Latest from Android Central

A new video goes over Revenant's different abilities on the battlefield.What you need to knowApex Legends Season 4 is now live on all platforms.There's a new trailer for Revenant, the newest Legend added with Season 4.Revenant has multiple death-based abilities. Apex Legends Season 4 is now live! Multiple changes have come to World's Edge, while a new Legend named Revenant is on the field. Respawn Entertainment has released a new trailer, showing off Revenant's different abilities. You can check out the new character trailer below.Respawn initially announced that the new character added this season would be the Hammond Robotics-sponsored Forge, before cutting that idea short (literally) in a shocking interview trailer. Revenant was originally an assassin and due to having his body replaced with cybernetic tech, he's even deadlier now than ever before. For more information on his story and background, you can check out the previously released trailer here.All of thes...

Not much was known about this PlayStation VR-focused studio and now it is being closed.What you need to knowIn 2015, Sony quietly announced North West Studio (later named Manchester Studio).This team was being built to focus on the development of PlayStation VR titles.Sony confirmed today that Manchester Studio was being closed.Media Molecule and London Studio are the only remaining UK studios in Sony Worldwide Studios. In 2015, Sony opened a new studio in the UK. First titled North West before being changed to Manchester Studio, the team was to focus on building PlayStation VR titles. We'll never get to see a game from this studio as today, Sony announced that Manchester Studio is being closed. Sony told GamesIndustry.biz that the plan is 'to close it as part of our efforts to improve efficiency and operational effectiveness.'Our thoughts are with all of the developers and staff affected by the studio closure. We hope they all manage to find new jobs soon.This leaves ...

The revamped earbuds include a dual-mic system for better call quality.What you need to knowThe Galaxy Buds+ will be only a modest spec bump over the last generation according to newly leaked information.The earbuds include a larger battery, with shorter charging times.They also include an additional mic.If you're planning on preordering a Galaxy S20+ or S20 Ultra, Samsung will give you a pair of Galaxy Buds+ for free. However, if the latest specs sheet leaked by the venerable Evan Blass is to be believed, they may not be all that big of an upgrade over last year's Galaxy Buds.The leaked spec sheet largely confirms previous rumors about the upcoming refresh from Samsung. It also includes a helpful comparison to the Galaxy Buds. Based on the above, it seems the only real changes between the two relate to the battery and the mic setup.The Buds+ feature an 85mAh battery inside the earbuds themselves, plus an additional 270mAh in the case, compared to the Buds' combo of 58m...

Dan Houser was a major part of Rockstar Games' different titles over the past few years and now he is leaving.What you need to knowDan Houser is a creative director and vice president of Rockstar Games.He's been involved in several major Rockstar titles, including Red Dead Redemption 2 and Grand Theft Auto V.Take-Two Interactive, parent company of Rockstar, revealed that Dan Houser is leaving in March.According to a new press release from Take-Two Interactive, Dan Houser is leaving Rockstar Games. The press release notes that Dan is leaving after an "extended break" that began in Spring 2019. His last day at Rockstar will be March 11, 2020.Dan and his brother Sam co-founded Rockstar Games in 1998. Dan has served as producer and writer of countless Rockstar titles like the Grand Theft Auto series, Red Dead Redemption and Red Dead Redemption 2. With his brother serving as the president of Rockstar, Dan's work as vice president of creativity has been a guiding force througho...

MWC as a whole is still proceeding as planned.What you need to knowLG and ZTE have announced that they're skipping Mobile World Congress.Both companies won't be present as a result of Coronavirus.MWC is scheduled to take place between February 24 and 27.Mobile World Congress is the largest mobile technology trade show, and for a lot of companies, it is the best time of year to make big product announcements. Unfortunately, due to rising concerns regarding Coronavirus, both LG and ZTE will not be present as expected.A ZTE spokesperson confirmed this news to The Verge, saying, "We tend to be an overly courteous company, and simply don't want to make people uncomfortable." ZTE also cited visa delays and other travel issues for its absence.Shortly after ZTE made this announcement, LG also confirmed that it too will be skipping MWC. With the safety of its employees and general public foremost in mind, LG has decided to withdraw from exhibiting and participating in MWC 20...

What you need to knowDisney has announced that it will be launching Disney+ in India on March 29.During the Q1 investor call, Disney CEO Bob Iger said Disney+ will be launching via Hotstar.While Disney's leadership was touting how well Disney+ did in its quarterly results, CEO Bob Iger stated that Disney+ will be launching in India on March 29, just days after it launches in Western Europe on March 24.Disney is looking to take advantage of Hotstar's current popularity — and the timeliness of the launch coinciding with the start of the cricket season in India — as well as taking advantage of Hotstar's existing billing system to help launch the service in India. This will likely be the largest market that Disney+ launches in this year, and I don't blame Disney for trying to take all the help and synergy they can when trying to ensure that goes off without a hitch.And as a bonus, this means that unlike Latin America and most of Asia, India has less than two months left of...

The year ahead is looking bright for Disney+.What you need to knowDisney announced that Disney+ had reached 28.6 million subscribers.ESPN+ is at 7.6 million paid subscribers and Hulu is at 30.7 million paid subscribers.Disney+ will launch in India via Hotstar on March 29.Disney+ "has exceeded even our greatest expectations," CEO Robert Iger said in the quarterly report.Today was Disney's Q1 2020 earnings call, which gives up our first major update on Disney+ since it launched in November. We know that there were 10 million subscribers on Day One, and from November 12 to December 28, 2019, Disney+ swelled to 25.6 million paid subscribers — now up to 28.6 million today — but we're not sure how many of those are solo Disney+ subscriptions and how many are Disney+ bundle subscriptions with ESPN+ and Hulu.Also announced today, we also now know that Disney+ will finally launch in India on March 29 with Hotstar, in a launch that coincides with the start of the cricket seaso...

That's more than a quarter of Facebook's revenues as a whole.What you need to knowInstagram is a big business for Facebook.The photo-sharing app was responsible for more than 25% of its parent company's sales.Facebook acquired the company for just $715 million.Mo' ads, mo' money, as they say. It's certainly the mantra Facebook-owned Instagram is living by, with the photo-sharing app reportedly netting revenues of around $20 billion in the last year alone. To put that in perspective, Facebook bought the nascent social media platform for just $715 million back in 2012. Money well spent, obviously.Those numbers come courtesy of unnamed sources cited by Bloomberg News, who also claim that the sum amounts to more than a quarter of Facebook's revenues as a whole. It also puts to shame Google's recently released sales figures for YouTube, which come in at a mere $15.1 billion in comparison.Facebook has sought increasing control over Instagram in the last few years. Despite pro...

One of the pioneers of the smartphone age is officially gone because it just couldn't keep up.I cut my smartphone teeth on a BlackBerry Curve. Plenty of others did, too. And on February 3, 2020, it all ended when TCL, the current licenser and manufacturer of BlackBerry Mobile phones, announced that it would stop selling any and all BlackBerry devices as of August 2020. That means you shouldn't buy one today, tomorrow, or ever.Really, though, BlackBerry died when the company decided to sell off its hardware manufacturing business. Or it died when it tried too late to compete with Android and iOS with BlackBerry 10. Or it died when it released flawed products like the BlackBerry Storm. No matter how you look at it, BlackBerry as a smartphone company died long before today.And I, for one, am going to miss it — a lot.pic.twitter.com/jhcfVHjVqL— BlackBerry Mobile (@BBMobile) February 3, 2020I had every Android-powered BlackBerry built by TC and powered by the Waterloo comp...

A loss in battery capacity is the biggest challenge with faster charging.What you need to knowXiaomi VP Lu Weibing took to Weibo to explain the challenges with pushing charging tech further.Despite showing off 100W charging last year, the company has yet to debut a phone with its 'Super Charge Turbo' technology.Weibing points to a loss of battery capacity at higher charging speeds as the biggest hurdle in adopting the tech.Is it just me, or has Xiaomi become a bit of a Debbie downer recently? All its execs seem to want to do these days is tell us why we can't have good things (yet). Having smashed our hopes of seeing an under-display camera this year — regardless of whatever those Nokia rumors say — Xiaomi VP Lu Weibing is back at it again, this time throwing cold water on our desire for ever-faster fast charging.Even though the company showed off its 100W fast charging tech nearly a year ago, the best Xiaomi's come up with, in a production model at least, is 65W fast...

Wi-Fi 6 was designed with the future of routers in mind. A router spends most of its time directing and managing network traffic to keep internet speeds high even with a ton of connections. As our homes get smarter, we have more connections than ever that need to check in consistently and reliably. Wi-Fi 6 is designed to bring more capacity to a network and even allows for greater speed with a lot of devices. Wi-Fi 6 mesh systems have come down in price, and the Netgear Nighthawk MK62 is one of the best choices for most people.Best Overall: Netgear Nighthawk MK62The Nighthawk Mesh WiFi 6 System from Netgear takes on compact AC-only mesh systems with its compact housing and understated design. Measuring only 4.8 inches wide and 2.5 inches tall, each router has a smaller footprint than a CD case. This compact design makes this mesh system one of the easiest to integrate into a home.While you do give up some speed compared to the larger and more expensive mesh systems, the AX180...

Wireless charging is the easiest way to top up a phone, and the Galaxy Note 10 supports every standard you can think of, including Qi, PMA and Samsung's own Fast Wireless Charging 2.0. This year, the Note lineup supports extra-fast speeds of 12W and 15W respectively, but only with a select few chargers. Let's round up the best options for your new phone!The best oneSamsung Wireless Charger Stand 15W$49 at AmazonStaff pickIf you want the absolute best wireless charging speeds for your new Note 10, Samsung's own 15W wireless charging stand is your best bet. It's not cheap, but that's because there's a lot of tech inside this little stand. Charge your phone vertically or horizontally, cool down your phone with a fan, and change the fan speed and LED strength.Two for oneYootech 10W Wireless Charger [2-pack]$20 at AmazonBest valueIf you like wirelessly charging your phone anywhere and everywhere around the home, or perhaps at home at the office, Yootech's val...

UFC 247 will put two-time light heavyweight champion Jon Jones against as-yet undefeated contender Dominick Reyes. We're still almost a week out from the match, and already the two are throwing shade at one another, with Reyes pre-emptively claiming Jones has never fought anyone as athletic as he is.In other words, this is one bout that you won't want to miss. And you don't have to. Here's how you can purchase and watch the match on your Apple TV.ESPN+See pricing options at ESPNThe only way to stream the fight is with an ESPN+ subscription. You'll also need to purchase either the single fight or a bundle to watch it online.How to watch UFC 247 through ESPN+ on Apple TVIn the Apple App Store, find and install ESPN: Live Sports & Scores. You can do this remotely or via your Apple TV. Start the app, and select Settings. Select Subscriptions, and then purchase an ESPN + subscription. Follow the instructions to activate your account on a computer or smartphone. Go...

With its striking glass back, a multitude of color options, and a controversial hole-punch display, the Galaxy S10+ is a phone that makes a statement. It's big, powerful, and unashamed of its $1,000 starting price. If you plan on picking one up for yourself, you might as well go all out and treat yourself to one of these leather cases.Genuine leatherSamsung Leather Back CoverStaff FavoriteComing straight from Samsung, this case is made out of real, genuine leather that looks as great as it feels. You'll get excellent protection against drops and falls, but the real draw here is the color selection. In addition to the Navy option shown here, you can also get the case in Black, Green, Red, White, Gray, and Yellow.$50 at SamsungClassy wallet caseSnakehive Leather WalletIf you prefer your phone cases also to be wallets, Snakehive has you covered. Made out of European full-grain cowhide, the quality of this case is one of the best you'll find. The S10+ rests in a sturd...

If you jumped into the Early Access version of Dreams last year, you'll be playing the full game a little early.What you need to knowDreams has been in development by Media Molecule for several years.In 2019, a limited amount of players were allowed to buy an Early Access version.Any Early Access players will be allowed to play the full game three days before the release date.You can preorder Dreams on PlayStation 4 for $40 at Amazon. There's some good news for any Early Access players of Dreams. Media Molecule has announced via PlayStation Blog that anyone who owns the Early Access version of Dreams will get to start playing on February 11, three days before the full release date. The patch allowing Early Access owners to play it early will go live on 12:00 p.m. GMT/4:00 a.m PT/7:00 a.m. ET.This update will include the new short campaign, Art's Dream, as well as creation kits themed after Art's Dreams. Art's Dream is a story about, well, dreams, taking the player throug...

Motion Sense is also launching in Japan.What you need to knowGoogle is rolling out the new Assistant experience to Japan.This marks the first time it's supported a language that's not English.Motion Sense is also finally rolling out to Japan.At launch, the new Google Assistant was quite an exclusive affair. Not only was it available on only Google's latest Pixels, but there were also a bunch of other restrictions that prevented most of us from taking it on a test drive. And while many of those restrictions remain — you still need to have enabled gesture navigation (for now), and you still can't be logged into a G Suite account to use it — at least one of those is slowly starting to go away.Capable only of speaking US English initially, the revamped Google Assistant has finally taken that semester abroad and is on the path to becoming multilingual. Google has been adding support for other dialects of English over the last few months, but today marks the first time it's...

This week, the gang discuss a batch of new games: Journey to the Savage Planet, Disintegration, Temtem, and Kentucky Route Zero. Plus stick around around for a bonus interview with the co-founder of Vertigo Games, Richard Stitselaar, about Arizona Sunshine and the state of the VR industry!Hosted by: Russell Holly, Jennifer Locke, Carli Velocci, and Rebecca SpearGot feedback? Hit up Podcast@androidcentral.com and tell us something!LISTEN NOW:LINKS:Google says it leaves Stadia announcements 'up to the publishers' in response to criticism | Android CentralJourney to the Savage Planet review: Rewarding exploration and frustrating combat | Windows CentralDisintegration beta impressions: It shows potential, but I'm still not convinced | Windows CentralTemtem preview: A Pokemon-like PC MMO with a bumpy road ahead | Windows CentralVertigo Games on Arizona Sunshine, studio's future, and state of the VR industry | Windows Central...

Google and Tile finally find each other.What you need to knowGoogle is adding Tile integration to the Google Assistant.The firm will let you locate or ring your Tile from any Google Assistant-enabled device.The update is rolling out from today. Google is angling the Assistant to be the center of its smart home strategy, and it's improving compatibility for new types of devices. Got one of those Tile trackers, for instance? Google Assistant will now be able to help you locate your items easily with a series of new commands.As per Google: You can use the Assistant on any Nest device, like the Nest Mini or Nest Hub, to ring your Tile, or check your Tile's last seen location. Ring your Tile by saying: "Hey Google, ring my laptop" or "Hey Google, make my backpack ring". Or, you can ask the location of your Tile by saying: "Hey Google, where is my purse: or "Hey Google, find my passport."The Tile tracker, just as a quick explainer, is a Bluetooth tracker that can be pla...

If you like to charge your phone at your desk all day, but you still want to use it unencumbered, then a wireless charging pad or stand is the way to go. They can work great as bedside charging solutions, or for quick top-ups when you're home in between working and heading out for evening activities. Whatever your use, these are the best wireless charging pads for the Samsung Galaxy S10.Trusted brandAnker PowerPort charging padStaff pickAnker makes fabulous charging products, and this 10W charging pad fits in well with its repertoire. It has non-slip pads on the bottom so that it stays put on your desk or table. If you're looking for a phone-shaped charging pad, this is the one you want.$14 at AmazonFrom the sourceSamsung convertible charging standWho better to buy a wireless charging stand from than Samsung itself? This "convertible" charging pad can be a flat pad, or it can slide into a stand depending on how you'd like to use it. It charges at up to 9 watts and...

T-Mobile now has STIR/SHAKEN partnerships with four carriers.What you need to knowT-Mobile and Sprint have joined forces to add call verification between their networks using STIR/SHAKEN.Call verification will work across 23 phones, and T-Mobile says it is working on adding more in the future.T-Mobile has now implemented STIR/SHAKEN with four networks, including AT&T Comcast Xfinity Voice home phone service, Inteliquent, and Sprint. T-Mobile and Sprint had a big announcement today, no, it's not that the merger has finally been approved. However, it is still great news for customers on both networks. Beginning on February 4, 2020, the two carriers will start rolling out the STIR/SHAKEN protocol across their networks to help prevent robocalls.T-Mobile says the technology is supported by 23 phones, and more will be coming soon. Starting today, users with one of the supported phones and the latest software update will see a "Caller Verified" screen when a call is received...

The best part about the Galaxy S10e — from our screen-oriented standpoint — is that its screen is flat, so just about any quality screen protector should work like a dream. And unlike its counterparts, the S10e sticks with a traditional capacitive fingerprint sensor on the power button rather than a gimmicky new in-screen sensor, meaning that we don't have to worry as much about air gaps and incompatibilities. That gives the Galaxy S10e — and users like you — the advantage when shopping for screen protectors.Tough as a lionLK Tempered Glass (3-Pack)Staff pickTempered glass gives your phone a higher degree of protection than plastic films. If you break one, you're not exposed weeks while awaiting a replacement.$10 at AmazonUpgrade pickWhitestone Dome Glass (2-Pack)Top protectionIf there are minor cracks in your phone's screen, Dome Glass can fill them in, and the unique curing process here helps generate a stronger seal.$70 at AmazonTriple packMP-Ma...

Leather cases are an exclusive brand of wonderful in the wide world of phone cases. But they come with their own challenges and often high price tags, which means that even for high-end phones like the Galaxy S10, there's not a huge market to pick from. But, there still are some pretty awesome ones that can be yours.DapperSnakehive Leather WalletStaff pickThis dapper European leather wallet case's craftsmanship wonderfully complements the S10. You can get the case in six colors, but I like Bottle Green best.$37 at AmazonThe officialSamsung Leather Back CoverAlong with giving your S10 a seriously great look, this official, genuine leather case also offers fantastic protection without adding too much bulk.$33 at AmazonFolio PurseArae PU Leather Wallet CaseThis fabulous PU leather case features four credit card slots, a money pocket, and a wrist strap. You'll be able to carry your money and your Galaxy S10 phone around in style. There are six different leat...

A rugged case is a very smart idea when you're looking to protect a $900 investment such as the Samsung Galaxy S10, but there's a number of great options available. There are no wrong answers here — all of these cases have been expertly designed to keep your Galaxy S10 well protected. Choosing the right one comes down to your own personal preferences and style.Built like a tankArmadilloTek Vanguard SeriesStaff pickArmadilloTek is a fairly new case maker out of Dallas-Forth Worth, Texas, a state that knows and needs rugged cases more than most. This case has a three-layer design to protect your S10 from virtually everything. There's a kickstand on the back, precise button covers, and your Galaxy S10 can still wirelessly charge even with the case on.From $21 at AmazonSafe from anythingSamsung Rugged Protective CoverWe start with Samsung's own rugged case since who would know better, right? Samsung has tested this case for shock and drop resistance, and it even com...

The Skagen Falster 2 is one of the best-looking Android smartwatches around thanks to its stunning display, smooth digital crown, and exposed lugs. But if you've grown tired of the standard band that came with the watch, there are some fashionable and inexpensive alternatives to consider. Whether you want to dress up your watch for an important occasion or gear it up for high-intensity workouts, we've got options for you.Durable and comfyGadgetWraps 20mm Silicone Watch BandStaff favoriteWhen it's superior quality you're after, this is the perfect solution. These silicone bands are made of high-quality waterproof silicone. It provides you with a flawless blend of durability, comfort, and flexibility that's suitable for all occasions. You'll be able to choose from over 20 different colors to match your style.$14 at AmazonLightweight and waterproofBarton Ballistic Nylon Watch BandYou don't have to sacrifice sturdiness to get a band that's both lightweight and b...

The largest update yet is bringing new quests and NPCs.What you need to knowFallout 76: Wastelanders was first announced at E3 2019.This update brings NPCs into the game, as well as new quests and more.Fallout 76: Wastelanders has a new trailer, setting the release date for April 7 on all platforms.Fallout 76 is also coming to Steam on April 7. Fallout 76: Wastelanders was unveiled back at E3 2019. Since then, Bethesda has teased some of the new features coming, such as a reputation system. Now, there's a new trailer for Wastelanders, setting the release date for April 7 on all platforms. You can check out the new release date trailer below.Wastelanders is a free update, adding NPCs back into the world of Fallout alongside new quests, enemies, items and more. The new questline is playable with friends and is available from the moment you start a new character and leave Vault 76. Additionally, if you've been put off by the idea of playing Fallout 76 on PC through the ...

Your Wear OS watch is a powerful tool. It keeps you updated on incoming notifications, tracks your physical activity throughout the day, and — depending on the model you have — can even make/receive phone calls. With so much going on, it's important that your watch is running the latest available software. Checking to see if there is an update takes only a couple of seconds, and today, we're going to show you how to do just that.Products used in this guideThe one to beat: Fossil Gen 5 ($295 at Amazon)Perfect pairing: Google Pixel 4 XL (From $899 at Amazon)How to check for updates on your Wear OS watchOn your Wear OS watch, swipe down from the top of the screen.Tap the Settings icon at the very top.Scroll down and tap System.Scroll down and tap About.Scroll down and tap System updates.Once you do this, your Wear OS watch will check and see if any updates are available. If there are, it'll let you know and start downloading it. If not, you'll see a blue che...

By contrast, Apple has paid out $155 billion to App Store developers as of January 2020.What you need to knowAlphabet, Google's parent company, announced its Q4 2019 earnings on February 3, 2020.Google has paid out more than $80 billion to Google Play developers to date.That puts Play Store developers far behind the $155 billion Apple has paid out to App Store developers as of January 2020.On February 3, 2020, Google's parent company Alphabet released its earnings results for Q4 of 2019. Among those earnings, we learned for the first time how much YouTube is bringing in for Alphabet, turns out that's a whopping $15.1 billion in 2019 alone. To put that in perspective, that's around 10% of Google's overall revenue.Besides disclosing YouTube earnings, we also learned that Google has paid out more than $80 billion to Google Play developers to date. Google senior vice president Hiroshi Lockheimer tweeted out the news yesterday, along with a huge thank you to developers.Today...

Dyson looking to step into a wearables vacuum?What you need to knowDyson has patented headphones that purify the air around you as you listen.They are designed to purify the air you breathe without covering your nose and mouth, and whilst playing music.With motors that spin at 12,000 RPM, let's hope they have good noise cancellation.Dyson has patented a wearable air purifier that can be used as headphones in a bid to tackle the harmful effects of air pollution on human health.As reported by Bloomberg, the filing to the Intellectual Property Office dates back to July 2018 but was only made public last week. The description of the patent states: "It is an object of the present invention to provide a wearable air purifier that provides improved air purification and air delivery performance when compared with prior wearable air purifiers.The purifier itself is worn over the ears of the user and is designed to tackle the problem of air pollution. The patent notes the ba...

As the PlayStation 4 continues turning in great numbers, Sony still doesn't want to talk much about the PlayStation 5.What you need to knowSony's Q3 financial results have been released.The PlayStation 4 crossed over 108.9 million consoles sold, slightly up from 106 million in January.Digital games now make up 49% of game purchases.Sony isn't discussing the PlayStation 5's price yet due to multiple factors, including competition.Sony has shared its Q3 financial results, with an update on the performance of the PlayStation division. The PlayStation 4 has now sold over 108.9 million units, which is up a small bit from the 106 million figure given in January at CES. Sony forecasts a total of 13.5 million units to be sold through the financial year ending March 31, 2020. This figure would be an almost 50% decline year-over-year.Another notable bit from the financial report is that digital share of games has reached 49% of all games, which is well up from 37% last year. PlayS...

None of the carrier-locked Galaxy S10 and Note 10 models in the U.S. have received the update yet.What you need to knowThe latest February Android security update has started rolling out to the U.S. unlocked variants of the Galaxy S10 and Note 10 series.Samsung had started pushing the February 2020 security patch for the Galaxy Note 10 series in Germany last week. Along with the flagship S10 and Note 10 series, the February security update is now available for the unlocked Galaxy A50 units as well. Samsung began rolling out the latest February Android security patch for its flagship devices last week, beating Google to the punch for the fourth month in a row. Four days later, the security update has now started rolling out to the U.S. unlocked Galaxy S10 and Note 10 series phones.The February security update was released for the Galaxy Note 10 and Note 10+ in Europe last week, making the U.S. only the second market where the update has been made available. More interestin...

You can record phone calls everywhere, but it's important who knowsIn an upcoming update to the phone app on Android devices, Google is expected to add a call recording feature, potentially with a link to the Recorder app that does such a remarkable job transcribing conversations. Call recording has been available on Android in one app form or another for quite some time. In fact, Google's own Google Voice service will record a call with a touch of a button, and Voice seems to be the model for the Phone app update. That service call is always being recorded, and you can consider yourself informed.With Google Voice, you press a button to start recording the call and then a voice comes on and announces that the call is being recorded. Everybody can hear the voice, so everyone knows that the call is being recorded. This is effectively the same as when a customer service line informs you that the call "may be recorded for training purposes." That service call is always being rec...

Foldable flagshipSamsung Galaxy Fold$1,930 at Best BuyProsTop-tier specsLong battery lifeMassive real estateGreat camerasConsFragile and not water-resistantVery expensiveCover screen is crampedThe Galaxy Fold is Samsung's most ambitious phone yet, able to fold out from a thick, narrow phone-sized device with a small screen to a thin miniature tablet, and it all fits in your pocket. It has a whopping six cameras, flagship-tier specs, and all-day battery life.Futuristic throwbackMotorola RAZRFrom $62.49/mo at VerizonProsTerrific build qualitySplash resistanceClever use of the cover displayLess expensiveConsDated specsTiny batteryUnimpressive cameraThe RAZR is a modern reimagining of the most popular flip phone ever made, folding out vertically into an otherwise typical smartphone with mid-range specs and a single rear camera. It's by no means a flagship, but the compact, nostalgic design could win you over.Foldable smartph...

Repeat after me, my friends: No matter your taste, your phone needs a case. You just dropped hundreds on a Samsung Galaxy S10+, and carrying it around without a case is just begging for Murphy's Law to come pay that phone a visit. We've got thin cases, clear cases, fun cases, butch cases, and even more. There's something here for everyone, but please, don't leave this article without getting your new phone some protection!New look on a classic winnerSpigen Neo HybridStaff PickGone is the Herringbone on this award-winning case series, and in its place is a new pattern that Spigen promises is grippier than ever.$14 at AmazonHigh class carry-allSnakehive Vintage Leather WalletThis U.K. brand makes a dapper case indeed, available in six suave shades of European nubuck leather that match each of the S10+'s colors and then some.$37 at AmazonHard as crystalRingke Fusion XWith clear, hard-shell backs, rugged colored bumpers, and a robust lip around that big came...

Best answer: No, ESPN+ does not offer a free trial anymore. Previously, you were able to sign up for a limited trial, though ESPN has removed that offer. Luckily, you are able to cancel ESPN+ at any time during, there's no long-term contract.Stream Live Sports: ESPN+ ($5 a month at ESPN.com)As nice as it would be to be able to sign up for ESPN+ and try it out for free, the company has decided to remove this option for now. Whether it's a sporting event that you were interested in trying to watch or a Pay Per View yoyu hope to save a few bucks on, in order to access the vast content library that ESPN+ offers, you'll need to sign up for an account.ESPN+ doesn't require a cable log in, there's no long-term commitment or need to pay for an extended period of time upfront, or any thing like that. Once you sign up, you'll have instant access to tons of live streaming sports games and matches from just about anywhere in the world. It works on your phone, tablet, PC, and streaming ha...

So close, yet so far.Founded back in 2003, Skullcandy is one of those brands I've always been familiar with — even if I don't actively follow it. The iconic skull logo has become synonymous with low-cost audio gear, specifically headphones and earbuds.Similar to what we've seen from so many other companies, Skullcandy's latest venture has been into the world of true wireless earbuds. Bringing value to this form factor is not a new concept, with countless players popping up in this space over the last few years.The Skullcandy Sesh true wireless earbuds look really promising on the surface, and while there's plenty the buds get right, there's one big pain point that makes them tough to recommend compared to everything else that's out there.Mixed bagSkullcandy Sesh Bottom line: The Skullcandy Sesh make a good first impre...

The "Realme TV" is likely to be released in India before it makes its way to other markets.What you need to knowRealme CMO Francis Wang has hinted that the company will soon announce its very first Smart TV.The announcement will likely be made at MWC 2020 in Barcelona later this month. Along with the Realme TV, the BBK brand is soon expected to launch its first fitness band as well. Realme, which emerged as the world's fastest-growing smartphone brand last year, may soon foray into the TV market. Francis Wang, CMO of Realme India, recently revealed in a tweet that the company will be making a TV-related announcement at the upcoming Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, Spain.U gonna hear something exciting abt TV on MWC! #realmeForEveryIndian— Francis Wang (@FrancisRealme) February 1, 2020While Wang did not reveal anything else about the "Realme TV" in his tweet, we expect the product to be competitively priced and take on affordable Mi TVs from Xiaomi. Since Realme h...

OnePlus increased its share of the ultra-premium segment as well, all thanks to the OnePlus 7 Pro.What you need to knowCounterpoint Research says OnePlus was the number one brand in India's premium smartphone market last year.OnePlus' shipments grew 28% YoY in 2019, allowing it to capture one-third of the premium segment in the country. Samsung dropped to the second position, with its shipments declining by 2% compared to 2018.In the second quarter of 2018, OnePlus snatched the top spot in the Indian premium smartphone segment from Samsung. After three quarters, however, Samsung regained the top spot in the country's premium smartphone market. In its latest insight into the Indian smartphone market, Counterpoint Research says OnePlus was the leader in the premium segment in 2019, grabbing one-third of the market.OnePlus shipments reportedly grew 28% YoY in 2019, mainly due to existing users upgrading to newer models and acquisition of new customers thanks to strong word-o...

Google says it conducted an in-depth analysis after resolving the issue to prevent it from happening again in the future.What you need to knowA technical issue affected Google Photos' 'Download your data' service between November 21, 2019 and November 25, 2019.During the affected period, Google says some Google Photos content may have been incorrectly exported to unrelated users' archives. Google says the issue was identified and resolved on November 25, 2019. Google today started alerting users about a "technical issue" that may have caused some of their videos in Google Photos to be sent to other users'' archives.Google says the "technical issue" affected the 'Takeout' service for Google Photos between November 21 and November 25 last year. Between November 21 and November 25, the company says Google Photos content of users who requested performed an export may have been incorrectly sent to some other users' archives.Whoa, what? @googlephotos? pic.twitter.com/2cZsABz1...

Yes, the POCO X2 is a rebranded Redmi K30, but that doesn't make it any less great.When the POCO F1 launched back in 2018, it revolutionized the value flagship segment. The Xiaomi sub-brand not only managed to launch a phone seemingly out of nowhere, but it also met every user expectation. It's no wonder that 18 months later, the POCO F1 is still going strong.So how does one follow up on a device like that? POCO's answer was to not launch a device at all in 2019. But it's a brand new year, and POCO has been resurrected: the brand is now a standalone entity — much like Redmi — and it has launched its first phone in 18 months. Before you get too excited, know this: the POCO X2 isn't as groundbreaking as the F1.That's why the brand is marketing its latest phone under a brand-new series (never mind that there wasn't an X1). The POCO X2 is limited in India, and it won't make its way to other markets. That's because the phone is essentially a rebranded Redmi K30 that made its deb...

The phone is expected to support 80W fast charging.What you need to knowNubia President Ni Fei has hinted on Weibo that the company's upcoming Red Magic 5G gaming phone will feature 16GB of RAM.In addition to a whopping 16GB of RAM, the phone will also come with a new "air-cooled fast charging solution."The Nubia Red Magic 5G is expected to be the first phone to support 80W wired fast charging.Nubia President and Ni Fei recently hinted that the company's upcoming Red Magic 5G gaming phone will support 80W charging speeds. In a series of new posts on Weibo, Fei has revealed a few more details regarding the upcoming flagship gaming phone.As per Fei's latest posts, the Nubia Red Magic 5G will use a new "air-cooled turbo fast charge" solution to achieve faster charging times. While no details have been revealed yet, Fei did say that the phone will come with a built-in fan, perhaps similar to the one inside the Nubia Red Magic 3S.Nubia's next flagship is also likely to be ...

We're into another year of new welcome bonuses and added perks, so we've spent some time combing through all of them to find the best that the industry has to offer in a range of categories. From making your travel experience at the airport and on your flight as comfortable and rewarding as possible, to earn as much as possible while you sleep, these cards have your back through all of it. If you want to keep things simple or earn the most on the purchases you make every day, there are cards for that too. No matter what you are looking for, these cards bring some of the best rewards and perks you can find today.Best Overall: Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American ExpressThe Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express is a card that is at its best when it rewards you for the everyday purchases. Grab a $250 statement credit after you spend $1,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 3 months. Then, earn 6% Cash Back on select U.S. streaming subscriptions, 6% Cash...

The first first UFC title fight of 2020 takes place at the Toyota Center, Houston, Texas on Saturday, February 8 with the unbeaten Dominick Reyes out to dethrone controversial defending champ Jon Jones.Despite continued criticism that he's past his best, Jones has continued to take out each contender thrown at him by the UFC. Never stopped nor outscored, the only blemish on his 26-fight career stands as a controversial disqualification for landing illegal downward elbows on Matt Hamill back in 2009.While his recent visits to the octogon haven't perhaps seen him at his dominant best (his last defence of his crown came in July with a narrow split-decision victory over Thiago Santos), it still remains the case that the most likely person capable of displacing Jones as champ is Jones himself thanks to his numerous run-ins with the law.Nevertheless, Jones' opponent on Saturday seems more than capable of ending his record-breaking run. Reyes is arguably the best natural athlete in th...

Your night of MMA won't be complete without these four big fights preceding the Jones-Reyes PPV.It's time for the UFC to have another event, as UFC 247 takes center stage this weekend in Houston. While the main event is a Pay-Per-View, the UFC 247 Prelims are going to be available on a cable broadcast channel. However, that doesn't mean that CordCutters are left outside the cage.You can get the UFC 247 Prelims easily on a variety of services, including with a free trial of Hulu. It is important to remember that the UFC 247 Prelims are not includuded with ESPN+ or your purchase of the Pay-Per-View event. You need to have some way to access ESPN's flagship broadcast channel in order to see these fights. But you won't need to swap apps on fight night.You can stream the entire night of fights easily in the ESPN app, using your Live TV streaming service login along with your ESPN+ account. This will give you access to the UFC 247 Prelims, and it will unlock other ESPN channel conte...

Get a glimpse at what's coming in Season 4.What you need to knowA new trailer for Apex Legends Season 4 - Assimilation has been released.This trailer shows off some of the new skins, the new character Revenant, the new gun and more. It also shows the changes that have come to World's Edge, now called World's Edge Ravaged.Apex Legends Season 4 begins on February 4. Just as the new season is about to arrive, Respawn Entertainment has released a new trailer for Apex Legends Season 4 - Assimilation. This gameplay trailer shows some of what players can expect, including map changes and new skins, as well as the new character Revenant in action alongside the new sniper rifle, the Sentinel. You can take a look at the new trailer below.World's Edge is the second map in Apex Legends and with Season 4 on the way, it looks like the new Ravaged version of this map has seen better days. Destruction is clearly visible all around, so veterans of the map will have to get used to all...

Software is no match for hardware, and Motorola's post-processing can't make up for a subpar sensor.Three cameras. Four cameras. Five cameras. Most phones are trending towards having more camera sensors is better, but there are a few devices that aim to prove that software is just as important as having more cameras than ever before. Google has infamously proven that a single camera paired with clever software can take wonderful photos, and Motorola has joined that club with the Motorola RAZR.The RAZR comes with a solitary 12MP main camera, which you also use for selfies when the phone is folded shut. When it's unfolded, there is a thoroughly unremarkable 5MP atop the display (for video calls), and that's it. There's no second, third or fourth sensor for ultra-wide or telephoto shooting, and on paper at least, the RAZR camera doesn't seem to be something you'll write home about.However, as we've seen in the past, looks can be deceiving, so is the Motorola RAZR camera actually a...

Its upcoming enterprise messaging app will likely also work with the Office suite.What you need to knowGoogle's Cloud division will reportedly start playing nicer with Microsoft Office.As per a new report, it hopes to entice customers into the G Suite ecosystem on a piecemeal basis, instead of signing contracts that move an organization's entire pipeline over.The Slack competitor it's working on will also integrate with Microsoft Office better.Google's hired Microsoft's former head of strategy to lead up its own G Suite wing, and it's starting to show in how the Mountain View giant looks at its competitors in the productivity space.Much like Microsoft's own shift to a more platform-agnostic, we'll-work-with-everyone attitude following Satya Nadella's taking of the helm, former Microsoftie Javier Soltero is pushing G Suite to play nice with its competitors, namely Microsoft Office.As a result of the change in strategy, Google will now start allowing organizations to move...

The report confirms YouTube made $4.7 billion during the last three months.What you need to knowGoogle parent company Alphabet has shared its Q4 2019 earnings report.For the first time, it's been disclosed how much revenue YouTube and Google Cloud generate.Total revenue of $37.57 billion was lower than the predicted $38.38 billion.On February 3 following the closing bell on Wall Street, Google parent company Alphabet released its official earnings report for Q4 2019. This report is substantial for a few different reasons, which we'll explain below.First, and perhaps most noteworthy, this is the first report in which Google has disclosed exactly how much money it makes from YouTube and Google Cloud. In Q4 (October through December), Google generated $4.7 billion in revenue from YouTube and $2.6 billion from Cloud. For comparison's sake, Amazon Web Services was reported at $9.9 billion in revenue for Q4 while Microsoft's Intelligent Cloud division pulled in $11.9 billion....

It's only the second UFC match of 2020, but UFC 247 is shaping up to be a real nail-biter. The headlining fight will see Jon Jones, a nearly-undefeated champion fighter, go up against up-and-comer Dominick Reyes, who's yet to suffer a single loss. It's anyone's guess who's going to come out on top — all we can say is that this is a fight you do not want to miss.And with the ESPN+ app and a Roku device, you don't need to miss it. Here's how you can watch the UFC 247 PPV event on your Roku.ESPN+UFC 247 PPVFrom $49.99Stream on your RokuJones vs. Reyes is a match you surely won't want to miss. With your Roku streaming device and ESPN+, you can watch it with ease.How to watch UFC 247 through ESPN+ on RokuPress the home button on your Roku remote to access the Channel Store.Select and install ESPN. You can also install it remotely through the Roku website. Sign up for an ESPN+ subscription. You can choose either monthly or annually, and do so either entirely fro...

This Saturday, February 8, the mighty Jon Jones will go up against powerful up-and-comer Dominick Reyes. Although Jones is arguably one of the best UFC fighters of all, Reyes has a number of strengths that directly counter Jones's weaknesses. In other words, it'll be an exciting fight — and one you definitely want to see.As with all major UFC events, UFC 247 is pay per view, available exclusively through ESPN+. The good news is that ESPN+ is easy to install. Even better, it works incredibly well with Amazon Fire TV.Whether you have an Amazon Fire TV Stick, the Fire TV Stick 4K, or the Fire TV Cube, here's how you can watch UFC 247.ESPN+UFC 247 PPVFrom $49.99A match you don't want to missJon Jones may seem unstoppable, but Dominick Reyes is currently undefeated. Install ESPN+ on your Amazon Fire TV, and you can watch this match with ease.How to watch UFC 247 through ESPN+ on Amazon Fire TVNavigate to the ESPN app on the Amazon App Store.Choose which device ...

We're fast approaching the second UFC event of 2020, and it's going to be a big one. The headliners for UFC 247 are the legendary Jon Jones up against undefeated newcomer Dominick Reyes. This pay-per-view match isn't one you want to miss — and if you have ESPN+, you don't need to. You can easily install the ESPN+ app on any Android device.ESPN+UFC 247 PPVFrom $49.99A crowd favorite vs. an unstoppable up-and-comerJon Jones is an incredible fighter, but Dominick Reyes might just be able to exploit his weaknesses for the win. This is a fight you don't want to miss. By installing ESPN+ on Android, you won't.How to watch UFC 247 through ESPN+ on AndroidInstall the ESPN app from the Google Play Store.Once the installation has been completed, open the app and review its requested permissions.If you already have an ESPN account, you can simply log in.Otherwise, you'll be prompted to sign up. If you're a new subscriber, you'll have the opportunity to sign up for ...