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Your Galaxy Note 9 is a great, big phone with a great big screen — and if you break that screen, it'll be hundreds of dollars to replace it. Do your wallet, your sanity, and your Note 9 a favor and protect it! Tempered glass screen protectors offer superior drop protection and feel just like your phone's native glass, but they can be expensive and can decrease the touch sensitivity of your screen. Film protectors offer great scratch protection in a thinner, cheaper package, but they don't offer as much protection against drops.The gold standardWhitestone Dome Glass (2-Pack)Staff pickAfter spending $1,000 on a phone, it's natural not to want to spend a lot on accessories, but Whitestone Dome Glass is about the best fitting and longest-lasting glass screen protector we've seen for the Note 9 in the last six months. Its UV-curing system holds longer and better than regular adhesives when properly applied.$60 at AmazonInstall with careSkinomi Tech Glass Screen Prote...

Google's looking out for us.What you need to knowGoogle is testing a new 'Heavy Ad Intervention' feature for the Chrome browser.It automatically disables ads that consume excessive amounts of system resources.The feature is currently only available via a flag on the Canary builds for Chrome 80.Ever had your system slowed down unexpectedly while browsing the web? Cryptomining ads ⁠— or just poorly optimise ones —may be to blame. And Google wants you to know that it's got your back, by blocking these 'poorly performant ads automatically.The Canary builds for Chrome 80 now feature a new flag called 'Heavy Ad Intervention' (via Techdows). As the company's engineers explain, "A small fraction of ads on the web use an egregious amount of system resources. These poorly performant ads (whether intentional or not) harm the user's browsing experience by making pages slow, draining device battery, and consuming mobile data (for those without unlimited plans). .....

The C wire ("common" wire) is the wire that provides continuous power to your thermostat. Older thermostats didn't really need it because they were simple on/off affairs, but smart thermostats, what with their displays and constant connection to Wi-Fi, need continuous power. That being said, if you don't already have a C wire in your system, you can get around having to install one with these smart thermostats.Simple and straightforwardNest Thermostat EStaff favoriteThis stripped-down version of Nest's Learning Thermostat is a great option for folks who don't want to spend too much and prefer things to be minimalist. The display simply shows the temperature setting, and it's frosted to blend into your decor. The Thermostat E features a built-in rechargeable lithium-ion battery.$170 at Best BuyThe O.G.Nest Learning Thermostat (third generation)Nest's Learning Thermostat was first on the scene, and its third generation has improved upon that original formula with a ...

Check out the latest trailer for Nioh 2, which gives the release date for the game.What you need to knowNioh 2 is an upcoming PlayStation 4 exclusive title from Team Ninja and Koei Tecmo.There's a new trailer for the game setting the release date for March 13, 2020.There's also an open beta coming, which will begin on November 1. You can grab the original Nioh for $18 from Amazon. Nioh 2 has a new trailer, locking in a solid release date of March 13, 2020. While we previously knew that the game was scheduled to release in early 2020, it's good to get a firm date. You can check out the new trailer below.Preorders aren't oepn yet but according to the trailer, you should be able to preorder the game very soon. The official description for the game gives an idea of just what players can expect: Defy your own mortality and unleash your inner darkness across the violent feudal land of Sengoku era Japan and the deadly Dark Realm, in this savage action RPG sequel.The tra...

The PlayStation 4 continues to climb the sales charts.What you need to knowSony recently released its latest financial report and updated PlayStation 4 sales figures.According to this new report, the PlayStation 4 has reached 102.8 million consoles sold.This number means that the PlayStation 4 is the second best-selling console of all time. According to Sony's latest financial report, the PlayStation 4 crossed the PlayStation 4 is the second best-selling video game console of all time. The best-selling console of all time is the PlayStation 2, which sold over 155 million units, which is an incredible achievement. The third and fourth spots go to the original PlayStation and the Wii respectively. It's unlikely at this point that the PlayStation 4 will overtake the PlayStation 2, especially with the PlayStation 5 coming in Holiday 2020. Still, achieving the number two spot is no small feat.Sony also reported that PlayStation Plus subscribers have risen from 34.3 million last y...

What good is your phone if the battery dies? If you use your phone hard and don't have the option to charge throughout the day, battery life is your number one priority when shopping for your next phone. Thankfully there are several great options that focus on battery life and won't give up halfway through the day.Our pickSamsung Galaxy Note 10+Staff pickThe Note 10+ is a big phone, and it backs that up with a big 4,300mAh battery. Samsung's great battery management and efficient specs give the Note 10+ all-day battery even when you hit it hard. And you'll want to because you have access to just about every software and hardware feature you could imagine here.$1,100 at AmazonGreat sans stylusSamsung Galaxy S10+The Galaxy S10+ does everything the Note 10+ does, but has a slightly smaller screen and correspondingly smaller 4,100mAh battery. That small dropoff may be worth it in order to save a couple hundred dollars — and the battery life, in the grand scheme ...

Is your family Extra enough for AT&T Unlimited Extra?What you need to knowAT&T has announced Unlimited Starter, Extra, and Elite family plans.Plans start at $35 for unlimited data with serious restrictions.The Unlimited Elite plan is $50 and will include 30GB of Hotspot and HBO Max.AT&T has announced its refreshed lineup of family plans, offering unlimited talk, text, and data for up to four lines. At the high end, for $50 per line you can love your family with 30GB of hotspot data and HD video streaming for the included HBO subscription. Next year, Elite subscribers will be upgraded to HBO Max when the service launches.Or if your family is more of the "Starter" type than the "Elite" set, you can bless them with unlimited data but take away that pesky HD video streaming, hotspot data, and HBO subscription. Starter families can enjoy their plans for $35 per line. If your family is a bit "Extra," you can pay $40 per line and get 15GB of hotspot data, but no HD vide...

Looking into a 4K TV to use with your Chromecast or Chromecast Ultra can be confusing. There are tons of options out there, each with their own little quirks. There are fantastic TVs at the high end of the market, but those cost thousands of dollars. If you don't have that much room in your budget, don't sweat it: there are many cheaper TVs out there that can deliver a satisfying picture.Clearly SmartLG UM7300PUA w/ AI ThinQStaff pickLG remains one of the main providers of quality panels at every level of the TV industry and the UM7300PUA is no different. LG's claim to fame is its custom tone mapping technology that analyzes each scene to deliver the most accurate picture possible. Alongside the excellent 4K HDR panel, the new webOS release includes smart assistant support from the likes of Google Assistant.$450 at AmazonNo extra cablesVizio M-SeriesThe Vizio P-Series is interesting in that these TVs have Chromecast built-in, so you wouldn't even need to buy a Chr...

Must trade in an eligible Sonos speaker.What you need to knowSonos has a new Trade Up program which will give you 30% off for trading in an old Sonos speaker.Eligible products for trade-in include the Connect, Connect:Amp, ZP80, ZP90, ZP100, ZP120, and the first generation Play:5.After trading in your old Sonos device, it will enter a recycling mode after 21 days — scrubbing your personal information and allowing you to safely send it back to Sonos or drop off at a local certified e-recycling center.Trade-in programs are one of the best tactics manufacturers have come up with in order to keep us upgrading or within their ecosystem. We've seen it become very popular amongst smartphone makers the past few years, with Apple, Google, and Samsung all offering such programs.Now, it seems Sonos is taking a page out of those books, by announcing its very own Trade Up program and offering 30% off when you trade-in select products. The speakers eligible for trade-in include the ...

It's now easier to share and organize your files in Microsoft Teams.What you need to knowMicrosoft 365 has several new sharing features.There's also a new file experience within Microsoft Teams.Outlook also has a new file and sharing experiences on the web and on mobile devices.Microsoft 365 has several new experiences, including improvements to how files and sharing are handled across services. Microsoft Teams and Outlook (web and mobile) have new file experiences and new sharing experiences. The update brings Microsoft 365 services closer together, such as bringin OneDrive directly into Microsoft Teams.Microsoft outlines all of the changes in a tech community post. The post summarizes the changes into three categories. New file experiences in Microsoft Teams New sharing experience in Microsoft Teams New file experiences and sharing in Outlook (web and mobile) In Microsoft Teams, intelligent file experiences allow people to share and collaborate in real-time. In...

It's time to let us know your burning questions.The Android Central podcast covers a wide range of topics each week, and even though we run 1-2 hours with each episode it's impossible to get to every thing that every listener wants to hear. That's why this week we're hoping to fill in the gaps and address exactly what you want to hear with an all Q&A episode of the podcast!We're recording the podcast tomorrow, October 31, so you don't have much time — ask us whatever you want to know about Android, Google, Amazon, PlayStation, headphones, phones, tablets, Chromebooks, accessories, carriers ... well, anything you'd expect to see on Android Central. We'll get to as many as possible and answer them directly!Just drop your question in the article comments below, or if Twitter is more your thing you can reply to our Q&A prompt there instead. We can't wait to hear from you!...

One of the best perks of owning multiple smart speakers in your home is the ability to link them all together. The Alexa app makes it easy to cast the same music across multiple rooms in your home, but you're also able to pair two of the same Amazon Echo speakers together to create a stereo pair.What you need to knowStereo pairing is available for the 2nd generation Echo, the 3rd generation Echo, the 3rd generation Echo Dot, the Echo Studio, and both the first gen and 2nd gen Echo Plus.However, note that you can only pair two of the same speakers together. That means your available configurations are two standard Echo speakers, two Echo Dots, etc. Note that both speakers need to be in the same room and within a meter or so of each other for setup and pairing. If you already own a compatible speaker, you just need to buy a second one to complete the pair.Stereo pairing follows the same setup steps as the Amazon Echo Sub, which needs to be paired with one or more standard Echo ...

The Apple Mac is one of the most popular and attractive computers on the market, and for good reason. They have a sleek build and streamlined features, but the true magic behind Mac’s success is macOS, which is designed for both creators and your average end-user. This makes it the perfect home computer for family use. If you’re worried about the steep price, you can get your very own 21.5-inch iMac for just $349.This is a certified refurbished Apple iMac, but don’t let that fool you; it’s been rigorously tested by Apple technicians to be free of defects, so you’ll essentially get a brand new iMac for a fraction of the price. This model contains a dual-core Intel i3 processor and 4GB of memory, which is more than enough for word processing, productivity, and multimedia usage. It’s also packed with 250GB of SATA storage to store all of your apps, photos, videos, and more. Finally, this iMac contains Radeon HD 6750M, allowing you to play games...

As some of the most popular Android tablets, the Amazon Fire family stays on our mind. We use these devices extensively and we know everything they have to offer.Amazon Fire HD 8The best value tabletFrom $80 at AmazonProsHalf the price of the HD 10Smaller size is better for e-booksMost portable HD Fire tabletConsDisplay isn't as dense as the HD 10Speakers distort at high volumesThe Fire HD 8 might be the best value tablet on the market, boasting smooth performance with Amazon's Fire OS and a surprisingly good display for just $80. While it isn't quite as powerful as the HD 10, it offers all the same basic functionality for half the price — most people will be served just fine with the HD 8.Amazon Fire HD 10The best Amazon tabletFrom $150 at AmazonProsLarge screen is better for watching videosBetter specs than the HD 8Louder speakers with more clarityConsLarger size may be too much for someHighest priced Fire tablet, non-Kids EditionThe Fire...

Rather than picking and choosing which of your devices should be powered up first, why not just charge them all at the same time? The Dodocool 40W 5-Port USB Charging Station makes it possible to power up to five devices simultaneously, so you never have to pick favorites again. Today you can pick one up for only $12.99 at Amazon when you enter promo code LJX6SLAB during checkout. That matches the best price we've ever shared on this charger and saves you 50% off its usual cost of $26. Considering the offer didn't last very long the last time it was available, you don't want to wait too long before making the purchase if you're interested.[thrifter:129111 template:reco]This powerful 40W charger is equipped with five USB charging ports. Each features a 2.4A output and can intelligently detect and deliver the optimal current to connected devices. There are also built-in safeguards to protect against over-heating, over-current, over-voltage, and more.Dodocool's charger comes with a ...

The iPhone 11 just may be one of the most compelling phones Apple's ever made. It has blazing-fast performance, outstanding cameras, excellent battery life, and costs less than 2018's iPhone XR. In fact, it's even cheaper than a lot of flagship Android phones. Today, we're going to highlight a few of our favorite iPhone 11 alternatives to give you an idea of what's out there if you don't feel like going with Team Apple. The OnePlus 7T is our top recommendation, and along with it, we have five other handsets we'd also like to shine the spotlight on.Best Overall: OnePlus 7TWhen it comes to iPhone 11 alternatives, the phone we think does the best job standing up to it is the OnePlus 7T. OnePlus's mission is to create stunning and powerful flagships at a fraction of what most other phones cost, and the 7T is one of the best phones it's ever released.Right off the bat, the OnePlus 7T hits you with its gorgeous design. The glass back in its Glacier Blue paint job looks outstanding,...

Apple and Amazon both make compelling tablets in the 10-inch form factor. For Amazon, this represents their top-of-the-line, but for Apple, it's their bottom-tier. Which is better suited for you? Let's find out.Apple iPad 10.2 (2019)Creativity and productivity in one$329 at AmazonProsFantastic build qualityOS updates and support for yearsHuge app ecosystemNew iPadOS for enhanced productivityExtensive accessory marketConsStill pretty expensive entry priceNot quite as rugged as Fire tabletsApple's iPads have long been the industry standard for tablets, and this version is another example of the product line's quality. This latest entry-level iPad now has magic keyboard and iPadOS support.Amazon Fire HD 10 (2019)A hot tablet for media consumption$150 at AmazonProsAffordable flagship deviceFull HD screen is best in Fire lineupBest-in-class family and children controlsMulti-user and multi-login supportExpandable storage via microSDConsMost exp...

Apparently the Palm inheritance can drive more than smart TVs and watchesWhat you need to knowLG and Qualcomm will bring webOS to the Snapdragon Automotive Development Platform.A reference platform for a new car infotainment system will be shown at CES 2020.Qualcomm says Snapdragon will bring multi-display support and 5G capabilities to your car.LG and Qualcomm announced plans to show off a new automotive infotainment platform running LG's webOS on Qualcomm's Snapdragon Automotive Development Platform (ADP). The new platform will run LG's Linux-based webOS Open Source Edition 2.0 and marks a new entrant into the auto OS space after Apple's Carplay and Google's Android Auto.LG has announced no specific details on how cars and drivers will benefit from webOS support, nor whether the system would operate in tandem with smartphones like Apple and Google products or as a standalone service. For its part, Qualcomm happily bragged of Snapdragon's capabilities in the car, including ...

In true Kojima fashion, Death Stranding's launch trailer spoils everything and nothing.What you need to knowDeath Stranding releases on November 8th.Kojima Productions just released its launch trailer.The launch trailer is nearly 8 minutes long.Death Stranding, Hideo Kojima's highly-anticipated first outing after leaving Konami, is about to release and ahead of its launch on November 8th, Kojima released a long launch trailer. We're talking almost a full 8 minutes. If you want to go in completely blind, you probably shouldn't watch it, but given how confusing the game's marketing has been, this may only raise more questions than it answers.It's official description is much more palatable, and paints of picture of a collapsed society that needs to reconnect in order to survive otherworldly threats. In the near future, mysterious explosions have rocked the planet, setting off a series of supernatural events known as the Death Stranding. With spectral creatures plaguing...

October is nearly over, which means Black Friday is right around the corner! This year, retailers aren't waiting until November to get their ads for the big event out to customers. Just yesterday we shared Lenovo's Black Friday ad that's full of laptop deals and tech discounts, and now Costco is the next retailer to release its ad for the upcoming sale extravaganza.Deals worth consideringThey say the Black Friday deals start earlier and earlier every year, and Costco is leading the charge with discounts on everything from food and home essentials to clothing, TVs, computers, smart home products, and more starting November 7! Hopefully you're ready with an active membership, because if not, you'll need to get on that quickly.Sonos Play:1 Wi-Fi Speaker (2-Pack)These smart speakers pair together for stereo sound that you can control using the Sonos app on your smartphone. Beginning Nov. 22, Costco is taking $40 off the bundle and dropping its price to $229.99 while supplies last...

There's no such thing as a communications platform with LGBTQ values.There's something of a reckoning happening on TikTok right now. While this vibrant, explosively popular new social network has been called the next Vine by people trying to figure out how to explain the platform to olds, it's catching a lot of heat for newly-unearthed news surrounding how, until recently, LGBTQ content was policed on the platform.It started with a report that outlined how TikTok instructed its local moderators to enforce LGBTQ content restrictions in Turkey, despite the fact that content isn't illegal in the country. The controversy has only grown from there. The company has continued to censor political content all around the world, including here in the U.S..A nontrivial number of TikTok's users, which trend fairly young compared to most other social media platforms, are upset. Many are considering uninstalling or removing their accounts from the service altogether. Unfortunately for these p...

The Mate 30 Pro is a phone with some compelling specs that's only missing all the great services that Google provides for most other Android smartphones. If that's not a dealbreaker for you, you'll definitely want to get a case to save the glass on your phone from breaking after a nasty drop.Get a better gripDAMONDY Carbon Fiber Slim Fit CaseStaff pickCarbon fiber is a popular accent for casemakers because it looks sleek and cool, but also because it provides a bit of texture for your fingertips to grip. This case from DAMONDY offers that finish for most of the phone with the camera bump and screen protected with a slightly raised lip. It's a one-piece TPU case that's available in three color styles.$9 at AmazonSuper minimalistArkour Ultra Slim Fit CaseThis ultra-thin case just clings to the exterior of your phone, offering minimalist protection that defends against basic drops and scuffs without adding much bulk. It's as easy as snapping on the case and awa...

You will no longer have to use Z-Wave to connect your August Smart Lock to SmartThings.What you need to knowAugust smart locks will soon offer direct software integration with the Samsung SmartThings home automation platform.The company's smart locks will be able to sync with other connected SmartThings devices for greater flexibility.Samsung customers will also be able to view their front door status, initiate a lock or unlock, and sync with other smart home devices from within the SmartThings app.August has announced the addition of direct software integration with Samsung's SmartThings home automation platform. The integration will allow Samsung customers to sync August' smart locks with other SmartThings devices.Previously, August allowed Samsung customers to connect their smart locks with SmartThings only using Z-Wave. Now, however, you will be able to connect your August Smart Lock Pro + Connect to SmartThings directly, even without a SmartThings hub. August says the c...

Google finally gave the Pixel 4 a theme engine, and no one is happier than me about the ability to customize the look of the Pixel's software with no effort and no time wasted dealing with paid theming stores. The settings here are somewhat simplistic, but they offer more than previous generation of Pixels, and I'm confident more options will be added as time goes on. Let's make your Pixel 4 match your style a little better.How to create a new Pixel 4 styleOpen Settings.Tap Display.Tap Styles & wallpapers.You can tap to set one of the preset styles or tap the + to create a new custom style.Tap the Font you prefer to use.Tap Next.Choose the Icon style you prefer for your status bar and quick settings menu.Tap Next.Tap the Color you like best for Quick Settings and system accents. I like the bolder Aqua, but most of the color options are pretty decent.Tap Next.Tap the Adaptive Icon Shape you prefer to use with your apps. This one may not apply to third-party launc...

We live with the best tech, both on the go and back at home. When it comes to cutting the cord and improving our home theater experience, we do the research to get all of the right gear.NVIDIA Shield TV (2019)A compact redesign$150 at AmazonProsClever and compact designUpdated remote is fantasicStill the best Android TV experienceImproved AI Upscaling is greatConsDoes not handle gaming like the ProNot super novice friendly out of the boxThe most striking change for the 2019 NVIDIA Shield TV refresh is its unique tube shape and the redesigned remote. This is a streamlined and portable stream box with upgraded processing power that's still delivering the best Android TV experience you can buy.NVIDIA Shield TV Pro (2019)Subtle upgrade$199 at AmazonProsSame sleek Shield TV designMore RAM and double the onboard storageOffers USB ports for external storageThe one you'll want for Plex and gamingConsLess internal storage than older Pro modelMore expensi...

Samsung is still not ready to confirm a release date for the Bixby-enabled smart speaker.What you need to knowThe unreleased Galaxy Home Mini smart speaker was displayed at the Samsung Developer Conference 2019 (SDC19) in California.Samsung is yet to announce exactly when the Bixby-enabled smart speaker will go on sale. When it eventually goes on sale, the Galaxy Home Mini will take on the likes of the Amazon Echo Dot and Google Nest Mini.In August this year, Samsung announced a beta testing program for the Galaxy Home Mini in South Korea, giving consumers in its home country an opportunity to test the smart speaker before its formal launch. While Samsung hasn't announced a similar beta testing program in other markets, it showed off (via SamMobile) the Galaxy Home Mini at the Samsung Developer Conference 2019 (SDC19) in San Jose, California.The fact that Samsung decided to bring the Galaxy Home Mini to SDC 2019 does seem to suggest the Bixby-enabled smart speaker may finall...

Greg Berlanti, Elizabeth Banks, and more are creating originals for the new streaming service.WarnerMedia ended its HBO Max investor's call with a bang on Tuesday, announcing the House of the Dragon, a Game of Thrones prequel set 300 years before the events of the hit show. The company also announced a number of other originals from high profile franchises and filmmakers that'll hit the new streaming service next year.House of the Dragon, as you can tell from the name, will tell the story of House Targaryen. It'll be helmed by Miguel Sapochnik (director of "Battle of the Bastards") and Ryan Condal (co-creator of Colony), who also created the series along with Song of Ice and Fire author George R.R. Martin."The 'Game of Thrones' universe is so rich with stories," Casey Bloys, president, HBO programming, said during the presentation. "We look forward to exploring the origins of House Targaryen and the earlier days of Westeros."The Game of Thrones news comes on the same day th...

That's a lot of contentWhat you need to knowHBO Max will launch in May 2020.It will cost $14.99 per month.There will be over 10,000 hours of content at launch, with 38 new and original series on HBO alone in the next year.WarnerMedia is launching HBO Max with a bang in May of next year for a price of $14.99 per month, with over 10,000 hours of content, including the entire HBO library, a slate of original content and a "choice slate of acquired and library programming."If you were hoping to have access to all of WarnerMedia's content's different brands, that bit of marketing speak means you'll probably be disappointed, but the company believes its highly curated content, even if less voluminous than competitors initially, will provide enough value to justify its $14.99 per month asking price. Quality over quantity seems to be HBO Max's driving philosophy.That's especially true if you're a woman or below 40, as the company hopes to use its original content to balance out th...

Xbox Console Streaming allowing you to use your home Xbox to stream games to a mobile device is about to begin rolling out to users in the Alpha and Alpha Skip Ahead Xbox Insider preview rings. Here's what we know so far.Alongside Microsoft's cloud-based Project xCloud, Microsoft is also prepping the ability to use your own Xbox console as a streaming node for games to mobile devices. Dubbed Xbox Console Streaming, the feature will begin hitting the Alpha and Alpha Skip Ahead Xbox Insider preview rings today, as announced via Xbox Wire.Xbox Console Streaming uses your own internet connection to deliver games you own to any device of your choosing. This is similar to the Windows 10 streaming that exists today, except that it now runs all the way to compatible Android devices using the Xbox Game Streaming preview app on the Google Play Store.Related: How to join the Xbox Insider ProgramRelated: How to set up your Xbox for Xbox Game Streaming Find the settings to set up cons...

The Mate 30 series will start at €799.Despite holding a flashy launch event for its newest flagships in Germany last month, Huawei shied away from announcing a European release date for the phones. That was a particularly striking omission, especially since the phones' pricing was in Euros. It was, no doubt, a result of the company's ongoing spat with the U.S. government, and its apprehension about releasing a flagship device in Europe sans Google services.It looks like Huawei may finally be done waiting for relief, though. Citing Chinese sources well acquainted with Huawei's plans, a new report from Techgarage suggests the company is looking to bring its Kirin 990-powered handsets to Europe by mid-November, possibly even on November 15.Both the Mate 30 and the Mate 30 Pro feature EMUI 10 on Android 10 and, as has been discussed to death by now, they do not come with Google Mobile Services. That means no Gmail, no Maps, and most importantly, no Play Store. Barring that, th...

Even factory resets aren't working.What you need to knowThe app has infected over 45,000 devices in the last six months, says Symantec.The malware has, so far, only carried out relatively benign activities such as showing pop-up ads and unwanted notifications.The most notable thing about xHelper is its persistence. Even factory resets are no match against it. A new security threat has been making mobile security researchers scratch their collective heads for the past few months. It's called xHelper, and this is one app that just can't take a hint.Only about seven months old, the malware had already reached MalwareBytes' top 10 list of malware by August. Symantec, on the other hand, says it has detected at least 45,000 infections by the app thus far, with more every day. Security researchers say the app is being distributed via websites that encourage users to sideload apps onto their device. These apps then install the xHelper trojan onto the device.After installation, the...

Motion Sense is not designed to be a gimmick, so Google is taking care to only let select developers in on the platform for the time being.What you need to knowMotion Sense API, the language in Android to utilize the Soli sensor on the Pixel 4, is currently unavailable to third-party developers.Google has already worked with two developers to publish apps to the Play Store with Soli support, showing that it's interested in building this functionality out over time.A statement made by a Google representative suggests that Google could open this API up to additional third-party developers in the future.Google has been getting a lot of flack for Soli, a motion sensor packed into the Pixel 4's forehead that can be used for controlling media playback (skipping songs), silencing phone calls, and even snoozing alarms. The problem isn't necessarily the implementation, but the limitations.Right now there are only a few apps that support Soli's motion-sensing gestures, powered by the ...

Sometimes you don't want to play a game by yourself; sometimes you want to have a good time with a friend. For the purposes of this list, we stuck to games that don't typically fall under the category of competitive multiplayer shooters like Call of Duty, Battlefield, Rainbow Six Siege, and more. The games below give a great cooperative experience without the threat of random strangers mowing you down and possibly ruining the fun.★ Featured favoriteBorderlands 3Love or hate the series' trademark humor, Borderlands is one of the best franchises out there when it comes to co-op play. Borderlands 3 introduces four new Vault Hunters with a variety of character builds so that even if you and your friends are playing as the same character, no two will ever be alike. Whether you play as a mystical Siren or digi-cloned ex-hitman, you'll need some friends if you want to help save the galaxy.$45 at AmazonDouble the badassBorderlands: The Handsome CollectionStaff p...

Finally, more people will have no idea what OS their TV is runningWhat you need to knowSamsung will make Tizen, its TV and wearable OS, available to other television manufacturers.Tizen currently runs on 100 million Samsung smart TVs.Samsung will also allow consumers to opt-out of Tizen ad-trackingAt its Samsung Developers Conference (SDC 2019) in San Jose, Samsung today announced that its Tizen operating system will be available for third-party TV makers for the first time. Tizen is a robust operating system used on millions of Samsung smart TVs, as well as Samsung wearable devices. The OS is supported by most popular streaming apps and services, including Netflix, Hulu, HBO, etc. Samsung did not announce specific manufacturer partners at this time.Samsung also announced some developer-specific tools, as well as new capabilities to let consumers turn off ad-tracking in Tizen apps. Today's SDC 2019 announcements were very TV-specific, as no improvements were announced for th...

The holiday of candy, costumes, crazily scaring people — and best of all, PUMPKINS!!! is upon us, and you should be celebrating! Not all of us get to dress up to the nines and go beg for candy anymore, but that doesn't mean your phone can't get a costume! There are lots of ways to dress up a phone without getting tacky cases, and that's why we're bringing you a variety of sweet and simple wallpapers that remind us that not only is Halloween here, but it's for more than just horror shows.Go retroTrick or Treat by Adam GrasonStaff pickThis brighter, more nostalgic take on the Halloween black cat comes from the outrageously talented Adam Grason, who has done beautiful work for companies like Google and Disney. This festive piece features a black and white cat posing inside a jack-o-lantern carved with an adorable cartoon face. We've taken this wallpaper and amended it to better fit taller phone displays.Free at Android CentralGet off the road!!Weinheim, Germany by ...

It's earlier than we expected, and it pains us a little bit to be talking about it so soon, but Lenovo's Black Friday ad has already leaked out. The team over at BFads managed to get their hands on the ad, and that means it's time for us to break it down and see if there is anything that will be worth making Lenovo a Black Friday shopping destination for some of the best deals around.Of course there are a bunch of laptop deals, and alongside them are other offers for PC components and accessories, smart home devices, and even drones.Deals worth consideringKeep in mind that not every Black Friday deal is something that you should buy. There are often times a bunch of bad deals out there, but we've looked for just the best ones here, and these are what you'll want to concentrate on.Lenovo IdeaPad 130sThis model normally starts at $200 and on Black Friday you'll have three chances to score it for 50% less. That's right, on November 4 at 9am ET, November 28 at 12am ET, and Nove...

The clamshell is making a big comeback with Samsung's new un-named foldable phone.What you need to knowSamsung is building out multiple folding form-factors, with its second looking to be a classic "clamshell" design like flip phones of old.This second Galaxy Fold concept was debuted alongside One UI 2, hinting that its release could be sooner rather than later, given that One UI 2 is already in beta on the Galaxy S10 and Galaxy Note 10.This new form-factor could be cheaper and more readily available than the existing Galaxy Fold.Samsung may not have invented the foldable form factor, but it's certainly one of the foremost pioneers in making a foldable phone that works and feels like a brand new type of device. While the current-generation Galaxy Fold leaves a bit to be desired in many areas, one can't deny that foldable devices are an interesting concept. Given the right implementation, foldable phones could one day become a mainstream success.The new foldable device brings...

Best answer: Yes, if you have a Sony smart TV with Android TV then you can watch through the Disney+ app there.. If not, you'll need an additional piece of hardware like an Android TV box or a Chromecast.Super streaming service: Disney+ (From $7/mo at Disney+)Push it: Chromecast ($35 at Amazon)Catching the mouseWhen Disney+ launches on November 12, 2019, it will be available on a variety of platforms and devices. One of those devices will be Sony smart televisions, specifically ones that use Android TV to get its smarts. Disney has announced that there will be an app designed for Android TV set-top boxes as well as for televisions with it built-in. This means that once the service and Disney+ app go live, you'll be able to watch your favorite Disney shows through your Sony Android TV without any extra hardware.However, if you don't have an Android TV enabled Sony television, do not fret — there's still a way to watch. You can get all the incredible Disney+ content onto ...

A stratospheric embarrassment.What you need to knowSamsung's SpaceSelfie campaign was designed to, you guessed it, send the first selfie to space.The company used an image by Cara Delevingne as the face of the campaign, with Samsung customers also able to submit their own selfies to be beamed to space.The campaign met a disastrous end when the satellite carrying the Samsung device met inclement weather.The Welke family welcomed an unexpected otherworldly visitor at their farm in Michigan last week, as a Samsung-branded satellite that the company hoped would launch its marketing rep to the stratosphere landed on their yard. It all came crashing down, though, when the contraption's landing went awry, and it chose the Welke farm as its eternal resting place.Samsung blamed inclement weather for the unfortunate occurrence, telling WNEM, "Samsung Europe's SpaceSelfie balloon came back down to earth. During this planned descent of the balloon to land in the US, wether condition...

Shooting with your Android camera is usually great, but third-party apps can pack a punch in places you didn't even know you needed! From manual controls to real-time filters, to creative extras and so much more, you can achieve a lot more than you think you can with your phone photography by shooting with a third-party camera app.Best overallMoment Pro CameraStaff pickMoment is best known for its cases and attachable lenses, but it also makes an excellent camera app. With Moment Pro, you get a bevvy of manual controls for both photos and video, including specialized video features like focus peaking and zebra stripes. If you have a Pixel, you even get HDR+ optimized for the Pixel Visual Core!$4 at Google PlayShoot the pastCamera MXYou won't get as many manual controls with Camera MX, but in exchange, you get all kinds of creative options. Camera MX features live shots that you can turn into GIFs, along with live filters, fun effects, and a built-in photo ed...

The streaming service will go dark on Jan. 30, 2020.The long-whispered rumors turned out to be true. Sony today announced in a blog post that it is shutting down PlayStation Vue.The streaming service — one of the first one what we'd consider to be the major streaming services alongside Sling TV, YouTube TV, AT&T TV Now (the former DirecTV Now) and Hulu — PlayStation Vue long suffered under the weight of its own name. That is, folks forever were thinking you had to have a PlayStation account to use it.PlayStation Vue launched in the spring of 2015. At the time of its demise it had dozens and dozens of channels — about as many as any of its biggest competitors — and plans ranging from $50 a month to $85 a month.From the blog post: Over four years ago, we made a bold decision to change the rules and revolutionize the traditional TV-viewing experience in the U.S. with PlayStation Vue. We set the bar high and sought to innov...

Action-packed, fast-paced gameplay isn't the only way to get your heart pumping. Some of us get that same experience being as stealthy as possible. The stakes are never higher than when you can't be detected, so here are the best stealth games for the PlayStation 4.★ Featured favoriteThe Last of Us RemasteredThe Last of Us Remastered is praised for its cinematics and impeccable character-driven storytelling, but its gameplay mechanics are nothing to sneeze at. With an infection plaguing the world and scarce resources, you'll need to use your bullets wisely. Sometimes this means not using them at all. The best course of action in The Last of Us is no action as you stealth your way through dilapidated cities, avoiding threats around every corner.$17 at AmazonA dark story in a dark timeA Plague Tale: InnocenceStaff pickBeing the newest game on our list is by no means the only thing A Plague Tale: Innocence has going for it. This beautifully written, emo...

Buy your .new domain quick before they're forgottenWhat you need to knowGoogle is opening its .new domain to companies and organizations.The URL should engage a useful action or task.Spotify, Medium, Cisco Webex already own domains.Google is opening its top-level .new domain for companies and organizations that wish to create a shortcut initiated from a simple URL. Currently, Google uses .new for its Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides apps. Typing docs.new into your Web address bar will open a new Google Docs page immediately. Google is now extending this domain to other organizations to create similar capabilities.Presumably, this will create a gold rush on simple URLs for .new domains, and Google has already set aside some key word choices with questionable connections. Playlist.new opens a new Spotify playlist. Good that Google did not favor its own Google Music for antitrust purposes, but it is curious that these actions are so tied to specific services.Story.new create...

Police, firefighters, and EMS can get cheap lines and discounts on great phonesWhat you need to knowMagenta First Responder plan gives 50% off family lines.Offer is valid for state and local police, firefighters, and EMS, and anyone on their family plan.First Responders can also get a Samsung phone for half price through bill credits.T-Mobile is offering 50% off family lines on plans for emergency responders, including state and local police, firefighters, and EMS workers. As a family plan, this extends the deal to families and friends who want to get on board. T-Mobile is also offering a 50% discount on select Samsung smartphones, including the new Galaxy Note 10+, in the form of bill credits spread out over a contract period.This is the same offer T-Mobile serves to active military and veteran families under its Magenta Military banner. Effectively, the first line is 20% off, and every additional line is 50% off, so a 4-line plan would cost $100/mo with autopay discounts. ...

The core specs of the phone are very similar to the Galaxy S9.What you need to knowGalaxy XCover FieldPro is Samsung's latest 'high-end' rugged smartphone.The device is claimed to have been purpose-built as a field-ready device for enterprise customers. Just like the previous rugged Galaxy phones, the new XCover FieldPro will be sold in the U.S. by AT&T. After a gap of nearly two years, Samsung announced a new rugged Galaxy smartphone in June this year, dubbed XCover 4s. The company has now added another new rugged device to its lineup, called the XCover FieldPro. While it isn't a flagship-grade rugged device like the Galaxy S8 Active, the XCover Field Pro is significantly more impressive than the XCover 4s.The new Galaxy XCover FieldPro comes with a 5.1-inch QHD display panel and runs on an Exynos 9810, the same chipset that powers the international variants of the Galaxy S9, Galaxy S9+, and the Galaxy Note 9.Samsung's latest rugged smartphone has a single 12MP primar...

Taking a page from Apple?What you need to knowXiaomi is teasing a new smartwatch on its social media accounts.This is the first smartwatch that the company is launching under its own name.The company already has a leading share of the fitness tracker market.Updated Oct 29:Xiaomi has now revealed even more info about it's upcoming Mi Watch including official photos and specs. The images were shared via its Weibo account and confirm that it will indeed share a strikingly similar design to the Apple Watch.In fact, the designs are so similar, you might even mistake it as an Apple Watch at first glance. That's because not only does it share the same rectangle shape, but Xiaomi has also copied the crown and button placement of the Apple Watch.Besides the exterior, Xiaomi also showed off a graphic highlighting some of the internals. It confirms that the Mi Watch will be powered by a Qualcomm CPU, most likely the Snapdragon Wear 3100.The image also details all of the diffe...

The Apple MacBook is an undeniably impressive computer, but the fact is that most of us just don’t need that much processing power when it comes to making it through the day.This certified refurbished Dell Chromebook 11 lets you browse the web, send emails, stream your favorite shows and much more for a tiny fraction of what you’d pay for an Apple laptop, and it’s available for over 60% off at just $104.99.Featuring an 11.6” screen and 16GB of on-board storage, this ultra-portable laptop makes it easy to power through all your essential tasks.Thanks to a 2.1GHz Intel Celeron processor, you’ll be able to load web pages and open tabs without experiencing a lag, and an Intel HD graphics coprocessor ensures that all of your favorite shows will come to life in full HD clarity.You also get 16GB of SSD storage (meaning you won’t have to rely on the cloud in order to store and transfer files) and ten hours of battery life ensures that you...

Turn your phone into a Switch.What you need to knowRazer launched the Junglecat, a new mobile gaming controller.The Junglecat can be used like a traditional gamepad, or attached to a phone case for a select set of Android phones.You can buy the Junglecat now for $100 at Razer.Razer today launched the Junglecat, its take on a mobile gaming controller for your phone. And if you're familiar with the Nintendo Switchs Joy-Cons, the Junglecat will look very familiar.The Razer Junglecat is compatible with both Android smartphones and tablets, as well as Windows PCs. The controller can work in two modes: as a traditional controller or attached to a special phone case.When used as a traditional controller, the two sides of the Junglecat remain attached to a central piece that makes them look a lot like the Switch's gamepad. You can remove either one or both sides of the controller to attach them to an included phone case, turning your phone into a handheld game console on the fly....

Razer's Hammerhead True Wireless earbuds have touch controls and work with voice assistants.What you need to knowRazer announced the Hammerhead True Wireless earbuds.The earbuds have ultra-low latency, touch-enabled controls, and support Bluetooth 5.0.The earbuds are available for $100 from Razer and select retailers.Razer announced the Hammerhead True Wireless earbuds today. The earbuds have ultra-low latency, are water-resistant, and connect using Bluetooth 5.0. The earbuds can auto-pair with your device. They also feature touch controls on the outside of the earbuds. The earbuds are available from Razer and select retailers for $100.Razer states that the earbuds have 60ms input latency, which helps audio sync well and prevents stuttering. Razer points out that the earbud's ultra-low latency helps with competitive gaming because you'll hear sounds as they occur in games.The earbuds are water-resistant, though Razer doesn't specify the level of water resistance. The compa...

We test almost every Android phone that comes to market — and from time to time, we even try the other side of the fence! It never hurts to know what Android does better and worse than the competition, after all.Affordable flagshipOnePlus 7T$599 at OnePlusProsLarger 90Hz displayClean Android 10 experienceLower priceUSB-C with 30W fast chargingFast in-display fingerprint sensorConsCameras aren't as goodNo wireless charging or water resistanceThe OnePlus 7T is one of the best deals on a flagship-tier phone. OxygenOS on top of Android 10 is incredibly customizable, and the system flies with a smooth 90Hz display. The cameras aren't quite as good as the iPhone's, but this is one of the best Android experiences around.Colorful and powerfuliPhone 11$700 at Best BuyProsFantastic battery lifeIncredible dual camerasSmooth video recordingWorks well with other Apple devicesFace ID is fast and responsiveConsLow-res displayNo telephoto cameraT...