Latest from Android Central

The newest wireless buds from Samsung were seen in the code for its smart home app SmartThings.What you need to knowThe update to the Galaxy Buds doesn't appear to have any physical changes in design.Galaxy Buds+ will likely launch when Samsung announces the new Galaxy S11 devices.One of the most exciting updates for these buds is the potential for active noise canceling.The Galaxy Buds from Samsung were first announced with the Galaxy S10 phones, and with the S11 devices around the corner, it makes sense we are getting rumors for new buds too. The folks over at XDA Developers have dug up code in Samsung's SmartThing smart home app pointing to Galaxy Buds+, and even have a render to go along with it.The first version of Samsung's truly wireless earbuds has been well-received as a great addition to your everyday carry bag. It seems that Samsung has listened to fans of the original buds and isn't going to change what works in terms of design. The render shows both a case ...

You can also mimic dual-SIM functionality by using a physical SIM card at the same time.What you need to knowThe December update for the Pixel 4 has enabled eSIM capability for T-Mobile's network.Thanks to the phone's dual-SIM dual-standby support, you can also have another network's SIM in the physical SIM slot.Calls, text, and data from both carriers can then work simultaneously.Better facial recognition isn't the only convenience the Pixel 4 series is going to get with the December security update; it also includes eSIM support for T-Mobile's network. As spotted by Android Police, T-Mobile's latest software release for the phone includes "various bug fixes and system improvements," alongside the highly-requested feature.Not only this but thanks to dual-standby support on the latest Pixels, you can actually mimic dual-SIM capability on the phone, despite the single SIM slot found on its left side. If you're using a mobile operator that supports eSIMs — like T-Mobi...

Ring screws up yet again.What you need to knowThe credentials and user data of 3,600 cameras have been leaked online.This includes log-in emails, passwords, and camera nicknames. An additional cache belonging to 1,500 users have also been discovered for sale on the dark web. It's not yet clear whether these are from the same data set or if it's an additional leak. Smart home security firm, Ring has been caught in a cycle of screwup after screwup, but this one might just be the most egregious. The firm has, according to a report from Buzzfeed News, had the data of 3,600 users leaked online. This data included usernames, passwords, and information about the cameras like what they were named — hinting at their location in users' homes. Another leak of 1,500 users was also discovered for sale on the dark web (as reported by TechCrunch.) Much like the earlier leak, the data contained in was much of the same.While Ring has yet to comment on the latter leak, a spokesperson...

Ad networks and trackers are bad, but they aren't the only way your phone tracks your every move.The New York Times has published a bombshell of a story that goes into great detail about how software SDKs (especially advertisement-based ones) can track your every move no matter how "anonymized" they claim to be. It's a great article and really goes in-depth about how it all works and more importantly, why it's something you might want to care about. Be sure to read it.The article might seem more important to me than it does to you. That's because each of us has a threshold for this sort of privacy abuse and none of the companies involved have actually done anything nefarious with the huge amount of location data that's being stored. Foursquare, one of the popular companies named by the Times, is a popular app that can be fun to use when you have friends who also use it. Foursquare hasn't done any harm, right? I doubt Foursquare will ever do any harmful things with our ...

Whether you're upgrading to a new device or are resetting your phone, it's incredibly easy to restore your apps and settings. Google automatically backs up information like contacts, calendar entries, call logs, texts, Do Not Disturb settings, and more to the cloud, allowing you to pick up from where you left off. Here's how you can restore your apps and settings when moving to a new Android phone.Products used in this guideTake great photos: Google Pixel 3a XL ($359 at Amazon)Android One goodness: Nokia 7.2 ($350 at Amazon)How to enable the Android backup serviceBefore we get started with restoring data, you have to make sure that the backup service is running on your current phone. Here's how you can get started:Open Settings from the home screen or app drawer. Scroll down to the bottom of the page. Tap System.Select Backup. Ensure the Back up to Google Drive toggle is selected. You'll be able to see the data that is being backed up.Now that you've enabled...

It's what the renders don't show that matters.What you need to knowHuawei's next big phones, the P40 and P40 Pro, have shown up in leaked renders.The phones are expected to be launched in early Spring 2020.Renders show screens that curve over every edge and no 3.5mm headphone jack.Huawei's next big thing may have leaked if renders posted by leaker @OnLeaks and rumor site 91Mobiles prove to be the real deal. The renders are quite dark but show off the screen and edges of both the Huawei P40 and the Huawei P40 Pro. There is not much new information to gather from the renders, but they may prove Huawei is advancing its curve aesthetic, bending the screen slightly over the top and bottom of the device as well as the sides.There are no obvious camera cutouts to be seen, so it is possible Huawei is moving forward with a subscreen selfie camera like the one we recently saw demonstrated by Oppo. Or it could just be that the renders opted not to show every nook and cranny of the...

Smart lighting isn't just limited to turning your bulbs on and off from your phone or changing their colors. With the right smart bulbs, you can even soup up your gaming rig with lights that follow the rhythm and beats of your games, turning your entire room into a living visualizer.Bulbs for your lampsPhilips Hue Premium Starter KitStaff pickIf you don't already have an elaborate smart lighting rig, why not start simple with a couple of bulbs? The Philips Hue Starter Kit comes with two bulbs, along with the necessary Hue Bridge, and Philips Hue partners with gaming brands like Razer so that your lights can match the changing colors of your Chroma-powered peripherals.$128 at AmazonAmbient glowPhilips Hue Light StripJust like the light bulbs, Philips Hue's LightStrip Plus can connect with Razer Chroma devices like Razer's RGB gaming mice and keyboards and match their colors to give a unique ambience to your room. You can stick the LightStrip to the bottom or edges ...

It was not revealed why the team went with OLED instead.What you need to knowThe Pixel 3 almost launched with a 120Hz LCD display.The revelation came out on the recent Android Developer's Backstage podcast from Chet Haase, a member of the Android Developer Relations team.However, the team eventually decided on an OLED display and it wasn't revealed why it scraped the 120Hz LCD.The Google Pixel 4 and Pixel 4 XL launched back in October using 90Hz displays, making them the first Pixel phones to feature displays with high refresh rates. However, it turns out that Google thought about launching the Pixel 3 with a display using an even higher refresh rate.According to the recent Android Developer's Backstage podcast, the team contemplated putting Sharp's 120Hz LCD display in the Pixel 3 phone. Chet Haase from the Android Developer Relations team, detailed in the podcast how originally the smaller Pixel 3 wasn't slated to use an OLED display for various reasons.In lieu of an ...

Know someone who's really into Android and tech-related stuff and looking for that perfect but unexpected gift? It can be hard trying to find the perfect gift for anyone, and we're here to help. From the practical to the whimsical, these are the non-tech gifts your Android fan will love.Keep your life organizedPeak Design Everyday Backpack (Version 2)Staff PickAlthough this isn't tech related, the Peak Design Everyday Backpack is sure to make that Android fan happy. The bag has customizable compartments and is capable of holding much more than just a laptop and a spare phone for traveling.$260 at AmazonShow off your fandomDead Zebra Andy Android Vinyl FigureThe obvious choice for that Android fan is this Andy vinyl figure from Dead Zebra. This is one of the latest editions of the collectible figurine designed by Andrew Bell and shows Andy holding onto his Android device. Plus, the figure measures in at just 4 inches, so it can comfortably be displayed on any...

OnePlus hopes the two new initiatives will help it protect its users from cyber security threats.What you need to knowOnePlus has launched a new bug bounty program that will pay up to $7,000 to security professionals who can discover and report potential threats to the company's systems.Researchers can report any potential threats that they discover on the company's official website.Along with the bounty program, OnePlus has also joined hands with HackerOne to discover security vulnerabilities before they can be exploited. OnePlus suffered its second data breach in two years last month. Even though it did not reveal exactly how many users were affected, the company did say that order information of some of its customers was accessed by an unauthorized party. With an aim to boost the security of its systems, OnePlus today announced a new bug bounty program that is open to security experts from around the world.Pete Lau, CEO and founder of OnePlus, said in a statement: ...

Google just acquired a game studio!What you need to knowStadia is a cloud game streaming service from Google.It's been criticized for the lack of exclusive content. Google just acquire Typhoon Studios. Journey to the Savage Planet will still be released on Xbox One and other platforms. Ever since Google Stadia launched, it's been criticized for its lack of exclusives. Gylt isn't really a title anyone would subscribe to the service for if they're only making the decision based on that. Luckily, Google is on track to change that. Today, the company announced that it has acquired Typhoon Studios, the makers of Journey to the Savage Planet.Google sent the following statement to Android Central in a press release. Working with some of the best game creators in the world, we've learned that a successful studio comes down to great people who have a vision to execute on the best ideas. We're always looking for people who share our passion and vision for the future of gamin...

There will also be special restrictions placed on alcohol and diet supplements starting next year.What you need to knowInstagram will begin banning influencers from promoting "vaping, tobacco products, and weapons."Branded content that features alcohol and diet supplements will also require "special restrictions" starting next year.It will also open up access to the Facebook Brand Collabs Manager for select creators to provide them with new ways to search for brands to work with, as well as making it easier to share insights and engagement stats.In the very near future, your Instagram feed should become a lot less clogged with vaping posts. The news comes after Instagram announced on December 18 that influencers would now be banned from promoting "vaping, tobacco products, and weapons."The policy is actually not new for the photo-sharing service, but Instagram now says it will begin enforcing the policy on branded content in the "coming weeks."Additionally, branded cont...

Syncing your photos and videos between your Galaxy Note 10 and OneDrive just got a bit easier.What you need to knowOneDrive now integrates with the Galaxy Note 10's photo gallery.The feature is part of a growing partnership between Microsoft and Samsung.The feature natively integrates the photo gallery with OneDrive, rather than relying on the OneDrive app.Samsung and Microsoft announced several aspects of a partnership in August, including OneDrive natively integrating with the Galaxy Note 10 photo gallery. Microsoft announced that the feature begins to roll out today in Europe, with devices in the U.S. set to receive it soon.The integration replaces Samsung Cloud in the photos gallery and allows people to sync photos and videos to OneDrive directly from the gallery app. These images and videos can then be viewed in the OneDrive app on iOS, Android, or Windows, as well as on the web. A new photo experience arrives in January for OneDrive online that loads images quickly ...

Motorola is going all-out this year with the Moto G7 series, launching four models at the same time. We've been covering Motorola phones for years and know that its budget phones have always stood for reliability and value.Moto G7Budget king$180 at AmazonProsReliable performancePremium designWorks on all U.S. carriersClean softwareConsSlow updatesNo NFCThe Moto G7 is an all-rounder that gets the basics right. The hardware on offer is powerful for most day-to-day tasks, and the camera also holds up well. The glass back gives it a more premium feel, and Motorola has cut down on the bezels up front by switching to a waterdrop cutout. The 3000mAh battery easily delivers a day's worth of use, and the software doesn't have a lot of clutter. Overall, the Moto G7 is a great budget phone for 2019.Moto G7 PowerBattery champion$180 at AmazonProsGreat valueInsane battery lifeRobust internalsWorks on all U.S. carriersCons720p display No NFCSlow up...

Our pickNokia 6.2$249 at AmazonProsExcellent hardwareTriple rear camerasClean Android One softwareGoogle Assistant buttonNFC for Google PayConsOnly works on GSM networksThe Nokia 6.2 stands out as one of the best smartphone values on the market. It gets the basics right, featuring a fantastic design, excellent battery life, and top-notch software support. It also offers some premium goodies we don't usually see at this price, such as NFC for Google Pay and a dedicated Google Assistant button.Works with all carriersMoto G7$180 at AmazonProsLarge and vibrant displayDual rear camerasMotorola's software is greatHands-free AlexaWorks on GSM and CDMA networksConsNo Google Pay supportWon't get updates beyond Android 10Motorola's G-series features some of the most popular mid-range phones, and the Moto G7 continues the lineup's legendary reputation. It offers a great display, dual rear cameras, and hands-free Alexa access at a competit...

Whatever your reason is for shopping for a new band, you'll find there's a wide variety of options. Maybe you're looking to change up your style or you need something that's more practical for day-to-day wear. Either way, we've gathered some outstanding bands for you to consider.Soft but durableBarton Soft Silicone Watch BandStaff pickIt's safe to say that Barton's quick-release silicone bands are some of the best bands you buy today. Not only are they easy to put on and take off, but they're also reasonably priced. This means you can buy as many as you'd like and switch it up whenever you want. These bands are washable and waterproof, so they're perfect for fitness fans. You'll love that the textured back prevents slipping and improves airflow.$15 at AmazonMake it fashionMOTONG Genuine Leather Watch BandWant to make your Huawei Watch more fashionable? No problem. These Italian genuine leather watch bands from MOTONG are an ideal pick. They're sleek and styl...

Everyone has something they're passionate about, and at Android Central, we're crazy about Android phones. We test and play with all of the latest devices out there to ensure you're spending your money on products that are a good fit for your lifestyle.Most affordableMoto G7 Play$130 at AmazonProsSame processor as G7 PowerMatte plastic finishFlash for selfie cameraCheapest of the two phonesConsLess RAMSmaller displayWeaker batteryThe Moto G7 Play is for people that want a smartphone that can handle all of the basics without spending a heap of money. It's got competent specs, a solid display, expandable storage, a headphone jack, and a water-repellent coating. It's not the flashiest or most powerful handset out there, but for the price, it's one heck of a bargain.Legendary batteryMoto G7 Power$180 at AmazonProsLarger screen with smaller notchSlightly more RAMMassive 5,000 mAh batteryExpandable storageConsGlossy plastic backNo fla...

The bluest blue case I've ever seen gives the Pixel 4 a retro look with robust protection.Some cases have mesmerizing textures and patterns on the back, and then some cases pick a color and go full ham with them. The OtterBox Symmetry is one of the latter, choosing to pick a cobalt blue and go completely beyond with a "Sapphire Secret" that looks like it jumped right out of a comic book. Combining this with a durable exterior and immaculate detailing, this name-brand case is as eye-catching as it is classic, and it has some retro vibes that any die-hard fan will appreciate.At a glanceOtterBox Symmetry Series Pixel 4 case Even if you're not a heavy-duty case fan, this is one of the thinner Otterboxes around and that color is just too bold and beautiful to deny. This is the best Otterbox case I've used in the last three years...

Apart from new features, the update also brings optimized RAM management and a few bug fixes.What you need to knowOnePlus has reportedly started rolling out OxygenOS Open Beta 7 for OnePlus 7 and 7 Pro users.The new build adds a new feature called optimized charging and a chromatic effect option for the reading Mode.Most of you will need to wait a few days to be able to download Open Beta 7, as it hasn't been officially announced yet. OnePlus has apparently released (via XDA Developers) a new OxygenOS beta build for the OnePlus 7 and 7 Pro phones. Even though the company hasn't officially announced the update, a few users on Reddit claim to have received it already.As per the update changelog, OxygenOS Open Beta 7 introduces a new feature called optimized charging. The feature is said to "improve battery performance based on usage." You can enable or disable the new feature by heading to Settings > Battery > Optimized charging.OnePlus has also added a Chromatic ...

New year, new decade, new phones!What better way to really have a fresh start than with a new phone that has not one but two screens? The LG G8X with the LG Dual Screen accessory gives you the flexibility of having a foldable phone when you want more screen real estate or the option to go single screen when you don't.Sprint has sent us a couple of these fun phones, and we're passing them on to you in this giveaway. Keep reading for details and to enter!Enter to win an LG G8X phoneTHE PRIZE: Two Android Central readers will win an LG G8X with Dual Screen attachment.THE GIVEAWAY: Use the widget at the bottom of this page. There are multiple ways to enter, each with varying point values. Complete all of the tasks for maximum entries and your best shot at winning! Keep in mind that all winning entries are verified and if the task was not completed or cannot be verified, a new winner will be chosen.Please note, these phones are courtesy of Sprint, and may not work with other s...

The Jabra Elite 75t and Jaybird Vista are the flagship true wireless earbuds from their respective companies and they bring a lot to the table. Both the Elite 75t and Vista are excellent earbuds, and you can't go wrong going either way.Jabra Elite 75tAll encompassing$180 at AmazonProsGreat soundLong battery lifeUSB-C for chargingSuperb comfortAmbient sound/HearThrough modeConsNo wireless charging case (yet)Can only use right earbud independentlyThe Jabra Elite 75ts feature superb comfort, long battery life with USB-C charging, and a great bass-heavy sound overall. However, they lack a wireless charging case (for now) and you can only use the right earbud independently.Jaybird VistaWorkout companion$160 at AmazonProsIPX7 water resistanceGreat bass-heavy soundUSB-C chargingGood battery lifeConsLacks convenience features such as auto-pauseNo wireless charging caseThe Jaybird Vistas are fantastic earbuds for those who like working out ...

WhatsApp is no longer the choice of the UK's Conservative Party, citing security issues.What you need to knowUK's Conservative Party is ditching WhatsApp for Signal, a private, encrypted messaging app.Signal messages can be set to disappear forever after being viewed, helping to prevent security leaks.Signal allows all 365 MPs to be placed in a single messaging group, while WhatsApp maxes out at 256 members.The UK's majority political party, the Conservative Party, is officially switching from WhatsApp for its group messaging platform, as noted by The Guardian. The new app of choice? Signal, a private messaging app the offers end-to-end encryption for messages and calls, the ability to make messages disappear automatically after a set period of time, and the capability to add all 365 Conservative members of Parliament (MPs) to the same group.While the size of messaging groups is being cited as the main reason for the switch, another important reason cites years of leaks f...

Let's talk with the AC forums.Believe it or not, we're quickly coming up on the one-year-anniversary for when the Galaxy S10 series was released.The S10 has stood out as one of the year's best phones, offering a gorgeous AMOLED display, premium design, powerful triple rear cameras, and more. Almost a year after its launch, however, how's its battery life doing?Some of our AC forum members recently got to talking about their S10 endurance. Here's what they had to say. Gayle Lynn 12-14-2019 04:34 PM “ I would say I'm a heavy all day user and need to keep it on a wireless charger when not using plus plug in cable. But I do use a large watt USBC to USBC charger and that does a better job. I definitely get better - less drain - using iPhone 11 doing same: web and Twitter mostly for hours, plus moving photos around. Poor cell signal can impact battery. Reply ...

Best answer: Amazon's "Frequently Bought Together" bundles won't likely save you money, but you're probably not going to get ripped off either. These suggestions based on customer behavior can give you ideas for additional purchases, but you're better off skipping over them.Smart speaker: Sonos One ($169 at Amazon)Less smart speaker: Sonos One SL ($149 at Amazon)Bumpin bass: Sonos Sub ($599 at Amazon)What is Frequently Bought Together?Have you ever noticed the section underneath the main product image(s) and pricing information on an Amazon page? They usually group three products together that Amazon says its customers have frequently bought together, presumably because they are complementary products.I assumed that purchasing the items together would result in some sort of discount (e.g. buying in bulk), but after some research, that doesn't appear to be the case. I decided to share a few examples of a morning of searching the e-commerce site to demonstrate the value (or...

Fitbit makes some of the most popular fitness trackers and smartwatches out there, and in an effort to make sure its products are as good as possible, the company often rolls out software updates to add new features and fix pesky bugs. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to update your Fitbit to the latest available software!Products used in this guideFitness watch: Fitbit Versa 2 ($130 at Amazon)How to update your FitbitNote — we're using a Fitbit Versa 2 for this example, but the steps are the same no matter which Fitbit you have.Open the Fitbit app on your phone.Tap your profile icon in the upper-left corner.Tap the Fitbit you want to update (you'll see a red circular icon by its name).Tap Update Tracker Software.Tap Start Update.Wait for the update to finish.Tap Done.With that done, you've successfully updated your Fitbit tracker/smartwatch to the latest available software. These updates can be pretty large in size, so it's a good idea to make sure ...

The phone is expected to have a 6.7-inch main display.What you need to knowAlleged live images showing Samsung's upcoming clamshell foldable phone have been leaked.The images suggest the foldable phone will have an Infinity-O display with a centered hole-punch cutout. Additionally, the images reveal a tiny outer display and dual rear cameras. Samsung had shown off a foldable phone prototype at the company's developer conference in October, featuring a clamshell form-factor. Alleged live images showing the upcoming clamshell foldable phone have now surfaced, revealing a few surprises.The images, which were posted on Weibo earlier today, show a vertically-folding display panel with a centered hole-punch cutout similar to the Galaxy Note 10 and the upcoming Galaxy S11. Unsurprisingly, however, the foldable phone does not have a curved display. What does seem a little disappointing, however, is that the bezels around the display appear to be quite large, especially when comp...

The Corsair K83 is a great all-round entertainment keyboard — provided you don't use it for gaming.Corsair knows how to make a solid gaming keyboard, and the K95 RGB Platinum continues to be one of the best in the segment. With the K83, it's doing something different: Corsair is going after the entertainment segment, offering a keyboard that's designed to be used on the couch.To that effect, the Corsair K83 has a low-profile design and lightweight chassis that makes it easy to use on your lap. You also get a few gaming-focused features in the form of a joystick and trigger buttons. There's also LED backlighting, scissor keys with decent tactile feel, and outstanding battery life. So let's see if the K83 holds up to the rigors of everyday use.At a glanceCorsair K83 Wireless Keyboard Bottom line: The Corsair K83 is a ...

Setting up a default keyboard on your Android phone is a lot easier than you think!Most stock keyboards on Android are pretty great, but whether you're after more customization options, want a new layout, or anything else in between, switching to a new keyboard takes just a few taps and some patience. Need some help figuring this out? Here's a step-by-step guide on exactly what this process looks like.Products used in this guideThe Google phone: Google Pixel 4 (From $799 at Amazon)How to download a new keyboardFirst thing's first, you need to download a new keyboard from the Play Store. Let's get that knocked out.Open the Google Play Store on your phone.Search "keyboard".Choose whichever keyboard you want to download (we're using SwiftKey for this example).Tap Install.How to change your keyboardNow that you've downloaded a keyboard (or two) you want to try, here's how to start using it.Open the Settings on your phone.Scroll down and tap System.Tap Langua...

Well, 40 people got the warning...What you need to knowCalifornia residents have received their first-ever real earthquake alert.The alert went out via the MyShake app, for an earthquake in Parkfield, CA.More than 40 people received the alert about 1 second before it hit.A select number of California residents have received the first-ever public alert through the app MyShake, a statewide Earthquake Early Warning System.As reported by LA Times, the alert was sent out early morning on December 17. It was in response to an M4.4 earthquake in Parkfield, CA.Big news! Our first live early earthquake warning alert was sent out for a M4.4 #earthquake in Parkfield, CA (central California).If you received an alert, we’d love to hear your thoughts!— MyShake (@MyShakeApp) December 17, 2019The quake was not strong enough to cause any damage because of its low magnitude. The system is designed to alert residents to quakes of M4.5 or higher, Tuesday's tremor was predic...

The upgraded Mate X will come with a more powerful Kirin 990 chipset and improved durability.What you need to knowHuawei Consumer Group CEO Richard Yu has confirmed that an upgraded version of its Mate X foldable phone will be introduced at the Mobile World Congress in February.The phone is expected to be powered by the Kirin 990 5G chipset and will have a stronger hinge mechanism as well. Yu also confirmed that the current Mate X will be launched in Europe sometime in the first quarter of 2020. Huawei will be launching an upgraded version of the foldable Mate X smartphone at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona in February. The information was revealed by Richard Yu, CEO of Huawei's consumer business, while interacting with the French press at the company's headquarters in China.As reported by Frandroid, the "improved" version of the Mate X will come with a more durable hinge, tougher screen, and a Kirin 990 5G chipset. Yu has also confirmed that the current Mate X wil...

The P40 and P40 Pro will launch in March without any Google apps or services.What you need to knowCAD-based renders showing Huawei's upcoming P40 and P40 Pro phones have surfaced.Both the phones will have large, rectangular camera modules on the back. The Huawei P40 will apparently have a flat display, while the P40 Pro will come with a curved display. Huawei CEO Richard Yu had confirmed earlier this week that the company's next P series flagship phones will debut at an event in Paris in March next year. Now, the first CAD-based renders of the P40 and P40 Pro have been leaked online, courtesy of reliable leaker @OnLeaks and 91Mobiles. The leaked renders suggest the Huawei P40 and P40 Pro will look very similar to the Samsung Galaxy S11, at least from the back. Just like the Galaxy S11 and S11+, the Huawei P40 and P40 Pro sport a large rectangular camera module on the back. According to @OnLeaks, the standard P40 is expected to have a quad camera setup at the rear, w...

Realme has managed to undercut every other brand, making the X2 Pro the default choice in the value segment.Realme is on a roll this year. The brand swiftly climbed the ranks on the back of devices that offered stellar value for money, and Realme is now looking to do the same in the value flagship category with the X2 Pro.The X2 Pro boasts a lot of firsts for the brand: this is the first time the manufacturer is leveraging Qualcomm's flagship-tier Snapdragon 8xx chipset, the first time it put a 90Hz panel on a phone, and its first with 50W charging. The X2 Pro comes with the best hardware specs available today, and it feels like Realme raided the most enticing features from fellow BBK-owned companies OnePlus and OPPO to create the device.The result is that the X2 Pro has some of the best hardware you'll find in this category, and because Realme is looking to build market share aggressively, the pricing is unbelievably low. If you're buying a OnePlus 7T in the UK, you'll have to...

Two-handed weapons mark the first of three free DLCs planned for Arizona Sunshine on the Oculus QuestWhat you need to knowThe first of three planned free DLC packs for Arizona Sunshine is now available for the Oculus Quest.Players can update the game within their Oculus Quest Home screens to receive the new content.This DLC focuses on two-handed weapons which add significant firepower improvements to the game.It was already impressive enough that Vertigo Games was able to squeeze the entirety of Arizona Sunshine onto the Oculus Quest, but the company isn't stopping with just the base game for Quest owners. As promised earlier this month, owners of Arizona Sunshine on the Oculus Quest will be getting three free DLC packs that help bring it up to feature-parity with the PlayStation VR and PC VR versions of the game.This first DLC pack focuses on two-handed weapons, which will need to be weilded by both hands, as the name suggests. But this isn't just a few guns being added ...

With Disney Plus, we can now watch all of our favorite classic Disney films, as well as other content from Pixar, Lucasfilm, Marvel, National Geographic, and Fox, all in one place. Disney+ is still in its infancy though, so it's not uncommon to see playback issues, such as buffering, while watching your shows and movies. Luckily there's something you can do about it.Make sure your Internet speeds meet the minimum requirementsQuality of video played through Disney+ will depend entirely on your Internet connection speed. The quality automatically adjusts itself based on the speed available at the moment, so if it's fluctuating a lot, then it'll be very noticeable as you watch.For best video quality, Disney+ recommends the following:5.0 Mbps for High Definition content25.0 Mbps for 4K UHD contentMaintaining a consistent connection with those speeds will guarantee good playback quality. You should also check on how many simultaneous video streams or other high-bandwidth acti...

A nice gift card idea, but don't read the comments.What you need to knowYou can now purchase YouTube gift cards on Amazon.The gift cards range from $25 up to $100.They can be used for YouTube Premium, YouTube Music, and YouTube TV.Amazon and Google have long had a contentious relationship, and there are still some competing Google products that Amazon does not sell. Now Amazon is offering electronic gift cards for YouTube, and they work for much more than just paying for YouTube Premium to get rid of the persistent pop-ups. They can be used to pay for a YouTube TV subscription, YouTube Music, or to buy into your favorite YouTuber's premium channel. The minimum amount you can get for a gift card is $25, and it can go up to as much as $100 if you're feeling particularly generous.The gift cards are actually credited to Google Play, so you can use the credit throughout the Google Play store, which includes its own premium apps, movies, TV shows, and books. You can buy the car...

The Epilepsy Foundation has filed a criminal complaint and is requesting an investigation by the authorities.What you need to knowThe Epilepsy Foundation's Twitter page and hashtag were used as the vectors of a horrific attack on people with the condition.Videos and gifs containing strobing effects that could cause seizures were posted on the charity's page.The attack was carried out in November, which also coincides with National Epilepsy Awareness Month.The world's gone to hell. If nefarious WhatsApp messages weren't bad enough, the Epilepsy Foundation this week reported that it was the victim of a horrendous attack aimed at causing followers to suffer from seizures via Twitter. The charity says it's filed a criminal complaint and is asking for the police to conduct an investigation to find those responsible.The foundation's Twitter feed, handle, and hashtag were used by the attackers to peddle gifs and videos containing strobing effects to those who have epilepsy. High...

See all that you say, privately.What you need to knowRecorder for Pixel phones utilizes on-device machine learning to analyze and categorize audio recordings for archiving and searching.Recorder keeps these audio transcriptions off of the Internet by only using the processors built into your Pixel phone.Transcriptions can later be searched through by typing in the words or phrases said, and clicking on a word will take you to that point in the timeline.Machine learning is one of the most amazing new things our smartphones can do, but it's a term that's often used and seldom understood. In a blog post, Google took the time to explain in detail how machine learning algorithms were used and implemented specifically in the new Recorder app for Pixel phones, specifically how machine learning makes this the best recording app you've ever used in your life.Recorder's simple interface is deceiving. In the back-end is a collection of code that's designed to listen to, understand, ...

After showcasing the Galaxy Home at CES 2019, Samsung may be showing off the mini version at this year's event.What you need to knowThe Galaxy Home Mini is a smart speaker from Samsung running its Bixby assistant.Samsung showed off the Galaxy Home Mini at its Developers Conference in October 2019. The larger version, called the Galaxy Home, has yet to be released and was showcased at CES 2019.CES 2020 is fast approaching, and reports are starting to filter out as to what we may see at this year's event. A report from The Korean Times points to the possibility that Samsung will showcase its upcoming smart speaker, the Galaxy Home Mini.Back in October 2019, at the Samsung Developers Conference (SDC), the Bixby-powered speaker was first shown off. However, as of today, there still isn't a release date for the device as to when it will be available for purchase — that goes for the full-sized Galaxy Home as well. Even though the Galaxy Home was revealed in August 2018, ...

Xbox One X comes out on top.Google Stadia is a cloud game streaming service that promises a 10.7 teraflops (tflops) gaming console you can access on your 4K display or your smartphone. Ever since the service launched, many users have compared the visuals Stadia offers with those of the Xbox One X. Unlike the upcoming Xbox Series X which is rumored to feature 12 tflops of performance, the Xbox One X only has 6 tflops. On paper, Stadia games should look much better than what Xbox One X offers, but that doesn't appear to be the case.We compared a number of Xbox One X Enhanced games with those available on Stadia to see what the differences were. When there were doubts about image quality or frame rate (FPS), we referenced Digital Foundry's analyses. You can take a look at the chart below that breaks down the resolution and frame rate of games available on both platforms. Game Xbox One X resolution Xbox One X frame rate Stadia resolution Stadia frame rate Notes...

Emergency alerts on your Android smartphone are a good thing — even if they are a bit annoying sometimes!Every so often — or frequently, depending on your tolerance level — you get an emergency alert on your phone. That horrible blaring of the emergency tone, the buzzing the vibration motor, and then the grim news. Someone's missing. Or there's a severe weather alert headed your way. Suddenly and without warning, your phone's scaring the hell out of you. It's bad enough during the day, and downright dreadful in the dead of night.And that's the idea.The U.S. carriers have worked with the federal government to come up with a way to push alerts to your Android smartphone to warn you about dangerous weather, missing persons or other matters of grave national importance. The point is they want you to see this information in hopes that it could save your life — or someone else's.Here's what you need to know about these emergency alerts and how you can contro...

The bug was fixed in a September build, but if you haven't updated the app since, you're still vulnerable.What you need to knowWhatsApp users are advised to update the app to the latest version right away to avoid falling victim to a nasty bug.A specially formatted text sent in a group chat could cause the app to crash completely.The only remedy at that point is to delete the app from your phone and re-install it, alongside removing the offending group chat.Weird messages causing your phone to crash are not new. Those of you with a good memory will probably remember stories about a Telugu text that was causing iPhones to crash making the rounds on your favorite tech sites last year. As it turns out, WhatsApp's had its own version of the same since late August, when Check Point Research, a cybersecurity firm, alerted the Facebook-owned company to the flaw in their software.The bug was fixed soon after, with WhatsApp silently issuing an update sometime in September that res...

Best answer: State Share allows players to share a link so that others can experience the game being played at a specific moment, exactly as the players are.Play on your TV: Chromecast Ultra ($69 at Amazon)Start streaming: Stadia Premiere Edition ($130 at Google Store)How does State Share work?The game's state will be encoded in a link that tells Stadia where to pick up the game at a specific moment in time. This link can then be sent to any number of players who can click on it and instantly hop into the game at the point it was shared.Is there a limit to how many times you can share a link?No. Users will be able to create an infinite amount of links and send them to whoever they want.Will I be able to keep this game save after I am done playing?Google did not detail if State Share will allow others to keep the save files of games shared with them. It is currently unknown if it is only a one-time link.Will there be games designed to take advantage of this feature?...

Wattam was the friends we made along the way.I find that making friends as an adult is impossible. You don't have the closed environment of school to get you talking to people, and unless you make friends with your coworkers, you're stuck with the people you meet on apps or those friends you made long ago. I moved to Los Angeles a few years ago and still haven't made proper friends.Wattam, the new game from Katamari Damacy creator Keita Takahashi and Funomena (around six years in the making), dials this idea down to its purest and easiest-to-understand form. Sure the adorable creatures that inhabit the game's world seem more like children than adults, but the relationships are immediate between all of them. The Mayor, the green block in a bowler hat at the center of the game, is mourning their loneliness all alone. All of a sudden, they're not, and soon they're surrounded by others that have come to this world and are looking for fun. It makes the whole idea of making friends, co...

Two of the most popular streaming stick options are the Google Chromecast and the Amazon Fire TV Stick, both of which are priced around $40 or so. Streaming isn't always perfect though, and if you're suffering from a poor connection or just having trouble connecting to Wi-Fi at all, an Ethernet adapter could save you a lot of trouble by hard-wiring you directly into your connection.Faster wired connectionCable Matters Micro USB to Ethernet AdapterStaff PickMost of the Ethernet adapters on our list transmit data at 100Mbps, but this one from Cable Matters can transmit data at speeds up to 480Mbps. It also features 3-foot cables for the Micro-USB and USB that should make set up easy no matter how your entertainment center is configured.$15 at AmazonStraight from AmazonAmazon Ethernet AdapterAmazon's adapter is designed to hang off the Fire TV Stick itself. It comes with a Micro-USB port for connecting to a power supply and an Ethernet port. Just plug an Ethern...

A month after launch, the launch hardware finally worksWhat you need to knowGoogle had said Stadia bundle buyers could use their existing Chromecast Ultra as well.Stadia Twitter announced all Chromecast Ultra devices will be able to use Stadia now.Gamers still need to buy a bundle that includes another Chromecast Ultra.When Google's Stadia gaming service launched a month ago, you needed to buy a Founder's or a Premiere bundle that included a Chromecast Ultra, even if you already had one. If you were an owner, Google said Stadia would work with your existing Ultra as well.Unfortunately, existing Chromecast Ultra devices needed a firmware update, and that update has finally been pushed to all Chromecast Ultra devices. After a long month being left in the cold, Google's Stadia Twitter account has tweeted that all Chromecast Ultra devices are ready to play.If you have access to Stadia already, we have some good news to share. We have rolled out an update to existing Chromec...

The phone may feature a MediaTek processor, instead of a Snapdragon offering.What you need to knowOPPO is preparing to launch the next generation of its wildly popular Reno series on December 26.The Reno 3 5G was spotted in the wild earlier in the month.According to some reports, the phone may feature a MediaTek processor instead of a Qualcomm variant.OPPO's Reno lineup has done quite well in numerous markets, thanks to its stylish design and affordable pricing. As the company gears up to launch the third generation of Reno smartphones, following the reveal of sample renders on China's certification agency TENAA, we now have our first look at the Reno 3 5G in the wild.Posted to Weibo, the images show the Reno 3 5G sporting a blue gradient design concentrated on the phone's edges that's eerily similar to the one found on the Redmi K20. The camera setup on the phone matches closely with the TENAA filings, with the four cameras stacked in a vertical column to the top left of...

Only available for users with a Samsung Galaxy S10, S10+, or LG V40.What you need to knowAT&T is rolling out call validation screens based on the SHAKEN/STIR protocol.It is part of AT&T Call Protect and is only available for the Samsung Galaxy S10, S10+, LG V40, and AT&T Phone digital home phone users at this time.AT&T is planning on expanding call validation display to more mobile devices in 2020.Over the years, we've all been bombarded by the non-stop ringing of our phones due to robocalls. In November alone, 5.6 billion robocalls were made in the U.S. I myself receive nearly four-six robocalls per day, and finally, carriers and the U.S. government are stepping in to do something about it.Starting December 18, AT&T is rolling out call validation displays that use the SHAKEN/STIR standards to validate the number calling you. This will help combat a common strategy used by scammers who spoof phone numbers masking their real number. Unfortunately, this ...

The reins on Rainbow Six Siege are being passed on.What you need to knowRainbow Six Siege first released in December 2015.Since then, the game has received innumerable updates, additional characters, maps and more.Ubisoft announced today that some core members of the team are leaving, while others will begin to take their place.You can grab Rainbow Six Siege on PlayStation 4 for $50 from Amazon.Rainbow Six Siege is going through a big change in regards to its Core Team. Creative Director Xavier Marquis, Brand Director Alexandre Remy and a few others are leaving the team at Ubisoft Montréal that works on Rainbow Six Siege and will be "pursuing other interests within Ubisoft," while a new group of veterans are coming in to assist the Core Team. You can check out the video talking about this team change below.Marquis and Remy both point out that the new team is composed of veterans who understand Rainbow Six Siege and the original vision of the game is going to c...

Best answer: Crowd Play is a built-in feature for Stadia that allows players to jump into a multiplayer game with their favorite streamers and YouTubers.Play on your TV: Chromecast Ultra ($69 at Amazon)Start streaming: Stadia Premiere Edition ($130 at Google Store)How does Crowd Play work?Say you're watching your favorite streamer play a game on YouTube and want to join in. With Crowd Play, there will be a button that you can click that allows you to join in the game with the live streamer. Because there may be a high influx of players, you won't be able to immediately join the game. Instead, you'll be placed into a lobby and wait your turn for the next available match.The button on-screen in the demo appears to indicate which number you are in line, with the person in the demo's case being third in line to play. It will continually update to display your number as you move forward in line and are on deck to jump into the game.How will they combat online toxicity and har...

ISOCELL Bright HM1 could be the first mobile image sensor to use 9-in-1 pixel binning.What you need to knowA new rumor claims the Galaxy S11+ will use a new 108MP ISOCELL Bright HM1 sensor with 'Nonacell' technologyThanks to 'Nonacell' technology, the sensor will reportedly deliver greatly improved low-light performance compared to the existing 108MP ISOCELL Bright HMX sensor. So far, only Xiaomi has launched phones with 108MP primary cameras. Industry Insider Ice Universe had claimed earlier this month that the Galaxy S11+ will feature a custom 108MP sensor instead of the ISOCELL Bright HMX sensor that was announced in August. The tipster has now shared some more details regarding the "Samsung exclusive" sensor, claiming that it will be called ISOCELL Bright HM1.S11+ unique new generation 108MP sensor seems to be called ISOCELL Bright HM1. It is a more advanced Nonacell technology than Tetracell. It merges a cluster of 9 pixels into a single pixel and allows 0.8μm pix...