Sunday 31 October 2021
Apple's App Tracking Transparency feature costs social media apps nearly $10 billion in ad revenue
Twitter brings Super Follows to everyone with an iPhone
Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 2 drops below $200 once again
2019's OnePlus 7, 7T series to receive update to Android 12
Apple co-founder on iPhone 13: "I can’t tell the difference really"
Xiaomi Mi 11 Ultra won't be available in India again after stock runs out
Indian customers may expect to see another Xiaomi flagship phone in 2022.
What you need to know
- The Xiaomi Mi 11 Ultra has been discontinued in India following a delayed release.
- Xiaomi is apparently no longer restocking the phone in the country after its inventory has run out.
- The next flagship phone to be sold in the country is expected to arrive in 2022.
Xiaomi has reportedly stopped selling the Mi 11 Ultra in India three months after it became available in the country. The company is apparently no longer replenishing its inventory after the phone has sold out.
According to India Today, the Mi 11 Ultra has been discontinued in the country after only a few months of being available to consumers. The device's product listing on Xiaomi's online store for Indian customers indicates that it is "out of stock."
The phone was released in the country back in July, three months after Xiaomi announced its availability to the Indian market. It was not clear back then what caused the delay, with Xiaomi only saying it was due to "circumstances beyond its control." So the phone's availability in India was obviously facing some issues from the start.
Xiaomi's challenger to the best Android phones was particularly well-priced in India, where it was available for only 69,999 ($960), which was significantly less than its price in other western markets. It is also Xiaomi's first flagship offering in India, where it previously only offered mid-range devices.
Despite the company's apparent decision not to restock the phone in India, it is expected that Xiaomi will continue to offer premium devices in the country. Xiaomi could also replace the Mi 11 Ultra with a new flagship device in India next year.
Furthermore, the Xiaomi 11T Pro is rumored to be coming to the Indian market soon. Based on its price (€649), it may not be a true flagship phone, but it certainly packs a punch with a stunning display and a powerful Snapdragon 888 SoC.
Xiaomi 11T Pro
€650 at Xiaomi £599 at Xiaomi UK
The Xiaomi 11T Pro ticks all the right boxes: it has cutting-edge internal hardware, 5G, a stunning 120Hz AMOLED panel, and a two-day battery life. The 120W fast charging also makes a significant difference, and Xiaomi will release three Android platform updates.
FAA warns that certain 5G signals could seriously interfere with commercial aircraft
The impeccable Bose QuietComfort 35 II are on sale at their lowest price in a long time
These are the best Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 Classic bands you can buy
If you're looking for a classy smartwatch that's packed with health and fitness features, we suggest getting Samsung's Galaxy Watch 4 Classic and pairing it up with one of the best Galaxy Watch 4 Classic bands to complete the experience. So whether you're a personal trainer or a casual runner or just want a classy band, there are numerous options to pick from. We've rounded up some of the best Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 Classic watch bands to help you find a match. And while you're at it, how about checking out the best Galaxy Watch 4 Classic screen protectors to protect that gorgeous Super AMOLED panel too?
For all-day wearing comfort
OTOPO Soft Silicone Sports Band
Staff Pick
If you're into sports (or love working out, in general), we suggest pairing your Galaxy Watch 4 Classic with one of these soft, perforated sports watchbands from OTOPO. Made from skin-friendly material, they are comfortable enough to be worn all day long. Of course, you also get a plethora of color combinations to choose from, including White-Black, Black-Red, and Black-Green.
Stretch it out
Olytop Elastic Band
If you've been searching high and low for a comfortable band that doesn't have a hefty buckle, you'll want to check out Olytop's elastic band. It offers plenty of stretchability, so the one available size will fit most wrists. To be exact, this watch band can fit wrists measuring between 5.5 to 10 inches. A small, adjustable buckle allows for an even better fit.
Form and function
HATALKIN Leather Band
A time may come when fashion becomes your top priority. Whether you've got an important meeting or a formal dinner to attend, this leather option from HATALKIN is the best Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 band for the job. It comes in black or brown and has a stylish stainless steel buckle for extra security. So no matter what the occasion is, you'll always be fashionable.
For that classic look
SPGUARD Stainless Steel Band
Want to make your Galaxy Watch 4 Classic even classier? Check out SPGUARD's stainless steel watch band, which is not only durable but also made from a rust-proof material. The band's length can be easily adjusted by adding/removing the links, and you also get a "knockout kit" to do just that. It's also relatively lightweight and comes with polished edges.
So many colors
FITLI Silicone Watch Bands (13-pack)
With FITLI's silicone watch bands, you can easily give your Galaxy Watch 4 Classic a whole different look every day, and that too for not a lot of money. They are made from skin-friendly material, and each comes with a stainless steel buckle. Oh, and did we mention you get 13 of these in the pack, that too in different funky colors?
Metallic magnificence
Spigen Modern Fit Band
Spigen's accessories are renowned for being some of the best out there, and this modern fit watch band is no exception. Crafted from stainless steel, it adds a touch of style to your Galaxy Watch 4 Classic while keeping it secure around your wrist. The band comes in two color choices - Black and Rose Gold - with both being equally amazing.
Design it the way you like
Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 Classic Bespoke Studio
With Samsung's very own Bespoke Studio, you can customize the perfect band and order it alongside your Galaxy Watch 4 Classic. There are multiple watch bands (e.g., Sport, Hybrid Leather) and dozens of funky color combinations to choose from. You can also select the size of the band before placing your order.
From $320 (with watch) at Samsung
All-around protection
Spigen Rugged Armor Pro Case With Band
If you're not willing to take any risk with your Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 Classic, it makes sense to go for something that offers all-around protection, case in point being Spigen's rugged armor band that also comes with a case. It gives your smartwatch 360-degree protection from all kinds of bumps and scratches, thanks to its shock-absorbing material.
Best Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 Classic bands: Pick one
As the first watch with Wear OS 3, it's safe to say the Galaxy Watch 4 Classic is quickly going to become one of the best Android smartwatches you can buy. Depending on your taste, you may want to switch out the bands more regularly than other people who stick with the same band until it gives out. Whatever the case may be, there are tons of great options out there.
OTOPO's Soft Silicone Sports Watch Band is our favorite pick. With its skin-friendly material and perforated design, it's comfortable enough to be worn throughout the day. While it will appeal to fitness enthusiasts more, we feel the design is ideal for everyone.
On the other hand, Spigen's Modern Fit Watch Band is an easy recommendation for anyone looking to wear their Galaxy Watch 4 Classic to formal occasions. Available in Black and Rose Gold finishes, the stainless steel band is both durable and lightweight.
And once you've decided on the best Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 Classic ban for yourself, you might need some pointers on how to change it up. First, check out our detailed guide covering how to swap your Galaxy Watch 4 Classic bands.
Apple-Meta (Facebook) rivalry has a chance to become extremely nasty
Apple's 'new' AirPods Pro are now on sale at a cool $50 discount
In the tablet world it's Apple, Amazon, and then everyone else
Amazon kept the Android tablet fires burning, and now it's Google's turn to rekindle the flames.
It should come as no surprise that we here at Android Central are just a big bunch of tech enthusiasts who love to spend our time on this site talking all about the best Android phones, smartwatches, and Chromebooks. However, as diehard fans of the Android ecosystem, there is one important product category that we tend to walk on thin ice around: Android tablets.
Now, this isn't because there aren't plenty of excellent Android tablets available. For example, with its Galaxy Tab S series, Samsung makes some of the best-looking and best-performing tablets outside the iPad. Heck, even Lenovo has been known to give us some exciting and innovative devices as well, particularly with their Yoga series of tablets.
Yet, for various reasons, it seems clear that the only real challenge to the iPad's tablet dominance in the Android space thus far, at least in the U.S., has come from Amazon.
What, you say, Amazon makes Android tablets?
Yep, Amazon has made some of the best and most popular Android tablets for a decade in its Fire Tablet line, and these are arguably the only Android tablets that have ever really mattered to date. However, Google's forthcoming OS update, dubbed Android 12L, means that the Android tablet landscape may finally be ready for a dramatic change.
Kindling a Fire
Amazon announced the first (Kindle) Fire Tablet back in 2011, at a time when the world of Android tablets was dominated by devices like the Motorola Xoom and Google's own Nexus 7. The software running on all Fire tablets since then — called, of course, Fire OS — was one of the first major (tablet) forks of the Android operating system, and arguably, the most important Android fork this side of China.
Be honest, did you realize that Fire Tablets ran a version of Android?
I jokingly hinted above that most consumers probably don't realize that Amazon's tablets are powered by Android. That got me wondering if, or how, that perception or misperception may have affected the adoption and sales of Fire tablets over the years.
"I don't know if consumers realize the difference between Google's Android and Amazon's, and even if they do, I doubt they care," says research manager of IDC, Jitesh Ubrani.
Conversely, Avi Greengart, president and lead analyst at Techsponentialk, tells Android Central he thinks consumers "tend to assume that Fire Tablets run Android," but that this can also lead to a bit of a disconnect since Fire OS doesn't include Google apps or services out of the box (though there are ways to sideload them relatively easily).
Greengart says that Fire Tablet owners can get a bit "flummoxed when they discover that there are some apps that can't be found in the Amazon Store on the device. However, counter-intuitively, the fact that Fire Tablets run Amazon's Fire OS and Silk browser are key reasons for its success."
Indeed, despite the lack of the Play Store and Google Apps, Ubrani says, "Amazon's app store and services have become extremely robust over the years, leading to very few consumers missing out on key experiences."
Experts agree Amazon's Fire tablets have a lot of mind share in markets like the U.S.
According to Ubrani, part of the problem with the Android tablet ecosystem is that there hasn't been a consistent challenger to Apple either in terms of mind share or market share.
"Outside of Apple, very few brands have come to be known as a 'standard' or 'defacto' option, but I'd point to Samsung on a global basis, Amazon in the U.S., and Lenovo in other parts of the world," he says.
Greengart adds that Amazon isn't exactly forthcoming with Fire Tablet sales numbers. However, "consumer surveys show that the Fire is behind only Apple and Samsung in the U.S."
IDC's internal research seems to bear this out as well. Data shared with AC by Ubrani indicates that Amazon is right in the mix behind the two industry titans, along with Lenovo, Huawei, and "others."
So if Fire Tablets are missing out on Google apps and services, just what do consumers see in Amazon's "Android" tablets? According to Ubrani, "most consumers see Amazon as the value pick" in the tablet space.
Greengart agrees. He says, "consumers are attracted to the Fire Tablets in part because they are so inexpensive, and Amazon is willing to sell the devices at or near cost because it knows it will make money via its app store, services, and ecosystem engagement."
As with nearly all of Amazon's devices, the Fire Tablet lineup promises durability, user-friendly functionality, and, most importantly, crazy low prices. Amazon grabbed the low-end of the tablet market nearly a decade ago with this strategy, and it hasn't looked back since.
Amazon captured the family devices market
The other thing Amazon figured out early on was that parents want to hand their tablets over to kids to entertain them, educate them, or merely placate them. In fact, it created a parallel lineup of Kids Fire Tablets that were more durable, came in fun colors, and featured kid-friendly content and parental controls in the form of Amazon Kids+ (formerly Amazon FreeTime). For all intents and purposes, it's essentially cornered the family tablet market.
"Amazon's tablets ... are extremely family-friendly," Greengart says. "Amazon allows multiple users (Apple doesn't), Amazon provides extensive parental controls, and there are kids versions of the tablet that come with a bumper case, optimized user interface, no-questions-asked warranty, and age-appropriate content."
Admittedly Fire Tablets aren't considered very good for getting things done, though they are getting better at that, but that's not why most people buy them (or why they buy tablets in general). No, most people buy tablets to consume content on, whether binging Netflix or playing hours of Candy Crush and for these tasks, Fire Tablets are just perfect. After all, why spend more on this functionality if you don't have to?
Android 12L could be a sea change for tablets
But what if you do want to be productive on your tablet? That's been one of the biggest knocks against this segment of Android devices since day one, and it stems mainly from a lack of developer support on the part of Google, resulting in an ambivalence on the part of developers to create apps that can perform well on the platform at this size and form factor. Heck, even the best Chromebooks with detachable screens and tablet capabilities have gained ground in this regard in recent years. However, that all may be about to change soon with the recent announcement of Android 12L.
This new and long overdue variant of Android is being built with larger (hence the "L" in Android 12L) form factors like foldables and tablets in mind. It will allow the system to better scale apps and UI elements to better utilize the screen size.
It also promises improvements to the way Android devices handle notifications and multitasks on these larger displays. And while most people see AndroidL as a response to the rapidly improving foldable phone space and the popularity of devices like the Galaxy Z Fold 3, it could also make all the difference in the world to the experience of using Android tablets.
If other Android tablet manufacturers like Samsung and Lenovo can take advantage of the changes coming in Android 12L, Amazon shouldn't fear for its position at the low end. However, its recent foray into productivity devices like the Fire HD 10 Productivity Bundle with Microsoft 365 may require retooling to stay competitive with Android 12L optimized tablets, Chromebooks, iPads, and Windows devices.
"Amazon certainly has the potential to take the lead in the low-cost productivity space, but that space itself is quite small, as buyers who are serious about productivity tend to spend a bit more to get a better keyboard/mouse experience and typically a more robust OS as well," Ubrani says. "That said, if Amazon were to beef up its software/services and specifically target schools, they could potentially displace Chromebooks, but this requires heavy investment and a fair bit of time."
Greengart doesn't think there's much room for Amazon to play in the productivity space, at least not yet.
"I have been testing the Fire HD 10 Productivity Bundle, and while Microsoft's Office suite and Zoom will run, it does not provide a good experience compared to Chromebooks, iPads, or Windows devices," he says.
With Amazon Fire devices in firm control of the value tablet space and Android 12L on the horizon to rescue more premium tablets, 2022 might just be the start of an Android tablet renaissance. Here's hoping!
If you're considering getting a new Android tablet as a gift for yourself or a loved one this upcoming holiday season, just know that there are going to be a lot of great deals coming down the pike. We'll be tracking all of the best Black Friday Android tablet deals, so be sure to bookmark this page and check back regularly to save money on your holiday purchases.
Some of Amazon's best Echo and Kindle devices are on sale at some of their best prices
How does Google's Real Tone camera feature work?
Best answer: The same machine learning that helps improve portrait photos and power Magic Eraser also makes the Pixel 6 camera more inclusive for all skin tones through its Real Tone feature.
What is Real Tone?
Google developed its Real Tone camera tech with a mission to make its camera and image products more equitable when photographing people of color, especially for those with darker skin tones. Historically, a lack of diverse testing meant that today's cameras weren't built to accurately portray all skin tones in their natural beauty. Unfortunately, this also means that smartphones continue to carry that bias, ultimately delivering unflattering photos for people of color. But it's not just smartphone cameras that struggle here. We've seen all sorts of camera-enabled tech issues when it comes to people who aren't light-skinned.
So with the launch of its Pixel 6, Google is trying to tackle this issue using Real Tone. With this feature, the camera hardware and software work in tandem to match the actual tone of the people in frame. And it works surprisingly well, especially for a first-generation product.
How it works isn't that simple to explain without sounding like there's a good bit of magic at play. But really, it's no different than any other aspect of computational photography that powers the best Android camera phones. It just needed a company to spend the time and money to work on it.
When you tap the shutter button in the camera app on your phone, the work of building a great photograph has already started. Camera lenses and sensors aren't particularly smart, but they're very good at their intended purposes: collecting and focusing light. Using multiple captures and electronic filters, sensor data is collected at very specific points of light in colors red, blue, and green.
That data isn't a photo, though. It's just data. It takes some processing to turn millions of individual points of light into an image, and that's where Google has always been really good at the game. Using machine learning and AI, the camera stream can look for shapes and contrasts to build a face, differentiate between the subject and the background, and more. One of the very important things that need to happen to camera sensor data is to make the colors in the finished photograph look the same as what a human eye can see.
That's where Real Tone shines. The camera software was refined to evaluate the skin tones it sees and expands on the number of different shades it thinks a person can be. Think about the people you know and how different the color of their skin can be from each other or from yours. Humans aren't just beige or brown, and camera software shouldn't act like they are. If you're a white person like I am, you probably haven't ever had an issue with your skin color in photos. But a lot of people always have.
This wasn't an easy undertaking — but it was a necessary one. Over-brightening darker skin or applying less contrast just doesn't work, and we have billions of photos that prove it. Something like Google's Real Tone project is long overdue.
Our Pick
Google Pixel 6 - 5G
From $599 at Amazon From $599 at Best Buy From $599 at B&H
Finally, a proper Pixel flagship has arrived.
After years of fatal flaws and stagnant design, Google has finally given us the shock-and-awe upgrade we've been waiting for. Tensor's AI prowess makes most Assistant features feel magically fast. Major camera updates for hardware and processing give us significantly better photos, especially when photographing people of color and moments of action.
Samsung reportedly starts mass production of Galaxy S22 parts
PlayStation recap: State of Play underwhelms, Elden Ring delayed
October marks the beginning of a slow end to the year for PlayStation.
It's that time again for another PlayStation recap. Last month saw huge news drop from PlayStation's showcase, which announced a Knights of the Old Republic Remake alongside new Spider-Man and Wolverine games.
This month wasn't quite as eventful, but no doubt still full of important news across PlayStation land. The company is making good on its promise to bring more exclusives to PC, and HBO's The Last of Us continues to film in Calgary, with fans getting behind the scenes photos of the stars in action. All of that was topped of by a State of Play highlighting third-party games coming to PS5. With that all said, let's jump in and see what happened in October.
PlayStation State of Play underwhelms
Thw latest State of Play was a bit of a dud. Running through everything announced, there's nothing too noteworthy besides a new Bugsnax expansion and a new Star Ocean game. Those little Bugsnax aren't so little anymore as the upcoming free DLC turns them into Bigsnax.
Elsewhere in the showcase, players got a longer look at Little Devil Inside, plus a release date announcement for Five Nights at Freddy's: Security Breach. I'm still definitely not going to play the latter. The former I might.
PS5 sales end 33-month streak from Nintendo Switch
With as difficult as it's been to buy a PS5, you might as well be trying to dig up gold. Still, that hasn't stopped over 13 million units from being sold globally since launch. The NPD Group has revealed that the PS5 even became the best-selling console in September 2021 in the U.S. based on units sold, ending a 33-month streak held by the Nintendo Switch. This shouldn't be confused with dollar sales, which saw the PS5 already surpass the Switch (although that's to be expected considering the huge price disparity between the two).
PS5 restocks are undoubtedly hard to come by, and gearing up for Black Friday may only make stock drops more infrequent as retailers stockpile consoles for a big rush.
Elden Ring (unsurprisingly) gets a short delay
The myth, the legend: Elden Ring. It's weird to think it's coming out early next year, but it's unsurprising it won't hit its initial January release date. Instead, FromSoftware's next adventure is set to launch a month later on Feb. 25, just one week after Horizon Forbidden West. Early 2022, specifically February, is looking like an extremely packed window for AAA games.
No matter when Elden Ring comes out (let's hope it doesn't suffer another delay), it needs to meet some incredibly high fan expectations. Coming from the minds of Hidetaka Miyazaki and George R.R. Martin, Elden Ring takes place in the fictional Lands Between and sees players embark on an adventure to restore the titular Elden Ring and defeat Queen Marika the Eternal and her progeny.
Alan Wake releases on PlayStation consoles for the first time
Alan Wake originally released as an Xbox 360 exclusive all the way in 2010, and it seemed that all hope was lost for a PlayStation release... until this month. With Alan Wake Remastered, Remedy finally brought the cult classic to PS4 and PS5. It may have taken over 10 years, but better late than never, as the kids say.
With such renewed interest in Alan Wake, especially after his Control expansion, this could pave the way for a proper sequel. Whatever Remedy decides to make, whether it be Alan Wake 2, Control 2, or something completely new, you can bet it'll be just as weird and wonderful as its previous projects.
God of War is the next PlayStation exclusive to hit PC
Kratos is screaming in that picture because he's so excited for God of War to hit PC in January. This follows PlayStation's commitment to release more of its exclusives on PC. Titles like Horizon Zero Dawn and Days Gone have already made it to the platform, with Uncharted: Legacy of Thieves Collection coming sometime in early 2022.
Sony Santa Monica also revealed that God of War (2018) had officially passed 19 million sales on PS4 and PS5, which is quite an impressive feat for a single-player game.
A sequel, titled God of War Ragnarok, is expected to launch in 2022. Christopher Judge, who plays Kratos, took to Twitter to shoulder the blame for its delay, stating that he had to have surgery in 2019 and Sony allowed him all of the time he needed to go through rehab.
Samsung's 980 Pro SSD gets PS5-friendly model
Do you hear that? You wouldn't because it's the sweet sound of silence from your PS5. Its fans manage to keep it cool without sounding like a jet engine, but SSDs tend to increase the heat production, which is why Sony encourages anyone using an SSD to have a heatsink with it. Thankfully, Samsung's 980 Pro is finally getting a PS5-friendly model with a heatsink attached.
The 980 Pro features sequential read/write speeds up to 7,000 and 5,100 MB/s, respectively. It can be bought in 1TB or 2TB capacities, ranging from $250 to $450. It's certainly not cheap, but no SSD is at the moment.
Just be careful when you're installing an SSD in your PS5. It's not the most intuitive process out there, especially considering you need to take the PS5's faceplate off. (But hey, maybe it'll be a good time for you to buy a new PS5 faceplate cover).
The Last of Us filming continues in Calgary
Pedro Pascal (Joel), Bella Ramsey (Ellie) and Anna Torv (Tess) on the set of #TheLastofUs. pic.twitter.com/ok3GO5zh53
— The Last of Us Updates (@TheLastofUsNews) October 16, 2021
Filming on HBO's The Last of Us TV series, starring Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey, began last month in Calgary. If photos from various sets are anything to go by, it'll remain as faithful to the original experience as possible.
@TheLastofUsNews on Twitter has all of the updates anyone could ever want, and the fan page will continue to follow filming as it progresses. There's new photos and videos added every day, so keep checking back for the latest information.
The Last of Us is expected to premiere sometime in 2022. According to a ComicBook.com interview with Gabriel Luna, who plays Tommy, it should debut "sooner than later."
Bracing for the holidays
October wasn't as lively as September on the PlayStation front, but we're approaching a busy holiday season with third-party releases like Battlefield 2042, Skyrim Anniversary Edition, Call of Duty: Vanguard, Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy – The Definitive Edition (wow, what a name), and more. PlayStation itself won't have big exclusives drop until next year with Horizon Forbidden West. Good luck to anyone trying to buy a PS5 in the coming months. Just know that there's plenty to look forward to in 2022 and beyond. Until next time 👋
– Jennifer Locke
17 new (and 1 WTF) Android games from the last week: The best, worst, and everything in between (10/24/21 -10/31/21)
Welcome to the roundup of the best new Android games that went live in the Play Store or were spotted by us in the previous week or so. Today's list is broken up into several segments, ranging from best, average, to mediocre. So whether you're looking for the best games of quality or are simply looking for the latest free-to-play gacha titles, you're covered. This week I have a director's cut of a fantastic point and click adventure, a new release from Niantic that offers a Pikmin theme, and a storybook adventure that offers several different endings. So without further ado, here are the new and notable Android games released during the last week.
HP Chromebook x2 11 review: Portability over power
Two-in-ones are all the rage thanks to their portability and versatility. The HP Chromebook x2 11 is a detachable-style 2-in-1 that offers a few firsts in the field. This is the first Chromebook of its type to offer a 2K 3:2 screen, and it's also the first to offer optional LTE support and the Qualcomm 7C chipset.
How to watch Cowboys vs Vikings: Live stream NFL Sunday Night Football onli
This season's surprise package will be once again looking to exceed expectations as Dallas head to the U.S. Bank Stadium to take on a Minnesota side looking to make it four wins in a row.
Read on for full details on how to watch Cowboys vs Vikings, no matter where you are in the world.
Unexpectedly riding high at the top of the NFC East with a 5-1 record, the Cowboys currently lead the league for yards per game (460.8), yards per play (6.58), and points per game (34.2).
Key to their success has been the superb form of running backs Ezekiel Elliot and Tony Pollard who are both on track to hit 1,000 rushing yards this season.
Like their opponents, Minnesota come into this game off the back of a bye week, bringing a bit of breathing space after a whirlwind few weeks that has seen the Vikings notch up a trio of consecutive victories.
Currently laying second in the NFC North with a 3-3 record, their uptick in results marks a big turnaround for Kirk Cousins and co after a difficult start to the campaign.
Despite their good form coming into this clash, the loss of CB Patrick Peterson to a hamstring injury could prove particularly costly here today for the Vikings.
Read on as we explain below how to get a Cowboys vs Vikings live stream for Sunday's game.
Cowboys vs Vikings: Where and when?
These two teams meet at the U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota on Sunday with kick-off set for 8:20pm ET / 5:20pm PT / 12:20am GMT / 11:20am AEDT.
Watch Cowboys vs Vikings online from outside your country
We have details of all the US, UK, Australian and Canadian broadcasters of this game further down in this guide. If you're intent on watching Cowboys vs Vikings but find yourself away from home then you'll run into problems when trying to stream your domestic coverage online from abroad as it's likely to be geo-blocked.
That's where a VPN (Virtual Private Network) can be a lifesaver. They allow you to virtually change the ISP of your laptop, tablet or mobile to one that's back in your home country, letting you watch as if you were back there.
VPN's are incredibly easy to use and have the added benefit of giving you a further layer of security when surfing the web. There are lots of options, and we recommend ExpressVPN as our #1 pick due to its speed, security and ease of use. It can be used on a vast array of operating systems and devices (e.g. iOS, Android, Smart TVs, Fire TV Stick, Roku, games consoles, etc). Sign up for ExpressVPN now now and enjoy a 49% discount and 3 months FREE with an annual subscription. Or give it a try with its 30-day money back guarantee. Looking for other options? Here are some alternatives that are on sale right now.
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No matter where in the world you may be, a VPN is one of the easiest ways to watch Cowboys vs Vikings. Get in on this deal now!
How to watch Cowboys vs Vikings online in the US
NBC is the home of Sunday Night Football for this season with kick-off set for for 8:20pm ET / 5:20pm PT
If you have NBC as part of your cable package, you can also live stream the game directly through the network's website.
If you're a cable cutter, then it's worth considering over-the-top streaming service Sling TV which offers local NBC/NBCSN and Fox channels in most major markets, as well as NFL Network as part of its $35 a month Blue package. Add a further $15 for its Sling Blue + Sling Orange package and you'll also get access to ESPN 1,2 and 3 to cover most NFL viewing bases.
How to stream Cowboys vs Vikings live in the UK
Gridiron fans can watch at least five NFL games live each week courtesy of the Sky Sports NFL channel along with access to the live RedZone highlights show each Sunday.
This huge match is one of those games getting the live treatment, with the Cowboys vs Vikings going out on Sky at 12.20am GMT on Sunday night/Monday morning.
Alternatively the dedicated NFL Game Pass Pro streaming service, with its £147.99 subscription gives you access to every single game of the 2020/21 season (subject to blackouts) including the playoffs, Super Bowl, plus RedZone access on top.
Not in the UK but still want to catch the action on Game Pass? Then utilising a VPN will let you log into a UK IP address so you can live stream NFL as if you were at home.
How to stream Cowboys vs Vikings live in Canada
While both TSN and CTV are both showing tonight's game, for hardcore NFL fans in Canada probably the way to go is streaming service DAZN which has exclusive live coverage of every single 2021/22 regular season game in Canada including this game.
Priced at CA$20 a month or $150 a year, a subscription will also give you NFL Game Pass and RedZone access, alongside all of DAZN's amazing live sports roster including Premier League and Champions League soccer!
Live stream Cowboys vs Vikings in Australia
If you're planning on watching this clash in Australia, then you'll need to have access to ESPN as they own the rights to show live NFL action Down Under. While the network is available as part of most Foxtel TV packages, you can also access ESPN just as easily via Kayo Sports.
The over-the-top service will let you stream loads of top level sport - including Spain's La Liga and F1 motor racing, all for the very reasonable price of just $25 per month for a basic package, or $35 a month for the premium offering. Better still, Kayo Sports is contract-free and offers a 14-day FREE TRIAL for newcomers to the service.
Kick-off Down Under for this match is at 11.20am AEDT on Monday morning.
Google is restoring one of Gmail's useful features on the web
Gmail's big Compose button is coming back to desktops.
What you need to know
- Google announced a new update for the Compose button of Gmail on the web.
- The button will revert to its original large design following a popular demand.
- Gmail on the web will bring back the big Compose button on November 3.
Google appears to have recognized that removing the old large Gmail button for creating a new email on desktop did not sit well with the majority of users. The old Compose button is now making a comeback on many of the best laptops.
The search giant has announced that the original big button will return to Gmail on the web starting on November 3. Googled noted that it has come up with this decision after hearing from users that the original version of the button was more intuitive.
Aside from the larger size, there will be a few design changes. The four-color plus button that represented Google's Material Theme design, for example, will no longer be available. Instead, the web-based email client will use a larger button with a red pencil icon and the word "compose" inside the floating action button (FAB).
If it looks familiar, that's because this is the same design Google introduced for Gmail on Android earlier this year, except that the mobile version has a different color. The new button for Gmail's desktop version will replace the soon-to-be-erstwhile red circular button.
That button was introduced in April when Google rolled out a new Gmail client on the web that integrated Chat and Rooms for free users. It was rather an uncalled-for design change, replacing the larger FAB with a smaller, icon-only button that could be easily drowned out on large desktop screens.
So the latest update is a welcome change. All Workspace customers and those with personal Google accounts will have access to Gmail's old Compose button starting next week. Keep in mind, however, that it may take up to 15 days to become available to everyone.
Saturday 30 October 2021
Carl Pei accuses an unnamed ear (1) competitor of attacking Nothing's supply chain
Realme 4K Smart Google TV Stick review: Forget about the Chromecast
Last year, Google finally gave us a Chromecast with a remote and a real interface. However, the streaming stick never made it to India, leaving us with Sony’s rather expensive lineup of 4K TVs as the only way to experience the spruced-up Google TV interface. The Realme 4K Smart Google TV Stick bridges that gap by bringing Google’s latest take on Android TV to a more approachable price. And considering how capable this streaming stick is for its price, there’s probably no need to pine for the Chromecast with Google TV.
Exclusive Pixel 6 5G series feature on Gboard app corrects grammar mistakes in real time
Roblox is recovering from a two-day outage, says it will be 'back up and running ASAP'
Roblox is one of those games — apps? services? — that, like Fornite, even if you don't play it, you likely know someone who does. Perhaps your child or nephew or kid across the hall, but given that the last-released figure was 40 million daily players, it's certifiably popular.
Xiaomi introduces the Redmi Note 11 series: best value for money
Waze CEO admits that its algorithm is sending users awry
Google's new promo video for the 5G Pixel 6 is perfect for Halloween
Samsung's beautiful Galaxy Watch 4 Classic drops well below $300 with 1-year warranty
Keep your Oculus Quest 2 safe with these great storage and travel cases
The Oculus Quest 2 may be a mobile headset, but it's actually dangerous to take it on the go without protection. Carry it in a backpack, and stray junk like a pencil could scratch the unprotected lenses and ruin them. Even if you only keep it at home, sunlight permanently damages the lenses, so you'll need to keep it enclosed when not in use. Oculus sells a Carrying Case with plenty of capacity for your Elite Strap and accessories; or, if you want something more travel-sized or hard-shelled, we've chosen the other best Oculus Quest 2 cases to consider.
Best overall: Oculus Quest 2 Carrying Case
It's no coincidence that the official case leads the pack. While most cases are designed for the original Quest, this one was made with the slightly smaller Quest 2 in mind. Thanks to its compact, stylish design, the Official Quest 2 carrying case is ideal.
It'll easily keep all your accessories secure in most situations, and there's room for everything here. Tuck away your headset, controllers, charging cable, and power adapter for safekeeping. The custom inlay is designed to hold everything in place. Plus, there's even space for the Elite Strap, with or without the battery.
However, keep in mind that the Oculus 2 Carrying Case isn't hard-shelled or terribly well-padded, so taking it on the road might require some extra care. But it does have a soft, easy-carry handle; just take care when handling.
Pros:
- Stylish
- Fits everything
- Made specifically for the Quest 2
Cons:
- Pricier than most alternatives
- Not built for rugged travel
Best overall
Oculus Quest 2 Carrying Case
A perfect fit
The Oculus Quest 2 Carrying Case stands on its own as a uniquely stylish and high-quality case made exclusively for the Quest 2.
Best budget option: JSVER Hard Carrying Case for Oculus Quest 2
The best Quest 2 accessories aren't cheap, and new headset owners will find their expenses quickly piling up. That's where the JSVER Hard Carrying Case comes in. It offers a low-cost, no-frills alternative to some of the other Quest 2 carrying cases out there for less than half the price of some of the other offerings.
That said, it doesn't exactly check every box like the options above. Since it doesn't come with lens protectors, you'll have to shell out the cash separately for a pair of lens protectors. Unfortunately, it's also missing space for the Oculus Elite Strap, so you'll either have to jam it in tight or carry it separately. Still, it does have an inside pocket for your cords and an elastic strap to hold your headset into place. The case is made from shockproof and waterproof EVA, so you won't have to worry about any bumps, scratches, and splashes ruining it.
You can get the bare-bones case or opt to pay just a bit more for the whole kit and caboodle. Either way, you can protect your Quest 2 without breaking the bank.
Pros:
- Cheap
- Shockproof
- Waterproof
Cons:
- Doesn't work with the Elite Strap
- No lens protector
- Barebones
Best budget case
JSVER Hard Carrying Case for Oculus Quest 2
Protection for your wallet
The JSVER Hard Carrying Case is a solid budget option for anyone looking to save a little cash on a carrying case for their Quest.
Best on-the-go case: Typecase Oculus Quest 2 Case for Quest 2
If you want a compact case that doesn't sacrifice protection, the Typecase Oculus Quest 2 Case is a solid, stylish alternative to the larger case options on this list.
The Typecase model has a hardshell case reinforced with military-grade ballistic nylon, and it has several zipper pockets to hold all your accessories. The exterior is made of water-repellent and scratch-proof material. The interior is lined with microfiber and could easily accommodate any extra accessories you may have. It comes with specialized cable clips to hold charging cables, and the stretchy mesh pockets can easily hold batteries or other loose items. Plus, the Typecase comes with soft lens covers to keep your Oculus Quest scratch-free.
Thanks to its more subtle design and slightly larger size, this case could even double as a small backpack for carrying other items. That said, its space is a double-edged sword. Because it has more space, there's more room for accessories to move around and bump into one another if the bag is jostled or dropped.
Pros:
- Stylish
- Shoulder strap
- Spacious
Cons:
- Extra room for things to get jostled around
- A bit expensive
Best on-the-go case
Typecase Oculus Quest 2 Case
Easy, breezy, beautiful
The Typecase carrying case is ideal for anyone looking for a solid option to bring their Oculus Quest 2 on the go.
Most compact case: Fashion Travel Protective Case for Oculus Quest 2
While the actual look of the Fashion Travel Protective case might not live up to its name, its compact, hard-shelled design excuses its utilitarian look. This case barely has enough space to fit everything the Quest needs at a much lower price than other options on this list. And this option is light, as it's constructed of a feather-weight EVA material. Lightweight doesn't mean this case can't handle rough travel. It's shockproof and waterproof, so it's ready to go when you are.
While it might not have a lot of space to put other accessories or cables, the tight space will keep your Quest 2, controllers, and accessories from moving around too much in transit. That, combined with its hard shell and metal shoulders, makes it ideal for rough travel. Plus, it comes with a stand to display your Quest 2 and controllers in style.
Pros:
- Sturdy
- Tight
- Comes with a stand for your headset and controllers
- Cheaper than other heavy-duty cases
Cons:
- No extra room
- Unattractive
Most compact case
Fashion Travel Protective Case for Oculus Quest 2
Good in tight spaces
The Fashion Travel Case offers top-tier protection, provided you can fit all your accessories in it.
Best protection: CASEMATIX Hard Case Compatible with Oculus Quest 2
The CASEMATIX Hard Case is built like a tank, unlike most other Quest 2 carrying cases. Lined with a thick protective foam layer, this carrying case is ideal for anyone who travels a lot. That said, this top-of-the-line protection comes at a cost; the CASEMATIX is ugly and clunky.
It does, however, provide a unique level of customization that, while incredibly useful, also requires a bit of DIY craftsmanship on the part of the owner. Instead of shipping with the foam padding cut out for the Quest 2 and its accessories, you need to cut out the shapes in the layer of foam yourself. The case exterior itself measures 16-by-by-6 inches, while the interior is 14-by-10.75-4 inches. So, if you want top-of-the-line protection and customizable interior, this is the pick for you.
Pros:
- The best protection
- Great for travel
- Can customize it to fit your accessories
Cons:
- Owners are required to cut their own foam
- Pricey
- Not very portable
Best protection
CASEMATIX Hard Case Compatible with Oculus Quest 2
Built like a tank
The CASEMATIX Hard Case is perfect for Quest 2 owners who bring their headsets on the road frequently.
Best all-in-one case: SARLAR Hard Chest Shoulder Backpack
What good is a carrying case if the case doesn't make it easier to transport your headset? The SARLAR Hard Chest Shoulder Backpack solves the portability issue in style. Its subtle, hard-shelled exterior is stylish and unassuming and includes a shoulder strap to allow owners to wear it like a backpack. Plus, the material is wear-resistant, waterproof, and easy to clean.
To sweeten the deal, the SARLAR case also ships with some cheap Quest 2 earbuds, controller grips, and a lens cleaning cloth. It also has a charging attachment, but with the wrong cable types, proving this wasn't originally designed for the Quest 2. You'll have to use your own power bank and Quest 2 charging cable or an adapter to make it work properly.
If you want the look of a bag, protection of a case, and a ton of extras, including a USB Charging system, this SARLAR model might be worth the extra cash.
Pros:
- The strap makes for easy portability
- Free earbuds and controller grips
- Stylish
- Built-in power bank
Cons:
- Expensive
- Minimal space
- Power bank doesn't work easily with Quest 2
Best all-in-one case
SARLAR Hard Chest Shoulder Backpack
All for one, but not one for all
While it might not offer the same protection as heavy-duty cases, the SARLAR's shoulder strap alone makes up for it.
Which one is right for you?
A carrying case is one of many necessary accessories for any Quest owner. It'll protect your console, while also keeping room for accessories like Quest 2 Link cables or Quest 2 battery packs when taking it on the go.
Ultimately, the official Quest 2 Carrying Case is hard not to vouch for. It makes no concessions and features nearly everything a carrying case for the Quest would need, from the perfect fit inside to the extra space for all the accessories, including the Elite Strap. Its only real issues are its price and durability, but the use case for something more heavy-duty is so rare that it probably won't be a problem for most people.
Credits — The team that worked on this guide
Charlie Wacholz is a freelance writer at Android Central. He has a passion for all things gaming, exciting, innovative hardware and VR, as well as indie games and anything Nintendo touches. When he's not writing, you can find him talking about Metroid or asking for a new Katamari game on Twitter at @chas_mke or waxing nostalgic about games, film, TV shows, and music on his podcast, Comfort Food.
Facebook to use a bookkeeping illusion to improve the optics of its ad business
Best Android launchers for your phone 2021
Want to upgrade your Android experience? Try upgrading your launcher.
The way we arrange, organize, and interact with our apps on Android is called the launcher. Launchers usually consist of a series of home screens, where we can arrange app shortcuts and widgets while the rest of our apps sit in an app drawer. From the best Android phones to the most basic budget smartphone, every phone comes with a launcher. Some built-in launchers are great, but when they drop the ball, there are endless third-party launchers that not only pick it up again but knock it clear out of the park. Everyone has their perfect launcher, but if you haven't found your favorite yet, then here are the best Android launchers that we at Android Central have used and loved for years.
The best launchers
- Best Overall Smart Launcher 5
- Resurging Legacy Nova Launcher
- Swiss Army Launcher Action Launcher
- Best Productivity Microsoft Launcher
- Quick and Simple Niagara Launcher
Best Overall: Smart Launcher 5
Smart Launcher has been around for years and years, but it really kicked things up a notch with Smart Launcher 5. The home screen features a grid-less widget placement system and modular page system, but the real star of the show here is still the app drawer. Smart Launcher 5 automatically sorts your apps into several categories, and if you pay for Smart Launcher Pro, you can add your own custom categories and sort your various drawer tabs in a variety of ways, from most-used to install time to icon color.
From a responsive and comprehensive categorical app drawer to some of the most precise widget placement on Android to the most diverse icon options of any smartphone, Smart Launcher 5 has a lot to love. Its gestures are top-notch, too, especially the double-tap shortcuts for dock apps, which work worlds better than the swipe app shortcuts Nova and Action use.
Smart Launcher is also part of the holy trinity of quick home screen theming I've used for the last three years, and it's been used in our dead awesome Deadpool theme, NBA Finals themes, revamped MrMobile theme, and more. You can event combine it with Android 12's Material You and Smart Launcher's Icon Pack Studio to build a home screen experience that will automatically mesh with any and every wallpaper you set on the phone.
Pros:
- Easy setup with simplified layout
- Tabbed app drawer is wonderful
- Quickest launcher to theme
- Best home screen app gestures
Cons:
- You can't place icons at the top of the home screen
- Premium system can be confusing
Best Overall
Smart Launcher 5
Simple setup and wonderful widget pages
With a smart, widely adaptable app drawer, insane icon options through Icon Pack Studio, and a drop-dead simple home screen, Smart Launcher 5 has won my heart and my home screen.
Resurging Legacy: Nova Launcher
Nova Launcher has been a major player in the home screen market longer than most of us have even used Android. The reason for this continued dominance is simple. Nova's mix of customization, convenience, and cunning is unparalleled. Nova lets your phone look more Pixel-y than a Pixel and more TouchWiz-zy than a Galaxy and does it all with ease and grace. It also lets you build a home screen that is unique, stable, and solid while being as plain or beautiful as you'd like.
A wide feature set allows Nova to achieve all these wonderful themes and let users build exactly the home screen they want, with small but infinitely useful features like subgrid positioning and a robust backup system. For users just getting used to third-party launchers, the "import from other launchers" feature is the most consistent and reliable on Nova than just about every other launcher I've tried in previous years. If you want to ease yourself from the basic launcher to a custom experience, Nova can help you get comfortable with launcher layouts and themes.
The launcher also recently took Nova Launcher 7 to the stable channel where everyone could enjoy the overhaul to settings and launcher look that has been in beta for a year. Nova had been starting to feel a little bloated, but the Nova 7 update has refreshed things so it's easier for new users to jump in while still being as flexible as ever for those of us who are ridiculously picky when it comes to theming our home screens.
Pros:
- Easy to import previous launcher layout
- Tons of customization options
- Great support and stability
- Buy Prime once and you're set for life
Cons:
- All the options can be overwhelming
- Theming can take a while
Resurging Legacy
Nova Launcher
Good ol' reliable launcher for the masses
Whether you want to build complex themes or you just want a smartly laid out launcher with excellent gesture controls, Nova is for you and your style.
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Swiss Army Launcher: Action Launcher
The watchword of both Action Launcher and its users is quick — Quicktheme, Quickdrawer, Quickpage, Quickbar. To ensure it can be the quickest and best launcher for users who want to set everything up just so, Action Launcher has taken it upon itself to be one of the most customizable launchers on the market.
From its robust gesture controls to its ubiquitous Covers and Shutters to hide folders and widgets under app icons, Action Launcher makes it easy to get the home screen you want. If Quicktheme's color palette misses the mark, you can now set Material palette colors or custom hex code colors to get a more cohesive look! This was a long-awaited feature and it makes Action Launcher much more useful to live wallpaper users and themers.
Action Launcher is also quick to support features from the newest versions of Android, or as much as can be replicated on a third-party launcher. Action Launcher's developer Chris Lacy is devoted, dedicated, and is quick to jump in on Android issues that impact third-party launchers — and even iOS features, adding widget stacks from iOS 15. While the actual theme-building power here isn't quite as adaptable as Nova Launcher, it's a launcher that works incredibly, well, quick about getting you set up and on your way.
Pros:
- Customize almost everything
- Great gesture options
- Robust support
Cons:
- Not quite as flexible as Nova Launcher
- Premium/Plus system can get confusing
Swiss Army Launcher
Action Launcher
Quick's the word and sharp's the gesture
Whether you want a launcher that's the peak of productivity or the height of sophistication, Action Launcher and its many quick features can help you realize your dream setup.
Best Productivity: Microsoft Launcher
You'd think that if Microsoft was going to bring a launcher to Android, it'd match Windows 10 or maybe the old Windows Phone look — and you'd be wrong. Not only is Microsoft Launcher a completely Android-native experience, but it's a top-quality, ever-updating launcher. It's one of few outside Nova Launcher to offer edge-to-edge widgets and subgrid positioning.
Microsoft Launcher's experience centers around a clean home screen and a smart page to the left fed by your Microsoft account, your daily phone use, and any Android widgets you wish to add. Even if you're not immersed in the Microsoft ecosystem, having a scrolling page of widgets beats having to space them out over 3-4 pages. While this launcher's settings are somewhat clunky, it has all the launcher options you'd want and then some.
While Microsoft Launcher is definitely not as simplistic as Smart Launcher 5 or Niagara Launcher, it is still a fairly lightweight launcher that's well-worth considering, especially if you have any sort of reliance on Microsoft's ecosystem for work, school, or personal use. And while the Microsoft Launcher is designed for the Microsoft Surface Duo 2, not the Z Fold series, it is yet another good option of foldable phone owners.
Pros:
- Scrolling widget page
- Good enterprise integration
- Very active dev team
Cons:
- Settings need refinement
- Two-level dock is weird
Best Productivity
Microsoft Launcher
Integration and adaptability for the way you work
You can customize most aspects of this quite adaptable launcher, but it's also remarkably easy to have the launcher get out of your way and let you work.
Quick and Simple: Niagara Launcher
Niagara is still a shiny new-ish launcher that has only been around for a couple years — yes, that makes it new by launcher standards — but it's already got quite the following for being a lightning-fast launcher that's great for low-memory devices. It's also ridiculously simple to build themes around since it only has one layout. You can stick one or more widgets at the top, you have a Quicklist of your favorite apps, and the rest of your apps are a simple slide along the A-Z alphabet on the right (or left) side of the screen.
The feature set here has been steadily growing over the last year, and Niagara really hit its stride around the summer of 2021 when the Galaxy Z Fold 3 arrived and brought foldables mainstream. Niagara Launcher was very quick to adapt its minimal launcher into a big-screen-friendly launcher and in fact if you're looking for an all-business launcher for your Fold 3, Niagara has both one-column and two-column setups you can use to get to your next app and get back to work lickety-split.
If you just want to find your apps quickly and get on with your day, Niagara Launcher is a pretty great answer. It reminds me a bit of the old Z Launcher from several years ago, if you remember Nokia's experimental launcher, but I think this one is going to be around for a good while.
Pros:
- Ridiculously fast
- Quick setup
- Drop-dead easy interface
- Works well on foldables
Cons:
- Very limited layout options
- Gestures can overlap at times
Quick and Simple
Niagara Launcher
One layout, one super-fast app drawer.
While you may not be able to spread out all your apps and widgets on five different screens, this vertically scrolling launcher is lightning quick and works well on phones that more bloated launchers start to lag on.
Bottom line
My first launcher love was Nova, but Smart Launcher 5 won over my heart in 2018 and I haven't found anything else that works quite as well for my theme-loving setup. The categorical app drawer is better than one big A-Z sort once you have your categories set the way you want them, and the double-tap app shortcuts don't interfere with gesture navigation or swiping between the app drawer and home screen screens the way they do on Nova, Action, and just about every other launcher in existence.
If you want a launcher that's more like the launcher that came with your phone, Nova Launcher is the best bet because it imports from other launchers more consistently than any other launcher I've tried, allowing you to start with the setup you already had and then ease yourself into more advanced features like shortcut gestures and customizing the look of your folders, icons, and search bars. Nova Launcher is what Nicholas Sutrich uses on all of his phones, including on his Galaxy Z Fold 3, because you just can't beat Nova's flexibility.
Whichever of these launchers you opt for, the beauty of testing a launcher is that these all have a free tier that allows you to get a really good feel for the launcher and how it performs before you unlock extra features with Pro upgrades. If you have a launcher you absolutely adore, you should absolutely buy the pro key or contribute to the developers so that they can keep updating that launcher and keep it alive. Developers need to eat, too!
What happened to my gesture navigation?
This is not the launcher's fault. It's Google's.
If you're on an Android 10 phone that isn't on the latest patches, using anything other than the default, manufacturer launcher on your phone will force you from the new Android 10 gesture nav back to ugly old three-button nav. This was an issue at Android 10's initial launch, one that made third-party launchers suffer for Google's incompetence.
This issue has since been fixed for many phones, first Pixels and then OnePlus phones and finally Samsung phones that have the One UI 2.5 and One UI 3.0 updates. If you can't use gesture nav with your new launcher, contact your manufacturer and ask what the holdup with the update is.
And once again, shame on Google for ever allowing a major release of Android to ship like this! SHAME!
What missed the cut
There are hundreds and hundreds of launchers out there, and while there are plenty of good ones, they can't all make the cut. Here are the launchers that couldn't make the cut:
- Lawnchair was an honorable mention on this list for two years, but the launcher stalled out for a year and now they're working on Lawnchair 12, but it's still in a beta that's being run through a Telegram channel. When they get a version on Google Play that isn't from 2019, then we can revisit them, but we can't recommend it to new users or anyone looking for a simple, stable experience.
- Evie Launcher was still a light, easy launcher, but it's not in active development anymore, which means that when bugs arise, there's no one to fix them. If you were/are using Evie, try either Smart Launcher 5, Niagara Launcher, or Pear Launcher if you're on a phone with limited RAM.
- Hyperion Launcher keeps making progress, and it's actually pretty good these days. It's still not as stable as Action Launcher or Nova, though, and it's got a more confusing UI that will dissuade new users. If you're after a hyper-customizable launcher, Hyperion is for you.
- BlackBerry Launcher hasn't seen any updates in a year and is just too expensive to recommend to anyone that isn't already an active BlackBerry Hub subscriber. If you're a business user, Microsoft Launcher is likely a better fit, and Microsoft Launcher's free.