Wednesday 31 August 2022

T-Mobile offers three months of free data to try its network while making it even easier to switch

T-Mobile has added a feature to its iOS app called T-Mobile Network Pass which allows users to try out the T-Mobile network for three months with unlimited data. Android support is coming soon.

Best Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3 cases 2022

Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold 3 is a premium foldable that packs in a number of innovative features in a futuristic-looking body. That said, it's a fragile device that needs solid protection, which is why we've rounded up some of the best Galaxy Z Fold 3 cases available in the market today.

Best Google Pixel 6 Pro screen protectors 2022

Your Google Pixel 6 Pro's curved screen makes finding a great screen protector more difficult and might interfere with the functioning of the in-display fingerprint scanner. Here's which screen protectors to choose to ensure your Pixel 6 Pro is adequately covered.

T-Mobile is revolutionizing carrier switching with extended free trials and deep eSIM integration

The unnecessarily complicated carrier switching process will never be the same after T-Mobile's introduction of Easy Switch capabilities and a killer 90-day Network Pass program.

Fitbit Charge 5 vs. Luxe: Which should you buy?

If you're torn between the Fitbit Charge 5 and the Luxe, we can help you pick the one that's best for you.

The OPPO Reno 8 series debuts in Europe and the UK alongside the OPPO Pad Air

OPPO has launched the Reno 8 series in Europe. The company has also introduced the OPPO Pad Air, a mid-range Android tablet.

Tuesday 30 August 2022

Google makes it possible to downgrade from Android 13 to Android 12, with a catch

Following an awkward launch where Pixel owners found themselves unable to downgrade from Android 13, Google has made life easier. At least for developers who still need Android 12.

Google Search is testing a way to point you toward shorter articles

Google has a knack for keeping its search results helpful and up to date, and while that's exactly why we turn to it as often as we do, how often do you find yourself looking up what should be a simple question, but find yourself sucked down the rabbit hole, clicking link after link as you chase down more info? With as easy as it is to get caught up with longer, more detailed results than we have time for, Google is now testing a new label to help you identify shorter reading material.



Sony buys European studio to expand its mobile games portfolio

After creating the so-called PlayStation Studios Mobile Division, Sony confirmed it has acquired European developer Savage Game Studios.

AC Podcast 578: Your Data for a Tripod

Testing live on the air

The Best Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3 prices and deals of 08 2022

Since it first hit store shelves in August 2021, the Galaxy Z Fold 3 has made waves as the best foldable phone on the market. Here's how to save big and get one for yourself.

Logitech G Gaming Handheld leak shows Switch-like design and Google apps

Leaked images surface, showing what could be the design of the coming Logitech G Gaming Handheld. The product appears to mirror that of the Nintendo Switch and could also utilize Android software.

Monday 29 August 2022

Android 14's first beta should arrive in April

It seems like only yesterday that Android 13's first developer preview arrived online. Now that we've had a couple of weeks with a stable build, it's time to start looking forward to what's coming next from Google. While we've known that Android 13's beta program would continue for some time now, we're finally getting some specifics on what this program will entail — along with a hint on when Android 14 might be ready for testers.



A whole bunch of mid-range Motorola phones are on sale at crazy low prices

Amazon is running a huge sale on the Moto G Power (2021), Moto G Stylus (2020), G Stylus (2021), Motorola One 5G Ace, and original Motorola Edge.

Paying with your phone or smartwatch is the go-to move, but support remains an issue

In our latest poll, we asked our readers if they use mobile payments. These are the results of the poll and some responses we received.

YouTube Music realizes it doesn't need your precise location, after all

Of all your personal data that you strive to keep private, your physical location is one particularly vulnerable piece of information, but also one where there are some good reasons why certain apps need to have it. With this in mind, Android allows you to limit access to your location on a per-app basis when you run software for the first time. YouTube Music has been using precise location data to generate recommendations, but apparently it's had a change of heart about needing that level of detail, and going forward your approximate location will suffice.



Back from the dead? Huawei gets over one million reservations for Mate 50 series

Huawei has reportedly received over one million reservations for its flagship Mate 50 line set to be unveiled on September 6th.

T-Mobile's top plan is getting even better with free Apple TV Plus

T-Mobile is adding Apple TV+ to the list of perks for its top unlimited plan. Customers on the Magenta MAX are getting an Apple TV+ subscription in addition to unlimited premium data, HD streaming, and Netflix.

Sunday 28 August 2022

Google wants to make using Android apps across devices more convenient

Google wants to help developers build Android apps that work across all types of devices by launching a developer preview of a new cross-device SDK.

Sony teases new compact phone. Is it the Xperia 5 IV or something else?

Sony continues to tease its September 1st event during which it will introduce the Sony Xperia 5 IV although the videos do hint that a compact model will be announced.

Will Twitter's pivot to podcasts get more people to use it?

Twitter's strategy with adding new features has pretty much consisted of shoving stuff up the noses of users and seeing what sticks. And to Twitter's credit, it occasionally works. Spaces has been pretty successful on its own and it has stayed relevant despite a dip in popularity of Clubhouse, the app it borrowed its main concept from. The app is venturing further into the audio space by adding a new podcasts feature to Spaces. It's not a bad idea in itself — after all, making a good new thing better should be one of the company's biggest priorities right now. We're normally less than confident on Twitter's additions after flubs like NFT profile pictures and Fleets. But if executed right, Twitter just may be able to earn some new stripes and gain some real popularity — perhaps surpassing Snapchat and coming up to the likes of Facebook.



The first good Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 and Watch 5 Pro deals have already arrived

Hot on the heels of the Galaxy Buds 2 Pro, Samsung's Galaxy Watch 5 and Watch 5 Pro are also on sale at cool discounts shortly after their commercial debut.

Meta settles Class-Action suit related to Cambridge Analytica and the 2016 presidential election

Meta has agreed to settle a Class-Action suit filed by Facebook users who had their personal data used without permission by Cambridge Analytica.

Google finally updates Search and Maps with more specific abortion provider labels

Even before the Supreme Court announced the overturning of Roe v. Wade on June 24, the writing was pretty much on the wall courtesy of that leaked draft opinion in early May. But it was also around the time when lawmakers asked tech giants to provide better access to abortion resources. Google in particular was accused of leading women astray by including results for crisis pregnancy centers (often run by anti-abortion groups) in searches for abortion clinics. The company is now committing to transparency by adding labels to health organizations when people seek abortions through Google Search or Maps.



Saturday 27 August 2022

Meta settle Class-Action suit related to Cambridge Analytica and the 2016 presidential election

Meta has agreed to settle a Class-Action suit filed by Facebook users who had their personal data used without permission by Cambridge Analytica.

Samsung files patent application for a dual-screen phone

Samsung filed a patent application for a phone that would have a second display on the handset's back panel.

iPhone 13 Pro-inspired Apple Watch Pro could be the next 'one more thing'

The rugged Apple Watch Pro is expected to have a flat display and metal casing, just like the iPhone 13 Pro.

Google brings Duo back as a shortcut to its video chat and conferencing app

Google's plan to reduce its video chat and video conferencing apps to just one called "Meet" has been delayed by complaints by users.

Netflix reportedly has launch plans for its ad-supported tier

Streaming's salad days may be behind it. The market seems to have reached its saturation point in North America and many customers are more than happy to subscribe for a limited run of content they want to watch before unsubscribing. Netflix, which has poured billions into original productions and acquisitions, has been hiking prices for its subscription tiers and is hoping an excursion in cloud gaming could help augment its revenues. It's also been toying over whether an ad-supported tier could keep more people hooked in at a lower price. Now, we're learning just how much the company may be willing to charge for that tier and when.



BeReal's popularity is exploding, but will it survive its Instagram clone?

Social media trends come and go like the weather. Remember when Snapchat was the biggest thing around? And what about that short period when Yik Yak was on everyone's phones? TikTok might be basking in the glory now, but a new app, BeReal, is set to steal its spotlight. Ironically, it's partly thanks to TikTok users sharing their thoughts on BeReal that the app has exploded so quickly. When we last examined BeReal a month ago, it was sitting pretty at #1 on the App Store, and it's gone from 11th to 7th on the Play Store. However, it's now caught the eye of Facebook owner Meta, which may spell doom for the app.



Samsung's hot new Galaxy Buds 2 Pro are already on sale at a surprisingly large discount

If you hurry, you can get Samsung's noise-cancelling Galaxy Buds 2 Pro at 50 bucks less than "usual" just one day after their commercial release.

Friday 26 August 2022

Google's 3rd-gen Tensor chip is supposedly already in development

Rumors say Google's third generation of its Tensor chip is in the early stages with Samsung. The chip is said to be in the works under dev board "Ripcurrent" and could see a 2024 appearance if the rumors of its development are true.

T-Mobile has captured the heart of Main Street. Wall Street is next

Mobile device owners have fallen in love with T-Mobile and so has Wall Street. The company's shares have far outpaced those of Verizon and AT&T over most time periods.

New high-end Sonos speaker leaks, could take its audio to the next level

Sonos is in the process of creating a new high-end speaker called the "Optimo 2." This new speaker seems to come with built-in microphones, more RAM and flash memory than other products, and a dual-angled shell to produce sound in multiple directions.

Line up now to talk to Google's definitely not sentient chatbot

Big tech companies like Google and Microsoft are at the forefront of efforts to make human-computer interactions consumer-ready using technologies like natural language processing (NLP). One of Google’s most promising NLP models called LaMDA was recently in the news when a company researcher alleged the AI is sentient. If you've been curious what drove him to make such a bold claim, Google is now accepting registrations where you can sign up to interact with LaMDA yourself, through the AI Test Kitchen app announced earlier this year.



Best Buy has a nice HP tablet with Windows and an unusual camera on sale at a great price

A measly 200 bucks right now gets you an 11-inch HP tablet with Windows, a 128GB SSD, and a rotatable camera, while $300 adds a nice keyboard to the equation.

Best Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4 deals of 08 2022

Who says you need to pay for perfection? With these Galaxy Z Flip 4 deals, your dream foldable is just a mouse click away.

Thursday 25 August 2022

Digital Wellbeing may be the reason your third-party launcher doesn't stick

For years, personalization on Android has been aided by the best Android launchers, such as Nova Launcher, Lawnchair, and Action Launcher. Although their visual design and functionality vary, you can set all of these Android launchers as your default, replacing your device's stock launcher. It's usually smooth sailing thereafter, but several people have complained that their devices are reverting the default launcher choice, making it a pain to get to their home screen, where a recent update to the Digital Wellbeing app appears to be the culprit.



Garmin Forerunner 255 vs. 245: Should you upgrade?

The Garmin Forerunner 255 is the best runner's watch available today, but its predecessor, the Forerunner 245, is no slouch. Here's how the two models compare.

Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 Pro review: All-star battery, minor league fitness tracker

Samsung attempted to appeal to a wide audience of potential buyers with last year’s Galaxy Watch 4 Classic. Whether you wanted a large watch strapped to your wrist or felt unwilling to let the rotating bezel die, there was something there for you. With the Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 Pro, Samsung is attempting to sway a much narrower market: fitness freaks. The sort of buyer who springs for a Garmin watch over the latest from Fossil or Mobvoi, who finds the best of Fitbit just a little too casual.



Survey says iPhone 14 excitement trumps last year's iPhone 13 anticipation in the US

Contrary to what a recent report suggested, a new survey shows interest for Apple's iPhone 14 family exceeds the general excitement generated by the iPhone 13 series last year.

ASUS ZenWiFi Pro ET12 review: Making me want faster internet

The ZenWiFi Pro ET12 does a lot more than look pretty, with a fast tri-band AXE11000 wireless connection, multi-gig LAN and WAN support, and a software package to back up the hardware. While it mostly works as expected, it’s not totally perfect, as 6GHz Wi-Fi struggles to make sense for people, and Smart Connect stumbles just a bit.

Wednesday 24 August 2022

Pretend your Galaxy Watch 4 is a Galaxy Watch 5 with these new watch faces

Samsung brings Galaxy Watch 5 watch faces to the Galaxy Watch 4. These new watch faces could be the first of many as the Galaxy Watch 4 is set to receive the One UI watch experience in the third quarter of 2022.

Best OnePlus Nord N10 5G cases 2022

The OnePlus Nord N10 has arrived, and it's time to get everything set up so you can make the most out of this impressive budget phone. After you've signed in to all of your accounts, the next step to take is to find the best case, and we've rounded up our favorites.

Honkai: Star Rail first look — Is it a replacement for Genshin Impact, or its own beast?

Honkai: Star Rail, one of HoYoverse's most notable projects to date and the spiritual successor to Honkai Impact 3, has been a greatly anticipated title since its October 2021 reveal. So far, the game has undergone two closed beta tests, while a third is expected to be on its way. There's no release window so far, but we've gone hands-on at Gamescom 2022 for an early look at the current mobile version of Honkai: Star Rail.



This watch does something that can help 200 million people worldwide that Apple Watch can't

A French company called PKVitality has been getting encouraging results from clinical trials as it develops a watch that delivers non-invasive blood glucose readings.

Best aptX Low Latency headphones 2022

AptX Low Latency promises you'll never miss a word or sound. Unfortunately, not all Bluetooth headphones have it, but for the ones that do, they are your best bet to ensure you hear everything you're supposed to without lag or delay.

T-Mobile will join forces with Elon Musk's SpaceX to 'increase connectivity' this week

Elon Musk and T-Mobile CEO Mike Sievert are officially set to announce something "big" this Thursday, August 25, although we currently have no idea what that might be.

Huawei's Galaxy Z Fold 4 competitor makes its way to the UK

Huawei is launching its outward foldable phone, the Mate Xs 2, in the U.K. The U.K. launch of the Mate Xs 2 features the white colorway, priced at £1699.99.

Tuesday 23 August 2022

CoverScreen OS is ready to seriously upgrade the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4

Samsung delivered a major upgrade to the cover screen on the Galaxy Flip 3, making it far larger (and more useful) than the limited display we got on the prior generation. With this year's new Galaxy Z Flip 4, Samsung's keeping that size the same, and while One UI has improved over the past year, the Flip 4's cover screen is still pretty limited in what it can do. If you’re looking to get a little more usability out of this 1.9-inch screen, CoverScreen OS is here to help, now extending support to the Z Flip 4.



Bombshell report: Twitter's ex-security chief calls platform a threat to national security

A bombshell report from CNN reveals that a whistleblower accuses Twitter of being a national security threat.

Make the Galaxy Z Flip 4 cover screen more useful with this free app

The small cover screen might not be as useful as the larger, foldable display on the Galaxy Z Flip 4, but developer IJP's CoverScreen OS aims to fix that problem.

Bose is working on a new pair of super-premium ANC earbuds

In the mobile space, Bose is mostly known for its over-ear ANC headphones like its Noise Cancelling Headphones 700 and the newer QuietComfort 45. The company released its first ANC true wireless earbuds, the QuietComfort Earbuds, in 2020, and according to a new leak from Roland Quandt and WinFuture, we're due for a sequel very soon.



Nothing Phone (1) users will need to wait a while for Android 13 — here's why

Nothing Phone (1) users will have to wait until well into next year before the big Android 13 update arrives, according to a statement issued by Carl Pei.

Monday 22 August 2022

Samsung's Galaxy Tab S7 and Tab S7+ powerhouses are on 'clearance' at crazy low prices

Woot has Samsung's powerful and beautiful Galaxy Tab S7 and Tab S7+ giants on sale at excellent prices in "open box" condition for a limited time only.

Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro review: Remixing a classic

It’s been a tame mid-year release cycle for Samsung. After an eventful early year that saw the introduction of buzzy products like the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra and Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra, Samsung revealed a crop of products at its August Unpacked event that are remarkably similar to the ones it launched at the same event last year. That includes the sequel to 2021’s Galaxy Buds Pro, the $230 Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro. They’re great earbuds, but if you’ve got the last generation, you’re already enjoying most of what’s good here.



Apple's iPhone dominates North American phone shipments in Q2; Google doubles its market share

Apple had the top five smartphones shipped in North America during the second quarter of the year. Samsung was second, and Motorola third.

Check out your favorite vacation tunes with YouTube Music's Summer Recap

Every December, social media goes into overdrive, with everyone sharing Spotify Wrapped playlists and looking at their listening trends. YouTube Music clearly wants in on the fun, as it most recently made clear with the Spring Recap users got in June. Although we still have another hot month of summer ahead of us (in the Northern Hemisphere, anyway), YouTube Music is already starting to roll out its Summer Recap for some users.



Steady iPhone 13 demand could signal trouble ahead for Apple's iPhone 14 family

Based on how well the iPhone 13 series continues to sell in the US, Apple's iPhone 14 lineup might prove slightly less popular than previously expected when it finally lands.

Sunday 21 August 2022

Did Android 13 improve the battery life on the Pixel 6 series? Great minds disagree

Did the recently released Android 13 update improve the battery life on the Pixel 6 series? There seems to be no consensus.

After months on mobile, Google Chrome's RSS reader is finally making it to desktop

Feed readers are your one-stop shop for collecting headlines from all over your favorite publications for easy perusal. In October, Google Chrome brought in an RSS feed reader — years after the demise of Google Reader — for Android and, shortly after, iOS. A desktop client was, unfortunately, a long ways to go. But there's some hope that we may be nearing the end of that line.



Apple hints that the iPhone 14 unveiling will include something not seen since iPhone 11

With Apple rumored to unveil the new iPhone 14 line on September 7th and release them on the 16th, Apple appears to be allowing a live audience to watch.

Amazon and Best Buy have Google's hot new Pixel 6a on sale at cool discounts

Despite its very young age and rave reviews, Google's 5G-enabled Pixel 6a is already on sale at up to a hefty $250 discount at Best Buy.

Discounts and gifts for bugs: Google trying to trick people into buying new Pixel phones?

Unimaginable discounts and gifts for buggy Pixel 6 phones. Is Google trying to buy your happiness and patience with amazing deals?

Checking for a Google Play system update isn't possible on many phones right now

There are more moving parts to Android than ever before and that's thanks to Google separating a great number of services from the operating system proper. That means more things are getting more updates at different times. A number of users are wondering, however, about what just happened to their ability to manually check for Google Play system updates.



Saturday 20 August 2022

Apple will be first to receive 3nm chips from TSMC, but not for the device you're thinking of

Apple will get the first crack at TSMC's 3nm FinFET process node but these chips will not be the A16 Bionic that will be employed on the iPhone 14 Pro models.

IRS hangs up on taxpayer because of this exclusive Pixel feature

According to a Reddit user who placed a call to the IRS, the agent on the phone hung up after she found the caller was using Google's "Hold for Me."

Pre-production Pixel 7 and 7 Pro pop up on video, leave us guessing about battery size

We hold these truths to be self-evident... that different Pixel phones are different. They look different, they measure different, and they might even behave differently. Google's upcoming Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro very much won't be the Pixels that came before them, but there aren't many ways we can tell them apart right now given that we're ostensibly waiting until October before they officially go public. We do have a better idea, though, thanks to the power of YouTube.



TikTok's in-app keyboard on iOS has the capability of stealing personal data you type

According to a web developer, TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook could track your keystrokes when you use their in-app keyboards on iOS.

Budget carrier Visible goes from one plan to two, now starting at $30 per month

Verizon-owned prepaid carrier Visible has shaken up its service plan offerings for the first time since its inception in 2018, expanding from its original one-plan model to two and removing a critical pricing feature for group accounts.



How to monitor your ECG on the Samsung Galaxy Watch 5

Much like the Galaxy Watch models that came before it, the Galaxy Watch 5 and Watch 5 Pro are capable of monitoring your ECG. And after a bit of setup, it's really a simple process.

Friday 19 August 2022

Nothing Phone (1) gets updated with loads of camera improvements

Nothing OS 1.1.3 update is now making its way to the Phone (1) with many camera improvements, new features, and bug fixes.

How to manually change WhatsApp's language settings

Change WhatsApp's app language to use it in your own language. Follow these steps to change the WhatsApp language settings manually.

Android 13 wants to bring some long overdue accountability to OEMs killing off all your background apps

Android 13 finally arrived this week, and while it's one of the smallest updates to Google's mobile OS we've seen in a long time, it's chock full of minor changes to privacy, security, and more. We've known Google has been trying to appease developers who are tired of seeing their apps be interfered with by Android manufacturers. On the heels of some new developer-submitted tests that could stabilize how apps work on your phone, the Android 13 CDD is out and giving us some insight into some of the further changes Google is making.



Not that excited by the iPad 10? Check out T-Mobile's cool half-off iPad 9th gen deal

T-Mobile is offering the best reason to date to ignore Apple's upcoming 10th gen iPad, selling last year's "standard" 10.2-incher at a 50 percent discount with a new line.

Thursday 18 August 2022

Huawei Mate 50 line might make calls and send texts even with a dead battery

A tipster on China's Weibo social media site posted a rumor that Huawei is a feature to the Mate 50 line that can make calls and more with a dead battery.

Fitbit Sense 2: Design, specs, sensors, and everything we know so far

Fitbit's smartwatches have been improving at a rapid pace over the past few years, culminating in the premium Fitbit Sense. Here's what we currently know about the Sense 2.

Folding the OnePlus 10T goes just about as tragically as it did for the 10 Pro

The OnePlus 10T just debuted a couple weeks back, and from a design approach, this hardware borrows more than a little direction from the OnePlus 10 Pro. In a lot of respects, that's a good choice, but it also left us wondering if some of the 10 Pro's shortcomings might be addressed — like the disappointing results we saw when Zack Nelson of JerryRigEverything ran the phone through his durability tests. Now he's putting the OnePlus 10T through some of those same trials, and, well, let’s just say the phone’s back glass buckled under the weight of our expectations.



Here's an easy way to save $100 on the new Odyssey Ark gaming monitor

The new Samsung Odyssey Ark 4K gaming screen is set to arrive next month, and you can easily save $100 on your preorder by following a few quick steps.

Red Matter 2 has no right to look this good on the Oculus Quest 2

Red Matter 2 is out now on the Meta Quest 2 and Steam, and it's got visuals like we've never before seen in VR. Here's what you can expect if you pick up this sci-fi action-adventure puzzler.

HBO Max is set to become cheaper - just in time for House of the Dragon

New and returning users can now enjoy 30% off the yearly subscription for the service.

Which S Pens work with the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4?

Samsung's new Galaxy Z Fold 4 has a slot for the S Pen inside, but it doesn't come with one. Which S Pen should you get? Here's the right answer.

Wednesday 17 August 2022

The best Samsung Galaxy S22 screen protectors in 2022

The Samsung Galaxy S22 may be the "baby S22" with its 6.06-inch screen, but it's still one of the better Android phones you can buy today. Because the S22 is a flat display rather than curved like the S22 Ultra, reliable tempered glass screen protectors are much, much easier to come by and more durable in nature. With so many to choose from, we've built a list of options worth considering.



The Adonit Neo Pro - the perfect Apple Pencil doppelganger

The stylus is magnetically attachable, charges from your iPad and costs only $44.99.

Logitech's Chorus provides open-ear sound for $100 on Oculus Quest 2

Logitech announced as a new audio speaker accessory for the Oculus Quest 2 called the Chorus that is lightweight and simply hovers over the ear.

Some Pixel users receive update for Android 12 instead of 13 (UPDATE: No mistake)

Google accidentally sent some Pixel users an update for the Android 12 build that already runs their phone instead of Android 13.

Google's Android 13 statue swings its way to the Mountain View campus

Say hello to Android 13 swing placed on Google's Mountain View campus.

Tuesday 16 August 2022

25% Android users considering switching to iPhone, largely thanks to iOS 16: survey

As many as 49 percent of US-based Android are considering ditching phones running Google's OS for the iPhone, says a survey.

Some Pixel devices strangely offered Android 12 update (again) instead of Android 13

While some of us are waiting for the official Android 13 OTA rollout, some got Android 12 again.

Android 13's anti-rollback protection has already bricked at least one Pixel 6

With Android 13 out of Google's hands and onto developers who are modifying the operating system for their own purposes, it's going to be a tricky road ahead. There are a number of new features the version bump brings that need to be tested, but before they can do that, they'll need to make sure of one crucial thing and that's to install Android 13 on both system partitions of their Pixel device. One developer has found out what happens when things go awry without that second updated partition.



The taskbar on the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4 could also come to older Z Folds

Samsung could bring one of the signature features of the Galaxy Z Fold 4 to older Folds as well.

Android 13 beta continues for Pixels, but you can bow out now without wiping your data

Google is already starting its beta testing engines for Android 13 alongside Quarterly Feature Releases in September. Users who do not wish to be a part of further Android 13 testing will need to unenroll themselves before they begin to avoid a device data wipe.

The Best Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3 prices and deals of 08 2022

Since it first hit store shelves in August 2021, the Galaxy Z Fold 3 has made waves as the best foldable phone on the market. Here's how to save big and get one for yourself.

How many apps can the OnePlus 10T's 16GB of RAM keep loaded in memory?

The OnePlus 10T comes in both 8GB and 16GB RAM iterations, the latter of which can run more apps than you could possible use at once.

Google Pixel 7 devices reportedly pass through the FCC, connectivity options detailed

If you're looking for the next Pixel phone with UWB, the Pixel 7 Pro could be your only option.

Monday 15 August 2022

Android 13: The top 7 essential accessibility features to try

Android is a worldwide operating system for users from all backgrounds and abilities. Recent iterations of Android have made leaps and bounds to improve the accessibility of the software. These features make the best Android devices that are usable to a larger number of people. With the release of Android 13 on the Google Pixel 6 and other recent Pixel models.



Avatar mobile game coming to Android and iOS in August

Square Enix London announced a mobile game called Avatar Generations, a turn-based RPG adventure set in the Avatar: The Last Airbender universe.

Samsung attempts to enhance software optimization on the Galaxy Z Fold 4 and Galaxy Z Flip 4

Samsung is trying to help developers make better third-party apps for its Z series foldables.

8 awesome Android 13 features you'll want to try today

After month of anticipation, Google has officially announced the release of Android 13. Although the Google Pixel 6 and some earlier Pixel models will be first to get the upgrade, we believe manufacturers are hard at work to ship Android 13 to their phones in the coming months.



Snapchat+ hits 1 million subscribers, announces new exclusive features

Snap announced new exclusive features coming to Snapchat+, its premium service launched less than two months ago.

Google's next-gen Nest Wifi spotted with a major upgrade in tow

Google's upcoming Nest Wifi router appeared at the FCC. The new router will come with Wi-Fi 6E connectivity which should assist users with multiple wireless devices on one router to remain stable and fast.

Samsung executive gives details of the Galaxy Watch 5's advanced sleep monitoring

Samsung's new Galaxy Watch 5 sports the world's most advanced sleep monitoring, says Samsung executive.

Galaxy Z Fold 4's dock might come to older Folds with the upcoming One UI 4.1.1 update

Rumor has it that Samsung isn't keen on keeping its best new multitasking feature a Z Fold 4 exclusive

Samsung execute gives details of the Galaxy Watch 5's advanced sleep monitoring

Samsung's new Galaxy Watch 5 sports the world's most advanced sleep monitoring, says Samsung executive.

Sunday 14 August 2022

This is why Apple held up Telegram's App Store update for two weeks

Apple held up messaging app Telegram's update for two weeks before blocking an animated emoji feature called Telemoji.

Telegram now welcoming custom emoji packs for Premium members to use

Telegram, a messaging app that's already going heavy on the emoji, is tripling down and going hog wild on the smileys and sparkles with its latest feature updates. These changes will revolutionize the way you use them, but some of them will come at a cost (of course).



Not so smart airport worker steals $15K in valuables and an AirTag which leads cops to him

An Apple AirTag, lifted from a traveler's suitcase by an airport worker, ended up helping cops track and arrest the guy on two counts of Grand Theft.

Not so smart airport worket steals $15K in valuables and an AirTag which leads cops to him

An Apple AirTag, lifted from a traveler's suitcase by an airport worker, ended up helping cops track and arrest the guy on two counts of Grand Theft.

This is the year you need to buy a new phone — here's why

Phones are one of the most personal things we own in the digital age, containing all the essential information we need while also letting us stay in touch with our friends and family. They're also a commodity and while smartphone manufacturers would like for customers to upgrade their devices every year, or even semi-annually, there are plenty of us out there who'd like to keep our phones for years at a time. While this is generally good practice, there are some looming downsides to keeping a phone you bought a few years ago past 2022. Yes, we're telling you to upgrade your phone and we've got reasons why.



YouTube reportedly wants to sell streaming subscriptions via a 'channel store'

YouTube is reportedly working on an online store where users can subscribe to streaming video services individually, similar to Amazon Prime Video Channels.

Saturday 13 August 2022

Samsung says the Galaxy Z Fold 4 and Flip 4 will give it a leg up over rivals

Samsung rests its future on the Galaxy Z Fold and Z Flip lines in a stagnating smartphone war with Apple.

Why the cellphone camera has become the latest tool for thieves

A cellphone camera has become the latest tool used by thieves looking for valuable items that they can steal from a car and quickly convert to cash.

Road rage racer Wreckfest is coming to Android this fall

Gamescom is coming up in a week and a half and that means publishers are gearing up to tease out some big releases — or, at least, some new platform releases for existing titles. THQ Nordic streamed a preview of what it had to show off to attendees and one item is making racers with destructive tendencies pretty darn happy.



Android 12 now on one of every eight devices, report says

Fragmentation on Android has always been a problem. With so many devices from so many phone makers, and keeping updates on the shoulders of those phone makers, it's almost inevitable. It's gotten better in recent years, but even today, it's not rare to see Android phones running any version from 12 down to 8. This isn't true for iPhones as a majority of them are running iOS 15. Still, Android is running its own race and, according to the latest numbers, Android 12 is making decent progress.



The Pixel Watch may have subpar battery life, according to signs from one crucial app

At Google I/O 2022, Google showcased its hardware launches for the rest of the year and even one for the next year. While some of them, the Pixel 6a and the Pixel Buds Pro namely, are already out and in the hands of customers, other launches are still pending. Among them, we have the Pixel Watch, which is expected to be launched alongside the Pixel 7 and 7 Pro this fall. Pending a full unveiling, details keep dripping in about what the Pixel Watch will be like once it's out. We now have some info about the watch and it comes from nothing other than a Google app teardown.



Google's RCS pressure campaign, directed at Apple, hits the media center of the world

Google is taking its campaign to pressure Apple into supporting RCS in the biggest media market in the world, New York City.

Friday 12 August 2022

Fixing a broken Galaxy Z Fold 4 or Z Flip 4 screen is now a lot cheaper

Samsung has significantly cut the cost of screen repair for the Galaxy Z Fold 4 and Z Flip 4 by $220, but only if you have a Care Plus subscription.

How to know if someone has blocked your number on iMessage

iMessage is Apple's text messaging application and protocol that allow users on basically any Apple device to communicate seamlessly with with each other. iMessage users can send mesages from their Apple Watch, iPad, and even their MacBook. Despite Google's social begging with its #Getthemessage campigh, there is no two-way interoperability with Google's RCS. Instead Apple uses a data-based protocol that grants iMessage users access to a host of advanced features like media sharing, message reactions, status updates, and read receipts. Of course, all these features can only do so much to convey emotion and meaning.



Samsung says by 2025, the company's foldables will be more popular than its Galaxy S phones

Samsung executive says that by 2025, the company's foldables will ship more units than its Galaxy S flagship line.

Google Pixel 6a display apparently supports a 90Hz refresh rate, but with some caveats

Are you interested in trying the 90Hz refresh rate on your Pixel 6a?

Amazon upgrades all its Echo Show displays with a digital photo frame mode

The Amazon Echo Show can go head-to-head against peers like those in the Google Nest Hub series when it comes to smart display functionality and sound quality. Models like the Echo Show 10 manage to stand out from competitors with a unique rotating base, which can swivel in the user's direction. But for all they do well, one place where Echo Show models lose out to other smart displays is with the simple ability to act as a digital photo frame, displaying a basic slideshow. Thankfully, Amazon is finally addressing that oversight — albeit with a slight caveat.



Thursday 11 August 2022

WhatsApp-style end-to-end encryption could soon be the default on Messenger

Messaging apps are constantly playing catch-up with each other, borrowing new features as they all slowly evolve in the same direction — and that's all the more true when you're a company like Meta, with multiple apps under your control. We just saw WhatsApp implement its own version of Instagram’s emoji reactions for messages, but today we're looking at security features, including the arrival of WhatsApp-esque encrypted backups for Facebook Messenger.



Meta Portal smart displays can now be used as second screens

Meta has begun pushing its new initiative for its Portal devices as a tool for business workers. The change sees it cut off for consumers as Meta focuses on bringing in the Portal to its suite of worker tools.

Rec Room goes to the Wild West with Showdown mode later this month

Rec Room will be debuting a new western competitive game mode called Showdown on Aug. 18.

Google Docs, Slides, and Sheets are ready to warn you about incompatible Microsoft Office files

Being a successful document suite means supporting Microsoft Office files, and that's just what Google's Workspace tools have been doing for years now, complete with support for collaborative editing and auto-save on the cloud. But different apps have different feature sets, so it's not unreasonable to suspect that occasionally users would run into compatibility headaches. Thankfully, Docs is ready to give you the heads-up about possible issues like this, with improved compatibility error notifications for Office-formatted files.



Even if Apple raises iPhone 14 pricing, you might not pay more for the Pro models

Apple iPhone 14 Pro models could have a minimum 256GB of storage up from the 128GB minimum found on the iPhone 13 series.

Pico 4 Pro specs appear right after Oculus Quest 2's price hike

Meta may have the VR market cornered with the Oculus Quest but a leak of new images and specs for ByteDance's Pico 4 Pro looks like it's ready to create some serious competition.

Wednesday 10 August 2022

Best chargers for Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4

Here are some of the best wired, wireless, and car chargers that you can get for the Galaxy Z Fold 4

Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 vs. Galaxy Watch 4: Should you upgrade?

With the Galaxy Watch 5 announced, you might be wondering whether it's time for an upgrade. The Galaxy Watch 4 remains a fantastic smartwatch, but it's tough to ignore the changes that Samsung has made.

Where to buy the Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 and Watch 5 Pro: Bundles, trade-ins, and pre-order deals

The Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 and Watch 5 Pro are officially here and officially two of the best Android smartwatches to date. The Galaxy Watch 5 Pro is a complete departure from the Watch 4 Classic, ditching the more traditional look for a tougher titanium housing and a 45mm touchscreen protected by Sapphire Crystal Glass. A 580mAh battery will supposedly keep your watch alive for up to 3 days between charges, but these improvements have bumped the price to a whopping $450.



Best Galaxy Z Flip 4 cases

Here are the cases for your new Galaxy Z Flip 4 that are available right now for purchase.

Here's what you can buy instead of Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold 4, Watch 5 Pro, and Galaxy Buds 2 Pro

The Galaxy Z Fold 4, Watch 5 Pro, and Buds 2 Pro are up for pre-order starting today. But what could you buy instead of Samsung's top-tier devices?

Tuesday 9 August 2022

LG takes its AirPods-rivaling efforts to the next level with Dolby Head Tracking and more

LG's 2022 Tone Free lineup includes two premium AirPods Pro alternatives and two sportier options with active noise cancellation and UVnano technology across the board.

Jiggle Physics 138: Cultured Swine

Toast Talk

Boost Infinite to offer postpaid 5G service cheaper than Verizon, T-Mobile, and AT&T

Boost Mobile will soon offer postpaid 5G service under the name Boost Infinite and it promises to undercut Verizon, T-Mobile, and AT&T's prices.

It's your last chance to reserve the next Galaxy devices and score up to $200 in credit

Samsung's reservation offer is still live, giving fans until the launch event to reserve the upcoming Galaxy devices.

Xiaomi Mi Band 7 review: The best budget fitness tracker of 2022 is here

With the Mi Band 7, Xiaomi has once again managed to deliver the best budget fitness tracker. With exciting new upgrades and software additions, the Mi Band 7 is the ideal option if you want a budget fitness band that nails the basics.

Monday 8 August 2022

You have hours left to reserve Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold 4 and Galaxy Z Flip 4 with a discount

If you're interested in Samsung's Galaxy Z Flip 4, Z Fold 4, Galaxy Watch 5, or Galaxy Buds 2 Pro, you still have (a little more) time to make a reservation and secure up to a $200 discount.

Best cheap Chromebook deals and prices: 08 2022

If you need a simple and affordable laptop, a Chromebook is always a solid choice. This guide has all of the best Chromebook deals of the month.

Samsung's One UI 5 beta gets started in the US

Android 13 is inching closer to its final release and Samsung sure seems interested in getting its own update out to its customers as soon as possible after that. The One UI 5 beta based on Android 13 first rolled out to users in Germany and South Korea a few days ago, and is now becoming available to beta testers using the Galaxy S22 series in the US, as well.



Galaxy Z Fold 4: New Folds, old Faults - Samsung’s idea of the future leading to a dead end road?

Fold season! Samsung's new Galaxy Z Fold 4 might not be the flagship phone you deserve, but it sure is the expensive mini tablet that you need. Is that enough to justify the hefty price tag of $1,799?

Co-op survival shooter Drop Dead: The Cabin coming to Oculus Quest 2 later this year

VR studio Soul Assembly announced its latest game, Drop Dead: The Cabin, will be coming to Quest 2 sometime later this year.

Sunday 7 August 2022

Samsung purportedly working on a foldable tablet

According to a prominent leaker, Samsung are developing a foldable tablet which could be released as soon as 2023.

Losing faith in Google: Bug sends my Pixel 6 Pro into “hardware coma”; Pixel 6A security issues

More and bigger bugs and security threats hit Pixel 6 Pro and the brand new Pixel 6A, as I lose my trust in Google as a phone-maker. Can Sundar Pichai & Co win people back, as Pixel 7 series launch is approaching?

The Google Meet name is landing on the app formerly known as Google Duo

How many messaging apps does Google want out there this hour? Guess we can't be ashamed of all the trite jokes we nerds have made when the company seems to think putting its customers through the semi-permanent ordeal of transitioning between chat apps is an acceptable user experience. Hopefully it doesn't screw up the merging of consumer-facing video messenger Duo with Google Workspace conferencing app Meet. It's a multi-step process that's just getting underway and it looks Google has put its next foot forward.



Apple teaches you how to take memorable photos and videos using iPhone

Improve your abilities as a photographer taking still images and videos with your iPhone by watching two videos released by Apple.

New leak details Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro's advanced ANC, confirms pricing

There's been a good amount of speculation about Samsung's upcoming ANC earbuds, the Galaxy Buds 2 Pro. We've already learned that the earbuds would launch on August 10, alongside the two new foldables — the Galaxy Z Fold 4 and the Z Flip 4 — plus the Galaxy Watch 5. For one thing, we've heard it'll cost out at $230. Now, we're learning about how the product justifies that price tag.



Amazon viciously slashes Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3 prices ahead of Fold 4 launch

Not that delighted by the fast-approaching and oft-leaked Fold 4? Amazon has last year's Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3 on sale at an absolutely mind-blowing discount.

Saturday 6 August 2022

Render of iPad 10 shows changes being made to the entry-level tablet

Renders show some small changes that could be made to the iPad 10 including the removal of the 3.5mm earphone jack.

Musk still willing to buy Twitter under this one condition

A tweet posted today by Elon Musk says that if Twitter reveals certain methods it uses to measure real accounts, his $44 billion acquisition could be back on.

Judge the creases on Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold 4 and Flip 4 for yourself with these leaked hands-on photos

Samsung's 2022 foldable lineup—the Galaxy Z Flip 4 and Fold 4—will be announced at its August 10th Unpacked event. However, leaks from the last few weeks have already ruined its party and revealed almost everything about the devices. Adding insult to injury, hands-on images of the Fold 4 and Flip 4 have now surfaced online, showing the thinner outer bezels and a less noticeable crease.



Reservations for the Moto Razr 2022 start (in China)

The reservation page showcases the different "modes" of the Moto Razr 2022 and lists three possible storage configurations.

Best Samsung Galaxy S22 deals and prices of 08 2022

Samsung Galaxy S22 deals are pouring in, so we've put together a list of the best promotions we could find.

Apple could push back the launch of iPadOS 16 to October

The delay is at least in part because of criticism of Stage Manage, one of the biggest highlights of iPadOS 16.

Friday 5 August 2022

Every PS4 and PS5 game coming out in August 2022

There are some big game releases for the PS4 and PS5 in August. Here are some of the greatest titles to add to your collection.

Google's folding Pixel might not have a camera cutout in its interior screen

Although its launch doesn't seem to be on the horizon, it's tough to go much more than a week without hearing some rumblings and rumors surrounding the Pixel Fold. Google's first step into the world of futuristic phone hardware — a space dominated by the likes of Samsung — seems as far off as ever, and yet, new reports about the device continue to trickle out. Not long after spotting a foldable icon in Google's Camera app, we're now learning about how the Pixel Fold will divide up its lenses between screens.



Premature Galaxy Z Fold 4 listing shows up on Amazon

While you can't buy the phone, it does confirm plenty of rumored information about the phone's size and specs.

Visible vs. Verizon prepaid: Which carrier should you get?

Visible continues to offer a smartphone-oriented unlimited data plan with no frills. Verizon fights back with a better phone selection and more flexibility.

It seems Google is trying out widgets on its desktop homepage again

Google's new homepage with widgets is seemingly entering another testing phase. The new homepage for desktop users of Google.com has widgets of information for users to customize via their accounts.

Best Samsung Galaxy A53 screen protectors 2022

We know you love your phone, but sometimes, accidents happen. Keep your phone looking like new with these screen protectors

Amazon to buy iRobot for $1.7 billion in a major robot vacuum push

Amazon has signed an agreement to acquire iRobot, the maker of robot vacuum Roomba, for approximately $1.7 billion.

Thursday 4 August 2022

List of every game in PlayStation Plus Premium

Here's a list of every game in PlayStation Plus Premium so far, with more to come as more games are confirmed and added over time.

Best games for Amazon Fire HD tablets 2022

Tired of squinting at your tiny phone screen while you try to play your favorite games? Then maybe it's time you upgraded to tablet gaming with these awesome games for Amazon Fire HD tablets!

All six Final Fantasy Pixel Remasters are on sale for 20% off

Square Enix remastered the first six titles in the Final Fantasy RPG series, with the first three rolling out this past November and the sixth title finally landing this past February. Well, since these are all titles that are fairly new, they've yet to go on sale since their release. This ends today as all six games are currently 20% off their retail price. So if you've been patiently waiting for a sale to pick up a few of your favorite JRPGs now that they've been remastered with a fitting 2D pixel art style, Square Enix has your back with today's Play Store discounts.



Don't miss out — the Pixel 6a already scores a sweet discount

The Pixel 6a is receiving its first discount, bringing its price down to just $399 before shipping. Don't miss out on this great deal!

Weakness in smartphone sales worldwide leads Samsung to cut production

A report says that Samsung has cut smartphone production due to slumping global sales in the face of a weak worldwide economy.

Tello vs. Google Fi: Which flexible prepaid carrier is the best?

Google Fi is known for its great flexible plans, but Tello offers many of the same features for less. So if you're looking for a custom plan with plenty of data, Tello is a great choice for most people.

Wednesday 3 August 2022

How to turn an old PC or Mac into a Chromebook with ChromeOS Flex

You don't have to throw that old laptop in the trash. Give it a new life, powered by ChromeOS Flex!

Google Meet takes over Duo in the latest merger update

Google Duo continues its merge with Meet. The company has combined both its video calling apps into one singular app bringing in features of both for Android and iOS.

Best wireless charger 2022: Top 12 ranked for Android and iPhone

Charging with a cable is faster, but a wireless charger is much more convenient. These are the best you can buy, whether you want a pad, a stand, or a multi-device charger.

Get a $200 gift card when you buy a Pixel 6a and join Visible

Visible, a prepaid carrier from Verizon, is looking to draw in customers ready to upgrade to a Google Pixel 6 phone. New Visible customers that bring their number can get a $200 virtual gift card once they've completed three months of Visible service.

Best chargers for Lenovo Chromebook Duet 3 (2022) in 2022

The Lenovo Chromebook Duet 3 (2022) comes with a 30W charger in the box, but it supports up to 45W, so why not upgrade?

Call it the Galaxy Fold 4: Samsung's 'Z' branding may be gone for good

Samsung is set to reveal the successors to the Galaxy Z Fold 3 and the Galaxy Z Flip 3 a week from today. While we've encountered the usual stream of leaks and rumors about the two devices, there has also been speculation about the future of their "Z" branding. Nearer the beginning of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, due to connotations with the aggressor's military, Samsung removed the Z branding from its 2021 foldables in some markets, selling them as Galaxy Fold 3 and the Galaxy Flip 3 in Estonia and Latvia. We're now learning that this may be the company's new foldable branding worldwide, beginning with the Fold 4 and Flip 4.



Tuesday 2 August 2022

When and how to watch the OnePlus 10T launch event

OnePlus has been hyping up the launch of the OnePlus 10T, its "performance flagship," for the last few weeks now. The phone isn't meant to dethrone the OnePlus 10 Pro as the company's flagship flagship, but it will aim to deliver a similar experience at a lower price point. Even if you're not in the market for a new phone, you should tune into the live stream on August 3rd to get all the juicy details. Once it debuts, the OnePlus 10T will be the fastest charging smartphone in the US, with a blazing fast speed of 125W. The launch event is scheduled to start on August 3rd at 10 am ET (7 am PT / 7:30 pm IST / 4 pm CET), and you can watch it right here.



Best smart surge protectors 2022

While it's important to have a surge protector for your more valuable electronics, "normal" surge protectors are boring. So instead, we have found some of the best surge protectors equipped with "smarts," like being controlled by Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant.

The best Android phones in 2022

While Android phones come in all sizes, shapes, and price points, there are still some that stand above the rest of the market by a wide margin. From the best foldable phones to the latest specs and software, these phones earn their flagship pricing and then some. Before you spend days wading through our exceptional reviews, let us first examine the best Android phones you can buy today.



OnePlus 10T unboxing video shows off the phone ahead of its official launch

An unboxing video about the new OnePlus 10T appeared on YouTube. The reviewer gives a look at the Moonstone Black colored phone and charging information.

'Bleak' European smartphone market report provides both good and bad news for Samsung and Apple

While Samsung and Apple managed to improve their European smartphone sales in Q2 2022 compared to Q2 2021, the quarter-on-quarter evolution is... not very encouraging.

From Space and two more games announced for Stadia this year

Google announced three more games coming to Stadia including multiplayer top-down shooter From Space.

Monday 1 August 2022

Google Search will be bringing back its timer in 3... 2...

What's been ticking people off about Google Search lately? The fact that they can't tick down to whatever they need to be reminded of. It's all thanks to the recent and sudden breakage of the "set a timer/stopwatch" text commands that opened up an actual timer (or stopwatch) right on the search results page. Users have been complaining about this feature failure for the past week and a half or so, wondering if the timer's just broken or long gone? We do have an answer.



Apple releases video answering questions about switching to iPhone from Android

With the iPhone 14 series just about six weeks away from being unveiled, Apple has released a video explaining how easy it is for Android users to switch.

Can you wirelessly charge the Pixel Buds Pro?

The Google Pixel Buds Pro are out now and these buds look amazing. Curious about on-paper specifications regarding wireless charging? Here's what you need to know.

Google's August 2022 Pixel update is on its way

Right now, Android fans everywhere are atwitter with expectation for the imminent release of Android 13. But before that gets here, Google's latest monthly updates for Pixel phones looks like they should be landing right on schedule, bringing security patches to the current Pixel lineup.



OnePlus 10T gets 125W charging in the US, but it's even faster everywhere else

OnePlus recently unveiled the charging speed of the OnePlus 10T, which will be able to top up the phone from 1-100% in just 20 minutes.