Latest from Android Central

It could be a massive setback for Google's hardware division.What you need to knowA new report claims Verizon will not be selling any Pixel smartphone this year.Verizon has so far been Google's closest carrier partner in the United States. The limited commercial success of Pixel phones is said to be the main reason behind the Big Red's decision. When Google introduced its Pixel line of smartphones in 2016, it partnered with Verizon Wireless to sell them in the United States. Until last year, Verizon was also the exclusive carrier partner for Pixel phones in the U.S. As per a new report from Android Police, however, Big Red has now decided not to sell new Google Pixel smartphones.Citing a source familiar with Verizon's plans, the report claims the chance of the Pixel 4a heading to Verizon "is now zero." The Pixel 5 isn't likely to be sold by the carrier either, although there is still a small chance that it might change its plans as the phone's launch date gets closer.Wh...

There is no reason to be concerned if you received the push notification on your device.What you need to knowSamsung Galaxy smartphone owners across the world are receiving a weird 'Find My Mobile' push notification.This isn't the first time that a smartphone maker has "accidentally" pushed out a weird notification to users across the globe. Samsung hasn't issued any official statement about the slip-up yet. Update: Samsung UK has confirmed that the push notification was sent to a "limited" set of devices erroneously:Recently, a notification about “Find My Mobile 1” occurred on a limited number of Galaxy devices. This was sent unintentionally during an internal test and there is no effect on your device. We apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused our customers. ^LF— Samsung Help UK (@SamsungHelpUK) February 20, 2020Samsung Galaxy smartphone owners worldwide are reporting that they received a weird "Find My Mobile" push notification. The notificatio...

Don't miss The Bronze Bomber take on The Gypsy King in an epic rematchWBC heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder and lineal champion Tyson Fury will settle their "Unfinished Business" when they meet in the ring at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on Saturday for their highly anticipated rematch.Back in December of 2018, Wilder and Fury fought a 12-round split-decision draw in arguably one of the best heavyweight fights in years which saw Wilder retain his WBC title. During the fight, Wilder was able to drop Fury to the mat twice, once in the eight round and once in the 12th round, but the "Gypsy King" was able to get back up both times and finish the round.Since their first meeting, both fighters have won two fights each. Wilder defeated Dominic Breazeale by first-round KO in May and then six months later "The Bronze Bomber" stopped Luis Ortiz during round 7 of their 2018 rematch. Fury meanwhile defeated Tom Schwarz in just two rounds in June and then he triumphed over Otto...

Twenty past winners of the show do battle to win two million dollars.It's now 20 years since Survivor hit TV screens, pitting groups of strangers together in an isolated location, where they must provide food, fire, and shelter for themselves while also completing challenges.To mark the 40th Season, this latest instalment of the show will be bringing back a select 20 of the 38 previous winners of the show.They'll be battling it out to win a bumper $2 million prize - a figure that CBS claims is the biggest in reality TV history. The competitors will once again be heading to a remote part of Fiji with Jeff Probst returning as host (and producer). Also making a reappearance is the controversial Edge of Extinction twist that was introduced in Season 38 which saw contestants remain in the show after they have been voted off.One notable omission however is the show's first ever-winner, and arguably most infamous contestant, Richard Hatch, who has been left out by producers in contr...

Google's cranking Android up to 11.Last year's Android 10 update was a big shift for the operating system. Not only did we get the long-awaited dark mode and important changes to app permissions, Android 10 also marked Google's departure from dessert names and ushered in a new Android logo/brand.Android 10 was a year of growth and maturity for the operating system, and those same principles are being carried over to Android 11. We're still a few months out from the final build being available for everyone, but with a developer preview now out in the wild, we have a good idea of where Google wants to take Android in 2020.Ready to learn all about what Android 11 is packing? Here's everything you need to know!Developer Preview 1 is outThese are the top featuresTons of messaging improvementsPermissions keep getting better5G is a big focusYou can flash it right nowThe final build is coming in Q3The Pixel 4 is first-in-line for Android 11Fast updatesGoogle Pixel 4 XL...

The streamer is just the latest in a long line of game industry figures that hate you for not "gitting gud."I used to play a lot of Apex Legends, especially when it first came out, but I had to stop for two reasons. For one, several strangers I was playing with either thought I was a child or hated that I was a woman. This is typical playing games online so that didn't cause me to quit outright. The other is the competitiveness that it brought out in me and the ungodly amount of pressure I put on myself.Apex Legends, like many online games, has daily and weekly challenges that force players to mix up their typical gameplay. Some are easy — play three games, revive a player — but some are much more difficult. The times where I had to win three games, for example, or get a certain amount of headshots filled me with dread. I had to improve at the game so drastically just to complete a challenge. If I was having a bad day and wasn't getting kills, I wasn't just having a rough go ...

This new gesture lets you pause/play music on your Pixel 4 via an air tapping motion.What you need to knowThe new gesture shows up in the first Android 11 dev preview released today.This gesture has its own on/off toggle in settings like current Motion Sense gestures do.As with all non-official Android builds, this feature may not make it into the final Android 11 released to the public.Motion Sense gestures have been hit and miss since released on the Pixel 4 in November, but it seems that Google is still working to improve them. XDA was able to find a new play/pause gesture in the new Android 11 developer preview released today.Play/pause is one of those gestures that have been asked for since the Pixel 4 and Motion Sense came out. The way it seems to be working in its current form is with a light air tap with a palm of the hand over the phone. Like the existing gestures, it seems that getting the hand and motion just right takes a bit of practice.XDA also found tha...

That's three developer previews, followed by three open betas.What you need to knowGoogle released the first Developer Preview for Android 11 earlier today.It's also detailed its plans for testing Android 11 going forward.The first preview will be followed by two more. Then, Google will have three betas before a final release in Q3 2020.Google sped things up a bit this year by releasing the first Developer Preview for Android 11 a month before its usual release schedule. And it plans to use that extra time well, with plans for a whole bunch of tests before the official release sometime in Q3 2020The Mountain View giant plans to roll out a new pre-release version of Android 11 every month from now till July. Following the initial preview release, there will be two more Developer Previews. After that, starting in May, there will be three betas.The difference between Developer Previews and Betas — a distinction that Google did not make last year — will have to do with ...

Those gradients are so, so lovely on the Note 10+, and you don't have to hide them in order to protect your investment. Clear cases are my favorite category of cases, and the ones available for the newest Note are better than ever — not to mention more durable than ever.Ruggedly handsomeRingke Fusion-XStaff pickRobust bumper protection, crystal clear polycarbonate back, and a couple of fun color options make the Ringke Fusion X everything you could want in a clear case that's also ready to take on the real world. I love the Blue, but the Camo is cool-looking, too.From $10 at AmazonGreat clear gripSpigen Liquid CrystalThis clear case is slim but grippy, allowing you to show off the Note 10+'s full beauty while still offering scratch and scuff protection. Spigen's Liquid Crystal is one of my most-used and most-loved case series for a reason: it works and it looks great doing it.$11 at AmazonTwo-tone translucenceGhostek Cloak4Ghostek's cases are drop-test...

There be dragons ahead, so use caution.It's that time of year again, though earlier than ever before: a developer preview of the latest version of Android is available, called Android 11. And while Google explicitly says that only developers should install it, many of us want to see what the company is planning for the next big update, set to be released sometime this summer.Top 10 features in Android 11 you need to know about right nowGiven that this is a developer preview, there are going to be missing features and bugs, so you shouldn't expect a fully working experience. But if you're curious about what's next, here's how to download and install it, plus answers to a few questions you may have.What phones support Android 11 Developer Preview?Pixel 4 XLPixel 4Pixel 3 XL Pixel 3Pixel 3aPixel 3a XLPixel 2 Pixel 2 XLHow to install the Android 11 developer previewIn order to flash the Android 11 developer preview right now, you'll need to flash the factory imag...

There are a few features you come to expect on most smartwatches. Heart-rate sensors are pretty standard, water-resistance is expected these days, NFC for mobile purchases on the go with Google Pay, and built-in GPS is always a nice touch. One feature that can often be overlooked, however, is a built-in speaker. Not only does a speaker allow you to make and receive phone calls right on your wrist, but it can also be used when talking to the Google Assistant. If you're looking for a Wear OS watch that's outfitted with a speaker, here are your best options.Be readyTicWatch Pro 4G/LTEStaff pickTicWatch Pro 4G/LTE has a signature dual-screen display that helps with outdoor visibility and extending the battery life. With 1GB of RAM Wear OS is smooth, water-resistance is improved, and the style bulky but refined to give the TicWatch Pro 4G/LTE a clean look. You also have a cellular radio that will let you leave the phone behind and stay connected. With the inclusion of the spea...

Your games, anywhereGeForce NowFree, $5/month at NVIDIAProsCheaper than Stadia right nowAccess to most of the games you already ownWorks on many Android devices and even iOSFree tier availableConsLoading times are shockingly longNot all games in your library are supportedGeForce Now uses your library to give you the games you want to play, streamed to just about any device you can imagine, for a price that seems fitting for a new service. Playing Destiny 2 on GeForce Now feels no different than playing on the PS4.Hey Google, play gamesStadia$10 a month at StadiaProsAlmost no load times at allAccess to Google assistantNice controllerConsWalled gardenA small selection of gamesOnly works on Pixel devicesOnly works on Wi-FiThe Stadia controller is impressive, and the potential of the service is writ large in some of its features. Unfortunately, right now, that feature list is in the future, making Stadia feel like a beta you have t...

The biggest features and changes we can't wait for.For the past couple of years, Google's been pretty consistent with its timeline of releasing new builds of Android. With Android 9 and Android 10, the first developer preview landed in March with subsequent updates following it until the final release in August or September.This year, Google jumped the gun a bit by launching Android 11 Developer Preview 1 on February 19 — the earliest we've ever gotten a new preview.Android 11 is bound to change and be tweaked a lot over the coming months, but for right now with the first developer preview, here are the top 10 things you need to know.Chat bubblesNotification conversationsSend images from notificationsOne-time permissionsMute vibrations for camera appDigital driver's licensesImproved scoped storageNew biometric levelsGetting ready for 5GWaterfall/pinhole display supportChat bubbles for messaging appsThere were hints and teases of chat bubbles in the develope...

He also says that the competing network companies are technologically on par.What you need to knowDuring a visit to Portugal, a diplomat working on information policy urged a European Huawei ban.Robert Strayer was appointed by Trump but has a long career in telecom law.Strayer has suggested the Chinese government could force Huawei to insert backdoors.A diplomat with President Trump's State Department is urging European nations to ban Huawei equipment as they build out 5G networks. Reuters quotes Robert Strayer saying that "there is no way to fully mitigate any type of risk except the use of trusted vendors from democratic countries." Strayer is deputy assistant secretary for cyber, international communications and information policy at the U.S. State Department, appointed by the president in 2017. According to his official biography, he hasbeen working in telecommunications law for 17 years. He has recently focused on the question of China's Communist Party's control over ...

If you were looking forward to the PlayStation booth at PAX East, there's some bad news.What you need to knowPlayStation was going to hold a booth at PAX East with playable games like The Last of Us Part II.PlayStation has cancelled its appearance at PAX East over coronavirus concerns.The Last of Us Part II is scheduled to release on May 29, 2020. A short while ago, PlayStation shared the exciting news that it would be present at PAX East and it was bringing a playable demo of The Last of Us Part II. Unfortunately, if you were planning on going, you'll want to reconsider. The company shared an update on PlayStation Blog, stating it was pulling out of PAX East due to Coronavirus concerns.The statement reads "Today, Sony Interactive Entertainment made the decision to cancel its participation at PAX East in Boston this year due to increasing concerns related to COVID-19 (also known as "novel coronavirus"). We felt this was the safest option as the situation is changing daily...

The flagship killers become even more lethal.What you need to knowOnePlus is running new discounts on the OnePlus 7T and the OnePlus 7 Pro.The OnePlus 7T is down from $599 to just $499.There's also a discount of up to $170 on the OnePlus 7 Pro.OnePlus broke into the smartphone market by positioning its phones as 'flagship killers.' That's meant that the Chinese company's phones have always had some of the best bang for buck you can get. They're an incredible deal to begin with, but OnePlus is, for a limited time, reducing the barrier of entry for a flagship smartphone experience even more.The OnePlus 7T, which we termed "the best of Android for under $600," is now even cheaper and will only cost you $499. That's $100 less than its usual selling price of $599.That'll net you a phone running Android 10 and powered by Qualcomm's Snapdragon 855+. Even better, it's got the same 90Hz refresh rate as the Pixel 4, alongside support for HDR 10. Round back, you'll find a triple-c...

The initial preview release is not meant for daily use.What you need to knowGoogle today released the first Android 11 Developer Preview.Android 11 brings updated connectivity APIs to take advantage of improved 5G speeds, support for hole-punch and waterfall displays, and deeper conversational experiences. The Android 11 Developer Preview is now available to download for Google's Pixel 2, Pixel 3, Pixel 3a, and Pixel 4 series devices. Google today rolled out the first Android 11 preview build for developers, breaking its annual tradition of releasing a developer beta of the next major Android version in early March. While we will need to wait until Google I/O to find out everything about Android 11, this "first look" gives us a fair idea of what to expect.The Android 11 Developer Preview is now available for the Google Pixel 2 / 2 XL, Pixel 3 / 3 XL, Pixel 3a / 3a XL, and Pixel 4 / 4 XL phones. While this initial preview release is only meant for developers, Google says i...

Whether you're tired of losing your keys, you're already in the process of automating your home, or you're setting up a B&B, a vital part of the process is choosing a smart lock that fits your needs. There are plenty of different smart locks to choose from, each with their own unique abilities. However, we recommend the August Smart Lock Pro for most people since it's super easy to set up and comes with everything you need.Best Overall: August Smart Lock Pro + Connect (3rd Gen)One of the reasons we like this option so much is that from a street view, no one would know that it was a smart lock. It allows you to keep your handle and lock in place but adds a smart component that's only visible from inside your home. It isn't the most pleasant thing to look at from the inside, but you probably won't be looking at it much. It's a bit expensive. However, this particular purchase comes with a Connect Wi-Fi Bridge, which will let you control your lock using the August app or a voic...

It's also adding a new Screen Time Management in Feed feature.What you need to knowTikTok is adding two new improvements to the service to promote digital wellbeing.The first is Family Safety Mode, aimed at helping parents police the contents their kids can watch.The second is Screen Time Management in Feed. The firm will partner with creators to produce in-app prompts while on the feed to encourage users to put their phones down.TikTok is adding a pair of new features to the app aimed at improving 'digital wellbeing', a focus of tech firms over the past year.The first of these new features is a new Family Safety Mode. Once engaged, this gives parents the ability to control digital safety features on a linked account, including things like:Screen Time Management: Control how long their teen can spend on TikTok each day.Direct Messages: Limit who can send messages to the connected account or turn off direct messaging completely.Restricted Mode: Restrict the appearance...

Stay dryJabra Elite 75t$180 at AmazonProsGreat sound qualityComfortable fitImproved battery lifeSmaller charging caseBetter than the AirPodsConsFewer charges from the case compared to Elite 65tNo wireless chargingCall quality still not as good as AirPodsJabra makes a strong case that these are one of the best true wireless earbuds products currently available. With far better battery life over the Elite 65t and a slimmer frame that nestles into ears with greater comfort, there's a lot to like about the package the Elite 75t delivers. Solid app support, voice assistant integration, and some of the best cable-free audio quality round out an impressive piece of kit.Get wetJabra Elite Active 75t$200 at JabraProsWaterproof buildGreat sound qualityComfortable fitSmaller charging caseJust as portable as Elite 75tConsNo noticeable audio upgrade from Elite 75tNo wireless chargingNo improved call qualityLike the year before, Jabra fol...

Doesn't currently work with 3D face unlocking.What you need to knowSan Francisco based design firm Resting Risk Face will sell you an N95 respiratory mask with your face printed on it.The masks can be helpful for using facial unlock on your phones, but will not work with phones that use 3D face mapping such as the Pixel 4 and iPhone.The masks will retail for $40 apiece but won't go on sale until there is no longer a global mask shortage.With the coronavirus outbreak creating havoc in China and abroad, it has caused a surge in the market for face masks. Some factories in China have even been converted to crank out more masks to attempt to keep up with the demand. While wearing a face mask may help protect you from the spread of viruses, one thing it doesn't help with is using face unlock on your phone.Over the past couple of years, using face unlock as the primary way to secure your phone has become hugely popular. Many modern-day phones come with the option, but it doesn'...

It's a little-used part of the phone app, but for some, it's the principle that counts.What you need to knowSamsung has been criticized for including ads in some parts of the Galaxy Z Flip.The ads in question were spotted in Samsung's phone app.The firm includes these on all phones running its software, not just the Z Flip.Samsung has been dinged for placing ads in the Galaxy Z Flip's phone app this week. While smartphone OEMs like Xiaomi sometimes use commercial partnerships to subsidize the costs of their phones, the Galaxy Z Flip is an expensive, conceptual smartphone that some buyers feel shouldn't need ads.It's already spawned some debate on social media.Samsung has ads in the phone app — the app you open to place calls — on its $1,380 Galaxy Z Flip. 🙄 pic.twitter.com/tuWr2PxSYh— Todd Haselton (@robotodd) February 18, 20201.) The excuse "Samsung has to make money" is obscene. 2.) I opted in to use a local point of interest feature, not for ads. 3.) I s...

Google is bringing a new feature called Ambient IQ to the Nest family of speakers.What you need to knowNest speakers will automatically adjust the volume and EQ of things like podcasts and audiobooks based on the room noise.All of the adjustments will be made on the device without the need to send any info to the cloud.The Ambient IQ feature will be rolling out to Nest Mini, Nest Wifi, Nest Hub, and Nest Hub Max starting today.If you've ever been at home listening to your favorite podcast and had to constantly adjust the volume because the kids keep coming in and out of the room making all sorts of noise — then you feel my pain. Thankfully so has Google, and they are introducing Ambient IQ to the Nest family of speakers to help solve this problem.In a post on the support page for the Google Nest, Google explains how Ambient IQ will change not just the volume but also the EQ of spoken media based on the sound in the room. Much like how Ambient EQ automatically adjusts th...

When you start searching for a new charger, a term you'll often see pop up in features and product names is GaN, Gallium nitride. Semiconductors made with gallium nitride can be smaller than silicon versions, and smaller, lighter chargers are almost always better. The tech is still pretty new, this is still a relatively small field, but these are the best GaN chargers with Power Delivery charging you can buy today.Great size and priceRAVPower GaN PD 90W Wall ChargerStaff pickThis 90W charger is smaller than a lot of 60W chargers thanks to GaN semiconductors, and it's absolutely perfect for charging a phone and laptop or even two laptops at once.$55 at AmazonInsanely smallAUKEY PA-Y19 30W USB-C Wall ChargerRoughly the size of a quarter, this is one of the most compact chargers on the market. Granted, 30W won't charge a MacBook Pro quickly, but it's great for iPads, Chromebooks, and phones.$25 at AmazonCharge it all at onceAnker PowerPort Atom III Slim 65W (Fo...

No matter the name, Embracer Group continues to rapidly expand.What you need to knowSaber Interactive has been acquired by Embracer Group.Embracer Group was previously known as THQ Nordic AB before being rebranded in 2019.Saber Interactive developed World War Z and has been responsible for porting several titles to the Nintendo Switch.Embracer Group, formerly known as THQ Nordic AB before being rebranded in 2019, has continued its pattern of rapidly acquiring new studios in order to expand. This time, Embracer Group has acquired Saber Interactive, the developers of last year's World War Z.The press release for the announcement revealed that Embracer Group paid $150 million for Saber Interactive's six offices, which will remain intact as Saber Interactive operates as an internal division of Embracer Group, employing over 600 staff. An additional $375 million payout in the acquisition is possible dependent on certain options over the next few years.In addition to developi...

People you've emailed but haven't necessarily saved as contacts are now searchable.What you need to knowGoogle has updated the Contacts app with a nifty quality of life feature.You can now search the Contacts app for people you've interacted with but haven't saved as contacts.The new change was previously rolling out as a server-side feature but is now live for all.The Contacts app isn't necessarily what you'll think of as a hero app. It's more of like a mug. Pretty boring and mundane, but good on a day to day basis. Google has added a new feature (as spotted by Android Police) to the app to make it even more helpful.Now, you'll be able to search for contacts that are saved in your Contacts library. For instance, let's say you had an email exchange with a business prospect, you'd now be able to search their names up in the Contacts app and have their email and contacts card surfaced without having to add them to your address list.It's a small but helpful feature that Go...

The phone could have cut-outs in the side glass edge for the physical buttons.What you need to knowA patent won by Samsung recently suggests the Galaxy Note 20 might sport a waterfall screen.The sketches in the patent show an ultra-curved display with physical buttons protruding through the edge glass. OPPO and a few other companies are already working on phones with "Waterfall" screens. Samsung was recently granted a patent for a Galaxy smartphone with ultra-curved edges by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. The sketches in the patent (via Patently Mobile) suggest that Samsung could be planning to equip an upcoming Galaxy flagship with a waterfall screen, similar to the one showcased by OPPO last year. Unlike Samsung's current flagship phones, which have buttons protruding through the metal side edge, the patent shows a phone with the physical buttons poking out through the side glass edge. The patent description also mentions the presence of a hologram device, gr...

The win for versatilityFitbit Versa 2$150 on AmazonProsSignificantly better battery lifeDetailed sleep tracking and Sleep ScoresFeature-rich app dashboard Detailed female health tracking ConsNot as seamless for music storage Heart rate tracking limited at 24/7 reportingProprietary chargerThe Fitbit Versa 2 has pretty much everything you would want and need in a fitness-focused smartwatch, and it works alongside an equally intuitive and information-rich app. It excels when it comes to added benefits like detailed sleep tracking, continuous heart rate monitoring, useful insights, gamification as you compete with friends, and battery life, which can last for days. It's the ideal companion for those who are looking to get fit or want to keep on top of their general health and wellness, with bonuses like female health tracking and personal cardio fitness scores.Made for iOS usersApple Watch Series 3Starts at $199 at AppleProsSeamless integration...

Chatting with the AC forums.Cases aren't the most exciting thing to talk about, but when it comes to expensive metal and glass phones that are just begging to be scratched or shattered, they're essential.Whether you're picking up the Galaxy S20, S20+, or S20 Ultra, we recommend getting a case to go along with it.Taking a look through the AC forums, here are a few of the cases our readers are picking up. Beth Hahn 02-13-2020 07:52 PM “ So as with most my phones my go to case has been uag, but with my note 10+ I tried the tech21 Evo check case and let me tell you for me at least it's saved my phone more then once along with the whitestone dome screen protector. My note 10+ is the first large phone I've owned so yeah I've dropped it quite a lot lol. I'm getting the blue color phone so I wanted to get a clear case so I ordered the... Reply D...

Best answer: Possibly in 2021. Temtem released into early access on PC in Jan. 2020. Console versions, including PS4, were expected to launch with the full game in Q2 or Q3 2021, but developer Crema has not stated whether this time frame has been moved in any way. For now, 2021 is the only date we have to go on.Inspired by Pokémon: Temtem ($35 at GMG (Steam))What is Temtem?Temtem is a massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG) inspired by Pokémon. As a novice Temtem tamer, you'll go around capturing Temtems, battling with Temtems, and making your way across the region facing off against the evil organization Clan Belsoto, not unlike Team Rocket.I really can't overstate how much of a Pokémon clone this is, but developer Crema doesn't shy away from the comparisons, it embraces them. It's also able to add new components to the Pokémon formula, including duo battles, deeper character customization, more online elements, and more adult themes and language.What p...

Best answer: Yes! NVIDIA GeForce Now supports over 400 games, most of which are playable through your Steam library. GeForce Now also supports more than 1,000 games that can be played through single-session installs, which also utilizes your Steam library. In essence, if you own a game on Steam, there's an extremely high chance you can play it on GeForce Now.Try it now: NVIDIA GeForce Now (Free at NVIDIA)Play it using GeForce Now: Borderlands 3 ($28 at Green Man Gaming)Pick up a game: Steam Wallet Prepaid Card ($20 at Amazon)What is NVIDIA GeForce Now?Initially revealed in 2017, GeForce Now is a game streaming service that allows players to access NVIDIA's servers to stream games they already own. Unlike other services that have you buy games in order to play them on a service, GeForce Now allows players to play mostly whatever is in their gaming library already. Thankfully, playing games is just as easy as the service sounds, as players can quickly boot up the app on a com...

Samsung makes 100x zoom possible using multiple sensors, mirrors, and some technical magic.The Galaxy S20 Ultra brings something that most people would have never imagined possible with a phone camera: 100x zoom.Samsung calls it Space Zoom, and while the full 100x shots we've seen aren't super crisp and perfectly clear, they are still pretty amazing when you think about it. You're getting 100 times zoomed-in shots from a tiny phone camera sensor and almost no actual focal length in the lens, and you can still tell what you're looking at. That's something that would never happen if you could pinch-zoom in 100 times, and it's pretty impressive.How Samsung does it isn't 100% documented (some secrets are good to keep close to the breast), but it's also not entirely a new thing. We've seen companies like Huawei offer phone cameras with 50X zoom using the same methods, and even some small point and shoot stand-alone cameras do the same things. It's known as a periscope lens, and it's...

ClimaCell's Weather Assistant offers minute-by-minute forecasts and real-time air quality information.There's no shortage of hyperlocal weather forecast apps, but there hasn't been a decent service aimed at India. That's changing with the launch of ClimaCell's Weather Assistant app. The app debuted in global markets at the end of last year, and is now making its way to India.The app combines hyper accurate forecasts — including minute-by-minute weather predictions — and the best part is that the information is customizable to the street level. So if you're heading to a particular area within your city and need to see what the weather forecast will be like in a few hours' time, this is the app for you.In addition to hyperlocal forecasts, you'll be able to see air quality, humidity, wind, cloudiness, and visibility. There's also the option to connect Weather Assistant to your calendar, and the service will monitor your upcoming entries and alert you if there's any inclement w...

Needless to say, enabling 120Hz refresh at QHD+ resolution will result in worse battery life.What you need to knowSamsung is apparently working on bringing the ability to enable the 120Hz refresh rate at QHD+ resolution to its Galaxy S20 phones.The option to enable 120Hz at QHD+ resolution is expected to be rolled out within the next three months. Currently, all three Galaxy S20 models support 120Hz refresh rate only at Full HD+ resolution. Samsung finally joined the high refresh rate party with its new Galaxy S20 series phones earlier this month. Unlike Android OEMs like OnePlus, however, Samsung's latest flagships do not let users enable the high refresh rate at their highest display resolution. Fortunately, however, that could soon change.While the Galaxy S20 phones currently allow users to enable the 120Hz refresh rate option only at Full HD+ resolution, tipster Max Weinbach has claimed in a new tweet that Samsung is working on adding the ability to use the 120Hz refr...

The RAZR had received a repairability score of just 1 out of 10 from iFixit last week.What you need to knowiFixit has posted a teardown video of Samsung's foldable Galaxy Z Flip.The teardown has revealed that the phone's "fiber shield" doesn't do a great job of keeping dust from getting inside. iFixit also found that the phone offers some level of water resistance and is slightly easier to repair than Motorola's RAZR. After giving us a look at the Motorola RAZR's internals last week, iFixit has now posted a teardown video of Samsung's new Galaxy Z Flip. Unsurprisingly, iFixit says Samsung's clamshell foldable is slightly easier to repair than Motorola's RAZR. Still, a repairability score of just 2 out of 10 is certainly quite disappointing.When announcing the Galaxy Z Flip at its Unpacked event last week, Samsung claimed the "fiber shield" in the phone's hinge helps keep dust from getting inside. Unfortunately, however, iFixit found that the layers of fibers built int...

Not a massive upgrade over the Galaxy A70 in terms of hardware.What you need to knowSamsung Galaxy A71 has been launched in India at ₹29,999 ($420).The mid-range phone will go on sale in the country starting February 24. Announced in December last year, the Galaxy A71 comes with a 6.7-inch Infinity-O Display, Snapdragon 730 chipset, and a quad-camera setup at the back. Samsung today quietly launched the mid-range Galaxy A71 in India, roughly two months after its global debut. The Galaxy A51, which was announced alongside the Galaxy A71, was launched in the country last month.Samsung has priced the Galaxy A71 at ₹29,999 ($420) in India. It will be available for purchase in Prism Crush Black, Prism Crush Blue, and Prism Crush Silver color options starting February 24 via both offline and online retail channels.The Galaxy A71 sports a 6.7-inch Super AMOLED Infinity-O display with FHD+ resolution and a tall 20:9 aspect ratio. It runs on a Qualcomm Snapdragon 730 chipset...

List most messaging services, WhatsApp has a read receipts feature that lets you know when a recipient has read your message. But the feature isn't liked by everyone, and if you feel like you're being pressurized to respond to a message just because of read receipts, there's an easy way to disable it in WhatsApp for Android.Products used in this guideFast and smooth: OnePlus 7 Pro ($600 at Amazon)How to disable read receipts in WhatsApp for AndroidYou can see the status of each WhatsApp by its check mark. A single grey check mark next to the message means it's sent; double grey ticks means it was delivered to the recipient's phone, and when the check marks turn blue you'll know that the recipient has read your message.If you don't want read receipts, here's how you can turn them off:Open WhatsApp from the app drawer or home screen. Select the action overflow menu (three vertical dots on the top right corner). Select Settings.Go to Accounts. Hit Privacy. Toggle r...

Even the least web-savvy entrepreneurs know that you can't have a business without a solid website. But you can't just whip up a decent-looking site, turn it on, and expect business to come pouring through. Turns out, digital marketing is a bit more complicated than that.While that level of convenience isn't quite realistic, GoDaddy Websites + Marketing comes pretty close, combining quick web design with powerful data-driven insights that can help guide you on how to promote your site without having to pay for an entire in-house marketing team.If you've built a website with GoDaddy before, you already know how they guide you through the process, suggesting design templates that make for a clean, user-friendly experience. GoDaddy Websites + Marketing does the same thing more broadly from a marketing perspective, letting you easily integrate multiple social media platforms seamlessly into your new internet hub.From the dashboard, you'll be able to update your Instagram, Facebook and ...

Keeping your data nicely filed and organized is a noble pursuit but one that most people simply don't have the time or patience to consistently adhere to. As such, many of us have to skip between folders, apps, and bookmarked cloud storage accounts to figure out where exactly we put that editable W-9 PDF. It's a chore, but Rethink Files was designed to make it easier.Rethink Files is a universal file manager for all of your apps and folders. In one streamlined interface, you can unite your OneDrive, Outlook, Zoho Docs, and more apps (even Slack!) so you can seamlessly access files when you need them. Rethink Files provides rich previews for more than 100 different file types and provides you with 2TB of secure, AES 256-bit encrypted cloud storage, making it the kind of centralized file system you need to stay on top of your digital life. With everything in one place, you can drastically improve your workflow, saving you time. Better yet, it's significantly more cost-effective than ...

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.Pile on those points with a new promo offerWhat you need to knowAmerican Express has a new targeted offer for its Platinum cardholders.Adding authorized users can net you up to 20,000 Membership Rewards bonus points.Authorized users also enjoy the perks and benefits of your card.If you have The Platinum Card® from American Express and have wanted to earn more points by enabling your family to make purchases using your card, American Express has a little bonus offer to entice you to pull that trigger a little faster. As reported by The Points Guy, American Express is targeting customers with a new offer to encourage adding authorized users.Right now, certain cardholders are being targete...

Play at home or in a VR arcade near you!What you need to knowCloudhead Games and the Virtual Athletics League are hosting a Pistol Whip tournament with a $10,000 prize pool.Players can take part in the contest at home or at a Springboard VR Arcade nearby.Finalists will win an all-expenses paid trip to Salt Lake City, Utah for the finals on March 29, 2020.Are you a Pistol Whip fan? Shooting through corridors, John Wick style, can net you some serious prizes in the upcoming Pistol Whip tournament in March. The Virtual Athletics League is putting on the first-ever Pistol Whip tournament with a $10,000 prize pool, and the best part is that you can compete from the comfort of your own home. Visit the Virtual Athletics League website to sign up and get training before the tournament takes place on March 13 and 14. Players can compete on any platform, which includes Oculus Quest, Oculus Rift, or SteamVR headsets.Never heard of Pistol Whip or don't have a way to play at home? Don...

With version 13 of the Oculus software, the Oculus Quest now automatically tracks your hands when it can't find any Oculus Touch controllers in range. While it's a novelty to browse through the Oculus menus with just your fingers, playing games is way more fun. To get started, sideload apps to your Oculus Quest using Sidequest before you begin. Also, for the best results, always play in a well-lit room for optimal hand-tracking performance. The brighter, the better.★ Featured favoriteTea for GodStaff PickIf you're looking for the best example of what hand-tracking can bring to an already amazing experience, the oddly named Tea for God is the first step you should take. Tea for God is a never-ending procedurally-generated experience. The game creates its world as you play, and it's different every single time. On top of being one of the best room-scale experiences available, Tea for God utilizes the hand-tracking feature in a wholly natural way. It makes guns out o...

Five more countries can now secure themselves with Google's universal hardware authentication.What you need to knowGoogle's Titan USB key is now available to users in 5 more countries, making 10 nations covered total.Austria, Germany, Italy, Spain, and Switzerland join the US, Canada, France, Japan, and the UK.Google is giving away free Titan keys to users on federal political campaigns.We're big fans of serious security solutions like Google's Titan keys. Even stronger than normal two factor authentication (2FA), Google Titan devices are universal hardware two factor (U2F) keys that make it almost impossible for someone to login to your accounts without your permission. Every login requires a hardware key, and Google has been slow to offer the hardware USB keys in more than a few countries since they launched. Now Google is doubling the number of countries that can buy the Titan keys, in both USB-A and USB-C flavors, from five countries to ten.All of the new countries ar...

Right now, the best smartwatch for Android users is the Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 2. It's optimized for Samsung phones but runs well on all Android devices and has all the smartwatch and fitness features you'd expect. It's compact and lightweight but still offers good battery life. But if you're not into that one, the good news is that there are so many other amazing options from Fossil to Garmin to Fitbit and more.Best Overall — Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 2You don't have to use a Samsung phone to enjoy the benefits of owning a Samsung smartwatch, and the Galaxy Watch Active 2 provides the most well-rounded wearables experience for Android users right now. It's compact and lightweight but features an extremely sharp and vivid touch display that's easy to navigate and fun to use thanks to the new capacitive bezel. The Tizen OS is smooth and battery-friendly, unlike Google's own Wear OS, and while the app selection isn't massive, the core tenets are there, like Spotify, Stra...

Disney said the episodes would begin "rolling out" from the 24th of March.What you need to knowDisney may stagger the release of the Mandalorian in the UK and other Western European countries.The firm made the announcement on its Twitter page.Disney Plus launches in Western Europe from the 24th of March.Despite the Mandalorian already being completely finished in the U.S., Disney may stagger its release in the UK to mirror the U.S. release. Instead of an all in one drop as Netflix has trained its users to expect, Disney is apparently aiming more for a drip-feed of content. The inference came from a tweet made by Disney Plus's UK account, stating that the show would begin rolling out from the 24th.The tweet, spotted by TechRadar:#TheMandalorian episodes will start to roll out from March 24th. @StarWarsUK pic.twitter.com/jY6gA2gFPv— Disney+ UK (@DisneyPlusUK) February 17, 2020It seems odd for Disney to artificially limit the release of a show that has already been d...

We're still in the early days of the foldable phone re-emergence, but there are a couple of options available if you want to buy-in. These are no longer concepts or prototypes, they're complete phones that are on store shelves just like any other. Right now, the best overall foldable is the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip because of its ability to just work like a normal phone most of the time ... until it folds back in half again.Best Overall: Samsung Galaxy Z FlipThe best thing the Galaxy Z Flip has to offer is normalcy and minimal compromises. At its core, the Z Flip is effectively a refreshed and slightly improved Galaxy S10+, which is a good thing. You're getting capable specs and performance, hardware that feels solid and high-quality, and a set of cameras that are just a little bit behind the highest-end phones this year. Compared to the shortcomings of other foldables, the Z Flip shines for having such good daily usability.The Galaxy Z Flip also has the most durable folding s...

Probably not, and here's why.What you need to knowA new LCD display panel from JDI built specifically for VR has entered mass production and is currently being used in upcoming XR headsets.JDI's new display sports an incredible 1,058 ppi density, or more than double the density of most other VR displays.While Sony is a stakeholder in JDI, it's unlikely this will be used for the PSVR 2 for a number of reasons.Japan Display Inc. (JDI) has announced a super pixel-dense LCD built specifically for use in future VR headsets. While a 1600 x 1600 resolution doesn't sound ground-breaking, the pixel density is. JDI's new display sports an incredible 1,058 pixels-per-inch (ppi) density, made possible by the RGB stripe sub-pixel arrangement and the tiny 2.1-inch size. Comparitively, headsets like the PSVR feature a 386ppi density.It's also got a 120Hz refresh rate, which is on-par with the current-generation PSVR and significantly higher than headsets like the Oculus Rift S and Oculu...

Smart doorbells and cameras are a great way to add a sense of security to your home and keep an eye on things, even when you're away, but they can also be deeply troubling when accessed by the wrong people. You've probably seen articles about online intruders getting into people's connected cameras and even using the two-way audio to terrorize residents on the other end, and far too often, the "hacker" just took advantage of a weak password. Thankfully, Ring offers two-factor authentication that makes it harder for others to access your account, even with your password. It's easy to enable from your phone or computer. In fact, Ring is now finally going to be requiring users to enable two-factor authentication from February 2020 onward.Product used in this guideRing's most versatile: Ring Video Doorbell 2 ($169 at Amazon)How to enable 2FA from your phoneTwo-factor authentication is an absolute must these days, especially with something as private as a live camera feed. Enabl...

Expected to launch in spring 2020.What you need to knowGoogle's new Pixel Buds have shown up on B&H Photo for pre-order.So far, only the listing for the Clearly White color option is available, and the price is $179.The new true wireless Google Pixel Buds are expected to launch this spring.Google first showed off the new Pixel Buds at its Made by Google event back in October 2019. At that time, the new true wireless headphones were not ready to go on sale, let alone to demo for those in attendance. Since then, not much has leaked out beside them making an appearance on the Bluetooth SIG site.However, today we got a surprise when the Google Pixel Buds popped up on B&H Photo for pre-order. Unfortunately, there isn't much to learn from the listing. At the time of writing, it is mostly an empty placeholder, only mentioning that it's for the Clearly White color and that they will set you back $179. Both facts that we already knew before the listing went live.Probab...

Carli, Jen, and Rebecca dive into why Pokémon Home is cool for longtime players and talk about rumors surrounding PS5 vs. Xbox Series X pricing. They also report on Dreams for PlayStation 4, and Outriders. Plus, stay tuned for a bonus interview by Sam Tolbert with developers of The Division 2: Warlords of New York!Hosted by: Jennifer Locke, Carli Velocci, and Rebecca SpearGot feedback? Hit up Podcast@androidcentral.com and tell us something!LISTEN NOW:LINKS:Pokémon HOME: How to transfer Pokémon from Pokémon Bank into Pokémon HOME | iMorePokémon HOME: The ultimate guide | iMoreSony allegedly 'struggling' to keep PlayStation 5 price down. What's it mean for Xbox Series X? | Windows CentralThe Division 2: Warlords of New York Preview — Taking the fight back to where it began | Windows CentralDreams for PlayStation 4: Everything you need to know | Android CentralWe finally get Outriders plot details in new reveal trailer | Android Central...