Latest from Android Central

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. 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 tune in and watch. 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 for free.How to watch Super Bowl 2020 online with a VPNA Virtual Private Network, or VP...

Stadia Pro subscribers just got some amazing games!Today, Google announced new free games coming to Stadia in February. If you're a Stadia Pro subscriber, you can claim Gylt and Metro Exodus as part of your subscription. Descriptions of both games can be seen below.Gylt Face your fears in Gylt, a haunting tale about bullying and childhood nightmares, as you help Sally navigate a creepy world to rescue her missing cousin Emily. Gylt is available only on Stadia.Metro Exodus Flee the shattered ruins of the Moscow Metro and embark on an epic, continent-spanning journey across the post-apocalyptic Russian wilderness. Explore vast, non-linear levels, lose yourself in an immersive, sandbox survival experience, and follow a thrilling story-line that spans an entire year.Metro Exodus is one of the best games ever made in my opinion and it's amazing that Stadia Pro subscribers get access to the title. However, there are other features coming to Stadia, too.You'll receive ...

As nice as it would be for every television to include a simple local network access function, most TVs still rely on good old-fashioned Infrared (IR) to receive commands. This isn't the best news for someone looking to convert their living room into Smart Home 2.0, but there are some tools available that make this a little easier to deal with than you'd think. If you have a newer, smart TV, you may be able to enable an Alexa Skill to help control your device, whereas if your TV is a bit older or doesn't support any Alexa Skills, there may be some hardware workarounds available. We'll show you three tricks we've found to give you power over your TV with an Amazon Echo.Products used in this guidePerfect harmony: Logitech Harmony Hub ($70 at Amazon)Master blaster: Fire TV Blaster ($35 at Amazon)Alexa's got skills: Vizio SmartCast (Free at Amazon)How to control your TV with the Logitech Harmony HubThis solution works well on older or newer TVs.Logitech's Harmony line has b...

Don't like navigation gestures? Soon, you can experience the best Google Assistant without them.What you need to knowThe new Google Assistant will soon be available for Pixel 4 users that prefer 3-button navigation over gestural navigation.A specific version of the Google App seems to enable the feature, which should be showing up as an app update for all users soon.The new Google Assistant enables several new features, such as replying to messages by only using your voice.The Pixel 4 ships with a brand new version of Google Assistant; one that can perform powerful new tasks, like transcribing your voice into text so you can reply to messages without touching a button. But, up until now, it was a Pixel 4-exclusive that could only be used with the new gestural navigation system and, to top it off, couldn't be used when you had a G-Suite account on your phone. But Google is working on fixes for those limitations, beginning with compatibility for 3-button navigation.As And...

The iconic budget family is returning once more.Thanks to the immense popularity of the original Moto G from 2013 and continuous updates to the product line, the G-series is now synonymous with low-cost Android phones that offer worthwhile user experiences.Last year's Moto G7 lineup impressed with great displays, top-notch build quality, and more choice than ever before. Motorola is now in the process of preparing its Moto G8 lineup, and if you're going to be in the market for an affordable smartphone this year, this is something you'll want to keep an eye on.From all of the latest news, rumors, renders, and more, here's everything we know so far about the Moto G8 family!We should get four modelsThe G8 Play and G8 Plus are now outLeaked renders have surfaced for the regular G8These are all of the specsLet's talk pricing and availabilityThe Moto G7 is still greatAll about valueMoto G7$300 at Amazon $158 at WalmartFlagships are so overratedEven with the Mot...

Brilliant batteryFossil Hybrid Smartwatch HR$195 at AmazonProsGorgeous designOutstanding battery lifeCustomizable displayHeart-rate monitoringActivity and sleep trackingConsNo GPS optionsNot fully waterproofFossil's newest hybrid is dressed to impress. In addition to a gorgeous selection of designs, it also delivers heart-rate monitoring, activity and sleep tracking, smartphone notifications, music controls, and outstanding battery life.Pretty performanceGarmin Vivomove HR$180 at AmazonProsStylish designCustomizable display5 ATM water resistanceHeart-rate monitoringActivity and sleep trackingConsNo GPS optionsTouchscreen can be trickyHard to read in sunlightThe Vivomove HR hits many important marks of a solid hybrid smartwatch, including heart-rate monitoring, activity and sleep tracking, water resistance, smartphone notifications, music controls, and a stylish design.When it comes to choosing a watch, it's often about ...

This is seriously mind-blowing.When I first came across the Aukey EP-T21 on Amazon, I had a good chuckle to myself. I've seen a lot of true wireless earbuds trying to target budget-minded shoppers, usually hitting prices of anywhere from $50 to $100. That's a good price range to go after to get a good mix of features, performance, and value, so I thought to myself, "How in the world is Aukey selling a pair for $30?"It's true that wireless earbuds like this are becoming more and more of a commodity with each day that passes, but $30 just sounded way too cheap for what Aukey was promoting. So, with nothing to lose other than three Hamiltons, I bought the EP-T21 and anxiously awaited their arrival.After rocking these earbuds for the last few days, I'm happy to say they surprised the hell out of me. No, they won't be replacing your AirPods Pro or Jabra Elite 75t anytime soon, but if you set your expectations right, they're phenomenal.How low can you goAukey EP-T21 ...

For now, the update is only rolling out to Galaxy S9 and S9+ users running Android Pie.What you need to knowSamsung has released the stable Android 10-based One UI 2.0 update for the Galaxy S9 and S9+ phones.The update is currently rolling out to users in Germany and the U.S. Samsung is yet to begin pushing the stable Android 10 update for One UI 2.0 beta users. Nearly a month after releasing the stable Android 10 update for Galaxy Note 9 users, Samsung today started rolling out the One UI 2.0 update for the Galaxy S9 and S9+.SamMobile reports the stable Android 10-based One UI 2.0 update for the Galaxy S9 and S9+ is now rolling out in Germany and in the U.S. for users on Xfinity Mobile. Surprisingly, however, the stable Android 10 build hasn't been rolled out to One UI 2.0 beta users yet. It is currently available only for users who are on Android Pie.The Android 10 update for the two phones weighs in at nearly 2GB in terms of size and comes with the latest January A...

February 2 will be here before you know it, and then it's Super Bowl 2020 time. Odds are that you'll want to stream the Super Bowl action at home, and there are a lot of ways to do that this year. Unfortunately, not all of them are offering 4K streams, which means that you won't be able to maximize the resolution of that new TV you just bought for the big game. For Super Bowl 2020, Fox is the channel of choice for broadcasting the big game.If you want to stream in 4K, your best bet this year will be via Fox Sports. Creating a free account will score you access to the free 4K stream, and you won't need any additional subscriptions to watch the big game. Once registered, you can use the Fox Sports App or the FoxSports website to see all the coverage.The Fox Sports app is available on both iOS and Android devices, as well as Apple TV, Roku, Fire TV, Xbox, AndroidTV, and Samsung's Smart TVs. For these streaming platforms, the 4K option is only available on the 4K variants of the Apple ...

eSports based on Activision Blizzard games are coming exclusively to YouTube through a new partnership with Google. Carli, Rebecca, and Jen also examine the next wave of console wars and why specs don't really matter. On a related note, they discuss why Nintendo doesn't have much to fear from PS5 and Xbox Series X even though they may be working on a Switch Pro. Finally, Carli has spent some time playing Doom Eternal. As has been the case with pretty much all the previous Doom games, the plot is stupid. But she means that in the best, most loving way possible!Hosted by: Russell Holly, Jennifer Locke, Carli Velocci, and Rebecca SpearGot feedback? Hit up Podcast@androidcentral.com and tell us something!LISTEN NOW:LINKS:Activision Blizzard to exclusively stream through YouTube in new partnership with Google | Android CentralI don't care whether PS5 or Xbox Series X has better graphics, and neither should you | Android Central5 Reasons why the Nintendo Switch has nothing...

There's already a winning formula here; just update it for 2020.Google's somewhat-odd staggering of its phone releases, with months between the flagship-level Pixel and the mid-range "a" version, introduces an interesting dynamic. We all have lots of time to analyze the latest high-end Pixel and wonder what features and design elements will be carried over to the cheaper model. This year, with the Pixel 4 and 4 XL being rather divisive in their value proposition, lots of people have immediately shifted to wondering what Google can bring to the table in the value segment with the Pixel 4a.But here's the thing: Google doesn't really have to do much, or make a bunch of changes from the Pixel 3a, in order for the Pixel 4a to be a success.As a mid-range phone with a reasonable price, the Pixel 3a is already focused on value and not being on the bleeding edge of specs and features. By design, if you're selling a phone for about $400, you're going to have compromises — and buyer...

Let's chat with the AC forums.Here at AC, we talk a lot about Google's Pixel phones. For better or worse, each new generation of the Pixel gives us plenty to discuss — whether it be the excellent cameras or consistently disappointing battery life.The Pixel lineup is obviously something we all know and are familiar with, but what about "general consumers?" Most folks are aware of the iPhone and Samsung Galaxy, but what about the Pixel?A fun way to gauge a phone's popularity is by how often you see it being used by other people out in public, and recently, some AC forum members got to talking about how often/rarely they see Pixels being used. Mike Dee 01-26-2020 07:32 PM “ I work in Manhattan. It's been awhile since I've seen any Pixel Reply Morty2264 01-26-2020 08:47 PM “ I have yet to see a...

Your Phone's calling feature is now available on more devices.What you need to knowYour Phone's calling feature appears to be available on more devices.The feature allows you to make and receive calls from your PC.The feature became generally available last month, but many didn't see the feature until more recently.Microsoft's Your Phone app continues to gain more features. Now, more people seem to have the ability to make phone calls from their PCs through their Android phones with the Your Phone app. This feature became generally available last month according to Microsoft, but many people didn't see the feature on their devices until more recently.The calling feature allows you to make phone calls through your PC. You can browse through recent calls and click to dial one of them again or use a dial pad to call any number you'd like. You can also search through your contacts to easily make phone calls.Without word from Microsoft or specific data, it's impossible to sa...

Google Opinion Rewards is an easy way to pick up Play Store credits for buying apps, movies rentals, books, or games.Google Opinion Rewards is a survey app that lets you earn Play Store credits by answering questions and providing feedback. You can then redeem those credits toward the purchase of apps, music, movies, and games on the Play Store. It's all pretty straightforward, and it's a great way to pick up credits on the Play Store. Here's what you need to know about Google Opinion Rewards, and how you can get started.Get rewarded for taking surveysSee the countries you can get rewardsYou can get more surveys based on your localeLearn how you can use those rewardsYou can also join in from an iPhoneGet paid to answer surveysTo get started with Google Opinion Rewards, you'll have to download the app from the Play Store and sign in with your Google account. This is the account that will receive Play Store credits, so it's recommended that you use your primary Google acc...

When you live in a busy household, keeping everything clean isn't the easiest thing to do. That's why having a reliable robot vacuum like the iRobot Roomba 960 is so appealing. You'll be able to focus on other tasks or simply allow yourself to relax for a moment while the vacuum does work for you. We've done the research and have gathered the best robot vacuums on the market to fit a variety of homes. See which one works for you.Best Overall: iRobot Roomba 960Using this robot vacuum's Wi-Fi connectivity, you'll be able to control it using the iRobot HOME App, Amazon Alexa, or Google Assistant. It uses visual navigation and mapping to clean every section of your floors. You can also tell it not to clean a specific area. The included sensors warn the device if it is getting near an obstacle or if it's about to fall down a flight of stairs.You can schedule this device to begin cleaning at specific times. We recommend programming the unit to work when your home has the least amou...

Revenue as a whole grew 21% to $4.6 billion!What you need to knowSensor Tower data has revealed that App Store subscription spending outstripped Google Play by $2.5 billion in 2019.App Store users spent a whopping $3.6 billion on the top 100 US subscription apps.In comparison, Google Play users spent just over $1 billion, but both enjoyed significant growth.Sensor Tower data has revealed that App Store subscription spending in the US outstripped Google Play by a whopping $2.5 billion, as overall revenue grew 21% to $4.6 billion.According to the report: Consumers in the United States spent more than $4.6 billion in the top 100 non-game mobile apps offering subscriptions during 2019, new research based on Sensor Tower Store Intelligence data shows. This figure represents 21 percent year-over-year growth from the $3.8 billion generated by the top 100 subscription apps in the U.S. during 2018. Our research found that revenue generated by these apps in 2019 accounted for...

The Moto G8 will be Motorola's first G series smartphone to feature a hole-punch display.What you need to knowLeaked renders showing the upcoming Moto G8 have surfaced.The smartphone is expected to feature a 6.39-inch HD+ display and Qualcomm's Snapdragon 665 chipset. It will likely debut at MWC 2020 in Barcelona next month, alongside the Moto G8 Power. In October last year, Motorola took the wraps off the Moto G8 Plus and Moto G8 Play smartphones at an event held in Brazil. The Lenovo-owned company's budget smartphone lineup is soon expected to be further expanded with the launch of the standard Moto G8 as well as the Moto G8 Power. Key tech specs of the two upcoming phones have now leaked online, along with renders of the Moto G8.The Moto G8 renders shared by the folks at 91Mobiles reveal a hole-punch display and a design that looks fairly similar to the Motorola One Action. It is likely that the G8 will be Motorola's first G series smartphone to have a hole-punch disp...

Samsung's Android 10 update, called One UI 2, is a solid upgrade overall. But as is always the case, there are unforeseen quirks and issues associated with updating a phone in place that already has apps and months of data on it. One such issue that's affecting people is Gmail notification issues, which is very similar to a problem that Note 10 owners faced with early versions of its software. If you're having problems with your Gmail notifications after updating, we have the solution!How to fix Gmail notifications on One UI 2Open up your Settings.Go to Device care and tap on Battery.Tap on App power management.Tap on Sleeping apps and see if Gmail is listed.Long-press on Gmail and then tap Remove at the bottom of the screen.If you want to remove any other apps while you're here, you can do so at the same time by checking the box next to the apps.If Gmail is not listed under "Sleeping apps," you can specifically make sure it's never slept by going to Apps that won't...

What are the best Android RPGs?Role-playing games are wonderful, story-driven experiences that complement the mobile gaming experience nicely. Despite the relatively tiny mobile screens we're used to (yes, 5.7 inches is still small by gaming standards) RPGs allow us to get lost in fanciful worlds for a while.In the case of some games, especially those ported over from PC, that "while" could be 20 or 30 hours! This makes the best RPGs worth their price in the Google Play Store. There are some duds in there, so we've hand-picked the best of the best to save you the trouble of digging.If you're looking for more than just RPGs, be sure to check out our roundup of the best Android games of the year!BattleChaser: NightWarFinal Fantasy Chrono TriggerEvoland and Evoland 2Arcane Quest 3Crashlands Baldur's Gate and Baldur's Gate II: Shadows of AmnThe Bard's TalePocket MortysStar Wars: Knights of the Old RepublicDragon QuestEterniumDungeon Hunter 5BattleChasers: NightWar...

The foldable phone will ship with a pre-installed screen protector.What you need to knowA new rumor claims Samsung's upcoming Galaxy Z Flip will be priced at $1,400 in the U.S.The foldable phone is likely to go on sale in the country on February 14 as an AT&T exclusive. Samsung is expected to unveil the Galaxy Z Flip alongside the Galaxy S20 trio on February 11.A report published by The Korea Herald late last year had suggested Samsung's next foldable phone would be priced at under $1,000. Earlier this month, another report out of Korea claimed that the company's upcoming clamshell foldable, dubbed the Galaxy Z Flip, will be priced around $1,000. However, leaker Max Weinbach has now claimed in a tweet that the Galaxy Z Flip will actually be only slightly more affordable than the Motorola RAZR.Just head from a new source:Samsung's Galaxy Z Flip will likely launch on February 14th. It retails at $1400. It's possible it is an AT&T exclusive again, but this time it m...

The data sent by the Ring app helps analytics and tracking companies form a unique picture of your device.What you need to knowAn investigation by EFF has revealed that the Ring doorbell app for Android is laden with third-party trackers.The trackers reportedly send out sensitive information such as the customers' names, sensor data, private IP addresses, and more. Ring app has been found to deliver users' personal information to four analytics and marketing companies – Facebook, MixPanel, AppsFlyer, and Branch. An investigation carried out by the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) has revealed that the Ring app for Android is "packed" with third-party trackers, sending out a wide range of personally identifiable information (PII) to analytics and marketing companies.The EFF investigation found that Ring for Android v3.21.1 sends users' personal information to four analytics and marketing companies: Facebook, Branch, AppsFlyer, and MixPanel. Facebook receives alerts w...

Important improvementsSkagen Falster 3$295 at AmazonProsBetter performance + storageNew Snapdragon Wear 3100New smart battery modesLarger case sizeBuilt-in speakerConsExpensiveIf you had your share of issues with the Falster 2, it's more than likely that the Falster 3 will solve most — if not all — of them. It offers the same core features with better performance, a bigger case, a built-in speaker, and more.Affordable predecessorSkagen Falster 2$149 at AmazonProsCrisp, clear display Onboard GPSGoogle PayHeart-rate monitoringActivity trackingConsMediocre battery lifeLaggy Snapdragon Wear 2100No built-in speakerThe Falster 2 succeeded in some key areas but failed in others. It's a solid smartwatch, but performance often falls flat. It can handle activity tracking and other basic functions, but don't expect much more.While the Skagen Falster 2 had some high points, the lows are what stuck out to most users. The laggy pe...

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

All the info you need in one place.If you keep an eye on your local news channels, news apps, Twitter, etc., you've probably heard a thing or two about something called the "Coronavirus."There are a lot of outlets reporting on the disease and mobs of people saying a bunch of different things about it, and with so much conversation happening, it can be difficult to focus in on the core facts and get a general understanding of what's going on.In this article, we've put together a list of resources we recommend checking out to learn all about Coronavirus, what it is, what preventative measures you can start employing, and much more.Resources you should knowCDCIf you want an easy one-stop-shop to learn about Coronavirus, you can't go wrong with the Center for Disease Control's website. The Coronavirus page is broken up into four main sections, including:2019 Novel Coronavirus Outbreak InformationSymptoms and DiagnosisTransmissionPrevention & TreatmentThe first ...

Human beings are filthy, and as we use our phones anywhere and everywhere, we expose our phones to all that filth as well. And since you can't give your phone a hot, soapy shower every day like you do yourself, you should build yourself a cleaning kit to keep the grime and nastiness under control before those germs migrate back from your phone to you and get you sick.Clean screen on the goZEISS Mobile Screen Wipes (60ct Box)Staff pickIf you tend to need your screen clean when you're not home with your spritzer bottles, I absolutely adore these single-serve wipes. I keep a few of them in my bag for wiping my screen after it gets all sweaty and grimy when I'm out and about.$11 at AmazonLet there be lightPhoneSoap 3 UV Cell Phone SanitizerThis phone-sized tanning bed uses UV lights to kill the surface bacteria on your phone in order to keep the germs on your phone from getting you sick. I also run car keys and my credit cards through here from time to time.$80 at A...

Make your Android app experience a good one.Our phones are pocket-sized supercomputers with professional-grade cameras and battery for days, but without the apps to take advantage of it, what would be the point? There are millions upon millions of Android apps that transform our phones from shiny glass slabs into productivity powerhouses, and over the last year, these are the apps that have seized the day and made our lives easier, faster, and better.Work smarter, not harderWho needs a personal assistant when you have services like Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa available wherever you go? These types of apps aim to help alleviate the stresses and pressures of your day-to-day life to make things easier. From automation to smart home products, and everything in between, these apps allow you to get work done with some help.With you everywhereGoogle AssistantFrom Assistant Routines in Google Clock to the vast expansion of Assistant-compatible smart home devices, ...

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. 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 tune in and watch. 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 for free.How to watch Super Bowl 2020 online with a VPNA Virtual Private Network, or VP...

The ability to move multiple tabs to a new window is being ported from Microsoft Edge to Google Chrome.What you need to knowMicrosoft isn't only taking Google's browser tech for its own.The company is also contributing to the Chromium project.A feature found in Microsoft Edge is being ported over to Chromium and Chrome.While Microsoft may have thrown up its arms and submitted to Google's dominance in the browser space by porting Edge to the Chromium engine last year, there are certainly no hard feelings between the two tech giants.An exchange between a Microsoft and a Google engineer working on the Chromium project showcasing the collaborative spirit has been making waves in the Windows Insiders subreddit. In it, a Google's Leonard Grey asks Justin Gallagher from Microsoft if he'd be so kind as to help port a feature found in Microsoft Edge to the Chromium project — and to Google's own browser as a result. Gallagher graciously obliges, of course:Leonard Grey (Google):...

There's no ETA for when the ban will be lifted.What you need to knowThe Chrome Web Store will no longer accept paid extensions.Updates to paid extensions already published have also been blocked.The change in policy is a temporary measure aimed at halting a tide of fraudulent transactions involving the extension marketplace.While Google this week launched experiments that make its browser much harder to use, it's also been dealing with others' attempts to mess with Chrome. Over the weekend, Simeon Vincent, Extensions Developer Advocate at Google, told Chrome Web Store developers that the company was temporarily suspending all paid extensions.This means that paid extensions will no longer be accepted into the Chrome Web Store, and those that have already been published will no longer receive updates.Google explained the rather harsh change by referring to a recent uptick in fraudulent transactions involving the paid extensions. Vincent further clarified that this was not...

The bottom bar only has three buttons now.What you need to knowGoogle has redesigned its redesign for mobile Chrome.The bottom bar in the Duet design now has only three buttons.The home page has also been changed — and not in a good way.Google is once again tinkering with the design of its browser on mobile devices. Dubbed 'Duet,' the design aims to provide a more convenient browsing experience in today's world of 7-inch smartphones. The big change here is the company's decision to move many of the browser's tools and settings to the bottom of the screen, where they can more easily be reached via one-handed use.However, Google wasn't satisfied with its initial idea and moved the URL bar back to the top, leaving everything else below. Now, the company is fiddling around with the design again (via Android Police), seemingly because its engineers think five buttons on the bottom bar are two buttons too many; it was already struggling with figuring out how to cleanly incorp...

Can't make it to your Duo video call? You can now send a one-off note.What you need to knowGoogle is rolling out a new feature in Duo that lets you send one-off notes when you're unable to answer a video call.You get to choose from several background colors, fonts, and brushes.The feature will roll out globally this week to users on Android and iOS devices. Similar to calls and video messages, notes are end-to-end encrypted.Google is making the Duo calling experience that much more personalized by introducing a new notes feature. If you're unable to answer a video call on the platform, you now get the option to send a one-off note along the lines of "call you later," or "in a meeting right now."What's interesting is that you get a decent amount of customizability, with eight background colors, six fonts, and three brush strokes to choose from. You can also resize, move, and rotate the text to make your note that much more personal. Here's a better idea of what the notes ...

It's 2020, and flagship smartphones are all nearly a thousand dollars or more. But as high-end phones get more expensive, cheaper phones are getting better. Phones under $300 are beautifully designed, with great screens, super-long battery life, excellent cameras, and awesome speakers. We've researched and ranked all of the best cheap Android phones you can buy, and with our buyer's guide, you'll find the perfect phone for you.Best Overall: Moto G7The Moto G7 and its other budget counterparts on this list have impressive, high-resolution touchscreens, reliable software, and great cameras. Some features, like NFC, drive up manufacturing costs, so you have to weigh whether you need NFC-enabled features like mobile payments. And the Moto G7 also lacks the same graphical power as its more expensive competitors, but most games play without issue, even at medium or high settings, because Android games are designed to play on hardware of all sizes and prices.At the same time, Motoro...

We have just been duped, hoodwinked, bamboozled and quite possibly tricked.What you need to knowRespawn Entertainment has released a new video showing an interview with new hero Forge.In the interview, the mysterious Revenant makes a shocking appearance.Apex Legends Season 4 is set to begin on February 4.Just a short while ago, Respawn Entertainment announced Apex Legends Season 4. Beginning in February, this season was to include a new Battle Pass, a new weapon and a new hero named Forge for players to unlock. The key word being was.Respawn has just released a new video showing an animated interview with upcoming Legend Forge, who is sponsored by Hammond Robotics, a company you may remember from Titanfall and Titanfall 2, which are both set in the same universe that Apex Legends inhabits. In the interview, things take a bit of a jarring, messy turn.The assailant disposing of Forge is none other than Revenant, who has been teased in the past. The implications of thi...

Today, doorbells are better than they've ever been before. Thanks to the rise of smart video doorbells, you no longer have to stress about who might be showing up to your home when you weren't expecting anyone. Instead, you can look on your phone, see who it is, and even talk with whoever's at your door. If you rely on the Google Assistant for controlling all of your smart things, these are the doorbells you'll want to check out.Best overallStaff pickGoogle Nest HelloThe Nest Hello is at the top of our list for good reason. Its camera records video at a resolution of 1600x1200 in HDR and with up to 30 frames-per-second (FPS), giving you a crystal clear view of everything. It also has night vision, supports 24/7 continuous recording, and can detect specific faces when you buy a Nest Aware subscription. It also boasts 128-bit encryption with support for two-step verification!$220 at WalmartFree cloud storageRemoBell SThe RemoBell S just might be one of the bes...

You'll get a look at the next chapter of Battlefield V very soon.What you need to knowBattlefield V was first released on November 20, 2018.Since then, DICE has released several new updates, content additions and balance patches to adjust the game.Battlefield V Chapter 6: Into the Jungle is being revealed tomorrow at 9:00 a.m. EST. You can grab Battlefield V on PlayStation 4 for $21 from Amazon. Battlefield V is still getting new updates from DICE. Just last month, the Wake Island map was added in a free update. Now, DICE is teasing players with the next big step for the game. Battlefield V Chapter 6: Into the Jungle will be revealed tomorrow through a YouTube video. It will premiere at 9:00 a.m. EST. You can find the link to the premiere video on YouTube below.The video will show a full gameplay reveal and feature breakdown, giving players an idea of what to expect. We'll be sure to provide an update on any major new additions this chapter brings to Battlefield V....

January 19, 2021, is the day the service goes dark.What you need to knowGoogle is killing off App Maker, its low-code development platform.The service will shut down on the 19th of January 2021.Google cites low usage as the reason for the service's demise and points users to alternate services.Google is killing off App Maker, its low-code, drag and drop app creation tool for businesses. The firm made this announcement in a G Suite post this week, alongside a timeline for the service shut down.Here's how App Maker will slowly be shut down:Today, existing apps continue to work. Though App Maker is no longer under active development, the service will continue to be maintained.Starting April 15, 2020, you will no longer be able to create new App Maker apps. You will still be able to edit and deploy existing apps.Starting January 19, 2021, existing App Maker apps will stop working and you will no longer have access to them. App maker data stored in Cloud SQL will remain u...

It's tough to find a smart home product that doesn't connect to, or run, Google Assistant these days. No matter what size your room is, how much counter space you have in the kitchen, or what you need to control, Google Assistant is there. It's also an amazing platform for media, whether you want music, streaming video or an integrated TV experience. However, if you want the best of the best, these are some of our favorite picks.Assistant with a screenGoogle Nest HubStaff pickThe Nest Hub is a perfect upgrade for anyone who's fallen in love with their Google Home or Home Mini but wants the added benefit of a screen. Not only can it give you visual responses and watch YouTube videos, but the Nest Hub is also one of the best digital picture frames you can buy.$130 at Best BuyWorks with everythingSonos OneThe Sonos One might not look like much at first glance, but you'd be wrong to underestimate its discreet looks. For one thing, it's an incredibly powerful speaker w...

From $45 for a subpoena to $245 for a search warrant.What you need to knowGoogle will now be charging law enforcement agencies for data requests.Prices range from as low as $45 all the way to $245.Google reserves the right to charge more if the case demands it. Google will now charge law enforcement for surveillance data requests it fulfills, as per a new report from the New York Times.The firm, routinely subject to requests for data and wiretaps, will no longer be working for free. Google will now charge fees ranging from $45 for a subpoena all the way up to $245 for a search warrant. An extra fee could also be tacked on if the situation demands it.Google and other Silicon Valley firms have typically not charged for the fulfillment of law enforcement requests even though legislation has always allowed for that. It's likely that it'll be doing this to help recoup the costs of manpower and resources diverted towards fulfilling law enforcement requests.A former Google...

You won't need a credit card to unlock these cosmetics.What you need to knowDoom Eternal is currently being developed by id Software.Creative director Hugo Martin has confirmed there will not be any microtransactions.Doom Eternal is currently set to release on March 20.You can preorder Doom Eternal on PlayStation 4 for $60 at Amazon. While Doom Eternal is still a couple of months away, players can put any fears of in-game purchases to rest. Hugo Martin, the creative director of Doom Eternal at id Software, confirmed (via PC Gamer) that Doom Eternal won't have any microtransactions or an in-game store.Cosmetics that make you look different and stylish in Doom Eternal are unlocked with XP, with no secondary paid resources or direct purchases being necessary. XP can only be used to unlock cosmetics and is not how you improve your weapons, abilities, or progress in any other meaningful fashion during the campaign. "Eternal is a $60 game, not a free-to-play game or a mobile g...

Echo (3rd Gen)Standard-bearer gets better$90 at AmazonProsPlush styling like Echo Plus (2nd Gen)Much improved sound architectureNow available in twilight blueConsSits in weird middle ground of Echo lineupNo smart display or LED clock functionalityEven though it may not look like a major update, Amazon significantly improved the speakers in this standard Echo (3rd Gen) and made the design a little less stark with a more plush fabric and new twilight blue colorway.Echo Plus (2nd Gen)Smart speaker with home hub$150 at AmazonProsZigbee hub built-in for easy control of smart productsPremium sound compared to smaller EchosAvailable with a free smart bulbConsPossibly irrelevant with the new Echo (3rd Gen) releaseZigbee hub feature not something many will understandWith the changes to the Echo (3rd Gen), the Echo Plus (2nd Gen) days may be numbered. The two devices now look a lot alike and even have similar speaker setups. However, some m...

Still seeing the world through magenta-colored glasses.What you need to knowSprint announced Q3 results with losses and churn less than anticipated.Postpaid customer loss is accelerating and revenue is down compared to last year's Q3.The company hopes approval of its merger with T-Mobile will end its troubles.Analsyst predicted Sprint would lose 160,000 postpaid subscribers this past quarter, but the nation's fourth largest carrier instead lost 115,000 customers as more than expected stayed to take advantage of cheaper monthly plans. That amounts to 1.87% churn on postpaid subscribers, the most valuable category of cellular customer. This is still more turnover than the carrier saw at the same time last year, when churn was 1.75%. Revenue is also down year over year. "I continue to be impressed by the commitment of Sprint employees to deliver results during this period of uncertainty ... As we await a decision in the state attorneys general lawsuit, I continue to believ...

Your next flagship phone could have mid-range specs and you might never know. Or care.Phone hardware has come a long way in the past couple of years. If you step into the Wayback machine, you can remember that it wasn't so long ago that we were all wowed by a mobile chip that ran at 1GHz or had multiple cores, and it all pales in comparison to the bare minimum in phone hardware that we see in 2020.But have the things we want to do changed enough that we really need the most high-end chip Qualcomm has to offer in our phones? Especially when the company has moved the "mid-range" mark so high that it provides a fast, stable, and satisfying experience that includes great cameras, the latest wireless connectivity and even great gaming?More: Qualcomm brings flagship features to the mid-range categoryQualcomm unveiled new CPUs that offer advanced features typically reserved for high-end phones, like AI processing and gaming enhancements. The Snapdragon 730, 730G and 665 are supposed...

Some users have been able to get their devices working again, but the solutions aren't guaranteed.What you need to knowGoogle Home speakers are going unresponsive and displaying an orange LED light.The issue started last weekend and afflicted users registered in the Preview Program. Google support has acknowledged the reports but has yet to issue a response.Some Google Home speakers have become unresponsive over the past weekend, displaying only an orange LED indicator on the body of the device while being unresponsive to verbal commands. The issue began last weekend and appears to have accelerated as more and more users are sharing their experiences on Google's support forums.The issue appears to affect those who are in Google's Preview program for the most part. It's worth noting that the preview program isn't a beta, but pushes production software just a bit early - like an A/B test.It also only appears to affect regular Google Home speakers. Google Home Hubs and Goo...

ESPN+ is a streaming service offering from ESPN that offers live sports, original content, documentaries, and more. The way things are set up is a little different than the way most other streaming platforms operate, so there are a few things you'll want to know before getting started. The ESPN+ content actually lives inside of the ESPN app, which is available on just about all streaming hardware now.Within the ESPN app there is a separate section for the ESPN+ content, which has a fee of $5 per month to access. Whether you are looking to watch ESPN+ on your Roku, Fire TV, Apple TV, or even Android TV, the way you access it is very similar. Let's take a look at how to get started and watch ESPN+ content on your TV.How to WatchOn a TVFrom a phoneUsing a computerStreaming SportsESPN+$5 a month at ESPNStream your favorite sports from anywhereESPN+ offers sports fans an easy way to watch their favorite games and keep up with their teams for a truly affordable mont...

Google Assistant-powered speakers — such as the Google Home and Nest Mini — are excellent additions to any smart home. They look great, can be genuinely helpful for getting you through your day, and are perfect little devices for casual music listening. The out-of-the-box sound you get from the speakers is great, but with just a few taps, you can dive into their EQ settings for a more personalized experience.Products used in this guideSize doesn't matter: Google Nest Mini ($50 at Best Buy)Assistant on the go: Google Pixel 4 XL (From $899 at Amazon)How to change Google Home EQ settingsOpen the Google Home app on your phone.Tap the speaker you want to use.Tap the icon with three lines at the top-right of your screen.From this page, you can now adjust the bass and treble of your speaker. Increasing the bass will put more emphasis on the low-end of your music, whereas increasing the treble will accentuate the high-end.Feel free to play around with these settings ...

OnePlus has typically had weaker cameras than competitors.What you need to knowOnePlus will be focusing on its camera this year.The firm has committed to improving several aspects of its videography in 2020. In a Q & A session, OnePlus addressed issues raised by videographers and their responses to it. OnePlus' 2020 is off to a good start with its fluid display showcase dominating discourse. The firm isn't stopping there, it plans to improve one of the weakest points of its generally good phones - the cameras. Specifically, their video performance. Unlike iPhones, while Android phones take good to great photos, video performance is often poor to middling.OnePlus has committed to building out its video functionality in 2020 in response to community feedback, posting a list of questions raised and its responses to them. The firm has expressed a desire to improve exposure matching on all cameras, skin tone consistency, sharpness, and faster shutter capture times in 2020....

It's more than just a change of scenery but, for now, it's just a prototype.What you need to knowThe annual "Free Your Mind" event gives Blizzard developers the freedom to develop their own modifications and enhancements for popular games.One notable result from the recent event showcases a virtual reality Hearthstone experience that pits players against each other in a tavern.While this is just an experiment and has no release date, other experiments from this annual event have been brought to the consumer version of the game via updates.If you're a CCG (collectible card game) player, you'll know there's nothing quite like sitting at a table with a group of friends when you're playing cards. When Blizzard moved its World of Warcraft Trading Card Game from a physical medium to a digital one in 2014, it gained the popularity that was missing from the physical decks but lost something valuable in the process. VR is the perfect medium to use to introduce a more personal touch ...

What you need to knowNVIDIA unveiled the new remote design as part of Shield TV refresh in 2019.Features triangular design with motion-sensing back light, a remappable button, and built-in relocator function.It is now available for individual purchase direct from NVIDIA for $30.You can now buy the new NVIDIA Shield TV remote for $30, available direct from NVIDIA.When NVIDIA decided to refresh the Shield TV line up late last year, the new remote was easily one of our favorite new features. The fresh triangular design makes it way more comfortable to hold and the inclusion of remote basics such as a power and media control buttons — all which come to life with backlighting as soon as you pick it up — was a marked upgrade over older Shield remote's minimalist (to a fault) design.NVIDIA also included a user-programmable button that can be customized to perform a long list of handy functions. Other useful features include a remote locator function (that required setup thro...

Become the deity you always knew you could be.What you need to knowPatapon 2 Remastered was first announced back at PlayStation Experience 2017.It's a full 4K remaster of the original game.Patapon 2 Remastered is now set to come to PlayStation 4 on January 30.It'll be $14.99 USD. After first being announced at PlayStation Experience 2017, Patapon 2 is finally coming to PlayStation 4. As detailed on PlayStation Blog, Patapon 2 Remastered includes over 30 levels for players to explore in a full 4K remaster (on PlayStation 4 Pro) of the original game. You can check out a quick look at the gameplay below.Pata pata pata pon 🎶Patapon 2 comes to PS4 January 30! https://t.co/AGLyJ6Yqco pic.twitter.com/tmHzspd1Kb— PlayStation (@PlayStation) January 27, 2020Patapon is a series of 2D rythym games that were originally developed for the PSP. In addition to getting a good beat going, they also involve a high amount of strategy. Correct timing for the drumbeats is just as impo...

Even though NVIDIA no longer bundles its own gaming controller with the new NVIDIA Shield TV (2019), you're still able to use the tubular streaming device for gaming — you just need to connect your own Bluetooth controller. Here's how to get things set up.Products used in this guideBest Android TV: NVIDIA Shield TV (2019) ($150 at Amazon)Game on!: SteelSeries Stratus Duo ($36 at Amazon)How to pair a Bluetooth controller with the NVIDIA Shield TV (2019)From the Shield home screen, go to Settings.Select Remotes & Accessories.Select Add Accessory.Make sure your controller is in pairing mode and it should appear on the list of available accessories.If you're having trouble getting your controller to pair, try to place the controller closer to the Shield TV. This might be easier said than done given that the new Shield TV is designed to live behind your entertainment center among the cables, but it fixed the pairing issue that I was having.Once paired, you ca...