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Showing posts from August, 2022

What’s new on Disney Plus in September 2022: Hocus Pocus 2, Andor, and more

What’s new on Disney Plus in September? Quite a lot, actually, as the service is celebrating Disney Plus Day on September 8 with a bunch of new premieres. Even after that day, the month also has the debut of a new Star Wars live-action series, the premiere of a long-awaited movie sequel, and the relaunch of a reality show that will be streamed live on the service. Read: All the best Disney Plus movies and shows from Android Apps & Games - Android Authority https://ift.tt/9rSfn7l https://ift.tt/nQI25TX

Is cable TV dying? Here’s what streaming’s takeover might actually look like

Credit: Ryan Haines / Android Authority Is cable TV dying? It sounds like a simple enough question. You don’t need a media degree to recognize that the TV landscape has been changing dramatically for over a decade. Cable and broadcast TV exist alongside alternatives to cable like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, HBO Max, and more. In many cases, people have cut the cord outright, opting to get all of their TV needs met online. But what does it actually mean to kill cable off and switch to a streaming-only ecosystem? Is streaming just giving us the same thing cable used to, or are we losing something in the process? from Android Apps & Games - Android Authority https://ift.tt/75xiHCS https://ift.tt/Wf2qr6t

What is Windows Sonic?

Surround sound through headphones, known as spatial audio , is a hot topic in the audio world. But there isn’t a singular implementation of this idea. Microsoft’s entry in the field is Windows Sonic for Headphones, which comes as part of the eponymous operating system. But what exactly is Windows Sonic, and how does it work? Here’s what you need to know about the Windows Sonic surround sound standard. from Android Apps & Games - Android Authority https://ift.tt/wAXlpDc https://ift.tt/geOmVEX

Arm sets up legal showdown with Qualcomm and Nuvia

Chip tech company Arm has filed a lawsuit against Qualcomm and Nuvia. Arm asserts that the two companies violated license agreements and committed trademark infringement. In its suit, Arm is seeking the destruction of certain Nuvia designs, an injunction against trademark infringement, and compensation. SoftBank’s British semiconductor and software design company, Arm, has thrown down the legal hammer accusing Qualcomm and Nuvia of breaching license agreements and committing trademark infringement. In a blog posted on the company’s website , Arm states that it has filed a lawsuit to the US District Court for the District of Delaware. The lawsuit is against Qualcomm and two of its subsidiaries, as well as Nuvia — a semiconductor and processor developer. Arm’s lawsuit actually stems from Qualcomm’s recent acquisition of Nuvia which happened back in 2021. from Android Apps & Games - Android Authority https://ift.tt/o519PzO https://ift.tt/S7pO0uM

Curved or flat gaming monitor? LG’s new TV lets you decide on the fly.

Credit: LG Today LG announced its new 42-inch LG OLED Flex TV. The LG OLED Flex is the company’s first bendable OLED TV screen. The display can switch from being completely flat to curved (900R). Curved displays work great as gaming monitors because you’re usually sitting up close, allowing the screen to wrap around you, which creates a more immersive experience. However, they don’t work quite as well as just normal TVs when you’re usually sitting farther back. Normally, you’ll want a flat screen if you’re going to watch a show or movie. Aiming to give buyers a great gaming and TV viewing experience, LG has created a TV that wants to give you the best of both worlds with its newly announced LG OLED Flex (model LX3). from Android Apps & Games - Android Authority https://ift.tt/KJy0FoN https://ift.tt/zXkTaGJ

Don’t expect to get a charger with your Oppo phone next year

Credit: Eric Zeman / Android Authority Within the next 12 months, Oppo will stop including chargers with some of its devices. The company currently plans to drop the charger from several of its products. Oppo’s plan could be implemented for specific markets. Despite the growing trend of not including chargers with new phones, Oppo was one of the few smartphone manufacturers that continued to keep them in the box. Now, it looks like the company will be joining the rest of the industry, at least partially. According to Android Police , Oppo’s Vice President of Overseas Sales and Services, Billy Zhang, revealed in a group interview that the company will be cutting the charger from the box for some of its products. “We will take the charger out of the box in the next year for several products. We have a plan,” Zhang said during the interview. from Android Apps & Games - Android Authority https://ift.tt/zI9Tk7W https://ift.tt/ucixHt0

Poll: Have you ever had to return a phone because of a defect?

Smartphones are pretty complicated gadgets, as the small size and cutting-edge tech means production can be more challenging than many other electronics and appliances. So we can understand if a few defective handsets sometimes slip through the cracks. Have you had to return a defective phone, though? That’s the question we’re asking in our featured poll article today, so tap a choice below and leave a comment if you’ve got more to share. from Android Apps & Games - Android Authority https://ift.tt/PlNqoct https://ift.tt/woj1hKX

Variable aperture smartphone cameras will make a comeback next week

Credit: Ryan-Thomas Shaw / Android Authority Huawei has confirmed that it will offer a variable aperture camera on the Mate 50 series. This will allow the phone camera to switch between aperture sizes. Aperture adjustments affect light capture and depth of field effects. Samsung was one of the few smartphone brands to offer a variable aperture camera on their phones back in the late 2010s, differing from the fixed aperture seen on the vast majority of phones up until then. Now, another brand has revealed that it will resurrect the feature for its new flagship range. from Android Apps & Games - Android Authority https://ift.tt/JVv1zqm https://ift.tt/eOXxtab

Google is only allowing some to downgrade from Android 13 to Android 12

Credit: C. Scott Brown / Android Authority Google has made it possible to downgrade from Android 13 to Android 12. The downgrade option is available for the Pixel 6a, Pixel 6, and Pixel 6 Pro. Only developers will be allowed to go back to Android 12 or 12L. When Android 13 first started rolling out a few weeks ago, it was discovered that users wouldn’t be able to go back to Android 12 after updating. Now, Google is allowing some Pixel owners to go back to Android 12. In a story we reported on earlier this month, it was found that Android 13 contained an update for its bootloader, enabling an anti-rollback counter. As a result, once you updated to Android 13, you were stuck with it. This is something that applied to all Pixel users, including developers. from Android Apps & Games - Android Authority https://ift.tt/6Uclgh5 https://ift.tt/7BhLfC6

What are the best feel-good movies on Netflix?

Credit: Netflix Movies can hit us in such different ways. Sometimes we want to be scared, challenged, enlightened, amused, distracted, or excited. But sometimes we want a movie that feels like a big hug. A movie that makes us feel like everything’s going to be okay. That’s why we’ve compiled a list of the best feel-good movies on Netflix so you can jump right to those uplifting titles you want after a hard day or a stressful time. Read on for our list of feel-good movies on Netflix, and if you’re not already a member, you can subscribe to the streamer by hitting the link below. from Android Apps & Games - Android Authority https://ift.tt/AgmeqH8 https://ift.tt/gbDpYnh

Google tells us when the first Android 14 beta would land

Google has mentioned Android 14 officially for the first time. The company has also dropped a solid hint about when we can expect the first Android 14 beta release. With stable Android 13 fresh out of the box, Google has updated the text on its Android Beta Program page (h/t 9to5Google ). The company notes that it will continue rolling out Quarterly Platform Releases (QPRs) starting September 2022. These updates test quarterly feature drops for Pixel phones through the Android Beta Program. What’s interesting is that Google has specifically mentioned when the Android 13 QPR period ends, giving way to the first Android 14 beta. from Android Apps & Games - Android Authority https://ift.tt/sajhJ8o https://ift.tt/v795c2u

Logitech G Gaming Handheld leaks: A slick Android handheld for cloud gaming

Credit: Evan Blass/Logitech Images of an upcoming Logitech gaming device have appeared online. One image confirms that the Logitech G Gaming Handheld is an Android-based handheld. Logitech announced a partnership with Tencent Games earlier this month to launch a cloud gaming handheld, supporting Geforce Now and Xbox Cloud Gaming . Now, a veteran leaker has dished out the first images showing the Logitech G Gaming Handheld. Evan Blass posted images of the device on Twitter, showing a device that’s more in line with the Nintendo Switch Lite and its fixed controls rather than the standard Switch with its detachable controllers. Check out the picture above and the gallery below. from Android Apps & Games - Android Authority https://ift.tt/nFHqskY https://ift.tt/2LgDJkr

Take our Lord of the Rings quiz before The Rings of Power premieres

Credit: Amazon Amazon Prime continues to invest heavily in fantasy after the success of The Wheel of Time. Now, the streamer is taking folks back to Middle-earth on Prime Video with The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power . To celebrate, we thought it would be fun to jump back a bit with a Lord of the Rings quiz to test your knowledge of Hobbits, rings of power, Gondor, wizards, and more. Check out: Where to stream The Lord of the Rings from Android Apps & Games - Android Authority https://ift.tt/9G7EeTL https://ift.tt/afJnhMF

Pixel Watch’s price leaked, sits right between Apple Watch and Galaxy Watch

Credit: Google The Google Pixel Watch price has leaked at $399 for the LTE model. That’s the same price as an Apple Watch Series 7 without LTE but more expensive than an LTE-powered Galaxy Watch 5. Google will likely launch the watch at the same time as the Pixel 7 series. We are certain Google will launch its first-ever self-branded wearable this year. However, we’ve all been wondering both how much it could cost as well as when we’ll finally see it launch. Thanks to a leak stemming from  9to5Google , we might have partial answers to both questions. According to 9to5 , the Google Pixel Watch price could be $399 for the model with LTE cellular connectivity. from Android Apps & Games - Android Authority https://ift.tt/70wgbYF https://ift.tt/UrPmRXg

How to use PlayStation Remote Play

With PlayStation Remote Play, you can stream your PS5 or PS4 games from your console to your phone, tablet, laptop, or desktop. That means you can pause your game on your TV and open the PS Remote Play app to continue gaming on your mobile device and vice versa. Here’s how to use PS remote play to stay in the game wherever you go. Read more:  How to view game captures on the PlayStation app from Android Apps & Games - Android Authority https://ift.tt/as0NitX https://ift.tt/o9BUy7E

Asus teases Dimensity 9000 Plus-powered ROG Phone 6D Ultimate gaming phone

Credit: Robert Triggs / Android Authority Asus will be adding a third model to its ROG Phone 6 series. The new gaming phone will be called the ROG Phone 6D Ultimate. The phone will be powered by Dimensity 9000 Plus and will be revealed on September 19. Earlier this year, Asus released two superpowered gaming phones: the ROG Phone 6 and the ROG Phone 6 Pro. However, it looks like the company isn’t done yet as it plans on adding a third model to the ROG Phone 6 series. In a tweet released earlier today, Asus teased that, “The ROG Phone 6 is entering its ULTIMATE form!” According to the tweet, that ultimate form will be known as the ROG Phone 6D Ultimate and it will be unveiled on September 19. from Android Apps & Games - Android Authority https://ift.tt/xcK6zM8 https://ift.tt/tXpHqK4

Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 leaks: A big step forward for budget phones?

Credit: Robert Triggs / Android Authority A veteran leaker has apparently revealed that the Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 is coming. The leaker also posted specs and features related to the new chipset. Qualcomm recently rebranded its latest Snapdragon 800 and Snapdragon 700 series chipsets, opting for Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 and Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 branding instead. Now, it looks like the company is working on a new Snapdragon 600 series SoC, and it’s getting the new naming convention too. Reliable tipster Evan Blass has posted a leaked screenshot apparently showing the Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 specifications and features. Check out the image below. from Android Apps & Games - Android Authority https://ift.tt/8EHetSr https://ift.tt/fncrs7w

7 shows like Manifest to watch before the fourth season drops on Netflix Nov. 4

Credit: Universal Today, August 28, is also known to many folks worldwide as “Manifest Day.” That’s because the cult hit TV show centers on the time-displaced passengers of Montego Air Flight 828 (8/28). Last year, it was looking bad for the show’s prospects, as NBC decided to cancel the series after just three seasons. However, the show began to surge in interest when earlier seasons dropped on Netflix . That caused Universal and Netflix to enter talks. On August 28, 2021, it was announced that Netflix would be the exclusive home for Manifest’s fourth and final season, which would be released as two parts of 10 episodes each. Today, Netflix announced that the first part of Manifest season 4 would drop on November 4 . If you are a fan of the show, we have several series you should check out that could make that wait a bit easier. Here are seven shows like Manifest to tie you over. If you haven’t watched the show, you can check out all three previous seasons on Netflix. fr

200 megapixel phones are on the way, is it time to embrace the hype?

Credit: Robert Triggs / Android Authority Just as we’d wrapped our heads around 100MP cameras, the megapixel wars reignite to bludgeon us into accepting bigger numbers must be better. Those with lenses fixed on photography may have spotted that Omnivision recently announced its first 200-megapixel OVB0A sensor. Sporting a colossal 16,384 x 12,288 pixels in a reasonably sized 1/1.395-inch package, 100% quad phase detection (QPD) technology, 16-cell pixel binning, 4K 120fps video readout, and 8K HDR capabilities, there’s a lot of healthy-looking numbers to sink your teeth into here. Impressively, yet also perhaps somewhat concerningly, each pixel measures just 0.56µm across. That’s smaller than the wavelength of red light. from Android Apps & Games - Android Authority https://ift.tt/3P5BW2v https://ift.tt/13DfdJY

The M1 model might be a better deal, but the MacBook Air M2 is the better laptop

The most popular laptop in the world is back, and with it comes a slew of design shifts marking the biggest visible changes to the MacBook Air line in almost half a decade. Of course, it was the under-the-hood upgrades that set apart its direct predecessor — the game-changing MacBook Air M1. Can Apple’s latest compact laptop live up to such lofty expectations? Find out in Android Authority ’s Apple MacBook Air M2 review. Apple MacBook Air (M2, 2022) See Review $1099 at Amazon Save $ 100.00 About this Apple MacBook Air M2 review: I tested the MacBook Air M2 (16GB/512GB/10-core GPU) for three weeks. It was running macOS Monterey (version 12.4) during the review period. Android Authority purchased the laptop for this review. What you need to know about the Apple MacBook Air M2 from Android Apps & Games - Android Authority https://ift.tt/7C6BoMY https://ift.tt/o65UTJ3

Turn that old iPod wireless with these ingenious earbuds

Credit: Dhruv Bhutani / Android Authority Opinion post by Dhruv Bhutani True wireless earbuds have come a long way. Battery life has gone up all the way to a full day of use,  lossless codecs and better drivers have improved sound quality by leaps and bounds, and high-end features like active noise cancellation are now commonplace on even affordable true wireless earbuds . However, there’s one feature that still makes me reach out for my traditional wired or over-the-ear Bluetooth headphones — an audio input jack. Miss the 3.5mm too? Here are the best phones with a headphone jack from Android Apps & Games - Android Authority https://ift.tt/GQglBXd https://ift.tt/5UEKs2n

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4 review: A 12L-evated experience

Samsung’s message throughout 2022 has been loud and clear: refine, don’t rebuild. We saw it with the flagship Galaxy S22 and S22 Plus, the mid-range Galaxy A53 5G, and even its Galaxy Watch 5 series smartwatches — all products that stick to familiar forms with only subtle changes inside and out. Not even Samsung’s ultra-premium, ultra-expensive Galaxy Z Fold 4 could escape the trend, but are minor steps enough for the cutting-edge of smartphone technology? Find out in our Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4 review. Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4 See Review $1799.99 at Samsung About this Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4 review: I tested the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4 over a period of 12 days. It was running Android 12L on the July 1, 2022 security patch. The unit was provided by Samsung for this review. What you need to know about the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4 from Android Apps & Games - Android Authority https://ift.tt/q704Kth https://ift.tt/M0WInCq

Wireless Android Auto and Google Maps are a match made in driving hell

Credit: C. Scott Brown / Android Authority Opinion post by C. Scott Brown On paper, wireless Android Auto is like a dream come true. You hop in the car, rev ‘er up, and your phone’s apps and services magically appear on your infotainment system. Within seconds, you’re listening to your music, receiving turn-by-turn navigation instructions, and delivering voice commands for texting, phone calls, and more. It’s like we’re living in the future! Of course, that’s only on paper. In the real world, using Android Auto wirelessly can be such a hassle that you might want to jump back to using it wired — or even drop it altogether. from Android Apps & Games - Android Authority https://ift.tt/lFo1N9m https://ift.tt/nuWhXyM

5 Android apps you shouldn’t miss this week – Android Apps Weekly

Welcome to the 447th edition of Android Apps Weekly . Here are the big headlines from the last week: Google may make pairing Wear OS watches with new phones less of a hassle. An APK teardown revealed a potential new feature where you can back up your watch before you pair it with a new phone. Wear OS watches need reset before they can be paired with a new phone, so this is pretty good news. Read the link to learn more. Valve released a new app beta this week . It completely revamps the Steam mobile app. The beta version overhauls the UI, and Valve says it overhauls the framework as well. There are smarter notifications, a new Steam authenticator, support for multiple accounts, improved views of various screens, and more. It’s about time since the Steam app was fairly mediocre for a very long time. Google Play Games is coming to Windows soon, and the beta is available in some places this week. Korea, Hong Kong, Thailand, and Australia can get in on the action now. That’s good news

9 shows like House of the Dragon for Game of Thrones fans

Credit: HBO With the Game of Thrones prequel series House of the Dragon now airing on HBO and streaming on HBO Max , fans are diving back into the fantasy world. New episodes drop weekly, so you may be looking for more shows like House of the Dragon to stream while you wait. We have you covered. With a recently announced second season and record HBO viewership, it looks like House of the Dragon is going to be around for a bit, exploring the Targaryen civil war that shaped Westeros leading up to Game of Thrones. That means we may have to make due during the stretches between episodes and seasons. from Android Apps & Games - Android Authority https://ift.tt/JERCMiI https://ift.tt/sOUxlr9

25 years later, GoldenEye 007’s impact on gaming can’t be overstated

Credit: Robert Triggs / Android Authority Opinion post by Dhruv Bhutani Games based on movies and licensed properties in general have rarely been good. And yet, somehow, a game based on Ian Fleming’s titular character, James Bond, starring in a good, not great movie, became the genre-defining title of 90s gaming. It’s been 25 years since GoldenEye 007 — commonly just called GoldenEye — hit the Nintendo 64 , and there’s no denying that the game left an indelible mark on the legacy of Nintendo’s console and the industry at large. Here are a few ways in which the game played a pivotal role in shaping modern first-person shooters. from Android Apps & Games - Android Authority https://ift.tt/QrN27Xo https://ift.tt/rLOKSIJ

The Weekly Authority: 📱 Flip 4, Far Out, and foldable patents

Welcome to The Weekly Authority , the Android Authority newsletter that breaks down the top Android and tech news from the week. The 209th edition here, with our Galaxy Z Flip 4 review, a new Google foldable patent, Apple’s Far Out event, and an upcoming Days Gone movie — plus much more. This week I’m off to the Edinburgh Festival to see (or should that be hear?) three of Darkfield ‘s immersive shows, Eulogy, Flight, and Seance — and I’m not going to lie, I’m quite scared but also excited! from Android Apps & Games - Android Authority https://ift.tt/MXpBb7D https://ift.tt/mqwruEX

Meta’s next Quest VR headset gets an October launch date

Credit: Roger Fingas / Android Authority Mark Zuckerberg appeared on The Joe Rogan Experience podcast for an interview. In the interview, Zuckerberg confirms his company’s next VR headset will launch this October. Based on how the product was described, it’s believed the headset will be Meta’s high-end headset codenamed “Project Cambria.” Since it was first teased last year at Meta’s Connect conference, we’ve been getting drip-fed information about the company’s high-end VR headset codenamed “Project Cambria.” Mark Zuckerberg has now confirmed that his company plans on releasing its next VR headset this October. On a recent episode of The Joe Rogan Experience podcast, Zuckerberg made an appearance at the former Fear Factor host’s studio. During the interview, Zuckerberg revealed that Meta’s next headset will be released in October. from Android Apps & Games - Android Authority https://ift.tt/aeHBAJI https://ift.tt/4uBLHtA

Save $200 on the Acer Spin 514, and more of the best Chromebook deals

Credit: Eric Zeman / Android Authority It’s easy to find a good Chromebook on a budget. After all, the whole idea behind Chrome OS devices is that they serve as a cheaper alternative to Windows laptops. We’ve rounded up some of the best Chromebook deals on the internet so you won’t have to search too hard for a good price. See also: The best Chromebooks you can get from Android Apps & Games - Android Authority https://ift.tt/R2bn6B3 https://ift.tt/aYUgW5Q

Valve releases new beta that completely revamps its Steam mobile app

Credit: Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority Valve has released a limited beta version of its updated Steam mobile app. The beta modernizes the app by overhauling the UI and framework. Included in the beta are a few new features like a new notification system, authenticator, library view, and more. For years, Steam has been one of the go-to platforms for PC games. While Valve’s desktop app is widely popular, its mobile app is another story. However, that may change as users get their hands on the new beta version of the Steam mobile app. In a news post on the Steam website, Valve states that it is rolling out a limited beta of the updated app. According to the company, it has, “rebuilt the app on a new framework and modernized the design.” Although major changes are being made, Valve confirms users will still be able to do things like browse the store, get Steam Guard codes, and confirm trades. from Android Apps & Games - Android Authority https://ift.tt/cXDIBRn