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This week's Roku-Google deal isn't the only good news for YouTube TV users — fans of shows like "Match Game," the U.S. adaptation of "The Chase," "Master Minds," and "America Says" will be happy to know that the streaming service has picked up Game Show Network.
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Best Buy, the exclusive retailer of TCL's new 5- and 6-Series Google TVs since their reveal this summer, has suddenly pulled the panels from sale online. The unexplained decision comes after complaints and reviews criticizing slow performance and frequent app crashes.
Android 12L beta brings back Cast audio control, but not how you were hoping
This was entirely expected, by the way
Ever since it was revealed that the restriction on controlling the volume of Casted content with your device's volume keys was imposed for legal reasons, we've been waiting for a workaround to come into view. The Android 12L beta seems to have it (or at least the initial form of it).
Tables in Google Docs are becoming less of a headache to edit
Ascendant changes are descending upon Docs
You know you're getting serious drafting a report when you end up having to plug in a table. Google Docs hasn't been the most graceful of clients to manage them, but it's doing its part to improve.
Samsung Galaxy S21 FE likely to have Android 12 right out of the box
This Fan Edition will have an edge over the last one
As we near its launch, more and more developments have bubbled up about the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE. Indeed, at a time when the global chip shortage and general inflation trends are putting pressure on 2022 model year smartphone prices, something a little old but still golden is worth getting excited about. And we're getting a look at how the "Fan Edition" will keep its shine by combining old specs with new software.
Roku and Google kiss and make up, bringing YouTube TV back to smart TVs and dongles
Brinksmanship bites again
Carriage disputes from the bad old days of cable TV are still alive and well in the age of streaming, but at least the one that's been brewing between Roku and Google's YouTube TV has been quashed. The two sides have agreed on a multi-year contract.
Telegram 8.3 gives you more control over cleaning up old messages
And a bajillion other new features, of course
Telegram always seems to be able to jam-pack loads of goodies into its point updates (updates that come out mere weeks apart) and v8.3 of its messaging app is no exception. From a clever new factor of authentication to several ways of managing your privacy across chats and devices, here's what's going on.
Niagara Launcher brings Material You theming to your phone, even without Android 12
And some Android 12-exclusive goodies, too
The minimalistically-styled Niagara Launcher is getting ready to bring some of Android 12's improvements not just to Android 12 users, but to almost everyone that can use the app. You can see some of these changes in action by sideloading the beta APK right now.
Oppo's new retractable camera is a blast from the point-and-shoot past
Get ready for more in-and-out GIFs
When it comes to the miniaturization of photography technology, Oppo really likes pushing the envelope. It's set to do so again next week when it details a smartphone with a retractable camera.
Some lucky Chromecast with Google TV shoppers are getting extended Netflix access for free
They all bought fast and first, but only some are getting this free fluke
If you were one of the lucky ones to snag a Chromecast with Google TV bundled with 6 months of Netflix from the Google Store right when it became available, you may want to refresh your email or check your Google Home app to see if you've gotten another 6-month subscription for free.
Free streaming TV service Pluto TV now directly integrated into Google TV
One of two reasons Google hopes you'll get a new Chromecast
Ever since it made started making (and, somehow, still hasn't completed) the transition from Android TV to Google TV, Google has been looking for ways to entice viewers to buy a new Chromecast. Well, it has just come up with two of them.
Following Signal, WhatsApp lets users turn on disappearing messages by default
Set everything to vanish
Meta-owned (remember, that's Mark Zuckerberg!) WhatsApp is passing on a couple of feature tweaks related to disappearing messages that have been in the works for months — the most important of them being the ability to set messages in new chats to disappear by default.
Debt collectors: they're dead set on keeping tabs on you, even when you'd rather not deal with them. In fact, they want to be your friends. And now they legally can be.
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Brighten up your bedside table with a Lenovo Smart Clock 2 and smart lightbulb for just $25
You'll enjoy waking up and turning in with these gadgets
At Android Police, we love a good, cheap bundle deal that can help you improve a daily interaction around the house, so we think this offer from Walmart provides peak intersectionality and value.
Now's your chance to try out the Android 12L preview on actual hardware
But do you have a chance at buying it right now?
Android 12L is the first meaningful attempt by Google since the highly-criticized Honeycomb in 2011 to adapt the operating system to large-format screens including those on tablets and foldable devices. The developer preview went out in emulation on Android Studio back in October and, now, has just landed on its first real piece of hardware. No, it's not a Pixel.
Locked Folder in Google Photos is starting to arrive for more Android users
Another option for where to store your private goods
Encrypted local storage. Your device's file manager and/or gallery can make it happen. Google's own Files app, too. And Google Photos — you know, the app you use to back everything up onto the internet — introduced its own Locked Folder back in May, just for Pixels. While we sort of wished that we could have partitioned cloud storage of our sensitive things, we're now seeing this feature spread to non-Google phones as well.
Google isn't trying to fix healthcare, but it can now help you find the right doctor
And you can do it in a heartbeat
Healthcare in the U.S. can be labyrinthine to navigate and its surprise costs can pull people asunder faster than their ailments. Google, though, is offering a helping hand to people looking for new doctors with some new search tools.
Save up to $400 on Anker's Android-powered projectors for one day only
Screen too small? Get on a wall!
Want to enjoy a movie without going to the theatre? In lieu of getting an expensive, large TV — or maybe even to complement the one you already have — you might want to fill up a whole bunch of white wall space with the help of a projector. Anker's line of Nebula projectors has some good choices — a few of them are on sale at their best prices in a year for one day only!
The new Samsung Galaxy A13 5G tries to raise the bar on budget phone expectations
Not only is 5G getting cheaper, but so are 90Hz displays
The 5G tide is making its way toward budget phone shores in the United States and Samsung is becoming part of that rising force with the debut of the Galaxy A13 5G, its most affordable 5G offering to date.
Google makes its holodeck-like tech for video calls sound so good, we wish we could use it now
You can attempt to make your own if you have arm grease and a ton of know-how
Google introduced Project Starline back at I/O 2021 as essentially the ultimate in remote person-to-person experiences by capturing and projecting depth data along with high-fidelity sound and vision. As the company has rolled out equipment across its various offices for on-boarding, interviews, and one-on-one brainstorm sessions, employees are finding more to enjoy and gain from the realtime 3D experience Starline provides than the traditional video call.