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Updated 2026-08-01 17:47
Disconnecting Samsung Pay is an easy process
You can now completely uninstall it.When it comes to paying conveniently, Samsung Pay makes using your phone as a bank card an easy process. There may come a time when you don't want to use the app anymore and need to get rid of Samsung Pay. Once upon a time, you couldn't uninstall Samsung Pay, only disable it, but these days, Samsung has seen the error of its ways and allows you to completely uninstall the Samsung Pay app.Before you jump straight to the nuclear option, though, if you just want Samsung Pay to stop popping up when you don't need it, there's a setting to help with that.How to keep Samsung Pay from activating on your home screen or lock screenIf you still want to keep Samsung Pay around in case you left your wallet at home and really need that six-pack of beer from the 7-11, you can just turn off the somewhat intrusive "Favorite cards" that appear at the bottom of some screens on your phone.Open Samsung Pay.Tap the three-line menu icon in the top left corner...
Someone shoved a Google Nest Hub Max into a hole in their wall
What a waste of a good woofer.What you need to knowA Reddit user has posted a photo of a wall-mounted Google Nest Hub Max.The owner wanted a professional installation but was refused because of the speakers.Google does not currently sell a mountable smart display.A homeowner who wanted a wall installation for a Google Nest Hub Max took it upon himself to cut a hole and fit the smart display inside, ending up with a surprisingly elegant solution that has blown up on Reddit. An account from a professional installer claimed that the installation company refused to mount the Nest Hub Max, saying that burying the back and bottom of the smart display in the wall would obscure the speakers. The speakers are arguably a key selling point for the Hub Max, which costs more than $200.We wouldn't suggest trying this at home unless you're a certified electrician, but this owner may have made a smart move using Google for his wall control needs. It might seem a waste of the device's aud...
Does Visible offer financing for phones?
Best answer: Yes, Visible offers financing through Affirm on phones purchased through its web store. You can choose to pay for your new phone in 12, 18, or 24 monthly payments at 0% APR.Unlimited data for your phone: Visible ($40 per month at Visible)Pay a little at a time: Google Pixel 3a (From $17 per month at Visible)Financing with Affirm and VisibleVisible doesn't handle phone financing directly. Rather, it works with Affirm to provide this service. Furthermore, your loan will be made through Cross River Bank and will be available at 0% APR. If you want to learn more about Affirm, you can visit its help page for more information.Depending on the cost and credit-related factors, a down payment may be required. Still, any down payment will be less than the cost of the phone outright. You can split up your payments in 12, 18, or 24-month terms with the longer terms bringing down your monthly costs.For example, at the time of writing, a Pixel 3a can be paid for in 12 m...
Should you buy a Galaxy Note 9 in 2019?
Best answer: The Note 9 is still a capable and modern phone in late 2019, over a year after its release. Most of what makes its successor, the Note 10, great can be found in the Note 9 with the latest software. The only question is whether you really need an S Pen, because if you don't you can save a bunch of money buying a Galaxy S9+ instead.Good at a discount: Samsung Galaxy Note 9 ($630 at Amazon)Savings potential: Samsung Galaxy S9+ ($510 at Walmart)The Galaxy Note 9 is still good, and priceyGalaxy Notes seem to hold their value over time better than the Galaxy S models. Sure the Note 9's gone on sale over the past year since it was released, but not nearly as often as the mass-market Galaxy S9. With a higher starting price, its discounts don't feel so dramatic either. Now over a year after it first went on sale, the Note 9 is still over $600, even with the new Note 10 and Note 10+ available. The Note 9 still feels modern from top to bottom — improvements in the No...
Huawei shipped over 240 million smartphones and more 5G phones than Samsung
Huawei predicts sales revenue of 850 billion yuan ($123 billion USD) for 2020.What you need to knowHuawei has reportedly shipped more than 240 million smartphones worldwide in 2019 despite the U.S. ban.Of that 240 million, 6.9 million were 5G smartphones — giving Huawei a record market share.Huawei is predicting sales revenue of 850 billion yuan or $123 billion USD for 2020.Huawei had a rough year in 2019 thanks to butting heads with the U.S. government, an unfortunate occurrence that saw it placed on the Entity List preventing American companies from doing business with the Chinese tech giant.However, you wouldn't know that by looking at its sales numbers. According to a recent report, Huawei shipped more than 240 million smartphones worldwide in 2019. In particular, sales of its Mate and P series phones increased more than 50% year-over-year.It's no surprise that the P and Mate series are fantastic phones. Our own Harish had high praise for the P30 Pro when he revie...
Mashvisor takes the guesswork out of playing the real estate game
There's never been a better time to invest in real estate, thanks to a strong economy and a growing number of property types that you can rent out with minimal effort.Mashvisor makes it easier than ever to find the best and most profitable properties on the market, and a lifetime subscription is available for over 95% off at just $39.This all-in-one real estate tool helps you find investment properties in a fraction of the time it would take searching the old-fashioned way.You'll be able to find both traditional properties and potential Airbnb rentals in a matter of minutes and gauge their profitability without having to wade through complex spreadsheets and esoteric data.It's even easy to get summaries of all the key calculations you'll need to decide whether or not to invest.Enter the booming real estate market the easy way with a lifetime subscription to Mashvisor for just $39—95% off its usual price for a limited time.Prices are subject to change....
Vice reveals BlackVue dashcam GPS data was available in real time
"One script could collect the location data of every BlackVue user who had mapping enabled on the eastern half of the United States every two minutes."What you need to knowVice tech outlet Motherboard was able to pull GPS location data for BlackVue users.It reverse-engineered the iOS app and tracked users over a week-long period.BlackVue has confirmed that this wasn't supposed to be possible and appears to have fixed the problem.A report has revealed that GPS location data from the dashcam app BlackVue was available to be viewed and stored in real-time over days or even weeks, highlighting a significant security flaw in the app.As revealed by Motherboard, Vice's tech branch, the report states: BlackVue has an app that shows the location of drivers that opt-in. The creators say it shouldn't be possible to track its users in bulk; we found otherwise... BlackVue is a dashcam company with its own social network. With a small, internet-connected dashcam installed insi...
Games we want to see enhanced for PlayStation 5
Sony PlayStation has made it clear to us that the plan is to make PlayStation 5 backward compatible. All our PS4 games we have been collecting over the years won't be tossed to the wayside this time around. Much like the PS4 Pro allowed for certain enhancements of games, PS5 should offer the same to companies who want to refresh their graphics. These are the games we would most like to see touched up.★ Featured favoriteThe Witcher 3: Wild HuntStaff PickThe Witcher 3 has been a popular game since its release in 2015. A wide variety of landscapes fill the Northern Kingdoms, from snowy mountain peaks to flowering fields, and a well-written story fills each one as you venture though. With the sudden resurgence of The Witcher 3 player base thanks to the Netflix series and a release on the Nintendo Switch, PS5 enhancements would make a lot of sense.$40 at AmazonA tribal futureHorizon Zero DawnThis is admittedly already a beautiful game but we love it so ...
Chrome Apps are going away starting in June 2020
Chrome Extensions aren't going anywhere.What you need to knowGoogle will end support for Chrome Apps beginning this year.Submissions for new apps will end in March and support for Chrome Apps on Windows, Mac, and Linux will go away in June 2020.Chrome Extensions aren't going anywhere and developers are being encouraged to transition to Progressive Web Apps or Chrome Extensions.Google has finally announced a timeline for phasing out Chrome Apps. It will begin in March 2020 when the Chrome Web Store will no longer accept new submissions. However, developers will be able to update their existing apps all the way into June 2022.That doesn't mean many people will be able to actually use them, however, because starting in June 2020, support for Chrome Apps on Windows, Mac, and Linux will end. This will leave Chrome Apps only available on the Chrome OS platform until June of 2021 when it will begin to end support for them there as well. The full timeline can be viewed below, tak...
Huawei Mate Xs will reportedly be more affordable than the Mate X
Unlike the Mate X, which has so far remained confined to China, the Mate Xs is likely to be sold in Europe and a few other markets as well.What you need to knowA new report out of China suggests the upcoming Huawei Mate Xs could be cheaper than the Mate X.The report also claims the Mate Xs will have a sturdier hinge design and a more durable screen. Huawei is expected to unveil the Mate Xs in March. Huawei had announced in October last year that it would release an upgraded version of the Mate X with the Kirin 990 chipset in March 2020. If a new report out of China is to be believed, the upcoming Mate Xs will not be as expensive as the Mate X.Citing supply chain sources, Chinese publication MyDrivers has claimed that the Mate Xs is likely to be cheaper than its predecessor as its foldable display isn't as difficult to manufacture. Additionally, the production output is said to have increased by a small margin.Huawei's second foldable phone is expected to feature a stron...
Everything we know so far about the Galaxy S20, coming Feb 11
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 anticipatingExpect a high priceIt'll be announced on February 11Don't count out the Galaxy S10 just yetFlagship in every waySamsung Galaxy S10From $900 at SamsungSamsung's 2019 flagship is still worth a look.The G...
Top 10 things to do with your new Chromebook
From settings and Smart Lock to apps and extensions, make this Chromebook home!A Chromebook is amazingly quick to set up, but there's a difference between setting a laptop up and really settling in with it. I've been working full-time from a Chromebook for three years and after leapfrogging from review unit to review unit last year, I think I've gotten it down to a science. If your new Chromebook feels new and awkward and not as fun as you were expecting, let me help you make this your new computing home.Adjust your keys and trackpadTurn on Smart LockCustomize your dockInstall a text expanderLearn the secrets of your keyboardChange up the browser's lookAvoid overworking with Night LightGet h-appy with Google PlayExpand your Chromebook with microSDMake each new tab an adventureAdjust your scroll and function keysThis first tweak is going to sound a little weird, but bear with me for a minute. See, when you're using a touchscreen and a touchpad on a Chromebook, it ...
Nearly half of all VR headsets sold in 2019 was an Oculus Quest
Real VR is no longer overly expensive or overly complicated.What you need to knowStandalone VR headsets, like the Oculus Quest, accounted for 49% of all VR headset sales in 2019.PC VR headset shipments shrank 8% year-over-year, despite cheaper headsets coming onto the market.VR game revenues rose 41%, mainly thanks to the Oculus Quest.2019 was VR's biggest year yet, and it's mainly thanks to Facebook's excellent Oculus Quest. Ever since its launch on May 21, 2019, the "VR console" has sold incredibly well, and Facebook has stated several times that the Oculus Quest is selling as fast as Facebook can make it. While some have argued that Facebook is arbitrarily holding back stock of the standalone VR system to create artificial demand (it's currently on backorder everywhere), the year-in-review from SuperData, a Nielson Company, show that 49% of all VR headsets sold in 2019 were standalone VR headsets like the Oculus Quest.But it's not just the number of units shipped or...
These $50 true wireless earbuds are dirt cheap and have insane battery
At $50, are these true wireless buds worth your money?True wireless earbuds were immensely popular in 2019, and for 2020, we aren't expecting anything to change on this front. The convenience and trendiness for this style of buds are just as strong as ever before, and now that the form factor has been out in the wild for a few years, we're seeing more and more affordable options.Perhaps even more important, the lower-cost true wireless buds that are coming out now are shockingly good — so much so that spending $100 or $200 on a pair of them just doesn't make sense for most people. One of the newest contenders in the space comes from TaoTronics with its new TT-BH079. While the name may not be all that exciting, the TT-BH079 deliver a good design, long battery life, and Bluetooth 5.0 — all for just $50.Good valueTaoTronics TT-BH079 ...
Huawei is paying developers $26 million to make apps for its phones
Huawei is doing everything it can to create a successful app ecosystem of its own.What you need to knowHuawei is offering developers $26 million to create apps for its phones.Since Huawei has been cut off from Google's services, it has been forced to come up with its own app ecosystem. Some of the popular apps currently available on Huawei's AppGallery include Amazon, Fortnite, Snapchat, and TikTok. Ever since Huawei was placed on the 'entity list' by the Trump administration last year, Huawei has been trying to lure developers to help build its own app ecosystem. The company hosted a developer day in London this week, where it announced (via Business Insider) a $26 million investment aimed at enticing app developers from the UK to create apps for its AppGallery.Huawei executives pointed out at the developer day that the company only takes a 15% revenue cut from developers, as opposed to the 30% cut that Apple and Google take. Jamie Gonzalo, Huawei's European VP of consum...
Got a Wyze camera with people detection? Not anymore you don't!
Wyze announced the feature would "temporarily" disappear in November of 2019...What you need to knowApple has confirmed the successful acquisition of Seattle AI company Xnor.ai.It means that Xnor.ai's on-device people detection technology is no longer available on some Wyze cameras.In 2019, Wyze had previously stated that the feature would "temporarily" disappear this month.Following Apple's acquisition of Seattle AI company Xnor.ai, the company's people detection software is no longer available on Wyze cameras.News of Apple's successful acquisition of Xnor.ai broke on Wednesday, January 15, in a deal reportedly worth around $200 million.Now, The Verge is reporting that as a result of this acquisition, beta firmware to remove people detection from Wyze cameras has started to roll out. The report states: Cameras from fellow Seattle-based company Wyze, including the Wyze Cam V2 and Wyze Cam Pan, have utilized Xnor.ai's on-device people detection since last summer. But...
OPPO F15 launched in India with a 48MP quad-camera setup, 4000mAh battery
The phone's "In-display fingerprint 3.0" is claimed to be 45% faster than the previous generation.What you need to knowOPPO F15 made its global debut at an event held in India today.The smartphone runs on a MediaTek Helio P70 chipset and comes with a quad-camera setup at the back. It has been priced at ₹19,990 ($282) in India and will be available for purchase starting January 24. OPPO today launched the latest addition to its F series smartphone lineup in India. The new F15 isn't a massive upgrade over its predecessor but does bring a few new features and a more refined design.The latest F series smartphone from OPPO has been priced at ₹19,990 ($282) in India and comes in just a single variant with 8GB of RAM and 128GB UFS 2.1 storage. It will be available in Lightning Black and Unicorn White color options starting January 24 via Amazon.in, Flipkart, as well as the company's own online store. Launch offers include one-time screen replacement and 10% cashback on purch...
POCO F1 review, 18 months later: Still going strong in 2020
The POCO F1 has aged really well, and the hardware still has a lot to offer in 2020.I'm incredibly priveleged to be able to use the latest and greatest phones, but the frenetic pace of the industy means there isn't a lot of time for reflection. Thankfully, there's a lull in the launch cycle before the inevitable flood kicks off next month at Mobile World Congress, so I decided to go through all the phones I've accumulated over the last two years and revisit a few standouts.The obvious starting point is the POCO F1. Xiaomi's sub-brand left an indelible mark in the smarthone industry in 2018, and while the hardware spoke for itself, what stood out was the fact that Xiaomi pulled off such a feat in the first place. In this age of endless leaks and teasers, Xiaomi was able to prevent any details from becoming public knowledge ahead of the launch of the POCO F1, which made the unveil that much more exciting.The brainchild of Jai Mani and a select team of hardware engineers working o...
Xiaomi wants to launch its premium devices in India, but it won't be easy
Xiaomi is seen as a budget player in India, but it is aiming to change that in 2020.What do you think of when you hear the Xiaomi name? For Indian consumers, the brand is synonymous with budget phones, and for good reason. For the last five years, Xiaomi flooded the Indian market with a wave of entry-level and budget phones, allowing it to rise up the ranks and become the country's largest phone manufacturer. Xiaomi held that title for more than two years now, and it did so purely on the back of the Redmi series.That's why it's interesting to see that the brand is now focusing its attention on the premium segment. At a roundtable held in Delhi earlier this week, Xiaomi's category head Raghu Reddy charted out the brand's commitment to the premium category, stating to Gadgets 360 that several "Mi premium flagship devices" will make their debut in India over the course of 2020. Xiaomi will have a tough time casting off its budget roots and establishing itself as a premium brand ...
"Play Mr. Muffles"; Spotify will now create a 'pet playlist' for you
What you need to knowSpotify is debuting a new type of playlist this week, one that's based on your pet.The playlist uses the magic of artificial intelligence and some user-provided information to meld your tastes with your pet's.The streaming giant says it was inspired by a survey suggesting 71% of pet owners play music for their pet, while 80% believe their pet likes music."Have I got a pawfect playlist for ya!" No, that's not a typo. And, yes, that really is Spotify's pitch for its latest — and perhaps weirdest — personalized playlist idea. It's already got you hooked on its all-you-can-eat music buffet so why not bring your cat, your dog, and your iguana into the mix as well, muse the hot-shot marketing maestros at Spotify's executive branch.So, they dug their paws in — again, their words, not mine — and the end result is a playlist that's made for both you and Mr. Muffles.The company's even got a bunch of 'furry' facts to justify the whole endeavor from a sur...
These motion sensors are perfect for Samsung SmartThings
With SmartThings, you can use a motion sensor to keep watch over areas of your home, allowing you to receive alerts, sound an alarm, unlock a door or even just turn on a light. Not all motion sensors are created equal, however, so we've compiled a list that won't give you any headaches — like our favorite option, the Ecolink Motion Detector — so you can monitor your home no matter where you are.Top PickEcolink Z-wave Plus Motion DetectorStaff pickThis highly-rated detector from Ecolink offers a 5-year battery life (the best of the bunch) and flush or corner mount options. It can be set to ignore pets up to 55lbs and is the best option of quality and price.$39 at AmazonOEM OptionSamsung SmartThings Motion SensorSamsung's own offering is also one of the cheapest on our list. With motion detection up to 15 feet and a 120-degree view range, this sensor can be set to monitor nearly any area in your home.$20 at AmazonUp AboveBeSense ZWave Ceiling PIR Motion De...
Go over that troll's comment history with YouTube's new Profile Cards
The comment history is restricted to only the current channel, however.What you need to knowYouTube is launching a new feature called Profile Cards, which it hopes will encourage users to "explore comments, build connections with others."When scrolling through the comments on a video, you can now click on a person's name to launch their Profile Card.This contains information like their name, subscriber counts, and their entire comment history on the channel in question.YouTube hopes its new Profile Cards (via TechCrunch) will foster a cooperative spirit among the YouTube community and help them "explore comments, build connections with others, and contribute to a more welcoming YouTube overall." However, it's hard to disregard the potential for abuse and generally troll-like behavior that it could also enable.With the change, clicking on a user's name or profile picture while scrolling through comments on a video will open up their very own 'Profile Card.' Among other th...
Here's how you can get your rewards from MyPSYear2019
Be rewarded for what you've done.What you need to knowPlayStation is giving away seven avatars and a theme for users who check their year in review.The year in review tells players what games they played the most and how many hours they played.Players also get a unique title depending on what games they played the most. PlayStation is still giving rewards for players who check their MyPSYear2019 stats. There are seven avatars and one theme, with each avatar named after a title players might earn, depending on what genre of games they played the most in 2019. Here's the full list of rewards.Action HeroMaster ExplorerSports PhenomSpeed DemonMarksmanLegendary WarriorMaster StrategistPlayStation Wrap-up 2019 themeIn order to grab these free rewards, here are the steps you need to take after going to the appropriate website.Sign in to your PlayStation account. Scroll down to the bottom of the page. Click Redeem your Prizes. A new sidebar will open, click View ...
You no longer need a phone number to use Google Duo on the web
An email address by itself is just fine.What you need to knowGoogle has removed the phone number requirement from Duo's web app.Users now only need their Google account to make use of the service.The change is rolling out now to non-G Suite account holders.Google has now reduced a barrier to using Duo, making it so that users are now able to use it without a phone number. The feature was first spotted by 9to5Google in an APK teardown and later confirmed by a Google employee in Duo's help forums.Now, as per a report from Android Police, it's rolling out to non-G Suite account holders, albeit on the web only.I've been able to confirm this using my alternate Gmail account, and Duo works exactly as it's supposed to. You can make video and voice calls without confirming a phone number on the web app.It never really made sense for a company as web-focused and future-looking as Google to tie Duo to phone numbers when our online identities are more often tied to our Google ac...
Twitter's pinned lists feature is making its way to Android
Build your own custom timeline with lists.What you need to knowTwitter is bringing pinned lists support to its Android app.The firm introduced it nearly a whole year ago for iOS users.While the feature can be enabled with some tweaking, it's not exactly clear when it'll become generally available. In 2019, announced list pinning, a feature that lets you effectively create custom timelines by pinning lists to the app's home page. Lists, if you recall, are another feature of Twitter that enables users to build a themed timeline around users they may not even necessarily follow.With list pinning, you can now effortlessly navigate between your main timeline and your curated lists — if you have an iPhone. Twitter rolled it out to iOS during the summer, but the Android app has yet to be updated, at least, until now.Customizable timelines that are easy to access? We’re thinking about ways to do this! One idea we had is for you to be able to swipe to your lists from home. ...
These are the best security cameras you can use outdoors
When it comes to putting up a security system in your home you want to make sure you purchase the right one for your needs. With many options on the market, it can be hard making sure you've picked the one best suited to you. Familiar brand names such as Nest and Ring are ones most people gravitate towards, but there are other great brands out there that you may want to consider as well. We've rounded up a selection of outdoor cameras to help you decide.Bright floodlightsRing Floodlight CamStaff pickIf you want a quality security camera/lighting combination with great Amazon Alexa integration, then the Ring Floodlight Cam is a good pick. When motion is detected, the floodlights come on, you're notified and the camera rolls. There's 2-way audio to speak to whoever is on the other side of the lens and the ability to activate a siren to ward off intruders. The two floodlights shine at 1,800 lumens, casting a bright light on your chosen area. The camera is weather-resistant a...
Check out some new screenshots for the Resident Evil 3 remake
Another detailed look at the upcoming horror.What you need to knowThe Resident Evil 3 remake is the next big game from Capcom.Capcom has released several new screenshots, giving another glimpse into what players can expect.The Resident Evil 3 is currently set to be available on April 3.You can preorder the Resident Evil 3 remake for $60 at Amazon.The Resident Evil 3 remake is on the way and Capcom is sharing more of what players will be seeing when they step into Jill's shoes to survive Raccoon City. There are several gorgeous new screenshots, including a look at the different survivors, such as Jill, Carlos and Mikhail. Capcom is continuing to maximize what the RE engine is capable of, with several visual upgrades even over Resident Evil 2 (2019).There's also a new look at the Hunter, which is much brighter and more detailed than the glimpse in the trailer. The Hunter is a reptilian foe that veteran players will remember well.We get to see more of Jill as she make...
Create the best photo ever with these photo editing apps
Choosing a phone with a great camera is only part of the equation. The apps that you use with it — and after the fact — are equally important. But once you've taken the photo, how do you make it better? These are the best apps that help you get the most out of your photographs.Tweak and edit everythingSnapseedStaff PickGoogle's Snapseed is one of the most accessible photo editing apps for Android, with a wide range of features for experienced users and newcomers alike. The range of features is diverse. It has everything from basic automatic color and contrast enhancement, to cropping and sharpening, to selectively adjusting color properties within a particular radius.Free w/IAP at Google PlayBetter than you thinkGoogle PhotosGoogle makes editing photos a breeze. The app has a number of non-descructive (meaning you can undo them if you don't want them) tools so you can quickly and easily make changes and share them to various social networks. Plus, with A...
Google Pixel 2 and 2 XL pick up Live Caption support
Breathing a bit of life into old bones.What you need to knowGoogle has added Live Caption support to the Pixel 2 line of devices.The feature automatically adds captions to any video playing on the device, whether it is via streaming, download, or a recording.Google brought it first to the Pixel 4 and then later to the 3 and 3a.Google's Live Caption is one of the most genuinely useful Pixel features to debut with Android 10. While a Pixel 4 exclusive at launch, Google earlier brought the feature to the Pixel 3 and 3a lines with its first Pixel feature drop in December. Now, the firm is preparing to roll it out on the Pixel 2 series.The discovery was made on Reddit when a user manually updated Google's Device Personalisation app, causing the Live Captions interface to appear (via Android Police), with a few users chiming in to confirm.Despite the Pixel 2 being an aging device, Google continues to support it with its latest features, including Night Sight and now Live Capt...
Samsung's true wireless headphone sales in 2019 couldn't compete with Apple
Apple ranks first with a 54.4% share after shipping 58.7 million units in 2019.What you need to knowApple dominates the true wireless headphone market with over 50% of sales.Xiaomi comes in second with 8.5% of the market.Samsung is a distant third after shipping 7.4 million units in 2019 for 6.9% of the market.When Apple introduced the AirPods, it pretty much created an entirely new category of headphones. One where Bluetooth earbuds cut the cord and were no longer connected by a wire. Instead, the buds now featured a truly wireless design along with a charging case, and thanks to the removal of the headphone jack in many of today's flagship phones, the market is booming.Not only is Apple responsible for this trend, but it also currently dominates the market with a whopping 54.4% share after shipping 58.7 million AirPods in 2019, according to data from Strategy Analytics (via Yonhap). While it's not unexpected to see Apple with the lion share of the TWS headset market, th...
How to downgrade your Android phone to a previous version
Best answer: Downgrading your phone to an older version of Android can be easy or impossible. It all depends on the company that made it. If you want to be sure you can install any version you want on your Android phone, your best bet is to buy a Google Pixel.Cheap and easy to to flash: Google Pixel 3a ($354 at Amazon)Same phone, bigger package: Google Pixel 3a XL ($446 at Amazon)Not everyone loves updatesMost of us here are update junkies. When a new version of Android (or anything, for that matter) is announced, we start talking about when we'll get a chance to try it and take a look at the changes the changes. We look at all the leaks or legit news about an update, and we're ready to install it as soon as we can. It's half the fun of owning an Android.But not everyone feels this way.There are a few cases where upgrading to a new version isn't something you ever want to do. Enterprise software is notorious for being slow to adapt and new versions of any software may no...
GitHub's mobile app for Android now available in beta
A few weeks after the iOS release.What you need to knowGitHub has finally released its Android app as a beta.The firm earlier launched a corresponding iOS app with an Android app promised a few weeks ago.The new beta app is aimed at helping developers work with their teams while on the go.GitHub has finally released its mobile app for Android, albeit as a beta. The firm initially launched this for iOS in late 2019 with an Android app promised as forthcoming.GitHub's Ryan Nystrom explained the reason behind the new mobile app in a blog post, saying: There's a lot you can do on GitHub that doesn't require a complex development environment, like sharing feedback on a design discussion or reviewing a few lines of code. We're making these tasks easier to complete while you're on the go, with a fully-native experience. With GitHub for mobile, you have the flexibility to move work forward and stay in touch with your team, wherever you are.Like you'd expect from a mobile G...
YouTube now lets you filter your subscriptions for easier content discovery
First on iOS, then Android later.What you need to knowGoogle will add filters to its YouTube app, letting users now tab between select categories on its subscription page.These new filters are coming to iOS first, and then Android soon after. Google first introduced content filters on the homepage.If you're anything like me, your YouTube subscription tab is chockfull of half-watched videos sandwiched between a torrent of new content pushed by YouTubers. It can be overwhelming, and YouTube's design on mobile doesn't really help with that. The company is now making some changes to the YouTube mobile app to make that content glut easier to handle.Spotted by XDA Developers, Google is now rolling out a new set of filters to the Subscription tab on iOS first, with an Android update to come later.As per Google, here are the filters you'll be seeing:All lists all videos from channels you're subscribed to (like it does today) from latest to oldest. This will continue to be ...
OnePlus CEO confirms 'invisible camera' will come to consumer devices
Lau also shared his thoughts on foldable phones.What you need to knowOnePlus CEO Pete Lau confirmed we will see the disappearing camera tech in a consumer product in the future.The invisible camera tech was shown off at CES 2020 with OnePlus's first-ever concept phone, the OnePlus Concept One.On the topic of foldables, Lau believes that currently the benefits are "outweighed by the shortcomings or the disadvantages of the current state of the technology."OnePlus CEO Pete Lau recently made his first podcast appearance with The Verge on January 14, 2020. During the nearly half-hour podcast, the big topics of discussion included the new OnePlus concept phone shown off at CES 2020 and foldables.With OnePlus making a big show of its first-ever concept phone at CES 2020, it was no surprise that The Vergecast kicked off with some questions about the first-of-its-kind device. For those that may have missed it, the OnePlus Concept One's main attraction is the disappearing camera....
Verizon's new OneSearch search engine puts privacy at the forefront
It will provide unbiased and unfiltered results for all.What you need to knowVerizon launched its privacy-focused search engine, OneSearch, on Tuesday, January 14, 2020.OneSearch will respect your privacy by not storing records tied to you or sharing your search data with advertisers.Verizon has not said which search engine will power OneSearch, but that it will provide unbiased and unfiltered results for all users.It should be no surprise by now that what you do online is often tracked, and your Google searches are no exception. However, there are ways to search privately, including whole search engines dedicated to that such as DuckDuckGo.On Tuesday January 14, 2020, a new competitor entered the ring in the form of OneSearch from Verizon. The new privacy-focused OneSearch promises that it will provide unbiased and unfiltered results, ensuring everyone sees the same thing when searching the same term.OneSearch will also make sure your searches stay confidential by not ...
Beat automated application systems with this $29 resume-building software
When it comes to landing the career of your dreams, nothing is more important than having a resume that highlights your accomplishments and catches the eye of a recruiter.Rezi Résumé Software takes the headaches and uncertainties out of crafting the perfect resume for any job, and a lifetime subscription is available for over 90% off at just $29.This streamlined software will help you create better resumes that are optimized for a wide range of automated and personalized hiring systems.You'll be able to generate fully-customized resumes that are made for applicant tracking system algorithms, and it's easy to alter your go-to resume in order to make it more appealing for specific careers.This subscription will even give you instant feedback on your resume—allowing you to fine-tune your details to maximize the chances that it will be seen and approved by a hiring manager.Land your dream career with a lifetime subscription to Rezi Résumé Software for just $29—over 90...
India to offer subsidized loans to entice Apple and Samsung suppliers
The proposals are set to be revealed in the Federal budget on Feb. 1What you need to knowIndia is reportedly planning to offer Apple and Samsung suppliers subsidized loans.It is hoped the initiative will tempt new suppliers to open factories in the nation.The country also plans to set up industrial zones with taxation and customs clearances and infrastructure.A report suggests that India is planning to offer Apple and Samsung suppliers subsidized loans in the hope that they will open factories in the nation.According to Bloomberg, a government official revealed the plans, which are set to be announced on February 1 as part of the new federal budget.According to the report: The proposals by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology includes offering interest subsidy on local borrowing by manufacturers, may form part of the federal budget to be unveiled on Feb. 1, the official said, asking not to be identified citing rules on speaking to the media. It als...
Spigen's Neo Hybrid is one of the most reliable Pixel 4 cases out there
Rugged protection, good looks, and a slim profile.Spigen's Neo Hybrid is one of the most prominent cases out there. It's available for just about every phone that's released, and more often than not, it ends up on our "Best Cases" lists for those devices.Unsurprisingly, the Neo Hybrid is launching once again, this time for Google's Pixel 4. As with years past, the Neo Hybrid is a winning combination of design and ruggedness, all while keeping a low profile.As long as you don't mind the slippery back, it's one of the most well-rounded cases available for the Pixel 4. Tried and trueSpigen Neo Hybrid Bottom line: If there's one Spigen case that stands out as one of the most iconic, it's the Spigen Neo Hybrid. The dual-layer design creates for a classic look and ample protection, protecting your Pixel 4 from any ha...
We need more weird games like Death Stranding
Could Death Stranding usher in a trove of bizarre games?I don't think I can remember a game as divisive as Death Stranding. Not only did it have a ton of baggage going into it — Kojima's departure from Konami, its PS4 exclusivity — it was just plain weird. Leading up to its release, you could ask ten different people what it was supposed to be about, and they could give you ten different answers. A resounding sentiment was just "I don't know." You can hear people say it was one of the most tedious, boring games to ever be invented, and five minutes later you can hear another person say how genius and groundbreaking it is. Frankly, it's both. It's all subjective, but despite how well it may or may not have performed critically or financially, I hope the industry funds more games like it.Now before I get too into this, I don't mean that the industry needs to exactly emulate Death Stranding. We don't need Death Stranding clones. What we do need is for an industry to take more ri...
Here's how Android makers can balance 120Hz screens and battery life
120Hz smoothness isn't going to be great if we have to stay plugged in half the time.In 2020, phone makers will be offering displays with 120Hz (and even 144Hz) refresh rates. Right now, everyone is certain the new OnePlus 8 and Samsung Galaxy S20 will be packing these 120Hz displays and we should expect to see most every other company which manufacturers phones follow suit with high-refresh-rate screens. The trend has already begun, and you can buy a phone with a 90Hz refresh instead of the "standard" 60Hz. The benefits are easy to see when you first use something like the OnePlus 7 Pro or a Pixel 4 and notice how much smoother everything looks and how much faster animations seem. But there are drawbacks, too, and the biggest worry is the hit this has on battery life.More: After trying a 90Hz display I don't ever want to go backRight now, you can turn off high-refresh rates and go back to the default 60Hz if battery life is a concern, but there should be a more eleg...
Leaked Huawei P40 render shows dual hole-punch display, triple rear cameras
Unlike last year's P30, the upcoming Huawei P40 will not feature a headphone jack.What you need to knowA new render of Huawei's upcoming P40 flagship phone has surfaced.The render reveals a hole-punch cutout with two selfie cameras and a triple-camera array on the back with Leica optics. Huawei is expected to unveil the P40 and P40 Pro at an event in Paris in March. Last month, reliable leaker @OnLeaks teamed up with 91Mobiles to release the first CAD-based renders of the Huawei P40 and P40 Pro smartphones. While the dark renders of the two phones did not reveal much, they did confirm that the P40 duo will have a large, rectangular camera module on the back. A much clearer render of the Huawei P40 has now leaked online, courtesy of the folks over at 91Mobiles.The new render suggests the Huawei P40 will feature a flat display with a pill-shaped hole-punch cutout, housing not one but two selfie cameras. On the back of the phone, we find a vertical triple camera array with L...
You bought it on the Quest, can you play in on your Rift S or Go?
Best answer: Yes. VR games purchased in the Oculus store can be played on the Oculus Quest, and the Oculus Rift S. However, not every game in the Oculus store supports this. Thankfully, there is a list of games available so you can find out which games can be cross purchased.Get the games: Oculus Account (Free at Oculus)VR on the go: 64GB Oculus Quest ($399 at Oculus) More robust VR experience: Oculus Rift S ($399 at Oculus)What is cross purchasing?Okay, so you have or want both an Oculus Quest and an Oculus Rift S, but you don't want to buy the same game twice. No worries; with cross purchasing, you can purchase and share games on both headsets, provided you know which ones are compatible. Cross purchasing is simply buying a game on one system and being able to play that game on a different system without having to rebuy it.There are a good number of games in the Oculus store that you can play on the both Oculus Quest and the Oculus Rift S using this method. Oculus refer...
Smartwatches still just aren't for me (and that's okay)
Whether you're after bone conduction headsets, AR glasses, smart rings with NFC tags inside, or even smart belts, there's a wearable gadget for just about everybody. By far, the most popular form factor is the smartwatch, with entries from tech brands like Samsung and Apple, and even long-running fashion brands like Fossil. I've tested and reviewed quite a few smartwatches in the past, including both Wear OS and Tizen offerings, and I've caught myself on more than one occasion wishing the Apple Watch worked with Android so I could enjoy the bevy of excellent (though wildly overpriced) strap options and that delightful Taptic Engine.The thing is, even if the Apple Watch became Android-compatible tomorrow, or Wear OS got significantly better, it wouldn't change that most of my reluctance around smartwatches is more of a mental block than a software or hardware one. Smartwatches make me feel more glued to a screen than my phone ever has.Most people won't argue th...
Huawei Quick Apps to replace Google Instant Apps on Huawei phones
Quick Apps will access apps in the Huawei AppGallery now that Google Play Services is unavailable.What you need to knowQuick Apps will work in the same way Google Instant Apps do by allowing access to apps without the need to fully install them.Storage used for the Quick App versus the fully installed app is approximately 97% less.Huawei phones will need to be running Android 10 and using AppGallery v10.1 or later.Huawei is still hard at work to find replacements for as much of Google Mobile Services as it can to continue offering quality software on its phones. The latest homegrown replacement is Huawei Quick Apps, which is aimed to replace Google Instant Apps.The last we knew, Huawei still plans to push out its replacement GMS in early 2020, and according to XDA Developers, the company is still developing more replacements with Huawei Quick Apps. The primary function of Quick Apps is to allow the users to access specific functions of an app without installing it complet...
Are you getting used to Android 10's gestures?
Let's have a chat with the AC forums.When Android 10 was released to the public on September 3, 2019, it brought a ton of new features with it. Google added a long-awaited dark mode, revamped settings for app permissions, and brand-new fully gestural navigation.That last point has caused a lot of annoyance, with many users not at all pleased with Google's take on gesture-based navigation for the OS. It was certainly a learning curve at first, but now that a few months have passed, are folks finally getting used to it?Here's what some of them have to say. Joshua Luther2 01-14-2020 05:25 AM “ I'm loving gestures. I came from an S9 and gestures on that phone were a joke. I also got used to using the back button on the right side of the nav bar. But I love the swipe from the left or right side of the screen to go back. Back in the day, I rooted my Nexus phone just to be able to swap the back and r...
These are the best Chromecast alternatives for streaming media in 2020
Google Chromecast remains one of the simplest solutions for wirelessly streaming between devices anywhere there's a reliable Wi-FI signal. It works for streaming entertainment at home, making a conference room presentation at work, or as quick way to share videos in the classroom. However, if you're solely relying on a Chromecast for wireless streaming in 2020, now may be the perfect time to upgrade. We recommend the new and improved NVIDIA Shield TV (2019), which delivers the best Android TV experience along with the wireless functionality and compact design of a Chromecast.Best Overall: NVIDIA Shield TV (2019)NVIDIA has been owning the Android TV streaming box segment for years with the same NVIDIA Shield TV hardware. In 2019, it finally gave us a new look with an upgraded processor that delivers all the features required to keep pace with newer competition in the streaming space.The new Shield TV is a tube-shaped device that's designed to hide behind your TV — just like ...
Xiaomi confirms the Mi A3 will get Android 10 next month
Mi A3 owners will have to wait just a few weeks more for the Android 10 update.What you need to knowXiaomi has confirmed that the Android 10 update for the Mi A3 will begin rolling out next month.Despite being an Android One device, the Mi A3 is still running Android 9 Pie. Xiaomi Mi A2, which was released a year before the Mi A3, received the stable Android 10 update earlier this week. The Xiaomi Mi A3, which was launched in July last year with Android 9 Pie out of the box, will finally receive its Android 10 update next month. Replying to a query regarding the Android 10 update for the phone, Xiaomi India has confirmed on Twitter that the stable update will begin rolling out in mid-February.Thanks for your excitement and patience. Glad to announce the update will be out in mid February for Mi A3.— Mi India #108MP IS COMING! (@XiaomiIndia) January 14, 2020Weirdly, the Mi A2, which was launched in July 2018, was updated to Android 10 earlier this week. The phone was...
You can now use your iPhone as a Google security key for 2FA
Google Smart Lock for iOS has been updated to version 1.6!What you need to knowGoogle Smart Lock for iOS has been updated.It means you can now use your iPhone as a Google security key.Google is reportedly using Secure Enclave in Apple's A-Series chips.Google has updated its Google Smart Lock app for iOS so that users can now use their iPhones as Google security keys.The release notes for version 1.6 state: With this new update, you can now set up your phone's built-in security key, the best second factor protection for your Google Account. We've also refreshed the app's design to make it easier to use.According to 9to5Google, Google is using the Secure Enclave in Apple's A-Series chips, which stores Touch ID and Face ID data amongst other things. 2FA authentication by SMS has proven to be an insecure 2FA solution thanks in part due to SIM-swap attacks. Physical security keys are considered a much more secure option, and now your phone's hardware can be used for the...
Samsung Galaxy Note 10+ vs. Note 10 Lite: Which should you buy?
Galaxy Note 10+Ultimate flagship$1,100 at AmazonProsSnapdragon 855 chipsetIncredible QHD+ AMOLED displayIP68 water resistanceLarge battery with fast, wireless chargingS PenConsNo headphone jackExpensive If you want a true flagship, the Galaxy Note 10+ is the way to go. The phone has a gorgeous design backed by powerful internal hardware, a stunning AMOLED display, all-day battery life with 45W wired charging and 15W wireless charging, and the S Pen stylus. There's also water resistance, stereo sound, four cameras at the back, and biometric authentication that works reliably.Galaxy Note 10 LiteJust the basics~$500 at SamsungProsHeadphone jackS Pen 4,500mAh battery32-megapixel front cameraAndroid 10 out of the boxConsOutdated chipsetNot coming to the U.S. Plastic designMissing key features like resistance, fast chargingThe Galaxy Note 10 Lite is a particularly interesting device because it aims to bring the best features from the No...
I can't function without 1Password's dead-simple two-factor authentication
I've tried just about every popular password manager out there, from LastPass and Dashlane to the one built right into Google Chrome. They all do roughly the same job — which is, of course, keeping track of your various passwords and helping you avoid reusing any of them. But some do certain things better than others, whether that's alerting you to vulnerabilities and security breaches, offering one-click password changes, or supporting as many platforms as possible.Most password managers these days feature a built-in code generator for logging into any accounts that support multi-factor authentication, but 1Password makes signing in effortless in a way that I haven't seen matched elsewhere. See, one of the best parts of 1Password is that it automatically copies your authentication code to your clipboard whenever you sign in to a site. Whether I'm on my MacBook Pro or any of my various Android phones, I get a clipboard notification right after 1Password fills in my use...
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