Things are looking good for the Matter smart home standard (knock on wood) https://ift.tt/ZMf3jEQ

Credit: Nanoleaf

If you’re not familiar with why Matter matters for smart homes, we have a primer for you below, but to put it as briefly as possible: simplicity. It’s a universal protocol that will allow accessories to work on any major smart home platform, eventually putting an end (in many cases at least) to the question of whether something is compatible with Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Apple HomeKit, or Samsung SmartThings.

Since it was announced, there have been doubts about how widely Matter will be adopted, and whether it’ll roll out smoothly. Or at all. There have already been a couple of delays — it was originally supposed to go live in 2020, and then in mid-2022. The good news is that based on recent developments, it is likely to meet its current fall 2022 target and become de facto in the smart home industry.

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This working GameBoy phone case is the ultimate time and money waster https://ift.tt/rqidfxc

Credit: Robert Triggs / Android Authority

Yes, that’s a GameBoy case. A fully functioning GameBoy case, to be precise. Well, of sorts — it’s not an officially licensed Nintendo product.

In fact, I doubt the manufacturer has the rights to market such a close likeness of the iconic handheld game console, let alone use the name or sell the games. But that’s the current state of Chinese manufacturing, and it’s not like Nintendo is ever going to make something this awesome.

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Should Google make a Tensor Lite processor for its Pixel A series? https://ift.tt/wTzQxUC

Credit: Robert Triggs / Android Authority

Opinion post by

Hadlee Simons

Google debuted the Tensor in the Pixel 6 series late last year — a semi-custom high-end chipset with Google’s special hardware sauce slathered on top of it.

Although the Pixel 6 series didn’t quite boast best-in-class flagship performance, it still offered plenty of power and impressive machine learning capabilities. Now, the mid-range Pixel 6a is also using the Tensor chipset, but would it be better if Google created a Tensor Lite processor for the Pixel A-series instead?

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My worst tech decision: A G Suite account for personal use https://ift.tt/6EA5kJZ

Credit: Dhruv Bhutani / Android Authority

Opinion post by

Dhruv Bhutani

I’m not a gambling man, but over the years, I’ve come to realize that buying into any Google service is a game of Russian Roulette. The Google graveyard will attest to the number of Google services killed over the years, but many other services remain needlessly impeded. Case in point — Google Workspace, or G Suite as it was previously known, for personal use.

Related: What is Google Workspace and is it worth it?

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I’ve been on 12 trips in one year — these are my 10 favorite travel products https://ift.tt/nDOsX7W

Credit: Rita El Khoury / Android Authority

Over the last 12 months, my husband and I have gone on 12 short vacations (three to four days on average) across France and a few neighboring countries. From smaller towns like Amiens and Montreux to cosmopolitan capitals like Madrid and Amsterdam, we’ve tried to keep things fun and varied. On paper, 12 trips in 12 months sound quite excessive, but we had our (many) reasons to go on this bout of tourism. So we let ourselves be seduced by the ease of movement across Europe and the simplicity of the train-hopping and backpacking travel lifestyle.

But what kind of geek would I be if I hadn’t used those travel opportunities to test all kinds of products, devices, apps, services, and features? And what kind of writer would I be if I didn’t report on the ones that made a significant difference in my experience? That’s why I’m now here talking to you about my favorite discoveries of them all — these are the 10 products that have completely changed the way I travel.

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How to change your YouTube channel URL https://ift.tt/NlEa0DM

Part of becoming a successful YouTuber is making a name for yourself—literally. By doing so, you’ll be able to sell yourself as a brand for people to frequent. One of the best ways to make yourself easily accessible is to customize your channel’s URL and include your channel name in it. That way, people don’t have to remember a long string of letters and numbers every time they want to visit your channel from the address bar.

READ MORE: How to set up a YouTube channel: A step-by-step guide

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Record 45% price drop on this 55-inch Amazon Fire TV, and more 4K TV deals https://ift.tt/TYcEfgA

Credit: Amazon

If you’re on the hunt for a new TV, you may have already noticed that 4K is everywhere. It’s becoming a standard feature, and prices have slowly started to come down. However, it can still be a challenge to decide just what you need on your next TV. We’ve done our best to put in the legwork and gather some of the best 4K TV deals available right now in 2022.

Featured deal: Record 45% price drop on this 55-inch Amazon Fire TV

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Google Play Store will throw the ban hammer on copycat apps and some in-app ads https://ift.tt/0U6xyNP

Credit: Joe Hindy / Android Authority

• The Google Play Store is making some consumer positive changes to its app and game policies.
• One change will ban copycat apps and games that are made to look like other popular apps.
• Another change will ban apps that generate interstitial ads that pop up without warning.

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If you download apps from the Google Play Store, you may have encountered and complained about some annoying issues, such as apps that keep generating ads, or apps and games that are made to look like popular apps. It looks like Google has heard those complaints and are making some policy changes to the Play Store, (via 9to5Google) to get rid of these kinds of apps.

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The best Visible deals: Get $150 spending money with the Pixel 6a https://ift.tt/mwuvIcD

If you want to switch to a contract-free prepaid carrier in the US, but you also want to keep the nationwide coverage of Verizon’s 5G network, then Visible is the best option for you. So we’ve dug deep and put together a list of the best Visible deals that are active right now.

Our own Andrew Grush even gave Visible a try as an alternative to satellite internet and found a change for the better.

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The best Boost Mobile deals: Pay just $5/month for a 5GB plan https://ift.tt/2JUEXNc

Credit: Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority

If you want to switch to a contract-free prepaid carrier in the US, Boost Mobile is one of the best options around. It has a wide range of premium and affordable smartphones available and provides many deals on devices and plans. The Sprint and T-Mobile merger has resulted in one major change for the best Boost Mobile deals — the MVNO is now part of Dish Network.

In other words, Boost is going to be around for a while. We still highly recommend the carrier and feel that now is a great time to sign up, as there are plenty of solid deals to be had this month. For example, over on Tech Deals, you can save 49% on the 5GB Boost Mobile plan.

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Samsung Galaxy S20, S21, and S22 phones start getting August 2022 security patch https://ift.tt/MC59WKA

Credit: C. Scott Brown / Android Authority

• Samsung has begun rolling out its August 2022 security updates in parts of Europe.
• The Galaxy S20, S20, and S22 phones are the first to receive the updates.
• More markets will receive the patch over the coming days and weeks.

Samsung continues to keep its promises when it comes to timely updates. As of this writing, it’s only July 29, but that hasn’t stopped Samsung from beginning to roll out the August 2022 security updates early. According to Android Police the update has hit lucky owners of the Samsung Galaxy S20, Galaxy S21, or Galaxy S22 phones in Germany. Other markets will likely be getting the same updates soon.

According to the changelog, there don’t appear to be any new features or improvements in this update. It’s mostly to improve the phone’s security, along with the vague statement, “Overall stability of functions improved”.

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How to add and organize apps in Android Auto https://ift.tt/DpPU1gA

The last thing you want to do while driving is scroll through your car’s display in frustration, trying to find the right app or search for the right destination. Instead, you save yourself the distraction by organizing your Android Ando apps beforehand. You can even create quick shortcuts for specific directions or contacts to call. Here’s how to add and arrange apps in Android Auto.

Read more: How to connect Android Auto to your car

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Save $350 on the latest Surface Pro X, and many more Microsoft Surface deals https://ift.tt/Cc0jogH

Credit: Microsoft

The iPad Pro isn’t the only tablet device that’s vying to replace your laptop. If you’re more familiar with Windows, you might find yourself more at home on a Microsoft Surface Pro. That’s why we’ve gone ahead and picked out some of the best Surface Pro deals across the web.

The Surface Pro comes in a variety of sizes and specs, so we’ve done our best to break it down a little bit further for you. We have everything from the high-end Surface Pro X to the budget-friendly Surface Go. We also have a few options for previous versions of the Surface Pro line too.

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The best iPhone deals: Get $200 free money with the iPhone SE 2022 https://ift.tt/tTXjnqH

Credit: Dhruv Bhutani / Android Authority

We may be Android Authority, but we can’t ignore what Apple’s iPhones bring to the table, especially when you can snag a deep discount. The ecosystem is well-integrated, iOS is about as straightforward as it gets, and just about anyone can pick up an Apple product and learn to use it quickly. Here are some of the best iPhone deals right now to help you avoid the so-called Apple Tax.

Featured deal: Get $200 free money with the iPhone SE 2022

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Diablo Immortal reportedly earns $100 million in its first two months https://ift.tt/hZo7a1Y

Credit: Joe Hindy / Android Authority

• A new report claims Blizzard’s new free-to-play game Diablo Immortal brought in $100 million in revenue in its first two months.
• It’s currently the 13th highest ranked mobile game worldwide in terms of revenue generation.
• The game may get another boost in money due to its launch in China earlier this week.

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Diablo Immortal has been a controversial game ever since it was first announced by Blizzard at its BlizzCon event in November 2018. Fans of the earlier Diablo action-RPG games made for the PC and consoles were upset about having what they believed to be a dumb-down version of the game for mobile devices. Others bemoaned that the game, while it would officially be free to play, would also support microtransaction that would, among other things, speed up the leveling of characters.

Read more: Diablo Immortal tips and tricks

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Are the Google Pixel Buds Pro good enough to be Android’s AirPods Pro killer? https://ift.tt/WU41hHp

Google’s next generation of true wireless earbuds and they’re going “Pro” for the first time. We’ve been testing the Pixel Buds Pro for a couple of days and we figured it’d be a good idea to give some impressions of Google’s flagship buds.

Meet the new look, same as the old look

The Google Pixel Buds Pro don’t exactly reinvent the wheel, visually speaking. These true wireless earbuds feature the same rounded Mentos-esque look as the Pixel Buds A-series and 2020 Pixel Buds, only now they lack the little wing tip nubbins. This means the buds are a little less secure in your ear, but they may also feel a little more comfortable if the old design caused you pain. The Pixel Buds Pro also come in new colors, with a pale yellow Lemongrass option and a pinkish Coral, in addition to the typical Fog (white) and Charcoal (black).

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Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4: What we know so far and what we want to see (July 27) https://ift.tt/WU41hHp

Update, July 27, 2022 (02:00 PM ET): We’ve updated our Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4 hub with some leaked press renders, leaked prices, colors, and official release details. Continue on to read all the latest.

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Original article: Samsung is just weeks away from announcing its next set of foldable phones. It’s all but confirmed that the Galaxy Z Fold 4 and Galaxy Z Flip 4 would be the next set of flagships from the company. While the former is expected to be an ultra-premium device, the latter is believed to be a more affordable entry point into Samsung’s foldable universe. This would follow nicely from the Galaxy Z Flip 3, which literally flipped the market on its head last year by coming in at a $999 price point.

Will Samsung be able to recreate that affordability this time too? More importantly, will the Galaxy Z Flip 4 bring in enough upgrades over its predecessor to woo potential buyers? Here’s everything we know about the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4 and what we want to see on it.

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$140 off the Garmin Venu 2, and more of the best smartwatch deals https://ift.tt/NXC2Mt6

Credit: Jimmy Westenberg / Android Authority

Smartwatches have cemented themselves as staples of any tech collection, but they’re not all created equal. Some, like Fitbit, excel at health tracking while others, like Fossil watches, are focused more on fashion. But one thing we love about any smartwatch is saving money via a great deal.

Related: The best smartwatches you can buy

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The best original streaming shows on every major service in 2022 https://ift.tt/mjkSwnJ

Credit: Paramount Plus

With a growing number of streaming sites offering huge libraries of new and old content, it’s easy to get overwhelmed by the wealth of options. So, let’s break it down and start slow. What are the best original streaming shows?

Below, you’ll find our top picks, organized according to where you can watch them among the massive number of streaming services currently on the market.

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New on Prime Video and Freevee in August: A League of Their Own and more https://ift.tt/Fh8otWM

Credit: Amazon

What’s new on Amazon Prime Video in August? The streaming service will premiere original and licensed shows and movies, including brand new titles like 13 Lives, Samaritan, and A League of Their Own, as well as films like Licorice Pizza, Face/Off, Once Upon a Time in the West, and Romy and Michele’s High School Reunion.

Read: The best Amazon Prime originals

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Google quietly disabled a key Pixel camera feature (Update: coming back soon) https://ift.tt/Z5aYJUL

Credit: Robert Triggs / Android Authority

Update: July 27, 2022: Sources within Google have confirmed to Android Authority that the Frequent Faces feature was indeed disabled while the company was working on fixing a bug that was causing issues in its Camera app. That bug has now been fixed, and the Frequent Faces feature will be re-enabled in a future update.

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Original article: July 25, 2022: Google’s Pixel phones have offered a “Frequent Faces” feature for several generations, identifying faces of people you often shoot in photos and recommending better images of them. However, it turns out that this feature has been disabled on Pixel phones for a few months now.

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Buy the Meta Quest 2 now before the price goes up August 1 to $400 https://ift.tt/Gduma7p

Credit: Roger Fingas / Android Authority

 

• Meta has announced that its Meta Quest 2 VR headset will be going up in price starting August 1.
• The 128GB version will go up from $299.99 to $399.99, while the 256GB version is going up from $399.99 to $499.99.
• Accessories and refurbished units will also see a price increase.

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Facebook’s parent company Meta announced some major pricing changes to its Meta Quest 2 VR headset. Unfortunately, it’s not good news, The virtual reality device, formerly known as the Oculus Quest 2, will be raising its prices. Starting on August 1, the 128GB version gets a big $100 price jump, from $299.99 to $399.99. The 256GB version is getting a similar price increase, from $399.99 to $499.99. Meta also announced that Meta Quest accessories and even refurbished units will see price increases as well.

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What’s new on Hulu in August 2022: Prey, Reservation Dogs, and more https://ift.tt/MZFxqeA

Credit: Disney

What’s new on Hulu in August? The Disney-owned streamer is rolling out some exciting titles, including the return of Reservation Dogs, the premiere of Predator prequel Prey, brand new streaming premieres, and more, including popular shows and movies like Yu-Gi-Oh!, Blazing Saddles, and Castaway.

Read more: The best Hulu originals

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The Nubia Red Magic 7S Pro is a powerful gaming smartphone for $729 https://ift.tt/HORt69L

Credit: John Callaham / Android Authority

• The Nubia Red Magic 7S Pro will soon be available for sale globally.
• The gaming optimized smartphone is a higher-end version of the early Red Magic 7 and 7 Pro.
• It will be available for early bird orders August 2 with a starting price of $729.

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Several months after Nubia launched the Red Magic 7 and Red Magic 7 Pro smartphone, the company has come out with an updated version, the Red Magic 7s Pro (via Fonearena). The phone was launched in China last month, and will soon be available for sale globally.

Like the Red Magic 7, the 7S Pro will have a big 6.8-inch AMOLED Full HD+ 120Hz refresh rate display and a 960Hz touch sampling rate. However, the new phone will have the latest Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 processor, compared to the older Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 found on the regular Red Magic 7 and 7 Pro. The new phone also has its own dedicated chip for gaming processes not related to graphics, like audio and haptic interactions.

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What is Android Auto and how does it work? https://ift.tt/Jt34nZe

Android doesn’t just power your phones, tablets, and TVs, but also your car. You can connect your phone to your car’s display via Android Auto to access navigation tools, make hands-free calls and texts, listen to music, and more while on the road. Here’s everything you need to know about Android Auto.

Read more: Ten best Android Auto apps to get the most out of it

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25% off the Roku Express 4K Plus, and more of the best Roku deals https://ift.tt/S3CQWvH

Credit: Ryan Haines / Android Authority

If you’re in the market for a new streaming device, then you probably already know most of the big names in the game. There’s Amazon Fire TV, Nvidia Shield, and more, but there are also plenty of options from Roku. If you’re a Roku fan, you’ll be happy to know there are plenty of Roku offers around. We’ve summed up the best cheap Roku deals in this post.

See also: Roku buyer’s guide: Which Roku streaming device is right for you?

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Chromebooks will get new Google Photos movie editor and more this fall https://ift.tt/dum0zy4

Credit: Google

• Google announced several upcoming Chromebook features, including a new easy-to-use Google Photos movie editor.
• Chromebooks will also get new light and dark themes, along with other customizable options.
• New productivity features and apps are coming soon as well.

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It’s hard to believe, but we are getting close to a new school season for both primary and college students. Many of them will be taking a new Chromebook to use in class, or at home. Today, Google announced a number of upcoming new apps and features that will be coming to Chromebooks and ChromeOS in the next few months. Perhaps the biggest new feature is the revamped Google Photos movie editor that will debut first on Chromebooks sometime this fall.

Read more: How to edit photos and videos on Chromebooks

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50 of of the best TV deals you can get https://ift.tt/cr5nCUq

Credit: Amazon

Whether it’s to have a family movie night or it’s to enjoy your favorite weekly TV show, having a nice TV can make all the difference. Unfortunately, it can be hard to try to sift through all the deals and choices when you’re in the market for a new home entertainment addition.

Related: Android TV buyer’s guide

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Future Nokia phone cameras won’t have Zeiss optics https://ift.tt/loGnvLQ

Credit: Ryan Haines / Android Authority

• HMD Global has confirmed that future smartphones with the Nokia brand will no longer have camera hardware provided by Zeiss.
• The partnership actually ended in 2021, but was made official today in a statement.
• Zeiss is currently partnering with Vivo for its smartphone cameras.

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One of the biggest smartphone camera partnerships has come to a close. In a statement sent to Nokiamob, HMD Global confirmed that it has ended its long-running partnership with camera company Zeiss to provide optical hardware for its Nokia branded phones.

The statement said the partnership between the two companies actually ended in 2021. That means the Nokia XR20 phone was the last from HMD Global with Zeiss lens hardware inside.  HMD Global did not offer any reasons why its collaboration with Zeiss has ended. If we had to take a guess, Nokia could be looking to cut costs by removing Zeiss licensing from the picture — though that’s obviously just speculation at this point.

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Up to $1,400 off business laptops, and more of the best HP laptop deals https://ift.tt/rj7EAGV

Credit: HP

HP, or Hewlett-Packard, has been a top name in the computer game since laptops became popular. The company helped lead the charge in bringing affordable computers to the masses. Of course, there are so many HP laptops now that it can be tough to find the right one.

HP is currently holding a weekly sale right now, so we’ve come up with a list of the best HP laptop deals to help you make your pick.

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