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Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite review: The new Android tablet to beat
The iPad is still the gold standard for tablets, but this is Samsung's best attempt yet
Samsung is the only manufacturer interested in producing high-end Android tablets, but last year, the company added a slightly cheaper option to its Tab S lineup. The Galaxy Tab S5e retained the high-quality AMOLED screen and thin design of Samsung's highest-end models, but lacked the Tab S4's stylus support (and still cost over $400). This time around, Samsung is trying something different with the Galaxy Tab S6 Lite.Despite its faults, the new Galaxy Tab S6 Lite might be the strongest iPad competitor Samsung has ever produced. The hardware won't blow you away, and it doesn't have all the features of the more expensive Tab S6, but it's a full-fledged tablet with an included S Pen stylus for $350 — only $20 more than the cheapest iPad, not including the 0 Apple Pencil.
Android Auto recently passed 500 million installs on the Play Store, possibly thanks to its inclusion on most phones shipping with Android 10, and now two more Google-made applications have passed significant milestones.
Justice Department reportedly ready to sue Google for antitrust violations
The specifics of the complaint are still unknown
Google has been a target for anti-competitive lawsuits across the world, due to its dominance over online advertising, web searches, web browsers, and other industries. The United States Department of Justice (along with various states) has been conducting a probe into Google's potential antitrust violations for around a year, and now it seems a lawsuit could be imminent.
Google has already released several Developer Previews of Android 11 for smartphones, but there has been no news on the update for smart TVs and streaming boxes. That changes today, as the first Android 11 Developer Preview for Android TV is now available — but only for one device.
The Galaxy Buds+ are the hot new audio product on the block, but the first-generation Galaxy Buds are still an excellent buy (especially at recently-reduced prices). Last month, you could get refurbished Galaxy Buds from Best Buy for just $60, but now they are available new from eBay for only a bit more money.
Amazon Fire HD 8 (2020) review: The good, cheap Android tablet Google won't build
The first new Fire HD 8 tablet in two years isn't bad at all
Read update
I think it's fair to say that Amazon's lineup of Fire tablets don't have the best reputation, particularly in the tech community. Fire tablets have historically paired bottom-of-the-barrel hardware with outdated versions of Android, and Amazon's extensive changes to the operating system aren't widely loved. The tablets also don't ship with the Google Play Store, though that at least is a quick fix.Amazon has been selling the same Fire HD 8 since 2018, but the company finally released a new model last month. It brings most of the improvements from last year's Fire HD 10 to the 8-inch lineup, including USB Type-C and faster performance, and I think it's a pretty great buy for $90. There's also the Fire HD 8 Plus, which we reviewed separately.
The Skagen Falster 3 is probably the best-looking Wear OS watch currently available, and since it uses Fossil's Gen 5 reference design, it's one of the best-performing watches too. The Falster 3 usually costs $295, but now you can get it for $199.00 from Amazon.The Skagen Falster 3 has a Snapdragon Wear 3100 processor, 8GB of internal storage, 1GB of RAM, a 1.3-inch circular AMOLED screen, and 3ATM water resistance. You also get a heart rate sensor, NFC for Google Pay, built-in GPS, and an ambient light sensor. The watch runs the latest version of Google's Wear OS.
Oculus discontinues the Gear VR-based Go headset
The headset could run software designed for Samsung's Gear VR
Virtual reality company Oculus used to have a tight partnership with Samsung, to the point where both company's devices shared the same software ecosystem. The Oculus Go was released in 2018 as a self-contained VR headset, with a Snapdragon 821 processor and full compatibility with games built for Samsung's Gear VR. Sadly, it's now time to say goodbye to the headset.
Code repository service GitHub released its shiny new mobile app earlier this year, but work on the application didn't stop there. The v1.1 update made reviewing pull requests and finding code in a project much easier, and now v1.2 is rolling out.
Motorola returned to the flagship smartphone market earlier this year with the Motorola Edge+. The company still doesn't have the best reputation when it comes to software and updates, but Motorola has just released the kernel source code for the Edge+, making it easier for third-party developers to create their own custom Android builds.
Wyze's long-awaited outdoor camera is here: 1080p, no subscription requirement, $50
It looks like the Death Star
It hasn't exactly been a secret that smart home company Wyze has been working on an outdoor camera. Wyze said it was beta-testing such a product in February, and the camera passed through the FCC in April. Now every little detail about the camera has been revealed, including the price.
Samsung Internet is one of the most popular web browsers for Android, but it has always forced you to keep your login information in Samsung's own cloud storage. That seems to finally be changing with the release of Samsung Internet 12, which is now rolling out on the Play Store after a short beta period.
Skype adds Android Auto support in latest update, but only for text messages
No VoIP calls in the car
Microsoft's messaging platform Skype is still very much alive, even though the company is starting to roll out the business-oriented Microsoft Teams to everyone. The latest update to the Android application finally includes Android Auto support, but there's a catch — only text messages will appear on your car's screen, not voice or video calls.
The Nokia 4.2 has dropped to just $120 on Amazon ($39 off)
It may be cheap, but it still has Android 10
HMD Global's Nokia-branded devices are some of the best budget phones currently available, with relatively-fast updates and no heavy modifications to Android. Now you can get the entry-level Nokia 4.2 for just $130 on Amazon, a savings of $29 from the usual price of around $159.The Nokia 4.2 has a Snapdragon 439 processor, 3GB of RAM, a 5.7-inch 720x1520 display, 32GB of internal storage (with a microSD card slot for expansion), a 3,000mAh battery, NFC support, and even a headphone jack. The main downsides are that it uses a microUSB port instead of Type-C, and performance isn't amazing. You can read our full review here.
You can now apply for the OnePlus 8 and 8 Pro closed beta program
Want to test new features before everyone else? Here's your chance
Each phone from OnePlus has three software tracks: the stable public builds that most people use, the experimental Open Betas, and finally the bleeding-edge Closed Beta program. If you love trying features before everyone else (and possibly running into serious bugs), OnePlus is now taking applications for joining the Closed Betas for the OnePlus 8 series.
Google Photos subscription service for printed pictures is shutting down
You'll still be able to customize and order photo books
Google Photos has offered the ability to create and order photo books for years, but earlier this year, a new subscription option for photo prints was added. For $8 a month, ten of your best pictures from the previous month would be automatically selected, printed on cardstock, and mailed to you. However, after only four months, Google is ending the service.
The Galaxy A10e was released last year, but it's still one of the best-selling unlocked phones in the United States. Now the super-cheap device is even less expensive, as multiple retailers have it on sale for just $149.99. That's a $30 reduction from the usual price.The model on sale has an Exynos 7884B processor, a 5.8-inch 720x1560 IPS screen, 2GB of RAM, 32GB of storage (plus a microSD card slot), a headphone jack, a USB Type-C port for charging, and a 3,000mAh battery. It comes with One UI 1.1, based on Android 9 Pie, but an Android 10 update should come soon™ — some international models have already received the upgrade. You can read our full review here.
Files app on Android 11 now includes storage from other apps
It's now feature-complete with the AOSP file manager it replaced
The second Developer Preview of Android 11 replaced the built-in file manager with Files by Google, the same application that was already present on the Play Store (and pre-installed on Android Go phones). However, the Files app on Android 11 has a slightly different appearance than the same app on Android 10 phones, and there is some added functionality.
Google added a hidden trash can to Android 11 for deleted files
More functionality for Scoped Storage
Scoped Storage was the most controversial addition to Android 10 when it debuted last year, as it blocked most applications from accessing your phone's entire internal storage to improve privacy and security. Google ended up pushing the deadline for supporting Scoped Storage to the release of Android 11 later this year, but there's additional functionality in the new Android version for apps to try out.
Qualcomm reveals mid-range Snapdragon 690 with 5G, Wi-Fi 6, and 120Hz support
Nokia, LG, Motorola, and TCL are working on phones with the chipset
Qualcomm revealed the budget Snapdragon 768G just last month, but now the company is announcing another System-On-a-Chip intended for mid-range devices. The Snapdragon 690 will appear in phones later this year, and it aims to bring 5G connectivity to more affordable price points.