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Heads up! We share savvy shopping and personal finance tips to put extra cash in your wallet. Android Central may receive a commission from The Points Guy Affiliate Network. Please note that the offers mentioned below are subject to change at any time and some may no longer be available.What you need to knowMarriott has launched a new 100K bonus limited time offer.The Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Credit Card is still eligible.The Marriott Bonvoy Business™ American Express® Card has a bonus of 75,000 points.Jump in on Marriott's biggest offer for a limited time.Update: The 100k bonus point offer on the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Credit Card is set to expire on March 4, 2020.If you have been holding off on picking up the a co-branded credit card from Marriott, now might be the best time to make the leap. The Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Credit Card is currently offering new cardholders 100K in bonus points, but the offer is only good for one more week.When Marriott acquired...

Multiple companies dropped out of the conference in the past couple of weeks.What you need to knowThe Game Developers Conference (GDC) announced it was postponing its event in San Francisco in March.Multiple large companies pulled out this week, including Microsoft and Epic Games. Another GDC event will be held in the summer.After weeks of speculation, the Game Developers Conference (GDC) announced Friday that it'll be postponing this year's event in San Francisco.The move comes after multiple large companies pulled out this week, citing fears surrounding the coronavirus. Sony and Facebook were two of the first to announce they weren't attending. Just today, Activision Blizzard, Amazon, and Gearbox announced they were pulling out."After close consultation with our partners in the game development industry and community around the world, we've made the difficult decision to postpone the Game Developers Conference this March," the organization posted in a statement. "We'r...

Samsung has given us the most promising and functional foldable yet, but the Galaxy Z Flip has one small flaw to its mirror-finished body: It's slippery as an eel! Even when you set it down on a flat surface, it has a tendency to slowly slide around, slipping off wireless chargers and tables. The case market for the Z Flip is incredibly slim, but here's what you can use to protect your expensive new phone.Premium feelSamsung Leather CoverStaff pickSamsung's official case is a luscious leather that adds grip and scratch protection to your mirror-finished Z Flip. I wish more colors were available, but silver and black go with all color models.$80 at SamsungRugged and reliableCase-Mate Tough FlipThis rugged model connects the two shell halves with a flexible piece that provides some cover and impact protection. The Tough Flip adds up to 10 feet of drop protection and needed grip.$40 at eBayClear and classyAraree NukinThe Z Flip might come with a clear case ...

News is happening fast. Here's a rundown of all the companies that have decided not to attend.It seems like every day now, a new company announces it's pulling out of the Game Developers Conference (GDC) in San Francisco due to health concerns surrounding the coronavirus (COVID-19). It makes sense since the outbreak is hitting the tech industry at large and gaming has seen delays and esports league cancelations.While we await more news on GDC, one of the biggest events for gaming each year, here's what we know and which companies have dropped out:Sony was the first high-profile company to pull out of GDC, which happened just a day after it announced it also wasn't attending PAX East. Facebook and Oculus Gaming announced on the same day as Sony that it also won't be attending the conference and would be encouraging its employees to not attend. Later this week, Facebook also canceled the annual F8 software developer conference due to the outbreak.Kojima Productions, which was ...

The real improvements are in power savings.What you need to knowSamsung this week announced new 5G optimized OLED displays.In reality, the improvements have to do with reduced power consumption and blue light emission of the new panels.Samsung says there's a 15% power consumption decrease with these new panels compared to last year's panels. Samsung Display has unveiled a new type of display, one which the firm claims is optimized for 5G use.Samsung's press release proclaims: Our 5G-optimized OLED display is taking the lead in the 5G era with its crystal clear imagery, distinguished designs, economical power consumption and increasingly eye-protective functionality.It is incredibly unclear how 5G has anything to do with the display technology. The main technical achievement here in the display appears to be from a reduction in blue light emissions and power consumption. The SGS (Société Générale de Surveillance) reportedly found that this new display emits OLED...

After a scintillating 10-wicket win in the opening Test match, New Zealand will be looking to carry on where they left off against India as the series moves to Christchurch.The Black Caps were strong across the board, but the bowling trio of Trent Boult, Tim Southee and Kyle Jamieson were in particularly formidable form, with the threesome combining for 18 wickets, and they'll be relishing facing their shell-shocked opponents once again.The emphatic nature of the defeat means there's plenty to improve upon for the visitors who looked a shadow of the side ranked the best in the world going into the series.The defeat brought India's seven-Test winning streak screeching to a halt, and the visitors will be particularly concerned by their lack of runs. India failed to make 200 in either innings of the first test, with the form of all-rounder Ravi Ashwin now seen as a major issue.The one big positive India can draw from was the bowling performance of Ishant Sharma in Wellington and...

The Oculus Quest supports two Touch Controllers, and each requires a single AA battery. The Touch Controllers are the only part of the Oculus Quest that requires you to swap anything out (the headset itself charges through USB-C, and there's no need for external sensors). The Touch Controllers don't drain a charge nearly as quickly as the headset, but you need to have a way to keep them charged, like some spare batteries.Best rechargablePanasonic eneloop rechargeableStaff pickThese rechargeable batteries store up to 2,000 mAh of power and can be recharged up to 2,100 times. They can be charged completely from dead or partially charged without damaging the energy storage memory. You can purchase just the batteries or add a quick charger, standard charger, or USB charger.$18 at AmazonCharging Panasonic batteriesPanasonic eneloop chargerThis charger will take your Panasonic Eneloop batteries from dead to charged in up to two hours. It has an LED indicator to he...

It's also canceling the Google News Initiative Summit in the Bay Area.What you need to knowGoogle is further restricting international travel for its employees after one tested positive for the coronavirus in Zurich.The firm will add Italy, Japan, and South Korea to its list of places to avoid.Google is also canceling its May Google News Initiative Global Summit due to coronavirus concerns.Google is restricting employee travel after one employee in Zurich tested positive for the coronavirus. It's not clear how the employee was infected with the virus, and the current state of the employee has yet to be revealed. Business Insider has reported that the employee was not symptomatic while they remained at the office.As part of further precautions, Google will prevent employees from traveling to Iran where the coronavirus has recently been spreading, as well as Lombardy and Veneto in Italy. It will also add Japan and South Korea to its list of bans from SoutA Google spokespe...

Smartphones are slowly but surely getting rid of the 3.5mm audio jack from smartphones and tablets, so users are turning to wireless as the next viable option. The Jabra Elite 75t are currently the best overall true wireless earbuds around for Android. They feature solid sound, long battery life, and they're incredibly comfortable and portable.Sponsored Pick: Boltune Bluetooth 5.0 True WirelessThe Boltune True Wireless Earbuds have been consistently reviewed highly for what they offer in the truly wireless category. They're capable of lasting for up to 6 hours on a single charge for a total of 34 hours when combined with the charging box. When it does come time to charge them, you'll be all set in a short time due to the USB-C quick charging.The 6mm dynamic speakers and noise isolation ensure clear in-ear calls and listening while also delivering great sound. The lightweight ergonomic design means you won't grow tired of wearing them while their IPX7 sweat and water resistanc...

Cellular signals are horribly congested these days, and there are zones in my house where I just don't receive any cellular connectivity. If you're facing similar issues, Wi-Fi calling is the way to go. It relies on your home Wi-Fi network instead of your cell signal to make calls, and the added bonus is that the call quality is significantly higher. Here's how to enable it on your new Galaxy S20 phone.Products used in this guideThis one goes to 11: Samsung Galaxy S20 ($1,000 at Samsung)How to enable Wi-Fi Calling on the Galaxy S20Open Settings from the home screen. Tap Connections. Toggle Wi-Fi Calling to On.How to enable Wi-Fi Calling from the Galaxy S20's dialerIf for whatever reason you don't see the Wi-Fi Calling toggle in the settings, you can enable it from the phone's dialer. Here's how to do so:Open the dialer from the home screen. Tap the overflow menu (three vertical dots on the right). Choose Settings. Toggle Wi-Fi Calling to On.Most carrier...

An exclusive game inspired by Japanese macabre horror comics.What you need to knowLies Beneath is a horror game inspired by Japanese horror comics and graphic novels.This Oculus-exclusive game is coming to Quest on March 31 and Rift on April 14.Players can expect a frightening landscape inspired by Silent Hill and Resident Evil.From the developers of Robo Recall: Unplugged comes a brand new horror game slated exclusively for Oculus Quest and Oculus Rift headsets. Lies Beneath features an art style inspired by Japanese horror comics, with onomatopoeia flying every which way as you shoot, stab, flip, and click through a terrifying hidden world. The Quest version will debut on March 31 for Quest and April 14 for both Oculus Rift and Rift S.While the fictional tourism page from the developer makes the town of Slumber, Alaska look like a welcoming and inviting mid-20th century town, the truth is anything but that. The game eschews realistic visuals for a more threatening Junji...

Best-answer: Sony's purchasing policies don't allow retailers other than the PlayStation Store to purchase digital game downloads. Because of this, you'll need to buy a gift card if you want to give your friend a digital game.Digital goodies: PlayStation Gift Card ($10 at Amazon)Why can't we gift digital games anymore?Effective as of April 1, 2019, Sony no longer allows retailers to sell full digital game download codes."We can confirm that as of April 1, 2019, Sony Interactive Entertainment will no longer offer full games through SIE's Global Digital at Retail program," a PlayStation spokesperson told The Verge. "This decision was made in order to continue to align key businesses globally. To support full games and premium editions, SIE will introduce increased denominations at select retailers. DLC, add-ons, virtual currency, and season passes will still be available."Previously people were able to buy digital game codes through stores like Amazon, Best Buy, and GameStop....

Too many OEMs have too many different camera implementations.What you need to knowMoment is shutting down its Moment Pro camera app for Android.The app will remain in the Play Store, but no support or updates are forthcoming.The firm blames Android fragmentation as the main cause of death. With too many Android camera implementations, they just didn't have the "bandwidth" to keep up. Pro Camera app maker, Moment, is ending support for its Android app today. The app will remain in the Play Store, but will no longer be updated. Its iOS app will continue on and remain being updated.The announcement came today by email to Moment Pro users (via Justin Duino), explaining the reason for the shuttering of support.In brief: It's Android fragmentation. To address iOS, Moment has a handful of models to build for, all of which are a known quantity. With Android, the camera app will have tens of configurations to address — and that's just for the most popular flagships. Once you s...

One of the best ways to make sure your Samsung Gear S3 lasts is to keep it safe with a high-quality screen protector. Whether you're a highly active individual who wears their watch on adventures or you prefer to show it off as a fashion statement, you want to keep it protected. We've rounded up some of the best Samsung Gear S3 screen protectors out there.Edge-to-edge protectionOMOTON Tempered Glass Screen Protector (3-Pack)Staff PickWhen it's edge-to-edge protection you're seeking, OMOTON has a three-pack of screen protectors with your name on it. They boast 3D laser-cut technology that offers protection for the entire screen where other protectors might leave a small gap where lint and dust could easily build up. The hydrophobic and oleophobic screen coatings protect against sweat and fingerprints.$7 at AmazonStronger than everSupershieldz Tempered Glass Screen Protector (3-Pack)Supershieldz is one of the most trusted names in the screen protector game, so...

Tomorrow night, Mikey Garcia will step into the ring with Jessie Vargas in an attempt to show those doubting him that he's a force to be taken serious in the welterweight division. The fight takes place in Frisco, Texas on Saturday February 29, which is a Leap Day. Both are former champs, and the winner of the match could get a title fight against Pacman, so there's a lot at stake here.Garcia has a record of 39 and 1, with 30 of the wins being knockouts. Vargas has an equally impressive 29-2-2 record with 11 knockouts to date.The Undercard event begins at 6 p.m. Eastern, and the Main card is slated to start at 8 p.m. Eastern tomorrow night.Use a VPN to watch DAZN from anywhereUnfortunately, you can only access DAZN in a few countries, like the U.S. and Canada, which limits who can actually watch the content. If you live outside of these two regions, don't worry you can still access the content. ExpressVPN is an easy way to connect to a server in a different country to be able...

Get ready to slay some intergalactic scum!What you need to knowSerious Sam Collection includes four incredible shooters.It was announced for Google Stadia a few days ago. The game is coming to the cloud streaming service on March 3. You can purchase the Stadia Premiere Edition for $130 on the Google Store. A few days ago, Google announced that the Serious Sam Collection was coming to the service soon. Ever since the reveal, everyone has been asking the company to provide an exact release date. Luckily, that happened today. The compilation is coming to Stadia on March 3. You can read an excerpt from the press release Android Central received below. Get ready to follow Sam 'Serious' Stone in his quest to destroy the alien overlord, Mental, when the Serious Sam Collection launches on Stadia next week! You heard right... March 3... fight against wave after wave of invading alien hordes in the action-adventure shooter.The trailer also gives you a taste of what to expec...

Soundbars have come a long way in the last few years. While full-sized speakers will still sound better — sound needs space, after all — soundbars are great for their size. That size also requires a smaller footprint in your living room, so it's great for people who want to save space. With something like the Sonos Beam, you'll get great sound without a head-scratching installation process, and more. There are other great soundbars available, and we have detailed some of the best options for your home.Best Overall: Sonos Beam Smart TV Sound BarWith the Sonos Beam, you get a superb TV soundbar with some basic smarts. The Sonos Beam connects to your TV with HDMI-ARC, or with the included HDMI-to-Optical adapter. A recent update has brought the ability for integration between Sonos products and Google Assistant. You can control your TV with your voice if your TV supports HDMI-CEC, which most modern sets do. Controlling your TV with your voice isn't a replacement for a remote, ...

Samsung has taken more than a few cracks at different product categories, and smartwatches have been no exception. The company has made several attempts at getting it right, with new smartwatches and fitness trackers every year. We take a look at some of the best available, including the newest of the bunch with the Galaxy Watch Active 2 and a hybrid fitness tracker.Making things rightSamsung Galaxy Watch Active 2Staff pickThe Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 2 is the latest Samsung smartwatch, and it takes the same "active" approach as its predecessor with a few key tweaks thrown in. It has a touch-sensitive bezel to emulate the physical one Samsung watches are known for, plus better Spotify integration.$250 at Amazon $250 at Best BuyFor the active typeSamsung Galaxy Watch ActiveThe Samsung Galaxy Watch Active is definitely geared towards active users whose lifestyle could use a lightweight companion on their wrist to keep them honest. This smartwatch offers sol...

Samsung brings its A-game to its 2020 true wireless earbud update.I wasn't a fan of the Galaxy Buds. By the time I tried them, in February 2019, I'd fallen in love with another, the Jabra Elite 65t, which I thought had better sound, a more comfortable fit, superior battery life, and physical buttons that didn't accidentally activate all the time.A lot of people I knew loved the Galaxy Buds, and the Samsung IconX series before them, but I was not one of them. Samsung acknowledged that the out-of-box experience for the Buds weren't great, too: there were Bluetooth reliability issues, syncing issues, and a trove of other problems that, through myriad small software updates, got solved. By the time we heard rumors of the Galaxy Buds 2, or Galaxy Buds Plus as they were eventually called, most of the connectivity problems had been fixed, but the reputational damage had been done.Now, with the Galaxy Buds Plus, Samsung's trying a fourth time to make fetch happen, and you know what? It...

There's nothing better than kicking back on the couch to watch streaming video on your 55-inch flatscreen, but sometimes you just want to catch up on your favorite shows in snack-sized segments and on snack-sized devices. For times like these, smart screens such as the Nest Hub or Lenovo Smart Display are a great solution. We'll show you how you can stream your favorite content on these little devices in just a few short steps.Products used in this guideHBO to the MAX: Nest Hub Max ($230 at Best Buy)Steady streamer: Nest Hub ($130 at Best Buy)Peak TV: HBO Now ($15/mo. at HBO)Note: There are a limited number of apps that can be streamed on or cast to a Nest Hub or similar device, and not all services have the same capabilities. The services available for streaming include YouTube, HBO Now, Hulu, and Sling TV, among others. Check in the Videos and photos section of the Google Home app for an updated list.How to stream services via Google AssistantMake sure that you downl...

Unlike any escape room you've ever lived through.What you need to knowThe Room VR: A Dark Matter launches on March 26.Supported platforms include Oculus Quest, Oculus Rift, PlayStation VR (PSVR), and all SteamVR headsets.This is a wholly new story that's exclusive to VR.The Room has been available on smartphones for years and it's making its big VR debut in the form of The Room VR: A Dark Matter on March 26. While this isn't the first time we've heard of the game, it is the first time we're getting a full list of supported platforms alongside a release date. So no matter if you've got a PlayStation VR (PSVR), Oculus Quest, Oculus Rift or Rift S, HTC Vive, Valve Index, or any other PC VR headset that is supported by SteamVR, you'll be able to play the thrilling escape room puzzler.Despite having a release date, there's no pre-order price on the Oculus Store or on Steam at this time. The smartphone editions of the series only cost a few dollars, so it's not necessarily expe...

HTC just launched a Micro-USB phone in 2020, and that's not a smart decision.What you need to knowHTC's first phone in 2020 is the decidedly 2017 Wildfire R70.The phone's key selling points are its large waterdrop notch display and a triple camera set-up.Ultimately, its uncompetitive specs and outdated Micro-USB connector make this phone a headscratcher. HTC has a new phone in 2020 built for an audience that really wishes it was 2017. At least, that's what you can infer from the inclusion on a Micro-USB port where other OEMs are moving to USB-C, the new standard.The selling points of this phone seems to be its camera set-up and big screen. On the rear, HTC has equipped this with a triple camera set up: a main 16MP with two other 2MP cameras for capturing macro images and portrait shots. At the front, there's an 8MP fixed focus camera for selfies and video calling.Screenwise, you'll find a 6.53 HD+ (not full HD+) water notch display. It's a large display, but the resolut...

The fine has yet to be finalized and could change, but it is expected to be at least $200 million.What you need to knowIn 2018, it was discovered that all four major carriers in the U.S. were selling your real-time location data to third parties.Further investigations later revealed that the data could sell for as little as $300 and end up in the hands of private individuals or businesses, including bounty hunters.The FCC is expected to propose a fine of at least $200 million on AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, and Verizon over the sharing of your location data.Back in 2018, it was revealed that all four major U.S. carriers were selling your real-time location data to third parties. Then, in 2019, an investigation by Motherboard uncovered that your location can be worth as little as $300, and the data had ended up in the hands of businesses or private individuals, including bounty hunters.As you can expect, this practice of selling off your real-time location upset consumers a...

Top classRazer Raiju Ultimate€200 at RazerProsFour buttons to remapHundreds of profiles through appSwappable thumbsticks and d-padsTrigger customizationConsTwo buttons placed awkwardlyRemapping requires use of appThe Razer Raiju Ultimate provides a top of the line controller that can be endlessly tweaked, as long as you're willing to meet the heavy price tag.Easy add-onDualShock 4 Back Button Attachment$30 at AmazonProsTwo remappable buttonsEasy to use and swap profilesStores three profilesConsOnly two buttonsConnection design is weakBasically impossible to find in stockThe DualShock 4 Back Button Attachment provides a simple option for anyone that wants to relieve stress from their thumbs without completely breaking the bank.Which option is best for you?Figuring out which device will suit you best is, theoretically, a simple question of budget. Are you looking to go all out and get something big? Do you want to spen...

In this new decade, you're only going to spend yet more of your life online. You can try and avoid it but, honestly, it's pretty much impossible to do. It's important that you have security and privacy at the front of your mind as you traverse the online world, especially with the amount of sensitive data we out on our devices and send via the internet. If you use public Wi-Fi networks while out and about, that's even more important.Best VPN DealsExpressVPN: Get 3 months freeNordVPN: Up to 3 years freePureVPN: $2.66/mo w. couponPIA VPN: 67% off yearlySurfshark: From $0.07/dayIPVanish: $47.99 per yearMore Deals: $20 lifetime license & free optionsOdds are that you have heard of VPNs, or Virtual Private Networks, before but may not have signed up for one just yet. There are some common misconceptions about VPNs, especially that they are super expensive, but that's not at all the case — especially if you know where to look for the best deals (hint: it's here). In f...

Top-of-the-lineArlo Ultra$580 at AmazonProsBetter image sensors and resolutionDual-microphone arrayWider field of viewDouble-motion detectorsYear-long Arlo Smart subscription includedConsMost expensive Arlo security cameraCan only use with included Arlo hubThe Arlo Ultra system packs in all the features you'd expect from the company's best security camera. 4K UHD video, dual-microphone noise cancellation, a wider field of view, and a broader temperature range make for a mighty home surveillance device.The next best thingArlo Pro 3$453 at AmazonProsLess expensive than UltraCompatible with more Arlo hubsThree-month Arlo Smart subscription includedConsLower quality sensors and resolutionLess free cloud storage than the UltraWhile it may not have the highest-end specs, this camera system is still impressive. It can record in 2K HDR, which is more than enough for most people, and it has similar if scaled-back capabilities to the Arlo...

Let's chat with the AC forums.Announced alongside the Galaxy S20 and Galaxy Z Flip, the Galaxy Buds+ are the latest and greatest true wireless earbuds that Samsung has to offer in 2020.Although they lack active noise cancellation (a feature that's becoming more prominent on high-end true wireless buds), the Buds+ still impress with improved sound quality and significantly longer battery life — up to 11 hours of continuous listening time and a total of 22 hours when you factor in the charging case.Taking a look through the AC forums, some of our members have already jumped aboard the Buds+ bandwagon. SpookDroid 02-26-2020 03:42 PM “ If the original buds vs 65t were any indication, Jabra's are much better if a bit bulkier. With the 75t getting stellar reviews, I assume the same will apply here, but both are going to be great. Jabra's seem to constantly deliver louder volume than Samsung's, ...

Android 11 gives developers tools to decide how secure biometrics need to be and makes it easier to include methods that aren't fingerprint-based.Biometric security has made it easy to keep our phones secure, which means most of us actually are doing it. It's easy to argue that your fingerprint or iris or a map of your head aren't as secure as a strong password or are your identity and not a passcode, but in the end, more people securing their phones is better for everyone. It's easy to understand why your bank wants you to secure your phone, but remember that some of your personal details are probably on someone else's phone, too. Biometrics make security easy, which means we'll actually use it.We saw big changes to biometrics with Android 9. The introduction of the BiometricPrompt API tried to unify how different types of biometric authentication could function by providing a unified interface that worked with fingerprint scanners (both capacitive and ultrasonic), Iris sca...

Boost is great, but we think this is better.In January 2020, Virgin Mobile customers were informed that the pre-paid wireless provider was closing its doors. The company officially shut down in February, with any existing customers being transitioned over to Boost Mobile.Seeing as how Boost Mobile is powered by Sprint just like Virgin Mobile was, it's a solid fit. The coverage is exactly the same, not to mention that Boost has a good selection of plans and features. But what if we told you that we think there's a better option out there?If you're an ex-Virgin Mobile customer looking for a new home, we'd recommend checking out Tello. Whether or not you've heard of Tello before, here are a few reasons why we think it's the better alternative over Boost.Better than BoostTelloFrom $5/month at TelloAn excellent home for ex-Virgin Mobile customersSwitching to a new wireless provider can be difficult, but with everything Tello brings to the table, we don't think you'll m...

Sales of the three phones could still pick up in the coming weeks.What you need to knowA report out of Korea claims initial sales of Samsung's new Galaxy S20 series phones are significantly lower than expected.Apart from the high prices of the new phones, Coronavirus infection fears may also have contributed to the lacklustre sales. While Samsung had shifted 140,000 Galaxy S10 units on day one, it could only sell 70,800 Galaxy S20 units in South Korea on February 27. Samsung's new Galaxy S20 trio went on sale in the company's home market of South Korea yesterday. Due to a variety of reasons, however, initial sales of the Galaxy S20 series in the country weren't as high as Samsung had expected.As per The Korea Herald, Samsung sold 70,800 units of the Galaxy S20 series in Korea on Thursday, which is significantly lower than the first-day figures for the Galaxy S10 series last year. Samsung had sold 140,000 units of the Galaxy S10 series on its first day, while the Galaxy No...

If you are like me and have multiple Amazon Echo smart speakers, sometimes when you call out to one, a different device responds. Or, when you ask Alexa to play music, she sends the stream to a different speaker. Here's how to make sure the output comes from where you expect it.Products used in this guideMost popular Echo: Amazon Echo Dot (3rd Gen) ($50 at Amazon)All-around champ: Amazon Echo 3rd Gen ($100 at Amazon)Newest smart screen: Amazon Echo Show 8 ($130 at Amazon)How to set an Amazon Echo speaker groupTo set a default speaker, you'll need to have multiple Echo speakers arranged into an existing group. If you don't have this setup, here's how.Open the Amazon Alexa app on your smartphone.Tap on Devices in the lower right corner. Tap on the + icon in the top right corner.Tap on Add Group.Select or create a group name.Choose which Echo devices should be in the group, then tap Save.How to set a default Amazon Echo speakerNow that you have a speaker gro...

In short: no, it is not faster.Best answer: The Galaxy S20 series uses the same first-generation ultrasonic fingerprint sensor as the Galaxy S10 and S10+. While there have been minor software improvements to increase speed and reliability of the fingerprint sensor, the Galaxy S20 series' ultrasonic sensor is no faster than the previous generation.The ultimate: Samsung Galaxy S20 ($1000 at Samsung)The disappointing realityThe Galaxy S10 and S10+ have few flaws, but if you could point to one constant bugbear it'd be the in-display fingerprint sensor. It's slow, inconsistent and kicked back far more false negatives than we'd come to expect from capacitive fingerprint sensors before it. And more starkly, optical in-display fingerprint sensors in other 2019 phones were better in every regard than Samsung's ultrasonic sensor. I had hope the fingerprint sensor improved. I was disappointed.The hope was that Samsung was aware of this issue and had addressed it in the Galaxy S...

Heads up! We share savvy shopping and personal finance tips to put extra cash in your wallet. Android Central may receive a commission from The Points Guy Affiliate Network. Please note that the offers mentioned below are subject to change at any time and some may no longer be available.What kind of rewards does the Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express offer?Best answer: All the rewards. From cash back on groceries to gas, and Netflix to Lyft, this card has best-in-class rewards in all of the categories you care about most.More card details: Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American ExpressThe Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express is one of the most premium cash back cards in the industry today and for good reason. It offers a ton of rewards for its cardholders that are focused on earning them the most on the common purchases they make every day.So, what rewards does the Blue Cash Preferred Card offer? It has three levels of rewards, so let's start with ...

The P40 Pro could have the same 40W SuperCharge wired fast charging tech as Huawei's current flagship phones.What you need to knowHuawei P40 series phones have been certified by China's 3C regulatory body.The certification reveals the standard P40 supports 22.5W charging, while the P40 Pro supports 40W charging. Both the Huawei P40 and P40 Pro will be announced at a global launch event in Paris on March 26. Huawei's P30 Pro was one of the most impressive Android smartphones launched in 2019, boasting incredibly capable cameras and fantastic battery life. The P30 Pro's successor, expected to be called the P40 Pro, is set to be unveiled at a global launch event in Paris next month. Ahead of its formal unveiling, the P40 Pro and the standard P40 have been certified by China's 3C regulatory body.Going by the information revealed by the 3C listings, the upcoming P40 and P40 Pro phones will support identical charging speeds as their predecessors. While the Huawei P40 supports 1...

At least once a day, you're likely to come across a situation in which you want to take what's on your phone screen and either share it or save it for your own reference later. Rather than bother with sharing a link, why not just capture your screen and know that it's saved as an image? Screenshots are perfect for this — especially Samsung's, which give you tons of ways to capture, edit and share. Here's how you get it done on a Galaxy S20.How to screenshot using a key combinationSince removing the Bixby button and turning the "power" button into a multi-function button, things have gotten a little complicated. Here's how you take a standard key combination screenshot.Open the content to screenshot.At the same time, press the power and volume down buttons for one second, and release them.You'll see the screen flash, and the screenshot is complete.Note that if you hold the buttons more than a second, your phone will either launch a long-press action with the power butt...

MI5 director Sir Andrew Parker says cyberspace has become "a wild west, unregulated, inaccessible to authorities".What you need to knowUK intelligence agency MI5 has called for "exceptional access" to encrypted messages.Sir Andrew Parker said it was "increasingly mystifying" that intelligence agencies are not able to easily read secret messages.He thinks tech companies should investigate providing end-to-end encryption whilst also giving access when there is a compelling case to do so.The director general of MI5 has called on technology companies to give spy agencies 'exceptional access' to encrypted messages.As reported by The Guardian: MI5's director general has called on technology companies to find a way to allow spy agencies "exceptional access" to encrypted messages, amid fears they cannot otherwise access such communications. Sir Andrew Parker is understood to be particularly concerned about Facebook, which announced plans to introduce powerful end-to-end ...

Vivo's latest take on the bezel-less phone is its most ambitious yet.What you need to knowVivo's APEX 2020 is now official, touting a waterfall display with 120-degree curves on either side.The phone is the first to feature a 16MP in-display camera module.There's a Continuous Optical Zoom lens that delivers 5 - 7.5x magnification.The phone also has a 48MP secondary lens at the back with gimbal-like video stabilization. Once a year, Vivo introduces a concept phone in the APEX series, giving us a look at the future of phone design. The APEX 2018 was one of the first with a full-screen display and retractable camera module, and the APEX 2019 built on that design by eliminating all buttons and ports.For 2020, Vivo is taking things to a whole new level. The APEX 2020 has a 6.45-inch waterfall display that eliminates bezels on the sides, and the extreme 120-degree curve on either side means you get an "ultra bezel-less display." To put things into context, the NEX 3 has a simi...

Unlike some of its rivals, the Z6 5G does not have a high-refresh-rate display.What you need to knowVivo Z6 5G is the company's first mid-range 5G smartphone powered by the Snapdragon 765G chipset.The phone sports a 6.57-inch FHD+ hole-punch display and has a 48MP quad-camera setup at the rear.It has been priced at 2,198 yuan ($314) in China. Vivo today announced a new mid-range 5G-enabled smartphone at an event held in China. Dubbed the Z6 5G, Vivo's latest smartphone packs impressive hardware specs and comes with a 3D curved back.The Vivo Z6 5G runs on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 765G chipset, paired with up to 8GB of RAM and 128GB UFS 2.1 storage. The phone boasts liquid cooling technology, which Vivo claims can lower the core temperature by up to 10°C. (50°F).The Z6 5G features a 6.57-inch FHD+ IPS display with a hole-punch cutout in the top-right corner and a 20:9 aspect ratio. At the back of the phone is a quad-camera array with a 48MP main sensor, an 8MP ultra-wide...

The Galaxy A51 offers camera and design upgrades, but the underlying hardware is unchanged from 2019.Under increased pressure from Chinese rivals, Samsung overhauled its budget strategy last year. The underwhelming Galaxy J series was gone, and the Galaxy A lineup essentially took its place. Samsung traditionally limited the Galaxy A series to the mid-range segment, but now it fields devices starting as low as $120 all the way to $600.The new-found change in focus also came with better product releases. The Galaxy A50 was one of the best budget phones you could buy in 2019, featuring great hardware, a fresh design, and decent cameras. In typical Samsung fashion, the company introduced an updated model six months down the line in the Galaxy A50s, and now we have the Galaxy A51.The Galaxy A51 is a continuation of what Samsung has been doing in this segment for the last 12 months. There are a few enticing changes — particularly around the camera side of things — but the fundam...

The profiles act as a virtual business card, letting you choose what information people see when they search for you.What you need to knowGoogle is currently testing a feature called 'Profile Cards' for its search engine.These show up a small widget that appear at the top of the results page whenever someone searches for your name.You can also customize it to show only the information you want.Google is seemingly working on a virtual business card-like feature for its search engine. The new 'Profile Cards' show up as a small card at the top of the results page when someone searches for you by name. They function similar to the cards that Google will throw up to the right of the page when you search for a famous person/organization.While Google has not yet announced the feature, it was discovered by Android Police on support pages on Google's website. These have, unsurprisingly, now been taken down.When Google finally rolls them out officially, it'll let you customize yo...

If you're in the market for a new phone, it's easy to get sticker shock when you see the mind-blowing prices of the latest flagship devices from Apple and Samsung. But, many of the great design elements and features have trickled down into the budget end of the market. You can get a Samsung Galaxy A10e from Boost Mobile for far less while still getting a modern look and feel.Here are five things that make the Galaxy A10e an exciting budget smartphone.It's all about the screenThe design that has enabled Samsung to stretch its displays to take up the vast majority of the front of its phones has reached the budget end of the market. The Galaxy A10e has a stunning 81.4% screen-to-body ratio, with only a small strip of bezel at the bottom of the display. That display is a sizable 5.8 inches. It has a 19.5:9 aspect ratio, making it well suited to video content. And, thanks to a dense 295 pixel per inch, imagery will look crisp. You'd be hard pressed to see the individual pixels on ...

Another day brings another new Sony controller patent, this time for a device that looks remarkably familiar.What you need to knowA new Sony controller patent has been spotted.This patent is for a wireless charging attachment that looks quite similar to the DualShock 4 Back Button Attachment.It's unclear if this device eventually evolved into the Back Button Attachment, or is meant for the PlayStation 5. Many patents for possible PlayStation 5 controller designs have been spotted over the last few weeks and there's another joining the fray. The patent, which was first spotted on Reddit, details a wireless charging device that can be attached to the back of a PlayStation controller. You can see some diagram images from the patent below.interestingly enough, this attachment looks quite familiar to the DualShock 4 Back Button Attachment. Multiple other controller patents have been spotted, with one showing designs for reading biometric data. None of these have been mention...

The Galaxy S20+ is quite an impressive phone with an impressively large 6.7-inch 120Hz display that you're going to want to protect from the cruel, concrete world outside your door. To help you defend your S20+ from shattering drops and scratched glass, we've rounded up the best heavy duty options for protecting the Galaxy S20+ in style.Sleek and stylish protectorSupcase Unicorn Beetle Style SeriesStaff PickThis stylish case combines a rugged bumper with a rigid and clear backplate that accents the phone without adding unnecessary bulk. It's thin and lightweight on your phone and just as easy on your wallet.$13 at AmazonFor rugged outdoorsmenUAG Pathfinder SeriesThe UAG Pathfinder offers ideal protection for anyone who spends time exploring the outdoors. The slim design offers reinforced corners for added drop protection, and it's available in black, olive green, and camo styles.$40 at AmazonKick back and relaxArmadilloTek Vanguard SeriesThis c...

Google announced Pixel feature drops back in December, and the second one is just about due.What you need to knowGoogle's upcoming Pixel Feature drop has been revealed by an update to the Pixel Tips app.Users will get dark mode scheduling, fast access to cards and passes, and car crash detection.The March feature drop will likely pop out with the March 2020 security update.Last year, Google made a decision. It would no longer be sticking to a yearly schedule for Pixel feature updates, nor would it be drip-feeding features at random points in the year. Instead, it would be packaging features into "feature drops" and dropping a whole bunch of features at once. The point? So users could know what to get excited about and more importantly — when.Now, its second feature drop is just about due out, and we're getting some information about what could be in there.The folks over at 9to5Google have managed to pull some data out of an update to the Pixel Tips app, revealing what'...

Fire TV Stick 4KStick to simplicity$35 at AmazonProsFantastic value with great specsHides behind the TV for a clean setupComes with Alexa Voice RemoteConsNo hands-free AlexaOlder processor than CubeThe Fire TV Stick 4K is arguably the best value in streaming devices. You get 4K, HDR, Dolby Vision, and an Alexa Voice Remote at a compelling price.All-New Fire TV Cube (2019)Top-notch specs$90 at AmazonProsNew and improved processorNew features like Local Voice Control and Dolby VisionAvailable in more countriesConsMost expensive Fire TV streaming boxExternal storage support is via OTG cable and micro USB port, no micro SD slotThe Fire TV Cube (2019) has upgraded internals from last year's device for increased speed and performance. It also added some key features like Local Voice Control for on-device processing and Dolby Vision support.Amazon makes some of the most popular streaming devices available, and they happen to be som...

The Galaxy S20 is a beautiful and expensive phone that you'll be tempted to show off without a case — at least until a drop causes some unsightly scratches. A heavy duty case doesn't have to be unwieldy and bulky, and an increasing number of them can still show off the Samsung style while guarding your phone. These are the best of the best to protect your phone.A clear winnerRingke Fusion XStaff PickThis rugged clear case from Ringke is the perfect solution for folks who hate how cases cover up the design of the phone. You get a rugged bumper that protects where it matters most with a clear PC backplate to show off your new phone.$8 at AmazonFeather-light and ruggedUAG Plasma SeriesUrban Armor Gear makes some of the finest heavy duty cases you can buy. Plasma Series cases are lightweight with grippy elements and the semi-transparent backplate nicely accentuates the color of the S20.$40 at AmazonInspired by natureSupcase Unicorn Beetle ProA pe...

Emails are going out to those affected by the outage letting users know that a $5 refund will be on the way.What you need to knowOn February 24 Nest cameras were hit with an outage that lasted for 12 hours.The outage impacted Sightline, notifications, and camera connectivity.Google Nest is refunding Nest Aware subscribers $5 to their account for the inconvenience. If you are a Nest Aware subscriber that and were affected by the outage on February 24 then you will be getting some money back for the troubles.According to Reddit users, emails are rolling out to users that have been affected by this outage. During the outage, users were unable to access their camera feed, the Sightline feature, and notifications were also not working. The outage affected all Nest cameras, including the Nest Hello Doorbell from accessing one of the basic functions for its existence — to see activities and let you know they happened.In a post on the Google Nest support page, Rishi Chandra...

One of the most requested features in WhatsApp over the last couple of years has been dark mode. It is finally available on Android — you can now manually set dark mode for WhatsApp, or have the app match the system theme automatically. Here's how you can get started with dark mode on WhatsApp for Android.Products used in this guideTake great photos: Google Pixel 3a XL ($419 at Amazon)How to download the latest WhatsApp for Android betaThe option to enable dark mode in WhatsApp is limited to the beta version of the app. Usually, it takes about a month for a feature to make its way from the beta client over to the public build, and if you're unwilling to wait that long, you can always download the beta app.WhatsApp runs an official beta program on the Play Store, but that has been full for over a year and isn't taking new beta testers. Your best option instead is to sideload the latest beta APK and install the app. I'll show you how to do that below, but before you start...

The company is considering a variety of features, such as SoO2, sleep apnea, and stress tracking, to name just a few.What you need to knowGoogle seemingly wants to make health a big focus for Wear OS going forward.In a new survey sent out as part of the company's User Experience Research program, the company quizzed users on which health and fitness features they'd like to see on their Wear OS smartwatch.The list of suggested features includes stress, sleep apnea, air quality, and vitals tracking, among others.It's no secret that Google's smartwatch platform isn't doing too well. Apple is, more or less, dominating the smartwatch market, and Google would love to shake things up — hence its $2.1 billion purchase of Fitbit.Wear OS' lack of health-related features may be one of the things holding it back, and Google's finally decided to fix that, it seems (via Droid Life). In a new survey sent out via the company's User Experience Research program, Google is currently askin...

For the last couple of years, the only option has been to broadcast your message to all of your connected speakers.What you need to knowBroadcast is a feature that lets you send either a custom or Google default message to all of your Google Assitant enabled speakers.The impending update will allow you to specify the speaker you'd like to send the message to. Currently, there is no official mention from Google about broadcasting to individual speakers.There are times when your family may be spread throughout your home, and you need to let them know it's time for dinner — the broadcast feature on Google Assistant speakers is excellent for this. However, sometimes you don't need the whole house to be bothered with your message — Google seems to be rolling out this solution.The official broadcast method is, "Hey Google, broadcast" then say your message to get your news out through all Google Assistant speakers on your account. However, there are some Reddit users that ar...