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The Motorola One phone strategy lately seems to revolve around releasing nice-looking but largely generic designs that iterate in minor ways over previous versions. It's a deliberately different approach to what's going on with RAZR, which is wholly unique and, though not without controversial designs, extremely exciting.Here at Qualcomm's Snapdragon Tech Summit in Hawaii this week, Motorola brought us behind closed doors to show off yet another entry into its Motorola One lineup, the pop-up-camera-sporting Hyper, which is available today for $400 on Motorola.com.Like all the phones in this quickly-growing segment, the Hyper is, well, hyper-focused on the camera experience, this one sporting a 32MP pop-up selfie camera along with a 64MP main sensor on the back. The embedded pop-up camera also gives Motorola the opportunity to give its first phone an unobstructed border around the 6.5-inch display, which the company is calling Total Vision.So the phone exists alongside four othe...

My opinion has immediately shifted from cautiously optimistic to incredibly impressed.After struggling with the performance shortcomings of Qualcomm's first ultrasonic fingerprint sensor in the Galaxy S10 and Note 10, I was cautiously optimistic that it made necessary improvements to its second generation sensor. It could make all the claims it wants about speed and consistency, but until I saw it in person I wouldn't be able to give it the benefit of the doubt. The day after the announcement, I had the opportunity to test the sensor at Qualcomm's Snapdragon Summit, and I'm incredibly impressed by its speed and capabilities.The first impressive part of seeing the 3D Sonic Max sensor in action is its size. I know Qualcomm quoted it as being 17x the size of the original, but didn't really have a sense of how big the original was — the new sensor is the size of a few postage stamps, which is way bigger than anything out there right now. It's large enough that you really don't ...

A messy situation where a studio that no longer exists is being sued.What you need to knowHuman Head Studios, developer of games such as Prey (2007) and Rune II, shut down a while ago.The entire team was acquired by Bethesda Softworks and reorganized into Roundhouse Studios.Human Head Studios is being sued by Ragnarok, publisher of Rune II.Ragnarok alleges that Human Head Studios caused multiple delays for the game and has refused to provide the source code for the game.A short while ago, Human Head Studios, the developer of games such as Prey (2007) and Rune II, shut down. Immediately following the shuttering of the studio, the entire team was acquired by Bethesda Softworks and rebranded as Roundhouse Studios, who have begun work on a new project. Ragnarok, the publisher of Rune II, is suing Human Head Studios for, among other things, breach of contract and fraudulent concealment. Ragnarok also claims it was not told ahead of time about the acquisition by Bethesda Softwor...

The Snapdragon 865 is a bigger upgrade than anyone thought it would be. And I love it when that happens.Another year means another new version of Qualcomm's high-end Snapdragon mobile chip. It's always a good thing to see and even though it never measures up to Apple's A-series processors in raw computing numbers (and it doesn't need to because raw numbers usually don't mean anything), you know Qualcomm is going to bring its A-game. There will always be a thing or two that turns out to be a significant upgrade from last year's model.This year, what's a significant upgrade is best described as everything. Qualcomm spent the year fighting in court and staving off buyout attempts and building a chip where everything is newer, better, stronger, and faster.Qualcomm Snapdragon 865: Top 4 best things (and 1 bad)The Kryo CPU cores are more powerful, yet use the same arrangement that means the Snapdragon can have good battery life. The GPU is insane and is actually built with a mind f...

Did you purchase new tech over the weekend? If yes, did you get the warranty protection offered by retailers?Purchasing warranty protection is a no-brainer for anyone who only wants to buy the item one time. After all, if your device under warranty breaks, you only need to pay the deductible to get it repaired or replaced. And this time of year, when money seems to evaporate out of accounts, saving money is a novelty.Not all warranty protection is created equal, though. For example, a TV warranty purchased in-store tends to be significantly overpriced compared to Upsie. Upsie is a better, more affordable and incredibly reliable warranty option for your new tech. Check out this price comparison between Upsie's phone warranty, Best Buy's warranty and a repair shop for a smartphone repair.Upsie is clearly the most affordable option. Additionally, Upsie's deductible prices are significantly lower than retailers. In most cases, you can even get your device repaired same-day at a r...

The Snapdragon 765 will also support the standard.What you need to knowGoogle's Android Identity Credential APIs will enable electronic IDs and mobile driving licenses.Qualcomm and Google this week announced their partnership in bringing the tech to the masses.The Snapdragon 865 and 765 will be the first SoCs to support the standard.If you've ever forgotten your driver's license at home, Qualcomm and Google have some good news for you. At the company's Snapdragon Tech Summit in Maui this week, Qualcomm invited Google's Sudhi Herle to talk about the two tech giants' collaboration in making digital IDs a reality. You can see the entire announcement below (via 9to5Google):The Qualcomm execs proudly announced that the company's latest chips — the Snapdragon 865 and the Snapdragon 765 — will be the first to support Android Identity Credential APIs. To demonstrate the point, the company's reps had a cheeky animation showcasing a cluttered pile of IDs, money, key...

Qualcomm is asserting more control over GPU updates, and that's welcome news for Android gamers.The Snapdragon 865 chipset is now official, and it comes with a slew of upgrades in key areas. The chipset features ARM's latest Cortex-A77 cores, delivering a 20% boost in performance from last year, and the Adreno 650 GPU has more cores that result in a massive 25% uptick.But one feature in particular stands out: Qualcomm will start delivering GPU updates to OEMs, who will then update phones through the Play Store, similar to what NVIDIA and AMD do on PCs. These updates were previously delivered via annual platform version updates or bundled with monthly security updates in the case of hotfixes, and in both cases were reliant on your phone manufacturer or carrier. So it's a big deal that Qualcomm is able to roll out these updates directly from the Play Store through OEMs, but the fact that it's able to do so in the first place is all because of Project Mainline. Main...

In a rare rebuke, the government calls out the carriers and recommends action.What you need to knowThe FCC was suspicious of coverage maps and conducted its own drive tests.Verizon, T-Mobile, and U.S. Cellular were all singled out for suspicion.The report recommends an Enforcement Advisory detailing consequences.Wireless carriers are required to submit accurate coverage maps, and the keyword here is "accurate," to the FCC so that public funds can be properly allocated to support broadband access — especially in communities where coverage is sparse. The FCC recently realized that three mobile carriers — Verizon, T-Mobile, and U.S. Cellular — "overstated their coverage and thus were not accurate reflections of actual coverage." This comes according to a new report bumped on Twitter by Mike Dano, Editorial Director for Light Reading. By misrepresenting coverage on maps, the mobile carriers have used public dollars that should have been spent elsewhere.Wow.T...

Redmi says its quick charging tech is also better than others'.What you need to knowRedmi is continuing to slowly tease the specs of its upcoming flagship.The phone will feature a Snapdragon 765G with 5G connectivity and a massive 4,500mAh battery.The Xiaomi sub-brand also drummed up its custom 30W quick charging tech.The trickle of Redmi K30 spec teases from the company continues, with the latest spilling the upcoming 'flagship killer' killer's processor and battery capacity. The successor to the Redmi K20 will sport a better-than-expected Snapdragon 765G). That's Qualcomm's latest mid-range SoC, and the gaming-optimized version of the chipset at that. It also features an integrated 5G modem, something even the top-of-the-line Snapdragon 865 doesn't have.On the battery front, there's a massive 4,500mAh cell — 500mAh more than last year's model and nearly 30% larger than Samsung's Galaxy Note 10's battery. What's more, the phone will also come with 30W quick chargin...

Believe it or not, not everyone prefers to speak English in their homes (gasp!). Some speak another language as their primary means of communication, while others may want to practice their skills when picking up a new language. The good news is that Amazon has made it easy to change the default language that Alexa will listen for and reply in. This can be done in the Amazon Alexa app or directly on touchscreen Echo devices. We'll walk you through just how to do this in the steps below.Products used in this guideAlexa, Show me you understand: Amazon Echo Show 5 ($50 at Amazon)Alexa the linguist: Amazon Alexa app (Free at Google Play)How to do change the language on your Echo in Alexa AppOpen the Alexa app on your phone.Tap on the menu icon (three lines) at the top left corner.Tap on Settings in the slide over menu, or tap on Devices on the bottom right of the screen.Tap on Device Settings, which will pull up your list of All Devices.Tap the device with the language ...

Samsung may announce the phones at an event this month.What you need to knowReliable leaker @OnLeaks has shared renders of the Galaxy S10 Lite and Note 10 Lite.The phones are tweaked versions of their non-Lite counterparts released earlier this year.Samsung could announce both phones at an event later this month.Samsung's release pattern for its flagship phones hasn't changed much at all in the past few years. The beginning of the year sees the latest Galaxy S devices, with the new Note debuting around August/September. Samsung's apparently throwing a wrench in that pattern for 2019, however, as we now have full renders for two new devices — the Galaxy S10 Lite and Galaxy Note 10 Lite.Galaxy S10 LiteLet's start first with the Galaxy S10 Lite. 91Mobiles published these renders as ones for the Galaxy A91, but it's suspected that these will essentially be the same exact phone, save for different SKUs.In any case, the S10 Lite looks a lot like the upcoming Galaxy ...

The Snapdragon 865 offers huge gains in CPU, GPU and AI performance, so let's see how it stacks up against the Snapdragon 855.Qualcomm's annual refresh is here, with the Snapdragon 865 set to power next year's flagships. The Snapdragon 855 was a reliable workhorse — powering most flagships released this year — but Qualcomm is facing increased competition in the high-end category from HiSilicon and MediaTek.With the Snapdragon 865, Qualcomm is offering massive gains in CPU, GPU and AI performance, and the chipset also features ARM's latest Cortex A77 cores, delivering a 20% uptick in CPU performance as well. We'll only be able to get an idea as to how the Snapdragon 865 performs once we get our hands on consumer-ready hardware, but let's take a high-level overview of the specs to see what's changed. Category Snapdragon 865 Snapdragon 855 CPU 1 x 2.84GHz Kryo 585 (Cortex A77)3 x 2.42GHz Kryo 585 (Cortex A77)4 x 1.80GHz Kryo 585 (Cortex A55) 1 x 2.84G...

Best answer: The older 500GB version of the NVIDIA Shield TV Pro is indeed discontinued, but NVIDIA has refreshed the entire Shield TV lineup for 2019. The new and re-vamped NVIDIA Shield TV Pro uses the new Tegra X1+ processor, offers support for Dolby Vision, and ships with a much improved remote. The only downgrade is the modest internal storage, but you can add plenty of extra storage with a USB drive or a microSD card.Shiny new Shield: NVIDIA Shield TV Pro ($200 at Amazon)More storage via USB: SanDisk Ultra Fit 128GB USB 3.1 ($19 at Amazon)Or with microSD: Samsung EVO Select 512GB ($65 at Amazon) The new Shield TV Pro is more powerful than its predecessorsIt's been a long time coming, but NVIDIA has finally revamped the NVIDIA Shield TV with upgrades hardware. This has also brought the NVIDIA Shield TV Pro back from the dead after the 2017 model was discontinued from production, albeit without the beefy 500GB of internal storage that was the hallmark of the older Pro m...

iOS and Android both get an app.What you need to knowThere's now an official app for Craigslist.The iOS app has already been launched, while the Android app is in beta testing.It has a clean and minimal design that mimics the website.Craigslist has been a staple of the internet for years now but unfortunately lacked an official app for mobile platforms. That's changing starting this week, as the company officially flighted an app for both iOS and Android. And much like the website, the app eschews fancy UI elements for a simple, mostly white design that keeps the clutter to a minimum.You can browse different categories — sales, gigs, jobs, housing, and more — and can access the entirety of Craigslist's offerings on your phone. You can also see your history and saved postings for later reference. As you'd expect, there's a search bar to sort through the myriad RV listings on the platform, and you can also filter the results via location, with options for citywi...

You don't get 5G to the masses without chips exactly like this.Qualcomm's new flagship-level Snapdragon 865 is the latest lustworthy mobile platform, but it's sharing the stage with another SoC: the Snapdragon 765. Though it may not be flashy given its lower positioning, the 765 is actually incredibly important for Qualcomm and companies making sub-flagship phones.What the 765 brings to the table: Features and valueQualcomm's story with 700-series processors is consistently focused on value. It cherry-picks the biggest appealing features, and trims back in less-important areas, while integrating many features and capabilities that were only found in 800-series processors just a couple generations ago.It all starts with being built on a 7nm process, which is the smallest currently available at any price and inherently uses less power for everything it does. A smaller process gives the 765 an advantage over using an older, but higher-end, chip. The Kryo 475 cores its using ar...

Hopefully, the Un-Carrier will give enough for a venti, no-whip, extra shot mochaWhat you need to knowT-Mobile will give away $3 Starbucks gift cards to customers on Tuesday, December 10.John Legere announced on Twitter that a half-million cards will be handed out.Last year's Starbucks giveaway broke records for T-Mobile Tuesdays.As part of its ongoing T-Mobile Tuesdays giveaway campaign for subscribers, T-Mobile CEO John Legere announced that the carrier will be offering Starbucks gift cards next week. At 4 PM ET /1 PM PT, a half-million Starbucks cards will be available on the T-Mobile Tuesdays app, and will be gifted as long as supplies last. T-Mobile currently has around 84 million subscribers in the U.S., so up to 83.5 million people could come away unhappy. The gift cards are valued at $3, so while it likely won't cover your entire drink order, it should at least put a good dent in the final cost.The holidays are here, so we are going BIG on #TMobileTuesdays!! Next ...

Mid-range champGoogle Pixel 3a$399 at AmazonProsUnbeatable cameraSolid OLED displayPolycarbonate body feels sturdyClean user interfaceFirst-in-line for software updatesConsOnly 64GB of non-expandable storageThe Pixel 3a will go down in history as one of the most impressive mid-range Android phones of 2019. Google's ability to offer a flagship-grade camera in such an affordable package is the main draw to the 3a, and when you add that together with the OLED display, guaranteed software updates, and more, it becomes a darn impressive package.Great for videoMotorola One Action$350 at AmazonProsImmersive 21:9 displayUnique action camera for video captureLarger batteryAlexa built-inGreat Motorola softwareConsBleak future for software updatesCamera quality is just OKFor a bit less money, you can pick up the Motorola One Action. The One Action's camera results aren't as impressive and you don't get the same level of software support, ...

Just ask Google Assistant, "what's new at the North Pole?"What you need to knowStarting now through Christmas, you can get the latest updates from Santa's Village by asking Assistant "what's new at the North Pole?"The head elf news anchor Dimplesticks will keep you up to date with all the goings-on, as well as letting you know how many days there are until Christmas.The Santa Tracker website has also been updated with new games and activities, in addition to new holiday experiences on Google Earth.With Christmas 21 days away and counting, Google is ready to get you and your family in the festive mood with daily reports from the North Pole. Over the next three weeks, each day you can get an update from the North Pole Broadcasting Channel from Google Assistant by simply saying, "Hey Google, what's new at the North Pole?"In response, you'll get the latest news updates from the head elf news anchor, Dimplesticks. For example, today's message informs you how many days there ar...

Genius says copying its copy of lyrics is too much copying.What you need to knowGenius (formerly Rap Genius) is suing Google for copying its version of song lyrics.Genius previously asked Google to stop, but has proof the practice continued.The suit asks for at least $50 million in damages.Lyrics and annotation web site Genius, formerly known as Rap Genius, is suing Google over allegations the search company directly copied song lyrics from Genius' site then repackaged them as Google search results.Since 2014, Genius has had a deal with music publishers that allows the company to make lyrics available. Google apparently ripped off the exact text from the Genius page, including strange spacing and apostrophe placements that acted as a digital fingerprint and allowed Genius to track the theft. Genius originally complained about the practice in June.This week, WSJ reports that Genius is suing both Google and LyricFind, the third-party company that Google contracts to gener...

When you think of Cyber Monday, deals on VPN services might not immediately come to mind. But while most are considering where to get the best price on a laptop they've been eyeing, or how to get the cheapest phone or other consumer electronics device, why not spare a thought for how you might protect those devices and your privacy?VPNs are super useful for our increasingly internet-connected lives. If you spend any time at all banking or shopping online, or even surfing on public Wi-Fi hotspots at your favorite coffee shop, you could benefit from a VPN.What is a VPN?VPN stands for Virtual Private Network. A VPN takes your Internet connection and makes it more secure, by cloaking your internet activity in anonymity and stops you from being tracked across the web for advertising, having your traffic intercepted, or running into malicious sites. They are also great if you want to access content that is blocked in your region as you can use one to appear as if you are in another cou...

Inexpensive robot vacuums don't always have the best reputation, but one rises above the norm.A new challengerRoborock E35$359 at AmazonProsPath-planning via smart navigationCharge and resume where it left offMopping attachmentIntense suctionLong battery lifeConsNo virtual boundaries includedRoborock launched the E-series of more affordable robot vacuums in 2019, but did so without cutting the core component of what makes Roborock special: the navigation. This smart robot vacuum can 1plan routes around the house and cover every corner with an intelligent, logical pattern.Hands-free cleaningeufy RoboVac 30C$299 at AmazonProsSmall size can fit better under furnitureManual control via included remoteConsRandom bump-and-go style navigationShort battery lifeUnable to resume where it left off after chargingNo mopThe Eufy brand has been around for a few years now and has established itself as an easy, budget-friendly recommendation. ...

We finally have a release date!What you need to knowPillars of Eternity II: Deadfire is a popular old-school role-playing game from Obsidian Entertainment.It's coming to PlayStation 4 and Xbox One on January 28, 2020. A Nintendo Switch version is also planned. You can preorder it for $60 on Amazon. Pillars of Eternity II: Deadfire is a role-playing game played through an isometric perspective. This almost top-down view was incredibly popular in games many decades ago, but now has fallen out of favor due to traditional 3D graphics. Continuing from the end of the first Pillars of Eternity, you're tasked with pursuing a rogue god over land and sea.One of the major changes is the ability to captain a ship on dangerous voyages across the vast unexplored region of Deadfire. The goal is to bend the world to your will, as you explore the depths of infinite possibilities, including detailed character customization and more meaningful choices at every turn.Over a year ago,...

Motorola's first phone with a 64MP cameraWhat you need to knowThe Motorola One Hyper is now official.It is Motorola's first phone to have a pop-up camera module and a 64MP primary rear camera. Its headline feature, however, is support for 45W fast charging. Motorola today unveiled its latest One series smartphone, the One Hyper. Thanks to a pop-up selfie camera, the One Hyper is unlike any other One series phone from the company, at least in the design department.The Motorola One Hyper features a 6.5-inch FHD+ display, which, thanks to the 32MP pop-up selfie camera, boasts an impressive 90 percent screen-to-body ratio. As expected, the phone has a Qualcomm Snapdragon 675 processor inside, along with 4GB of RAM and 128GB storage.Motorola's latest mid-range phone has a dual camera setup on the back, featuring a 64MP main camera and an 8MP ultra-wide lens. It offers an AI-powered night mode as well, which should help users capture some decent shots in low-light. As mention...

Oscar winners and cult classics are part of the catalog of films that are now available for free through Plex.What you need to knowPlex launched an ad-supported video on demand feature.The feature allows people to watch thousands of films and TV shows.The feature is available in over 200 countries.Plex announced the launch of its ad-supported video on demand feature today. Now, people in over 200 countries can watch a wide variety of films for free. The offering includes action, sci-fi, comedy, drama, thriller, anime, and family-friendly films. Plex is available on several platforms, including Roku, Apple TV, Android TV, several smart TVs,Android, iOS, Xbox, PlayStation, and Amazon Fire TV.The lineup of films available for free has several well-known titles. People can watch The Terminator, Frequency, Rain Man, and many other films through Plex. While watching these films requires seeing ads, Plex emphasizes in its announcement post that personal content will remain free...

Grab some extra XP!With a brand new season of Fortnite comes brand new challenges, and Chapter 2 has once again changed up the way players will be taking them on. For the recent Chaos Rising set of missions, one of the challenges for this week will have you scouring one of the game's new loading screens to find hidden coordinates that will gift you some additional XP. This one can be tough if you don't know where to look, but thankfully we've found where to go, so you don't have to.Knowing the challengeFirst and foremost, this challenge won't be live until Thursday, Dec. 5, at 9:30 a.m. EST. After that time, you'll be able to jump in and tackle it, but just know that it won't be live until the weekly missions go live in Fortnite.Secondly, you'll only be able to do this challenge once you've completed eight of the Chaos Rising missions, which is when you unlock the loading screen.This week's loading screen features a character staring up at a handful of television screens. W...

I still wish there was an ultrawide camera, but the zoom shots you can get are really great.Do I still wish Google included an ultrawide camera on the Pixel 4? You bet I do. But all of the complaints about the lack of an ultrawide shouldn't cast a shadow on the telephoto camera's excellent quality.I've long been cold on digital zoom on phone cameras because when you simply digitally crop in on an image, the quality loss just isn't worth it. And until recently, I haven't been a big fan of telephoto cameras either because they're usually saddled with inferior sensors, lenses, or both. It's the combination of a proper 2X lens and incredible digital zoom that makes this system great.The Pixel 4 changed that, with the combination of a secondary telephoto camera and its incredible software called Super Res Zoom that processes multiple frames (not unlike HDR+) to provide improved clarity. So to say this is the "telephoto" camera's quality isn't exactly accurate, because I'm not j...

Currently only works when connected to Chromecast and with certain commands.What you need to knowThe Google Assistant button now works on Stadia controllers.It is currently part of an early access program with limited functionality and only works when connected via Chromecast to your TV on the main Stadia screen.In the future, Google says Assistant will be available "while playing games as well as in the Stadia app and website."Stadia, Google's big venture into cloud-based gaming, launched a little less than a month ago with mixed reviews. Our own Russell Holly called it "embarrassingly incomplete, staggeringly good", pointing out what Stadia does, it does well.However, the main problem is not what Stadia does, but the laundry list of features Stadia launched without. Now, one of those can be scratched off the list, at least partially. Beginning on December 3, Google enabled the Google Assistant button on the Stadia controller.Previously, pressing the button would dis...

Dance the night away.With a brand new season of Fortnite comes brand new challenges, and Chapter 2 has once again changed up the way players will be taking them on. One of the challenges in this week's Chaos Rising will have you dancing at a handful of different colored steel bridges.In your time with the game, it's likely that you have encountered these bridges plenty of times, but if you're unsure of where to go, we've got you covered.Knowing the challengeFirst and foremost, this challenge won't be live until Thursday, Dec. 5, at 9:30 a.m. EST. After that time, you'll be able to jump in and tackle it, but just know that it won't be live until the weekly missions go live in Fortnite.You'll only be able to do this challenge once you've completed one of the Chaos Rising missions, which shouldn't be too hard at all. After finding the structures, simply start dancing in front of them, and it'll count as the challenge. Finally, make sure to refer to the map below for their loca...

The latest challenges leaked ahead of the weekly update.Fortnite Chapter 2 is officially here, and with it comes a significant change to the way players will be leveling up their Battle Pass. While Missions will still be in the game, players will no longer be competing for Battle Stars. Instead, the goal is to get normal XP. With a larger focus on XP and less grinding, players should be able to level up their Battle Pass even faster, earning a variety of rewards on the way.Unlike Season X's mission setup, there will be no time prestige missions, and the focal point is to simply complete tasks as you play the game. Instead of having to complete the same mission with added difficulty, now you'll just be unlocking new missions as you complete the ones already available to you. The eighth week of Fortnite Chapter 2 isn't live until Thursday morning, but that didn't stop the missions for the week leaking a bit early.Twitter user iFireMonkey — who is well-known for datamining...

The portable Echo speaker will only be sold in India, at least initially.What you need to knowAmazon today launched the Echo Input Portable Smart Speaker Edition in India.The Echo Input Portable Smart Speaker Edition comes with a built-in rechargeable battery, which makes it possible for users to access Alexa from anywhere in their home. The portable smart speaker has been priced at ₹4,999 ($70) in the country and is now available for pre-order via Amazon.in. Amazon today expanded its Echo speaker lineup in India with the launch (via TechCrunch) of the Echo Input Portable Smart Speaker Edition. The new smart speaker is nearly identical to the Echo Input when it comes to the "hardware architecture" but packs a built-in rechargeable 4,800mAh battery. Amazon says the large battery can provide up to 10 hours of continuous music playback time.Thanks to its built-in battery and compact dimensions, you can easily carry the Echo Input Portable Smart Speaker Edition anywhere...

Before you make the switch, you need to think about a few things.Having good cellular service has become an important thing for most people. We use our phones for everything from keeping in touch to keeping entertained when we have a few quiet moments. It's pretty great that we have such powerful machines in our pockets and nobody is happy when their service lets them down. That's why it's worth taking your time and checking out a few things before you switch carriers.This can be especially important when switching to a prepaid alternative carrier, also known as an MVNO. Because they aren't the ones installing new facilities and building out the physical networks they operate on, they sometimes have to do things a little differently. These differences usually mean the service is cheaper every month, but it can also pose a few problems if you haven't done your homework before you made the switch.What is an alternative carrier?That's what we're here for! Android phones and the ...

The Korea Fair Trade Commission had imposed the fine on Qualcomm in December 2016.What you need to knowA South Korean court today upheld a record $873 million fine imposed by the Korea Fair Trade Commission (KFTC) against Qualcomm for unfair business practices.Qualcomm Executive Vice President Dan Rosenberg says the company will soon appeal to the Korea Supreme Court. The KFTC, however, is yet to issue any comment on whether it would also lodge an appeal. In what comes as a major setback for Qualcomm, a Seoul High Court today upheld (via Reuters) the record $873 million fine imposed against the company by the Korea Fair Trade Commission (KFTC) over unfair business practices relating to sales of its modem chips and patent licensing.Rejecting Qualcomm's appeal against the penalty, the court said the chipmaker had indeed abused its dominant position in the market.Seoul High Court Judge Noh Tae-ak said in his ruling: The defendant exerted a significant influence over m...

It's a scenario that we're all familiar with. You get home with an armful of groceries, purse, briefcase, backpack, etc, put everything down, and then can't find your phone anywhere. PANIC sets in. Where is my phone!? Luckily, you remembered to enable one of the many great Alexa Skills that can help you find your phone when it's been misplaced. Need a refresher? Let's go over how to find that phone.Products used in this guideSmart Speaker Saver: Amazon Echo (3rd Gen) ($60 at Amazon)Alexa to the rescue: Amazon Alexa app (Free at Google Play)Dude, Where's my Phone?: Find My Phone Alexa Skill (Free at Amazon or in Alexa app)How to activate the SkillOpen up the Alexa app on your phone.Tap on the menu icon in the top left corner of the screen.Tap on Skills and Games.Tap on the magnifying glass/search icon in the top right corner.Type on Find My Phone.Tap on the top search result to see a list of options, or click on the Find My Phone skill by that name that appears wit...

The standard Galaxy Note 10 and Note 10+ are slated to receive the Android 10 update next month.What you need to knowT-Mobile's Samsung Galaxy Note 10+ 5G will ship with Android 10-based One UI 2.0 right out of the box.The 5G-enabled smartphone is now available for pre-order via T-Mobile and is expected to begin shipping on December 6. You can get a Galaxy Note 10+ 5G free if you buy another Note 10+ 5G and add a line. T-Mobile rolled out its nationwide 5G network earlier this week, becoming the first major U.S. carrier to do so. The first two 5G-enabled smartphones that it is selling are the OnePlus 7T Pro 5G McLaren and Samsung Galaxy Note 10+ 5G. While the Galaxy Note 10 and Note 10+ are currently shipping with Android 9 Pie-based One UI 1.5, T-Mobile's Note 10+ 5G will ship with the latest Android 10-based One UI 2.0 out of the box.I CAN CONFIRM ✅ #Note10Plus5G DOES HAVE #Android 10 OOTB! pic.twitter.com/3Nv4HH03w0— Des (@askdes) December 3, 2019The in...

Now available for non-beta users as well.What you need to knowThe stable Android 10 update for the Galaxy S10 is now rolling out in India.In addition to all the Android 10 features, the update brings new One UI 2.0 goodies as well as the latest December security patch. Apart from India, the Galaxy S10 Android 10 update is currently rolling out in nine other markets. Samsung surprised everyone by rolling out the stable Android 10-based One UI 2.0 update for beta users in Germany last week. The Galaxy S10 Android update has now started rolling out in a few more countries, including India. And unlike the initial rollout in Germany, the update is now hitting non-beta users as well.The update brings the latest December security patch, along with the new One UI 2.0 features. Some of the key highlights include a streamlined UI design, enhanced system-wide dark mode, more customization options, digital wellbeing, and visibility enhancements.Weirdly, Samsung's Android 10 updat...

For those thinking about making the leap to US Mobile, you're probably wondering which phone you should bring over, or if you need to buy one from them. The good news is that 99% of phones in America will run on US Mobile! This includes the latest Android devices like the OnePlus 7T, Pixel 4, Galaxy Note 10, and Galaxy S10.There are a few caveats to keep in mind:The device needs to be unlocked. You'll get two SIM cards in the US Mobile Starter Kit. If one doesn't work, use the other. Your device needs to be able to run on Band 2 1900 MHz for 2G network access - all you need for talk and text.Your device needs to be able to run on Band 4 1700/2100 MHz, Band 2 1900 MHz and Band 12 700 MHz for LTE access.US Mobile's best coverage is via their Super LTE network. To see if your device is compatible, just punch in its IMEI number on US Mobile's networks page.If you don't have a serviceable phone at the ready, you can always get a device directly from US Mobile. If you do, there'...

25 years of a historic company.What you need to knowYesterday, the PlayStation brand celebrated its 25th anniversary.This occasion was marked by a series of celebratory interviews and blog posts. Sony Interactive Entertainment CEO Jim Ryan says the company won't be making a successor to the PlayStation Vita. The PlayStation brand has been a part of gaming for a long time and is now celebrating its 25th anniversary. In a blog post, Jim Ryan, CEO of Sony Interactive Entertainment, stated that "It's truly humbling to see fans who grew up on PlayStation passing down their love of gaming to their children, who are now playing on PS4. On behalf of all of us at PlayStation – thank you for taking this journey with us. We can't wait to celebrate what comes next with you!"In an interview with Game Informer looking back over PlayStation's history, Jim Ryan noted in regards to the PlayStation Vita that "PlayStation Vita was brilliant in many ways, and the actual gaming experie...

Looks like we'll need to wait a little longer for Campo Santo's next game.What you need to knowFirewatch developer Campo Santo was acquired by Valve in 2018.Its expected next game, In The Valley of Gods, has been put on hold by Valve.Campo Santo is focusing on Half-Life: Alyx and other projects for Valve instead.Campo Santo's In The Valley of Gods has been put on hold while the former indie developer, now working under Valve, is focusing on other projects for the company. Notably, Valve recently announced Half-Life: Alyx, a dedicated VR game set in the Half-Life universe.Judging from a statement by Camp Santo founder co-founder Jake Rodkin made to Polygon, Valve's infamous "work on what you want" culture is true, and much of the In The Valley of Gods team moved to other projects as they saw fit. To fans looking forward to In the Valley of Gods, it's probably clear that the optimistic "2019" at the end of the announcement trailer isn't going to be accurate. In the end,...

Larry Page and Sergey Brin will continue to be Board members.What you need to knowLarry Page and Sergey Brin are stepping down from their leadership roles at Alphabet, Google's parent company.Google CEO Sundar Pichai is being appointed as Alphabet's new CEO.Sundar will retain his role at Google, too.Big things are changing in the Google and Alphabet world. On December 3, 2019, Larry Page and Sergey Brin — the co-founders of both companies — published a letter announcing that Google CEO Sundar Pichai will be taking over as the new Alphabet CEO. Going forward, Sundar will be the CEO of both Google and Alphabet. He will be the executive responsible and accountable for leading Google, and managing Alphabet's investment in our portfolio of Other Bets.Larry and Sergey noted that "Alphabet and Google no longer need two CEOs and a President." As for their involvement with the companies, they note: We are deeply committed to Google and Alphabet for the lo...

Bose Noise Canceling 700Modern ANC cans$399 at AmazonProsUSB-C for chargingIntuitive touch controls11 steps of noise cancelationFast charging with two hours of listening with 15 minutes of chargingConsNon-foldable designHeavier due to more premium designBose has clearly learned from its QC35 IIs and is looking to reinvent itself with its new Noise Canceling Headphones 700. It made necessary changes, such as a more premium design and USB-C.Bose QC35 IIClassic ANC cans$279 at AmazonProsGreat ANC performanceSuper portable and lightweightSolid, treble boosted soundExcellent comfortConsLacks higher quality Bluetooth audio codecs (sans AAC)Micro-USB for chargingMostly plastic buildThe Bose QC35 IIs have been one of the top ANC headphones on the market for quite some time now. They're a reliable pair of headphones, but they've shown their age when it comes to charging tech and ANC performance.The Bose QC35 IIs are simply a classic. Ther...

Developers, speak out. Where is the software industry going next? The new Developer Economics survey Q4 2019 is now open to all developers around the world until January 17th. Every year, more than 40,000 developers from 165+ countries participate in the Developer Economics surveys to set new trends in software development. This is a chance for all developers to be part of something great and set the industry trends, opportunities, and challenges for 2019.What skills do you think are necessary for today's developers? Which popular dev tools, platforms, technologies, and frameworks do you enjoy using or you have tried but disliked or want to learn more about? Answers to such questions will help us discover what's missing in the industry.Answer a few questions about your favorite tools, languages, and frameworks, and you may win one of the awesome prizes up for grabs — including a Samsung Chromebook 3, Microsoft Surface Pro 6, JetBrains IDE, Oculus Rift S, AWS Deep Racer, Sa...

It also hopes to build a factory in Europe for its 5G equipment.What you need to knowHuawei founder Ren Zhengfei announced that the company is moving its research center.It's being relocated from the United States to Canada.This past Friday, it was reported that the U.S. was aiming to crack down further on Huawei's access to U.S. technology.To say that Huawei has had a rocky relationship with the United States over the last year would be quite an understatement. The U.S. has been on a mission to cut ties with Huawei in every way imaginable on the idea that it represents a national security threat, and we're now seeing the latest development of this feud.On December 2 in an interview with The Globe and Mail, Huawei founder Ren Zhengfei announced that Huawei will be moving its U.S.-based research center to Canada. [Huawei's] center for research and development will be moved out of the U.S. And that will be relocated to Canada.The interview also reveals that Huawei in...

You can also do group chats within the app.What you need to knowGoogle is adding chat functionality to the Photos app.The feature requires both users to have a Google account.You can chat with one or multiple users.As Google continues its uphill battle to create a viable — and successful — chat platform for Android, it's also experimenting with providing piecemeal chat functionality within its already successful apps. The Photos app now allows you to chat with your friends about the pictures you've sent them.The change also simplifies sharing individual photos, which previously required you to create one-off albums for sharing, as Google's Jaanvi Shah explains. You now get a 'Send in Google Photos' option when you want to share your latest birthday bash pics. You can then select either a friend or a group of people to send the pictures to, which automatically creates — or adds the picture to — a chat between you and them.You can seemingly also ...

Ever want to play Double Dare with Jar Jar? No? Now's your chance.What you need to knowStar Wars: Jedi Temple Challenge will be a game show for kids.There will be three set pieces — a forest planet, a spaceship, and a temple.Ahmed Best, the voice of Jar Jar Binks, will host.Star Wars fans can look forward to a game show for kids coming to Disney Plus (Disney Plus+) in 2020. The new Star Wars: Jedi Temple Challenge sounds like a fun and active game show, similar to Ninja Warrior type shows. The show will take place on a forest planet, a Jedi star cruiser, and inside a Jedi temple, so it seems contestants will have to climb trees, escape trash compactors, and drink blue milk. Lucasfilm's director of Online Content and Programming, Mickey Capoferri, describes the show as "a kids game show like no other .. a fun, humorous, and exciting competition."The game will feature a mix of challenges that test a young padawan's strength, knowledge, and bravery. Yes, of course the...

We're almost there.What you need to knowGoogle Pixel 4 and Pixel 4 XL will get the December update next week.Fixes for bugs in Spotify and third-party camera apps will be included.The Pixel 4 had been absent from the original update bulletin.Google Pixel 4 owners will see a software and security update rolling out in the next week, according to an addendum to Google's Pixel Security Update page. The software and security update includes a number of fixes aimed directly at the Pixel 4, the newest member of Google's self-branded phone lineup. If you've had trouble with static noise in Spotify, or staticky audio when using a third-party camera app, the next update may solve your problems. However, Pixel 4 owners will need to wait a week for the next update.The Pixel 4 was originally left out of the loop on software updates, but the new package will include fixes for Bluetooth pairing, with Garmin devices specifically called out, as well as some fixes to the haptics and motio...

Find out what Straight Talk has to offer!Straight Talk Wireless is an alternative carrier, or Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO), that offers prepaid wireless service through a partnership with TracFone and Walmart. Straight Talk offers support for both CDMA and GSM devices, as it piggybacks on the T-Mobile, Sprint, AT&T, and Verizon's networks.Straight Talk offers no-contract plans for individuals on 30-day refills that start at basic talk, text, and limited data, all the way up to unlimited data. Straight Talk Wireless is provided by TracFone, which is owned by América Móvil. It focuses mainly on selling budget devices but you can still pick out the outstanding Samsung Galaxy Note 10, or opt to bring your own device.Straight Talk has a lot to offer for a price conscious consumer, so read on and find a plan that works for you!The plansWhat about phones?How to cancel Straight TalkHow to unlock a Straight Talk phoneNo frills, just serviceStraig...

This year takes 5G to 11.What you need to knowQualcomm is announcing two new high-end chips at its Tech Summit in Maui, Hawaii.The Snapdragon 865 is the flagship chip that will debut in the Galaxy S11. There's also a Snapdragon 765 and 765G on deck, with integrated 5G.We'll know more about these chips tomorrow, December 4.Qualcomm is roaring into 2020 with a bunch of new announcements, including two major SoCs that it hopes will put it in good stead against Apple, Huawei, and, surprisingly, MediaTek going into the new year.The main piece on the agenda is the Snapdragon 865, which comes standard with the X55 5G chip announced earlier this year. The upside is that while the Snapdragon 865 will support 5G, it's not on-die the way the Snapdragon 855 and previous Qualcomm chips have LTE built into the chip itself. Instead, manufacturers will need to add 5G separately using the X55 modem if they want to, adding heat and making their phones less battery efficient.ere's what t...

First the November patch, and now this.What you need to knowThe December 2019 security patch began rolling out on December 2.It made its way to all Pixel devices, except the Pixel 4, which is getting it next week.Last month's November update was delayed for many, and has still yet to arrive on some handsets.One of the main reasons to buy a Pixel phone is that it's the first to receive software updates and security patches as they're released. Timely updates are an issue with just about every Android device out there, but Pixels stand out as an exception to this rule. At least, they usually do.For the last two monthly security patches, the Pixel 4 hasn't gotten them on time — most recently with the December patch that started rolling out on December 2. This latest patch added new features and security fixes for the Pixel 2, Pixel 3, and Pixel 3a, but nothing for the Pixel 4. What gives?Google published a post on its Pixel Phone Help forums highlighting what the Dec...

Samsung DeX is a wonderful system that is tragically overlooked by most users today. That's a shame because, in 2019, DeX has never been easier to use, especially because you don't have to shell out $50–$130 for one of Samsung's branded DeX stations. There are third-party USB-C hubs that work perfectly fine with DeX, and then, of course, there are tons of affordable, high-quality peripherals for adding a keyboard, mouse, and more!Third-party DeX hubAUKEY Link PD Pro USB-C HubStaff pickOur favorite USB-C hub for Chromebooks is also our favorite USB-C hub for DeX, and includes an HDMI port, three USB-A ports, USB-C passthrough charging, and even Ethernet, should you want to really turn your phone into a PC for a while.$32 at AmazonGo minimalAnker 6ft 4K 60Hz USB-C to HDMI CableWant to use DeX to play a video on your hotel room's big screen? Users have been able to activate DeX mode with this Anker USB-C to HDMI cable. Remember that this won't let you charge yo...

It's alive!What you need to knowAvatar is an incredibly popular film now owned by Disney.A game has been in development at Ubisoft since at least 2017. Many gamers thought the project had been canceled. Today, the official Twitter account confirmed it was still in development. A few years ago, news stories circulated that Ubisoft was making an open-world Avatar game for Fox. Since then, Fox has been acquired by Disney and it was unclear if the project was still in development. According to a report by Xbox Achievements, the debate was put to rest because the official Avatar Twitter account confirmed that the game was still in the works.Still being developed! https://t.co/vdWvzyNZEQ— Avatar (@officialavatar) November 29, 2019It's unclear how far along the project is, but it seems like Ubisoft is still hiring developers for the game. There are a lot of open positions on the website the Avatar account linked to. Hopefully, we'll know more about it at E3 2020 bec...