Latest from Android Central

The Pixel 4's facial recognition is good, but it needs to see your face to work.I'm both a fan and not a fan of biometrics. I'll admit I am using face unlock on the Pixel 4 since Google implemented lockdown mode so I can switch it off with a press of the power button, but I still don't love biometrics.My fingerprint or my face is my identity, not my password. I may have 10 fingerprints but you know what I mean here. Those things are who I am, not my password. If someone somehow finds a way to get a copy of either then they might have just a set of fingerprints or a photo of my pretty face or they could have a way into anything that uses those to unlock my stuff. On the other hand, the mere convenience factor of having biometrics means more people than ever are locking their phones and some of those people might have my details in their contacts app. I want everyone to lock their phones and I am that guy who nags my friends and family until they finally cave in and just...

Baby Yoda from The Mandalorian (available on Disney Plus) is one of the most popular Star Wars characters right now simply because of how cute he is. Fans everywhere are desperately trying to get their hands on apparel based on the little guy. Thankfully, despite the lack of available official merchandise, there's plenty of fan-made Baby Yoda-themed wearables out there for The Mandalorian fans. Here's a list of some of our favorites.Our favoriteCute I Am, Adore Me You Must T-ShirtStaff pickBetween the adorable use of "Yodaspeak," the big picture of Baby Yoda, and the clean design, this shirt is easily our top choice. Buy it, you must. I have spoken.From $20 at EleteesSimple teeThe Child T-ShirtThis tee is great for people who want a simple look. It features nothing more than Baby Yoda looking straight ahead with the logo for The Mandalorian beneath him.From $19 at Hot TopicColorful teeBaby Yoda Sunset T-ShirtThis shirt is perfect if you're looking for so...

The Samsung Galaxy S10 is a truly gorgeous phone thanks to its nearly bezel-less display and stunning glass back, but as with all of Samsung's latest handsets, you'll want to outfit it with a case in order to ensure its good looks for years to come. If you're planning on picking up the S10, here are the cases we recommend getting.Redesigned favoriteSpigen Neo HybridStaff pickSpigen's Neo Hybrid has long been one of our favorite phone cases. It has an iconic design, offers excellent protection, and is easy on the wallet.From $14 at AmazonThinnest you can getTotallee Thin CaseOne of the best thin cases on the market comes from Totallee. Not only is this case astonishingly thin, but it also offers ample coverage against wear and tear.$28 at AmazonMore than a caseSamsung LED Back CoverThe Samsung LED Back Cover is quite unique. The case offers good drop protection, but its real highlight are the customizable LEDs on the back.$55 at SamsungNot too expensi...

Samsung's newest phones will be unveiled a week ahead of MWC.What you need to knowLeaked promo video shows Samsung's early 2020 unpacked event will happen on February 11.The company will unveil the new Galaxy S20 and a clamshell successor to the Galaxy Fold.It's unclear where the event will take place, though it will likely be in New York of San Francisco.On the day Samsung unveiled its latest smartphones, cheaper versions of its 2019 flagships, a leaked promo video teased the company's next smartphone ventures.A promo video hinting at revelations to come at the company's first of two annual Unpacked events confirmed an announcement date of February 11, a perfect summation of what could either be the Galaxy S11 or the Galaxy S20.Samsung Unpacked leaked promo. Unpacked is confirmed for 2/11/20 pic.twitter.com/nQeT6i4aRp— Max Weinbach (@MaxWinebach) January 4, 2020According to XDA-Developers' Max Weinbach, via YouTuber Brandon Lee, the promo video shows the Galaxy S...

Here's what LG's got cooking up for 2020.With so many phones that are released during a given year, it only makes sense for some of them to slip between the cracks. Other companies gets fiercer, prices get more competitive, and those that aren't truly amazing often get left to the wayside.Unfortunately, that seems to have been the case for LG for the last few years. The company makes solid devices, but a handful of quirks or missteps keep them from achieving true greatness.2020 is here, and this time around, we're expecting to see the LG G9. Is this the year LG will finally be able to turn things around? Here's everything we know so far about the phone.The design looks pretty outdated 😬Let's talk specsFour cameras are on the backYes, there's still a headphone jackWhat about Air Motion and Hand ID?Pricing and release info is unknownThe LG G8 is still worth a lookUnderdogLG G8$750 at AmazonOne of 2019's most overlooked phonesNot very impressed with what...

Google may be streamlining the Pixel family.What you need to knowA new rumor from an unlikely source claims that the Google Pixel 4a will launch without an accompanying XL model.The report attributes the lack of an XL model to sales figures, claiming that the regular Pixel 3a sold better than the XL.The Pixel 4a will also launch with a new distinctive blue and orange color alongside the typical black and white.The first Pixel 4a renders just came last week, and now we have a follow-up report with some meat to it. This rumor comes from an unlikely source — YouTuber Dave Lee. In the video below, Lee claims that the Google Pixel 4a will ditch the XL model that has been a staple in the Pixel line ever since Google released the original Pixel back in 2016.Lee attributes the Pixel 4a XL's absence to sales numbers, claiming that the Pixel 3a sold more than the 3a XL. While big phones typically outsell their smaller brethren, perhaps the Pixel 3a filled a small phone niche...

The update should be about 2.2GB in size.What you need to knowXiaomi is finally rolling out Android 10 to the Mi 9T/Redmi K20.Previous MIUI builds were based on Android 9.Android 10 improves privacy, adds a system-wide dark mode, and more.The Redmi K20 — also sold as the Xiaomi Mi 9T in global markets — is finally getting some Android 10 love (via GSMArena). While Xiaomi had previously released MIUI 11 for the phone, those builds were based on Android 9. This time around, though, the company has a new year's gift in store for K20 owners, with a version of MIUI based on Google's latest and greatest.Phones with the Global and EU stable ROMs should start receiving the update this week, which comes in at a total 2.2GB.The full changelog is as follows: System Stable MIUI based on Android 10 Updated Android Security Patch to December 2019 Increased system stability Lockscreen, status bar, Notification Shade Fix: Couldn't open notification setting in...

D-Link's Cameras get AI smarts and larger storage.What you need to knowD-Link has released two updated home security cameras for 2020.The cameras feature a new on-the-edge AI that helps with differentiating people from objects.Both cameras will ship from Q2 2020. D-Link has announced two new cameras with improved security features. These two cameras are the Full HD Pan and Tilt Pro Wi-Fi Camera and the Full HD Indoor and Outdoor Pro Wi-Fi Camera. They feature increased onboard storage capacity up to 256GB and wired Ethernet capability, in addition to Wi-Fi support.Thie former is an indoor-only model which can provide a 360-degree view of any room it's placed in, while the latter one is (as its name suggests) an outdoor model which sports motion sensitive spotlights and sirens.More importantly, both devices feature the ability to tell people apart from objects, as well as glass break detection. These features are enabled by a new AI which works in-the-edge (i.e, in real-...

D-Link offers tons of Wi-Fi 6 options, from affordable to incredibly powerful.What you need to knowD-Link's new Wi-Fi 6 product line offers piecemeal and complete packages, ranging from $100 to $280.Each pricepoint ups the specs, offering great options for less money.D-Link is utilizing the new EasyMesh system from the Wi-Fi Alliance, making mesh network troubleshooting a thing of the past.D-Link has always specialized in offering something for everyone, from affordable, simple routers to high-performance gaming and streaming solutions. The official launch of the new Wi-Fi 6 standard has brought plenty of new products with it, and D-Link is using CES 2020 to launch several new routers with Wi-Fi 6 capability. Starting at $120, the new Smart AX Mesh routers offer powerful Wi-Fi 6 connectivity with the security of the new WPA3 wireless encryption standard.D-Link is providing a piecemeal solution for folks that just need a router, or in homes where an additional Wi-Fi range ...

The Galaxy S10 has got a great, big, beautiful screen with some new tricks inside — like that fancy ultrasonic fingerprint sensor — but those tricks make buying a screen protector all the more important and all the more difficult. See, that in-screen fingerprint sensor can't tolerate any air bubbles or gaps between the screen and the screen protector, so your best bets are plastic film protectors or the Whitestone Dome Glass, which is one of the only tempered glass screen protectors we can find that plays nice with it.UV for Ultrasonic ViableClearview Liquid GlassStaff pickThis screen protector uses a UV curing wet-install system to ensure a secure fit, and it works with the Galaxy S10's ultrasonic fingerprint sensor.$32 at AmazonName brand protectionWhitestone Dome GlassWhitestone Dome Glass was the only tempered glass screen protector that has worked with the Galaxy S10 from Day One, and it's got one of the best install kits around.$50 at AmazonSmooth an...

Samsung's getting into the Lite game.Every year for the past few years, Samsung's smartphone release pattern has been pretty predictable. We get the new Galaxy S lineup in the first part of the year, and then around August/September, the latest Galaxy Note is released.We're still expecting new Galaxy S and Note hardware as we usually do, but before any of that happens, Samsung's kicking things off with the Galaxy S10 Lite and Galaxy Note 10 Lite.Both phones aim to offer a premium Galaxy experience at low price points, making them compelling options for anyone that wants a reliable phone without spending a heap of cash.Here's everything you need to know!Let's talk about the phones' designThe specs are quite impressiveAre these replacing the Galaxy S20?When and where you can buy the phonesThe Galaxy S10e is still a great buyNot done yetSamsung Galaxy S10e$600 at AmazonLots of power in a compact packageCan't wait for the Galaxy S10 Lite or Note 10 Lite? Sam...

Best answer: No. While Google adjusted the Chromecast lineup in 2019 by discontinuing the Chromecast Audio, both the 3rd Generation Chromecast and 4K-ready Chromecast Ultra are still widely available and supported.The future-proof 4K dongle: Google Chromecast Ultra ($69 at Amazon)Best value for non-4K TVs: Google Chromecast (3rd Gen) ($35 at Amazon)There are two Chromecasts available (but there's only one you should buy)Google has released three versions of the standard Chromecast, starting with the original Chromecast streaming stick that was released back in 2013. Google would refresh the Chromecast lineup in 2015, which is when they revealed the disc-dongle design that it has defined Google's streaming devices ever since.The 3rd Generation Chromecast still works great, but if interested in buying a new Chromecast in 2020, you should really only consider getting the Chromecast Ultra. The Ultra is the crown jewel in the Chromecast lineup, offering support for 4K and HDR a...

Not only are LED smart bulbs more energy-efficient than traditional incandescent bulbs, but you'll feel like Tony Stark walking through your home controlling the lighting with just your voice. Google Home is one of the tentpole home assistant platforms, so of course, there are a plethora of smart bulb brands eager to get that "works with Google" badge. The question you need to ask yourself as a consumer is how many bulbs you need for your home and how much are you willing to spend?Full-feature smart lightsTo experience the best that smart LED lights can offer, you'll want to start with ones that are entirely customizable with the full spectrum of colors available. Because these bulbs are way more expensive than any light bulb you've probably bought in your life — and often require a dedicated smart hub to relay between the bulbs and your home network — you're going to want to choose a brand that can satisfy all your smart lighting needs or piece together your house plan with bu...

We highly recommend the Fitbit Versa 2 for a wide variety of styles and uses, including automatic activity tracking, on-screen workouts, Fitbit Pay, music storage, and so much more. It's no wonder that Fitbit continues to be one of the many highly regarded names in the industry with all it has to offer. However, don't worry if that's not your cup of tea. There are quite a few other options to choose from. Whether you're looking for specific software, design, or feature set, you'll be able to find a fitness tracker that checks all the boxes on your wish list.Best Overall — Fitbit Versa 2Fitbit Versa FeaturesHeart rate monitorAltimeter5-day battery lifeSleep trackingMusic playerAmazon Alexa built-inWater resistance to 50 metersAMOLED screenFitbit PayReplaceable bandCompatibility with Android, iOS, and Windows Once again, swapping out the Versa 2 band isn't as easy as some other Fitbit models we've seen. Trying to attach a new band is a bit of a challenge. Not o...

Products will be available in early 2020.What you need to knowC by GE is launching a new Three-Wire Smart Switch and Hubless Dimmer with smaller designs that don't require a neutral wire.The new switch and dimmer will also work with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant without the need of a smart hub.It is also adding a wire-free battery operated switch, dimmer, motion detector, and remote to its lineup of smart lighting products.GE is looking to solve some common issues with smart lighting with its new lineup of products. Beginning with the C by GE Hubless Three-Wire Smart Switch and Hubless Dimmer, which feature smaller designs and don't require the use of a neutral wire. This will allow for installation in a wider variety of homes, including older ones that may lack the neutral wire or have smaller junction boxes.The new products are also compatible with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant without the use of a smart hub by connecting directly to your Wi-Fi network. Apple Ho...

The Moto G7 was one of the best budget phones released in 2019 and still a great phone as we head into the new year. With all the money you saved, the least you can do is buy some accessories to keep your G7 in tip-top shape. We've rounded up the best screen protectors here — including the Poetic Revolution case, which comes with a screen protector. Bonus!Reliable brandMr. Shield Tempered Glass (3-pack)Staff pickBuying tempered glass screen protectors in bulk is an excellent idea because they're designed to take the abuse and be replaced. Mr. Shield makes top-quality screen protectors, and the value of its three-pack is hard to beat, especially when backed by Mr. Shield's No-Hassle Lifetime Replacement Warranty.$6 at AmazonLine it up rightLK Tempered Glass with Alignment Frame (3-pack)Sometimes the hardest part of putting on a screen protector is lining things up correctly the first time. LK's tempered glass screen protectors include a handy alignment tool that...

For postpaid phone sales in the month of December 2019.What you need to knowApple and Samsung account for over 90% of phone sales at carriers in the U.S.This was revealed after analysis firm Wave7 Research conducted a survey among the top four wireless carriers in the U.S. during the month of December.The Google Pixel lineup accounted for 2-4% of sales while OnePlus was even lower with 2.3%.When it comes to buying a new phone these days, consumers arguably have more choices than ever when it comes to choosing which brand to buy. Yet, the stats show that if you're buying a smartphone in the U.S., you're most likely going to buy one from Apple or Samsung.Recently, analysis firm Wave7 Research published its findings after completing a survey with the top four carriers in the U.S. In the month of December 2019, the results revealed that over 90% of the time phones sold through the carrier were from either Apple or Samsung.At AT&T stores, sales from the two juggernaut br...

Google moves its News app into 2020.What you need to knowGoogle is shutting down Google News' print-replica subscription functionality.The announcement was made to current subscribers via email.Users will have their payments refunded and all future-looking subscriptions canceled. Aside from acting as a news aggregation service, Google's News app also supported print-replica magazines for subscribers. These were essentially PDF files that retained the original layout and experience of reading a physical magazine, albeit on a phone or tablet. Users of the Google News (then Google Play Newsstand) could subscribe for a fee and have them delivered directly to their devices.I say "could", because Google is shutting down that service. Google sent out an email to subscribers confirming as much. Active users will get all subscriptions canceled, and the company will refund any payments that have already been made.The message reads as follows (via Android Police): Subject: To ...

Ragnarok Game LLC has the source code for Rune II again.What you need to knowRagnarok Game LLC sued Human Head Studios over breach of contract last year.Ragnarok also demanded the source code for Rune II.The source code for the game is back with Ragnarok. The legal issues with Human Head Studios remain unsolved.Back in December 2019, Ragnarok Game LLC filed a lawsuit against Human Head Studios (now Roundhouse Studios) for breach of contract and fraudulent concealment. Human Head Studios developed Rune II, which is published by Ragnarok Game LLC. In November 2019, the day after Rune II released, Human Head Studios went defunct and the entire team was acquired by ZeniMax, renamed Roundhouse Studios and became part of the Bethesda Softworks family of studios.Today, Ragnarok posted on the forums for Rune II that the company has received a hard drive with the assets and source code for Rune II. Engineers on the team are currently verifying that all of the files are included. ...

Plan aheadMint MobileFrom $15 per month at Mint MobileProsLots of dataUnlimited calls and textsCompatible with most phonesDiscounts in bulkConsMust buy in bulkOnly one networkBuy in bulk to save money for service on T-Mobile's network with Mint Mobile. Buy service with data in 3GB, 8GB, or 12GB chunks per month and save more when you buy more months in advance. Calls and texts are unlimited, and calling to Mexico and Canada is included.Pay for what you useTing MobileFrom $6 per month at Ting MobileProsPay only for what you useTwo networks to choose fromCheap entry priceConsGets expensiveData pricesFor a light user or a backup phone, it's hard to find a lower barrier to entry than Ting. With Ting, you only pay for what you use, but the price can grow quickly with heavier use, especially with data. If you are using more than a few megabytes in a month, you lose value.If you only use your phone for a few calls and texts per mo...

The S10 was incredible. Here's what Samsung's doing to improve for 2020.Samsung's Galaxy S series is always one of the most anticipated smartphone releases year after year. Following a modest upgrade with the S9 series, 2019's Galaxy S10 lineup shook things up with an all-new Infinity-O design for the display, triple rear cameras, and even a third "budget" model.In the coming months, it'll be time for Samsung to take the wraps off of the Galaxy S11 — or the S20, we aren't 100% sure about the name. The phone has big shoes to fill, but knowing Samsung, it'll be up to the task.Without further ado, here's everything we know about the Samsung Galaxy S11!There will probably be three versionsThe S11's design has been revealedHere are the specs we're anticipatingExpect a high priceIt should be announced in early 2020Don't count out the Galaxy S10 just yetFlagship in every waySamsung Galaxy S10From $900 at SamsungSamsung's 2019 flagship is still worth a look.The...

Well, it sure is a smartphone.What you need to knowThe first renders for LG's next flagship, the G9, have been revealed.We can see that the phone will have quad cameras and a waterdrop notch on its display.It looks a lot like last year's G8, though it's unclear if LG's hand gestures will return.Year after year, LG releases a new G-series flagship to try and take some of the market away from the likes of Apple and Samsung. The company's phones are usually quite solid, though they often are a hard sell compared to better options from its competitors.Following up on the mixed G8 from 2019, we now have our first renders of what's expected to be the LG G9. The renders come courtesy of CashKaro and @OnLeaks, and at first glance, it's hard to tell what the big selling point for the G9 will be.From a design point of view, there's nothing all that eye-catching about the phone. There's a display (between 6.7 and 6.9-inches) with pretty average bezels by today's standards, along...

If you're a runner, you know that not all pairs of headphones will work, whether you're completing miles on the track or around town. If you want to listen to your music or podcasts while on the move, you need headphones that are sweatproof, lightweight, and offer great sound. No matter if you're a pro or just get started with the running lifestyle, these are our favorite headphones for runners.Flagship earbudsJaybird VistaStaff pickThe Jaybird Vista are our go-to pick for runners. First and foremost, they feature IPX7 water-resistance, which means they'll be able to withstand the most intense workouts and sweat without any issue. Not only that, but they also feature up to 6 hours of battery life on a single charge (buds), with an additional 10 hours of battery life from the included charging case, netting you a total of 16 hours of audio playback.$169 at AmazonRidiculous battery lifePowerbeats ProThe Powerbeats Pro offer up to 9 hours of battery life, physical bu...

Samsung's flagship phones have once again received the latest security before Google Pixels.What you need to knowSamsung is now rolling out the January 2020 security update for the Galaxy S10 and Note 10 series phones.The company began rolling out the January security update to some of its phones in late December. As expected, the update does not bring anything else apart from the latest security patch. Samsung recently began rolling out the January 2020 security patch to some of its A-series smartphones as well as the Galaxy Tab S5e tablet. Now, the company has started pushing (via SamMobile) the latest security update to its flagship Galaxy Note 10 and S10 series phones.The January 2020 security update for the Galaxy Note 10 and Note 10+ has so far been rolled out only in Germany, although it shouldn't take very long for Samsung to start pushing it in other markets. As for the Galaxy S10 series phones, the latest software update with the January 2020 Android security pa...

Best answer: Yes! Just about all of the Ring doorbells, cameras, lights, and security products work hand-in-hand with Alexa. Plus, there are many ways you can use their tight integration to improve your home security.Video Doorbell: Ring Video Doorbell 2 ($200 at Amazon)Surveillance Camera: Ring Stick Up Cam ($100 at Amazon)Home Security: Ring Alarm Security System ($139 at Amazon)Do Ring products work with Alexa?Yes! Once you install the Ring Alexa skill, you can use your Echo speaker, Fire TV, or other Alexa-enabled devices to control your Ring home security products.Which Ring products work with Alexa?Here is the current suite of Ring products that work with Alexa:Ring Peephole CamRing Video DoorbellRing Video Doorbell 2Ring Video Doorbell ProRing Video Doorbell EliteRing SpotlightRing FloodlightRing PathlightRing SteplightRing Motion DetectorRing TransformerRing BridgeRing Stick Up CamRing Indoor CamRing Alarm Security SystemWhich Amazon devices ...

OnePlus is also touting "color-shifting glass technology."What you need to knowOnePlus has released a teaser clip for its new OnePlus Concept One smartphone.It features an "invisible camera" and "color-shifting glass."The phone will be shown off at CES next week.In mid-December, OnePlus announced that it would take advantage of CES 2020 to unveil its first-ever concept device, aptly named the "OnePlus Concept One." On January 3, the company released a short teaser of the phone.We’re bringing the #OnePlusConceptOne to #CES2020, but you don’t have to wait: you can get a sneak peek at it right here, along with its groundbreaking “invisible camera” and color-shifting glass technology. pic.twitter.com/elsV9DKctn— OnePlus (@oneplus) January 3, 2020The teaser is quite short, simply showing quick, up-close shots of the Concept One. The most interesting part is when we see the back of the phone, which has a distinct cutout of sorts on it. At first, it's a smooth glas...

Get ready for a whole bunch of pointless hole punches in displays, complete with awful software to make the experience worse.Let's get this out of the way early: hole-punch displays are stupid. They're poorly implemented cosmetic solutions to a fake problem, and they make your phone less functional simply by existing. The one saving grace to Samsung's gross af hole punch displays this year was how few if its competitors seemed to have picked up on the trend. While there were a couple of other manufacturers in China willing to give it a shot, most of the other phone manufacturers appeared to have devoted this energy elsewhere.It turns out that had very little to do with a desire to avoid the hole punch, but instead was the result of a long-rumored exclusivity period Samsung had on the tech. So welcome to 2020, where the hole-punch display is probably going to take over the U.S. and the software managing it will get way worse before it gets better.While Samsung's implementation...

Leaked promo images give us our best look yet at the Galaxy S10 Lite and Note 10 Lite.What you need to knowPromo images of the Samsung Galaxy S10 Lite and Note 10 Lite have leaked online.The promo images reveal the Galaxy S10 Lite will come equipped with "Super Steady OIS."Samsung is rumored to unveil the two phones at CES 2020 in Las Vegas next week. Last month, we got our first look at Samsung's rumored Galaxy S10 Lite and Note 10 Lite smartphones. Samsung is expected to officially unveil both the new phones at its CES 2020 press conference in Las Vegas next week. Ahead of their formal launch, a few official renders of the two phones have surfaced, courtesy of tipster Ishan Agarwal and MySmartPrice. Since quite a few renders of the two phones have leaked already, the new images do not reveal any major surprises. They only reaffirm a recent leak that had revealed the Galaxy S10 Lite will come equipped with a next-gen "tiltOIS" technology. As can be seen in the images...

Let's have a chat with the AC forums.We're in the very early days of 2020, but even so, we already have a fairly good idea of what to expect from the smartphone landscape over the next 12 months.Samsung's Galaxy S11 lineup will be here in just a couple of months, Google is expected to drop the Pixel 4a sometime in May, and the OnePlus 8 is on the horizon, just to name a few.Some of our AC forum members recently started talking about potential phone purchases they'll be making in 2020, with the highlights being: dew066 12-28-2019 07:52 PM “ pixel 3a XL until August, then sell it and get S11 as the S11 will be reduced in price when Note 11 comes out. Reply B. Diddy 12-29-2019 02:34 AM “ If you can wait a while, I'd see what the Pixel 4a is like. Considering that the 3a was considered by many te...

Introduced alongside the rest of the Moto G7 family, the G7 Play sports the smallest display of the group, making it much easier to handle while still giving you a lot of the same features and specs as the other devices. However, there are some of us out there who still want to keep our precious devices protected no matter what. Here are our picks for the best cases for the G7 Play.Slim and MatteSunnyw Ultra-Thin TPU CaseStaff pickSlim cases are popular since they keep the bulkiness of your already-hefty smartphone down. The Sunnyw Slim case offers a compact construction, along with raised bezels and tactile button covers for the best all-around experience.$10 at AmazonOn the hipVenoro Full Body Protection CaseIt's essential to have excellent protection, but also a case with a holster is always a plus. The Venoro Full Body Protection Case offers not only an easy way to have your phone handy on your hip, but the holster also sports a built-in kickstand. That allows...

There are three types of Chromebook users: casuals, nerds, and those who write about them for a living.I read an interesting editorial by Android Police's Editor-in-Chief, David Ruddock, about Chrome dying on the vine and becoming stale. You should read it yourself, but the general vibe is that development on Chrome OS has all but stopped, and that makes a Chromebook a poor choice for anyone who wants a laptop.He's right, in a way. He's also wrong in a way. But most of all, I think he doesn't account for the simple fact that everyone wants something different from every single piece of tech they buy.The best Chromebooks you can buy right nowThat's an easy trap to fall into when you write about all that tech for a living day in and day out. I do it often and so does every other tech writer, at least once in a while. It's especially easy once you venture outside the world of smartphones.David makes this mistake for the same reason we all do — he bases his opinion on his ...

The feature will likely soon make its way to the newer OnePlus 7T and 7T Pro phones as well.What you need to knowThe latest OxygenOS Open Beta 8 build for the OnePlus 7 and 7 Pro adds a single-handed mode.It also includes the December security patch and a few bug fixes. We expect the new one-handed mode to make its way to at least a few other OnePlus phones soon. In October last year, a OnePlus software product manager had revealed that the company would soon roll out a one-handed mode for OxygenOS. OnePlus has now started rolling out OxygenOS Open Beta 8 for the OnePlus 7 and 7 Pro with the highly anticipated feature.Weirdly, however, the one-handed mode finds no mention in the official changelog for the latest OxygenOS Open Beta build. As per the changelog, the update optimizes the mistouches when the phone is inside a pocket, fixes the display issue on the uninstalling page, and comes with the December Android security patch. Additionally, the latest build fixes the ...

If you're like most people, your resolutions revolve around living a healthier life and/or getting into shape. Those aren't easy for anyone, but with the help of these apps, you can ensure you have the best chance possible to stick with your resolutions and come out the end of 2020 happier and healthier than ever before.Keep track of everythingGoogle KeepStaff PickGoogle Keep is the all-in-one app for keeping track of reminders and any notes that you need to get out of your brain. The easy integration with Google Assistant makes life even easier, and then you can go back and organize everything to your needs.Free at Google PlayTask ManagementTodoist: To-Do List, Tasks & RemindersFor those that need a bit more control in terms of task management, you can't go wrong with Todoist. The app makes it easy to organize everything, and you can even keep track of your habits and goals for the year.Free w/IAP at Google PlayLearn something newDuolingo: Lea...

As of November 2019, Samsung phones make up 53.9% of the 5G market.What you need to knowSamsung has announced that it shipped more than 6.7 million 5G Galaxy phones in 2019.At IFA during September, Samsung said that it had shipped around 2 million.53.9% of the global 5G smartphone market is now owned by Samsung.There was a lot of talk and buzz around 5G in 2019, with carriers enabling their 5G networks and smartphone companies releasing their first 5G-capable devices. Samsung has been at the forefront of all things 5G, and it looks like those efforts have paid off.In a press release issued on January 2, Samsung revealed that it shipped over 6.7 million 5G Galaxy smartphones during 2019. Samsung reached 2 million shipments back in September during IFA, and at the time, expected to double that number up to 4 million by the end of the year. Now, we know that that expectation was well-exceeded.Samsung launched two 5G-capable phones during 2019, including the Galaxy S10 5G a...

He retired on the last day of 2019 and announced his new position on January 1.What you need to knowThe now-former head of Lenovo Mobile China has left the company for Xiaomi.Chang Cheng was at Lenovo for the last 19 years.It's unclear at this point, but the move may have put him in legal jeopardy due to a non-competition agreement.The head of Lenovo China's mobile division till just two days ago, Chang Cheng has left his home of 19 years to join Xiaomi. The move came as a surprise, given that the former Lenovo exec had just announced his departure on the last day of 2019, seemingly for familial reasons. A day later, on new year's, Cheng was being congratulated by rival Xiaomi's CEO, Lei Jun, for a new position as VP (via the South China Morning Post): [Chang] has a deep understanding of the industry and rich operating experience in the field of consumer electronics. I believe that under his leadership, our mobile phone product planning will be more forward-looking and ...

Big moves for the CEO of Respawn Entertainment.What you need to knowVince Zampella is the CEO of Respawn Entertainment, a studio owned by Electronic Arts.Moving forward, Zampella will also be in charge of the DICE L.A branch.DICE L.A will likely be rebranded, while still being a separate studio. DICE L.A is also working on a new project. According to an interview from the Los Angeles Times, Vince Zampella, the CEO of Respawn Entertainment, will be leading DICE L.A in addition to staying as head of Respawn Entertainment. DICE L.A has been a support studio in the past, assisting with the development of games like the Battlefield franchise or Star Wars: Battlefront II.Under Zampella's leadership, the studio is going to be working on a new project and will likely rebrand and move away from the DICE name, while staying separate from Respawn Entertainment. This will be part of the move to take it from being a support studio to a standalone studio developing its own games.Sti...

Amazon recently changed its policies for employees speaking publicly.What you need to knowAmazon Employees for Climate Justice organize to change environmental practices.The group says two of its leaders were sent threatening letters by management.Amazon has recently updated its policies on employees speaking publicly.Last April, more than 8,700 Amazon employees signed a letter to CEO Jeff Bezos asking for the online shopping giant to end its support of oil and gas companies and to lower its impact on the environment. Later in the year, a number of employees walked out. Now, organizers of the group Amazon Employees for Climate Justice say their leaders are being targeted and threatened by Amazon for speaking out publicly against the company.THREAD/ Jeff Bezos and Amazon executives are threatening to fire a few members of our group after we spoke up about wanting our company to be a leader in the worldwide effort to avert climate catastrophe.https://t.co/L87gpclEyL— Amaz...

False positives fell by up to 5.7%, while false negatives were reduced by as much as 9.4%.What you need to knowA study suggests AI could be poised to radicalize cancer screening.A system designed by Google was found to provide more accurate readings than doctors.The rate of false positives and false negatives were up to 5.7% and 9.4% better compared to human doctors, respectively.As the scientific community continues to explore the perhaps endless possibilities posed by the inclusion of artificial intelligence into various aspects of our lives, Google has just demonstrated a possibly life-saving application for the buzzword technology that's taking the world by storm.An AI system developed by the company was found to be more accurate at detecting cancer than doctors, a study reported on by CNN Business found. The result of a partnership between Google Health, Cancer Research UK Imperial Centre, Northwestern University, and Royal Surrey County Hospital, the research determ...

Good news, AirDrop for Android exists. Bad News, it's not for everyone.What you need to knowXiaomi, Oppo, and Vivo have teamed up to create the "Peer-to-Peer Transmission Alliance"With this alliance, the three have built an AirDrop for Android that works for users of their phones.It will roll out starting in February.AirDrop for Android is here, kinda, sorta. Xiaomi, Vivo, and Oppo have announced their own peer-to-peer sharing feature for Android with the creation of the "Peer-to-Peer Transmission Alliance". While the alliance was revealed last year by Xiaomi on a WeChat post, this marks the first time we're getting a launch date.The alliance will let users of devices made by those three brands quickly share files with each other's phones. It'll make use of Bluetooth for fast pairing, and Wi-Fi direct for the actual file sharing process. Users will see speeds of up to 20MB/s and the service won't require an external app but will be built into the share sheet. The feature ...

The app has been dead for nearly a year now.What you need to knowHuawei's phones are tagging the Allo app as a security threat.The warning claims that the app could be infected and recommends immediate uninstallation.The app has been non-functional for almost a year now.It's been more than a year since Google announced its intention to kill Allo, yet another of its failed attempts at creating a WhatsApp alternative that could be for Android what iMessages is to iOS. While those plans never materialized and the app was lost to history as just another ghost in Google's burgeoning graveyard, Allo is now back in the news, thanks to Huawei.Android Authority reports that users of the embattled Chinese company's phones are now receiving warnings classifying the defunct app as a possible security threat that is 'infected' and thus needs to be uninstalled immediately.The app has been off the Play Store for a while now, so the warning is only being received by users who either si...

Disney is trying to avoid viewer fatigue while still delivering regular, new contentWhat you need to knowDisney wants to deliver new and exciting stories while avoiding market fatigue.Disney CEO Bob Iger hints that we could see movies for big events with certain TV characters.He also suggests that expanded visions of character and timeline stories from the films could make their way onto Disney+ as new series.When Disney bought Star Wars from Lucasfilm back in 2012, plenty of fans were worried about what would happen with the iconic sci-fi legend. Nearly a decade into that deal, we've seen plenty of positive aspects of the purchase, including the assumed expansion of movies, TV shows, theme parks, and merchandise aplenty. But Disney isn't done with Star Wars by any means, despite wrapping up the 40-year Skywalker saga with mixed reviews.In an interview on The Star Wars Show, Disney CEO Bob Iger talked about the future of Star Wars television and movies in a more open-ende...

Spy on neighbors you didn't know you had.What you need to knowA Reddit user received photos from other homes after connecting a Xiaomi security camera to a Google Nest Hub.Some photos show security camera shots from inside bedrooms with subjects asleep.Google has since removed the Xiaomi integration with its devices.A Reddit user connected a Xiaomi Miija security camera to a Google Nest Hub expecting to be able to see through the 130-degree camera from the Nest Hub's screen. Instead, when user Dio-V started streaming from the camera, what came through instead was still images from inside other people's homes. Sometimes blurry and corrupted, other times sharp, Dio-V's evidence on Reddit consists of interior photos of multiple homes with views of apparently unwitting subjects, including an infant asleep in a crib.There are few details in the post, picked up by our friends at Android Police, but Dio-V does indicate the camera used was a Xiaomi Miija 1080p camera, and shows...

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

The update is about 2GB in total.What you need to knowAlmost three months after the update was first made available, T-Mobile is finally rolling out Android 10 to its OnePlus 7 Pro variant.It's around 2GB in size.As with most OTA updates, the rollout will be gradual, so you may not receive it right away.OnePlus has generally done a terrific job with updating its smartphones, with its wares often being among the earliest devices to be supported on betas for upcoming Android releases. Carrier-locked variants of its phones are another story, though. Almost three months after the Chinese company rolled out its Android 10-based OxygenOS 10 for the OnePlus 7 Pro, T-Mobile is finally getting around to providing the same to its users.The update is expected to be around 2GB in size, so you'd better not download it over mobile data. Adding another blemish to T-Mobile's track record with software updates is the included security patch; it's from November 2019, which is already two m...

The "Don't be evil" motto is being called into question.What you need to knowGoogle policy head Ross LaJeunesse calls out Google's hypocrisy in its "Don't be evil" motto.LaJeunesse is a Democrat running for Senate in Maine against a vulnerable Republican.Cooperation with the Chinese and Saudi Arabian governments most alarmed him.A former Google Head of International Relations, Ross LaJeunesse, is taking on the company directly as he campaigns for Senate. LaJeunesse specifically calls out the company's unofficial and infamous "Don't be evil" motto, detailing the deterioration of the corporate culture from its refusal to cooperate with Chinese censorship on Search in 2010 through the so-called "Dragonfly" project that would tailer Search to Chinese censor rules. Google claimed to have terminated the Dragonfly project in mid-2019. LaJeunesse implies that overall corporate greed and competition drove the tech giant to give up on its earliest do-good proclamation, to the point t...

Amazfit is set to take on the likes of Garmin with the rugged T-Rex.What you need to knowAmazfit is all set to introduce a new rugged smatwatch dubbed T-Rex at CES 2020.A recent FCC filing suggests it will feature Bluetooth 5.0, built-in GPS, 5ATM water resistance, and a heart rate sensor. Amazfit will unveil the smartwatch alongside two other products on January 8. Amazfit made a name for itself in the wearable segment with the likes of the Verge, and the brand is now getting ready to launch a rugged smartwatch that goes up against the likes of the Garmin's Instinct.A teaser gives us a first look at the upcoming smartwatch, which will be dubbed the T-Rex. The smartwatch has a rugged design with buttons on the side, and an FCC filing gives us a detailed look at the specs on offer. The T-Rex will come with Bluetooth 5,0, a heart rate sensor, built-in GPS, and 5ATM water resistance.Given Amazfit's value-focused strategy, it is possible the brand will be looking to undercu...

No equipment was damaged, but the production line must be inspected before operations resume.What you need to knowSamsung experienced a one-minute power outage at its Hwaseong factory in South Korea that will shut down operations for two to three days.The factory is responsible for producing NAND and DRAM memory chips, which are used in products like phones and computers.A similar incident occurred in 2018 at a different Samsung factory and cost the company $43.3 million in losses, but it is estimated this blackout will cost significantly less.You undoubtedly know Samsung for its line of smartphones such as the Galaxy S10 and Note 10, along with its TVs, microwaves, washers, and dryers. However, did you also know that Samsung is a major manufacturer of components that go into smartphones? In fact, Samsung is the largest memory chipmaker in the world.Unfortunately, it looks like Samsung will be taking an unscheduled break at one of its factories thanks to a power outage. T...

HiSilicon is also widening the scope of its business at the same time.What you need to knowHuawei is no longer HiSilicon's only customer.Huawei's chip arm has launched new 4G communication chips on the open market for AI/ioT application. It remains to be seen if HiSilicon will begin selling its Kirin chipsets to Huawei's rival smartphone makers. Huawei's chip arm HiSilicon has finally started supplying chips to other companies. While the company has so far supplied chips only to Huawei, it launched its first 4G communication chips on the open market during the ELEXCON 2019 electronics show held in Shenzhen, China recently.As per a report from EETimes, Shanghai HiSilicon, a subsidiary of Huawei that was established in April last year, will be selling chips on the open market. Shenzhen HiSilicon, on the other hand, will be responsible for supplying chips to the parent company.In addition to selling some of its chips on the open market, HiSilicon has also changed the name...

Samsung's getting into the Lite game — here's what we're expecting.Every year for the past few years, Samsung's smartphone release pattern has been pretty predictable. We get the new Galaxy S lineup in the first part of the year, and then around August/September, the latest Galaxy Note is released.We're still expecting new Galaxy S and Note hardware as we usually do, but before any of that happens, Samsung's going to kick off the new year with something we haven't seen before — Lite variants of existing flagships.At CES 2020, it's rumored that Samsung will formally unveil the Galaxy S10 Lite and Galaxy Note 10 Lite. From the phones' design, specs, features, and more, here's everything we know about them so far.Let's talk about the phones' designThe specs have us interestedAre these replacing the Galaxy S11?An announcement is coming soonHere's what we know about pricingThe Galaxy S10e is still a great buyNot done yetSamsung Galaxy S10e$600 at AmazonLots ...

Smart home tech is becoming a more accessible and popular way of upgrading your current household setup. The best thing about the Amazon Echo family of products and Amazon Alexa is the seemingly endless integration with many popular and emerging smart home devices. Here is a smorgasbord of some of the best Alexa-compatible smart home tools that work with your Amazon Echo device.Alexa, show the front door cameraRing Video Doorbell 2Staff PickThe Ring Video Doorbell 2 works with Echos that have a screen (Spot, Show, Show 5), Fire Tablets, and Fire TVs to show you who is near your doorbell. It has a horizontal field of view of 180 degrees and a vertical field of view of 110 degrees, plus the ability to power the doorbell via your existing wiring or via an independent battery.From $200 at AmazonGotta Keep WatchRing Stick Up CamBeing able to keep your home safe from anywhere is easy with the Ring Stick Up Cam. You can even use your Fire TV, Fire Tablet, or Echo S...