Android Central - News

Finding your lost keys could get easier with Tile and Amazon Sidewalk

Tue, 22 Sep 2020 22:17:24 GMT

Using Bluetooth LE, Amazon Sidewalk could extend the range of your smart home devices.

What you need to know

Amazon has announced new advances for Amazon Sidewalk as well as a partnership with Tile.
Amazon Sidewalk will now launch later this year after being first announced a year ago.
The service will use Blutooth Low Energy over Amazon Echo devices to extend Wi-Fi signal to some devices.
Amazon also appears to be doing its due diligence to secure the privacy of both those hosting Amazon Sidewalk as well as passersby using Sidewalk for things like locating dropped keys.

We hadn't heard much about Amazon Sidewalk since it was first announced a year ago, but it seems that the service is finally nearing a public launch. According to a new announcement from Amazon, Sidewalk will launch later this year to help extend the wireless reach of your smart home and connected devices outside your home. There will be two types of devices on Amazon Sidewalk: Sidewalk Bridges — which provide access to Wi-Fi — and Sidewalk-enabled devices which can connect to Sidewalk to get Wi-Fi away from home. If you have a Sidewalk Bridge device — which will include Ring Floodlight Cams, Ring Spotlight Cams, and Echo devices — Sidewalk will only use a small portion of your bandwidth, which pools with other Sidewalk Bridges in the area to create a shared network the community can use.

If that sends up a flag on your privavy radar, and believe me you're not alone on that, then you can take a little comfort that Amazon is working to ensure that Sidewalk doesn't lead to anyone figuratively peeking in on you from the sidewalk. Sidewalk's network will use three layers of encryption and Amazon assures users that even if data is sent to Sidewalk through a Bridge owned by a neighbor, they will not be able to view that data, nor can they run rampant stealing internet from you.

The other news from this annoucement, in fact possibly the most useful news is that Tile is a partner for Amazon Sidewalk just like Amazon Echo. Because Tile will be able to access Amazon Sidewalk later this year, it could potentially get much, much easier to find lost house keys if you, say, lose them while jogging around the neighborhood.

We still don't have an exact date for when the network will go live, but in the next few weeks owners of Ring Floodlight and Spotlight Cams will be emailed and notified in the Ring app to receive more info about participating in Sidewalk. Echo devices will receive similar information about opting in or out of Sidewalk later this year.

Light 'em up

Ring Floodlight Cam

$200 at Amazon $200 at Best Buy

Light up the night and keep everything connected.

Whether you need to light up your yard to scare off raccoons or to properly illuminate just who keeps teepeeing the yard, this camera is ready to help out, and it can be even more helpful once Amazon Sidewalk is enabled in a few months.

How big is the PS5?

Tue, 22 Sep 2020 21:30:00 GMT

Best answer: The PS5 is the largest video game console ever, standing 15.4 inches tall, 10.24 inches deep and 4.09 inches wide.

Stock up for PS5 games: PlayStation Store Gift Card ($10 at Amazon)
Preorders are open: PlayStation 5 ($500 at Amazon)

How big is the PS5?

The official design for the PS5 was finally unveiled during The Future of Gaming, Sony's showcase earlier this year. While a deluge of memes immediately began, along with differing viewpoints on just how good the system looks, there's a near universal-sentiment that the console is far larger than what many people expected.

Exactly how big, though? We had to wait until after the September 2020 PS5 games showcase for the exact specifications. Per Sony, the PS5 is 15.4 inches (390mm) tall, 10.24 inches (260mm) deep, and 4.09 inches (104mm) wide.

For a point of comparison, the PS4 Slim is 11.3 inches (288mm) long, 10.4 inches (265mm) wide and 1.54 inches (39mm) tall. The Xbox Series X is 5.9 inches (151mm), wide and 11.8 inches (301mm) tall. Meanwhile, the Xbox Series S is 10.8 inches (275mm) tall, 5.9 inches (151mm) deep and 2.5 inches (63.5mm) wide.

PS5 size What about the PS5 Digital Edition?

There are two PS5 consoles coming this holiday: the PS5 and PS5 Digital Edition. According to Sony, the only difference between the regular PS5 and the digital edition is the lack of a 4K Blu-ray drive. As a result, the PS5 Digital Edition is just 12mm thinner, with otherwise identical dimensions.

The PS5 is set to release on Nov. 12 in the U.S, Canada, Japan and a few other countries, with a global release on Nov. 19. Preorders for the console and accessories are open, though grabbing one may be difficult.

Our pick

PlayStation Store Gift Card

Easy to stock up

PlayStation gift cards are an easy way to grab currency for games, add-ons, themes, and more on the PlayStation Store. They also come in a wide variety of denominations, which is perfect to start saving up for PlayStation 5 games.

Already sold out

PlayStation 5

$500 at Amazon $500 at Best Buy $500 at Walmart

Keep checking for more chances to buy

PS5 preorders unexpectedly kicked off Sept. 16, leading to a frenzy of buying that crashed websites and depleted inventories almost immediately. Hopefully, more units will be available for sale soon. In the meantime, you can consider which version of the console you want and browse launch games and accessories.

PlayStation 5

Secure your home with these SmartThings doorbells and locks

Tue, 22 Sep 2020 21:00:00 GMT

With the best SmartThings doorbells and SmartThings smart locks added to your smart home, your home security will become that much stronger. With them installed, you can automatically lock doors at night, get an instant live view of your porch when motion is detected, and receive an alert if someone unlocks your door, among other useful features. We've rounded up the best doorbells and locks with SmartThings integration.

Top Pick

Ring Video Doorbell Pro

This wired doorbell has a 160º FOV, pre-roll video footage, adjustable motion, and privacy zones, and both Alexa and SmartThings support. Whenever it senses motion or someone presses the button, you can trigger notifications, turn on lights automatically, or whatever other customizations you want. Even outside of SmartThings, it's one of the best doorbells available.

$250 at Amazon $250 at Best Buy

Battery-powered protection

Ring Video Doorbell 3

With no more wiring required, the Video Doorbell 3 has a simple installation but requires occasional battery recharges. You get the same SmartThings automations as the Video Doorbell Pro at a lower price point, though you'll need to upgrade to the Video Doorbell 3 Plus to enable 4 seconds of pre-roll. It's easily one of the best SmartThings doorbells available today.

$200 at Amazon $200 at Best Buy $230 at Amazon (Plus Edition)

Easy installation, tough security

August Smart Lock Pro

Many smart locks make you remove the old lock to install, but the August Smart Lock Pro attaches to your deadbolt and lets you use your keys, making it a good choice for renters (or anyone, really). Using SmartThings, you can auto-lock it when geofencing senses you're away from home, send alerts whenever it's unlocked, remotely lock or unlock, and more.

$189 at Amazon $230 at Walmart

Upgrade on a favorite

August Wi-Fi Smart Lock

The 4th-generation August Smart Lock is one of the best SmartThings locks available, improving on its predecessor with a smaller build (that also attaches to your deadbolt), has Wi-Fi built-in (the Pro requires an external bridge), and ridges along the edge that makes it much easier to turn. The only downside: the smaller size means a shorter battery life.

$212 at Amazon $230 at Best Buy $250 at Walmart

Keyless entry

Yale Assure Lock SL

Simplify your security and get rid of the need for keys altogether. The Yale Assure Lock SL with Zigbee has proximity or remote lock / unlock, DoorSense to let you know if a door is or isn't closed, and compatibility with Alexa and, of course, SmartThings automations. Plus, it comes in multiple pretty color options. Make sure you buy the Zigbee edition, as the HomeKit edition doesn't work with SmartThings.

$219 at Amazon $237 at Walmart

Affordable Pinpad

Kwikset Smart Code 888

One of our favorite cheap smart locks, the Kwikset 888 has plenty of SmartThings functionality to make it useful. You can automate it to lock when you leave, or at certain times of day with Good Morning, Goodbye, and Good Night SmartThings Routines. Plus, you can use the SmartThings app to turn on other smart devices once you unlock it. It's an excellent choice for SmartThings tech at a much better price than usual.

$111 at Amazon

Protect your home with SmartThings

When choosing the best SmartThings doorbell, what you really mean is the best Ring doorbell, since only Ring gives you that front porch feed and pairs it with Samsung's tech. And on that front, when we compared the Ring Video Doorbell 3 vs. Ring Video Doorbell Pro, the Video Doorbell Plus won the matchup despite being an older model. While you may not want to bother with wiring, it does mean you'll never have to change the battery; the smaller size looks more attractive, and the four seconds of pre-roll footage before every doorbell ring gives you useful context. However, renters may prefer the Video Doorbell 3 to avoid losing their security deposit.

As for picking the best SmartThings lock, you have far more options, but once again, we had to pit our top picks against one another: the August Wi-Fi Smart Lock vs. August Smart Lock Pro. Both are easy to install and have the same SmartThings functionality, but the August Smart Lock Pro's Z-Wave tech means you can still access it if your Wi-Fi goes down, and its longer battery justifies its larger size. If, however, you want to ditch the traditional key lock entirely, try the Yale Assure Lock SL and try keyless entry.

With your new SmartThings in hand, your smart home is that much more secure. But if you want to add even more protection and smarts, check out the best motion sensors for Samsung SmartThings, or SmartThings-enabled Smart Bulbs to turn on in response to video doorbell alerts.

This Aloria Series office chair from Oak Hollow Furniture is now $100 off

Tue, 22 Sep 2020 20:19:33 GMT

With so many of us moving to working at home for the foreseeable future, having a comfortable office chair is essential. That's why you may not want to skip today's sale on the Oak Hollow Furniture Aloria Series Fabric Office Chair at Amazon. This new office chair regularly sells for $449.99, but right now you can save $100 on the purchase and pick yours up for only $349.99 when you clip the coupon on its product page at Amazon.

Our pals over at iMore recently got their hands on this exact model this past summer and ended up reviewing it highly, giving it 4.5 out of 5 stars and a badge of recommendation. Among its best features include the versatility of the chair's adjustable settings, as well as its support for up to 300 pounds. It's designed to stay comfortable for hours of sitting at a time, and it feels like it. It's equipped with a mesh backrest that allows airflow to reach your body while you remain sitting. Meanwhile, its high-density molded foam and high-performance fabric keep it cushioned in all the right places.

This chair is highly adjustable, from the armrests to its padded lumbar support cushion to its syncho tilt mechanism. There's also a free-float unlocked setting, tilt tension adjustment, and seat depth adjustment to fine-tune to fit how you'd like to sit. Plus, Oak Hollow Furniture includes a lifetime warranty on its components as well as a 5-year limited warranty on the fabric so you can be sure your chair is covered for years to come. Be sure to check out the full review at iMore for an in-depth look at this model.

Amazon offers free shipping on orders totaling $25 or more, though you could receive your order even faster with an Amazon Prime membership. If you've never been a member before, you can start a free 30-day trial to score free two-day shipping with no order minimum, along with access to all of Prime's perks like the Prime Video streaming service, exclusive members-only discounts, and more.

Don’t miss the latest season of The Great British Bake Off with our guide

Tue, 22 Sep 2020 20:16:20 GMT

If you're a fan of cooking shows then Netflix has some good news for you as new episodes of season 11 of the hit British reality show The Great British Bake Off are coming to the streaming platform just three days after they premiere in the UK.

The Great British Bake Off (known in the US as The Great British Baking Show) pits 12 amateur home bakers against one another in a series of challenges designed to test their skills in the kitchen. The show has been quite popular in the UK for the past decade but in recent years, it has also become a hit in the US thanks to the fact that seven seasons of the show are currently available on Netflix.

Season 11 of the Great British Bake Off was originally scheduled to begin filming in April of this year but like many other shows, it was forced to shut down as a result of the pandemic. Fortunately for fans of the show, production resumed in July and now new episodes will be available every Tuesday in the UK and every Friday in the US. While episodes of the show are normally set inside contestant's houses, this season the competitors, crew, judges and hosts all relocated to the Down Hall Hotel in Bishop's Stortfront for six weeks.

Judges Paul Hollywood and Prue Leith are returning for season 11 along with host Noel Fielding. However, Sandi Toksvig will no longer be hosting the Great British Bake Off as she has been replaced by comedian Noel Fielding.

Whether you're a long-time fan of The Great British Bake Off or just want to see what the hit reality baking show is all about, we'll show you how to watch season 11 of the show online or on TV from anywhere in the world.

The Great British Bake Off - When and where?

The first episode of season 11 of The Great British Bake Off is coming to Netflix on Friday, September 25. New episodes of the show will be available every Friday on the streaming service which is just three days after they premiere in the UK.

How to watch The Great British Bake Off from anywhere

We have all the details on how you can watch The Great British Bake Off in the US, Canada, UK and Australia further down in this guide. However, if you want to watch the latest season of the cooking show when you're away from home, then you'll run into problems and your domestic coverage online from abroad will likely be geo-blocked.

That's where one of the best VPNs (Virtual Private Network) can really come in handy. They allow you to virtually change the IP address of your laptop, tablet or mobile to one that's back in your home country which will let you watch as if you were back there.

VPNs are incredibly easy to use and have the added benefit of providing you with an additional layer of security when surfing the web. There are also a lot of options but we recommend ExpressVPN as our top pick due to its speed, security and ease of use. The service can even be used on a wide array of operating systems and devices (e.g. iOS, Android, Smart TVs, Fire TV Stick, Roku, game consoles, etc). Sign up for ExpressVPN now and enjoy a 49% discount and 3 months FREE with an annual subscription. You can even test it out for yourself thanks to the service's 30-day money back guarantee. Looking for more options?

Here are some other VPNs that are on sale right now.

ExpressVPN

See latest price at ExpressVPN

No matter where in the world you may be, a VPN is one of the easiest ways to watch The Great British Bake Off. Get in on this deal now!

How to watch The Great British Bake Off in the U.S.

If you live in the US and have a Netflix subscription, you'll be able to watch new episodes from season 11 of the Great British bake Off every Friday. If you're not yet a subscriber though, you'll have to sign up to do so but thankfully the service gives you a great deal of content to watch for the price with new movies and shows arriving every month.

Netflix's Basic plan costs just $8.99 per month but you can only watch on one screen at a time and you won't be able to watch TV shows or movies in HD. The service's Standard plan costs $12.99 per month but it allows you to watch HD content on two screens simultaneously. If you have multiple TVs in your house or a big family, then Netflix's Premium plan for $15.99 may be for you as you can watch on four screens simultaneously and you have the option to watch content in 4K. It's also worth noting that Netflix does offer a 30 day free trial if you want to test it out for yourself to watch the Great British Bake Off.

Live stream The Great British Bake Off in Canada

Candian fans of The Great British Bake Off can watch seasons 4 through 9 of the show on CBC's streaming service Gem for free. Gem also offers a premium membership for $4.99 per month that will give you access to a live stream of CBC News Network, ad-free video on demand and early access to exclusive content.

If you want to watch the latest season of the Great British Bake Off in Canada though, then you'll need to grab a VPN and follow the steps listed above.

How to watch The Great British Bake Off in the UK for free

If you live in the UK and have a cable subscription, you'll be able to watch new episodes of The Great British Bake Off every Tuesday night at 8pm BST on Channel 4. If you've already cut the cord, don't worry as you can still watch season 11 of the show for free on Channel 4's streaming service All 4 for free but you will need to register for an account to do so.

Get a Great British Bake Off live stream in Australia

Australian fans of The Great British Bake Off that have a Foxtel subscription can watch four past seasons of the show on Lifestyle Food. However, to watch season 11 of the show in Australia, you'll need to grab a VPN and follow the steps listed above.

Season 11 bakers

Dave (30) security guard from Waterlooville, Hampshire
Hermine (39) Benin-born accountant from London
Laura (31) digital manager from Ken
Linda (61) retirement living team leader from East Sussex
Loriea (27) Jamaican-born diagnostic radiographer from Durham
Lottie (31) pantomime producer from West Sussex
Makbul (51) accountant from manchester
Marc (51) bronze resin sculptor from Cornwall
Mark (32) project manager from Liverpool
Peter (20) accounting and finance student from Edinburgh
Rowan (52) music teacher from Worcestershire
Sura (31) pharmacist from London

These are the best Fire TV Edition TVs you can get right now

Tue, 22 Sep 2020 19:30:00 GMT

These days, just about everyone has heard of or has purchased some sort of smart streaming TV box or stick to consume Netflix, Prime Video, or HBO Max. But I would argue that the best value in streaming media is actually one of the affordable Fire TV Edition TVs. Our current favorite Fire set right now is the Insignia NS-65DF710NA21 Smart 4K UHD because it's the biggest and most attractive option available. There several other great options to choose from, however, so let's take a look at what's out right now.

Best Overall Fire TV Edition: Insignia NS-65DF710NA21 Smart 4K UHD

Insignia has really stepped up as the premiere high-end manufacturer of Amazon Fire TV Edition TVs, and this series is a gleaming example of these efforts. This set earns our top spot not only because it's packed with smarts and looks great, but it is the largest Fire TV Edition TV that you can currently buy.

This line of 4K UHD Fire TV Edition sets is available in 43, 50, and 55-inch variants as well as this big and beautiful 65-inch version, starting at affordable price points. Each feature 4K UDH resolution, DTS Studio Sound, and all are equipped with an Amazon Alexa Voice Remote so you can issue commands to the Amazon smart assistant for navigating the TV interface or calling up a particular movie, show, or app.

Really the only downsides to this line of Fire TV Edition TVs are that the screens are LED instead of OLED (which is a cost-saving measure), and some customers have reported hearing a whirring noise similar to a laptop fan coming from their TVs when left on for a while

Pros:

Fire TV experience built-in
All sizes feature 4K UHD video
Continuous updates
Affordable price points
Comes with Amazon Alexa Voice Remote

Cons:

Screens are LED, not OLED
Some customers have audio complaints

Best Overall Fire TV Edition

Insignia NS-65DF710NA21 Smart 4K UHD

Big and beautiful

This high-end 4K UHD Fire TV Edition TVs from Insignia is the largest Fire TV that you can currently buy.

Best Big Toshiba Fire TV Edition: Toshiba TF-55A810U21 4K UHD TV

Another great option in the larger-sized Fire TV Edition TV space is this gem from Toshiba. Like the Insignia above, this TV can output video in glorious 4K UHD resolution with over eight million pixels for amazing clarity. If 55 inches is too big for your space, fear not. It also comes in a more manageable 43-inch version.

This smart TV comes with an Amazon Alexa Voice Remote, so you can issue commands to the Amazon smart assistant for navigating the TV interface or calling up a particular movie, show, or app. You also get the benefit of automatic software updates.

Pros:

Great value for a large TV
4K UHD picture quality
Automatic software updates
Amazon Alexa Voice Remote

Cons:

No OLED models
Not quite as large as the largest TVs from Insignia

Best Big Toshiba Fire TV Edition

Toshiba TF-55A810U21 4K UHD TV

Outstanding entry price

This Toshiba HD Fire TV Edition set gets you large, higher-resolution TV at an even more affordable price point.

Best Small Insignia Fire TV Edition: Insignia NS-24DF310NA21 Smart HD 720p TV

If you are on a tighter budget, or if you are so particular that you require a 4K UHD picture, then you might be better off just getting a 720p HD Fire TV Edition TV. As with the other TVs on this list, you get the full-featured Fire TV operating system and an Alexa Voice Remote to control your smart TV.

The familiar Fire TV experience is easy to navigate with the remote in the traditional way too, of course, and watching the latest episodes of Jack Ryan or the Marvelous Mrs. Maisel is so enjoyable on that HD screen. The remote also has quick use buttons for common streaming sites like Netflix, HBO, and Hulu. This is the perfect device for a bedroom, home office, or study, and it's priced to be the ideal gift for friends and family.

Pros:

Amazing entry price
Easy-to-use Fire TV operating system
Smaller size fits most spaces
Amazon Alexa Voice Remote

Cons:

Not OLED
Remote quick use buttons may not be helpful

Best Small Insignia Fire TV Edition

Insignia NS-24DF310NA21 Smart HD 720p TV

Perfect pint-sized TV

If you are unable to pick up one of the larger 4K UHD models or just want a different alternative, you can't go wrong with this smaller set.

Best Small Toshiba Fire TV Edition: Toshiba TF-32A710U21 Smart HD TV

If you are looking for a smart TV in the Amazon ecosystem, but either don't care about 4K UHD resolution or you just want to save a little bit of money, then this smaller HD Fire TV Edition from Toshiba is worthy of your consideration. It comes in a 32-inch size that is particularly ideal for bedrooms, apartments, or smaller spaces in general.

Even though the resolution on this set is not as high as the 4K UHD models, you still get all of the Fire TV OS goodies that you would on the higher-end TVs. You get an Amazon Alexa Voice Remote, which you can use to operate the TV, search for shows, and control your smart home devices. You also get the benefit of automatic software updates.

Pros:

Great value
Ideal for smaller spaces
All of the apps and services of 4K UHD versions
Automatic software updates
Amazon Alexa Voice Remote

Cons:

Lower resolution
Size tops at 32-inches

Best Small Toshiba Fire TV Edition

Toshiba TF-32A710U21 Smart HD TV

Outstanding entry price

This Toshiba HD Fire TV Edition set brings all of the smarts of the higher resolution TVs to an even more affordable price point.

Bottom line

Amazon is really hitting hard in the smart TV streaming space, and these latest Fire TV Editions from Insignia and Toshiba have raised the bar another notch. Our top choice on this list has to be the Insignia 65-inch 4k UHD Fire TV Edtion TV because it's the biggest and most beautiful Fire TV set available right now.

These Fire TV Edition TVs from Insignia and Toshiba have all of top specs you would look for in a mid-range smart TV like 4K UHD and available Dolby Vision, with the benefit of Amazon's intuitive Fire TV operating system built-in. Having Alexa available through the included voice remote is a huge bonus as well, as you can use this device like your smart home controller to monitor your Ring Doorbell, Blink cameras, or Ecobee thermostats. We also like that they come in sizes that are not absurdly large for most rooms and that they are affordably-priced for 4K smart TVs.

Whichever Fire TV set you choose, you're going to get a great viewing experience with Alexa smarts built-in at a reasonable price. Choose wisely, and start enjoying all of that great content soon with your friends and family!

Credits — The team that worked on this guide

Jeramy Johnson is proud to help Keep Austin Weird and loves hiking in the hill country of central Texas with a breakfast taco in each hand. When he's not writing about smart home gadgets and wearables, he's defending his relationship with his smart voice assistants to his family. You can follow him on Twitter at @jeramyutgw.

Target Black Friday 2020: Store hours, when it starts & best deals

Tue, 22 Sep 2020 19:08:00 GMT

Whether you're searching for Black Friday deals on electronics or Black Friday laptop deals, we all know that many of the best Black Friday deals at Target go fast and tend to run out of stock each year. That's why it helps to make sure you're prepared with knowledge of what's on sale, what you're interested in buying, and which deals are worth skipping.

$40 off $40+ with RedCard signup

Now's the perfect time to get your Target RedCard. The debit option has zero fees and is completely free to use, and right now you'll also score a coupon for $40 off a future purchase of $40 or more when you sign up for either version of the RedCard before October 11.

Get your RedCard at Target

Though we're still waiting on more information regarding Black Friday 2020 at Target, there's a lot we do know already. For starters, nearly all of the Target Black Friday deals will be available online. Most of us know how crazy shopping in stores on Black Friday can be, yet 2020 isn't exactly the greatest year for those crowds so stores will be enticing people to stay at home with deals that rival in-store offers. In fact, there may be many which aren't available in stores at all.

To keep you ready for the big event, we're keeping this page updated with all the information you need to know if you want to shop Target's Black Friday sale and bring home the best deals. We'll even be adding a section for them as more offers become available, from Apple Watch Black Friday deals and Black Friday TV sales to Black Friday security camera deals and headphone deals. The opportunities to save are endless and not just on tech. Target will also have Black Friday baby deals and Black Friday clothes deals to watch for as well as furniture offers and more to keep an eye out for this year.

Black Friday ad for Target

The Target Black Friday ad isn't available just yet, but we'll be posting it right here as soon as it's available (along with a guide to the best deals offered)! Based on previous years, we expect we'll see the advertisement appear online during early November in preparation for Black Friday on November 27, 2020.

Black Friday hours for Target

While Target hasn't announced its hours for Black Friday yet, you can keep an eye on the hours at your local Target store until we hear more. We should know what hours Target will be open for Black Friday once the official 2020 ad drops. It's worth keeping in mind that most of Target's offers will be available online this year, so you may want to try Black Friday shopping online instead to skip the crowds and beat the rush.

Best Target Black Friday deals

Though Target's Black Friday sale isn't live just yet, we'll be keeping this page updated with the best deals that are live at Target right now so you can save some cash while waiting for the big event. If you don't have a RedCard already, now is the time to sign up.

There's a debit RedCard that has no fees and is completely free to use. It's seriously a must-have for everyone who shops at Target. Use it on every purchase at Target and you'll instantly save 5% every time — on pretty much anything. Plus, you'll score free shipping on your Target.com orders. While 5% is a small percentage, it can really add up after multiple purchases or expensive items. There's also a credit card version of the RedCard, though there are fees and stipulations which you'll want to look into before choosing that option.

$40 off $40+ with RedCard signup

Now's the perfect time to get your free Target RedCard. The debit option has zero fees and is completely free to use, and right now you'll also score a coupon for $40 off a future purchase of $40 or more when you sign up for either version of the RedCard before October 11.

Get your RedCard at Target

30% off Halloween costumes

Another way to save consistently at Target is by becoming a Target Circle member. Many of Target's coupons are now exclusively available this way, such as this 30% discount on Halloween costumes. You'll need to join Target Circle and then add the coupon to your account before you can use it.

30% off at Target

30% off Halloween candy

Another deal to score after joining Target Circle will score you 30% off select bags of Halloween candy. Just make sure to add the coupon to your account before checkout.

30% off at Target

Free $20 gift card with $100 order in Baby essentials

Order $100 or more worth of Baby products to score a $20 Target gift card today. You'll need to select same-day order pickup for this offer. Use a RedCard to save an extra 5% on the purchase.

Shop at Target

Amazon Echo Show 5

Amazon's smart display with a 5-inch screen is now discounted by $20 at Target. This device lets you watch movies, news, TV shows, talk to Alexa, and even video call friends and family.

$69.99 at Target

Canon Pixma MG3620 Wireless Inkjet All-In-One Printer

This Canon Pixma wireless printer is an affordable pick that's great for those working at home or even students doing virtual school. Today it's $20 off at Target, though we see this model sell out often so it likely won't last at this price for long.

$59.99 at Target

Blink XT2 2-Camera System

The Blink XT2 cameras are currently discounted at Target with this 2-pack of cameras on sale at $45 off their regular price. This set has everything you need to get started if you are new to Blink cameras.

$134.99 at Target

Amazon Fire 7 Kids Edition Tablet

These Amazon Fire 7 Kids Edition tablets are perfect for young children. They come with kid-proof cases as well as a year's subscription to Amazon Kids (previously called Freetime Unlimited) which includes access to kid-friendly eBooks, shows and movies, apps and games, and more! There's also a 2-year no-questions-asked replacement warranty included.

$59.99 at Target

$5 off your purchase of Prepaid Airtime cards

Through September 26, Target is offering $5 off your purchase of $50 or more of prepaid airtime cards. This includes all brands, from T-Mobile, AT&T, and Verizon, to Boost Mobile, Total Wireless, and Cricket Wireless.

Shop at Target

Instant Pot Duo 6-quart 7-in-1 Pressure Cooker

This essential kitchen appliance combines seven useful tools into one to make meal time easier than ever. Right now it's discounted by $20 at Target, and using a RedCard during checkout will help you save even more.

Shop at Target

These are the best wireless earbuds you can buy at every price!

Tue, 22 Sep 2020 19:00:00 GMT

The best wireless earbuds are comfortable, sound great, and have long-lasting battery life. These tiny headphones from companies like Jabra, Samsung, Sennheiser, Sony and others are almost as important as the phones we have in our pockets, and the market has become crowded over the years with options. We've reviewed a sizeable number of models available, and rated the absolute leaders of the pack, helping you find the best fit and value for your ears and budget. Our buyer's guide will help you navigate this space and find the pair that suits your needs and tastes the best, no matter what you like listening to.

The best wireless earbuds, at a glance

Jabra Elite 75t — A sleek, comfortable fit with complementing solid sound, long battery life, and a decent set of features anyone can appreciate.
Samsung Galaxy Buds Plus — A major improvement in battery life, comfortable fit, and app support make these an excellent choice.
Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 2 — These earbuds will serenade your ears like no others can on this list, but you pay for the privilege.
Aukey EP-N5 — For a far more affordable price than AirPods, Aukey offers arguably better sound and noise cancelation.
Sony WF-1000XM3 — Sony does a stellar job of blocking out background noise to let you escape into the content playing through your ears.
Google Pixel Buds (2020) — They come in clever colors, but also sound nice and integrate well with all Android phones and tablets.
Jaybird Vista — Treat them right and these earbuds will be with you for every workout and run you go on, playing nicely along the way.
Apple AirPods Pro — Apple takes care of its own by putting out a pair of wireless earbuds worthy of iPhone and iPad users.
Samsung Galaxy Buds Live — Samsung's "beans" take a different design approach, and your ears will thank you.
Anker Soundcore Liberty 2 Pro — Rather than try to stand out for one feature alone, Anker manages to make these earbuds work well across the board.
Creative Outlier Air — When these fit the right pair of ears, it's hard to find a pair that can sound better for less money.
Anker Soundcore Liberty Neo — Making it through a sweaty workout shouldn't be a problem while wearing these affordable earbuds.

OnePlus Buds

$79 at OnePlus

Value and quality

The OnePlus Buds offer good sound, a comfortable fit, and excellent battery life at a highly competitive price. Enjoy up to 7 hours of listening at a time, going all the way up to 30 hours with the included charging case. 13.4 mm dynamic drivers deliver rich 3D stereo via Dolby Atmos support.

What are the best wireless earbuds you can buy today?

Which wireless earbuds, like any pair of headphones, are right for you is subjective in a few key ways. They have to fit right, feel comfortable over longer periods, and produce sound that's pleasing to your ears. If audio fidelity is paramount for you, there are good options for that, just as there are options for being active or present great value without breaking the bank.

Topping our list are the Jabra Elite 75t because they strike the right notes where it counts. We're talking excellent sound quality, improved fit, battery life, and accessibility — and all at a pretty reasonable price. If sound really matters — and money is no object — the Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 2 are so good they could rival many over-ear headphones with their clarity. It won't matter what genre you like most, and with improved battery life to boot, these are premium earbuds worth a look.

The Sony WF-1000XM3 are the best when noise cancelation is a priority, but they don't skimp out on sound quality, either. They are among the best available if great audio is on your must-have feature list. Google's Pixel Buds (2020) play nice with any Android phone or tablet, and you'll probably find them to be among the most comfortable to wear for long periods. The Samsung Galaxy Buds+ are solid value for what they bring to the table, but even the tightest budget can find something within reach in this list.

Here's our detailed list of the best wireless earbuds you can buy.

1. Jabra Elite 75t

Best Wireless Earbuds Overall

Bottom line: Jabra has been at this for the last few years, but the Elite 75t address some previous shortcomings, particularly related to size and battery life, and come out as the wireless earbuds to beat. They maintain an excellent audio soundstage, with an equalizer in Jabra's Sound+ app to customize the profile further to your liking. They hit all the right marks, earning our recommendation as the best wireless earbuds you can buy right now.

Pros:

Customizable sound
Long battery life
USB-C for charging
Water and dust resistance
Excellent comfort

Cons

Lacks wireless charging case
No active noise cancelation

$150 at Amazon $150 at Best Buy $150 at Walmart

The Jabra Elite 75t are the best wireless earbuds for most people primarily because they are so comfortable. Stick these in your ear, turn up the volume, and forget the world around you. Jabra is one of the most experienced hearing aid companies in the world, and it shows with these incredible and portable wireless earbuds.

But comfort means nothing if they sound bad, and Jabra's aced that test, too. They feature a bass-heavy but enjoyable sound signature that can be easily adjusted in the excellent Sound+ app available for Android and iPhone. The Elite 75t also have a wide soundstage, a smooth mid-range, and treble frequencies that won't hurt your ears, even during piercing high notes.

As for battery life, you get around seven hours per charge, which is outstanding for a pair of true wireless earbuds, and the included case nets two and a half additional charges for an overall total over around 28 hours. The case itself is charged via USB-C, and does so quickly. The lid opens and closes with a satisfying snap, too, and you may find yourself fidgeting with it from time to time.

The Elite 75t are also IP55 water and dust resistant, which means they'll have little issue with sweat, rain, snow, or other water-absorbing activities. If you do want a little extra protection, the Elite Active 75t are always an option, though you do pay more for the protection.

These earbuds are also incredible for making calls — in our tests, the receiver on the other end told us it was among the clearest phone calls they'd ever heard from a pair of headphones. There's also an included "transparency" mode available at the tap of a button — did we mention there are physical controls here? — that pumps in sound from the outside world through one of the three included microphones. That makes it easier to talk to people or hear the outside world without removing the earbuds.

The Elite 75t aren't perfect, though. You can only use the right earbud if you want to listen in mono mode, and the case lacks wireless charging, though Jabra plans to offer an optional wireless charging case in the future. The earbuds also lack active noise cancelation, a feature you'll find on some of the other options on this list. For us, given the excellent passive noise cancelation, this isn't a problem, but keep it in mind when you're researching.

Otherwise, though, these are our favorite earbuds around.

Best Wireless Earbuds

Jabra Elite 75t

$150 at Amazon $150 at Best Buy $150 at Walmart

The Jabra Elite 75t are by far the best wireless earbuds when it comes to sound quality, battery life, comfort, and portability.

2. Samsung Galaxy Buds Plus

Best Value Earbuds

Bottom line: Samsung knocked it out the park with its true wireless sequel. The Galaxy Buds+ feature fuller sound, a nicer design, much better call quality, and incredible battery life, all at a good price.

Pros:

Long battery life
Great sound
USB-C and wireless charging
Spotify features are great
Customizable gestures

Cons:

Glossy case gets messy
Poor call quality compared to the competition

$130 at Amazon $130 at Best Buy $139 at Walmart

Samsung's Galaxy Buds+ take the best features from the original Galaxy Buds and improve them in almost every way. The real focus here was to take the popular ease-of-use and comfort of the originals and improve the fundamentals: sound quality, call quality, and battery life, and Samsung has largely succeeded.

They start at a slightly higher price point than their predecessor, but the Galaxy Buds+ deliver with the extras. They boast an impressive 10 hours of battery life per charge, with another full charge in the case. The glossy case, available in four colors — black, red, white, and blue — charges quickly via USB-C or Qi, and the Tic-Tac shape makes it easy to slip into a pocket. Seriously, having a pair of earbuds last 10 hours on a charge is life-changing. Plus, each one can be used independently if you're a podcast addict like we are, so that doubles the uptime.

The earbuds' side gestures can be a bit sensitive, but they're very useful and can be easily configured inside Samsung's excellent Android or iOS app. Samsung decided to partner with Spotify to make it easy to begin playing a playlist without taking out your phone — and while that sounds gimmicky, I've benefited from that feature more times than I can count. And while the sound improvements aren't massive over the originals, the addition of a second speaker adds robustness to the low-end and clarity to the mid-range.

Samsung's also spent some time improving call quality with a second external microphone to cancel out additional noise. There's definitely still some room for improvement, but Samsung worked on call quality a lot and it shows — in our testing, people on the other end of the line told us we sounded clear and loud.

The Galaxy Buds+ are an incredible sequel to a good but imperfect original. They're also among the best value in wireless earbuds today, backed up by Samsung's excellent ease-of-use. If you're a Samsung user, these pair instantly with your phone, and if you're running another Android phone, or even an iPhone, setup is just a couple of taps away.

Best Value

Samsung Galaxy Buds+

$130 at Amazon $130 at Best Buy $139 at Walmart

The Samsung Galaxy Buds+ feature excellent battery life and sound, convenience features, and a wireless charging case.

3. Aukey EP-N5

Best Cheap AirPods Alternatives

Bottom line: It's always nice to find something at a bargain that performs above expectations. That's the Aukey EP-N5, in a nutshell. They could easily be mistaken for AirPods clones, but the form factor is incidental. Sound quality is among the best you can find at this price, and with ANC onboard, the feature set isn't too shabby, either.

Pros:

Good audio quality
ANC support
Lightweight build
Onboard controls
IPX5 water resistance
Great price

Cons

Random audio cutouts
Spotty voice assistant control
Touch controls can be sensitive
No official sweat proofing
$60 at Amazon

Healthy skepticism is warranted for any product, regardless of whether it's expensive or cheap. The Aukey EP-N5 invite plenty of that because of what they offer on paper relative to the price. Yet, they handle such scrutiny with the kind of verve often associated with pricier models.

Not surprisingly, the 10mm drivers are tuned to skew further toward the low end to bring out more bass, and it ultimately works well because of two key factors. First, these have been engineered to be sufficiently louder than most at default volume, and second, the included ear tips (coupled with the angled drivers) provide a nice seal that allows the lows and mids to breathe.

What is a little surprising is that they include ANC support. It's a useful feature to have at anytime, but even better when it doesn't come at a premium. It won't be nearly as effective as that found in better models, like the Sony WF-1000XM3, but is good at drowning out consistent and steady background noise. It's higher-pitched sounds that pierce through the blockade.

With excellent call quality in most situations, plus solid battery life, the EP-N5 cover important bases along the way. However, that's not to say there aren't some concerns to go with them. The touch controls are too sensitive, which also affects how easy it is to trigger your phone's voice assistant. Plus, with no sweat proofing, it's hard to know how much they can withstand repeated rigorous workouts or runs.

Random cutouts do happen, though oddly, they may be more common when within range, rather than moving closer to out of range. Still, the benefits outweigh the flaws in the areas that matter, and without breaking the bank on top of it.

Best Cheap AirPods Alternative

Aukey EP-N5

$60 at Amazon

Aukey makes the EP-N5 True Wireless Earbuds feel like so much more than what the AirPods are, and at a mere fraction of the price.

4. Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 2

Best Sound Quality

Bottom line: Putting on a pair of Sennheiser headphones comes with a bigger set of expectations, and these should be no exception. The Momentum True Wireless 2 are the best sounding in this category for the simple fact they offer the best soundstage, belying their diminutive size. They also have much better battery life than their predecessors, and include superb noise cancelation.

Pros:

Great comfort
Great audio quality
Excellent ANC performance
Improved battery life
Companion iOS and Android app

Cons

Onboard controls need work
No official sweat resistance
Expensive

$277 at Amazon $300 at Best Buy $300 at Walmart

Sennheiser got the sound part right with the first Momentum True Wireless, only to struggle in delivering adequate battery life. The Momentum TW2 do a much better job staying on for longer periods, and coupled with the excellent sound they pump out, it's hard to argue with them being the best for audio quality. Battery life is now up to seven hours per charge, with a total of 28 hours coming from the nifty charging case. It features USB-C for wired charging but lacks wireless charging, which is disappointing at this price.

Another big addition was including ANC support. While not necessarily the best in the business in that particular aspect, they are no slouches in keeping background noise to a minimum. The Momentum TW2 manage to punch above their relative weight in reducing ambient noise to a level that comes really close to the best ANC performance out there.

As for the sound, the bass-forward profile should acclimate well to any pair of ears. It has an elegant feel to it, matching the physical design. The bass is pronounced without feeling overbearing, even if it slightly overtakes the mids, while the high notes are clear, crisp and warm throughout. If the default profile doesn't work for you, Sennheiser's Smart Control app lets you use the onboard equalizer to customize how you want them to sound.

The earbuds themselves are larger than others on this list, so not every pair of ears will feel like a natural fit. Thankfully, that's not a big problem when considering how good they sound for their size, especially compared to on-ear or over-ear headphones.

Best Sound Quality

Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 2

$277 at Amazon $300 at Best Buy $300 at Walmart

Sennheiser's penchant for excellent sound isn't hamstrung by smaller size, and the Momentum True Wireless 2 are audible proof.

5. Sony WF-1000XM3

Best Noise-Canceling Earbuds

Bottom line: They're a little big and bulky, but Sony still takes the crown for the best noise-canceling performance with its WF-1000XM3. It's actually a little surprising true wireless earbuds can sport something this good from a technical standpoint. You won't want to take them to the beach, but the next time you want to rock out, you'll love having these in your ears.

Pros

Great audio quality
Comfy fit with right seal
Excellent ANC performance
Solid battery life
Better onboard controls

Cons

No water resistance
Adaptive sound mode needs work
Case is on the larger side
Require more adjustment

$228 at Amazon $230 at Best Buy $228 at Walmart

Slowly but surely, ANC is finding its way into more true wireless earbuds out there, including at different price points, but the pair to beat are Sony's WF-1000XM3. This is why they're an easy choice for this list. While they won't win accolades for beauty, they are effective at doing what they're supposed to.

Rather than skew the default soundstage to push more bass, Sony preferred to keep it more neutral to start with, leaving plenty of room to customize it through the equalizer settings in the Headphones Connect app. That helps the mid-range breathe and come through with greater detail, while the highs maintain a warm signature throughout. That's not to say there's no bass at all, only that it doesn't necessarily fall under what's typical of Sony's headphones.

Battery life is excellent. You'll get up to six hours alone and an additional 18 hours with their charging case. For a pair of true wireless ANC earbuds, the WF-1000XM3 perform surprisingly excellent in this department. Of course, as with most ANC headphones, the WF-1000XM3 offer an ambient sound mode that reverses the ANC microphones to allow the outside world in, removing the need to remove your earbuds if you'd like to hear what's going on around you.

There's a lot to like about these earbuds, and though they are the best noise-canceling pair available, they aren't without some drawbacks. The fit may not be for everyone, and the Adaptive Sound Control mode feels like a work in progress. Plus, with no official water or sweat resistance, taking them near water is risky. Light rain may be fine, but anything involving submersion should be out of the question.

Best Noise-Canceling

Sony WF-1000XM3

$228 at Amazon $230 at Best Buy $228 at Walmart

The WF-1000XM3 feature superb ANC performance that underpins excellent sound quality and good battery life.

6. Google Pixel Buds (2020)

Best For Android Users

Bottom line: Google's reimagined Pixel Buds are not only a worthy successor, they are good enough to warrant completely forgetting about their predecessors. With an emphasis on comfort and control, they are the easiest pair to use with any Android phone, and hands-free Google Assistant is far more useful when you don't have to touch anything.

Pros:

Wireless charging case & USB-C wired charging
Integration with Android and Google Assistant
Good sound
Fantastic media controls

Cons:

Lacks active noise cancelation
Battery life could be longer
Comfort might not be great for everyone
Bass could be better

$180 at Best Buy $179 at Walmart $179 at B&H

It's hardly surprising the 2020 Pixel Buds work so well on Android, much like how the AirPods are great when paired with an iPhone. Open the case the first time and with one tap, they're paired to most modern Android phones. Unless you're using a Pixel device, where the settings are within the phone's system settings, you can download the companion app during setup on other Android handsets to access some of the extras available. You can customize the touch gestures and a "find my buds" feature in case you misplace one or both.

Google subsequently added newer features through firmware updates that included turning off the touch controls entirely — even by voice — and a Bass Boost toggle to add some extra focus on the low-end (they do need it). There's still no proper equalizer to customize the sound further, though — not that you would want to always keep the touch controls off, either. They are among the best and most consistent of any pair of earbuds we've tested to date.

The translation features, which are already quite good, got their own boost by adding Transcribe mode in helping Spanish, French, Italian, and German speakers to translate into English. The move, in turn, also improves how English speakers get translations from from those languages, too. Sharing Detection lets you share one of your earbuds with someone, where each of you can control volume individually. You might need to share a bud if it's an important phone call or you're both listening to the same podcast, for instance.

One of the biggest reasons to consider the Pixel Buds over anything else is how they integrate with Google Assistant. You can activate it via a touch gesture, or verbally by using the trigger word, hands-free. The charging case is smaller than most others, though you will need to keep it handy because the Pixels Buds aren't battery stalwarts. At least you get quick charging through USB-C and wireless charging convenience.

Best for Android Users

Google Pixel Buds (2020)

$180 at Best Buy $179 at Walmart $179 at B&H

The Pixel Buds feature great integration with Android and Google Assistant, plus cool features that make them feel unique.

7. Jaybird Vista

Best For Workouts

Bottom line: Jaybird gives the Vista the kind of rugged treatment that makes them ideal for workouts and general activity. An IPX7 water resistance rating means they will take some playful punishment and still keep on playing the next day. What makes them work so well is the excellent sound, and a fantastic companion app that completely opens the floodgates to custom sound.

Pros

Bass-heavy sound
Comfortable fit
App-based EQ options
Rugged design with IPX7 resistance rating
Quick charge via USB-C

Cons

No auto-pause feature
No ambient sound mode
No wireless charging
Short battery life for case

$160 at Amazon $160 at Best Buy $179 at Walmart

When it comes to working out, the Jaybird Vista are the best option. You don't get any ANC support here, but the passive noise isolation is excellent. Nicely crafted with a design that should most ears, the tighter seal they can create makes a big difference in how well these can sound. Bass lovers will rejoice at the audible thump afforded by the default sound signature, though there is a lot more where that came from.

They sound great, and are sufficiently loud from the outset, giving you flexibility on how much you want to raise the volume without hurting your ears. Where things really get interesting is with the companion app, which also hosts an active community who create EQ presets that you can apply to the earbuds and alter how they sound. You will find something catering to every genre of music, as well as being able to modify or create your own. Save the ones you like most and switch between what works while working out, or what is best at work.

With an IPX7 rating, the level of water and sweat resistance is good enough to take the proverbial beating for every activity. You can't take them swimming, but you can certainly run in the rain or not worry about some splashing. Make sure to clean and wipe them after exposure and they should feel good as new each time.

Battery life is decent at up to six hours, and the louder default volume helps keep it closer to that ceiling. The case, while small and highly pocketable, only adds an extra 10 hours, which is very low by current standards, but at least you can quick charge them via USB-C. Forget wireless charging — that's not here, either.

Best For Workouts

Jaybird Vista

$160 at Amazon $169 at Best Buy $160 at Best Buy $179 at Walmart

The Jaybird Vista are built tough enough for the active crowd, and neat custom sound options only add to the fun.

8. AirPods Pro

Best For Apple Users

Bottom line: Apple made the AirPods Pro, of course, for Apple users and the feeling of exclusivity is obvious from the moment you first crack open the case. The Pro introduced ANC and a host of iOS-friendly features that make it perfect for anyone with an iPhone. It's a breeze to switch between Apple devices, except the pinch-based controls are what have us hooked.

Pros:

Excellent noise cancelation
Transparency mode works very well
Super comfortable design
Playback gestures are great
Compact, high-quality charging case

Cons:

So-so battery life
No customizability on Android
Lightning for charging
Expensive

$220 at Amazon $250 at Best Buy

Despite being somewhat limited on Android (no auto-play/pause, Google Assistant, or customization), the AirPods Pro join the Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 2 and Sony WF-1000XM3 at the top of the heap for ANC true wireless earbuds. The AirPods Pro benefit from stellar ANC performance, and while they won't beat out the others at the top, they do come close to almost everything else on the market.

Sound quality is solid with the AirPods Pro, with more bass and mid-range than the regular AirPods 2 can squeak out. By focusing on the mids, it creates the illusion that sound is moving closer to you, and that's because instruments and vocals are often in that part of the spectrum. The highs do suffer a bit because of that, creating an uneven profile that may be more pronounced with certain genres.

They're smartly designed to aid in a comfortable fit, and we can attest to how good they are in that regard. Unlike other earbuds that have a plastic "stem" silicone ear tips attach to, the AirPods Pro attach have them attach directly to the bud's speaker. That makes the tip more malleable to mold itself into the shape of your ear.

Battery life is hardly anything to get excited about, unfortunately. They can theoretically hit 4.5 hours of playback with ANC on — five hours with ANC off — but that also depends on volume level. The saving grace lies with the charging case that can offer around 20 hours of additional listening time. Apple users won't mind that it charges over the company's proprietary Lightning connector, whereas Android users certainly might. You could get around that, to some degree, by making use of the wireless charging support.

Best For Apple Users

AirPods Pro

$220 at Amazon $250 at Best Buy

Apple takes care of its users with the AirPods Pro by getting the fundamentals right on comfort, playback and ease of use.

9. Samsung Galaxy Buds Live

Most Comfortable Earbuds

Bottom line They may look like beans, but there's no maligning what Samsung pulled off here. The Galaxy Buds Live are earbuds without a driver or tip protruding into your ear canal, and the result is a not only a comfortable fit, but also an impressive sound profile. They work perfectly fine with non-Samsung devices, and are helped further by good app support to customize them your way.

Pros

One-size-fits-all design
Compact and well-built case
12mm drivers kick out great audio
Long-lasting battery life
Extremely useful companion app
Supports Qi wireless charging

Cons

Touch controls can be finicky
ANC isn't the best out there
Certain features exclusive to Samsung phones

$169 at Amazon $170 at Best Buy $170 at Walmart

If you look at the Galaxy Buds Live and immediately feel skeptical about them conceptually, you can be forgiven for doing so. The design is unusual by any measure, but Samsung did it in an attempt to conform to as many ears as possible. That focus meant cutting off the driver from sticking into the ear and letting it rest over the ear canal instead. The lack of fatigue makes wearing them for longer periods easier to manage.

That one-size-fits-all approach could finally be the fit that smaller ears are looking for. While still subjective, given every pair of ears is different, it's evident fairly quickly after wearing these that there was some merit to Samsung's line of thinking. However, it was an odd choice to debut ANC support. Earbuds typically have some passive noise isolation to block out at least some of the ambient noise around you, and adding ANC helps take care of the rest. That's not really the case here because the more open design doesn't really passively isolate noise the same way.

To offset any loss in power or volume, the Buds Live have 12mm drivers aimed toward the ear canal. Since getting a g

These are the best professionally installed home security systems

Tue, 22 Sep 2020 18:00:00 GMT

The best professionally installed home security systems take away the uncertainty that comes with installing a system yourself. Are there any blind spots, improperly installed sensors, or other problems you wouldn't think to check? Have these professionals come to your home and give you the certainty that you're paying for quality protection. Home security systems like Vivint offer reliable monitoring, home automation, smart home integration, and threat response you need to feel secure at home.

Best Overall: Vivint Home Security System

A staple of professionally installed home security systems is the multi-year contract. In exchange for a professional consultation and installation, you must consent to pay for professional monitoring for years, on top of the leasing cost for equipment. Vivint gives you the option to pay upfront for equipment and pay month-to-month for monitoring, allowing you to cancel the service anytime and self-monitor with the equipment you own — making it an excellent choice if you can afford the high initial cost.

If you want the traditional security experience, Vivint offers a starter pack with an LCD touchscreen hub, two door/window sensors, a motion detector, a water sensor, and a small credit towards additional sensors that falls somewhere in the $600 range upfront. But after your free consultation, Vivint will offer additional products: a variety of motion, glass-break, door, water leak, CO leak and window sensors, indoor cameras, outdoor cameras, smart doorbell cameras, and other peripherals like smart thermostats and smart locks. Your final cost will likely trend somewhere between $1,000–$3,000 depending on the size of your home; if that's too much to pay upfront, Vivint lets you pay off your equipment costs with a zero-finance loan, but keep in mind that you can't cancel your Vivint plan until you've paid off your loan in full.

Vivint particularly excels in home automation, controlling a variety of smart devices through its app. Arm your alarm or lock your doors remotely, or use GPS tracking to do so automatically if you're away from home for a certain amount of time. Set temperature parameters and have your thermostat stay within a particular range, or have your Philips Hue lights turn on in response to a sensor activation using custom actions in Vivint's app.

With a wireless system of connected devices and a $40/month fee for video monitoring (fairly pricey but not compared to other professional security companies), Vivint impressed us during our review and is worth approaching for a free on-site quote.

Pros:

Works with Alexa, Google Home, Z-Wave, and IFTTT
Fast, all-in-one app with automation
Free cloud video storage + optional DVR
Option to pay upfront to avoid contract
Solid indoor/outdoor camera performance
Free home consultation plus fixed installation costs

Cons:

Only three-day return policy
Expensive for full smart home with cameras
No object detection on outdoor cams

Best Overall

Vivint Home Security System

Get a quote here

Smart, professional protection

For a high upfront cost, you'll get professional installation without the specter of a long contract hanging over your head.

Best Customer Service and Clear Pricing: Brinks Home Security

For the past two years, JD Power has ranked Brinks as the best in customer service for pro-installed companies, with ADT coming closest at second. While every customer's experience will vary, it's telling that Brinks — which only reached a nationwide scale in 2018 — has done better than older companies, most likely because it has something to prove. With Brinks, you'll hopefully receive good support when its monitoring center spots a problem or if your system goes down.

Brinks also eschews the old professional quote model by making prices visible on its website and allowing buyers to purchase a system and schedule an installation without speaking to a pushy representative on commission. You choose one of their three preset systems priced at $199, $349, or $1,099, but you can purchase add-ons during the checkout process. Then, if you realize down the line you want something that wasn't in your initial package, you can buy it on Brinks' site, where you'll find actual prices for each device, and install it yourself to save another pro fee.

With its support for Z-Wave, Alexa, Google Home, Apple TV, and Alarm.com devices, you will have an easy time controlling your security system through voice commands and controlling many third-party smart devices like smart locks and lights through the Alarm.com app or Brinks control panel. We also appreciate that the service responds to alarms with the ASAPer system, which immediately puts all emergency contacts on a live chat to ascertain if it's a false alarm and if responders should be sent — preventing costly fees from the police.

Your primary negative is the required three-year contract, even if you choose to install the system yourself. If you do have someone else install the system or need a home consultation, your experience and price will vary based upon how good the local Brinks affiliate is. Monthly monitoring with video costs $39 per month, which is comparable with Vivint. You can choose to install Nest Secure instead, a DIY system that uses Brinks' monitoring centers; the Nest video monitoring fee is half as much per month as Brinks' system, for essentially the same service.

Pros:

Fully visible pricing online
Easy to move with you
Works with most smart speakers, third-party tech
Top-rated customer service
Option for Nest Secure with cheaper monthly monitoring
Instant live chat in response to alarms

Cons:

Required three-year contract
Authorized local dealers vary in quality
No clear list of third-party compatible smart devices

Best Customer Service

Brinks Home Security

Friendly, fast monitoring

Buy direct from Brinks for complete price transparency, or buy a DIY Nest Secure set and get the same Brinks monitoring.

Best Expert Customization: ADT Home Security

ADT is a tricky service to judge or recommend, as its pricing and monthly fees vary from person to person. You'll need to call them for a free quote, have a local technician visit your house, then receive another quote for equipment costs and fees that you can either accept or try to negotiate down. Some will dislike the amount of time you'll need to invest before knowing what costs you'll be facing; others will appreciate the expert advice on which devices your home needs, instead of trying to figure that out yourself.

To get full video monitoring and home automation with ADT, your monthly fee will be somewhere in the $50–$60 range at the highest end of anything else on our list. To justify the high cost, ADT offers to pay $500 of your insurance deductible if your house is robbed, and boasts of its long service history and nationwide monitoring centers that will ostensibly provide more personalized and immediate assistance. If you don't need video monitoring or smart home tech, its fees start at $29, which is more reasonable for a pro system.

To build a professional, smart home with automation, ADT connects with hundreds of devices via Z-Wave, giving you the most options of any system for smart locks, bulbs, and thermostats that you can control through the SoSecure app. It supports geotracking alerts for when you're away from home and remote arming and disarming. Plus, its indoor camera sports an impressive 145º FOV, while its waterproof outdoor camera functions between -40º and 122º F, making it suited for any climate.

If the price isn't an object, ADT still offers the best professionally installed home security system that is curated to fit your needs, instead of trying to figure those needs out yourself.

Pros:

Country-wide monitoring service
Theft protection guarantee
Six-month return window
Blue by ADT DIY option
Compatible with Echo, Z-Wave, third-party devices

Cons:

Mandatory, no-cancel three-year contract
Must get personalized quote with negotiable price
ADT authorized dealers vary in quality, pricing
Highest monthly fee for monitoring, smart home integration

Best Expert Customization

ADT Home Security

Get a quote here

A household name in security

ADT offers a personalized security system for any home, but be prepared to haggle over the high price.

Best Regional Security System: Xfinity Home Security

Assuming that Xfinity is available in your area, consider this solid professionally-installed home security option, particularly if you use the company for internet or cable as well. Like Brinks, Xfinity makes it clear on its site how much you'll pay upfront for equipment, and its prices are very reasonable. You'll pay a flat $99 fee to have Xfinity engineers install your system, rather than worrying about accredited third-party teams that are trickier to hold accountable.

Xfinity only recognized voice commands through Flex, but its app can control a wide array of "Works with Xfinity" devices. Live video feeds, automated climate control, scheduled lighting, remote door locking and garage door controls, and smart outlet controls all work through the Xfinity app. Unfortunately, the company is more limited with IFTTT automations since it closed down the Stringify app last year.

If you have Xfinity internet problems, the basic monthly coverage includes cellular backup, so you remain protected. The basic $40/month plan gets you professional monitoring and alerts, while the $50/month plan unlocks video monitoring and motion-activated recording. That's higher than most services besides ADT, and as a cable company, it's more than likely that the number could increase after a couple of years, so check any contract you get.

If you bundle your Home Security with your internet, you'll likely get a discount on the monthly cost, pay for everything on one bill, and get good performance out of Wi-Fi-enabled tech like Xfinity's outdoor camera. If you plan on buying several cameras, Xfinity is a good choice because the cost of one indoor/outdoor cam is only $120, a genuinely affordable price when compared against Vivint's $399 Outdoor Camera Pro or Brinks' $249 Outdoor Camera.

Pros:

Bundle deals available for internet/ cable customers
View alerts on TV or via app
Excellent device support for "Works with Xfinity" tech
Contract or month-to-month if paid upfront
Affordable indoor/outdoor cams with 24/7 option
Reliable Xfinity installation teams

Cons:

Only available in some parts of 39 states
Monthly fees will likely increase after contract
Not compatible with Alexa, Google Home
$50 per month for video monitoring
Limited IFTTT automation

Best Regional Security System

Xfinity Home Security

$360–$600 for Xfinity Home Security System

Combine internet and home protection

Xfinity offers a reasonable starting price and extensive connectivity for an all-in-one smart home app with security features.

Best DIY system with Professional Installation Option: Abode Iota All-in-one Home Security

DIY security companies design their appliances to be simple to adhere to walls and connect to a network so that anyone can do it. Despite this, some DIY companies offer a professional installation option, handy for those who can't spare the time or aren't physically able to mount cameras in high places. Of these options, Abode offers the most services that the very best professionally installed home security systems do, at a bargain monthly price.

For just $16.66 per month, you get professional monitoring with video, 30 days of video storage, a timeline of all alerts and events, geofencing, cellular backup, and other features. You'll save hundreds of dollars annually compared to professional systems, don't need to sign a contract, and even have the option to self-monitor alerts and only pay for monitoring during specific periods (such as during vacations).

The company has a wide range of "Works with Abode" locks, thermostats, and bulbs, and connects with Alexa, HomeKit, Google Home, Z-Wave, and Zigbee. It even supports IFTTT, and you can fully automate and control your smart home devices in the Abode app using CUE automations. Triggered actions such as lights turning on in response to motion, or alerts if GPS shows all user phones away from home while a window is open or door is unlocked, only scratch the surface of what you can do with the app.

Abode's primary weakness is the current lack of a first-party outdoor camera or video doorbell, which means your security will be confined to indoor feeds and sensors. You can reportedly connect Nest cams as a substitute and have them trigger alerts in the Abode app. Still, they reportedly won't trigger alarms or save video footage in-app, and you may need to pay separately for Nest Aware.

Pros:

Month-to-month, no contract or cancellation fee
Cheap monthly monitoring fee
Cheap upfront cost for equipment
Widest range of door/window sensor designs
Works with Alexa, HomeKit, Google Home, and Z-Wave
Extensive customizable automations

Cons:

No outdoor, doorbell cams
Keypad only included with pricier bundles
Updated security app has middling reviews

Best DIY system with Professional Installation Option

Abode Iota All-in-one Home Security

Pro installation at a DIY price

Abode offers customized automation for self-monitored protection, plus a cheap price for pro monitoring.

Bottom line

With some exceptions, the best professionally installed home security systems will cost you, both upfront and in monthly installments thereafter. Because of this, we recommend Vivint's Home Security because it rewards you for paying upfront by removing its multi-year contract, something ADT and Brinks don't offer despite also charging you upfront for equipment. Vivint also offers the lowest monthly fee if you don't require video monitoring but still want remote app access.

Out of all the companies that only offer professional installation, Vivint is the only one to make our overall Best Home Security Systems list. Generally, DIY systems offer plenty of the same features as you'll find with more reputable companies like ADT, for a fraction of the cost. Only Vivint truly holds its own and justifies its high-end cost, with a system you can count on to keep you safe without bankrupting you.

Credits — The team that worked on this guide

Michael Hicks got his tech start in 2016, covering emerging tech like VR and self-driving cars before expanding to all things tech. When he's not gaming or reading SFF novels, he writes freelance for Android Central and Windows Central.

Everything you need to know about the PS5: Release date, price, and more

Tue, 22 Sep 2020 18:00:00 GMT

Sony is gearing up to release the PS5, its most ambitious console to date.

While development on the PS5 has likely been going on for years, Sony has officially confirmed that it's in the works and is on its way this year. The PS5 is set to release on November 12 at $499. The PS5 Digital Edition will cost $399 and hit store shelves on the same day.

Waiting for November 12

PlayStation 5

See PS5 at Amazon See PS5 at Amazon Canada See PS5 at Amazon UK See PS5 at Target See PS5 at GameStop

Get your hands on it before it sells out

PS5 is the place to be for exclusives like Spider-Man and Horizon Forbidden West. Get yours before they sell out. The standard PS5 boasts a disc drive so that you can play 4K Blue-ray DVDs and use your physical PS4 games through backward combability. This comes at a higher price tag than the Digital Edition.

All-digital

PS5 Digital Edition

See PS5 Digital Edition at Amazon See PS5 Digital Edition at Amazon Canada See PS5 Digital Edition at Target See PS5 Digital Edition at GameStop

Get your hands on it before it sells out

Cheaper than the standard PS5 but lacking a disc drive, the PS5 Digital Edition can still deliver the very best exclusives entirely digitally. You may not be able to play physical games, but the future is digital anyway. The PS5 Digital Edition features an 825GB SSD.

PS5 FAQ

PS5 pre-orders
PS5 cost and release date
When's the next PS5 event?
PS5 design
Is there a digital edition PS5?
PS5 specs
PS5 games
Is PS5 backward compatible?
PS5 PS Plus Collection
PS5 DualSense controller
Will the PS5 have a PSVR2?
PS5 software

Where can I pre-order a PS5?

There are several retailers currently taking PS5 pre-orders like Amazon, Best Buy, Walmart, Target, GameStop, and more. The PS5 and PS5 Digital Edition are selling out fast so you'll want to pre-order as soon as possible. Stores are looking to get more shipments in, but it's never a guarantee.

Only seven markets will see the PS5 on November 12 — U.S., Japan, Canada, Mexico, Australia, New Zealand and South Korea — while the rest of the world, including Europe, Middle East, South America, Asia, and South Africa, will need to wait until November 19.

What will the PS5 cost and when will it release?

Sony has confirmed that the PS5 will cost $499 ($629.99 CAD) and the PS5 Digital Edition will cost $399 ($499.99 CAD). Microsoft has also revealed that its cheaper Xbox Series S will be $299 and the Xbox Series X will be $499.

The PS5 will release on November 12, 2020. This will be a few days later than the release of the Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S on November 10. There have been no publicly revealed delays due to COVID-19 as of yet.

When's the next PS5 event?

Sony held a PS5 games showcase on September 16 where we learned more about upcoming launch games like Demon's Souls and Spider-Man: Miles Morales. Final Fantasy 16 and Hogwarts Legacy were also announced, alongside the much-anticipated announcement of the PS5 price and release date.

Sony has yet to announce another event that may take place afterward, but we expect to hear about the PS5's software and features before it launches in November.

What will the PS5 design look like?

Sony has revealed the official design of the PS5, and it's looking futuristic and sleek. I'm not exactly sure what it resembles, but I can say I like it a lot more than the Xbox Series X. I can appreciate what Microsoft is offering, but a big, blocky console isn't all that eye-catching.

Does the PS5 have an all-digital edition?

Yes. Like the Xbox One X all-digital edition, Sony is getting in on the fun with an all-digital edition of the PlayStation 5, dubbed the PS5 Digital Edition, that will not accept discs of any kind. If you want to play games, you'll need to download them directly to the console.

What are the PS5's specs?

Sony spoke exclusively with Wired about what fans can expect from the upcoming next-generation PS5.

Category	PlayStation 5
Price	$499
Dimensions	390mm x 104mm x 260mm (15.4in x 4.1in x 10.2in)
CPU	8x Zen 2 Cores at 3.5GHz
GPU	Custom RDNA 2 (10.28 TFLOPs, 36 CUs at 2.23GHz)
Memory	16GB GDDR6/256-bit (448GB/s Bandwidth)
Storage	825GB
Storage type	SSD
WiFi	802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax
Power consumption	350w
Resolution support	8K
USB	USB 3.1 (X3), USB-C
PSVR support	Yes

PS5 CPU

According to PlayStation,, the CPU will be based on AMD's third-generation Ryzen line, with eight cores of the new 7nm Zen 2 microarchitecture. It will also apparently include a custom unit for 3D audio.

PS5 GPU

The GPU, which is a custom variant of Radeon's Navi family, will support ray tracing, which is a huge win for Sony. Ray tracing is a rendering technique that models how light travels and interacts with virtual objects. Wired notes that this is something Hollywood employs in big-budget movies, but it has not made its way to any video games consoles yet (although it's becoming more common with PC games).

PS5 Ray tracing

To clarify whether or not ray tracing would be achieved on a software level or through built-in hardware integration, Sony confirmed the latter. "There is ray tracing acceleration in the GPU hardware," he said, "which I believe is the statement that people were looking for."

Ray tracing doesn't just deliver visual benefits, though, according to PlayStation. "If you wanted to run tests to see if the player can hear certain audio sources or if the enemies can hear the players' footsteps, ray tracing is useful for that," he said. "It's all the same thing as taking a ray through the environment."

PS5 Solid-state drive

The crème de la crème is that the PS5 will come packed with a solid-state drive (SSD) as opposed to an hard-disk drive (HDD). SSDs are historically more powerful, faster, and make for a much better gaming experience. Sony demonstrated what took 15 seconds to fast travel in Spider-Man on PS4 took only 0.8 seconds on a next-gen devkit. It will even support 8K graphics, though most people will likely have TVs that only deliver up to 4K resolution.

Because more simplified game data is possible through the use of an SSD, the way that game downloads work will differ from the PlayStation 4. On the PS5, downloads will be more configurable, and parts even removable. "Rather than treating games like a big block of data," PlayStation said, "we're allowing finer-grained access to the data."

This means that players could choose to download either the single-player or multiplayer portion of a game depending on what they wanted to play, or they could download the entire game and delete one part of it, like the single-player.

PS5 Specs compared to Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, and PS4 Pro

We still don't have exact number details on the PS5 specs, but we'll keep you updated on all new info. Here's how it stacks up against the Xbox Series X and PlayStation 4 Pro based on what we know so far.

Category	PS5	Xbox Series X	Xbox Series S	PS4 Pro
Price	$499	$499	$299	$399
Dimensions	15.4in x 4.1in x 10.2in	11.81in x 6.30in x 6.30in	Unknown	11.61in x 12.87in x 2.17in
CPU	8x Zen 2 Cores at 3.5GHz	8x Zen 2 Cores at 3.8Ghz	8x Zen 2 Cores at 3.6Ghz	AMD Jaguar 8-core (x86-64)
GPU	Custom RDNA 2 (10.28 TFLOPs)	Custom RDNA 2 (12 TFLOPs)	Custom RDNA 2 (4 TFLOPS)	AMD Radeon (4.2 TFLOPs)
Memory	16GB GDDR6	16GB GDDR6	10 GB GDDR6	8GB GDDR5 + 1GB
Storage size	825GB	1TB	512GB	1TB / 2TB
Storage type	SSD	SSD	SSD	HDD
Resolution support	8K	8K	1440p	4K
VR support	Yes (PSVR)	Yes (No dedicated headset)	Unknown	Yes (PSVR)

What are the games coming to PS5?

Outside of the launch titles like Godfall and Spider-Man: Miles Morales, there's a decent list of games that have been confirmed for the PS5. Here's the full list that we know of:

Assassin's Creed Valhalla
Astro's Playroom
Bugsnax
DEATHLOOP
Demon's Souls
Destiny 2
Destruction AllStars
DiRT 5
Dying Light 2
Final Fantasy 16
Fortnite
Ghostwire: Tokyo
Godfall
God of War
Goodbye Volcano High
Gran Turismo 7
Grand Theft Auto V
Hitman 3
Horizon Forbidden West
Immortals Fenyx Rising
Jett: The Far Shore
Kena: Bridge of Spirits
Little Devil Inside
Lord of the Rings: Gollum
Marvel's Spider-Man: Miles Morales
NBA 2K21
Observer: System Redux
Oddworld: Soulstorm
Outriders
Pragmata
Project Athia
Quantum Error
Ratchet and Clank: Rift Apart
Recompile
Resident Evil Village
Returnal
Roots of Pacha
Sackboy: A Big Adventure
Solar Ash
Scarlet Nexus
Stray
Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six Quarantine
Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six Siege
Ultimate Fishing Simulator 2
Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodlines 2
Warframe
Warhammer: Chaosbane
Watch Dogs Legion
Werewolf: The Apocalypse – Earthblood
Worms Rumble
WRC 9
Yakuza: Like a Dragon

Is PS5 backward compatible?

PlayStation CEO Jim Ryan has stated that the PlayStation 5 will be backward compatible. Ryan even went so far as to see that the company plans to offer cross-generational play, where players can start a game on PS4, pick up where they left off on PS5, and hop back to PS4 if they wish.

"Whether it's backwards compatibility or the possibility of cross-generational play, we'll be able to transition that community to next-gen," Ryan said. "It won't be a binary choice about whether you have to be either on PlayStation 4 or next-gen to continue your friendship."

In a blog post, Sony clarified that it believes "that the overwhelming majority of the 4,000+ PS4 titles will be playable on PS5."

PlayStation Plus Collection on PS5

The PlayStation Plus Collection for PS5, a program that allows members to play select PS4 games on PS5 free with their subscription. While we don't know all of the games that players can download, we learned of over a dozen so far:

God of War
Bloodborne
Monster Hunter World
Final Fantasy 15
Fallout 4
Mortal Kombat X
Uncharted 4
Ratchet & Clank
Days Gone, Until Dawn
Detroit
Battlefield 1
Infamous: Second Son
Batman Arkham Knight
Last Guardian
The Last of Us: Remastered
Persona 5
Resident Evil 7

What is the new PS5 DualSense controller?

The next-generation PlayStation controller is officially called the DualSense. Sony revealed its design in a post on its blog. It features haptic feedback technology, adaptive triggers, a built-in microphone array, and a new Create button to replace the Share button.

To that end, there are two key innovations with the PlayStation 5's new controller. First, we're adopting haptic feedback to replace the "rumble" technology found in controllers since the 5th generation of consoles. With haptics, you truly feel a broader range of feedback, so crashing into a wall in a race car feels much different than making a tackle on the football field. You can even get a sense for a variety of textures when running through fields of grass or plodding through mud.

The second innovation is something we call adaptive triggers, which have been incorporated into the trigger buttons (L2/R2). Developers can program the resistance of the triggers so that you feel the tactile sensation of drawing a bow and arrow or accelerating an off-road vehicle through rocky terrain. In combination with the haptics, this can produce a powerful experience that better simulates various actions.

Geoff Keighley went hands-on with the DualSense during the Summer Game Fest and gave us our first look at the controller in action. As you can see in the above image, taken by Keighley, the DualSense appears to be slightly larger than the DualShock 4. Keighley also noted that it feels heavier as well, but this added weight still feels fine to hold.

Will the PS5 support virtual reality?

Though you shouldn't expect a new VR headset to launch alongside the PlayStation 5, Sony has big plans for virtual reality going forward. Sony Global Head of R&D for PlayStation Dominic Mallinson wants the next headset to be lighter, easier to put on, and have fewer cables. A fully wireless headset is difficult to put on the market right now because it would be more expensive for consumers, but he believes that is the way the market is trending.

Mallinson is excited about the possibilities of eye-tracking, and stated that he expects the resolution to almost double in future VR headsets, with FOV increased to over 120 degrees.

PlayStation System Architect Mark Cerny has also said, "VR is very important to us and that the current PSVR headset is compatible with the new console."

Sony has patented a new, wireless VR headset however you should still not expect this headset at launch alongside the PlayStation 5.

What will the PS5 user interface look like?

The user interface on the PlayStation 4 is fast and works well, but it's also static and can not provide a ton of information. The PS5 is set to change this.

"Even though it will be fairly fast to boot games, we don't want the player to have to boot the game, see what's up, boot the game, see what's up," PlayStation said. "Multiplayer game servers will provide the console with the set of joinable activities in real time. Single-player games will provide information like what missions you could do and what rewards you might receive for completing them—and all of those choices will be visible in the UI. As a player you just jump right into whatever you like."

Waiting for November 12

PlayStation 5

See PS5 at Amazon See PS5 Digital Edition at Amazon See PS5 at Amazon Canada See PS5 Digital Edition at Amazon Canada See PS5 at Best Buy See PS5 Digital Edition at Best Buy

Get your hands on it before it sells out

The PS5 and PS5 Digital Edition are now available to pre-order from your favorite retailers. With two versions to choose from, you'll be able to pick which best suits your budget. PS5 is the place to be for exclusives like Spider-Man and Horizon Forbidden West. Get yours before they sell out.

Jiggle Physics 52: PS5 upcoming titles; Oculus Quest 2; Mario's 35th

Tue, 22 Sep 2020 17:53:32 GMT

Special guest Sean Endicott chats with the JP crew about the PS5 preorder debacle and a slew of upcoming games. They also look at Facebook's Oculus Quest 2 announcement and how Nintendo is celebrating Mario's 35th anniversary.

Hosted by: Jennifer Locke, Carli Velocci, and Rebecca Spear

Got feedback? Hit up Podcast@androidcentral.com and tell us something!

LISTEN NOW:

LINKS:

Complete List of AT&T Wireless MVNOs

Tue, 22 Sep 2020 17:30:00 GMT

If you're thinking of leaving AT&T's prices behind but still like its coverage, then check out these alternative carriers.

We've compiled the complete AT&T Wireless MVNO list so that you don't have to go searching all around the web for a great wireless deal. A mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) is an "alternative carrier" that leases network coverage from one of the large carriers (AT&T, T-Mobile, Verizon). Much of the time, these carriers can offer cheaper service by targeting smaller markets or removing features that many people won't need.

Thanks to the size and quality of AT&T's 3G and LTE network as well as its support for most unlocked phones, AT&T is an easy choice for an MVNO. Still, many of the best MVNOs use one of the other networks, or even multiple networks, and may be a better fit for you.

You need to make sure that your phone has the following GSM bands to work with an AT&T-based MVNO. Alternatively, you can check your IMEI on the website of most of these carriers.

3G: 850, 1900Mhz
LTE: AWS, 700, 850, 1900Mhz
5G: n5, n260

Here are the MVNOs powered by AT&T.

Airvoice Wireless

Starting as low as $5 for five days of service, Airvoice is a highly flexible MVNO. With Airvoice, you can pay as you go or buy a month of service, with high-speed LTE service in data packages that fit pretty much any user's needs.

With unlimited service coming in at $63 with autopay for 30 days of service, it's not the best value for heavy users, but thanks to the wide array of plans, there's something that will work for everyone on this carrier.

Learn more

Altice Mobile

If you are an Optimum or Suddenlink customer, Altice Mobile might be worth considering. For those customers, an unlimited plan is just $20 per month per line with autopay. The price goes up to $30 per month if you are just looking for mobile service alone.

These prices are a bargain, but it's worth keeping in mind that this carrier makes use of both Sprint and AT&T and will likely default to a Sprint connection if available. Still, if you are covered by Altice's service, it can be a good way to save some money on phone service.

Learn more

Black Wireless

Black Wireless is an MVNO that simply aims to save you money. It offers unlimited monthly data plans, which give you an allotment of 4G LTE data, and then you get unlimited data at 2G speeds with some plans.

$15/month gets you 200 minutes or texts (or a combination of both), 200 international minutes with calling to landlines in a wide range of countries, and 500MB of 4G LTE data, with unlimited 2G data at 128Kbps.

$30/month gets you 5GB of 4G LTE with unlimited 2G data, unlimited talk, and text, and unlimited international calling. All of these plans are also available at a discount if you buy six or twelve months at once.

Learn more

Boom! Mobile

Boom Mobile operates on three different networks. For AT&T service, you'll want to stick with the Boom Blue network.

Plans start at $20 per month with unlimited talk and text plus 100MB of data. You can also bump up to unlimited data for $60 per month. There are more plans available, including shared data plans for multiple lines as well as three-month bundles.

Learn more

Consumer Cellular

Consumer Cellular is relatively run-of-the-mill when it comes to MVNOs: it aims to save you money on your monthly phone bill. However, it's been recognized twice by J.D. Power and Associates for its excellent customer service. You can also score a 5% discount if you are an AARP member.

You can build your own plan with one to three lines, choosing from 250 minutes or unlimited, as well as data in 500MB, 3GB, 10GB, 15GB, and unlimited plans depending on your needs. There's also the option of skipping texting and data altogether if you want a plan that keeps things simple.

Learn more

Cricket Wireless

Cricket Wireless is pretty much the biggest player in terms of MVNOs that use AT&T's network. It has excellent plans, and that's due in no small part to the fact that it's owned by AT&T. Cricket is one of the only prepaid carriers to support 5G on its data-only plans and top unlimited plan.

Plans start at $30/month for 2GB of 4G LTE and unlimited calling and texting. $40/month gets you 5GB of 4G LTE or unlimited high speed with the Unlimited BYOD plan. Finally, there are the two standard unlimited plans for $55 and $60, with the latter offering faster download speeds and 15GB of hotspot data.

Learn more

EasyGO Wireless

Easy Go wireless is a brand from H2O wireless that focuses on international service. For $30 per month, you get access to unlimited talk and text, as well as unlimited talk to more than 80 countries (calling to Guatemala and the Dominican Republic is limited to 200 minutes). You also get 2GB of data.

If you're willing to go with only 500MB of data per month, you can drop down to the $20 plan, although you also only get unlimited calling to 11 different countries.

Learn more

FreedomPop

FreedomPop sells SIM cards with various amounts of data and unlimited talk and text. FreedomPop has a range of plans with 2GB, 5GB, or 10GB of data. The 2GB plan starts at just $10 per month if you buy 12 Months. You can also buy six, three, or one month at a time though prices are higher.

FreedomPop sells a decent range of Androids and iPhone, although all of the models are a few years old, so you'll most likely want to bring your own device.

Learn more

FreeUP Mobile

FreeUp Mobile falls in line with most MVNOs offering four sizes of data alongside unlimited calls and texts. International calling and texting to 150 countries are included.

The data sizes come in at 1GB, 2GB, 6GB, and 15GB at $15, $20, $30, and $45 per month, respectively. Your speed is slowed down to 2G speeds after your data allotment. You can also get a discounted 3GB, 8GB, and 15GB plan with three, six, or twelve months purchased upfront.

Learn more

Good2Go Mobile

Good2Go offers a fairly standard array of wireless plans that include unlimited talk and text. The plans step up in data amounts at 2GB, 6GB, 10GB, and 20GB for $15, $20, $30, and $40 per month respectively. For the first three months of service, you also get double data for a limited time.

There is an unlimited talk and text plan with no data for $10 per month, which could be a great option for someone looking for a basic plan.

Learn more

H2O Wireless

H2O offers a very competitive starting plan — $20/month for 2GB of 4G LTE data (unlimited 2G data thereafter), unlimited nationwide talk and text, unlimited international calling to landlines in over 50 countries (select countries include calling to cell phones), unlimited international texting, and a free $10 international talk credit (for the countries that aren't covered).

Data is also available in 6GB, 15GB, and unlimited amounts for $30, $40, and $50 with an additional discount available with auto-pay. The unlimited plan also comes with hotspot data for $10 more per month.

Learn more

i3 Mobile

I3 Mobile is a fairly standard MVNO with a focus on giving you a lot of data. The cheapest plan offers unlimited calling and texting to the U.S., Mexico, and Canada, as well as 1GB of data for $21 per month. The next plan up for $51 per month, increases the data to 10GB.

Beyond that, there are two unlimited plans for $61 and $77 per month, with the latter plan offering hotspot data. There is no limit to this data; however, data is slowed to 3Mbps after 22GB of usage.

Learn more

Net10 Wireless

Net10, owned by TracFone, uses all of the Big Four's towers to help with coverage, which means you get solid coverage for a little less than you'd spend going with one of the biggies. The nice thing is that, because Net10 uses everyone, you get to bring pretty much any phone onto the network.

All smartphone plans come with unlimited talk, text, and 2G data. $20/month gets you 2GB of 4G LTE, with more plans available at 5GB, 10GB, 30GB, 40GB, and even 50GB. The smaller plans are great values, but the larger data amounts aren't as good as some other carriers. The network flexibility still makes Net10 Wireless a welcome option.

Learn more

Pix Wireless

Pix Wireless is an MVNO that focuses on transparency, offering plans with no contracts, no activation fees, and no hidden costs. AT&T's service on Pix is marketed as Pix Emerald.

All plans come with unlimited talk and text, with different amounts of data being the only real difference. Plans are available with 1GB, 3GB, 5GB, 7GB, and unlimited LTE, ranging from $20 per month up to $55 per month.

Learn more

Pure TalkUSA

Pure TalkUSA is an MVNO focused on making your mobile plan easy. Plans range from $20 per month up to $55 per month, all with unlimited talk, text, and 2G-speed data. Plans increase in data capacity to 2GB, 4GB, 6GB, 10GB, 20GB, and unlimited with a $5 price increase at each step.

Save 10% off your second line, 15% of your third, and 20% off your fourth line. There are no activation fees and no contracts, which means you can cancel if the service doesn't work out for you.

Learn more

Red Pocket

Red Pocket uses all of the big carriers and has two basic plans to choose from. The first plan is $10/month and gets you 500 minutes, 500 texts, and 500MB of 4G LTE. You can then buy extra texts, minutes, and LTE. The second plan is $15/month and gets you 1000 minutes and unlimited texts, with 1GB of 4G LTE. At $20 per month, calling and texting are unlimited, with 3GB of LTE data.

The $30, $40, and $60 plans have unlimited talk and text with 7GB, 15GB, and unlimited LTE data. These data plans also get unlimited 2G data once you run out of high-speed data.

Learn more

Straight Talk

Straight Talk has a plan for just about any need, starting at 1,500 minutes with 100MB of data for $30 and working up to unlimited data for $55. There is also an unlimited international plan available for $60.

Data plans are available at 3GB and 25GB with 2G speeds after, and more high-speed data can be added. You can also buy plans at three, six, or 12-month intervals.

Learn more

TracFone

TracFone has been around since 1996 and owns multiple MVNOs, which it operates on various networks.

Its cheapest data plan is $20 per month for 1GB of 4G LTE and unlimited talk and text. You can increase your data amount for $5 more each month per additional gigabyte. One nice feature is Unlimited Carryover, so you don't lose your unused data. This means you can build up a pool of data that you can use if you need to.

TracFone also has plenty of options for different intervals, such as 30, 60, and 90-day terms. TracFone is perfect for folks who regularly travel to the U.S. and don't want to buy a local SIM or pay outrageous roaming fees.

Learn more

Unreal Mobile

Unreal Mobile simply offers unlimited plans with high-speed data available in 3GB, 8GB, and 15GB chunks. In all of these plans, talk and text are unlimited, and data drops to 2G speeds after you use your set amount. You will need to buy three months at once for these plans though you can save even more by buying six or twelve months.

With low entry prices and some form of data on every plan, Unreal Mobile can be a good way to get connected in a budget.

Learn more

Wing

Wing offers plans with refreshing simplicity and clarity, starting with the Flip Phone Plan at just $12 per month with unlimited talk and text. From there, you can get data in 100MB, 1GB, 2GB, 3GB, and unlimited quantities with the top plan coming in at $55 per month.

All plans come with HD voice and Wi-Fi calling as well as visual voicemail. You can also use your data for a hotspot at no additional cost.

Learn more

Alternative carriers (MVNOS)

Amazon Prime Day 2020 allegedly set to take place on October 13

Tue, 22 Sep 2020 17:28:19 GMT

What you need to know

Amazon Prime Day 2020 set to start on October 13.
It is unknown how long the event will last.
You can now ask Alexa to keep you informed on new Prime Day info.

Amazon has still yet to announce when Prime Day 2020 will be taking place, but a new report from CNET points to October 13 being the big day. The company normally hosts its Prime Day event in mid-July, though this year things were delayed with the pandemic and everything else going on. CNET was not able to confirm whether the event would be a 48 hour sale as it was last year, or if it would increase again as it has the past few years.

On September 24 Amazon will be hosting an event to announce some new hardware, where we will likely see refreshed Echo products, Ring devices, and much more. That gives about two weeks between the announcements and Prime Day, which would mean we could see some significant discounts on the new hardware right after it becomes available.

According to the report, Amazon has blacked out vacation dates for warehouse workers from October 13 through October 20 in an effort to keep shipments on track. Amazon has not announced any dates for Prime Day 2020, and an Amazon spokesperson said:

"Stay tuned for more details on Prime Day. Customers can also say, 'Alexa, keep me posted on Prime Day.'"

By asking Alexa to keep you posted you will be notified of any official communications from Amazon regarding the annual Prime Day event and when it will take place in 2020. We will be covering all things Prime Day 2020 and all the best Prime Day deals once the event kicks off, so be sure to keep it locked here for more information as it becomes available.

These are the best smartwatches you can buy

Tue, 22 Sep 2020 17:00:14 GMT

Right now, the best smartwatch for Android users is the Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 2. It's optimized for Samsung phones but runs well on all Android devices and has all the smartwatch and fitness features you'd expect. It's compact and lightweight but still offers good battery life. But if you're not into that one, the good news is that there are so many other amazing options from Fossil to Garmin to Fitbit and more.

The best smartwatches at a glance

Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 2 — The Galaxy Watch Active 2 is great for all Android users, not just Samsung phone owners, with an incredible balance of features, battery life, and aesthetics.
Samsung Galaxy Watch Active — If you want something a bit cheaper and need the extra sensors, this is your best option.
Samsung Galaxy Watch 3 — The Galaxy Watch 3 is a solid upgrade pick that offers LTE connectivity, a beautiful design, and improved health/fitness tracking.
Skagen Falster 3 There's no better option if you want to wear Google's Wear OS on your wrist.
Mobvoi TicWatch Pro 4G/LTE — The TicWatch Pro 4G/LTE lets your watch stay independent with a built-in SIM card that connects to services without your phone nearby.
Garmin Forerunner 245 Music — Garmin is a name pros know, and the Forerunner 245 Music has impeccable GPS accuracy, long battery life, and support for notifications and music services.

What are the best smartwatches?

If you're in the market for the best Android smartwatch, your choices should include our two best overall picks, the Galaxy Watch Active 2 and the slightly older and cheaper Galaxy Watch Active. The differences are minor — the Active 2 has a couple more sensors and comes in two size options — but together with the new Galaxy Watch 3 they make up Samsung's most impressive wearables lineup to date.

What makes them great is the fluid Tizen OS mixed with beautiful hardware. Unlike the original Galaxy Watch, which has a physical rotating bezel, the Watch Active line uses a "virtual" bezel that lets you move around the software by rotating around the edge of the vivid AMOLED display. Samsung Health has also improved immensely over the last couple of years and features a well-rounded selection of workout tracking options as well as a built-in GPS for monitoring outdoor runs or bike rides. Battery life on both watches is measured in days, not hours, and the included sports bands are comfortable enough that you'll forget you're wearing anything on your wrist at all — until a notification comes in, which is easy to activate or dismiss.

Galaxy wearables are optimized for Samsung phones but can be worn with any Android or iOS device (yes, they work great with iPhones, too), and Samsung has done a fantastic job keeping older models updated with new features years after their release.

If you're not interested in a Samsung smartwatch, or prefer how Google does things, we recommend the Skagen Falster 3, an absolute knockout of a Wear OS watch. Its exposed metal lugs are very Skagen, but the included side-mounted digital crown lets you navigate around the software without covering up what's on the screen. Plus, it runs the latest Qualcomm chip paired with 1GB of RAM for fluid performance.

1. Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 2: Best Smartwatch Overall

Bottom line: The Galaxy Watch Active 2 has all of Samsung's best wearable ideals rolled up into one smartwatch. It's stylish, comfortable, has great battery life, and plenty of health tracking features to make you happy and keep you motivated.

Pros:

Compact and well-designed
Easy to use
Capacitive bezel
Excellent performance and battery

Cons:

Third-party app support could be better
Health tracking not as accurate as Garmin

$280 at Amazon $280 at Best Buy $279 at Walmart

You don't have to use a Samsung phone to enjoy the benefits of owning a Samsung smartwatch, and the Galaxy Watch Active 2 provides the most well-rounded wearables experience for Android users right now. It's compact and lightweight but features an extremely sharp and vivid touch display that's easy to navigate and fun to use thanks to the new capacitive bezel. The Tizen OS is smooth and battery-friendly, unlike Google's own Wear OS, and while the app selection isn't massive, the core tenets are there, like Spotify, Strava, and more.

The Galaxy Watch Active 2 contains its primary purpose in its name: exercise tracking. The watch comes with GPS built-in, and features automatic workout-tracking, along with sleep tracking, water, food and caffeine consumption tracking, and more. The Running Coach feature is improved, which now gives you real-time pace metrics and a rundown of what to expect from your workout before you start. You'll receive audio cues that can be heard through the watch speaker or Bluetooth headphones.

If you mainly wear a smartwatch for notifications, the Galaxy Watch Active 2 delivers there, too, with excellent support for Android's notification system, letting you reply using your voice, the built-in keyboard, or with one of the many quick answers.

Finally, battery life, while not quite as good as some of the other larger watches on the list, is still pretty impressive, and the watch can be topped up with select Qi wireless pads or with the Galaxy's Wireless PowerShare feature.

Best Smartwatch Overall

Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 2

$229 at Amazon $230 at Best Buy $279 at Walmart

The Active 2 offers a pretty display, onboard GPS, ample activity tracking, and a unique capacitive bezel for easy navigation.

2. Samsung Galaxy Watch Active: Best Value Smartwatch

Bottom line: It's barely six months older than the Galaxy Watch Active 2, but it loses only a few of the features and a lot of the price tag. The Watch Active is small and light but has a beautiful AMOLED display and battery that lasts multiple days. It also has all of the incredible features Samsung's wearables are known for.

Pros:

Compact and well-designed
Easy to use
Capacitive bezel
Excellent performance and battery

Cons:

Third-party app support could be better
Health tracking not as accurate as Garmin

$179 at Amazon $200 at Best Buy $199 at Walmart

The Galaxy Watch Active has already been replaced by the Watch Active 2, but the original came out in early 2019 and is still a great choice for anyone who wants a compact Android smartwatch with amazing capabilities at a reduced price tag.

The main draw here is the beautiful AMOLED display, which is readable in all lighting conditions including bright sunshine. The watch is light and comfortable to wear all day — which is good because the battery lasts that and then some. While it lacks the capacitive "rotating" bezel of its more expensive counterpart, the original Watch Active has everything you'd need to stay, well, active: GPS, NFC, storage for music, and wireless Qi charging through Samsung's Wireless PowerShare feature.

Best of all, it's been heavily discounted since the sequel was released, so you can get it for much less than its original price.

Best Value

Samsung Galaxy Watch Active

$179 at Amazon $200 at Best Buy $199 at Walmart

Smaller, cheaper, and nearly as good

If you don't want to spend all of that money on the Galaxy Watch Active 2, the original Watch Active is a great choice.

3. Samsung Galaxy Watch 3: Best Upgrade Pick

Bottom line: If you're looking for the latest tech, the new Samsung Galaxy Watch 3 is a worthwhile pick. It's a premium lifestyle wearable packed with some new health and fitness features that allow users to enjoy the best of all worlds.

Pros:

Built-in GPS
Optional LTE connectivity
Activity/sleep tracking
5 ATM water resistance
MIL-STD-810G durability
Music Storage & Samsung Pay

Cons:

Expensive starting point
Battery life isn't great

$400 at Amazon $400 at Best Buy $400 at Walmart

One of Samsung's latest releases, the Galaxy Watch 3 is more than just a lifestyle wearable. The predecessor wasn't the best pick for fitness fans since it was more of a fashionable smartwatch with some bonus features sprinkled in. Now, the Galaxy Watch 3 is back and better than ever. It's an excellent upgrade pick for those who want a premium smartwatch with advanced health and fitness tracking. It comes in two sizes and offers optional LTE connectivity, built-in GPS, heart-rate monitoring, 5 ATM water resistance, and military-grade durability.

Two of the new health features include SpO2 and VO2 max readings. A SpO2 reading measures your blood oxygen saturation levels while the VO2 max tells you how much oxygen your body is consuming during a workout. These two new features are also accompanied by an electrocardiogram (ECG) sensor as well as blood pressure monitoring, which will soon be available in the U.S. Other new features include built-in run coaching and recovery tools, along with access to over 120 home workout videos on the Samsung Health app.

If you're new to the scene, you might experience some sticker shock when you notice the price tag on the Samsung Galaxy Watch 3. Sure, it's got some impressive features, but this price point may be out of the question for some people. If you're an experienced smartwatch user with confidence in Samsung wearables, this upgrade might be worth considering.

Best Upgrade Pick

Samsung Galaxy Watch 3

$400 at Amazon $400 at Best Buy $400 at Walmart

Worth the upgrade

The new Samsung Galaxy Watch 3 is a worthy upgrade with a stunning design, optional LTE, and improved health/fitness features.

4. Skagen Falster 3: Best Wear OS Smartwatch

Bottom line: The Skagen Falster 3 is one of the best-looking smartwatches on the market and is one of the best Wear OS watches out there. If you're looking for something a bit more stylish, or want to experience Google's version of a smartwatch OS (which has its pros and cons), the Falster 3 should be near the top of your list.

Pros:

Attractive, classic design
Digital crown is fantastic
Speaker lets you take calls
Excellent quality display
Built-in Google Pay support

Cons:

Expensive
Uses proprietary 22mm bands

$295 at Amazon

Sometimes you just want a smartwatch that actually looks like a watch. You want a simple design, excellent quality strap, and a finish that doesn't scream, "this is a piece of technology!" Well, the Falster 3 from well-known Danish watch brand Skagen is precisely that.

One of the Skagen Falster 3's main benefits is its three-button layout, which includes a rotating crown that helps to scroll through Wear OS without having to touch the screen — an enormous benefit once you start using it. You also get a beautiful stainless steel body, well-constructed straps in either leather, metal, or silicone in a variety of colors, and all the essential features you'd expect, like water resistance, GPS, a heart rate monitor, NFC, and more.

The Falster 3 is the 2020 update to Skagen's smartwatch line, and is improved in every way — you get more RAM for smoother performance, a speaker for making and taking calls, and much-improved battery life thanks to Skagen's new Extended Battery modes.

Best Wear OS Smartwatch

Skagen Falster 3

$295 at Amazon

Day and night ready

The Skagen 3 is a perfect blend of style and sophistication in a smartwatch. It's one of our favorite versatile Wear OS watches.

5. Mobvoi TicWatch Pro 4G/LTE: Best Connected Android Smartwatch

Bottom line: Big and imposing, Mobvoi's TicWatch Pro 4G/LTE is the premiere connected smartwatch, allowing you to stream music or receive calls even when your phone isn't nearby. Plus, its two-in-one display lets you see it in direct sunlight.

Pros:

LTE connectivity
Dual-layer display
Good battery life
Google Pay
MIL-STD-810G durability

Cons:

Expensive
Outdated processor
Bulky on small wrists

$291 at Amazon $239 at Walmart $239 at Newegg

If you prefer big things in big packages, you'll appreciate what the TicWatch Pro 4G/LTE is bringing to the table. This giant smartwatch comes with a dual-layer display, which helps prolong battery life. You can expect it to last between 2-5 days in Smart mode depending on usage. You'll also enjoy built-in GPS, activity tracking, heart-rate monitoring, and Google Pay. Of course, the most important feature here is the LTE connectivity. You'll never have to worry about leaving your phone behind with this watch on your wrist. Take calls, send texts, and use data anywhere with Verizon NumberShare.

As long as you don't mind spending a pretty penny on a smartwatch with LTE, you won't find too many issues with the TicWatch Pro 4G/LTE. At just over 45mm, it's just large enough to feel bulky on small wrists. It's also running on the old Snapdragon Wear 2100 processor, so you can expect some lag when it comes to performance, The good news is that you do get 1GB of RAM and 4GB of internal storage, which should help even things out a bit.

Best Connected Smartwatch

TicWatch Pro 4G/LTE

$291 at Amazon $239 at Walmart $239 at Newegg

Always connected

Want heart-rate monitoring, activity tracking, and LTE connectivity? You'll have met your match with the TicWatch Pro 4G/LTE.

6. Garmin Forerunner 245 Music: Best Smartwatch for Long-Distance Runners

Bottom line: If running is the name of your game, the Garmin Forerunner 245 Music is easily the best choice. It has a transflective display that is easy to read in direct sunlight. It comes with a comfortable band, stellar battery life, and unmatched workout tracking.

Pros:

Advanced workout tracking and guidance
Incredible battery life
Sunlight-friendly transflective display
Music streaming
Extremely comfortable strap

Cons:

Limited smartwatch features
Basic design may not be for everyone

$329 at Amazon $350 at Best Buy $350 at Walmart

There's a smartwatch for every type of Android user, and the Garmin Forerunner 245 Music is an outstanding choice for anyone who runs, bikes, or swims. It's not the best smartwatch, but it does receive notifications from your phone. If you don't need much more than that — and who does these days? — the Forerunner 245 makes up for it with incredible 7+ day battery life, or six hours with GPS enabled, which is more than enough for a marathon (or two if you're really good).

Better yet, the transflective screen means that the Forerunner 245 is easily visible in direct sunlight, making it perfect for extended outdoor excursions. There's also music storage and the option to stream from Spotify or Deezer, which is seriously great if you're trying to hit those personal bests. Add in 24/7 heart rate monitoring, sleep tracking, advanced workout capture, and advanced features like VO2 max estimation, a recovery advisor, and more, and this becomes a wonderful option.

Best for Long-Distance Runners

Garmin Forerunner 245 Music

$329 at Amazon $350 at Best Buy $350 at Walmart

A solid, slim GPS tracker.

Garmin's GPS tech is paired with a reliable heart-rate tracker in a slim watch that syncs to its own app and other popular apps.

7. Fitbit Versa 2: Best Smartwatch for Casual Athletes

Bottom line: As one of the most popular names in the wearable world, Fitbit is always a good option. The Versa 2 is centered around health and fitness tracking, so it's ideal for workout enthusiasts. You have activity/sleep tracking, heart-rate monitoring, and Fitbit Pay.

Pros:

Low-profile, attractive design
Excellent battery life
Solid smartwatch features
Lots of different colors
Built-in Alexa support

Cons:

Limited app selection
Installing new bands can be tricky

$199 at Amazon $199 at Best Buy $199 at Walmart

Fitbit has gone to great lengths to convince the world that it's more than just a fitness tracker company. The Fitbit Versa 2 is a fantastic, colorful product that combines the best of the company's athletic DNA with solid smartwatch features, a bevy of useful apps, and nearly a week of battery life. The new Versa 2 also has a sleek modern design, a faster processor for smoother performance, a microphone so Android users can dictate replies to incoming notifications, and built-in Alexa support for when you need to know the weather or who won last night's game.

The best part of Fitbit is how seamlessly it interacts with your Android phone. You just wear it — to work, to bed, in the shower — and it uploads your results in the background, syncing with your phone and, potentially, your group of friends who are constantly keeping you challenged. Yes, that's the other best part of Fitbit: its social network. Enjoy weekly challenges, or compete with the company's many experts in pre-made discovery challenges and adventures.

While the Versa 2 lacks GPS, it makes up for it by including on-screen workouts and collecting plenty of useful data. Plus, if you're into sleep tracking, no one beats Fitbit for insights and accuracy.

Best Smartwatch for Casual Athletes

Fitbit Versa 2

$199 at Amazon $199 at Best Buy From $199 at Walmart

A fitness tracker that's good at everything

The Versa 2 improves on everything over the original, including a sleeker design, better battery life, and built-in Amazon Alexa.

8. Mobvoi TicWatch C2+: Best Smartwatch for Beginners

Bottom line: When you're just starting out on your fitness tracking journey, you might prefer to keep things simple with a watch that won't break the bank, like the TicWatch C2+, for example. It's got activity tracking, GPS, heart-rate monitoring, and Google Pay.

Pros:

Subtle yet elegant design
Affordable price tag -Automatic exercise tracking
Built-in GPS
Google Pay

Cons:

No speaker
Lacks ambient light sensor

$210 at Amazon $210 at Walmart

While it might not seem like much when compared to the TicWatch Pro 4G/LTE mentioned earlier, the C2+ is geared toward a different type of user. Those who aren't seeking a fully connected smartwatch will appreciate the simple yet efficient nature of the TicWatch C2+. It's surely an improvement from its predecessor thanks to its increased RAM, which offers much smoother performance. It's nice that the stainless steel case and AMOLED display are easy on the eyes.

As far as features go, this smartwatch is stacked pretty nicely considering the low price tag. You'll have built-in GPS, heart-rate monitoring, automatic activity tracking, and mobile payments with Google Pay. The battery should last for up to two days depending on usage. The lack of an ambient light sensor means you'll have to adjust the brightness yourself based on surroundings. The frustration of this alone may inevitably lead to shorter battery life. It also lacks a speaker, so you won't hear responses when using Google Assistant.

All things considered, this is a great pick for those who want a smartwatch they can wear every day while also using it to track their health and fitness. Beginners who don't want to spend a fortune but want a decent watch will love the TicWatch C2+.

Best Smartwatch for Beginners

TicWatch C2+

$210 at Amazon $210 at Walmart

Time to get started

The TicWatch C2+ is great for beginners. It offers better performance than its predecessor. It's sleek and affordable, too.

9. Fossil Hybrid HR: Best Hybrid Smartwatch

Bottom line: The Fossil Hybrid HR provides you with a perfect balance of style and features. You get a taste of certain smartwatch perks and the look of a traditional timepiece. It will track your activity and sleep, monitor your heart rate, and give you over two weeks of battery life.

Pros:

Lovely design
Customizable display
Activity/sleep tracking
Heart-rate monitoring
2+ weeks of battery

Cons:

Lacks GPS options
Limited features
Not the best for serious tracking

$157 at Amazon $175 at Best Buy $157 at Walmart

Hybrid smartwatches are unique in many ways. Most importantly, you often can't tell it's a smartwatch at all. The Fossil Hybrid HR comes with just enough features to claim the 'smart' title but it's not identical to some of the other picks on this list. For instance, you won't have a touchscreen, so all of your navigating will be done with the three side buttons. It also doesn't have a colorful display, but at least you get a solid two weeks of battery life in return.

You can customize the display to your liking, which will include at-a-glance info of your choosing, such as weather, steps, and notifications. Other than basic activity/sleep tracking and heart-rate monitoring, don't expect a well-rounded smartwatch experience from the Fossil Hybrid HR. It's only a hybrid, after all. You'll miss out on GPS, NFC payments, music storage, and other premium features.

Best Hybrid

Fossil Hybrid HR

From $157 at Amazon From $175 at Best Buy $157 at Walmart

A hybrid lifestyle

Want to enjoy some great smartwatch features without sacrificing battery life or style? The Fossil Hybrid HR is an ideal pick.

10. Suunto 7: Best Wear OS for Serious Athletes

Bottom line: Wear OS users who want a fitness smartwatch designed for serious athletes will love the Suunto 7. It's also the best pick if you want a giant piece of tech on your wrist. It offers built-in GPS with offline outdoor maps, superior activity tracking, Google Pay, and an array of vibrant color options.

Pros:

Built-in GPS and offline outdoor maps
Attractive, sporty design
Various color options
Excellent activity tracking
Water-resistant up to 5ATM
Google Pay

Cons:

A bit too huge for some
Battery life is mediocre
Extremely pricey

From $450 at Amazon $499 at Best Buy $500 at Walmart

If you're partial to Wear OS and looking for the perfect Android smartwatch to handle your activity tracking, you can't go wrong with the Suunto 7. This wearable is fairly new to the market but it's got potential to be great — especially if you're a serious athlete who is focused on detailed tracking. In addition to built-in GPS and full-color accurate mapping software, it also boasts over 70 sport modes. Thanks to Suunto's apps, you'll have access to helpful metrics that go above and beyond what's available on Google Fit, including training load, training recovery, and more.

When you combine all that Suunto 7 has to offer with Wear OS, it should be a match made in heaven, right? That depends on what type of experience you want. If you can live with a mere 2 days of battery life in smartwatch mode and the likelihood of laggy performance due to the work-in-progress nature of Wear OS, then it's a solid choice for serious athletes who need all the tracking perks they can get.

As you might've noticed, this thing is ginormous. This is a bonus for some users, but dainty wrists may shy away from this 50 mm juggernaut. If you're on a budget, this pricey smartwatch might not be the best choice.

Best Wear OS for Serious Athletes

Suunto 7

From $450 at Amazon $499 at Best Buy $500 at Walmart

A truly sporty smartwatch

Those who want in-depth tracking in the form of an attractive but sporty smartwatch will love everything about the Suunto 7.

11. Fossil Gen 5 Julianna: Best for Women's Fashion

Bottom line: If you're seeking a smartwatch with a feminine touch, look no further than the Fossil Gen 5 Julianna. It's both fashionable and functional. Some of the key features include GPS, Google Pay, health/activity tracking, and heart-rate monitoring. It's available in multiple stunning finishes as well.

Pros:

Fashionable and functional
Excellent performance thanks to 1GB of RAM onboard
Able to take phone calls with built-in speaker
Supports any 22mm watch band
Outstanding battery life for a Wear OS watch

Cons:

Expensive

$295 at Amazon $295 at Best Buy

You could always cast from the Disney+ app to your Nest Hub, now your voice can do all the talking

What you need to know

The Google Nest Hub and other assistant-enabled smart displays are getting enhanced Disney Plus support.
Now you'll be able to stream from Disney's service with just your voice.
Google is making this feature available today in select countries.

Google is updating the Nest Hub with support for Disney Plus. The company today announced that Nest Hub, Nest Hub Max, and other Assistant-enabled smart displays owners in select countries (presumably ones with access to the service) will now be able to navigate Disney Plus content on their devices using their voice. You'll need to have linked your Disney Plus account to your Nest Hub via the Google Home app, but it should be smooth sailing once that's done. You'll be able to play shows and movies ranging from Pinocchio to Inside Out to Avengers just by saying "Hey Google, play 'Name of Show]' on Disney Plus."

For what it's worth, you can already stream from Disney Plus to your Nest Hub using the cast feature from the Android app, this change just makes the process faster.

Google also announced a cute little base for the Nest Mini, allowing you to dress it up as Mickey if you so choose. It'll set you back $20 if you're interested, and can be found in the Google Store.

How to watch HBO Now and other streaming services on a Nest Hub device

Nest Hub Max

$229 at Best Buy $229 at Walmart

You'll be finally able to catch Wandavision and rest of the MCU on your Nest Hub Max. If that isn't the best use of its big screen and loud speakers, I don't know what is.

Here's everything we know about Ratchet and Clank: Rift Apart

Tue, 22 Sep 2020 16:30:00 GMT

A new adventure for the lovable duo.

During Sony's PS5 showcase, Insomniac Games announced that a brand new Ratchet and Clank adventure would be on the way in the form of Ratchet and Clank: Rift Apart. Despite the 2016 re-imagining of the original Ratchet and Clank game, it's been some time since we've seen a brand new entry in the iconic PlayStation franchise.

What is Ratchet and Clank: Rift Apart?

Ratchet and Clank: Rift Apart is a sequel to Insomniac Games' 2016 re-imagining of the original title. It's a third-person platformer that sees players take on the role of either Ratchet — a Lombax who knows how to fight and repair — and Clank, his robotic sidekick.

It's unknown exactly how Rift Apart will follow the 2016 title, but from the looks of the trailer, rifts have begun popping up across the world, and it'll be up to Ratchet and Clank to get to the bottom of just what's causing the rifts and how to stop them.

Can I check out any Ratchet and Clank: Rift Apart trailers?

So far, we've only received one trailer for Ratchet and Clank: Rift Apart, which is its reveal trailer from The Future of Gaming PS5 event. In addition to this trailer, Insomniac also showed off a couple minutes of gameplay footage.

What's the story so far in Ratchet and Clank: Rift Apart?

Ratchet and Clank: Rift Apart seems to feature the duo once again getting into trouble. In the brief trailer shown off, we're told that various dimensions have begun collapsing on one another in the form of rifts, which transport the two to different locations. At the end of the trailer, the two are split up, with Clank meeting up with a female Lombax in another dimension. Earlier this week, Insomniac Games confirmed the female Lombax would be playable, although not too much else is known about her.

Play as Ratchet AND a mysterious new female Lombax from another dimension. #RatchetPS5 #RiftApart pic.twitter.com/aMDSAB77iG
— Insomniac Games (@insomniacgames) June 16, 2020

What's gameplay like in Ratchet and Clank: Rift Apart?

Gameplay in Ratchet and Clank: Rift Apart will almost undoubtedly follow along with how the series normally plays. This means players can expect a ton of platforming, third-person shooting action, and rail grinding through different areas. Of course, we'll also be getting a ton of new features as well, including the ability to use rifts in the world to pull Ratchet into new areas.

During a recent extended gameplay demo of the game, we got a great look at how one of the new mechanics in Rift Apart will work. After a device called the Dimensionator causes rifts to appear in the world, Ratchet is able to use his Rift Tether to pull himself into new areas using rifts. In the game, this is done by simply pointing your cursor at a rift, allowing you to seemingly teleport into the area with the rift. With Ratchet and Clank having a big history of allowing players to explore and find hidden items and various easter eggs, it'll be interesting to see just how many areas of each map have rifts that you will be able to explore.

Is Ratchet and Clank: Rift Apart coming to PS4?

Nope. At the moment, it seems like Ratchet and Clank: Rift Apart is being developed exclusively for the PS5. With the game looking to use the PlayStation 5's real-time ray-tracing and Insomniac Games having said that they will be taking advantage of the PS5's high-speed SSD in order to transport players seamlessly throughout the world, a PlayStation 4 version would just hold back too many of the ideas that Insomniac is trying to accomplish.

What's the release date?

Like most PS5 games at The Future of Gaming showcase, Ratchet and Clank: Rift Apart was not announced with a release date or even a release window. We don't know when it'll be out, but we will likely be hearing more as we get closer to the holiday launch of the PlayStation 5.

Play the re-imagining

Ratchet and Clank

$18 at Amazon $18 at Best Buy $17 at Walmart

A sequel is on its way, so play this now!

A re-imagining of the original 2002 game, Ratchet and Clank introduce new players to the lovable duo as they go on various adventures throughout the galaxy.

Waiting for November 12

PlayStation 5

See PS5 at Amazon See PS5 at Amazon Canada See PS5 at Amazon UK See PS5 at Target See PS5 at GameStop

Get your hands on it before it sells out

All-digital

PS5 Digital Edition

See PS5 Digital Edition at Amazon See PS5 Digital Edition at Amazon Canada See PS5 Digital Edition at Target See PS5 Digital Edition at GameStop

Get your hands on it before it sells out

PlayStation 5

Take these Bluetooth speakers on your next outdoor adventure

Tue, 22 Sep 2020 16:22:25 GMT

There are so many Bluetooth speakers available, but what if you need one that can withstand a pool party, a trip to the beach, or a rugged trip through the woods? That's where water and dust-resistance come into play, and there's none better than the JBL Charge 4. With this speaker, you'll get 20 hours of battery life, USB Type-C, and the ability to connect with up to 100 different compatible speakers. You get all of this, along with being IPX7 waterproof, so you can take it for a swim.

Best Overall: JBL Charge 4

JBL makes some great Bluetooth speakers, and the Charge 4 is the perfect balance between high and low-end speakers. The Charge 4 is rated to last for up to 20 hours, and can quickly recharge with the USB Type-C charging port. The inclusion of Type-C sets it apart from the competition alone.

JBL also makes a slew of different color options to pick from, so you don't have to worry about going with the same dull, old, black. JBL also includes Connect+, which allows you to pair the Charge 4 with up to 100 different compatible speakers for the ultimate sound experience.

The downside with the Charge 4 is that you will need to make sure you have a wall adapter available to keep it powered. Plus, this speaker is a bit heftier than other models, so you may not want to carry it with you for the entire day.

Pros:

Many colors to pick from
20-hours of battery life
USB Type-C charging port

Cons:

Does not include a wall adapter
Heavier than similar models

Best Overall

JBL Charge 4

$130 at Amazon

Take it anywhere, and it lasts all day

The JBL Charge 4 is fantastic with its 20 hours of battery life, multiple color options, and improved bass radiators.

Best for Parties: Ultimate Ears BOOM 3

The Ultimate Ears BOOM lineup of Bluetooth speakers has always impressed, and the BOOM 3 improves even more over its predecessor. You have a range of up to 150-feet, so you can take your phone with you during the party, versus leaving it on the same table and open to others.

Ultimate Ears also provides an optional charging dock for those moments where you need to keep the BOOM 3 charged but want to keep the music going. There is also an accompanying app for any updates that may arrive over the lifespan of this Bluetooth speaker. Plus, it floats in the water and can be paired with other compatible speakers for a surround sound experience.

The downside here is that while Ultimate Ears does a fantastic job when it comes to sound, it still lags a bit in other areas. One such area is the charging port, as the BOOM 3 still relies on Micro-USB for its charging needs, which can be frustrating with the subpar 15 hours of battery life.

Pros:

Bluetooth range up to 150 feet
App integration
Floats in water
Pair up to 150 compatible speakers for stereo sound

Cons:

15-hour battery life
Micro-USB charging port

Best for Parties

Ultimate Ears BOOM 3

$120 at Amazon

Perfect for taking to the pool since it floats with you

With the Ultimate Ears Boom 3, you will get fantastic sound in a sleek package, and it even floats for those pool parties.

Best for 360-Degree Sound: Bose Soundlink Revolve+

Bose is an industry-leader in speakers, headphones, sound systems, and more, and it's for a good reason. With options like the SoundLink Revolve+, you get incredible sound quality in a gorgeous package.

The Revolve+ offers 360 degrees of sound, and the built-in acoustic deflector ensures that the music is spread out evenly. The accompanying Bose Connect app makes it easy to switch between Bluetooth devices with ease. There is even Google Assistant support with the hardware button found on the top of the speaker.

Bose decided not to go "all-out" with the Revolve+, despite its pricing. On the water-resistance front, this speaker only has an IPX4 rating, so you won't exactly want to take this one swimming.

Pros:

Integration with Google Assistant
360-degrees of sound
Stereo mode possible with multiple speakers

Cons:

IPX4 water and dust resistant
More expensive than other options

Best for 360-Degree Sound

Bose Soundlink Revolve+

$239 at Amazon

Not the best water resistance, but you get that Bose sound

The Bose Soundlink Revolve+ provides that classic Bose sound that you can rely on while being water-resistant and more.

Most Rugged: DemerBox Rugged Bluetooth Speaker

The DemerBox is perhaps one of the most unique Bluetooth speakers available; it looks like it's built like a tank. There are two speakers built into this Pelican case and lasts for up to 40 hours in between charges.

The case itself opens up and includes an internal storage compartment so you can take the DemerBox with you on a lazy river. There is even a built-in USB port that allows you to keep your phone charged up while the music is playing.

This is not precisely the best speaker for portability. It has a handle and only weighs 5.4 pounds, so it's decently portable, but there are way lighter and smaller options. It's better suited to float around in the pool or to take to the beach for the day. Just be prepared to pay for the awesomeness that the DemerBox has to offer.

Pros:

40 hours of battery life
Internal storage compartment
Charge your phone with built-in USB port

Cons:

Not very portable
Expensive

Most Rugged

DemerBox Rugged Bluetooth Speaker

$349 at Amazon

Pump up the music and store your valuables

Not only is the DemerBox ultra-rugged, but there is even a compartment to store your valuables, and they won't get wet.

Best for Biking: JBL Wind Bike Portable Bluetooth Speaker

If you're someone who likes to spend their free time cycling or taking your mountain bike off-road, this may be the perfect Bluetooth speaker for you. Not only is it safer because it lets you do things like making calls hands-free, but you can also hear your music and the world around you since you don't have pesky earbuds blocking out important noises.

This speaker mounts right on the handlebars for easy access and better sound delivery, and it has an FM tuner so you can listen to your favorite local radio stations. Alternatively, you can leave your phone in your pocket or pack and pop in a microSD card full of tunes to ride to your favorite cycling playlist.

While it doesn't sport official IP water or dust resistance, JBL says that the speaker is both water and splash-proof, so it should hold up to riding through big puddles or a light rain shower. When the battery runs low, you can pop it off the mount and charge it for another 10 hours of riding fun.

Pros:

Mounts right to bike handles
Hands-free calling with the built-in microphone
microSD card slot for music
Built-in FM radio

Cons:

Speaker doesn't get too loud
Radio reception spotty
No official IP certification

Best for Biking

JBL Wind Bike Portable Bluetooth Speaker

$38 at Amazon

Handle meet speaker

This portable JBL Bluetooth speaker supports microSD cards, plays FM radio, and straps on to your bike's handles.

Best Value: Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 2

The Wonderboom 2 from Ultimate Ears is consistently mentioned as one of the best Bluetooth speakers. This is because it's small, portable, and provides excellent sound quality in a unique package.

With IP67 water and dust resistance, you can take it to the pool, and don't have to worry about keeping your phone nearby. That's thanks to the 100-foot Bluetooth range provided by the Wonderboom 2. Plus, you can pair a second Wonderboom 2 for a stereo experience, or just to cover the entire area.

You might want to keep a charger nearby, however, as the Wonderboom 2 comes with just 13 hours of battery life. This is expounded by the fact that you have to rely on Micro-USB and not USB Type-C, which is rather frustrating.

Pros:

Bluetooth range of 100-feet
IP67 water and dust resistant
Pair a second Wonderboom 2 for stereo sound

Cons:

13-hour battery life
Micro-USB charging port
No app support
Older model

Best Value

Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 2

From $80 at Amazon

Packs a bigger punch than expected

If you want a more portable speaker with a lot of sounds, then the Wonderboom 2 is excellent. Just don't expect the battery to last forever.

Best for Portability: JBL Clip 3

Sometimes you don't need a Bluetooth speaker to light up a party, but you want something with enough power to enjoy yourself. That's where the JBL Clip 3 comes in. This speaker includes a built-in carabiner so that you can clip it to your belt loop or backpack.

JBL included IPX7 water and dust resistance so it will be able to withstand a hiking session, or if you get caught in the rain. The Clip 3 also features three easy-to-access control buttons on the front for Play/Pause and Volume Up/Down.

Not everything is perfect with the Clip 3, as it only sports 10 hours of battery life. Meaning that you could end up with a dead speaker if you are out for the day. Plus, there's no microphone, so you'll still have to use your smartphone if a phone call comes through.

Pros:

Ultra-portable
IPX7 water and dust resistant
Carabiner clips to backpack or clothes
Easy-to-use buttons

Cons:

10 hours of battery life
No built-in microphone

Best for Portability

JBL Clip 3

$50 at Amazon

Clip it anywhere and listen all day

When it comes to portability, there's no better option than the JBL Clip 3. You can use the carabiner to attach it to your bag or pants loop.

Best Cheap Portable: Vtin SoundHot Q1 Portable Bluetooth Speaker

If you're looking for an ultraportable, lightweight, and waterproof speaker to take with you on your mountain biking or trail running adventures, this is a great option. Heck, you can even listen to it in your shower or bring it to the pool and not worry about water drowning out your sound thanks to its IP45 water and dust resistance. Just be warned if you do bring it in the shower — hang it on a hook or the showerhead because some say the included suction cup isn't that strong.

The Vtin SoundHot Q1 has a 10-hour battery life to last you for a full day's worth of outdoor fun. It also has a range of around 33 feet, so you don't have to have it clipped to you at all times. The 8W high-performance driver really lets the bass come through, which should help give you all the motivation you need to finish your endurance race. And if you don't want to bring your phone along, you can store your tunes on-device through a microSD card.

While this device is great for personal use or small groups, don't confuse this little guy for a party speaker. If you want to host a backyard pool party, you might be better off with the larger Bose or DemerBox speakers on this list.

Pros:

10-hour battery life
microSD support for phone-free activities
IP45 water and dust resistance
Inexpensive

Cons:

Not a party speaker
The included suction cup is weak

Best Cheap Portable

Vtin SoundHot Q1 Portable Bluetooth Speaker

$24 at Amazon

A portable affordable speaker

The Vtin SoundHot Q1 is the perfect portable Bluetooth speaker for the backcountry or the bathroom.

Bottom line

There are so many great Bluetooth speakers out there. If you are looking for the perfect waterproof Bluetooth speaker, you would be hard-pressed to find a better option than the JBL Charge 4. On top of getting great sound from this, the Charge 4 also has a fantastic battery life with a 20-hour battery life rating.

Plus, the Charge 4 is one of the few speakers that comes equipped with USB Type-C for charging, so you can finally get rid of those micro USB cables. The accompanying JBL Connect+ app makes it possible to connect with compatible speakers so you can fill the room, or the yard, with your music.

Credits — The team that worked on this guide

Andrew Myrick is a regular freelancer at Android Central and iMore. He has been a tech enthusiast ever since the original iPhone was released and continues to flip-flop between devices. You might as well hook him up to an IV filled with coffee in an effort to get him through the day. If you have any questions, you can find him on Twitter, and he'll get back to you.

Jeramy Johnson is proud to help to Keep Austin Weird and loves hiking in the hill country of central Texas with a breakfast taco in each hand. When he's not writing about Amazon products and services, he's defending his relationship with his side-chick Alexa to his family. You can follow him on Twitter at @jeramyutgw.

You don't have to pay a lot for a great Bluetooth speaker

Tue, 22 Sep 2020 16:14:17 GMT

Nothing makes a party better than some music, and nothing makes playing music easier than a Bluetooth speaker, especially as more phone manufacturers omit the 3.5mm headphone jack. Fortunately, you don't need to spend a fortune just to make your tunes louder, especially with fantastic options like the Anker Soundcore Flare Mini to get the party rolling.

Best Overall: Anker Soundcore Flare Mini

Anker sure knows its way around smartphone accessories, and the same can be said for the Soundcore Flare Mini. This 360-degree speaker will be the talk of the night with its unique design and a bottom-mounted halo of LEDs.

These LEDs will keep up with the party as they pulse and glow with the rhythm of whatever music is playing. The included IPX7 rating will also keep your Flare Mini safe from accidental splashes. Anker also made it possible to pair two Flare Mini's to create a stereo-sound situation.

The downside here is that you will have to keep an eye on the battery, as the Flare Mini is rated for just 12 hours. Plus, you won't be able to use a headphone jack to connect your phone, as there is no port available.

Pros:

360-degree sound
LED's pulse along with the music
IPX7 Waterproof
Connect two speakers for stereo sound

Cons:

12 hours of battery life
Bluetooth 4.2
No auxiliary port

Best Overall

Anker Soundcore Flare Mini

Perfect for parties, the home, and anywhere else

The Flare Mini offers an attractive 360-degree design, along with the rhythmic-flashing LEDs and water resistance.

Best Value: Sony SRS-XB12 Portable Speaker

If portability and budget are the names of the game, then the SRS-XB12 from Sony is the best pick. This speaker packs such an impressive punch that you likely won't believe the sound is coming from such a small package.

The included "Extra bass" mode, combined with the 16-hour battery life, will allow you to listen to your favorite hits for long periods. Sony also includes a strap that can be connected to the bottom of the speaker, in case you want to throw it over your shoulder.

On the downside, the SRS-XB12 does not have a ton of extra features. This includes the lack of app support, meaning you'll have to turn to your smartphone or tablet if you want to adjust the EQ levels. Plus, sticking with Micro-USB for charging is outdated.

Pros:

Ultra-portable
IP67 Water and dustproof
16 hours of battery life
Add an extra speaker for stereo sound

Cons:

MicroUSB charging port
No application integration

Best Value

Sony SRS-XB12 Portable Speaker

Big punch in a small package

The SRS-XB12 has an awkward name, but you'll remember it when you hear it for the first time. This little speaker packs a considerable punch.

Best 360-Degree Sound: Anker Soundcore Motion Q

When it comes to listening to your music or podcasts, you want to be able to hear them from wherever you are. That's where a speaker like the Soundcore Motion Q comes in with its 360 degrees of sound.

The cylindrical design, combined with two drivers and 16 watts of power, make for an impressive package. As for battery life, you're looking at around 10 hours, which should be plenty long enough for pool parties and the like. Plus, there is a built-in microphone for accessing your voice assistant of choice.

Of course, you can also pair two Motion Qs wirelessly for stereo 360-degree audio, and each speaker is feather-light at just 14.4 ounces.

Pros:

360-degree sound
16W of power with dual full-range drivers
IPX7 waterproof
Stereo pairing
Built-in microphone

Cons:

Only 10 hours of battery life
Charges over Micro-USB

Best 360-Degree Sound

Anker Soundcore Motion Q

Hear everything from everywhere

It's important to hear your music or podcasts, and the Soundcore Motion Q ensures that with its all-encompassing cylindrical design.

Best Smart Speaker: Amazon Echo Dot (3rd gen)

It may not be a dedicated speaker, but it's a popular choice. The Echo Dot gives users much to talk about while still having the ability to show off a bit when guests come over.

In addition to pairing via Bluetooth, you have the option to use the 3.5mm auxiliary jack or even pair over Wi-Fi to other devices. With Alexa built-in, you can control your smart home with ease, or get the answer to that question that is nagging at your friend during the party.

Sure, the sound isn't the greatest, but you can pair this with another Echo Dot for stereo sound, or another Bluetooth speaker. The other big downside here is that the Echo Dot isn't precisely portable since you need to keep it plugged in at all times. This can be a bit frustrating, but shouldn't be all that surprising considering its lack of water-resistance.

Pros:

Amazon Alexa built-in
Pair with another Echo Dot for stereo sound
3.5mm headphone jack included

Cons:

Must always be plugged in
Not water resistant
The sound could be better

Best Smart Speaker

Amazon Echo Dot (3rd gen)

Impress your friends and control your smart home

The Echo Dot may not be the first Bluetooth speaker that comes to mind, but it should come close with its Alexa integration.

Most Unique Design: OontZ Angle 3 Ultra Portable Speaker

As you look at different Bluetooth speakers to consider, many of them have the same old design: cylinders that pump out music at varying rates, shapes, and sizes.

The OontZ Angle 3 Ultra changes that with its unique triangular design so that you can cover as much area as possible. Oontz also includes an IPX6 rating for splash-resistance, but we wouldn't recommend taking the Angle 3 Ultra for a dive. However, the most significant benefit to this speaker is the 100-foot range, allowing you to keep your phone with you and not with the speaker.

While that 100-foot range is awesome, you'll still be stuck in the past with the Micro-USB charging port. The OontZ Angle 3 Ultra is also a bit heavier thank some of the other speakers on this list, so you may not want to carry it if you go for a hike.

Pros:

100-foot Bluetooth range
IPX6 Splashproof
20-hour battery life
Unique design

Cons:

Micro-USB charging
Bluetooth 4.2
Heavier than other options

Most Unique Design

OontZ Angle 3 Ultra Portable Speaker

Forget leaving your phone behind

Other than the unique triangular design, the biggest benefit to the Angle 3 Ultra is the 100-foot range.

Best Battery Life: Anker Soundcore 2 Bluetooth Speaker

There is nothing wrong with a Bluetooth speaker that doesn't have a bunch of extra frills or a design that makes it stand out from the crowd. Sometimes, a great Bluetooth speaker is just your run-of-the-mill option.

That brings us to the Anker Soundcore 2, which doesn't have any significant features to "wow" you. This speaker, however, does offer 24 hours of battery life, which is among the leaders on this list, along with IPX7 water resistance and Bluetooth 5.0. Take all of this, combined with the 12 watts of power, and you have a tried-and-true speaker that will work for every situation.

You may just want to keep a cloth nearby after the party is over since the Soundcore 2 is a fingerprint magnet. Additionally, you likely won't want to play this at max volume if the sound gets a bit distorted.

Pros:

12W of audio
24 hours of battery life
Bluetooth 5.0
IPX7 waterproof

Cons:

The sound may be distorted when played loudly
Attracts fingerprints

Best Battery Life

Anker Soundcore 2 Bluetooth Speaker

This one goes for days

The Soundcore 2 is fantastic for those who want long battery life and some water resistance. Just don't play it at max volume and be ready to clean it.

Bottom line

It can be tough picking the best Bluetooth speaker, but the Anker Soundcore Flare Mini comes close. This speaker offers decent battery life, 360-degrees of sound, and some awesome LEDs that flash along with the music.

Plus, you can pair this with another Flare Mini for a stereo sound setup, which is perfect for any party or situation. Just don't expect to have all the latest features as it is equipped with a MicroUSB charging port and just Bluetooth 4.2. Nonetheless, the Flare Mini will be capable of handling anything you throw at it, and then some.

Credits — The team that worked on this guide

Andrew Myrick is a regular freelancer at Android Central and iMore. He has been a tech enthusiast ever since the original iPhone was released and continues to flip-flop between devices. You might as well hook him up to an IV filled with coffee to get him through the day. If you have any questions, you can find him on Twitter, and he'll get back to you.

Hayato Huseman is a recovering trade show addict and video editor for Android Central based out of Indianapolis. He can mostly be found complaining about the cold and enthusing about prog metal on Twitter at @hayatohuseman. Got a tip or inquiry? Drop him a line at hayato.huseman@futurenet.com.

Minecraft now has PS VR support, free update rolling out now

Tue, 22 Sep 2020 16:13:15 GMT

What you need to know

Minecraft has been available on in VR and on Playstation for years, but never gained support for PS VR, despite feedback.
In a free update that's rolling out to all Playstation 4 Minecraft players today, Minecraft: Bedrock Edition is finally getting PS VR support.
There are two different modes to choose from, depending on what kind of VR gaming experience the player wants.

After we reported on it earlier this month, Mojang Studios' globally renown sandbox survival title Minecraft is finally nabbing support for Sony's PS VR. This means players who own Minecraft: Bedrock Edition on the Playstation 4 and the PS VR headset can now jump directly into the game, providing a more immersive (if sometimes disconcerting) experience. This update is completely free for all users, and is rolling out starting today. If you don't see it immediately, check manually or wait a little bit longer.

The update comes with a modest changelog that quickly goes over the changes made with update 1.16.42:

VR support is included free for all PlayStation 4 Minecraft owners
Includes Immersive Mode and Living Room Mode to play the way you want
Introduces a slew of new settings to customize your VR experience

Immersive Mode is classic VR, allowing players to "become" Steve and playing the game as if they were actually inside of it. Living Room Mode is a little less prone to causing motion sickness, and instead lets gamers play on a massive virtual screen inside of the headset, like they were playing Minecraft in a movie theatre instead of their living room. There are also some settings for players to customize their VR experience.

Are you going to be jumping into Minecraft in VR on your PS VR? What's the first thing you're going to do in VR? Let us know in the comments below!

A gaming masterpiece

Minecraft

$30 at Amazon (Playstation 4 Starter Collection) $50 at Microsoft (Xbox One Master Collection) $30 at Microsoft (Xbox One Starter Collection)

Available everywhere you play.

Minecraft is an inarguable and complete success. It has sold copies in the hundreds of millions, has a huge following of dedicated players, and lets you unlock your every creative desire. It's also available on every platform imaginable, including Xbox One, Windows 10, Playstation 4, and Nintendo Switch. Play with anyone, and play anywhere.

Nokia launches two new budget Android One phones under $200

Tue, 22 Sep 2020 15:30:02 GMT

The Nokia 3.4 is HMD Global's first Snapdragon 460-powered smartphone.

What you need to know

HMD Global has introduced two new budget Android One phones: Nokia 3.4 and Nokia 2.4.
The Nokia 3.4 features a Snapdragon 460 chipset, 4000mAh battery, and a 6.39-inch hole-punch display.
Nokia 2.4 comes with a bigger 6.5-inch display and a 4500mAh battery.

HMD Global announced two new Nokia smartphones at a virtual launch event today. The new Nokia 3.4 succeeds the Nokia 3.2, while the Nokia 2.4 is a follow-up to the Nokia 2.3. While they don't quite have the specs to take on the best cheap Android phones on the market, they are decent upgrades over their predecessors.

The Nokia 3.4 has a 6.39-inch display with HD+ resolution and a hole-punch cutout in the top-left corner for an 8MP selfie camera. Powering the phone is a Qualcomm Snapdragon 460 chipset, which has been paired with 3GB of RAM and 64GB of internal storage. There is a dual-camera setup on the back, with a 13MP main sensor and a 2MP depth sensor. Keeping the lights on is a 4,000mAAh battery, claimed to provide up to two days of endurance.

Some of the other key features of the Nokia 3.4 include a rear-mounted fingerprint sensor, a dedicated Google Assistant button, and a USB Type-C port. On the software front, the phone will ship with Android 10 out of the box and is also "Android 11 ready." HMD Global says the Nokia 3.4 will be going on sale in the U.S. later this year for a starting price of $179.

The Nokia 2.4 features a 6.5-inch HD+ display with a waterdrop notch at the top. It runs on a 12nm Helio P22 chipset, coupled with 2GB of RAM and 32GB storage. Similar to the Nokia 3.4, the Nokia 2.4 has a 13MP + 2MP dual-camera setup on the back. Surprisingly, however, it packs a larger 4,500mAh capacity battery. Some of its other key features include a dedicated Google Assistant button, a rear-mounted fingerprint sensor, a 5MP selfie camera, and IPX2 ingress protection.

The Nokia 2.4 will be available to pre-order from Amazon starting September 23 for $139. In the coming weeks, it will be available from Best Buy as well. Just like the Nokia 3.4, the Nokia 2.4 is guaranteed to receive two major OS upgrades, along with monthly security updates for up to three years.

Along with the new Nokia 3.4 and Nokia 2.4, HMD Global has also announced the new Nokia Power Earbuds with up to 150 hours of play time and IPX7 water resistance. They will soon be available from Amazon for $99.

Nokia 5.3

$200 at Amazon $200 at Best Buy $200 at Walmart

If you are looking for a budget phone that offers good battery life and clean software, you should consider the Nokia 5.3. The phone has a 6.55-inch HD+ screen, Qualcomm's Snapdragon 665 chipset, and a 4000mAh battery.

Android Central - News

Finding your lost keys could get easier with Tile and Amazon Sidewalk

What you need to know

Light 'em up

Ring Floodlight Cam

How big is the PS5?

How big is the PS5?

PS5 size What about the PS5 Digital Edition?

Our pick

PlayStation Store Gift Card

Already sold out

PlayStation 5

PlayStation 5

Secure your home with these SmartThings doorbells and locks

Top Pick

Ring Video Doorbell Pro

Battery-powered protection

Ring Video Doorbell 3

Easy installation, tough security

August Smart Lock Pro

Upgrade on a favorite

August Wi-Fi Smart Lock

Keyless entry

Yale Assure Lock SL

Affordable Pinpad

Kwikset Smart Code 888

Protect your home with SmartThings

This Aloria Series office chair from Oak Hollow Furniture is now $100 off

Don’t miss the latest season of The Great British Bake Off with our guide

The Great British Bake Off - When and where?

How to watch The Great British Bake Off from anywhere

ExpressVPN

How to watch The Great British Bake Off in the U.S.

Live stream The Great British Bake Off in Canada

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Season 11 bakers

These are the best Fire TV Edition TVs you can get right now

Best Overall Fire TV Edition: Insignia NS-65DF710NA21 Smart 4K UHD

Pros:

Cons:

Best Overall Fire TV Edition

Insignia NS-65DF710NA21 Smart 4K UHD

Best Big Toshiba Fire TV Edition: Toshiba TF-55A810U21 4K UHD TV

Pros:

Cons:

Best Big Toshiba Fire TV Edition

Toshiba TF-55A810U21 4K UHD TV

Best Small Insignia Fire TV Edition: Insignia NS-24DF310NA21 Smart HD 720p TV

Pros:

Cons:

Best Small Insignia Fire TV Edition

Insignia NS-24DF310NA21 Smart HD 720p TV

Best Small Toshiba Fire TV Edition: Toshiba TF-32A710U21 Smart HD TV

Pros:

Cons:

Best Small Toshiba Fire TV Edition

Toshiba TF-32A710U21 Smart HD TV

Bottom line

Credits — The team that worked on this guide

Target Black Friday 2020: Store hours, when it starts & best deals

Target Black Friday 2020

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30% off Halloween costumes

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Free $20 gift card with $100 order in Baby essentials

Amazon Echo Show 5

Canon Pixma MG3620 Wireless Inkjet All-In-One Printer

Blink XT2 2-Camera System

Amazon Fire 7 Kids Edition Tablet

$5 off your purchase of Prepaid Airtime cards

Instant Pot Duo 6-quart 7-in-1 Pressure Cooker

These are the best wireless earbuds you can buy at every price!

The best wireless earbuds, at a glance

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OnePlus Buds