Latest Articles
Google restores long-lost Maps feature due to popular demand
Google found its missing compass, it was in the back pocket this whole time
Yesterday Google highlighted several great new features coming to Maps, but the company left one little detail out of its announcement: The compass is back. The classic orienteering widget is back by popular demand, and it's about as reliable as ever.
T-Mobile is the first carrier to activate anti-spoofing technology with all other major carriers
Everybody else has three months to catch up
T-Mobile has hit a new milestone in the war with spam calls and texts by establishing STIR/SHAKEN support with all of the major networks in the US. This will go a long way to stopping scammers from evading anti-spam and call blocking methods by falsifying caller ID information. T-Mobile is the first major wireless carrier to meet the goals set forth by the TRACED Act ahead of the June 30th deadline mandated by the FCC.
Disney+ passes 100 million installs on the Play Store after just 16 months
There's no stopping the house of mouse
Disney+ launched in mid-November 2019 to throngs of eager fans — shortly before getting crushed under the weight of so many people trying to stream the first two episodes of The Mandalorian all at once. Despite the usual array of growing pains, Disney has developed a wildly successful streaming service with an incredible catalog of movies and series. It's so popular that the Disney+ app has now crossed 100 million downloads on the Play Store, only 16 months after it launched.
There was a time when internal storage was increasing at a fairly steady rate, but that trend seems to have halted. However, we're still seeing sizes going up for games, apps, movies, and just about everything else. If you're looking to loosen up the storage bottleneck on an old phone, or maybe have a decent place to dump photos or videos, you can pick up a Lexar microSD card for a really accessible price.
Pick up the OnePlus 8T for $150 off or the 8 Pro for $300 off
You can save some money while they make room for the OnePlus 9
The OnePlus 9 announcement is a mere two weeks away, which generally means retailers are eager to move some of their current stock before potential customers become enamored with the hot new gadgety goodness. If you happen to be in the market for a new phone, but balking at the idea of dropping full price on the latest and greatest, there are a few deals on previous OnePlus phones that might be of interest.
Flutter 2 is coming with support for Windows and macOS, foldables, and a ton more
Write once, run everywhere
The great unicorn of software development is to have one language and framework that enables devs to code an app once and run it on any operating system and any type of device. Flutter has been aiming to do this since its inception, and today it gets quite a bit closer to that goal with the announcement of Flutter 2. The latest major update brings major enhancements for mobile platforms, adds support to desktop, and massively extends its capabilities on the web — among other things.
DJI announces its first hybrid FPV drone and a brand new motion controller
Designed for (relative) beginners through to the experts
Two years ago, DJI released the FPV System, a partial DIY kit including a camera and transmitter to install on a racing drone, plus controller and goggles for the pilot. While there are other options, DJI's provided the best signal and range for a digital system — yes, analog fans, you still have better latency. But now the world's biggest consumer drone company is jumping in with both feet and releasing its first fully in-house FPV drone, designed with plenty of features aimed at both beginners and advanced pilots.
Android Auto is getting road-friendly games and a new privacy mode
Now your car can misinterpret trivia answers like every other device
The last month has been really exciting for Android Auto users. Between the addition of custom shortcuts, the return of Google Assistant routines, and interchangeable wallpapers, the features have really been rolling out. But the team isn't done yet, there are some new things planned for release this week. If you are an Auto user, you can look forward to playing voice-controlled Google Assistant games, better support for extra-wide screens, and a Privacy Screen to control how much Auto shows.
Leaked Samsung AR Glasses are ridiculously chonky and optimistic smart eyewear
Concept videos with realistic v1 hardware, and optimistic v10 features
Plenty of companies have attempted smart wearables in different forms, but getting people to put on enhanced eyewear has become the gold standard, and it's a formula nobody has truly cracked yet. However, like many others, Samsung is in the process of developing its own pair of smart glasses, and a couple of leaked concept videos demonstrate a series of ambitious goals that might be available when (or if) these spectacles launch.
Every major Android update has come with some number of adjustments to notifications, some are only minor or completely under the hood, and others can really change how you interact with notifications. Fans of the snooze feature will be pleased to find that it's going to be even more accessible with Android 12. The new version places a button prominently on any notification that can be snoozed, so you don't have to waste time partially swiping ever again.
Android Auto adds custom shortcuts and re-enables Google Assistant routines
Routines return after the better part of forever
Wallpapers aren't the only new thing rolling out to Android Auto users this week, Google is also turning on some handy features to simplify activities while you're driving. Users can now add custom shortcuts to the launcher to quickly call pre-selected contacts or activate Google Assistant commands. Along with this, Google Assistant routines are available again after more than two years since they mysteriously stopped working through Auto.
Stadia makes the world creation game Crayta free for everyone to play
Also new games, expansions, and sales this week
You may have seen Little Nightmares II is coming to Stadia Pro tomorrow (February 11), but that's not the only Stadia news for the week. There are several other announcements today, but perhaps the biggest news is that Crayta is going to be free to everybody — no subscription required. Additionally, Pikuniku is now available, Destiny 2 Season of the Chosen and the PAC-MAN Mega Tunnel Battle add-on are here, and there's a sale on several Assassin's Creed and 2K games.
Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon Breakpoint is free to play on Stadia Pro this weekend
The free weekend and Amber Sky live event run from January 21st through the 24th
Game trials are fine, but it's hard not to question if sometimes they're feeding you just the best experience of a game. Free weekends give players a better opportunity to experience the full game and learn what it's really like before dropping their hard-earned cash on making a purchase. If you're up for spending some serious time with Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon Breakpoint, do some stretches and set aside this weekend for some serious action.
Slopes app comes to Android with powerful tracking for your snowboard and ski adventures
Get more insight into your winter sports
Most of our Winter recreation options are either restricted or entirely off limits due to the pandemic, but most of the ski lifts are staying open this year with only basic rules about social distancing and face covering while standing in lines. If you've ever wanted to keep track of your downhill antics, the Slopes app can take care of all the hard work and feed you all the information you might want. Already popular among iPhone users with a 4.8 rating on the App Store, Slopes has made its way to Android.
With the holiday sale season over, it's not uncommon to see a few older products dropping in price to clear inventory that may not have sold sufficiently over the previous months. That makes it an opportune time to pick up gadgets like the JBL Link View, which just inched its way down below its previous record low of $90 to land at just $85.
Arlo joins the hands-free revolution with its own touchless video doorbell
Nothing to touch here, just go about your visit
Here's a little secret, it's pretty common for anything announced at CES to have at least one twin. You've probably already seen the new touchless video doorbell by Alarm.com, but it's not alone in keeping grubby hands off your home. Arlo is also getting in on the game with its own no-touch model.
Struum will bring à la carte access to lesser-known TV and movie streaming services
One subscription fee for access to dozens of small providers
Get ready for a new streaming service, but unlike Netflix and Amazon, this one won't have any content of its own. The company is called Struum (pronounced "stroom") and it aims to bring together TV series and movies from dozens of lesser-known streaming services that struggle to compete in a saturated market.
If you've ever forgotten your house keys or accidentally locked yourself out, you've surely wished for another way to get back in the door that doesn't involve breaking a window, calling a locksmith, or tracking down that one friend or neighbor that has an extra key. While we're at least 3 years away from living the Jetson's lifestyle, the technology to lock and unlock a door without relying entirely a flat slab of jagged metal does exist. And thanks to the magic of consumerism, you can get a Eufy Smart Lock Touch for 30% off and get just a little closer to futuristic home access.
FAA establishes new drone flying permissions and finalizes Remote ID
Why did the drone cross the road? To deliver your Amazon package, obviously.
Yesterday, the FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) handed down its final regulations for unmanned aerial vehicles, a.k.a. drones. The new rules are hailed as an improvement to safety, security, and accountability for and by recreational and small business pilots; but they're also paving the way for widespread corporate use for things like package delivery, data collection, and other industrial uses.
LG's latest fridge will open at your command
How much longer 'til my kitchen can just cook french toast for me?
Smart appliances are nothing new, but it's a rare treat to find one that does something we can actually call smart. LG will demonstrate a series of new features coming to its line of refrigerators during the virtual CES 2021 conference in January, and among the highlights will be an automatic door that opens in response to voice commands. This will enable users to simply voice the command, "open the refrigerator door," and they'll be able to drop off or pick up items without touching a handle.