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by Samuel Contreras on (#509VQ)
Google's own carrier offering definitely has appealing features.If you're an Android enthusiast, you likely know about Google Fi. But that doesn't mean you necessarily know everything about it. And now that the service has opened up to everyone with an unlocked phone, there's a lot to get caught up on. So we're here to give you the high-level view at the carrier option that comes directly from Google. Namely, just what the heck it is, how it works compared to other carriers and maybe a few reasons why you'd want to try it.How does Google Fi Work?Does Google Fi support 5G?Which phones make the most of FiWhat if I need support?Switching to Google FiNo surprisesGoogle FiSee at Google FiLet your phone pick the best networkThinking about your phone carrier usually isn't good but Google Fi manages to be an afterthought with network switching and a great app. Google Fi eliminates overages and makes international travel a breeze. It's the perfect balance for average d...
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by Anthony Spadafora on (#509VR)
Will Israel Adesanya be able to defend his title against Yoel Romero?The UFC returns to Las Vegas this Saturday where Israel "The Last Stylebender" Adesanya will defend his undisputed middleweight title for the first time. Adesanya will meet former Olympic silver medalist Yoel "Soldier of God" Romero in the octagon and we're here to make sure you catch every second of UFC 248.Adesanya won the title of UFC middleweight champion back at UFC 243 when he knocked out Robert Whittaker and he currently has a perfect 18-0 record in MMA with seven wins in the UFC. The Last Stylebender made his UFC debut back in 2018 at UFC 221 when he defeated Rob Wilkinson via TKO in the second round. Adesanya then went on to win the interim UFC Middleweight Championship in his match against Kelvin Gastelum last year at UFC 236.Romero has been around a lot longer than Adesanya and he has been fighting in the UFC for almost seven years. During that time, he's made a name for himself with wins over Lyoto...
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by Nick Greene on (#509VT)
Best answer: If you don't already have a password manager, premium antivirus software, and a VPN, Eero Secure + is hands-down the superior choice. It offers everything Eero Secure does and then some, at a monthly fee that's only marginally higher.Basic whole-home coverage: Eero Mesh Wi-Fi 3-pack ($250 at Amazon)More range, more power: Eero Pro Mesh Wi-Fi System ($199 at Amazon)Eero Secure is great for families, less so for solo buyersThe Internet is not a particularly safe place. Even a cursory glance at the news will tell you that much. Between sophisticated malware and ransomware, phishing scams, intrusive advertisements, and a whole host of malicious and compromised websites, going online can sometimes feel akin to navigating a digital minefield.Eero Secure is a subscription service designed to tackle this problem. Intended as a value-add for Amazon's Eero mesh networking hardware, it equips subscribers with several network-wide security controls that enable them to pr...
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by Jeramy Johnson on (#509J5)
While Google's services do a great job of keeping your content in the cloud, it gets a bit trickier when trying to back up certain types of local data — things like application data, game saves, and more. It's not hard to sign back into all of your apps when you get a new phone, but Samsung's Smart Switch app makes setting up a new phone a breeze. Simply download the application onto your computer or smartphone, connect to your Samsung Galaxy phone, and before too long, you'll have everything backed up in case you need to transfer your data to a new phone or restore your phone to an older state.What is Smart Switch?Smart Switch is a Samsung application that can be used to install software updates for your phone, configure email syncing with Microsoft Outlook (handy for corporate users), or the focus of today's article: back up and restore your content as you move between phones. The Smart Switch mobile application can also be used to transfer contacts, photos, and messages from...
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by Babu Mohan on (#509J7)
It runs on the same Snapdragon 665 chipset as the Moto G8+.What you need to knowThe Moto G8 is now official.It comes with a 6.4-inch HD+ hole-punch display and runs on a Snapdragon 665 chipset. The phone will go on sale in select markets across Asia, Europe, Latin America, and Australia in the coming weeks. Motorola took the wraps off two Moto G8 series phones in October last year – the Moto G8 Play and Moto G8 Plus. The company today announced the newest addition to its Moto G lineup, the Moto G8. While the other two Moto G8 phones are minor upgrades over their predecessors, the Moto G8 is actually a downgrade over the Moto G7 in some areas.The Moto G8 features a 6.4-inch Max Vision Display with a hole-punch cutout on the top-left corner. Disappointingly, however, the phone uses an HD+ resolution panel. Under the hood, it is powered by a more powerful Snapdragon 665 chipset, paired with 4GB of RAM and 64GB storage. The Moto G8 also boasts a larger 4,000mAh battery, alt...
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by Jason England on (#509J9)
Also expanding 5G to 22 additional markets.What you need to knowAT&T is launching its first mmWave network on March 6, 2020, called 5G+.Only the Samsung Galaxy S20+ and S20 Ultra will be compatible with the network, and it will be available in "parts of 35 cities for customers with compatible plans and devices."AT&T is also launching 5G service in 22 new markets, including Albany, Cincinnati, and Lancaster.Not all 5G is created equal, depending on the spectrum, it could be slower and offer more range, or it could be faster and only cover a limited area. Up until recently, AT&T used only the low band 850MHz spectrum, similar to T-Mobile's 600MHz 5G, that offers more range but slower speeds.However, on Friday, March 6, 2020, AT&T is launching what it calls 5G+ using millimeter wave technology. According to AT&T, 5G+ will offer customers peak speeds of up to 2Gbps. As mentioned above, the new faster mmWave network will do so with a much more limited range...
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by Michael Allison on (#509JB)
The breach included data like addresses, account numbers, and some billing information.What you need to knowT-Mobile notified customers of a data breach it detected and quashed recently.A malicious third-party was able to gain access to some T-Mobile employee email accounts as well as customer account information.The accessed data includes names and addresses but not financial information like credit cards. U.S. carrier T-Mobile this week reported being the victim of a cyberattack that resulted in both customer and employee data being accessed by a third party.T-Mobile explained the situation in a notification to customers , saying: Our Cybersecurity team recently identified and shut down a malicious attack against our email vendor that led to unauthorized access to certain T-Mobile employee email accounts, some of which contained account information for T-Mobile customers and employees. An investigation was immediately commenced, with assistance from leading cybersec...
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by Joe Maring on (#509JC)
Let's see what you get for $39/month.We've seen lots of trends with wireless phone service over the years, and right now, something that every carrier seems to be continually working on is its unlimited plan.Unlimited plans are often more expensive than signing up for a set amount of minutes, texting, and data, but the value proposition of having unlimited access to everything for a flat monthly fee can be potentially huge.The market is filled with all sorts of unlimited plans, and recently, Tello launched its very first one. Being one of the newest additions to the game, we wanted to take a look at Tello's plan and see how it stacks up against the competition.First, here's what Tello is offeringFirst thing's first, we need to examine Tello's unlimited plan and see what exactly it's bringing to the table.Tello charges $39/month for its plan, giving you unlimited calling, texting, and LTE data. However, if you go over 25GB of data usage in a single month, you'll be downg...
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by Rebecca Spear on (#509JE)
Do you have an Echo Dot lying around the house? I've got a few! I love how easy the Echo Dot makes it to listen to music, search for the news, add items to your grocery list, and do so much more. The device's sound quality isn't terrible, but if you want a better audio experience, you'll want to purchase compatible speakers. There are hundreds if not thousands out there for you to choose from. Here are the top picks.Best Overall: Sonos One SLSonos is known for its powerful hi-fi speakers, but it makes the dream of owning them a little more accessible with the One SL. Not only is this the most affordable wireless speaker the company offers, but it also produces impressive sound quality and looks stylish to boot. Since it's built so compactly, it won't take up a lot of space in your home. Both the black and the white version look good, so you can purchase the look you like best.It features a midrange woofer and a tweeter that are powered by their own amplifier. You'll find that...
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by Andrew Martonik on (#509JG)
Now, stop teasing us and just release one already.TCL is barely a name in the smartphone game, though it has big aspirations of making itself as well-known in that market as it already is in TVs. One side of that process is getting budget-focused phones, like the TCL 10 series, out into the market. The other is to show off what it's capable of in the high-end space, and there's no better way to show what you're capable of in 2020 than to start unveiling foldables.We certainly haven't reached a consensus on what foldable form factor is "best," and chances are we'll end up settling on several different uses for foldable screens. TCL is showing off three concepts it's been working on, each with a different screen size, screen fold mechanism and potential use case. To be clear, these aren't actual products; they're just concept devices, but they're the kind of things most companies keep under wraps deep in the engineering labs, and we're getting to actually see and touch them for our...
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by Joe Maring on (#509JJ)
Best answer: As far as foldable phones go, the Galaxy Z Flip is about as durable as they come. Its hinge has been tested by Samsung to go through 200,000 folds without any issues, meaning it shouldn't give out on you at any point in owning the phone. It also features Samsung's new Ultra Thin Glass, making it the first folding phone on the market with a glass display. However, the protective plastic layer covering that glass means you'll still need to put up with frequent scratches and dents.Handle with care: Samsung Galaxy Z Flip ($1,380 at Samsung)The hinge can be folded 200,00 timesAt the core of every folding smartphone is the hinge that allows it to fold in the first place. The hinge on the Z Flip is one of the most durable you'll find, with Samsung saying the following about it: Inspired by a lotus blossom, the Hideaway Hinge is precisely articulated for a satisfying folding motion—even allowing you to adjust the folding angle. Sweeper technology helps repel di...
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by Joe Maring on (#509AN)
Foldable done rightSamsung Galaxy Z Flip$1,380 at SamsungProsDisplay is made of ultra-thin glassMore powerful specsBigger battery with wireless chargingAvailable with carriers and unlockedLower priceConsSecondary screen is tinyStill a crease on the folding displayThe Galaxy Z Flip is the newest folding phone to hit the market, and from what we can tell, it's the better choice over the Motorola RAZR in virtually every single way. It has a higher-resolution glass display, a much more capable processor, a bigger battery, and support for Qi wireless charging. Not to mention, it's also more affordable and offered through more carrier partners.Misses the markMotorola RAZR$1,500 at VerizonProsThrowback design is incredibleMinimal crease on the displaySecondary screen is larger/more usefulMotorola's excellent softwareConsFolding screen is plasticWeaker specs across the boardExclusive to VerizonMotorola was the first to market with thi...
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by Harish Jonnalagadda on (#509AP)
The Galaxy S20 has a pre-installed service that lets you mirror incoming notifications and texts to your Windows PC. It's easy to set up, and all you need is a Microsoft account to link both your phone and PC. If you don't want to unlock your phone for every new notification and are instead looking at an alternative to mirror them easily to your PC, Link to Windows is the service for you.How to set up Link to Windows on your Windows PCFor Link to Windows to work, you'll need to be signed in to your Microsoft account on both your PC and your S20. First let's see how to enable the feature on your PC:Select the taskbar search box. Enter Your Phone and hit the first result.Select Android from the device options list. Choose Link phone to set up the service with your phone.That's all you need to do on your PC for now. You can just leave things as is and get started on enabling the service on your S20.How to set up Link to Windows on your Galaxy S20Samsung teamed up wi...
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by Harish Jonnalagadda on (#509AR)
Live Caption is a new feature that automatically captions all media playing on your phone. The feature leverages Google's AI smarts to essentially create live subtitles for everything you're watching or listening to on your phone, whether it's a movie, video, or even a podcast. The best part is that it's baked into your Galaxy S20, although it's not on by default. Here's how to turn it on.How to turn on Live Caption on the Galaxy S20Open Settings from the home screen. Scroll down to the bottom of the page. Go to Accessibility.Select Hearing enhancements. Hit Live Caption. Toggle Live Caption to On.In the dialog box, tap Got it to enable the feature. Toggle Hide profanity to automatically switch out profane words into asterisk symbols.Live Caption is a particularly useful feature if you're hard of hearing, deaf, or just looking to watch a video without any sound. It is unerringly accurate at transcribing audio, and when you consider the fact that it is doing so in...
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by Harish Jonnalagadda on (#509AT)
The Galaxy S20 has a nifty feature that lets you run two instances of the same app. That means you can run two Facebook or WhatsApp accounts on the same phone, and the best part is that you can maintain a separate contacts list for each instance. Here's what you need to know about Dual Messenger on the Galaxy S20.How to use Dual Messenger to manage two accounts on the Galaxy S20Open Settings from the home screen. Scroll down to the bottom of the page. Tap Advanced features.Scroll down to the bottom of the page. Tap Dual Messenger. Choose the app you want to clone.Tap Install on the dialog box to install another instance of the app. Tap Confirm to agree to Samsung's terms of use and install the app. Toggle Use separate contacts list to On if you want to use a secondary set of contacts with the cloned app.Hit Select your second app contacts to choose the contacts. Tap Add to add contacts. Choose your desired contacts from the list.Hit Done to finish the install...
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by Babu Mohan on (#5095S)
Realme 6 Pro is the first phone to be powered by a Snapdragon 720G chipset.What you need to knowRealme launched the Realme 6 series phones in India today.The Realme 6 series phones feature 90Hz smooth displays, 64MP quad cameras, and support 30W fast charging.Both phones will go on sale in the country starting next week.Realme today unveiled the Realme 6 series smartphones at an online-only event in India. The new Realme 6 and Realme 6 Pro are arguably two of the most impressive budget Android phones that the brand has released so far, boasting quite a few class-leading features and attractive designs.Realme 6 Pro starts at ₹16,999 ($232) for the 6GB/64GB version and goes up to ₹18,999 ($259) for the 8GB/128GB version. The 6GB/128GB version of the phone will cost ₹17,999 ($246). Realme 6, on the other hand, will start at ₹12,999 ($177) for the 4GB/64GB version. The company has priced the 6GB/128GB version of the phone at ₹14,999 ($205), while the 8GB/128GB versi...
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by Babu Mohan on (#5095V)
You can get an engineer to visit your home or office by submitting a request in the OnePlus Care app.What you need to knowOnePlus has launched the new OnePlus Doorstep repair service in six cities across India.Customers can request doorstep service from the OnePlus Care app.The company has also opened two new exclusive repair centers in Kolkata and Indore. With an aim to bring a convenient repair experience to its customers in India, OnePlus today announced the launch of the new OnePlus doorstep repair service in the country. A pilot program for the doorstep repair service was launched a few months back in Delhi, Mumbai, and Bangalore. Thanks to the new on-site repair service, OnePlus customers in select cities across India will no longer have to worry about shipping their device for repair or head to a service center.The OnePlus doorstep repair service is now available in the following six Indian cities:DelhiMumbaiBangaloreChennaiHyderabadPuneOnePlus customers...
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by Carli Velocci on (#508QG)
The ESA said they're continuing to monitor the situation.What you need to knowThe ESA reiterated today that it'll be going ahead with E3 despite a state of emergency being declared in LA.The city reported six coronavirus cases on Tuesday."The health and safety of our attendees, exhibitors, partners, and staff is our top priority," the ESA said in a statement.Even though Los Angeles declared a state of emergency on Wednesday surrounding concerns over COVID-19, or the coronavirus, the Entertainment Software Association (ESA) said that E3 will move forward as planned.E3 2020 is set to run from June 9-11, 2020 in Los Angeles, but many were wondering if, like GDC 2020 before it, if the ESA would cancel or postpone.The organization behind the event released a statement reaffirming that the event will be moving forward and that it'll continue to monitor the situation."The health and safety of our attendees, exhibitors, partners, and staff is our top priority. While the ESA c...
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by Muhammad Jarir Kanji on (#508QJ)
Samsung's most expensive flagship is certainly not the most repairable.What you need to knowiFixit this week released its teardown of the Galaxy S20 Ultra.It shows off the phone's massive camera modules and more.The phone, unfortunately, got a terrible repair rating of 3 out of 10, though.Samsung's Galaxy S20 Ultra may be "too much of a good thing," but what it's not is easily repairable. That's according to the folks at iFixit, who gave the phone a mere 3 out of 10 in their repairability score.In particular, the phone repair maestros criticized the phone's intricate interior design, which according to them, meant that "all-too-common display repairs require either a complete teardown or replacing half the phone." In addition, the battery is glued down, and iFixit did not like that "every repair starts with painstakingly un-gluing the fragile glass rear cover."But that's probably not why you're here. You want to see the phone's innards on full display, so here you go:...
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by Jennifer Locke on (#508QK)
Sony is gearing up to release the PS5, its most ambitious console to date.While development on the PlayStation 5 has likely been going on for years, Sony has officially confirmed that it's in the works and is on its way for the holidays. Here's everything we know about the PS5 so far.PS5 designPS5 specsPS5 backward compatibilityPS5 next-gen DualShock controllerPS5 user interfacePS5 virtual reality supportOfficially named the PlayStation 5PS5 launch gamesPS5 costThe PS5 may be revealed in MarchThe PS5 releases Holiday 2020PlayStation 5 What form will it take?According to a report from the Financial Times, sources familiar with Sony's plans have stated that the PlayStation 5 "might not represent a major departure from the PS4, and that the fundamental architecture would be similar." Mark Cerny, lead system architect of the console, went on to confirm as much in his interview with Wired.This indicates that Sony is not working on a streaming-only platform, though ...
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by Harish Jonnalagadda on (#508QN)
The Galaxy S20 has Samsung's default keyboard out of the box, but it's easy to switch to Gboard or another keyboard of your choice. We're partial to Gboard because of the customization options on offer and the fact that Google Search is baked into the keyboard. Regardless of which keyboard you prefer, here's how to switch keyboards on your Galaxy S20.How to change the Galaxy S20's default keyboard to Gboard or SwiftkeyIf you're looking for a more feature-rich keyboard or are interested in finding an alternative to Samsung's default option, there are plenty of great options on Android. Once you figure out what keyboard to use, make sure you install it on your S20.For the purposes of this guide, you need to Install Gboard from the Play Store or go to the SwiftKey page to download the Microsoft-owned keyboard instead. Once the keyboard is installed, you can change the default input method to either Gboard or SwiftKey. Here's how to do so:Open Settings from the home screen. Scr...
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by Nick Greene on (#508QQ)
Smartphones are expensive. Even a mid-range device can run you several hundred dollars, to say nothing of all the costs associated with ownership. It should go without saying that you want to protect your investment however you can.That includes purchasing a screen protector. It is, at its core, a means of protecting your investment. Because whether you own your phone or are simply renting it from a carrier, a broken screen leaves you on the hook for the repair cost.Consider, for instance, Google's Pixel 3 XL. Replacing that device's screen can cost up to $300, depending on the level of damage. For context, the phone itself costs around $900.Costly, right? Mind you, the cost above is for an approved vendor repair shop. You can get it done for cheaper, but that runs the risk of not only voiding the warranty but also leaving yourself with a lower-quality or permanently damaged screen.At this point, you might be wondering why you should bother with repair costs. You can still ...
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by Jerry Hildenbrand on (#508QS)
It's an interesting concept with limited potential that's already been done — and deleted.One of the new features that just arrived on the Pixel 4 is the "long-press accelerator", or Pixel Smush. It's a concept Google has been kicking around a long time — Android Froyo could measure the force of a touch a decade ago — but with new machine learning capabilities and some software creativity, it's now an actual thing.Got the update (way earlier than I expected). Here's Pixel smush press in action. It's subtle and a little inconsistent, but it's there. pic.twitter.com/9oVccEjJDF— Dieter Bohn (@backlon) March 3, 2020Imagine you want to press on your home screen to bring up the context menu. You press and hold, right? You still can, but with Deep Touch, you can now just press harder and the waiting is gone. That's a pretty simple implementation that's not really useful in itself, but it shows how Deep Touch can work and bring up the context menu in almost any app if a devel...
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by Muhammad Jarir Kanji on (#508FM)
Wake up to Beyonce or...Beiber. Whichever floats your boat.What you need to knowSamsung's latest flagships are currently also the only devices to have the One UI 2.1 update.Alongside a range of other features, the Clock app has also seen a nifty upgrade.It now offers you the option to set Spotify as your alarm.If you really love a particular music artist and would really like to wake up to their voice (virtually, at least), Samsung's got good news for you (via XDA Developers). With the latest One UI update (version 2.1), the Clock app has been updated to offer you the option to set Spotify as your alarm tone.You can find the option in the "alarm sound" section of the app's settings. Using Spotify for your rooster crowing duties will play your favorite songs from the streaming service's library. Of course, this means that you need to have Spotify installed on your phone.Unfortunately, however, One UI 2.1 is only available on the latest batch of flagships released by the ...
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by Joe Maring on (#508FN)
Motorola is one of the oldest and most recognizable phone brands in the world, and while it may not have the same dominance in the market that it once did, the company still kicks out some truly excellent products. If you know you want your next phone to be a Motorola one, here are the best ones that are out right now.Can't be beatMoto G7Staff pickIf you want the best mix of specs, features, and value, the Moto G7 is the way to go. Motorola's G-series has always been about delivering quality phones at great prices, and the G7 is an exceptional example of that goal. It has a gorgeous 6.2-inch Full HD+ display, and around the back, you'll find dual 12MP + 5MP rear cameras. Internally, the phone's packing Qualcomm's Snapdragon 632 processor, 4GB of RAM, 64GB of internal storage, and a 3,000 mAh battery that's charged via USB-C.$300 at AmazonBattery for daysMoto G7 PowerWithout a doubt, the main reason to buy the Moto G7 Power is for its legendary battery life. Thanks...
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by Joe Maring on (#508FP)
If Sprint's your wireless carrier of choice (or contract commitment), you have access to a heap of Android phones that you can buy or lease no matter your budget. Whether you want a flagship from Samsung, a less expensive Motorola option, or anything in between, here are the best Sprint phones you can buy right now!Perfect fitSamsung Galaxy S20Staff PickWithout a doubt, Samsung's Galaxy S20 is the best phone you can buy on Sprint right now. Samsung's Galaxy S series impresses every year, and this update for 2020 is especially exciting. The S20 delivers Samsung's first 120Hz AMOLED display, triple rear cameras, and a large 4,000 mAh battery. The 6.2-inch screen size keeps the phone easy to manage in one hand, not to mention the gorgeous Cloud Pink and Cloud Blue colors that are available for it. And, yes, it supports Sprint's 5G network.$42/month at SprintGoing all outSamsung Galaxy S20 UltraThe idea behind the S20 Ultra is pretty simple. Take the core of the regul...
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by Andrew Martonik on (#508FR)
Samsung makes a lot of phones, and that can make it confusing to choose between them. We use every model so we can provide the best recommendations for each person's needs.The standardGalaxy S20+$1200 at SamsungProsConsiderably larger display12% larger batterymmWave 5G capableOptional 512GB storageToF rear cameraCons$200 more for same core featuresMight be too large for some handsThe Galaxy S20+ offers a great balance between the other models. You're getting the full Galaxy S20 experience, with a screen and battery that are still quite large and an altogether new camera system that isn't quite as great as the Ultra but is still going to hold its own. Plus, it's easier to use in one hand and $200 cheaper.Compact choiceGalaxy S20$1000 at SamsungProsEasier to use one-handed Exact same features for lessSame cameras for lessConsSmaller batteryNoticeably smaller screenSub-6 5G onlyThe Galaxy S20 is cheaper, and that immediately mak...
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by Michael Allison on (#508FT)
The firm is also bringing customizable timelines to its Android as well.What you need to knowTwitter is testing its own snapchat-inspired stories feature, dubbed Fleets.It's a region-based test which is only available in Brazil at the moment.It also rolled out customizable timelines via swipeable lists to its Android app, months after debuting the feature on iOS.Snapchat was the first to start with ephemeral stories, Facebook was next to bring it to all its products, and now Twitter has finally joined in on the fun.The firm is testing its own stories-like feature, named Fleets (a possible portmanteau of fleeting tweets), in Brazil. Like Snapchat and Instagram, Stories last for 24 hours only. There aren't any public replies or likes, and stories appear on a scrollable row above your timeline. You can reply to a Fleet, but that sends your message as a DM. It's a semi-public experience at its core.Mo Aladham, a Twitter group product manager, said (via The Verge): Twit...
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by Joe Maring on (#508FW)
What we consider a "normal" phone size today would feel downright gigantic just a few years ago. And that normalization of large phones has made it even easier for companies to make even bigger phones at the very top end of their lineup. When you need a big phone to give you the largest screen and most capabilities, the Galaxy S20 Ultra is the best of the bunch. Not only does it have a huge display, but it's a great display — and everything else about the experience backs it up.Best Overall: Samsung Galaxy S20 UltraThe Galaxy S20 Ultra's size is true to its name, with an absolutely huge 6.9-inch screen. The screen is once again the best in the industry, following in the footsteps of every other Samsung screen, and it has a superb 120Hz refresh rate mode that will spoil you for any other phone.The rest of the phone is unapologetically large, making room for a 5,000mAh battery, all of the latest specs, and an impressive camera array. Those cameras give you great photos in a v...
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by Jennifer Locke on (#508FX)
Don't get your hopes up for Half-Life 3 just yet, but we could be seeing more Half-Life projects in the future.What you need to knowHalf-Life: Alyx releases on March 23.This VR-only title is the first entry in the series in over 10 years.Valve now says that it hopes this marks a return to the series instead of being a concluding chapter.With Half-Life: Alyx set to release this month, Game Informer sat down with Valve to discuss why it needed to be a virtual reality title, a point that has been contentious among fans who wanted a full-fledged Half-Life sequel. Interestingly, in the interview, Valve developer Robin Walker said that the company doesn't view Half-Life: Alyx as an end for the series, but hopefully its return to it. And of course this question was prefaced by asking what Valve would tell fans who are hoping for Half-Life 3. Half-Life means a lot to us, and it's been incredibly rewarding to refamiliarize ourselves with its characters, setting, and mechanics. T...
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by Carli Velocci on (#508FZ)
Best answer: Currently, Google's Stadia controller is your only option if you want to play Stadia games on your TV. For Stadia gaming on a compatible phone or PC, almost any USB or Bluetooth controller you already own and love should work.TV streaming: Stadia Controller ($69 at Google)USB controller: Logitech F310 controller ($20 at Amazon) Bluetooth controller: SteelSeries Stratus Duo ($60 at Amazon)Popular controllers compatible with Stadia Controller TV Google Chrome* Compatible Phones Stadia Controller WiFi Conectivity USB USB XBox One Controller Unavailable USB & Bluetooth USB & Bluetooth Xbox One Elite Unavailable USB & Bluetooth USB & Bluetooth DualShock 4 Unavailable USB & Bluetooth USB & Bluetooth Logitech F310 Unavailable USB USB SteelSeries Stratus Duo Unavailable USB & Bluetooth USB & Bluetooth Switch Pro Controller Unavailable USB & Bluetooth Un...
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by Luke Edwards on (#5086R)
A VPN, or virtual private network, is a great way to keep your online identity anonymous and your data secure. This is especially important when using your smartphone where so much of your personal information is stored.One way that your information or identity can be accessed is via an insecure open Wi-Fi connection. Since a phone is something you always have on you as you move about, it's a device that will likely connect to a lot of open Wi-Fi networks. From hotel and airport Wi-Fi to coffee shop and bar connections – they're all a potential portal into the darker depths of the internet.On a lighter note a VPN can help you gain access to geo-restricted content like U.S. Hulu content while abroad.So why is a VPN important and how can it help on your phone? Let's take a look at the advantages.A VPN keeps your phone hiddenWhen you connect to a new Wi-Fi network you're given an IP address which identifies you. From this, information about you can be attained, like your locat...
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by Andrew Martonik on (#5086S)
We'll have to wait a couple more weeks for an actual platform update with substantial changes.What you need to knowGoogle is pushing its first update to the Android 11 Developer Preview, but it's a small one.Update focuses on squashing a few bugs that developers have reported in the first release.No functionality or features have been changed or added in this release.It's only been a week since Google released its first Android 11 Developer Preview, and we're getting our first update. But don't get too excited; this update purely focuses on fixing some early bugs, not adding or changing any user-facing features. Google plans to release roughly one major update per month, so we're still at least a couple weeks out from another milestone.Android 10: Everything you need to know!In the meantime, developers who are actually using the Android 11 Dev Preview to work on making their apps compatible with the forthcoming public release have updated tools to do so. Here's the chan...
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by Android Central on (#5086V)
Whether you're trying to grow your freelance design career, expand your business reach, or improve communication with a local organization, a website is an extremely valuable tool. But if you have little technical expertise, how do you build one? Rather than shelling out thousands on web designers, consider Weblium Landing Page Pro instead.Unlike other site builders that bog you down with complicated tools and hidden fees, Weblium is all about providing you with a streamlined, hassle-free way to build the site of your dreams. With Weblium, you can build a site for any purpose using intuitive tools, assisted by their AI Design Supervisor which helps you optimize your site in real-time.With many pre-designed and customizable templates, advanced SEO settings built into every tool, and more than 100,000 graphics to enhance your site, Weblium gives you all the tools to make your site your own. It even has business features to help you turn your site profitable.More than 200,000 creato...
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by Christine Persaud on (#5086X)
Still rocking your Galaxy S7? It's still holding up pretty well after all these years, and you'll need a great case to help it last a few more. There are dozens of great options for the device, from clear cases that show off your phone's beauty to rugged ones, and even wallet cases for when you want to cut down on your pocket carry.Thin and clearSpigen Liquid CrystalStaff pickYou don't have to hide the beauty of your phone to keep it protected, and the Liquid Crystal case from Spigen proves that. This case offers protection without sacrificing the ability to see the color choice that you made on your initial purchase. You'll get a nice form fit from this case, and the embossed buttons are easy to press while the case is on the phone.$11 at AmazonScreen protectionLeYi Case With Two-Pack Tempered Glass Screen ProtectorThis transparent case lets the beauty and color of the phone shine through, but the kicker is that it comes with a pair of tempered glass screen prote...
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by Samuel Tolbert on (#5086Y)
A big get for Google's platform.What you need to knowShannon Studstill was the head of Sony Santa Monica, a studio well-known for God of War.Google announced today that Shannon is leaving to become head of a new Stadia studio in California.This brings Stadia Games and Entertainment to three studios.While Google's Stadia gaming platform continues to come under criticism, Google is expanding its teams of developers to make Stadia-exclusive games. In a press release, Google announced that Shannon Studstill, head of Sony Santa Monica, is leaving to join Google as head of a new studio in Playa Vista, California.Shannon is a veteran of the industry who has been with Sony for several years. Sony Santa Monica's most recent game, God of War (2018) sold over 10 million copies and was critically acclaimed.With this new studio alongside the prior Montreal studio and the recently-acquired Typhoon Games, Stadia Games and Entertainment now consists of three game development studios....
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by Jason England on (#5086Z)
Searching for coronavirus or COVID-19 reveals zero results on the Play Store.What you need to knowGoogle has banned the search terms "coronavirus" and "COVID-19" from the Play Store.Searching either term will result in zero results.The blanket ban should help prevent nefarious developers from using the coronavirus outbreak to spread misinformation or malware.As the coronavirus takes a foothold in the U.S., fears surrounding the virus and it spreading have been picked up momentum. We've already seen several conferences canceled as a precaution, including MWC 2020, GDC, Facebook's F8 conference, and even Google I/O 2020.Now, along with trying to protect users against the spread of the virus, Google is also attempting to prevent the spread of misinformation via the Play Store. As of now, all searches for "coronavirus" or "COVID-19" have been disabled. Searching for either term on the Play Store will reveal zero results, which should, in theory, prevent nefarious developers f...
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by Anthony J Nash on (#50870)
Start collecting now!Fortnite Chapter 2 - Season 2 is officially out now, and one of the most surprising additions to the new season is that of Deadpool, Marvel's iconic hero. Initially spotted in the trailer for Chapter 2 - Season 2, it was revealed that players would be able to obtain a Deadpool skin for completing various challenges in this season's Battle Pass.Before you start, it's important to note that Deadpool isn't in the game just yet, but will be in the future. Because he's likely to be one of the "mystery" skins that get unlocked later in Chapter 2 - Season 2's lifespan, you'll be doing challenges for at least a couple of weeks as you work to unlock him. The first two weeks of challenges are out now, but the third week of challenges recently leaked ahead of the weekly update for Fortnite.Twitter user iFireMonkey — who is well-known for datamining various Fortnite secrets — uncovered the following list.Deadpool Week 3 Challenges: pic.twitter.com/lPCfYIKbg1—...
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by Anthony J Nash on (#50871)
Another week of challenges leaks!Fortnite Chapter 2- Season 2 is officially here, and players are already diving in to try and unlock its many Battle Pass rewards. Just like when Fortnite Chapter 2 launched, weekly challenges have been overhauled for Chapter 2 - Season 2, with every challenge for the week being unlocked from the start.Epic has also tweaked the way to view challenges, allowing players to see in what general area of the map they can be completed. At the end of the day, though, they're still a set of tasks to complete to help you power through the Battle Pass. As is the case every week, the challenges for the third week of Chapter 2 - Season 2 have leaked, giving us a good idea of what we'll have to do in order to gain more XP.Twitter user iFireMonkey — who is well-known for datamining various Fortnite secrets — uncovered the following list.Fortnite Week 3 Challenges: pic.twitter.com/s4jhOenq0J— FireMonkey • Fortnite Intel 🎄 (@iFireMonkey) March 3, ...
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by Luke Edwards on (#507WF)
ExpressVPN Why choose ExpressVPNIt's one of the biggest names in VPN services out there with wide coverage, superb customer support, and fast speeds. Honestly, it's the one to beat.Works withMacWindowsAndroidiPhone & iPadLinuxRoutersBest VPN forNetflix, Hulu, and streamingGamingTorrenting and downloadingSecurity and privacySee at ExpressVPNProsSuperb 24/7 live chat customer serviceFast connectionsLots of international locationsNetflix unblockingConsNot the cheapestLimited to five devices simultaneouslyExpressVPN is one of the longest standing virtual private network services out there and is widely regarded as one of the best. Based in the British Virgin Islands, the company started back in 2009 and prides itself on operating a no logging policy meaning data is kept super secure.In ...
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by Nick Greene on (#507WG)
Best answer: No. Eero devices use a single SSID that broadcasts simultaneously on both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz frequencies. This is a standard feature in most mesh networks, and even for those where it can be reconfigured, it's not easy to do.Easy whole-home coverage: Eero Mesh Wi-Fi 3-pack ($250 at Amazon)Superpowered alternative: Netgear Nighthawk X10 ($350 at Amazon)What's in a GHz?Generally, a Wi-Fi network transmits on one of two frequencies, or bands. The first, 2.4 GHz, is older and slower but can transmit signals over a longer distance at a slower data transfer rate. The second, 5 GHz, is newer and faster but can support much higher speeds over a smaller area.Many Wi-Fi-enabled technologies and smart home devices use the 2.4 GHz band by default since fast data transmission isn't necessarily important. A smart light bulb, for example, doesn't need high data speeds — it just needs a network connection. It also doesn't care as much about slowdown, which can be common on...
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by Michael Allison on (#507WJ)
It breaks the rules of grammar by not capitalizing properly.What you need to knowGoogle has added auto-folder classification into the Pixel launcher.Dragging similar apps into a new folder now leads to the folder name populating with what Google thinks is an ideal category for the apps.It's available for devices with the March feature drop installed.Google didn't detail all the new quality of life features it added with the new Pixel feature drop. As spotted by the folks over at Android Police, the firm has added auto-name suggestion for apps which are dragged into folders.If you've used some OEM launchers and even some third-party launchers like EX launcher, you'll find that some offer the feature to automatically group similar apps into folders on your home screen.Now, while the Pixel Launcher doesn't quite have that, it does have a similar feature now. if you drag two apps of a similar function to create a new folder, Google will automatically name it. For instance...
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by Ara Wagoner on (#507WK)
You can now completely uninstall it.When it comes to paying conveniently, Samsung Pay makes using your phone as a bank card an easy process. There may come a time when you don't want to use the app anymore and need to get rid of Samsung Pay. Once upon a time, you couldn't uninstall Samsung Pay, only disable it, but these days, Samsung has seen the error of its ways and allows you to completely uninstall the Samsung Pay app.Before you jump straight to the nuclear option, though, if you just want Samsung Pay to stop popping up when you don't need it, there's a setting to help with that.How to keep Samsung Pay from activating on your home screen or lock screenIf you still want to keep Samsung Pay around in case you left your wallet at home and really need that six-pack of beer from the 7-11, you can just turn off the somewhat intrusive "Favorite cards" that appear at the bottom of some screens on your phone.Open Samsung Pay.Tap the three-line menu icon in the top left corner...
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by Christine Persaud on (#507WM)
Best for everyday userFitbit Versa 2$182 at AmazonProsSleek designDetailed sleep tracking and Sleep ScoresOn-screen workoutsConsProprietary chargingNo GPS without your phoneThe Fitbit Versa 2 is a great smartwatch for the everyday user who wants to keep track of steps, activities, sports, workouts, sleep, heart rate, and more. The generous battery life and swim-proof design are great, and the Alexa support for voice control is a bonus. If you're serious about sports, it has features geared toward particularly active individuals, too, like on-screen workouts, 15+ exercise modes, and personal cardio fitness level scores. Plus, you can get phone notifications and listen to music from the watch.For the sports buffGarmin vivoactive 3$132 at AmazonProsVo2 level monitoringUp to 7-day battery lifeReceive/respond to messagesBuilt-in GPS ConsBasic screenNo voice controlProprietary chargingFor sports buffs, the Garmin vivoactive 3 might be...
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by Babu Mohan on (#507WN)
The update comes less than a week after Samsung rolled out an update improving facial recognition and navigation gestures on the Note 10 series.What you need to knowThe Galaxy Note 10 and Note 10+ phones are now receiving the latest March security update.It is currently rolling out in select countries across Europe. The Galaxy S10 series had received the March 2020 security patch last week. Samsung rolled out a new software update for the Galaxy Note 10 and Note 10+ phones last week, bringing improved facial recognition and navigation gestures. It has now started pushing the March 2020 Android security patch to the two phones.According to the folks over at SamMobile, the latest update for the Galaxy Note 10 series arrives as version N97xFXXU2BTB5. As is usually the case with security updates, the new update doesn't bring any new feature. Currently, the update is said to be rolling out in Spain, Hungary, the Netherlands, and the UK. In other regions, the update will likely...
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by Joe Maring on (#507WQ)
Having a chat with the AC forums.This past Monday, Google began rolling out its latest "feature drop" for Pixel phones with a host of new updates for users to check out.Available for the Pixel 2, Pixel 3, and Pixel 4 family of devices, this feature drop adds a new Google Pay shortcut that's linked to the power button, AR effects for Google Duo, dark mode scheduling, and a host of new emoji. For Pixel 4 users specifically, there's a new play/pause Motion Sense gesture and improved depth data when taking selfies.The feature drop is making its way to users as we speak, and taking a look through the AC forums, a lot of our members have already been able to download it. aecgda 03-02-2020 01:02 PM “ Skipping music tracks now works well for me. Took a while to get used to it. Keeping the phone unlocked while I'm looking at it is also a very useful feature. Face unlock works perfectly and as quick as ...
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by Andrew Myrick on (#507WR)
After years of being teased by Google with references to a system-wide Dark Mode, it finally arrived with the release of Android 10. With this update, just about all of your applications will automatically transition to a darker theme. Not only does it just simply look better, but with OLED displays, dark mode helps to provide better battery life and prevent screen burn-in. With that said, we have found many of the best apps with a Dark Mode available for your Android device.Google appsMessaging appsSocial mediaNote-taking appsInternet browsersFile managersTask management appsCalendar appsHealth tracking and lifestyle appsPassword managersMedia consumption appsNews and RSS appsWeather appsEverything elseWhat does Google have to offer?It would only make sense for Google to lead the charge by updating its apps to feature some type of Dark Mode. The rollout has been slow, but many of the apps finally switch to Dark Mode when your phone does. These are just some of G...
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by Stephen Warwick on (#507MG)
The newest Checkra1n update is still in Beta, but could prove monumental...What you need to knowCheckra1n is the newest jailbreaking tool for iOS.It's an update to the Checkm8 bootrom exploit and works on iOS 12.3 onwards.You can now use an Android device as the tether when you jailbreak.The latest jailbreaking tool for iPhone, Checkra1n, allows users to jailbreak an iOS device using Android.As reported by Cult of Mac: Checkra1n, the newest jailbreaking tool for iPhone, has some big advantages of its predecessors. It's the first that can successfully crack iOS 13. It works across system updates. And it's the first that allows you to jailbreak your iPhone using an Android device. Still in beta for now, but very much a working tool, Checkra1n supports a whole host of iPhone and iPad models, and can jailbreak iOS 12.3 and up. It's based on the Checkm8 bootrom exploit that has been used in previous cracking tools, and it brings some nice improvements. The downsi...
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by Jeramy Johnson on (#507MJ)
Google has everything in place to add this feature, but will it?When Google updated its Google Home Mini to the Nest Mini, it maintained the same basic look and feel of its predecessor but beefed up the on-device AI and speaker to make a good product even better. But you know what would make that good product great? Copying the latest update to Amazon's Echo Dot, i.e., adding a more substantial mini-LED display to the device for basic functions like displaying the time.Don't think Google would do that? Hard disagree. It doesn't seem like it would flummox Google at all, and after all, imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, right Amazon?Echo LED the wayIn the fall of 2019, Amazon held an event at its Seattle headquarters where it showed off a number of new products, some experimental devices and services, and even some updates to existing product lines like the Echo smart speaker. Somewhere in-between the updates and the new products, Amazon unveiled the Echo Dot with C...
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by Joe Maring on (#507MM)
It started as a small enthusiast brand back in 2014, but OnePlus has quickly exploded into a mainstream hit that's responsible for making some of the best Android smartphones every year. If you know you want to buy a OnePlus phone but aren't sure which model to get, we've got a quick list to help you decide which one is right for you!Superb valueOnePlus 7TStaff pickThe OnePlus 7T is the latest offering in OnePlus's lineup, and while it may not technically be the most impressive, it is the phone we recommend most people buy. It has a stunning 90Hz AMOLED display with a 2400x1080 resolution, three rear cameras that allow for a lot of photography opportunities, a fast in-screen fingerprint sensor, and Qualcomm's latest Snapdragon 855+ CPU paired with 8GB of RAM.$499 at OnePlusShow offOnePlus 7T Pro 5G McLarenIf price isn't a concern for you and you just want to get your hands on the most capable OnePlus phone available, turn your attention towards the OnePlus 7T Pro ...
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