Thursday 30 June 2022
Best Samsung Galaxy S22 screen protectors 2022
New OnePlus 10T renders show a familiar design with some cost-cutting measures
The approach OnePlus has taken to its current 10-series of smartphones is a little confusing, to put it mildly. While in the past we got a Pro flagship alongside a cheaper non-Pro model since the OnePlus 7 series, that changed with the lonesome release of the OnePlus 10 Pro. We did see the launch of the 10R, but what about a base OP10 model? It started to look like we might be finding answers when the first leaks of a OnePlus 10T arrived, and while the name isn't quite what we were expecting, it sure has felt like this could effectively be the OnePlus 10 that never launched. Now some fresh renders have arrived to give us a slightly better look at this hardware.
Apple's inability to develop 5G smartphone modem is due to two Qualcomm patents says report
Tribit XSound Mega review: Shooting for the moon
Leaked Nothing phone (1) price puts it up against the upcoming Pixel 6a
Wednesday 29 June 2022
Visible review: Unlimited access to Verizon's network for $40/month
You can now repair your own Pixel with replacement parts from iFixit
Smartphone makers have traditionally been iffy about letting customers do their own repairs—Apple famously changed the screws on the iPhone to make it harder to open. Although, even Apple is starting to come around, and Google does what Apple does. Google and iFixit announced several months ago that official Pixel parts would come to the latter's online storefront, and today is the big day. If you've got a busted Pixel, you can now get what you need to fix it yourself.
The 'Switch to Android' iOS app now supports all Android 12 smartphones
Sony one-ups Samsung with its new 1-inch smartphone camera sensor
Sony's got a long history in digital imaging, creating not just plenty of cameras itself, but also producing the hardware that goes in other devices. If you're building a smartphone in 2022, the odds are good that if you're not using one of Samsung's ISOCELL sensors for your camera, you're going with a Sony component. Samsung's most recent launch — the 200MP ISOCELL HP3 sensor — is still a long way from making it into a commercial product, but Sony is not wasting any time showing off its new 1-inch camera sensor, the IMX989, set to debut with the Xiaomi 12S Ultra on July 4.
The Apple Watch helps save the life of a man swept out to sea in his kayak
Waze and Netflix team up for new, adventurous driving experience
Tuesday 28 June 2022
Stadia Pro adds Five Nights at Freddy’s, Worms W.M.D., and more in July
Jiggle Physics 132: Gaming while the world is on fire
Samsung's rugged Galaxy XCover 6 Pro with 5G leaks in full well ahead of its launch
Best Moto G Stylus (2021) Cases 2021
Starlink satellite internet is speedier than ever in North America
While residents of metropolitan areas usually have a lot of internet providers to pick from, the same can't be said about consumers in rural parts of the world. SpaceX launched Starlink as an effective means of providing high-speed internet in such areas. The service has been around for a couple of years now, with the beta going up in late 2020. More recently, Starlink reached a noteworthy milestone by averaging 100 Mbps download speeds in 15 countries. Ookla is now sharing the latest Starlink speed data, highlighting the service's growth around the world since Q1 2021.
Pokemon GO developer teams up with NBA for "real-world metaverse" mobile game
Best prebuilt PCs for Oculus Quest 2 and Oculus Link 2022
Monday 27 June 2022
Android users actually do care about OS updates
Highly spec'd Motorola Edge 30 Ultra and its 200MP camera are one step closer to being released
Best S22 cases 2022
Google is finally helping developers fight back against smartphone manufacturers breaking how Android apps work
We dance around it and claim that it's less of an issue every year, but Android still has problems because of fragmentation. One of the most annoying ways fragmentation can still manifest is when smartphone manufacturers mess with how apps work and behave, breaking expected behaviors or adjusting how they work to plump out battery life. This means that, from phone to phone and manufacturer to manufacturer, apps can behave differently than customers expect, offering an inconsistent experience and a developer support nightmare.
Apple to resurrect the iPhone 14 Plus name for the cheaper 6.7-incher
Atari is bringing five games to Stadia this year starting in July
Google and Apple might get investigated by the FTC for allegedly selling user data
Google's unlocked Pixel 6 Pro is on sale at a new all-time high discount
YouTube Music album interface gets a new makeover on Android tablets
Sunday 26 June 2022
The OSOM OV1 security flagship gets a new name and a new focus
The best Amazon Echo Show 8 mounts and stands in 2022
Amazon's Echo Show smart displays are the perfect gateway into the convenience of the Alexa voice control ecosystem. The Echo Show 8, in particular, sports a robust feature set including a 1280 by 800 pixel HD resolution, stereo speakers, a 13-megapixel camera, Wi-Fi 5 connectivity, and a responsive touchscreen.
This free app brings Pixels' Now Playing passive music recognition to your phone
Shazam and SoundHound are useful tools when you're out on the town and want to know what's on other peoples' soundtracks so that you can take those songs and, perhaps, boost your own playlists. Pixel phone owners do have it pretty good, though, because Now Playing makes that ability passive. If you're jealous, we've got a homebrew app that's come a long way for you to download and try out.
$240 Nokia G400 5G visits the FCC with 120Hz refresh rate, 5000mAh battery, and triple camera array
Portable 4K projectors and retail stores: Here's how XGIMI plans to gain momentum in India
Saturday 25 June 2022
Pixel 7 Pro rumored to have brighter display than Pixel 6 Pro; other specs discovered on prototype
Pixel 4 accidentally receives Android 13 update weeks too early
After years of delay, Plex replaces its desktop media player client
Mediaphiles have had years to cope with the imminent demise of the Plex Media Player. Plans were first announced in August of 2019, right when the Plex had also released its intended replacement, the Home Theater PC app. Outrage from the crowd stopped everything in its tracks for three years, but at last, Plex is now calling time of death for PMP. Long live HTPC.
Google tells employees they can 'relocate without justification' after Supreme Court ruling
In the wake of the Supreme Court decision which overturned federal protections of abortion rights, institutions and employers are scrambling to respond with new policies that will support women in their organizations who are seeking to terminate their pregnancies, but live in a state that has banned abortions. Google is one of them.
T-mobile begins selling Android users' web and app data to advertisers
Friday 24 June 2022
Best smart video doorbells that store locally (not in the cloud) 2022
Google wants input from Android app developers on device compatibility issues
Should you buy an Amazon Fire tablet with lockscreen ads?
Fire Tablets are a popular product lineup for Amazon, taking the number four spot in market share in 2021 (via Gizmochina) with 9.5% of the market to themselves after selling 16.1 million units. The driving force behind this growth is competitive pricing, and those already competitive prices will drop right down into impulse buy territory on Amazon Prime Day. Fire Tablets are cheap, and most are available at two pricing tiers — with lockscreen ads and without lockscreen ads. So when choosing your tablet, you might be tempted to save extra money in exchange for the ads, but are the savings worth it?
Amazon Fire Tablet: Which storage size should I buy?
Best Buy is getting ready for the Google Pixel 6a's imminent release
The Google Pixel 6a was officially unveiled at last month's I/O 2022, although it won't arrive until late July. With Google having shared all the info on the budget-conscious version of the Pixel 6 at its annual developer conference, it feels like we know practically everything there is to about it. Ahead of its availability next month, a landing page for the Pixel 6a is already live on Best Buy's website.
New AirPods Pro 2 report details all the huge upgrades of Apple's next big earbuds
Thursday 23 June 2022
How T-Mobile's 3G shutdown will impact Google Fi and older Pixels
The long and drawn-out death of carrier 3G services in the US is approaching its dramatic close, with T-Mobile next to flip the off switch on its legacy systems in July. Google Fi, being a T-Mobile MVNO, will also be affected when that happens, and the company has detailed exactly how subscribers will be affected.
Nothing takes a page from OnePlus with an invite-only model for Phone 1 sales
The Nothing Phone 1 has garnered a lot of attention for a phone that's still not here, not least because of the company’s PR tactics to get everyone constantly talking about the phone. Now we're starting to get close to launch, and some phone hardware has finally entered the picture, with reviewers like MKBHD getting to play with it, giving us another tease. However, if all this has you tempted to pick one up, be advised that getting your Nothing Phone 1 won’t be as easy as picking one off the shelf, as the company shares news of an invite-only system — at the beginning, at least.
Hot new rumor paints Samsung's Galaxy Z Flip 4 in a wide variety of interesting colors
How to Watch Love Island UK in the US and beyond: a global streaming guide
The OSOM OV1 is now a Solana blockchain-integrated phone called Saga
Many of our readers have been waiting for OSOM, the company reformed from the ashes of an Andy Rubin-less Essential, to deliver the OV1 smartphone it's been teasing since 2020. In what will likely be a good news/bad news arrangement, you can now pre-order the phone, but some key details have changed. The OV1 is now the Solana Saga, a blockchain-integrated Android flagship.
YouTube TV 5.1 audio support rolling out to Amazon’s Fire TV devices
Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K vs. Roku Streaming Stick 4K
Wednesday 22 June 2022
Twitter board approves Musk's $44 billion buyout bid
It hasn't been long since billionaire and Tesla CEO Elon Musk expressed his intentions to acquire Twitter. A lot has happened since then, with the deal being put on hold and Twitter accusing Musk of breaking a non-disclosure agreement (NDA). But things seem to be steadying now, as the Twitter board has formally asked the company's shareholders to approve Musk's $44 billion bid.
Amazon is now selling Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold 3 at a huge $500 discount
Early Prime Day deals: save up to 47% on Fire TVs
Should you buy an Amazon Fire Kids or Fire Kids Pro tablet?
Amazon's Fire HD tablet series offers one of the most streamlined experiences for enjoying popular content. It's ideal for accessing the Prime Video catalog, for instance, but it's not limited to just Amazon apps. It also works perfectly with some of the most entertaining streaming services, including Netflix and Disney+. But, even in 2022, the internet is a wild place. You probably don't want your kids having unfettered access to the World Wide Web until they're old enough to make safe and healthy decisions for themselves.
Three iPhone 14 models tipped to get larger batteries than 2021 counterparts
Tuesday 21 June 2022
Android 13 will make it easier for more phones and ROMs to support Material You
Android's Material You dynamic theming system is beautiful, but it hasn't been adopted by many apps yet, particularly when it comes to the bigger names. That might partly be because it's a messy process right now, and Google's app-side libraries for implementing Material You outright impose an allowlist that limits compatibility to certain approved manufacturers. Fortunately, Google tells us that's going to change in Android 13. And, according to a trusted source, Google has also dropped its requirement that smartphone manufacturers implement Material You on Android 12.
T-Mobile vs Verizon vs AT&T: America's fastest network is also the best in new 5G and 4G LTE tests
Best MVNOs that use Verizon's network 2022
Samsung's best mid-range tablet is $110 off right now
Samsung's Galaxy S-series tablets are some of the best you can get, but they don't come cheap. The Tab S8 starts at $700 for the 11-inch model, with the super-premium 14.6-inch Tab S8 Ultra reaching a staggering $1,400 for the highest-end configuration. The Galaxy Tab S7 FE, released last year, is a pared down version of Samsung's previous-generation flagship tablets. It keeps a lot of what's great about Samsung's pricier tablets, but makes some key cuts to reach a lower MSRP of $530. Right now, it's even more affordable at just $420.
Apple's 2022 Back to School promo could launch Friday without free AirPods
It looks like the Nothing phone (1) design is a hit, but we remain cautiously optimistic
Monday 20 June 2022
Chromecast with Google TV users get first crack at profiles
You could say we've been waiting for Google TV profiles for over eight months, but really, it's been far longer. Ever since the company launched its latest Chromecast in the fall of 2020 — the first with a full UI running skinned Android TV — we've been asking for the ability to swap between profiles. Finally, profiles are now rolling out to Chromecast with Google TV owners, a month after the company first confirmed they were ready.
Soon, AT&T customers won't be able to make Play Store payments via their monthly billing
Google Pixel Watch: Everything you need to know
Google has not seen much success with Wear OS in the near-decade since it launched, and the blame largely lies with itself. Wearables have been neglected for years, missing out on meaningful updates and any significant hardware refreshes. However, since partnering with Samsung last year, Wear OS has made a comeback of sorts. To make this transition fully successful, Wear OS needs a hero device. During Google I/O this year, big G has finally revealed exactly that in the form of the Pixel Watch, which will be released this fall, likely alongside the Pixel 7. The wait for the long-rumored elusive Google accessory is finally over.
This incredibly useful iOS 16 feature could save you time and prevent you from going insane
Google might be shaking up its approach to reminders on Android, starting with Calendar
If you want to save a reminder on your phone, there's no shortage of options. Google Keep remains as popular as ever, with specific dates and times attached to each note. Tasks offers a streamlined interface and an easy way to check off items as you go, but it's hidden behind Gmail on desktop. Assistant Reminders, meanwhile, creates an entry just from a simple voice command, but it's annoying to access your list of upcoming items. Google might be working on improving this messy situation, though we'll have to wait and see exactly what the company has planned.
Best Samsung Galaxy A53 deals and prices of June 2022
Sunday 19 June 2022
Rare Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra deal slashes a cool $130 off Samsung's beastly tablet
Has your Pixel 6 suffered from random device shutdowns?
OnePlus may return to its flagship killer roots with the OnePlus 10T
Google uses Drake's 'Texts Go Green' to coerce Apple into supporting RCS
On Friday, Drake released his seventh studio album called "Honestly, Nevermind" which featured a track about someone who abandoned a relationship because their partner wasn't communicating their feelings in the right way. But with a name like "Texts Go Green," it didn't take much more for Google's social media team to pounce upon Apple and its iMessage platform, making the case that iPhones and other devices should support RCS messaging.
Android 13 will bring official support for exFAT after years of development hell
Android 13 will bring about the ability for a Pixel device to handle files larger than 4GB in disk memory for the first time. But the story of how the exFAT file format came to be supported on the Pixel 6 is one that has come together, piece by piece, over a long period.
This handy multi-device security app is now free for anyone with a Microsoft 365 subscription
Microsoft Defender, the all-in-one security platform that lets enterprise users track malware threats for all of their devices, is expanding its target audience to outside of the business realm. Defender is now available for anyone with a personal or family Microsoft 365 subscription.
TikTok seeks to protect the security of its U.S. platform
Saturday 18 June 2022
Some older Pixel phones will become functionally useless after T-Mobile 3G shutdown
Lawmakers push Google to direct abortion seekers to the resources they're looking for
One of the many touchstone issues that has defined the political divide in the United States is abortion. You may be aware of the Supreme Court's forthcoming reckoning over the federally-protected right of women to terminate their own pregnancy. Whatever the outcome, though, the decision won't stop women from seeking abortions in the states that permit it — that also means anti-abortion activists will be deploying strategies to prevent as many of them as possible. Now, lawmakers are urging online search behemoth Google to make sure it is directing women to the right places.
Can you game on a Chromebook?
ChromeOS may eventually get a proper place for some proper privacy settings
We can all appreciate a little bit of privacy here and there. Bought a laptop within the last few years? You might have a little cover that you can slide over your camera. Take a look at that smart speaker and you'll see a mute switch you can flip to turn off its always-listening microphones. And ChromeOS devices may soon have a dedicated settings page for anything concerning your privacy.
The Apple Watch Series 6 lives on with hot new Nike deal
Friday 17 June 2022
T-Mobile’s latest Uncarrier move saves you 25 cents per gallon on gas
T-Mobile is not a carrier to quietly update its options without a little spectacle. For years now we've been looking forward to each of its next "Uncarrier" announcements, where it shares its latest plans, perks, and premium features. This week we get the details on its most recent changes, with news about high-speed 5G data on international roaming, savings on your next tank of gas, and more.
US senators declare war on Apple's Lightning port, calling for one charger to rule them all
Last-minute Father's Day gift ideas from Samsung — up to $1,125 off the Galaxy S22 Ultra
Google Play will no longer support AT&T carrier billing
Google's carrier billing program seems like a no-brainer. Rather than linking your credit card or other payment methods to your account directly, any purchases made through the Play Store — apps, movie rentals, and everything else — goes directly to your monthly statement. It's an easy way to streamline your transactions, but considering recent events, it might be disappearing altogether. On the heels of Verizon discontinuing its partnership with Google earlier this year, AT&T is announcing its departure from the program.
Razer Kishi V2 review: Switch fans only, please
Thursday 16 June 2022
Lenovo's new Chromebook Duet 3 won't work with older USI pens
Amazon’s Father’s Day deals on Fire and Echo devices are a perfect Prime Day preview
Amazon's annual Prime Day event doesn't officially kick off for a few weeks yet, but the company's known to roll out plenty of deals before the festivities begin in earnest. Right now, the company's running a big Father's Day sale on all kinds of stuff — including many of its own devices that'll surely be marked down again for Prime Day.
Dish's new 5G service is now live in 120+ cities
Dish is best known for providing satellite TV service, but it's also been sitting on wireless spectrum licenses for years. Now, it's finally putting them to use. After testing its new 5G network in Las Vegas, Dish has expanded "Project Genesis" to more than 120 cities across the US. While Dish says it covers 20% of the population, don't expect access in any major cities just yet.
Google Search makes finding at-home COVID-19 tests in stores a whole lot easier
At this point, many of us are in tune with the cycle of COVID-19 outbreaks in the US. As with the last two years, a summer spike in cases is here, particularly in the south, as some unbearably hot weather forces people back inside enclosed spaces. Google is working to keep up with the pandemic's current status, and its latest addition to Search makes it easier than ever to locate an at-home testing kit.
A whole bunch of upcoming Motorola phones get rock-solid prices and colors
Eero Pro 6 vs. Eero Pro: Should you upgrade?
Netflix may want to consider putting a stop to releasing whole seasons all at once
It's no secret to anyone that Netflix has been going through a rough patch lately. The service, regarded as one of the biggest video streaming services in the world, is seeing its subscriber count drop for the first time in years. To hear former subscribers tell it, the best Netflix original series are just too few and far between, to say nothing of constantly increasing prices (and more than a few content-related controversies). Because of this, Netflix needs to ponder every option possible in an attempt to turn the tide around. One option that a number of industry insiders suggest could prove fruitful would involve radically shifting the service's release strategy of dropping whole new seasons at once.
Wednesday 15 June 2022
FuboTV Account: Here's how to activate your FuboTV subscription
Best Google Pixel 4a screen protectors 2022
Google has a problem with plagiarized news content, but says it's up to publishers to deal with
Plagiarism is serious business, especially in journalism. But while individual writers stealing portions of work from other creators online is a problem, it has nothing on sites that wholesale rip off countless articles, repackaging them as their own in an attempt to steal eyes and ad sales without any actual labor. While it's hard to stop this process from happening, it's really only a problem if a major channel like, say, Google starts to surface these results instead of unique, original reporting. Unfortunately, that's exactly what's happening — and it doesn't seem like the company's doing much to stop it.
Nothing phone (1): Everything we know so far
A Samsung Galaxy S22 FE is looking less and less likely
How to change background colors in Google Docs
The Google Weather app finally makes its way to Android tablets
Save $120 on the Samsung Galaxy Watch4 LTE, today only
Samsung's Galaxy Watch4 is one of the best smartwatches on the market right now — and it's only gotten better with the recent addition of Google Assistant support. If you've been eyeing one, today's a good day to pull the trigger: you can get the 40-millimeter LTE-compatible version for $180 on Woot, a full $120 off MSRP.
Tuesday 14 June 2022
WhatsApp finally makes it possible to transfer chat history from Android to iOS
Internet Explorer ends 26-year run as top browser for installing other browsers
Time comes for us all. It's a lesson Microsoft's learning the hard way, as its once-dominant browser is finally — finally — no more. Never again will that circular "e" logo be the first icon you click on when booting a new PC, nor will you have to spend a Saturday afternoon uninstalling seven toolbars from your mother's computer. Internet Explorer dies tomorrow, June 15th, leaving nothing but memories — and, you know, Edge — behind.
Best thin cases for Samsung Galaxy S22 in 2022
The folding Moto Razr 5G is at its lowest price of the year right now
It's not the flashiest foldable on the market, but the Moto Razr 5G does have a certain charm to it. Styled after Motorola's iconic flip phones of yesteryear, the newest Razr features a folding inner screen with a hinge design that lets it fold completely shut — unlike Samsung's foldables, which still have a visible gap when closed. The phone typically costs about $1,000, but you can get it for $800 today — that's $200 off.
Apex Legends Mobile Season 1 Cold Snap update brings the battle royale a new but familiar hero
Apex Legends Mobile launched on Android this past May, and it's still on its first season (as this is a live service battle royale, after all), but today marks the announcement of a new legend, though they won't be officially available until Thursday, June 16th. Today's mid-season update also signals the arrival of a new battle pass with new rewards, along with a unique game feature that freezes its surrounding area, offering frozen loot boxes with a special currency that can be spent on loot in the Seasonal Shop. Plus, there are some bug fixes to go around, addressing player frustrations with the game's matchmaking.
How to connect Xbox controller to Chromebook for Steam games
Monday 13 June 2022
Which Ring Doorbell should you buy?
Google is shutting down Assistant's Conversational Actions in favor of App Actions for Android
The Made by Google event in 2016 was one for the history books. The first-gen Pixel and Pixel XL arrived, the company embraced mobile VR with its Daydream headset, and the original Google Home smart speaker brought Assistant out of our phones and into our homes. Not all of those were home runs, but the staying power of Google's voice assistant is obvious. To that end, the company is transitioning away from some of the earliest third-party options for apps starting next year.
Even Samsung's most affordable US 5G phone is getting Android 12 now
The Galaxy Watch 5 may get a sorely-needed charging boost
Best Motorola edge screen protectors 2022
Which Garmin Forerunner model is right for me? How to choose the perfect size & features
Google Fit could be getting a new logo, suggesting it's here to stay
Sunday 12 June 2022
Apple's Federighi talks about WWDC's biggest hit (the new custom Lock Screen)
Chrome OS could let you split your screen in different ways
The importance of managing windows on Chrome OS (soon to be ChromeOS) is growing. Splitting the screen in half for two windows may be useful for most people, but there's more than one way to cut a cake or slice a screen and a new commit in the Chromium Gerrit may be a sign that Google is recognizing this.
Honkai: Star Rail for Android — Everything you need to know
Spotify Pie breaks down the genres you're listening to, including the ones you didn't know existed
If you use Spotify on the regular, you know how much data the audio streaming app has on your listening habits. We see it every year with its flashy Wrapped breakdowns. But there are plenty of other ways to break down that blackbox of data and one of the newest and most colorful ways comes from a UCLA student.
Hot new rumor paints a surprising Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro 2 release picture
Saturday 11 June 2022
Vivo X80 Pro review: A flagship, at last
Vivo phones probably haven’t been on your radar much, but that could change. Vivo is slowly expanding into more and more international markets, having just made the jump to Europe with its excellent X70 series last year. The company has even struck a deal with FIFA to become one of the 2022 World Cup sponsors, making clear that the BBK Electronics subsidiary has big plans for the future. The X80 Pro that just launched in India for roughly $1,100 represents just that — it’s the X series’ most expensive conventional flagship to date, and a bet that Vivo can play in the big league alongside the best phones from the Samsungs, Googles, and Apples of this world.
First real-world Galaxy Z Flip 4 images show subtle but important changes
Father's Day deals for Google and Nest gear are on right now
You know what your dad needs? We hope it's a smart speaker, a video doorbell, or even a Pixel 6 Pro. Father's Day is a week away and if you want to ship any of these Google devices to him, you'll want to plan ahead and make sure you can take advantage of some neat sale prices while the going's good.
Samsung's May 2022 update is now available for the unlocked Galaxy Z Flip in the US
As has become customary, Samsung started rolling out the May 2022 security update in international markets right on cue — Galaxy S22 owners in Asia were among the first to get the new software. Now, the company's releasing the update to the U.S. only about a week later, starting with the Galaxy Z Fold3 and Galaxy Z Flip3.
UFC 275 live stream PPV guide: how to watch Teixeira vs Prochazka online
Apple gives in to Dutch dating app developers
Leaked photos of Samsung's Galaxy Z Flip4 give us a peek at that smoother foldable screen
If a phone hasn't been leaked in photos, then has it really been talked about? Rumor mills are amazing operations and they can churn out big time if there's at least some excitement in the air for a product. Fortunately for Samsung for which its upcoming Galaxy Z Flip4 seems more like an iterative update than trailblazing remake, a new intel drop today would show that yes, people are paying attention.
Best clear cases for Google Pixel 6a 2022
Friday 10 June 2022
One of my favorite games of all time is coming to Netflix
If you haven't had the joy of playing it just yet, a game that's coming to Netflix might be reason enough to keep your subscription a little longer. Later this year, a mobile version of the point-and-click magical realist narrative game Kentucky Route Zero by developer Cardboard Computer is coming to Netflix exclusively, with all five amazing acts available to play right from your smartphone.
Another price increase is coming to Verizon, and this one is just as bad as AT&T's
Amazon's latest AR shopping tool lets you try on shoes virtually
Nothing Phone 1's fast-charging speed looks like 'nothing' to write home about
Nothing announced its inaugural smartphone — the Nothing Phone 1 — back in March, and we recently learned that it's nearly ready to make its grand debut, with a July 12 launch event scheduled in London. While recent rumors have started to give us a better idea of what to expect, there's still a lot we don't know about the eagerly anticipated phone's hardware. Today we make progress on filling in some of those blanks, upon the discovery a document that sheds some light on the Nothing Phone 1's charging performance.
HTC will announce its metaverse phone this month, whether you want it or not
Back at Mobile World Congress, HTC did the impossible — it teased a brand-new phone set to arrive in the coming months. Legions of old-school fans ran to their desk drawers, digging around for their HTC One X or M8 in celebration. Those same collectors inevitably fell to their knees in disappointment as we all learned the gimmick for this next device: the metaverse. After an initial delay, HTC is ready to show the world the Web3 phone it deserves — for better or worse.
With iOS and iPadOS 16, more native apps can be uninstalled by users
Thursday 9 June 2022
Samsung's Galaxy Buds Pro 2 are coming 'this year', but not at August Unpacked event
Resident Evil Village cloud demo through Google's Immersive Stream for Games now available
Meta's rumored smartwatch sounds even dumber than we thought it would be
Spurred on by the constant success of the Apple Watch and Google remembering that Wear OS, uh, exists, smartwatches are one of the hottest gadget categories out there right now. As we impatiently wait to learn all about the Pixel Watch and its potentially disappointing spec sheet, another rumored product has bit the dust. Meta's long-rumored watch is apparently on ice, just in time to learn about some of its truly ridiculous features.
Best Father's Day gift ideas and deals (2022)
New Google Maps feature will help you brace for wildfire season
Best Oculus Quest 2 accessories 2022
Wednesday 8 June 2022
Samsung's new SmartThings Home Life services offer a central place to control your smart home
For a company that builds everything from smartphones to major appliances, it's no surprise that Samsung's got its own smart home ecosystem, and SmartThings connects robot vacuums, motion sensors, thermostats, and more, all through the SmartThings app. Now Samsung is looking to expand its range of smart home services even further, with the global launch of SmartThings Home Life.
Apple's 2022 iPad Pro lineup could include a beastly 14.1-inch model with 16GB of 'base' memory
Bluetooth audio is about to get a major upgrade thanks to Auracast
Google Tasks now lets you use stars to highlight all the chores you keep brushing off
Although Google has no shortage of ways to keep track of your to-do list — Keep and Reminders among them — Tasks is probably the most streamlined and straightforward method. Built right into Gmail on desktop (and available as a dedicated app on your phone), Tasks makes things simple, without any of the fluff or complicated organization tools you'll find on other apps. That said, today's update goes a long way in making your most important to-do entries a little more obvious.
Samsung sued for using an algorithm that predicts remaining battery life on an Android phone
Best Samsung Galaxy A32 5G cases 2022
Tuesday 7 June 2022
Best Samsung Galaxy A52 & A52 5G cases 2022
These 6 smart plugs are the best for monitoring energy usage in 2022
The iPhone will be required to use USB-C by 2024 thanks to new EU policy
Best external drives for NVIDIA Shield TV Pro 2022
Best cheap Chromebook deals: June 2022
Best Android tablet 2022
Google's rumored 1080p Chromecast HD with Google TV may have just swung by the FCC
Google I/O came and went without any new hardware for your TV. And while the latest Chromecast is still competing with the likes of Amazon and Roku, many of us have been waiting with bated breath to see what's next. While a rumored 1080p-capped variant of the Chromecast with Google TV might not be what some potential shoppers were hoping for, it does seem like it's closer than ever to hitting store shelves following a mysterious new device passing through the FCC.
Monday 6 June 2022
Apple’s watchOS 9 is official: new watch faces and arrhythmia tracking
How to Watch Love Island UK in the US and beyond: a streaming guide
Apple pulls an Android with iOS 16's new lock screen customization
Apple's WWDC 2022 keynote happened today, and while you might not expect that to be a huge deal for Android, there's been a lot that's managed to catch our eye, both in terms of things we wish Android would get, and those that feel inspired by it. We're definitely thinking about the latter as we learn about the slew of improvements coming to iOS 16, including lock screen customization — something that should feel very familiar to Android fans.
iOS 16 introduces ergonomic new lock screen notifications
Samsung signals that work is underway on One UI 4.1.1 update
Samsung's One UI software is easily among the best executed takes on Android out there, with all sorts of great functional improvements, like what we've been seeing lately with support for larger foldable, smartphones. Since 2019, Samsung has been dropping a couple incremental releases before hitting its next major version of the software. Keeping in line with that tradition, Samsung's final fourth-generation One UI update looks like it's on the way, as we start learning about work towards One UI 4.1.1.
iOS 16 brings an entirely new lock screen, one more customizable than ever
Sunday 5 June 2022
Google Tensor 2 chipset expected to be built by Samsung using its 4nm process node
Microsoft's Surface Laptop Go 2 isn't as future-proof as this 2021 Chromebook
When one thinks Surface, they also think of Microsoft. It's a pretty good brand name. But the company has been slicing its product categories by form factors and price points deli-thin: would you like a premium, mid-tier, or entry-level Windows 2-in-1 or laptop? This week, the company updated its budget-ish laptop series with the Surface Laptop Go 2. On paper, it's super-portable, surprisingly performant, and costs between $599 and $799 — sounds like Microsoft wants a piece of the personal Chromebook market. But which should you go with?
Telegram reportedly surrendered user data to authorities despite still saying to the contrary
Messaging apps that offer end-to-end encryption can claim that they're protecting their users by saying that they've thrown away the key — metaphorical and literal — and can't undo what's been scrambled in transmission. Telegram, however, claims it protects every user whether they use E2EE or not, saying that government data requests have to pass an especially high muster before they would comply and that they have never acceded to such request. Not so, a report claims.
Pixel 6a units found on sale weeks before official pre-orders begin
Google Assistant is losing some features that you may have never used
How to quickly book a doctor's visit with Google Search
Motorola phones at risk of hacking with chip-level vulnerability
Chinese chipmaker Unisoc has been able to seize upon opportunities in the global chip shortage crisis. As Taiwanese cohort MediaTek has been able to ascend with more upscale products, so has Unisoc, taking the former's place in more budget phones. But such a rise is due stricter scrutiny: we've seen one of the company's older chips marked as a threat vector, putting owners of a number of budget phones at risk with only some prospect of a patch. Now, we're learning about another vulnerability that's explicitly affecting a Unisoc chip in three Motorola devices.
How to make your own WhatsApp emoji
Emoji, stickers, and memes have become a language of their own, but sometimes what’s on offer isn’t enough. You have to get in there and craft your own. There are a few ways to do this. Gboard’s Emoji Kitchen lets you mix different emojis together. You can also create a custom cartoon avatar of yourself using Bitmoji. WhatsApp made it possible to create your own custom stickers in its web and desktop versions, but it's still not possible within the mobile app. The other option is to put those drawing skills to use on your mobile device. This guide walks you through turning your illustrations into WhatsApp stickers using the Sticker Maker app.
If you see a Flying COW, don't be alarmed; it's just AT&T temporarily improving its 5G signal
Saturday 4 June 2022
New York Times: Goodbye iPhone, hello Mixed Reality headset
How to disable voice purchasing on Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant
It's surprisingly easy to make a purchase by using just your voice with an Amazon Echo speaker (less so with a Google Assistant speaker, but we'll get onto that in a bit). Of course, it's one thing when you're aware of this ability. It's an entirely different thing when you're sticking one of these Alexa-enabled devices in, say, your kids' room or your parents' house and your Amazon account is tied in for all of those purchases. You'll probably want to turn off the ability to make Voice Purchases.
Data shows an iOS 15 adoption rate close to 90%
Loot boxes and game publishers could soon be in for more scrutiny from EU
Diablo Immortal's global release this week brought up mixed reviews from critics. Our Matt Sholtz was particularly incensed about how Activision Blizzard dressed up its arcane loot box system and mentioned that the company wouldn't be releasing the game in Belgium and the Netherlands because of it. Now, we're hearing about efforts to bring the legal axe down on loot boxes across Europe.
Friday 3 June 2022
The best new movies you can watch at home right now
Streaming services have taken over as one of the best ways to catch the latest movies. Whether they're making a stop in theaters before rolling out digital rentals or they launch as first-run originals from the likes of Netflix, Apple TV+, or HBO; we're rounding up the best titles so you're not left in the dark — until it's time to start the film, that is. Check back each week (usually on Friday) to see the latest additions for movies that are now available to stream, the latest theatrical releases, and movies coming next week.
Motorola Moto G42 gets another leaked high-res picture, full specs sheet
How to disable the Soli sleep feature on the Nest Hub (2nd Gen)
Clock is the next Google app receiving a tablet-sized UI overhaul
You have to hand it to Google: they've kept their focus on tablets for months now, rolling out Android 12L with all sorts of big-screen enhancements before announcing more than a dozen app upgrades at I/O last month. Clock is the latest app to get a makeover for larger displays, complete with a new side navigation panel that appears custom-built for tablets.
Samsung's 200MP image sensor, to be used in the Motorola Edge 30 Ultra, stars in a new video
Best controllers for Diablo Immortal on Android 2022
Thursday 2 June 2022
Yet another 5G phone can be had for free from T-Mobile with 'any' trade-in
Samsung Galaxy A73 5G vs. Galaxy A53 5G
Android Auto for phone screens is about to run out of gas
Android Auto's death caused a great disturbance in the Force last year, as if millions of drivers suddenly cried out in terror and were suddenly silenced. With Android 12, Google's original phone-friendly UI for navigation, media, messaging, and more disappeared, leaving only Assistant Driving Mode and a handful of third-party services in its place. None quite measured up to Android Auto for phone screens, and unfortunately for drivers on Android 11 and earlier, their time has also come.
Google Assistant to lose helpful feature that set reminders based on your location
How to add a battery widget on your Pixel phone
Wednesday 1 June 2022
Best Chromebook accessories for students 2022
Google's getting rid of Assistant's passive-aggressive assigned reminders
Back in 2019, Google rolled out assignable reminders in Assistant, offering users in supported markets a way to select specific family members to complete chores, pick up groceries, or anything else on the to-do list. In practice, it worked surprisingly well, making it easy for partners, spouses, or roommates to make sure tasks were completed on time — though it could make for some passive-aggressive comments between loved ones. Unfortunately, it seems like the feature isn't long for this world.