Latest from Android Central

Unsurprisingly, Huawei couldn't sell as many foldable phones as Samsung in 2019.What you need to knowHuawei has revealed that it has been selling 100,000 units of its foldable Mate X every month since its launch in China in November.Since the phone has been on sale for about two months now, Huawei may have sold around 200,000 units of the foldable phone so far.The Mate X is currently on sale only in China, where it is priced at 16,999 yuan ($2,456). At CES 2020 in Las Vegas earlier this week, Samsung revealed that it sold between 400,000 and 500,000 units of the Galaxy Fold in 2019. Now, Huawei has reportedly revealed that it has been selling 100,000 units of the Mate X in China every month.Unlike the Galaxy Fold, which went on sale in South Korea in September last year, the Mate X was released in China only in mid-November. The Mate X has been on sale in China for two months now, which means Huawei so far sold around 200,000 units of the foldable phone. That's not bad at...

Synology has rolled out an enticing update in its value-focused NAS series with the DS420j.What you need to knowSynology's latest entry-level NAS is the 4-bay DS420j, now available for $299.The NAS comes with a quad-core Realtek chipset, delivering a decent boost in performance from its predecessor. You can slot in a total of 64TB of storage, making the DS420j the ideal NAS for streaming media across your home network. We're previously looked at Synology's enthusiast DS1019+, but if you're just looking for a NAS to store photos and videos and stream content on your home network, the value-focused J series models are a better bet. Synology has introduced a new 4-bay model in the series, the $300 DiskStation DS420j.The DS420j shares the same design as the DS418j, but there are a few internal upgrades. The NAS is now powered by a quad-core Realtek RTD1296 chipset that goes up to 1.4GHz, making it that much more versatile when it comes to handling multimedia tasks. The NAS al...

If you're like me, you get your best ideas at the worst times. Luckily, so long as you're within earshot of Alexa or the Alexa app, you can save that great idea as a note that you can reference later. I'll show you how in the steps below.Products used in this guideAlexa on the go: Moto G7 ($240 at Amazon)Alexa at home: Amazon Echo Show 8 ($100 at Amazon)How to create notes in the Alexa app manuallyOpen the Alexa app on your smartphone.Tap on the menu icon (three lines) at the top left of the app.Tap on Lists & Notes.Tap on the Notes tab.Tab on the + sign next to Add Note.Type in what you want to remember, and press Save.That's it! Your notes will be saved in this section of the Alexa app by date until you decide to delete them.How to create notes with Alexa verballyCreating notes with Alexa by using your voice is super simple. Observe.Call out to your Alexa-enabled device to "make a note" and then tell her what you want to remember.That's pretty mu...

It has also limited access to three employees.What you need to knowU.S. Senators sent a letter to the Amazon-owned Ring about its security policies back in November.In response to the Senators' questions, Ring revealed that it had fired four employees over the past four years for accessing videos from customers beyond what their job required.Ring also detailed how it has made changes requiring new users to enable two-factor authentication and will warn users when an unknown IP logs into their account.Ring has been in the news for all the wrong reasons lately — most recently for a string of hacks where Ring owners were being antagonized after info from thousands of customers was leaked online.However, nearly a year ago, the Amazon-owned company was in the hot seat after employees were caught spying on users. It comes as no surprise that these instances caught the attention of lawmakers here in the U.S., which then sent a letter to Ring about its security policies.In re...

Facebook reportedly wants to "derail" TikTok's popularity in India.What you need to knowFacebook is launching Lasso, its TikTok competitor, in India later this year.The firm hopes to steal market share from the younger company by poaching influencers.It's reported that Facebook wants to launch Lasso in May of this year.TikTok's growing popularity has attracted the eye of social media giant Facebook. The firm will be launching Lasso, its own short-form video app, in India to take on TikTok. The news comes from Entrackr, citing two sources close to the matter.As per the report: 'Facebook Singapore has been working with a team of a dozen people to prepare for the launch since October,' said one of the two people cited above, on condition of anonymity. 'They have been mapping several aspects that triggered the growth of TikTok in India through third parties,' he said. 'Facebook has to fight TikTok tooth and nail in India, and it doesn't want to leave any stone unturn...

We're coming to you live from CES 2020 in Las Vegas! Daniel Bader, Andrew Martonik, Russell Holly, Hayato Huseman, and Michael Fisher crack open a cold one (or three) and talk about their favorite, and least favorite, products from the show.Listen nowSubscribe in Google Play Music: AudioSubscribe in iTunes: Audio Subscribe in RSS: AudioDownload directly: AudioLinks:CES 2020: The biggest news and announcements so far | Android CentralSponsors:Thrifter.com: All the best deals from Amazon, Best Buy, and more, fussily curated and constantly updated....

At Android Central, we love testing out all the different streaming devices. We'll break it all down so that you can find the product that's perfectly suited to satisfy your streaming needs.Google's top dongleGoogle Chromecast Ultra$69 at AmazonPros4K HDR supportIncludes ethernet adapterWorks with Google StadiaSimple to set up and useConsNot as full-featured as set top boxThe Chromecast Ultra is the best Chromecast you can buy. It easily handles 4K HDR streaming and also part of Google's Stadia streaming service, which might add extra value for some. It's also designed around a much more simplified user interface that means you don't need a remote — just your phone.The best from RokuRoku Ultra$99 at AmazonPros4K HDR supportGreat support for streaming services and appsRemote control with headphone jack for private listeningConsNot as compact as streaming dongleRoku's top streaming box might share the same name as Google's best C...

"An attacker could exploit this vulnerability to take control of an affected system."What you need to knowMozilla Firefox has released security updates for its browser.The update is so important, even the Department of Homeland Security recommends upgrading.It's designed to patch a zero-day exploit that could be used to "take control of an affected system."Mozilla Firefox has released a security update so important, even the Department of Homeland Security says you should download it.As spotted by TNW, version 72.0.1 of Mozilla Firefox has been made available to download. The latest update patches a zero-day exploit that could allow a hacker to "take control of an affected system."The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), part of the Department of Homeland Security, in a post said this: Mozilla has released security updates to address a vulnerability in Firefox and Firefox ESR. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability to take control of an aff...

A 5G-enabled variant of the Galaxy A71 is rumored to be on the way as well.What you need to knowNew rumor suggests Samsung is working on a 5G-enabled variant of the Galaxy A51.The device is said to carry the model number SM-A516N. It is tipped to launch in South Korea soon. Samsung will reportedly soon launch a 5G-enabled variant of the mid-range Galaxy A51 that it unveiled last month. As per the folks over at SamMobile, the Galaxy A51 5G bears model number SM-A516N and will feature 128GB of base storage.Since the Exynos 9611 chipset that powers the Galaxy A51 lacks 5G support, the Galaxy A51 5G will probably use a different chipset. As noted by SamMobile, Samsung could either use an Exynos 980 or MediaTek's new Dimensity 1000 5G chipset. The report also suggests the SM-A516N variant is likely to be the Korean variant of the smartphone. Whether or not the Galaxy A51 5G will be launched in markets outside South Korea, remains to be seen.A report published by BGR.in last ...

Help your willpower and your self-control with the Pandora's box in your pocket.We are less than two weeks into 2020 and my New Year's resolutions are trashed. I didn't even set hard ones for myself — be better about cleaning my apartment, review cases more frequently, and go to theme parks more regularly — and yet they're broken and January isn't close to over yet. I am a terribly weak woman, I know, but if there's some small comfort to be had, it's that I know I'm not alone in my failure.Resolutions are hard to keep up, especially if there's not much motivation spurring on dramatic lifestyle changes you decided to take on. Rather than trying to do a big thing all at once, I have found much better luck in the slow changes I've been undertaking over the last few months to go to bed at a reasonable hour and eat more regularly (I have the horrible habit of forgetting to take regular meals when working). My phone has been a very big part in helping me keep to these goals, and he...

Oculus Quest is Facebook's last piece of hardware in its first generation of VR devices. It has six degrees of freedom, movement tracking so you can game throughout an area and two Touch Controllers, which facilitate a wide range of gameplay. The Oculus Quest now has over 100 games available, ranging from first-person shooters to musical saber swinging titles. We marked the latest titles with "new," and at the top of the list, so you can keep track of all the latest games.New titlesAvailable nowSupported Oculus Go gamesFuture titlesNewRapid racingRadial-G: ProteusNewThis high-speed racer has combat, elimination, and six other game modes that allow you to race to victory. You can choose between three-speed classes to race against opponents at ridiculous rates.$25 at OculusTo boldly goStar Trek: Bridge CrewNewAboard, the U.S.S. Aegis, you'll have to create strategies and coordinate your plans to get past the Klingon Empire. This game has you explore...

We've got Android Auto and CarPlay, but why not a real Alexa Auto?For several years now I've longed for the heads up displays (HUDs) and infotainment systems that I'd see in my rental cars or from my friends' rides that have built-in Android Auto or Apple CarPlay, and I've vowed that my next vehicle will have something like that. However, what I really want is the option to have either of those two great platforms and/or access to my favorite voice assistant, Alexa.My car is by no means old, but it doesn't have a real infotainment system, so I currently alternate between an Echo Auto and a Roav Viva. These devices work fine as a voice portal to Alexa, but they're essentially just operating through Bluetooth (which can be spotty), and their overall functionality is ultimately underwhelming compared to the aforementioned options from Google and Apple. I argued recently for Amazon to dive back into the smartphone game, and I think it also need to dive headfirst into the auto experie...

Best answer: At the moment, yes, you should be able to play your PS4 games on a PS5. Sony intends for the new console to be backwards compatible, but intent isn't always a guarantee and things can change before the console goes on sale.Expand your library: PlayStation Store Gift Card (From $10 at Amazon)One of our decade favorites: Horizon Zero Dawn ($32 at Amazon)What is backwards compatiblity and why is it so important to us?Backwards compatibility is a process that supports older legacy games on newer generation systems. Basically, for PlayStation and Xbox, you could pop in a disc designed for an older console into your new system and it'll just work. We've seen this work between the Xbox 360 and Xbox One due to Xbox's emulation process, but it would be something new for PlayStation.Almost everybody has favorite games that they go back to time and again. Some stories you just want to play multiple times. With backwards compatibility you will be able to continue playi...

The Note 10 Lite has a 3.5mm jack and S Pen, but it won't be sold everywhere.The Galaxy Note 10 Lite is now official, and there's a lot to like. Samsung essentially went with a plastic design to bring down the costs, but it hasn't limited the internal hardware. The Note 10 Lite comes with the same S Pen that you get with the full-fledged Note 10 series, and what's even more interesting is that the device has a 3.5mm jack.There's also a 6.7-inch AMOLED screen, 6GB/8GB of RAM, 128GB of storage, and three 12MP cameras at the back as well as a 4500mAh battery. The hardware is exciting, but there are a few downsides. The Note 10 Lite is powered by the 10nm Exynos 9810, the same chipset that had thermal issues on the Galaxy S9 two years ago.Samsung has a history of reusing older chipsets, and it's no different this time. Samsung will sell the Note 10 Lite in limited markets around the globe — the phone won't launch in the U.S. — so it looks like the manufacturer was trying to sav...

It will launch fully in the Spring, and right now a small handful of users can test "The New Facebook."What you need to knowFacebook is beginning to roll out its redesigned web interface.The new-look was announced in April and features a cleaner design and a Dark ModeThis is only for desktop Facebook, it's coming in the Spring, and right now a small percentage of people can test out the design. Facebook is beginning the rollout of its redesigned desktop web interface, complete with a new Dark Mode.As reported by CNET, the new design, originally announced in April, will be available "broadly sometime in the spring," and as of right now a few select users can test out the feature: Facebook's begun giving some users access to its redesigned desktop experience, first announced in April, that's less cluttered and uses brighter icons. The company said it plans to offer the new look more broadly sometime before the spring. In the meantime, when the "small percentage" of...

Flipkart starts teasing the Galaxy S10 Lite, suggesting an imminent launch in India.What you need to knowIndian e-commerce giant Flipkart has started teasing the Galaxy S10 Lite in the country.The Galaxy S10 Lite is rumored to retail for under ₹40,000 ($562), going up against the likes of the OnePlus 7T. If history is any indication, the phone should make its debut in a few weeks. Samsung introduced the Galaxy S10 Lite and Note 10 Lite at CES, and although we got a good look at the hardware on offer, the South Korean manufacturer didn't share any details regarding pricing and availability.That's set to change soon, as the Galaxy S10 Lite is slated to make its debut in India imminently. E-commerce giant Flipkart has started teasing the phone on its site, with the page detailing the S10 Lite's 48MP camera along with features like Live Focus and OIS, and the Snapdragon 855 chipset.A related rumor suggests the Galaxy S10 Lite will make its debut in the country at around t...

Don't be fooled by the name — the Galaxy S10 Lite is packing serious hardware.Samsung unveiled the Galaxy S10 Lite and Note 10 Lite earlier this week at CES, with both devices set to go on sale in the coming weeks. The S10 Lite is an interesting device as it offers most of the features as the Galaxy S10 series at a more affordable price point.In spite of the Lite moniker, the phone has robust hardware in the form of the Snapdragon 855 chipset, 128GB of internal storage, 6 or 8GB of RAM, and a massive 4500mAh battery with fast charging.The S10 Lite also features a 48MP primary camera, joined by a 12MP wide-angle lens and a dedicated 5MP macro shooter. Samsung is clearly going after the likes of OnePlus with the S10 Lite, and the phone is likely to slot in at the same sub-$600 category in the coming weeks. Category Samsung Galaxy S10 Lite Operating system Android 10One UI 2.0 Display 6.7-inch Super AMOLED2400x1080 (20:9) Chipset Snapdragon 8551 x 2.8...

The Galaxy S20 moniker has also been seemingly confirmed for the Galaxy S10 successor.What you need to knowSamsung apparently revealed the name of the Galaxy Fold successor at a secret CES meeting earlier this week.The company's next foldable phone will be called the Galaxy Bloom.In addition to revealing the name of its next foldable, Samsung also confirmed that the Galaxy S10 successor will be called the Galaxy S20. A report out of South Korea had claimed late last year that Samsung's next foldable phone is codenamed "Bloom." Now, a new report claims Bloom will actually be the phone's marketing name. Samsung apparentlyy showcased the device to partners and carriers at a secret meeting held at CES 2020 in Las Vegas. During the meeting, Samsung revealed that its upcoming foldable phone will be called the Galaxy Bloom.The report also includes an image of a presentation slide showing the Galaxy Fold successor with the Bloom name. Unlike the Galaxy Fold, the Galaxy Bloom wi...

These are the cheaper Galaxy options coming your way in 2020.Samsung's previous Galaxy A50 is an incredible value for the mid-range segment, and really outperformed its price in terms of display, battery life and cameras. Its next-generation follow-up comes in two flavors: the Galaxy A51 and Galaxy A71.The two phones basically look and feel the same, with a plastic build that's incredibly similar to the A50 as well as the new Galaxy S10 Lite and Note 10 Lite. It's frankly uninspired design in both looks and materials, but I can understand it on devices in this price range ($300-500). There's a little bit of flair in the back design, and it's a very "Samsung" look, but there's no part of holding these phones that's particularly enjoyable or would make you proud to carry it. They are almost completely devoid of any interesting design elements. Like their predecessor, the A51 and A71 are more focused on giving you solid specs and capabilities for the money. You get 4-6GB of RAM ...

The phones were provided as part of the Lifeline federal aid program for low-income households.What you need to knowThe U.S. government provides funding for discounted phones and phone service to low-income consumers.However, according to research by security experts, some of the phones distributed as part of the program contained Chinese malware.One of the pieces of malicious software was found to be in the phone's settings app, leaving it virtually unremovable.Established in 1985, the Lifeline program under the FCC has been providing low-income households in the U.S. with discounted telecommunications services for more than three decades now. The program has evolved from offering discounts on phone service to broadband, calls, and even smartphone over the years.However, as researchers at Malwarebytes have discovered, some of the cellphones handed out as part of the program were infected with malware — Chinese malware.The phone in question is the UMX U686CL, which wa...

The update resets the Royale Pass ahead of Season 11 and also introduces a new Arena game mode.What you need to knowVersion 0.16.5 update is rolling out starting today.Introduces Royale Pass Season 11: Operation Tomorrow. Adds a new Arena game mode called Domination, along with the return of classic Warehouse TDM.PUBG Mobile players will see a new update rolling out today that introduces the new Royale Pass Season. Season 11 is called "Operation Tomorrow" and introduces a ton of new, futuristic cosmetic upgrade to unlock through the Royale Pass Rank system — if you're still into that grind.For the rest of us who spend more time playing the EvoGrounds game modes, you'll definitely want to check out Domination. It's a capture-and-hold game mode that pits two teams of four against one another on an urban map with random areas to be captured for victory.The action plays out on a brand new map that's exclusive to the Domination mode. Simply called Town, it's a small urb...

No matter which way you watch, each orientation provides a unique perspective.What you need to knowQuibi is a new streaming service that's designed to be viewed on your phone in small segments of time, often seven to ten minutes.175 new shows are planned for the first year, and at least three hours of new content are scheduled for release every weekday of the year.Subscription pricing starts at $4.99, and the service starts streaming on April 6th.Are you like me and hate the concept of vertical video? While some platforms try to embrace the fact that many people are too lazy to turn their phones to watch a proper video, Quibi is banking on exactly the opposite scenario to unfold. Quibi will provide users with the ability to watch its shows in either landscape or portrait formats, each format offering a different perspective during the show.Quibi is hoping this revolutionary new way of viewing videos helps please everyone, no matter what your viewing preferences are, and w...

Some users are seeing errors trying to login.What you need to knowSome Google Pixel 4 owners are finding themselves unable to log-in to the device using Google's face unlock system.The problem reportedly started after the November 2019 update.User remedies like deleting face unlock and factory resetting have only had limited success rates.The Pixel 4 family has run into another user-facing issue. This time, with the Project Soli-backed face unlock system. Reports are emerging of users being hit with error messages reading "Can't verify face. Hardware not available" and "Can't verify face. Try again." when attempting to use the Pixel's biometric authentication.Android Police reports: The problem first popped up starting around November, escalating in frequency over more recent months. For many, the issue first appeared immediately after receiving one of Google's (recently delayed) monthly security updates, though it's also occurring without any apparent triggering acti...

More terror awaits when Nemesis arrives.What you need to knowA feature in PlayStation Magazine UK has revealed more details on the Resident Evil 3 remake.We now know more about Nemesis, as well as the fact that Mercenaries mode is not returning.Resident Evil 3 remake is currently set to release on April 3.You can preorder the PlayStation 4 version of the game for $60 on Amazon.Resident Evil 3 is just a few months away. While there's still a lot we don't know about this ambitious remake, new details have been revealed thanks to a feature in PlayStation Magazine UK, including information on the hulking foe, Nemesis.Nemesis is using an advanced version of the AI that Tyrant (or Mr X.) used in last year's Resident Evil 2. The team at Capcom wants Nemesis to be scarier than ever and scarier than the Tyrant and one of the ways that's being accomplished is through the sound design. Like the AI, the sound design is similar to what was used in Resident Evil 2 but it has also been...

The studio just keeps releasing more clues for a possible new project — what could it all mean?WB Games Montréal has been slowly teasing a new project, most likely a new Batman game, and by slowly we mean slowly — over the course of a few months. According to new images posted by the company Thursday, there's still a lot more clues to be revealed.The following logo, which depicts an emblem with swords and what look like talons surrounded by bird wings, was tweeted from the studio's official account with nothing but the text "/redacted."/redacted pic.twitter.com/SNaQ4I2fn9— WB Games Montréal (@WBGamesMTL) January 9, 2020However, if you go to the official website and use the redacted string, you'll see a much larger image. At the time of this writing, there are only two emblems inserted into a much larger dial. As you can see, there are at least eight more slots to go.This is just the latest of many clues the studio has released over the past few months. The first...

Did you know there were dogs at this event? Because there are dogs at this event.Most people think CES and immediately think smartwatches, self-driving cars, new laptops, and some crazy new AR glasses. The truth is, CES genuinely has something for everyone. From nightmarish, hyper-realistic installations from your favorite TV shows to live performances from Janelle Monae, it's a pretty great way to explore the future.But did you know there are dogs here? Because there are dogs here, and I met almost all of them. And now, you can also meet them.Our first two fluffs are both hard-working service animals with owners who needed help getting around the convention center. I didn't get their names, because their owners were both extremely busy at the time. But still, look at these hard workers!Pepper is a bomb-sniffing dog, and she's doing her very best to keep CES safe.Pepper's partner, Sully, is also keeping CES super safe.Bells is not here in an official capacity, rea...

It's got a touchscreen with a WVGA resolution and works with both Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.What you need to knowAlpine is introducing a new head unit in its Halo line at CES this week.The iLX-F411 boasts an 11-inch screen — the company's largest yet.It also works with both the Apple and the Android ecosystems.If you don't have the fanciest car but are in the market for giving it some smarts, you might have heard of Alpine. The company makes a range of in-car infotainment and driving assistance products. And at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas this week, the company unveiled its latest head unit.Its largest yet, the new iLX-F411 is an 11-inch head unit that Alpine says has all the features of the Halo9 line from before and more. It retains the same 'hovering' design as the company's previous head units, meaning the device is stationed above a flexible stand that can be used to adjust its height, rotation, and tilt. The design also allows for the whole thi...

The Cyrcle phone takes its shape very seriously indeed.What you need to knowTech startup Cyrcle is showing off its prototype Android phone at CES 2020.It's got Android 9, two headphone jacks, and two SIM cards.Battling against the rectangle conspiracy, Cyrcle's new phone is also a circle. While some argue that it might be hip to be square, tech startup Cyrcle seems to have a vendetta against rectangles in general. The company showed off its new circular phone at CES this week (via the BBC,) promising a launch later this year or next after five years of development.The problem appeared to be that while the Cyrcle phone's hardware was ready, the software needed to support the esoteric device wasn't quite there yet. With Android 9 and 10, Google's support for non-slab phone form factors has improved to support the rise of foldables, possibly accelerating development.From the website, the Cyrcle phone's merits are enumerated: A non-rectangular phone for non-rectangu...

Best answer: Currently unknown, but highly likely. While Sony has to confirm yet whether or not the PlayStation 5 will support HDR, it would be very surprising if it didn't. The PlayStation 4 already supports HDR10; there's no reason the PlayStation 5 should not. If anything, the PS5 might end up supporting a more advanced version of HDR, such as HDR10+ and Dolby Vision.An easy way to play: PlayStation Store Gift Card (From $20 at Amazon)What is HDR?HDR stands for High Dynamic Range and is often used to describe something that can process a wider range of input or output than a standard device.When it comes to displays on devices like a television, HDR delivers a better contrast ratio that allows screens to produce better color in a variety of fields, including brighter whites and darker blacks. This results in a sharper, more defined image on your screen that, when combined with a more accurate color palette, essentially makes things much better.Are there different types o...

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, Samsun...

Best answer: Yes, Sony has confirmed that the PlayStation 5 will be backward compatible with the PlayStation VR (PSVR) headset. Your headset and games will carry over into the next generation.Build your library: PlayStation Store Gift Card (From $10 at Amazon)Can I use my PSVR on PlayStation 5?Yes. While Sony is almost certainly working on a newer version of the PSVR headset, it won't be ready to launch alongside the PlayStation 5. As such, the company has confirmed that the current PSVR headset will be compatible with the PlayStation 5.For an idea of what tech might go into the next PlayStation VR headset (or PSVR2) then you can check out this patent here, as well as some concepts that Sony has previously talked about. While these improvements appear enticing, it could be some time before we see it materialize into the next available headset.What about my PSVR games?Your PSVR games will also be compatible with PlayStation 5, as Sony has confirmed that the PlayStation 5...

Plus in-home power meter smart plugs are on the way.What you need to knowWiz Connected has a new remote and a new sensor to control its Wi-Fi lights.The remote control does not require a Wi-Fi connection.The company also announced app updates and hardware plans aimed at optimizing energy usage.While Philips Hue sells smart bulbs that use Bluetooth and a Zigbee radio hub, sister company Wiz Connected makes light bulbs that work directly with your Wi-FI network — no hub needed. Wiz is expanding its offerings with a remote control that can talk directly to the lights without needing your Wi-FI network, as well as a motion and light sensor. The company will also update its app to closely monitor power consumption, part of Wiz's future plans to help users monitor and manage energy usage.The eponymous Wizmote has a range of up to 50 feet, so you won't be able to control lights across the house, but it should see every light in your room. The buttons are simple and there is a ...

From smart speakers in your shower head to smart toilets — what a time to be alive.CES 2020 kicks off this week in Las Vegas, Nevada, and it is bringing some innovative new tech products to your ... bathroom, of all places. Yes, someone out there must have been dreaming of an intelligent toilet that can clean itself, and now those dreams have come true! Or maybe someone else has been itching for a smart bathtub that can improve posture while providing deep relaxation. CES is always home to innovative but weird and wacky tech, and we've rounded up some of the most interesting bathroom tech on the show floor.I mean honestly, as great as tech is, it'll never eliminate our need to use the bathroom, so we might as well make the most of it, right?1. TOTO NEOREST NX2 Intelligent ToiletManufacturer: TOTOProduct: NEOREST NX2 Dual Flush Intelligent ToiletAvailability: N/APrice: $12,800The NEOREST NX2 Intelligent Toilet from TOTO is what every futuristic bathroom needs. While...

The Moto G7 is, without a doubt, one of the best phones in its price range. It brings a lot to the table for its small price tag, with one of the highlights being a glass design. There's no denying it looks great, but with just the right drop, it can be a shattered mess in the blink of an eye. Prevent that from happening with one of these heavy-duty cases.One of the bestPoetic GuardianStaff pickOne of our absolute favorite heavy-duty cases for the Moto G7 is the Poetic Guardian. The back part of the case features an impact-resistant bumper, whereas the front cover adds additional frame protection along with a built-in screen protector. Despite all of this ruggedness, the Guardian Series manages to retain a really manageable footprint and comes in four colors.$17 at AmazonA slim optionEncased ScorpioIf you want a heavy-duty case but also want something that'll keep the Moto G7 relatively slim and lightweight, a great option is the Encased Scorpio. While it do...

There are affordable Android phones, and then there are Android Go phones. Android Go devices are designed to be as cheap as possible and run a special version of Android that's created specifically with lower-end specs in mind. Android Go handsets are great starter or backup phones, and these are the best ones you can buy in 2020 — including the Nokia 1 as our top overall pick.Best Overall: Nokia 1As an overall package, we think the Nokia 1 stands out as the best pick — especially for our U.S. readers.The Nokia name is often associated with top-notch hardware, and that legacy holds up surprisingly well with the cheap Nokia 1. The polycarbonate used for the phone's body is sturdy and offers a good in-hand feel, making it feel a lot more trustworthy than the price tag would suggest.While large bezels flank the display, the 5-inch display keeps everything nice and compact, there's a microSD card slot for expanding the base 8GB of storage up to 128GB, and you get a 5MP rea...

Facebook doubles down on neutrality.What you need to knowFacebook will not be fact-checking political ads or screening them for misleading content.The firm believes that political conversation is important and that people should hear from those who wish to lead them.This contrasts with Twitter's own policy of banning all political ads wholesale.Facebook has opted not to follow Twitter and Google's more cautious policies on political advertising. While the company today introduced an upcoming new feature that will let users limit all political ads on Facebook or Instagram, it also decided that it would not be fact-checking those ads.Rob Leathern, Director of Product Management explained the decision in a blog post: Ultimately, we don't think decisions about political ads should be made by private companies, which is why we are arguing for regulation that would apply across the industry. The Honest Ads Act is a good example — legislation that we endorse and many parts...

Part of the new Mix & Match on Fios plans.What you need to knowVerizon's new Mix & Match Fios lets you subscribe for internet, TV, and phone service without bundles, contracts, or hidden fees.Internet plans start at $39.99/month for 100Mbps and go all the way up to gigabit speeds.TV subscribers can choose from three different Fios plans, starting at $50/month for 125+ channels, or sign up for YouTube TV.Verizon has decided to kick off the new year by giving customers something they've been asking for — a way to sign up for internet and TV without the bundles, contracts, or hidden fees. By using Mix & Match on Fios, customers will now be able to sign up for internet, TV, and even phone service for a set price without needing to bundle for a lower cost.Feel free to mix and match to find what works best for you and your family without the need to bundle in additional services or worry about what fees will be hidden in your monthly bills. "The price is the price...

It's been nearly two years since we last got anything pointing to this.What you need to knowA teardown of the most recent APK shows groundwork for users to bring their own content to YouTube Music.Google Play Music has a 50,000 song limit currently.This discovery is just a hint of the feature coming in the future, no indication of when.We've known for quite some time, nearly two years, that Google plans to bring nearly all of the features of Google Play Music to YouTube Music. Well, it seems that one of the most treasured features — user-uploaded content — may slowly be starting its way to the music service.In a teardown YouTube Music APK version 3.47, 9to5Google found "introducer" strings that may be the starting layer for a specified partition in your account. Once the feature is live, it seems that you'll have a streaming tab for usage that we are already used to.Then, there will be an added table that will be a "library" that will become the cloud-based holdin...

It solves a problem I personally don't deal with, but I know others will appreciate the volume limiting feature.I've had the privilege of reviewing several headsets in the past from brands you may not have heard of, and others that come from company's like Razer, which are known for making some of the best peripherals in the business. You may not have heard of Puro Sound Labs, but it makes decent, if unexceptional accessories, including its PuroGamer volume limiting headset, which I've gotten to test for a couple of weeks now. I can't say I'm blown away or extremely impressed, but it's still a good headset — just nothing special.I'm also not the target audience for it. The PuroGamer is for people who worry about hearing loss thanks to its volume limiting feature. I haven't experienced hearing loss, nor do I really worry about it happening. If I'm being honest, I don't crank up the volume all that high anyway on my regular headset.Beyond that there isn't anything exceptional a...

Best answer: Tello is a small carrier that relies on Sprint's network for phone calls, and as such, uses cellular for its services. You can choose how many minutes you want each month, ranging from 100 up to unlimited.Cellular calling: Tello (From $5/month at Tello)Great value: Google Pixel 3a ($399 at Amazon)Tello uses cellular, not VoIPIf you're interested in joining Tello, chances are you want to know whether it uses cellular service or VoIP for calling. We won't beat around the bush — Tello relies on cellular for all of its phone calls, not VoIP. Tello is a wireless carrier, and as such, uses a wireless (read cellular) network for sending/receiving calls. This is how AT&T, Verizon, Cricket, Mint, and other carriers work.VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) is a set of protocols that allow phone calls to be made over the internet. Some popular VoIP services would be Skype, Facebook audio calling, etc.It relies on Sprint's nationwide network for coverageFor the ...

An even longer time ago, still in the same Galaxy though.What you need to knowThe next Star Wars Movie set for 2022 will feature new Force abilities and a middle-aged Yoda.The events will take place about 400 years before the Skywalker Saga, in the High Republic.It will feature a 500-year old Yoda, and the trilogy format is begin ditched. The next Star Wars movie, pegged for 2022, will be set about 400 years before the Skywalker Saga and will feature new force abilities and a 500-year old Yoda.A CheatSheet report rounded up a few things we know about the next Star Wars film. The film is apparently due to be released in 2022, and a full announcement is due from Lucasfilm later this month.The film will be set about 400 years before the Skywalker trilogy and will feature a 500-year-old Yoda, as well as new (or I suppose old) force abilities.The next Star Wars film saga to be set during the High Republic era! #StarWars https://t.co/HCFSo3uTUZ pic.twitter.com/xKLgd595fd—...

Bing showed up far less than you'd have expected.What you need to knowGoogle has revealed the list of search engines it'll be offering to European users as alternatives to its own Search app.DuckDuckGo performed the best in Google's auction, appearing in all markets. Bing only had a presence in the UK.The search ballot will start appearing from March 2020.Google has now shared the search engines it'll surface to new European Android phone users as alternate choices to its own Google Search service. The firm earlier came under fire in the EU for tying its Android mobile OS to Google Search and Google Chrome. It had previously mandated that companies that wanted to sell devices with the Google Play Store and Google Play Services had to offer Google Search and Chrome as default services.The EU fined Google $5 billion as a result of an antitrust investigation and ordered the company to offer alternate choices to users and phone makers alike.Google's Sundar Pichai was disap...

It's only confirmed to be working in the U.S. as of now.What you need to knowSamsung Pay users in the U.S. can now opt-out of having their data sold to third-parties.The new setting appeared in the app after the California Consumer Privacy Act took effect on January 1, 2020.With "Do Not Sell" enabled, it could cause some features to cease working in the app.If you've opened Samsung Pay recently, you might have been surprised to see a new card regarding the privacy of your profile. Tapping on the card will take you directly into the settings, allowing you to opt-out from Samsung Pay selling your data. However, it does warn that some features will cease to function with "Do Not Sell" enabled.If you don't see the card on the home screen of the app, then you can try accessing it by opening the navigation drawer via the hamburger menu and selecting "Privacy controls." It's important to note that, so far, it appears only users in the U.S. are seeing these new privacy controls. ...

The Pixel 3a brings the Pixel experience to a far, far wider audience with the same Google style and a much more friendly price point, and I've loved rocking mine these last few months. While it looks very similar to the Pixel 3, it's a bit taller and thicker, so you'll need a case specially made for it. The good news is that there are plenty available, and here's the best of the best you can find today!Like nothing's thereSpigen Thin FitStaff pickSpigen is one of the most trusted names in case makers, and its Thin Fit case is one of the best it has to offer. It's incredibly slim and lightweight, has a scratch-resistant design to keep your 3a safe from daily use, and works great with magnetic car mounts.From $11 at AmazonFirst party feelGoogle Fabric CaseGoogle's fabric cases feel wonderful in hand and come in a small assortment of colors, and since Google makes them, they feel every bit as premium as their price tags. Available in Carbon, Fog, and Seascape.From...

The standard Mate 30 Pro was launched in Europe and the Middle East late last year.What you need to knowHuawei Mate 30 Pro 5G has been formally launched in the United Arab Emirates.UAE is the first market outside of China where the Mate 30 Pro 5G has been launched. The Mate 30 Pro 5G will be available for pre-order in the UAE from January 15 for 3,899 AED ($1,061). Thanks to the U.S. ban on the company, Huawei's Mate 30 Pro is still not widely available in global markets. While the 4G variant of the smartphone is sold in a few markets outside of China, the 5G variant of the phone is currently not available in any other market. That will soon change, however, as Huawei today launched (via HuaweiCentral) the Mate 30 Pro 5G in the UAE.Huawei has priced the Mate 30 Pro 5G at 3,899 AED ($1,061) in the UAE. It will be available for pre-order in the country starting January 15. If you live in the UAE, you will be able to pick one up from a Huawei experience store and select reta...

This is probably the easiest laptop you've ever set up, and we're here to make it even easier.Whether you're just pulling your new Chromebook out of the box, been handed down a Chromebook that you parent or sibling was using before, or you just power washed yours to start fresh, setting up a Chromebook is drop-dead easy. You can probably do it in the space of a commercial break while watching your favorite TV show, and so long as you're somewhere with Wi-Fi, you can do it basically anywhere. Whether you're under some blankets in bed or sitting in the office with your newly-issued work laptop, let's get your new Chromebook running.How to set up a new ChromebookBefore you get started, your Chromebook probably came from the factory with a mostly full battery. Still, if you want to plug your Chromebook in to charge before beginning your setup, that's probably a good idea.Open the lid of your Chromebook to turn it on.Enter the email address of your Google account.Tap Next.Ente...

The studio has made a pact with Cinelytic to use its AI project management system.What you need to knowWarner Brothers has struck a deal with Cinelytic to use its AI project management system.The system uses data and analytics to guide decision-making when it comes to greenlighting films.It can estimate the value of certain actors, and how much money a film could make in theaters.Warner Brothers has struck a deal with Cinelytic as it becomes the latest studio to utilize the company's AI-driven project management system.According to The Hollywood Reporter: Warner Bros. has become the latest studio to publicly embrace artificial intelligence. The movie division has signed a deal with Cinelytic to use the latter's AI-driven project management system that was launched last year. Under the new deal, Warners will leverage the system's comprehensive data and predictive analytics to guide decision-making at the greenlight stage. The integrated online platform can as...

These are the stories that have us excited.January is a significant month. It marks the start of a new year, new goals, and — most importantly — new tech. The beginning of the month is always home to the annual Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, more commonly referred to as CES.CES 2020 is upon us, and as with every year, it is chock-full of announcement after announcement. Some are more interesting and important than others, and with this guide, we're rounding up the best of the best so you can stay up-to-date on what matters the most.We'll be regularly updating this as new gadgets and gizmos are unveiled, so be sure to check back often throughout the next few days.Related: Samsung at CES 2020: Lite smartphones, a gorgeous Chromebook, and artificial humansRelated: Biggest Apple news from CES 2020Related: Biggest Windows news from CES 2020 Samsung Galaxy S10 Lite and Note 10 LiteOnePlus Concept OneTCL 10 5GNextbit Robin 2Samsung Galaxy ChromebookLenovo ...

We're a bunch of nerds and avid video game lovers. When it comes to game subscription services, Xbox and PlayStation both offer plans to their users, but they each have some key differences that may sway you toward one or the other. We'll break down what these are and how they affect you.Xbox Game PassDownload hundreds of titles$120/year at AmazonProsXbox Game Studios games launch onto serviceAll games can be downloadedCan be bundled with Xbox Live GoldMembers get discounts on DLC for games in the serviceCons$120/yearFewer gamesXbox Game Pass offers the most with Xbox Game Studio exclusives launching into the service and discounts on games in its catalogue. Because of this, it comes at a higher price.PlayStation NowGame streaming on demand$60/year at AmazonProsOnly $60/yearLets you stream or download gamesPerformance and reliability has improved over timeIncludes, PS2, PS3, and PS4 gamesConsNot all games can be downloaded Single month ...

That's according to Ted Malone, VP of consumer products and services...What you need to knowTiVo has confirmed that its Apple TV and Roku apps are currently "in limbo".VP of consumer products and services Ted Malone first revealed the news during an interview at CES 2020.A TiVo spokesperson later said this was "inaccurate", then provided a statement that said exactly the same thing.TiVo's VP of consumer products and services Ted Malone has revealed that TiVo's Roku and Apple TV apps are "in limbo".According to TechHive: TiVo's vice president of consumer products and services Ted Malone said in an interview at CES that the company's Roku and Apple TV apps, in particular, are "in limbo." Malone wouldn't say definitively that the apps have canceled, and he believes Android TV support may arrive at some point as a tie-in to the TiVo Stream 4K, which runs Android TV. From there, adding Fire TV support wouldn't be difficult because Fire TV apps are based on Android as ...