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by christine persaud on (#4YQ2K)
Charging true wireless earbuds usually involves placing them inside their included charging case, but how do you charge the case itself? Usually, it's via microUSB or USB-C cable but did you know that some true wireless earbuds cases can be charged wirelessly? Charging works using virtually any small wireless charger: just place the buds atop the charging surface and it will recharge without wires. If you want to go truely wireless, here are the best small wireless charger for wireless earbuds.Extra-long cableVentev Qi Chargepad+Staff PickThis small, circular-shaped wireless charger offers rapid charging for most wireless devices. Place the true wireless earbuds case in the center and it will charge it up in no time. The stylish design, including a cloth covering, means you can place it anywhere in the home and it won't stick out like a sore thumb, like on your bedroom nightstand, side table, or kitchen countertop. MFI-certified for use with Apple devices, what really mak...
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by Joe Maring on (#4YQ2N)
Chatting with the AC forums.Ready or not, the Galaxy S20 will be here before you know it. We've been following rumors and leaks for the S20 for months at this point, and yesterday, Samsung officially opened reservations for the phone so you can be among the first to pre-order it.We're stoked to see what Samsung has in store for us with the S20 lineup, and looking through the AC forums at how many people are already registered, it looks like the interest is building. buzzy3970 01-30-2020 04:05 PM “ Surprisingly Samsung has decided to open up reservations already. Guessing to see whose interested in the new devices. Here's the link for anyone interested www.samsung.com/us/mobile/reserve/ Reply Kilroy672 01-30-2020 05:37 PM “ I was able to sign up for this a few hours ago and got an email to confir...
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by Hayato Huseman on (#4YQ2P)
We're less than two weeks away from the official launch of the Galaxy S20, and if Samsung's previous flagships like the S10 and Note 10 are any indicator, it's going to be an absolutely phenomenal device — even if it isn't as unique and exciting as the Galaxy Z Flip that's launching alongside it.Few other companies are able to consistently deliver in nearly every department that makes a phone great; hardware design, build quality, performance, battery life, software, and so on. The Galaxy Note 10 is still one of my favorite phones of 2019 for all of those reasons, but there's one thing I just don't at all enjoy about it.It's the cameras. Samsung does a lot of things right, but its imaging hasn't changed much at all since the Galaxy S7, and it's fallen far behind the competition as a result.I love the versatility of the triple-lens array on the S10 and Note 10 series, offering both ultrawide and telephoto cameras in addition to the primary sensor, and Samsung offers one of...
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by Jennifer Locke on (#4YQ2Q)
PlayStation already made it harder to "gift" digital games by removing digital codes off of every storefront beside itself. Now it needs to enable digital game gifting natively through the PS5.When the PlayStation 5 launches, it really needs to release with native digital game gifting through the PlayStation Store right out of the gate. Sony shouldn't live in Microsoft's shadow when it comes to features like this.Sony has Microsoft easily beat when it comes to exclusive games, but Microsoft beats Sony in... just about everything else. Xbox has a better game subscription service (Xbox Game Pass), better online play (Xbox Live), better game streaming (xCloud), and it's ahead of the curve when it comes to digital game gifting. In contrast, the PS4 has no form of digital game gifting to speak of.I'm not going to argue that game gifting on Xbox is perfect, because it's not. For whatever reason, games are still region-locked, so you can't gift a game to a person in another region fro...
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by Jared DiPane on (#4YQ2S)
The biggest NFL game of the year, Super Bowl 2020, takes place on February 2 which is less than a week away. Whether you are attending a party, planning to stay home, or will be traveling, one thing you may be wondering is how to watch the Super Bowl live stream. Well, there are a lot of different ways, and a lot to know about the various ways.It's been a crazy season so far, and for once the New England Patriots won't be playing in the big game. This year, we have the San Francisco 49ers playing against the Kansas City Chiefs.Whether you care about football or not, there is a whole lot to enjoy about the Super Bowl. From the epic Super Bowl half-time performances to the amazing commercials that will debut, you are going to want to find a way to stream it live. Luckily, it doesn't matter very much where in the world you are located, it's pretty easy to find a way to tune in and watch the Super Bowl online for free.How to watch Super Bowl 2020 live stream online with a VPNA Vi...
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by Hayato Huseman on (#4YQ2T)
One of Spotify's best features for Premium members is the ability to save local copies of albums and playlists for offline playback. This is a great way to cut back on your monthly data usage, and of course, it lets you listen to your favorite songs without a data connection, which is particularly useful for frequent travelers. Unfortunately, Spotify doesn't make it immediately obvious how to find your locally stored music, so we're here to help.Products used in this guidePure Google: Pixel 4 ($635 at Amazon)Top streaming platform: Spotify Premium ($10/month at Spotify)How to find your downloaded musicDownloading music for offline playback is easy; all you have to do is tap the Download button at the top of any album or playlist. Finding it is the hard part, since the default layouts just show your offline music interspersed between the rest of your Spotify library. The simple fix is to use filters to sort your library by downloads-only.Open Spotify.In the Your Library...
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by Babu Mohan on (#4YQ2W)
It is also expected to be among the first phones to feature a 144Hz display.What you need to knowNubia president Ni Fei has hinted that the company's upcoming gaming smartphone will support 80W fast charging.Expected to be called the Nubia Red Magic 5G, the upcoming phone will come with a 144Hz screen and Qualcomm's Snapdragon 865 chipset. The current fast charging champion is OPPO's Reno Ace, which supports 65W charging speeds. Nubia President and co-founder Ni Fei had revealed earlier this month that the company's next flagship gaming smartphone will come equipped with a 144Hz refresh rate screen. Fei today shared a new post on Weibo, revealing yet another key feature of the upcoming flagship.The photo posted by Fei on Weibo shows an upcoming Nubia phone supporting 9.6A of charging current at 8.4 volts. This means the phone will offer 80W fast charging using the USB PD protocol. The phone shown in the photo is expected to debut as the Nubia Red Magic 5G sometime later...
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by Marc Lagace on (#4YQ2X)
There are so many awesome action games in the Google Play Store, it can be hard to sort the wheat from the chaff. But we've done the heavy lifting for you and after hundreds of hours of playing, we've rounded up the best action-packed games for Android that are worth checking out. Many of the games on this list are paid apps, which might give you pause, so you'll need to trust us when we say these games are well worth the initial investment. Plus, it's always good to support those teams developing great games for Android!An epic RPG adventureDeath Road to CanadaStaff PickWhen you're going to be dropping money on a game, you're going to want to be sure it has good replay value. In that regard, Death Road To Canada is an outstanding choice. Facing a zombie apocalypse, you must lead a scrappy squad of somewhat interesting characters on a deadly mission to the relative safety of Canada. Along the way, you'll need to explore and loot places for supplies, while also managing yo...
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by Stephen Warwick on (#4YPWG)
It could prevent users from accidentally entering their code on a phishing site with the wrong URL...What you need to knowApple engineers have unveiled a proposal to standardize the format of two-factor authentication.It has suggested the use of a new SMS format for one-time-passcode messages.The new format would include the website the code is meant for, information that could be automatically extracted by a browser or app. Apple WebKit engineers have unveiled a new proposal that could standardize the format of two-factor-authentication messages to improve security and prevent users from falling for phishing scams.As reported by ZDNet, Apple engineers working on WebKit, a core component of Safari have come up with the idea, but Google's Chromium engineers are also on board. According to the report: Apple engineers have put forward a proposal today to standardize the format of the SMS messages containing one-time passcodes (OTP) that users receive during the two-facto...
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by Babu Mohan on (#4YPQK)
You will no longer be distracted by annoying notification sounds while you're on the road.What you need to knowGoogle has quietly added an option to disable notification sounds in version 5.0.500224 of the Android Auto app.The "No sound from notifications" toggle can be found in the Android Auto settings. Notifications will, however, still remain stuck on the screen until you dismiss them. Google rolled out the first major update for Android Auto last year, bringing a more intuitive user-interface and support for more input methods. However, one thing that the update did not address was the ability to disable notification sounds. Fortunately, Google has finally introduced the highly anticipated option in the new 5.0.500224 version of the Android Auto app.Once you have updated the Android Auto app, you will find a new toggle labeled "No sound from notifications" in settings. After you turn the toggle on, your music will no longer be interrupted when you receive a new no...
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by Harish Jonnalagadda on (#4YPQN)
The NEX 3 5G combines a stunning waterfall display with powerful hardware and insane battery life.Vivo is a great bellwether for the smartphone industry. The brand has consistently pushed the boundaries for new technologies over the last three years, whether that's high-res front cameras, retractable camera modules, and bezel-less designs.Vivo debuts its latest features in its flagship NEX series, and while these devices may not see sales in the millions of units, the technologies that are introduced here often trickle down to its mid-range phones. The NEX 3 is no different, with the phone picking up Vivo's latest waterfall display tech, which sees the edges of the screen flow over to the sides. It's a more pronounced take of what Samsung has been doing with its dual-curved screens for several years now.The NEX 3 also has 5G connectivity, and hardware that puts other phones to shame. There's obviously a Snapdragon 855+ under the hood, along with 12GB of RAM and 256GB of storage...
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by Courtney Lynch on (#4YPK8)
A genius smartwatchSkagen Faster 3$295 at AmazonProsImproved performanceNew Snapdragon Wear 3100New smart battery modeBuilt-in speaker and Google PayOnboard GPS and HRMConsExpensive price tagIf you've been patiently holding out for a genius smartwatch that will deliver superb performance, smart battery modes, and the newest processor, you'll love everything the Skagen Falster 3 has to offer.A fashionable accessorySkagen Falster$128 at AmazonProsTimeless, minimalist designActivity trackingGoogle AssistantVery affordableConsNo GPS or HRMLacks NFC paymentsPoor battery and performanceThose who are looking for a very basic smartwatch with a fashionable design at an affordable price may be drawn to the original Skagen Falster. It may not be the newest model but it's beautiful and won't break the bank.A lot can change in two years, and that's certainly the case with Skagen's line of Falster smartwatches. To say that there have b...
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by Ara Wagoner on (#4YPK9)
We can stay up from dawn till dusk and we will never run out of YouTube videos to watch, but what do you do when you have to stray from your faithful Wi-Fi? You download some YouTube videos for offline playback, of course. Here's how — and who — can download videos in YouTube for offline playback.Products used in this guideWatch videos all day: Google Pixel 3a XL ($445 at Amazon)Who can download videos to play offlineThere are two categories of YouTube users that offline playback are available to: YouTube Premium members and YouTube users in select developing countries.Now, Google knows that in many countries of the world, mobile data is a precious commodity — assuming mobile data is available at all in some places — but it still wants people in these countries to be able to enjoy YouTube. To that end, in over 120 countries/territories around the world, users can download YouTube videos for offline playback without a subscription. This includes most of Africa, Asi...
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by Marc Lagace on (#4YPKA)
Did you know it's possible to use an Xbox One controller with your Android device? That's because, as of the release of the Xbox One S, Microsoft started outfitting its Xbox One controllers with Bluetooth radios. While this feature was made mostly for PC gaming, you'll be happy to know that it works surprisingly well with Android phones. While there may be more appropriate controllers for mobile gaming available, this is a nice trick to have in your back pocket if you already have a compatible Xbox One controller and don't want to spend money to buy something you'll only use for your phone.Products used in this guideA simple, quality controller: Xbox One Wireless Controller ($45 at Amazon)How to pair an Xbox One controller with your Android phoneFor starters, you'll want to ensure the Xbox One controller you have uses Bluetooth. As a rule of thumb, newer versions of the Xbox One S and Xbox One X come with Bluetooth by default. If you're buying the controller new, Amazon has...
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by Philip Berne on (#4YPEV)
It is finally time to end the tyranny of the Lightning connector.What you need to knowThe European Parliament voted to force phone manufacturers to use a common charging standard.Apple is the lone manufacturer not using USB-C for phone charging.The European Commission must now write the laws that would be enforcable in the EU.The European Union has officially encouraged phone manufacturers to use a common standard for ports and charging cords, but one major manufacturer never seemed to get the message. Now Reuters reports that the European Parliament has voted overwhelmingly, 582-40, to encourage the European Commission, the law-making body for the EU, to adopt new regulations to force the issue. European lawmakers say that the Commission should adopt the new regulations by the summer.Of course, this leaves much undetermined, and that singular manufacturer is sure to raise a legal stink. Android manufactuers have almost entirely adopted the USB-C port standard on flagship...
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by Muhammad Jarir Kanji on (#4YP80)
After years as a desktop exclusive, the star-filled sky is finally available on phones.What you need to knowGoogle Earth is being updated for mobile devices.The revamped app adds stars to the Earth's backdrop.The images shown were collected by the European Southern Observatory.Google Earth on phones is getting a small but pretty upgrade. The backdrop of the Earth is no longer a dull, lifeless sea of black. In its stead, you'll now find the mesmerizing beauty of the Milky Way and the billions of flickering lights that give it its life and luster. You can now see a view of the stars as you zoom out from Earth on your phone. Rotate the globe, and you'll see images of the beautiful Milky Way, collected from the European Southern Observatory, depicting the stars as they'd appear to a space explorer at a point some 30,000 miles above the planet.It's no surprise, of course, given that most phones these days pack enough power to shame laptops and desktops from just a few yea...
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by Jennifer Locke on (#4YP82)
Oh hey look, Google put its foot in its mouth again.What you need to knowStadia is Google's game streaming service.It launched in November lacking key features and games, and was met with harsh criticism.Google has blamed the lack of game announcements on publishers.Google has taken a lot of flak for its poor support of Stadia. Whether it's in regards to missing features or lack of games, there's no shortage of ire on the internet, like in this Reddit thread that took off with complaints about Stadia's lack of game announcements. The company hasn't been great at communicating what's coming next and when — only that 120 titles are making their way to Stadia this year — but a Google spokesperson speaking with GamesIndustry.biz suggests that publishers are at fault for the lack of game announcements on Stadia, not Google. We understand the desire to hear more specifics on the games. After all, that is what it is about: the games. Of course, not all 120 titles will be a...
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by Daniel Bader on (#4YP84)
Getting a second-hand phone doesn't have to be overly complicated or stressful.Over the last few years, the cost of smartphones has skyrocketed. It's no longer uncommon to see phones being sold for $1,000 or more, making the decision to buy a new handset quite the investment. Thanks to the ever-growing used smartphone market, though, it's rather easy to take the sting out of those increasing prices. The used marketplace is a great way to save some cash on your next phone purchase, and if you have old devices lying around that you aren't using anymore, selling them allows someone else to use it while simultaneously putting extra money in your pocket.Things to consider before you buy a used phoneWe've already talked about the principles of selling your phone, and you can keep all of those in mind as you go to buy a used phone. Go through the same sort of checklist — factory reset, SIM unlock status, original accessories, damage, sales history — to decide if the phone ...
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by Muhammad Jarir Kanji on (#4YP85)
No word yet on the new foldable, though.What you need to knowGalaxy S20 preorders will be delivered on March 6.That's according to a new registration page on Samsung's website that refers to the "new Galaxy phone."Samsung is set to debut the S20 series, as well as a clamshell foldable, on February 11.They may be slightly more expensive than you'd like, but Samsung's Galaxy S20 series is closer to launch than ever. And, now, you can register to be notified to preorder the phone. Is it just me or are phone sales now more and more like movie trailers, with a flurry of teasers and trailers foreshadowing the actual trailer?Anyways, the big news here is that we now have official confirmation from Samsung itself that preordered Galaxy S20s will start reaching their proud new owners on March 6. That's courtesy of a "cryptic" new registration page referring to the "new Galaxy phone."With phrases like "Be the first to experience a new era of Galaxy" and "Change the shape of the f...
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by Andrew Martonik on (#4YP87)
What good is your phone if the battery dies? If you use your phone hard and don't have the option to charge throughout the day, battery life is your number one priority when shopping for your next phone. Thankfully there are several great options that focus on battery life and won't give up halfway through the day.Our pickSamsung Galaxy Note 10+Staff pickThe Note 10+ is a big phone, and it backs that up with a big 4300mAh battery. Samsung's great battery management and efficient specs give the Note 10+ all-day battery even when you hit it hard. And you'll want to because you have access to just about every software and hardware feature you could imagine here.$900 at AmazonGreat sans stylusSamsung Galaxy S10+The Galaxy S10+ does everything the Note 10+ does but has a slightly smaller screen and correspondingly smaller 4100mAh battery. That small drop-off may be worth it in order to save a couple of hundred dollars — and the battery life, in the grand scheme of fl...
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by Joe Maring on (#4YP88)
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 S20 (Samsung's expected to ditch the Galaxy S11 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 S20!There will probably be three versionsThe S20's design has been revealedHere are the specs we're anticipatingWhy isn't it called the S11?Expect a high priceIt'll be announced on February 11Don't count out the Galaxy S10 just yetFlagship in every waySamsung Galaxy S10$750 at AmazonSamsung's 2019 flagship is s...
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by Muhammad Jarir Kanji on (#4YP89)
And it's readying a flagship for launch this year.What you need to knowMotorola has already sold 100 Moto G's around the world.The company launched the lineup back in 2013.The phones are widely cited as among the best midrange phones in the market.The Motorola RAZR may be all the rage these days, but the company's claim to fame — and its bread and butter — is the Moto G series. Phones like the Moto G7, G7 Play, G7 Plus, and G7 Power (I know, it's a lot of G7's!) have widely been cited as among the best midrange phones you can buy on this side of the Atlantic — and they're not wrong.Not only do its phones garner critical acclaim, but the company is also celebrating a milestone signifying their tremendous financial success. In the seven years since the line's launch, the company has sold 100 million units.Companies like Samsung and Apple make nearly that many sales in just 1-2 years, of course, but it is an impressive number nonetheless, which has allowed the former...
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by Andrew Martonik on (#4YP8A)
This is undeniably still 'Samsung' software, with the latest standards from Google baked in.Most eyes may be focused on the forthcoming Galaxy S20 announcement, but for tens of millions of people who bought a Galaxy S or Note in the last two years the more important news for the start of 2020 is the rollout of the One UI 2 software update. Android 10 brings important changes to permissions, notifications, dark mode and more — and Samsung also took the opportunity to make a few subtle interface tweaks as well.Here's everything you will be getting with the One UI 2 update on your Samsung phone — good and bad.The Android 10 basics are implemented properlyAndroid 10 isn't the biggest update we've seen, but makes a few important changes to the experience of how every person uses their phone every day. And Samsung did a really good job integrating Google's platform changes into its own system without feeling tacked on or out of place. Samsung did a great job...
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by Nicholas Sutrich on (#4YNCE)
2019's game and hardware sales have been good, but they reveal an interesting trend that no one expected.If you've been around social media in any form over the past year, it's likely you've heard of Beat Saber. The game is ubiquitous with virtual reality gaming, and for good reason. It recently became the first VR-only game to ever make it to the Steam top 100 best-selling games list. It's streamed by thousands of gamers day in and out, in large part because a community of modders is constantly adding in new songs to the roster, like Toss a Coin to Your Witcher from the hit Netflix series.Games like Beat Saber show that VR is bigger than it's ever been. It's on the minds of more gamers than ever, it's talked about by more people than ever, and it's being bought more than ever. But the surprising part is that it's not the Valve Index, the HTC Vive Cosmos, the Oculus Rift S, SteamVR, or even Windows Mixed Reality that's pushing VR to the next level and to more consumers. It's not ...
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by Nicholas Sutrich on (#4YNCF)
A flawed remaster of a solid rhythm classic.It's been nearly three years since the first Patapon Remastered was released on the PS4, and now the sequel has received the same treatment. In the second of three rhythm adventure titles, the Patapons have landed in a new country after being shipwrecked during their journey to Earthend. Familiar mechanics and music meet up with a host of new features, a longer story, and beautifully remastered 4K visuals.But this remaster of Patapon 2 ignores some technical hurdles that modern games have to deal with. Despite the advantages that modern TVs and sound systems provide on the quality side of the spectrum, they introduce rhythm-killing lag to the experience. Unfortunately, Patapon 2 Remastered's developers seem to have forgotten this inconvenient fact. Regardless of the quality of the rest of the remaster, this one fact will completely kill the very core gameplay mechanics on many people's living room setups.Thankfully, there's an easy fi...
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by Clinton Bowman on (#4YNCH)
With Super Bowl LIV coming this weekend, everyone and their mother are preparing for their yearly Super Bowl party or gathering of their closest friends. While making sure your chips, dips and special dishes are ready is an important part of any Super Bowl Party, did you know that Amazon Echo and other Alexa-enabled devices can help you make your Super Bowl party get kicked off on the right foot? Here are three quick and easy ways Amazon and Alexa can boost the Super Bowl party experience for you and your guests:Confused About the Call on the Field?While you're rooting for your favorite team in the NFL Championship game, penalties are sure to go uncalled or miscalled by referees. We all know how much this can cause a situation between friends, so why not let the NFL help you clear up the confusion.Here's what you'll need for this to work:Amazon Echo or another Alexa-enabled deviceThe Alexa appRookie's Guide to the NFL SkillThe setup is simple; all you need to do is to...
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by Joe Maring on (#4YNCK)
Time to chat with the AC forums.Whether you're visiting websites through your browser or using a free app or game from the Play Store, chances are you see a lot of ads on your Android phone.When handled properly, ads are a good way for sites and apps to be offered for free, but at the same time, they can be overdone to the point where the user experience is ruined. As such, some users go the route of using ad-blockers.Recently, this very topic came up for discussion in the AC forums. sweetypie31 01-23-2020 08:33 AM “ Can anyone tell me the names of apps like Adguard that will block in app ads? I was using Adguard , but then it started blocking me to where I couldn't use my data on my phone. Any help us appreciated. Reply Gayle Lynn 01-24-2020 04:05 PM “ I created custom filters in AdGuard Pro ...
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by Philip Berne on (#4YNCN)
I'll finish watching if I can ever stop crying.What you need to knowGoogle is previewing a Super Bowl ad on YouTube.The ad shows photos of an older couple as a man asks Google to remember things about his wife.The Mayo Clinic suggests using photos and mementos as cues to help Alzheimer's patients.If you're like me and living with older parents who are dealing with memory issues and other signs of aging, grab a box of tissues and get your therapist on speed dial before you start watching Google's new Super Bowl advertisement. The ad startts with a simple text box search for "how to not forget," then an older male voice asks Google to "Show me photos of me and Loretta." What follows is a montage of an older couple in love while a man's voice speaks about Loretta in the past tense.Google opens the ad by pointing to articles from WikiHow and Bustle about using details to help with memory loss, and the Mayo Clinic agrees. On its page for using mementos as memory cues, the Mayo...
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by Kelly Peirce on (#4YNCQ)
Best answer: Yes. If you are considering getting a PS4 Pro right now, it is still worth picking one up before before the PS5 releases. A lot of games will be released on both new and old consoles at the beginning of the new generation, so you won't miss out.Price will drop: PlayStation 4 Pro 1TB ($326 at Amazon)Save even more: PlayStation 4 Slim ($250 at Amazon)Pick it up and trade it inGetting a PS4 Pro right now is worth it. The cost has come down to a more reasonable price point for most players and it is still the best console you can get until the launch of the next generation. There is no reason to sit around waiting for a year when you could enjoy some PlayStation games.Play on the Pro for a few years. During the first few years of next gen consoles companies usually release major titles for both the new and the previous generation console, so you wouldn't miss out. Once you are ready, trade in that Pro for the PS5.A more technical standpointPlayStation 4 Pro ...
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by Babu Mohan on (#4YNCS)
Samsung's mobile business registered an impressive 67% increase in operating profit in Q4 2019.What you need to knowSamsung reported revenues of KRW 59.9 trillion ($50.7 billion) in the fourth quarter of 2019, an increase of 1% over the same period a year earlier.Operating profit, however, dipped 34% to KRW 7.1 trillion ($6 billion). The company is hoping that stronger demand for 5G phones and OLED screens will allow it to boost profitability in 2020. Amid continued uncertainties in the global business environment, Samsung Electronics has announced that its operating profit dropped 34% YoY to KRW 7.1 trillion ($6 billion) in Q4 2019. Quarterly revenue, however, increased by 1% to KRW 59.9 trillion ($50.7 billion). Samsung says the dip in operating profit was due to the continuous fall in memory chip prices globally, as well as weakness in demand for display panels.Samsung's mobile division posted KRW 24.95 ($21.1 billion) in revenue and an operating profit of KRW 2.52 tri...
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by Samuel Contreras on (#4YNCT)
Nationwide 5G is more important than gigabit speedsTo build a 5G cell tower, you need a fiber optic internet connection, some 5G cell equipment, and something tall to stick the equipment to. The electronic components can be built offsite and shipped where they need to go but when it comes to actually building a tower, it can take a long time. Sub-6 5G can do more with fewer cell sites and make use of the towers a carrier already has. Sub-6 helps carriers improve the speed and consistency of mobile broadband much more quickly than is possible with a mmWave deployment.Fast phone with 5GGalaxy Note+10 5GFrom $37 per month at T-MobileWith support for Sub-6 and mmWaveSamsung's Galaxy Note10+ combines support for all of T-Mobile's 5G bands with a great camera and screen. Use the S-Pen and huge battery to make the most of your mobile network away from home.What does Sub-6 and mmWave mean?Millimeter wave, or mmWave, 5G is named in reference to the relatively short dista...
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by Jerry Hildenbrand on (#4YN5Z)
A lot of apps and websites use analytical data, but Ring has finally gone too far with no good reason for it.I use a Ring Video Doorbell Pro. I'm not so much concerned about capturing video for the cloud or monitoring what goes on in my front yard (I have other cameras for that) but because I don't walk quickly, answering my doorbell remotely is extremely convenient. And when you work for a website like Android Central you get a lot of packages. With the Ring app, I can ask the driver to come to the back door or to please leave it under the bench and waive any signature requirements. I hate to do it because a video doorbell has made a big difference in my life.Unfortunately, I'm removing the doorbell and replacing it with one that doesn't send my data to Facebook and other third-party trackers.Multiple Ring data breaches reported, thousands of customers impactedAnd that's exactly what is happening, according to the EFF (Electronic Frontier Foundation). And I trust the EF...
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by Babu Mohan on (#4YN61)
Record sales of home appliances last year helped LG achieve its highest annual revenue in history.What you need to knowLG's smartphone business recorded revenues of KRW 1.32 trillion ($1.12 billion) in Q4 2019, mainly due to lower sales of the company's mass-tier products.The smartphone division posted a full-year operating loss of KRW 1.01 trillion ($858.34 million). LG Electronics registered revenues of KRW 16.06 trillion ($13.65 billion) in the fourth quarter of 2019, 1.8% higher than the same period in 2018. LG today announced its financial results for the fourth quarter of 2019. Thanks to robust demand for premium home appliances such as LG Signature, the company posted record-breaking revenues of KRW 62.3 trillion ($53 billion) in 2019. Its full-year operating profit, however, came in at KRW 2.44 trillion ($2.07 billion), 10% lower than 2018.The company's fourth quarter revenue of KRW 16.06 trillion ($13.56 billion) was 1.8 percent higher than the same period in 201...
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by Babu Mohan on (#4YN02)
Since the feature is currently in testing, not all issues can be detected.What you need to knowGoogle has started testing a new Nest thermostat feature that can alert users about heating and cooling system (HVAC) issues.Nest will look for unusual HVAC patterns to detect if something is wrong. HVAC alerts will be sent to Nest thermostat users subscribed to the Nest Home Report email list. Google is set to make its Nest thermostats smarter with a new feature that will alert users to heating and cooling system (HVAC) issues. The feature, which is now in testing, will also connect users with a professional to take a look at their HVAC system for problems.Nest Thermostats will learn to detect unusual HVAC patterns to identify issues, based on your thermostat's historical data and current weather. For example, you may receive an email alert when your HVAC system takes longer than usual to heat your home. The email alerts, which will be sent to the Nest Home Report email list su...
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by Ara Wagoner on (#4YN04)
COPPA is important, but does it really need to bork Disney music for everyone?Google got smacked for millions in fines last year because of how it handles children's data and children's content on YouTube, and so it rolled out sweeping changes to how kids content is handled going forward — changes that have been finally rolling out over the course of this month.There's a whole gamut of features that can be turned off for "made for kids" content — ranging from disabling comments to restrictions on links and graphics, but one of those changes spells big, big problems for YouTube Music and any subscribers with kids:For some "made for kids" content, you can't like or dislike it in YouTube Music, or even add it to a playlist. Oh, and you can't leave the Now Playing screen while those songs are playing or the music stops, even if you're a YouTube Premium subscriber.At first glance, not being able to like a song seems like a small issue, at least until you remember that liking...
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by Rebecca Spear on (#4YMV5)
Whether you're in a house or apartment, making sure your home is safe while you're away is a key priority. One of the best ways to deter thieves while providing yourself with peace of mind is with a quality smart doorbell like the Nest Hello. We've done the research and made a list of the best smart doorbell cameras for any home. See which one works for you.Best Overall: Nest HelloI love this smart doorbell. It costs a little more than average, but you get plenty of features that make the price worth it. For one thing, you can set it up to give you alerts whenever it detects motion in specific areas of your yard. What's more, it has facial recognition abilities, so it can tell you if a particular friend is approaching before they even ring the bell. The camera operates at 1600x1200 with HDR for clear video quality. When the camera senses that it gets dark, it automatically switches to night vision. It's in grayscale, but it's clearer than many other cameras on the market.When...
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by Lory Gil on (#4YMPR)
Express yourself with a green bell pepper, black cat, or non-binary symbol.What you need to knowThe 2020 emoji lineup has been announced.There are 117 new emoji coming this year.There is finally a roller skate emoji.Every year, the Unicode Consortium votes on and approves a new set of emoji symbols for the year. Emoji 13.0 was just announced today and with it comes a laundry list of 117 new symbols (no laundry list symbol though). These emoji symbols will be coming to most platforms in the second half of 2020. Not every device will have all 117 symbols. Most software developers pick about half from the list to add to their various apps and operating systems.New symbols range from new facial expressions, like a smiling face with a tear (I feel this way often), to body parts, like an anatomical heart and lungs, to animals, like a black cat, bison, mammoth, beaver, polar bear, and the dodo bird. There are a few new food and drink options, like blueberries, olive, bell pepper...
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by Jennifer Locke on (#4YMPT)
Sony is gearing up to release the PlayStation 5, its most ambitious console to date.While development on the PlayStation 5 has likely been going on for years, Sony has officially confirmed that it's in the works and is on its way for the holidays. Here's everything we know about the PS5 so far.PS5 designPS5 specsPS5 backward compatibilityPS5 next-gen DualShock controllerPS5 user interfacePS5 virtual reality supportOfficially named the PlayStation 5PS5 launch gamesPS5 costThe PS5 releases Holiday 2020PlayStation 5 What form will it take?According to a report from the Financial Times, sources familiar with Sony's plans have stated that the PlayStation 5 "might not represent a major departure from the PS4, and that the fundamental architecture would be similar." Mark Cerny, lead system architect of the console, went on to confirm as much in his interview with Wired.This indicates that Sony is not working on a streaming-only platform, though the future does look to...
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by Peter Cao on (#4YMPV)
Truly wireless earbuds are gaining in popularity and we've tested dozens upon dozens of sets over the past several years. Yes, comfort and size matters but sound quality is arguably one of the most important aspects of any earbud or headphone. Fortunately, that's something we take very seriously.Jaybird VistaFitness buds$180 at AmazonProsIPX7 water resistance Long battery life on both buds & caseFind My Buds featureUSB-C for chargingConsCase is a bit largeThe Jaybird Vista feature Find My Buds, which help you if you ever get lost, are built for athletic use with its super long battery life and has strong water resistance.Samsung Galaxy BudsUltra convenient$104 at AmazonProsWireless charging caseCustomizable through Android app6 hour bud battery lifeGreat sound qualityConsOnly up to 7 hours of extra charge with caseNo customizability on AndroidThe Galaxy Buds are for those who want a general-purpose truly convenient earbud. They a...
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by Muhammad Jarir Kanji on (#4YMFZ)
It's coming to India, Europe, and the U.S.What you need to knowOnePlus is taking the Concept One on a world tour.It'll show off the experimental device in ten cities, starting February 5.The phone includes an electrochromic glass panel that can 'hide' the camera array on its back.Whether it's the black prototype or the 'papaya' yellow model OnePlus showed off at CES 2020, there's no denying it: the Concept One is one sexy phone. And if you're like me and couldn't make your way to Las Vegas earlier this month, the company has some good news for you: it's bringing the phone to you!Terms and conditions apply, of course. (When do they not?) The Concept One World Tour is only hitting ten cities across Europe, the U.S., and India. Unfortunately, and much to this writer's dismay, the warm heart of Africa was excluded by the heartless overlords at OnePlus.Those of you in the bustling capitals of Europe, however, are in for a treat. The company is planning a whirlwind tour that ...
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by Muhammad Jarir Kanji on (#4YMG0)
She's called Meena — and she does not meander.What you need to knowThe Brain Team at Google Research outlined a new type of chatbot in a paper published earlier this week.Named Meena, this virtual talker was explicitly designed to address chatbots' seeming inability to understand the broader context of conversations.It can also be funny, sometimes.Meena, what Google Brain's research team so callously described as a "multi-turn open-domain chatbot" — she's got feelings, people! — could just be the next generation of chatbot. And perhaps your next best friend.Unlike Samsung's awful human facsimiles, this Google-made AI chatterbox looks like it could probably hold its own in a conversation with a real human (via 9to5Google).The paper describes the flaws with the current generation of chatbots as follows: they often respond to open-ended input in ways that do not make sense, or with replies that are vague and generic.Trained on 40 billion words mined from the v...
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by Jennifer Locke on (#4YMG2)
Attributed to extra polish and ensuring the best experiences possible, these delays should serve to give us better products in the end.This year began with a slew of high-profile game delays, most notably Cyberpunk 2077 and the Final Fantasy 7 Remake. Since those are only a couple of titles to have been delayed in the past few months, with many more delayed just before the new year began, we've compiled a list of every game that's been delayed into 2020 and beyond. Some of these games have been delayed indefinitely while others have release windows or a final release date.We'll continually update this list as more games are delayed.Marvel's AvengersCyberpunk 2077DOOM EternalDying Light 2Final Fantasy 7 RemakeFinal Fantasy Crystal Chronicles RemasteredGods & MonstersIron Man VRThe Last of Us Part IIOri and the Will of the WispsRainbow Six QuarantineSkull & BonesVampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines 2Watch Dogs: LegionGames delayed in 2020Marvel's Aven...
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by Quentyn Kennemer on (#4YMG3)
Best answer: Yes, Android devices do support PS4 remote play. As of late 2019, any Android devices running version 5.0 or above can utilize the feature.Ready for Remote Play: Google Pixel 4 ($650 at Amazon)Pick up some games: PlayStation Store Gift Card ($10 at Amazon)No longer Sony-onlyFor most of Remote Play's existence, Android users had it rough when it came to wanting to enjoy any PlayStation 4 games on the go. Thankfully, Sony fixed that late last year, as the 7.00 update for the Remote Play app finally allowed Android users with devices running Android 5.0 or above to use the app. That means that players with any Android phone or tablet running the required operating system can now play their PlayStation 4 titles from the comfort of wherever they'd like. aOther optionsWhile we'd recommend going with officially supported products for PS4 Remote Play, not everyone may have that option available to them. Thankfully, there may be an out for those wanting to use the ...
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by Muhammad Jarir Kanji on (#4YMG4)
It's already available on Chrome Canary builds.What you need to knowChrome first introduced tab grouping on mobile devices last year.It's now testing a feature that would let users share all the tabs in a group.The change is already live in Chrome Canary and does not require enabling any flags.Back in September, Google made a bunch of improvements to its browser, including the addition of customized themes for the desktop version. On the mobile front, though, the biggest news was tab grouping, which lets you organize your bajillion open tabs in a slightly more coherent manner.Having already looked at making interaction with tab groups a little more intuitive, the company is now focusing on improving their shareability, with the addition of a simple but salient feature. As spotted by TechDows, Google's repositories for Chromium now include a new commit for introducing "TabGroup sharing." It reads: This CL adds an item in TabGridDialog toolbar menu to expose tab group s...
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by Carli Velocci on (#4YMG5)
Is that... a ukelele?Dead Cells is going natural. The highly-addictive roguelike platformer from 2018 is getting a new DLC called The Bad Seed and we got our first look at the trailer on Wednesday.The DLC, which is set for a Feb. 11, 2020 release across all platforms, introduces two new levels and a new boss. There's the Arboretum, which is described as a "relaxing and peaceful" greenhouse inhabited by sentient mushrooms that, in typical Dead Cells fashion, want to kill you. The Swamp is a little less deceiving, a gross, slime-filled area filled with a lot of pointy and blood-sucking creatures.Finally, there's The Nest, which houses a boss that Motion Twin calls "mama tick." As with many Dead Cells bosses, she's big and nasty.Of course, throughout you get new enemies to fight and new weapons to pick up and play around with, including something that looks like a ukelele and another that appears to be a pair of fans.The DLC is designed for people who have beaten the base ...
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by Harish Jonnalagadda on (#4YMG7)
Nokia makes some of the best budget and mid-range phones right now. Its devices share the same classic industrial design language that made Nokia stand out in the past, and the best part is that all of its phones are based on Android One. That means you get a clean interface without any clutter and fast updates. These are the best Nokia phones you can get your hands on.Do everythingNokia 7.2Staff pickThe Nokia 7.2 hits the sweet spot for those looking for a great phone for under $400. It has great hardware in the form of a Snapdragon 660 chipset, 4GB of RAM and 128GB of storage, and you get a 48-megapixel camera at the back and 20-megapixel shooter up front. The 6.3-inch FHD+ display has HDR10, there's a 3,500mAh battery, and the phone also has a 3.5mm jack.$349 at AmazonFor the enthusiastsNokia 9 PureViewNokia reserves the PureView moniker for its groundbreaking cameras, and the Nokia 9 fits that bill. There are five 12-megapixel cameras on the back that work in ...
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by Michael Allison on (#4YMG9)
Apple, Soundcloud and Amazon are also welcome to the party.What you need to knowGoogle has been sued for copyright infringement by Pro Music Rights LLC.The suit is a result of allegedly failing to properly license music for their platforms.Google currently offers two streaming services, YouYube Music and Google Play Music.Google is getting sued for copyright infringement on both its Google and YouTube Music services by royalty collection firm, Pro Music Rights. The firm announced this lawsuit today, additionally targeting Apple, Amazon, SoundCloud, Pandora, Deezer, 7digital, iHeartradio, and Rhapsody alongside Google and YouTube (named as separate entities.)Pro Music Rights CEO Jake P. Noch gave the following comment: Each of the music streaming services sued has made a business decision to use music without compensating songwriters. By filing these actions, Pro Music Rights is standing up for songwriters whose creative works bring great value to all streaming service...
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by Joe Maring on (#4YM7J)
Google's vision for the future of gaming is here.The world of gaming is changing. Google has a new platform called Stadia. Rather than coming to market with another console or PC competitor, Stadia's a new service that allows you to play games across a growing number of devices using Google's powerful cloud-streaming technology.Ready to learn more? Let's dive in.You want thisStadia Premiere Edition$129 at Google StoreAll that you need to game on Stadia.The Stadia Premiere Edition includes all that you need to get started. The bundle includes a Chromecast Ultra, Stadia Controller, and three free months of Stadia Pro for you and a friend.We got to use Stadia — here's what we thinkHere's a quick explainer of what it isThese are all of the games you can playThe Stadia Controller is greatHere's the list of supported devicesEventually it will tie in seamlessly with YouTubeYou'll need a good internet connectionLet's breakdown the two plansWhen and where Stad...
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by Kelly Peirce on (#4YM7K)
When playing a game remotely or streaming it to a different device, a ton of issues could pop up, including lag. Considering all the components that could be causing you lag while streaming Remote Play, tracking down what is the issue will take some trial and error. The first steps to fixing any issue is troubleshooting, starting with the easiest possible solution.Check out these accessoriesMidnight Skies: Midnight Blue - DualShock 4 Wireless Controller ($47 at Amazon)Lightning Charge: PowerA DualShock 4 Charging Station ($19 at Amazon)Stay connected: Nyko Smart Clip ($14 at Amazon)Fixing Remote Play input lagIt's important to note that if you're noticing input lag, it can be from a handful of issues. Here's some great places to start when trying to diagnose what might be wrong:Make sure your controller is charged. The connectivity strength in a controller can decrease as the controller loses charge, this can cause input issues.Reconnect your controller using a USB ca...
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by Philip Berne on (#4YM7N)
These giant companies will still yield right of way to the U.S. Navy.What you need to knowThe FCC has named four Spectrum Access System operators.The SAS is a key component of the newly-opened CBRS network.The next step will be a license auction, happening in June, 2020.A block of spectrum currently being used primarily by the U.S. Navy and commercial satellite owners has taken a step closer to wider commercial and public access. The so-called CBRS bands, soon to be branded the "OnGo" network, occupies space around the 3.5 GHz wavelength. The government has been working on plans to open up this spectrum, with the stipulation that commercial users will yield to incumbent governemnt systems, and later private users will yield to commercial users as well as the government.That requires some complicated network management, so the first step is to appoint Spectrum Access Systems (SASs) that will handle the frequency prioritization. The FCC has just announced that CommScope, Fe...
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