Latest from Android Central

When it comes to getting a refund for a digital game on PlayStation 4, your mileage may vary. Technically, you won't be given a refund on a digital game that you've already downloaded or played unless the content is faulty. This is usually up to PlayStation Support's discretion — and whether or not the game is riddled with bugs. Still, if you've purchased a game and find that you don't want it, you have up to 14 days to request a refund. Because Sony practically sends you in circles trying to figure out how and where to request a refund — redirecting you to the same pages over and over — we've figured out a quick way to do it.How to request a refund on a PS4 gameGo to support.playstation.com/s/contact-support.Have your information ready, including your PSN ID, email address associated with the account, date of birth, and name of the game you'd like refunded. Select Chat on the right side of the screen (available Sunday-Saturday 8 a.m.-8 p.m. Pacific Time).In the windo...

But it won't be the only foundry making Qualcomm's newest modem.What you need to knowSources tell Reuters Samsung has won Qualcomm business to produce the next-gen X60 modem.Samsung will manufacture the chipset on its 5-nanometer process foundry.TSMC, which likely produced the X55, will share business with Samsung this time.Qualcomm's freshly-announced 5G modem, the next-generation X60 chipset, will be produced by Samsung on its 5-nanometer process foundry, according to company sources speaking to Reuters. Qualcomm has already announced that all of its flagship packages will include a 5G modem, so manufacturing duties for the new technology were sure to be robust. It was assumed that TSMC handled manufacturing for the current lineup of X55 modems, but the next generation task will be split between Samsung and TSMC. Qualcomm does not publicly comment on its manufacturing partners.By employing Samsung's newest 5-nanometer process, Qualcomm can make modems that are more effi...

Baldur's Gate III is having a live gameplay reveal in under a couple of weeks.What you need to knowBaldur's Gate III is having a live gameplay reveal on February 27 at PAX East.The game is being developed and published by Larian Studios, well known for the Divinity: Original Sin role-playing games.There's still no release window for Baldur's Gate III. Baldur's Gate III is currently in development at Larian Studios, the developers of critically-acclaimed role-playing titles like Divinity: Original Sin II. We're finally getting our first look at gameplay from Baldur's Gate III soon, as a live gameplay reveal event is taking place on February 27 at PAX East. You can check out the update from Larian below but be sure to watch through to the end, as there's a neat little teaser.The World Gameplay Reveal of Baldur’s Gate 3 will be happening LIVE at PAX East on Thursday 27th February at 1530ET. Join Swen live on stage with a special guest, and if you can’t, we'll be streamin...

Gaming phones like ASUS ROG Phone I & II, Razer Phone 1 & 2 are also welcome to the party.What you need to knowGoogle is bringing Stadia to other Android phones.The gaming service was previously exclusive to Google's Pixel phones, now it's expanding to more popular phones like the Samsung Galaxy Note and S lines.The expansion will start on February 20th.Google Stadia, the firm's cloud game streaming service, is going to become more accessible to users this week. The firm has announced today that Stadia will be coming to more phones. Previously, users had to own one of Google's own Pixel phones from the Pixel 2 and above to be able to take advantage of the service. From the 20th of February, Google will now be adding some of the most popular Android phones.Starting February 20, you can play Stadia with even more phones. ASUS ROG Phone I & II, Razer Phone 1 & 2, and a variety of Samsung phones, including the Samsung S20 line, are all supported.For the full l...

It could also launch as a more mid-range device than we've expected.What you need to knowA reference to the Pixel 5 has been spotted in AOSP code.This is the first concrete piece of evidence, other than expectation, that Google's next flagship will indeed be called the Pixel 5.There's a possibility that the Pixel 5 may support 5G, and be more midrange than previous Pixels.Google is expected to launch a bunch of new Pixels this year. There's the mid-range Pixel 3a successor, the 4a and the flagship in waiting, the Pixel 5. We've seen a lot about the Pixel 4a so far, but nothing's emerged about the Google Pixel 5, at least, until now.A code snippet spotted by 9to5Google provides a hint: Bounds sanitizer in arch/arm64/kernel/cpufeature.c makes image unbootable for Pixel 4 at 4.14 kernel. I didn't have a chance to test it on Pixel 5 with 4.19, and preemptively disabling UBSan there now to ensure bootability.To be clear, this code snippet isn't exactly something big. T...

The Incremental File System will most likely debut in 2021 with Android 12.What you need to knowGoogle has been spotted submitting patches to the Linux kernel to support an Incremental File System.In the documentation, it references the ability to run apps before they have fully downloaded.The Incremental File System could be used to allow users to start playing a large game while they wait for it to finish downloading.Mobile gaming is big business, and as phones get more powerful, and the popularity grows, so do the size of the games. It's not uncommon to see games on the Play Store weighing in at several gigabytes these days, and in some cases, that means waiting a lengthy time for the game to download and install.Even on the fastest connections, it can take several minutes for the download to complete, and that's just too long when you're ready to play right now. Fortunately, Google is working on a way to remedy this situation with a new file system in Android.Recent...

Changes are rolling out today and Ring will email customers once they are active.What you need to knowRing will soon require all customers to use two-factor authentication when logging in.It will also allow customers to opt-out of sharing information with third-party service providers for advertising.The Amazon-owned home security camera company experienced a data breach in 2019, which lead to many customer's cameras becoming compromised.Amazon's Ring security cameras have been in the news a lot these past few months. Most recently, there was a report that showed how footage from Ring cameras has done little to help police identify suspects and make arrests.Then, back in December of 2019, Ring was in the news for a string of camera hacks, where several customers had their cameras compromised. Later that month, it was revealed that Ring had a data breach, and up to 3,600 customers had their usernames and passwords leaked online.Looking to learn from its mistakes, Ring an...

It'll launch worldwide on March 17th and is priced at $319 in the U.S. and £269 in the U.K.What you need to knowMarshall's Monitor II A.N.C are its newest premium headphones.Their standout features are Active Noise Cancellation and up to 45 hours of battery life on a single charge.They launch worldwide on March 17th for $319.Marshall is launching the Mashall Monitor II A.N.C, its new flagship premium headsets. It'll set you back $319 in the U.S. when it's released globally on March 17th.The flagship feature of these headphones is the active noise cancellation. You can tell, it's in the name. Marshall says these "utilize advanced active noise canceling technology that continuously pinpoints and measures ambient noise in order to block out thethings you don't want to hear."If you think it'll be hard on the battery, you're probably right. Marshall promises up to 30 hours of battery life with noise-canceling engaged, power that's up there with Sony's WH-1000XM3 and even ...

As much love as we have for the iPhone and what it's done for the mobile industry, we'll never not be excited when someone switches over from it to an Android handset. We'd argue that a lot of Android phones are better than Apple's fruit phone, and if you've finally decided to make the conversion, we have a few tips to help you out. Going from iPhone to Android can be quite daunting, but by keeping a few things in mind, you can make the process substantially easier.There's a learning curveSwitching from iPhone to Android isn't the same as upgrading the from the iPhone X to the iPhone 11. It's more akin to switching from Mac to Windows (though not as drastic). General functions are similar, but major Android phone manufacturers will often have proprietary user interfaces, distinguishing them from other makers.Therein lies the rub. There is no single version of Android in the way that there's only one iOS. Companies take the Android operating system, interpret it and mold it acco...

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip and the Surface Pro X are a mobile power team.Screens that fold and PCs that can make phone calls are no longer things of the future.Over the weekend, I was one of the lucky few to have my Samsung Galaxy Z Flip order ship from Best Buy. The folding phone is not without controversy, but it is also winning the hearts of many early adopters brave enough to plop down $1,400.I'll review the Galaxy Z Flip and detail how it works with Microsoft's Android app suite in the coming weeks, but for now, I want to talk about Windows 10's Your Phone feature and how it has me intrigued and especially exited for the upcoming Surface Duo.Game changerYour Phone CompanionFree at Google PlayMerging phones and PCsYour Phone allows you to sync text messages, photos, and notifications from your phone to your Windows 10 PC. Now, when used with Galaxy 20 series phones, it supports RCS messages.Next generationSamsung Galaxy Z Flip$1,380 at Samsung$1,330 at B...

The PlayStation 5 will be backward compatible with the PlayStation 4 and might even allow cross-generational play where you can start a game on your current system and then continue it on the new console without losing any progress. That means now is a great chance to stock up on the best of this generation's titles while looking ahead to some of the upcoming releases that will mark the end of the era. With only one new title announced for the PlayStation 5 so far, you're likely to have plenty of time to enjoy these games. Here are all the games so far:NewAvailable nowRelease dates confirmedComing soon?NewScouting missionJourney to the Savage PlanetExplore an uncharted planet and catalog its plants and animals in this cheery co-op game. Use what little gear you have to determine if you've landed somewhere humans can survive and if you're really alone.$30 at AmazonWith great powerLife Is Strange 2The moving sequel to Life Is Strange tells a new story a...

The X60 is the first 5G modem to feature carrier aggregation between Sub-6 and mmWave.What you need to knowQualcomm has unveiled the X60, its first 5G modem built on a 5nm node.The X60 includes carrier aggregation between Sub-6 and mmWave, with a maximum bandwidth of 7.5 Gbps. The 5nm node means the modem has a smaller footprint while delivering better energy efficiency. Qualcomm has unveiled its third 5G modem, the X60, and there's a lot to like. The modem has a smaller footprint than the X50 and X55, and has better energy efficiency figures. But what's even more impressive is that it comes with global 5G connectivity, thanks to Qualcomm's third-gen QTM535 mmWave antenna module.The highlight here is that the X60 offers carrier aggregation between Sub-6 and mmWave bands in FDD-TDD, leading to higher maximum throughput. The X60 will be able to achieve downloads of an incredible 7.5 Gbps over mmWave, and 5 Gbps on Sub-6. Basically, the X60 is the closest we've come to a un...

All three new K-series phones are MIL-STD 810G compliant.What you need to knowLG today announced three new K series smartphones.The new K61, K51S, and K41S phones sport quad rear cameras and "cinematically proportioned displays" with thin bezels. They are slated to go on sale in the second quarter in the Americas, followed by select markets in Europe and Asia. LG Electronics today quietly introduced its latest K series smartphone lineup. The new K61, K51S, and K41S smartphones come with upgraded cameras and a more modern design compared to last year's lineup.The LG K61 sports a 6.5-inch FHD+ FullVision display with a hole-punch cutout and a 19.5:9 aspect ratio. It is powered by an unnamed octa-core processor running at 2.3GHz, paired with 4GB of RAM and up to 128GB of expandable storage. The quad-camera array on the back of the phone houses a 48MP main sensor, an 8MP ultra-wide-angle lens, 2MP macro lens, and a 5MP depth sensor. Some of the other key highlights of the LG ...

Chatting in the AC forums!Over the weekend, Samsung's Galaxy Z Flip received a lot of unwanted press. Samsung makes a big deal about the phone's display being "Ultra Thin Glass", but a durability test video showed the screen easily scratching the same way plastic does.Following all of this, Samsung clarified that the Z Flip does have a glass screen, but there's a layer of plastic covering it to ensure better overall durability. So, while Samsung is technically correct in saying that the Z Flip's display is glass, the company could have been a lot more transparent about plastic still being present.In any case, here's what some of our AC forum members had to say about the whole situation. milleniumdroid 02-16-2020 03:55 PM “ Why do you think I hate foldable devices... As it is our smartphones don't last enough and the last thing we need is this BS. I'm pretty sure that if electronics companies t...

The move could have a devastating impact on China's biggest smartphone maker.What you need to knowThe Trump administration is reportedly planning to change U.S. regulations to allow it to block chip supplies to Huawei from TSMC and other chipmakers.If the proposal is approved, it would be a massive blow to Huawei's smartphone business. The U.S. Commerce Department has declined to comment on the proposal. Huawei lost access to Google services last year after the Chinese company was put on the U.S. Commerce Department's "Entity List." While Huawei's smartphone business has not been severely affected by the U.S. blacklist so far, a new report from Reuters claims the Trump administration is mulling changing U.S. regulations that could cut Huawei off from global chip suppliers. The news comes less than a week after the U.S. Commerce Department issued a 45-day extension to allow American firms to continue trading with Huawei.By altering the Foreign Direct Product Rule, the U.S...

The money for the new fund will come from Bezos' personal wealth.What you need to knowAmazon boss Jeff Bezos has launched the Bezos Earth Fund.The Bezos Earth Fund aims to fund efforts by scientists, activists, and NGOs to preserve and protect the environment. Bezos is committing $10 billion to the fund and will begin issuing grants later this year. Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos has announced the launch of a new fund called the Bezos Earth Fund to help fight climate change. Bezos said that he is committing $10 billion "to start" and will begin issuing grants this summer.Announcing the Bezos Earth Fund on Instagram, the Amazon CEO wrote: Climate change is the biggest threat to our planet. I want to work alongside others both to amplify known ways and to explore new ways of fighting the devastating impact of climate change on this planet we all share.The Bezos Earth Fund will be giving out grants to back scientists, activists, and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) workin...

The Realme X50 Pro 5G will also make its global debut on the very same day.What you need to knowThe Realme X50 Pro 5G will be launched in India on February 24.It was earlier planned to be officially unveiled at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona on the same day. Realme X50 Pro 5G is expected to sport a 90Hz AMOLED display, Snapdragon 865 processor, and 65W SuperDart fast charging. Realme India today sent out invites to the launch of the Realme X50 Pro 5G in India. The 5G-enabled flagship phone will be launched in India on February 24 at an event in New Delhi at 2:30 PM IST. Realme had previously planned to launch the X50 Pro 5G at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona on the same day. Since the event has been canceled due to the Coronavirus outbreak, Realme X50 Pro 5G will now make its debut at an online-only event.Realme says that its upcoming flagship will be "India's first 5G smartphone", as it will be launched a day before the iQOO 3 5G in the country. While 5...

With the Galaxy S10 Lite, Samsung shows that it can build an exciting value flagship.Samsung is the dominant player in the Android world, and while its flagships continually raise the bar for the industry as a whole, the South Korean brand has failed to make a mark in the mid-range category. Samsung's efforts in this area over the last four years were focused on the Galaxy A series, a series of mid-range devices aimed at a younger audience that offered several features from the Galaxy S series.While there were a few noteworthy models in the Galaxy A lineup, they didn't make a lasting impact in the mid-tier segment. Samsung's foibles have allowed companies like OnePlus to gain momentum in this category, with the manufacturer opening up a huge lead in key markets like India.So for 2020, Samsung is switching up its strategy. The manufacturer is getting more aggressive in the mid-range segment, and the Galaxy S10 Lite is the first salvo. The S10 Lite is an interesting device becaus...

While your Android isn't in the same sort of jail an iPhone lives in, rooting can help you break out.If you've researched anything about Android on the internet, you've probably seen and read about "rooting" it. There was a time when many of the Android phones available didn't live up to their potential, and root was the answer. Horrible software was the norm, applications that you would never use ran amok and wasted data and battery life, and the experience was bad all around.Because every Android phone is running the Linux kernel and middleware very similar to a Linux distribution you would install on a computer under the hood, rooting them was the way to allow us to try and fix them our own way. Rooting is how you get complete access to everything in the operating system, and those permissions allow you to change it all. Modern Androids are quite a bit better than they used to be. Even the most inexpensive phone or tablet you can buy in 2019 will do more and perform better tha...

Pokémon HOME offers a lot of awesome features to help you trade into the service from a host of Pokémon games or to help you trade Pokémon with other users. Anyone who signs up for a premium subscription plan will be automatically enrolled in subscription renewal. If you've tested out the premium subscription and have decided it's not for you, then you're definitely going to want to cancel it. here's how to do that.How to cancel the premium Pokémon HOME subscriptionYou will need to cancel the subscription from the version you purchased it from. For instance, if you purchased Pokémon HOME premium from your Nintendo Switch, you won't be able to cancel from the Pokémon HOME smartphone app. In this case, you can only cancel it from your Nintendo Switch.Cancel on your phoneCancel on your Nintendo SwitchCancel on your phoneOpen the mobile app.Tap the screen to get past the start menu.Select the hamburger button at the bottom of the screen. Select Options.The nex...

I've been testing out the HyperX Cloud Flight S for a couple of weeks now, and I love it.HyperX recently made a new addition to its Cloud Flight wireless headset line with the HyperX Cloud Flight S. Upon first glance there isn't much different other than a slight change in coloring on the earcups (goodbye stereotypical gamer red), but the Cloud Flight S actually offers a lot more than its older sibling. I've had about two weeks of hands-on time with the headset so far, and it's my new favorite out of the several that I own. Granted, this is also my first wireless headset, but I still think I can speak towards its overall quality.The most significant upgrade with the Cloud Flight S is that it supports 7.1 virtual surround sound, and there's a button to press on the headset itself that lets you quickly toggle between surround sound and stereo. You may not normally notice a difference if you aren't listing to either type back-to-back, but when you can switch between them at a mome...

New features are on the way and PlayStation 5 support is confirmed.What you need to knowDreams is, essentially, a game engine turned into a game, developed by Media Molecule.According to a new interview with Eurogamer, PlayStation VR support for Dreams is almost done.Media Molecule also indicated that Dreams is already running on PlayStation 5.You can grab Dreams for PlayStation 4 for $60 from Amazon. Media Molecule worked on Dreams for several years and the game engine-turned game has finally been released however, the team isn't done yet. In a new interview with Eurogamer, Alex Evans from Media Molecule indicated that PlayStation VR (PSVR) support for the game is still coming and is in fact almost done. This will be a free update.When asked about additional platforms beyond PlayStation 4, Evans also noted that Dreams currently runs on PlayStation 5. "I mean, obviously, we're going to look at that, we're a PlayStation studio. Dreams actually already runs on PlayStation ...

Samsung's Galaxy Z Flip is the first phone with a foldable glass display. Or is it? Yes, but only technically.Foldable phones are a new category of handheld. Some, like the Galaxy Fold, are big phones that fold into a small tablet, and some are more like the Moto Razr and Galaxy Z Flip that turn a smallish phone into a bigger phone. One thing they all have in common is a display that has to bend.Samsung has made a pretty big deal about the Galaxy Z Flip having a glass display that can fold, but it's not a glass display the way you would think it is.More: Samsung takes folding phones mainstream with the Galaxy Z FlipYour phone's screenNo two models of phone are built exactly the same way, but making a phone screen follows a fairly simple recipe using four layers.First, you need some sort of backing so nothing that could come in contact with a circuit board inside the phone itself makes everything short out and go zap. On some phones, the backing is sturdy and helps make ...

You might just get some rare or shiny Pokémon while trading in Pokémon HOME.After you've transferred your Pokemon over to Pokémon HOME from your 3DS or Nintendo Switch, the real fun can begin. Grand Oak wants you to complete the Pokémon HOME Pokédex, and one of the best ways to do that is to trade with other players. If nothing else, you might get lucky and receive a rare or shiny Pokémon via trade. There are a few different ways to trade with other players. We'll go through each of the methods and tell you how to do them.All trading aspects within Pokémon HOME can only be completed within the mobile version. If you don't already have it, download either the Android or the iOS versions for your phone.How to trade Pokémon with other players in Pokémon HOMEHow to use Wonder TradeHow to use the Global Trade Station (GTS)How to use Trading RoomsHow to Friend TradeHow to use Wonder TradeThis feature allows you to trade any of your Pokémon for a random Pokémon t...

Philips Hue smart lights are some of the coolest on the market and they're definitely some of the most popular, but they can be quite expensive, especially once you get into colored bulbs. If you're looking for a less expensive alternative, or just something other than what's popular, then check out these other awesome options.Best alternativeLIFX LED BulbStaff pickLIFX's bulbs aren't the most affordable, but they do provide 16 million colors and 1,000 shades of white. They connect via Wi-Fi without the need for a hub, and each bulb only uses 17 watts despite a lumen count of 1,017.$60 at AmazonInsanely cheapCree Connected Dimmable LED BulbThe price of this bulb from Cree might seem too good to be true, but it's not. You won't find any options for multiple colors, but what Cree does offer is an extremely affordable bulb that's dimmable and can be controlled from your phone or via Alexa.$5 at AmazonMillions of optionsSylvania Smart+ Color Changing LED Bulb...

We all have expensive equipment at home that needs to be plugged into a power socket, whether it's a TV, computer, laptop, smartphone, gaming console, or countless other devices. In the case of spikes or power surges you want to protect your gadgets and the best way to do that is to get yourself a surge protector. With multiple outlets, you can ensure that not only is everything plugged in, but that it'll be protected.Pivoting OutletsBelkin 12-outlet Pivot PlugStaff pickThis power strip comes with eight pivoting plugs, which means you can adjust plugs accordingly and make use of all sockets. It comes with a 4,320-joule energy rating and an 8-foot heavy-duty power cord. The higher the joules the more of a surge the unit can withstand, and over 4,000 is great for most expensive electronics.$39 at AmazonIndividual switchesSuperDanny Power Strip TowerThe tower design allows this surge protector to sit nicely on a desk or in the corner of the room. It has a retract...

This phone slides to become a tablet and looks a lot more like a normal phone.What you need to knowA leaked TCL concept device utilizes a sliding mechanism to transform the screen from a phone to a tablet-sized device.TCL was reportedly going to debut this at MWC 2020.This TCL slider concept seems to be a flagship phone, while other TCL folding models are more budget-friendly.Remember when Android smartphones had a keyboard that slid out from the underside of the phone? That smartphone form factor looks to be making a comeback if TCL has anything to say about it. According to CNET, TCL is developing a smartphone with a screen that slides out, transforming a normal-looking Android phone into a tablet with slide instead of a flip. This phone-to-tablet concept isn't new, but it could be far more useful than the Samsung Galaxy Fold or the Huawei Mate X.This TCL concept slider looks impressively like a "normal" smartphone with a waterfall display, which means the display wraps...

One of reality TV's most guilty pleasures, The Bachelor is back for another weekly dose of emotional turbulence.The Bachelor franchise has kept loved-up viewers entertained for nearly two decades, leaving a trail of tear-filled limo exits while also being responsible for several televised weddings. Now in its 24th season, the lucky man dishing out the roses this time out is Delta Airlines pilot Peter Weber, who will be trying his best to find THE ONE from 30 hopeful ladies.Long-term fans of The Bachelor and its spin offs will be rooting for Peter in a big way - the 28-year-old from Virginia had his heart broken in last year's season of The Bachelorette, after he was jilted by former Miss Alabama Hannah Brown.We're a good way through Season 24 of The Bachelor already and so far the ride has been a fairly bumpy one for Peter and the women vying for his heart, with awkward three-on-one dates and a number of dramatic eliminations.Now down to the final four contenders, this week's...

At Samsung's 2020 Unpacked event, the Korean tech giant announced a partnership with Xbox. Details are scant, but what could it mean for the future of Microsoft's gaming platform?Last week and without warning, Samsung announced a partnership with Xbox, extending the love affair between the South Korean tech giant and Microsoft.At Unpacked 2020, Samsung detailed its latest handsets, including the exciting Z Flip vertical folding phone, alongside some truly mind-blowing specs for the high-end Galaxy S20 Ultra. Samsung also announced a partnership with Xbox, stating that this was "just the beginning." When we asked Microsoft for comment, they effectively said: "more details to come."So, given what we know about Microsoft's aspirations for Xbox, and Microsoft's partnership with Samsung thus far on things like the "Your Phone" app, it's not hard to speculate where this could be going — or why it could become a big deal for Xbox.A deepening partnershipThis is the start of Samsu...

Everyone enjoys taking a much-deserved day off from work on President's Day, but you don't have to waste the day simply sitting around and inevitably eating way too much food with your friends and family.Instead, take advantage of these limited-time deals on some of the best and most popular digital subscriptions on the web. Ranging from cloud storage plans and password generators to language-learning tools and graphic design apps, there's something on this list for everyone—and each deal is available at an additional discount when you enter the coupon code PRESIDENT15 at checkout.1. Dollar Flight Club Premium: Lifetime SubscriptionMSRP: $345 | Sale Price: $149 | Price w/ code PRESIDENT15: $127Save countless dollars on travel by signing up with Dollar Flight Club, which sends you alerts on the cheapest travel deals and best flights to destinations around the world. You'll be able to set up five departure regions, and all of your notifications are completely ad-free.2. 12min ...

Don't miss the first big race of the 2020 seasonThe wait is over and the 2020 NASCAR season begins this weekend with the 62nd annual Daytona 500 at the Daytona International Speedway in Florida. You'll be able to watch the main race on Monday, February 17 at 4 p.m.NASCAR does things a bit differently than other sports as it starts out each new season with one of its biggest events of the year, the Daytona 500 also referred to as the Great American Race. The race itself is actually the culmination of Daytona Speedweeks which is made up of a week of qualifiers and practices that lead up to the Daytona 500. This year will also be the last for NASCAR's Generation 6 cars before "Next Gen" cars are introduced in 2022.The Daytona 500 is held on a 2.5-mile long track and drivers need to complete 200 laps around the oval-shaped course to reach a total of 500 miles. Only 40 cars will compete in this year's race and Kevin Harvick, Brad Keselowski and Joey Logano are the current favorites to...

Put on your thinking hat with these strategy games for Android.We're rounding up some of our favorite strategy games on Android for the deep thinkers out there. These are more than just simple puzzles games — these require careful planning and forethought to emerge victoriously. You'll find some great replay value in games like these as well since the same strategy won't always work twice.Strategy gamers, pop on your thinking caps and get downloading these outstanding Android games.Check out the Best Games for Android of 2020TropicoMindustryThe Escapists 2: Pocket BreakoutHoledown Civilization Revolution 2The Battle for PolytopiaXCOM: Enemy WithinMushroom Wars 2Fire Emblem: HeroesPandemic: The Board GameVaingloryHearthstoneStar CommandTropicoRunning a whole country is hard, but it helps when you're a dictator and can run everything just how you like it. This is Tropico in a nutshell, a game where you step into the role of El Presidente of your own Cari...

Sony is gearing up to release the PS5, its most ambitious console to date.While development on the PlayStation 5 has likely been going on for years, Sony has officially confirmed that it's in the works and is on its way for the holidays. Here's everything we know about the PS5 so far.PS5 designPS5 specsPS5 backward compatibilityPS5 next-gen DualShock controllerPS5 user interfacePS5 virtual reality supportOfficially named the PlayStation 5PS5 launch gamesPS5 costThe PS5 may be revealed in MarchThe PS5 releases Holiday 2020PlayStation 5 What form will it take?According to a report from the Financial Times, sources familiar with Sony's plans have stated that the PlayStation 5 "might not represent a major departure from the PS4, and that the fundamental architecture would be similar." Mark Cerny, lead system architect of the console, went on to confirm as much in his interview with Wired.This indicates that Sony is not working on a streaming-only platform, though ...

Ghost lives again in the first-ever leaked built of the canceled 2005 game.What you need to knowStarCraft: Ghost makes a surprise appearance after 15 years of ghosting us.The leaked build is from an original Xbox development kit and looks a bit rough around the edges.StarCraft: Ghost was officially canceled in 2014 after years of development turmoil and changing hands several times.StarCraft: Ghost was one of those games that seemingly everyone was excited about but was ultimately canceled for untold reasons. While the game was playable on the show floor of the annual E3 gaming conference for a few years, it ultimately disappeared and was never heard from again after 2005. Thanks to the work of an astute YouTuber, a long-forgotten development build of StarCraft: Ghost has finally made its way to the Internet at large.Oddly enough, this development build appears to have been found installed on an original Xbox development kit, but there's no telling how far along this buil...

The app was initially pulled from the Play Store in December before being reinstated in January.What you need to knowGoogle has pulled ToTok, a popular Emirati messaging app, from the Play Store.The app was accused of really being Emirati state spyware in late December.It was previously pulled from the Play Store and App Store before being temporarily reinstated in the former.Google (as confirmed via The Verge) has once again pulled Emirati instant messaging app, ToTok from the Play Store. The app and associated service were the subjects of a New York Times exposé in December 2019, revealing the app to be spyware aimed at vacuuming up data from an installed phone.As per the New York Times' report: The service, ToTok, is actually a spying tool, according to American officials familiar with a classified intelligence assessment and a New York Times investigation into the app and its developers. It is used by the government of the United Arab Emirates to try to track eve...

13 of 40 jurisdictions asked said there have been zero arrests due to Ring footage.What you need to knowRing's may be overestimating how effective its cameras are at preventing burglaries.There are several factors to consider when looking at the statistics, and Ring doesn't share the data and methods it uses.Law enforcement doesn't usually keep stats on how helpful Ring cameras are and often has trouble identifying those who are caught on camera.When you're concerned about the safety of your home, one of the first things that comes to mind is getting a security camera. These days, connected cameras are easier and more affordable than ever to get. However, according to a recent article from NBC News, there is little evidence to show that Ring cameras have helped prevent or solve crimes.The Amazon-owned Ring claims that its cameras can help keep neighborhoods safer, and cites its own research that Ring doorbell cameras reduce burglaries by more than 50%. However, Ring does ...

What could it mean?What you need to knowA brand new ARG has popped up in the world of Fortnite, spanning the game, the real world, and more.The ARG seems to be teasing some sort of agency, as well as a mysterious golden handprint. Epic Games announced that Fortnite Chapter 2 - Season 2 will arrive on February 20.Fortnite fans around the world are currently waiting for more information regarding Fortnite Chapter 2 - Season 2 but over the weekend, they may have received even more questions in the form of what looks to be an ARG from Epic Games.On Sunday, people began to find both physical and digital advertisements for Fortnite in a variety of cities across the world. One user - data miner FortTory - had video of one of the advertisements, which was found in a metro station in Brazil.A sort of ad for Fortnite showed up at a metro station in Brazil. When you call the phone number, it says this:Yes sirThe agents were calledCard to access the safe(vault) purchasedPotential...

Today's phones and tablets are more powerful than ever, and despite more power-efficient processors, it's not uncommon to find yourself needing to charge up at times when you aren't near a wall outlet. Battery packs that are 20,000 mAh and higher are ideal for people that need a lot of juice while on-the-go, and while they may not fit into your pocket, they're necessary for keeping your devices topped up. Our top pick is the Anker PowerCore+ 26800 PD. Here's why it's our favorite, along with seven other great alternatives.Best Overall: Anker PowerCore+ 26800 PDAt the top of our list, we have the Anker PowerCore+ 26800 PD. This is the high-capacity power bank we think is the best choice for most people, factoring in its ports, price, build quality, and battery size.The battery in the PowerCore+ measures in at 26,800 mAh and Anker says it's enough to charge "most phones" over seven times and most tablets at least two times. If you have a notebook or small laptop, you should be ...

Google says the program is no longer "necessary" in most markets.What you need to knowGoogle has decided to shut down its "Google Station" program.As part of the program, Google offered free Wi-Fi in over 400 railway stations in India and other public places worldwide. The search giant says it had become difficult for it to find a sustainable business model and scale the program. The Google Station program, which was launched in 2015 to bring free Wi-Fi to India's railway stations, will be discontinued this year. In addition to more than 400 railway stations in India, the Google Station program currently provides free Wi-Fi in "thousands" of other locations across the world.Google told TechCrunch that it has decided to shut down the program as mobile data prices in several markets, including India, have dropped significantly, making the program "unnecessary." That isn't the only reason, however. Google says it had become a challenge for it to find a sustainable business m...

Your Chromecast, small as it is, can do a lot thanks to a plethora of available apps. Play games with your friends in the living room, compete in dance competitions against people around the world, stream your latest vacation pictures to your big-screen, and keep up with the latest and greatest TV and music. There are a ton of apps to use with Chromecast in the Play Store; here are the best for whatever you're looking to do.Apps to get startedStreaming servicesMedia servers and advanced streamingMusic and video streamingJust getting startedRegardless of what device or service you sign up for, there's a jumping-off point. Whether it's to get your Chromecast set up, or just a super-basic app that everyone should have, you'll need to get started. These are a few apps that we suggest, and one that you definitely need.Start hereGoogle HomeBefore you can even really enjoy a Chromecast, you'll need to get it set up. In order to do so, plug in the device, fire up the...

Samsung's second foldable brings back the iconic flip phone design.Prior to 2019, folding smartphones seemed like nothing more than a distant dream. However, thanks to innovations from the likes of Samsung, Huawei, and Motorola, folding phones are now more of a reality than they ever have been.Following the rocky release of the Galaxy Fold last year, Samsung is now taking a different approach to foldables with the Galaxy Z Flip. Rather than create another phone and tablet 2-in-1 similar to what we already have with the Fold, the Z Flip takes the shape of a traditional smartphone that can be folded up to be extra portable.Whether you're interested in the Z Flip's design, specs, price, or anything else in between, here's everything you need to know about the phone.Check out our initial reviewThis is Samsung's second folding phoneYou get two displaysLet's talk about the "glass" screenHands-free camera use is a big dealHere are the specsHow does it compare?The phone is te...

RCS messages are Android's answer to iMessage, and they now work with the Your Phone app on Windows 10, at least for some phones.What you need to knowThe Your Phone app on Windows 10 now supports RCS messages with select Galaxy phones.RCS message support is available when using a Galaxy 20 series phone with the Your Phone app.You have to use the Samsung Messages app as your default SMS app to make the feature work with Your Phone.Microsoft partnered up with Samsung to bring RCS message support to the Your Phone app on Windows 10. RCS messaging currently works when you use a Galaxy 20 series phone with the Your Phone app. This is the next step of Microsoft's growing partnership with Samsung, which includes preinstalling Microsoft apps on Samsung phones, integrating OneDrive into Samsung's Gallery app, and selling Samsung devices through Microsoft's physical and online stores.Roberto Bojorquez, a program manager at Microsoft covering Your Phone, announced RCS messaging supp...

Fitness trackers and smartwatches are capable of collecting so much health data, whether we're working out or just going about our daily lives. Fitbit developed its Fitbit Premium service as a way to help users make sense of all of this information and translate all of that data into actionable insights and plans. We'll show you how you can sign up for Fitbit Premium and start running with your newfound health knowledge.Products used in this guideA premium fitness program: Fitbit Premium ($80/year at Fitbit)Versitile fitness smartwatch: Fitbit Versa 2 (From $150 at Amazon) What is Fitbit Premium?Fitbit Premium offers a number of additional insights and services that build off of the vast amount of personal data collected by your Fitbit tracker. Much of this data is yours to access and act upon as you see fit without an additional cost, but the added analysis and guided workouts, meditations, and health plans are a paid feature. If you are interested in a more detailed brea...

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 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 ShieldTunnelBearWindscribeProtonVPNHide.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 order to ...

Unsurprisingly, the Galaxy Fold 2 will not be as "affordable" as the Galaxy Z Flip.What you need to knowNew reports suggest the Samsung Galaxy Fold sequel might come equipped with an under-screen selfie camera.In addition to an under-display selfie camera, the foldable is also expected to use ultra-thin glass (UTG). The foldable phone is apparently code-named Champ and is likely to launch in July. Samsung took the wraps off its second foldable smartphone, the Galaxy Z Flip, alongside the Galaxy S20 series last week. The Galaxy Z Flip comes with a new clamshell form-factor and is also more affordable than last year's Galaxy Fold. It, however, is not a successor to the Galaxy Fold. The Galaxy Fold sequel, if new reports out of South Korea are to be believed, is code-named Champ and will be launched in July this year.May have an under panel camera sensor too meaning no hole. May or may not have UTG. Have to boost UTG capacity in Vietnam...— Ross Young (@DSCCRoss) February ...

With all the gadgets and devices we own today, we want to make sure we protect them from any surges or spikes that may occur. Electronic devices can be expensive to replace, so why not purchase a middleman to absorb any extra charge that may pass through the circuit? We've rounded up a bunch of smart surge protectors that offer more than just surge protection.Independent ControlTP-Link Kasa Smart Wi-Fi Power StripStaff PickThe Kasa Smart Power Strip has six outlets and three USB ports. You can control each of the six outlets independently with the Kasa Smart App. You can even set a time for when an outlet turns on or off. Voice commands can be used with Alexa, Google Assistant, or Microsoft Cortana to control any device connected to the power strip.$64 at AmazonOne-half SmartAPC Smart Plug Surge ProtectorThis surge protector from APC has six outlets in total. Three of them have smart capability meaning any devices plugged into those outlets can be controlled...

Don't expect to get to keep playing free games after you cancel.What you need to knowGoogle Stadia Pro subscribers who allow their subscriptions to lapse will still get to play the games they've paid for without additional subscription.Streaming quality is reduced on the free tier, and free games are not available for play.This free tier is expected to launch for the general public in the coming months, giving current Stadia Pro subscribers access to an exclusive service.Google Stadia has been one of the most unique console launches in history, and that's because it doesn't follow any sort of traditional definition of a console. Anyone currently subscribed to Google Stadia has done so either by purchasing a Pro subscription or by receiving a starter kit, either paid or through a promotional trial. If you're looking to trim your budget a bit by cutting out your $10/month Stadia Pro membership, never fear as the games you've purchased will still be playable through the free S...

I feel better about this foldable than any other I've seen.I was one of the first people outside of Samsung to use the Galaxy Fold, which of course ended up having a very rocky launch that left a bad taste in everyone's mouth. Some diehard fans still love the Fold (at least the revised hardware version), but it was never going to be a phone for me. It's too big and heavy, and the screen is inherently so fragile and so odd feeling in the fingers for me to consider making it my daily phone.That's why I'm ecstatic to have used the new Galaxy Z Flip. Whereas the Fold starts, nominally, at the size of a normal phone and expands into a mini-tablet, the Z Flip starts at the size of a normal phone and folds down to something more more compact and pocketable. At the same time, Samsung's introduced a screen covering that's much more resistant to damage in daily use, with hinge improvements that promise better longevity as well.There are, theoretically, far fewer compromises at play here....

The FTC plans to examine "many" other deals that were already reviewed in the past.What you need to knowThe U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) will reportedly be taking a second look at Google's acquisition of Waze.Google's acquisition of the Israeli company behind navigation app Waze for $1.1 billion was approved by the FTC in 2013.Antitrust experts say a 'second look' is required as the deal combined two popular digital mapping services and eliminated a fast-growing rival, giving Google greater control over valuable data.Earlier this month, the U.S. Federal Trade Commission ordered Alphabet, Amazon, Apple, Facebook, and Microsoft to provide information about all 'small' acquisitions that they made between Jan.1, 2010 and Dec.31, 2019. However, it now appears that the FTC isn't just scrutinizing smaller acquisitions. As per Bloomberg, the FTC has decided to take another look at Google's acquisition of crowdsourced navigation service Waze.Google had acquired the Israeli ...

The affordable Bluetooth speaker includes Micro-USB port and an AUX port.What you need to knowXiaomi has launched the Mi Outdoor Bluetooth Speaker in India.The speaker offers 5W output and promises 20 hours of non-stop music playback. It has been priced at ₹1,399 ($20) in the country and is now available for purchase from the Mi Store.Xiaomi India today launched a new portable Bluetooth speaker in the country, called the "Mi Outdoor Bluetooth Speaker." The company claims the Bluetooth speaker delivers "powerful" sound and works with voice assistants.The palm-sized Mi Outdoor Bluetooth speaker comes with a loop strip, which makes it easy to tag along with you anywhere. It has an IPX5 rating for water resistance, so you will not have to worry about splashes at a pool party.Despite its tiny dimensions, the Mi Outdoor Bluetooth speaker promises to deliver "clear and rich" sound. It has 5W power output and uses a diaphragm that is made using Canadian long fiber pulp vibrat...