, things have gotten a little complicated. Here's how you take a standard key combination screenshot.Open the content to screenshot.At the same time, press the power and volume down buttons for one second, and release them.You'll see the screen flash, and the screenshot is complete.Note that if you hold the buttons more than a second, your phone will either launch a long-press action with the power butt...

MI5 director Sir Andrew Parker says cyberspace has become "a wild west, unregulated, inaccessible to authorities".What you need to knowUK intelligence agency MI5 has called for "exceptional access" to encrypted messages.Sir Andrew Parker said it was "increasingly mystifying" that intelligence agencies are not able to easily read secret messages.He thinks tech companies should investigate providing end-to-end encryption whilst also giving access when there is a compelling case to do so.The director general of MI5 has called on technology companies to give spy agencies 'exceptional access' to encrypted messages.As reported by The Guardian: MI5's director general has called on technology companies to find a way to allow spy agencies "exceptional access" to encrypted messages, amid fears they cannot otherwise access such communications. Sir Andrew Parker is understood to be particularly concerned about Facebook, which announced plans to introduce powerful end-to-end ...

Vivo's latest take on the bezel-less phone is its most ambitious yet.What you need to knowVivo's APEX 2020 is now official, touting a waterfall display with 120-degree curves on either side.The phone is the first to feature a 16MP in-display camera module.There's a Continuous Optical Zoom lens that delivers 5 - 7.5x magnification.The phone also has a 48MP secondary lens at the back with gimbal-like video stabilization. Once a year, Vivo introduces a concept phone in the APEX series, giving us a look at the future of phone design. The APEX 2018 was one of the first with a full-screen display and retractable camera module, and the APEX 2019 built on that design by eliminating all buttons and ports.For 2020, Vivo is taking things to a whole new level. The APEX 2020 has a 6.45-inch waterfall display that eliminates bezels on the sides, and the extreme 120-degree curve on either side means you get an "ultra bezel-less display." To put things into context, the NEX 3 has a simi...

Unlike some of its rivals, the Z6 5G does not have a high-refresh-rate display.What you need to knowVivo Z6 5G is the company's first mid-range 5G smartphone powered by the Snapdragon 765G chipset.The phone sports a 6.57-inch FHD+ hole-punch display and has a 48MP quad-camera setup at the rear.It has been priced at 2,198 yuan ($314) in China. Vivo today announced a new mid-range 5G-enabled smartphone at an event held in China. Dubbed the Z6 5G, Vivo's latest smartphone packs impressive hardware specs and comes with a 3D curved back.The Vivo Z6 5G runs on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 765G chipset, paired with up to 8GB of RAM and 128GB UFS 2.1 storage. The phone boasts liquid cooling technology, which Vivo claims can lower the core temperature by up to 10°C. (50°F).The Z6 5G features a 6.57-inch FHD+ IPS display with a hole-punch cutout in the top-right corner and a 20:9 aspect ratio. At the back of the phone is a quad-camera array with a 48MP main sensor, an 8MP ultra-wide...

The Galaxy A51 offers camera and design upgrades, but the underlying hardware is unchanged from 2019.Under increased pressure from Chinese rivals, Samsung overhauled its budget strategy last year. The underwhelming Galaxy J series was gone, and the Galaxy A lineup essentially took its place. Samsung traditionally limited the Galaxy A series to the mid-range segment, but now it fields devices starting as low as $120 all the way to $600.The new-found change in focus also came with better product releases. The Galaxy A50 was one of the best budget phones you could buy in 2019, featuring great hardware, a fresh design, and decent cameras. In typical Samsung fashion, the company introduced an updated model six months down the line in the Galaxy A50s, and now we have the Galaxy A51.The Galaxy A51 is a continuation of what Samsung has been doing in this segment for the last 12 months. There are a few enticing changes — particularly around the camera side of things — but the fundam...

The profiles act as a virtual business card, letting you choose what information people see when they search for you.What you need to knowGoogle is currently testing a feature called 'Profile Cards' for its search engine.These show up a small widget that appear at the top of the results page whenever someone searches for your name.You can also customize it to show only the information you want.Google is seemingly working on a virtual business card-like feature for its search engine. The new 'Profile Cards' show up as a small card at the top of the results page when someone searches for you by name. They function similar to the cards that Google will throw up to the right of the page when you search for a famous person/organization.While Google has not yet announced the feature, it was discovered by Android Police on support pages on Google's website. These have, unsurprisingly, now been taken down.When Google finally rolls them out officially, it'll let you customize yo...

If you're in the market for a new phone, it's easy to get sticker shock when you see the mind-blowing prices of the latest flagship devices from Apple and Samsung. But, many of the great design elements and features have trickled down into the budget end of the market. You can get a Samsung Galaxy A10e from Boost Mobile for far less while still getting a modern look and feel.Here are five things that make the Galaxy A10e an exciting budget smartphone.It's all about the screenThe design that has enabled Samsung to stretch its displays to take up the vast majority of the front of its phones has reached the budget end of the market. The Galaxy A10e has a stunning 81.4% screen-to-body ratio, with only a small strip of bezel at the bottom of the display. That display is a sizable 5.8 inches. It has a 19.5:9 aspect ratio, making it well suited to video content. And, thanks to a dense 295 pixel per inch, imagery will look crisp. You'd be hard pressed to see the individual pixels on ...

Another day brings another new Sony controller patent, this time for a device that looks remarkably familiar.What you need to knowA new Sony controller patent has been spotted.This patent is for a wireless charging attachment that looks quite similar to the DualShock 4 Back Button Attachment.It's unclear if this device eventually evolved into the Back Button Attachment, or is meant for the PlayStation 5. Many patents for possible PlayStation 5 controller designs have been spotted over the last few weeks and there's another joining the fray. The patent, which was first spotted on Reddit, details a wireless charging device that can be attached to the back of a PlayStation controller. You can see some diagram images from the patent below.interestingly enough, this attachment looks quite familiar to the DualShock 4 Back Button Attachment. Multiple other controller patents have been spotted, with one showing designs for reading biometric data. None of these have been mention...

The Galaxy S20+ is quite an impressive phone with an impressively large 6.7-inch 120Hz display that you're going to want to protect from the cruel, concrete world outside your door. To help you defend your S20+ from shattering drops and scratched glass, we've rounded up the best heavy duty options for protecting the Galaxy S20+ in style.Sleek and stylish protectorSupcase Unicorn Beetle Style SeriesStaff PickThis stylish case combines a rugged bumper with a rigid and clear backplate that accents the phone without adding unnecessary bulk. It's thin and lightweight on your phone and just as easy on your wallet.$13 at AmazonFor rugged outdoorsmenUAG Pathfinder SeriesThe UAG Pathfinder offers ideal protection for anyone who spends time exploring the outdoors. The slim design offers reinforced corners for added drop protection, and it's available in black, olive green, and camo styles.$40 at AmazonKick back and relaxArmadilloTek Vanguard SeriesThis c...

Google announced Pixel feature drops back in December, and the second one is just about due.What you need to knowGoogle's upcoming Pixel Feature drop has been revealed by an update to the Pixel Tips app.Users will get dark mode scheduling, fast access to cards and passes, and car crash detection.The March feature drop will likely pop out with the March 2020 security update.Last year, Google made a decision. It would no longer be sticking to a yearly schedule for Pixel feature updates, nor would it be drip-feeding features at random points in the year. Instead, it would be packaging features into "feature drops" and dropping a whole bunch of features at once. The point? So users could know what to get excited about and more importantly — when.Now, its second feature drop is just about due out, and we're getting some information about what could be in there.The folks over at 9to5Google have managed to pull some data out of an update to the Pixel Tips app, revealing what'...

Fire TV Stick 4KStick to simplicity$35 at AmazonProsFantastic value with great specsHides behind the TV for a clean setupComes with Alexa Voice RemoteConsNo hands-free AlexaOlder processor than CubeThe Fire TV Stick 4K is arguably the best value in streaming devices. You get 4K, HDR, Dolby Vision, and an Alexa Voice Remote at a compelling price.All-New Fire TV Cube (2019)Top-notch specs$90 at AmazonProsNew and improved processorNew features like Local Voice Control and Dolby VisionAvailable in more countriesConsMost expensive Fire TV streaming boxExternal storage support is via OTG cable and micro USB port, no micro SD slotThe Fire TV Cube (2019) has upgraded internals from last year's device for increased speed and performance. It also added some key features like Local Voice Control for on-device processing and Dolby Vision support.Amazon makes some of the most popular streaming devices available, and they happen to be som...

The Galaxy S20 is a beautiful and expensive phone that you'll be tempted to show off without a case — at least until a drop causes some unsightly scratches. A heavy duty case doesn't have to be unwieldy and bulky, and an increasing number of them can still show off the Samsung style while guarding your phone. These are the best of the best to protect your phone.A clear winnerRingke Fusion XStaff PickThis rugged clear case from Ringke is the perfect solution for folks who hate how cases cover up the design of the phone. You get a rugged bumper that protects where it matters most with a clear PC backplate to show off your new phone.$8 at AmazonFeather-light and ruggedUAG Plasma SeriesUrban Armor Gear makes some of the finest heavy duty cases you can buy. Plasma Series cases are lightweight with grippy elements and the semi-transparent backplate nicely accentuates the color of the S20.$40 at AmazonInspired by natureSupcase Unicorn Beetle ProA pe...

Emails are going out to those affected by the outage letting users know that a $5 refund will be on the way.What you need to knowOn February 24 Nest cameras were hit with an outage that lasted for 12 hours.The outage impacted Sightline, notifications, and camera connectivity.Google Nest is refunding Nest Aware subscribers $5 to their account for the inconvenience. If you are a Nest Aware subscriber that and were affected by the outage on February 24 then you will be getting some money back for the troubles.According to Reddit users, emails are rolling out to users that have been affected by this outage. During the outage, users were unable to access their camera feed, the Sightline feature, and notifications were also not working. The outage affected all Nest cameras, including the Nest Hello Doorbell from accessing one of the basic functions for its existence — to see activities and let you know they happened.In a post on the Google Nest support page, Rishi Chandra...

One of the most requested features in WhatsApp over the last couple of years has been dark mode. It is finally available on Android — you can now manually set dark mode for WhatsApp, or have the app match the system theme automatically. Here's how you can get started with dark mode on WhatsApp for Android.Products used in this guideTake great photos: Google Pixel 3a XL ($419 at Amazon)How to download the latest WhatsApp for Android betaThe option to enable dark mode in WhatsApp is limited to the beta version of the app. Usually, it takes about a month for a feature to make its way from the beta client over to the public build, and if you're unwilling to wait that long, you can always download the beta app.WhatsApp runs an official beta program on the Play Store, but that has been full for over a year and isn't taking new beta testers. Your best option instead is to sideload the latest beta APK and install the app. I'll show you how to do that below, but before you start...

The company is considering a variety of features, such as SoO2, sleep apnea, and stress tracking, to name just a few.What you need to knowGoogle seemingly wants to make health a big focus for Wear OS going forward.In a new survey sent out as part of the company's User Experience Research program, the company quizzed users on which health and fitness features they'd like to see on their Wear OS smartwatch.The list of suggested features includes stress, sleep apnea, air quality, and vitals tracking, among others.It's no secret that Google's smartwatch platform isn't doing too well. Apple is, more or less, dominating the smartwatch market, and Google would love to shake things up — hence its $2.1 billion purchase of Fitbit.Wear OS' lack of health-related features may be one of the things holding it back, and Google's finally decided to fix that, it seems (via Droid Life). In a new survey sent out via the company's User Experience Research program, Google is currently askin...

For the last couple of years, the only option has been to broadcast your message to all of your connected speakers.What you need to knowBroadcast is a feature that lets you send either a custom or Google default message to all of your Google Assitant enabled speakers.The impending update will allow you to specify the speaker you'd like to send the message to. Currently, there is no official mention from Google about broadcasting to individual speakers.There are times when your family may be spread throughout your home, and you need to let them know it's time for dinner — the broadcast feature on Google Assistant speakers is excellent for this. However, sometimes you don't need the whole house to be bothered with your message — Google seems to be rolling out this solution.The official broadcast method is, "Hey Google, broadcast" then say your message to get your news out through all Google Assistant speakers on your account. However, there are some Reddit users that ar...

Andrew 'Android' Martonik settles in with Daniel Bader for a detailed conversation about the Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra, its smaller siblings, and the current state of 5G coverage. They also touch on what could potentially be a more affordable flagship alternative — the recently announced LG V60.Listen nowSubscribe in Pocket Casts: AudioSubscribe in Spotify: AudioSubscribe in iTunes: Audio Subscribe in RSS: AudioDownload directly: AudioLinks:Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra review: Too much of a good thingSamsung Galaxy S20 Ultra ReviewLG V60 hands-on preview: Don't overlook this Galaxy S20+ competitorSponsors:CLEAR: CLEAR makes your life safer, simpler, and more secure. CLEAR is the absolute BEST way to get through airport security. It works great with Pre-Check too! Get two months free at clearme.com/central and use code 'central'....

Overheating isn't just a hassle; it damages your PlayStation 4. Prolonged heat at high temperatures can ruin your circuit boards. Console overheating is often an external cause, so don't beat yourself up. From a system overload to a routine cleaning job, I'm here to help walk you through your overheating problems!Products used in this guideCooling in style: Kootek Vertical Stand for PlayStation 4 and Slim ($16 at Amazon)Must have: Dust-Off Falcon Compressed Air - 3 Pack ($21 at Amazon)Safe cleaning: MR.SIGA Microfiber Cleaning Cloth - 6 Pack ($10 at Amazon)Room temperature and random flukesSometimes, a console overheating is just a one-time fluke. Before you think your console is broken forever, make sure you try these steps first.Turn off your PlayStation 4.Let the console cool down to a normal temperature.Turn your console back on.While the PlayStation 4 is designed to run for some time, it's best to give it some time to breathe, in a sense, especially in betwee...

News is happening fast. Here's a rundown of all the companies that have decided not to attend.It seems like every day now, a new company announces it's pulling out of the Game Developers Conference (GDC) in San Francisco due to health concerns surrounding the coronavirus (COVID-19). It makes sense since the outbreak is hitting the tech industry at large and gaming has seen delays and esports league cancelations.While we await more news on GDC, one of the biggest events for gaming each year, here's what we know and which companies have dropped out:Sony was the first high-profile company to pull out of GDC, which happened just a day after it announced it also wasn't attending PAX East. Facebook and Oculus Gaming announced on the same day as Sony that it also won't be attending the conference and would be encouraging its employees to not attend. Later this week, Facebook also canceled the annual F8 software developer conference due to the outbreak.Kojima Productions, which was ...

Nest Hub MaxNest to the MAX$230 at Best BuyProsFace Match feature is coolPhysical mic and camera cover switchGoogle Photos integration for a smart frameConsNest Cam features not fully bakedRear-firing speakers could be better placedMic/camera cover turns off both at onceThe Nest Hub Max offers a nice, large touchscreen interface to the Google world. View timers, check your calendar, or watch recipes unfold on its fantastic display. The new Face Match feature is excellent because it will recognize you and show you your relevant content. The Nest integration also serves as a gateway to your smart home security.Amazon Echo Show (2nd Gen)Biggest of Show$230 at AmazonProsZigbee smart hub built-inDobly processing built-inAvailable with a free smart bulbConsNo physical camera coverHasn't been updated in over a yearThe Echo Show (2nd Gen) marked a significant design shift from the previous generation with its rounded corners and soft fab...

Turn your backyard into a sound garden with a new set of outdoor speakers. Whether you want an in-ground system, a wired set, or a wireless Bluetooth speaker you can take anywhere, we have you covered. Our favorite is the Bose Free Space 51, but they're not the only speakers that made the cut. Read on to find out which wired and wireless outdoor speakers we rank best this year.Best Overall: Bose Free Space 51Audiophiles need no introduction to Bose. The company has been putting out top-notch sound systems since 1964. The Bose Free Space 51s are a pair of in-ground green speakers that blend in with their environment. Bury them in the ground, plant them in the bushes, or set them up next to the pool. The flexible design fits in anywhere and delivers the award-winning rich sound that Bose is famous for.Built tough, Bose Free Space 51 speakers can withstand crazy temperature swings. Bose guarantees they'll stay powered up in temps that range from -22 degrees to 140 degrees Fahren...

As usual, it's all about money.What you need to knowSinclair wants more money for the rights to some of its channels.YouTube TV doesn't want to pay more money.You, the consumer, will lose out.Just because you're the largest live TV streaming service in the United States doesn't mean you're not still subject to the usual market shenanigans.YouTube TV today sent out emails to subscribers annoying that it's "been unable to reach an agreement with Sinclair to continue to carry the FOX Regional Sports Networks and YES Network."That means that as of Feb. 29, those channels will no longer be available to YouTube TV subscribers. (At least not until Sinclair and YouTube TV reach a new agreement.)YouTube TV in a Twitter thread noted what we all know — this is always about money. Sinclair wants more for the rights to carry content, and YouTube TV didn't want to pay.We do not take this decision lightly. This is a reflection of the rising cost of sports content. You may have...

By now you've likely heard the phrase Virtual Private Network or VPN, but you may not have already signed up and started using one. A VPN service can add an extra layer of security to your phone, tablet, PC, and even gaming console. They've become increasingly popular over the past few years, and for good reason.Best Free VPNsHotspot ShieldProtonVPNTunnelBearWindscribeHide.meSpeedifySurfEasyWe live a lot of our lives online these days. We enter our banking information, log into private accounts, and do so much more every single day without even thinking twice about it. How many times have you connected to a public Wi-Fi, like at Starbucks, the airport, or another local business around town without even second guessing what you were doing? Unfortunately, those unsecured networks leave your information vulnerable and able to land in the wrong hands.A VPN is becoming more of a necessity than something that's just nice to have. Luckily, you don't need to go broke in o...

The banking trojan Cerberus is currently testing a version that can steal 2FA codes from Google Authenticator.What you need to knowDutch research firm ThreatFabric has discovered malware that can steal two-factor authentication codes from Google Authenticator.Cerberus is the name of the banking trojan, but the strain that can steal 2FA codes is currently in testing and not yet available.In general, it is more secure to use an app to generate 2FA codes such as Google Authenticator instead of using SMS.Two-factor authentication or 2FA is a commonly used system to help protect your online accounts. It requires a user to enter an additional code when logging in, which is usually sent through SMS or generated with an app. In general, it is best to use an app to generate the code, such as Google Authenticator, instead of allowing it to be sent over the network to your phone where you run the risk of it being intercepted.Unfortunately, security researchers from ThreatFabric rece...

Supermassive's next horror anthology installment is coming up in Summer 2020.What you need to knowThe Dark Pictures Anthology: Little Hope is the sequel to last years' Man of Medan.Little Hope is set to release sometime in Summer 2020. The Dark Pictures Anthology is meant to comprise a total of eight games.In 2019, Supermassive Games and Bandai Namco released The Dark Pictures: Man of Medan, the first entry in a planned octology of horror games. With one down, Supermassive has officially confirmed that The Dark Pictures Anthology: Little Hope is the next entry and it is planned to release sometime in Summer 2020.You can take a look at a compilation of streamers freaking out at Man of Medan below. If all you want to see is the bits of new stuff from Little Hope, skip to around the 1:58 mark.Given the size and price of the previous game, it's safe to say Little Hope will probably be around 4 hours long and about $30 USD. Beyond that, all we know is there's a new setti...

The Fastest VelopLinksys Velop MX10$600 at Best BuyPros5282Mbps combined wireless speedEight total Ethernet portsWorks with older Velop nodesWPA3 supportLess expensiveConsNot as fast as AlienThe Linksys Velop MX10 comes with a base and a node that can provide more than enough coverage for even large homes with plenty of speed for the vast majority of people thanks to Wi-Fi 6. If you are looking to make the most of your gigabit internet connection, the Velop MX10 should be able to keep up even if you're connected to the node.No CompromisesUbiquiti AmpliFi Alien$699 at AmpliFiPros7685Mbps combined wireless speedFive total Ethernet portsWPA3 supportIntegrated touch screenConsOnly 1 Ethernet on the nodeMore expensiveUbiquiti doesn't hold anything back with the AmpliFi Alien. With a sleek matte black housing and color display on the front, this is easily one of the best looking wireless routers available. It doesn't stop with looks e...

High-quality controllerScuf Vantage 2$170 at AmazonProsExtreme customization options in-appCan create over a dozen profilesGood build qualityMore extrasSolid battery lifeConsBluetooth causes audio problemsCan't store multiple profiles on controllerVery expensiveThe Scuf Vantage 2 is the controller used by many professional players and for good reason. It can be easily customized to suit your every need, while the build quality ensures that the price you're paying is worth it.An easy add-onDualShock 4 Back Button Attachment$30 at AmazonProsVery inexpensiveUp to three profiles can be savedButtons are comfortableConsWeak connection designRapidly goes out of stockThe DualShock 4 Back Button Attachment takes an interesting route to add additional options; it simply expands an existing controller with buttons that can be remapped for a low price.What's the difference?The DualShock 4 Back Button Attachment and Scuf Vantage 2...

The Galaxy A10 was the top-selling Android phone of 2019.What you need to knowResults from Canalys show that four of the best selling Android phones in 2019 were from Samsung.The number one selling Android smartphone of 2019 was the Samsung Galaxy A10.The top three smartphone manufacturers in 2019 were Samsung, Huawei, and Apple.According to research firm Canalys, Samsung sold four of the top 10 smartphones in 2019. However, you might be surprised by which phones made the list. For example, the Note series was not present in the top 10 list at all, and the Galaxy S10+ just barely made the cut coming in at tenth place.Instead, Samsung saw the most movement with its mid-range smartphones, with the Galaxy A10 being the number one Android phone of 2019. Overall, it still came in third place globally, with Apple's iPhone XR and iPhone 11 taking the top two spots.Samsung also rounded out the top five with the Galaxy A50 and A20 taking fourth and fifth place. Despite the sta...

The ruling could apply to other social media platforms as well.What you need to knowThe 9th Appeals court has dismissed a case suing Google for First Amendment violations.The court reiterated that the First Amendment does not apply to private entities, only state actors.Google called it a "vindication of important legal principles."Google has emerged victorious in the recent case of Prager University v Google LLC et al as per a ruling by the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.In brief, PragerU, a conservative non-profit, had sued Google for stripping advertising from some of its videos as per an application of its terms and conditions. The firm also placed them behind restricted mode, requiring users to sign in to view them. The University deemed these actions as violations of the First Amendment, despite Google not being a state entity. They claimed that while Google was a private entity, it argued that YouTube "performed an exclusively and traditionally public function."...

Aside from slightly better AI performance and support for 64MP cameras, the Helio P95 doesn't bring anything new to the table.What you need to knowMediaTek has announced a successor to its Helio P90 mid-range chipset.The new Helio P95 chipset brings a 10% increase in AI performance and support for 64MP cameras. In other areas, the new Helio P95 is identical to its predecessor. Taiwanese chipmaker MediaTek today announced the Helio P95 chipset, which succeeds the Helio P90 that it announced in December 2018. Like its predecessor, the new Helio P95 is aimed at mid-range smartphones.The MediaTek Helio P95 comes with a new AI Processing Unit (APU), which is claimed to provide a 10% increase over the previous generation. It also uses a triple ISP that adds support for 64MP cameras. The rest of its tech specs, however, happen to be nearly identical to that of the Helio P90.The octa-core chipset features two ARM Cortex-A75 cores clocked at up to 2.2GHz and six efficiency-orie...

The upcoming flagship might come equipped with ECG, EMG, and EEG sensors.What you need to knowA recent patent filed by Samsung suggests the company's upcoming Galaxy Note 20 could boast advanced health metrics.The same patent also suggests the phone could have a holographic projector and a "bent edge" display. We expect the Galaxy Note 20 series to be unveiled in August this year.Last week, a patent won by Samsung had hinted at the possibility of the Galaxy Note 20 featuring a waterfall screen with physical buttons protruding through the side edge. Now, YouTuber TT Technologies has posted a new video showcasing concept renders of the upcoming phablet and some more details sourced from the same patent.As per the new information shared by TT Technologies, the Galaxy Note 20 could be the first smartphone to be capable of detecting irregular heart rhythms. So far, that ability has only been seen in smartwatches such as the latest Apple Watch models, Withings Move ECG, and...

In a world where most people in the United States buy smartphones through carriers like Verizon and AT&T, it's important to highlight the market of unlocked phones. When you buy a phone unlocked, you have the freedom to use it on any carrier you want (so long as it's supported) and often save money in the long haul compared to purchasing it on a contract or installment plan. The Pixel 3a is the best unlocked Android phone you can buy in 2020, but it's not the only one we recommend checking out. Here's a list of our favorites!Best Overall: Pixel 3aReleased in May 2019, the Pixel 3a is the first mid-range phone to be sold under Google's "Pixel" brand. And, you know what? It's pretty darn great.What helps the 3a stand out the most is its impressive 12.2-megapixel single rear camera. That may not sound very impressive in a world with multi-camera phones reaching 40 megapixels and beyond, but the Pixel 3a captures some of the most consistently-great pictures of any handset you...

Chatting with the AC forums.As smartphone prices continue to rise, it's become more important than ever to protect your purchase in any way you can. This can be in a few different ways, whether that be slapping a case on your phone, applying a screen protector, or going as far to buy insurance for it.Phone insurance plans are nothing new, but when spending $1000+ on a handset, picking up a plan to go along with it starts to become more and more appealing.Recently, some of our AC forum members got to talking about phone insurance and whether or not it's something they bother using. Mooncatt 02-26-2020 11:49 AM “ I would consider Verizon's extended warranty which isn't very expensive and is for the life of the phone as long as you pay the subscription fee. It's not the full on accident insurance but I always keep phones cased and never had any accidental damages. If you've had a similar history,...

Google keeps trying to make people switch away from the new Microsoft Edge.What you need to knowSeveral Google services show pop-ups within the new Microsoft Edge to try to get people to switch to Google Chrome.Google docs, Google's search page, Google News, and Google Translate show prompts to switch to Chrome.Google also shows pop-ups in the Chrome web store to try to get people to switch to Chrome.Google continues to try to make people switch away from the new Microsoft Edge. This time, pop-ups were spotted by MSPU within several Google services that prompt people to switch to Google Chrome. Google Docs, Google's search page, Google News, and Google Translate all show prompts to switch to Google Chrome.Google's search page reads, "Switch to Chrome. Hide annoying ads and protect against malware on the web." Google docs states, "to use docs offline upgrade to Chrome."Last week, people spotted warnings on the Chrome web store telling people to switch to Google Chrome to...

The update isn't widely available just yet.What you need to knowSamsung has started rolling out a new software update for the Galaxy Note 10 and Note 10+ phones.The update improves facial recognition as well as navigation gestures. Currently, the update is only available in Malaysia and Germany. Samsung is rolling out a new software update for the Galaxy Note 10 series phones, bringing a few minor improvements. The update is currently available only in Malaysia and Germany, but is expected to be released in other markets very soon.As per the folks at SamMobile, the update arrives as version N97xFXXU2BTB5 and brings enhanced facial recognition as well as navigation gestures. Unfortunately, however, there is no information yet on the exact nature of these improvements. What is also a little surprising is that the update does not bring the latest March security patch. That said, it is likely that these improvements will begin rolling out to Galaxy Note 10 and Note 10+ phones...

Can Pep Guardiola's men make it five League Cup triumphs in seven seasons?Having won four out of the last six League Cup finals, it almost feels strange when Manchester City aren't involved in the Carabao Cup Final. Pep Guardiola's Sky Blues this time face an Aston Villa side that has cast aside its struggles at the foot of the Premier League to put themselves in contention of winning their first silverware since lifting the League Cup back in 1996.If the task in front of Villa wasn't daunting enough, they'll be heading into Sunday's showdown at Wembley against a side that will be bristling with confidence following their stunning midweek Champions League victory over Real Madrid at the Bernabéu.Man City have previously lifted the League Cup trophy six times, while the Villans, who were the tournament's inaugural winners back in 1960, have won the Cup on five occasions. Should any of City star's Fernandinho, David Silva or Sergio Agüero take to the field on Sunday, they will ...

Despite a successful relaunch, the August View still doesn't quite stack up to the competition.I've had the August View since its original launch last Spring. To say the initial release of the View was a mess is selling its initial problems short. But the team at August did the unthinkable; they pulled the product from the market and issued refunds to unhappy customers. It was the sign of things to come and showed how far August was willing to go to please its customer base.The relaunched August View wireless video doorbell is a thing of beauty. On the outside, you won't see much of a difference between it and other video doorbells on the market. It's got an ultra-wide-angle camera up top, a speaker, a doorbell button, and some nifty lights for various purposes. The difference is in its fully wireless nature and the simplicity of the ecosystem.The August View Video Doorbell is super easy to install. It doesn't even require a screwdriver if you don't want to use one. It's powere...

Qualcomm's third-generation 5G modem brings that 5G speed you've been hearing about plus a lot more.When it comes to new technology, there's a natural timeline that seems to happen. The first generation feels like a proof of concept and offers enough to get us interested, the second generation works of fixing flaws and refining the basics, and the third generation is when it is mature enough that you really want to have it.Qualcomm's Snapdragon X60 5G modem is just that: the third generation of the company's 5G modems and it's ready for prime time. Compared to the X50 (first-generation) and X55 (second-generation) it's set up to make considerably better use of 5G networks in ways that we will notice.Smaller is betterThe X50 was built on a 10-nanometer process and the X55 was built on a 7-nanometer manufacturing process. With the X60, Qualcomm says it has moved forward and it will be built using a 5-nanometer manufacturing process. 5nm chips are so hard to build that the...

The standard Huawei P40 and P40 Pro models will be unveiled next month.What you need to knowHuawei launched the very first P40 series phone in Europe today.The "new" P40 Lite is a rebranded version of the Nova 6 SE that made its debut in China in December last year.It comes with a 6.4-inch hole-punch display, Kirin 810 chipset, and a quad-camera setup with a 48MP primary sensor.Earlier this week, Huawei announced that its flagship P40 and P40 Pro smartphones will be unveiled at an event in Paris, France on March 26. Ahead of the debut of the company's next-gen flagships, the Chinese company today launched the P40 Lite in Europe.The Huawei P40 Lite isn't actually an all-new smartphone. It is merely a rebranded variant of the Nova 6 SE that the company had launched in China in December last year. It comes with a 6.4-inch FHD+ IPS display featuring a hole-punch cutout in the top left corner, housing a 16MP selfie camera. Under the hood runs a 7nm Kirin 810 chipset, paired wi...

The report notes that the streaming market in 2019 was bigger than the entire U.S. recorded music market two years back.What you need to knowThe year-end 2019 music revenue report from the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) has revealed that paid subscriptions to on-demand streaming services jumped by 25% in 2019.Total revenue from streaming music increased by 19.9% last year, accounting for 79.5% of all recorded music last year. The number of paid subscriptions rose 29%, crossing the 60 million mark. The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) has released its annual year-end report, revealing that the continued increase in paid subscription services resulted in revenues from recorded music in the United States to grow by 13% in 2019 from $9.8 billion to $11.1 billion.Paid subscriptions to on-demand streaming services not only contributed the largest share of revenue but also led a 25% rise in revenue last year. With total revenue of $6.8 billion, ...