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by Samuel Contreras on (#4YQXW)
Best answer: Yes, if you have an older router you should consider moving up to Wi-Fi 6, especially since the prices have come down and new phones will likely support the tech. If you already have a fast 802.11AC router it won't be worth it, however.Entry level Wi-Fi 6 networking: Asus RT-AX56U ($130 at Amazon)Wi-Fi 6 in a mesh: Netgear Nighthawk MK62 ($230 at Amazon)Speed and capacity upgradesIf it's time for you to buy a new router or you need to get your first router, it's worth it to be ready for new Wi-Fi devices. Wi-Fi 6 can handle more devices at once and will be able to keep speed and latency more consistent even under heavy load.Since most people keep their routers for years and may upgrade their phones or computers multiple times before getting a new router, it's best to get a router that's ready for the future. Thankfully, Wi-Fi 6 routers have come down in price and are finally ready for mainstream users.Nearly every networking company has some support for Wi-F...
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by Ara Wagoner on (#4YQXY)
Yes, the Samsung Galaxy S10e doesn't have that fancy new ultrasonic fingerprint sensor, but that means that screen protectors aren't a special brand of confusing. The side-mounted fingerprint sensor on the S10e adds a different challenge — and to be sure, there are far fewer cases around for the S10e right now than the larger models — but that doesn't mean we don't have some top-notch cases to protect the S10e's hole-punch screen.Clear as crystalSpigen Liquid Crystal AirStaff pickThe Liquid Crystal line is my favorite clear case around — well, except for the sparkly Liquid Crystal Glitter variant — because it's thin, grippy, and doesn't get in the way. Perfect port cutouts and easy application make a good case great.$12 at AmazonUnique hybridRingke Fusion-XThe Ringke Fusion-X is a unique hybrid case we can't get enough of. The clear back allows your S10e to shine through, and at the same time, there's a rugged bumper that offers reliable shock absorption a...
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by Samuel Tolbert on (#4YQY0)
There's a new face on the scene working on a sci-fi RPG.What you need to knowWizards of the Coast has opened a new game development studio.Titled Archetype Entertainment, this new division is heavily staffed with BioWare veterans. Some of the ex-BioWare staff working at Archetype include names like James Ohlen and Drew Karpyshyn.The team is working on a multiplatform science-fiction RPG. A new studio i called Archetype Entertainment has been announced as a division of Wizards of the Coast in Austin, Texas. This new studio has been founded and staffed by many BioWare veterans, including James Ohlen, lead designer of Star Wars: The Old Republic and Drew Karpyshyn, lead writer of Knights of the Old Republic and Mass Effect.We are thrilled to finally announce our new studio – Archetype Entertainment! Led by @JamesOhlen and @crobertson_atx, we are developing a multi-platform roleplaying game set in an all-new science fiction universe. Check out the website in our bio for jo...
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by Joe Maring on (#4YQMG)
Our earbuds are incredibly versatile tools. We use them for jamming out to music at the gym, listening to business calls at coffee shops, taking hands-free phone calls, and plenty of other tasks. Unfortunately, putting your earbuds to work like that results in them getting dirty with germs, earwax, and other unwanted grime. Nasty earbuds are no fun, so to keep them looking and working like new, here are a few tips on how to get them nice and clean.Products used in this guideTruly wireless: Aukey EP-T21 ($30 at Amazon)Gentle cleaning: PRO-SYS Toothbrushes (From $6 at Amazon)Disinfectant: Solimo Hydrogen Peroxide ($5 at Amazon)How to clean your earbudsCleaning your earbuds might seem like a daunting task, but in all honesty, it's pretty easy. All you need are the earbuds themselves, a couple of soft toothbrushes, and some hydrogen peroxide. To get started, you'll want to get the tips off your earbuds and soaked in some warm and soapy water.Remove the gel or foam ear ti...
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by Muhammad Jarir Kanji on (#4YQMJ)
The battery is also safer to use because it does not use a liquid electrolyte.What you need to knowStandford researchers have developed a new type of battery for wearable devices.The use of a new polymer makes the battery flexible.The lack of a liquid electrolyte means they're also safer and less likely to combust.The wizards at Stanford have debuted a new magical device that stores the power of the gods within a piece of chewing gum, reports the Hogwarts Daily.I'm just kidding. They did, however, make a flexible battery that looks exactly like a piece of chewing gum. Take a look at the newfangled power hoarder in action below:It uses a new type of plastic as its electrolyte, which allows it to be as flexible as it is. The Stanford Engineering Magazine reports that the battery maintained its power output even when "squeezed, folded and stretched to nearly twice its original length," making it not only ideal for situations where an electronic device may be subjected ...
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by Joe Maring on (#4YQA2)
Everything's broken.Updated 2:27 PM ET: A couple of hours after this outage began, things seem to have calmed down. AT&T, T-Mobile, Sprint, U.S. Cellular, and Straight Talk all have substantially less reports flowing in. Things have also settled a bit with Verizon, but as of 2:09 PM ET, there were still 1146 outage reports.What you need to knowAs of January 31, every major phone carrier is having service issues.Affected companies include Verizon, Sprint, AT&T, T-Mobile, and others.The main problem seems to be with making phone calls.If you live in the United States and are having problems with your wireless phone service, you aren't alone. In fact, regardless of your carrier choice, there seems to be widespread funk across the board.Around 9:00 AM ET on January 31, numerous reports began flooding Down Detector with service outage complaints. We aren't talking about just one carrier, either. Verizon, Sprint, T-Mobile, and AT&T (though not as bad) are all ha...
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by Marc Lagace on (#4YQMM)
Spill some blood with the best Android shooters currently on the market.Professional and/or competitive shooter games are fast becoming a sustainable industry trend for mobile gaming with both game development and smartphone hardware reaching the point where phones can absolutely deliver top-notch gaming experiences — even for first-person shooters.This still probably sounds like crazy talk to traditional PC gamers but the facts are that mobile shooters have cut out a nice niche within the pro-gaming community — franchises such as PUBG Mobile and Guns of Boom have competitive eSports leagues that can be advantageous to people who love to stream or try playing for cash in tournament. Just like other online games for console or PC, mobile games reward teams who can practice and train together — or you can just jump into the game and have some fun on your phone.Call of Duty: MobilePUBG MobileCritical OpsModern Strike Online Guns of BoomBattle PrimeJYDGEHitman: Sniper...
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by Phil Nickinson on (#4YQMP)
Sam. Zoë. Jordan. Pacino. Say no more.Ah, February. The month of Valentine's Day. And is there really a better way to spend it than with your old pal Samuel L. Jackson?He's back in the latest installment of Shaft on HBO. And on Netflix, we've got the second season of Altered Carbon, the follow-up to To All The Boys — and every Police Academy movie ever made. (Hope you were sitting down for that one.)And Amazon's offering up its new series Hunters, with Al Freaking Pacino.Here we go.What's new on Netflix in February 2020Look, maybe you're excited about the second season of To All The Boys. The Netflix Original series was quite the hit its first go-around, and it only makes sense that we get the follow-up — dubbed PS I Love You — just ahead of Valentine's Day.But we'd be remiss in not telling you that every single Police Academy movie is on Netflix this February. From the original (and hilarious) installment, to the sequel Their First Assignment (you'll never...
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by Daniel Rubino on (#4YQMR)
Foldable screens and dual displays are a hot topic in the PC and phone worlds this year, and each category has its advantages. Here are some examples.2020 is shaping up to be a year of new PC (and phone) form factors, with foldable displays garnering most of the attention. However, dual-screen devices like Microsoft's Surface Neo (Windows 10X) and Surface Duo (Android) are also stealing some spotlight.It's clear the industry is (and will be) experimenting with both category for the foreseeable future, and there is no right way to make these devices. They each have their advantages and disadvantages, and some users will prefer one over the other. Here are a few strengths and weaknesses of each that I learned of when talking to various companies that make these devices.Do more with twoDual screens: Glass, less likely to fail, and trustedDual-screen design is the route Microsoft is taking for the Surface Neo and Surface Duo. A recent patent, though, suggests that Microsoft...
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by Joe Maring on (#4YQA4)
After a bit of use, any headphones can start looking grimy and dirty. Whether you wear your headphones to the gym, rely on them to get you through long-haul flights, or keep them at home to listen to music while you do chores, it's natural for germs and gunk to build up. Thankfully, with the proper tools and know-how, keeping your headphones clean is a fairly easy thing to do.Products used in this guideAffordable ANC: Anker Soundcore Life Q20 ($60 at Amazon)Essential cleaner: Mrs. Meyers Clean Day Hand Soap ($11 at Amazon)Pick-a-size: Presto! Paper Towels ($10 at Amazon)Germs begone: Swan Isopropyl Alcohol ($13 at Amazon)Nice and gentle: AmazonBasics Microfiber Cleaning Cloth (From $13 at Amazon)How to clean your headphonesWhen it comes to cleaning headphones, you'll want to make sure you clean both the headphones themselves and, perhaps more importantly, the speaker pads covering them. Starting first with the outside of your headphones, here's what you'll want to do:...
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by Babu Mohan on (#4YQA6)
It is rumored to launch in Q3 2020.What you need to knowA patent filed by Huawei with the EUIPO has revealed the design of the company's upcoming foldable phone.The phone will feature an outward folding screen and a total of six cameras. It will also come with a built-in stylus.Huawei is expected to announce an upgraded version of its Mate X foldable phone at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona next month. The phone, which will be called the Mate Xs, is said to sport a slightly smaller display, newer Kirin 990 chipset, and a more durable design compared to its predecessor. Some rumors, however, suggest a true successor to the Mate X will arrive in the third quarter of 2020. A patent filed by the Chinese company with the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) (via 91Mobiles) has revealed the design of one of its upcoming foldable phones. Since the Mate Xs is not expected to feature an all-new design, it is possible that the design described in the...
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by Jeramy Johnson on (#4YQA7)
If you're having doubts about Ring's suite of security products, there are other great options out there from companies like August.August Doorbell Cam Pro 2Hip to be squareFrom $174 at AmazonProsColor nighttime recordingBuilt-in floodlightFree video storage for 24 hoursWorks with Google Assistant and Amazon AlexaConsNo stand-alone battery-powered optionOdd shape may present installation challengesSubscription plan required for additional storageAugust is well-known for its excellent smart locks, and it has carried that expertise over to its video doorbells. The Doorbell Cam Pro 2 packs pro features like a full HD camera, a built-in floodlight, and color night recording. It also plays well with Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa.Ring Video Doorbell 2Versatile viewer$200 at AmazonProsIntegrates with Alexa and Amazon devicesAvailable wired or battery-poweredCan easily change faceplatesInfrared camera for improved night visionConsDoe...
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by Jennifer Locke on (#4YQA9)
Sony is gearing up to release the PlayStation 5, 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 FebruaryThe 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 plat...
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by Samuel Tolbert on (#4YQAA)
Respawn Entertainment's new Star Wars adventure is busting predictions.What you need to knowElectronic Arts held its Q3 earnings call with investors.During the call, Electronic Arts confirmed that Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order has sold around 8 million units.The company's predictions have been beaten and revised, now expecting to see the game to sell 10 million copies by March. You can grab Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order on PlayStation 4 for $45 at Amazon.Electronic Arts (EA) recently held its Q3 earnings call after releasing the latest quarterly report, with some interesting results for one of its big 2019 titles. EA confirmed that Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order has sold beyond the company's predictions for the quarter.Considering that EA's predictions were somewhere between 6 to 8 million copies, it's safe to say Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order is now north of 8 million copies sold. Since it has surpassed EA's expectations in such a manner, the company has updated its predicti...
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by Joe Wituschek on (#4YQAC)
Heads up! We share savvy shopping and personal finance tips to put extra cash in your wallet. Android Central may receive a commission from The Points Guy Affiliate Network. Please note that the offers mentioned below are subject to change at any time and some may no longer be available.Grab up to 100,000 bonus miles with Delta's new offer.What you need to knowDelta has launched a new welcome offer for its consumer credit cards.New cardholders can earn up to 100,000 bonus miles and 20,000 Medallion® Qualification Miles.All four offers are for a limited time until April 1, 2020.If you are a fan of Delta, we have four offers for you. The company has just announced four new limited-time welcome bonus offers for four of their consumer-focused credit cards.The offers span across Delta's credit card lineup, and welcome bonuses range from 15,000 bonus miles all the way up to 100,000 bonus miles and 20,000 Medallion® Qualification Miles. Here is a quick breakdown of each card...
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by Marc Lagace on (#4YQAE)
It's pretty ridiculous how long it took Happy Wheels to be ported to Android. The mobile versions for both Android and iOS were announced back in 2015, with the iOS version released shortly thereafter. Five years later, it's finally found its way to the Play Store. Then again, ridiculousness seems to be a big part of the Happy Wheels brand, so I'm inclined to give the developers a pass.Either way, the wait was well worth it because this game is perfectly optimized for mobile and is stupid-fun to play.Happy Wheels is a 2D side-scrolling racing game that features physics-based obstacle courses punctuated by moments of extreme ultra-violence. There are currently four characters to choose from — a businessman on a Segway, a father and son pair on a bicycle, a man strapped into a rocket wheelchair, and a woman riding a mobility scooter — with 15 levels for each that are designed to troll you at every turn. Two more characters are also features as coming later, so you can expec...
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by christine persaud on (#4YQ2K)
Charging true wireless earbuds usually involves placing them inside their included charging case, but how do you charge the case itself? Usually, it's via microUSB or USB-C cable but did you know that some true wireless earbuds cases can be charged wirelessly? Charging works using virtually any small wireless charger: just place the buds atop the charging surface and it will recharge without wires. If you want to go truely wireless, here are the best small wireless charger for wireless earbuds.Extra-long cableVentev Qi Chargepad+Staff PickThis small, circular-shaped wireless charger offers rapid charging for most wireless devices. Place the true wireless earbuds case in the center and it will charge it up in no time. The stylish design, including a cloth covering, means you can place it anywhere in the home and it won't stick out like a sore thumb, like on your bedroom nightstand, side table, or kitchen countertop. MFI-certified for use with Apple devices, what really mak...
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by Joe Maring on (#4YQ2N)
Chatting with the AC forums.Ready or not, the Galaxy S20 will be here before you know it. We've been following rumors and leaks for the S20 for months at this point, and yesterday, Samsung officially opened reservations for the phone so you can be among the first to pre-order it.We're stoked to see what Samsung has in store for us with the S20 lineup, and looking through the AC forums at how many people are already registered, it looks like the interest is building. buzzy3970 01-30-2020 04:05 PM “ Surprisingly Samsung has decided to open up reservations already. Guessing to see whose interested in the new devices. Here's the link for anyone interested www.samsung.com/us/mobile/reserve/ Reply Kilroy672 01-30-2020 05:37 PM “ I was able to sign up for this a few hours ago and got an email to confir...
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by Hayato Huseman on (#4YQ2P)
We're less than two weeks away from the official launch of the Galaxy S20, and if Samsung's previous flagships like the S10 and Note 10 are any indicator, it's going to be an absolutely phenomenal device — even if it isn't as unique and exciting as the Galaxy Z Flip that's launching alongside it.Few other companies are able to consistently deliver in nearly every department that makes a phone great; hardware design, build quality, performance, battery life, software, and so on. The Galaxy Note 10 is still one of my favorite phones of 2019 for all of those reasons, but there's one thing I just don't at all enjoy about it.It's the cameras. Samsung does a lot of things right, but its imaging hasn't changed much at all since the Galaxy S7, and it's fallen far behind the competition as a result.I love the versatility of the triple-lens array on the S10 and Note 10 series, offering both ultrawide and telephoto cameras in addition to the primary sensor, and Samsung offers one of...
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by Jennifer Locke on (#4YQ2Q)
PlayStation already made it harder to "gift" digital games by removing digital codes off of every storefront beside itself. Now it needs to enable digital game gifting natively through the PS5.When the PlayStation 5 launches, it really needs to release with native digital game gifting through the PlayStation Store right out of the gate. Sony shouldn't live in Microsoft's shadow when it comes to features like this.Sony has Microsoft easily beat when it comes to exclusive games, but Microsoft beats Sony in... just about everything else. Xbox has a better game subscription service (Xbox Game Pass), better online play (Xbox Live), better game streaming (xCloud), and it's ahead of the curve when it comes to digital game gifting. In contrast, the PS4 has no form of digital game gifting to speak of.I'm not going to argue that game gifting on Xbox is perfect, because it's not. For whatever reason, games are still region-locked, so you can't gift a game to a person in another region fro...
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by Jared DiPane on (#4YQ2S)
The biggest NFL game of the year, Super Bowl 2020, takes place on February 2 which is less than a week away. Whether you are attending a party, planning to stay home, or will be traveling, one thing you may be wondering is how to watch the Super Bowl live stream. Well, there are a lot of different ways, and a lot to know about the various ways.It's been a crazy season so far, and for once the New England Patriots won't be playing in the big game. This year, we have the San Francisco 49ers playing against the Kansas City Chiefs.Whether you care about football or not, there is a whole lot to enjoy about the Super Bowl. From the epic Super Bowl half-time performances to the amazing commercials that will debut, you are going to want to find a way to stream it live. Luckily, it doesn't matter very much where in the world you are located, it's pretty easy to find a way to tune in and watch the Super Bowl online for free.How to watch Super Bowl 2020 live stream online with a VPNA Vi...
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by Hayato Huseman on (#4YQ2T)
One of Spotify's best features for Premium members is the ability to save local copies of albums and playlists for offline playback. This is a great way to cut back on your monthly data usage, and of course, it lets you listen to your favorite songs without a data connection, which is particularly useful for frequent travelers. Unfortunately, Spotify doesn't make it immediately obvious how to find your locally stored music, so we're here to help.Products used in this guidePure Google: Pixel 4 ($635 at Amazon)Top streaming platform: Spotify Premium ($10/month at Spotify)How to find your downloaded musicDownloading music for offline playback is easy; all you have to do is tap the Download button at the top of any album or playlist. Finding it is the hard part, since the default layouts just show your offline music interspersed between the rest of your Spotify library. The simple fix is to use filters to sort your library by downloads-only.Open Spotify.In the Your Library...
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by Babu Mohan on (#4YQ2W)
It is also expected to be among the first phones to feature a 144Hz display.What you need to knowNubia president Ni Fei has hinted that the company's upcoming gaming smartphone will support 80W fast charging.Expected to be called the Nubia Red Magic 5G, the upcoming phone will come with a 144Hz screen and Qualcomm's Snapdragon 865 chipset. The current fast charging champion is OPPO's Reno Ace, which supports 65W charging speeds. Nubia President and co-founder Ni Fei had revealed earlier this month that the company's next flagship gaming smartphone will come equipped with a 144Hz refresh rate screen. Fei today shared a new post on Weibo, revealing yet another key feature of the upcoming flagship.The photo posted by Fei on Weibo shows an upcoming Nubia phone supporting 9.6A of charging current at 8.4 volts. This means the phone will offer 80W fast charging using the USB PD protocol. The phone shown in the photo is expected to debut as the Nubia Red Magic 5G sometime later...
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by Marc Lagace on (#4YQ2X)
There are so many awesome action games in the Google Play Store, it can be hard to sort the wheat from the chaff. But we've done the heavy lifting for you and after hundreds of hours of playing, we've rounded up the best action-packed games for Android that are worth checking out. Many of the games on this list are paid apps, which might give you pause, so you'll need to trust us when we say these games are well worth the initial investment. Plus, it's always good to support those teams developing great games for Android!An epic RPG adventureDeath Road to CanadaStaff PickWhen you're going to be dropping money on a game, you're going to want to be sure it has good replay value. In that regard, Death Road To Canada is an outstanding choice. Facing a zombie apocalypse, you must lead a scrappy squad of somewhat interesting characters on a deadly mission to the relative safety of Canada. Along the way, you'll need to explore and loot places for supplies, while also managing yo...
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by Stephen Warwick on (#4YPWG)
It could prevent users from accidentally entering their code on a phishing site with the wrong URL...What you need to knowApple engineers have unveiled a proposal to standardize the format of two-factor authentication.It has suggested the use of a new SMS format for one-time-passcode messages.The new format would include the website the code is meant for, information that could be automatically extracted by a browser or app. Apple WebKit engineers have unveiled a new proposal that could standardize the format of two-factor-authentication messages to improve security and prevent users from falling for phishing scams.As reported by ZDNet, Apple engineers working on WebKit, a core component of Safari have come up with the idea, but Google's Chromium engineers are also on board. According to the report: Apple engineers have put forward a proposal today to standardize the format of the SMS messages containing one-time passcodes (OTP) that users receive during the two-facto...
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by Babu Mohan on (#4YPQK)
You will no longer be distracted by annoying notification sounds while you're on the road.What you need to knowGoogle has quietly added an option to disable notification sounds in version 5.0.500224 of the Android Auto app.The "No sound from notifications" toggle can be found in the Android Auto settings. Notifications will, however, still remain stuck on the screen until you dismiss them. Google rolled out the first major update for Android Auto last year, bringing a more intuitive user-interface and support for more input methods. However, one thing that the update did not address was the ability to disable notification sounds. Fortunately, Google has finally introduced the highly anticipated option in the new 5.0.500224 version of the Android Auto app.Once you have updated the Android Auto app, you will find a new toggle labeled "No sound from notifications" in settings. After you turn the toggle on, your music will no longer be interrupted when you receive a new no...
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by Harish Jonnalagadda on (#4YPQN)
The NEX 3 5G combines a stunning waterfall display with powerful hardware and insane battery life.Vivo is a great bellwether for the smartphone industry. The brand has consistently pushed the boundaries for new technologies over the last three years, whether that's high-res front cameras, retractable camera modules, and bezel-less designs.Vivo debuts its latest features in its flagship NEX series, and while these devices may not see sales in the millions of units, the technologies that are introduced here often trickle down to its mid-range phones. The NEX 3 is no different, with the phone picking up Vivo's latest waterfall display tech, which sees the edges of the screen flow over to the sides. It's a more pronounced take of what Samsung has been doing with its dual-curved screens for several years now.The NEX 3 also has 5G connectivity, and hardware that puts other phones to shame. There's obviously a Snapdragon 855+ under the hood, along with 12GB of RAM and 256GB of storage...
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by Courtney Lynch on (#4YPK8)
A genius smartwatchSkagen Faster 3$295 at AmazonProsImproved performanceNew Snapdragon Wear 3100New smart battery modeBuilt-in speaker and Google PayOnboard GPS and HRMConsExpensive price tagIf you've been patiently holding out for a genius smartwatch that will deliver superb performance, smart battery modes, and the newest processor, you'll love everything the Skagen Falster 3 has to offer.A fashionable accessorySkagen Falster$128 at AmazonProsTimeless, minimalist designActivity trackingGoogle AssistantVery affordableConsNo GPS or HRMLacks NFC paymentsPoor battery and performanceThose who are looking for a very basic smartwatch with a fashionable design at an affordable price may be drawn to the original Skagen Falster. It may not be the newest model but it's beautiful and won't break the bank.A lot can change in two years, and that's certainly the case with Skagen's line of Falster smartwatches. To say that there have b...
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by Ara Wagoner on (#4YPK9)
We can stay up from dawn till dusk and we will never run out of YouTube videos to watch, but what do you do when you have to stray from your faithful Wi-Fi? You download some YouTube videos for offline playback, of course. Here's how — and who — can download videos in YouTube for offline playback.Products used in this guideWatch videos all day: Google Pixel 3a XL ($445 at Amazon)Who can download videos to play offlineThere are two categories of YouTube users that offline playback are available to: YouTube Premium members and YouTube users in select developing countries.Now, Google knows that in many countries of the world, mobile data is a precious commodity — assuming mobile data is available at all in some places — but it still wants people in these countries to be able to enjoy YouTube. To that end, in over 120 countries/territories around the world, users can download YouTube videos for offline playback without a subscription. This includes most of Africa, Asi...
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by Marc Lagace on (#4YPKA)
Did you know it's possible to use an Xbox One controller with your Android device? That's because, as of the release of the Xbox One S, Microsoft started outfitting its Xbox One controllers with Bluetooth radios. While this feature was made mostly for PC gaming, you'll be happy to know that it works surprisingly well with Android phones. While there may be more appropriate controllers for mobile gaming available, this is a nice trick to have in your back pocket if you already have a compatible Xbox One controller and don't want to spend money to buy something you'll only use for your phone.Products used in this guideA simple, quality controller: Xbox One Wireless Controller ($45 at Amazon)How to pair an Xbox One controller with your Android phoneFor starters, you'll want to ensure the Xbox One controller you have uses Bluetooth. As a rule of thumb, newer versions of the Xbox One S and Xbox One X come with Bluetooth by default. If you're buying the controller new, Amazon has...
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by Philip Berne on (#4YPEV)
It is finally time to end the tyranny of the Lightning connector.What you need to knowThe European Parliament voted to force phone manufacturers to use a common charging standard.Apple is the lone manufacturer not using USB-C for phone charging.The European Commission must now write the laws that would be enforcable in the EU.The European Union has officially encouraged phone manufacturers to use a common standard for ports and charging cords, but one major manufacturer never seemed to get the message. Now Reuters reports that the European Parliament has voted overwhelmingly, 582-40, to encourage the European Commission, the law-making body for the EU, to adopt new regulations to force the issue. European lawmakers say that the Commission should adopt the new regulations by the summer.Of course, this leaves much undetermined, and that singular manufacturer is sure to raise a legal stink. Android manufactuers have almost entirely adopted the USB-C port standard on flagship...
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by Muhammad Jarir Kanji on (#4YP80)
After years as a desktop exclusive, the star-filled sky is finally available on phones.What you need to knowGoogle Earth is being updated for mobile devices.The revamped app adds stars to the Earth's backdrop.The images shown were collected by the European Southern Observatory.Google Earth on phones is getting a small but pretty upgrade. The backdrop of the Earth is no longer a dull, lifeless sea of black. In its stead, you'll now find the mesmerizing beauty of the Milky Way and the billions of flickering lights that give it its life and luster. You can now see a view of the stars as you zoom out from Earth on your phone. Rotate the globe, and you'll see images of the beautiful Milky Way, collected from the European Southern Observatory, depicting the stars as they'd appear to a space explorer at a point some 30,000 miles above the planet.It's no surprise, of course, given that most phones these days pack enough power to shame laptops and desktops from just a few yea...
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by Jennifer Locke on (#4YP82)
Oh hey look, Google put its foot in its mouth again.What you need to knowStadia is Google's game streaming service.It launched in November lacking key features and games, and was met with harsh criticism.Google has blamed the lack of game announcements on publishers.Google has taken a lot of flak for its poor support of Stadia. Whether it's in regards to missing features or lack of games, there's no shortage of ire on the internet, like in this Reddit thread that took off with complaints about Stadia's lack of game announcements. The company hasn't been great at communicating what's coming next and when — only that 120 titles are making their way to Stadia this year — but a Google spokesperson speaking with GamesIndustry.biz suggests that publishers are at fault for the lack of game announcements on Stadia, not Google. We understand the desire to hear more specifics on the games. After all, that is what it is about: the games. Of course, not all 120 titles will be a...
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by Daniel Bader on (#4YP84)
Getting a second-hand phone doesn't have to be overly complicated or stressful.Over the last few years, the cost of smartphones has skyrocketed. It's no longer uncommon to see phones being sold for $1,000 or more, making the decision to buy a new handset quite the investment. Thanks to the ever-growing used smartphone market, though, it's rather easy to take the sting out of those increasing prices. The used marketplace is a great way to save some cash on your next phone purchase, and if you have old devices lying around that you aren't using anymore, selling them allows someone else to use it while simultaneously putting extra money in your pocket.Things to consider before you buy a used phoneWe've already talked about the principles of selling your phone, and you can keep all of those in mind as you go to buy a used phone. Go through the same sort of checklist — factory reset, SIM unlock status, original accessories, damage, sales history — to decide if the phone ...
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by Muhammad Jarir Kanji on (#4YP85)
No word yet on the new foldable, though.What you need to knowGalaxy S20 preorders will be delivered on March 6.That's according to a new registration page on Samsung's website that refers to the "new Galaxy phone."Samsung is set to debut the S20 series, as well as a clamshell foldable, on February 11.They may be slightly more expensive than you'd like, but Samsung's Galaxy S20 series is closer to launch than ever. And, now, you can register to be notified to preorder the phone. Is it just me or are phone sales now more and more like movie trailers, with a flurry of teasers and trailers foreshadowing the actual trailer?Anyways, the big news here is that we now have official confirmation from Samsung itself that preordered Galaxy S20s will start reaching their proud new owners on March 6. That's courtesy of a "cryptic" new registration page referring to the "new Galaxy phone."With phrases like "Be the first to experience a new era of Galaxy" and "Change the shape of the f...
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by Andrew Martonik on (#4YP87)
What good is your phone if the battery dies? If you use your phone hard and don't have the option to charge throughout the day, battery life is your number one priority when shopping for your next phone. Thankfully there are several great options that focus on battery life and won't give up halfway through the day.Our pickSamsung Galaxy Note 10+Staff pickThe Note 10+ is a big phone, and it backs that up with a big 4300mAh battery. Samsung's great battery management and efficient specs give the Note 10+ all-day battery even when you hit it hard. And you'll want to because you have access to just about every software and hardware feature you could imagine here.$900 at AmazonGreat sans stylusSamsung Galaxy S10+The Galaxy S10+ does everything the Note 10+ does but has a slightly smaller screen and correspondingly smaller 4100mAh battery. That small drop-off may be worth it in order to save a couple of hundred dollars — and the battery life, in the grand scheme of fl...
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by Joe Maring on (#4YP88)
The S10 was incredible. Here's what Samsung's doing to improve for 2020.Samsung's Galaxy S series is always one of the most anticipated smartphone releases year after year. Following a modest upgrade with the S9 series, 2019's Galaxy S10 lineup shook things up with an all-new Infinity-O design for the display, triple rear cameras, and even a third "budget" model.In the coming months, it'll be time for Samsung to take the wraps off of the Galaxy S20 (Samsung's expected to ditch the Galaxy S11 name). The phone has big shoes to fill, but knowing Samsung, it'll be up to the task.Without further ado, here's everything we know about the Samsung Galaxy S20!There will probably be three versionsThe S20's design has been revealedHere are the specs we're anticipatingWhy isn't it called the S11?Expect a high priceIt'll be announced on February 11Don't count out the Galaxy S10 just yetFlagship in every waySamsung Galaxy S10$750 at AmazonSamsung's 2019 flagship is s...
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by Muhammad Jarir Kanji on (#4YP89)
And it's readying a flagship for launch this year.What you need to knowMotorola has already sold 100 Moto G's around the world.The company launched the lineup back in 2013.The phones are widely cited as among the best midrange phones in the market.The Motorola RAZR may be all the rage these days, but the company's claim to fame — and its bread and butter — is the Moto G series. Phones like the Moto G7, G7 Play, G7 Plus, and G7 Power (I know, it's a lot of G7's!) have widely been cited as among the best midrange phones you can buy on this side of the Atlantic — and they're not wrong.Not only do its phones garner critical acclaim, but the company is also celebrating a milestone signifying their tremendous financial success. In the seven years since the line's launch, the company has sold 100 million units.Companies like Samsung and Apple make nearly that many sales in just 1-2 years, of course, but it is an impressive number nonetheless, which has allowed the former...
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by Andrew Martonik on (#4YP8A)
This is undeniably still 'Samsung' software, with the latest standards from Google baked in.Most eyes may be focused on the forthcoming Galaxy S20 announcement, but for tens of millions of people who bought a Galaxy S or Note in the last two years the more important news for the start of 2020 is the rollout of the One UI 2 software update. Android 10 brings important changes to permissions, notifications, dark mode and more — and Samsung also took the opportunity to make a few subtle interface tweaks as well.Here's everything you will be getting with the One UI 2 update on your Samsung phone — good and bad.The Android 10 basics are implemented properlyAndroid 10 isn't the biggest update we've seen, but makes a few important changes to the experience of how every person uses their phone every day. And Samsung did a really good job integrating Google's platform changes into its own system without feeling tacked on or out of place. Samsung did a great job...
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by Nicholas Sutrich on (#4YNCE)
2019's game and hardware sales have been good, but they reveal an interesting trend that no one expected.If you've been around social media in any form over the past year, it's likely you've heard of Beat Saber. The game is ubiquitous with virtual reality gaming, and for good reason. It recently became the first VR-only game to ever make it to the Steam top 100 best-selling games list. It's streamed by thousands of gamers day in and out, in large part because a community of modders is constantly adding in new songs to the roster, like Toss a Coin to Your Witcher from the hit Netflix series.Games like Beat Saber show that VR is bigger than it's ever been. It's on the minds of more gamers than ever, it's talked about by more people than ever, and it's being bought more than ever. But the surprising part is that it's not the Valve Index, the HTC Vive Cosmos, the Oculus Rift S, SteamVR, or even Windows Mixed Reality that's pushing VR to the next level and to more consumers. It's not ...
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by Nicholas Sutrich on (#4YNCF)
A flawed remaster of a solid rhythm classic.It's been nearly three years since the first Patapon Remastered was released on the PS4, and now the sequel has received the same treatment. In the second of three rhythm adventure titles, the Patapons have landed in a new country after being shipwrecked during their journey to Earthend. Familiar mechanics and music meet up with a host of new features, a longer story, and beautifully remastered 4K visuals.But this remaster of Patapon 2 ignores some technical hurdles that modern games have to deal with. Despite the advantages that modern TVs and sound systems provide on the quality side of the spectrum, they introduce rhythm-killing lag to the experience. Unfortunately, Patapon 2 Remastered's developers seem to have forgotten this inconvenient fact. Regardless of the quality of the rest of the remaster, this one fact will completely kill the very core gameplay mechanics on many people's living room setups.Thankfully, there's an easy fi...
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by Clinton Bowman on (#4YNCH)
With Super Bowl LIV coming this weekend, everyone and their mother are preparing for their yearly Super Bowl party or gathering of their closest friends. While making sure your chips, dips and special dishes are ready is an important part of any Super Bowl Party, did you know that Amazon Echo and other Alexa-enabled devices can help you make your Super Bowl party get kicked off on the right foot? Here are three quick and easy ways Amazon and Alexa can boost the Super Bowl party experience for you and your guests:Confused About the Call on the Field?While you're rooting for your favorite team in the NFL Championship game, penalties are sure to go uncalled or miscalled by referees. We all know how much this can cause a situation between friends, so why not let the NFL help you clear up the confusion.Here's what you'll need for this to work:Amazon Echo or another Alexa-enabled deviceThe Alexa appRookie's Guide to the NFL SkillThe setup is simple; all you need to do is to...
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by Joe Maring on (#4YNCK)
Time to chat with the AC forums.Whether you're visiting websites through your browser or using a free app or game from the Play Store, chances are you see a lot of ads on your Android phone.When handled properly, ads are a good way for sites and apps to be offered for free, but at the same time, they can be overdone to the point where the user experience is ruined. As such, some users go the route of using ad-blockers.Recently, this very topic came up for discussion in the AC forums. sweetypie31 01-23-2020 08:33 AM “ Can anyone tell me the names of apps like Adguard that will block in app ads? I was using Adguard , but then it started blocking me to where I couldn't use my data on my phone. Any help us appreciated. Reply Gayle Lynn 01-24-2020 04:05 PM “ I created custom filters in AdGuard Pro ...
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by Philip Berne on (#4YNCN)
I'll finish watching if I can ever stop crying.What you need to knowGoogle is previewing a Super Bowl ad on YouTube.The ad shows photos of an older couple as a man asks Google to remember things about his wife.The Mayo Clinic suggests using photos and mementos as cues to help Alzheimer's patients.If you're like me and living with older parents who are dealing with memory issues and other signs of aging, grab a box of tissues and get your therapist on speed dial before you start watching Google's new Super Bowl advertisement. The ad startts with a simple text box search for "how to not forget," then an older male voice asks Google to "Show me photos of me and Loretta." What follows is a montage of an older couple in love while a man's voice speaks about Loretta in the past tense.Google opens the ad by pointing to articles from WikiHow and Bustle about using details to help with memory loss, and the Mayo Clinic agrees. On its page for using mementos as memory cues, the Mayo...
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by Kelly Peirce on (#4YNCQ)
Best answer: Yes. If you are considering getting a PS4 Pro right now, it is still worth picking one up before before the PS5 releases. A lot of games will be released on both new and old consoles at the beginning of the new generation, so you won't miss out.Price will drop: PlayStation 4 Pro 1TB ($326 at Amazon)Save even more: PlayStation 4 Slim ($250 at Amazon)Pick it up and trade it inGetting a PS4 Pro right now is worth it. The cost has come down to a more reasonable price point for most players and it is still the best console you can get until the launch of the next generation. There is no reason to sit around waiting for a year when you could enjoy some PlayStation games.Play on the Pro for a few years. During the first few years of next gen consoles companies usually release major titles for both the new and the previous generation console, so you wouldn't miss out. Once you are ready, trade in that Pro for the PS5.A more technical standpointPlayStation 4 Pro ...
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by Babu Mohan on (#4YNCS)
Samsung's mobile business registered an impressive 67% increase in operating profit in Q4 2019.What you need to knowSamsung reported revenues of KRW 59.9 trillion ($50.7 billion) in the fourth quarter of 2019, an increase of 1% over the same period a year earlier.Operating profit, however, dipped 34% to KRW 7.1 trillion ($6 billion). The company is hoping that stronger demand for 5G phones and OLED screens will allow it to boost profitability in 2020. Amid continued uncertainties in the global business environment, Samsung Electronics has announced that its operating profit dropped 34% YoY to KRW 7.1 trillion ($6 billion) in Q4 2019. Quarterly revenue, however, increased by 1% to KRW 59.9 trillion ($50.7 billion). Samsung says the dip in operating profit was due to the continuous fall in memory chip prices globally, as well as weakness in demand for display panels.Samsung's mobile division posted KRW 24.95 ($21.1 billion) in revenue and an operating profit of KRW 2.52 tri...
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by Samuel Contreras on (#4YNCT)
Nationwide 5G is more important than gigabit speedsTo build a 5G cell tower, you need a fiber optic internet connection, some 5G cell equipment, and something tall to stick the equipment to. The electronic components can be built offsite and shipped where they need to go but when it comes to actually building a tower, it can take a long time. Sub-6 5G can do more with fewer cell sites and make use of the towers a carrier already has. Sub-6 helps carriers improve the speed and consistency of mobile broadband much more quickly than is possible with a mmWave deployment.Fast phone with 5GGalaxy Note+10 5GFrom $37 per month at T-MobileWith support for Sub-6 and mmWaveSamsung's Galaxy Note10+ combines support for all of T-Mobile's 5G bands with a great camera and screen. Use the S-Pen and huge battery to make the most of your mobile network away from home.What does Sub-6 and mmWave mean?Millimeter wave, or mmWave, 5G is named in reference to the relatively short dista...
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by Jerry Hildenbrand on (#4YN5Z)
A lot of apps and websites use analytical data, but Ring has finally gone too far with no good reason for it.I use a Ring Video Doorbell Pro. I'm not so much concerned about capturing video for the cloud or monitoring what goes on in my front yard (I have other cameras for that) but because I don't walk quickly, answering my doorbell remotely is extremely convenient. And when you work for a website like Android Central you get a lot of packages. With the Ring app, I can ask the driver to come to the back door or to please leave it under the bench and waive any signature requirements. I hate to do it because a video doorbell has made a big difference in my life.Unfortunately, I'm removing the doorbell and replacing it with one that doesn't send my data to Facebook and other third-party trackers.Multiple Ring data breaches reported, thousands of customers impactedAnd that's exactly what is happening, according to the EFF (Electronic Frontier Foundation). And I trust the EF...
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by Babu Mohan on (#4YN61)
Record sales of home appliances last year helped LG achieve its highest annual revenue in history.What you need to knowLG's smartphone business recorded revenues of KRW 1.32 trillion ($1.12 billion) in Q4 2019, mainly due to lower sales of the company's mass-tier products.The smartphone division posted a full-year operating loss of KRW 1.01 trillion ($858.34 million). LG Electronics registered revenues of KRW 16.06 trillion ($13.65 billion) in the fourth quarter of 2019, 1.8% higher than the same period in 2018. LG today announced its financial results for the fourth quarter of 2019. Thanks to robust demand for premium home appliances such as LG Signature, the company posted record-breaking revenues of KRW 62.3 trillion ($53 billion) in 2019. Its full-year operating profit, however, came in at KRW 2.44 trillion ($2.07 billion), 10% lower than 2018.The company's fourth quarter revenue of KRW 16.06 trillion ($13.56 billion) was 1.8 percent higher than the same period in 201...
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by Babu Mohan on (#4YN02)
Since the feature is currently in testing, not all issues can be detected.What you need to knowGoogle has started testing a new Nest thermostat feature that can alert users about heating and cooling system (HVAC) issues.Nest will look for unusual HVAC patterns to detect if something is wrong. HVAC alerts will be sent to Nest thermostat users subscribed to the Nest Home Report email list. Google is set to make its Nest thermostats smarter with a new feature that will alert users to heating and cooling system (HVAC) issues. The feature, which is now in testing, will also connect users with a professional to take a look at their HVAC system for problems.Nest Thermostats will learn to detect unusual HVAC patterns to identify issues, based on your thermostat's historical data and current weather. For example, you may receive an email alert when your HVAC system takes longer than usual to heat your home. The email alerts, which will be sent to the Nest Home Report email list su...
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