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Google Sheets adds range name box for faster navigation
Any efficiency improvement, however small, is good in my book
Google has added a simple, but useful feature to Sheets: a range name box. If you click to the left of the formula bar, the new dropdown shows your current ranges in the sheet, as well as an option to manage new ranges.
Netflix to roll out Shuffle Play feature globally in the next few months
Apparently nobody can decide what to watch
Netflix announced its Q4 2020 earnings today, but amidst the actual figures being presented, the company briefly mentioned a new feature it's been working on. The working title for this is Shuffle Play, and it'll help you decide what to watch by showing content its algorithms think you'll like. Netflix says this feature will fully roll out to all users worldwide by the first half of this year.
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When you run as many services with as many features as Google, bugs tend to pop up from time to time. The latest major bug concerns Google Search's custom date ranges, which are causing tabs to freeze when used. Google is working on fixing this and has presented a workaround for the time being.
Google Lens has been around for a little over three years now, though it only became a standalone app in mid-2018. In that 2.5-year time span, the app has managed to hit 500 million downloads off the Play Store. That's not bad for a niche app that doesn't come pre-installed on anything.
Unlocked, T-Mobile, and Verizon Galaxy S20 FE now receiving Android 11-based One UI 3 update
Get 'em while they're hot!
Android 11 is slowly starting to make its way to Samsung phones on US carriers, with the Verizon Galaxy S20 FE being the latest recipient. The update started hitting global S20 FE variants around a month ago, making its way stateside last week on the AT&T model. Now, it's Big Red's turn to send the OTA out.
Many Walmart locations have Nest Hubs in stock for $49 ($41 off)
A seriously good deal for Google's smaller Smart Display
If you've been waiting for a sale to pick up a Smart Display of your own, there's never been a better time than now. Select Walmart stores are currently offering the Nest Hub in your choice of Chalk or Charcoal for just $49 — a $41 savings compared to the current Google Store price, and $80 off MSRP.
Grab a pair of refurbished Sony WF-SP800N true wireless earbuds with ANC for just $60 on eBay
A great set of fitness-focused earbuds at an insane price
There's no shortage of true wireless earbuds on the market, but for those into fitness, the Sony WF-SP800N is a great option. When we reviewed them last year, our own Taylor thought they were priced reasonably at $200. At .99 for a refurbished pair after a coupon code, a purchase is pretty much a no-brainer.
The Galaxy S21 comes with Google Messages pretty much everywhere but the US
Unfortunately, we get stuck with Samsung Messages
It turns out that Samsung is pre-loading the Galaxy S21 with Google Messages in most markets, as Engadget learned from an interview with Google's Hiroshi Lockheimer yesterday. By doing so, Samsung joins other OEMs like OnePlus, LG, and Motorola in using Google's messaging app by default. Unfortunately, we in the US are stuck with the regular Samsung Messages.
Sony releases Android 11 update for Xperia 1 and Xperia 5 early
It's hard to complain about an update being sent out ahead of schedule
When it comes to update roadmaps, manufacturers seem to miss their target rollout dates more often than not, so it's always a nice surprise when an update shows up early. Sony is now sending out the Android 11 update for the Xperia 1 and Xperia 5 in some markets, earlier than the February date originally given (and even ahead of the newer Xperia 5 II).
AKG N700NC M2 noise-cancelling headphones are $100 on Woot today
It's hard to beat this price for a set of ANC cans from a reputable brand
Here's a deal for those in the market for Bluetooth headphones with active noise-cancelling, but don't want to pay $300 and up: Woot is currently offering a pair of AKG N700NC M2s for .99, which is $200 off MSRP and $27-62 off street price.
YouTube now has voice input on the web, making it even easier to waste hours watching cat videos
The infinite content doesn't help
If it wasn't already easy enough to spend the entire day watching random crap on YouTube, it's just gotten a little bit easier. YouTube.com now has voice input, and it can be used to dictate search queries and navigate through the interface.
Facebook's refreshed Access Your Information tool provides a better breakdown of your data
What does Facebook know about you?
Facebook introduced its Access Your Information tool back in 2018, allowing users to see what data that the social media platform has gathered about them. Zuckerberg and company have used what they've learned in the past three years to refresh the tool with a better breakdown of your data, as well as a visual makeover.
Samsung's got a fresh new ditty just in time for its next big launch
The new corporate brand sound is called The Voyage
Samsung has a new brand sound, introduced at CES 2021, and it's called The Voyage. Brand sounds probably aren't something you've ever thought about, but these sounds are intended to keep sound effects consistent among different products. I haven't owned a Samsung phone in years, but I can still recall the previous brand sound from the default ringtone. Samsung's hoping you'll remember The Voyage just as well.
Unfortunately, coronavirus is still alive and well, which means that tracking apps are still needed. An issue with apps developed using Google's Android Exposure Notifications System that was affecting tracking apps in several countries has thankfully been fixed, so COVID-19 tracking now works on Android devices again.
Samsung Germany accidentally announces Galaxy S21 Ultra ahead of tomorrow's launch
What more is there to unveil?
Pretty much everything about the Galaxy S21 series has been leaked at this point short of a full announcement... and now, a full press release has been leaked. Samsung Germany accidentally posted the Galaxy S21 Ultra's announcement earlier today; it's since been deleted, but as we all know, truly erasing something from the Internet is next to impossible.
When it comes to chargers, smaller usually means less powerful, but that's not always the case. RAVPower is offering a 2-pack of some pretty small 20W fast chargers with USB-C ports for .89 after two coupons, making this a pretty good deal if you need a couple of extra chargers around.Design-wise, these are pretty similar to the tiny 5W brick that Apple includes used to include in the box of every iPhone, but RAVPower's is a lot more powerful. It supports USB-C Power Delivery and Qualcomm Quick Charge 3.0, meaning it'll charge almost every USB-C device pretty quickly.
Refurbished Bose 700 noise-cancelling headphones are just $240 ($60 off) via Bose's eBay store
The lowest price we've seen so far
Bose is one of the big names in premium noise-cancelling headphones, but if you can't quite stomach the $380 MSRP for a new set, you're in luck. A certified refurbished set of Bose Noise Cancelling 700 headphones is just 9.96 with a coupon code right now, making this the lowest price we've seen for these cans.
Cricket starts winding down 3G network, presenting a big problem for BYOD customers
Unsupported devices won't be able to be activated starting next week
If you're still using an old, non-LTE-capable phone on Cricket, we have bad news: the company will be shutting down its 3G UMTS networks in February 2022. Additionally, customers will no longer be able to activate their unsupported devices on Cricket starting January 19th, which is only a few days away. Because of the way Cricket handles BYOD phones, this is a real problem.
Cloud security is always a concern when using smart home devices, but it's a little less so now with Ring devices. The company has announced that end-to-end encryption for video is rolling out today to all eligible devices. Ring has had some security issues in the past, so it's nice to see some good Ring security-related news.
HTC Desire 21 Pro 5G goes official with 90Hz screen and 5,000mAh battery
The company's still kicking
HTC has been struggling for a couple of years now, but its latest offering, the Desire 21 Pro 5G, looks pretty promising. Having just gone official, this phone offers 5G, a 90Hz refresh rate, an impressive array of cameras, and a sizable 5,000mAh battery. Not bad.