Virtual concerts are on the rise to becoming the next big thing. With traditional concerts cancelled around the globe for the time being, virtual events are giving fans the chance to see their favorite artists perform live like never before. The technology presenting these shows is improving rapidly, and Visible's Red Rocks Unpaused festival is sure to be one of the coolest virtual concerts so far.
Held at the gorgeous Red Rocks ampitheater in Colorado, audiences will be treated to three nights of live performances under the starry night sky. Rather than just giving you a front row, Visible's Red Rocks Unpaused is bringing virtual festivals to the next level with features that let you control the show from home! And did we mention it's entirely free?
Visible is improving the virtual concert experience with several new features. For instance, audience members can help set off pyrotechnics, switch their camera view, affect the show's lighting with their voice, and even vote on the final encore song the performer plays. You'll also be able to leave chat messages which will be displayed on the faces of the Red Rocks for the musicians to see as they perform.
Not only is the event free, but Visible is also sending out free merch to those who RSVP for the event. Along with a free shirt and hat, you could receive a promo code for 50% off Visible's affordable phone plans and a free 1-week trial of the service.
🎶 Ready to press ▶️ on concert szn? 🎶
Red Rocks Unpaused is a (free!) immersive digital concert series brought to you by Visible phone service.
From 9/1-9/3, stream your fave artists LIVE at @redrocksco... all on your phone 📲
Red Rocks Unpaused begins on Tuesday, September 1 at 8PM MT / 10PM ET and will feature three nights of performances running through Thursday, September 3. To watch the show live, head to VisibleXRedRocks.com on your mobile device or computer; set times can be found below.
September 1
Phoebe Bridgers: 8PM MT
Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats: 9:30PM MT
September 2
Lil Baby: 8PM MT
Megan Thee Stallion: 9:30PM MT
September 3
Brett Young: 8PM MT
Sam Hunt: 9:30PM MT
How to watch Red Rocks Unpaused by Visible live stream
Visible is making it easy (and free) to watch the Red Rocks Unpaused virtual festival by simply heading to the Red Rocks Unpaused website once the show begins on September 1. However, if you have any trouble accessing the livestream due to your current location, you may need to sign up for a VPN service. This will help you bypass location restrictions on different websites to make it appear as if you're viewing that content from a country you've selected.
VPN services can be used on all of your devices, which means once you're a member you can unblock access to watch the event on your phone, tablet, or computer. ExpressVPN is one of our favorites if you're not sure which to choose.
Ever since Skyrim's launch in 2011, Elder Scrolls fans have been clamoring for a new game to sink their teeth into. It's fair for them to do so, with us having yet to receive a mainline Elder Scrolls game on a next-generation console. And no, The Elder Scrolls Online — despite its wholesome charm and awesomeness — simply doesn't count.
Luckily, at E3 2018, Bethesda finally broke radio silence on The Elder Scrolls 6. Here's everything you need to know.
What is The Elder Scrolls 6?
The Elder Scrolls 6 would be, you guessed it, the sixth mainline game in the Elder Scrolls universe. For the uninitiated, Elder Scrolls games tend to be open-world RPGs that feature the classic Bethesda formula: critical decision making, rich and deep lore, massive breathtaking open worlds, memorable characters, and some of the most fun sidequests you'll find.
Elder Scrolls followed this formula even in the earliest days when technology wasn't fully supportive of such ambitions. It wasn't until the third entry — Morrowind — that the games began to take on the form that we've become used to, with each game being progressively more impressive than the ones before it.
Bethesda's biggest deviation came in 2014 when they released The Elder Scrolls Online, an MMORPG that would feature many of Tamriel's iconic locales in one massive world.
The Elder Scrolls 6 What's the story so far?
Despite The Elder Scrolls being a long-running series, the games aren't necessarily connected. With the exception of the first two titles, each Elder Scrolls game has its own storyline. They're all set in the world of Tamriel and they all feed off the same lore, but the stories are intentionally self-contained so as to allow new players to jump in wherever they want and not feel lost.
For that reason, we can't really draw any conclusions about what will happen in The Elder Scrolls 6 based on previous titles. Oblivion was all about fighting demons at the doorsteps of hell, while Skyrim was about you finding a dragon within yourself and shouting at people very loudly and violently. The Elder Scrolls 6 could be about, well, anything. Time travel? Aliens? Sweet rolls? We don't know. But you know we'll be clawing for any details we can as the months move on.
The Elder Scrolls 6 Where will it take place?
No one knows! To date, we've seen locales such as Morrowind, Skyrim, Cyrodiil, High Rock, and Hammerfell represented in one form or another, not including places like Elsweyr in Elder Scrolls Online.
If we assume Bethesda wants to take us to a new location, we can guess that Elder Scrolls might take place in either Elsweyr (Home of the Khajit race), Black Marsh (home of the Argonians), or Valenwood (home of the wood elves). These locations are heavily referenced throughout Elder Scrolls lore as some of the game's most prominent races come from these lands.
In the teaser, you can note a strange collection of peninsulas on the coast of the ocean area.
There are theories that suggest some other lesser known locations could be featured. In the very short, uneventful, and seemingly random teaser trailer for the game, you can notice a strange collection of peninsulas on the coast of the ocean area. Interestingly enough, this terrain seems to match up with that of the lost islands of Yokuda, which was once home of the Redguards before a catastrophic event sunk much of the continent.
I know the smart money's on The Elder Scrolls 6 being in High Rock, but I keep looking at these 3 peninsula in the trailer & thinking about the lost island of Yokuda. That landscape does look a bit like a tidal wave scoured it flat. pic.twitter.com/665lb6W4ij
Other guesses point to High Rock. High Rock — which is where prominent cities like Daggerfall and Shornhelm exist — was heavily featured in the first two Elder Scrolls games and in Elder Scrolls Online. The theory comes from the presence of mountainous terrain in the trailer, however, it's entirely possible that it's coincidental.
The Elder Scrolls 6 How far along is development?
It's safe to say that The Elder Scrolls 6 is still largely in its planning phase. During E3 2019, Todd Howard told IGN that "everyone should be very patient" in regards to The Elder Scrolls 6, so it's likely that even if the game is currently in development, it isn't far enough along to show off in any way just yet.
On top of that, Bethesda's main studio is also working on Starfield as well, which is an entirely new IP that is equally as secretive as The Elder Scrolls 6. Ahead of the company's E3 announcement, it was said that we might not even see work on The Elder Scrolls 6 begin until Starfield was close to finished, so it's truly unknown just how far along either game is.
Long story short, we still have a long wait ahead. It's an unusual move for Bethesda, who has historically preferred to announce games when they're pretty deep into development. Chalk it up to the restlessness of Elder Scrolls fans who were worried that Bethesda might be done with the series thanks to Elder Scrolls Online's existence, but they announced the game far sooner than we're used to and we'll just have to be patient.
The Elder Scrolls 6 Is it coming to Xbox Series X and PS5?
Bethesda has not announced any platforms for it, but The Elder Scrolls 6 is very likely coming to PS5 and Xbox Series X. With The Elder Scrolls 6 still a few years out by most estimates and the lifecycles of the Xbox One and PS4 coming to an end, it's hard to imagine Bethesda releasing it on older hardware.
The Elder Scrolls 6 When will it release?
It's unknown when The Elder Scrolls 6 will release, but don't expect it for another few years. Bethesda still has to release Starfield first, and that also does not have a release date yet.
It's tough to say when we might be treated to the first details about The Elder Scrolls 6. Bethesda head Todd Howard has acknowledged the importance of keeping fans engaged with new expectations (that was the whole point of this early announcement), but he also knows it's sensible not to say too much, too fast. With the PS5 and Xbox Series X on the horizon, now might be the perfect time for Bethesda to show off more information, but the studio is focused on Starfield at the moment.
The PS5 isn't available for preorder just yet, but a few retailers are letting fans sign up for notifications so they don't miss out. It's unknown what the standard model or Digital Edition will cost, but you should probably start saving up your money.
One of the great things about the Google Fi network is how it can seamlessly switch your service between different carriers and Wi-Fi to get you the best signal possible. But you know what's better than one Google Fi network? Two Google Fi networks! We'll show you how you can use two Google Fi SIM cards to get even better network coverage.
Tap Next after you are prompted to set up your device.
When you see the pop up that says your SIM will be downloaded soon, tap OK.
You will see a landing page detailing what your Fi number is, and that your data is active. Tap Next.
Now that you've set up your Google Fi eSIM, you can use it in conjunction with the physical SIM card you received from Google Fi and switch between networks as you need to.
How to use two Google Fi SIMs on your Pixel phone
If you purchase a Pixel phone directly from Google Fi, it will come with a physical SIM card. Upon activation, that physical SIM will work in parallel with the built-in eSIM to find you the best possible wireless signal. Note that removing the physical Fi SIM will cause your phone to lose service.
If you purchase a Pixel unlocked, and add a physical Fi SIM after you activate your Fi eSIM, follow the steps below to ensure everything works together as intended.
Remove the physical SIM card from the phone.
Open the Settings app.
Tap Network & internet.
Tap Mobile Networks.
Tap Google Fi.
Tap Erase.
Now, insert the physical SIM card back into the Pixel.
Open the Google Fi app.
Follow the instructions in the app to activate.
How to enable Google Fi Network Tools
Open the Google Fi app.
Tap on the Account tab at the bottom left of the screen.
Tap on Fi Network Tools.
Tap to toggle on Enhance network BETA.
This will enable your phone to more easily switch to using mobile data when the Fi network signal is low. It also protects your traffic through Fi's virtual private network (VPN) service.
Our top equipment picks
To take advantage of this great Google Fi flexibility, be sure to pick up a Pixel 4, 4XL, or 4a, and sign up for Google Fi service!
The Pixel 4a offers the best camera you'll find in this category, and the value on offer here is staggering. You get 6GB of RAM and 128GB of storage, a clean software without any bloat, and three years of platform updates. The phone runs just fine in most day-to-day scenarios and is the ideal size for one-handed use.
Additional Equipment
Google's MVNO service is a fan favorite here at Android Central!
Google Fi offers flexible and unlimited plans for individuals or groups of up to six people. It's a smart, low-cost way to pay for what you use and manage your data on the fly.
Get ready to raid some villages and conquer new lands.
The next Assassin's Creed was revealed by Ubisoft through a livestream where graphic designer BossLogic worked some magic to create artwork for the game. As previous rumors suggested, it does take place during the time of Vikings. If the world premiere trailer is anything to go by, it promises a lot of bloody battles. Assassin's Creed Valhalla is being developed by Ubisoft Montreal, with support from 14 other studios around the world.
After endless wars ravage Norway and resources are scarce, you'll lead your clan to the shores of England in the hopes of finding a new home. But not everyone is keen on having Vikings around, and King Alfred of Wessex will do all he can to keep you from settling.
Assassin's Creed Valhalla takes place during England's Dark Ages in the 9th century. According to Creative Director Ashraf Ismail, players will visit four major English kingdoms during that time period: Wessex, Northumbria, East Anglia, and Mercia. Specific cities include London, Winchester, and JórvÃk (York), along with smaller towns. Norway also plays a major role as role set sale from your homeland after endless wars. Players will be able to go back and forth between both countries.
Though Norway and England make up the core of the map, Ismail says the world still has some surprises in store that Ubisoft isn't getting into just yet.
Assassin's Creed Valhalla Story and characters
As clan leader, Eivor (male or female) will lead their clan from the war-ravaged Norway to the shores of England and beyond. Their arrival is met with resistance from King Alfred of Wessex (also known as Alfred the Great) and the Saxons, who will do everything in their power to drive you from the land. Eventually Eivor comes in contact with the Assassins during their journey, thus kicking off the age-old Assassin vs. Templar conflict the series is known for.
Ubisoft is taking inspiration from Norse mythology — much like the studio did with Egyptian and Greek mythology in Origins and Odyssey, respectively — but we don't know what role the gods will play just yet. Apparently, the lore will be more grounded than what we saw in Odyssey.
The present day story will again be playable and follow Layla Hassan from the previous two titles. Ubisoft apparently found a way to "blend the present day into a new type of experience for players," but it's unclear what this means.
Assassin's Creed Valhalla Gameplay
Like Assassin's Creed Odyssey before it, Valhalla will continue the series' jump into RPG territory. Players in Valhalla will be able to forge political alliances and choose dialogue options that will affect the story. A revamped combat system now allows players to dual-wield any combination of weapons (including two shields) against a "greater variety of enemies than ever before." Whether you want to brutally decapitate them with a war axe or stealthily kill them in the shadows with your hidden blade (it's back!), the choice is yours. This is all about nailing that visceral feeling of being a Viking warrior.
It seems like Ubisoft heard complaints loud and clear, because some penchants from the earlier Assassin's Creed games are returning. Not only is the hidden blade back, but it can also be upgraded so that you can instakill just about anyone, just like the good old days. Social stealth is also making a return, though it's unclear just how our viking warrior will be blending into the crowds. And when a fan asked if there would be any tombs in Valhalla, Lead Writer Darby McDevitt teased that there are "many buried secrets."
Not only is the hidden blade back, but it can also be upgraded so that you can instakill just about anyone.
New features include raids, settlement growing, and the ability expand your power and influence. With raids, you can pillage enemy villages and fortresses across England for valuable resources. Settlement growing appears to be like what Assassin's Creed 2 and Brotherhood offered with Monteriggioni and Rome, but greatly expanded with more depth. Players can construct and upgrade barracks, blacksmiths, tattoo parlors, and more.
One such settlement will serve as a hub for the player. "It's at the center of our quests and the center of the decisions you make. We want players to see the consequences of their actions," Lead Producer Julien Laferrière told Eurogamer.
"It really changed the shape of the game we were making," Laferrière said. "Instead of exploring one territory, then moving on to another and having no real opportunity or reason to return, the settlement changes the structure. So you'll go on an adventure and then be encouraged to come back to your settlement. It changes the way we're playing the game we're making - at least, that's the bet we're making."
In a first for the series, players can create customize a unique Viking raider and share it online with friends who can then use it during their own raids (though there is so co-op or multiplayer in Valhalla). Players will also be able to customize hair, tattoos, war paint and gear of their own character. Gear can be upgraded throughout the game so that a set of weapons or armor you begin the game with will still feel formidable as you progress.
Ravens are largely associated with the Norse god Odin.
Instead of your trusty pet eagle to help guide you along your journey and act as some eyes in the sky, a raven will be filling that role in Assassin's Creed Valhalla. After all, ravens are largely associated with the Norse god Odin.
"We have a bunch of new abilities for the raven," Laferrière said. "We used it as a reason to re-explore the way players can explore the world so it is less reliant on UI. If you notice a distraction somewhere it's probably because there's some content there."
Naval gameplay will be a major element as well, but don't expect to be fighting on the sea often. Vikings are known for being fearsome warriors, and many battles were won because of their skills as sailors, but they didn't partake in naval combat like you'd expect. The Vikings longship will play a crucial role in traversing the map and bringing your raiding party where it needs to go. Ismail teases a lot of surprises in store with the longship, but he did not go into detail.
The company revealed that for the first time ever, players will be able to switch between male and female Eivor whenever they'd like in the menu, meaning both genders are canonical to the story, though the reasoning for why this is possible was not explained. Players will also be able to play as Layla in the open-world of England. Previously, modern day characters could not be played in the historical simulation.
Assassin's Creed Valhalla Release date and platforms
Assassin's Creed Valhalla will release November 17, 2020 for Xbox One, Xbox Series X, PlayStation 4, PS5, PC (Epic Games Store and Uplay), and Stadia. You can pre-order it now.
For anyone worrying about which Microsoft console to buy it for, it will support Xbox Smart Delivery, meaning that one purchase gets you the game on both Xbox One and Xbox Series X. It will run at 4K on Microsoft's upcoming platform. It is unknown what resolutions it will run at on Sony's consoles or if you can buy one copy for both PS4 and PS5.
After endless wars ravage Norway and resources are scarce, you'll lead your clan to the shores of England in the hopes of finding a new home. But not everyone is keen on having Vikings around, and King Alfred of Wessex will do all he can to keep you from settling.
Google has been working on making Android more kid-friendly, and this feature brings all those efforts together.
What you need to know
Google has introduced Kids Space for Android tablets.
It's a child-friendly interface aimed at highlighting content suitable for young children.
Kids Space is being made available on select Lenovo tablets first.
Google has been working on building out its mobile Android experience to be child-friendly. It has YouTube Kids and Family Link, it's also introduced a teacher-approved section of the Play Store to keep children learning at home. It even added a Read-Along app, aimed at helping younger kids start learning to read. Now. it's taking all these efforts to their logical conclusion and building in a new feaure — Kids Space — for Android devices. Specifically, it'll be made available on tablets.
Once engaged, it'll enable a colorful interface showcasing a selection of child-friendly media ranging from games to videos to books to apps. Google says this mode will only come on certain tablets, like Lenovo's upcoming Smart Tab M10 HD Gen 2 tablets. More Kids Space equipped tablets will be on their way soon, but Google didn't specify which brands.
Google's Mindy Brooks, UX Director, Kids and Families explained:
To evaluate and select "teacher-approved" apps in Google Play, we worked with academic experts and children's education specialists to define rubrics. For Kids Space, we've built on that foundation and applied our quality standard to an ever-expanding library of apps and books in the Play and Read tabs. We worked with top publishers to make popular children's books free of charge, and have over 400 free books available in the U.S. alone. In the Watch and Make tabs, your kids can view creative and fun videos from YouTube Kids that are engaging and encourage off-screen activities. And if you're looking to customize even more, parents can download additional content from Google Play.
It's a lot like the Kids Home feature which Samsung offers on its Galaxy phones and tablets,albeit with a stronger content curation focus. It's something that may become more useful as much of the learning process typically undertaken at school continues at home over the next couple of months.
Lenovo has launched a new Android tablet with an OLED display.
It runs on a Snapdragon 730G processor, 13MP + 5MP dual rear cameras, and dual 8MP front-facing cameras.
The new Lenovo Tab P11 Pro will be available during the holiday season for a starting price of $499.
Lenovo today refreshed its Android tablet lineup with the launch of two new models: Tab P11 Pro and Smart Tab M10. The Tab P11 Pro is the most impressive Android tablet that the company has launched so far, featuring an 11.5-inch OLED display with HDR10 and Dolby Vision compliance.
The OLED display on the Tab P11 Pro offers 2,560 x 1,600 resolution and a 16:10 aspect ratio. Powering the tablet is Qualcomm's Snapdragon 730G, paired with up to 6GB of RAM and 128GB storage. It has a dual-camera setup on the back with a 13MP main sensor and a 5MP ultra-wide lens. Over on the front, the Tab P11 Pro features two 8MP sensors for video calls.
Keeping the lights on is an 8,600mAh battery, claimed to provide up to 15 hours of "normal productivity usage." The tablet also includes a quad-speaker JBL system with Dolby Atmos. On the software side of things, the Lenovo Tab P11 Pro will ship with Android 10 out of the box. Lenovo says the tablet will go on sale in November for a starting price of $499. For $100 more, you will be able to get the tablet with a keyboard pack, folio case, smart charging station, and a stylus.
The Lenovo Tab M10 (2nd Gen) is aimed at learning and entertainment and is the first tablet to come with Google's Kids Space feature. Designed for kids aged 3 to 8, Kids Space offers curated apps, books, and videos that will help nurture their curiosity and creativity. The Tab M10 features a 10.1-inch HD IPS display, a MediaTek Helio P22T processor, dual speakers with Dolby Atmos, and a 5,000mAh battery. It will be going on sale next month for a starting price of $130.
TikTok is nearly ready to announce a buyer, but the Chinese government could slow a deal.
What you need to know
TikTok has reportedly chosen a buyer for its U.S, Australian, and New Zealand businesses.
With Microsoft in the running, a deal could be announced "as soon as Tuesday."
TikTok owner ByteDance still requires a license from the Chinese government to sell to a U.S. company.
The saga around Microsoft's bid to purchase TikTok could come to an end soon, according to a new report. CNBC reports that TikTok has selected a buyer for its U.S., Australian, and New Zealand businesses. An announcement for the deal could come "as soon as Tuesday," the report notes.
Microsoft, Walmart, and Oracle are all in the mix as potential owners. Microsoft acknowledged it was seeking to purchase TikTok earlier this month, while Walmart said last week that it was partnering with Microsoft on a bid. Should the Microsoft-Walmart partnership succeed, it would make Walmart a minority owner with a deal worth between $20 billion and $30 billion, CNBC notes.
The sale could hit a snag, however. Last week, the Chinese government put TikTok's AI tech on a technology export list. The result is TikTok owner ByteDance would need a license from the Chinese government to sell TikTok to any U.S. business.
Reporting emerged last week that a TikTok sale was imminent. The deal is on a strict timeline after an executive order from the Trump administration dictated that TikTok must either be sold or it will be banned. TikTok has since sued the U.S. government, stating that the executive order was rushed out without giving TikTok a chance to defend itself against claims that it is a security threat.
Last week, TikTok CEO Kevin Mayer stepped down from his role, citing the changing political environment as a reason for his departure. TikTok's general manager in North America, Vanessa Pappas, took over his role as the company's global chief.
The OPPO Watch looks nearly identical to the Apple Watch, but the software additions make it stand out.
You will find plenty of great smartwatches for Android across several price points, and just like with phones, the designs vary considerably between each manufacturer. Samsung's Galaxy Watch series has its own aesthetic, as do designs from Skagen, Fossil, and Mobvoi.
And now there's a new addition to the list. The OPPO Watch debuted earlier this year and is now available in global markets, and there are a few standout features. The first, obviously, is the design: the OPPO Watch is a facsimile of the Apple Watch, with the smartwatch sharing the same square design with thin bezels, similar color options for the bands, and even the same packaging.
But before you brush it off as just another Apple Watch clone, there are a few things to consider. The watch is powered by Wear OS, but OPPO added a lot of its own elements to the interface, and they do make a lot of difference. And then there's the price: the OPPO Watch is available for ₹14,990 ($205) in India. It is set to go on sale in the UK for £229 ($305), making it considerably more affordable than the Apple Watch Series 5, Galaxy Watch 3, and most premium Android smartwatches.
And that, ultimately, is what works in its favor. Yes, the OPPO Watch looks like the Apple Watch, but that's not a bad thing. If anything, the OPPO Watch is the best Wear OS smartwatch I have used to date.
OPPO Watch
Bottom line: The OPPO Watch combines a vibrant AMOLED screen with a bezel-less design and powerful internals. Wear OS runs the show here, but you do get unique ColorOS elements that make it stand out in this category. Combine that with reliable battery life and fast charging, and you're getting excellent value here.
The defining feature of the OPPO Watch is its design. The aesthetic is obviously inspired by the Apple Watch, but OPPO added its own flair here. The smartwatch has dual-curved sides that mimic what you get on most modern phones, and the effect works really well in this form factor. The curved edges let you see more information without making the watch feel too big on your wrist, and it makes the screen stand out.
This is one of the best-looking smartwatches you'll find today.
The square form factor is great for viewing more content on the screen, and for what it's worth, the watch has rounded edges and ultra-thin bezels that make it feel more elegant. The OPPO Watch is available in 41mm and 46mm versions, with the former offering a 1.61-inch panel and the latter a 1.91-inch screen. Both models feature the same AMOLED display, and the screen itself is fantastic. Colors are vibrant, and there are zero issues while using the smartwatch under harsh sunlight.
The chassis itself is made out of series-6000 aluminum alloy, and the build quality is right up there with the best you'll find in this segment. There are two buttons on the right: a home button that sits up top and pulls up the app drawer, and a multi-function button that lets you customize an action or go back within an app. You'll also find a microphone tucked in between the two buttons, and on the left side, you'll find a grille for the built-in speaker. Calls went through without a hassle, and the onboard audio holds up perfectly fine for this use case.
The back of the smartwatch is made out of plastic, and you'll find the heart rate sensor and the charging connector here. The smartwatch uses a custom one-button removal for the straps, making standard bands ineligible. You'll be able to pick from a wide assortment of bands tailored for the watch — including vegan bands — and the bundled fluoro rubber option feels a lot like silicone and is comfortable for all-day use.
In terms of colors, the OPPO Watch is available in Black, Pink Gold, and Silver Mist for the 41mm variant, and Black and Pink Gold for the 46mm option. The 41mm model weighs 30g without the bands, and the 46mm variant comes in at 39g. There's also an LTE-enabled 46mm model that weighs 40g. The 41mm version has a 300mAh battery, with the 46mm model getting a 430mAh unit.
The OPPO Watch is powered by Wear OS, but you wouldn't know that at first glance. You'll find a lot of ColorOS elements here, and while, generally, I wouldn't say I like overt customization, it works to the watch's advantage in this particular scenario. The custom launcher and colorful icons make the watch stand out, and OPPO has done an incredible job optimizing the performance. I didn't see any slowdowns in my usage, and it was generally a smooth and fluid experience.
The OPPO Watch takes Wear OS and makes several much-needed changes.
You'll also find a lot of customization that takes full advantage of that squarish form factor. The pull-down quick settings bar shows battery level and connection status at the top, the app grid is easier to navigate, and you get an easy-to-view daily activity breakdown that lists all the calories burned, workout time, activity sessions, and steps walked.
OPPO also baked in custom workout modes, and there's an app called 5-Minute Workouts that lets you take quick breaks in the middle of your workday with guided workout sessions. The fact that it works natively on the smartwatch makes it that much more convenient.
Wear OS is still a buggy mess, but by adding its own custom layer on top of Google's wearable platform and tweaking the performance, the OPPO Watch has been the most stable Wear OS smartwatch I have used to date.
As for the hardware side of things, the OPPO Watch is powered by the Snapdragon Wear 3100 platform, but it also has a secondary Ambig Micro Apollo 3 processor that takes over during low-power tasks like sleep monitoring, leading to better overall battery life. There's 1GB of RAM and 8GB of built-in storage, and I didn't have any issues in day-to-day use with the smartwatch.
Elsewhere, you'll find a built-in GPS, 5ATM water resistance, Bluetooth 4.2 LE, and NFC for payments. The smartwatch has a full complement of sensors, including an accelerometer, gyroscope, barometric, and ambient light sensor to adjust the brightness of the screen automatically.
The watch delivers over a day's worth of use with ease, and with VOOC flash charging, you'll be able to charge the OPPO Watch from zero to 30% in just 15 minutes and a full charge in 75 minutes. You can choose from an always-on mode or have the screen wake for notifications, and there's also a power saver mode that is designed to extend battery life to 21 days.
Going global
OPPO Watch What needs work
The OPPO Watch has a lot going for it, and it doesn't have any major shortcomings. Sure, the Snapdragon 3100 platform is two years old at this point, but the global model is more powerful than the Chinese version of the smartwatch, which has a Snapdragon 2500. And while Qualcomm has released the Snapdragon 4100, it doesn't do anything to fix the inherent software issues with Wear OS. For now, the Snapdragon 3100 holds up just fine.
The biggest issue with the smartwatch is its availability outside China. OPPO doesn't have any presence in North America, and while the watch is now available in India and heading to the UK shortly, it won't be seeing a broader release that's anywhere close to what Samsung manages with its wearables.
OPPO Watch The competition
The obvious competitor to the OPPO Watch is Samsung's $400 Galaxy Watch 3. Samsung dominates the smartwatch category, and the Galaxy Watch 3 has a bold new color scheme, MIL-STD-810G rating, 50m water resistance, ECG, all-day battery life, and wireless charging.
The recently announced $230 Fitbit Versa 3 is another great choice. It has built-in GPS, 24/7 heart rate monitoring, outstanding battery life, and great value. Oh, and you now get Google Assistant integration as well.
The $295 Skagen Falster 3 is your best alternative if you're looking for a Wear OS smartwatch. It has a premium design with 5ATM water resistance and is currently the best showcase for Google's wearable platform.
OPPO Watch Should you buy it?
You should buy this if ...
You want a smartwatch that looks like the Apple Watch
You want a large screen with all-day battery life and built-in GPS
You're used to Wear OS but want something that's stable
You're in the market for value
You should not buy this if ...
You don't like the look of the Apple Watch
Wear OS has fallen by the wayside in recent years, and a lot of that has to with Google's lackluster attitude towards the platform. But by adding its own set of features to Wear OS, OPPO has managed to deliver a smartwatch that stands out from the pack.
The design is obviously what garners most of the attention here, but the software additions make a lot of difference, and they make using the smartwatch far less annoying. The display is fantastic, the battery life is more than adequate, the day-to-day performance is reliable, and you get outstanding value. Bring it all together, and you get one of the best Wear OS smartwatches money can buy today.
4out of 5
The OPPO Watch is now available in India, and it will be going on sale in the UK shortly, with the 41mm base version retailing for £229 and the 46mm LTE model debuting at £369.
OPPO Watch
Bottom line: The OPPO Watch combines a gorgeous design with a dual-curved screen and sturdy chassis with robust internal hardware. You get all-day battery life, fast charging, and built-in GPS as well as NFC. But the highlight here is the software: by adding its own features to Wear OS, OPPO manages to stand out from the pack.
Sony released their 2020 corporate report outlining their financial goals and strategic plans.
Buried in the report was a commitment to "explore expanding" their Playstation exclusives to PC.
This is a telling report, after the success of Horizon Zero Dawn and Death Stranding after their launch on PC.
While nothing is set in stone, post-Playstation 5 should clarify Sony's dedication to expanding the reach of their portfolio.
Whatever your feelings about various gaming consoles, there's no denying that Sony has amassed itself an impressive group of studios, and continues to churn out critically acclaimed titles like God of War, Ghost of Tsushima, and many more. Over time, players have lamented the lack of Playstation's beautiful games on their platform of choice, PC, especially at a time where Microsoft has committed to bringing every 1st party Xbox game to PC.
In fact, absolutely incredibly games like Microsoft Flight Simulator and Gears Tactics came to PC first, and will come to Xbox in the future. Because of this, Microsoft has routinely dominated Steam's best selling charts with their games, and Sony has taken notice. After games like Horizon Zero Dawn and Death Stranding impressed with their PC ports, players were hopeful for more.
It seems Sony may be keeping this in mind, and in their 2020 corporate report buried a comment that commits to at least exploring the possibilities. Besides hinting at a strong lineup of future exclusives, Sony's report said "We will explore expanding our 1st party titles to the PC platform, in order to promote further growth in our profitability."
With the Xbox Series X and Playstation 5 on the horizon, these gaming behemoths are looking for every way to capture the hearts and minds of players. Going where the players are is a great way to do that, so hopefully we see more of Sony's first-party games come to PC as well as Playstation, as Microsoft has now smartly begun to do.
It is built on the same 8nm process as the Snapdragon 730G.
What you need to know
Qualcomm Snapdragon 732G is a modest upgrade over last year's Snapdragon 730G chipset.
In addition to slightly improved CPU and GPU performance, the chipset also brings faster AI performance.
POCO will be the first Android OEM to launch a Snapdragon 732G-powered phone.
Qualcomm has announced the Snapdragon 732G, a new mobile chipset that will soon power several budget and mid-range Android smartphones. As you may have guessed by its name, the Snapdragon 732G is a follow-up to the Snapdragon 730G, which was announced in April last year.
Like its predecessor, the Snapdragon 732G is a gaming-focused chipset. While it isn't a massive upgrade over the Snapdragon 730G, it comes with higher CPU and GPU clock speeds for better performance. The Cortex A76-based Kryo 470 Prime core is now clocked at up to 2.3 GHz, while the Adreno 618 GPU is "bolstered" to offer improved graphics rendering. The chipset also promises to deliver faster AI performance and enables "ultra-realistic gameplay in over a billion shades of color."
Qualcomm has partnered with POCO to create the first phone with the new chipset. The upcoming phone, which will be called the POCO X3, is rumored to launch on September 8.
Sam Jiang, head of products, POCO Global, said in a statement:
We are extremely excited about the upcoming POCO smartphone and our collaboration with Qualcomm Technologies that allowed us to create the first device on the market with the latest Snapdragon 732G Mobile Platform. We believe the device will set a new benchmark in the mid-range category, completely redefining the relationship between a phone's price and its capabilities.
Aside from the slight increase in performance, the Snapdragon 732G is more or less identical to its predecessor. It features the same Snapdragon X15 LTE modem, 4th generation Qualcomm AI Engine, and Quick Charge 4+ support.
Amazon's Echo Buds do a solid job of nailing the fundamentals to come out strong in the company's first attempt at headphones. The results are compelling and impressive, thanks to some well though out features, though we wish there was a USB-C port to charge.
Samsung righted some wrongs with the Galaxy Buds Plus, which is why they've proven to be a solid choice for those listening on an Android phone. Their tasteful and colorful design choices help them stand out in a crowd, but you won't be able to drown a lot of outside noises out.
There's arguably not a bad choice between these two. Both the Amazon Echo Buds and Samsung Galaxy Buds+ are great in their own right. Yet, the Echo Buds win out because of a combination of performance with a few key features that eke out a win over a very capable pair from Samsung.
Amazon Echo Buds vs. Samsung Galaxy Buds Plus: What sets them apart?
Just being true wireless earbuds gives these two headphones plenty of commonalties. Remove an earbud and playback automatically pauses. Put it back and it resumes. Their respective charging cases are both relatively small enough to fit in most people's pockets. The designs of the buds themeslves are each both small and ergonomic for longer listening periods. You also get different-sized silicone ear tips in the box for more custom fits.
If this head-to-head was with the original Galaxy Buds, Amazon would emerge the clear winner, but instead, Samsung raised the stakes with the Buds+. They have some of the best battery life of any pair currently available, giving them a decisive edge over the Echo Buds in that area. In fact, Samsung can double Amazon's five-hour output with a max of up to 11 hours. Even if you account for loss due to volume level, Samsung still wins big anyway.
Amazon Echo Buds
Samsung Galaxy Buds Plus
Durability
IPX4
IPX2
Bud battery life
5 hours
11 hours
Case battery life
20 hours
22 hours
Wireless charging case
❌
✅
Connectivity
Bluetooth 5.0
Bluetooth 5.0
Digital assistant support
Alexa, Google Assistant, Siri
Bixby, Google Assistant, Siri
Supported audio codecs
SBC, AAC
Scalable, SBC, AAC
Speaker size
6mm drivers
6mm drivers
Active noise reduction (ANR)
✅
❌
Ambient sound mode
✅
✅
The charging cases are effectively even because of that. Amazon's case can recharge the Echo Buds an extra three times for a total of 20 total hours. Samsung's case offers one additional charge, bringing the total to 22 hours. It's a two-hour discrepancy, but for all intents and purposes, we're calling it even. They each have fast charging, too, with Amazon's set getting up to two hours on a quick 15-minute charge, while you can get 60 minutes of playback with Samsung's after plugging in for only three minutes.
The downside is that Amazon opted to go with a Micro-USB port, which makes little sense given how fast the industry has moved to USB-C. There's also no wireless charging support. Thankfully, Samsung has a USB-C port, which explains why the fast charge is faster, and the case wirelessly charges on any Qi-enabled surface.
Samsung didn't tweak much of the Galaxy Buds+' sound quality compared to the previous model. They sound good, but not exceptionally great. However, we could argue that's also where Amazon positioned its Echo Buds, which have a nice soundstage, but are unlikely to blow everyone away. A good, tight seal is critical to getting the most out of the bass and mids for both of them. The Echo Buds hold an edge in that their drivers are already tuned toward the low end, meaning they don't work as hard to hit those bassy sounds. The treble in either pair is reasonably neutral, though you would probably raise the volume more often on the Galaxy Buds+ to hear all the nuances.
The designs aren't radically different in that each of them are pretty small and ergonomic for longer listening periods.
From this point, they each diverge on how they prioriize sound. For example, the Galaxy Buds+ have an ambient sound mode that uses the onboard microphones to pipe in background noise without removing them. But there's no active noise cancelation (ANC) or reduction to do the opposite and drown out the background.
Amazon equipped the Echo Buds with an active noise reduction (ANR) mode that's powered by Bose, and is, in technical terms, a step below the ANC Bose uses in its own headphones. It is essentially the same as ANC under a different name, and it's not surprising the Echo Buds won't outperform the likes of the Sony WF-1000XM3. It does better at holding off monotonous and consistent sounds, while struggling with higher-pitched or variable noise. For quiet time at a desk or on a commute, they should do fine, but won't block out everything on a street, for instance.
In addition to that, the Echo Buds have a Passthrough mode that filters in ambient sound over five different levels through the Alexa app. So, if you're going to do any listening or talking without music, you won't need to take a bud off first.
Amazon Echo Buds vs. Samsung Galaxy Buds Plus: Talking the talk
Pictured: Echo Buds.
Given these respective earbuds come from companies with their own voice assistants, you would think that's a big part of the user experience here. And you'd be right, but at least you're not beholden to only one. While the Echo Buds make it easy to talk to Alexa on a moment's notice, you could still access Google Assistant (or even Siri) if that's your preference. Samsung is equally democratic, giving you free reign to put Bixby in the back seat in favor of Google Assistant or Siri.
Phone calls are also pretty even, though it wouldn't have been if these were the original Galaxy Buds. Samsung addressed the shortcoming in a big way by adding a third microphone, and the difference is a definite improvement.
Amazon Echo Buds vs. Samsung Galaxy Buds Plus: Which one should you go with?
Samsung scores points for offering more than just a drab black. You can find the Galaxy Buds+ in white, light blue, aura blue or even the super cool red variant. Samsung has also since gone in a different direction by launching the Galaxy Buds Live, which are a totally different take on how true wireless earbuds can fit in your ears.
Amazon hasn't given the Echo Buds a new coat of paint, so you only get black. The aesthetics aside, the tight race between these two really comes down to the fact the Echo Buds hold an edge in a few respects that matter. They have a more balanced sound, offer both Passthrough and ANR modes, and are a smidge more durable than the Galaxy Buds+.
But it's hardly a resounding win. Even if you chose to go with Samsung's pair, you wouldn't be losing all that much. App support is excellent in both cases, and with their respective equalizers — limited as they are — do help add some punch for them. Comfort is going to be really subjective, though both are smartly designed to stay on with little discomfort. If the extra features matter to you, go with the Echo Buds. If battery life is king, give Samsung a chance..
