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Disney+ is finally out in the wild so we can catch-up on so many favorite Disney classics, Marvel hits, the Star Wars saga, and much more. Disney is also offering the chance to get its new streaming service bundled with Hulu and ESPN+ — which is a great deal at $13 per month. However, if you sign-up for this bundle, the Hulu you get will be the ad-supported version. So, if you prefer your Hulu minus the ads, then follow along to find out how to bundle up and hold the ads.Products used in this guideGet it together: Disney+ bundle ($13/month at Disney+)TV Sans ads: Hulu (ad-free) ($12/month at Hulu) How to the Disney+ bundle with ad-free HuluGo to Hulu and sign-up for the ad-free plan.Enter your personal info and continue.Select your payment method to finish your subscription to Hulu ad-free.Now that your Hulu account is set up let's set up the Disney+ bundle.After clicking Sign Up Now you can enter the same email you used for setting up your Hulu account....

Best answer: Yes, and no. There's no built-in SmartCast app yet, and the built-in Chromecast feature doesn't work yet because Vizio's version of Chromecast built-in is outdated. Apple's AirPlay feature does work right now, and an update in December should enable Vizio's Chromecast built-in to work with Disney+.A galaxy of videos: Disney+ ($7/month at Disney+)Cast properly: Google Chromecast ($35 at Amazon)Here's what's going onThere's no Disney+ app in the built-in SmartCast operating system. That's a shame — especially for those who only use the built-in OS with their Vizio TV without any other sort of streaming device plugged in. And that shouldn't be (and in fact isn't quite) the end of the world because all modern Vizio TVs also serve as a target for Chromecast — Google's (and Android's) method of getting video from a phone to a TV — and Apple's AirPlay protocol.AirPlay works just fine. If you have Disney+ on an iPhone or iPad, you...

The 5G model got a score of 123, compared to 121 for the Mate 30 Pro.What you need to knowThe Huawei Mate 30 Pro 5G has upended its LTE variant, as well as the Xiaomi Mi Note 10 Pro, as the best smartphone camera.The phone earned a score of 123 on DXOMARK's rankings, up two points from the regular Mate 30 Pro.The publication credits the change to software optimizations made by Huawei since the latter phone's release.DXOMARK's review of the 5G variant of the Mate 30 Pro has termed it the best smartphone camera around, a title that was previously occupied by the 'regular' Mate 30 Pro. The former was able to beat the latter's score of 121 — tied with the Xiaomi Mi Note 10 Pro — by two points, for a total score of 123. The photo and video scores were 134 and 102, respectively.Of course, the camera hardware found on both the Mate 30 Pro and its 5G sibling is the same, comprising of a 40MP RYYB primary sensor, a 3:2, 40MP ultrawide "cinema" camera, an 8MP telephoto ...

Disney+ is here and it seems to be a hit. With hundreds of films from the most popular franchises on the planet — not to mention thousands of TV episodes from our childhood — it's little wonder that Disney+ is popular. However, when errors invade your movie marathon, things are anything but magical. There's a few different errors Disney+ can spit out when things go awry, but Error 83 is by far the most prevalent error you come across. Here's a few of the reasons you may be seeing it, and what you can do about it.Reason #1 — Server timeoutError 83 is one of the most common errors. When the servers are overloaded and your Disney+ session can't connect to the servers fast enough to pass a DRM/account check — or can't connect at all — Error 83 is what Disney+ displays when it can't play your video as requested.This is far and away the most common reason to see Error 83, and dealing with it can take a few forms:Try again. Server issues tend to be int...

Finally. The most anticipated streaming service is here. Home to not just Star Wars, the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and all your Pixar favorites, but educational entertainment like National Geographic and storied series like The Simpsons. Oh, and all the Disney movies and TV shows you could ever want to watch.Welcome to Disney Plus (Disney+).A magical streaming serviceDisney+$7/month at Disney+All your Disney favorites, and so much moreFrom DCOMs to National Geographic, from Marvel to Lucasfilm to 20th Century Fox and beyond, Disney+ delivers a streaming service for all ages.What is Disney Plus?When is my country getting it?All the devices you can watch Disney Plus onSo much to watch, here's where to startParental controls, profiles, and account limitsDisney Plus tips and troubleshootingWhat's the best price for Disney Plus?How Disney Plus stacks up to the competitionWhat is Disney Plus?Disney+ is a streaming service that brings together all of the conten...

Best answer: Yes, Disney has an agreement with Samsung to distribute Disney Plus (Disney+) on its smart TVs on models running Samsung's Tizen OS all the way from 2016 to its latest TVs. For TVs that are not, there's always the Chromecast.Marvel on demand: Disney+ ($7/month at Disney+)Cast away: Chromecast ($35 at Amazon)Disney+ is finally here!Disney+ is now available in many places and platforms, including on most newer model Samsung TVs. Basically, if you have a Samsung TV from 2016 or newer that is running Samsung's Tizen OS, then you should be able to download the Disney+ app and watch it natively.This is great news for users who have a relatively recent Samsung TV, as being able to watch natively offers a great experience and means you won't have to go digging through a secondary console device or use your phone as a remote while Chromecasting them.What's it like watching Disney+ on a Samsung TV?Samsung smart TVs use Tizen, which is an operating system built by Sa...

The wait is finally over, and the long-anticipated Disney Plus (or Disney+) streaming service is finally available. It enters a space that's already pretty crowded, but stands out thanks to its unique family-friendly offerings that include titles not only from Disney itself, but also Start Wars, Marvel, National Geographic, and more. It may not directly compete with services like Netflix and Prime Video, but the number of Disney Plus shows that are available makes it worth checking out.Now, on to the key bit of information here: how much does Disney Plus cost? Well, there are a few different plans for Disney Plus that you can sign up for, making the price for Disney Plus range from $6.99 to $12.99 per month. The lower cost is the best Disney Plus price you'll get right now, while more expensive is a pretty sweet Disney Plus bundle that you'll need to check out. You can sign up for an annual plan to save a little extra, and there's even a free trial available. Let's take a second to...

Stadia just got even more games!What you need to knowGoogle Stadia is a cloud streaming service.It just got some more games. You can purchase Borderlands 3 and Dragon Ball Xenoverse 2 right now. Ghost Recon Breakpoint is coming to Stadia on December 18. Today, Google announced that Borderlands 3, Dragon Ball Xenoverse 2, and Ghost Recon Breakpoint were joining the Google Stadia cloud game streaming service soon. Borderlands 3 is the latest installment in the beloved shooter franchise, Dragon Ball Xenoverse 2 is a fighting game that lets you inhabit the quirky universe, and finally, Ghost Recon Breakpoint is a third-person tactical shooter that lets you aim from the first-person perspective.Borderlands 3 and Dragon Ball Xenoverse 2 are already available on Stadia. Borderlands 3 starts at $39 while Dragon Ball Xenoverse 2 comes in at $50. Borderlands 3 is available at a reduced price for a limited time so be sure to pick it up if you're interested. Additionally, when Gho...

The phone is expected to be unveiled sometime before the end of the year.What you need to knowThanks to leaked marketing materials, we now have our best look yet at the cheaper variant of the Galaxy Note 10.The phone sports a 6.5+ inch display with a single hole-punch cutout for the front camera.Round back are the three cameras and flash module neatly laid out on a camera bump.We've been hearing a lot about Samsung's Galaxy S10 Lite and Note 10 Lite in recent months, and now we finally have official images of the latter, thanks to German outlet WinFuture.de. The site was able to get its hands on official marketing materials for the cheaper variant of the Galaxy Note 10, and they largely confirm what we already knew about the phone's design.While we don't know the exact dimensions of the screen, it's reported to be between 6.5 and 6.7 inches. As can be seen in the images, though, there's a single selfie camera housed in a centrally-aligned hole-punch cutout (what Samsung l...

Your Chromebook is a productivity machine, and to keep productive, sometimes you need more than just the laptop itself. These accessories will help you maximize the experience and get the most out of your Chromebook, through work and play!All-color carryMOSISO Laptop Sleeve with Accessory CaseStaff pickMost laptop sleeves are available in 13-15 inch sizes, but MOSISO has us Chromebook users covered — literally! — with the option for 11.6-12.3-inch sleeves for these duo packs! It's also available in patterns, but you can't go wrong with classic solids, right?$14 at AmazonMOAR storage!Samsung EVO SelectYou get a lot of bang for your buck with the EVO Select, which comes in sizes from 32GB all the way up to 512GB. If your Chromebook doesn't have enough space, or you want to store everything you own, this microSD card has you covered.From $6 at AmazonBluetooth or WirelessLogitech Pebble M350This mouse has a nice slim shape that makes it easy to s...

The new Disney Plus show The Mandalorian is a hit and for good reason. It features a complex but ultimately likable title character, but more importantly, it features Baby Yoda! The little green one, or The Child as he's officially known, has stolen the show and our hearts as the most loveable character in the cultural zeitgeist right now, and his presence has spawned an entire industry of official and unofficial Mandalorian and Baby Yoda merchandise, including car decals. Check out some of our favorites from the collection below, and start repping the little green dude (or dudette) on your ride!The Child in Crib, ColorM&R Cute Green Baby AlienStaff PickDespite calling it "cute green baby alien," this simple 5-by-5-inch vinyl decal is my favorite out of all the Baby Yoda stickers I've come across. It's cute, simple, bright-eyed, and optimistic.$11 at AmazonThe Child in Crib, SilhouetteM&R Cute Baby Alien WhiteThis is the black and white version of ou...

Chromebooks are great computers for a lot of different uses, but they are almost tailor-made for education. They're designed to perform well even with modest specs, software is hard to break, corrupt, or infect, and if a student breaks a laptop, they just need to log in on any other laptop in the school system to get back to work. There are a lot of great options to choose from, but our top pick is the ASUS Chromebook Flip C214.Best Overall: ASUS Chromebook Flip C214The ASUS Chromebook Flip C213 was one of the best Chromebooks for education for the last two years, but it was due for an update. The ASUS Chromebook Flip C214 is an update that is worth the wait. This model is slightly slimmer and lighter than its predecessor, even with a slightly bigger battery. The 11.6-inch screen is still easy to see in a wide array of angles — and even in direct 3 PM Florida sunshine — and the zinc alloy hinge allows you to rotate the screen around 360 degrees into tent or tablet m...

The 108MP main sensor will output 12MP images.What you need to knowWe now have a much better look at the upcoming Galaxy S11+'s rear design.Leaked images show the phone's sensors neatly arranged in a straight line, contrary to previous renders, which showed an arrangement reminiscent of the five tiles in dominos.The phone will reportedly also have a periscope zoom lens.As we draw closer to the next year, all eyes are on Samsung's upcoming flagships, the Galaxy S11 series. The biggest and most powerful of them, the S11+, had previously been leaked thanks to unofficial renders and showcased a rather unorthodox and, arguably, messy arrangement of the claimed five rear cameras. If you were concerned about the phone's design as a result, thanks to prolific Samsung leaker Ice Universe, we now know that the previous renders may not have been entirely accurate.In a new series of tweets, the leaker detailed the phone's camera specs, and also shared a partial image of the phone's s...

Carli, Jen, and Rebecca recap the Game Awards, while Russell repeatedly gets distracted and wanders off topic.Hosted by: Russell Holly, Jennifer Locke, Carli Velocci, and Rebecca SpearGot feedback? Hit up Podcast@androidcentral.com and tell us something!LISTEN NOW:LINKS:Here's the full list of The Game Awards 2019 winners | Android Central...

Boost Mobile exists to help you save money on your monthly phone bill, giving you access to affordable wireless plans that are powered by Sprint's nationwide network. If you're looking for a phone to use with Boost, here's a roundup of our current favorites — including the Google Pixel 3a as our top choice.Best Overall: Google Pixel 3aOverall, we think the Pixel 3a is the best phone you can get for Boost Mobile. Chances are you're using Boost to save money, and with the 3a, you can get a top-notch Android experience without having to break the bank.At its core, the Pixel 3a checks all of the boxes. Its polycarbonate design is sturdy, the OLED display looks great, and Qualcomm's Snapdragon 670 processor offers plenty of horsepower for running your favorite apps and games.Along with all of that, the Pixel 3a impresses with its 12.2-megapixel rear camera. It may not sound like much, but the 3a captures some of the best photos you can get — not even considering pric...

You'll be able to create tasks in Google Calendar even without installing the Tasks app.What you need to knowGoogle is working on Tasks integration with Google Calendar.You'll be able to add and manage tasks directly within Google Calendar, even without having the Tasks app installed.XDA Developers was able to enable it in the current version of Google Calendar, meaning it may be ready to roll out in the near future.The Google Tasks app launched back in 2018 to help you manage your to-do lists. It currently has support for Gmail and Google Calendar on the web, but not in the apps themselves. Well, thanks to the guys over at XDA-Developers, we know that is soon going to change.After a recent APK teardown, it was discovered Google's working on Tasks integration with the Google Calendar app. The function was manually enabled in the 2019.47.2-284533606-release of the Google Calendar app. To make things even better, Tasks will work inside of the Google Calendar app even if you...

Spending billions on China hoping China will spend billions back.What you need to knowSamsung will invest $15 billion in a semiconductor plant in Xi'an, China.The first $7 billion phase will be completed by 2020.The second phase will be ready by the end of 2021.Samsung will invest up to $15 billion to expand a semiconductor factory in Xi'an in Northwest China's Shaanxi Province, according to SamMobile. The factory was opened by Samsung Semiconductor in 2014 as the company jockeyed for position with Intel's semiconductor group. Samsung produces more memory chips than Intel, while Intel's overall semiconductor business is larger. Samsung expects the first phase of development, with a $7 billion initial investment, will be operational by March 2020. The second phase of development will take until the second half of 2021 to complete.The move helps Samsung compete not only with Intel in the global memory and semiconductor market, but also gives Samsung more of a foothold in Ch...

Samsung Pay was only added to one country in 2019.What you need to knowSamsung Pay could expand to more markets in 2020 according to a statement given to SamMobile.Indonesia was the only country to receive support for Samsung Pay in 2019.Samsung focused on improving the consumer experience in 2019 by adding new features, such as the ability to create a virtual debit card or send money internationally.Samsung Pay is one of the most versatile mobile payment systems currently available. It stands out thanks to its laundry list of features, most notably, MST payments that allow you to pay at nearly any credit card terminal.However, Samsung Pay is only useful if it is supported in your country. At this time, it is only available in a little over two dozen markets after adding only one new country in 2019. The one lucky country this year was Indonesia, but there may be some hope on the horizon for those of you without access to Samsung Pay.According to a statement given to Sa...

If you’re still browsing the web without the protection of a VPN, you’re leaving your devices open to a growing number of powerful cyberthreats that can compromise everything from your browsing history to your banking information.SlickVPN is an award-winning service that safeguards your data without slowing you down, and a lifetime subscription is available for over 95% off at just $19.99 for a limited time.This comprehensive VPN makes it easy to browse securely on all of your devices, thanks to end-to-end encryption.You’ll be able to protect yourself from a wide range of cyberthreats anywhere on Earth, with access to over 125 secure gateways in over 45 countries.This service also allows you to view HD content online, and you’ll be able to bypass those obnoxious content filters when you travel overseas—allowing you to keep up with your favorite content on sites like Netflix and Hulu.Safeguard your data and privacy with a lifetime subscript...

We've all put off holiday shopping before. There's no shame in it and these days, it's easier than ever to get things done at the last minute, anyway. While you probably don't have time to order any custom gifts, what you can do is grab some smart home tech to get your friends or family started on kitting out a more intelligent, more convenient, and ultimately cooler home.A next-gen wireless meshGoogle Nest Wifi RouterStaff PickWhen it comes to supporting a smart home, a good wireless network is arguably the most important foundation. Google Nest Wifi, the latest iteration of Google Wifi, provides that and more. Stylish, attractive, and powerful, Nest Wifi is easy to configure and install, and although it's pricy, you get what you pay for. As an added bonus, Nest Wifi's network extenders double as smart speakers.$169 at AmazonNo hub requiredPhilips Hue White And Color 2-PackPhilips Hue remains one of the most popular smart lighting brands on the market, and with t...

There's another The Walking Dead game in the works.What you need to knowThe Walking Dead: Saints & Sinners is an upcoming horror game.It's coming to a number of platforms in January 2020. It's getting a standalone Oculus Quest version down the line. You can preorder The Walking Dead: Saints & Sinners through the Oculus Store. Today, Skydance Interactive announced that digital preorders for The Walking Dead: Saints & Sinners are now live. It's quite a popular virtual reality (VR) game that's garnered a lot of interest in recent months. The team revealed that the game will be launching on Oculus Rift, Rift S, Quest Link Beta, and HTC Vive on January 23, 2020.It's also coming to PlayStation VR and Quest as a standalone release later in the year. In The Walking Dead: Saints & Sinners, freedom of choice and visceral combat offer players a new way to live survival horror in a deep-rooted VR gaming experience. Scale buildings to ambush enemies from abo...

The numbers are back and bigger than ever.Every year, Qualcomm gives tech media the opportunity to benchmark the newest Snapdragon Reference Device so they have a baseline to compare them to shipping devices that come months later, and what kinds of improvements they can expect over previous Snapdragon platforms.The Snapdragon 865 is a big deal for a number of reasons, but in terms of straight-up year-over-year benchmark improvements, it's pretty iterative. The BenchmarksWhile in Hawaii for Qualcomm's Snapdragon Tech Summit, me and my colleagues, Andrew Martonik and Nirave Gondhia spent a couple of hours running a set of very specific benchmarks — AnTuTu, Geekbench 5, GFxBench, Androbench, PCMark, Speedometer, Jetstream, and a couple others — so we could glean a few numbers and figure out that, yes indeed, the Snapdragon 865 is faster than the 855.But that shouldn't come as a surprise. Here are a few of the results comparing the Snapdragon 865 RD to the...

This new attachment adds an elite way of playing.What you need to knowPlayStation has revealed a new Back Button Attachment for the DualShock 4.This attachment adds two programmable buttons, which can be configured using the OLED screen.The Back Button Attachment is set to be available in the U.S. on January 23, 2020 for $29.99 USD. It'll be available in Europe on February 14, 2020 for €29.99.PlayStation just revealed a new attachment for the DualShock 4 controller. Appropriately called the Back Button Attachment, this device adds two programmable buttons to the back of the controller. These buttons are then configured using the OLED screen.There's also a 3.5mm headset jack, so you can still use your wired headset while using this attachment. This attachment is developed by PlayStation, so you won't have to worry about any possible compatibility issues. You can take another look at it in the tweet below.Introducing the DualShock 4 Back Button Attachment, launching...

AR and VR are finally becoming a reality.What you need to knowVR hardware revenues are looking to total $2.1 billion by year's end, a 31% increase over 2018.The Oculus Quest and Valve Index are both sold out and back-ordered, continuing a trend for both headsets.AR saw a big increase too, with Pokémon Go making $176 million in August 2019, the game's second-biggest month ever.It's taken a considerable amount of time, but it seems that VR is finally hitting its stride in the market. While powerful headsets have been available for nearly half a decade, VR hadn't seen the mainstream adoption that some other recent tech markets have until now. With the advent of the Oculus Quest, Valve Index, and Half-Life: Alyx, it seems that VR has finally gotten the killer apps and hardware it needed to make an impact.According to SuperData, a group owned by global market research firm Neilson, debuted its first SuperData XR report on virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), an...

The Galaxy Buds and 1More Stylish True Wireless are both excellent earbuds, especially when you consider their price. You can't go wrong with either set, but there are fundamental differences that will have you picking one over the other.Samsung Galaxy BudsBalanced sound$111 at AmazonProsUSB-C for wired chargingQi wireless chargingBalanced soundGreat comfortAmbient sound modeConsPoor battery lifePricierThe Samsung Galaxy Buds have a lot going for them. They're super comfortable, have superb sound, and feature the latest charging standards such as USB-C and Qi wireless charging. The biggest downside is battery life, which totals 13 hours between the buds and the included charging case.1More Stylish True WirelessBass heavy$80 at AmazonProsLong battery lifeGreat comfortExcellent bass boosted soundMore affordableConsMicro-USB for chargingNo wireless charging caseNo ambient sound modeThe 1More Stylish True Wireless earbuds feature exce...

It may not officially be on your phone yet, but Google took matters into its own hands.RCS Chat, Google's vision for the future of messaging, is slowly rolling out to people around the globe. However, rather than waiting on carriers to adopt the RCS standard, Google's taking matters into its own hands and enabling RCS Chat for all phones regardless of carrier in select countries — you just have to use its Messages app. If your phone is supported, here's how to enable RCS Chat features in Google Messages.How to enable RCS Chat features in Google Messages in supported countries and on supported carriersNote: This will work on all Android phones and carriers in the U.S., UK, and France, and on supported carriers in other countries like Canada.Open Google Messages on your Android phone.If you don't have the app, you can download it for free.Tap the three dots in the upper-right corner.Tap Settings.Tap Chat featuresEnter your phone number.Tap Continue.That's...

Microsoft To do gained a few new features for iOS and Android, including Siri shortcuts for iOS devices.What you need to knowMicrosoft To Do has an update available for iOS and Android.The iOS update brings support for Siri shortcuts.Both updates bring the option to turn off notifications for shared lists.Microsoft pushed out updates for Microsoft To Do on iOS and Android recently. The updates bring support for new features and make it easier to migrate your shared lists from Wunderlist.The update to the iOS version brings support for Siri shortcuts. People can now open specific lists using shortcuts rather than having to jump through multiple lists or sections. The App Store listing for Microsoft To Do lists all of the changes, including a new share extension. Introducing Siri shortcuts! You can now add your own shortcuts for To Do. Just open settings, tap Siri Shortcuts and you can create shortcuts to open a specific list or to add a new task to a specific ...

This is the sporty smartwatch people are looking for ... held back by low memory and Wear OS shortcomings.Fossil's biggest accomplishment in smartwatches is being able to bring together an incredibly diverse set of well-known brands under a common platform. It's unlikely that Puma would be able (or willing) to make a competent smartwatch on its own, so this partnership with Fossil is a complete win-win like every other brand partner. Puma gets to leverage its well-known brand and design capabilities, and let Fossil handle the internals and capabilities.The result is a Wear OS watch that feels incredibly familiar, sharing its platform with several other smartwatches, but one with a unique style that separates it from the rest of the fashion-focused market.The best Android smartwatches you can buyAt a glancePuma Smartwatch ...

"We want you to trust what you see on Instagram."What you need to knowInstagram has announced new tools to combat fake news and hate speech on the platform.Its fact-checking program is being rolled out globally.It is also introducing a new feature that notifies users of potentially offensive content in their captions prior to posting.Instagram is pushing out new tools to combat misinformation, fake news and hate speech on its platform.In two statements released on 16 December, Instagram revealed firstly that its fact-checking program would be rolled out globally to allow fact-checking organizations around the world to assess and rate the information on Instagram. As Instagram states: When content has been rated as false or partly false by a third-party fact-checker, we reduce its distribution by removing it from Explore and hashtag pages. In addition, it will be labeled so people can better decide for themselves what to read, trust, and share. When these labels are ap...

Yet another Microsoft app reached the 500 million installations milestone.What you need to knowSwiftKey recently hit 500 million installs on the Google Play Store.SwiftKey is one of many Microsoft apps to have over 500 million installs through the Google Play Store.Microsoft purchased SwiftKey in 2016.Microsoft's SwiftKey recently passed 500 million installations through the Google Play Store (via MSPU). It joins a growing club of Microsoft applications to reach this milestone, including Excel and PowerPoint. Microsoft's OneDrive and Word have over 1 billion installations.Microsoft purchased SwiftKey in 2016. The app is one of the most popular third-party keyboards for Android and maintains a 4.4/5 rating on the Google Play Store with well over three million reviews. It allows you to type by tapping or swiping and learns your writing habits to create more accurate predictions.Microsoft's focus on Android and iOS is proving to be the right callMicrosoft's array of apps...

Some of you may have to wait a few days to get the update.What you need to knowOnePlus has started pushing a new OxygenOS update for the OnePlus 7T and 7T Pro phones.The update brings improved photo quality, optimized RAM management, faster app launch times, and the November security patch to the two phones. As per OnePlus, broader rollout of the update will begin "in a few days."OnePlus began pushing the OxygenOS 10.0.3 update for the OnePlus 7 and 7 Pro phones last week, bringing the November Android security patch to the two phones. The company has now started rolling out a new OxygenOS update for the OnePlus 7T and 7T Pro phones as well.The update arrives as OxygenOS 10.0.5 for the OnePlus 7T Pro and OxygenOS 10.0.7 for the OnePlus 7T. As per a post on the OnePlus Community forums, the update is being rolled out in stages, which means it will take a few days for the broader rollout to begin.OnePlus says the update improves the launching speed of certain apps, bring...

Much has been made about many aspects of the Pixel 4 that hinder its usability, chief among them being battery life. But one thorn that's continually poked at my side since first receiving my Pixel 4 XL has been weak app support for face unlock authentication. Face unlock's problem isn't technology, it's app developers.As I noted in my Pixel 4 XL review, "face unlock's problem isn't technology, it's app developers." Face unlock works incredibly well, and I actually prefer it to a fingerprint sensor, but it's entirely useless if apps don't support it. And when they don't, you're worse off using a Pixel 4 than a Pixel 3 or any other phone out there because you don't have a fingerprint sensor to fall back on. You're back to using usernames and passwords on your $800+ phone.We maintain a list of apps that support face unlock, and while I can't claim it includes every face unlock-enabled app I know we have most — and all of the notable names. And the list is sad: it's still...

In fact, the top four all belong to the Facebook family...What you need to knowFacebook was the most downloaded app of the decade according to App Annie data.Facebook, Facebook Messenger, WhatsApp, and Instagram saw Facebook take the top four.Netflix was the top app in terms of user spending. According to data from App Annie, Facebook was the most downloaded app of the decade across the iOS App Store and Google Play.In terms of the data, combined iOS and Android data only runs from January 2012, onwards, figures prior include iOS data only, and the 2019 portion runs from January to November.Overall, the most downloaded app of the decade was Facebook. In fact, Facebook holds the top four spots thanks to Facebook, Facebook Messenger, WhatsApp and Instagram (in that order. The full list was as follows:FacebookFacebook MessengerWhatsAppInstagramSnapchatSkypeTikTokUC BrowserYouTubeTwitterThe top 10 spending apps were led by Netflix, and the entire top 10 is do...

Realme also launched its first truly wireless earbuds alongside the Realme X2.What you need to knowRealme X2 was launched in India today at an event held in New Delhi.The Snapdragon 730G-powered smartphone was first unveiled in China in September. Realme X2 will go on sale in the country from December 20 for a starting price of ₹16,999 ($240).Realme launched the Realme X2 in the Indian market today, nearly three months after its launch in China. In Europe, the smartphone had made its debut in October, alongside the company's flagship Realme X2 Pro.The Realme X2 features a 6.4-inch FHD+ Super AMOLED display with a 19.5:9 aspect ratio and boasts an impressive 91.5% screen-to-body ratio, made possible by the small waterdrop notch at the top. Under the hood is a Snapdragon 730G processor, which has been paired with up to 8GB of RAM and 128GB UFS 2.1 storage.Similar to the Realme XT, the Realme X2 comes with a quad camera array on the back. It has a 64MP primary sensor...

"This practice creates additional hassle and can put someone off from switching altogether..."What you need to knowUK telecoms regulator Ofcom is proposing a ban on the sale of locked mobile phones.It says that the process of paying to unlock a device creates additional hassle that could put people off switching all together.Three major UK carriers sell devices locked to their networks, including Vodafone and BT/EE.UK telecoms regulator Ofcom is proposing to ban the sale of mobile devices locked to a specific network, according to a consultation document published today, December 17.As reported by MacRumors, the document is titled **'Fair treatment and easier switching for broadband and mobile customers - Proposals to implement the new European Electronic Communications Code.'**The overview states that the priority of Ofcom is fairness for customers. It then outlines a significant plan to help people shop with confidence, "make informed choices", switch easily and get ...

The "early surprise gift for Stadia Founders" will also help Google's game streaming service increase its user base.What you need to knowGoogle has announced a new freebie for Stadia Founders.If you bought the Stadia Founder's Edition bundle, you can now redeem an extra Stadia Buddy Pass.You can share your extra Buddy Pass by opening the Stadia app and tapping the envelope icon in the top-left. Just in time for the holidays, Google has announced that it is giving away an extra Buddy Pass to all Stadia "Founders." Stadia Founder's Edition owners can share the Buddy Pass with a friend or family member, allowing them to join Stadia and enjoy a 3-month trial of Stadia Pro subscription.If you have purchased the Stadia Founder's Edition bundle, you will need to look for the envelope icon in the Stadia app. Once you see the icon, you can send your Buddy Pass to a friend or family member from the Stadia app. Simply tap on the envelope icon and then use the "Send your Buddy Pass" ...

The One UI 2.0 update is currently rolling out only in Germany.What you need to knowSamsung has finally started pushing the stable Android 10 update for the Galaxy Note 10 and Note 10+ phones.Currently, however, the update is only available in Germany. The update is likely to become available in at least a few more countries very soon. After rolling out the stable Android 10 update for the Galaxy S10 and Galaxy M series phones, Samsung has finally started updating the Galaxy Note 10 and Note 10+ to Android 10. As reported by the folks over at SamMobile, the stable Android 10-based One UI 2.0 update is now seeding to Note 10 and Note 10+ users in Germany, including those who hadn't signed up for the beta program.The stable Android 10 update arrives as version N970FXXU1BSL7 for the Galaxy Note 10 and N975FXXU1BSL7 for the Galaxy Note 10+. While the update is currently rolling out to users only in Germany, we expect the update to become available for users in a few additio...

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

A look at the tech that makes the Pixel 4's cameras so magical.What you need to knowThe Pixel 4 is capable of taking portrait shots for subjects that are up closer and far away.This is achieved by using the Pixel 4's dual cameras along with dual-pixel technology.Google is also able to pull-off a bokeh effect that looks more like a real SLR.The biggest selling point for Google's Pixel 4 is its camera performance. This has been the case since the first Pixel came out in 2016, and that superiority has continued year after year. The Pixel 4 stands out as the first Pixel to ship with two rear cameras, including a 12MP primary camera and 16MP telephoto camera.In addition to enabling you to zoom in on subjects that are far away, the telephoto lens also allows for better portrait shots. In a recent post published to the Google AI Blog, Google took some time to explain how the Pixel 4's improved portrait photos work behind the scenes.With the Pixel 2 and Pixel 3, Google achieved...

This is the sporty smartwatch people are looking for ... held back by low memory and Wear OS shortcomings.Fossil's biggest accomplishment in smartwatches is being able to bring together an incredibly diverse set of well-known brands under a common platform. It's unlikely that Puma would be able (or willing) to make a competent smartwatch on its own, so this partnership with Fossil is a complete win-win like every other brand partner. Puma gets to leverage its well-known brand and design capabilities, and let Fossil handle the internals and capabilities.The result is a Wear OS watch that feels incredibly familiar, sharing its platform with several other smartwatches, but one with a unique style that separates it from the rest of the fashion-focused market.The best Android smartwatches you can buyAt a glancePuma Smartwatch ...

Take a look at new art pieces and detailed renders.What you need to knowSquare Enix has released several new artwork pieces and character renders for Final Fantasy 7 Remake.These images include characters like Tifa, Sephiroth, Shiva and Shinra.Final Fantasy 7 Remake is currently slated to release on March 3, 2020. You can preorder the game on PlayStation 4 for $60 on Amazon. Square Enix has shared some nifty new images from Final Fantasy 7 Remake. There's a couple of new pieces of redone art and character renders to take a look at. In the artwork below, Tifa stares out into the night sky, while infamous villain Sephiroth stands back turned amidst flames.There's also a couple of detailed renders of Sephiroth, which you can take a look at below.Then, Square Enix also shared a render of Shiva, who is as cold and deadly as she is stunning. Shiva is a summon in Final Fantasy 7 Remake.Finally, there's also renders of President Shinra, of the Shinra corporation, as we...

The camera is pretty barebones, though.What you need to knowThe Vimeo app picked up a couple of new features with its latest update aimed at making mobile content creations a little easier.You can now recording and upload your videos from within the app.Livestreaming is also supported, although it requires a Premium subscription.YouTube is, by and large, the king of online video, but ad-free competitior Vimeo is still beloved by many. If you're one of those creators who love Vimeo's laid-back style, the latest update to its Android app may be welcome news for you, as the company will now let you record and live stream your content right from the mobile app (via Android Police).Head over to the 'Upload' tab at the bottom right and alongside the usual previews that let you select media from your gallery to upload to the site's servers, you should also see new 'Record' and 'Live' tabs. The latter will let you live stream your vlogs on the go, though that'll also require you ...

Being the ultimate warrior, the titular Mandalorian has a large arsenal at his disposal. Here's how we rank them.The Mandalorian (available on Disney Plus) has taken the television world by storm with its superb blend of humor, action, and quality character writing. Throughout the varied adventures that the show's protagonist Mando and his "son," Baby Yoda, have been on thus far, Mando has made use of a variety of different types of munitions to solve his problems. So, we thought it would be a fun idea to rank them based on coolness, power, efficiency, and more. Here's our list of all of the weapons used by Mando, ranked worst to best.Honorable mention: Mandalorian armorWhile it's not technically a weapon, we still felt we couldn't finish this article without mentioning Mando's armor. Made out of beskar, it's one of the most durable and effective types of armor in the entire Star Wars galaxy. Beskar is capable of withstanding several direct blaster bolts, and can even hold up...

LG Chem is reportedly making the S11's 5,000 mAh batteries for Samsung.What you need to knowLG Chem previously helped Samsung with batteries for the Note 10 series.The Galaxy S lineup could have a version with a battery capacity of at least 5,000 mAh. The largest battery from the Galaxy S10 lineup was a 4,500 mAh unit in the S10+ 5G.Rumors of the upcoming Galaxy S11 phones from Samsung are starting to pile up, and today we get one in terms of who may be helping with the batteries. PhoneArena reported today that LG Chem looks to be on board to aid Samsung with the power cells in its upcoming S11 devices.In terms of capacity, LG Chem is already the world's largest producer of lithium-ion batteries and it isn't the first time that they will supply Samsung with batteries for its phones. While this will be the first time a battery with LG on it is going to appear in a Galaxy S device, Samsung did use LG in the Note 10 lineup. Aside from Samsung reaching out to another compan...

You can explore uncharted space in virtual reality thanks to Star Trek: Bridge Crew.What you need to knowStar Trek: Bridge Crew is now available for the Oculus Quest.The game places you aboard a U.S.S. ship exploring uncharted space.It's available for $30 from the Oculus Store.You can now boldly go where no one has gone before without having to go anywhere. Star Trek: Bridge Crew is available for the Oculus Quest, allowing you to explore uncharted space and overcome obstacles. The game places you aboard the U.S.S. Aegis, your mission, to find a suitable homeworld for the "decimated Vulcan populace."The game requires you to plan a strategy and to coordinate your crew to make it through your mission. The Klingon Empire works against your goals, so you'll have to make your way around them to help the Vulcans.The game also has a co-op mode that allows up to four players to serve as the Captain, Helm, Tactical, and Engineer.Star Trek: Bridge Crew$30 at OculusThis g...

Most of the settings found in the side menu have been relocated to the account switcher.What you need to knowGoogle's navigation app is getting a new design.The app ditches the slide-out menu on the left in favor of an expanded bottom bar with more shortcuts.The account switcher now houses many of the settings previously found in the hamburger menu.The newest version of Google's mapping application comes with a fresh coat of paint, thanks to a new UI that eschews the hamburger menu of yore for a redesigned bottom bar with more shortcuts to your favorite parts of the app (via Android Police). Explore on the bottom menu has been renamed Map, and is joined by Commute, Saved, Post, and Latest.Map does exactly what you'd expect and lets you navigate the world around you using a — surprise! — map. The Commute tab is the only one that hasn't been changed in any way since the last update. A welcome change, the Saved tab now lets you access your favorite locations with...

Job listing indicates new hire would oversee growth.What you need to knowSony Interactive Entertainment has seen major leadership shifts over the past few months.A new job listing indicates that Sony is seeking a new Head of Strategy for WorldWide Studios. This job oversees growth and planning from a business perspective.According to a new job listing, Sony is seeking a new Head of Strategy for Sony Worldwide Studios. This new hiree would be responsible for overseeing growth from 2020 through 2024, while identifying market trends to react to and planning any mergers and acquisitions. The Head of Strategy would also be collaborating with the leaders of the different Sony Worldwide Studios, while reporting directly to the Head of Worldwide Studios.A new hire as we head into 2020 isn't too surprising. There's been a fair bit of corporate restructuring and leadership changes at Sony Interactive Entertainment over the last few months. Shawn Layden, former Chairman of Sony Worl...

Los Angeles marks the 18th city that Verizon has rolled out 5G in.What you need to knowLos Angeles marks the 18th market Verizon's Ultra Wideband 5G network is available in.7 devices in total support Verizon's 5G network, including the Galaxy S10 5G and LG V50 5G.Coverage is only available in parts of the city right now, with a wider rollout planned soon.Verizon's 5G Ultra Wideband network continues to grow with the flip of a switch as Los Angeles, California marks the 18th market that Verizon has brought 5G to. If you're rocking a Galaxy S10 5G or an LG V50 5G and live in LA, you might be seeing some significant speed increases while browsing the web on your phone today. As we've seen in other cities where Verizon's millimeter wave 5G has rolled out, such as New York City, you're not going to find coverage on every single street corner in all of LA.Right now, Verizon hasn't updated its coverage maps to include Los Angeles just yet, so it's anyone's best guess as to which...

The dispute arose over the ability to change the default search engine on Android.What you need to knowTurkey's competition authority has fined Google over competition concerns and is asking the Palo Alto giant to change its software.The dispute relates to the ability to change the default search engine on Android.Google has informed its partners in the country that it will no longer work with them on new smartphone releases in the country for the foreseeable future.Google seems to be in quite a pinch in Turkey. The company was fined to the tune of 93 million lire ($17.4 million) last year by the country's competition authority and asked to change its software to comply with local law. Despite changes, the inability to change the default search engine on Android left the agency dissatisfied, resulting in an additional fine of 0.05% of Google's revenue per day until the appropriate changes were made. The government has also asked Google to change its software distribution ag...

If you're planning to walk into the new year with the goal of getting in shape, you're going to need a quality fitness tracker to help you get there. There are so many options out there and it can be challenging to figure out which one is right for you. With these fashion-forward fitness trackers, you'll not only have the ability to track your activity, but you'll look stylish while you do it.Most stylish of them allFitbit Alta HR Fitness TrackerStaff pickEveryone knows that Fitbit is one of the leaders in the fitness tracker industry, but you might be surprised to learn that it offers some pretty stylish options as well, like the Alta HR. With the addition of heart-rate monitoring, you'll be able to better track calories burned. The Alta HR also tracks sleep stages, resting heart rate, steps, distance, calories burned, and more. The battery will last an entire week before needing a recharge.$160 at AmazonLightest optionMotiv Fitness RingThe Motiv Fitness is...